Romance- I love this trope: the sweet girl + “bad” boy who has been dismissed as worthless by his famil2.5 stars. Your average YA high school romance.
Romance- I love this trope: the sweet girl + “bad” boy who has been dismissed as worthless by his family/society. It’s a great premise, and this book did an alright job of it. I didn’t enjoy the prolonged plot point of him pushing her away (not just sending disinterested vibes, but actively trying to get rid of her) and her doggedly and desperately sticking to him like an unwanted barnacle. He certainly tried to scrape her off. Where’s the chemistry in that dynamic?
The FMC was absolutely 100% the main pursuer of the relationship. When the final scene came when there could have been some delicious angst in their conversation when they were putting themselves out there (the MMC was about to beg her to take him back- my fave!!) the author sidestepped it and his begging wasn’t needed anymore, which made me sad.
Writing average.
Characters- The FMC was likable (albeit a little over-timid). The MMC was also likable, esp with the understanding that came from his POV (but he was overly stoic, imo).
Content- Language- one “damn” Substance abuse- the MMC mentions that he does marijuana occasionally to relax. That was because he was so unhappy, but the FMC helped him forgive and move on with his life in a productive manner, and he mentioned he didn’t seek out the dealer anymore. Spice- Some sweet kisses Cover- fine POV- Dual POV Cliffhanger- no Format- Audio via Everand Narrator- kinda affected for the FMC...more
I wanted to love this. All the bones for a great romance were there, but the way everything came together disappointed me. 2.5 stars
Romance- CharlotteI wanted to love this. All the bones for a great romance were there, but the way everything came together disappointed me. 2.5 stars
Romance- Charlotte, the FMC, was an irritable, waspish, straight up RUDE person. She was downright mean to Zach every time he bent over backward to help her. I was truly baffled why he kept at it. That made NO sense. She was horrible to him, and not in a funny way but in a cutting way.
Eventually, his extreme persistence (over what seems like ~3 or 4 weeks) seemed to make headway with her and she was only a jerk to him some of the time, but she still didn’t trust him with her secrets or with her vulnerability. And then they each individually realized they were in love.
???
Yeah… I just didn’t see the foundation for their love. They were just barely starting to get to know each other (now that she wasn’t biting his head off constantly) and explore their new attraction. It was way too soon for them to think they loved the other person. I felt like I was being told they were in love instead of being shown it.
I didn’t like their dynamic. I didn’t like her personality, and the fact that Zach liked her so much did not reflect well on him since she treated him like crap. I didn’t like how quick everything progressed because I just didn’t believe it.
I’m very sad. This had great potential but fell flat for me.
Plot- I would have liked the plot if I had liked the romantic development, as that was basically what the plot was for.
Writing Very good. I think this author excels at writing deliciously angsty arguments/blow ups and emotions (like Zach’s state of mind during his depression). Even tho I didn’t enjoy their romance dynamics, I still had a smile on my face a lot, and that says something.
Characters- Like I said, I did not like the FMC’s personality. (Also, btw, who lies to their family for FIVE YEARS? Not just a little lie but a full-on con. Complete with tons of elaborate details. That was insane how it was all swept under the rug....more
2) Job Hazards - 4.5 stars. Cute novella that put a smile on my face.
3) A Brush with the Law - 5 stars. Also super cute and enjoyable. Loved the FMC, and how she got stuck in that situation in her matching red lacy bra and panties. Haha!...more
Plot- Cute with some compelling plot lines. Overall a little superficial, which makes sense for your aveEntertaining YA celebrity romance. I liked it.
Plot- Cute with some compelling plot lines. Overall a little superficial, which makes sense for your average YA book. But the way it all went down in the end was satisfying.
The bonus chapter about the mom/dad supporting characters’ romantic ending required suspended belief, but I guess it DID provide a happy ending for them too. But the background of their relationship was pretty straight forward: it was a no-strings attached, noncommittal one-night stand, but that seemed to get lost in translation when Lexie’s mom acted like she had truly loved him. She tried to prove it when he pushed back on that idea, but idk, I wasn’t convinced. That storyline felt a little forced.
Celebrity romance is one of my least favorite subgenres only because it’s such a hard sell. I mean, IRL celebrities almost always date other wealthy, well known figures and more importantly, they almost never stay in relationships long-term. Which I find to be extremely sad, tbh. So this trope requires suspended belief (ESPECIALLY when it’s a Cinderella type of dynamic) unless it’s done exceptionally well.
Writing Good.
Characters- Likable, relatable characters. Single POV from the FMC, although I enjoyed the bonus chapter from the MMC POV given at the end of the book.
Romance- Chemistry was average/good. The YA romance was sweet and had a HFN ending.
I would say that the main romantic plot here was a bit above average (but a little superficial) and the 2nd chance romantic side plot was just okay.
Content- Language- none Substance abuse- none Spice- clean. Kissing, but nothing inappropriate, and no talk of sex at all. I would recommend for teen readers. Cover- Good. POV- only one POV, from the FMC. Cliffhanger- No, this is standalone. Format- audiobook through library Hoopla account. Narrator- great...more
Oh my gosh, I was glued to this book! Like, impulsively reading all day! Absolutely fantastic and super enjoyable.
Writing Loved the fantasy world builOh my gosh, I was glued to this book! Like, impulsively reading all day! Absolutely fantastic and super enjoyable.
Writing Loved the fantasy world building. Great pacing, plot and writing.
Characters- I completely identified with the FMC. She reacted like I would and felt how I would feel. That was a lot of fun to be so in sync with a character! Side characters weren’t as developed as they could have been, but that’s okay. This was mostly about the FMC, as it was single POV.
Romance- So much chemistry and delicious angst! I wished we got an epilogue showing them getting engaged, but their HEA is inferred.
Plot- I was completely enthralled with the story. I loved how she outwitted the wicked wizards, who definitely deserved their dues. Everything came together at the end and was tied with a neat bow.
Content- Language- none Substance abuse- none Spice- clean. Kissing, but nothing inappropriate, and no talk of sex at all. I would recommend for teen readers, too. Cover- Good. POV- only one POV, from the FMC. Cliffhanger- No, this is standalone. Format- ebook through library Hoopla account....more
2.5 stars: between “okay” and “I liked it.” The MCs are likable. I really liked the hero’s parents. The chemistry was mediocre. Storyline was fine. I w2.5 stars: between “okay” and “I liked it.” The MCs are likable. I really liked the hero’s parents. The chemistry was mediocre. Storyline was fine. I was just glad the heroine wasn’t a book worm like every other heroine in so many other stories. So that was refreshing. Mostly, it was just a nice little bite sized romance that I could read in a couple hours one night and get my “fix.” Clean.
Merged review:
2.5 stars: between “okay” and “I liked it.” The MCs are likable. I really liked the hero’s parents. The chemistry was mediocre. Storyline was fine. I was just glad the heroine wasn’t a book worm like every other heroine in so many other stories. So that was refreshing. Mostly, it was just a nice little bite sized romance that I could read in a couple hours one night and get my “fix.” Clean....more
Fun final installment to what has been an entertaining, wholesome, light hearted YA fantasy series. 4.5 stars
Writing Still witty and entertaining withFun final installment to what has been an entertaining, wholesome, light hearted YA fantasy series. 4.5 stars
Writing Still witty and entertaining with dry humor and endearing characters.
Characters- Still loved the FMC and her BFF, Leslie. The love interest was also great. Some of the side characters were endearing, like Lucas and the French costumer. (Tbh, I can’t comprehend why her mother voluntarily lived with the grandma and aunt since they were toxic and it was an unhealthy atmosphere for her children to grow up in. But those harmless side-villains added to the story I guess.)
Romance- Sweet, with a little humor. Cute ending.
Plot- Lots of enjoyable twists and turns with the time travel theme. (Side point: their situation at the ending - who would want to be in that situation even if you’re with your one true love? Maybe that’s just me, but it sounds kinda overwhelming/scary.)
Content- Language- maybe a d-word, but basically none Substance abuse- none Spice- clean. Some kissing but no descriptions and no wandering hands. The FMC wonders why her boyfriend doesn’t stay the night, as if that’s the logical next step. Cover- ok. POV- only one POV, from the FMC Cliffhanger- this is the conclusion Format- audiobook via Hoopla public library Narrator- fantastic!!!!! All the stars!
How I rated the series- Book 1, “Ruby Red” - 4 stars Book 2, “Sapphire Blue” - 5 stars Book 3, “Emerald Green” - 4.5 stars...more
FANTASTIC space opera plot, but chock full of explicit sexual content. :/
Plot- Absolutely phenomenal, gripping sci-fi plot, full of action, intrigue FANTASTIC space opera plot, but chock full of explicit sexual content. :/
Plot- Absolutely phenomenal, gripping sci-fi plot, full of action, intrigue and escapes. Love, love, loved it!
Romance- I loved how they met. I also liked the end part of their romance… They started to communicate well, learned to rely on and trust each other, and were truly starting to fall in love. However, there wasn’t enough affection or wholesome falling in love for my reading preferences… instead, their attraction for most of the book seemed to be lust based. So it was kind of a backwards romance. I guess I needed more depth, which I was only starting to see at the end of the book.
I wish I could filter out the explicit content because I really love the rest of the book, and I think I would have been way more into the romance if it had progressed at a slow burn.
Writing Excellent. Except for the gratuitous explicit sexual content.
Characters- I liked the FMC. I also liked her love interest, Marcus Locke, EXCEPT I felt like he was too aggressive when he came on to her. Instead of wooing her with consideration and slowly building on their chemistry, he would come onto her with heavy handed sexual innuendo or getting all up in her space, which is a big turnoff for me. I mean, at first he didn’t even know if his advances were welcome, so his behavior would be considered sexual harassment. At the time, he wasn’t sure if he could trust her, so fine, that behavior makes sense if he’s an unscrupulous person. My problem was, she didn’t seem to mind, which didn’t match my feelings as the reader.
Also, he kept calling her “darling” throughout the book in a mocking, patronizing way, which made me want to strangle him sometimes.
I felt like I didn’t really KNOW him all that well. I wanted to feel more connected to him.
Content- Language- tons of f-words, including multiple uses as a verb. Substance abuse- none Spice- All the steam. Probably erotica. The romance was extremely heavy on the lust and sex, and not limited to the sex scenes. I will die happy if I never hear the phrase “bolt of lust” again, which was used constantly. The language was crude -so many explicit descriptions of stimulated body parts on both the FMC and the love interest. I couldn’t just skip through the sexual content in the book because it was sprinkled throughout and not limited to one of the (many) sex scenes. Sadly, even though it was an AWESOME story, it way exceeded my steam tolerance. :/ Cover- I like it! POV- Single POV Cliffhanger- The story continues but it leaves the reader in a good place. Sadly, I won’t continue. Format- Audio via Hoopla thru the public library Narrator- great...more
This was the 2nd installment of an engaging and funny YA romantic series about time travel and a secret society. I found it thoroughly entertaining.
WThis was the 2nd installment of an engaging and funny YA romantic series about time travel and a secret society. I found it thoroughly entertaining.
Writing The dry humor is to die for! The audio is a MUST. Do not read this without the audio! I’m telling you- the narrator pulls the witty writing off to perfection. I laughed out loud multiple times.
Characters- I absolutely love the FMC. She is so relatable and down-to-earth and funny. Just my jam! And I love her little gargoyle friend. He is hilarious! All the side characters are fabulous.
Romance- I’m loving it. Great chemistry!
Plot- I’m totally invested in the conspiracy that she is slowly trying to uncover. It’s deliciously complicated with all the time travel!
Content- Language- low level swears Substance abuse- she does get drunk at a Victorian-era soirée but I didn’t find it overly cringy. Spice- clean. Some kissing but no wandering hands. One flippant, casual convo about how Victorian people talk about sex but it wasn’t raunchy at all. Cover- the cover does not seem to match the tone of the book, imo. POV- only one POV from the FMC and I like it that way! Cliffhanger- MAJOR cliffhanger, just like the first book. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 3! Format- audiobook via Hoopla public library Narrator- fantastic!!!!! All the stars!
How I rated the series- Book 1, “Ruby Red” - 4 stars Book 2, “Sapphire Blue” - 5 stars Book 3, “Emerald Green” - 4.5 stars...more
**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars. I wanted to love this! There is so much to love- the amazing writing, the perfect main characters that are just my jam, t**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars. I wanted to love this! There is so much to love- the amazing writing, the perfect main characters that are just my jam, the wholesome atmosphere, the hot rock stars, the moments of connection between the MCs, the lovable bandmate side characters, and best of all, the incredible angsty confrontation between Shane and Jace. I LOVED THAT SCENE!
But the last 25% of the book had multiple character/plot lines that simply made no sense. I was being asked to suspend my belief too much, and I just couldn’t.
3 things I couldn’t get behind:
1. How Juliette handled the issue of Shane kissing her. Who ghosts all their friends for an entire week, and has the self restraint to not look at any of their many texts while still using their phone on the daily? and then who makes the rash decision to go across the world and turn OFF their phone for over a month, still without reading any of the mounting texts from their friends and “cheating” crush? The reasoning isn’t there, and it just flies in the face of human nature. We are weak creatures. Maybe we can run from a situation and ignore it for a day or two, but for 45 days? There is no way she would not crumble and read her texts to satisfy her curiously in all that time! This is taking “running from your problems” to whole new unbelievable level.
2. Shane’s long-term reaction when Juliette ghosted him was off. Initially he was epically confused, fiercely missed her, and felt absolutely destroyed for somehow offending her. But here’s the thing: his feelings never changed. The more he processed the situation, the more his emotions should have evolved. He naturally should have come to the conclusion that he simply did nothing wrong (or that it wasn’t THAT wrong) and she was acting like a total jerk for ghosting him for 45 days without telling him what her problem was. She wasn’t even giving him the common courtesy of sending one measly text in response to his 190. His confusion and regret should have morphed into anger and hurt. He didn’t deserve such crappy treatment. Her inexplicable and hurtful behavior had tons of red flags and the fact that he kept texting her and feeling contrite for 45 days is messed up.
3. The reasoning her parents had for their 7-year separation (what about victim protection? Surely there were other options for heaven’s sake), the first thing Juliette says to her mom, the fact that her mom didn’t come immediately home when the danger was gone and instead decided to come visit her husband on a whim with Juliette. WTH?
It all seemed farfetched and unrealistic.
And then after the prolonged miscommunication and 45-day separation ends, they immediately forgive each other and exchange I love you’s. And within a few days they decide they want to marry.
So much whiplash.
Do they even really know each other? Maybe they do know each other as a person but as a romantic partner? How do they know this is the real deal already? I really, really wish I could get on board! I really wanted to love this. ...more
I got bored around the 25/30% mark and started skipping through it.
Too much internal dialogue, I guess. Their banter was meh, with a lack of humor orI got bored around the 25/30% mark and started skipping through it.
Too much internal dialogue, I guess. Their banter was meh, with a lack of humor or flirtiness. She has anxiety and has some unique quirks because of it, which she is self conscious about. Her anxiety was kinda a focus.
I just wasn’t connecting to the characters or the relationship-driven plot. There was some ex-boyfriend angst and a handsy colleague that promised to add some interest later in the book but I didn’t get that far. As I skipped through it, I ran into too much sexual content at the 50% mark so it’s easy to DNF.
However, if it didn’t cross my steam tolerance I bet the plot would pick up.
Content- Language- occasional f-words. Maybe 1 per MMC POV chapter. Substance abuse- she gets drunk one night and spends the night at his place. Spice- explicit handsy scene at 50% when she’s drunk. Crude sexual terms that are relatively common in sex scenes. Sprinkled through the chapters are sideways references to his aroused state in his pants. That kind of content. I’m sure there will be sex scene(s) later on. Cliffhanger- no. Standalone. Cover- cute POV- dual Format- KU...more
1 star for the cheating trope, but giving an extra star for the fun Indian culture that the book good-naturedly pokes fun at, and the likable FMC char1 star for the cheating trope, but giving an extra star for the fun Indian culture that the book good-naturedly pokes fun at, and the likable FMC character.
About the cheating:
He’s an engaged man and too much of a coward to cancel his engagement even when he knows his One True Love reciprocates his feelings. They watch movies together, go out to lunch, fantasize about each other, etc, so initially it’s emotional cheating. Then they almost kiss a few times and finally they DO kiss. He feels guilty (ya think?), and yet he still won’t choose her.
His marriage is looming, 3 weeks, one week, the day of, the guests are all there, and HE’S STILL SUCH AN IDIOT COWARD and moving forward with marrying a woman he has a strong aversion to when the love of his life is standing over there in his wedding party.
I’m too mad to even want him to get a HEA.
The author tries to sweeten the cheating aspect by making his fiancé a snotty, shallow person. The MMC can’t stand her but sticks with this arranged marriage because engagements are very serious in the Indian culture. (Which just adds weight to the fact that he is cheating on his fiancé!)
I don’t like this type of character. It’s a character that is certainly no longer attractive to me nor one that I can respect.
Super lame. I’m mad at the characters and couldn’t care less if they get their HEA.
**I did love how the FMC gets back at his cowardly-ness by wearing a casually sexy shirt-dress and knowingly positioning herself while playing a game of pool with the sole purpose to make him sweat. Haha! Serves him right. That was my favorite scene.
Details: - Dual POV - Happy, mature, kind, even-headed FMC (that I really liked!!) - Ironically honor-bound-while-also-cheating MMC. - Meh chemistry - wealthy, OTT Indian Punjabi culture (fun setting) - slow beginning. I listened on double speed because I was feeling meh about the whole thing. - great writing - FANTASTIC narration! (via KU audio) - fun cover
Content: - Language - no swearing - Spice - plenty of sideways references to his aroused state in his pants. Based off that, I would have expected a sex scene but it’s surprisingly closed door at the end (which I appreciate)....more
2.5 stars. Overall I felt like this was a pretty superficial romance. Not my favorite by the author.
Characters- While these characters have had traum2.5 stars. Overall I felt like this was a pretty superficial romance. Not my favorite by the author.
Characters- While these characters have had traumatic experiences that could and should have added depth and complexity to their characters, these conversations and issues were glossed over. I’m talking about him being enslaved by the fae and terribly abused for a year+, not to mention the survivor’s guilt he surely felt from having escaped and leaving all his friends still enslaved. And for the FMC, she experienced abuse and severe manipulation at the hands of her mother, the queen. But they never really talked about these experiences and how it affected them besides surface level comments. I was disappointed by that.
Romance- Chemistry was okay.
Content- Language- no swearing Substance abuse- none Spice- clean, a couple kisses Cliffhanger- no. Standalone. Cover- I really like it! Format- KU...more
The beginning of this book features one of my biggest pet peeves.
But first let me say that the FMC is pretty pathetic from the first scene, which incThe beginning of this book features one of my biggest pet peeves.
But first let me say that the FMC is pretty pathetic from the first scene, which includes her begging her boyfriend after he breaks up with her. Within the first few chapters, she is depicted as stodgy and excessively boring. To top off a rocky beginning, instead of acting like a mature adult when confronted by her ex and his new girlfriend, she leaps at a male stranger nearby and tries to kiss him.
NO.
This is not normal behavior. IRL this woman would be the weirdest of weird.
WHY DO AUTHORS DO THIS?
Of course the man tries to fend off her attack. After her ex leaves, the man says something to her and she has the gall to think, “I have no desire to hear that he couldn’t take one for the team and kiss me to make my ex-boyfriend a little jealous.”
Let’s let that sink in for a minute. So her pathetic-ness is his fault because he didn’t want to be accosted by a rando woman?
FMC is prickly, stubborn, passionate, independent, sarcastic, guarded, and all-around disagreeable. I’m sure the author will help her personality softFMC is prickly, stubborn, passionate, independent, sarcastic, guarded, and all-around disagreeable. I’m sure the author will help her personality soften, but it’s a painful starting point, notwithstanding her positive traits.
The romance is steamier than I prefer, from both the FMC and the MMC dual POV. Lots of aroused body parts, even though the inevitable sex scenes are still far away.
DNF at almost 30% and moving on. Just not for me.
Content- Language- some f-words and other swears. Steam- see above. High. Substance abuse- none Cover- it’s good but has NOTHING to do with the setting or plot or character descriptions. Format- audio via Everand. Narrators- good. ...more
Super fun romance with great chemistry and banter.
Characters- I really liked the FMC, Ivy, and her love interest, Dax. Dax’s reformed image from devSuper fun romance with great chemistry and banter.
Characters- I really liked the FMC, Ivy, and her love interest, Dax. Dax’s reformed image from devil-may-care, bad boy persona in high school to cool, confident, funny, and responsible adult is my kryptonite. I liked the character arc for Ivy, who had some self-discovery to do. Loved the decisions she made at the end.
Writing Cindi Steel is a fabulous author. The tattoo scene?! That was perfection. Honestly, it was so well handled! Dax was such a hero and a sweetheart. ...more
Writing- Just okay. The abrupt cliffhanger was insane. It felt like an unfinished sentence was left hanExtremely abrupt cliffhanger ending. 2.5 stars
Writing- Just okay. The abrupt cliffhanger was insane. It felt like an unfinished sentence was left hanging. Also, grief was not handled in a realistic way. Example- within hours of realizing her twin was dead, she was commenting on how hot the other pack’s leader was. Also, when her dad was in a coma and possibly about to die the following week, she was able to banter with her almost-boyfriend. It just didn’t ring true to the traumatic circumstances. The book was so short that a lot of the storyline and characters weren’t able to be fully developed.
Characters- The FMC is a bit aggressive for my taste. Example- When the FMC walked in on her almost-boyfriend having an argument with her male BFF about not notifying him before the FMC met with a dangerous witch, the FMC snapped at him rudely. I mean, treat the guy with respect, especially if his concerns stem from how much he cares about you. She’s just a bit hot-headed for me. The other characters are cool.
Romance- Chemistry was average. The male love interest was interesting at first when he was playing hard to get, but then he was all-in and it became too easy too quickly. Considering how this novel was super short, that was a quick transition.
Content- Language- some f-words Substance abuse- none Spice- clean, a couple kisses Cliffhanger- yes (and crazy abrupt) Cover- ok Format- audiobook Narrator- good...more
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