Book Reviews: The Fifth Avenue Trilogy from @HarlequinBooks

*** I received a gift bag of sponsored products and copies of the following books for participating in this blog tour

If you like to read edgy romance, I have the perfect summer series for you!  Starting with Avenge Me by Maisey Yates, that was released on June 1st and followed by Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews (July 1 and available for pre-order) and Expose Me by Kate Hewitt (Aug 1 and available for pre-order) you will not want to wait to read this exciting series that features three fabulous authors bringing a complex story to life and weaving the pieces of a very bad man's downfall into three distinct and exciting love stories.  You can also start by reading the prequel Take Me, which is a free kindle download right now!

From the Publisher:

Currently ranked as one of the world’s most expensive streets, Fifth Avenue is home to the city’s most prestigious shops and historical buildings. It’s also called home by three of New York City’s sexiest men. A brand-new trilogy from the world’s leading publisher of books for women, Harlequin Presents is excited to launch the Fifth Avenue Trilogy, stories of sex, scandal and the Upper East Side:

Austin, Hunter and Alex were inseparable during their school days, but the sudden death of their good friend Sarah Michaels tore them apart. However, her death was not as it seemed. Under the many falsehoods lies a corruption so sordid that New York’s elite would never believe it.
 Now in positions of wealth and power, these men vow to use their influence to bring down the man responsible—Jason Treffen, an infamous philanthropic billionaire. With a plan in place, Austin, Hunter and Alex are ready for anything—until three very different women enter their lives, making them question their motives for revenge.

My Review:

Whew- for once I am glad that I am a reviewer who doesn't have to wait to read the entire trilogy - because I didn't want to put down my kindle and stop reading these books from the moment I became engaged in the first page of Austin's story...  Luckily I had family visiting and could sneak enough reading time to find out what happens to Austin, Hunter Alex and Jason Treffen and not worry about the kids or dishes... heck, I barely stopped to eat!

Beginning with "It was supposed to be a night of bland conversation...", the entire trilogy sweeps you into a world of billionnaires, guilt, lies and revenge that keeps you looking for just one more page and one more twist!  With the same central scandal being brought out and an overlapping timeline, these three authors have taken the age old story of boy and girl meet under strange circumstances and have lots of baggage to a whole new level that grips the reader and makes you want more and more!

I also appreciate that the female characters - Katy, Zoe and Chelsea are strong women who aren't push overs and hold their own with the strong and charasmatic men.

The only time I was let down is when it ended... and that's because there are so many secondary characters that are interwoven through the book whose stories you want to hear - in particular, a fourth roommate, Jaiven, who is often mentioned and siblings of some of the main characters - Nora & Louise.  I actually felt loss when I knew that these characters who had been residing in my imagination throughout the series were done with me...

I recommend this series for people looking for a suspenseful romance that includes spicy encounters. *Warning - this series also deals with some strong topics - suicide, blackmail, rape, forced prostitution and abuse.

Avenge Me by Maisey Yates, was released on June 1st and followed by Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews (July 1 and available for pre-order) and Expose Me by Kate Hewitt (Aug 1 and available for pre-order) need to be on your summer TBR list!

About the Authors:

Maisey Yates found her very first Harlequin Presents book in a local thrift store. By the time she’d reached the happily ever after, she had fallen in love. She devoured as many as she could get her hands on after that, and she knew that these were the books she wanted to write! At age twenty-three, she sold her first manuscript to the Harlequin Presents line. Maisey lives in Southern Oregon with her husband and three children.

Caitlin Crews discovered her first romance novel at the age of twelve. It involved swashbuckling pirates, grand adventures, a heroine with rustling skirts and a mind of her own, and a seriously mouthwatering and masterful hero. Caitlin has made her home in places as far-flung as York, England, and Atlanta, Georgia. She currently lives in California with her animator/comic book artist husband and their menagerie of animals.

Kate Hewitt discovered her first Harlequin romance novel on a trip to England when she was thirteen, and she’s continued to read them ever since. Kate moved to England with the man of her dreams and sold her first short story to a British magazine. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, traveling and learning to knit. After living in England for six years she now resides in Connecticut with her husband and her three young children.

***I am also grateful that this tour had some amazing sponsors and I received a huge bag of Fifth Avenue themed beauty and health products: