Okay I think I’m glitching because this book cannot be real. Megan Frampton thought it was alright to just give us a hero in a ✨She ripped HIS bodice✨
Okay I think I’m glitching because this book cannot be real. Megan Frampton thought it was alright to just give us a hero in a book club, the BEST and most SUPPORTIVE group of Hero Material friends I’ve ever seen, and my favorite trope?????? And she simply thought I would just be OKAY AFTER READING IT????
I cannot get over just how adorable Bram was. PerSUADE me daddy. Seriously idk what I’m on but the fact that he was a barrister and just so sincere about everything destroyed my peace. He had a modest set of rooms and he was worried about them not being clean enough when he took Wilhelmina home and I just think that’s the cutest thing. Screw mansions and manors I just want a barrister with a modest set of rooms and an immodest cock.
This book was just so much fun. There wasn’t really a third act breakup and the book was definitely low angst. It was absolutely fluffy. The only thing possibly fluffier than the book is Bram. Wilhelmina was a little bit dominant in the bedroom and she’s exactly the interruption that Bram needed. Both characters in the book were virgins, and their first time was perfect. Virgin heroes are my absolute favorite. And Bram had a little bit of a mouth on him??? It’s always the quiet ones ...more
My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confu✨Poseidon is very good at making things wet.✨
My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confused. My first impression is that I can’t wait to reread this book. My expectations were so high I think I played myself. I also found myself comparing this one to the previous books. In a vacuum, this is a great book, but as part of the series—the conclusion no less—I’m not sure it was all that it could be.
I seriously loved Nellie and Andrew like my god punch me in the face I want to feel pain too. They’re both so hot. Lockwood was so much dirtier than any of the books even HINTED at (save for the best, most unhinged teaser at the end of The Bride Goes Rogue). Rereading the series is going to be so much fun now that we’re in on the secret.
✨
Me @ Nellie [image] [image]
Me @ Lockwood [image]
Nellie was a lot softer than I thought she was going to be. She was still a force, but to be blunt, she was less of a top than I would’ve guessed. Andrew was very dominant and consistently wanted to take care of her…by fucking her into next Tuesday. She definitely owned her pleasure though and he was ultimately so in love with her at all times that she always topped his heart ❤️
Lockwood has been waiting four books to have his duke gone wild moment and have he DID. He was the epitome of buttoned up in the streets and absolutely backbreaking in the sheets. Also Lockwood + the beard he wears for Nellie has me going absolutely out of my mind. He’s just so polished that the little bit of roughness unleashed something so feral in me. What are broad swimmers shoulders for if they’re not pushing thighs apart? What is hair if it’s not being pulled?? What is a beard if it’s not leaving a mark??? Well let me tell you this book left a MARK.
Andrew absolutely fell first here and I’m such a sucker for all of the wooing and seduction that happens after the “oh shit I love her and I WILL be marrying her so now I just need to figure out how to be what she needs” realization. I know some people may want more plot, but there’s something so hot to everything in the book being dedicated to deserving the heroine.
Nellie’s family definitely added an extra edge to this book that was PERFECT. She had ties to a prominent Irish gang and of course Lockwood had to prove himself. We got a fun drunk scene and just a very lovely family dynamic. Andrew also delivered the best line to her cousins Finn and I just—ₙₑₑ...more
✨Oh to be a flannel pulled taught against the broad back of a mountain man✨
I loooved this book so much!! I was hooked from the summary and it really d✨Oh to be a flannel pulled taught against the broad back of a mountain man✨
I loooved this book so much!! I was hooked from the summary and it really did not disappoint. It starts off in truly bizarre fashion, so my advice is to just saddle up and enjoy the ride!
Kit McBride was one of the most fun characters I have read in a LONG time. Most non-rake heroes are still either swarthy or confident or aware of at least some of their charm. Well my baby boy Kit here was aware of NOTHING. That poor man had only seen around 8 women in his entire life, with two of them related to him. He had ABSOLUTELY no idea what to do once he laid his mighty fine honey eyes on Maddy. IT WAS SO good.
Never have I ever been so in awe of man so in awe of a woman. He was so bumbling and awkward and apologetic and adorable and just. so. TAKEN by her. Somebody call Liam. From the first, her Irish accent had him enchanted and he never stopped falling. I was obsessed with Kit’s jealousy when Morgan was messing around and flirting with Maddy. And when she saw Kit for the first time after he shaved?? Same girl.
Just the way I’m imagining him asking her if she was married and just how he made her tea…I’m not sure but this whole book was just so vivid. I can’t get his whole himness out of my mind. Like Maddy discovered, there’s just something so attractive about a man who looks like a mountainous god having absolutely no idea what to do around a woman. You’re telling me this man, this MAN with tree trunk thighs, washboard abs, forearms for days who was often shirtless and sweaty because he was a blacksmith DOESN’T EXIST??
There’s no steam in this book but honestly?? I was still sweating. The sexual tension between the two was palpable and when they finally kissed, it wasn’t spicy, but it was so intimate and charming and it worked for the scope of the book. I would’ve liked more scenes between the two (steamy and not) just because they were so good together.
We got a lot of paragraphs about scenery description, some chapters from Junebug’s POV, and just a lot of chapters where they were apart. So my only asks for the future books—because I WILL be reading them—would be more steam and more on-page time together between the main couple. In all honesty, the scenes we got between Kit and Maddy were perfect, so I’m being greedy but it’s fine. I’m fine.
I really cannot wait for this audiobook because I know Junebug’s delivery is gonna be so perfect. It’ll be such a production and I cannot wait. One of my favorite parts was the beginning when she was like “no woman wants to see my brother shirtless.” On that note, this book was absolutely hilarious. I laughed so many times and still laugh thinking about scenes.
If you’re even remotely interested in a western-esque mountain man book, really give this a try! It’ll definitely not be for everyone, but I’m so happy I picked it up. Found family is one of my favorite sub-tropes and it’s wonderfully established here.
✨He’d nearly been caught humping a wealthy banker’s son atop a pile of pornography.✨
Hmmm I liked the first half far better than the second. I loved th✨He’d nearly been caught humping a wealthy banker’s son atop a pile of pornography.✨
Hmmm I liked the first half far better than the second. I loved the dynamic between Charlie and Miles, especially the fake sommelier moment. The first five chapters (given in the teaser download) really set up a fun and what I thought to be steamy romance. Miles literally writes the most backbreaking smut possible and clearly practices what he preaches in the bedroom. We got such a great scene where after he had Charlie suck his dick he literally grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him up by the collar to make out. It was so hot and he had a dirty mouth! However! When we got to the full sex scene it was not a scene at all.
✨
Not only was it fade to black and entirely closed door, but it was also super confusing. The chapter ended with Charlie asking Miles to be patient in a very heartfelt moment. And then the next chapter began the next morning and I literally thought they didn’t have sex and were being patient. Then a page later Charlie was like “I’m so worn out from that crazy sex!”
So not only did we miss out on crazy bananas sex, but we also missed out on a fundamental emotional moment between the couple. How was Miles patient? How did he make it good for Charlie? How did they interact after? Was there clean up? How did they feel? We got a fraction of that summed up. And then back to closed door just absolutely not making sense for the story at all. It felt like the author was too hesitant to open the door, even though it was pretty much promised.
✨
So after around 70% I was just kinda sad and confused but I was still into the story because love and stuff. However, when Miles and Charlie finally decided to be happy together of course everything got in the way. That was expected. However, I didn’t expect Charlie to literally just lay down and accept everything that got in the way. I understand he was trying to be a good person but maybe I’m not a good person because it was SO annoying.
- Plus, he didn’t even make the final decision to be with Miles. Multiple OTHER people made the decision for him. I fully believe he would’ve went through with everything had the others not intervened.
✨
Overall, I enjoyed the relationship and the first half was literally perfect. I think the book as a whole could’ve expounded upon some elements to go a bit deeper into character development, but I did have a good time.
I did appreciate the theme of this story though, very inspirational: Do meet fuck your heroes. And also: no matter how big the dick is, it’s never too big ❤️
✨I have a math question for you: If you have one (1) half-naked man, one (1) pail of water he pours over his head, and two (2) hands he combs through ✨I have a math question for you: If you have one (1) half-naked man, one (1) pail of water he pours over his head, and two (2) hands he combs through his dripping hair, how many wet things are in the room???✨
I liked this hero soooooo much better than book 4 and just the whole setup in general a lot better. I mean really this man is a sex god.
I can’t get the image of Nate pouring a bucket of water over his hard, hard body while making direct eye contact with Sydney out of my head. I really can’t. That was the tipping point for me when I absolutely lost my mind for this book.
I’ve read three books in about a three day period that followed this same plot and by far A Remarkable Rogue was my favorite of the bunch! It had steam, chemistry, and a devastatingly ravishing hero, while the mystery and action kept had an energy about them. I read it super fast and I didn’t see the villain reveal coming!
I want to go back and read the first few in the series to see if I can’t find another favorite. The writing was sharp and I really just can’t get over Nate!!! Ugh he was just so good. A good person and even better in bed! Both main characters had a lot of personal issues they were dealing with, so I can see where this would be a heavy book for some! However, I thought the relationship just worked so well and contrasted the darker elements nicely. The angry yearning really did its work here.
Upon reread I’m taking this down to 4.25 stars bc I was just a little bored towards the end. The first read was SO much fun but with the audiobook somUpon reread I’m taking this down to 4.25 stars bc I was just a little bored towards the end. The first read was SO much fun but with the audiobook some of the spark was lost. The narrator was great though!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
_______
OG review:
✨ Where does one apply to become a gunslinger’s holster?✨
This is one of my first western romances and I think I’m a convert. Near ruination just hits DIFFERENT with unhinged pistol popping cowboys idk. Whatever it is it’s a whole mood.
Seriously the sexual tension is THROUGH the barn I mean the man sucked out a splinter from her finger???? While making tender but burning eye contact???? While whispering sweet nothings to soothe her pain???? Giddy on UP. They did NOT paint westerns like this in Back to the Future 3.
I really adored how Nora was totally capable but also carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. A lot of the book was Adam trying to relieve some of that pressure on her. Cuddling, coddling, copulating. The domestic bliss between the two had me feeling REAL single. Her astonishment when he was fixing up things around the house nearly took me out. Then there was a scene that I thought would be a breakup but ended in him opening his arms for a hug. And sex. So yeah we won.
The little moments between these two were everything, especially since they were married but not and were trying to fight the consummation. The bathtub scene where Nora tries to seduce Adam was just so good. “Yes I’ll do the cooking, Yes I’ll do the cleaning,” she said with her whole chest.
The premise of the series is so fun and book 2 definitely delivered on the comedy promised on the cover!! I didn’t read the summary, so the way they ended up getting married was even better. These feel super fresh and modern, while still making me want to get ravished in a haystack and order a sarsaparilla from a questionably clean glass.
If you’re someone who gets tripped up by modern language in historicals, skip it and save yourself the torment. But personally, I loved it as I’m not sure I want a truly authentic western novel lmao. From page one, the modern language made the barrier of entry far lower for me.
Doc and Martha better be next!!! And Preacher has me INTRIGUED. I’m going back to book one and I’ll be on the lookout for book three!
Okay upon reread the ending was a bit too angsty for too long for total enjoyment. There were also some questions left unanswered or at least vague, mOkay upon reread the ending was a bit too angsty for too long for total enjoyment. There were also some questions left unanswered or at least vague, mainly: why was Lord Owens allowed to get the last word?? Shame. The heaviness at the end about his mother was also a little more sad this time around because I wasn’t riding the high of bugwatching turned fucking as much as I was on my initial read.
This was super cute!!! I didn’t know what to expect, seeing as I don’t watch K-dramas. I am a decidedly dramatic person who doesn’t enjoy ✨Team Jacob✨
This was super cute!!! I didn’t know what to expect, seeing as I don’t watch K-dramas. I am a decidedly dramatic person who doesn’t enjoy too much drama in books or movies/shows. However, her name is Hannah so that’s an automatic read and it’s YA romance which was my first true comfort genre. So no surprise, the romance truly won me over.
Hannah! My prickly-pear tomato-hating name-sharing seoulmate. Honestly, I was on her side during every argument she had with anyone in this book. She made so much sense to me. She was strong and snarky but a cinnamon roll underneath her armor. Of course, when faced with her estranged-and-now-very-broad childhood-best-friend-turned-K-drama-star she found herself feeling *feelings.* Also her wanting to be an immunologist!!! Heart smash.
Jacob! I love an “ugly duck” moment. I live for that moment when the other character comes face to face with this newly-sculpted, distractingly-tall, deep-voiced hot duck. That moment of reckoning past with present is always so delicious. Jacob’s fame definitely takes its toll on him, and we got a lot of him struggling with his role on Heart and Seoul. I definitely got irritated towards the end, but it was an understanding irritation.
I loved the duel POV here, something I’m not always into. I definitely read more dual POV in adult romance, and maybe that’s why this one felt more new adult than YA to me. There was one scene that was more explicit than some romances I’ve read lol. It was literally like two paragraphs but I was like okay we went there!? It did feel very random but yolo I guess. I would’ve liked it to go more into that new adult sphere, since it kissed that line more than a few times. He was 18 and she was 17, so I’d also prefer to age them up a bit if it would’ve went more NA.
I really loved the many facets of the Korean representation at play here. The familial relationships were strong and wonderful with this one. We even got a few interludes from their mothers! God, I love meddling matchmakers. I learned a lot about K-dramas and a little about K-pop; the respect I have for those stars wow. I’m also really craving Korean bbq now.
Overall, this one was the perfect summer read. It took place around the Fourth of July and it’s the only time I’ll be celebrating that particular holiday this year. The real drama started around 70% and I did lose a bit of interest (the reason for the dropped 5th star). Well, that’s not really correct because I was still engrossed, my eyes just couldn’t help but skim some of the sections. Like I said, I’m not one for too much drama and his management situation was so shitty and angering. However, the romance of it all and the fulfillingly dramatic ending wrapped the book up with a bow.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Taylor swift song association: Betty & Cruel Summer
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own....more
Victory!! I’ve finally found a witch romance that worked for me! This was super cute and wasn’t cringey or awkward and Teddy Hamilton’s voice was nowhVictory!! I’ve finally found a witch romance that worked for me! This was super cute and wasn’t cringey or awkward and Teddy Hamilton’s voice was nowhere near the audiobook. We only got Issa’s POV and I LOVE that because Rowan was actually a ✨mystery.✨ He felt like more than a wet dream of what makes the “perfect love obsessed man.” He seemed real and flawed and very, very hot because of it.
Both Issa and Rowan made mistakes and were at fault for situations in the past and present, but they had good conversations and neither one took the brunt of the blame. It’s always nice when the characters are held accountable and actually learn something.
There was mystery, evil to defeat, and a clear path from start to finish. We weren’t inundated with nutty worldbuilding or too many made-up words. The book did feel like it was trying to be too ~hip~ with some of the language and references it used, but they weren’t all that bad in the grand scheme of things.
As for steam, I was hoping for a bit more. There wasn’t any explicit language during the sexy times besides one time, and the sexy times is code for two times. And of those times was interrupted. I also wanted to experiment more with his healing magic or whatever it was during sec because she hinted earlier on that it would feel real ✨good.✨ the sex scene did take place on the edge of an underground pool so bonus points for literal wetness.
- Also there wasn’t a condom and she was only on birth control and there wasn’t any reference to pulling out which in and of itself is stressful to me lol.
I recommend the audiobook, as the narrator was a amazing and again! not! Teddy! Hamilton! I swear that man sounds angry all the time. I know he’s trying to be growly and hot but it just makes my skin crawl in a decidedly not hot way.
✨Why is it always “adrenaline rush from having to speak in front of people” and never “adrenaline rush because we’re on a spy mission and nearly got c✨Why is it always “adrenaline rush from having to speak in front of people” and never “adrenaline rush because we’re on a spy mission and nearly got caught out so now we’re gonna bang against this very public tree in a very vigorous manner” ????✨
Wow. I mean WOW. I was not ready for this book I really wasn’t. Amalie told me there was a tree scene but that hardly prepared me at ALL. This book was so very spicy and delicious. Valentine pretty much despised Bronwyn and was he a dick about it? Absolutely. Was I obsessed with it? Absolutely.
✨
Bronwyn had been putting on a front with polite society for a while and did an incredible job scaring the daylights out of Valentine with her simpering and fake laughter. Obviously Valentine was still incredibly possessive and rock hard whenever he was around her, but that’s just because he’s her brother’s best friend! Totally normal reaction, that rock hard business!
**SPOILER**I also just love that Bronwyn was pining for this man for YEARS. And when he proved to be sexually skilled? What a win for her. Valentine always tried to ignore her because she was his best friend’s sister which is delicious. But that’s incredibly hard to do when she smells like apple pie and he’s got a sweet tooth—very delicious.
I’m just such a fan of her reading romance novels while thinking about him, only to get railed so hard by him. I love poetic justice. One of my favorite tropes methinks.
✨
And now this is where I talk about the steam because my god it was the gift that kept on giving. Commanded masturbation—in a carriage, taunting masturbation—in the bath, up against a tree—in public, in an alcove—in public, in the epilogue—in handcuffs*, in a bed. Each sex scene was brilliant and scorching because their passion was so fevered. It was all very intense and explosive. The high stakes from the spy plot perfectly translated to “I may die tomorrow so I want to live worshipping your body today.”
- *my only note on the handcuffs is that it was teased SO MUCH. (Along with her wanting to ride his face like a jockie.) And while I’m happy we weren’t completely shut out of that scene at the end, I did want the full scene. He unlocked her in the part that we saw, and I wish she would’ve stayed restrained.
✨
**SPOILER** I’m sorry but I’ve never read a deflowering scene better than this one. From behind against a tree in a public park after nearly dying where one character is actively bleeding???? God I love spy books. When he was like “I won’t be gentle”—oooWEE a true hero.
Also I just love that Bronwyn was wet like 24/7 for this man. He was always like “is this all for me?” and her very logical reply was always “duh.”
This scene absolutely gave me A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman vibes. If I had a penny for the number of adrenaline fueled sex scenes I’ve read this year, I’d have the two cents to become a spy and/or get chased by a bear.
✨
Overall, it’s no surprise that I loved this book. Amalie Howard is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors, and she’s already an auto-read. Her heroines are always so strong and, frankly, I want to be every single one of them. Bronwyn and Valentine had such dynamic chemistry, and the extra brother’s best friend element was so juicy. The third act breakup was also handled differently here and I really appreciated it. The Duke in Question was so easy to love, and an even easier five stars.
✨A wild and resounding yes but also a wild and resounding what the fuck just happened.✨
I feel like I need to reread in order to really process my thou✨A wild and resounding yes but also a wild and resounding what the fuck just happened.✨
I feel like I need to reread in order to really process my thoughts because I really can’t articulate why it worked for me but it absolutely did. Helen Hoang said it was a romance and that’s basically all I needed to know. I don’t really think anything can adequately prepare you for all of the feelings you’re going to feel, so just go into this understanding you’re going to understand nothing until you understand everything.
The closest thing I can compare this to is The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels meets You’ve Got Mail. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy isn’t like The Wisteria Society at all but they’re also absolutely the same. Doesn’t make sense? Perfect. I want you confused, intrigued, and ready to risk it all for these two morbidly hot cinnamon rolls.
I laughed, I cried, I wondered aloud what I was reading several times, I blessed the rains down in Africa, I thanked the maker. Seriously, I really did cry. I did not think this book would make me cry. Oh how the turntables…
The romance hit me hard and Hart and Mercy really were the perfect enemies to lovers. There were talking animals, dead bodies (so many dead bodies), steamy scenes, and zombies. The world was both foreign, a bit dystopian, and definitely fantastical, but it also had enough snapshots of our normal life to ground my understanding. For example, Mercy read romance novels and loved bubble baths. It was cool to see how both worldviews were entwined, as you’re kinda just dropped into the story without extensive worldbuilding. Again, you’ll be confused until you’re not.
Overall, I’ll definitely be reading the next book by the author and will be forever happy I most assuredly judged this book by its (lovely) cover. Give this a read if you want to explore a romance maybe a tad out of your comfort zone! I guarantee the hart (see what I did there?) of the book is rooted in an extra sweet romance between two lost souls, looking for love in all decomped places.
This was so so so much fun!! It just made me so happy! I knew pretty instantly that the writing style was absolutely up ✨Dartmoor's Titanic Truncheon✨
This was so so so much fun!! It just made me so happy! I knew pretty instantly that the writing style was absolutely up my alley, yet I kept getting surprised by the next line that spoke to my soul. She is an undercover romance author and he's a misunderstood duke so really, I was born to read this book.
Artemis was such a goddess I love her to pieces!! That scene when she flaunted her engagement ring to the maid out of pettiness was MARVELOUS. We deserve petty queens! So many times heroines try to take the high road but she took the fun road and I love that journey for us ...more
✨Bird-watching is exhausting. Especially that bit at the end.✨
I only want MORE because I love them all so much and this was already a 400 page book! I✨Bird-watching is exhausting. Especially that bit at the end.✨
I only want MORE because I love them all so much and this was already a 400 page book! It turned the Cinderella trope on its head and it was so wonderful. I laughed, I swooned, I took notes.
I love a redeemed villain character and Drew absolutely did not disappoint. This felt like a classic, nutty, HOT Eloisa James romance! It was nuanced, clever, and so full of charm. Ian was delicious like my god that bird-watching scene! I was watching something but it wasn’t a bird.
I loved Drew’s relationship with Ivy, Imogene, and Timothea. Each character was interesting in their own regard. Their cultish background was intriguing and kept me reading outside of the main romance! I love the prickly character type that is Imogene and was Drew. It’s was lovely to see Imogene come into herself and play matchmaker. I totally want books for both Ivy and Imogene.
Drew and Ian’s relationship was just so fun. In my opinion, it was pretty low angst, while still being unique and energetic. It was also HOT. The first kiss? Hot. The wedding night? HOT. The bird-watching? HOT. The palace? HOT. Education. Praise. Pampering. Outdoors. Against walls. The need to be quiet. Most every scene was feverish and electric and it felt like I was reading at 2.0x speed. Did I already reread the bird watching scene after already rereading immediately after I read it? Obviously.
I really appreciated the scope of the events within the story. There’s a moment towards the end that I knew was coming, but had been on the back burner. Honestly, I was not looking forward to having to get through that scene to get to the ending. However! It was pretty much just summed up and topped with a bow and I was like !!!! (Spoiler: It’s the end riot scene with his tenants and him trying to tamp it down.)
Overall, this is my favorite of the series by far and so far! Drew and Ian were both wonderful characters together and apart. Like I said, if you’re a fan of Eloisa James and her Fairytale series, I definitely think this will be up your alley. This is definitely the hottest of the series but also the most emotionally invested I’ve been. I can’t wait to see what fairytale Charis spins next!
Upon the reread via audio (thank you PRHaudio) I’m bumping this to 5⭐️s bc it was a fantastic performance and just so fun. The narrator, Kristin AtherUpon the reread via audio (thank you PRHaudio) I’m bumping this to 5⭐️s bc it was a fantastic performance and just so fun. The narrator, Kristin Atherton, gives me Mary Jane Wells vibes she’s a new favorite!!! ...more
✨The vibe of Braxton Steele: I am a sex god but I’m going to worship YOU.✨
All I’m gonna say is that I would do very questionable things in order to ob✨The vibe of Braxton Steele: I am a sex god but I’m going to worship YOU.✨
All I’m gonna say is that I would do very questionable things in order to obtain 1. Braxton Steele. Just kidding I’ll say more but that’s where my head’s at right now I cannot tell a lie. This was beautiful and sexy and I really want to get my hands on the deleted scenes because I want MORE.
This book is very odd (in a good way) (just kissing the line of slightly unhinged lol). The recovering the Declaration of Independence plot is very very minimal, someone got axed, and their relationship is at the forefront. I can’t say that I’m extremely bothered by any of this because I do love the main couple to just be happy and getting it on for the entire book.
I just think the summary is a bit off the mark or the pacing is. Basically they don’t start this heist until 40-50% through and he starts the book being like hey let me sex you up out of the gate (I do not mind this just being clear). So there’s not a lot of pining and they’re together together pretty early on. So that coupled with the delayed heist is just kinda odd all together but it still works?
I felt sad and kind of adrift after finishing the book, as I wanted to just spend more time with Braxton and Raven. And I basically got the entire book of them just being together! So while the plot wasn’t necessarily what I expected, I’m not disappointed. It was pretty low angst with the end of the heist being perfectly satisfying but not drawn out. We love revenge yes we DO!
Their relationship was just so peaceful and easy and I loved it. There’s a major spoiling kink and my god please I want it. And we got a good girlllllll. He gave her so many things: dresses, bath salts, love, orgasms. She had worked herself hard over the years and he was like NOPE not on my watch and I don’t know it was just really well done here. And really hot. Sex god status unlocked. Also the reading scenes melted by soul.
As for the sex, foreplay was real giver here too. One of the first couple scenes he was like round two let’s go and it was so hot. I love when that happens in books because I’m just assuming the scene is done and we’re moving on but nope! I can’t remember which book recently did it (was it Diana Quincy’s? Lorraine Heath’s? Edit: it was Harper St. George’s thank the lord I take horny notes.) where he was cleaning her up and then just decided to get her off again and wow my love language is suddenly acts of service!
The beep beep sex itself was relatively lackluster because most of it was vague or summarized but I was there for the atmosphere of it all and can’t really complain about it. He was a tailor which is just very sexy in and of itself, but he was also obsessed with her undressing herself for him. (There was also a really hot moment where he was like lift up your skirt for me this is why I bought it for you.) We got enough of the sex god and pampering that I was adequately seduced.
We also got these two lines and really, how much more can I ask for: “May I have some cock now please?” and “Would you like a quick orgasm before breakfast?”
I loved the mother/daughter father/son relationships we were gifted here. I love seeing healthy and happy parental relationships and I especially loved seeing the secondary love story unfold. Also Dorrie was a great addition to both the story and the romance. Predicting Brax and Raven’s marriage was the cherry on top of their forced proximity. They were both side-eying each other like…”well you are hot…” Her family members in general were a bunch of really bad ass con artists and I’m absolutely here for it.
Overall, if you want to feel all warm and fuzzy over a fictional relationship, this is the book for you! This is my second romance by Beverly Jenkins and it obviously won’t be my last. For starters, I’m going to go back and read the first two books in the series. I will also be hoping that Lottie gets her own book in a new series!
✨A Matter of oh shit oh fuck I've been Ruined. Ravished. Rattled to my CORE.✨
This book was SO good. It’s the kind of romance that hurts your soul but ✨A Matter of oh shit oh fuck I've been Ruined. Ravished. Rattled to my CORE.✨
This book was SO good. It’s the kind of romance that hurts your soul but in a HOT way and I love it so hard. I cried multiple times because Stacy writes pining and longing and yearning and falling in love so unbelievably well. Seriously, her last three reads have absolutely destroyed me in the best way. I physically couldn't stop reading this one.
Stacy's skills are unparalleled in the way she develops her characters from start to finish. My love is also very surprising since I haven’t really read an enemies-to-lovers from her yet (my favorite trope), so the fact she has me on my knees for pretty instalove/lust situations is absolutely fresh for me and the perfect amount of angsty. Mina is angry at him for a bit but she's mainly just angry that she's so hot for him and his pretty, pretty face.
Stacy’s books are a steady crescendo yet somehow I’m always caught unawares and end up crying like a baby because my heart can’t handle the love rush by the end. That’s what I really gravitate towards in books. Crying because the love is just so pure and irrevocable rather than death and destruction and such. They have their times yes, but I mainly just want to be swept off my feet with truly good people in truly good love and having truly hot sex. And that is exactly what this book is.
✨
I was also a little apprehensive to find out that this book starts out with Mina covering up for her twin brother’s mistake. You know how I am about family duty and self sacrifice BUT this book wasn’t that at all!! Her brother was actually a good guy and Mina and Simon handled the situation so well. Mina was such a badass throughout the entire book. She was dealing with a lot of shit but remained so strong. But she was also strong enough to know when she needed a 6-foot wall of muscle to lean against. And that’s okay! Preferred really!
This leads me to one of my favorite things about the book: Simon. Simon and his no-smiling rules. Simon and his blue eyes and midnight hair. The way he started calling her His Mina wrecked me. When he started taking her measurements I crumbled. Simon was so alarmed at his ✨emotions✨ because he hadn’t had time for them before and at one point he simply jumped into a lake to cure his ✨afflictions.✨ THE MAN GAVE HER A PIGGYBACK RIDE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Ice cream was their thing and every time they had it I melted…which means I’m a complete puddle.
I also just think it needs to be explicitly stated that Simon is just a good fucking person. Like just so so good. Mina too! He was so rocked that she was absolutely selfless and good and decent. Watching them both realize this in each other was very satisfying.
✨
There wasn’t really a third act breakup because they didn’t really break up, but it sure as hell broke ME. It was devastating to witness, but also just so wholesome to know that they found each other and that they were going to make it. Love won kids. I was absolutely on board for the entire time and it was very crucial to the story and relationship development.
The conflict proved that they both found someone willing to love them as they are and to stay when staying is hard. My favorite scene was when Mina thought she lost Simon’s love and trust and he simply opened his arms for her. It is one of the most breathtaking scenes in a book I think I’ve ever read.
They weathered each other’s storms and stayed through it all. Home for Mina was in Simon’s arms. Home for Simon was being wrapped around her. He was such a hugger. She taught him that he could love and I know that’s been done before but I swear this book makes it feel like this is the first time it’s ever been attempted.
✨
The steam was also marvelous!!! I don’t know what I had expected but this absolutely exceeded all expectations. What I didn’t anticipate was two different wall scenes with one from behind I can tell you that because WOW how lucky can I be???? I simply think this is the perfect angsty, emotional, hot historical romance. It balanced the passion and the forbidden tension of the time period so well.
The sex scenes were hot, but they also added so much to the emotional development for the characters individually and together. The characters were layered and the pace never faltered. There were a million little things that went into these two falling in love. It just felt so skillful and delicious. Temptation was all over this book like a possessive lover (iykyk).
✨
Overall, I know I wrote a lot of words and pulled a lot of quotes but I just really think you should read the book and experience it all for yourself. Once you’re done you can come back to this review and be like wow this random citizen on the internet was so smart and so hot for pushing this book on me like a really good drug dealer sexy-sex-book book reviewer. And to that I’ll say: I’m a pusher. I push people. We’ll have a nice laugh and a good communal cry. Think about it. Be the change you wish to see.
I’m a huge a fan of adventure plots so it’s no surprise I loved it. I basically categorized this as Not A Romance in my mind before✨“Call me cowboy!”✨
I’m a huge a fan of adventure plots so it’s no surprise I loved it. I basically categorized this as Not A Romance in my mind before I read it, so I wouldn’t be disappointed. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the second chance relationship we got here and really only wanted more from the sex. I think the romance was a foundation of the plot and did feel like this was an adventure romance and not just adventure novel.
I have a rocky relationship with the authors, especially their lack of steam in their work of late, but they approached this book so perfectly. They set out to make a cinematic experience and they totally did. This book is literally City Slickers in contemporary romance form. If you want more of this book, go watch City Slickers 1 & 2. I wasn’t expecting the book to go that adventurey, but it really did but in the best way! It had some twists and turns that I simply didn’t expect, and I loved the touch of danger. I flew through the book because the writing was charged.
I also think they balanced the adventure/romance and kept the romance simple and romantic and super easy to root for. There wasn’t a third-act breakup and their whole reason for breaking up in the past wasn’t kept hidden only to be extremely anticlimactic upon reveal. There was a lot going on with the adventure plot, so we needed something simple to balance out our heart rate. I wouldn’t have been able to handle anything angsty or anything too deep.
✨
I loved both main characters and really liked their separate POVs! I’ve found myself struggling lately with contemporary romance hero inner thoughts because they don’t read naturally to me (normally they’re too puppy doggish or legit bio hazard personalities). But I really loved Leo and his brain!!! He’s a hot nerd and knew exactly what he wanted, but he was logical about it. His puzzling skills were so sexy and I just really think he’s a good, hot person.
Lily was great as well. I love strong heroines who aren’t afraid to get a little punchy. (Hello Nicole, my hero.) Her relationship with her father made me tear up and she was just a straight up bad ass. I also like how they wrote Nicole and Lily’s accents/way of speaking. They just felt natural and complimented the accent I supplied in my head, but didn’t get too theatrical about it.
✨
However, I still am really salty about the closed door aspect of this book. It was semi open door but there was absolutely zero sexual language being used, the writing was very flowery, and he climaxed…anticlimactically. If one character climaxes off the page or it’s summed up, the book remains closed door for me.
When the authors consistently say this book is sexy and contains one sleeping bag and literally sell this book as a sexier take on Romancing the Stone, National Treasure, etc then actually deliver! It’s kinda insulting to bait us with steam and then just be absolutely vague about the sex scene. Only one sex scene mind you. They sold the steam to the romance readers, but left us out to dry when it came down to it.
The two dry-humping each other to completion was way hotter than their actual sex scene. Like I said, the scene was vague, flowery, and centered around “I can’t believe this is actually happening this person is like the sun and the stars and the moon and the planets when they come” rather than “wow this is how this person feels absolutely railing me like a train, riding me like a horse, (th)robbing me like a bank.”
With all that being said, the “Call me cowboy!” line absolutely took me out and I was still super invested in their relationship and loved the bits and pieces of their past firsts with each other woven in. (I liked that style of flashbacks within their thoughts, rather than full flashback chapters.) The tension, especially at the beginning when they first saw each other again, was delicious in the best way.
✨
I settled on 4.5⭐️/5 because I’ll definitely reread this and I think it will make a phenomenal audiobook! I went in for the adventure and wasn’t disappointed on that front so I really don’t want to rate it less than a rounded up 5⭐️ on Goodreads. But yeah, I’m disappointed in the steam and can only get over it because my expectations were incredibly low. Like literally so fucking low.
While I enjoyed the romance, if you’re looking for an absolutely transcendent romantic experience, this isn’t that. But I’m not mad about it (because I wasn’t even expecting a romance so I’m happy with what we got). If you don’t like adventure though? I’d stay away because this won’t be for you lol. I’d love to watch a movie version of this some day and am really thrilled I loved it! The side romance was cute and I want more of that so give me another book!
As an adventure novel: 5/5 As a romance 3.75/5 Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 ...more
Alternative intros: ✨Under the sea and her skirts✨ ✨Dinglehopper me daddy✨ ✨Darling it’s better down where i✨Kiss the girl turns into gamahuche the girl✨
Alternative intros: ✨Under the sea and her skirts✨ ✨Dinglehopper me daddy✨ ✨Darling it’s better down where it’s wetter✨
*Lenora told me this is Little Mermaid inspired which I totally see but I also saw Snow White first so just go with the bits I wrote about Snow White I promise it all makes sense*
This was super cute and fluffy with a bit of an edge. Lenora does such a good job of writing cinnamon rolls with a bit of a dick complex to keep them interesting. Sounds weird but there’s always something a little more substantial to just the pure puppy dog, cinnamon roll type. Like Hugh Grant. West gave me major Hugh-Grant-in-Two-Weeks-Notice-if-Hugh-Grant-in-Two-Weeks-Notice-had-tree-trunk-thighs-and-looked-like-Thor vibes. Hugh always plays a bit of an ass but a nice shapely attractive ass.
From earlier books, I had wondered how I’d come to like a duke who squandered everything and wasn’t paying Viola. Well, it was never really a hard task. He definitely started the book making questionable decisions, but the book opened with a glimpse into his past so you knew where it all stemmed from. He was definitely a misguided crab trying to pair his sisters up but he redeemed himself swimmingly.
Viola was as lovely as ever and I loved seeing her tell West off a few times. There banter was great and I loved her relationship with his sisters. Speaking of his sisters, I LOVED them. They reminded me a bit of the kids from Overboard and Nanny McPhee or Cheaper By the Dozen when the kids were trying to get rid of Hank. They meddled with his fiancé of convenience and it made that *annoying* decision of his fun! I also just love how that plot line was concluded. It was hilarious and I simply wasn’t expecting it. It also didn’t go on too long to where I started questioning everybody.
As for the Little Mermaid references, they are as a-plenty as gadgets and gizmos but I’ll let you suss them out for yourself because it’s more fun that way. Maybe watch the movie before this one so you’re not as dense as I was. Oh good god I just keep thinking of more and I will note this one because I can’t not: “Up where they stay all day in the sun” and SHE’S the sun I can’t. I CANNOT. And maybe pay attention to Miss Chandler’s name because that one wrecked me too.
The steam was maybe a bit more than we got in book one and a bit less than what we got in book two. That last scene was a perfect conclusion and a surprise! Also when they had a bit of time left until morning and they just talked??? Be still my heart. The pining really did me in here. I can definitely see the “part of your world” tone of Viola’s thinking because she was really down bad for that man. Her crush was very relatable and oof I just really related to her character.
I read this one straight through and super fast. It was the perfect read I needed to cleanse my mind of a previous disappointment. I laughed, I cried, I got a shot…it perfectly delivered on what I expected from West and Viola! I’ve been looking forward to their book for so long and I’m so happy it’s a winner. I was able to just enjoy the ride with this one. I wasn’t emotionally overtaxed, but I wasn’t anything less than riveted either.
Lenora’s writing is perfect for fans of Tessa Dare and Eloisa James who want a light and steamy time! I’ve now read five of her books and have loved them ALL. I own the rest and need to make quick work of them because each one is such a joy. While this can easily be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first two books in the series just because they’re fun and set this one up nicely. I’d also suggest reading One Fine Duke as well because there are some fun references to that one as well.
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