Review Blitz & Giveaway: Fool Me Once (First Wives #1) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Fool Me Once
Series: First Wives #1

Author: Catherine Bybee

Release Date: September 19th, 2017

Synopsis: Cynical divorce attorney Lori Cumberland lives by one motto: Love is grand, but divorce is a hundred grand. With one failed marriage under her own personal belt, Lori had fallen hard and early—and it isn’t something she plans on repeating. She’s content focusing on the temporary marriages of her rich and famous clients. When she joins some of her recent divorcées on a celebratory cruise, her only vow is fun, sun, and new friends. But Lori finds herself tempted by a jury of one.  For Reed Barlow, falling into the world of private investigation was easy. He knows the law and knows how to avoid breaking it—all while doing his job. His rule to live by? No emotion, no involvement . . . until Lori. His charming smile and cocky attitude distracts Lori and lowers her guard, which is exactly what Reed desires.  But what appears as a one-time-only flirtation may be a plot orchestrated by Reed. As he’s taking his investigation to a dangerous level, it’s Lori who could end up in jeopardy. Reed has only one shot for Lori to grant him a second chance. But if he comes clean with her, he blows his cover. And that just might cost him the opportunity for an alliance of family . . . and of love.  Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | BAM | Book Depository

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California.

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My Review:

By now, you all know that I love Catherine Bybee and for me, every single book of hers is simply a masterpiece. Well, that's more than true for Fool Me Once. It is intriguing, fun, suspenseful, romantic and of course hot. With every single page, I was more and more captivated by the characters and their story. I loved the secrets that were revealed one by one and the connection with the Weekday Brides series was just awesome. It was great seeing the other side of the coin, the marriages that stayed purely business.

But Lori, is not one of the Alliance brides. She is the layer that makes sure the Alliance clients are not taken advantage of, the one who helps them get on their feet after their divorces. Because of her career and her personal experience, she is quite jaded and for her love and marriage are too high of a risk that quite often end up with a high price tag. But you know what they say about best laid plans and all that :D Everything for her changes when she meets Reed. She does try to resist but in the end everything is futile to his charm and persistence.

The relationship between Lori and Reed is passionate and hot, but unfortunately not everything is what it looks like. And there are secrets that can destroy everything they build together. But with danger lurking around the corner and meddling friends who think that second chance are worth giving every now and then, Lori and Reed find their second chance at love, a second chance of a relationship that could heal the wounds from the past.

I won't reveal anything else but keep in mind that the book is a must read. There suspense, love, secrets, chemistry and everything else that will make you crave more :) So don't waste any time and pick yourself a copy :) As for me, I can't wait for the next book in the series. I can't decide which character's story I want the most. It might be Shannon because she is the one who is the most closed off I think. In any case, I will be happy :D

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Making It Right (Most Likely To #3) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Making It Right

Series: Most Likely To #3

Author: Catherine Bybee 

Release Date: May 9th, 2017

Synopsis:

In the final book in bestselling author Catherine Bybee’s Most Likely To trilogy, River Bend’s rebel follows in her father’s footsteps to become sheriff. But it might be time to forge her own path…

Some kids inherit a family business; Jo Ward inherited a badge. Once voted Most Likely to End Up in Jail, the town wild child has become sheriff—hell-bent on uncovering the truth about her father’s mysterious death. Life is quiet in rustic River Bend, but Jo longs for something beyond her small hometown and the painful memories it holds. All that keeps her sane is the support of her best friends, Melanie and Zoe.

But when Jo signs up for an expert law enforcement training seminar, she meets Gill Clausen, whose haunting eyes and dangerously sexy vibe just may challenge her single-minded focus. Commitment-phobic Jo can’t deny her attraction to the arrogant federal agent, and when odd things start happening around River Bend and danger surrounds her, she realizes she’ll need his help to discover who’s out to remove her from River Bend…permanently.

As Jo and Gill work together, it’s clear they make a great team. But can Jo loosen her grip on the past enough to let love in and reach for the future?

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | B&N | BAM | Book Depository

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California.

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My Review:

I love Catherine Bybee and as I've said before, I will read the phone book if she writes it :D So it is not a big surprise that I loved this story. I think that Making It Right is my favorite book in the series. There is just something about Jo, Gill and their story that simply grabbed my heart and that was it. Which is not that surprising considering the fast pace, the suspense, the emotion, the fun situations between the characters and the off the charts hotness factor of Gill :D

Jo is an incredible character. On the outside, she looks all tough and strong and like she can deal with everything. Even Mel and Zoe don't really see her vulnerable side. But considering the way she lost both her parents, it is quite understandable. But all that is eating her from the inside and in a way, she is not really living her life to the fullest. That's until she meets Gill and he manages to breach her defences and discover the vulnerable woman underneath. 

And Gill is definitely a dream boat I would love to surrender to. I loved Luke and Wyatt from the first two books in the series but there is just something about a big, bad tattooed bad boy with a chocolate voice that gets my motor running. And Gill is all that and so much more. He manages to do something no one else before him does. He sees behind the mask Jo puts in front of everyone. He sees the gaping wound left after her father's death and the pain and fears she still lives with. Of course Jo and Gill's relation ship is not easy. There is danger lurking in every dark corner and people who are ready to kill to get what they want. But together, they find the strength to find their HEA.

For me, this was one incredible read. It is emotional, suspenseful, fast paced, romantic and definitely HOT. I definitely recommend it. And it is a standalone even if it is the third book in the series, so you can just start from this one :)

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Staying For Good (Most Likely To #2) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Staying For Good 

Series: Most Likely To #2

Author: Catherine Bybee 

Release Date: January 24th, 2017

Synopsis:

Zoe Brown may have been voted Most Likely to Never Leave River Bend, but the paper-thin walls and suffocating air of her family’s double-wide trailer were not what she wanted for her life. Other than BFFs Melanie and Jo, the only thing that kept Zoe sane during high school was her boyfriend, Luke.

She didn’t just leave, she escaped—turning her back on the shame of her black-sheep siblings and imprisoned dad. Now a celebrity chef in Dallas, she can afford all the things she never could have growing up. But when she returns to rustic, ruggedly beautiful River Bend, Zoe has to face all that she abandoned—including Luke.

While Luke was a refuge for Zoe in the past, he knows they inhabit totally different worlds now. Anchored by his parents and his job as a mechanic in his father’s shop, Luke never felt the urge to leave River Bend—until Zoe’s return.

But when the two rekindle their old flame, Zoe is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: remain in River Bend and confront her past before it destroys her, or say good-bye to everyone she’s ever loved…again, this time for good.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | BAM | Book Depository

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

My Review:

If you follow my reviews, you will know that I love Catherine Bybee and her writing. No matter what she write, she has the uncanny ability to pull you into the story from the very start and engage your emotions on a level that very few authors out there can. And she definitely doesn't disappoint with Staying For Good. Ultimately, this is a second chance story with a sprinkle of danger and suspense. The two main characters are intriguing and real and will make you live through their heartbreaking story together with them.

Zoe is a character I admire. Like a phoenix she rose from the ashes of the nightmare she lived through as a child and followed her dream. That cost her a lot and she broke her own heart in the process but she did what she needed to do to survive. She thought she healed her broken heart. She thought she had everything she needed. Until she met Luke again... And Zoe saw all that was missing in her life.

Zoe and Luke's story is not easy, but it is romantic and tender and definitely hot. And it doesn't hurt that there is just enough danger, suspense and heartbreak to make it a page turner. And it ends in a way that will make you crave the next book in the series. And I am sure that's going to be a roller coaster ;) But for now, get your #1click finger working and pick up your copy of Staying for Good :)

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Not Quite Perfect (Not Quite #5) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Not Quite Perfect

Series: Not Quite Series #5  

Author: Catherine Bybee 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: September 20th, 2016

Synopsis:

With true love, there’s no such thing as a safe distance.

Mary Kildare knows how to read people. It’s both why she makes a great therapist and why she refuses to trust the average bachelor. Staying fiercely independent has been her primary relationship strategy—until wealthy playboy pilot (and commitmentphobe) Glen Fairchild reappears in her life. After a yearlong teasing tug-of-war, Mary and Glen test the waters of attraction, only to find that their physical chemistry runs deeper than flirtation.

At first, a bicoastal romance suits them both—especially since Glen can swoop in and whisk Mary away on one of his company’s planes. But no matter how close they get, they’re still three thousand miles apart. And when Mary’s life is threatened, Glen realizes the one luxury he doesn’t have is time. Can he close the distance between them before it’s too late?

Purchase Links:

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Praise for the Not Quite Series:

“Bybee’s magnetic fourth Not Quite contemporary proves that romance can happen in the most unlikely places...The love scenes are sizzling and the multidimensional characters make this a page-turner. Readers will look for earlier installments and eagerly anticipate new ones.” - Publishers Weekly on Not Quite Forever

" Not Quite Dating offers a sweet and satisfying Cinderella fantasy that will keep you smiling long after you've finished reading..." - USA Today, Happy Ever After

"Bybee's gift for creating unforgettable romances cannot be ignored. [Not Quite Enough] will sweep readers away to a paradise, and they will be intrigued by the thrilling story that accompanies their literary vacation." * RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California.

Website | Blogspot | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

My Review:

If you are following our blog, you know that I am a huge Catherine Bybee fan. I've read nearly everything she wrote but somehow the Not Quite Series slipped through the cracks. Well, I would definitely have to change that because I love this story. It was a great romantic story with notes of humour and as always sprinkled with a little bit of suspense to make it incredibly captivating. The characters are well developed and intriguing. They feel like people I know, like friends, and I've lived every single second of this book together with them.

I loved Mary. She was strong and independent and knew what she wants in life. She was kind of stubborn and sometimes she was overreacting but it mostly lead to the funny situations in the book :) In a way she actually reminded me of myself and made the book even more interesting to read. I have to say that I completely understood Mary's reactions to life. Considering her rough start in life and and her difficult upbringing, it was understandable that it will be difficult to trust people and depend on them. That's why it was intriguing to read how her relationship with Glen was developing.

Glen was quite an interesting character too. Even though he had the perfect childhood, he had his fair share of pain and heartbreak that shaped him as the person he was when he met Mary. I loved his character and how he adapted to having a relationship and falling in love. How he was ready to give his life for the one woman who captured his heart. The only thing I kind of had a problem with was the name. One of the bosses in the company I work for has the same name and if I am not mistaken, also the same position :D So it was kind of an adjustment not to think of him while reading the book :D And let me tell you, that wasn't funny at all :( But apart from that, I really loved the story and the characters :)

So, in a few words, that's an incredible story. Like every other book ever written by the amazing Catherine Bybee. I will definitely have to dive into the rest of the books in the series because I am so intrigued by the other characters. And I can't wait to read Jason's story. I am sure it will be an intriguing one :) So, don't loose any time and pick yourself a copy. If you've read Catherine Bybee before, you know you won't be disappointed. And if you haven't, you should definitely change that. Like right NOW!!! She is a must read author :)

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Treasured By Thursday (Weekday Brides #7) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Treasured By Thursday 

Series: Weekday Brides #7 

Author: Catherine Bybee

Publication Date: August 18th, 2015 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

The seventh and final tale in the dazzling, heartwarming, and pulse-racing Weekday Brides series.

Gabriella Masini: She’s a woman haunted by her past, with the scars to prove it. She believes that fairy tales are for other people. An elite matchmaker at Alliance, she’s great at crunching numbers, but something doesn’t add up with her latest prospective client: a billionaire bad boy with his own secrets. When Gabi refuses to be his temporary wife, Hunter forces her hand with an offer she can’t refuse. But marriage to a man like that could never last…or could it?

Hunter Blackwell: Only his bank account is bigger than his ruthless ability to obtain anything he wants. These days, he has a secret reason to settle down, at least for a while—and he thinks the sensual and sassy Gabi will fit the bill perfectly. But when their marriage of convenience becomes downright dangerous, Hunter must decide how far to take his vow to honor and protect Gabi forever.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | B&N | BAM | Book Depository

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | E-mail: catherinebybee@yahoo.com

Praise for Treasured by Thursday

“..an exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger... Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.” – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date..” – RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick!

My Review:

WOW!!! Just WOW!!! And that's how you end a series with a bang. I have to confess that I am still speechless after finishing the book so you have to forgive me if my review is up to standard. I am just simply still reeling. In true Catherine Bybee fashion, the book is intriguing and entertaining. It is a roller coaster of feelings and action that will catch you from the beginning and it won't release yo till the last word. The characters are very well developed and have an incredible depth that will allow you to experience their emotions and turmoils.

Gabi is an incredible character and if I have to be honest probably one of my favorite female leads in all the Weekday Brides books. If you've read the previous books you know the nightmare she lived through. And if you haven't I will just let slip that she was viciously betrayed by a person she trusted, a person she loved. And that betrayal nearly cost her her life. So of course she is cautious of men and probably a little bit of a recluse. She has huge trust issues and triggers that still terrify her. But she is also incredibly strong. Somehow in the aftermath she managed to pull herself together and find the strength to survive. And that definitely takes guts. And even though she still a way to go, her sass shows up on occasion and makes for quite interesting banter ;) But it did take an extraordinary man to help her heal.

Hunter is an incredible character in his own right. Although, I have to confess that I definitely didn't like him in the beginning. He was quite the manipulative as*hole and I definitely didn't care much for him in the beginning. But did he change my mind. With every page, a new side of him was revealed. He showed compassion and tenderness and even vulnerability. Even his reasons for needing Gabi's help were somewhat noble. Even if he wen't for it the wrong way. And Gabi was definitely a positive influence on him. She managed to show him that there are people in the world you can actually depend on and trust with your life. In a way, Hunter and Gabi, are just perfect for each other because they helped each other heal and overcome their issues.

Unfortunately, both Gabi and Hunter's pasts are like mine fields that will explode with every wrong step. And in some cases, that could be deadly. Especially in Gabi's case. I have to say that I really loved that suspenseful flavor of the story. In addition to the romance and emotion, it was a big part of what made the book intriguing and the action fast paced. And just to lift the mood a little bit more, there are few quite humorous scenes that made me laugh out loud :D

A big plus for me was that I also got to revisit all of the previous couple. I just loved finding out what each couple is up to and how their lives have changed since they got their HEA. It is true that the snippets were quite short for some of the couples but it was still quite cool :)

And with that, I think I am pretty much done with my review. I loved reading this book. The story is simply amazing and I couldn't put it down. In a way I just didn't want it to finish, it was that good. And I am also a little bit sad because this was the last book in the Weekday Brides series which one of my favorite series ever. But as they say, every good thing has an end. And this was a da*n good end :) I just can't wait  to find out what will be Catherine Bybee's next project :)

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Seduced by Sunday (Weekday Brides #6) by Catherine Bybee

Title: Seduced By Sunday 

Series: Weekday Brides #6 

Author: Catherine Bybee

Publication Date: April 14th, 2015 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Meg Rosenthal: Matchmaker by day, realist by night, Meg is not about to get swept away by a charming, darkly handsome businessman in a designer suit.

She’s come to a beautiful secluded resort to evaluate the private island’s potential for her agency, not to ogle its owner. But there’s something about the magnetic man that’s hard to resist, even for a woman who refuses to fall in love.

Valentino Masini: A successful and drop-dead sexy businessman, Valentino is used to having the finer things in life. Yet he’s never wanted someone the way he wants Meg, who’s stirring up a hurricane of trouble in his heart. But just as he decides to convince her to stay, someone else decides it might be time to get Meg off the island...permanently.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US | B&N | BAM | Book Depository

About the Author:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | E-mail: catherinebybee@yahoo.com

Praise for Catherine Bybee

“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read in the style of Julie Garwood and Suzanne Brockmann.” - Booklist on Fiancé by Friday

"This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome." - Booked Up Reviews on Married by Monday

"[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!" -Harlequin Junkie on Single by Saturday

My Review:

I've been a fan of Catherine Bybee since the first Weekday Brides book came out. Once I read Wife By Wednesday I was eternally hooked to her writing and books. Since then, I've read everything she published and I am always anxious to get my hands on each new story. Once I found that that I will be able to be apart of the blog tour and review the latest book in the Weekday Brides series I was close to delirious from happiness (I would've reviewed the book anyway but there is just something really awesome about being part of the blog tour for one of your favorite authors and series :)) And let me tell you, this latest installment didn't disappoint at all, even with all the expectations I had from this book. 

The characters were easy to love and connect with, well developed and simply captivating. I loved being able relate to their problems and feelings. Most of the time I felt as part of the story and not simply a reader which I think is very rare nowadays. The story in itself was masterfully told in a way that will catch your attention and keep you occupied and guessing pretty much till the last page. Even though I was able to guess some of the twists and turns in the plot, Catherine Bybee still managed to surprise me and keep me invested in her characters' story.

Both, Val and Meg were quite interesting and fun to read about.  Each one of them has his/her own quirks that makes them feel real and at the same time gives the story the easy and comedic feel it needs to lighten the suspense flowing through the book. One of my favorite parts was the banter between the two main characters. They were just so much fun :D At the same time the chemistry between them is simply of the charts which generally increases the hotness of the book. And let's be honest. Val is definitely and eye-candy. Even a sworn fan of brooding dominant alpha bad boys like me can recognize that (I am all team Neil) and that says a lot. There was just something in his loving touches, romantic gestures, tender whispered words in Italian and yes, his dominant behavior that just stole my heart. Meg is also quite a lovely character. She seeks independence and stability without the help of a man by her side and this was definitely something easy to relate for me. I loved that Val didn't try to stifle that in her even though he still wanted to take care of her and protect her. In my opinion they were just perfect for each other :)

Another part of the book I really enjoyed was meeting all the characters from the previous books :) That was definitely fun and I loved that Michael finally found his HEA or at least as close as he can get at the moment :) I also loved Gabi and I can't wait to find out what will happen to her. Who will be the amazing man who will help her heal and open up to trusting and loving a man again.

In a few words, the book was awesome. I haven't had a book hangover for awhile now but I definitely had one after finishing Seduced by Sunday. Once I opened the book I put my kindle down at 7am in the morning when I finished it. So yes, I spent a whole night reading because in normal Catherine Bybee style, she grabbed my attention with the first few words and didn't release me until I reached the acknowledgements :D I simply can't wait for her next book to come out, no matter from which series it is :)

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