Full stop. This book was utterly ridiculous. Oh my gosh. I didn’t like it at all, but it got 2 stars purely for the entertainment it gave me for a morning of reading. I kept running to my spouse shouting YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

First of all the book wouldn’t have even needed to happen if there was on small change in the second chapter. The set-up for this marriage of convenience was worthless and sooo not necessary.

Also I hated how Hailey treated Brady. She was the one who used him to pretend he was her fiance and then was the one who was cool with the fake marriage. Why in the world would you spend most of the book then worried he was going to “steal your virtue” (books words) like he was this terrible guy. He gave you no inclination of that kind of behavior and I was upset over that.

AN ATHLETIC TRAINER IS NOT A PERSONAL TRAINER. Good heavens I hate when something is clearly not researched. Absolutely maddening. Use google and get your terms right.

Everything got oddly dark FAST and I didn’t realize I was apparently reading a romantic suspense. I mean seriously, a stalker blew up part of the guys house. WHAT?…WHAT? I can’t even begin to follow the process of thought that led to this being part of the ending scenes.

There’s just so much iffy stuff in this book y’all. Wouldn’t recommend whatsoever.

 

Well this was an odd book to read in 2021. A mysterious virus, wreaking havoc and throwing Morrigan’s world into turmoil. Morrigan goes through a lot of growth in this book and I loved that! I love seeing growth in characters and this fits middle-grade so well, and depicts a young teens life (+ a fantasy world) in a way for all audiences.

I love the morally greyness that happened with Squall as too. I think there’s much more to that story there and I liked getting many backgrounds on previous Wundersmiths. Lots of information was added to further expand this plot.

Some scenes did feel unnecessary and dragged on a bit. And I missed getting more of the 919 squad. Otherwise, another well written installment that I have loved listening to on audio. This world is fun and interesting. The characters are charming and I can’t wait for the next book!

 

POPLAR FALLS FOREVER.

I can’t believe I finished this series! Or maybe I can because I loved it that much. A small town romance series you need in your life y’all!!

Getting Sonia’s story last was the best. I loved her romance with Foster and the second chance love between them was perfect. Sonia and Foster both had pasts that they needed to repair in their hearts as they also learned to lean on their new love and each other. It was all sorts of sweet and a little spicy.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the relationship conflict because it’s usually not a trope I love, but the more I sat on it the more I liked it in the end. It worked for this story and I’m fine with that!

Sometimes the plot focused too much on the previous couples in the series when I just wanted more Sonia and Foster. That was my only complaint. Otherwise all of the dates and romancing under the moonlight was fantastic.

Another quick read I flew through in one morning because I needed to know how everything worked out. It was emotional and tender and I can’t wait to see what Kelly writes next.

 

This plot was interesting!! It had been described to me as Outlander-ish (without a very long list of trigger and content warnings). I’d have to agree, this did remind me of that series, but it’s also very much its own book.

Marian was a intelligent woman who ends up in the 1300’s trying to save her Dad. Little does she know, she’s about to fall in insta-lust/love with William Durham. With the instantaneous nature of it all I never caught up to fully being invested in the romance, but I did like it by the end. They seemed well matched. I did wish I knew going in that this is a STANDALONE. The second book follow another couple. You’ve been made aware.

I definitely had a hard time putting this down. The story is engaging and the pace moves fairly quickly. I would have loved more set-up on both sides of the world, but it was good overall. More length would have made the present time period have a clearer direction. There’s much more here and I hope the second book will expand on that.

 

Reread May 2023: I looove this book.

Reread July 2021: This is even faster paced than I remember and I LOVE IT. LARA AND AREN FOREVER.

WHAT A CONCLUSION.

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Ooooooooh my goodness. I’ve never listened to an audio book faster y’all. I downed this book so fast. I have been waiting for this and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I can continue to be Danielle Jensen’s unofficial spokeswoman for this series. BECAUSE I LOVE IT THAT MUCH.

You could literally hear my thoughts as Lara rounded up her sisters to go save Aren. AND IT WAS A THRILL RIDE. Oh those women danced their way into the harem and took what they came for. There was me on the sidelines cheering them on because I live for action like that. I’m getting all amped up just writing this review.

I had a lot of questions going into this book. All were answered in the best ways. My heart is soaring that I got a conclusion that actually wraps up the lines it needs too. BUT, it definitely leaves open some lines for spin-off books. The side characters in TTQ are a song on their own. I found myself smitten with so many of them. Siblings, family members, generals of armies; they all played distinct and proficient rolls.

This romance was still sizzling. I loved the build-up. I knew things had to work out, yet time and again I was led to believe otherwise. That’s how invested I was. Jensen’s writing is captivating and the audio version is one of the best books I’ve listened too. Aren and Lara kept me waiting, and waiting, and then BAM. Room set aflame, y’all. Room set aflame.

The stress levels I felt listening to Lara and Aren try to work things out between them, deciding if they wanted/could be with each other, trying to save a kingdom and kill a king, was on another level. I could keep rambling about how much I love this duology. The Bridge Kingdom is still my favorite, but this was a conclusion that delivered.

AND DON’T EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT ENDING. I truly gasped and almost started sobbing right then and there. Jensen knows how to tug on those heart strings and beg for a happy ending.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses; one detailed love scene
- Violence: sharks, swords, poison, physical, torture, captivity

Definitely my new top favorite of Center’s books.

I had held off of this one for a long time because I wasn’t sure about the romance. I was worried the patient/provider romance would feel icky. How pleasantly surprised I was that I didn’t feel much that way at all. I thought it was approached well and worked into the relationship conflict like it should have. Of course there were going to be questions and hard conversations an that’s exactly what I got.

Maggie was the epitome of resilient strength. I can’t even begin to imagine those who go through similar situations. I like the depth of despair and grief depicted, but also the light and the hope. It was a study in contrasts of a non-linear movement towards a new and accepted normal.

The writing is contagious and I was hooked from the first chapter. I didn’t think I was going to fly through it so quickly but the audio was amazing and I desperately wanted to continue listening anytime I had to put the book down. It’s a emotional and beautiful plot with many nuanced story lines that all play into each other so well.

I enjoyed the romance and the grand gesture at the end. It was sweet and those final tender conversations were very sweet. There’s an uplifting message within all of the turmoil and Center brought such beauty to this story.

 

My new favorite hockey romance.

This grump and sunshine trope was everrrrrything. They were absolutely adorable. Such amazing chemistry that I was for them from the get-go. I love the way that the attraction and angst is written. It’s an immediate connection, but has the perfect build-up that it doesn’t feel instant. It feels natural and real and brimming with all of feels.

The representation was wonderful. Frankie is on the autism spectrum and has rheumatoid arthritis. I love how she was written. That she wasn’t any less capable of accomplishing the things she wants to. Frankie is exactly who she is and I love that she learned to love herself and learned to let Ren love her too.

There were many great conversations with other characters that helped broaden my understanding of chronic illness and those who are on the spectrum. This is the importance of Own Voices books and the knowledge that can come from reading them while enjoying a beautiful story.

Ren was the best cinnamon roll. I love that he was the sunshine (since it’s usually the female that’s the sunshine). Wow did he bring it all. His commitment and passion for the areas of his life made me swoon. I loved his soul. He’s a nerdy Shakespeare lover, a REDHEAD and absolutely smitten with all things Frankie.