GRR Reviews Let Me Free You by Alexandria House

Neil is the f***-up of the McClain family, and he had been through rehab to get his act together. His family had fought for him through thick and thin. And he will never let down his family ever again. // Sage was temporarily living with Nolan, one of the McClain brothers, after her loser boyfriend basically left her homeless and soon, country-less. Her only chance to stay permanently in the US is with a marriage of convenience. And Neil has been asked, as the only remaining single McClain brother, to "fake" marry her. They were NOT supposed to fall in love, but they did. Until their respective ex's came back to haunt them both... Will their relationship survive?

Ah, a marriage of convenience turned real romance, but when told by Alexandria House, works a lot better. Neil had been a supporting character in the previous novels and you've never really see him in his own right. He's been through a lot, but he's still a charmer. Sage is a bit innocent and naive, and impulsive, which is sort of what's left her in this bind. Being seduced by a McClain brother was swoon-worthy, until his ex decided to ruin things, and she ran, believing in someone else's lies. I really hate "I ran away to sort my feelings" trope, so this is not 5/5, but only 4/5.

GRR Reviews Let Me Show You by Alexandria House

Nolan is the smart McClain brother with business sense, and runs a well-known club with rumored connections to everyone. But due to people keep trying to get close to him only to get closer to his more famous and rapping brother, he had resorted to dating only white European blonde bimbos (who have no idea who he is)... Until he ran into Brigette... who's as black and as driven as he is. Brigette changed her name to leave her old life behind. As an up-and-coming actress, Brigette has a part in the movie that will take the world by storm, funded by the McClains. Brigette knows she should NOT be close to Nolan, who's not only her boss (and later, her director, because Nolan had to fire his *** to protect her), but Nolan only ever dated white women... and she refused to be a notch on his bedpost for the movie's publicity. But when her past, in the form of a crackhead mother, came back to haunt her, she will need his support and strength to get through the crisis...

While the plot had been seen before, it's how the different author put the different touches that demonstrate the difference between *meh* and *GREAT!*, and I really do like Alexandria House. The banter is excellent, and character revelations are done a little bit at a time. You will get more out of the novels if you read them in order, but each stands alone as well. The big McClain family help each other out, while fight at other times. Both Nolan and Brigette are damaged, in ways that are NOT obvious at first. And the slow reveal is what will draw you into those characters.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Let Me Please You by Alexandria House

Kat was surrounded by alpha brothers and divorced. The entire family are overachievers, and Kat was no exception. Being a taller woman, Kat found only one guy that matches her... Tommy, her brother's bodyguard, who's even taller. But for Tommy, Kat's his boss' little sister and definitely off-limits... Until she made her intentions VERY VERY clear...  She has needs, and they are both consenting adults...

Ah, a bodyguard romance that is NOT romantic suspense. That's unusual in itself. But also, the family is Black-American, and that means a very different romance culture and very different vocabulary. The book however, feels a little thin on the details. I guess this used to be a portion of a different book (McClain brothers Book 3), and should be enjoyed together.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Let Me Love You by Alexandria House

Jo works as a junior jewelry designer as a divorced single mother, after her husband betrayed her even as she's 6 months pregnant. She kept the divorce settlement as her toddler daughter's college fund. Via her job, she met Everett aka "Big South", a rap legend...  // Everett became a divorcee when his supermodel wife stepped out. He chose to take the blame in media's eye to the sake of their daughter, but that doesn't mean he forgave her. Meeting Jo was a joy, and he was completely fascinated, then shocked upon learning who her ex was a fellow rapper. But Everett is determined to show her that she's exactly what he needs... If she'll ever let him into her heart after her douchebag ex chose to interfere in her life...

Nice and angsty, with good push-pull, and it's clear she's damaged, but NOT physically abused (just had her heart broken, and continually harassed mentally). The two MCs are virtual mirrors of each other, it's kinda uncanny. Good twists and turns. And the dialog and occasional bits of humor were right on the money.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.