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Book reviews from the week of October 22nd



Happy weekend!  It was a busy week for me.  I red one novella ARC, one book for a couple of reading challenges, and a duet and novella from my TBR as read & listen experiences.  I had everything form second chance angst, witchy rom-com, historical rom-com/suspense, and paranormal vampire romance.  I started the duet and Alexis Daria's book on audiobook and finished both as eBooks.  I love the read and listen experience.  I find that the narrators' voices stay in my head as I finish in eBook format and it adds to my reading experience.
I hope my reviews help you find your next books to add to your TBR,  Until next time, happy reading!



Holiday Do Us Part by J.D. Hollyfield

ARC: Release Date- 11/01/2023

#EnemiesToLovers #SecondChance #ForcedProximity #OneBed #Novella #ARC

4 STARS

This novella is a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in forst person from an alternating dual POV.

Callie and Easton have a past that was great until one moment ended everything.  They both have a lot of hurt from the end of their relationship.  There are unresolved feelings, blame, and anger yet they each still love each other deep down.  Their chemistry is still strong when they find themselves snowed in at Easton’s cabin with only one bed. 

Easton grew on me.  I decided pretty early on that I liked the guy.  I felt for him and how the relationship had ended.   Callie is a very reactive character.  She kind of annoyed me at times.  I understood her devastation over previous events.  Yet, much of their past pain and current angst could have been avoided with a little communication and a little more commitment to each other and the relationship they had been building.

Second chance is a hard trope for me.  That said, this was an enjoyable read with hot times and emotional moments along the way.   I read it on one leg of a plane flight.  If you enjoy second chance romance, you should add this to your TBR.






The Midnight Duet (Blackthorne Bloodlines #1 & 2) 

by K. Loraine

Narrated by: Shane East and Stella Hunter with Aaron Shedlock

#FatedMates #Paranormal #Vampire #Shifter #Audiobook

4 STARS

I read this duet as a combination of audiobook/eBook read & listen.  It worked out to be about 50% audiobook, 50% reading.

Book One: Midnight Prince

Book one of the duet is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends in a cliffhanger.  I did not love Lucas at the beginning of the book.  Then the reader is taken back in time to see how his heart was broken.  Lucas and Briar are destined but forbidden.  Romeo and Juliet vibes abound as they find their way through first love, first passion, and first heartbreak.  They cannot trust anyone and it seems like everyone is out for their own gain.  I loved their passion and dreaded their inevitable pain of separation.  I couldn't wait to move on to book two.

Book Two: Midnight Hunger

Book two is also written in first person from a dual POV and ends in a HEA.  There is also a chapter from Callie's POV which I adored.  

When Lucas finds Briar, he is not welcome into her life right away.  They fight, banter, and torment each other.  I loved how witty this part of the book was.  The tension was tight and their chemistry and anger was off the charts.  I love how Lucas will do anything to secure and protect his mate.  It takes Briar a little while to come around, but once she does, their bond is strong and enjoyable to read.  They battle their destiny to get their happy ending and I loved the plot twists that surprised me.  Having not read the other books that are related to this one, I was a little lost when it came to Lucas' history with Cashell and Olivia.  This was slightly frustrating, but minor overall.

The audiobook for this duet was amazing!   Shane East as Lucas was perfection!  Stella Hunter did a fantastic job capturing Briar and the growth of her character.  Aaron Shedlock was amazing in his cameos as Cashell.  Together, the cast brought this story to life in the most fantastic way with duet narration.  This was a very enjoyable read & listen and I look forward to spending more time with the Blackthornes in the future.


This Earl of Mine (Bow Street Bachelors) by Kate Bateman

#Historical #MarriageOfConvenience

4.5 STARS 

I went looking for a book that was historical romance and had the word "mine" in the title to meet two reading challenges with one stone, so to speak.  I found two books in KU that met the criteria and seemed interesting, but I kept coming back to this one.  Though some may find the premise of the book somewhat implausible, it was exactly this daring premise that captured me.  I love a strong heroine, and Georgiana Caversteed fits that bill.  This was my first book by this author and the first book in the series.  It can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

Georgiana is an unusual lady of her time.  She is extremely wealthy, seriously intelligent, profoundly brave, and somewhat cunning.  She also believes that a man could never want her for herself and would only want her for her money.  Her plan to marry a criminal headed to the executioner was a very interesting way of making herself a widow who would have more rights and freedom than a single miss.  She is a very witty character and I loved her strong will and deep intellect.

Benedict is working for Bow Street when he winds up undercover in Newgate prison in his effort to obtain information.  No one is more surprised than he is when he is really given no choice in marrying the lady who comes in looking to marry a prisoner.  Ben is smart, exceedingly brave, and has the best heart.  Somewhat of a rogue, he was raised as a gentleman.  When he sets out to woo his wife, he melted me completely.  

There are some hot physical scenes after some slow burn when the two characters make their marriage real.  There is also an underlying, mildly suspenseful plot to the story.  What I loved most however was the writing.  It was witty and I highlighted numerous quotes. It made me laugh out loud several times.  The only reason this was 4.5 stars and not 5 was because it could have used another once over by a proofreader.  There were a dozen or so typos throughout the book that could have been avoided.  I forgive these in an arc because they are not completed works.  However this book has been out a few years and the typos remain.  That said, I really enjoyed this book.  I recommend it, and I look forward to reading more by this author.



What the Hex? by Alexis Daria

Narrated by Jacqueline Grace Lopez

#Paranormal #RomanticComedy #EnemiesToLovers #Novella #Audiobook

4 STARS

This fun novella is written in first person from Cat's POV.  IT can be read as a standalone and ends as a HEA.  I started this as an audiobook but ended up finishing the last few chapters as and eBook.

First, the audio narration was incredible.  I believe I enjoyed the whole thing more because of the excellent narration of the Spanish/LatinX phrases in the book.  As I finished the novella reading, I could easily still hear the narrator's voice in my mind. 

Second, the story was a very fun read. Diego and Cat grew up as rivals but when they discover they are the only two wedding guests not under a demonic spell, they band together to save the day.  Diego and Cat have hot chemistry that is impossible to ignore.  As truths are revealed, they form a true friendship with added hot times.  This was extremely enjoyable with lots of funny moments, irony, and innuendo.  This was my first book by this author but I can guarantee it will not be my last.

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