Talk about a book that meets and exceeds expectations. Talk about a book that hits the sweet spot (and yes, I do mean BOTH kinds of sweet spots, my daTalk about a book that meets and exceeds expectations. Talk about a book that hits the sweet spot (and yes, I do mean BOTH kinds of sweet spots, my darlings). Did you think your body was ready for this book? This book will take you to church, my lovelies!
Reminisce for a moment, if you will, and think about the Triad series. Take Scarlet’s go-to, take no prisoners, give-no-effs attitude and stunning looks and mix them with Sebastian’s bloodthirsty tendencies, impulsivity, imperiousness, talent with knives, and (again) stunning good looks. Now combine them into one firecracker full of power, money, and a ton of confidence. That’s how you get Izabela Deluca, the sole heir apparent of the Triad. Like most mafia princesses, she’s had to grow up too fast to ensure she was ready to take over the reins as soon as she became an adult, if needed. Furthermore, she seeks out trouble like a cruise missile and sometimes trouble just comes to find her. Either way, Izabela thinks trouble means a damn good time is coming her way.
Izabela’s most tempting piece of trouble comes in the form of Niko, the Triad’s head of operations. He’s twice her age, won’t give her the time of day, but she can tell he’s not immune to her…charms. She’s wanted him for quite some time, and on the night of her eighteenth birthday she sets out to get Niko. Not too long after that night, Izabela’s assigned a business trip to Ireland to secure a weapons deal. Niko is a native to Ireland, and Izabela finagles a deal to make him the head of her security, sending the two of them alone to the Emerald Isle, even though Niko’s family warned him to never return when he turned his back on the family business.
These two are like feral animals with one another, unable to keep their hands off one another, sinking their teeth and claws into one another, leaving bruises and marks all over each other’s bodies, and I am her for it! Their chemistry is off the charts and I couldn’t love Niko’s pet name for Izabela more if I tried. They’re both so invested in the reputation of the Triad and enmeshed in one another it’s as if they are of one mind sometimes, knowing what the other has said or done without even needing to speak. It’s not love so much as it’s obsession and possession, at least until the very end. For Izabela there is no one but Niko, and for Niko there is not one but her. Both would rather kill an entire room full of people in unspeakable ways than let the other be touched or let themselves be touched by someone other than each other.
The forced proximity. The age gap. The bodyguard trope. The bloodthirsty female willing to kill for her man. The way Izabela submits to Niko and only Niko. The way she was meant to wear a crown and he was meant to stand behind her throne like a watchful sentinel. The way Izabela looks to her mother as both a guiding light and a cautionary tale and looks at her dads as both father and authority figures. The way she knows it’s her responsibility to care for her many younger siblings as well as the Deluca name. Izabela is a powerhouse and only a man as strong as Niko deserves to stand by her side as she prepares to helm the Triad empire.
I hope Dana plans to write more Triad (next generation) books in the future. I don’t care when, or if they come in any sort of order, or if we have to wait. If they’re all as on fire as this one, then I’ll totally wait for the burn.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All ideas, thoughts, views, and opinions contained herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
You have to understand something: I loved the Netflix limited series “The Queen’s Gambit” (no, I haven’t read the book). IBe still my freaking heart.
You have to understand something: I loved the Netflix limited series “The Queen’s Gambit” (no, I haven’t read the book). I’ve watched that entire series from start to finish so many times. You know what this book reads like to me? Like YA Queen’s Gambit but funnier, less serious, and with less substance and child abuse. I’m not saying that to be insulting because if you delved any deeper than this shallow comparison it’d be like comparing apples and oranges. I really just mean that they’re both brilliant, both filled me with joy, both made me swoon, and both made me want to go back and do it all again.
First off: Dude, I have a fierce adoration for rivals-to-lovers. I also have a serious book crush on the book boyfriends who are the ones to fall first. Don’t even get me started on the fact that Hazelwood didn’t fall back on trying to make Mallory and Nolan some sort of opposites-attract trope. This book was the best kind of catnip: A fiercely independent, intelligent, bisexual, sex-positive FMC (praise be to Cheesus) and a strong, independent, intelligent, gives-no-effs MMC who acknowledges he is white and a trust fund baby (yes, it does cause problems but SPOILERS).
Do I want to go into the plot of this book much? Not really. It’s a romance. A dramedy, if you will. It’s closer to that mixed bag of genre than a straight-up romantic comedy. I have a love affair with the logic and strategy behind chess, as well as the aesthetic of it all. Do I know how to play? Heck no. But I love watching.
The supporting players in this book are absolutely vital and so endearing. Mallory’s sisters are exactly what little sisters end up being: pains in the butt but you would die for them in the blink of an eye. Her mother? Both a tragic and loving presence in Mallory’s life. Mallory’s bestie, Easton, is what we all wish we had in our life-long besties. Then there are all the chess players, big, small, misogynistic, kind, female, and more who make up the tapestry of Mallory and Nolan’s chess world. Some you want to castrate and others you want to just hug.
I just can’t with this book. It was too adorable for words and I gobbled it up.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review was written without recompense. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Reads/Contemporary Romance/LGBTQ Fiction/Rom Com/Sports Romance/Standalone Romance/YA Fiction/YA Rom Com/YA Romance ...more
Super secret scientific experiments! Psychopathic dad who uses his daughter as his test subject! Like potato chips, the psycReal Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Super secret scientific experiments! Psychopathic dad who uses his daughter as his test subject! Like potato chips, the psychopath couldn’t only stop at torturing his daughter: He tortured numerous children, and all but four of them managed to live. But the genetically engineered birds have come home to roost, and they long to use their enhanced brains and bodies to peck some eyes out. They’re more than up to the challenge. Sayeth the Daft Punk:
“Harder Better Faster Stronger”
Off the cuff, this plot sings to me. A BAMF female who would rather kill a warehouse filled with combatants before a drop of blood touches her men, and a cadre of men who would die for her but will shed more than their fair share of blood before that will ever come close to happening. It’s not “touch her and you die”, it’s “touch any of us and you will die”.
The violence goes hand-in-hand with the kind of bonding that would usually form a tight-knit band of soldiers; but in this case it spins a reverential and uncompromising web of shared trauma, emotional intimacy, and deep love between these five survivors turned rescuers. Their mission is to ostensibly root out the deepest, darkest seeds of our FMC’s father’s research, his labs, and to find any and all other test subjects, if there are even any left. Then they are to help burn it all to the ground.
See all this? This, ALL of this, is my jam. If this were The Voice, I’d be begging this book to pick me as its mentor. I’d smash that red button. The thing is, there’s a lot of issues with this book that interrupt the fun.
I’m not even talking about Nova’s (our FMC) relationship(s) with the fabulous males in this book. Those dynamics and relationships are fine. The men sound hot, have great personalities, and recognize Nova for being far more dangerous than they are. And they’re here for every blood-soaked minute.
No, the main issue I have about this book is predictability and repetitiveness. These characters are supposed to have enhanced intelligence, yet they’re written like they don’t. And the spice scenes? Well, don’t get me wrong–I adore the kind of spice scenes Knight writes in this genre of book, where the characters both crave and can take it hard, fast, and violent, but the spice scenes seemed so much the same with almost every male character and proceeded almost all in the same manner that I stopped trying to keep track of who Nova was engaging with because it all blurred together. In the end, the spicy scenes stopped being hot and started being boring.
In the end, I decided I couldn’t rate it a full four stars because I just didn’t feel like it earned it, but it didn’t warrant a 3 star because the story is too good all on its own. You could’ve removed half the spice and I would’ve still been happy.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. Any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
I was trying to think of which of my March ARCs I should read before I start my April ARCs, and I decided on this book, feeling like I needed somethinI was trying to think of which of my March ARCs I should read before I start my April ARCs, and I decided on this book, feeling like I needed something fun and purely escapist as a palate cleanser before I started a pretty thriller-heavy month for me. Plus, I’ve never read a Marie Lu book before (I know, late to the game, right?) and I just wanted to give her writing a try, even though I know this isn’t her usual game.
While not perfect, this book is a ton of fun! Is it absolutely over-the-top ridonkulous? Yes, yes it is! Is it, as described inside, Kingsmen meets The Bodyguard? It totally is! Do I care about how much I had to suspend my disbelief? Heck-to-the-NO!
Marie Lu is an admitted fan of BTS, and when I sent my bestie (who is also a BTS fan) the summary of this book, my bestie said, “OMG I know exactly who she based Winter Young on!”. I could only laugh, because I am an occasional BTS listener and don’t know the difference between any of them. Winter Young, the male protagonist in this book, may be a pop superstar on par with the Taylor Swift’s of the world in this book in terms of stardom, but he’s much poorer in terms of family and the people who truly know him and love him. His brother died when he was a kid, his dad didn’t want him, and his mother hasn’t been able to really look at him or be around him since his brother passed. The three people closest to him, his manager and two main backup dancers, don’t even know about his brother. So really, no one truly knows him completely.
If you know me and have read a good deal of my reviews, then you know how much I love female spies and assassins. Our female protagonist is Sydney Cossette (also known as The Jackal), who works for The Panacea Group, the secret black ops company who recruits Winter for a secret mission to help take down one of the richest men in the world by having him perform at his daughter’s massive, private birthday gala while Sydney does her dirty work behind the scenes. She’s to pose as Winter’s bodyguard while Winter gets to know and distracts the birthday girl. Sydney was recruited by The Panacea Group at 15 when one of their agents was accompanying the CIA on a recruitment mission at her high school. The CIA couldn’t use her, but she was perfect for The Panacea Group. Eager to escape her nightmare life in her small town, Sydney left that day to become an international spy and never looked back. She feels alone too, clinging to her handler almost like he’s her father and keeping a great deal of secrets. (And can I just tell you how tickled I was that the girl from the poor side of the tracks had the last name Cossette? Shout out to Les Mis fans.)
Beyond these two protagonists, this book is like a popcorn movie hyped up on coffee, fandom, BAMF females, pretty boys, shiny toys, and glittering fun. It’s a quick, page-turning read that might actually make a solid movie or animated film. If you just want some escapism in a world less ordinary, pick it up!
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All views, ideas, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/YA Romance/YA Fiction/Book Series/Coming of Age/Espionage Thriller/LGBTQ Friendly/YA Book Series/YA Drama/YA Mystery/YA Suspense/YA Thriller ...more
When I go to open up a new Eden Finley, Saxon James, or a book concocted by these two evil geniuses together like this installment of the Puckboys serWhen I go to open up a new Eden Finley, Saxon James, or a book concocted by these two evil geniuses together like this installment of the Puckboys series, I always rub my hands together briskly before starting and let out a silly little giggle because I know without a doubt I’m in for a really good time and a really good book. So I snuggled down into my bed with my puppies and settled in for my definition of literary comfort food.
I asked, and they delivered: GOAL. I still don’t understand anything about hockey (even after reading hella hockey romances), but the jokes! The chirping! The personalities! The ups and downs of competition and the pros and cons of celebrity! Let’s not forget Oskar, who (along with other members of the Queer Collective) make some hilarious cameos or appear here and there to help give the plot a gentle nudge along.
Oh Aleks, you sweet little baby pansexual. The world is your oyster and you have no idea what to do with it all. At the beginning of this book everything is brand-new for Aleks: new town, new house, new team, and a finalized divorce after he and his wife grew apart. He wants to explore everything the queer community has to offer, but has no idea where to start. Enter the Queer Collective, a bunch of alcohol and bad decisions (which honestly should be a warning sign Oskar wears around and all of us know it), and one small accident with fire that brings two firemen to Aleks’ backyard. It’s one hell of a meet cute. One of the best I’ve read in at least the last year. I was living for it.
Gabe is one of the firefighters that responds to this odd and ultimately hilarious call, and let’s talk about that insta-lust, okay? The insta-lust was real and I’m a big fan, being prone to it in real life myself. The sparks fly, the chemistry is explosive, and neither of these two can list patience as a strong suit. They want hands, mouths, and more all over one another as soon as possible. The sooner the better. Trying to take it slow just doesn’t work.
Eden and Saxon get me in one of my weakest spots with the dirty talk. I’m weak for it. And they write it so well.
This book isn’t on the long side. It’s less than 300 pages, and it’s a quick read. The burn is fast, the writing is hilarious, the romance is pure fluff sweetness, and the friendships are so pure. It’s another winner from Finley and James, keeping them at the top of their game.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, views, ideas, and opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Note: The Knot Their Omega series is an interconnected series set in the same universe, but the books can be read as standalones at this point withoutNote: The Knot Their Omega series is an interconnected series set in the same universe, but the books can be read as standalones at this point without any issues. I am not aware if the author has plans to change that in future installments, however (the next installment is called Selection, and I guess we will see if there is further integration at that point). So you do not need to read Captivate (the first book in this series) to understand or enjoy Hypnotize at all.
Before I wrote this review I went back and read my review of Captivate, just to familiarize myself with how I felt about that book and see how it might compare to how I felt after reading Hypnotize. Even though I ended up giving them the same rating, I ended up enjoying Hypnotize just a bit more than Captivate, just because of a few different reasons. Both books did, however, have the same flaw that lowered their rating, but in different ways.
Juliet, our FMC, briefly had a cameo in Captivate as she was being promised to a pack in Alaska. It was almost a throwaway mention, but I somehow knew as I was reading that Juliet’s story was going to be the next book in the series. As you can obviously see, I was right. And as the summary states, Juliet never makes it to the pack she was promised to after something horrific happens during her flight. Instead, she ends up alone and stranded during a blizzard in the rural Alaskan wilderness. Thankfully, there are three alphas living off the grid in a cozy cabin and one of them finds a hypothermic Juliet stumbling through the snow before she succumbs to the elements.
Juliet’s promised to another pack, but now she and these three alphas have a few of big problems: Juliet lost everything in the crash (including her heat suppressants), all of their communication to the outside world is down because of the weather, and the snow just won’t stop coming down so any of them can get to the nearest ranger station to see if they have emergency heat suppressants on hand. Three male alphas who have been living in isolation for years without being in the vicinity of an omega? Juliet’s impending heat is bringing the urge to rut mercilessly upon one of the alphas, and the other two are just barely holding back by indulging in mercilessly hot alpha on alpha action (which is one of my favorite omegaverse kinks).
Speaking of kinks and tropes: Hypnotize has a leg up on Captivate by giving me that sweet, sweet forced proximity and deliciously filthy dirty talk. And talk about sexual tension! It’s a taut cord that’s woven between Juliet and Everett (one of our three alphas) throughout about half of this book, and it’s scorchingly hot. Do you have a kink for hot mountain men chopping wood? Then you will love this book. Lawson weaves a lot of commentary on female agency into this book and Captivate, and it’s much appreciated, but I also appreciate her dedication to bringing emotional depth to her male characters. It could be all too easy to give most of the emotional depth and trauma to the FMC, to make her the focus of everything and make the alphas strong men who know just what they want and how to get it. But Everett, Huck, and Dean aren’t living off the grid in isolated Alaskan wilderness because it was their dream. They’ve seen some stuff, been through some trauma, and have some good reasons to stay apart from society at large. In this book, it’s the alphas who need healing, not the omega. It’s refreshing, and I love that the forced proximity lends itself well to this part of the plot.
As to the big flaw in this book that I also found in Captivate: I found the ending to be too rushed and too easy. And, again, it was the events of the second act that left too little room for a more structured third act that would allow for a more well-rounded climax and ending. When the antagonist in the book has been built up to be such a big bad the entire book and then it seems laughably easy for the protagonist(s) to “escape their clutches”, so to speak, I end up disappointed that for as well written the rest of the book was that the author chose to waste an opportunity to write just as satisfying of an ending. Just because we know the book will end in a HEA doesn’t mean you need to rush through the section where we need to wrap up the section where everything comes to a head.
Still, it’s an excellent omegaverse novel with great characters. It’s a page-turner, and it’s going to cause some thigh clenching. That’s a good time, in my opinion.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, ideas, views, and opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
You want an awesome dark fantasy romance novel full of witches, curses, and an ancient warlord sorcerer that manages to bespell a vulnerable witch intYou want an awesome dark fantasy romance novel full of witches, curses, and an ancient warlord sorcerer that manages to bespell a vulnerable witch into opening his well-hidden and buried sarcophagus and lifting a 2,000 year old curse? You want that sorcerer to be sexier than sin, possessive like a barbarian, Machievellian and vengeful, and yet still have space in his dark heart to truly care for you?
Oh yeah, you’re going to absolutely love Bewitched.
Laura Thalassa is absolutely a reliable author of the character-driven dark fantasy romance novel. Her men aren’t good men–they’re definitely callous and unemotional to start out with and surely strung along the darker shades of the greyscale. Her women are feisty and often out of their element with their male love interest to start off with: a little lust drunk, unsettled by their power and mood swings, and yet they learn somewhere along the way how much power they hold both as women and as lovers.
This first installment in this series is heavy on exposition, to be sure, but the characterizations of Memnoch and Selene don’t suffer for it. If anything, the exposition helps to fill these characters out, to help us understand Memnoch’s motivations, goals, and experiences, and to also help us get a glimpse into Selene’s anger, frustration, weaknesses, and strengths. In essence, Thalassa wields exposition in the manner it’s meant to be wielded: showing us instead of merely telling us.
There is a lot of magic flying around in this book, and while there is a nominal effort made to explain the magic system, I still found myself a touch confused at times. I’m going to chalk it up to this being the first installment and there was so much going on in this book that it’s likely we’ll learn more and more about the magic in this series as it moves on.
There is also a lot of plot running around. Besides the main plot between Memnoch and Selene, there’s also two (maybe even three?) subplots running under the surface that keep the pacing flowing nice and steady, waiting there to mix it up so us readers aren’t simply sitting here reading your standard romance novel. There’s some heft to it. Some pizzazz. It’s simply a great read and a great win for Thalassa under her new imprint.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. Any thoughts, views, ideas, or opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
C. P. Harris is no stranger to stepbrother romance (see last year’s excellent Bad Wrong Things) or mixing heartbreaking angst with enough sexual chemiC. P. Harris is no stranger to stepbrother romance (see last year’s excellent Bad Wrong Things) or mixing heartbreaking angst with enough sexual chemistry to melt your dang bones (see, again, Bad Wrong Things), but The Good Liar is as bold of a move as a romance novel as I could think of, seeing as the theme of the book and the series is infidelity, which is a no-no to your average romance novel reader. So you’ve got two “forbidden” romance novel tropes: stepbrothers and cheating.
You know what that says to me? Sign me right the heck up. You might as well have waved a red flag in front of my face, because the more you tell me something’s forbidden the more I want it.
While the plotting in this book isn’t as solid as I’d like, the characterizations are. Well, for the most part. I felt Daniel was written almost cartoonishly evil. Between the short interludes featuring him and then his scheming and narcissistic behavior throughout the book, it felt like we were being given more excuses to root for Cole and Jasper when we didn’t need many excuses to root for them already. There was no need to heep more villainy upon Daniel. We knew that apple was poisoned. As a reader, it made me feel a bit insulted, like I couldn’t be trusted to draw the line from A to Z myself.
Now, Cole and Daniel? They have some issues too, but not nearly as many as Daniel. And, trust me, you’ll be far too distracted by the sexual chemistry between these two to really worry too much about it. And when the chemistry becomes a reaction and ignites, hold onto your seats because these two are the definition of “carnal knowledge”. They are beasts with one another, down to their animal selves, wanting to tear and rend one another. It’s not only hot enough to melt an e-reader, it’s also symbolic of how deep down their connection goes and how well these two know one another.
The ending has the benefit of privilege: Were the characters in this book poor, it would’ve taken longer to end for a lot of reasons. But money talks, and so the HEA comes quickly because money cuts through the reddest of tapes pretty easily. I do hate an easy out like that, but the characters can’t help they’re rich.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts, views, and ideas expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
I loved the first installment of this series, Problem Child, so much I knew I wanted to get to the next book in the series aReal Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
I loved the first installment of this series, Problem Child, so much I knew I wanted to get to the next book in the series as soon as I could. I was downright greedy for more of KC, her friends, and the mercurial boys in her life…especially after that cliffhanger ending!
So I went into Mad Boys hoping it would be as fast-paced, exciting, and event-filled as the first book, even if it meant putting up with even more slow burn (yeah, yeah, I’m a thirsty girl and I have a hard time with slow burns in contemporary romances in this age group. It’s a thing and I acknowledge it). That’s not what I got from the book. This, sadly, was a huge case of sophomore slump in a book series. I can’t pretend it’s all sunshine and roses and everything is superb in this book, because it’s not. It has a lot of problems. There is a lot to recommend, though!
KC’s character development has evolved between the first book and this one, and I’d say it’s for the better. While not outright hostile to people at Blue Ivy Prep, she does have a cynical bubble around her now due to the events of the last book and because of current events in her personal life. If you thought she had trust issues before, well, now her trust issues have trust issues and she’s not afraid to straight-up NOPE out of a situation if she thinks it’s only going to lead to something bad. Aubrey has also gone through some character growth due to what went on with KC and the pressure their record label is putting on them to work on their new album. And the most positive character change between books one and two was Jonas, who went from being madly in love with KC but being unable to speak to her except to leave sheet music for her in the first book to being able to speak to her but being very shy and reserved in this book.
But there were a whole lot of issues with the book, too: a huge plot hole that may have solved the central mystery of this book if only two of the guys remembered one cringe morning in their apartment, deliberate miscommunications, immature reactions, immature measures, and a lot of repetitive scenes. Then there’s the fact that I can’t suspend my disbelief enough to think that the guys wouldn’t have thought to search on their own to see if they had any other step-siblings in the world, considering their stepfather isn’t keen on keeping it zipped.
Heather Long is a gifted writer when it comes to characters, especially the female ones, and that’s one of the reasons I show up. Her premises and plots are another reason I come to read. I just think this book was a hiccup in the series, which I’m looking forward to continuing.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
It’s so unfair that I have to give this book (which is by all rights an entertaining slasher film romp where the frat boys aReal Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
It’s so unfair that I have to give this book (which is by all rights an entertaining slasher film romp where the frat boys are the ones in danger and not sorority girls for once) 3.5 stars. I would’ve loved to have rated it higher; but as it was, if it weren’t such a fun book to read (and I didn’t even manage to guess whodunit!) I would’ve rated it lower because this book has enough plot holes I felt like I might need to send for a work crew to come patch them all for author Cale Dietrich.
Why didn’t I guess who did it? Well, because it didn’t make any sense. If anyone else who has read this book can look back at any point in the book and tell me there was any hint that made you realize in hindsight the murderer was at least slightly suspect, then I’d like to know, because it’s driving me nuts.
And as for the leading suspect for the murders for the majority of the book: If Sam (our MC) was so skeptical, why didn’t he find a way to contact that person’s family and find out if they knew anything about where he was or what happened to him? Moreover, if said person had indeed disappeared suddenly, wouldn't law enforcement have contacted Sam as a matter of course, considering their shared history? I just felt like I kept stumbling into plot holes and if I was watching a horror film I’d be asking Sam out loud as I was watching the television, “Why don’t you make one simple phone call?”
I loved that this was a YA horror novel in the slasher genre with prominent LGBTQ representation and a LGBTQ main romantic relationship but that Dietrich never made this book about being queer. This wasn’t a slasher novel about being gay, this was a slasher novel that just happened to have a heavy amount of queer representation that was presented in a positive light. These young men are simply fresh meat in the college market, trying to find their people and their way in life. Yeah, they’re gay, but that’s never the point. And that’s not the motive for the murders, either.
It really is an entertaining, diverting, fun, and slasher-iffic read that’s good for when you just want to take some time to sink into a book that has the feel of a 90’s slasher film.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in conjunction with the author. All thoughts, views, and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
I knew when I read the previous book in this universe (don’t worry, both books can be read as standalones and you won’t miss a single thing), We Are WI knew when I read the previous book in this universe (don’t worry, both books can be read as standalones and you won’t miss a single thing), We Are Worthy, that I would want to read any other book Alisha Williams wrote that was set in the same universe. So, when We Are Destiny was announced, I signed up to read, review, and promote that book right away.
This book hit two huge omegaverse sweet spots for me: omega on omega action, and alpha on alpha action. It’s all well and good to read your standard omegaverse novel where it’s all just alpha(s) on omega action, but to be honest, I’ve really gotten tired of them. They’ve started to bore me in the same way that about 75% of heterosexual contemporary romances have, which is why I don’t usually read m/f contemporary romance unless it’s highly recommended to me by people I trust to make good recommendations. With omegaverse, I now see the standard alpha(s) x omega and I’m already pretty bored. I end up returning them to KU usually before the 20% point because I just need more from my omegaverse novels now. And mixing things up or adding up the kink and/or spice factor is a spectacular way to grab my attention and keep me reading.
While I loved We Are Worthy because of its unconventional yet BAMF FMC who was more into who her potential pack members were inside rather than what muscles they had on the outside, I loved We Are Destiny because of the two omegas in the book: our MMC, Spencer, and the feisty little omega Everlee, who is barely-controlled chaos with devious plans in mind that are meant to make everyone happy. The two together are so sweet and cuter than a pair of kittens who have just discovered their toe beans.
Also, bravo to Williams for tackling the struggles that come with depression and anxiety and the unhealthy coping mechanisms one might use in the dark times when it seems you’ve lost everything and don’t know if you’re ever going to come out of the dark pit you’ve found yourself in. As someone who has a panic disorder and an anxiety disorder (let’s not talk about the bipolar), I felt those scenes were written rather well and handled with appropriate care instead of exploitatively. While Spencer’s anxiety and depression are intrinsic to the plot, Williams did take care to not make Spencer all about his depression and anxiety, instead opting as often as possible to show as many different facets of Spencer as possible.
Now, we all know we don’t read omegaverse for plot. We read it for fun and for spice. You don’t have anything to worry about on that front. There is a lot of spice in this book, and the pairings are in every formation possible. It’s all hot, and it’ll make you squirm real good. Not only that, but you get a lot of sweet and soft intimate moments, which is always nice.
All in all, it’s another winner from Alisha Williams in this omegaverse universe. It’s a great book available on Kindle Unlimited and you should definitely check it out if you like your omegaverse novels spicy, diverse, and versatile.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions, thoughts, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
In these past six months or so, Cora Rose has become an insta-buy author for me. All she has to do is announce a book and my head perks up like a meerIn these past six months or so, Cora Rose has become an insta-buy author for me. All she has to do is announce a book and my head perks up like a meerkat and I’m like, “Cora Rose? Must read!” I’m going to admit I’m a lot less familiar with the writings of Nicole Dykes, but that teeny, tiny fact wasn’t going to keep me away from this book. And I’m so glad I didn’t let anything deter me from getting my greedy hands on this book so I could devour it.
I don’t know how Cora Rose somehow does fast-burn, spicy, soft, and sweet all at once and yet makes it not only feel so effortless but also make it feel… natural. It shouldn’t feel so natural for two people to come together like they do in Cora’s books, but they do, and it’s always amazing. A Cora Rose book never lets me down. And judging by how popular she’s become in such a short period of time, I know I’m not the only reader who feels that way.
The simple, brilliant, and scorchingly hot premise of this series is one that totally taps into one of my favorite tropes: camboys (and sex workers in general). I am a big fan of how this book stays sex worker positive and never sinks to the level of exploiting it. Camming truly is a business as much as influencing and marketing is, just with less clothes. Sex work is the oldest profession in the world and is nothing to be ashamed of. This aspect of the book was definitely a plus for me.
How to express the way I feel about Reed, Hannah, and Carter? I can’t even with these three. I truly felt for Reed and his struggles, felt buoyed by Hannah and her ability to take most things in stride, and wanted to endlessly hug Carter for his huge heart and capacity to give.
I don’t know between Nicole and Cora who wrote what or who came up with what, but they sure make a good team. I’m looking forward to more from this co-writing team.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/Holy Crud That Was Hot/K!nk and BDSM Friendly/LGBTQ Fiction/LGBTQ Romance/Romance Series/Spice Level 3 ...more
Thank goodness Poppy Ireland is a great writer that can craft a compelling story and create interesting characters, because otherwise I might not haveThank goodness Poppy Ireland is a great writer that can craft a compelling story and create interesting characters, because otherwise I might not have stuck with this book until the end. Why, do you ask? Oh, because of the dreaded slow burn. And by slow burn, I mean dang near the end of the last act and it’s not even that explicit.
You guys know me: I’m a thirsty girl. I love my fast to medium burns, and I like my spicy scenes to be just that–SPICY. The single steamy scene in this book is closer to a regular ol’ romance novel than what I’m used to reading. It was quick and it was… normal? Normal-ish? Whatever it was, it wasn’t my usual cup of jet fuel.
Luckily, Ireland gives us readers who are used to jet fuel spice scenes something to hold onto in the form of an intriguing FMC who truly loves her father, a compelling storyline, a pair of star-crossed lovers, a rumbling of conspiracy under the surface, buckets of secrets left to be spilled, and fun supporting characters.
I think Ireland may have used this first book to get the vast majority of world-building and character development out of the way so in the next two books the storyline and romantic relationship can really shine through without too much exposition getting in the way. It’s a smart move I wish more authors made, but it does tend to make the first books in these series a little harder to read for us readers who like our spice. But if you can hang on, the story pays off, and I think we’ll all appreciate the next two books all the more.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Fantasy Romance/Shifter Romance/Coming of Age/Contemporary Romance/Gothic/Paranormal Romance/Romance Series/Spice Level 1 ...more
I’m going to put up a disclaimer here, because I feel like I need to be honest: Were I doing my regular mood reading, just trying to find something thI’m going to put up a disclaimer here, because I feel like I need to be honest: Were I doing my regular mood reading, just trying to find something that hit all my buttons, I wouldn’t have finished this book, because it’s just not my cup of tea. So, as such, I’m taking off the hat I usually wear when I read when I review romance/erotica novels and I’m putting on the hat I wear when I’m objectively reviewing a book for what it is, analyzing the aspects I did enjoy, and looking overall at Williams’ approach to the story and storytelling and how much potential the series may have going forward.
Okay. Now that the minutiae is out of the way, here’s the review.
After much debate, I rated this book four stars because I really like the storyline and the potential it has to grow in future books, I love our FMC (Raven), I love her steady and true shadow guardian (spoilers!), I love found family tropes and I’ll gobble them up wherever I can find them, a great deal (but most definitely not all–and I really, really mean it) of the tropes and spicy buttons are right up my alley, I love the vigilante/gang aspect of the overall story arc, and I love how unreserved Raven is in just about every way. She’s uninhibited, hedonistic, and wild in a way only someone who feels completely sure of herself and what she wants and needs can be. That is an inner power most women would slay to have.
I tend to love the way Alisha Williams writes her stories. Most of her FMC’s are like Raven in some way, especially in that empowerment aspect. They know who they are and they largely don’t need outside influences to give them self-worth. Her FMCs are one of the reasons I keep coming back for more, even if I don’t always end up finishing the book because it just doesn’t end up being my thing.
And that’s my con here: There’s a character in this book I can’t stand, and the way he talks and acts toward Raven and the way she reacts, in turn, without any true explanation at any point as to why he inspires such reactions when they’re so different from the way she wants to live her life and the way she views herself and other women just caused me to turn up my nose like something smelled bad every time he was on page in any way. He ruined most of the book for me by turning me off completely and making me roll my eyes at Raven whenever he was involved.
But the bones are good. There’s not enough damage done that the series can’t be redeemed or the characters can’t evolve into different people. You can already see Raven undergoing a rapid evolution by the end of book one, and I was living for it. So bring on book two and show me more.
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts, views, and opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone and are given of my own free will without reservation. Thank you.
Okay, okay. I’m a sucker for certain tropes. I’m totally going to admit it. That’s totally the reason I snapped this book upReal Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Okay, okay. I’m a sucker for certain tropes. I’m totally going to admit it. That’s totally the reason I snapped this book up.
It’s dark!
Our FMC has gone through some deep, dark stuff!
It takes place at a Catholic boarding school!
It’s bully RH with mm content and a little bit of ff!
Oh, a little professor/student cum priest/penitent action?
Oh, and it’s got a secret society twist?
Well, heck. Count me in, sugar. All of that is like catnip to me.
I gotta tell you: It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad, either!
It’s got some obvious flaws in copy editing and proofreading, and the writing is a bit immature. There are some jumps between scenes that don’t make a lot of sense or leave plot holes. These mistakes aren’t things that can’t be fixed with time and experience by the authors. Both Amber Nicole and Jenn Bullard have room to grow in their writing when it comes to this series and I’m sure they’ll come back in the second book with the notes in hand from the reviewers of this installment and it’ll make editing the second installment that much easier and the read will be that much smoother. I’m a big believer in growth.
The bones of the story are good. The tropes and fun stuff this book is framed around are sound and have the makings of being an excellent series. The characters have the outline of being fantastic characters. Therein lies the issue: It’s all potential unrealized. Everything about this book has the potential to be great, but this book reads like the rough draft of what will eventually be a fantastic book once everything is fully fleshed out and realized.
Some proofreading, copy editing, and content editing would smooth out the continuity, spelling errors, grammar issues, and plot holes. The authors spending some more time with their characters, fleshing them out and bringing them from mere outlines to full realization, would definitely make this book among some of the more excellent novels in this genre.
What's great is even with the deficits this first installment has, I still enjoyed the read for what it was. It’s still a story that intrigues me and I enjoyed reading simply for what it was. It simply could’ve been much better.
I was provided with a copy of this title by the authors and Peachy Keen AS. All opinions and views expressed in this review are my own. Thank you.
File Under: Alphabet Soup Romances/Polyamorous Romances/Contemporary Romance/Dark Romance/Gothic/LGBTQ Romance/Romance Series/Read at Your Own Risk Romance/RH Romance/Why Choose Romance/Spice Level 3/Secret Society/High School or Boarding School...more
I have been with this series since book one and haven’t regretted one page of it. Sinclair Kelly is one of my favorite omegaverse writers, and this inI have been with this series since book one and haven’t regretted one page of it. Sinclair Kelly is one of my favorite omegaverse writers, and this interconnected omegaverse series has become one of my favorite things to read, review, and promote over the past year or so.
I have such a thing for BAMF omegas, and wouldn’t you know this book stars one of the best I’ve ever seen in Reese, who is a FBI SAC for their Undercover Narcotics Unit. She’s spent almost the entire time since she first perfumed suppressing her omega nature and urges and living as a beta in order to become one of the FBI’s most highly-decorated and talented agents. But once a job goes a little bit awry and she needs to take some down time so the aftermath can be cleaned up she finds herself in the same town as Bexley and Arden (our omegas from the first two books in this series), their packs, and the pack that is headed up by her father’s gorgeous silver fox best friend (who just happens to also be the town sheriff), a man she offered herself to when she was 18 and was rejected.
This book isn’t as good as the first installment of this series and isn’t as spicy as the second book, but it sure hits a lot of my buttons: age-gap, dirty talk, and some mm action being among those buttons. I greatly enjoyed the plot and the characters, as well.
The sole complaint I have about this book is how rushed it read to me. I know I often complain about books being too long, but in my opinion this book was too short and the story suffered for it. The relationship developments suffered for it. Reese’s evolution and character development suffered for it. And the ending? That was rushed too.
I do have a complaint that is applicable to other books but I saw in this book too: multiple epilogues. This was cute the first couple of times I saw it, but I really am sick of it now. Please, authors, do away with the multiple epilogues.
I was provided access to this title by the author. All views and opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you.
In this installment of author Lunn Burke’s Missing Link series we get to meet the masterminds of the Missing Link app, Ashton and Rhett, and the genesIn this installment of author Lunn Burke’s Missing Link series we get to meet the masterminds of the Missing Link app, Ashton and Rhett, and the genesis for the app’s development is also revealed (surprisingly, it’s not just because some dude bros wanted to get their poly freak on (kidding!)). We also get an introduction to the character who will possibly be the main character of the next ML novel, and we get to see Sinful Natures alum and star of the first ML novel, Haley, in a super cute cameo appearance.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I had a completely different reaction to the second installment. As you can see from my rating here, I had a mixed reaction to this entry.
What you never have to worry about with a Lynn Burke book is the quality of writing. Lynn is a solid writer all around. She not only comes up with great settings and has excellent world building skills, but she also never skimps on exceedingly hot spicy scenes, swoon-worthy romantic scenes, witty banter, and thoughtful narrative.
If you’ve liked the first two books in this series then this book won’t disappoint you. The characters are unique and each has something to offer to the reader, which is always something I love from an author. I recommend picking it up for sure, even if I had my own mixed reactions.
I was provided access to this title by the author. All views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Well, the steam is coming off the pages in this new book from A. J. Merlin. I mean, I knew I was going to read it as soon as I knew it involved camminWell, the steam is coming off the pages in this new book from A. J. Merlin. I mean, I knew I was going to read it as soon as I knew it involved camming (one of my favorite tropes and real-life turn-ons), but then you add in this pretty little thing falling in with two men who are utterly obsessed with her and the promise of a plot that’s looking more dark and complicated than what the short blurb is alluding to? Aw, come on. You might as well have told me you had a whole pen full of piglets for me to play with if I’d just follow you!
Blair just needs to earn some money, but doesn’t want to work in another restaurant or coffee shop while she’s trying to take a heavy course load before she hits her senior year and has to work on her thesis. Shortly before her semester starts, she comes across a cam site she’s surfed before and watches a user that tempts her and causes her to feel things she hasn’t felt before and she wonders if she could do that. Could she put on a mask and make just about the same amount of money per month as she would at a part-time job without having to work as many hours and on her own schedule?
It turns out she can, and she quickly gains two fervent followers who tip well to keep her from having to do the lascivious things other tippers try to get her to do on screen. At the same time, she’s taking a photography class with a guy she has a crush on who doesn’t even need to take the class but is anyway and seems to have the strangest dynamic with their professor. She feels this tension between them, and she feels a push-pull within herself between the sweet and playful Oliver and her icy, stern professor. There’s just something about them both that she wants, but what it is yet she doesn’t know. What she does know, though, is that there’s just something a little off with both of them and it should send her running…but she just can’t bring herself to do it.
I don’t want to spoil most other aspects of the plot, because that would ruin so much of the fun of the book for you. There are some great surprises in store for you, both in the erotic sense and in the plot sense. I love how Merlin can manage to write a great deal of romantic suspense and psychological fiction into these dark romances. It’s not all physical violence–it’s a whole lot of mind games and I’m here for it.
The book is the first in a series, but thankfully it ends on a natural break in the storyline and not on an abrupt, torturous cliffhanger. There is an important question asked near the end that is meant for Blair to contemplate between this book and the next, but it’s no emergency. There’s no rush. The only ones who’ll be in a rush are us readers, who’ll be begging nonstop for the next installment.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/College Romance/Alphabet Soup Romance/MMF Romance/Dark Romance/Forbidden Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Romance Series/Read at Your Own Risk/Spice Level 3/Very Bad Folx Doing Very Hot Things ...more
Ever since I read the first book in this series (Roommate Arrangement), I’ve been pleading silently for the day when my Art and It’s here! It’s here!
Ever since I read the first book in this series (Roommate Arrangement), I’ve been pleading silently for the day when my Art and Joey book would come. With each upcoming DMC book release I would hope, only to be denied. In the meantime, the chemistry, tension, and frustration Art was feeling towards Joey was building into such an evident inferno of want disguised as denial that I was surprised he wasn’t walking around Killer Brew with a permanent boner.
I wasn’t disappointed one bit by this book. Saxon James doesn’t give us the candy right away–she makes us wait for it a while, making us pant and squirm while Art and Joey dance around one another like peacocks with shiny plumage, flirting outrageously with other people and even more outrageously with one another, playing a dirty talking game of cat and mouse for almost half the book. But TRUST! When Saxon finally does give us greedy readers the candy, she gives us ALL the candy. Art and Joey are just as thirsty and greedy for one another as we readers have been to see this happening since book one in the series. The two of them are combustible together. I’m surprised they don’t set the bed (or desk, or couch, or numerous other places) on fire.
There’s a part of me that’s glad we had to wait to get this story, because we waited and we wondered so much about the mysterious and perpetually single Art and the “straight but can we just talk about how he’s always staring at Art like he’s a total snack?” Joey, and it was nice to finally find out more about these two characters on a personal level, away from the DMC and Killer Brew. We found out more about where Art came from, his family, and things that are important to him (and the story of his divorce, of course). We also get the whole kit and caboodle backstory surrounding the enigmatic Joey, who has so much going on beyond the walls of Killer Brew. He’s truly an interesting and charismatic character.
This book has the least amount of outside involvement from the other members of the DMC, and the least amount of chats, too. I did miss those funny exchanges. They aren’t completely absent, but they’re not as prolific as they’ve been in previous books. But do the other DMC members constantly give Art crap for maybe, finally, retiring from his hit it and quit it ways? Oh, you bet your sweet bippy they do.
This book made me so happy. I loved it.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
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