ARC Review: Roman Holiday #5: Ignited by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: December 9, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
58 Pages

Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, resumes in Episode 5. While Ashley’s home and Roman’s career hang in the balance, new temptations flash like fireflies in the night sky.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Ignited finds Roman and Ashley still on their roadtrip and still battling their feelings for one another. Here we find our pair in the campgrounds of Pennsylvania where we meet Stanley and Michael, brothers who used to vacation at Sunnyvale. And my, aren't they an interesting pair.

Roman and Ashely are still at each others throats, but in a more toned down version. I feel like in this installment, we finally get communication between the two. While I still am not a huge fan of Ashley or how she manipulates Roman, at least here, we finally start to see that Roman may not be much of a prisoner as it seems.

Here we see the walls start to break down. Roman starts to see the cracks in Ashley's persona. And for this I am grateful. As a reader, Ashley was very hard to sympathize with and I often felt like Roman, only seeing the outside and her ridiculous ideals. Roman himself also opens up a bit here. And piece by piece you can see the walls crumbling.

With the addition of Stanley on their roadtrip though, I'm not sure how much more sharing will be happening. Hopefully these two will sit down and have a real conversation soon so that they can begin to work together and come to a common agreement. 

I received an e-copy of this novel for my honest opinion and review from the publisher via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday #4: Ravaged by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: December 2, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
54 Pages

As the road trip up the Eastern Seaboard continues in Episode 4 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, sparks are flying—but Ashley and Roman are farther than ever from seeing eye-to-eye about what matters most.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

In the fourth installment of Roman Holiday, our crazy couple find themselves at the first stop along Sunnyvale memory lane. While Ashley is hoping to show Roman what a gem Sunnyvale is and how much it means to people, she underestimates Roman's knack of reading people. Emotions are getting high, tempers simmering below surfaces, and passion just waiting to escape.

I feel like in this one, while I'm still not loving Ashely's childish behavior, I am understanding her more. And I do feel bad for her, but I also wish that she would own up to what's going on and try to cope. She spends all her energy on trying to make Roman see things from her angle, that she doesn't even take time to see where he's coming from.

And then there's Roman. Oh, I do feel bad for him, but at the same time, he's letting himself be dragged all over the South. If he really wanted to, he could just go back to Florida and tear down Sunnyvale. But instead he's giving into Ashley's crazy whims.

These two are both so messed up that it's a miracle any of them can actually function. While they finally give into one feeling in this installment, I think they need to connect on a different level if any progress is going to be made.

I received an e-copy of this novel for my honest opinion and review from the publisher via Netgalley. 

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 3: Blindsided by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: November 25, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
50 Pages

In Episode 3 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, Ashley has led Roman across state lines in an attempt to save her home. And he’s about to learn just how wily this wild child can be.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Here's what I don't like about serializations. Imagine this scenario:

Oh, I'm just here reading and loving this super awesome book. It's so good. I never want to stop reading it because that's how good it is. I can't wait for the UST to end, and for these two characters to crack and finally DO IT. That's what I'm living my life for right now. Just waiting for these characters to have crazy monkey sex.

…Wait…

What….

No…

THAT'S THE END?

BUT

I NEED MORE.

THIS IS NOT OKAY.

WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?

And that's the point I'm at, folks. Don't get me wrong, I think this is going wonderfully so far and I'm enjoying it immensely. But I have an addiction to Ruthie's master storytelling and so I never want to finish. The fact that these end is a really problem.

In all seriousness, though, the adventure that Knox has sent us on still does nothing but entertain. I am really loving the originality of this story, and its characters. Of all of the romances I've read, I've never seen any plots as original as this author's. Where she gets her ideas, I'll never know, but she has great ones that she writes extremely well. Never have I had so much fun reading a contemporary romance as when I'm reading Ruthie Knox's work. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Roman Holiday: Blindsided is a great installment in what has been a great novel thus far. The plot moves at a great pace that won't bore or confuse its readers, and has some characters that you can't help but love!

Roman and Ashley continue to make me laugh, and frustrate me in this episode. I am so ready for Roman to just crack. There is so much sexual tension building between the two that when it explodes, the outcome will be one of the storybooks. (I'm fanning myself now just thinking about it.) Ashley continues to persevere though Roman refuses to give in and leave her beloved Sunnyvale alone. As we learn more about these two, I fall deeper in love. They are flawed, and have traumatizing pasts that they can't seem to leave there. There histories are so interesting, and I've become completely enamored. The minor characters in Roman Holiday: Blindsided were fantastic additions. Mitzi's schemes had me in fits. She's my kind of woman. She and Ashley make for a real piece of work, and I'm personally glad that I'm not the one at the receiving end. (Poor Roman.)

I'm sure it comes as no surprise when I say that I can't wait for the next installment. These "episodes" have been a blast so far, and I can't wait to see where Knox leads Roman and Ashley. Roman Holiday really is the adventure of a lifetime that I think everyone should read!

I received an e-copy of this novel for my honest opinion and review from the publisher via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 3: Blindsided by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release date: November 25, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
50 Pages

In Episode 3 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, Ashley has led Roman across state lines in an attempt to save her home. And he’s about to learn just how wily this wild child can be.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook.

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble.

Our duo finally made it to Georgia. And poor Roman. I'm pretty sure when he offered to take Ashley to her friends, this wasn't what he expected. Now, he's stuck in hippie town staying on a swamp with people who keep alligators as pets. Then there's Ashley, who scheming ways have now expanded to include her grandmother's best friend. She's so hell bent on saving this property that she can't see anything else.

We also meet Carmen in this installment. While Roman is stuck in swampland, Carmen is down in Florida trying to figure out what the hold up is. She meets Noah, Roman's foreman. And not going to lie, I felt some sparks between the two of them. So I'm very interested in where the Roman/Carmen/Noah situation will end up.

My question is, am I the only one who is getting really annoyed with Ashely? I understand her intentions behind her actions, but she is really acting like a spoiled, petulant child. This was the first installment where I really just wanted Roman to ditch her ass in the swamp and go home.

Still, I really enjoy Knox's writing. It's fun and the serialized format works well for this story. I look forward to the next installment.

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 2: Hitched by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: Novemeber 18, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
50 Pages

Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, continues in Episode 2, as Ashley and Roman flee an oncoming hurricane by hitting the highway—only to encounter some outrageous bumps in the road.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook.

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

In Roman Holiday 1: Chained we met our main characters Ashley and Roman. In Roman Holiday 2: Hitched we set off on a road trip with them through Florida up to the swamplands of Georgia. This being a serialized novel, we are getting little glimpses of each person as the series continues. The pace is very realistic and refreshing that there wasn’t insta-love that often appears in most romance novels. 

I find Roman to be the most intriguing character of the two. He’s so quiet and controlled that you just know something happened in his past to make him this way. There are times when his put-together façade comes extremely close to crumbling, but he’s always managed to reign it back in (so far). He is showing some insane amount of patience with Ashley, who doesn’t even tell him where he’s taking her – just that it’s a drive. 

Ashley…is interesting? Parts of her I love – her sassiness, how she won’t back down from what she believes in. But then there’s other parts that are starting to make me cringe a little. I am very curious as to how the author is going to put these two together. Right now, they tolerate each other for a separate goal but you can definitely feel the underlying attraction there. 

Another solid installment and I look forward to the next one. 

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 2: Hitched by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: November 18, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
50 Pages


Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, continues in Episode 2, as Ashley and Roman flee an oncoming hurricane by hitting the highway—only to encounter some outrageous bumps in the road.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

If I was expecting anything but wonderfulness from the second part of Ruthie Knox's Roman Holiday serialization, Roman Holiday 2: Hitched, I would be shamed forever because this installment is even better than the first. As the first serialized novel that I've ever read, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm highly impressed. Knox has so much talent, and it's great to watch her reach out and try different things.

In this "episode," we pick up very close to where Chained left off. Ashley is waking up after fainting in Roman's arms, and Roman is still struggling with how to deal with this pest that's fallen into his lap (quite literally). They begin their long journey away from the Keys, and its upcoming hurricane to Ashley's grandmother's friend, Mitzi's, home in Georgia. Roman hopes to finally get rid of Ashley, so he can go back to his developing projects, while Ashley hopes to sway Roman's decision to tear down the only home she ever really had.

I'm still a huge fan of these two characters. I love how they are undeniably affected by each other, but they haven't come to terms with it. It's very realistic to watch this develop slowly. That's a big negative for most of the romances that I've read--after five minutes, the protagonists fall all over each other and their lives begin to revolve around one another. This seems way more realistic! Roman still thinks about his other responsibilities, like his girlfriend, Carmen. Both characters have opened themselves up a bit more in the book. The reader will be able to see that much of their current behavior is a facade to hide sad pasts. Ashley is not as brave as she seems, but actually very conscious of the way others see her. Roman is trying to hide that he feels much more than he would like to--like his guilt about some of his behavior toward Ashley.

I'm very interested to see how Knox will play out Roman's relationships with Carmen and Ashley. Of course, I want him to be with Ashley, but how (and if) the author dissolves the current romance between Carmen and Roman has me so curious! The plot is moving very steadily thus far, and the tension between our two protagonists has begun to really rev up. I am so looking forward to future sexy times and swoons!

Now excuse me, while I go pick up part three. It's been begging me to open it and read since I finished Roman Holiday 2: Hitched. Knox really knows how to capture the attention of the reader. These books feel like an addiction that I can't seem to stop! I'm sure that romance fans will absolutely eat this series up as much like the author's other works, it's phenomenally written with great, sassy characters and an extremely original plot. This Roman Holiday is turning out to be a really fun adventure!

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 1: Chained by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date:  November 11, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
40 Pages

Meet Ashley and Roman—complete opposites who can’t hide their attraction—in Episode 1 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday.

Ashley Bowman is having a bad week. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother, she returns to the Florida Keys only to learn that a heartless Miami developer has gotten hold of the crappy vacation rentals she calls home. Ashley has one day to clear out before Roman Díaz destroys the only place in the world that matters to her. Chaining herself to a palm tree in the bulldozers’ path seems like a good way to stop him . . . until she realizes she should’ve brought food and water. And pants. Also, it would help if the evil developer weren’t so ridiculously hot.

The last thing Roman Díaz needs is some sun-kissed blond protester getting her picture in the newspaper and messing up his plans. He bought the property fair and square, and the resort he wants to build on the site is the key to realizing his highest ambitions. But when a hurricane blows through, Roman has to hustle Ashley to safety if he wants to protect his reputation—and that means giving in to her unreasonable demands.

Roman needs to learn a little compassion, and Ashley’s decided to teach it to him . . . even if she has to drag him all over the Eastern Seaboard to do it.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

I had been seeing this book pop up all over my feed on Goodreads, but it wasn't until my blog partner pushed me to read it that I finally did it. And I'm very happy with that outcome. Roman Holiday was exactly what I needed after reading both an extremely long book and one that didn't live up to its hype. It was short, sweet, sassy and left me wanting more.

When Ashley discovers that her Grandmother sold the apartment complex where she grew up before she died to an up and coming developer, she decides to take a stand - or rather a sit. She chains herself to a tree in protest, with no food or water or any extra clothes to protect her from the elements. Just the bikini and cover-up she has on. She might not have though this through entirely. 

Enter Roman, our up and coming developer. He sees this site as a perfect addition to his plans for a huge resort on the Keys. The only thing standing (or sitting) in the way of his dream - the woman chained to a tree. The first is a serialized novel, Roman Holiday sets up the initial meeting between our two main characters and the trip that will ultimately bring them together (or so I presume).

Through Knox's writing, we get to see inside both Ashley and Roman's heads and begin to understand why they are both so set in their ways. Ashley's mind is almost an open book: the complex is dear to her because of her past there. Roman, however, is more of a mystery. Something happened in his past and we are only getting glimpses of what makes him, well, him.

I feel like this was a little teaser because all it did was make me want to read more. I've never read a serialized novel before, but I'm definitely going to stick with this one. 

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Roman Holiday 1: Chained by Ruthie Knox

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: November 11, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
40 Pages

Meet Ashley and Roman—complete opposites who can’t hide their attraction—in Episode 1 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday.

Ashley Bowman is having a bad week. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother, she returns to the Florida Keys only to learn that a heartless Miami developer has gotten hold of the crappy vacation rentals she calls home. Ashley has one day to clear out before Roman Díaz destroys the only place in the world that matters to her. Chaining herself to a palm tree in the bulldozers’ path seems like a good way to stop him . . . until she realizes she should’ve brought food and water. And pants. Also, it would help if the evil developer weren’t so ridiculously hot.

The last thing Roman Díaz needs is some sun-kissed blond protester getting her picture in the newspaper and messing up his plans. He bought the property fair and square, and the resort he wants to build on the site is the key to realizing his highest ambitions. But when a hurricane blows through, Roman has to hustle Ashley to safety if he wants to protect his reputation—and that means giving in to her unreasonable demands.

Roman needs to learn a little compassion, and Ashley’s decided to teach it to him . . . even if she has to drag him all over the Eastern Seaboard to do it.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

I honestly would read anything that Ruthie Knox writes. She always brings to life stories that are sexy, have great humor and even more heart. What else could you ask for in a romance novel? I wasn't sure what to expect from Roman Holiday 1: Chained as I've never read a serialized novel before, but I was pleasantly surprised. This will draw readers in and leave them excited, and intrigued enough to look forward to the next installment.

After Ashley Bowman learns that her grandmother died and sold the one place she felt happiest, she makes her way to the Florida Keys to stop the demolition herself. When her efforts to work with the developer go unanswered, Ashley does what any desperate woman would do and chains herself to a palm tree to keep the house from being demolished. Too bad she didn't bring food or water, or put on some pants over her bikini. On the other side of this is Roman Díaz, a up-and-coming developer. The last thing he needs is Ashley getting in the way of this demolition that will make or break his career, and soon-to-be marriage. The events that follow as these two butt heads will be the adventure of a life time, for the characters and the reader.

This was a super fast read. It took me less than an hour to finish it--of course, it was only part of the story. Still, like the other Knox books that I've read, I was immediately sucked into Roman Holiday 1: Chained. The plot moves at a steady pace, and the author gives the reader plenty of time to get to know the character without rushing through to get to the plot. That's something I really appreciate. This is a great setup for the rest of the story, and does well at intriguing enough to make the audience want to know what happens next.

These characters, again like all of Knox's characters, are fantastic. Ashley is hilariously crude and sassy. I loved meeting her. I can't wait to learn more about her, and her past as the journey continues. Her spitfire attitude reminded me a lot of myself. Though she doesn't make the wisest choices, she has good intentions. Roman is also very interesting. Though we don't know as much about him as we do Ashley, I already adore him. He has this heavy armor put up, and I look forward to watching Ashley rip it off.

I highly recommend this for contemporary romance fans, who don't mind that this adventure comes in pieces. We've only been given a taste, and already it is obvious that this is going to be a sizzling story. Ruthie Knox definitely knows what she's doing! I'm already chomping at the bit for more. 

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.