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Bookworms & Alphas #3
Loving Disaster
She’s a librarian.
He’s a treasure hunter.
What could possibly go wrong?
When Aster Persephone Ainsley-Drummond set out to find Professor Bartholomew H. Pemberton, her mission was to recruit, hire or otherwise convince the mysterious archeologist to help her reach the mythical place called El Mourat.
When Hunter Pemberton woke up from a drunken stupor, his mission was to ignore, kill, or kiss the stunning redhead who appeared out of nowhere with a delusional plan that would get them robbed, killed, or both.
But another day, another dollar, and soon the world’s unlikeliest pair will find themselves on a mission to solve the riddle of an ancient map, discover just how many times things can go wrong in a row and maybe stop arguing long enough to realize how crazy about each other they actually are.
One thing’s for sure... in this story, lessons will be learned. A shy, awkward librarian may learn that sometimes professors don’t look like professors—at all. And a hunky professor may discover it’s better not to contradict, provoke or lose your heart to someone called Aster the Disaster.
Loving Disaster is the third book in the Bookworms & Alphas series. Each book is a standalone, though it is recommended you read the books in a chronological reading order.
He’s a treasure hunter.
What could possibly go wrong?
When Aster Persephone Ainsley-Drummond set out to find Professor Bartholomew H. Pemberton, her mission was to recruit, hire or otherwise convince the mysterious archeologist to help her reach the mythical place called El Mourat.
When Hunter Pemberton woke up from a drunken stupor, his mission was to ignore, kill, or kiss the stunning redhead who appeared out of nowhere with a delusional plan that would get them robbed, killed, or both.
But another day, another dollar, and soon the world’s unlikeliest pair will find themselves on a mission to solve the riddle of an ancient map, discover just how many times things can go wrong in a row and maybe stop arguing long enough to realize how crazy about each other they actually are.
One thing’s for sure... in this story, lessons will be learned. A shy, awkward librarian may learn that sometimes professors don’t look like professors—at all. And a hunky professor may discover it’s better not to contradict, provoke or lose your heart to someone called Aster the Disaster.
Loving Disaster is the third book in the Bookworms & Alphas series. Each book is a standalone, though it is recommended you read the books in a chronological reading order.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2019
About the author
Alex L. Michaels
7 books72 followersAlex L. Michaels has been addicted to reading and writing ever since she learned how to walk. She writes swoon-worthy romance with domineering, dirty-talking alpha heroes and sassy, independent heroines. She is a movie buff, TV series addict and a horror aficionado, but books always come first. If she's not writing or reading, she's either watching a horror movie, plotting her next novel or chasing her dreams.
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📢 OUT NOW!
A GENTLEMAN CAVEMAN - ENEMIES TO LOVERS, OTT ALPHAHOLE 🔥🔥🔥 ROMANCE.
Join her ARC Team: https://bit.ly/3HajBIL
Connect with Alex:
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3jPi7aU
Website: https://bit.ly/3xU6O6s
Email: alexlmichaelsromance@gmail.com
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/alexlmichaels
BookBub: @AlexLMichaels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexlm...
Instagram: @authoralexlmichaels
Twitter: @alexlmichaels_a
TikTok: alexl.michaels
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 28, 2019
3.5 stars
This is the third story in the Alphas & Bookworms series but they can all be read as stand alones.
Aster grew up living with her grandfather, where she fostered a love of reading. It was only natural for her to move into a vocation as a librarian. She has always had a love of literature and the adventures that books could take her on. Now she is about to embark on her own one, after her late grandfather left her a letter and a map for treasure.
Aster was given the name of a guide, apparently he is highly recommended and the best person to help her find El Mourat. When Aster finally tracks him down, he is drunk with his head down in a very seedy looking bar. She thinks that someone has made a mistake, how can this man be a highly regarded professor?
Professor Hunter Pembarton turns out to be a person of great stature, literally. He is tall, broad, and very handsome. A bit drunk, he manages to make a terrible first impression, mainly because he has no interest in helping Aster out. He doesn’t believe she in fact has this sougth after map and he just wants to be left alone to drink in peace.
After a bit of an altercation at the bar they end up making a dangerous and terrifying escape with their lives. This pretty much sets the tone for the rest of this story. It’s like Aster just attracts bad luck and Hunter nicknames her Aster the Disaster. As they make their way towards their intended destination trouble seems to follow them wherever they go.
While all of this is going on things are simmering between this couple. They have this love/hate thing going on, underscored by a huge amount of attraction. To be fair, Hunter was a bit of a douche through most of this story so Aster’s resistance was understandable. However, there is something happening between them and the slow burning wait did eventually pay off.
This is not my usual sort of preferred read, I prefer more romance than adventure but it was good to read something out of my usual comfort zone.
This is the third story in the Alphas & Bookworms series but they can all be read as stand alones.
Aster grew up living with her grandfather, where she fostered a love of reading. It was only natural for her to move into a vocation as a librarian. She has always had a love of literature and the adventures that books could take her on. Now she is about to embark on her own one, after her late grandfather left her a letter and a map for treasure.
Aster was given the name of a guide, apparently he is highly recommended and the best person to help her find El Mourat. When Aster finally tracks him down, he is drunk with his head down in a very seedy looking bar. She thinks that someone has made a mistake, how can this man be a highly regarded professor?
Professor Hunter Pembarton turns out to be a person of great stature, literally. He is tall, broad, and very handsome. A bit drunk, he manages to make a terrible first impression, mainly because he has no interest in helping Aster out. He doesn’t believe she in fact has this sougth after map and he just wants to be left alone to drink in peace.
After a bit of an altercation at the bar they end up making a dangerous and terrifying escape with their lives. This pretty much sets the tone for the rest of this story. It’s like Aster just attracts bad luck and Hunter nicknames her Aster the Disaster. As they make their way towards their intended destination trouble seems to follow them wherever they go.
While all of this is going on things are simmering between this couple. They have this love/hate thing going on, underscored by a huge amount of attraction. To be fair, Hunter was a bit of a douche through most of this story so Aster’s resistance was understandable. However, there is something happening between them and the slow burning wait did eventually pay off.
This is not my usual sort of preferred read, I prefer more romance than adventure but it was good to read something out of my usual comfort zone.
April 14, 2019
Marie's Tempting Reads ARC Review:
The most delightful and engaging book yet in this series, I was surprised how fast I got through it because I had a heck of a time putting it down. Fun, witty, crackling with heat filled tension, this story had a strong irresistible pull that was hard to resist.
I fell head over heels for Hunter and Aster. Their first encounter wasn't the best but for me, it sure made for a entertaining time. I found their chemistry to be quite delectable. I found myself getting butterflies as they worked together and enjoyed the banter and wit. This was a fun, steamy good time and one I highly recommend.
Loving Disaster gets a FUN, ENTERTAINING FILLED FIVE SMOLDERING STARS!
The most delightful and engaging book yet in this series, I was surprised how fast I got through it because I had a heck of a time putting it down. Fun, witty, crackling with heat filled tension, this story had a strong irresistible pull that was hard to resist.
I fell head over heels for Hunter and Aster. Their first encounter wasn't the best but for me, it sure made for a entertaining time. I found their chemistry to be quite delectable. I found myself getting butterflies as they worked together and enjoyed the banter and wit. This was a fun, steamy good time and one I highly recommend.
Loving Disaster gets a FUN, ENTERTAINING FILLED FIVE SMOLDERING STARS!
April 5, 2019
4.5 Stars
This might be book three in the series, but I would beseech you to give it a go because like the others, this can very easily be read as a standalone story.
Aster, has the unfortunate knack of being a trouble magnet, she doesn’t have to do anything particularly out of the norm for her life to be turned totally on its head because angst just seems to be able to track her down no matter how hard she tries to avoid it.
But despite all of her mishaps, I loved the fact that when she got the bit between her teeth and settled down to review her situation, she didn’t shy away, nope she was resolute and absolutely set on solving the puzzle that had grandfathers’ letter and the map had stirred in her. Because as much as she misses him, she knew that he wouldn’t have left her the letter and map if they hadn’t been important and that filled her with a determination to fulfill the search, he left for her and decipher what exactly the map is hiding.
Hunter, might have been the professor she was looking for to help with her quest but I wasn’t sure at first as to whether I was going to be much help, and I say this in as much as the fact that he came across differently depending on just how much alcohol he had in his system – pie-eyed and he was hilarious, sober…well he was questionable much of the time. And I mean that quite literally because his drunk and sober self often seemed at cross purposes!
I loved the literary anecdotes, the fact that Aster was a book worm, a lover of the classics who relished her life with her Grandfather. She was happy in her world, but when life challenged her, I loved that she was willing to face those challenges, maybe not entirely head on but at least with everything she had.
She didn’t do half measures and that was endearing.
There is of course plenty of action, a whole load of questionable decisions and enough angst to keep me turning the pages at a rate of knots, I was chomping at the bit to see if they were able to not only unravel the mystery but also work out exactly what was going on between the two of them, because it didn’t take long for the fact that there was something definitely drawing the pair of them together to become blatantly apparent no matter how much they tried to stave it off. The love/hate push and pull was fabulous.
A great read that shouldn’t be skipped past, because once you stop and give them the chance to draw you in…you won’t be able to put them down!
This might be book three in the series, but I would beseech you to give it a go because like the others, this can very easily be read as a standalone story.
Aster, has the unfortunate knack of being a trouble magnet, she doesn’t have to do anything particularly out of the norm for her life to be turned totally on its head because angst just seems to be able to track her down no matter how hard she tries to avoid it.
But despite all of her mishaps, I loved the fact that when she got the bit between her teeth and settled down to review her situation, she didn’t shy away, nope she was resolute and absolutely set on solving the puzzle that had grandfathers’ letter and the map had stirred in her. Because as much as she misses him, she knew that he wouldn’t have left her the letter and map if they hadn’t been important and that filled her with a determination to fulfill the search, he left for her and decipher what exactly the map is hiding.
Hunter, might have been the professor she was looking for to help with her quest but I wasn’t sure at first as to whether I was going to be much help, and I say this in as much as the fact that he came across differently depending on just how much alcohol he had in his system – pie-eyed and he was hilarious, sober…well he was questionable much of the time. And I mean that quite literally because his drunk and sober self often seemed at cross purposes!
I loved the literary anecdotes, the fact that Aster was a book worm, a lover of the classics who relished her life with her Grandfather. She was happy in her world, but when life challenged her, I loved that she was willing to face those challenges, maybe not entirely head on but at least with everything she had.
She didn’t do half measures and that was endearing.
There is of course plenty of action, a whole load of questionable decisions and enough angst to keep me turning the pages at a rate of knots, I was chomping at the bit to see if they were able to not only unravel the mystery but also work out exactly what was going on between the two of them, because it didn’t take long for the fact that there was something definitely drawing the pair of them together to become blatantly apparent no matter how much they tried to stave it off. The love/hate push and pull was fabulous.
A great read that shouldn’t be skipped past, because once you stop and give them the chance to draw you in…you won’t be able to put them down!
April 5, 2019
Rating: 3.5*
So Aster is on a treasure hunt. Her grandfather left her a map and she is in need of a guide. 'Hunter' is the guide she needs and wants but they don't get off to the best start and bad luck seems to follow them throughout their adventure. Their attraction for each other is obvious but they spend a huge amount of the book butting heads and annoying the hell out of each other and me.
I would like to have read more about the lost treasure they were seeking incorporated into the story to add something more to it. It would have added more to the bookworm theme of this series. It felt like an after thought and wasn't really part of the story, yet was hanging around trying to get some attention.
I found Aster really annoying at times and found it difficult to connect with her as nothing seemed to please her. Hunter's size was mentioned frequently and I have this image of a giant in all areas when thinking of him. He has the patience of a saint not to leave Aster at the first opportunity or anytime afterwards.
I have enjoyed this series to this point but, whilst I enjoyed this book for the most part, it hasn't been my favourite of the series. I read a lot of action/adventure books when I'm not reading romance and adding in more historical detail and bringing the lost treasure to life would have been that extra dimension that would have turned this into a more rounded read. Despite saying this, I did still enjoy reading this book, purely to see what disaster would find them next and what trouble they would get into next.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
So Aster is on a treasure hunt. Her grandfather left her a map and she is in need of a guide. 'Hunter' is the guide she needs and wants but they don't get off to the best start and bad luck seems to follow them throughout their adventure. Their attraction for each other is obvious but they spend a huge amount of the book butting heads and annoying the hell out of each other and me.
I would like to have read more about the lost treasure they were seeking incorporated into the story to add something more to it. It would have added more to the bookworm theme of this series. It felt like an after thought and wasn't really part of the story, yet was hanging around trying to get some attention.
I found Aster really annoying at times and found it difficult to connect with her as nothing seemed to please her. Hunter's size was mentioned frequently and I have this image of a giant in all areas when thinking of him. He has the patience of a saint not to leave Aster at the first opportunity or anytime afterwards.
I have enjoyed this series to this point but, whilst I enjoyed this book for the most part, it hasn't been my favourite of the series. I read a lot of action/adventure books when I'm not reading romance and adding in more historical detail and bringing the lost treasure to life would have been that extra dimension that would have turned this into a more rounded read. Despite saying this, I did still enjoy reading this book, purely to see what disaster would find them next and what trouble they would get into next.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
March 27, 2019
Loving Disaster is book three in the Bookworms & Alphas series and while each book can be read as a standalone, little clues pop up from prior books that start to click as your reading to make the story of friends come full circle. Aster the Disaster is the perfect name for her! She’s awkward, somehow finds trouble and disasters (even when she isn’t trying to find it) and is very determined to solve this riddle map. Hunter well he sure doesn’t look like a professor that is for sure. Drunk Hunter is funny, but sober Hunter has him thinking is he still drunk with all the happenstances that occur. The tension between these two are real (good/bad).
Aster lived her life in a library with her grandpa so for her to set foot outside of her comfort zone is very brave and to continue on trying to get to the final destination would have had me quitting long time ago. Hearing from Bronte and Jess (from the prior books) helps give her more courage even when it comes to Hunter. If you happened to read the prior books in the series you would think Jess (she’s a writer) was telling a story that she is writing with all the Stones being thrown at Aster and Hunter during this journey. You seriously couldn’t make up some of the funny (ok not at times) events that happened to them.
If you enjoy movies like National Treasurer you will enjoy this book. Thinking it’s the end of the series, but we may be getting a little Marty from the back to the future based upon quirky things that occurred at the end. It was an adventure for sure!
Aster lived her life in a library with her grandpa so for her to set foot outside of her comfort zone is very brave and to continue on trying to get to the final destination would have had me quitting long time ago. Hearing from Bronte and Jess (from the prior books) helps give her more courage even when it comes to Hunter. If you happened to read the prior books in the series you would think Jess (she’s a writer) was telling a story that she is writing with all the Stones being thrown at Aster and Hunter during this journey. You seriously couldn’t make up some of the funny (ok not at times) events that happened to them.
If you enjoy movies like National Treasurer you will enjoy this book. Thinking it’s the end of the series, but we may be getting a little Marty from the back to the future based upon quirky things that occurred at the end. It was an adventure for sure!
April 10, 2019
I am such a big fan of this series. This is the third book in the series. This is a standalone but it's more fun if you read the first two books as characters are mentioned. This story is about Aster whose grandfather leaves her a map to a treasure and a recommendation to contact Hunter as her guide. She goes out on this adventure. She doesn't expect Hunter to be a sexy beast of a man. He doesn't expect her to be this strong woman who gets under his skin and he can't deny his attraction to her. They constantly fight with each other but also they are like magnets attracted to each other. She thinks he is rude and uncivilized and he swears she is bad luck. This is a great adventure story. And also a story full of sexual tension that the reader can feel on each page. I couldn't put this book down. I needed to see where this adventure would lead them to next and also if they wouldn't finally get together! This book is a great steamy read for romance fans but also an exciting, action packed story for adventure seekers. Bottom line, this is a must read! I can't wait to see what this author has next for us!
July 26, 2024
I read a gentleman caveman and wanted to see this author early works!
This was so much fun!! It gave me The Mummy vibe (the 1999 movie).
I loved every second of it!
The bickering/banter btw the characters (that’s why I love the author)
Even the second characters were great
The non stop action (Disaster Aster 😅)
The steam (but you have to be patient for it!)
I also think it was the perfect length (with this kind of trope it can never stops!!)
There is no cheating but light OW drama
Red-haired heroine
Grumpy H
Recommend highly if you need some fun in your life.
This was so much fun!! It gave me The Mummy vibe (the 1999 movie).
I loved every second of it!
The bickering/banter btw the characters (that’s why I love the author)
Even the second characters were great
The non stop action (Disaster Aster 😅)
The steam (but you have to be patient for it!)
I also think it was the perfect length (with this kind of trope it can never stops!!)
There is no cheating but light OW drama
Red-haired heroine
Grumpy H
Recommend highly if you need some fun in your life.
April 11, 2019
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Awesome Book
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Now I need to go back and read the other books.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Awesome Book
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Now I need to go back and read the other books.
February 22, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
A great couple with fantastic chemistry, throw a little action in and some spice. A swoon worthy ending to top it off.
A great couple with fantastic chemistry, throw a little action in and some spice. A swoon worthy ending to top it off.
May 16, 2024
Steamy romantic adventure in the 'Romancing the Stone/'Indiana Jones' vein. Highly enjoyable.
July 7, 2019
This latest installment in the Bookworms & Alphas series was a really fun read. Even though it is book 3, it can be read as a standalone. I adored the character of Aster, she was feisty, so brave, and trouble to all those around her! The things she gets herself into and the reactions were hilarious, even though Hunter definitely did not appreciate them. The interactions between Aster and Hunter is a love/hate relationship. When they first meet, it was definitely not a good impression, Aster was looking for a guide to assist her with a treasure map given to her from her grandfather. Hunter was the recommended professor, however he was not the distinguished looking professor Aster was envisioning. He was a drunk, so rude and she found him utterly gorgeous. Unfortunately things kept getting worse and worse for them, especially when he finally relented to help her with her mission, but the connection and attraction was intense and very strong. This journey was filled with ups and downs, bickering and amazing chemistry. An enjoyable read and I do recommend it.
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Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2FbUbfP
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💖 Find excerpts and teasers: https://bit.ly/3hvqgjw
💖 Start reading for free: https://bit.ly/2PkAbdt
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews