3.5 Stars I love this author and was excited to try an MM book by her, but this one just didn't work for me. The family entrigued me, and I wish we'd h3.5 Stars I love this author and was excited to try an MM book by her, but this one just didn't work for me. The family entrigued me, and I wish we'd have seen more of them. I loved the idea of a mafia story with two alpha male leads. Unfortunately, I don't think that either of these two were very macho. Between the two of them, they spent half the book injured and recovering from jumpings, stabbing, and shootings, which made them seem incompetent. And for two guys supposedly raised and trained in the mob life, it just didn't work. Add in the constant back and forth with their feelings and internal debates throughout the entire book, I just didn't enjoy this one....more
It wasn't predictably, but I started thinking about halfway through this book, "...what if ____ is how things areSuch a satisfying end for these two!
It wasn't predictably, but I started thinking about halfway through this book, "...what if ____ is how things are going to turn out...?" and it turned out that my thoughts were right. It was how I wanted things, so it was a lovely turn of events. I loved the characters, and there are a couple of the side characters that I would love to see more of, particularly Benson Bennett getting his own book. Livy was also a dream, and I wouldn't mind a little novella of her story.
I have no complaints about this series, it was great, but this last book was a bit long, and it read that way. There were points where I felt like it was dragging a bit, but while I thought things like that, the storyline was always buzzing, non-stop action throughout, so I'm not sure why I felt like.
The audiobooks were so well done (and in Duet narration!) which drew me in even more than had I just read them. ...more
Re-read before release of book 3: I'm removing the 3.75 and making it a solid 4 stars. I liked it more with this second read. The audio was great, and Re-read before release of book 3: I'm removing the 3.75 and making it a solid 4 stars. I liked it more with this second read. The audio was great, and I am excited to see what happens next after that explosive cliffhanger!
3.75 Stars Picking up where we left off in the previous book, Coerced Wife takes us on many ups and downs, with lots of push and pull. I wasn't really a fan of how much back and forth there was, but the connection that I feel between these two, I don't even care about it. I love them and their story, and can't wait to find out how it all come together in the last book....more
I love these two! The tropes suit their story perfectly, and I can't wait to read more of them in the rest of the series. The forced relationship is dI love these two! The tropes suit their story perfectly, and I can't wait to read more of them in the rest of the series. The forced relationship is delicious, and I'm here for her animosity and his already obvious obsession.
I'm knocking a star off due to a writing style issue. There are a lot of non-US words and phrases used throughout, and while I am familiar with them, they don't fit the characters who are American and haven't been to the foreign countries who would use them. Things like saying grade one or grade 12 instead of first or twelfth grade, biscuit instead of cookie, etc. It probably won't ruin the story for many other readers, but every time I caught one, it pulled me out of the story, because it just doesn't fit with who the characters are. But it didn't steal my love of the story itself, just something that bothered me. I cannot wait for the next book, and to see how these two will get their HEA!...more
I have loved this series, and have WAITED for Rory/Phin through each book, watching on tenterhooks as their hate has built up. Unfortunately, once revI have loved this series, and have WAITED for Rory/Phin through each book, watching on tenterhooks as their hate has built up. Unfortunately, once revealed, I found the reason for that hate to be a serious let down. And the immature and unbelievable miscommunications that went on between these two for the rest of the book, it just irritated me more. There were also too many continuity issues, both within the series and the entire MD world. Lastly, everything seemed to happen too fast (ie, falling in love after one kiss), and there were time jumps that made us miss us out on the connection that was built between these two. So far, this one is my least favorite in the series, which is extra hard for me say, as I was really excited for this match-up.
Merged review:
I have loved this series, and have WAITED for Rory/Phin through each book, watching on tenterhooks as their hate has built up. Unfortunately, once revealed, I found the reason for that hate to be a serious let down. And the immature and unbelievable miscommunications that went on between these two for the rest of the book, it just irritated me more. There were also too many continuity issues, both within the series and the entire MD world. Lastly, everything seemed to happen too fast (ie, falling in love after one kiss), and there were time jumps that made us miss us out on the connection that was built between these two. So far, this one is my least favorite in the series, which is extra hard for me say, as I was really excited for this match-up....more
4.25 Stars I believe that this was my first read by this author, though I have a few of her books. I was pleasantly surprised. It did take a while to 4.25 Stars I believe that this was my first read by this author, though I have a few of her books. I was pleasantly surprised. It did take a while to get into the story, but after a while, I realized that I was. At first. I thought it was that the writing seemed kind of juvenile, but it really wasn't, it was more that the characters were still in high school, and the setting was in the late 1990s, when kids in high school were a bit more naive than they are now, and I just wasn't used to that mentality. I do think that the setting should have been mentioned at the start of the book, and maybe the movie references at the start of most chapters was supposed to represent that, but that wasn't clear to me until I was more than halfway through, so they just confused me. The story itself, it's a pretty standard rich kid/poor kid, but there was something extra here, that I really loved, and I'm not sure that I know what exactly it was. The hero was certainly in the morally grey category, and most, if not all of the sexytime scenes were noncon-ish or extremely dubious. And I was SO here for that. The heroine was a little annoying at times, with her indecision, and I didn't at all believe that the Hero and heroine's brother were best friends as they kept stating, but something about the book just worked. I'd happily read more from this world, and hope that we get books for all of his friends. ...more
3.5 Stars Loved it! There isn't much more to say about it. I would have loved for it to have been longer, but the story didn't require that, it felt q3.5 Stars Loved it! There isn't much more to say about it. I would have loved for it to have been longer, but the story didn't require that, it felt quite complete as it is. I can't wait to get to Landon and Sophia's story, that bit at the end of this book really sold me on them....more
3.5 Stars A good mafia story, with lots of action. But I think I didn't enjoy it as much as previous books by this author. Parts of the story seemed di3.5 Stars A good mafia story, with lots of action. But I think I didn't enjoy it as much as previous books by this author. Parts of the story seemed disjointed, and others seemed obvious when I think they were meant to be twists. But I loved the couple, and parts of the mystery were engaging. Overall, a good read, just not my favorite....more
4 stars for spice/story, 1 star for audiobook narration
I liked this story, and the steam was high, especially for a historical. Based on the series n4 stars for spice/story, 1 star for audiobook narration
I liked this story, and the steam was high, especially for a historical. Based on the series name, I expected a bit more discipline, but as someone who isn't really into that, it was a perfect amount. I wasn't a fan of Gabrielle, but can't wait for her to get her comeuppance in the next book.
Listening to the audiobook was awful, and I'm honestly not sure why I didn't give up on it. The narrator had an okay voice, but there were issues with the sound/background noise and his female voicing was just comical. It also seemed like he wasn't British, as quite a few of the historical words were mispronounced and it often seemed like there was no accent used in places. If I hadn't received the audio as a gift, I would have been very annoyed at wasting a credit or my money on it....more
3.5 Stars Quiet Types was a slow burn story, that had a lot of heart and emotions. I loved these two, and loved them together. And I liked the [positiv3.5 Stars Quiet Types was a slow burn story, that had a lot of heart and emotions. I loved these two, and loved them together. And I liked the [positive] side characters, particularly Rhys, amd am curiousabout his story.
That said, I was missing the fun that I normally get from this author's books. It seemed like it was one depressing thing after another for the heroine, and I just wanted her to get a Win! Even when she was happy with her job and family, we were just told "I like my job" but never got to see her be happy in it, and I don't think we got to see enough of any of her siblings, which left me feeling like something was unresolved....more
I have really mixed feelings about this series. On the one hand, I feel like Damon and Sophia may have been my least favorite couple in the whole MidnI have really mixed feelings about this series. On the one hand, I feel like Damon and Sophia may have been my least favorite couple in the whole Midnight Dynasty world, but on the other, these books contained some of my favorite Morelli moments. I loved the family dinners and interactions with all of the siblings. BUT, it also seemed like all of the siblings [and parents] that we saw the most, they were written differently than they have been portrayed in all of the previous books, which was a little confusing.
This last bit isn't really about this book (or the Violent Delights trilogy) but I have been missing the basis of the world lately. There was ZERO mention of the Constantine's at all during this trilogy. And though we did get some insight into Sarah and Bryant, this close to the end, it feels like things should be coming together a little more than they have been in the last few books....more
*Happy sigh* Angelo and Sabella finally get their HEA. And it was one heck of a journey getting there. These last two books had their relati4.5 Stars
*Happy sigh* Angelo and Sabella finally get their HEA. And it was one heck of a journey getting there. These last two books had their relationship evolving into directions that I wasn't expecting, and it was EVERYTHING. This book was longer than the others, so we really got to enjoy it more. There were more interactions with the kids, which is something I really wanted after book 3.
If I had anything negative to say, it would only be that I feel like there should have been an extra content/trigger warning. There IS a list at the beginning of each book, but there was something that happened in this one, that is huge, and while I was okay with it, it is something that some people would have liked to know in advance that they may need to avoid. ...more
4.5 Stars Once again, we pick up with Sabella and Angelo right where we left off. And while I don't think their relationship really advanced all that m4.5 Stars Once again, we pick up with Sabella and Angelo right where we left off. And while I don't think their relationship really advanced all that much during this book, it has been my favorite of the series so far. I think that the addition of Sophie, and even Johan, made their story better, gave them the growth that they needed. There are some mysteries going on in the background, and I can't wait to find out what is happening there, as well as getting to the happy ending for our couple. The next and last book can't come soon enough!...more
*Before getting to the review, I have to acknowledge the best thing ever: a recap of the previous book at the beginning of this one! More authors need*Before getting to the review, I have to acknowledge the best thing ever: a recap of the previous book at the beginning of this one! More authors need to do this for continuing series!
Hate Like Honey picks up where Love Like Poison left off, and jumps straight into the action. There was a lot going on in this book, at one point I started to think it was too much, but now that I'm done, I wouldn't have changed any of it. As the title suggests, there is a lot of hate happening within these pages, very little love. But it's all part of the process, and again, I wouldn't change it. I was sad for both Angelo and Sabella, and could relate to each of them and the emotions they went through. I can't wait to see how things will come together in the last 2 books, because I am ready for them to get their HEA....more
3.5 Stars This is a weird one for me to rate. On the one hand, I had almost zero interest in the couple, and found myself skimming over the parts wher3.5 Stars This is a weird one for me to rate. On the one hand, I had almost zero interest in the couple, and found myself skimming over the parts where they were 'together,' and instead zoned in on the parts about the murder mystery and the memories and interactions with Sophia's family. There was insight into the Morelli family that we haven't previously seen. And some characters were portrayed in a slightly different way than in other books, but I can write that off as the different Morelli children having different memories and perspectives.
I had originally rated this one as a 3.75 (which is high for me for the middle books in this series) but after chatting with a friend, she pointed out things that I was overlooking, such as the writing, which was almost unsophisticated in a way. And there were minor errors throughout, but that can be overlooked because it was an ARC that I read, and maybe they will be corrected before being published. But the part that really had me dropping the quarter star, was towards the end, it was too rushed. one minute we were at the climax of the story, then instead of walking us through it, the next chapter jumped weeks ahead and just glossed over what happened. This is something that always bothers me, time jumps, but especially when it's important details we are missing out on. Then the next thing we know, we're at the end of the book and are left with a cliffhanger that [storyline wise] just came out of nowhere. It left me feeling like we were missing something, and it would have been better to just stop the book at the climax a few chapters before. The end just felt too flustered and rushed for my liking.
But all of that being said, I am excited to see what the next book brings, if only for more bits of my favorite family....more
Angelo and Sabella are gearing up to be my favorite Charmaine Pauls couple. This was book 1 in a 4 book series, and seemed a bit of a slow burn, but wAngelo and Sabella are gearing up to be my favorite Charmaine Pauls couple. This was book 1 in a 4 book series, and seemed a bit of a slow burn, but when you consider that this was only a quarter of their story, it went at a good pace. I loved his possessiveness, and for once, I really loved her naivety.
There were a few small things that I wished would have happened, like someone telling Sabella about the arrangement (there just didn't seem to be a good reason for keeping it from her), but I really enjoyed the book even with my wished changes. The cliffhanger isn't a relationship cliffie, more of one for the bigger storyline, but even that is more about what will come next, as I'm pretty sure that everyone is aware of the who and why behind it. That being said, I cannot wait to jump into the next installment when it comes out next month....more
I have to admit, I went into this one thinking I wasn't going to like it, that it wouldn't be for me. Because I'm not really into teh whole BDSM or smI have to admit, I went into this one thinking I wasn't going to like it, that it wouldn't be for me. Because I'm not really into teh whole BDSM or smex club thing. But luckily, not much of the story took place in that setting, and I found that I was really into the story once that was over. There is a lot of mention of the Morelli family, which I love to see in this world, but it's not done in a way that you'd have to have read all the previous books to know what was going on here. As I said, I'm liking this one more than I thought I would, and am excited to see where the rest of the series takes us....more
This last book in the trilogy picks up a year after the last book ended. And if I'm honest, it took me a while to get into it. I was bored for about tThis last book in the trilogy picks up a year after the last book ended. And if I'm honest, it took me a while to get into it. I was bored for about the first quarter or so of the book. But then things picked up, and I couldn't put it down! There was so much action, and lots of steam and darkness. This series was probably tied with King of Spades for the darkest of the whole Midnight Dynasty world, and I was here for it.
If I have to have a complaint, I wish that we could have interacted with previous characters, at least a little. We had a Morelli as a main character here, but never got to see that family, and there was a perfect spot where they could have made an appearance and saved the say. Because we never saw them, or the Constantines, this series is probably one of the few in this world, that can be read as a complete standalone trilogy. ...more
3.5 stars I liked Damage better than Collateral, but I still felt let down. I'm not sure why, but it just felt like something was missing from this du3.5 stars I liked Damage better than Collateral, but I still felt let down. I'm not sure why, but it just felt like something was missing from this duet, something that I needed. Still good, just not my favorite this author.
Merged review:
3.5 stars I liked Damage better than Collateral, but I still felt let down. I'm not sure why, but it just felt like something was missing from this duet, something that I needed. Still good, just not my favorite this author....more