I am not going to lie, Johanna Lindsey usually doesn’t do it for me. I’ve had way more missed than hits. However this one, I loved Kristen so so much. I think it was probably a 3 star for me but Kristen totally added another star.

Kristen is the daughter of a Viking merchant. She has an exuberant enjoyment of life, but knows her love does not exist in her village. She longs for an adventure that will take her to meet her future husband.

Royce is a Saxon Lord who has lost much in the fighting with the Danes. Kristen turns his life upside down, forcing him to feel again - frustration, passion, jealousy, laughter and love.

The storytelling in this book I thought was really good. I loved reading about the Viking life, Kristens relationship with her family and friends. Loved Kristens interactions and dialogue with basically everyone. This is one bad - *** lady that takes no crap, stands up for herself. She’s strong willed, strong bodied. This is not some weak woman that needs saving. In fact, the numerous times she saves herself are just beautiful. (Especially a scene where she is chained and freed to defend herself - one of my favorites of the book). The hero does not come to the heroines rescue, that is actually reversed at the end of this story and I loved it.

My complaint about this book is the same one I have with most of her books. I feel like she jumps into the sex too fast and the tension isn’t built up enough for me. I also felt like I didn’t get a deep connection with Royce. I could see by his actions what he was feeling, his all consuming obsession with Kristen, his jealousy, his love growing, but at the same
time I wanted more time in his head to really feel those raw emotions.

Lastly I’d like to say I had NO idea how this was all going to work out and I loved the way it all pulled together.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

This is my first Eva Leigh novel. Can I just say I love her covers? I don't like the font on this one, but I feel like the couple fits the characters so well.

This book is the first book in her new series Union of the Rakes. Apparently this is loosely based on the movie The Breakfast Club, which I have never seen and if I have I can't remember. A group of friends is formed in the prologue, and I'm assuming they will each have their own story in the series.

Grace is our heroine. She's a scientist, a herpetologist, to be exact. She adores the lives of reptiles and amphibians. She spends much of her time at the library researching, or in the field exploring. She's set her sights on fellow scientist Mason Fredericks as a husband. She ropes her good friend Sebastian Holloway, fellow scientist and researcher of anthropology to assist her in appearing desirable and catching his attention.

Sebastian is our hero. And he's not your usual hero. Hes bespectacled and shy, he clams up in social situations and suffers from anxiety. It's almost your usual heroine ugly duckling story, yet the hero is the duckling. Sebastian's friend, the Duke of Rotherby, helps transform him in a fake rake, so that his attention to Grace with show her in a marriageable light.

Sebastian is definitely not an alpha hero. I'm not sure if that makes him beta or gamma, or whatever, but he seems content to let Grace take the lead. And she does, putting him through the ringer with becoming her fake rake.

I think you would enjoy this book if
-You want a change of hero, or aren't into alpha males
-You love the friends to lovers trope
-You prefer a slow burn story
-You want a lighter story with a few laughs and fun

I can't say I loved this story. I always struggle when there is another 'love interest' in the book and this book just drug on and on with her thinking about Fredericks, yet noticing Sebastian, but the fact that Fredericks still gave her butterflies when he wasn't even the hero, made me want to slap her. I guess it was showing how her feelings shifted from seeing Sebastian as nothing but a friend to more, but the fast that it took her over half the book to realize it annoyed me.

Sebastian isn't the typical kind of hero I like. And while he didn't drive me crazy, I guess I was left wanting more from him in some parts. I was disappointed in the way he acted and his lack of drive in pursuing Grace. He really does amazing in some scenes. I'll admit the first sex scene blew me out of the water, because I was expecting not much after how I felt the first 70% of the book. And I loved him at the end when he finally came to his senses and realized he needed to tell Grace how he felt.

This book isn't particularly steamy. There's 1 kiss and 2 sex scenes (I think). The first sex scene was AMAZING. I loved it. The 2nd was at the very end of the book and for some reason I don't love them there, just a personal preference. But it was still great. I think she has a lot of feels in those scenes and they gripped me even though I was less than in love with a lot of the rest of the book.

There is a lot to love about this book. I can tell Eva is a fabulous writer. The flow was great, she's funny, witty, the sex was hot. She does use the f word infrequently if you're sensitive to that. It doesn't cross into vulgar or anything. I would 100% try her again and plan to. I think this was just a character disconnect for me and I'm still not sure friends to lovers is my favorite trope. But I do recommend this book, I think it will be enjoyed by many. The Duke of Rotherby will have the next story in the series and I will definitely be trying that book. I think he was my favorite character in here.

What? A KRAKEN hero? Oh yes. I knew I had to file this book away to try sometime. I decided now was the time. I have disliked pretty much everything I've read. Some have been okay, but I haven't had any 5 stars. I needed to break out of HR, maybe. Everything was the same. How different can you get? I told my husband I had a kraken lover and he repeatedly asked me questions about the book. I think he's jealous. Lol.

So this planet is not Earth, though it's basically earth like. Humans colonized it long ago, but much of the history has been lost over time. The village Rose lives in has a very historic feel. A lot of the book takes place in a cave where Jax and Rose get to know each other, obviously very rustic, though she does find a device that plays music for one of the scenes. They also go to Jax's colony home and there is running water there and some devices/computers.

Macy lives a boring life in their village as a gardener. She's been friends with Camrin since childhood and he has been courting her for 6-7 years. She knows the time has finally come to tell him she's ready for the joining, even though she knows he's not right for her. He is like a brother and she has no sexual feelings for him, but doesn't have the heart to tell him. She's convinced herself she will develop feelings after their joining. Macy lost her sister at sea years ago and has avoided it since, so she's extra hesitant when Camrin requests to take her out on a boat for the special night. She puts her fear aside and joins him. Once on board, it's not long before a storm hits and she is tossed overboard. She's rescued by Jax, the kraken.

Jax is known to his people as the wanderer. He helps when needed but his heart is outside their colony, always exploring and collecting things. Once he collects Rose from the sea, he knows he must stop her from returning to her people. But he finds it's more than his people's protection that he forces her to stay with him.

I had NO IDEA what to expect with this book. And I rather loved a lot of it. I've heard it referenced as erotica, but I don't think that fits. There are a number of explicit scenes but they happen later in the book. There's plenty of plot, danger, problems to solve, sexual tension, and human kraken sex. But sex definitely isn't the focus of the book.

My complaints about the book are mainly Rose. She cried a lot and that always annoys me. At least it was pointed out that she cries a lot haha. But overall I really liked it. Would I try another? Fuck yes.





MORE SEX SPECIFICS POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Spoiler

So Jax does have a cock. And it's referenced as such, which was a little weird. It's not always out. The sex in here is rather 'vanilla' there's not crazy bdsm, spanking, and no other holes are probed. Lol. He does use his tentacles, which can somewhat 'taste' her, but they just stroke her skin. There's one scene where his tentacles holds her legs. I didn't know how this was going to work, but it worked very well. How can dukes live up to kraken sex? I'm not sure if I just ruined all of HR for me hahahaha. There is a blow job referenced but it's off page (boooo)

I personally give this 3.5 🌟. I just couldn’t love it for a number of reasons that are my own little quirks so I do encourage anyone else to try it. It’s definitely a good book, fun, adventurous, action packed.

I think that’s what got me though, being a “spy” type novel with a mystery to solve, there was a lot going on other than the romance. There was a lot of internal dialogue from both characters about why they love and hate each other, but when it came down to falling in love, it just kind of happened. They hate each other then they are kissing. I guess I so look forward to that turning moment in an enemies to lovers trope but this was kind of a see saw of love hate.

I did enjoy both main characters. I like the hero Raven (oh thank goodness he was called Raven because Daniel is just not a name for me - sorry to the Daniels of the world!😆) I liked him more than Edgar from the previous book in the series. Maybe I got to spend more time in his head so I got to know him better, I’m not sure. He came across as a bit more alpha male too, which I like.

The heroine, Indy is a pretty unique character. She’s like able enough but maybe just cane off a bit more coarse after reading Maris character (again from the previous book in the series) I do think it’s funny how she dresses like a man for most of the book and it’s not even taken as that big if a deal.

I do love Lenora’s sex scenes. I just wish there was more and I will say the tension fell a little flat for me in this book. I think this is the first book I have read...and I quote Indy....”simultaneous....feasting” 😂😂😂😂

I’ll also say I hate the way the book ended. I felt like it was so abrupt and I didn’t like that the wedding was in the book somewhere in more detail. I didn’t like that I didn’t get to see them back in England together and only got the short epilogue that takes place close in the future.

This is the third installment to Eva Leigh's Union of the Rakes series. It's fine as a stand alone novel. Most of the book is focused on just the couple, though there are appearances and mentionings of the other characters in the series. She usually has a little bit of a teaser regarding the next couple in her books.

This series is a loose take on the breakfast club movie, that I never watched, so I guess I'm missing out here hahaha. I have seen in other reviews there's plenty of 80's references, that also go over my head, but others might really love finding these.

This book wasn't at all what I was thinking it was going to be going in. Lady Farris has been widowed for 3 years and out of mourning for 10 months. Beatrice is ready to experience life, and by that I mean attend her first orgy at a house party. First time I think I've ever read an orgy mentioned in HR haha.

Duncan McCameron is a rule follower. Rigid and a bit set in his ways, he really just wants love. He thought he had it years ago, but was badly hurt and just aches for marriage to someone he can spend the rest of his life with. He's watched 2 of his friends in the union of rakes find their happily ever afters and he's starting to feel the sting of loneliness all the more.

Duncan's friend, the Duke of Rotherby, is asking him to escort his friend to her country gathering. He agrees and they are soon on a road trip adventure that includes non stop adventure and plenty of sexy bits.

Give this book a try if you are in the mood for:
-Very light vulgar language – uses the f word (31 times), and a few other terms that aren't 'standard' for HR
-Story takes place in 1817 London and traveling to a country estate
-Road trip romance – this book is almost exclusively road trip fun. They are only in one place for any length of time in the very beginning and very end and neither takes up too much page time.
-An “older” heroine – she has silver lining her hair and is 46
-Older woman/reverse age gap – heroine is 46 and hero is 34
-Strong feminist themes – this hero doesn't have a problem with asking for help from the heroine, there's discussions on woman's rights, sexual independence of women and their choice of partners
-Lifting up diversity in the world – acknowledging inn keepers ethnic heritage, embracing LGBTQIA couples and individuals, discussing income coming from slavery and changing it for the better
-Zero consent issues – consent plays a role in Leigh's couple's interactions and is either specifically asked or heavily implied
-The HEA isn't quite what you'd expect, but embraces the fact that the standard romance marriage and a baby in the epilogue isn't always what happiness is about
-Soldiers – the hero is a Major and talks a bit about his experience
-Experienced heroine – she's a widow and has 3 grown children. She is ready to enjoy her sexual freedom, since marriage wasn't the best experience for her
-STEAMY – multiple kisses and scenes. See end of review for amounts found in book under spoiler warning.

I think so many will adore this book, and I strongly encourage everyone to try it. She's a fresh voice in the sea of romance that will hit so many desired boxes wanted in romance now. However, for me personally, there's been something about her heroes in this series that just doesn't do it for me. I can love a beta hero, but they really aren't my “thing”. And while Duncan definitely isn't beta in the bedroom, it's just the overall feel of the relationship that wasn't my favorite. I haven't loved any of these heroes. The heroines too, are just okay to me. They don't strike me as people I would want to be friends with, and that does affect how much I love my heroines. Neither of them annoy me though. They just don't reach the next level of loving and caring about the characters for me.

This book is extremely steamy with multiple, well developed scenes. But I found myself liking the sex, but not exactly caring about it. Much of it just felt like sex to me without that added emotion that I crave.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. These thoughts and opinions regarding this story are my own.

Locations/amounts of kisses and sex scenes in the book

Spoiler

Self pleasuring (uncompleted) for heroine 31%
First kiss 42%
Dual oral 48%
Full scene 57%
Dual oral 73%
Full scene 80%
Brief full scene 85%

Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig
Love and Let Spy #1

Jane has been leasing a remote castle, as the current Earl has been content to let it sit empty. She's really a novelist but is posing as “his” amanuensis (NOT his secretary) so she won't face the problems of being a woman and trying to get her work published. It also provides her a measure of safety, being a woman alone.

Thomas has been spying for British army for years but is pulled back to Scotland through a matter of Scottish inheritance. There, he finds Jane, whom he knew many years ago.

Give this book a try if you like
-spies/soldiers – the hero has been in the army a number of years and must use his spy skills to keep Jane safe
-second chance romance – this couple knew each other years ago, and shared a single kiss before being ripped apart.
-light steam – this book has nice tension build up and a decent amount of focus on the characters relationship. There's not a lot of scenes but the first well developed and explicit.
-working woman/secret writer – heroine is an author attempting to hide her identity from the outside world

Overall this was a pleasant read. I liked both characters. There was just something that didn't make it more lovable to me than 3 stars though. Nothing really gripped my heart or triggered deep emotion within me. I'm not a huge fan of villains in books and this one was pretty predictable and I just wanted him gone.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and statements about this story are my own.

Specifics for amount of kisses/sex scenes (possible spoilers)

Spoiler

Remembered kiss 27%
First sex scene 63%
Second sex scene 91%

Trade Deadline by Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn
Hat Trick #3

This is book 3 in the Hat Trick series. I would say this can be read as a stand alone novel. The other characters make a few brief appearances but nothing drastic where you feel like you are stepping into the middle of a story.

Daniel Bellamy has just won the Stanley Cup but still feels something is missing in his life. He goes for a career chance and moves back to his hometown to play for the Miami Thunder. There, he meets Micah Kelly, his first kiss from many years ago.

Give this book a try if you're in the mood for
-Friends to lovers – these men were friends years ago and are rekindling it
-M/M romance
-Second chance-ish – though a full relationship wasn't established, they had a first kiss together

This book was just kind of meh to me. I didn't think the characters were together as much as I wanted them to be. There was a lot of alone time for each of them, with it being a little more on Daniels side versus Micah. Which was a good thing for me because unfortunately I found Micah just so bland. I didn't like his character much at all. I didn't really see why or how they loved each other?

I did like the hockey bits. My husband plays hockey so it was nice to see that in a book.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. All of these thoughts regarding the story are my own.

2.5 rounded to 3 stars.