The Third Call by Lorhainne Eckhart

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Third Call
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This felt like a ridiculously quick read, I’m not sure if that’s because this is actually quite a short tale, or it’s just very fast paced. Maybe a bit of a combination of both. But, regardless of how quick this read felt, it was an enjoyable read. Like The Neighbor, not exactly what I would call highly romantic, but a nice read still. Enough that I want to dive into The Secret Husband when I get the next chance.

Although this story had a kind of happy ending, I was expecting an all-round happy ending. Instead, there is a happy ending for the main couple, but not so much for the victims that they come across. I did like how there was a second chance romance in this from the start though. And all it took for things to go from 0 to 100 was for Charlotte to say goodbye to some of her needless pride.

I found Tom’s fate to be particularly tragic. It’s a reminder of how easily mental health slips through the cracks. And the ways in which a storm of bad luck and bad choices can lead someone to the worst decision. Or at least, that’s what it felt like to me. I almost shed a tear for the tragedy of this whole aspect of the storyline actually.

The Third Call gave some feeling to the idea of being a emergency responder and the types of calls that people must have to deal with. It definitely was more realistic than some of the other tales I read in that there was no happy ending for everyone. And I’m still not sure whether I find that to be a good or bad thing.

<- The NeighborThe Secret Husband ->

Image source: Amazon

Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Steadfast
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #2
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

From the moment he appears in Bittersweet, Jude’s backstory is intriguing. You get the bare bones in the first True North book, but everything is so much more tragic when you find out the intimate details. And then there’s Sophie, her story is just as tragic and honestly hurt my heart even more. Combined, their tales are kind of horrible. Yet, this was still an incredibly sweet and heart-warming romance.

There was something incredibly settling about this romance. It was very grounding and beautiful, even as Sophie and Judd find ways to fix up the mistakes of the past. I like how you slowly find out more and more information about Judd crime as the book progresses. And you slowly realise that not everything adds up. Which adds this incredible layer of “I can’t put this down” to an already wonderful story.

Bowen went kind of dark in this story, dealing with addiction, corruption, and abuse. But the unwavering nature of Sophie’s love manages to provide a lightness to the tale that would otherwise not be there. I loved how Bowen was able to balance the emotions so beautifully in this. Plus, Sophie is just so damn loyal that I fell more and more in love with her with every page turned.

Steadfast was such a beautiful tale. I freaking adored Sophie and Jude. The, there was the whole conspiracy that sat behind their reconnection. It was horrifying and made everything feel more tragic because there was so much time wasted. But ultimately it was beautiful, sweet and just too damn adorable. Definitely making True North one of my newest favourite series.

<- BittersweetKeepsake ->

Image source: Amazon

Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #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: 2016

Thoughts

The title of this novella is surprisingly well suited. There are many moments of bittersweet moments throughout, and moments of “almost” that had you leaning forward in your seat. But mostly, you have Griff (bitter) and Audrey (sweet). Rather than being a story with a great Meet Cute, this was one where the lead couple have a past. Those first getting to know you moments where still there, but with a lot more sexualising tension than other tales.

Vermont is such a stunning backdrop to this romance. It felt like the turning of the seasons and long drives down winding roads. I love when the setting to a story feels like a whole extra character, it just gives you a whole other dimension to love. Plus, how could two people not fall in love in such a glorious, small-town setting?

Living in rural Australia, the whole farm-to-table idea is fairly familiar. We have a lot of local restaurants and producers who emphasise the locality of their products. It’s not something that I’ve seen much in the stories I read though. I got pretty swept away by the food mentioned throughout this to be honest. I’m an absolute sucker for tales which involve yummy, yummy food peppered throughout. Contrasting this feeling of homeliness and comfort and locality, was the evil corporate bastards. I mean, they did good in that they are the vessel for reconnection between Audrey and Griff, but still… evil corporate bastards.

This whole story was absolutely beautiful, and as with all romances, there is that strong moment of “oh no” when everything unravels. Luckily, Griff isn’t too epically moronic when things go wrong. I mean, I was expecting the angst to be stretched out, and was incredibly grateful when it wasn’t. Sometimes it’s nice to have a good, simple read with a wonderful, happy ending.

<- More Sarina BowenSteadfast ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hard Hitter
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #2
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

Patrick and Ari are a ridiculously wonderful and fun couple. Which, I’m beginning to understand is part of the Bowen charm. I also like that although they’ve known each other for a long while, it’s the changes in both their lives that pull them together and make them realise that there’s something there. It’s a great story of getting to know one another, but not without the super (often) awkward moments of initial meetings.

Patrick’s history is a little bit sad if I’m being totally honest. I mean, a guy who grows up in foster care and all of the hang-ups that come about his not great experiences? It’s certainly tragic. But I do love how it informs the rest of the story and the central conflict. Particularly, I love how it’s his scarring from the past that has actually prevented him from REALLY getting to know Ari.

Ari’s story though is somehow even more tragic and difficult to read about. Mostly because the danger and abuse is actually ongoing. It’s a reminder that we can all find ourselves in abusive relationships and not quite know when things started to go wrong. I spent the entirety of this story with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Spoiler alert, whilst bad things happen, they weren’t anywhere near to the level that I was expecting.

Hard Hitter was a great story about two people with tragedy in their past finding a bright new future. It definitely gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings and was a great reminder to keep doing yoga and visualising a positive future.

<- Rookie MovePipe Dreams ->

Image source: Amazon

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Rookie Move
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #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: 2016

Thoughts

I’m always a big fan of romances with a couple that have a history. You miss out on the whole instalove / getting to know you part. And spend the whole story waiting to find out just went wrong in the past. I love that slow unravelling of the past and the discovery of (generally) misunderstandings and miscommunications. And Leo and Georgia’s story was no different. And I loved every moment of it.

Georgia’s dad being amongst the storyline, complicating the romance was a fun point of contention. Alongside figuring out Georgia and zero’s history, you have Leo’s history with her father to figure out. And even as you begin to understand what the couple went through; it was pretty surprising what her father’s beef was. Add to the complications the fact that he’s Leo’s coach and there’s potential trial for a draft swap… I loved the drama that all of this entailed.

Admittedly, I’ve only ever watched hockey once. And I freaking loved every moment of it. So it’s maybe not surprising that I’ve got quite a few hockey romances on my shelves at the moment. There is just something so disgustingly yummy about a bunch of men on skates, beating the crap out of each other. And then the imagery of the yummy, yummy bodies at the end of a match… definitely a new subgenre of contemporary romance that I’ve completely fallen for.

As a beginning to a new series, this was scrumptiously yummy. I’m already diving straight into the next book… because yum. But maybe the part that I loved the most? Georgia is a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do… as someone who also studies martial arts, the impressiveness of that idea makes me swoon more than the idea of shirtless hockey players any day…

<- More Sarina BowenHard Hitter ->

Image source: Amazon

Do Over by Serena Bell

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Do Over
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Under One Roof #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: 2018

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, I spent this whole book trying to figure out just HOW Jack and Mandy went wrong. I mean, they’re adorable together from the very first moment. And you can just feel the connection that they have. So, of course, you have to figure out just WHY they need a Do Over (see what I did there). And, I’m not going to lie, Bell just doesn’t disappoint when the big reveal happens.

I thoroughly enjoyed how not just Mandy and Jack’s past as a couple, but also the years of companionship that they have, is slowly drizzled out throughout this story. The fact that they have a gorgeous four year old stealing the show and tying everyone in knots. It just makes it Al, that much better. There is history upon history with this couple, stuff that gives so much context to the difficulties that they face now.

Bell is one of those authors that I picked up on the suggestion of another well loved author (I can’t remember which one though). And there were literally zero regrets. Her writing has just the right amount of drama and sass, but it is still just so damn sweet. Jack is definitely a hit of a scarred fool, and when you finally understand just what went wrong… you just want to reach through the pages and give everyone a hug.

I loved the romance in this story, I loved the characters and the plot line. But I think the thing that had the most meaning for me was the way Jack’s attitude to parenthood changed. At first he’s a bit of a bumbling fool, but then he starts to get into the swing of things. And, finally, he genuinely would rather be a family man at home than one put with his mates – that’s what seriously melted my heart at the end.

<- More Serena BellHead Over Heels ->

Image source: Goodreads

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: City of the Lost
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Rockton #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

It took me a while to get through this book, not because it was easy to put down. But because it was just dark enough that reading it at night, before bed was not the greatest of ideas. So many twists and turns, and somewhat gruesome deaths filled these pages. And, just like all of the other books I’ve read by Kelley Armstrong, I freaking loved this.

Although Diana didn’t seem like the greatest of friends even from the beginning of this story, I was shocked at the depths of badness that she went to. I mean, her steady unravelling while Casey is able to find herself… it was horrible and a little heartbreaking. Also a little bit too familiar. Everyone has had a toxic friendship, and as someone who has recently said goodbye to one such friendship, it was a little bit eerie and too relatable.

Actually, this story had a few unexpected twists and betrayals throughout it. I spent the whole time trying to figure out just who the killer was, and it wasn’t until literally moments before the big reveal that I guessed it. Which completely doesn’t count as anticipation, because it was literally the moment that Casey puts it all together. I love those surprises, and I would love to go back one day and reread this, finding all of the clues that I totally missed. Having said that, I didn’t actually have any good guesses as to WHO the murderer was…

I loved everything about this book. It was absolutely amazing and fun and delicious. The idea of a town in which people are trying to disappear hide out is so very cool. And I love that it highlights all of the ways in which people are likely to resort to less-than-desirable behaviours if the rules of society are removed. It makes you stop and think about what social rules shape us.

<- More Kelley ArmstrongA Darkness Absolute ->

Image source: Goodreads

Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Silver Shark
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

Claire and Ven are just too damn cute. Which I’m finding with pretty much every Ilona Andrews couple. I mean, they are bad asses who can kill. But they’re also just too damn freaking cute. I particularly like that Ven falls in love with Claire on two fronts. Partially as the Silver Shark he sees on the bonnet, but also as his assistant and woman who stands beside him in the business world.

I always love the world building in Andrews’ work – the world is almost like a secondary character. In the case of this tale, it was the creation of the bionet that I fell in love with. Each version and visit was slightly different, and I loved that each person had a totally different perspective and view of that world. I wonder how I would view that bionet…

Alongside the fact that this is totally an office romance, there was also the fact that this was a refugee story. It’s all about Claire adapting to a whole new culture and world and trying to figure out how to live in it. She’s also having to deal with her ptsd and find a way to cope with the past. I loved the collision of cultures and that assimilation which is being experienced. Something that I felt was very true to a lived experience.

<- Silent BladeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: Kobo

Winter’s Kiss by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Faery Tales and Nightmares

Title: Winter’s Kiss
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Faery Tales & Nightmares (Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Magic, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I was expecting a little more darkness in this short story. Pretty much because in my experience, Marr tends to angle towards the darker side of the fae. Although that’s what I love about her writing, I WAS pleasantly surprised by the fact that this was a pretty light and positive tale.

I absolutely adored how what is seen as a curse at the beginning of the story, eventually gets twisted around so that it is seen as a gift. The ways that in some circumstances being a bit different can be a negative, but then, if you find the right people to surround you, your weirdness and uniqueness can be seen as a gift instead. Yet, even though the girl doesn’t quite fit in where she was from, her father still loves her unconditionally.

While reading this, I was reminded a lot of North Child. There was the bear, the north and the snow. Finding acceptance somewhere that you never thought you would and finding love in a silent, strong type. In fact, this was such a beautiful short story that all I can think of now is to dive right back into North Child for a nostalgic reread…

<- Where Nightmares WalkTransition ->

Image source: HarperCollins Publishers

We Eat Our Daughters by Alexia Arthurs

Book Review, , ,
Overview
How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs

Title: We Eat Our Daughters
Author: Alexia Arthurs
In: How to Love a Jamaican (Alexia Arthurs)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Picador
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I loved this medley of tales. All of which focused on the relationship between mothers and daughters. It’s definitely something that I’ve been thinking of a lot lately as I’ve just had my own daughter, so it was an opportune moment to read this.

This short story made me reflect on the ways in which we can feel cannibalised by our mothers. That tough moment in every woman’s life when she is stepping away from being the child and the “daughter” to being their own independent person. It’s definitely difficult to not feel consumed by the strong women who have raised us.

Although there was that underlying idea of being absorbed in the mother-daughter relationship, this story also looked at the different types of relationships. And the ways in which the transition can be negotiated, some healthy, some not so healthy.

<- On ShelfShirley From a Small Place ->

Image source: Goodreads