Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? A mix
How did the speed of the story feel? To me, it felt medium to fast without feeling too rushed (keep in mind it’s a short story)
When mains are first on page together: Quite soon in (about 9% of the short novel, the end of the first chapter)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happy for now
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book form
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Pier’s Ashbourne Legacy. I think all her books take place in the same world, but didn’t notice references here and it’s fine to start here.
Basic plot:
A collision leads to love at first sight. Well, for Arthur anyway.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1816)
- London setting
- science loving and inventor heroine
- love at first sight
- Duke hero
- hero falls first
- hero blushes!
- bespectacled heroine
- medium to higher steam for the page count – 2 scenes
- shorter novel (novelette?)
Ages:
- heroine is 25, didn’t see hero mentioned
First line:
It was considered prudent for a lady to fastidiously contemplate the art of securing a husband at the age of five-and-twenty.
My thoughts:
I loved this short story SO much! It was so adorable, funny, and sweet right from the collision meeting.
This has so many of my favorite things wrapped up within it. I adore a collision first meeting, I prefer when the characters don’t know each other before the book start (which isn’t as common in short stories/novellas I feel like), and so much humor and sweetness. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts.
Being a short story, I felt the ending was just a touch rushed, but the pace overall of the story was really great. (I think too, with having a sample of another story at the end, I had in my head the story would be longer with the percentage in the e-book). I loved this quick read! These characters were delightful.
I will say the glider threw me for a loop for a minute. I was definitely picturing Bridget running and jumping and sailing down the road with a contraption over her head 😂 But it’s like a balance bike (a bike without pedals)
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own. More quotes under steamy scenes.
After he collides with the heroine
Combined, those were the sounds of Arthur tumbling and falling. In more ways than one. And as he tumbled, thoughts of spectacles, a pale face, and freedom fell into place.
---
“I wasn’t following you.” Not intentionally, anyway. “But said genius would be yours truly, Arthur.” He had not meant to say that. His Christian name. Of all things. But something in his gut, or perhaps lower, convinced him that he needed to steal closer to her. Closer than bodies pressed together, that is.
Her eyes flew wide in surprise. His would have too, save all the years of training himself to remain composed in the face of any and all circumstances.
“Well, Arthur, do you think you can do your protecting from an upright position.”
Upright. Ben over. Sideways. Upside down. From behind. He was pretty sure he could do it from any position.
---
While the heroine is hiding under his desk
“Arthur? Did you hear me?” Isaac, a family friend spoke up.
“Mmm.” He hoped the groan was the encouraging sound he intended it to be and not the reaction to a deeper rub. “Make it quick.”
The rubbing quickened. “Not you,” he said to his lap.
---
“I have to admit my surprise. But I will also confess that I’m a determined man. When I see something I like, I do persist. I fear I shall send you flowers and gifts until you change your mind.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- brief mention of parent’s marriage being cut short (I’m assuming the father passed)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: These percentages are a bit deceiving because there is a sample from the next book at the end (so move the percentages up)
Safe sex: Hero withdraws
Hows the consent? It’s pretty good! The first scene the heroine does undo the hero’s pants under the desk without asking him but we know he’s pretty into it.
34% - 🔥blow job with the heroine under the desk (incomplete), fingering for her, hero comes in his pants
He sighed. Surely she was finished now.
“Arthur, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m-” and then those fingerings reached for his falls and unbuttoned them.
59% - 🔥 her on top
“Undo these,” Bridget pointed to his falls and before she could make her next request, he was jutting out to greet her.
“Yes, that looks good.” She said as she licked her lips. “I think I must have that.”
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? A mix
How did the speed of the story feel? To me, it felt medium to fast without feeling too rushed (keep in mind it’s a short story)
When mains are first on page together: Quite soon in (about 9% of the short novel, the end of the first chapter)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happy for now
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book form
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Pier’s Ashbourne Legacy. I think all her books take place in the same world, but didn’t notice references here and it’s fine to start here.
Basic plot:
A collision leads to love at first sight. Well, for Arthur anyway.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1816)
- London setting
- science loving and inventor heroine
- love at first sight
- Duke hero
- hero falls first
- hero blushes!
- bespectacled heroine
- medium to higher steam for the page count – 2 scenes
- shorter novel (novelette?)
Ages:
- heroine is 25, didn’t see hero mentioned
First line:
It was considered prudent for a lady to fastidiously contemplate the art of securing a husband at the age of five-and-twenty.
My thoughts:
I loved this short story SO much! It was so adorable, funny, and sweet right from the collision meeting.
This has so many of my favorite things wrapped up within it. I adore a collision first meeting, I prefer when the characters don’t know each other before the book start (which isn’t as common in short stories/novellas I feel like), and so much humor and sweetness. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts.
Being a short story, I felt the ending was just a touch rushed, but the pace overall of the story was really great. (I think too, with having a sample of another story at the end, I had in my head the story would be longer with the percentage in the e-book). I loved this quick read! These characters were delightful.
I will say the glider threw me for a loop for a minute. I was definitely picturing Bridget running and jumping and sailing down the road with a contraption over her head 😂 But it’s like a balance bike (a bike without pedals)
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own. More quotes under steamy scenes.
After he collides with the heroine
Combined, those were the sounds of Arthur tumbling and falling. In more ways than one. And as he tumbled, thoughts of spectacles, a pale face, and freedom fell into place.
---
“I wasn’t following you.” Not intentionally, anyway. “But said genius would be yours truly, Arthur.” He had not meant to say that. His Christian name. Of all things. But something in his gut, or perhaps lower, convinced him that he needed to steal closer to her. Closer than bodies pressed together, that is.
Her eyes flew wide in surprise. His would have too, save all the years of training himself to remain composed in the face of any and all circumstances.
“Well, Arthur, do you think you can do your protecting from an upright position.”
Upright. Ben over. Sideways. Upside down. From behind. He was pretty sure he could do it from any position.
---
While the heroine is hiding under his desk
“Arthur? Did you hear me?” Isaac, a family friend spoke up.
“Mmm.” He hoped the groan was the encouraging sound he intended it to be and not the reaction to a deeper rub. “Make it quick.”
The rubbing quickened. “Not you,” he said to his lap.
---
“I have to admit my surprise. But I will also confess that I’m a determined man. When I see something I like, I do persist. I fear I shall send you flowers and gifts until you change your mind.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- brief mention of parent’s marriage being cut short (I’m assuming the father passed)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: These percentages are a bit deceiving because there is a sample from the next book at the end (so move the percentages up)
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
34% - 🔥blow job with the heroine under the desk (incomplete), fingering for her, hero comes in his pants
He sighed. Surely she was finished now.
“Arthur, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m-” and then those fingerings reached for his falls and unbuttoned them.
59% - 🔥 her on top
“Undo these,” Bridget pointed to his falls and before she could make her next request, he was jutting out to greet her.
“Yes, that looks good.” She said as she licked her lips. “I think I must have that.”
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both heroines
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in (7% in – Chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Not officially, but there was a small section at the end that takes place two months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book
Should I read in order?
You can read this out of order within the School of Enlightenment series.
Basic plot:
Regina loves her job as a stablemistress at the School of Enlightenment. But her longing for Helen tempts her – and she’s off limits as the school’s headmistress.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1818)
- F/F pairing
- stablemistress/school headmistress heroine
- heroine nurses heroine back to health (both ways!)
- massages!
- work place romance feel
- widowed heroine
- medium steam – 2 full scenes in a novella
Ages:
- Regina is 33, Helen is over 40 and has gray in her hair
First line:
Regina Carlisle held back a moan behind gritted teeth as she dropped her booted foot to the ground with a thump.
My thoughts:
I have only read a handful of F/F stories, but Maggie Sims has come out with my favorites! I adored this couple and how the story really focuses on their relationship. I loved that the mains were both older and especially loved Helen’s fall into love after being married for so long.
The caretaking in this one really melted my heart. I adore Regina’s strength – the muscles and time it takes to care for horses and her body shoes it. It made me think how little the heroine’s in the books I read are described as strong or having muscles. I loved picturing Regina! And her pairing with Helen is so adorable. Helen, older, more self conscious. She was in a loving relationship for twenty years when her husband passed for wooing, flirting, and being vulnerable with someone is hard for her.
I enjoyed the tenderness and vulnerability in this novel.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own. More under steamy scene details
“I never want to hear you say something like that again. You’ve worked here for three years so you know better. First, everyone is beautiful. ‘Tis the first tenet we teach here. Second, do not buy into society’s definition of femininity. Make your own, and live by it.”
---
When Regina’s fingers skimmed down her much softer stomach again, she flinched.
Regina raised her head. “Helen? What is it? Did I hurt you?”
“No. You are young and firm and fit. I am a lump of dough that has sat too long. I am a bit self-conscious.”
Regina straightened to straddle and stare at her. “You are lovely. I have wanted you almost since our first meeting. I like my women soft. Heck, most men do, so I consider myself lucky not to have to worry about my muscles.”
---
Self-induced orgasms were pony rides to the full-blown gallop of this, however.
“Please, touch me?” She, who had never begged in her life, was begging.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- I didn’t note any when I read this and it’s been a few months so I’m not sure! But I don’t think there’s anything drastic.
- maybe a bit of a toxic coworker?
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No but not a big worry...
There was a tension filled massaging scene between 20%-40% but no kisses or anything
46% - Regina massages Helen, fingering/oral for Helen then Helen reciprocates
“Regeina.” Her voice was lower, with gravel in it.
“Helen. What do you want?”
“I want…” Helen took a deep breath. “I want you.”
54% - kiss
71% - oral for Regina
Helen settled in, squirming a bit between those long, toned legs. “Hold on for the ride.”
I might have missed some scenes in this one – I was pretty into reading it and wasn’t as on top of my notes! But at least a 2 steam
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both heroines
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in (7% in – Chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Not officially, but there was a small section at the end that takes place two months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book
Should I read in order?
You can read this out of order within the School of Enlightenment series.
Basic plot:
Regina loves her job as a stablemistress at the School of Enlightenment. But her longing for Helen tempts her – and she’s off limits as the school’s headmistress.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1818)
- F/F pairing
- stablemistress/school headmistress heroine
- heroine nurses heroine back to health (both ways!)
- massages!
- work place romance feel
- widowed heroine
- medium steam – 2 full scenes in a novella
Ages:
- Regina is 33, Helen is over 40 and has gray in her hair
First line:
Regina Carlisle held back a moan behind gritted teeth as she dropped her booted foot to the ground with a thump.
My thoughts:
I have only read a handful of F/F stories, but Maggie Sims has come out with my favorites! I adored this couple and how the story really focuses on their relationship. I loved that the mains were both older and especially loved Helen’s fall into love after being married for so long.
The caretaking in this one really melted my heart. I adore Regina’s strength – the muscles and time it takes to care for horses and her body shoes it. It made me think how little the heroine’s in the books I read are described as strong or having muscles. I loved picturing Regina! And her pairing with Helen is so adorable. Helen, older, more self conscious. She was in a loving relationship for twenty years when her husband passed for wooing, flirting, and being vulnerable with someone is hard for her.
I enjoyed the tenderness and vulnerability in this novel.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own. More under steamy scene details
“I never want to hear you say something like that again. You’ve worked here for three years so you know better. First, everyone is beautiful. ‘Tis the first tenet we teach here. Second, do not buy into society’s definition of femininity. Make your own, and live by it.”
---
When Regina’s fingers skimmed down her much softer stomach again, she flinched.
Regina raised her head. “Helen? What is it? Did I hurt you?”
“No. You are young and firm and fit. I am a lump of dough that has sat too long. I am a bit self-conscious.”
Regina straightened to straddle and stare at her. “You are lovely. I have wanted you almost since our first meeting. I like my women soft. Heck, most men do, so I consider myself lucky not to have to worry about my muscles.”
---
Self-induced orgasms were pony rides to the full-blown gallop of this, however.
“Please, touch me?” She, who had never begged in her life, was begging.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- I didn’t note any when I read this and it’s been a few months so I’m not sure! But I don’t think there’s anything drastic.
- maybe a bit of a toxic coworker?
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
There was a tension filled massaging scene between 20%-40% but no kisses or anything
46% - Regina massages Helen, fingering/oral for Helen then Helen reciprocates
“Regeina.” Her voice was lower, with gravel in it.
“Helen. What do you want?”
“I want…” Helen took a deep breath. “I want you.”
54% - kiss
71% - oral for Regina
Helen settled in, squirming a bit between those long, toned legs. “Hold on for the ride.”
I might have missed some scenes in this one – I was pretty into reading it and wasn’t as on top of my notes! But at least a 2 steam
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖 (I really was interested in this one and wanted to keep reading it, but at some points it felt long and I lost that strong motivation. Almost a 5 though!)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: First person only from the heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: Immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 4-5 years later
Format: I started the paperback from the library, but then realized it was on kindle unlimited and switched to that and then realized I had the audiobook even though when I initially searched for it, it was showing up that I had to buy it (from the edition change??) so then I listened to most of it.
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone novel.
Basic plot:
Vanessa has had enough of being Aiden’s doormat. She thinks she’s getting her life on track when he shows up at her apartment and proposes a shocking bargain.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- former employer/employee romance
- football player hero (plays defense)
- fake relationship vibes
- heroine wears glasses
- thunderstorm cuddles
- artist/graphic designer dreaming heroine (who is an assistant/cook/housekeeper for our hero when the story opens)
-celibate hero
- size difference – heroine is 5’7” and hero is 6’4”
- bargain - Aiden will pay off Vanessa’s student loans and buy her a house if she marries him to get him a visa to the country
- low steam – there is only one full scene at the end of the book
Ages:
- Hero is 30, heroine is around 26
First line:
I was going to murder his ass.
My thoughts:
So I'll be honest I loved it WAY more than I thought I was going to. My expectations were low for some reason, maybe just because it was contemporary and I saw how long it was haha.
I have a few minor complaints. I do think some of her scenes/conversations went in circles for too long. There were a couple scenes I felt like we had already went over this a time or two and was ready to move on.
I really wanted Vanessa to break away from her abusive family. I have suffered with an abusive family and sometimes the only option for your own safety and mental health is no contact. The best and desired outcome doesn't have to be a working relationship with those people. And what killed me was at the very end of the book, Vanessa is STILL blaming HERSELF for how the relationship hasn't been as good as it could have been. No. No no no no no. I wanted her to get more confidence and self love by leaving her family in the dust This is totally my personal trauma talking but it bothers me immensely.
I think Aiden was a jerk and kind of stayed a bit of a jerk through the whole book (certain situations with the lack of talking to her and telling her to shut up/kind of assuming she should know what he’s thinking...it definitely gets way better as the book goes on and he doesn’t mean it maliciously.) And if you know me, you know I love that. But - with Vanessa being such an empathetic person and always feeling like she should do more, that she is in the wrong, her self confidence is usually on the low end and I think that remained a bit too unbalanced. She would be over the moon with him doing the most basic kindness to her and while I was loving those scenes and placated by his turn around, I still think it was a little unbalanced by the end. I wanted him to cry over her. Not The Land Before Time.
Now I know this book wouldn't have been the same at all with Aiden's perspective because those revelations at the end are so heart melting. But....but! I love hero POV and missed it here.
The word penis.
I know that kind of seems like a lot, but it’s not overall. I really enjoyed this book. I found myself eager to come back to it and I read it way faster than I have a lot of way shorter books recently and that says a lot about how much I was into this story!
Some things I loved -
I was worried they weren't going to be on page together a lot in the book and was so happy that they spent the entire book together pretty much. I never was left with a feeling of wanting them together more.
I adored her relationship with Zack and how Aiden supported it. Loved that so much. It was really refreshing seeing a male/female relationship that doesn’t turn awkward because it turns sexual and I loved that Aiden wasn’t threatened by it.
I loved the slow burn. It built up so much great character depth and tension and longing for me. It definitely makes the sex so much more powerful to me when we get there. I didnt even mind that there was basically only one scene because I was melting over them at that point.
I adored all the time spent on all those little things that I adore in romance. So, so many scenes of little things, growth in the relationship, changes...and I feel like I miss it so much in so many romances. It's all I want haha. There were so many little interactions and scenes that I just loved. (Elevator scene, Dragon Ball Z watching, thunderstorm cuddles…)
He's a fucking vegetarian!!!!! omg loooooooooooove.
I absolutely am more eager to read more by her now.
Endearments
The hero calls her ‘muffin’.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- the hero is a bit of a jerk
- marriage fraud is a plot point
- domestic abuse remembered by mains, and off page of side character
- child neglect and alcoholism (heroine’s mom)
- child abuse, physical abuse, attempted murder by a family member
- being trapped in an elevator without power resulting in a panic attack
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No, he comes inside her the first time but it mentions it before and they’ve both been celibate for awhile (no talk of STD checks, but Aiden hasn’t been with anyone since high school)
Hows the consent? It’s good. There’s one full scene and he asks before.
Chapter 25 – kiss
Chapter 28 – kisses
Chapter 30 – sideways in bed?, then her on top
“I want to come inside you,” he whispered into my ear.
//
“You have no idea what you do to me, Van. No idea.” He repeated the motion. “Do you want to know how many times I’ve jerked off to you in this bed? In the shower?”
Readability: 📖📖📖📖 (I really was interested in this one and wanted to keep reading it, but at some points it felt long and I lost that strong motivation. Almost a 5 though!)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: First person only from the heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: Immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 4-5 years later
Format: I started the paperback from the library, but then realized it was on kindle unlimited and switched to that and then realized I had the audiobook even though when I initially searched for it, it was showing up that I had to buy it (from the edition change??) so then I listened to most of it.
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone novel.
Basic plot:
Vanessa has had enough of being Aiden’s doormat. She thinks she’s getting her life on track when he shows up at her apartment and proposes a shocking bargain.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- former employer/employee romance
- football player hero (plays defense)
- fake relationship vibes
- heroine wears glasses
- thunderstorm cuddles
- artist/graphic designer dreaming heroine (who is an assistant/cook/housekeeper for our hero when the story opens)
-
- size difference – heroine is 5’7” and hero is 6’4”
- bargain -
- low steam – there is only one full scene at the end of the book
Ages:
- Hero is 30, heroine is around 26
First line:
I was going to murder his ass.
My thoughts:
So I'll be honest I loved it WAY more than I thought I was going to. My expectations were low for some reason, maybe just because it was contemporary and I saw how long it was haha.
I have a few minor complaints. I do think some of her scenes/conversations went in circles for too long. There were a couple scenes I felt like we had already went over this a time or two and was ready to move on.
I really wanted Vanessa to break away from her abusive family. I have suffered with an abusive family and sometimes the only option for your own safety and mental health is no contact. The best and desired outcome doesn't have to be a working relationship with those people. And what killed me was at the very end of the book, Vanessa is STILL blaming HERSELF for how the relationship hasn't been as good as it could have been. No. No no no no no. I wanted her to get more confidence and self love by leaving her family in the dust This is totally my personal trauma talking but it bothers me immensely.
I think Aiden was a jerk and kind of stayed a bit of a jerk through the whole book (certain situations with the lack of talking to her and telling her to shut up/kind of assuming she should know what he’s thinking...it definitely gets way better as the book goes on and he doesn’t mean it maliciously.) And if you know me, you know I love that. But - with Vanessa being such an empathetic person and always feeling like she should do more, that she is in the wrong, her self confidence is usually on the low end and I think that remained a bit too unbalanced. She would be over the moon with him doing the most basic kindness to her and while I was loving those scenes and placated by his turn around, I still think it was a little unbalanced by the end. I wanted him to cry over her. Not The Land Before Time.
Now I know this book wouldn't have been the same at all with Aiden's perspective because those revelations at the end are so heart melting. But....but! I love hero POV and missed it here.
The word penis.
I know that kind of seems like a lot, but it’s not overall. I really enjoyed this book. I found myself eager to come back to it and I read it way faster than I have a lot of way shorter books recently and that says a lot about how much I was into this story!
Some things I loved -
I was worried they weren't going to be on page together a lot in the book and was so happy that they spent the entire book together pretty much. I never was left with a feeling of wanting them together more.
I adored her relationship with Zack and how Aiden supported it. Loved that so much. It was really refreshing seeing a male/female relationship that doesn’t turn awkward because it turns sexual and I loved that Aiden wasn’t threatened by it.
I loved the slow burn. It built up so much great character depth and tension and longing for me. It definitely makes the sex so much more powerful to me when we get there. I didnt even mind that there was basically only one scene because I was melting over them at that point.
I adored all the time spent on all those little things that I adore in romance. So, so many scenes of little things, growth in the relationship, changes...and I feel like I miss it so much in so many romances. It's all I want haha. There were so many little interactions and scenes that I just loved. (Elevator scene, Dragon Ball Z watching, thunderstorm cuddles…)
He's a fucking vegetarian!!!!! omg loooooooooooove.
I absolutely am more eager to read more by her now.
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- the hero is a bit of a jerk
- marriage fraud is a plot point
- domestic abuse remembered by mains, and off page of side character
- child neglect and alcoholism (heroine’s mom)
- child abuse, physical abuse, attempted murder by a family member
- being trapped in an elevator without power resulting in a panic attack
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
Chapter 25 – kiss
Chapter 28 – kisses
Chapter 30 – sideways in bed?, then her on top
“I want to come inside you,” he whispered into my ear.
//
“You have no idea what you do to me, Van. No idea.” He repeated the motion. “Do you want to know how many times I’ve jerked off to you in this bed? In the shower?”
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I like my scenes longer and more explicit)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
More character focused or plot focused? a mix of both but maybe a bit more plot
When mains are first on page together: Took a little bit – about 12% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: This ends with a happy for now for the mains
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Riley’s Vrisha Warriors series but I see an author note that readers will have more understanding of the setting if they read books 1-4 in Dark World Mates first. (Heart’s Prisoner is book 1)
Basic plot:
Xora and Grace are both just doing a job but eventually become curious about each other.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting
- hero nurses heroine to health
- work place romance
- language barrier
- never been kissed hero
- lower steam – 2 full scenes
First line:
The planet was on fire.
My thoughts:
So, I do kind of wish I had seen the author note about reading her Dark World Mates first before starting this (I saw that as I was writing my review for this haha) because I found myself a bit overwhelmed with the world building here – especially the hero’s culture? I ended up kind of not connecting with those parts at all and just wanting to move on back to Xora and Grace things.
This novel felt rather slow to me. And in some ways I liked that. So many alien romances I pick up are quite fast, with lots of plot pulling you here and there and this one had a slow growth of character development and relationship growth that I thought was a lot deeper than what I’ve read in many of my alien romances lately. So I loved that aspect to it. It was so much more rewarding to see these two get to know each other and fully CHOOSE each other – and not be forced in to a mating frenzy by a fated mates hormone circus. So I liked that and the relationship just had this ‘real’ feeling to it that I really appreciated.
I guess I just got a bit bored with this one, though? There were a lot of slower parts to me and it did feel like I was waiting forever for them to grow closer. The steam was a bit of a let down to me – like it was fine but I guess I was expecting more? I’m not sure.
I did like a lot about the book and will definitely pick up some more by this author.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is a Vrisha
- scales that resist flames and a spiny tale
- red eyes, fangs
- no hair
- scales and gills. Scales are rough yet smooth
- no nipples or belly button
- cock is hidden
- he has a film over his eyes like a second eyelid
- cock has a bulge at the base and is self lubricating
- humans are not allowed on hero’s planet
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- toxic work environment/manipulative/abusive boss
- bigotry/racism – certain alien species are treated badly/judged and mixed relationships are especially frowned upon by others
- scene of almost drowning
- harvesting materials from a planet
- some scenes of danger, violence, death and attacks
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex? Kind of? It’s mentioned the heroine has her shot so she won’t get anything (I took it as some kind of STD protection? I’m not sure)
How’s the consent? It’s good – they are both agreeing parties!
64% - kisses
69% - 🔥Xora sucks Grace’s wounds, oral for her, her on top
“But there are parts that I do enjoy, despite their oddness,” he continued playfully. He tilted her head up. “Your eyes. They remind me of the fiery mountains of my old home. And your throat…” He released her jaw to trail a finger down the curve of her neck. “Is very biteable.”
72% - a mention of him taking her with her uniform around her knees (there’s not real details and it’s only a few sentences)
80% - 🔥 bj for him (incomplete), missionary
He whispered something she didn’t quite make out. One of his hands slipped around her head, taking a fist of her hair. “Incredible,” he growled.
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I like my scenes longer and more explicit)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
More character focused or plot focused? a mix of both but maybe a bit more plot
When mains are first on page together: Took a little bit – about 12% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: This ends with a happy for now for the mains
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Riley’s Vrisha Warriors series but I see an author note that readers will have more understanding of the setting if they read books 1-4 in Dark World Mates first. (Heart’s Prisoner is book 1)
Basic plot:
Xora and Grace are both just doing a job but eventually become curious about each other.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting
- hero nurses heroine to health
- work place romance
- language barrier
- never been kissed hero
- lower steam – 2 full scenes
First line:
The planet was on fire.
My thoughts:
So, I do kind of wish I had seen the author note about reading her Dark World Mates first before starting this (I saw that as I was writing my review for this haha) because I found myself a bit overwhelmed with the world building here – especially the hero’s culture? I ended up kind of not connecting with those parts at all and just wanting to move on back to Xora and Grace things.
This novel felt rather slow to me. And in some ways I liked that. So many alien romances I pick up are quite fast, with lots of plot pulling you here and there and this one had a slow growth of character development and relationship growth that I thought was a lot deeper than what I’ve read in many of my alien romances lately. So I loved that aspect to it. It was so much more rewarding to see these two get to know each other and fully CHOOSE each other – and not be forced in to a mating frenzy by a fated mates hormone circus. So I liked that and the relationship just had this ‘real’ feeling to it that I really appreciated.
I guess I just got a bit bored with this one, though? There were a lot of slower parts to me and it did feel like I was waiting forever for them to grow closer. The steam was a bit of a let down to me – like it was fine but I guess I was expecting more? I’m not sure.
I did like a lot about the book and will definitely pick up some more by this author.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is a Vrisha
- scales that resist flames and a spiny tale
- red eyes, fangs
- no hair
- scales and gills. Scales are rough yet smooth
- no nipples or belly button
- cock is hidden
- he has a film over his eyes like a second eyelid
- cock has a bulge at the base and is self lubricating
- humans are not allowed on hero’s planet
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- toxic work environment/manipulative/abusive boss
- bigotry/racism – certain alien species are treated badly/judged and mixed relationships are especially frowned upon by others
- scene of almost drowning
- harvesting materials from a planet
- some scenes of danger, violence, death and attacks
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex?
How’s the consent?
64% - kisses
69% - 🔥Xora sucks Grace’s wounds, oral for her, her on top
“But there are parts that I do enjoy, despite their oddness,” he continued playfully. He tilted her head up. “Your eyes. They remind me of the fiery mountains of my old home. And your throat…” He released her jaw to trail a finger down the curve of her neck. “Is very biteable.”
72% - a mention of him taking her with her uniform around her knees (there’s not real details and it’s only a few sentences)
80% - 🔥 bj for him (incomplete), missionary
He whispered something she didn’t quite make out. One of his hands slipped around her head, taking a fist of her hair. “Incredible,” he growled.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (If you read the series in order you’ll get more emotional depth)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (There might be more, this is a minimum here – I listened on audio and get lazy with notes)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? probably plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to me
When mains are first on page together: It took a little bit – background is given on both mains first. They are on page together around 16% in I think
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years later?
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. These characters are established throughout the series with Hannah (our heroine) being introduced in book 6. There is also mention of most of the characters from throughout the series and you won’t know who they are, as well as some series culmination reveals, children, etc. There is some minor review for things though if you choose to pick this up alone.
Basic plot:
Jonas and Hannah have a history – he saved her life and she treated him like nothing. So when he comes across her again a year later, he just wants to the job he was hired for and get out. Hannah has been hiding her longing though...
Give this a try if you want:
- Late Regency (1826)
- former soldier/bow street runner hero
- Dorsetshire setting
- well endowed hero
- heroine proposes
- bit of unrequited longing
- second chance (their story begins in one of the prior books)
- medium steam – I have it at 3 scenes but it might be more than this. I get lazy with audio notes.
Ages:
- Heroine is 22 at their first meeting. Didn’t catch hero but would guess around 30?
First line: (taken from audio, probably butchered it)
She was floating here in a bedchamber swathed in red.
My thoughts:
I liked this one okay but it isn’t a favorite for me in the series. Their story does start in prior books, and I’m glad I read those fairly recently so their story was fresh in my mind.
This one has some second chance vibes and animosity between the mains. I overall liked both characters but I think there was a bit of slowness here that I got a bit bored with. And I was not a fan of the overall mystery/villain that happened in this one.
I liked the steam and protective heroes that Braden always brings, but I just didn’t end up with any strong feelings about this story. It was a pleasant enough read but not one I would return to.
There is quite a bit of character time in the first half for various other couples from the series (this being the series ‘ender’) so that probably got on my nerves a bit since I am whiny and don’t like being pulled away from the main couple/story.
I think Hannah did get on my nerves a bit with the whole ‘I can help you’ – and where did that get her but in trouble of course. ..
Endearments
I wouldn’t necessarily say an endearment because the heroine doesn’t like it, but the hero calls her ‘princess’ and ‘snow queen’.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- kidnapping and extended abuse of heroine – she was held hostage for a number of years
- scenes of war and death
- parental deaths/murder
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: It’s possible I missed something here, I get lazy with audio
Safe sex: I don’t believe so? But they are married
Hows the consent? I didn’t take specific notes on this but think it was pretty good, at least implied?
45% - kisses
54% - wedding night sex, her on top
Thick. Lean. Hard. Dark hair. Heated skin.
He reached for her.
67% - oral for her, missionary (followed by doggy style a bit after)
“I’m going to fuck you now,” he said, all his control gone.
96% - fingering for her (I’m sure there was more to this scene???)
“Do not stop. Do not be gentle.”
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (If you read the series in order you’ll get more emotional depth)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (There might be more, this is a minimum here – I listened on audio and get lazy with notes)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? probably plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to me
When mains are first on page together: It took a little bit – background is given on both mains first. They are on page together around 16% in I think
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years later?
Format: listened to audiobook from library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. These characters are established throughout the series with Hannah (our heroine) being introduced in book 6. There is also mention of most of the characters from throughout the series and you won’t know who they are, as well as some series culmination reveals, children, etc. There is some minor review for things though if you choose to pick this up alone.
Basic plot:
Jonas and Hannah have a history – he saved her life and she treated him like nothing. So when he comes across her again a year later, he just wants to the job he was hired for and get out. Hannah has been hiding her longing though...
Give this a try if you want:
- Late Regency (1826)
- former soldier/bow street runner hero
- Dorsetshire setting
- well endowed hero
- heroine proposes
- bit of unrequited longing
- second chance (their story begins in one of the prior books)
- medium steam – I have it at 3 scenes but it might be more than this. I get lazy with audio notes.
Ages:
- Heroine is 22 at their first meeting. Didn’t catch hero but would guess around 30?
First line: (taken from audio, probably butchered it)
She was floating here in a bedchamber swathed in red.
My thoughts:
I liked this one okay but it isn’t a favorite for me in the series. Their story does start in prior books, and I’m glad I read those fairly recently so their story was fresh in my mind.
This one has some second chance vibes and animosity between the mains. I overall liked both characters but I think there was a bit of slowness here that I got a bit bored with. And I was not a fan of the overall mystery/villain that happened in this one.
I liked the steam and protective heroes that Braden always brings, but I just didn’t end up with any strong feelings about this story. It was a pleasant enough read but not one I would return to.
There is quite a bit of character time in the first half for various other couples from the series (this being the series ‘ender’) so that probably got on my nerves a bit since I am whiny and don’t like being pulled away from the main couple/story.
I think Hannah did get on my nerves a bit with the whole ‘I can help you’ – and where did that get her but in trouble of course. ..
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- kidnapping and extended abuse of heroine – she was held hostage for a number of years
- scenes of war and death
- parental deaths/murder
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: It’s possible I missed something here, I get lazy with audio
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
45% - kisses
54% - wedding night sex, her on top
Thick. Lean. Hard. Dark hair. Heated skin.
He reached for her.
67% - oral for her, missionary (followed by doggy style a bit after)
“I’m going to fuck you now,” he said, all his control gone.
96% - fingering for her (I’m sure there was more to this scene???)
“Do not stop. Do not be gentle.”
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A bit, especially holiday play on words
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? plot and sex
When mains are first on page together: Not too far in, about 6%
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: read the e-book through kindle unlimited
If there is one being in the universe or any dimension of it who can offer the flawless balance between pain and pleasure, degradation and praise, humiliation and worship, it’s Krampus.
Should I read in order?
I believe this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
Twyla is kidnapped by the CEO of Krampus World after trying to get the story on him and his monstrous holiday costume.
Give this a try if you want:
- monster romance
- Krampus hero/human heroine
- language barrier
- kidnapped heroine (levels of dubious consent)
- size different – Krampus is 3 times her size
- high steam – 6 or so scenes
- kink including praise, spanking, bondage, toys...
Ages:
- heroine is 26, didn’t catch hero but...much older
First line:
I am so making the naughty list for this.
Endearments
the hero calls her “min lille stjerne” which means my little star
My thoughts:
Sadly this one wasn’t for me. I think mostly the kink just wasn’t something I enjoyed so I didn’t connect with them. Much of the steam is the in the first half so after the first scene or so I ended up getting a bit bored. The tension was lost and I felt like I didn’t know the characters the best. The latter half opens up more to the plot and character development and the world of Krampus. But I had to force myself to pick it up and it took me well over a month to actually finish.
I think those wanting this type of kink and Krampus love should give this one a go!
Cock/Hero Stats:
- cock is hidden in a pouch
- Krampus is huge with a tail, horns, claws and hooves
- semen tastes like eggnog
- he’s a demigod and can heal her hurts and bruises
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
Hmm, I know I shouldn’t, but I’m a damn demon with no scruples who could never make it onto the nice list. Might as well be naughty. Time to unwrap this pretty present.
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- dubious/non-consent – I mean the title gives it away, but the Krampus kidnaps her after making her unconscious with magic and then rips her clothes off, inspects, and touches her while she’s knocked out
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I feel like I might have missed some in the latter half, but this should just give you an idea anyway..
Safe sex? No?
Hows the consent? Definitely questionable – the heroine is kidnapped and her body is explored while she’s sleeping, as well as she’s kind of like a prisoner with Krampus...but we’re in her head and know she’s into the acts
11% - Krampus removes her clothes and there’s lots of touching and exploring while she’s unconscious. (praise kink
13% - spanking, leading to oral/fingering for her with multiple orgasms, hero comes in his….pouch
18% - hero washes the heroine in the shower, oral for her
24% - some primal play – chase me vibes – jingle bell nipple clamps/toys, fingering for her, spanking, oral for her
37% - blow job, oral for her
48% - oral for her and food play
89% - bondage with lights, jingle bell butt plugs, nipple clamps, oral for her, sex
No sex quotes because I’d have to reread the whole book to grab them because there’s so much sex lol
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A bit, especially holiday play on words
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? plot and sex
When mains are first on page together: Not too far in, about 6%
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: read the e-book through kindle unlimited
If there is one being in the universe or any dimension of it who can offer the flawless balance between pain and pleasure, degradation and praise, humiliation and worship, it’s Krampus.
Should I read in order?
I believe this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
Twyla is kidnapped by the CEO of Krampus World after trying to get the story on him and his monstrous holiday costume.
Give this a try if you want:
- monster romance
- Krampus hero/human heroine
- language barrier
- kidnapped heroine (levels of dubious consent)
- size different – Krampus is 3 times her size
- high steam – 6 or so scenes
- kink including praise, spanking, bondage, toys...
Ages:
- heroine is 26, didn’t catch hero but...much older
First line:
I am so making the naughty list for this.
Endearments
My thoughts:
Sadly this one wasn’t for me. I think mostly the kink just wasn’t something I enjoyed so I didn’t connect with them. Much of the steam is the in the first half so after the first scene or so I ended up getting a bit bored. The tension was lost and I felt like I didn’t know the characters the best. The latter half opens up more to the plot and character development and the world of Krampus. But I had to force myself to pick it up and it took me well over a month to actually finish.
I think those wanting this type of kink and Krampus love should give this one a go!
Cock/Hero Stats:
- cock is hidden in a pouch
- Krampus is huge with a tail, horns, claws and hooves
- semen tastes like eggnog
- he’s a demigod and can heal her hurts and bruises
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
Hmm, I know I shouldn’t, but I’m a damn demon with no scruples who could never make it onto the nice list. Might as well be naughty. Time to unwrap this pretty present.
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- dubious/non-consent – I mean the title gives it away, but the Krampus kidnaps her after making her unconscious with magic and then rips her clothes off, inspects, and touches her while she’s knocked out
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: I feel like I might have missed some in the latter half, but this should just give you an idea anyway..
Safe sex?
Hows the consent?
11% - Krampus removes her clothes and there’s lots of touching and exploring while she’s unconscious. (praise kink
13% - spanking, leading to oral/fingering for her with multiple orgasms, hero comes in his….pouch
18% - hero washes the heroine in the shower, oral for her
24% - some primal play – chase me vibes – jingle bell nipple clamps/toys, fingering for her, spanking, oral for her
37% - blow job, oral for her
48% - oral for her and food play
89% - bondage with lights, jingle bell butt plugs, nipple clamps, oral for her, sex
No sex quotes because I’d have to reread the whole book to grab them because there’s so much sex lol
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted them a bit more developed)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (these are really on the short side – 3 is generous. They are about a page or so long)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: First person from hero and heroine (alternating chapters)
More character focused or plot focused? It felt balanced to me, maybe a bit more character focused
When mains are first on page together: Pg 40 of 165 – so about 24% in which usually I would complain about but it honestly didn’t feel like that long to me!
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 1 month later but it’s quite short and more focused on a secondary character
Format: bought paperback
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Rose’s Lunar series.
Basic plot:
Anna gets a choice between being a mechanic, a farmer, and a rut specialist for her new career post Earth-abduction.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting
- rut specialist (sex work) heroine
- CEO of a security company hero (and son of a wealthy merchant)
- anxiety rep (hero)
- size difference – heroine is about 5’ 4” and the hero is easily 7 feet with his horns
- virgin hero
- medium to higher steam – I count like 7 scenes but they are on the short/close together side at some points.
Ages:
- Hero is in his 30s, didn’t catch heroine but think late 20s or so?
First line:
Tick, tick, tick.
My thoughts:
The Intergalactic Union rescues abducted humans from Earth and houses them at a secure station – they are not allowed to return to Earth since Earth’s space contact is too primitive. Our heroine, Anna, gets a choice between being a mechanic, a farmer, or a rut specialist. Sex work is what she chooses – her lack of intimate contact after a failed marriage making her eager for a partner, for a time at least.
I really enjoyed this novel! I found Jaris to be so endearing and relatable with his anxiety. His relationship with Anne is really sweet and perfect and they are on of those couples I’m left thinking are just perfect for each other.
This is a lower angst read, which is a nice change sometimes from all the emotional turmoil I like to put my heart through. These two are so caring to each other and so respectful of each other’s feelings and wants. So, so sweet.
The steam in this one is pretty frequent. It’s explicit enough, but the scenes are pretty short.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is a Sirret
- has a tail and horns
- horns are ivory but turn black when they find their mate
- he prefers savory snacks and his favorite color is black
- when their species goes into rut and needs to mate, they begin to make a purring sound
- his hair is white and he has dark blue skin that fades to white in some parts (and blue freckles)
- there seems to be a bit of feudal vibes between different clans of the hero’s species
- hero has 3 large toes
- ridged cock
- it’s physically painful for bonded mates to be with anyone else
- he has kind of retractable claws?
Endearments
The hero calls the heroine ‘Kira-si’
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
– Heroine has had a past relationship with a very muscular man that was older that was toxic (domestic abuse involving a trip to the ER, restraining order placed and he was jailed for drug charges.)
- heroine was abducted from Earth but was rescued soon after and doesn’t seem to have much lasting trauma from it (and no extreme details about it)
- parental death
- attack and attempted drowning on page of heroine by villain
- heroine is drugged and kidnapped
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex? heroine is on a birth control injection that lasts six months
Hows the consent? It’s explicit – this hero is really great about asking before he touches and moves forward with things body-wise.
Pg 46/165 – 🔥 fingering/oral for heroine, hero comes on the bed
His touch was sending me soaring with pleasure.
“Speak.” He demanded right as I was about to crest.
“Jaris!” I yelled as I climaxed harder than I ever have in my life.
Pg 71/165 – 🔥 fingering for her, kisses, missionary (V loss for him)
“You can touch me.” I whispered. I wanted his touch so badly that I was afraid if I spoke the words too loudly whatever spell had fallen over us would be broken.
“Where can I touch you?” He whispered in my ear. His words made me tingle.
“Everywhere. Touch me everywhere, Jaris.”
Pg 82/165 - 🔥 strip Go Fish, kisses, fingering for her, desk sex
“Tell me to stop, Anna.”
“Tell me to pick up my cards.”
“Tell me to go back to my chair, Anna.”
I kissed her one last time before laying her down on the desk.
Pg 88/165 - 🔥Him behind her against a wall
“What do you need from me, Jaris?”
In a raspy breath, he replied, “You. I need you.”
Pg 106/165 - 🔥 doggy style
“Is this an invitation?”
Anna whimpered under my touch.
“I want you.” She gasped.
Pg 114/165 - 🔥 car sex, her on top
I groaned at her touch.
“Do you think we have enough time?” She asked as she unzipped my pants.
I couldn’t form words any ore. Her touch was driving me wild. I just nodded my head. It was a twenty-minute drive ot the house, and we were give minutes in.
Pg 123/165 - 🔥 counter sex
I could hear his claws scraping the walls as he continued to rein himself in. He was on the edge, and I was there to catch him.
“I need you, Anna,” he breathed.
“I’m here,” I replied as I hiked up the hem of my short dress even higher.
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted them a bit more developed)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (these are really on the short side – 3 is generous. They are about a page or so long)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: First person from hero and heroine (alternating chapters)
More character focused or plot focused? It felt balanced to me, maybe a bit more character focused
When mains are first on page together: Pg 40 of 165 – so about 24% in which usually I would complain about but it honestly didn’t feel like that long to me!
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 1 month later but it’s quite short and more focused on a secondary character
Format: bought paperback
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Rose’s Lunar series.
Basic plot:
Anna gets a choice between being a mechanic, a farmer, and a rut specialist for her new career post Earth-abduction.
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting
- rut specialist (sex work) heroine
- CEO of a security company hero (and son of a wealthy merchant)
- anxiety rep (hero)
- size difference – heroine is about 5’ 4” and the hero is easily 7 feet with his horns
- virgin hero
- medium to higher steam – I count like 7 scenes but they are on the short/close together side at some points.
Ages:
- Hero is in his 30s, didn’t catch heroine but think late 20s or so?
First line:
Tick, tick, tick.
My thoughts:
The Intergalactic Union rescues abducted humans from Earth and houses them at a secure station – they are not allowed to return to Earth since Earth’s space contact is too primitive. Our heroine, Anna, gets a choice between being a mechanic, a farmer, or a rut specialist. Sex work is what she chooses – her lack of intimate contact after a failed marriage making her eager for a partner, for a time at least.
I really enjoyed this novel! I found Jaris to be so endearing and relatable with his anxiety. His relationship with Anne is really sweet and perfect and they are on of those couples I’m left thinking are just perfect for each other.
This is a lower angst read, which is a nice change sometimes from all the emotional turmoil I like to put my heart through. These two are so caring to each other and so respectful of each other’s feelings and wants. So, so sweet.
The steam in this one is pretty frequent. It’s explicit enough, but the scenes are pretty short.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is a Sirret
- has a tail and horns
- horns are ivory but turn black when they find their mate
- he prefers savory snacks and his favorite color is black
- when their species goes into rut and needs to mate, they begin to make a purring sound
- his hair is white and he has dark blue skin that fades to white in some parts (and blue freckles)
- there seems to be a bit of feudal vibes between different clans of the hero’s species
- hero has 3 large toes
- ridged cock
- it’s physically painful for bonded mates to be with anyone else
- he has kind of retractable claws?
Endearments
The hero calls the heroine ‘Kira-si’
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
– Heroine has had a past relationship with a very muscular man that was older that was toxic (domestic abuse involving a trip to the ER, restraining order placed and he was jailed for drug charges.)
- heroine was abducted from Earth but was rescued soon after and doesn’t seem to have much lasting trauma from it (and no extreme details about it)
- parental death
- attack and attempted drowning on page of heroine by villain
- heroine is drugged and kidnapped
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex?
Hows the consent?
Pg 46/165 – 🔥 fingering/oral for heroine, hero comes on the bed
His touch was sending me soaring with pleasure.
“Speak.” He demanded right as I was about to crest.
“Jaris!” I yelled as I climaxed harder than I ever have in my life.
Pg 71/165 – 🔥 fingering for her, kisses, missionary (V loss for him)
“You can touch me.” I whispered. I wanted his touch so badly that I was afraid if I spoke the words too loudly whatever spell had fallen over us would be broken.
“Where can I touch you?” He whispered in my ear. His words made me tingle.
“Everywhere. Touch me everywhere, Jaris.”
Pg 82/165 - 🔥 strip Go Fish, kisses, fingering for her, desk sex
“Tell me to stop, Anna.”
“Tell me to pick up my cards.”
“Tell me to go back to my chair, Anna.”
I kissed her one last time before laying her down on the desk.
Pg 88/165 - 🔥Him behind her against a wall
“What do you need from me, Jaris?”
In a raspy breath, he replied, “You. I need you.”
Pg 106/165 - 🔥 doggy style
“Is this an invitation?”
Anna whimpered under my touch.
“I want you.” She gasped.
Pg 114/165 - 🔥 car sex, her on top
I groaned at her touch.
“Do you think we have enough time?” She asked as she unzipped my pants.
I couldn’t form words any ore. Her touch was driving me wild. I just nodded my head. It was a twenty-minute drive ot the house, and we were give minutes in.
Pg 123/165 - 🔥 counter sex
I could hear his claws scraping the walls as he continued to rein himself in. He was on the edge, and I was there to catch him.
“I need you, Anna,” he breathed.
“I’m here,” I replied as I hiked up the hem of my short dress even higher.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine, alternating chapters
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? Medium
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in (8% of the short story)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happy for now
Epilogue: No
Format: bought e-book
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone short story.
Basic plot:
Clarke is relieved to have one last portrait sitting – money he desperately needs – but he finds his client to be anything but what he was expecting.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian
- photographer hero with a broken heart
- rags to riches
- naughty photos
- hero has a mustache!
- widow heroine
- child free HFN
- medium to higher steam – 2 full scenes (or could be 1 very long scene) in a very short page count
Ages:
- I don’t think they are specifically mentioned, but the heroine ‘looked about his own age, perhaps even a few years younger.’. The heroine was 16 when she married and they were together for 9 years before he went missing (so she was 25) and then he was missing for 3 years before his remains were found. So I’m guessing she’s around 28 and he is around 30.
First line:
The silver plate reflected a pathetic man.
My thoughts:
Another lovely short from Fleur! I really adored this one. The character development was impressive to me in such a short amount of pages and I found both Clarke and Francine endearing and lovable.
Clarke is a photographer and I really enjoyed learning about the vintage Victorian style photographer and how it began to change. Francine is widowed, and left feeling the need to prove to her husband she was more desirable than he ever made her feel. She requests a naughty photoshoot and it leads to some lovely vulnerability between our mains and some steamy perfection.
This does end on an implied happy for now with the heroine asking the hero if he needs employment – though they may not get much work done. 😉
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- death of spouse
- hero has suffered from a bad relationship
- mention of infertility
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Heroine mentions she’s infertile (no ‘french letters’)
Hows the consent? I’d say it’s implied for the first scene – they discuss helping the heroine pose in a sexy way and she begins to self stimulate – this leads to the hero masturbating, which she enjoys. The second scene they definitely verbally agree.
43% - heroine begins to self pleasure to get the sexy photo vibe and keeps going – this leads to a mutual masturbation scene
“How would it feel to be so wanted and desired?
Francine stroked the inside of her thighs. She trailed her fingertips almost to her centre, then lightly dragged her nails across her skin toward her knees.
“That’s better.” Mr. Metcalfe’s voice flowed thick as syrup. “Continue doing that. Keep your eyes closed. I’ll tell you when to open them and hold the pose.”
69% - fingering for her, missionary, her on top
Clarke reached for the lens cap. “Now turn and look at me like the only thing in all the world you want is for me to fuck you.”
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine, alternating chapters
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? Medium
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in (8% of the short story)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happy for now
Epilogue: No
Format: bought e-book
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone short story.
Basic plot:
Clarke is relieved to have one last portrait sitting – money he desperately needs – but he finds his client to be anything but what he was expecting.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian
- photographer hero with a broken heart
- rags to riches
- naughty photos
- hero has a mustache!
- widow heroine
- child free HFN
- medium to higher steam – 2 full scenes (or could be 1 very long scene) in a very short page count
Ages:
- I don’t think they are specifically mentioned, but the heroine ‘looked about his own age, perhaps even a few years younger.’. The heroine was 16 when she married and they were together for 9 years before he went missing (so she was 25) and then he was missing for 3 years before his remains were found. So I’m guessing she’s around 28 and he is around 30.
First line:
The silver plate reflected a pathetic man.
My thoughts:
Another lovely short from Fleur! I really adored this one. The character development was impressive to me in such a short amount of pages and I found both Clarke and Francine endearing and lovable.
Clarke is a photographer and I really enjoyed learning about the vintage Victorian style photographer and how it began to change. Francine is widowed, and left feeling the need to prove to her husband she was more desirable than he ever made her feel. She requests a naughty photoshoot and it leads to some lovely vulnerability between our mains and some steamy perfection.
This does end on an implied happy for now with the heroine asking the hero if he needs employment – though they may not get much work done. 😉
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- death of spouse
- hero has suffered from a bad relationship
- mention of infertility
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
43% - heroine begins to self pleasure to get the sexy photo vibe and keeps going – this leads to a mutual masturbation scene
“How would it feel to be so wanted and desired?
Francine stroked the inside of her thighs. She trailed her fingertips almost to her centre, then lightly dragged her nails across her skin toward her knees.
“That’s better.” Mr. Metcalfe’s voice flowed thick as syrup. “Continue doing that. Keep your eyes closed. I’ll tell you when to open them and hold the pose.”
69% - fingering for her, missionary, her on top
Clarke reached for the lens cap. “Now turn and look at me like the only thing in all the world you want is for me to fuck you.”
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 (It’s a short story, so hard to establish good feels)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥(It’s like one long scene but I separated for details)
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person I think from just the heroine’s POV
More character focused or plot focused? Character
How did the speed of the story feel? Fast without feeling rushed (Keep in mind it’s a short story)
When mains are first on page together: 14%
Cliffhanger: No this ends with an implied happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: bought e-book
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone short novel.
Basic plot:
Lillian will do her duty to her family and marry, but she’s not happy about it. When she gets the opportunity to have a tryst before her marriage, she takes it.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian
- tryst at the ball
- bit of mistaken identity
- instalust
- medium to high steam – basically over half the book is steam focused (with 1 long scene)
Ages:
- Lillien is 19, did see hero mentioned but would guess mid 20s
First line:
Lillian Archer looked down at the perfectly manicured fingers and supple palm extended before her.
My thoughts:
I really loved this short story! It was fun, steamy, and had a twist at the end I really enjoyed. Loved both characters and the steam was perfection. Perfect for breaking up longer reads.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts: Any mistakes/typos are my own
“What you need, my dear,” Dudley whispered low in her ear, “is a tryst.”
“A what?”
“A tryst. A liaison. A rendezvous.”
Lillian shook her head. He rolled his eyes.
“My dear, you need a good fuck.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of parental death
- possible light feelings of infidelity – both of them talk of being promised to another and decide to be intimate
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Hero pulls out
Hows the consent? Heavily implied to explicit. They mention wanting a tryst and then follow through. Sex acts are talked about before doing.
35% - in a hedged in garden far from the house – kisses, fingering/oral for her followed by a blow job for him
He removed his coat and bunched it into a rough ball before dropping it on the ground between them. With a small pressure on her shoulder, he pushed until she knelt before him. He looked down, that same craving in his eyes. His face was half in shadow as he pulled at the buttons on his trousers...
67% - kisses
He propped himself on one elbow and watched her with a sly smile.
“Please,” she breathed as she raised her pelvis closer to where his hand hovered. “Please.”
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 (It’s a short story, so hard to establish good feels)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥(It’s like one long scene but I separated for details)
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person I think from just the heroine’s POV
More character focused or plot focused? Character
How did the speed of the story feel? Fast without feeling rushed (Keep in mind it’s a short story)
When mains are first on page together: 14%
Cliffhanger: No this ends with an implied happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: bought e-book
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is a stand alone short novel.
Basic plot:
Lillian will do her duty to her family and marry, but she’s not happy about it. When she gets the opportunity to have a tryst before her marriage, she takes it.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian
- tryst at the ball
- bit of mistaken identity
- instalust
- medium to high steam – basically over half the book is steam focused (with 1 long scene)
Ages:
- Lillien is 19, did see hero mentioned but would guess mid 20s
First line:
Lillian Archer looked down at the perfectly manicured fingers and supple palm extended before her.
My thoughts:
I really loved this short story! It was fun, steamy, and had a twist at the end I really enjoyed. Loved both characters and the steam was perfection. Perfect for breaking up longer reads.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts: Any mistakes/typos are my own
“What you need, my dear,” Dudley whispered low in her ear, “is a tryst.”
“A what?”
“A tryst. A liaison. A rendezvous.”
Lillian shook her head. He rolled his eyes.
“My dear, you need a good fuck.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of parental death
- possible light feelings of infidelity – both of them talk of being promised to another and decide to be intimate
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
35% - in a hedged in garden far from the house – kisses, fingering/oral for her followed by a blow job for him
He removed his coat and bunched it into a rough ball before dropping it on the ground between them. With a small pressure on her shoulder, he pushed until she knelt before him. He looked down, that same craving in his eyes. His face was half in shadow as he pulled at the buttons on his trousers...
67% - kisses
He propped himself on one elbow and watched her with a sly smile.
“Please,” she breathed as she raised her pelvis closer to where his hand hovered. “Please.”
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? Probably more character focused
When mains are first on page together: It felt like forever before they were on page together. 18% or chapter 3.
Cliffhanger: No, this ends on a happily ever after
Epilogue: Not labeled as such, but there’s a few paragraphs in the last chapter a year and a few months after the story
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
The Duke must learn to not smell people in public, or even in private. He must absolutely learn this.”
Should I read in order?
I think this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
When the Duke of Wulverton returns to society after living in the wild for a decade, psychologist Jules Southby gets an opportunity to help acclimate him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1884)
- Tarzan vibes
- Duke hero
- psychologist heroine
- heroine dressed as a lad
- hero has a sensitivity to touch and avoids it
- house party
- secret identity
- hero needs a wife
- medium steam – 4 scenes but I felt like they were on the shorter side?
First line:
The heat in the bedroom was stifling, the pain twisting through Mrs. Miranda Southby’s more brutal than the last few times she’d in the childbed.
My thoughts:
I think this is my 4th book by Reid and 3 just haven’t worked for me. I am so sad this one didn’t work for me. Tarzan is one of my favorite stories and I really thought I’d like this! What is wrong with me??? I enjoyed a novella I tried by Reid but since then the other ones I’ve tried have fallen flat for me and not given me romantic feelings of good tension.
I did struggle with how the mains weren’t on page together for the first 1/5th of the book – but I felt like I was still into both of their plot lines so it was okay. It’s totally bonkers in a way I loved – the hero has been missing for a decade and is found after living in the wilderness in the Yukon. The heroine has been pretending to be a man her entire life to protect her mother from having to birth another child. Some really strong characters coming together and thank goodness our heroine dressed up as a lad and got her psychology degree because obviously everyone in this story needs some therapy.
I thought maybe I was having a narrator disconnect. Unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of this narrator’s male voices. But even when I switched to kindle version, it just did not grab me. There was quite a bit of focus on the characters internally and they each had their own sets of family issues I think they were working on. I wanted the mains alone together a lot more than they were. The steam just didn’t make me feel things – the acts themselves were great but for me it was missing the emotion I needed to connect to them. I felt like I understood the hero’s desire to not be touched after what he had gone through, but the fact that it’s just fine for the heroine to touch him kind of bothered me. I guess I wanted to feel how wrecked he was by her touch. Both of them needed it – our heroine after hiding as a man her whole life and keeping people at a distance and our hero for living in the woods...It should have absolutely wrecked both of them. But I didn’t feel that.
Maybe my expectations got to high in this one when I picked up Tarzan vibes. I will keep trying Reid, I know I will really love one of her books! I did like the way the ending turned out overall, though I’m still a bit mad at both of her parents...
Endearments
Hero calls the heroine ‘wallflower’.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- difficult childbirth on page
- *almost * forced breeding of heroine’s mother – she fears for her life if she gets pregnant again
- some pretty big lies – heroine’s mother raises her as a man so she doesn’t have to have another baby
- remembrance of hero having to live in the wild and its repercussions
- themes of overcoming ‘savagery’ and those aspects being seen as extremely negative
- scenes of hunting/cooking animals
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Hero pulls out
52% - kisses
58% - 🔥 kisses, fingering/oral for her in the tree house
He arched her and licked along the curve of her throat.
“My mouth is aching to taste you…”
“You are tasting me,” she whispered, surrendering to the madness surging between them.
“Did you forget I want to lick you everywhere, Wildflower?”
66% - kiss
74% - 🔥 kisses, oral for her,sex (missionary?)
“I love for your touch, James.”
“Good, because I ache to consume you and fear I might fall on you like a savage beast.”
A sharp ache stabbed downward through her womb and along her inner thighs. “Fall on me,” she whispered. “I want that...I want you.”
79% - 🔥 fingering/oral for her (very brief) and then he takes her against a tree
A hungry little whimper broke from Jules when he pushed her against the rough bark of a tree and shoved his hand between their tightly fitted bodies.
85% - 🔥 kiss at the brothel, blow job, him behind her, then missionary on the chaise lounge
James was not a man who thought of the future. Nothing mattered but the present. But as he cupped her cheeks and took her mouth once more with his, he thought that if he could do this tomorrow...and the next day and the next...the unexpected could be searched for.
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? Probably more character focused
When mains are first on page together: It felt like forever before they were on page together. 18% or chapter 3.
Cliffhanger: No, this ends on a happily ever after
Epilogue: Not labeled as such, but there’s a few paragraphs in the last chapter a year and a few months after the story
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla)
The Duke must learn to not smell people in public, or even in private. He must absolutely learn this.”
Should I read in order?
I think this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
When the Duke of Wulverton returns to society after living in the wild for a decade, psychologist Jules Southby gets an opportunity to help acclimate him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1884)
- Tarzan vibes
- Duke hero
- psychologist heroine
- heroine dressed as a lad
- hero has a sensitivity to touch and avoids it
- house party
- secret identity
- hero needs a wife
- medium steam – 4 scenes but I felt like they were on the shorter side?
First line:
The heat in the bedroom was stifling, the pain twisting through Mrs. Miranda Southby’s more brutal than the last few times she’d in the childbed.
My thoughts:
I think this is my 4th book by Reid and 3 just haven’t worked for me. I am so sad this one didn’t work for me. Tarzan is one of my favorite stories and I really thought I’d like this! What is wrong with me??? I enjoyed a novella I tried by Reid but since then the other ones I’ve tried have fallen flat for me and not given me romantic feelings of good tension.
I did struggle with how the mains weren’t on page together for the first 1/5th of the book – but I felt like I was still into both of their plot lines so it was okay. It’s totally bonkers in a way I loved – the hero has been missing for a decade and is found after living in the wilderness in the Yukon. The heroine has been pretending to be a man her entire life to protect her mother from having to birth another child. Some really strong characters coming together and thank goodness our heroine dressed up as a lad and got her psychology degree because obviously everyone in this story needs some therapy.
I thought maybe I was having a narrator disconnect. Unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of this narrator’s male voices. But even when I switched to kindle version, it just did not grab me. There was quite a bit of focus on the characters internally and they each had their own sets of family issues I think they were working on. I wanted the mains alone together a lot more than they were. The steam just didn’t make me feel things – the acts themselves were great but for me it was missing the emotion I needed to connect to them. I felt like I understood the hero’s desire to not be touched after what he had gone through, but the fact that it’s just fine for the heroine to touch him kind of bothered me. I guess I wanted to feel how wrecked he was by her touch. Both of them needed it – our heroine after hiding as a man her whole life and keeping people at a distance and our hero for living in the woods...It should have absolutely wrecked both of them. But I didn’t feel that.
Maybe my expectations got to high in this one when I picked up Tarzan vibes. I will keep trying Reid, I know I will really love one of her books! I did like the way the ending turned out overall, though I’m still a bit mad at both of her parents...
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- difficult childbirth on page
- *almost * forced breeding of heroine’s mother – she fears for her life if she gets pregnant again
- some pretty big lies – heroine’s mother raises her as a man so she doesn’t have to have another baby
- remembrance of hero having to live in the wild and its repercussions
- themes of overcoming ‘savagery’ and those aspects being seen as extremely negative
- scenes of hunting/cooking animals
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
52% - kisses
58% - 🔥 kisses, fingering/oral for her in the tree house
He arched her and licked along the curve of her throat.
“My mouth is aching to taste you…”
“You are tasting me,” she whispered, surrendering to the madness surging between them.
“Did you forget I want to lick you everywhere, Wildflower?”
66% - kiss
74% - 🔥 kisses, oral for her,sex (missionary?)
“I love for your touch, James.”
“Good, because I ache to consume you and fear I might fall on you like a savage beast.”
A sharp ache stabbed downward through her womb and along her inner thighs. “Fall on me,” she whispered. “I want that...I want you.”
79% - 🔥 fingering/oral for her (very brief) and then he takes her against a tree
A hungry little whimper broke from Jules when he pushed her against the rough bark of a tree and shoved his hand between their tightly fitted bodies.
85% - 🔥 kiss at the brothel, blow job, him behind her, then missionary on the chaise lounge
James was not a man who thought of the future. Nothing mattered but the present. But as he cupped her cheeks and took her mouth once more with his, he thought that if he could do this tomorrow...and the next day and the next...the unexpected could be searched for.