Emma: Goddess Swimwear has always been my dream. Every stitch, every design, every fabric choice, all of it poured out of my heart and soul. But now, I'm living a nightmare. My designs are being sold by a rival company, and I'm accused of theft. I know who's behind it all, my nemesis and the rival company owner, who has always had it out for me. But if I speak out and reveal the truth, I risk exposing a past I've worked so hard to keep hidden. When Luke entered my life, I thought he was a breath of fresh air and he stole my heart for the first time. But his charming persona and quick wit were just a facade, and I soon learned that he's been lying to me from the start. He's actually an investigative journalist, sent to uncover my secrets and ruin me. The love story I thought we had was nothing but a cruel lie.
Luke: As an investigative journalist, I'm used to digging up the truth, no matter how ugly or uncomfortable it may be. My job is my life, and I don't let anything get in the way of it. When I was assigned to investigate Emma and her company, I was ready to do whatever it takes. But I didn't expect to fall for her. As I got to know Emma, it became harder and harder to reveal the truth and risk hurting her. Now, I'm faced with a difficult choice. Do I continue with my job, risking everything Emma has worked for, or do I follow my heart and protect the woman I love? Will she ever forgive me either way? It's a decision I'm not sure I can make.
Be My Goddess is a steamy, hidden identity romance featuring a strong, but inexperienced female lead, and a broken hero. It is set in Manhattan and is part of the City Of Daydreams series with a guaranteed HEA.
I truly enjoyed this book and am very much looking forward to the next in this new series.
The main characters were wonderful. I was rooting for Luke from page one to the end and ready to beat some sense into Emma. And just as you want when reading a book that's part of a series, Karin's side characters leave you begging for their stories as well.
This book is a steamy, slow-burn page-turner you'll love.
Trigger warning: this book contains a sexual assault scene.
What happens when you’ve never given yourself the chance to find happiness, even if it is standing right in front of you.
Luke has been given a puff piece story on Goddess after being injured on the job. His boss thinks it’s an easy open and shut story that will keep him busy. The issue is that he finds that it’s actually more than that.
Emma is a true goddess, beautiful and strong, she is also the owner of Goddess a fashion swimwear brand that is having a lot of problems lately and the one thing she will never do is talk to a journalist.
Luke decides the only way to get to the truth behind the story would be to tell some white lies to get some info. What he doesn’t expect to find are the sparks that fly between the two of them.
This story was a great read filled with Insta-love but also secrets and lies.
I read this book voluntarily for an honest review.
I hadn't heard of Karin Winter before reading this book, but now I'm on a mission to find every book she's written. I found this book to be absolutely delightful!
I loved reading about Luke and Emma. I found both characters to be relatable and lovably flawed. Both are so strong-willed and determined. Both approach the world with focus and passion. Both are scarred from events of the past. Ms. Winter brings these figures together beautifully in this steamy, contemporary romance, while weaving in a mystery that completely took me by surprise!
This is supposedly the first of a new series. I am already eager to get my hands on the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Luke and Emma. She's a model and designer of Goddess swimwear. Luke is a journalist who is forced to reevaluate his job choice after an injury. When he's forced to do a story on Emma's company, he gets to see a different side of things. The past tries to sneak up on them and cause issues.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'm really in love with this authors stories. I read the 3rd book before realizing there were books 1 and 2! I didn't miss anything, but now I'm happy to get the details and stories I missed.
It was really hard going into the story to like Luke. He was very arrogant and judgemental. It was nice that Emma kept knocking him down. As the story went on, his character really developed. But he still did some things that made me roll my eyes 👀 I couldn't believe how stupid he was being! I wish, after they had started really trusting each other, he would have been more open and honest.
Emma also made some mistakes. She expected perfection from everyone around her, even Tony. That frustrated me to no end. When Tony called her out on her crap, she instantly tried justifying her actions and ignoring what he was saying. I'm glad she grew and realized people make mistakes. You fight for a relationship, and forgiveness is a big part of that. They both needed to grow, and I'm glad the author gave them the chance to do that.
The reconciliation with Lukes dad was so sweet and amazing. I'm glad Luke had Connor to support him and kick him in the butt when he was being obstinate. I'm actually really looking forward to Connors story, especially with having already read Naylas.
This book is different than the last two I read from Karin Winter. This book is more about all around deception and getting to the bottom of it. The problem with that is you don't know who to believe. Emma owns, Goddess, a swimwear company, that she also models for. Goddess has been accussed of many bad business practices. Luke is a journalist. Luke was in a accident and couldn't go after the story he really wanted. Luke was assigned a story about Goddess. Emma won't talk to reporters ever or her business partner. Luke is deceptive in getting Emma to talk and doesn't tell her he's a journalist. Luke slowly starts falling for Emma. Luke wants to help Emma clear her name. Let's just say Emma and Luke neither are truly honest with one another. It blows up in their faces. Luke does get to the bottom of who is leaking secrets from Emma's business and why. But at what cost? Expect: Explicit content, Romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and steamy romance. This book is good but it's definitely more of a slow burn to lay the whole story out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Luke, keen to get back to work having just been shot, is unhappy about being offered what he considers a fluff piece to cover. Perhaps with this mindset and the distraction of the pain from his gunshot wound he makes mistakes. Having made these mistakes he then finds it impossible to correct them. On top of that are the issues that he still hasn't dealt with from his childhood. He is intense, driven, charismatic and usually honest.
Emma is a world away from his experiences. She is young, beautiful, intelligent, clearly uncertain of herself, but obviously hiding something fairly major. This peaks his interest and initially sends him looking in the wrong direction. Once he realises his error though he puts all his efforts into uncovering the truth and clearing her name.
A beautiful, intense story with plenty of subterfuge and pace. Another winner from Karin.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is definitely a romance with LOTS of unexpected twist and I don’t know if I should say smut, spice, or a short version of ‘Kama Sutra’!! Most of the book I had to remind myself the author was a female because of the intense intimate descriptions sounded as if Luke himself wrote the book! There are several dark references from past experiences so bear in mind there is significant sensitive content, however the majority of this romance are about working hard and never giving up! I should have expected nothing less than Extra goodness after her Shattered series and SO Looking forward to what is next from Karin Winter!! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Only a few pages in and I knew this was going to good! Feel the excitement of the fashion industry as beachwear designer and model Emma, slowly falls for Luke, an investigative journalist. But this is no wishy washy love story! It's gritty and real.
Karen Winters has put all the right ingredients in this story - a pinch of intrigue, a handful of secrets, a cupful of angst, and a whole bowl full of steamy tension! All set in a powerful plot with two of the most beautifully flawed MCs I've come across in a while.
This is a binge worthy story with substance. A must read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A lovely romantic story of two people with histories, secrets and issues to overcome that come together in unusual circumstances. Can a romance that starts out with deceit work out in the end? Its a HEA narrative so works out, but the story and journey along the way is enjoyable with good characters, unusual storyline, mystery, intrique, twists and turns and can you find the leak before end of the book? I love reading books where guessing to near end of pulling all the parts together and this has good mystery and modern fairytale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story kept me enthralled with the characters in this story. Emma is a model and owns her own swimwear company and is accused of bad business practices. Luke is a reporter who is assigned to investigate Emma and her company. He is at the top of his field and when he can't get the answers, he is looking for so he goes undercover. He soon finds himself falling for Emma but when the truth comes out will she forgive him and will they be able to build a life together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first in a new series and this is Luke and Emma’s story. Emma is a businesswoman with trust issues, and Luke is a journalist who has been assigned to investigate claims against Emma, and he goes undercover to get close to her. What will happen when the truth comes out about Luke? This is a well written story which has twists, secrets, humor, witty banter, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, steamy, and unpredictable page turner. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a phenomenal story that has heartache and pure love as well as romance inside. Overall the story was great, well thought out and well written. Aside from a few times where the writing progressed so fast I felt like I missed something, it was great. Absolutely loved the story and how the author portrayed both characters pasts and the mystery that came along to protect them. Highly suggest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love the way Karin Winter writes about relationships and romance. It is the best written chemistry! Definitely my favorite spice and mix of suspense🔥🔥🔥 I love a contemporary romance. This has a back and forth throughout and it’s fire and steamy. So good! Loved that they are both successful, smart, and guarded. Great story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was Luke & Emma’s book. Emma, a successful model, and owner of the Goddess swimwear empire faces serious allegations that threaten everything she’s worked for. She keeps her heart carefully guarded and has never experienced love, but when Luke comes into her life, she finally lowers her defenses... only to bring into her heart the most dangerous threat to her. Will she regret it? This was a new author for me. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
An absolute thrilling page turner, I couldn't put it down! Luke is a journalist who is intense, driven and normally honest. Emma is young, intelligent, beautiful woman who is unsure of herself and keeps her heart guarded. They are both dealing with insecurities. Can they help each other through them? Enjoy this completely captivating page turner!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic introduction to the City Of Daydreams series. Delightfully hot and steamy. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Cannot wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was ok. I almost didn’t finish it but decided to try. I thought the lies were stupid, you knew it was going to come out so why not come clean sooner rather than later.