Great western romance with a fabulously capable, self-saving heroine who has enough flaws and vulnerability to avoid being a Mary Sue. She throws everGreat western romance with a fabulously capable, self-saving heroine who has enough flaws and vulnerability to avoid being a Mary Sue. She throws everyone around her on her back and carries them through illness, death and life in an abandoned fort in frontier Texas.
If it weren't for all the unnecessary twists and turns in the final quarter of the book, this would've been a really great book. Great characterization, strong sense of time and place and sizzling tension. A shame she couldn't stick the landing.
Merged review:
Great western romance with a fabulously capable, self-saving heroine who has enough flaws and vulnerability to avoid being a Mary Sue. She throws everyone around her on her back and carries them through illness, death and life in an abandoned fort in frontier Texas.
If it weren't for all the unnecessary twists and turns in the final quarter of the book, this would've been a really great book. Great characterization, strong sense of time and place and sizzling tension. A shame she couldn't stick the landing....more
I'm just going to stop after the Knox novella. I'm all set with teaser prequels that lack an HEA/ending, and fluffy historicals don't entice me.
I loveI'm just going to stop after the Knox novella. I'm all set with teaser prequels that lack an HEA/ending, and fluffy historicals don't entice me.
I loved Room at the Inn a lot... until the ending. I think Grand Gestures are cheap and lazy as a rule, but this one felt even weaker tacked onto the end of such a thoughtful and emotional story. How does staging a humiliating, public scene in a church during Christmas Eve services strike anyone as romantic? How does a narcissistic, emotionally manipulative stunt like a public proposal atone for 16 years of narcissism and emotional abuse? Protip: it doesn't. It spoiled what had been a top notch story. I'm rating it three stars as the hero's redemption/change of heart was completely believable and accounted for, and I could see their HEA, but the church stunt was BS.
Merged review:
I'm just going to stop after the Knox novella. I'm all set with teaser prequels that lack an HEA/ending, and fluffy historicals don't entice me.
I loved Room at the Inn a lot... until the ending. I think Grand Gestures are cheap and lazy as a rule, but this one felt even weaker tacked onto the end of such a thoughtful and emotional story. How does staging a humiliating, public scene in a church during Christmas Eve services strike anyone as romantic? How does a narcissistic, emotionally manipulative stunt like a public proposal atone for 16 years of narcissism and emotional abuse? Protip: it doesn't. It spoiled what had been a top notch story. I'm rating it three stars as the hero's redemption/change of heart was completely believable and accounted for, and I could see their HEA, but the church stunt was BS....more
Reynaud St. Aubyn has been traveling for months trying to get home to England after seven years in Indian captivity during the French and Indian war. Reynaud St. Aubyn has been traveling for months trying to get home to England after seven years in Indian captivity during the French and Indian war. Fevered and confused, he bursts into what was his father's London townhome and demands in angry French to see his father before collapsing.
Beatrice Corning, the niece of and hostess for the current earl of Blanchard, was presiding over a dull political tea for her uncle when Reynaud unceremoniously crashed the party. Despite the disheveled clothing, ragged hair and facial tattoos, she immediately recognizes him as the Viscount Hope from the portrait in the sitting room. Not only does this mean he was not dead, but he was also the rightful earl, placing her and her uncle's future in doubt.
Oh, where to begin with my moans and groans of disappointment?
Firstly, this is an unconvincing Georgian. The behaviors of the characters were a mix of Regency and 21st century mores. Beatrice and Reynaud spent as much unchaperoned time together as a modern couple might, with nary a comment from anyone. Beatrice's brotherly relationship with the crippled soldier was charming, but completely unlikely. Her friend's melodramatic separation from her husband was the height of absurdity. Their sappy reunion at the end was even more so. Not only that, but I'm still not sure why we were treated to bits of her marriage drama via her point of view. It felt like filler.
The romance between Reynaud and Beatrice is undeveloped. Her initial attraction to him is based off her infatuation with the portrait of him and the myth of who he is that she created in her mind. In short, she's fond of a fictional character he looks like. For his part, it seems like a sailor on shore leave. He's been in captivity for seven years, she's a woman in close proximity, hard-on ensues. I couldn't see how they were in love from their words or actions.
As a result, the sex scenes are cold. When he first takes her to bed, I was rather repulsed. She's distraught after finding out that a friend has died and she missed the funeral, and he takes advantage of her emotional state and confusion to marshal her into bed. He carries her up the stairs of the family townhouse, orders the staff not to disturb them, strips her of her wet clothes (as you can't properly mourn in the sunshine, it simply must be raining), then starts taking his own clothes off.
"Why are you undressing?" "Because I intend to lie with you," he said, and took off his smallclothes.
How's that for a scorching seduction? Amazingly I was further turned off with an exchange a bit further along in the same scene.
She tore her mouth from his and looked him in the face. "Put it in me."
Yes, folks, put it in me. It's like high school sex all over again.
So the historical details are weak, the romance threadbare, the sex awkward, how about the resolution to the four book long suspense plot? It's anti-climactic, is what it is. It lacks surprise, emotional punch or anything interesting at all. Even the reveal is weak. Four books about Spinner's Falls and the resolution is a limp rag of "Oh, is that it?" But, hey, at least we got all four heroes together for hokey shenanigans.
Definitely a shame, as I generally love Elizabeth Hoyt. Hopefully she regains the magic....more
Thank god that finally ended. The padded out ending was like salt in an open wound.
I'll try to review this at length later. In summary: too much telliThank god that finally ended. The padded out ending was like salt in an open wound.
I'll try to review this at length later. In summary: too much telling, not enough showing, wooden characters, choppy scene changes, a perfunctory romance and a partridge in a pear tree.
Merged review:
Thank god that finally ended. The padded out ending was like salt in an open wound.
I'll try to review this at length later. In summary: too much telling, not enough showing, wooden characters, choppy scene changes, a perfunctory romance and a partridge in a pear tree....more
I'll admit to being skeptical of the premise, as one does not pull pantyhose on and not notice, but I've enjoyed everything else of Beriko's that I'veI'll admit to being skeptical of the premise, as one does not pull pantyhose on and not notice, but I've enjoyed everything else of Beriko's that I've read, so I gave it a whirl. A good thing too, because it totally worked somehow, and turned out to be a great mix of kinky exploration and working through messy feelings. Beriko's art is what really makes this a great read, though. Nobody draws bedroom eyes or older men better, and every panel was crisp and detailed with expressive faces....more
This is pretty much like every manga by Nagisa Furuya that I've read: a light, relaxing romance with nice art that wraps up in one volume. Enjoyable, This is pretty much like every manga by Nagisa Furuya that I've read: a light, relaxing romance with nice art that wraps up in one volume. Enjoyable, but not life altering. ...more
Despite being a little reluctant to pick up a romance about a woman who's self-conscious about sweating and the hot guy who loves smelling her, this wDespite being a little reluctant to pick up a romance about a woman who's self-conscious about sweating and the hot guy who loves smelling her, this won me over quickly. I loved the literal chemistry between the characters and watching them learn how to lean on each other and work through problems together over 11 volumes was a delight....more
A warm and charming story about two guys in their 20s living in a small town and finding each has something the other one needs. I particularly enjoyeA warm and charming story about two guys in their 20s living in a small town and finding each has something the other one needs. I particularly enjoyed how it showed them supporting each other emotionally, forming a strong friendship as well as a romantic connection. ...more
I've been on an anime kick lately and happened to watch the anime adaptation of this manga the other day when I was looking for a mix of action and roI've been on an anime kick lately and happened to watch the anime adaptation of this manga the other day when I was looking for a mix of action and romance. Well, the anime series leaves off around volume 9 of the manga, and if I didn't get more of Yona and Hak's story I. Was. Going. To. Die. So off I went to Comixology to buy all 17 volumes available in English.
I'm not going to rate and review each volume, but, OMG, I don't remember the last time I enjoyed something this much. It's a perfect blend of action, drama, and light humor with a will-they-or-won't-they romance that has me in knots. If you like road romance, historical fantasy, confronting one's privilege, fighting state oppression, and a true alpha hero who delights in the heroine's growing power, you should give this series a whirl. ...more
Entertaining story of a gruff Scottish swordsmith and the ADHD New Yorker looking for a reboot, but the ending felt really rushed and a little unsatisEntertaining story of a gruff Scottish swordsmith and the ADHD New Yorker looking for a reboot, but the ending felt really rushed and a little unsatisfying. ...more
Just really didn't like how patronizing and controlling the hero was. His poor grandmother didn't need his nonsense. Just really didn't like how patronizing and controlling the hero was. His poor grandmother didn't need his nonsense. ...more
Ruth might be my favorite heroine ever. Finally, a disabled heroine (she's autistic) who gets to run her own life in her own way without needing a nonRuth might be my favorite heroine ever. Finally, a disabled heroine (she's autistic) who gets to run her own life in her own way without needing a non-disabled hero to rescue her. The sweet, muscular, bearded, blacksmith hero who cooks his way into her life one shepherds pie at a time was a plus as well. Hibbert does an excellent job of writing the characters' POV scenes so I really felt like I was visiting two different heads. Really enjoyed it....more
A marriage of convenience between a bold, impulsive ER nurse and a cool, reserved neurosurgeon 15 years her senior. Wonderful cast of LGBT characters,A marriage of convenience between a bold, impulsive ER nurse and a cool, reserved neurosurgeon 15 years her senior. Wonderful cast of LGBT characters, relatable family drama, and the slowest of slow burns. A really satisfying romance where the characters took the time to fall in love. ...more
Highly amusing riff on Coming to America where an epidemiology grad student gets tangled up with the prince of a fictional African kingdom. Lots of fuHighly amusing riff on Coming to America where an epidemiology grad student gets tangled up with the prince of a fictional African kingdom. Lots of fun situational humor where prince Thabiso tries to be "Jamal" the waiter, snappy dialog, and an interesting friendship between Naledi and her BFF Portia that's devoted but not totally healthy. Completely preposterous at times, but Cole kept it entertaining enough that I remained on board....more
Cute as hell friends to lovers romance between a straitlaced accountant and a free-spirited digital assistant. He's her older brother's best friend toCute as hell friends to lovers romance between a straitlaced accountant and a free-spirited digital assistant. He's her older brother's best friend to boot. ...more
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