Author: GoodeyReads

Book Review: A Vision in Smoke (Until the Stars Are Dead #2) by Allyson S. Barkley

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 522 pages
Author: Allyson S. Barkley
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Release Date: January 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After weeks of travel and several narrow brushes with death and capture, Ari and Ely are finally nearing the end of their unwanted adventure. But Ari let her secret slip to save them and suddenly the stakes of their journey are so much higher. Thrown into the middle of the war Ari has tried to avoid for so long, they are forced to confront long-forgotten ghosts, painful betrayals, and dangerous truths. Will Ari and Ely’s unsteady bond be enough to brave these oncoming battles, or will the past and its secrets tear everything apart?

A Vision in Smoke draws us back into the world of Until the Stars Are Dead with a host of new characters, exciting twists, and gripping action.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

WELL.

This didn’t go as I hoped. I had mixed thoughts on book and it kind of spiraled in book two.

Once again Ari and Ely are traveling and traveling, and traveling. After getting to a war camp, most of the book is spent there without anything really happening. Some war councils, a few practice sessions, etc. Aaaand that was mostly it until at the end there was at last, some true action.

There was a dash of romance in here but it came from a different angle than I was expecting and I wasn’t wholly invested. And with how some of those last scenes shook out I am very much disappointed.

I think there was a lot of potential and the core ideas are there. I’m missing the connection to it I need to love it, but I’m sure others will.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, battle themes, loss of loved ones

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend (Love Cliches #3.5) by Emma St. Clair

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Novella
Length: 183 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Older brothers are the worst. Older brother’s best friends, however, are the BEST. Except when they don’t seem to return your feelings… My crush on my brother’s best friend, Mason, has grown into something totally unmanageable over the years. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s not a crush at all, but something bigger I’d rather not name.And while I know Mason cares about me, I don’t think he cares the way I WISH he would.That is, unless my overbearing and uber protective brother has been standing in the way.When Mason and I find ourselves sharing my brother’s loft while he’s gone, the dynamics start to shift. Sharing a space with your (possibly) unrequited crush is its own special kind of challenge.But just maybe while the cat (aka my brother) is away, the mice (aka Mason and me) will finally get a chance to play???Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend is a grumpy sunshine, roommates romcom that takes place in the Love Clichés world, right alongside Falling for Your Best Friend. You’ll find characters to love, sizzling chemistry, and closed door romance.

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

A SWEET READ.

This is an update to the original version of Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend. With a few more chapters, slight modifications, and still all the swoon. This is a great read for the holidays and will bring a smile to your face.

I thought the story line was fun and light. There’s some depth mixed in but the overall tone is one of two people who’ve always cared for each other realize just how deep those real feelings go. I loved all of the holiday content, seeing some of the other Love Cliche characters and the whole atmosphere of the novella.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a mother with an addiction

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Hold Back the River by Ashley Dill

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 385 pages
Author: Ashley Dill
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three lives shattered by trauma. Two fatal decisions. One new beginning.

Returning to his empty childhood home by the river is harder than Patrick Moore expected. His memories of the riverbank were tainted the night he was arrested and his high school sweetheart went missing. After a fourteen year prison sentence, he searches for her, hoping to find companionship and a normal life.

Julia Collins is an adrenaline-junkie with one mission: outrun grief or die trying. After being furloughed for her mental health, she’s forced into sobriety and must navigate life without her poisons of choice — tequila and her job. That’s when she hits it off with the mysterious Patrick at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Fresh hope dawns in her heart, and she wonders if she can thrive despite her secrets and enjoy life again.

But it isn’t long before currents of regret rip them apart.

Can Patrick and Julia outlive the past? Or will they succumb to the river’s fury?

Hold Back the River, a contemporary romance set in Middle Tennessee, is a heart-rending story about how a lonely soul, a guilty conscience, and a broken heart find healing together at the river.

WELL.

I think, unfortunately, this was a little over hyped for me. I very much enjoyed it, but there were some issues too. In the end I do think this was a solid debut and I would absolutely read another book by this author.

I ADORED Patrick. I loved his soft and resilient nature and when offered a second chance, gave it the best chance he could. I loved watching him fall in love, get to connect with those around him and bury the trauma of his past.

Jules, I struggled a little more with. I understood the pain she was going through and I only wish that there had been more focus on her getting the help she needed. It’s a lot more glossed over and I was missing that bit to connect with her arc.

I enjoyed the multiple POV and the heartfelt nature of the story. At times, I didn’t know where the focus was supposed to be, there was a LOT thrown in and some small plot holes popped up as a result, but its a pull at your heartstrings story at its core that I did like.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: drug use, loss of a loved one, giving up a baby for adoption, false imprisonment, child abuse, suicide attempt and ideation

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Fates Illuminated (Call of the Norns #1) by Aimee Vance

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Time Travel Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Aimee Vance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The dawn of Shelbie’s 31st birthday found her melancholy, adrift in a world where she felt bound to be always a side character, never the star of her own story.

All of that changed when she spontaneously booked a trip to Sweden with an itinerary full of hiking and horseback riding – two things that weren’t exactly in her comfort zone.

She expected to see the Northern Lights, nurse sore muscles, and, heaven forbid, pee in the woods. Those things she had time to prepare for, even if none of her preparations went as she had planned.

What she didn’t expect, though, was for her Fate to be tied to a much larger story, one that had unfolded long ago, and would immerse her in a world of people and things she’d only ever read about in novels.

BUT, VIKINGS?

When you think of a Viking book, what comes to mind? I’d say something with intensity, action and passion. I got maybe some passion here and I am missing out on the rest.

There was no conflict? Shelbie shows up at a different time, and every single person she meets is nice. Everyone is ready to help and she frolics around making birthday cakes and watching friendly competitions.

I DID love most of the side characters though. And would love to see more of them. A unique group of people who all were bringing something for the story. Even it wasn’t wholly moving the plot forward.

Romance wise, it’s a bit instant. I wanted more lead-up. Domari and Shelbie did grow on me but I think I’m supposed to feel more invested at this point. The ending left a lot for me to consider and enough so that I do want to give book two a chance. I’m curious how it’s going to go, hopefully well, and I’ll probably be back with another review soon.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open; low-med explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: small physical altercations

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph