Happy weekend! This week I caught the flu. When stuck at home not allowed to go to work, what should I do? I read of course. (After I was feeling better than the initial yuck.) I finished three ARCs, three books for reading challenges by two new-to-me authors, and one audiobook novella. It was quite a week. I read everything from sex club fantasy hot times to closed door fantasy romance. I feel happy and thrilled that I had such a diverse reading week. Take a look. maybe you will find a new author or two to love like I did.
Until next time, happy reading!
Untether (Alchemy #4) by Elodie Hart
ARC: Release Date- 02/08/2024
#AgeGap #OWYM #Celebrity #SingleMom #OppositesAttract #ARC
5 STARS
Book four in the series can be read as a standalone and ends
in a HEA. It is written in first person
from an alternating dual POV.
This book is a little lighter than some of the others, yet still
beyond hot. Previous characters had to
deal with religious trauma and grief.
Aida is dealing with being newly single at 46 and exploring what she
wants her sexual future to look like. She
wants women her age and older to embrace their desires and to be seen as fully
feminine creatures in a world that largely views the age group as invisible. I loved how smart and powerful Aida was. I love that she comes with a magnetism, a
gravitas, that draws people to her and that commands a room. I respected her immensely for her achievements
and her navigation of motherhood while being front and center in the news in
many ways. I loved how brave she was and
how she made the decisions that were the right decisions for her.
Cal. I loved him in
the other books because he was always up for fun. I loved him in this book because I got to see
another side of him. He is a cinnamon
roll with Alpha frosting, and you cannot help but fall in love with him. He likes to be dominant and say the filthiest
things, and it is exactly what Aida didn’t fully realize that she needed. Neither one of them is looking for a
relationship. Yet, their chemistry is
off-the-charts hot. It was inevitable
that it would lead to moments where boundaries are pushed, and vulnerabilities are
exposed. I adore how enamored Cal is
with Aida from the very beginning. I
love how their desires align in a way that is completely satisfying to both
characters. I adore how Cal cares for Aida.
And I absolutely love the way this author writes characters who
communicate like the adults they are supposed to be instead of getting caught
up in a bunch of unnecessary misunderstandings.
This was smoking hot, with moments of tender romance and a
few seriously laugh-out-loud moments that came unexpectedly. I would have a hard time picking a favorite
book in this series. Before this book, I
would have chosen Zach as my favorite hero.
Now, though I still love Zach, I have to say that Cal holds that spot
uncontested.
Samphire Shores (Puffin Bay #4) by Annie Dyer
ARC: Release Date- 02/09/2024
#OppositesAttract #ForcedProximity #SmallTown #ARC
5 STARS
As it focuses on Rowan and Freya, book four in the series
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. That said, because of the small town and the multiple
intertwined characters in it, one might have the most enjoyment from reading
the series in publication order. It is
written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Rowan has been unfairly earmarked as the “grumpy” twin. I don’t particularly feel like he is grumpy
as much as he is just quiet. Where words
come easily to his twin, Roe is better with numbers and computer code than the
dreaded socializing thing. He is very intelligent, and under his quiet exterior
is a heart of gold that demands justice in the world. Freya is seeking a quiet place to recover
from her prior relationship (that was not good) and have a fresh start. She makes soaps, and teas, and tinctures and
is very different from Roe. Neither one
expected the other, and it takes a little bit of time to find a balance of
coexistence. It doesn’t take long from there to become more. I really loved how they complimented each
other. I adored Rowan and how he
supported and encouraged her, even when he was giving her a hard time. They have spicy times, tender, emotional
moments and a few laughs along the way.
I love Puffin Bay and the Holland brothers and their
extended family. I adore the banter and teasing
between them. It was nice to see cameos
from some of the Callaghans and the characters we have already met in Puffin
Bay. This was a low-angst romantic read
with just the right amount of heat.
Aldo (Men of the Falls Duet #1) by Melanie Moreland
ARC: Release Date- 02/14/2024
#Mafia #MorallyGreyHero #Workplace #ARC
5 STARS
Book one of the Men of the Falls Duet introduces Aldo as the
right-hand man of Roman Costas. Roman
and his brother, Luca, are the new generation of syndicate leaders in Ontario. This book introduces the setting and the
characters while readers get the story of how Aldo and Violet find their
HEA. It is written in first person from
an alternating dual POV.
Aldo is a 6’5” wall of muscle and a loyal best friend to
Roman. It didn’t take long after Violet
enters the picture for readers to discover that under that menacing,
professional exterior lies a soft heart and a passionate man. Violet was a wonderful character. I adored her ability to start over when her
world gets flipped. I loved her
integrity and determination to make it on her own. I loved her work ethic and her feisty personality.
Together, they have a chemistry that sparks from the first moment. Their physical moments are steamy, and I
appreciated Vi’s patience while Aldo comes to terms with feelings that he never
thought he would have.
There are moments of danger and mild suspense and a few
funny moments too. I love the
relationship that Violet builds with Roman.
She recognized immediately that Aldo and Roman were bonded deeper than
brothers. This was an excellent first
book in the series. I am so excited to
read Roman’s story and see him get his happy ending.
The Last Dragon King (Kings of Avalier #1) by Leia Stone
#NewAdult #Fantasy #Paranormal #Virgin #Royal
4.5 STARS
I was looking for a fantasy romance book to fulfill a reding challenge requirement when I found this one. I don't read a lot of fantast and I wasn't sure where to start. This author is going to be at Readers Take Denver this year, and I chose this book partially because of that and partially because of the blurb. It can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from Arwen's POV, with the exception of the last chapter, which is written in first person from Drae's POV.
Arwen is 18, and though she is mature in some ways after taking responsibility for her family at a young age, she is still young and a little naive. She sometimes says and does things that belies her youth. At 21, Drae is a king who has suffered immeasurable grief. He is consumed by the duty to his kingdom and its magic.
Set in a world straddling medieval magic and futuristic technology, Avalier was fascinating. The medieval kingdom of Embergate is in conflict with the futuristic kingdom of Nightfall. Arwen, growing up in a somewhat rural area of Cinder Village has been taught medieval norms of purity and has lived a primarily hunter/gatherer existence. Sparks immediately fly between Arwen and the king. I adored their banter and the literal heat between them.
The plot slowly unveils secrets as Arwen and Drae fall in love. Their union is not without difficulty though. There are battles, kisses, and decisions made in the best interest of the kingdom along the way. The question of valuing the many over the few, and of sacrifice, comes into play in a big way. There a couple of graphic battle scenes, some near death moments, and one wedding night scene that is almost closed door. With very little physical heat, and no excess of romantic moments, the plot is left to carry the book. I really liked it. I am very excited to read more of this series and to meet the author in Denver.
The Broken Elf King (Kings of Avalier #2) by Leia Stone
#FakeRelationship #MarriageOfConvenience #Fantasy #Royal #NewAdult #HealingLove
4.5 STARS
Book two in the series slightly overlaps with the events of book one. This one finds love and a HEA for Raife, King of the Elves, and Kailani, a half elf who comes to his kingdom with the slave traders for an unpaid debt. It is written in first person from Kailani's POV except for the last chapter. It is from Raife's POV.
I enjoyed Kailani's intelligence and her can-do attitude. At 19, she is still youthful with her emotions and that must be considered as you read her story. Raife is 20 or so and became king at 14 after the Queen of Nightfall killed his entire family. He is so incredibly broken on the inside. Once he and Kailani enter their marriage agreement, his only request is that she not fall in love with him. Well, you just know that was going to happen anyway. Even though he lied to himself, he also fell for her quickly. He is a man and he makes decisions that are questionable at times. Kailani fights for herself though. I do like that he wanted to protect his queen, just not necessarily the way he decided to go about it.
I enjoyed reading as Kailani blossoms into her gifts. I do wish readers would have been able to see her master them and learn more about them. Then I considered that the entire timeframe of this book is under two months, so that needs to be factored in. I did enjoy reading as she gained emotional maturity in her role as queen. Once Raife and Kailani are married there are two closed door scenes where ethe couple is intimate. Those looking for spicy fantasy will not find that here. That said, I am enjoying this series and I cannot wait to see Karma find the Nightfall Queen in a big way.
Sexy in Stilettos (In Stilettos #1) by Nana Malone
#Billioniare #OppositesAttract #BWWM #Fling
4 STARS
Book one in this series can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA. It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV. This book has been on my kindle for ages and this author has also been on my list for a long time. I am thrilled that I finally got a chance to read it.
I loved Jaya. She is strong with an incredible sense of humor and a lot of sass. I want to hang out with her and her girls. I could really relate to her sense of OCD and need for lists and a plan. Alex is a fine specimen with a hidden soft heart and a history of wandering to avoid commitment. He falls hard from the very first time he meets Jaya, despite not fully acknowledging that on a conscious level for a very long time. They are uber-hot together. They cannot keep their hands off each other. Their chemistry is electric. Oh, and there is a closet scene that nearly set my kindle on fire.
Full of hot times, the author still takes the time to develop the characters in a way that they felt well-rounded and complete (with all their baggage). I wanted a little more when it came to the relationship history between Jaya and Tamara and also with her father. The forgiveness at the end felt too fast for me, but maybe I am just a bigger grudge holder than Jaya. I probably would have cut them out of my life forever. Alec experiences a lot of growth in this book. It was fun to watch him fall in love to a level of distraction and take a hard look at his life choices in response. I appreciated that Jaya did not accept less than she deserved.
This was a steamy, fast read. I really liked it.
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
Narrated by Marli Watson & Andrew Gibson
#Holiday #PenPal #Novella #Audiobook
5 STARS
This was a fun holiday novella that follows email pen pals for ten years before they meet. It begins with the characters in high school and an accidental email. It ends with them in grad school, when they meet in the most interesting way.
Though they only email each other once a year on Valentine's Day, they both have so many things happen in the years that they do. They mature, life events happen, and they catch up and offer each other friendship along the way.
I love stories with letters. This novella, with its emails, definitely has some "You've Got Mail" vibes- but younger. Callum and Terra are both interesting characters. Both are intelligent and have a code of honor. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. I listened to the audiobook, which is performed in duet narration and was fabulous. This was a very enjoyable listen.
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