Berkley Archives - Relentless Romance

★ARC REVIEW★ WAITING FOR TOM HANKS BY KERRY WINFREY

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Berkley

WAITING FOR TOM HANKS by Kerry Winfrey

Release Date: 11th June 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A rom-com-obsessed romantic waiting for her perfect leading man learns that life doesn’t always go according to a script in this delightfully charming and funny novel.

Annie Cassidy dreams of being the next Nora Ephron. She spends her days writing screenplays, rewatching Sleepless in Seattle, and waiting for her movie-perfect meet-cute. If she could just find her own Tom Hanks—a man who’s sweet, sensitive, and possibly owns a houseboat—her problems would disappear and her life would be perfect. But Tom Hanks is nowhere in sight.When a movie starts filming in her neighborhood and Annie gets a job on set, it seems like a sign. Then Annie meets the lead actor, Drew Danforth, a cocky prankster who couldn’t be less like Tom Hanks if he tried. Their meet-cute is more of a meet-fail, but soon Annie finds herself sharing some classic rom-com moments with Drew. Her Tom Hanks can’t be an actor who’s leaving town in a matter of days…can he?

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK |

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June 10, 2019 | 0 comment

Book Review, Favourites, Release Blitz

★NEW RELEASE & REVIEW★ THE BRIDE TEST BY HELEN HOANG

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Berkley

THE BRIDE TEST by Helen Hoang

Series: The Kiss Quotient, #2

Release Date: 7th May 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

★4.5 STARS★

The Kiss Quotient topped my favourite reads of 2018, but when it comes to managing expectations, sophomore novels can be very tricky things. It’s tempting as a reader to want the author to reproduce the same story we loved so much the first time, and I imagine for authors the temptation may be to replicate the formers success without rocking the boat too much by bringing anything new to the table.

The Bride Test has the charm and humour much loved from Hoang’s debut, and with it a heartwarming and emotionally complex layer. It deals with “well intentions” and ignorance of autism, as well as the struggles of immigration and discovering ones true self.

Along with a romance story, it’s a story of self love and particularly in My’s case, her ability to find pride in herself, her heritage and her accomplishments.

There is absolutely no doubt Helen Hoang is an extremely talented and special writer. She is able to give a voice and experience to people who in everyday life may feel unheard and/or misunderstood. Along with the enjoyment I get from her novels I have yet again come away with compassion and understanding those with unseen struggles.

DON’T MISS:

THE KISS QUOTIENT

About the Author:

Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since.

In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT, which comes out in June 2018 with Berkley.

She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.

Helen is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.

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May 7, 2019 | 0 comment

Book Review, New Release

★NEW RELEASE & ARC REVIEW★ FUMBLED BY ALEXA MARTIN

Genres: Sports Romance
Published by Berkley

FUMBLED by Alexa Martin

Series: Playbook, #2

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: 23rd April 2019

A second chance doesn’t guarantee a touchdown in this new contemporary romance from the author of Intercepted.

Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal. After years of hard work, she’s built a life she loves. It may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it’s all hers, and nobody can take that away. Well, except for one person.

TK Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL. His world is football, parties, and women. Maybe at one point he thought his future would play out with his high school sweetheart by his side, but Poppy is long gone and he’s moved on.

When Poppy and TK cross paths in the most unlikely of places, emotions they’ve suppressed for years come rushing back. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they’ll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship.

★4 STARS★

Running into your significant ex can be awkward at the best of times, but when your ex is an NFL star TK Moore who happens upon you at your waitressing gig at a strip club; it’s safe to say the awkwardness goes off the Richter scale.

As shocked as Poppy Patterson is, she’s thrown by his excitement at seeing her. As far as she is concerned they ended acrimoniously, and after raising their son alone for the last nine years, the excitement is certainly not reciprocated.

She’s not the pregnant and heartbroken sixteen year old girl she once was. She’s strong, hardworking and an exemplary mother to her son, and because of that, she decides to give TK a second chance at being a dad.

My love for TK was instant, but his knee jerk reaction to Poppy’s news cast a temporary shadow on the affection I had for him. Once his shock passed my admiration was back with a vengeance as we saw him navigate fatherhood and make know his hope to start anew with Poppy.

After the success of INTERCEPTED it was a given that Alexa Martin would added to my roster of auto authors. I enjoyed the sense of fun and easy readability she offered, and the added bonus of it being a sport romance was more than I cared to resist.

I was sure I would be in safe hands when it came to her sophomore novel FUMBLED, and with second chance romance a particular favourite trope of mine, I was not surprised she once again scored a winning touchdown of a read.

About the Author:

Alexa Martin is a writer and stay at home mom. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a former NFL player who now coaches at the high school where they met, their four children, and a German Shepherd. When she’s not telling her kids to put their shoes on…again, you can find her catching up with her latest book boyfriend or on Pinterest pinning meals she’ll probably never make. The Playbook series is inspired by the eight years she spent as an NFL wife.

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April 23, 2019 | 0 comment

Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

★BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY★ WHEN WE LEFT CUBA BY CHANEL CLEETON

Genres: Historical Fiction
Published by Berkley

Title: WHEN WE LEFT CUBA by Chanel Cleeton

Release Date: 9th April 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Penguin / Berkley

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life—and heart—to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez—her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future—but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything—not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart…

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April 12, 2019 | 0 comment

Book Review, Favourites, New Release

★ARC REVIEW★ FIGHT OR FLIGHT BY SAMANTHA YOUNG

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Berkley

FIGHT OR FLIGHT by Samantha Young

Release Date: 9th October 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A series of chance encounters leads to a sizzling new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn’t hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava’s ever had. And that’s all it was–until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb’s orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he’s stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart’s in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she’s made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn’t quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her….

★5 STARS★

Dear ~~John~~ Braden,

~~It’s me not you.~~

Our time together has meant so much to me, so you must believe me when I say I never thought I would see the day where my love for you would be challenged. Forgive the cliché but it just happened. One moment I’m reading about Interior Designer Ava Breevort and her airport experience from hell, and the next I’m thrust into a deliciously-banterful exchange between herself and fellow flight passenger, Caleb Scott.

If I may be so bold as to say, I’m quite literally ruined for all other enemies to lovers romance stories. In the spirit of honesty I did go in expecting to enjoy it but nonetheless I was caught off guard by the chemistry that kept me on my toes throughout. Like yourself Caleb is a successful CEO, and I was insanely attracted to his arrogance and penchant for riling Ava up. To add insult to injury, he’s Scottish.

Might I be so audacious to say I see some of him in you? Both strong, protective modern day neanderthals with hearts in the right places. At the threat of oversharing I enjoyed the intimacies he and Ava shared. It’s always fun to see the mighty fall, and the arrangement they shared crumbled like a piping hot… well, crumble.

In the past I have always been so quick to refer to you as my favourite Samantha Young Hero and although you have not been relegated you will have to make space on the podium to share with your fellow countryman. That’s a compliment in itself, right?

~~All my~~

~~Half my~~

Love,

Eliza

About Samantha Young:

Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

Connect with Samantha:

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October 8, 2018 | 0 comment

Book Review, Excerpt, Favourites, Release Blitz

★NEW RELEASE, EXCERPT & REVIEW★ THE KISS QUOTIENT BY HELEN HOANG

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Berkley

THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang

Release Date: 5th June 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

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June 5, 2018 | 0 comment

Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

★REVIEW & GIVEAWAY★ NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA BY CHANEL CLEETON

Genres: Historical Fiction
Published by Berkley

Title: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Release Date: 6th February 2018

Publisher: Penguin / Berkley

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

★4.5 STARS★

Although born in America, Cuba has always been at the heart of Marisol Ferrera’s upbringing. Regaled with tales of its complex and rich history, her grandmother has always instilled a sense of pride in her. It’s through the loss of her Grandmother that Marisol embarks on her first visit to Cuba. Professionally she is there to write a tourism piece, but most profoundly she is there to fulfil her grandmother’s wishes of having her ashes scattered there.

During her time in Cuba Marisol visits the places her grandmother spoke about, as well as connecting with people who knew her best. It’s through these connections Marisol discovers some secrets that are as dangerous today as they were back then.

The beauty of this story is that we not only get Marisol’s story but her grandmother Elisa’s, too. Very much alike in character, it’s a wonder to see the parallels in journeys their lives take.

NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA is a triumph and testament to Chanel Cleeton’s outstanding abilities as a writer. So beautifully written the novel is steeped in the history and vibrancy of Cuba. Much like an artist Cleeton paints a glorious picture which is enriched by her style and imagery. The heaviness of politics is balanced by the delicate relationships between family, and the hope that blooms with tentativeness of romantic ones.

It was first time reading a Historical Fiction by Chanel, and with the excitement that Beatriz will be getting her own novel also, it will also not be the last.

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February 9, 2018 | 0 comment

Favourites, Release Blitz

★RELEASE BLITZ★ NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA BY CHANEL CLEETON

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Published by Berkley

NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA is a triumph and testament to Chanel Cleeton’s outstanding abilities as a writer.

Title: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Release Date: 6th February 2018

Publisher: Penguin / Berkley

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

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February 6, 2018 | 0 comment

Favourites, New Release, Review

★NEW RELEASE & REVIEW★ ILLEGAL CONTACT BY SANTINO HASSELL

Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell

Series: The Baron, #1

Release Date: 15th August 2017

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

The rules of the game don’t apply off the field in this first Barons novel.

New York Barons tight end Gavin Brawley is suspended from the team and on house arrest after a video of him brawling goes viral. Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.

Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin’s timeout is over…

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

★5 STARS★

There was none of the “new author to me” jitters when it came to diving into this one. When a book comes highly recommended by the ladies at Berkley, and one of your favourite authors, (Sarina Bowen) the only dutiful fangirl thing to do is to dive on in.

Illegal Contact is the first standalone novel in the sports romance Barons series, and the first step to what I’m sure will be an unhealthy addiction to the author, Santino Hassell. Seriously, where have you been all my life? There was none of the getting to know you process that happens with a “new to me author”, from the first page the writing was familiar, fun and engaging yet still managed to be fresh and exciting.

I had a wonderful time drooling over the blond bombshell that is Gavin Brawley. He’s the incredibly talented but unapproachable tight end of the New York Barons. His give no f*cks attitude on and off the field have made him a target for the press and there’s no shortage of column inches documenting his misdemeanours.

His latest PR disaster earns him a team suspension and a stint under house arrest. If my gorgeous grump wasn’t grumpy enough, having to hire an assistant to take care of things he will be unable to leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

The man for the job is financially hard up Noah Monroe. His nerdy exterior might be give of major Clark Kent vibes, but Noah gives as good as he gets when on the receiving end of one of Gavin’s tongue lashings. Their working relationship is tension fraught, but Gavin enjoys being challenged by Noah more than he would care to admit.

The sexual tension with these two was out of this world, and I absolutely loved the dynamic and progression of their relationship. Illegal Contact was the total package and with secondary characters that also stole the show, the Baron’s series promises to be a game changer.

About Santino Hassell

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family but grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into a grumpy introvert and unlikely romance author with an affinity for baseball caps. His novels are heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, and his desire to write relationships fueled by intensity and passion.

He’s been a finalist in both the Bisexual Book Awards and the EPIC Awards, and was nominated for a prestigious RITA award in 2017. His work has been featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Washington Post, RT Magazine, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

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August 16, 2017 | 0 comment

Cover Reveal

★COVER REVEAL★ NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA BY CHANEL CLEETON

I’m in love with this cover from one of my favourite authors! NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA by Chanel Cleeton releases in February 2018! ❤️

Title: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Release Date: 6th February 2018

Publisher: Berkley

After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

About the Author:

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Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband.   

Chanel writes contemporary romances, women’s fiction, and thrillers. She is published by Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the International School, Capital Confessions, Assassins, and Wild Aces series.

Author Links: