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Book Review: Haley and the Yeti (Love Tuscon #1) by Laura Langa

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 357 pages
Author: Laura Langa
Publisher: West East Publishing
Release Date: January 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Her grumpy neighbor wasn’t part of the plan.

After her soul-crushing breakup, Haley Kineman is stepping out of her comfort zone, moving to sunny Tucson, Arizona, and shooting for the stars—literally. When she’s not working as a phlebotomist, Haley’s striving to meet her celebrity crush who’s filming locally.

Haley has even enlisted her grumpy next-door neighbor—affectionately nicknamed Yeti—to help her get onto the movie set. With his long enviable locks, masculine beard, and alpine mountain physique, he’s an obvious choice for an ally.

All Yeti wants is to quietly develop software in his home office, but Haley throws his protective nature into overdrive after being injured in an incident. Then Yeti has no choice but to accompany Haley on her sight-seeing, thrift-shopping, iguana-saving adventures.

But Haley’s bright demeanor keeps messing with his head, making him consider things that aren’t possible. Because with Yeti’s damaging past, no woman would want him.

As their friendship deepens, Haley’s not sure if she should stick to her star-studded plan, or if a real love story is closer to home.

GOOD READ.

I was seeking a quick contemporary in the midst of reading a big fantasy and stumbled upon this! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading Laura Langa’s next book.

This concept was kind of quirky, but it worked. The fact that the Yeti was called Yeti for most of this book made me chuckle. And I think it played well into his back story and the things he was working to over come. This had an insta connection vibe that I actually really liked and I could feel the growing chemistry between Haley and the Yeti.

I was a little confused by one the plot aspects with the famous guy? It seemed kind of random and I don’t know that it helped any of the story that much. I did appreciate that when a silly third act break-up could have happened that it was worked out in a much more natural manner.

It was a good read and I liked the audiobook a lot. Look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: litttle
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: past verbally abusive/gaslighting relationship, past fire accident and trauma, donating blood

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Book Review: Slaying the Vampire Conqueror (Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers) by Carissa Broadbent

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She was commanded to kill him with a single strike to the heart. She didn’t expect her own to betray her. Sylina has sacrificed everything for her goddess–her soul, her freedom, her eyes. Life in service to the Arachessen, a cult of the Goddess of Fate, has turned Sylina from orphaned street-rat to disciplined killer, determined to overthrow Glaea’s tyrannical king. But when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary. She’s tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust… and kill him. Atrius is a terrifying warrior carving an unstoppable path through Glaea. Yet when Sylina becomes his seer, she glimpses a dark and shocking past–and a side of him that reminds her far too much of parts of herself she’d rather forget. Sylina’s orders are clear. The conqueror cannot live. But as the blood spilled by Glaea’s tyrant king runs thicker, her connection with Atrius only grows stronger. A connection forbidden by her vows. A connection that could cost her everything.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a standalone fantasy romance set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world, full of heart-wrenching forbidden romance, dark curses, and epic battles – perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom and the From Blood and Ash series. It i s an installment of the heart-pounding fantasy romance series, Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers . If you like forbidden romance, dark curses, bad*ss heroines, and morally-gray heroes, you’ll devour this sexy, addictive series.

I LOVE THIS WORLD.

After four books in this world I just love it. I love being back in it and seeing another couple and other parts of the land.

I really enjoyed this romance! I liked that the main vampire, Atrius had a different vibe than the previous love interests we’ve seen so far. He’s almost soft. He’s a warrior with a back story, and we love a backstory folks. I liked the slow burn build he had with Sylina. I wouldn’t flat out call it enemies to lovers, but there’s some tension from not knowing if you can trust another person and that worked well here.

Plot wise, there were a few slower moments. Especially initially it took me a second to feel invested. Once things got going I did enjoy the progression. The spice fits well into the story and the ending has some good reveals and I can easily see how this will work into future books in the Crowns of Nyaxia world.

Definitely recommend reading this because the author mentioned we’ll see Atrius and Sylina again (!!).

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, loss of life, battle themes, creature attacks, weapons violence

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Book Review: Testing Times (Wayfair Witches #15) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 157 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wanda is truly in the midst of some testing times. Her boyfriend is still trapped in another world, and her exams are being constantly rescheduled. The latest change of plans, though, was for a very good reason – the examiner has died.

The death seems to have been a natural one – after all, the woman was ill. But her familiar, an owl called Minerva, is convinced it was murder, and Wanda wants to help – even if Minerva seems determined to go it alone.

There are other problems for Wanda to contend with. Her friend Gretel is growing in clumsiness and losing her confidence. As for the new Max, he is becoming dangerously accident prone.

Can Wanda solve all of these problems, catch the killer, and pass her exams? And can she ever bring the real Max home?

ALMOST FINISHED.

I can’t believe I’m a book away from finishing this series!

This installment was (as per usual) a good one. I enjoyed the mystery and that things were still progressing with the larger plot. I do feel like there’s a lot that’s supposed to be wrapped up in the last book which makes me nervous for seeing how it all comes together.

Who does Wanda end up with? Are all the foes vanquished? This is such a fun series that hits all of my cozy mystery love and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to switch things up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Cozy Mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder

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Book Review: Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1) by Lucy Score

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemorary Romance
Length: 572 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: January 13th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.
Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

THIS HAD A HOLD ON ME.

I kept going back and forth on my star rating because I do have some thoughts about this.

4.5 stars for the absolutely grasp this had on me for two days. I didn’t want to do anything else but pick this up and read. The writing style was fantastic and I was very much into this grump and sunshine duo from the first chapter. Not to mention, I laughed many times at the banter and snark between Knox and Naomi. I was very much here for all of the broodiness and protectiveness & bad boyness that Knox brought to the table. And that Naomi learned a lot about herself and to allow others to help her too.

4 stars because I tried so hard to understand and get behind the third act breakup and I just couldn’t reach it. It definitely added drama, but I think the suspense element could have still been there without the break up too. And I did notice it start to feel a bit long winded as well.

OTHERWISE THOUGH. I will without a doubt be picking the new book up. I loved this whole town. The close friendships and rekindling of familial bonds squeezed my heart. I also adored Waylay. She was the best little addition to the book and I want nothing more than to give her the biggest hug.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong (too much in my opinion)
  • Romance: Multiple open; high explicit
  • Violence: moderate
  • Overall audience notes: gun violence, physical altercations, loss of loved ones, substance abuse, parental abandonment, child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, domestic abuse recounted

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