Early Book Review: Stealing Her (Covet) by Rachel Van Dyken

Stealing Her is the first book in the Covet series by Rachel Van Dyken. It is currently scheduled for release on November 5 2019. It is listed as a young adult novel on Netgalley, but I think it is better suited for he new adult and adult markets based on the age and lives of the characters. 

My estranged twin brother, Julian, was always the wonder boy—and soon-to-be CEO of our ruthless father’s corporation. My mother and me? Left behind. Now, years after tearing our family apart, my father dares to ask me for a favor? Pretend to be Julian while he fights to survive a tragic accident. It can save the company. Nobody will be the wiser. It’ll be our secret. I can play Dad’s favorite. I’ll do it for Julian. And for my mother, who’ll want for nothing. But this double life comes with a beauty of a hitch: my very real feelings for Julian’s fiancée, Isobel. Not only am I betraying Julian, I’m deceiving a woman I love. She doesn’t suspect a thing. As lies compound, lines are crossed and loyalties tested, all I can ask myself is…what have I done? Because sooner or later something’s got to give. There’s no way I’m giving up Isobel. But once the truth is exposed, it might not be my choice at all.

Stealing Her is a book with all the feels. Bridge resents his father, and worries about his twin even though they have not spoken in years. When tragedy strikes their father's manipulation ramps up to epic proportions and suddenly everything is on the line. Trying to protect his mother and brother Bridge does the unthinkable and pretends to e his brother to everyone, including Julian's fiance Isobel. Watching Bridge and Isobel dance around each other and all the lies and past hurts was very well written- and left me holding my breath on a regular basis. I was always worries about when the other shoe was going to drop- because I knew there was more damage for the twin's father to cause. I enjoyed all the twists and turns- some took me completely by surprise, and others I almost anticipated on some level. The pacing and feels were perfectly paced- and I was left really caring about most of the characters and how they were feeling by the end of the book. I am very eager to see what happens in the next book of the series and hope to see Julian find his own happy ending. 

Stealing Her is a contemporary romance with so many feels, twists, and moments that had me holding my breath. Van Dyken is becoming one of my favorite authors. I cannot wait to read what happens next!

Early Book Review: The Whole Package (Movin' On) by Marie Harte

The Whole Package is the first book in the Movin' On series by Marie Harte. It is currently scheduled for release on January 29 2019. Always the caretaker, former Marine Reid Griffith wants to help his brother adjust to civilian life...and help other former servicemen. What better way to utilize their brawn, discipline, and charm than a moving company that hires veterans? But although Reid prides himself on being strategic, he certainly doesn't plan to fall in the spotlight of one brilliant—and beautiful—PR whiz. PR expert Naomi Starr is determined to bring Vets on the Go! into the spotlight. But when she meets Reid, it might mean breaking her rule to never mix business with pleasure. Especially once she discovers that underneath Reid's sexy rough-and-tumble exterior is a vulnerable man who just might need what she's got to give.

The Whole Package is a high octane romance with all of the heat and emotional complications that I have come to expect from Harte, but less of the danger in comparison to her other contemporary romance series. I liked the characters, and enjoyed getting to know the main players, and the secondary characters well. I thought Maomi was a very well developed character, with lots of strength and personality, as well as her fair share of flaws. Reid is similar, in that he has his strength, and his hangups. I greatly enjoyed the interactions between them, and their own internal struggles with the relationship and how it might affect their lives, and those they care for most. I liked the subtle tie in to previous series from the author, with the gym and a couple secondary characters. It was not enough to confuse new readers, just little presents for returning readers. 

The Whole Package is exactly what I expect from Harte. A solid story with characters and interactions that make me smile, fan myself, or both. This will be a must reads for fans of Harte, and her contemporary romances. I cannot wait for more from her, particularly Cash finding his HEA.