ARC received from Harlequin/Mira Australia for an honest review

I have lost a bit of my reading mojo lately, however when I picked up The Goldminer's Sister, it was back with a vengeance baby!

Australian historicals have been my jam the last 6 - 12 months. Alison Stuart is a new to me author, however after reading this story, I will be searching out more in the future.

Eliza is the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up. She doesn't need a man to look after her. She is strong. She is feisty. She will fight for the truth and for what is hers.

I was transported to the Victorian goldfields the minute I opened The Goldminer's Sister. Hot, dusty and dangerous, so different from my world and Eliza's world in the UK. Ms Stuart has written wonderfully colourful characters and locations that leap off the page. I could almost hear and smell the town of Maiden's Creek (though I am sure the smell would not be such a good thing!).

I couldn't help but fall in love with Eliza and Alec as they deal with all that is happening around the - and to them.

Alec is the gruff kind of man that calls to me. I need to find an Alec for myself.

I was enthralled with this tale. Every time I put the book down, I found myself eyeing it beside me, and in the end I just had to read it all at one.

I look forward to what Ms Stuart brings us in the future.

ARC received for an honest review

Welcome to another installment of the Jameson Force series.

Ever since "that mission" I have been anxious for both Anna and Malik - we have met them in earlier books, and I have needed more.

And Ms Bennett has definitely come out hitting with Code Name: Ghost.

I don't want to give anything away, but boy oh boy is this one a rollercoaster.

Feelings of grief and guilt play a big part in this story, and I felt it right to my core. So many tortured feelings and emotions, I just wanted to hug our lovelies so hard.

I loved getting more of the Jameson "family" dynamic and finding out where our previous couples are at, and have left me wanting more.

Please Ms Bennett, give me more.

Holy sh!t and WTF Jay McLean!

You have kept me on my toes this whole series, however Ms McLean has definitely left the best till last with Destructive.

I was still on an adrenaline high after finishing Redemptive, and had no idea where things would go with Destructive.

I wanted to race my way through this story, however I also wanted, no needed to savour each and every word.

Gah! I never knew where the story was going to take me, I turned each page, holding my breath in anticipation. It was amazing too see how the stories from books one and two came together in book 3 - so many surprises for this reader, so many questions answered.

I just don't know how to give this book the justice it deserves with my words.

Ms Mclean ripped my heart out, stomped on it and put it back together with Destructive.

The day after finishing this series ( which I read in just over a day) I am still speechless, and keep thinking about this series.

Buy it, read it, love it. I know I did.

Copy received from author for an honest review

The Dirty Texas series has quickly become one of my favourite series. I mean hello, JA Low had me at rock star!

This novella was the perfect thing to get me through until the next full length story is released.

You will need to have read at least Suddenly Together as this novella follows on from where that one ends.

Almost from the beginning, Christian became my favourite Dirty boy, and even though he chose Vanessa over me, I can't hate her - as much as I want to.

There was one thing wrong with this book though - it ended! I can never get enough of the Dirty Texas guys and now I am impatiently waiting for Axel's story.

Please do not make me wait too long Ms Low. I neeeeed to know what happens!

2.5 stars

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

Sigh, the blurb of Mr Malcolm's List drew me in and I was really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, the execution of the story let it down for me.

In fact, if it wasn't for our lovely leading lady Selina, I probably would have DNF'd this one, but her spunky, witty personality kept me reading to the end.

The second half of the story was better though.

Mr Malcolm had glimpses of a better man shine through at times, but most of the time he was an arrogant, stubborn unlikable hero.

And don't get me started on Selina's so called friend Julia. I hated her at the start, loathed her in the middle, and she was a bit better by the end.

This does have a bit of a Pride and Prejudice/Darcy and Elizabeth vibe - but without the great vibe or likability most of the time.

I just didn't feel that there was enough research of the period for it to feel right for me. I mean, all good I am not one that has to have everything spot on and I do like some creative licence, I just didn't feel that there was enough conviction from the author for the period she was writing into - but this could just be my feelings.

I know it sounds like I didn't like this book at all, however there were parts and some characters that I did like, just overall it was a bit meh.

Don't let me dissuade you from reading and enjoying Mr Malcolm's List, as I am sure many will love it.

3.5 stars

ARC received for an honest review

I have loved all the Vi Keeland books to date, and I had high expectations for The Rivals.

I am a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, and when there is so much history behind their hate, I knew things would be snarky and explosive between Weston and Sophie,

However, this time for me, The Rivals didn't stack up against all the other books I have read.

Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but it wasn't the greatest Vi Keeland book to me.

I liked the banter and snark between our lovelies. You can feel the attraction behind all the dislike. But sheesh, enough with the hate f*ks already. It was like every time they were in a room along together it was time to drop trous and go for it. I found myself rolling my eyes and skimming most of the sexy times (and to me, compared to a normal VK book, there were soooo many) - but this is probably just me.

The Rivals just didn't feel like the VK stories that I know and love. Whilst it was an anomoly for me, I did like where the story ended up, and now I am looking forward to what she brings us next.

I bought this for the Amy Daws short.

Now i need a full story about Vaughn and Vilma

I picked this book up at a book sale a while ago.

I am newish to Julia London's books, and this is t hge first of the Highland Grooms books I've read.

And I don't know if thst is why I had trouble with Devil In Tartan.

There was a lot of characters to get my head around. I liked our leading man Aulay for the most part, but couldn't connect with either he nor our lady Lottie.

As i read, i kept expecting more them, but having just finished the book, they just felt... hollow I guess is the word I am looking for. There just didn't really seem to be any substance to them.

I listened to this as reseaech.... cos you know, Mars has got to be a better planet to be luving on than this one at the moment