Quickie Review-May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review

Where We Started i a book that I was really excited for. I have been seeing so many rave about this one here. I was really hoping that this one would sell me, but unfortunately it didn't quite execute as I would have liked. It still is close to 4 stars but I really struggled with this one here. For a contemporary MC romance, it could have been done better. It kinda felt like this author didn't know if she wanted to write a contemporary or a dark romance for this one. There were mixed elements and it felt like it was going back and forth constantly. The romance in this one was a blend. There was so much angst between this couple and to be honest I didn't feel like this one was even close to being resolved. There were some issues we see them struggle with never get resolved and it just never felt satisfying enough for me. I also wasn't a fan with how this one left off. I am hoping we get more books here, but I really had high hopes for this one here and it didn't quite work as I would have loved for it to be. I love a good MC romance, but this one was so flawed in so many ways. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't hate this book, not at all. It got close to 4 stars, but the heroine was a bit annoying at times and there were elements to this story that just didn't seem practical for a MC setting here. I will keep up with this series because I am intrigued, but this one could have been better. 

 Quickie Review-May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review

So Nash is a book that I have been curious about ever since we saw the ending of the previous book where we saw the drama that was unfurling between the hero's family and coming face to face with a woman who hates him and he doesn't know why. I was really intrigued to see the true connection between our main characters and why our heroine would hate the hero so much. Nash is a hero who is far from perfect. He was wild as a teenager and really clueless. From the flashbacks we see, he wasn't intentionally harmful, just like most young teenagers. But for our heroine, who had a crush on him, and he crushed her feelings for him even though he didn't know. So we have this setup of forced proximity as Nash's dad is dying, he has had some family reveals and he is trying to figure out what a relationship with Saint can be. I really enjoyed seeing these two coming together but they definitely have some issues that make sense and I had a fun time seeing these two figuring it all out and trying to find some balance in their relationship. Had a blast with it and I am so excited for Asa's book (because that one will be wild). 

  

This was a delightful short story that is really an extended epilogue. Its an epilogue that takes places between the end of the last chapter of "Rivalry" and before the official epilogue. This is where our couple spends Christmas with the heroine's family and laughter abound on this one here. I really enjoyed how Nikki Sloane wrote this one and was so fun to see our couple get some more time together in this one here but also seeing the way in which they learn to be with each other and seeing the family slowly accepting Jay and it was just delightful. Loved the tricks they play on each other and I just adored reading this finally as I haven't previously until now. This is also a great combination to read together, especially for rivalry week!

 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Crux Untamed is the 6th book in the "Hades Hangmen" series. I managed to download this one and the next novella before the books were deleted. Hopefully, I can find the 7th, I think I saw my library carrying it so hopefully I will be able to get my hands on that one. But Crux Untamed was such an amazing story, I will say that I think this one is my favorite of the series and its not even a contest. As much as I love the previous books, there was something about this one that just melted my heart and struck on a deep level. Tillie Cole is an author that is unmatched and the way that she just pulls you in with her fascinating characters and not one of her books are like the other which is what I really admire her for. (I will never understand the hate, because this book was beautifully tackled and melted my heart.

First Line
I ran down the hallway.

Summary
Elysia Willis has always craved the quiet type of life. When she meets the wrong man and ends up in his snares, her brothers finds her a safe haven away from him. But she knows how dangerous the cartel is and that he will never stop looking for her. When danger to her resurfaces, she is to be protected by two of her brother's men in the MC....Hush and Cowboy. These two are a team deal, they tend to share just about everything including women. Both Cowboy and Hush are intrigued by Sia. There is a connection that is slowly building between them. But each of them have a painful past but if they learn to trust in each other, they might just be able to form a bond that nothing can tear apart if they trust in each other and that love forming....

What I Loved
What can I say about this one here....this book was just epic. It had me in all of my feels and I love how this author really tugs you so endearingly into the story. I was all in with my heart with this story. I never know how authors will handle a menage romance, but the way that this one was dealt I really was so fascinated in seeing what these three built together and how the author handled their relationship was perfection. It was so well developed that we see a strong focus between all three individuals and it was beautiful. There are some harsh issues that are tackled here, especially issues of racism and bigotry that are in this story. But we also see change and personal growth and learning to rise above your circumstances to become a better person and learn the right way to look at others. There was so much intense emotion packed in this story, this is probably the most intense on a emotional level than I have seen with this author. I also was so intrigued with the brother sister relationship. These two have so much work and its handled very well in this story. The forbidden theme to the story is pretty intense as the brother basically forbids Cowboy and Hush to be involved with this sister and the way it gets resolved in the end ....strikes deep.

If you are a fan of the series or this author, I highly recommend this one here. A captivating story that pulled me in so quickly.

What I Struggled With
Nothing. Some of the racism talk is going to be difficult for some readers, so just be mentally prepared for seeing it in the story as this story tackles some difficult topics some readers aren't used to see in a story.

Overall View
Crux Untamed is a riveting story that will pull you in immediately, a story of deep intimacy, facing up to the scars of the past and learning to embrace love in the right time and the values of trust in a relationship.

Favorite Quote(s)
Don’t worry, cher, we’ll wear Hush down together. Get him seeing things our way. His walls are high, but I reckon we can smash through them if we try hard enough.

No selfishness. No jealousy. Just love.

Love doesn't see color. Only pure hearts.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Abused, Rancher, Bikers
Themes: Motorcycle Clubs, PTSD, Danger, Interracial Love
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Forbidden Love, Brother's Best Friend(s)

Book Perspective
Multiple POV's

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix

Song This Book Inspires
Bigger than the Whole Sky by Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would recommend reading this series in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 

Cyclone is the first book in the "Linear Tactical" series and I was really interested in this book. I was introduced to this story by a booktuber and as I do love suspense in small town romances, I was fasinated. I did enjoy this one. But it didn't exactly wow me. There were parts of the story especially the second half that was just boring. It didn't really do much for me and the story just fell flat in the second half because the first half was really enjoyable there. I really enjoyed the aspect of the premise of what brings the couple together. We have some misunderstanding that occurred that happened under the influence of alcohol so I really enjoyed seeing these two figurer out the past and find a way to get a relationship to work. I did relate to the heroine in many ways, I think my issues with the story is the writing just stopped pulling me in as I would have liked it to. I did really like how the the suspense plot was implemented and resolved and love it when its a villain you don't expect it to be.

Overall I found Cyclone to be interesting and I am curious for more.

 

 Quickie Review-May Contain Spoilers-Read at Your Own Risk

Lord of the Vampires is the first book of the series. When I read Nalini Singh's installment of the series I was really intrigued and wanted to read the siblings books and I picked this one up and it was utterly delightful. I had so much fun with Nicolai and Jane's book and it was completely different from what I expected it to be. Seeing how this story actually ends for the siblings (very happily) I was definitely eager to read this one. It does end with a bit of a teaser, probably so the reader will read the series to see the finale that is in Micah's book.

I really enjoyed how this book progressed and it was so unique and fun. I loved how these two work together and find their way as a team. It had a very much feel of couple against the world type of vibe and the level of trust that these two have for each other was so brilliant. I also enjoyed the heroine being brought into the fantastical reality of sorts. I found the premise of the story intrigued and it does have a mind of Wonderland vibes in this one. Not a strict retellings, just some loose connections that I think readers will enjoy.

If you are a fan of this author, or just want a great paranormal fantasy like story to read that is a good palette cleanser, I highly recommend this one here. Its packed with adventure, romance, kick ass fighting and delicious spice that balances out the story so well. 

 Quickie Review-May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review

I wanted to really enjoy this story, and honestly he is my favorite of this crew so far. But to be honest this book was lacking and didn't deliver as I expected. I really didn't enjoy the setup of the romance, the angst or the heroine at all. The heroine just rubbed me the wrong way and is my least favorite of the heroines we have been introduced to. I just didn't feel the chemistry between these two and it felt so lackluster from the previous books. And also the heroine was very toxic at times and not in a good way. In a way, that leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth on the negatives of feminism. She felt very ignorant and is it bad I wished that she was the villain and got some justice? Yeah that's how I felt about her. I wanted this hero to get a satisfying ending with a woman that would understand him and connect with him and give him what he needed, and just didn't feel like she came even close to that. I will probably take some time before I read Player, because this turned me off completely and I truly don't want to take it out on the rest of the books or this author. I really respect her and loved the first two books. 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building:💒💒
Heart & Feels💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter:😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨


First Impressions
Too Good To Be True on the surface is a contemporary romance with a blend of mystery and intrigue and has a atmospheric feeling of gothic vibes at times. Its a story that is set in England. I do think this book is ONLY for those that enjoy Ashley's modern style writing. If you are looking for something like her classic feel of stories, this unfortunately is NOT it. In fact, this book book was a hot mess. I am so baffled by the high ratings. This was NOT a good book. The mystery was solid and is the only motivator to keep up with the story. If you like a story that is preachy for politics than sure you will probably love it. Don't we all love to be lectured in a romance? Yep that isn't for me and it doesn't matter how much I have loved an author.

What I Loved
I did love their first interactions with each other in the very beginning. There was some sparks of the classic style but the more you get into the book, the less you receive of that. The mystery surrounding what is happening with the rest of Ian's family was really fascinating and the history behind the manor was so intriguing. This plot is what kept me interested in the story. So if you like a good mystery and don't mind her modernistic style, then you might enjoy it.

What I Struggled With
*Sigh* this book was a hard one to get through. I almost came close to DNF'ing this book. I wanted to love this one. I was told it was very similar to her classic novels. So I went into it expecting it to be like that but it was NOT. The beginning it actually had glimpses so I felt optimistic starting it out, but steadily those elements faded into the background and what became more prominent was worse. There was so much preaching type of elements of politics and feminism and men are bad in this book. The hero goes from maybe an alpha to a tame beta. There was this constantly feeling of cynicism in this book. It was almost like KA is telling readers how awful relationships and love are but yet here is a romance but not much promise for the future. This new modern style from her is just not my cup of tea. And I think from now on I will not be reading her. This book was just a mess and is the last straw for me. There was also this feeling of this author attacking women who live a traditional lifestyle. Yeah sorry I am just not going to enjoy that. And for those that think this is ANYTHING like her classic books, you really need to look at what you are reading because they are as different as fire and ice. I think the classic KA style of books are dead and she has lost something so precious and unique in her writing.

Overall View
A true disappointment. A story that had such promise but didn't deliver like I know this author is capable of. Its obvious she has lost her magic that won so many hearts.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Character Types: Beta Hero, Billionaire, Socialite Heroine
Themes: Gothic vibes, House Party, Class Difference
Tropes: Slow Burn, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
1st Pov

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Mostly Plot Conflict

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

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

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Wilde Love is the first book in the newest series by Jennifer Ryan. This is a series that I am very excited for. Of course, Jennifer Ryan, so anytime that she has a new release I get excited. Jennifer Ryan is an author that will appeal to both contemporary and suspense fans. She does so well with these elements in bringing together such balance and if you love a good small town romance than look no further than Jennifer Ryan. In Wilde Love, this pairing was teased in the previous series in "Max Wilde's Cowboy Heart" and I was very excited. I was curious to see how this was elemented with the hero being a biker, I never know what this author will do and yeah it was very unexpected on how this is worked on but she made it work in such a beautiful way.

First Line
A pair of warm hands covered her eyes.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Mason Gunn
Mason, undercover FBI agent, dedicated to country service and his family. He is a badass but sweet with the woman he loves. A alphamellow/cinnamon roll

The Heroine: Lyric Wilde
Lyric is the daughter than helps run the Dark Horse Dive Bar, she is a aspiring songwriter and singer and loyal and true to those she loves.

Summary
When Lyric Wilde first met Mason Gunn also known as "Viper" she felt a strong connection. But she knows he is part of the MC and dangerous, but there is something that resonates deep within her that helps her to know that she can trust her instincts on this and trust in Viper. But when she has a fan that starts stalking her, the danger to her only rises. And when other events start happening that shows that her life is being put in danger, her stalker is the #1 possibility. But as Viper and Lyric build their relationship in secret, as their relationship being public could put their lives in danger from the enemies at the MC. But Lyric is willing to risk the danger in being with Mason, and will fight just as fiercely as he will to keep their love alive.

What I Loved
Wilde Love was a brilliant romance and is probably my favorite romance that this author has ever written. I can't believe how much she was able to blow me away with this one here. This was a story that was beyond endearing and poignant and I adored the way that these two just come together so early in the story. Its highly refreshing and I adore a story with low inner conflict. In this one, they establish their relationship very quickly, although they keep their relationship a secret, for the most part. Lyric's family senses that there is more between them while also trying to keep her stalker at bay from her. The family connections on this one are brilliant. We see both relationships with Lryic's famly and Mason's family. I am curious to see where the author takes the series, because there are options for both the Wilde family and the Gunn family.

As far as the plot that comes into play, there is some great mystery and intrigue and the stalker aspects really added a unique aspect to the story though. I really found it interesting to see if it would connect to the hero with the storyline that was building with the motorcycle club and I have to say that Jennifer Ryan really thew me off for a bit trying to figure out the true villain, but once the true colors are shown I just wanted justice to be brought to the villain in the worst way and Jennifer Ryan fully satisfies where that is concerned.

One of my favorite aspects of this story though is how the heroine is with our hero. The way she fights for him and their relationship just as much as he does just delivered on all the feels for me. I adore a heroine being willing to put all into the relationship and be so invested, especially so early in the relationship, really impressed me. I appreciate that this author was willing to write such a endearing heroine I could go to bat for.

Now let's talk the actual workings of the romance. Our couple get together very early on in the story, they aren't afraid of what they are feeling for each other, but there is an outside conflict to keep them from sharing that in public. So, they have to together in secret and there were aspects of this that were so hard to read at times just seeing how tough it was hard on our main characters not being able to be "together" when they wanted to be or in those moments when they needed it and had to keep themselves separate from each other. But we see how much this really tested their relationship in positive ways and how their bond only strengthens through the adversity of these challenges. Their hearts are so aligned together, and they make such a wonderful partnership. My soul just melted reading this book here and this pair is one that you want to cheer on in finding their HEA. And that ending??!!!! Was beautiful in every way and satisfies on every level in a way that only Jennifer Ryan is able to execute.

What I Struggled With
Nothing! haha This book was perfection!

Overall View
Wilde Love is a stimulating romance that digs deep into heartfelt emotion, thrilling feels, and a epic love that breathes life into the soul!

Favorite Quote(s)

You're the man who tells me and show me the truth. Everything else is outside of you and me."

His eyes went wide. "You do get it."
"I'm trying, because I think you're worth it."

This is because of you,"
"All I did was love you."
"And that's everything."

"You own me, angel. My heart, my soul, all of me."

Because I like a simple life, I want it centered around family and love and music."

When everything seems dark, you're my angel. You make everything bright.

The man knew how to speak to her in her love language. Music didn't just convey the words, it evoked emotion. And M sent this song straight to her heart. "

I need to always remember that all roads lead home to the ones I love, who will always love me.

She was all he needed today. Any day. Every Day.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Law Enforcement, Biker, Singer/Songwriter
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Danger/Suspense, All the Feels, Couple Together Early On, FAmily Bond, Love Language, Stalker, Western
Tropes: Epic Love, Instant Love, Secret Relationship, Secret/Mistaken Identity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict!! The relationship conflict is minimal.

Song This Book Inspires
Come Over by Kenny Chesney
Angel Eyes by Jeff Healey Band
When You Love Someone-Bryan Adams

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
 

 *May Contain Spoilers-Fair Warning Upon Reading This Review*

King was a story that I was really excited for after reading "Nero". King is the partner and best friend to Nero and his character really intrigued me. The story really pulls you in fast with the beginning. I love a great alpha male and this hero was just perfection. Then we have our heroine who was very dynamic and interesting at times. I did like her, I felt like she was strong in her own way. She is put in a difficult situation so I admire the moments in which she stands on her own but also understands when she needs to not push too much. I really enjoyed that moments of suspense at times with this. The whole plot though with King and going after the mayor's brother was ...odd and felt like a bit too much for what he did. The third act suspense plot came out of nowhere and I do think that could have been built up a bit better in the plot as a whole though. The romance though was beautiful and the writing is very addicting and entertaining. I do think this author writes in a very compelling way and I am loving it even if these books aren't five star reads.