A worthy follow up. As dark as the first one was, I enjoyed spending time with the characters again. The only thing that was lacking a tiny bit was paA worthy follow up. As dark as the first one was, I enjoyed spending time with the characters again. The only thing that was lacking a tiny bit was part of the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything but I felt like the Henry and Phin parts could have been expanded on more. But it was still a good read. ...more
I don’t want to swoop in here all Grinch like. Especially because the proceeds of this go towards a really deserving charity. And also because they arI don’t want to swoop in here all Grinch like. Especially because the proceeds of this go towards a really deserving charity. And also because they are Christmas stories. Notoriously known for being sugar cookie cute. But I also want to be honest. So I’ll settle for three stars because there were a few standouts. But I didn’t enjoy some of the novellas, skipped quite a few that had to do with established couples I hadn’t read about and found myself downright disappointed by some. I’m not knocking stars off for the ones I skipped.
I’m sorry. Don’t hate me. I love Christmas books and have been known to read them year round. Heck, I even have a bookshelf called, “All I Want For Christmas is You.” But I felt so meh about so much of this collection.
I won’t spread my negativity any further and will only list the ones I liked.
✅ Joanna Chambers gave us a sweet Christmas treat. I only wished it was longer as the end felt rushed.
✅ Annabeth Albert, who I’ve struggled with in recent books, reunited us with her men from, “Better Not Pout.” A little sappy? Yes. But I loved seeing these two a few years down the line.
✅ Annabelle Jacobs had a lovely second chances, friends to lovers, snowed in tale. I think I have tried one of hers in the past and didn’t finish it. I may have to try her again.
Merged review:
I don’t want to swoop in here all Grinch like. Especially because the proceeds of this go towards a really deserving charity. And also because they are Christmas stories. Notoriously known for being sugar cookie cute. But I also want to be honest. So I’ll settle for three stars because there were a few standouts. But I didn’t enjoy some of the novellas, skipped quite a few that had to do with established couples I hadn’t read about and found myself downright disappointed by some. I’m not knocking stars off for the ones I skipped.
I’m sorry. Don’t hate me. I love Christmas books and have been known to read them year round. Heck, I even have a bookshelf called, “All I Want For Christmas is You.” But I felt so meh about so much of this collection.
I won’t spread my negativity any further and will only list the ones I liked.
✅ Joanna Chambers gave us a sweet Christmas treat. I only wished it was longer as the end felt rushed.
✅ Annabeth Albert, who I’ve struggled with in recent books, reunited us with her men from, “Better Not Pout.” A little sappy? Yes. But I loved seeing these two a few years down the line.
✅ Annabelle Jacobs had a lovely second chances, friends to lovers, snowed in tale. I think I have tried one of hers in the past and didn’t finish it. I may have to try her again....more
This is a painful review for me to write because I'm a big fan of Annabeth Albert. Her, "Out of Uniform," series is one of my favorites.⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
This is a painful review for me to write because I'm a big fan of Annabeth Albert. Her, "Out of Uniform," series is one of my favorites. So when I heard she was doing a new series with smokejumpers, I jumped to request it on Netgalley. Unfortunately, this didn't quite work for me. I do want to note this is not a totally negative review. There were some things I enjoyed. Basically, overall, I liked it but didn't love it. And I am used to loving the majority of the books I've read by Albert. So I was a bit disappointed.
What worked:
It was sweet and sexy with likable main characters. I see potential in future books.
What didn't work:
For me, first of all, it was too long and dragged in places. There was a LOT of time spent on the smokejumper parts. Yes, I realize that might seem like a no brainer so why am I complaining? It was too much and I found myself skimming. I think her, "Out of Uniform," books had a better mix of subject/plot/romance. The steamy parts were sexy but I found they were a little over abundant and I started skimming those too. This book would have been better if it was trimmed down. I also found the, "obstacles," to the relationship to not be that big of a deal but they were over dramatized and I grew tired of them. The conflicts felt forced.
All that being said, I don't regret reading this. And I will absolutely try the second book. It might be one of those series that gets better as it goes. I hope so.
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
This is a painful review for me to write because I'm a big fan of Annabeth Albert. Her, "Out of Uniform," series is one of my favorites. So when I heard she was doing a new series with smokejumpers, I jumped to request it on Netgalley. Unfortunately, this didn't quite work for me. I do want to note this is not a totally negative review. There were some things I enjoyed. Basically, overall, I liked it but didn't love it. And I am used to loving the majority of the books I've read by Albert. So I was a bit disappointed.
What worked:
It was sweet and sexy with likable main characters. I see potential in future books.
What didn't work:
For me, first of all, it was too long and dragged in places. There was a LOT of time spent on the smokejumper parts. Yes, I realize that might seem like a no brainer so why am I complaining? It was too much and I found myself skimming. I think her, "Out of Uniform," books had a better mix of subject/plot/romance. The steamy parts were sexy but I found they were a little over abundant and I started skimming those too. This book would have been better if it was trimmed down. I also found the, "obstacles," to the relationship to not be that big of a deal but they were over dramatized and I grew tired of them. The conflicts felt forced.
All that being said, I don't regret reading this. And I will absolutely try the second book. It might be one of those series that gets better as it goes. I hope so.
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I’ve been in a huge reading slump for months and months. I’ve read but not even close to how much I usually read. And the genre I have read the least I’ve been in a huge reading slump for months and months. I’ve read but not even close to how much I usually read. And the genre I have read the least of is romance. I’ve only read one this whole year. (Who even am I? ...more
Me: finishes book four. Immediately goes to add book five. Screams that it’s not magically the end of the year and available. There’s always re-reads Me: finishes book four. Immediately goes to add book five. Screams that it’s not magically the end of the year and available. There’s always re-reads I guess. #queenoftheobscene....more
Someday I might know if the love I have for this book is real or if it came purely from reading it with my dad during the Great Buddy Read of 2023. I Someday I might know if the love I have for this book is real or if it came purely from reading it with my dad during the Great Buddy Read of 2023. I have a feeling I’ll never be able to separate the two.
My dad is one of my favorite people in the world. He’s the best dad I could ever have asked for. It wasn’t always this way. We had a lot of problems earlier in my life due to his drinking. He’s been sober for more years than I can count now. And when I later struggled with my own addictions, he was there for me. We’ve talked over the years about Stephen King’s own past with addiction and how that influenced his writing.
I think because of all of this, he wants to make up for lost time and he’s just the best. I say this because reading this with him was such fun. We talked on the phone and in person regularly about the book. His texts made me laugh as he was constantly getting ahead of me and demanding I catch up.
But I think I can separate the feelings some and say this was a lovely book. It’s different from any other Stephen King book. And I’ve read many, many books by him over the years. I read him when I was too young to be doing so. I read him when his books were in the “adult” section of the library and required an adult to go in that room with me. My dad or mom would go in there and let me get whatever I wanted. And continued to do so even when I made them keep the eerily green cover of The Tommyknockers in the living room at night because it scared me. My dad has been reading him all this time too.
This was a love story to Fairy Tales and it was just such a unique King book. I admit I’ve struggled with some of his recent books. He never seems to know how to end them anymore. And some parts of his books have felt dated. Like he doesn’t know how to write from the age of the characters. This did have some of that. At times, I felt like Charlie was a kid from the 60’s. Not a modern teenager. But that’s a minor quibble. And he did well with the ending. It was perfect.
I’ve decided that more Dad Buddy Reads are a necessity in my life. I’ll keep you posted on the next one. ...more
I can’t remember if my fear of birds came after reading this many years ago and watching the movie. If it came after, this surely didn’t help. And yetI can’t remember if my fear of birds came after reading this many years ago and watching the movie. If it came after, this surely didn’t help. And yet I read it again yesterday. I recently watched the movie again which made me want to revisit the story. Plus it’s October and that means it’s time for something spooky. It’s a one sitting read. Only 55 pages. And yet it’s more unsettling than horror stories of much bigger page count. The movie and this novella have little in common. But both are creepy.
I remember when I was little, we visited where it was filmed. We went in the schoolhouse, walked around. Maybe that’s when my fear manifested. I’m not scared of all birds. Just large groups of them mostly. So yeah I’m thinking my fear came after this. ...more
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Rounding up because anything that gets me reading these days deserves that courtesy.
Look guys. My Lily Blinders (Patent pending) s⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Rounding up because anything that gets me reading these days deserves that courtesy.
Look guys. My Lily Blinders (Patent pending) shorted out at multiple places during this book. I saw flaws. Kind of glaring ones. And I don’t care. Because I also thought it was sweet and cute and fun. But I do need to talk about them. So I guess I care but I suppose my enjoyment overrode the care.
This is what you’ll have to get past if you want to enjoy this book and also what I liked:
⚠️This is not the same Dean as we’ve met previously. His himbo ways are essentially explained away by pot and dyslexia. I know it sounds shallow but I kind of wanted him to just be a himbo because he was. ...more
This was pretty darn cute! And just the angst free boost I needed in between my recent heart shredding adventures with Heart Rate of a Mouse. I did have a few niggles but am rounding up. Three stars feels too low for how adorable this was and also I think some of it was me.
✅ Brother’s best friend. ✅ Age gap. ✅ Sweet pining. ✅ Unrequited turned requited. ✅ Low angst. ✅ Found family. ✅ Humorous ✅ Light and breezy. ✅ Medium steam.
⚠️ The humor did mostly work for me but there were times I wanted them to be more serious. I think this was a me thing. Maybe angsty me was trying to bust through and ruin things for light hearted me. ...more
It’s almost midnight guys so I gotta gather my thoughts before I review.
But some initial thoughts so I don’t forget aka my pre-review: ⚠️ Hulk Hazard It’s almost midnight guys so I gotta gather my thoughts before I review.
But some initial thoughts so I don’t forget aka my pre-review: ⚠️ Hulk Hazard is fully present. However, things are brought to light that explain some of his actions. I found some satisfaction in this and it did make some sense. I still don’t think it explains all of his rage the last few books. The Hazard I know has grown enough to not be this way. But at the same time, I tentatively accept the reasoning. My true test will be future books. Only then will I know if he’s grown. ⚠️ Why is Greg making me care a tiny bit about Dulac? I swore I never would. I’m so easily manipulated by Greg’s witchy ways! Calm down guys I said tiny. But what’s going on with him and why do I mildly care? ❓Speaking of characters I swore I’d never like, this book was Nico light and yet I found my heart hurting for him. I yearn for a spin-off with him and Cora in the fashion business. ✅ North and Shaw. While North is still in timeout for me, given his actions in the last book of their series I read, I can’t deny I loved their appearance. They make me laugh so hard. Shaw wanting to be Hazard’s BFF is one of my favorite things ever. ⁉️ In my opinion, not enough cute moments with my babies. I liked that they were totally connected and not at odds with each other. And that Ree was actually listening to John’s wishes from the previous book. But I needed more cuteness!! A sexy moment or two wouldn’t have hurt either. Yes I know these aren’t romance, but give us a little something! ...more
I liked this but didn’t love it. When I compare it to other books by this author, it wasn’t at the same level of love. Still, I was happy to get a newI liked this but didn’t love it. When I compare it to other books by this author, it wasn’t at the same level of love. Still, I was happy to get a new book from her. It’s been years. She has a soothing style and her descriptions of food and places are so detailed and magical. That was all there and I found it comforting. So I don’t consider it a loss. Maybe I just love the others too much. ...more
I'm going to add some words to this review shortly. But for now, I'll let the gifs explain. I haven't done any reviews, much less reviews with gifs inI'm going to add some words to this review shortly. But for now, I'll let the gifs explain. I haven't done any reviews, much less reviews with gifs in a long time. David Tennant has been brought out of seclusion and well....
Our favorite Flower Shop Assassins are back! Ok our only Flower Shop Assassins. But I feel like if there were others, these would still b
[image]
Our favorite Flower Shop Assassins are back! Ok our only Flower Shop Assassins. But I feel like if there were others, these would still be our favorites. I went back and forth on getting an ARC on this one. To the point where I thought I lost my chance and then cried to Rebecca and then got my chance again and grabbed it. I had hesitated because I was afraid I wasn't going to enjoy it as much as Bye Baby. I've really stopped doing most ARCs these days. They make me feel too much pressure to like them and have simply started stressing me out. I'm weird. Anyway, I'm glad I did grab this one because, while I may not have loved it as much as Bye Baby , I still really, really liked it!
Note: This could, I guess, be read on its own. But I highly recommend reading Bye Baby first. Plus why would you want to skip out on Donnie and Elliot? They are so much fun!
I feel like Louise Collins has hit her stride with this series. I’m totally clueless as to why she doesn’t get as much love as other authors I see floating around here. I also recommend her earlier Adrenaline Jake series if you want almost non-stop smut and crazy OTT shenanigans.
If you read book one, you'll remember Yates as the flower shop owner who coordinates all the hits. He's grumpy, violent, a little bit of a sadist, lacks tolerance for idiots and has a penchant for flowered shirts.
[image]
Yates has a lot of scars and tattoos but I thought this guy was hot and I think Yates would like this shirt.
As Camilla pointed out in a comment below, I love my grumps you guys!
Yates meets Dylan in his shop. Dylan has come to Yates with a job request. Only it's not to kill someone else, he wants Yates to kill him. Yates can't bring himself to do this and is also annoyed that he’s turned on by pathetic Dylan.
[image]
He later helps Dylan in a different situation. Dylan, in return and to Yate's both dismay and reluctant arousal, attaches himself to Yates like a barnacle. Dylan is messed up in his head and Yates isn't exactly the most nurturing person. But he can't shake Dylan and it isn't long before he really isn't trying that hard to do so.
Honestly, this started a little slow for me but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh. Anything with Yates being irritated at catching feelings was the best. And shoutout to Ranger, who I kind of hoped would get the second book spot because I love him. He has been the funniest side character in both books. His story better be epic! It was also sweet but not sappy sweet. Poor Yates and his one remaining heartstring. It made me melt a little bit.
I would say the steam was a medium level. Satisfying. The side plot with Yate's current hit job was an interesting one. The guy was a real sicko. And not the good kind. You know, not a fun sicko. I loved catching up with Donnie and Elliot again. There was some drama at the end but for me it wasn't excessive and it came with groveling. I only wish there had been a longer ending after the action plot resolved itself. I felt like we didn't get enough time. Or even a slightly longer epilogue would have done the trick. Small niggles though. I ended it feeling pretty happy. If you go into this, don't take it too seriously or analyze it too thoroughly. Embrace the crazy and fun and I think you'll like it too.
I do have to wonder...who was the, "pathetic," one? Messed up Dylan or grump in love Yates?
Yates smiled. "I'm an assassin who prefers to run a flower shop. I'm an ex-sadist who's gone soft for someone.
**Also-tell me the four, clearly murdering, bakery brothers across the street are getting a spin-off series? Pretty please?...more
My Lily blinders (patent still pending) seemed to have malfunctioned just a bit with this one. Because I found myself liking but not ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars
My Lily blinders (patent still pending) seemed to have malfunctioned just a bit with this one. Because I found myself liking but not loving Miss Lily’s entry in the Prolific Works Giveaway. (Let me know if you would like the link! Because it’s definitely still worth reading!) So to recap I’m 1 for 3 on the loving scale so far with this giveaway. For this one I’ll just do some ✅ and ⚠️
✅ The settings and descriptions. Nobody lets me armchair travel as effortlessly as Lily. I feel like I’m there. Which is good because I doubt I’ll be able to travel there anytime soon. Even if the dreaded Covid wasn’t a thing. ✅ The humor. Some went, as usual, over my head. I’m not British so I don’t understand some of the references. But I still smiled and laughed. This one wasn’t too OTT. I loved the parrot that quoted lines from true crime shows. If I had a parrot, that’s for sure what he would be doing. ...more
Last year I started the year with Neve and this year is the same. Nothing wrong with that. After the whole thing last year with books from a similar gLast year I started the year with Neve and this year is the same. Nothing wrong with that. After the whole thing last year with books from a similar giveaway being continuously deleted, I’m not sure I even want to write much about any of the ones I end of reading from this one. Because I’m not organized or tech savvy enough to keep backup copies of my reviews. I think if things get deleted this time I might just be like Elsa and LET IT GO. ...more