Review: Hott, Hotter, Hottest (Hott Springs Eternal #5) by Serena Bell

 Real bodyguard. Fake boyfriend. Unexpected benefits. Trouble guaranteed.

Tucker: Autumn Sato is a happiness influencer. And I’m…well, let’s just say my brand is more big, gray storm cloud. If life were going according to plan, the closest I’d get to her would be scrolling past her posts as fast as my thumbs could fly.

But my sister needs help, so I agree to bodyguard Autumn at her sister’s wedding. One thing leads to another, and suddenly I’m pretending to be her new boyfriend in front of all her friends and family.

It’s a hot mess, made worse because I swore I’d never do this again. Never get close to someone I was guarding. Never fall for someone whose safety was in my hands. Never let distraction get in the way of my job.

Unfortunately, this entire week is nothing but distractions: trapped in a car with my smoking hot client, only one bed in our hotel room, only one tent on the wedding camping trip… all before the bachelorette prom. Meanwhile, someone seems to have it out for Autumn… or my family… or both.

As things heat up between us, I’m left with one question: Can I keep my heart—and the people I care about—safe?

A spicy, small-town, bodyguard, fake relationship, grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy with a hint of danger and a lot of heart.

Buy Links

 What I thought about Hott, Hotter, Hottest

This cute series that is centered around brothers who have to comply with the rules from a last will and testament to avoid dire consequences wraps up with Tucker, the quiet security professional.  He's got lots on his mind as he berates himself for something in his past, but when he is roped into being a bodyguard for one of the wedding guests family, he reluctantly agrees. 

Autumn Sato is a happiness influencer with some questions of her own regarding her past happiness and her sister, who is about to get married.  She goes along with having a bodyguard at her side (and more!) throughout. There are some rather tense scenes as it does turn out she needs a bodyguard!

I liked this story.  It was lovely to read Tucker's story and how he moved on from the past. There are plenty of steamy scenes between Tucker and Autumn and they did spend some page time getting to know each other, even though the "L" word came out after a short period of time. 

Overall, I enjoyed this romance, although it took a little time to get involved and invested in the characters. This entire series is entertaining and worth your time.

4 stars. 

 

 

Review: Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal, #2) by Serena Bell

 

 

The hard part isn’t acting like we’re falling for each other. It’s pretending we’re not.

Shane: My grandfather’s will has me between a rock and a Hott place. If I don’t score a celebrity wedding, my sister will lose her wedding planning business—and our family’s land. As a playboy movie star, I know Hollywood’s ins and outs. But finding two celebrities in love is tougher than it looks.

Enter Ivy Scofield—the beautiful star of one of TV’s most beloved failures. She’s hiding from her past in Rush Creek, running a community theater for troubled kids. She needs my family’s wedding barn to save her program. So we make a deal: I give her the barn—she gives me her hand in fake marriage. Lights, camera, action—and cut—right?

Not so fast. Planning our fake wedding is way more personal than I was expecting. I’m learning Ivy’s quirks, preferences, and pet peeves—and that’s before I walk in on her enjoying my most infamous on-camera scene. Plus she’s slowly peeling back my layers—the ones I’ve built up to protect myself. If someone doesn’t do something soon, we might discover that the only thing fake about this wedding is the way we keep pushing each other away.

A spicy, movie star, marriage of convenience, fake relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google

All the buy links

Add to Goodreads

 What I thought about Hott Take

My first love when it comes to reading has always been contemporary romance, and I was thrilled to be able to read and review Serena Bell's latest called Hott Take.  This series centers around the reading of a last will and testament that contains some very specific conditions for the Hott siblings.  In this second book, Shane Hott must find a celebrity marriage to save his sister's wedding business, and that isn't exactly easy.  Let's begin with a fake engagement to a local Rush Creek Ivy Scofield, a former TV star now running a community theater program in Rush Creek.

There aren't any big surprises here -- if you are familiar with the "fake" date, engagement, marriage trope, then you know exactly what is going to happen here between Shane and Ivy.  Shane makes a deal with Ivy so that she can keep her community theater going while he satisfies his grandfather's conditions with this fake engagement. Only those fake engagement tend to help people to get to know each other and in what is usually the case, they fall for each other.  That's
Shane and Ivy's story in a nutshell -- the fun part is going along for the ride with them as they discover that their pretend romance may actually lead to a true love story.

I really liked this for its romantic elements. Shane and Ivy are pretty great together, even though they may have started out acting their way through the relationship.  There's great chemistry and engaging banter that makes the story a lot of fun.  It is a quick read, which I love as well -- I want to fall into the story and just feel compelled to keep reading and that's how I felt with Hott Take. 

Release Day Review: Hott Shot (Hott Springs Eternal #1) by Serena Bell

Beauty salon… and the Beast

Quinn: Working at the family wedding resort wasn’t exactly on my Bingo card. But it’s the only way for my siblings and me to get our grandfather’s inheritance, so here I am, staffing the Hott Spot Spa and Salon front desk. It’s an absurd gig for a man who makes Oscar the Grouch look like a people-person.

Still, I’m a hard worker. I’ve made a fortune off my scientific discoveries, and if I can engineer groundbreaking drugs, I can do anything, right? Not according to Sonya Rossi, the spa’s smoking hot and relentlessly perky manager. My grumpy approach is testing even sunshine-y Sonya’s patience. Meanwhile, I’m not sure whether I want to rain on her parade—or kiss the smile off her face.

Then the universe throws another curveball, putting us under the same roof. The closer Sonya gets, the more I like it—and her. I want to get to know her better and let her see the side of me I never show people. Until now, I’ve only believed in what I can touch, sense, and prove. I definitely don’t believe in love… but Sonya's making me wish I could.

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, under-one-roof, forced proximity standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Buy Links

Amazon | Kobo | Apple | Nook |  All the Links

Add to Goodreads

What I thought about Hott Shot

Serena Bell returns to Rush Creek with Hott Shot with a fish out of water story about how a last will and testament can just make a huge difference in lives.

When Grampa lays out his conditions in his will, his first "gotcha" is that scientist Quinn Hott must work the front desk as a receptionist at the Hott Shot Spa and Salon. This is not the ideal job for Quinn, who would rather deal with his own businesses. But Grampa has a plan, and part of the plan is to put Quinn in this situation.  I can't wait to see what he has for the other siblings!

This is pure rom-com with lots of fun and feel good moments. I really enjoyed this light-hearted romance. Did I mention there is also forced proximity? Spa manager Sonya has her hands full with Mr. Grumpy receptionist, and to make matters worse, they are sharing a cabin!  

So not only does Quinn have to get used to being a receptionist instead of scientist at his BioTech company, he has to deal with his growing attraction for Sonya.  There's plenty of juicy banter and smoldering attraction here and I loved it.

This is a great start to a new series and I can't wait for more!  An entertaining contemporary romance. 

 

 

 

Author Bio

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group

/ Instagram / Twitter / Newsletter

Cover Reveal: Hott Shot by Serena Bell

 

Hott Shot
Serena Bell
Publication date: September 19th 2023
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Beauty salon… and the Beast

Quinn: Working at the family wedding resort wasn’t exactly on my Bingo card. But it’s the only way for my siblings and me to get our grandfather’s inheritance, so here I am, staffing the Hott Spot Spa and Salon front desk. It’s an absurd gig for a man who makes Oscar the Grouch look like a people-person.

Still, I’m a hard worker. I’ve made a fortune off my scientific discoveries, and if I can engineer groundbreaking drugs, I can do anything, right? Not according to Sonya Rossi, the spa’s smoking hot and relentlessly perky manager. My grumpy approach is testing even sunshine-y Sonya’s patience. Meanwhile, I’m not sure whether I want to rain on her parade—or kiss the smile off her face.

Then the universe throws another curveball, putting us under the same roof. The closer Sonya gets, the more I like it—and her. I want to get to know her better and let her see the side of me I never show people. Until now, I’ve only believed in what I can touch, sense, and prove. I definitely don’t believe in love… but Sonya’s making me wish I could.

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, under-one-roof, forced proximity standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Twitter / Newsletter

—

Release Day Review: 5 Stars for Wilder at Last (Wilder Adventures #5) by Serena Bell

Falling for my frenemy? Out of the question.

Easton: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been giving Hanna a hard time—and she’s been giving it right back. So we’re both shocked to find ourselves on the same side of a project: helping Hanna win the heart of the celebrity chef hired by my family’s business to give summer workshops.

It shouldn’t be a big deal. A wardrobe evaluation. A shopping trip. Maybe some how-to-get-the-guy advice. I’m an expert on matters of the heart—or, at least matters of the mattress.

But as Hanna starts to trust me and open up, I see her differently. She’s not so much blunt as refreshingly honest, not so much a plain Jane in baggy clothes as… deliciously curvy. And hidden under that spiky, steely exterior is a soft heart she doesn’t show anyone.

Suddenly, the project includes ogling Hanna in dressing room mirrors. Offering her kissing lessons. And desperately trying not to give in to the sizzling heat between us.

I have to let her know the plan has changed: I’ll still help her get the guy she wants. I just need to somehow convince her that it’s me.

A steamy, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers (or is it friends-to-lovers? So hard to tell with these two!), mountain man small-town rom com.

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook 

 

Add to Goodreads

 

What I thought about Wilder at Last

 

In Wilder at Last,  Hanna and Easton continue their pranking as frenemies, but there's a new little wrinkle by the name of Bear that's going to put a good spin on things.

Bear comes to work with the Wilder's, and in the process really notices Hanna... which makes Easton look at her just a little bit differently. Hanna and Easton have been going at it forever -- even the family knows they shouldn't be put together.  But when Bear comes along making big-bear eyes at Hanna, Easton snaps into action.  Not to mention that Easton too wants something from Bear.  It's a super setup for craziness and potential disaster.

There's still great banter between these characters as they find their to each other.  All it takes is Bear to make Easton see that he has some real feelings for Hanna.  They are just so darn cute together -- I loved them both!  I could hardly wait to see what sorts of trouble Easton was going to find himself in as he tries to help Hanna get together with Bear (well, not really, but he has to make it look good!)

This is an easy-to-read romance that you can quickly devour because the writing is good and the characters are interesting.  I've really enjoyed this Wilder series and this one is a great addition.  It can be read standalone, but I do recommend this series.  It's lots of fun.  It's a sweet ride from frenemies to best friends to lovers.  

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links

  Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

 

 

5 Stars for A Little Wilder (Wilder Adventures #4) by Serena Bell

 

 What happened in Vegas? Definitely didn’t stay in Vegas. 

Gabe’s the oldest. Brody’s the bad boy. Clark’s the strong, silent warrior. Amanda’s the girl. And Easton—well, Easton’s the panty melter. 

I’m Kane. 

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not a bad job. But usually, I’m not the one people are talking about. 

That’s about to change. Because the woman I had a smoking hot one-night stand with in Vegas? The one I should have stayed far, far away from, since women like her are my kryptonite? 

She’s the same woman my brother just hired to redesign his fancy new glamping RVs.

I haven’t seen her since Vegas, but the instant I lay eyes on her, I can tell my quiet role as the boy-next-door brother is about to change. 

She’s pregnant.

And it’s mine.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Apple Books | Google Play | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

 

What I thought about A Little Wilder

I've been loving this series based on the Wilder family. Forced to change their livelihood in response to market changes in their small town, each of the Wilder men have also found love along the way. This book tells the story of Kane Wilder, the youngest brother in the group.

Kane has always been seen as the dependable one, the "boy next door." But one fateful night he decides to break from his usual and has a mind-blowing one night stand in Las Vegas. Only the woman has a connection to the family business, and ends up at the Wilder homestead and business. It's a surprise to all, especially her pregnancy. I adore the whole "secret-baby" trope and this is just such a great moment.

Being the good guy that he is, he tells Marigold Barrymore (yes, that's her name -- and she lives up to it! ) Kane is determined to show the nomadic Mari why she needs to stay with him after the baby is born. In the process of spending time together, Mari sees some of Kane's deepest feelings and abilities, forging a real connection between them. These two just click on all cylinders from the start.

But there is the question of whether she will stay or not that haunts Kane. I absolutely loved the post-partum scene where everything falls apart and Mari gets to experience just what being a Wilder is all about.

I loved this. It's sweet and sexy. Kane and Mari are made for each other. I loved his strength and honor and her view of the world was a perfect complement. This is a terrific romance series if you are looking for something with realistic drama and a melt-your-heart HEA.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links

  Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

 

5 Stars for Wilder With You (Wilder Adventures #3) by Serena Bell

Who knew pretending could be so hot?

Clark: It started as a joke. After all, I'd never pretend to date a woman just to get my mom and sister off my back.

I would, however, pretend to date her to get her ex-husband off hers.

Now the two of us, the wilderness warrior and the wedding planner, are stuck sharing a very small tent. I had no idea how fast things would heat up in here, or how hard it would be to keep my hands—among other things—to myself.

I also didn't guess how quickly the news of our "relationship" would spread to my big, nosy family.

We can't "break up" yet, because she's planning my brother's wedding and I'm his best man. Through venue visits, DIY disasters, and Vegas trips, we're thrown together, and the chemistry's off-the-charts. But the kicker is, I feel like she gets me.

Maybe that's what scares me the most. I'm still reeling from the loss of my wife, and she's still hurting from her ex's betrayal. There's no way this can ever be real.

But what if I'm starting to hope it is?

A steamy small town rom com from the USA Today bestselling author of Hold On Tight and Sleepover.

Apple | Kobo | Nook | Amazon | Google

Add to Goodreads

What I thought about Wilder with You

Clark Wilder is a widow who blames himself for his wife's death and has vowed never to fall in love again because it hurts too much. Jessa Olsen is divorced wedding planner who has also vowed not to get involved again because her ex hurt her in the worst way. When these two get together, there's a spark of something between them.

To get the Wilder's off his back, Clark and Jessa decide they are "fake dating" but just about everyone can tell there is nothing fake about it. But Clark is still dealing with his grief and the fact that Jessa and his wife were friends. It takes some time for them to figure it out, all the while building a relationship that is just so lovely, as a reader I couldn't help but cheer them on.

I've enjoyed the romances in this series very much, and this one between Clark and Jessa is absolutely adorable. Thank you, Serena Bell for curing my romance reading slump with this wonderful story of opening hearts and moving forward. I adored this story and could not put it down. It left me feeling happy and that's why I read romance!

 

 

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links

  Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

5 Stars for Walk on the Wilder Side (Wilder Adventures #2) by Serena Bell

His best friend’s sister is rocking his boat. In the best way possible.

Brody

What’s a bad boy doing hosting a book club on his boat? Excellent question. All I can tell you is, it’s not going well. I forgot the bug wipes, the TP, and the hand sanitizer, we’re out of wine, and… well, I may have made some people angry, if the Yelp reviews are any indication. The only way to dig myself out of this hole is to redeem myself by offering the best girls’ nights out in town.

Enter my best friend’s sister. I’ve gone out of my way to avoid Rachel, since despite her good-girl rep, I can’t seem to get her out of my head. Now she’s in my boat… and if I don’t watch myself, soon she’ll be in my bed. Things are going surprisingly well between us… but I know myself, and I’m not this guy. I’m the guy you want for fantasy fulfillment, not the guy you want for forever.

But what if I need this time to be different?

Buy Links

Apple   Kobo   Nook

Amazon  Google Play

 

Add to Goodreads 

 

What I thought about Walk on the Wilder Side

Librarian Rachel Perez's life isn't working out very well. Her librarian job is eliminated and then things go from bad to worse!  She returns home to Rush Creek to help her mom and nurse her relationship wounds. 

Bad boy Brody Wilder loves his boat but he isn't great at holding boating book club tours. After a disastrous outing, he needs some help if he wants to contribute to the family business. He reconnects with Rachel for help and when Rachel charters his boat for a special toy-party event, their long-ago crushes on each other kick into high gear.  There's a forbidden romance / best friend's sister thing going on here producing a sexy, steamy romance between Brody and Rachel.

However their actions are influenced by their past relationships so while things get hot, there's also some things they have to work through before they can get to a HEA. I loved the light  and frisky feel to this book, the sex positivity and things moved along ever so nicely.  I really like this series and find that it is very fresh and fun. Serena Bell's easy writing style makes this book sing and which is why I'm giving this 5 stars.

 

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links

  Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

Release Day Review: 5 Stars for Make Me Wilder (Wilder Adventures #1) by Serena Bell

This tent is too small for the both of us. And I like it that way.

Gabe
I was minding my business. Literally. I promised my dad I’d take care of the Wilder family adventure business in our little Oregon town of Rush Creek, which also means looking out for my mom, my sister, and my rowdy co-workers, AKA my brothers.

Now the business is in trouble. Overnight, Rush Creek has become a spa-and-wedding destination, and the new tourists aren’t interested in getting dirty—or at least not in the woods.

Then Lucy comes to town, all blond hair and silky blouses and spike heels. It’s her job to give Wilder Adventures a makeover. Camping to glamping, rafting to paddle board yoga, fishing trips to girls’ night sunset cruises. If she gets her way, Wilder Adventures will become Wilder Romantic Adventures.

Lucy hates small towns, getting messy, and anything involving the woods or the water—which pretty much makes her Not My Type.

That doesn’t explain why when I see her, I can’t look away. Why when I touch her, I can’t stop. And why, even though I know no one can talk a city girl into small town life, I’m still trying.

She’s driving me wild. All I can do is make her wilder.

Buy Links

Apple | Kobo | Nook | Google | Amazon

 Add to Goodreads

 

What I thought about Make Me Wilder

I'm going to cut to the chase -- I really enjoyed Lucy and Gabe's story in Make Me Wilder. It's sweet and sexy and has a lovely HEA that left me happy and wanting more Wilders! 

Lucy Spiro doesn't have good luck with men, bosses or her job at the moment, so she takes a consulting job in the small town where her mom lives in the Pacific Northwest.  She's been asked to help Wilder Adventures, a family business run by brothers and sisters in the Wilder family.  They are in serious need of updating their operations and Lucy is the person to help, even if the Wilder brothers don't really want it.

Gabe hasn't had good luck with women, and his family business is taking a hit when their small town changes its focus to more romantic ventures. He's only interested in no strings / no relationship hookups.  When he meets Lucy, he's smitten, although he doesn't really have the entire story of who she is or why she is there.

What follows is a really lovely story of two relationship-adverse people letting someone else into their lives and hearts.  Lucy is tasked with spending time with the Wilders on their various adventure tours while she's working up her proposal and in the process, learns a lot about the outdoors and what she really is looking for in her life.  She's good-natured about being a fish-out-of-water and Gabe drops his defenses too as they spend more time together.

Their fun has an expiration date when Lucy returns to her old job in New York City.  

I really liked everything about this story, from the writing to the characters and the setting of the story.  It was so much fun and things were kept light (although there were a few moments of conflict in there too) and it was easy to want Lucy and Gabe to get together... and stay together.

So an awesome start to this Wilder Adventure series from Serena Bell.  I'm looking forward to more!

 
About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links

  Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

Release Day Review: So True (Tierney Bay #2) by Serena Bell

A passionate first love. A deep betrayal. One last chance to make it right.

Jax Walker left Chiara Campbell behind without a word, but he’s never forgotten how it felt to love that fiercely. Not that it matters—he can never go back to Tierney Bay, because the secret he’s keeping would tear them both apart.

Chiara has written Jax out of her life and her memory—until he shows up at the shop where she works. All the hurt she thought she’d buried is still there, and so is her fiery attraction to him. The more Chiara and Jax work together to save the shop, the more she wants things she can’t have.

She knows she’s going to get her heart broken again. She knows it’s going to hurt like hell.

And she’s pretty sure that when he kisses her, she’ll kiss him right back.

SO TRUE Purchase Links:

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Amazon

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Apple

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Kobo

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Nook

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Google

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Goodreads

http://serenabell.com/r/SoTrue-Bookbub

What I thought about So True

In this second chance romance from Serena Bell, Chiara Campbell is ready to move on to bigger and better things than the small town of Tierney Bay. She's a top candidate for a job four hours away in Seattle when the man who broke her heart ten years ago returns to town.

Jax was never supposed to return to Tierney Bay, but when his brother is hospitalized, he comes back to find that his brother and Chiara have a gaming store that isn't doing well.  They try to stay away from each other, but it isn't long before Chiara and Jax have rekindled their passion.  These two are hot, hot, hot together, that's for sure.

A secret threatens to keep Chiara and Jax apart.  I really loved Chiara's reaction to what happened and how they were finally able to put the past behind them and embrace a whole new future.  

So True is a very sweet and sexy second chance love story between two people who should have never split up in the first place. It's an easy-to-read romance with a nice dash of angst for good measure. 

An ARC was provided for review.

Serena Bell's Bio

USA Today bestselling author and RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee Serena Bell writes richly emotional stories about big-hearted characters with real troubles and the people who are strong and generous enough to love them.

A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and she adores hiding in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also her enormous collection of constantly changing and passionately embraced hobbies, ranging from needlepoint to paddle boarding to meditation.

Serena's Social Links 
Contact Email: serenabellbooks@gmail.com

Website: https://serenabell.com/

Newsletter: https://serenabell.com/newsletter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenabellbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenabellbooks/

Re-Release Review and Excerpt: Turn Up The Heat by Serena Bell

TURN UP THE HEAT Re-Release Today

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This one is on my keeper shelf and one of my favourites of this year." —Maria Rose for Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews (original release) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Holy moly frijoles—this book is hot! Serena Bell does an amazing job creating relationships through erotic connections and making you root for the characters to find their happily ever after!!" —Bestselling author Sarah Robinson (original release) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two strangers. An impulsive encounter. A longing that can't be tamed...

 Lily McKee is pretty sure sleeping with the grim, gorgeous stranger who frequents the diner where she works counts as an act of desperation. But it's been that kind of year: Her dreams of owning her own restaurant have been swamped by the reality of living in her sister's basement and serving mediocre food. A hot encounter with Kincaid is a much-needed break from her day-to-day drudgery. 

Breaking his long drought is the best thing that's happened to Kincaid Graves in years—and not just because he's been behind bars. His encounter with Lily helps him forget the complicated collision of love and violence that derailed his life. Kincaid wants more: more of the intense connection they share, more long nights lying awake together, more time.

But the clock is ticking. Lily has a chance to reclaim the life she thought was hers for the taking. Kincaid must find a way to recover his inheritance. And once Lily finds out that the man whose roughness and dominance she craves has a history of violence, the love growing between them may be out of time, too.

From Turn Up the Heat

He followed her as she locked the diner’s front door. She bent to pick up a huge plastic drum bag of trash, but he brushed back her efforts and shouldered the bag himself.

She wanted to object. He could see the words on her lips and the protest in her eyes.

“You worked damn hard tonight,” he said. “Let me.”

You don’t always have to be tough, he wanted to say. You could let me help you, just a little.

But of course she couldn’t. And he couldn’t.

She had snuck those looks at him as they cleaned up. Curiosity and something more dangerous. A question. What would it be like? He could hear it as clearly as if she’d asked it out loud, probably because it was the same question that rattled around his head, that tumbled around his gut. What would he see if he took her question as an invitation? Would she be all toughness or all sweetness, or some mix of the two that would break him to bits?

He couldn’t.

© Copyright 2020 Serena Bell 

All Rights Reserved

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Amazon

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Apple

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Kobo

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Nook

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Google

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Goodreads

https://serenabell.com/r/TurnUpTheHeat-Bookbub

 What I thought about Turn Up The Heat

Lily is working in a diner, living with her sister, hoping to get back to Chicago after her ex-boyfriend humiliates her in the worst way. Kincaid is living in the same little town, focused on getting back the things he lost before and after he was in prison. He likes sitting in the diner, watching Lily. He recognizes the goodness in her...and something else.

When they both finally come together, it's because they have something between them they can't deny. They understand each other's sexual needs like no one else --ever. There's some hesitance on Kincaid's part which was totally understandable, and I really liked him for that. But when he screws up, he really screws up and runs the risk of losing Lily forever.

There's lots of heat between the pages here. I love that they both knew what they wanted sexually and they took the time to talk about it once they caught their breath. The dialogue between these two main characters was one of the best parts of Turn Up the Heat.

Even though Turn Up the Heat was predictable at times, and you can see the ending coming from a mile away, this is a lovely story about two people getting a second chance -- in a lot of different ways. There is no real HEA if the main characters don't have to work for it, and it's always sweeter when what they need to overcome is something as simple as following their hearts. I loved that about this title. It's a real happily ever after story between two people who are made for each other.

ARC provided for review