New Release Review: Let Your Hair Down by Rachel Lacey

Let Your Hair Down

Almost Royal Book 3

By Rachel Lacey

Release Date: August 27, 2019

THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Ruby Keller is going rogue, or at least that’s the hashtag she’s using to document her vacation: #RubyGoesRogue. Illness kept her confined to her bedroom for much of her childhood, and as a result, she’s always played it safe, hiding behind her laptop and overanalyzing every decision. When a friend’s wedding takes her to London, she decides to push herself out of her comfort zone and take an uncharted adventure on her own...no laptop, no itinerary, and no one to get in her way. A chance run-in with a handsome British stranger was definitely not on the agenda…

Flynn Bowen travels the globe for his family’s chain of upscale hotels and resorts. He’s struggled to find his place within the business, so when his parents allow him to oversee the construction of a new location in Dubai, he’s determined not to let them down. When he meets Ruby, he’s enchanted by her passion and bravery, not to mention the chemistry between them. If circumstances were different, he could fall for this vivacious American beauty, but fate has only given them one magical day together. Can they find a way to grab their chance at love, or will geography—and their own inhibitions—tear them apart?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

My review: 5 stars!
The Almost Royal series has been such a fun series and Let Your Hair Down was a fantastic way to wrap it up! Ruby is a bit of an introvert and it was so fun to see her on her adventures with Brit Flynn in London. I swooned as he took such good care of her during her bout with pneumonia. It was great to see the rest of the Almost Royal characters and see them all get their HEA. Whatever Rachel Lacey has planned next, it will be going on my TBR!

New Release Review: Once Upon a Cowboy by Rachel Lacey

Once Upon a Cowboy

Almost Royal Book 2

by Rachel Lacey

Release Date: July 2, 2019

A TALE AS OLD AS TIME

Megan Perl went from beauty to beast when a car accident left her permanently scarred. Before, Megan was outgoing and vivacious, always with a man at her side. Now? She spends more time behind a camera than in front of it. She’s ready to turn her hobby into something more by offering photography sessions at the castle where she works. This year is dedicated to her career, not men. If only she wasn’t so crazy-attracted to the cowboy who’s renting the stable on the castle grounds…

Jake Reardon is no stranger to tragedy. After a fall left his bride in a coma on their wedding day, he was forced to watch her slowly fade away in a hospital bed. Now, he finds himself in the unwelcome position of virgin widower. At Rosemont Castle, he can finally focus on establishing his career as a horse trainer. The only problem is that his new landlady makes him hotter than the Virginia sun.

Sparks fly every time Jake and Megan cross paths, but there’s no way he’s going to lose his virginity with the woman who manages the property he’s leasing. As their attraction grows, though, so do their emotions. Jake carries his scars inside, but Megan has to wear hers for the world to see. Can love heal their wounds, or will it tear them apart?

My review: 5 stars!

Oh wow- I loved this book so much! I loved the first book in the Almost Royal series, If the Shoe Fits, for so many reasons, but one part I loved was that the trio of girls in the book running the inn also run an organization called Fairy Tales where they place interested inn guests with rescue pets. I was so happy to see this carried forward into Once Upon a Cowboy and even expanded upon- with horses! Main characters Megan and Jake both have scars- Megan's scars are on her face from a recent car accident, and Jake's scars are inside, a result of the loss of his bride. I loved their friendship and they had amazing chemistry! Although both characters have heavy issues, author Lacey deals with them in such a fantastic way- this is actually a very uplifting and positive read. The trio of girls have such a great, healthy friendship that's fun to read about. I am looking forward to the next book in the series for sure. 

BUY IT NOW:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

~~BONUS MATERIAL!~~
Read the first chapter here!
View the Pinterest inspiration board

New Release Review: My Gift is You by Rachel Lacey

My Gift is You by Rachel Lacey

A Risking It All Short Story

SOMETIMES THE BEST GIFTS CAN’T BE WRAPPED

All Mandy Carson wants for Christmas is a distraction…and maybe a date to her friend’s New Year’s Eve wedding. Ghosts from the past always loom larger this time of year, and Mandy’s having a hard time faking her usual fun-loving demeanor. But when her much-needed distraction arrives in the form of the man who rocked her world the long-ago night of their junior prom, she’s forced to confront the painful scars that caused her to bolt back in high school.

Wildlife rescuer Calvin Rocha always regretted letting Mandy slip out of his life, so when fate brings them together on a snowy mountain road with an injured hawk on Christmas Eve, he’s determined to make the most of this second chance. He agrees to be her wedding date, hoping the romantic weekend will bring them back together. And as the clock counts down to midnight, Cal and Mandy might just discover that the best gift they’ll receive this season is each other.

My review: 5 stars!

This short story is SO FUN and it totally put me in the holiday spirit! (The Hallmark movies I am watching in the evenings isn't hurting!) Second chance romances are always a favorite for me, and I loved Cal and Mandy together. I have really enjoyed the Risking It All series and this novella was a fun way to wrap it up. I am also loving the Almost Royal series, and love the crossover. HOWEVER, this novella, or any of the books in either series, can totally standalone, so I absolutely recommending grabbing My Gift is You even if Rachel Lacey is new to you!

I LOVE these fun facts about the book from Rachel Lacey:

• This is my first holiday novella!
• It wraps up my Risking It All series
• It also crosses over into my new Almost Royal series, so you'll get to see LOTS of familiar faces
• It's set during Sam and Carly's wedding (you met them in Rock With You)
• Both Mandy and Cal (the heroine and hero of My Gift is You) are familiar faces from my Risking It All series - who remembers them??
• Like all the books in my Risking It All series, the title is also a song (ending in the word "you") I got to pay homage to some of my favorite pop divas in this series: Whitney Houston (Run to You), Madonna (Crazy for You), Gloria Estefan (Can't Forget You), and now Gwen Stefani with My Gift is You!
• Like all my books, it stands alone, so if you haven't read the books mentioned above, no worries!
• It can be yours for just 99 cents! (so what are you waiting for??) ;)

Amazon US / UK / Can ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play

ebook purchased by me on release day

New Release Review: If the Shoe Fits by Rachel Lacey

 If the Shoe Fits

Almost Royal #1

by Rachel Lacey

Release Date: October 2, 2018

NOT ALL FAIRYTALES END AT MIDNIGHT

Elle Davenport is no princess—she just dresses up as one for her job at a local theme park. But when she gets the call that she’s won a contest to live and work at a real-life castle in Virginia, she finally feels like she’s found her calling. If she’s successful, her venture could become permanent, and that sounds like Elle’s idea of the perfect modern-day fairytale. There’s only one problem: the castle’s grumpy—and sexy—new owner wants her gone as soon as possible.

Theo Langdon never imagined he’d inherit the title of Earl of Highcastle so young. With his grandfather’s recent death, he needs to sell Rosemont Castle so he can return to London. If only he wasn’t butting heads with the vivacious new property manager at every corner. Although he’s got a life waiting for him in London, Rosemont Castle suddenly feels a lot like home, thanks to Elle. As the clock winds down on her time at the castle, he’ll have to reconcile his obligations in London with the American woman who’s stolen his heart.

My review: 4.5 stars!

I discovered Rachel Lacey last year and loved her Risking It All series, so I absolutely looked forward to the first book in her new Almost Royal series, If the Shoe Fits. Take a royal romance, add in animal rescue and a spin on the Cinderella story, and I was hooked. Theo and Elle had fantastic chemistry and fun banter. Elle's friends were great characters too and I am looking forward to their stories. Fun fun fun!