I liked this friends-to-lovers, best friend's sister/brother's best friend story. I really liked that the story didn't pit them against each other andI liked this friends-to-lovers, best friend's sister/brother's best friend story. I really liked that the story didn't pit them against each other and allowed them to stay together whenever conflict arrived. There is a little bit of family pressure about them getting together, but once everyone let them be, it was clear to see how much they all had riding on Roth and Autumn making it in the long haul. There was just enough to test their bond and take care of past hurts, but not enough to make things angsty. A nice read for a lazy afternoon. ...more
Strong followup to Woods of the Raven. Great mystery with a unique spin. Xander and Lorne are going strong and I love the community they've built. TheStrong followup to Woods of the Raven. Great mystery with a unique spin. Xander and Lorne are going strong and I love the community they've built. There is a demon element and I think my favorite part (aside from everything) is their friendly priest's journey of non-belief to absolutely believing. And the cat .... love the "cat". ...more
OMG ... these books are getting better and better. Great romance balanced with intense action/adventure. The story woven together, from the first storOMG ... these books are getting better and better. Great romance balanced with intense action/adventure. The story woven together, from the first story through now, has kept me on the edge of my seat. The next book can't be released soon enough. ...more
This was fabulous. So many things happening, twists and turns the whole way. I'm really enjoying these characters ... the humor they have with each otThis was fabulous. So many things happening, twists and turns the whole way. I'm really enjoying these characters ... the humor they have with each other, as well as how quickly they've managed to sync together. And the ending .... so glad I already have the next book handy. ...more
Quick and fast paced, this was an exciting start to the series. There is a bigger story arc, but this novella focused on a bite sized chase to introduQuick and fast paced, this was an exciting start to the series. There is a bigger story arc, but this novella focused on a bite sized chase to introduce the world and the main characters. I don't read a lot of steampunk, so I appreciated the space it gave us to get used to the terms and concepts, which didn't overwhelm the rest of the story. I think I'm really going to like this series. ...more
I enjoyed this fast paced, fun, and interesting story. It's my first book by this author and I'm already ready for book two. I really liked the toucheI enjoyed this fast paced, fun, and interesting story. It's my first book by this author and I'm already ready for book two. I really liked the touches of Korean culture and myths. The romance took it's time ... plenty enough that I think romance readers will be happy, but more an accent to the main fantasy instead of the main focus. The family relationship held more of my attention and I really hope to see that get even stronger as the books progress. ...more
What a ride. This story is fast paced and covers so much that it is almost over before you even realize it. You feel for the people trapped in sufferiWhat a ride. This story is fast paced and covers so much that it is almost over before you even realize it. You feel for the people trapped in suffering only because they've been lied to and don't know any better. Lena is a perfect example of someone who sees the truth but has a hard time of letting go of everything she's ever been taught. There is heartbreak, but this story is more about hope and light. ...more
This feels like an origin story, a prequel to more adventures. I liked how the legend and the newbie find common ground, making each better in the proThis feels like an origin story, a prequel to more adventures. I liked how the legend and the newbie find common ground, making each better in the process. The first half deals with them getting to know and care about each other, and the second half seems to put all that knowledge into action. I liked that they each got to confront things that had held them back....more
This book was not what I expected, but turned out even better. While there is a romance thread, this book does not take the typical romance book path.This book was not what I expected, but turned out even better. While there is a romance thread, this book does not take the typical romance book path. The Shoe Diaries prioritizes Reagan and her journey from heartbreak to who she is when she's really ready to open herself up again. Years pass, experiences change her, friends guide her, and then ... only when the time is right .... she is able to take the ultimate leap with the one who has always been the "Right Person, Wrong Time" until now.
Reagan and Jake are destined, but they have few scenes together. Reagan finding her happiness and then adding a partner to share life with makes this a unique and refreshing romance....more
This had a lot of things I loved. They were mature characters that life had dealt hard blows. I'm glad the author didn't shy away from hard topics. ItThis had a lot of things I loved. They were mature characters that life had dealt hard blows. I'm glad the author didn't shy away from hard topics. It was real and raw, letting things unfold in their own time. Cynthia's family was harsh, so I'm glad that Marcel and his family made room for her in theirs. ...more
This can't be the end. The whole series was so good. The immediate threat has been handled, but there is still much more to come. Plenty of surprises This can't be the end. The whole series was so good. The immediate threat has been handled, but there is still much more to come. Plenty of surprises and clever touches. Action. Adventure. Great characters. Crossing my fingers that we haven't seen the last of them. ...more
After the excitement of the last novella, I was all ready to move forward ... and instead we went backwards. I enjoyed the added bits of Gaspard's oriAfter the excitement of the last novella, I was all ready to move forward ... and instead we went backwards. I enjoyed the added bits of Gaspard's origin story and learning about the bet that placed Kara in service. I feel like we met the players our home team will be facing off against in the upcoming war. I need the next installment to be 500+ pages ;-P...more
Loving this series. This book takes us into cryptid territory while still laying the grounds for paranoid political antics. Our main characters are geLoving this series. This book takes us into cryptid territory while still laying the grounds for paranoid political antics. Our main characters are getting closer by the day and that seems to be freaking out some folks. I've enjoyed the wit and banter and overall intrigue. I like that they say what we are thinking during tense situations. I was not sad at all when the villain found his demise, because how dare he! ...more
Great start to the series. The blend of modern mixed with the past was brilliantly done. Broke my heart to hear the ghosts' stories, but I'm glad theyGreat start to the series. The blend of modern mixed with the past was brilliantly done. Broke my heart to hear the ghosts' stories, but I'm glad they could finally know peace. And how our main cast reacted and helped went a long way to tell us who they are too. There is action and humor and compassion and hints at a possible romance down the line. Would highly recommend. ...more
Chloe and Tristan's banter was a lot of fun. Even without telling anyone, everyone knew they were perfect for each other. I was sad to learn the reasoChloe and Tristan's banter was a lot of fun. Even without telling anyone, everyone knew they were perfect for each other. I was sad to learn the reason Tristan was somewhat distant with his family, but I'm glad he finally took the leap in closing the gap, largely because of Chloe's support. And Tristan's insight into Chloe allowed her to break through some childhood fear and reach for what she wanted. There is plenty to figure out, but I'm sure they will make it. ...more
Really enjoyed the fresh feel of this story, with very little happening as I expected. This book covers grief and disappointment and restlessness and Really enjoyed the fresh feel of this story, with very little happening as I expected. This book covers grief and disappointment and restlessness and fear ... but instead of feeling dark, there is a hopefulness about it. Perfectly timed quirks cracked me up more than once. The romance was a bit of a slow burn, but never felt slow because we knew what was going on even when the main couple didn't. Nice start to a new series. ...more
Love this series. Ash and Grant find themselves in unimaginable conditions and still find a way to make a difference, which I think is the true point Love this series. Ash and Grant find themselves in unimaginable conditions and still find a way to make a difference, which I think is the true point of Merlin's missions beyond replacing the artifacts. I'm seeing the boys grow up with each new adventure, and I help we see 100 more books in their future. ...more
Aspenson is a new author for me, but I have a feeling I'll be doing a deep dive of her backlist asap.
I liked Rachel Ryder as the main character. She Aspenson is a new author for me, but I have a feeling I'll be doing a deep dive of her backlist asap.
I liked Rachel Ryder as the main character. She seemed to know when to push and when to lay low, and felt like I would hope everyday law enforcement should behave. At the same time, her personal life was emotionally complex in a very real way.
The case was on the darker side but didn't seem overly sensational, and the investigation progressed as I would expect a real case to progress. She's new to this team so she had to push a little harder upstream than she should have, but I hope that means she'll eventually see more cooperation in the future.
Overall, I liked her a lot and am rooting for her. ...more
