This was fast, fun, and fluffy. I was a bit skeptical about the twin thing, but the switcheroo shenanigans were over with almost as soon as they had bThis was fast, fun, and fluffy. I was a bit skeptical about the twin thing, but the switcheroo shenanigans were over with almost as soon as they had begun. Marcus was meh; Flynn was fantastico.
Feel-good contemporary romance. Secular and clean.
Merged review:
This was fast, fun, and fluffy. I was a bit skeptical about the twin thing, but the switcheroo shenanigans were over with almost as soon as they had begun. Marcus was meh; Flynn was fantastico.
Feel-good contemporary romance. Secular and clean....more
This one is a little bit sweet, and a little bit cheesy. Riley comes to Miracle Creek from the big city, looking for a fresh start. Mark is the reluctThis one is a little bit sweet, and a little bit cheesy. Riley comes to Miracle Creek from the big city, looking for a fresh start. Mark is the reluctant local hero, hiding away from the world. He’s suffered burns and has lost confidence because his fiancée dumped him.
Mark asks Riley to do some artwork and help him recreate his mother’s nativity, which was lost in a fire. Riley has some hang ups about Christmas, so she’s hesitant about the project. Riley hides his scars under a hoodie when he’s in public, and it’s nice to see him gradually come back out of his shell. They slowly learn to trust each other and build a solid friendship. Are there even deeper feelings developing between these two?
Content: clean, no swearing. Mild spiritual message.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own....more
I enjoyed this installment less than the last. Hero’s POV was almost nonexistent, and she’s focused on something taking her in a different direction. I enjoyed this installment less than the last. Hero’s POV was almost nonexistent, and she’s focused on something taking her in a different direction. I missed Sebastian and Hero working together. I’ll see where the next book takes me....more
Holy Cheeseballs! MC was a perfect Mary Sue, and she works her way into every person’s heart. Her brother, the juvenile delinquent, even comes around Holy Cheeseballs! MC was a perfect Mary Sue, and she works her way into every person’s heart. Her brother, the juvenile delinquent, even comes around in the end. Stupid misunderstanding at the end was contrived. I think this author just might not be my cuppa....more
I was drawn to this series after reading a few reviews of a later book. After reading the descriptions and reviews of the first three books, I decidedI was drawn to this series after reading a few reviews of a later book. After reading the descriptions and reviews of the first three books, I decided to start with book 4, Where Serpents Sleep. The MC, Sebastian St Cyr, seems to have had an actress mistress named Kat in the earlier books. He was deeply in love, and she was an unpopular character who ended up being his illegitimate half sister. He was still pining for her a bit in this book, and having shameful (though thankfully, not descriptive) dreams about his tragic lost love. Errr....NOPE. I’m guessing the author had a dud with Kat’s character and had to end things? At least it’s a definitive end to that romance.
The characters and writing were an unexpected surprise. I had no clue about the whodunnit of the mystery, and can’t say that part was brilliant. My closest guess was that Lord Jarvis did it, and that the high born prostitute ran away to be with her lesbian lover. I was WAY off. Even though I was frustrated by the lack of a decent bread crumb trail, the writing was very satisfying. Hero Jarvis is a strong and interesting character, and I can see that she will be St Cyr’s partner of sorts. They’ll be like Mulder and Scully, à la X-files. There’s even some small spark of romantic tension kindling between them!
The narrator was excellent, doing a wide range of voices and accents. Though there wasn’t a full physical description of St Cyr, I know he’s dashingly handsome with yellow-hazel eyes.
Content: A couple of F-bombs and one non descriptive sex scene. Lots of murder, but most of the gore was in the surgery of the medical examiner. Decomposing bodies. Very PG-13. I already have the next book!
A small irritation: what has the title got to do with the book? Am I dense? Was there a snake in his boot? According to REM, the sidewinder sleeps, sleeps, sleeps in a coil. ...more
Georgana’s secret is part of the Proper Romance series. It has a unique pretense. It’s 1811, and Georgiana Woodall is living on her father’s ship, HMSGeorgana’s secret is part of the Proper Romance series. It has a unique pretense. It’s 1811, and Georgiana Woodall is living on her father’s ship, HMS Deborah, in disguise. He is the captain, and she is George, his cabin boy. If this secret were to become known, her reputation would be destroyed. They guard their secret carefully, and it’s decided that this will be George’s last voyage before making her debut in society.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton is dedicated to the Navy and his career at sea. He’s the new first officer on board, and he becomes an unlikely mentor to young George, who is getting picked on by the other young boys on the ship. They form a friendship, and Lieutenant Peyton eventually puts enough clues together to discover that George is in fact a young lady. He keeps his discovery to himself as he tries to discover the reason for the deception. He struggles to protect her and still keep her identity under wraps.
There are more than friends feelings, yet both parties find themselves in an impossible situation. The captain doesn’t think L Peyton is a good influence on George, and he fears the clever lieutenant will unravel their secret. He tries to put a stop to their friendship. I recommend reading this one to find out how everything works out in the end.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My review reflects my honest opinion....more
I feel like I got ripped off. After investing so much emotion into these characters, I felt betrayed to have the H/h fall on their swords in full blowI feel like I got ripped off. After investing so much emotion into these characters, I felt betrayed to have the H/h fall on their swords in full blown martyrdom. Then, to have the author pull the equivalent of a “then she woke up and it was all just a distressing dream” type ending out in the last few chapters of the book? I’m insulted. What a pile of crap! This could’ve been heartbreakingly beautiful. Blatant author manipulation leaves me cold....more
This was an excellent epistolary romance. I loved reading the letters. It’s definitely a sweet, feel good story with a few teary spots. Highly recommeThis was an excellent epistolary romance. I loved reading the letters. It’s definitely a sweet, feel good story with a few teary spots. Highly recommended. I listened to the audio & enjoyed the narration.
Lindsey Kelk’s writing in In Case you Missed it reminded me a lot of Mhairi McFarlane. This is definitely chick-lit, but with a bit of romance. A happLindsey Kelk’s writing in In Case you Missed it reminded me a lot of Mhairi McFarlane. This is definitely chick-lit, but with a bit of romance. A happy rom-com.
Ros returns to London after 3 years away in the US. She has a solid friend group, and in my opinion they’re what makes this novel great. Lucy is the soft touch. Adrian, the token male friend, is not stereotypically gay. Sumi, the kick arse tough lesbian friend is also very feminine. It was nice to see characters who were fresh and original. There’s an earnest bartender in the mix whom Ros initially dislikes.
The writing was funny. I had a smile on my face for most of the story. Ros longs for the good old days at the expense of the present. Her ex boyfriend is such a jackwagon! Everyone knows it but Ros, but it’s nice to see her grow and start seeing the things that are right in front of her. I would say this had a slightly slow start, and Ros just seems to be in a depressing situation. Hang in there! I promise, it gets way wonderful. The banter alone, between the 4 best friends, is worth the read. Highly recommended.
Content: Some swearing (including clever Brit swearing), f-bombs, and mild sexual content; probably around PG-13.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, no outside influence....more
The characters were well written, but the story didn’t really have a plot. Sebastian was in his forties, and Via was in her twenties. They have instanThe characters were well written, but the story didn’t really have a plot. Sebastian was in his forties, and Via was in her twenties. They have instant chemistry, which they both proceed to ignore as hard as they possibly can. Sebastian thinks Via is too young for him and is haunted by his narcissistic dead wife. Via is frustratingly committed to a dead end relationship with her selfish boyfriend. The entire story is about them bonding over Sebastian’s elementary age son and trying not to fall in love with each other. The story just needed more than that. There were sweet moments, but much was missing.
Content: Some language, and a detailed sex scene (maybe two?) at the end. ...more
Set the Stars Alight has a unique feel. It follows two different stories with separate timelines. The modern day story follows Lucy and Dash. They’re Set the Stars Alight has a unique feel. It follows two different stories with separate timelines. The modern day story follows Lucy and Dash. They’re adults now, but we’re treated to whimsical flashes of their childhood growing up together. I actually thought the modern day story had more of a fairytale feel than the story set 200 years ago. Lucy is an academic marine archaeologist, and Dash is a forensic astronomer. They reunite and work together to secure a research grant to find the lost ship Jubilee. They eventually start searching for it on their own.
The secondary storyline is about two young men and the lady they both love, and it’s connected to this lost ship. I did find that circumstances regarding the ship and its location strained credulity. I also felt like their was something magical drawing Dash and Lucy to discover the ship ruins. There was no way Lucy’s father’s stories, riddles, and clues could’ve led them to find it.
There are Christian themes, but they’re handled with a light touch. I loved how Lucy’s father told her there was One who was coming...and coming...and coming for her. Fighting for her heart.
“Every breath a gift. He sets the stars alight, my girl. And we open our eyes to this in in benevolent defiance of the dark...by remembering. Take note. Live deeply.”
A slow paced story with lyrical writing that had a bit of an otherworldly feel.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
2.5 stars. This was as melodramatic as a soap opera! Tragic childhoods, kidnapping, mustach twirling villains, and bros who talk about their feels. Le2.5 stars. This was as melodramatic as a soap opera! Tragic childhoods, kidnapping, mustach twirling villains, and bros who talk about their feels. Let’s both go to therapy and get help for our traumatized selves. Oh, and sexual healing. Sheesh!...more
This was very melancholy for a Kristan Higgins book. I did love the mom’s friendship with Caro. Sadie struck me as singleminded to the point of being This was very melancholy for a Kristan Higgins book. I did love the mom’s friendship with Caro. Sadie struck me as singleminded to the point of being selfish. A little too much of a downer for me....more
This was a sweet novella that dealt with depression in Regency times. There’s a compassionate vicar who proves to be a steady friend and a helpful perThis was a sweet novella that dealt with depression in Regency times. There’s a compassionate vicar who proves to be a steady friend and a helpful person for the heroine to talk to about her dark feelings....more
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