Review ~ The Summer Games: Settling the Score by R.S. Grey

Title: Settling the Score

Series: The Summer Games #1

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: May 2, 2016

From the USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scoring Wilder, comes a sexy new standalone novel.

As an Olympic rookie, Andie Foster has spent far more time in her cleats than between the sheets. For 21 years, her Friday nights have consisted of blocking shots rather than taking them. But now that she's landed in Rio, she's ready to see for herself if the rumors about the Olympic Village are true:

• The athletes are all sex-crazed maniacs... 

• The committee passes out condoms like candy... 

• The games continue long after the medals have been handed out...

As Andie walks the line between rumor and reality, she's forced into the path of Frederick Archibald, a decorated Olympic swimmer and owner of a sexy British accent--too bad he's unavailable in a way that "it's complicated" doesn't even begin to explain.

In other words: off limits.

It doesn't matter that he has abs that could bring peace to the Middle East and a smile that makes even the Queen blush; Andie fully intends on keeping her focus on the soccer field. But the Village is small. Suffocating. Everywhere Andie goes, Freddie happens to be there--shirtless, wet from the pool, and determined to show her a whole new meaning of the phrase "international affairs".

Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. 

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AMAZON US / AMAZON UK

I was (and am) a big fan of R.S. Grey’s Scoring Wilder, so to be able to head back to the soccer field with her was rather exciting for me. I was really looking forward to Settling the Score—to the entire Summer Games series, in fact—and although it wasn’t as wonderful as I hoped, I’m pleased to say that I closed this book with a smile on my face. 

It would be easy for me to tell you I liked this book and then move on, but the fact is, I really struggled with it in the early stages. With a slow beginning, and humor that didn’t feel as natural as Ms. Grey’s typical laugh-out-loud funnies, there were moments, I won’t lie, when I thought I may not be able to finish this book. However, I pressed on—determined to see it through, if only because I’ve have loved everything else of this author’s which I have previously read. And there were glimpses of her usual brilliance, which I hoped would be built upon. 

Which they were. As the story progressed, the characters that had previously felt a touch one-dimensional became fleshed-out, likeable, lovable people; people I wanted to root for, wanted to see overcome the obstacles and make their way to happily ever after. Moreover, the story began moving at a faster pace, and despite some timeline concerns (which may be the result of reading an ARC, and not the final version, so I cannot—and should not—judge it too harshly on that front), I found myself very, very interested to see how Settling the Score would play out. 

And it played out in a manner that was both satisfying and light, and even a little twisty. The last quarter of the book marked a return to Ms. Grey’s fabulous humor (oh, Georgie, you were my favorite thing about this whole book), and the romance between Freddie and Andie was the stuff that soft-hearted love-lovers would…err, well, LOVE. 

So, despite some early misgivings, I’m glad I pushed on and put my faith in this author to take me there. You know what I mean, right? That heady, giddy, swoony space that a well-ended love story can take you to? Because she did. Settling the Score wasn’t perfect—far from—but it was a good, solid foundation for a new series, and I’m already anticipating the second book as much as I am anticipating the actual Olympics… I’ll happily make do with more from R.S. Grey until then. 

~ Review by Beth

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Release Blitz - Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey

Title: Chasing Spring

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: Feb 1, 2016

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I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.

I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.

To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.

I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.

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I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book, especially since this is not the kind of book that R.S. Grey usually writes. It was definitely not a romantic comedy! Despite the emotional tone of this book, it was refreshing to read a YA book after a long time of reading only NA and erotica. 

Both Chase and Lilah have some not-so-great families, though their parents are what brought them close in the first place, so at least there’s that. This book starts in the present and then goes back into the past to show the important parts—the parts that made them both who they are today. I liked that, in those past moments, we also got to see some different POVs. That really added another aspect to this book.

Lilah was such a lost girl. She was so determined not to be like her mother. She didn’t want to hurt people the way she did. At some points I really wanted to get into her head and tell her that she wasn’t like her mother and no matter what happened she wouldn’t become her. 

Chase is the golden boy who has always been Lilah’s best friend...until she left. Now that she’s back, he has to make her want to be friends again, though it is going to be hard. Lilah wants to stay away so she doesn’t end up hurting him. 

I loved this book and the emotion that it contained. There was a lot of background that effected these two characters and the information is revealed in pieces until you find out the whole story of what had happened. I liked that it that way, always trying to think of what they could have gone through. There was some unnecessary drama and some decisions that I kind of rolled my eyes over but that’s typical when you are reading about kids in high school.

I very much liked the simple ending and how everything came together. Lilah and Chase were such great characters that had a lot of depth. Even though this isn’t what R.S. Grey normally writes, she knocked it out of the ball park. She knows how to bring the emotion out of you and keep you turning the pages until you reach the end. I look forward to reading more from this author. 

~ Review by Leah

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Review - The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

Title: The Allure of Dean Harper

Series: The Allure #2

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: September 28, 2015

From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.com

To: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.com

Subject: You’re a flippin’ idiot

Good morning my dear, naive friend, 

I hope you’re enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.

Why? 

Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c'mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.

He's the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it's followed by “don’t stop.”

Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil…and before you say anything, I don’t care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn’t for sale.

Love, 

Regretfully yours,

Lily

The Allure of Dean Harper is a full-length standalone romance with overlapping characters from The Allure of Julian Lefray. Both books can be read separately. Chronologically, The Allure of Julian Lefray happens first.

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AMAZON US / AMAZON UK

Gah! Why, oh, why wasn’t this story longer? Don’t get me wrong, The Allure of Dean Harper is a complete, full, well-rounded and adorably finished story, but I DIDN’T WANT IT TO END! I loved it, and I probably could have read about Dean and Lily for another few hundred pages…

Lily Black is newly arrived in New York City, excited to be living with her best friend, Jo, and to get to work making a name for herself in the culinary industry. One problem: Dean Harper.

He might be the sexiest man she’s ever seen, successful as hell, and the best friend of her best friend’s boyfriend, but that doesn’t stop him being the world’s biggest asshole.

And now, Lily has to work for him…

If I tried to outline WHY I loved this book so much, I think we’d all be here for hours. Me, trying to find the words, and you, trying to make sense of my rambling. So, I’ll try to keep it brief. Try being the operative word…

The Allure of Dean Harper is playful, funny and endearing. It’s a rock solid hate-to-love story, that balances Dean assholishness (totally a word) with Lily’s brashness, and makes both characters completely lovable. Like, to the point I am not sure who I am crushing on more—the controlling, arrogant Dean, or the blunt but funny Lily. Their story is nothing particularly new, but it’s written so well, feels so fresh, is so captivating that I couldn’t have put it down for love or money.

I loved the way Dean and Lily went head-to-head, and that even as they hated each other, you could feel the tension and sparks flying off the page. I loved the appearances by Jo and Julian, book one’s perfect couple, and how their friendships with Dean and Lily forced the two to try to work their shit out—even if it was slightly Machiavellian on both sides. I loved that even without graphic, over-the-top erotic sex scenes, this book was enough to make me swoon, sigh and feel sexy. And I loved the little sense of mystery that resulted in a laugh-out-loud funny strip club moment.

Yeah, that about sums it up. I loved this book. Everything about it. Except the fact that it had to end. I am STILL not over that… 

~ Review by Beth

After meeting both Dean and Lily in The Allure of Julian Lefray I couldn’t wait to read more about them in their own book. 

Lily Black and Dean Harper start off on the wrong foot the moment they meet. They’re both stubborn as hell and cannot stand each other. They’re constantly getting on each other’s nerves but can’t seem to get away from each other as their best friends are dating. 

I laughed so much at Lily’s antics. She says some of the funniest things and even though she may hate Dean, she can’t help but love him at the same time. Together, Lily and Dean were a hot mess, but they were worse off when they were apart. They had a love-hate relationship, and that worked for them. 

I loved this book. It was a quick read that I didn’t want to put down. R.S. Grey’s writing pulls you in and makes you feel so much for her characters. I can’t wait to read more books from her in the future.

~ Review by Leah

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things...everyday. 

​

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors are Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things funny. Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Release Day Blitz - The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

Title: The Allure of Julian Lefray

Author: R.S. Grey

Release Date: June 29, 2015

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From: JosephineKeller@LLDesigns.com

To: LilyNBlack@gmail.com

Subject: Justin Timberlake Nudes!

Lily, you predictable perv. I knew you’d open this email faster if I tempted you with a glimpse of JT's “PP”. Well, put your pants back on and grab some bubbly because I have much better news to share.

I GOT A JOB!

As of tomorrow, I’ll be the new executive assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs. I am SO excited, but there’s one itty bitty problem: I won’t be Lorena’s assistant. I’ll be working for her older brother, Julian.

I know what you're thinking- "But Jo, what’s the problem?"

Google him. Now. He’s the man in the fitted navy suit whose face reminds you that there’s hope yet for this cruel, ugly world. Keep scrolling…Do you see those dimples? Yup. That’s the Julian Lefray I will be reporting to tomorrow morning.

Lord, help us all...

XO,

Jo 

AMAZON US / UK

I needed this book! Not just because R.S. Grey has become a favorite author of mine, but because before The Allure of Julian Lefray, I read something that had me in tears. I was in a pit, and this book was a rope. I laughed, I swooned and I fell for a charming, suited businessman by the name of Julian, as I climbed from the pit. It was oh, so good!

Wanting to work in the fashion industry, and make in New York, is a dream for Josephine Keller. And her first break comes in the form of a job as an Executive Assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs.

Except her boss isn't the titular designer, it's her devastatingly handsome, older brother, Julian. She needs her job, which means Jo also needs to keep her hands and her mouth to herself. But...did I mention devastatingly handsome?

I'm so happy. I feel bouncy, and positive, and like I could take my yoga pants-clad butt out and find me a charming, sexy man (ignoring the fact I'm married for a second...*gulp*), and it's all because of this book. The Allure of Julian Lefray is exactly that. Alluring. It's playful and light, and so easy to get lost in, you won't release that hours have passed until you're closing the book and wishing it could have been longer.

Admittedly, there were times when I thought Jo was being a bit of a martyr, and I wanted her to be honest (with herself and Julian) about her feelings and her situation, but it worked for the overall story, so no biggie. I can deal. Because I really enjoyed Jo's character otherwise. She was perky, funny and sassy. Her little quirks, her occasional bumbling awkwardness (one scene in particular reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Love Actually) and her drive to make it all together made her the kind of gal I'd like to be friends with. In fact, I possibly am; she shares a lot of traits with some of my favorite people.

And Julian... Sigh, he was completely swoonworthy, and quite different to the plethora of jerky, asshole men that flood the romance market. Sure, he had his moments, but he was just a good, solid, smart, hot-as-hell man, and one that went all in. Gotta love that!

I'm hoping that Ms. Grey has more of the excellent secondary characters in store for us in the future. I liked getting to know nosy Dean and crazy Lily, and I'm certain that next time I am in a pit, their story would do wonders for helping me out. Please, Ms. Grey?

~ Review by Beth

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Release Day Blitz - The Design by R.S. Grey

Title: The Design
Author: R.S. Grey
Release Date: March 1, 2015

Five minutes until the interview begins.

Fresh on the heels of her college graduation, Cameron Heart has landed an interview at a prestigious architecture firm.

Four minutes until the interview.

She knows she’s only there because the owner, Grayson Cole, is her older sister’s friend.

Three minutes.

For the last seven years, Grayson has been the most intimidating man Cammie has ever had the pleasure, or displeasure, of being around.

Two Minutes.

But the job opportunity is too good to pass up. So, Cammie will have to ignore the fact that Grayson is handsome enough to have his own national holiday.

One.

After all, she shouldn’t feel that way about her new boss. And, he will be her new boss.

…

“I’m not scared of you,” I said with a confident smile.
“Perhaps we should fix that, Ms. Heart. Close the door.”

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 AMAZON US / UK

When I found out that Cammie and Grayson were getting a book I was so excited. I liked The Duet, but I absolutely loved The Design. I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down.

We met Cammie in The Duet as Brooklyn's younger sister. Now, she's just finished college and has an interview for Grayson's architecture firm. She's had a thing for Grayson for years. During the interview some interesting information comes to light from Grayson. With Grayson as her new boss and feelings in the air, can they stay away from each other?

In the beginning of the book, Grayson was not very likable, but as time went on and he started to accept his feelings for Cammie, he became a lot more likable. He became a great guy for Cammie.

At work Cammie has to deal with an annoying supervisor that makes her do extra work and stay late all the time. While working on a special project with her team her ideas aren't considered and she gets frustrated. Because of this she makes a decision that may cost her career.

Both Cammie and Grayson have secrets. Will their relationship last when the truth comes out?

I loved Cammie and Grayson in this book. They both made some decisions that I didn't like, but in the end it all worked out. They had their ups and downs, but all of that made them stronger as a couple. I loved the ending and the epilogue.

~ Review by Leah

I've had designs on this book for a while <<-- OMG, I totally went there. I'm not sorry.

In all seriousness, I REALLY wanted this book. I loved The Duet, and one of the things I enjoyed most was Cammie and Grayson and their...non-relationship. It was so clear they needed to end up together. Eek, so yeah, I definitely coveted this one.

Cameron Heart is fresh out of college and, thanks to a longstanding friendship between her sister and Grayson Cole, she has the chance to land a dream job at Grayson's renowned architecture firm. She's determined to nail the interview and land the job. She's also not adverse to nailing the boss and landing him too. After all, Grayson is as sexy as he is smug, even if he has been a thorn in her side for years.

Sleeping with the boss is never a good idea. Unless your boss is Grayson Cole.

Okay, Grayson is H.O.T. I kinda love him -- but I didn't at first. Nope, the first 25-30% of this book, I maybe...kinda...sorta pictured introducing my five fingers to his face. He'd have totally deserved it too. But then, well, he started to grow on me. He showed potential. He made me think he could be redeemed. And man alive, could he be redeemed. Excuse me while I swoon. He was the right blend of arrogant a-hole and sweet, sexy lover.

As much I liked Grayson by book's end, I LOVED Cammie from the start. Funny, snarky, confident, smart and just someone I'd really like to hang out with - along with her sister, Brooklyn, because their relationship is all kinds of awesome. Their banter, their camaraderie, their love for one another was exactly as a sisterly friendship should be (shout-out to my own ridiculous sister, because I'd like to think we are this awesome together). Did I agree with all Cammie's decisions?

No, but that's okay. It wouldn't have been much of a book if it was all sunshine and roses and sh*t right from page one.

It took me a little longer to get into The Design than I was expecting, but once I was there, I smiled through the rest of the book - even through those, oh, come on, work it out, people! moments. Like it's predecessor, this book was funny, charming and likeable. And while The Design could easily be read standalone, I want to encourage all y'all to one-click The Duet too. Because Brooklyn and Jason are *sigh*. And because a little more Cammie and Grayson could never be a bad thing.

~ Review by Beth

Cameron Heart is ready to live her life without her sister, Brooklyn constantly babying her and she has a plan: find a job, save, and move to Paris to live the life she's dreamed of. Now the only thing she now has to do is get Grayson Cole to fall in love with her and share his life with her, yet it's easier to dream than to fulfill that wish.

Grayson Cole has been Cameron Heart's crush since the day she met him and now that she gets to work close to him, she's going to do her best to get Grayson to notice her, no matter what the cost. I loved how creative, eccentric and vocal Cammie was when it came down to get Grayson's attention; she had me cracking up with her witty comments.

I loved their bantering with each other and the chemistry was HOT, to say the least. Even though each one wanted to be the one in control, you could see that the feelings they had for one another were real, yet each one was afraid to admit due to their own reasons. This book had it all: humor, craziness, a bit of drama and LOVE!!

~ Review by Kara

I paused just outside of the front doors and took a deep breath, trying to get my bearings. I was twenty minutes early for my interview. My outfit was still wrinkle-free. My pad-folio was filled with extra copies of my resume and reference letters, and I’d rehearsed every possible question that Grayson Cole would ask:

Greatest weakness? My inability to settle for anything less than what I deserve. I’m stubborn and persistent.

The honest answer? My inability to overcome my schoolgirl crush on you even though you’re a self-righteous ass.

I would NOT be giving him the honest answer.

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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