X Marks the Spot

If you love taboo romance novels then X Marks the Spot by Opal Carew is your book. I struggled with this book as it went too far with the taboo. The sexy scenes were hot but not enough to save the book. Abi has a close network of friends who are enmeshed with her family. In fact, she married one, Liam but should have held out for Del. A wedding brings these three together again. Abi sleeps with her husband and Del says he's willing to give their romance a chance. Abi just can't keep her legs closed and she gets pregnant by her husband, Liam who has always wanted a baby with her. However, Abi would just rather be with Del instead of here husband. It was totally a messed up story. I struggled with this book, giving it only a 2-star rating, and honestly that’s being generous. The only reason I gave it that is because I enjoyed the intimate scenes and felt they had some depth to them. I enjoyed the character Del, but in addition to that it was thumbs down for me. This story had no exciting plot to it, although there was some potential, it just fell flat. I do not recommend this book, unless you want to read some steamy sex scenes then you may enjoy it quite a bit. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This redeemed itself and pulled out a 4 star rating at the end only because of the end, until then it was a solid 2-3. Abi is so messed up and immature it is a wonder she is a functioning adult. Okay, maybe that is a little strong but that is what came across. After miscarrying and her husband Liam not coddling her she runs home. That is basically what I got from it. He lost that baby too and she turned from him just as much as he did her. Okay, Del, who is friends with both, stands by her and she develops feelings for him. After a separation of 2 years Abi wants a divorce but Liam is still in love with his wife and doesn't want one but she is not willing to give it a go. The chemistry is still strong between them and when they find themselves in bed together, yes, together, the sparks are just as strong and even though the doctor told her she would never get pregnant again, that one night produced a pregnancy. What does Abi do, runs to Del. Geez Louise! Enough spoilers for me. Read the book. This is a great afternoon read for hot sex and will they or won't they and can they or not. The ending is what makes it salvageable for me and makes me glad I read it all they way through! **Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

This was an okay read, I am okay with love triangles, not my favourite, but they don't make me go crazy. Honestly, I skimmed most of the book, not because of the story, but because I really didn't like 2 of the 3 main characters Liam - Liam is the husband who won't give up. The title of the book comes from him, he just needs to sign the divorce papers and Abi will be free of him. He still loves her though, and he knows she still loves him. He is sweet, patient, and kind; Super sexy and dominant; Likable and easy to get along with, practical and hopeful. He had to grieve,and now that he is through that cycle, he wants his wife back Del - Best friend of Abi's brother, promised to look after her at college, so despite attraction to Abi, stayed away. Introduces her to his friend Liam, they hit it off crazy, and are soon married. He stays friends with them both, and is there for Abi when Liam drowns in his grief. Not that Abi believes her marriage is over and makes a play for him, he goes for it. He knows Abi still has feelings for Liam, but he wants her Abi - can we just start with the spelling of her name, with all the spellinh choices, this annoyed me. I kept thinking A-buy. Then there is her knowledge she loves her husband, but she doesn't think he loves her, no matter what he does. She is kinda whiny, very selfish, and completely unaware of how awful she treats people around her. Plus, her family his utterly annoying with trying to figure out what is best for her, giving her advice, and bugging her. Also, she was supposed to have a medical condition, but at the end of the book, it magically wasn't an issue The story wasn't awful, and Liam was wonderful, and he did manage to pull it all together at the end. Abi became a bit more likable once he pulled it together, and Del was the faithful puppy lopping alongside. But for most of the book, and most if it is Abi, the characters weren't great, making the story passably okay