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Wildwood #1
Forbidden Fling
Delaney Hart has come a long way from her wild youth, dating tattooed bikers at her father’s bar, The Bad Seed. But when his death pulls her back to Wildwood, California, she must stay to renovate the dive he left her. And also face the lies and secrets that sent her running ten years before.
When Wildwood’s chief building inspector, Ethan Hayes, shows up on the property, Delaney doesn’t recognize him. The last thing he wants to do is save the bar where his cousin died in a brawl. But the good boy from her past is all too willing to remind her of the bad girl she used to be. And one night of passion leaves them both in a compromising position.
The last place Ethan should be is in Delaney’s bed. Guilt, family pressure, and plans for a brewpub of his own make shutting down The Bad Seed his top priority…until his feelings for Delaney interfere. Because her future depends on the success of the bar’s renovation and his dreams are rooted in its failure, their forbidden romance may be destined for heartbreak.
When Wildwood’s chief building inspector, Ethan Hayes, shows up on the property, Delaney doesn’t recognize him. The last thing he wants to do is save the bar where his cousin died in a brawl. But the good boy from her past is all too willing to remind her of the bad girl she used to be. And one night of passion leaves them both in a compromising position.
The last place Ethan should be is in Delaney’s bed. Guilt, family pressure, and plans for a brewpub of his own make shutting down The Bad Seed his top priority…until his feelings for Delaney interfere. Because her future depends on the success of the bar’s renovation and his dreams are rooted in its failure, their forbidden romance may be destined for heartbreak.
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First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
May 25, 2017
3.5 You are what I need Stars
"Don't you have other women you can touch?" "Maybe. But you are the only woman I want to touch." "You certainly like playing with fire."-Delaney and Ethan
Forbidden Fling was an enjoyable read. It took me a little bit to get use to the third person writing style(for some reason 3rd person always takes me a minute to get use too) but once I did I really got into the story. I loved the whole modern Romeo and Juliet, star crossed, enemy families theme going on in this book. The drama kept me on edge wondering how they were going to ever be together and what would happen next.
"I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. It.......scares me."-Delaney
Ethan and Delaney were both likable and down to earth characters. I loved Delaney's sassy mouth and thick skin. She didn't take anyone's crap but didn't come off hateful. Ethan was very sexy and all that dirty talk he did upped his hotness points. They had some major chemistry and were burning up the pages with their passion.
"And I'm definitely ignoring this one, because as much as I might agree with you logically, every other part of me flat-out refuses to jump on board. Emotionally, physically, mentally, I only want to be with you. The last week has been miserable without you in it."-Ethan
Ethan's family drove me crazy. I loved it every time Ethan stood up to them. All the other secondary characters were intriguing. I really liked the little bit of Avery I got to see and I hope her book is next. Overall I really liked this read. The reason I gave it 3.5 stars is because I would have like more relationship development. There was plenty of sex and that is fine but I would have liked a little more quality time between the couple so I could have felt their love. Also I didn't like the abrupt ending. It was jarring. I went to turn the page and nothing it was over and I was like wow that's it. I will be reading Avery's book if and when it comes out!
"You are what I need."-Ethan
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
"Don't you have other women you can touch?" "Maybe. But you are the only woman I want to touch." "You certainly like playing with fire."-Delaney and Ethan
Forbidden Fling was an enjoyable read. It took me a little bit to get use to the third person writing style(for some reason 3rd person always takes me a minute to get use too) but once I did I really got into the story. I loved the whole modern Romeo and Juliet, star crossed, enemy families theme going on in this book. The drama kept me on edge wondering how they were going to ever be together and what would happen next.
"I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. It.......scares me."-Delaney
Ethan and Delaney were both likable and down to earth characters. I loved Delaney's sassy mouth and thick skin. She didn't take anyone's crap but didn't come off hateful. Ethan was very sexy and all that dirty talk he did upped his hotness points. They had some major chemistry and were burning up the pages with their passion.
"And I'm definitely ignoring this one, because as much as I might agree with you logically, every other part of me flat-out refuses to jump on board. Emotionally, physically, mentally, I only want to be with you. The last week has been miserable without you in it."-Ethan
Ethan's family drove me crazy. I loved it every time Ethan stood up to them. All the other secondary characters were intriguing. I really liked the little bit of Avery I got to see and I hope her book is next. Overall I really liked this read. The reason I gave it 3.5 stars is because I would have like more relationship development. There was plenty of sex and that is fine but I would have liked a little more quality time between the couple so I could have felt their love. Also I didn't like the abrupt ending. It was jarring. I went to turn the page and nothing it was over and I was like wow that's it. I will be reading Avery's book if and when it comes out!
"You are what I need."-Ethan
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
July 26, 2016
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
If you have ever read a Skye Jordan novel, you know that her Heroes are the ultimate sexy as hell alphas and her heroines are as tough as nails with maybe a tiny bit of the damsel in distress in them. And you are sure to get a healthy dose of the most decadent panty melting schmexy times that will set your libido on fire. That is definitely what you are in store for with Forbidden Fling. I will warn you that it does start off a bit slow but when things start to heat up between the two main characters, it was hard for me to put this one down.
Delaney Hart has returned back to her hometown after having left for several years. A certain tragic accident and subsequent harassment from some of the townsfolk forced her to run away from her home and family. The township is threatening to demolish her family’s rundown and abandoned bar, and her aunt Phoebe asks her to come back home so that she could make the decision on whether to demolish or rebuild the property.
Ethan Hayes is the local building inspector and has been planning on running a brewery with his grandfather, but he needs a liquor license. He was certain that the Harts would end up demolishing their bar and that he’d be able to buy their liquor license. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that Delaney Hart would return home. He had a huge crush on her during their high school years but was never even a blip on Delaney’s radar. Back then, she only went out with the bad boys and Ethan was too straight-laced for her.
When they both cross paths again, they can’t help but notice how insanely attracted they are to each other. And what they think is only going to be a one-time deal, turns out getting complicated and so much more serious rather quickly. When Delaney finds out who Ethan is, she tries to put an end to what was starting to develop between them, and Ethan knows they couldn’t have a future together since his family blames Delaney for their tragic loss. Can these two overcome insurmountable obstacles and find true love with each other?
If you’re into adult contemporary with a healthy dose of steam and angst, then this book is one not to be missed. Forbidden Fling is available now!
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2aqW6Mg
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
If you have ever read a Skye Jordan novel, you know that her Heroes are the ultimate sexy as hell alphas and her heroines are as tough as nails with maybe a tiny bit of the damsel in distress in them. And you are sure to get a healthy dose of the most decadent panty melting schmexy times that will set your libido on fire. That is definitely what you are in store for with Forbidden Fling. I will warn you that it does start off a bit slow but when things start to heat up between the two main characters, it was hard for me to put this one down.
Delaney Hart has returned back to her hometown after having left for several years. A certain tragic accident and subsequent harassment from some of the townsfolk forced her to run away from her home and family. The township is threatening to demolish her family’s rundown and abandoned bar, and her aunt Phoebe asks her to come back home so that she could make the decision on whether to demolish or rebuild the property.
Ethan Hayes is the local building inspector and has been planning on running a brewery with his grandfather, but he needs a liquor license. He was certain that the Harts would end up demolishing their bar and that he’d be able to buy their liquor license. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that Delaney Hart would return home. He had a huge crush on her during their high school years but was never even a blip on Delaney’s radar. Back then, she only went out with the bad boys and Ethan was too straight-laced for her.
When they both cross paths again, they can’t help but notice how insanely attracted they are to each other. And what they think is only going to be a one-time deal, turns out getting complicated and so much more serious rather quickly. When Delaney finds out who Ethan is, she tries to put an end to what was starting to develop between them, and Ethan knows they couldn’t have a future together since his family blames Delaney for their tragic loss. Can these two overcome insurmountable obstacles and find true love with each other?
If you’re into adult contemporary with a healthy dose of steam and angst, then this book is one not to be missed. Forbidden Fling is available now!
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2aqW6Mg
July 26, 2016
3.75 Stars
As a long time fan of all things Skye Jordan, I was thrilled to see she has a brand new series in the works. Not only does she write some seriously swoony heroes, but she always matches them up with fantastic heroines. Delaney Hart may easily be my favorite heroine by this author to date. Here was a woman that while she may be damaged in her own way, still had a backbone of steel and never backed down from a challenge. She wasn't brash, she wasn't OTT, she wasn't obnoxious about it. But there was just this understated strength to her to go along with the playful bad girl that added an irresistible vibe to her character that I absolutely adored.
Coming back to the small town that she grew up in that only carried with it memories of past pain and regret isn't exactly Delaney's idea of fun. But with her father's death and her two sisters are in the wind, there's no one else to take care of the decrepit old bar before it gets demolished on her dime. If it's not enough that she carries the guilt of the past, there's definitely a few people to remind her that she's not welcome. Delaney is made of tougher stuff than to back down from a challenge though.
But then she spends one delectable night with a sexy stranger....that turns out not to be a stranger at all. Ethan Hayes. The good boy that's always harbored a crush on her, but with their past and present still between them, Delaney is even more hands off than she was ten years ago.
I loved the small town setting of the story. I also loved that even though the characters do share a sizzling night together pretty early into the book, there is more than enough slow burn sizzle with the added element of the forbidden added in to make the romance more delicious. Ethan was absolute perfection and it was great to see him come into his own and finally start standing up to his family. But I have to say that Delaney was my favorite part. She definitely stole the show for me. I loved her quiet strength and playfulness. I loved how she doesn't let anything tear her down and maintains her equilibrium at any cost. I also loved watching Ethan fall harder and harder for the reformed bad girl.
The back and forth between them did get a little much for me at times, but it was entertaining enough to not lose my attention. My one quibble is I wished the ending didn't fell quite so rushed. While it's my understanding that the story will continue with the other two Hart sisters, I would have loved a little more in that ending. It felt almost rushed after all the build up leading up to it. But perhaps that's something that may be resolved with the future books in this series.
All I know is I definitely enjoyed this one and have a feeling I'll enjoy the next two even more. Especially with that set up for who I'm hoping will be the next couple. Because...rarrr. Seriously.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
She'd walked into town, and Ethan's life had spun on its ever-loving axis.
As a long time fan of all things Skye Jordan, I was thrilled to see she has a brand new series in the works. Not only does she write some seriously swoony heroes, but she always matches them up with fantastic heroines. Delaney Hart may easily be my favorite heroine by this author to date. Here was a woman that while she may be damaged in her own way, still had a backbone of steel and never backed down from a challenge. She wasn't brash, she wasn't OTT, she wasn't obnoxious about it. But there was just this understated strength to her to go along with the playful bad girl that added an irresistible vibe to her character that I absolutely adored.
Coming back to the small town that she grew up in that only carried with it memories of past pain and regret isn't exactly Delaney's idea of fun. But with her father's death and her two sisters are in the wind, there's no one else to take care of the decrepit old bar before it gets demolished on her dime. If it's not enough that she carries the guilt of the past, there's definitely a few people to remind her that she's not welcome. Delaney is made of tougher stuff than to back down from a challenge though.
But then she spends one delectable night with a sexy stranger....that turns out not to be a stranger at all. Ethan Hayes. The good boy that's always harbored a crush on her, but with their past and present still between them, Delaney is even more hands off than she was ten years ago.
I loved the small town setting of the story. I also loved that even though the characters do share a sizzling night together pretty early into the book, there is more than enough slow burn sizzle with the added element of the forbidden added in to make the romance more delicious. Ethan was absolute perfection and it was great to see him come into his own and finally start standing up to his family. But I have to say that Delaney was my favorite part. She definitely stole the show for me. I loved her quiet strength and playfulness. I loved how she doesn't let anything tear her down and maintains her equilibrium at any cost. I also loved watching Ethan fall harder and harder for the reformed bad girl.
The back and forth between them did get a little much for me at times, but it was entertaining enough to not lose my attention. My one quibble is I wished the ending didn't fell quite so rushed. While it's my understanding that the story will continue with the other two Hart sisters, I would have loved a little more in that ending. It felt almost rushed after all the build up leading up to it. But perhaps that's something that may be resolved with the future books in this series.
All I know is I definitely enjoyed this one and have a feeling I'll enjoy the next two even more. Especially with that set up for who I'm hoping will be the next couple. Because...rarrr. Seriously.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
July 23, 2016
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Delaney Hart is the oldest of three sisters from a small town in California called Wildwood. She had a tough childhood & had always been considered the rebel/bad girl with a reputation that followed her. After a tragedy rocks her life, she leaves town for Los Angeles & plans to never return. Suddenly she finds herself unemployed and returning to the town she hadn't been to in over a decade. She has to deal with property her family still owns & decide if she wants to renovate it or demolish it. One thing she didn't plan on is the sexy guy from her past that she crosses paths with. Ethan Hayes was never even on her radar in high school, but he certainly is now. He's gorgeous & she can't believe she ever overlooked him. She decides he would be the perfect distraction from her current problems.
Ethan Hayes is a man living with many regrets after a decision in his past changed the course of his life. His father is the mayor & he has a wealthy influential family that tries to control him. He gives his loyalty to people that don't deserve it. He's given up everything to pursue his dream of owning his own brewery. While he works towards his goals, he earns money working for the city. This puts him involved with the woman he had a huge crush on in high school. Delaney didn't even know he existed back then, & now their families were in a feud. She should be off limits to him since getting close to her would be professional & personal suicide, but the more Ethan is around her, the more he wants her.
-He was such a sucker for her.
-"You can't deny there's something between us. Something...intense."
-The passion between them flared so fast and so hot it dragged him under until Ethan couldn't breathe for wanting her so badly.
-It was obvious she still wanted him. And she was having as much trouble fighting their attraction as he was.
-"We are fucking nuclear together, and we both want the same thing."
Ethan is tired of letting his family determine his path in life, & decides to go after Delaney. The more time he spends with her, the more connected he feels to her. He begins to not care so much about the complications & his own agenda, & just wants to be with her. Real feelings develop & what started out as a fling slowly turns into so much more.
Ethan is making Delaney want things she's never had before, like unconditional love. She's always taken care of everyone else & he makes her feel safe & special. She originally wanted to be done with this town. Do what she needed & run away again, but now she's reconsidering putting roots back down in her home town. She hadn't felt this kind of desire or comfort with a man ever before, & even though she didn't usually do relationships, she found herself wanting more with Ethan. They both decide to take control of their future while seeing if they can also possibly be with one another. Can they make it work when everything & everyone seem to be against them? I really enjoyed this book about forbidden romance & hope the next book is for Trace & Avery! :))
-She was the one person who seemed to be able to quiet the chaos inside him.
-"We have something, and it's not going away."
-"I want more, Delaney."
-"You're amazing."
-"Everything...a man could...ever want."
(ARC provided by author)
Delaney Hart is the oldest of three sisters from a small town in California called Wildwood. She had a tough childhood & had always been considered the rebel/bad girl with a reputation that followed her. After a tragedy rocks her life, she leaves town for Los Angeles & plans to never return. Suddenly she finds herself unemployed and returning to the town she hadn't been to in over a decade. She has to deal with property her family still owns & decide if she wants to renovate it or demolish it. One thing she didn't plan on is the sexy guy from her past that she crosses paths with. Ethan Hayes was never even on her radar in high school, but he certainly is now. He's gorgeous & she can't believe she ever overlooked him. She decides he would be the perfect distraction from her current problems.
Ethan Hayes is a man living with many regrets after a decision in his past changed the course of his life. His father is the mayor & he has a wealthy influential family that tries to control him. He gives his loyalty to people that don't deserve it. He's given up everything to pursue his dream of owning his own brewery. While he works towards his goals, he earns money working for the city. This puts him involved with the woman he had a huge crush on in high school. Delaney didn't even know he existed back then, & now their families were in a feud. She should be off limits to him since getting close to her would be professional & personal suicide, but the more Ethan is around her, the more he wants her.
-He was such a sucker for her.
-"You can't deny there's something between us. Something...intense."
-The passion between them flared so fast and so hot it dragged him under until Ethan couldn't breathe for wanting her so badly.
-It was obvious she still wanted him. And she was having as much trouble fighting their attraction as he was.
-"We are fucking nuclear together, and we both want the same thing."
Ethan is tired of letting his family determine his path in life, & decides to go after Delaney. The more time he spends with her, the more connected he feels to her. He begins to not care so much about the complications & his own agenda, & just wants to be with her. Real feelings develop & what started out as a fling slowly turns into so much more.
Ethan is making Delaney want things she's never had before, like unconditional love. She's always taken care of everyone else & he makes her feel safe & special. She originally wanted to be done with this town. Do what she needed & run away again, but now she's reconsidering putting roots back down in her home town. She hadn't felt this kind of desire or comfort with a man ever before, & even though she didn't usually do relationships, she found herself wanting more with Ethan. They both decide to take control of their future while seeing if they can also possibly be with one another. Can they make it work when everything & everyone seem to be against them? I really enjoyed this book about forbidden romance & hope the next book is for Trace & Avery! :))
-She was the one person who seemed to be able to quiet the chaos inside him.
-"We have something, and it's not going away."
-"I want more, Delaney."
-"You're amazing."
-"Everything...a man could...ever want."
July 30, 2016
4 - "Looks like the wild is back in Wildwood." Stars!
Skye Jordan is one of those authors, that after finishing one of her books, I am always left wishing she wrote faster and released books more often, because I remember just how much I love her writing. Forbidden Fling certainly did that for me, and I am pleased that we get to see more from the Wildwood series very, very soon.
Delaney Hart has returned home to a town that she left firmly in her wing mirrors ten years previously. She left with bad memories as well as a bad reputation, and her return will most likely spark those memories, and rekindle the reputation for the town of Wildwood in general, and several families in particular, especially when it comes to her families bar, The Bad Seed. But the Delaney that left, isn’t the wild child anyone remembers her as anymore, the woman that has returned knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, even if she has only been back in town for a few hours, and isn’t 100% certain who it is, she’s actually going after initially.
"A Hayes and a Hart were never meant to be friends, let alone anything more."
Ethan Hayes, always admired from afar, before Delaney left, coming from one of the town’s most influential families, his presence on Delaney’s’ radar barely registered, seeing that she was into bad-boys, bad-behavior and bad-habits. But things have changed in the interim, and there is certainly more than a little attraction stirring between these two from the get-go, even if she doesn’t realize who he is on their first introduction.
"I never wanted anyone the way I want you. It… scares me."
But the town in part is against what Delaney is trying to do, and in a roundabout way it could also have a huge effect on the future that Ethan was planning for himself, a future that would get him out from under his father’s control and working for himself.
"You can’t run from your past forever."
As you would expect in a small town, small-minded judgement, and threats aren’t the only thing Delaney has to deal with in moving forward with her plans, and I liked the way Skye interweaved what was happening to Delaney in relation to the bar, with her budding relationship with Ethan, and his issues with his family. My only wish was that he had stepped up a little sooner than he did in relation to some of the Hart family’s behaviour towards her and what she was doing.
"I only want to be with you. The last week has been miserable without you in it."
Forbidden Fling was a really great start to this series, with Delaney having two sisters both of whom are single, I am assuming we have at least two more books to come, especially with events unfolding towards the end of this one as they did, and that makes me happy. The author has set up the town and people really well, in that you have plenty of secondary characters that add value, but they will also give a depth and continuity to any further books to come. I personally hope that Avery Hart’s story is next, with Wild Kisses due for release in January 2017.
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Skye Jordan is one of those authors, that after finishing one of her books, I am always left wishing she wrote faster and released books more often, because I remember just how much I love her writing. Forbidden Fling certainly did that for me, and I am pleased that we get to see more from the Wildwood series very, very soon.
Delaney Hart has returned home to a town that she left firmly in her wing mirrors ten years previously. She left with bad memories as well as a bad reputation, and her return will most likely spark those memories, and rekindle the reputation for the town of Wildwood in general, and several families in particular, especially when it comes to her families bar, The Bad Seed. But the Delaney that left, isn’t the wild child anyone remembers her as anymore, the woman that has returned knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, even if she has only been back in town for a few hours, and isn’t 100% certain who it is, she’s actually going after initially.
"A Hayes and a Hart were never meant to be friends, let alone anything more."
Ethan Hayes, always admired from afar, before Delaney left, coming from one of the town’s most influential families, his presence on Delaney’s’ radar barely registered, seeing that she was into bad-boys, bad-behavior and bad-habits. But things have changed in the interim, and there is certainly more than a little attraction stirring between these two from the get-go, even if she doesn’t realize who he is on their first introduction.
"I never wanted anyone the way I want you. It… scares me."
But the town in part is against what Delaney is trying to do, and in a roundabout way it could also have a huge effect on the future that Ethan was planning for himself, a future that would get him out from under his father’s control and working for himself.
"You can’t run from your past forever."
As you would expect in a small town, small-minded judgement, and threats aren’t the only thing Delaney has to deal with in moving forward with her plans, and I liked the way Skye interweaved what was happening to Delaney in relation to the bar, with her budding relationship with Ethan, and his issues with his family. My only wish was that he had stepped up a little sooner than he did in relation to some of the Hart family’s behaviour towards her and what she was doing.
"I only want to be with you. The last week has been miserable without you in it."
Forbidden Fling was a really great start to this series, with Delaney having two sisters both of whom are single, I am assuming we have at least two more books to come, especially with events unfolding towards the end of this one as they did, and that makes me happy. The author has set up the town and people really well, in that you have plenty of secondary characters that add value, but they will also give a depth and continuity to any further books to come. I personally hope that Avery Hart’s story is next, with Wild Kisses due for release in January 2017.
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
August 5, 2016
3.5 Conflicted Hearts Stars
* * * 1/2
This had all the trappings of two characters who should not be together...who are so drawn to each other, they can taste it... and the surrounding backstory of a family who has made it their purpose to rule the outcome keeps these lovers on shaky ground. In Skye Jordan's hands, you know this tale will have all of the plot tension, character development and sexual heat she is known for.
We have these star-crossed characters, Delaney Hart and Ethan Hayes, from two families who have these long entrenched reasons for hate, guilt and just plan stubbornness. The main focus of this story is the Hart's owned bar which was the scene of the Hayes' family tragedy so many years ago. Delaney Hart feels the guilt of the situation, whether she should or not. This small town has blamed her unjustly and she has been away from her family because of it for many years.
Although she has not been back, she has maintained all of the liquor licensing fees in an attempt to allow her sisters to do something with the old bar should they wish. Delaney took all of knowledge she learned at the bar and worked her way up the ladder in restaurant planning and restoration. She was a department head of a huge firm until the hostile conditions became too much. Since she is between positions, her aunt is encouraging her to look at the bar as a possible renovation and not the demolition the Mayor is pushing.
What Delaney doesn't know is the license she has been maintaining is the same one Ethan needs to make his Brewpub a reality. And this is the big issue hiding in plain sight.
Ethan has been working with his uncle for years on craft beers and these beers are good.... better than good. His uncle is the only loving member of Ethan's family. His father, the Mayor, is a pompous, selfish, narcissist who runs this town as if it is his kingdom. His older son is the sheriff and not much better. Ethan is the town's building inspector and keeps getting saddled with last minute inspections for his father's old cronies...He is in a rock and hard place and the latest move his father did has brought Delaney back to the town.
The Mayor pushed through an ordinance saying the bar was an eyesore and needed to be torn down. Now Delaney needs to figure out whether to go with that... and pay a huge cost with no place for any profit or business... or do what her aunt wants her to do- use her talents and resurrect, restore or make new the bar and have a place of business.
These two meet at the bar's location while Delaney is looking at it her first night back...she does not remember Ethan..however, he remembers her. They have an immediate connection which they act on...intense...
In the light of day with the official City Inspection due...In walks Ethan with his clipboard to Delaney's surprise. Both are not happy....Both have their own agendas...And so does the Mayor.
It will be a mater of wills, a matter of ethics and a fight for what is right and in their hearts.
There was a lot to like in this book. As a huge Skye Jordan fan from her Renegade Series, I can say she applies all of her strong writing skill in handling the sexual encounters for these two. She also framed the story with the necessary tension and frustration needed for this to work.
Usually I have a habit of falling hard for the men in her books....But with this story, I was Delaney all the way. This was a very determined, smart, underestimated woman. She proved to be a beacon of light throughout the story. She held strong through it all.
With Ethan, I had major issues. Yes, his heart was in the right place, etc. But it was the deception or more politely said, withholding of information which was not cool. Time and again he underestimated Delaney...and that again did not make me happy. The other sticking point was I felt he was weak with his brother and father. He had difficulty in holding strong and standing up for himself.
All of these issues, though, were necessary to move the story along...so it could just be me being a bit of a hard ass...
Because while I was reading this book, I was reading another... and my mind kept going back to this book... which only shows how strongly involved I was with it.
Skye Jordan is a writer who always delivers. This is her new series and there is much to play with. Sisters come back, brothers may be redeemed...who knows...it up to Skye's limit...
A gifted copy was provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2
This had all the trappings of two characters who should not be together...who are so drawn to each other, they can taste it... and the surrounding backstory of a family who has made it their purpose to rule the outcome keeps these lovers on shaky ground. In Skye Jordan's hands, you know this tale will have all of the plot tension, character development and sexual heat she is known for.
We have these star-crossed characters, Delaney Hart and Ethan Hayes, from two families who have these long entrenched reasons for hate, guilt and just plan stubbornness. The main focus of this story is the Hart's owned bar which was the scene of the Hayes' family tragedy so many years ago. Delaney Hart feels the guilt of the situation, whether she should or not. This small town has blamed her unjustly and she has been away from her family because of it for many years.
Although she has not been back, she has maintained all of the liquor licensing fees in an attempt to allow her sisters to do something with the old bar should they wish. Delaney took all of knowledge she learned at the bar and worked her way up the ladder in restaurant planning and restoration. She was a department head of a huge firm until the hostile conditions became too much. Since she is between positions, her aunt is encouraging her to look at the bar as a possible renovation and not the demolition the Mayor is pushing.
What Delaney doesn't know is the license she has been maintaining is the same one Ethan needs to make his Brewpub a reality. And this is the big issue hiding in plain sight.
Ethan has been working with his uncle for years on craft beers and these beers are good.... better than good. His uncle is the only loving member of Ethan's family. His father, the Mayor, is a pompous, selfish, narcissist who runs this town as if it is his kingdom. His older son is the sheriff and not much better. Ethan is the town's building inspector and keeps getting saddled with last minute inspections for his father's old cronies...He is in a rock and hard place and the latest move his father did has brought Delaney back to the town.
The Mayor pushed through an ordinance saying the bar was an eyesore and needed to be torn down. Now Delaney needs to figure out whether to go with that... and pay a huge cost with no place for any profit or business... or do what her aunt wants her to do- use her talents and resurrect, restore or make new the bar and have a place of business.
These two meet at the bar's location while Delaney is looking at it her first night back...she does not remember Ethan..however, he remembers her. They have an immediate connection which they act on...intense...
In the light of day with the official City Inspection due...In walks Ethan with his clipboard to Delaney's surprise. Both are not happy....Both have their own agendas...And so does the Mayor.
It will be a mater of wills, a matter of ethics and a fight for what is right and in their hearts.
There was a lot to like in this book. As a huge Skye Jordan fan from her Renegade Series, I can say she applies all of her strong writing skill in handling the sexual encounters for these two. She also framed the story with the necessary tension and frustration needed for this to work.
Usually I have a habit of falling hard for the men in her books....But with this story, I was Delaney all the way. This was a very determined, smart, underestimated woman. She proved to be a beacon of light throughout the story. She held strong through it all.
With Ethan, I had major issues. Yes, his heart was in the right place, etc. But it was the deception or more politely said, withholding of information which was not cool. Time and again he underestimated Delaney...and that again did not make me happy. The other sticking point was I felt he was weak with his brother and father. He had difficulty in holding strong and standing up for himself.
All of these issues, though, were necessary to move the story along...so it could just be me being a bit of a hard ass...
Because while I was reading this book, I was reading another... and my mind kept going back to this book... which only shows how strongly involved I was with it.
Skye Jordan is a writer who always delivers. This is her new series and there is much to play with. Sisters come back, brothers may be redeemed...who knows...it up to Skye's limit...
A gifted copy was provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.
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July 15, 2016
4 Stars
Skye Jordan has been one of my go to authors ever since her regenades series. I love her friesty stubborn heroines and then her alpha, hot and charming heroes...
This book was all that but different..
Delaney ran from her home town, worked her way up in the construction business on her own and made something of herself by being a designer.. But back in the day when she grew up she was the Feisty woman, with a rebel name. As a woman she's strong and stands her ground..
Ethan is the cousin of the family she ran from. But he's not under the same category as the rest of his family.. What I will say here is, the men in Ethan's family are money, and face and not love (well aside from Ethan and his pops). So this story I would so is a modern Romeo & Juliet in many ways. Poor and rich, people don't want Delaney being back in town yet others love her airs and grace and charisma attitude that she brings with her, and that brings a lot of gossip. They live in a small town where gossip surrounds. But the Chemistry between these two is instant and so they develop a fling..
Let me tell you Skye can write sensuality, sex and those scenes will make you jump on your other half.. Cause they're not just sex, but I felt LOVE..
The want, the need to be with someone, to feel loved.
That pored off the pages. And I really enjoyed being inside the voice of Skye once again and her writing as ever pulled me in..
So why 4?? Cause I felt like although I love the tug of war trope, the angst, the feeling on will they won't they? It was like that throughout the book, and I felt it wasn't tied up in a neat now at the end. Kind of finished abruptly and could of finalised neater IMO. I just wanted more. I wanted to see them together a bit more. But hey that's just me. I love romance LOL I want the icing on the cake. But this was definitely a great start to this series, and I can see lots more happening to the characters that are starting to develop and intrigue me as I read.. It left me with a happy for now feeling, rather than a happy ever after..
That. Is. All..
Enjoy Xo
ARC generously gifted in exchanged for an honest review
For more reviews and blog posts
Skye Jordan has been one of my go to authors ever since her regenades series. I love her friesty stubborn heroines and then her alpha, hot and charming heroes...
This book was all that but different..
Delaney ran from her home town, worked her way up in the construction business on her own and made something of herself by being a designer.. But back in the day when she grew up she was the Feisty woman, with a rebel name. As a woman she's strong and stands her ground..
Ethan is the cousin of the family she ran from. But he's not under the same category as the rest of his family.. What I will say here is, the men in Ethan's family are money, and face and not love (well aside from Ethan and his pops). So this story I would so is a modern Romeo & Juliet in many ways. Poor and rich, people don't want Delaney being back in town yet others love her airs and grace and charisma attitude that she brings with her, and that brings a lot of gossip. They live in a small town where gossip surrounds. But the Chemistry between these two is instant and so they develop a fling..
Let me tell you Skye can write sensuality, sex and those scenes will make you jump on your other half.. Cause they're not just sex, but I felt LOVE..
The want, the need to be with someone, to feel loved.
That pored off the pages. And I really enjoyed being inside the voice of Skye once again and her writing as ever pulled me in..
So why 4?? Cause I felt like although I love the tug of war trope, the angst, the feeling on will they won't they? It was like that throughout the book, and I felt it wasn't tied up in a neat now at the end. Kind of finished abruptly and could of finalised neater IMO. I just wanted more. I wanted to see them together a bit more. But hey that's just me. I love romance LOL I want the icing on the cake. But this was definitely a great start to this series, and I can see lots more happening to the characters that are starting to develop and intrigue me as I read.. It left me with a happy for now feeling, rather than a happy ever after..
That. Is. All..
Enjoy Xo
ARC generously gifted in exchanged for an honest review
For more reviews and blog posts
June 25, 2016
A sleepy little town is about to get a wakeup call! In Forbidden Fling, the Hart and Hayes families go head to head, but this time it leads to explosive chemistry and some time between the sheets.
Delaney Hart left town at 18 not wanting to return to the town that only knew her as the wild child but with the city weeks away from demolishing her family bar, she is forced to return. The Bad Seed isn’t a place she ever wanted to step foot in again, but it’s her chance to give something to her sisters, even if would take her savings and in the end the dreams from the man she is falling for.
Ethan Hayes still remembers the crush he had on Delaney years ago, and much like Delaney, he’s still living in the shadows of the event that occurred all those years ago. Ready to start finally living his life, his way – the only thing that stands in his way is the Bad Seed.
Skye Jordan knows how to write explosive romances. The ability to create characters that share amazing chemistry that has the sexual tension bleeding off the pages. I loved the set up for these two – the Hayes and the Harts are a modern Hatfield’s & McCoy’s but with sex. Hot. Hot. Hot. SEX.
But with any Jordan read, it isn’t just about the sex (which was hot by the way), it’s about the journey these characters take you on. Both Ethan and Delaney experienced this road of discovery, meeting along the path and having to struggle with fighting for your own dreams, for your family and what it could cost you. The influence of the Hayes family in Ethan’s choices was pulled off perfectly to ensure that we were able to witness Ethan’s evolution throughout the story. All of it just came together flawlessly.
If you have not read this author yet, you are missing out on some great romances. I look forward to every single one of her releases and anticipate the next in the Wildwood Series.
Delaney Hart left town at 18 not wanting to return to the town that only knew her as the wild child but with the city weeks away from demolishing her family bar, she is forced to return. The Bad Seed isn’t a place she ever wanted to step foot in again, but it’s her chance to give something to her sisters, even if would take her savings and in the end the dreams from the man she is falling for.
Ethan Hayes still remembers the crush he had on Delaney years ago, and much like Delaney, he’s still living in the shadows of the event that occurred all those years ago. Ready to start finally living his life, his way – the only thing that stands in his way is the Bad Seed.
Skye Jordan knows how to write explosive romances. The ability to create characters that share amazing chemistry that has the sexual tension bleeding off the pages. I loved the set up for these two – the Hayes and the Harts are a modern Hatfield’s & McCoy’s but with sex. Hot. Hot. Hot. SEX.
But with any Jordan read, it isn’t just about the sex (which was hot by the way), it’s about the journey these characters take you on. Both Ethan and Delaney experienced this road of discovery, meeting along the path and having to struggle with fighting for your own dreams, for your family and what it could cost you. The influence of the Hayes family in Ethan’s choices was pulled off perfectly to ensure that we were able to witness Ethan’s evolution throughout the story. All of it just came together flawlessly.
If you have not read this author yet, you are missing out on some great romances. I look forward to every single one of her releases and anticipate the next in the Wildwood Series.
February 6, 2017
3.5-4 forbidden romance stars
Ethan and Delaney's chemistry is total hotness! These two are "suppose" to be enemies but it's hard to deny themselves what they want.
“This,” he said, breathing hard, his voice rough, “is going to be a fight every step of the way. You know that.”
Great story! but I’m just going to say that the ending wrapped up pretty quickly. No epilogue…..but I already read book 2 so I get the future glimpse of them in there.
Ethan and Delaney's chemistry is total hotness! These two are "suppose" to be enemies but it's hard to deny themselves what they want.
“This,” he said, breathing hard, his voice rough, “is going to be a fight every step of the way. You know that.”
Great story! but I’m just going to say that the ending wrapped up pretty quickly. No epilogue…..but I already read book 2 so I get the future glimpse of them in there.
August 6, 2016
Copy given in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars!!
This was the first book I've read from this author and not only was it well-written, it was primarily light-hearted and fun. The intimate scenes between Ethan and Delaney were sexy, sensual and intense.
I liked the idea of the feuding families, even though the hate wasn't rational. It gave the story the drama and edge it needed. I wonder if the open ending was deliberate and whether we'll see more of this couple in the series. Otherwise, this couple will remain in limbo because there were still issues to resolve.
XO
3.5 stars!!
This was the first book I've read from this author and not only was it well-written, it was primarily light-hearted and fun. The intimate scenes between Ethan and Delaney were sexy, sensual and intense.
I liked the idea of the feuding families, even though the hate wasn't rational. It gave the story the drama and edge it needed. I wonder if the open ending was deliberate and whether we'll see more of this couple in the series. Otherwise, this couple will remain in limbo because there were still issues to resolve.
XO
August 23, 2016
i won this book on goodreads. i must say that i enjoyed delaney and ethan's story so much! talk about a hot and sexy read! I think both Ethan and Delaney are strong characters, and they’re definitely good together and their chemistry is hot! the whole book is very well written.and there were some very enjoyable and funny parts as well. i cant wait to read the next in this series! a very enjoyable read!
August 4, 2016
I loved this book! Delaney + Ethan = super hot! I loved these two and especially the steamy scenes between them. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
November 30, 2016
3.5 Stars. It was okay. I never really felt anything between Delaney and Ethan but sex. There was no relationship building, just lies and evasion. The ridiculously over-the-top family drama got really old, really fast and sucked the life out of the book. And the story didn't end, it just kind of stopped; so apparently there will be more of Ethan’s sick, delusional, toxic family in the next book.
July 18, 2016
**Forbidden Fling generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
3 "And he wanted more of it." Stars
Skye Jordan's story of two small-town born and bred people brought together by the under handed politics of one prominent family was full of fun. This author created a fictional town once rocked by the untimely and unfortunate death of a member of the aforementioned prominent family. Blame casting and stereotyping have forced the hands of the hero and heroine in their current situations 7 years later.
Ethan Hayes and Delaney Hart are the subject of much family manipulation in this book. They meet 7 years after the tragedy that rocked the town and much to each of their surprise find they have heated passion and chemistry that's off the charts. Skye Jordan writes those sex scenes so well and then couples the passion with brilliant sexual tension. Both Ethan and Delaney are charismatic, goal-oriented and interesting both separate and together. It's unfortunate they're both bound by the dirty politics and type casting of where they live.
Parts of this story as it delve into the family dynamics and the on going feud between families I found redundant and a little boring. Ethan and Delaney are both after something and they need each other to get what they want. How it unfolds between them is full of banter, self loathing and questioning, and excellent chemistry. Skye Jordan's third person writing really held my attention throughout without it I think the story would have suffered. I thought the book ended rather abruptly and wanted more closure for these characters. But I still recommend Forbidden Fling as an easy, sexy beach read good for any contemporary romance lover.
October 11, 2016
3.5 Stars
I loved Delaney - A great h with a backbone!
I really liked Ethan and thought he definitely swoon worthy but was disappointed that there were times he didn't protect Delaney from his family's nasty behaviour. Yes he protected her from his father but he went down in my estimation when he stood by and watched his brother corner her and verbally and physically threaten/intimidate her.
I loved Delaney - A great h with a backbone!
I really liked Ethan and thought he definitely swoon worthy but was disappointed that there were times he didn't protect Delaney from his family's nasty behaviour. Yes he protected her from his father but he went down in my estimation when he stood by and watched his brother corner her and verbally and physically threaten/intimidate her.
June 14, 2016
Forbidden Fling is a small town romance. It is a sweet, sexy, feel good romance that contains both the unrequited love and enemies to lovers tropes. I quite enjoyed it and I'm eager to read more in the series.
ARC provided by author through Net Galley
ARC provided by author through Net Galley
July 26, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 stars
Oh thank the heavens that Skye Jordan is back to writing and releasing books because I've missed her and Forbidden Fling proves she is back and ready to take the reading world by storm! This modern day star crossed lovers story is simply fantastic and there is something so intrinsically right about this couple being together despite the odds against them, despite the event that changed both their lives, despite their family's history, and despite the fact that she has something he so desperately wants in order to make his dreams come true. I loved this couple, I loved their complicated relationship, and I loved that despite it all they had the ability to see each other's side and be fair and civil. This love story had such a rightness to it and given everything stacked against them, it is a miracle that they were open and genuine enough to see each other and what they had together to make it happen.
Smart, savvy, strong, passionate, resourceful, and kick-a$$ describe Delaney Hart and given everything that happened to her in her formative years she's an amazing woman. She never planned to return to Wildwood, but she must deal with what's left of her late father's bar and put her past firmly behind her. What she doesn't expect is finding out the situation isn't as cut and dry and she'd like or the hot man who turns her inside out her first night back in town.
Ethan Hayes is tired; tired of doing extra jobs to keep his mayor father happy, tired of working his day job plus the extras for his father's friends and then working half the night to brew the beer for the company he's trying to start and tired of dealing with all his family issues. He wants to open his brew pub, he wants to secure his future and the future of his grandfather who has stood by him ever since the incident that took his cousin's life and he wants to be able to quit the job that ties him to his father and his uncle who hold everything over his head. When the woman he had a crush on many years ago shows up back in Wildwood and he realizes she doesn't know who he is and they share undeniable chemistry he decides to take something just for him, he only hopes that doing so doesn't have irreversible consequences.
These two are tied together in so many ways and honestly most of it is not of their own doing. What is their own doing is the night they share and the closeness they have together from the start. I honestly felt like Delaney and Ethan were two pieces of a puzzle made to fit together; they were just that right. They had a lot of ups and downs throughout this story and while at times they jumped to conclusions or maybe had doubts about one another they were quick to apologize when they realized they were wrong and in fact sought comfort in one another even when they thought they should keep their distance. I appreciated the complexity of their relationship and of this book in general. This wasn't an easy romance, but their struggles made getting to the other side that much better.
Skye Jordan offers everything I love in Forbidden Fling; a strong heroine, an admirable hero, a thoroughly engaging story, incredibly sexy times, enough tension to make it interesting, and a hopeful ending with a glimpse of what's to come in future books in this series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Oh thank the heavens that Skye Jordan is back to writing and releasing books because I've missed her and Forbidden Fling proves she is back and ready to take the reading world by storm! This modern day star crossed lovers story is simply fantastic and there is something so intrinsically right about this couple being together despite the odds against them, despite the event that changed both their lives, despite their family's history, and despite the fact that she has something he so desperately wants in order to make his dreams come true. I loved this couple, I loved their complicated relationship, and I loved that despite it all they had the ability to see each other's side and be fair and civil. This love story had such a rightness to it and given everything stacked against them, it is a miracle that they were open and genuine enough to see each other and what they had together to make it happen.
Smart, savvy, strong, passionate, resourceful, and kick-a$$ describe Delaney Hart and given everything that happened to her in her formative years she's an amazing woman. She never planned to return to Wildwood, but she must deal with what's left of her late father's bar and put her past firmly behind her. What she doesn't expect is finding out the situation isn't as cut and dry and she'd like or the hot man who turns her inside out her first night back in town.
Ethan Hayes is tired; tired of doing extra jobs to keep his mayor father happy, tired of working his day job plus the extras for his father's friends and then working half the night to brew the beer for the company he's trying to start and tired of dealing with all his family issues. He wants to open his brew pub, he wants to secure his future and the future of his grandfather who has stood by him ever since the incident that took his cousin's life and he wants to be able to quit the job that ties him to his father and his uncle who hold everything over his head. When the woman he had a crush on many years ago shows up back in Wildwood and he realizes she doesn't know who he is and they share undeniable chemistry he decides to take something just for him, he only hopes that doing so doesn't have irreversible consequences.
These two are tied together in so many ways and honestly most of it is not of their own doing. What is their own doing is the night they share and the closeness they have together from the start. I honestly felt like Delaney and Ethan were two pieces of a puzzle made to fit together; they were just that right. They had a lot of ups and downs throughout this story and while at times they jumped to conclusions or maybe had doubts about one another they were quick to apologize when they realized they were wrong and in fact sought comfort in one another even when they thought they should keep their distance. I appreciated the complexity of their relationship and of this book in general. This wasn't an easy romance, but their struggles made getting to the other side that much better.
Skye Jordan offers everything I love in Forbidden Fling; a strong heroine, an admirable hero, a thoroughly engaging story, incredibly sexy times, enough tension to make it interesting, and a hopeful ending with a glimpse of what's to come in future books in this series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
August 1, 2016
Forbidden Fling is like a modern day Romeo and Juliet story involving three families. When the kids were young, a death was blamed on our main characters Delaney and Ethan when they were younger. The hatred directed at Delaney caused her to flee the town and her family for several years. She is forced to come back after threats of demolition of her late fathers bar from the Mayor, who happens to be the Uncle of the boy who died. Ethan is the cousin to the deceased boy, son to the Mayor and brother to a cop. As you can see, any relationship between Ethan and Delaney would not be welcomed by many.
Ian, the boy who died is ultimately at fault for his own death. The families blame Delaney because it was her boyfriend who stepped in to protect her from a drunk Ian. The families also blame Ethan since he was expected to keep Ian out of trouble but went home instead of going to Delaney’s fathers bar with Ian and his friends. Now that Delaney is back in town, Ethan can’t shake his crush he has had on her since high school. He’s running himself into the ground trying to please his family from the guilt. Delaney’s being threatened by the father and brother, trying to run her out of town. This story is one that is complicated yet so simple. No one is truly at fault but the devastation of Ian’s death has cause the families involved to be irrational.
Despite all the drama, I really enjoyed this book. Delaney is the type of heroine I truly love to read about. She was strong, a survivor and didn’t take crap from anyone. She was reasonable, level headed, compassionate and has been dealt a bad hand in life. This is only book one in the series. There will be two other books based off of Delaney’s sisters. They have all had to deal with the repercussions of that fateful night and handled it in their own way. I can’t wait to tackle their story.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ian, the boy who died is ultimately at fault for his own death. The families blame Delaney because it was her boyfriend who stepped in to protect her from a drunk Ian. The families also blame Ethan since he was expected to keep Ian out of trouble but went home instead of going to Delaney’s fathers bar with Ian and his friends. Now that Delaney is back in town, Ethan can’t shake his crush he has had on her since high school. He’s running himself into the ground trying to please his family from the guilt. Delaney’s being threatened by the father and brother, trying to run her out of town. This story is one that is complicated yet so simple. No one is truly at fault but the devastation of Ian’s death has cause the families involved to be irrational.
Despite all the drama, I really enjoyed this book. Delaney is the type of heroine I truly love to read about. She was strong, a survivor and didn’t take crap from anyone. She was reasonable, level headed, compassionate and has been dealt a bad hand in life. This is only book one in the series. There will be two other books based off of Delaney’s sisters. They have all had to deal with the repercussions of that fateful night and handled it in their own way. I can’t wait to tackle their story.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2016
4.5 Stars Great Sexy n Sweet Read SPOILERS Ahead so Read with Caution!!!!!!
I absolutely loved this book. Ethan and Delaney were great characters. They were both beautiful inside and out. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts hot.
OK, so why not 5 Stars, well, for one thing that ending! It was a beautiful and poignant moment in their story and when I turned the page, it was DONE...FINISHED and I was like WTH......I kept checking to see if it was my Kindle but nope, it just up and ended with no real ending that was satisfying for me:( I am assuming this series will continue and will be curious if it will be about Trace and......Avery wink, wink!!!!!!! So, the only thing I can think of is that Ethan and Avery's journey will be continuing but for me, I want and need much more closure or promise than what I got unfortunately!
This book had a really emotional story behind it and I was intrigued. It was low on any OW/OM drama but yet the drama that ensued gave me that additional adrenalin rush too. It was sweet, it was very sexy, it was really a great start to what seems like it will be a promising series to come!!!! I will be waiting for the next book to come out for sure:)
I absolutely loved this book. Ethan and Delaney were great characters. They were both beautiful inside and out. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts hot.
OK, so why not 5 Stars, well, for one thing that ending! It was a beautiful and poignant moment in their story and when I turned the page, it was DONE...FINISHED and I was like WTH......I kept checking to see if it was my Kindle but nope, it just up and ended with no real ending that was satisfying for me:( I am assuming this series will continue and will be curious if it will be about Trace and......Avery wink, wink!!!!!!! So, the only thing I can think of is that Ethan and Avery's journey will be continuing but for me, I want and need much more closure or promise than what I got unfortunately!
This book had a really emotional story behind it and I was intrigued. It was low on any OW/OM drama but yet the drama that ensued gave me that additional adrenalin rush too. It was sweet, it was very sexy, it was really a great start to what seems like it will be a promising series to come!!!! I will be waiting for the next book to come out for sure:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2016
Whew, this turned out to be so different than I expected. I'm used to Skye Jordan's alpha guys being all alpha-y. This hero was very beta til the bedroom. Then he turned up the bossy, and I remember one of the best things about Jordan...her super spicy love scenes!
The setup for the series seems to revolve around the small town atmosphere and maybe the sisters of this heroine. There's always a lot of stories within small towns, and always enough busy-body gossips to act as talking heads in a book. I was a little underwhelmed at first, but I think most first-in-series have some series setup issues...background and families and individual characters that need introduced and impressions made. Once we get into the meat of the story, however, the pace picked up and I could sink into it. The past between the hero and heroine, the way each of their families played such major roles, some wonderfully supportive, some truly villainous...made this a multi-layered story to lose yourself in.
Advance copy provided for reveiw
The setup for the series seems to revolve around the small town atmosphere and maybe the sisters of this heroine. There's always a lot of stories within small towns, and always enough busy-body gossips to act as talking heads in a book. I was a little underwhelmed at first, but I think most first-in-series have some series setup issues...background and families and individual characters that need introduced and impressions made. Once we get into the meat of the story, however, the pace picked up and I could sink into it. The past between the hero and heroine, the way each of their families played such major roles, some wonderfully supportive, some truly villainous...made this a multi-layered story to lose yourself in.
Advance copy provided for reveiw
February 6, 2017
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come...
Review to come...
July 21, 2016
4.5 Stars
Love it! Review to come soon
It's coming out next week and here is my review:
I have read and very much enjoyed Skye Jordan's Renegades series - contemporary romances involving Hollywood actors and stuntmen. These stories are witty and sexy, without too much drama and just feel-good sweetness.
When I saw Ms Jordan was starting a new series I was curious to try it. This time she offers her readers a small-town romance and I'm always on the look out for such stories. There is often risk for them to come off as cheesy and too sentimental but I'm happy to report that this was definitely not the case here.
Forbidden Fling offers a surprising depth of emotion and a really detailed and convincing portrayal of the complexity of family relationships, love, guilt and the struggle to be your own person.
This is an explosive story including family feuds and broken dreams, on the one hand, and on the other it's a love story that shows such delicious sexual chemistry between Ethan and Delaney and their lust for each other gradually turning into love and devotion.
Delaney was amazing, a strong and determined person who tries to build a future for her (and her two sisters) out the ruins of their past. She is a reformed bad girl who has to prove to everyone and mostly to herself that she has a future back in her hometown, that she can turn her life around and stop running from the past and start working on her future in the place where she belongs.
I very much liked Delaney but found Ethan even more interesting - a smart professional and with a promising future, yet totally under the thumb of his family, guilted into submission, force to give up his dreams (for now or forever).
Their meeting proves life changing for both of them. It sparks a wild attraction between them but also pushes them to be better, to try harder, to go for their dreams (despite the conflict arising between them and despite the dangers this places them under).
There is a lot of going back and forth in Ethan and Delaney's relationship, some pretty bad secrets, yet it didn't feel too much foe me. The problems they face are not easy to solve and it did take them some time, some sacrifice, a lot of re-evaluation and determination to deal with them.
Overall, this is a complex, detailed story set in a richly built background. It has a strong small-town feel which I loved and explored family relations that are messier than most. In short, this is the perfect summer read and strongly urge you to pick up for your vacation.
Love it! Review to come soon
It's coming out next week and here is my review:
I have read and very much enjoyed Skye Jordan's Renegades series - contemporary romances involving Hollywood actors and stuntmen. These stories are witty and sexy, without too much drama and just feel-good sweetness.
When I saw Ms Jordan was starting a new series I was curious to try it. This time she offers her readers a small-town romance and I'm always on the look out for such stories. There is often risk for them to come off as cheesy and too sentimental but I'm happy to report that this was definitely not the case here.
Forbidden Fling offers a surprising depth of emotion and a really detailed and convincing portrayal of the complexity of family relationships, love, guilt and the struggle to be your own person.
This is an explosive story including family feuds and broken dreams, on the one hand, and on the other it's a love story that shows such delicious sexual chemistry between Ethan and Delaney and their lust for each other gradually turning into love and devotion.
Delaney was amazing, a strong and determined person who tries to build a future for her (and her two sisters) out the ruins of their past. She is a reformed bad girl who has to prove to everyone and mostly to herself that she has a future back in her hometown, that she can turn her life around and stop running from the past and start working on her future in the place where she belongs.
I very much liked Delaney but found Ethan even more interesting - a smart professional and with a promising future, yet totally under the thumb of his family, guilted into submission, force to give up his dreams (for now or forever).
Their meeting proves life changing for both of them. It sparks a wild attraction between them but also pushes them to be better, to try harder, to go for their dreams (despite the conflict arising between them and despite the dangers this places them under).
There is a lot of going back and forth in Ethan and Delaney's relationship, some pretty bad secrets, yet it didn't feel too much foe me. The problems they face are not easy to solve and it did take them some time, some sacrifice, a lot of re-evaluation and determination to deal with them.
Overall, this is a complex, detailed story set in a richly built background. It has a strong small-town feel which I loved and explored family relations that are messier than most. In short, this is the perfect summer read and strongly urge you to pick up for your vacation.
July 25, 2016
Forbidden Fling is the first book in Skye Jordan’s new Wildwood series, and it illustrates the trappings of small town mentality and the abuse of power that can occur when the wrong people control the highest positions in the community.
From the very beginning of the story, it’s clear that blame has been cast on people who don’t deserve it and lives have been drastically altered due to one night of mistakes and bad decisions. An incident eight years ago sent Delaney Hart running from the only home she’s known and it put Ethan Hayes on a path much different than the one he wanted to take and under his father’s thumb doing his bidding. Of course, more lives than just Delaney and Ethan’s were affected, but because both of them were used as scapegoats for a death that they couldn’t have prevented, neither of them has much of a say in how the powerful people of Wildwood view them, even when Ethan is blood related to them.
Ethan and Delaney are supposed to be enemies due to the bad blood between their families, so the fact that they’re attracted to one another and feel better just by being around one another is a huge problem. Add to that the fact that their professional relationship is one that could make or break both of their careers and their lives further shows how much both of them have to lose by seeking pleasure in a place that is supposed to be forbidden.
Ethan and Delaney’s story illustrates how one tragic event can affect a whole community, costing people their dreams, their families, and their identity. It also shows how someone’s guilt can force him/her to lose sight of what really matters and lead that person to living a life that’s determined by everyone else’s decisions and not his/her own.
Skye Jordan does a great job delving into both Ethan and Delaney’s frame of minds as they try to figure out what they’re truly meant to do with their lives and how and if the connection they feel to one another is worth the risks that come with sleeping with the enemy.
Forbidden Fling is a great start to Jordan’s new series and with the introduction of a handful of supporting characters, I’m eager to see who book 2 will be about…I’m thinking a certain ex con and a beautiful baker!
A complimentary copy was provided via NetGalley for an honest review.
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
From the very beginning of the story, it’s clear that blame has been cast on people who don’t deserve it and lives have been drastically altered due to one night of mistakes and bad decisions. An incident eight years ago sent Delaney Hart running from the only home she’s known and it put Ethan Hayes on a path much different than the one he wanted to take and under his father’s thumb doing his bidding. Of course, more lives than just Delaney and Ethan’s were affected, but because both of them were used as scapegoats for a death that they couldn’t have prevented, neither of them has much of a say in how the powerful people of Wildwood view them, even when Ethan is blood related to them.
Ethan and Delaney are supposed to be enemies due to the bad blood between their families, so the fact that they’re attracted to one another and feel better just by being around one another is a huge problem. Add to that the fact that their professional relationship is one that could make or break both of their careers and their lives further shows how much both of them have to lose by seeking pleasure in a place that is supposed to be forbidden.
Ethan and Delaney’s story illustrates how one tragic event can affect a whole community, costing people their dreams, their families, and their identity. It also shows how someone’s guilt can force him/her to lose sight of what really matters and lead that person to living a life that’s determined by everyone else’s decisions and not his/her own.
Skye Jordan does a great job delving into both Ethan and Delaney’s frame of minds as they try to figure out what they’re truly meant to do with their lives and how and if the connection they feel to one another is worth the risks that come with sleeping with the enemy.
Forbidden Fling is a great start to Jordan’s new series and with the introduction of a handful of supporting characters, I’m eager to see who book 2 will be about…I’m thinking a certain ex con and a beautiful baker!
A complimentary copy was provided via NetGalley for an honest review.
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
June 27, 2016
Forbidden Fling is the first book in a brand new series from Skye Jordan. It introduces us to the delicious Ethan Hayes and feisty Delaney Hart. You’ve heard of the Hatfields and McCoys? Well they ain’t got nothing on the Hayes and the Harts…strap on your seatbelt and prepare yourself for one heck of an emotional ride!
Ethan has harbored a secret crush on Delaney since high school, but she was always interested in a different kind of guy, the kind he could never compare to…older, tattooed bikers. Delaney is back in town and he’s determined to not let this opportunity pass him by. But old hurts, long held family grudges, and deep-seated resentments are all working against him, not to mention his own secret he’s keeping.
Ethan ranks right up there as one of my favorite Skye Jordan’s heroes; he sure gives those Renegade boys a run for their money! He’s one of those characters that I just adore- strong, determined, family-oriented, but he also has a softer vulnerable side that really comes through in his dealings with his grandfather. Although at times he did frustrate me, I wanted him to take a stand against his father and brother earlier than he did- it bothered me how he just let them walk all over him, without putting up much of a fight.
I think Delaney is probably my favorite of all Skye’s female characters. She’s dealt with so much in her life, but she hasn’t let that deter her. She is one tough cookie who doesn’t cower even when faced with folks in her home town determined to run her right back out.
The chemistry between Ethan and Delaney is off the charts. As hard as they try to keep their distance, to keep things between them on a professional level, they can’t help being drawn to each other. But with the past intruding and Ethan’s family causing trouble things begin to spiral out of control. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, there’s light at the end of the tunnel and the journey towards happiness for both Ethan and Delaney may just be in reach.
***An arc was received in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2016
Ethan and Delaney were a good match; Ethan, a golden-boy who had enough spine to defy what was expected of him, and Delaney, a wild girl turned successful entrepreneur who knows how to make it in a judgmental society and the male world of business.
They might initially come off as opposites, but both experience a transition and growth in character, and at the heart of them, each still maintains that core that reveals that they really care about family and decency, a core that seemed to have been in them always, as the small bit of background is spilled through their inner thoughts and conversations with each other and the secondary characters in this small town setting, mostly family.
The small town and the past both present the main conflict. Delaney's wild past is a point some people refuse to forget and Ethan's push to keep his family sane stifles him in responsibility that is really not his.
When Ethan sees Delaney again, he stumbles in his reservations and decision-making, but he falls steadily from high-school crush to full blown interest in a relationship with Delaney. Meanwhile, Delaney doesn't really do a good job of denying the boy she saw back then who has turned into a man with an irresistible pull and conviction.
This was a decent story, with the trope of a once bad-girl-done-good, with small town woes, yet it ended rather abruptly without a clear tie up to the overarching conflict, as it affects Ethan and Delaney. It's also a happy-for-now ending, with their relationship development having been hampered by the setting and exposition of the past, which creates the conflict and furthers the head-to-head conflicts each of them has with certain characters who seek to stop them.
I'm sure Delaney's sister, Avery is next--her love interest being....Trace (the guy who fell from grace and did some jail time)?
It's interesting enough to read on to the next.
They might initially come off as opposites, but both experience a transition and growth in character, and at the heart of them, each still maintains that core that reveals that they really care about family and decency, a core that seemed to have been in them always, as the small bit of background is spilled through their inner thoughts and conversations with each other and the secondary characters in this small town setting, mostly family.
The small town and the past both present the main conflict. Delaney's wild past is a point some people refuse to forget and Ethan's push to keep his family sane stifles him in responsibility that is really not his.
When Ethan sees Delaney again, he stumbles in his reservations and decision-making, but he falls steadily from high-school crush to full blown interest in a relationship with Delaney. Meanwhile, Delaney doesn't really do a good job of denying the boy she saw back then who has turned into a man with an irresistible pull and conviction.
This was a decent story, with the trope of a once bad-girl-done-good, with small town woes, yet it ended rather abruptly without a clear tie up to the overarching conflict, as it affects Ethan and Delaney. It's also a happy-for-now ending, with their relationship development having been hampered by the setting and exposition of the past, which creates the conflict and furthers the head-to-head conflicts each of them has with certain characters who seek to stop them.
I'm sure Delaney's sister, Avery is next--her love interest being....Trace (the guy who fell from grace and did some jail time)?
It's interesting enough to read on to the next.
August 26, 2016
Forbidden Fling was a fun read. I liked Ethan and Delaney. They are both very complex. They have dealt with a lot in their lives and are still embroiled in much of the mess that’s shaped them into the persons they are. Ethan has carried a torch for Delaney since high school but she doesn’t remember him. When they almost immediately hook up, they come to the situation with different perspectives. Delaney thinks it can be a quick fling during the short time she’s home to deal with her dad’s bar. Ethan wants more but will take what he can get. The attraction between the two is hot but they fight it for a number of reasons; families ties, public perceptions and conflicts of interest.
Delaney has a refreshingly uncharacteristic career background and I loved that she had worked construction and had moved her way up the corporate ladder.
There’s lots of tension between the two for the reasons listed above as Delaney deals with the mess that is her dad’s bar and Ethan is the inspector who’ll decide if her plans are acceptable. At times, the tension was almost too much. They spent too much time having misunderstandings and keeping their distance. On the other hand, at times their feelings seemed so real it had me in tears.
Predictably the two finally address their demons, determine what they want and go for it, including each other. Their happy ending was heartwarming.
Delaney has a refreshingly uncharacteristic career background and I loved that she had worked construction and had moved her way up the corporate ladder.
There’s lots of tension between the two for the reasons listed above as Delaney deals with the mess that is her dad’s bar and Ethan is the inspector who’ll decide if her plans are acceptable. At times, the tension was almost too much. They spent too much time having misunderstandings and keeping their distance. On the other hand, at times their feelings seemed so real it had me in tears.
Predictably the two finally address their demons, determine what they want and go for it, including each other. Their happy ending was heartwarming.
July 23, 2016
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
Also Published on "I'm A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore" http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore....
Delaney and Ethan were interesting characters. They both were living lives that were forever changed by a night that happened years ago. Delaney responded by leaving the town and building her life elsewhere, Ethan responded by building his life in the town and focusing on trying to hold his family together.
A few years later, there is a broken down, abandoned bar. The Bad Seed. The scene of the bad blood, so to speak, and a threat of demolition. Both Delaney and Ethan have different desired ends for the bar, and different ways to achieve them. This sets them up at a cross purpose that is complicated further by their attraction to each other.
The pacing is strong, the attraction between Delaney and Ethan is believable and relateable. Their chemistry is hot, and you believe that they want to be together but are not sure how to get past those things keeping them apart. The writing was great, it flowed well, and the dialog felt authentic.
The secondary characters felt authentic and they added to the story in interesting ways. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Also Published on "I'm A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore" http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore....
Delaney and Ethan were interesting characters. They both were living lives that were forever changed by a night that happened years ago. Delaney responded by leaving the town and building her life elsewhere, Ethan responded by building his life in the town and focusing on trying to hold his family together.
A few years later, there is a broken down, abandoned bar. The Bad Seed. The scene of the bad blood, so to speak, and a threat of demolition. Both Delaney and Ethan have different desired ends for the bar, and different ways to achieve them. This sets them up at a cross purpose that is complicated further by their attraction to each other.
The pacing is strong, the attraction between Delaney and Ethan is believable and relateable. Their chemistry is hot, and you believe that they want to be together but are not sure how to get past those things keeping them apart. The writing was great, it flowed well, and the dialog felt authentic.
The secondary characters felt authentic and they added to the story in interesting ways. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 16, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided by the author and /or publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
I REALLY liked the heroine in this book. I didn't often care for the way the hero came across. The story line was fresh and unique, if not very plausible. It could use a good edit, but the amount of errors weren't tragic.
I REALLY liked the heroine in this book. I didn't often care for the way the hero came across. The story line was fresh and unique, if not very plausible. It could use a good edit, but the amount of errors weren't tragic.
September 5, 2016
I love this book! Hated to see it end. Goes on the read again pile! Delaney and Ethan are really strong and determined people given the horrible, irresponsible parents they come from. Plenty of action, betrayal, surprises and abuse of power in this one. Loved it!
August 20, 2023
This needed more renovation and less toxic masculinity. Ethan was the absolute worst. He never should have been the inspector for the bar, even aside from their shared history there. He has sex with Delaney knowing he was going to inspect the bar, while she had no clue who he was. Worse than that, Delaney shouldn’t have had to wait until almost the very end of the book that Ethan had been planning on buying the bar himself so he could open his own brewery. That is the most giant conflict of interest!!! How on earth is it legal for him to be the inspector on property he has a vested interest in? And yet Delaney was the one all along who was saying they couldn’t be involved because of the conflict of interest—and that wasn’t even the biggest issue. He had so many opportunities to tell her the truth and I just did not respect any of his choices. I have no idea how she forgave him that quickly, much less how they were declaring they loved each other based on nothing.
Other questions I have for Ethan: did he ever accept bribes? Why did he let his dad fill up his schedule with “favors” to his friends and has this been happening for the entire past 8 years? How many people in this town are wealthy enough to bribe his dad in the first place? That whole family was a mess and I still do not understand how him moving back home was going to help anything, much less why he stayed under his dad’s thumb. His aunt needs psychiatric intervention and his mom needs to leave his dad. I can’t believe she ever sided with him over her own father and son. It didn’t make me think much of anyone in that family.
Anyway. Delaney was super capable when it came to demolition and remodeling once the story finally got along to it. She deserved way better than Ethan.
This is a cishet white world. There were a number of unfortunate or offensive phrases, including “wandering off the reservation”.
Characters: Delaney is a 28 year old white former director of a historical renovation company. Ethan is a 32 year old white chief building inspector and brewer. This is set in Wildwood, CA.
Content notes: sexual harassment by deputy/MMC’s brother, physical assault of FMC by mayor/MMC’s father, toxic/emotionally abusive father, codependency, past suicide attempt (secondary character), police intimidation and harassment, cop secondary characters, political corruption by mayor/MMC’s father, past workplace sexual harassment, family estrangement, past child neglect, mentally ill secondary character (MMC’s aunt), past death of MMC’s cousin (bar brawl ensued after he either hit on or groped FMC and her boyfriend defended her), past death of FMC’s father (alcoholism), past maternal abandonment (FMC’s mom cheated and left the family for the other guy), professional ethics violations (MMC has sex with FMC even though he is her building inspector, MMC does not disclose wanting to buy her bar and continues to serve as inspector, MMC lies about issues during the walk-through to make the bar/remodel sound worse, MMC’s mayor father accepts bribes and makes MMC do favors for his friends so he’ll get campaign donations), misogyny, slut-shaming, ableism around mental illness, past incarceration for drug charges (secondary character), secondary character with a limp, pregnant secondary character, secondary character going through divorce, grief-related weight loss (secondary character), diet culture, past death of MMC’s grandmother, on page sex, alcohol, past underage drinking, homophobic insults, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, use of “Indian summer” and “wandering off the reservation”, use of “pleasure slave”, comparison of sex to drugs/feeling high, mention of past sexual harassment by customers
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle)
Purchased: 2016
Why did I buy it? I really enjoyed something else by this author and it was either free or on sale.
Other questions I have for Ethan: did he ever accept bribes? Why did he let his dad fill up his schedule with “favors” to his friends and has this been happening for the entire past 8 years? How many people in this town are wealthy enough to bribe his dad in the first place? That whole family was a mess and I still do not understand how him moving back home was going to help anything, much less why he stayed under his dad’s thumb. His aunt needs psychiatric intervention and his mom needs to leave his dad. I can’t believe she ever sided with him over her own father and son. It didn’t make me think much of anyone in that family.
Anyway. Delaney was super capable when it came to demolition and remodeling once the story finally got along to it. She deserved way better than Ethan.
This is a cishet white world. There were a number of unfortunate or offensive phrases, including “wandering off the reservation”.
Characters: Delaney is a 28 year old white former director of a historical renovation company. Ethan is a 32 year old white chief building inspector and brewer. This is set in Wildwood, CA.
Content notes: sexual harassment by deputy/MMC’s brother, physical assault of FMC by mayor/MMC’s father, toxic/emotionally abusive father, codependency, past suicide attempt (secondary character), police intimidation and harassment, cop secondary characters, political corruption by mayor/MMC’s father, past workplace sexual harassment, family estrangement, past child neglect, mentally ill secondary character (MMC’s aunt), past death of MMC’s cousin (bar brawl ensued after he either hit on or groped FMC and her boyfriend defended her), past death of FMC’s father (alcoholism), past maternal abandonment (FMC’s mom cheated and left the family for the other guy), professional ethics violations (MMC has sex with FMC even though he is her building inspector, MMC does not disclose wanting to buy her bar and continues to serve as inspector, MMC lies about issues during the walk-through to make the bar/remodel sound worse, MMC’s mayor father accepts bribes and makes MMC do favors for his friends so he’ll get campaign donations), misogyny, slut-shaming, ableism around mental illness, past incarceration for drug charges (secondary character), secondary character with a limp, pregnant secondary character, secondary character going through divorce, grief-related weight loss (secondary character), diet culture, past death of MMC’s grandmother, on page sex, alcohol, past underage drinking, homophobic insults, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, use of “Indian summer” and “wandering off the reservation”, use of “pleasure slave”, comparison of sex to drugs/feeling high, mention of past sexual harassment by customers
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle)
Purchased: 2016
Why did I buy it? I really enjoyed something else by this author and it was either free or on sale.
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