Angel Reads

27 Sep

Book Review: Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen

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Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen

Pages: 271
Publish date: August 27th, 2018
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Embrace)
ISBN: B07G12RC9P
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Chelsea is smart, funny, gorgeous, and the best friend I’ve ever had. Ever since she left, I’ve been a wreck. I’ve been focused on keeping my family’s MMA gym afloat while I train and coach fighters, anything to not miss her more. But now she’s finally back, along with her grumpy, possessive cat, and things are weird between us.

By weird, I mean I can’t stop thinking about her in that way. She’s in the room next door, and it takes all my control not to storm in there, sweep her up, and bring her back to my bed. Even stranger, I’m pretty sure she’d be into it.

Until We’re More:

I received an e-arc of Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book. Until We’re Mine is the second book in the ‘Fighting for Her’ series, but can read as a standalone. You can check out my review of Until You’re Mine now.

Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen follows protagonist Chelsea and Liam, best friends that have drifted away when Chelsea left town. Now she’s back and old feelings are coming to the surface. Liam has tried to stay away from Chelsea, tried not to have ties with her. But now that she is back, it’s getting harder and harder to stay away. They both want to strive in their careers, but with each other around it’s hard to stay focused.

I really enjoyed Chelsea as the main female protagonist of the book. She was really easy to get along with and I just wanted to give her a big hug so many times. I adored that Chelsea was so determined and pushed herself for her work. I’ve said this before, but sometimes it’s rare to see female characters really striving to move up in their workplace. I enjoyed seeing that Chelsea struggled with finding a place and a voice where she worked. I was really able to connect with that – a lot.

Liam – I’m intrigued by Liam when I read about him in the first book. And he really shines in Until We’re More. Liam is not only trying to win the belt title, but it will cement his family business. The reader is able to tell from the start that he wants to find himself in the world of MMA. Like Chelsea, he wants to focus on what he wants to do with his life. But what he doesn’t expect is for Chelsea to have such a presence. Liam is also really easy to read, he isn’t a dickhead and I can fall into his voice really easily and doesn’t blend in with Chelsea or any other characters. In saying that, there are times where Liam, just got on my nerves, especially relating to his feelings for Chelsea.

The romance in Until We’re More, was totally my thing. This best friend to lovers romance just hit me in all the right places and I feel completely in love with it. The romance did take quite a while to kick off, not going to lie. It was very slow burning for a romance novel, but I understood why. There were a lot of things standing in their way. One of my favourite romance tropes is friends to lovers and I think that Cindi Madsen did it so well. There are times when I wanted to give both Liam and Chelsea kicks up the butt.

The notion of friends and family is yet another big theme in Until We’re More. I think that Cindi does an excellent job with these themes and that can really be seen in this one. Liam’s family isn’t the best, but the reader is able to see them all trying. Trying for each other. Chelsea’s on the other hand – can they just no be there? I hated them with a passion.

If you’ve read Angel Reads for a while now, you would know that I love sports romances. And while MMA is something that I know nothing about, it was great falling into the world of professional fighting. I can’t wait to read more books dealing with these types of sport.

Overall, Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen was a great read. I adored the romance and the protagonists are really easy to get along with. The reader is able to drive straight into the world of Chelsea and Liam and know how they think and feel. The voices are authentic and easy to love. While there are ups, downs and many miscommunications between the pair, Until We’re More is a really enjoyable read. If you are looking for an easy, romance read then this one is for you.

Have you read Until We’re More by Cindi Madsen? What did you think of it? Are you planning on reading it? What’s been your favourite romance book this year? Let’s Chat!

19 Sep

Cover Reveal | Circus Hearts: All Fall Down by Ellie Marney

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Step. Right. Up. Ellie Marney is publishing a new series and you will want to pick it up right away.

If you know me well then you know I adore Ellie Marney and her beautiful, intense YA crime novels that always take me by surprise. So you know that I am totally excited for her new dark YA romance mystery series, ‘Circus Hearts.’

Book one, All The Little Bones is out right now, but book two will be out soon. Check out the cover for All Fall Down now.

All Fall Down by Ellie Marney (Circus Hearts #2)

Pages: 186
Publish date: 1 October 2018
Publisher: Bearded Lady Press
ASIN: B07HD6FPY9
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU
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Carnival glamour and swoon-worthy romance in Book 2 of the latest dark YA contemporary series from the author of Every Breath.

A ringmaster’s daughter and a bearded lady’s son join forces to stop a saboteur…

Nineteen-year-old Fleur Klatsch is loyal to her trapeze team and her ringmaster father, dedicated to the circus and tough on everyone around her. After a series of accidents at Klatsch’s Karnival, Fleur is left holding the ball: she’s running the carnival, trying to stop a saboteur, and taking care of her dad. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, least of all Eugenia Deloren’s son, Marco, who’s been trying to break out of show life since the moment he was born into it.

All Marco needs to do is get Klatsch’s back on its feet so he can leave. But after one fateful kiss with Fleur, will he really want to? And will Fleur and Marco figure out who’s trying to kill the show before someone kills them…

Circus Hearts – Step. Right. Up.

All Fall Down:

All Fall Down will be released in ebook on 1 October 2018. However, you can pre-ordered it now from Amazon and more. The pre-order price will be only $2.99USD – so get on it.

And for the rest of the series: Book 3 will be out in November, so keep your eyes peeled. With all paperbacks will releasing just in time for Christmas 1 December.

Are you as excited as I am for this new series? What do you think so far? Don’t forget to check out book one, now! Let’s Chat!

16 Sep

Book Review: Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen

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Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen

Pages: 350
Publish date: January 22, 2018
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
ASIN: B0786MSPJ3
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

You might’ve heard of me, Shane Knox, the guy who rose quickly through the MMA fighter ranks, only to crash just as fast. No one cares about personal reasons when it comes to losing fights and money. I’m determined to get back to where I was. For you to hear my name again. I’ve finally convinced the owner of Team Domination to take a chance and get me back in fighting—and winning—shape. What I didn’t bargain for is the guy’s spitfire of a daughter. Factor in her two professional-fighter brothers who are acting as my coaches and the fact that my career hangs in the balance, and Brooklyn’s the last girl I should be fantasizing about.

The closer we get, the more I want Brooklyn. The stakes are high, and I know there’s a big chance of both of us getting hurt, but I won’t stop until she’s mine.

Until You’re Mine:

I’ve read quite a few Cindi Madsen books before, and when I received the second book in this series for review, I knew I had to pick up the first. And I’m so glad that I did. Not only did it introduce to a whole array of characters, but also those of the second novel.

Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen follows Shane Knox as he fights his way back into the world of MMA. When unseeable circumstances lead to his demise, he knows it’s going to take everything in him to be on top again. His finally convinced those that own the gym to take him on and nothing will stop him. But then Brooklyn makes an appearance. Brooklyn isn’t happy that she is back at her families gym or even at home. Her memories of being there aren’t that great, and they only remind her of what her father has missed. But she is back before she starts off a life away from the town she grew up. She never thought she would find a reason to stay, but Know may be it.

Brooklyn was a great protagonist for Until You’re Mine. From the start, I was intrigued by her story and wanting to know more. She was an easy character to get along with and the reader is able to understand her hesitation to be back home. One of the main reasons that I loved Brooklyn was that she didn’t want to give up her dream for anyone. There are so many romance novels that the female protagonist gives up her dream for love – and that just shits me. But right from the start, the reader is able to see that Brooklyn loves that she does and wants to pursue all the way. While Brooklyn does brush away a lot of things, the situation with her father really does tear her apart.

Knox is a fighter, it’s what he has trained and worked his life too. It’s what he knows. So when his life crumbles around him – so does he. But now his getting his life back on track. He is at a new gym building something for himself and ready to get back to fighting professionally. Like Brooklyn, right from the start Knox’s determination for his dream is evident. He has waited and fought this long and he wants to fight his way back to an MMA title. He has been through a lot and that is seen throughout Until You’re Mine.

The romance for me in Until You’re Mine made it. It was slow burning, friends to more and just hit me in all the right spots. At the start of the novel Brooklyn has a boyfriend and while they seem great together, Brooklyn and Knox leave sparks flying. While Brooklyn does break up with her boyfriend before anything happens between her and Knox, she does have feelings for him and that plays a part. While Knox is a fighting he isn’t so much an alpha male and I really enjoyed that. Obviously, he is protective over Brooklyn, but not demanding or possessive. Which I love.

The notion of family plays a big part in Until You’re Mine. Brooklyn doesn’t have a good relationship with her father and that plays a big part in the book. He has more focus on Knox then he does her and her career. Their relationship has been rocky for years and it took a lot for Brooklyn to come back – but she knew she needed to. However, that doesn’t change the way that they interact with each other. Things are rough for a lot of the book between these two and I wanted them to work things out so much. But the reader also understands how hard it has been for Brooklyn. In saying that I adored Brooklyn’s relationship with her brothers in Until You’re Mine. It was seriously fantastic. They are protective and will do anything for her, but also know where she stands – which was great.

Overall, I really enjoyed Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen. Brooklyn and Knox were brilliant together and I loved that their relationship was slow burning. It added another depth to the book that made me love it. Brooklyn was so easy to read and her character arc was spot on. I loved seeing Knox let go and fall in love – again added another layer to the novel. Until You’re Mine explores romance, family and learning to let go. It’s about following your dreams, forgiving and finding a place in the world. If you are looking for an interesting romance that has a little hint of sport – then this is for you.