Ok, so everything I have been reading lately seemed a bit tame and unremarkable, so I took a chance on Dirty Bad Savage. I nearly stopped after the fiOk, so everything I have been reading lately seemed a bit tame and unremarkable, so I took a chance on Dirty Bad Savage. I nearly stopped after the first few pages because it starts out in a BDSM scene that was more hardcore than I usually read. Not wanting to give up on another one, I kept going and actually found myself really liking the hero, Callum. He was dark and tortured but also genuinely likeable. Sophie, the heroine, was also a great character, though I really do not identify with her need to be degraded, tortured and demeaned sexually. I think the writing is solid and the plot was engaging and well-executed. Really enjoyed it. However, the reason I gave it only two stars was I really can not justify a positive review for a book that genuinely made me feel a bit queasy with disgust. Spoiler alert: being forced to eat garbage is really sick, especially during angry rough sex. Also, menstrual blood is not meant for body painting. Yuck! Not sure why the author went quite this far. Shock value, perhaps. It is a shame really because she really is very gifted and does not have to jump the shark to get the attention she so clearly deserves....more
Really enjoyed this book. The author did an amazingly authentic job of giving voice to a very male character. This isn't an easy task. Female authors Really enjoyed this book. The author did an amazingly authentic job of giving voice to a very male character. This isn't an easy task. Female authors don't always do his successfully but in this case her attention to detail regarding the male perspective was flawless. (For some reason, female authors think saying "f*ck" a lot is sufficient to make their voice sound more masculine.)
As for the character, Mr. Donnelly, he's arrogant, macho, and borderline pathological in his need to stay single, but basically a decent guy. I really do think he is the embodiment of the tom-cat every woman would like a crack at domesticating.
So, why only four stars? Well, I only give five stars to the books that I love, love, love. I would give this one 4.5 stars if it was possible. I would have given it five stars if we'd had just a bit more insight into Idaho/Hayley/Hector's perspective. This was Tom's story, I get that, but I would have loved to know what was going on in her head when she realized that Tom was hers before even he realized it. Just one chapter at the end would have made her character more real to me. As it is, she falls just a bit flat in comparison to funny, sexy, oblivious Tom.
So, this was promising but I found it really dragged. A lot of re-hashing of why she couldn't be with him. None of her reasons really felt all that reSo, this was promising but I found it really dragged. A lot of re-hashing of why she couldn't be with him. None of her reasons really felt all that relevant to me. Plus, this book contained one of the most unpleasant heroines I've ever read. Seriously, she's nasty. Not only is she torturing this gorgeous young man who loves her to distraction, she's also mean to her best friend on her wedding day. (How DARE she ask her to be her maid of honour! Seriously. The nerve!)
Awkward dialogue and 80's soap opera-type revelations certainly didn't help. So, why two stars? Well, Shea was very hot. Just look at that cover. I love it. And this book is set in Alaska. I was expecting some interesting insight into living in such an unforgiving climate and all I got was, "boy, is it cold" type revelations. We couldn't miss out on that fact because they mention the temperature every FIVE SECONDS. I'm sure there's more to Fairbanks than just frost-bite but you would never know it from this book.
Serenity Woods is an automatic buy for me. Love her writing style. She is one of the only authors I know that can mix humour, heartbreak and heat withSerenity Woods is an automatic buy for me. Love her writing style. She is one of the only authors I know that can mix humour, heartbreak and heat with great success. As for the 'Treats to Tempt You' series, I was delighted to find that the final installment was not a disappointment. Usually by the time we get to the 3rd or the 4th in a series, things have degenerated and become somewhat redundant. (FYI - the 4th in the series wasn't quite as good but still better than most.)Not the case here. Serenity brings it in the 5th installment. I was crying like a baby as finished it... which is a sure sign that I feel a real connection with the characters or that I'm PMS-ing. (Possibly both) I would also like to point out that this is an actual "SERIES". Meaning the characters from the previous books make appearances but each book is a contained story. Unlike so many (annoying) examples lately where authors break up a book into parts and sell them separately. I am so on the verge of a boycott of this particular money grab, so was so relieved to realize that I could go onto the next series without fear of the aggravating cliff-anger. ...more
First of all, let me say how much I enjoy Tessa Bailey's writing style. Her dialogue is always original and funny and wow, the dirty talk. Filthy, filFirst of all, let me say how much I enjoy Tessa Bailey's writing style. Her dialogue is always original and funny and wow, the dirty talk. Filthy, filthy goodness. She completely shattered the proper British stereotype with our hero, Porter. He is a very naughty boy indeed. Not proper at all.
And our heroine, Frankie, well, she was likable and spunky without coming off as a bitch or a Pollyanna. Even her struggle with her fascination with BDSM seemed plausible and realistic.
So, why wasn't this a five star review? Well, there were three instances where Porter sabotages his relationship with Frankie that seemed completely irrational. Just antagonistic impulses with no real explanation. And Frankie's reactions didn't ring true to these actions either. Maybe I'm simple but I didn't even know why she was so upset for two out of the three arguments. I need more information if I'm to relate to these characters. And I know Tessa Bailey can do better explaining their motivations, so I can't justify a rave review. However, let me just say that I will continue to purchase anything by this rare author, based on the heat and dialogue alone. Great job....more
DNF. Main characters were just odd, which usually I like, but didn't work here.
What finally made me give up on this one were the pages and pages of dDNF. Main characters were just odd, which usually I like, but didn't work here.
What finally made me give up on this one were the pages and pages of dialogue with large groups of people participating that seemed fairly irrelevant to the story. I realize that this is a series but unless they're there to advance THIS plot then the author needs to keep the secondary characters under control. Too many of their verbal exchanges were unidentified so I found myself wondering, "who is speaking right now? Should I recognize them by their tone or expressions or what?" Very frustrating.
It's a shame really because there were some amusing moments with Zane but overall his backstory was unbelievable and the heroine was just a shade too pathetic. ...more
Betting on Fate is a very well-written romance novel. However, there was just something missing for me. The characters lacked much personality, despitBetting on Fate is a very well-written romance novel. However, there was just something missing for me. The characters lacked much personality, despite their alternative lifestyle. And neither of them really made me feel anything other than mild annoyance.
First of all, Will should have been fascinating. I love a tortured control-freak, but he just seemed wooden (not in a good way) and immature to me.
Penelope showed real promise when she showed up in one of the previous Serve installments but she seemed a shadow of her former self in her own story. For a dominant herself, she seemed MUCH too willing to forgive boring Will for his bad behavior. (Could she have flogged him into having a personality, do you think?)
Worst of all I don't really feel like Penelope's role as a "Switch" was explained adequately. Apparently, she likes to dominate women but doesn't have sex with them? But with men she likes to be dominated both emotionally and sexually. I'm hardly an expert on BDSM roles but this seemed contradictory to me. But I would have been open to the idea if it had been explored a bit more. Instead, the reader is just left to think this is typical behaviour.
Overall, this was a okay read but nothing memorable or particularly interesting despite the many and varied sex scenes that left me feeling more cold than hot....more
Honestly, I just didn't get this one at all. It made me question why I'm still reading this series. It's steadily going downhill and yet I can't seem Honestly, I just didn't get this one at all. It made me question why I'm still reading this series. It's steadily going downhill and yet I can't seem to stop myself. It's like a runaway toboggan of half-assed writing. Usually I enjoy the Entangled books, but this one was definitely a big disappointment.
First of all, what was with all the nudity? Very early in the book Z rips off Sara's clothes in a towncar and in the next second she's walking down the street? Ummm...what happened to her clothes? Is she bare-assing it around town now? In New York? Pretty sure that would get uncomfortable pretty fast. Then she spends most of her time prancing around in the buff while under Z's protection at the safe house. Sorry, but that's not sexy. It's unsanitary. And don't even get me started with the multi-coloured candle-wax scene. I get that it was supposed to be erotic but all I could think of was, "who's going to clean that shit up?"
Usually I can look past these small issues. But there was also a real lack of connection between the two characters. I didn't buy them as a couple or even likeable characters. Their level of dysfunction seemed out of proportion to their respective emotional baggage and I didn't have a lot of sympathy or interest in either of them. I think I may have actually muttered "get over it already" to myself when Sara once again panicked over Z wanting more from her than sex.
Throw in the fact that Sara is forced into hiding because she's threatened by a business rival for some mysterious reason that is never satisfyingly explained and we have a half-assed attempt at a book at best. A business rival who conveniently forgives her a few days later with no repercussions or details provided, I might add.
Overall, the sex was pretty hot, (candle-wax = hot)but the book itself left me cold....more
Here's a book that genuinely surprised me in a good way. That alone warrants a high rating. I really like this author so will restrain myself from spoHere's a book that genuinely surprised me in a good way. That alone warrants a high rating. I really like this author so will restrain myself from spoiling the ending but let's just say that I didn't see this story resolving itself in the way it did.
Yes, there were things I couldn't really look past, like Lexi being unable to discern Twitch's true identity and her blatant disregard for the fact that her stalker/boyfriend was a violent criminal. But there was also some originality and unexpected turns in this book. It was definitely more complex than your average erotic romance.
That being said, I think the Twitch character lost some of his appeal because he really was evil. Not just a bad boy, but a true psychopath and that made him interesting but it also made it difficult to see him as sexy. I mean, a guy who can do horrible things without batting an eye (pun intended) is supposed to evoke disgust rather than arousal, isn't he? In this case I feel that the author may have pushed the envelope a bit too far.
But overall, it was a good read and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something a little darker....more
This was such a sweet read. Mix in some great dialogue and a bearded, ginger hero and I was hooked. Surprisingly, this book was told mostly from the mThis was such a sweet read. Mix in some great dialogue and a bearded, ginger hero and I was hooked. Surprisingly, this book was told mostly from the male perspective, which was interesting. Also, liked that they didn't actually meet face-to-face until nearly a third into the book. This could have been boring but actually worked in this case. It added a bit of mystery and anticipation to the story. Great read!...more
Did I like the two main characters? Not at all. They were both kind of jerks. Was the plot interesting and original? Nope. Not a lot actually happens. DDid I like the two main characters? Not at all. They were both kind of jerks. Was the plot interesting and original? Nope. Not a lot actually happens. Did I like this book? Oddly enough. Yes, yes I did. It was refreshing to read something that blatantly endorses the idea that a**holes need love too!
I'm so used to reading books where the Hero is charming and suave, it was kind of a relief to be encouraged to dislike him. Because, well, he's quite unpleasant. (He slowly redeems himself of course, but he's still not Mr. Congeniality.) And I still have no idea what his actual job is. Crime Lord, I guess. I really don't know. That part definitely needed some fleshing out.
Overall this was a fun read with some funny dialogue and good character development....more
A lot of ridiculousness going on here, but also an unlikely (and flatulent) hero I adored. Couldn't stop rooting for Duke. A lot of ridiculousness going on here, but also an unlikely (and flatulent) hero I adored. Couldn't stop rooting for Duke. ...more
Wow, Rebecca Zanetti has come a long, long way. I read the previous two books in this series (Against the Wall and Under the Covers) and they each hadWow, Rebecca Zanetti has come a long, long way. I read the previous two books in this series (Against the Wall and Under the Covers) and they each had their moments (hot male leads and some pretty spicy love scenes) but overall the books didn't really leave much of an impression. (So glad Bob the Spirit Guide didn't make an appearance here. Annoying.) I picked up Rising Assets mostly because I'm a big fan of almost all the books under the Entangled brand, not because I expected much from this particular title. I was so, so wrong.
Rising Assets was a real departure for this author. I'd found some of her previous efforts somewhat awkward but her writing style has improved dramatically. Her storytelling is now confident and seamless. She is one of the rare romance writers that I've found who can describe physical comedy in a convincing and hilarious way. Not sure what I mean? Well, read Rising Assets and try not to laugh when you come across the scene where Colton makes an unexpected discovery at the Sperm Bank or the hospital escape scene with Hawk. Truly funny.
However, there were a few things that would have made this a five star romance novel. 1. Colton's multi-colour hair. It's referred to in this book and I'm sure it was described in the previous works, but I couldn't remember what that meant exactly, so a short description would have been nice. I kept picturing punk-rock rainbow hair and that just didn't seem right. 2. Everywhere they went they were running into family. Yes, I get that it's a small town but doesn't anybody work or stay home and watch TV or clean their house? It felt like they were just milling around town all the time, waiting to pounce. I would move if I ran into a family member every single time I left the house. 3. The use of lava as a metaphor for sexual arousal was overused. I began to wonder if Melanie had some kind of tropical disease.
But overall, this was a sweet, sexy, fun story well worth the VERY reasonable price. I will definitely pick up the next installment in the series when it comes out and I look forward to seeing more from this author. ...more
This was a surprise for me. I don't typically enjoy books set in high school but this one worked. I thought the author touched on a lot of weight-relaThis was a surprise for me. I don't typically enjoy books set in high school but this one worked. I thought the author touched on a lot of weight-related issues from a guy's point of view without being too obvious about it. For instance, the 'jock' in the story lives on protein bars, gels and shakes. He's basically malnourished but has no idea since he has never been educated regarding nutrition. He wants a six-pack and this is how he believe athletes keep themselves shredded. He's on his way to manorexia but this is handled in such a subtle manner that I felt myself really liking this character and identifying with him.
I also thought it was interesting how Kevin is obviously attracted to softer women (Scene with a more angular women was handled really well - just oh-so awkward) but feels driven to hide his attraction because he fears his friends will reject him for it. Typical high school peer pressure but once again, it was interesting to view this from the male POV.
Overall, I felt this book was well-written with both funny and dramatic moments. (Scenes with his dog, Buddy, were particularly lovely.) Kevin, the main character, was very likeable, fun and sweet. A true hero in the making. Would really enjoy reading a sequel featuring him ten years later.
Why only 3 stars? Well, I didn't really get a feeling for his love interest at all. She seemed a bit cold and unreasonable. Also, the supporting characters were fairly standard and lacked depth. Perhaps there were too many? Either way, I recommend this one if you can get back the high school stereotypes. Worth it for the junior alpha in training. ...more
This book was promising. A fascinating plot with some very interesting twists and turns. The author's extensive knowledge of Milton's masterpiece was This book was promising. A fascinating plot with some very interesting twists and turns. The author's extensive knowledge of Milton's masterpiece was truly impressive and his use of language even more so. However, I found the protagonist unlikeable to the point where I kind of wanted him to fall prey to the demon's machinations. For instance, at one point, another character kills a dog and puts it on David's car hood for him to find later. Wouldn't most people have some kind of reaction to this?? I mean, I get that he's got things to do, but come on? A dead dog? And he just scoops it off and leaves it in the street? There were several instances where I felt robbed of some kind of emotional reaction from this character. I would have been so much more invested in the outcome of this book if I'd felt some kind of connection to the hero. Instead I felt myself losing interest because I didn't care if he was successful or not. Throw in a few unbelievable conclusions based on nothing and I struggled to finish it. Overall I felt this book was a bit of a disappointment but the writing itself was excellent. I will read `The Damned' for the quality of the writing alone but I sincerely hope the hero in Pyper's next book is more human. ...more
This one had some genuinely funny moments. I really enjoyed both characters. For once the female lead was just as hilarious as her dream guy. UnderCovThis one had some genuinely funny moments. I really enjoyed both characters. For once the female lead was just as hilarious as her dream guy. UnderCovers was a solid 4-star until the last chapter where everything seemed to get resolved in a HUGE hurry. ...more