MacLean's Passion is story that for all intents and purposes, should have been a stellar read but because of a few simple error[image]
2 Hesitant Stars
MacLean's Passion is story that for all intents and purposes, should have been a stellar read but because of a few simple errors turned into a mediocre one. I really don't like 2 star reads, which is probably why I have such a high rating average. A 2 star book means I probably liked the book but it didn't really force any deep or complex emotions from me, so let me say that again. It was an okay read, I just don't think it was anything to write home about. The premise seemed awesome to me, but after a couple of chapters I realised that really wasn't the case.
One of the easiest ways to put me off when reading a book is to write in accents. Look, the hero is a highlander, a Scot I know what a Scot accent is and sounds like. I don't need to read it like that ye know. Secondly what should be a strong and confident heroine comes off as stubborn and annoying, the entire time I read this book I felt like Maggie was a teenager. Two strikes but I was still liking the book enough to carry on. Lastly character developed, you'd think that with a dual POV the characters would be well developed which should by default enhance the entire plot. But no. The character's came off as one dimensional, I felt like I was being told everything but where was the proof of these characters emotional connection to each other. I wasn't convinced that they did love each other.
I'll go back to the plot, I'm convinced that this book could have been half its actual length and I would've still had the same story. But it was filled with detailed accounts of useless information that I felt did not enrich the story. I love reading long books trust me, but everything in the book should enhance the plot but instead I was bored quite often while reading this book. Like I said I was never convinced of the characters feelings for one another, something was missing throughout this book.
Lastly, this is just my opinion. A decent number of readers loved this book so please don't write it off because I didn't enjoy it. You'll probably enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review
Merged review:
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2 Hesitant Stars
MacLean's Passion is story that for all intents and purposes, should have been a stellar read but because of a few simple errors turned into a mediocre one. I really don't like 2 star reads, which is probably why I have such a high rating average. A 2 star book means I probably liked the book but it didn't really force any deep or complex emotions from me, so let me say that again. It was an okay read, I just don't think it was anything to write home about. The premise seemed awesome to me, but after a couple of chapters I realised that really wasn't the case.
One of the easiest ways to put me off when reading a book is to write in accents. Look, the hero is a highlander, a Scot I know what a Scot accent is and sounds like. I don't need to read it like that ye know. Secondly what should be a strong and confident heroine comes off as stubborn and annoying, the entire time I read this book I felt like Maggie was a teenager. Two strikes but I was still liking the book enough to carry on. Lastly character developed, you'd think that with a dual POV the characters would be well developed which should by default enhance the entire plot. But no. The character's came off as one dimensional, I felt like I was being told everything but where was the proof of these characters emotional connection to each other. I wasn't convinced that they did love each other.
I'll go back to the plot, I'm convinced that this book could have been half its actual length and I would've still had the same story. But it was filled with detailed accounts of useless information that I felt did not enrich the story. I love reading long books trust me, but everything in the book should enhance the plot but instead I was bored quite often while reading this book. Like I said I was never convinced of the characters feelings for one another, something was missing throughout this book.
Lastly, this is just my opinion. A decent number of readers loved this book so please don't write it off because I didn't enjoy it. You'll probably enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review ...more
Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan started off well enough until the heroine, Grace, kicked into TSTL mode. The book picks up where the first b[image]
Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan started off well enough until the heroine, Grace, kicked into TSTL mode. The book picks up where the first book, All Chained Up left off. Reid having started a riot at Devil's Rock and escaping from his hospital bed. When he meets up with his brother and his crew, he realises that they've abducted the First Daughter, when he walks into the room and sees her tied up on the bed, his 11 year incaceration and the fact that he hasn't been with a woman comes rushing back full force.
Aside from the instataneous physical attraction this was not an insta-love situation. But Grace's reactions and actions really tried my patience. She was in complete denial about her attraction to Reid, but at the same time she was so judgemental. This guy was standing between her and immenent rape and death, all his actions made it blatantly obvious that he was protecting her. But she was quick to doubt him, but yeah he's hot and she wouldn't mind sleeping with him. Some consistency would've been great.
A part of her wanted to shatter the proper and controlled veneer of her life. To finally be touched. For someone to see her and peel back all the layers and tap into something that was real. To uncover that part of her that was locked away, neglected. Never felt. Never touched. Never seen.
Reid may have been a roughened criminal, who ran a crew in prison but when it came to Grace, all he did was protect her. Over and over again, even when it seemed she was open to sleeping with him, his conscious always stopped him. This guy was a saint in my eyes, unfortunately the thankless heroine made it all for naught. Aside from telling him he was better than the revenge he sought which is still a bit judgemental mind you.
Apart from all my complaining I found this book really enjoyable, and I loved Reid's character. His characterisation in the first book made me think he was all grit and no give but he was really a decent human being....more
This was what he was born for, and this was the woman he was born for. At last. His heart stopped as he gazed at her. Then, with one steady th[image]
This was what he was born for, and this was the woman he was born for. At last. His heart stopped as he gazed at her. Then, with one steady thump, it went back into action. A part of his life had died with that cause, but not a part he would ever mourn. He was freshly made because of this woman.
So this was a time period I don't normally read, correct me if I'm wrong but this was 17th century England. I'm saying 17th century because of the gawdy clothing and powdered wings, whoever decided they should stop wearing them was a Godsend. But while I am not a fan of 17th century fashion I enjoyed the story very much. I love a good historical romance when a good mystery and some suspense worked into it. Especially this story because while it is fiction, there were quite a few actual facts.
Eve Merton is a governess and a vicar's daughter, outwardly there's absolutely nothing extraordinary about her aside from her beauty which she believes to be more of a curse. The fact that she may be the granddaughter of a desposed King means nothing too her, she is simply Eve Merton and would never fit in that world. When Julius Vernon, comes into her life she's hesitant about exploring her feelings for him let alone looking at him as a prospective husband. As far as she knows Julius is a man of business come to see his employer, soon he will leave her quiet little village.
But Julius Vernon is not just a man of business, he's also the Earl of Winterton, and when he first sents eyes on Eve he knows something is different about her. Aside from the fact that she is a princess she also affects him unlike any woman ever has, his late wife included.
His fierce tones, so possessive, thrilled her to the core. The sheer passion in his words filled her with excitement. Her pulse throbbed, her heart beating so hard it shortened her breath. "You want me so much?"
"Never doubt it."
The story gets to the point fairly quickly, Eve and Julius' hunger for one another burned up the pages from the get go, in this the author was very realistic in her relationship building so while the characters are deeply attracted to each other, the love comes slowly. Since this was the 6th book in the series there was mention of previous couples but nothing confusing. I am intrigued about Augustus and Helene though, hopefully they will be getting their own books too.
Logan suppressed a shudder. This weekend was going to be a nightmare. The bunkhouse was going to smell like a fucking sorority. He'd probabl[image]
Logan suppressed a shudder. This weekend was going to be a nightmare. The bunkhouse was going to smell like a fucking sorority. He'd probably end up taking his bedroll out onto the range. He'd rather sleep with the rattlesnakes.
This was a surprisingly sweet, funny and sometimes angsty cowboy romance. Hanna is soon to be wed so her sister Sidney has taken it upon herself to show her what she'll missing. Se takes her to a ranch filled with randy male strippers, in the beginning all we know is that Hanna is getting married to the perfect man but she doesn't seem too happy about it and neither are her friends. As the story progresses some light is shed and what I really liked about this story was that information was slowly fed to the reader, I mostly learned things right along with the heroine and found myself saying "Okay so that's why that happened."
Logan has held a torch for Hanna, ever since high school when he was only a skinny boy who she didn't even know existed. When Logan sees Hanna step out of the bus, all those memories resurface and the stripping job he got bamboozled into doesn't look so bad anymore. Hanna immediately feels drawn to the quiet and broody male stripper, and when he propositions her she finds herself seriously considering spending her last few moments as a single woman with him.
With a sudden epiphany that stunned her, she realized she wanted this man in a way she'd never wanted a man before. And she wanted him to want her. Fervently, completely. To whip her into a frenzy and take her the way she yearned for it. Hard. Hot. Hungry.
Now I had a lot of trouble with Hanna at first, I mean why marry a man you're not in love with? And her hazy memories at first did annoy me. But she dealt with the stuff that happened in her life the only way she could and while I didn't understand her at times I could kind of empathise. Logan and Hanna spend some seriously steamy moments together, there's some light bondage and spanking which I really enjoyed. This story had plenty smexy scenes and I never got tired of it. Logan is seriously one of the most caring, sweet yet alpha heroes I have ever read! i mean I love the strong, alpha male type and at times the heroes I love aren't even politically correct, but at the end of the day when you imagine the guy you'd spend your life with it would be Logan.
Inexorably drawn to her, he stepped closer. "Oh. It's a working ranch." A low rumble, infused with meaning. Yeah. He'd like to work her. Work her over.
The supporting characters like Hanna's sister and her friends, and Logan's friend Cody and brothers were fantastic and I hope each one of them will have books in this series. Highly recommended!
ARC kindly provided by publisher in return for an honest review...more
Who doesn't love a rag to riches story? Or even a Cinderella story, complete with a fairy tale ending. His by BrRating Clarification: 2.5 Stars
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Who doesn't love a rag to riches story? Or even a Cinderella story, complete with a fairy tale ending. His by Brenda Rothert is exactly that, although Quinn isn't as helpless as our Cinderella was.
Quinn lives on the streets with her little sister, Bethy. They've been on the streets for years dodging danger at every turn, scavenging for food from dumpsters but at least they were safe from the very real danger they escaped from back home. But their luck has finally run out. Quinn isn't so sure she can look after her sister anymore, her sister is sick and needs a doctor. But they can't risk being found so they have to stay hidden. Until Andrew comes into Quinn's life, her very own knight in shining armor, or better yet her Prince Charming.
For the most part I really enjoyed this story, and had it not been for a couple of problems (persistent ones) I would have given it a solid 4 star rating. I'm trying not to seem overly negative, but the things that hindered my enjoyment of this story were the pacing. I felt like the story was slow to start, well actually it was slow in general. But at the end, when it came to wrapping everything up the it seemed very rushed. Secondly Quinn's character seemed unreasonable and very accusatory while still being able to act entitled. I don't want to spoil but I felt like the hero was willing to bend over backwards for her, to his own detriment and I feel that if she felt as strongly as he did for him she would've never allowed him to make some of the sacrifices he did for her. There was a lot of taking but not much giving at the end of the day.
Quinn and Andrew's secrets were over hyped in my opinion, so when I found out what they were, it all felt a bit anti-climactic. This book was a okay, it was just missing some of that spark I look for in an outstanding book.
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review...more
GTFU @90% Oh. My. God. I am a huge fan of Christine Feehan's work especially her Leopard People series, which is filled with smutty goodness but[image]
GTFU @90% Oh. My. God. I am a huge fan of Christine Feehan's work especially her Leopard People series, which is filled with smutty goodness but this? Like every Feehan fan out there, I jumped for joy when I heard she was bringing out a new series. PNR. Yes. Mafia. Yes. Just yes, yes and yes! But this book was a huge disappointment, and I don't say that lightly. It was bad. I still have a very little idea as to what these Shadow Riders are capable off or even what they are, this book was just sex scene, after sex scene, after sex scene. Maybe everything got cleared up in that last 10% but I doubt it!
The violence of my disappointment right now is immeasurable. Where was the world building, yes this is an urban fantasy but where is the back story? I want to know these people, their connections to one another!!! The plot! Where is it? The first scene starts off with Stefano seeing the woman of his dreams walking down the street. Cue alpha male behavior. Our heroine, who was probably the most insipid, weak and I don't know what else little thing, gave a weak attempt and resistance but she gave in surprisingly easily when everything was said and done. Stupid decision after stupid decision. What am I going on about? Not much else happened here. The heroine would make a stupid decision, Stefano would activate his alpha male mojo "turbo". Cue weak resistance from heroine and then they fall into bed. Then the best sex scenes ever. Repeat. But seriously the sex scenes were scorching hot, but that's not why I'm here.
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Let's not forget about the fact that wherever these two show up, everyone around them would stop whatever it is they were doing, whatever the scene. Everyone was watching. Seeing as for the majority of their scene making would be done in public places like restaurants and eateries, it's a wonder how these establishments kept afloat.
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Look I know she's gorgeous and everything but how many times do you have to tell me how thick and shiny her hair is? And every single guy that meets her is just enamored? And the age old, I think I'm ugly but everyone else thinks I'm pretty is tired. Just stop. And her annoying friend who thought everything was either supercool or the Ferraros were superrich, or just plain super anything, was another factor that just ruined this entire book for me. On another note I will most definitely be reading book 2 because I'm hoping its Francesca's book, she and Saldi seemed to have something pretty decent going on.
Once again please don't take my word for it, there are enough 5 star reviews out there to prove that this book was fantastic and that I'm just full of it. So please read those for motivation....more
Well I'm very glad I decided to give this book a second chance and listen to it instead. I had a go at it earlier this year but had to DNF becau[image]
Well I'm very glad I decided to give this book a second chance and listen to it instead. I had a go at it earlier this year but had to DNF because I didn't like the characters very much. Honestly though, I may have been a bit rash in my decision because while they may have been a bit caustic to each other in the beginning as the story progressed they became much more agreeable. In the same breath I will say Devon and Kathleen were possibly the most argumentative couple I have ever read. Kathleen especially *snickers
“Never apologize to women. It only confirms that you were wrong, and incenses them further.”
Having finally finished this book and thoroughly enjoying it. I will say that I feel like it is best read as an introduction to the Ravenel's and the characters we will read about in future books. While I enjoyed reading about Devon and Kathleen's relationship it was suddenly over shadowed by the entrance of Mr Rhys Winterborne. Winterborne's character had such a strong presence that I found myself wanting to read more about him and his interactions with Helen.
“Helen spent three days in Rhys Winterbornes's room babbling incessantly while he lay there feverish and mostly silent. She became heartily tired of the sound of her own voice, and said something to that effect near the end of the second day. "I'm not," he said shortly. "Keep talking.”
What's more, is that I absolutely fell in love with the twins, Pandora and Cassandra and I cannot wait to read Pandora's story since she seems to be the more eccentric twin.
Another character that stole my heart was West, Devon's brother. Which was a complete surprise since I disliked him in the beginning and wasn't even sure if I could trust him. You may wonder why I'm waxing poetic about every character other than the two main characters, Kathleen and Devon...
While I didn't hate Kathleen or Devon even if did find Kathleen unnecessarily argumentative. She bull-dosed past many of Devon's decisions. And when it came down to Helen and Winterborne she made up her own mind without even consulting Helen. Angel that Helen is, would never tell her off. But still. Sighs. Kathleen tended to act like the wet dishrag in most situations even going as far as seeming like a nagging fish wife or a boring aunt. At her age. Good grief.
“The purpose of society is to prevent natural behavior.”
If you're reading this and wondering why the 4 star rating. It is for the story in its entirety, While Kathleen, did annoy me at times but she had her moments. And the rest of the characters managed to dim out her faults making this a top notch read for me. ...more
Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie
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