Mackenzie Crowne

To Win Her Smile is rich in laughter, strong in character and full of heart. Any story where the titular character has the ingenuity to not wait to be rescued but work toward their own salvation is aces with me. It's always a added bonus to discover a heroine as relatable and spirited as Piper. She bucked the odds by seeking a life filled with happiness. Wyatt, may be a jock but he's no fool. When the heart speaks he listens and that made him a winner in my book. Ms. Crowne continues to bring excitement and heart to some of the most delightful characters romance has to offer.… (mehr)

-- Want to know if the whole series is worth reading? Read my overall review of the whole series at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!

I adore stories where two people who initially dislike each other fall in love so that's what drew me in. However, the premise of a custody battle sounded like a refreshing one I haven't come across in a contemporary romance before.

I thought it was a lot of fun even if it is a touch realistic. I mean why is the decision left to two 6 year old girls to decide who their guardian should be? I remember how wish-washy I was when I was 6 about what candy I wanted--a life altering decision like guardianship shouldn't be left in a child's hand even if I appreciate the sentiment.

But I liked that this story was about these two coming together to create a family and finding out what they want in life. They had some really cute moments with the kids that absolutely melted my heart.

I would classify this romance as a slow burn romance for sure. And normally I don't mind that because it gives these characters time to get to know each other in a more meaningful way besides sex. But here, I didn't think that was the case. I wanted their connection to be elaborated on more, especially earlier in the novel when the plot focused more on setting up the circumstances of getting these two together. Which was rather slow in my opinion.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-1Ig
Actual Rating: 3/5… (mehr)

To Win Her Smile by MacKenzie Crowne
Players #5

Do you believe in luck? Some, especially those that are sports minded and like to win, do believe and either have a routine or a charm or something they adhere to religiously – Wyatt Hunter is just such a man. When Wyatt’s football pass hits Piper Darrow on the sidelines changing their game from a loss to a win he is willing to stake money and more on getting her to attend the rest of the games. Piper, in need of money, has mixed feelings about the situation. Eventually an agreement is hammered out that includes photographs, money coming in from more than one source and the potential for some hot steamy times – without commitment. Well, a story can’t roll along smoothly without glitches so add in Wyatt’s politically minded father who has his nose in everything, a secret Wyatt’s sister does not want to come out, Piper’s atrocious cousin, misperceptions, mistrust and misconceptions and you have much to contend with. And…you also have a well written book that is not sunshine for all from beginning to end. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I am not sure if this is the last book in the series but I have a feeling it might be since there are five books published now and mention of The Fabulous Five throughout. There ARE other characters that could have their stories told, though, so who knows?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC. This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (mehr)

To Win Her Back by Mackenzie Crowne
Players #4

Not a great fan of second chance at love stories but this one worked even though there were fifteen years between the ending of the first chance and beginning of the second. At first I was not sold on the two of them being a couple that could, should or would work out but as I read I realized there were more layers to what happened between “V” and Sam than I first thought and that if they both really wanted to they could eventually make a go of it. I personally find it hard to believe this story could happen but then fiction is just that…a story that does not have to be true to life…it just needs to draw the reader in and provide entertainment. This book did just that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5 Stars… (mehr)