I'm a Michigan girl, born and raised. My addictions include: coffee, chocolate, coffee, avoiding adulting, coffee, and coffee. My favorite season is fall. My favorite color is teal. And my favorite genre to read and write is romance. I refuse to 'stay in my lane' when it comes to my books. You'll find I write everything from young-adult to sweet contemporary to steamy new adult. #noregrets Looking for a place to start with my books? Check out A Moment Too Late (small-town second chance romance) or The Lake State University series (new adult, steamy college romance). Thanks for being here and happy reading!
What a fun concept, Presley, our heroine, has had a relationship go bad and finds herself a a contestant in a reality dating show, Love or Lust. Ir pits 6 women and 6 men against each other but relations are encourages. Presley quickly finds the attention of both Jace and Lennon. As they at put through the motions the group all get to know one another better but at the end of week 2, two people will win immunity and two people will be going home. This is a competition with your heart as the trophy at the end. This series is a trilogy, so we readers are left hanging for more. Will Presley decide between Jace and Lennon, or will another suitor sweep in. Who will be eliminated next? Cannot wait for Book 2 to see what happens next. I am really invested to find out.
What should you do when you’re devastated and humiliated by your ex? Allow your friend to get you drunk and convince you to sign up for a reality TV show.
Presley reluctantly agrees to go on the reality TV show Love or Lust to get over her ex. This show is a cross between the Bachelor and Survivor.
There are 5 other girls besides herself and 6 outrageously gorgeous guys. Taking her best friends advice to open herself up to new people, she just may see what she was always missing.
4 1/2 steamy stars! This is part 1 of 3 books. They are quick reads with steamy chemistry, funny antics and a competitive spirit that can’t be denied. Rachael Brownell’s spin on reality TV was very sexy and original. Can’t wait to see the outcome!
There were issues here. I liked the concept of it being a Big Brother meets the Bachelor situation however it wasn’t exactly done great. The characters still had their phones while being “secluded” for this show and expected not to share any details publicly. The main character literally calls her best friend and gives her updates on what’s happening with the two guys she’s interested in on the show. So that was problematic. The second issue is, rather than developing a fully fleshed our story that could continue into the next installments with new plots, this “book” was 85% filler and then just ends with zero resolution to anything. That doesn’t entice me to read the next installment, all it does is make me feel as if I’ve wasted my time reading this one. Again I liked the concept of the book and the author was off to an okay start but they way it played out was problematic and it really didn’t contain all that much romance. A book doesn’t have to be spicy to be a romance novel but if it’s a romance novel it should feel like there’s romance happening. There were a few kisses and a few jealous spats but nothing that led me to feel like there was real chemistry amongst the characters or anything swoon worthy.
When reality tv meets real life, sort of, this is the first installment of Rachel Brownell’s Love or Lust series. Since it is a series, we do not get an ending per se, but it’s also not a stressful cliffhanger. I am excited to see what comes next!
Join Presley and the rest of the cast of the reality show “Love or Lust” and get to know them. If you like reality dating shows you will love this story. Rachel has done a wonderful job giving these characters personalities that you will have a hard time not liking.
This is simply a fun story, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here!
This was a fun and intriguing read and EXACTLY what the description wants you to think it is. If you’re a fan of reality TV and guilty pleasures, this will be right up your alley. I enjoyed getting to follow Presley as she goes from coming to terms with being on the show she didn’t really want to be on, to deciding to play the game to feeling the pull of attraction for more than one person. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. But I will say it's a lot like The Bachelorette. Presley is a on the show only because she was forced by her friend. S he is trying to get over her man cheating on her. She says she not looking for love only there for the fun and money. That is until she meets Jace and Lennon. Which one will win her heart?? Such a great read. I could not put this book down. Bring on part 2!!
If you love reality shows and romance then this is one you want to grab and read. I was hooked right from the start and read this in a few hours. From the story to the characters you become absorbed in what’s going on and the need to know what happens next. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!!
I got to be honest here - I almost passed this up. It sounded fun but I wasn't really sure it wouldn't just be a bunch of created drama for the intent of entertainment packed with a cast that was far from tangible. It wasn't - the blurb didn't do the story justice.
This is book one of the trilogy. We get to meet the players. Get glimpses of their personalities. A couple "don't judge a book by its cover" lessons. A few we get their strengths and occasional weaknesses. Just enough to get us invested. I have already picked my faves and a few I don't like And I am addicted to what happens next Can't wait for the next elimination round
Presley thought this would be a "whatever I don't truly care" experience. Something her sister tricked her into and a subtle middle finger to her ex. Until Jace And Lennon Omg, how does a girl choose? Games!
Presley is such a straight forward character. She says what she thinks and isn't afraid to be the odd one out if it means standing up for her beliefs. Lennon is the strong silent type. Aware of those he is with and those around him. He is the watcher and something about him feels like home, safe? Jace is fun, smart, and caring. I feel like he harbors a little playboy in him. I don't know why I get that vibe from him ... The three don't hide how they feel about one another - The guys even go as far as to openly befriend the "enemy" to stay close to their objective. May the best man win.
I don't want to give spoilers but if you enjoy a well-rounded cast with vibrant personalities, an easy-to-follow story that is tangible and sizzles with romantic tension - Then you won't want to pass this one up. This is part of a trilogy LOL ends after the first elimination - Until the next episode...
I’m not a fan of reality tv but having it as a book I thought why not might give it another perspective. This was a really quick read for me. Presley agrees to go on a reality tv show called Love or Lust to get over her ex. Even though she cannot stand them because of all the fakeness of the shows. There is five other girls and six handsome guys. While there she has more feelings for two of the guys Jace and Lennon. I was completely invested in the story; I can’t wait for the next one so that I can know if she goes for Jace or Lennon.
When I received an ARC copy of Love or Lust part one I didn't know how the story would go. Yes it is described as a mixture between Survivor, the Bachelor and Big Brother but I didn't predict how it would turn out. It's like the Bachelor in that there are multiple people competing for the heart of another, there are six men and six women to start the competition. It's like Survivor because there are competitions to get immunity from the vote where the women vote out their least favorite male contestant and the men vote on the women. And it's like Big Brother in that the cameras are always rolling. As soon as I started reading I was like I like Presley, she's a kick. She also isn't a catty girl that you frequently see on reality TV that is only looking out for herself. Presley genuinely wants the game to be fair for everyone and tries to help others as much as she can and she stands up for what she doesn't feel is right. And as soon as we are introduced to Jace I was like OBVIOUSLY he's the male protagonist and Lennon is just a side character but as kept reading I was like I have no idea who Presley is going to end up with. Both Jace and Lennon are awesome, I don't know how I could chose so how will Presley. As soon as I reached the last page I was like, What!!?? that's it? I have to wait until March for part two!!?? If you pick up Love or Lust I have a feeling you will feel the same.
NOLA504NERDS BLOG What do you do when your ex cheats on you? You get drunk with your bestie and let her sign you up for a reality TV show! 6 guys and 6 girls compete for money and love in this hilarious new romance trilogy from Rachael Brownell.
“The Bachelor meets Survivor meets Big Brother… With the world watching, and hearts on the line, who will win at the game of love? Can genuine love be found in the reality show bubble? Or are the relationships being formed doomed to fail? Follow from breakup to hookup and see if the final prize will be love... or lust?”
This book was so fun and original! I loved every moment of it. Rachael’s writing style is fun, engaging, and intriguing. She got me invested in the characters right from the start. Narrator Leanne Woodward was absolutely amazing. She did a great job portraying Presley and the other contestants. She flawlessly switched between characters, which you could easily distinguish between. Her flow, tone and pacing were spot on. Leanne made this story even more exciting. It’s hard to write a review for this without giving too much away. Especially when it is part 1 of a trilogy. But trust me, you need this story in your life! **impatiently awaiting the next 2 audiobooks**
Thank you to #auralfixation, the author, and the narrator for gifting me this awesome audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Love or Lust: Part One By: Rachael Brownell Narrated by: Leanne Woodward
If you need something fun and entertaining, look no further! Rachael Brownell gives a new twist to reality television with Love or Lust! 12 characters, each completely different personalities come together to see if they will hook up for love or lust! Presley is our main focus and there are several men she is interested in. The two feed her confidence, but she is unsure of who to pick as they each appeal to her for different reasons. Will she give into love or lust? What I love about her is that she knows who she is and isn't willing to change for the show. The story has interesting characters, from the nerdy to the jerks and give us all angles of who they are. So much fun to see how they all react to situations. But get ready, the ride isn't over yet. Left with a cliffhanger, get ready for book 2!
Leanne Woodward gives a fabulous performance of this character filled adventure! Her talent allows unique voices for all the contestants, plus the ancillary characters. I enjoyed her portrayal of each, giving them the emotions to create their personalities. I can't wait for the next in the series to see where it all leads!
A really fun glimpse behind the scenes of reality tv
If you're a fan of shows like The Bachelor or Big Brother, or even Paradise Island (remember that?) this is the perfect book for you. The characters are on a reality tv show called Love or Lust, where they are competing against other hot singles for money and to be the last couple standing. What a fun idea for a book! I love the aspect of getting to see behind the camera and seeing how these shows are actually run. Because the reality aspect is a bit far fetched when it comes to reality tv - we all know that, right?
In Love or Lust: Part One by Rachael Brownell, we follow Presley, a young women coming off a major heartbreak who signed up while drunk. Presley is there mainly for the money and she knows that the longer she stays, the more she'll get paid. Yup, the money is all that matters, until she meets some of the contestants and realizes that maybe she will fall in Love or Lust after all. Presley seems to have a good head on her shoulders and seems to be a genuinely good person. She befriends the quiet shy girl and refuses to do anything that will compromise her morals. Did people forget to tell her she's on a tv show? You have to play a bit dirty to get to the top. It was interesting to see how her strategy changed the longer she was on the show and the more she got to know the other players. But one thing Presley is sure about it's that she can't handle any more heartbreak. Can she get through the show without putting her heart on the line? Will that cost her the ultimate prize?
I liked this first instalment in the Love or Lust trilogy. It's a fun concept and Presley is an interesting character to get to know. I'm so curious as to what is going to happen in parts two and three. It's as if I am glued to the screen - just as if Love or Lust were a real show. In this case, I actually like that the story was only told through Presley's perspective. Normally I like to see what the lead male is thinking - but here, there are two prospective guys, Jace and Lennon, and we don't know if they are being truthful or playing the game. That fits in perfectly with the theme of the book. So this is not your average new adult contemporary romance, but it certainly is a fun read that will keep you intrigued.
When I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The title alone made me think ‘Love or Lust?’ As I read the first few pages, I became completely and utterly invested in the story, i absolutely love for cheesy reality tv in real life, so having a book centred around a televised reality tv show was certainly my kind of read.
The book had a very Love Island meets Big Brother vibe to it, and with twelve contestants you know it spells drama!
Presley is the main character, and you instantly take a liking to her as she is pretty bad ass, she knows what she wants and she tells herself it’s going to be lust as she’s certainly not going to allow anyone to trample over her heart again. She appears strong, independent and has a clear but fair strategy in mind. But then enter the men ...
Jace is the first to make himself known and to introduce himself, and he’s very much someone who Presley would like to entertain. He appears to be laid back and cool, and has mean bar tending skills! But then there’s also Lennon, who has a very calming presence, and Presley instantly assumes he’s entered the show for love. But in a game where people can play up to cameras, stir up drama and pretend to be anything they want, will Presley make it to the final, and if so, who will be the hero waiting for her at the end?
This whole book had me obsessed, I was addicted to reading it and completed it all in one sitting. All the activities ease you into the game and you learn about each of the characters through Presley and from her assessments and assumptions. I love how real it felt due to excellent character depictions, and it was a complete literary drama!
Amazing read and I am completely on the edge of my seat and left wondering how it’s going to all end. I will be rushing to read the next books in this series, and if you love reality drama focused romances/ reads, you will not want to miss out on this gem!
I am not a fan of reality tv love shows but I found myself enjoying this story quite a bit.
In a drunken stupor Presley is talked into signing up for Love or Lust by her best friend and she actually gets picked. Having caught her fiance cheating on her and in essence losing out on her dream job she figures this show will be a way to make some money....she isn't there for love or lust.....or is she?
Soon Presley finds herself gravitating towards two of the six male contestants. While each one is different in their own way she is attracted to them both. I love the relationship that has built between her and Jace and Lennon.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book are the side characters. While there wasn't too much focus on the other female contestants Presley does friend sweet Kyra (who I just absolutely love) and we are shown that there is definitely more to some of the male contestants than just pretty faces....it was refreshing.
This was my first Rachael Brownell story and as I stated above I really enjoyed it. I cannot wait for the next two books in this series. They are quick day reads when you just need an escape for a little while.
****I was given an advance copy of this for an honest review****
What a fun concept, Presley, our heroine, has had a relationship go bad and finds herself a a contestant in a reality dating show, Love or Lust. Ir pits 6 women and 6 men against each other but relations are encourages. Presley quickly finds the attention of both Jace and Lennon. As they at put through the motions the group all get to know one another better but at the end of week 2, two people will win immunity and two people will be going home. This is a competition with your heart as the trophy at the end. This series is a trilogy, so we readers are left hanging for more. Will Presley decide between Jace and Lennon, or will another suitor sweep in. Who will be eliminated next? Cannot wait for Book 2 to see what happens next. I am really invested to find out.
Love and Lust Part 1 is a good read. It's part of a trilogy so it does end leaving you wanting more and waiting for the next one. I loved the whole set up of this story. It's set as a reality show where twelve newly single contestants are looking for love or to win the prize money. The chapters are based on days. I thought this was a unique writing setup and storyline. There are 6 guys and 6 girls and we get to know a bit about all of them but the focus is on Presley, Jace, and Lennon. I loved all three of them. I'm not on team Jace or Lennon and I kind of hope she doesn't have to pick. I hooked on this series and can't wait for part two.
This book was such a ride, I would rather read this than watch the TV reality show they have these days on TV. I actually felt like I was sitting in front of the TV watching sitting on the edge of my seat, eating popcorn.
Each of the characters are all unique and you can find something with each of them to fall in lust with, well maybe not one of them. He was on my list from the beginning because of his attitude, although the girl that leaves made me cry.
I love how they stand behind each other in some situations. Will Presley find her love or will she be sent home, Lennon or Jace, I myself love Callen or Milo. Hmmm, we shall see who will find what they came looking for.
Can't wait for the next installment to see who goes home next.
I have got to say that reading a reality TV book and watching it on TV is not the same at all!! I kind of like it better in my head!! Loved every minute of this book! I didn't know that it was a series so when i got to the end of the book I was caught by surprise that i didn't get to finish the ride right away... oh well! I cannot wait till the next book comes out! Love that Presley is in a love/lust triangle with Jace and Lennon. Puts her so out of her element! Love both guys for her. They are so different from each other but still I can see her picking either one of these dudes and I know she would be happy! The other characters are fun too.They and the fun element to this story. I honestly cant even predict the ending of this trilogy!
I love reality tv and all the drama that surrounds it. Love or Lust definitely provides some drama and competition.
Presley gets talked into signing up for a dating show by her best friend. Presley’s life was definitely at the lowest point and she needed something to help her move on. Why not a dating show where she finds not only a new friend, but maybe she will find a new love.
I can’t wait to read more in this world! I have to find out what happens next with Presley. Who does she pick?
I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a five star book for me!
I am a huge reality TV show fan! This book pulled me in and did not let me go! I found myself getting invested in certain characters and disliking others just like in real life!
My first book by Rachael Brownell and will not be my last!
No spoilers with my review! This is a must read for 2021 and I am on pins and needles until I read book two!
I was pulled into this story immediately! I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately and haven't been able to find anything to keep my interest... until this book. I read it in one day. I couldn't put it down. I love Presely, how she's not willing to alter her character no matter what is asked of her. I loved how sweet Lennon is and how intense Jace is. I can't wait to read more of this series and find out how it all ends! This is the first book I've read by Rachael Brownell, but it definitely won't be the last!
I was so very excited to have received a Arc Copy Of Love Or Lust by the very talented Rachael Brownell . This is the first book In a three part series and I absolutely loved it so much . It was such a fun and addictive read , with so many wonderful characters , angst , Witty moments , some laughable some heart wrenching. It has one of my very favorite tropes which is friends to lovers mixed into the story . It’s very much like reality TV , only so much better .I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds . I genuinely loved this book so much 💜❤️
I'm usually not one for watching reality tv shows but reading about them... that's a whole other story! I was so taken by part one in the Love or Lust novellas, I am on pins and needles to see what happens next for Lennon, Jace, and Presley.
Presley never thought she would end up on a reality tv show, the one type of show she can't stand to watch with all the fakeness and ... ugh. But after a drunken night with her best friend, she finds herself as a contestant on Love or Lust where 6 guys and 6 girls are locked away on a ranch for 6 weeks to see if they can find Love or Lust with their fellow contestants. What Presley never expected was to actually start falling for not one but two guys on the ranch. Both men are as opposite of the other except for their ability to render her speechless at times.
I was sucked into the storyline from the first page. Full of flirty, sexy fun, I can't wait to see what's next for Presley and her adventure! Thankfully I don't have to wait long for book 2!
Watching a reality tv show play out in your imagination is way better than watching one on tv! Jace, Lennon and Presley captured my attention and never let it go through out the drama developing. Presley’s adventures I being on a reality show made me feel the anxiety that she was living through and also the excitement to see how it would all turn out. I can not wait to see how her time in Love or Lust will play out! A super fun read that will definitely bring you into their world living out what we see others do on tv! Fantastic!!