A Restless Truth (ART) showcases a lot of the same elements that I loved from A Marvelous Light (AML) - mystery, clever underdog MCs against 4.5 stars
A Restless Truth (ART) showcases a lot of the same elements that I loved from A Marvelous Light (AML) - mystery, clever underdog MCs against seemingly impossible odds, humans with secret special abilities, twists & turns, etc. ART brings a little more comedy and I felt had a slightly lighter tone than AML (although there is still plenty of danger).
The romance I think was a bit weaker in ART. The two MCs build a strong friendship, and it was nice to see how they worked together to solve the mystery, and just had fun together, but it didn't have the tension, build-up, and (not quite but almost) enemies-to-lovers vibe we got in AML. Instead of the grumpy-sunshine trope, Violet and Maude are the experienced-teacher-eager-virgin trope, which is maybe just not my cup of tea? Also, the ending is a HFN, not a HEA.
Writing and plot were just as strong as in AML and if anything this made me more excited to read the last book, as we see more of Lord Hawthorne's character AND we meet Alan Ross in this one and I already really like both characters!
So, I just read like 10 reviews for this that all started with "I don't usually like menage, but...." Well, as someone who DOES usually enjo4.75 Stars
So, I just read like 10 reviews for this that all started with "I don't usually like menage, but...." Well, as someone who DOES usually enjoy menage... I also really liked this.
I personally would call this poly, and not menage, but either way, it was incredibly well done. Each of the 3 MCs are well developed and they join the relationship together, as opposed to the more common poly books where you would have two people in an established relationship who then add a third.
Jones (who is the...center..I guess?) is a big golden retriever with an abundance of love to give. Unfortunately the two objects of his affection: Rosamond and Lord Mercury, are both too scared and concerned with appearances/society to return his affections (beyond some casual encounters). Rosamond because she needs to marry up and has already accepted a marriage proposal, and Mercury because he has some internalized homophobia.
This story was just so raw and angsty and beautiful. I loved every minute it.
And also, I didn't know that Alexis Hall could write MF sex scenes like that! After reading Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake and Mortal Follies, I had assumed that writing sex scenes involving one or more vaginas was just...um...not his forté (which is FINE, no one can be amazing at everything). But this book proves me wrong. Jones and Rosamond were hot together and I wished there was more.
I took of a quarter of a star because the FMC is a virgin, but (view spoiler)[we don't get to see her get fucked for the first time. Also Mercury admits that he's never topped before and wants to... but we don't get to see that either. (hide spoiler)] I fully support the author's right to write whatever level of smut they want and/or deem best, but this just felt like a tease. ...more
Mortal Follies is a historical/fantasy sapphic romance with major “A Midsummer Nights Dream” vibes (not a retelling, This was incredibly fun to read!
Mortal Follies is a historical/fantasy sapphic romance with major “A Midsummer Nights Dream” vibes (not a retelling, but sort of an AU-inspired-by type of piece)
The entire book is narrated by Robin, (as in…Robin Goodfellow or Puck) an immortal hobgoblin currently living in exile in modern times. I absolutely loved the narrator element, I didn’t find it distracting from the story at all and it added a lot of humor and some interesting perspectives.
Robin claims that he can’t stand mortals and lives for their suffering and humiliation, but is then repeatedly enchanted by the characters he’s following. He obviously adores Miss Bickel (I don’t blame him at all) and he might be just a little attracted to Mr. Caesar. There is lots of 4th wall breaking and I loved how the whole book sort of makes fun of itself.
There is mystery and magic and romance and it is all really well done (as usual for Alexis Hall). I especially loved the heroine Mae - she and the love interest Georgiana have sort of a grumpy/sunshine dynamic which I’m a total sucker for.
With regard to the sex scenes…they are…neither closed door nor open door…I would call them “door ajar” I guess? In any case, do not believe romance.io which has labeled this as “4/5 explicit”.
I sort of wished, however, that the sex door was either completely closed or wide open, because the scenes felt a little awkward. Especially since, like everything else in the book, the sex scenes are being described by a narrator who is observing them. But instead of Robin either giving his subjects complete privacy, OR embracing his inner voyeur and giving us all the steamy deets, he says things like “she placed her hand between the lady’s thighs” and then FTB. I am not sure if this was intentional, like as a commentary on Robin’s character somehow…but I personally found it strange.
Overall, the romance (for me) was probably the weakest part of the book. It was there…but I just didn’t feel much of a connection between the two FMCs, (besides them constantly being willing to die for one another perhaps ala Romeo and Juliet?). In any case, I do wonder if a good banging session would have helped…
There are lots of little nods to Shakespeare and Jane Austen, and probably a bunch of other stuff too that I didn’t pick up on. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. ...more
My first Alice Coldbreath book and it was wonderful!! It is so funny, I found myself laughing out loud at several points in the story. Her wr4.5 stars
My first Alice Coldbreath book and it was wonderful!! It is so funny, I found myself laughing out loud at several points in the story. Her writing is very unique and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series and then the related one. The characters were great - Linette was so sweet and positive despite everything she went through, and Mason was a perfect mix of angry/grumpy and romantic/possessive. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure why I'm not giving this is a full 5 stars, I guess it was just missing a little something for me -- maybe a little more conflict? I'm not sure...but it was VERY good!...more
Very slow to start...and I contemplated giving it up, but things really pick up around the 50% mark and now I'm dying to read the conclusion. I4 stars
Very slow to start...and I contemplated giving it up, but things really pick up around the 50% mark and now I'm dying to read the conclusion. I actually didn't realize this was a series, I probably would have held off had I known, because that cliffhanger...ugh....
Some things about Ella's writing style are a little irritating to me and I'm not sure why....but I love her characters and world building, and she's so good at writing love triangles and jealousy (not that this is a love triangle, but there is a love triangle with supporting characters, and there is some delicious jealousy).
I was also very disappointed with the way this ended (and not just because it's a cliffhanger) (view spoiler)[I was waiting for Florian to burst on the scene mad as hell that his MATE was taken and then TORTURED. I was craving that scene with every cell of my body. So when Florian saunters in all slow while Tullia is bleeding out on the floor and just casually says "I'm going to punish my wife now" without any sense of fear for said wife's well being or blood lust for her torturers, I was more than a little annoyed. I'll still be reading the sequel though probably the day it comes out *sigh* and hopefully Florian can muster up some blood lust in that one (hide spoiler)]...more
Short, sweet, funny, and definitely most titillating. As soon as I read the premise I knew I was going to read this, and then when I saw it was under Short, sweet, funny, and definitely most titillating. As soon as I read the premise I knew I was going to read this, and then when I saw it was under 100 pages I knew I was going to read it within the next 24 hours. It didn't disappoint!...more
5 Stars Loved it! Such a beautiful story about the power of love healing all wounds. It sounds cheesy to put it that way, but this book is not cheesy. 5 Stars Loved it! Such a beautiful story about the power of love healing all wounds. It sounds cheesy to put it that way, but this book is not cheesy. It is very well written with dynamic, flawed characters that both go through an arc, truly touching moments, a lot of steamy sexual tension, and some humor as well. ...more
I absolutely loved this and I basically forsook all my responsibilities today so I could finish reading it. I loved the first book in the ser5 stars!!
I absolutely loved this and I basically forsook all my responsibilities today so I could finish reading it. I loved the first book in the series but this one was even better because the FMC was not annoying or immature at all. In fact, she starts off being very likeable and clever and goes through a really wonderful character arc - as does the mmc. This one was even funnier than the first, and the smut was even hotter--that scene where the mmc (view spoiler)[ shows the fmc how to touch herself (hide spoiler)] O.M.G..... Part of me wished there was just a little more spice because it was SO good, but another part of me wouldn't want to mess with perfection, which this book IS.
This book was quite the emotional rollercoaster. I was hooked from chapter 1 and only started to lose patience during the third act breakup 4.25 stars
This book was quite the emotional rollercoaster. I was hooked from chapter 1 and only started to lose patience during the third act breakup which was an angsty cocktail of miscommunication and immaturity from the fmc. It came together in the end though, although I would have liked to see a little more grovel from the fmc as I was still a little mad at her. Otherwise this was perfect! The smut is hooottttt. Apparently kinky sex in historical romance really does it for me…....more
There were some very HOT scenes in this. I'm a sucker for the virgin fmc and the experienced mmc who talks her through it trope and this was 4.0 stars
There were some very HOT scenes in this. I'm a sucker for the virgin fmc and the experienced mmc who talks her through it trope and this was that done to perfection. I also really liked the characters. I just wish this was a little...more. Everything remained a bit surface-y. The HEA was a bit unsatisfying. Also, I would have loved to have gotten mmc's point of view. ...more
This is one of those books that hooks you from the beginning and is very difficult to put down. I'm not normally a fan of age gaps and teenage FMCs (oThis is one of those books that hooks you from the beginning and is very difficult to put down. I'm not normally a fan of age gaps and teenage FMCs (or even poly relationships), but these characters were all so complex and real and flawed and beautifully written that I didn't mind at all.
Douglas definitely pushes a lot of boundaries in this book, I would love to read more from her but I don't think I could go much further as far as taboo situations, this was perfect.
The character development got a little confusing in the second half of the book for me. I felt like it was a little hard to get a handle on some of the MCs, but I think that also goes to show that these are very flawed characters not meant to be two dimensional or ideals AT ALL.
It takes a while for things to heat up, there is a nice slow burn...but once things get started...holy hotness.... ...more
I was really impressed with this one. Truth be told, after book 5 (The Midwife and the Orc), I told myself I was going to quit the series. I4.75 stars
I was really impressed with this one. Truth be told, after book 5 (The Midwife and the Orc), I told myself I was going to quit the series. I only decided to read this one was because it is mmf, and I'd been waiting for it (I like to read a series in order).
But this was SO good! It exceeded my expectations and made me want to keep going with the series. This is probably the sweetest fmc of the series, and, because it is the orc sworn series, and it is Finley Fenn, these orcs really put her through the ringer with their drama and their baggage and their horrible communication skills. BUT, she does end up with two hot orcs who are incredibly possessive, protective and give her ALL the praise. The grovel is pretty decent too.
It's a long one but it goes by fast, it really had me hooked. ...more
I liked this next installment better than Bound to the Battle God. Although, it can be read as a standalone, these books should be read in order. It iI liked this next installment better than Bound to the Battle God. Although, it can be read as a standalone, these books should be read in order. It is a long book and dragged at parts which is why it is 4 stars instead of 5, but the story, writing and steam was all excellent! First person single POV...more
This was a fun read, almost fluffy. I liked FMCs character a lot. resourceful, practical, and sweet but not a pushover. The m**spoiler alert** 4 stars
This was a fun read, almost fluffy. I liked FMCs character a lot. resourceful, practical, and sweet but not a pushover. The mmc was okay.
The grovel in this was really good and fmc doesn’t cave right away.
I just wish there was a little more circumstantial drama. Most of the conflict comes from miscommunication and politics and it felt a little contrived. But I enjoyed it. ...more
i was a little nervous at the start of this because FMC was showing a lot of tstl traits...fighting mmc on every little thing...however, her characteri was a little nervous at the start of this because FMC was showing a lot of tstl traits...fighting mmc on every little thing...however, her character develops and grows a lot and she even (view spoiler)[apologizes to the MMC (hide spoiler)] !! MMC is wonderfully protective and besotted, some nice steamy scenes but I'm hoping there will be more of that in later books. Plot and world building was well done. ...more
This was my favorite of the trilogy. Although these can definitely be read as standalones, I’m glad I read them all as there are some interesting crosThis was my favorite of the trilogy. Although these can definitely be read as standalones, I’m glad I read them all as there are some interesting crossovers.
SLIGHT SPOILER —> I was a little disappointed at how quickly the MCs went from strangers to married…but it made sense for their characters.
This is also the hottest of the three books imo. ...more
Just like the Raven Prince, this book is incredibly well written. The story feels very unique. I really like how Hoyt uses the terminology of the timeJust like the Raven Prince, this book is incredibly well written. The story feels very unique. I really like how Hoyt uses the terminology of the time period, it's very immersive. I loved how the fairytale of the leopard prince was woven in. I also really loved the FMC as a character - which is rare for me. She is funny and relatable and someone I would love to be friends with. The MMC was pretty good too, but felt a little flat compared with the FMC. As far as the spice...it's a little vanilla for me, but overall a fun read and I'm excited to read the last book in the trilogy next. ...more
I liked this one. It was nice to get a little more plot development in the Dakkar world, and I loved Maeva's character. Kiran hurt her a lot3.75 stars
I liked this one. It was nice to get a little more plot development in the Dakkar world, and I loved Maeva's character. Kiran hurt her a lot the first time around, and she didn't forgive him right away but made him work for it - good for her! I only wish there was a little more conflict/jealousy, etc. in this, and maybe a bit more spice. It was a sweet romance though. ...more
Faith (semi-hiatus because fml right now 😩)
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