Pamela Sparkman's writing is like a song. Lyrical, melodic, colorful, descriptive, eloquent. And when she puts that in a fantasy story you bet it's phenomenal. A MONSTER LIKE ME is the second in the Heart of Darkness series and if you haven't read The Moon Shines Red you definitely should do that before diving into this one.
A Monster Like Me starts where we left Zeph, Elin, Arwyn and Lochlan. As I dug deeper into Zeph's story understanding for his antagonistic, aggressive behavior came to me. I didn't want to love him, the things he did, how he treated pretty much every one around him, I couldn't see how I would ever forgive him. But then I found out what a tragic character he really is, that no punishment somebody else could deal was nearly as bad as the one he inflicted on himself. Zeph didn't feel worthy of anything good.
Everything he was feeling, he was setting it free, letting it out, and all his hurt and pain, anger and guilt, fear and sadness, they felt like a whip and a lash against her skin. But she took it. She took it all. Because he had carried it inside him for so long— and it was killing him.
Healing a broken soul like that takes a special person and Arwyn definitely is that. She's tenacious, thoughtful, compassionate, fiercely loyal and deeply in love with Zeph. She was the constant in his life, his rock and the balm that soothed his soul.
“You know my heartbeats?”
“Sometimes,”
she said,
“I don’t know if they are yours or mine.”
But it's also Elin's forgiving heart and the budding friendship between Zeph, Searly, Lochlan and Favian that gives this tortured man peace. I loved their friendship so much - these scenes gave me some much needed comic relief when emotions had been running rampant. This group of people made him see that he wasn't beyond saving and that he deserved happiness. Every time one of them managed to weaken Zeph's grip on his guilt it felt like a reward.
Don't expect that the romance between Arwyn and Zeph will be on the forefront of the story. While it is undeniably romantic and beautiful, it's Zeph's path to redemption, his own forgiveness you will be routing for. Maybe because despite Zeph's struggles to accept love, theirs was inevitable.
“Thank you,”
he said.
“For what?”
“For loving me when I was so unlovable.”
“Thank you,”
she said breathlessly.
“For what?”
“For not giving up.”
“You wouldn’t let me.”
Scattered throughout the story there are action scenes that will leave you breathless.
The Moon Shines Red and A Monster Like me are fantasy at its finest. These books will wrap you in a magical and wondrous world full of adventure. The characters will break your heart and you will root for every single one of them. With her narrative Pamela Sparkman makes sure of that - she gives us fully fleshed out side characters. To say goodbye to them all is my own struggle because they have taken up a little space in my heart. I hope the author keeps writing fantasy in the future - she definitely has a talent for it.
You are neither man, nor monster, my friend. You are the magic that makes everything else shine.
Pamela Sparkman's writing is like a song. Lyrical, melodic, colorful, descriptive, eloquent. And when she puts that in a fantasy story you bet it's phenomenal. A MONSTER LIKE ME is the second in the Heart of Darkness series and if you haven't read The Moon Shines Red you definitely should do that before diving into this one.
A Monster Like Me starts where we left Zeph, Elin, Arwyn and Lochlan. As I dug deeper into Zeph's story understanding for his antagonistic, aggressive behavior came to me. I didn't want to love him, the things he did, how he treated pretty much every one around him, I couldn't see how I would ever forgive him. But then I found out what a tragic character he really is, that no punishment somebody else could deal was nearly as bad as the one he inflicted on himself. Zeph didn't feel worthy of anything good.
Everything he was feeling, he was setting it free, letting it out, and all his hurt and pain, anger and guilt, fear and sadness, they felt like a whip and a lash against her skin. But she took it. She took it all. Because he had carried it inside him for so long— and it was killing him.
Healing a broken soul like that takes a special person and Arwyn definitely is that. She's tenacious, thoughtful, compassionate, fiercely loyal and deeply in love with Zeph. She was the constant in his life, his rock and the balm that soothed his soul.
“You know my heartbeats?”
“Sometimes,”
she said,
“I don’t know if they are yours or mine.”
But it's also Elin's forgiving heart and the budding friendship between Zeph, Searly, Lochlan and Favian that gives this tortured man peace. I loved their friendship so much - these scenes gave me some much needed comic relief when emotions had been running rampant. This group of people made him see that he wasn't beyond saving and that he deserved happiness. Every time one of them managed to weaken Zeph's grip on his guilt it felt like a reward.
Don't expect that the romance between Arwyn and Zeph will be on the forefront of the story. While it is undeniably romantic and beautiful, it's Zeph's path to redemption, his own forgiveness you will be routing for. Maybe because despite Zeph's struggles to accept love, theirs was inevitable.
“Thank you,”
he said.
“For what?”
“For loving me when I was so unlovable.”
“Thank you,”
she said breathlessly.
“For what?”
“For not giving up.”
“You wouldn’t let me.”
Scattered throughout the story there are action scenes that will leave you breathless.
The Moon Shines Red and A Monster Like me are fantasy at its finest. These books will wrap you in a magical and wondrous world full of adventure. The characters will break your heart and you will root for every single one of them. With her narrative Pamela Sparkman makes sure of that - she gives us fully fleshed out side characters. To say goodbye to them all is my own struggle because they have taken up a little space in my heart. I hope the author keeps writing fantasy in the future - she definitely has a talent for it.
You are neither man, nor monster, my friend. You are the magic that makes everything else shine.
I need to tell you a story. I need to tell someone—if you’re willing to listen. Really listen. That will be the crux of this story. Listening. And not with your ears, but with your mind, your heart. Your soul. It was how she taught me to listen. And it will be how I teach you.
Pamela Sparkman's new novel REVEREND OF SILENCE is a special book. It's not just the stunning cover that certainly draws the eye, it's the story about a deaf girl, her brother and their best friend who will get your tear ducts working and tug at your heartstrings.
In the 1800s people who were deaf were considered only a step above animals, their family cursed for some sin they supposedly committed. It is then that we meet Lucy, Noah and Sam. Sam's deeply ingrained sense for right and wrong is what leads to change. He teaches everyone around him that Lucy is a human being with feelings and worries and that includes even Lucy's family who doesn't really know what to do with her. He is the first to see Lucy, all of her and it's no wonder he falls in love with the girl whose smile is like sunshine.
Then she smiled at me, and when she did, her whole face went soft. And something inside me went soft too.
“Hi,”
I breathed.
“I’m Sam.”
Her smile got bigger. And something else occurred to me. When she smiled like that, she was even prettier than my mama.
Lucy is such a lovely character with a heart of pure gold and a stubborn streak. Noah completes their trio with his steadfastness and his love for Lucy and Sam. He is the kind of guy who takes things into his hands when actions are needed and stands up for what is right. Their bond was inspiring and uplifting and so incredibly tight that it stood every test and trial as long as they were together. I also adored the dynamic between the two families. There was so much warmth and love.
Pamela Sparkman is a master researcher and a perfectionist. With Reverend of Silence she gives us the hard truth of the way people with a disabilities and their family were treated. Even the name for the school Lucy went to, The American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, implies the disregard and disrespect these people were considered with. From a today's point of view it's appalling and upsetting. While this story has religious themes, not surprising with Sam's dad being a man of the church, it never becomes preachy or intrusive. This, to me, is one of the things that are of utmost importance - I don't want to feel reprimanded or patronized for not being a religious person.
As a romance lover you definitely get your money's worth. Sam and Lucy's love story is front and center and the heart of this book. Cleverly weaved into the plot are historical facts that help to set the scene and make this story educational and alive. It's a gorgeous, vibrant testimony of friendship and loyalty that will give you hope, hope that love prevails, even in this time we live in. Written in stunning prose you would miss out if you didn't pick this up.
We didn’t need words to communicate. Our hands didn’t try to speak in sign. We spoke in a language that was as old as time itself. And on that night, in that tiny little woodshed, we burned together, and together we rose up into something made whole—into something made new, created out of fire and ash. And it was beautiful.
I need to tell you a story. I need to tell someone—if you’re willing to listen. Really listen. That will be the crux of this story. Listening. And not with your ears, but with your mind, your heart. Your soul. It was how she taught me to listen. And it will be how I teach you.
Pamela Sparkman's new novel REVEREND OF SILENCE is a special book. It's not just the stunning cover that certainly draws the eye, it's the story about a deaf girl, her brother and their best friend who will get your tear ducts working and tug at your heartstrings.
In the 1800s people who were deaf were considered only a step above animals, their family cursed for some sin they supposedly committed. It is then that we meet Lucy, Noah and Sam. Sam's deeply ingrained sense for right and wrong is what leads to change. He teaches everyone around him that Lucy is a human being with feelings and worries and that includes even Lucy's family who doesn't really know what to do with her. He is the first to see Lucy, all of her and it's no wonder he falls in love with the girl whose smile is like sunshine.
Then she smiled at me, and when she did, her whole face went soft. And something inside me went soft too.
“Hi,”
I breathed.
“I’m Sam.”
Her smile got bigger. And something else occurred to me. When she smiled like that, she was even prettier than my mama.
Lucy is such a lovely character with a heart of pure gold and a stubborn streak. Noah completes their trio with his steadfastness and his love for Lucy and Sam. He is the kind of guy who takes things into his hands when actions are needed and stands up for what is right. Their bond was inspiring and uplifting and so incredibly tight that it stood every test and trial as long as they were together. I also adored the dynamic between the two families. There was so much warmth and love.
Pamela Sparkman is a master researcher and a perfectionist. With Reverend of Silence she gives us the hard truth of the way people with a disabilities and their family were treated. Even the name for the school Lucy went to, The American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, implies the disregard and disrespect these people were considered with. From a today's point of view it's appalling and upsetting. While this story has religious themes, not surprising with Sam's dad being a man of the church, it never becomes preachy or intrusive. This, to me, is one of the things that are of utmost importance - I don't want to feel reprimanded or patronized for not being a religious person.
As a romance lover you definitely get your money's worth. Sam and Lucy's love story is front and center and the heart of this book. Cleverly weaved into the plot are historical facts that help to set the scene and make this story educational and alive. It's a gorgeous, vibrant testimony of friendship and loyalty that will give you hope, hope that love prevails, even in this time we live in. Written in stunning prose you would miss out if you didn't pick this up.
We didn’t need words to communicate. Our hands didn’t try to speak in sign. We spoke in a language that was as old as time itself. And on that night, in that tiny little woodshed, we burned together, and together we rose up into something made whole—into something made new, created out of fire and ash. And it was beautiful.
TITLE: PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION AUTHOR: Emily Henry SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: May 11, 2021 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: [image]
TITLE: PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION AUTHOR: Emily Henry SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: May 11, 2021 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: Travel, Friends-to-Lovers, Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love RATING: ALL OF THE STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
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How do I even begin to explain how deep this story buried itself into my soul? Emily Henry is a league of her own. PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION is a friends-to-lovers/opposites attract story with a big dose of unrequited love that is full of yearning and unspoken feelings. You know when you just want to lock the characters up in a room and tell them to not come out until they resolved their issues? Yeah, that's what happens here in the best possible way.
Poppy and Alex haven't spoken in two years and the author leaves you pretty much in the dark about the reason only sprinkling vague hints here and there. You wonder all along why would a solid friendship like this break. After two years without Alex Poppy still feels the rejection of him going silent on her, replying to her texts with one-syllable answers or meaningless small talk. Feeling a little stuck where she is in life, missing her best friend, she gets over herself and reaches out to him to ask him if he wants to revive their annual tradition to take a summer trip. To her surprise Alex agrees and Poppy wants to finally find out why he cut her out of his life so efficiently.
Before Alex, my family was the only place I belonged, but even with them, I was something of a loose part, that baffling extra bolt IKEA packs with your bookcase, just to make you sweat.
The flashbacks to their previous summer trips tell the story how they became friends and how their connection grew stronger and stronger over the years. There was nothing they couldn't talk about. Except about their feelings that went beyond friendship. Boy, that pining, the slow-burn, it was INTENSE. Poppy and Alex had such strong chemistry. Where Poppy was colorful and quirky, Alex was solemn, quiet and steady. They took care of one another in the most loving and tender way. I loved every single thing about them but my favorite thing was their sense of humor, the ease with which they teased one another. It felt so natural. Alex and Poppy knew one another on every level. Even when things fell apart he made sure to let Poppy know that she'd always have him.
“My point is, no one really knew me before you, Poppy. And even if . . . things change between us, you’ll never be alone, okay? I’ll always love you.”
I felt a strong connection to both Alex and Poppy, the way they communicated, how they finally addressed their mutual feelings, it spoke to me. Each of them had issues to deal with and to solve but there was no doubt that they'd make it, ultimately.
Even if we never kissed, never said the words outright, we were keeping whole parts of our hearts for each other only.
BEACH READ was one of my favorite books last year and PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION is just as amazing. Emily Henry's writing is so full of emotions, I inhaled this book which doesn't happen very often these days. This book made me happy, there were some teary eyes and I laughed. I don't think I can do this book justice with my review but I hope I can convey how much it meant to me.
I love him so much. I love him more than I did yesterday, and I already know tomorrow I’ll love him even more, because every piece of him he gives me is another to fall in love with.
TITLE: THE WRECKAGE OF US AUTHOR: Brittainy Cherry SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: September 8, 2020 GENRE: New Adult THEMES & TROPES: Small
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TITLE: THE WRECKAGE OF US AUTHOR: Brittainy Cherry SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: September 8, 2020 GENRE: New Adult THEMES & TROPES: Small Town Romance, Rock Star Romance RATING: 5 STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
Confession time: Before The Wreckage of Us I've never read a book by Brittainy Cherry (although I do have many of them sitting patiently on my Kindle). I'm so glad I squeezed this one into my schedule - it was so worth it. This book was a kick in the feels and had so many beautiful lines, I wish I could quote them all.
When Hazel Stone starts working at the biggest farm of a small town in Nebraska the person instructing her is no other than the town's golden boy/aspiring rock star/bad boy Ian Parker. They rub each other the wrong way from the start. Ian resents Haze because of her connection to the local drug overlord who is her stepdad and responsible for Ian's parents' addiction and thus leaving him when he was a kid. Haze dislikes Ian because of his shitty attitude, manwhoring and grumpiness. Forced to shack up together by Ian's granddad Big Paw, they find common ground and soon become best friends.
If heaven was a kiss, it lived against Hazel's lips.
Haze helps Ian with the lyrics for his songs that lack heart and soul, because Ian has his walls up. She doesn't let that stop her though, her kindness and goodness, her understanding of who Ian is, it gets under his skin and it was so touching to see him lighten up and open his heart to the people around him. Her sass and her heart of gold quickly captures his and not even his growing success as a musician can stop their love from growing. I loved how all in he was, how nothing could distract him from Haze.
Hazel Stone was my best friend, my darling, my melody, my song. And damn . . . She sounded so good.
Haze was a wonderful young woman, who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders but never lost her optimism and faith, even when things looked really dire. Her sense of responsibility, her maturity for her young age made me admire her so much.
Truth was, he’d always been mine. I’d just been waiting for the day when I was his too.
Some parts are a punch to the heart and I really hurt for them both but Brittainy Cherry really does these characters justice and by the end you'll be happy for Haze and Ian. They have some awesome sidekicks and I hope that the author decides to write their stories too. They have so much to give, the whole bunch of them. I also adored Ian's grandparents. Big Paw was a grumpy bear but behind his grouchiness was a big heart.
This was such a big, unforgettable winner for me. I wish all books had this quality and depth but that's why we have our favorites, don't we? Ms. Cherry is well on her way to the top of that list and I'll make sure to catch up on her backlist soon!
My chest tightened as realization set in. I was in love with a girl who loved me back. What could’ve been greater than that? No fame, no fortune, nothing. We were lucky to have found one another, lucky enough to not have given up when things got heavy. Hazel Stone had changed me. She’d showed me what ultimate strength looked like. She’d showed me unconditional love, and I hoped to do the same for her for the rest of our lives.
TITLE: LEO AUTHOR: Jay McLean SERIES: Preston Brothers #3 RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2020 GENRE: New Adult, Coming of Age THEMES & TROPES: Mental Health Issues, Friends to Lovers RATING: ALL OF THE STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
It's been so long since I read a story by Jay McLean and, boy, did I miss the Preston Clan. I loved Logan and Lucas (although they are punks in Leo's story) but Leo? No. Words. I will never do the beauty of this book justice and it's hard to put the multitude of feelings it evoked into words.
Leo is the quiet Preston brother, the one the whole family relies on. He listens in a way not many do. He only speaks when he has something important to say and when he speaks people listen. But sometimes his words get jumbled in his mind he is unable to speak up when it's important which drives away the girl he has been in love with since I first saw her as a kid. I loved Leo. So much. This young man was everything parents want in a son. He was kind, so kind, and his love for Mia so fierce it almost hurt. I want to sing his praises and write love songs and books about him. He's a once-in-a-lifetime guy. Once you're in love with him there is no one who will measure up.
“I’ve known you for ten years, Mia, and you still do crazy things to my heart.”
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And Mia knows that. From the day they met they were lost to one another and no one else ever stood a chance. Mia's tender heart got stomped on since she was just a toddler. Her mom left her with her grandfather when she was three years old, her dad not very interested in raising his daughter. The result: Mia has ABANDONMENT ISSUES. Yes, in caps because that's how bad they are. And Leo is the best to take care of her heart but, you know, life is a mothereffin' bitch. Mia's issues lead to more issues and I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and help her. This girl had all my love throughout the story and thank God she had people like her Papa and Holden, her best friend, and Tammy, his mom, in her life. They were vital to her life.
Did Leo and Mia make good life choices? Not always, both of them fumbled and failed at life at some point but these are young, inexperienced people. What's important is how you react to these poor choices and make up for them and both of them grew throughout the story.
Mia and I—together—we deserve more than just one moment. We deserve a lifetime.
When I saw the length of this book I was a little intimidated. It's BIG but I was so totally enthralled and captivated by the words, it didn't feel long. And A LOT of things happen, you don't have the time to get bored. The story spans a decade and we get to watch Mia and Leo grow up from the time they first meet until they are in their twenties. We witness how they fall in love and never fall out of it. We are there when they struggle, when they battle their demons and in the end come out stronger for it. It was sheer beauty.
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Jay McLean has writing angst down pat. LEO is a slow burn romance that made me rage, laugh, and the author made it hurt so good and I teared up more times than I want to admit. But Jay McLean also made the pain worth it because at the end of the book I just wanted more despite the beautiful epilogue that was the cherry on top. Jay gets better with each book, her talent shines brightly from the pages, her words are powerful and beautiful. She writes about important, timeless issues that we need to talk about, in a way that they are relatable even if your life isn't affected by them. I really wouldn't mind getting the next book soon. LEO goes straight on my favorites shelf.
“I’m going to spend my entire existence proving that you have, are, and will always be perfect to me.”
There are characters that are unforgettable and when the author tells you that she's done with them and there won't be any further stories then they leave a vacuum behind. Pia and Dragos are pretty much my all time favorite PNR couple and I just can't get enough. So when Thea Harrison decided to document their move into the Otherworld Rhyacia it was like Christmas and Easter and birthday and every other holiday on the same day for me.
Pia and Dragos's relationship has come so far. Pia has really grown into her own. The tragedies and tough times she experiences have left a mark and a backbone of steel and iron will that wasn't as obvious before. She was never a doormat but now she's a sweet but feisty herbivore unicorn who stands up for herself.
Dragos is still mystified by women, even after years of marriage. I always get a kick out of seeing this ancient, most powerful dragon bamboozled by stuff Pia does or says. It's really a hoot. When this almost godlike creature very reluctantly adopts an ugly mutt the hilarity has no end. Seeing Dragos's fierce love for Pia is always a highlight - that's something the author does so well.
And there it was, that moment, with happiness dancing in her aquamarine gaze and the air around her effervescent with her Power—that moment was what the dragon would do anything and kill anyone for. That moment was what he lived for. That one, and then the one after that, and the one after that, all grouped together in his mind like luminous pearls on a string. Each one came to him new, a perpetual gift of joyful surprise, and as rich as he was, and as many jewels as he’d acquired, those moments were the sum total of the dragon’s true treasure.
Dragos and Pia's move to their new home doesn't go smoothly. Along for the ride are many familiar faces like Graydon and Beluviel, Tricks and Tiago, only to name a few. Seeing them again really makes me want to re-read the whole series.
The cliffhanger Thea leaves us with is brutal. I hope she writes fast like the wind because I can't wait to continue this story. I adored this journey back into the world of the Elder Races and I hope Thea Harrison keeps writing stories about this fascinating universe and the mythical creatures inhabiting it. This was a beautiful start to this serial.
For him, love was a collection of moments like this. Strung together like luminous pearls on a string
TITLE: A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY AUTHOR: DARYNDA JONES SERIES: Sunshine Vicram #2 RELEASE DATE: July 27, 2021 GENRE: Romantic Suspense RATING: A MILLION STARS AND MORE CLIFFHANGER: FO SHO!
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THIS BOOK. I don't know what to do with myself. I just finished this one and this has been the fastest I read through a book in months. If I could give it a million stars it wouldn't be enough. Granted it was my most anticipated and it didn't disappoint. People, if you have never read a Darynda Jones book, your loss. There is an easy fix though. A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY is the second installment in this author's Sunshine Vicram series. So you can still read the first book before this one releases.
Now to the good stuff. What you need is tissues. Many, many tissues. For the parts you when you're laughing so hard that tears are running down your face and for the parts when you have tears in your eyes because you're overwhelmed with emotions. Yes, that happens too.
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Apart from the awesome, fabulous, amazing, wonderful, unbelievable, quirky cast there is an equally awesome, suspenseful storyline that was such a page turner that it was hard for me to tear myself away. I ADORED Sunshine and Levi in this book, just as much as Sun's clever, clever daughter Auri.
“You have no idea what your mother put us through. You couldn’t disappoint us any worse than she did that time she threw a party while we were out of town and invited an entire biker gang called the El Choppos, who used my bras to shoot water balloons at the neighbor’s house.”
And Cruz, Auri's boyfriend, is someone you want for your own daughter, believe me. He is THE BEST. This kid hit me in the feels right where it hurts best. The whole. Forking. Time. Enigmatic and charismatic Levi shows that he is more than the grumpy hot guy and when he shines it's spectacular.
“You’ve bewitched me.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth.
“You bewitched me the first time I saw you and no one else has ever measured up.”
There is also this wonderful friendship between Sunshine and her BFF and Chief Deputy Quincy. These two walk through fire for one another and their conversations were some of the most humorous. And how I loved the our heroine, Sheriff Sunshine Vicram, whose integrity is absolute, who always questions herself. If you don't love her, we can't be friends anymore. #SorryNotSorry
“Do you think, and I know this is asking a lot, but do you think you could possibly keep your granddaughter from getting into any more trouble for the rest of the night?”
Her father shook his head.
“I can’t make any promises, Sheriff. Look who her mother is.”
There is a slew of characters but I never felt that I got lost. The author does an amazing job to make you remember every single personality in this small town in New Mexico.
If you're like me and had thousands of questions after A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE you'll get answers but prepare to have even more questions when you're done. That's just how this series works and I don't care. Give me twenty books in this series and all with cliffies and I'll die a happy woman.
Darynda Jones is an exceptional storyteller who has one of the best writing voices I've read in recent years. Her sense of humor, that hilarious sarcasm and the many "oh snap" moments, are what make this story so fast paced and captivating and outstanding, I giggled, laugh-snorted, and downright laughed hysterically throughout most of the book. She also cranks up the heat between Sunshine and Levi. Phew!
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Fans of her Charley Davidson series will delight in the easter eggs - have fun finding them! What I said about the cliffies is true but I really hope that we don't have to wait as long for the next book because, boy, this series is my new addiction and I need my fix in a timely manner. For now I predict that this will be my top favorite of 2021.
She loved everything about this man. Not just his physical appearance. It was him. Levi. The noble being she’d been in love with since she was a kid.
THIS! This is why I love reading and this is what has been missing for me lately. The feeling of excitement, being unable to put the book down just to go pee. Yeah, I'm going there people. DEAR ENEMY is a flawlessly executed enemies-to-lovers romance that follows a sassy heroine and a brooding hero with lots of humor, emotions and a pinch of angst to keep it interesting.
Macon was the perfect hero - growing up he was a real jerk to Delilah but there are just enough hints to give the reader an inkling that this isn't just pure malice, that there is something cooking we aren't privy to yet. Over the course of the story I fell in love with Macon's kindness, his thoughts about Delilah and how he opened up to her about his childhood and youth.
Delilah is pretty. Quietly pretty. She will never be the first person everyone looks at when entering a room. Especially not in LA, where beautiful women bloom like flowers in a well-tended garden. But among a bouquet of perfect roses, Delilah is much like her namesake flower—unexpectedly vivid and complex—making you realize that roses are boring in comparison.
He seemed so self-confident, so larger-than-life on the outside that no one bothered to look what's behind the facade.
With Delilah I got one of my favorite heroines - sassy, snarky, smart, deeply loyal and adaptive. A person who keeps the hero on his toes, who listens and learns, who makes mistakes and knows how to say sorry and how to forgive. And there was a lot to forgive when it came to Macon - he really was the worst and total punk as a teenager. For Delilah it wasn't the grudge that was hard to get over though but her insecurities that Macon caused and they would flare up frequently. Macon's openness and his true remorse helped her to get over it though and earned him her absolute trust. He didn't let up when he realized that it was his childhood enemy he wanted and went after her with every tool in his repertoire.
"Did I take advantage? Yeah, I did. But it was never about control or payback. It was the only way I knew I could be close to you. We parted with so much hate and hurt between us. I wanted a chance to get to know who you are now. For me to show you who I am.”
I also loved Delilah for her steadfastness, her loyalty, her unshakable love for her sister although she wasn't blind to Sam's many flaws (boy, did I hate her). Both of the main characters experienced immense growth that left me completely satisfied in the end.
"You're killing me, Tot. I don't know whether I'm coming or going with you."
The stalker aspect of the story was a prominent part of the story and I expected a showdown which I was deprived of. It wasn't a big deal and didn't take away from my enjoyment but I thought this could have been handled a liiittle bit better. I loved the food references, the way Delilah expressed herself with food, how she told stories and experiences through it. This was so well done.
I'm a huge fan of Kristen Callihan's writing - I loved every single book I read by her in the past. She writes with heart and humor, her heroines and heroes are always strong, people who seem real with all their flaws but still so darn likable. DEAR ENEMY falls right into this category. I'm now looking forward to what she has next in store for us. Maybe we get a book about North, Macon's awesome bodyguard? I think he deserves a HEA.
"I'm going to love you, Macon Saint. So long and so hard you're not going to remember what it feels like to be without love."
TITLE: RELEASE AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2020 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: Second-Chan
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TITLE: RELEASE AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Standalone RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2020 GENRE: Contemporary Romance THEMES & TROPES: Second-Chance, Friends to Lovers RATING: All of the Stars CLIFFHANGER: No
Time and timing is the theme that drives RELEASE. The time when Ramsay Stewart entered Thea Hull's life. The time it took for them to become friends. When they shared their first kissed. When they went far beyond kissing for the first time. And when Ramsey left Thea's side for just a moment and their lives changed yet again. And the years that followed after, when Thea was counting every day, every minute, every second, until she would see the man again who told her he didn't love her anymore.
“Because when I was ten years old, I met a boy. I hated him. But I needed him like my veins needed blood. He broke my leg. He broke my patience. And eventually he broke my heart. But there hasn’t been a minute that’s passed that I haven’t loved him with every single broken shard.”
Thea hated Ramsay when she met him but at that time she would have hated anyone, there was so much bitterness in her. Ramsay's smile, his cheerfulness, his persistence of not letting Thea's abrasive behavior drive him away broke through her walls and they became first best friends, then lovers and then...nothing. The tables have turned and it is now Thea fighting for Ramsay. Isn't that beautifully righteous? And fight she does. Damn that girl can play dirty. I loved how she just soldiered on although she was dying inside from the hurt Ramsay delivered because he thought he needed to protect her.
I’m not giving up on you, Ramsey. I don’t care if you want me to. I don’t care if it means you ice me out for all of eternity. I don’t even care that you’ve already quit on me. I once promised that it was you and me forever. Do you remember that? You made me swear it.”
Ramsay was perfect for Thea. He hid his awful family life and abandonment issues behind a perma-smile, took care of everyone and everything who needed him. And he paid for it. The weeks following his release from prison, his adjustment to life outside his cell was heartbreaking to watch but the author managed to infuse some humor (cue Siri) that lightened the mood and helped to handle the emotional roller coaster. And this is what Aly excels at - her stories are perfectly balanced and never drift into the trap of too much angst.
“I can’t do this without you.” “Do what?” He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Breathe.”
Thea and Ramsay are two of the most resilient people I've read about in a while - they have that survivor's gene that just won't let them give up, no matter how dire the situation looks. But I guess, when you know you're fighting for your soul mate there is no such thing as giving up. Thea and Ramsay were meant to be but until they were allowed to have their happily ever after my heart took quite a beating. But that's Aly Martinez for you - she makes you hurt and earn those happy moments. She makes sure that you deserve that happy ending when you get there.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to live the one you’re given."
RELEASE is told in the present and a long flashback in the beginning, that takes up about a third of the story. I loved watching Thea and Ramsay's friendship grow into more but for a short while I was a little worried that the page time that was left wouldn't be enough to address every thing that needed to be tied up. But I shouldn't have worried. This book left me satisfied in every way. In typical Aly Martinez fashion there is a twist there you don't see coming. While you're reading and feeling quite safe and optimistic, all of a sudden you're left reeling and flailing and wondering WTF just happened. I LOVE that.
If you always wanted to try one of Aly Martinez's books, this is a great place to start. RELEASE is a complete standalone with new characters that will give you all the feels, some humor, intense storytelling and a beautiful story about soulmates who deserve their HEA.
And then Ramsey kissed me, deep and frantic like a boy. Gentle and skilled like a man. All-consuming and claiming like my forever. And he did it all tasting like watermelon gum.
TITLE: THE PLAY AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy SERIES: Briar U #3 RELEASE DATE: October 7,2019 GENRE: Sports Romance, College Romance, New Adult RATING:
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TITLE: THE PLAY AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy SERIES: Briar U #3 RELEASE DATE: October 7,2019 GENRE: Sports Romance, College Romance, New Adult RATING: 5 STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
There are many talented authors out there but for me Elle Kennedy is one of the best when it comes to College Romance/New Adult Romance/Sports Romance and I'll read anything, literally ANYTHING she writes. So when I started this one I read every free minute I had (which is a feat with school just having started again).
In THE PLAY we finally get Hunter's story and boy, I was not expecting to love him the way I did. I was a little worried that he'd be bitter, the way he acted after Summer and Fitzy went behind his back. But no! He gave me Dean vibes with his goofy sense of humor. I tumbled into love with him.
“Everything gets me aroused, Bee. The feel of the wind on my face gets me aroused. Bumping into a table gets me aroused.”
Hunter was the was the full package - smart, kind, hilarious, sweet, entertaining and honest. He gave me so many laughs and favorite scenes throughout the story. There is his handling of Pablo Eggscobar, the boiled egg the team was tasked to take care of, his self imposed sex drought, or when he and Demi were locked up in jail and he took a picture of her.
"What’s a boner between friends, right?”
Demi is being introduced as a new character and the heroine of this story. In the beginning she can't help to think that Hunter is the stereotypical hockey player with puck bunnies lining up to get in his pants. She couldn't be farther from the truth because Hunter has been celibate for a couple of months after the disastrous ending of the team's hockey season, blaming himself for it. I have to say I was pretty impressed that he resisted as long as he did but that Demi had a boyfriend definitely helped. Anyhoo...Demi...her dad wants her to follow in his footsteps and go to med school but Demi has a completely different idea of what her future is going to look like. Her passion is psychology, she only needs to grow the cojones to tell her dad.
When her boyfriend becomes her ex-boyfriend Demi is hurt and I loved Hunter for being such a wonderful friend. In that regard Demi really showed backbone and it was then, when her dad was taking her ex's side and she stood up to him that I fell in love with her too. Speaking of, I thought Demi's parents were jerks. I didn't think they had a lot of redeeming qualities when they defended a young man who hurt their daughter so deeply. Ugh.
A laugh tickles my throat. This girl is something else. She cracks me up. And she’s so fucking beautiful.
Demi and Hunter's connection is so palpable - their friendship is amazing, so laid back and natural and I loved how important it was to Hunter that he didn't want to ruin it. But there is also a spark, an explosive chemistry that is just waiting to be ignited. And when it does? Oh my! So good, so hot, so sweet.
Gales of laughter shake my body. I love this guy. We have so much fun together, no matter the circumstances. We could be studying or sitting in a jail cell or lying naked in bed, and he’d never fail to crack me up.
We get to catch up with most of the Off-Campus characters which was a treat and I loved to visit with them and see where they are in life now. There are also a couple of characters that have huge potential to get their own books and a front runner is Conor, the man-ho that actually reminds me even more of Dean. That guy begs to be brought down to his knees!
I loved Summer and Fitzy, I worshiped Brenna and Jake but I think my favorites are Hunter and Demi. I'm walking on clouds after finishing this book and in my opinion Elle Kennedy did these two justice. I laughed, I giggled, I swooned - this story was so much fun. There was no unnecessary drama, only delightful banter, awesome characters and a sweet slow burn romance written in Ms. Kennedy's crisp, impeccable writing style. I think the author said that this would be the last installment in the Briar U series (for now) but there is potential for a new series. So let's see what happens!
That guy on the cover is the hottest thing since Dragon's Breath pepper. Ahem... So...DIRTY LETTERS is the new co-authored friends-to-lovers/rockstar romance by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland that I found utterly refreshing. The heroine is agoraphobic, that first reared its ugly head after her best friend died in a fire at a concert. And there, of course, is also survivor's guilt. When Luca was seven years old she became pen pals with a boy in England. They became best friends and confidantes over the years, their honesty one of the most remarkable features of their friendship. Until the fire.
Luca was in her senior year when she ghosted Griffin. Griffin, now a famous rockstar known as Cole Archer, lets her know how he feels about this in a petty letter eighteen years later. I have to say, I was happy to see how fast Griffin forgave Luca. For a few months these two communicate only by letter and they find back into their easy friendship with the addition of a growing attraction. But Griffin, who has learned the hard way that fame comes at a price, cherishes the fact that Luca doesn't know who he is.
Money and fame couldn’t buy happiness, and I was starting to think I’d trade thousands of women wearing my face on their chests for one woman resting her face on my chest at night.
I have so much love for all the characters in this book. Griffin was a great guy, an amazing friend and a patient, understanding boyfriend who was totally besotted with his girl, how he held on when things got rough, never letting her down. The way Luca's debilitating condition was portrayed made her relatable and my heart ached for her because, really, when you can't go out of the house without fearing a panic attack, how do you deal with rabid fans and press and paps? The despair because you're trapped in your head...what do you have to offer except your heart?
“It will never be perfect. It will never not be scary. So if you’re waiting for this to not feel terrifying, it never will. There will be hard times. But there will be amazing ones, too. You have to decide whether we’re worth the hardships. In the end, it’s going to come down to one thing: whether love is enough.”
Lastly, there is Doc, Luca's therapist, who was simply the sweetest. In my mind he looked like Doc Brown from Back to the Future. He is Luca's rock and I loved how he showed up with a borrowed RV and took his patient on an unforgettable, life-changing road trip.
Dirty Letters packs a good portion of steam and a mountain of emotions and a lot of material to think about. I love that these two authors always put their own stamp on a story and make it refreshing and original. I enjoyed every minute, every word, every decision these characters made were with the love for the other one in mind and that's what true romance is. The epilogue was (with a tiny caveat) sweet and I was so happy to see Luca and Griffin getting their well deserved happy ever after. You can't go wrong picking this up.
"I won’t always be able to give you your light back, because sometimes you need to find that within yourself, but I’ll stand by your side and hold your hand in the dark so things aren’t so scary.”
Kate Stewart's climb to the top is unstoppable. If you had asked me if this author could top DRIVE, my favorite book by her and one of my top favorites of all times, I would have said no. Good thing I didn't put any money on that because with THE GUY ON THE RIGHT Kate Stewart has done exactly that. May I present: My new top favorite by this author (by a tiny fraction but still).
Laney is my kind of gal, my spirit animal, the yin to my yang. Quirky, funny, open, fiercely independent, brutally honest and so incredibly sweet, I wanted to be her best friend. She had sass and a hilariously smart mouth. Theo thought the same, obviously. He makes nice look sexy. He is dependable as they come, hilarious and not as cocky and self confident as we are used to and for some reason that makes him even more swoon-worthy. He was cursed blessed with three busybody sisters who couldn't keep their noses out of his life.
When the meet, they both aren't ready for relationships but they damn sure become each other's best friend fast. Their friendship was so solid, so exemplary, so tight, the best wingmen covering your six, the sidekicks everybody should have. I fell hard for both of them.
We’re polar opposites in some ways. I’m too country, and he’s a whole lot of everything else. We shouldn’t fit, but we do, and our fit is nothing short of spectacular.
The build up of their attraction and sexual tension was almost subtle but oh so delicious - while I was still basking in their beautiful friendship, they were like "nope, game over" and, whoa, all of a sudden I was witness of one of the hottest kiss scenes. From then on I was lost. Lost to both characters, irrevocably in love. We know that Kate Stewart is also a masterful storyteller, so a little angst on the side is a must - but fear not, it's the perfect amount to keep things interesting.
“She’s my favorite person in the world, and I can’t imagine not knowing her.
If you follow Ms Stewart on social media you know what a quirky, funny bird she is. We know that she can write angst like a fiend but I was waiting for her to finally write a RomCom and I wish she'd never write anything else. OK, that's a lie, but I'd so be up for more of her brand of hilarity. I had such a blast with THE GUY ON THE RIGHT and I can't recommend it enough if you need a pick-me-up.
“What?” “Your accent. You keep forgettin’ the G.” “I’m well aware my accent is thick. Some people think it’s charmin’.” “Like the toilet paper?”
TITLE: TOP SECRET AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy RELEASE DATE: May 7th 2019 GENRE: MM Romance TROPES: Enemies-to-lovers RATING: 5 STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
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A story by either Sarina Bowen or Elle Kennedy is a guaranteed win. Together they are on fire. In TOP SECRET they show us yet again how harmoniously and with ease their writing styles mesh together. So my excitement went through the roof when I learned about this book. But since it was, indeed, top secret, we weren't allowed to talk about it. Keeping a secret has rarely been so hard.
Now on to my thoughts about this story.
I have so much love for Luke and Keaton, our two main protagonists. Luke is the silent brooder, not giving away much about himself to pretty much everyone. Nobody knows about the unhealthy relationship with his family, or that he works his butt off just to survive day by day. As soon as someone tries to pry information out of him he clams up. On the other hand he has zero hangups or insecurities about his sexuality, is ambitious and determined to leave his poor upbringing behind. My heart ached a little for him, because it was so hard to shed his distrust of pretty much everyone.
He said I was stingy with love, and he was right. I am really not sure that will ever change. But if there’s anyone in the world I could change for, it’s certainly him.
Keaton is the outgoing, popular guy, the jock with the beautiful girlfriend, the money and the suitable friends. His dad is the meddling kind, one who expects his son to follow in his footsteps which Keaton has no intention to do. He's a biology buff and didn't that make my little scientist heart sing? All those references about the mating behavior of different species were hilarious (and true).
Keaton's sexual progression felt natural to me - he struggles with it at first but, being the open-minded guy he is, he accepts it and moves on. I loved how loyal and sweet, patient and understanding he was with Luke.
I’m just a guy, standing on a beach in nothing but his favorite pair of lobster shorts, waiting for the right man to love me.
In TOP SECRET Keaton goes on a research expedition in Chile that has the goal to find an unidentified ecotype of orcas. That's actually a fact and happened in March 2019. A friend of mine is one of the scientists who were on the research vessel and took many pics which were published in National Geographic. I thought this was such a cool coincidence I had to mention it.
M/M romance is one of my favorite genres. I love the dynamic between men and the imagery that comes with it. I loved Luke and Keaton together. They couldn't be more different but because of that they filled needs in one another no other person could have. Their evolution from competitors to friends and lovers was beautiful to watch.
Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen joining forces again is a dream come true. With TOP SECRET they give us a stinkin' cute, light-hearted, humorous, flirty enemy-to-lovers story that made my heart pitter-patter. Can we have more of this? PLEEAAASE? I can't wait to listen to the audiobook of this one!
LobsterShorts: I’m fresh out of lobster sex facts atm. BUT…lemme tell you about sea slugs. SinnerThree: Omg yes. I can’t wait for this. Hold on. Let me undo my pants. This time I snort out loud. I know he’s kidding, and I play along. Actually, I’ll do that, too. Having both our dicks out for this fun fact is so fitting. SinnerThree: Dick’s out. All right. Slug sex. Now, baby. LobsterShorts: OK—you ready for this? SinnerThree: Hit me. Blow my mind. LobsterShorts: Sea slugs have penis fights. Dead air follows my revelation. I see the three dots appear to indicate he’s typing. Then they disappear. Reappear. Disappear. Finally, a message pops up. SinnerThree: I don’t even know what to say to that. I guess… Why?? How?? Why???
When I met Tom Severin in this series I was so intrigued by his characterization. He came across a little cutthroat, cunning, opportunistic and a little manipulative and calculating. And he is all that to be sure but I felt that he wasn't born with these traits so I'm glad I finally found out what made him so. Tom's childhood wasn't the easiest but he made the best of it. When he meets Cassandra he is head over heels in lust but him being the man who has limited his emotional repertoire to five feelings total, he is positive that he can't offer what she deserves.
Cassandra is a woman who hides her quiet strength and backbone behind charm and sweetness. With her endearing personality she transforms Tom into the man he was supposed to be. And makes it look like it was his idea too. With her gentle force he learns that he actually has more than five emotions to offer and while he first is convinced that that love isn't part of his repertoire it shines through in every action. His protectiveness extends to a street urchin and I was moved by the way he softened toward Bazzle. There is so much more to this man than meets the eye and I feel like I'm not doing these characters and the story justice.
And there he stood, with his heart in his fist. What was the name of this feeling?
Charming and delightful banter is something you can always expect in a Lisa Kleypas romance and I ADORED the dialogues.
“You’re trying to appear as harmless as a lamb. But we both know you’re not.”
“I have lamblike moments,”
Tom said. At her dubious glance, he insisted,
“I’m having one right now. I’m one hundred percent lamb.”
I especially loved Tom's friendships with the Ravenels, Winterborne and St. Vincent. Their friendly ribbing was oh so funny and I was glad to see that all of them ultimately offered Tom the respect he deserved even though it may not have seemed that way at first.
As always this author captivates you with fabulous, lovable characters, there isn't much in the way of angst or drama but that's fine with me! I hope Ms Kleypas continues to write Historical Romance although I'm sure her Contemporary Romance is fantastic. The way she expresses the emotions of her characters, her words, her stories, they are just sublime and like a melody that settles in your heart.
TITLE: The Retrieval Duet AUTHOR: Aly Martinez GENRE: Contemporary Romance FORMAT: Audiobook NARRATORS: Andi Arndt, Jason Carpenter, Maxine
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TITLE: The Retrieval Duet AUTHOR: Aly Martinez GENRE: Contemporary Romance FORMAT: Audiobook NARRATORS: Andi Arndt, Jason Carpenter, Maxine Mitchell LENGTH: 12 hrs and 50 mins STAR RATING: ★★★★★
She does it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. With every book Aly Martinez gives us she brings something new to the table. The Retrieval Duet is no different.
I had the chance to listen to the audiobook of THE RETRIEVAL DUET - the narration was amazing in the first book. I love Andi Arndt and Jason Carpenter, who I know from Aly Martinez's Guardian Protection series. Unfortunately, Maxine Mitchell didn't work as well for me. She had a bit of a whiny narration style with drawn out syllables that got a little annoying after a while. It wasn't horrible, just not as fabulous as the other two. With that out of the way, let's get to the heart of it.
In RETRIEVAL a couple, whose marriage broke apart after the son, who lived only for a couple of minutes, passed away, is at the center of attention. When both Roman and Elisabeth are getting a call from the police and are being informed that Elisabeth's eggs were switched at the fertility clinic and she probably has a daughter the secret glimmer of hope that couldn't be quenched even after their divorce, flares up again.
Roman's single-minded pursuit of Elisabeth, his wooing and slow seduction was beautiful and showed his dedication and determination and I loved him so much for letting Elisabeth feel that she would come first this time. Both of them were so inside their heads when they separated that they just couldn't express what they needed from one another but time apart has blunted the edge and finally they talk. It was sweet to see how Elisabeth opened up to Roman again and started to trust him. Retrieval switches between present and past in which we see memories of both Roman and Elisabeth and those explain the strong connection they had and why both of them couldn't let go. They were soul mates, a once-in-a-lifetime-love, their connection palpable. I loved them so much.
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TRANSFER continues the story, this time primarily from Clare and Heath's point of view. What Clare went through until she got away from her druglord husband was horrific. Physical, emotional and mental abuse was on her schedule on a daily basis but she endured it to keep her daughter safe. She was strong and learned Walt's MO inside out, knew what he would do and how she could manipulate him which in the showdown helped her a great deal. Heath was wonderful, protective, smart and didn't play around for long to go after the woman he'd fallen in love with. The way he treated Clare's little girl was adorable.
Out of the two couples I loved Roman and Elisabeth's POVs the most. Their banter was just hilarious, typical Aly Martinez. We get come Guardian cameos which were awesome!
I went blind into this book, that's how much I trust this author. You can't do it better. THE RETRIEVAL DUET is a phenomenal roller coaster that has it all - tension and a little suspense, blindsiding twists, a little heartbreak and humor, a huge dose of romance and steam. The female leads of this second chance and a friends-to-lovers romance are smart and strong, and the guys swoonworthy, romantic, a little bossy and overly protective and not afraid to show their love for their women. This story is so unique and so uniquely Aly Martinez - if you enjoy any of the above and always wanted to try Ms. Martinez you can't go wrong....more
TITLE: Angel in a Devil's Arms AUTHOR: Julie Anne Long SERIES: The Palace of Rogues RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2019 GENRE: Historical Romance R
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TITLE: Angel in a Devil's Arms AUTHOR: Julie Anne Long SERIES: The Palace of Rogues RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2019 GENRE: Historical Romance RATING: All of the stars! CLIFFHANGER: No
You think you've read about perfect heroes? Then get ready for Lucien. He will have you swoon and laugh and maybe even your eyes water a tiny bit. He is just wonderful, charming, funny, self-deprecating with a twinkle in his eyes and intuitive, caring and thoughtful. Lucien has a tenderness for Angelique that he expresses in his mind that is achingly beautiful. For this alone, for his thoughts about this strong, proud woman, I would give this a five star rating. He was the ideal partner for Angelique, who had been hurt and disappointed and discarded by men and disowned by her family. She is wary of Lucien but fascinated and drawn to him all the same. Because of Angelique's previous painful experiences her pulling away from Lucien was relatable, even when she hurt him.
“Is it something about me? Or do you feel as though you can treat all men as though what we feel is of no consequence?"
Lucien's vulnerability was incredibly endearing.
I admired him for how he handled the conflict with his father. Angelique could be pretty badass, especially when she fought for the man she'd fallen in love with. I loved that there wasn't a sudden realization that they had fallen for one another because it was so obvious to see from the outside what was happening. It was a gradual growth and there was no need stating the obvious - that's how good JAL is transferring the words from the pages into the reader's heart. Their interactions and teasing natures were just...*blissful sigh*...
Being in a room that contained her was better than being in a room that did not contain her.
I also adored reconnecting with Delilah and Captain Hardy - like Delilah and Angelique I thought Lucien and Tristan would butt heads but nope, they got along just fine which is why I was so touched when Captain Hardy pled Lucien's case.
I think everyone should read Julie Anne Long's books. Seriously, though - her writing is poetic and full of wit and clever dialogues, her stories are riveting, delighful, and so, SO romantic. I knew this when I went into ANGEL IN A DEVIL'S ARMS. I've known this for years but every time I finish a book by this author I think I have an expression of awe and utter bliss on my face. The highest compliment I can pay a HR author is comparing them to Lisa Kleypas. If you love LK's stories you'll definitely adore Miss Long's books. The teaser about the next couple in the epilogue of this installment has me excited for the next book. I hope we don't have to wait too long!
“I should like it if we could be friends, Lord Bolt.” She sounded appallingly sincere. A silence spread like a stain. “Friends?” he managed finally, on something like a croak, as though she’d extended a silver platter upon which rested his own testicles.
ALL THE SWOONS! No, seriously! This book is a new favorite by Jill Shalvis. I keep waiting for my girl crush on this author to wear off but she keeps delivering the best romance with the swooniest heroes and the sassiest heroines. On that note, I know this has been tagged as women's fiction but it has all the makings of a contemporary romance. So don't let that category turn you off!
In THE LEMON SISTERS, the third in Ms. Shalvis's Wildstone series, we meet, surprise, the Lemon sisters. Brooke lives in LA and only goes home sporadically. A surprise visit by her sister, Mindy, and her three kids, takes her back to her hometown, Wildstone. She's determined to find her old self, make amends with her estranged sister, apologize to the man she left without a word, and return to LA as a new/old Brooke. Running into Garrett, the only man she ever loved, goes as expected - where Brooke is concerned he is distant, sometimes even unfriendly and not amicable at all.
Over the course of the story we learn about the tragedy that happened to Brooke and how that affected her future. I think many women will sympathize with her. The reasons she left Wildstone made sense to me, although I'm not a fan of characters keeping secrets. I know it's an often used plot device - I trusted Jill Shalvis because she has never let me down. She didn't this time either. After the helicopter accident, that not only wrecked her body but also her confidence and spirit, the reckless love for life she'd always had, she built walls around her heart. Brooke didn't let anyone in. No one. My heart was heavy with sadness for her - even when she was surrounded by people she was lonely.
“You were never alone, Brooke, never. You just chose to shut us out.”
Garrett doesn't feel very benevolent towards Brooke - this woman did a number on him yet when she returns the pull is still there. He is so determined not to get caught in her web again because he was left one too many times. Having grown up in the system he knows much about abandonment and he's still dealing with the issues that come with it. Brooke's leaving without a single word destroyed him because she was his everything and he, too, has learned to harden his heart.
As always this author gives us a charismatic, beautiful, soulful man who is loyal and patient to a fault. I have yet to read a book with a douche by Jill Shalvis. I'm not holding my breath. I loved Garrett, so so much, how accepting he was, how he kept telling himself to not fall for his ex-girlfriend.He was so conflicted about his still strong feelings for Brooke and his abandonment issues and fear of having his heart broken again. And yet, despite all his denying that he would, he fell again.
Once upon a time he’d loved her so much it’d been painful. And now . . . now he had nothing in his heart for her. Or so he’d been telling himself. But the truth was, he’d merely bricked and mortared around the poor beleaguered organ. If she blasted her way through those walls he’d built in self-protection, he had no idea how he’d survive Hurricane Brooke II.
Brooke had all my love too. When these two learned to trust one another and in each other again, the spirited, vivacious, sweet young woman Brooke used to be, appeared under the rubble of the tragedy. And she was wonderful with all her quirks and OCD.
“Look at yourself now,”
he said firmly
. “Not only are you still here, you’re stronger than you’ve ever been. You’re not just conquering your demons, Bee, you’re stomping all over them.”
They had undeniable chemistry that burned up the pages and, fair warning, your ovaries may be in danger of exploding. I just wanted to smoosh their faces together and tell them to get over it already! I'll put a trigger warning here, because I know some women may find this story hard to read (view spoiler)[Infertility (hide spoiler)]
There is a third POV from which we learn about Mindy's marital issues. I wasn't a huge fan of her with her know-it-all attitude and her nagging for a long while but she grew on me. She lashed out at her sister but I had to give her some leeway because she didn't know the full extent of the reason why Brooke had walled herself off. I adored Mindy's husband, Lincoln, who wanted nothing more to lighten his wife's burden and give her everything she wanted. Their children were another highlight in this book. I loved them all but Maddox, the youngest little man, who barked instead of talked...man, I wanted to adopt him right away. He was the best, the funniest and sweetest kid I've read about. So freaking cute.
We all know these books, the ones we don't want to end yet we need to know that things will be alright. THE LEMON SISTERS is one of those. I could have read about Brooke and Garrett's HEA forever - although I was done I just wanted more.
I love the small town feel of this series and that it feels more like romance than women's fiction. Jill Shalvis is a fixture on my reading list - her warm, sweet, beautiful stories light up my day. This story has everything we love as readers: a surprising dose of angst, hilarious banter, nuggets of wisdom, relatable, lovable characters and because it's Jill Shalvis, lots of animals. This book can be read as a standalone but trust me when I say you will want to read the previous stories too. I'm leaving Wildstone with a book hangover and I'll be waiting patiently until I have the next in this series in my hands.
TITLE: Written with You AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Regret Duet #2 RELEASE DATE: June 13th 2019 GENRE: Contemporary Romance RATING: ALL THE STA
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TITLE: Written with You AUTHOR: Aly Martinez SERIES: Regret Duet #2 RELEASE DATE: June 13th 2019 GENRE: Contemporary Romance RATING: ALL THE STARS!!! TOP FAVORITE CLIFFHANGER: No
I'll keep this short and sweet because, honestly, you need to experience this story with as little influence as possible. Better yet, stop reading here and go in blind. Yeah, I'm not selling myself well but I want you to have those whiplash moments. The twists I told you about in m review for WRITTEN WITH REGRET? Fuhgettaboutit. They were child's play. Forget everything you thought you knew when you finished the first book in the REGRET duet. Everything will be turned upside down and flipped at neck-breaking speed.
Aly Martinez is officially the queen of unexpected turns and twists. She has surprised me before with her completely unpredictable storylines but this time she has outdone herself a thousand times over. I was catching flies with my gaping mouth. I was shocked, in awe at her evil genius and totally taken off guard. I DID NOT SEE A SINGLE THING COMING. Damn, I thought I'd figured it all out when I finished the first book. Turns out I was completely off track. And that showdown? My heart, oh my heart, it was beating so hard.
She stared back at me, her eyes filling with tears. A million words hung in the air between us. Apologies. Accusation. Blame. Guilt. Love.
The sweet connection between the main characters, the one that is being made for the ages, is reinforced and strengthened in WRITTEN WITH YOU. They were inevitable. I loved Caven so much. He is a jerk when he is hurt - once you know that, it's easy to forgive him. He's alpha-male goodness with a side of hilarious. I adored this heroine just as much - her sass, her kindness, her all encompassing love for Caven and their little girl, she was the perfect partner for this strong, broken man who had the protective instinct of a mama bear. *Happy sigh*
"I don’t believe there is a reason for anything that happens. There are only actions, consequences, and unorchestrated coincidence. But every now and then, after the pain and heartache settle, beauty can be found in the consequences."
Aly has been a favorite of mine since THE FALL UP but she is getting better with every book. Every storyline is unique told in her own distinctive storytelling voice that holds both humor and anxiety and has its way to dig itself into your heart. Gah. I love her so much. This author reminds me why I love reading and she is the best remedy when you're in a slump. I thought the first one was amazing but this one? PER-FEC-TION. Bottom line? Get this duet.
A wise woman had once told me that we aren’t given a hundred years all at once. Time was doled out one very manageable second at a time. If all you focus on is the big picture and worry about tomorrow, you lose the happiness that can be found in the seconds.
TITLE: HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS AUTHOR: Kerrigan Byrne SERIES: Devil You Know #1 RELEASE DATE: August 27 2019 GENRE: Historical Romance
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TITLE: HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS AUTHOR: Kerrigan Byrne SERIES: Devil You Know #1 RELEASE DATE: August 27 2019 GENRE: Historical Romance THEMES & TROPES: Trigger warning (view spoiler)[Rape (hide spoiler)] RATING: 5 STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS starts with a harrowing scene that had me chewing my nails, clutching my pearls, dropping my stomach and dreading the future of this brave, beautiful heroine. I was devastated for Alexandra from the very beginning of this book but this woman, this amazing, courageous, above-average intelligent woman was everything I hoped for. Alexandra never wanted to get married, or even be touched by another man but in order to keep her secrets and protect the two women she loved most in this world, she offered the man, called "The Terror of Torcliff" her hand in marriage. That's the kind of loyalty that is unequaled and only grows through a special bond of trust and shared secrets. That's, in a nutshell, Alexandra and her friends Cecilia and Francesca.
The man called this beastly name is Piers, a man who has had his share of heartbreak. While he was fighting death abroad his cousin stole his fiancee and married her, a woman Piers thought to be in love with. His mother was a harlot who couldn't keep her skirts down. Piers is no stranger to betrayal so he finds Alexandra's forwardness and honesty refreshing.
Could she be real? Did he hold in his arms the rarest of creatures? A woman of substance. Of integrity? One who tended more carefully to the capacity of her heart than to her coiffure? One who thrived on intellect and honor and genuine interaction rather than the empty endorsements of her peers?
When you see how this heroine makes a purring cat, a besotted fool out of this hero with her gentleness, her courage, her sweetness you get really angry when he behaves like a jerk. Thankfully, that never lasted very long. I loved this man - he was fiercely protective, wickedly sexy, brooding and bad-tempered but surprisingly full of humor. Yes, that's totally a contradiction but you'll see what I mean when you read this story. And I loved how he fought his feelings for Alexandra so hard, yet couldn't help but fall head over heels.
“I sometimes forget…” he murmured as though to himself. Alexandra swallowed layers of nerves before she could speak. “Forget what?” “How beautiful you are.” He undid his cravat as he traveled the length of the sitting room. “Then I see you and realize that memory cannot compare to reality. I’m left as breathless as the first time we met.”
Their bond was special and while this is very insta I don't care. Not even a little. And c'mon, check the title...HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS? Hello Captain Obvious.
Alexandra was a gentle soul with a steely will and I rooted so hard for her because of her pain. Piers made her feel worthy and became her champion, protector and lover. They made so much sense to me together that I was happy to see how these two people, who experienced so much trauma and heartbreak, found their due, a love so extraordinary and deep, a companion and friend for life. And above all, trust.
“I—I don’t know how to please you,” she confessed, suddenly daunted. He gazed up at her with a patience so tender, so genuine, it released a swell of emotion inside her.
"Don’t you know by now, Alexandra, that everything you do pleases me? To look at you pleases me. To touch and kiss you pleases me. The scent and taste and shape of you is the greatest pleasure I’ve ever known. Anything you do beyond that…”
This book got me out of a book funk I keep falling back into. I don't know why it's not going away but there are these special ones that seem to have the ability to put that slump to rest, at least or a while. I fell deeply in love with Alexandra and Piers but I also declare my love for all the side characters. I loved Cecilia and Francesca, they are the kind of friends who not only hand you the shovel if there is a body to bury but who literally help you bury it. I also found Piers's half brother intriguing, enigmatic and charismatic and I can't wait to see this man fall hard.
The suspense part is done really well and while I guessed one of the villains correctly I was totally taken back by the other. So brownie points for that!
Before I finish my review I want to remark on Kerrigan Byrne's extraordinary gift. Her words, the way she builds sentences, the feelings her words evoke are nothing short of beautiful. HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS is a wonderful story with delicious angst, heartbreaking revelations packed in subtle and fine humor that doesn't go unappreciated because of the nature of the topic. I can't wait for spring 2020 when we get the next book in this series. If you're a fan of HR and haven't read Ms. Byrne's stories yet this is a good time. This is the start of a new series so you have no excuse.
He knew, then and there, that he’d walk through hell for her. He’d slay dragons and face entire armies. He’d circumnavigate the globe to lay her foes at her feet.
Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth
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