Book Review: Come Back to Me (Come Back to Me #1) by Mila Gray

November 9, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: New Adult Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Mila Gray
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Release Date: December 8th, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Home on leave in sunny California, Marine and local lothario Kit Ryan finds himself dangerously drawn to his best friend’s sister, Jessa – the one girl he can’t have.

But Kit’s not about to let a few obstacles stand in his way and soon Jessa’s falling for his irresistible charms.

What starts out as a summer romance of secret hook-ups and magical first times quickly develops into a passionate love affair that turns both their worlds upside down.

When summer’s over and it’s time for Kit to redeploy, neither Kit nor Jessa are ready to say goodbye. Jessa’s finally following her dreams and Kit’s discovered there’s someone he’d sacrifice everything for.

Jessa’s prepared to wait for Kit no matter what. But when something more than distance and time rips them apart they’re forced to decide whether what they have is really worth fighting for.

INTENSE.

This book is fast paced and rarely lets up. That first chapter already put me on my toes and I read this incredibly fast because HOW COULD I NOT FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

The first half of the book wasn’t my favorite. It felt like the whole focus was just about Kit and Jessa sleeping together. How often could they find time alone together kinda thing. When other aspects of their whirlwind romance were brought up they were SO SWEET. I was smitten with the loving way Kit treated Jessa and how tight their bond was childhood (brother’s best friend trope!!).

I loved the second half. It was devastating and raw. I felt emotionally gut punched and had to know that a positive ending was imminent (thank goodness it was). Many bittersweet moments. I appreciated that things seemed true to life and I could completely understand both main characters actions and decisions as grief consumed them. A touching read that I’d definitely recommend!

Overall audience notes:

NA Contemporary Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: multiple open door
Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from war), a potentially abusive parent (hinted at, but not seen on page), loss of a loved one, depictions of grief/depression/survivor guilt

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Book Review: Brought to Light by Allie Lewis

October 8, 2022August 12, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: NA Mystery Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Allie Lewis
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 5th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three things Whitney is obsessed with: true crime podcasts, sticky notes, and coffee.
Two things Whitney knows for certain: she needs to focus on her future and she doesn’t want a relationship her senior year of college.
One thing Whitney never saw coming: Derek Mitchell.

When a dead body is found in the middle of Stratford University’s campus, Whitney Snow feels like she’s been dropped straight into one of the true crime podcasts she listens to every morning. She’s determined to help solve the case by whatever means necessary, but when Stratford’s golden boy, Derek Mitchell, offers to help with the investigation, Whitney isn’t so sure. Her one experience with Derek freshman year left her with a bad taste in her mouth from the guy every girl on campus seems to be obsessed with.

After Whitney reluctantly agrees to let Derek help her investigate the murder, things get even worse when rumors start spreading that the two are dating. Not wanting to rouse suspicion about what they’re really up to—especially with a potential murderer on campus—Derek and Whitney go along with this fake dating scenario. But as they work closely together to solve the case, the investigation isn’t the only thing that starts heating up. And as it turns out, the secrets buried deep within Stratford University may not be the only secrets that are brought to light.

Brought to Light is a new adult romance novel perfect for those who love a sizzling romance (without explicit sexual content) with a dash of murder mystery.

NOT TOO SHABBY.

I took a chance on a new debut author and in it found some good and some okay.

The setting? ADORED. There needs to be more college setting books. I loved the fall semester vibes and all that entailed. The vibes was definitely there.

Murder mystery? Lacking. It was strong in the beginning and strong in the end but the middle felt like a separate college romance story. These two plots moved alongside each other rather than being woven together. I needed a little more weaving to follow the flow and pacing better.

Romance? One of the best aspects. I thought it was really sweet. Whitney and Derek had some great chemistry and interactions. There were some cute dates and I loooove some good protection moments. The emotions at the end gave all the warm fuzzies of romantic ending.

Writing wise, I could tell it was a debut. There were times I could easily skim over some paragraphs because there was too much attention paid to nuances of the story that didn’t truly matter to the story.

I would definitely read another book by this author and look forward to what she has in store next.

Overall audience notes:

NA Murder Mystery + Romance
Language: a little
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, physical altercations

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Book Review: The Call of the Void (Shadows and Crowns #3) by S.M. Gaither

July 19, 2022February 9, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 504 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: October 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased.

Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings.

The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia’s wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind.

While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again.

But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him.

And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.

ANOTHER GOOD READ.

I am just highly enjoying this series!! Such a hidden gem that I can’t get enough of.

I read this book rather than listened and I think that made a difference in my rating. I thought it was a bit slower off the bat and that not as much happened in the overall plot. I was hoping for a bit more political intrigue and action, but that didn’t happen until the late second half.

What I did get a lot of was the roooomance! And I loved it! The spice was definitely stepped up a bit (which wasn’t my full cup of tea, but it’s cool). I love the progression and depth Elander and Casia with each other. They work together and build each other up and I love a supportive relationship like that. It’s always unique to see a fully formed couple before the series is even half over.

I can’t wait for the next read! I adore this entire cast and all of the close friendships. There’s some good movement here and I am thoroughly enjoying every moment.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: three open door
Violence: strong blood/gore
Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, war themes and battles, near death experiences

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Book Review: Hopeless (Hopeless #1) by Colleen Hoover

July 2, 2022June 26, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: New Adult Romance
Length: 417 pages
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 18th, 2012
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author of SLAMMED and POINT OF RETREAT.

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

SHATTERED.

Wow does this book absolutely break my heart. It’s a CoHo book. I KNOW something is always coming. Waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting to see what moment is going to break me. And as expected, once I realized what was happening, alllll of my emotions flared.

I love how Hoover’s books are romances, BUT so much more. SO MUCH more. There’s deeper story. Deeper conversations and thought. They’re nuanced and tend to be traumatic. And I keep coming back for more. I love the journey I’m taken on every time. I adored Dean Holder. Absolutely smitten with that bad boy with a soft and supportive heart. Sky was indominable beyond belief. Going through some of the worst things a child can and to rise again. The strength of many of the characters of this story defied comprehension.

There’s an immersive plot where usually by chapter one I am HOOKED. This was no different. I love working through her backlist of stories because now that I’m on my 15th (maybe more?) of her books, they all have something unique to bring to her collection.

Overall audience notes:

NA Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: kisses to brief open door scenes
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault and rape (multiple times) of multiple children, kidnapping, on page suicide (by gun), off page suicide mention, PTSD