Hey all! Happy Thursday evening (at least in my neck of the woods). The weekend is upon us, and with it, I’m bringing you all a new book (series) review. So here’s the deal, I picked up and read a book that’s actually number 4.5 in its series, and when I went to review it on goodreads, I noticed that I haven’t posted my past reviews for a single book in this series on my blog. I apologize because I LOVE all of these books and you guys all need to pick up copies if you haven’t already, and read them right now. I’m talking about the Beautiful Bastard series by power team authors, Christina Lauren. The more installments of this batch that I read, the less I’m able to choose a favorite man or favorite couple. As we move on, you’ll understand why. Let’s dive right into book one.
Appropriately titled, Beautiful Bastard, book one draws you in instantly. Bennett Ryan and Chloe Mills are a pair that can go at it in the worst (and BEST) ways. Bennett is rude as anything, but Chloe knows how to handle him and gives him back better than he gets. When things finally heat up and their tempers explode, so do their passions. No time or place is off-limits for these two and it makes for one sexy read! When work and play intermingle, Chloe and Bennett need to navigate waters that are foreign to them and decide the best way to handle their budding relationship.
This book had me up until 6am and in finishing it, tore my heart out.. Giving me chest pains. I survived it though and I officially LOVE Bennett and Chloe. What a sassy couple! What a wonderful read that went by way too quickly.
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
Hanna on the other hand, is the first girl in this trio that I wasn’t super crazy about at first. She’s so clueless and not in a super adorable way (please don’t hate me). When she finally gets some sense knocked into her, she acts in the most juvenile way. Maybe because she’s only 24 with lessons to learn? I have no idea, but I wrinkled my nose at her a few times.
Thankfully, she comes to her senses, but geez Louise, at one point I was really ready to burn this book. It tore my heart out!
The end… The last page or so… Absolutely perfect and so adorable! I melted. Will gave Max a run for his money in my heart.
I did want a bit more closure with the last few pages, but it was a fun read. I knew more was in store for our batch of bastard friends.
I’m already in love with Niall as well. I know there was only a little snippet of him so far, but it’s a good thing he gets his own book!
Most romance writers enjoy the tough guy or the hard shell of a business mogul who can’t be penetrated when it comes to his complicated emotions. It was super refreshing to discover not only a gentleman at heart, but a man who had made a massive mistake in his own way, yet remains hopeful when it comes to love. Sure, he’s ridiculously reserved and needs to break out of his shell, but his past never made him cold, calculating, or even a pessimist about his future.
Meeting the spark plug that is Ruby Miller, he never gives into his animal, primal, male instincts to push her. If anything, the roles are reversed. She’s a ballsy and driven girl who seduces him (in her own way) but takes her time to coach him through his previous blunders in order for him to share his heart again and truly become intimate as a couple.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I’m sad I went through it as quickly as I did. What girl doesn’t want a man with a lovely accent who calls her names like “dove” or “darling”? Seriously? Swoon city.
Hanna is eyeballs deep in job-hunting for Ph.D. lab programs, and Will is ready to pack up and move wherever his beloved wife chooses she wants to settle down.. Even if it’s not their NYC stomping grounds. However, they can’t do anything until Hanna makes a decision, which she won’t do.
She’s known to bury her head in the sand whereas Will wants her to lay her cards on the table and express her wants and desires so they can discuss things together. Their differing opinions on how to approach their future as a unit lead them to some catastrophic blow-ups just a week into their marriage. Luckily, Will and Hanna know how to remedy those situations in the closest way possible, and it seems to make their fighting worth it if it means they can be bonded even closer afterwards.
I loved reuniting with the newlyweds plus Max and Sara, their baby, Anna, and Bennett and Chloe. Their group is so fun and I’ve really enjoyed my time with every single couple. I can’t seem to get enough, so here’s hoping there’s more from these guys down the road! Now that Will and Hanna have finally decided to pack up and move, I’m anxious to know how married life continues after their relocation!
