"You're mine, Firebird, and he knows it. I'm just waiting on you." "In your dreams, King." He nods. "Yep. Every single one of them."
Brit Benson is an author I discovered this year and I really can't believe it because it feels like l've been reading her work for years. And every time she releases a book, it becomes my new favorite. Of Heartbreak and Harmony was no different!
This is a gritty, angsty, second-chance romance and I devoured it. After reading that prologue, I was not able to put this book down. Talk about a hook!
This book can be read as a standalone, though I highly recommend reading Between Never and Forever first as we first meet Torran there. He was such a complex and volatile character. He and Callie met years ago at a music festival and shared a few brief days together. But it was during a time when Torran was using, so he doesn't really remember her.
A chance encounter and a struck deal later and these two are thrusted into each other's lives again.
I enjoyed every page of this story. The pacing was perfect and Brit's writing is perfection.
OMG...the piano scene at the end?! Dead!!!
Vibes: Almost Famous with Kate Hudson Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you're looking for a gritty, angst-fest of a read that doesn't hold back! And a kick ass love story!...more
I have a fascination with the part of English/Irish history. It had a very Peaky Blinders feel to it at first which I loved. We meet Veronica,3 Stars
I have a fascination with the part of English/Irish history. It had a very Peaky Blinders feel to it at first which I loved. We meet Veronica, who lives with her family on their potato farm. She is terribly bored and looking for a way to break free. She wants to be a working city girl instead of a working country girl. So when she's finally able to convince her father to let her attend secretarial school in Dublin, she's gone.
What she finds in Dublin, though, in a time that was under English rule, is real poverty and struggle. Soon, at her job, she is also tasked with getting close to Sinn Féin. Then one day while running an errand, she bumps into an English Soldier, who takes a an immediate liking to her. But the members of Sinn Féin see this as an opportunity, encouraging Veronica to continue and get as much information from him as she can. But as time moves on, her feelings for him develop. Soon she is faced with the dilemma, betray her country or her heart?
While I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this story, I didn't think Harry and Veronica got nearly enough page time to make their relationship something I could become invested in. The pacing felt off to me in several areas and there seemed to be a lot of repetition mainly on Veronica's part.
Regardless, still an interesting historical debut overall.
Thank you to @NetGalley @ariafiction for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Merged review:
3 Stars
I have a fascination with the part of English/Irish history. It had a very Peaky Blinders feel to it at first which I loved. We meet Veronica, who lives with her family on their potato farm. She is terribly bored and looking for a way to break free. She wants to be a working city girl instead of a working country girl. So when she's finally able to convince her father to let her attend secretarial school in Dublin, she's gone.
What she finds in Dublin, though, in a time that was under English rule, is real poverty and struggle. Soon, at her job, she is also tasked with getting close to Sinn Féin. Then one day while running an errand, she bumps into an English Soldier, who takes a an immediate liking to her. But the members of Sinn Féin see this as an opportunity, encouraging Veronica to continue and get as much information from him as she can. But as time moves on, her feelings for him develop. Soon she is faced with the dilemma, betray her country or her heart?
While I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this story, I didn't think Harry and Veronica got nearly enough page time to make their relationship something I could become invested in. The pacing felt off to me in several areas and there seemed to be a lot of repetition mainly on Veronica's part.
Regardless, still an interesting historical debut overall.
Thank you to @NetGalley @ariafiction for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
Y'all, the tension and angst in this book was through the dang roof! Everett is Cameron's protector and has been since her father died years ago. But when she turns 21, things begin to change in the way he sees her. For her, it's always been him and she's never seen him as a father figure but as more.
Recommend if You Like: - Age gap (he's 25 years older!) -Hella angst - Best friend's daughter - Small town - He's kinda sorta a baseball coach
There was an added layer of secrets and suspense which really added to the story and kept me guessing.
Although it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading Fade Into You first as it is the story of two of the secondary characters and a lot of the plot overlaps.
This is a new-to-me author that I'll be watching!...more
“Then you don’t have to leave. Literally, whatever you want. It’s yours. Me. This place. The future. Just tell me what you want, and
5 Stars!
“Then you don’t have to leave. Literally, whatever you want. It’s yours. Me. This place. The future. Just tell me what you want, and I will do everything in my power to give it to you.”
There's something about Elsie Silver's stories that just hits different. They immediately feels like coming home and seeing old friends. Wild Eyes was no different. West and Skylar had instant chemistry from their very intense first meeting.
I'm always here for a single dad romance and Elsie Silver does them so well! Weston Belmont was everything and I adored his kids as well, Emmy and Oliver.
Skylar Stone is fed up with the spotlight and needs a break, so she heads to Rose Hill to record with Ford Grant, West's best friend.
Recommend if You Like: • Small town • Single dad • Celebrity romance • Forced proximity • Sh!t Talking parrots • Slow burn • Golden retriever MMC
I loved the character growth here, especially from Skylar. And there were some parts at the end that...let's just say, I wasn't crying, there was just something in both my eyes!
And OMG, I'm so excited for Tabitha and Rhys book, Wild Side, coming March 2025!
"We’re a tangle of broken souls, stitched together by shared pain and longing. Longing for one another. Longing for a future full
5+++ Stars!!
"We’re a tangle of broken souls, stitched together by shared pain and longing. Longing for one another. Longing for a future full of affection."
I am forever changed after this trilogy. I don't know how to even begin to convey its greatness.
I really didn't know what to expect after the wild ride that was the first two books. Frankie, Kody, and Leo have actually survived HOSS and have made it back to civilization. Where Monty, Frankie's husband, awaits. Like, how was this going to go down?
Nothing could've prepared me for what followed!
“If you have secrets to share,” he murmurs, “the moment is now.” “I don’t think you can handle hearing what I want.” “Try me.” “No.” “A year ago today, you had no problem telling me precisely what was on your mind. You wanted (view spoiler)[our baby, (hide spoiler)] rightfully so, and you refused to take no for an answer. Where is that woman now?” “I want the impossible.” “Nothing is impossible.”
Heart of Frost and Scars (Frozen Fate, #3) by @pamgodwinauthor has been my most anticipated read of the year since I first started this masterpiece of a trilogy back in January.
This series had me in an absolute CHOKEHOLD from start to finish! Everything about it embodied my love for dark romance.
Frankie and her cavemen are out of the arctic tundra... but that doesn't mean they're safe. A whole new set of challenges face them now. There's still the riddle that Denver left behind to haunt them along with a new slew of characters. And, oh yeah, Frankie's estranged husband Monty who spent nine months looking for his wife. Is he the enemy, or a savior?
The pacing was so perfect. Pam has outdone herself with this trilogy. She dives into every character, every emotion...
There is nothing like this series. It has been one hell of a ride, and I've enjoyed every second of it.
OMG, this book was AMAZING! This will definitely be my top June read. Believe me when I say, READ THIS NOW!!
What to Expect: • Scheming dad • Forbidden romance/ coach's daughter • Slow burn • Hilarious (I cackled!!) • Grade-A steam • Forced proximity
Wylie is Coach Woods' daughter and he's also a single dad... something he hasn't been the greatest at. Since he struggles in getting his daughter to listen to him, when she tells him that she wants to drop out of business school to pursue graphic design, he decides be devious. He strong arms one of his players - Levi Posey - into hiring her as his assistant and wants Posey to make her life a living hell.
But little does Coach Woods know of that these two shared a brief encounter in a hotel bar almost a year ago where they shared an instant connection. Wylie quickly got pulled away, before Posey could even get her name, and he'd been looking for her ever since.
Y'all, I rarely stay up late with a book anymore because I'm just not about that life... I need my sleep. I was up until 2 AM and almost finished the entire thing in one day.
When Wylie finds out about the evil plan her dad hatched, she's determined to make Posey break. How, you ask? She's going to seduce him. And this definitely meant war between these two. This led to some of the parts of the book that were freaking hysterical!! And, oh my God, it's a slow burn, but when these two finally push each other too far...
I'm obsessed with the way they loved each other. That's all I can say. This was a book 5 in the series, so I did read book 4, which is He's Not My Type and I'm glad I did because it too was great. But nothing touches this book!!! Honestly, I loved both of these stories so much that I'm tempted to read the entire series.
I received an e-ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review....more
Y'all...oh my gawd! *clutches chest* If you're looking for an epic romance that will junk punch you right in the feels... freaking look no further.
I was not ready.
Georgia and Eli were best friends once. And then they were more. And then it ended. Painfully and terribly. It's five years later when their third best friend and the one who introduced them is getting married and they need to put their differences aside and plan a wedding together.
Read this if you want: - A romance filled with all the longing and feels - A hot mess wedding that had my OCD going ALL crazy An ULTIMATE friends to lovers, second chance, epic love story - A story that celebrates lifelong friendships and the changes they endure as life happens... - Paper rings... done in THE BEST way
The narration here could not have been better. It is all from Georgia's POV but the delivery was so full of heart and emotion. And anything less would not have done the story justice. Believe me, I love a male POV more than anyone, but seeing this whole story through Georgia's eyes and seeing everything going on with Eli, rather than being in his head, gave so much to this story.
These two loved each other so much that years later, when they meet again, it's a whirlwind week full of passion and this whole, let's just take what we can have right now vibe, that I was so here for. They still love one another so much that the last thing they want to do is hurt each other again. I felt this book in my bones.
There... that's the review! I can see why it's been everywhere and it is well deserved. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
"What are you doing, Miss Green? Why are you trying to cross this line now?" I ask.
"Because another woman touched you today," she says
4 Stars!
"What are you doing, Miss Green? Why are you trying to cross this line now?" I ask.
"Because another woman touched you today," she says with determination. "And I didn't like it. I'll do whatever I can to get your attention, Dr. Goode."
The Heartbreaker by @saracatebooks was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I swear this woman knows how to write every single one of my total catnip tropes. I'm such a goner for a good forbidden teacher/ student romance.
What to Expect: • Student/professor • Grumpy/ Sunshine • Dom/ brat
This is me anytime Sara Cate releases a new book y'all...
[image]
Sadie is Dr. Lucas Goode's student in his English class as she stumbles into his class late and unprepared on the first day. Lucas is immediately taken by her, even if at first "taken" feels like extreme annoyance.
The Heartbreaker was a little more heartwarming than angsty like the previous two books in this series have been. And there were certainly quite a few kinky moments... It totally fit these characters. I have to say, Sara Cate writes some of the best friggin' spice. Like dang Tessa Bailey quality.
There was one aspect of the conflict and the way Sadie handled it that I didn't love. I liked the result but I didn't love how we got there. It was minor...but still noteworthy for me personally.
The last few chapters of this book y'all, though... And I cannot dang WAIT for Isaac's book. Gah!!
This is a series I highly recommend if you like well developed characters with HIGH steam and some amazing love stories.
And a huge THANK YOU to Sara Cate for this gorgeous book art and swag!...more
"There is little difference between kissing a man who you think might be a murderer and a man who you know is one."
An unhinged fre5 Stars!
"There is little difference between kissing a man who you think might be a murderer and a man who you know is one."
An unhinged freaking train wreck in a book that I could not put down! Excellent! Could not stop listening.
Hannah hears about William Thompson's alleged first murder and becomes drawn to his case. But as the bodies start to pile up, Hannah's interest begins to grow into an obsession. When William is arrested and awaiting trial, she begins to write him letters. Soon she is let go from her job and travelling across the country to see his trial in person.
Full disclosure, this could have been me during the Scott Peterson trials. I would go straight home from work every day to watch his trial. And we've heard of these cases right? Even Ted Bundy had a baby with a woman who he didn't begin a relationship with until after he was in prison.
This book was insane, crazy, and even maybe a little over the top sometimes but I loved the heck out of it. It's like a reverse You...reverse in the sense that the victim (was she a victim...??) is obsessed with the serial killer instead of the other way around.
And then once the story started to unfold and we get to know the Thompson family, I too was obsessed and could not stop listening. William was a successful lawyer from a predominant Georgia family before the murders began.
I don't know what to say about Hannah's character. At times, I could totally relate to her, like her insecurities... but then at other times, I wanted to reach into the book and shake her and be like, chick, are you f-ing crazy?!??!
And how can I review this book without commending the queen of female narrators, Andi Ardnt who did such a phenomenal job bringing Hannah and this whole cast to life. I can't imagine anyone else having narrated this book.
I gave this book a full five stars because it was so out of the box and unlike anything I've ever read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse Audio for me ARC and ALC's of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review....more
Hmmm... I think if I would've just read this book out of the blue, I would've liked it a lot more. But instead, 3.5 Confusing and Infuriating Stars!
Hmmm... I think if I would've just read this book out of the blue, I would've liked it a lot more. But instead, this is my SIXTH book in a row by this author, as part of a binge bender that started for me with The Pawn, and a lot (too much) of the author's formula are beginning to bleed through the pages.
I really liked Harper and Sutton. I also loved getting to check in with the other characters from the Endgame Masterpiece Duet series. The story starts out super strong too. I read the combined edition that included the prequel, Trust Fund. That whole part of the story is intriguing and enticing, and I could not put it down. But somewhere towards the middle, and definitely towards the end, the plot kind of loses its purpose.
What I really didn't like, though, was Christopher for a good 90% of the book. Like, I am ALL for a broody, tortured hero but, come on. How much is too much? How much before you're just a fucking asshole. Mm'kay?
And, probably my main issue? All of this author's heroes are starting to blend into the same dude for me. I hate to say it, but with VERY few variations, Gabriel Miller, Damon, and Christopher are all pretty much the same. If I randomly read a line of their dialogue from any of their stories, I wouldn't be able to tell you which is which. And that saddens me because I know this author can do WAAAYYYY better than that. *shrugs*
I guess it didn't stand out as much in The Endgame and Masterpiece Duet series because there were good reasons for the characterizations of those heroes. But in this case? There is really no good reason for Christopher to be the arrogant, pompous, horse's ass he is to Harper for the good majority of this book.
The part with her parents did get to me...in an emotional way. My parents divorced ions ago, and I am mostly over it, but Harper's parents and their story really struck a cord for me.
Am I going to read The Evolution of Man? Well, yeah. I'm freaking hooked now and I have to know who she ends up with. And, tbh, I really hope it's Sutton (even though we all know it isn't going to be). Because Christopher is a spoiled little prick who really does not deserve her.
Merged review:
3.5 Confusing and Infuriating Stars!
Hmmm... I think if I would've just read this book out of the blue, I would've liked it a lot more. But instead, this is my SIXTH book in a row by this author, as part of a binge bender that started for me with The Pawn, and a lot (too much) of the author's formula are beginning to bleed through the pages.
I really liked Harper and Sutton. I also loved getting to check in with the other characters from the Endgame Masterpiece Duet series. The story starts out super strong too. I read the combined edition that included the prequel, Trust Fund. That whole part of the story is intriguing and enticing, and I could not put it down. But somewhere towards the middle, and definitely towards the end, the plot kind of loses its purpose.
What I really didn't like, though, was Christopher for a good 90% of the book. Like, I am ALL for a broody, tortured hero but, come on. How much is too much? How much before you're just a fucking asshole. Mm'kay?
And, probably my main issue? All of this author's heroes are starting to blend into the same dude for me. I hate to say it, but with VERY few variations, Gabriel Miller, Damon, and Christopher are all pretty much the same. If I randomly read a line of their dialogue from any of their stories, I wouldn't be able to tell you which is which. And that saddens me because I know this author can do WAAAYYYY better than that. *shrugs*
I guess it didn't stand out as much in The Endgame and Masterpiece Duet series because there were good reasons for the characterizations of those heroes. But in this case? There is really no good reason for Christopher to be the arrogant, pompous, horse's ass he is to Harper for the good majority of this book.
The part with her parents did get to me...in an emotional way. My parents divorced ions ago, and I am mostly over it, but Harper's parents and their story really struck a cord for me.
Am I going to read The Evolution of Man? Well, yeah. I'm freaking hooked now and I have to know who she ends up with. And, tbh, I really hope it's Sutton (even though we all know it isn't going to be). Because Christopher is a spoiled little prick who really does not deserve her....more
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