A lot of snark. A lot of sweet. Recipe for a happy reader.
Avalon is reunited with her high school love - who accidentally crushed her. Except now theA lot of snark. A lot of sweet. Recipe for a happy reader.
Avalon is reunited with her high school love - who accidentally crushed her. Except now they’re enemies fighting over property. They know each other well which means there are a lot of weapons in their respective Arsenals. Like all the heroes in this series Mac is a lovely combination of macho and considerate. A fabulous read in a single sitting.
A lot of snark. A lot of sweet. Recipe for a happy reader.
Avalon is reunited with her high school love - who accidentally crushed her. Except now they’re enemies fighting over property. They know each other well which means there are a lot of weapons in their respective Arsenals. Like all the heroes in this series Mac is a lovely combination of macho and considerate. A fabulous read in a single sitting.
An insecure grad student asks a man at a party to pretend to be her date whilst slut-shaming her ex’s date at the same party. The pretend dSynopsis -
An insecure grad student asks a man at a party to pretend to be her date whilst slut-shaming her ex’s date at the same party. The pretend date later turns out to be her advisor. Both of them are so sexually attracted to the other that they can no longer function as human beings. The story is written in a rotating-first-person POV that neither character is strong enough to carry. The heroine is hot-cold, hot-cold, hot-cold throughout the story as the hero pants after her. The end.
An insecure grad student asks a man at a party to pretend to be her date whilst slut-shaming her ex’s date at the same party. The pretend date later turns out to be her advisor. Both of them are so sexually attracted to the other that they can no longer function as human beings. The story is written in a rotating-first-person POV that neither character is strong enough to carry. The heroine is hot-cold, hot-cold, hot-cold throughout the story as the hero pants after her. The end.
I adored this when I originally read the first few chapters. 5 stars. But reading the entire thing now I just could not immerse myself in the story. WI adored this when I originally read the first few chapters. 5 stars. But reading the entire thing now I just could not immerse myself in the story. Whether it’s because I’m in the midst of a Veronica Speedwell thing. Or because I continue to struggle with contemporary romance. Or because I’ve read too much Laurenston I just keep thinking about other things during this read.
I like the MacKilligan sisters. I loved Charlie and Berg’s story. Here it felt like too much focus on other characters. We had at least 3 story lines going on. We had visits from a bunch of our favorite couples.
Nothing felt fresh. Everything felt frantic. And I just couldn’t get off the page and into the story.
****Review of first few chapters**** I got a little sneak preview of this from Netgalley bc the first book in this series is one of my #Bestof2018. I cannot wait to read about Stevie and Shen - and all of their friends. Laurenston is amazing and funny - telling sweet, charming stories that brighten my mood. I’m stoked for the rest of this.
Despite the fact that it made me laugh - and I read it in one sitting - there are things that are too unsexy to recover from. And this was o2.5 stars
Despite the fact that it made me laugh - and I read it in one sitting - there are things that are too unsexy to recover from. And this was one of them.
I recently read and loved Lord of Scoundrels. In it the hero is either unattractive or at least feels himself so. This is absolutely one of my favoritI recently read and loved Lord of Scoundrels. In it the hero is either unattractive or at least feels himself so. This is absolutely one of my favorite tropes. I understand that we're likely seeing the hero from the heroines perspective - and when we hear about crystal blue eyes, cheekbones that would cut glass, perfect square jaws, and 8-packs I get a little "meh." There's something about a hero that wins the heroine with his heart and his wit and his kindness rather than his hair. Because I adored LOS so much The Raven Prince was recommended to me. And yesterday I couldn't decide how I wanted to end 2018. I have quite the TBR - including Dirty Headlines, The Lion's Daughter, Bohemian, Devil in Spring and Barely Breathing. But The Raven Prince was calling to me - because it is historical, old school and has a premise I love. I don't think that I could have made a better choice. After reading it I ordered a dozen Elizabeth Hoyt books. I hope to liberally intersperse 2019 with her awesomeness. Starting with the next two books in this stellar series.
I’m not going to try for a coherent review. Just my random musings. 1) I liked the concept of the perhaps morally ambiguous heroine in a creepy scenarI’m not going to try for a coherent review. Just my random musings. 1) I liked the concept of the perhaps morally ambiguous heroine in a creepy scenario. Was it her guilt or was something going on? And did she deserve it? 2) the hero....hahahahahaha. 3) parts of this book were uncomfortable and creepy as all Hell. 4) I didn’t think the ending was crazy-pants at all. I won’t say it was a let down. But it was...weak-sauce. 5) I had a lot of fun reading this. Like a lot a lot. 6) I jiggled my leg so much while reading on the couch that my husband took to just rolling his eyes at me 7) I do not think this is a romance in any sense of the word. The “romantic” relationship was utterly and completely flat. Thus the 3 star review. 8) I’m glad I read this. I hope you read it too.
Stellar. Exemplary. A quiet book that told an important story addressing meaningful issues. Touching on consent, anxiety disorders, and what it means Stellar. Exemplary. A quiet book that told an important story addressing meaningful issues. Touching on consent, anxiety disorders, and what it means to be in charge of yourself - amongst other things. I am blown away by Kate Clayborn’s emotional IQ. Her awareness. This book is so far beyond the mediocrity and banality of contemporary romance - it’s on another level. I hope Ms Clayborn writes more - we need her.
A smoothly done story of two people drawn to one another despite a seemingly overwhelming obstacle. A common plot-line well done by Clayborn. Smarter.A smoothly done story of two people drawn to one another despite a seemingly overwhelming obstacle. A common plot-line well done by Clayborn. Smarter. Edgier. More emotional than your standard fair. Clayborn's take on traditional romance is thought-provoking as well as devoid of those sharp uncomfortable edges brought to you in many romances by gender biases or assumption of the status quo. She's a shining star in the intelligent romance world.
So I thought this was an especially interesting read given my sojourn into Grovel Porn last week. This was the opposite of that. The hero did mess up So I thought this was an especially interesting read given my sojourn into Grovel Porn last week. This was the opposite of that. The hero did mess up here, but his efforts at fixing his mistake made the entire book empowering for the heroine.
As illustrated above, I love those dramatic books where the dick hero crawls across broken glass to make up for his multitude of mistakes. I like the swooping emotions that come with hating the hero and then loving him. I enjoy my righteous indignation on the part of the heroine. "Maybe she shouldn't forgive him!" It's just so delicious to even comprehend.
But those books are fantasy. As enjoyable as the action flicks I adore where everything blows up - and just about as realistic.
There is something special, and rather magnificent, about an author that can do something without the tricks and smoke-and-mirrors of unrealistic, high-drama romance. I won't call this book "authentic" bc pretty much all stories have to have some flair injected to keep a reader's interest. No one wants to hear about the 890 texts my husband I exchanged in the beginning of our relationship. It's mundane.
However, this is one of the most tangible portrayals of two smart, successful, and slightly-damaged people falling in love. You know when you read those sassy, snappy, successful gal-about-town falls for the businessman with a huge penis and a giant bank account but a million relationship hang-ups? And you think "this is entertaining, but this doesn't really happen." These people who are perfect except one-magnified-for-the-story-hang-up aren't substantial.
Kit and Ben were concrete. This was Cerebral Porn at it's finest. A smart, strong heroine - not in the cheesy that authors generally think are "strong women" because they bitch and bicker with the hero or have a super power or some one dimensional simplification of feminine strength.
Kit took care of herself. She got counseling. She voiced when men were pushing their agenda under a cloak of "looking out for her well-being." She was strong in that she put herself first and, when she needed to, she made the grand gesture. From the first page to the last Kit and her dynamic with those in her orbit was refreshing.
I don't think I'm right or wrong in liking either of these kind of books. Or in liking any kind of books. Someone asked me what I read this week, and then instantly dismissed my answer when I said "romance." But when I look back on what I've read over the last month I'm proud. Proud of our community and our diversity. Proud to be a romance reader.
Daff was aggravating at the beginning of the book Bc she was such a total asshole. But that was weaved smoothly into the story. ALove Natasha Anders.
Daff was aggravating at the beginning of the book Bc she was such a total asshole. But that was weaved smoothly into the story. And she changed and grew. I was totally in love with her and Spence by the end.
I loved every silly minute of it. I loved that Daisy was awkward and not thin but at no point was there a miraculous makeover to fix it. I loved that I loved every silly minute of it. I loved that Daisy was awkward and not thin but at no point was there a miraculous makeover to fix it. I loved that Mason was a dickhead. I loved her insecurity and his screw ups and how damn sweet this wonderful book was.
This wasn't as good as the first one because it had way less grovel. More angst. Still - I like this author. She writes fun sad books and awesome jerkThis wasn't as good as the first one because it had way less grovel. More angst. Still - I like this author. She writes fun sad books and awesome jerkface heroes.
*The Angry Reader*
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Books:
2018
(253)
