another halloween novelette trying to fill in some bingo squares. the primal play was what i came for, and that was definitely in full force, includinanother halloween novelette trying to fill in some bingo squares. the primal play was what i came for, and that was definitely in full force, including hunting and sharing. i appreciated the consent checks but i should have tried to find some content notes as some of the play (see, spitting) was not my thing at all.
a filthy little delight if you enjoy rougher, kinky sex and sharing set at a horror house carnival....more
scandal is right. Regina Black kept me on the edge of my seat while narrator Mela Lee slayed all of the characters' voices. i had started in in print scandal is right. Regina Black kept me on the edge of my seat while narrator Mela Lee slayed all of the characters' voices. i had started in in print eons ago, but finished off after using an audible credit with the narration and what a great choice. one of my favorite audiobooks of 2023!
this skimmed the line between domestic fiction and romance, but landed firmly in romance with the HEA//HFN between Rachel and Nathan. Whew was I worried though, especially after that shocking moment during the art fundraiser. The way back from there, masterful!
for those leery of the age-gap of it all, I really appreciated Nathan was mid-20s and had his own business and support system. The juxtaposition of Nathan appearing to be blue collar (based on his choices, not his lack of family or financial support if you chose differently) versus Rachel's apparent "high society" veneer when she in fact was unhoused, financially insecure, and with a child she had at 16 was so deftly woven! I also very much appreciated that Nathan's mother, and Rachel's peer, isn't demonized. She's a society bitch but she's not one-dimensional.
All in all, this was such a great debut and I hope for far more from the author, AND it would translate so well to screen.
One thing I will directly point out, because it is sort of my own personal issue, is that i was not suspecting Nathan's father to CW (view spoiler)[be diagnosed, and die, from a brain tumor (hide spoiler)]. I didn't look up content notes, but i also didn't really see this mentioned elsewhere, so just FYI
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC; i also purchased the audio with my own money...more
Too real-life scary for me, as the eerie obsession wasn't really eerie just straight up stalking, kidnapping (of an adult), and sexual assault.
The wriToo real-life scary for me, as the eerie obsession wasn't really eerie just straight up stalking, kidnapping (of an adult), and sexual assault.
The writing has potential, the subject matter just wasn't for me. I felt the circumstances of the story were yanking the heroine around, and I was just too worried for her to enjoy the romance arc....more
After I heard this was a delightfully warm and comforting novella featuring a 40-something married couple who fall in love while planning their daughtAfter I heard this was a delightfully warm and comforting novella featuring a 40-something married couple who fall in love while planning their daughter's Christmas wedding, I had to have it. And it sure didn't disappoint. I'm a sucker for a gruff sea captain, especially when he really just loves his wife a lot.
Highly recommend.
CW: discussed past forced kiss/fear of assault...more
A large and diverse cast of friends and family support main character Savvy as she finds her own worth after her fatphobic and casually cruel ex says A large and diverse cast of friends and family support main character Savvy as she finds her own worth after her fatphobic and casually cruel ex says he is leaving her for "an upgrade."
Taking his hurtful words and turning them into a mission, Savvy decides to "upgrade" herself, but finds self-acceptance and love along the way, including a romance with a carpenter and a renovated kitchen.
This bordered close to the women's fic / romance line, with most of the story spent on Savvy's internal and external journey to finding work-life balance and incorporating fitness into her life. For me, the talk of "cheat days" and weight was not personally something I was hoping to read, and Savvy's ex's comments were really rough. The author does a great job of balancing that hurt with all of the love and validation Savvy finds within herself and from her friends and her love interest; I just wanted more romance.
The romance between Savvy and Spencer Morgan, who turns out to be a carpenter, not homeless like she at first believes, was cute. There's some misunderstandings about why Spencer won't sleep over and when he drives an ex to an airport, but overall he is a cinnamon roll and their love scenes are steamy and delightful.
Overall I enjoyed the writing, but the story became bogged down in too many plot threads and characters.
Character notes: Savvy's mother is Thai-American, her Dad is Black. Spencer is Black.
Well, Lakewood truly and utterly compelled and disturbed me. What a book to happen to be published in 2020. Giddings is truly masterful at making you Well, Lakewood truly and utterly compelled and disturbed me. What a book to happen to be published in 2020. Giddings is truly masterful at making you doubt, second guess, and feel so anxious, and if you are searching for something to challenge you in these ways please read!
The horror in this tale is that Lena "consents" to a medical experiment without actually knowing what she is consenting to. She does it to help her mother, who is disabled and needs health insurance and care more than anything. As part of the experiment Lena needs to move to "Lakewood" where she is given a fake job at a bland and nondescript corporate office. She has to pretend to work this cube job while also undergoing the various experiments, some of which she is aware of and some who knows! juxtaposing this fake job so many folks work at in real life and the medical experiments is a real ride.
Throughout the story you are with Lena's thoughts as she tries maintain a steady calm. Lena is a Black woman, and we see how her ever day life outside of this awful experience is also fraught and dangerous. All of the doctors/staff of Lakewood are white.
There is a lot of excellent work going on in this story, and I'm glad I read it even though it seriously creeped me out.
CW for violence, gruesome/gross physical violence and side effects described, gas lighting, anxiety...more
A young couple moves in to a duplex they can finally afford now that Calvin's boxing career is taking off, even though Heaven is feeling wildly attracA young couple moves in to a duplex they can finally afford now that Calvin's boxing career is taking off, even though Heaven is feeling wildly attracted to Tasha, one of the upstairs tenants and owners. Heaven and Calvin have never explored this side of their relationship before, but Calvin is willing to let Heaven explore with Tasha as long as everyone is open and honest. The walls are blessedly thin and and the sex is exceptionally hot.
This is a fun novella, and I really just adored how both men were utterly supportive of their partners. No relationship angst, just worries about money and being a couple through another's career choices and financial worries, illuminating to see in a romance where often, especially in White romances, money is never an issue....more
Drew's fiancee jumped out of a window to flee from their wedding, with not a world to tell him why, well no words until she published her tell-all memDrew's fiancee jumped out of a window to flee from their wedding, with not a world to tell him why, well no words until she published her tell-all memoir/self-help book entitled "Embrace Your Inner Ice Cream Sandwich." A book that lambasts Drew for "melting her ice cream sandwich" and for being a cross between Eeyore and Oscar the Grouch on steroids." Ouch.
So now Drew hates ice cream. Can't stand it. Not even if the owner of the ice cream shop his foodie niece is currently obsessed with is also super cute and super intent on changing his mind.
Ginger Scoops has been Chloe's dream since her mother died, even if her father doesn't believe it is a smart career choice. Chloe is intent on proving her father wrong and honoring her Chinese-Canadian mother's heritage, a heritage her White father seems intent on ignoring, with her Asian flavored delicacies.
So when the deliciously grumpy Drew starts showing up with his adorable niece, Chloe doesn't much have time to spare for someone who is a self-described ice cream hater. But there just something about Drew, something about his instance he's a grump and not worth a relationship, that makes Chloe also want to prove him wrong. Even if it cuts into her time owning a small business.
Lau does an amazing job of bringing these two melancholy souls together. Don't let the breezy title and cover fool you, this story has some angst and tackles tough subjects, including death of a parent, parental disappointment, and racial blindness that hurts. But, through the darkness shines so much sparkling light, including Drew's coming to realize he's lovable through his relationship with his six-year-old niece (much more than plot moppet), and a series of unicorns.
There's also fabulously delicious sex scenes, and a celebration of Chloe's use of toys to achieve maximum pleasure (huzzah)!
I always look forward to the next Lau tale!
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review....more
I have been eagerly awaiting Trashed, as Thirsty is a absolute and utter steamy delight. Like whoa, my face is red reading this in the break room and I have been eagerly awaiting Trashed, as Thirsty is a absolute and utter steamy delight. Like whoa, my face is red reading this in the break room and I need to take a moment.
Trashed does not disappoint.
After being released from his five year prison sentence, Eddie Rosas hooks up with a beautiful stranger in a public garden a few days after finally being released from prison. While Eddie wants to blame his forced celibacy for the fire between him and the woman he cannot forget, he knows there is more. Something about her twitches Eddie's memory.
When Eddie gets a dish washing job at a fancy Italian restaurant six months later, he is stunned to find out the beautiful woman he still dreams about is running the kitchen. Their chemistry is impossible to deny and when he and Carmen get caught making out in the cooler and they both lose their jobs.
Trying to be more for Carmen, to be more for his family, to be more for himself, Eddie must navigate his budding relationship and his fear of falling back into old habits, falling back in with the East Side Hallenbeck gang.
What follows is a story of working hard, of taking your chances, of trying to do what is best, even if it isn't quite right. Eddie's story is important, as Hopkins deftly shows how the Rosas brothers deserve their happily ever afters.
Gritty, angsty, and so utterly delicious, I love this series!
Also, I have to say I really enjoyed how Hopkins portrayed Eddie and Carmen's struggle to be alone. Eddie lives with a family friend in a trailer in the same public garden he and Carmen first met in. Carmen lives with her parents, despite being in her mid-twenties. Carmen could live on her own, but feels both obligated by her family to stay and the pressure to save money for a rainy day. Watching these two try to find a place to be together, alone, was super frustrating and SO hot because of it.
I feel like we barely see financial struggle in romance novels as usually the characters all have wonderful jobs, wonderful careers. Of course your small cupcake business is just fine, makes all the money.
This series banks on these struggles and feels all the more realistic for it. While I have huge hopes for Eddie and Sal's brewery business, I also feel their concerns, their difficulties, the realities of starting up a small business, especially for POC. The discussion of trying to keep their new business in "their neighborhood" before the white gentrify-ers show up was especially on point (Jackie Lau's newest series, Baldwin Village, also deftly deals with these small business worries).
Content warning for discussions of gun violence, gang violence, physical violence (fighting but never between the main couple), drug use.
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review....more
Well, that ended quite abruptly! The setup and build up of this excellent age-gap romance between a dance instructor and her all grown up ex-pupil wasWell, that ended quite abruptly! The setup and build up of this excellent age-gap romance between a dance instructor and her all grown up ex-pupil was so good, and then after they weather their first conflict, exchange their first "I love you's," and agree to go public, the story ends with a shocking health revelation for Bina's mom and the arrival of a brand new character. What!
I am assuming we'll get to see a bit more of Bina and Mo in the next novella which is why this is four stars instead of three. There's so much good here, the consent between Bina and Mo, his taking Bina's initial rejection and backing off when he first flirts with her, the way Ellis deftly handles what could be sort of squicky (age-gap is a hard trope to do right and she does it with aplomb). I also wish there were scenes showing Bina and Mo dancing! There's talk about dancing, but we never see them dance on page, together or apart.
A content warning is behind the spoiler: (view spoiler)[Bina's beloved mother and owner of the failing dance studio has been hiding Stage 3 cancer treatments from her daughter. We don't find this out until the end and it is quite shocking. (hide spoiler)] ...more
Our favorite spies return for another mission, this time with Kierra joining the ranks. I just adore this series. Super steamy, super soft but with thOur favorite spies return for another mission, this time with Kierra joining the ranks. I just adore this series. Super steamy, super soft but with the edginess of being a spy thriller, and just delicious relationships.
Loved the addition of the starchy Mason, and Kierra, Lane, and Monica welcoming him into their relationship for some playing. Looking forward to reading his story!...more
I just finished Let it Shine by Alyssa Cole and wow. All the stars!
I listened to the entire story today (around 3.5 hours) because I could not wait toI just finished Let it Shine by Alyssa Cole and wow. All the stars!
I listened to the entire story today (around 3.5 hours) because I could not wait to see how this couple, who faced so many challenges, would get their HEA.
Set in the 1960s during the lunch counter sit-ins, Let it Shine is a childhood friends to adult lovers interracial romance between a Black Christian university student and a White Jewish Boxer who reconnect during a non-violent protest training.
While their story is fraught with unflinching portrayals of racism and violence, Cole makes you believe these two deserve their hard won HEA. Highly recommend!!!...more
Hemdeep Singh and his brothers' legacy, their father's company Bharat, Inc., is under threat of an outsider takeover. While Hem had left the company tHemdeep Singh and his brothers' legacy, their father's company Bharat, Inc., is under threat of an outsider takeover. While Hem had left the company to forge his own way, he is compelled to return home and team up with his brothers to ensure the company stays under family control.
Hem is only home from business, still smarting from the ending of his relationship with a white woman he thought was his forever. But Hem didn't truly know what forever meant until he sees Mina Kohli in the Bharat boardroom.
Mina herself is struggling between honoring her mother's legacy and law firm, even if it means she may need to agree to an arranged marriage. She doesn't have time for Hem, even if she's rapidly falling for the delicious man who's Punjabi heritage and business morals are a perfect match for her own.
But the heart wants what the heart wants, and these two forge an alliance to do what is right for both them and their values, even if it means maybe losing what they thought was most dear to them, their businesses.
A super debut from an author to watch! If you enjoy non-angsty romances with an emphasis on the career intrigue, this is one for you! What I missed a bit from this story was tension between Hem and Mina. I was hoping for a little fight between them before succumbing to their HEA. Their isn't a lot of tension in their romance, and most of the drama is about the business. There is also a lot of setup, so I'm very optimistic this author will grow as the series continues!
Content warning for threat of suicide, use of the term "crazy" in regards to an ex
Cypress has gone from a six-figure salary at a fancy investment firmContent warning for threat of suicide, use of the term "crazy" in regards to an ex
Cypress has gone from a six-figure salary at a fancy investment firm to slingin' drinks in a Chicago dive bar after refusing to put up with the sexism and harassment necessary to further her career. She's used to being hit on by skeevy men, but has no trouble shutting it down. That is until the sexiest and most intense man she's ever seen sits in her section. And offers her a night of passion, no questions, no strings.
Too bad her "avenging angel" turns out to be her step-brother.
Jude Knox, still trying to push away the ex-girlfriend who threatened to kill herself when he broke up with her and trying to make his own way out of the shadow of his brother's success, is aghast when the woman he's still dreaming about turns out to be his step-sister, a little girl when he last saw her. He's even more aghast when he learns where Cypress has been living, what she's been putting up with as she struggles to make ends meet and take care of the health bills for her mother, the mother who was crushed when Jude's step-dad left her.
These two can't stay away from one another, but the ties to family and expectation may prove to be too much to handle.
Unfortunately I didn't connect with this story as much as I loved the first book in this series. The step-siblings thing was handled fine (but isn't a fav trope of mine), and I found it a little odd they wouldn't recognize each other at all, even if they were kids when they last saw each other. But I can let that go. I did really like Cypress's character, and her motivations were sound. Jude just wasn't my favorite hero, and I never really enjoy a "crazy ex" plot, but I did find that Simone handled it in a far better way than most.
That said, this book was smokin' hot and still a fun way to pass the time if you love high-angsty romances....more
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