So, I really think that me and Ali Hazelwood are just not meant to be. Which I’m upset by because I really wanted to enjoy these books that have the FSo, I really think that me and Ali Hazelwood are just not meant to be. Which I’m upset by because I really wanted to enjoy these books that have the FMC as women in STEM. But there’s just too many things in these books that just get on my nerves.
I think I said in another review that I really hate the miscommunication trope, which now features in two of these novellas, but I also really don’t like this insta-love theme that comes through them.
And it seems like no matter what “story” Hazelwood has for her characters, the characters themselves are exactly the same no matter what. Which gets really boring really quickly, because why on Earth would I want to read about these people over and over again?!
As it is, I think I’ve got one book left by Hazelwood on my kindle. So I’ll give that a go but I’m not convinced that I’m going to enjoy it. ...more
Here’s the problem I’m beginning to remember having with Hazelwood and TLH, it’s predictable. And there are aspects of the story that should stay in tHere’s the problem I’m beginning to remember having with Hazelwood and TLH, it’s predictable. And there are aspects of the story that should stay in the realm of fanfiction but have somehow made their way into a published work. But even with all of that, there are things about this one that managed to make me raise an eyebrow in surprise.
Like the conflict that these two characters go through, she thinks he’s slept with her to get a client. And he thinks that he’s essentially assaulted her and she wants nothing to do with him. Which you have to admit, are two very different levels of conflict. But then he jacks off to her bra?! And tells her about it?! Oh honey, no!
Also, I can definitely tell you now that the miscommunication trope can burn in hell. Thank you very much.
ALSO can you please lay off the “Big Man/Tiny Woman” trope?! Give use some variety, at least in terms of body shape and size of the FMC!
I have a horrible feeling that I am not going to enjoy Hazelwood’s other works at all, but sadly for me I suffer from incurable completionism and I am going to make it everybody’s problem. Thank you. ...more
So, it’s been a while since I read an Ali Hazelwood book, so I was a little bit nervous to give these a go, especially since I wasn’t a massive fan ofSo, it’s been a while since I read an Ali Hazelwood book, so I was a little bit nervous to give these a go, especially since I wasn’t a massive fan of The Love Hypotheses when I did read it. But actually this one wasn’t that bad too be fair.
It does read a little bit like a fanfiction but you can ignore that as you read on, and it’s just a fun little time. All vibes really which I kind of needed after some of the heavy reads I’ve gone through recently.
I will say though, I don’t know whether this will keep coming up in Hazelwood’s other books, but I do not get this obsession with having your FMC be this dainty and tiny little thing, and then have the love interest be enormous? And for it to be continuously commented on? That’s a bit off putting, and I remember it being a complaint I had about TLH.
On the outside, this is just a short story following Ancel, who we meet in very dubious circumstances in the first volume and his journey from workingOn the outside, this is just a short story following Ancel, who we meet in very dubious circumstances in the first volume and his journey from working in a brothel to finding someone that he actually loves (?) in the Veretian court.
I didn’t realise at first that this story was about Ancel, but once I got into reading it I found it really enjoyable. Not just for the look at why exactly he got into being someone’s pet but also because of the looks it gives us into the beginning of the relationship between Damen and Laurent.
So yeah, surprisingly enjoyable. And I think that is me finished with the Captive Prince series, which I didn’t expect to have been something I would accomplish this year but here we are. Nice one. ...more
This short story took on more of a feeling of a mad cap adventure but actually showed a much deeper purpose when you learn that they are following somThis short story took on more of a feeling of a mad cap adventure but actually showed a much deeper purpose when you learn that they are following someone who is accused of trading in slaves despite that being outlawed by Damen and Laurent.
I loved spending more time with Charls, he just made me smile with his complete acceptance that Laurent would just up and follow him around his trading route as though he had nothing better to do. He’s so clueless that it’s funny but it’s so endearing and you see why Laurent goes to such extreme lengths to help him.
He’s like the concerned uncle that’s only got half the information but wants to have his say anyway. ...more
So this short story follows directly after the end of King’s Rising and follows Damen and Laurent as they spend time together at the summer palace andSo this short story follows directly after the end of King’s Rising and follows Damen and Laurent as they spend time together at the summer palace and just get to relax a little after the events of the main series.
While nothing major (plot wise) happens in this short story it’s nice to see Damen and Laurent in a much more relaxed setting and beginning their future arrangements together without the fear of war and betrayal hanging over them. And it’s nice to just see them being two young men who are in love and wanting to spend time together.
Aw, Jord! He was one of my favourite side characters in the main series so it was actually quite nice to see him as the focus of one of these short stAw, Jord! He was one of my favourite side characters in the main series so it was actually quite nice to see him as the focus of one of these short stories. Especially as it showed him growing into being a member of Laurent’s guard and then going on to becoming the Captain of that guard.
It shows how long the Regent and his men were working to undermine Laurent and his claim to the throne of Vere as well. If this takes place when Laurent is 15 it had only been two years since Auguste had died and then a further 5 years before the events of the main series.
So that is a long time for the Regent to exert his influence. And is a horrifying thought when you remember what he was doing to Laurent during a time when he was incredibly vulnerable. ...more
So, did I get slightly put off by the description of the blow job in the first chapter? Apparently so. Did I have to just force myself to get it finisSo, did I get slightly put off by the description of the blow job in the first chapter? Apparently so. Did I have to just force myself to get it finished today? Yes. But that is not the point. The point is I finished it and that is all that matters.
All in all it was quite a fun story. An LGBT regency romance with a dash of highway robbery is not something I usually go for but I’m quite glad that I did carry on with the audiobook and actually get to the end of it. Even if I was very red the whole time!...more
Woohoo! My 250th book this year and what a book it was! I was so excited when I saw that this book had come out that I started to read it a couple of Woohoo! My 250th book this year and what a book it was! I was so excited when I saw that this book had come out that I started to read it a couple of months ago, then almost immediately after starting it went into a reading slump so decided to put it on hold until I was up to normal reading levels again, and I’m so happy that I did that!
I’m really loving seeing how Auren is changing and growing through each of the books. How different her two relationships with Midas and Slade really are and how they both impact and affect her in such different ways. It’s really interesting to see a character coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship and her growth and healing beyond it. It’s not something you see all that much of.
It was also great seeing Slade’s childhood and his memories from when he was growing up, and how those events impacted not only him but also Ryatt. I hope we see a little bit more of that in the next book because I found that part really interesting.
But I have to mention the ending, because excuse me what the hell? And now I have to wait for book 5?! Unacceptable if you ask me. I need it now!!...more
I’m really sad that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I really, really wanted to! I loved the idea of a sapphic supernatural detective story, but thI’m really sad that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I really, really wanted to! I loved the idea of a sapphic supernatural detective story, but this was a bit too “American Gangster Noir” for my tastes. And that isn’t to say that it isn’t well written, because it is well written, but it just isn’t my cup of tea.
I did enjoy the way that the relationship between Helen and Edith were written, and I wish we were able to see more of the relationship and reconciliation between Helen and Teddy but I feel like that got lost a little bit with everything else that was going on with the story.
The biggest drawback that I have with this novella, is the same on that I have with most novellas and that is that they are generally too short for the story they want to tell. I feel like this could have been a bit longer and it would have added so much more to the story as we would have been able to build the world much more than we did.
I think I will still give Polk’s other works a go, I won’t say that it has put me off completely but I would say that I’m not entirely convinced either. ...more
So while I enjoyed this short story about a content moderator, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting it to be. I was expecting it to be a little bit So while I enjoyed this short story about a content moderator, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting it to be. I was expecting it to be a little bit like “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke” but it was almost like a pale imitation of it.
Kayleigh starts working for Hexa and falls in with a group of other content moderators and falls in love with Sigrid, quickly moving their relationship along until it all begins to break down.
Even though this is only a short story, it almost feels like it’s the beginning of a much longer story. It cuts off quite abruptly and doesn’t really explain a great deal which leads to you coming away from it a little disappointed with the story. ...more
I do so enjoy dipping back into the works of Katee Robert. They’re very easy to read and I find that when I get into the story itself I do end up blowI do so enjoy dipping back into the works of Katee Robert. They’re very easy to read and I find that when I get into the story itself I do end up blowing my way through it which is quite enjoyable when I’m trying to get my total number of books read for the month up.
What I have found with the books of Robert’s that I have read is that while each book is a stand alone story, it fits into a much wider universe that has its own call backs that you can enjoy if you have read the previous books. And this one is certainly no exception to that rule.
This one focuses on Apollo and Cassandra as they attempt to figure out what exactly the threat to Olympus is now that Minos & Co are here to cause more trouble than they are worth. I’m interested to know what exactly the issue with the boundary is and how deep some of these secrets seem to go, so hopefully they will be discussed in future books.
I also like how Robert sets up some of the future books in the series but does it in quite a natural way that you don’t even realise that they’re being set up right in front of you.
So this is the second and last book in the Sabine Valley series by Katee Robert and I’m actually a little sad that the series hasn’t been continued beSo this is the second and last book in the Sabine Valley series by Katee Robert and I’m actually a little sad that the series hasn’t been continued because I’m intrigued to see how the rest of the brothers would react to their respective situations.
The two books of the series so far are a lot darker in tone than some of Robert’s other works which is quite interesting to read, and it definitely lends a unique flavour to the pairings and the stories that they have as separate units and as a whole. ...more
So, if I remember rightly, this series is supposed to run parallel to the Wicked Villains series but be completely different at the same time. I mightSo, if I remember rightly, this series is supposed to run parallel to the Wicked Villains series but be completely different at the same time. I might have that wrong though so don’t quote me on that.
On the whole, this book felt a lot darker than some of the other Katee Roberts books that I have read. It definitely had a very different feel and sense of danger than the others which made it quite interesting to read. Also it is interesting how she creates these different settings and factions but make them all seem like the could feasibly work together in some way.
I am aware that this series is also on indefinite hold so I think I only have 1 more book to read and then it’s done, which is a bit of a shame but it is what it is. ...more
This collection took me a little longer to get through but I think that was more down to me feeling so tired recently that I’ve not wanted to do much This collection took me a little longer to get through but I think that was more down to me feeling so tired recently that I’ve not wanted to do much reading once I’ve finished work. But, I did finish it and that is the main thing!
I’ve always loved Gaiman’s writing, and I love how he can craft a story that is compelling and wonderful. Especially when you add in the fantastical elements like in these stories. But that just adds to everything instead of detracting from it.
Again, I also really appreciated how close the show kept to the original comics in terms of storyline. But I suppose that’s what you get when you have the writer of the comics working on the show as well.
I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the run goes, as this is uncharted territory for me at least. Bring it on, Mr Sandman!...more
I think I can feel the beginning of a slump coming on because it doesn’t usually take me this long to read a Katee Robert book but here we jolly well I think I can feel the beginning of a slump coming on because it doesn’t usually take me this long to read a Katee Robert book but here we jolly well are! And if I am heading into a slump then that’s slightly annoying as I’ve not got to the end of my June tbr! Ah well, we shall see what we shall see.
So, for the third instalment in the Dark Olympus series; this actually felt a lot different to the ones that have come before. I think I was expecting it to be a lot more low-stake than it ended up being but actually it added to the story as a whole to see a plot outside of the relationships being formed.
There was a slightly Hunger Games style competition which I enjoyed, and it was cool to see a woman come out on top and win the competition and take her place among the Thirteen. And even though there were still some steamy scenes, the plot moved on without them which was quite nice to see.
Possibly my only gripe would be that I think it should have been Briseis instead of Helen, but I fully understand why Helen was used given she was the daughter of the old Zeus and sister of the new one. It might have even worked if she had been fleeing Menelaus and starting the relationship with Paris?
Who knows, this are just my thoughts but I’m still looking forward to the rest of the series!...more
I already knew that I was a fantasy girly but it’s kind of refreshing to know that I am a fae fantasy girly by the looks of things. Which is nice to kI already knew that I was a fantasy girly but it’s kind of refreshing to know that I am a fae fantasy girly by the looks of things. Which is nice to know because at least I know what I am more likely to enjoy.
I remember from my time reading the first book of this duology that there was a strong ACOTAR 2.0 vibe, and while that didn’t completely go away in this book, it didn’t feel like a rip off either. I guess there is only so much new ground to cover where the fae courts are concerned.
Sebastian managed to hold on until the final 3% of the book to become a decent person and for that alone he has my respect because damn. Way to hold a grudge when you are the one in the wrong?! But anyway.
Well, that was a pleasant surprise! I’ve seen a few people on BookTok say that they didn’t like it but I’ve also seen a few people who said they did lWell, that was a pleasant surprise! I’ve seen a few people on BookTok say that they didn’t like it but I’ve also seen a few people who said they did like it so I was a bit wary going in to it on how it would be but wow, I actually really enjoyed this!
While there are a number of elements that you will recognise from other books focusing on or centring Fae, there’s also enough in there to make this not feel like every other Fae centred book out there. Brie is quite an interesting protagonist to follow and there’s definitely enough going on for you to not feel disengaged from the text.
I have to say, I didn’t expect that twist ending so that was a nice surprise, and I am so glad that she’s walked away from Sebastian. I didn’t like him at all, not for one second!
I’m intrigued to see what will happen in the sequel, and how it will tie up all of the loose ends that have been blown open by that twist ending! ...more
So, this novella is set in the same universe as Neon Gods and Electric Idol and takes place before the events of NG, and has actually made me more intSo, this novella is set in the same universe as Neon Gods and Electric Idol and takes place before the events of NG, and has actually made me more intrigued as to that universe as a whole.
The story focuses on Medusa and Calypso, and unlikely pairing, as Medusa is sent to bump off Calypso after Odysseus grows tired of having her as a mistress. While initially I was a bit confused about that particular pairing, it actually does make sense as Athena does focus heavily in both myths and would be the connecting factor between the two.
I love anything that has got Medusa in it so this was a bit of a no brainer for me personally and it’s made me want to see more of Athena in the Dark Olympus world and how she fits in with the rest of the Thirteen. I’m also intrigued as to how the rest of the series is going to go so hopefully we’ll get the next instalment sooner rather than later!...more
As the second instalment on Roberts’ “Dark Olympus” series, this book focuses on Psyche and Eros and the fallout from the events of Neon Gods.
PersonaAs the second instalment on Roberts’ “Dark Olympus” series, this book focuses on Psyche and Eros and the fallout from the events of Neon Gods.
Personally, I think I enjoyed this one more than Neon Gods. Maybe because the world has already been set up so you’re just now enjoying what is happening and going on but not as bogged down by the set up. The world feels a lot more familiar than in NG which did make it slightly easier to read.
I did also love the plus size representation and it was refreshing to read about a bigger woman who is comfortable with how she looks rather than still having to deal with all of the negative thoughts you have when you’re younger. It was also really nice to see her get the guy as well. Even if it did start off on rocky ground.
I think my only problem with books like this, and this is a personal thing not a bookish thing, but i think I go into them expecting more plot than maybe other people so I always end up a little bit less satisfied than other readers but I’m learning to take a step back on that front and just enjoy it for what it is. ...more
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