Walk of Infamy (Rhea Jensen #6) by Sheralyn Pratt

Rhea always knew she worked for a powerful men, but she didn’t understand the full scope of their influence until she quit her job—or tried to.

The clandestine group that calls themselves The Fours doesn’t accept two-week’s notice from employees. Instead, they’re demanding Rhea perform a final task of their choosing to earn a life free from their demands.

Rhea knows whatever The Fours ask of her will be unlike any challenge she’s ever faced. She’s prepared for the worst, but what she’s about to learn is that groups like The Fours are a secret for a reason.

Because no one gets to walk away from them. Not even Rhea.

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First, I have to note that this book is the sixth and final book in the Rhea Jensen series.  Then I need to tell you that I have not read any of the other books in this series.  That really scared me going into this review because I wasn't sure if it would be able to stand on it's own.  I was worried that because I hadn't read the previous books, I wouldn't be able to understand what was happening.  Even though I haven't read this complete series, I have read other books by Sheralyn Pratt and I have LOVED them.  I really, really wanted to love this book as well.

So, I'm happy to report that the author does a fantastic job of giving me plenty of essential backstory so I had a clear idea of what was happening.  There were obvious moments where I knew so much more had happened before and I was only getting a small bite of previous events but I had enough to feel like I still knew what was going on.  

This book is full on from beginning to end.  I was wound up tight and had to consciously make myself relax.  Sometimes I had to set the book down and do something else before coming back to the story.  It was nuts.  My heart was pumping, my eyes were leaking.  I was all over the spectrum of emotions with this one.  What a crazy ride!

I have read Pimpernel by Sheralyn and this book had a carry over to that book.  The ending left me floundering a bit and now I'm all sorts of wishing I had a next book after Pimpernel.  Is there going to be a next book?  There must be.  There has to be.  No pretty little boxes tied up with bows for this book ending.  I'm so glad I read it though!

Content:  violence, a few instances of swearing, flashback to a rape scene with no intimate details

-I received a copy of this book for free.  A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

King of the Friend Zone (Power of the Matchmaker) by Sheralyn Pratt

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem.

The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

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Can a male/female best friendship stay that way through life?  Chances really aren't that good.  One side will probably end up having stronger feelings at some point.  It's just the way things go.  Or, inevitably, one side moves on with a serious romantic relationship and that partner will be jealous of best friend.  It surely makes for a fantastic, classic love story with plenty of drama!

I love this Power of the Matchmaker series.  Each novel is independent yet connected by one character who makes an appearance in all the books.  Pearl is the matchmaker and I particularly loved her in this book.  She was perfect!  The whole kiss cookie was such a fun and creative idea.  LOVED it!

Esme and Hunter have been best friends their whole lives.  They have a history that runs deep and nobody knows them better than the other.  Both Hunter and Esme have had feelings stronger than friendship but neither one is willing to cross over that line to risk ruining the friendship that means so much to them.  It's maddening as a reader!  ha.  

I loved both Esme and Hunter.  Together and apart.  The struggle was real and I was nigh unto pulling my hair out for most of the book!  It was fantastic.  The pacing was good and I was caught up in the struggle for love.  

I also loved that some characters from a previous book by Sheralyn Pratt were included in this book.  Hello, old friends!

Overall, just a fun, diverting read!  It made me crazy, and happy, and swoony.  

Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

For centuries, the elite of the world have sought the Pimpernel everywhere. Some want to kill him, others want to hire him, but Jack Cavanaugh knows that the love/hate relationship comes with the job title.

At present, Jack is trying to dismantle an investment scheme centered in Las Vegas, but "trying" is the operative word. It's been a month since he put the face of the scheme behind bars, yet the scam is still going strong. As Jack tries to uncover who has stepped in as the new head, what miniscule evidence there is all seems to point him back to Claire Ramsey, an introverted PhD student studying at UNLV.

If ever there as an unlikely head of an investment scheme, Claire's it. She has a genius IQ, but from all Jack has seen, Claire’s intelligence is as much a blessing as a curse when paired up with her acute OCD. Claire can barely make conversation with the cute guy down the hall, which makes it hard to believe she could be the charismatic salesperson who is getting international businessmen to invest $5—50 million a pop.

So what is Jack missing? What is the real story behind Claire Ramsey? And once Jack learns it, will he be able to walk away?

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Oh my.  I am still thinking about this book days after reading.  My head is having a hard time letting it go and I really want to be able to read the next book right now.  Sheralyn Pratt says in the back of her book that if I want another book in this series, I should write a review.  So, here is it.  And now?  I'm waiting.... (said in my best high pitched sing- songy voice)

I really did love this book.  It took me a quick minute to adjust to Claire and her voice and settle in with the story but once I did?  I just couldn't pull myself out.  Claire is brilliant and like all of us, flawed.  But it is her flaws that make her brilliant and so very human.

Claire would obviously need a brilliant sort of man to match her.  Jack fits the bill for this perfectly.  He has more tricks up his sleeve, quite literally, than anyone else.  I loved Jack.  He was the glue that held all the characters and the plot together.

This book is full on from beginning to end.  There is danger and intrigue, secrets and surprises.  It was so engaging and fun!  I loved it.  Oh, wait.  I said that already.  It will be a loooooong wait for the next book.

Content:  clean

The Kiss that Launched 1000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt

Each weekday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Grace and Ashton cohost Battle of the Sexes, a radio program arguing the he-said/she-said issues of the day. Their fiery debates often have listeners wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just talk, even though Grace has been dating Phillip, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, since long before she ever met Ashton Miller.

Yet when news comes that Battle of the Sexes is on the bubble for cancellation, Grace and Ashton need to step up their efforts to engage their audience to keep the show alive. When a charity organization approaches them and proposes that the two of them kiss for a fund raiser, Grace and Ash agree to kiss for a good cause. A kiss is just a kiss, right?

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I'm so excited I got to read this book!  There was a bit of pre-buzz surrounding it in my book circles so of course it was on my radar.  I was told when I signed up to review this book that I wouldn't have that long to review it.  A week, I think.  Ha.  I didn't even need a day!

This is the kind of book that just makes you keep reading.  There is no putting it down, there is no conceding to sleep or children or dinner making.  So, pick up this book when you have plenty of time to read it through or you will be unhappy.  Like me.  Because I made dinner and the whole while I was cursing the fact that we have to eat.  :)

There is build up and tension in this book.  There is banter and sass.  It's sparky (like sparklers) and I loved it all.  I just couldn't help myself.  Now I want more.  More I want now.  I think I have a problem.

As far as content goes, this book is a clean romance.  There are references to the MC's past sexual relationships with other people but nothing of detail.  There is some sexual innuendo.

And, lucky for you, today is release day so you don't have to wait to read it!  It's the perfect summer by the pool or the beach or enjoying your AC book.  Happy Reading!