Friday, October 14, 2016

Review: A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean

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Series: Scandal and Scoundrels Book #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 390
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchase
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Lonesome Lily Turned Scandalous Siren

Miss Lillian Hargrove has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn't hesitate...until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

Highland Devil turned Halfhearted Duke

The Duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain—he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem.

Tartan Comes to Town

Warnick arrives in London with a single goal: get the chit married and see her become someone else's problem, then return to a normal, quiet life in Scotland. It's the perfect plan, until Lily declares she'll only marry for love...and the Scot finds that there is one thing in England he likes far too much...


Review

I've seen some negative reviews of this and I don't get it. Maybe I'm a MacLean apologist, but I really enjoyed it and I'm eager to get my hands on the next book in the series.

One of my favorite things is the major themes that ran through it. She addresses some very real contemporary issues like slut-shaming and consent. These were important issues then and are still today. And sometimes it's easier to take a deep look at these issues in a historical because they feel more removed.

Lily and Alec were both good characters. I liked them both equally. Lily had a lot of sass, but was also vulnerable which is very normal. Alec was similar. It's always nice to read about a big man who has emotional weaknesses.

My only real complaint is that there was some repetitiveness. Specifically, Lily and Alec would have the same argument about whether her situation Lily found herself in was or wasn't at fault. And every time it felt like they resolved it, but it still came back up.

Overall, I like the characters and story. They and it entertained me. I easily read this in just a few hours.

Thanks for reading!
Holly


Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Review: Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

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Series: True North Book #2
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Rennie Road Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
She’s the only one who ever loved him—and the only one he can never have.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there's no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

For Sophie Haines, coming face to face with the man who broke her heart is gut-wrenching. Suddenly, he’s everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never turn up volunteer in the church kitchen.

She knows it’s foolish to yearn for the man who returned all the heartsick letters she wrote him in prison. But the looks he sends her now speak volumes.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie's police chief father. But it's a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself.


Review

Sometimes when I blow through a book I have no idea how to review it. That's what happened here. I've actually been thinking about this for five days and have gotten nowhere.

I really liked the characters-especially Jude. Ms. Bowen did such a good job of dealing with addiction. I've never had a drug or alcohol addiction, but it did remind me a lot of the compulsions when my OCD was at it's peak. And the Shippley family returned they are the true stars.

This was definitely an emotional read and personally I need that. But, based on the synopsis, I feel like the next/last book will be a real roller-coaster. I can't wait for it!!!

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, October 10, 2016

Review: Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

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Series: True North Book #1
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Rennie Road Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.
 
Review

Now, I want to visit Vermont. It sounds so amazing. Although I do live in Apple Country already. Sarina Bowen just knows how to grip me.

This was a cute story with a whole cast of characters. I really enjoyed Griff's family. And I'm so happy the other two books are about Zach and Jude because I'm pretty intrigued. There's some serious elements, but overall it's a cute and sexy romance.

Griff is kind of broody, but is actually very caring and passionate. He's never afraid of his feelings for Audry. And he obviously cares for his family, the farm, and his workers. That's very attractive in a man.

And Audry's pretty likeable, too. She's a little repetitive when it comes to her mommy issues, but I didn't find that particularly annoying. She was actually pretty relatable because she doesn't have everything easy.

I already bought and downloaded the next book because I NEED to know more about Jude.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Friday, October 7, 2016

Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

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Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #13
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 590
Rating: 4 Stars 
How I Got It: Borrowed from the library
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...


Review

I knew how I was going to rate this until the last 100 pages. Then, I was thrown for a loop.

My thing about this and the previous couple of books is how many storylines there are. It gets confusing and then some seem to disappear. It also felt like a lot of set-up for The Beast and Blood Kiss.

About half-way in I started to really enjoy it. I got very invested in Trez and iAm. And Paradise-I'm very excited to read her story.

Trez and iAm have always interested in me. They've been kind of mysterious figures so it was great to get into their heads. It would be easy to compare them to the other brothers-Z and Phury. They do have some similarities, but this is a different story.

There were definitely some serious romantic relationships going on here. And I was actually invested in all of them. Which was actually a writing accomplishment. Without spoilers let me say this: it was one hell of a roller-coaster.

I felt like these books were getting a little boring, but I'm now fully invested again. I need the next book ASAP and wanted to go in for a re-read of the earlier books especially Rhage and Mary's book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Review: Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

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Series: Paradox Book #1
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 320
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Sci-Fi, Futuristic
Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Devi Morris isn't your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It's a combination that's going to get her killed one day - but not just yet.
That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn't misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she's found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn't give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.


Review

I normally picture the books I'm reading in my head, but this was like a full-blown movie. I attribute that mostly to Ms. Bach's world building, but I have watched a lot of Sci-Fi shows with bad-ass women-BSG, Killjoys, Dark Matter, Firefly, etc. The characters were fantastic and I'm invested in these characters and their story so hard.

Really the world is the star for me. It's so developed and explained in such an easy way. Ms. Bach touches on some tiny things that help make it feel real. Like details about different species I wouldn't even think about. A lot of times, Sci-Fi stories just have humans or humanoid creatures.

All that being said Devi is solid. She's actually a pretty well-balanced bad-ass which you don't always see I don't have a lot in common with her, but I still respect her. She's smart and kind even if she's a little reckless.

The side characters were also done well. Rupert and Nova are probably my favorites. Ms. Bach did a great job of laying groundwork so I'm curious about them, but didn't do too much. Which right now I'm pretty frustrated about.

I have no idea were this is going but I'm definitely excited to go on the journey.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, October 3, 2016

Review: Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas

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Series: Travis Family Book #4
Format: Hardcover
Pages:
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the library
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Piatkus

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Wedding planner Avery Crosslin may be a rising star in Houston society, but she doesn't believe in love--at least not for herself. When she meets wealthy bachelor Joe Travis and mistakes him for a wedding photographer, she has no intention of letting him sweep her off her feet. But Joe is a man who goes after what he wants, and Avery can't resist the temptation of a sexy southern charmer and a hot summer evening.

After a one night stand, however, Avery is determined to keep it from happening again. A man like Joe can only mean trouble for a woman like her, and she can't afford distractions. She's been hired to plan the wedding of the year--a make-or-break event.

But complications start piling up fast, putting the wedding in jeopardy, especially when shocking secrets of the bride come to light. And as Joe makes it clear that he's not going to give up easily, Avery is forced to confront the insecurities and beliefs that stem from a past she would do anything to forget.

The situation reaches a breaking point, and Avery faces the toughest choice of her life. Only by putting her career on the line and risking everything--including her well-guarded heart--will she find out what matters most.


Review

After like a year I finally picked this up. It isn't my favorite in the series, but it was a solid book. Plus, it was nice to spend time with the Travis family again.

Avery was an interesting POV character. She's very realistic in appearance and has some of the same insecurities as me. I appreciate that she is open to some change in her appearance but for herself not someone else.

Joe was truly amazing and I wish we got his POV. He seems like such a beta and that makes me want to see more about his life perspective. He's such a kind and generous guy.

They do have chemistry and a nice relationship. It's not often that you see characters get to know each other. But it could've been more in depth when they had to face conflict.

Actually that's how the whole book felt. There were a lot of interesting story-lines, but they weren't explored as much as I would've liked. The other books in this series had a lot of emotional depth which is why it was a little bit of a let down from this one.

But it's still a decent Lisa Kleypas book and I recommend it.

Thanks for reading!
Holly