I had heard some good things about this book, so I was excited to read from a new author, and I find myself feeling very disappointed. After trying to get into it for almost three days, I just couldn't get myself to finish the book. I read 2/3 of it, and even though there were a few things that occurred in the story that totally cracked me up. For most of it, I felt out of place while reading it. I think part of it was the flow of the plot was jagged and uneven and I had a hard time keeping up, and I only ended up confused. Also what also confused me is the dialogue. I have read many scottish highland historicals, and this was the first time it rattled my brain so much. I did however like Amalie, and at times I liked Thayne, but part of me just couldn't fall for him. I started out wanting to enjoy it, and it only ended up being a chore to read. So after three long days of trying to get into it, I just gave up, especially since there are many books on my plate that I need to get read. However I think I will try another book by this author sometime. I hope my next experience trying her out will be a ton better.

Originally published on my website: Addicted To Romance. Rated as a DNF.

I had high expectations for Black and Blue, especially after loving the first book. But unfortunately I had to put this book down. After 100 pages, and I wasn't into it, I decided to set it aside for now, and maybe at some time at a later date I will pick it up again. But with all the books on my schedule I need to read, I knew I couldn't keep trying to read this after three days. One of the problems I think was my issue with the heroine, Evangaline Black. From the beginning I knew I wouldn't connect with her character at all. She seems to have the personality that just clashed in the story, and I practically had to force myself to keep reading as much as I did. A part of me wanted to try reading further, but I felt like I would have felt this way through most of it. I do hope to eventually try reading it again, maybe I will enjoy it then.

I LOVED the first two books and so with a heavy heart I had to DNF this book. Its not something I wanted to do but I just couldn't do this book at all. I really struggled with it and the HEROINE is the reason. Quite frankly the hero was amazing and didn't deserve her hate. I can't stand man haters in women especially in romance and in this heroine it just didn't make sense to be honest. And I just couldn't stand her attitude and how she treats the hero.

DNF---I was looking forward to this one, but the narrator really put me off of it.

So I can't believe I am doing this to one of my all time favorite authors, but alas, I am. I am DNF'ing this one and this breaks my heart to do so. I read the first 50 pages, and quite frankly what distracted me was the "parenthesis" mentions in the writing which is practically on every page and I just couldn't focus on the story like I wanted to. First off I have never seen this in a romance and maybe the audiobook would be a better option for me down the road, but for now I will have to put this book down.

Horrid narration....butchered the story will try it again in physical format

When I first picked Heart Of The Dove up from the library, I was intrigued and it sounded like a book that I would really get into....however it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for. It started out very slow, and I found myself forcing myself to continue reading, and I gave it about 100 pages, before I had to give it up....it never clicked for me, and I just wasn't really enjoying it at all. I mean the plot was alright....but kinda sketchy at times, it didn't flow smoothy-more like all over the board, there were things that didn't piece together right. I really liked Serena though, she was sweet and innocent and magical in a way, and she treated Rand way better than he ever deserved. Rand has gone through some rough patches, however he treats Serena horridly, and I really never liked him. I never really connected to the characters apart from Serena a little. Part of me is sad that I wasn't able to finish it, and maybe another time I might try re reading it again, but I just found it a little too depressing for my taste, and I didn't really get into it, and it seemed more of a chore to read....so unfortunately I wasn't able to finish it. I do wish it hadn't been so disappointing though.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Those without integrity don’t usually understand those who have it

First Impressions
I will admit that I had decided to pick up this read solely based on the cover and the sample that I had read through the Libby app. This was one of those reads that were a spontaneous decision and when I started to read the sample, I began to be so hooked into the story and I just had to read more of this one. So I decided that I would pick this one up. I absolutely love it when an author can draw me so well into a story especially when it’s a historical romance as they don’t engage me quite as much as they used to. And I have to say that this book was such a fun well worth it of a read. It’s not an easy romance, and our couple definitely has to learn to overcome some true obstacles here, but I absolutely was hooked into the connection that they had with each other and the setup of their story was so well done. Both of our main protagonists are so interesting as individuals and they aren’t your typical members of the aristocracy and I really liked that this author wrote a story that just gave something different to the reader. If you are a fan of a regency historical’s than this is definitely a book for you.

Whether we share enough common ground, I don’t know. I think that marriage is always the triumph of hope over fear.

Summary
Our tale begins when our couple first meets. Our hero, Daniel, is a doctor and has a passion for helping others and the healing arts. Then he and his sister discover a woman hurt and abused and heals her wounds, and give her money to give her a fresh start from her current situation. Now its been years later, and Daniel has inherited a title when sickness spreads through a country estate party and all the heirs but he is killed. The last thing that Daniel wants is to have the responsibilities of a title and a lord but his goal is to find a wife, who can aid him in those responsibilities so that he can live his dream of being a doctor. Our heroine, Jessie, has become a widow and a single mother. When her brother-in-law threatens to take her daughter away, she is determined to protect her daughter no matter what and knows the best course of action will be to marry someone that is strong enough to stand up to her brother-in-law and prevent her from losing her daughter. Daniel and Jessie meet at a ball, and though there is instant chemistry between them, Jessie is determined not to marry someone that she is so attracted to. She wants someone more mature and older in years who will be a friend.. But Daniel is determined to show his genuine affection for Jessie, but Jessie fears that if she gives in to her desires and wants for this man, and then he will discover all of her secrets and hate her forever…

You have strength and vulnerability and the wisdom that comes of hard experience. Without those things, you would be merely beautiful, as a great statue is beautiful. A woman to be admired and forgotten. You, Jezebel Elizabeth Braxton Trevane Kelham Herbert, are unforgettable.

What I Loved
This is a story that I just got sucked into right away, and from their first meeting, I knew that this book would be one wild ride and it definitely was. It was NOT what I was expecting from a regency romance and this author definitely kept me on my toes. There are so many secrets that Jessie has, and she honestly doesn’t always treat Daniel so great, however, you definitely understand her fears and reservations. She is a mother wanting to protect her child at all costs, and she has been able to hide her past so well. Daniel has a determination of a heated bull in a rodeo, and he refuses to let go of Jessie, no matter what. He knows that what is between them is so real and he will fight to protect and nurture it. I absolutely adored having such a determined hero to win the affections of his lady, And once Jessie gives into Daniel, their romance really sparks fire and I absolutely was so endeared by their relationship and seeing them become both lovers but also best of friends. The plot was packed with so much intrigue and mystery, I was so fascinated to see what would be revealed and if they would overcome the intentions of the villains that rise up within the story. I was cheering our couple on all the way through.

Even more than passion, emotional closeness could bind two very different people together into a real marriage.

What I Struggled With
There were a couple of things to this story that I wasn’t a big fan of. I struggled with Jessie’s character and how she treated Daniel during their courtship. I really felt like Daniel didn’t deserve her cold attitude and while I understood where she was coming from, I absolutely felt like she could have gone about it differently. And also we see her daughter Beth, but hardly at all and I would have loved to see more interaction with her, especially from Daniel.

Overall View
Overall I found Not Always A Saint to be a spectacular read that kept this reader eager and endeared from beginning to end. I was so in tune with these characters and this was a highly engaging read that kept me thrilled, focused, and had a sense of magical wonder to the romance that was a WIN!

We can’t always have the relationship we want with another person because we can’t control how they feel.

Trigger Warnings:

Spoiler

Abuse of a animals, Domestic Abuse

This book I was so excited for, I always have such fun with her books but this one was not for me at all! I made it to 40% before I realized I needed to put this one aside. I just can't do this heroine, she is making my teeth hurt haha I tried to keep an open mind with this one but there are many plot holes and I just cant keep going with it. This is the first time I have ever had to DNF this author, and I do feel guilty but I also know that I am not enjoying this at all and need to take a breather. Maybe one day I will come back to it, and it could be I am just not in the mood for this comedy angst.