Book Review: Ex on the Beach (The Extra #11) by Megan Walker and Janci Patterson

January 28, 2021January 27, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 251 pages
Author: Megan Walker & Janci Patterson
Publisher: Garden Ninja Books
Release Date: December 12th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m going to be starring in a movie with my ex-husband—a man who I am still desperately in love with.

A-list movie star and animal activist Kim Watterson has it all: a spectacular career, two amazing kids, and a growing animal sanctuary she manages in her spare time. Still, she’s better known for being half of Watterpless, a Hollywood super-couple who put Brangelina and Bennifer to shame—and whose divorce generated just as much gossip.

And that’s before the studio for the latest comic book adaptation she’s headlining announces a cross-over film featuring her character—where she’ll be playing the romantic lead opposite her ex-husband, Blake Pless.

Kim’s determined to do the film, even though she’s still in love with Blake, because the alternative is to let the studio replace her with a younger model. She’s sure she can keep her heart and her dignity intact—

But no plan survives contact with the enemy, especially when you’re filming with your ex on the beach.

Ex on the Beach is a full-length, standalone romantic comedy. It features R-rated sexual content and swearing, no cliff hanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.

Thank you to the author, Megan Walker, for a gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

A NICE HEA.

This is the second book I’ve read in The Extra series. As a note, they don’t necessarily have to be read in order!

I enjoyed that this was about a married couple. It’s always unique to the genre and I like the insights and dialogue that come about because of it. Kim and Blake have a lot of great moments and I love that strive for better communication and teamwork in the face of trials.

Some of my struggles came from the repetition of ideas and conversations. I understood the need to rehash some things, but felt it would drag at times because I could hear myself saying, I get it – new topic. Not to mention their daughter who was making me want to run up a wall. Her attitude and antics were laid on really thick.

Otherwise, it was fun to have the setting at a movie set! I enjoyed seeing some of the background behind movies and adding in side characters that spiced up the drama. Which there is plenty of. I found that the pace moved well for these portions. The drama definitely matched the story.

Overall audience notes:

Adult contemporary romance
Language: some
Romance: kisses/make-outs; an open door scene and closed door
Trigger/Content Warnings: a sex video that goes viral, divorce/separation (and how it impacts children), depictions of anxiety and OCD

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Book Review: Silent Kingdom (Silent Kingdom #1) by Rachel L. Schade

January 27, 2021September 6, 2020 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 247 pages
Author: Rachel L. Schade
Publisher: Dragon Shadow Publishing
Release Date: September 29th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Chosen by truth. Marked for death. Halia must choose to save her kingdom, or let it fall.

Misroth’s king has died, and the entire kingdom is in mourning—or so it seems. After her father is crowned regent in his brother’s stead, Princess Halia discovers a terrible truth that could end her life. But when she flees to live in hiding, she discovers that the Royal Guard are not all she has to fear. Dark creatures stalk her, reports of oppression and war reach her ears, and her burden to protect her kingdom—at any cost—will not be silenced.

SLOW START, GOOD END.

Another Kindle Unlimited find!

I liked where things were initially going (because wow what a intense intro) but it stalled a bit with her younger age + not much going on.

Once Halia was older things started to pick up. I liked the idea of an exiled princess finding her way back home to right the wrongs so grievously done. What I struggled with was her visions. I have a hard time with any character having visions in a book. It takes me out of the story and makes it hard to get back in. Halia had multiple almost every chapter which really through off the pacing.

I adored her cute little soon to be friends to lovers moment. I would have loved even more because I thought Halia and Avrik’s friendship was precious and sweet.

Halia never intended to be a heroine, and I thought her character growth was well accomplished. It’d be curious to see how the rest of the series continues with the pawns at play. I liked the last quarter of the book the most because things really started HAPPENING. It was an incredible slow build to get there.

Overall audience notes:

Young adult fantasy
Language: none
Romance: none
Violence: murder, poison, swords, physical, creature attacks, executions; not overly bloody/gory

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Book Review: Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2) by Shelby Mahurin

January 25, 2021September 5, 2020 GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.

The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

WHERE’S THE LOVE?

Wow did this characters go through the ringer this round.

This was a great sequel! Though, it may have ripped my heart out. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.

RIGHT?

We got dropped right back in where we left off from the first one. And thankfully there’s plenty of nice segues to remember details of what happened in Serpent & Dove. The action was picked up exponentially this round. I found the pace pretty quick and turning every page with anticipation of what creature in the woods was going to pop up next. Plenty of violence and shock moments that really left me reeling.

This was really missing some romance. From the beginning their was a reasonable amount of angst between Lou and Reid but it needed MORE MORE MORE. What I did like is that the conflict between them wasn’t silly drama or a major lack of communication. Both of them were struggling to grasp and cope with the changes being thrown wildly at them. As time progressed and Lou and Reid realized their mistakes they were able to come together, so I liked the general development of their relationship. I also love these guy separately. Such clear opposites that play so well off of each other and in their own segments.

All of these characters really have my love (and when necessary, ABSOLUTE LOATHING). Even those on the side are incredibly well developed, and we get enough back story on them to connect emotionally, but not overrun the story itself. I loved learning about more of the creatures (witches, werewolves, and other mythical beings oh my!) and how they fit into the world Mahurin has built.

I felt a string of emotions and easily devoured this quickly. Talk about an ending that makes you absolutely flip out and I will be [yet again] anxiously awaiting the finale for this trilogy.

Overall audience notes:

Young adult fantasy + romance
Language: some
Romance: kisses / heated make-outs; some almost scenes and a mild detailed scene
Violence: bloody and gory; murder, swords, arrows, physical altercations, animal attacks, kidnapping

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Book Review: The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

January 22, 2021September 3, 2020 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆
Audience: Thriller/Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Corvus
Release Date: June 18th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Littleport, Maine is like two separate towns: a vacation paradise for wealthy holidaymakers and a simple harbour community for the residents who serve them. Friendships between locals and visitors are unheard of – but that’s just what happened with Avery Greer and Sadie Loman.

Each summer for a decade the girls are inseparable – until Sadie is found dead. When the police rule the death a suicide, Avery can’t help but feel there are those in the community, including a local detective and Sadie’s brother Parker, who blame her. Someone knows more than they’re saying, and Avery is intent on clearing her name before the facts get twisted against her.

A LET DOWN.

This book disappointed me so much. Honestly, I don’t think I would have finished it if it wasn’t for the fact I joined a Buddy Read for it and wanted to still contribute.

I felt like from the beginning there was too much time spent on inner thought and description. I wasn’t drawn into the setting or story initially and it kind of all went downhill from there. I found myself scanning way sooner than I generally feel the need too.

Things were occasionally creepy and did make me look around my house once or twice. Messing with people’s houses is always something that gives me the spooks. A lot of the side plots and stories didn’t weave well back into the murder mystery which left me wanting more.

I was kept guessing about who had done what though. The blame was tossed between many characters and I could easily see how it could be them. I did appreciate the mystery was kept alive. By the ending when things were revealed it was surprising, but nice to see how all the pieces fit together.

Overall audience notes: