Tag: Book Review

Book Review: An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 390 pages
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 1st, 2001
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

CINDERELLEY.

So maybe Cinderella retellings aren’t super my thing? Or is it just the addition of the usual “awful stepmother” plot that gets me? Anyways, I did not love that, buuuut the rest of the book grew on me and it was another good read for the Bridgerton series.

I really liked Benedict! I think he was kind of bone-headed at times and thought with other parts of his body besides his head, yet his mind got around to connecting with what he should actually be doing and that made him all the better. I liked that Sophie stood up for herself and didn’t like Benedict just get away with everything initially. I love a good rescue moment so those ending scenes were the best.

Both of these characters were resilient and well rounded with flaws and strengths. I like the real feel of them because it brings a lot more connection to the overall story and what Sophie and Benedict are both going through. It’s a loving and romantic tale with a fantastic audiobook. Lower steam than you’d expect and had me already looking up the next Bridgerton book I want to get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: one open door (low explicit)
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: indentured servitude, attempted rape, threats of sexual assault, incarceration, bullying

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ARC Book Review: Merritt and Her Childhood Crush (Oakley Island Romcom #2) by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 340 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: TBD 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I said I’d never set foot on Oakley Island again. Not so long as HE lived there. But after my life implodes, I’m reconsidering EVERYTHING. Including my reasons for avoiding the first—and only—man I’ve ever loved.

I’m a high achiever. Driven. Maybe a little TOO driven.

So when my boyfriend confesses to cheating AND steals the promotion I’ve been working toward for years, I do the unthinkable for someone like me.

I break.

But the timing couldn’t be better for me to fall apart—I can escape to the idyllic Oakley Island and oversee the renovations on my late grandmother’s estate.

There’s just one tiny, massive, little problem: no one told me the contractor is the grown up version of the boy I fell in love with years ago.

He was my first love. My first kiss.

My first heartbreak.

Now, I’m faced with seeing Hunter daily. Being his boss. Forging a new dynamic that fits our adult selves.

Hunter is bigger. Bearded. Talks in grunts rather than words.

And has just as much hold on me as he ever did.

Trouble is, Hunter’s life is on Oakley. His daughter is on Oakley. And it was never my plan to stay here permanently.
Do I really want to risk having my heart broken a second time? More importantly, do I want to risk breaking his?

Merritt and Her Childhood Crush is a second chance at childhood first love romantic comedy. The Oakley Island Romcoms follow three very different sisters as they renovate the house they inherited and find love on the island along the way. The stories are standalone, but if you like continuous stories, we recommend reading them in order. Each book is closed door, with sizzling chemistry but no spice.

Thank you to the authors for an eARC.

DEEPLY LOVED.

This feels exactly like that the type of books I have come to expect (and love) from these authors. BUT this one also had this extra layer of deep that really resonated with the story and the character dynamics. Merritt and Hunter are both in lower places than they expected when they meet again and that takes time to crawl out of and see the future before them.

There’s definitely still some comedic antics that had me smiling and chuckling along. Though I keep turning back to all of the meaningful conversations that were brought to the table. I loooove that both of them worked hard on trying to communicate with each other. There’s past grievances, many questions, and a sense of will they stay? that bring out the feels as the pages go by.

Merritt was a fantastic FMC and very much relatable to my modus operandi. The oldest child seeking constant perfection and an escape from her parent’s divorce. WOW THAT HITS. Slowly and surely she connects back with her true self and acknowledges that she can be a combination of all the Merritt’s she’s tried to be and I LOVE THAT. + the addition of a super swoony Hunter who is short on words and big on trying. He makes mistakes too and finding that I need to set boundaries moment was critical to the story.

I loved this story and could continue gushing about it. It was everything I hoped for and my excitement for book three is off the charts.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of childbirth, divorce, loss of a grandparent, cheating (recounted – NOT between main couple)

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Book Review: Esperance (Esperance Trilogy #1) by Heather Frost

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Heather Frost
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twelve strangers. Six marriages. One year in Esperance.

Amryn has many reasons to hate the empire. Her latest is her forced marriage to General Carver Vincetti, better known as the Butcher. If he learns even one of her secrets, he will kill her. And Amryn has many secrets. Not only is she an empath with forbidden magic, she’s also a newly recruited rebel intent on destroying the empire—starting at Esperance.

Carver knows the rebels have infiltrated the remote temple of Esperance. His job is to hunt them down before they can wreck the emperor’s new peace. Despite the demons that haunt him, Carver is intent on his mission—but he’s not prepared for Amryn. From her fiery red hair to her surprising wit, his new wife has captured his attention. The attraction that flares between them is undeniable. Now he just has to determine if she’s the enemy.

When the newly married couples become targets in a violent game, Esperance becomes more dangerous than anyone anticipated. Carver and Amryn are about to discover that no one is exactly who they appear to be—especially each other.

INVESTED.

This book and I had a journey.

We started off super strong. I loved the premise for the plot and I am ALWAYS here for a arraigned marriage situation. There was good action to get the blood pumping and many mysteries afoot.

Then in the middle we lost me for a bit. The magic system and world building still needs some help. I think the confinement in one location caused a lack of understanding for the outside world and why there’s magic in the first place. I’m hopeful this is further explained in the next book since there’s going to be many new locations. I did struggle with the romance too, there was a bit more tell vs. show. Buuut I will say, once I got pass the 60% mark things progressively picked up.

And the ending. The whole last quarter was a wild ride. I loved having reveal after reveal after reveal. Some twists I saw coming, others, totally surprised by. And even better? NO THIRD ACT CONFLICT between the main couple. There’s plenty of other things happening around them and the fact they actually decide to TRUST one another was amazing. I love that kind of hope and communication.

I official consider myself invested in continuing this trilogy. I’m excited and hopeful about the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses; mentions of closed-door between other couples
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, kidnapping, loss of loved ones, weapons violence, poisoning

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Book Review: Tarnished Crown (The Lochlann Feuds #2) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 354 pages
Author: Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 23rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rowan was finally going to do something right.

Marry for love and for her kingdom. Keep her people safe. Until an archaic law enslaved her to the most feared man in all of Socair, a man who treats her like a pawn and calls her his pet.

But when enemies emerge from unexpected places, she’s forced to realize that being Evander’s property might just be the only thing keeping her alive.

Can she fulfill her blood debt to Bear, even if it means losing Theo forever?

Even if it means sacrificing her heart?

A SEQUEL.

That’s mostly how I feel about this. A good, but meh, second book.

One of my bigger issues was how much more prevalent the love triangle turned out to be. I’m rarely a fan of those and this one was no different, especially because there’s only ONE CHOICE. It’s too obvious and it better be the case or I have wasted my time on this series.

I loved the general continuation of the story. Getting a little bit of a thicker plot with some villains starting to show themselves and more action to the clans. The fantasy world building side of this is still weak, yet it maintains an enjoyable fast paced style that it’s easy read through.

I’m so glad we got to see more Evander (he’s obviously my choice). I love seeing deeper layers to the complex and morally grey characters and this was no different. Engaging (and occasionally enraging), Evander and Rowan found some ground to stand on together.

Things were a bit silly at times (like the snow ball fights??). Personally I’m not a major fan of things like that in my reads unless it truly connects to the story and not as a filler scene to get to the next bigger moment. It is what it is and I do plan to continue with the third book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: little light
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: whipping (on page), kidnapping, attempted murder, near death experiences, loss of life, small battle scenes

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