Zandra is aiming to change her life and career path. She sets out on a trip to Europe. She is surprised by the appearance of her brother’s best friend Blake who shows up to be her tour guide. Blake has his life planned out and knows that Zandra does not fit in there. The story chronicle the trip with all it’s mishaps and adventure. It shows two people who think they are on different paths discovering that they can make it work. I loved Blake’s devotion to his mom and sister. These are wonderful characters that focuses on the heart of love and life.

I love the brother's best friend trope. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the writing or either main character.

Zandra York has known Blake Monroe since her teenage years. He was her brother’s best friend. An attraction simmered but she was too young and he had responsibilities.
When Zandra leaves her accounting job to work in her dream job as a photographer, her first assignment is in Europe. It’s her first overseas trip and knowing that she’ll need help navigating the train stations etc, she enlisted her brother’s to help. Little did she know that her brother recruited Army Capt. Blake Monroe to take his place.
The attraction develops but both believe that since they are on different paths in their lives, a relationship will not work.
The story was touching and at times heartbreaking, especially as we learn about Blake’s childhood and his determination to help his mother become a doctor. He’s put his dreams on hold for her and those he cares for.
At times you will laugh out loud, at others you will feel sad, but in the end , you will be glad to have spend some time with Zandra and Blake.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This one didn’t grab me immediately, but once I got into the story I was definitely rooting for our couple to overcome the obstacles in their path. A brother’s best friend romance with a twist, this book pairs a woman just starting a job that will take her around the world, and a soldier who is counting down the days until he can start living a normal life. This unlikely pair have known each other for years, but it isn’t until they’re thrown together on a trip that they truly become more than acquaintances.

I loved the depth of emotion between them - there’s really no question that Zandra and Blake are interested in exploring the chemistry between them, but they both know their careers will make it almost impossible to make something work in the long run. Their time together is limited and they have to make the most of it... without breaking their hearts in the long run. It’s not overly angsty, though that’s definitely there. There’s plenty of lightness and some humor, with obvious chemistry between two characters who are easy to like. With a slow burn romance, a touch of steam and an ending that’s happy (if not a little rushed), there’s a lot to like about this book.

Why didn’t it hook me immediately? The writing style itself, which took a little while for me to warm up to, in addition to the fact that I wasn’t sure I liked Zandra at first. She’s a photojournalist who livestreams some of their adventures, and she rides a fine line of being too obnoxious about her social media use. I had zero problems with Blake - he is such a sweet, steady guy who has sacrificed a lot for his family, and might wind up sacrificing his heart so that Zandra can pursue her passion. I wasn’t sure how these two would be able to find their happily ever after, but I was definitely rooting for it to happen. I received a free copy via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sweet yet sexy book.

A good romance, I had a little trouble connecting with the hero but once I did the relationship between him and her was amazing!

Zandra and Blake have known each other for years - he's her brother's best friend - but it's not until he accompanies her on a work trip that they really get to know each other.

It was fun to follow their travels across different European cities as Zandra takes photos for her first professional photography job. The author did a nice job with describing their travels and the interesting locations they got to visit. It also made me want to plan a trip to Europe for myself.

The connection and chemistry between Zandra and Blake was evident from the get go. They felt like a great match and it was sweet seeing them open up to each other.

DNF @ 28%

I found this really boring… I wasn’t able to feel chemistry between Blake and Zendra, even with them both constantly talking yo their attraction and how hot they found the other. In amount I read they shared a kiss, and I didn’t get warm-fuzzies or even smile at them kissing, which I feel is a big indicator of how little the attraction seemed to be working. Plus, even the hearse rideshare scene that is part of the blurb and being used to say it’s a rom-com didn’t bring a smile to my face.

I think this has potential for others but for me I was just bored and not feeling any chemistry between the MCs.

I like the brother’s BF trope but this one didn’t work for me because of the heroine.
Finally taking a stance to follow her passion, Zandra leaves her job with her family’s accounting firm to pursue freelance photography when she lands a job with a travel magazine which involves travelling to Europe. Not being someone familiar with travelling out of country, she recruits her brother to be her guide but his BF turns up instead.
Zandra struck me as being self centered and frivolous and her preoccupation with social media irritating. In one scene when Blake tells her to stay put while he goes off to get something, she insouciantly wanders off to get a better signal on her cell to of course post on social media. That so made all my hackles rise.
Blake is the opposite, responsible, putting his own dreams on hold while he puts his mother thru medical school knowing how much she sacrificed for him & his sister when they children.
DNF

Seduced by a Soldier is a fun quick read. There is plenty of adventure and banter, that you never get bored.

Zandra York just got her first big break photographing for a major magazine. She's never travelled out of the country before but her brother Jackson is on his way to act as her guide.
But when her brother's best friend Special Forces instructor Blake Monroe steps off the plane instead, she knows this will not end well.
There isn't anything Blake won't do for his best friend. But babysit Zandra when he's called away on a mission was not on the list. She proves to be far more trouble than he can handle and far too tempting.

This was well-written and the story moved smoothly. I was never bored reading this story. I enjoyed their adventures as they travelled to Zandra's photo assignments.

I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley
#SeducedByTheSoldier #NetGalley

4 stars

I enjoyed this book. It's not an author I'm that familiar with, but now I'll look out for her books. Zandra and Blake's romance starts quite slowly. A lot of the book is about Zandra becoming more comfortable with her talent and more independant. Blake is keen to be protective of both Zandra and his mother. He has put his personal ambitions on hold to ensure his Mom gets success in her career. Zandra has to come to terms with the idea that
its not a binary choice of career or romance and so eventually the couple get their HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I received an advanced reader's copy of Seduced by the Soldier by Melia Alexander from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book that I had read by Melia Alexander and I was pleasantly surprised to find an enjoyable new author to follow.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I found it to be well written with an engaging plot. The primary characters' romantic start was memorable and immediately showcased their chemistry/attraction even as both tried to keep things in the friendship box. Blake and Zandra, the main characters, had known each other for ages (Blake being the best friend of Zandra's older brother since childhood) so both tried to keep their relationship comfortable and friendly...until they couldn't keep up being "just friends."

I liked the well-crafted characters, how genuine they seemed, plus the witty banter between them. I also really enjoyed the hilarious situations Zandra got them into.

All in all, a fun read that I couldn't put down!

A fun and entertaining read, with an excellent plot and likeable cast of characters.
I liked the engrossing plot, the well written cast of characters and the setting.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I read this beauty in one sitting, I could not put this down! The perfect combination of the unwilling meets the unknowing and a heap of sexual tension, humor and charm. Zandra and Jackson could not have been more perfect. Jackson is her brothers best friend who stands in for him when he's called out on a mission and can't accompany his sister on her first trip to Europe. He calls upon Jackson to go and Jackson begrudgingly complies, he's on leave too and had plans. Plans that didn't include babysitting Zandra through Europe.
This trip is important to her, it's her first opportunity to prove herself to the new e-zine company that's sent her to photograph her way through some proscribed places in Europe. She's never been out of the country before and wants to do more than well. She's broken away from working for her family business and is a successful Instagrammer and photographer. Combining these two and proving to her family she can be successful as a photographer is more than important to her. There is no doubt she's got talent. What she can't do is figure out the train schedule in Germany! Imagine her surprise when she arrives in Germany looking for her brother only to see Jackson waiting for her with his grump clearly showing. The man is hot! Bossy and not very patient at the beginning of their trip together, I loved the banter between these two and the adventure they were on. The sexual tension and steam were off the hook and the story is compelling. Two people who have plans for their future that takes them in two very different directions. One wants to settle, the other wants to see the world.
So what happens with these two? Differences resolved or is what they both really want right in front of them. I'm not sure I say this ever, but I didn't want this story to end. It is sheer perfection from beginning to end.
A total 5 star read for me

arc from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review

The story of Blake and Zandra.

She has finally got her big break, travelling the world as a photographer. He is there to support her on her first assignment after her brother can't make it. The longer they send together, the more she realises she never really knew him and the more she falls fr him. But what will happen when she has a plan to keep travelling and he wants to settle down and start law school? Do they have a chance together without one of them givin up their dreams.
Well written and likeable characters.

I enjoyed this contemporary romance. Zandra is an engaging woman who finally broke free of parental obligations to take a chance and tackle life on her own terms - as a traveling photographer. Blake travels a lot with the military, but longs for the day he can finally reach for his dreams and build a life as an attorney. They're dreams are incompatible, but they can't stay away from each other.

I enjoyed the characters, but it took awhile for me to connect for them - they just felt a bit flat and formulaic. I was probably a third of the way through the book before I began to care them and their story. However, once i reached the half way point of this novel, I was all in and engrossed in the story and the characters. For this reason, I've given this book four stars.

If you enjoy the genre, you will want to put this one on your TBR list.