Soothing Nightmares was the first Sinclair book I read, but instead of a single review, I'm going to If you are new to Sinclair's work - KEEP READING!
Soothing Nightmares was the first Sinclair book I read, but instead of a single review, I'm going to give you a short crash course on the author - because having read almost the first of every series, there's a reason I didn't finish any.
Sinclair is full of really interesting plots, concepts and characters, which, let's be honest, is difficult to find in the Reverse Harem ethos nowadays.
So, this is what we know: We're going to get a kick-ass FMC. Our MMC's are going to be deliciously possessive. And the plot is going to hook you.
What we also know: There is a lot of long winded inner monologue. The FMCS are a lot alike across the board. And unfortunately despite the world building (which is always unique), and a plot (that should keep you hooked) the books always fall flat.
There just comes a point where you're like ... what was interesting just really isn't anymore.
So from one reader to another, give Sinclair a go, her shi* is interesting, but don't be surprised if you find yourself all in, and then suddenly all out. ...more
Book Status: Fourth in the 'Assurance Security' series. Technically StaOverall Consensus: Jillian man, another let down.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Fourth in the 'Assurance Security' series. Technically Standalone but would recommend reading in order.
Gramatical Issues: None.
General Arc: Omega on the run / found family/ secret pregnancy/ single mum.
Characters: Brooklyn, Maverick, Gunner, Noble (Libby and two furry friends)
Character POV: All four characters.
General Plot: Brooklyn is trying to get her and her daughter away from her deranged ex mafia husband who is on the down low trying to kill them both.
Unfortunately DNF'd at 42%. While I initially fell in LOVE with Jillian and the duet that started this series, it's safe to say I won't be sticking around for the next.
This book follows the general trend of, mating, pregnancy, omega in distress - which yes, love it, here for it, I'm wanting more, but the deliverance and plot, not to mention the washy ass characters just isn't it. I mean guys, I'm supposed to be reviewing and I can't even remember anything worthy to tell you about. I think that says enough.
Book Status: Third in the 'Assurance Security' series. Technically Standalone's buOverall Consensus: such a damn shame.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Third in the 'Assurance Security' series. Technically Standalone's but would recommend reading in order. Also a follow on from 'Queen of Spades' (High Roller Omegas) Jillian West.
Gramatical Issues: None.
General Arc: Omega on the run / found family/ Breeding.
Characters: Laken, Ranger, Tanner, Locke Further secondary characters from; 'not Ready' Duet. 'Queen of Spades' (part of a shared author series)
Character POV: All four characters.
General Plot: we pick up right where we left off at the end of Anika's story, Laken having been mistaken for her sister and held captive in a mafia war she had no part in. Cue the Assurance Security, failing suppressants, and a baby bump.
Now, I'm going to be honest, this can't be a full review because I DNF'd at 83%. I know, I should have just finished the damn thing, but by this point I'd skimmed so much of the book that reaching the end felt unnecessarily long winded. Such a let down. And if I'm honest I was pretty peeved about the whole thing because RANGER! fuc*. I love him so much. And he deserved such a bad ass book, but instead we got ... this. Jillian West did us dirty guys.
The plot was boring. The other MMC's were simply background noise in my opinion, and our FMC was strangely dislikable. not to mention the smexy time was down right awkward and off putting. firstly it was the description of the whole thing *cue award grinding* ... and secondly it was the constant conversing. 'do you like this?' 'does this feel nice?' 'you are so beautiful.' ergh, ick. Shut up and fuc* me.
Three stars at best. Not even Ranger could save the day on this one. ...more
The writing was basic. The plot was basic. The characters were basic. What a basic fuc*ing boring book.
The FMPlease stop fuc*ing winking. DNF’d at 18%.
The writing was basic. The plot was basic. The characters were basic. What a basic fuc*ing boring book.
The FMC might as well have been a twelve year old playing grown up, a delusional and up her own ass twelve year old at that, and the MMCs might as well have not been there at all for all the depth and deliverance they had.
The FMC constantly went on about how the MMCs were ‘her guys’ - like where babe? Two of them sleep with other girls, one of them treats you like an annoying little sister and the other MMC was just … there. No depth. No interest. Boring, boring, boring.
Lastly, how many times does this chick feel the need to get herself off? And stop FUC*ING WINKING....more
DNF’d the book like it was about to catch fuc*ing fire.
Short and sweet like my patience for this book - The major incident that irrevocably changes DNF’d the book like it was about to catch fuc*ing fire.
Short and sweet like my patience for this book - The major incident that irrevocably changes our main character which thus sets the stage and premise for the book (by chapter two) was fuc*ing anticlimactic, unrealistic and a downright total jumble fuc* of utter nonsense.
FMC is supposed to be in massive amounts of pain - and yet where is the pain? All I’m reading is your strange inner monologue of nonsense.* MILD SPOILER * ‘oh no my leg broke how did that happen? Oh look there goes my other leg, how strange’ LIKE WHHAAATT?! - and then one of the characters turns into a bird. So yeah. ...more
Book Status: First in 'immortals of Talonswood.' Four book Series: Completed.
GrammatGeneral Consensus: Surprisingly Shi*.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: First in 'immortals of Talonswood.' Four book Series: Completed.
Grammatical Issues: Minor to none.
General Arc: Fated Mates/Last Witch/Academy.
Characters: Sam, Asher, Ellis, Reese, Cassis
Character POV: All five characters, primarily Sam.
General Plot: Sam is a thief in the mortal realm and after taking what should have been a simple job, finds herself under arrest and shipped off to a reform school for Fae and Vampire delinquents. And it turns out she's the last surviving witch. Who knew?
There were lots about this book that stood out for me. The reform was an interesting backdrop, and Sam, for all her Witch blood, is less impressive than a human when it comes to endurance runs and push ups. I truly hate books that throw a supposed human into a non-human setting and they're suddenly fantastic at everything and nothings a struggle. I also hate when the new girl finds herself in immediate friendship with her roommate, so on both sides, this book was refreshing.
Let's talk characters. Sam is a strong FMC, and a well rounded character. Cassis is the kind of Vampire and character that has me turning to the invisible camera and secretly squealing, though we see far less of him than seems fair. Ellis is the obvious brooding, domineering, 'nothing phases me' male who hates to love, and Reese, (who I was pretty cold toward until near the end) is honestly the type of character I wouldn't mind pushing me the hell around. I'd take the punishment willingly. The only character I left in the cold corner and for good reason, was Asher. There was no initial love or even interest between him and Sam, and the hate-hate continues into the second book.
While I finished this book and initially headed into the second book, something crops up with Asher, and this particular thing (I shan't spoil) immediately put me off. I hate the whole idea of 'surprise characters' cropping up, and because I felt no love from Asher anyway, the whole thing had me closing my ebook.
There is lots of backstory with this book, lots of interesting tidbits and lots of unanswered questions, (in a good way) - but like always I must add an - HOWEVER. The story itself, or at least the minimal information we are given on how and why the characters are all intwined and the whole idea that Sam was the last Witch just really wasn't juicy enough. You'd think it would be really exciting, but it just wasn't and I think that's in part to the fact that Lidell decided to lengthen out the series into several books.
-I think the author has a real habit of this having read 'The Power of Five' which again I gave up on because while the premise was a total yeah - the execution wasn't. Neither of theses series had enough substance to each book. All this fab backstory waiting to unfold, and yet a tiny word count but millions of books in the series. Lindell - babe, give us some heat! Sam is a kick ass FMC so where is the first stirrings of her awesomeness? What is her importance in this world?
Character POV: All six characters, primarily Effie.
General Plot: Having been mistreated and bullied in her pack home, Effie jumps at the opportunity of gaining a scholarship to a prestigious Shifter academy. Having little knowledge on Shifters, she has no idea that the five men she meets are in fact her fated mates.
Okay let's unpack this. As far as actual content goes, there's pretty much nothing there, and the Academy is a distant backdrop to the love story between Effie and her mates. The moment the MMC's meet Effie, they are inexplicably and madly in love, and the whole thing is a total goo-fest. Our FMC, having no knowledge of the world or Shifter community at large, just accepts all these men without question and without a hint of caution despite the abuse she was subjected to growing up. While yes, I think Effie is super naive and little wishy washy, the MMC's are just how we booktok girlies like them, possessive, dominant and generally lick-able.
HOWEVER. Past the insta love vibe, nothing happens. Like, at all. The very beginning of the book is a long, drawn-out monologue from Effie, and past that point, the inner dialogues of each character is super long winded and unnecessary. Sinclair gives us absolutely EVERYTHING. There are no secrets left about Effie's past because in one way or another Effie gives it away, seemingly 'unknowingly' yet so obviously. The MMC's pasts unlike Effie's recent past, are unknown by the end of the book, and Caedmon especially seemed to have a very tragic past which is only brushed on in its lightest form (at least we have some kind of hook.)
Now let's talk Effie. Like I said, she gives everything away but in a really stupid manor. She plays the whole 'I don't understand life and life's been so hard and normal things are strange to me.' and that's pretty much her character the whole way through. It's a little tedious if I'm honest. There's no fire to her, there's no back bone either and her response to things is really eye-roll worthy. 'oh no, he looked away from me so maybe I'm not good enough and maybe he's laughing at me and omg I don't belong here and ow, my wrist hurts because before I left home it was grabbed by a bully' (dramatically clutch wrist to chest) ... you get my drift.
I finished this first instalment and managed to get half way through the second book, 'Forgotten.' which is unfortunately where I threw in the towel. As a piece of book philosophy, there is an author called Ivy Fox who has taught me a very valuable lesson which I'm going to share; not enough angst and the book gets boring real quick. Too much angst and you've lost your reader to frustration. I'm going to apply this here, NO ANGST. For the first book I could deal, it was sweet, and she was naive but the love was all mushy and swoon, but past that point and the obvious lack of any worthy plot, I just didn't see the point in continuing, by the end of the first book I'd had my insta love fill and just knew the other books were going to be more of the same.
Overall, good MMC's, a wishy washy FMC, too much inner blab and no plot. But it still managed to be an enjoyable read.
Author Notes: I think I'll give Sinclair another shot....more
The plot was basic but enjoyable. There was nothing overly heavy, but also there was nothing overly exciting. The bGoing to keep this short and sweet!
The plot was basic but enjoyable. There was nothing overly heavy, but also there was nothing overly exciting. The book was a give or take, working well as a filler between your previous read and next read.
It's supposed to be an age gap romance however, our three MMC's act like teenagers, from the way that they speak to the way that they act. They did not pass for 30-40 year olds despite the description of their slightly older appearance.
Nothing overly amazing about the book, but nothing off-putting either. ...more
Book Status: Standalone Fourth book in the 'Bonds of Steele Omegaverse’ BE AWAGeneral Consensus: So many fuc*ing mistakes.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone Fourth book in the 'Bonds of Steele Omegaverse’ BE AWARE: this series is written by several authors.
Grammatical Issues: Mistakes the whole way through. There were so many grammatical issues, silly mistakes and typos. Very distracting.
General Arc: Omega passing for a Beta under the watchful eye of three Alphas.
Characters: Cyan, Khyler, Grey, Benedict.
Character POV: All four characters, primarily Cyan.
General Plot: Cyan's mother is pushing her into an arranged marriage and when Cyan's heat hits prematurely she flees. Cue Grey. After a minor road accident, Cyan does everything she can to escape the overbearing Alpha intent on curbing her life of crime. Posing as a Beta she's enrolled into an academy that trains Alpha's and Beta's to protect and serve Omega's. Grey, along with his two pack mates, do everything they can to push Cyan physically and mentally, unaware that's she's actually an Omega.
First problem. I'm pretty sure that neither Khyler nor Benedict are actually described to the reader, and if they were, it was one time and it was never mentioned again. That annoyed me. Like little hints and reminders are always useful. Second problem. SO MANY MISTAKES. They were everywhere, and most could have been avoided with a simply proof read. Real shame because it was distracting. Third Problem. The writing was inconsistent. Sometimes Alex gave us very detailed writing, set at a nice pace, other times it was sloppy, short and anything but smooth.
SAVING GRACE. I'm really not somebody who will suffer through mistake after mistake however, the concept and plot intrigued me enough that I kept reading, and I remained interested. I also liked the characters and I do think it was an interesting twist on the Omegaverse. I actually could have done with a longer word count just so I could read more about 'Brutal Academy', the training and the bond between our characters.
Author: Despite the mistakes I'll probably give another of her books a go. I will also sample another book in the series Having read the blurbs they sound just as interesting. Just hope the writing is sharper....more
General Consensus: Lets just say thank god I liked the characters.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone Part of a bigger series 'HigGeneral Consensus: Lets just say thank god I liked the characters.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone Part of a bigger series 'High Roller Omegas'. Be aware that 'High Roller Omegas' is a standalone series written by several authors.
Grammatical Issues: Incorrect use of commas all the way through. The writing came across as YA, which wasn't helped by the fact that the author writes how I envision she would speak. It made everything rather clumsy.
General Arc: Mafia/found family/Omega in heat.
Characters: Elena, Finn, Declan, Logan, Cillian.
Character POV: All five characters, primarily with Elena.
General Plot: Elena's father has just passed away, leaving everything to Elena's brother. He immediately promises her hand, hoping to gain an alliance with the Irish Mafia. With this revelation Elena flees to a high-end Omega club where she meets Cillian, an Alpha who offers her a deal she can't refuse. What Elena doesn't know is that Cillian, along with his twin, step brother and beta pack-mate, are the very men, and future, she ran from.
The writing for me was a continuous problem and lead me to believe that Sarah's other work may have been written with a younger audience in mind (not the case having checked), but either way the YA style made Elena, our Omega, come across as young and petulant, quite at odds with the adult themes and her Alpha counterparts.
The actual storyline was flimsy at best with almost no plot outside the Omega's heat, and any and all action was over before it had even begun. I really would have DNF'd this if it wasn't for the books one saving grace - or should I say four.
The MMC's were what held my attention. I loved each of them individually and man were they yum. HOWEVER, after Elena's heat has subsided (somewhere around the 80% mark) the book became an absolute drag. The end chapters were filled with unnecessarily boring smut, and while I loved Elena's mates, it was really repetitive and disjointed with very little spice. In summary, finishing the book was a chore, but all in all, I like me some Irish Mafia men!
Author: I won't be reading Sarah's other work....more
Overall Consensus: Clumsy as hell and DNF'd at 70%.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone Part of a bigger series 'High Roller Omegas'Overall Consensus: Clumsy as hell and DNF'd at 70%.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone Part of a bigger series 'High Roller Omegas'. Be aware that 'High Roller Omegas' is a standalone series written by several authors.
Grammatical Issues: Minor to none. (But had to adjust to the writing style.)
General Arc: Enemies to Lovers/ Second chance/ Forced proximity.
Characters: Glade, Knight, Zed, Kyan.
Character POV: All four characters.
BE AWARE: This book contains M/M.
General Plot: Glade rejected her three mates, choosing another shifter before fleeing. After staying under the radar, her three mates suddenly make an appearance at the Omega club she works at, along with the men she escaped from. With no other option, she is forced to ask her mates for help in evading her enemies and once again running from the life she left behind.
After reading the first standalone in the series, 'Queen of Spades' by Jillian West, I had really high hopes that unfortunately weren't met. The writing itself took some getting used to, it was almost as if Mackay was trying to find her feet through the beginning half. And while I liked the characters, particularly Kyan who is deliciously unhinged and playful, I found by the end of the first quarter that I still didn't have a clear image of what our characters looked like. And though Mackay touches on certain features throughout, it wasn't enough to hold the image steady in my mind.
The actual ratio of enemies to lovers was good, (nothing worse than chapters of unnecessary hatred and bullying) but the overall balance between Glade being hunted and her struggling to reconnect with her mates was lacking. It all felt very circumstantial rather than a well thought out plot. I didn't reach the end of the book and therefore cannot give a full review but overall (ending excluded), the book was good, our three Alphas (Kyan in particular) were interesting, but the plot was pretty basic.
On a last note, just before I shelved the book, I found myself annoyed at Glade for no particular reason. There were three or four chapters (just passed halfway mark) that became a total jumble of perspectives, feelings and thoughts, all given in extremely short bursts and for some reason, Glade's POV during these chapters really grated on me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Glade, she is in fact a very strong character who takes shi* after shi* with no complaint. But man did Mackay have me rolling my eyes during that four chapter cluster fuc*. BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY!
Author: Haven't read anything else by Marie Mackay....more
Book Status: Standalone. Part of a bigger series, 'High Roller Omegas' Be aware tOverall Consensus: I ate this shi* up!
Availability: Kindle Unlimited.
Book Status: Standalone. Part of a bigger series, 'High Roller Omegas' Be aware that 'High Roller Omegas' is a standalone series written by several authors.
Grammatical Issues: none.
General Arc: Omega on the run with enemies to allies.
Characters: Annika, Grady, Kane, Ward, Cassian Secondary Character cross over from 'Not Ready.'
Character POV: All five characters.
General Plot: Annika's family comes to a quick demise when Annika fails to marry a crime lord. Straight of the bat we are into the action, guns blazing, dead bodies and an Omega on the run. After settling down in Vegas, working at an exclusive Omega club and setting in for a heat, her identity is compromised. It is now up to Annika and her four Alphas, who should by all counts be enemies, to eradicate the threat and see their Omega through her heat.
This story had a multitude of beautiful layers. There are lots of players in this book, lots of intrigue and lots of big dic* energy. There are no dull moments, and each plot is seamless in its execution. Loved the characters. Loved the plot and most importantly the book was really well written, not a single complaint.
If you are looking for an Omega book that has lots of action both in and out of the bedroom, and characters that simply make you beg for more, then it's a hard yes.
Author: I have read Jillians Duet, 'Not ready.' fantastically sweet book. Will be continuing with the series, though slightly gutted it's not all Jillian....more
Overall Consensus: if I wasn't so bitter at the world I'd actually smile in that 'fuc* this is so cute' way.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book StatuOverall Consensus: if I wasn't so bitter at the world I'd actually smile in that 'fuc* this is so cute' way.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Completed Duet. Further books to be released in the overall series. Crossover books available within the same world.
Gramatical Issues: Minor to none.
General Arc: Pregnant Omega seeking refuge from a stalker.
Characters: Vale, Bishop, Holt, Mercer. Fourth male lead introduced in second instalment, Cooper. Further secondary characters.
Character POV: All four characters, including Cooper in second instalment.
General Plot: After a one night stand Vale is left pregnant with no money and no pack, working as a waitress at a club and as a cam girl. Having struck up and sweet-hearted relationship with Bishop through the cam girl website, she is forced to accept his help when Andrew, a regular at the club, breaks into her home while she sleeps.
This story centres around Vale's growing relationship with Bishop, Holt and Mercer, three Alphas who have offered her and her baby sanctuary and protection. And what a sweet story it was. All the characters were really well developed, from their personalities to their thoughts and actions.
If you are looking for a high impact story, this is not it. Despite Andrew and his threats being prevalent through both books, it's really secondary to the relationships being forged between the main characters and the progression of Vale's pregnancy. The high action moment really only happens at the end of the second book.
I truly did love this story. It was very well written, the pace was perfect, the characters complex, however, there were several moment where my toes did curl. Now this may just be subjective, but Jillian spends a lot of time describing how Vale and her Alphas, while being intimate, must accommodate the large baby bump. I can't fault the fact that it's realistic, and the intimacy scenes are still super sweet and yum, I just wished the whole bump situations wasn't so heavily leaned upon in the saucy scenes, it made it kind of less saucy for me.
Otherwise, Yes. Read it. It's got the fuzzy factor.
Author: I am currently reading 'Queen of Spade.' - AND OMG. Action packed. Great Characters. Fab plot! This is a standalone series called, 'High Roller Omegas' (BE AWARE THIS SERIES IS SHARED BY SEVERAL AUTHORS)...more
Overall Consensus: The ending was the weirdest sh*t I’ve ever read.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone
Grammatical Issues: Minor tOverall Consensus: The ending was the weirdest sh*t I’ve ever read.
Availability: Kindle Unlimited
Book Status: Standalone
Grammatical Issues: Minor to none.
General Arc: An Omega sold and forced into an experimental breeding trial.
Characters: Eve, Luther, Oryn.
Character POV: All three characters, though primarily we remain with Eve.
General Plot: Injected with chemicals to trigger a false heat, Eve is thrown into a fabricated environment with two Tiger Shifters. Our two Alphas, Luther and Oryn, have learnt to co-exist, and rebel against their treatment by refusing to mate and breed with any of the Shifter women thrown into their enclosure. Until Eve.
The beginning of this story was fast paced, Eve having just been injected and thrown in the enclosure with two aggressive Shifters. However, after the first initial chapters, the story arc fell completely flat, as did my interest. For me Eve lacked substance, and though there were a couple of scenes between Oryn and Luther that were really heartwarming, there's barely any developmental progress within the story until the very end.
And what a peculiar ending it was.
Not only was the ending really fast paced, quite at odds with the rest of the book, it lacked any cohesion, throwing at us bucketloads of strange descriptions and plot. Somewhere in the middle of this story, we are presented with a strange stone deep in the facilities underground tunnel system that's said to have fae powers. Totally random. This book is anything but paranormal, (excluding the Shifters) and yet, the ending explodes with a hive of activity where the stones mystical powers (which remain mystical to the reader because nothing is explained) ultimately aids our three characters, leading us to the end of the book. Really bizarre if you ask me.
Authors notes: Have not read anything else by Rhea Watson....more
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