Naughty by Nature by Addison Moore | Rating: ★★☆☆☆

How do I write a review of this one without sounding dull or mean? Cheesy cover aside, Naughty by Nature is neither the cheesiest nor the worst romance novel I've read in recent weeks. Addison Moore manages to weave and craft a series of sexual tension that will leave fans groveling at her feet, begging for more. More Moore. Ha-ha-ha... oops. I'm procrastinating and getting off topic already.

Let's just start with the basics: two former best friends, one a moderate good girl, who has been away from her home-town for years, the other a stereotypical and definite bad boy (hullo, man-whore extraordinaire!) who decide to pair up and plan the ultimate prank against their mother's. For all their lives, Jax and Poppy have dealt with their fair share of embarrassment from the dynamic duo that is their mother's, who happen to be best friends, and upon Poppy's return they stir up plans to give the pair a taste of their own medicine. Only, things don't go according to plan and it just may be that these two former friends have bitten off more than they can chew.

Family dynamics are prominent in this one. You're not going to like everyone at first glance and that is a good thing. As far as fleshing out the characters goes, this is Moore's biggest source of praise. Her characters are flawed and developed to a certain degree. For the most part, there's a blatant archetype to everyone.

Priest by Sierra Simone | Rating: ★★★☆☆

"...it was rewriting my mind and my soul, my future and my life..." 

If you’re not easily offended, or overly religious, and you love some seriously steamy sexy times and if you are just looking for an easy read to pass the time, Priest is for you. I'm pretty positive it's going to be one of the next big things and the way it's crafted is in a league of its own. For those of you who have friends that devour romance novels, this is the perfect holiday present for them.

Perhaps one of those novels that is attached to controversy in a big way, Priest is still--somehow--equally thrilling, captivating and cringe worthy. It's certainly much more beautifully written than many novels in its genre. One things for certain: it will grip its readers and refuse to let it go until the final pages. Heavy on angst and lust, it is a ride, to say the least.

The worst thing a reader can do is take the novel too seriously. This isn't real life and it's not always going to be the most realistic and actively accurate read you've ever picked up. It's not meant to be. And in spite of all of this, it's still the type of novel that captures your attention instantly. I was surprised by how much heart there was--and the level of honesty involving both Poppy and Tyler's life before they met was fascinating, if a little underdeveloped, and heartfelt.

Hessa is facing more and more obstacles as outside forces threaten to keep them apart. And Anna Todd reminds us that sometimes... with friends like these, who needs enemies?

The adventure (see: train-wreck) that is Hessa continues! After We Collided was better than After. But is that really a compliment?

Reflected in You by Sylvia Day | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

Sylvia Day’s bestselling Crossfire series continues in the second installment, Reflected in You, picking up right where the first book left off. Where Bared to You explores the physical attraction and obsession our leading couple have with one another, this one explores the emotional aspects of it all and leaves us begging the questions: are these two meant for each other? Or not?

And is it all too much?

We know one thing right away: Eva and Gideon are as hot for one another as ever, so the sex is mind blowing and the chemistry reaches an all time high. These two are wild, pure passion and it’s so indulgent to read. If anything, if one is looking for a spark filled erotic story, Sylvia Day’s steamy series should be at the top of your list due to its delicious chapters and encounters.

But beyond all of that, the novel itself promises to explore their dynamic on an even deeper level; toying with our emotions, bringing us the knowledge of past trauma (trigger warning: sexual abuse and such) as well as the reappearance of people from their past and an event that threatens to tear the two apart for good.

We’ll see just how far one will go to keep the other safe. After all, if the one you loved was in danger – how far would you go?

Converge (The Rental #1) by Rebecca Berto | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

[This review contains adult content. 18+] Converge is my first experience with a book penned by the phenomenal Rebecca Berto and I’m so glad it was. I simply cannot wait to dive into her impressive list of published work. I typically stray from erotic fiction at the risk of cliches swallowing me and the probability of boring, repetitive sexual encounters.

There’s only so much I can deal with when it comes to reading the same stories over and over again. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Converge had some of the hottest, most intriguing and mind blowing sex scenes I’ve seen written in a very, very long time. I am blown away by the quality of it all.

Berto is THE author to read from in this genre, I’m discovering, and I simply could not get enough of this steamy and erotic love story she’s provided us. New Adult fiction as a genre has never looked so appealing to me and it’s all thanks to Rebecca Berto, ladies and gentlemen. I’m seriously applauding her right now.

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James | Rating: ★★☆☆☆(2.3)

"And now my past and my future are colliding in a way I never thought possible."

Fifty Shades Freed shows us the third and final installment to the much hyped about Fifty Shades of Grey series; bringing us to a close in the dramatic, dark and unrealistic relationship of Anastasia and Christian Grey. Fans of this series have longed for more smut, more romance and perhaps a variation of happily ever after for the two and will certainly get one but not without a lot of bumps along the way.

We were left in a a calm ending to the second book after the dramatic events of the previous installment, which was by far the series’ strongest addition. Where Fifty Shades of Grey lacked much in terms of entertainment and plot, Fifty Shades Darker made up for it. Freed shows us a middle ground between the first two books in term of intrigue and is neither boring nor thrilling for me.

We see a lot of plots tied up nicely and perhaps unrealistically as this whirlwind romance reaches its climax. Anastasia Steele has decided to marry her beloved Christian Grey, this much we already know, and the opening of Freed shows us a glimpse of the two on their honeymoon as well as sparks of their wedding. It felt very rushed and the time jumping in the narration at certain points of the start and finish felt awkward and difficult to stay focused on.

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (2.5)

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit: I was not a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey and the entire romance that followed. But the problem with me is, even if I wasn’t a fan of a series I [almost] always convince myself to read through the entire set of books (in this case, the trilogy and an upcoming retelling of the first story from Christian’s POV) because I always long to know how it ends even if I’m not particularly attached to the characters. In the case of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, it was like watching something so horrible that I couldn’t look away.

I found myself picking up Fifty Shades Darker with very little expectations and read the novel here and there in the weeks that followed. It wasn’t something I wanted to read in one sitting, mainly because it didn’t intrigue me enough. I suppose me reading this installment and sticking with the series so far is more curiosity than desire. And while Fifty Shades Darker was by no means a good novel, it certainly was an improvement to the previous installment.

We saw the romance between Christian Grey and Anastasia fizzle out quicker than either had planned by the final pages of Fifty Shades of Grey. After Ana, our narrator, decides she deserves better than what her lover deserves and makes a quick exit; leaving a crushed Christian in the background after finally deciding she had enough of our dark love interests self proclaimed ‘kinky fuckery’ – just as quickly as this twisted love story formed, it seemed to fall to dust.

Beautiful Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

After a killer cliffhanger and a relationship in turmoil, to say that Kristen and Vincent’s romance is intense and thrilling would be an understatement. When I picked up this series, I was positive I wouldn’t find myself enjoying it and shocked when I fell in love with it. And now, in the conclusion, I hate to say goodbye to these two.

Final installments can border on overly cheesy and melodramatic and at times Beautiful Surrender does the same. Much like the previous installments, it’s steamy and has its soap opera moments, but it only leads to the charm of it all. Beautiful Surrender is sexy and mysterious and action packed. This series depends greatly on all types of emotions but it doesn't always cloud our opinions on it: it just makes reading it all the more intense. Priscilla continues to hit all the right marks with this piece of erotic romance and I’ve got to say, she’s made a fan out of me in the process.

Seriously. Shout out to Priscilla West. Can I get a high five?

Secret Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Just as steamy as the previous installment, Secret Surrender dishes out the sex and the drama in a way that is very soapy and entertaining. If ever you’re looking for what one may call a “guilty pleasure”, I promise you: this series is it. I can’t tell you how much I want to put on my best silks and lace and just relax while reading this series. There’s something about it that just screams me-time followed by a glass of wine and something sweet.

Priscilla West truly outdoes herself as we follow the romance of Kristen and Vincent; leaving us in a hazy and intriguing twist of love that readers are quite familiar with. But what else would you expect? Secret Surrender picks up right where we left off in Forbidden Surrender, barely giving us a chance to breathe before picking up with the flirtation and chemistry that follows our lead pairing and Kristen’s day-to-day life.

I enjoyed the more vulnerable side to this one. While it retains something dramatic and smoking hot, it also has a sweet edge to it.

Forbidden Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Forbidden Surrender is yet another take on a stereotypical erotic romance (instalust!) and is quick, steamy and to the point. It’s the perfect little guilty pleasure to read between breaks in your day and lose yourself in the fantasy of flames. While it isn’t anything new or unique, it is perhaps one of the best pieces of erotic fiction that I’ve read in recent years and by the last chapter, it left me swooning for Vincent Sorenson.

Which in all honesty, is rare for someone like myself.

We open with the knowledge that our leading lady probably has her job on the line if they don’t score the delicious and dangerously sexy Vincent Sorenson’s account. After the introduction of an insufferable boss and a disastrous first meeting, it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll be working together. Even so, there’s a spark of chemistry that borders on adorably awkward and painfully hot that leaves us with an idea of the steamy story we’re about to be told. And where it goes from then on out isn't disappointing and proves to be one of the steamiest romances in recent times.

Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day | Rating: ★★★★☆

“Sex that’s planned like a business transaction is a turnoff for me….. Listen to yourself. Why even call it a fuck? Why not be clear and call it a seminal emission in a pre-approved orifice?”

With the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey, which is admittedly n o t my cup of tea, there has been a fortunate rise in women embracing their sexuality and shamelessly devouring the romance/erotic novels that often were reserved for reading in secret. While in some cases these novels aren’t spectacular, Bared to You feels quite different and is all in good fun.

But let me stress this to you right here and now: Eva and Gideon’s relationship isn’t healthy nor is it real. Ship it all you want, obsess over it, read it repeatedly and fan yourself but please do not go looking for a relationship like theirs. Or anyone else.

My ex-girlfriend introduced me to Sylvia Day’s books a few years back and I’ve just gotten around to finishing the beginning of the Crossfire series. Before I dive into my review, it’s important you know that I am shameless about it all. Sexual content doesn’t bother me in the least. It’s all fictional to me. It’s all an escape. It’s all clearly just a reason for me to start my sentences with it’s.

Let’s try this again.