Winning Match is a cute, low angst romance that reads like a good old romcom movie. Somehow it combines insta lust with pining and a tad of slow3.5
Winning Match is a cute, low angst romance that reads like a good old romcom movie. Somehow it combines insta lust with pining and a tad of slow burn and I was surprisingly intrigued by that. While I might have had minor issues with parts of it, I overall enjoyed my first soccer romance audiobook.
PLOT
Between the instalust, the MMCs past and the whole situation, there was a lot of potential for plot driving conflicts. While I was surprised by the ones the author chose, I was glad they didn’t take the classical paths of angst and betrayal. It is very much a sweet romance where good things happen like miracles at times and while I personally don’t love that so much, it made sense for this story.
CHARACTERS
Overall, I liked both the MMC and FMC. They had chemistry and they generally worked well together. The way their relationship evolved and they were allowed development, both individually and together, was great.
Upon closer look, I had minor issues that threw me off.
The FMC was business smart, or so it seemed, and was on her way to taking over a company, yet a lot of times I was irritated by moments that felt like unwarranted naivety that didn’t always seem to align with what else I knew of her.
The MMC has his past and has very much reflected on that. I do like that a lot, even though we don’t really see his past self, mostly just the evolved version. Which, fine by me. It allowed focus on the development necessary for these two to work.
One thing I had an issue with was their dynamic in certain situations. The ‘She’s not like other girls’ vibe or comments that felt like unreflected nagging from his end when in fact meant with love. There seemed to be some deep seated believes underlying their relationship that I don’t love.
WRITING
The writing was good, some dialogues felt a tad unrealistic but matched the romcom vibe and I overall enjoyed the style. (Though I’m still confused as to how everyone, including his abuela, speaks English and it’s not addressed once).
I liked the elements of Spanish language and culture incorporated in both plot and writing. Personally I didn’t feel like all terms for uniquely Spanish items would have needed explanation when they came from his POV but I imagine many would find it helpful.
I also loved the narration, both narrators did a great job with this one!
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Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select and Gina Azzi for an ALC of this book ...more
After Grave Dissonance and Rudimentary Distortion (which I both looooved), I was really looking forward to this one!
Symphonic Synergy is another4.5
After Grave Dissonance and Rudimentary Distortion (which I both looooved), I was really looking forward to this one!
Symphonic Synergy is another amazing book by Mila Crawford: dark and heavy, angsty and loaded, explosive and hot.
I’ll never not be impressed by the way Mila manages to write novellas that, only at first glance might appear to be focused on spice and low on plot, then always, without fail, go and slap me with the trauma and pain and layers of emotions.
Symphonic Synergy follows the dual timeline POV with flashes of the past and, much like in the other books it works so well. Not least bc Mila has an amazing understanding of exactly how much info is needed to build the connection.
The characters are the best example for that! We actually know relatively little about them but we know what’s important to make their story feel real. Nothing more and nothing less - which is how it should be imo, especially in a novella. And what we get to know is amazing!
I loved running into the guys again, but I’m glad their presence was kept to a minimum and they didn’t take away from the explosive story of Piper and Kaye.
As always, I love Mila’s writing and she has an insane talent of choosing the absolute perfect narrators. I highly recommend the audiobook for this one! (Although personally I struggle a bit with sound effects in audiobooks, they work here and understand that others loved them.)
Also I don’t usually read a lot of sapphic romance and this might just be the first one that allowed me to fully immerse myself into the story and I loved it!
Thank you Mila Crawford for an ALC of this book...more
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World comes with emotional layers, a bit of pain, and a lot of magical moments. While, despite wanting to be s3.5
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World comes with emotional layers, a bit of pain, and a lot of magical moments. While, despite wanting to be swept away, I always remained just this side of loving it, it is a good book with an intriguing premise and great writing. I love how it combines the whimsical with an urban setting.
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I very much enjoy a book that feels a little blurry and focuses heavy on the emotional impact and tragic vibes rather than feeling the need to craft a detailed picture with intense colors. Which The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is!
Sadly, it still missed the mark just so for me. It was always just ALMOST intriguing and I felt like it should have affected me more.
Conflicts occurred, twists happened and my interest was peaked several times, yet somehow it always fizzled out quickly and ended up feeling dragging again. In its entirety, it just felt a tad anticlimactic. Which is a pity because the concept is beautiful and the world building is amazing.
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CHARACTERS
While not my first sapphic read in general, this was my first sapphic fantasy and I admit, as someone someone who always immediately identifies with the FMC, it's still a bit difficult for me to remain in the movie in my head when the focus is on two female leads. However, I knew that going in and I will keep trying. And most importantly, this does not affect my rating of the book.
Both Nera and Charlie are well crafted and get their space for development. Charlie in particular is an interesting character. At first glance, her personality seems to revolve entirely around grief and her role as a sister, yet, in the contrast of those lines, the author managed to tell us exactly who Charlie is.
Nera on the other hand is feels comfortably mature in a way that shouldn’t make sense but somehow does, while still being heavily led by a very pure kind of curiosity.
A very fun addition were the dogs with their distinct characters. I loved them!
WRITING
The writing was smooth and the tone matched the story in my opinion. The way the author played with reality, both visually and with stylistic devices, was ingenious.
I also enjoyed the narration a lot.
--- Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and J.R. Dawson for an ALC of this book....more
I was influenced to finally pick up my first T. Kingfisher book and I regret nothing! (Thank you for that @mello_reads)
--- PLOT & WORLDBUILDING
The4.25
I was influenced to finally pick up my first T. Kingfisher book and I regret nothing! (Thank you for that @mello_reads)
--- PLOT & WORLDBUILDING
The story is a Snow White retelling with such an intriguing twist and I absolutely loved the approach the author took. It is one of those retellings where I went in with an idea, maybe even dared to assume an arc, only to realize that, whoops, actually things aren’t as they seem. At all.
I loved the world building, the blurred lines and the confidence of a story that doesn’t require clear distinctions and allows for different definitions of reality and anything beyond. (Wow, this is cryptic, but I REALLY don’t want to spoil anything.)
While the topic of romance has its space in a very precious, natural way, it was neither a focus nor a priority. Which, in my opinion, allowed the other influencing genres the space they needed. The focus on mystery with a very fun dive into horror aspects worked so well for the story.
MAIN CHARACTER
Anja is an amazing FMC. The entire character makes sense, her backstory and character traits, her interests, her principles. She is incredibly authentic in everything she does and says, with no intent to appear perfect.
Her curiosity, a trait that can quickly feel misplaced or imprudent, is not only absolutely valid and believable, considering her occupation, it also works great in this plot. Not least because T. Kingfisher didn’t put the entire weight of conflicts on it, even if it causes the occasional trouble.
I especially loved this considering that Anja is in her 30s. Reading about an older adult who had the time to figure out who she is and what she values was amazing. Which isn’t to say she doesn’t have her flaws and edges, just that the those make sense and align with what we know about the character.
BODY REP
I want to mention how amazing an example of representation of different body types this was in my opinion. Despite my need to give this topic quite some space, it plays a very subtle role in the book. Which is part of why, in my opinion, it worked so well.
Anja is a tall woman, larger than the thin and petite beauty ideal in every sense. And while it is clear that she has given this thought, that it might have bothered her on certain occasions, there is zero need to be falsely apologetic for not fitting that ideal. There is space to acknowledge the difference where it makes sense, without indicating that her body type makes the FMC less than. She is allowed to have the balance of having moments of self conscience while still feeling comfortable in her body.
SIDE CHARACTERS
The characters Anja encounters throughout the book, on and off page, are just as well written. Every character has a validity in their presence and, in my opinion, the author did a great job at allotting each the space needed, not overusing or neglecting anyone.
WIRITNG
The writing was immaculate. T. Kingfisher certainly knows how to craft even a complex image with words that feel meaningful yet simple, never exaggerated.
Everything in this book was on point: From the pace and conflict development to the characters and their emotions. Even the choice of narrator was perfect and I very much enjoyed the audiobook.
IN SHORT...
Hemlock & Silver is a Snow White retelling with a fun twist or two. I loved reading a story with an FMC in her 30s who is incredibly authentic and relatable. The writing is as on point as everything else and this might have been my first T. Kingfisher book but it will certainly not be my last.
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Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and T. Kingfisher for an ALC of this book....more
This was fun, yet somehow couldn't quite hold my attention.
Of Flame and Fury has such cool world building and the premise and framework feel prett3.25
This was fun, yet somehow couldn't quite hold my attention.
Of Flame and Fury has such cool world building and the premise and framework feel pretty unique. The vibe is rough and fiery and with the rivalry between FMC and MMC, this has a perfect foundation.
I think it was the plot that lost me a bit. Not because it's bad - it really has some fun twists. It's just that, although some of the details were unexpected, a lot of it felt rather predictable. It felt like I always knew which major turns were going to happen just a bit too soon before they happened. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - sometimes that's what makes a book a comfortable read. However, within this very unusual and intriguing world the author created, it left me a bit underwhelmed as I struggled to stay interested.
Which I find so sad because I think it's actually a good book! The writing is there, the conflicts make sense and aren't forced to further the plot but feel natural and the characters work, I liked the FMC, the overall way she handled things has a level of cool aloofness that tries to cover all the vulnerability she ultimately can't really hide. As for the MMC, I very much see his potential. He too has the layers and is generally well crafted and well, intriguing. I enjoyed seeing the shift of perspective on him as the FMC got to know him.
Somehow though I didn't quite feel the chemistry. Not because it wasn't there - it was definitely palpable in his actions in particular. But because I felt like it lacked padding, I think? It just happened and while it didn't come out of nowhere and was rather on the side of slow burn, I still overall felt like progress happened out of nowhere.
I very much enjoyed the audiobook version of this, the narration was actually amazing! I loved how Safiyya Ingar infused the story with so much emotion, did an impressive job at adapting her voice to the situations and breathed that extra level of life into the characters.
To sum it up, Of Flame and Fury is a fun read with a unique magic system and pretty cool world building. While the story itself might not have been one to sweep me off my feet, it was still very much enjoyable. Some aspects left me a bit underwhelmed and at times had me struggle with staying focused. yet overall I think it's worth a read and I feel like many will love this.
Thank you to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio and Mikayla Bridge for an ALC of this book....more
I love a good retelling and Scarlett St. Clair writing a Lilith story? Sign me up!
Terror at the Gates snuck up on me a bit.
The premise is almost 3.75 ´
I love a good retelling and Scarlett St. Clair writing a Lilith story? Sign me up!
Terror at the Gates snuck up on me a bit.
The premise is almost inconspicuous and could have gone either way. It were the twists and deep emotional pull that captured me. The secrets and corruption run deep in this world and although the overall problems that came with misled religious control were clear, I have a feeling there is much more that's yet to be revealed. I love the magic system and the feminine rage that fuels the power dynamics.
Although I was slightly confused by the world building at first, especially geographically, I assume this had to do with the fact that I listened to the audio and didn’t see a map if one is included in the digital/print version. However, this was only a slight hiccup in the beginning.
While the main POV lies with the FMC, the scenes from the MMC’s perspective feel like an enhancement, a bonus almost. Not least because of the way they’re incorporated in the structure.
Lilith is the kind of brash, angry FMC that I very much support - a perfect representation of the original mythology while also fitting for the present gaze in my opinion. I am very curious to see how she evolves in the next book, what changes and character arcs are waiting for her. Especially after how this book ended.
Zahariev is a character so shrouded in darkness that I find him difficult to grasp, yet somehow easy to fall in love with. He is just… there. And despite their initial relationship, there was not one second of doubt about him. I especially loved the contrasted view we got of him as a friend versus Lilith's sparring partner.
I enjoy Scarlett St. Clair’s writing, loved it in the Hades x Persephone series too. Her style and approach to retelling these myths support a sort of confidence in her knowledge about them.
All that being said, and I can’t even pinpoint why, I somehow didn’t fully fall in love with the book. It was more like a slow entanglement, luring in me in while somewhere along the way I got involved for lack of a better word.. I hope that whatever comes next continues this and fully hooks me because I really want to love this story on a 5 star level.
Overall, I liked Terror at the Gates. It is full of female rage and the pain of unfairness and lies - just what I’d expect from a Lilith retelling. It comes with some twists and turns so unexpected they felt like being punched in the heart, and a pull as alluring and elusive as the main characters. I’m very curious to see where this story goes in book two.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and Scarlett St. Clair for an ALC of this book....more
This was fun and magical and I loved it. Den of Liars is colorful and flashy, extravagant and mysterious. It balances 4.5
PERFECT FOR FANS OF CARAVAL
This was fun and magical and I loved it. Den of Liars is colorful and flashy, extravagant and mysterious. It balances the line between play and being played and harbors a lot of depth between its glittering layers. I love the characters and world Jessica S. Olson created and how quickly it had me fully immerse into the tapestry of lies and secrets. Now I'm left curious about what still lies hidden and hungry for book two.
EVERYBODY LIES - VIBE / PLOT Jessica S. Olson took the magical tournament trope and garnished it with delicious secrets, a net of lies so intricate it almost blends into truth, fine and shiny details for padding and fierce, cunning characters.
The story fluctuates between the ecstatic, intoxicating excitement of victory that at times propels into euphoric joy, and the deeply devastating hurt of trust lost and betrayal uncovered. Choosing a casino as framework was genius in my opinion, as that alone perfectly sets the scene and is heavy with emotional implications.
“To live is to lie, little thief. We all do it.”
The word tapestry is used to describe lies and its almost what watching this story unfold feels like: untangling a tapestry of reality that is far too intricate to be black and white, more nuanced than just truth and lies.
Den of Liars dives deep into the human psyche, morals and implications and what lies beyond, but does so in an almost delirious way, hiding the very serious and at times brutal consequences behind a whirlwind of magic and gambles and glitter and promises of a glamorous life.
“Claiming you haven’t hurt anyone, just because you haven’t allowed yourself to see that hurt, is humankind’s favorite self deception."
WORLD BUILDING & WRITING Amidst gentle world building and a very unique magic system, I was swept up in the aesthetic of the story as much as in its mysteries. Flashbacks are used to add padding and for perspective and while they help work through some of the secrets and lies, they also add interesting complicating layers to some characters and their relationships.
The second POV that the author uses helps with that but just enough to build a connection, not so much that it takes away from the mystery. I also really enjoyed the writing in general - the descriptive style amplified the world building - and the narration.
CHARACTERS Lola St. James is an amazing FMC. Though there are stretches where I wanted to shake her, she is a prime example of how a female lead can be imperfect and calculated, driven by trauma and shaped by people that never let her grow into healthy behavior and still have agency and direction.
She comes with a level of intelligence that makes it easy to understand that any… questionable decisions are to be blamed on circumstance. Which is why, in my opinion, her character development is very believable in both pace and motivation. “If you spend your life hiding from the monsters you think live in the dark, you’ll miss the stars every single time.”
The Thief and the Liar are an interesting pair of male characters. True to their names, for long stretches of the book it is almost impossible to tell their intentions or predict their moves. They are as unpredictable as the game they’re all, knowingly or not, playing.
I have my thoughts about both men but will keep it brief as not to accidentally spoiler. I will say that, even when red flags and patterns can be spotted early on, things are not as simple as they appear and the connections that unravel are intriguing to say the least. And one of them in particular had my heart way too early in the book for it to be safe.
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Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Jessica S. Olson for an ALC of this book....more
I was so looking forward to this… and sad when I realised I was underwhelmed.
The Build-A-Boyfriend Project comes with a good idea and premise and II was so looking forward to this… and sad when I realised I was underwhelmed.
The Build-A-Boyfriend Project comes with a good idea and premise and I’m here for the representation. That being said, while it is genuinely not a bad book, I struggled so hard with the MMC and how he treated the love interest that ultimately, it just wasn’t for me personally.
The main trope itself, a pretend relationship to write an article about, is nothing new and can work well. Especially since it was communicated that there would be an article and no one was deceived right off the bat.
Sadly, it was the MMC that I struggled with - The more I read, the more conflicted I felt about Eli.
He’s not a badly written character per se, he’s just not very likeable to me... Don’t get me wrong, I love a confident character, especially with the trans rep. But it started feeling uncomfortable when that confidence became self righteousness towards Peter, the fake boyfriend.
Eli is flippant and dismissive and frankly condescending most of the time. I honestly felt as if he was so unhappy with how he was held small by his ex and boss that he transferred that power issue onto Peter. Somehow, the whole plot turned into Eli 'fixing' Peter by criticising everything about him.
There is little respect for him as a person (like taking a picture after being asked not to?) and while Eli says he finally gets to know the real Peter, to me it felt like what he saw was just the version he wanted Peter to be.
And on top of all that, Peter is such a sweet character! Sure he has his issues, admits to them too and is willing to improve, but at core he is a great person who's traits are easy to dismiss as wrong or quirky when they really shouldn't. (Like not understanding sarcasm? That’s not a shortcoming and it rubs me the wrong way).
As you can tell, I have very strong feelings about this and while it is a romance which means it has a HEA, I feel like Peter deserved much more. The premise, the idea - they weren’t bad by any means. I think it was just too much damage done by the time the HEA happened and with all the self development Peter was willing to, it just didn't feel like Eli's character progressed enough.
All that being said: It was not a bad book. It was well written, the characters were thought through, even if I struggled, and the plot in general worked. The writing was good too and I enjoyed the audiobook version of this. I loved the narration.
I genuinely hope this book finds the people that love it more than I did! It might not have been for me but I know it will be for others. And honestly, I really love Peter and since I wanted him to get the HEA he wanted, at least for that I could find some peace with it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mason Deaver and HarperAudio Adult for an ALC of this book...more
Brilliant and breathtaking: Rose in Chains is everything I’d hoped for and more, magnificent in every way and I truly am obsessed. (And it left in a mBrilliant and breathtaking: Rose in Chains is everything I’d hoped for and more, magnificent in every way and I truly am obsessed. (And it left in a massive book hangover)
WORLDBUILDING While I don’t want to base my review on a comparison to The Auction, I couldn’t help but try to imagine what this book would be like for someone who hasn’t read the fic first. Alas, I have and from what I can see, I have to applaud Julie Soto for the world she created. It felt intricate and alluring while remaining simple and approachable, no pages long explanations of politics or history necessary.
PLOT She lured me in. I can’t say much without spoilers but I will say that Julie made me feel safe and secure, only to drop twists and surprises when I not only least expected it but also had deluded myself, comfortable in my assumptions as to where this was going. The pace is amazing, building just enough impatience before introducing the next arc, dropping information and conflicts at exactly the right moments. Honestly, the build up in general is as cruel as it is brilliant.
Side note: I know there are very different approaches to adapting a fanfic to a book but for me personally, this is exactly what I'd hoped for - the foundation of the story I fell in love enhanced by meeting that sweet spot between familiarity and novelty.
CHARACTERS Once again, I kept wondering how these characters feel for someone entirely new to this, not sure how much of the character traits I simply projected.
The side characters (new and revamped) built a perfect framework for our main character’s story and while I had a lot of fun connection the dots, I had just as much joy meeting every one of them. Julie Soto has an undeniable talent for playing with shades and differentiation, challenging the divide of good and bad, even with her side characters.
No one, literally NO ONE, is surprised by my love for the main characters. No one. For me, they were perfect - intricate and three dimensional, multi layered in ways that feel consistent even when we get only glimpses. Briony is exactly what she needed to be for this story and I love how, already, with this being only the first book in a trilogy, we see so much character development. And it doesn’t only feel vital, it’s also amazingly timed. And Toven. Toven is perfect and I love him deeply. I will have to leave it at that as my obsession is so intense, I don’t think I’m able to say more without spoilers.
WRITING I’m in awe of Julie Soto’s writing by this point. I knew I liked her style, even more so after I read The Thrashers and saw an entirely different side of it.
But this? This feels like the kind of book that excels on every level and leaves the appropriate impact.
Sure, I might be biased but to me, this is a masterpiece of romantasy.
NARRATION I am so glad I got the audiobook. Sure, actually seeing the words on paper, holding this beautiful book can hit harder, but the narration is impeccable. No notes.
BOTTOM LINE: Perfect I’m in love and in pain and utterly amazed. Rose in Chains blew me away and even with an idea of what to expect, I was swept away by this breathtaking tale of love and pain, loss and devotion. Spending time with these characters felt like coming home.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Julie Soto for an ALC of this book....more
2.25 I’m honestly not sure if this was a ‘just not for me’ situation because I can’t enjoy a book just for the vibes.
First, I was intrigued. The book 2.25 I’m honestly not sure if this was a ‘just not for me’ situation because I can’t enjoy a book just for the vibes.
First, I was intrigued. The book started off great - between the lawyer FMC and the alleged, hot and morally dark murder she's trying to get out of prison, the premise was right up my alley.
PLOT The plot itself might have worked, too, even though at times it felt almost a bit like stumbling through a story. Some things read as if they'd been made up on the go for convenience and then forgotten about (i.e. at the beginning of a spicy scene she notes she's always waxed because she swims a lot only for there to never again be any mentioning of doing so.)
I personally feel like the paranormal aspect didn't do anything at all for the story and was a bit irritating, not sure how much it ties into book 1 though.
Overall, there was a lot of repetition (i.e. the backstory with the co worker). This is one of the things I know many others don't mind while it makes me feel like the author lacks trust in the intelligence of their readers. (I also low-key want to know how often the term 'Kitten Heel' was used.)
All that could still have made for an enjoyable three star read, in my opinion.
CHARACTERS This is where my biggest issue and ultimately deal breaker lies.
The FMC could’ve worked, even though she might have needed a bit more smoothing out. I think I struggled when I noticed that all female characters read rather similarly, especially when we got another female POV.
What made her irrevocably fall apart for me, though, was the lack of structure and contour (there was no rhyme or reason to some of her behavior and by the end of the book I still wouldn't be able to describe her and what kind of person she is.).
This led to some absolutely random decisions that I struggled with a lot. (i.e. How she, as a lawyer, handled the recovered peace of evidence or how she, no questions asked, wears his jewelry after her senior partner at the law firm knew that this was a sign of him being involved with someone.
The MMC I think was supposed to be the broody, morally black bad guy. I saw someone else say how his criminal behavior is more on the morally grey side and how he can’t pull off the lovable dark, obsessive possessive character because he doesn’t back it up with the reverence for the FMC. And I have to wholeheartedly agree.
He doesn’t treat her in a way that justifies this persona. He’s owning her but not in the good way, keeping her small and punishing her for disrespecting him in front of his men (which can work but not when it feels like a blatant show of fragile masculinity).
I hated that he kept telling her to trust him while also proving he can’t be trusted AND, only reiterating that she would have no access to his business and he would not share information with her.
In my opinion, he just read like a toxic asshole and not the kind I personally want to see in those books.
ULTIMATELY... I feel like, while this book didn’t do anything inherently wrong, it crumbled under the weight of the little things. The potential is there and the premise and framework are a great foundation for a good dark romance book. Which is why I think so many others seem to love it. For me, however, I was close to DNFing several times and might have, had it not been an audiobook and well narrated at that.
Thank you to NetGalley, RBMedia and the author for an ALC of this book....more
I struggle with rating this because it felt like two different books.
Even being categorized as dark romance, the first half was more on the side o3.5
I struggle with rating this because it felt like two different books.
Even being categorized as dark romance, the first half was more on the side of horror erotica, which I was absolutely in the mood for. The premise was good and the level on which the story built up with the two POVs hit exactly like I wanted them to. So far, this was, without question, a five star story for me. Then, however, it sort of morphed into a slightly softer kind of dark romance. Which I don’t mind, generally speaking, and usually even like. Somehow, though, for me at least that transition didn’t work so well with A Gilded Game.
I loved the MMC’s POV in particular. The way he almost felt like a victim, contrasted harshly by the reality of the FMC’s experiences, was an amazing build up to the inevitable clash. The escalation he approaches is as intriguing as it is daunting and left me with just the right level of conflict with my own supportive feelings. I think the author did an amazing job with Cal, the intricacy of his psyche and her grasp on it really felt like he let her in and showed her his truth.
The FMC is the perfect counterpart. Amber’s journey is complicated (to say the least) in its own right and the pain and trauma she holds are the simultaneously the mirror and the fuel Cal needs and vice versa. I understood the stages she went through, saw the slow and sometimes inconspicuous journey she was unknowingly on.
I very much enjoyed their dynamic in a sense that I liked how they shaped each other, even if some aspects of the outcome weren't for me. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a dark romance that works through the healing journey and I can enjoy a plot twist like that last one. But again, it felt a bit off and I had to push myself to a large part of it. I think, however, that this is a very individual experience and I probably just had the wrong expectation after how the book started.
All that being said, I love Carly Claire’s writing and she is an amazing dark romance author in my opinion (Poisoning Ivy is still a book I love to recommend). And A Gilded Game is everything a really dark romance should be - Heavy on the trauma, pitch black in setting and mood, beyond any socially accepted concept of morals. On top of that, it’s perfectly spicy and will undoubtedly be loved by many dark romance readers.
Thank you to Booksirens and Carly Claire for an ARC of this book....more
I have to be honest, it did take me a minute to get into the story but once I was in, I was well in. The world build4.5
LOVE! This was so good. SO good.
I have to be honest, it did take me a minute to get into the story but once I was in, I was well in. The world building is great and the premise reminded me of Lightlark but with the Triwizard Tournament, the vibe made it feel more like the OUABH series.
Blaze is not an innovative character in how she's framed, yet I found myself particularly intrigued and immediately invested in her journey and development. Especially when interactions with other characters increased.
She generally has a lot of progress to make and I love that while plot wise the focus is on her abilities and strength, it isn't terribly drawn out and allows for the natural development of her social persona.
Between her family and the new acquaintances, her view on people is so tainted with trauma that it's difficult to discern who is actually in her corner and who isn't. Her mistrust and doubt are so strong and it makes watching her grow in these dynamics even more interesting. The insecurity also heavily influences the romantic tension in the book and it's so well written!
There might have been bits that felt predictable, then there were those that I did not. see. coming. At all. To me, it was perfectly balanced: surprising and keeping me on edge, yet comfortable enough to not have me anxious.
As for the romance arc, I will not say much as not to spoiler anything. Except that I loved it so, so much! The banter, the confusion, the plot twists. So many secrets and layers and I feel like we only just got started. It kept me on my toes and oh I am so in love although we don't know everything yet.
One thing that took a bit of warming up for me was the narrator but this is so subjective. They are totally doing a good job, this was very much just a me thing!
The writing is good and the author hit the spot with the pace in my opinion. The trial arc can easily feel either drawn out or rushed but was perfectly timed and had just the right amount of attention. Lauryn Hamilton Murray generally did such a great job at structuring the plot and crafting the web of characters.
Heir of Storms is a really good romantasy read and comes with some of my favourite tropes and I cannot wait for book two!
Tropes: - masquerade ball - Magic maze - Triwizard tournament - She lost her power - Banter - Mysterious bad boy - Feminie ragę
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Lauryn Hamilton Murray for an ALC of this book....more
I love a monster romance and this was my first one with Orcs.
I went in expecting a short, cozy, low stakes kind of read and it’s mostly what I got: ThI love a monster romance and this was my first one with Orcs.
I went in expecting a short, cozy, low stakes kind of read and it’s mostly what I got: The human inn keeper, the hot Orc and their second chance small town romance.
Overall, the plot had potential and I did mostly enjoy the first two thirds of it. The world building is simple enough and I like how it addresses the issues that come with a set up like this.
I was intrigued, especially by the MMC, who has a lot of development and/or groveling to do. The premise of him having been her bully in high school generally works and can be an intriguing set-up for a second chance romance. I did believe him and, over the course of the book, was able to understand his actions, now and in the past. (Until in the last 10% when we suddenly got a totally different explanation that was not needed and felt like a contradiction to his earlier reasoning. )
The third arc conflict didn’t come out of nowhere, yet it felt a bit misplaced. The lack of trust was a good foundation for that sort of arc but I think the implementation felt like a conflict just for the plot’s sake.
The FMC was vastly underdeveloped in my opinion. I don’t know who she is. I don’t know why she made the decisions she made, I don’t know where the sudden forgiveness came from. She went back and forth between mistrust and conviction and it was frankly a bit tiring.
I think, this translated into my issues with the dynamic of these two, even if I did believe their emotions and motifs.
For once, the MMC always mentioned his own distress when he apologized. How hard it was on him. In the power dynamic they used to have, this is something that in my opinion took away from his redemption and could have been avoided while maintaining consistency in his character.
My biggest problem however was with the FMCs environment and blind encouragement that felt less like support and more like furthering the plot and pushing her along for the sake of it. Again and again, she was told the exact same thing by every friend, coworker and family member whenever she communicated her worries. To not let fear stop her from something something so great.
And maybe that’s just me but it didn’t feel like it was written from the POV of someone who has experienced bullying. It was no unreasonable fear holding her back, it was valid distrust that, in my opinion, could and should have been addressed and worked out rather than dismissed and shoved aside.
I was all for them making up and finding their way but I feel like this might have needed a bit more depth.
The writing style itself was comfortable and matched the tone and vibe of the book. I very much enjoyed the narration.
Overall, The Orc and the Innkeeper might not have been my favorite. Even though, it is a quick and cozy audiobook and I think it could be perfect for those that love the small town drama, sweet monster romance and second chance redemption arcs.
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Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and the author for an ALC of this book...more
This was a bit difficult for me to rate. On one hand, the book is so sweet and precious almost and I loved following the story of how Lucas and Rhe3.5
This was a bit difficult for me to rate. On one hand, the book is so sweet and precious almost and I loved following the story of how Lucas and Rhett finally give into each other. On the other, however, I felt like something was missing.
PLOT The overall plot worked well, gave a clear time frame and context and, despite time jumps that might have taken me by surprise initially, is confident in terms of pace.
The tense stretch they had after their first giving into each other had just the right amount of angst, balanced with the comfort of not being dragged out on page. Their little trip to the lake was almost cheesily romantic and I'm absolutely here for it.
EXECUTION Overall, the execution worked, the character development got the space it needed and the way things progressed felt comfortable. Not once did I question the feelings of these guys for each other although we only get a brief glimpse.
However, while a lot of that is happening I would have wished for more padding and context occasionally.
One thing in particular that stood out to me is that Rhett is very focused on his bad side at first, holding himself back, which then dissolved rather suddenly with no elaboration. While I understand that their connection might be strong enough that he quickly disregarded what first appeared to be a huge dealbreaker, I was left a bit confused as to what he was referring to in the first place.
I did like the way the author chose to end the book , continuing with the theme of leaving actual reality mostly out of the stroy and while yes, this might have been a motivator for the aforementioned criticism, I think I would have wished for at least a bit of a conflict or, again, more padding to give it a bit more substance.
CHARACTERS From start to finish, the dynamic between the MMCs was great and I enjoyed watching them follow their tug towards each other and how it affected each of them in the process - individually and ultimately as a pair.
Lucas in particular is such a sweet, lovable character and I liked the way he was crafted, longing and almost a bit insecure at times, yet so assured in his sexuality and what he wanted.
Rhett was a great counterpart who needs that little push to allow himself to be loved. I liked that, while he seems to have a reputation, he is, at heart, someone who has a huge capacity for love and giving it in spades.
WRITING Somehow, I can't say a lot about the writing as I don't recall any particulars- Which probably just means, it was smoothly written and nothing stood out either way.
SUMMARY Overall, the book really made me feel like I was experiencing a slow summer day, blurred from freedom and laziness that comes with the intense heat and lack of responsibility.
Timeless and full of love for life. As such, although I wished for just a tad more substance at time, Feels Like Home is a quick and easy, lowstakes, high reward read, perfect for those who just want to enjoy some light taboo romance.
Thank you to BookSirens and Harry Applebottom for an ARC of this book...more
Worth the Trouble comes with all the good tropes, and although it left me slightly underwhelmed, I know this is going to be a favourite for many.
The sWorth the Trouble comes with all the good tropes, and although it left me slightly underwhelmed, I know this is going to be a favourite for many.
The sweet and dutiful dancer FMC and the messed up, emotionally stinted bad boy rock star MMC. She has no freedom, her career defines her life and she wants to break out. He is called the Riff God, has stripper poles in his living room and scars not only on his body and is annoyed that all his band mates are suddenly in relationships. Worth the Trouble uses a formula that works often and well.
The characters are simple enough. They work, the dynamic works and they both have enough space for the character development they need. Which is also what drives the story: Their dynamic and how they're bumping into each other sets of events and changes that drive the story.
The writing is smooth and light and although I didn't read the previous books in the series, I didn't feel lost and liked the glimpse we get of the side characters/previous main characters. It's also a book that works great in audio format and the narration was really good.
All that being said... I sadly found myself underwhelmed. It might be because I do read a loooot but while the book was good, it was nothing special, didn't hold my attention, didn't make me jump to read the other books in the series. This, however, is very much a me thing!
The only tangible point of critique I want to make is the continuous use of the term 'pussy whipped' and how the MMC keeps using it and its neither called out nor reflected on when things between him and the FMC progress.
Overall, Worth the Trouble was a quick and easy read, especially as an audiobook. It was a bit of a let down for me personally and couldn't quite hold my attention, but the characters are intriguing and the story works. Which is why I do understand the popularity it has already gained and am sure, it will have a vast fan base and be loved by many.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and Eva Simmons for an ALC of this book....more
2.75 Let me start by saying, this is a fun Cinderella retelling approach with vampires of sorts and instead of the little mice helping her she has the 2.75 Let me start by saying, this is a fun Cinderella retelling approach with vampires of sorts and instead of the little mice helping her she has the cutest rat companion. The premise is intriguing for sure.
That being said, I struggled with finishing it. It’s not that the book is bad! I think I personally just stumbled over too many small things that all accumulated up to a point where I had to accept that it’s just not for me.
I think personally, my biggest issue was with the characters. Somehow, they didn’t feel consistent to me. Especially the FMC - she thinks or says one thing, usually in regards to the MMC - then changes her mind completely, i.e. makes accusations and confronts him with things that are a complete contradiction. She keeps asking herself if she has been wrong about the prince, her opinions, everything, always jumping back and forth. She questions everything to the point where I don’t even know what she even believes or who she is as a character. I was wishing for a character development but it felt more like going in circles.
As for the MMC, while I don’t love him like I do other characters, I do like Cassius. Although maybe that’s because he is more of a phantom since his POVs were few and far between so we don’t have as much insight as with the FMC . But ultimately he, too, fell a bit flat for me, especially as a love interest. Generally speaking, in their dynamic there is a lot of talking and very little showing which had me struggle with feeling a connection between them.
The world itself isn’t fleshed out a lot (for a reason) and it worked for the story. The interactions with the animals are cute, especially the rat and especially once she’s at the castle. However, to me personally it felt a bit like the easy way out at times. The damsel in distress theme is very strong in this book and sure, it sort of matches the fairytale vibe and probably works well for other readers. I think it’s just not for me.
Overall, the book isn’t bad. I was just waiting for it to… actually happen? There is a lot of story, yet the plot felt like it evaded me most of the time. Like a lack of substance. I kept waiting for it to take off and utilise all the potential it showed in the beginning.
The writing itself is good and smooth enough and, despite my critique, I am sure many will enjoy this book! It is very different from the original Cinderella yet at the same time so similar - the connections go beyond just easter eggs and I can see people loving this. The things I struggled with might very well be part of what makes it a great book for others.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the authors for an ALC of this book ...more
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