Book Review: The Twisted Throne (The Bridge Kingdom #5) by Danielle L. Jensen

November 24, 2024October 13, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A commander who bled to defend her people, Ahnna is haunted by two beliefs. The first is that she failed to protect Ithicana from invasion. And the second is that saving her homeland means leaving it behind forever.

The Maridrinians left Ithicana in ruins and its people impoverished. So when the wealthy kingdom of Harendell claims her as a bride for its crown prince, Ahnna is prepared to do whatever it takes to gain influence as the future queen. And to control the gold that comes with the throne.

Yet Ahnna swiftly discovers that beneath the beautiful surface of Harendell’s court is a dark underbelly built upon schemes, duplicity, and the pursuit of power. The only individual who holds himself above the politics is not her future husband, but his infuriating half brother, James. And as she begins to question whether Harendell is the ally it claims to be, Ahnna finds herself drawn into a forbidden attraction to the wrong prince.

As deadly plots tighten around her, Ahnna must decide whether saving her people will be achieved as a bride…or as a blade.

AT LAST.

I am so happy to finally have this book in my hands (or ears because this is only audio right now). And I really loved that I thought it brought back some nostalgic original The Bridge Kingdom vibes (aka books 1 and 2). I do adore Kerris & Zarrah but I had a harder time connecting with their story so Ahnna and James’ was right up my alley.

I loved the new characters and the new ruthless areas that I hadn’t seen yet. There’s a lot more politicking and twists and betrayals. And I looove the way DLJ writes action scenes. They always put me on the edge of my seat.

Another forbidden romance that built slow and had intensely curious how this book was going to shake out. I loved the dynamic between Ahnna and James too. The passion and chemistry was there and sooo many good swoon moments. I loved getting more of Ahnna’s mindset and thoughts behind things that have happened over the series too.

I loved the dramatic cliffhanger and can’t wait for the last book!!!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: low-moderate
Romance: low innuendo, 2ish open door
Violence: high

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Book Review: Call Me Maybe (Love Lines #1) by Cara Bastone

December 14, 2022February 21, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 220 pages
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 20th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth…when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward…in an adorable way.

And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.

And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he troubleshoots my website.

And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).

And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people to fall in love at first talk.

Because I’m falling…hard.

THAT WAS CUTE.

Another good read in this series. I read the “second” book first, but these could easily be read in any order and you won’t miss a thing. I did love Sweet Talk more than Call Me Maybe, but both had amazing narration and the production was top notch. Definitely grab these on audio if you can!

This was such a spontaneous, never would have thought of, meet-cute. A customer service call? Who knew! I liked that stretch of reality of these two getting to know each other over the hours spent diagnosing website issues. It was sweet, and I found myself laughing and smiling with Vera and Cal.

I didn’t love Vera as much as I would have liked. I ended up really being here for the quiet and kind nature of Cal. This was without a doubt, an opposites attract scenario. There’s a few minor plot hole and connection issues that sometimes come with the territory of a short read. Not really pressing issues as this was a nice, lighthearted, heart melting read.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: little
Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Sweet Talk (Love Lines #2) by Cara Bastone

November 8, 2022February 21, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 238 pages
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: April 22nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Listening Length: 5 hours and 42 minutes

Stay up all night with this funny, surprising romantic comedy from Audie Award-nominee Cara Bastone — scripted exclusively for audio!

It’s officially booty o’clock, I’m alone again in my kitchen choking down a slice of terrible chocolate cake…and I’m pretty sure I just got drunk texted by the man I have a ginormous crush on.

I’ve been daydreaming about Eliot Hoffman’s dimples for two months, and even though I’m sure this was a mistake on his end, it doesn’t mean it’s not an opportunity on mine. It’s the middle of the night, and I just wanna talk to him. So I text him back.

And then somehow we keep talking…ALL NIGHT. We’re both insomniacs, so talking all night soon turns into talking EVERY night.

And talking about nothing soon turns into talking about something.

And here we go from in-depth analysis of reality TV to my relationship with my family to his amazing artwork. There’s no topic we don’t cover…

Except for who I really am. It’s the only question of his I won’t answer.

As my crush turns into an avalanche of Eliot, I think of him all the time now. But if he knew who I was, the entire house of cards we’ve built this relationship on would come toppling down. I want him to be mine, but we might never be more than just a sweet dream.

ADORABLE.

I’ve been seeing this book floating around on the Audible Originals page and needed something quick and light. THIS WAS THAT BOOK (I also believe it is available in ebook format now?).

The production for this was perfect. I loved the way everything sounded and I truly felt this story come to life. I would love if more audio books used a bit of sound effect to enhance the reading.

I adored Jessie and Elliot! Immediate chemistry from that first text and the subsequent late night chats had me laughing and smiling from ear to ear. This book just makes you feel good and I love that. I like the way the conflict/drama was handled. In a short read it didn’t take up unnecessary page time and really let Jessie and Elliot build up their relationship. All of these digital interactions made the in person moments all the better.

It’s a sweet read. The ending was everything I hoped for in the progression of this story. No overreaching for a relationship just beginning, but all the ooey-gooey-ness your heart can handle. Definitely one to pick up!!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: parent with terminal cancer, gun violence

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Book Review: Once More Upon A Time by Roshani Chokshi

November 9, 2020July 14, 2020 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: Audio: 3 hours, 26 mins
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Publisher: Audible
Release Date: June 4th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A dazzling fairy tale about falling in love again by the New York Times best-selling author of The Star-Touched Queen and The Gilded Wolves.

Once upon a time, there was a king and queen in a land called Love’s Keep who once loved one another, but alas, no more. Without love, they were doomed to be ousted from their kingdom at the end of a year and a day.

A year and a day passed.

This is where their story starts.

Imelda and Ambrose can’t remember why they got married. A year and a day ago, Ambrose consulted a witch, trading their love to save Imelda’s life – and they’ve been stuck with one another ever since. When that same witch pays them a visit on the day they lose their kingdom, she promises to make their deepest wishes come true in exchange for a simple favor and a short journey. With nothing left to lose, Imelda and Ambrose agree. But, over the course of their enchanted road trip peppered with a delirious cloak, cannibals, and at least one honey badger, something magical happens…little by little, step by step, they regain what they had forgotten.

They remember why they fell in love.

When the end of their journey nears and they confront parting ways forever, a new decision faces them. Will Imelda and Ambrose choose their deepest wishes, or will they choose each other – again?

FAIRYTALE.

No really, this was legit one of those books where everything screamed a fairy tale. A King and Queen, an evil witch, a daring adventure, a noble steed, you think it should be there, it is.

Which was its goodness and its downfall.

I listened to this on a whim because it was available through my Audible account for free (who can pass up free?). I wasn’t expecting much of a little novella. This was cute and sweet and made me laugh a few times while listening to it.

There’s a lot shoved in for a 3.5 hour audio book which was nice. I felt like I still got enough background and information on characters to care what happened and it was a nice story to listen to in-between bigger books. I enjoyed how Ambrose and Imelda remembered how the had fallen in love and got a chance to start anew. Plenty of good tid-bits in here. Some pieces were definitely silly, but I feel if you go into this knowing that and knowing how much of a fairy tale it is, you’ll find the enjoyable pieces too.

Overall audience notes: