WHOA.

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Can we just marvel at O’Leary’s writing ability? To weave this story with so many moving parts and to leave you in the dark just enough to keep going. AND THEN to rip your heart out?! before putting back together? Oh my, what a read.

I devoured this audio in a day because I needed to know what exactly was happening. I loved how things came together and all of these subtle stories. While it was a romance, each of the women’s lives was also enriched by much more. Making new friends, finding new paths, working through mental health concerns, there’s a lot here.

The major trigger for this story is actually one of the few I don’t love reading about and may have not picked this up had I know about it. Luckily it was held off to almost the end that I was fine, but I wanted to note that in my review.

I loved getting Joseph’s story in-between everyone else’s. We never realized the ways that someone might alter our course when they’re apart of our lives. This was a great read and the audio was solid too. I would say you might pick up on more of the little clues if you’re reading physically though.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a partner, sexual harassment, cheating, dementia, panic attacks, self-harm, pregnancy, miscarriage, stalking 

Too heavy on the innuendo in the hero's POV. Just wasn't necessary and took me out of the story.

NOT NECESSARY.

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When I say I sped read this, I SPED READ. Because the first half of this book was entirely not needed to advance the plot. it was there to annoyingly add dRaMa to the love triangle where we allllll knew this was headed.

I frankly would have given this two stars, but Evander deserves one all on his own. I love the dark and broody love interest and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of them. I think he and Rowan have an undeniable chemistry and I love the sparking nature of their relationship. It’s passionate and compelling how they clash and work together all at the same time.

The second half of this book focused on the wedding and yet again, I daresay, while I did enjoy having those scenes…it could have been added to a the end of book two and nobody would have been the wiser. The whole plot of this book is that, there is no plot. It felt really filler and there to make a four book series when it really should have stayed a trilogy.

ANYWAYS. Off my soap box for this, I’m going to go read the last book and make some final judgement calls on this series.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: mild 

PASS.

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If you only read that one word on this review, let it save you time. This was not a favorite in anyway and I honestly only kept to it because it was a crazy fast audio and I finished it in a day.

This book was trying to be a lot of things without accomplishing any of them that well. I liked the idea of a editor turned writer, falling in lover with her boss, standing up to her sister, ALL of these ideas are there, but I don’t think anything was executed effectively.

I marked at 60% when the love interests truly started hanging out and getting to know one another. All of the previous manuscript stuff could have worked in that favor, but not enough page time was dedicated to it. I thought they were super cute together and just wanted more!!

Also, I haaaate when exercise is used as an enemy trope (without any resolution). Savannah’s sister was the absolute worst and I don’t remember anything truthfully happening at the end where the sisters actually talked to each and figured things out? And what was with the random ex boyfriend sub plot?

I don’t know y’all. This book just wasn’t it. I’m stopping here.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: unsafe exercise habits 

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

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Marriage of convenience owns me. Another book with this trope that I adored. And it was even better than the first one that left me wanting more in certain aspects.

I LOVED these two together. Declan is such a grumpy recluse but getting his POV you can slowly see those walls come down only for Iris (my favorite). I love a guy falling first, and falling hard scenario. It is the bees freaking knees. I love that his moves were much more subtle and focused on specific things Iris mentioned. Declan showed a willing heart that brought me to a puddle by the last grand gesture.

Iris putting Declan in his place over and over? The best. Strong female characters are kryptonite. I liked that she realized what her worth was and how to untie it from the pieces that were starting to pull her apart. There’s so many good moments here between the Kane brothers, Iris and her Mom and more.

I doooooo think this was a bit long. I started to notice in the second half how some of it was dragging. There were times that scenes carried on too long, or just didn’t seem necessary. A bit on condensing would have made this book ultimate gold.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: three open door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, parental abuse, asthma, anxiety attacks 

WHOA.

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Uh, why have I been apparently sleeping on Kate Quinn books?
WHY????????

This was incredible (also, audio is 1,000x the way to go here). I am hit/miss with historical fictions, I usually find the most enjoyment [reading wise] when they’re on a more unique focus and I found that here. A female Russian sniper with 300+ confirmed kills? TELL ME MORE.

What an stunning story. I was captivated from the get-go. It draws you in and every angle of this plot keeps things moving, keeps you guessing, keeps you wondering how in the world it’s going to end. I know some fictional liberties were taken, but they fit perfectly in with this novel. I love that Mila broke down barriers, and was stronger than I can ever imagine being. Her love for her son, and her country was palpable.

Many times my heart felt pulled right out of my chest. The middle of this book HURTS. The intricacies and pits of war are laid out in full view. I loved the complex nature of this dealings and seeing some of the war side in the United States with the Roosevelt’s. Even more so that the focus was on Eleanor and what part she played in Mila’s life (and vice versa). How a bonded female friendship was born from across two different nations.

This book was just something else. This experience was wholly encompassing and never let up. I LOVED it and will now be adding some Quinn backlist to my TBR.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction
- Language: some strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: teenage pregnancy and marriage, war themes, gun violence, colonialism, antisemitism, racism, sexism, slut-shaming, attempted murder 

OH SO SWEET.

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I love romances like this. Where the fake dating trope is on top of its game and the couple is clearly starry eye for one another. Adding the Hawaiian vacation and wow do I wish I were somewhere tropical right now.

Dual POV in romance should be mandatory. I love the back and forth with April and Jackson. They had a plethora of sweet moments that showed off all of the chemistry they had. I liked all of the antics from horse back riding, to eating on the beach, meditation and more.

I don’t know quite why the stalker was involved? I don’t think it flowed as well because it came in at the beginning, then only randomly showed up in the middle and end *shrugs*. I guess it was a catalyst to get them to Hawaii together at least. I wish Jackson and April didn’t stand in there own way so much about officially committing to each other. That dragged the book out a little bit. I did like how everyone responded with positivity and didn’t blow things out of proportion. It was handled incredibly well and made the ending all the sweeter.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: stalker 

Uh wow, how have I not known about this book? It’s a gem. AND YOU NEED TO READ IT TOO PLEASE.

This, hands down, has the best sibling relationships I have ever read. They felt incredibly real and they were tight knit. But that didn’t stop arguments, nor did it stop apologies. I think getting a multi point of view set-up with everyone really sold this book for me. I loved seeing everyone’s sides and decisions. What they were thinking and how that played into the further plot.

The MAIN character, Soren, is just on the cusp of some major character arcs (well, everyone is for that matter). Saltwater did a great job of accomplishing a cast that needs to grow, but without making you not want to keep going. I LOVE the initial vibes for Finn, Kal, Soren, Elias and more. I think some serious moves will be made throughout the series.

There’s only a dash of romance at this time (which I am curious as to how it’ll be carried over multiple books). I would have loved a bit more, yet by the time some feelings were being expressed I realized I was very much emotionally attached to these two getting their way. The best kind of feelings towards fiction relationships.

I couldn’t get enough of this book and it is so easy to fly through. There’s not intense world-building throughout. It works well in that it’s still easy to know who’s who and what the overall plot will continue to be. I’m interested in many of the sub-plots with meddling gods and betrayals galore.

 

CINDERELLEY.

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So maybe Cinderella retellings aren’t super my thing? Or is it just the addition of the usual “awful stepmother” plot that gets me? Anyways, I did not love that, buuuut the rest of the book grew on me and it was another good read for the Bridgerton series.

I really liked Benedict! I think he was kind of bone-headed at times and thought with other parts of his body besides his head, yet his mind got around to connecting with what he should actually be doing and that made him all the better. I liked that Sophie stood up for herself and didn’t like Benedict just get away with everything initially. I love a good rescue moment so those ending scenes were the best.

Both of these characters were resilient and well rounded with flaws and strengths. I like the real feel of them because it brings a lot more connection to the overall story and what Sophie and Benedict are both going through. It’s a loving and romantic tale with a fantastic audiobook. Lower steam than you’d expect and had me already looking up the next Bridgerton book I want to get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: one open door (low explicit)
- Trigger/Content Warnings: indentured servitude, attempted rape, threats of sexual assault, incarceration, bullying 

A SEQUEL.

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That’s mostly how I feel about this. A good, but meh, second book.

One of my bigger issues was how much more prevalent the love triangle turned out to be. I’m rarely a fan of those and this one was no different, especially because there’s only ONE CHOICE. It’s too obvious and it better be the case or I have wasted my time on this series.

I loved the general continuation of the story. Getting a little bit of a thicker plot with some villains starting to show themselves and more action to the clans. The fantasy world building side of this is still weak, yet it maintains an enjoyable fast paced style that it’s easy read through.

I’m so glad we got to see more Evander (he’s obviously my choice). I love seeing deeper layers to the complex and morally grey characters and this was no different. Engaging (and occasionally enraging), Evander and Rowan found some ground to stand on together.

Things were a bit silly at times (like the snow ball fights??). Personally I’m not a major fan of things like that in my reads unless it truly connects to the story and not as a filler scene to get to the next bigger moment. It is what it is and I do plan to continue with the third book!

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: little light
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: mild
- Trigger/Content Warnings: whipping (on page), kidnapping, attempted murder, near death experiences, loss of life, small battle scenes