Close Contact. Christina C. Jones. 2020. Warm Hues Creative. 75 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Finally, a closer look at the third Clarke brother, Aiden. The anticipation for his story has been building for a bit, so I dove right into this one. Aiden’s story is actually centered around Kima and her restaurant Tigress. She’s reluctantly accepting the Clarke brothers’ capitol and restaurateur expertise to save her pride and joy. Expertise that she resents and fears will strip Tigress of what makes it hers. Nonetheless, Aiden is the current bane of existence, as she works with him to refresh the Tigress menu. Kima, for all her insecurities, was a relatable character. She’s been burned in love and business before, so she’s cautious almost to a fault with Aiden. To say she’s gun-shy about the Clarke brothers’ controlling stake in Tigress and Aiden’s attempts to make a genuine connection with her would be an understatement. She almost gets in her own way by trying so relentlessly to avoid failure. Aiden, on the other hand, has almost risen above that. He’s loved and lost, so his approach to Kima on all fronts reflects his growth and self-assured mentality. These two and their chemistry…

Oops. Alexandra Warren. 2020. 250 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Well this one rips the bandage right off – Oops! is a tale of an unplanned pregnancy. And not just any unplanned pregnancy. It’s with a guy Camryn sworn to hate, but can’t avoid because she works for his mother. Camryn’s about her business and in her opinion, Maverick is a social media obsessed playboy. She doesn’t take him seriously, and considers him a nuisance. But when he saves the day for a fundraiser she’s planning, then shows just how selfless he can be — at least where she’s concerned — she hooks up with him in a moment of weakness. And cue positive pregnancy test. What follows is Camryn and Maverick’s attempt to come to terms with impending parenthood, which runs the gamut from deciding whether to keep the pregnancy, dealing with Maverick’s tendency to end up on gossip blogs, and figuring out whether raising a child together equates to them being in a relationship. Theirs isn’t an easy dynamic to navigate, but Warren covers the gamut of issues that pop up with realism and thoughtfulness. I think what I appreciated most in this book is that Camryn and Maverick…

Love on Deck. Ashleynicole. 2020. 35 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Love on Deck is the second novella in the Luminous Cruise Chronicle series. This installment follows Raegan who is taking a solo vacation on a singles cruise. She’s looking to get her groove back, but there’s one wrench – the ex who ghosted her a year ago — is on the same cruise. Even better — they’re quarantined on the ship and his room is across from hers. As can be assumed, there is a bit of tension between the two. There are obviously some unresolved feelings about their relationship’s end. It seemed to just fall apart after three years, and it is quickly clear that neither is on the same page as the other about who is at fault for their break-up. More tension pops up by the nature of them being on the ship together — it’s clear that they’re both there to make a love (or lust) connection with other people, so how do they tip-toe around each other? I appreciated the continuity from the first book in this series, brought here through the mention of the previous book’s characters, as well as some who I assume…

Love Under Quarantine. Nicole Falls. 2020. 47 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] It’s hard to find anything wrong with a book when the author name-drops you — Mama, I made it. I’m biased, consider this my disclaimer that I absolutely recommend it. That being said, I think Love Under Quarantine is a perfect way to round out the Luminous Cruise Chronicles. It features the mostly-unseen cruise staff and gives an interesting romance alongside a behind-the-scenes look at the ship’s crew during a pandemic. Juliette is a cruise director who’s got a little more than something going on with the captain, Jenkins. They discreetly scratch each other’s itches, but she holds him at bay to spare herself from future, potential heartache. Instead, she’d rather keep it casual, getting it in when they’re together, and acting like she doesn’t care when they’re not. That can only work for so long, and the resulting tension pulls you in. Jules & Jenk have a playful, flirtatious banter that is fun to read. While they have their serious moments, I would describe them as laid back and it really comes through in most their scenes. Other characters are best described as voices of reason and comedic…

Controlled Chaos. Christina C. Jones. 2020. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] More please. That’s it. That’s the review. Jokes aside, Controlled Chaos was a provocative departure from what I expected, which is saying a lot. Jones does erotica well, so to see her step out in this direction here was dope. My greatest critique is simply that I didn’t get more time with these characters because I’m greedy like that. The newest installment drops in on Andre Clarke, one third of the trio of brothers behind 81st & Clarke. The food critic who popped up as a thorn in his side in Collision Course returns as a more constant presence in his professional and personal life. For her part, Drew is just trying to live her best life, not under the thumb of someone who has to be in control all the damn time. In reality, Drew’s desire to take the reins and Andre’s need to let go is what brings them together and makes them work. My interest was piqued with the introduction of a “hyper-exclusive underground” club where Drew and Andre meet, unwittingly. It’s discreet (what happens here, stays here a la Las Vegas), and caters to a range of…