This book was a tough read for someone with anxiety and weirdly at the same time made me feel better about my anxiety. Paris’ anxiety is acute and conThis book was a tough read for someone with anxiety and weirdly at the same time made me feel better about my anxiety. Paris’ anxiety is acute and controls his life and yet he still finds the courage to go on Bake Expectations. As much as fear controls his life, he still finds a way and there he meets Tariq who I just love. I think my biggest complaint about this book is that I wanted more Tariq. Which is tough because it’s really Paris’ book. His mind is overwhelming to be in a times and I really really wanted him to see he needed help. Tariq tried to provide that help but you can’t heal others when they haven’t recognized that they need help. By the time that Paris does get that help, it felt a bit rushed and seemed like Paris was almost miraculously “fixed” instead of a work in progress like we all are.
The baking and the mental health rep really dominated this book and were so well done. In contrast, I felt like the romance between Paris and Tariq needed to be stronger. The real romance of the love was Paris learning to love himself. Which I did enjoy but I just wanted more Paris/Tariq time and a chance to see them grow as a couple. The Britishness and the cast of other characters were delightful and helped break up how overwhelming it was at times to be in Paris’ head. I go back and through on how much I liked this book because of the stress I felt reading it but it is an important book and really hits the nail on the head with mental health....more
I wasn't psyched at all for a book about Troy Barrett but man oh man, does this story work. Troy gets a redemption arc and really grows throughout theI wasn't psyched at all for a book about Troy Barrett but man oh man, does this story work. Troy gets a redemption arc and really grows throughout the book into a character I respect. But Harris was the knock out here. I think I smiled every time he was on the page. And Troy caring for him in simple ways, like with cake pops and an apple pin, made me grin from ear to ear....more
I knew going in that I was going to love The Long Game but I didn't realize I could love it this much. There was just everything I could have wanted iI knew going in that I was going to love The Long Game but I didn't realize I could love it this much. There was just everything I could have wanted in Ilya and Shane's HEA. Adorable dogs, emotional support, mental health rep, and scenes so hot I thought my ears would catch fire. And tears of sadness and happiness all combined. If this is the end of the series, I'd be happy but I'd also love for a book about Luca and to have even more cameos by Ilya and Shane. Seriously, I'd be ecstatic if they made cameos in every future book I read. My heart was bursting with joy and love by the end of this book....more
If I had to pick, Common Goal is probably my least favorite book in the series which isn't saying much because it's a solid 4 star read. I really likeIf I had to pick, Common Goal is probably my least favorite book in the series which isn't saying much because it's a solid 4 star read. I really liked the friends with benefits/teaching arrangement between Eric and Kyle and watching Eric really learn a lot about himself. In addition to the fun and sexy times, this book had a lot of heart and support too....more
This book was really a punch in the feels. I spent the entire time wanting to give big, awkward, anxious Ryan a giant hug. Not to worry though, FabianThis book was really a punch in the feels. I spent the entire time wanting to give big, awkward, anxious Ryan a giant hug. Not to worry though, Fabian takes care of him. Tough Guy does not shy away from the realities of living with anxiety and is just so relatable. And steamy. Can't forget steamy....more
Shane and Ilya are my heart. As a warning going in, this book is a HFN but we do get their HEA in book 6. Honestly, I feel like I deserve a medal for Shane and Ilya are my heart. As a warning going in, this book is a HFN but we do get their HEA in book 6. Honestly, I feel like I deserve a medal for my self-control of not immediately reading book 6 after finishing Heated Rivalry. Shane with his sweetness and Ilya with his snarky mouth and big heart are just everything. I'm not the biggest fan of flashbacks but they are so important to the development of Shane and Ilya's relationship that I honestly didn't mind at all. This book is so freaking sexy too!...more
This is the book that got me addicted to the Game Changer series so of course it holds a special place in my heart. Scott and Kip were both adorable aThis is the book that got me addicted to the Game Changer series so of course it holds a special place in my heart. Scott and Kip were both adorable and I kept rooting for them throughout the book. Side note: I don't recommend this book on audio. As a New Jersey girl, the attempted Brooklyn accent for Kip was the worst thing I've ever heard....more
This book. Wow. I finished it in one night and then laid awake for 2 hours just thinking about it. I went through thoughts of I expect more from NalinThis book. Wow. I finished it in one night and then laid awake for 2 hours just thinking about it. I went through thoughts of I expect more from Nalini Singh and this wasn’t my favorite book to this is a masterpiece. In the end, I landed on this being a 5 star read for me, because it really was even if I wanted more.
Illium and Aodhan. Two of the best and most bonded characters Nalini has created. For 13 books, all we really wanted was their story. The more we delved into them in this book, the clearer it became that their story could only be them together. For all those readers who are like, “They’re friends, I don’t want them to be together”, there was just no way that another character, hero or heroine, would ever complete Illium or Aodhan more than them together. For other to end up with someone else, honestly, the only way that would work is if Illium and Aodhan were to go their separate ways. And at points in the book, I honestly thought that was going to happen.
This was a story of healing and love. Aodhan, for the entire series, has been healing from the trauma inflicted on him in the past. We finally learn what that trauma was. This book, this series, is really no for the faint of heart. Nalini does not hold back and there were moments of this book that had shivers up my spine and me considering putting the book down till daylight. I didn’t, of course, I had to know what happened next. The plot of this book focused on Aodhan serving as Suyin’s second in a China recovering from Archangel Lijuan and Illium joining him there and them discovering some of the evil left behind by the mad archangel. In that way, this book had feels of Naasir or Venom’s books. Aodhan and Illium had a falling out earlier with Aodhan needing to spread his wings and needing Illium to see him as no longer broken from his Illium. Illium, in turn, needed to learn how to support Aodhan, seeing the new him, and not try to constantly protect him from everything. In midst of Aodhan’s healing, Illium also had to finally heal from the loss of his mortal lover centuries ago.
There was so much introspection in this book but it just felt right. Illium and Aodhan had so much to work through. That lead to this being a slow burn for the romance side of things. Funny to say when they’ve been together since they were babies so their slow burn was just this book but almost five hundred years. I’m not the biggest fan of cutaway or flashback scenes but they were done so well here. Those scenes allowed us to see Aodhan and Illium as children and growing up and how they eventual go from friends to more. As I said, the romance is light in this book. Nalini Singh has said that this is just the beginning of their love story and with this series, I’m reading that to mean they will get another book. We need to see how they navigate moving their friendship to a romantic couple as well as how that will effect the Seven.
As much as I wanted more romance and kinda felt the pressure was high on Nalini as this was her first MM romance, in the end, I trust her writing so much that I was okay with how this turned out. I know she signed on for more books in the series and that of all the authors I read, I trust her the most to have an overarching view of her series and that will include more time for the romance of Aodhan and Illium. I almost hope they become the Raphael and Elena of the series because I could honestly read about them forever....more
Going into this book, I’ve only read Adriana Herrera. Once I finished He’s Come Undone, I immediately scoured my kindle for books by the other authorsGoing into this book, I’ve only read Adriana Herrera. Once I finished He’s Come Undone, I immediately scoured my kindle for books by the other authors and read Teach Me by Olivia Dade in one sitting. Every single story in this book is unique and delicious. I’ll be the first to say that novella/short stories aren’t usually my thing. But each other is able to construct well developed characters and a believable love story for them in a short amount of pages. Asking me to pick a favorite would be like asking me to pick a favorite child. I do want to give a shout out to Olivia Dade for including something I never would have expected in a romance: murder dioramas. Seriously, read this book....more
Now more than ever, this book is especially important and I think everyone should read it. Patrice and Easton have a beautiful love story that is set Now more than ever, this book is especially important and I think everyone should read it. Patrice and Easton have a beautiful love story that is set in the trauma and pain in an accurate depiction of today's world. This is a beautiful and painful story all at the same time....more
Adriana Herrera's Dreamers series is beautiful and American Fairytale may just be my favorite. Milo is without a doubt my favorite character in the seAdriana Herrera's Dreamers series is beautiful and American Fairytale may just be my favorite. Milo is without a doubt my favorite character in the series and the love between him and Tom was so beautiful! I adored every minute of this book!...more
Work for It touched my soul, deeply. Olu was the protective older brother in Undone by the Ex-Con and world traveler who is running from himself and IWork for It touched my soul, deeply. Olu was the protective older brother in Undone by the Ex-Con and world traveler who is running from himself and I've been waiting impatiently for his book. Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait.
Olu's equal match proved to be a small town elderflower production manager, Griffin. He doesn't fit in in his town any more than Olu fits in the life he's living. Both are scarred and broken characters who have serious issues to work on and as they fall in love, they begin to work on them together. Talia Hibbert does not shy away from the pain of serious issues like depression and social isolation. Work for It was a beautifully crafted and touching book. ...more
Wow. This book is an emotional roller-coaster and writing a review is going to be tough. Although, I shouldn’t be surprised. Sierra Simone has never bWow. This book is an emotional roller-coaster and writing a review is going to be tough. Although, I shouldn’t be surprised. Sierra Simone has never been afraid to face the difficult, questionable, or taboo. She dropped a bomb at the end of Feast of Sparks that has major repercussions on the relationship between Saint and Auden and has carried over into this book. While they and Poe deal with that, Rebecca and Delphine have entered into a relationship and are trying to navigate that. Through all of this is the looming spectator of the Thorn Chapel and the secrets of their parents. This book will not spare your emotions. You will feel a range for lust to fear to having societal norms and what you think is acceptable questioned. You will come out the other side of this book a different person....more
Loading...
