Book Review: Right Wrong Guy (Brightwater #2) by Lia Riley

Right Wrong Guy
Brightwater, #2
by Lia Riley

Release Date:
August 4th, 2014

Publisher:
Avon Impulse

Source:
Publisher via Edelweiss

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Sometimes two wrongs can make a right... 

Bad boy wrangler, Archer Kane, lives fast and loose. Words like responsibility and commitment send him running in the opposite direction. Until a wild Vegas weekend puts him on a collision course with Eden Bankcroft-Kew, a New York heiress running away from her blackmailing fiancé…the morning of her wedding. 

Eden has never understood the big attraction to cowboys. Give her a guy in a tailored suit any day of the week. But now all she can think about is Mr. Rugged Handsome, six-feet of sinfully sexy country charm with a pair of green eyes that keeps her tossing and turning all night long. 

Archer might be the wrong guy for a woman like her, but she's not right in thinking he'll walk away without fighting for her heart. And maybe, just maybe, two wrongs can make a right.

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Brightwater Series on Goodreads:

Our Review of Last First Kiss HERE
Our Review of Best Worst Mistake HERE

Lindy's Thoughts:

I was excited to return to the small town of Brightwater, California.  I adore the Kane family, and their significant others.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that book 1 and book 2 in this series run concurrently in time.  It was great to get reacquainted with Sawyer Kane, Annie Carson, Kit Kane, and my favorite character of all, Grandma Kane. 

Eden "Edie" Bancroft-Kew is a well-to-do Manhattan socialite.  It's Eden's Mother's dying wish for her to marry long time family friend, Reginald "Reggie" Winter.  On her wedding day, Edie, discovers that Reggie is using her for her inheritance.  

After Edie meets a handsome cowboy, by the name of Archer Kane, her life is transformed.  She discovers that Archer is from the small town of Brightwater California, which is where her first cousin, Quincy, currently resides.  On a whim, Edie hitches a ride with Archer, and decides to take control of her life's happiness.  She will open her own high quality coffee and pastry shop.  

As far as romance is concerned, Edie is extremely attracted to Archer, but she is hearing rumors about his womanizing ways.  She doesn't think that she can trust her gut after being betrayed by her ex-fiancee.  Another conundrum arises when Reggie begins blackmailing Eddie.  Can she find peace and happiness in Brightwater?

Right Wrong Guy was a sweet, warm, charming, and romantic love story.  I enjoyed the characters, and love the sense of humor that Ms. Riley has created in Grandma Kane.  I loved this small town romance, and it was a great read to savor on a cold night, under the covers.  These characters warmed my heart, and brought many smiles to my face.  My only critique of this story would be that it was difficult to buy in to the way Archer Kane went from a philanderer to a one-woman kind of man so quickly.  However, he does tell us that he is tired of his fast-paced lifestyle, and wants a more meaningful relationship with a woman.  Then again, this is the day after he has a threesome in Las Vegas.

If you enjoy small town romance, the Brightwater Series is wonderful.  All of these characters are warm, fun, have colorful personalities, and give us readers great romance!  These stories give off a meaningful sense of family, close friendships, and community.  

Rating:

I give, Right Wrong Guy, by Lia Riley, 3.5 Heartwarming, Seductive Sexy Times, and Fun Filled Stars! 

Mikki's Review:

The second installment of Lia Riley's Brightwater Series, Right Wrong Guy, was a wonderful, sweet and enjoyable reading escape! If you are a fan of small town romance you definitely want to add this series on your TBR list. These books are perfect if you are looking for a sweet romance with a dash of spice.

What I like about this series is that the characters are real, the stories always captivating and the romance is always heart-melting. It's very easy to relate to these characters and you won't be able to resist cheering for their HEA. They all have a little something that will catch your attention. Especially grandma Kane. Oh my world!!! I love this little lady!! She can be moody, but God is she entertaining!!!

One-night stands are easy and require no commitment. The last thing Archer Kane is looking for is a long-term relationship. Until Eden Bankcroft-Kew walks into his life. In Sin City he meets the woman that will change his life forever. Eden is having the worst day of her life. A lying fiancé sends her running away straight into Archer's arms. When she meets him, she has no doubt that this sexy cowboy is trouble. The kind of trouble you want to meet. As days go by, their feelings for each other grow. Archer is ready to put his past behind and start a new journey with Eden. Will is reputation bring trouble in paradise? If it does, will Archer be able to win Eden's heart?

I had not problem connecting with Eden and Archer. Their chemistry was pretty strong. What I had a hard time with, is Archer's manwhore ways. Before meeting Eden, there was a never ending amount of ladies in his bed. There is no doubt in my mind that he was ready to find ''The One'', but it was almost an insta-love kind of thing with Eden. There is nothing wrong with that. I just wanted a slow building romance between these two. 

What I love about small town romance novels, is that you get to revisit all your favorite characters. I was happy to see familiar faces. My favorite one would be grandma Kane. She is hilarious and I guarantee that you will love her just as much as I do! This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend the rest of the books in this series as well. They are the perfect reading escape when you want a great romance story with a little bit of drama.

Rating:

I give Right Wrong Guy, by Lia Riley, 3.5 enjoyable, sweet, romantic, fun stars!

About the Author:

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. 

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

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Blog Tour: Best Worst Mistake (Brightwater #3) by Lia Riley

Best Worst Mistake
Brightwater #3

By:
Lia Riley

Release Date:
Oct. 20, 2015

Publisher:
Avon Impulse

Source:
eARC from publisher in exchange for a honest review

Add to
Goodreads

GR's Summary:

Sometimes the worst mistakes turn out to be the best… 

Smoke jumper Wilder Kane once reveled in the rush from putting out dangerous wildfires. But after a tragic accident, he’s cut himself off from the world, refusing to leave his isolated cabin. When a headstrong beauty bursts in, Wilder finds himself craving the fire she ignites in him, but letting anyone near his darkness would be a mistake. 

After her Hollywood life went up in smoke, Quinn Higsby decided to leave Tinseltown behind and return to Brightwater to care for her ailing father. She spends her days in a small bookstore, until her peaceful existence is up-ended by a fascinating but damaged man. Quinn is determined not to be scared off by Wilder, not once she’s experienced the heat of his passions. 

But when an arsonist targets the community and Wilder is accused, he must confront the ghosts of his past. Will his desire for Quinn burn him up or will he be able to tame the wildness inside and rekindle a hope for their future?

Brightwater Series:
Our Review of Last First Kiss Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

Lindy's Thoughts:

Out of all of the fairytales that I have read, Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite.  Being a bookworm myself, Belle, has always been a character that I related to, and felt like she could be my identical twin.  I loved "The Beast," and that for all of his gruff ways, he had a heart of gold.  So to say that I was excited to learn that Best Worst Mistake was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, would be a gross understatement.

This retelling is true to the essence of Beauty and the Beast.  Quinn Higsby is our modern day Belle.  She has a passion for books the rivals my own.  She works in a book store, and loves her job.  Quinn is friendly, sweet, modest despite her beauty, and has a great deal of depth to her character.  

Next, we have our modern day "Beast," Wilder Kane.  Gruff, surly, weary, rough around the edges, and lacking in manners at times, he was the perfect Beast.  Kane used to be a 'Smoke Jumper,' and routinely risked his life to put out fires, and save lives.  His career was a form of redemption for him.  Unfortunately, A horrible and tragic accident, leaves Wilder with horrific scars and complete numbness in his hands, and a prosthetic leg.  Wilder returns to Brightwater as a recluse, never leaving his home.  However, serendipitous events, lead Quinn to him.

Quinn and Wilder share an immediate chemistry.  Wilder thinks she is beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted.  However, why would such a beauty go for a man like him?  Quinn see's the loneliness and despair that Wilder tries to hide.  As she gets to know him, she isn't afraid to call him on his poor manners, and challenge him.  Wilder loves that Quinn doesn't treat him with fear or pity, like everyone else does.  Unfortunately, we have our very own "Gaston," in this story who is an arrogant and pompous fool and continually causes problems.  Great challenges arise in both Quinn and Wilder's lives.  Will they be able to find happiness among the ashes? 

Best Worst Mistake was an emotional read.  I empathized with Wilder.  The way that he felt unappealing, and like half a man broke my heart.  His plight brought me to tears.  As I read this story, I savored every page.  Time passed quickly, and I became completely enraptured by the breathtaking love that Wilder and Quinn found in each others arms. 

My Rating:

I give, Best Worst Mistake, by Lia Riley, 4 Surly, Sweet, and Sexy Filled Stars!  Love Heals, and transforms this couple, and gives us a beautiful love story.  It can be read as a standalone, as well as part of the series.  If you love Beauty and the Beast, you have to read, Best Worst Mistake!!!

Mikki's Review:

I have been following Lia Riley's Brightwater series from the very beginning. I have fallen in love with each of her characters, but I must admit that Quinn and Wilder take the top spot in my heart. Beauty and the Beast is my ultimate favorite Disney story and I was happy to find out that this book had many similarities to that story.

In Best Worst Mistake, we meet Quinn Higsby and Wilder Kane. When bookworm Quinn meets the mysterious W. Kane for the first time, she is shocked. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that the person placing book orders, at the bookstore she works at, would be a man that both leaves her breathless and confused. Wilder is an enigma to Quinn, but she is determined to break down his walls. The more time they spend together, the more Wilder opens up about his past. Quinn has personal problems of her own, but she's ready to give in to her feeling for Wilder. Will it be her best worst mistake?

Quinn and Wilder are absolutely adorable together!! Quinn has a bubbly personality that will always leave a smile on your face and Wilder's heart of gold that is hiding behind all that stubbornness will make you swoon. These two characters could not be any more different, but together they make the most interesting of couple! 

This couple both had personal difficulties to overcome during their journey. The more time they spent together, the more their connection grew into something more. Wilder had a lot of guilt from something that happened in his past. It broke my heart to read his story, but I was happy that he found his HEA with his very own Belle. Quinn always fights for what she wants. She made big changes in her life and from the moment that she met Wilder, she knew there was something special about him. 

I was happy to reconnect with the characters from the previous books. Especially with grandma Kane :) She's one of a kind and I would not change her personality for anything in the world! Her involvement in each of the stories made them that more special. If you are looking for a book that delivers all the feels of a beautiful fairytale with a wonderful HEA, this is the book for you!

My Rating:

I give Best Worst Mistake, by Lia Riley, 4 heart-melting, page-turning, charming stars!

Book Teaser:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About Lia Riley: 

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.



A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

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Giveaway:

(Five Winners will receive a Digital Download for RIGHT WRONG GUY, Brightwater Book Two)

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Book Review: Last First Kiss (Brightwater #1) by Lia Riley

Last First Kiss
Brightwater, #1
by Lia Riley

Release Date:
June 23rd, 2015

Publisher:
Avon Impulse

Source:
Publisher

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

A kiss is only the beginning...

Pinterest Perfect. Or so Annie Carson’s life appears on her popular blog. Reality is... messier. Especially when it lands her back in one-cow town, Brightwater, California, and back in the path of the gorgeous six-foot-four reason she left. 

Sawyer Kane may fill out those wranglers, but she won’t be distracted from her task. Annie just needs the summer to spruce up and sell her family’s farm so she and her young son can start a new life in the big city. Simple, easy, perfect. Sawyer has always regretted letting the first girl he loved slip away. He won’t make the same mistake twice, but can he convince beautiful, wary Annie to trust her heart again when she’s been given every reason not to? And as a single kiss turns to so much more, can Annie give up her idea of perfect for a forever that’s blissfully real.

Purchase links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Brightwater Series on Goodreads:

Lindy's Thoughts:

Last First Kiss is the first story that I've read by Lia Riley.  My co-blogger, Mikki, really enjoyed her Off the Map Series, and I was really excited to get the opportunity to read a story by her.  Myself and Mikki tend to have similar taste in books, so for the most part if she enjoys a book, I usually will as well.

First Kiss an adorable, sweet, and heartwarming story about a second chance at love.  Annie is recently divorced, and has a five year old son.  She was devastated when her husband, Gregor, left her for a much younger woman.  Annie's father is getting ready to sell the family ranch in Brightwater, California.  So, Annie offers to fix it up and get it ready to be put on the market.  Afterwards, she plans on moving to San Francisco, so that she can be close to her sister, Claire.  

While she's in Brightwater, she runs in to her first crush; sexy, attentive, and caring, Sawyer Kane, sheriff of Brightwater.  Sawyer has always regretted the way things ended with Annie.  Now is his second chance to be reunited with the one woman he could never get out of his mind.  Will Sawyer be able to convince Anne to change her plans and stay in Brightwater?

I loved Last First Kiss.  The romance was perfectly paced.  Sawyer became Annie's friend, and also embraced her son.  He didn't want to rush her, and was a very patient man.  The attraction between these two characters was there from the very beginning, but it grew in intensity as these two got to know one another all over again, and rediscover the feelings that they once had for one another as teenagers.  

I loved Annie.  She was very likeable as well as relatable.  She ran her own blog, and we even get short little excerpts from it that help guide the story.  Annie put her son first, and I could relate to her, being a mother myself.  She was the kind of person that was friendly, caring, and put her own needs last.  Sawyer was a top notch "nice" guy.  He loved the town of Brightwater, and enjoyed being of service.  He was very giving, without expecting anything in return.  Sawyer was a gentleman.  He was gallant, and knew how to treat a woman.  He also had a very sexy, take charge personality when it came to intimacy.

This story was hopeful and light-hearted.  The more I read, the more that I didn't want to put the book down.  It just kept getting better and better.  It was such a feel-good story, with all of the awesome 'feels' that I enjoy reading in a romance!

Rating:

I give, Last First Kiss, by Lia Riley, 4 Light-Hearted, Swoon-worthy Devotion, Sweet Adoration Filled Stars!  I'm looking forward to reading, Right Wrong Guy, next!  This will be Sawyer's younger brother Archer's story. 

Mikki's Review:

Last First Kiss is the first installment of Lia Riley's new series, Brightwater. I was really excited when I found out that she was writing a new series. I absolutely loved her Off the Map series. I can't really compare the two series since the genre is different. Off the Map is NA and Brightwater is Adult. The one thing that both series have in common is the fantastic writing style! Like always I got hooked from the first pages! It's easy to relate to the main characters and that is really important to me.

Annie and Sawyer fell for each other as teens, but things did not work out between them and Annie left Brightwater with a broken heart. Years later, she comes back to her hometown to sell the family farm. The feud between the Carson and Kane family is still pretty much alive and she feels it. Her life is a mess at the moment and it becomes even more complicated when Sawyer Kane comes back in her life. She has never forgotten her first love and seeing him again turns her world upside down. When Sawyer learns that Annie is back in town, he is determined to do whatever it takes to get a second chance. As days go by, Annie and Sawyer get close again, but will the family feud that has been going for years come between them?

Last First Kiss was everything I was expecting it to be! It was sweet, fun and heart melting. The author did a fantastic job with the main characters. I really connected with both of them from the beginning of this reading escape. I was rooting for them to find the HEA that they both deserved. This second chance at love romance will make you wish you were a part of the small town of Brightwater. I loved that Annie was not a perfect heroine. Her life may be perfect on her blog, but the person that hides behind the blogger is a single mom that is trying to find herself. Annie made mistakes, but she learned from them. She was determined to step out of her comfort zone and give her life in Brightwater a chance.

Sawyer was the perfect gentlemen! He took such good care of Annie and her son. He was determined to make things right and he slowly made Annie fall in love with him all over again. He knew that she still had feelings for him, but she was scared of what she was feeling. Everything he did to make her life easier made me swoon. He's a keeper!!! What I loved as well is his relationship with his grandmother. Grandma Kane is a tough cookie and I really hope we get to see more of her in the next books.

Annie and Sawyer's love story was beautiful. Their relationship was rocky at the beginning, but the more time they spent together, the more they grew closer. No family feud could keep these two apart. They are simply meant to be! If you are a fan of small town romance and second chance at love, Last First Kiss is exactly the kind of book you are going to love! I'm really excited for the next books in this series. Sawyer's brothers will get their own book and Archer is up next! I can't wait to read his book! I really liked him in Last First Kiss.

Rating:

I give Last First Kiss, by Lia Riley, 4 swoony, sweet, heart melting stars!

About the Author:

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. 

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

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