Review: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Series: The Malediction Trilogy Book #1

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the mountain. When Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she realises that the trolls are relying on her to break the curse.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind: escape. But the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time…

But the more time she spends with the trolls, the more she understands their plight. There is a rebellion brewing. And she just might be the one the trolls were looking for...

Review

I first heard about this from Bekah Awesome Book Nut. She loved it so I wanted to read it. But I was cautious so I wanted to get it from the library.

So, I did enjoy the story and characters. I’m a little confused about the world, but understood the troll politics at least. Cecile was an engaging character. I liked Tristin too, but his POV chapters were few and far between. The romance was a bit rushed. I just don’t think the “L” word needs to be dropped so fast.

I don’t have much to say obviously, but I have one potential spoiler.

So, Tristin makes a comment about how the Trolls aren’t from earth and that’s not what they are called. So, they’re fairies. I don’t know this for sure but the hints were heavy-handed. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I kind of wanted them to be real trolls, because I’ve never read a story about them before.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Love the One You're With by Lauren Layne

Series: Sex, Love, & Stilettos Book #2

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher:Loveswept

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

As a leading columnist for Stiletto, Grace Brighton has built a career warning women about rotten, cheating liars. She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. After Grace takes a heart-mending hiatus, her first assignment is to go on a couple of dates with a counterpart from the men’s magazine Oxford and report her impressions. Grace 1.0 may have been instantly smitten with the gorgeous correspondent, but Grace 2.0 has sworn off relationships for six months, and she’s not falling for his outstanding bod and trophy-winning kisses . . . or is she?

Jake Malone wants to get back to the fly-by-night, who-knows-what’s-next guy he used to be, and he knows exactly how to do it. Oxford is adding a travel section, and Jake—with no wife and no kids and a willingness to live anywhere, eat anything, do everything—is perfect for the job . . . except that his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. To get the gig, he must agree to a fluffy joint article with Stiletto. But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace Brighton, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously.

 

Review

I’m really boxing this series and Lauren Layne’s writing. This reminds me of a romantic comedy. It has those awkward and unrealistic situations, but you still love it. And the characters are cute with great chemistry. Plus, there’s the quirky female friendships.

There isn’t a lot to say about this one. It’s a great romance with likeable characters. I did like it a little bit more than the first book in the series. I’m very eager to read the next one.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Series: The Others Book #2

Format: ebook

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Publisher:  Roc

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

 

Review

Holy crap! I haven’t read a book in one sitting in a long time. Like I got up to go to the bathroom while reading this and was actually annoyed by it. The first book slowly worked it’s way under my skin while this one immediately sucked me in and wouldn’t let go.

This book is an excellent example of how to write tension. My favorite-and probably the most minor-is the sexual tension because I love romance. Then there’s the general tension and unrest in the world. It kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat but didn’t stress me out. Sometimes books are too tense and they make me feel like I’m going to have a panic attack which is too much and I don’t like.

First, let’s discuss issues. Well, there’s one: There isn’t enough Sam. OK, that isn’t a real issue but he’s so cute. And I love his relationship with Meg. But there’s so much going on and sacrifices have to be made.

The world building became even stronger in this one. More characters and information was introduced. I feel like I learned more about the different “Others” both as a whole and individuals. Plus, we got to explore more about how the world is set up and different countries/continents. Then, there’s the information that was provided about the Blood Prophets.

I have to talk about the romance or budding romance. In the first book, I thought there would be a romance but I didn’t know if I was just delusional. But this time it was thrown in my face. But I feel like it’s going to be soooooooooo slow. I felt like I was getting book blue-balls because I just wanted them to kiss.

I’m amazed by how much happened in this book. The big climactic moment I knew would happen, but I figured it would be a few books down the line. So, I have no idea what’s going to happen next. I am certainly excited to find out soon. I just have to wait on another library hold. 

Thanks for reading!

Holly

July Wrap-Up (2017)

I don't remember a lot about this month which is kind of weird. But I have been in a weird mental place so perhaps that's why. 

I read seven books this month which is less than I have benn, but I'm still happy about it. For most of the month, I was more interested in watching TV than reading.

The majority of the books I read were from Overdrive. That means I'm behind on my Summer TBR and I've barely touched by own physical TBR. Going into August, my plan is to focus on my physical TBR. And least I'm not buying books like crazy.

Here's the list of books I read and their ratings:

Haunted-4 Stars

After the Kiss-4 Stars

Murder of Crows-5 Stars

Love the One You're with-4 Stars

Just One Night-3 Stars

The Trouble with Love-4 Stars

Until Friday Night-2 Stars

Thanks for Reading!

Holly

Review: After the Kiss by Lauren Layne

Series: Sex, Love, & Stiletto #1

Format: Ebook

Rating:4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Loveswept

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants. 

Review

That was a cute story. It had a very How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days feel to it, so that was always in the back of my head. But it was still fast-paced and fun. It wasn’t a super-deep emotional story or romance, but not every story has to be.

I definitely appreciate the groundwork for female friendship. And I am eager to read the next book in the series which is Grace’s book.

Thanks for reading!

Holly