Good, fast-paced suspense. Better than the first. Very personal and eerie, with the FBI agent getting ominous phone calls.
Romance was okay, better thGood, fast-paced suspense. Better than the first. Very personal and eerie, with the FBI agent getting ominous phone calls.
Romance was okay, better than the first, but I've always liked friends-then-lovers. Again, need to warn those who care that the sex scene is skipped in the most awkward and annoying way possible.
Merged review:
Good, fast-paced suspense. Better than the first. Very personal and eerie, with the FBI agent getting ominous phone calls.
Romance was okay, better than the first, but I've always liked friends-then-lovers. Again, need to warn those who care that the sex scene is skipped in the most awkward and annoying way possible....more
Maya Rodale does it again, giving us a glimpse into a world where men rule but women help other women get aI loved this book even more than the first.
Maya Rodale does it again, giving us a glimpse into a world where men rule but women help other women get ahead. This time, she gives us a woman studying to be a chemist with a goal of creating face creams and cosmetics.
The reason I liked this book even more than the first was that I didn't feel the need to set the romance aside in order to rave about it. The two characters, enemies at first, have complimentary skill sets that give them a chance to succeed together where either one of them alone might not have. This isn't the same as saying the heroine needed a man ... far from it ... but that we all have our unique strengths.
I tend to like enemies-to-lovers stories in general, so this might have been an easy win, but I gotta say the fact that their first kiss left our heroine "whelmed" was fantastic. Turns out, the best way to satisfy a woman isn't to ensnare her in a lust-filled haze but instead to forge an emotional connection and then ask her what she likes. *gasp*
This is a story about empowering women. It's about women supporting women. There's a duke in it, too, but never mind him. ThiI've found a new author.
This is a story about empowering women. It's about women supporting women. There's a duke in it, too, but never mind him. This is a story about a woman who gets a chance to seize what she wants and goes after it comewhat may.
What she wants is dresses with pockets. Ah, the dream! :)
The part of the book that won me over came early on when our heroine was chastising the duke over his complaints about his mother and sister spending too much on clothes. He dismisses that kind of interest as being superficial, but this character doesn't by into the frame. I don't have a direct quote because it's audio and I don't want to go back and find it, but she tells him that in a world where women are supposed to be seen but not heard, clothing is the only way they can express themselves. And she wants to help them do it.
TBH, I've been bored by romance for years, but I keep circling back, trying to figure out what it was that used to excite me about the genre and looking for this indefinable something that might once again sweep me away. This was it. This story dared to be feminine and to define feminine as powerful. ...more
I enjoyed this. I accidentally picked this up before reading the prequel (next on my TBR pile), but it didn't matter. The premise was straightforward:I enjoyed this. I accidentally picked this up before reading the prequel (next on my TBR pile), but it didn't matter. The premise was straightforward: woman slips in a crack through time to the modern age and tries for years to get back until finally, she does -- but years have passed and her young son thinks she's dead. Unsure of her welcome, she ends up impersonating a governess to get the lay of the land. There are hauntings and kidnappings and all kinds of fun stuff.
The part of this book set in the 21st Century was brief and kind of skimmed over, which I appreciated. I've seen readers of two minds on this point, and I get it, but I liked that this was effectively backstory for the real tension -- a woman whose marriage was a little rocky due to her husband's jealousy problems now needing to figure out how to come back and reinsert herself in the family.
One of my favorite things about this book was the way the husband's jealousy created the initial problem and also, that they dealt with this head-on before the end of the book. I also liked that her trip to the future didn't change her, but did help her to feel more confident.
My only reservation was that I found the governess disguise concept to be a little weird/contrived. I set aside disbelief and enjoyed the book anyway, enough that I plan to seek out other books in the series, but it kept it from being a 5-star read. ...more
I was pretty disappointed in this book. The premise seemed intriguing, and it began fairly well, but the whole friends-to-lovers vibe was ruined by thI was pretty disappointed in this book. The premise seemed intriguing, and it began fairly well, but the whole friends-to-lovers vibe was ruined by the fact that in the alternate reality, he didn't have a clue who she was.
After a bad breakup, Gemma casts a spell and ends up in an alternate reality where she never met her ex or her best friend. Kissing the aforementioned best friend was the key to the spell, so to get back, she has to kiss him again. Which means she has to have a relationship with him in this reality.
While initially intriguing, this premise ultimately left me flat. Most of the book is spent in the other reality in which Gemma knows Dax (or at least, a version of Dax), but he's just getting to know her. And I just wanted her to fall in love with HER Dax, the one from her own dimension who she'd known for four years. The history matters. A lot. Nothing in me ever cared that she was with this other version of Dax, to the point I skipped the sex scenes.
I'm not sure what could have improved this book ... maybe a quicker trip to the parallel world that gave her time to connect with the real Dax? I don't know, and this wasn't the only issue. I was annoyed by Gemma throughout most of the book because of her selfishness and her cluelesness when it came to how the people around her truly felt.
It's not a bad book, but it did leave me flat. ...more
I wanted to like this book. It started with a fun meet cute, and there was immediate tension over the fact that she's not a reader and he's a libraDNF
I wanted to like this book. It started with a fun meet cute, and there was immediate tension over the fact that she's not a reader and he's a librarian. Yet there were warning signs early on when she chose to lie and say she did read.
The thing is, the MC has dyslexia. And in case you missed it, she'll repeat that over and over again. Just so we're clear: she has dyslexia. Which seems to be the single defining fact of her existence. Even her ADHD, mentioned far less often, doesn't come up much.
There's a moment in this book where a truly horrible woman demands she sign a contract she's struggling to read and calls her out for being stupid when she signs her name in the wrong place. As someone who is legally blind, I felt for that situation, but as the daughter of a dyslexic father and the wife of a dyslexic husband, both of whom are quite capable of helping me find the right spot on the contract to sign, it felt weirdly contrived and out of proportion.
My put down moment, possibly because of that "wife of a dyslexic husband" thing, was when she complained that everyone she'd ever dated ghosted her when they found out about the dyslexia. One blatantly said he didn't want to pass those genes onto his kids. Really? In (hold on, let me check the copyright date) 2023?
IMO, most of this character's struggles with dyslexia felt artificial. I realize that this condition presents differently for everyone, that it can be mild or severe, and that culture plays a big role (my father's stories of getting diagnosed in the 1950s are truly horrific), but to me, this felt like it was from a textbook or website about the condition. As with the contract example above, it felt out of proportion, exaggerated, like all the worst possible outcomes were thrust onto one person who then, bizarrely, spends a lot of time thinking about what she perceives as a flaw. I hope by the end, she works out that she's not broken, but I don't feel like I can take that journey with her. ...more
I'm usually a fan of this author thanks to her quiet, contemplative romances with couples coming together as friends, but this book misfired on almostI'm usually a fan of this author thanks to her quiet, contemplative romances with couples coming together as friends, but this book misfired on almost all counts. I didn't like the duke -- I found him contemptible based on his determination to get Harriet into bed at any cost. I didn't understand what she saw in him other than physical attraction. I grew bored with the story when he met her to offer her marriage, she assumed he wanted to offer her a chance to be his mistress again, and when he realized that was an option, he took her up on it. But the reason I gave it one star (instead of two or three) came at the end:
(view spoiler)[They do nothing to create their own happiness. They only get together because his fiance is encouraged to run off with the man she loves by an interfering relative. (hide spoiler)]...more
Like the title says -- woman moves in with a vampire. This was fun, and it made me laugh out loud at times. I also found the woman's characterization Like the title says -- woman moves in with a vampire. This was fun, and it made me laugh out loud at times. I also found the woman's characterization to be solid. Good read. ...more
This was my first book by this author, and I liked it. The style is quiet, the romance sweet and based in friendship, something I always find compelliThis was my first book by this author, and I liked it. The style is quiet, the romance sweet and based in friendship, something I always find compelling. This reminded me a bit of Mary Balogh, who also goes for the sweet side of romance.
This book contains no sex scenes, but it didn't need them -- they weren't skipped or anything, it just never came up and the author didn't twist the plot to shove them in.
Neville has a brain injury that he thinks makes him unsuitable for marriage. Clara has a plan -- and in doesn't involve letting herself be taken in by another man. When they spend several weeks together over Christmas, they slowly fall in love.
Like most of Balogh's books, this was a quiet romance, but I often find myself drawn to this sort of gradual coming together, at least when I'm in theLike most of Balogh's books, this was a quiet romance, but I often find myself drawn to this sort of gradual coming together, at least when I'm in the right mood. Which I was. :)
This romance begins with a misunderstanding: a woman who was recently robbed and is wearing borrowed, colorful clothing, is hitchhiking when a bored duke spots her and decides to have some fun. I will note that consent was a critical part of this book, so no fear! What ensues is somewhat predictable, but throughout the story, this quiet longing kept me turning pages.
I recommend do historical romance fans, especially to those who like Mary Balogh. ...more
This was my first book by this author, and I'll be looking for more! I enjoyed the heck out of it. It was sweet and poignant and I especially loved thThis was my first book by this author, and I'll be looking for more! I enjoyed the heck out of it. It was sweet and poignant and I especially loved the thematic elements, including the anti-fate message. Perfect. I look forward to more!...more
This was my first book by this author...I'm not sure why I picked this up out of order, but skimming some other reviews, it seems like I really shouldThis was my first book by this author...I'm not sure why I picked this up out of order, but skimming some other reviews, it seems like I really shouldn't have, that books #1 and #3 of this series were better. And unfortunately, there was nothing in this book that makes me want to give the author a second chance to find out if this was just her inevitable stinker. (Every author writes one after a while.)
I did enjoy the meet cute at the beginning. After that, things went downhill.
Biggest problem: MC was annoying and incredibly immature. Her fairy tale dreams are ludicrous, and she doesn't let go of them even when she really should! Sam, meanwhile, is a tired cliche who came across as being much too old for Maggie. I don't mean in physical years, though 9 years is often a lot when one of you is 22 and the other 31, but in maturity. The resulting mismatch was a bit squicky to read.
Can I also just say that sex in a bar bathroom is gross? Seriously gross. Not romantic. Gross.
I didn't quite finish (although I got close). ...more
This was okay. I was frustrated by how much of the book was spent exploring the doomed relationship rather than the one that would obviously pan out. This was okay. I was frustrated by how much of the book was spent exploring the doomed relationship rather than the one that would obviously pan out. And the MC's lifelong obsession with a man she didn't know didn't endear her to me. But the voice was engaging and the writing was strong. ...more
I have mixed feelings about this book, but I rounded up to 4 stars because there was a lovely, sweet, thought-provoking story of mutual self-discoveryI have mixed feelings about this book, but I rounded up to 4 stars because there was a lovely, sweet, thought-provoking story of mutual self-discovery in here. I'll get to my reservations in a minute, but let me begin with what I loved:
I loved the two main characters. Each in different places in life, thrown together by circumstances, each finding something they needed in the other yet retaining that necessary sense of self.
I loved the island. The setting came to life through its characters and its serenity. It probably didn't hurt that I was knitting (listening to the audio version) as Chloe ran into the knitting circle.
I loved the self-commitment "marriage" ceremony. I thought this was going to be excruciating when it was described in Chapter 1, but it turned out to be a lovely, poignant moment.
I loved that the author took this seriously. I'm sick of contemporary stories using a meet cute as a backdrop for more-miss-than-hit humor and for steamy sex that leaves me cold through its sheer intensity. The sex in here is quieter, but also more realistic and IMO, more enjoyable to read.
In the end, I had one reservation about this book, and as it is literally at the end, I'll have to hide it behind a spoiler tag. If you haven't read the book, go ahead and do so ... it's a good read. Then meet me back here and tell me if you agree with the rest. :)
(view spoiler)[I wish this hadn't been written as a romance. That is to say, I wish there hadn't been that need at the end to get them together, even if the author did aim for the happily-for-now rather than the happily-ever-after. I suspect the marketing would have been more challenging, but I loved the idea that these two could be exactly what each other needed for one week, and then they go their separate ways, a little sad, perhaps, but stronger for the experience and more capable of living out the rest of their lives.
The thing is, as written, they weren't really together anyway. They were in a long-distance relationship because he needs to stay in Boston until his boys are grown (at least 8 years) and she's decided to stay on the island and write novels. They are not living their lives together or planning a future together. They're living apart, texting and flying to see one another every so often. That's not especially satisfying. And I didn't, say, want Chloe to move to Boston (although she could have -- she was by far the more mobile of the two), but most of this book was spent in the past, and romance is hopelessly entwined with the future. It's about living lives together, not apart. It's about becoming part of one another's family (whether or not you decide to have children of your own).
So...no, I didn't love the way this ended, and I had this incredibly rare feeling that I would have been satisfied if this week they spent together had been a rebound fling for both of them. Why did it have to be more than that? Why does it make it more special to have it linger on? There are people who come into our lives for a long, long time, and play a central role, and there are people who pop in for a moment but still leave a deep imprint. That would have been a lovely story. (hide spoiler)]...more
This might have been a classic book mismatch, but from the blurb, it seemed like the sort of thing I would like: a bit of adventure, a fun misunderstaThis might have been a classic book mismatch, but from the blurb, it seemed like the sort of thing I would like: a bit of adventure, a fun misunderstanding, an accidental kidnapping...
The "kidnapping" was resolved so quickly and in such a way that the title felt misleading. I don't normally put a lot of stock in romance titles, but that's because their usually bland and don't say a whole lot about the book. This one said something specific, but the book wasn't really about that.
It was really about a duke who needed to marry for money and social standing and an outcast from society who wanted a painting. I...wasn't sure why I was supposed to care that much about the painting, but I've never been especially sentimental about material possessions so that might be part of the mismatch.
A bigger part of the mismatch was the entirely pragmatic fact that Chloe did, in fact, have money, and that it struck me early on that she could have resolved this entire issue by simply saying so. "Oh hey, you know how you have responsibilities that force you to marry for money. Funny thing, I might not have a dowry but it turns out I have at least twelve thousand pounds that I can use for whatever I want. And I want you." I mean, that's how it went in my head. That is, importantly, NOT how it went in the book.
In the book, it went exactly how it always goes. He gets angsty over having to decide between marrying for money or love while she gets mad that he lives in a world where that sort of choice is absolutely, 100% necessary, and in the end (view spoiler)[he chooses love and tells his servants they're just going to have to find new jobs and they cheer him on...uh.... (hide spoiler)]
Maybe I'm getting tired of this pattern, too, which isn't the author's fault. It's a well-tested pattern. But if you're a pragmatic romantic like me, this might not work for you. ...more
I'm being overly harsh. I know it. The writing style was easy and effortless, the setup clever, the heroine sassy and fun.
But...
The balance of sex tI'm being overly harsh. I know it. The writing style was easy and effortless, the setup clever, the heroine sassy and fun.
But...
The balance of sex to romance in this book was way off, IMO. Sex sex sex sex sex. And then more sex. Every page dripping with wet panties. I can't even write a review of this book that's PG! It's not always clear where the line is between romance, erotica, and porn, but the whole hot phone sex with a stranger thing definitely feels like porn to me. Even erotica needs some kind of emotional connection.
It couldn't have helped that I strongly disliked Theo, the billionaire romantic interest. I struggled to so much as believe he was a billionaire based on his single-minded focus and inability to understand the human component of running a business.
It also didn't help that the heroine's main problem was financial. I think starting with a heroine suffering financial problems is a fatal flaw in a billionaire romance because, of course, she can't actually take the smallest fraction of a percent of his wealth to solve her problem. No, she has to do that on her own. And he's going to help her anyway and she's going to get mad an...I don't enjoy any of that conflict because it feels so fake.
I can believe others enjoyed this book; it easily sucked me in and many people aren't as tired as I am of endless sex. But I read romance seeking emotional connections, and I didn't find that here. SO reader, no thyself and beware! :) ...more
Very good book. This is one of those times when I know exactly how it's going to end but I don't care because I love the journey so much. I adored theVery good book. This is one of those times when I know exactly how it's going to end but I don't care because I love the journey so much. I adored the excitement this character had as she experienced life for the first time at the age of 18; I loved how her relationship with the neighbor next door helped bring her to a better place but ultimately, she was the one who had to make the change. I found this sweet and very appropriate for teens, with simple, emotional messages and vivid imagery. All in all, I highly recommend. ...more
This series ends on a high note. I liked that much of the action here was on an alien planet as opposed to within an alien ship...it gave this a wholeThis series ends on a high note. I liked that much of the action here was on an alien planet as opposed to within an alien ship...it gave this a whole new flavor. And I enjoyed the sociology of the alien antagonists -- a culture that seems to have a vein of corruption running through it but with acknowledged individualism. ...more
Another great installment in a series that won't quit. I had a bit of a fist-pump moment when the three human women all got together and sun in a rounAnother great installment in a series that won't quit. I had a bit of a fist-pump moment when the three human women all got together and sun in a round, an idea that I'd had in the back of my mind since somewhere in the middle of book 2 due to the continued reverence this alien race has for even mediocre singers. But in this book, our human woman is a music teacher ... I might have liked to see more room devoted to playing with that fact, but honestly the story swept me away so much I barely had time to stop for breath. This was the most bittersweet of this series, too. ...more
I read this entire series in a weekend. This book continued the story of the enslaved artificial intelligences seeking freedom and somehow finding thaI read this entire series in a weekend. This book continued the story of the enslaved artificial intelligences seeking freedom and somehow finding that freedom through the help of human women plucked from Earth and thrown into the far side of the galaxy. I find I largely enjoyed the world building and plotting. The romance in this book was the weakest of the 4...it's understated in all of them but here it almost seems to have fallen off the page and gotten shoved into a missing epilogue. Still, as a piece of the bigger story being told, it continued to escalate the dire situation and was incredibly entertaining. ...more
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