2.5 rounded up because I thought I’d want to DNF and was intrigued enough by some twists to stay.
The length and choose your own ending intrigued me a2.5 rounded up because I thought I’d want to DNF and was intrigued enough by some twists to stay.
The length and choose your own ending intrigued me and gave me hope this would be more unique than most dark obsessive stalker romance.
Unfortunately it missed that mark and fell into the pattern of a lot of dark romance. Crazy kink moments and crazy bad guy “doing it to protect his love” moments for the shock factor that are rather unnecessary in my opinion. The tattoo, the clamps, the c*m in drinks etc that are all never mentioned again. What purpose did those scenes serve besides shock value?
We don’t have much characterization for the MMC but obsessive, strong personal moral code of delusion, and also golden retriever-esque “real” persona. And for the FMC we have the NLOG mentions, classic tragic life, longing for more from sex that no man has ever given her, and completely oblivious to MMCs intentions.
I’ve read this story 100 times and while there were attempts to give this depth and stand out traits, for me, it fell short. This may be exactly what you’re looking for! For me, this was not my cup of tea.
Writing was middle of the road. A stupid stupid pet peeve: Jayson and Jaykob shortened to Jayce and Jake. It’s so weird to me that despite the apparent Y obsession to not shorten Jaykob to Jayk. Hahaha
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
My poor heart, I’m seconds away from sobbing. But healing, happy tears.
I started this book Monday and then work got busy and I was itching to read andMy poor heart, I’m seconds away from sobbing. But healing, happy tears.
I started this book Monday and then work got busy and I was itching to read and find out about the “incident” and meet this merman!
“Getting fcked by a merman wasn’t on my to-do list for today, but I could clear my schedule for exactly that.” Same girl, same.
Her dad loves her so deeply and unconditionally and that is just so beautiful.
Louise feels like a real person and I felt the heaviness of her sadness in my soul and her peace and happiness at the end of the novella made my heart swell like the grinches.
I wish I could share my highlights, I’ll have to go back once this is released to add them to goodreads because I don’t want to forget them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This novella is the perfect thing to tide you over until the next in this series.
I really just love the way Stephanie writes her characters, even in tThis novella is the perfect thing to tide you over until the next in this series.
I really just love the way Stephanie writes her characters, even in this shorter (lust fueled) format, I’m obsessed with Kyla, Adam, and Zack.
No Rules is a wedding night escapade between Tyler’s bandmates and Charlottes cousin. And I have never wished I was invited to a wedding more lmao. There isn’t much plot but you won’t miss it because despite this being short and smutty, it’s somehow not just mindless f*ckin. (Which I love when the time calls for it!!!)
At some point in the future when this series is finished and I binge read them all in one weekend, this will be the perfect palate cleanser in between the heavier aspects of Bridge City Beats.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Sometimes a book falls into your lap at the perfect time and it feels like a sign. Without going into way too much personal detail on the internet to Sometimes a book falls into your lap at the perfect time and it feels like a sign. Without going into way too much personal detail on the internet to strangers, this book grabbed me right in the chest and ripped out so many emotions. I’m crying for the FMC, I’m cheering for her, I’m yelling at her to get it together, I feel like I could be her in another life if I had a diagnosis and better support system when I was 14.
There are so many layers to this story and the characters themselves so it felt very realistic. Even the cat, Parsnip, didn’t feel one dimensional. It’s so much more than just a romance book because obviously they’re falling in love while dancing Romeo&Juliet but they exist outside of them falling in love. It’s gut wrenching seeing two people struggle with hard shit from life, but getting to see it come full circle with support from friends, theirselves, and each other was so worth it.
A romance with ballet that’s the most realistic portrayal of ballet I’ve seen. You won’t see me rage correcting this author for an incorrect explanation of a ballet term, or for her FMC dancing the wrong roles considering her position at the company.
“Huh, I had you pegged as a Polina Semionova girl” - you had me pegged right David, I a little bit wish I still had her photos from Dance Magazine on my walls lol.
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Wow I don’t even know what to say. Once I finally had the time to pick this up I literally was unable to put it down.
This is a little outside my normaWow I don’t even know what to say. Once I finally had the time to pick this up I literally was unable to put it down.
This is a little outside my normal reading genres but the cover got me SO GOOD. And I was not disappointed. It’s long enough to give me satisfaction but wasn’t so long that I felt lost or like it was dragging.
In the first few pages I got a bit overwhelmed with the names and species but that didn’t continue and I settled into Quantrin easily despite normally glazing over in sci fi or fantasy!
I felt so much for Haez and Sonia the whole book. The world was so clear while I was reading it I felt like I was journeying alongside them in such a cool way. The world building was solid but not overly explained. There are a decent amount of alien creatures to learn along the way but they were all described well. I have to add Mephite’s to my top favorite hot fictional alien list. A literal handsome devil. Sign me up.
On one hand, I was so enthralled I wish it was longer because I want more!! But on the other, it cut out all unnecessary bullshit that usually turns me off of sci fi/fantasy so maybe I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much? Idk it was like the “just right” porridge/chair/bed for Goldilocks for pretty much every aspect and I was Goldilocks.
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We’re back in Portland in the 90s and the gang is still together! What I enjoyed so much about this is, all of our side characters are still so activeWe’re back in Portland in the 90s and the gang is still together! What I enjoyed so much about this is, all of our side characters are still so actively involved in the new story. Charlotte and Tyler aren’t the main focus but they didn’t disappear into “no longer main character in this book” territory. You could probably get away without reading the first in this series, but I wouldn’t skip it.
Again we get a fully fleshed out story between two people who are growing and working on themselves being the best they can be. I enjoyed that we get more than just a romance plot, there’s Matthew’s healing from a traumatic event, Amber dealing with family issues and new fame, everyone worrying about friend dynamics changing with a baby coming along and more! Both characters have to and WANT to grow and I love that.
At times it felt so relatable I felt personally attacked! “Avoiding problems you need to face is avoiding the life you should be living.” Okay Matthews therapist I feel like I owe you a copay now… hahahahah.
Friends to lovers is such a good trope and its easy to see how Amber and Matthew have had their own sparks there the last few years and are finally to the point where all the good what ifs outweigh the “what if it doesn’t work and I lose a friend?”
This isn’t a fluff only romance so you do have to hold out hope when depression and stubbornness prevail. But it’s not quite as dark as what happens in the first! Have faith in our characters and the good people surrounding them to help them through. The found family Amber and Matthew have in their friends give me the most punk warm fuzzies ever!
Matty does start the book in a relationship with someone else but there is NO cheating!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
A refreshingly realistic story about a throuple! The Midwest Princess of MMF romance if you will. (And I will!)
There are queer people in small towns! A refreshingly realistic story about a throuple! The Midwest Princess of MMF romance if you will. (And I will!)
There are queer people in small towns! This isn’t a story about mega rich hot people in a big glamorous city. But it’s not a sob story full of heart wrenching troubles either. There’s intimacy and light heartedness and the realities of a queer poly couple in a small town without over the top homophobia. (Sometimes I think authors go too hard with homophobia in books and y’all I deal with that enough irl, it’s nice to read about someone getting hit in the face with an umbrella by their self and not beat until they’re almost dead)
Beau, Fallon, and Jake felt like real people with nuance and flaws and huge hearts to fill with love. This book is long but nothing is unnecessary, I never felt like I was slogging through the pages.
It’s diiiiirrty but not overly sexual for no reason. You see and feel all three of them fall in love. Three people work through real shit together and we don’t get some wild deus ex machina to solve all the problems for a happily ever after. We get problem solving and happiness because they work for it. And damn if I didn’t need that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (But this is one of my go to authors and I have KU so I would have read it anyway ...more
A very human love story. The idea of last responders is so interesting to me and as someone unaware of that part of life, it read very respectful and A very human love story. The idea of last responders is so interesting to me and as someone unaware of that part of life, it read very respectful and realistic.
Decca and Gus are the goth and priest duo I didn’t know I needed! There is nothing sacrosanct about this story though. Good ol married priest sex!
I experienced so many emotions while reading this and couldn’t put it down! A roller coaster of life, death, and love. Cliche but beautiful anyway.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
An interesting billionaire/cowboy romance! She would eat the rich and he is the rich.
Good grovel, a great grovel in fact.
I spent a lot of the book thiAn interesting billionaire/cowboy romance! She would eat the rich and he is the rich.
Good grovel, a great grovel in fact.
I spent a lot of the book thinking “they wouldn’t make it in the real world” but enjoying my delulu land anyway. By the end, I was considerably less pessimistic about them making it and liked the epilogue not being a forever commitment.
Definitely looking forward to Dante’s book ...more
Holy shit I loved this book. It’s well written, funny, unbelievably believable, serious, silly, and such a good story.
I started reading this in the miHoly shit I loved this book. It’s well written, funny, unbelievably believable, serious, silly, and such a good story.
I started reading this in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep and had to force myself to put it down. I was sucked in SO FAST because the premise was so unique and well done. I’m not kidding when I say that this campy romance knocked it out of the park. I’m going back and reading this whole series now.
We have characters in their 30s who are relatable despite one being a literal superhero and a time loop. I found myself wishing I could get caught in a time loop with my own DND playing dork because it was SO GOOD!
The falling in love felt so natural and I can see why they’re together.
You have to read this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This book should have been right up my alley as a former ballet and competition dancer who loves rockstar romance. I went in excited, it’s going to beThis book should have been right up my alley as a former ballet and competition dancer who loves rockstar romance. I went in excited, it’s going to be a trilogy following an emotional roller coaster of their relationship!
The beginning really hooked me in with the magazine article about their relationship, and it was giving Daisy Jones and The Six vibes but it sadly does not live up to the expectations I had.
For starters, the lack of research is astounding. From ballet terms to drug references and everything in between.
He was offered a “bump” and received “a few grams of coke” but ONE Google search shows me that several grams of cocaine is an 8 ball and a LOT OF DRUGS to have (definitely not a bump). Weed is also referred to as smelling sweeter than tobacco and referred to as weed! This is the 80’s, and again a single Google search tells me it would have been called “mary Jane” “dope” or “grass”.
I also do not think this author knows how broken bones work because BOTH characters break their arm/wrist and are in casts for two weeks only.
Audrey is constantly referred to as a prima ballerina which the literal definition means first principal dancer which she absolutely would not have been in this company. She danced one principal role at that point in 1984 after seemingly being in the corps de ballet prior to that (the lowest level in the company). At the end of the book she is dancing another principal role so okay we’re getting closer to first principal status but at this point she would maybe be a soloist. She is also just always doing “poses” and moving her hands. She tells him “it’s called a first arabesque, a famous ballet move.” Ma’am that is one singular position. It continues “there is arabesque croisee, which means “facing the corner.”” And that is incorrect. Croisée is with the leg in the front and en croise means to the corner.
Second this is supposed to be the 80s… the only reason I know the time period is because they keep saying it in article clippings, and threw in like 3 references of Whiskey a Go Go, Mick Jagger, and a Walkman. There was no real 80s vibes or actual accuracies of clothing or slang or anything (see weed vs grass comment above)
Third is the writing. This also read weirdly similar stylistically to a book I read earlier this year. Basically it’s a brain dump of actions and short sentences with so little emotion. I felt so disconnected while reading it, it’s too much telling and NO showing. The dialogue is stunted and lacks depth. There are a bunch of flashbacks of childhoods that invoke zero emotion despite trying to give the characters depth. The description of this book has more emotion and is better written than the book. I’m so disappointed. It ends on a cliffhanger and I have no desire to see where this goes.
Maybe I’m being too harsh and picky about the lack of research, sure, I take this personally as a dancer. But the writing style is really what killed it for me. It has no heart and I don’t feel the love between the characters at all.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Unfortunately, after the book that started this series, I was left very underwhelmed by this installment and won’t be continuing the series.
I felt no Unfortunately, after the book that started this series, I was left very underwhelmed by this installment and won’t be continuing the series.
I felt no heart or connection to the characters and it felt like everything was just happening for the sake of vampire romance. The characters felt mostly empty to me, Jack/Jackie/Jaqueline being the worst offender. She has 3 men including the vampire king thirsting over her and I feel like she’s just there? Her father was a butcher and now he’s dead and her teen boyfriend broke her heart and her vampire trainer is super hot the end.
Idk why any of these men are obsessed with her but they just were.
Elias was the one I was most interested about but even the two actual vampire king chapters fell short. A real shame because I was very excited at this premise from the first novella. It feels like this is being split into multiple short books for the sake of selling more books so a lot was just filler to fluff this past 200 pages.
Would have DNFd if this wasn’t an arc.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
I have been in a vampire mood for the last two weeks and almost nothing is hitting the spot. WELL this one did and now I’m so disappointed I have to wI have been in a vampire mood for the last two weeks and almost nothing is hitting the spot. WELL this one did and now I’m so disappointed I have to wait months for the next book!
For a prequel I feel like we got so much about these characters (except maybe Gannon but he seems like a washed up frat boy so that’s fine). I am so excited to learn more about the mysterious vampire king and his deal with Jacks dad what is going to happen between Jack and Vinny.
Poor Jacqueline is already dealing with a shit hand at life and now has 3 vampires to deal with.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This book really isn’t my cup of tea. Very insta-love, these two move faster than lesbians! U-hauled before the first date. The MMC is hot/rich/big dcThis book really isn’t my cup of tea. Very insta-love, these two move faster than lesbians! U-hauled before the first date. The MMC is hot/rich/big dck and has no hobby or personality but working out, the FMC has no real personality besides being an author and having an abusive ex.
It ended rather abruptly in my opinion and I felt like the resolution was to the ex and not a satisfying conclusion to Austin and Montana falling in love. I felt like I was being told what was happening vs shown. I don’t really understand why they fell for each other.
Revenge body but actually working out for herself and to be strong/healthy is a great message even though i felt a bit icky at times on how he policed her food intake “no junk food promise me!!!”
Others may enjoy this more than me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
While this isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I could see a lot of people enjoying it more. If you like hockey romance, why choose, and insta love, this is While this isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I could see a lot of people enjoying it more. If you like hockey romance, why choose, and insta love, this is right up your alley! Despite the plot with her controlling ex husband, this is not dark at all.
It’s not a unique premise, girl is surrounded by hockey, gets hurt by a player and swears off hockey players, falls for hockey players. But it’s a good premise which is why it’s popular in romance!
I’d give this 4/5 chili peppers if that’s how you rate spice. There’s still other stuff going on but the romance and smut is more prevalent.
At the same time, I was left wanting more depth to the characters and their relationship. Certain things were harped on unnecessarily while others were glossed over.
I’m hoping if this is a series we go deeper into the current characters because a lot is left unanswered in my opinion. I’m probably going to read more if this is a series because it has a lot of potential even if I think the characters are kind of cringy.
POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW THIS POINT:
I want to preface this with the fact that I am PMSing and definitely knit picking but I have some bones to pick with this book lol
Shay & Eden are from England but Robyn is the one who’s constantly saying British English phrases. Other than Shay saying “mum”, I would have thought he was from the south and Robyn was from England.
Robyn leaving her abusive, cheating ex husband and not wanting a dime from him was just stupid. Girl take his money you were married for 5 years? Also considering you got a PHD in PR shouldn’t you have boatloads and boatloads of student debt? He also is a cartoon villain at the end which made my eyes roll.
Her relationship with her dad is understandably strained but the fact that she calls him dad or Austin confused the hell out of me and just felt weird. In the same sentence she would refer to him as dad and Austin and that is confusing for no reason.
Several cliches that I’m over were really prevalent. FMC being soooo tiny the guys shirts go to her knees, meanwhile also being so clumsy I’m legitimately worried for her safety and well being. Two MMCs who are the “dark hurt one” and the “light playful one”. And side characters who further diversity but are given no real substance… I’m looking at you bi (lesbian? It’s not clear) best friend who’s alternative and owns a bar and gay brother who always wins a bet with a nonwhite doctor husband.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
“How could she ever describe this, tantalizing, fearless hope of knowing someone for the first time and falling Thank you to the author for this ARC!
“How could she ever describe this, tantalizing, fearless hope of knowing someone for the first time and falling in love with them?”
The story of Valerie Vertigo and Mircalla Karnstein has a gothic manor, a mysterious curse, vampires, rich lady gossip, and a town angry with Mr & Mrs Vertigo because of said curse.
The reader and Valerie are in the dark about the same things, and some of the mystery unravels along the journey. You can draw some conclusions quicker than Valerie can! But not on everything.
The descriptions of the manor made me want to build it in the sims! So gorgeous.
It did leave me wanting more about the vampires, the plague, and structure of the town. Who exactly are the Vertigos to everyone? The Harkers seem richer and have sway over people but the Vertigos are more powerful. I’m hoping we find out more in future books.
I’m definitely looking forward to more from The Vertigo Legacy!
I received an ARC of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
I really enjoyed both Selene and Thor as characters! I’ve only read book one of this series prior, but I didn’t feel like I was super thrown off or loI really enjoyed both Selene and Thor as characters! I’ve only read book one of this series prior, but I didn’t feel like I was super thrown off or lost while reading book three. So the author clearly does a good job of reiterating information without fully just summarizing what happened, which can be a pet peeve of mine.
Selene on her e-reader: “Because there’s some fucked-up shit in here, and the contents of my library are between me and God.” ~she’s so me lol~
There’s a lot of action in this one, these two are badass! And I feel like I learned more about the workings of the MC and it makes me excited to see where the feud with the Caputis is going in future books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
I liked this book, I think I just wanted more. It’s a long book but it takes place only over like a week and one of the MMCs, Garth, is out of the couI liked this book, I think I just wanted more. It’s a long book but it takes place only over like a week and one of the MMCs, Garth, is out of the country for over half the time. Like he spends Friday night and Saturday morning there when the book starts the previous Friday.
Because it’s such a short timeline, I didn’t feel that deep of a connection to any of the pack like I usually do in Roxy’s books. We have 4 alphas, an omega, and a beta which is a pretty big pack to get to know and I just missed basically any relationship building. It’s a very fast paced relationship which is normal with omegaverse so I don’t know what exactly is missing but something was for me.
Like half the pack has some sort of past trauma but we only get the bare minimum of it. Idkkkk. I liked it a lot but kind of wish there would be a second one about this pack.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
The Romeo and Juliet vibes are there in the fact that they’re rival families and fall in love fast. But it wasn’t reallllly that fast, it just all hapThe Romeo and Juliet vibes are there in the fact that they’re rival families and fall in love fast. But it wasn’t reallllly that fast, it just all happens off page which was disappointing. Like to the point when they dropped the bomb that they were in love I wrote “that came out of nowhere” because they hang out at night for weeks and that’s all that’s said.
For how tough and strong Amelia is portrayed by her father and in some moments, she is also weirdly weak at the same time? She cries multiple times when Alex tells her hard truths and thinks he’s lying. Girl both of your families are mafia… it’s not that shocking your dad is lying to you.
Overall it’s a cute love story and they fight for each other a lot. I was just missing some more connection between them and I think deeper characterization. I don’t know much about Amelia or Alex other than they’re mafia kids and in love.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
**spoiler alert** I liked that these were normal people into some mask play, and “light” stalking together rather than a big bad evil guy and a woman **spoiler alert** I liked that these were normal people into some mask play, and “light” stalking together rather than a big bad evil guy and a woman who is scared but also horny lol. It is different from the mold of a lot of dark romance being released.
The fact that the FMC gives consent to the MMC prior to the CNC made me VERY happy. And despite her having another stalker, she only likes the one who she has a safe word with and discussed things. Feels like this should be a given for dark romance but it’s not! Speaking of that, while it is a bit insta lovey, you do get some romance and not just spice. Granted, it’s a novella so not a lot, but enough to make me happy.
I wasn’t a fan of his nickname for her… venti… lol but I’ll survive.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more