bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)

Kit Bristol is pulled into the role of highway man Whistling Jacke, a la The Dread Pirate Roberts in the Princess Bride, after his master dies. Inheriting the costume, horse, and unclear mission, Kit is set off on a swashbuckling adventure with a half-fae princess, a baboon, and a tight-rope walker.

This tale was a lot fun, but I wish more of the adventures were intentional versus simply encountered along the road. I also didn't feel like some of the characters were as fleshed out as I'd like (Morgana especially). But, I would recommend for fans of The Princess Bride or Stardust. There was a fun use of old language and great illustrations.

After her father passes away, Sandrine flees her loveless marriage and life in New York to live with her famous courtesan grandmother in Belle Epoque Paris. While there, Sandrine is possessed with an urge to take up painting after finding a trove of erotic canvases painted by one of her ancestors. Where does this talent suddenly spring from? Is Sandrine just becoming her best self, or someone else entirely? Full of intriguing historical details with a supernatural cast and a touch of the erotic.

Great historical detail, but the writing style wasn't necessarily to my taste, i.e. a lot of allusion to events the main character knew about but didn't reveal to the reader until the right moment. I also didn't find the relationship between Sandrine and her lover all that erotic. But, fans of this genre will enjoy.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

Cute friends turned lovers story complete with a search for a Loch Ness monster type creature. The 'rent a gent' business idea wasn't really inspired or interesting but the scenes with both Micah and Toni sparkled.
Sweet, fizzy, and quick fare.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I don't even know how to review this book. It is a unique sparky, poignant tale about Etta and Otto and Russell and James (oh James), both in their youth and their sunset years. Etta is my hero. The narrative structure is unique, bouncing between the POVs of the characters and in time. Lyrical writing just sinks you in and I unfortunately finished this way to fast. It will be worth a re-read. Highly recommend.

Nope. Not for me. I wasn't connecting with the asshole American guy who likes to f* African prostitutes of dubious age plot points, and didn't feel like I even understood where this was going after about 25% in.

Basically a fantasy where having a one night stand, ending up pregnant, and being only 22 lands you a hot, womanizing rock star who changes his ways because YOU'RE THE ONE. A fun thought, but the plot was so thin that I couldn't enjoy the fantasy. Character development didn't go much beyond basics.

However, for those who enjoy rock and roll romance with a focus on the sex scenes versus the characters, go ahead and enjoy! Just not really for me.

Thank you to www.netgalley.com for the ARC.

I just wasn't compelled to finish this one. Seriously, how many uber famous people past lives can one person have? Also, I did not feel the "passion" between the two main characters.

I'd much rather hear Alan Cumming read ACTUAL Macbeth, not this narrative version. So, I think I'll do that.

This will be obviously popular with YA readers. This said, I wasn't compelled to finish. I really enjoyed the chapters from Elias' point of view but found Scholar Laia's chapters a bit of a horrific drag. Why there is a huge need for the two main characters to be love interests is getting exhausting for me, especially when there was such a huge power disparity between them. The relationship struggle between Elias and his best friend Helene made sense, but seriously, who is thinking about how sexy it is for someone's body to be pressed up against you when you are battling for your life?

We'll see if I re-pick this up after the series is complete. Instead of this, try the Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski.

Somtimes you just need a sexy book ;)