So yeah, I liked the first book . . . this one, however, I LOVED! Maybe because the story wasn't so bogged down in estAudio: 5 STARS!! Story: 5 STARS!!
So yeah, I liked the first book . . . this one, however, I LOVED! Maybe because the story wasn't so bogged down in establishing the main characters and their relationships.
CS Harris has an AMAZING ability to bring the streets of London in the 1810's to life. And narrator Davina Porter's performance takes an already great story to another level.
I highly recommend! I've already started book 3....more
Somehow, my heart has moved out of my chest and now beats inside her hands.
AAAHHHH!! So wonderful! From b***A 2019 TOP PICK***
5+ STARS!!
Somehow, my heart has moved out of my chest and now beats inside her hands.
AAAHHHH!! So wonderful! From beginning to end, Kind of Cursed was beautiful and pure and resulted in a serious case of the warm-fuzzies.
Plot in a nutshell: After the shocking death of her parents, Millie Delacroix is thrown headlong into the unforgiving task of raising her 3 siblings. Months later, contractor Luc Valencia shows up to start work on the kitchen remodel her parents had planned.
What results is a story full to bursting with hilarity, heartbreak, and joy.
Both Luc . . .
But the look in her blue eyes - afraid, yet hopeful - tells me all my rules are no good here.
. . . and Millie . . .
How can I ignore him and stick to my ten-year chastity plan if he's staring at me like that?
. . . are taken aback by the connection that quickly begins to bind them together.
I loved Millie. Her inner monologues were so entertaining and rang with a genuineness that had me falling for her.
Does clearing the dishes make a man suddenly irresistible?
And Luc . . . OMG, Luc! We're talking serious book boyfriend material; protective, loyal, take-charge, and utterly delicious.
I want to get between her and anything that might take a swing at her.
He was everything the hero of a romance novel should be.
Making sure she's okay doesn't really feel like a choice.
And just when I thought I couldn't love him any more, Ms. Fournet took Luc to a whole other level. The way he showed his respect for Millie absolutely slayed me.
I can't be the one who takes any more free will from her.
Okay, okay, so I'm doing some serious gushing here. Yes, this was a 5 star read . . . but, if you're still with me (lol), I want to explain the (+) attached to that rating.
I connected with this story on a very personal level. Kind of Cursed is a 'multi-cultural' romance; Luc is Latino (more specifically of Mexican descent) and Millie is white. I thought the author did an incredible job of weaving their stories together. How do I know this? Well, I'm white and I married a Mexican, and so much of the story was a lovely reflection of my life.
She pulls up the sleeve and lines up her forearm next to mine. Not touching, but close. The difference is crazy. Like whole milk next to maple syrup.
Their cultural differences, the Spanish, and all the mouthwatering Mexican food made for a wonderful backdrop upon which Luc and Millie's love story unfolded. I SO HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
A huge thank you to LEILA for reading this one with me. ...more
Aaaahhhh! It was SO GOOD to be back with the hoof again!
Admittedly, it took me until4.5 STARS!
"Live in the saddle . . . Die on the hog!"
Aaaahhhh! It was SO GOOD to be back with the hoof again!
Admittedly, it took me until about 20% before I fully had a grasp on what all had happened in book 1. (If ever a sequel needed as synopsis at the beginning, it's this one since my brain is such a sieve.)
But even without a handle on where my favorite characters had gotten to and why, I was still left with Jonathan French's wonderfully clever prose and his wonderfully clever heroine, Fetching, who now had the lead.
[Sidenote: I'm pretty sure Jonathan French has my undying devotion . . . not only for going with a heroine as the lead character, but for pulling it off!]
Anyway . . .
Despite the hardships they've endured, the Bastards are as irreverent and politically incorrect as ever.
Fetching made a point of never naming her mounts, but the Bastards had taken to calling this one Womb Broom: "The only thing keeping the chief's quim free of dust."
I loved the devotion and loyalty they showed their new chief and the respect they had for her decisions even if Fetching was working on a brutal learning curve.
Hard as living in the badlands could be, it was nothing compared to living it in the hoofmaster's chair.
And their lives only got harder and harder as foes, new and old, came after them full tilt.
Survival was instinct. It was akin to hunger or breathing.
There were some incredible moments as the story unfolded, especially as beloved characters reappeared . . .
She could only watch. And place her faith in the most brazen mongrel ever to ride the Lots.
. . . which rounded out all the action and adventure nicely.
I strongly recommend if fantasy is your jam! Such good stuff....more
We Contain Multitudes is the story of two boys who couldn't be more different; KurlAudio: 5+ STARS!!! Story: 4.5 STARS!
Wow! What an incredible journey.
We Contain Multitudes is the story of two boys who couldn't be more different; Kurl, the popular jock who's repeating his last year of high school, and Jonathan, the outcast sophomore who deals with bullies everyday.
I know what you're thinking . . . that this is a bit of a cliché. But, wow, Sarah Henstra easily skirted that pitfall by digging DEEP. The title is incredibly apt here as both Jonathan and Kurl are stripped back layer by layer and revealed through the letters they must write to each other for an English project . . . as in . . .
The entire book is written in the form of letters; this was both its genius and its weakness in my opinion.
The initial stages of Kurl and Jonathan's relationship were done in a way that was nothing short of brilliant. Since I imagine that not having to face a person would make opening up to them much easier, the way they both came out of their shells was wonderfully believable.
But once things became more involved, I didn't quite appreciate the letters as much. I wanted to be there during the pivotal moments, inside their heads where I'd be able to get a better handle on the why's and how's of it all. There were times that their thoughts came across as too wise for their ages, and times that their actions (or lack of them) felt out of character.
However, I would never want to discourage you from taking this journey with Kurl and Jonathan. And the audio performances were incredible! I highly recommend.
PS: The story became unexpectedly dark in places so I'll issue some trigger warnings: (view spoiler)[physical and emotional abuse, violence, bullying, homophobia, a lot of talk of drugs (hide spoiler)]
PPS: Thanks Amber for writing your wonderful review and bringing this book to my attention. <3...more
Book 1: 4.5 STARS! Book 2: 3.5 STARS! Book 3: currently reading
4.5 STARS!
I am losing myself, piece by piece.
What a ride! Bad Saint was darBook 1: 4.5 STARS! Book 2: 3.5 STARS! Book 3: currently reading
4.5 STARS!
I am losing myself, piece by piece.
What a ride! Bad Saint was dark, twisty and full of emotion!
I always start these kinds of reviews with the same preface: dark reads are hard to pull off. Ergo, I'm giving full props to Monica James for giving me a messed-up story that I could sink my teeth into.
Plot: Willow is taken from her secluded Greek villa while on her honeymoon. One of her abductors is more reluctant than the others. Over the course of Willow's nightmare, we find out why.
Oh, man! I LOVED the relationship between Willow and Saint. Their physical, mental, and emotional cat and mouse games kept me glued to the pages.
But Saint scares me in a different way. I'm not fearful for my life when I'm with him. I'm fearful for my soul.
The author did such a good job of keeping Saint on the right side of the alpha line without sacrificing the dark themes of the story. Fabulous stuff.
I have to round down though, because some of the 'action' events were downright silly and/or convenient. (view spoiler)[A 'huge yacht' that can pull right up to a beach? And don't get me started on the first aid kit that was miraculously carried by an unconscious person. (hide spoiler)] However, I was so caught up in the plot that I was mostly willing to let these kinds of things go.
Some truths are so horrifying that you can't even admit them to yourself.
It's been DAYS and still this story is not letting m4.5 STARS!!
Some truths are so horrifying that you can't even admit them to yourself.
It's been DAYS and still this story is not letting me go. Its harrowing events keep echoing in my mind. If making an impression isn't the sign of a great book, I don't know what is.
The blurb does an excellent job of telling you what you need to know. The only things I could say about the plot that might help you decide if this book is for you are:
(1.) It's definitely a dystopian read.
(2.) The town's social structure is based on Christian misogyny.
(3.) The writing has wonderfully feminist overtones.
(4.) Events get violent and are not for the faint of heart.
If any of these are not your cuppa, you'll want to give this one a wide berth.
I read a bunch of reviews that compare it to The Hunger Games (I'd disagree), The Handmaid's Tale (can't say, haven't read it), and Lord of the Flies (I'd agree with this one, but it's been YEARS since I read it).
Personally, this was exactly the kind of story I look for. I found it to be powerful, moving, and riveting.
Tierney was my kind of heroine.
I'd rather have the truth, no matter how painful the outcome.
The author did a great job of showcasing Tierney's independence and intelligence, and explaining how it flourished despite the stifling environment of her upbringing.
When I was small, every thought showed on my face. I've learned to hide behind a pleasant smile, but sometimes when I catch my reflection in the glass, I see the intensity burning in my eyes.
I also really liked her inner thought process.
They can dress me up, marry me off, tell me I'm a woman now, but in no way do I feel ready for this.
And even better, her harrowing journey from point A to point B was filled with growth, adaptation, and rage.
"Who doesn't want to feel powerful? Who doesn't want to feel like they're in control for once in their lives?"
There are grumblings in the reviews about the ending....I'll just say that I think it's best not to spoil it for yourself as both sides of the equation have very valid points. Personally, I'm leaning more toward awe than disappointment.
So why am I rounding down?
My reasons may or may not apply to you, lol.
(1.) First and foremost I'm a reader of romance. To my mind, the writing style didn't reflect enough emotion. All the pain and suffering - both physical and mental - came across as too matter of fact for me, especially since it was written in the first person, present tense.
While I'm sure that injecting emotion into the narrative would have improved the story for me, I'm also sure it would have alienated many others. So you know, take your pick. :-)
(2.) The basis for the town's social structure, and therefore the very premise of the story, wasn't quite believable. It was just too elaborate and implied a level of female submission I found suspect.....but hey, many women around the world have learned to adapt to the inherent misogyny of organized religion, so what do I know?
Anyway, I'll leave you with my favorite quote, one that Kim Liggett had Tierney bring full circle over the course of this epic story.
I'm only one girl.
I want to thank Wendy for bringing this book to my attention! <3 ...more
"I cannot live my life without the human experiences I cherish so much."
Wonderful!
Kudos to Tricia LevenseAudio: 5 STARS! Story: 5 STARS!
"I cannot live my life without the human experiences I cherish so much."
Wonderful!
Kudos to Tricia Levenseller for very successfully writing a book that's in turns macabre and gruesome, then sweet and uplifting. And as an added bonus, narrator Marisa Calin gives an incredible performance on the audio.
So If you're into adventure on the high seas . . .
"I love being a pirate, and there's nothing I want to be more."
. . . with a splash of true love on the side . . .
"I'll sail anywhere with you."
. . . you'll definitely be entertained. I highly recommend!...more
1st READ: Nov 2019 - 5+ STARS!! REREAD: Jan 2020 - 5++ STARS!!
Better the second time around!
***A 2019 Top Pick***
5+ STARS!!!
His kisses had li
1st READ: Nov 2019 - 5+ STARS!! REREAD: Jan 2020 - 5++ STARS!!
Better the second time around!
***A 2019 Top Pick***
5+ STARS!!!
His kisses had lifted a loneliness off her she hadn't even known she carried.
SOOOOOOOO wonderful!
After a bit of rocky start, I fell head over heels in love with Annabelle and Sebastian. Congratulations to Evie Dunmore . . .the writing was incredible, the characters had so much depth, and talk about feeling the story: this was impossible love at its best!
And I adored how the story was woven into the political fabric of Victorian England.
Audio: 4 STARS! So I almost regret listening to this one instead of reading it because I have no notes or highlights. :( I have every intention of doing an immediate re-read though, from the physical copy I'll be buying this weekend!
It was really that good! Hopefully I'll write a proper review after that. :-)...more
How very cruel it was to fear and crave something - someone - in equal measure.
GAH! There was nothing I di***A 2019 TOP PICK***
5+ STARS!!
How very cruel it was to fear and crave something - someone - in equal measure.
GAH! There was nothing I didn't LOVE here. This book exceeded ALL my expectations:
Alexandra and Piers lit up every corner of my jaded heart. Their story kept me completely engrossed and constantly hovering between heartbreak and joy. What an incredible balance the author struck between fairy tale and nightmare.
Plot: How to Love a Duke in Ten Days is about a marriage of convenience between two people who, on the surface, have nothing in common. Dig a little deeper and it becomes clear their lives are both shaped by terrible tragedy and betrayal, with one wearing their scars on the inside and the other for all the world to see.
Did I mention I loved this book?!
Lady Alexandra Lane was a superb heroine. Her strength and courage were only outdone by her ability to adapt to changing circumstances with a level head. When she sees a potential solution to her problems in Redmayne, she seizes it . . . despite her past.
It didn't seem ludicrous to imagine that he was invulnerable, a bulwark against all that would do her harm.
And Piers, the broody Duke of Redmayne had me swooning. He proved, again and again, his depth of character went far beyond the scarred, savage facade he showed the ton.
The instinct to protect his woman from any and all threats had become the strongest of all.
No word of a lie, every single scene was infused with heart and soul and emotion. Kerrigan Byrne knocked me off my feet with her talent . . .
All the words spoken and unspoken between them hovered in the sea air until they fell at their feet like shards of shattered glass.
Among the mess, Alexandra's confidence might have been found. Along with her heart.
The conversations were deep and meaningful, Piers and Alexandra's actions remained true to their characters, and the author's incredible sense of romance left me a hot mess.
Two restless souls that would never be still. And would no longer have to wander alone.
I wholeheartedly recommend!
A huge thank you to MONIQUE for reading this with me! I think she did a much better job in her review of capturing the essence of this wonderful story, and I encourage you to read it HERE....more
RE-READ (May 2024) bumping it up to a full 5 STARS!!
4.5 STARS!!
Sometimes he questioned how he'd ever understood the world before her.
ClaRE-READ (May 2024) bumping it up to a full 5 STARS!!
4.5 STARS!!
Sometimes he questioned how he'd ever understood the world before her.
Classic Eve Dangerfield goodness! Dirty, edgy, HEARTFELT. I SO loved it.
It was wonderful to be back in the Silver Daughters Ink world, this time with uptight Nicole and hulking Noah(!!) as the stars of this opposites attract show . . .
Nicole DaSilva is a control freak; straight-laced, by-the-book, and to-the-point. Nothing wrong with that, except when she's surrounded by her family.
As the only non-tattooist in her family, Nicole was used to being treated as the vanilla sheep.
Unfortunately, her well-constructed world has been coming apart at the seams lately, a state of affairs complicated by her very out of character attraction to Noah.
Nicole pictured Noah's big mean tattoos peeking around the corners of a tailored suit. Her insides squeezed tight.
To his own mind, Noah Newcomb is the big bad, the worst of the worst.
"He's big and mean and he looks like he could tear a boar apart with his bare hands."
Even if those around him in his 'new' life don't know what a bad seed he is, he hasn't forgotten . . . now if only he didn't have this one nagging problem in the form of a type-A ballbuster in a pencil skirt.
This dumbfuck infatuation was going to kill him.
Nicole is not just out of his league, she's in another stratosphere.
Anyone could see Nicole DaSilva had a life template and the spot marked 'husband' sure as fuck wasn't Newcomb sized.
So the question becomes:
Would he get a chance to make good on all those heated little looks Nicole shot him?
OH MY GOD! I ate this one up with a huge spoon!
True to form, Ms. Dangerfield did such a great job of weaving a story that was deliciously dirty and hot, hot, hot!
"Come, then you can suck my fingers while I fuck your little pussy raw."
I always love this author's explorations of kink.
"We don't choose what does it for us."
But while, obviously, Noah and Nicole were explosive together, there was so much more to them than just chemistry.
They proved to be flawed and subject to their own vulnerabilities and insecurities, which made for some fabulously messy reading; heartstrings were pulled, tears were shed, and my love for them grew.
And of course, Nicole's sisters, Sam and Tabby, were on hand for some crazy DaSilva family bonding time.
That was the thing about sisters, about family; you knew the make and model of all their buttons.
This is a MUST READ for fans of this author. And if you love a bit of kink and haven't read her stuff, what the heck are you waiting for?!
Note: I'm going to say YES to reading this one as a standalone with the caveat that the story will mean more to you if you start from the beginning.
A warm thank you to the author for allowing me to read and review her work....more
There's no justice, not in this world. All we have is vengeance.
This was dark enemies-to-lovers heaven! The BEST of the series4.5 STARS!
There's no justice, not in this world. All we have is vengeance.
This was dark enemies-to-lovers heaven! The BEST of the series so far!
Quique, Kyle's right hand man, meets Natalia while taking care of some extremely bloody cartel business in London.
They were fabulous together.
I should have shot the bitch the first time I met her.
It might seem strange to use the above quote to characterize their relationship, but it suits them so well! They were equals in every way and their cat and mouse games were so entertaining.
...you can't be a shrinking violet when you're dealing with douchebags.
Adams' writing has definitely improved even though she still has the horrible habit of using exclamation points everywhere! which makes the dialogue somewhat cheesy.
Regardless, I'm rounding up based on all of the following:
✔ heroine with a backbone of steel ✔ alpha hero who isn't sleazy ✔ great banter ✔ NO annoying 'I'm overcome by my lust for you.' ✔ intricate plot that comes together nicely ✔ fabulous British slang throughout ✔ crazy British extended family
I think it's possible to read this as a standalone, and if you like this kind of trope, I highly recommend.
"Bruja, it's a wonder you made it past childhood. You've got an evil tongue."
Triggers: LOTS, but this was definitely a tamer story compared to the first two books.
"I love that you can fill every role in your own life. But I don't want anyone to ever take mine."
GAH! By the end, the romance i4 STARS!
"I love that you can fill every role in your own life. But I don't want anyone to ever take mine."
GAH! By the end, the romance in The Guy on the Right had melted me into a loose-limbed puddle on the floor. SO FABULOUS!
Plot: Laney's a smart, beautiful university senior who's a bit flaky, but she's sticking to her one firm decision: no more hot men. She's done with them.
Theo's just a regular university junior who wasn't just burned by his high school sweetheart, he was singed to a crisp.
This unlikely pair meets and strikes up a friendship.
So my love for this story ran DEEP, but it sure didn't start out that way:
0-50% ===> 3 STARS 50-100% ==> 5+ STARS
During the first half, I was CURSING Kate Stewart. Here she was, presenting me with a nice, likable, polite, all-round decent Hero and all I could do was grimace . . . because Theo Houseman wasn't just a beta, he was a BETA!
Yes, Ms. Stewart has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am the shallowest reader on the planet.
And it wasn't just Theo's lack of assertiveness that I had a hard time with. Honestly, I felt like I do when I watch an episode of The Office: uncomfortable. Laughing, yes, but so damn uncomfortable; the 'bathroom' humor between the guys, the way Laney laughed at Theo's expense. Ugh.
BUT. . . and I can't stress this BUT enough . . . it was all leading to such WONDERFUL things.
If I'm completely honest, I've been falling for him, in pieces, since the night we met.
Me too, Laney. Me too.
Ms. Stewart went from my nemesis to a genius of epic proportions, one who had orchestrated an INCREDIBLE love between two people who had hidden depths and turned out to be perfect for each other.
Theo and Laney, TLF. <3
I HIGHLY recommend, especially if you're a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope....more
Nightmares may be lies, but we don't have to be liars.
Gotta love a bad-ass heroine!
Fortuna Sworn is a nightmare . . . literally4 STARS!!
Nightmares may be lies, but we don't have to be liars.
Gotta love a bad-ass heroine!
Fortuna Sworn is a nightmare . . . literally. With just a touch she can delve into your mind, find your greatest fears and then feed them back to you. She's also the last of her kind.
Two years ago her brother went missing and her only lead in his disappearance . . .
"I wish to make a bargain, Fortuna Sworn."
. . . comes from a mysterious fae named Collith who speaks in riddles. Fortuna knows he can't be trusted but her love for her brother leaves her with little choice but to accept.
And so she ventures deep into the Unseelie Court and begins to peel back the layers of lies, cruelty, and violence to get at the truth.
Fortuna Sworn, guys, Fortuna Sworn! She's going down as one of my all-time favorite heroines!
You aren't supposed to admire her for traditional reasons; she was rash, distrustful, and didn't shy away from meeting the cruelty of the fae with her own.
If I wasn't hard, or closed off, the world would destroy me.
She was a survivor, a prideful, unapologetic, 'get-the-fuck-out-of-my-way' survivor, and I LOVED her.
"Fortunately for me, you faeries keep forgetting what I am," I hissed.
There were a ton of fabulous moments in this book. The action was non-stop and kept me on the edge of my seat.
"Sometimes it's not about being stronger. It's about being smarter."
But while the action was this story's strength, in my opinion, it was also its weakness. The author didn't give Fortuna a single moment to catch her breath . . . or allow for the relationship with Collith to deepen. There was a decided lack of meaningful dialogue between them. Yes, I get the appeal of a mysterious hero who's not the main focus, but considering his role in Fortuna's life, he was too . . . absent.
Regardless, I CAN'T WAIT for the story to continue. I love that feeling of reading a book with your heart lodged in your throat! ...more
The sad fact was that wicked men were interesting and good ones were boring.
Ok, so obviously, I LOVED THStory: 5 STARS!! Audio: 5 STARS!!
The sad fact was that wicked men were interesting and good ones were boring.
Ok, so obviously, I LOVED THIS ONE!
Eloisa James has written herself a fabulous, character-driven novel. I don't have a single complaint. The plot was solid, the characters were well fleshed-out with believable back stories, and the romance was swoon-worthy.
But my favorite part was the depth found in the dialogue. In fact, I might even go so far as to claim that Say No to the Duke proves that Eloisa James writes some of the best long conversations in romance.
I truly loved Jeremy and Betsy and I'll definitely be re-reading this one in the future.
"I want you to be my partner and stand at my side."
And there's more good news: I think this could definitely be read as a standalone! If you can get it, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the audio....Susan Duerden's performance is stellar. ...more
Sometimes I get so tired that I just roll with the punches. But for some reason, I can't give up completely. I can't just let myself
4 STARS!
Sometimes I get so tired that I just roll with the punches. But for some reason, I can't give up completely. I can't just let myself drift and die. I want to live.
I INHALED this one!
Honestly, I was wary when I started. I thought this would be WAY too dark for me.
But of course, curiosity killed the cat.
No need to worry though. I'm alive and well, lol. In fact, this was one of those Goldilocks reads for me; not too dark or depraved, but definitely both.
Believe it or not, despite the start to their relationship, the connection between Chloe and Kyle was a touching counterpoint to the extremely violent world they inhabited. These two were pretty messed-up in their own ways, and I kind of loved the way they fit themselves together.
Yes, a few pivotal scenes needed to be further fleshed-out to make the story more plausible. And yes, a few times the story tipped over into OTT territory. However, it made for some thoroughly enjoyable, unique reading.
He wanted to tell Shane that the closest he felt to home was when he was with him.
I see what all the fuss is about! Rachel Reid5 STARS!
He wanted to tell Shane that the closest he felt to home was when he was with him.
I see what all the fuss is about! Rachel Reid has really created something special here.
It didn't start out that way though . . . not in my opinion anyway. In fact, I thought Shane and Ilya began as cardboard cutouts, Shane as the goody-goody Canadian, and Ilya as the cold, big-bad Russian. Sure, they were having HOT hate-sex . . .
He hated himself for wanting any of this. But not enough to stop. Never enough to stop.
. . . but there was nothing in the story worth raving about.
Until there was.
Because sometimes sex breeds intimacy, which then breeds emotion, and soon our closed-off main characters are helpless in the face of what they've unintentionally built between them.
GAH!
Loved it!
If you want to be witness to two completely different men falling in love by increments as they grow and change over the years, I highly recommend. You'll even laugh out loud a few times. This was so well done. <3 ...more
"If I expect things of you, you can be damn sure I expect them of myself."
HEART EYES! Unexpectedly deep and layered.
Truthfully,5 STARS!!
"If I expect things of you, you can be damn sure I expect them of myself."
HEART EYES! Unexpectedly deep and layered.
Truthfully, I was hesitant to read this one . . . a 'daddy kink' book in which the heroine has an eating disorder? It sounds like a recipe for a disaster of epic proportions.
But no! On so many levels, Control Freak was fabulous!
As a museum director, Stian Blomqvist isn't an unreasonable man, but he doesn't have patience for incompetence.
"Doing things by halves isn't my style."
Lacey is his new assistant, one who appreciates the value of a busy and structured environment. She uses it as a tool to help her manage her ongoing struggles with anorexia.
One thing leads to another and they embark on a kind of D/s relationship.
So, WOW . . . These two characters were so well done. Ms. Hale did a fantastic job of weaving Stian and Lacey's stories together. Stian's steady, domineering presence and need for control . . .
I'm happiest when I have someone under my thumb. A dictator, but in the most benevolent way possible.
. . . complemented Lacey's need to give it up for short periods to ease her inner turmoil perfectly.
"What's the point of living if I can't be happy? If all I can do is just exist?"
But the driving force behind this unique story wasn't the sex, but Lacey's battle with anorexia. And what a battle it was! I'd never heard of the 'anorexic voice' before - what an eye-opening experience.
I've been able to construct a box in my mind and trap her in it, but she's never truly silent.
I think the way the story was presented was both the best and the worst part about reading this one; it tore me up to be inside of Lacey's thoughts because I believed every gut wrenching word of them. I also really appreciated that the author resisted the temptation to sensationalize or fill the pages with cheap drama.
"I can't fix you, because you're not broken."
So whether it was Lacey's heart-breaking inner dialogue or Stian's devotion or the way their love for each other grew so organically with the progression of their relationship, I found myself devouring it all.
What matters most is courage.
If you decide to take this story on (and I sincerely hope you do), be prepared to run the gamut of emotions. A 2019 favorite!! ...more
Taboo goodness! The rare kind with lots of depth and 'real' characters!
Cadence ha4.5 STARS!
"Do you think love is a choice or a feeling?"
Taboo goodness! The rare kind with lots of depth and 'real' characters!
Cadence had always been a 'good' girl; sweet, obedient, pious until she messes up in a big way at the age of 15.
She starts her senior year of high school fresh out of juvie. Despite her debt to the state of Georgia having been paid, her parents haven't forgiven her and neither have her friends. At one of the lowest points of her life, no one shows up for her.
Yes, it was a terrible mistake, but it didn't alter who I was. I didn't suddenly overnight become a drug addict or a career criminal.
Bullied and isolated, the only bright spot in her life is her math teacher, Mr. Connelly, and his kindness.
Immediately you're thinking the math teacher preys on Cadence, right?
Well, you'd only be partially correct, because nothing about this story was straight-forward.
I loved the way the author took the time to construct a very believable premise around characters who were well-developed and complex. She didn't pull any punches, portraying both Cadence and Mr. Connelly (Mark) very realistically. Both were flawed and not always likable . . .
Cadence was an 18-year-old girl and she acted like it.
Mark was a 28-year-old man and he acted like it.
It made for some really uncomfortable moments for me. . . as well as some very tender ones.
Mark's reluctance . . .
"I feel possessive of you." It sounded like it hurt him to say the words.
. . . Cadence's insecurities . . .
I don't know if I was supposed to feel that way or if I was supposed to want independence.
. . . the inherent inequality in their relationship . . .
He liked to blame me for this out-of-control person he'd become.
all came shining through in the writing.
But no matter how fucked-up things became, I never doubted that they loved each other in their own ways.
"Love comes in all kinds of packages. Some are neatly tied up, and some are messy."
And that's what made this story so great....there was NOTHING clear-cut or black and white about it. I couldn't fault either character for their attraction to one another, no matter how painful it was to watch them build and nurture a veritable ticking time bomb.
I did worry when I started that religion would become the villain of the story. (That's so easy, isn't it? To heap all the blame on something like the prison system or the foster care system or in this case the Church?) But that wasn't the case here.
Yes, the author points out major points of hypocrisy, but really the story was more about Cadence growing up and coming to the realization that her parents' beliefs may not be her own. It was all SO WELL DONE.
The only reason I couldn't give this book a full 5 stars was because I felt the author didn't touch on how the year in juvie affected Cadence. For such a huge event, I thought it would have been closer to the forefront of her thoughts. Also, the writing was a tiny bit clunky in the beginning.
So obviously, this book isn't for everyone. But if you're into taboo reads, I insist you get on this!
A huge thank you to JADE for reading, reviewing, and recommending this one! If you'd like to read her fabulous review, it's HERE....more
"You're the only woman whose heartbeat I want to feel against mine."
WOW!!Professor with Benefits was all kinds of awesome5 FULL STARS!!
"You're the only woman whose heartbeat I want to feel against mine."
WOW!!Professor with Benefits was all kinds of awesome!
I had zero expectations going on here when I started . . . Hazel Kelly is a new-to-me author and the title didn't thrill me, but both Lulu and Isabella REALLY liked it. So I muttered a fine, I'll give it a chance.
Ha! I loved every word of it . . . honestly, it was a quintessential New Adult college read if you like your books with a bit of a darker edge to them.
Sadie has been living in the shadow of her past for years now. It's made her jaded, mostly uncaring, and reckless.
As far as I could tell, the best thing about ageing was that the older I got, the fewer fucks I gave about the opinions of my peers.
A chance meeting with the mysterious Kellan at a party breathes some momentary life into her.
His voice alone was enough to part my legs.
The attraction between them is immediate, and while Kellan isn't sure, he thinks it might go beyond the physical.
I wanted to know more about the pain in her eyes.
But the joke is on both of them because it turns out Kellan is the last-minute replacement professor for one of Sadie's classes when the new semester starts.
I really liked the way the author used the taboo aspects to give the story just a pinch of the forbidden to add some tension to the plot. I would call it more of a 'faux taboo' read as it was very much this:
"I believe two consenting adults should be allowed to do whatever they want behind closed doors as long as it doesn't hurt anyone."
In no way was Kellan the aggressor or Sadie the victim (in fact, Sadie would be highly offended by the idea, lol). But the rules are the rules . . .
There was nothing safe about the way I wanted her.
I LOVED everything about the writing here; the conversational feel of it, the slightly dark tone, the heat, the fabulous banter, and the poignant self-realization. It all came together as these two wonderfully complex characters fell in love.