I've been really lucky to read 2 REALLY good books in a row. I LOVE this series and could not put this book down yesterday. Ms. Leighton writes in a way that pushes all my buttons. The pretty series is a must read if you like hot romance with an alpha male who is rich. I could read this again today! ( )

Ugh. I forgot how much I disliked the contrived writing style in the first book. This one is worse and I don't like the main characters at all. Nor do I appreciate the casual mentioning of sexual abuse as a plot point. ( )

All The Pretty Poses
By M Leighton


*****Given an ARC in exchange for an honest review for Nerd Alert Book Love Blog*****
All The Pretty Poses is the story of Harrison "Reese" Spencer. He is the brother of Hemi from book one, All The Pretty Lies. You get small taste and introduction to Reese in the first book. I was super happy to find out book two us his story.
"...I just saw someone that I haven't seen in year. I knew him when I was younger. I thought he was...he was...wow!..."
Reese is a very powerful and driven business man. He has created an entire line of different businesses based on men's wants. On their fantasies, desires, and on total luxury. But his world gets turned upside down when his past is up on his stage In one of his clubs dancing.
"...Now would you like to tell me what you are doing dancing in one of my clubs?..."
Kennedy wanted Reese to be her hero and rescue her as a teenager, not walk away from her and help break her completely. Kennedy loved Reese as best as a teenager can and she gave him the one thing that was truly hers to give. Then he walked out of her life without a goodbye or a reason for it.
"...That happens when people leave without a word and don't come back for almost two decades..."
Kennedy is a beautiful, smart, and capable woman. She is very strong and a survivor but part of her is also broken. She has a dream and a goal of becoming a professional dancer.
"...Because if you were mine, I would never ever let you dance like that..."
Now that Reese has gotten a look at Kennedy all grown up, he is attracted and intrigued by her. After learning of her goal to become a professional dancer, he uses this information to make Kennedy a deal too good to pass up. All she has to do is come work on one of his books for the summer and he will get her the audition.
"...But I won't deny that I want you..."
After spending a summer rebuilding a relationship together, Reese and Kennedy once again come face to face with the secrets, the lies, and the dark twists that destroyed their pasts. Can Reese help Kennedy to finally find someone she can trust and repair what has been broken inside of her? Can Kennedy help Reese realize he is not the man or monster he fears he has become? As the secrets unfold, you will become so emotionally turned upside down but also truly blown away by the end.
"...Despite everything you've been through, despite all the reasons you have for feeling the way that you do, you can't go through life thinking you'll never find a man to trust..."
M Leighton, you truly know how to put a reader on the edge of their seat and always wanting more. I give this book a Nerd Alert A or a 5 stars rating. I really love this series and can not wait to get my hands on book 3!! I hoping it is Sig's story!! ( )

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

But the truth is, I never stopped loving Reese. Like scars and bad memories, some things never go away.

There were many things I expected going into this book. Relatable characters, scorching hot sexual chemistry, adventure, a little intrigue; what completely blindsided me though was the depth of soul wrenching emotion embedded deep within the pages. There was an intensity in this book, as well as its predecessor, that I can only imagine comes from Leighton’s growth as an author. I really shouldn’t have been shocked, as this IS Michelle Leighton we are talking about. I first fell in love with her Wild Ones series, and then it was the Bad Boys, and now the Pretty series. I am familiar with her style of writing. She has a way of weaving you into a story before you even realize you’re there. You open the book and before you know it; you’re one hundred pages deep, completely entrenched in the character’s lives. She quite literally writes you INTO the story, as if it is playing out right before your eyes. But this series, and especially this book? A whole other level folks!

“I’ll give you anything you want. As often as you want it. Ugly, rough, the dirtiest things you can think of. I’d do it all for you, baby. I’d come all over you and then lick it off. On that sexy mouth, on those delectable nipples. In that beautiful ass. So far up inside you, it wouldn’t come out for days.”

While Kennedy is a new character to this series, we briefly met Reese in All the Pretty Lies. He is Hemi’s older playboy, career driven brother. There is an intensity to his character that is best described in the above quote. He is used to getting what he wants when he wants it; his power and wealth know no bounds. Despite efforts to the contrary, he is every bit as ruthless as his father. Denying the truth to himself and those around him, I could instantly tell there was more to him than met the eye. Fueled by obligation and misplaced trust, within him resided a heart so full of love to give. What happens when you gave said heart away fourteen years earlier, never wanting nor needing it back? You get a seemingly arrogant man who doesn’t take no for an answer. That described Reese in a nutshell.

Kennedy was such a beautiful character; I instantly felt bonded to her. There was an innocence in her soul despite years of others trying to extract it from her. Growing up as an abused foster kid has left her extremely wary to trust anyone, especially men. She has seen the depraved places they can go. Our characters first met fourteen years prior, when her foster father was the groundskeeper for Reese’s uncle. They shared one perfect stolen summer together, and neither has ever had their hearts returned. They come together by happenstance; Kennedy is now dancing in one of Reese’s clubs in pursuit of becoming a professional dancer. They run into each other one night and that one fateful summer comes rushing back to the forefront. Try as they might, feelings could not be denied. Helpless to the inevitable path in front of them, all I could do was hold on for the ride.

I’ll love him until there’s nothing left. And then long after. It’s inevitable. He’s inevitable.

One of my favorite aspects of this book, in comparison to others, was the vulnerability displayed. Though not always spoken, it hung in the air, displayed as a shield of protection. It gave a realness to the characters, a rawness if you will. It endeared me to them all the more. Sparks crackled in the air and I was helpless to the inevitable onslaught of emotion. I’ll admit that for the first half of the book, I was wary with where she would take us. Although I was invested in the story and the characters, there wasn’t yet anything that stood out. Boy, did I ever eat my words! The last half of the book Michelle delivers a swift gut punch of emotions that will literally have you reeling for days afterwards. Honestly, I never in my wildest dreams or inclinations saw these revelations coming. So now that I look back on it I realize that the beginning of the story was just an eventual buildup for when she knocks you on your ass. I have been emotionally gutted in the best possible way. The story went from ordinary to one I won’t soon forget. The passion, the intensity, the rawness of it all, all wrapped up in one sexy package. Next up is Sig’s book and I can’t wait to see where Michelle takes us next!

“I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. For fourteen years, I’ve loved you. And I’ll love you for a million more.”

( )

As with all M. Leighton books, you're going to get steamy and sweet with a plot twist you didn't see coming, and All the Pretty Poses delivered just that! Reese, rich and handsome; Kennedy, an exotic dancer trying to escape a past she would like to forget. Little does Kennedy know that her past might just come back around. The HEAT between Reese and Kennedy was very hot, so much that she couldn't resist his pull. I didn't see the plot twist of this book coming. It was also fun to see Hemi and Sloane again.

Overall, All the Pretty Poses was a good addition to the Pretty series, and I can't wait to see what M. has in store for us next! ( )