January, for me, as with many it seems, was just an extension of December. It wasn’t great. So my January reading lists, with the exception of one book, was filed with quick-read romances. Nothing too deep. Nothing that took too much thought to read. Most in 3-4 hours.
Not that it is officially February, I’m ready for diversity that ventures beyond the stereotypical romance formula. I also didn’t realize I completed three series this month! Whoo Hoo!
But I also began a few I will NOT be continuing and one I binged more than half the series.
Born of Blood and Ash By; Jennifer L. Armentrout
Okay, this was long. And not just because it had 723 pages. It dragged. Jennifer tried to keep the pace going by repeatedly interrupting moments with chaos and destruction. Trying to keep everyone on their toes.
Seriously, so many conversations ended because Sera heard or felt something that always turned out to be a life altering situation.
It seemed Ash and Sera had the same conversation over and over and over. We get it. Ash would burn the world down without hesitation if he lost Sera.
Sera, you have 1,001 issues that you hide behind but don’t want a pity party or to be a burden. Both of them need a good therapy session and move on.
Maybe it was because these characters have really grown
on me, or maybe I just really wanted to see all the a-holes get theirs. The way the main plot line was handled, loved it. Dealing with the whole prophecy was more annoying than the redundant conversations between Ash and Sera though.
What made this book a win for me was the characters, the whole lot of them. Many different characters meshing together. I enjoyed their interactions, especially when they all worked together as a unit.
I have read from Blood & Ash at the end of 2023, but I don’t remember it well. Now I’m excited to read it again knowing the origin story. But I’m preparing for disappointment knowing that story takes place thousands of years, I believe, after this one. I’ve grown attached to these characters.
Angel’s Promise By: Aleatha Romig
I don’t know why I liked this duology as much as I did.
Sure, the story was really well woven and the characters well established. But it had so many holes. On the other hand, if those holes were filled, the length would rival a Sarah J Mass finale.
My point? In the grand romance scheme of things, this is nothing incredibly special. But to me, the writing is superb. A cut above what I expected from a romance novel. Overall the language just flowed and immersed you in the world of NOLA mafia.
The ending did gloss over a lot of detail. Actually, when it came to action, the entire story glossed over a lot. Know you strengths I suppose. Either way, this was a win!
The mystery is solved who is behind the coupe trying to steel NOLA from Everett. The truth behind Emma and her biological family, her adoptive parents, and her brother. I loved that Aleatha didn’t take the easy, obvious route for the story. Same as in the first in this series, a majority of the action is done off page. But there is plenty of misdirection. Truly enjoyed this two-books series.
Fall With Me By: Lucy Smoke
You know a story captures you when you’re sad to see it end and wish there were like five more epilogues.
I was a bit iffy with the first in this series, Burn With Me. But Fall With Me completely hooked me.
The burning chemistry between Isaac and Aurora, I mean Icarus and the dawn, is very well done.
The mounting story line regarding Isaac’s father and Aurora’s mother kept me on my toes. Wondering how everyone was going to make it to the end with minimal bloodshed, if that was possible. It did end as I was expecting, but the journey was well worth it.
But there has to be more! There are a few loose ends that were left dangling out in the open, waiting. Plus Paris and Shep absolutely need their own story. Not to mention Hel.
Other than these books, I have never read anything by Lucy Smoke and now I’m ready for more. I really appreciated that the chemistry and spice are not the sole reason for the story. The steamy bits enhanced the story. Another element that was truly well done.
At Any Price By: Brenna Aubrey
This made me uneasy. And that is saying a lot.
Mia is taking a gap year to study for her second attempt at the MCAT. In the meantime, she is continuing her very popular gaming blog. And she is selling her virginity to solidify her feminine power and take control. Oh, and to bankroll med school.
Thousands of years of women being used as pawns for power, money, or profit in general. Now Mia wants to turn that around and use the system to suit her needs.
Brenna Aubrey clearly meant this to be empowering. Instead it shows how naive and disillusioned Mia is.
Adam is a 26-year-old mega millionaire because of a WOW-style game he designed. Thus the basis for his multi-media company.
This is where the cringe really began to get to me. This young, hot, CEO bid, and won the rights to a 22-year-old’s virginity. On cue, he treats her as you would expect of a prostitution transaction. Because it is! Which in turn, really upsets Mia (every time) because he is calling a spade a spade.
Throughout the overly stretched out situation, Mia refuses to look at this situation as prostitution – the exchange of sex for money. But the two literally have to leave the USA to complete the contract since prostitution is illegal domestically. Mia’s attitude toward the entire thing was frustrating. Especially since this was her choice. Everyone was trying to talk her out of it, not into it.
It also really bugged me that Adam bid and won the auction. He is a gaming nerd; a fact he reminds us of frequently. Does the story go on to explain why? Yes. Is it an explanation that satisfies and justifies his actions and attitude? Kinda. But the damage had been done as far as how I view him. Plus it’s also a bit ikcy when you really begin to think of his motivation.
I have no issue with the whole selling yourself concept of this story. But that does not make it a dark romance. It is as innocent as a story about prostitution can get.
In any other circumstances, these two characters would have been great to read about. It was almost as if the original MCs for this got pulled away for a different story and Adam and Mia were last minutes substitutions.
The saving grace for me is that I do really like the two of them. Oh, and Heath, Mia’s bestie. I would have just liked them better in a different setting. Continuing the series isn’t off the table. Especially since the whole v-card business is over with. Just not in a rush to get there.
Bought By Santa By: B. Lybaek
This entire story was a reach. The basic plot could have been made into a great story. Mafia boss’s son needs to produce an heir by a deadline. So, of course, he steals a woman, promises to set her up for the rest of her life if she gives him that heir, or just sets her up for a while if she doesn’t, no hard feelings. Match made in mafia heaven.
The whole ‘Santa’ shtick lasted all of five seconds and it was honestly so out of left field it was confusing and distracting.
The FMC is strong at least. She is independent and loyal.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so all I will say is a man should never us the word ‘jizz’ while trying to talk seductively. Ruined so much.
Marketing By: Lexy Timms
Undercover Boss #1
This was a big disappointment.
Someone is stealing from Adam Miller’s company. He hires Katie, a PI, to go undercover with him at the Houston branch of his company in order to find the culprit.
This could have been filled with so much exciting tension, sleuthing, sneaking around, and mystery. But it’s just boring and repetitive. And oh so very predicable. And not in the same way all romance novels are.
Lexy Timms advertises that this is more love story than spice. Great. Then emphasize the love part and lose the steam. I’d rather have a scene fade to black than the lack luster teasing that was written. You can have tension without in your face sex scenes.
The tension between these two did not come across. It was either platonic or they were acting like teenagers that couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
As for the ‘mystery’ part of the story, I cannot fathom how this is stretched out into three whole novels. The moment the character was introduced, it was obvious this person was ultimately going to be the culprit.
The investigation as a whole was stale as was the entire thing – stale.
P.S. The library had the final book in the series, Legal. I scanned to the end. I was right about who was stealing the money. I don’t care why they did it or how they were caught. Mystery was solved and I really don’t care how or the fate of Katie and Adam.
The Roomie Rulebook By: Crystal Kaswell
Luna’s moms are getting a divorce due to cheating. To avoid an awkward and possibly detrimental home environment, she temporarily moves in to her best friend’s home. Though her bestie is away at college, her family considers Luna part of theirs.
Luna is now roommates with her best friend’s dad and her brother, Oliver. Who is secretly a recovering alcoholic.
This is the third book in the series I picked up because of a freebie deal. So I missed the first two. There were obvious references to those books but I don’t feel I really missed anything.
The over-dramatic, philosophical elements in the story felt too much like teenage angst. Oliver and Luna are younger but are set up to act more mature – somewhat. It didn’t hit sincere and healing in the light of addiction and recovery.
Emily, Luna’s bestie, um, yeah, did not like her at all. There was something prudish about her which seemed to go against what her character was supposed to be. It was clear, in her story that Emily may have been somewhat reserved until she went for her brother’s best friend and he really brought out another side of her. But from what I read, there is no growth there.
I can see why others liked this novel – drama, angst, mutual healing, forbidden romance, etc. However, it was not memorable to me.
Teach Me By: Ella Sheridan
This is a Stuff Your Kindle find and a pleasant one at that.
Jess is trying to start over after escaping an overbearing, abusive ex (redundant? maybe but still true). Conlan is an ex military loner working for a security company. He’s the muscle and one of the owners.
Conlan has trauma and baggage. So does Jess. Each have been ogling each other for weeks at a coffee shop. It isn’t until Jess’s ex finds her and corners her near the coffee shop. Conlan intervenes, saving Jess and offering to teach her self defense.
Close proximity, physical attraction, life and death situations. It’s all very intense. Especially since Conlan didn’t scare away Jess’s ex, only set a challenge for him. He’s rich and powerful, but Conlan is falling for Jess and is loyal. So are his friends and contacts.
Both MCs are strong and a bit broken, leaning on each other to heal without wanting to. I loved all the suspense and tension. Definitely want to explore more in this series.
Malcolm By: Lane Hart & D.B. West
I was really on the fence about how I thought about about this book. It was short and that made me a little sad. I walked away wanting more, which, in a sense is good.
On the adverse side, it was just long enough to get to the point. Giving a little teaser for the rest of the series. A good foundation and introduction to the MC, the basis of their story and operations, and set the stage for what I am guessing is the running plot throughout the series.
Being a big fan of Sons of Anarchy, I might be a bit biased since this gave off series SOA vibes,
Malcolm and Naomi are great characters. Both strong and independent if not hard-headed.
While Malcolm has a found family with his MC, Naomi is still caught in the drama of a family she would rather
forget. Though that family, her mafia boss bio-dad, is the reason her and Malcolm came into contact in the first place. The reason they meet may have Malcolm committing a crime or two if he finds out.
If all the books are this quick to read, about 3 hours total, I might binge as much as I can stand.
Devlin By: Lane Hart & D.B. West
After reading Malcolm I was pretty excited about this series. Quick reads to get a dose of MC spice.
In Malcolm, I was under the impression a story line that would span the entirety of the series had been set up. Not really the case.
That situation with Naomi’s dad played a part in this book as well, but not nearly to the extent it could have. While I appreciate the length, just over 200 pages, and the need for brevity, too much is glossed over.
I’ve accepted these books will most likely be quick, whirlwind romances. It would have been nice if the author embraced that instead of trying to condense major points into the span of two sentences.
TBH, Devlin was not my favorite character.
Nash By: Lane Hart & D.B. West
This is so much better than Devlin. To begin with, the length, at just over 400 pages. It allowed the story to be more involve, more drama, lore tension, more twists. Just more!
The events in the last quarter or so of this story are still fairly vague and rushed. But the rest of the story makes up for it.
I also liked that the FMCs from the first two stories made appearances. Not too much, but their small parts were appreciated.
Usually I am a sucker for a small, feisty FMC versus a large, broody MMC. Lucy was made out to be more childlike and less like a pixie that would sooner bite you than sprinkle pixie dust on you.
Every single person pushed her around. Given what Lucy has overcome, she is still too meek sounding to break free of anything. I wanted her to be this mighty and tiny whirlwind. Unfortunately, that was lost.
Despite that, I did like Nash and Lucy together. Mostly I liked that there was more depth to the story line.
Lucy, a cancer survivor who left her cheating boyfriend who is now marrying her cousin. But is it coincidence that Lucy moved into the apartment right below Nash? What is their connection and will it break Nash?
Silas By: Lane Hart & D.B. West
In complete honesty, I binged the last two book, Devlin & Nash, to get to this one.
From the beginning Silas is presented as the dark and mysterious MC member that truly skirted the line of morality.
But just like the rest of his MC brethren, he may be tatted and tough, but deep down, he’s a good guy. Whether or not he wants to admit it.
Against her will, Cora, who made a cameo in Devlin, serves a the only witness against Nash for the trouble the MC caused in Devlin.
Silas was volun-told to take care of her but not to kill her. In Nash, we lose Silas at the end for six weeks as he embarks on this mission. We can already guess why…
But it isn’t until this story we find out what he was really up to that whole time.
My only real criticism, and it’s anal (not literally), there is one loose end that was left dangling from Cora’s past that Silas wanted to help her rectify. It may be resolved in one of the following books, though it might be a bit out of place.
For now, I am all Dirty Ace-d out! Binging these four in the series in only a few days. Since there really isn’t an ongoing plot other than the MC’s survival and transforming into a man who can trust and love a woman, I don’t mind putting a pin in this series. In fact, these could all be read as a stand alone. I wouldn’t recommend it, but it could be done.
