Raid by Kristen Ashley

This is my favorite of the Unfinished Hero series -- maybe because Raid is a ex-soldier (and that plays a more significant role in this story) or because Hanna is just so awesome and small-town down to earth? Either way, this is my most re-read and enjoyed out of the whole series.

I love how cute and sweet and Sussie-Home-Maker Hanna is, and I love how big, dangerous, strong, and determined Raid is. Love the family dynamics and the bit of adventure and cameos included. There was also some body-image encouragement/themes included that really, really touched my heart, so maybe that's another reason why this one is special.

Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Oh my goodness! I cannot count anymore how many times I've revisited Carnal with Tate and Laurie! They definitely hold a top 3 position of fav KA books. I can't help but be totally swept away and enthralled in their story every time I crack it open, whether to read the thing cover to cover or revisit favorite scenes.

Tate is awesome in his alpha-ness -- bossy, kinda jerky (but he excels at making that part worth it), but yet, he knows how to protect and provide for his woman. I really connected with Laurie and how she needed to find her special and be herself. The two together are just awesome -- and the world KA wrote around them, I never want to leave - the friends, family, co-workers, the town -- everything!

I'm also very excited and intrigued to get Wood and Maggie's story!!! There's something pretty special there!

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

2014 review
When a girl who isn't a fan of fantasy type books discovers KA wrote a fantasy series and takes a chance, she falls hard! Or maybe, it's because Frey and Finnie were just PERFECT and their story was exactly what I needed to read - fun, adventure, a touch of tears, lots of laughter, and just an easy, long, enjoyable read! I didn't want to leave this world at all!!

2019 audio cover to cover reread.
Ending the year revisiting and falling hard all over again for one of my favorite ever fantasy stories.

The Will by Kristen Ashley

love love LOVE Josie and Jake's story! Add in the awesome kids and poof! My heart is gone!

I adore how Josie and Jake get involved and grow their relationship. Mix in the rest of the crew/town/friends and Jake gettin' all alpha and then his fights? Yup, Jake owns my heart, no doubt!

One of my top fav KA books (shoot, aren't they all almost like that!)

Nov 2019 cover to cover reread. ...... Still absolutely in love with this story. Every emotion felt deep down and bubbled over. Was rereading parts before finishing it up.

Fast Lane by Kristen Ashley

This story stuck with me and gave me quite the hangover, to where I needed some time to process it.

I loved the way it felt like I was watching a VH1 behind-the-music documentary, and how it made me believe the band was really REAL and this wasn't a fictional story I was reading. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold through Jesse's pov/interviews mostly (even if I kinda do wish we'd have gotten to hear more about some of Jesse's personal journey and kinda feel jipped we didn't). Fast Lane kept with KA's usual format, where it was not just a couple's love story, but the band's story and a love story of friends/brothers-of-the-heart. While I do kinda wish we had gotten some more time either interviewing Preacher or getting the story from his pov, I'm not sure if I could have handled always being in Lyla or Preacher's head with some things that happened - so after I got into the rhythm of the story, it totally worked for me hearing it mostly from Jesse.

I hurt (horrifically badly) with some moments, choices, and some aspects of the story (but I'll admit, a few threads did "fit" with the rock'n'roll band part of the story, even if they're things I try to avoid exposure to), to where while I deeply enjoyed the story overall, not sure if I can reread this book (after all my initial rereads the day after I finished just to help process the hangover). Just me personally. :)

I also wish that we've have gotten some lyrics to the songs that the band wrote (although I see that KA has a website for readers to submit lyrics, so... (shrug)) - just felt like that was missing. Not even the entire song, but a few lines would have been a sweet touch. And sometimes I felt kinda overwhelmed with the music choices included... idk.

Another reviewer mentioned it was nice that there was more story and not so much intimate time detailed out (after some of the extremes of several recent releases), and I have to agree, I appreciated that as well. I have pointed out to several people before that some of my favorite KA intimate times ended up being 3-5 lines of innocent words that because of the build up before almost became hotter than the 2-3 pages of details (but there were alot of good longer moments mixed in there too).

Otherwise, Preacher rocked (well, except for a couple of choices/words/events that just.....), Lyla was adorable, Jesse was awesome, and this was quite the book to fall into and experience.

Quiet Man by Kristen Ashley

Overall, I super enjoyed this story. Love the easy, love the strength, love the nuggets of goodness, love the spark and connection, love the attraction and digging in deep, love the cameos and love the love poured out in all the ways!

There was some little things that I wished was more/different that kept me from OTT lovin' this story, but those are simply my wishes/preferences and not everyone elses. And that's okay. Everything else worked, and it was fun to get a new KA book, so it's still a win!

The Slow Burn by Kristen Ashley

I can't even..... just struggling for words. This story, no, this two book series, just shook me. Complete and utter beauty, from page one to the end. Slow Burn came to me at the perfect time when I was needing it. And I know that makes it all the more adored.

I experienced all the feel goods I've come to expect from a KA story - every emotion and heart string was expertly touched.

So much heart, family, love, passion, devotion, respect, compromise, loyalty. So many treasured nuggets of life lessons that I see already reflected in my life story, and others I want to embrace more.

The Hookup and Slow Burn both have treasured pieces of my heart, and a permanent place on my re-read and re-breathe the beauty shelf.

For You by Kristen Ashley

For You by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2019 audio reread

It's been long enough since I last read it, this time it felt familiar, but yet, almost new again to me. And I don't think I could love this book any harder. It's definitely one of my top favorites of KA, and has reminded me why The Burg is still one of my top 3 favorite KA series. I almost wanted to dive back in from the boas soon as I heard the last words.

*****

The Burg series is one of my top fav KA series - with Colt and Feb's story staying super close to my heart!

Getting to be a part of Colt and Feb's 2nd chance at love was a mind-blowing trip! The drama, the suspense, the conversations, the emotions, the intimate moments - all of it put together was amazing. I've yet to meet a KA couple who didn't make me fall in love with their story and *feel* deep down every emotion from the highest highs to the lowest lows right along with them.

Rereading this story fully for the 2nd time made me fall even more in love with Colt and Feb. I was able to pick up on and understand things better, why they did/felt the way they did.

Kristen Ashley is an amazing story teller and this is not a book to be missed!

Sommersgate House by Kristen Ashley

Sommersgate House by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2019 audio reread - forgot just how much this story feeds my reader's soul. Loved it, and all the feels it delivered!

~~~~~~~~~~
Giggle -- Here's a story for you:
*slight spoilers are marked out

(from Jan 23, 2015 post to KA)

So I started reading Sommersgate House for the first time this week. I'm not a huge fan of scary ghost stories. Like, I get nightmares and paranoid reactions... It's a mix of sad and funny really. Anyways, I knew I still wanted to try out your ghost series (it's the only books of yours I've got left to read) I read Penmort Castle and absolutely fell in love!! Plus, no nightmares!! Woohoo!! Let's move to the next book. Great start, no worries... I got to the point in Sommersgate where (view spoiler)[Julia starts feeling the cold draft.... (hide spoiler)]Again, ok, I can do this, no problem. Then EEEKKK!! she's (view spoiler)[hearing and seeing a man trying to get in through the bedroom window???? (hide spoiler)]OK so that's a bit scary, but (deep breath in, and out) keep going. It's about midnight, I'm sleepy, but really want to finish the chapter. Just as I turn off the light and roll over, my dogs leap up and start barking!! I sit up fast, look out the window and see (view spoiler)[a shadow of a man with his arms up!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!! Dogs settle, I try to breathe.... And look again. The light across the street is on, shining through the trees in the front yard, which just happen to form this shadowy type figure against the window with the thick trunk and branches. (hide spoiler)]Whew!!! Boy, this book might just get to me. Haha!!! Despite that, I'm gonna keep preserving through. I'm loving the story! Can't wait to see how Douglas convinces Julia to marry him. Besides him just being used to having his orders obeyed. And anyways, if I'm gonna get scared by something, who better to freak out with than a KA alpha?? Haha!! He can handle me!


Needless to say, I adored this story!! Definitely Kristen Ashley's version of scary ghost stories are ones I can enjoy even while totally freaked out! haha!

Loose Ends by Kristen Ashley

Absolutely adored the short story with Joe and Vi -- the little peek into life "today" was perfect.

Deacon and Cassie's short story was the same way!

On my TBR list still is Stars Aligned.

With Everything I Am by Kristen Ashley

(The Three, #2)

I am not a typical paranormal/shifter fan, but since this was KA I was willing to give it a try - and saying I loved Cal and Sonia doesn't even scratch the surface of how much I adored this story! Kristen made me feel every single emotion and got me so hooked I never wanted to see it end!!

(side note: you get to see even more of Cal and Sonia in book 3 and I fell even harder for them there!)

Rock Chick Regret by Kristen Ashley

(Rock Chick, #7)

Hector and Sadie's story is a mix of crazy heartbreaking and super sweet! Loved watching these two get their happily ever after. And as with all Rock Chick books, I adore how everyone is all tied in and we get bits and pieces of the groups' continuing heas.

Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley

(Fantasyland, #4)


Heartbreakingly beautiful and sweet story for both Apollo and Maddie. I loved so much of this, even through all the issues they both had to deal (where I just wanted to shake them) with to find their hea.

The Hookup by Kristen Ashley

(Moonlight and Motor Oil, #1)

Happy sigh!! ....and this book is more proof of why I love KA stories and how treasured they can be, gifting us with all the feels and trademarks KA is known to create and share with us.

Absolutely loved loved LOVED Johnny and Izzy!! They just worked so well together! Johnny was all man, but knew how to communicate, and boy, sure knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to pursue it, once he got his head straight. Izzy was just adorable and cute and if I couldn't be her, I want to be her best friend.

The Hookup flowed easy and seemed to be a more lighter of a read, despite the rocky moments and the depth and the emotions and all the good that was included, which makes this story even better! This is on my fav shelf and will be revisited often!

Sommersgate House by Kristen Ashley

(Ghosts and Reincarnation, #2)


Giggle -- Here's a story for you:

(from Jan 23, 2015 post to KA)

So I started reading Sommersgate House for the first time this week. I'm not a huge fan of scary ghost stories. Like, I get nightmares and paranoid reactions... It's a mix of sad and funny really. Anyways, I knew I still wanted to try out your ghost series (it's the only books of yours I've got left to read) I read Penmort Castle and absolutely fell in love!! Plus, no nightmares!! Woohoo!! Let's move to the next book. Great start, no worries... I got to the point in Sommersgate where Julia starts feeling the cold draft.... Again, ok, I can do this, no problem. Then EEEKKK!! she's hearing and seeing a man trying to get in through the bedroom window???? OK so that's a bit scary, but (deep breath in, and out) keep going. It's about midnight, I'm sleepy, but really want to finish the chapter. Just as I turn off the light and roll over, my dogs leap up and start barking!! I sit up fast, look out the window and see a shadow of a man with his arms up!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!! Dogs settle, I try to breathe.... And look again. The light across the street is on, shining through the trees in the front yard, which just happen to form this shadowy type figure against the window with the thick trunk and branches. Whew!!! Boy, this book might just get to me. Haha!!! Despite that, I'm gonna keep preserving through. I'm loving the story! Can't wait to see how Douglas convinces Julia to marry him. Besides him just being used to having his orders obeyed. And anyways, if I'm gonna get scared by something, who better to freak out with than a KA alpha?? Haha!! He can handle me!


Needless to say, I adored this story!! Definitely Kristen Ashley's version of scary ghost stories are ones I can enjoy even while totally freaked out! haha!

Jagged by Kristen Ashley

(Colorado Mountain, #5)

Enjoyed this story much better the 2nd time than the first. (think I was too jaded from the reviews when this was first released) While I did miss some of the community/world building (shorter story for KA) and this was more based in a neighboring town where you got to see more of the people from The Gamble (instead of Carnal), Ham and his Cookie totally won me over and I fell in love with the big burly man and his woman! So much to smile and swoon and cheer over! Loved how when Ham figured out that Zara was his... that was it. He wasn't going to let her go anymore!

Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley

(Rock Chick 0.5)


Amazingly awesome story for Marcus and Daisy!!! I loved spending the last 2 days (yes, because I didn't want to rush through it, I took 2 days to enjoy it!) I missed some of the length/detail I've enjoyed getting from KA, however, the shorter story didn't fail to still provide all the feels and fuzzies I've come to expect. Watching Marcus handle his Daisy with care and love and see their HEA from beginning to end melted my heart! Loved being in Daisy's head as she's learning all the truths she imparts to the Rock Chicks in the future. And Marcus is so the original Hot Bunch guy - lip twitches and demands to move in asap and all!

Even though this is a prequel of sorts, I think people will enjoy reading it after reading Rock Chicks series and a handful of her other books. There were so many fun cameo appearances packed in from so many places! Reading it first, you may miss some of them.

Law Man by Kristen Ashley

(Dream Man, #3)

After the 2nd and 3rd reads, (which just that I was wanting to reread it says something), Mitch and Mara's story moves much higher up on my list of fav KA books. At first, Mara's constant pushing Mitch away and refusing to believe him kinda irked me, but then other things clicked with me and I found myself in Mara's shoes and her story instantly clicked for me! I loved seeing Mitch insert himself into Mara's life and how they bonded over Billy and Billie. So many sweet moments and of course, the epic-ly beautiful epilogue that just makes your heart happy!!

I love the part in Mystery Man how Gwen describes Mitch's name and how it fits him -- still makes me melt because he totally lives up to that!

Wild and Free by Kristen Ashley

(The Three, #3)

Absolutely loved this conclusion to The Three series!!! Getting to meet and fall in love with Abel and Delilah, seeing Lucian and Leah, Callum and Sonia, and seeing Yuri meet his love - every bit of this story was amazing!! I have yet to not experience every emotion when getting lost in a KA world.

I'm not a huge fan of paranormal books - however I highly recommend Kristen's The Three series.

Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley

(Chaos, #1)

Absolutely loved Shy and Tabby's story!! I adored how once they got together, that was it! They knew they were it for each other and they worked through any hurdles they faced, whether it was something that came up between them, or from outside sources. Their devotion and love and passion was beautiful to experience. So many deep feels!!

Loved getting to be in the Chaos world and visit with several favs from Dream Man and Rock Chick series!

I loved them the first time I read this in 2014, and I think I'm even more in love with Shy and Tabby from this latest reread.