Laurens.Little.Library > Recent Status Updates

Both narrators are smashing it. I’m not that familiar with Mollie’s other work (I think?) and look forward digging into some of her older audios.

As for Jason Clarke, I’d bet this is his most emotional performance yet. He’s displaying a broad range incredibly naturally (nothing feels forced); I think the moments of softness, waving the white flag, are his best

Annabel told me to read this 😆

It’s quirky, sweet, and does a good job portraying the fallout of being in an abusive relationship; both the romantic sort and the familial

Although we’re a far cry from the magic that permeated the first book in this series, I’m still having a good time with it. Benson tackles tough topics with a lot of empathy and doesn’t fall into the trap of moral perfectionism being a requirement for two people to fall in love

I love both of them so much 😭😭😭

Corrine blew me away with UNSTEADY, and I’ve been looking forward to her follow-up ever since. For the moment, I’m getting everything I hoped for that she did so well in the series opener:
- early twenty-something characters who strike the perfect balance of acting their age without being painfully immature (think: confidence levels, life experience, etc)
- very real problems faced outside the relationship

And finally, I just cannot buy the concept that the FMC applied for a job at a specific firm without doing ANY research into it. So little research that she is surprised to find that the MANAGING PARTNER is her ex

Girl. Come on now.

Other reasons I’m DNF’ing early:

2. Super weird writing style with exposition directed straight to the reader, like the character is breaking the fourth wall. There are many a “well, “ in the exposition, and “you”

3. If there’s supposed to be humour in this, it certainly isn’t my sense of humour

4. Inconsistencies and sloppy writing about even on the author’s website. That’s everything I need

Reasons why I’m going to early DNF:
1. I have a pet peeve when reading contemporary romance: if the book follows 20-somethings but clearly was not beta read by 20-somethings and the author is almost definitely NOT a 20-something. Like a mobile phone with a ringer on. Or vocab from a bygone era.

This is a new-to-me author who I’ve come across thanks to Must Love Audio, who have kindly provided me with an ALC.

Not nearly as special as the last memoir I read, but I’ve definitely found my stride with this genre: women, namely those in their 30s and 40s, embarking on journeys of sexual enlightenment. Delightful!

We’re very very early in… but I have a feeling like this might shape up to be one of my favourite Elsie Silver novels. She doesn’t do heavy angst that often, but when she does it’s 🔥🔥🔥

BLESSINGS UPON LYRIC AUDIO FOR THE ALC 🙏

I wish there was more going on 😭

I like both of the characters, and I usually enjoy the tension of two people lusting after one another yet denying their growing feelings…

There’s too much left on the table regarding Fionn’s backstory. I just don’t buy him struggling with the darker part of himself

Things have taken a turn 😬

The entire second act has been dull and tedious. Nothing is happening, other than banal conversations where the characters get to know one another better.

But the real kicker is the White Savour complex… I was uncomfy with the author stating the race of *only* black characters (I.e. white as standard) and now we have harmful stereotypes + we can help them, look how kind we are

Narrators are great. Savannah Peachwood is delivering her usual, smooth performances. Christian Fox’s emotionality is the stand-out, and his delivery, especially in the banter-filled conversations the character has with his brother, I’ve fully cracked up.

I know his voice though, and not being able to identify his other pseudonym is driving me nuts

Many thanks to Lyric Audio for the ALC!

So far…
- MMC says some of the cheesiest, cringe lines, but it’s intentional. I still kinda hate it. That said, I appreciate it’s a choice about the character, not a reflection of what the author thinks is hot
- Spice has been spicing. Nothing crazy or mind blowing, just very solid
- I can’t tell where this narrative is going, at all 🤣

Notes on the audio: while I don’t love Therese Plummer as this character (her voice always reads as older/more middle-aged than the characters Ali writes) I’m thrilled to see another trad going the way of duet-ish narration. It’s a lovely middle ground.

I don’t know if Ben Holtzmuller’s accent is accurate; I haven’t known many Swedes in my life. His emotional delivery isn’t perfect, but it is good.

I’ve been eating this right up.

I really enjoy the character profiles, especially the MMC because he isn’t like many a romance novel book boyfriend.

Super character driven, there’s just enough narrative plot for things to make sense. The point of it is, of course, their growth, both individually and as a pair.

Add it the power play exploration (🥵) and this is delectable

This was *fine* at the start, and luckily became much more interesting once the couple actually got together. Normally it’s the inversion; not so with Under Loch & Key.

Enemies-to-lovers is much improved by the lovers being star-crossed. While not incredible, it will make for a solid for anyone in the mood for contemporary paranormal romance.

I’m still waiting for this to become interesting 👀

All of my mutuals who’ve read this basically have this book 5 stars… where is that coming from? Why???

I went into this blind and I have no clue what’s going on. The world building is strange—we get all these names and titles and references, and not a single piece of context or explanation.

Will keep going because this is supposed to be excellent, but I’m wary

Well. The slow burn built up to some very disappointing smut 🙃

This author needs to study fanfic imho

This is a fabulous example of enemies to lovers in a contemporary setting done right

One thing that Lyon does exceptionally well is write indecision and conflicting emotions 🤌🏼🤌🏼

I genuinely can’t think of another book that explored those so thoroughly and successfully. And it’s *real*. For every one of these moments in the book, I can immediately remember an occasion when I experienced similar confusing thoughts.

Ugh I’m loving this!

I haven’t quite figured out why Lyon chose to write one POV in first person, and the other in third.

Regardless, this has been a thoroughly fascinating read and I’m struggling to put it down. The low-grade sinister tension keeps being ratcheted up, like the frog in a pot of water. It’s good stuff.

Annabel demanded I read this. She said it’s the “Hades and Persephone retelling to end all Hades and Persephone retellings”

I’m *really* enjoying it. The simmering unease that’s constantly bubbling away under the surface is highly effective. Nothing is black or white — getting away from that boring dichotomy is doing me wonders

While the pacing of this novel is slow and languid, the gorgeous, lyrical writing makes up for a lot of it.

I’m also at the inflection point where the rivals realize that maybe they should get into each other’s pants 👌🏼

I adore the writing. I just can’t really understand why they argue so much.

It’s tiiiiiiime!!

This is narrated by the same narrator who does the Belladonna novels, one of my favs!

Being a mood reader is actually such a hilarious experience. Don’t ask me why I’ve delayed this Libby hold for (checks notes) 193 days since requesting it. It wasn’t the right time 🙃

Good news! Now, it is 🫶🏼

Delightful to be back in this scheming world with incredibly distinct characters and a fair amount of velocity, too

“A deep kind of loneliness, settling deep in my chest”

= one of my top writing pet peeves. Please don’t use the same word twice in one sentence when a synonym is available

We’re back to things being REAL weird. Where are their parents? Why isn’t [redacted] getting professional help? They’re literally billionaires 😭