(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Publication date: 16 March 2022 Publisher: Inkubator Books
Plot
C(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Publication date: 16 March 2022 Publisher: Inkubator Books
Plot
Charlene is in a happy marriage with her husband, Christopher. Until he died and her world shattered.
While unable to get over the past she meets Samuel, a delightful, well-educated and charming man and over time Charlene gradually lowers her walls and lets him in. After a few alarming incidents between Samuel and herself, she starts to have suspicions and her trust in Samuel decreases. The suspicions increase and what she discovers is not expected.
Thoughts
This was my first book from Cole Baxter. I really liked the cover too, it's why I requested for the ARC. The start got me hooked but then it died down in the middle and towards the end it picked up again. The book felt too long and the story could have finished definitely faster. I could understand Charlene's grief but I could not stand how naive she was. She portrayed herself as someone who could be walked over and I thought being in the circumstances that she was in, she should have been a little more assertive. Though, I felt that it was a book well focused on the main characters. There were supporting characters but they didn't overwhelm the story. I would say the end was mainly unpredictable and it increased the overall rating. Overall, it was readable.
Merged review:
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Publication date: 16 March 2022 Publisher: Inkubator Books
Plot
Charlene is in a happy marriage with her husband, Christopher. Until he died and her world shattered.
While unable to get over the past she meets Samuel, a delightful, well-educated and charming man and over time Charlene gradually lowers her walls and lets him in. After a few alarming incidents between Samuel and herself, she starts to have suspicions and her trust in Samuel decreases. The suspicions increase and what she discovers is not expected.
Thoughts
This was my first book from Cole Baxter. I really liked the cover too, it's why I requested for the ARC. The start got me hooked but then it died down in the middle and towards the end it picked up again. The book felt too long and the story could have finished definitely faster. I could understand Charlene's grief but I could not stand how naive she was. She portrayed herself as someone who could be walked over and I thought being in the circumstances that she was in, she should have been a little more assertive. Though, I felt that it was a book well focused on the main characters. There were supporting characters but they didn't overwhelm the story. I would say the end was mainly unpredictable and it increased the overall rating. Overall, it was readable....more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors Mallory Fox and Rosa Lee for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read trigger warnings from t(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors Mallory Fox and Rosa Lee for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read trigger warnings from their websites.
I first read this as an appetiser in A Night of Sin and Corruption anthology and was curious about how it would span out as a full book so I requested for it!
I remembered Saffron’s story as something that was interesting and it was kept up! I liked that everyone had a connection with one another through the childhood. Revenge served cold is always exciting and redeeming to read and it did well to excite me as well.
Even though there was a connection, I felt that I couldn’t connect to them as a harem. There were also gaps in the character development where some were over-shared and some were under-shared.
Merged review:
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors Mallory Fox and Rosa Lee for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read trigger warnings from their websites.
I first read this as an appetiser in A Night of Sin and Corruption anthology and was curious about how it would span out as a full book so I requested for it!
I remembered Saffron’s story as something that was interesting and it was kept up! I liked that everyone had a connection with one another through the childhood. Revenge served cold is always exciting and redeeming to read and it did well to excite me as well.
Even though there was a connection, I felt that I couldn’t connect to them as a harem. There were also gaps in the character development where some were over-shared and some were under-shared....more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Heather Long for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Hmmm, I really wanted to like this book but the (Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Heather Long for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Hmmm, I really wanted to like this book but the fact that I had to have read the rest to better understand this was a bummer.
The dynamics of the harem and the exploration of sexualities itself in this book was good and I enjoyed it. But, the confusion took away most of the book which lowered my rating of it. ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Samantha Bee for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the foreword before reading if nec (Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Samantha Bee for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the foreword before reading if necessary.
It has been long since I received an ARC to read so thank you Samantha for being the first one of the year!
I usually don’t read sports romances as much but I wanted something light in my heavy life so I signed up for it. The trope friends with benefits is also not something I read often or rather that is developed before the friendship before so that attracted me.
This book was indeed light and fast paced without any unnecessary drama. It showed the way they functioned as friends and more and also in their social circles. The stalker trope was not as intense as it would be in dark romances but it did push it from a boring contemporary to at least an interesting contemporary.
Overall, this was just the kind of read I needed to escape from real life for a while. ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Ebony Brewer for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read content warnings.
3.5 ⭐!
This was such(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Ebony Brewer for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read content warnings.
3.5 ⭐!
This was such a fun and light-hearted read, it was exactly what I needed from as a break from work!
Jonas and Cynthia are the first couple from the Storydale series where it is centered around Disney princesses. Cynthia was inspired by Cinderella.
I liked that this book included a plus sized woman as the FMC with real struggles. As a curvy woman myself I have to say the inclusivity in the real world is not as much. But Jonas appreciated her, very well indeed I should say and that was nice to read about.
Jonas had his own PTSD to deal with from an incident in his life and add on the stress of being a mayor, he was exploding at Cynthia. I was rolling my eyes at him at some points in the book because he just needed to stop, pause and listen but he wasn’t capable of it in those moments. But the growth in him was great because of Cynthia’s determination to not give up on them.
I did think the context behind her being “Cinderella” was revealed a lot less than it should have been and that too towards the end of the book. More context on the princess that was inspired would have made the book connected a lot more. The side plotline was also unnecessary if it was going to end the way it did.
Overall, a good distraction! This isn’t a dark romance so it can be read quickly....more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors L. M. Ramirez for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the notes and warnings before rea(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors L. M. Ramirez for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the notes and warnings before reading if necessary.
I’ve been lately looking at serial killer books and this ARC came right in time when I had none to read. What an amazing debut by L. M. Ramirez! This is what I was looking for, exactly.
It was a gothic, dark academia romance that has some of my favourite tropes: professor/student and stalker (really filling in those shoes). The different perspectives really helped in understand Luz and her harem around her. Given that it has mystery element to it, the harem really want to break her and Luz is not letting them. The slow burn was really frustrating at times but I understand why because it builds up for the next book.
Can’t wait for it, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for Lady Killer next!...more
(Thank you J.M.Elliott for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
This review is for Ravenous by J.M.Elliott.
I was so happy after reading an e(Thank you J.M.Elliott for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
This review is for Ravenous by J.M.Elliott.
I was so happy after reading an excerpt of another book Elliot is working on because it was right up my alley. I’m grateful to be in her ARC team!
It was straight to the point which I loved, how raw and honest Erin was. All is fun until something bad happens and these few chapters kept me on my toes, that cliff hanger though?! It really isn’t enough. And the twins? *gulps*. Yeah, didn’t have enough of them.
I can’t wait to see them in Scythe!
********************************** Decided to read the rest of the book since I've got Covid and I should be resting my mind and eyes (finished after recovering from C+ on 21/11)
Bad Heir - too long and uninteresting. I was barely swiping the pages on my e-book. 2/10
Wish You Hell - nice start, bad end. 5/10
A Monstrous Deal by M Bonnett- was interesting, will look out for it in 2024. 8/10
Actus Reus by YD La Mar - 9/10, a must read thriller of this anthology
Debts Owed by Teegan Wylde - a good mafia break, 7/10
His Inception - skipped because it was not interesting at all
Ensnare by Kristina Brown - stockholm syndrome gone wrong, 2/10
Heist by Haley Tayler - masked men and a bank heist? hot. will look out for the The Marauders in 2024, 7/10
Mine to Break by Victoria Ellis - a better buildup would have been more impactful. 5/10
Monsters We Crave - skipped, couldn't get into it past the first chapter
My Darkest Knights - would love to see this as a full length book. 8/10
Northland by Loren Hart - skipped, setting is not something i'd read
Primal Games by Bex Dawn - interesting kind of erotica I've never read of before but god that's something I'd never do. 5/10
Six Feet Dark - skipped, blurb wasn't interesting
Skin - good start, weird end. 3/10
The Sons and Daughters of Sin- the names though, Lower Princess of Lust had me cracking up, 2/10
This Haunting Obsession - 5/10
Through the Wringer by Weli Sane - what the hell was that, such a great buildup just for it to end abruptly. UGH, this better come out as a full length book. 8/10
To Dimitri with Hatred - skipped
Trickster by Simran - the last story and clearly a good end to the anthology. Simran, please make this a full length novel! 9/10...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors Haley Tyler and Bex Dawn for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the triggers on the au(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors Haley Tyler and Bex Dawn for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the triggers on the authors’ website before reading if necessary.
Just the kind of book I needed in between writing my theses. Life has been tiring but this book sure perked me up. There are some dark themes here which should be read up beforehand for the folks who need a warning but I went in blind and totally loved it. Though on a scale of morally grey to black, I think it’s a 2/5. For me. But the spice, boy oh boy. Loved it.
I feel like if I go into too many details, the book is revealed. So, I’ll just list down the characters. Eve, her stepfather Isaac and stepbrother Roman. And what kind of a sandwich will they make, do what you will with that information. Oh btw did I say her stepfather is a priest?
5 stars, hands down will read this again. I will look out for the rest of Divinity Falls series. ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author H.R. Penrose for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the author’s note before reading
It (Thank you Peachy Keen and the author H.R. Penrose for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check the author’s note before reading
It has been so long since I did an ARC review and I’m happy that I’m continuing with a book that I enjoyed!
Sometimes, you just need an good old grumpy hero to rock your world and Nico definitely filled those shoes. The mystery behind Nico's past kept me hooked throughout the book. I couldn’t agree with Francesca sometimes but she had a good chemistry with Nico.
I personally felt the book was a little slow paced at some points but otherwise a good book to read!...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author J. Rose for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check trigger warnings before reading.
I feel (Thank you Peachy Keen and the author J. Rose for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check trigger warnings before reading.
I feel so sad that one of my favourite RH series has come to an end. But I have to let go for better books to come.
I can say that the characters which were growing from book 1 have finally reached their full potential. Everyone showed growth in their characters and how well they belong to one another in the harem. It’s beautiful to see them arrive at the same point after everything they’ve been through. I thoroughly enjoyed the smut scenes as well.
It was my privilege to be able to read the ARCs of all the books in this series, thank you for the trust Jess!
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Lilith Roman for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
3.5 ⭐!
It was a lovely surprise to get an ARC fr(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Lilith Roman for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
3.5 ⭐!
It was a lovely surprise to get an ARC from Lilith especially since I have some books of hers on my to be read list. But this is my first official book that I’ve read by her.
Dangerous Strokes is a good start to the series. I liked that the plot line was interesting and it wasn’t just a plotline around the typical mafia books like arranged marriages or revenge. There was suspense and tension that I had to get to the bottom of. I was also sweating at some of their spicy scenes because a girl has been deprived.
The pacing though, it was a little in the middle. Sometimes it felt too slow and I wished I could increase the speed to 1.5x. But at times it was right, pacing is always subjective. There were also some questions unanswered. Not a big problem to me but I wish the ribbons were knotted and not left hanging halfway.
I am looking forward to the next book, still!...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Halle for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check out trigger warnings before reading.
This b(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Halle for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check out trigger warnings before reading.
This book was previously written under AJ Wolf and now it has received an upgrade and its released under the author name of Halle. I did not read the previous book so I have nothing to compare to. I did not anticipate this book to be this. Although I recall reading the blurb when requesting the ARC, I didn't read it again before starting the book. It's best to read the book without any expectations.
I'm not sure why this would be considered dark romance just because it had serial murdering and smut. There were a lot of unanswered questions for me, aside from the predictable conclusion. I couldn't agree that the story flowed smoothly because it was too abrupt.
However, I do value the author's efforts to clarify the issue raised in this book. Just wish it had gone more smoothly. The idea behind the serial killing was also interesting to read. ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Amy Barnett for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check out trigger warnings before reading.(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Amy Barnett for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check out trigger warnings before reading.
What a book, it is so rare for mafia books to make me tear up but this book did. Absolutely amazing. It is my first book that I’ve read from this author but you can be damn sure that my eyes are already peeled for the next book.
Sage, where do I even start? There was a mystery to her since the start, she was foreshadowed to be ruthless and strong and badass with a secret. When the secret was revealed (which I totally didn’t see it coming) my jaw hit the floor. I really love Sage’s character and I can’t see what she becomes in the next book!
It seemed like Sage had a square kinda thing going on in the whole book. She was going to be married off to Victor, while she was in love with Nicholas but she also had eyes for Alexei, Victor’s brother. I didn’t know what was going to happen, who was she going to choose. Heck, at some point I wished it could turn into some kind of RH plot. But then the ending came through with a cliffhanger and the next book needs to be published asap.
I liked the pace of the book; it was just nice with the plotlines and characters with the scenes. The plot was also built up just nice, without a lack in any place.
I really can’t wait for book 2! All mafia lovers should read this book, definitely keep your eyes out for Amy Barnett! ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Blake Blessing for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check foreword before reading.
Third bo(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Blake Blessing for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check foreword before reading.
Third book in the series that I’ve been given an ARC to and I read it so fast.
Since it is the third book, character growth would be expected more which I can say was half fulfilled. Amorette was a little meeker in this book in my POV. I wish she had stepped up more because some situations required so. But that didn’t stop the connection growing between her and the harem. Lafe really shone in this book and I can’t wait for more about him and his growth.
(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author N.O. One for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
A first from the author, I have to say it is a good sta(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author N.O. One for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
A first from the author, I have to say it is a good start to them.
As stated as a forewarning, this book is a spinoff from the Escort series which I did not read. But I was able to read it without getting confused.
What an amazing beginning to the book. The personalities in Lina's dream harem—a mafia guy, a chef, and a billionaire—intrigued me with each of their depths and backstories, keeping me interested in the book. I appreciated the mafia trope and how there was a subplot about revenge. Though I believe men in RH are frequently protective, this harem is a little more special and I loved the sensitivity and space it provided to Lina.
The pace was somewhat abrupt and some sections could have used more development and exploration, but I still found it to be enjoyable....more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author R.A. Smyth for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check trigger and content warnings before r(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author R.A. Smyth for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please check trigger and content warnings before reading.
I have to say I’m so fortunate and appreciative that I received all three arcs for this entire series. Thank you Rachel!
I think the best way to end a series is by having all the questions answered and that was addressed in this book! It was a neat end to Emilia and her boys, with good plot and character development.
Can’t say much without spoiling so please do read this series! It has stalker, secret society and bodyguard tropes. ...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Jamie Fritz for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read content warnings.
This book was refres(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author Jamie Fritz for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Please read content warnings.
This book was refreshing and it is not something I’d usually pick up. It had more than two POVs that gave me a feel of other’s thoughts and not just the MC, Gwen’s. The crew gather again with many obstacles to get to the treasure and each person has a role to play. I was so engrossed in the book that I didn’t even know I had reached the end where it hung on a cliffhanger.
I liked that there was a summary of the people in the crew in the beginning because sometimes I had to go back to refer to it. An interesting book to look out for!...more
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors R.E Bond and C.A Rene for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Accepting your fate even when you do (Thank you Peachy Keen and the authors R.E Bond and C.A Rene for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)
Accepting your fate even when you do not have any control in it is a part of life, right?
A short MM novella on a professor and his male vampire student. It was fun to read without any intense plotlines. I liked that there was a playful element while it also turned serious through the novella. ...more
(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author Xavier Neal for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
This book comes after the first book in the Synful S(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author Xavier Neal for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
This book comes after the first book in the Synful Syndicate Series. I did not read the previous books before this so I was a little lost admittedly but this story showed the sweet and intense moments of a mafia family.
I didn’t find it particularly special or interesting though, it was a good break for me while reading this....more
(Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author Danah Logan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
The first book of the series, Rezoned paved the way (Thank you Candi Kane PR and the author Danah Logan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review)
The first book of the series, Rezoned paved the way for the rest of the books that is upcoming.
I haven’t been reading much but I’m glad I picked this up. To my understanding, these characters appeared in a different series before but I’ve not read it so they’re new to me. I liked the story line although it was a little slow paced for me.
The knife play was the bonus I didn’t sign up for but still enjoyed! ...more