I absolutely adored Love Lessons and dived into book #2 immediately. I was so disappointed though. This book was all over the place and had so many plI absolutely adored Love Lessons and dived into book #2 immediately. I was so disappointed though. This book was all over the place and had so many plot threads going on that it could have been 5 different books. It also felt like a fairytale soap opera. While that Disney theme was adorable in LL - it was just way too over the top here - imo of course. I know a few people who actually like this one more than the first.
The romance between Giles and Aaron was often overshadowed by all the drama and characters coming and going. Although I enjoyed them together as a couple I didn't get their connection in the same way I did with Walter and Kelly in Love Lessons. Particularly from Aaron. It seemed like his true love could have been whomever dedicated themselves to him first.
I loved seeing Walter and Kelly but even that was a bit too much and obsessive at times.
What I did enjoy was both Aaron and Giles finding their own way at college. Exploring what makes them happy, their career paths, and making new friends and I love the solid support system they've all created but it ended up a muddled mess by the end.
So this wasn't as enjoyable as book #1 but I do think I'm going to continue with the series. Baz/Ethan sound pretty intriguing and I'm hoping there will be something with the girls at some point. There's a lot of LGBT out there right now but it's almost all m/m with these series. I'm also hoping that the stories stay a little more focused. ...more
Apparently this is a novella intro to a new 2 book series with the same couple. Until January had a nice HFN (happy for now) ending anReally enjoyed.
Apparently this is a novella intro to a new 2 book series with the same couple. Until January had a nice HFN (happy for now) ending and I'm going to just leave it at that. I don't think I want to read two more angst filled books about the couple even though Gretchen clearly has some maturing to do and it seems like Sean needs to find his true path too. I'm going to end on the happy note. Fun winter read....more
I had requested this book on Netgalley looking for a fun Christmas read. This was not it.
Although it seems contrary, I'm really happy I read all the I had requested this book on Netgalley looking for a fun Christmas read. This was not it.
Although it seems contrary, I'm really happy I read all the negative reviews on Goodreads first or else I would have been sorely disappointed. The cover and summary lead you to believe this is going to be whimsical, holiday chick lit but this was a sometimes very dark, sad story. But knowing that going in, I was I able to enjoy it instead of feeling mislead.
The story starts off fun and sexy with the holiday theme but quickly turns into something deeper once Rob heads back home to Chicago with Leah in tow - offering her a fresh start - but only as friends.
I have to say upfront that Rob does so many hurtful things to Leah. I am NOT a fan of jerky love interests but Rob's backstory is painful and for once, really did match his feelings of being unworthy. I didn't agree or support his actions but they made sense to me. What helped is just how resilient Leah is. She has self worth and self respect. She loves Rob but she's no doormat and puts herself first. That goes a long way to helping me enjoy a story like this but I can see a lot of readers not begin able to make it to the HEA.
I thought the end was a tad rushed, although wonderful to read. (view spoiler)[Rob needed to grovel SO much more! And I would have liked to read a little more about the big event that was about to happen (hide spoiler)]
I recommend this book if you can handle a really angsty love story - just don't be fooled by that gorgeous, light hearted Christmasy cover. ...more
A different kind of rock star story. Kyle was a really nice guy and not a player at all. I love me a nice guy!
He and Alexis have great chemistry but IA different kind of rock star story. Kyle was a really nice guy and not a player at all. I love me a nice guy!
He and Alexis have great chemistry but I wish we got a little more from her pov. She was pretty cruel to him (even if it was well intentioned) and she didn't have his back during an incident even though he let her right back into his life. (view spoiler)[I really wish she believed him over the other guy instead of overhearing a convo before believing Kyle. it would have went a long way to making me believe int heir HEA more. (hide spoiler)]
A cute, sexy, quick read if you're looking for a nice guy/reunited lovers story....more
Fun holiday novella but didn't quite sweep me away in the romance department but I did enjoy the winter camp setting.Fun holiday novella but didn't quite sweep me away in the romance department but I did enjoy the winter camp setting....more
This is a sweet, clean Christmas story but it was also kind of boring without any real connection or background between the couple. I know th2.5 stars
This is a sweet, clean Christmas story but it was also kind of boring without any real connection or background between the couple. I know this is a novella from a series so maybe I missed out on something.
There's so much more about grandmas, shopping, driving in the snow, missing games that there was very little actual romance and I just wasn't feeling it. There's just lots of blushing and pondering all the reasons why it wouldn't work. We never actually got to SEE how they would work IRL.
Cute but didn't give the Christmas romance swoons I was hoping for....more
I had read quite a few 1 star reviews for this book. I was kind of terrified to read it. Also, I’ve never read Rebecca. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing (as most of the negative reviews were as a result of comparing it to the original) or a bad thing (I had no idea what was going & maybe I would have if I read Rebecca).
Suspicion is a thriller with paranormal elements, romance and a bit of princess makeover thrown in. I’ve read several books this year that have tried to combine mystery with other elements – Made for You by Melissa Marr and Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick come to mind.
I find when there are more than 2 or 3 different genres/themes mixed together, the bigger story starts to fall apart and that happened here.
We meet 10 year old Imogen Rockford as her family visits the Rockford Manor. This sets up her relationship with her cousin Lucia, her crush on family friend Sebastian, the class differences aspect and the paranormal elements.
After a tragic event at the manor during that visit we shift to 7 years later. Imogen’s parents are dead and she’s living happily with her adoptive family in NYC. She receives word that the last of the remaining Rockford’s have passed away and she’s now the sole heir and needs to return to the estate to takeover.
I don’t know. I enjoyed each separate thing in regards to Suspicion. Imogen needs to take lessons to be lady of the manor, her unusual powers spark to life once she arrives, she’s reunited with her friend/crush Sebastian, there’s a murder mystery, possibly ghosts. Separately it’s all kind of cool but all together in one book? Not so much. No one thing has time to be developed and then the twist ending throws even the meager world building into chaos.
Like I mentioned earlier - I haven't read Rebecca - so maybe it needed to end that way but there were so many better directions it could have gone in.
I didn’t dislike it as much as some readers did – I was entertained and read it it one evening but I find that a lot of these genre mash-ups just don’t work for me. ...more
I’ve said this before. There is nothing harder for me than reviewing a book I LOVE. Add to that a book that is full of so many twists, turns and betrayals that I couldn’t possibly say anything without spoiling the whole damn book and…yeah. How to talk about the awsomeness that is The Winner’s Crime without babbling or spoiling is a mystery to me.
I want to discuss how wonderful Rutkoski is at world building, about her writing nuanced characters that walk a morally grey line of impossible choices and the way she throws out old, tired traditional gender roles. I’m sure there are bloggers who are capable of such feats but alas, I am not one of them. So I’ll just say this book is incredible! By the end you will be curled into the fetal position wondering what the hell just happened and OMG how do I survive the year long wait until the conclusion??
You will LOVE characters. You will HATE characters. You will scream at your book – contemplate throwing it across the room. You just might vomit. This book goes places that most YA’s just dance around. When reading books like this, there’s always a sense of danger of what might happen to the main characters, but no real fear. In The Winner’s Curse, there’s a sense of dread and pure terror for what might happen to characters you love. Almost ANYTHING can happen and it’s scary as hell and thrilling to read.
This book was painful and frustrating to read at times (in a good way!) but amazing and I highly recommend this series. No sophomore slump here.
I do however recommend gathering a few supplies before starting:
1. The Winner’s Crime (obviously)
2. Teddy bear. Of course any soft object that you can hug/smother will work. A blanket to hide under would make a nice alternative.
3. Tissues. Still *wipes tears* months after reading.
4. If reading on a electronic device please add padding in case you throw it across the room. ...more
I did like the characters and the backdrop of the zombie apocalypse but the super fast, dirty sex didn't work for me. It made sense in the context of I did like the characters and the backdrop of the zombie apocalypse but the super fast, dirty sex didn't work for me. It made sense in the context of the story but it's just my personal preference to have more of a build up than jumping right to ordering each other around - drop your pants, touch my…. - that's just not my thing but if you want a different type of zombie tale that's a touch erotica this might be for you....more
Cute story and romance but I had a problem with Alexis's so called friends. I'm all for flawed characters and Alexis shows maturity over the course ofCute story and romance but I had a problem with Alexis's so called friends. I'm all for flawed characters and Alexis shows maturity over the course of the story but why is she friend with Bryce and Court? They don't really sound all that great to me - yet she has no problem calling out Noah's friends behavior. ...more
Fun, VERY sexy book. I think I was expecting a nerdy science geek for the hero and he wasn't so I was a teeny weeny bit disappointed. I like my awkwarFun, VERY sexy book. I think I was expecting a nerdy science geek for the hero and he wasn't so I was a teeny weeny bit disappointed. I like my awkward guys but Tom was smart, confidant and sweet in his pursuit of Kate. They did get geeky when hey talked science though.
There were a few complications with Kate's boss (& sometimes lover) but not in the typical love annoying love triangle way. So LT haters fear not!
The sex was a bit much for me and threatened to overtake the story at times but I would still recommend this one.
It was so good to revisit Noah and Echo. PtL is still my favorite of the series. I'm glad to see that McGarry came back around to both Noah a3.5 stars
It was so good to revisit Noah and Echo. PtL is still my favorite of the series. I'm glad to see that McGarry came back around to both Noah and Echo's issues. There's no way that that kind of damage just goes away but…they had so many of the same arguments, make-ups and conversations over and over again that I just started skimming.
Oddly enough my favorite part was when (view spoiler)[Isaiah punched Noah because I wanted to do that for most of the book (hide spoiler)]
Definitely a must read for fans of PtL or the series but I think I'm done with this world of (view spoiler)[teenage alpha a**holes. Although at least Echo calls Noah on it. (hide spoiler)]...more
Everyone has been going crazy over this book, and even though fantasy is not a genre I usually enjoy, the romance sounded pretty epic, so I gave it a shot. Surprisingly it was the fantasy elements that worked for me more than the romance.
The Winter King felt like a complete throwback to old school romances (starting with that epically cheesy but cool cover). You have war, deceptions, a forced marriage and need for an heir, a cold heart that can only be melted by a warm soul etc…etc… It’s kind of cheestastic and for the most part it works if you can roll with some of the more unwelcome elements of old school romances.
Like the fact that I found Wynter to be a jerk. I found him to be a cold, demanding hero. I know the marriage wasn’t based on love and he had been burned before but there’s nothing I hate more than when a “hero” gets what he wants (sex) but then withholds love. Yeah – yeah – her body betrays her and she loves it but while it was consensual it still felt a bit nonconsensual most of the time if that makes any sense. There was very little true bonding (outside of sex) between Wynter and Kham until almost the end which was a letdown. They are such a passionate, fiery couple. It would have been nice to see them more outside of the bedroom - even if it was fighting - through a battle of wills or something - and not have the strong willed Kham emotionally beaten down so much.
I did love the fantasy elements though. The weathermage magic was described in such a cool way and I liked learning more about Kham and especially Wynter’s homelands.
Overall I really enjoyed The Winter King and was able to overlook the things that irritated me. Despite the length – 608 pages! – it moved at a fast pace without getting bogged down in descriptions of blades of grass and dozens of different languages, as most fantasies tend to do, while still giving a vivid portrayal of magic and the strong willed people of this world.
Has anyone read this? Am I the only one interested in hearing more from Falcon? I think that might be a cool story....more
This is Nyrae Dawn at her best, weaving a beautiful story of love. Yes, the romantic kind - but also, more impo4.5 stars
Longer review coming soon but…
This is Nyrae Dawn at her best, weaving a beautiful story of love. Yes, the romantic kind - but also, more importantly, love between friends and family, which is so under represented in YA.
Just a beautiful story about losing yourself in love but in doing so finding your true destiny. ...more
I loved PtL but haven't loved the subsequent books in the series as much. Too much angst and drama and the guys are just possessive jerks imo. I had gI loved PtL but haven't loved the subsequent books in the series as much. Too much angst and drama and the guys are just possessive jerks imo. I had given up on this series but saw I had downloaded this one awhile back and figured I would give it a shot and I'm glad I did.
Red at Night has the same basic set up as most of McGarry's books but because of the shorter length it doesn't get bogged down in unnecessary drama. The romance and characters were flawed but took steps to change and make better decisions.
Loading...
