Category Archives: Book Review

Ever Night by Gena Showalter

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Ever Night
Author: Gena Showalter
In: On the Hunt (Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen & Deidre Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance, Time travel
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

At the beginning of this novella, I was a bit… disturbed by the idea that Rose was going to fall for the weird abductor guy. I mean, it was a bit Stockholm Syndrome-y and made me start this story with a feeling of total ick. But then, as I got to know the two characters, I decided that I actually loved this. There was something kind of fun and cute about this story, and, even though the beginning was uncomfortable, I settled into this and was really disappointed that it had to end.

I thought that the idea of being forced to transport oneself into an alternate world every year on your birthday was brilliant and incredibly imaginative. I ended up really loving the world building in this and seriously enjoyed this novella. I love that its two worlds built around somewhat familiar ones. Yet, fear and misunderstandings have led to murder and mayhem throughout the two groups of peoples. An thoroughly enjoyable world that left me smiling and wanting more and more after I turned that final page.

Honestly, although I knew just who Rose would end up with the end, I didn’t quite expect how they were going to end up. Neither did I expect their conflict resolution at the end. It was a really great way to tie up a romantic and lustful novella. This is the first story I’ve read by Showalter, even if I have multiples of her stories on my shelves. And, I’m glad to say that I’ve got more of her stories to continue on with. Now to dive into them and the rest of my TBR.

<- On the HuntThe Collector ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Drowning Mermaids by Nadia Scrieva

Book Review
Overview

Title: Drowning Mermaids
Author: Nadia Scrieva
Rating Out of 5: 1.5 (Couldn’t get past the first chapter)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This wasn’t my favourite novel, and not one that I was able to finished. Something about the prose just kept getting stuck and I really couldn’t get into it. Then, there was a mermaid stripper who was stripping, but wasn’t one, even when she was taking off her clothes. And then an old guy who knew he was being creepy as the love interest. So many problematic points that I just couldn’t get past and continue on with sadly.

Image source: Smart Bitches Trashy Books

Darkangel by Christine Pope

Book Review
Overview

Title: Darkangel
Author: Christine Pope
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I have now tried to read this novel twice, and both times I just… nope. Which is disappointing. But I just found that the lead was impossible to connect with and care about. And, even though I read about 3 chapters (my standard limit), nothing was really happening. It was all just background information on the worldbuilding. Definitely not a story that I could stink my teeth into.

Image source: Overdrive

Claiming Her SEAL by Kat Cantrell

Book Review
Overview

Title: Claiming Her SEAL
Author: Kat Cantrell
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I could not, for the life of me get into this. I was probably a little bit put off by the blurb in the first place. I’m honestly not a huge fan of alpha males who just… can’t communicate. But I thought I’d give it a shot, because sometimes it still works. But I really couldn’t get there.

Honestly, this just wasn’t my cup of tea and I stopped after just three chapters. I didn’t have any connection to the characters, I didn’t think Emma and Dex has any connection to each other. And I just didn’t enjoy the prose. But this might be suitable for someone else.

Image source: Amazon

Clawed by Ophelia Bell

Book Review
Overview

Title: Clawed
Author: Ophelia Bell
Rating Out of 5: 1.5 (Couldn’t get past the first chapter)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I’m honestly really over starting any kind of story that pits women against each other. Especially when it’s the entire start of the story – referring to each other as bitch. And honestly, as much as I tried, I just couldn’t get past that feeling of distaste. I’ve tried this twice, and just don’t like the whole feeling of this story. But onwards.

Image source: Author Ophelia Bell

Apex Jump by David J. Schwartz

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Apex Jump
Author: David J. Schwartz
In: Glitter and Mayhem (Amber Benson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Science fiction, Space
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Roller Derby, whilst something I’ve never seen (or tried), is something that I am completely intrigued by. Which means that the idea of Roller Derby in space just makes me all that much more intrigued. Honestly, Roller Derby in space is a fantastic idea that I absolutely loved, and the way that Schwartz executed this, completely brilliant!

This would have been an amazing story regardless of who the narrator was, but the fact that they are a trans woman and keep alluding to a painful past? Somehow that just made it all that much better. Plus, the narrator was brilliantly able to explain the dynamics of her team and how much they all love each other, even if they’re not perfect. I also love how there are multiple (in the double digits) gender groupings for the aliens. It just serves as a great reminder of how narrow-minded our culture is about gender.

This short story felt like a snippet in time and just a beautiful moment in somebody else’s life. And I really like that I got to visit this. It had such a positive and joyful feeling to it. One that involved Roller Derby and a fun trip to space. I absolutely loved this story and found it a joyful journey into an unimaginably creative world.

<- Sister TwelveWith Her Hundred Miles to Hell ->

Image source: Amazon

Tempting Talk by Sara Whitney

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Tempting Talk
Author: Sara Whitney
Series: Cinnamon Roll Alphas #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Jake and Mabel are a great couple who work really well together – they both feel a connection from the beginning. And, although they are instantly attracted to one another, they work on building a friendship before diving into bed with one another. I’m always a big fan of a relationship that starts as a friendship and evolves into something more – the instalove, whilst cute isn’t always for me.

There was enough drama in this story to make me not want to put it down, but not enough that my emotions got heavily toyed with. I loved the simplicity of this story, and the enjoyment I got every time I turned the page. It’s also nice to read a story that is a pleasant read sometimes – life can get hectic, and I love that reading Whitney’s stories give me a nice diversion from the insanity of daily life.

Jake’s demisexualtiy was an interesting part of his person – I don’t actually think that I’ve read a book that features a demisexual. And I even had to look up what that term meant. I love when a story gives me a bit of an education about someone else’s lived experience, and the term demisexuality definitely did that for me. Yet, the fact that Jake was demisexual helped to add to the story, instead of interrupting the flow.

In continuing with the trend of different aspects to a character that I wasn’t expecting – I’ve never read a story which features a radio host. I mean, I grew up listening to morning radio in the car, and I never really gave any thought to what it was like to work in the field. The fact that Whitney worked as a morning radio host for a short time made learning the ins and outs of this career all that much more interesting and realistic. I absolutely loved this, again, new learning experiences always make me happy.

Mabel’s friendships with Dave and ultimately Thea were absolutely fantastic. I love good, strong, healthy friendships in stories – and it was Mabel’s that really helped to not only bolster her, but also the rest of the story. Particularly her friendship with Dave – they are the ultimate best friends and were really quite adorable.

<- Tempting TasteTempting Lies ->

Image source: Kobo

The Dragon Lantern by Arizona Tape

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Dragon Lantern
Author: Arizona Tape
Series: The Griffin Sanctuary #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, LGBTQI, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I love that as this series unfolds, the slow-burn romance between Charlotte and Felicity slowly becomes more and more serious. They are testing the waters and finding their way. And honestly, it is all just too cute and sweet. Plus, then there’s the fact that they are both animal obsessed and working for the same sanctuary. With every story, I fall more and more in love with this couple and the world that they inhabit.

World building is always an bit of a sticking point with me for a great series. And I loved that Tape expanded on the world of Griffin Sanctuary with Charlotte’s visit to another sanctuary. The differences were brilliant, and, honestly, I love the idea of a network of paranormal sanctuaries and the different animals that they specialize in. Plus, it showed entirely different interpersonal dynamics between those who choose to work at such places.

As someone who studied environmental biology, I particularly appreciated the work and studies that go into finding out the reasons for different appendages and practices in animals. I love that, in The Dragon Lantern, it is the ‘lanterns’ on dragons which are focused upon, and their use. I love that there are a number of different theories given and provided. I spent a lot of this story focusing on the why and the how, and trying to figure out potential answers along with Charlotte and her colleagues.

Throughout this series thus far, there has been the overwhelming threat of the end of the internships and continuation of employment. Even though it is a given from fairly early on that Charlotte has a more long-term placement (due to being an apprentice vet), it was still a concern as to who would be able to come back. I love that not everyone that features in Charlotte’s life is due to return (because that would be unrealistic), but some are. It’s a nice testament to the continuation of and reality of this series. One I can’t wait to continue reading.

<- The Kitsune GiggleThe Sphinx Pride ->

Image source: Goodreads

My Book Boyfriend by Kathy Strobos

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: My Book Boyfriend
Author: Kathy Strobos
Series: New York Spark #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: 2023

Thoughts

My Book Boyfriend was a really quick, easy and sweet read. It was kind of predictable, but had just enough of a surprise throughout that I couldn’t put it down. Plus, I like it when the story is simple and pleasant sometimes – it makes me happy and content. And it’s always nice to read about a happily ever after when the kids are driving you nuts and you have to be a responsible adult.

I was expecting a little more conflict between Lily and Rupert – after all, they are on opposing sides, and it would make complete sense for them to act against each other. Instead, even if they are on opposing sides of a political and social battle, they make it work with each other. And they don’t actually actively go against one another. I don’t know how it worked, but whilst they were fighting a battle, they were able to not fight at all. It was damn clever and adorable.

Lily’s group of friends are absolutely adorable and exactly what I love to read about in a group of girlfriends. I want to read more about each of them as they find their happily ever afters, which I’m hoping (and assuming) is down the track in this series. Plus, it’s great to read about a group of people rallying behind their community to support one another. I loved that this was all about a community garden and how important such a space was to people of all ages and genders.

Rupert’s grandfather was a bit of a piece of work, and I thought he was going to end up being far more evil than he was. I like that, ultimately, he may have been misguided, but was actually 100% supportive. Plus, it also meant that Rupert’s cousin wasn’t quite pitted against him as I had anticipated. Again, something that came as a pleasant surprise. I thought that Rupert’s role in corporate and his family would be far greater obstacles to his happiness. And I’m kind of glad that they weren’t, ultimately he got the girl and the love of his family as he wanted.

This might have been a thoroughly enjoyable romance that I look forward to reading again. And a great book to pull me into the world of Strobos, but it was also a great reminder of the importance of community and community spaces. It was a great reminder that community, in whatever shape or form it takes is incredibly important, and integral to all of our sanity and social / mental health. Even if it’s not quite what one would expect. And a great reminder to dive back into your own local community spaces.

<- More Kathy StrobosLove is an Art ->

Image source: Kathy Strobos

Love is Ale You Need by Gia Stevens

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Love is Ale You Need
Author: Gia Stevens
Series: Brews & Flings #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

This was a really cute, sweet and fun novel. It was pretty of those rash romances to read, but with enough going on that it wasn’t quite a simple story. I honestly was loathe to put it down at any point, because I just needed to know what was going to happen next!

I honestly thought that there’d be a lot more internal difficulties between Rylee and Trey. I thought they’d both have a whole lot more drama and angst to committing to each other. Yet, I kind of love that the conflicts and difficulties are far more external.

I knew Rylee’s ex was going to be a bit horrible – I mean, it’s why she has hangups from the beginning. But he was far more of an issue than I had anticipated. And an absolute piece of work. As was Chad with his attitude problems. I liked that they were an external point of contention that threatened the happiness of the couple, without overwhelming the potential happiness of the story.

The list and sex scenes in this are wonderful, and I loved the palpable tension throughout this whole story. Yet, even with that to make my toes curl, it’s the emotional connection and relationship that had me grinning like a fool throughout. I absolutely adored this story and look forward to reading my next tale by Gia Stevens.

<- More Gia StevensMake My Heart Malt ->

Image source: Gia Stevens