Category: Book Reviews

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Eleanor & Grey

There is no point in mincing words: I loved this book.

Honestly, I don’t want to go into the plot, because it was so remarkable to see how it all unfolded. I don’t want to deprive anyone else of those feelings by giving away plot points.

The way the author handled a story of first loves, loss, redemption, and second chances was beautiful. It was written in a way that allowed this reader to feel and even experience the emotions of the characters. I think that’s one of the things that I appreciated most about it: I didn’t feel like I was an outsider watching the events happen, I was feeling them right along with the characters. I’m not sure that makes sense.

I guess it just really drew me in. With romances, it’s easy to sit back and just enjoy but remain outside of the story. That wasn’t the case with this novel. The author made me actually care what happened to Ellie and Grey.

In that regard, it wasn’t your typical “romance.” It was much more. I don’t usually cry when I read, but this author made me care enough to do so more than once. That’s why I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Seriously, don’t miss it. You won’t be sorry.

My Goodreads review is below.

Eleanor & GreyEleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every once in a while I come across a book that grabs me, and I just can’t put it down. “Eleanor & Grey” is one of those books. I can’t say enough good things about it. I wasn’t sure where the author was going at first; it seemed like it would be a “young love stays true” type of story. But then the author threw me for a loop and made me re-evaluate my perspective on the relationship between the two characters. I loved the way this was written. It was poetic at times, and haunting at others. The characters are fully formed, nobody came across as a stereotype or a caricature. I felt for and with these characters: I ached, I laughed, and I cried (and I do not usually cry at books). This was a wonderful story of heartbreak, loss, and redemption, and I loved every minute of it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was just that good. This is a must-read that should go on TBR lists immediately! This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

View all my reviews
Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding

Let’s cut to the chase: I enjoyed this book so much that I don’t know what part to focus on first.

The title accurately describes the basic plot, and in fact, does have a few things in common with the similarly named movie. But at the same time, the story felt totally unique. I think that is due largely in part to the characters.

Tori is a veterinarian who is more comfortable with animals than people. Josh is a people person. She lives on a farm in Iowa, he is from the bayou in Louisiana. There are several more “opposites attract” examples, but you get the picture. What makes this story work is that the author doesn’t dwell on those things too much.

You know what, I’m overthinking this and trying to be analytical. That’s not right for this book.

If you want to soak up some N’Awlins Mardi Gras fun, get this book. If you want a taste of the Bayou, get this book. If you like hot, sensitive, funny guys who are full of charm and surprises, get this book. If you want a romance that builds slowly and gives you that delicious pit of anticipation in your stomach to the point where you want to yell at one or more of the characters to just give in and stop thinking so hard, GET THIS BOOK!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Landry family. These were some of the most colorful characters I have found in a book, especially Josh’s grandmother, Ellie. The whole family personifies the true meaning of “family” in that they annoy the heck out of each other and try to embarrass each other, but they also love each other fiercely and always have each other’s backs.

I found myself wanting to spend more and more time with the Landry family in Autre, and I was very happy to see that this is the first in a series. Well, at least one other book so far, but I’m hoping we get to cover all of the Landry brothers, and cousins, and second cousins….

Yeah, I pretty much want to move to Autre.

Seriously, though. Go pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

P.S. My only complaint about this book is the cover. There is no way in hell that Tori would be wearing a dress like that, and I don’t think the cover truly captures the characters, a pattern I’m seeing more and more of in books.

But that’s another post for another day.

My Goodreads review is below.

My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding (Boys of the Bayou Book 1)

My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding by Erin Nicholas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am happy to announce that I have found my new book boyfriend! Josh Landry is everything a girl could hope for: funny, charming, a little rough around the edges, super-sexy and full of surprises. Josh was great, but Tori was a perfect match. She is the type of girl I love to see in a romance: unassuming, and open to whatever happens. She’s someone who would be totally cool to hang out with. In fact, it would be great to be able to hang out with the entire Landry family, because they seemed like a LOT of fun. Ellie was a real kick, I literally laughed out loud more than a few times when she was involved (plus she gave me some new terms I’ll have to try out). The plot of the story didn’t go exactly the way I thought it would. It didn’t have the drama and misunderstandings that usually accompany a romance like this. I could see the turning point coming a mile away, but the author did surprise me with the way she handled it overall, which I appreciated. I really enjoyed this book, and can’t wait for the second one to come out so I can return to Autre, LA. This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.



View all my reviews

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Going Rogue (SAS Rogue Unit #1)

I’ve recently decided to not be so closed minded about my reading habits, and have started reading books in new genres, or at least sub-genres of what I usually read.

In this case, I decided to give a military romance a try. As I mention in my Goodreads review, the few I have tried to read before have had heroes that are truly suffering at home and trying to find their way in a changed world with the help of the woman who pieces them back together. I found those to be okay, but formulaic.

Going Rogue struck me as different. Yes, the hero is damaged due to losing his unit in Afghanistan, but he goes back as a favor to one of the member’s father. So, he returns because of his sense of duty to his fallen mate.

You can get the whole synopsis from other blurbs.

I liked the way the tension between Grant and Lilly grew and morphed. I liked how the action made me feel like I was watching an episode of “The Unit” or scenes from a good military movie. I always like when I can read a story and picture actors playing the parts. That’s a fun part of reading that doesn’t happen in every book.

All in all, I really liked the book in general. AND, it’s the first in a series; I could get used to reading about Grant and his cohorts going on covert missions…and getting the girl!

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Van by Melanie Moreland

I’m going to start this one with a disclaimer: I’m going to discuss an event that may give away part of the plot towards the end of this review. I usually don’t like giving things away but I feel strongly about addressing it. So, look for the disclaimer.

I’ve only been writing this blog for a few months, and I’m continually trying to keep up on all of the ARCs I read. In between those, I try and catch up and write reviews of books I have read in the past, especially if they are a part of a series. This is one of those books that fit into both categories.

Van by Melanie Moreland is the fifth in her Vested Interest series. You can read my review of Bentley (the first one – I’ll get to reviewing the others someday). This one follows the same pattern as the others: a partner/member of BAM finds the woman of his dreams. It sounds simplistic, but it isn’t. I always look forward to these books. Ms. Moreland has a particular talent for creating real characters who you want to get to know.

Van is the carpenter/foreman/master of all things construction for BAM; Olivia is the designer. They each have baggage that keeps them apart, but you know it is inevitable. As I have mentioned before, you know it’s going to happen, it’s the WAY it happens that is the fun part.

I love that the characters are always real (although, I can’t say I know anyone exactly like the boys of BAM, but I sure would like to). And I particularly like the female characters in Ms. Moreland’s books, because they are strong, yet vulnerable, and they aren’t afraid to let their men help them when necessary.

The conflict in this story is especially good, as the character who causes it is even more despicable than usual. The description of the person and their actions (trying not to give anything away) made me wish I could punch the person myself, and it’s rare that I have that much of a reaction to a character.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the rest of the series. This is one of my favorite series, and it’s an excellent addition.

Now I am going to discuss that other part I mentioned at the beginning. So if you don’t want to know a plot point, stop reading NOW!

What really made me love this book is how the author addresses adoption, especially waiting/older child adoption. It is one of the only times that I have been 100% completely able to relate to something in a romance book.

We adopted our son when he had just turned four. Everyone we spoke to going through the same agency wanted babies, but for various reasons, we did not. We went through the lengthy and emotional process, gained our approval, and started receiving the “waiting child” bulletins from the agency.

We had only been looking for about a month when the picture of a little chubby-cheeked boy showed up. Both my husband and I looked at the picture and seemed to instantly know that he should be our son. We went through the next process of requesting and being matched, which was all more complicated since it was international.

The day we were matched is etched in our minds, just like Van describes. We could not wait to travel to Ethiopia to meet him and bring him home. The challenges mentioned in the book sounded so familiar. The emotions described by Van were our emotions. The instant knowledge as to which child to help…it’s all real.

It’s been 10 years this June, but reading Van’s account brought it all back like it was yesterday. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate the thought and time that the author put into writing these sections. The children who are waiting are the ones who need the most love, and I loved that she wrote Van and Olivia as people who understood that.

Anyway, that’s my personal relation to the book, and the reason that I love it most out of the five in the series.

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Missed: Rafael and Lisa (Cliffside Bay #6)

This is one of my favorite authors, and I am so happy when I see a new release of hers. I recently reviewed the third book in her Blue Mountain series. This time we are back in California for book six in her Cliffside Bay series.

(You can read my review of the first book in the series, Traded: Brody and Kara. I still have to catch up on my reviews of the four in between. I’ll get to them on this blog when I can get my hands on Hermione’s Time Turner. But they can all be found on Goodreads!)

ANYWAY, this latest book introduces us to a new pack of alpha males, the Wolves. Now that the last of the Dogs has been successfully paired off, the focus switches to a group of characters who have been secondary in previous books.

This is a talent of the author. I love how she is able to weave the characters lives together like a real community. And I especially like how she does so in this book, because it gives me twice the reason to be happy to head back to Cliffside Bay.

Rafael, Kara’s bodyguard, has been enamored of Lisa, Maggie’s NYC friend. Even though they each think that they are too different for each other, circumstances allow for them to get to know each other better and (of course) finally realize what everyone else has been able to see for a while.

I have to throw in that Lisa’s mom is one of the most despicable characters I have ever “met.” I had an almost visceral reaction to her, which is strange because I was fortunate enough to have the complete opposite of her for a mom. But man, is Lisa’s mom vile.

I will also say that I felt that the conflict that brings Lisa and Rafael together seemed like it was an effort to be timely, but it took me out of the story, especially when Lisa refers to it later during an interview. I appreciate that characters and situations need to be real, and that is one of Ms. Thompson’s strengths. Her characters are people I would love to know in real life.

But I also like to read small town romances to take myself out of the everyday noise that is sometimes otherwise difficult to escape. So, when something shows up in one of my “escapes” it’s jarring.

That being said, I still love the series and cannot wait to read how the rest of the Wolves complete their pack. My Goodreads review follows.

Missed: Rafael and Lisa (Cliffside Bay Book 6)Missed: Rafael and Lisa by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The latest in Tess Thompson’s Cliffside Bay series takes the series in a new direction. Now that all of the Dogs are happily paired up, it’s time for us to meet the Wolves. First up is Rafael, the bodyguard hired to protect the Mullen family. He has a thing for Lisa, Maggie’s friend from NYC. The author puts them in a situation that you know is going to make sparks fly. I like how the author manages to keep the familiar characters around, even having a sort of “guest starring” moment with characters from another series, but still allows the main characters to have their time. The switch of focus from Dogs to Wolves is seamless, and you can already tell that this is going to be another series that you can’t wait to revisit because it’s like catching up with old friends. If I had to say anything negative about this book (and I really don’t want to), it would be that there was just a little bit too much “reality” in the plot. I understand that characters cannot live in a vacuum, but sometimes I like to escape and not think about real-life issues when I read, especially in romances. But that’s getting nitpicky because the author handles it tastefully. This is one of my favorite series, and I am excited that there is a whole new set of characters to get to know. 4.5 stars for this one. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

View all my reviews
Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Double Fudge and Danger

Available now

If you are looking for a light-hearted mystery, look no further than the newest Cambria Clyne book by Erin Huss. This is the third book in the series, but the author does a fantastic job of not alienating new readers.

(Side note #1: That’s one of my pet peeves. I totally appreciate an author who can slyly reference previous books and makes me want to read them to see what I’ve missed. I dislike authors who make so many references that I feel like I need to stop reading and get previous books just to catch up. This book is 100% the former)

From Cambria’s 3 year old who yells at her in Vietnamese (thanks to her erstwhile babysitters the Nguyens) to the quirky tenants of the apartment complexes, the book is filled with well-written characters. The plot is fast paced and detailed, but never feels heavy. The author seems to speak from experience when it comes to property management.

(Side note #2: I worked at an 840-unit apartment complex for a few years when I was in college. Tenants not knowing what constitutes an emergency, busybodies, and all of the other quirks mentioned in this book are absolutely true to form.)

This book just released today, but the first two are currently on sale for 99 cents each. I highly recommend grabbing these while you can; you’ll be glad you started the series! (Links are at the bottom of this post)

Following is my Goodreads review:

This light-hearted mystery was super-fun to read. Cambria is a heroine I can really get behind. She’s witty, self-deprecating, and kind of a mess, but she’s also good-hearted and smart. The plot clipped along at a good pace. The characters were vibrant and real. I especially liked the tone of the book. I was very much reminded of the TV show “Psych” as I was reading; it had that clever-but-not-serious vibe to it that I really love (the 3 year old’s temper tantrum in Vietnamese about killed me). This is the first of the series that I have read, but the author smartly does not make arcane references; she mentioned just enough that made me want to go back and buy the previous two (which I did). Also, having worked at an 840-unit apartment complex, I can verify that everything Cambria says about property management and tenants is absolutely true! A delightful series that I am glad to have found. I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Posted on

A NEW COVER REVEAL: Handle with Care

Hi all! I’m very excited to be participating in my very first cover reveal, and boy is it a good one! Are you ready….?


Isn’t it pretty?!? I love how the swipe of red matches her nails and lipstick, don’t you? Make you curious for more?

Here’s an excerpt:

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up.  Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Helena Hunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Social Media Links:

ME AGAIN! So what do y’all think? I love the humor and sarcasm. And the image of the chicken dance while on LSD will stick with me for awhile. Anyway, check her out, and pre-order today! https://read.macmillan.com/lp/handle-with-care/

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Blue Moon (Blue Mountain Series #2)

Just a little addition to the below review. I liked how this one started and very much enjoyed the interplay between Bliss and Ciaran. As I mention, the mystery in this one is just not as strong as in the first one (and now the third one). The concept is good, but the characters weren’t fleshed out enough, and there could have been added details that made it more thrilling. That being said, I can’t dislike the book based solely on that. I just love the way this lady writes.

Here is my review from Goodreads: The second book in the author’s Blue Mountain series is just as good as the first one. This time out, we get to follow Bliss, the sister of Blythe (heroine of the first book). A real go-getter married to her work, Bliss suffers a series of unfortunate events and follows her sister’s footsteps to Idaho. Once again, Ms. Thompson bravely explores concepts that are beyond the usual scope of a small-town romance novel. I love the secondary characters that we have gotten to know, especially Moonstone. I did not think that the mystery in this book was as good as the one in the first, and I spotted the answer early on. But I still very much enjoyed the story and love Peregrine as much as the characters do!

Posted on

BOOK REVIEW: Arachne’s Challenge (Peacetakers Series Book 4)

Shame on me, I still haven’t learned my lesson. I should know better than to start a series in the middle without having read the preceding books. I am sure that this is a great series if taken from the beginning so the characters get properly introduced. As it was, there were a lot of side references and talking about previous events that left me totally lost. My bad.

That being said, the plot of this one itself was pretty thrilling. Starting literally with a bang, then introducing a very interesting technological invention that leads to an international race to find answers and catch the bad guys…it was certainly a twisty page-turner. The author knows how to weave (see what I did there?) an exciting story, and I have put the first three in the series on my TBR list.

Hopefully I learn my lesson soon.

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)