This was such a delight. A charming, funny, angsty, endearing, adorable delight. I adored th
The bane of his life and the balm to his soul.
This was such a delight. A charming, funny, angsty, endearing, adorable delight. I adored this so much and adored the leads Max and Effie even more. Two incredibly lonely souls finding acceptance and happiness in each other. For fans of Amanda Quick's Ravished I think you'll love this one. This had a very similar set up with a scarred "beast" recluse hero and a sweet eccentric bluestocking heroine who loves her archeology. Although I found this one much stronger with more depth and emotion on top of the humor. I loved Effie's combination of confidence in her intelligence yet vulnerability and insecurity of wanting a family and to be loved just as she is. Max was the perfect gruff, brooding, grouchy "beast" to her smiling personality and open heart. Max just dissolves into a big teddy bear around her and it was so great to see. Their meet cute happens when he finds her on his land digging up holes trying to extract an old ancient pot. He first mistakes her for a boy since she's covered in mud and wearing breeches and weird goggles. The hilarity and fun ensues from there. What I loved most about this was that while we got to see this couple slowly fall for each other we also got to see them become friends first. I found that very significant and so dear considering Effie never had a real friend before this. Her "big brain" and tendency to ramble out whatever comes to her mind and debate topics always scared people off and society labels her as odd. Her scholarly father died so that left her completely alone in the world with nothing but her and her passion for antiquity to distract her. I just found her so endearing and sweet. Both hero and heroine are recluses for different reasons but need distractions from the whirling questions and thoughts plaguing them in their loneliness. They both needed unconditional love and that's exactly what they found in each other.
"Can I ask you a question, Max?" "You can always ask me anything, Effie. In fact, I insist upon it. I find your honesty and your undisguised curiosity refreshing." "Then that is a first. Most people loathe it." "Then most people are daft. What’s the question?" "Are we friends now? I feel as though we are, but I am never entirely sure. And experience has taught me that if I assume, then I am doomed to be disappointed when my perceived friend starts to avoid me." She said it so matter of factly, but his heart wept for her. It was so ill deserved. Effie was a breath of fresh air, not an irritation. "I suppose we must be." Her delighted smile was like a balm to his soul. "That’s nice. And you don’t mind all the questions?" "I don’t want you to ever think you shouldn’t ask questions, Effie. You can always ask me anything..."
Ugh. Just so adorable. ❤️ This scene honestly made me want to cry I found it so touching and vulnerable. I loved how patient and kind Max was with Effie. Her intelligence and how quick her mind works fascinates him. And him going from grumbly put-out neighbor to intrigued assistant helping her dig up treasures and artifacts on his land was really cute and hilarious. Their banter is the greatest thing. I loved the endless nicknames he came up for her when he was angry or wanted to tease her. Miss Naive, Miss None-of-your-business, Miss Ninnyhammer, etc. ...more
The hero was terrible. His daughter was annoying and the heroine deserved way better. I've read my fair share of asshole heroes but this guy takes theThe hero was terrible. His daughter was annoying and the heroine deserved way better. I've read my fair share of asshole heroes but this guy takes the cake in being belligerent, oblivious, unfeeling, selfish, contrary and dismissive. I'm a pretty forgiving reader when it comes to mercurial HR heroes but this was just too hot and cold and dismissive for my tastes. He almost gave me bodice ripper vibes with how mercurial and contrary he was. The number of times he gave the heroine mixed signals just makes your head spin.
The heroine Norah Linton sails all the way from England to Ireland in the hopes of meeting her future groom who she has corresponded with through letters. She was desperate to get out of the clutches of her cruel stepfather in England who was planning to marry her off to a welp of a boy. She thought she was writing to Sir Aidan Kane a bereaved widower looking for a mother for his little girl. What she discovers however once she arrives at his gloomy castle doorstep is that his 15 year old daughter Cassandra was the one writing those letters and hoping to "surprise" her Papa with a Birthday gift of a new bride for him. He's furious and blusters but not at his willful spirited daughter for literally catfishing and luring a woman out under false pretenses but rants and raves at the poor heroine who was an innocent party in all this. He even taunts Norah for being "brainless and desperate enough to marry a stranger". That should have been my first red flag.
I was really hoping this would be a grand sweeping HR of old where a jaded rakehell hero falls for the plain-faced wallflower heroine looking for a home and family to love. This is that but not much is given or shown in character development and romance. Words are given but barely any action is shown to prove it. I really felt for Norah who was so eager and yearning to find someone to love her and have a home of her own. I just wanted to hug her so bad. Every time this woman shows patience and kindness to Aidan it gets ignored or thrown in her face later on when he's triggered by Feelings™️. I tried to wait it out and kept going but it didn't help that the writing is so long winded, where it's pages of endless exposition and internalizing and repeating events just to get to dialogue. I just didn't care for Aidan and how he treated Norah, being sweet and seductive one moment promising to make her happy and protect her but then going back on his word 5 minutes later. The number of times this man disappoints and crushes her hopes was one too many for my tastes and made me wish this man to Hades. It was the same thing over and over again. From rushing her to the altar and treating the wedding vows like a headache he needs to get through after promising to make her happy and give her "the wedding of her dreams" ...more
This started out so strong with a set up that was very intriguing and smart. A marriage of convenience between two people who don't like each3.5 stars
This started out so strong with a set up that was very intriguing and smart. A marriage of convenience between two people who don't like each other who slowly fall in love and pine away while the heroine nurses him back to health from a mysterious illness. I mean come on, so delicious. The angst and tension was marvelous. The hero James De Vere is gravely ill and thinks he's dying from a brain tumor and doesn't want to leave his inheritance and estate to his dysfunctional somewhat toxic family so he proposes a MOC to the heroine who is about to be kicked out of her home after her father the village doctor died 2 weeks prior. I loved the set up, I loved the polar opposites between Laura and James who try to make it work even though they are attracted to each other but fight it. I loved Laura's intelligence and experience with medicine since she helped her father treat his patients. Laura's level headed pragmatic calm nature was very likable. I especially loved that she was the one who figured out what was wrong with James and what was causing him to be sick and protects him like a lioness when he's out of his mind delirious. Loved that scene where she discovers it, so good! She's smart, fearless and kind. Those three qualities combined which seem to be rare in HR books as of late. What I especially liked about this is that you truly see the hero struggling and in poor health with symptoms ranging all over the place which makes you stumped trying to figure out what's wrong with him.
What made this lose stars is too much time and focus was spent in the middle half of the book on solving (view spoiler)[who is trying to kill James (hide spoiler)] and all the family drama. I honestly could not care less about James's siblings or mother, they were exhausting. The last 80 or so pages of the book especially suffered from dragging things out and the hero pulling some very questionable stupid stunts. (view spoiler)[ Why on earth would you leave your wife behind in that house after two attempts were made to kill her?? Like Laura herself said, wouldn't it make more sense to take her to London with you? When you finally rush back and confront the would-be killer, instead of just charging after him you are snapping at the heroine to come to you which gave him time to run away....etc. (hide spoiler)] Character reactions to the reveal also felt very static and wooden just to stretch out scenes. The response time felt very delayed. Because of the dragged out pacing, the hero and heroine also go in circles for a bit and ruminating on things much too long. And getting James to confess how he feels felt a bit like pulling teeth. He clearly loved her but is awkward about verbalizing his feelings and that makes him endearing. But he did come off a bit petulant in that ILY scene with him throwing things because he's so nervous and scared to tell her. I thought that was a very weird choice made by the author, it felt out of character for a hero like James. Both characters overall are very dear and I would still recommend this just wish the romance aspect took center stage more in the later half....more
Really sexy, hot, and sweet. Easily my favorite of this trilogy so far and much better than Book 1. I would very much bend over for Professo4.75 stars
Really sexy, hot, and sweet. Easily my favorite of this trilogy so far and much better than Book 1. I would very much bend over for Professor Dawson while he whispers dirty things in my ear. Good gawd. ...more
I wonder if I had read this before Hook Line & Sinker would my feelings be a little different. I knew this might be a mistake to read so close after fI wonder if I had read this before Hook Line & Sinker would my feelings be a little different. I knew this might be a mistake to read so close after finishing Bailey's newest release considering the very similar tropes used but since I was on the waitlist for this for 3 months from my library I couldn't pass it up when my hold came up. I ended up enjoying this but some things I didn't necessarily love. The heroine's childhood crush/hero worship for the hero for one. I usually don't mind unrequited love between friends but the baby sister factor bugged me considering how young and naive Georgie acted and adamant she's been in love with him since she was 13. I kept wishing there wasn't an established history between Georgie and Travis while reading this. I don't know why but I didn't like it. I felt Georgie was too stuck in her adolescent past with how she viewed Travis, how she dressed, how she viewed the world, etc. She's definitely quirky and cute but at times it felt childishly awkward and clueless rather than charming. The other issue I had was Georgie's profession of a clown took some getting used to. She's a professional Clown for kids at birthday parties. Maybe it's an untapped phobia of mine I wasn't aware of but clowns are not cute, funny or sexy to me. No Ma'am. Especially when the hero is flirting with her and wanting to kiss her while she's in her Bozo get up, wig, nose and makeup and all. The visual in my head wasn't cute and the second hand embarrassment was real. If that makes me a Clown snob so bet it. But I did love how she loved kids and so comfortable around them. I also wished Georgie worked up the courage herself to stand up to her family who never take her seriously. What kind of family talks to a 23 year old like she's still 12? I hated her brother and the whole "let the grownups talk" bullshit from her father. The fact that the moment to set them straight was given to Travis so it justified Georgie's hero worship spoke volumes. I wasn't a fan of her family at all but Georgie seemed to enable the behavior from them and the whole town treating her like a child and I found it frustrating and so passive. Also, you dress like you are still stuck in high school and are a clown for a living and wonder why nobody takes you seriously?
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Honestly the clown thing was weird for me because it stemmed from "laugh at my own expense since nobody treats me like an adult". She couldn't seem to give herself enough credit for anything she does.
Ironically this book gave me everything I wanted in the steam department that I was hoping to get in HL&S but the couple and emotional beats were stronger in HLS than this one. Bailey really knows how to make your eyes go cross with the dirty talk and this was definitely 5 out of 5 in the steam department. But even so, some of the things Travis would say came off a little lopsided for me. “Punching that V card” and “introduce you to G-d” made me wince. It just gave me dated 90’s CR macho hero vibes. Travis gave Susan Elizabeth Phillips' macho alphas a run for their money. And good lord the man has a filthy mouth. Yeah it was a bit much at times but I loved it as well. :P But the great thing about it was he was a total macho alpha but he wasn't mean. I was expecting to hate Travis but I didn't since he was so obsessed and smitten by Georgie and not wanting to let her go. So I was kinda pleasantly surprised the conflict at the end wasn't him fucking up intentionally to push her away but a simple misunderstanding. Cause there's nothing I love more than a panicked hero having to be physically held back when he thinks he lost the heroine. Ugh YES. Which is why I couldn't bring myself to rate this lower. While I didn't love this couple, it was still very enjoyable. It was sweet and the sex was steamy hot. ...more
For a book titled Love Scenes there isn't really much of that in here, it's more of a footnote than anything. This book kind of falls into the trap ofFor a book titled Love Scenes there isn't really much of that in here, it's more of a footnote than anything. This book kind of falls into the trap of misleading illustrated cover and title that makes you think you are going to get a cute light rom com CR. But that's not really what I got. I would say 40% of this book is romance, the other half reads more like Contemporary Fiction or Women's Fiction. As much as I love a story set in a Hollywood setting, the author spends too much time waxing poetic about the craft of acting and emoting and giving tedious play-by-plays of shooting scenes, the director's artistic vision, or telling readers in exact detail about a conversation that took place 11 years ago between two ex-wives about raising a child. This felt more like a family saga about the workings of filming a movie with your own family. A famous family where everyone is an actor/musician/producer/director in some variety including the father's 2 ex wives who both have a role in this film. There's nothing the Ford family can't do apparently. I found Sloane's family insufferable to be quite honest with the way Morrissey tried so hard to make them all so cool and "typical" new age Hollywood with everyone sounding so jaded but politically correct about everything including her 11 year old stepsister. I felt the writing took itself way too seriously and had a pretentious/self-important tone that was borderline eye-roll inducing. Especially with how the heroine talks about her craft and her prestigious Hollywood elite family and her ex-boyfriend who wrote a whole album about her. I mean, who listens obsessively to the album that your asshole ex writes about you? <_< Major eye roll.
For what it's worth I did warm up a bit to the romance between Sloane and Joseph--it took a while to get there-- just wish the connection and intimacy wasn't so behind closed doors/FTB especially in regards to shooting the love scene that the whole book is marketed around. I know the story is more than that but it felt like the actual romance was an afterthought. And I wanted an ILY from the heroine. Having your character say "that's what I love most about you" is not a love confession. ...more
This is a visual representation of Sophie Lark and this book slapping me upside the head after I smack talked her writing skills in the previ4.5 stars
This is a visual representation of Sophie Lark and this book slapping me upside the head after I smack talked her writing skills in the previous book: [image]
I stand corrected.
I got bitch slapped. Hard.
Like serious "you thought WRONG!" energy.
What a difference a story makes. Hi, my name is Melody and I really love stockholm syndrome tropes. Sue me. This was definitely more my speed. This felt like day and night from Brutal Prince, which felt like a running script in comparison. This was definitely darker in tone which also I enjoyed. Everything here felt so much more layered, fleshed out and thought out. It also definitely didn't hurt that both hero and heroine are likable and interesting. Miko and Nessa were wonderful. I was immediately drawn in from Chapter 1 with the flashback to Mikolaj's brutal childhood in Warsaw, Poland. I could not put this book down after the first chapter. Sophie Lark really sets the stage of how our hero Miko is brought into the Braterstwo mafia world and molded into the sociopath Mob King he is now. He's only 26 but given his rough childhood and life experiences he honestly carried himself so much older. I found Mikolaj so compelling and dynamic as the ruthless anti-hero who kidnaps his enemy's sheltered daughter as a means for revenge for the death of his adoptive father Tymon "The Butcher". He plans to kill her as an eye for an eye but things change.
This is a mafia spin on Beauty and the Beast and I honestly loved how Lark handled it. I loved that there was an old dark musty mansion in this with a east wing and west wing, a huge library and a housekeeper who barely understands English. I found it charming and intense at the same time. I loved the whole "if you really love something you must let it go" nod to the original story. The amount of history research for all the rival mafias in Chicago and attention to detail was great. I loved all the dialogue in Polish between Miko and his guys. I loved that Miko felt atypical even for an anti-hero, his cunning intelligence was probably the most attractive thing about him. And the whole full body sleeve tattoos? It worked. ...more
She sank into him like a lost shell drops to the bottom of the sea, returning to the secret garden where it belonged.
*sigh*
So I h3.5 stars
She sank into him like a lost shell drops to the bottom of the sea, returning to the secret garden where it belonged.
*sigh*
So I had a horrible week and this book was so NOT the book to be reading during that time. The title is aptly named. :/ I guess it's my fault as I didn't pay much attention that the book is billed as a "dark psychological romance" and I normally don't mind dark at all but I wasn't prepared for how dark and twisted the story is. And trying to finish this after losing your beloved parrot that died in your hands suddenly just doesn't feel good (I love you forever my Goldie girl ...more
Argh. I'm annoyed. Because this was easily going to be a 5 star read up until the 50ish% mark when the syrupy cheesy dialogue took over out 3.75 stars
Argh. I'm annoyed. Because this was easily going to be a 5 star read up until the 50ish% mark when the syrupy cheesy dialogue took over out of nowhere and ruined the beautiful momentum and sexual tension Kaye created in the first half. Whhhhhhhhy? I loved gruff, heartbroken, grieving, world-weary Slider Evans slowly falling for Cora Campbell. The slow tentative build up was so good, believable and delicious. But then Kaye had to freaking ruin it after the couple finally have sex with the constant pouring out of feelings and "sweetheart" endearments jumping out of Slider's mouth that's littered throughout the rest of the story. And out of all the damn endearments that exist, why did it have to be sweetheart? 😩 [image] I'm sorry. I just fucking hate that endearment so much. It's like nails on a chalkboard for me. And I usually love endearments but the one I can't stand at all is 'sweetheart' because it comes off so patronizing even when it's not meant to be. It also comes off unrealistic and trying too hard the more it's used. I usually let these kind of things go when it's not so obvious or obnoxious. But here it was everywhere in the last quarter of the book that it became distracting and watered the characters down a little for me. And that bothers me. My issue is not just the use of it, my issue is that out of anyone Slider of all people would not be using that endearment and so much like this. Yeah he's a complete softy underneath but he never struck me as one who is flowery with his words and pouring it on so thick too, even when not grieving. So yeah it was overkill and just so unnecessary. Especially having the couple confess ILYs at the halfway mark was kind of jumping the shark. Too soon. Not that I wasn't buying the ILYs, I definitely bought these 2 falling for each other, I just wish Kaye paced things better in the later half. The dialogue and tone in the second half started to eerily remind me of another author who does this very OTT sticky sweet thing which turned me off completely from their writing. I really hope Laura Kaye doesn't fall in that same rut of a pattern. The constant gasping and "sweet man" remarks?....oy. Just typing it makes my eye twitch. But other than that, I enjoyed the slow build up in the first half and Slider's 2 boys little Ben and Sam were the sweetest things. Gosh they were adorable and broke my heart. Laura Kaye really knows how to pull at the heartstrings when she wants to....more
What I loved Artemis: Her name suits her. She of the Warrior Goddess, who brings a stuffy arrogant Duke t3.75 stars
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I'm conflicted on this one.
What I loved Artemis: Her name suits her. She of the Warrior Goddess, who brings a stuffy arrogant Duke to his knees and doesn't bend to his will or is reduced to begging. Go girl!
Phoebe: I can't tell you how much I adore this character and want all things wonderful, beautiful and good to happen to her. She's so adorably charming. I loved her genuine friendship with Artemis and this girl's whit is hysterically sharp and so on point. Please don’t lose it! 🙏
Apollo: This character broke my heart so much. I adore his relationship and close bond with Artemis. These two are so wonderful together, their deep connection is so sweet and beautiful. You can tell how much these two have suffered but even so they try to make the most of even dire times and try to playfully tease each other. I found that so sweet and heartbreaking. The scenes with Artemis visiting him in Bedlam nearly broke me. I generally don’t like siblings used as a source of contention between the hero and heroine but here…..I got it. I understood. Also didn’t hurt that I had a huge soft spot for Apollo already.
The sex scenes: Yup I like them hot. 😜 Sue me! What can I say I’m a sucker for raw, sensual, carnal love scenes. And as always, Hoyt really delivers there.☺️ And yes I warmed up to Maximus’s nickname for Artemis too, I found it weird at first but near the end I found it endearing and sweet. Hoyt never holds anything back with the intimacy with her couples and I absolutely love that. She comes up with something new and special for each couple which I find really refreshing and original.
The rescue scene: Yes cliche as far as HR scenarios go but seeing Maximus frantic and nearly lose his shit was such a satisfying culmination for this reader. Yessss sir, claim the woman you love and f*ck Dukely expectations. 👏
What I was iffy on: The chemistry: This is so strange but I’m still not *entirely* sold on the chemistry between Maximus and Artemis. I saw it in some parts and in others I kinda struggled with it. I’m not sure if that even makes sense but it’s part of why I’m struggling to rate this. I thought the transition from wary antagonistic strangers to lusting lovers was a little clumsy, rushed and half-approached. I felt like Hoyt missed a step between them. I loved the idea of these two, and in the bedroom they were fire but outside of it?...... [image] I guess a big part of that was probably the blackmail angle used here to get Maximus to help Artemis. I didn’t like it. It left me feeling a little disappointed and underwhelmed because I wanted another way for these two to come together. It just felt very cold and a tad convoluted. And I certainly would have liked for Artemis to address that awkward scene from the prior book when she overheard him talking about her in a dismissively cold way (which again speaks on the hurried progress of their relationship in here).
The villain: Boo. Hiss. Another dud. 👎 I’m sorry Elizabeth Hoyt but 'Old Scratch' is as musty and corny as his name. I mean….really? Old Scratch? Sounds like a cologne fragrance ad. [image] And WTF is a “highwayman” doing robbing people in the slums of St. Giles?? That made no freaking sense.
The mystery plot: I found the whole murderer/emerald necklace arc the most farfetched thing out of the entire story. I initially thought the tie in with the emerald necklace Artemis owns was interesting and smart but as the story progressed, the nuts and bolts came together in a sloppy contrived mess that didn’t quite fit. You are honestly expecting me to believe a man spent nearly 20 years hunting a random killer who killed his parents and tracking down every. single. emerald. stone. from his mother’s necklace that was stolen from her the night she was murdered? Seriously? [image] That’s quite a skill. And logistically impossible unless the author wants us to suspend all belief and think no other necklace in all of London has the same stone and setting as the Wakefield jewels. I just found it so ludicrous imagining stoic Maximus--the Duke of Wakefield--recognizing emerald stones on people's necks all around London. lol Get real. You're telling me there aren’t any other tear drop emerald stones in all of London the same size and shape? [image]
Ghost of St. Giles: Can this dude retire? I'm over it. This persona has been run through the ground already and I see no point in ever bringing it back after this (I already know I'm wrong on that one). This has been played out too much and frankly 3 books back to back where the heroes are the Ghost is more than enough. I'm sick of this duality and it adds no suspense or climax to the stories whatsoever IMO. Which just proves it's a dud and unnecessary. PS: I also wasn't crazy about the reasoning why Maximus took on the role of the Ghost. The whole Bruce-Wayne-of-Historical-times approach I didn't find entirely convincing (appreciated the attempt though). Nor the reasons behind why he did it. It felt so cliche and a little gimmicky....more
Why such a creature of light and love and life should have come to him, he could not fathom. But he was grateful. Very grat
4.75 stars [image]
Why such a creature of light and love and life should have come to him, he could not fathom. But he was grateful. Very grateful.
Absolutely adored this. And that's the biggest surprise for me. I went into this one somewhat apprehensive given the fact how these two came together under forced awkward circumstances. And on top of that they both are grieving over a dead spouse/dead lover. That could have been a recipe for disaster. But this….this was beautiful. [image]
His Achilles' heel, the one person who had reached deep down inside him and grasped his heart, squeezing until it started beating again. She'd brought him back to life.
Megs was such a wonderful delight. I thought she was exactly what Godric needed. Her endless capacity for love, laughter, wit and patience was just so endearing and lovable. And I loved how honest and conscious she was of Godric's feelings through everything. It's this kind of character quality that is hard to find. That sense of guileless honesty and faith I found so refreshing and delicious and perfect contrast to Godric's quiet world-weary reserve.
"Godric," she whispered, and held out her hand to him. He took her hand, spreading her fingers and kissing each one.
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Megs looked up at his entrance, her face shining. For a moment he caught his breath--it was almost like a light radiated from within her, and he was very glad that she'd apparently decided not to hold their argument against him. "Oh, Godric, come see! Her Grace has had her puppies." And she held the ratlike thing--which, apparently, was a pug puppy--like a peace offering. Godric raised his brows, sinking into a chair. “It’s quite….lovely.” “Oh, pooh!” She retracted her arms, cuddling the tiny creature against her cheek. “Don’t listen to Mr. St. John,” she whispered to the puppy as if in confidence. “You’re the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen!”
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Godric took some warming up to. At first I found him too stiff and closed off, but once Hoyt peeled back every rough layer of this character, his heart, his loneliness, his quiet yearning, his goodness came through. The slow build up of this character and showing his wounds and raw grief was really great to see, heartbreaking yet relatable. I fell in love with him the minute he pulled out Megs’s letters that he kept locked in a dresser drawer and hungrily poured over them to help ground him. I really loved how willingly and open he was to help Megs, his selflessness was truly admirable. And seeing him helplessly fall for her was really a treat.
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PS: Did you try the ginger, barely, and aniseed tisane recipe I sent you? I know it sounds quite revolting, but it will help your sore throat, truly!
Her postscript blurred before his eyes and he blinked hard, inhaling. This was who he'd done it for. Megs, who thought old crotchety butlers had any sense of humor, who ate bitter persimmon tarts to please the local vicar's wife, and who cried at the sight of a baby and couldn't admit even to herself why. She deserved a baby of her own. She'd make a magnificent mother: kind, gentle, understanding.
Gah! I found them so adorable and heartbreaking. It also didn't hurt that this used one of my favorite tropes, a marriage of convenience. Seeing this couple slowly unhurriedly fall for each other was like sitting in the sun and taking in blue skies and a warm breeze. These are two people who carry a lot of hurt and angst but deal with it differently. Godric shutting himself off to the outside world and life and burying himself in his Ghost of St. Giles work, Megs looking for ways to make others happy and finding pleasure in the smallest things. And I found that dying apple tree a great analogy and symbol of what Megs stands for. And it was such a great depiction of what this character represented and did to the hero, how her ‘magic’ transformed Godric and brought him back to life. [image] Hoyt's really masters at writing smart characters with a sharp focus on all the human senses. That element makes her characters so human and the world building so layered. Her conscious smart layered writing reminds me a lot of Lisa Kleypas.
Phoebe turned her face, leaning close to discreetly inhale. "Artemis?" "Yes." Artemis felt quite proud. She'd taken to wearing the same scent--lemons and bay leaf--when she realized that Lady Phoebe sometimes used smell to identify people. She suspected that the other woman could see very little at all when the light was dim--such as tonight at the theater.
Just brilliant.
Now there were a few things I do wish were handled differently. The 'avenging' Roger's death arc for one, I felt that took up a little too much time in the last quarter of the book and took focus off Godric but Hoyt made up for it with that beautiful emotional declaration from Megs (emotional declarations are a weakness of mine). Second, not going to lie but my interest is already waning really thin with the whole Ghost of St. Giles character. The thrill and mystery for me is completely gone in that area. (view spoiler)[And 3 books back to back where the hero is the Ghost is a little much IMO. Just saying. (hide spoiler)] I wish (and hoping) Hoyt moves away from it because I don't think it really adds anything to the story and couples IMO. And also I’m not super crazy about the villain plots. I said it in Winter's book and same thing here the whole Lassie snatchers arc just didn't do anything for me. I kept finding my eyes glossing over those scenes and wanting Godric to hurry back to Megs. Lastly, and this is really minor, was how the epilogue was used as a story set up for the next book which is a personal pet peeve of mine. That's not an epilogue, but more of a sneak preview excerpt. I just find it so wasteful and a totally missed opportunity to expand and frame how the couple of the book are fairing 'down the road' after their HEA. Yes it was touched on in the last chapter before the epilogue which honestly was really nice but please don't label a chapter an 'epilogue' when it literally has nothing to do with the featured couple. It drives me batty when authors do this.
As for secondary characters, I'm already very intrigued and heartbroken for Artemis Greaves. This mysterious character is already showing such weight and intelligence. And I’m dying to know more about Apollo. I am a little unsure about stoic stiff lipped Dukely Maximus being paired up with Artemis. He's not very likable right now but I hope he wins me over like Godric did. Looking forward to seeing what happens there....more
These Harlequin Historicals are rocking my world! ✨🔥🙌
Mother, what have I become?
[image] Good gawd this was so much fun. What an underrated These Harlequin Historicals are rocking my world! ✨🔥🙌
Mother, what have I become?
[image] Good gawd this was so much fun. What an underrated little jewel this is. I literally felt like I was swept up in a cinematic adventure all over the sand dunes of Egypt. This was my first read by Greta Gilbert and she did a stunning job capturing the rich vibrant world of Ancient Egypt. The details! Oh man. From the prophecies, the high Priests, the dark endless tunnels of the pyramids, the river banks, the lavish lifestyle of the royal palace, the nomadic life out in the desert. I have to say I was really impressed how far the author took it with the details. And the makeup, the wigs, the jewelry! ❤️ Oh my.
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What also really worked here for me was that both hero and heroine toed that line of grey area in the beginning. Tahar and Kiya were so unique in the sense they both started off having ulterior motives. Tahara is pretty much an anti-hero in the beginning given his selfish motives and he used to be part of a tribe of thieves. Kiya's motives are more desperate and understandable. I'll be honest I was a little skeptical in the beginning but the character development really won me over quickly. I see most had issue with the heroine's lying but considering it was done out of pure survival mode and not on a whim and she didn't do it constantly (which was my fear) it didn't bother me. Plus the hero pretty much had her number from the beginning and knew the 2 or 3 times she was lying so it wasn't that big of an issue. *shrugs* The heroine in particular showed such strength and courage and I loved the women empowerment undertones, especially in a time and place where a woman's worth is little to none, especially a poor orphaned one.
‘I disguised myself as a man. I helped pull the carts up the tunnel,’ she explained. ‘I am not a goddess, Your Highness. I am not Hathor Incarnate. I am... I am just a woman.’
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The love story was so beautiful. Nicely built up. Tahar falling for the mysterious woman he captures was so great to see. The gender-bender introduction was cute and created some funny moments. The growth both of these characters go through made this a successful read. I loved how Tahar taught Kiya to open her mind and eyes to the bigger picture. For someone who was pretty much raised on the streets she had a very narrow view of the world and beliefs so it was great to see her grow and learn that there is more out there and more to see of the world. To see both come together and have such clashing differences in beliefs, one more realistic and worldly experienced and the other more spiritual and naive was great to see. I found both of them so refreshingly honest and pure in so many ways. Loved me some Tahar. 😍 Mmm mmm.
So going down the checklist: Epic adventure all over the desert ✓ Angsty love story of captor falling for his captive ✓ Couple facing great odds and trials to reunite ✓
I clearly loved this. I felt like I was watching a movie with the hurdles the characters face and the twists and turns thrown their way until they finally reunite at the end. This covered all aspects of Ancient Egypt in pretty much 4 Acts. You get a nice taste of everything, from the drudgery of workers and slaves working for grain, to the endless miles of sand and scorching unforgiving heat of the desert sun, to the opulence of the King's boat and the cool palace walls. I feel like I've repeated myself enough so I'll stop here. lol This is the kind of book I enjoy. Definitely recommend this one!...more
I almost gave this an extra star when the last like 10% finally got a little interesting but the way the conflict with the hero's brother was handled I almost gave this an extra star when the last like 10% finally got a little interesting but the way the conflict with the hero's brother was handled just left me wanting. This was my first Meredith Duran book and while I did enjoy her writing style for the most part, this one wasn't a winner for me. I just did not care for the story or the couple. I also found it an odd choice to pick a reckless merry widow with some anti-heroine greyish character qualities for the very first book in a series but that's just me.
My biggest problem was I found the heroine Elizabeth to be too vain, flighty, self-absorbed and ridiculous for too long in this. Main reason I powered through was because I wanted to see if she would grow up and try to be better and I didn't really see that until the very end of the story. I wanted her to surprise me and she didn't. I don't mind reckless hellion heroines (in fact they are one of my favorite character tropes if written right) but you got to give me something to balance out all the flaws. I mean she acknowledges she has poor judgement skills but does nothing to correct it. And that's my hang up. She put me in mind of Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind; Her dialogue, her mannerisms, how she puts on airs, her condensation, and that viper tongue. That whole burgundy velvet drapes! scene would have ol' Scarlett girl quivering in delight. [image] She likes to make jokes at other people's expense as a form of sport, including the hero. She always wants to be entertained and finds insults amusing and it goes on for far too long for reasons I really didn't get. She's 32 "merry widow" and professional beauty but obsessively hung up on her age and her looks fading. I just found her so depressing honestly. She's also a raging alcoholic, a point of which really isn't addressed by anyone until the very end when the hero finally tells her she needs to find a better crowd of friends who don't encourage her drinking. Every time something bad or upsetting happens she's nursing a whole bottle of liquor in her lap or chugging down wine until she can't even walk. Her drunk exploits and passing out in people's houses are notorious. I just didn't find any of it cute. I mean that's how our hero meets her, he finds her passed out drunk in his rose bushes snoring and reeking of liquor and all scratched up. Did I mention he's a Doctor? I mean...hello. It drove me slightly insane how nobody wanted to address this big elephant in the room. The dynamic between her and the hero Michael I also found not very charming. He's always humoring her barbed insults about his Doctor profession and talking down to him because she believes he's beneath her in station (he's actually not) she also slaps and throws things at him whenever she's furious. He's always apologizing to her and forcing out smiles even when he did nothing wrong. Like I said, she's a mess and I was hoping to see some kind of vulnerability or softness under that hard brittle shell & gaiety she puts on for everyone. She definitely is an insecure lonely woman with fears and internally hard on herself but I needed actions behind the thoughts. I didn't really see it except for the very end. And 20 pages out of a 300 page book isn't enough for me.
Another thing I found off putting and a little worrisome since I plan to read 2 other books in this series, none of the secondary characters were likable or sympathetic in here. Like, none. Michael's brother the Duke of Marwick is an awful asshole, Elizabeth's group of "fast friends" are a bunch of useless drinking gossiping sleazy Mean Girls. Hell, not even the bachelors were likable. I wanted to strangle Elizabeth's 19 year old protegee Mrs. Jane Hull through the entirety of the book who Elizabeth herself starts to compete with over the men. ...more
First of all, I love Asa. Love him. I loved him from the start. With his short temper, acerbi*Review Up!*
I have mixed feelings about this one. [image]
First of all, I love Asa. Love him. I loved him from the start. With his short temper, acerbic tongue, how frivolous, blunt, messy, brash, irreverent and honest he is. He is perfect example of what Elizabeth Hoyt truly excels at. Each of her characters are so distinct, dimensional and fully fleshed out. They each have their own unique flaws, quirks and issues they need to deal with and sort out. She’s one of the few HR who does it so consistently. This is Book 9 and so far not one character can be mistaken for another. Not a one. That includes all the supporting secondary characters too. Every single character is so meticulously fleshed out down to the fine lines on their face, the shape of their teeth, wrinkles on their clothes and buckles on their shoes and how they talk. That’s an amazing feat of it’s own. I fucking relish it and eat it up.
Like please…..give. me. more. [image]
Asa’s crassness, love for life and bluntness reminded me of Griffin, but multiply that x 10. 😂 He’s loud and unapologetic in everything he does. And the fact that he took such care in making skittery Eve comfortable and trying his damn hardest to be patient with her--which goes entirely against his nature--showed he’s a keeper.
Now what I struggled with: Eve Dinwoody. She’s definitely a package of contradictions just like Hoyt promises in the book. But I struggled with it. Her conflicting angles didn’t mesh well for me. Some aspects of her character I ended up liking. Others? Just confused me. Here is where I confess I generally don’t like prim starched uptight characters. I’ve tried time and time again and 99.9% of the time these kind of characters are as tight laced and uninteresting as they appear on the surface. I call them buzzkillers for a reason. When you have engaging characters and that one pinched mouth stick-in-the-mud character that’s shooting death glares in the corner? It just completely kills the mood. They stand out like sore thumbs. BUT that being said, thankfully Eve wasn't a stick in the mud. I didn't not like her. I just struggled to connect with her all the way. I didn't hate her as I thought I would, I just thought she was ok. The moments I found her most endearing and she shined the most was her hesitant friendship/bonding with her pet dove named Dove and Henry the dog. I found her bond with Henry so endearing and sweet given her fear of dogs. I love how Hoyt always manages to incorporate animals into each of her books in such unique varying ways. It's incredibly charming. As a big animal lover myself I love how natural it comes off and the animals somehow always serve a meaningful purpose to the story and characters.
Another thing I struggled with and probably my biggest hang up overall with this book was the heroine's horrific backstory. I found Eve's trauma a little inconsistent and kinda hamfisted to be quite honest. Some of the details to her traumatic episode as a child were a little off for me. The author builds up this character's mysterious past and why she has such severe PTSD through out the book so you kind of pick up what is going on but don't get the full story till the big reveal near the end. And the hints given painted a very ominous picture. But I just wasn't feeling it once the truth of what happened finally came out. I mean everything was explained away neatly but I was side-eyeing certain parts of that whole scenario. The pieces to the puzzle seemed an odd fit. (view spoiler)[ Masked men letting hunting dogs loose on women and children at a house party for sport and revelry. Ok...but why? I know, I know. Villain motivations don't always need to make clear sense but something wasn't clicking for me here. I couldn't put my finger on it. It just felt very forced and random. And Eve's brother just happening to pop up out of nowhere right in the nick of time to save little Eve from getting raped?? <__< ..........Shmo'kay. His convenient appearance better be explained in the next book. Just saying. (hide spoiler)] Because of this Eve has been terrified of dogs and scared of men her whole life, which is why she has her own bodyguard since she was a teenager. :/ Eh....ok.
Oh and the tattoos. Can't forget those. The big bad villain in here is part of a secret "Order" who call themselves "The Lords of Chaos", one of whom happened to be Eve and Val's father. The bad dudes get together every Spring and do all kinds of unscrupulous vile things while wearing masks. And all the members have tattoos.
A dolphin tattoo.
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Really? [image] Yes because a dolphin is the first animal that comes to mind when you think of immoral sociopaths who like to rape women and children for sport. In a Historical Georgian era book. *crickets* WTF Hoyt? This is where this author always stumbles. Villains are not Mrs. Hoyt's strongest skill. Especially how easily and extremely quickly they are foiled at the end of every book. This Lords of Chaos arc would be another example of that.
My next gripe: Bridget Crumb and the never-ending blackmail letters saga. [image] Ugh. Listen, I’m upset. Cause a. I was expecting to love the very popular, rogue, anti-hero character Valentine Napier and I don’t. And b. His heroine the author chose to pair him up with in the next book (Bridget) is as interesting and exciting as dried paint. A secretive, tight-laced housemaid whose biggest concern is how many times the silverware needs to be polished. Oh...goody. [image] Really? Y’all I’m not getting the warm fuzzies here. At all. She better be hiding more than that grey streak of hair under that hair cap of hers. Just sayin. The irony isn’t lost on me that Val is the reason I started this series because his story intrigued me and out of all the characters, I end up being underwhelmed by him the most. Aheh. :( Talk about Plot Twist.
And yeah in regards to Val like I said I’m still not feeling anything for this guy. [image] I could literally not give 2 fucks about this dude right now. Everything about him so far is extremely gimmicky & so stereotypical. Like....where is the rest? What's the damn catch? There is nothing mysterious about him or his fucking blackmail letters that seemed to make everyone and their dogs and babies shake in fear. Instead of being intrigued and wanting to find out more, I keep having to fight the urge to roll my eyes whenever he shows up. Here it was even more so. And he wasn’t even in the dang book! I'm sorry but a grown ass man going around town blackmailing people for fun and collecting their secrets as weapons…..seriously??? [image]
That's it?
I’m not shaking over this. Is he the Regina George of historical times? Pick a better hobby dude. Everything about him is a bad cliche. From his lame amusement of mind games to his naked self-portrait hanging in his bedour where it's sole purpose is to show readers he’s well endowed. Oh my! (😒) To his "clever" witty parting shots that seem too rehearsed. To his fallen angel looks. Etc., etc., etc... [image] I just….don’t get it. I’m going to read his book since I bought the damn thing but for now. Sorry, Val: [image]...more
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