Category: Romance

The Gazillionaire and the Virgin – Lisabet Sarai

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gazillion audible

 

Get the Audiobook here

Get the book on Amazon

 

I listened to the audiobook, and this almost turned into one of my favorite stories.

I really enjoyed the way Lisabet Sarai took the Alpha/Bdsm genre and twisted it; Rachel being the high-powered “gazillionaire” and Theo the socially awkward virgin. But, during sexy times, Theo broke out and Rachel really pushing the “top from the bottom”. I loved it. I loved that she let him unleash that side of himself and even while she was submitting to him, she was still helping him and pushing him to be more. I liked how Lisabet wove computer worlds into the story. It was fun to listen to characters who were a bit nerdy and off the beaten path. Coders united!

**SPOILER** Then came Chapter 22. Oh how I hated Chapter 22. It completely ruined Theo for me. I kept waiting and listening for redemption. But, no matter what he did after that, he was done for me. It was like with a slap in the face, the story turned back into what this trope has always been: A dominant man who is an Alpha always.. He lost that sweet man vibe for me. It broke my heart, because I really really loved him. I wish I could give up to Chapter 22 5 stars, and after 3 stars. **END SPOILER**

I like Lisabet’s writing, and I’m looking forward to checking out her other books! I hate that I couldn’t say that I loved the book 100%. The writing and story were great (even after my cut point), but with the big change, it just drew a line for me. Some people may like the way it played out. Everybody but me may like the way it played out. I’m sure I’m the odd one out, but it is what it is. I hate that it is, but I can’t help it.

I think Erin Marsh did a great job narrating the story. At some parts, I wished that there had been a male voice along with hers, but for the most part, having her do all it was good. I really felt what Rachel and Theo were feeling. This was the first thing I’ve listened to narrated by her, and was not disappointed.

Whispered Prayers of a Girl – Alex Grayson

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Whispered Prayers

Find it on Amazon!

Alex Grayson was the 2nd Indie author I discovered when I signed up for Kindle Unlimited earlier this year (maybe last year?! I’m horrible with time.) I read Always Wanting first, and enjoyed it and went looking for other books. I then read The Jaded Series. The Jaded Series fucked me up. Like, that was the first Romance genre books that I’d read that had any kind of darkness to them. I started reading romance novels in 2001. My grandma and mom had always read Harlequin, and then I started reading them. Until Alex, I didn’t know that dark romance was out there. She changed my life. I love both my Rom-Com’s and the Dark Side. Have I ever mentioned that I’m a Libra? hahaha. The Jaded books were some of the ones that I lost my reviews of when Amazon took me out. I wish that I had posted reviews on Goodreads as well, but I hadn’t, so they are lost. I’m sure I’ll read them again, and when I do I’ll do a post about them then.

When I saw the banner for Naughty Nashville, I noticed Alex’s name right away, and that’s why I bought a ticket. I was super excited! So, I got to meet her and fan girl. She’s super nice and listened to me babble. Isn’t that nice, when you want to meet someone and it just goes good? 🙂  — This post is not me reviewing Alex. I wish that was socially acceptable to do. If when you met someone you could type their names in an app and see reviews other people have posted of them. Sort of like a Yelp for people. Pelp? hahaha

I got sidetracked.

Whispered Prayers of a Girl. That’s why we are here. It is such a good book!  – While *I* wouldn’t call this “dark”, based upon some of the stuff I’ve come across lately, it’s not a light story.

Gwendolyn has lost her husband and moved her and her two kids to Cat’s Valley hoping a change of place would be a new start for them. She meets Alexander, who has lost his wife and child, and has significant burns to his body from the accident. Gwen and the kids end up staying with him for a few days, and it opens a path for healing for all of them. This is a story about loss and healing. It is also about forgiveness and the things that we blame ourselves for. It’s much easier to forgive someone else than it is to forgive yourself – even if there’s nothing that could have been done differently.

There is a lot of back and forth from Alexander, which makes me want to smack him sometimes, but that’s him not wanting to get hurt and his fear of hurting someone again. There is also a hot dry-humping scene. I’m not sure why it’s called dry-humping. I’mma have to look that up!

Pick up the book! Read it! It’s so good! Then, you can find Alex on facebook, Amazon,  and Goodreads. You’re gonna want to read all her books!