Tag «Heat: Warm»

Series Review: Ransom by Rachel Schurig

Series Review: Ransom by Rachel Schurig

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Ransom (from Goodreads):

Daisy Harris has no reason to suspect that her day will be any different than usual. She’ll go to class, alone. She won’t speak or make eye contact. She’ll spend her entire day doing her best to go completely unnoticed. That’s what life is like for Daisy now—an endless cycle of loneliness and fear. A life lived hiding behind the walls she so faithfully maintains.

Then she sees it. A magazine, left behind in class. A simple picture—just his face. And it changes everything.

It’s been a year since she’s seen Daltrey Ransome. A year since he and his brothers left town to pursue their dreams of rock and roll superstardom. A year since he left Daisy behind—left her to watch as everything she knew crumbled around her. She’s been running from Daltrey ever since, desperate to keep her secret.

But she can’t run anymore. And now that Daltrey has found her—the girl he’s loved his entire life, the girl he’d give up everything for—he’s determined never to let her go again.

breakdown

Series: Ransom
Author: Rachel Schurig
# of Books: 6 (Full Reading List Here)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Rock Star
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: April 2014 – June 2018
Source & Format: Own–eBook; Kindle Unlimited

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I got Ransom as a freebie for my Kobo and I think if you’ve read any of my reviews before, you know why I snatched it up. I love romances involving rock stars and secrets so this was a perfect fit!

The Plot:

Ransom (book 1) was definitely a little cheesy and I didn’t totally love the leads. So watching them do these somewhat immature things without thinking about the consequences irked me a little. This book just lacked that polish to it. HOWEVER, I really liked the rest of the cast and the potential I saw there for the sequels.

I’m really glad I gave the rest of the series a shot because I truly enjoyed them. Familiarity with the characters and watching everyone grow as the band navigates success was such a treat. And watching the guys meet their match was awesome. The rest of the series has this great balance between character development and romance. It was nice to see characters connect on a deeper level than just physical attraction and not focus solely on the sexy times.

The Characters:

Truthfully, Daltrey and Daisy are the weakest links in this series for me. So once I got past their novel I really enjoyed everyone else we get to meet.

The character growth of everyone else in the series is fabulous! All the leads are flawed in one way or another but they have their own strengths as well. Watching these characters work on themselves as individuals before committing to a romance is exactly what I love to see in a romance novel and I loved those moments.

What I also enjoyed was the fact that everyone had their own unique story. A lot of rockstar romance series follow a similar pattern but each installment here always surprised me with the plot and tropes used.

The Romance:

If you want a romance series that is more sweet than sexy, this is it. That doesn’t mean you don’t have great sexual tension or heated moments though. I just mean you aren’t going to get page upon page of sexual content written out; rather you get deep conversations between the characters. So it just rounds out the romantic connection and helps you see why they match beside attraction.

Series Rating: 4/5

Ransom 3.5/5 | Release 4/5 | Redeem 4/5 | Relent 3.5/5 | Rescue 4/5 | The Ransome Brothers 4/5

overall

Perfect for fans of rockstar romance who want all the sweet moments but not necessarily all the spicy moments. If you enjoy books with great character development and lots of tension between leads, this is worth a read!

Read if You Like: rockstar romances, new adult, sweet heat level
Avoid if You: want erotica

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Series Review: Boys of Oak Park Prep by Callie Rose

Series Review: Boys of Oak Park Prep by Callie Rose

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Savage Royals (from Goodreads):

A long time ago, I was one of them. Now I’m back, and they hate me for it.

Plucked out of the harsh life I was living and thrust into a world of unimaginable wealth, power, and privilege, all I want to do is keep my head down and survive until graduation.

But they have other plans—Mason, Finn, Elias, and Cole.

Everyone at my new school calls them the Princes, and that’s exactly what they act like. They always get what they want… and who they want.

And they want me.

I’m not sure why, since they all seem to hate me.

The Princes are gorgeous, flawless, and cruel. They own this town, and they’re determined to own me too.

To break me.

What they don’t know is that I’ve already been broken once.

I won’t let it happen again.

breakdown

Series: Boys of Oak Park Prep
Author: Callie Rose
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult / New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Bully, Dark
Heat Rating: Warm *spicy YA*
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Dates: May 2019 – July 2019
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

So I actually found out about this series from one of my favourite authors: Piper Lawson. She recommended this series as a binge-worthy KU read in her January 2020 Newsletter and I was intrigued.

High School Bully Romances seem to be all the rage again (remember Bully by Penelope Douglas years ago?) and I’ve tried out a few because I love enemies-to-lovers romances–but have had mixed results. But I love Piper’s writing style and we have similar reading tastes so I took her recommendation to heart and put them on my KU reading list.

The Concept:

If you don’t enjoy darker contemporary reads, I wouldn’t recommend you read this. I’ve definitely read more disturbing YA bully romances (like A Hurt so Sweet for example) than this is but it lives up to the title of “savage” to say the least.

The Plot:

This is definitely one of the better “high school bully” romances I’ve read. It wasn’t filled to the brim with overt shock factor moments but the events were dramatic enough to keep the stakes raised. I would have liked more of an overarching plot (maybe more hints about Talia’s mom’s past or even Talia’s childhood) but we get enough to drive the plot forward.

The third book lagged a bit for me, but the ending earned some bonus points from me.

The Characters:

Are layered! I really liked Taila as a lead. She’s a fighter and it takes a lot to bring her down. Unlike other heroines in the genre I’ve encountered, she actively seeks out her bullies and has a plan to stand her ground. She doesn’t cave in at the first sign of affection.

As for the “Princes”, they were quite the group. They kinda reminded me of The Raven Boys in how they interact with each other sometimes. I liked them and it was interesting to watch them evolve as the series progressed.

The Romance:

I always get a little scared when I see the words “reverse harem”. I immediately think about Zoey from The House of Night Series and how irritating her harem romances were. So I was pretty cautious about this when I started.

And I’m still a little on the fence about it. One positive is that it added an intriguing layer to the plotline that I haven’t encountered in this genre before. (Most of the time there is only one love interest, maybe one other rival). It put an interesting spin on it and I liked that it wasn’t the sole focus of the books either. But in the same breath, I wasn’t entirely convinced that she had romantic feelings for all of them either.

Series Rating: 3.5/5

Savage Royals 4/5 | Defiant Princess 4/5 | Broken Empire
3/5

overall

I think a few aspects will turn off some readers like the sexual content around high schoolers and the reverse harem. But if you enjoy darker readers or are an avid fan of the high-school-bully-romance trope, then this is a quick series to binge.

Read if You Like: high-school-bully-romance trope
Avoid if You: dislike sex scenes in YA

similarreads

  • A Hurt So Sweet by Bettie Rosewood (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Series #1)
  • Paper Princess by Erin Watt (The Royals Series #1)
  • Secret Heir by M J Prince (Dynasty Series #1)

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Series Review: Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr

Series Review: Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Seven Black Diamonds (from Goodreads):

Lilywhite Abernathy is a criminal. Her father’s “unconventional” business has meant a life of tightly held secrets, concealed weaponry, and a strict code. But Lily’s crime isn’t being the daughter of a powerful mob boss. Her guilt lies in the other half of her DNA—the part that can coax ancient rumors from stones and summon fire with a thought. Lily is part fae, which is a crime in her world.

From the time before she was born, a war has been raging between humanity and fae. The Queen of Blood and Rage, ruler of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts, wants to avenge the tragic death of her heir—a death that was the fault of reckless humans.

Lily’s father has shielded her from the repercussions of her ancestry…until she is sent to the prestigious St. Columba’s school, straight into the arms of the Black Diamonds.

Mysterious, glamorous, and bound together in their mission but constantly at odds, Zephyr, Creed, Will, Roan, Violet, and Alkamy are a Sleeper cell of fae, planted in the human world to help destroy it from within. With covers as rock stars and celebrity children, the Black Diamonds carry out the queen’s war against humanity. And unbeknownst to Lilywhite, she’s been chosen to join them.

Now more than ever, Lily’s heritage puts her in peril, and even the romantic attention of the fae singer Creed Morrison isn’t enough to keep Lily from wanting to run back to the safer world of organized crime.

Melissa Marr returns to faery in a dramatic story of the precarious space between two worlds and the people who must thrive there.

breakdown

Series: Seven Black Diamonds
Author: Melissa Marr
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Faeries, Romance
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Dates: March 2016 – February 2017
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Melissa Marr is the one I credit with introducing me to the wonderful world of Faeries. Wicked Lovely is a series that has stuck with me over the years and in some ways, it has become my gold standard for Faerie novels. I had marked this series on my library wishlist but never found the time to read it. So when I needed a new audiobook and this popped up, I figured this was the perfect time to dive in!

The Concept / The World:

I loved the mix of dystopian and fantasy. This isn’t the world we know today and thanks to the interference of Fae, it’s quite the place. I loved the mixing of fantasy and reality.

One thing I love about Melissa Marr is her ability to create these layered worlds yet have them be totally accessible and understandable to the reader. She weaves quite the tale!

The Plot:

This plot moves very fast thanks to the multiple POVs we get. You get that 360 view of all these plots happening at once and the anticipation for how they will all cross over is addicting.

I think Seven Black Diamonds (#1) has a faster paced dramatic plot whereas One Blood Ruby (#2) is more character driven. Both have their strengths and weaknesses as a result. I think Book #2 feels a little rushed at the end because the drama is so concentrated in the last few chapters. And I also felt like some things were left too open-ended because there are so many characters to resolve with.

The Characters:

There are a lot of them but it was crazy how quickly I became invested in all their stories. Even if we only spent a few moments with them, I thought they were quite layered. Which is why I would have liked a fuller ending with more closure because we do meet so many great characters that you become attached to.

The Romance:

This is weaved so seamlessly throughout. I loved all the romantic interests.

My Audiobook Experience:

The narration is beautiful to listen to. Where I struggled was with the multiple POVs in third person. If I was listening for an extended period it was good because I would get the character name we were focusing on at the start of the chapter. But if I stopped in the middle of a chapter, it took me a while to reacquaint myself with who I was following at that moment. And there are a lot of characters to remember and not having the true ability to flip back and forth to doublecheck things provided a learning curve.

Series Rating: 4/5

Seven Black Diamonds 4/5  |  One Blood Ruby 4/5

overall

Perfect for readers who love multiple POV and fast paced stories!

Read if You Like: multiple POVs, Faeries
Avoid if You: dislike third person POVs

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Single Sundays: The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw

Single Sundays: The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for The Cruelest Stranger (from Goodreads):

The first time I saw him was at a bar called Ophelia’s on a misty Thursday night. I was there to drown my sorrows after a trying day, he was there to escape the storm. After a brief yet incredibly cruel exchange, the handsome stranger bolted before I had a chance to tell him off. Incensed and two cocktails deep, I followed him out the door, determined to give the audacious Adonis a piece of my mind—and the umbrella he left behind.

Tearing after him in heels and barely able to keep up in the freezing rain, I ended my chase when I realized where he was going.

They say never to judge someone unless you know their story.

I never could have anticipated his…

And I never could have anticipated the way our paths would cross again—or that I would one day find myself falling for a man with a hollow cavity where his heart should be, a man as callous as he was beautiful, as complicated as he was mesmeric.

They say never to judge someone unless you know their story.

This one’s ours.

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Must Read Author
Author: Winter Renshaw
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: January 20, 2020
Source & Format: Author–eARC | Thank you Winter Renshaw!

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I love Winter Renshaw’s novels. They always surprise me with their trajectory and I couldn’t wait to uncover who this “cruel stranger” was!

The Plot:

While I was able to put together the pieces fairly quickly, that didn’t stop me from becoming engrossed in this couple’s story. From their hostile first meeting to the crazy coincidences that happen afterwards, there was something captivating about these two.

The Romance:

The communication between our leads was great. Their ability to patiently react to situations and Astaire’s ability to opt and see the best in Bennett was great to read about. It isn’t always sunshine and roses in relationships and this book reminds us that things take work and time.

The Characters:

And I loved how that relationship added depth to their individual characters! As we peel back the layers, these characters evolve before your eyes and contribute even more to the story.

My Rating: 4.5/5

overall

If you are looking for a contemporary romance that is unique from its peers, check this out!

Read if You Like: contemporary romance with a twist
Avoid if You: want erotica

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Fresh Fridays: American Royals by Katharine McGee

Fresh Fridays: American Royals by Katharine McGee

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

American Royals Series

booksynopsis

Synopsis for American Royals (from Goodreads):

What if America had a royal family?

When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.

As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America’s first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling.

Nobody cares about the spare except when she’s breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn’t care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her.

And then there’s Samantha’s twin, Prince Jefferson. If he’d been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fav 2020
Series: American Royals
Author: Katharine McGee
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: No, Book #3 to be released
Genre: Young Adult / New Adult, Contemporary, Alternate History, Romance, Coming of Age
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Date: September 2019 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

thoughts

**This post was originally published as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Ever since the TV show The Royals abruptly ended, I’ve been going through modern royalty withdrawal. So when I saw that Katharine McGee’s next YA series was about royalty, I was stoked! I loved her debut series for so many reasons and I just knew she’d do the monarchy justice!

What I Liked:

–The Concept–

As a Canadian, I always find it so interesting that Americans seem to be somewhat obsessed with the British Monarchy despite their tension filled past. So this idea that there is still a monarchy in modern day USA is cool to watch unfold.

–Interwoven Relationships–

I think the plotline is pretty basic. I mean there isn’t a ton of stuff going on (and I think that perfectly reflects the saying “less is more”) but what is going on is amplified by the many ways things are linked together.

We follow 5 POVs throughout the story and while each person has their own struggles going on, they are somehow relate to someone else’s. And that adds this great tension to the story as you want to see what happens when the truth and the past comes up to catch everyone.

–The Romances–

I ADORED all the romances that happen or are alluded to throughout. It was so addicting to watch the various couples fall in love–even when they shouldn’t. So many great tropes at play!

What I Didn’t Like:

–Somewhat Predictable–

I think I had a good idea of how this was going to end after Chapter 2–it wasn’t hard to figure out but I’m not sure if it was supposed to be. And some other things seemed a little cliché but that really didn’t stop me from watching these characters react and navigate the various scenarios.

My Audiobook Experience:

Even though we only have one narrator for 5 people, the third person narration was easy to follow. Everyone had a distinct voice and the added emotion just amplified the story for me.

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

I might have predicted the end but I have no idea what will happen next!

updates

–July 9, 2021– Book #2: Majesty

I thought this was just as addicting as the first one. Things are getting messy and weaving together in intricate ways. I wish there were a few more twists but I can appreciate the time dedicated to growing all the characters.

My Rating: 5/5

American Royals 5/5 | Majesty 4/5 | Book #3 TBP

overall

If you love royalty and romances, this is a great one!

Read if You Like: royalty, contemporary romances, coming of age
Avoid if You: want lots of drama, want less romance
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Series Review: Southern U O’Brien Brothers by Cookie O’Gorman

Fresh Fridays: The Best Mistake (The O’Briens #1) by Cookie O’Gorman

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

booksynopsis

booksynopsis

Synopsis for The Best Mistake (from Goodreads):

Honor Tierney just wants one night with the playboy.

One hot, steamy, meaningless hookup, and then she’ll happily go back to reading her favorite books, studying to be an accountant and writing for the campus-paper-nobody-reads. Too bad she ends up in the wrong bed, with the wrong brother…who gives her the hottest night of her life.

Archer O’Brien just wants to play ball.

Well that, and for his brothers to stop acting out, so he won’t have to worry 24/7. As the oldest O’Brien and team captain, it’s his duty to make sure they don’t drink too much, party too much, or get in too much trouble. But when she walks into his bedroom—mistaking him for his brother—life throws him a curveball.

She’s determined to guard her heart. He’s not giving up.

And when Honor gets assigned to cover the Wolves baseball team, it’s game on.

This new adult sports romance features one hot (and hilarious) case of mistaken identity and a sexy set of brothers guaranteed to make you swoon.

Sometimes, the best mistakes are worth making.

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Must Read Author
Series: Southern U O’Brien Brothers
Author: Cookie O’Gorman
# of Books: 2 (Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Romance
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: April 23, 2020 — ongoing
Source & Format: Author–eARC

thoughts

**This post was originally published as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I’ve been a big fan of Cookie’s work since I read her YA debut Adorkable a few years ago. She just writes really sweet, infectious romances with great characters all around. So when she made the leap to New Adult Sports Romances, I was SO on board!

What I Liked:

–Slow Burn Romance–

I loved the slow burn romance! From the start I was a fan of these two together. They just have great chemistry. I enjoyed watching them dance around each other for most of the book. Everyone but them seems to see their connection so it brought about some great character moments.

–Hot but Clean Romance–

I’m a sucker for a good steamy scene but sometimes it’s nice just to focus on the deeper connection between our two leads. I felt like these two got to know each other on a more personal level and not just because they have a great physical chemistry. You could see the other attributes that drew them to each other. But there are still plenty of steamy moments along the way to satisfy the reader!

–The O’Brien Siblings & Honor’s Roommates–

I’m all about seeing positive friendships and relationships between siblings in books. It’s great to see characters that love and support their friends and family. But it isn’t always sunshine either and I thought all the situations we encountered here were realistic and genuine.

What I Didn’t Like:

–One Dramatic Twist–

There is something that happens near the end of the story that was a little much for me. Sometimes novels omit certain pieces of logic in order to create drama and I think that is what happened here. Because part of the fallout from the scenario could have been avoided if some common sense had been applied. But it really was a minor thing so I’m letting it go.

Why I Really Want This to be a Series:

I can’t wait to spend more time with the O’Briens! Archer’s relationships with his siblings is great. And all the little seeds planted for future stories has me craving more!

updates

–July 6, 2021– Book #2: The Perfect Play

I like a steamy book as much as the next girl but Cookie O’Gorman’s novels always remind me that there is something irresistible about sweet romances as well. You get to focus more on the characters and their emotional connection. And just because its sweet, doesn’t mean there isn’t great sexual tension–because there is!

I thought our two leads had great chemistry throughout the novel. Our lead is basically a book boyfriend come to life so he knows how to pack on the charm. I always love it in a romance when the guy falls a little harder for the girl first. I did think out heroine’s resistance game was a little too strong; I think it affected the pacing of the overall novel (really made it a slow, slow burn romance). But I still loved every scene they shared together.

Series Rating: 4/5

The Best Mistake 4/5 | The Perfect Play 4/5

overall

If you love sports romances or want a New Adult romance that focuses on great characters falling in love more so than the time spent between the sheets: this is a great read for you!

Read if You Like: slower stories, world-building, alternate dimensions, sweet romances
Avoid if You: dislike slow stories, want more romance

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Serial Saturdays: Royal Heartbreaker by Renna Peak & Ember Casey

Serial Saturdays: Royal Heartbreaker by Renna Peak & Ember Casey

Serial Saturdays: On the occasional Saturday, I review a serialized series (a series that is released in parts that would normally make up a whole novel) to see if the series is worth keeping up with or worth buying all its parts. Here is this week’s offering:

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Leopold: Part 1 (from Goodreads):

Prince Charming? More like a ROYAL mistake!

When I accidentally wished for my own Prince Charming, I never expected him to actually show up. Not here in South America–not at the crappy charity clinic where I work.

But life never is as simple as making a wish—and while Prince Leopold is definitely charming, he’s also cocky. And arrogant. And a huge playboy. He’s everything I’ve promised myself I’d stay away from.

So why can’t I seem to resist him?

There’s no way Prince Leo is actually interested in a normal girl like me. No way he’ll ever be able to overcome his womanizing ways to be the prince of my dreams. And the more time I spend with him, it’s clear he has almost as many secrets as me.

I’m only sure of one thing—if I give him what he wants, he’s going to break my heart.

breakdown

Series: Royal Heartbreaker

There are two other spin-off series: Royal Mistake & Royal Arrangement

Author: Renna Peak Ember Casey
# of Parts: 6

There are some novellas as well.

Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: July 2016 – October 2016
Source & Format: Own–eBook

thoughts

Disclaimer: I stopped reading Leopold: Part Two at 40% (start of Chapter 6). Find out why below…

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I love everything to do with Royal Families–in real life and in fiction. This series always crosses my radar when Kobo has a boxset sale on and it always peaks my interest. I ended up buying it for my Kindle though because it was only $1 so why not?

What I Liked:

–That Each Character Has Their Own Secrets–

What can I say, I like when both of my leads have flaws and both have secrets. It keeps things interesting. It gets tiring when one lead is “perfect” and it trying to save the other. So I was intrigued that both leads had their own stuff to figure out and unpack.

What I Didn’t Like:

–Lack of Chemistry–

When it’s a novella, you really have to sell me on the romance. I’m talking palpable passion and heat. I never really got the attraction between these two, not even the physical really. I get that it was a bit of a hate-to-like-you in Part One but I never felt the underlying tension between them.

–Lack of Plot Direction–

While I didn’t love Part One, I was optimistic given all the little breadcrumbs we got. Elle and Leo are starting to give in a little more; we both know they are hiding things; and like all good serials, it ends on a cliffhanger of sorts. But Part Two took WAYYYY too long to build on that momentum. I was 6 chapters in and nothing significant had really happened. I didn’t have anything motivating me to keep reading.

Will I Finish It?

No, I want my serials to be fast and enticing and this just wasn’t it.

My Rating: DNF

overall

I think if you like serial novellas that take their time and you like the idea of spinoffs with other characters, you might want to take your time investing in this.

Read if You Like: novella serials, royals
Avoid if You: want faster pace, lots of drama
similarreads

  • The Marriage Pact by Winter Renshaw
  • Cross the Stars by Venessa Kimball (Crossing the Stars #1)

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Series Reviews: The Callahans by Monica Murphy

Fresh Fridays: Close to Me (The Callahans #1) by Monica Murphy

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

The Callahans Series

book book book book6

booksynopsis

Synopsis for Close to Me (from Goodreads):

Asher Davis. My first crush.

My first kiss.

The boy who ripped my heart out of my chest again and again. Over and over. I let him have it every single time.

Willingly.

We are that toxic high school couple you hear about, the one you witness in the hallway avoiding each other. You laugh at them in class when they’re forced to work together, their gazes full of hatred. We are the couple you gossip about when they win homecoming prince and princess their sophomore year…

The back and forth is what kills me the most. I’m not his princess, I’m the girl he toys with when he’s bored. And he’s definitely not my prince, no matter how badly I want him to be.

Our senior year and we’re months away from never having to see each other again when disaster strikes—and brings us closer together. All it takes is one touch, and I’m burning for Ash. Hotter than I ever have.

But will that burn turn into a devastating fire? Or can we actually make it work this time?

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite Author
Series: The Callahans

This is a spinoff of the One Week Girlfriend Series.

It has its own spinoff: The College Years Series

Author: Monica Murphy
# of Books: 6 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected + Direct Sequel (#3 & #4)
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: February 2020 – ongoing
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook; Author–ARC (#3, #5 only)

Books #3 & #5 only

thoughts

WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, this review may have spoilers!

**This post was originally published as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Drew and Fable (One Week Girlfriend) hold a special place in my heart. Their novel was one of the first New Adult Romances I ever read and therefore helped set a standard for what I look for in a NA read. I love their relationship and their story.

So getting to watch their kids fall in love? YES PLEASE!

How Does It Compare To The Original?

Just like the original series, I was sucked right in by these two. The back and forth moments from their past had me hooked to see what would happen next. Monica Murphy can write great tension between her leads, making the slow burn all that sweeter.

Another thing I really loved–that we don’t often see in YA–is great supportive parents. Part of Drew and Fable’s issues in their respective stories is their shitty parents so it was great to see them break from that cycle and be great, supportive parents. It was amazing to see what an impact parental relationships can have on a YA story.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

I do think I could have done without the few chapters from Ash’s perspective. Because most of the book is told by Autumn, I had built up this idea of Ash and his feelings so sometimes his POV chapters seemed to contradict what I have perceived earlier.

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

Very excited to see who will fall in love next!

updates

–October 26, 2020– Book #2: Falling for Her

While I thought his novel was super cute, I struggled a lot with the pacing. In some ways, it felt longer than it needed to be but it also allowed for the romance to have a slow burn to it that I rather enjoyed when all is said an done. Developing their friendship and having Jake work on himself a bit allowed the romance to be deeper than I initially thought it would be presented as.

–October 26, 2020– Book #3: Addicted to Him

Disclaimer: I stopped reading Addicted to Him at 13% (Start of Chapter 14).

So when I discovered who Ava would fall in love with, I was very excited. We got little tidbits in the previous novel and that just stoked the flames a little higher for me so I couldn’t wait.

OH BOY, this was a mess from the start for me. It’s such a shame too! But our hero turned me off by the end of Chapter 1 with his behaviour and I had a hard time seeing how the Ava I had come to know in the other books would fall for his shit.

I did give it a few more chapters to work itself out. After all, I love a good redemption story. But alas, he did not redeem himself and I found their romance to be problematic as a result. My Goodreads review explains it better here. And knowing that their story continues in another book, I bowed out.

–October 26, 2020– Book #4: Meant to Be

Because this is a direct sequel to book #3, Addicted to Him, I did not read this installment

–July 12, 2021– Book #5: Fighting For You

I didn’t read the book where these two are introduced but I was immediately sucked into their story. Normally I don’t like being thrown into a book where it’s assumed you know something about the characters because they were in a previous book. So I didn’t need to be overly familiar with their past because I wanted to see their future.

I thought both characters really matured throughout the story and went about their circumstances in a healthy way. It was positive and heartwarming but also had a good dose of reality along the way.

My Series Rating: 4/5

Close to Me 4/5 | Falling for Her 3/5 | Addicted to Him DNF | Meant to Be N/A | Fighting for You 4/5 | Making Her Mine TBP

overall

While it was angsty and the drama does get a little over the top at times, this is an addicting romance for new and returning fans–if you read the first two books. I didn’t like the content of the 3rd book nor how it continued into a duet. But Book #5 reminded me how great Monica Murphy’s romances can be.

Read if You Like: angsty YA romance, supportive parents
Avoid if You: dislike YA contemporary romance

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Single Sundays: Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

Single Sundays: Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for Birthday Girl (from Goodreads):

JORDAN
He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.

He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.

He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can’t happen.

My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.

Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one.

I am.

PIKE
I took her in, because I thought I was helping.

She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.

As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.

The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.

But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.

And her boyfriend’s father.

Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

*BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.

breakdown

Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Warm (gets Toasty later on)
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: April 15, 2018
Source & Format: Own–eBook (Kindle)

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Very, very rarely do I pick up a novel the same day I get it, especially a freebie but I was craving a quick, hot read and this seemed to fit the bill. Penelope Douglas writes one of my favourite forbidden romances ever, Rival, so when I read the premise for this one I was really curious. I love reading about unconventional romances and I’ve never read one quite like this before (though I have read some similar ideas).

The Plot:

So I definitely went in with the wrong expectations and that lead to some massive disappointment; but truthfully, I think I would have still been disappointed if I knew what to expect.

I had hoped this book would be a quick and–let’s face it–dirty read given the premise. Something that bordered on erotica but had some more substance to it. This was nothing of the sort.

I’m all for slow burn romances but I held on a little too long and got burned. This was painfully slow; like I’m talking 50% of the way through a very long novel slow.

The tension was pretty dismal; Jordan was a rehash of ever heroine I’ve ever encountered and not enough steam. You could have easily cut 100 (of the 400) pages out of the start of this novel and still got your point across without dragging the reader through mundane things.

The Characters:

Jordan was just meh as a heroine. I can appreciate her struggles in life but it wasn’t anything new to me. But what really got me is how she became this whole other person when the sexy times came about. It was really crazy how she brought out this whole other side that just seemed so out of character.

Pike was alright. He’s a decent guy who tries to do the right thing. Again, nothing new.

The Romance:

This took far to long to become a thing. I wasn’t really sold on the whole forbidden romance thing because it really doesn’t go anywhere until the halfway mark.

My Rating: 2/5

overall

Just a miss for me. I think if you really love the slowest burns of romance, this is a great one for you.

Read if You Like: unconventional romances, slow starts
Avoid if You: want erotica, want a faster story
similarreads

  • Everything Between Us by Mila Ferrera (Starving Artists Series #2)
  • Illicit by June Gray

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Single Sundays: Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

Single Sundays: Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for Say You’ll Remember Me (from Goodreads):
When Drix was convicted of a crime–one he didn’t commit–he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor’s newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor’s daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn’t may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle’s parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix’s messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can’t imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves–Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence–and each other to finally get what they deserve.

breakdown

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fav Author
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: January 2018
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I’m a huge Katie McGarry fan. I read everything she writes because she has this incredible talent for writing stories I love to read. I didn’t know I could enjoy the YA Contemporary genre until I read her Pushing the Limits Series.

The Plot:

There’s a lot going on but in a great kind of way. I never found a dull moment with this story. I got so wrapped up in both Drix and Elle’s personal stories and their time together.

I thought the end was a little melodramatic and I don’t really get the title (and I hate that it puts a Taylor Swift song in my head) but it didn’t dampen my overall love for this story.

The Characters:

This is where Katie McGarry shines. She can write some great teen angst. I think the main reason she does this so well is that she gives her teen leads real problems. These kids aren’t upset about mundane issues; they’re upset with how the world puts them in boxes and how they want to break free from them. They just come across as so genuine and I get so into their stories.

The Romance:

Super cute! I wish we got to see more of them talking as their relationship blossomed but I loved the tension between these two anytime they shared a scene together.

My Rating: 5/5

overall

This book had the right amount of everything. Just a great read to get lost in!

Read if You Like: YA contemporary, politics
Avoid if You: dislike YA contemporary
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