Head's up: despite the book blurb sounding otherwise, this book is a memoir.
There's nothing quite like reading an entire book,Actual Rating: 1.5 stars
Head's up: despite the book blurb sounding otherwise, this book is a memoir.
There's nothing quite like reading an entire book, and still wondering when the story will start by the time you reach the end. It may be titled “Sugar,” but not an iota of sweetness has been left in my memories.
The book’s first chapter walks readers through Monique's ritual to prepare for her sugar dates—which are dates she has with older men, keeping them company (sexually or not) in exchange for money. But as we're told about 300 times throughout the story, it's not like being an escort. The narrator breaks the fourth wall a couple times here, but that can be excused, if it had been an isolated incident (spoiler: it's not).
After the second chapter delved into her terrible childhood and former marriage, I figured the book would jump back to the present. So I read chapter three... then four... and eventually got to chapter 30, aka the final chapter. As I flipped the final page, disappointment assailed me. The scene that had us in the moment in chapter one never returned.
Instead, the book rambled about one man after another that she dated in her Sugar Life. That was the purpose of the plot, but it was told in the most boring way possible as the author employed the long lost art of "tell, don't show." I found my eyes glazing and skimming over mass chunks of flat dialogue and boring travel scenes. The many male characters all morphed into a single Generic Horny Middle-Aged Rich Man.
When I grabbed an advanced reading copy of this book from Netgalley, it was mostly because of the awesome looking cover (which I give 1 star to by itself) and blurb, but also because I figured the categories on the site (it was listed as Erotica, Romance) don't lie. This "erotica" book had sex scenes that would have made my teenage imagination proud. They were sometimes weird, but mostly as boring and flat as the dialogue.
After I finished the book, I flipped back to the cover, and then jumped to the “front matter” section, which appears before the table of contents, and is automatically skipped when you load an eBook. That's how I discovered that “Sugar” was a memoir, unlike what the book blurb would like you to believe.
Well, then. It's cliche to pity people in romance books, so I won't do that here, either.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
If you're looking for a book that's 1. entertaining 2. hilarious 3. and engaging
then 667 Ways to F*ck Up My Life is for you. It stars Dagmar, who begins If you're looking for a book that's 1. entertaining 2. hilarious 3. and engaging
then 667 Ways to F*ck Up My Life is for you. It stars Dagmar, who begins the story at the lowest of lows, having dealt with 4. losing her job 5. losing her crappy boyfriend 6. and being abandoned
so it's not shocking that she drops a mic on giving a f*ck. Dag takes control and starts living life for herself, doing what makes her happy and not holding back to please an ideal others thought she should uphold. In the course of this, she temporarily adopts the persona of Giselle, and 7. meets a wonderful guy 8. who she can't fall for 9. because she's lying 10. and this obviously won't end well
This book is full of 11. great pop culture references 12. amazing characters 13. lack of punctuation in ordered lists 14. hilarious moments 15. bonding with a BFF 16. definitely not falling in love 17. cats 18. cake 19. and ice cream
But most importantly, it's a wonderful journey of a woman who is 20. rediscovering herself by living life to its fullest
This is the first book I've read by Lucy Woodhull and I'm hooked. It was so good that I couldn't put it down and finished it in a single reading session.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Pieces of Me is the story of Shadow Harper, starting with her uneasy life in South Carolina several years following her divMy Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Pieces of Me is the story of Shadow Harper, starting with her uneasy life in South Carolina several years following her divorce to her horribly abusive and 15-years-older ex-husband, Stefan. He was never convicted due to his high-powered connections, and so Shadow lives a life of fear, distrust, and isolation. She is constantly watched by a neighbor paid to report back to Stefan, and has only two friends and her sketching to keep her company.
“I ran away from him once, but he just found another way to torment me. That fear of him still haunts me, controls me.”
Early in the story Shadow meets a man she’s been scoping out on the beach; though she admired him, she kept her distance, but fate has its way. We learn his nickname is Jenks, and though it takes a while for Shadow to let him in, once she gets involved she goes in fast. As you can imagine, her haunt of an ex-husband is not pleased with this development.
“A year ago, two years… the thought of letting a man touch me would have horrified me. But now I wanted it. I missed it.”
There were some things that bothered me when it was all said and done. I found it bizarre that Shadow trusts in Jenks so easily after we discover how hard it is for others to gain her trust. There were a few unanswered questions I had, included at the end of the review as they may be spoilers. The book had no epilogue but it really would’ve benefited from one as the ending leaves the status of things unclear (more at the end of the review).
The oft-used single-line paragraph delivery works in spots but wears thin in others. It’s fine, and it does help with the pacing of the book, but there were times it felt overused. The cuss-word count wasn’t excessive, but there is occasional strong language (as well as some description of her past abuse) if you’re adverse to that.
Overall I enjoyed most of the story (and that cover art is amazing). I spent it wondering who really could or couldn’t be trusted, who was working with Stefan, how everyone would fare in the end. It’s obvious from the start that sh*t is going to hit the fan, but how and when that point comes, and the repercussions thereof, is a huge part of the journey. This is a story that will keep you entertained and in suspense.
“Safe? Safe is an illusion. There is no such thing as safe.”
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Below the spoiler tag lies potential spoilers, arrrrrrrr! (view spoiler)[ There is no HEA in this book. I had trouble deciding if the ending even qualified as a HFN (happily-for-now). An epilogue jumping years forward would have made it so much better. I’m fine with the excitement and mystery of a thriller, but I still want a conclusion to feel like a conclusion.
My unanswered questions:
1. Who had compromised Shadow’s security systems and website? 2. What exactly happened to/in her kitchen? 3. Or did I miss something and was the above only related to the slashed/destroyed sketches? 4. Was there ever anything aside from lust and desire involved between Shadow and Jenks? I still wasn’t sure at the end. 5. For someone as untrusting as Shadow was (and for good reason), why was she fine with knowing that Jenks was withholding a lot of details of his own life from her? I realize this plays into the Big Relationship Hurdle, but it felt *too* contrary to the personality and background established for our heroine. 6. That letter near the end… seriously? Not really a question, more of something that made me eyeroll and think: wouldn’t it have had more impact had she received it a year or more later?
If anyone could answer any of the above, I’d be happy to hear your input. (hide spoiler)]...more
Unlike The Rogue's Wager (Sinful Brides #1), Caldwell's writing shines in The Scoundrel's Honor. It's a riveting story with likeable characters thUnlike The Rogue's Wager (Sinful Brides #1), Caldwell's writing shines in The Scoundrel's Honor. It's a riveting story with likeable characters that evolve throughout the tale.
Ryker Black, brother to Helena (Sinful Brides #1), is a feared gaming hell owner who sees emotion as weakness and has no interest in marriage. Penelope Tidemore—sister to Patrina, Poppy, Prudence, and Jonathan (Scandalous Seasons books 4 & 5; Lords of Honor #2)—is a young lady trying to rise above her family's scandalous name, but won't be cowed by cruelty. An unfortunate meeting leads to these two marrying, opening Penelope to a world far grittier than anything she could have imagined and leading Ryker to deal with the consequences of letting in another's affections.
This book had great atmosphere, interesting dialogue, and looked at regency London lifestyles from both sides of the coin. While it would have been nice to see Penelope more involved with the goings-on at the gaming hell, enough danger and intrigue spilled over to keep the story hopping along. Ryker's "brothers", especially Calum, are a strong supporting cast who, at times, are more revealing of the baggage Ryker keeps locked inside than he is. Penelope became more independent and confident, all while retaining optimism for her future.
There are a couple of negatives for me. The major subplot was left unresolved; it seems like things were set back in order, but we never see how or why exactly this happened. It's possible that's being left for whatever the next book in this series is. Also, there is no epilogue. I really enjoy these in romances, even if it's only looking a few weeks forward so we get a sense of finality. Instead, the ending—while satisfactory—left me wanting.
Overall, Caldwell is back in the game with The Scoundrel's Honor and I look forward to discovering which brother at the Hell & Sin we get to enjoy next.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
The Duke's Desire is the eighth book in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Lucien le Duc, former blacksmith in the town of Cressmouth, is eaThe Duke's Desire is the eighth book in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Lucien le Duc, former blacksmith in the town of Cressmouth, is eager to return home to France after years of hiding away due to the French revolution. Meg Church is happily free of her miserable childhood in France and loves the freedom that her spinster life offers. She's admired Luc from afar, and he's avoided everyone English since day one.
This entry in the Dukes of Christmas series offers the organic romance I've been looking for in these stories. The book is still fast-paced, but the passage of time allows us to experience Meg and Luc's friendship—and love—as the two grow closer together. There's still plenty of humor (Meg especially is outrageously hilarious) despite the fact that both characters have high personal burdens to overcome. Meg and Luc grew up in the shadows of their respective family histories. They need to figure out what they're willing to risk to hold onto—or shed—those pasts.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
With the two most eligible bachelors now off the marriage market, Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. With a promised inheritance coming to With the two most eligible bachelors now off the marriage market, Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. With a promised inheritance coming to her in a few years, Priscilla Weatherby is playing a game of pretending-to-but-not-really-looking-for-a-husband.
One rejected invitation to a dance changes everything for this pair.
This was a fun story as both characters were quite likeable. Priscilla changes the most throughout the story, and her excited attitude bounces off the pages.
But... I had some problems becoming immersed in this tale. Thad wasn't perfect, but he was too good. He didn't really have any flaws or problems to overcome aside from winning Priscilla over, which made the conflict of the plot somewhat one-sided. Also, while I really enjoyed the banter between Thad and Priscilla, each of their encounters left me with a feeling of a too-modern cadence of conversation. I'm used to excellent historical romances from Erica Ridley, so these issues felt very out-of-place for the author.
If you're looking for something light and fluffy to read, this is a great book to kick back with. Just be prepared to not take its characters too seriously.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Too Tempting to Resist (4 stars) When Rebecca’s uncle inherits the castle she resides in, she’s given an ultimatum: marry quickly, or get lost. Then thToo Tempting to Resist (4 stars) When Rebecca’s uncle inherits the castle she resides in, she’s given an ultimatum: marry quickly, or get lost. Then the only man she ever loved—and the only man to break her heart—is summoned to the reading of the will. Daniel regrets his past choices and hopes to rebuild their friendship, and perhaps more.
This is the shortest of the four stories, and it isn’t as dark as the rest. It’s a second-chance romance set in a creepy locale—and that’s where the “gothic” part of this story ends. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it was a notable contrast for the series.
I may have rated this five stars if it weren’t for the believability factor to be lost in regards to Rebecca’s life at her uncle’s manor. The fact that her uncles and the solicitor forgot she lived there was too much—the solicitor, if anyone, should have been aware from the moment she became a permanent resident. Another detraction is when Rebecca reflects in the opening chapter on how the staff doesn’t notice her and attributes things she does to ghosts of the castle, (view spoiler)[yet later in the book they recognize her and are at her beck and call (hide spoiler)].
That aside, the story of Daniel and Rebecca’s relationship was engaging, touching, at times heartbreaking, and satisfying. My only true lament is that the final chapter wasn’t just a little bit longer, as I wasn’t quite ready to let these two go.
Too Sinful to Deny (3 stars) Following yet another scandal, Susan’s parents want her far away from London, and so she’s evicted to spend time with a diToo Sinful to Deny (3 stars) Following yet another scandal, Susan’s parents want her far away from London, and so she’s evicted to spend time with a distant aunt. Evan is a smuggler by trade, but when danger closes in, he finds himself working with the new pampered lady in town to uncover the answers.
I really enjoyed the core plot of this story, and liked how it used communication with ghosts for its gothic element. However, the ghost aspect often fell aside until the plot needed a new shove forward, so the way it was used felt like a crutch at times. There was murder and mystery, but the smuggling itself (especially after the build-up about its dangers) was anti-climatic. The plot was paced well and was intriguing, but the ending felt quite sudden in comparison to the rest.
Susan and Evan were distinct and delightful to read. I enjoyed that they were both tenacious and adventurous, each in their own ways.
Unique, bizarre, interesting, funny, outlandish. Non-spoiler alert: the Earth is going to be destroyed.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange forUnique, bizarre, interesting, funny, outlandish. Non-spoiler alert: the Earth is going to be destroyed.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was angry when I originally finished Holy Crap!, but at the time it was unclear on Netgalley that it was book one of a trilogy. The author reached out and explained this, and with that understanding the unresolved ending makes sense. However, consider that a warning if you're someone who doesn't like diving into a series before it's completed.
Our leading lady, Autumn, is (mostly) just an average girl who loves to have the occasional binge-eating session with her best friend. She is also really into aliens and conspiracies, and when she meets a mysterious man at a bookstore, she's hooked.
"Truth be told, I'm not sure if deep down I believed in all these things, or if I just wanted them to be real, so I'd have something to hope for beyond the monotony of human life."
Rigel, our mysterious alien-man, is (mostly) just an average Anunnaki. Well... maybe? One of the detractors of this book is that while we find out a lot about Autumn, we don't discover much about Rigel personally (aside from who he is among the Anunnaki). Several times something is alluded to, only to not be explained or answered. While it's safe to assume that future books will delve into these topics, it's frustrating to encounter pointless information and feel like Rigel is still such an unknown factor.
There is thorough immersion into who the Anunnaki are, where they come from, and their relationship with the Earth. The book gives an alternate look at humans, their origins, and their purpose. More is left to be discovered, but for the purposes of this part of the story, a lot of information is revealed.
Holy Crap! is humorous yet dark in places (view spoiler)[(there is a scene with murder/rape) (hide spoiler)]. Humanity loses their minds and does both imaginable and unimaginable things. The jokes bring some much-needed levity into a dark situation. Expect the first half of the book to be mostly humorous, while the second half is nearly bogged with craziness, revelations, and events....more
The Spitfire is book #5 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Even though it's a departure from the Killoran family featured in thActual rating: 4.5 stars
The Spitfire is book #5 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Even though it's a departure from the Killoran family featured in the first four books, and wasn't in Caldwell's original plans for the series, this is the best book of the five.
Clara Winters has left behind the life as a courtesan and madam to become a self-made woman by opening a respectable music hall to be enjoyed by the masses. Henry March is an earl living a tightly-ordered life, obsessed with creating law and order across London. A late-night attack in Clara's neighborhood leaves Henry nearly dead and Clara as his rescuer and nurse. Despite the provoking thoughts and interesting banter the two have, can their new-found friendship survive Henry's return to politics?
This story didn't have an insta-love situation and instead, Clara and Henry grow to know and love each other over many weeks. Both characters changed a lot from their involvement in each other's lives. Clara grew beyond the shell of a woman who was burdened by her past and Henry emerged as a person who learned to love and appreciate who was around him, not just what he could accomplish.
The plot was engaging and moved quickly. Neither Clara nor Henry are perfect, and their flaws play well into the story. The first chapter kicks off so unconventionally that you can't help but be hooked.
Henry's sister, Lila, was a great supporting character in this story. She has her own demons and they won't be easy to conquer. I'm hoping that she gets her own book someday, as her story is bound to be compelling.
This book was nearly a five-star review from me, which is rare. The reason it lost half a star is a sad but increasingly recent trend in historical romances: there is no epilogue. The final chapter did bring the main plot to a satisfying conclusion. But I want a look at the ever after part of happily ever after. I'm left wondering too much—will they actually get married, will society cause problems, will they ever have children, and much more. Does all of that need answered? No. But without any of it, this story ends with a happily for now.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Kissed by Magic Lance needs some money and decides to rob a cursed castle—what could possibly go wrong? There he meets Marigold, who has been trappKissed by Magic Lance needs some money and decides to rob a cursed castle—what could possibly go wrong? There he meets Marigold, who has been trapped in a loop that repeated her birthday day for the past 6,000 years. It’s a lonely existence, and it’s up to Lance to break the curse and set them both free. This story has a classic fairy tale vibe that will give you warm fuzzies inside. Marigold must grow beyond her fears that she’ll lose Lance just like she’s lost everyone else, but it’s Lance that transforms the most throughout the story as it takes some unexpected twists and turns.
Magic and Mayhem series remarks The Magic and Mayhem series by Erica Ridley consists of books that were previously released before and are being edited and re-released. Out of the three, I had only read Kissed by Magic in the past when it was titled Let It Snow. The book Must Love Magic was previously released as Charmed, and Smitten by Magic was previously released as Midwinter Magic.
What I really enjoy about Erica Ridley’s writing is that her books are fast-paced, adventurous, and full of character development. While each title varies in the depth in which that is accomplished, she writes memorable stories that will stick with you in the days that follow.
Magic and Mayhem‘s books are all lighthearted and fun as well as a bit sexy. They each feature magic in different ways, from fairy tale castles to a paranormal courtroom to a bureaucracy of angels. There’s curses and talking horses and backfiring mechanical wands that turn things into pumpkins. Each book promises a fun fantasy adventure with a HEA.
The one thing the stories suffer from is something I find myself mentioning more and more often: the endings can be sudden and there’s no epilogues. When I spend time taking that romantic journey with the story’s main characters, I also want either an ending that doesn’t feel rushed or a glimpse into the future to show that yes, things continued to work out. (view spoiler)[In Must Love Magic, how did Daisy and Trevor juggle two completely different worlds? Did Sarah and Javier make a difference in the world with their new positions in Smitten by Magic? (hide spoiler)] I don’t need all the answers, but I do desire some reassurance.
The Vixen is book #2 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Unlike the first book, this story feels like it solidly belongs in the new series instead of a The Vixen is book #2 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Unlike the first book, this story feels like it solidly belongs in the new series instead of a continuation of the previous one, which was a bonus.
Ophelia Killoran is one of the bastard daughters of Mac Diggory and grew up a street rat in his gang. Now living at the Hell and Sin gaming club with her sister, Gertrude, and street brother, Broderick, she is next in line to be pushed into the Ton's marriage mart. Ripped away from the life she knew, she is soon in misery at dinner parties and in the ballrooms of London.
Connor Steele is a private investigator that was forced into a street life after his parents' deaths. He and Ophelia met a few times as they grew up, with a chance encounter causing Connor to be rescued and raised by a noble. His current investigation causes their paths to cross again, and secrets from their pasts will put the two to their test.
The organic growth of Ophelia and Connor's relationship was a definite boon in this story. They had to build up trust with one another, and both had rocky pasts that made it quite difficult. Both characters were likeable and had a drive to accomplish what they wanted, even when life was trying to steer them away.
I rated this one star lower than I had The Hellion because, despite the character growth and awesome organic relationship, the book was lacking in places it shouldn't have been.
Ophelia's current ambition is to protect street children from preying men, which we encounter early on, but then, aside from her being concerned and thinking about it, she doesn't go on anymore late night crusades for justice. I wanted to see her be more active, sneaking out and not being trapped in prim-and-proper-ville. The overuse of the word "gypsy" drove me crazy. How many times do we need to read about people have "gypsy lashes"? Finally, there was no epilogue. The final chapter was short, and feeling like we're missing that small jump forward to make the HEA more complete (to a wedding day or whatever) detracts a bit from the ending.
Overall, the book is adventurous, both in romance and with the seedier side of London. Not everything is glamorous here, and how much stain has touched even respected families becomes more apparent. It's solid writing that you expect from a Caldwell book, minus my complaints from above.
I'm really looking forward to Gertrude's story, and hope she does a better job at putting Broderick Killoran's overambitious and pushy marriage agenda in its place.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
The first three chapters of this book are rough to get through. Had I not been reading it for an A-Z yearly challenge, I would've stopped before the eThe first three chapters of this book are rough to get through. Had I not been reading it for an A-Z yearly challenge, I would've stopped before the end of chapter one. Thankfully the story picks up after that and turns into a quirky teen mystery....more
I snagged this book to complete an author name challenge ("U"!), and if it wasn't for that challenge, I would have deA lot of exposition and some plot
I snagged this book to complete an author name challenge ("U"!), and if it wasn't for that challenge, I would have deleted it by page two. What little plot exists is not interesting in the least. It attempted to be a romance book, but wasn't, yet I don't know what else you could classify it as. Some pages are just a wall of text with zero paragraph breaks. The story begins with three pages worth of a single paragraph of exposition. The ending was baffling and not resolved well at all (do not expect a romance HEA).
If I could rate this lower, I would. Not recommended....more
The Duke's Embrace is the seventh book in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Sébastien le Duc, one of the local blacksmiths in the town of CThe Duke's Embrace is the seventh book in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Sébastien le Duc, one of the local blacksmiths in the town of Cressmouth, is eager to return to his home country of France now that the family debt is paid off. Eve Shelling aspires to be a journalist whose stories are more than just fluff, yet finds it hard to be taken seriously in a world ruled by men. When the le Duc men decide to sell the blacksmithy in order to fund their voyage home, Eve is right there, telling their story.
I really enjoyed Eve's ambitions in a world that did not favor women's independence. She's strong-willed and pushes the boundaries, trying to grow the Cressmouth Gazette into a true newspaper, even as her father circumvents her ideas. You won't find Eve without her bullmastiff, who seems to be enamored by the le Duc's pig, Chef.
Sébastien is still a bit of a mystery to me even with him being a point of view character. It might be that his current concerns were so limited in scope that we didn't get a deep dive into who he is as a person. I did enjoy that we got both de Luc brothers interacting often in this story, especially as Lucien was quite a mystery after book six.
The Duke's Embrace sheds a bit of the overly-witty banter found in the 12 Dukes series, which is a refreshing change and kept me more engaged in the story. It was a bit surprising that no one specifically named Sébastien as a "duke," breaking the consistency from previous books in the series (though book six points out that all three le Duc siblings are "dukes" of Cressmouth). The village remains as charming as ever, regardless, though we see less of its inhabitants this time around.
The 12 Dukes books are all fast reads, but this one in particular would have benefited from a bit more development with their relationship. I still wasn't sure why the couple fell for each other by the end, other than attraction. The conflict between the two was also too quickly resolved, as if both were willing to just forget the hurtful words they tossed around without at least talking out their problems.
This is a fun read that can be easily squeezed into a busy holiday week. What excites me the most about The Duke's Embrace is the anticipation it creates for Lucien's story, which will come in book eight.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Julia Fairbright, widowed following her husband's death at sea a few years before, desires freedom for herself and her son, ChActual rating: 3.5 stars
Julia Fairbright, widowed following her husband's death at sea a few years before, desires freedom for herself and her son, Chatwyn, yet lives in fear of her powerful father-in-law. The duke threatens to separate Julia from her son if she doesn't follow his stringent rules—but she uncovers a secret that may give her the independence she seeks.
Garrett Stockton didn't come back to London to fall in love, but a chance encounter with Julia in the park changes everything. Her independent spirit calls to him in a way that his life on the sea never has. In a city where he could never see a future, he begins to envision a life, a home... more. But first he must convince Julia that he's here to stay, and assist in her quest to break free of the duke.
Gone With the Rogue charmed me with the build-up to Julia and Garrett's relationship as well as the way that Julia was fiercely independent. Her emotions have been trampled on for years, and she bursts free on each page. It was exciting watching how she tackled one thing after another, whether it was something as simple as freeing a butterfly net or as complex as unraveling her desires and allowing herself to take a chance on love.
The book was quite thorough with its historical details—at times to a fault. I found myself skipping over the occasional paragraph where things (such as the customary habits of gentlemen of the times, etc) were described in excruciating detail, and didn't feel like that detracted from my enjoyment of the book at all. Those parts pulled me out of the story, so it was easier to skip to where I would stay engaged.
Julia and Garrett's story is one of change and acceptance. It's full of intrigue and daring. We know who the villain is and we root for our hero and heroine to succeed in thwarting him. They make a wonderful couple and it was a joy seeing them work for that happily-ever-after.
With the real world in turmoil right now, I think we should all embrace every shred of joy we can get.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Side note: There was one interesting word I noted being used a lot. It's a word that doesn't bother me personally, but I recall it being ranked the most disliked word when one of my BA English courses was discussing etymology: moist. Instead of licking her lips, Julia was moistening them... and so on. It wasn't a lot, but enough for me to notice. So if this word makes you cringe, be prepared to do so on nine separate occasions....more
Smuggler (and father) Jack Skeffington needs a governess to reign in his ten-year-old twins. Désirée le Duc needs the money to secure her trip home toSmuggler (and father) Jack Skeffington needs a governess to reign in his ten-year-old twins. Désirée le Duc needs the money to secure her trip home to France — finally — all the faster. Of course, neither of them harbor any feelings for the other.
Right?
The Duke's Bride is the sixth entry in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The "duke" is rarely ever an actual duke, and this is the first one I've read where the duke is a woman (le Duc!). Disclaimer: I've only read three of the six, so that might not be an accurate accounting of the series.
Both Jack and Désirée are looking for different things in life. He wants to stay in Cressmouth village, raise his children, and not suffer the potential risk of losing another woman he loves again. Now that the war has ended, she wants to return, with her brothers, to reclaim her ancestral home in France and own her own vineyard. Jack isn't willing to do anything that will disappoint his children, but as Annie and Fredrick's opinions change about Désirée, he realizes that he is willing to risk it all.
Like all the 12 Dukes of Christmas books, this is a fast-paced story that doesn't keep you dangling for long for that happy ending. The epilogue is one of the cutest I've seen in a while, probably because the twins are really the glue that brings the book together. I would have been more into The Duke's Bride had Jack and Désirée's relationship felt organic instead of its emphasis on an overwhelming attraction, but the characters are all likeable (and at times, a dash too witty) enough to pull me along for the ride.
If you want a heartwarming, family-centric holiday story that you can squeeze into your busy schedule, check out The Duke's Bride.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm confused about the plethora of strong reviews for this book. The premise sounds good, but the writing technique was poor. The book had several proI'm confused about the plethora of strong reviews for this book. The premise sounds good, but the writing technique was poor. The book had several problems:
* Absolutely no white space/scene break between scenes. Characters would seemingly do the equivalent of teleporting or time traveling (for example: in one scene the two main characters are down by the barn, and suddenly in the next paragraph the male lead is looking out his study window). This was jarring and confusing. * Almost-but-not-quite-fully-omniscient point of view. I normally don't like full omniscience, but I think I would have in this book had it not been for the previous problem of zero scene breaks. * Too much side story and too many characters. This book needs an editor to go through and kill those darlings (sorry, Penelope and Michael, and solicitor who likes honey). * The villain was too adept at his villainy ways while at the same time being absolutely terrible at it. He's constantly drunk, and reportedly poor, but somehow can afford to follow people all over the place and find time to stay upright while doing so? * The main plot dragged on for so. freaking. long. Again, kill those darlings. This dragged because: 1) too much subplot/too many characters; 2) too much drama with the villain without any actual action taken on it; 3) unnecessary detail; and 4) the "Who is Angelique... really?!?!" subplot.
More things that contain late-plot spoilers:
* Parentage: (view spoiler)[Who Angelique's father was became obvious after he started to show concern for her when he noticed her wound. That subplot shouldn't have been drawn out past the birthmark confirmation of parentage (and could've been pushed into a resolution faster). (hide spoiler)] * Their Romance: (view spoiler)[It seemed like Angelique and Adrian's relationship was important in the first quarter of the book then was just occasionally touched on whenever the author remembered that she was writing a romance novel (simply declaring someone your wife over and over doesn't make stuff romantic). The fact that Adrian holds out on explaining his feelings for as long as he did was unnecessary, given the other subplots they had outside of declaring themselves. Also, Angelique forgave him way too easily for the manipulative way he took her virginity and the horrible things he demanded of her after declaring that she would marry him. (hide spoiler)] * Romance, Again: (view spoiler)[Reconsidering it, why did either of them love the other? Aside from sexual attraction, I can't fathom a reason. Their relationship never really hit the "believability" state. (hide spoiler)] * Shooting: (view spoiler)[WHY DIDN'T ANGELIQUE OR ADRIAN CARE ABOUT THE BABY AFTER SHE WAS SHOT?!?!?!?!?!?!? It was basically mentioned as an afterthought a while after they're reunited! (hide spoiler)](takes a deep breath)(view spoiler)[Plus, it was never specific about where she was shot aside from somewhere that her corset and upper portion of clothing was hiding. (hide spoiler)] * The Fire: (view spoiler)[What's-his-face-the-villain (yup, that memorable) should've died in the house fire given his condition at the time. (hide spoiler)] * The Brother: (view spoiler)[After Adrian and Angelique headed to America, they never mentioned checking in on her younger brother's well-being again. Guess they didn't care, aside from occasionally saying he'd inherit? (hide spoiler)] * The Spaniards: (view spoiler)[I liked her uncles, but her grandfather was basically there to be a convenient "out" for who dealt the killing blow. He offered nothing of value to the story. All of Angelique's anger was understandable, but it didn't progress the story at all and wasted pages. (hide spoiler)] * The Holidays: (view spoiler)[At first I thought some of the details on how they celebrate is cool. But then it happened again, and again, and again... and... just get on with it! (hide spoiler)] * The Final Stand: (view spoiler)[Did we need a classic drawn-out villain speech for this? That whole scene was ridiculous. The fact that what's-his-face was able to carry on terrorizing them for so long was equally ridiculous. (hide spoiler)] * The Ending: (view spoiler)[Before the epilogue, Phillipe grants permission for Adrian and Angelique to marry before leaving Spain. It's never mentioned that they actually marry, they're just suddenly leaving (time travel, whee!). (hide spoiler)]
If this book was run through a solid reading group and got a hearty round of editing, it could be a really good story. Unfortunately, its meanderings and poor writing technique makes it a struggle to read in its current state.
I gave this two stars because if you set all those problems aside, there was nice historical detail and a sort-of romance. The heart of the plot kept trying to beat along, everything else just clogged it along the way....more
When You Wish Upon a Rogue is book #3 in Anna Bennet's Debutante Diaries series. Like the previous entry, the pacing in which the two main characters'When You Wish Upon a Rogue is book #3 in Anna Bennet's Debutante Diaries series. Like the previous entry, the pacing in which the two main characters' relationship grew was done well. Also like the previous entry, the circumstances that thrusts them together is too far-fetched, which seemed unnecessary since they are both in the same social circle.
Miss Sophie Kendell must marry for money, not love, to save her family. She's agreed to marry a marquess, Lord Charles Singleton, in two months time, a situation she's unhappy with but resolved to do. Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire (who is referred to as "Reese" throughout the book), is plagued with the grief of losing his older brother and the circumstances that arose when he left the war to take over the earldom. When Sophie, who runs the Debutante Underground society, seeks out a new, suitable location for its growing numbers, she meets Reese and though it's a rocky start, she affects him in a way he hasn't experienced in a long time.
She helps him fall asleep.
That's the premise that brings Reese to seek out Sophie again—a request to, at least once a week, help him sleep. Not sleep together in a sexual way, but to offer her presence so that Reese can simply evade the nightmares and feel like a person once again, however briefly. Like I said, it's far-fetched, but it allows the two to spend time together and get to know each other.
The story has a lovely connection with flowers. They become an integral part to building their relationship and offer an organic element to how it builds over time. Reese is cunning and tenacious, growing as a character to work past, or at least with, his demons. Sophie isn't a shy miss, takes her married friends' advice, and was both forthcoming and cautious about the realities of her and Reese's situation early on. It was refreshing to see Reese respect her boundaries even as their feeling grew.
When You Wish Upon a Rogue takes you on a romantic journey through Sophie and Reese. It's a story that reminds us that not all is lost, even if the odds seem against you. The book is a fast read that will sweep you into their little corner of London and leave you feeling warm inside. It is part of the Debutante Diaries series, but can be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: The spoiler comment below WILL completely spoil the resolution to the story. I strongly suggest avoiding it prior to reading the book.
(view spoiler)[I was surprised at how easily Sophie shrugged off her sister's willingness to go through with betraying her if Sophie had married Charles instead. She only seemed to be upset only for the brief moments before it opened the path for Sophie to not marry Charles. I'm unsure why we didn't see, or at least hear about, Sophie and Mary working through the potential betrayal and cheating that would have occurred, as that would have been horrible had Sophie's story played out that way. I know that if I discovered that my finance or husband was cheating on me with a sibling, my trust in that sibling would be utterly shattered.
I do like, however, that the hints of Mary and Charles falling for each other were there in the story (I suspected it when he greeted Mary the second time), yet weren't so obvious that it was screamed from the rooftop. I just didn't like the non-resolution of its result at the end. I think this would have been a 3.5 or 4-star read for me had it been better addressed. (hide spoiler)]...more
This year I conquered 150 books, and my idea of an amazing 5-star-worthy book became more refined. More titles fell into the 3-star and 4-star categorThis year I conquered 150 books, and my idea of an amazing 5-star-worthy book became more refined. More titles fell into the 3-star and 4-star categories for me, but there were still some 5-star winners I read in 2017.
Dukes, Actually is the latest installment in Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Adam Farland, the shy Duke of Azureford visiting his cabin iDukes, Actually is the latest installment in Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Adam Farland, the shy Duke of Azureford visiting his cabin in the village of Christmas (Cressmouth), asks extroverted socializer Miss Carole Quincy for help with his lack of conversational skills and the design of his new billiard room. The story is short and sweet, with the usual quirky cast of characters you can expect in a 12 Dukes book.
Carole has many passions, but the ones that burn most brightly are architecture and her commitment to her father’s well-being. Her commitment to caring for her absent (yet present) father is pretty extreme, and little by little you see her shed the mantle of caretaker that she never should have taken up in the first place. Adam nurturing her other interests helps her to gain the freedom of choice she was missing.
Adam seems aloof on the surface, but is so shy that he pretends to be detached. It isn’t until he sets aside his year-round dedication to Parliament and spends time talking about his real self that he learns to shed this fear—at least around Carole. He’s a bit hardheaded in his view of what his duchess should be (as are most dukes in historical romances), but nuances like his list of qualities modeled off of Carole are endearing and lead to Adam realizing that he doesn’t need perfection, but instead, the right person.
After losing her sketchbook in Adam’s library during a house party, the two are brought together as Carole insists on searching for it while he packs up his books for donations. Adam discovers her architectural talent, and the two find themselves in each other’s company for weeks as she directs the design of a new billiard room in Adam’s cabin. Though this is the premise that throws the two together, it’s the connections they make that seals the deal.
The town of Cressmouth/Christmas is as quirky as ever, with a spookily-accurate fortune teller, the never-ending feast at the castle, and familiar faces from the previous stories. Carole’s maid and Adam’s butler have a side romance going on as well, adding some hilarity to the book.
This is a witty and fun story that proves Paula Abdul’s assertion that opposites attract. The only drawback for me was that the ending felt rushed, especially after all the build-up that went into their relationship. It was a bit too easily resolved, but still gives a satisfying conclusion.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Smitten by Magic Sarah Phimm is Javier’s guardian angel. She’s been there since the day he was born, and he was blissfully unaware of it—until now.Smitten by Magic Sarah Phimm is Javier’s guardian angel. She’s been there since the day he was born, and he was blissfully unaware of it—until now. Forced to reveal herself, Sarah struggles to do her job by keeping Javier alive as he battles his conscious by performing risky good deed after risky good deed. The setting lost me mid-story though: where did that hardware store come from in the middle of nowhere? Why did Javier have cell phone service? Little details like that detracted from the believability factor of the setting, which was quite the contrast right after reading Must Love Magic. Regardless, this story had me hooked until the end, when it dropped off in an extremely rushed and convenient ending (view spoiler)[(that Javier did not react enough to at all) (hide spoiler)].
Magic and Mayhem series remarks The Magic and Mayhem series by Erica Ridley consists of books that were previously released before and are being edited and re-released. Out of the three, I had only read Kissed by Magic in the past when it was titled Let It Snow. The book Must Love Magic was previously released as Charmed, and Smitten by Magic was previously released as Midwinter Magic.
What I really enjoy about Erica Ridley’s writing is that her books are fast-paced, adventurous, and full of character development. While each title varies in the depth in which that is accomplished, she writes memorable stories that will stick with you in the days that follow.
Magic and Mayhem‘s books are all lighthearted and fun as well as a bit sexy. They each feature magic in different ways, from fairy tale castles to a paranormal courtroom to a bureaucracy of angels. There’s curses and talking horses and backfiring mechanical wands that turn things into pumpkins. Each book promises a fun fantasy adventure with a HEA.
The one thing the stories suffer from is something I find myself mentioning more and more often: the endings can be sudden and there’s no epilogues. When I spend time taking that romantic journey with the story’s main characters, I also want either an ending that doesn’t feel rushed or a glimpse into the future to show that yes, things continued to work out. (view spoiler)[In Must Love Magic, how did Daisy and Trevor juggle two completely different worlds? Did Sarah and Javier make a difference in the world with their new positions in Smitten by Magic? (hide spoiler)] I don’t need all the answers, but I do desire some reassurance.
Blood, Book and Candle is the sixth book in the Bad Witch series. The first book, Blood, Smoke and Mirrors, is available for fActual rating: 3.5 stars
Blood, Book and Candle is the sixth book in the Bad Witch series. The first book, Blood, Smoke and Mirrors, is available for free in eBook format. I strongly suggest reading it if you’re new to the series, otherwise the world and overall plot that Bachar has created may be confusing and unengaging.
Someone is hunting magicians, and Anne Williams is on their list.
Anne is a Seer, a magician who gets visions about the past, present, and future. Most of her life she hid this fact, pretending to be a Librarian, but recently that knowledge has become public. When Anne is attacked, she finds herself within the protective wards of a Chronicler’s home. Simon St. Jerome—whom she discovers is her soul mate, and not for the first time. He’s immortal (fangs and all), and Anne’s past self didn’t survive the immortality ceremony.
This book leaned a bit more heavily on the romance storyline over the main plot, but Anne and Simon are both very strong and very interesting characters, so it was fun to discover how their past and present collides.
Most of the action occurs as the pair hunt the hunters—a group of demons and non-magical humans seeking a way to harness magician magic for those without. Anne’s powers can help turn the tide for local magicians. Everyone around her fears her involvement because she has neither defensive nor offensive magic, but Anne proves to be a warrior princess who was prepared in advance.
It was awesome reading a female character who wasn’t the one that needed rescuing. That’s an easy cliché for authors fall into, but with Anne, we’re given a character who is aware of her limitations and did something to overcome that.
The drawbacks of this book are similar to the same criticisms I had of book #1. While Anne and Simon were much more interesting characters than Lex and Catherine from the first book, Blood, Book and Candle is again only a single first-person narration from Anne’s point of view. This is somewhat more bearable because Anne’s powers make her able to surface read some thought impressions from Simon, but I still wanted to join Simon for his part in the story as well. The worst offender that kept this book from being four stars for me was the sudden ending. While Anne and Simon were involved in the final scene, the story wrapped up focused on a secondary character’s story. I enjoy when books give glimpses of the next story to come, but there should have been one more chapter to bring Anne and Simon’s story to a more satisfying conclusion.
Given that both books #1 and #6 had the same style of one narrator and sudden ending, it’s safe to expect this type of writing from any of Bachar’s books.
That aside, these are dynamic characters in an intriguing world rife with conflict. I enjoyed my time with Anne and Simon, would read it again, and do look forward to the next in the series. It’s fun, it’s action-packed, and full of heart.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I was really excited by the blurb for Beyond the Limit. The hero was obnoxious about women in the first chapter, but I let it slide. Second chapter, lI was really excited by the blurb for Beyond the Limit. The hero was obnoxious about women in the first chapter, but I let it slide. Second chapter, let it slide. But when it takes 15 of the 25 chapters for the hero, Griffin Caldwell, to show some sign of change that is never truly achieved? Unforgivable.
I was torn on whether Beyond the Limit was a 1-star, 1.5-star, or 2-star read for me. After a couple of days of reflection, I decided that it's 1.5-star—but rounded down, because there is so much more bad to discuss than good.
For me, the good started around 60% through the book, when our heroine, Sherri Tate, moves on to training that does not include Griffin being involved much in the story anymore. Sherri is a much better character without Griffin involved. Unfortunately, the only good and interesting part of the story is over within 10 chapters (around 90% into the book), leaving the reader to suffer through the end.
It takes a lot for me to have such a viscerally negative reaction to a book, as I'm happy to roll with most plots as long as I feel that the author justified them, structured them well, and crafted relatable (even if they're not likeable) characters. Griffin is a terrible character. His attitude toward women is ridiculously sexist—something you can see in him even through the final pages. It was frustrating to read chapter after chapter of Griffin's BS.
I normally highlight and note a few things in books to refer back to in my reviews. A few, as in, less than 10 notes of major things I noticed in the writing or some commentary on my mind. In Beyond the Limit, I had 104 notes. A handful of these notes were lines that I noted as breakthroughs in Sherri's progression as a character. Another few notes were highlighting the main character names and changes in location. But the vast majority of the notes highlighted areas where Griffin was being a jerk, whether in general or through sexist commentary. I had so many attached comments of "ugh," "meh," "WTF??," and expletives I won't print in a review that my Kindle notebook is painted in a rainbow of my frustration.
Ultimately, it was Griffin's terrible characterization that ruined the story for me. The plot regarding the first female SEALs is quite topical, but Griffin drains any enjoyment of it. The good part of the plot only comes once he's temporarily on the backburner and Sherri gets to shine.
Even though one of my major interests in Beyond the Limit was the story being a romance—it would have been much better with no romance. Its unsatisfying HFN conclusion (view spoiler)[that doesn't even wrap-up Sherri's story arc (hide spoiler)] seems to agree with that sentiment.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Blood, Smoke and Mirrors is the first book in the Bad Witch series. I’m currently reading the upcoming book #6 for Netgalley, and the author’s note suBlood, Smoke and Mirrors is the first book in the Bad Witch series. I’m currently reading the upcoming book #6 for Netgalley, and the author’s note suggested to grab book #1 first if you’re new to the series. Since it was a freebie, I happily took that advice, and I am so glad that I did—book #6 would’ve been fairly confusing without it.
In Blood, Smoke and Mirrors, we meet Catherine Baker, who is a witch, and Alexander “Lex” Duquesne, who is a guardian. Catherine and Lex have a romantic past, but their relationship ended several years prior when Lex did his guardian duty and turned in Catherine for causing harm (which isn’t allowed for a witch) when someone attacked her. Self-defense or not, she was exiled; rightfully so, she felt betrayed.
Lex comes to Catherine when their region’s Titania—an ambassador of sorts between the human and faerie realms—is murdered. Not only does Lex believe that she should try to become the next Titania, but he also has a warning: her death might be next. Like it or not, he’s there to protect her.
Of course, chaos ensues.
This book had a lot of magical action going on. At times, and especially after Catherine becomes a guest to a vampire, I teetered on the brink of thinking that there was more happening than my brain can believe is possible. Catherine goes through the good and the bad—mostly the bad—on her path to reclaiming her role in magical society. While the many events acted as a fantastic introduction to the hierarchy of magicians and the world Bachar is building, it neared overwhelming.
Despite, or because, of that, there was also never a dull moment. Catherine and Lex rebuild their shattered relationship and show the magical world what a power couple they are. This is also where I think the book didn’t do itself any favors by only being narrated in Catherine’s first person point of view. I wanted to see inside Lex’s head and understand more than what he chose to say to Catherine about why he turned her in and how he felt afterward. Because we’re missing his point of view, he doesn’t seem to develop as much as a character as Catherine does until near the end of the book. (We’re also subjected to the “Big Misunderstanding” romance trope because we have no insight to his thoughts.)
The secondary characters are quite interesting as well (and I was thrilled to discover that one of them is the male lead in book #6). They offer more insight into this world of magicians and give opportunities for levity in an action-laden environment. They’re dynamic and offer this world further potential to expand.
One of the biggest complaints I see in other reviews is that Catherine is a weak character. I have to agree with that—she’s quite pessimistic about herself, her family, her past with Lex, and her limitations as a witch for much of the book. I’m willing to accept that if she’s bound by a “do no harm” tenant (which there should be a self-defense exception for, but I digress), that she’s unwilling or untrained to use her magic offensively. What makes Catherine appear weak is her mental state, and unfortunately that lasts longer than it should. She does progress, but also regresses; it’s not until we’re nearly at the sudden finale that she hits her stride.
While this series opener has some rough spots, it’s still a fun read and holds a lot of promise for the series. I would have liked to spend more time with these two in the final chapter instead of being rushed through the ending, especially since it was such an ordeal to get to that point. There are details that aren’t wrapped up (related to the overall series plot), but the main story of Catherine and Lex does reach a satisfying conclusion. The couple does have a second book (Bewitched, Blooded and Bewildered; #3 in the series) that wraps up one Catherine-related event left unresolved in Blood, Smoke and Mirrors. I have yet to read it, but the reviews are complementary....more
Too Wanton to Wed (4 stars) After Violet commits murder (of a sort) to save a child, she flees to avoid retribution. She stumbles upon Waldegrave AbbeyToo Wanton to Wed (4 stars) After Violet commits murder (of a sort) to save a child, she flees to avoid retribution. She stumbles upon Waldegrave Abbey, where its denizens live inside the darkness of its boarded-up walls, for a shocking reason—a sensitivity to sunlight. Alistair doesn’t look like a vampire, nor does his young daughter, who is kept locked away. As Lily’s new governess, Violet seeks to bring some light into the little girl’s world while hiding from the demons of her own.
This story was full of mystery and the gothic element is at a high with the comparisons to vampirism, the dungeon-like structure of the abbey, and late night walks. I would have enjoyed some more concern over Violet’s original situation throughout the entire story, but the way it wove back into the narrative did feel natural.
The building of Violet and Alistair’s relationship was done well, as was the mending of Lily’s devastating childhood and Alistair’s heart. There is a brief epilogue that wraps everything up, but unlike the one in Too Wicked, it was too abrupt and didn’t give quite the same sense of completion.
One thing I hope for the future is that a grown-up Lily gets her own story!
Tumble is a second-chance romance story in the rural town of Dogwood Lane. Neely has lived in NYC for years and returns home after leaving her job, whTumble is a second-chance romance story in the rural town of Dogwood Lane. Neely has lived in NYC for years and returns home after leaving her job, where she is reunited with Dane, her former boyfriend. Their breakup had been bad, and with so much time lost, both characters need to learn to forgive in order to move on.
The romantic part of their reunion took longer than I expected, but after finding out what drove Neely away, I can't blame her for being hesitant. I also would not have been as forgiving as she was. The biggest hangup in present-day Dogwood is that Neely and Dane had was not talking to each other, and not being proactive enough to reach for what they care for the most. Every story needs its conflict, but I was disappointed in these two for their lack of agency (and very disappointed in Dane for what he did in the past, regardless of the result).
Neely and Dane weren't the most likeable characters in the story. Mia was really cute, and it introduced the gymnastics element that made the town quite unique. Neely's mom was fun, and I like that we see her change some throughout the story as well. Grace, who is Neely's best friend from NYC, seemed obnoxious with all of her phone-screaming and neediness. If she gets her own story, I hope her personality isn't as bad as it seemed here.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read full of conflict. The final chapters were great (that receptionist needs her own story for sure). The town has a lot of potential for a new series, and while this couple may not have really resonated with me, the setting did. The cover art was vibrant and attractive. I look forward to future stories in Dogwood Lane!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Natalie Fanshawe has traveled from America to England with a singular purpose: to safely deliver an orphaned boy, Leo, to his Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Natalie Fanshawe has traveled from America to England with a singular purpose: to safely deliver an orphaned boy, Leo, to his grandfather. Leo has a penchant for mischief, and while searching for Leo during a travel stop, Natalie crosses paths with Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton. Hadrian is on his way to meet a potential future bride, and doesn't need any Americans disrupting his day.
She's been raised to dislike the English aristocracy. He needs the perfect English bride. They're both about to get what they absolutely didn't expect.
Hadrian is portrayed as haughty, yet from the moment you dive into his point of view, you see that he's a caring individual hiding behind a shell that his glittering world expects to see. He's reluctant to get involved in Natalie and Leo's lives, but he does the right thing.
In time, Hadrian begins breaking down all the prejudices that Natalie has regarding the aristocracy. Her knowledge was tainted by her father's less-than-stellar life experiences, but she discovers that regardless of rank, there are people worthy of her respect. And as for the rest—they don't need to accept her, she needs to accept them. To Natalie, that's the meaning of being free. Equal. American.
This is a story of two people from opposite worlds coming together. The romance itself grows naturally and we see both characters evolve to accept their differences, similarities, and ultimately each other.
I would have rated this at four stars had the subplot involving Richard and his money troubles not dragged the story down a notch. It was predictable and didn't add anything to a story already rife with its own conflict. Another reason for the downgrade in rating is that Leo is so centric to the plot... but (view spoiler)[we never find out the resolution to his story (hide spoiler)].
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Sapphire Flames is the fourth Hidden Legacy novel by Ilona Andrews and the first in a new trilogy. So completionists, be warned: the main plot of thisSapphire Flames is the fourth Hidden Legacy novel by Ilona Andrews and the first in a new trilogy. So completionists, be warned: the main plot of this book is solved, but neither the romance nor the overarching plot will reach a conclusion until the end of the current trilogy.
I have not read the previous three Hidden Legacy books. While I was a bit overwhelmed by the various unique terminology at first, everything was explained well enough, and naturally enough, throughout the course of Sapphire Flames that someone new to the series would feel just as welcome as a returning reader.
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.
Catalina was an interesting character who is aware of her responsibilities to her House. She is guided by her morals and struggles with rationalizing putting her family in danger and doing the right thing by helping a friend. She could do with a bit less of letting “Victoria Tremaine’s granddaughter rise to the surface,” but I do like Catalina’s strength and goals. However, soon she’s in too deep, and that’s where Alessandro enters the picture.
Alessandro is still a mystery to me—and not in a good way. My urban fantasy reading experience is minimal compared to other genres I read, but it’s obvious that Sapphire Flames falls into a trap that I’ve noticed in this genre: a single first-person point-of-view narration in a book/series that introduces a romance. In comparison, Annie Bellet’s Twenty-Sided Sorceress series was one that started the same way but eventually gave side characters that were important to the plot or to the main character an occasional third-person point-of-view chapter, which has kept the series strong and the characters engaging.
The reason I pick on this writing style, especially when there’s a romance involved, is because all the information and insight and emotions involved is completely one-sided. By shutting out that other character’s point of view, the reader is disconnected from a part of the story and a part of the main character’s life.
Which brings me back to Alessandro. His background is still too much of a mystery, and while that’s fine for it to be a mystery to Catalina, it’s not fine to leave the readers that much in the dark. I don’t know if he’s genuine. I don’t know who he is. I don’t understand why he was hired. I don’t understand his motivations. There’s too much I don’t know, and because of this, I don’t care about him.
Maybe by the end of this trilogy, I’ll feel like Alessandro is finally a person deserving of Catalina’s affection. However, he has a long way to go to get there.
The actual plot—uncovering a murderer and discovering the reasons and atrocities that led to that death—is exciting and action-packed. I enjoyed learning about this world and its problems. Discovering how the magical society lives with the mundane, and when magical crimes cross the line. If you set the romance aside, Sapphire Flames is a lot of fun and a great lead-in to the trilogy.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
The Widow of Rose House is author Diana Biller's debut novel set in New York City during the Gilded Age. This fast-paced read will give you everythingThe Widow of Rose House is author Diana Biller's debut novel set in New York City during the Gilded Age. This fast-paced read will give you everything you need for a perfect October book: engaging characters, a major ghost problem, and a spooky mystery that needs to be solved.
What really got me hooked into this story was not just the mysterious ghost issue at the mansion, but also the fact that both characters are extremely capable, and this makes them beautiful complements to each other. Alva is a woman who can get things done, and she doesn't let anyone stand in her way. Her personality shines like an inspiring beacon of hope in an era that still treated women as weak. She has goals and she will do what it takes to achieve them. Sam was adorably eccentric, honest, and at times pushy. Though he's famed for his many inventions, his intelligence is best seen in how he helps Alva emerge from the hardened shell that she had erected. He's patient when she needs it and pushes at the fringes when she doesn't.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the book—it was hard to put it down for sleep, and harder still to wait until after work to finish it. This story will grab you in and keep you engrossed from start to finish. Sam's family and his friend Henry are strong side characters that help to both complicate and further the story. Even the mansion itself has its own personality. The epilogue was brief, but it gave a satisfying look into Alva and Sam's happily-ever-after—something I find myself missing in many recent historical romances, so it's refreshing to see it done well here.
So after all of that praise, why the four stars? Most books have some sort of subplot, but in The Widow of Rose House, the story would have stood up fine without the additional drama. And despite my praise for Sam's character, he seemed a bit too perfect at times (though being that messy would be a deal-breaker for me!)....more
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