Happy weekend fellow readers! I had an AMAZING week reading. I read three ARCs, a prequel to a new series and one of the ARCs, a book on my TBR, and a newly released memoir.
Kait Nolan's new series Kilted Hearts is set in a small Scottish village and I am 100% hooked on how this is going to play out. I need the whole series now. Carly Phillips is getting ready to release a short follow-up to Just One Spark. I love seeing Cassidy and Dash work on their marriage and compromise for more happiness. Melanie Moreland released The Watcher while I was on vacation last fall. It has been patiently waiting on my kindle for me to get back to it. And now that I have I need to say WOW! Damien is everything I needed him to be. Following that up with an ARC of the final book in the series, I then fell head over heels for Egan and his romantic soul. Finally, I spent 2 days reading Prince Harry's newly released memoir. I had a lot of thoughts and feelings on his book and on public response to it. In addition to my review I also have a separate blog post detailing those feelings. What I will say is that I am incredibly proud of Harry for sharing his story, some of which is not pretty. It had to be hard to be so vulnerable.
My year of reading is off to an incredible start. I haven't had a single read yet under 4 stars. If this keeps up, people will think I always give high ratings. The reality is that I am choosy about my books these days. There are authors I read a lot of that ALWAYS deliver a book experience that exceeds my expectations. I have also been fortunate to find new authors with a writing style and stories that appeal to me. I am so thankful for the recommendations of book friends for continuing to lead me to more and more one-click authors.
I wish everyone an excellent week full of wonderful books. Happy reading!
#Prequel #RunawayBride #SmallTown
5 STARS
Written in third person from a dual POV, this prequel sets the stage for the new series. Readers learn of a several-hundred-year-old pact between two families and how that resulted in planning an arranged marriage between them in the present day. Though Afton likes her intended well enough as a friend, she also recognizes that she has feelings for another that cannot be pursued. Hamish is a friend and a lawyer who has tried his best to find a loophole to stop the arranged marriage for his friends . He finally gives Afton the clue she needs, and she decides to make a run for it. This leads to destinies changing in ways she never could have anticipated, and I can’t wait to read.
Cowboy in a Kilt (Kilted Hearts #1) by Kait Nolan
ARC: Release Date-01/17/2023
#MarriageOfConvenience #SmallTown #Cowboy #ARC
5 STARS
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this
book can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
When Raleigh wins a Scottish estate after losing his ranch
in Texas, he decides to pivot and make the best of the situation. When he finds out his new ownership comes
with an ancient wedding pact, he proposes a business arrangement with Kyla to
end it once and for all. Raleigh is
amazing. He is down to earth, honest,
hardworking, and takes care of Kyla like she never knew she needed.
Kyla has been struggling to keep her own estate afloat. She
is pleasantly surprised to find out how much she actually likes Raleigh. I love her dedication to her family, and her
estate’s history. She is strong, sassy,
and determined. I love how Raleigh
supports her and how they form an easy friendship.
This was a fun read.
I love the Scottish village. I
love the characters from the estates, the town , and also Raleigh’s second mama,
Charlotte. I was hooked into this one and didn’t want to put it down. Raleigh and Kyla have some definite chemistry
which results in a little bit of a slow burn due to circumstances. They do finally get together physically in an
open-door scene. The epilogue also gives
readers another glimpse of their bedroom life.
The biggest part of this story though is the way both characters are
surprised by finding someone they are completely compatible with and then fall
fast and hard into a swoon-y love. There
is a quaich ceremony at their wedding reception that literally melted me. (My
eyes were leaking, and that doesn’t happen.)
There is also the very romantic scene at the end where they admit their
love for each other that gave me all the feels.
I can tell you now, this is going to be on my top reads list for
2023. It is everything I want in a
romance.
#RockStar #Married #FamilySeries #ARC
5 STARS
This short is written in third person from an alternating
dual POV. The story revisits Dash and
Cassidy four years after they get together in Just One Spark.
I love that we get a look at where this couple is when faced
with successful and busy lives. Cassidy
is now producing her first film and working very long hours. Dash is finishing a world tour with his
band. Time away from each other and
difficulty catching up allow for some disconnect in their relationship.
I love that they each work to reconnect. I love that they are able to communicate and discuss changes to avoid future issues. They are still hot together, and the love and trust in each other allows them to get past their “rocky” patch. This was a quick read that I really enjoyed. I loved seeing them together and fighting to maintain their connection and their love.
Book four in the Men of Hidden Justice series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Readers will, however, get the most enjoyment by reading the series in order to understand the background of the organization and the friendships that have formed between the characters that cross all of the books. This is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
I have been intrigued by Damien in other books, but I fell hard for him in this one. His protective nature and quiet observation of everything fascinated me. Raven really couldn't have run to a better guy for help. Raven is an elementary teacher who has acquired a psychopath of a stalker. I could feel her fear and her concern for putting anyone else in danger by being around her. She is immediately comfortable with Damien and I love how hard and fast they fall for each other.
There is plenty of hot times, danger, and suspense in this story. It was tough to put down to do things like make dinner. The friendship, or actually more of a brotherhood, between the men is wonderful to read. They readily accept danger to protect their family including each other. The HEA is especially sweet after Damien and Raven have to fight for it. And the bad guys always get their due. An excellent addition to the series.
The Specialist (Men of Hidden Justice #5)
by Melanie Moreland
ARC: Release Date-01/19/2023
#AlphaHero #AntiHero #RomanticSuspense #ARC
5 STARS
Book five in the series is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.
Though each of the 5 books can be read on their own, readers will want
to read this series in order. The men
and the organization’s history play important roles in each book and the
characters overlap. This final
installment also has a bonus epilogue to catch up with each of the couples in
their HEA.
Egan. He is a
romantic soul who has been wooing Sofia for years. He cares deeply for her, and they have formed
a friendship. Yet he patiently breaks
down her walls and her fears quietly and persistently until she admits she
feels more than friendship. I love his
patience. I love the way he cares for
Sofia, making sure she is fed and rested.
I love that he is such a diverse businessman and has so many sides to
his character. Sofia is aware of Hidden
Justice and the risks the men have taken.
Her fear of loss is why she pushes Egan away for so long. She is intelligent and feisty and perfect for
Egan. Their intimate moments are hot and
emotional all at once. Truly, they are
soul mates.
The past has a way of catching up with you and when Egan’s
past comes calling Sofia is endangered. I loved her strength in the face of
fear. I loved Egan’s determination to
save her no matter what it took. I
adored that his friends assist him, and the bad guys get what they have coming
to them. The HEA is beyond special and
the wrap up of the series is perfection.
It made me want to start over and read all the books again. If you like tough protective Alpha men who
will do anything to save their girl, you need this series.
Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
#Memoir #Royal
5 STARS
Written from Harry’s POV this book is divided into a
prologue, three sections, and an epilogue.
The prologue takes place after the funeral of Prince Phillip and sets
the tone for why Harry has written this book. Each section takes a piece from
the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley.
Part One: “Out of the Night That Covers Me” covers Harry’s life from
birth through the beginning of his active-duty military service. Part Two: “Bloody, but Unbowed” covers his
life from 2007-2016. It offers detailed
accounts of his life in the military and as a young man. Part Three: “Captain of My Soul” details his
life from meeting Meghan Markle through the birth of his daughter. The epilogue brings the story to the present
day. At 409 pages, this book covers a lot of content.
Part one details the numbness, grief, and rage Harry felt at
losing his mother at such a young age.
It also creates a picture of sibling rivalry between the two
brothers. It is normal for brothers to
have rivalry, though theirs is amplified by the monarchy and expectations of
the line of succession which lead to differing treatment given to the brothers. Examples like: William having a larger bed
and section of the room and William trying to exert his rank as Heir to order
Harry to do something Willy wanted him to do.
Did this make me think poorly of William when Harry revealed these
stories? Not exactly. Family dynamics
can be complicated. When power and an
expected level of formality are added, it is bound to lead to increased
dysfunction. I could feel Harry’s trauma
over the loss of his mother. I believe
that the loss of his memories and his grief should have been addressed by his
family when it happened. I completely
understood why he acted out in the effort to feel “something.” Everyone experiences grief differently. Everyone experiences trauma differently. However, I do not think that Harry was such
an anomaly that he couldn’t have received help. In fact, I would say the lack
of help he received borders on child neglect.
Part two, detailing his military service, gave me an
appreciation for Harry as a veteran. I
was sad that his duties were cut short by press leaks that put Harry and his
team in grave danger. It was just another
example of the selfishness of the press.
Why is the story so much more important than the safety of the troops or
the mission in a war? This section also highlights that, as the Spare, Harry
was allowed to have active duty while William was not. Decisions like these ultimately drove bigger
wedges and animosity between the brothers.
Part three is a love story.
It is obvious that Harry loves his wife and his children. I adored reading about his feelings for
Meghan and hers for him. I loved getting
an inside look at how they worked on their relationship from the
beginning. I really enjoyed reading
about the things they had in common that drew them together despite their
differences. Reading his recollection of his children’s births brought tears to
my eyes. I needed tissues. That doesn’t
happen often for me. I really appreciated
the open communication in their relationship. I love that Meghan was strong enough to
encourage Harry to get help when he needed it.
I love Harry’s openness discussing how he sought help through therapy,
meditation, and other means. It takes a
level of vulnerability and awareness to detail a mental health journey the way
he has. I also appreciated their frank
discussion of Meghan’s depression and suicidal ideations. That the amount of stress and pressure and
lack of support was so great that she reached that point really speaks volumes
about the way things were. I also
appreciated the clear discussion on their grief after her miscarriage. I am thankful they have spoken so openly
about a topic often covered up.
Family dynamics and power distribution are a big part of
Harry’s book. They have affected his
life in nearly every area: from the ability to speak to relatives at will, to
finances, to protection and security. They
also factored into how the press treated him. How Harry, Meghan and their children
have been treated by the British press is abominable. He has stated in the book, and in interviews,
that the silence of his family in addressing the horrible attacks on them by
the press has been the ultimate betrayal.
I must agree with him on this point.
Overall, this book made me feel sad. I am sad that Harry did not have the loving
family relationships he longed for. I am
sad that his mother’s death was so traumatic.
I am sad that he did not receive help for his grief earlier than he
did. I am sad that the crown, the
monarchy, and formalities take precedence over love, honor, and family. I am sad to see two brothers, who have shared
so many of the same things in life, torn apart by differences based on status
and power.
I enjoyed this book immensely. In fact, I had a very hard time putting it
down. I liked the detailed stories, the
pace, and the structure of the book.
There are a lot of personal details which some will find
objectionable. Personally, I admired the
frankness. It is important to remember
that even a royal is a person with feelings and emotions that are 100%
valid. Those details expose him as
human: mistakes and missteps as well as the successes and the things done
right.
I have thoughts on some of the other reviews that have been
written and on my personal feelings regarding this book. In fact, I have so many thoughts that I have
created an entire separate blog post.
https://bookloverjudylynn.blogspot.com/2023/01/rambling-on-royalty-spare-by-prince.html
Comments
Post a Comment