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bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)
Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos, the "party princess," agrees to a fake relationship with the washed up rock star who broke her heart so many years ago. Aish Salinger has pined for Sofia for all the years they've been apart and hopes he can atone for the sins of his past.
I love Sofia, she's prickly and stubborn and determined to reach for success. I wasn't as enthralled with Aish or the rest of the romance ARC. The use of long flashback chapters also isn't always may favorite narrative style, and I was really worried about some things that are discovered about why/how Aish broke Sofia's heart.
The sex scenes were quite delicious, and thank you to the author for the SUPERB fainting couch scene. YAY.
I also think I was not in the mood for this book, so YMMV.
CW: alcohol use, gas lighting, sexual assault (discussed, in the past), suicide (discussed, in the past), may be more. I was skimming towards the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
I love Sofia, she's prickly and stubborn and determined to reach for success. I wasn't as enthralled with Aish or the rest of the romance ARC. The use of long flashback chapters also isn't always may favorite narrative style, and I was really worried about some things that are discovered about why/how Aish broke Sofia's heart.
The sex scenes were quite delicious, and thank you to the author for the SUPERB fainting couch scene. YAY.
I also think I was not in the mood for this book, so YMMV.
CW: alcohol use, gas lighting, sexual assault (discussed, in the past), suicide (discussed, in the past), may be more. I was skimming towards the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Frank Tripp is the toast of New York City's legal scene, a status achieved both by his hard work, his smarts, and his complete excising of his past. He has much to gain, and lose, if he can't maintain the favor of the rest of society's elite.
So as Frank helplessly continues to try and stop heiress Mamie Greene from ruining herself completely with her antics at gambling hells and other unsavory establishments, he has to worry if he'll find trouble with her father.
Mamie wants nothing to do with Frank's meddling, she's got her life perfectly handled. So what if he think she's simply a spoiled rich girl out for fun, she's actually using her skills to help the women of the neighborhoods she shouldn't dare be seen in. And Mamie knows she has to marry her childhood friend, the man selected by her father, and even if she wanted a dalliance with Frank, she can't risk her or or younger sisters' futures...can she?
As both Mamie and Frank realize they are far more than they seem, their undeniable attraction alights, with huge consequences for them both.
A deliciously steamy romance with social justice and feminism in spades, a definite must read. Also, when the blurb says Frank is silver-tongued...they really aren't joking. One of my favorite billiards table scenes ever. Yum.
So as Frank helplessly continues to try and stop heiress Mamie Greene from ruining herself completely with her antics at gambling hells and other unsavory establishments, he has to worry if he'll find trouble with her father.
Mamie wants nothing to do with Frank's meddling, she's got her life perfectly handled. So what if he think she's simply a spoiled rich girl out for fun, she's actually using her skills to help the women of the neighborhoods she shouldn't dare be seen in. And Mamie knows she has to marry her childhood friend, the man selected by her father, and even if she wanted a dalliance with Frank, she can't risk her or or younger sisters' futures...can she?
As both Mamie and Frank realize they are far more than they seem, their undeniable attraction alights, with huge consequences for them both.
A deliciously steamy romance with social justice and feminism in spades, a definite must read. Also, when the blurb says Frank is silver-tongued...they really aren't joking. One of my favorite billiards table scenes ever. Yum.
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Well Liquor & Laundry by Tasha L Harrison was fucking great. A hero who isn't afraid to be soft for the woman he's pined for and is a bit intimidated by her in the best ways? Oh yes please.
Hadassah finally hooked up with her high school crush last year at a party. But, they were both drinking and while her blow job was certainly enthusiastic, they left the party without talking about anything, and he never called. Now Ahmad is back in town again for his little brother's graduation, and she's not sure if she wants to see him at all, even if she's been so worried ever since a he was taken out of his football season by a nasty concussion.
Ahmad has been thinking about Haddie too, always. He's aghast to find out the woman he finds oh so confident and to be honest a bit intimidating, thinks he sees her as nothing more than a loud mess. Oh heck no.
Over the course of the days Ahmad is home, these two need to figure out if their high school crushes can become a real relationship.
A perfectly crafted novella that packs a punch for its shorter length, Harrison does an amazing job balancing out the hot chemistry between hear leads, and the various forces pulling them apart. Great secondary characters and just enough football details (including the problems with the NFL and CTE), this was a perfect bedtime snack.
And then reading in the acknowledgements the author is going to keep writing this ampersand series to give fab secondary characters HEAs?! A romance reader's DREAM!
Hadassah finally hooked up with her high school crush last year at a party. But, they were both drinking and while her blow job was certainly enthusiastic, they left the party without talking about anything, and he never called. Now Ahmad is back in town again for his little brother's graduation, and she's not sure if she wants to see him at all, even if she's been so worried ever since a he was taken out of his football season by a nasty concussion.
Ahmad has been thinking about Haddie too, always. He's aghast to find out the woman he finds oh so confident and to be honest a bit intimidating, thinks he sees her as nothing more than a loud mess. Oh heck no.
Over the course of the days Ahmad is home, these two need to figure out if their high school crushes can become a real relationship.
A perfectly crafted novella that packs a punch for its shorter length, Harrison does an amazing job balancing out the hot chemistry between hear leads, and the various forces pulling them apart. Great secondary characters and just enough football details (including the problems with the NFL and CTE), this was a perfect bedtime snack.
And then reading in the acknowledgements the author is going to keep writing this ampersand series to give fab secondary characters HEAs?! A romance reader's DREAM!
4 stars for the "Sweetest in the Gale" story. I read "Unraveled" in the [b:He's Come Undone: A Romance Anthology|51831578|He's Come Undone A Romance Anthology|Emma Barry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582818691l/51831578._SY75_.jpg|76324549] (5 Stars). I am saving "Covered" for when I'm feeling more emotionally ready to read a story with cancer.
This cover! Olivia has really been inspiring me, both with her talent and her way of taking care of her characters. Both Candy and Griff are grieving, in very different ways. Griff, becoming aware that the woman he knew as the stern yet vivacious leader is utterly without spark as the new school year begins, and falling for her as they grow closer, has to contend with what that means for his grief about his beloved wife. Told entirely from Griff's POV this was poignant, a bit tough to read, and super sweet.
This cover! Olivia has really been inspiring me, both with her talent and her way of taking care of her characters. Both Candy and Griff are grieving, in very different ways. Griff, becoming aware that the woman he knew as the stern yet vivacious leader is utterly without spark as the new school year begins, and falling for her as they grow closer, has to contend with what that means for his grief about his beloved wife. Told entirely from Griff's POV this was poignant, a bit tough to read, and super sweet.
An epic tale of love, identity, race, and home. Ifemelu and Obinze are lovers separated by differing opportunities, or the lack thereof. Dense and lyrically written, take the time to immerse yourself as you contemplate the many themes explored, especially Ifemelu's blog about experiencing race in America as a Nigerian, Obinze's experiences as an undocumented immigrant living in post-9/11 London, and what it means for them to both leave their country and come back again.
One of my favorite quotes: "But of course it makes sense because we are Third Worlders, and Third Worlders are forward-looking, we like things to be new, because our best is still ahead, while in the West their best is already past and so they have to make a fetish of that past." (539, paperback edition).
Highly recommend.
One of my favorite quotes: "But of course it makes sense because we are Third Worlders, and Third Worlders are forward-looking, we like things to be new, because our best is still ahead, while in the West their best is already past and so they have to make a fetish of that past." (539, paperback edition).
Highly recommend.
What a wild ride. As my friend Margaret said, this is truly the LOTHAIRE of the Maiden Lane series and I was here for it.
Best quote: "Will you drive me mad? Scatter my wits to the wind like so much chaff? Leave me a shell of a man, broken, hollowed of brain and soul, left with merely a throbbing prick like a mindless goat? Have mercy, I plead, O siren of chatelaines and unlovely bonnets! Let my famished mouth feast upon thy sweet, sweet flesh. I am awash in yearning spunk.”
Val's inner monologue was a delight, if somewhat disturbing, to read. He is a villain and he's had a lot of trauma. I don't know what to say about the mental health rep in this story at all, or that he and Bridget end up in Istanbul at the end, but I had a fun time reading this.
LOTS of CWs - mostly including child endangerment and discussion of rape/attempted rape to children and adults.
Best quote: "Will you drive me mad? Scatter my wits to the wind like so much chaff? Leave me a shell of a man, broken, hollowed of brain and soul, left with merely a throbbing prick like a mindless goat? Have mercy, I plead, O siren of chatelaines and unlovely bonnets! Let my famished mouth feast upon thy sweet, sweet flesh. I am awash in yearning spunk.”
Val's inner monologue was a delight, if somewhat disturbing, to read. He is a villain and he's had a lot of trauma. I don't know what to say about the mental health rep in this story at all, or that he and Bridget end up in Istanbul at the end, but I had a fun time reading this.
LOTS of CWs - mostly including child endangerment and discussion of rape/attempted rape to children and adults.
SPOILERY REVIEW>
We've followed Alf, a 20-something girl from St. Giles who dresses as a much younger boy, throughout the series. She's cocky, knows everything and everyone, and if she doesn't she knows where to find out how to get that info for you. OH, and she's also the new Ghost! That surprised me a bit even though it should't have, but cool!
Hugh is the bastard son of the king but also a Duke and acknowledged, and he's trying to find out what is up with the Lords of Chaos and bring them down. He has two small sons who he is now taking care of after the death of his wife (who he lived separately from-she had many lovers). He's also supposed to marry his dead wife's best friend, the refined Lady Iris. A marriage of convenience only, NEVER AGAIN of passion.
But of course Hugh hires Alf, has a boner for the Ghost of St. Giles who he figures out is a woman, and then puts the pieces together that Alf is the Ghost is a woman. And worries he got to third base with a child (because he and the Ghost mess around before he figures out the connection). There is a lot of yucky business here with the Lords of Chaos, raping children, secret societies, and what not, plus SO MUCH gendered language of Alf being the woman to his man, their woman and man parts being perfectly aligned, etc etc. Most romances are still grappling with such gendered language, but this was exceptionally glaring and threw me off a bit.
But lots of things I did like, especially Lady Iris and how she befriended Alf and basically told Hugh "he would not suit" and that he was basically a dolt for not realizing his feeeeeelings. Love her.
Not one of my favs - and I'm intrigued to see how/if Lady Iris can make it work with the heir apparent to the Lords of Chaos in the next book. Y I K E S.
We've followed Alf, a 20-something girl from St. Giles who dresses as a much younger boy, throughout the series. She's cocky, knows everything and everyone, and if she doesn't she knows where to find out how to get that info for you. OH, and she's also the new Ghost! That surprised me a bit even though it should't have, but cool!
Hugh is the bastard son of the king but also a Duke and acknowledged, and he's trying to find out what is up with the Lords of Chaos and bring them down. He has two small sons who he is now taking care of after the death of his wife (who he lived separately from-she had many lovers). He's also supposed to marry his dead wife's best friend, the refined Lady Iris. A marriage of convenience only, NEVER AGAIN of passion.
But of course Hugh hires Alf, has a boner for the Ghost of St. Giles who he figures out is a woman, and then puts the pieces together that Alf is the Ghost is a woman. And worries he got to third base with a child (because he and the Ghost mess around before he figures out the connection). There is a lot of yucky business here with the Lords of Chaos, raping children, secret societies, and what not, plus SO MUCH gendered language of Alf being the woman to his man, their woman and man parts being perfectly aligned, etc etc. Most romances are still grappling with such gendered language, but this was exceptionally glaring and threw me off a bit.
But lots of things I did like, especially Lady Iris and how she befriended Alf and basically told Hugh "he would not suit" and that he was basically a dolt for not realizing his feeeeeelings. Love her.
Not one of my favs - and I'm intrigued to see how/if Lady Iris can make it work with the heir apparent to the Lords of Chaos in the next book. Y I K E S.
Before you even get started with this book, make sure to read the CWs on the author's website if you need them. This is a brutally violent fantasy romance that explores the boundaries of what can be forgiven for a romantic pairing.
That said, I found the story utterly compelling and the heroine, Yvenne, absolutely one to root for. I am unable to comment on whether there was an ableist issues with her story line, as she is disabled from the violence wrought on her body by her father, but she was definitely my favorite character.
I will definitely be interested to read more in this series. The world building was lush and just dense enough to really fulfill that Game of Thrones level immersion into a world I was craving. And whew did it keep me on my toes.
I will never ever get over the blood blow job and that's about all I'm going to say about this book. Go forth and read, if you can.
**I checked this out from Overdrive for Libraries!
That said, I found the story utterly compelling and the heroine, Yvenne, absolutely one to root for. I am unable to comment on whether there was an ableist issues with her story line, as she is disabled from the violence wrought on her body by her father, but she was definitely my favorite character.
I will definitely be interested to read more in this series. The world building was lush and just dense enough to really fulfill that Game of Thrones level immersion into a world I was craving. And whew did it keep me on my toes.
I will never ever get over the blood blow job and that's about all I'm going to say about this book. Go forth and read, if you can.
**I checked this out from Overdrive for Libraries!
Hippolyta Royle, last seen on the lam after being kidnapped by Val in Duke of Sin, finds a ride in a carriage with a lord who thinks she is a doxy. What is normally my jam in tropes (Carriage! Only one bed at the inn!) is clumsily handled. Matthew Mortimer kind of treats her poorly (oh if only I had known you were a lady) and ultimately is redeemed, but I just find myself side-eying everything. There's a mongoose which I guess is kind of fun, and I cannot comment on the rep of Hippolyta's big secret (her mother is Indian and she was being blackmailed by Val to keep this a secret).
I don't know, just didn't work for me.
I don't know, just didn't work for me.