Category: Review (Page 95 of 295)

BOOK REVIEW: All the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth #2) by Adalyn Grace

January 11, 2021 / / 4 Comments
BOOK REVIEW: All the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth #2) by Adalyn GraceAll the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth #2)
by Adalyn Grace
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Through blood and sacrifice, Amora Montara has conquered a rebellion and taken her rightful place as queen of Visidia. Now, with the islands in turmoil and the people questioning her authority, Amora cannot allow anyone to see her weaknesses.

No one can know about the curse in her bloodline. No one can know that she’s lost her magic. No one can know the truth about the boy who holds the missing half of her soul.

To save herself and Visidia, Amora embarks on a desperate quest for a mythical artifact that could fix everything―but it comes at a terrible cost. As she tries to balance her loyalty to her people, her crew, and the desires of her heart, Amora will soon discover that the power to rule might destroy her.

Review

“Are you sure we should even be in here?” Casem demands, his eyes darting around the crowd. His whole body is surprisingly tense.
Sympathetially, Ferrick places a hand on my guard’s shoulder, shaking his head. “It’s no use, Casem. This crew knows no reason.”

The second book in this duology starts off a few months after the end of All the Stars and Teeth. Amora is doing the best she can to pick up the broken pieces of her kingdom all while trying not to fall apart over the death of her father. Unsurprisingly, even though the islands are now allowed to practice whatever multiple kinds of magic they’d like, there is still a lot of unrest from all of the lies that her father kept hidden. After a meeting with her advisors, it is determined that she will take a tour of her kingdom, hopefully finding a husband to sit by her side on the throne in the process.

If you know Amora at all, you will know that this is not something she gives a crap about. SHE is the queen and she needs no king beside her. However, after hearing about a magical object that will allow her to break the curse on her and Bastian that can be found on one of islands, she agrees to set out with the ~old~ crew and then some. Getting back on Keel Haul with Bastian, Ferrick, and Vataea (and two newcomers Shanty—who I freaking loved—and Casem) was so refreshing. I have never personally been on a sea voyage and I doubt I ever will get the chance but there is something about pirate-y novels that call to me.

Bastian’s soul is one of pain. Of longing. Yet is shines brighter than any I’ve ever seen.
He’s beautiful.

My heart hurt so bad to find out right away that Amora had been doing her best to stay as far away from Bastian as possible. While I get it—she didn’t want the confusion of only feeling whole when he was around and basically feeling like she couldn’t trust any kind of emotion about him—it still hurt. They obviously had strong feelings towards one another before she was cursed so I just was sad that she couldn’t rely on that and was only focusing on what she thought the curse was making her feel. He did a good job from the start though, letting her know that while he’d be going with her on this parade of bachelors, he would be trying his best every single day to prove that they did have something special, curse be damned. I loved every single second of their interactions. Always. From the start it seemed like their chemistry was pretty explosive and we definitely get more of that in this book.

“You might not know now, but you’ll learn.” I don’t know where the voice comes from, but I hear it loud and clear. “Make this life everything it should be.”

Overall, even though I really enjoyed this book, I almost wish there had been one more to finish out the series. In the end I felt like there should have been more to the story. The Montara curse was built up to be this huge, ugly thing and then there was the curse that Kaven had put on Amora and Bastian and you’re telling me that it all just went away because View Spoiler ». DO NOT READ THAT IF YOU DON’T WANT A HUGE SPOILER. Seriously though. That part happened so suddenly I didn’t think it could possibly be real and then it was and then I was heartbroken because that person deserved so much more *cries*. Also, we see Amora go through a lot in this book, emotionally. She made another choice at the end of the book that weirdly both did and did not make sense to me and it’s something I will not elaborate on because again, spoilers. I think that people who enjoyed the first will truly love this one too, I had just been wanting a tiny bit more. BUT BASTIAN WILL FOREVER BE #1 IN MY HEART.

“To Zudoh,” he repeats, the stars in his eyes blazing with pride.
“And to a thousand more adventures.”

Huge thanks to Edelweiss and Imprint for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

INTERVIEW & BOOK REVIEW: Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy Reid

January 11, 2021 / / 4 Comments
I absolutely loved Her Wicked Marquess! My 5 Star Review is below along with an interview I got to have with Stacy Reid! Enjoy ♥

INTERVIEW & BOOK REVIEW: Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy ReidHer Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2)
by Stacy Reid
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam is too witty and bookish for her own good. No gentleman of the ton will marry her, so her parents arrange for her to wed a man old enough to be her father. But Maryann is ready to use those wits to turn herself into a sinful wallflower.

When the scandal sheet reports a sighting of Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, climbing out the chamber windows of a house party, Maryann does the unthinkable. She anonymously claims that the bedchamber belonged to none other than Miss Fitzwilliam, tarnishing her own reputation―and chances of the dastardly union her family secured for her. Now she just needs to convince the marquess to keep his silence.

Turns out Nicolas allows for the scandal to perpetuate for his own reasons… But when Maryann’s parents hold fast to their arranged marriage plan, it’ll take a scandal of epic proportions for these two to get out of this together.

Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess

Review:

Her Wicked Marquess was an intricate tale filled with seduction and so much more than meets the eye.  By that first chapter, I was already obsessed and knew that this book was going to be an instant favorite.  The story brimmed with irresistible banter, charm, humor, romance and was so easy to devour.  If you love historical romance, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr!

She stepped back, and his finger slipped from her chin. Thank heavens. His touch felt… like strokes of flames over her skin, yet it also felt right. It might take her the rest of her life to figure out why she would ever think such a silly thing.

It was the most fabulous of meet cutes.  And from there, the games they played with one another was beyond addicting. Maryann needed to use Nicolas’ name to get out of an engagement. But what she didn’t realize was that by doing so, she linked their fates together.  And once Nicolas truly saw Maryann, there was no walking away from her.  With a woman wanting the freedom to love who she desired and a man set on a path of revenge and redemption, I couldn’t put this book down!

“I thought you were a blazing star that no gentleman has any notion what to do with.”
“Yes, the buffoons,” she murmured, startled at how provocative she sounded.
That finger gently trailed from her nose down to rest against her lips. “I know what to do with every inch of you, Lady Maryann.”

I loved Lady Maryann Eleanor Fitzwilliam!  She was smart, witty and had no problem using her voice.  I loved how she was diplomatic but also willing to take risks, I was mesmerized with how her mind worked!  She was to be married to a man who was her father’s age, and I felt her suffocation for not having control over her own life. So when she came up with the most fabulous of plans, I was clapping my hands!   I loved that she wanted to ruin her name, so her intended wouldn’t want her anymore.  And that’s where Nicolas Charles St. Ives, Marquess of Rothbury, came into the picture.

His kiss destroyed her.
It was unexpected, it was so soft, it was unbelievably tender, and scandalously perfect, for it was just a mere meeting of their mouths, but it felt like everything.

I was obsessed with Nicolas, he was protective, defended others honor and laid his cards on the table for those he cared about.  There was a complexity and darkness to him that enamored me.  So as we were given clues to his past, and witnessed how it affected his present, he easily captivated me.  But in the beginning, I loved seeing his reaction to Maryann spinning her lies about the two of them. It was all so hilarious! He couldn’t help but be intrigued by her and I loved how he saw the truths of what was going on around him. The man was wickedly smart as he was seductive. And when he set his sights on something, he went for it.

Kiss me, she silently implored.
When he made no move, it was her turn to lean in and bite his lower lip. The raindrops on his mouth settled onto her tongue, and with it a taste of dark fire and whiskey.

When Nicolas and Maryann were together, their antics were entertaining, and the sexual tension between them was scorching hot.  It was impossible not to be giddy when they were near each other. Especially since neither of them was what the other expected.  And it added to the depth of them getting to know each other.  As we got further into the story, the descriptive scenes were sinfully seductive *fans face*.

He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted another soul.

Her Wicked Marquees was exquisitely seductive and laugh out loud hilarious.  From the main characters that I loved with all my heart, to the story that was rich and vivid, to the well-crafted side characters, I loved this book!  And even that ending, it was absolutely perfect!  The epilogue had such a beautiful HEA, and even included two other characters which made my heart so happy!  I probably highlighted over half of this book, that’s how obsessed I was lol.  Now I can’t wait to read more from Stacy Reid!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

Interview:

What’s one thing you hope readers will take away from Her Wicked Marquess? 

I really want my readers to get lost in my stories and the journey of each character, and in the end, I want them to have a smile on their face and pure satisfaction in their hearts. 

 

What is something that we might not know about Maryann or Nicolas?

He does not like snakes either, but he willingly poured out her bucket of critters because he was so captivated by her. Maryann is a huge foodie! Yep, she just loves to eat, especially cake. 

 

What was your favorite quality about Nicolas?

The protective streak he has toward Maryann, the one that pushes him to go to any length to keep her safe and cherished. 

 

Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?

Wow, I have so many. I loved writing this book. I really loved writing that scene when Nicolas sneaked into Maryann’s room for the first time. It really allowed me to show her spunk, her zest for living, and also to delve deeper into the attraction she felt for him. 

 

Can you tell us what book(s) we can look forward to from you in the future?

I am working on Sinful Wallflowers 3, A Rogue of Her Own, Ophelia’s story. I really love it! It might surpass Her Wicked Marquess as being my fave. I also recently finished a single title novel featuring a duke who had been lost in the wilds for over a decade. Man, I cannot wait for it to be in reader’s hands. It is called The Wolf and the Wildflower. 

 

What was the last book you recommended to a friend?

Dark King (Sea Fae book 1) by C.N. Crawford.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Christmas Cliche by Tara Sivec

January 8, 2021 / / 6 Comments

BOOK REVIEW: Christmas Cliche by Tara SivecChristmas Cliche by Tara Sivec
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

‘Twas the week before Christmas
and all through L.A.,
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters
were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains
with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays,
which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard,
and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part
of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings,
and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks,
it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles,
and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter,
and no time to be blue.
Maybe this family,
with their hot mountain man,
will make this a Christmas
Allie can actually stand.


Review:

Christmas Cliche was laugh out loud hilarious and filled with all the cliches. Celebrities, snow storms, sexy mountain men, best friends and tons of Christmasy vibes filled the pages. So if you’re looking for a Christmas story that is lots of fun, with romance in the pages, then take a look at adding this one to your tbr.

I just wanted to get away from the chaos and not think about Christmas. Was that too much to ask?

The prologue jumped 17 years into the past, when Allie’s life was simpler, and she still loved Christmas. But in present day LA, there was nothing heartwarming or loving about the holidays. Her twin sisters had a reality TV show. Christmas Eve was to be filled with an over the top celebrity party and lavish items. It felt like they were living the life of the Kardashian’s, but even crazier. And Allie was in charge of it all. Dealing with her superficial sisters and their constant schedule and needs, seemed overwhelming. So when the straw finally broke the camel’s back, Allie bolted with her best friend in tow to West Virginia. To where she used to spend the holidays with family, when she was younger.

“This isn’t Christmas magic. It’s just insane. I’m insane. I’m seriously thinking about never, ever going back to California after only being here for four days.”
I laugh, and it comes out a little high-pitch and hysterical.

I adored Allie, she was kind and down to earth. But everyone seemed to have a preconceived notion of who she was. Even the man who ended up rescuing her. Jason was the sexiest mountain man and Allie and Jason’s meet cute was one of the funnier ones I’ve read. It was so smile inducing and unique lol! And I loved Jason too. He was helpful, loving, sweet and oh so thoughtful. The two of them together were perfect. It didn’t matter that she was only supposed to stay at his parents bed and breakfast until her cousin came back home, after the holidays. It felt like they were meant to be together forever. So there was definitely an insta-attraction mixed with insta-love. And let it be known that I don’t like insta-love, but in this cliche filled story I enjoyed it so much.

“You were adorable half-dressed for a blizzard, and when you had to borrow one of my sister’s ugly Christmas sweaters,” he tells me honestly. “But you’re goddamn stunning when you’re relaxed and laughing, and I think being here in my family’s Christmas wonderland has something to do with it.”

The side characters rounded out this story so well. I loved Jason’s sister and mom, who had more game then him ha. His relationship with the both of them warmed my heart. And I loved how they played such a big part of story. But the one who continually stole the spotlight was Allie’s best friend, Millie. She was a celebrity who was over the top ridiculous and such a good friend to Allie. I’m pretty sure I said OMFG out loud a hundred times because of Millie. She shocked me! Her observations, random comments and questions killed me! Sometimes she was too much, but it was impossible not to love her. Especially as we saw her learn about life as the story progressed, heaven help her lol.

“That was so cliché.”
“This whole thing is cliché,” Millie complains, leaning over on the couch to whisper to us. “Can we just get to the part where you guys profess your undying love for each other?”

Christmas Cliche was an over the top story filled with humor, friendship and love, cliches and all. Even the titles of the chapters were hilarious. It almost felt like a crazy, outrageous Hallmark movie, that was definitely not PG lol. So I was surprised that the sexy moments weren’t descriptive. But I enjoy books with our without them, I just wasn’t the hugest fan of the location when it did happen….you’ll see what I mean lol. But all in all I enjoyed this book so much! Plus that ending was perfect! I’ll definitely be checking out Tara Sivec’s other books!

BOOK REVIEW: Roommate by Sarina Bowen

January 7, 2021 / / 6 Comments
BOOK REVIEW: Roommate by Sarina BowenRoommate by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.
I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.
Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.
I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.
A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...

Review

Woooo my first book of 2021!

I had been in a bit of a rut after re-reading the ACOTAR books in preparation for ACOSF and when this eARC showed up on my Kindle, I knew this was going to be exactly what I needed. Sarina Bowen comfort reading. I will start by saying that it had been a while since I read some of the True North books (this book is a standalone so you don’t have to read them to read this) so I had been thinking that Kieran had the personality of Kyle (LOL OOPS). Don’t worry, got that straight in my head right away.

This book was definitely an emotional one. Kieran doesn’t expressly know the exact terms of his sexuality but he DOES know that when he saw Roderick Waites under the bleachers in high school performing a super steamy act of sexiness to another guy he was super turned on, and it’s something he STILL thinks about today, eight years later. Imagine his mortification when Roderick shows up around town, asking for a job at the very coffee shop he works at. Already a quiet, and VERY private guy, he’s worried Roderick is going to out him immediately.

Enter Roderick, a guy who is very secure in his sexuality but who also has just exited an extremely toxic relationship with barely his car and the clothes on his back. When he’s offered a trial run at Zara’s coffee shop, you better he’s going to be on his best behavior in order to keep that job. Especially because he’s been sleeping in his car and it’s starting to get real cold at night. He needs every last paycheck he can get.

As we all know from the synopsis and even the title of the book, the two end up becoming roommates and Kieran eventually warms up to Roderick after he realizes he’s not going to say anything about their past. Roderick teaches Kieran to cook (which is so freaking cute) and their relationship keep on progressing from there.

I think the best part of this book was seeing Kieran gain confidence in himself. He sticks it to his boss’s son at work, he becomes enrolled in school in order to take more design classes, he gives in to his attraction to Roderick, and through a series of crazy and yes unfortunate events, FINALLY sorts out some crazy family stuff that he’s been sitting on for years and years. I loved Kieran’s solid and steady presence and how he never was truly worried about anyone finding out abut his relationship with Roderick even though this was his first relationship with another man. No, his insecurities always lay in keeping things private, especially when it came to family matters based on a secret he learned when he was very young. Roderick stole the show with his bright and sunny personality and of course, since this is a Sarina Bowen novel, his FOOD. I swear I always wind up hungry after finishing her books and want to try making all these new things, lol.

P.S. The second best part of this book was learning that Grandpa Shipley now has a girlfriend named Lydia LOLLL

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: A Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken

December 23, 2020 / / 4 Comments

BOOK REVIEW: A Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van DykenA Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The first time I met Fitz or to most of the world Duke Fitzegerald Heraldo Belleville, I punched him in the throat.
I was actually aiming for his chin, but he was a few years older, clearly not wiser, but at least taller.
He started wheezing on his candy cane.
And well, the rest is history.
Hate replaced what could have been friendship, and for the rest of my teen years, I watched him flirt with every single breathing female.
I hated him.
Plotted his death with a smile on my face.
And knew that my first decree as Queen would be to chop off his head.
Except now that I'm finally old enough to inherit the title, there's one tiny little slip-up.
I need a man by my side.
The problem?
I may have accidentally scared them all away.
I have no options.
Until the devil rings my doorbell with a wicked grin on his face and revenge dancing like sugarplums in his gaze.
I hate that I need him.
It's a serious problem.
We have twelve days before we say I do.
I just pray we survive without killing each other first.


Review:

A Crown for Christmas easily became one of my favorite Christmas books! With enemies to lovers, irresistible banter, a forced marriage and snow falling how could I not fall madly in love with this story?! The prologue pulled me in and I was so addicted that I didn’t put my kindle down until I read that last page. I can’t recommend this book enough!

He stared at my mouth and then licked his lips like he wanted a taste, but that would be ridiculous. He hated me. I loathed him. It worked for us.
I shivered and looked away.

Princess Phillipa was expected to be Queen, but the law dictated that she had to be married first. Unfortunately she had run all of the possible suitors away, except one. Duke Fitzgerald Heraldo Belleville, aka Fitz. But where Fitz was concerned, there was one tiny problem. They had been enemies since they were children. We got to watch them, in the past, and the things they did and said to one another was horrifically awful. Yet I laughed so much. And in the present day, we witnessed a proposal and Phillipa being informed that a wedding would take place in twelve days. To her archnemesis. What’s a princess to do?

I hated the way he stared at me too long.
The way his perfect emerald eyes lingered like he was mentally mocking me and doing a bang up job of it.
But most of all, I hated that he was beautiful.

The story alternated between Phillipa and Fitz and I loved them both so much! Phillipa was strong and level headed. She was a generous and loving princess. And I could easily see her being a role model and someone others could look up to as their Queen. Yet the moment Fitz was around, she couldn’t help but find herself butting heads with him.

Her grin was pure evil. I had half a mind to kiss it off her face just to even the playing field, shock the hell out of her, and get to taste the peppermint all in one fell swoop. Pity her lips were probably poison.

Fitz could be such a trouble maker, but the man was as clever as he was seductive. He just had this way with people that made you instantly like him. Well except Phillipa lol. Fitz was thoughtful, witty, smart, devious and oh so quick with his replies. I was obsessed. And to Phillipa’s dismay, she started to see those qualities in Fitz too. Especially when he helped her get her way at times. It was impossible to ignore his charm, even if Phillipa was bantering with Fitz in that next moment.

My body tightened. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to pull someone’s hair more in my entire life, not in an effort to chase them, but to pull them so closely to my chest that all I feel is their skin, their breath, and maybe a soft moan of pleasure.”
Her eyes flickered to my mouth, and her lips parted. “This is crazy.”

Regardless of how much they hated each other, you could still feel the attraction burning between them. But when the gloves came off and they played nice, was it truly sincere? Could they really trust each other? I loved watching the intricacies of their relationship unfold. Together they were swoon worthy and I was addicted with all of their interactions. It was so easy to fall for them!

“What changed?” I hooked my arm in his as we started walking.
“Everything,” he whispered under his breath.

If you’re looking for a romantic and hilarious Christmas story, then definitely add A Crown for Christmas to your tbr! This may be RVD’s funniest book yet, but there were also a few moments I didn’t see coming…..so there was no stopping my gasps. With fabulous characters, addictive banter and a wonderful story line, this book was such a winner! I loved it so much!

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