Tents & Tights by Molly O’Hare

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Tents & Tights
Author: Molly O’Hare
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this story, but it definitely wasn’t without its flaws. I’ll still read more of O’Hare’s writing though – her characters were fun. The shenanigans were entertaining. And the whole story was difficult to put down and incredibly engaging to read. A tale that I will happily read again in the future, flaws aside.

One of the things that irritated me the most in this story was that Eve was constantly fixated on her size and curves. Even though she was supposed to be a character who was proud of them and didn’t care what others thought. It was a bit of a tough contrast to read. A character who was proud of her body and literally owned and ran a shop that catered to those who are plus sized. But also one that can’t stop fixating on how girls “like her” don’t get happily ever afters because of how they look…

Austin and Eve were a really cute couple. I mean, they were best friends who have had a crush on each other for years. And also a perfect opposites attract story. It’s a great reminder that couples don’t have to have everything or even much in common. But, they need to have a connection. Austin and Eve managed to have that – I also like that they are both ultimately willing to try new things for each other. Even if they really, really don’t like the experience!

My favourite part of this story was definitely the hike to the overlook. I mean, the relationship part of that was great. But I just loved the idea of a hike and the romance of the setting. It was way too beautiful, and I look forward to finding more beauty in O’Hare stories in the future – I’m just hoping they don’t fixate so strongly on physicality of the heroine.

<- Nothing But a DareMore Molly O’Hare ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sorcery by Cathy Clamp

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of hot romance book cover

Title: Sorcery
Author: Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This wasn’t my favourite short story – I mean, it played with some pretty big taboos from the very beginning. But then, somehow I also kind of loved it. There was just something about it that I found really fun and enjoyable, even while I was kind of cringing – for so many reasons. I may not read this again, but I don’t regret reading it in the first place.

I did love that this is a short story about taking what you want and not toeing the line for others. Particularly as a woman, this can be an incredibly hard power to harness. And it was achieved beautifully in this – plus, there was the fact that this was all about sex and using that for power. Power over oneself and others.

I honestly don’t know why I enjoyed this short story as much as I did – when in theory it’s everything I don’t tend to like in a story. It’s enough that I want more Cathy Clamp on my bookshelves – just because if I enjoyed something that I would normally nope right out of, then they’re an author worth having on my shelves.

<- Desperate ChoicesBlind Date ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley

The Sea Hag by Melissa Lee Shaw

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Sea Hag
Author: Melissa Lee Shaw
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Mermaids, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I absolutely, completely, totally and utterly freaking loved this Little Mermaid retelling. Particularly since it mostly borrows elements from the Disney version, not the original… it just made this all that much more potent and loveable. I love that the Sea Hag is the mother of the mermaids, and at the end of the day, everything she has done is in an attempt to help her beautiful children. The love of a mother is intense and irreplaceable, and I love that this is featured in this tale.

Although I really liked reading about this redemption arc and recovery, I really want to read about the battle that first put the Sea Hag in her horrible position. Or the one that I’m sure is about to take place now that she’s freed from the father’s evil clutches. I mean, she’s going to seriously kick butt for being taken from her children…

As much as I loved this short story, this was a great reminder of how femininity and womanhood tend to be vilified. How if you are old and no longer attractive, you are a hag and something to be feared. And how easy it can be to turn woman against each other with bad intentions and evilly whispered words.

<- PreciousThe Frog Chauffeur ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard

Book Review
Overview

Title: Stargazy Pie
Author: Victoria Goddard
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I absolutely loved the prose and style of writing in this novel. It was exactly the kind of story that normally would draw me in, and I read most of it just because I loved the writing. However, I just didn’t get engaged with the storyline. Or attached to the characters, and I have far too many amazing books on my shelves to keep on diving into one that isn’t ticking all of my happy buttons.

Image source: Amazon

Shift Happens by T.M. Baumgartner

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Shift Happens
Author: T.M. Baumgartner
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This is a great new urban fantasy author to add to my shelves! One that not only swept me away on a great story, but also just, generally created a wonderful world in which to exist. I mean, the world was textured and enjoyable – there was a whole lot of conflict and mayhem and magic. Some of the conflict was magical in nature, but some of it was just the normal social nonsense that we all have to navigate.

I love that the lead of this story is an unattached, menopausal woman in her 50s. There aren’t many stories I read that have a female of this age and hormonal difficulties leading. And whilst I’m nowhere near in my 50s or ready for menopause, the hormone fluctuations were entertainingly familiar and had me giggling throughout. Especially how the hot flashes can hit at the most random and irritating times.

For two of the women in this story, the rage of being a woman is beautifully manifested in their shifted shapes. The rage of having to deal with ego-driven nonsense that is just… well, frustrating and rage-inducing. Both Angela and the dragon are transformed under less than stellar circumstances, and they both are reduced to trying to deal with the consequences of others’ stupidity. Probably more so Angela – I would’ve snapped FAR earlier than she did, but there’s a reason why I’m not a hero in a novel…

Throughout all of the mayhem and craziness that unfolds in Angela’s life, she has some amazing friends who manage to rally around her. It’s always lovely to read a story which features really strong friendships, and ones where the women just aren’t pitted against each other. It’s always heartwarming to read about characters that value each other as they are. And are willing to stand by their friends, even if it might cost them something.

Shift Happens is an absolutely unforgettable story. One that I enjoyed far more than I had anticipated from the blurb and cover to be honest. It was tragic in places and made my eyes water. But, then, had me giggling and smiling at other moments. I love that I was taken on a ride of insanity, but also experience a wide range of emotions whilst going on this journey. Now I can’t wait to see what else Baumgartner is capable of writing.

<- More T.M. BaumgartnerMore paranormal fantasy ->

Image source: OverDrive

Precious by Nalo Hopkinson

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Precious
Author: Nalo Hopkinson
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I often wonder just what happens after the happily ever after in fairy tales. Marriage is honestly not the ending, but just the beginning of another chapter in life. And, although I like to imagine sometimes that the happily ever after moment and joy continues, I’m not always that optimistic. I like that Hopkinson took this idea and emphasised that sometimes we have to recreate our own happily ever after.

The name of the original fairy tale completely eludes me, but Precious / Isobel is a very familiar character. I love that originally, having diamonds, flowers and precious jewels fall from her lips was considered a gift. Yet, it ultimately turns into a curse. And, although her husband ‘saved’ her from servitude to her family, it was ultimately Isobel herself who was able to save herself from her curse and craft a whole new life for herself.

The rage of women and the frustration that we sometimes feel when we are constantly overlooked and ignored seems to be a bit of a note that I’m finding in stories lately. I love that Isobel is able to use this anger to actually release herself. Her final rant and moment of release was beautiful, and definitely a moment that I will continue to remember with fondness.

<- Clad in GossamerThe Sea Hag ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Phantoms of the Midway by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Phantoms of the Midway
Author: Seanan McGuire
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I spent this whole story trying to figure out which myth this short story was based on. And then, I realised that it was about Hades and Persephone. Which completely makes sense, but rather than being based on romantic or sexual love, it’s about a mother’s love.

I love that Aracely and Joanna have so much potential at the turning point of seventeen. And even though they’re both dead, that potential is somehow expanded, not diminished. But, they also have a reality and a life to grow into. One that they both grasp with eyes wide open.

There is something eerie and haunting about this story from the very beginning. And, it isn’t until the end that I could quite put my finger on why. On the one hand, it’s sweet and a reminder of the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child. On the other, it’s a little bit creepy the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child…

<- The Mythic DreamThe Justified ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Polar Bear’s Fake Mate by Sophie Stern

Book Review
Overview

Title: The Polar Bear’s Fake Mate
Author: Sophie Stern
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was such a fun and engaging premise, and reminded me a little bit of At Any Price – selling an aspect of your time and self for financial need and gain. Although this was a little less overwhelming with the nuances of their deal. I absolutely adored the idea – but I found that the storyline started to drag really quickly. I found that there was too much set up before the action, and I just couldn’t get any further through the story sadly.

Image source: Amazon

Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Olivia’s Table
Author: Alyssa Wong
In: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings (Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chinese mythology, Ghosts, Mythology
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I love that this short story not only encompassed a part of Chinese culture and mythology, but also the immigration experience and some of the difficulties in combining the two realities. As someone who has no experience (and never will) with either reality, I really liked the insight that Wong was able to provide whilst also just writing a phenomenal short story that I didn’t want to end.

The idea of feeding the ghosts to help them move on is absolutely beautiful and I really enjoyed learning about how they are able to progress to the next part of their afterlife. It also made ghosts less scary, and far more sympathetic. I would’ve though a story about exorcising ghosts was going to be scary. But, instead, I found it incredibly peaceful.

Death and afterlife understandings and rituals are always something that have fascinated me. How do people move on and process loss? I like that Olivia’s Table is all about mourning the lost, and letting people move on, both the living and the dead. Wonderfully enjoyable and definitely a short story that I look forward to reading again in the future!

<- Forbidden FruitSteel Skin ->

Image source: Amazon

Need You Now: A Shattered Promises Series Prelude by Lisa Renee Jones

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Need You Now: A Shattered Promises Series Prelude
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two (Lexi Blake, Larissa Ione, Lisa Renee Jones & Cherise Sinclair)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

There was something that kept pulling me back into this story. It was one that I kept going to DNF, but then a moment would pull me right back in, so I couldn’t quite put it down. I’m glad that I read it. But there were definitely way too many unanswered questions at the end of this. And I probably wouldn’t read it again, but it was still a good story that kept pulling me in.

I found Jenson a little too aggressive for my tastes. I like my men to be a little alpha. But he was a little bit too intense. I get that sometimes people like bodice rippers, but they’re definitely not to my taste. And Jenson is the perfect lead for that genre of story.

Danny was a really fun and enjoyable lead though. She had so many layers and was really easy to follow. Probably the main reason that everytime I felt unsure about this story, I dived straight back in. I did want a bit of a better happily ever after for her though…

<- AzagothShow Me, Baby ->

Image source: Amazon