Please Note: I read this series back in 2016 and it's a dual perspective contemporary romance. Take my reviews with a grain of salt.

About the series:

Becka Jasper is a graduate student on the fast track to a successful career as a researcher. Oliver Weeks is the CEO of a major food research corporation - a powerful and handsome alpha male, that not only knows what he wants, but also gets what he wants.

And soon enough, he wants Becka.

Brought together when Becka sits in on one of Oliver’s guest teaching lectures, they connect and discover a chemistry neither is prepared for. Becka soon finds herself wanting more from Oliver than just the internship she originally envisioned, but, almost from the start, she sees signs that Oliver may not be exactly what he seems to be.

Passionate Weeks

Well I liked it. I think I was a bit surprised that there was so much packed into such a short book/novella. I'm intrigued by both Becka and Dr. Oliver Weeks. I got a lot of information but I'm left with questions, which is a good thing because that's what will keep me coming back for more. I want to know what his side business is. And if the story of his background that he told Becka is a lie, what's the truth? Now that they've consummated their 'relationship' (although Oliver keeps saying he's not looking for one), what does this mean for Becka's possible internship at his company?

Four stars.

*****

Lovely Weeks

I really like the writing of this author. She's made a sucker out of me because I'm completely sucked in the plot! Her characters, Becka and Oliver, are extremely sweet together and apart. The slow build of their relationship makes it realistic. And they are both so intelligent, which is a definite plus in my book. This is not a fast-paced series and I think the pacing is perfect. I'm really interested in reading further because I need to know what secrets Oliver is keeping. I hope they're not too bad. This couple belongs together!

Four stars.

*****

Exciting Weeks

Another 'exciting' installment to this series. I had a couple of problems with it though.

1. The fact that Becka had a full blown attraction to her student, Ethan, while involved with Oliver. So not cool!

2. The fact that Becka is sneaking around behind Oliver's back, researching animal testing, and keeping secrets. They're both keeping secrets and it's annoying me lol! I want answers!!

3. If Becka finds out that Oliver is involved with animal testing, then what?

Four stars.

*****

Crazy Weeks

Still good but I'm officially confused. Mild spoilers ahead and I'm sorry for that. OK, when Ethan is first introduced, he's a 21yo student in Becka's class. But in this book, he's much older, filthy rich, and oh yeah, he was Oliver's best friend and business partner once upon a time. WTH?! Did I miss something??? And damn Becka for betraying her relationship to Oliver in this book. There's no real cheating but she went too far. So I liked everyone but her in this one.

Four stars.

*****

Ecstatic Weeks

Wow. The author got me to hate Becka within 37 pages. Quite a feat. For the entire book, my right hand kept itching to give this girl (cuz a woman she definitely ain't) a pimp slap. What the heck is going on??? Why did you change this character so dramatically??? Now she's a slut? Willing to sleep with all hot guys she sees? Thank you for not actually letting her sleep with them, but my sympathies to Oliver. He caught himself an undercover ho-bag! I kept trying to make excuses for her, like she's very young. But no. Excuses just won't fly. She can't decide between the man she's been involved with since book one and his brother??? Then she wants to sleep with a random dude to get both men out of her system??? Then... then... then the loser decides she wants Oliver after all!!! I hope he finds someone new cuz this chick is a waffler and has no clue who she truly is or what she wants.

Because of this rant, and I could continue but I've decided to spare you, I could only give this book 2 stars. And those stars are for Oliver alone!!

Two stars.

*****

Fearful Weeks

Ya, I didn't think it was possible, but it's a new record. My hate has been escalated within 28 pages. I hate you Becka. I really do. And any girl in real life who resembles her, I hate you too. I'm just saying. This chick went from hero to zero real quick. How the heck do you suspect something happened to your man by the hands of his brother, but then somehow convince yourself that sleeping with broski is OK? On what planet is this normal? Your man is freaking missing!! Wth is wrong with this character? And shame on you Ms. Brooks for giving Ethan a POV.

One star

*****

Dangerous Weeks

The author's writing is still great and thankfully she chose to redeem Becka (slightly) in this book. There are still 3 more books in the series so who knows. Oliver disappeared then reappeared (Polkaroo) and Ethan and his lies/deceptions/secrets are still annoying. At least Oliver finally revealed the truth to Becka (and me most importantly) so hopefully this is a sign that the series will progress in a more positive fashion.

Three stars.

*****

Wild Weeks

I'm staying neutral when it comes to Becka. I have no feelings. However, I think it's pretty hilarious that her friend has to explain the reasons why she should stay true to her man. Why is that? Because Becka, for as smart as this series wants to make her out to be, is an idiot. Even Ethan stated she should use her scientific mind. Ha ha ha, where did that mind go again? Chick misplaced it. And she's too busy making paranoid assumptions and accusations, and having fantasies about other men, to look for it. I'm still Team Oliver. Becka can kick rocks.

Three stars.

*****

Thrilling Weeks

I hate that I'm not a quitter, cuz if I was, I would have left this series a few books ago. I feel like all I'm getting is filler, no substance. It's all nonsense this and nonsense that. But nothing is really happening. Oliver has a 'plan' and then takes Becka to Paris. There they share I love yous with NO fanfare!! I didn't believe it, did you? And still the story isn't really moving along, except now there are two lines on a pregnancy test. It's like things are thrown together to give us, the readers, something while giving us nothing at all.

Three stars.

*****

Dramatic Weeks

Well that's the end. Wrapped up with a shiny bow. Becka is pregnant, Oliver remains by her side, Lisa is traumatized, and crazy Ethan got his just dessert. I can't say I'm satisfied with this conclusion, but I am proud of myself for finishing it. So that's something. I will say that I will give this author another chance sometime in the near future because she writes amazingly well and can only improve with time and practice.

Three stars.

Please Note: I read this series back in 2016 and it's a dual perspective contemporary romance. Take my reviews with a grain of salt.


Allison Mahoney is the hardest working employee at Tolbert & Tolbert. She gets in early and stays late, all to impress her boss, who doesn't even know she exists.

Joshua Tolbert dates supermodels, drives fast cars and runs the planet's most success dating site. Lucky in love and life, Joshua has it all, including a jealous brother and partner that barely gets any recognition at all.

After being dismissed and ignored by her secret love, Allison turns to the one place she never thought she would in order to find love.

Edge of Attraction

I'm not sure what to write about this. I gave it 3 stars because the writing wasn't bad even though I couldn't connect with the characters. Allison seems really 'sweet' but her personality doesn't quite match that of a typical 32 yo. She reminded me of a character I'd find in a young adult story. Cue the juvenile crush. It's just unrealistic for a grown up. And Joshua annoyed me as soon as he called her 'Abby'.

I predict I'll get frustrated with this series. We'll see.

* * * * *

Edge of Lust

I can't even call this book a romance! The main characters go on a blind date and there's no chemistry. Like absolutely none. Use of a magnifying glass or microscope won't help me find any!! Dude doesn't even recognize her in real life. Why on why was this Allison person made out to be so pathetic? I couldn't even feel sorry for hger because she was in a bed she made herself. I hope she grows a spine in the books to come. And can I get a little romance while we're at it?

Two stars.

* * * * *

Edge of Desire

Still not a romance. Still no real chemistry. But at least Allison and Joshua had sex. Kinda. It's loosely described let's say. I still think she's a dunce and he's a superficial douche. At least he finally knows she's the same Allison from work.

Idiot.

Three stars. Kinda.

* * * * *

Edge of Passion

I swear. These dang titles are so misleading. Where the heck was the passion in this book? The way these characters passionately talk to themselves? Or maybe it's the way they passionately avoid even a smidgen of real intimacy? The only real excitement in this story didn't even come from the MCs. It came from Joshua's brother Jamie. And the drama wasn't even all that great.

I will say that I do like how this author frames her work. I have no complaints there. Call me greedy, but I just want more. Being intense is not a bad thing. I want my attention snagged to the point that I forget my responsibilities. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Three stars.

* * * * *

Edge of Ecstasy

Okay so the MCs weren't so bad in this one. The parts on the yacht made me finally see the viability of their relationship. It's looking good now and I hope it gets better and more real. I've got to say that Jamie is still the best character in the series so far. He may be a sneaky, lazy, manipulative dickwad, but his character has depth. Which is a lot more than I can say for the MCs.

Three stars.

* * * * *

Edge of Love

I can say that I was more impressed with Allison in Joshua in this book than any other book in the series. I could sense their connection finally. I'm not sure if its enough for them to be throwing the 'love' word around like they have, but they've definitely come a long way in convincing me of their relationship.

Three stars.

* * * * *

Edge of Bliss

Best book by far in this series. I'm a sucker for a HEA and this book offered that to me in spades. The connection between Allison and Joshua was much stronger here than in previous books and I'm glad my patience paid off. Everything was practically wrapped up in a neat bow. I'm just curious about the futures of Christopher and Jamie. I hope they each get to meet their HEA one day too!

Four stars.


Overall, I gave this series THREE STARS. Are you thinking of reading it? And if you've already read it, what did you rate it?

YOLO by Lani Lynn Vale

Rating -
Book 7 of Carter Brothers
Release - November 1, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / instalove
POV - dual 1st person
Heat - explicit
Source - ARC provided by the author (Thanks GiveMeBooks PR)
Length - 268 pages




I loved this book so much!
There was a serendipitous nature to their relationship and it came off as so endearing.
The author gives us more than a glimpse of how their bond evolved from friendship to romance and it seemed so organic that I couldn't help falling in love with both of them as they fell in love with each other.

Garrett had a healthy fear of bringing danger to Bindi's life and she feared making his life even more complicated. But they complemented each other so well that their move from friendship to even more seemed so easy. The drama was there, as expected, but they were solid in what they had together that I had no worries about how they would handle anything that came their way.

Again, I loved this book. I loved ALL of the characters (aside from the obvious bad ones) and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from this author.




Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.

The Sugar Bowl series is a contemporary romance with a revenge theme.
The author lists it as romantic suspense, but I think differently.
It's dual perspective with explicit content. Be warned that there is an assault trigger for those who prefer to avoid those.
Hopefully my reviews of these books inspires someone to give them a try.

Sugar Daddy

Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.

The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.

Sugar Rush

After posing as an escort for the Sugar Bowl online dating service, Sela Halstead is looking for one thing: payback. She's closing in on the site's heartless founder, Jonathon Townsend, and she needs Beckett North, Townsend's business partner and her lover, by her side. She'd thought that their intimate nights together had forged an unbreakable bond, but after a shocking betrayal, Sela begins to doubt the brilliant bad boy. When push comes to shove, can she trust Beck to do the right thing?

Now that he understands the truth, Beck will stop at nothing to secure the reckoning Sela deserves. But between his desire for her and his disgust for JT, Beck doesn't exactly have a lot of control over his emotional state. Left with no other choice, he must summon all his discipline to maintain JT's trust and pretend that they're still friends. But how far will Beck go to prove his loyalty to Sela? He nearly lost her once. To keep her, Beck might have to kill for her.

Sugar Free

For years Sela Halstead dreamed of revenge, but the quest for payback has been anything but sweet. Now, once again, she finds herself at the mercy of Jonathon Townsend, his hands crushing the very breath from her body. And even though she escapes with her life, Sela fears she may never recover. In desperate need of shelter and comfort, she runs to the one man she can trust. Beckett North has stood by Sela since the beginning. But can he handle the brutal truth?

Beck will do anything to protect what is his—and make no mistake, Sela belongs to him, heart and soul. The passion between them runs hot, even as their world begins to unravel. With the legacy of his ruthless business partner hanging in the balance, Beck stands to lose everything: his fortune, his family, his freedom. But each touch of Sela’s mouth on his skin, her nails down his back, makes it harder to let her go—and it might not even be his choice to make.

Please Note:

I read this series back in 2016. I read and reviewed books differently back then so please take my words and recommendation with a grain of salt.

About the Book:

“The best sex is hotel sex…”

Welcome to the Rexford, the most luxurious hotel in town. My internship is a dream come true – until I walk in to my first meeting and discover my one-night stand at the head of the boardroom.

Controlling billionaire, Dominic Rexford: CEO - and the man I was secretly hired to seduce.

Now, I just want to keep my head down and stay out of trouble, but Dom has different plans.

He wants a repeat of our wild night together – and he’ll do whatever it takes to get me back between those 700-thread count sheets.

I’m in trouble now…

The Hotel Part One

FOUR STARS

YES!! I got what I was looking for. I just read a novella series that was sorely lacking in the chemistry department, but this made up for it. Thank the scribes!!

23yo Juliet kept making me think of that R. Kelly song 'Bump and Grind'. Lol. "My mind's telling me no... but my body... My body's telling me yes!" When everything else is telling her to stay away from arrogant, controlling, dominating, sexy as heck Dominic, she just can't.

Although it's a classic tale of resistance, the writing style was refreshing and therefore saved it from being stale or redundant.

The only way this would be better for me is if I got Dom's POV.

The Hotel Part Two

THREE 1/2 STARS

Geez, I kept wondering when Juliet's truth was coming out because she kept getting upset with Dominic for not telling her everything.

Frickin hypocrite.

Yes, there were certain things she deserved to know (like Dom being married), but then again these two were involved in a relationship based on manipulation.

Please remember that the only reason they're involved is because she arranged to meet him and seduce him as per the PI's order.

In my eyes, Dominic is the innocent party in all of this and this poor man is surrounded by deceit.

She feels betrayed??? Wtf?!

The Hotel Part Three

THREE STARS

This book was jam-packed with so much information and I felt a wee bit rushed to finish the story. The pacing was off for me.

There was a great suspenseful plot towards the end but it was wrapped up too quickly for my liking.

Cancer (Dominic's bro) and Juliet almost lose their lives and within a couple of pages the story is over. What? I wasn't in the car but I got whiplash from how fast this was.

And don't get me started on how Lillian (Dominic's exwife from hell) became a staunch ally.

I know this is make believe, but can it mimic real life for a moment?

I guess Dominic and Juliet got a HEA. I think it's inferred.

I just think there was great potential for this story and someone dropped the ball.