2022 - 03 - slow-burn - What did you read?

[PAS, Moderator AC]

March Shelf is slow-burn

Yay or Nay for slow-burn?
If romance is not your usual reads, what do you think of this particular trope?

[Shannon]

I read Second First Impressions. It was fairly good, but I was bothered by the negative portrayal of Christians and had a hard time believing that a woman in her mid-twenties who hadn't kissed anyone since her one high-school boyfriend would be grateful for her new lover's vast experience in bed. Wouldn't she worry she would become just another one of his conquests?

I do enjoy romance novels and like the slow burn trope, but I could do without the casual attitude toward sex that most contemporary romances have. Romance and sex are not synonymous, and I'd like to find more good romance books that focus more on the relationship outside the bedroom.

I nominate Epistolary Books.

[Leena]

I'm new here. what defines Epistolary bks?

[Meg]

Leena wrote: "I'm new here. what defines Epistolary bks?"

Hi Leena, epistolary books feature letters and diaries. If you follow the link you'll see a list of popular books on the shelf

[Meg]

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
⭐⭐⭐

The romantic relationship in this book was built in a realistic and positive way. definitely works as slow burn. Not as funny as i like in this genre, and dragged a bit towards the end. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but nothing special.

I nominate translated

[Leena]

Wow! Both nominations are famtastic!

[Bea]

I read A Court of Wings and Ruin. 4*.

I seem to be on a kick-ass paranormal story binge.

In this one, the female protagonist is human Made into High Fae. She is strong, loyal, and determined to punish those who harm her family ~ human or Fae. She is High Lady. Her name is Feyre.

She is mated to Rhysand, the High Lord. And, their bond makes me yearn for the same, even though I am a woman of 70+ years. Hot!

This is a story of family...birth and chosen. It is a story of doing what is right even though the cost is high. It is a story of friendship and right triumphing over evil. In other words...a magical wonderful world where all that is wrong eventually finds its end...but not without cost.

I read this for the monthly shelf and for Series 22 and Book It December 21.

I recommend Kickass Heroine

[Lisette]

I have been binge reading the Fever series.

Darkfever (book 1) 3 stars
Bloodfever (book 2) 3 stars
Faefever (book 3) 3 stars
Dreamfever (book 4) 3 stars
Shadowfever (book 5) 4 stars

It a fun series which I am currently binge reading. It's about MacKayla who's sister dies. Mackayla goes investigating and find out Fae are involved. It's a bit dark at times. I did enjoy it, especially book 5. That one had a high pacing. I love the characters in the series.
I'll probably keep reading since I'm having fun with this series. Book 5 seems like the end and book 6 is apparently about someone else. I'll probably still keep reading.

Bea this series is also paranormal kick ass. Maybe it fits your mood.

I used all books for: Seriously Serial
I'd like to nominate: action

[Ebony]

I read Me Before You and I really enjoyed it. 4 Stars

This book is about a woman who becomes a carer/companion for a man two years after his life-altering accident which leaves him as a depressed quadriplegic unwilling to continue living half a life.

About halfway through I was worried about how it would end, but I was satisfied with the ending. It delves into heavy concepts of choice and agency over one's life while also exploring the growing intimacy fostered by simple interactions and gestures.

I read it for this month's shelf and for Seriously Serial '22.

I nominate weird

[Lauren]

I read Neanderthal Seeks Human - this is such a cute book and the heroine is adorable. The ending has one of the most hilarious scenes I've ever read.

I nominate British Crime

[Marina]

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn, 3 stars.

I'm not usually a romance reader, but I throughly enjoyed Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series, which are a blend of mystery and romance, so I wanted to try this one as well. This one is much on the same line, although I'd say the romance part is more important here, and it is definitely slow-burn. I liked it, but didn't love it like I did the Lady Julia Grey mysteries. The characters were extremely interesting and well-developed, although I'm not sure a woman like Veronica Speedwell really could exist in Victorian England. I will continue with the series.

I used this for Just Read It prompt 2. I nominate short and sweet.

[Shannon]

Marina wrote: "...I'm not sure a woman like Veronica Speedwell really could exist in Victorian England. ..."

I just read my first book by Deanna Raybourn, a later one in that series (not as focused on romance -- mostly mystery!), and I had the same thought about Veronica Speedwell. I'm actually starting to develop a pet peeve about authors creating characters in historical fiction who have obviously contemporary beliefs and sensibilities. Not only does it make the book seem less true to life, but it's arrogant. It's a subtle way of saying, "You people who lived in the past weren't nearly as smart or enlightened as we are today."

[Lauren]

Marina wrote: "A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn, 3 stars.

I'm not usually a romance reader, but I throughly enjoyed Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series, which are a blend of m..."

I have read both series except for the most recent Veronica Speedwell. Although I really enjoyed Lady Julia, I think I prefer Veronica and Stoker. Both the mysteries and the romance have a slight edge for me perhaps because there are already more books in VS and the characters are, therefore, more developed.

[Meg]

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was cheesy, cliched and naive. I absolutely loved it. Lara Jean's voice (either the written voice or the voice of the wonderful audio narrator) was so sweet and hopeful. It was a cute story and full of your favourite tropes - enemies to loves, fake dating, boy next door, love triangle. If you want a happy and light read, I highly recommend this, especially on audio.

Used for seriously serial
I nominate novella

[Marie (UK)]

I read or rather listened to They Both Die at the End.

This book has been so hyped up across all reading sites and I cannot understand why. The idea is novel but it is so badly done as to be embarrassing.

I gave it 2 stars and really i think that was generous.

[Tien]

When It's Real by Erin Watt
★★★½

I didn't think I was a fan of fake-dating trope really but I think I'm slowly being converted though firstly through The Kiss Quotient and now this one... one must admit there is a certain appeal there. This book isn't as, err... graphic at The Kiss Quotient, in fact, it's rather clean, in a way. A read-between-the-line sort of loving scenes and so while it lacks the explosive sparks, it's rather sweet. I'm not sure about the ending though, I feel that the author wasn't sure how to kind of implode this fake-but-real relationship that the twist, I think, was kind of weak and rushed. Otherwise, love this couple and their finding themselves and each other.

[Kristina Simon]

I read The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren ✭✭✭✭

I'm not much of a romance reader anymore. I got tired of the insta-lust/wild monkey sex in the M/F romances that seemed to be all the rage 10ish years ago and just stopped. Since then, I've found a fondness for LGBT romance where the focus tends to be on what I'm really after when I read romance -- a deeply satisfying emotional connection. If The Soulmate Equation is any indication, I might be able to go back to M/F romances. I liked the characters, their families, and the fact that the focus was, for the most part, on feelings (not just romantic love and lust -- ALL the feels - insecurity, shyness, regret). There were several LOL moments that I really enjoyed, too! The main character's best friend (a successful romance author) was a hoot!

PAS Challenge(s) used for: Just Read It!

I'd like to nominate: Mental Health

[Leena]

I read my first Mariana Zapata From Lukov with Love. it's not bad better towards the latter half than the beginning. and surprisingly it was very clean - minimal graphic sex scene.

[Susan]

I read Winter. It's the last of the Lunar Chronicles series. I've enjoyed all of them, including this one. I think Meyer does a terrific job of weaving in allusions to the fairy tales she's referencing while not let them take over. She's completely created her own world and characters, both of which are fascinating.

[Lisette]

I've read Feverborn (book 8) and Feversong (book 9) and High Voltage (book 10)

I had to get used to the book having a new main character. I'glad Dani is older now because as a teen she annoyed me. Now she is alright and I am even started to like her. The series still got some think I don't like but the characters are interesting and I like the plot. Book 10 has got a good end to it. I loved one of the twists

Used for seriously serial

I'd like to nominate: series

[Joanna]

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
3 stars

A quick, light, and entertaining read that was only slightly too long. The book traces a long friendship between the two main characters. They met in college and started a tradition of taking vacations together every summer. Over time, of course, they come to realize that they want to be more than friends but aren't sure how to make that happen and/or are afraid they'll lose their friendship by exploring romance.

The book flips between flashbacks to previous vacations and the present day. By the 75% mark, I was about ready for the book to finish up. The long reveal of their budding romance was starting to get on my nerves and the intentional quirkiness of the female lead was about enough already.

Still, the characters are well drawn, the descriptions of different vacation locations is entertaining, and overall the book works at what it sets out to be--a light beach read.

I'd like to nominate: space

[Lisette]

Sounds like it annoyed you a little, but it does sound like something I'd enjoy reading. Hopefully it won't annoy me as well!

[Joanna]

Lusie wrote: "Sounds like it annoyed you a little, but it does sound like something I'd enjoy reading. Hopefully it won't annoy me as well!"

Yeah, it did annoy me a little, but only at the very end. Overall, it was cute. Also, I don't read many of this sort of really light chick-lit type books, so I'm probably not the target audience.

[Lisette]

Joanna wrote: "Lusie wrote: "Sounds like it annoyed you a little, but it does sound like something I'd enjoy reading. Hopefully it won't annoy me as well!"

Yeah, it did annoy me a little, but only at the very en..."

Good to know! Thank you
I like romantic books so I will probably enjoy this one

[Jamie]

I read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and gave it 3 stars.

I wanted to love this book but I think I had too high expectations. It was a good read, definitely gothic, and the setting was wonderful, I just felt it lacked a special something to make it excellent.

[Beverly]

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover ✭✭✭✭


This is the second book I've read by Colleen Hoover and I'm just not that high on her books so far. They are so popular, am I missing something? The 4 stars I gave this book was very generous...probably should have been a 3.5. There is sex and domestic abuse, so you've been warned. Lily meets neurosurgeon Ryle, and he seems too good to be true. Is he?

I nominate Ukraine

[Leena]

hey Beverly, nice to see a fellow digressor of CH. yes, she's very popular but I truly believe she's managed to fool us all. her writing is pedestrian, the plot development isn't too great either and the repetitions are tiresome. I've read 2 of hers, Verity and Nov 9. And that's the end of CH for me.

[Beverly]

Leena wrote: "hey Beverly, nice to see a fellow digressor of CH. yes, she's very popular but I truly believe she's managed to fool us all. her writing is pedestrian, the plot development isn't too great either a..."

Glad to see I'm not the only one....