REVIEW: The Dominant by Tara Sue Me

The Dominant by Tara Sue Me (The Submissive Trilogy #2)
Publisher: NAL Trade (Penguin Group: Berkley, NAL)
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Source: Netgalley via publisher*
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Nathaniel West doesn’t lose control.

As the playboy CEO of West Industries, he governs the boardroom during the day; as a strict dominant with exacting rules, he commands the bedroom at night. He never takes on inexperienced submissives, but when Abigail King’s application comes across his desk, he breaks his own restrictions and decides to test her limits.

Abby’s combination of innocence and willingness is intoxicating, and Nathaniel is soon determined to collar her as his own. As long as she follows his orders and surrenders herself fully to him, no one will get hurt.

But when Nathaniel begins falling for Abby on a deeper level, he realizes that the trust must go both ways—and he has secrets which could bring the foundations of their entire relationship crashing down...

My Review

I’m going to start off by saying that I actually read The Dominant (along with its predecessor and sequel) when it was still a fanfiction story. While I did enjoy it as a fanfiction, I didn’t enjoy it so much as a published novel even with the similarities I originally fell in love with.

What can I say about Nathaniel? He’s a controlling, demanding, possessive, but has a touch of compassion and kindness somewhere in there. He was a Dom who loves the Dom lifestyle, but feels like something is missing. He sees that missing something in Abby. However, Nathaniel didn’t believe their worlds would ever cross until Abby’s submissive application is set in front of him. Throughout the book, Nathaniel struggles with his feelings for Abby, wanting to be her all while trying to separate his Dom tendencies. 

The romance was not entirely there since it was mostly sexual from the beginning, but it does grow into more later on. And I must say that their sexy times was way more than sexy. It was effing hot up in here, is all I’m going to say. I did like that both Nathaniel and Abby took their time to be reacquainted to one another and gave each other a chance to be more.

I’m new to BDSM type of books. I don’t know much about it, but I definitely got a more eye opening experience from this book. Possibly a more understanding view on this lifestyle. I don’t see it as something deviant or something not normal so I sympathized with Nathaniel and his confusion on wanting to be a lover or Dom or both. 


I think the problem with this book was the lack of description on the characters, especially Nathaniel and Abby. I couldn’t visualize what they were supposed to look like in my head. There was some character growth for both of them, but I believe it would have been better if The Submissive and this book were joined into one book with dual POVs. There would be more development on both sides instead of just one or the other. My main issue with this book was basically it being almost identical to the fanfiction. There was not much difference besides the changed names and a few minor scenes here and there that were tweaked. I guess I was expecting more change from fanfic to the published book. I was mostly disappointed by that front. 


*Thanks to Penguin Group: Berkley, NAL for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion

REVIEW: True by Erin McCarthy

True by Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Source: Netgalley eARC* 222 pages
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

My Review

I seriously love this book to death and beyond! I’ve read a couple of New Adult books and I can definitely say that this one takes a very special place in my heart and stands out among the rest. Erin McCarthy is freaking brilliant, crafting a novel that is highly relatable, easily connectable, and moving in its own way. 

First thing I loved about this book from the very start was the main character, Rory. She was so different from any character I have read about for many reasons that are completely good in every way. She was a normal college student who was highly intelligent and got excellent grades. What I loved most about Rory was her realness. She was direct and honest, genuine in every sense and her voice was completely authentic. Her inner dialogue never failed to make me laugh. Although she was weird, she was also adorable too and she didn’t have a problem with telling a few jokes to get out some laughs. The more I read her story, the further I wanted to get to know her. Really, the best thing about Rory is that she isn’t fake; she was awkward, struggled with interpersonal relationships and communication and was still trying to fit in. 

This book wasn’t the typical pretty girl falling in love with the bad boy. It was the awkward girl snagging a really good guy with a rough home life. The dynamic that Rory and Tyler had going on throughout this book was super cute. It was silly how both thought they weren’t good enough for each other. It was even better when they put aside all their doubts and just let each other in. Their relationship was hard because of their families and while they had set backs here and there, Rory and Tyler did their best to communicate with each other. They liked and cared for one another because each had a quality that made them different. Tyler and Rory just had a mutual understanding, one that even I can’t explain thoroughly. 

True was about struggling to fin in school, seeing past what people show on the outside, defying parental units for something and someone you believe in and loving someone who loves you back just the same. True was basically a book that showed imperfection in love and life. It was mainly a book about trying to get past your own discomfort and insecurities; things that college students could possibly be facing today as they continue to grow up and explore. McCarthy really created this book for others to relate to while also sharing a story one can enjoy and cherish all at the same time.

Overall, McCarthy made me fall in love with True not because it was perfect, but because of the real emotions that came out of it and how easily I could have placed myself in Rory’s shoes. 

*eARC provided by publisher for review purposes

REVIEW: The Valentine's Arrangement by Kelsie Leverich

Title: The Valentine's Arrangement (Hero for the Holidays #1)
Author: Kelsie Leverich
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: January 31, 2013
Format: ebook, 150 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N 

Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female solider while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finish leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about.

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier?

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

The Valentine’s Arrangement was a fast-paced, sexy, and enthralling read. 



Ronnie was one tough, bold, and blunt tattoo artist that I totally looked up to and loved so so much. She was strong and confident and just cool in every aspect. Even better was her fierce, snarky, and don’t-give-a-shit attitude. Even though she was this total force to be reckoned with she had a vulnerable side that was there deep down and behind her tough exterior. I loved how she was guarded, yet learned to open her heart in the end. Ronnie was definitely no damsel in distress, she could hold her own and defend herself without a problem. Ronnie was not the type of girl to be messed with and because of her intensity, I may have developed a serious girl crush on her.



Then you have sweet, strong, and super sexy love interest, Kale, who endlessly made me swoon like no other. This man has got game and he definitely brings it. He was not afraid to tease and torment Ronnie at any chance he could get and he was not afraid to stand up to her attitude either! Kale was definitely a hero in my eyes, one who totally made me fall for him instantly. He was so determined to prove Ronnie wrong and to deem himself worthy of Ronnie’s attention and I loved how he never gave up on her even when she continued to push him away relentlessly. 



Leverich does an astounding job of drawing out the sexual tension and feelings between Ronnie and Kale. Even in such a short novel, I never felt that it was rushed or forced in any way. The development of Ronnie and Kale’s relationship felt natural and believable. Add in the funny interactions, clever comebacks that just make you grin and the hot sexy scenes that will make you shiver and you're in for a short and sizzling read. 



Ronnie and Kale are just too irresistible! If you are looking for a quick, easy, and guilty pleasure read, this one is for you!



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Favorite Quotes

All quotes are specifically spoiler-free favorites

"Needless to say, Ronnie was not a fan of the lovey, dovey mushy shit; in fact, that was putting it graciously." Location 47.

"Apparently her fiance had a problem keeping it in his pants while he was gone, and his squad's female medic just so happened to be the lucky one to help him with this little, and she did mean little dilemma." Location 76.

"For the record Sweetheart, I wasn't mind fucking you, but thank you for putting that image in my head." Location 178.

"Why did he have to come in here looking like a walking ad for sexy 'r' us?" Location 222.

"He was all hands and mouth and raw fucking desire; and right now, this was what she wanted." Location 534. 

"I don''t have a problem with pain, baby. Touch me wherever your little heart desires," Location 1113. 

REVIEW: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Published: June 14, 2012
Format: Netgalley* 395 pages

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

My Review:
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick was definitely a perfect summer read and it surely made way for my ever growing love for contemporary novels. This book had everything I was looking for: real life issues, humor, fun, love, heartbreak, tragedy and relatable characters that ended up being a part of me all together. 



Huntley Fitzpatrick swept me away on this amazing journey with Samantha. I was captivated by her articulate and eloquent writing style and the way she made Sam’s voice so loud in my head. The plot is very interesting and well thought out and it engages the readers with the characters along the way. The whole pacing of the book was well developed in a way where I got a feel of the summer setting, I got to know the characters on a deep level and I was able to just get sucked into the intense moments between Samantha and Jase. Huntley Fitzpatrick started off really strong in the beginning and she ended the whole book with a bang.

My favorite part of the book was the development and growth of Samantha’s character throughout the book. Samantha started off as really quiet and it seemed like she was set apart from everyone else due to her overbearing, conservative, uptight and strict mother. She also seemed to keep to herself and I felt like everyone thought Samantha would be stuck up because of her privileged life. However, I thought Samantha had her own hidden and buried personality when she was out of her mother shadow. Samantha was smart, kind and thoughtful. She never judged people and she was open to everyone. She was nothing like her mother. Samantha was intrigued with the Garrett family and I could feel her longing to be a part of something like that. When she meets Jase Garrett in person for the first time, it’s like Samantha’s world shifts a little to welcome Jase, even if secretly. When she was around Jase, she was funny and for me, she felt more alive and at ease. She felt more comfortable with herself. She didn’t have to please anyone.

I absolutely loved Jase. He never judged Samantha. He was always kind and he was a complete gentleman.  He was charming, handsome, sweet, super friendly and he was just an overall good guy. Most of all, he was downright respectful. I fell in love with Jase just as Samantha did. I loved how the relationship between Jase and Samantha was developed and established in a way that was beautiful, natural and realistic. Their relationship was pure, true and heartwarming. I enjoyed them getting to know each other slowly but surely and it was so lovely to read and be a part of something like that. Even though Samantha and Jase’s world were entirely different, Samantha seemed to fit right in with Jase and his family. He and his family welcomed Samantha with open arms. I loved reading how closer Samantha got with the Garrett family, the closer she got with Jase ultimately leading into a full fledge and swoon worthy romance.

As perfect as Samantha and Jase’s relationship seemed, I knew there would be hardships and conflicts that would test their love for each other and I thought Huntley Fitzpatrick added the perfect amount of chaos and drama into the story. The problems that Huntley Fitzpatrick gave for Sam and Jase was truly heartbreaking and surely intense, but I was glad she built up to this, allowing the relationship between the two to strengthen. It was hard to see them argue, but I knew it was needed. I really felt Samantha’s pain. I saw how she struggled with having to choose and it made me want to cry out to her. To see her inner turmoil, really hurt me and I wished everything would work out for her and Jase.

Overall, My Life Next Door has to be one of the best contemporary books I’ve read in a long time. It’s filled with blossoming romance, tough choices and heart shattering realizations that really tug at one’s heartstrings. The book is all about doing what is right, standing up for what you believe in, being true, honest and fighting for the one you love.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

*Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for allowing me to read this book

Connect with Huntley Fitzpatrick:

Webpage | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase My Life Next Door:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository