*REVIEW* "Taming The Playboy" by MJ Carnal

Ryan West learned at an early age that forever is never promised. Deciding to live each moment to the fullest, Ryan spends his days as a personal trainer to the rich and famous and his nights in the arms of a vast array of women. As a playboy, his motto is to work hard but play even harder. When his best friend introduces him to his attractive and soon to be sister in law, Ryan doesn’t think twice about throwing caution to the wind and bedding the woman that should be off limits. The sparks that ignite between them are undeniable and he struggles to push her memory from his mind.

Knowing happily ever after only happens in fairytales, Layla Barringer has lived her life with a wild streak of her own. Moving to Los Angeles to be closer to her sister, her rebellion is put to the test during a chance encounter with Ryan. Knowing about his revolving door of women, she decides to enjoy one night with no strings attached. 

When personal tragedy strikes, they are left with only two options. Aware of their growing attraction to each other, will they work together and face adversity head on or will fear and heartbreak send them running in opposite directions?

I was warned by MJ Carnal to "get my tissues ready" for this one, and my god.. she was NOT kidding. This book, tore my heart out. With not only one, but TWO "oh my god.. no.." situations. Killed me lady, killed me. 

This is the story of Ryan, one of the original "Moretti / Dickerman" crew, and Layla, a newly appointed crew member (aka Sophie's sister), that we met at the end of Taming The Bachelor. They have had one hell of a start to their relationship. Both of them have extremely similar personalities. They are not relationship people, they don't get serious, they're both sarcastic, they just want to have fun. What could POSSIBLY go wrong with that, right? 

"I have dated a lot. I have been series with exactly zero of them. I am not a long term girl. But I am a fun while it lasts girl."

"Opposites attract" in this case, need not apply. While slowly falling into each other, tragedy #1 rears it's head, and the whole crew is left in shambles. Everything is crashing down around them, all of them, and no one really knows which end is up. I'm also noticing, that his crew needs a lesson in "communication 101", or maybe "lets not jump to conclusions 101". Either would be great, but they need an intervention, haha. 

"Gone were his shameful days of one night stands. Gone was the playboy."

But when faced with tragedy, some grow closer, and some crumble. Some new characters are introduced, and some old come back in like a storm. So when tragedy #2 strikes? The ground threatens to crumble under everyone, again. 

This is definitely my favorite of the series so far. Soooo many emotions, you will be high, then you will be sobbing. You will be laughing, and then yelling at the characters. It is one hell of an emotional roller coaster, and it made me appreciate each and every one of these characters so much more. Again, everyone is involved. It may be "Ryan and Layla's book", but we get something from everyone. We continue Mark and Sophie's story, and lead perfectly into "Taming The Boy Next Door", aka Caleb's story. 

*REVIEW* "Taming The Bachelor" by M J Carnal

Ex marine and bad boy, Mark Moretti, made a pact with his childhood friends to live life to the fullest and never allow a woman to tie him down. After years of success and the world at his feet, he is determined to make that pact a reality. A move back to his beloved Los Angeles threatens to change the future he had written for himself when the shy and beautiful, Sophie Barringer, ends up being the Maid of Honor at his sister's wedding. 

Sophie has been burned at love. The last thing she needs is a self proclaimed bachelor to turn her head. But her heart may have other plans. 

Forced to spend a week together in paradise, can they deny their steamy chemistry and stay away from each other or will they give in to lust and take the chance? Can Mark get over his player reputation to take a shot at love or will fate be cruel enough to deny them their happily ever after?

Let me start off by saying this book had me hooked on these characters. I read "Taming The Bachelor", "Taming the Playboy", and "Taming The Boy Next Door", back to back to back. I'm totally 100% invested in these characters now, and I promise, you will be too. READ. THIS. SERIES.

"Taming the Bachelor" is Mark Moretti's story. Mark is a known player, and loves his title. That is until he lays eyes on Sophie, and his whole life perspective comes crashing down. This girl brings this bad boy to his knees, and he can't do a thing about it. Sophie has her own past demons, and she is just as hesitant as he is about starting something up. So the two of them have to figure out where this is all going together. 

"I'm kind of an asshole. I don't think there is someone out there for everyone. Molly [Mark's sister] says it's just because I won't slow down long enough to open up to anyone. I am sticking with I'm an asshole."

However, there is always a twist, a turn, a problem. And these two face one hell of a problem, and prove that communication is key. Now, it's a matter of if they are willing to work through it or just call it a fling and move on.

" He grabbed her hand and put it on his chest.
'Do you feel this? You do this to me. No one else ever has.' "

There are a LOT of characters to meet in this book. It definitely sets the stage for this series. It was quite a bit to follow at first, but about half way through I started connecting the who-is-who in this group, who is related, and who is married. Once I hit that point, I was a goner. I loved some characters, hated others (then fell in love with them in a later book..), and all around enjoy their dynamic with one another.

Each book in this series can seemingly be read as a stand alone, but I HIGHLY suggest reading them in order. If you don't read Taming The Bachelor first, then you will be lost in some parts of Taming the Playboy (ps.. that one is hands down my favorite of the series).