Tag: Book Review

ARC Book Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska #2) by Sarah Morgenthaler

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Sarah Morgenthaler
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really…how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it’s not getting any easier now that his dream girl’s back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it’s clear she needs help, fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It’s an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own!

ADORABLE.

This book was everything Christmas and romantic and I just loved it. I was incredibly excited when I got an ARC because I loved The Tourist Attraction and knew I needed to read Lana’s story as well.

I loved how Lana and Rick’s relationship developed. It could have been very insta-love, but didn’t come off that way at all. They were both sweet on each other and had the CUTEST interactions. I couldn’t help but smile at the antics they would end up in. And the conflict between the two (as expected in a contemporary romance) wasn’t silly or over-hashed. It really fit into their situation and understanding of the differences between them. Which made the ending even more tender and I am just smitten with Rick and Lana y’all. Opposites attract trope that I thought was perfectly well done.

Even as separate characters they kept me interested. I didn’t mind which point-of-view I was reading because I was invested with both. The pace moved quickly and even side stories fit in well (hellooooo the cuteness that is still Graham and Zoey).

This is such a good Christmas-time read and am so happy I found this series. I can’t wait for more stories because I want to know about all of these characters. These books are easy to read, add just enough drama, and make you have the biggest smile.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance [Christmas]
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses / make-outs; a closed door scene
  • Violence: a tranquilizing gun accident, a side character in a nearly deadly car wreck
  • Content warnings: brief sexual harassment of a side character, a near drowning of a child

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Book Review: By Your Side by Kasie West

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Rating: ☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Young adult contemporary romance
Length: 346 pages
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 31st, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An irresistible story from Kasie West that explores the timeless question: What do you do when you fall for the person you least expect?

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her.

Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye.

As he and Autumn at first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

HARD TIME CONNECTING.

Didn’t see the day coming where I would not be into a Kasie West book. Hopefully this is a one-book case scenario.

I didn’t connect with this story or the characters. The time spent at the library was such a long chunk of the book that it caused the beginning of the story to drag. Then add on an accident I didn’t see coming that threw Autumn into a mess she didn’t plan for was complicated and hard to watch.

The relationship between Autumn and Dax was fine. I did like the way they worked together. Maybe could have had some more positive interactions. It felt like this book was trying to be more heavy in context, but struggled to really hit that note.

The expression of anxiety was a nice change of pace though. That’s not as often depicted in young adult books and as someone with anxiety, I can definitely see Autumn’s struggles. I appreciate how her friends responded, but do wish things were more out in the open in general between them.

Everything mashed in odd ways for this one and while this was a miss, I still plan of reading all of West’s books!

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: car wreck (to a side character) resulting in a coma

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ARC Book Review and Blog Tour: Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) by Mara Rutherford

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Young adult fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Author: Mara Rutherford
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sister’s place, she’s wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon.

As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Nor’s twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessed—and they’ll need to stay alive long enough to conquer them.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own!

SOLID CONCLUSION.

This was a good conclusion, not great, but good.

I loved being back in this world and was stoked that I got to see more of it! There were a lot of travelling aspects to KOSAS, allowing for a much bigger map view. I would even love spin-offs in other areas because I wanted to spend time all over this land.

What didn’t fit in line was the romance (or lake thereof?). It was a pretty big piece in the first book, and this one made it feel stilted and stuffed in. Nor struggled the entire time with her feelings and frankly, I felt bad for Talin. More communication would have really enlightened everything. Or honestly, I was way more into a ship with a different character.

The ending felt a bit trivial with how the villain story-line went down. I thought it was anti-climatic to everything they had done in the first book. It could have used something else to add to it.

I liked that Nor was more vulnerable and open once she saw the world around her. Her strength helped her make some tough choices, but her love for her family (especially her sister) was always clear. Nor had a lot of personality and learned to love herself, flaws and all. The ending did wrap everything up, I didn’t feel like their were loose ends. It ended the way the book was definitely leading up towards, which some might love and others not.

The writing was still beautiful and made for a quick read. I’m excited to see what other stories Rutherford will write.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: battle scenes, murder, physical; not intensely gory/bloody

Author Bio:

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world with her marine-turned-diplomat husband. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a master’s degree in cultural studies from the University of London. When she’s not writing or chasing after her two sons, she can usually be found pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, whether at a traditional Russian banya or an Incan archaeological site. Mara is a former Pitch Wars mentee and three-time mentor.

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ARC Book Review: Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts (Steampunk Proper Romance #4) by Nancy Campbell Allen

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Steampunk Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A steampunk retelling of Cinderella.

Emmeline O’Shea is determined to save the world—single-handedly, if necessary. A strong voice for societal reform, she is the natural choice to deliver a key speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s week-long Summit in Scotland.

But when a death threat arrives at Emme’s home, she is immediately placed into protective custody, watched over by none other than her personal nemesis, Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two have crossed paths many times, with disastrous results, but now they will have to work together in order to reach the Summit before midnight of the last day in order to ensure legislation is passed to protect the Shifter community.

As unseen enemies close in around Emme and Oliver, they struggle to reach Edinburgh by any means necessary, only to find Emme’s vindictive stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, and a dangerous political minefield awaiting them in Scotland.

Even more difficult is their own refusal to admit that the fiery animosity that once burned between them might be turning into the heat of romantic passion. Could a straitlaced policeman determined to uphold the law and an outspoken activist willing to break the rules ever find true love? Or will all their dreams shatter like glass when the clock strikes midnight?

Thank you to the publisher, Shadow Mountain, for the ARC. All opinions are my own!

CHARMING AND INTENSE.

Before we dive in, I have NOT read the other books in this series. I don’t feel like I was lost on anything. I recognized what were the previous couples from books, but since I didn’t know their story it didn’t phase me one way or the other! I think this can be read as a standalone if you wanted to!

This was a charming read! It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything steampunk and it was fun to read in this sub-genre again. I liked the world that was built and the mechanisms that were used to fit the theme.

Emme was a stubborn and brave heroine. I thought her match-up with Oliver was fantastic. His more firm, yet relaxed personality connected well with hers. Even though things seemed sped-up (which is occasionally hard for me to get behind), I thought the speed here worked well. I felt the chemistry between them and love some tender endearments between characters. And their banter made me smile too!

I can’t say it was a heavy Cinderella retelling. You really noticed it at the end, but that was about it. This didn’t have any affect on my rating, just something I noticed. I do think some of the action that happened was too easily solved. There wasn’t ever a time where I was legitimately concerned for a character.

This was a good, quick proper romance. After reading this I am interested in going back to read the other books in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical / Steampunk Proper Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical, kidnapping, paranormal creature attacks

Author Bio:

Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of seventeen published novels and numerous novellas, which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she received a Whitney Award for My Fair Gentleman. She has presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and the mother of three children.

Visit her at nancycampbellallen.com, on Instagram @authornancycampbellallen, on Facebook at nancycampbellallen, or on Twitter @necallen.

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