Sarina Bowen Archives

Book Review: Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

Dec 4, 2020

Loverboy (The Company #2) by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 320
Publish date: December 1st 2020
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing
ISBN: 9781950155095
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Secrets, desires, and exquisite pie. It’s all in a day’s work at The Company.

Growing up, I was the rough guy from the wrong neighbourhood who couldn’t catch a break. Posy was the pampered girl I tried to impress. But I managed to steal only a single kiss before I had to skip town.

Now I’m back, and the tables are turned. Posy runs a struggling pie shop. I’m the VP of a secretive billion-dollar security company.

Not that I can tell her.

There’s a murderer on the loose in New York, and he seems to spend a lot of time at Posy’s shop. I can’t let on that I’m here to bring him down before he can harm a hair on her pretty head.

Going undercover as Posy’s new barista wasn’t my idea. I don’t even drink coffee. But now I have to call her “boss,” and do everything the curvy perfectionist asks of me. I’d forgotten how much we infuriate each other, and that she somehow fills me with both irritation and desire in the same breath.

There’s nobody more skilled at stealth ops than me. I can bring this killer down. Right after I take a cold shower. And just as soon I figure out how to make a skinny peppermint latte with milk poured in the shape of a kitten…

Loverboy:

I received an earc of Loverboy by Sarina Bowen from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thought and feelings about the book.

It took me a little while to get into this one. I can’t figure out why. I think it was a combo of both me being not particularly in the mood for it and it took me a while to connect with the characters. But as I got novel went on and I continued really, I ended up enjoying the book. It’s not my favourite Sarina Bowen book out there, but I had a good time reading it.

Loverboy by Sarina Bowen follows Gunner who works for The Company. And when a murderer is on the loose in New York, Gunner finds himself back in a place he doesn’t like to stay long. Not only that he has to see and protect someone he never thought he would see again. Undercover as a barista at Posy’s pie shop, Gunner has to find out who is killing people in NY and fast. But the more time that Gunner and Posy spend together, the more old and new feelings arise.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Gunner was an interesting character in Loverboy. As readers, we were introduced to him in Moonlighter, but there isn’t much we know about him going into this one. As the novel goes on and Gunner starts to let Posy in a little more, the reader gets to know him better. I still don’t know how I feel about Gunner. And I wasn’t able to connect with him throughout the series, and that made it hard for me to really enjoy him. I didn’t hate him, but he was just another character.

I felt very similar in regards to Posy as well. Something was holding me back from really connecting with her. Like Gunner, I didn’t hate her, but I couldn’t love her either. I liked she was independent and the reader can see her grow even more throughout the novel. Before the novel starts, she has distance herself from her father and that really sets up a lot of the story and her character. And while I didn’t love Posy, I enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her grow.

Photo by Kenny Luo on Unsplash

And while I didn’t love both protagonists, I did enjoy the romance. Gunner and Posy had a lot of heat and tension and that made for a fantastic romance. They both had a past with one another and it didn’t finish on good terms. But as the novel goes on Gunner and Posy get to know each other again and everything seems to fit. I loved when they egged each other one and pushed the other. It was a great dynamic and played a great role in the novel.

I found that I didn’t care too much about the plot side of Loverboy. Again I’m not sure why I wasn’t able to connect with this book like Bowen’s others, but something felt off to me. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one I didn’t have the same highs from the action. I felt that things were building up and then were over too quickly. In saying that I will continue with the series for sure. There were some hints on what other characters might come together and I need to know more.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Overall, Loverboy by Sarina Bowen was a decent read. I felt that it was hard to connect with the protagonist at first, but as the novel went on, everything becomes better. Gunner and Rosy were a mix of sweet and hot. They could flip between being nice with one another and then trying to one-up the other. Loverboy is a second chance romance, where they never really got to see where it would go the first time. While I didn’t love this one, I will read the rest of the series as they come out.

Have you read Loverboy by Sarina Bowen yet? What did you think of it? Are you planning too? Have you read anything else from her before? Let’s Chat!

Book Review: Lies & Lullabies (Hush Note #1) by Sarina Bowen

Sep 25, 2020

Lies & Lullabies (Hush Note #1) by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 300
Publish date: September 22, 2020
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
ISBN: 9781950155071
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Once upon a time, he gave me a summer of friendship, followed by one perfect night. We shared a lot during our short time together. But he skipped a few crucial details.

I didn’t know he was a rock star.

I didn’t know his real name.

Neither of us knew I’d get pregnant.

And I sure never expected to see him again.

Five years later, his tour bus pulls up in Nest Lake, Maine. My little world is about to be shattered by loud music and the pounding of my own foolish heart.

Lies & Lullabies:

I received a free copy of Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen for review in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

Lies & Lullabies is the first book in a new trilogy from Sarina Bowen, Devney Perry and Rebecca Yarros. Each author takes on a member of one band and tells their story. I was super excited when this series was announced. Not only was it a rock star romance, but it included two of my favourite romance authors. So, I jumped at the chance to review Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen.

Lies & Lullabies follows Kira and Jonas who after an unforgettable summer together when their separate ways. Now years later Jonas is back in Nest Lake and Kira has a surprise for him. A massive one. Both Kira and Jonas need to navigate their new lives. Their summer together was full of sweet passion and first love. They both never forgot about each other, but they never imagined seeing one another again. And Kira’s secret isn’t something that can stay hidden. But being back in each other lives isn’t going to be easy especially when old feelings come right back.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

I had a lot of ups and downs with Kira. For the most part, I enjoyed her. I loved seeing her growth throughout the whole book. And hell, she has been through a lot and is still an incredible mother. One of the things that I loved about Lies & Lullabies is that we can see the growth of Kira throughout the whole book. Through both flashbacks and current day events, the reader can see Kira’s characterisation – which I think was really well done. However, I hated that she kept their daughter, Vivi from Jonas for as long as she did. I understood some of the logic, but it also doesn’t sit well with me.

Jonas was an interesting protagonist. I didn’t fall in love with him like other Sarina Bowen male protagonist. But I still enjoyed him a lot. Jonas was entertaining and mysterious, but he was also sweet and caring. I loved that we can see different sides of him throughout the book. We get to see the younger Jonas who wants to care for Kira, and then we get to see adult Jonas who wants to love Kira. It was a great combo. I adored that he was able to take on the dad role right away. It was like he was made for it. There were ups and downs, but he loved Vivi so much and that was so nice to see.

Photo by Yvette de Wit on Unsplash

This romance was a combo of being sweet and sexy. And the reader not only gets to see Jonas and Kira fall in love once but twice. And both times were fantastic. Through flashbacks, the reader can see both Jonas and Kira when they were young and vulnerable. They had this amazing summer together, and when it was up, they went their separate ways. But they still both cared deeply for one another. And Kira had a piece of him to remember him by. In current times the romance is much sexy and went from sweet to loving. I liked seeing the contrast between the two.

I love a surprise baby trope; however, I didn’t love that Kira kept it a secret from Jonas for so long. While her reasoning was understandable, I didn’t love it. That was soon forgotten though, because Jonas, Kira and Vivi were adorable together. I loved seeing their interactions and they all melted my heart. This is a very sweet book with sexy moments intertwined. I feel that the rest of the books in the series are going to be more emotional and hard-hitting. but this was a great way to start the series.

I adored Adam, Kira’s brother a lot. The reader can see throughout Lies & Lullabies how much he cares for his sister and niece and I just wanted to hug him all the time. I wish we did get to know the rest of the Hush Note bandmates a little more, just to set up the rest of the series. But it wasn’t a massive deal for me.

Photo by Artur Aldyrkhanov on Unsplash

Overall, Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen explores second chances, family and finding your place. Kira, Jonas and Vivi are an awesome little family. The romance turns from sweet to sexy and beautiful. With interesting protagonists and storyline, Lies & Lullabies is a fantastic read and a great introduction into the world of Hush Note. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series in the next few weeks.

Have you read Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen yet? What did you think of it? Are you planning on reading the rest of the series? Let’s Chat!

Also, have you checked out the first post in my Romance Thursdays series? This week I interview Giana Darling, author of The Fallen Men Series, The Enslaved duet and more.

Book Review: Sure Shoot by Sarina Bowen

May 14, 2020

Sure Shot (Brooklyn #4) by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 300
Publish date: May 12th 2020
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
ISBN: 9781950155019
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – More Purchase Links

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and colour-coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of a hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He is also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason, it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while, it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

Sure Shot:

I received an earc of Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I really love Sarina Bowen’s hockey romances – I’ve read them all now. And in reality, there is only two books I haven’t yet read by her. However, the last few books that I have read, I haven’t loved to bits. But this changed with Sure Shot. It’s a slight second chances romance with some forbidden love through it. And it was great. I think this has to be my second favourite from this series so far.

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen follows Bess Beringer as she tries to figure out what to do with her life. She has a five-year-plan and none of it included the new trade to the Brooklyn Bruisers, Tank. Bess tries hard and tries to forget that Tank is even there, but they have a past. And it’s hard when he is the sexiest thing and he wants her. And even though she fights it, she falls. Things are great – until they are not. And everything around both Bess and Tank falls apart.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Bess was such a pleasure to read and follow. The reader already knows her from other books in the series, but we really get to know her here and it was such a great time. I loved everything that she represented and what she fought for. Bess felt like a very real for me. She had her faults and weakness, but then she had her strengths and characteristics. Bess has a fantastic character arc, that not only spans Sure Shot but the series as well. While you don’t need to read the other books in the series, I do feel that the reader is able to see Bess fully grow that way. I loved Bess’ determination and resilience.

Tank was such an interesting male protagonist in Sure Shot. On the outside and to most of the world, he seemed to have this hardass. But the reader is able to see this soft side, especially when he is with Bess. Tank has a lot of baggage and the reader really feels for him. His marriage has just broken down, he has moved to a team that seemingly don’t like him. And that effects him in a way that while wasn’t great, it was nice to see in the book. It’s not often that you see a male character, especially someone in sports really put everything out there. My heart really felt for Tank.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

The romance in Sure Shot was adorable and something that I really did love. Bess and Tank were so good together. I loved their banter and the way that they were with one another. They both brought out the best in one another and that was just so nice to see. Tank and Bess both have a lot of issues and together they are able to deal with it. Although it is not smooth sailing – like at all. Bess is very hesitant. She feels that being with Tank could interfere with her job and many other things. And she pushes him away, but Tank doesn’t let her fully. He is there for her. And I loved that.

There are many heartbreaking moments throughout Sure Shot. And I thought that Sarina Bowen dealt with them in a great way. Tank has a lot of demons and that does affect the way that he thinks and reacts to people. And then being thrown into an environment where he doesn’t have any support is hard. But Bess becomes that person and as the novel so do his teammates and everyone in that circle. Infertility and pregnancy are some of the major themes throughout the novel. Because of this, there are some parts that are really hard to read, but I think that Sarina does talk about in a fantastic way.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Overall, I really enjoyed Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen. It was one of the harder-hitting books by Sarina, but it was still full of romance. Sure Shot explores second chances in life and in love while also exploring life and trying to find the positives. Bess and Tank were adorable and sexy today and I loved it. Bess is a stand out for me. If you are looking for an adorable and sexy romance that also explores the notion of family, infertility and starting new relationships, this Sure Shot is for you.