So disappointed because I loved Mr. Wrong Number, which made me laugh out loud from page 1. But from page 1 of Maid for Each Other, I did not like AbiSo disappointed because I loved Mr. Wrong Number, which made me laugh out loud from page 1. But from page 1 of Maid for Each Other, I did not like Abi.
Abi was judgmental, prejudiced, and small minded toward Declan (and anyone deemed "wealthy" by her) (view spoiler)[until all the way at the very end of the book when she only changed her mind after learning about his job with Roman (hide spoiler)] despite the fact he had proved over and over again that he was thoughtful and kind. Honestly, I didn't understand why Declan fell in love with her.
The premise was also a bit of a stretch, but I could have gotten behind it had Abi had any redeeming qualities. But Abi was too rigidly written without enough development. I just could not root for her at all. The threads were there—her compelling backstory, growing up relatively poor with a narcissistic mother. But those threads were never really fleshed out enough to provide her with any growth. As the story continued, I kept wondering how old Abi was because it felt like she was a teenager based on her snotty comments.
I also felt there were too many internal dialogues, each character living in their respective heads far more than interacting with each other. It got a bit boring. Abi spent so much time condemning Declan in her head that she failed to see all the considerate and kind things he did.
So sadly, this is a 2 star read for me mostly because I liked Declan and actually rooted for Declan to find someone else....more
My first Melissa Foster book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The writing was solid and I’ll definitely pick up another MF books
So why only 3 stars? First, ClaMy first Melissa Foster book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The writing was solid and I’ll definitely pick up another MF books
So why only 3 stars? First, Clay was a bit too perfect because other than him avoiding making a career decision, he seemingly had no flaws. I love that he was thoughtful and caring when pursuing Piper, but I also want to see a character that feels real and Clay just felt too ideal boyfriend, a dream list of qualities. His nickname, Mr. Perfect, was a bit too spot on.
As for Piper, I didn’t care for Piper at first (she was a bit too one-dimensional as she came across as all judgement). I almost DNF’d it because of her. While she did have some decent development, it never felt like her story really got there. Her entire development was built on Clay’s influence and she never really had that self-reflection growth. And given how much she talked about her twin & how close they were, Sable was barely on the page. I would have thought her twin would’ve been more in it.
Same for Ravi. He’s supposed to be her BFF, but he has one main scene giving her advice. It felt his character was just a convenient plot tool instead of an actual secondary character. I get that some of the characters had been introduced in other books, but too many were too flat and just seemed as easy ways to make the plot move.
Second, the break-up act, if i can even call it that, was far too late in the story and it was barely even a page—instantly resolved. Anti-climatic and really a waste. That was tied into what I had thought was going to be the conflict: Piper’s previous relationship with an athlete. I thought something would come of that, especially when Piper admitted he also had gone pro. But again, it came w-a-y too late and was really another blip where nothing really happened.
So a fun story overall with a dreamy male MC, but didn’t quite make it to be a 4-star read.
Savannah Peachwood & Christian Fox did a good job narrating. ...more
There were some things about Piper and Kaine that I didn’t like. The story had some seriously heavy topics and the resolutions felt maybe a bit too eaThere were some things about Piper and Kaine that I didn’t like. The story had some seriously heavy topics and the resolutions felt maybe a bit too easy. And I didn’t care for Jillian Macie’s narration. ...more
I was completely confused at first because her "bestie" male friend is named Tanner and the hero is also Tanner. Why? Why was that nMeh. Underwhelmed.
I was completely confused at first because her "bestie" male friend is named Tanner and the hero is also Tanner. Why? Why was that needed? And if friend Tanner was such a bestie, why was he only in the very first few pages and then never heard from again? So much for being a great friend.
The rest of the story, for what it was, was weak. From a weak set-up to a rushed ending and an uber predictable middle. (view spoiler)[The story went from Tanner leaving her with her dad and walking away and then BANG! epilogue where she shows up in Santorini unexpectedly and he just happens to have a ring and proposes. (hide spoiler)] And I never felt the chemistry between them. Both were flat characters, no real personality, and so there really wasn't much to develop, which worked for a rather bland story.
Again, as I noted with the last book, this series seriously needed a copyeditor. Basic wrong words used. Not misspellings, but still wrong. In this book, the word "day" was used instead of "dad." A beta reader should have picked this up this error. I'm guessing given this was a Kickstarter, it was all self-published. But didn't they each read the others' books first? Apparently not.
Overall, I was not impressed with this series. The concept was interesting—6 hockey romance authors each writing a different sibling—but I was underwhelmed and really feel like I overpaid. Ah well, that's what I get for doing a Kickstarter. And I won't be picking up any of these authors' other series....more
This is my least favorite of the books (and only 1 more to go). First, the writing. Not only were there some editing issues (wrong words, not misspellThis is my least favorite of the books (and only 1 more to go). First, the writing. Not only were there some editing issues (wrong words, not misspelled but clearly the wrong word that an editor should have noticed), but the author chose, deliberately, to use what can only be described as fandom language. First in chapter 3:
"When Ivan and I skated together, after we won a few competitions and got somewhat known, especially after our first (and only) appearance at the Olympics, figure skating fans started shipping us."
At first, I thought it was a mistake. A missed editing issue. But then in Chapter 4:
"Even though we denied we were in a relationship and insisted to the media we were just friends, the shipping continued."
And finally in chapter 18:
"She's been shipping us since we partnered up."
Okay, I admit I'm Gen X. So I thought this was a Millennial or even Gen Z term. So I asked my assistant who is a Millennial and has been teaching me the millennial lingo. She didn't know what the term was. She googled it and we learned that it's a term is rooted in fandom culture, particularly online, where fans create and share content (like fan fiction) centered around their favorite pairings. Um, okay, but maybe don't use it in a book. Yes, I understood what the author was trying to convey from the context, but even my assistant said it sounded dumb. The Millennial has spoken.
Second, the author overuses/misuses parentheses. It seemed every time Logan mentions one of his his teammates, there is a parentheses either giving their nickname if Logan says/thinks their full name or their full name if Logan things/says their nickname. Why? Did we need to understand that "Evan Russell (Russ)" or "Barbie . . . (real name Igor Barbashev)". Isn't there another way to do that rather than overuse paraentheses? And not just for the names, but for other trivial things that either don't need to be included or could have simply been written in without needing to use a parenthesis. For example: "It involved crazy glue (stolen from a teacher's supply closet)"; The other Heller brothers . . . Logan (a different Logan) [yeah, no shit since you started off the sentence with HELLER brothers vice Logan COATES]; "which comes with Mediterranean beans (protein and fiber)"; and on and on. Too overused. It was like this was someone's diary instead of a published book.
Finally, WTF. The first 4 books, couldn't really tell a difference between the authors and how they characterized Mama Bang. This book, it was like a completely different Mama Bang. She went from an understanding and accepting person to being a giant bey-otch and she just felt shrill and superficial vice the loving, caring person she was in the first 4 books.
So this one quickly became my least fave despite that it had potential. I thought she dealt really nicely addressing the whole pro sports/toxic masculinity issue. But the writing and the characterization just killed this story for me....more
This one didn't appeal to me quite as much because mostly I didn't relate to Cami as much and I thought Lief might have been a bit too laid back. As tThis one didn't appeal to me quite as much because mostly I didn't relate to Cami as much and I thought Lief might have been a bit too laid back. As the books progress, the characters are getting younger (Book 1 starts with the oldest Bang Brother), and so I guess my age is showing because at times, I wanted to slap Cami for her wishy-washiness. Then I had to remind myself that this character just graduated college and this is a bit of a coming of age story. Although I did appreciate that both the bride and groom actually remembered their one-night, Vegas elopement. ...more
Another solid entry in the Bang Brothers series and a fun and unique way they connected Although there were some moments when Bailey wasn't my fave asAnother solid entry in the Bang Brothers series and a fun and unique way they connected Although there were some moments when Bailey wasn't my fave as I felt she got a bit whiney and needed an intervention (followed by therapy). But I like Jensen (a bit more than Jakob) and I liked how the story resolved. ...more
Book 2 I enjoyed much more. The plot worked a bit better for me and I like that he acknowledged he was judging her based on appearance, and he dealt wBook 2 I enjoyed much more. The plot worked a bit better for me and I like that he acknowledged he was judging her based on appearance, and he dealt with that. Overall, I thought the story, for what is was, was solid....more
I appreciate that most romance stories have a bit of fantasy involved (sex is never awkward the first time and always mind-blowing amazing, etc.). ButI appreciate that most romance stories have a bit of fantasy involved (sex is never awkward the first time and always mind-blowing amazing, etc.). But this story was a tad too unrealistic. He finds her on the side of the road in a wedding dress beaten and bruised with shoe imprints on her, and the next day she goes back to the house where it happened? Girl, at least take someone, anyone with you. And then like a week later they're making out. Um, what? What happened to all her injuries? Ribs, bruises, etc.? Never mentioned as if they magically disappeared. Not to mention she was *just* engaged to another man, another man who physically abused her, and there's no real discussion of the trauma she went through. Basically physical abuse was used as a convenient plot point to set-up this story. I felt that part was too easily dismissed and I didn't care for using it as a way to get them together. The runaway bride scenario could have worked without needing to throw in what I read as fairly vicious abuse.
The writing wasn't bad. Had the story and both characters been fleshed out a bit more, with a bit more care and consideration given to the abuse she suffered, it could have been a much better book. As is, it's a bit cringy given dismissive attitude towards physical abuse....more
The concept was interesting but this one quickly failed.
First, the set-up might have worked, but the whole going on the local morning show and being "The concept was interesting but this one quickly failed.
First, the set-up might have worked, but the whole going on the local morning show and being "surprised" by your muse was a bit far fetched. Especially with the morning show host cast as the stereotypical mean-girl high school villain. Except she's in her mid-30s. And then I couldn't understand how Mason "interviewed" her and apparently the mean-girl host just sat there letting him? And why was this host still so obsessed with high school? Girl, you have your own morning show. Grow up.
But that pretty much set the tone for the entire book. Flat characters who were incredibly immature for people in their mid-30s. There was no real character development, just stereotypes and they weren't particularly memorable beyond their bad qualities.
Mason's whole careless audacity didn't improve enough to become a romantic lead. And he wasn't sympathetic enough to make me root for him. He was an oblivious asshole. Sure, he wasn't a mean or calculating asshole, just oblivious. And he ignored any and all conflict, like a child, including speaking to the team therapist. Then wanted Gemma to be his "tutor" to stop being an asshole. Um, if he really wanted to stop being an asshole, then stop making the same damn mistakes. And maybe actually apologize. How hard is that? He was just completely clueless about everything. I get that he clearly had trauma from the verbal abuse from his father constantly demeaning him when he was a child (huge red flag that he actually needed therapy). But despite that Gemma saying that he was smart, Mason was just written as a dumb jock. Nothing, NOTHING in this story contradicted the dumb jock stereotype. And the hockey metaphors for romance, please stop.
Gemma, well, Gemma was a contradiction too. Apparently, she had been a badass when she was younger, but now she just comes across as a doormat. Exhibit one, she answers phone calls from her EX-husband who not only demeaned and controlled her (which she *acknowledges*), but also cheated on her. Even her mom made the comment that her family noticed but didn't intervene, but wouldn't make that mistake again. So WTF? Why answer the ex's phone calls? Either block his number or get a new number. For her to answer his calls made NO sense at all. And why did the ex even need time on the page? And yet, Gemma was constantly portrayed as confident and bold.
Seriously, OMG, a simple conversation would have solved 90% of their problems. The entire getwaway was so far-fetched, I rolled my eyes. This book had no real plot or substance. Neither of the characters' behavior and communication were stuck in high school. There was zero chemistry, just cringy juvenile lust.
And why, when the reader already knows what happened between the two in high school, did the author have to write out the entire high school flashback scene? Because it's not the prologue, it's a good 30 or 40% of the way through the book. I got to that point in the story and was so confused. I *almost* DNF'd it right there and I wish I had because it did not get better.
I do love a hockey romance and a good second chance romance, but this wasn't one.
Both narrators, Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins, were great and delivered solid performances. ...more
2.5 rounded up mostly because Andie Arndt's narration. But overall, the story is meh and really rather boring.
This is a single POV, only hearing from2.5 rounded up mostly because Andie Arndt's narration. But overall, the story is meh and really rather boring.
This is a single POV, only hearing from the female MC, Norah. Honestly, this book would have benefited from a dual POV. First, a lot of this book is Norah's internal thoughts and dialogue, which she then basically repeats to Patrick "Patty" Walsh. (As an aside, I hate the nickname "Patty" for Patrick. But that's a personal preference.) Second, Patrick is basically a stump throughout. He has limited reactions. Even the sex scenes were boring.
This story is mostly forgettable and feels more like the author's dream/journal entry on how she'd like to meet, be fake romanced, and then fall actually in love with a celebrity. The characters have no real personality, no spark. The best scene was when Patrick met Norah's grandmother—now there was a character I would've like to have seen more of.
The story lacked drama. There is no third act break-up and the ending felt rather abrupt and there is no epilogue. Really, there is no conflict, even though there were plenty of opportunities (Cole, Jack, Liv, the paparazzi). But nothing, nothing at all happened. Even the scene with Liv, in which I did appreciate Norah's spunk, fell flat because nothing really happened. There was a slight build-up for potential, but then zilch, zip, nada. People had there say and then exited stage left. It was as if Patrick just shrugged and said, okay then.
So many missed opportunities to add some spark, some drama. But this just was just fake dating romance that had all the personality of drying mud.
This is the third book of Scott's I've tried, and so far I'm not impressed. So this will probably be the last.
That being said, 5 stars for Andie Arndt's narration. She rocked it as usual, which is only why I'm giving this 3 rounded up stars. ...more