Book Review Archives

May 17, 2019May 12, 2019

Book Review: Wrong Bed, Right Girl

I know that I am not the only reader who likes a book better when she can personally relate to the characters and/or the situations they find themselves in. Rebecca Brooks’ new release Wrong Bed, Right Girl is totally that book for me.

Talia is a ballerina who ends up in the middle of a sticky situation solely because she sublets an apartment from a fellow dancer…who she also happens to be replacing as the lead in the ballet “Giselle.” Reed is the DEA agent who is looking for the other dancer, only to find Talia instead. The two meet VERY awkward, but it actually sets the tone for the rest of the book.

So what about it could I personally relate to? I used to be a ballerina (for over 15 years) before I moved into Musical Theater. I met my husband in a very interesting way, when he was lead narcotics investigator as part of joint task force. We should never have been compatible because our brains are wired differently, but we compliment each other in all of the right ways.

I saw a lot of us (not us now, really, but the “us” of when we met) in Talia and Reed, even down to the nosy family on Long Island! There were a few events that were extremely familiar – but I’m not sharing which ones those were! (wink wink) I will say that Reed’s fears for a relationship in his line of work are accurate and (unfortunately) common.

All of those things allowed me to enjoy the book on a personal level, but I think I would have liked it regardless. I thought the setup was unique, the characters were well-written. I loved how they helped each other without realizing that they were doing so – that’s often how it works in real life.

And can I just say that the sexy times about melted my Kindle? The author described a few well-placed instances in detail but didn’t feel the need to make it allllll about the sex. The casual references and allusions to their times together were enough to let the reader know how much they had progressed in the relationship without letting sex become the entire plot. I appreciated this because sometimes sex takes over a story and the plot gets lost. Not so here.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up…it’s a great set up, and the HEA will make you swoon!

Wrong Bed, Right Girl (Accidental Love Book 2)

Wrong Bed, Right Girl by Rebecca Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me at narcotics (DEA) agent and ballerina. It would be difficult to find two more opposite people, but it spoke to me on a personal level for many reasons (former ballerina here, for one). The author hit the nail on the head with numerous details for both professions but was a little stronger on the DEA attitudes and worries. I would have liked to have seen a little more of Talia’s rehearsals to balance the war she felt with herself. Most primas I knew would never let a guy distract them from the lead in “Giselle.” But that’s being nitpicky, because oh holy hotness for the sexy time scenes! Wow! I thought everything was well-balanced and very realistic and would definitely recommend this book. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more of the reasons this was a personal one for me! Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: The Night Before

I’m a fan of The Walking Dead. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series is Carol’s reaction when she first encounters the Kingdom.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on in the most wonderful way!”

That pretty much sums up how I felt reading the latest release from Wendy Walker.

First, there are so many meanings to this title that it’s difficult to cover them all.

It could mean a night that occurred a decade prior to the story, where the main characters lives (Laura’s in particular) were changed forever. Or, it could mean the night of Laura’s date, when her sister worries if she is ready to get back in the dating pool. Or a few other “nights before.”

The author also does a fantastic job of giving the reader just enough information to feel comfortable in the direction that the story is headed, only to change abruptly with a thoroughly probable event that sends it in a different direction.

Laura was one of the most complex characters I have read in a long time. There was so much to her, but she remained an enigma, even to her own sister. It isn’t until the end that there is a revelation which neatly explains nearly all of her behaviors, as well as reasons for being the way she is in general.

As always, no plot points here, but I will tell you that there are some “Holy crap, I had no idea” and “No WAY!” moments scattered throughout. It makes for one helluva story that you won’t be able to put down!

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. There were a lot of twists, a few red herrings, and a whole lot of guessing (and being wrong). The author did a phenomenal job of keeping the reader off-balance. Occurrences which sent the book in a different direction were plausible enough so that it didn’t feel forced. Everything felt like it could actually happen. I read this book in one day, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes. See my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for a more in-depth review. Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue

Excuse me while I go off-script for this review.

I had absolutely no problem with the angle that the author took with the two main characters. I requested to read the book for that very reason, because I think it is important to have books with strong characters in “alternative lifestyles” (or whatever the current proper phrasing is – it seems to change daily).

I actually loved reading about Alex’s awakening and Henry’s struggle, because I think both were indicative of all of the intricacies involved in life realizations. I thought their romance was tender and well-written, and that Henry was especially poetic. Some of his thoughts were among the most romantic I have read in a long time.

I liked how the girls counterbalanced the boys, and how Pez was sort of ambiguous. The characters were well fleshed out. I liked the plot (as improbable as parts may be). Putting the characters into extreme situations allowed the author to spotlight the challenges that many people face. I get all of that. And I enjoyed the journey up to a point. But then about halfway through, it jumped the rails.

What I did not like was that the author had to go full political and demonize the right, making them the evil villains and horrible people. I get that the author probably has an ax to grind, but the plot would have worked just as well if it had been a Democrat primary challenger who had pulled the crap that the Republican did.

Let me be clear, I understand why the author felt the need to make the GOP candidate the bad guy because let’s face it, that’s the cool thing now. What I do not appreciate in a work of fiction is the overreaching blanket assumptions that anyone who leans right is the devil. My notes in the book went from commenting on the characters and plot to wondering why the extra political opinions mattered so much, totally taking me out of the story.

When will people get through their heads that there are people who lean right who support LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of being able to love who you want to love regardless of gender or status or familial duty? That being Christian is not being ugly any more than being an atheist is? That these types of blanket statements and political partisanship can ruin what would have otherwise been a charming love story?

I still recommend the book, because most of my Christian, right-leaning, GOP-voting friends will appreciate it and see it for what it is because they are also open-minded and accepting…far more than people give them credit for being.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had a lot of promise. The characters were engaging, and the plot was unique. I thought the author did a perfect job of handling the sensitivity of Alex’s realizations balanced with the sense of duty that both Alex and Henry felt to their family situations. The tenderness and romance between the two came through. What I did not like is that the author felt the need to go very political. I mean, I get it, Alex’s mom is the President, so I understand that there needed to be politics involved. But I like to read to escape, and don’t care for “real life” politics to enter. I felt that the journey that Alex and Henry took was strong enough to stand on its own without needing to rely on apparent bias. I would still recommend the book and would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the above. For additional thoughts, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: Emily, Gone

There is no beating around the bush: this was an incredible book that had me avidly turning pages . From the Woodstock-like concert that kicks everything off to the final resolution, the plot never let up.

I especially liked how the author handled the reasons for why Vicki did what she did. This is a sensitive subject, and (taking the time period into account) I think it was an extremely accurate portrayal. Vicki’s character is written in a way that enabled her actions to be perfectly plausible while also allowing other characters to have reasonable reactions to her.

(I know that sounds cryptic, but you know how I hate to give away plot points)

On the flip side is Rachel, a mother who never gives up and learns how to adapt. I think she changes most throughout the book (although Mama Dixon gives her a run for the money). However, by the end, we see that Rachel is still the same nurturing, caring person who never gave up hope. That was a powerful message.

Mama Dixon was an interesting character as well. Her revelations regarding her own actions show the importance of forgiveness and taking other people into consideration. Although Rachel travels the longer journey, Mama Dixon’s transformation is more profound. She becomes the one person who can ultimately help Rachel.

I loved how the author plotted the passage of time. Even though there were events that were lightly skipped over, the pivotal events were detailed. This balance allowed the plot to flow smoothly to the end.

The only thing I missed in this story was a resolution to Murphy’s part in the whole thing. It almost seems as if the author forgot about him because he just disappears roughly two-thirds of the way through. He makes a decision about something that warrants further explanation, but then *poof* he’s gone. I definitely wanted more of a resolution for him, especially since a few of the characters were in the proper location for things to happen.

But to be clear, I didn’t want it to be over the top. Even a “near-miss” incident would have added an interesting touch to the whole story, and it would have wrapped up his part instead of just kind of leaving it.

Regardless, this was an excellent book that detailed the power of a mother’s love, with a few unexpected twists thrown in. It’s available now, so give yourself a treat and pick it up now!

Emily, Gone by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is very fitting that I read this book in one day on Mother’s Day because it is ultimately a study of the love a mother has for a child. I thought that the author did a fantastic job of laying out the plot, and there were enough gentle twists for it all to be plausible. I only wish that there had been more of a resolution with Murphy; it seemed as if he was just forgotten, and I would have liked to have seen him have some closure. Other than that point, I thought the dual message of hope and faith was powerful, and I loved how everything played out. I highly recommend this book. For some more in-depth thoughts on this novel, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary digital ARC.

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May 10, 2019May 10, 2019

Book Review: Then He Happened

A romance novel should be about the couple. They can have trials and tribulations, and fight or whatever conflict propels the growth of their relationship. That’s how I view romances. I get frustrated when a plot takes over and draws attention from the main characters. That is the way I feel about this book.

There was a little bit of a Sixteen Candles vibe to it at the beginning, but when the family started treating Eileen terribly instead of just “forgetting” her birthday, it turned me off. Her sister was beyond awful from the beginning, but I just couldn’t understand how both Eileen and Jason let their families manipulate them so easily. It totally distracted me from their budding romance.

I also thought there were a few places where logic took a leap beyond the two of them running all over creation and spending their money for a shotgun wedding. For example, there was one scene when Jason and Eileen were looking at wedding venues. Eileen observes that there is one place that would be perfect at sunset, but then continues with “…especially if we take this place up on that discount for doing Friday morning…” Huh?

It may seem nitpicky, but things like this just took me away from them as a couple. I never really got that he was the womanizer and awful person that he was supposed to be; he actually didn’t seem all that bad, considering everything he was doing for his cousin.

At any rate, this one just wasn’t for me. I look forward to giving this author another try next time, though.

Then He Happened by Claudia Y. Burgoa
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book, as I have enjoyed past books by this author. But this one seemed very uneven to me. I liked the premise that the couple (Jason and Eileen) meet over the shared misery of helping family members plan a wedding. But the story seemed uneven and disjointed. I never got the full feeling of Jason being the cad that he was supposed to be. And to be perfectly frank, I couldn’t understand why both of them didn’t tell their relatives to take a flying leap – they both took way too much abuse to be believable, and the hideousness of the relatives took over the romance. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more thoughts. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

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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May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

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 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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May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

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 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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May 3, 2019May 7, 2019

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 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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