The Prison Doctor: Women Inside by Dr. Amanda Brown

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Prison Doctor: Women Inside
Author: Dr. Amanda Brown
Series: The Prison Doctor #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Medical, Memoirs, True crime
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was one of those memoirs that I did have to stop and start a little. Mostly because the topic was pretty emotionally dense. But, on the flipside, I also couldn’t wait to pick this up all the time because Brown does such an amazing job of writing about this. She deals with some incredibly complex and intense issues in a frank and open matter. And she does so with an amazing amount of respect.

I must admit, some of the stories told in this book made me seriously think about my own preconceptions and biases. I’m pretty open minded, but there were a few moments that made me sit back and rethink my approach to criminality and jail. Particularly when Brown very simply states the facts and highlights the damn injustices and inequalities in the world. There was a lot of this novel that made me pause and think.

Each chapter of this story is filled with experiences and anecdotes. And unlike many of the other medical memoirs that I’ve read, there isn’t always a satisfactory conclusion to the story. After all, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of women that Brown sees once. And never again. It’s somehow a lot more realistic and got my right in the feels.

I love that there is a key theme throughout all of the stories that Brown picks to create this memoir. I didn’t actually see it until I got to the final chapter, and Brown completely laid it bare. But once she explains that underlying theme, there is a huge penny drop moment. It brings all of the individual tales together and made me stop and think about the same issues that we face down here in Australia.

<- The Prison DoctorThe Prison Doctor: Foreign Bodies ->

Image source: Amazon

Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Speakeasy
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #5
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

This was always going to be a great romance and a wonderful story.  Because Sarina Bowen. What I especially loved about it though was that it showed how the Speakeasy came to be. Which then has its own wonderful spin-off series. Plus, it starts to tie in a bit tighter lot of threads that were kind of flapping I. The wind. Namely, the Rossi family and the Shipleys. Definitely a book that I loved reading and just drifted off into a happy world with for a while.

Alec’s anger at the Shirley’s, and Griffin in particular, is palpable all the way through the series up to this point. But particularly in Bountiful. I like that his romance with May has to make him pause and think things through a little bit better. Not just for her, but his own business sense. Plus, it seems that he also finally starts to find a way to have a relationship with Zara’s husband too. Both of which were very much needed moments in the overarching world, but Alec’s personal growth too.

May and Alec make a fantastic couple. I could honestly wax on about both of them individually enough to write a whole review, but as a couple. They will just melt your heart. I love that they are simply supportive of one another and there for one another. The idea that they begin with no expectations of each other, and it develops beyond friendship into something more is beautiful. And honestly just made me get all the happy feelings more and more for this fantastic couple.

For all of the things I love about this contemporary romance, it’s how Alec allows May to grow that I love the most. She has different issues and hang-ups from early on in the series. And you can understand why her family tries to Molly coddle and protect her. But it’s Alec who acknowledges that she can literally deal with anything. Her past issues with mental health make her strong, not weak. He reminds her family of that, and that to have a healthy relationship with this phenomenal woman, they need to acknowledge that strength. The kind of partner (whether man or woman) that I think we all kind of want. At least, it’s what I love in my partner…

<- BountifulFireworks ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bountiful
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #4, Brooklyn Bruisers #5
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

As soon as I met Zara in Bittersweet, I knew that she was a character that I was going to love. The fact that I’ve also been reading the Brooklyn Bruisers series and that this book dovetails nicely into that… I have been incredibly keen to read this story. Zara was just as tough and prickly as I had hoped, her romantic counterpart a soft squishy mess of a man.

One of my favourite things about this story was the fact that although Zara becomes a lot her, she doesn’t suddenly become all soft and squishy. She doesn’t lose her sense of self. Alright, she does soften out some of her edges (as we all should), but she’s still pretty prickly and tough. I’m a new mother, and although I’ve mellowed in many ways, I’m still the tough, pain in the arse I was before getting pregnant.

I’ve read a few romances with the secret child suddenly found trope (I’m sure there’s a shorter way to say this, but anyway). But this is the first one that the whole secret child aspect wasn’t actually a decision. Rather, Zara does everything she can to find Dave. It’s just accident and happenstance that makes for the calamities that lead to Dave missing out on the beginnings of his child’s life. In fact, I loved how there was no real bad feelings throughout any of their relationship. Rather the hurdles to overcome were about trust and actually finding one another again.

Bountiful is ridiculously sweet and cute. Although, to distract a little from the cuteness is all of the steamy set. I mean, wow, does Bowen know how to write a scene that will make a girl’s toes curl. Zara and Dave’s chemistry just roars off the page and left me smiling very, very happily. Yet again, I can’t wait to dive into the next books in these two-overlapping series.

<- KeepsakeSpeakeasy ->

Image source: Amazon

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