Title: Kissing Madeline (Dearest Series, #3)
by Lex Martin
Date of Publication: April 27th 2015
Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance
Cover Design by Krista Ritchie
Synopsis:
What’s the worst thing about wanting a sexy NFL football player? Everyone else wants him, too.Review:
After catching my boyfriend getting deep-throated by a skanky cage girl, I’ve learned my lesson – never date a professional athlete. Never. Besides, I have more important things to worry about, like not blowing my shot to make it as a broadcast reporter. I won’t let anything get in my way, not even the new “it boy” of the NFL and my hot-as-hell neighbor.
What's the worst thing about getting death glares from his new neighbor? It doesn't make him want her any less.
I’ve worked my ass off to make it to the pros. The last thing I need is the complication of a relationship, especially since my last one was a total train wreck. But I can’t stop thinking about the feisty girl next door with the smart mouth. And I’d love nothing more than to show her what to do with that mouth.
Friends with benefits might be the best idea he’s ever had. Or the worst.
Kissing Madeline is a companion novel to DEAREST CLEMENTINE and FINDING DANDELION. Each book is a stand-alone.
Kissing Madeline is one of my most anticipated NA reads this year so I would like to thank Lex Martin for providing a review copy. It has not, in any way, influenced my thoughts about this book. (Note: The quote/s included in this review came from an ARC)
“Everyone has a baggage, Daren. It’s learning not to make the same mistake that matters.”
If you have been following the Dearest series since the first book, you would know that Daren Sloan was a cheating d-bag in the first book. Knowing that, it was hard to imagine that a cheater might find his happy ever after. But let me tell you this: I was instantly hooked up and reeled in by his character.
My first description of him might have been a little too harsh (though it’s the truth) because Daren made peace with Clementine and has been helpful with the problems she encountered back in the first book. Turns out, he really is a good guy. Focused, determined and, yep, incredibly sweet, Daren made me fall in love with him right away. I loved how Lex first introduced him to us as a not-so-good guy because here, I really saw his character development and his true personality in a different light. In relation with the quote I’ve included above, Daren really proved to Maddie that she can trust him not to cheat on her even if he’s an athlete like Maddie’s ex who did that to her.
We have also met Maddie in the first book and she and Daren already met there, too. We saw Maddie there as a no-nonsense broadcaster when she interviewed Clementine but also a good friend when they went out later. I can really relate with Maddie because she’s a broadcast journalist much like me (in three years, hopefully) and I know the harsh environment of mass media. Maddie does, too and that’s why I really admired her because she’s really dedicated to her chosen career and it trumps (almost) everything. Why almost? Well, of course if you catch the love bug or get shot by Cupid’s arrow, you can’t really do anything to stop the results, can you? Anyway, I really loved how Maddie stands by what she said. That line he said to Daren that I’ve written above? She didn’t hesitate to let him know that she really wouldn’t make the mistake of being with a cheater. You’ll know how when you read the book.
And ladies, I really think you might really, REALLY enjoy the Epilogue. *winks*
With all of that said, I guess it’s pretty evident that I love this book. Actually, I love the whole series. It’s one of the best New Adult Contemporary books I’ve ever read and I’m so glad that I stumbled upon Dearest Clementine while browsing books on Goodreads almost a year ago because if I hadn’t, I would have really missed a huge part of an awesome reading experience. I’m not asking you to read this, guys, I’m telling you to. Dearest Clementine, Finding Dandelion, and Kissing Madeline are not just awesome books, they’re also written by a very awesome author.
5/5 Dearest Stars
Check out the first two books in the series
Dearest Clementine (Dearest Series, #1)
Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Paperback
Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.
Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.
Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.
As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.
Finding Dandelion (Dearest Series, #2)
When soccer all-star Jax Avery collides with Dani Hart on his twenty-first birthday, their connection is instantaneous and explosive. For the first time in years, Jax isn’t interested in his usual hit-it and quit-it approach.But Dani knows better. Allowing herself a night to be carefree and feel the intensity of their attraction won’t change anything when it comes to dealing with a player. So when Jax doesn’t recognize Dani the next time he sees her, it shouldn’t be a total shock. The fact that he’s her new roommate’s brother? That’s a shock.
Dani doesn’t regret that night with Jax, just the need to lie about it. Since her roommate has made it clear what she thinks about her brother’s “type” of girl, the last thing Dani wants is to admit what happened.
Jax knows he’s walking a fine line on the soccer team. One more misstep and he’s off the roster, his plans to go pro be damned. Except he can’t seem to care. About anything… except for the one girl who keeps invading his dreams.
Despite Jax’s fuzzy memory of his hot hookup with his sister’s friend, he can’t stay away from her, even if that means breaking his own rules. But there are bigger forces at work–realities that can end Dani’s college career and lies that can tear them apart.
Jax realizes what he’s losing if Dani walks away, but will he sacrifice his future to be with her? And will she let him if he does?
About the Author
Lex Martin writes new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she's not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher. She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, she's lived all over the country but currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.
Love,
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