Book Review: Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin by Mariana Zapata

August 30, 2023September 13, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 398 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 21st, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twenty-six-year-old Gaby Barreto might be a lot of things (loyal, sarcastic, one of the guys and a pain in the butt depending on which family member you ask), but dumb isn’t one of them. When her twin brother invites her to go on tour as his band’s merch girl, she isn’t exactly screaming at the top of her lungs with joy.

With no job opportunities pounding on her door, an ex-boyfriend she would still like to castrate, and no end in sight to moving out of her parents’ house in Dallas… it would be dumb to say no to the chance of a lifetime. Two bands, three continents, one tour. Spending the next ninety-plus days with three beloved idiots and eight complete strangers shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

If only the singer of the headlining band didn’t have tattoos… a great personality… a fantastic body… and if he wasn’t so funny….

Let’s be real: Gaby never had a chance against Sacha Malykhin.

CHALLENGED.

I am trying to read through MZ’s backlist, and unfortunately realizing those aren’t hitting as well for me as her newer stuff. BUT, this book got progressively better and I didn’t mind reading it in the end.

I was turned off by the high level of crass and off-color jokes between the band. I’m sure it was trying to set the stage for how the group interacts and messes around with each other. Yet the found family vibes fell a bit flat with some of the commentary. They did take care of each other when it really counted though and I did appreciate that.

The romance hero was super different from previous books too (nothing bad, just a comment on it). Sacha is a CINNAMON ROLL. I adored how soft he was and how he and Gabby formed a friendship that blossomed into something more.

While the plot held a good forced proximity notion I think it also fell a bit flat. It was simply a band on tour. And then filler pages of random crap they did to continue the story. I do struggle to get on board with actor/musician based books and I think that became apparent here again too.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: very strong and often
Romance: open door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: transmisia, sexism, slut-shaming

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5) by S.M. Gaither

August 20, 2023July 10, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 640 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: July 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“The light cannot always overcome the dark. But it can rise to meet it.”

Against all odds, Casia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters alike, and the most powerful crown in the Kethran Empire is now securely in her grasp. Yet a seemingly impossible task still looms: finding a way to rid her world of its darkest god so she actually has a future to rule over.

The path to sealing that god away has been revealed, but to follow it will mean venturing into a deadly and strange new realm, facing old fears and enemies, and deciphering ancient magic that raises more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, chaos continues to spread throughout the empires. Armies rise and fall. The bonds between allies begin to fray—and hope along with it. And with every bloody battle, the final cost of saving their world becomes clearer.

Dawn is coming, but will Casia and her friends survive to see the new day?

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I luckily caught that this was out early on audio and took immediate advantage of seeing how this series came to a close. And I enjoyed it!

I’ve always loved the relationship between Elander and Casia. They’re still one of my favs and there were many sweet moments and a few scenes I didn’t know I wanted and melted me into a puddle.

There’s PLENTY of action and battle scenes. Filled with a sense of what those meddling gods are going to do next. I liked most of this and thought certain character arcs ended where they needed to.

I feel like I was missing that last little connection to give a five star. Something was just holding me back. I still sincerely loved this series and recommend!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 2-3 open; low/moderate explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, loss of life, near death experiences

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

August 19, 2023June 26, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 13th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

Thank you LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

HIT ME IN THE FEELS.

I wasn’t expecting this book to hit on so many personal things in my own soul. As someone who’s always struggled to connect and make lasting friendships, I could not get enough of Isadora’s journey and loved seeing her grow and struggle and ultimately find the happiness she had been searching for.

It’s not heavy on the romance, but it is there, and it is SWEET. I adored the relationship and even with the third act break-up, it worked. I loved all of the sweet, soft moments and how they learned to be there for each other.

And I LOVED all of Isadora’s new friends, young and old. It was absolutely heart-warming and made me misty eyed over and over again.

The audiobook was stellar and I’m so grateful I got to listen to that option.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of a loved one (side character), an emotionally manipulative/gaslighting ex, strained parental relationship

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Back to You (San Diego Marines #1) by Jess Mastorakos

August 18, 2023August 30, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★☆
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Jess Mastorakos
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Biggest mistake I’ve ever made? Kissing my best friend.

I’ve never been a relationship guy. Sure, I have Ellie—my best friend since middle school who’s been by my side through the good and the very bad—but with girls who aren’t Ellie? One date is enough.

Then when I get back from boot camp, one kiss changes everything. But also, nothing’s changed. Ellie still wants to settle down with a picket fence and kids, and she knows I don’t.

And now there’s heat when she looks at me in my new uniform. It makes me wonder if I didn’t want that kind of life, or if I didn’t want it with anyone but her.

But I’ve made one mistake after another with Ellie, so now I have to convince her that it’s okay to want me too.

Back to You is a sweet romance told from alternating POVs, set in the world of The San Diego Marines. Each book can be read as a standalone but are fun to read in order.

BOO.

I just didn’t love this one at all. I went in with hope and came out wondering if I’d give this author another go.

Most of the story just involved drama. Drama over here, drama over there. Not actually building the plot or developing the characters just DRAMA. It was kind of like a formulaic hallmark movie, but not the kind you enjoy reading.

Things got off to a fine start. I liked the friends to lovers idea and the kiss scenes were great too.

I wanted to love this and wish it had worked out better for me. I don’t want to sit here and bash though so I’ll leave this as strike in the miss column and move on to the next.

Overall audience notes: