Tough Cookie by Talia Hunter

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Tough Cookie
Author: Talia Hunter & SmartyPants Romance
Series: Donner Bakery #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Carla and Noah work wonderfully as an opposites-attract story. Noah is a stunt driver, with no hesitation in diving into a number of life-risking endeavours. Carla on the other hand, is a software developer who has a chronic health condition and isn’t able to just follow the impulses and dangers of Noah’s life. I love how different they are, and how they are able to make their relationship work. It’s a great reminder that different people with different needs and desires can still work wonderfully together. And, as is very much in evidence within Tough Cookie, support each other through the good and the bad.

I had a brief brush against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome when I was in high school, luckily for me, it was a short term experience. Honestly, reading about a woman with this condition was a big reminder of just how intense and terrifying this experience is. I’m always keen to read romances, or indeed, any story which features someone with a chronic condition, it reminds us that most people have some battle or other that they must face. Hunter is brilliant at highlighting that Carla is just a normal human with a whole lot less Teaspoons. And, honestly, a lot more will power and willingness to fight for what she wants than some other people if I’m being honest.

At the beginning when Noah is happy that Carla doesn’t really like him, because women just fall for him, I thought he was a bit of a fool. I mean, that’s a pretty big ego one has there and it felt kind of unrealistic. But then, you find out just why he fears someone developing feelings for him just for his natural charisma. It took a while, but that assumption became far less negatively judged after finding out more about Noah’s past. Then, there’s the fact that he completely respects Carla’s boundaries and needs. He might help push her outside of her comfort zone, but he does it with her permission and is constantly checking in to see how she’s coping with all of the changes in her life.

Hunter brings a lot of experience and knowledge to the character of Carla. A lot of illnesses, disabilities, chronic conditions, etc. are invisible. Which, in my experience, means that people don’t quite think that they exist. Carla’s family and her ex both act like this to varying degrees. Whilst her family is just trying to help, but not actually succeeding in so many ways. Her ex-fiancé on the other hand, could not deal with her illness. Whilst it’s understandable that some people can’t deal with having a sick partner, it’s also not painting him in the greatest light. The fact that the person he swore to love is exchangeable because they can’t act the way they once did. Loving someone means loving them through all of the twists and turns of life, not just the convenient and easy moments.

Noah as a male cookie maker and cake decorator is too adorable. I love that his passion started as a child helping out his mother. And then choosing to pursue it again as an adult. I love that it is a man in a female-dominated sphere (a rarity even in the books I read), and that he just embraces it. Plus, there’s the whole making cookies which suit all of Carla’s dietary restrictions. But making cookies which are still nice and don’t taste (and feel) like cardboard. I wish this recipes were here for me to try…

<- Dough You Love Me?Muffin But Trouble ->

Image source: Amazon

Dorian by Nalini Singh ReRead

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Dorian ReRead
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #5.1
In: Wild Embrace (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance,  Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2016

Thoughts

This novella is filled with snapshots into the life and times of Dorian. I love that each chapter is a different point in his life and his journey to Aisha and his ability to shift. I love that the first few chapters are about Dorian learning to accept his latency. And, rather than choosing to let this be a weakness, he turns it into a superpower. His will and strength of self are seriously enviable, from a very young age too. And I hope that I am able to raise children with the same strength of self and resilience that Dorian has!

Where Hostage to Pleasure ends with Dorian’s first transformation, this novella takes place before and after this. Starting with the previously mentioned early years, and then surpassing his first shifts to when he lets the rest of his family know. The joy and the genuine love for one another come striking off of the pages with every word. I love that sense of belonging that each of the DarkRiver cats find, and how they have accepted Dorian as he is, but also rejoice in the positive changes in his life.

The fat that all of the sentinels give Dorian no quarter even though he’s only just learning how to be a cat made me smile. They accept him and make sure that he knows he is still expected to be as tough and independent as he’s always been. They treat him as the powerhouse that he is, and this recognition of his power made me smile. It’s nice to know that people don’t just assume that others are weaker because they have a handicap. It also lit up a fire in Dorian. Definitely a story that I needed to fill in all of the joyful gaps in Dorian’s story and journey to becoming the strong sentinel I fall in love with every time I read Hostage to Pleasure.

<- Hostage to Pleasure ReReadBranded by Fire ReRead ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

Everybody Wants to Rune the World by Mandy M. Roth

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Everybody Wants to Rune the World
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Bewitchingly Ever After #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Everybody Wants to Rune the World is a great little cozy mystery and paranormal romance. Sigmund and Virginia are an entertaining couple that keep avoiding the obvious. But, they are also a simple read and a great diversion when you’re needing something happy and easy to read. I tend to love Roth’s writing for just this reason – there is enough action that I want to see what high jinx are going to happen next. But not so much that I get angsty and can’t put the book down.

I love that this story actually starts 16 months earlier, when Sigmund actually realises that Virginia is his fated mate. But is then filled with so much self doubt that he refuses to act on it. It gives constant entertainment to the town of Bewitching, and makes the two act like, well, absolute fools. Particularly Sigmund, he’s a big, scary kraken shifter who is scared to talk to the woman that he loves. Which of course just confuses the heck out of Virginia, and makes the townsfolk laugh at the shenanigans. Constantly and with much mirth.

Once Petey finally gets involved with Sigmund’s inability to actually make a move, I love that Virginia is able to just dive right in with both feet. Rather than continuing to hesitate (as she has done for the previous 16 months), she chooses to embrace the marriage that Petey officiated and start to chase the poor, ignorant shifter. Sometimes men just need a bit of a shove, and her confidence in doing this made me laugh out loud. The fact that it quickly gets rid of the potential love triangle emotional entanglement just made it all that much better.

I must admit, I did guess who the villain of the story was and the one who was starting to hunt Virginia. I mean, he’s effectively set up as the anti-Sig way too well. And, it makes so much more sense and fun to have any potential barriers to their future relationship nipped in the bud. I also love that, in dealing with the villain and threat to Virginia, Sigmund is able to finally embrace his kraken side and regain confidence in himself and his newfound abilities.

All in all, Everybody Wants to Rune the World is an incredibly cute and fun read that I will probably open up again. It was a great journey and fun diversion, and I’m hoping that Roth revisits the world of Bewitching again and again. There is just something fun and super chaotic about the whole town that is irreplaceable and unforgettably joyful.

<- Don’t Stop BewitchingDo You Really Want to Haunt Me? ->

Image source: Mandy Roth

The Lightning Thief ReRead by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Lightning Thief ReRead
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2005

Thoughts

It’s been a while since I last read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and I love that I’ve just randomly decided to dive into a reread. Some of the series that I read when I was younger haven’t aged as well now that I have children. But, that’s most definitely not the case with this series. In fact, I can’t wait to share these books with my children when they get older. Even though this was a reread, The Lightning Thief was just as brilliant and fun as I remembered.

I love that everything Riordan writes is about those who are neurodivergent or don’t quite fit the “normal mould”. Each and every one of these children have their own talents and powers, it’s a reminder that we all have super powers, we just need to figure out how to use them. Percy’s slow discovery of his own powers and that he’s not actually a troubled kid is a really nice journey. This is only the beginning of him finding out just who he is. But, it is such a reward to read about a kid that finally realises that being different doesn’t mean bad.

Even though I knew who the “bad guy” of this story was going to be, I still really enjoyed reading this story. Plus, it was fun to pick up on those extra hints throughout that I’ve missed before. Plus, it was easier to see just why the betrayal happened. Riordan creates some wonderfully scary villains in the Greek monsters, but also some sadly tragic and relatable ones in the humans and demigods that work with the Big Evil.

I can’t wait to dive in and reread the rest of the Percy Jackson series and beyond. This is such a phenomenal and enjoyable read that I just didn’t want to put down. You know that a book is good when you can’t put it down, even if it is your third read through. I can’t wait to share this story with my children in the future, and read it again and again. Plus, there are now a whole heap more books in the Riordan universe that I need to rearead, and read for the very first time!

<- More Rick RiordanThe Sea of Monsters ->

Image source: Penguin

Alanna: The First Adventure ReRead by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Alanna: The First Adventure ReRead
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness Quartet #1, Tortall #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1983

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I step into the world of Tortall, I am stupidly happy and it feels like visiting an old friend. Honestly, this was the author and series that played a huge part in diving into the reading obsession I now have as an adult. And, with each new reading, different facets come to light for me. Different points in my life reflect within the story that I’m reading and I find new parts to love about it. I really can’t wait to share this series with my children, particularly my daughter.

I love that throughout this story, Alanna begins with rejecting the fact that she’s female. Indeed, every moment and development that highlights it makes her frustrated and upset. Yet, by the end of it, having proven herself alongside Jonathan, she finally realises that her gender doesn’t define her. Rather, it’s just something that she is, like being small and a red head. It’s a great reminder to all girls out there that we can be female and feminine, but also a warrior and enjoy arts that aren’t traditionally (stodgily) called “feminine”. As someone who practices Martial Arts, I can absolutely appreciate this duology.

The friendships Alanna makes at this point shape the rest of her life. And I love that at the beginning she feels like she has to be like everyone else to fit into her friendship circle. The moment when Raoul points out that they like her because she’s different has so much meaning for me. Even as an adult, it’s nice to be reminded that we are all loved for our differences as well as our similarities. And in Alanna’s case, she can be entirely who she wants to be (with the whole still hiding that she’s a girl thing), without giving up her friends. Even when the few who find out her hidden identity choose to still love her as she is. Honestly, Jon, Raoul, Gary and George are exactly the kind of friends I hope all people find at some point in their lives. They’re sweet, supportive and accepting of all of Alanna’s little nuances.

Whilst Alanna: The First Adventure doesn’t have a strict beginning, middle and end like some stories that I read, it is still impossible to put down. It jumps from moment to moment in Alanna’s first few years as a page and shows the different challenges she overcomes. There is also so much character driven growth throughout that by the end I was cheering and smiling to know that she ultimately won the day in accepting herself for everything that she is, small, short-tempered, red-headed and female.

<- More Tamora PierceIn the Hand of the Goddess ReRead ->

Image source: HarperReach

Best Fake Fiance by Roxie Noir

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Best Fake Fiance
Author: Roxie Noir
Series: Loveless Brothers #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

One of the things that I really enjoy about Roxie Noir’s writing is that she writes beautiful contemporary romances which also have an undercurrent of hefty issues and mental health challenges. It gives the story a little bit more nuance and higher stakes, whilst still having that happily ever after, ride off into the sunset enjoyable feeling that I adore. In the case of this story, it is Charlie and Daniel dealing with custody issues and feelings of self worth. Plus, they’re negotiating the friends-to-lovers trope, along with a fake relationship / engagement. So many things at risk, but a beautifully cute and enjoyable story that I just didn’t want to put down.

I spent the majority of this book concentrating on Daniel’s daughter Rusty. She is just adorable, and with her custody being a potential sticking point, the majority of my reading meant that I was really stressed that Rusty would end up going to Crystal. Particularly with some of the mistakes that Charlie makes and Daniel’s inability to be flexible. It did mean that Rusty was more than a bit of a show stealer, but I absolutely love when someone’s child does this in a romance. Plus, Crystal is actually kind of evil, and more often than I would like, evil people actually do win the day.

Daniel is a bit of a stick in the mud, and although I understand having to reign in some of our wilder tendencies when you have a child, he is a bit restrictive at times. I love that Charlie and her less-than-organised ways help to balance him out. Even though in some instances, her unorganisation takes her too far in the opposite direction and causes more chaos. I don’t overly love how Daniel constantly yells at Charlie for her mistakes, especially when some of it is through Rusty’s decisions, not hers. However, as a parent, I also get it – I tend to get particularly aggressive and yelley when I’m worried about the safety of my child. Whether it’s caused by their actions, my own, or someone else’s.

As someone who always has to be hyper-organised and on top of everything, I kind of loved experiencing the freedom of disorganisation through Charlie. I mean, some of it would be really difficult and hard to deal with. But, I also love that she is able to live in the moment a lot more than I can. Plus, it leads to some random hilarity. Particularly when she does things like accidentally leave her phone in the cereal isle. Or forgets the day of the week. Alright, I tend to forget the day of the week frequently, but I also then check my phone frequently so I don’t forget the things that I need to do.

Not only does Noir write great romances with truly flawed individuals, she also writes wonderful sibling relationships. Each of the Loveless Brothers might annoy the absolute heck out of each other, but they also have one another’s backs. I’m sure anyone who has a sibling can relate – my sister has annoyed me more than anyone in the world. But, if someone crosses either one of us, we’ve got each others’ backs and will not back down from supporting one another.

<- Enemies with BenefitsBreak the Rules ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rebel Yule by Kate Meader

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rebel Yule
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #5.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is the second book I’ve read in the Rookie Rebels series, and I absolutely love these sports romances. There is extra love for this story in that it is also a Christmas story. I may have read Rebel Yule way out of order, but there are honestly no regrets. It’s a fun and light read. One that I absolutely adored. And I look forward to reading more and more stories of the cinnamon roll alphas of the Rebels Hockey Team. Particularly the ones that are set around Christmas – because Christmas is always a favourite time of the year.

At first I thought that Casey’s frustration and annoyance at Erik was totally unfounded. Or at least, that it was about her attraction to him and inability to act upon it. The fact that she had a genuine reason to actually be annoyed with him? Brilliant. And the fact that Erik was actually a much better person than assumed – and that he had reasons for his behaviour, even better. Their past and the way that they move into the future together was really sweet. And I love that they are able to work past the misunderstandings from before to find a much better, and more enjoyable, life together.

I’ve actually heard of “face blindness” before, although I can’t for the life of me remember the technical term. I love that this unique condition was a really important part of the plot line. Plus, it gives Erik his insecurities and humanness. That, partnered with Casey’s need to overcorrect from the mistakes in her past relationship gave this story the perfect amount of drama and angst. I didn’t want to stop reading, and was really disappointed when the story was finished. I mean, we got the happily ever after (as expected), but I kind of wanted more of Casey and Erik, they had such amazing character journeys and I really enjoyed travelling along this path with them.

In amongst all of the fun drama and character development is the joys of Christmas. I love how all of Erik’s Swedish Christmas traditions are sprinkled throughout the story. That, and the feeling / need for family and loved ones at this season was really nice. I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and reading Casey and Erik’s story with a whole heap of different traditions left me feeling a little bit more in the Christmas mood, ready to jump into the insane, I mean, festive season, both feet first.

<- Dear RoomieJock Wanted ->

Image source: Kate Meader

Peppermint and Pentacles by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Peppermint and Pentacles
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read the first chapter of this story, and then kind of put it aside – reading on Kindle Unlimited is a little bit more clunky for me. However, once I got the chance, I read this story from cover to cover. However, even in the interim, I really wanted to dive back into this story. I mean, a Christmas, steampunk red riding hood was always going to pull me in. It also builds beautifully on the stirrings of feelings in Clemeny in Alphas and Airships. I loved seeing how her feelings evolve and she begins to get used to the new status quo within the Red Cape Society.

One of my all-time favourite things about Peppermint and Pentacles is the fact that the Christmas spin on the adventures of Clemeny is Krampus. I have been absolutely fascinated by the idea and practices of Krampus since my Austrian penpal introduced me to how her village celebrates this. And this was my first ever story that features this. I honestly couldn’t get enough of the darker twist on a Christmas story. Just the kind of tale that I tend to like.

Clemeny and Edwin (Agent Hunter) spend the entirety of this story moving closer to one another. There are still frequent mentions of Sir Richard throughout, and I feel like this is going to be a bit of a future love triangle. I wonder if they are going to work out in the next books in this series. I also loved getting to spend more time with Grand-mere. It was nice to have the characters that surround Clemeny fleshed out a bit. Characters that support her brilliantly, but also make me want to dive right into these books again and again.

There is so much about this series that I’m absolutely loving. And having a Christmas-story featuring Krampus into the mix just makes it all that much better. I can’t wait to read more and more and more of Karsak’s writing. Plus, with every book, there is more world building of the darker, more mystical side of these steampunk retellings.

<- Alphas and AirshipsBitches and Brawlers ->

Image source: Amazon

Rock Hard Cowboy by Christina Hovland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rock Hard Cowboy
Author: Christina Hovland
Series: Mile High Matched #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celebrity romance, Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Tuck and Kenzie are the ultimate, dream power couple. But, aside from that fact, they are also just too damn cute. They have a great meeting that makes them think there might be more beyond the pomp of Hollywood. Then the media twists things around. Then the media twists things around again. Then they do the whole fake dating trope that ultimately leads to their happily ever after. Honestly, the whole thing was just a cute read, and when you add in that Rock Hard Cowboy takes place at Christmas… it was an absolutely adorable and just outright fun story.

I’ve read a lot of humorous starts to a romance, and whilst this start wasn’t exactly a Meet Cute. I love that they start this fake relationship story with Kenzie tripping and landing face first into Tuck’s lap. And being photographed. I can’t imagine living my life under a microscope, but I do love how much that wreaks havoc on their lives. The way that a simple mishap explodes into so much more left me smiling and laughing as I just inhaled page after page of this gorgeous little Christmas romance.

I’ve read plenty of romances which feature a couple who are part of the celebrity “A-List” world. But I haven’t read all that many about someone on the cusp of retiring from such a life. Although Tuck has it all perfectly planned out, I love that he chooses to replan and rethink his future just because Kenzie crash lands into his lap, I mean life. His ability to be flexible and truly think about what he wants out of life is really admirable, and I love that he doesn’t get bogged down in his own plans. Rather, he is willing to change what he wants to get the ultimate happily ever after. Plus, he does such a gorgeous grand gesture at the end of the story. One that I thought was just a bit too cute.

Kenzie being invited home to join Tucker’s family for Christmas and how well she fits in was just adorable. Particularly when she just… jumps in and rides along with all of the insanity that is his mother. I have a highly involved mother and I know how difficult my partner found that when he first joined the family. So the ease with which Kenzie is able to forge a relationship and deal with the overeager love is seriously enviable. Honestly, Tucker’s parents absolutely stole the show for me. And, as much as I loved his mother, it was his father that I absolutely adored. And kind of want more of if I’m being honest.

<- Going Down on One KneeBlow Me Away ->

Image source: Amazon

The Reindeer’s Spell by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Reindeer’s Spell
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: The Paranormal Council #12
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I really like that even though this is a fated mates story with one fighting the bond, it’s not malicious. Rather, they both deeply care about one another. And the whole reason for Eustace fighting the bonding is a sense of care for Reagan. It makes it a whole lot less angsty, and kind of adorable if I’m being honest. The patience and kindness that they show for one another as they work through their thoughts and feelings is relationship goals. And I love that there is no real hurt feelings, just a little bit of tension and impatience.

Eustace and Reagan are a really nice couple to read about. They are all about patience and caring for one another. I love the idea that fated mates means they are the perfect match for one another, and that they are able to understand this. Plus, Reagan’s ability to take a step back from her own feelings and think about her partners was really sweet. The entire romance is filled with patience and care, and a whole lot of love. With the enjoyable level of sexual tension and lust thrown in.

To add to the joys of a cute little paranormal romance, this one also has a fun Christmas theme. Reagan is asked to organise a Christmas fundraiser, and gets to spend her time working closely with the man that she loves. I love that it’s the romance of Christmas and the joy of the season which finally tests Eustace’s resolve. Plus, it features a reindeer shifter, so it just works that they finally take the plunge into being mates at this festive time of year.

This is an all round festive, cute and fun read. It’s fairly innocent with a low amount of drama and angst. The perfect read for a difficult day of parenting and just all around adulting. I love that both Reagan and Eustace just accept each other as they are, give each other grace and patience to work through their issues. And ultimately just support each other when things are a little off-kilter and difficult feeling.

<- The Hummingbird’s MateCharming Her Mate ->

Image source: Goodreads