Guys My Age by Saffron Kent

Mixtape Anthology

Format: ebook

Rating: 1 star

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Age Difference

Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

What’s more romantic than a love song? A mixtape full of them.

Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors have curated an anthology of brand-new, standalone stories inspired by love songs.

Review

I have never given anything a 1-star rating. But there is nothing redeeming about this story. I only forced myself to read this so I could write a review. Except the sex scene. I didn't read that because I thought it was inappropriate.

Looking at this author's Goodreads it looks like they (she?) writes edgy romances. To be honest that is not typically what I read, but this went beyond edgy into uncomfortable.

There is a substantial age difference in this story. She is 18, he is 33. And they have known each other since she was 3. I could've been fairly OK with it if she was 23 and he was 38, but not 18. And he knowing her that long was what really made it wrong for me.

This may come across judgy, but I felt violated by this story. I'm so glad I already read the Elle Kennedy story so I knew the whole anthology wasn't going to be bad and a disappointment.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare

Stand Alone

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Miss Eliza Cade is a lady in waiting. And waiting.

Because of a foolish mistake in her youth, she's not allowed "out" in Society until her three older sisters are wed. But while she's trying to be good, she keeps bumping elbows—and, more distressingly, lips—with notorious rake Harry Wright. Every moment she spends with him, she risks complete ruin.

The sensual passions he stirs in her are so wrong . . . but Eliza just can't resist Mr. Wright.

Review

This was such a cute novella. Ms. Dare is really good at writing a solid novella.

She played with tropes and archetypes in such a fun way. And it was cute how she told it over several years. It was like little vignettes. This gave her the ability to develop the characters in a natural way even though it's a shorter story.

Harry and Eliza were both fun characters. I liked their bickering and growth as they became friends and a couple. I want to see these two again!

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Queen by Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection Book .4
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4  Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen Impulse

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Before America Singer's story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince….
Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series. This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon's mother, Amberly. Discover a whole new Selection with this inside look at how Maxon's parents met—and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.
Review

I don't remember much from the Selection series, but I do remember liking Amberly. Novellas are kind of a crap-shoot but I thought I would give this one a chance.

This is part of Amberly's journey through the Selection. My rating is primarily based on the fact that I like her. But I didn't really get the point of the story. Like what did this contribute to the overall story/world? Maybe I've forgotten things, but what is up with her headaches. And Clarkson is a manipulative ass. The fact that she never even acknowledges this just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Maybe this would have more of an impact if I read the series proper. And I probably will someday.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Asking for More by Lilah Pace

Series: Asking for It #2.5
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Publisher: InterMix

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Finally sure of each other's strength and love, Jonah and Vivienne continue to explore their darkest fantasies together. However, what should be a night of ecstasy takes a dangerous turn, injuring Vivienne. She shrugs off the incident, but Jonah is haunted by it, particularly by the fear that others may believe he abuses her, or even glimpse the truth of their erotic obsession.

Then Jonah receives a call from his younger sister, Rebecca, who's dealing with trouble of her own in South America. When Vivienne travels with him to aid Rebecca, she learns yet more about his tortured history—and Jonah opens up to Vivienne as never before.

Can Vivienne help Jonah cast off the shadows of his past forever? 

 
Review

I feel like a horrible person for not knowing this was a thing. So, a few minutes after I found out, I bought and read it. And I really enjoyed it. It's a novella and really just a big epilogue which the Lord knows I'm a fan of.

Honestly, it was just really nice to spend time with these characters again. I kind of forgot how much I love them. And there's still an exploration about how fantasies surround non-consensual sex work in a relationship.

This isn't anything groundbreaking, but it's a nice fairly cute read. There are still some dark elements, but the overall tone is fairly light.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Underworld by Sarah J. Maas

1Series: Throne of Glass .04
Format: Bind-Up
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children

Review

My thoughts on this are basically the same as the other novellas. If anything, Celaena my have bothered me even more. She's just so immature and self-centered.

The plot was moderately interesting. I did see parts of it coming, but what are you going to do?

I am definitely a fan of Sam. He's truly a great character and Celaena doesn't deserve him. Although she did actually do some sort of selfless things for him. Hopefully, this means she's growing up.

I think I know what's going to happen in the lat novella and I'm kind of scared/sad to read it.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Desert by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass .3
Format: Hardcover Bind-Up
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Review

Hey, I'm finally back to reading this book. And I want to review each novella individually.

I haven't been shy about this, but I don't like Celaena. She's incredibly arrogant and obnoxious. This time I thought she might be a little humble, but she wasn't. Honestly, she acts like she's the shit and everyone should bow down to her greatness, but she isn't. I'm afraid this will turn into a rant, but why do people like her so much?

Onto the plotty things. I actually enjoyed the Silent Assassins. They are very peaceful which sounds weird. Maybe I mean that they are calm. The Master especially was very interesting and a nice contrast to Celaena and Arobyn.

I will finish the novellas and read Heir of Fire because I already own it, but if Celaena doesn't humble up I may have to give up on the series. I'm sorry if it's one of your favorites.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass Book .1

Format: Hardcover (The Assassin’s Blade Bind-Up)

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

My plan is to read one of these novellas a month. I’m not counting them in my Goodreads goal, but I do want to review them individually.

This was definitely a solid novella. The plot was interesting and worked for something this length. And this was a nice way to get back in the Throne of Glass world.

I’ve always been a little wishy-washy on Celaena. Sometimes I like her and I want to because she’s so strong, but she’s way too arrogant for me. She’s never humble and struggles to be kind. This just makes it hard for me to get invested in her as a protagonist.

But Sam. I’m already falling in love with him. And I know how this ends so now I’m super sad.

Next month I should be back with a review of the next novella.

Thanks for reading!

Last Call by Alice Clayton

Series: Cocktail Series #4.5

Format: Paperback

Pages: 135

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

I'm definitely sad to see Caroline and Simon go, but this was a great first read of the year. These two are right up there with Becky Bloomwood and Luke Brandon on my favorite couples list. And this was a great conclusion. It isn't anything groundbreaking if you just want to spend some time with the characters this will satisfy.

This still had Caroline's humor. And the great adventures of Wallbanger and Nightie Girl continue. And it was fun to see all of the characters lives changing. I love that Ms. Clayton allows her characters to still be themselves even though they are getting married and/or having babies. Plus, there are tons of tid-bits if you've read any other Alice Clayton bits.

My one major complaint is that there was not nearly enough Clive. He was hardly in the story and I loved reading about him and Simon. It seems like a small thing, but it did bother me. I do wish this was longer, because I could always spend more time with Caroline and Simon.

Unfortunately, this being over means I've read every Alice Clayton. she did say, in the acknowledgments, that she's working on a new series. But who knows when that'll actually come out. I'll be buying it though.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

Format: Ebook

Pages: 87

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                I didn’t know what to do with myself when I saw this novella was announced. I was at work and had no one to talk to about it. When I read Maybe Someday Warren was one of my favorite characters. I absolutely loved his relationship with Sydney.

                So a story about Warren is exactly what I wanted.

                Overall, I enjoyed this story. Warren is a little crazy, but a loveable kind of crazy. He’s actually kind of like Daniel from Finding Cinderella and Hopeless/Losing Hope.

                And I liked getting to know Bridgette a little more. She’s even crazier than Warren. I was kind of undecided on her in Maybe Someday, but this explained a lot. She has a lot of issues that have caused her to struggle with normal human interactions.

                And Warren and Bridgette do work as a couple. They push each other to learn and become better people. Plus, they have some pretty undeniable sexual chemistry. There is no shortage of sexy times in this little novella.

                All of this aside, I do have one pretty big complaint. In my opinion, there is an inappropriate use of force/power. At one point I think Warren rapes her or, at least, walks a very fine line with rape. I guess this could be considered a spoiler so proceed with caution.

                After the first time they’ve had sex he wants to give her an orgasm. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Warren is doing this to be nice. But she repeatedly says no. Just because she ends up enjoying doesn’t mean it’s not shady.

                H does something similar when they fight over holding hands in the car. Again, I think he’s coming at it from an honest and helpful place. But he still uses his physical strength to force her to do something she doesn’t want to.

                Something I would have liked is Bridgette’s POV. She has so much backstory and I think being in her head would have been super informative. But that didn’t impact my rating, because I got enough with just Warren’s POV.

                Oh, I do wish I got more Sydney/Warren moments.

                I kind of want to re-read Maybe Someday.  Since they take place at the same time I think it would add another dimension to the story.

                Besides, I would take any excuse to re-visit Sydney and Ridge.

Thanks for reading!

~Holly 

Double Crossed by Ally Carter

Format: eBook

Pages:  60

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Free eBook

                This is a novella that connects the Heist Society and Gallagher Girls characters. Mostly it’s Hale and Macey which was pleasant surprise.

                This definitely felt more high stakes but had the hallmarks of an Ally Carter novel. And it made me want to see more of these characters together.  Can you imagine Cammie and Kat together? Or Simon and Liz? Ally Carter should write more novellas like this one, because I would just eat them up.

~Thanks for reading!

Holly