Book Review: Tangled Like Us by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Series: Like Us Book #4

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Jane Cobalt is an American princess. The loyal and painfully curious twenty-three-year-old has inherited immense pressure to preserve the Cobalt legacy. But for Jane — sex, love, and life have been a series of royal failures. 

After a friends-with-benefits ended in disaster, she's sworn to a “no sex” hiatus for, well, eternity — and she has no intention of letting anyone in her bed and definitely not her heart. 

Twenty-eight-year-old Thatcher Moretti is painfully professional. As the stern 24/7 bodyguard to Jane, thinking about unbridled sex with his sweet client is a sin. One that he keeps committing. 

But the real act is a hard line he’d never cross. 

When a family member betrays Jane's trust, the media becomes obsessed with matchmaking the perpetually “single” Jane Cobalt and unwanted attention suddenly compromises her safety. 

Thatcher would do anything to protect her, and one solution may level the threats: 

Become the fake boyfriend to an American princess. 

Entwined together with boiling chemistry, new “professional” parameters, and an oath, unsaid feelings threaten to rise and change everything. 

Review

I've been putting off this review for some reason. I think I don't have a lot to say, but I want to write something to support Krista and Becca.

I did really like this story which I expected. But it just wasn't quite a five star read. There isn't anything in particular. Maybe I'm just always comparing the Core 6 books with the Like Us books. LiLo is my OTP and nothing can compare.

This is a fake dating trope which isn't one of my favorites. But this was helped by the fact that Jane and Thatcher own their attraction for one another. A lot of times there's denial and-in my opinion-unnecessary drama. And they do have really good chemistry. And I definitely had to Google something that happened in a sex scene-you read and you learn.

I liked getting to know Thatcher. I know a lot of people disliked him because of the Farrow situation, but I was not one of those people. And I loved the relationship between him and his twin-Banks. I know that meant a lot to Krista and Becca because they are twins and you can tell.

Jane is definitely odd, but she is 100% herself. That is something to admire and I really like seeing a character like that. 

The ending was not what I expected, but I am very happy with it. And I can't wait for the next book. There is no release date yet, but it should be out this year.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Alpha's Like Us by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Series: Like Us Book #3

Format: ebook

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Maverick, know-it-all bodyguard Farrow Keene knows publicly dating American royalty comes with a great cost. Everyone wants a piece of their relationship. And as a protective boyfriend, he’s not here for the malicious hands that grab at their love life and seek to rip them apart. 

But Farrow is confident — he’s confident that he could’ve never prepared for the storm to come.

Keep him safe.

Maximoff Hale isn’t a big fan of change. And to regain the charity CEO position he lost, he agrees to a task that he’s always rejected. One that could uproot his unconventional world. 

But Maximoff is afraid — he’s afraid of the consequences that could destroy his boyfriend and his family. 

Keep him safe.

Changes are on the horizon. 

Big. 

Messy. 

Complicated. 

Changes. 

Maximoff & Farrow will fight for their forever. And with every breath, they promise that their love story won’t end here. 

Review

That was such a wonderful read. I've enjoyed reading about Moffy and Farrow, but with this book I fell in love with them. 

So much happened in this book-for the couple and other characters. And of course, I was incredibly invested in all these characters. Xander and Charlie especially are working their way into my heart.

This is going to have spoilers, because I really just want to fangirl right now.

That proposal scene was so adorable. And it was the perfect exchange for Moffy and Farrow's relationship.

Jane giving Thatcher the silent treatment was perfect. It made their relationship even more unspoken and I need it even more now.

I am becoming a die-hard Lunnally shipper (which is now confirmed). Seeing Luna be changed by a douche bag and then Donnelly's support is just perfect. Plus, I love his love for Wawa.

Lo as a compassionate and caring dad made my heart melt. He can be so self-deprecating, but his is an amazing dad. I just loved that scene with Farrow when they were all on vacation.

This book made me want a story for all the famous kids and the SFO bodyguards. Please buy these books so I can have that in my life.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Lovers Like Us by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Series: Like Us Book #2

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M 

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Twenty-seven-year-old Farrow Keene lives by his actions, and his actions say he’s the best at whatever he does. As a 24/7 bodyguard and the new boyfriend to Maximoff Hale, protecting the headstrong, alpha billionaire has never been more complicated. And one rule can’t be bent: 

Keep your relationship secret from the public. 

Farrow is confident he’s the best man for the job. But a twist in Maximoff’s fast-paced life sticks them with the rest of Security Force Omega and their clients. 

On the road. 

In a sleeper tour bus. 

For four rocky months.

Sexual frustrations, check. Road trip drama, check. Awkward bonding, check. 

But Farrow couldn’t have accounted for a high-risk threat (identity: unknown) that targets Maximoff before the ignition even turns. And it hits Farrow — someone has it out for the guy he loves. 

Every day, Maximoff & Farrow's feelings grow stronger, and together, they'll either sink or swim. 

Review

I already wrote this review and then threw it out. But I will not be silenced-by myself-so here we go again.

Farrow really worked for me here. Moffy is a little hard to connect with because he's so closed off, but Farrow is more accessible. While their alpha personalities are not my favorite (in general) I do like them here. And it is pretty cute to see Moffy's awkwardness about being in a relationship.

Seeing Jane and Moffy's relationship under pressure broke my heart. And that's probably a good thing. It reminds you how destructive fame and the media can be. It also made the small moments of peace they do have all the more sweet. Every time Moffy calls her Janie I can't help but smile.

This book does deal with some serious issues, but it was still very funny. There's a truth or dare scene with the bodyguards that was perfect. Just thinking about it makes me want to reread it. That scene is quintessential Krista and Becca Ritchie. They are great at writing an ensemble cast/scene.

Then, there's Jane and Thatcher. I need their story so bad. I need in Thatcher's head and need this romance like I need to breathe.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Damaged Like Us by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Series: Like Us Book#1

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, M/M

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Maximoff Hale is a force of nature. A ship unwilling to be steered. Headstrong, resilient, and wholly responsible — the twenty-two-year-old alpha billionaire can handle his unconventional life. By noon, lunch can turn into a mob of screaming fans. By two, his face is all over the internet.

Born into one of the most famous families in the country, his celebrity status began at birth.

He is certified American royalty.

When he’s assigned a new 24/7 bodyguard, he comes face-to-face with the worst case scenario: being attached to the tattooed, MMA-trained, Yale graduate who’s known for “going rogue” in the security team — and who fills 1/3 of Maximoff's sexual fantasies.

Twenty-seven-year-old Farrow Keene has one job: protect Maximoff Hale. Flirting, dating, and hot sex falls far, far out of the boundary of his bodyguard duties and into “termination” territory. But when feelings surface, protecting the sexy-as-sin, stubborn celebrity becomes increasingly complicated.

Together, boundaries blur, and being exposed could mean catastrophic consequences for both.

Review

I've been excited for this book since it was announced. And I read it in a day and enjoyed myself. I want to make that clear, because this review may come across a little negative. I stand by the 4-Star rating but wanted to talk more about my "issues".

It's nice to spend time with all the Hales, Meadows, and Cobalts. But I thought this would have mroe of Jane and Sulli. Don't get me wrong, I love Moffy, but I wanted all three of them. I really like his relationship with Jane. Maybe they'll get POVs in future books. And I really like the bodyguards. They're a good addition to this ragtag family/group.

The romance was steamy. I do like Farrow and Moffy together. The Ritchies handled it well but I always feel a little iffy about romances with potential power issues this one.

And I absolutely love how normalized sexuality and LGBTQ lifestyles were. There are still some messed up people in the world, but there's much more acceptance. Hopefully, that's really what our world looks like in the future.

I thought I had more to say, but now I can't remember what those things were. I am excited for the next book to come out though.

Thanks for reading!

Holly