Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: New Adult Romance
Length: 443 pages
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Amazon
Release Date: January 4th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy crashes headlong into new-comer Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit.

Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young friend behind. Many years go by and Samuel returns, finding Josie in need of the very things she offered him years before. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go.

Deeply romantic and poignant, Running Barefoot is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind them to their homes and families, and the love that gives them wings.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

Good heavens. Amy Harmon is already one of my top 5 favorite authors EVER. And there’s very few backlist books I haven’t gotten to yet. This was one of them and let me tell y’all, it was just as amazing as I could have hoped for (and I loved the audiobook).

This story is full of young love, a lot of heart break, and the power of reconnection and that deep soul bond that can form with someone. I loved Samuel and Josie’s story. It has the aura of innocence (without crossing any lines) that breaks away (years later) into this match that was always meant to be. Easily found myself tearing up, as one does when reading Harmon books, and the beauty of her words.

A super romantic story. An amazing character in Josie, who’s had to do so much for so many others that she forgets to do something for herself. And Samuel who rises from his own turmoil to become the person he wanted to be for Josie. THIS IS LOVE. It is incredible.

Overall audience notes:

  • New Adult Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse (off page), animal birth, loss of multiple loved ones, a loved one with dementia, brief war mentions

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back.

Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

FORBIDDEN.

There was no chance I wasn’t reading this immediately upon my Netgalley approval. And I loved so much of it!! I love seeing a new DLJ world and all of the Viking content had me soaring. It was brutal and intense and I loved the fast paced nature of it all.

And the ROMANCE. It was quintessential forbidden and I am here for it all. And I loved how frustrating Freya was to me as a character. She simultaneously made me cranky and yet I also understood her decisions. I really see a great character arc for her coming and I can’t wait. And I absolutely adored Bjorn. He must be protected at all costs.

The plot is filled with some politicking, plenty of raids, lots of battles, and yes, plenty of spice (I will say this is DLJ’s spiciest book and that did bug me a little, buuuut I love her soooo I skipped over). Anyways, there’s also MEDDLING GODS which are my current fantasy weakness. There’s something about the chaos they cause that has me gripped to my kindle needing to know what happens next.

As always, DLJ crafts a beautifully soul shattering cliffhanger that has me begging for more. I love the direction it’s going though and can’t wait to see more of Freya’s world unravel.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 4+ open; moderate-high explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle/war themes, blood/gore depiction

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Sensibly Wed (Bradwell Brothers #1) by Kasey Stockton

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Felicity Thurston is caught alone with a man at a ball, she must marry him to avoid a ruined reputation. What she doesn’t know—he’s the brother of the man she loves.

I, Felicity Thurston, suffer from an incurable case of nerves. They attack with great zeal when I find myself the center of attention, regardless of whether or not I have taken measures to subdue them, and they have often made social gatherings unbearable. So when I met a man last summer who connected with me on a deeper level, I was certain at once that he could be the one. Henry Bradwell was both easy to converse with and an avid reader, and I spent the last eight months determining how I might contrive to further our acquaintance.

So when I snuck out of the ballroom during a veritable squeeze and found myself alone with a gentleman, it was my desire to vacate the room before we were discovered. Fate had other plans. Leading gossips of the ton discovered us in what appeared to be an intimate embrace, and to save both of our families’ good names, we opted to marry.

It was only after agreeing to the wedding that I discovered my husband-to-be was not only a Bradwell man, but a brother to the man I love. And there is nothing I can do about it now.

I LOVED THIS.

Which took me by surprise. I hadn’t intended on picking it up but the audio was out and my friend loved the anxiety rep in it so here we are!

I also loved the anxiety rep. It read true to how my anxiety tends to present itself and I liked that Felicity learns what best helps or hinders her and how to overcome things she truly wants to do. And I looove arranged marriages like this. It was super sweet. James was incredibly kind and loving from the get-go. I honestly loved that this didn’t have an enemies vibe, but a let’s make the best of this situation vibe. It worked perfectly and had me head over heels for the connection between these two.

My one little tidbit was that I wanted less Henry & Mother-in-law drama. Pieces were fine but it got to be a bit much towards the end.

I just really enjoyed listening to how James and Felicity found a way to make things work. Finding activities they both loved doing together. Trying activities the other found enjoyable and all of the one bed (still clean!!) moments were heart melting. I love whispered conversations in the dark and give me all of the comfort moments. Fantastic audiobook, great read, definitely going to get my hands on the next one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of anxiety and anxiety attacks

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Where You Belong (The Abandoned Brothers #2) by Stacy Williams

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 463 pages
Author: Stacy Williams
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if you’re lost? What will it take to find your way back?

Andie has been hiding, wanting to stay in the past rather than face the uncertainty of the future. When the force of a lie pulls her out of the darkness and into the light – the spotlight she’s avoided – she has to decide if she’ll stand and fight or run for cover.

With each step, she has a choice to make. She can continue to watch life go on around her or see what might be waiting on the other side. Will fear keep her from moving on, or can she find the courage to take the leap?

Sean thought he had it all. That is…until he realized it was only surface-deep. He let himself get caught up in fame, fortune, and the life that comes with it. But when his superficial world blows up in his face, the face of the man he let himself become, he has a battle on his hands.

When the professional footballer’s career is left hanging in the balance along with a life of his own, Sean has to decide if the risk of losing all he’s worked for is worth it to get back to the man he wants to be – the man he used to be.

Where You Belong is a touching love story that reminds us that even when we don’t expect it…love shows up.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I LOVE SLOW BURN.

Slow burn romances just hit different y’all. The tension and angst was pulled out beautifully and I was chomping at the bit waiting for them to finally kiss.

This was a beautiful love story with a lot of nuanced pieces that made of these two characters. I adored both Sean and Andie. The banter was fun and sassy, but then you can slowly see the breakdown of walls and allowing the other person to see a deeper side of you. There’s many complex situations happening in both of their lives and I love how they learned to do life together.

I do think this one felt a little more repetitive in inner dialogue, if that was scaled back the pacing would have been a little better. That’s my only iffy thing though. I love the way Stacy Williams creates a story. These are slightly heavier romances with the right amount of lightness and humor to show that hope and happiness is coming.

I absolutely loved all of the football and music content. There were some good things woven throughout and one of the cutest little characters around. Another great book in this series and I look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, poor mother/daughter relationship, loss of a spouse (recounted)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph