Brazen by Cara McKenna

O-M-G this short novella was SO DIRTY! It was yet again another novella by Cara I had a distinct impression of after reading the synopsis then got a total different thing when I actually started reading it. 
While it was A LOT about the sex, there was also a very interesting heroine (the sole POV) with quite an interesting psychology behind her behavior. 

Her Best Laid Plans by Cara McKenna

Another great novella by Cara, I can't believe I have only ONE left. When I started reading this one, I wasn't sure how another Erotica novella is going to "play out" for me. I mean, I"ve been reading short Erotica novellas practically the WHOLE month, yet this one was SUCH an EXCELLENT read, I really liked both MC (though we only get Jamie's POV), really enjoyed the way it was "played", how they came closer together. I felt the whole ride with them and in the last chapter my heart was clenching with how much I wanted it to WORK, no matter how exactly. 

I'm getting ahead of myself.. though I won't write a lot about this novella because it's short and I SHOULD leave something for you to discover ;)

Convenient Strangers by Cara McKenna

Really enjoyed this short novella. It was steamy, yet it was really "human" and felt very real and genuine. I also liked how it ended, thinking about the situation both of these men are in, and considering how short this novella is, it was well played with a hopeful future rather than an unrealistic HEA. 

Ready and Willing by Cara McKenna

Very engaging, steamy (!) and somehow very sweet short novella. It's another novella I had my "doubts" about which were TOTALLY unfounded. I really enjoyed this one, especially the way it was concluded, the whole feel of it. I'm not a holiday person but if YOU are, read this on Christmas or whenever you feel festive :)

Willing Victim (Flynn and Laurel #1) by Cara McKenna

I'll admit I sort of read this novella as an "experiment". I love Cara's writing and I do occasionally like to read things that take me out of my comfort zone. This one was something like that. I knew it's going to be more than just an Erotica novella, with the MC's kinks including "rape-play". 

I liked it more than I thought I will. I honestly thought that the sex would be "too much" for me, and I would rate this book low and say it's my personal "problem" not being able to "handle" reading something like that. I was more than surprised just how interesting this novella was! Both characters were complex and had more than just the rough sex. Yeah it took a huge part of the book, but it was also a very interesting glimpse into something that just thinking about it repulses me. Yet it wasn't "that bad", I mean, I still don't "get it" on a personal level, and I know I never will, but somehow it did kinda made sense considering the MC, it worked for THEM. Somehow a bit like my reaction to  "Unbound" also by Cara (even though it IS totally different). 

Ruin Me by Cara McKenna

Quite difficult to review this short novella. Or rather I'm not really sure what I felt about it. I mean, most reviews say it's one fucked-up mess and it WAS. I"m not sure at all what I think about EVERYTHING that happened in this one but I think that now, "the morning after" I truly get it, even though I don't think that I would have acted like ANY of the characters in the book. Also I wasn't sure what to expect from the ending or how it's going to end / suppose to end? Yeah, I was confused about EVERYTHING. Yet, it was a good story, written beautifully, hot as hell, and in the end I think it was kinda sweet. 

When in Rome by Cara McKenna

Sweetness. Total sweetness. A very short and yeah, SWEET, story. Amy and Jens meet in Rome (no shocker here ;)) when he is running away from the paparazzi, the only place being open so early in the morning is the bakery Amy has been working in for the summer (she is in culinary school). They spend less than a day together, yet somehow there is a beautiful connection between the two of them. 

Hard Time by Cara McKenna

This one was quite a surprise! I mean, I"m not surprised that a book by Cara was beautifully written and brought unique characters and a different kind of story wrapped around steamy sex, no, this was NOT what I was surprised about. It was just that the MC were so great together yet you wouldn't think they would "match"? Also I wouldn't have thought the Eric would interest Annie, or that I would be interested in reading about someone who I personally don't find appealing. I mean, when we read we naturally want to somehow feel drawn to the hero, that's why they are called "book boyfriends", right? yet here, it was one of the few times I enjoyed a book without it having to do with me AT ALL. I didn't mind that there is no way I would have found myself with someone like Eric. Not in real life and not in fantasy yet I could totally see what Annie found in him and it was enough for me. When usually it's a turn off and I can't get what the heroine sees in "that guy".. Do I make any sense there? I really hope I do! :) 

Unbound by Cara McKenna

What a beautiful beautiful ride. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I LOVED the character development of both MC. Merry was so empowering! truly an inspiration the way she decided to change her life and do the things she always wanted. I loved how she was able to accept Rob and generally her compassion and understanding. Rob was SUCH a sweetheart. I ached for the life he lived and the hard choices he made in order to exist without being a pain to people in general. The journey both went through, together but also, quite a lot on their own, was a JOY to read. Yes, this is Erotica, there is kinky sex yet it's not the center of the story and frankly I don't think we encounter the first kiss in the first quarter of the book. 

After Hours by Cara McKenna

I can't really say what my "problem" with this book is actually. I just didn't find myself interested enough in the two main characters, alone or together. The story is told solely from Erin's POV and I was just depressed from her life and the choices she made. There was something so redundant about her life. 

Getaway (Shivaree #2) by Cara McKenna

A nice ending to the series or rather love story. I can't say I loved it, it was okay.. I think it's a more rounded to 4 stars than a "real" 4 star rating. I really loved how it worked out, I liked the tender moments (was HIGHLY annoyed with how dysfunctional Shane and Gabriel are most of the time..) and though I had my problems with Shane (right from the beginning) this short novella has a plot that continues the journey Shane started on in the first installment or rather the prequel when he met Gabriel. 

Shivaree (Shivaree #1) by Cara McKenna

Another mesmerizing installment. It's strange, when I think about the characters in this one, the general plot, what happens and the interaction between all of them it's hard for me to pinpoint what I actually liked so much or rather why I didn't dislike the whole of it. But the fact it, like the previous one, there was something very different and intriguing that makes this Erotica novella a lot more than just hot sex (which there was quite a lot of but not too overpowering in my opinion).

Backwoods (Shivaree 0.5) by Cara McKenna

Utterly compelling and impossible to put down. This short novella, which is a prequel to the Shivaree series was nothing like the usual reads I enjoy. Yet I did enjoy it and I'm not even sure I can explain why. 

Trespass by Meg Maguire

By finishing this one, I've actually finished reading all of Meg's novels. Yeah I have quite a lot left from her other pan name (and her real one) - Cara McKenna but this is a sweet step as well. Sadly it's my least favorite from her books. I kind of went randomly through her books so I didn't have special expectations from this one (or another).

Meg's books are usually very fluent and an easy read. I'm not saying there isn't drama around the building of the relationship. Sure there is! But mostly I expect a relaxing time giving myself to the book. Here while the beginning was interesting and I enjoyed the buildup, somewhere along the line, their routine together became "too routine-y" I guess. It took WAY too long for Sarah to confess to Russ the true reason she is on the run and when you think about it, it makes absolutely no sense as to why she wasn't looking over her back the whole time. Also the conclusion of the book was SO obvious and silly I was just put off by it. I was struggling to finish the last 2-3 chapters and when I finally did finish I was just annoyed with how obvious it was to me.. 

Caught on Camera by Meg Maguire

This was a really nice read! I was on vocation for the past three days, and though I didn't get to read THAT much I'm happy I decided to read this one even though I originally didn't plan on reading it this month but since I've been reading like crazy I added this one and a few others to my October reading list. I started reading all of Meg's novels a while ago and actually I only have one left - Trespass - which I will be reading next month. 

I really like that every book by Meg brings us something quite different than the usual romance setting-wise. I guess we've read it all when it comes to the romance itself but plot wise and setting wise there's more room to being versatile. In this one Kate Somersby is the Personal Assistant of Dominic Tyler (Ty) who is the main and only character in a survival TV show. Kate is not only his PA she is right about everything - except his lover. The both of them go to exotic places all around the world to film survival tips and tricks and in general how to survive in the wild. 

The Wedding Fling by Meg Maguire

This is the perfect book for Holiday, you know what, it's also the perfect book when you are in a need of a Holiday which is basically, whenever you are NOT in one ;) After more "heavy duty" books I really enjoyed reading a more "easy going" book. Naturally each of the MC had their issues but basically it was a fun and optimistic read.

Leigh runs off from her wedding day after discovering that Dan, her fiance, wasn't the guy she wanted to commit to. Wanting a bit of a break from her life as a celebrity she decides to go to the secluded cabin in the Caribbeans she and Dan ordered for their Honeymoon. There she meets a not very charming pilot named Will who isn't what he looks like and doesn't have the purest intentions when it comes to her, or rather his intentions WERE shady but as he got to know her and she to know him, they both want a fun and not committing fling with a person they came to like and enjoy one's company. Naturally it doesn't stay that for long when her being a celebrity "gets in the way" and his shady intentions from before he got to know her explodes in their faces. So a bit of drama in the end but mostly a relaxed vocation in the Caribbeans for Leigh as well as for us (by proxy).

Exposure (Curio Vignettes #6) by Cara McKenna

This is the last installment in the "Curio Vignettes" (mini) series and for me it delivered exactly what I wanted to read :) I love a happy ending, love happily ever after but I usually prefer it to be less sticky and more to the point of dealing with the problems or at least seeing a way out of them - just as this installment delivered. 

Caroly and Didier leave Paris for a few days vocation in Provence. This trip is very significant for the both of them, first because it means Didier found another job (I loved the job that he found, I actually thought it would be cool if that's what he did and then I got exactly that :)) and it also means that he is dealing much better with his Agoraphobia. and naturally it means that the both of them can take the relationship to the next level.

Confession (Curio Vignettes #5) by Cara McKenna

At long last!!! A confession! That's not a real spoiler considering the built up of the previous installments and the name of the novella. So here we are in the one before last novella in the Curio Vignettes (mini) series and as usual I'm really happy to finish another sweet part!

This one was mostly their love confession to one another and them dreaming together of their future together, as a real couple. I'm not much for sticky love but I felt their confession of love was simply beautiful, real and charming in it's imperfection.

Reversal (Curio Vignettes #4) by Cara McKenna

I'm giving this one 5 stars but I actually would have given it more if that was possible :) I SO loved this one! We go back to listening to Didier's POV which is very different than we heard before and a little similar to the voice of Caroly in the first installment where she is so insecure, wanting yet afraid to reach and caress. Didier is the same, only his insecurities aren't in bed, but outside his bed and outside his flat. 

We got to listen to Didier's inner fears, inner torture, how much he wants Caroly and how much he wants to give her or rather wishes he could. He has such a tender heart. his love for Caroly and the respect he has for her is simply beautiful and the way Caroly doesn't give up on him, she knows him, can read his body when he is stressed, calms him when he is in this state but also doesn't leave him like all the people around him - locked in a cage he himself built. You have to truly love someone to do what she is willing to do for him - helping him deal with this crippling fear of outdoors. 

Craving (Curio Vignettes #3) by Cara McKenna

Here we are in the third installment, returning to Caroly's POV. I really enjoyed this one, we started with Caroly and Didier having dinner together outside his apartment. I loved listening to Caroly's inner voice, explaining how she is the one who really knows Didier, the only one seeing him this vulnerable with hands shaking and a haunted face, and she is the one who experience these things with him without looking at him with pity or disrespect. She loves him for who he really is not just the beautiful guy or the one who really knows how to make a girl happy. From his perspective it's quite obvious that he truly trusts her and want to sort of "impress" her and "be normal" for her, so he can really be with her like "regular" couples are (naturally it's funny writing that when he is not "faithful" to her).