Dissolution by W. Michael Gear

I've read several of this author's early North American series and love the level of detail and imagination he puts in his writing,  but this book was completely different from what I expected.  I love apocalyptic books and this one just blew me away! Our main character,  Sam Delgado, is a graduate on a research trip that he plans to use as the topic of his dissertation.  Along with his classmates,  they're headed to a ranch in Wyoming that's agreed to host their trip,  providing supplies and horses to travel to the archeological site where they'll do mapping and testing. Their first idea that something's wrong comes when they stop at a gas station accepting cash only.  Being a holiday weekend,  they assume everything will be fixed the next week and continue on. Being in the wilderness with very little reception, they continue to be oblivious until some ranch hands come to tell them that the country has been hit by a cyberattack and the nation has descended into chaos.  

I'm so glad this book is only the first in a series! I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery

1st book done in my personal roll and read TBR challenge. With so many sports romances focused on hockey or football, it was refreshing to read about a seemingly perfect champion bike racer hiding the demons of his past and the woman that challenges him to face them. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌶🌶

Unraveled by Darkness by VJ Silvey

Oh, VJ Silvey, you are surely making my heart and soul turn to darkness just as Ava has until I'm wondering if there's anything good that can come from the next book. I'm left heartbroken on the floor right alongside Makaii, scared to know what happens next. With all the twists and turns and the shocking cliffhanger, this whole book left me tied in knots! There are so many spoilers in any kind of review I could think of, so I'll just say you HAVE TO read this series!! And now <<cautiously cracking open the next book and pensively peeking through one slitted eye>> on to start the next one...

Cursed By Fate by VJ Silvey

Abandoned in the woods at ten years old, Ava is rescued by Ajax and brought back to his home in the Aisling pack who are known to take in all that are rejects or have no other home. But even in this group Ava is an outsider. She grew up picked on because she has no wolf, but Ajax made sure she could defend herself. He owns a training center known to produce the strongest and fiercest warriors and now as one of his assistant trainers, she's constantly showing that she can defeat even the best warrior. The alpha's son and her nemesis in high school, Derek is her favorite warrior to humiliate and his reasons for being at the facility at all are suspect. When the threat comes down, will she be able to protect the only family she's ever known or doom them all?

Not sure how to describe this without giving it all away, but I loved this book! Ava is such a strong character and I love her interaction with the guys in training. The world building and plot were exciting, the characters are unique and relatable and I can't wait to read the rest of the series after that thrilling yet heartbreaking cliffhanger ending.

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

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

Five years ago, David woke to the scent of blood and discovered his three-year-old son Matt murdered in his bed. He was convicted of the crime and sent to prison. Heartbroken and grieving, he doesn't even have the heart left to fight it. Life has moved on without him, his father on his deathbed, his wife divorced him and remarried, and all the while David had refused all visitors. But then his sister-in-law Rachel shows up with a picture of a boy that looks unbelievably looks like son. Finally able to hope again, David plots his escape in a desperate attempt to find Matt before he's recaptured.

This story was heartbreaking and real, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. It's about an innocent grieving father willing to risk everything, even his life, to believe in the impossible. I loved everything about this story except for the banter between the two investigators Max and Sarah. It just seemed awkward and over-the-top to me. Still a five star read for me though.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Game On by Elise Eliot

Millie is a single mom of two, so when she gets fired again, she has no time to wait to find another position. But out of the blue, the perfect position falls in her lap paying more money than she ever dreamed. But soon she learns that it was too good to be true when her narcissistic boss has her at his beck and call 24/7. She tricks him into hiring her best friend Paige, and they scheme ways to pay him back for being a horrible boss. But when Colton schedules a non-negotiable trip that includes both him and her equally horrible ex-boyfriend, she's determined to quit and stand on her own. Especially when a handsome stranger steps in to defend her.

This book was hilarious! I love all the devious pranks they played on Colton. The romance kind of felt thrown into the story though as our handsome hero doesn't even appear until over halfway into the book. Insta-love isn't my favorite trope, but the rest of the story was well worth dealing with that. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Off the Map by Trish Doller

Carla's mother left when she was 5 and her father Biggie was clueless to raise a young daughter in his own. He's a teacher, so on summer breaks he'd pack up his vintage Jeep and travel to national parks with her. Now she's been traveling the world and hasn't been home for years. 

Eamon is one of seven siblings, but always the one his mother counts on to be responsible. Instead of following his dreams of travel he's stuck behind a desk as a cartographer creating maps for other people to follow.

When Carla comes to Ireland for her best friend Anna's wedding, Eamon as the best man is charged with picking her up and bringing her to the hotel. They instantly click and lose hours of time talking of her travels, then talking turns into an adventure of their own and feelings neither one expected.  

This adventure story made me want to pack up my own jeep and just take off. Carla's life sounds like so much fun! I like how their personalities just click right away and he finally finds the courage to follow his dreams instead of being the responsible one all the time. I really enjoyed this fun, spicy romance!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.