This second book of the duet was a bit of a let down for me. There was way too much repetition. FMC chapters would detail a scene (lets say something This second book of the duet was a bit of a let down for me. There was way too much repetition. FMC chapters would detail a scene (lets say something happens between 4-5pm), then the MMC chapter would go back in time to like 330 pm and explain his side from then until 630. Then her chapter picks up at 5 or 530. In some cases this could be okay, but nothing much ever happened during those slide-backs, so it was a waste of pages, and threw off the flow of the story for me. That being said, I did love that they got their HEA, and I'm totally here for how everything turned out....more
3.5 Stars This was a really short story, so I was surprised it was so good. There was a depth to the story that I wasn't expecting, and the characters 3.5 Stars This was a really short story, so I was surprised it was so good. There was a depth to the story that I wasn't expecting, and the characters were great. The H was J/P, but in a normal way (not a crazy way, like most of the books I read) and you could feel his love for the h....more
3.5 Stars This was an okay read, but it was way too long to keep my interest. I felt like some scenes were repeated and others were drawn out longer th3.5 Stars This was an okay read, but it was way too long to keep my interest. I felt like some scenes were repeated and others were drawn out longer than they needed to be. But the characters were good, and it was overall kind of sweet for a mafia book....more
The idea was here, but not the execution. Kidnapping and Stockholm is probably my favorite trope, but there was ZERO affection from the heroine at anyThe idea was here, but not the execution. Kidnapping and Stockholm is probably my favorite trope, but there was ZERO affection from the heroine at any point during this book. I'm not even sure there was any attraction that could possibly lead to affection later. His obsession didn't fall into the hawt category for me, he said he wanted her, but then completely changed her into someone other than the girl he took and claimed to be in love with. Not only that, but all of the good tropes that dark romance readers crave, they were just thrown into chapters. It seemed like every Hero chapter, another trope/kink was given. There was no buildup, the kink/trope would just appear, then not be mentioned again in future chapters. Had this trilogy been together as 1 book, or maybe even a duet, it might have come together for me. But as is, I just don't see how there will ever be a believable relationship between these two. And based on how it started, I don't care enough to see how it ends. ...more
3.5 Stars I was disappointed in this one, after how amazing the first book was. I wasn't bored, but it has a theme that I don't like reading - a main 3.5 Stars I was disappointed in this one, after how amazing the first book was. I wasn't bored, but it has a theme that I don't like reading - a main character basically being under the thumb/taken advantage of by someone outside of the relationship. It was a lot, but I wasn't ever feeling like I wanted to DNF it. Though there were times where I was sure that I wouldn't be finishing the series/last book. But that last chapter, it might have just got to me enough, that I need to know how it all turns out!...more
3.5 Stars For sure, a refreshingly new plot to me. But I don't know how much I enjoyed it. I didn't mind that there were essentially other men through3.5 Stars For sure, a refreshingly new plot to me. But I don't know how much I enjoyed it. I didn't mind that there were essentially other men throughout, and I loved the side characters/co-workers. The writing was good too. But I think there needed to me more depth into their history/past in order for me to enjoy it more. Overall, a good story, but not great for me....more
4.5 Stars I loved every bit of this, right from the first sentence telling me the main character was an unreliable narrator. I was drawn in from the pr4.5 Stars I loved every bit of this, right from the first sentence telling me the main character was an unreliable narrator. I was drawn in from the prologue, and still trying to figure out what was going on for most of the book. There was bit towards the end that seemed a little predictable to me, or at least, I figured it out, but there is still some mystery going on with it, so I didn't mind. I was a little shocked by something that happened at the end, but I'm excited to see where that goes and the fallout of it. Can't wait to get to the next book!
The only thing that I hated in this book, was the trafficking. I knew it was there before starting, but it's a theme that I can't stand, and I hate reading about it. It was giving very heavy Epstein/Maxwell vibes, and I couldn't get past the ick vibes from it. The writing and storytelling it top-notch, so I'm hoping that it will end will, but man did those bits get to me....more
I think that I had high expectations for this read, maybe too high. And while it was a good read, there was just something that I didn't connect to. MI think that I had high expectations for this read, maybe too high. And while it was a good read, there was just something that I didn't connect to. Maybe how quickly these guys connected and got past the bullying? There wasn't really any build up there. And I don't think that there was enough depth to Asher when the chapters were told from his POV. But I loved Oakley and his peeps (the sister, friend and neighbor.) The baddies in the story were the kind that I absolutely hate, and while you know who they are from the get-go, you still root for them to get their comeuppance throughout the book. Overall, an okay read though....more
I liked the romance between the h and her vampire. And I also liked the scenes at the heat clinic, but never really felt a romantic connection betweenI liked the romance between the h and her vampire. And I also liked the scenes at the heat clinic, but never really felt a romantic connection between the pack and our h. It felt to me like she was settling for them because she couldn't be with James, and because she physically needed them (their knots) to live. There was also an underlying but blatant speciesism (racism) that I didn't like or want to read about. Overall, an okay book. Definitely steamy, but I feel like it would have been better and rated higher, had it just been about the initial couple...more
2.5 Stars I wanted a paranormal listen, and this blurb sounded really good and unique, so I grabbed the audiobook from AudiblePlus. I loved the idea o2.5 Stars I wanted a paranormal listen, and this blurb sounded really good and unique, so I grabbed the audiobook from AudiblePlus. I loved the idea of the monsters in the dreams, and also loved the seemingly budding relationship with the doctor in the asylum. Unfortunately for me, the dreams and the asylum parts (why I had grabbed the book) quickly faded out. What felt like immediately, she was pulled into the paranormal world, and everything I had been looking forward to reading about, was over. Not only did that disappoint me, I didn't realize until almost the end of this book, that it was a series and not a standalone. There was a bit of a twist at the end that I really enjoyed, and I think that if I hadn't already been so annoyed with the book by then, I would have been excited to read the next book. But because of the already mentioned issues, and the fact that I HATED the narration of the audiobook, if I do someday decide to continue, it would be by ebook, not audio. her voice was good, and I thought perfectly suited the character, however she had bad pronunciations on words, saying: anything (en-uh-thang), everything (ev-ruh-thang), been (bean). And for some reason, those words seemed to be said constantly, just annoying me more....more
3.5 Stars I really loved this book, but it wasn't the romance that won my heart. It was the found family. Loved that Jade found her people. Her brother3.5 Stars I really loved this book, but it wasn't the romance that won my heart. It was the found family. Loved that Jade found her people. Her brothers and dad and bestie. The relationship with Dmitry was almost secondary. I wasn't invested in it at all, but could have read about the others for hundreds more pages. I honestly think that I would have loved the book just as much (maybe even more?) had there been no romance at all. I don't say this often, because I often feel like things are/wound be lost in translation, but this is a book [series] that I would love to be made into a television series. ...more
3.5 Stars I liked the characters and the story, and the narration was great. I wish we could have had more on page regarding the H & h meeting, and th3.5 Stars I liked the characters and the story, and the narration was great. I wish we could have had more on page regarding the H & h meeting, and their early days. But it wasn't necessarily needed. I loved the way things turned out with the other family, it is rare to find the story take a turn like that, and it was appreciated by this reader. I loved the relationship between Kat and her Daddy, there is just something about a man who will love a child like his own even when it's not. ...more
2.5 Stars This started out so good for me! There was tension and mystery and darkness. All good stuff. But as it went on, more and more things felt li2.5 Stars This started out so good for me! There was tension and mystery and darkness. All good stuff. But as it went on, more and more things felt like they were left out. (view spoiler)[WHY were her parents killed (because I kept waiting for something bad they did, but as far as I can tell, it was just because they tried to keep their 8 year old from being kidnapped), did the other boy who was killed by the H actually like her or was he douchey and a bad guy (seemed like he was a nice guy with a crush, and thus an innocent who was killed,) was the "friend" actually attacked by the H or did she attempt suicide again (because the friend was adamant the day before that she wasn't in that headspace.) (hide spoiler)] As the book was written, the Hero Enzo come off as nothing more than a (view spoiler)[pedophile (he says many times that he was in love with her from the moment she was born, and when he kidnaps her at 8 years old, he couldn't wait to have her anymore (hide spoiler)], and the heroine is nothing more than a (view spoiler)[bitch. She has no emotion when people around her die/almost die, nor when she finds out why/how her parents died, FOR NO REASON she drugs and essentially breaks the heart of the aunt who protected, loved and raised her. (hide spoiler)] She isn't unique or enigmatic or even likable. I didn't relate to her on ANY level, and honestly, didn't want to....more
3.5 Stars I enjoyed this one. I haven't read the initial series by Aurora Rose Reynolds, and was worried that I would be missing things, but it read w3.5 Stars I enjoyed this one. I haven't read the initial series by Aurora Rose Reynolds, and was worried that I would be missing things, but it read well as a standalone. I loved his relationship with Beck, and immediate connection to the baby. They were a cute couple, and his devotion to her family was awesome. But overall, it didn't feel like anything overly special, as far as the story went. ...more
This was a really intriguing plot, and it was well written. There is something major that happens at the end, just before the cliffhanger, that still This was a really intriguing plot, and it was well written. There is something major that happens at the end, just before the cliffhanger, that still has be thinking on the concept of it, days later. I loved the realism of the idea of that scene.
I don't know that I felt any sort of love from 2 of the 3 main characters. As the story will continue in the next book, I assume that that will turn around, but I wanted to at least feel something from them. I'm not sure if I was interested enough in the couple (throuple) to pick up the next book or not. ...more
I needed something quick to pass my night, and this was surprisingly good to have been so short. It was feeling like a complete story, with lots of deI needed something quick to pass my night, and this was surprisingly good to have been so short. It was feeling like a complete story, with lots of detail, until I got to the end and realized that it was going to end on a cliffhanger. While I really enjoyed the story, I'm not sure if I will pick up the next book. ...more
I'm rating this 3stars, which is Meh or just okay on my personal scale, but as I think on it, I really didn't enjoy it. The whole idea of the reprograI'm rating this 3stars, which is Meh or just okay on my personal scale, but as I think on it, I really didn't enjoy it. The whole idea of the reprogramming was horrifying and just gave me the creeps. Then both parts of the couple had times they cheated. It was a confusing writing style, with some of her parts told in past tense and others in present, as well as each main character having 2 separate beings within themselves, making them sometimes refer to themselves as I/my at points but then she/her at other times. I just didn't like it. And I felt the story was too long, it could have easily ended after the first main conflict (The Hunt) was concluded....more
3.5 Stars This one started out strong for me, but then about midway through, got kind of boring. I wanted more, and after at least a year of seeing th3.5 Stars This one started out strong for me, but then about midway through, got kind of boring. I wanted more, and after at least a year of seeing this recommended in my book groups, I was expecting way more from it as well. It wasn't a bad story, it was just a let down after such high hopes.
Also, about the writing, there were WAY too many words italicized. Multiple per paragraph sometimes. Things do not need to be emphasized that often, it takes away from the things that need to be. And a lot of them didn't make sense to have emphasis on them. It was really annoying. I have read this author before and don't remember this being a problem, but if I notice it in the next book of hers, I will probably rethink picking her up again, it was that annoying....more
I have loved this world, and was excited to return for this last installment. The beginning quarter of the book was a bit of a let down, as it mostly I have loved this world, and was excited to return for this last installment. The beginning quarter of the book was a bit of a let down, as it mostly recapped things that have happened in the previous 3 books, but it was done at an accelerated rate. But once we got into the meat of Sammy and Evan, I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure that Evan was as crazy as Sebastian, but he was right up there. I could have done with a bit more of that crazy to be on page, and for the girls to bite back a bit more, but overall, it was a satisfying read.
There was an author note that the series/world isn't done, and I'm very excited about that, but don't know who else could get a book out if, and I don't tend to like the compilation type books that read like an epilogue for all of the separate couples. ...more