The Bookworm's Guide To Dating was such a delight of a read and as this was the first read that I have had from this author I was shocked that it had taken me so long to read her because I adored everything about this one. I have been looking to read some more ACTUAL Rom Com's and this one filled the ticket in every way. Especially since I have been reading such heavy stuff lately, I really needed something lighter that could help me balance out a bit in the ways that I really needed to have. As this was an audiobook I am not sure if it was just the talent of the narrators or if the book was that well written or a combination of both. Considering how much the community adores this author I have a feeling its the talent of the author and there was so many fun elements to this one that just gave me everything that I was looking for.
So The Bookworm's Guide To Dating starts off with our heroine, Kinsley, who along with her two best friends runs a bookstore and they are all obsessed with books and most especially a good romance. And I totally related with Kinsely (especially in the book throwing) and Kinsley has never found love but has wanted to find what she finds in her stories but it just has never happened for her. Except there is one, but its a step that she knows that he will never take. Josh Carter, is a man she has known most of her life, he is her brother's best friend, and he is the only man other than her brother that she doesn't react weirdly to. She doesn't know how to charm men but around Josh, she feels like she can be herself. But she is determined to find a man, and she finds Josh being the man to mentor her in her dating escapades and before long they both realize there is something building between them, something more powerful than a platonic friendship. But, they both know the cost if they cross that line. Josh is completely loyal to her brother, however, he is willing to cross the lines, to find out what he and Kinsley can cultivate but he is torn in feeling like he is betraying his best friend. He has been in love with Kinsley for years and will need to make a decision on fighting to keep her for good in his life....
I absolutely had a blast with this one and I will be honest....I ADORE this trope. This whole forbidden, best friend's sister that is untouchable is an aspect in a romance that I will always be gunning towards, and I absolutely couldn't seem to get enough of this one here. There were so many LAUGHS!! From the very beginning, I knew I was in for plenty of bursts of laughs and giggles and I definitely wasn't disappointed. I also need to give all the credit as well to the narrators because they just made this book come alive for me. I mean I can be picky about my five-star reads, but honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't fully love about this book. I just had to give it a five-star, because it satisfied all of my needs in every way. Does this book have some flaws? Of course, they do, every book does have its drawbacks, but they just weren't flaws that bothered me enough to lower my rating, haha I just had so much fun with this pair, and seeing them find their way to their HEA was such a blast.
“Well, sue me for trying to book-woo you.”“Book-woo me? What on Earth is book-wooing?”He moved the umbrella so we were both covered by it. “Book-wooing: the art of applying fictional romantic notions to real life to woo someone.”I blinked at him, fighting back a smile. “You made that up, didn’t you?”“Yeah. It’s cute, huh?”“Yes,” I muttered.
I was completely blown away by Emma Hart's writing though, there was something so addictive and utterly charming in her writing style. I can definitely see why so many people have raved about her books over the years and YES she has been on my wishlist for many years and I am not sure why it took me so long to pick her up, But I am so happy that I finally did and that it was such a success for me. The romance that we see here is quite interesting. Josh has been in love with Kinsley for quite a long time, and he hates seeing her date other guys. But the one who fights for the relationship....is NOT the hero, but our fun heroine, and I was all for it. I can't get enough when I see a heroine fight for her man and doesn't give up either. Because Josh can be so stubborn, and honestly, I am glad he was. I loved that he was so loyal to his best friend over a pact they made years previous. And seeing him torn over his loyalty just showed the content of his true character and this made him an even better hero in my book. Because you just know he would have the same commitment to Kinsley and he really does. The only drawback I think some people will struggle with is how long it takes for Kinsley and Josh to tell Kinsley's brother the truth. Even though I was a bit puzzled by it, circumstances develop that keep it from happening and it makes sense when you see it.
When you find the person whose perfect partner is you, and he gets to have you, he's going to be one lucky motherfucker
Overall I found "The Bookworm's Guide To Dating" to be such a delicious read and I couldn't get enough of this story or this pairing. Josh and Kinsley fit so perfectly together, their romance is delectably sweet, heart-achingly tender, and pure in every way that matters. Get ready for the laughs, for the adventure, for the charm that is perfectly balanced with relatable feels that you will feel to the depths. BRILLIANTLY MASTERED!
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Light is one of the most anticipated books of the year and to be honest probably the top of my list for the year of books I couldn't wait to get to, and this is Illium and Aodhan's story and so like many of you who are fans of the series know of the anticipation we have all seen built throughout the series involving these two. Their romance has been building and teased throughout each book and I have been waiting on hands and knees in thrilling eagerness for their story and to finally have read their book....this is PURE GOLD of Singh. I don't think I have seen such a beautiful story that she has ever written. I had wondered if when she finally wrote it if it were to meet up to expectation and I can tell you all it did and you have so much goodness to look forward to in this story that will have you laugh, have you wrecked in emotion and will kill you with the poignancy of it all.
Archangel's Light is a epic love installment of the Guild Hunter series which features:
Illium--Angel with blue wings, lively, jovial and has a charm and is easy to be friends with and destined for Archangel status.
Aodhan-Angel that is silver and gold and sparkles in the light, serious and more introverted but loyal to a fault
Archangel's Light starts off with one of our main characters, Aodhan, who has headed over to China to act as second to the new Archangel, Suyin. Aodhan is still healing from his time being held captive and tortured and still is recovering from the acts done to him. While justice was served he has never fully recovered and gone back to the Aodhan of old and Illium wonders if his friend will ever be the same again and wonders if has lost him forever. Aodhan and Illium grew up together, sparking a friendship that stands the test of eons of time, its a friendship that is eternal and would fortify these two souls for as long as they lived and would touch the hearts of so many that knew them. While they are both so different from each other in their personalities, they would fight and defend and protect and stand for each other no matter the cost to themselves and have done so. But their relationship has taken a hit of recent years, and now they will both have to face up to the past, their own reservations and learn to let go of their pride in order to come to terms with their present and find a way to be together or have to forge their way apart from one another? But will Aodhan and Illium find their path together or turn down different roads for their future?
The last thing Aodhan felt before sleep sucked him under were Illium's fingers stroking through his hair, a tender caress that was wanted, was beloved.
Archangel's Light is one of those books that you know in your heart you will come to love and to be honest I didn't even glance at the blurb before reading this one here. THAT is how much I trust this author to lead me in the right direction and how much faith I have in her writing. She is an author that I have come to know in that her writing style will work for me, and it doesn't matter what she writes, I am willing to go through the pain and intensity to get to the good stuff, to see all the layers peeled away and to the heart of the story that makes the journey worth it and you can bet that Nalini Singh makes the trek through it all the way worthwhile. This BOOK had me all over the place with my emotions and I am so grateful that I can trust in this author to lead me right. It does contain some factors that I do wish to convey to other readers.
Then he kissed him. Kissed him hard and deep, his hand fisted in the silken blue tipped black of his hair and his wings wrapped around him. Kissed him until Illium groaned and grabbed fistfulls of the back of his shirt. Pushing his back up against a tree, Aodham braced one arm over Illium's head while spreadhing his wings to block out the night and he kept on kissing him. It should've been awkward, new, but it wasn't. It was the most perfect kiss in all his existence. Because....it was Illium.
First, it does have flashback moments. Now those who know my reading vibe, KNOW that flashbacks aren't my favorite, in fact, they can distract me from the story and in most cases will affect my rating of the review. But to be honest, even though this relationship has been teased for years, we actually don't know that much about Illium and Aodhan's story and the depths of their relationship and its beginning start. Nalini Singh gives this to us. In this story, you will have exchanging chapters of the past and then of the present. I actually didn't mind it because in these chapters she doesn't leave you hanging on cliffhangers until the next phase of chapters so I was grateful for that. The second element is that this doesn't have much in heat. It does have some moments, but to be honest, they don't even kiss till later in the story, so if you want lots of sexual heat, you aren't going to find it in this one here. I feel like as romance readers we all have various expectations and considering how much heat this author tends to always have in her books, I feel like this needs to be something you should be aware of.
You and that heart of yours really need a damn keeper. Do I hear you volunteering? No. I'm not volunteering. The position is already mine.
The story itself is quite a beautiful story and has many facets to it. It won't be exactly what you suspect it to be. We get plenty of focus on China and what is happening following the aftermath of Lijuan’s reign and how the territory is crippled and all of its people damaged in some form or another. This is not going to be an easy transition to being a healthy thriving society once again. But Aodhan is determined to help Lijuan's cousin, Sunyin takes control and brings back prosperity to the territory once again. But there is something stirring in the country, and it will be up to Aodhan and Illium to discover what it is and bring a stop to it, but on their journey of connecting once again, finding their way together through their relationship, they will be met with something they never imagined, a secret kept hidden away, one that could destroy all they have gained since the destruction of Lijuan. The romance that we see between Aodhan and Illium will NOT be what everyone will expect it to be but in the end will be perfect for these two. There are so many depths that are explored in their relationship and seeing them come together, finding transparency in their connection, and rebuilding those bonds was such an intricate beauty to be showcased. Nalini Singh really worked her magic with this one, and it will take your breath away from what you see with Aodhan and Illium.
Side Note: there is some moments we see of Rafael and his dealings with these two and my HEART just about exploded with love for this character even more than previous. Seeing his devotion and love to these men was so epic and breathtaking, It just tore me apart to see how much he cared and sacrificed for them.
You must understand- for Aodhan, the Seven and Raphael are family, the bonds between them far beyond blood and bone. It is a thing elemental.
Overall I found Archangel's Light to be a romance that shines a light on a love story that will touch the heart of every reader that delves into it. It won't be an easy journey, but it's one that will guide the reader to a majestic love story of sacrifice, devotion, healing, and the power of love in the darkest of moments. We see a history of friendship and male love that will take you to the stars and back in its inherent beauty. A romance that is a GOLD STAR of a read and I feel like this is just the beginning in their journey into....FOREVER.
Aodhan moved close enough to take Illium's chin in his hand, tug gently until his best friend in the world would look at him again. The gold shone with a sheen of wet, the same emotion rocks in Aodhan's throat. "Always, Blue" he said, his voice husky "Me and you? We're always."
Dark Desires is a story that packs a punch and I am so loving this series and the writing quality of this author, I am really beginning to see why so many on Goodreads especially, are raving about this author here, and with each book, I am respecting this author so much more. And one of the main aspects that really shocked me in this story was the humor that was placed in this book. Because I don't remember laughing hardly in the previous two books, but in this one, I don't know, there was something so humorous added into the dialogue between our hero and heroine and it was utterly delightful. I was captivated from their first meeting, and the smile on my face never left my face, from the first to last page, I was highly entertained and engrossed in this tale that enticed and intrigued me with each chapter. This author is definitely giving me all of the vibes I am in the mood for this season.
Dark Desires is a thrilling, edgy yet highly lively story to set your heart afire that features:
Ryu Takamura -trained in the martial arts, vampire, an assassin for the Dark Ones, a "lone wolf", believing he has half a soul and cursed.
Ava Monroe- Fun loving, scientist looking to cure disease, has a heart of hope and love for others. She is shy and awkward around men.
To desire was to want. To want was to expose oneself to weakness. Weakness that could be used to bring endless pain and torment. And it all began with pleasure. Pleasure was addictive. Pleasure spawned desire. Ryu felt deep in his bones that Ava Monroe was pleasure incarnate. She should wear a sign that said: “This way lies folly. Trespass at your own risk.” She was dangerous to his peace of mind. He could not afford to be distracted by her. Not when he might need to end her life.
Dark Desires is a story that starts off with our "meet cute" where Ryu and Ava first meet, which is on an airplane. And from the first moment that their eyes meet, there is instant chemistry, the type of chemistry that is beyond normal and average, it pierces deep for both Ryu and Ava. Ava is a scientist, flying to Japan to look for cures for human diseases and is human. She has never felt such sexual energy from being attracted to anyone before but she knows that Ryu is different, but she is awkward around him and clumsy and doesn't know how to act around him. Ryu is the assassin for the Dark Ones, he was once human but turned vampire against his will and believes that he has half a soul, and his life is full of killing and death and that is all he knows until Ava. He knows that she is the key to their enemy, but he senses the same attraction and knows that Ava could be his greatest weakness if he lets her get too close. But despite her awkwardness around Ryu at first, she is determined to fight for the man she knows he is, even if he doesn't believe he is worthy of her. She sees goodness and light within him and is determined to fight for Ryu and prove to him he is worthy of love.
I believe that if someone was stronger than others, it is his duty to share his strength, to protect the weak. Never to take advantage. No one has more right to survival than anyone else
Dark Desires was a story that BLEW MY MIND and I just wanted to see more of it. I honestly never wanted their story to end because with each chapter I was captivated by their story and their intense connection. Now, this is an instant love connection with a mix of Grumpy Sunshine and I actually really enjoyed this. Now I did think that Ava, might have fallen in love too quickly, so it definitely felt more insta lust but halfway through the story, it definitely felt so much deeper than that, and I could definitely see the feelings that go deeper than just their sexual attraction that they have to each other. This was quite an interesting dynamic actually. And their interactions with each other were so hilarious. Ava is such a dork, haha and I am saying that out of love and affection but she is. She is a bit of a science and medical geek and doesn't know how to really react around men especially around Ryu who has a certain sexual aura about him. And Ryu well he likes to have fun with Ava and tease her about her clumsy moments around him. For example, he likes to tease her when she blurts out things she thinks she is only thinking sexually about him and I can't tell you how entertaining it is. But ironically, it slowly helps her become more comfortable and at ease with him.
“What do you want from me?” he rasped huskily, his mouth a hair’s breadth from hers. She thought of saying something flippant or flirty, but couldn’t come up with anything but the truth: “Everything,” she whispered. A sharp indrawn breath, and then— Heaven.
Ava is a heroine that I instantly related with, there was something so sweet and soft about her character yet she has a spine of steel when it's needed. She is a ray of sunshine, always seeing the good in others. Then we have Ryu, who is quite opposite of her. He has had a rough life, and never was raised with love or affection, and only knows fighting and death. But Ava teaches him about intimacy and love and seeing how she shows him how a relationship works is so beautiful. You see how lost Ryu is at times in dealing with Ava, but despite her lack of experience, she is eager and energetic and loves him deeply, and is willing to fight for him. One of my favorite aspects of a heroine is seeing a woman fight for her man in such an intense way. Even when Ryu reveals himself to her, while her reaction isn't normal, I was grateful for it because it definitely fits with her personality. She is so unconditionally loving (and this is very rare in heroines actually) where she fully accepts Ryu instantly and just loves him for who he is and doesn't want to change him. Seeing these two connect on such a deeply intimate level was such a delight. Then moving on we have the plot of the story and this really kicked booty in every way. I loved the intensity, the intrigue, the action, and seeing how some things come together that was teased in from the first book. We do get a couple from Dark Longing which was perfect, I wanted to see more of them and was happy to see them working with Ava and Ryu in this one. And the way that this story leaves off, while it definitely has a happy ending to bring you to tears, it also teases you enough to make you want to read the next book.
“You’re made just for me, Ryu Takamura. I want to claim you for my very own.”
Overall I found Dark Desires to be a read that takes you on a journey of lively delights, sparkling dialogue, and a thrilling plot to deliver in every aspect that this author is capable of and more!
Hideaway is the second book of the Devil's Night series and man I am in LOVE with this series so far and what Penelope Douglas has built with these books. And I normally don't go for the super hyped reads, however, I will say that these books are definitely worth all of it and more. There is such intrigue and depth of emotion that just creeps up on you within each installment. Hideaway is Kai's book and after the first book, I didn't know what to expect with his book to be honest. And what Hideaway builds into is NOT what I thought would turn out for his book but despite the fact that it went a way I didn't see coming, I was all for the journey of Kai and Banks and seeing their romance blossom.
Hideaway begins with taking us back and forth between the present and past of Kai and Banks. Kai and Banks first meet when Kai and his friends ruled high school, and they meet in a church and form a bond of sorts. There is a connection between them but there is one complication, her brother and confidant, is none other than the villain in the story....Damon. Banks has kept herself from truly being seen as a woman, and hides herself away behind boys clothes. There is a bond between Banks and Damon, but one that has been kept hidden away for many years. Kai and the others know that Damon is the enemy, and a threat, but they also know that Banks is key to some answers. But as tensions build up, Banks will have to choose between two men that hold her heart.....the brother and the lover. Will Banks be able to choose or will she risk losing them both?
Hideaway is a story which is guaranteed to tear through all of your emotions in all the best and worst of ways imaginable. In the beginning, the story does start a bit slow, and to be honest, flashbacks just aren't my favorite thing to read in a romance, I can be too impatient and I want to get to all the good stuff (haha) However, there is a unique element in which this author implements them that gravitates me so completely. I was so drawn into Kai and Banks romance and seeing all the sexy angsty banter that builds between them. One thing you can be guaranteed with a Penelope Douglas, is that her stories will always deliver and entertain especially in ways you won't see coming. I will say that Kai and Banks never ceased to entertain, they definitely have their issues and secrets but in the end, they are willing to fight for each other when it truly matters which is what makes this such a beautiful story at the end of the day. And man do I need Damon's book, because his story is going to be some wild sauce.
Overall I found Hideaway to be such a dynamic of a romance, it offers depths of perception, wilds of intrigue and thrills, secrets that know no bounds, family bonds that go deeper than expectations, and truths that are revealed that will deliver shocks and delights and a story that is guaranteed to deliver in all the ways that matter.
Bad Moon Rising is the first book in the latest series by Zoe Forward, I will be honest, I had never heard of this author until I saw this book on Netgalley offered and I was like ....YES because I just love trying new authors especially in the paranormal genre (since I kinda feel its a dying genre and these authors need all of our support) but this cover, I really love how Entangled put it all together especially with all the "Halloween" like vibes for it. I wanted to read it this week and it seemed to be just perfect but NOW you know what I need all the other books in the series because I was blown away by this book, it was so different than I was expecting and it just tore my heart out, but yet gave me everything I didn't know that I was looking for.
Bad Moon Rising is a fierce, intense filled story that will keep you on the edge of your seat that features:
Roman Lanzo- A Lycan, a soldier for the Queen of England, loyal to his family and a survivor
Nova-Kick ass heroine, has no memory of who she is but can fight and has psychic abilities and feels connected to Roman.
Bad Moon Rising is a story that sets off with our heroine, who wakes up with no memory of who she is, but she knows she must reach a man named "Roman" and to save him from a threat she is not sure of but she knows she is capable of fighting and protecting him if necessary. When she arrives, she knows the man that she is looking for and he is a man that she feels a strong attraction to and she knows he is "danger" personified and not one she should ever mess with. But the trick now is to get him to trust her and how to get him to leave the danger that is ahead of them. But when it is proven that she can take care of herself and is a woman to trust, Roman knows that there is something more to Nova and that she is a woman that he is captivated by. But there are secrets and when he is brought in to the new King and his boss now and orders him to kill Nova, he is torn in two. Roman and his brothers were cursed years ago that they had to obey all orders by the leader of England, or he could die. And now he must make a difficult choice, but there is more going on here than meets the eye. Nova and Roman are determined to find out the truth before one of them dies, but their story won't be what is expected, and it may come at the ultimate cost....
Bad Moon Rising is a wonderful story that I simply loved and I couldn't put it down, I didn't know what to expect from this book and I didn't even look at the blurb for this one. I'm not sure why I didn't since I always do, but I just wanted to immerse myself into a paranormal. I quickly found myself drawn into this heartbreaking paranormal romance that gave me everything I needed and more. Both of these characters were simply amazing and captures the heart in the small moments. You will find that Nova and Roman to be a perfect team. I don't always vibe with kick-ass heroines, but I absolutely devoured Nova's character. She was tough, could fight (in the way you would expect of James Bond), but she has such a good heart and I truly related with her so much. And seeing her devotion to Roman was epically beautiful in every way. Roman is such a unique hero, and my heart just broke for him. He is such a tough alpha male, he is the oldest of his brothers and highly protective of them, and sacrifices so much for them. And seeing his love for Nola will just pierce the deepest parts of you. I will be honest that there will be parts of this book that will tear you apart. Their story while they get a HEA, it's a tough journey in getting there.
I was really surprised in how much I enjoyed this author's writing and definitely wanted more and more of it. I can't wait to start delving into some of her other works and see how I like them. The premise of this series is fascinating and I can't wait to see what happens with the other brothers, find out about this secret organization working against their people, and see them all find their mates.
Overall I found Bad Moon Rising to be a thrilling, edge-on-the-seat adventure that will work through your emotions, stun you in the action-packed moments, and deliver a deeply satisfying conclusion.
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Forever in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the series and at first I thought that this would be the finale in the series, but alas, it isn't haha but you don't really see signs for others books until this book because the previous book didn't really hint at it that much or I might have just missed the signs that was conveyed there. In Dream Keeper, this is a romance that has been teased all the way through the series so its definitely highly anticipated for sure, but I will say that it did start out slower than I expected it too. Normally Kristen Ashley will sweep me up so quickly, but I don't know if its just me or maybe her writing is changing, but they aren't hooking me in as much as her previous works but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit, it just wasn't quite as engaging as the previous books in the series. But there were so many aspects of this story that truly worked for me in so many ways and I was thrilled to finally get Auggie and Pepper's romance.
Dream Keeper is a slow and steady romance that features:
Auggie -Ex Military-current working as a commando for Hawke, alpha male, protective, loves kids, family issue
Pepper-Exotic dancer, divorcee, single mother, nurturing and creative, has vulnerabilities in self esteem
Dream Keeper is a romance that takes us back to Auggie and Pepper and actually begin's with Pepper's daughter, Juno. Juno wants her mom to have a husband that will truly love and cherish her and she wants a true family. She knows that her parents won't be getting back together and trying to live with that reality. So Juno convinces a man she knows that she can trust to help her bring Auggie and Pepper together. She sees the way that Auggie looks at her mom, and her mom is being "stupid" in resisting him and so she begins to work her innocent magic in bringing these two unrequited lovers together. Auggie has been trying to get Pepper to go on a date with him, but Pepper is resistant. At first it was for her daughter's sake, but in reality, Pepper has so much drama in her family and in her past that she doesn't feel like she could ever be worthy of Auggie. Her life is rough and the drama is extreme and no man should have to deal what she has to on a regular basis so she intends on driving him away. Only it doesn't work the way she expected to, and before she realizes it she shows how she cares for him, and he sees through her defenses and is more than determined to prove to her they are worth taking a risk on....
Dream Keeper was such a powerhouse of a romance and I had a blast with this book and I am so grateful that I was able to get this in ARC format (although I would have purchased it too) I have really been so entertained by this series and they are reminiscent of the Dream Man and Rock Chick series, but they are in the same world, so you see all the connecting characters throughout these books and its such fun. This series is the rest of the men on "Hawke"s team and seeing these commando's get their HEA. I love that Kristen Ashley wrote these books, and they definitely showcase the similar vibe that we found in those connecting books. I absolutely adored this one though. Pepper drove me nuts though, just the way that she treats Auggie, was too much in my opinion, it was a bit of emotional abuse. But then she realizes what she does to him and course corrects so I did like seeing her growth in that. There is some political stuff (nothing too obvious or anything, and I only noticed it in the beginning so fair warning on that aspect. But this portion doesn't reflect on my review at all, since it wasn't anything controversial or soap box-like, just common sense.
The romance that builds between Auggie and Pepper is so sweet once we get all the angst out of the way. The one aspect I really adore in this author is that the inner conflict between the main couple gets resolved pretty quickly, and then we get to see the growth in their relationship, the HOT smexy times (some of the hottest scenes I have read from this author I swear she put in this book), Juno's matchmaking, family drama that builds with each chapter, it really comes together. I enjoyed seeing how the first half of the story is the focus of the romantic intimacy between Auggie and Pepper, and then the second half, is where we get to all the family drama and dealing with religious cults. Now these are true cults dealing with abuse, manipulation, polygamy. (Polygamy and the way she wrote is was correct as I am LDS (the non polygamy one) so I know the difference in the various religions that practice and don't so I respect that this author did her research correctly) I really felt for the heroine and what her family has to deal with this cult. Because wow it was really bad here. Kristen Ashley really showed healthy religion versus toxic cult like religion and how one is positive and uplifting and the other is damaging and abusive to the people involved.
Overall I found Dream Keeper to be a stunning addition to this series that is so reminiscent of previous sagas we have loved from this author, its a story that will entertain you with its plot, charming characters to bring a smile to your face, and a love story that will have you swooning on each page....DELECTABLE IN EVERY MOMENT!
Bewitching is the first book in the "Regency Magic" duo series from Jill Barnett. This is a book that I have had on my TBR for the longest time, I know its been on my GR wishlist for over a decade and I have had this ebook on my kindle for I don't know how long haha So I was happy that I was finally able to read this. Now this was part of a group read with the "Thoughts on Historicals" group, and we had such a blast. Here is the LINK, if you would like to watch it!! I personally didn't know what to expect from this book, but, I had so much fun with this one. It really surprised me because it is rare for a 90's published romance to have me having so much fun, but Bewitching seemed just perfect for the season and everything involved.
Bewitching is a magical, angst filled, romance that features:
Alec, Duke of Belmore-Duke, Aristocrat, Stoic, Head packed with responsibility
JoyousMacQuarrie-Clumsy witch, makes mistakes, sees the joy and sparkle in life and sees the good in others
This kiss had power, it was the kiss of a duke—a duke who needed to prove something. And he did. He proved that he could make Joyous Fiona MacQuarrie forget how to say no.
Bewitching is a magical story that starts off with our hero, Alec who is the Duke of Belmore. It has been drilled into him that love is forbidden, that his life must be all about duty and obligation. When he is ready to have an heir and knows he needs to get married, he thought he found a suitable woman that he enjoyed the company of but when she jilts him the day before he is upset to say the least. And when he meets a peddling woman who tells him the next woman he meets will be the woman he will marry and will bring some unexpected happenings into his life. But he never expected the next woman would be this beautiful Scot who would turn out to be a magical witch and turn his life upside down in ways he never expected.
She could feel the physical pull of this man as if an iron chain bound their hearts together. So powerful it was that she wondered for a brief instant if she had started something that even the strongest witchcraft couldn’t handle.
Bewitching is a story I honestly wasn't sure how I could write a review for because I have some mixed feelings about this one but overall I truly liked this one, it was so different and unexpected. So many have raved about this one over the years and I have become so curious about this and see what all the excitement was about. Now I think if I had read this one years ago, I probably would have enjoyed this much more. Now first off this book was published back in the '90s, so I had no clue what to really expect. You never know when you read historical's being published this far back. But honestly, I had no real major issues with this story here. Now there were a couple of elements that kept this from being a five-star read for me. The first is the pacing of the story. The pacing went in and out in the first half of the story, I wasn't fully engaged in the pacing of this book so that is one factor. The other factor is the type of angst delivered in this one. There is a certain style of angst that is common in older historicals and this one definitely had that type of angst. If these two aspects had been done a bit better, it would have been an easy five-star read.
“Alec?” She touched his arm. “How will you ever have any memories if you don’t create them?”
The romance that we see between these two was a story that I honestly had a blast with. I really enjoy seeing such opposite personalities enter into a marriage like this. When these two meet they are complete strangers and they don't know how to handle each other in many ways. Our hero is very stoic and almost cold in that he was never allowed to feel emotion or have fun with life. And our heroine was raised completely differently. She sees the magic in life, she sees the light and beauty in nature and their life outlooks are very different. They definitely are the epitome of the "Grump Sunshine" trope so if that is your cup of tea, you definitely need to grab this one up, because Jill Barnett handles this so well. The major aspect of their romance is seeing these two strangers LEARN each other, and it takes time, learning to compromise and work together and it won't be an easy road for either of them emotionally. They definitely have some hurdles to cross, but seeing our hero and heroine learn the other, and adapt to the change and see and learn to accept each other for who they are is simply a beautiful process. I did find that the later half of the story to be rock solid for me, it was worth the struggle I had at times in the first half. This story will definitely have its deep emotional moments that will tear you in two, but have no fear there is a definite HEA and the epilogue in this book was PERFECTION!!!
“My Alec,” she whispered, then their mouths touched and he knew this was real, for he tasted all he loved, his world, his life, his wife. Eternity.
Overall I found this one to be a delectable read that fed my old school historical soul, it feels as warm and cozy as a hot blanket on a cold winter's night, it delivers with all the magical fun of "Bednobs and Broomsticks", and will give you all the swoony moments to satisfy any romance heart!
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Forever in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Duke Heist was the last book I read for the "HRREADATHON" and I wasn't sure how this book would go down for me. I know its been so well received by much of the romance community, but hyped books tend to not always work out for me. But I knew that I wanted to see what all the hype surrounding this book was all about and I was highly impressed with this story. This is my first time reading Erica Ridley and I am wondering what it took so long in reading her. This story was a laugh out loud romantic fun and I just wanted more in the end and I am eager to see where this author plans on carrying this series and this amusing family of the Wynchesters.The Duke Heist begins with our heroine, who is determined to get their family painting fully returned to them even if that means she grabs it herself. It is a vow she and her siblings have made to each other and they won't feel peace of mind until its done. Chloe, has always been unnoticeable by those around her in society, never truly making an impression until she arrives at a house party, And surprisingly there is a instant chemistry between herself and Lawrence, the Duke of Faircliffe. Lawrence is having to pay for his father's indiscretions and scandals. Lawrence has worked hard in the trying of becoming honorable and respectable. But he needs funds in order to do so, and he is on the hunt to marry an heiress, and restore what his father took from so many. Until he meets Chloe and then finds himself kidnapped by the impressionable young woman. He wants the taste of the forbidden even knowing there is no future together. But Chloe and Lawrence will find that fate has other plans for them, but will there be a way for them to reach their HEAThe Duke Heist was a superb story in just about every way, and while it didn't quite reach the top mark of a rating for me, it was such a lively read that I couldn't put down. I honestly couldn't stop laughing, the sharp witted humor that is displayed in this book entertained. I was actually surprised by how drawn into this book I actually was. It normally takes a while with regency romance especially to find myself drawn into the story but I couldn't put this down. Now of course, the story wasn't perfection and had its flaws at times. The humor didn't extend all the way to the end for me, but I was so drawn into this romance, I didn't mind it. The chemistry that builds between Lawrence and Chloe was so captivating, almost as if time stood still in certain moments. And its these moments that I live for in reading romance. While their love seems to be forbidden, they can't seem to stay away from each other. There are some unconventional moments in this story, so at times it doesn't have the realistic authenticity of historical context, but its a wild ride of laughs and shenanigans which made the journey worth the experience of it.Overall I found The Duke Heist to be a pure pleasure, a story of charm balanced with intense chemistry. A combination of fierce family ties, redemption, finding your place in the world and embracing the beauty of love. FIERCELY A FIGHTING LOVE!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Electric Idol is the second book in the “Dark Olympus” series and I have been so excited for this as I just fell in love with the first book “Neon Gods” and this story is a bit of a mix so it does have some Greek mythology of course, but also felt like a Snow White retelling with Snow White falling for the Huntsman. And I really love these Huntsman retellings, they are so fun to see the change in dynamics from wanting to kill to love. And I have to say that Katee Robert always does such a superb job in writing these type of set ups and I was highly intrigued to see how this one would play out. Another plus to reading this one is I got to buddy read this one with “Angie Elle” who does have a blog “Books and Beauty are My Bag” and we do enjoy buddy reading together. Electric Idol is such an interesting story that I think will work for many readers and fans of Katee Robert.
Electric Idol is a intense filled but also balanced with sweetness that features:
Eros-Works for his mother “Aphrodite”, has a dark past at doing his mothers bidding, a bit of a playboy but tormented about what he has become and doesn’t believe he is worthy of love
Psyche-is the most undervalued daughter of Demetrus, she is more curvy and is judged harshly by all of Olympus for that. She has a sweet nature but is also cunning and crafty like her mother.
Why help Aphrodie’s pet monster?Because even monsters need help sometimes Eros.
Electric Idol is a story that starts off with our heroine and hero meeting up at a part of Olympus. And this is an occasion where Psyche knows that her mother is trying to match her with the new Zeus. As the last Zeus was killed recently and now his son has taken over. But that night Psyche meets with Eros, the playboy and assassin of Dark Olympus. He has a reputation of being dangerous and doing his mother’s crafty bidding, but also has a different woman on his arm at every events. Psyche knows she is in trouble when they meet in the bathroom and she tends his injuries that he has acquired. And when they are caught in a compromising situation, rumors abound and Aphrodite especially is outraged by the scandal. She views Psyche as an enemy to be eliminated. And see goes about to making that happen. And she commands her son Eros to kill Psyche even though a man has passed. When Eros and Psyche meet up that evening, Eros knows that he has to kill her and Psyche knows that he has no other choice but then they realize one other action could bring about the result they both desire…marriage. They know that this is a marriage of convenience and a bit of showing Olympus how in “love” they are with each other, but what starts out as a fake marriage, becomes very real quickly but Aphrodite is not to be messed with and Eros and Psyche might be living on borrowed time….
A good man would do anything to preserve this woman’s soft center. He would battle her demons and enemies alike to create a world where she could let down her barriers and live happily without armor. He would get her the fuck out of Olympus, would promise her safety without any selfish gains for himself, would put her up on a pedestal and worship at the alter of her daily.I’m not a good man, though,I’m a fucking monster.
Electric Idol is a story that really worked for me, now, not quite as much as Neon Gods did (as that was a much higher rating) so I didn’t quite enjoy this one quite as much, but it was definitely such a solid story that I really fell for. Eros and Psyche just had a romance that worked for me. Now I do want to point out that this does have elements of instant love connection, its not going to be a slow burn. We do see once they are married, the plot of the story really speeds up and there are only a handful of days that we see this story reach its conclusion, so keep that in mind. Now if you read a lot of romance, than this factor isn’t going to effect you too much, because short time lines happen quite frequently in the genre. I found it believable though. I know many couples that have had this type of connection and YES you can fall in love quickly. But I do love these tropes that enter into this story.
I’m nowhere near strong enough to win a battle of wills with Eros if he ever decided he wants to break me to pieces
You really see a lot of depth from Eros especially. I would have liked to have seen a bit better of character growth from Psyche, we do get much more focus on Eros. Of course, he is much more emotionally damaged than Psyche is. His mother has really does a piece of work on him and he really struggles with his worth. I really found Psyche to be such a strong heroine, she does have her vulnerabilities especially in how the community treats her because of her “body image” but I really loved how she tends to not let it bother her too greatly. She understand how society looks at image and has learned to ignore the toxicity of it. Eros though he is adorable because he gets so protective over her for it. He accepts her as she is and loves her body and the woman she is. We definitely see some unique dynamics between the two here. Their story is one that does happen quickly though. We see how Aphrodite doesn’t give them much “wedded bliss” before acting out her plans to get rid of Psyche. And man the ENDING…..the way Psyche handles her is just perfection. Poor ZEUS, he has no comprehension of the complex dynamics that Psyche will bring to the table and I have a feeling in his book its going to be EPIC. And yes I am pretty sure its Callista and Zeus who are in book three. I heard there was menage in that one but not sure about that yet. We shall see what our delightful author will deliver to us.
I don’t deserve Psyche’s trust. With anyone else, it would just be a tool to leverage against them if the situation ever arose. With this woman?I want to earn it.
Overall I found Electric Idol to be a complex foray into the mythology and blending a modern love into the mix. Its a story that will delight, focus, and surge emotion to encompass its readers in such a elemental way. Be ready for a ride of intrigue, smexy times and some surprises you won’t see coming.
Good Gone Back is the third installment in the "Fallen Men" series. I have really come to admire this author so far and she just has me hooked into these books. I will admit that I didn't quite rush into this book, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book since this is the daughter of the MC Fallen President and quite frankly she is a bit too much at times. So I wasn't sure how I would feel about her or seeing her matched up with a local cop so that was a unique turn of a matchup but honestly after the first page I was HOOKED. That is the talent with this author, is if you are in a book slump or struggling to get engaged in books, she is wonderful in how she writes, I have learned that she is so darling and I love seeing the torment and the heart balanced so well in her books but man they kill me.
Good Gone Bad is a spicy kinky romance which features:
Lionel Danner-police officer, working undercover, raised Harleigh and King, dominant
Harleigh Rose-daughter of the Fallen President, adventurous, working undercover, abused
Lionel Danner has known Harleigh for years and practically raised her since she was little when her father spent some time in prison, and she and her brother were put in his family's care for some time. Danner has always been a straight arrow, he has heart and soul in everything that he does, but he also sees the grey that exists in the world of morality. He understands that there is good and bad all over and doesn't like to categorize people by one factor. He has been in love with Harleigh for years, but he knew he was going undercover into a rival MC of Harleigh's family, and he couldn't risk putting her in danger from him. And let her pursue a relationship with another man but didn't know that man had been abusing her for three years. Harleigh has kept silent from her family on her abuse, she was raised to be strong and kickass in such a dangerous world, but what she didn't expect was that she would be pushed to her greatest limit when she would be forced to take a man's life when he tried to rape her with his gun. But Danner came on his white horse to rescue her, and work together to bring down the rival MC who wants to destroy her family. But Harleigh might have to break the heart of her family in order to see that they survive this war and that may cost her everything good she has left in her soul...
"You aren't a victim here, Rosie, you aren't letting life catch you up in this fierce fucking storm. You are the storm, this is your set up, these are your choices, and you're strong so you'll blow furious and true until you see this thing through."
Good Gone Bad is such a heart breaker of a read, I just can't believe how much this author is tearing me apart, and even though I love the experience overall, it is KILLING me. But sometimes you need the books that will tear your heart wide open, break it into pieces and then somehow see it woven back together. Apparently Giana Darling has never heard of Humpy Dumpty (haha) Because she puts these broken pieces back together. Now I will give fair warning that you won't get enough of this author but you will also have a hate/love relationship with her. She has delivered on so many great things but what she always does is that she evokes such strong emotions as you read and experience all the good and the bad that these characters suffer through and I LOVE it so dearly. Not too many authors can do this for me.
This was true freedom, giving myself over to the hands of a man who would let me run wild, but keep me safe as I did it.
Good Gone Bad though wasn't my favorite of the series. I will be honest that really reduced this rating was the kink done in this book. To be honest it just didn't fit Danner that much. I don't know because at the beginning he doesn't give off that dominant type of vibe you normally see in books that have BDSM elements. So it was kinda a weird throw in and quite frankly I felt like it was too much at times. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of BDSM (more than likely that was the case) but the plot was so well portrayed and this author really takes you to all the places in this story. Be prepared with this author, because not all the side characters you love will survive. This is just what she writes. In an interview, I saw HERE she explained how she likes to showcase the good and the bad that people experience in life and its portrayal is so relative. She also handles the MC culture lighter than other authors. So if MC romance is a struggle due to some of the language used, then I think this author would really work for you. The romance that we see between these two is so heartbreaking at times. There is so much forbidden to their romance. I mean they are having to play secret identities, the hero did hurt the heroine when he left her, and also there is this thing called he is a cop and she is part of the MC world. So many factors come into place into this world that is created to show that their romance is packed with conflict. I actually quite enjoyed what we saw here. I was deeply saddened by what we see to a side character, but hope he finds a HEA in a future book.
My good intentions were quickly drowning in a riptide, waterlogged with impossible questions, choking on moral ambiguity as difficult to digest as ocean waves.
Overall I found Good Gone Bad to be quite a action packed book, that will kick your heart up to gear, it will take elements you won't be expected to see and will bring in a beautiful story you will find yourself captivated by. Its full of heart, passion, and the strength of a fighting spirit and standing for those you love no matter the cost to yourself.
