Release Day Review: Fast & Reckless (Racing Hearts #1) by Amanda Weaver

Race into a sexy New Adult romance, set in the fast-paced world of Formula One. These friends-to-lovers are about to fall . . . fast and reckless.

He’s the one man she can’t have . . .

Mira Wentworth knows Will Hawley is trouble. Even if he revs her engine, flirting with the handsome new driver on her father’s Formula One team is not in the cards. Mira has sworn off on-track romance after a mistake as a teen cost her everything. Now she has a chance to win back her spot in F1 as a team assistant, and she's not going to let one cheeky, bad boy driver get in her way.

She’s the one woman he wants . . .

After his party boy antics nearly blew up his racing career, Will is finally back in the driver’s seat and determined to get onto the podium. He likes to think he’s reformed, but with one look at the boss’ daughter, he’s willing to risk it all.

As the heat builds between Mira and Will, their chemistry deepens into something more. But when the ugly events of the past come to call, their fragile new relationship is put to the test. Can Mira and Will’s love cross the finish line?

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 What I thought about Fast & Reckless

The boss's daughter falls for the reformed bad boy driver she really needs to stay away from in this Formula One racing-themed sports romance from Amanda Weaver.

Mira Wentworth knows she won't convince her father and the other racing team members that she knows her stuff if she gets involved with Will, but yet there is a spark between them that can't be ignored. So there are elements of forbidden romance here until all things just get crazy. There's a lot of pressure here for these two. Especially with Will wanting to win the title above all else.

There was a nice level of chemistry between these two, and while some may consider the "love" being more like "insta-love", I thought it was a good reflection on the pace of the environment. One of the things I really did like about this story is that I know very little about the racing world, and Fast & Reckless did a nice job of capturing what the sport was about. Great research wins the day here.

Overall, this was an entertaining sports romance based in the world of fast cars and plenty of drama. The main characters are easy to cheer on to the HEA.

Amanda Weaver has written everything from steamy contemporaries to swoony historicals, and can now add sports romance to that list, after her husband’s job as a Formula One journalist sparked a whole new obsession. In her “other life” Amanda is a costume designer working on Broadway and in opera. Born and raised in Florida, she now considers New York City home, and she lives with her family and cats in Brooklyn.

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Release Day Review: 5 Stars for Love Around the Corner (Romano Sisters #3) by Amanda Weaver

The last thing Gemma Romano needs right now is her first love coming back home. She’s trying to keep her family’s bar from being bought up and developed into some glass eyesore, just like all the other family businesses in her beloved Brooklyn neighborhood.

Like it or not, she’s in charge of the Romano legacy, and she can’t afford to risk it—or her heart—on Brendan Flaherty. Not now and not ever again.

Brendan’s old neighborhood is changing fast, but some things are still the same. Gemma’s as devoted to her family, her neighbors, and the bar as she’s always been. And she’s still the one woman he can’t seem to forget.

Gemma’s determined to steer clear of Brendan at first. Not only did he break her teenage heart, but now he’s grown up to be a property developer—he’s the enemy. Staying away from him would be a lot easier if she didn’t find him so infuriatingly attractive. Their chemistry still burns as bright as it ever did. But their painful past is still there, too, and Gemma’s not sure she’s ready to risk her dreams, her business, or her heart on Brendan a second time.

This book is approximately 82,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

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“Weaver’s delightful reimagining of You’ve Got Mail is a satisfying treat for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance such as Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game.” —Library Journal (starred review), on The One I Love to Hate 

 

What I thought about Love Around the Corner

Gemma Romano has been taking care of her family and helping with the family bar for what seems like forever, but much like her sisters finding love and moving away, the bar seems to need life support as the business breaths the last gasps before things go into the red.

In spite of all of this, Gemma keeps a positive attitude. She's tenacious about her family and the business until her past walks into the bar one night.  Fourteen years ago, Brendan Flaherty walked out of her life and she hasn't forgiven him yet.  

Brendan is really an awesome hero in this story.  He's had his share of big bumps in his life, and he hasn't forgotten what he had with Gemma.  I loved how he woos her back.  Gemma can't resist him for long, starting out by playing  the old game of "let's just have a physical relationship" which all romance readers know usually ends up being so much more. Some love is just meant to be and I loved that about this couple.

Both Gemma and Brendan have a few more bumps in the road to get by together, like multiple hits to the already-in-trouble bar and Brendan finding out just how much of a snake his relative can be. When Gemma gets left out of a major decision she's quite upset about it with good right. There's just the right level of conflict that had me a bit choked up at the end. 

I adored Gemma and Brendan together, and I especially loved how the sisters came together to help Gemma work through what she needed to do. There are some strong non-family relationships here as well, with the long-time patrons and neighbors of the bar.  Love Around the Corner beautifully captures how hard it can be to accept letting go of the past for the promise of a future.  I just absolutely loved everything about this story.

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.

 

About the Author

Amanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.

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A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.

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Review: The One I Love to Hate (the Romano Sisters #1) by Amanda Weaver

Don’t hate the player…

Achieve lifelong dream of becoming a reporter? Check.

Land dream job working with her idol at the Brooklyn Daily Post? Check.

Navigate working across the street from her college nemesis?

Okay, yes, hate the player.

But Jessica Romano doesn’t have time to be bothered by the likes of Alex Drake. She’s struck up a fiery online flirtation with a mystery man and—thanks to Alex’s family’s gossip website, competitor Click News—she also has a newspaper to save.

But she is bothered by Alex. She’s bothered by the fact that Click News keeps scooping the Daily Post’s stories. And by how Alex always gets what he wants.

And she’s really bothered by how she can’t seem to stop staring at his stupid, sexy face.

Or how their competitive banter is starting to sound like familiar foreplay.

Suddenly Jess isn’t just bothered by Alex; she’s hot and bothered. Hot sex and swoony romance are almost enough to make her forget the vast divide between old media and new…and the Romanos from Brooklyn and the Drakes of Manhattan.

Book One of The Romano Sisters

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 What I thought about The One I Love to Hate

Oh, this was a book I couldn't wait to get home from work to read all this week!  It's a tale of two young professionals who have some unresolved feelings from their college days.  Jessica had a huge crush on Alex back then, and circumstances almost had them hooking up, but it just didn't happen.

When they run into each other a few years later, it's clear from the start that Alex has feelings for Jessica but they still have many hurdles to cross -- especially Jessica's fiery irritation with Alex that masks her true feelings. There are definite sparks flying between these two in the first half of the book and I really loved these pages for their growing sexual tension between Jessica and Alex.

It takes a little while for Alex and Jessica to get on the same page, but when they do, it's sweet and romantic. The book is written mostly from Jessica's point of view, with occasional glimpses into Alex's head which were like little nuggets of gold throughout the book. And I really liked the contrast between Jessica's extended middle class family and Alex's wealthy father.  Dan Drake was a very interesting character and the way he loved his son was a refreshing aspect of this story.

This was a book I read whenever I had a free moment at work and I couldn't wait to dig back into it when I got home.  It had a good pace, and I liked the issues that lurked beneath the surface like the difference in the main characters economic status and their search for what they truly wanted in their lives. 

The One I Love to Hate is a sweet and romantic tale of fated frenemies that kept me interested until the final page.  It's a lighter story that had me smiling and left me feeling good.  Definitely recommended.

 An ARC was provided for review.

Amanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.

​

A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.

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Cover Reveal:A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver

A Duchess in Name

by Amanda Weaver

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GENRE:  Historical Romance

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BLURB:

Victoria Carson never expected love. An American heiress and graduate of Lady Grantham's finishing school, she's been groomed since birth to marry an English title--the grander the better. So when the man chosen for her, the forbidding Earl of Dunnley, seems to hate her on sight, she understands that it can't matter. Love can have no place in this arrangement.

Andrew Hargrave has little use for his title, and even less for his cold, disinterested parents. Determined to make his own way, he's devoted to his life in Italy, working as an archaeologist. Until the collapse of his family's fortune drags him back to England, to a marriage he never wanted and a woman he doesn't care to know.

Wild attraction is an unwanted complication for them both, though it forms the most fragile of bonds. Their marriage of convenience isn't so intolerable after all--but it may not be enough when the deception that bound them is finally revealed.

 

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EXCERPT

“Goodnight, Miss Carson.”

“Goodnight, Your Lordship.”

He held onto her hand for a beat too long, that delicious roughness of his palm heating hers. Her stomach erupted in butterflies. Utter romantic nonsense. It was a handshake. She glanced up at his face and their eyes met. The butterflies vanished and her stomach dropped clean to her feet. Her feet were rooted in place, but her body swayed slightly, as if being tugged toward him by an invisible thread. A muscle in his cheek twitched. Then, to her shock, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Her skin warmed beneath his lips and a delicious tingle shot down the back of her neck. It was only a moment, a brush of his lips against her cheek, but it heated her all the way down to the soles of her feet. Well, there was her answer about his touch. That tiny kiss was ricocheting through her body, laying waste to her good sense.

He drew back two scant inches, his eyes meeting hers in the dull gold glow of the gaslight wall sconces behind her. She could feel his breath on her mouth. There was only his beautiful, strong face and those shockingly blue eyes and his lips, which had made her feel so much at the slightest touch. She swayed toward him again. His eyelids lowered, his gaze dropping to her mouth.

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 About the AUTHOR

Amanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.

A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.

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Book Blitz with Excerpt & Giveaway: This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver

This Book Will Change Your Life 

by Amanda Weaver

Publication Date: 28 September 2015

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, 

New Adult, Romance

 

 

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Synopsis: Take a chance and change your life…

College was supposed to be where Hannah’s hard work paid off, but the major in honors chemistry she’s been working towards since childhood is slipping away. Worse, she’s not sure she wants it anymore. Salvation comes from an unlikely place—a used bookstore and Ben, the passionate college senior who works there.

Ben’s trapped in a life mapped out for him. Trapped in a future career as a lawyer to make his father happy. Trapped pursuing a girl he doesn't even like because she fits into a world he doesn’t want, but can’t escape. But then he meets Hannah. And for the first time, he knows what it means to truly want something.

So he gives in to being her friend. Then to wanting her. Then to kissing her. And within the freedom of his impulsivity, both of their carefully planned lives begin to fall apart...

EXCERPT

 “My parents were always chemists with an interest in pharmaceuticals— That's how they met, in chemistry class in college. But after we lost her…Well, it's more than a job for Dad. He's stayed at Park even though he could make more money someplace else because he believes in the work they do. The drugs they're developing could help so many people. He wants to make a difference.”

“And so do you?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“So you're going to be a chemist, too. That's cool.”

I grimace. “But…”

A pause. “But what?”

I hesitate. “I failed my first chem test. Like, I bombed it. I've been doing chemistry experiments with my dad since I was four. Projects, science fair entries, special assignments— We've done it all together.”

“That's great,” Ben says. “You're lucky to have that kind of relationship with him.”

“But that's the thing— The minute I was on my own, I crashed and burned.”

“It's your first semester. It's rough for everybody. You'll get a handle on it soon.”

“Maybe I don't want to.”

The words just hang there, and I can't take them back. I can't believe I even said them. To Ben, of all people, who I barely know. I bite my lip and close my eyes, fighting a lump in my chest that aches with every breath.

“Are you having some sort of existential crisis while reading Owen Meany, Hannah?” Ben asks with a laugh. Thank God he laughs. If he didn't laugh, I'd probably start crying.

“Maybe. Bet you never expected that when you gave it to me.”

“Books can be dangerous. You never know when they're going to blow up, and what they'll take out when they do. Why do you think dictators are so fond of burning them? One idea can lead to another, and then before you know it, people are going crazy having thoughts and opinions and stuff.”

Now I'm laughing. Actually laughing, even though I just said something that kind of throws my whole life into chaos. But Ben said the exact right thing, and for a moment, I can breathe.

 

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 ABOUT AMANDA WEAVER

Amanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.

A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.

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