It’s a good story, well written as they all have been in this series but I struggled to like either of the main characters. She’s petulant and he’s biIt’s a good story, well written as they all have been in this series but I struggled to like either of the main characters. She’s petulant and he’s bitter. Neither of them appealed to me. I did like how they come together and their dynamic is somewhat amusing; but I only completed it for the series arc. ...more
4.5 // This novella was a delight. I appreciate this author writing a romance that features midlife characters. She’s 50, he’s 47. She’s human, he’s a4.5 // This novella was a delight. I appreciate this author writing a romance that features midlife characters. She’s 50, he’s 47. She’s human, he’s a wolf shifter. They strike up some fun times after meeting at her daughter’s wedding. They’re super hot together and I’ll definitely be grabbing a print trophy. Their obvious interest and direct communication was so refreshing. There was no dancing around their pull to one another. I enjoyed watching the FMC work through her apprehension and go after what she wants. I loved that he pines for her. *melts* Author also did a great job with regard to the pressures of midlife....more
This series has quickly become a favorite. Davies gives me everything I want consistently: interesting world building, found family, excellent charactThis series has quickly become a favorite. Davies gives me everything I want consistently: interesting world building, found family, excellent character and relationship development, and a mature, emotionally intimate romance. And for those who love lots of spice, you won’t be disappointed.
Last book ended with me seriously not liking Drift so the author had her work cut out for her but she did it. I fell in love with him pretty quickly. His longing and desire for Kimba is acute and so respectful. There was no way I wasn’t going to come to adore him once that side was revealed. And we get a nice dig at his expense from Richter in reference to book one which he feels rightly chastised for.
And Kimba, like most of the characters in the book, I don’t know if I want to be her or be with her. She is incredibly competent with a deadly charming mix of qualities, most notably being her ability to quickly assess people for who they are. I appreciated that Davies has this character as a widow caught between her feelings for her previous bond mate and for Drift. There’s cultural tension around bond mates who survive the breaking of their bond and we get to see her struggle through it with the people around her. ...more
A gloriously feral hide and seek. Had the best time reading this. Very much enjoyed both of these characters. Claire was strong and confident in herseA gloriously feral hide and seek. Had the best time reading this. Very much enjoyed both of these characters. Claire was strong and confident in herself while also having a relatable insecurity. And Shane was the yummiest of predators chasing her through the forest. ...more
Enjoyable read with intriguing and complex world building. This is much darker than book one with an aggressive alien society. It does need a content Enjoyable read with intriguing and complex world building. This is much darker than book one with an aggressive alien society. It does need a content warning as the MMC captures the FMC and roughs her up for information he believes her to possess. Don’t worry as she gives as good as she gets once she is able. True enemies to lovers. These aliens are the enemy from book one and we get a clearer picture of the dispute between the two species. The FMC has a lot of trauma in her past and it is somewhat a focus of her personality. I like that she wasn’t the type to reveal or share but I would have liked more emotional exploration between her and the MMC beyond “I shouldn’t feel this way about you”. The unhurried pacing of the MMC’s interest from hate to not is done very well as is his curiosity about the FMC. There’s a lot of primal type behaviors and anger banging. As in book one, this author is unafraid to explore different territory in alien romance and I’m having a great time escaping into her worlds....more
I was absolutely delighted reading this and having the best time up until about halfway in when it starts to lose steam. The writing in the second halI was absolutely delighted reading this and having the best time up until about halfway in when it starts to lose steam. The writing in the second half isn’t as tight and the editing isn’t as good. I started getting bored with parts of the story. Very disappointing considering how it began. I just wanted, and expected, more based on the first half. But it’s still enjoyable and extremely inventive. I do like the world the author created. There’s definitely talent here and I hope she writes more about this underwater world....more
4.5 // This book has emotional intimacy, pining, and hurt all wrapped up in an enduring love story steeped in respect and gracious understanding.
Secon4.5 // This book has emotional intimacy, pining, and hurt all wrapped up in an enduring love story steeped in respect and gracious understanding.
Second chance and forbidden romance. Ten years ago they spent an intense week together then he disappeared. She now owns a bar on a space station and carries both her longing and anger at him with her every day. She’s never gotten past it and hates that she can’t. Then he walks into her bar and she learns why he’s been gone all this time and he’s not leaving without her.
I really like Cass Carlton’s writing style. There’s a poetic restraint that I appreciate. So many authors decorate their writing with flowery language in an attempt to have a greater impact to heighten the moment when truthfully all that is needed for impact are the right words simply put together. There is an art in the ability to say much with a few well chosen words and Cass can do that. ...more
Absolutely devoured it. Etta Pierce really stepped up the emotional intimacy in this installment, something I’m craving more of in sci-fi romance but Absolutely devoured it. Etta Pierce really stepped up the emotional intimacy in this installment, something I’m craving more of in sci-fi romance but is often lacking.
It’s a beautiful account of a strong woman trying to heal from adversity and, in her case, lifelong trauma. It informs everything about her which lends a prickly appearance on the surface but beneath is an intense depth and understanding of the world around her, even an alien one. Being a woman, and one with vitiligo from a country that often brutalizes them, imparts recognition that a populace is not a monolith but it’s impossible to know who to trust—that must be earned.
The intentionality of Etta’s writing is remarkable. Everything is so carefully considered. The FMC’s occupation as a ranger in a wildlife refuge protecting endangered animals from poachers means she has a personal connection to the rareness of a species and intensely understands that humans are now the rare species being sought. As a result, she is a thorn in the side of authorities, demanding access to information and resources to protect the human colony from those who would exploit it.
The romance is lovely. It blooms slowly. There’s a blunt honesty between her and Vin that is refreshing. She has an acute self awareness around vulnerability, acknowledging it for what it is and that she needs to share it to move forward with Vin but it’s not easy considering her past experiences on earth. In this alien world she is a novelty in more ways than one. She’s human and one with vitiligo, something quite appealing to more than one alien species. But it’s her ferocity of spirit that truly pulls Vin into her orbit. Something I love about Etta’s writing is how her couples make great teams; they’re like binary stars each held in the gravitational pull of the other.
Truthfully, this series is my number one and I can’t recommend it enough. ...more
Debut novel by independent author. The world building is absolutely exquisite. The author did a beautiful job blending Latin American folklore and relDebut novel by independent author. The world building is absolutely exquisite. The author did a beautiful job blending Latin American folklore and religious rites with real world indigenous cultures creating a visually rich dark paranormal fantasy that is wholly her own. You can tell the care with which the author researched and crafted this story into being. She truly created something new that is riveting and magical.
Overall the writing is quite beautiful if occasionally punctuated with odd diction or an overused phrase. I did read a couple of passages that could be construed as ageism though I don’t believe that was the author’s intent.
Definitely check the trigger and content warnings at the front of the book as they are numerous and arranged by category for easy perusal.
What I liked: *That the FMC’s strength hovers on the fringes even as she is controlled, manipulated, and cowed by her mother. *The side character of César; particularly his wisdom and ability to cut through the haze of other peoples bullshit to reveal transparency and truth. *The machinations of the MMC getting the FMC to El Salvador so he can finally be with his mate. That he fights the entirety of his adult existence to build a place for her there. *I don’t care for the MMC for much of the book as he comes off as yet one more person attempting to control the FMC. However we are given the why of it all and the author does successfully redeem his behavior. *The way the FMC savagely blossoms into her external strength becoming a vicious being of beauty. Absolutely adored that transformation.
What I didn’t like: *Miscommunication trope - much could have been avoided had the MMC been forthcoming and shared with the FMC *Pacing in the middle of the book; particularly the romance. The FMC goes from being a woman with a quiet inner strength cowed into submission through her mothers manipulations to believing herself unworthy of an MMC who wasn’t fully honest and up front with her. That she thought herself unworthy of him felt like it came out of nowhere. *Confusing relationship elements. The FMC says “thinking about all the f*cked up things we’ve done to each other and all the ways we’ve cut each other up.” Except the FMC doesn’t do anything wrong. She makes decisions with the information she has; she doesn’t want to be controlled by yet another person. She wants to escape the expectations people have for her life. The burden of their relationship strife lays solely with the MMC for not communicating who/what they are to each other.
**Read the Content Warning for this book before proceeding. The cover does not match what’s between the pages.**
Two soldiers on opposite sides of a wa**Read the Content Warning for this book before proceeding. The cover does not match what’s between the pages.**
Two soldiers on opposite sides of a war are abducted and forced to take part in a Hunger Games style competition featuring sexual brutality that only one of them can walk away from. Stripped of everything, including clothing, they must fight and win. But, more importantly, entertain their patrons to court favor.
It’s an illegal private survivalist sex game. Snuff porn for subscribers. Patrons pay to play; sometimes literally via avatars.
The game Hosts force sexual coercion on both characters threatening them with the death of someone dear to one of them. The disgust is not one-sided; he is equally repulsed. It is made all the worse by the fact that their species aren’t generally sexually compatible; human females often die from it. I like the way the author has his perspective shift from “defiling himself with a human female” to his rage at her willingly defiling herself to save the someone.
Over the course of the game a respect grows between them as she makes impossible sacrifices of her body to protect the threatened individual and he cares for and protects her while they both ignore that one of them has to die in the end. There are some really strong, emotional moments as their relationship progresses and develops into love as they learn about the individual behind the enemy. Yes there is an HEA for them.
The author is excellent at maintaining the alien-ness of the MMC throughout with his behavior and cultural differences.
There are a lot of tough themes: war, gruesome violence, abduction, past infertility, past miscarriage, grief, sexual coercion on page (both characters), sexual battery on page (both characters). Don’t read it if you can’t handle it....more
Sometimes it’s fun to read an early work by a favorite author to see how they’ve grown. This is an enjoyable story if a bit bloated with some unnecessSometimes it’s fun to read an early work by a favorite author to see how they’ve grown. This is an enjoyable story if a bit bloated with some unnecessary details. Those are easily skimmed over in favor of the character driven bits. I was curious how the author would solve their dilemma and get them together. The way she wove history and the MMCs original human existence into it was clever and different. ...more
Sometimes a book hits you right when you need it. I avoided this book for a while because I thought it would be too cutesy for my personal taste but aSometimes a book hits you right when you need it. I avoided this book for a while because I thought it would be too cutesy for my personal taste but a booktoker I love did a review of the series that convinced me to try it.
Discovered I quite like this authors writing style. She is quite good at inner dialogue and crafting moments with subtle intimate gestures that make me melty. I didn’t love the plethora of pop culture references but it’s also part of the FMCs personality so it works. She did a great job at creating a paranormal fantasy world existing side by side with humans in a modern timeline.
I laughed out loud so many times at the MMCs werewolf constantly invading his thoughts with smutty, snarky remarks and it lightened my spirits after a particularly shitty weekend. As someone who is really particular about a character’s inner dialogue I appreciated how well it was done.
My biggest criticism is the climax felt a little clunky next to the rest of the story. I didn’t mind that it was resolved fairly quickly but it lacked the finesse the rest of the book had. But I still had such a good time reading it. Definitely moving on to book 2. ...more
3.5 // I almost DNFd this but I’m glad I pushed through. It has some cool sci-fi elements to the world building and I really didn’t want to give up ev3.5 // I almost DNFd this but I’m glad I pushed through. It has some cool sci-fi elements to the world building and I really didn’t want to give up even though I grew bored mid-book. It would have benefitted from a little more editing to tighten the story where it lags but it’s a fun, different plot that’s worth a read.
The MMC is a symbiont to a living ship called a Sola. The Sola’s travel in groups tethered together by stalks and prefer to attach to barren or depleted planets. A battle with antagonists forced them to break apart landing scattered across an in chosen planet. Lord Destra’s Sola is dying and as her symbiont, so is he. The Sola’s stalk is afflicted with rot where it planted down and is unable to obtain enough nourishment to fully nourish the civilization she carries.
Lord Destra encounters a stranded human female who fell to the planet in an escape pod only to end up in an enemies trap. He rescues her and recognizes her as his mate returning with her to his ship.
It’s a race to rescue the other human females who fell to the planet as well as save the Sola from enemies who would strip her of her precious nutrient she produces. ...more
Love Heather Guerre. Fun to read a small town romance set in the weeks preceding thanksgiving and into Xmas written in Guerre’s signature style. The tLove Heather Guerre. Fun to read a small town romance set in the weeks preceding thanksgiving and into Xmas written in Guerre’s signature style. The title sounds foreboding but refers to time lost between the protagonists teenage years and their now 30+ selves.
This features something I really love in romance books which is the MMC laboring under the misapprehension that the FMC is who he thinks she is when in actuality she keeps her truth close to her chest. His slow realization and subsequent feeling like a jerk for his unfair assumption is just a *chefs kiss* favorite.
The FMC has come home to settle her grandmothers estate, having left after high school graduation and not returned since. There are those excited to see her and those who are not, the MMC being one of them. The consistent thread of those who are not a fan being she was an ungrateful granddaughter whose grandmother sacrificed everything to raise her.
She hires a construction company to do repairs to her grandmothers house to sell it and who owns the company? You guessed it, the MMC who slowly learns that what he thought about her couldn’t be further from the truth.
The home repair becomes a metaphor for healing for the FMC and reignites the spark between them from high school. It is an HEA (with spice!).
Check CW in the front of the book: emotional abuse at the hands of a guardian + difficulty from having undiagnosed ADHD and destructive behaviors that were associated with it are issues the protagonists struggle with....more
Once again the author created a thrilling, suspenseful science fiction love story. She’s one of the trafficked humans rescued from the pleasure ship iOnce again the author created a thrilling, suspenseful science fiction love story. She’s one of the trafficked humans rescued from the pleasure ship in book 1. He’s one of the alien delegates working with the rescued human colony (in book 3 we learn there’s actually more to it than that.)
The first half is fairly light hearted with the MMCs golden retriever type personality contrasting against the FMCs more serious and brash one. He’s smitten with her but learning the truth of the trafficked humans alters his interaction.
The banter and playfulness that slowly warms up the first half of the book contrasts beautifully to the darker second half when the conflict happens and antagonists show up. Brilliant series. A must read if you like science fiction romance....more
Another great start to a new series from Zoey Draven. We are still in the world created with Warriors of Luxiria and Horde Kings of Dakkar (both are rAnother great start to a new series from Zoey Draven. We are still in the world created with Warriors of Luxiria and Horde Kings of Dakkar (both are referenced) but you do not need to have read either to enjoy this book. I love how Zoey continues to build on and expand this world with different species and their culture/world building.
This is a marriage under duress (NOT convenience as has been often stated). Gemma agrees to marry a species of alien known to be quite savage and brutal to pay off the debts her father has incurred as a result of gambling and poor business practices. Doing so will protect her sisters from needing to do the same and pay their workers. It is quickly apparent that Gemma strives to do the right thing.
Azur requests to marry the eldest daughter for a nefarious reason to be revealed as part of the plot. He is cruel and domineering to her and Gemma is bewildered as to why but also unwilling to break. As Azur continues to attempt to break her he discovers an important connection that exists between them that forever changes their relationship much to his chagrin. He struggles with the pull of this revelation as well as revealing it to his family.
Our FMC is human and our MMC is a blood drinking alien with amenities: fangs, wings, and—my personal fave—horns (for “steering” of course)....more
jennifer | offmyredcarpet
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