Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of mThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Fake Wedding Project is a completely cute, forced proximity and fake relationship trope book. The added bonus is that Amanda and Dane of the afore mentioned fake relationship are from warring families in the little town of Tinsel that looks like it is celebrating Christmas all year round. When Amanda accidently work vomits, she and Dane are engaged in a bid to get out of the family business the gingerbread hits the fan.
Dane and Amanda are so adorable. Both are extremely likable and each has a bone to pick with their families over the feud that has lasted generations in the little town of Tinsel. Amanda had to hid her friendship with Dane's sister while growing up and Dane felt every accomplishment in his life was just a boasting point for his family to use against Amanda's. Dane is ready to pretend to be engaged in the hopes they can get enough family members on their side to put this feud to rest once and for all. Maybe they will even discover how the feud started when some copies of old letters start showing up at their door.
With enough fruitcake and gingerbread, you can finally fix everything I suppose. This was a really cute story as the town tries to throw together a quick wedding for the couple they think will end the feud of the century, well at least in this sleepy little town. They might live on different coasts and have incredibly different kinds of jobs, but the girl Dane crushed on so hard in high school just might be the woman he could spend his life with, at least he could if he can convince her that what they are faking just might be real.
The Fake Wedding Project is one of those kinds of books I like reading in between something heavy or long. It is fun, fast, a little bit steamy and a great reset. I even loved that sometimes in the end the girl needs to take the lead.
Narration: Both Connor Crais and CJ Bloom have huge catalogs of work, each with over 300 titles narrated. With that you know that the experience is going to be polished and have the finesse of truly seasoned professionals. Each did really well with their PoV and made the characters so much fun. Even Chili the dog was given a great personality that shone through during narration. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Dragon Heartstring is the prequel to the Vale of Stars series following the human male Demetrius Cade and a female Morg3.5 Tug on my Heartstring Stars
Dragon Heartstring is the prequel to the Vale of Stars series following the human male Demetrius Cade and a female Morgon (dragon-hybrid) Shakira as they work together on against a common foe.
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While this is the pre-first of a new series I still really recommend that you read Soulfire first. Even though it is a different series I think that the set up of the world is really helpful in any of the stories involving the Morgon (dragon/human hybrid). The lore to their creation was kind of beautiful and I’d read that book just for that.
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This is Juliette’s first book that covers how a female Morgon can bond with a human. It was a nice switch up from the soulfire kiss of the males and I enjoyed that fact there was a way to do it.
Since this is a novella there really isn’t much time for world building to be set up hence the reason I think you should read one of the main books first and not much time for the two in question to get together either. There was a little tension to the story but this is just a quick glimpse into how the players in the world are changing and how Jessen’s straight laced brother was captured by a woman that he would have never considered at one time.
“I’ve been careful and cautious all my life, Shakara. But when I think of you, there’s only one word that flips over and over in my mind.” “And what word is that?” “Yes.”
I’ve liked Shakara from the beginning when I met her in Soulfire and I thought that maybe she would have caught the eye of a different character in the story. But these two fit together well once you got past a few superficial things to see the people they were underneath.
Great quick PNR read to get me through some of the other darker books I’ve been reading lately.
Merged review:
3.5 Tug on my Heartstring Stars
Dragon Heartstring is the prequel to the Vale of Stars series following the human male Demetrius Cade and a female Morgon (dragon-hybrid) Shakira as they work together on against a common foe.
[image]
While this is the pre-first of a new series I still really recommend that you read Soulfire first. Even though it is a different series I think that the set up of the world is really helpful in any of the stories involving the Morgon (dragon/human hybrid). The lore to their creation was kind of beautiful and I’d read that book just for that.
[image]
This is Juliette’s first book that covers how a female Morgon can bond with a human. It was a nice switch up from the soulfire kiss of the males and I enjoyed that fact there was a way to do it.
Since this is a novella there really isn’t much time for world building to be set up hence the reason I think you should read one of the main books first and not much time for the two in question to get together either. There was a little tension to the story but this is just a quick glimpse into how the players in the world are changing and how Jessen’s straight laced brother was captured by a woman that he would have never considered at one time.
“I’ve been careful and cautious all my life, Shakara. But when I think of you, there’s only one word that flips over and over in my mind.” “And what word is that?” “Yes.”
I’ve liked Shakara from the beginning when I met her in Soulfire and I thought that maybe she would have caught the eye of a different character in the story. But these two fit together well once you got past a few superficial things to see the people they were underneath.
Great quick PNR read to get me through some of the other darker books I’ve been reading lately....more
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of mThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I don’t know what is going on…recently it seems like I’ve found a few more books that have angel/demon dynamics in them. I won’t say that Celestial Academy: Essence the first book in the Afterworld series has large religious intonations, because it definitely does not. It is more like various teams playing on the court. You have team Angels, they appear to be the upper crust of society now and make many of the rules in the human world. Then there is team demons who tend to run some of the shadier happenings in this world. There are also some fey, vampires, shifters, goblins and other supernaturals hanging out too. Then there is the bottom of the food chain so to speak, the humans. Most are sold into slavery to Angels, demons or others. They have been since the world was lost in the magical war twenty-ish years ago. This is the story of one of those Humans, Wen.
Wen, well what can I say I loved her from the beginning. She has sass, an unusual talent, a really high threshold to pain, a mouth that runs away with her when it should just shut up and a propensity to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Owned by a demon she is doing everything to get out of his clutches along with her best friend and roommate Sarah. Wen will do whatever it takes, even if that means selling Angel Essence (something only she seems able to collect) to earn the money needed to buy their freedom. After she is busted by Godrick one of the Nephilim, whom she dubs Angelhole (see sassy), she is swept away to the Celestial school to be trained by none other than the sexy half angel she just can’t help antagonizing. As Godrick tries to whip her into shape, Wen just tries to stay alive in this magical school that seems to want her dead.
There are fights and challenges to move to the next level. Wen, will have a shot to learn what she is capable of and possibly a little bit into the question of who/what she really is. With her bff Sarah also at the school, at least she has one ally.
I hear this is like Zodiac Academy (ZA), but I haven’t read that series yet and so cannot comment on the similarities. Still that said now I want to jump into ZA as well. I always enjoy the magical school set up. Wen is roommate with four other women of various background and the five of them make up one team. They are supposed to learn how to work together to pass the tests coming at them. A little had to do with a demoness, a fey, a paltry human, a Nephilim and whatever Wen is. It was also nice that all the characters are around twenty so them lusting a little here and there felt slightly more mature and less icky. The romance aspect of the story is a really slow burn. The forced proximity wore Godrick down as Wen is likeable overall and her needling of him turned from aggravating to flirtatious. It is a fun relationship to watch.
Come back to me - always
I’m really excited to see what is in story for the characters of this story in the next book. The ending wasn’t a cliff hanger, but the author definitively gave us a tease and dropped a little bomb to get the reader really excited to see where the next story is going to go.
"The world humans knew did end, if not in the way we thought it would. It’s now a whole new world – Afterworld – because of one tiny difference. We now have Hell – and Heaven – on Earth.”
Narration: I have listened to a few other books that Amanda Leigh Cobb has narrated. I think she is a good pick for this series as it is through Wen's PoV and Amanda delivers Wen's humor and snark really well. She brings out both the tough and the vulnerable sides of the main character while not diminishing the performances of the other characters. I enjoyed her performance of the novel and believe it added to my overall enjoyment of the book. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
“Raise your voice until you are heard. Look however you want, be whoever you want, and demand people pay attentio
Well this book was just fun.
“Raise your voice until you are heard. Look however you want, be whoever you want, and demand people pay attention to you. Stop taking what you’re given, and demand the space in life you want.”
Your kid heads of to college and your husband wants a divorce. Most people would be heartbroken and curled into a little ball recovering. But not our girl/woman Jess. She is actually relieved, with only herself to think about she is ready for an adventure to find herself when one falls into her lap.
She is off to an old Mansion of sorts complete with a butler and groundskeeper. She loved the place as a kid, when she went there with friends but seeing it as an adult is an entirely new experience. The little town is also a trip and as Jess's eye open to the new people in her life she has found that she might just be exactly what the house was waiting for.
I loved that even if there will possibly be a romance in this later, right now in this book Jess is just getting used to her new single life and she is excited to just be her. Hanging out with the crazy neighbor down the way at the locals bar is just hilarious. The butler keeps saying such strange things and showing up to hand her things she needs at the strangest times. The groundskeeper on the other hand seems to always have a knocked out guest to content with.
“His mood had shifted. Darkened, like it had fallen down a well, and was now worried about a basket of lotion and a hose.”
As Jess figures out her new place in this town and in that house a very interesting things are revealed. The magic she has is a bit unique and the rag tag group of side kicks she has so funny. It is amazing that everyone in the story is over the age of forty and still having a great time.
I discovered K/F/ Breene just a year or so ago and I have had a really good time with the books I've read by her. I am hoping for a little romance with the town bartender and hot not-alpha but if that came down the road in book four or five I'd be great with it. I'm loving the magic system and side characters. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes. ...more
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of mThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
Queen of Dreams is the second book of the Bound to Fire and Steelseries focused on the thruple of Ash, Sanci and Zanya. I'm not always a fan of threesome relationships, but I like the way this one was done, it completely worked for me. There is definitely more that could be done in this world if the authors choose but this book wraps up a lot of the threads and could be just a great duology. Sanci is the glue binding Ash and Zanya together, however they will need to find a way to love each other and come together even in her absence when she is kidnapped by the Destroyer if they are going to get her back.
I really enjoyed Consort of Fire, there was a new fantasy world to learn with interesting magic and magical being in it, along with a strong historic base the authors introduced. Add to that a lot of steamy scenes in-between all the traveling through the land while Sanci and Zanya figuring out how to kill Ash to save Sanci and it was a solid romantasy. But I think that Queen of Dreams flows a little better with was less time spent on the sex and more time spent on the actual story. Don't worry there are still a few really explicit and spicy scenes that take their time, but it doesn't overwhelm the story. I would say Bound to Fire upped it's game and the depth of the characters, plot and worldbuilding.
“So many lifetimes ago, the world promised me that I would never be alone again. I waited three thousand years for that promise to come true. And it was worth it.”
Zanya is learning how to handle her power and the newfound strength that has come with it. She doesn't trust herself and is afraid she could hurt Sanci if she can't learn to control it. Ash is trying to develop a relationship with Zanya as a lover, so he is not able to train her like he would another new born god. He will need to trust some of his court with his lover, if Zanya is going to come into her full potential. Sanci wants to help with all the upheaval in the country but has been sidelined for her protection. In a bid to help, she is accidentally captured to be in the betrayers court. She must use all the skill she was taught in order to get close to Ash and kill him, to save her Consort and the woman she loved since childhood. Sanci will need all of her power over the world of dreams to make this happen. One problem, sometimes you have to be on the verge of death to manifest into your full power and Sanci's journey is not easy and will leave some scars.
Ash and Zanya need to get ready, while it is hard to leave Sanci in the enemies' clutches, they must trust her to fight the battle she was trained for while they prepare for the fighting that will come when the right opportunity arises. Sorin, known as the betrayer, was awful and twisted. I liked how Sanci was able to maneuver in his court and the allies she was able to make by playing political games. There are more ways to fight than just the sword. The culminating battle at the end was epic in scope and the conclusion to the story very satisfying. I can see how we may get more books set in this world as there are definitely more stories that could easily be told. I for one would be interested in reading any of them.
Narration: Victoria Mei, Caitlin Elizabeth and Will Thorne reprise their roles for each PoV in the story. Each did a great job of capturing the main voice of the character they were narrating. I think Will was absolutely perfect for the deep timber I assumed the Dragon would have and his voice was my favorite. Victoria and Caitlin also performed really well and were able to capture both the strength and the vulnerabilities of the characters they were playing. There wasn't a PoV that I didn't like or that didn't carry the story well.
Oh, to go back to the Covid times for a minute. Reagan already lived a pretty isolated lifestyle so social distancing was second nature to her. But shOh, to go back to the Covid times for a minute. Reagan already lived a pretty isolated lifestyle so social distancing was second nature to her. But she is going to visit one person on the Thanksgiving Holiday and since the rest of the family is having it together, she has opted to go visit her grandfather.
This was a pretty interesting look at what a holiday was like for some of us during this time. Granted I was more on par with Reagan's main family that thought social distancing was putting an extra leaf in the table I knew plenty of people who drifted to the other end of the social spectrum.
“If you’re as careful as you’re supposed to be, you seem neurotic. I feel neurotic.”
Reagan steps outside to have a very social distance conversation with the neighbor boy, now all grown up, also home for the holiday. As they discuss were they are at in their lives a kinship almost forms.
I see the reviews for this all over the place. I love Rainbow Rowell's writing style with the character introspections and their wit. It was a really interesting snapshot of a super strange time in world history. For me we are far enough away from the events of Covid that it was almost fun to look back.
A cute sorta romance in covid-ish times
“Now her head and mouth felt empty. She felt like she carried emptiness around with her, a six-foot radius of it.”
Not quite a rehashing of Roman Holiday but it did have quite a few similarities.
Our princess trades spaces with her assistant in order to have a few Not quite a rehashing of Roman Holiday but it did have quite a few similarities.
Our princess trades spaces with her assistant in order to have a few days on her own in Rome. She ends up accidentally knocking herself out and in the company of the young photographer she was ogling the day before.
A tour around the city, a family type party and the Royalty reveal were all pretty wrote. It was a cute story but not a lot of depth to the characters or their whirlwind romance. I enjoyed it but not the best of the Improbable Meet-Cute stories.
While still a fun pallet cleanser between full length novels I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others in the series.
Daisy loves the bakery While still a fun pallet cleanser between full length novels I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others in the series.
Daisy loves the bakery in her neighborhood but this is absolutely the last time she is going there since she believes the owner hates her. Only there is an earthquake and she ends up stuck with him for hours. Guess it is time to hash out their non-existent issues.
He wanted her from the first time she laughed and she wants to lick just about anything off him. She has resting happy face and he seems really grumpy all the time and scowls a lot.
I struggled a little with the dialogue and all the permission asking, it was just strange. Not really my jam, but I'd probably eat at that bakery.
This series has been so cute so far every short story in it is a winner and Rosie and the Dreamboat is no exception to that.
Rosie is a girl stuck in aThis series has been so cute so far every short story in it is a winner and Rosie and the Dreamboat is no exception to that.
Rosie is a girl stuck in a float pod and Leo is the fireman on the outside working his PR magic to keep her calm while they try to figure out how to get her out. As they talk to one another through the clamshell-esk prison something magical happens between them.
I completely enjoyed this story and the interactions of Rosie and Leo as she is trapped. You could see they were meant to be and I completely adored the ending to this. What a great story of, how I met your mother, to tell there kids down the road....more
He was trying to do his brother a favor and left a valentines day note on what he thought was his brother's girlfriends caWhat a completely cute read!
He was trying to do his brother a favor and left a valentines day note on what he thought was his brother's girlfriends car. She was having a hard day as a hospice nurse, taking car of her grandmother at her end of life and happened to have a car the same make and color as the brother's girlfriends car.
What started as an accidental car noting turned into a cute exchange of notes and small gifts between two people who both helped each other at turning point in their lives.
This was such a fun read and I completely loved their interactions as they eventually found their way to each other.
Great short read, when you just want to feel good :) ...more
One valentines day in high school C accidentally emailed T, thinking she was his calculus teacher. One oops This is a completely cute and quick story.
One valentines day in high school C accidentally emailed T, thinking she was his calculus teacher. One oops in high school turns into the two of them touching base every Valentines day for the next decade. Things don't line up, until the day they do ten years after their initial email.
This was completely adorable and reminded me of some of you've got mail very loosely in the strangers who email kind of way.
I enjoyed the entire story going through their high school, college, pandemic years until they finally get to meet. Completely cute and worth jumping into for a fun quick read. ...more
So this was just a good time if you didn't think about it too much and went into expect something like Spy Kids and not James Bond.
Winter Young was dSo this was just a good time if you didn't think about it too much and went into expect something like Spy Kids and not James Bond.
Winter Young was desperate to be loved and now as a iconic pop start he is by most of the world. Still that isn't the same as the love he used to have from his big brother who died in the peace corps. Desperate to fill a void he is convinced by the Panacea group to be a secret agent and help them find dirt on one of the richest men in the world. Just so happens this man is about to ask Winter to do a private concert for his super fan daughter on her birthday. It is the perfect in.
Sydney never expected to like Winder. Super serious about moving up to full agent the last thing she wanted was babysitting duty to a superstar. Thing is Winter is different than she ever expected him to be and the side she sees, the real Winter is a boy she maybe could like.
Together they need to infiltrate the swankiest birthday party of the year and find some documents that will help bring down a very bad man. It is harder than Winter thought it was going to be and he just might end up dead if he can't figure out this spy stuff quickly.
This was a fun ride. I always like Marie Lu's writing and the story moved along really well with enough action and heartfelt moments to really connect to both Winter and Sydney. The small romance they have going on in the middle of trying to catch the bad guy was sweet and a little spicy at times but never took over the story. I appreciate that no one let out a breath they didn't know they were holding anywhere in the book.
Overall if you are looking for something a bit light and fun with some surprising who dun it moments this could be for you....more
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Demon Throne is the first book in the Demons of Morningstarseries. This is for all you readers that love a good reverse harem situation. There are four different potentials at play and I'm pretty sure our girl Nyx is going to sleep with all of them by the time the series is done and maybe add a few more to her bed post along the way, only time will tell.
Besides all the sexual tension Nyx is feeling with almost all of the hot guys in her life The Demon Throne also has a really interesting story happening. Nyx thought she was just a human demon hunter and she has trained and honed all of her skills to take down nasties. Seems that she is also a spawn of Satan, who knew, and now she is up against some of the other Spawns of Satan to take the Demon Throne in hell.
Nyx is going to need a lot of help if she is going to stay alive. Some of her half siblings seem a bit murderous and all of them want to win the throne. She will need to find a sponsor and get some protection if she is ever going to make it to the actual trial as Satan Spawn seem to be dropping off left and right. Good thing she has her trusted hound Chase, a Nightmare and a few other big players who are intrigued by Nyx to lead her through these treacherous times.
The Demon Throne was a good time. I was intrigued by the world and all the political machinations in it. Getting to the official contest was only half the battle and now Nyx and the siblings she have left are going to have to fight it out to see who gets to sit on the all powerful throne and rule the underworld. I didn't think about it too much and just enjoyed myself in the story. I haven't read any of the other book series Nyx may have been in but this seemed like a good place to jump in and even though I'm sure there is some history I'm missing it didn't seem to impact my enjoyment of this story. Nyx was fun and I liked getting to know some of the Demon Spawn. There are also a few pretty hot scenes to kick back and enjoy as well...steamy.
To be able to really enjoy this book I think you are going to have to be on board with the reverse harem aspect of it and not be bothered that Nyx is attracted to four different men and 'enjoys' two of them in this story alone. If that is not something you are comfortable with I think it will hinder everything else.
Narration:
Avie Paige narrates the majority of the story as Nyx's PoV. I liked her fun take on Nyx's passionate yet carefree ways and how she made the story fun. Connor Brown did get a little ear time as the few Male PoVs. The timbre of his voice was seductive and I enjoyed listening to his portion of the book. Both are new to me narrators that I'm sure I'll enjoy listening to in the next books of the series.
With a Little Luck is the second book in Marissa Meyer's Fortuna Beachseries. This This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
3.5 hearts
With a Little Luck is the second book in Marissa Meyer's Fortuna Beachseries. This series is a cool blend of YA romance with a little bit of magic on the side. Jude, is your average semi-nerdy teen. He is the dungeon master for a D&D group, draws comic books and works at his parents record store. He has had a crush on the same girl for years and with some luck on his side he might just have a shot with her.
Jude is Pru's twin brother from Instant Karma and now we get a story centered on him. One thing Jude has going for him is he is definitely more likeable than Pru was at the beginning of his book so it was really easy to root for him. He and Ari have been great friends 4-ever. They have inside jokes, root each other on and hang out all the time. Ari writes music and Jude draws and creates stories for his D&D group. They both work at Jude's parents' record store and from the beginning it is clear that they are meant to be together, but Jude is a teenage boy with a huge crush on one of the popular girls at school and is oblivious to it.
When Jude finds a fancy 20 side die on a record turn-table and rolls a 20 with it all the stars seem to align and opportunity seems to knock at every turn giving him a shot to ask out his crush when he wins some tickets to a concert she is dying to go to. He finally has his shot but as he gets to know Mia, he realizes she is great, but maybe she isn't the girl for him. One problem, all his luck seems to be missing now that he lost his lucky dice so how is he going to get the girl he never noticed was right in front of him the entire time.
I had a really good relaxing time in this book. It is super cute and I really adored the sibling relationships in it along with the semi-dorky kid who you're hoping gains a little confidence and figures out how to get the right girl in the end. There are all kinds of cute moments and I appreciated that the girl he crushed on all this time was a great girl, she just wasn't the right girl for him but had so many cool things about her too. Ari was so easy to really like and I couldn't wait to see how her music was going to play into the story.
Overall this is a great little rom com that stays age appropriate. While there really isn't a lot of drama happening in the story, I enjoyed being a part of Jude's world as he learns that sometimes Luck is all in the eye of the beholder and how you react to it.
Narration: Stacy Carolan is a new to me narrator. I thought they were a good choice for this story and fit the characters well. The cadence and diction was right for teenagers and the voice sounded like a teen. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Angel's life has been full of poor choices. Wrong man, wrong education, wrong friends, wrong job or no job and her family situation is off too. But noAngel's life has been full of poor choices. Wrong man, wrong education, wrong friends, wrong job or no job and her family situation is off too. But now that she is technically dead, maybe she can do better.
“Just because I'm insane doesn't mean I have to act all crazy.”
Brains...who knew they would taste so delicious. But when you are a zombie that is what is on the menu. Angel woke up in the hospital after "something" happened and she can't remember most of the night before. Too drunk, too drugged, too concussed it is hard to say. But when she is discharged there is a cooler with some drinks and a note saying that her new job at the county morgue starts tomorrow and drink a shake every other day.
Unsure what is going on she shows up to the job she needs to keep for her probation and tries to pick up the pieces of her life and put them back together. But the strange thing is in helping with the autopsies she is starting to wonder if something else is going on with her because she should be so disgusted by cutting people open, but when it comes down to it the smell when they crack open a skull it is all she can do to not scoop it up and devour it right there.
“It looked like pieces of bread pudding that had been soaked in raspberry syrup.”
So Angel is trying to figure out how she ended up this way and who is sending her notes on how to be a zombie. She is also working on figuring out this new job and cleaning up her life. Easier not to be an addict when the drugs you used to take don't do anything for you anymore and all you really want to eat is in the skull of the person sitting next to you.
I had a good time with this story. I liked Angel and wanted her to figure out her life and how to live in this new existence. Especially since there seems to be some weird things happening like some headless bodies and a few other murders that seem a little out there. Angel always seems to be right in the middle of it all and hopefully will figure it out soon before someone tries to take off her head.
Full of interesting ideas, foul language and funny moments. A different kind of Zombie story....more
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
Walk of Shame is the second book in the Downside to Dating series and much like many series romances it can be read as a stand alone. This is a story about a woman who has decided dating isn't for her. She likes men just fine, but only for a night and only for one thing, then she is off to enjoy her own life man free. She has been successful at that since the day she was left at the alter by her childhood sweetheart, that is until a hard man in a soft sweater came to her rescue at the bar one night and she just can't seem to figure out how to keep her panties on anytime he is near.
Astrid hates all things hockey since Tig dropped her the day of their wedding to run off to another city and play for another team. She is now is that city after her dad got a coaching job there. She might be there for family but she still wants nothing to do with hockey. Seems like fate has other plans for Astrid. First, she broke all her rules and had sex with Cal even after she learned he lived in her building, but it gets worse when she figures out he is the new hockey coach brought on to help her ex out of his slump and worse than that when her dad talks her into coming back to help out the team in his last season. Now she is trying to avoid Cal because he is like catnip and she just can't get enough.
Cal might not be able to play the game anymore but this is his shot to be a part of it. Trouble is he is so distracted by Astrid that he keeps forgetting why hooking up with the head coach's daughter is probably a bad idea. But there is just something about her and Cal is going to pull out all the stops to see if he can find a way to not only get into her panties but maybe even into her head and her heart. Which might be more difficult than he realized since she keeps dodging him.
I had so much fun with this story. Astrid is a bit on the broken side but after the wedding debacle who wouldn't be. I loved watching her grow and Cal figure out how to do some adorable things to soften her up. Who knew Diet Coke could win a girl's heart. Their story is pretty cute with just enough angst to really seal the deal. Once I got going I didn't want to stop listening to the story to see what it was going to take for these two to figure out they were more than just people who hook up.
The epilogue was a bit strange but worked overall and sets up the next couple solidly. If you have read some of the other series about the Ice Knights, Harbor City or the Hartigans then you are in for a treat as there are quite a few cameos from other books.
Narration: Robert Hatchet and Savannah Peachwood are gold in this. Both have all the angst and sexy in their voices and really sold the characters. I love that each of the main character had their own voice for the story, it made it flow great. Plus both of their performances were just candy to my ears. The sexy times were soooo hot, so pick your listening place accordingly, you have been warned. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Audiobook provided by the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
Remedial Magic is the first book in A Course in Magic a new series by Melissa MAudiobook provided by the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
Remedial Magic is the first book in A Course in Magic a new series by Melissa Marr. It is supposed to be a cozy little Romance set when a which awakens to her new power and is transported to a magic land. I’m not a huge fan of F/F love interests, but when done by a trusted author I usually will give them a shot. Even though the blurb only talks about one romance, there are actually three happening a F/F, M/F and M/M
I was a bit disappointed in the overall story, which seemed like it didn’t know what it really wanted to be. There are 6 different PoVs happening and so you always know what everyone is thinking, there is no build up no suspense and all of the romances totally happen in a lust at first site kind of way that seems so shallow.
The Good
I enjoyed the start-up of the story. Most people do not come into their magic until their life is put into danger. That is the moment it will most likely activate and then the people of Crenshaw, all witches will come to retrieve you to help you settle into your new power. Only the magical are allowed in Crenshaw though so you have to leave everything from your previous life behind. Sometimes that is not problematic and for a few of our characters they really didn’t have a lot to go back to. But one main character is a mother and being told she is to be separated from her son for months while they decide if she can stay or go is problematic for her.
Maggie’s (the afore mentioned mother) arc was the most interesting to me. She has the most in the outside world to keep her tethered there. Her dilemmas were the easiest to relate to. Dan was probably my second favorite character as he has significant reason to want to stay. He was dying of cancer in the real world, but in this magical place he is cured. Returning means certain death to him so he is willing to make a few questionable choices to be able to stay. I really loved how honest he was about all of that and if that meant he possible joined up with the Dark Side all the better.
Crenshaw is dying, the water is tainted and there is a fowl smell in the air. Some of the witches want to return to the real world, others want to move their magical town. Each faction will try to skew the new witches to their side and use them as needed for the town.
I was intrigued by this plot at first with the fractioning sides but as the story progressed it wasn’t really going anywhere and I really had problems will all the Witches of Crenshaw by the end.
The Bad
I honestly was so disappointed that something that was supposed to be a cozy romance story was so filled with Social Justice Warrior verbiage and biases. There are all the things like racism, people having issues with gay lifestyles, white priveledge, ableism and so much more in something that is supposed to be a light read. I would like to encourage all authors to check themselves and if you aren’t creating an escape for your readers you have probably failed at your job a little. If it was just one thrown out comment about gay equality or the persecution of witches in the past (which actually made sense in the context of the story) I wouldn’t mention it. But if I am rolling my eyes at the number of times I’m taken out of the story so someone can “preach” their biases it isn’t a fun read anymore.
There was a lot in this book that has potential. I think if it focused on one couple instead of three we would have had more depth to the characters. But as is no one really got enough page time to be really developed. Sanche the headmaster of the school was the most complex character and even with him we only scratch a surface.
The ending was a bit rushed and didn’t make a ton of sense, but I was ready for the book to be over. I was hoping to see more of the magical classes but there are only a few scenes without much detail to them. The magic in the community seemed cool but again just brushed over. The Hobbs, magical creatures that help out the Witches, much like house elves of harry potter also seems really interesting but we don’t really delve into that much either.
I’m not sure this is a series I will continue as I enjoy a bit more depth to most of my characters. But Dan’s circumstances is interesting and I would like to see Maggie and how her new situation at the end was working out. My continuation of the series would depend heavily on those two characters.
Narration
Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers were the narrators for the book. I think they captured most of the characters well although Prospero sounded a bit like a man to me in the story. All the voices and pacing were overall done really well. I enjoyed Dan's voice the most and Sanche has a very distinguishable tone that was really pleasing to the ear. I normally listen at 1.5x speed but needed to increase to 1.75x speed for the story to flow correctly for me....more
Dance with the Dragon Duke is book 5 of the Fae Trickster's series. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think reading at least the first two bookDance with the Dragon Duke is book 5 of the Fae Trickster's series. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think reading at least the first two books of the series would help with some of the side characters you will meet in the story.
Two lost souls hiding out in a brothel find solace in each other. Dark, a Dragon Duke is hiding out and licking his wounds from all the death and destruction of his past. Tomorrow is hiding from the family trying to kill her before she can claim her inheritance. Both need each other but for very different reasons. Tomorrow needs a protector and a husband to claim her inheritance and keep her alive long enough to get revenge on her murderous cousin. Dark needs desperately to save someone and find a purpose in his life again. Tomorrow could be that promise to him.
I always enjoy the trope of a marriage of strangers, it is one of my favorites and this was done really well. I rooted for Tomorrow right away as she hides out in the brothel known to be protected by the Bloody Queen of Night, scared her cousin would get to kill her and steal the inheritance left by her father. Dark might be hiding in the same brothel but he is there for very different reasons and right away you can see that these two need each other. Dark needs the vulnerability Tomorrow shows to him and he really needs to protect someone. The fact the mating instinct has risen in him is just a bonus.
The world building using a blend of Fae and Regency tropes is a nice twist and backdrop for this story. I had so much fun learning about Dragon's and how they move in the world and their hoards of course. Tomorrow has some big obstacles to overcome and will need the help of her Fiancé to keep her safe.
There romance build is done well. There are just enough sexy times to keep the story really interesting and some interesting tail play added in because if you have one why use it. I enjoyed both Dark and Tomorrow's characters and rooted for them the entire time of the story. So happy they found each other.
Fun romance with some Fae, Fantasy and magic roots. ...more
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 Best Friends and Second Chances Stars
It has been a few years since I've read a Rainbow Rowell book and man I have missed her. There is something about her characters and stories that just pulls me in. I read all the time and I caught myself sneak reading at work and staying up until 2am to finish this book, which is almost unheard of for me now. Her characters always feel like real people, full of imperfections and quirks that make them all the more interesting for them.
Cary and Shiloh almost happened in high school, sorta happened in college at least for a weekend but then it all fell apart. Cary was in the Navy while Shiloh was finishing school. Now it is over a decade later and they might have another shot at figuring this thing that is between them out. Shiloh is a divorced mom of two, living with her mom. Her life is messy and Cary is still in the Navy, only in town for a wedding, but there is something between them that has lasted through the years. All they need to do if figure out how to be the friends they once were and move into the lovers they should have been.
She’d spent more years missing Cary than knowing him. All those years burnishing his memory with nostalgia.
I pulled so hard for this couple. I was beyond invested in how they were going to work out the hurts of the past and fall in love all over again. The story unfolded letting us see the Shiloh and Cary of the past while we got to also know them in the present. It is all teased out how Cary, Mikey and Shiloh were like the three musketeers in high school. But everyone assumes Cary and Shiloh were or would be together. How they didn't figure themselves out at nineteen and now at thirty three, maybe just maybe they will find a way.
"We were friends."
"No." He motioned between them with his fire stick. "we were friends. You and Cary were caught up in some sexually charged will-they, won't-they fuckery."
I adored that Shiloh and Cary are not prefect and absolutely pretty people. They are real with blemishes, freckles and moles. Shiloh is a little on the spectrum (in my opinion) and struggles a bit with intimacy. Cary likes to be in control and in charge. He is a natural at it but when his mom's health takes a dive he needs to lean on Shiloh to help while he is away for the Navy. I enjoyed the struggles they overcame as they hashed out some of the past and figured out their now and their future. I thought that the parts with the kids were written by someone who definitely has kids and knows what it is like to try to date while also being a mom. The parts with how the kids reacted to a new person in their moms life seemed very true.
I'm not sure what it is about Rainbow Rowell's writing but it just works for me. I get so drawn into all of the stories I've read by her and absolutely adore the characters that feel like real people. After getting to the end I was almost ready to start the journey all over again just to hang out with these characters a little longer. If you have enjoyed Rainbow before, this should fit right into the catalog. If you are new to Rainbow then this will be a good tester if you will enjoy that magic of her writing like I do.
“It’s just embarrassing. I kind of hate to tell you all this. I’d rather you remember me the way I was when we were young.”
“Manic and relentless?”
Shiloh kicked him in the ankle. She wasn’t wearing shoes. “Shiny and full of potential!”
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Sure Duke is the third book in The McQuoid's of Mayfairseries following the siblings of a pretty unconventional family of the ton as they find their matches. You do not have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. So far we've had one sibling accidentally left behind Home Alone style. Another who thought she was stealing away on her brother's ship only to find herself on the wrong one and now it is time for the Eldest brother's story. Dallin McQuoid wasn't really interested in marrying, that is until he had a magical night on the rooftop looking at the stars with his beautiful and apparently brilliant neighbor, Alexandra. They are completely different in everyway but that night was magic. Unfortunately Alexandra's father dies and it will be a year before they meet again.
Alexandra had dreams, ones that revolved around Dillan McQuoid and her coming out. But they are dashed when her mother informs her there is no money. Alexandra's Uncle has already procured her match to another man, one of great character and breeding but definitely not a man interesting in wooing his new bride to be. To him she is a business transaction and next they meet will be at the alter. Alexandra may be sad she is basically being sold to save her family, but she will do it.
One problem. Her sister has run off to Gretna Green to elope with a McQuoid cousin, if that happens the scandal will rock Alexandra's family and put all of their futures in jeopardy if her engagement ends up broken because of it. The only difficulty is Dillan is off to fetch his cousin before he makes a terrible mistake as well and their paths will be entwined until they catch up to the couple.
This is a fun story of two people trying to stay apart when they desperately want to be together. Alexandra is far too proud to tell Dillan about her families finances and Dillan is convinced all she was looking for was a title. As they travel the chemistry and banter between them is a lot of fun. Alexandra is not one to cow down to any and her pride rears its head more than once. Dillan, always felt trapped by his title and just wanted to travel and see the world. That was until he found an entire world in another person. This is romantic and cute with some fun characters in it.
My one complaint is that the ending felt really abrupt. I wish there would have been an epilogue or at least a little more to the last chapter before we were just done. But I'm sure we will get to see them again in future stories. Other than that this is a fun read for when you are just looking for that guaranteed Happily Ever After.
Narration:
Timothy Campbell is a strong narrator and has over 100 titles to his name, most see to me in the Historical Romance category. His voice for all the characters carried well, I enjoyed Dillan's voice the most but he did great even with the female characters. I enjoyed his portrayal of the story and you could tell he felt really comfortable with all the character voices. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
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