This for me was another good one in this series. Scarlett Scott is often hit or miss for me, but I keep reading because I really enjoy the ones that aThis for me was another good one in this series. Scarlett Scott is often hit or miss for me, but I keep reading because I really enjoy the ones that are hits.
I again felt a good connection between the H and h. Their meet cute was very different from what we’ve seen in this series. I also loved that the H wasn’t exactly nobility and was a merchant. Something I don’t think/feel I see enough if in HR. The only other shop owner I can think of is Lisa Kleypas’ Marrying Winterbourne. (Which in my opinion was the best in that series.)
The banter between Tarquin and Lily was fun as well. She was never afraid to stand up to him or of him. They were never intimidated by each other, but found the other more fascinating.
When it got to the sex scenes there were slight hints at D/s (very slight, that if you were not overly familiar with it you wouldn’t pick it up). And I found it so sexy. We very often see these dominate men always directing and ordering the scene around, but here we had Lily in charge and being worshiped while he’s literally at her feet/kneel multiple time. She tells him what to do. He calls her his Queen. I’m here for all of that of Scott would write a few more heroes like this.
I was sort of weirded out by the name of another character, Clementia, it was just too close to Dementia.
I am intrigued to go into the next book now that we’ve had a small glimpse at some things that Logan has maybe been up to, the past two years or so while away from his family. ...more
Only a 2 star book, I debated between the 2 and 3 stars, but the cliffhanger non-ending is what solidified my dropping it to a 2. I was hoping for morOnly a 2 star book, I debated between the 2 and 3 stars, but the cliffhanger non-ending is what solidified my dropping it to a 2. I was hoping for more since it sounded good and the entire series as a box set was on sale and I bought it. But I should know, you always read the first book before buying the rest of the series.
The world building wasn’t very strong. A lot of references to earth and human things that wouldn’t or shouldn’t be on this planet or really knowing about. The aliens for the most part are very human too. There is no communication issues, the heroine hardly questions anything and she’s just arrived in this prison planet and only just learned about aliens. We don’t really see much of her adjusting to this, she’s just accepts it even if she wants to go back to earth. Never got a great feel for the prison either. It’s a prison but lots of ability to roam. I’ve read much better alien prison books. The heroine is TSTL throughout most of the book which just adds to how poor the world building is.
Another oddity that tended to pull me out of the book was how much Christian religion is brought in. It doesn’t take place on earth, and Christianity is not even the most practiced religion on earth, so if aliens a universe away we’re practicing or knew of earth religions you would think it would be either the most popular ones or more historical religions and mythology. Very odd and off putting.
I would really like if the author work more in the world building. I think the stories would naturally be better and more flushed out.
Also continuity lots issues. Things just don’t add up. ...more
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Jessica Gadziala book, I took a long break since he books had gotten a bit boring and formulaic. This one wasn’t anIt’s been awhile since I’ve read a Jessica Gadziala book, I took a long break since he books had gotten a bit boring and formulaic. This one wasn’t any different unfortunately, it had the same basic cookie cutter story and nothing too unique about the main characters. I use to love he books, she use to have characters with unique and different personalities that you saw throughout series, but now I can’t even remember who is with who, let alone any specific characteristic about them. This book at the typical editing and continuity issues that she’s always had in her books. I know she cranks them out fast, but for as many as she puts out I wish she’d spend just a little extra time and money on a really good editor that would catch these things. Or even change up her beta readers that don’t seem to catch these major issues.
I have more of her books I’ve not read, so I’ll probably read those at some point, but I think I’m done buying knew books from her unless she finishes up a few series she’s left on hold for too long. I know she just release the find book in the Rivers Brothers series, so depending on reviews I might but that one. But I’m not really interested in starting new/more series by an author/any author who has multiple unfinished series that they don’t have a plan to finish. This specific issues has been coming up a bit recently in the reading community as it frustrates readers.
ETA: Another reader summed up this series as “small town romance” and that fits so much better than MC romance. Her older books are darker and more focused on the MC or seedier side of NB....more
I feel like I must have read a different book than so many people, I’m surprised it’s not rated higher.
I didn’t go in expecting a 4.5 stars rounded up
I feel like I must have read a different book than so many people, I’m surprised it’s not rated higher.
I didn’t go in expecting a spy thriller but was please try surprised. I love a good intrigue romance with some good mystery. And this book had that.
It starts off sad when they’re children with (view spoiler)[ the mass murder of her family and the everyone at the estate they both lived at as children. (hide spoiler)]
Both characters we’ve seen over the series and I enjoyed how they came together. She’s strong and fierce and it’s what he falls in love with....more
4 stars I stead of 5 due to some continuity issues. Twice in the book we’re told Sophie was a captive for years then towards the end of the book it wa4 stars I stead of 5 due to some continuity issues. Twice in the book we’re told Sophie was a captive for years then towards the end of the book it was changed to 9 years. Just little things like this being cleaned up could make a much better book.
I was a little worried about the length of this book going since some of Ruby’s longer books tend to dawdle or get bogged down, but I felt this one was always moving and progressing the plot.
I really liked these two characters together as well.
I would recommend reading it between the two Corsair series and consider it more like a book to connect those two than a Risdaverse series book. It had nothing to do with Risda III at all. ...more
It was pretty much average Honey Phillips. But I had to take a break from reading it about 2/3 of the Trigger Warning: MMC is a rapist
2.5 rounded down
It was pretty much average Honey Phillips. But I had to take a break from reading it about 2/3 of the way through. I can’t do non-con or dub-con and this book is very heavy into that at a certain point. He literally chains her up and forces sex in her while she’s saying “no”. This really lead to the lower rating. Without the hero literally raping the heroine it would have been 3.5 to 4 stars. I would have like more of Melia’s story with her love interest. Overall it was okay but didn’t pull me in or make me want to drop everything to read it. No great work building, or connection to the characters or between them. ...more
Not bad, heavy on that action/adventure, light on the romance. Stories like this always remind me of the end of the movie Speed where Sandra 3.5 stars
Not bad, heavy on that action/adventure, light on the romance. Stories like this always remind me of the end of the movie Speed where Sandra Bullock’s character is hooking up with Keanu Reeve’s and one says relationships based on intense situations never work out and they agree to base theirs on sex. The movie has a HFN and that’s how I feel about this book. Do they actually have anything in common? Where do they stand on other things that make a relationship? We just don’t get to see any of that to truly know and feel that deep love between them. Instead we get forced proximity lust. Which is fine, but not really romance.
The heroine is pretty bad ass but the hero has some unchecked misogyny.
I don’t know full how police ranking and what not work, but is it possibly/plausible for someone who’s been a cop for only 1 year to be a detective already?
This book really needed a map at the front of it, there was so much descriptions of trails and ridges and valleys and rivers, I could never really picture how/where they were traveling in relation to everyone else. ...more
This was a good one, but unfortunately no steam or it would be 5 stars. I love a good amnesia story, and this one was that. Norah was a great female lThis was a good one, but unfortunately no steam or it would be 5 stars. I love a good amnesia story, and this one was that. Norah was a great female lead. She wasn’t some strong badass, but she was a smart, take no crap woman. She calls out the toxic masculinity when she sees it, she’s about to point out bad relationships and recognize the for what they are and know when you have to cut someone out of your life. She’s emotionally mature and not stunted like we often see in Harlequin novels.
Cal was much harder to like. Even st the end I’m not sure I liked him. He did have some character growth, most of it brought on by Norah. He takes awhile to get his head on straight, and it’s hard to watch, because in real life I’d tell my friend to leave a man like him. But both the author and heroine are aware if this and make sure we know this isn’t acceptable. That is probably y favorite kart of this book. Often we read problematic characters and writers tend to write them as if they’re telling us these issues are ok, but thankfully this author was able to convey “hey, hero has issues, the heroes doesn’t seem them but w do, and we know they’re not acceptable.”
Looking forward to the rest of the series since I started at the end ...more
Best one in the series by far. Rocco is the best hero in this series. He doesn’t deny his feelings. He respects her enough to know herself and what sheBest one in the series by far. Rocco is the best hero in this series. He doesn’t deny his feelings. He respects her enough to know herself and what she wants and her knowledge unless a couple others. Book boyfriend material.
Mercy is stronger than she knows at first and it was great to see her recognize that in herself.
Everything wrapped up well. Enough outstanding with the Sinning Light cult to bring it back in another book.
Can be read as a stand alone.
Also, thought not super steamy, it has the next sex scene out of any book in this series and you really feel the connection and heartbreak between them.
I was too annoyed and tired the night I finished this to write a review.
I only gave it 3 stars instead of 2 because the action/suspense portion of theI was too annoyed and tired the night I finished this to write a review.
I only gave it 3 stars instead of 2 because the action/suspense portion of the book, which is about 75-80% of it, was really good Harlequin suspense and I enjoy this author for the most part.
However I do not view this as a romance. The characters are sleeping together without strings attached before the books starts, the spend the majority of the book apart. Basically all of the action. The so called hero tells the heroine and the reader he’s not interested in more than sex between them. He’s upset she’s pregnant and thought the book only refers to the baby as “his”, never “theirs”. We find out very early on that the heroine is in love and is hurt by the hero through the book in not only his dismissiveness when she tries to talk about their relationship, but in how he doesn’t think she’s capable. We see it first hand in the book right up to the end. There is no real growth by the hero and no chance fora relationship to build and grow in the book.
At best I’d call this a “happy for now” (HFN) book but I expect the strong heroine to wise up and leave. ...more
This was a good book. I enjoyed both main characters though I felt like the author didn’t do a California girl justice. A couple of time I couldn’t beThis was a good book. I enjoyed both main characters though I felt like the author didn’t do a California girl justice. A couple of time I couldn’t believe how stupid Grace was being. Grace has brains and brains, I don’t feel these were actually part of the character, of my the author writing her way around something to make it easier on herself.
Also on the cover Grace is black, but in the book this is never mentioned. Her curly hair is mentioned a couple of times but nothing more. This is a disservice to representation. Harlequin should be called out for this, there is no reason why she couldn’t have been clearly a POC in the book. This seems half a$$ed on the publisher’s part.
Great suspense. Multiple “bad guys”, some are punished some are not, which pulls the reader further into the series.
I would have loved more of a Christmas feel. There were no lights, Christmas trees, music, etc. to convey the holiday. This could have taken place any time of year, which is a pet peeve of mine in holiday books.
I enjoyed this one much more than the first in the series but for the reasons above I can’t give it 5 stars....more
Started out strong, he was already practically in love with her and she was spicy and strong.
She had a firm stance on cops, which is relatable in thisStarted out strong, he was already practically in love with her and she was spicy and strong.
She had a firm stance on cops, which is relatable in this day and age, but we never really got to see them as a couple dig deeper into this issue. I’m glad though in the end his eyes were opened, even if it was on,y towards overly outrageous dirty cops, and not the DV side/stats.
I got bored then turned off of Brian as the book went on which is why it dropped stars.
Also there were some poorly researched topics in this book, very disappointed. ...more
I maybe went into it with too high of expectations because if how popular it had been so when it didn’t to pull me in and keep me hooked3.5 rounded up
I maybe went into it with too high of expectations because if how popular it had been so when it didn’t to pull me in and keep me hooked until I was done it was kind of a disappointment.
However there was nothing wrong with the book. I liked it. I enjoyed all the characters. I wouldn’t have minded a little more depth into some of the darker topics of the MCs’ pasts, but that’s what I like so I’m always looking for more of that.
It’s listed/promoted as a dark romance, but other than them being serial killers I didn’t really find it dark. More of a romcom. Which is great, just not what I was expecting.
I know at Barns & Noble they list it as part of their #SpicyTok collection but it’s not overly spicy either. The first sex scene isn’t until page 200. It is quite a long scene and maybe more descriptive than some others. And quality over quantity is good. I was fine with less spicy scenes and much better quality, but just a heads up for anyone thinking there will be lots of scenes.
I am intrigued for the rest of the series so that’s always a good thing. It will probably be a reread at some point as well....more
Note: I am not putting this in my “romance” shelf, I do not consider it as having the elements of a romance novel.
I like the first 75% of the book, itNote: I am not putting this in my “romance” shelf, I do not consider it as having the elements of a romance novel.
I like the first 75% of the book, it was different, had some more adventure, it was full of sex and no plot. I actually thought it might need to spill over into the next book to wrap of the story. But alas, no, the last 25% is one dub/non-con sex scene and Cavas badgering Jill to life-lock because he wants his own human pet. It was actually pretty gross compared to the rest of the series. Cavas and Crath talk about Jill like she’s a stray dog they both want, one because he saw her first (yes, childish) and the other because he rescued her (so he feels like she belongs to him). Neither care about what she wants. Even when the two brothers have decided Cavas “gets her” he just up and tells her they’re going to life-lock even as she protests. The last 25% just had a really icky feel, from treating an ex-slave like a stray dog, to rough sex and not going slow after they’d agreed on slow, no talk on consent, he doesn’t even care to know that she’s a virgin, or anything else about her for that matter. A lot of talk about finding other humans to keep too, which just felt wrong in terms of the series.
They don’t fall in love, even at 97% there is a comment that they fell in lust. I would call this a happy for now (HFN) and not HEA. There is zero connection felt between them.
3.5 stars, rounded down due to the amount of typos.
Another quickly easy read in this series. I didn’t really feel Raff had the same personality in th3.5 stars, rounded down due to the amount of typos.
Another quickly easy read in this series. I didn’t really feel Raff had the same personality in this book as his character has been show to have in the previous books. That was disappointing. I wanted to see this hardened p, keep to himself, assassin urn close and personal but he didn’t really have much of a different personality than York.
Also the first set scene seemed kind of dub-con which doesn’t really seem to fit the book/characters/series. I’m thinking the author didn’t intend for it to be dub-con but didn’t know how to convey what she wanted.
Felt like it started strong but kind of fizzled out. It was like the author didn’t ant to write more or was worried about it being more than 150 page Felt like it started strong but kind of fizzled out. It was like the author didn’t ant to write more or was worried about it being more than 150 page so just jumped to the end.
This was more of a list than love story. They really needed to get to know each other more. Also the first sex scene was a night right and rushed when it should have been hot and intimate. ...more
This was way too long, 250-300 pages too long. This was also one of the weaker plots fit this series, so it being the longest made it even worse.
OtheThis was way too long, 250-300 pages too long. This was also one of the weaker plots fit this series, so it being the longest made it even worse.
Other than one flashback we don’t see the time Mathiras and Helen spent alone when they left the Star in an escape pod. Which was disappointing, I think this could have had great action and character development.
Oh Helen…she starts off very much like Amelia Bedlia. Very literal. Also very innocent in a way. But then part way through the character changed. This part we’re seeing has always existed, yet somehow it’s never been seen before? It’s part of her “programming” but then why is it not already present? This to me was a big plot hole in the character. Also random things that due to her innocence and very literal understanding if things don’t make sense for her to know/understand. I good example I recall is her describing something as “like a warm fuzzy blanket”. But nowhere in this Corsair verse have we seen fuzzy blankets, everything is plas film. All of the blankets/bedding are described as plas film. She’s not human/cloned from a human so does not have those earth memories. It just didn’t make sense for her character to describe something in that sense when she’s never seen/felt/experienced it. Very much in a similar vein is her desire in the previous books and part of this one for a baby. Even before this book we know she had never been around a baby. That she doesn’t know much about babies. She actually points this out towards the end herself. It’s such an odd thing to obsess over. Along with her thoughts on how she could manipulate Mathiras just never turned me on to her as a character. So many other little things that one or two on their own I would be able to suspend my disbelief but all together it’s just too much and really does make this the weakest book of all the corsairs (up to this point).
I was expecting more from Mathiras too. I never really felt him fall in love with her, or her with him for that matter. She just said she wanted him, because he was who was available. Then when he finally decide she wasn’t too childlike he decided “why not?” and decided she would do. Meh
And don’t even get me started on her calling him “Matty”. Every time I saw it I cringed and just heard a whinny voice in my head. Matty is a child’s nickname. Like Matthew before it’s changed to Matt. It sounded like she was calling to a toddler every time she said it.
I was more interested in the other side characters.
Update 3/24/24: recent learned a new term for characters like Helen, BSY “born sexy yesterday”. It focuses on this weird obsessions society had of infantile adult women. Some describes a movie character in this same role as a sex crazed toddler. I instantly got it. I think that’s why is so hard for me to like or connect with Helen and this story. ...more
I loved Striak. He’s probably in my top 3 RD characters. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting going in since character wise I didn’t love Kaspar or AdirI loved Striak. He’s probably in my top 3 RD characters. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting going in since character wise I didn’t love Kaspar or Adiron. But it didn’t take much more than the initial scene of him catching her for me to fall in love with him. It’s also great to see his growth through the book, especially from the outside looking in since we’ve only been led ti believe he’s nothing more than a rich spoiled lordling.
The story is fun. They make a great couple. Ruth also a strong kick ass heroine as well which was great to see.
Hoping for more books with the newly awakened and the men on Striak’s crew....more
Midniteillusion
>
Books:
action
(259)
Loading...
