Baby, Not Tonight by Dre Sanders

Milla McKool has been dumped by her French boyfriend after five years, losing her chance at love, her rising star status as an executive chef, and Paris. Back in NYC, she’s stuck with a dead end job, an amaretto addiction to make herself sleep at night, and a decidedly jaundiced view of all mankind. The only cure, according to her best friend, is to get back out there.

Hunter Rossdale has been stuck in neutral for even longer. The handsome, successful investment banker meets his match in Milla, a woman who no longer believes in happy-ever-after. She’s just looking for happy-for-now. Hunter doesn’t know what’s hit him but he’s interested. What man hasn’t dreamed of a sexy woman who’s after him just for sex, no strings attached? But along with some dubious help from Hunter’s brother—a workaholic physician with his own romance woes—Milla’s sous-chef, who has no moral compass to speak of, and a nymphomaniac Russian psychic, the couple finds love isn’t always predictable. Sometimes your destiny is waiting.

Book: Baby, Not Tonight by Dre Sanders (Goodreads)

Published: July 29th 2015

Pages: 272

Genres: Romance

Format: Ebook

Date Read: September 22-23, 2015

Rating: Four Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. The character of Milla was easy to identify with and I found myself rooting for her the entire book! I truly felt for her and everything she was going through. No one woman should ever feel the way she felt in the beginning of this book; it's an awful way to live your life.

Hunter was so loveable and I adored him. I don't agree with his friendship with Ivy however, as she was constantly using him and taking advantage of his feelings for her. Not cool at all!!! He was such a good guy, always there for his family and friends, even when he didn't want to be. Not only is a good guy but he's good looking, had a good job and doesn't freak out over nothing. How can anyone not fall for such a well rounded character?

Jake. Jake. Jake. I want a book about Jake! I loved his humor and definitely want to read more about him. We need more information about him, we only got glimpses of him in this book and I would love to know what makes his crazy mind tick.

This book was a great read and made me go through so many emotions - anger, sadness, laughter, happiness; it had it all! Great story from start to finish.



The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #1) by Amy Engel

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.
This year, it is my turn.
My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.
But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

Book: The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #1) by Amy Engel (Goodreads)

Published: November 4th, 2014

Pages: 400

Genres: Dystopia, New Adult, Young Adult, Sci Fi, Romance

Format: Kindle

Date Read: September 21, 2015

Rating: Four Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔🥔

I loved this book, really I did, but I felt like there was something lacking in it; hence the four star review.

I loved the character of Bishop, he was my favorite person in the whole book. Here is a guy who truly is good! He's not afraid to go against "government" to stand up for something that's right - that's more than I can say for most of the people in this book.

I did not like how the book ended at all. It definitely could have gone differently. Frankly, the ending threw me for a curve and I was left more confused than anything. <spoiler>I was a bit confused by the fact that Ivy left a note saying she was going to kill Bishop when she had planned on taking the poison herself. What is that about? I was so baffled.</spoiler>

Ivy's family were inconsiderate jerks. They used her for their own gain and I really struggled with Ivy allowing them to walk all over her and still think they were doing her a favor. It was during these times I had to remind myself that Ivy is only 16...

I found myself liking Bishop's dad by the end of the book, I don't think he's as evil as Ivy's family led her to believe. Bishop's mom, I don't really care for and I don't think I ever will. However, if I were in her position, I think I would act the same way.

I really do love the idea of this story, its very good. I just felt like it was lacking - there could have been a lot more character development all around and the end just made me so angry because I didn't understand some parts of it. See my spoiler above for more info on that.

Long story short - great story but it could have been better. That being said, I will be reading the second book, which I'm told is better, so the story may be redeemed after all!



A Perfect Ten (Forbidden Men #5) by Linda Kage

Let your hair down, Caroline, they said. It'll be fun, they said.

I know I've closed myself off in a major way over the past year, ever since “the incident” where I messed up my life completely. It's past time I try to live again or just give up altogether. But this is quite possibly the craziest thing I've ever done. In a last ditch effort to invigorate myself, I'm standing outside Oren Tenning's bedroom, I just peeled off the sexiest pair of underwear I own, and my hand is already raised to knock. My brother would disown me for doing anything with his best friend, and he'd probably kill Oren. But if I play my cards right, no one will ever know about this. Not even Ten.

Maybe after tonight, I’ll finally get over this stupid, irrational crush I hate having on the biggest jerk I’ve ever met. Or maybe I’ll just end up falling for him even harder. Maybe I’ll discover there’s so much more to my crude, carefree hunk than meets the eye.

Book: A Perfect Ten (Forbidden Men #5) by Linda Kage (Goodreads, Amazon)
Published: March 30, 2015
Pages: 435
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Erotic, College, Romantic Comedy
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 19-20, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔


This book was so much better than I thought it would be! I'm not going to lie, as much as I love Ten, I was worried about reading his book due to his man-whore ways. Boy, was I worried for nothing!

Ten did a complete 180 when it came to Caroline - he loved her so fiercely and changed everything about his lifestyle for her, without question mind you. He wanted to be with her and once they were finally on the same page that was it - they were together. When they moved in together he didn't have any regrets or second thoughts, it was natural for him. And, of course, who doesn't love his comments? I love his humor.

I absolutely loved this story, I had been waiting for it for so long since I was interested to see how it would play out. Ever since I read Noel Gamble's book I knew this couple would eventually be together. And Caroline? She was one of my favorite heroines of all time. She pushed past her comfort zone and just went for her man, She knew they were meant to be together and she didn't let any one or any thing get in her way. You go girl!

What I didn't like about this book: Noel's reaction to Caroline and Ten's relationship. Not cool. I don't want to spoil things for any one but he could have been so much more supportive. On the other hand, he's her older brother who basically raised her so I can understand his protectiveness. But, I still have to defend my boy Ten!

I loved this entire series so far and I would highly recommend all of these books. But, in the event that you are unable to get your hands on all of the books you must read A Perfect Ten and Be My Hero (Ten and Pick, respectively). Pick is a must read though - oh, how I love Pick.

With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4) by Linda Kage

I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I’ve found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I’ve come to realize everything I thought I knew is wrong.

Friends have their own agenda, honesty comes with a dosage of lie, easy doesn’t even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love...love is the most painful thing of all.

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn’t asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn’t have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn’t feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can’t take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I’m not as good, or honest, or caring as I’d always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably me.

Book: With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4) by Linda Kage (Goodreads, Amazon)
Published: March 2nd, 2015
Pages: 408
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Erotic, College, Romantic Comedy
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 18, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Let me start of by saying just how much I have been enjoying reading this series. Linda Kage has created a wonderful world for us to embrace and learn about. All of the characters in this series are so intriguing and I love each one more than the last. Except Pick, I have a special place in my heart for him. Oh how I love Pick.

Anyway...

With Every Heartbeat was an amazing book - I felt so much for the hero and heroine, who truly were a match made in heaven. I laughed, I cried, I contemplated throwing by kindle across the room because I hated Cora so much...

Cora. What an evil brat. I don't think I have hated a character quite as much as I hate her and I try to use that word sparingly because its a very strong emotion. There is a special place in hell reserved for horrible people like her. The things she did to her boyfriend and best friend... there is just no excuse for anything she did and I found no redeeming qualities in her whatsoever.

Quinn aka Ham was just as wonderful as I knew he would be. He is truly a "good" guy who always has peoples best interest at heart. What a sweetheart, really. I loved him. And Zoey was such a likeable heroine; she was just as "good" as Quinn - they were made for eachother. Truly.

As usual, I love that Linda Kage always brings in the characters from the previous and future books - I got my Pick fix and I love Eva and Reese's friendship, they entertain me greatly. And of course, Ten - I love the colorful things that come out of his mouth.

So, even though I absolutely hated Cora the Whora, I still loved this book and it truly was wonderful. Brava!

Be My Hero (Forbidden Men Book 3) by Linda Kage

Once upon a time, there was this pampered rich girl who was kind of full of herself. She really only cared about appearances and hiding all her dark, ugly secrets under the guise of an opinionated snob. But then Eva Mercer got pregnant, shot by a psycho, and kicked out of the only home she knew. Now she’s broke, unemployed, and has to start anew with a newborn to raise. But how?

On the other side of town, sexy, tattooed orphan, Patrick Ryan, can’t get a break. He’s out on parole for defending the last damsel in distress while trying to help her support her child, but all he wants is to find his one true love. He knows this woman by scent, smile, and laugh, but he’s never actually met her. He doesn’t even know her name. He just knows she’s the key to fixing everything.

One kind of hero can save you from physical harm. Another can rescue you from a different kind of doom. To reach their dreams, Eva and Pick can save each other. But first, they must open their hearts and learn how to trust.

Book: Be My Hero (Forbidden Men Book 3) by Linda Kage (Goodreads, Amazon)
Published: August 25, 2014
Pages: 377
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Erotic, College, Romantic Comedy, Guys with Tattoos/Piercings
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 17-18, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

PICK IS MY NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND! I absolutely love him! I thought the first two books in this series were great but this book was even better, if that's possible!

Pick is so wonderful - he's down to earth, he's funny, he's sexy, sweet, a wonderful father and he treats women like gold. What's not to love?

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Eva going into this book due to everything she did in the first book of the series but she totally redeemed herself. Knowing what she was going through in the first book made her actions more understandable. She and Pick were so cute! And she is such a natural mother, she should have given herself a lot more credit than she did. I love how this author incorporates all of the other characters in each book. Love, love, love.

Overall - this book is amazing, I will recommend it to everyone!!!

To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men, #2) by Linda Kage

Junior in college. Star athlete. Constant attention from the opposite sex.

On this campus, I’m worshiped. While seven hundred miles away, back in my hometown, I’m still trailer park trash, child of the town tramp, and older sibling to three kids who are counting on me to keep my shit together so I can take them away from the same crappy life I grew up in.

These two opposing sides of myself never mix until one person gets a glimpse of the true me. I never expected to connect with anyone like this or want more beyond one night. This may be the real deal.

Problem is, Dr. Kavanagh’s my literature professor.

If I start anything with a teacher and we’re caught together, I might as well kiss my entire future goodbye, as well as my family’s, and especially Dr. Kavanagh’s. Except sometimes love is worth risking everything. Or at least, it damn well better be because I can only resist so much.

Book: To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men, #2) by Linda Kage (Goodreads)
Published: April 26, 2014
Pages: 388
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Erotic, College, Romantic Comedy, Student-Teacher Relationship, Swoony Male
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 16-17, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Okay, first off can I just say how much I love Noel? I LOVE NOEL! He was just so adorable and swoony and romantic... need I go on? And to think I was going to skip this book in this series because its a teacher/student relationship. That would have been such a huge mistake!

Aspen.... I didn't really care for. In my opinion, I don't think she was as bad as some of the other reviews made her out to be but she is definitely not one of my favorite heroines. She was very wishy washy and no matter how young she was I don't like the idea of her going out with a student or **spoiler alert** messing around with one in a janitors closet! There are a lot of other things she did that I don't agree with but I don't want to give away the entire story! However, I did feel bad for her awful childhood and the terrible way her parents treated her. I would have liked to have more closure with her parents, I don't like the way things were left with them, more was needed. But, Aspen fit very nicely with Noel - they had amazing chemistry! And it was very obvious how much she truly loved and cared for him.

Noel, Noel, Noel. How I love thee; let me count the ways. Noel was sweet, caring, adorable, sexy, a true alpha at times and a total family man when it came to his siblings... Basically, Noel was a perfect guy all wrapped in one package. All he needs is a bow!

I loved the ending - I'm such a sucker for a happily ever after and each book in this series leaves me with such a smile on my face! And it was so awesome to see Mason and Reese again! I loved them. Oh and Sarah, of course! I loved a lot of the new characters introduced in this one as well - I can't wait to see what happens to all of them.

I love this series, so much. Thank you so much to Linda Kage for creating this amazing series and weaving such great tales for each couple!

Price of a Kiss (Forbidden Men #1) by Linda Kage

I don't care what my cousin says; I am not the queen of impossible relationships. I mean, just because my last boyfriend tried to kill me and left a bit of a scar on my neck, then forced me to move across the country and legally change my name to Reese Randall to escape him, does not mean-

Oh, who am I kidding? For a freshman in college, I have to have the worst dating track record ever.

It's no wonder love is the last thing on my mind when Mason Lowe enters my life. But the chemistry between us is like bam! Our connection defies logic. And he's just so freaking hot. Being around him makes me feel more alive than I've ever felt before. I even like bickering with him. He could be my soul mate...except for one teeny tiny glitch.

He's a gigolo.

Boy, do I know how to pick them.

Book: Price of a Kiss (Forbidden Men #1) by Linda Kage (Goodreads)
Published: August 14th, 2013
Pages: 379
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Erotic, College, Romantic Comedy
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 16, 2015
Rating: Five Poatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I had a huge smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book. It was a little cheesy and over the top sometimes but it worked for Reese and Mason. They were so adorable.

Mason. Where to begin with that one? I love me some Mason. So swoon-worthy! My heart broke for him and everything he went through to keep his family afloat. I would love to say I wish his mother could have done more to protect him but she was already running herself ragged working two jobs.

Sarah was another awesome character - I loved the strong relationship between her and her brother as well as Reese. I feel like the her relationship with Reese really brought her out of her shell a lot.

I loved the playful banter between Reese and Mason! And it was so cute that he felt comfortable enough with her to start stealing her food pretty regularly once they started talking often.

I truly loved this book and will definitely be reading it again and again. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Brava to the author!

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.

Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.

Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy -- until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone. Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.

Book: The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred (Goodreads, Amazon)
Published: May 12, 2005
Pages: 304
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Drama
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 14-15, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters and the love they shared growing up. And I'm always a sucker for a happy ending! The author definitely has a way with words and telling an enchanting story as I literally could not put this book down.

That being said, I was annoyed with the lack of communication between the characters - so many misunderstandings could have been prevented by just trusting your significant other and being honest. But, alas, that was not the case here. I also get frustrated when an author skips years into the future, in this book she skipped 15 years! I don't mind it when an author skips a year or two to show a future happily ever after scene or something but skipping ahead to resolve things, no, I don't like it.

All in all though, I did love this book. Nick was absolutely yummy and I thought that Jenna was actually a really good friend overall. Again though, a lot of hurt could have been prevented by proper communication. But, then the author wouldn't have much of a story would she? Such a double edged sword.

Five stars, and I will definitely read any other books this author has!

The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Book: The Martian by Andy Weir (Goodreads, Amazon)
Published: February 11th 2014
Pages: 385
Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction, Space, Thriller
Format: Kindle
Date Read: September 9-10, 2015
Rating: Five Potatoes! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

This is, hands down, one of the books I have read in years. The author was so creative and did such an amazing job to bring this book to life. He made it feel like you were actually right alongside Mark, watching everything happen. The amount of research that went into this book is evident. The character of Mark was absolutely hilarious - I loved his sarcastic humor. Highly recommend this book! I can't wait for the movie!

Hello

Hello everyone! Welcome to Book Potato, my blog for all of my book reviews. Bare with me as all of my reviews are added to the site.