Resist by Ava Harrison - ARC Review & Release Blitz

 

BLURB

From USA Today bestselling author Ava Harrison comes a steamy standalone romance about a grumpy talent agent and the gorgeous business rival who can’t stand him.

He’s the hotshot agent who hates my guts.

I’m the (almost) one-night stand turned business rival.

Imagine my surprise when Paxton Ramsey shows up across the boardroom table.

Gone is the sexy smirk, replaced by open hostility with a side of taunting.

His overbearing, grumpy attitude makes my blood boil.

But I can’t forget the taste of our kiss. The thrill of his touch.

Our clients expect us to work together.

I can’t even stand being in the same zip code.

Surely, I can survive one week trapped on an island with my nemesis?

Until one week turns into two. Then three. Then four.

When he flaunts his power to make my career dreams come true…

It takes everything in me not to ruin his.

Paxton Ramsey thinks he’ll be the death of me.

But I just might teach him how to live in the process.

Tarnished Empire by Ava Harrison-Cover Reveal

Ava Harrison has revealed the cover for Tarnished Empire!

Releasing: October 13, 2020

Cover Designer: Hang Le

Photographer: Felix Rachor

Model: Philippe Leblond

My plan was simple.

Get invited onto his yacht.

Find information to destroy him.

But I wasn't prepared for Alaric Prince.

Dangerous and seductive, he trapped me in his gilded cage.

He calls me Dove.

Easily preyed on.

Easily broken.

A man that ruthless only wants to crush me.

I must resist the temptation to let him.

He's my father's enemy.

At war with my family.

A danger to me.

Falling for him would be my demise.

But if my plan works, it will be his.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fxXFHb

Conceal by Ava Harrison - ARC Review & Blog Tour

I ran.

Escaped the man who wanted to hurt me. 

I got in my car and drove. 

No destination. No direction. No help.

I hid in the one place I would never be found. 

Now in New York with no job, I didn’t know what to do. 

Then I met him. 

Jaxson Price. 

The enigmatic devil, who wasn't only above the law, but played it like a puppet.

He might be the answer to all my problems. 

Too bad he's asking for something in return for his help… 

My heart.

I can't lie.  At the beginning of this book, I struggled a little with it.  I didn't really feel engaged in it until about 20% in, and I connected with Willow before I texted with Jaxson.  It's a slow burn, friends to lovers, but I wasn't really feeling the connection between them.  I did, however, believe in the genuineness of the friendship.  And, well, by the end of the book, the importance of the beginning, of them having the friendship and genuinely liking one another, was clear.

But, then there was a part in this that was worthy of being a cliffhanger (don't worry, it's not) and all of a sudden I was totally drawn in to the story.  I was engaged, I felt for both of them.  Willow for the things she was trying to put behind her, and escape from and Jaxson for the expectations he was trying to rise above.

By the end, I loved their connection and I think I want to read this one again, to really pay attention to the character and wold building at the beginning that seem even more important once I know where the story is going. 

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

Buy Links

Amazon US: https://shor.by/ConcealUS

Amazon UK: https://shor.by/ConcealUK

Intention by Ava Harrison - ARC Review

From USA Today best seller Ava Harrison comes a sexy, new enemies to lovers stand-alone romance.

I had it all. Dream job, fancy apartment, great family. But there was one thing I didn’t have. Would never have. Then he showed up.

Rich. Arrogant. Condescending.

He came to me with an ultimatum, and I had no choice but to agree.

I needed to convince the world that I was Nathaniel Harrington’s girlfriend, so his legacy would stay intact.

Spending time with him would be difficult. And fooling the world would be even harder. But persuading my heart into thinking that his kisses meant nothing and that his gentle touches were all in my head would be impossible.

I was falling for him. But fate had other plans. Our time was limited. Because I knew the truth - a truth that would end us.

What's more annoying when you want to do a good job, when you are dedicated to your work, and when you live to have control over everything in your life?

A person who takes nothing about that same job seriously...or at least seems to not take it seriously.

Nathaniel is the thorn in Madeline's side.  He's the new owner of the company she works for, and as he only bought it to prove a point, she doesn't think he will be able to contribute anything, and he is just there to annoy her...in and out of the office.

So, when he needs a fake girlfriend, who else would he possibly ask?  Obviously, she is the best candidate.

Predictably, things go...well, badly.  And then they go well.  And, the transition from enemy/coworker to friends and finally lovers is handled so well that you can't help but believe that they were meant for one another.

I loved the chemistry between Nathaniel and Madeline, but what I loved most was that in the course of the book neither of them really changed, rather they discovered what they like about one another and realized that each of them were a lot more than they initially thought. 

For me, the fun of the book was the emotional journey they both take to find love and romance with one another.  Yes, in all romance, you expect this to happen, you expect them to end up together.  What sets this apart from other titles is how much you enjoy their journey.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

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absolution: a novel by Ava Harrison

I was done with love.

When I opened my heart, it was for the men I couldn't have. 

The unattainable ones. 

The ones who would hurt me. 

A vicious cycle I couldn’t seem to stop.

But I had a new resolve. 

Focus on my career.

Stay single.

And then I met him. 

EXPLICIT BY AVA HARRISON - ARC REVIEW

Pierce Lancaster is bad news.
Spoiled.
Entitled.
Sexy as —
He’s exactly what I don’t want in my life. What I don't need.
I’m not the girl he knew before.
I’ve changed.
But he hasn’t.
He’s trouble filled with empty promises.
I’ve come too far to fall back.
Yet I can’t seem to stay away.
I can’t say no.
I am addicted to Pierce Lancaster.

Ava Harrison takes risks.  She writes about heroines who are flawed, who might not be likeable all the time, and about heroes who are not exactly perfect.  She tells stories about real people, and they are not like the usual heroes and heroines, and sometimes this makes it harder to like them.  This is definitely the case with Pierce, although you do quickly learn there is more to him than you think, after hearing about him from Grant and Spencer, his brothers.

Pierce and Lindsay have demons, and neither of them are perfect, by a long shot.  Getting to know them, and watching them figure out that they dislike one another, but only as a cover for the way they really feel and the fear of rejection.

I loved that they both ended up having things in their lives that brought them together, things that made them each understand the other.  That connection created a relationship I believed in, and a story I was invested in.

I thought the resolution of the issues with the Lancaster family was a little quick...but at the same time, it worked as things like that do cause events to move more quickly than they would if the changes to the relationship came about over a few telephone conversations and some holiday dinners.

I enjoyed this title and I recommend it.

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SORDID BY AVA HARRISON - RELEASE TOUR AND ARC REVIEW

It was his lips. 

The way his stare sent shivers down my spine. 

The way his rough voice whispered my name.

So I caved.

I did what I knew I shouldn’t. 

But as quickly as he’s there, he’s gone. 

Leaving me confused.  

Devastated. 

I hope I’ll never see him again… 

Then I do.  

He’s my new boss. 

And he has secrets.

Well, darn it.  I read a good book, and I want to tell you all about, well, all the things.  Especially the part where (spoiler) and (spoiler) happened.  And, you know how it says in the blurb that Grant has secrets?  Well, he does...and one of them...spoiler.

Are you catching on yet?  I want to talk about how much I enjoyed this book.  And, I did love it.  But I also want to tell you why.  And, I can't because it would be a spoiler and I would ruin the fun for you.  And, that is mean.

So, what can I tell you?  I can tell you that Grant is absolutely the jerk you expect him to be, if you have read the first books...or if you just know him from the first meeting he has with Bridget.  He's selfish, or at least that is how it seems when you watch the choices he makes and the way he treats people.

You want better for Bridget.  But, Bridget wants Grant, so you find yourself thinking that maybe he isn't awful.  But then...then....there's that one thing that really makes you think that your original opinion of him might be right after all.

One of the things I loved about this is the fact that there is a taboo element to it...and the author doesn't shy away.  There are reasons, and justifications, but that taboo element is there.  It's real.  And, it's a thing.

The story is constructed well, and you are both frustrated and sympathetic toward Grant and you like Bridget.  It's a credit to the author in this case that you like Grant as much as you do, as he is definitely not perfect.

But, those stories about the flawed hero that you love anyway?  Aren't those some of the best possible romances of all?

 

GIVEAWAY
 

The Author

Ava Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.
When she's not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.   

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CLANDESTINE BY AVA HARRISON-RELEASE BOOST

Title: Clandestine

Author: Ava Harrison

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 24, 2017

Blurb

One night.
No names.
No commitment.
That was our agreement.
But Spencer Lancaster was addictive.
And I was high.
High off his taste, starved for his kiss, and desperate for his touch.
So when he asked me to stay, to enjoy his company for more nights than I knew I should, I wasn’t in the right mind to say no.
Everything was perfect. A dream come true.
But half a world away there were secrets.
Lies.
Insecurities.
All of the truths that could tear us apart.

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

Ava Harrison is a New Yorker, born and bred.

When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.

Author Links

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FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
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CLANDESTINE BY AVA HARRISON-RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Clandestine

Author: Ava Harrison

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 24, 2017

Blurb

One night.

No names.

No commitment.

That was our agreement.

But Spencer Lancaster was addictive.

And I was high.

High off his taste, starved for his kiss, and desperate for his touch.

So when he asked me to stay, to enjoy his company for more nights than I knew I should, I wasn’t in the right mind to say no.

Everything was perfect. A dream come true.

But half a world away there were secrets.

Lies.

Insecurities.

All of the truths that could tear us apart.

ADD TO GOODREADS

This was not what I was expecting, and isn't that such a fun surprise from a book. Don't worry, it is all good, and you will like it. All of the important stuff is there; a couple you like, individually and together, the passion, the connection, the happily ever after. But, in a slightly different way than it usually is...which will make sense when you read it.

From the blurb, I was expecting that this would be a Pretty Woman kind of romance, a few illicit (like what I did there?) nights strung together and then a couple of characters figuring out that they wanted more. Well, it was, and it wasn't, this simple.

In a lot of ways, this is exactly what I got, but the order was different than I was expecting, the development of the relationship with Spencer and Olivia was a little faster than I expected it to be at the beginning. And, like Olivia says, this really lets her, Spencer and in my case, the reader, off the stress of "will they work it out before they leave their time together" and lets you focus on the future. It's also a lot of fun to read the books where the hero just loves the heroine. Yeah, there is a some resistance at first, but even from the beginning, Spencer figures out quickly that what he has with Olivia is different, and that he's never had anything like that before.

Isn't that why we read romance? To be there, with the couple, when they realize this person is it for them? That this is the person they are meant to be with? I know this is one of my favorites of the many ways in which a romance evolves.

There are a whole bunch of unresolved issues, and insecurities. Spencer has his past, his former relationship with his ex, his estrangement with his brother Grant (who is getting his own standalone, isn't that the best news???) and his fear of letting anyone close to him that is causing him to push Olivia away...even though he thinks he is keeping that hidden from her. Olivia has her past as well. And, ironically, although you see this coming, I think, it is the girl who seems to have her family all worked out who has some of the biggest issues to face. Because isn't that life? You have it all figured out, all is going to plan, things are moving as they should and then life happens.

I loved the character development in this book. Through some internal, and some external, neither of them are the people at the end that they were at the beginning. Some of it is big, some of it just those small realizations we all have when we realize something we thought was true isn't true, or is no longer true.

There is a scene toward the end (no spoilers I promise) where not only does Olivia react differently than she would have in the past, but she owns it. She knows it. She stops herself from the knee jerk reaction that she would have had in the past...and because she stops it, she is able to move forward with Spencer. Little moments like this, and there are a couple in this book, are what take a book from good to great.

I could go on, in fact many reading this likely think I should have stopped this review a few paragraphs ago, LOL....but let me just say I recommend this book, you want to read it, and I can't wait for the next one by this author!

Purchase Links

99c for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

Ava Harrison is a New Yorker, born and bred.

When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.

Author Links

NEWSLETTER
FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
GOODREADS
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ILLICIT BY AVA HARRISON-RELEASE BLITZ

Blurb

I was never supposed to see him again.

One night of passion with a complete stranger.

My last tryst before senior year.

But I was lost the moment his tempting lips were on my skin.

His intense touch on my body.

It should have ended there.

But he’s not a stranger.

He’s my history teacher.

And wanting him is against the rules.

Off limits.

Forbidden.

Illicit.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Illicit was my first exposure to Ava Harrison and I enjoyed it. I was a little concerned at first that I wouldn't be able to get into the right mindset on this one (not that I don't enjoy student/teacher/forbidden type books) since it was a high school setting, but the fact that age gap between them wasn't overwhelming helped me. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming, sexy times and some sweetness to balance it all out.

I liked Lynn-much more than I expected to. I was prepared for a giggly school girl and that was definitely not who Lynn is. She's smart, brave and a bit broken. She hasn't been dealt the greatest hand in life so to watch her grow through that was good and I thought well written.

Carson had many more hidden layers than I was expecting-and I liked them. I liked that he wasn't this perfect, slightly older man who swooped in and swept Lynn off her feet and solved all of her problems. I also really liked the direction the author took in regards to showing Carson's own growth-she didn't blow off his issues and I think did a good job highlighting that people can need help and that's ok.

Some of the drama with Lynn's mom was a bit over the top to me. I just didn't think all of it was necessary to advance the plot. 

I really enjoyed how the author told this story. The forbidden element was definitely there, the irresistible pull between them was really written well. I will definitely read more from this author and I recommend this book.

Forbidden romance can be a lot of fun when it is done right, and this one was. Lynn is a high school student, Carson is her teacher. They have one night, they don't exchange info, and then he shows up in her life again...as her history teacher.

This is the 2nd book I have read about Ava Harrison, and the idea of the taboo, the forbidden, is definitely a theme.

Lynn and Carson are both really young. Usually, this bothers me, the idea that she is 18 and he is 22. But, you forget this quickly. And, I am glad about that as I am not always the biggest fan of books with really young characters. If this is a concern for you, there is nothing to be worried about.

The chemistry is wonderful, the pull for them to be together, the attraction, is hot and you can feel it coming off the pages of your Kindle. The pacing is strong, and you don't get bogged down in the push and pull, rather it is allowed to flow smoothly and seamlessly.

I didn't like some of the extras with her mom. I think the book would have been better without it, with more of a focus on the main characters. It wasn't bad, and the other characters didn't necessarily pull me out of the story, but especially at the end when there were a lot of changes and revelations, I would have liked it to be little more about the central characters.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I do recommend it.

Purchase Links

99c for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

Ava Harrison is a New Yorker, born and bred.

When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.

Author Links

NEWSLETTER
FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
GOODREADS
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
AMAZON

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