The Hate Vow by C. Hallman

As the adopted and pampered only child of rich parents, Penny is outraged when they take in another foster child, Ryder. From the beginning, she shows her dislike of him, but despite that Ryder is happy in the only place he's felt like home. But then Penny lies and gets Ryder kicked out and he's hated her ever since. When she owes money to his club that she can't repay, Ryder sees a way to take his revenge.

This was darker romance than I usually read and I really hated the general attitude of the other club members against women. But I loved how protective Ryder was of her even in the beginning when he still hated her. And his dog Mojo... . He was my favorite character of the whole book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Splintered Stars by Rachel Madbury

This book drops you right into the action as Haley Quinlan and her sister Penny are attacked and Penny is kidnapped. When a mysterious stranger holds her back from trying to save her sister and ultimately getting herself killed,  Haley is at first furious with him.  But realizing there was nothing else she could have done,  Haley goes with Lucas to his home to plan her Penny's rescue. Haley learns the hard way that she is a witch,  and quite a powerful one. Lucas, as her protector and part of the Seven, must teach her the history and practice simple spells with her. But after they rescue Penny, will Haley decide to stay in her new life,  or go back to her normal boring innocent life before she knew that she was the most powerful witch in her generation? 

Lucas is such a great character. Even before they got close,  he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe and teach her what she needs to learn about her history no matter the danger to himself. I'm so excited this is a series!  I can't wait to find out what happens next! Thank you to Rachel Madbury for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch

"Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.

That one of us will be me."

Riley, Sammy, Mia and Scarlett met and became friends in college.  They're all artists and decide to take a vacation for a couple months to a private island in Alaska to concentrate on their art. Whisper Island belongs to a friend of Sammy's brother Rob,  and they can stay rent free. But things begin to sour before they even pack their bags when Mia finds out Rob will be coming along.  Not only was this supposed to be a girls retreat,  but Mia and Rob dated before he broke her heart and she still has feelings for him. When they arrive on the island, they discover that Rob arrived early along with an unexpected guest,  his girlfriend Opal. The house and outbuildings are a lot more dilapidated than expected and the whole island just gives of a creepy vibe. When a human skull is discovered on the property,  the friends decide they've had enough. But when they try to leave they discover their boat,  the only way off the island, has been destroyed. Vacation turns to nightmare after one of the girls is brutally murdered. With no way to call for help and no way to escape,  will any of them survive? 

By the first sentence in this book,  you know who survives and how many,  but what actually happened and why had me on the edge of my seat! What a thrill ride! I loved this creepy book.  Thank you so much to Carissa Ann Lynch and HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Take a Chance on Me by Beth Moran

Emma Donavan is the eldest of five daughters, and the only one not married or engaged. She makes cakes for everyone else's happily ever afters and has almost given up hope on having her own. But when her neuroscientist sister Bridget comes up with a project to match a couple by their DNA and a compatibility test, have them marry and agree to be filmed for 9 months for science, Emma decides to give it a try. But when Emma is paired with her sister's best friend Patrick, life becomes even more complicated.
Patrick has been secretly in love with Bridget for years but now that she's getting married, Patrick decides to join her compatibility project. He fudges the results in order to be paired with Emma. But will being married to the wrong sister help him forget Bridget or did he just make the biggest mistake of his life?
This one was just too unbelievable. First thing, I got lost with the introduction of too many characters, spouses, and children and it was a bit overwhelming. And while I understand the frustration and heartbreak of an unrequited love, why would you pair yourself with their sibling, being forced into constant connection within their close family group? And Emma, knowing that Patrick still has a crush on her sister, goes ahead with the marriage anyway! I just don't get it. I'm sorry but this one just gets a meh! from me.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields

This sinister story begins in the graveyard. The Shadow Man visits this gravesite,  always the same one. "Sometimes he would dig a coffin up,  and sometimes he would bury it...until the grave was little more than a revolving door between one world and the next."

The Shadow Man,  or Fergus,  collects people,  but he doesn't keep them safe. The variety of the kidnappings has the detectives stumped so they bring in forensic psychologist Connie. She has an odd and unique way of analyzing the case, and together with DI Baarda, they must find the victims before it's too late.

I couldn't put this book down! I loved the strong character Connie and the dynamic between her and her partner Baarda. And Fergus was more twisted than any bad guy I've read about in a while. 

Thank you to Helen Fields and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Protector for Phoebe by D.E. Haggerty

Yay, I finally found out what's up with Phoebe! From the previous book in the series A Hero for Hailey, we know Phoebe has a secretive past. She wants to become a PI like Hailey but she can't take the test if she can't pass a background check. With a little help from "Uncle" Wally she has a new identity, but the digging into her past life brings her more trouble. After a stakeout gone wrong, she's rescued by a hot bounty hunter, Ryker. But he has secrets all his own. Can Phoebe trust him with her past...and her heart.

Ooo, I love this hot bad boy. In the words of Suzie "We're busy staring at the scary dude go all gentle when he looks at you". I love Pops and the uncles in this series. They're tough and protective but also loving and absolutely hilarious! I can't wait to find out what happens next in the series

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Hero for Hailey by D.E. Haggerty

Hailey's had a crush on Aiden since high school, but years later when they literally bump into each other, he doesn't even know who she is. But after some time together, he proves that he wasn't as unaware of her as she thought.

This book was full of really great humor, from the funny texts starting every chapter to pops and the "uncles" jokes and antics. The relationship between Hailey and Aiden was sweet and sexy. I can't wait to find out why Phoebe is so shy and secretive about her past. And as a fellow klutz, I sympathize with Suzie's character. She is bubbly and fun, but the over the top klutziness is a little hard to believe. I hope it's toned down a bit in the third book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this free copy through Booksirens. The views and opinions in this book are completely my own.