Catherine Cowles is laughing at my dumbass all the way to the bank.
Still undecided about what was more ridiculous and eyeroll inducing . ***2 Stars***
Catherine Cowles is laughing at my dumbass all the way to the bank.
Still undecided about what was more ridiculous and eyeroll inducing . . . the incredibly cheesy and rushed romance or the OTT and unbelievable suspense element?
First scene of the MC's meeting and they saw the depth of pain in each other's eyes so naturally two weeks later they're deeply in love. Seriously, I think the majority of this book took place over only a couple of weeks.
And the suspense element made absolutely no sense and was so far-fetched for shock value . . . having one of the horses be the killer would have made more sense than the motive we got here.
The ideas and potential in Catherine Cowles's books is what always draws me in, even though I know the execution will let me down almost every single time. When will I learn?
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I have two more of her books on my shelf and then I think it's time to call it quits and stop being fooled by the promising blurbs....more
I'm going to say the quiet part out loud . . . Elsie Silver peaked with Heartless ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I don't think this book knew what it wanted ***3.5 Stars***
I'm going to say the quiet part out loud . . . Elsie Silver peaked with Heartless ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I don't think this book knew what it wanted to be because so many plot points were flimsy and underdeveloped, but it was a quick and entertaining read so I'll give it that. ...more
This was a quick, steamy, and enjoyable novella between a Navy SEAL with a form of PTSD and a recently divorced librarian who's looking t ***3 Stars***
This was a quick, steamy, and enjoyable novella between a Navy SEAL with a form of PTSD and a recently divorced librarian who's looking to break out of her stifling life and start living it.
The story was a bit underdeveloped so I didn't have as much as I wanted to sink my teeth into (especially when it comes to Jack's PTSD which was never really explained and then POOF it just went away and he was okay) and the pacing was definitely rushed....a few weeks and a handful of encounters that were primarily sex and we've got promises of forever and I love you's??
Even with my development issues, I was still engaged in the story and the characters. A one night stand that turns into more was definitely believable between Erin and Jack (though not as far as proclamations of love).
I'd categorize this as a good in-between book when you're looking for something quick and steamy that doesn't require too much investment of your time or feels.
Merged review:
***3 Stars***
This was a quick, steamy, and enjoyable novella between a Navy SEAL with a form of PTSD and a recently divorced librarian who's looking to break out of her stifling life and start living it.
The story was a bit underdeveloped so I didn't have as much as I wanted to sink my teeth into (especially when it comes to Jack's PTSD which was never really explained and then POOF it just went away and he was okay) and the pacing was definitely rushed....a few weeks and a handful of encounters that were primarily sex and we've got promises of forever and I love you's??
Even with my development issues, I was still engaged in the story and the characters. A one night stand that turns into more was definitely believable between Erin and Jack (though not as far as proclamations of love).
I'd categorize this as a good in-between book when you're looking for something quick and steamy that doesn't require too much investment of your time or feels....more
It's all there in my face as I watch Midas. The determination. The refusal. He didn't overplay his hand, he just didn't realize t
***4 Stars***
It's all there in my face as I watch Midas. The determination. The refusal. He didn't overplay his hand, he just didn't realize that there was another player at the table.
I am 0% mad that I have no idea where this story is going.
"You're not pathetic," he murmurs quietly. "You just haven't found it yet."
"Found what?"
"We all have our edge, Auren. One day, you're going to find where yours is . . . You're going to find out just how far you can be pushed until you're tipped over. And when that happens, when you find your edge, just promise me one thing."
My voice comes out like a croak, a single tear dashing down. "What?"
"Don't fall." Time stands still as he leans in and places a kiss on my temple, lips turning to whisper into my ear. "Fly."
A veil has been lifted - a veil I put there, over my own eyes. Now it's ripped away, and I can see everything more clearly.
***4.25 Stars***
A veil has been lifted - a veil I put there, over my own eyes. Now it's ripped away, and I can see everything more clearly.
I definitely now understand the love for this series. The layers are being peeled back and I'm here for it!
And that last 20% . . . .Ms. Kennedy . . . . ma'am . . . . The feels. The reveals. The twists. I'm a fish on your hook.
And in conclusion . . . hello, Commander.
"I hate you."
"Your anger is misplaced, but I like it," he says with a feral grin, sharp canines gleaming. "Every time you let it leak out just a little bit more, I can see you better, Goldfinch."
The muscle in my jaw jumps. "You see nothing."
"Oh, I do," he counters, voice low, rough, like two stones clashing together, trying to ignite. "I can't wait to see the rest of you. When you let it go, when you finally let that out, your fury is going to light up the spirit you've shadowed . . . I hope you burn so bright that you scorch your Golden King down to ash."
I should've known better . . . If I could go back, I'd shake myself. I clipped my own wings.
This is 100% a set up book. Rav ***3.5 Stars***
I should've known better . . . If I could go back, I'd shake myself. I clipped my own wings.
This is 100% a set up book. Raven Kennedy is laying the foundation, brick by brick.
Do I know what we're building? Not even a little bit.
Am I intrigued? You bet. I can't wait to see Auren's character growth because this is a badass, strong bitch just waiting to be let loose on the world....more
I've realized that if I read more than two Catherine Cowles books in a row, they start to lose their "escape reality for a bit" charm and ***3 Stars***
I've realized that if I read more than two Catherine Cowles books in a row, they start to lose their "escape reality for a bit" charm and end up being more cheese than my body can handle....more
It's really interesting being a reader. Catherine Cowles is a solid 3 star author for me. With the exception of Wrecked Palace (which was ***3 Stars***
It's really interesting being a reader. Catherine Cowles is a solid 3 star author for me. With the exception of Wrecked Palace (which was a 5 star read), I rate most of her books around 3 stars.
Do they wow me? No. Are they cheesy? Yes. Formulaic romances? Yep. Predictable romantic suspense? Uh huh. Tropey? Indeed.
But I keep picking them up. Why? Because for the most part, they're easy, breezy reads. I know exactly what I'm going to get, and it's enough to blur the edges of reality and escape for a few hours.
And I'm also hoping that I'll find another gem like Wrecked Palace....more
First things first . . . when should you read this book if you're interested in the Legends of Thezmarr series. My opinion? 10000000000 ***3.5 Stars***
First things first . . . when should you read this book if you're interested in the Legends of Thezmarr series. My opinion? 100000000000% read this after the second book. Do not treat this as a prequel. The world building is sub-par, and so, so many little nuggets of important information and moments will go right over your head and won't mean as much if you have no history from the first two books in the series.
Okay, now that I have that out of the way.
This book was entertaining and downright alright. That's it.
If I wasn't already invested in Talemir and his backstory, I'd probably rate this lower.
This is very much romance centered and less about the world-building, however the romance and its angst (and Talemir's character development) lacks depth and emotion without fully understanding the world, so what the author tried to achieve here doesn't quite work without having an understanding of the bigger picture (which you’d only understand if you’d read the first 2 books in the series).
If I read this first as a "prequel" to the Legends of Thezmarr series, I can't say that I'd be interested in starting the series . . . but reading it after the first two books, oh man am I seriously EVEN MORE excited to jump into Fate & Furies after the cliffhanger in the second book!!
So, is this a must read as part of the Legends of Thezmarr series? Not really.
Am I glad I read it? Yep, I am.
If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy romance that’s more about the romance than the fantasy, then this is definitely a book I recommend. You’ll have a good time.
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Before Reading:
Not absolutely necessecary, but I'm told if I haven't read it already I should read this before Fate & Furies, the third book in the Legend of Thezmarr series. This will add even more backstory and world-building to heighten my enjoyment of the rest of the series . . . and I'm already enjoying the shit out of the series so let's go....more
This is my 5th book by Carissa Broadbent and though I've enjoyed them all, I've struggled in every single one of t ***4.25 Stars***
More of this please.
This is my 5th book by Carissa Broadbent and though I've enjoyed them all, I've struggled in every single one of them with her pacing. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy romance authors, but in my opinion, pacing is the weakest aspect of her storytelling . . . but not here. This felt fully developed and packed with emotion, world building, romance, and so much more in a perfectly paced less than 200 pages novella that felt like every chapter was crafted with intention.
Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read**
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