Drop Dead Queen by C. HallmanMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Sunday, March 27, 2022
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Friday, March 25, 2022
Review: Take Me Home
Take Me Home by Britney BellMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent sized, romantic, steamy novel that I didn't mind being thrown into.
Both MCs are single parents, rich, but feel something is missing. When they meet, sparks fly, tensions also come to a head, but a HEA is always guaranteed in the end.
And that's basically it. I enjoyed the romance, but wasn't entirely - how should I say - feeling connected to the characters - although I could understand their struggles of being single parents.
It all felt like a brady bunch remake, in a novel version. But a good kind I suppose.
But maybe this is a sign that I should just back to my dark romances haha. Who knows?
Until the next read,
-JB
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Thursday, March 24, 2022
Review: Whiskey Home
Whiskey Home by Taryn RiversMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series, so please read in order as future/past characters do make cameos.
Trigger Warnings: murder, death, mention of rape, brutal violence, assault, abduction, abuse, drug abuse, shootouts, ostracism, thievery, betrayal.
Damn, this novel fell awfully short of what I was supposedly expecting from it.
I mean the summary hadn't really convinced me it was going to be a whole lot exciting, more like contemporary romance than a perhaps romantic suspense that it was going for.
Plus the romance felt more forced than anything, seems like the characters would have had a better platonic relationship than anything.
The mystery was in literal pieces, connected to who knows what and where. I mean I had my own kind of headaches just piecing together what the book was trying to say.
The only three things going for it were: decent flow, the pacing was okay-could've accelerated a bit more, and the writing had me.
Otherwise, this was more bland and all over the place than anything I've ever known.
But still I look forward to Erick's book as it seemed to have a bit more intriguing tone to it than this one.
Whiskey Dream will be releasing March 31st, so buckle up for Erick and his mystery girl's story!
Until the next read,
-JB
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Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Review: Lucifer's Sin
Lucifer's Sin by Lisa Renee JonesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a trilogy. Please read in order, as the first and second books in the trilogy end in cliffhangers.
Note 3: There is a prequel to Lucifer's Sin - called Lucifer's Beginning. It will give you more context to Ana and Luke's story (oops lucifer). So go read it now before you read this one!
Trigger Warnings: betrayal, murder, deceit, violence, abuse, assault, abduction, drug/alcohol abuse, shootouts.
Oh look at that, a regular romantic suspense coming in!
Ana and Lucifer (sorry hehe about thinking about calling you Luke) have had their share of problems and have avoided each other like the bubonic plague or maybe they were keeping 5m distance per the covid-19 guidelines.
Until one fine day, when Lucifer realizes that his past has actually caught up to his girl, Ana and he needs to rescue her if he wants her alive and well, and say a few things *singing* that they should've said.
Obviously, Lucifer and Ana are both trained to be one with violence, either to help people or kill them. And as time passes, they realize that they work together romantically too, all is not lost. So despite their share of problems, they were meant to be. And boy does fate let them know it, and so do his teammates Savage and Adam (side note: can we please get their stories too - you're killing me here).
Aside from the wonderful steam, romance, banter and action from our MCs, the side characters are also tons of fun, and made me wanna wish that I could stay with them forever, but alas - it was not meant to be. The suspense was thrilling and I was on the edge of my very seat as we came to that ugh I can't believe you did this to me again Lisa - cliffhanger. The action was all too intriguing and kept making me root for my favorite couple to win. The pacing was as always fabulous and kept me zipping throughout the book and not losing sight of the important matters too - which made the plot even more so intriguing.
So I'd like to say, that overall, LRJ has once again won me over, heart and mind, and I cannot wait for the next book - Lucifer's Touch - coming April 19th 2022.
Until the next read,
-JB
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Monday, March 21, 2022
Review: Shackled Hearts
Shackled Hearts by T.L. SmithMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series, but the second two chained hearts books: Lucas and Chanel's books are a duet. So please read in order -as previous characters do make cameos.
Trigger warnings: assault, negative words against sex workers, cheating, violence, knife play, sociopaths involved, betrayal, murder, drug use, gambling, head trauma.
Review of the previous book (Sinful Hands) to just let you understand what sort of a devil Lucas is haha: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Okay, so the level of depravity and utter chaoticness Lucas can get up to, apparently has no bounds. But this time Chanel has an actual backbone and is all too ready when it comes to resisting Lucas and other depraved beings around this planet - and I love her for that just a little more than before.
But obviously we know Lucas has no qualms about being the next dexter or dan. And neither do I considering I loved him too much and his psychopathic tendencies - probably this shows I do not enjoy em normal. And he's way too desperate for Chanel to not be who he is so yeah.
The plot just moves along, tragedy by fucking tragedy, and of course Lucas, lucas, lucas. And of course the side characters were absolute fun too, so yeah it was wonderful to see them too.
The romance and steam was too forbidden, hooottt, and made me want to interrupt them bad, cause I wanna be the girl, not chanel, okay?
Overall, loved this twisty, scary, and way too entertaining novel with f-ed heroes and heroines who just can't help themselves.
And neither can I.
Until the next read,
-TMR
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Sunday, March 20, 2022
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Review: The Emperor
The Emperor by Erin Mc Luckie MoyaMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series. The first two books in the series are a duet. Please read in order -as previous characters do make cameos.
Trigger Warnings: violence, death, murder, underage sex mentioned, mention of drug use, illness mentioned, vegetational state mentioned. mention of Salem witch trials.
Just to catch you up on my opinion regarding the first book: goodreads.com/review/show/4611455832?...
This time, the book's path is a bit different. It instead takes a more romantic, self-discovery, and steamy direction than the original content and action heavy first novel.
And I appreciated it. To a certain degree. But the endless s** scenes started boring me to tears, making me miss and wish for the last first book which was more content and action heavy.
I mean I loved Dimitri and Corinne's discovery, dance of mystery and how they get to know each other more and accept differences.
But did we really need at least 100 different ways of how Dimitri rocked her world and not in the sing song way?
No. This book could've been much more entertaining and shorter had a few of those scenes been cut out. Again like I said, this reminds me of a sarah j maas novel - either there is endless filler, or endless steamy scenes. People need to make up their minds.
Anyway, I still enjoyed being in both worlds: the bratva and the witchy wacky world. Plus the ending was something that made me look forward to the next book so yeah here I am - eagerly waiting for the next.
Hope its' better than this one.
Until the next read,
-JB
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Review: The Empress
The Empress by Erin Mc Luckie MoyaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Note 2: This is a series. The first two books in this series are a duet. Please read in order as previous characters do make cameos.
Trigger Warnings: assault, violence, death, abuse, underage sex mentioned.
Where do I begin with this novel?
Oh I know.
The very descriptive and almost realistic descriptions of witches, of magick, of their pasts and how they are made/found, and how they are used all over the world (fictionally) in order to continue to grow their magick and themselves. I loved being in that world, immersed myself deep and never let go. Also knowing that the author put a lot of work to research about witches and magick made it definitely a read that I would not forget anytime soon.
The romance was - at 95% almost. So no it didn't take center stage. It was mostly about the detailed workings in and out, history of how a witch operates, vs the bratva and how they try to run their business (illegal or not still a business) and protect themselves. Though this was more left to the backburner, I loved the action, and how for once, work was actually getting done - it wasn't all the screwing and constant immature banter - it was something that grown adults who came from different worlds did. And I appreciated them for it.
Side characters - well they were definitely useful - though naming them off the top of my head might be a challenge Hercules should try. I can't. But I do remember Arlo, Stepen, Ravi and her witchy friends. They were all fun, definitely added something lighter to the story and stood out despite being on the side. And I loved it.
Action - well it was only witches and bratva workings s0 not much more than that and you know the occasional mole in em. Etc., etc.
Characters - Though Dimitri and Corinne come from different worlds, Fate and Isis also know they are meant to be. And yes Isis is someone Corinne worships so hush up. With different beliefs, and you know different jobs, they do have their share of problems. But at the end of the day, the banter, romance, wit and steam are too much for them to deny - even though it took a longer denial than I thought and cause celebrations for a HEA.
Plot was definitely good and relevant. Though the book did get content heavy a lot at times - felt like wading through a sarah j maas novel at times.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more books by Erin.
Until the next read,
-JB
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
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