Hi there! I’m super excited to share a release day review for a contemporary New Adult military-vet romance from Nichole Chase. I’ve enjoyed FLUKES and THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN, so I couldn’t wait to read BEDMATES, an enemies-to-lovers romance that features the President’s daughter and the VP’s son!
Drop down to check out the review, excerpt and enter the giveaway for a $50 GC!
About the book:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Suddenly Royal comes the first in a sparkling new series about America’s favorite royal—the First Daughter.
Everyone makes mistakes, especially in college. But when you’re the daughter of the President of the United States, any little slip up is a huge embarrassment. Maddie McGuire’s latest error in judgment lands her in police custody, giving the press a field day. Agreeing to do community service as penance and to restore her tattered reputation, Maddie never dreams incredibly good looking but extremely annoying vice president’s son, Jake Simmon, will be along for the ride.
Recently returning from Afghanistan with a life-altering injury, Jake is wrestling with his own demons. He doesn’t have the time or patience to deal with the likes of Maddie. They’re like oil and water and every time they’re together, it’s combustible. But there’s a thin line between love and hate, and it’s not long before their fiery arguments give way to infinitely sexier encounters.
When Jake receives devastating news about the last remaining member of his unit, the darkness he’s resisted for so long begins to overwhelm him. Scared to let anyone close, he pushes Maddie away. But she isn’t about to give up on Jake that easily. Maddie’s fallen for him, and she’ll do anything to keep him from the edge as they both discover that love is a battlefield and there are some fights you just can’t lose.
How about a little taste?
“Have you been crying?” Warm fingers touched my cheek and I jerked in surprise at the sparks that danced through my blood. I couldn’t remember if he had ever touched me except for obligatory dances at celebrations and fund- raisers. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“No, I’m fine.” I stepped out of his reach and rubbed under my eyes. Tearing my gaze from his I leaned over and picked up his cane. “It’s allergies.”
“We’ve known each other too long for you to lie to me.” He let his hand fall back to his side. I handed him the cane and stepped back. “Someone told you that I was on my way, huh? We all know how much you hate me. I’m surprised you didn’t jump out of the window.”
“It was an option.” I rolled my eyes. I guess I wasn’t the only one that remembered our last meeting hadn’t been pleasant. “I also considered hiding in the closet, but was too slow.”
There! Take that, perfect Jake Simmon. I was quick on my feet today.
“So, you know why I’m here.” The way his eyes ran over me as if taking stock was obnoxious.
“I’m your body guard. When the crazy women start running after you, I’m to dive in the way.” And damn if they wouldn’t come running when they saw how he looked all grown up and rough around the edges.
“I’m glad they have a plan.” He scratched his chin. “Getting bombarded with underwear and bras is a health issue.”
“If they got to know you, it wouldn’t be a problem.” I rolled my eyes.
“What does that mean?” His head cocked to the side.
“I thought you lost your leg, not your brain.” My eyes widened, but it was too late to take it back. Why was it that I said the most horrible things around him? Even when we’d been younger I’d had diarrhea of the mouth. Especially around Jake.
He threw his head back and laughed. “I don’t think they’re after my brain, Maddie. Thankfully the part they’re most interested in is still fully functional.”
His lazy smile and sparkling eyes had me swallowing hard.
Heat crept up my neck and I fought to not look away. “Well, good for you.”
My Review:
Madeline is a college senior when she’s apprehended for a foolhardy attempt at releasing scientific lab animals from a pharma company. While being the First Daughter comes with lots of responsibility, perks include getting pulled out of a jam without any real fuss. Well, to make amends she’s “requested” to assist the agency that’s helping returning war veterans get settled state-side. It wouldn’t even be a hardship except she’s working alongside beautiful, broken Jake Simmon, eldest son of Vice President Virginia Simmon. Let’s just say that the VP does not approve of Maddie.
Jake, however, finds Maddie to be even more charming and beautiful than he’d thought before shipping out to Afghanistan. He’s home now, and operating well with his prosthetic leg. He still suffers nightmares from the helicopter crash that claimed all his comrades, save one: Cyrus–who’s adapting to a prosthetic leg and hand, and trying to help raise his growing family. Cyrus and his wife Kyla will move in to the very first home Jake, Maddie, and the team complete building, and Maddie’s all extra-effort. It touches Jake, and he’s finally empowered to do more than watch. Maddie and Jake can’t fight the attraction, but they know they have to keep it somewhat quiet. There are always haters in the weeds, and one of them is Mama VP. She’s used to wielding her political might, and she’s threatened to prevent Maddie from helping out the lab animals, if she doesn’t pass muster.
In the midst of this, we get an unfortunately up-close and personal look into Jake’s PTSD, as well as what plagues Cyrus. Like many in this world, we don’t see the inner darkness shielded by these battle-hardened men. It’s a tragedy, and it breaks something between Jake and Maddie.
I really liked the considerate way that Maddie and Jake build their budding relationship. Maddie’s a sweet girl, who really means well. She wants to fix problems, and save the world–and I’m not going to discuss the whole “release the lab animals” premise, because it’s not a Real World option. Maddie does take advice to heart that enables her to help more than the few local animals that she may have “helped” (it’s my experience as a scientist that such shenanigans are actually far more harmful, but I digress). And she wants to help Jake, and Cyrus + family, but mental illness/depression is a tricky foe.
Jake realizes that his life without Maddie really isn’t as comfortable as it had been before he’d gone and done something ridiculous like fall in love. Some friends reach out and save him from himself, which is really awesome. Jake’s a good guy, and he’s had it rough for a long time, even before his injury. That said, getting help he wants isn’t the easiest for a man whose mother controls so much power. The resolution was very sweet, and the reunion extra spicy. Lincoln bedroom anyone?
For a New Adult romance these two have tons of baggage, but they are strong enough to heft it well. Expect hard truths, dirty talk, sex-filled moments, broken dining tables, and one unsexy incident with mashed potatoes. Also, an HEA.
Interested? You can find BEDMATES on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and BAM.
****GIVEAWAY****
Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a $50 Amazon GC.
Good luck and keep reading my friends!
About the Author:
Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal, The Accidental Assassin, Flukes, The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, The American Royalty Series and several short stories.
Nichole lives in Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, two rescue dogs, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not writing, you may find her reading, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
You can catch up with Nichole on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!
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