Merry Cherry Christmas was a perfectly nice Christmas story from one of my favorite authors, Keira Andrews, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I shMerry Cherry Christmas was a perfectly nice Christmas story from one of my favorite authors, Keira Andrews, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I should have liked it more.
The story had everything that I normally eat up like ice cream. We get a shy virgin MC, a holiday romance, a jock/nerd dynamic, and a sweet love story. However, I kept putting it down, and it took me over four days to finish (unheard of for a Keira Andrews book!).
I think I struggled with how incredibly insecure Jeremy acted all the time. I get feeling unattractive, but it was every. single. interaction. I think it just wore me out. The physical relationship also moved a little quickly for me (I prefer lots of sexual tension and buildup), but that's just personal preference.
I enjoyed the snowy Canadian setting and the maple syrup farm, the non-white MC, and Max's adorable family dynamics, but it never moved above just pleasant for me.
Though this wasn't a home-run for my tastes, I would recommend it to friends who want to read a light holiday romance, which is more important this year than ever. Ho, ho, ho, everyone!
Merry Cherry Christmas was a perfectly nice Christmas story from one of my favorite authors, Keira Andrews, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I should have liked it more.
The story had everything that I normally eat up like ice cream. We get a shy virgin MC, a holiday romance, a jock/nerd dynamic, and a sweet love story. However, I kept putting it down, and it took me over four days to finish (unheard of for a Keira Andrews book!).
I think I struggled with how incredibly insecure Jeremy acted all the time. I get feeling unattractive, but it was every. single. interaction. I think it just wore me out. The physical relationship also moved a little quickly for me (I prefer lots of sexual tension and buildup), but that's just personal preference.
I enjoyed the snowy Canadian setting and the maple syrup farm, the non-white MC, and Max's adorable family dynamics, but it never moved above just pleasant for me.
Though this wasn't a home-run for my tastes, I would recommend it to friends who want to read a light holiday romance, which is more important this year than ever. Ho, ho, ho, everyone!
Sarah M. Anderson's first M/M book was a little rough going for me. While it seems like this author has lots of experience writing cowboy books, her sSarah M. Anderson's first M/M book was a little rough going for me. While it seems like this author has lots of experience writing cowboy books, her stilted writing made me feel disconnected from the story.
I had a major issue with how Paulo was written. The story is told in alternating POVs, so for half of the time we are inside Paulo's head. Now, why on earth would Paulo speak in odd, hesitant language in his own head? I would expect him to have difficultly speaking out loud in dialogue, but in his head it should be smooth. I have a pet peeve when authors write without contractions, and, in this case, it made Paulo sound stiff and formal.
Paulo had not paid attention to the names of the riders. He did not speak much English and there were no other Brasilians around.
I also had issues with how Portuguese words were inserted into dialogue and then defined right afterwards. Also, it is like the author looked up a few words in Portuguese and then used those same words over and over again, just to make the character more authentic. I didn't like the repetition, and I thought that the insertion of Portuguese words when the character was speaking inside his own head was distracting. I could see if he used Portuguese in dialogue, but inside his head felt... odd.
This was interesting, this cowboy who had much curiosidade. His curiosidade was making Paulo more than a little curioso on his own.
Aside from those little issues, I found the relationship between the two MCs to be lacking in chemistry a bit. I didn't like the rush to call each other boyfriends, and the jump to the epilogue at the end. Mitch goes from this terrified, closeted character to suddenly... not. I was left scratching my head.
While not a bad story, I wouldn't call it good either. I won't be continuing on in this series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
Merged review:
Sarah M. Anderson's first M/M book was a little rough going for me. While it seems like this author has lots of experience writing cowboy books, her stilted writing made me feel disconnected from the story.
I had a major issue with how Paulo was written. The story is told in alternating POVs, so for half of the time we are inside Paulo's head. Now, why on earth would Paulo speak in odd, hesitant language in his own head? I would expect him to have difficultly speaking out loud in dialogue, but in his head it should be smooth. I have a pet peeve when authors write without contractions, and, in this case, it made Paulo sound stiff and formal.
Paulo had not paid attention to the names of the riders. He did not speak much English and there were no other Brasilians around.
I also had issues with how Portuguese words were inserted into dialogue and then defined right afterwards. Also, it is like the author looked up a few words in Portuguese and then used those same words over and over again, just to make the character more authentic. I didn't like the repetition, and I thought that the insertion of Portuguese words when the character was speaking inside his own head was distracting. I could see if he used Portuguese in dialogue, but inside his head felt... odd.
This was interesting, this cowboy who had much curiosidade. His curiosidade was making Paulo more than a little curioso on his own.
Aside from those little issues, I found the relationship between the two MCs to be lacking in chemistry a bit. I didn't like the rush to call each other boyfriends, and the jump to the epilogue at the end. Mitch goes from this terrified, closeted character to suddenly... not. I was left scratching my head.
While not a bad story, I wouldn't call it good either. I won't be continuing on in this series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*...more
Holy crap Amy Lane, you did NOT go easy on these guys!! Cheating, friends and family dying, child abuse, countless life threatening inju**4.5 stars**
Holy crap Amy Lane, you did NOT go easy on these guys!! Cheating, friends and family dying, child abuse, countless life threatening injuries... this is the most ANGSTY Amy Lane book I have read to date! It is a wonder the MCs made it out alive!!
I am already an Amy Lane fan-girl, so I went into this book expecting greatness. Did I get greatness? I think I did, despite my issues with this book.
I actually didn't like the beginning. I wasn't into the way the characters were introduced. I wanted to know more about Parish and Deacon and they were kind of just thrown in there. I actually debated putting this one down for a little while but my inner voice said, "Heather, come on, it is AMY LANE. Push through, girl!" And I am so glad that I did.
What Amy Lane does better than anyone else is create these EPIC romances that feel so so real. You get a sense of the absolute depth of the love that these guys have for each other. These two fought tooth and nail for their love and their relationship and it left me feeling haggard and in awe of them as a couple. Amy Lane manages to create this affect, time and time again.
She also creates characters that are deeply flawed yet honorable. I love that she made Deacon not a saint (he is stubborn, proud, and has substance abuse issues), and Crick is rash and insecure. It makes the character feel REAL.
On the negative side, this book was almost teetering on the edge of angsty to the point of being ridiculous. I mean, what these characters went through was just unbelievable. However, Amy Lane's incredible skill as a storyteller allows her to pull this story off.
I want to keep going in the series because I want to see what happens with the secondary characters. I also want to give a shout out to Jon. I can't tell you how much I loved his relationship with Deacon. These characters all stole my heart and made me want more and more.
**Find this review and more like it on myfictionnook.com**
Merged review:
**4.5 stars**
Holy crap Amy Lane, you did NOT go easy on these guys!! Cheating, friends and family dying, child abuse, countless life threatening injuries... this is the most ANGSTY Amy Lane book I have read to date! It is a wonder the MCs made it out alive!!
I am already an Amy Lane fan-girl, so I went into this book expecting greatness. Did I get greatness? I think I did, despite my issues with this book.
I actually didn't like the beginning. I wasn't into the way the characters were introduced. I wanted to know more about Parish and Deacon and they were kind of just thrown in there. I actually debated putting this one down for a little while but my inner voice said, "Heather, come on, it is AMY LANE. Push through, girl!" And I am so glad that I did.
What Amy Lane does better than anyone else is create these EPIC romances that feel so so real. You get a sense of the absolute depth of the love that these guys have for each other. These two fought tooth and nail for their love and their relationship and it left me feeling haggard and in awe of them as a couple. Amy Lane manages to create this affect, time and time again.
She also creates characters that are deeply flawed yet honorable. I love that she made Deacon not a saint (he is stubborn, proud, and has substance abuse issues), and Crick is rash and insecure. It makes the character feel REAL.
On the negative side, this book was almost teetering on the edge of angsty to the point of being ridiculous. I mean, what these characters went through was just unbelievable. However, Amy Lane's incredible skill as a storyteller allows her to pull this story off.
I want to keep going in the series because I want to see what happens with the secondary characters. I also want to give a shout out to Jon. I can't tell you how much I loved his relationship with Deacon. These characters all stole my heart and made me want more and more.
**Find this review and more like it on myfictionnook.com**...more
My first Jet Mykels book and I feel a bit underwhelmed. I tend to like Yaoi-style books so that aspect of the story didn't bother me, however nothing My first Jet Mykels book and I feel a bit underwhelmed. I tend to like Yaoi-style books so that aspect of the story didn't bother me, however nothing much happened plot-wise here. I felt like it was a piece of a larger story or something. Some more STORY would have been good. Also, I didn't love the amount of unprotected sex that they had here, but that is a pet peeve of mine in general. Overall, I liked the idea of a shy, dorky character winning over a confident, successful man but I wanted more from this one.
Merged review:
My first Jet Mykels book and I feel a bit underwhelmed. I tend to like Yaoi-style books so that aspect of the story didn't bother me, however nothing much happened plot-wise here. I felt like it was a piece of a larger story or something. Some more STORY would have been good. Also, I didn't love the amount of unprotected sex that they had here, but that is a pet peeve of mine in general. Overall, I liked the idea of a shy, dorky character winning over a confident, successful man but I wanted more from this one....more
I don't think I've one-clicked a book so fast in a LONG time.
I'm incredibly obsessed with the Ice Planet Barbarians series (as I type on a computer cI don't think I've one-clicked a book so fast in a LONG time.
I'm incredibly obsessed with the Ice Planet Barbarians series (as I type on a computer covered in IPB stickers and drink tea out of a IPB mug...), and I've been waiting for Tia's story for a long time. This story really didn't disappoint. I could have used even more underground drama (it resolved kind of quickly in the end), but I guess it's nice to have some low-angst content.
Love, love, love anything in this series. NEVER stop writing them, Ruby Dixon!
I have a lot of thoughts about Oyster by the wonderful Fearne Hill. Most are good, some are critical, so I'm going to share with you the good, bad, anI have a lot of thoughts about Oyster by the wonderful Fearne Hill. Most are good, some are critical, so I'm going to share with you the good, bad, and ugly.
I went into this book knowing it was a queer romance with a trans female MC, and I was excited about that. I very much enjoy reading romances with trans characters, though I usually seek them out from trans authors. I tend to find that non-trans authors treat their MCs with kid gloves, which I found to be true a bit here as well.
First of all, Fearne Hill is a beautiful writer, and she wrote this book with expressive, evocative language. I felt like I was right there in the story, on the French coast. I very much enjoyed the descriptions of everyone, especially the side characters, who are all falling apart due to the mom's impending death from cancer. The emotions were heightened, for sure, and the author really allowed the readers to feel everything.
For the romance, I enjoyed the slow-ish burn and the evolving physical and emotional aspects of their relationship, but I felt like it was a bit... shmoopy. There was no real tension or disagreements between the MCs, and it felt like Eti could do no wrong. Nico was just smitten and showered constant flattery on Eti, and it all felt very... one note. I can't describe it, but I wish the couple had something more gritty about them. It was very fairytale, and I wanted a bit more realism. Yes, I know this is romance, but the other characters were all flawed and had issues, so I wish we got more of that with the main couple. Don't get me wrong, I think their romance was lovely, but it was almost too smooth for me.
I also can't really make up my mind as to how Eti was received at the end by her family and friends without giving away spoilers, but I know if the situation was analogous to the US, it would have been a huge deal and not nearly as smooth, I fear. I'm curious if the telling was just wishful thinking or if Europe is just more evolved than we are.
I found the overall plot of the story to be very compelling. I didn't want to put it down, and I read it quickly. I still think Fearne Hill's "Surfing the Waves" series to be my favorite, but this was a very lovely read.
Ugh this book was like the New Year's Eve Time Square ball of ratings for me. I started off with 5 stars...then 4...3...2...
If it wasn't for the flasUgh this book was like the New Year's Eve Time Square ball of ratings for me. I started off with 5 stars...then 4...3...2...
If it wasn't for the flashback scenes this would have dropped to 1 star. Let me explain why. I adored the first part of the book. I liked the amnesia plot line and thought that the book was going in a really cool direction. All until Noah got his memory back. Then the book went waaaay down hill. It started with the irritatingly constant "angel" and "sweetheart" talk, and just turned to the ridiculous when it was revealed how Noah and Clark split in the first point (view spoiler)[ WTF Noah! Clark is a moron for forgiving you so easily for your stupid actions and you are moron for doing something for such a stupid reason in the first place. It makes absolutely no sense. I was expecting anger and angst not instant forgiveness. What a waste Cardeno C. (hide spoiler)]. Then, Noah's totally over the top and aggressive possessiveness (which, BTW, would be considered just sick in a M/F book but for some reason is acceptable here?? I don't think so). Also, for some reason, I had a hard time following who was narrating each chapter. The POV changes were difficult for me.
Thankfully, the flashback scenes were sweet and lovely. I wish the story was more in that tone. I might read the next book in the series because I have heard good things about it. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
Merged review:
Ugh this book was like the New Year's Eve Time Square ball of ratings for me. I started off with 5 stars...then 4...3...2...
If it wasn't for the flashback scenes this would have dropped to 1 star. Let me explain why. I adored the first part of the book. I liked the amnesia plot line and thought that the book was going in a really cool direction. All until Noah got his memory back. Then the book went waaaay down hill. It started with the irritatingly constant "angel" and "sweetheart" talk, and just turned to the ridiculous when it was revealed how Noah and Clark split in the first point (view spoiler)[ WTF Noah! Clark is a moron for forgiving you so easily for your stupid actions and you are moron for doing something for such a stupid reason in the first place. It makes absolutely no sense. I was expecting anger and angst not instant forgiveness. What a waste Cardeno C. (hide spoiler)]. Then, Noah's totally over the top and aggressive possessiveness (which, BTW, would be considered just sick in a M/F book but for some reason is acceptable here?? I don't think so). Also, for some reason, I had a hard time following who was narrating each chapter. The POV changes were difficult for me.
Thankfully, the flashback scenes were sweet and lovely. I wish the story was more in that tone. I might read the next book in the series because I have heard good things about it. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me....more
Guys, I UGLY CRIED with this one. Read the content warnings.
I adore Alison Cochrun and everything she writes, and Here We Go Again was no different. Guys, I UGLY CRIED with this one. Read the content warnings.
I adore Alison Cochrun and everything she writes, and Here We Go Again was no different. It was the sapphic, rip-your-heart-out romance I needed to get my 2024 started off right.
Here We Go Again is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, which is not usually my thing. I don't usually like it when we have an off-page history between the two MCs, but it worked here. The two MCs were best friends, inseparable when they were younger, but then youthful drama and hurt feelings drove them apart. However, their romance feels like almost a secondary character at times to the relationship these two women had to their older friend and mentor, who is dying of cancer. This book is all about their last hurrah, their last adventure together, and that's where the rest of the love story lies.
I'll admit, I had trouble reading this book at times. I was mournfully listening to Van Morrison in the background while reading (just get Into the Mystic ready), and just, like, pondering the meaning of life. You know, super chill and relaxing vibes, over here. Here We Go Again will just do that to you.
While I had a mini-existential crisis, I really appreciated the deep, thoughtful writing from Alison Cochrun and how she also managed to interject some very spicy scenes and some humor as well. The romance grew and grew over time, and I really appreciated these two together. I do think that their relationship wasn't quite as meaningful to me as their relationship with Joe, but that would be hard to top.
In truth, Alison Cochrun did something special with this story. It was a hard journey for me, personally, but I'm really glad I took it.
Adored how Ruby Dixon made Skarr a total ass and then turned it around and made me (and the female MC) really care about him. *chef's kiss*Adored how Ruby Dixon made Skarr a total ass and then turned it around and made me (and the female MC) really care about him. *chef's kiss*...more
Callie annoyed me, but I sort of liked M'tok's deviousness (even though kidnapping would be a ball-rip-able offence in real life). I like how M'tok feCallie annoyed me, but I sort of liked M'tok's deviousness (even though kidnapping would be a ball-rip-able offence in real life). I like how M'tok felt like his own, unique character. This one grew on me. ...more
I still couldn't put it down, but the clones don't do it for me like the ice planet men. I still couldn't put it down, but the clones don't do it for me like the ice planet men. ...more
Of course I loved this one. Geeky, science-obsessed female MC, a virgin male MC missing an limb... I mean, this is my JAM. I f#cking adore this seriesOf course I loved this one. Geeky, science-obsessed female MC, a virgin male MC missing an limb... I mean, this is my JAM. I f#cking adore this series. ...more
While the plot wasn't my favorite, I liked the new elements that this story introduced. Veronica's healing abilities will be fCocky Ashtar = Me likey
While the plot wasn't my favorite, I liked the new elements that this story introduced. Veronica's healing abilities will be fun to explore, as well as the gladiator dragon's talents (ahem). ...more
Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
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