It has been a while since I read an indie romance.. It was a breath of fresh air, and I definitely missed this genre a lot!

This is my first venture into the world of Liora Blake’s works and so far, I had some fun.

What Matters More tells the story of US Marshall named JT and an artist named Anya. It was all supposed be to casual, as both had recently got out of serious things. But it’s like the universe conspired to have them see each other again, so it turns to something more.

This couple has sizzling chemistry from the get go, and the steamy scenes are really really on the hotter end of the scale. But, the moments when they get real with each other are also quite precious. As they both got their hearts broken, seeing them get another chance and grabbing it is a very heartwarming experience.

All in all, I enjoyed Liora Blake’s writing style and the story was quick and easy to read. Excited to look at her backlist titles to explore her other works.

I dnf'd this book. The writing is too cheesy for me. I can see how it would appeal to other romance readers. I read almost to the 50% mark and decided that it wasnt worth finishing. I have so many books to read that i cant commit to finishing a book that isnt working for me.

The characters are likeable and the story idea is cute. But. Its not the type of writing style that I enjoy reading.

Liora Blake is a master at heartwarming stories, without all the over-the-top, unnecessary angsty drama. But where she truly shines is her relatable, lovable characters and her hilarious dialogue!

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

I picked this up because I have read and enjoyed all of her previous books.
For the most part I found this book boring and lacking emotional connection. Too much emotional stuff happened off page. That is annoying to me. There was a fair amount of sex though if that is something you are looking for :)
I read this in late May and as I write this on 6/13, I honestly can’t remember what the book was about even after referring to my notes. So I guess this book was enjoying enough at the time I read it but not enough to retain it a few weeks later.

I'm a sucker for sexy stories where one night stands wind up head over heels with each other. What Matters More is no exception! A really enjoyable and fun read with the perfect amount of romance and steam blended together to create an intriguing, sexy story!

I received a free copy of What Matters More in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. The one regret is it ended too soon! I loved everything about JT and Anya. There were times when I cringed in embarrassment, and then laughed with them. Anya's friend was also a great addition to the story. I am definitely going to look for more books from Liora Blake!

** spoiler alert ** 1.5 Stars.
I really thought the premise of this book was cute! Recently divorced and broke US Marshall falls in love with free spirit artist.
I really wanted to like it. I did not expect there to be so much sex, as the book was not marked as "erotica" but under "romance." It was easy enough to skip through though. The characters lacked real depth and there wasn't much explaining as to why these two suddenly fell in love. One moment they were both not committed to their relationship and then the next chapter committed to being with each other...
I felt if the book was longer Blake could have added more to these two. The ending was cute, and the overall lesson of the book (what matters more) is the reason for the 1.5 stars. I have to add I did get this book prepub from Netgalley and in return I am supplying the world with my unbiased review of the book.
Not a fan

Cute romance between a straight laced US Marshal and a free spirited artist. It was a refreshing change from all the billionaire romances to see them struggle with money as normal people do.

This was a fun and sexy story about a one night stand turning into so much more. This is my first book by Liora Blake and I will definitely be reading more by her soon.

This story follows JT, a recently divorced, piled in debt, US marshal and Anya, who was laid off and discovered her boyfriend cheating on her all on the same day. This is not your traditional romance novel in that these characters start with a one night stand - no strings - and then slowly come to realize that while they were having fun, their hearts began getting involved, They are both very upfront that a relationship is not in the cards, and you know what happens after.

I hope all of Liora's books read as easy as this one. It's nice to be able to just sit back and enjoy an easy story that you can finish in a day or two. Highly recommended!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The characters were easy to like, the storyline was romantic and sweet. This was a new to me author, and I'd happily read others by her.

Two lost souls looking for their true north. When they happen to be at the same place at the same time. He is on the spin cycle at the bottom of the sink. A year out from a brutal divorce that has him paying through the nose and living in his parent’s basement.

The only positive in his life is his health and strength which he works extremely hard to maintain because it also keeps him safe at work. So, physical training is important. Then, there is his work as a U.S. Marshal which he knows he is extremely good at it. After a tour as a Marine, he knew this was a place he could excel.

Last but not least, are his friends and partners Lexi and Chris. That he trusted his life with more than anyone outside of his parents. Chris and he work-out together or should I say torture each other. Being that Chris and his wife are separated they are at a bar having a drink after a long day. When Chris bails his kids are sick and his wife needs help.

As JT is finishing his drink a woman with a fried onion appears on Chris’ stool. She starts chatting it up. Her chatter is kind of cute, so he listens and responds a few times until she pushes a sensitive button. He stands pays and bids a farewell.

Anya the woman who had been talking to him all of sudden comes running up behind him in the parking garage. When he turns with his hand on his weapon. Then is when she realizes he’s a Marshal. Once she explains how she what she wants, a “one and done,” he seems a little puzzled. What he really wants is for her to explain.

He first explains he’s a Marshal and makes sure she knows if she’s a, HO she will be arrested. She seems offended but assures him she’s not. She just needs her muse back and to expel her ex’s bad juju.

Once he agrees things move quickly. The next morning to her dismay he is gone. She does find his business card with a note. Called into work. But she’s okay with that her muse is back. The next morning she’s packed and moves on to her housesitting gig.

After being shown around and meeting a few of the neighbors. Anya is surprised when she sees a familiar SUV and driver pull in across the street. And the neighbor she was just introduced to starts calling to her son. When he gets out with his back to her it looks familiar but it was his arms with the sexy tattoos that make her heart race, her mouth drool, and she held her breath.

When he turns there is a look of surprise and panic. Tada! It was, sure enough, JT. Although this is a good book it lagged for me in the middle. I like good erotica as long as there’s a story to keep me interested. This was like the sex was a filler sometimes.

I give this: 4 stars. Really 3.5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.

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I started off liking this book, two, desperate, lonely people hooking up for a one-night stand and then unexpectedly realizing they live across the street from each other. It held potential. I liked the characters, Anya, the artist, currently unemployed and homeless after finding her art professor boyfriend cheating on her and J.T., the U.S. Marshall, divorced and broke, living with his parents while he tried to regain his financial footing. There was scintillating sex and the characters were engaging and likable without being disingenuous. It could have easily been a four star read except for the the “evil-ex” trope.

J.T.’s ex-wife had put him in the position where he had landed in so much debt and she was, per the divorce agreement, living in their marital home (that J.T. had to pay for) until she agreed to sell it (she would get to keep the proceeds). I’ve come to realize that I don’t like the evil-ex trope and while NIcole wasn’t exactly evil, she wasn’t really painted in the best light either. She worked as a manicurist, she liked the finer things in life, she wanted to live beyond her means, etc. All of this was, a direct contradiction to Anya’s struggling artist who was more than happy with the simpler things in life, who would rather eat pupusas from a small take-out place than at some fancy tapas place. I felt like the whole story would have been better served had it not been for the whole subtle lets compare the heroine to the ex-wife and see how different they are aspect. I’m tired of our society constantly comparing women, building someone up by tearing someone down and this very much felt like that. And it was wholly unnecessary.

I think there was enough in the plot to work with, with J.T. feeling ashamed for having to move back in with his parents and the failure of his marriage and Anya’s trust issues and lack of belief in herself, that the book really didn’t need the addition of ex-wife Nicole and how much she messed with J.T.’s confidence. In fact, the book kind of glossed over Anya’s lack of belief in herself, her reticence in wanting to talk about her art, how much her ex-bf’s dismissal of her work had hurt her. Those were important issues that needed to be addressed and never were.

Ultimately, the book showed promise but veered away and focused on things that really didn’t serve the story or the characters in the best way possible.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I’m happy give my honest review.

This is a new to me author and everything about this book checked a box for me. I really liked both characters and more importantly I liked them together. They had obvious chemistry and supported each other through their individual struggles.

JT is a US Marshall who is recently divorced and living with his parents to get back on his feet. He meets Anya, an artist and former museum curator, at a chain restaurant and they hit off. They have a hot one night stand together and think they’ll never see each other again. Anya shows up in his neighborhood a few days later to housesit for the summer. They try to stay out each other’s way but ultimately can’t stay apart.

This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to checking out more from this author.

A decent read that just left ne without much to say. Im a bit indifferent and don't plan on reviewing.

JT and Anya have a mind-blowing one night stand only to realize that they are next door neighbors. Can they both get over their messy pasts to start something new with each other?

This book was steamier than I expected but not in a bad way. Liora Blake is an easy one-click author for me and she didn't disappoint this time.

JT was a total surprise as a romantic hero - he's no icy billionaire, damaged mafioso, or randy rock star. Instead, JT is recently divorced, broke, living in his parents' basement, and wondering what the hell happened. I loved that JT, despite his uber macho federal marshal job, was really a guy who wanted to settle down and enjoy life with one woman. Unlike most of Romancelandia male citizenry, JT craves being an one-woman man:
The truth was, he liked monogamy. He liked the anticipation, the buildup, and the growing pains of getting to know a woman—everything that came with real relationships. He wanted the nerves that came with a first night together, knowing that there would be longer nights to come. Nights that gave him hours and hours to figure out what made her ache and moan.
The conundrum is Anya, a free-spirited artist who is recently single, broke, house-sitting for JT's neighbors, and wondering what the hell is next. These two should have never hooked up, except that they did, and their chemistry is undeniable. Problem is, Anya isn't so sure she knows if she wants to settle down. This was the weakest part of the story - none of Anya's actions or worries seemed to have any real motivation, just that she could be super skittish at times. Poor JT deserved better.

Also, I've read some of Liora Blake's earlier books and this one seemed a bit different in terms of pacing and language. I can't really put my finger on it except to say it lacked her usual zing.

3 stars.

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed this eARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

J. T. Maxwell is a U.S. Marshall and a very good one. He is not having a good personal life. At the age of 32, he is living in his parent’s basement since his divorce, and he cannot get out from under the bills that keep coming in. the biggest one is the house which his ex is supposed to sell but so far has not accepted any of the bids. So what he has done is put all of his energy into capturing fugitives. Anya Alves is a painter the kind that shows their work in galleries or that is there goal. She also is wanting to sell some of her work. That all would be good except for the fact that she walked in on her current boyfriend doing his T.A. in her studio on her table, and no they were not being models for the day. The boyfriend or now ex was being an SOB and whatever else you want to call him. On top of that, he decided to criticize her work on the way out. So the two of them are having self-esteem issues. That is until they meet in a bar. That whole scene is perfect for she finds out that he is a Marshall in is nice demeanor, (not). Yet she stills wants to be with him. In the morning she is gone and you think that is it until he arrives back at his parents and their she is across the street house sitting. Everything goes well for the summer until it is almost time for her to leave and he tells her what every woman wants to hear, those three little words. For though she runs again and as much as he wants to go after her he is tired of chasing people plus he just got a promotion. He does call but she does not pick up and you begin to wonder what will happen? Read this good book to find out.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author Liora Blake for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. I enjoyed the book. Two very different people find a connection. It started as a one night stand and fate stepped in. Ever had a really rotten day and wanted to just touch and feel someone else? This is how their relationship started. Two interesting individuals that clicked. Nice story. I rate it 4 stars. I think most romance readers will enjoy.

Sweet, sexy, fun. What a lovely surprise.

JT's self-esteem is at an all-time low. Living in his parents' basement at the age of 32 after a costly divorce wasn't how he pictured spending his new-found freedom. And then, his "all work, no fun" approach to life he's been following for the past year comes to a screeching halt when a strange but beautiful and spirited young woman bluntly, and a little awkwardly, asks him to spend the night with her.
After losing both her job and her cheating boyfriend (and with him her apartment) within one day, Anya has been suffering from a severe case of artist's block. Knowing that nothing helps her get her mojo back like good sex, she sets out to find just that: a pleasurable, inspiring night with a hot stranger, and JT seems to fit the bill just perfectly.
Neither expects to see the other again after their mind-blowing one night stand, so to say they're dumbfounded when they find out that they'll actually be neighbors for the summer is putting it mildly.
And thus begins a steamy, fun journey of healing, self-discovery and love.

Ok. The writing, while easy to follow and having a nice flow to it, wasn't that stunning. The story, while certainly entertaining, wasn't exceptionally thrilling. And yes, the characters, while very likeable, weren't exactly unique. And still, this book drew me in like nobody's business.
One thing that totally swept me off my feet was JT and Anya's relationship dynamics. I adored how right they seemed for each other, despite all their differences. TJ, level-headed and broody. Anya, a free spirit who prefers to just go with the flow, wherever it may take her next.
I loved their banter, their chemistry and the way they kept breaking down each other's walls by just being themselves, by not judging and not taking each other for granted.
Plus: yay for a heroine who's willing to take matters into her own hand, who isn't ashamed of her sexuality and isn't afraid to give into her needs!

The reason why I couldn't give this book 5 stars like I wanted to, is the unnecessary drama toward the end. I feel like there wasn't even any explanation as to why Anya pushed JT away in the first place, and later why she suddenly changed her mind. Making her say that she doesn't understand herself either doesn't serve as a satisfactory explanation and I feel like the author took the easy way out here.