Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! Every week I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a romantic trope.

Today I'm sharing the first five Age Gap stories that I loved and reviewed on the blog. It's been a while since I've talked about these books and I hope you find something new-to-you to read in this list. These stories used to feel taboo to me, but in my 'old age' I'm finding a new appreciation for them :)

If there's another book of this trope you think I'd enjoy, please let me know down below.

Signed by Marni Mann

Honestly, this was a bit of a filthy read. The hero is a grown man. The heroine is 18 years old. Their relationship is pretty secretive, but it played out in a delightful way that made these characters endearing. It was easy to forget that James was young because the author made her a very mature 18 year old. I loved this book!

Ain't Doin' It by Lani Lynn Vale

The entire Simple Man series is amazing, so you can't go wrong with any book you choose, but this one... it was special in its own way. Coke was once married to a woman who didn't fit, but he stuck it through for his daughter. Now free, he doesn't want the trouble EVER again. But trouble loves to find him and this time, Cora was the RIGHT woman for him. I really loved the dynamic between these characters and the ease in which they kind of just fell together.

Enzo by K. Webster

This story was short, but well done. Jenna was a foster kid about to age out of the system and Enzo was her caseworker. That dynamic alone makes this kind of icky, but the author did a great job keeping the creep factor to a minimum. Not every book from this author is a winner for me, but this one definitely was. There was a sweetness to the characters that worked for me.

Blackout Pt.1 by Janine Infante Bosco

JIB writes stories full of action, angst, and plenty of heart. In this one, Blackie is an addict, constantly at war with his demons. Lacey is the Prez's daughter and she knows that fight. They understand each other in ways no one else could get and despite the heartache and pain, what they have with each other is nothing short of amazing. They're beautiful together and the journey was well worth the watch. This duet shows what happened after their happily ever after and every hardship, obstacle and triumph they endure.

Destructively Alluring by N. Isabelle Blanco

An 11 year age difference doesn't mean much between consenting adults, right? This book was a sensual journey between two people who've known each other their whole lives. Dorian was absolutely obsessed with Demi and I loved it! The author rebranded so the title and cover are different, but the story is still deliciously the same.

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Reasonable Doubt: Volume 1

My cock has an appetite.

A huge and very particular appetite: Blonde, curvy, and preferably not a fucking liar... (Although, that's a story for another day.)

As a high profile lawyer, I don't have time to waste on relationships, so I fulfill my needs by anonymously chatting and sleeping with women I meet online.

My rules are simple: One dinner. One night. No repeats.

This is only casual sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.

At least it was , until "Alyssa"...

She was supposed to be a 27 year old lawyer, a book hoarder, and completely unattractive. She was supposed to be someone I shared law advice with late at night, someone I could trust with details of my weekly escapades.

But then she came into my firm for an interview—a college-intern interview, and everything fucking changed...

Reasonable Doubt: Volume 2

She lied to me...
She betrayed the one rule that I'm most adamant about: Honesty. Complete and utter fucking honesty.
I really wish she was someone else—someone who didn't have the ability to make me feel, someone I could easily discard like the hundreds of women before her.
She isn't.
I'm drawn to her like I've never been drawn to a woman before—completely captivated by the very sight of her. But unfortunately, with my past slowly re-surfacing for all of the world to see, I'll have to find a way to let her go.
She can never be mine.

Reasonable Doubt: Volume 3

I hate him…

I hate that I fell in love with him, I hate that he didn’t love me back, and I hate the fact that I just made a life-altering decision just so I could get the hell away from him.

He’d always said that he was unchangeable, heartless, and cold…

I really should’ve believed him…

---

I originally read this series years ago, and what I've realized... Andrew is still the same dick I remember.

Reasonable Doubt is a series that had me questioning my own stance of what’s good for me. From the start, we know that Andrew has been through something. Something that causes him nightmares. Something that has him reluctant to form connections. Something that prompted him to create the whole ‘One dinner. One night. No repeats’ mandate he follows. Aubrey is the woman who changes it all. There are lies. There are secrets. Hot sex on top of hot sex on top of hot sex. There’s also doubts and insecurities and flaws and fights. Andrew and Aubrey were vulnerable humans. They hurt. They felt deeply. They made dumb mistakes.

They also grew. Together and apart, they learned from their silly errors. They became better people for each other.

I only wish there was more to them as a couple. The truth comes out, there's a five second conversation, and there's an epilogue. Ah well, at least they ended up happy together.

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Always Someone's Monster by Lani Lynn Vale

A few years ago, when his sister went missing, Haggard Crow turned into something he never wanted to be. A killer.

Even after his sister is rescued a year after she was kidnapped and sold, Haggard ‘Thief’ Crow doesn’t have any plans on changing. He sort of likes the zero fucks given guy that he is now.

Bonus points, he saves women and children from extreme situations, along with his club and real life brothers by his side.

After a horrible marriage, Haggard has zero plans of ever finding a woman again. One-night stands not counting, he adores his life as a single man. There are no expectations. No ‘where are yous’ and ‘are you coming homes.’

The life he chooses to live is a simple one. Until he makes a huge mistake, and he steps over that line between ‘daughter’s best friend’ and ‘a woman he desperately wants.’

Before long, he can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop wanting her. Can’t stop feeling things for her that a man twenty years her senior should never feel for a girl he watched grow up.

After one lapse in judgment, he decides she needs to go. But the funny thing is, he never expected Sophia Madden to fight back. And dirty at that.



I think it's hilarious that the author actually predicted that most of us would be extremely upset by this book. I can't even think right now. I'm typing this up at the speed of lightning, hoping the ferocity of my pecking at these keys can be felt along LLV's back. I'm kidding. Maybe.

I'm just so freaking mad right now!

You ever become so invested in side characters, waiting for the day the author will bless you with their story? What happens when you realize that story will NEVER be coming???

You get a normally cool and controlled Natalie basically foaming at the mouth!

Did I love so many aspects of this story? Of course! I'm a sucker for a well-defined silver fox. Throw in the taboo that his happily ever after is with his daughter's best friend? With his best friend's daughter? Yeah, I'm here for all the taboo-ishness of this read.

I do have a question though? If I'm older than the oldest character (Haggard) and he's basically categorized as middle aged, does that make ME middle aged? Nuh uh. Nope. I've barely dipped my toes into the 40s and I'm forever young, thank you very much!

Back to the story... I loved how Haggard and Sophia had loved each other for so long, not knowing the other felt the same. I loved how everyone knew how they felt before they did. I loved how they finally got on board with the program. It felt organic rather than rushed and because of their many years of knowing each other, it was very easy for everything to fall into place. I actually wanted more and despite my tears, I would have welcomed more opportunities to see all of these characters together. I guess that's what the following books are for.

I'm super mad right now, in case that wasn't clear. But it doesn't even really matter, does it? I'm still going to have this author on my auto-buy list. I'm still going to read (and love) her books. And I'm still going to urge each and every one of you to get to reading. Seriously, you need her books in your life.

About the characters:

Main Characters - Haggard "Thief" Crow & Sophia Madden
Children - Clementine Crow (Haggard's) & Boston Crow (Haggard's)
Haggard's Family - Derringer Crow (father)
Reedy Crow (mother)
Trinket Crow (brother)
Rook Crow (brother)
Bram Crow (brother) - coming soon in Never Trust the Living
Shine Crow (brother) - coming soon in Make Me Your Villain
Channel Crow (sister) - featured in Chalk Dirty to Me
Sophia's Family - Madden (father) & Jasper (twin brother, RIP)

Check out the other books from the series:

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Add it to Goodreads / Find it on Amazon

Sometimes the heart wants what it can’t have.

That’s the motto Silas Mackenzie, the president of The Dixie Wardens MC, has lived by since he was a young man.

Now he’s well on the way to middle age, has three grown children and he’s lusting after a woman he should definitely stay away from.

Especially not one that his ex-girlfriend had given birth to, and happens to be only twenty-nine years old.

Sawyer isn’t a young girl at heart, though.

She’s seen the inside of a jail cell for eight long years, and every one of them was spent paying for a crime she didn’t commit.

Silas Mackenzie knows as soon as he sees her that the she has sacrificed enough.
And maybe…just maybe…so has he.

It’s time for Silas Mackenzie to get what he deserves, and, in the process, put a little bit of happy back into Sawyer’s world, one rough, bearded kiss at a time.

Okay, so this was one of the books I was looking forward to the most. It's Silas, y'all!! There were so many moving parts and people to this story that I find myself craving more.

What developed between Silas and Sawyer was quick and easy. I liked that she seemed so well-suited for him. I think at this point in his life, he needed what she had to offer. And while my heart broke for everything Sawyer had to live through, such as eight years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, suffering atrocities at the hands of prison guards, the bullying of the townspeople, I was happy that she had someone like Silas and his people at her back.

So what else did I find in this book?
⭐ I got my first real glimpse of Lynn (you can find him in Repeat Offender). In this book he's known as Black Jack and although I learned quite a bit about him in his own book, seeing him in this light was quite the experience. I wonder if he'll pop up again in these original stories.
⭐ knowing that Silas (and Lynn) are CIA and actually seeing it in action are two different things
⭐ Silas shaved off his braided beard (although he does sound super hot without it)
⭐ Sterling, the Navy SEAL who has popped up now and then, makes an appearance and I think his book is next. There was a definite spark between him and Ruthie (Sawyer's bestie/cell mate)
⭐ Silas visiting Tunnel's grave... heartbreaking. He carries so many burdens as it is and it hurt to see how much losing Torren had effected him

You want a story full of heart, drama and intrigue? Read this book!


I'm not gonna lie... the idea of the relationship between Silas and Sawyer gave me a bit of an icky vibe. It started with him seeing her mom and although he made it clear for us (the readers) that he never slept with her, the intention was there and kissing was mentioned. That's just gross and honestly... I don't even know why it was there. Adding that level of intimacy wasn't necessary. Silas and Sawyer's mother never had to be anything more than friends and it would have served this story just as well. That's just my humble opinion.

Silas & Sawyer's family tree:

    Their children
        Samuel Cash Mackenzie (Silas' son) - Boomtown
        Sebastian Sue Mackenzie (Silas' son) - Lights to My Siren
        Shiloh June Mackenzie (Silas' daughter) - Texas Tornado
        Amelia Rose Mackenzie (their daughter) - Any Day Now

    Sawyer's family
        Dallas Berry (brother)
        Cole Berry (brother)
        Brody Berry (brother)
        Johnson Berry (brother)

Check out my other reviews from this series:

 

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Kitty Kitty by Lani Lynn Vale

This is the story of a man falling in love with a woman.

A man that was supposed to be a role model, and a woman that was just barely twenty-one.

A man who should’ve known better, and a woman that didn’t know that she was destroying his career word by word, innocent touch by innocent touch, smile by smile, until it had already imploded.

The world collapses around Absinthe ‘Sin’ Solomon, and the only thing he can do is try not to take her down with him.

The moment the inevitable happens, and the gavel bangs signaling that he will spend the next nine years in prison for attempted murder, Sin tries to let go. But Blaise Mackenzie has never, not ever, been one to give up without a fight.

Her military career might be over, but her career as a prison guard is just about to get started.

And her favorite prisoner? A pissed-off older man, a drill sergeant dishonorably discharged from the Army that tells himself daily that the new ‘Kitty Kitty’ female prison guard is not for him.

After following him around for years, watching over him from afar in any way she can, Sin is released early. And the first person that he’s going to see? A stubborn little blonde-headed female that should’ve known better than to trust a man like him.

Get your copy of Kitty Kitty today!

I seriously can't even to begin to explain how excited I was to read Sin's book. The fact that it was a prison romance... freaking bonus!!

Where do I even begin? Absinthe was very easy to love. I'm talking within the heartbreaking prologue easy. Who doesn't love a hero who is willing to sacrifice his own freedom to find justice for the woman he loves? Blaise was also easy to love. She followed the man who gave up everything from prison to prison to home. He was the one just like she was. Who doesn't love and respect fidelity and loyalty like that?

The underlying theme was as horrific as ever. Child kidnapping and human trafficking are horrors no one should face and I'm glad the author doesn't turn each book into something made out of unicorns and rainbows. The beautiful and sweet is balanced out with some pain and ugliness.

And don't even get me started on the other little treasures of this story!
🖤 the side characters who've already claimed a piece of my heart or are working towards it
🖤 Zach's story is next and I've been dying for this man's story ever since the SWAT 2.0 series. I can't wait!!
🖤 Blaise was independent and brave, but she didn't do anything truly stupid to make me scream.
🖤 seeing Sebastian, Baylee and Silas again... what a treat! Ooh ooh and Johnny 😍😍

Seriously, take a look at my reading list. I've read so much of this author's books and I have no plans on stopping. I'm even now going through her back list and I'm loving the journey. So if love is something you think should be celebrated, at all costs, then read this book!

Sin & Blaise family tree

    Their children
        ...

    Sin's family
        Coke (brother) - Ain't Doin' It
        Bellini (brother)
        Gin (brother)
        Ale (brother)
        unnamed brother
        unnamed brother
        unnamed brother

    Blaise's family
        Silas Mackenzie (grandfather) - Counter to my Intelligence
        Sebastian Mackenzie (father) - Lights to My Siren
        Baylee Roberts (mother) - Lights to My Siren
        Johnny Mackenzie (half-brother) - Get You Some

Check out my reviews for the previous books in the series:

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

I was walking the plank towards an agonizing end.
But damned if I cared.
I was so addicted to her,
I'd walk through my worst nightmare to keep her.
- Ruger

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I was lucky enough to snag a copy before it got yanked and finding a copy now is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but here are some links that are still active:
Goodreads | Amazon Audiobook | Google Books

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After years of struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse, I got clean and put my best foot forward. I became the man worthy of Lacey Parrish’s love and made the girl with the sad brown eyes my wife. But I’m not the only one in our marriage with demons. Diagnosed a manic depressive, Lacey struggles daily with her mind, never willing to succumb to the stigma of mental illness.

The odds have always been stacked against us, but the stakes have never been this high. Pregnant with our child, Lacey is forced to choose between her mind and the baby we wished for.

I can take pain, but I can’t take hers.
Helpless and at the mercy of all the things that plague us, I turn to my past.
It’s always our favorite sins that do us in.
Leather.
Lace.
Me.
Her.
Suffering through hell, hoping love is enough for us to survive one more blackout.

*This is part one of the Leather & Lace duet and over 70,000 words.*

Jenna’s grown up in the system.
Forced to be tough, wary, and hard.

She’s only been able to count on herself.
Until Enzo.
He’s much older and responsible for looking after her.
What should be a job to him, evolves into much more.

Late night phone calls.
Lingering touches.
A forbidden fire that burns brighter each day.

Everything about him exudes strength.
His will to protect her is more than she could ever ask for.
Sadly, though, even heroes have their limitations.

But she doesn’t need a hero.
She just needs him.