I'm Fine, You're Fine, We're All Fine...Right?

"These days, loneliness is the new cancer – a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way. A fearful, incurable thing, so horrifying that you dare not mention it; other people don’t want to hear the word spoken aloud for fear that they might too be afflicted, or that it might tempt fate into visiting a similar horror upon them."

--Gail Honeyman, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

My Thoughts

The Belle

Wow. This book. This book is one of those magical books that makes me remember why I love reading. It made me feel to the deepest part of my heart how characters and their stories can change you. This book is about Eleanor who is quite different than the average bear. She lives alone, has zero friends, is awkward in her social interactions, and the only people she talks to her coworkers who aren’t very kind to her and her mother who calls once a week. Her voice sounds very traditional in it’s viewpoint, stuffy, if you will which makes it sound like it would be difficult to connect to her as a reader but I found the exact opposite to be true.

Kiss List {Best Books of January}

As I said in my post on Friday, I read so many amazing books in January that I just could not decided which book to highlight! So I decided to make a Kiss List specifically devoted to books. Shocker. But it's really rare to LOVE so many books in such a short period of time. It was like book hangover hair of the dog, I just kept picking up incredible books, lucky me! I was going to post this yesterday but decided to postpone it until today because it's my birthday SO I figured I'd flail about some of my new favorite books!

"Try looking with your soul, instead. The soul sees what truly matters."

MARIANA  by Susanna Kearsley was a book that completely transported me to it's location and time. The present day story molds into the past with ancestor memories bringing a fascinating edge to this story. The romance was heart-breaking and beautiful, the location tangible, and I just DO NOT understand why I don't live in an old house in the English countryside.
Pick This Book Up If...You love historical fiction with a breathtaking love story and a perfectly complemented present day story. Also, if you love any and all stories set in England!

Find Me A Man in a Kilt

"You're not falling for me, are you, Irish?"

--Karen Marie Moning, The Immortal Highlander

 

Genre

Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher

Delacourte Press

Pages

288 // 394 

Publication Date

August 4, 2004 // August 28, 2007

Source

Library // Bought

Previous Books in Series

Beyond the Highland Mist & To Tame a Highland Warrior & The Highlander's Touch & Kiss of the Highlander & The Dark Highlander

I finally continued on with my Highlanders and I was SO happy to be back in this world. The Immortal Highlander is the story most readers, including myself, have been waiting for for quite awhile. Adam Black, the immortal Fae who loves to stir up trouble, is total. And falling in love. With a human. And she's the only one who can see him. It's freaking fantastic. Gabrielle is a sidhe-seer so she can see the Fae. When Adam realizes this and goes to her for help, she punches him in the face. It's fucking amazing. She's grown up avoiding them and has been taught to stay away from them by any means necessary, so obvi she doesn't trust him. Adam is smitten. Duh. There tete-a-tete is amazing. The quote at the top is one he says to her on the reg. He's charming but soulless and therein lies the problem. For Gabrielle, it has been ingrained into her that they are soulless shells and it takes her awhile to realize he's anything but soulless. After the disappointment that was The Dark Highlander for me, this book brought me right back to life and it was so romantic. I was super emotional at the end and couldn't help but shed a few tears. My heart, you guys, my heart.

Like A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

 

Books: Child of the Prophecy | Heir to Sevenwaters | Seer of Sevenwaters | Flame of Sevenwaters
Genre: Adult Fantasy

Publication Date: March 20, 2002 // November 4, 2008 // December 7, 2010 // November 6, 2012

Source: Borrowed from Library
Previous Books in Series: Daughter of the Forest & Son of Shadows

Goodreads

Child of the Prophecy

"Good and bad; shade and sunlight, there's but a hair's breath between them. It's all one in the end."

After finishing Daughter of the Forest and shortly after that Son of Shadows, I was on a Sevenwaters high. SoS was AMAZING! I couldn’t put it down and I wanted to binge read the rest of the series immediately! So I crack open Child of the Prophecy and…what is this? I did not jive with this book at all. Fainne is our main character, the daughter of Niamh, living with her father learning the art of magic. I won’t give too much away about the plot…mostly because nothing happens. The pain purpose of this book is Fianne is coerced into infiltrating Sevenwaters and trying to destroy them from the inside. This was what drove the entire book. While I find this storyline interesting, it really dragged and nothing really happened. We have a few major events occur but it was in between pages and pages of the same thing. Fianne questioning her mission, who to trust, what to do. It got boring and I did not look forward to reading this book. Add in the complete lack of romance and this does not a Kelly book make. I can love books with no romance. But when the rest of the book has almost zero plot progression throughout, it was a struggle. I trigged through finishing it because I know I wanted to read books 4, 5, and 6 but otherwise I would have put it down. I didn’t even really like the ending and how this part of the story concluded. I felt like it was a little forced and I expected more from the magic of the infamous Islands we’ve been fighting for for the past 1200 pages.

Ball Status

Denied at the Door

Heir to Sevenwaters

"What was between us would be as far above the ordinary congress between man and woman as the stars are above their pale reflections in the lake below."

Now THIS is what I’m talking about. Oh, my gosh! This fourth book in the Sevenwaters series is back on track with all the amazing. This book had it all. Plot, romance, intrigue, mystery. This book I did NOT want to put down. Our main heroine in this book is Clodagh, Sean and Aisling’s daughter. She is a twin to Deirdre who is about to be married. She is sad to see her sister go and during the festive her cousin Johnny and a few of his men arrive to celebrate and play security. Enter Aiden and Cathal. She has a crush on Aiden and Cathal is an asshole…you’ll have to see how the rest of this plays out. Aisling is pregnant, gives birth to a son, who is then taken by the Fair Folk. Clodagh is forced/takes it upon herself to go after him…and here our real story begins…

I LOVED this story. The journey through the land of the Fey, the romance….THE ROMANCE!!! Gah, I loooooved what Juliet Marillier did with Clodagh and *blank space*. It was snarky and hard-won and fought against and I just love love loved it! The rules of the Fey and how they can be one-upped was fantastic. The writing of this story brings the forest and the setting to life and I am so happy I continued with the series because I loved this book. It made up for the abysmal that is book 3. So worth it. Clodagh alone is one of the best heroines I've ever read. She is strong-willed, filled with love, and will go to whatever lengths necessary for her family. And she knows her heart. She knows what is right and what has to be done no matter what anybody else says, when you read the book you'll understand that a little bit more.

Ball Status

Backstage Pass

Seer of Sevenwaters

"We cannot know the future. All we can do is face it bravely. We should take heed of those we love and respect. But in the end, we make every decision alone." 

I really enjoyed this book overall. I loved being back with the familiar magic that is the Sevenwaters family. This book takes places--mostly--on Johnny's island of warriors. Sibeal is taking time there before she commits to the Druid life and there she rescues a shipwrecked sailor whose memory has vanished from the wreck. She has a connection to this man after saving him and helps nurse him back to health. I liked the dynamic between Felix, the man, and Sibeal. She struggles with her non-platonic feelings towards him and how they conflict with her desire and commitment to be a Druid. I loved the conversations she had with Clodagh. OMG and seeing Clodagh and Cathal! *hearts in eyes times a million* 

Overall I liked the book and the mystery of Felix's past and the shipwreck but the pacing was so off. The synopsis talks about a journey they must take but they don't take that until almost the end of the book. The pacing was just really wonky and I felt myself falling out of the story because it is very slow moving. MUCH better than Child of Prophecy but nowhere near the caliber that is books 1, 2 and 4. Still enjoyable and worth the read!

Ball Status

General Admission

Flame of Sevenwaters

"Our family has survived a long time. We’ve weathered battles and transformations, enchantments and floods and fires. We’ve endured being sent away, and we’ve coped with evildoers in our midst. If I were telling a story of Sevenwaters – and it would be a grand epic told over all the nights of a long winter – I would surely end it with a triumph. A happy ending, all well, puzzles solved, enemies defeated, the future stretching ahead bright and true. With new challenges and new adventures, certainly, because that’s the way things always are. But overall it would be a very satisfying story, one to give the listener heart." 

The final book of the Sevenwaters series has its ups and downs. I was super excited to get Maeve's story and get to know her. I really liked her characterization. I found her quiet strength amazing and her anger towards her mother refreshing. I know that sounds weird but Aisling has always annoyed me for some reason. And I, with Maeve, couldn't stand her stuttered response other daughter. Sean's reaction though, oh be still my heart. I adore Sean and think he is an amazing father. His first private interaction with Maeve gave me the warm fuzzies, as did when he saw her for the first time in 10 years. Love love love him. Speaking of love, Finbar plays a prominent role in this book and I loved him!!! He's so precious and smart but at the same time precocious and haunted. I loved getting to know him and seeing his relationship with Maeve bloom.

The magic of this book is another strong point. Mac Dara is causing mayhem and really causing problems for Lord Sean and his neighbors. I won't go into too much detail but know that the ending of this book and how the magic all fit together was unexpected and AMAZING! I didn't see the twists coming at all and the last 70 pages went by so fast and were so incredibly good. My criticism of this book is in the pacing. As I said, the last 70 pages were amazing, 5 star worthy, but the first 360 pages were SO slow. I struggled at multiple points to get into and stay in the story. As with Seer, editing and pacing correction would have seriously improved both books and made them on par with books 1, 2 and 4.

Ball Status

General Admission

Overall, this series is worth the read. 100% worth the read. It has its ups and downs but the setting and story Sevenwaters is fantasy at its best. 

Quick and Dirty // Mini-Reviews {3}

There's been a handful of books I've read lately that I haven't reviewed fully but still wanted to give them their just due. This group of mini-reviews are a few historical romances I've read and really enjoyed lately.

Overall I loved the story and the dynamic between Alex and Lily but I was shocked at how the intimacy happened between these two characters. It was...kinda skeevy and I just felt icky about it. It...wasn't good. I mean, at the end of the encounter it was good and I understood the general point of what Kleypas was going for but how the characters got there just didn't sit well with me. So much so I knocked off a whole star for it but don't let that deter you from reading. It's still a great story, I loved the dynamic between Lily and Alex. He is a total alpha if not for a little bit of an asshole but just what Lily needed and just what he needed. Their hate-to-love dynamic was a lot more hate but it just was even better when the sparks started flying.
General Admission

Take The Chance

"Bruises fade. Broken bones heal.
Life's too short, kid."

--Elle Kennedy, Addicted

Genre: Adult Dystopian Erotica

Publisher: Signet

Pages: 368

Publication Date: June 28th, 2016

Source: ARC provided by publisher

Previous Books in Series: Claimed
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts

The Belle

Wow. Just wow. I read Claimed, the first book in the series, last year and loved it. I was beyond ecstatic when Addicted showed up at my door. I made Claimed my next re-read and Addicted my next read. I legit read both these books in ONE day, people. Once I started Addicted I could not stop...pun intended. Here's why.

Rise of the Ospreys

"Sometimes we hate others for the things we hate in ourselves."

--Jodi Meadows, The Mirror King

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 544

Publication Date: April 5th, 2016

Source: eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Orphan Queen

Goodreads Description 

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right.

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

The Pacing
Final books in series are always a little anxiety-inducing, even to casual reader, and my personal worry doesn't necessarily comes from the actual ending but moreso how we get there. Which is why with books like The Mirror King I so completely appreciate when it is a book unto itself. What I mean by this is that this is a continuation of our story in Orphan Queen but it isn't a race to a conclusion. The plot builds, new conflict arises, and the like. I loved this. I love when a final book can stand on it's own and isn't *just* tying up loose ends. I think the pacing of this book is great and leads me to...

The Plot
...the plot. While I will not give away any spoilers, know that the plot of this story was phenomenal for a reason I can't mention due to spoilers. I know! Don't hate me! But trust me, when you read it you'll understand why I can't say anything! What I will say is that I was very happy and surprised in a good way with how the plot played out and what struggles our Wilhemina encounters. Some barriers hurt worse than others but I loved how Jodi Meadows weaved this story and brought it all together. There were some definite shocks and a few very heart-string-tugging moments and one plot point that I thought was a cop-out but by the end it all came full circle and I no longer think it was a cop-out.

Wilhemina
*le sigh* Oh, Wil. I adore you. I love your fire and your flaws. I love your strength and your struggles. I think Wilhemina's characterization is SO well done and she is a fantastic heroine to root for and read about. She is not perfect and we all know I love my flawed and real heroines. She does her best to learn from her mistakes and try to become the Queen she wants to be. I adore this. I cannot talk enough about how much I love Wil and it's hard because I want to go into detail but no spoilers!

The Supporting Cast
Tobiah, James, Melanie, all characters I want to be friends with. Wilhemina's characterization is not the only one I love. Tobiah is such a source of strength for Wil and because of all the circumstances from the first book, their friendship is not easy but I loved seeing them work with it. It was a huge part of why I loved this book. James is another character who surprised me. I loved him in Orphan Queen but his maturity and leadership in looking after his friends was on another level. I think he is such a quiet but strong character and I liked seeing him assert and a part of the solution. Melanie is a character I didn't know how to read but...no spoilers...really love her friendship with Wilhemina.

A Wicked Little Wraith
The wraith that Wilhemina awakened in Orphan Queen play a role in The Mirror King and he's like the little brother or sister you never wanted. But this guy worked his way into my heart and it has a soft spot for him. I hope readers will also enjoy this wicked little wraith.

Backstage Pass
If you love well built fantasy worlds, amazing heroines, and a fantastic supporting cast...this books' for you.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below!


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Thou Shall Not Envy

"But you make your own destiny. 
You choose your own way."

--JR Ward, Envy

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Signet

Pages: 454

Publication Date: September 6h, 2011

Source: Bought

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Covet & Crave

Goodreads Description 

A man and a woman tread the lines of danger, desire, and deliverance in the new novel of the Fallen Angels from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

This series continues to impress me and hold me by the proverbial balls. I cannot get enough of this series and the next book is no exception. In the battle for good against evil, I can safely say I'm more than a little in love with one Jim Heron. Swoon fucking swoon, my friends. This guy is an angel fighting off the devil herself and he just does it so well...and very sexily. Is that a word? No matter. He is drop dead fucking sexy as he does his damnedest to save people. Adrian and Eddie are also hot as hell not to mention smart, protective, and brave. This trio of man candy are more than just pretty faces and this book really brought their storyline to the forefront for me. I felt like I became way more invested in Jim and his journey than the main couple. I loved Jim in the previous books, don't get me wrong, but this book really solidified how much I love him and his storyline.

The main focus in this part of the game is Veck aka Thomas DelVecchio, Jr, son of an infamous serial killer on death row. Devina is up to old tricks as she has again broken the rules, I won't give you the details, you'll have to read it. Veck struggles with his inner anger and how to deal with his father's awful legacy. He meets Sophia Reilly under...circumstances...and they end up having to be partners. Their attraction to one another is off the charts, as always. What I loved about this book was that while Sophia frustrated me at times because after she makes strides with Veck and get *ahem* intimate, she shuts down immediately. This was something I could understand but it still was frustrating at times to read. But I GET IT so I can't be too harsh. If I were in her shoes I'd be doing the same thing! Veck has his own personal demons for obvious reasons but I looooved how absolutely tender and vulnerable he was with Sophia. He really let down his guard especially with how crazy his past has been. Their relationship was super fun to read about, particularly when Victoria's Secret was involved.

The plot thickens immensely in that Devina seems to be manipulating the playing field even more than before. It's so infuriating!!!! But of course, makes for great reading. I absolutely love this series. I can't wait to read more about Jim and the game and that bitch Devina.

Reserved Seating
If you love redemption, angels, and hot men...this book is for you.

Fantasy is Fact

"Only a few centuries ago, the descriptions of magical beings and their actions within these pages would have been taken as fact."

--Mark Tompkins, The Last Days of Magic

Genre: Adult Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Publisher: Viking Books

Pages: 400

Publication Date: March 1st, 2016

Source: Copy provided by publisher

Previous Books in Series: Standalone
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Description 

An epic novel of magic and mysticism, Celts and faeries, mad kings and druids, and the goddess struggling to reign over magic’s last outpost on the Earth

What became of magic in the world? Who needed to do away with it, and for what reasons? Drawing on myth, legend, fairy tales, and Biblical mysteries, The Last Days of Magic brilliantly imagines answers to these questions, sweeping us back to a world where humans and magical beings co-exist as they had for centuries.

Aisling, a goddess in human form, was born to rule both domains and—with her twin, Anya—unite the Celts with the powerful faeries of the Middle Kingdom. But within medieval Ireland interests are divided, and far from its shores greater forces are mustering. Both England and Rome have a stake in driving magic from the Emerald Isle. Jordan, the Vatican commander tasked with vanquishing the remnants of otherworldly creatures from a disenchanted Europe, has built a career on such plots. But increasingly he finds himself torn between duty and his desire to understand the magic that has been forbidden.

As kings prepare, exorcists gather, and divisions widen between the warring clans of Ireland, Aisling and Jordan must come to terms with powers given and withheld, while a world that can still foster magic hangs in the balance. Loyalties are tested, betrayals sown, and the coming war will have repercussions that ripple centuries later, in today’s world—and in particular for a young graduate student named Sara Hill.

The Last Days of Magic introduces us to unforgettable characters who grapple with quests for power, human frailty, and the longing for knowledge that has been made taboo. Mark Tompkins has crafted a remarkable tale—a feat of world-building that poses astonishing and resonant answers to epic questions.

Magic + Historical fiction + Ireland setting, I was sold. I don't read a lot of adult fantasy (which I really need to change) and this sold me on it that much more. As the title reveals, magic is dying because there are religious people trying to drive it out of our world. There are betrayals and triumphs and heartbreak and battles. The book opens up stating that centuries ago, everything we would take for fantasy--magic, Fae, etc--would be taken as fact. I loved this idea. That long ago humans and otherworldly creatures lived alongside one another. But as the title of the book will reveal, all is not well in the last frontier for magic--Ireland. The Catholic church wants to snuff out all the Sidhe--magical creatures--and with them gone, conquer Ireland. Our main players are Aisling and Anya--reincarnated twins of their deity. Liam--the man called to protect them. Brigid--the high priestess of the religion. Jordan--a mercenary for the Vatican hired to kill all Sidhe.

The writing of this book is very fluid and smooth. I felt immediately engaged with the story and couldn't stop reading. While the writing isn't as emotionally driven as I'm used to, I still felt myself really connecting with the characters. What I also found really refreshing about this fantasy was that it wasn't confusing to get into the world and there wasn't a lot of unnecessary components to keep track of. The world was easily and eloquently explained. The pace is leisurely but nonetheless enticing.

The characters were very blunt and to the point in their actions and emotions. Which would make you think you couldn't connect to them but that's not the case. I felt myself feeling so much emotion for Aisling and Liam and Jordan. Even when on opposite sides of the war I was rooting for them. Aisling is so incredibly strong and I found her strength and ability to love and care so deeply incredibly beautiful. I found her incredibly complex and loved when the story focused on her. Jordan was also incredibly complicated. He works for the Vatican to eradicate magic but doesn't feel completely right about it. He feels something inside him that isn't completely situated in this world. His character was actually my favorite. Seeing him start off as one thing and end completely different was a fantastic component of this story.

The story. *sigh* The story itself was incredible. There are so many elements that come into play while Ireland, Aisling, Liam, Bridig and the Sidhe try and fight to keep magic intact and on the opposing side is Jordan, Cardinal Orsini, the Vatican and England trying to take over. Oh, and we have some French witches also in the mix. Don't be dismayed it's not as confusing as I'm making it out to be. Tompkins does an incredible job of blending the magic element and the historical fiction element. We see real historical figures added into the mix and I couldn't have loved that more. It was so cool to see how real life Kings and Queens could have influenced history's outcome in this story.

As I said above, I was very emotionally attached to the characters and Tompkins takes no prisoners in telling his tale. There is an epic battle scene that had me acting a wreck because I was so nervous! Reading about the Irish and different Sidhe fighting to keep their land and their magic was so incredibly inspiring that I have chills just thinking about it right now. The belief that magic truly existed in our world and there was a fight to keep it just makes my heart clench in empathy. I could not get enough of this story and how everything and everyone weaves together and plays a part up until the very end.  I love, love, love that this story premises with the belief that while this tale is steeped in fantasy and magic and otherworldly beings... at one time it would all be taken as fact. I find that so ethereally beautiful that I was definitely a believer in Tompkins' tale.

Backstage Pass
If you love Ireland, magic, and fighting for what you believe in...this book is for you.

A Love To Last The Ages

"I have been told I have a calming effect with my hands.
I would rub your back, caress your hair
until you drifted off peacefully."

--Karen Marie Moning, Kiss of the Highlander

Genre: Adult Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Dell

Pages: 396

Publication Date: September 1st, 2001

Source: Gifted to me by the lovely Isalys, thanks love!

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Beyond the Highland Mist & To Tame a Highland Warrior & The Highlander's Touch

Goodreads Description 

 A laird trapped between centuries...

Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side....

A woman changed forever in his arms...

Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?

Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them ... and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves....

I've been waiting to read this book of the series since the beginning. Isalys raved about it Drustan and how swoony the book is and even with those expectations I still loved the book for so many reasons. Gwen was the first and foremost among them. She travels to Scotland partly to *ahem* lose her virginity and really fall in love. She wants so badly to be loved and feel those emotions that I couldn't help be be there with her emotions. I could relate 110% to her and I couldn't wait to see how her love story played out. She discovers Drustan, who has been cursed to the future, after she falls down a hill and quite literally falls on top of him. (Oh, hello sir.)

After they meet it is a series of unfortunate events. Drustan doesn't want to believe he's in the future, Gwen doesn't want to believe he came form the past. It is hilarious watching them try to communication and learn each other as they travel to where his home would be. Drustan is all kinds of sexy and adorable to Gwen. He's attracted to her in a primal way and she can't believe somebody as charming and gorgeous as he is would be interested in her. While a lot of people can't stand the self-deprecating heroine and want her to just "get over her issues," I really enjoy this kind of heroine. Like attracts like, what can I say?

After traveling with him into the past, a few more problems arise but no plot spoilers from me. I will say the most important thing about this book...it is swoony.as.fuck. I read a lot of love stories and romance books and THIS is one of the great ones. It is so acutely romantic and poignant in feelings that I just felt so much while reading. It was just amazing. Blew my heart wide open and I can't even give details or describe why it affected me so much but it did. The dynamic between not only Gwen and Drustan but Drustan's family is on point. I fell in love with all of them and it made the book that much better. While I enjoyed the previous books in the series, this one is the absolute best!

Backstage Pass
If you love swoon, true love, and feels...this book is for you.

Thou Shall Not Crave

"I just keep thinking it'll happen for me...But it hasn't."

--JR Ward, Crave

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Signet

Pages: 454

Publication Date: October 5th, 2001

Source: Bought

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: Covet

Goodreads Description 

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds-barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose.

Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble—and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil.

I am so in love with this series, I just can't. I'm completely obsessed and I cannot stop reading! I actually cannot even verbalize how absolutely impressed I am by how JR Ward continues to surprise me with romances I am 100% fully invested in. I keep thinking, 'there has to be one that sucks' and it just isn't happening. Isaac and Grier are total opposites and that's what makes this even more delicious. Isaac is on the run from the same organization Jim works/worked for and to fund his life post-AWOL he fights in illegal MMA-style cage fights. Yes, you can start drooling now. He gets arrested and that's how he meets Grier, his court-appointed lawyer. The sexual tension is there immediately, obviously.

What I loved about this story was Isaac's juxtaposition between his appearance, his job, and his true nature. While he is a foreboding physical creature and a trained killer, he is at heart a Southern gentleman with impeccable manners and forethought. Example: He walks into Grier's front door, notices how nice her house is, unties his shoes and leaves them outside. Like holy fucking hell I think my panties melted. He is so kind and thoughtful and his actions towards Grier are totally swoon-worthy. Grier is pretty awesome herself. Smart, strong, and sassy. My kind of woman. I love that she is able to not fear Isaac and tell him like it is. She pushes him just enough without being overbearing or nagging. They are seriously hot, hot, hot.

Jim continues to impress me with how fucking badass he is. I'm totally falling for him, too. This big, sexy, moral man has a heart that is in the right place. The sacrifices he makes in this book broke my heart and his desire to free the young woman he couldn't in Covet makes my eyes leak. The teamwork of Jim, Adrian, and Eddie is fucking on point. They are all so fantastic to read about and I just can't get enough of this trio. And while there are still a few secrets lurking about these Angels I can't wait to keep reading and have everything come together. I also heard rumors a certain Angel from the BDB ties in somewhere...we shall see...until then I'll keep reading...

Backstage Pass
If you love broken heroes, fierce warrior Angels, and opposites attract...this book is for you.

Night and Day It's Cinderella

"It seemed any young woman at odds with her place in life--
might find a happier home within the pages of a book."

--Tessa Dare, Any Duchess Will Do

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 375

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013

Source: Borrowed from Library

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Companion Series: A Night To Surrender & A Week To Be Wicked & A Lady By Midnight

Goodreads Description

What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season--or any season--but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training"...and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure--a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess--can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

I always love when you start a book or series and you end up really falling in love with it in a completely unexpected way...this is how I feel about Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. It started as a 'Alexa recommended this and it should be good' read and morphed into a series I find equal parts hilarious and off-the-charts sexy. But what I always take away mostly is the humor. I laugh OUT LOUD while reading. It is so funny! The mental commentary from our characters is so self-deprecating and witty that I have to stop reading at points because I'm actually laughing out loud. Griff, our hero, is no exception. There's one scene in particular where he accomplishes a physical feat and, of course, he acts like it's nothing when in his head he's saying most likely he pulled something and will pay for it later. I die. Love.

While Griff is hilarious, our heroine is nothing to scoff at. I love Dare's heroines because they are fierce, intelligent, opinionated, and witty as all hell. Pauline is a tavern waitress and farmer's daughter, and from the beginning she plays her own game. She is also hilarious! OMG her first interactions with Griff and his mother, I just can't. It's too good. And then you add in the sentiment of her sister who is a little mentally delayed and your heart is beating for her.

While I'm on the topic of characters, I have to talk about the Duchess. Talk about a character who came out of left field and stole my heart! She is rough in her demeanor because, duh she's a duchess, but once you get past the phlegm--read the book--she is a sweetheart. Her actions and motivations are pure and her dynamic with Pauline is probably legit the best part of the book for me. I just adore how the Duchess takes her under her wing and tries to make her into a duchess...and her plotting getting Griff and Pauline together is so legit.

The story is somewhat of a Cinderella fairy tale...and I loved every minute of it. Pauline's fascination with the dresses and parties while also have a blunt opinion of the higher classes was a great combination. Her attempts at failure but also success were great. The moments with Griff were...smeltering. Like...wow. I was fanning myself at one particular scene because HOT DAMN does Dare write some sexy scenes. Wowza. Approve.

We also get a lot of emotion from our characters because Griff is harboring a secret. The plot and pacing is well-done and I like that Dare doesn't give us a huge allusion so his 'secret' but rather it is slowly revealed how closed off he really is. I really appreciated and loved this!

Reserved Seating
If you love historical romance, hilarious banter, and sexy scenes...this book's for you.

Ride or Die

"What makes any of it wrong 
is when you pretend to be something you're not."

--Katie McGarry, Nowhere But Here

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 496

Publication Date: May 26th, 2015

Source: ARC provided by publisher at BEA

Find On: Goodreads | Amazon

Previous Books in Series: First book in series of companion novels

Goodreads Description

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Katie McGarry does it again. Don't ask what took me so damn long to read this (and post this review) because I have no idea. All I know is that once I started this book I didn't want to put it down and I couldn't wait until the moment I could pick it back up. Let's do this.

The Story
Katie takes is to a new locale in the great state of Kentucky, that being a motorcycle club in Snowflake. Is that a real place, Katie? Because the irony is not lost on me with all the descriptions of the heat. I digress. Emily is from Florida but her biological father Eli, who she has limited contact with after he abandoned her mom when he found out she was pregnant, lives there. After her mother discovers a close relative of Eli has passed away she make the executive decision to travel back to Snowflake. Cue hit shitting the fan.

Circumstances lead her to spending the summer with her bio dad and getting to know his life. Loved. This. Story. Ok. Contrary to reviews I have read, I LOVED the MC setting. I already knew all the lingo and how things were done. I love Sons of Anarchy and while I thought this book would be full of illegal operations and unnecessary bloodshed that is not the case. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in the middle of a legit MC of brotherhood and legal activities. I loved that Katie went there and also showed us a very different MC as well. The security company most member of the MC worked for felt cohesive with the plot and I thought it tied the club and legitimate business and earning a living together seamlessly. I couldn't get enough of read of about their way of life and how things were done. The mystery and secrets surrounding Emily and her mother's past kept me turning the pages immediately and kept me on my toes the whole book. I loved unraveling this mystery piece by piece and I struggled along with Emily trying to find out the truth.

The Characters
Oz and Emily come the same but very different ways of life. Katie continues to impress me taking two people from very different upbringings and stripping away their initial judgements and prejudices and teaching them how to accept what is different from them. Won't lie, it took Emily awhile to get there but I thought it felt very realistic for it to be a slow burn for her to grow to accept the craziness going on around her. Oz was similar in his snap judgements and watching them get to know one another was more than half the fun. I loved Oz and Emily together. Emily is more gritty and direct than I think she even have herself credit for. And Oz has more potential and is more driven than he ever thought he was. The fact that the other person is able to bring out these characteristics in one another and help them recognize strengths they didn't know they had was fifty shades of beautiful. Their love story was one of hate to love and we know how much I love those.

Oz and Emily were only a portion of what I locked though. The supporting cast of Eli, Olivia, Razor, Chevy, Cyrus, and the rest of the club was uh-may-zing. Olivia is brash and takes no shit. I would love to have somebody that fierce in my life. Eli is an amazing guy and does so much we don't know to protect his daughter. Razor is a friend of Oz and the hero in our next book. H is tortured and broken and duh so obviously MY type of book boyfriend. Foaming at the mouth for his story. There is so much I could say for all the characters but know in short, I love each and every one so much. And there is so much more beneath the surface from all our characters. Love love love.

The Writing
As I said before, Katie does an amazing job of writing a slow burn romance that gets you invested in both characters. I thought that this book read more like an adult book in that the relationship dynamic is a perfectly paced slow-burn of attraction with a great balance of outside plot surrounding the romance. It wasn't all about them yet heir romance was not overshadowed by the plot either. The book is long if we're talking about page count but it doesn't feel that way at all. Nothing was rushed or felt superficial, it felt great to just relax into the story and take things as they come. I wish more YA writers would write this type of pacing because I love how this book was done.

Backstage Pass
If you know complex family dynamics, a good secret, and a wonderful slow-burn hate to love romance...this book's for you.

Built Strong To Last Long

"I loved to give something no one else wanted or believed in a second chance."

--Jay Crownover, Built

Genre: Adult Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: William Morrow 

Pages: 400

Publication Date: January 5th, 2016

Source: ARC provided by author--Thanks, Jay!

Find On: Amazon | Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: First in series of companion novels and spin off of Marked Men

Goodreads Description 

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series,Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.

Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.

But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

The Plot
To be honest, I had no idea or expectation as to what direction the plot was going to take. Let's just say I was BEYOND pleasantly surprised! I will give zero spoilers but know that if you know me and once you read it you will know exactly what I'm talking about. With that said, every moment of this portion of the plot melted.my.fucking.heart. I love love loved it and I would have given up almost anything else in the plot--including sexy times, yes I said it--to have more moments of this plot point. Kills me I can't tell you but really, I don't wanna be that person. I also LOVED every second we got of Zeb and his job. I find construction and house repairs fascinating. It's also completely sexy. I loved reading about how Zeb was flipping a house and what he was doing. I'm a total dork but I love that shit. I also LOVED that he is a MAN'S man. Whooeee. Bring the hose, he's too hot for words.

The Romance
I knew going into the book Sayer was going to be a stone cold fox in all senses of the word. What I didn't expect was for her to be so self-aware about her emotional shortcomings. I loved her internal thoughts and how much she struggled with how she is and how much she wanted to be different. It broke my heart to watch her want so badly to be able to let go but ultimately lived up in her head. Zeb was amazing. He was so present and there and knew Sayer's heart better than she did. He was so patient and understanding of her emotional stunting...is that a word?...whatever. Their dynamic together is super hot because with Sayer being wound so tight when the sexual tension snaps it's like the snap heard round the world. And hot damn, is it something. But more than that, I loved all of Zeb's examples of how Sayer actually does lead with her heart. Ooooh, it was so swoony and heart-warming! I wanted to fist pump and yell 'Yeah! You go, Sayer!'

The Magic
While this is in the same world as the Marked Men, this is a brand new series that will stand on it's own. I loved that we got a glimpse at the old crew but I felt invested in Zeb and Sayer and would have loved this even if it had been set in a completely different setting. These characters and the ones we are going to get in the future will stand on their own and I love them. I have an idea of who the next couple is and color me shocked as to who the girl is paired up with...shit...didn't see that coming...but that's the beauty of it. I love that Jay takes two people who from an outsider's eye shouldn't work...but they do and it's beautiful. I love that opposites attract vibe more than anything and I cannot wait to see where this series goes!

Backstage Pass
If you love men's men, harder to get to know women, and construction...this book is for you.

Talk Techy To Me

"I’m not a princess. Or a dirty maid. OR a call girl. I’m not any of those things. 
I’m Chloe Talley and I’m a mess. I read romance novels and I wear really ugly gaucho pants in my apartment and I usually have stained shirts from cooking…
And I’m not strong. I’m not strong at all. 
In fact, I let people down. I’m not charming like you and I don’t like social places unless I can wear a costume and pretend to be someone else. 
The reason is because I don’t like what I see. I don’t like Chloe. And everything was fine until you made me want to give you more. 
And I can’t give you that. "

--Megan Erickson, Changing His Game

Genre: Adult Contemporary, Romance, Erotica

Publisher: Entangled Brazen

Pages: 128

Publication Date: August 11th, 2015

Source: Bought

Find On: Amazon | Goodreads

Previous Books in Series: Changing His Game

Goodreads Description 

He controls the game, but she’s rewriting all the rules…

Marley Lake is no stranger to awkwardness, but getting caught watching a dirty GIF by the company’s hot new IT guy exceeds even her standards. That is, until she realizes he's as turned on by it as she is. But with a big promotion on the line, she refuses to let her current dry spell be her downfall. Maybe.

Austin Rivers has no business lusting after the irresistible editor of Gamers Magazine. He's a secret partner in the business—and technically Marley’s boss. One look at that GIF, though, and he’s ready to install a whole lot more than just software…as long as she never finds out who he really is.

But reality’s not as virtual as it seems, and when Austin’s identity jeopardizes Marley’s promotion, he has to change his game or risk losing the only woman with the cheat code to his heart.

I immediately went into this book upon finishing Changing His Game because I completely fell in love with the first one. The banter, the sexy times, the tech talk, I fell in love with it all...especially the cosplay sex. I cannot talk enough about this component but I don't wanna be a total creep so I'll also talk about some other things. This story starts right where Changing His Game left off but zeroing in our focus on Grant aka Breck--cosplay, guys, cosplay--spotting Chloe aka Sari. They both are attracted to one another and after some amazing medieval/video game verbal foreplay, they hook up. Chloe is painfully introverted and can only really be social when she is in consume pretending to be somebody else, so she sneaks out after their night together and plans to never see her Breck again. But of course, life doesn't work out that way.

Grant is business partners with her brother Ethan and they end up meeting again at a dinner. Ethan plays the big brother card before Chloe even gets to dinner so when she shows up Grant is understandably in fear of his genitals. They pretend they don't know one another but they keep finding themselves thrown together and end up continuing their role playing sexual escapades.

Ok, let me talk about the sex first and "get it out of the way." The role playing sex is just out of control hot. Reading this in public was one of the worst ideas I've ever had...ever. I was shifting and feeling hot and needed to start breathing at a normal rate again. It. Is. So. Hot. Megan needs to get out of my head because I just can't with how on point and hot the fantasies she wrote about are. It is just on another level.

I adored Chloe. Her insecurities broke my heart and I wanted to hug her something fierce. She doesn't like herself. She just doesn't have any confidence in who she can be on her own without the help of costumes. It seriously hurt my heart how afraid she was of being herself and owning who she was and loving herself. When she is in a situation to help mentor a young girl interested in computer programming, it made me so happy! Her drive to want to make a difference in the life of a young girl when she herself was terrified of screwing up was simply heart-warming, uplifting and inspiring.

Grant is used to getting what he wants because of his charm and his ease with social situations. His relationship with his daughter Sydney is too cute for words. Sydney is so mature and Grant himself will tell people she is the parent and he shames her. I die laughing. Their dynamic is amazing and I loved the scenes with him and his daughter.

The romantic relationship between Grant and Chloe is not easy. She wants nothing outside of the role play fantasies and he wants everything and anything. I loved how Grant didn't give up on her and helped her through her insecurities. He recognized her strength before even she did and I find that beautiful. She didn't need him to fix her but she did need a kick in the ass to realize what her actual hang up was. The respect he paid to Ethan was also so sigh-inducing. I loved how they were with one another and how they both opened up to each other when they previously were BOTH closed off and not open to long-term relationships.

I absolutely love this series. Not only do the sexy times give me a list of things I need to do, but the characters just melt my heart! I am obsessed with them and their banter and their nuances and insecurities and quirks, I love them all because of them not in spite of them. I cannot wait to get the next book because ETHAN!!!!!!! Omg I'm already dying for it!!!! Seriously, read these books, read them now, you need these in your life.

Backstage Pass
If you love cosplay, real characters, and broken heroines...this book is for you.