Category: Book Reviews

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Book Review: Beautiful Ever After

I thought that the first book of this duet was terrific, and I waited avidly for the conclusion of Hutch and Lou’s story. The cliffhanger at the end of the first one set everything up for an exciting ending.

I was therefore disappointed that it felt like not a whole heckuva lot happened in the second book. I mean, don’t get me wrong, a lot did happen, and we certainly got the HEA for Hutch and Lou that they deserved from the first book.

But it didn’t seem as if there was a flow to the plot. I don’t want to give plot points away, but at the end of the first book, there was a big revelation from Blair (Hutch’s sister-in-law). The way that continued in the second book seemed to be thrown together haphazardly – and then it was just…solved. I wanted a much bigger ending for that.

I also thought that the introduction of a group of people towards the end of the book seemed out of the blue. I was intrigued by the characters, but as I got to know them I found myself wishing that there was more of them and less of Hutch and Lou professing their love for each other.

I know that makes me sound cranky, but it just felt that the book was one big bedroom scene with little vignettes of semi-action interspersed. I think there could have been so much more.

That being said, I did like the Bella Mafia, and I would love to read more about them, so I’ll be searching for their stories.

Beautiful Ever After (Beautiful Illusions Duet, #2)Beautiful Ever After by Georgia Cates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the first book in this duet. I was utterly taken with the romance between Hutch and Lou, and I had really high hopes for the conclusion. It pains me to say that I was disappointed. I thought everything was set up so well in the first one and then it fell apart in the second. I still loved the romance between the two, but I wasn’t satisfied with the sister-in-law subplot, and there were a bunch of characters who showed up very close to the end. I think it would have been more exciting if they had made an appearance sooner and had more to do. As it was, the story just ended kind of…eh. That being said, Hutch is a book boyfriend to swoon for, and I’d like to see him even as a secondary character in future books. This review was written based on a complimentary digital ARC.

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Book Review: Then Came You

Let me start by saying that I love Kate Meader, and am predisposed to liking anything that she writes. I loved the first book in the Laws of Attraction series, but somehow missed the second one (which I am going to remedy this weekend).

Then Came You is the third in the series, and it is the story of Grant and Aubrey. As per my usual standards, I’m not going to give away major details of how or why they were together before (that’s for blurbs and other reviews). I will say that I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t put together the history of the two right away. And even when I did, the author didn’t go in the usual direction of why the first time around didn’t stick for the two.

These are two strong characters, and it was the second book in a week where the mains shared a profession (the first was Better Than Me). In this case, Grant and Aubrey are both lawyers. I am finding that I like the “battle of the sexes” aspect of the two characters on a level playing field. It adds another dimension to the stories. Plus, it made for a hilarious scene at the beginning of the book!

The strength of the characters also allowed the author to explore their weaknesses. In other words, the plot wasn’t overly complicated with job issues or other distractions; the focus was solely the characters and the events that immediately impacted them within the story.

There isn’t much more that I can say without giving plot points away. I liked the style of the writing, I became invested in the characters…oh, and Aubrey has one of the most dysfunctional, messed up families I’ve ever seen! I love how Cat Damon expresses himself. And I want Libby to be my grandmother.

Side note: would love to see a story focusing on Libby’s younger days…that would be a blast to read!

Anyway, it was a great book, and I am grateful to the author, Loveswept, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. Highly recommended.

Then Came You (Laws of Attraction, #3)Then Came You by Kate Meader
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this second-chance romance, because it had a different feel to it than many others. I liked how the author didn’t allow the reader to know precisely what had happened the first time around right away; instead, it unfolded gradually. The slow roll-out of the facts made the actual revelation of what had caused Grant and Aubrey’s break up more of a gut punch. It also gave the reader more of an insight into each of their characters. I loved the juxtaposition of their childhoods (Aubrey’s family is sooo messed up) and thought that the characters remained true to themselves throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smart second-chance romance. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for other reasons this book stands out from others in the genre. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group (Loveswept) via NetGalley.

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Blog Tour/Book Review: Better Than Me

As y’all know, I read a lot of romances, so I am pretty well-versed in the usual romance tropes. I love it when I find a book that tackles a romance from a different angle and doesn’t fall into the usual patterns. Better Than Me by Kimberly Kincaid falls into this category.

I appreciated the depth that the author put into the characters’ backstories. It made their actions much more believable and real. There was just enough quirkiness and humor to make it real without being over the top; sometimes subtlety is the key to building a relationship. The writing style perfectly mirrored how the characters related to each other.

I also liked that the characters were equals – both doctors. While the “female in a lesser job meets guy who gives her better chances” has its place in romance novels, it’s refreshing to find a book where the characters can spar with each other on a level playing field. This added to Nat and Jonah’s connection; they worked with each other very well.

As I mentioned in my Goodreads review (see below), this book gave me all of the feels. I snorted with laughter at some of the scenes, especially involving the staff at the hospital, and I got choked up with tears a few times as well (I’m not going to spoil it for you, you’ll know the parts when you read them). I also got that neat butterfly feeling in my stomach when the characters came to their senses and made important decisions. The emotion of the characters practically spilled off the pages for me.

I especially liked how the author set up the next book in the series. Instead of “Hey, here’s the end of this story, on to the next couple,” it was more of a “stay tuned to find out what happens.” I don’t feel like Nat and Jonah’s story is over yet. And I will be reading the next books in the series (as well as going back and finding the first one). These are characters I’m not ready to let go of just yet.

Oh, and one final word. Natalie’s view on adoption made me love her even more. It’s personal for me and I appreciate when an author gets it right.

Better Than Me (Remington Medical, #2)Better Than Me by Kimberly Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You gotta love a book that starts with a bathtub in a living room. With that setup, Better Than Me takes what could have been a standard friends-to-lovers story and gives it an edge. Nat and Jonah have always been close, but each has baggage that prevents them from thinking of each other as anything but best friends. Of course, as the plot progresses, they start to realize that there may be more there for each of them. This book gave me all of the feels: I laughed out loud and shed tears. I even liked that the book didn’t exactly end with a conventional HEA and I look forward to reading more of Nat and Jonah’s stories in future books. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more on thoughts on this book. My review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC.

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Book Review: Heartthrob by Robin Bielman

NOW AVAILABLE: MAY 7, 2019

I grew up around baseball, so I am a sucker for anything that has baseball has a central part. In this case, Finn Auprince is a megastar baseball player for a fictional team, and Chloe Conrad is hired to be his social media manager.

The camaraderie that grows between them is a delicious slow burn. I loved how the author built trust between the two. I also appreciated that their reactions to events were very natural. There wasn’t any of the melodrama that one often finds in romance novels. I loved Finn’s compassion and also that he wasn’t a total rogue or jerk (also commonly found in romance novels), just someone who was committed to the sport he loved.

One of my favorite aspects of the story, however, was somewhat of a throwaway in the overall plot – but it meant a lot to me. Chloe mentions that she was homeschooled because her dad was an umpire and she had to travel with him during the baseball season. Why was this important to me?

Because Chloe is perfectly normal.

Many of you know that I have homeschooled our son since he was in the fourth grade, and we’ve all heard the stereotypes and misnomers about homeschoolers: they’re socially awkward, they don’t have good people skills, they’re isolated, etc. While those may apply to some homeschoolers, they certainly don’t apply to most.

Chloe is the epitome of the homeschoolers that I am familiar with, and in some ways, she reminded me of my son. She’s outgoing, confident, knows how to deal with people, and has an open spirit about her. The schooling her dad gave her exposed her to so much more knowledge than a traditional school could have. We are doing the same thing.

Oh, and I especially loved that her dad used Brain Quest – we had those for every grade level. I remember standing in line for the Tower of Terror at Disneyland, reading Brain Quest cards to our son. By the time we finally got to the ride, we had quite the trivia competition going on with the people around us.

I love it when an author hits the nail on the head with something like that. It just makes the book that much better. There are two more Auprince brothers to be paired off, and I can’t wait to read their stories. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up to get the series started. My Goodreads review is below.

Heartthrob (American Royalty #1)Heartthrob by Robin Bielman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the story of Finn and Chloe! I appreciated that the author gave some thought into a unique way to bring them together. I also liked that it was realistic: not just the plot, but the characters as well. There wasn’t a lot of angsty back and forth; the doubts that each character had were real emotions that an actual person would feel in the same situation. I literally lol’d more than a few times. Oh, and it’s got baseball and goat yoga, so…yeah, fun times! I can’t wait to read the other Auprince brothers’ stories. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for some more thoughts on this sweet romance. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC.

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Book Review: The East End

I was very excited to be invited to be a part of the blog tour for this book and I couldn’t wait to read it. I was not disappointed.

Right away, the reader gets the feeling of the socio-economic divide that is part of the tapestry of the area commonly known as the Hamptons. While there are people who live there year-around, it really “comes alive” in the summer when ultra-rich Manhattanites make their pilgrimage to the shores of Long Island for a few months of sun and fun.

It is ironic, then, that the characters in this novel actually feel quite dead; whether it is due to dead end jobs, or having to put up a front in one’s personal life, the main characters consistently find themselves at loose ends and without many prospects.

It was evident that the author was writing from experience (or at least personal knowledge) because his detail painted extremely vivid pictures. What was extremely illustrative, however, was how he was able to draw parallels between the characters. When faced with tragedy, they each come to some stark realizations.

The exploration of themes such as “money can’t buy love,” and “there’s no way out of a bad situation if you’re poor” are juxtaposed perfectly. Each character ultimately realizes that they DO have control over their situations, and it is very interesting to see the choices that each of them make.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was deep and had an interesting plot. The characters were well-developed and their actions were realistic. I highly recommend this study of human nature. My Goodreads review is below.

The East EndThe East End by Jason Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This page-turner set in the Hamptons perfectly illustrates that adage that money can’t buy happiness and of how quickly lives can become intertwined due to a single incident. I thought that the perspectives of the characters and how each of them reacted to their situations was extremely well-done. The character studies were a fascinating juxtaposition of roles: in some cases, the people who usually felt powerless held the most power, while the people who usually controlled everything completely lost control. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for some deeper thoughts on the book. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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Book Review: The Invited

I have started putting notes into books as I read them, so I can remember what I was thinking or feeling at a certain point. It helps me with reviews later, especially when my mind is a jumble of all of the things I want to say – like it is right now with The Invited by Jennifer McMahon. I requested this one on NetGalley, and boy am I glad that I received approval!

One of my first notes in this book was “I am Helen.” It makes me so much more invested in the story when I can instantly identify with a character. Everything Helen did in this book, from her attitude about events to her motivations for her actions, was something that I could see myself doing. I loved her tenacity, her desire to find the truth and especially her love of history.

The foreshadowing and omens in this book were plentiful and entirely natural in the course of the plot. None of them were overtly apparent or seemed out of place as a way to play “gotcha” with the reader. The suspense built gradually and kept me turning pages quickly. There were nods to real historical events (Salem Witch Trials; Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire) that intertwined seamlessly with the mystery plot.

Most of all, I really liked how the author tied everything together. There were no loose ends, and the puzzle was solved piece by piece. I did guess a few points or at least had suspicions confirmed, but they weren’t totally obvious; it took some sleuthing on my own.

If you like twisty mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, you will love this book. My Goodreads review is below.

NOW AVAILABLE

The InvitedThe Invited by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, which was kind of cool because the book kept surprising me at every turn. At times haunting and mysterious but always compelling, the story kept me riveted. The mood created by the author with the opening scene sets the tone for what is to come while making the whole story seem timeless. (The concept of a Salem, MA type of attitude in 1920s Vermont was genius!) It was a pleasure to be able to draw parallels and find connections as Helen uncovered information, and there were many “aha!” moments. This was a page turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more details. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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BOOK REVIEW: Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews

If you read enough books in any genre, they eventually all start to blend together. So, when you find one that stands out for any reason, it’s kind of like finding a diamond in the rough.

That’s how I feel about Nothing but Trouble by Amy Andrews. Even though it could easily fall into both the Sports Romance and Boss/Employee Romance categories, it’s much more than either one of those.

Cecilia (CC) has been the PA for former quarterback Wade Carter for nearly six years. As her contract is expiring, she is more than ready to leave the on-call 24/7 life behind and start a new life in California. Wade, however, has other plans. Fate probably has a little something to throw in as well.

I loved this book because it was different in quite a few ways. First, Wade is not the usual absolute monster/a-hole/jerk of a boss – more like just oblivious (which he eventually appropriately acknowledges). CC isn’t pining for him; she wants her contract to end so she can get on with her life. Both characters are thoroughly strong individuals.

I also liked the backstory that the author created to bring CC and Wade closer together. The plot point involving his home town was clever and unique. Even though I kind of sided with Wade initially, I loved how the author made her points about the strengths of females subtly. It all made sense when put into practice.

Some of my other favorite aspects of the novel:

  • The subplot concerning Wade’s brother, Wyatt, and a newcomer to town was poignant and well-written, adding a nice subtext to the overall story.
  • The snappy dialogue between CC and Wade. Their understanding of each other was apparent from the beginning and made me chuckle almost every time, especially during the “Gone With the Wind” references.
  • The author’s ability to create a picture for the scene at hand. A particularly moving passage was when Wade and CC were walking home from a party. The description of the streetlight and the sounds around them stands out.
  • The piglets

As I looked up the book for a reference, I noticed that it says “Credence, Colorado Book One.” I can only hope that we will get to follow Wade’s friends and some of the women in future books because Credence is a place I would love to revisit.

My Goodreads review is below.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Nothing But Trouble (Credence Book 1)Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been on a roll lately, finding some excellent romances that have interesting characters and well thought-out plots. Nothing But Trouble is the latest that fits the bill. Wade is a former pro quarterback; CC has been his PA for the past five+ years. It’s a trope that has been used many times (the boss finally realizes feelings for employee), but this story seemed different to me. One thing that made this book stand out is that the romance doesn’t take center stage; it almost occurs in the background as other events occur – I loved this aspect because it allowed me to get involved with the plot and other characters, which made the story more interesting. I especially enjoyed the plan for his hometown. The counterpoint sub-story of Wade’s brother Wyatt was well done and touching. All motivations and character actions seemed natural, and the events were enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book. Please see my blog at firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. This review was written based on a digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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Book Review: Every Last Breath

I’ve been reading a lot of romance novels lately, so I was more than ready to read something different, and this was the perfect choice!

Writing a spy novel can be challenging. Not only are there big shoes to fill and be compared to, but it is also all too easy to write a caricature of spies or a story that is too far-fetched to be believable. Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan avoids all of that.

To be perfectly honest, I think it might be just as difficult to write a review of a spy novel, because it would be too easy to give away plot points. The real fun of a spy novel is figuring out where the plot is going next – and far be it for me to give any of that away.

I really enjoyed the character reveals that kept popping up throughout the book. Past and current relationships play a huge part in the plot, and everything is deftly written. I did get a little bit of a “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” vibe from parts of the story – but this was much better.

The spy stuff is pretty damn cool as well. Q (James Bond) would be proud of some of the gadgets the agents used. And the intelligence gathering/op planning was absolutely fascinating. I liked that the threat they were trying to stop was realistic, as were the motivations of the bad guys. It made the suspense more visceral (especially imagining how easy it would be for this to happen in real life).

I also appreciated that the main character was a kick-ass female who could hold her own against all of the alpha males.

I could write more, but I would be in danger of giving plot points away, and I hate to do that. Do yourself a favor and get this book right away. You’ll be turning pages well into the night because you won’t be able to put it down. It looks like this might be the first in a series and I can’t wait for the next ones. My Goodreads review is below.

Now Available 4/30/ 2019

Every Last Breath (Final Hour #1)Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shades of Tom Clancy and John le Carre, this book has everything a reader could want out of a spy thriller. The action starts at the very beginning and doesn’t let up until the last pages. There are chases, twists, the evilest of bad guys, a global threat, and a rekindled romance. Honestly, this was a page turner that I could not read fast enough. I love a book that makes me feel like I’m watching a movie, and this one definitely fit the bill. Visit my blog at www.firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review, but trust me, this is one exciting novel, and I hope to read more by this author. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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Book Review: Falling for the Beast

When I read the first in a duet or series, I am always hopeful that the second book will be the crescendo to a story that built slowly in the first book. Sometimes that happens, and sometimes the second book just falls flat. Unfortunately, this book falls in the latter category.

I thought that the first book, Beauty and the Professor was okay, and I had high hopes for this one. The characters and premise are interesting. The execution, however, does not do the story justice.

As I mentioned in the first review, there was a lot to work with, but nothing was as developed as it could have been. This was even more evident in the second book. It could have been so much more.

Even a pivotal scene with Blake’s family, which should have been fireworks and a major revelation, just fell flat. It all felt disconnected in some way. It’s sad because I usually like this author, but this duet did not reach its full potential. My Goodreads review is below.

Available now.

Falling for the Beast (A Modern Fairy Tale Duet, #2)Falling for the Beast by Skye Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book picks up where Beauty and the Professor left off. Frankly, I was expecting more out of the second book. There was so much that could have been expanded upon: Erin’s thesis and the scandal, Blake’s parents and upbringing, his PTSD, his buddy in the hospital are just a few things I would have liked to have explored. But so much of it was left by the wayside to focus on the sexy times. As always, the author writes those scenes well, and they are quite steamy. But I just felt that was ALL this book was; like the plot points were just a means to get to the next sex scene. Disappointing. See my blog at www.firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review.

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BOOK REVIEW: Making a Medium

The newest series by Erin Huss is a journey into the paranormal. Her Cambria Clyne series is excellent, and she continues the tradition of awkwardly funny heroines in Making a Medium.

A mystery within a paranormal mystery, it’s the story of Zoe Lane and her realization that she can see ghosts. Of course, it’s not as straightforward as “oh, look at that.” It’s more like, “what the heck is happening/am I going crazy?” This thought is due mainly in part to her overbearing mother, who is hiding secrets from Zoe.

But Zoe has more significant problems, in the form of Willie, who appears to her after she is almost hit by a car. The two form an uneasy but amusing bond. He acts as a spiritual guide, commenting on everything from Zoe’s fashion sense (she doesn’t have one) to her life (she really doesn’t have one), while she tries to solve the mystery of how he died.

The interaction between the two quickly became my favorite parts of the book. Even as Zoe learned how to use her “gift,” she still maintained her awkwardness. More than once, I laughed out loud at her efforts trying to cover for talking to Willie – which of course to everyone else looks like she’s talking to thin air.

I also liked how Zoe’s character grew throughout the novel. She gained a backbone and started to embrace her talents. Both the primary mystery and Zoe’s mystery are well-plotted and not easy to solve, so that is an added bonus.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the continued paranormal experiences of Zoe. My Goodreads review is below.

Pre-order for 99 cents on Kindle (Available 5/09/19); available now in paperback.

Making a Medium: a humorous, cozy mystery! (Lost Souls Lane Mystery Book One)Making a Medium: a humorous, cozy mystery! by Erin Huss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author’s Cambria Clyne series (that’s another good series to pick up), and I was excited to see her branch out into another series. Zoe Lane is sheltered by her real estate agent mother (who reminded me of Tammy Faye Bakker) and is socially awkward as a result. In a twist of events, she finds out that she can see ghosts, mainly when Willie shows up claiming that he was killed and that Zoe needs to help him. What follows is a fun whodunnit, filled with vivid characters and witty dialogue. I loved Zoe’s awkwardness and how Willie calls her “person.” The mystery driving the plot was good (I can usually guess but didn’t get this one) as was a secondary plot involving Zoe’s past. All in all, a great start to the new series. Visit my blog at www.firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. Both reviews were written based on a pre-release digital copy.

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