This is the first book in Huang's highly anticipated Kings of Sin series and it's a bit of a doozy. I'm glad I read this book on Kindle Unlimited becaThis is the first book in Huang's highly anticipated Kings of Sin series and it's a bit of a doozy. I'm glad I read this book on Kindle Unlimited because this would have been a one star if I'd actually paid for it.
I want to start this of by saying I love Ana Huang's writing style. I loved her Twisted Series, except Twisted Hate - you know what you did, Josh - and I was very excited for this book. It had everything I love in a romance book.
Book 1 starts with the 'King of Wrath'. I expected fireworks and something truly amazing (perhaps some wrath) but was handed a repackaged Twisted Love, but without the lovable FMC and interesting MMC. 'King of Wrath' must be in another book, because it's definitely not the scowling and boring Dante Russo.
Positives: - The side characters - the only thing that saved this book in my opinion. It's bad when your side characters have more personality that your two main characters. However, this book has made me extremely excited to read Kai's story (King of Pride).
- The writing - Ana Huang has a writing style that is incredibly easy to read and lose yourself in, and I can't fault her here.
Negatives: - The plot - the plot for this book screamed "I used up all my good ideas in the Twisted series and have nothing left". Ana Huang is such a good writer but the plot was basic, predictable and boring. I don't mind a basic plot, but you need main characters with a personality to make up for this.
- Dante Russo - a repackaged Alex Volkov from Twisted Love, but with no personality or a single positive trait in sight. I felt like we were being told that Dante was a good person rather than being shown this, which made it harder to connect to him. I literally could not have cared less about Dante and if he'd died suddenly, I probably would have given the book four stars.
- Vivian Lau - I liked Ava Chen in Twisted Love, but Vivian felt like a hollow version of her. Her lack of personality was evident when we met her friends Sloane and Isabella, who were both phenomenal characters. I truly hope we gets books from them both.
- The break-up & reconciliation - the break-up made sense and we all knew it was coming. However, it got to the point that the reconciliation was dragged out for no reason. Maybe it's my strong dislike for our FMC but it just felt like she pouting because she could, and it seemed like she was mad at the wrong person at times. I would have loved for more communication between the two regarding the situation they were put in, since they were both 'stuck' in this arranged marriage with Dante being blackmailed.
- Dante & Viv - they do not make sense as a couple. The only thing that had as a couple was sexual tension, nothing else. For me to enjoy a romance, it has to be more than sex and chemistry, and unfortunately that's all this was.
- The sex scenes - shockingly bad, especially from our King of Wrath. Watching paint dry would be more enjoyable than Dante in the bedroom. This is probably down to Dante not having a single interesting personality trait!
Would I re-read this book? No.
Merged review:
This is the first book in Huang's highly anticipated Kings of Sin series and it's a bit of a doozy. I'm glad I read this book on Kindle Unlimited because this would have been a one star if I'd actually paid for it.
I want to start this of by saying I love Ana Huang's writing style. I loved her Twisted Series, except Twisted Hate - you know what you did, Josh - and I was very excited for this book. It had everything I love in a romance book.
Book 1 starts with the 'King of Wrath'. I expected fireworks and something truly amazing (perhaps some wrath) but was handed a repackaged Twisted Love, but without the lovable FMC and interesting MMC. 'King of Wrath' must be in another book, because it's definitely not the scowling and boring Dante Russo.
Positives: - The side characters - the only thing that saved this book in my opinion. It's bad when your side characters have more personality that your two main characters. However, this book has made me extremely excited to read Kai's story (King of Pride).
- The writing - Ana Huang has a writing style that is incredibly easy to read and lose yourself in, and I can't fault her here.
Negatives: - The plot - the plot for this book screamed "I used up all my good ideas in the Twisted series and have nothing left". Ana Huang is such a good writer but the plot was basic, predictable and boring. I don't mind a basic plot, but you need main characters with a personality to make up for this.
- Dante Russo - a repackaged Alex Volkov from Twisted Love, but with no personality or a single positive trait in sight. I felt like we were being told that Dante was a good person rather than being shown this, which made it harder to connect to him. I literally could not have cared less about Dante and if he'd died suddenly, I probably would have given the book four stars.
- Vivian Lau - I liked Ava Chen in Twisted Love, but Vivian felt like a hollow version of her. Her lack of personality was evident when we met her friends Sloane and Isabella, who were both phenomenal characters. I truly hope we gets books from them both.
- The break-up & reconciliation - the break-up made sense and we all knew it was coming. However, it got to the point that the reconciliation was dragged out for no reason. Maybe it's my strong dislike for our FMC but it just felt like she pouting because she could, and it seemed like she was mad at the wrong person at times. I would have loved for more communication between the two regarding the situation they were put in, since they were both 'stuck' in this arranged marriage with Dante being blackmailed.
- Dante & Viv - they do not make sense as a couple. The only thing that had as a couple was sexual tension, nothing else. For me to enjoy a romance, it has to be more than sex and chemistry, and unfortunately that's all this was.
- The sex scenes - shockingly bad, especially from our King of Wrath. Watching paint dry would be more enjoyable than Dante in the bedroom. This is probably down to Dante not having a single interesting personality trait!
Would I re-read this book? No.
Merged review:
This is the first book in Huang's highly anticipated Kings of Sin series and it's a bit of a doozy. I'm glad I read this book on Kindle Unlimited because this would have been a one star if I'd actually paid for it.
I want to start this of by saying I love Ana Huang's writing style. I loved her Twisted Series, except Twisted Hate - you know what you did, Josh - and I was very excited for this book. It had everything I love in a romance book.
Book 1 starts with the 'King of Wrath'. I expected fireworks and something truly amazing (perhaps some wrath) but was handed a repackaged Twisted Love, but without the lovable FMC and interesting MMC. 'King of Wrath' must be in another book, because it's definitely not the scowling and boring Dante Russo.
Positives: - The side characters - the only thing that saved this book in my opinion. It's bad when your side characters have more personality that your two main characters. However, this book has made me extremely excited to read Kai's story (King of Pride).
- The writing - Ana Huang has a writing style that is incredibly easy to read and lose yourself in, and I can't fault her here.
Negatives: - The plot - the plot for this book screamed "I used up all my good ideas in the Twisted series and have nothing left". Ana Huang is such a good writer but the plot was basic, predictable and boring. I don't mind a basic plot, but you need main characters with a personality to make up for this.
- Dante Russo - a repackaged Alex Volkov from Twisted Love, but with no personality or a single positive trait in sight. I felt like we were being told that Dante was a good person rather than being shown this, which made it harder to connect to him. I literally could not have cared less about Dante and if he'd died suddenly, I probably would have given the book four stars.
- Vivian Lau - I liked Ava Chen in Twisted Love, but Vivian felt like a hollow version of her. Her lack of personality was evident when we met her friends Sloane and Isabella, who were both phenomenal characters. I truly hope we gets books from them both.
- The break-up & reconciliation - the break-up made sense and we all knew it was coming. However, it got to the point that the reconciliation was dragged out for no reason. Maybe it's my strong dislike for our FMC but it just felt like she pouting because she could, and it seemed like she was mad at the wrong person at times. I would have loved for more communication between the two regarding the situation they were put in, since they were both 'stuck' in this arranged marriage with Dante being blackmailed.
- Dante & Viv - they do not make sense as a couple. The only thing that had as a couple was sexual tension, nothing else. For me to enjoy a romance, it has to be more than sex and chemistry, and unfortunately that's all this was.
- The sex scenes - shockingly bad, especially from our King of Wrath. Watching paint dry would be more enjoyable than Dante in the bedroom. This is probably down to Dante not having a single interesting personality trait!
Would I re-read this book? No.
Merged review:
This is the first book in Huang's highly anticipated Kings of Sin series and it's a bit of a doozy. I'm glad I read this book on Kindle Unlimited because this would have been a one star if I'd actually paid for it.
I want to start this of by saying I love Ana Huang's writing style. I loved her Twisted Series, except Twisted Hate - you know what you did, Josh - and I was very excited for this book. It had everything I love in a romance book.
Book 1 starts with the 'King of Wrath'. I expected fireworks and something truly amazing (perhaps some wrath) but was handed a repackaged Twisted Love, but without the lovable FMC and interesting MMC. 'King of Wrath' must be in another book, because it's definitely not the scowling and boring Dante Russo.
Positives: - The side characters - the only thing that saved this book in my opinion. It's bad when your side characters have more personality that your two main characters. However, this book has made me extremely excited to read Kai's story (King of Pride).
- The writing - Ana Huang has a writing style that is incredibly easy to read and lose yourself in, and I can't fault her here.
Negatives: - The plot - the plot for this book screamed "I used up all my good ideas in the Twisted series and have nothing left". Ana Huang is such a good writer but the plot was basic, predictable and boring. I don't mind a basic plot, but you need main characters with a personality to make up for this.
- Dante Russo - a repackaged Alex Volkov from Twisted Love, but with no personality or a single positive trait in sight. I felt like we were being told that Dante was a good person rather than being shown this, which made it harder to connect to him. I literally could not have cared less about Dante and if he'd died suddenly, I probably would have given the book four stars.
- Vivian Lau - I liked Ava Chen in Twisted Love, but Vivian felt like a hollow version of her. Her lack of personality was evident when we met her friends Sloane and Isabella, who were both phenomenal characters. I truly hope we gets books from them both.
- The break-up & reconciliation - the break-up made sense and we all knew it was coming. However, it got to the point that the reconciliation was dragged out for no reason. Maybe it's my strong dislike for our FMC but it just felt like she pouting because she could, and it seemed like she was mad at the wrong person at times. I would have loved for more communication between the two regarding the situation they were put in, since they were both 'stuck' in this arranged marriage with Dante being blackmailed.
- Dante & Viv - they do not make sense as a couple. The only thing that had as a couple was sexual tension, nothing else. For me to enjoy a romance, it has to be more than sex and chemistry, and unfortunately that's all this was.
- The sex scenes - shockingly bad, especially from our King of Wrath. Watching paint dry would be more enjoyable than Dante in the bedroom. This is probably down to Dante not having a single interesting personality trait!
So for three books, Olivia and Finn's history has been kept a secret from us. It was so bad that Olivia wouldn't even let Finn come into her bar. RuleSo for three books, Olivia and Finn's history has been kept a secret from us. It was so bad that Olivia wouldn't even let Finn come into her bar. Rule Number Three - no Finn Rhodes in the bar! They avoided each for 12 years. And then it's revealed why they've fallen out... and BOY WAS IT STUPID.
I hate second chance romances, and even more when its for a completely stupid and unrealistic reason. Genuinely, it pissed me off so much I wasn't even rooting for the main couple.
My least favourite of the series and my least favourite couple. A disappointing ending to the Queen Cove's series.
Series Ranking: 1. In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes (Book 3) 2. That Kind of Guy (Book 1) 3. The Wrong Mr. Right (Book 2) 4. Finn Rhodes Forever (Book 4)...more
I knew I was going to love Holden Rhodes. Grumpy x sunshine is one of my top tropes and Holden is the biggest grump amongst his brothers!
Sadie was suI knew I was going to love Holden Rhodes. Grumpy x sunshine is one of my top tropes and Holden is the biggest grump amongst his brothers!
Sadie was such a fun character and I loved how she brought out a naughty side in Holden. Easily my favourite couple of the series so far and their chemistry was amazing.
I will say, the third-act break-up was frustrating and it felt really unnecessary for the story. Would loved to have seen them work through Sadie's commitment issues rather than use it as a tool to force them apart for the last 10% of the book.
Can't wait for Finn x Olivia's story. The hints throughout the series have me rushing to read book 4!
Series Ranking: 1. In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes (Book 3) 2. That Kind of Guy (Book 1) 3. The Wrong Mr. Right (Book 2)...more
This book was more frustrating than anything, and not the fun kind.
These two fighting their relationship for 30 years was genuinely painful, and OVERThis book was more frustrating than anything, and not the fun kind.
These two fighting their relationship for 30 years was genuinely painful, and OVER A BLOODY SUPERSTITION.
However, I still adored Jake and Nash. Emmy somehow writes the most heartbreaking friends-to-lovers books I've ever come across. I don't even like that trope and yet if they write it, I read it! ...more
So this is my first book from the Elite 8 Studio series so for those who are wondering if they can dive into any books in the series, the answer is yeSo this is my first book from the Elite 8 Studio series so for those who are wondering if they can dive into any books in the series, the answer is yes! In fact, it's made me want to go back and read a few of the others books because I was falling in love with the side characters alongside our main ones.
Felix is a neighbors-to-coworkers-to-more romance between a nerdy, bespectacled exhibitionist and his smitten voyeur.
Emmy manages to write characters that you can't help but adore. I just want to hug both Felix and Christian because they deserve the whole world.
This is truly a sweet MM romance within an interesting setting (hint - a porn studio). At this point, if Emmy writes it, I'll read it.
The book lost a star because the smut became a little bit repetitive for me and I did end up skimming near the end, but overall a brilliant read!
I received an advanced copy for free through the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
Oh, this is a truly beautiful book. I loved every single detail.
Have you ever had a book so good that you try and slow down so you don't finish it toOh, this is a truly beautiful book. I loved every single detail.
Have you ever had a book so good that you try and slow down so you don't finish it too quickly? I could have read a 1000 pages about Jacob and Brianna.
This book had me laughing, crying, kicking my feet.
I will definitely be picking up more books from Abby Jimenez. ...more
A very cute MM romance that felt just a little bit too rushed for me once they finally hooked up. Felt a little bit insta-lusty for me at times, whichA very cute MM romance that felt just a little bit too rushed for me once they finally hooked up. Felt a little bit insta-lusty for me at times, which I really don't enjoy. I would have loved more depth to the relationship but having read some of Sarina Bowen's other books, I'm not sure that's her strength.
I enjoyed Roderick and Kieran as characters, and they both had interesting storylines separately and together. But again, these weren't fully developed and were rushed at the end.
A fun palate cleanser if you're looking for something quick and easy....more
Julie Soto has just solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me. I loved her first book 'Forget Me Not', but I'm utterly obsessed with 'Not AnotheJulie Soto has just solidified herself as an auto-buy author for me. I loved her first book 'Forget Me Not', but I'm utterly obsessed with 'Not Another Long Song'.
Gwen and Xander are both musical prodigies - and it isn't until Gwen performs at his friend's wedding that Gwen realises Xander has no idea who she is, despite the fact they work together and she's been semi-obsessed with his band for years. When Gwen is offered the role of 'First Chair', a position that Xander has coveted for years, their relationship becomes a lot more hostile. Cue the sexual tension both on and off stage!
I stayed up way too late to read this, and even woke up early to finish it! I adored absolutely everything about this book. The writing, the plot and the relationship development. The tension between Gwen and Xander is phenomenal. Xander's pining was *chefs kiss* and that cello scene. THE CELLO SCENE. That'll be living RENT FREE in my head for a while. The book cover giving us a little tease *fans self*.
Potentially the book of the summer for me!
Book includes: - Dual POV - Rivals-to-lovers - Tension & pining - He falls first - Musical prodigies
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
This is the third highly anticipated release that has been a disappointment for me recently.
Phoebe and her best friend Hailey, the daughters of con This is the third highly anticipated release that has been a disappointment for me recently.
Phoebe and her best friend Hailey, the daughters of con artist parents, decide to try and live an honest life. This means 'running' away and setting up in the small town of Victoria, Connecticut living a life free of crime. One major problem, Hailey's big brother Rocky decides to tag along.
The biggest issue in this book, is that it spends too much time trying to lay the groundwork for both families, and while it was fun to see all their past shenanigans, the plot and pacing suffer. The time jumps are all over the place and the book goes from moving at a glacial pace to suddenly flying through a whole month.
I liked Phoebe and Rocky as characters, however I did not enjoy them as a couple. I wanted them to be steamy, toxic and pining for each other when in reality we got a dollar store Lo & Lily. The tension felt forced and both characters felt a lot younger than they were supposed to be.
My favourite part of the book was when all the siblings were together, and I wish the authors had brought them in a lot earlier. I hope we see the authors delve in deeper to the siblings, especially with the revelation at the end of the book!
The plot twist was completely unexpected, which I always love when a book surprises me!
Overall, I think if you're fans of the 'Addicted' Series by the authors, you'll probably find this an okay read. What was an interesting premise was bogged down with too much information thrown at us. But the writing is decent in places and this book does set up the sequel nicely, so I'll definitely be continuing the series for the time-being.
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
Devney Perry is such a palate cleanser author for me.
This book was such an easy and fun read and I love the small town vibes she always brings.
The bDevney Perry is such a palate cleanser author for me.
This book was such an easy and fun read and I love the small town vibes she always brings.
The book lost a star because Devney Perry never lets the tension build-up. She's always quick to throw in some smut and we lose a lot of relationship development because of this.
Book includes: - Pregnancy Trope - Small Town Romance - One Night Stand - Dual POV...more
Another read that I found on TikTok but this was one was actually decent.
It's a little bit trashy, with some very well-written smut - Rhys is a 3.75
Another read that I found on TikTok but this was one was actually decent.
It's a little bit trashy, with some very well-written smut - Rhys is a dirty-talking Dom - and an easy-to-follow plot.
I loved our FMC Freya, a cam girl who has a major crush on one of her subscribers. Lucky for her, said subscriber is her new neighbour, a NHL rookie and terrible tipper! Rhys was a grumpy character which I love.
Overall, I fun palate cleanser with good smut!...more
This book features: - Slow burn - Why Choose (5 MMC x 1 FMC) - Workplace romance (ski village setting) - Asexual x bisexual x demisexual representation -This book features: - Slow burn - Why Choose (5 MMC x 1 FMC) - Workplace romance (ski village setting) - Asexual x bisexual x demisexual representation - Low angst - Smut
Elisha Kemp has such a magical writing style and I flew through this book. I don't usually enjoy 'why choose' books but Elisha makes this one feel so believable and enjoyable. I adore all of the MMC's and feel they all bring something to the group.
I'm really not sure how we got from Fangirl Down to... this.
This book was cringey, had some of the worst dialogue I've seen from Tessa Bailey and 2.5
I'm really not sure how we got from Fangirl Down to... this.
This book was cringey, had some of the worst dialogue I've seen from Tessa Bailey and a fairly boring MMC.
I'd honestly put money on the smut scenes being written by AI.
"Mean Daddy" she whispered, and he spent inside of her, almost like she'd sucked it clean out with two single words, his Goliath form shaking her body and the entire bed with it, deafening groans releasing against her ear, and she openly pressed closer, hoping the deep, growling sound of his pleasure would be the final thing she ever heard. "Mean, so mean, so mean," she pouted, writhing on his stiffness to rid of him those final ounces and he flattened her..." THIS ENTIRE SCENE HAD ME PUTTING MY KINDLE DOWN AND WALKING AWAY.
The 'Mean Daddy' nickname was not giving what Tessa thought it was giving... it was icky.
A highly disappointing sequel and I'm less excited about book 3 to be quite honest....more
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