All posts by skyebjenner

Keepsake by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Keepsake
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

Zach is just a little bit too cute from his first introduction in Bittersweet. And there is a whole lot of mystery around his cult upbringing. Keepsake provides so many answers to the multitude of questions that I have. And, he is just ridiculously adorable, so I fell in love with every page I turned. Then there’s Lark, she is just as adorable and sweet. Although with a totally different and unexpected mountain of challenges to overcome.

Whilst Zach’s backstory isn’t love and puppies, Lark’s is ridiculously hard. You know from the start that it’s going to be a difficult backstory. But as things unfold and you realise how messed up her issues are… your heart will break a little. What I love though is how she is strong enough to overcome. And how Zach is happy to not only stand by her sides help her, but also to STEP BACK and let her help herself.

Although for me, it is Lark’s tale that pulled at all of the heartstrings, Zach’s background is also ridiculously heebie jeebie like. I do like that the more you got to know about his past, the more different characters are pulled into the universe. Chastity is going to be a great character to get to know, and I’m sure her story is going to be just as intense with the cult background as Zach’s.

This was a truly beautiful contemporary romance that dealt wonderfully with PTSD and the mind. Its a reminder that whilst we need people in our lives to support us, we also need to be able to stand on our own two feet. Keepsake also touches on Zara’s pregnancy and child and how that is about to unspool. And May’s issues with alcoholism. Both of which are stories that I now can’t wait to sink my teeth into…

<- SteadfastBountiful ->

Image source: Goodreads

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Brooklynaire
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Ever since the hints of Becca and Nate’s potential relationship in Rookie Move, I’ve been hanging for Brooklynaire. I mean, who wouldn’t, they’re both kind of brilliant. And wow, this story DID NOT disappoint. It had all of the drama and fun that made me want to keep reading. With all of the sweetness and emotional cuddles that I’ve come to associate with Sarina Bowen.

I love that throughout this story, Becca’s biggest concern is how people will perceive her. It’s a good (and recurring) point – women tend to be judged a whole lot more harshly than men. Particularly when Becca is an assistant and already feels lime her job is on thin ice. I also enjoyed how Nate tried really hard to help ameliorate her concerns. It entertainingly backfired multiple times, but it was nice that he tried.

Brooklynaire also provides some great insights into the past of Becca, Nate and KTech. Another hint of a history to the Brooklyn Bruisers that I really wanted. Bowen did a brilliant job of flicking between past and present. Tying in all of the hints and moments that created such a beautiful romance. I was honestly kind of flabbergasted by Juliet’s betrayal in the past though. And although it was definitely a fairly poetic ending to her story, it was kind of heartbreaking.

This is an amazing story all on its own. But it was far more enjoyable when read immediately after Pipe Dreams. Both stories feature a lot of flashbacks to the past of both relationships. Plus, they are stories that are told in tandem with one another. So by reading them immediately following each other, you get to see how all of the little bits and pieces fit together.

<- Pipe DreamsOvernight Sensation ->

Image source: Amazon

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Pipe Dreams
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I’ve been intrigued by this since there were hints of Mike’s romantic past in Rookie Move. And then, there’s all of those hints about WHY alien is such an ice queen throughout Hard Hitter. I mean, it’s a pretty intense history that these two share once you start to find out the bits and pieces of it. It’s pretty heartbreaking too in moments. Hard to see any bad guys, just a whole lot of tragedy. But luckily, this is all beautiful with a happy ending.

For all of the tragedy that gets highlighted in their past (much of it based on miscommunications in the past, but I digress). I do love how Lauren and Mike are able to reconnect throughout this story. They both have some kind of silky hang-ups, but they work through them to a better future. Plus there’s the added complications of Mike’s family, and how they react. Also worked through beautifully.

Although I don’t think there are really any bad guys in this romance, I must admit that Shelly’s letters were pretty heartbreaking. They were a perfect plot piece to move the forgiveness forwards, but still pretty damn heartbreaking. Partly I think it was the whole writing to your daughter on your deathbed that did it for me, but also just the content and context. I can’t even fathom the difficulty and emotional turmoil of both of them in writing this.

Pipe Dreams is beautiful and a romance that comes with premade family. It’s definitely a second chance romance that focuses on moving forward in life and forgiving the past. But it also happens consecutively with Brooklynaire. Another Brooklyn Bruisers book I’ve been hanging to read. I love how this all dovetailed and look forward to diving in again.

<- Hard HitterBrooklynaire ->

Image source: Amazon

Mr. Mayfair by Louise Bay

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Mr. Mayfair
Author: Louise Bay
Series: Mister #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Another story in the amazing Beach Reads Box Set Vol. 2. It’s cute, fun, and light. And just all round an incredibly easy read. One that has introduced me to yet another author that I’m definitely adding to my shelves. Mostly this is just a wonderfully easy and cutesy contemporary romance with two wonderfully flawed lead characters.

To start with, there’s Beck. I’m going to be honest, he’s that kind of typical, kind of painful driven knob from the beginning. He doesn’t see the roses and just tries to plot on through everything. Which matches him kind of well with Stella, because even though this story starts with an incredibly embarrassing and painful moment, she finds a way to be optimistic. Maybe not the sunshine and the grouch, but still works as a pairing.

Stella is some unbelievably sympathetic in her journey. It’s easy to say that you wouldn’t fall for the trap that she found herself in. But it’s such a simple one to fall into. Her ex is honestly the douchiest of the douchiest. And then there’s that ex-best friend. Talk about toxic relationships. It creates a great point of antagonism from the very beginning. One that is external to the couple finding their feet. It also makes it harder to put the book down.

Some of the wedding scenes in this romance were kind of painful to read. I mean, why wouldn’t they be? Potential for embarrassments galore. But somehow, they work. And as the story unfolds, they build upon the storyline beautifully. Making it just that little bit less painful to read. My only disappointment in this was the fact that the exes don’t get any kind of comeuppance. I mean, the natural ending is kind of good, but I wanted SO MUCH MORE humiliation.

Now, I’m looking forward to getting to know the rest of the Misters more. They were all introduced to varying degrees in Stella and Beck’s story, but there are many more tales to unfold. Another fun series that has been added to my shelves.

<- More Louise BayMr. Knightsbridge ->

Image source: Amazon

Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cursed Luck
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cursed Luck #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

There is a very good reason why I love Kelley Armstrong so much. And everything I pick up one of her books, I’m reminded again of just WHY I think she’s so amazing. Although, admittedly, some of her works are pretty dark. This is nowhere near as dark and heart rending as some of her other stories though… there is such a pithy, light, and fun tone to this whole story that left me smiling throughout.

Kennedy is a little too much like me. And I loved her. She’s impulsive, loyal and doesn’t always think things through when trying to help. Which, of course is what ends up placing her in awkward position after awkward position. That, and she’s obviously and needfully very driven to find her sisters. Mostly though, her impulsively doesn’t always necessarily lend itself to being helpful in her situation. Something I am all too familiar with…

Aidan is a great counterpoint to Kennedy. He is sweet and buttoned up, and really very cute. His rule-following nature and tendency to want to plan his way through everything sort of acts as the voice of reason to Kennedy’s insanity. Like Kennedy though, he is incredibly loyal to his sibling. I loved how both the leads in this are very loyal to their siblings. It means they get manipulated constantly by this motive… but it’s yet another reason to love them.

The surprise of motive and culprit was brilliantly done within this novel. There were some wonderful surprise reveals from the second half onwards. It had me diving into this story page after page. I love when authors are able to take a great story and make it even more phenomenal with all of their tricky little twists and turns. The fact that Armstrong was able to use this surprise to provide a totally unexpected motive… I definitely can’t wait to read High Jinx.

<- More Kelley ArmstrongGoddess of Summer Love ->

Image source: Amazon

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruby Fever
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #3, Hidden Legacy #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been putting off reading this for a while because I just knew that I would want to read it cover to cover. And then, one night, I decided that I would just start it and read a little bit. Because I’m an adult and I have self-control… it turns out that I’m not such a good adult, and I literally have no self-control. I stayed up way too late reading this, and seriously felt punished the next day.

Andrews always does justice with their writing, but holy cow was this a fantastic ending to the Catalina Baylor Trilogy. I mean, from the very first moment, you hit the ground running. And then you pretty much don’t until you turn that final page. Ruby Fever is wonderfully intense and completely impossible to put down. It is filled with action and so many fights that my internal badass did a happy (and totally badass) dance.

Arkan is a seriously terrifying villain, probably because he is a shadow figure for the entire trilogy. Which means I really loved how Catalina and Alessandro are able to systematically dismantle his whole team of horrible things that go bump in the night. They are a wonderful power team and Catalina’s ability to plot and scheme better than everyone else… it left me smiling from ear to ear. It might have been why I found Catalina to be far more relatable than Nevada – she’s very much in her own head and finds this to be both a strength and a weakness.

The entire Baylor clan is freaking amazing. There is honestly not a character terrifying in the family that I don’t love. I would honestly love a trilogy for each and every one of them. However, even though I’m not entirely certain that there will be any more tales. I am so stupidly hopeful that Arabella will get her own series one of these days. Especially considering her final scene in this book…

<- Emerald BlazeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bitterburn
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Gothic Fairytales #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Gothic, Magic, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Njal and Amarrah are a fantastic and gorgeous couple in this phenomenal Beauty and the Beast retelling. Aguirre manages to combine aspects of the original fairy tale, Disney version and a whole Gothic aspect that will leave you breathless. Amarrah is that perfect balance of sweet and innocent, with tough and powerful. Unlike some of the young adult stories I’ve read recently, this didn’t feel forced or contrived, but enjoyably natural.

One of my favourite aspects of this retelling was that at no point does Amarrah want Njal to change himself to suit what others might see as a perfect man. Their slow courtship is exactly the kind of romance that I enjoy reading. The two spend a lot of time getting to know one another and conversing, way before they are able to finally see each other face to face. I love that they accept each other for exactly who and what they are.

Of course, every version of Beauty and the Beast has a curse in it that has cursed the “beast”. Aguirre’s version was wonderfully complex and brilliant. I love how there was the whole backstory of Njal’s curse throughout this is slowly unreeled. Not only do you spend the whole story hoping to race to the happily ever after. But you also can’t wait to find out what the heck happened to leave Njal in such a horrible position.

Everything about this retelling was brilliant and phenomenal. The journey Aguirre took me on was absolutely amazing. I think though that my favourite thing about this was that Amarrah doesn’t end up getting that typical prince charming – she gets the Beast man she fell for. And they, along with their two goats are able to drive off into the sunset happily ever after.

<- More Ann AguirreMirror, Mirror ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Leopard King by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Leopard King
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Ars Numina #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I’ve read a book by Ann Aguirre before, but it was a young adult dystopia novel (and I still need to finish the series). Having said that, I had NO IDEA what to expect from a adult paranormal romance by the same author. Until I dug into kobo plus, I actually had no idea that there WAS an adult series. But, wow, am I glad that I found out about Ars Numina!!! This was an amazing novel and I literally read it cover to cover.

At first, I was wondering how the complexities of Dom and Pru’s relationship would work out. His dead wife was her best friend and her booty call his best friend. But somehow Aguirre was able to make this work perfectly. In fact, you feel an emotional connection to everyone in this. Even Slay, who definitely acted a bit like an idiot. You still want him to find his happily ever after. Which will happen much later in this series I believe…

The world building in this romance was particularly enjoyable- there’s the history of the arcana’s separation from humans. But, then there’s the five warring factions that are trying to come to a Peace Treaty. And all of the insane politics that slowly get unraveled throughout. Honestly, the multitudes of complexities throughout this were amazing and, even though I loved the central relationship, it was also all of the intricate details that Aguirre was able to cram in that had me grinning from ear to ear.

Pru and Dom’s story was very sweet and filled with just enough lust to make my toes curl. It was also a fantastic way to start a whole new series. Each of the 6 men who are featured in this series were introduced, and almost all of the women. Since I already love all of these characters, it’s going to be hard not to just dive headfirst into the rest of the series, and forget about all of the other great books on my shelves.

<- More Ann AguirreThe Demon Prince ->

Image source: Kobo

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Woman in the Polar Night
Author: Christiane Ritter
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Nature
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1938

Thoughts

A Woman in the Polar Night is a stunning and incredibly emotive memoir. I can see how it is a popular classic. Ritter’s writing is just filled with emotive imagery that I doubt I’ll ever get out of my head. You can feel her love for the landscape and journey with every passing paragraph. You can also feel the different challenges she faces to her mental health as she undergoes a night that lasts for over 100 days.

Living at the north pole like this would be a phenomenal journey all on its own. But to do this almost 100 years ago? I can’t even imagine the intensity and difficulties of such a journey. I love how as you go on this journey with Ritter, you can slowly begin to process the difficulties of this life right alongside her. As Ritter realises that there are unforeseeable and dangerous challenges, you grow to appreciate them too. As Ritter falls in love with the landscape, so do you.

There is something incredibly soothing about the whole tale. I’m not sure if it’s the idea of the endless night and solitude, or the beauty of the landscape. But there is most definitely something about the dark Polar nights that leave you with a sense of serenity and peace. Again, I think that’s just the incredibly powerful and emotive way with which Ritter writes about her journey.

I loved this memoir and will definitely look forward to picking it up again in the future. It is a wonderful tale of triumph and hardship. But also, the majestic beauty of the far-flung corners of the earth.

<- Anna: A Teenager on the RunMy Fight / Your Fight ->

Image source: Kobo

Roommate by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Roommate
Author: Sarina Bowen
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Since their mentions in Sweetheart, Kieran and Roderick are just too damn cute a couple. Which, of course means that I’ve been hanging to read their romance. Plus, Kieran is such a sweet and quiet boy in all of his appearances throughout the True North series. It made me want to get to know him more. Which, as seems to be the case with Sarina Bowen stories, didn’t disappoint.

Although throughout this Kieran is discovering and acknowledging his sexuality, it’s not really the point of conflict throughout. I love that his being gay really isn’t treated as anything, well, at all in his internal dialogue. Rather, it is all of the family conflicts and his sense of self within the Shipley clan that is the main driving point of contention throughout. It’s nice to have an LGBTQI+ story that doesn’t really make any kind of deal about accepting one’s sexuality.

Then there’s Roderick. He’s a great counterpoint to Kieran’s quiet reticence. He is bubbly and cheerful. And accepting of his own crap. Accepting to the point that he is so self-aware he almost self-sabotages. Again, the point of intention doesn’t come from his crappy family or anything like that, but from his self-awareness and sense of self. For Roderick, this fact is that he worries that he throws too much of himself into a relationship.

I love that although there is initially a little resistance between these two gorgeous hunks, once they’re together, it’s the journey of self-awareness that drive the story’s conflict. Yes, other people come into this, but it’s a bit of a tangential influence. Mostly, the two figure out how to work through their own nonsense and make it work in a relationship together. Definitely a story too cute for words.

<- More Sarina BowenTop Secret ->

Image source: Goodreads