30something_reads's Reviews (820)

I will admit, the worldbuilding and the magical lore kept me confused for a good chunk of this book (there was just a lot for me) but I still ate this up so fast.

A solid set-up for a romantasy series! I am absolutely about to binge the next one because I am desperate for more tension between Zarya and Rabin. 

DNF @36%
I'm all good, thanks ✌🏻

(It's fine. I just don't need 260+ more pages of smut and reading about how everyone tastes like cookies & tea or some never before heard of combination of the two.) 

Even after reading/rereading the synopsis, I was not prepared for where this story went. (Respectfully.)

This was a surprisingly dark and gripping story of family, loyalty, overcoming trauma, and the secrets we keep for the greater good. Despite the heavy themes, there was also a hint of self deprecating humor given to Cas and the cast of characters that worked really well for me.

I do wish we were able to delve more into the magic of this world. Our MC has a fascinating ability to see/interact with spirits but we never truly get an answer as to why. 

But overall, I really enjoyed this. Lucier created an engaging world and plot from the first page and the suspense and mystery of the story never let up. 

 3.5⭐

Big scaly lizard men 🤝 my silly goofy heart

This was a delightfully sweet &spicy start to this series. The worldbuilding and characters are interesting and I'll definitely pick more of these back up when I'm in need of a pallet cleanser. 

A new obsession: Queer Romantic Sci Fi Crime Noir

Full RRC

 Probably more of a 3.5-3.75 but rounding it up to a 4 because Charlie Braxton is the sweetest and Reid Giordano is working hard on himself.

-Bi, Jewish MC recovering from alcohol addiction
-Bi, newly divorced LI with anxiety disorder
-Friends to Lovers romance told through Dual POV
-Discussions of alcohol addiction, anxiety, divorce, coming out

I really appreciated how this book focused on Reid's recovery but I would have liked to see more with Charlie's anxiety (we're told he has an anxiety disorder but it never really feels like we get to see it.)

Overall, this one was very sweet. It didn't pack quite the emotional punch that the first book did. I think there were opportunities to get deeper into the conflicts presented. 

I love them, your honor. 🥹♥️

This was everything I needed it to be- swoony, angsty, tender.

-Gay, Jewish MC with a hearing impairment
-Bi, Venezuelan LI (I don't think it explicitly mentions it, but Eugenio reads as Demisexua/ Bi Romantic to me)
-Second Chance Romance told in Single POV through two timelines
-Discussions of homophobia, biphobia, coming out

 Overall, my experience with this was pretty "meh". (Which is a little disappointing because I really wanted to love this one.)
I enjoyed the concept- First woman in major league baseball, hell yeah.
I liked the characters- Sierra and Mateo were great. Loved their backstories and motivations. Really liked their family dynamics.
The spice was nice- Both Bi. Femme dom. A little kink. Very hot.

But I do not think the writing is for me. I could never fully get into the story because the author consistently cut chapters off mid-scene to switch POVs in the next chapter and I really would have just preferred to get through an entire scene in one POV. It was hard to stay focused on anything because the focus kept shifting constantly.

I can't get over the fact that this. 387 page book had 62 chapters and 2 epilogues. (It's because of all the unnecessary POV switching.)

Also, I'm realizing that there was a lot of potential in some of the conflicts that were introduced but we never really got to see any of it fleshed out. (The things that come to mind first are Sierra's experience with her previous team prior to her trade and Mateo's relationship with his ex.) 

More bootleggers & gangsters & jazz singers please and thank you. 

Adriana knows how to write a hot MFM erotica 🔥

(The incestuous brother was weird though, not going to lie)