Tag: Book Reviews

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BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Professor by Skye Warren

The first book in the latest duo by Skye Warren, Beauty and the Professor is a modern retelling of (you guessed it) Beauty and the Beast. The premise was good, and it had a lot of things going for it, but for some reason, it just didn’t impress.

I think one of the reasons is that I recently read Overture by the same author, and I felt that there were a lot of parallels: young, lively female/older wealthy male with a chip on his shoulder, mutual attraction but unwillingness to act, etc. It even felt like I was rereading some passages.

There were parts that I liked. I thought the premise of Blake being a former soldier who had suffered his injuries while serving was a good one, but it should have been explored more. I think more insight into his experiences allow more sympathy for his character as opposed to Erin just wondering about his PTSD. The author did address this a few times, but I think it could have been a little bit more.

I also really enjoyed the college classroom episode – the author obviously did homework, because the discussion about precedent was very well done. Aside from being interesting, it allowed Blake to use his mind to guide people away from focusing on his features.

No review of a Skye Warren book is complete without mentioning the sexy times, and there are plenty of those. As always, they are super steamy but also darkly romantic, which fits the overall character development.

But because of the romance and the inner thoughts, there were a couple of events that felt totally out of place, especially towards the end of the book. I know that the author was setting up for book two, but the cliffhanger for this one seemed to come out of left field (especially considering a few events that happened shortly before).

Overall, the book was okay. Knowing it is part of a duet makes it difficult to review because I know the story will be continuing. So think of this as a review written halfway through the book just to keep everything straight. I do look forward to seeing how it all works out in the end.

As always, my Goodreads review is below.

RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2019 (Available Now!)

Beauty and the Professor (A Modern Fairy Tale Duet, #1)Beauty and the Professor by Skye Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a modern twist on the classic “Beauty and the Beast,” this book had a lot of potential. Erin is a sweet college student who cleans the house of the reclusive Blake, a former soldier who suffered burns that disfigure half of his face (shades of “Phantom of the Opera” as well). If you know the fairy tale, you know that they end up together, but seeing as how this is a modern retelling, “together” means mostly in bed. Those scenes (and there are plenty of them) are steamy as heck. The rest of the plot is just…okay. I thought there were some inconsistencies in characters, and a couple of twists were predictable. I did like the scene in the classroom, as the concept being taught (about precedent) was very interesting. I look forward to seeing how the second book finishes the story because this novel does end on a cliffhanger (that seemed out of the blue). This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC.

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BOOK REVIEW: Stay With Me

I have recently begun to enjoy second chance romances. Maybe it has something to do with spring finally arriving, and that whole re-birth/new hope attitude that comes along with it.

Stay With Me by K.L. Grayson is a well-written novel in this genre. The prologue introduces us to Allie and Jackson when they are teenagers, facing some big decisions. The rest of the story takes place eight years later (except for a couple of flashback memories) as the two try to find their way with each other again.

The plot is very straightforward without the usual back and forth/self-doubt of the characters. It also has depth, as the events that separated Allie and Jackson are realistic and heartwrenching. The doubts that do arise come from those events, and seem completely natural.

I think that’s what I appreciated the most about this book. The characters deal with real life events instead of exaggerated or far-fetched roadblocks that so often pop up in romance novels.

I don’t give away plot points, so I don’t want to say more about character introductions or interactions. I do hope that if you’re looking for a pleasant, HEA, second chance romance, that you will pick this one up. My Goodreads review is below.

Expected Release Date: April 23, 2019

Stay with MeStay with Me by K.L. Grayson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a sweet second chance romance that had some unexpected depth to it. Allie and Jackson are teenagers in love, but life choices force them apart. Eight years later, they get the opportunity to try again. The characters were real, the plot was interesting, and there were more than a few unexpected occurrences. I liked how the author thought out the repercussions of the choices of some of the characters. There was no melodrama (as sometimes happens in romance novels); every incident had meaning and purpose. I also appreciated how the author avoided the usual “should we or shouldn’t we” and allowed the characters’ doubts to be natural. Nothing felt forced. Oh, and Mason is the cutest book kid I’ve “met” in a long time. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a quick HEA read. This review was written based on a pre-lease copy.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

When it comes to thrillers, there are several sub-genres: psychological, mystery, horror, etc. I usually go for psychological thrillers, because I like seeing if I can guess the twists, or predict the plot (I’m successful sometimes). The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth is more of a mystery thriller, although there is a touch of psychological in there as well.

The plot is laid out in both flashbacks and current time, as well as alternating viewpoints in the flashbacks. The author handles the switching back and forth with ease, and I never felt lost as to when I was or whose perspective I was reading.

The characters are very well-written. It seemed at the beginning that the story would be more along the lines of The Other Woman by Sandie Jones (new wife wants to bond with the mother-in-law, who is resistant to all attempts), but it quickly became apparent that there is a lot more going on with the two main characters that it initially appears.

Diana (the mother-in-law) is a strong character. The author does an excellent job of allowing the reader to discover her motivations without being smacked in the face with examples. In other words, the reader is allowed to draw conclusions based on events, rather than the author simply stating a character trait. I appreciate when an author does this because it allows me to become more invested in the story.

Lucy (the daughter-in-law) is also more complex than the reader is initially led to believe. The relationship between her and Diana takes many turns as they each discover new things about each other. Through these experiences, the reader also gains understanding of major plot points.

(Because it is a mystery, I’m not going to go any further than that in my analysis. Suffice to say that the plot did have enough twists and turns that I was constantly kept off balance. I loved it).

I did want to add, however, that the author handles the descriptions of a debilitating disease with accuracy and poignancy. My father passed away just about two years ago after a nine year battle with a little-known disease that falls under the Parkinson’s umbrella. It was unnoticeable at first, except for little things: he walked slower, took more time to do simple tasks…things like that.

Eventually, it became more pronounced. His ability to walk went first, then speech became slurred, then eating became a challenge. Eventually, he became completely bedridden, unable to communicate at all, and had to have a feeding tube. It was slow, painful, and difficult to watch. My mother was by his side the entire time.

The author brought all of this back through her descriptions. It was hard to read at times, but that’s because her writing brought real memories and emotions to the surface. It certainly made the book more personal to me, which in turn made me feel more invested in the story.

If you are looking for a well-developed mystery with depth, don’t miss out on this one. My Goodreads review is below.

Expected Release Date: 4/23/2019

The Mother-In-LawThe Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great mystery! This book went in no direction that I expected it to go in and kept me guessing throughout the entire story. But it is more than that; it is also an in-depth character study about the relationships between women, specifically mothers- and daughters-in-law. I thought that Diana was an incredibly complex person, and I loved the way the reader was allowed to figure that out through Diana’s actions (rather than just being told). Without giving away plot points, the situation that materializes with Tom and Diana hit very close to home as I recently went through something similar with my parents (not to the same extent, but close enough that I teared up reading through particular sections). Thank you to the author for addressing that issue with frankness, but understanding. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary mysteries and non-nonsense writing. This review was voluntarily written based on a pre-release copy provided by NetGalley.

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BOOK REVIEW: Mr. Finchley Discovers His England

I love it when I find a hidden gem in the midst of contemporary novels, and this book is no exception.

Originally written in the 1930s, Mr. Finchley Discovers His England is a pleasant reminder of a simpler time, where there weren’t double meanings and people took the time to interact with each other. It is charming, entertaining, and plain ol’ fun.

Mr. Finchley is a clerk who has never taken a vacation. When the business changes owners, he finally has the opportunity to take some time away. However, fate has a sense of humor, and instead of a quiet few weeks in Margate, he ends up on a series of adventures that take him all over England – and give him a new perspective on life.

I particularly liked the initial adventure because it really set the tone for the rest of the novel. The author did a great job of easing the reader in for the ride.

Written in the style of the time, it is not a quick read, but the author writes so that the reader can become completely immersed in Mr. Finchley’s world. I appreciated this, because it allowed me to slow down and take things as they came – just like Mr. Finchley himself.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Go discover England with Mr. Finchley.

My Goodreads review follows.

Mr Finchley Discovers His EnglandMr Finchley Discovers His England by Victor Canning
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an utterly charming novel! It’s the story of a normal, everyday clerk who takes his first vacation in years and ends up on an adventure that takes him across the country and back again. Each escapade builds on the previous one and with each event, the reader just loves Mr. Finchley a little bit more. Originally written in the 1930s, the novels are now being re-released. I loved the re-introduction to a simpler time, where everything is straightforward and there are no hidden meanings. It was a breath of fresh air to go along on this ride with Mr. Finchley, and I look forward to the rest of his experiences. Seriously, take a break from today’s novels and visit a simpler time. Don’t miss these novels. This review was written based on a digital pre-release from NetGalley.

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BOOK REVIEW: Eighty-One Nights

I did not want this book to end.

That’s pretty much the review in a nutshell. (But I’ll give you guys a little bit more).

The beginning of this book reminded me of the Reba McEntire song, “Fancy.” In fact, through the first few chapters, I kept hearing the song lyric “Here’s your one chance Fancy don’t let me down” running through my head. Thankfully, the writer took the book in a much deeper direction than just a girl trying to earn money to get out of an undesirable situation.

Usually, a novel like this tends to focus on the young woman’s point of view and how she deals with this new world that has opened to her. This book is different because it focused equally on both perspectives, and this is what made the book more enjoyable.

I loved that I was able to understand Hutch’s point of view and how his past was affecting his decisions beyond the usual “I’m too broken to love” trope. He had a full backstory, as did Lou, which gave them depth. As a result, the story was much more fulfilling.

As Lou puts it, she is part of a beautiful illusion that she doesn’t want to end. I was right there with her. I was aware that I was nearing the end of the book, but I did not expect it to end where it did. As a result, I will be waiting eagerly for the second book in the duet, because this is one story that I cannot let go of easily.

My Goodreads review is below.

Eighty-One Nights (Beautiful Illusions Duet, #1)Eighty-One Nights by Georgia Cates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrecked. There’s no other way to describe how I feel after reading this book. I am absolutely wrecked. It is such a beautifully written and passionate story; I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. As a result, I didn’t realize how close I was to the end until, well, until it just ended. In my mind, I yelled “noooooooooooo!!!!!” because I didn’t want it to end, especially not where it did! The relationship between Max and Cait (Hutch and Lou) is full-on romance, in spite of the unconventional beginning of it. The story is interesting, the characters are compelling, and the writing is such that the reader feels what the characters are feeling. Oh, and can we say super-steamy as well? An excellent read, but I sure hope the second book is released soon, because I haven’t gotten enough of Hutch and Lou yet. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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BOOK REVIEW: Overture by Skye Warren

You ever have this happen to you?

You read a book by an author that you love, only to be let down because it wasn’t as good as you anticipated. And then you’re left sitting and wondering why it wasn’t as good, but you can’t exactly put your finger on it.

That’s me when it comes to Overture by Skye Warren. I love her books, and I’m pretty sure I’ve read all of them. But this one was disappointing. I mean, overall it was good, and I’m not turned off of her. In fact, I’m eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series to see what happens.

That being said, I found myself hurrying through some parts of this book to get to the heart of the plot. There was an awful lot of “we shouldn’t but I really want to” and “why can’t we” between the two. Which is fine, but I thought the intrigue parts (how did Liam get to be Samantha’s guardian, what does he know about her past, what doesn’t he know about her past that could harm her now) were too few and far between.

There were times that I felt like there was a prequel that I missed, because some of the relationships didn’t make sense, or at least seemed like they had been established elsewhere and that the reader was just supposed to know about them.

All of that being said, there were some hot moments; one particular scene while Samantha is playing the violin was especially steamy.

And while we are on the subject, I did LOVE the descriptions of her virtuosity. The author was very skilled in making the reader understand how talented Samantha was as a violin player. Those passages were very descriptive and almost poetic.

Oh, and I also loved the quotes and facts that were on many of the chapter headings. I kept my husband and son entertained with a lot of them. They were curious as to what I was reading (ha ha ha).

Anyway, it was just an okay read, but I have high hopes for the next book. I want answers!

My Goodreads review is below.

OvertureOverture by Skye Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love this author and always look forward to her new releases. That’s why this review is difficult to write because this book confused me. On the one hand, I liked the intrigue and the premise that Liam knows a lot more than he is letting on throughout the book. I love that Samantha is a prodigy and the descriptions of her violin playing were vibrant and beautiful. The attraction between the two didn’t bother me either. Where I came up short was how much back and forth there was as the two dealt with their inner thoughts – there was just too much of it. I wanted more of the mystery. It took a long time for something to happen (both relationship-wise and in terms of the intrigue and secrets). And the bombshell at the end seemed rushed without any real set up to it. I’m hoping that the second book answers more of the questions in a quicker manner. I’ll give this one 3.5 stars because it took too long for any type of movement to occur. This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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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.

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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.



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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.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Pawn and The Knight by Skye Warren

Yes, I’ve been reading a lot of romances across many sub-genres …I guess that’s just the mood I’ve been in lately. But this one kind of stretches across suspense, and a little bit of psychological thriller.

These first two books of a trilogy are steamy and a little haunting. Avery grew up privileged and had everything set in place for her future until her father ruined it all. With nowhere else to turn, she makes a deal with disreputable figures Damon Scott and (by extension) Gabriel Miller.

What follows is the unraveling of half-truths and lies, family secrets, and…oh yeah…a whole lot of highly sensual tension. Gabriel and Avery maneuver each other (and are themselves moved) like chess pieces – which, honestly is the whole point, right down to the titles of the books. But the plotting is done masterfully, as I felt that even as a reader I was being manipulated just like they were (and that wasn’t a bad thing).

Avery is also very interested in mythology, and the author deftly weaves those themes into her novel, particularly the stories of the Minotaur and Helen of Troy.

I know I am forgetting to mention what else I liked about the books, but really, just go see for yourself. And pick up the third one while you are at it, so you aren’t left on a cliffhanger like I was! My Goodreads review follows.

The Pawn and the KnightThe Pawn and the Knight by Skye Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t even know where to start with this pair of books. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The base premise has been done before (auctioning virginity for money save the family home), but this story is so much more than that. Gabriel Miller is the type of character I love to find in a book. He is enigmatic, dangerous, and sensual. Avery is naïve but smart, which automatically makes her better than many other heroines in this type of novel. I particularly liked the references to mythology throughout the two books. The influence of chess in the story was fascinating to me. Not only does Avery realize that everything that happens to her is like a chess game, but the secrets and lies that are unraveled also move the larger story like a chess game. My only disappointment was that it was only two books of a trilogy, and I was left hanging (of course, I went and got the third so I can see how it all ends). This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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