Cherry Girl by Raine Miller

A Blackstone Affair novel. Spin-off, yet can be read standalone. Book 1.

Elaina Morrison has loved Neil McManus her whole life. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love him. Through heartbreaking tragedy and years of separation, her love holds true…until life stomps all over her heart, shattering her perfect dream, teaching her how hard it is to let go.

Real life doesn’t have anything on romantic dreams though, as these two have learned repeatedly. It sucks big time, leaving painful scars in its wake. 

But Neil isn’t giving up. He’s endured years of longing and sacrifice to wait for her. Always a soldier, he knows his way around a battlefield, and winning Elaina is no different. So that’s precisely what Neil is going to do. He'll go in fighting, and make Elaina see what he already knows.

That she will forever be his Cherry Girl...


***Disclaimer: This book is best read between books 3 and 4 of The Blackstone Affair. Personally though, I read this after I read all four books of TBA because I had feeling I wouldn't get over Neil and Elena so easily. And I was right.

So Neil and Elena's book was really something I was looking forward to reading because both of them were all over TBA. I couldn't help but think that theirs was an epic love story. Is it wrong of me to actually like this book more than TBA? I guess not...because I'm pretty sure more readers feel the say.

There are two story premises that I love the most--the friends-turned-into-lovers premise and the second-chance premise. Guess which one is this book? Both! And my heart kind of gave out with all the emotions I was feeling while I was going through the pages. I was actually expecting this read to be a bit darker but it turned out to be a really great feel-good one--the kind that wrings you out with feelings and had the best of endings that you just know your characters totally belong together.

Two things I am taking away from this book--forgiveness and having the can-do spirit for the things that you want. Forgiveness is necessary to be with the people you love and to be yourself. And to never stop pursue a goal because it is the best thing for you--and reading about Neil having a second chance with Elena and never giving up on her this time around was a total joy.


Final verdict: 10/10! Seriously, this is a must-get, must-read book.

Series Recommendation #12: The Blackstone Affair by Raine Miller

Eversince FSOG became an international hit, an influx of Grey-esque romances flooded a lot of readers' TBR piles. I may have read one or two or three...and thought that I might have already had enough. Therefore the decision to delay reading this series. As it turned out, I was an idiot for waiting.

After reading all four books in this series, I have concluded to never underestimate a Raine Miller book ever again. Reading this series was an intense and heartfelt journey because it really had heart. The characters were well-written and who doesn't fall in love with Ethan and his love story with Brynne?

This series is another win. I suggest when you decide to start with the first book, have the other three books on the ready because you'll be going through each in a snap.

Naked

All In

Eyes Wide Open

Rare And Precious Things

Rare And Precious Things by Raine Miller

Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how "rare" their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.


There are times when a standalone is good enough. There are times when a trilogy does it. I actually thought that the Blackstone Affair was going to be a trilogy but as it turned out, we have a fourth book. I'm actually apprehensive because sometimes going beyond a third book is stretching things a bit too far. But this book proved me wrong.

I thought that this was a book of epilogues. Whatever loose ends in the third book were neatly tied up here...with a pretty bow, if I had my say. My highlights would be for Ethan who ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** finally decided to get help on how to handle his case of PTSD. This was really something I had been waiting to happen since book two. Who would have thought that I will get it two books later? And he quit smoking, too. Just lovely! For Brynne, it was finally having closure to what happened to her in high school. I did not see that twist--when Brynne and Lance were making their peace. There were tears when I read that scene. Lots of tears. Trust me when I say that the whole book was a case of highlight after highlight. I'm not going to itemize everything otherwise I will just retell the entire book.

Thanks to this, Ethan Blackstone has cemented his place in my book boyfriends to-do list. I mean, who can say no to the man? Seriously. It was so lovely to read his HEA with Brynne. It may have taken four books but they were very good four books indeed. Thank you, RM.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.


The Blackstone Affair series reviews:
Naked
All In
Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller

The third part in The Blackstone Affair series: A love on the brink of being destroyed. The fight of a lifetime to keep it alive.

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?


This the third book of Brynne and Ethan. I think that this may be my most favorite book in the series

I haven't really goshed about Ethan in my past reviews. I guess because it took three books for me for his character to really endear himself to me. He has always been a likeable man from the very first but he really became more than just another character in the book here in this part of the series. However, I didn't like he continued to secretive about his past to Brynn although it was quite understandable considering the trauma that he went through.

The twist in the plot was actually something that I didn't expect. It was sad that a good character got sacrificed just to drive a point. Nevertheless, this turn in the story was a bit of a surprise. It feels good to be caught offguard every once in a while--especially when it feels like you have read the same things and some storylines can get a bit cliche.


Final verdict: 8/10. Good read.


The Blackstone Affair series reviews:
Naked
All In

All In by Raine Miller

Looming danger. A love worth fighting for. A man who’ll go all in.

Ethan Blackstone has a problem on his hands. He’s broken Brynne’s trust and she’s left him. He’s unwilling to live without her and isn’t giving up—he’s dead-set on getting his beautiful American girl back. The passion between them was explosive, but the secrets they hid from each other are dark and chilling and are powerful enough to destroy their shot at a life together. With political threats now directed at Brynne, Ethan is running out of time and he’ll need to gather all his strength and agility to protect her from the dangers that could take her away from him forever. Will Ethan be able to save Brynne from a past that keeps her locked in fear? Will he ever feel the warmth of her touch, the solidity of her trust again? This is a love-struck man who is willing to do whatever it takes to possess the heart of the woman he loves. He’ll go to any lengths to protect her. He’ll go all in.

Here is the fiery story of what happens when two people surrender to a love so great it can heal the scars of the past and give way to a life of pure, rapturous ecstasy.


I give up. I put up a fight but the man is hot AND British so there was really no hope for me to begin with. And did I mention that this book was written in Ethan's POV? *swoons*

I did not expect to get so attached to our guy Ethan here but he wrote a letter to apologize to Brynne. Who does that in this day and age anymore? And that is one of the reason why I love him to pieces. He also happened to be close to his father and that scene that he had with his Pops soon right after Brynne left him was a total win. Alright, as much as I loved Ethan, he couldn't really be prefect--he smoked! That is an absolute no-no for me. I know there was a reason for it but it was just something that I hated that he did. I don't know if having and doting on a pet lion fish (Simba!) ever made up for it.

I definitely got to know Ethan a lot better in this book and was able to finally got the whole story of what really happened to Brynne in her ugly past. It was nasty and I wouldn't wish it on an enemy. I was actually glad that this happened through Ethan's POV because I'm pretty sure that it added to the impact of the story. But then because of this, I also got to slowly know of what nightmares Ethan went through when he was in the Special Forces in Afghanistan. Reading two wounded souls healing together and giving their all in for a committed relationship was beautiful!

Did I mention that there was a Simba POV at the end  of this book? It was kind of short but was a fun read nonetheless.

I had nothing left but want for Ethan when I finished this book. Well, maybe for the next book as well.


Final verdict: 8/10. Good read.


The Blackstone Affair series reviews:
Naked

Naked by Raine Miller

Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to destroy them both...


I finally gave in and started this series because I cannot wait any longer to get to know Ethan Blackstone. I only heared good things about the man. And deservedly so, I think. The fact that he is British makes him an instant favorite. Hey, that's how the wind blows here. Okay?

I instantly loved Ethan and Brynne. I mean, Brynne put up a short fight--I loved that she tried!--but I couldn't blame her for eventually giving in to Ethan's charms. Because honestly, who wouldn't with him?

Books that don't have nasty kinks all over them are always going to be winners for me. I mean, BDSM is so overrated in books these days so coming across books when the characters have a "clean" sexual relationship is what is sexy! And I thank RM for putting out a sensual vanilla relationship that are many shades of sexy and hot. Oh, don't get me wrong, Ethan has dominant written all over his personality but at least there weren't anything here that made me cringe and gave me wrinkles. At least, not yet. But I hope I get to keep a sexy vanilla Mr Blackstone. Oh, yeah.

It was just sad how their connection started. Damn, there can never be anything good that could come out from lying by omission. Nope. And when it blew up on their faces, RM placed it right at the end of this book to keep me craving for the second part of the series. Ahh, I loved this part, by the way. I'm sorry but when a woman leaves a man and makes him crumble to pieces...well, I say, "You go, girl" and I hope she stands her ground for as long as necessary. That should make bring him to his senses and make him work for it.

I somehow think that this a bit short though but considering that this is part of a series, I will let it go. For now. And then let's see how the rest of the story goes along.


Final verdict: 8/10. Good read.