This was very sweet but a couple of days later I’m trying to remember what this book was about. Clearly I retained little but I do remember enjoying iThis was very sweet but a couple of days later I’m trying to remember what this book was about. Clearly I retained little but I do remember enjoying it for the most part. ...more
Gah I loved so much of this book! I ate it up!! The animosity was palpable but so was the heartache!! Brody and Jessa were aching for each other!!
ThisGah I loved so much of this book! I ate it up!! The animosity was palpable but so was the heartache!! Brody and Jessa were aching for each other!!
This, just like book 1, was wayyyyyy toooooo looooong! Too much redundant internal dialogue. I also didn’t like the way the “secret” was handled with Seth BUT I suppose it had to be done in order to set up his book.
The slow burn was burning and then it was just fire. So much sex again and don’t get me wrong - I’m a big fan - but it drew out an already overly long story.
The age thing when they were young didn’t sit quite right with me even if Brody didn’t act on anything. It was a bit icky. I didn’t ever feel like it was predatory but I did wish Jessa hadn’t been that young. ...more
3.5⭐️ - I did enjoy quite a bit of this book but there were a few things that really turned me off. The weird fight between Celeste and Missy at the t3.5⭐️ - I did enjoy quite a bit of this book but there were a few things that really turned me off. The weird fight between Celeste and Missy at the tattoo shop was so crass and unnecessary, lacked any level of class on Celeste’s part and felt so misogynistic- the kind of verbal fight a man would think women would have over him. It didn’t fit Celeste’s personality at all.
The third act breakup was so forced. These two have this huge breakthrough communicating and then it’s like Celeste completely forgets.
I always find the inclusion of “fashion” into books so weird and unrealistic. I don’t think any research went into this aspect. As if modeling naturally makes one a designer and business owner. I think not.
The epilogue was cute I guess but I don’t think it worked for these two. They never did have that convo about more kids. And every single female being pregnant at the same time was so dumb. I guess they’re all just incubators. I would also say the author made two of the characters pregnancies their whole personalities in this book. Lame. Women can be mothers and so many other things at once. ...more
Unfortunately this did not capture the emotion I think the author intended. She opted to forgo taking a deep dive into the trauma and depression RomanUnfortunately this did not capture the emotion I think the author intended. She opted to forgo taking a deep dive into the trauma and depression Roman faced. She completely left out anything regarding his work with a psychologist and sugar coated the physical pain and mental hurdles of his physical therapy.
The “forbidden” aspect was not present. It was just a selling point for the book but was so poorly done it left me rolling my eyes.
There were moments of good chemistry but the MCs really just read as friends.
3.5 - While I did like the first 40%, it just didn’t hold much interest for me. The emotions throughout the first part of the book were so thoughtfull3.5 - While I did like the first 40%, it just didn’t hold much interest for me. The emotions throughout the first part of the book were so thoughtfully written and compelling. Unfortunately, I lost interest and the mystery didn’t hold my attention.
I did like the MCs. I just wanted more emotion throughout the book. I suppose it was a bit unbalanced for my liking. ...more
2.5 - This was kind of meh for me and I think the only reason it's getting this rating is the narration. This was kind of dull with not enough underst2.5 - This was kind of meh for me and I think the only reason it's getting this rating is the narration. This was kind of dull with not enough understanding of why the MCs got divorced in the first place. It all seemed to fall into place with little discussion and only a few days of reconnecting. I also didn't understand why if they were co-parenting a minor they had virtually no interaction for 5 years. The letters made no sense - he surely would've let her know that he'd be in a life threatening work environment so out of pocket for a while. Wouldn't the son tell his mom as well since no one would be at his dad's house?
The "fighting" towards the end was so forced and contrived. There just wasn't enough substance on either side - to fully understand the divorce and or how they could just jump back in after no talking for years.
Pet peeve: the math seemed off - if their son is 18 and she got pregnant at 17, then she'd be 35 at the youngest but she's repeatedly mentioned as 33. These kinds of discrepancies are so distracting. ...more
If you’re interested in this series, you should know these aren’t romances. What you will get is a love story. It’s messy and sad oftentimes and has lIf you’re interested in this series, you should know these aren’t romances. What you will get is a love story. It’s messy and sad oftentimes and has little resolution. The relationship between Hazard and Somers is never easy. Both men are complicated and so frustrating. Each book unravels more of their histories and scars. While there is some relief when each “secret” is revealed, so much is quite tragic.
This particular book’s case revolves around a cult. You will get a lot of religious rhetoric spewed by shady, power hungry psychos. It’s wildly chaotic and so disturbing! But boy is it addictive to read!...more
Overall I really enjoyed this. I’m still on the fence about the younger narrator - her “French” accent was not good. But what do I know.
I’m still undOverall I really enjoyed this. I’m still on the fence about the younger narrator - her “French” accent was not good. But what do I know.
I’m still undecided about Anson…his behavior and the way he jumped to conclusions (for DECADES) was really offputting. Solene deserved better from him, especially considering what a villain his father was (and intentionally so.)
Yes, there were a lot of conveniences but the element of magic was always underlying so it did make sense in the context of this book ...more
MM has been such a miss for me for the past year or so. Nearly everything coming out lacks any finesse, most is so gimmicky, and there’s no substance.MM has been such a miss for me for the past year or so. Nearly everything coming out lacks any finesse, most is so gimmicky, and there’s no substance. But Gregory has given me life and I have desperately needed it. This series is all of the things I adore. The thing is these are books with spice but are not spicy books. Gregory does not sacrifice quality just to get in more sex. There are actual stories here with deeply thought out and well developed characters and plot.
Auggie and Theo absolutely wrecked me!! I love these two so much!...more
4.5⭐️ - this was so emotional!!! I loved the characters and the pacing. It kept me on the edge of my seat! It was definitely traumatic but the HEA WAS4.5⭐️ - this was so emotional!!! I loved the characters and the pacing. It kept me on the edge of my seat! It was definitely traumatic but the HEA WAS WORTH IT!!
Ash was a dream. He was such a good man. Pearl was so sweet and kind. They were so wonderful together. I even think Dylan was better in this book than in book 1. We got so much more of his actual character as a person.
4.5 - I loved this. The way the flashbacks were done really captured how innocent and insecure Violette was and why Rowan (and ultimately his betrayal4.5 - I loved this. The way the flashbacks were done really captured how innocent and insecure Violette was and why Rowan (and ultimately his betrayal) had such an impact on her. I also love how Rowan was such a true soul in his reasons and actions. He was put in an impossible situation. I was so glad the author allowed both characters to have their truth while also facing up to fallout from years earlier. I also loved how Rowan was such a protector and Violette didn't tolerate fools for long. They absolutely made sense and their second chance was well worth it....more
3.5 - this was fine but it didn’t pack the emotional punch I wanted. I really wanted more out of Hudson’s story and his perspective but he was so stif3.5 - this was fine but it didn’t pack the emotional punch I wanted. I really wanted more out of Hudson’s story and his perspective but he was so stiff for the majority of the book. There were scenes that were glossed over that really needed his POV so more impactful insights were missed. ...more
This one finally gave me more of the emotional depth I’d been needing. I wish the angst that was in this book had been present in the others. I did enThis one finally gave me more of the emotional depth I’d been needing. I wish the angst that was in this book had been present in the others. I did enjoy this one overall! I still feel like I wanted more from Hudson but he gave more vulnerability toward the end and it was pretty good!...more
I wanted to love this and I can overlook a lot when I connect with the characters BUT I loathe the “heart failure” plot device. Using terminal illnessI wanted to love this and I can overlook a lot when I connect with the characters BUT I loathe the “heart failure” plot device. Using terminal illness as a big reveal feels ick and then to have the MC withhold that info so they don’t hurt the other person is a kind of logic I can’t pretend to enjoy. Yes because just dying is so much easier…I know this isn’t real life but there is nothing romantic about keeping someone in the dark and not allowing them to love their partner thru their hardships.
Once again the pacing was all kinds of nonsense. The mad dash at 75% is a weird choice. And the villains were more over the top than in fantasy books. Give me a break. There was zero reason for Jason to call Aaliyah a whore or for Walter to be so mean to her and belittle her. Marie was just a mess. The weird chick who cheated with Jason - like why was she so dumb and cruel? And why was Jason’s cheating never used against him especially when they talk about him leaving Aaliyah on their wedding day.
Then there’s the issue of allowing Damon, who is like 18, the chance to run a major real estate office…because he can dig up dirt? And he knows everything but the FBI isn’t aware of Walter???
The interview…where was any of that?? And then reading the article felt like such a bizarre non story. ...more
There was absolutely no reason for this story to be this long. So many chapters that didn’t progress the plot or develop the characteThis was not it.
There was absolutely no reason for this story to be this long. So many chapters that didn’t progress the plot or develop the characters. This should’ve been maybe half this length
The darn kid made me want to scream. The way the characters handled her secret was offensive. To keep the mother in the dark for that long while enabling a brat was infuriating. This kid was a jerk. She wasn’t endearing in any sense. She was the child and yet every adult followed her rules and what she wanted.
The overall relationship between the sisters and mother was awful, as well as the tacky reveal at over 90%. It felt so cheap and the fact that Allie decided to grow a spine when she wasn’t even going head to head with someone in their right mind and physical prime was lame.
I really didn’t like that the men were the likable ones in this and every single female character was abrasive or a doormat. I hate how Allie treated Hudson so callously when the big secret came out when it wasn’t his fault or responsibility to make her feel better.
I did like moments of the romance early one but didn’t necessarily feel the connection. I even skipped the final intimate scene. I just didn’t care at that point.
The audio was really well done but certainly not a reason to listen since the story is so lacking....more
This was great audio! Overall, I really enjoyed this. There were a few parts that dragged on. I liked both characters but I do wish they would’ve had This was great audio! Overall, I really enjoyed this. There were a few parts that dragged on. I liked both characters but I do wish they would’ve had more time together throughout the years - or have their times together be for longer periods. I feel like there needed to be a more connection to really pull off the “wrong time” aspect.
The guilt around the snake bite was odd but the fact the snake bite, of all things, happened in the first place was weird.
I have nothing good to say. I made it to 20% and couldn’t take it anymore. The set up was bad and made zero sense. And the characters were terrible. NI have nothing good to say. I made it to 20% and couldn’t take it anymore. The set up was bad and made zero sense. And the characters were terrible. None of them were likable at all. Big dick and tattoos does not make a compelling character. Those are also not personality traits. The FMC was so lame. Who wants to marry a guy that so easily and callously says it’s fine to fuck your (soon to be) ex just to grab some cash. Also lame. Like make this shit hard. Make it seem like there’s something to lose - something actually worth losing. ...more
This was everything I hoped it would be! It was so complex and filled with overwhelming emotion. The bond between Oraya and Raihn was beautiful but itThis was everything I hoped it would be! It was so complex and filled with overwhelming emotion. The bond between Oraya and Raihn was beautiful but it was also extremely layered. Oraya's anger towards him mad it so much more powerful in the way she was able to finally come to terms with what Raihn did and the man she discovered her father to be. The layers of grief, parental disappointments, old secrets and a fear of vulnerability added depth and interest to this story. I really had no idea how the author was going to be bring Oraya and Raihn back together given the severe chasm that separated them. ...more