Tag Archives: Romance

Going Ashore by Jhumpa Lahiri

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for unaccustomed earth book cover

Title: Going Ashore
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
In: Unaccustomed Earth (Jhumpa Lahiri)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Race, Romance
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Then he remembered that he had not given her his e-mail address.

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Synopsis

After years and adulthood have built their lives, Hema and Kaushik finally meet again. But will they get their happily ever after? Or will life, once again, tear them apart?

Thoughts

Wow this was a tragic ending to a fantastic collection. Not just a brilliant collection, but it also ties out the stories started in Once in a Lifetime and Year’s End. I wanted a happily ever after. A riding off into the sunset ending, because, let’s face it, I’m kind of a child… and always want a happily ever after. But I didn’t get that. And at first I was incredibly annoyed. But then after a little while… I accepted it, and realised that this was actually kind of brilliant. Albeit seriously sad and depressing.

Although I read a lot of stories which make me want to tear up, there are incredibly few which actually do bring a tear to my eye… but this was certainly not the case. I did actually weep a little. Just enough to realise that this was incredibly potent and not the kind of story I’m ever going to forget. And it’s not one that I ever do want to forget. It reminded me that sometimes you have to live every day like your last. Say the things that you need to say… because if you don’t, it could just be too late.

I really enjoyed how Going Ashore, Once in a Lifetime and Year’s End all intersected. They could be read completely separately, but worked better as a whole. Each tale had it’s own messages and storyline. But they also have one overall, heart wrenching tale that will pull at your heart strings and have you sitting at the end, staring into the abyss. Or at least, that’s what I did for a good five minutes after I finished this short story.

 <- Year’s End ReviewThe Clothing of Books Review ->
Image source: Bloomsbury

West by Edith Pattou

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover west edith pattou

Title: West
Author: Edith Pattou
Series: East #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Romance
Dates read: 24th September – 21st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hougton Mifflin Harcourt
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Abruptly he veered right, away from the sea, and came to a small house.

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Synopsis

When Rose first met Charles, he was trapped in the form of a white bear. To rescue him, Rose traveled to the land that lay east of the sun and west of the moon to defeat the evil Troll Queen. Now Rose has found her happily-ever-after with Charles—until a sudden storm destroys his ship and he is presumed dead.

But Rose doesn’t believe the shipwreck was an act of nature, nor does she believe Charles is truly dead. Something much more sinister is at work. With mysterious and unstoppable forces threatening the lives of the people she loves, Rose must once again set off on a perilous journey. And this time, the fate of the entire world is at stake.

Thoughts

It’s taken me an incredibly long time to get to this book. As soon as I saw that North Child had a sequel, I ordered it and waited eagerly for it to arrive on my doorstep. But, since I get easily distracted, I kind of forgot that I had it, and it got put to the side. I’m kind of regretting that decision now. This was a wonderful sequel, and I loved being swept all the way back into the world of Rose and Charles.

Although I’m a big fan of happily ever after, I also find them a little unrealistic. This story takes that idea, and tells you what happens after the happily ever after. What happens when the loving couple have gotten married and travelled off into the sunset together. Because, in real life, there aren’t any happily ever after, neat endings. There’s just life. In all of its wonderful glory.

When I was a kid, I never thought of the princesses, the heroines and the girls who filled my story having children after they got married. That was just not something that they were likely to do. But now, I absolutely love the fact that this story is not just about Rose and Charles’ love for one another, it is about their child as well. Or, rather, children. It’s about saving not only their love, but the product of their love and finding a way back to one another. Even when the odds are completely stacked against them. In fact, there were moments in this story that I seriously questioned whether or not Rose and Charles would ever find their way back to one another… which is probably why I read the bulk of this story in two days…

West is the story that you need to read as an adult. I think that if it had’ve come out when I first read North Child, it just wouldn’t have meant as much to me. But now, I’m in my own relationship that is after that headrushing first moments. It’s the parts after that initial love that I find all the more precious, and this came across perfectly in West. But, as a teenager, I didn’t really want to think about the day in and day out of a relationship, I wanted the romance and the immediate love. Now, my favourite part of this story is when Rose says that it doesn’t matter what comes next, as long as they’re together.

 <- More Edith Pattou reviewsNorth Child Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Pilot’s Forge by Patrice Sarath

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

Title: Pilot’s Forge
Author: Patrice Sarath
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Science fiction, Time travel
Dates read: 16th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Edith parked her battered old work truck, with ‘Crane Farrier and Blacksmithing’ stencilled on the side, at the end of the parking lot, got out and stretched.

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Synopsis

Merritt Crane is being nosy and investigating an abandoned ship. But, suddenly he’s thrown into his past, our time. Where he not only saves a beautiful woman, but also starts to fall for her. When he saves her by going back to the future, is there any hope for them?

Thoughts

This is a lot less romantic than many of the other stories in The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance collection. In fact, there’s a hint of incest. Just a hint. And not enough to be icky (and believe me, I have read some icky tales lately…). But, mostly, the romance within it isn’t really gushy… they hook up and there is a little lust, but it’s only just glossed over. Which makes it different and refreshing compared to many of the other tales throughout the collection.

The dystopian, space future represented in this short story was intriguing. The loss of Earth; the existence of the rich and poor clans; and the existence of a man on the wrong side of the law – these all were kind of reminiscent of our life now. But highlights that we can’t keep treating our world like garbage. After all, our ancestors too might find a life and a reality in which they no longer have Earth.

The name of this story is kind of cool – originally I thought that it was about the spaceship and process of being involved with this. Yet, it’s actually about a small, tiny town on Earth in our modern day. The match up of the names and the hints about what this means are amazing. I feel like in the name alone, I would pick up more nuances as I reread this story.

 <- The Eleventh Hour ReviewSaint James’ Way Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Eleventh Hour by Michelle Maddox

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

Title: The Eleventh Hour
Author: Michelle Maddox
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 30th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I found myself seated in a hard chair and my hands bound behind me.

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Synopsis

Sophie’s chance meeting with an eight year-old boy has consequences that she never thought were possible. But, when a time traveller saves her at the eleventh hour, she might find all of her dreams come true.

Thoughts

Fate is always an interesting thing to deal with. Especially when you’re talking about time travel and keeping the lines of fate together. However, I never really thought of how unfair fate could be. Particularly for a woman who manages to survive, and then is forced to face her demise when two time travelling soldiers come to kill her…

This isn’t my favourite ever short story. It was just a little sluggish and difficult in places. Although it was still quite enjoyable. Mostly I felt a little too weirded out by the fact that the love interest ends up being from the future but had met her as a child in the present. Had a little bit of trouble getting my head around that one…

The Eleventh Hour is an easy read. A little bit fun. But not the most memorable short story I’ve ever read. It was a nice stroll through someone else’s imagination and a nice introduction to a new author.

 <- The Wild Card ReviewPilot’s Forge Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Russian Roulette by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Russian Roulette
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires,
Dates read: 20th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: It suited Alistair, the contrast of bright and dark, and he stayed inside during the day, asleep, and hit the streets at night to work, to dine, to socialize.

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Synopsis

Alistair Kirk is a bar owner, a musician, and a vampire. When he hears that a fledgling vampire is being held captive and faces certain death, he rushes to the rescue.

Sasha Chechikov, once a vampire slayer, now a vampire herself, is on the run from her former associates. Sasha’s past leaves her wary of trusting anyone, but she can’t deny the sparks that fly between her and her sexy saviour. Will Alistair be able to protect Sasha from her enemies? And will two vampires who seem so different from one another learn what it means to truly love?

Thoughts

I’m really glad that I read this novella before Sucker Bet. If I had’ve started this after Sucker Bet, and realised that it was a tale about Sasha… I probably would have been seriously pissed off. She was kind of a bitch in the novel. But this novella made me sympathise with her and actually like her. Or at least, admire her a little more for her strength and gumption…

Unlike the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, New Orleans has a wonderfully different flavour. Changing the setting, and making it a little less “wow” was a great way to round out the last of the stories in the Vegas Vampires series. It also kind of highlighted that who Sasha was in Sucker Bet wasn’t really her true persona… rather, it was all a façade.

Aaron is exactly the kind of male protagonist / love interest that I tend to like. He’s not quite what you would consider “traditional”, completely different to the kind of man that I would go for, and is quiet in his pursuit of women. It’s a bit of a change from many of the domineering men that seem to fill Erin McCarthy’s stories. One that I think I needed at this point. Actually, my biggest complaint about this story was the fact that it was a novella, I think that the ending of Sasha’s story could have been dragged out far longer in a far more enjoyable manner… but maybe I’ll just pick up another Erin McCarthy book instead.

 <- Sucker Bet ReviewDeal or No Deal Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sucker bet erin mccarthy book cover

Title: Sucker Bet
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 19th – 20th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely and utterly ashamed.

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Synopsis

A night of indulgence…

Gwenna Carrick is a woman with a history – 900 years of it. As the vampiress ex-wife of the notorious vampire Roberto Donatelli, she has to keep a low profile. Not easy when she’s bathed in the neon glow of Las Vegas – especially when there’s a whole online group of vampire slayers bent on dealing her her last hand.

can feel like eternity…

A wild night with a stranger was not in the cards for Gwenna. But that’s what happened when she met Detective Nate Thomas. Their passion made her feel… well, alive again. But when Donatelli catches wind of the tryst, Nate tops his to-off list. Gwenna knows she hit the jackpot with Nate and won’t let her ex stand in the way. But they soon realize they have far more enemies than Donatelli – both on the Strip and underground…

Thoughts

This was a great finish to a really fun little series. Alright, there are three novellas which follow it chronologically, but I read them before reading the full length novella, and they don’t really add to the greater storyline. However, Sucker Bet does and it provides some much needed answers to the political and social intrigues which are peppered throughout the four main novels.

Alexis, Cara and Brittany are all very strong and independent women. Ones who not only know what they want from life, but also know what they don’t want. And who they don’t think they want. Gwenna on the other hand is much softer, subtler and a little more lost. She has a far longer history than the three mortal women and, because of this, more hang ups than they have. Which all made her a great lead to finish the series with. She was something different and unique in a series that is full of unique takes on the vampire romance subgenre.

I loved that although Gwenna is a little lost and unsure of what to do with her life, she is also sure of what she doesn’t want. And honestly, some people can’t even quite figure that out… that alone takes a strength of will. She also realises what a great catch of a man she has from the very beginning. She may be unsure of where they stand with each other, but she doesn’t hesitate to find a way to be happy with an incredibly hot human being… something that none of her counterparts in this series were capable of doing. Which is probably why I loved her so much and so quickly.

This was a great way to tie up the political intrigue and battles which have been an undertow and obstacle in all of the stories in this series. It finally removes Donatelli’s annoying influence from the lives of the characters I’ve come to love and made him realise just what he has lost. A bit of poetic justice that didn’t involve blood or death at the closing of the pages as the four main couples finally ride off happily ever after into the sunset. Plus, you finally get to find out why Kelsey calls Ringo Kyle all the time.

 <- Bled Dry ReviewRussian Roulette Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Thinner Than Water by Justine Larbalestier

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for love is hell book cover

Title: Thinner Than Water
Author: Justine Larbalestier
In: Love is Hell ( Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Romance, Young adult
Dates read: 4th September
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I shivered.

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Synopsis

Jean has finally handfasted with the boy that she’s been dreaming of. But her family doesn’t think that he’s right for her. Will they ruin everything, or will blood prove thicker than water?

Thoughts

Yeah. This story didn’t have a happy ending. At all. Although, it was kind of bittersweet which made me enjoy it. Although I definitely wanted to punch Jean’s family in the face. They were just plain evil. And horrible. And it was all just heartbreakingly wrong!

I’ve honestly always hated the saying that blood is thicker than water. I think that it tends to be used a little too much to justify the atrocities that we commit upon our kin. So the play on this in “thinner than water” was really beautiful. Especially considering what a horrible family Jean comes from… and the small minded prejudice of the town that she is from.

Although this is a fantasy story, it feels a little more real world. It also highlights the fact that our unacceptance of others can have some incredibly horrible consequences. Not often involving a horrific death, but there’s often a death of some kind involved. And it’s the ones who have tried to survive and exist that truly suffer. The ones, like Jean who are left behind that have to feel the consequences of prejudice.

The messages in this novella have lingered long after I turned that final page. I think the horribleness and bitter sweet ending to this tale is why it’s hung around so long. The themes, the love and the loyalty were heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s not the kind of novella you’re likely to forget.

 <- Stupid Perfect World ReviewFan Fictions Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

The Widow’s Auction by Sabrina Jeffries

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: The Widow’s Auction
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Romance
Dates read: 28th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: They’d made love on the floor before the fireplace, writhing on the fur rug like cats in heat.

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Synopsis

Though Isobel Lamberton, the widowed Lady Kingsley, is confounded by her dealings with the obstinate Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, his commanding presence sparks something deep within her. But such romantic thoughts are for naught. For Justin’s political aspirations always come first. And Isobel’s own secret past could damage both of them permanently.

So when Isobel’s friend talks her into participating in a scandalous auction of masked widows at a gentleman’s club, she reluctantly agrees…and soon begins to relish being an object of desire. But none desire her more than Justin, who recognizes the outspoken Isobel in disguise and sets out to teach her a lesson worth far more than money…

Thoughts

This was not really the story that I was expecting. The name made it sound a little more raunchy. And, since it is found in a book that is more of the paranormal romance kilter – I was expecting a werewolf or vampire thrown in there. I did not expect to read a story about a widow and her philanthropic choices in life. Her slightly unorthodox upbringing. Or even about the man that she eventually falls for. None of the aspects of this story were as expected, even when I read the blurb. And I certainly didn’t regret picking this up in the slightest. It was a lot of fun, and incredibly cute.

We all have different faces that we show to the world. It doesn’t matter if that’s just our own personal face and a more professional one that we show at work, or something more. Everyone does it. Which made it kind of fun to read a novella which played with this idea and built a beautiful romance around it. I especially loved the fact that even when the truth about who she is is revealed, she is still loved and cherished. Showing that sometimes our first instincts and assumptions just aren’t correct, and we can find love in the most unexpected of places.

The Widow’s Auction is a great start to the Fantasy collection of novellas. It is sweet and lustful. Fun and filled with hope for a happily ever after. The entire story, you are guaranteed to be gunning for the heroine and wanting her to find a way to thrive in a world that is more skewed towards men. Luckily for my love of happily ever afters, that’s exactly what you get. This novella is one that is guaranteed to leave a smile on your tired, world-worn face.

 <- Fantasy ReviewLuisa’s Desire Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

Out of the Light, Into the Shadows by Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows
Author: Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 20th – 31st July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Things from his past erupted into his future, hateful comments, murderous gestures that he’d long buried in an effort to forget them.

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Synopsis

The darkest hour is before the dawn… headlines a sinful new anthology where the dark and light sides of desire collide…

Embrace the darkness and experience the light in this all-new anthology filled with touching stories of happily ever after alongside smoldering tales of irresistibly dangerous, otherworldly passion. From bewitching emotions and untamed desire to dazzling romance and tantalizing sensuality, these novellas explore the complex facets of the human heart-both the light side and the dark.

Thoughts

This was one of those random books that you just pick up because it looks kind of cool and intriguing. I had no idea that it was part of a series that was already lurking on my shelves and I had no idea of what to expect from the pages of the book. And boy was I happily and pleasantly surprised by everything within its pages! Actually, I’m more than a little disappointed that it’s all over. I just want more!

This is the first of these small novella collections that is only written by two authors. Every other one has had four separate authors creating and weaving their own storylines. And, to add to this, each of the two novellas were directly related to one another. Almost creating a longer mini story with a bit of a break between each. It was certainly a different experience, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s always nice to experience something a little different.

This collection starts with two stories that are quite a bit more light-hearted and hopeful. They’re sweet and tender, with just a little bit of darkness to the story that draws you in. Then, the next two stories were much darker and twistier. Those sparks of brightness dim a little bit, but just enough to make it a more dark fantasy feeling than the previous stories…

 <- Total Control ReviewHave Mercy Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for always and forever, lara jean book cover

Title: Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Easy reading, Romance, Young adult
Dates read: 28th June – 24th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: We three probably won’t ever live in the same house together again.

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Synopsis

Life is good for Lara Jean.

She is head over heels in love, her dad’s finally getting remarried and her sister Margot is coming home for the summer.

But change is looming. And Lara Jean can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make – where she goes to college for one. Because that would mean leaving her family – and possibly the boy she loves – behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Thoughts

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the last book in this trilogy. P.S. I Still Love You annoyed me in a number of places, so I thought that I probably needed to take a break from Jenny Han’s writing. But, recently I felt that stirring on interest again and I picked up this book. I’m really glad that I did. There was a nice sense of completion in this story that you didn’t get from P.S. I Still Love You. And it was a nice way to send Lara Jean off to adulthood and college…

As someone who had a high school sweetheart at the end of school, I understand how confusing it can be to decide whether or not to stay together when you’re both going your separate ways. I did a bit of a Margot in that I decided that I wasn’t going to University with a boyfriend. But, I also wasn’t in love with him like Lara Jean is with Peter. She’s very realistic about their immaturity and the likelihood of surviving a long-distance relationship. But she’s also unwilling to give up someone she loves so dearly and truly. It was something that was relatable I think to anyone who experienced the first gleanings of love when they’re a teenager.

I’m not used to softer heroines in the stories that I read. Mostly they’re women who are incredibly tough, unwilling to let others in and really not willing to give up anything for the men that they love. So it was a very different change of pace to read about a young woman who was actually willing to alter her plans in life to suit a man. Although, as a wonderful redemption, she doesn’t actually do this in the end, but finds a nice compromise for both of them. It’s a nice way to finish up a series that is all about finding yourself and first love – it doesn’t have to end, and it doesn’t have to be all about the boy, you can find a compromise in everything.

If you’re looking for a feel good, easy read, then this is definitely the book and the series to pick up. There are moments when you really want to see what silly decisions the characters make next, but nothing immensely drastic and uncomfortable. Just enough spice to keep you turning the pages, but not enough that you can’t sleep at night if you have left the book unfinished. It certainly left me with plenty of comfortable, happy feelings when I turned the final page. And now I’m looking forward to picking up another of Jenny Han’s books to give my something the same comfortable feelings of contentment.

 <- P.S. I Still Love You ReviewTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Review ->
Image source: Goodreads