I had loved every book in this series!  But, this book is my favorite.   Raven and Nicole were perfect!!!

*sniffles*

*tries to wipe this giant goobery grin off my face*

That, my friends, is how you write the perfect series ender. I’m just all hopped up on feels right now.

Ah, Nico and Raven. I have been so anxious to read this book. So excited to find out what happened between them in Aspen, and to witness the spark that has existed between them since the start of this series explode into some kind of sizzling inferno.

I was not disappointed.

There’s an intensity between these two that makes it hard to look away. I was frustrated with both of them from time to time. They both make mistakes. Then they both own those mistakes and while it’s heartbreaking, it’s also hopeful and…well, very human. But the connection - the chemistry - between Nico and Raven is compelling to read. They’re sexy in exactly the way you’d expect them to be sexy, but also in ways that you might not expect. Because it’s not just physical chemistry. The emotional chemistry between them is just as hot and there were moments where I found my pulse racing without a even a hint of nakedness. They’re just. That. Hot. 

They also basically owned my heart. Here we have two characters with a boatload of baggage between them and how they handled each other so tenderly, the way they laid their hearts open and vulnerable over time – was just an achingly beautiful thing to read sometimes. 

As always, I completely enjoyed the time I got to spend with “the gang”. The best parts about investing in a series are the little updates you get on couples already taking up residence in your heart and this was no exception. Everybody’s story wrapped up here and it was incredibly rewarding and perfectly written. I may have cried a little. And then I laughed. Which basically summarizes my entire reading experience with this book. It’s the perfect balance of heart and humor and GAH – I just loved it so much. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go bask in the glow of this most epic bookgasm.

The last couple standing, raven and Nico, get their turn in centre stage.

Both Raven and Nico had less than stellar childhoods resulting in a myriad of issues, yet ultimately both craving a deep connection and love in their lives. While their backgrounds are very similar, Nico has always been able to rely on the love he receives from his mother and siblings whereas Raven lost the only person to care about her when she was nine years old, her sister, Rose.

Neither, Nico or Raven, has been able to forget the other since their night together in Aspen. Unfortunately, family obligations prevented Nico from pursuing Raven. Although they haven't been together Nico hasn't been able to look at anyone else in Raven's place. Even though Nico has a habit of falling hard and fast then losing interest, it is clear there is something different in the way he feels about Raven.

Raven feels like she has a void in her life where there should be someone to care about her and vice-versa. Little realising she has more than enough affection in her friends, Shay and Chloe. In attempt to fill the void Raven embarks on a quest to find her long-lost sister. Projecting her picture perfect sibling relationship onto a person she hasn't interacted with for most of her life, leading to brutal discoveries but also into the realisation and appreciation of the things she does have in her life.

Nico also has some personal growth to tackle, especially his unrealistic expectations and values her places on people in an effort to maintain control in his personal life. He has to realise there are grey areas that may not necessarily fit into his black and white viewpoint. 

Nico and Raven quite simply FIT; being together acts as a rock providing security, comfort and a measure of peace in their crazy lives.

Hooked on Trouble ties up the series beautifully with a glimpse at what the future brings for all of the three couples featured in Over the Top, giving a wonderful sense of completion and personal involvement :)

She’s done it again!  Ms. Siskind has given me a story that touched me deeply, made me smile, and had my heart beating with joy.  This is a fantastic end to a wonderful series and I, for one, am sad to know that I won’t be reading about these characters again (not counting the multiple re-reads that will undoubtedly happen, of course).  Kelly Siskind has cemented herself as a one-click author for me…whatever she writes, I will read!!

Nico and Raven’s story is one I have been waiting for since the very first book.  Their first meeting started well but didn’t end that way.  Only problem is that we didn’t know what happened until now…and not knowing drove me crazy! 🙂  Of course, I can’t tell you what happened (insert evil laugh here) but I can say that if you trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

These characters feel so real, like people you’d want to have in your own life, and their situation will definitely touch your heart.  Raven wants so desperately to have a family, to feel whole.  Nico wants to keep his family together, to help them move forward, and to keep them safe.  These two have so much on their plates yet their strong connection and explosive chemistry refuses to take a back seat.  Their story isn’t a smooth one…the heartbreak, the angst, and the drama has their romance on a start-and-stop path.  But, their desire for each other keeps them coming back.  Raven is a strong, smart woman who has a soft heart.  She goes with her gut and, at times, that isn’t the smartest move.  Her tough appearance is in strong contradiction to her almost innocent heart but that’s what makes her so real.  Nico is not only dreamy and swoonworthy but he’s also loyal and caring.  Every woman should have a Nico in her life!

And every reader needs a Kelly Siskind book in their life.  Trust me, if you haven’t met these characters or this writer yet, you are definitely missing something.  Add this to your TBR and experience the romance, the sexy times, the heartbreak, and the swoons…you can thank me later!!

***4.5 “These two I swear…” Stars***

It feels like I’ve been waiting for FOREVER to get my hands on Raven and Nico’s book. The chemistry between them was intense and I needed to see how they’d work through their issues, and though I knew it would be an angsty read, I did because there was no way it couldn’t be, but holy hell, these two took the cake. Thankfully there was a good dose of sweet, smexy and humor to help balance it out and make Hooked on Trouble a  great read.

I’ve had a bit of a girl crush on Raven from the start due to her sassy, snarky but sweet nature and how comfortable she is in her own skin. There were moments when I did think she was a bit over the top, but nothing too crazy. But after finding out about her past and what she’s lived through, my love for her has increased. She’s lived through hell, has made some sketchy decisions, but learned from them. But she’s also built a lot of kevlar tough walls around her which keep her from getting to close to many people.

Nico. Holy. Yummyness! Talk about tall, dark, handsome and smexy as sin but then you add in a compassionate and generous heart and not only does the man melt panties, but hearts as well.
His childhood has let him to live a live where things are either black or white, right or wrong there are no gray areas in his world. He’ll go to the ends of the earth for those he calls his own, but since he sets his standards impossibly high, when anyone slips from what he deems the right path he is absolutely devastated.

As I said in the beginning, I knew Nico and Raven’s road to their HEA would be an angsty one, but dear lord these two really put me through the ringer. The chemistry between them was explosive from the beginning and I loved their bantering and witty comebacks as much as their smexy dialogue. The similarities in their upbringings helps to deepen their connection, but their trust issues and tunnel vision keeps them from taking that final step that could lead to a love of a lifetime. The ups and downs that these two went through had me wanting to reach out and smack some sense into them, but they were necessary. They both had so many issues to work through in order to truly be ready for what the other could give them that I found it hard to put down and I loved how they finally got their shit together in the end.
 
This series was a lot of fun to read, even when I wanted to reach out and smack some sense into them all. The characters were all well developed and I loved seeing how they grew, not only in their own books, but as the series progressed, and seeing how much stronger and settled they all were in the end. That family feel, whether by choice or blood, that I love so much was done perfectly with how involved they all were in each others lives. I’m sad that this is the last book of the series, but I’m thrilled that I got to experience the ride and see where they all ended up!

Kelly Siskind was one of my favorite romance author discoveries last year. I especially loved A Fine Mess, the second book in this series featuring a group of friends who meet a group of guy friends on a ski trip in Aspen. I have been waiting for Nico and Raven’s story since book 1, but after how amazing book 2 was for me, I knew that it probably would not live up to that. Hooked on Trouble isn’t a book at all, but it was definitely not the kind of romance that I love reading. For one, it has the angsty past/troubled upbringing trope that I have quickly grown to dislike, so automatically this book wasn’t going to be in my favorites list. That being said, I think Kelly Siskind did a really fabulous job here and managed to make the story not come across as too angsty and dramatic. She’s always good with writing compelling characters, and I found them here too. I will admit I struggled with some of Raven’s motivations and thought processes in Hooked on Trouble, but by the end of the story I liked her more than I did. However, I didn’t like her character as much as I loved Lily and Shay. Now the love interest, Nico, was on a whole different level. He was such a good guy and totally knew how to bring the swoons to the pages of Hooked on Trouble. I loved how he chased after the heroine, but also gave her the personal space she needed. His devotion to his family, and the utter support he showered his friends turned me into a swoony mess! The chemistry between Nico and Raven was steamy just as I expected and I really did love them as a couple when bullheaded Raven finally did give in. Another part of Hooked on Trouble I loved was all the fab female friendships and the bromances. I also loved getting sneak peeks into the other couples’ lives. I looooved all the Lily & Sawyer scenes – they are one of my favorite OTPs! While not my favorite book by the author, this series overall is one I’d recommend if you’re looking for a steamy, romantic and fun contemporary series.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Over the Top series and I'm sad to see it come to an end with Hooked on Trouble. But what an ending it is! Raven and Nico's story is the perfect conclusion to this trilogy, it's everything you could want in a contemporary romance.

Nico is my favorite type of hero- strong, protective, compassionate, caring, and best of all vulnerable. He really is a big softy! His loyalty and love for his family is so admirable, they mean everything to him- it's driven him to become the man he is, it's led him to the career he's chosen, it drives every aspect of his life.
Raven is a badass. I want to be her when I grow up! (or grow younger as it were) Her love for her friends is unparalled and she takes shizz from no one, Nico included. She had a tough upbringing and that's left her flawed and has led her to make a few questionable choices. But like Nico, a lot of what she does is family-driven.
The connection Nico and Raven have is honestly something special. There's a spark between them that hasn't dimmed, even through the months they were apart. Sometimes you meet a person and just know that they are meant to be a in your life, even with obstacles and issues and secrets conspiring to keep you separated. Beyond the emotional bond, the chemistry between them is seriously hot, hot, hot. These are 2 such combustible characters, get them in the same room and there's a chance things could start catching fire!

I've been hooked on Kelly Siskind since I read Chasing Crazy early last year- it was one of my top reads of 2016, and she's kept my enthralled with each book since. While I'm sad to say good-bye to these 3 couples, I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us...I'm thinking Stella is going to need her own book!

I’m so happy I got to change to read and review an ARC for Hooked on Trouble. I’ve been in love with Kelly Siskind’s writing since reading Chasing Crazy almost a year ago, and I was lucky enough to review the previous two books of this series, My Perfect Mistake and A Fine Mess.

I’m a big fan of Kelly’s writing, as you must have gathered by now, so no news there. I think the book has a perfect mix of humour and seriousness, though I have to say that I found this to be the least funny book of the series, but it made sense, because both Nico and Raven were pretty intense for most of the book.

I loved both characters, of course I did, but I have to say that they were the ones I connected less in this series. I think my first problem with Raven was the grudge she hold against Nico for so long… I understood her reasons, but… not really?! She knew why he left Aspen back then and the issues with his family, and she just waited for him to call her? That makes me kind of mad… But I did love her passion and her style and her sharped tongue. I also had a slight problem with Nico, although I understood why he was so strict, I found it a bit too much, but I loved his softness and how much he took care of the people he loved. Nico was all soft where Raven was all sharp, and I think they complemented each other quite nicely and had several things in common too.

I really liked the story and the heavy inclusion of family and its importance. I liked to see Nico struggling with everything he thought he had to shoulder, and Raven trying to reconnect with her sister. But it kind of bothered me that they didn’t communicate about some pretty important stuff… And I wish that some things had been tied up better.

I absolutely loved the ending though, seeing everything wrapped up for all the three couples warmed my heart, and I could have done with more bonding moments between the whole gang.

This was a solid conclusion to the Over the Top series – nice going with the series title, btw – and I urge you all to read these books if you love a good romance, lots of great characters and amazing friendships.