1. Pregnancy storylines are not my favorite 2. He is ridiculously perfect. Too perfect.
But it’s so cute I don’t even care! This one deserves every bit1. Pregnancy storylines are not my favorite 2. He is ridiculously perfect. Too perfect.
But it’s so cute I don’t even care! This one deserves every bit of the high ratings it’s gotten. Smart, sensitive writing and so so funny. Can’t wait to read her others. ...more
--it's too long for my personal preference and there are way too many POVs.This series is ridiculously good.
General feelings about the series overall:
--it's too long for my personal preference and there are way too many POVs. I'd prefer more focus on the two main characters, as the time spent just slows down the momentum and dilutes the urgency and feeling of the main storyline. Two whole books could have easily been excised without losing much, in my opinion, particularly the details of the relationships and sex scenes involving the secondary characters. I'm assuming book six sets the scene for a potential spinoff series as well.
-- I do admit that the various POVs started to finally come together in the last book, however. I liked what was eventually done with a few of them, but still, I think you could still achieve the same result without spending literally hundreds of extra pages on the details.
-- Because the books are so long, the last one also has a bit too much Mary Sue Auren and maybe one too many magical fixes. (There's a short spoiler-tagged review on GoodReads that sums it up pretty well and made me laugh.)
-- there is way too much smirking.
However.
-- the magic is incredible. The physical manifestation and the visuals of power being called and controlled felt so exciting and real, with continuous evolution and new interesting ways to wield it.
-- the plot, aside from previously mentioned bloat of extra side stories and characters, is excellent. So many genuine surprises and epic battles with carefully laid out master plans that don't reveal themselves until much later.
-- So much suffering and sacrifices. I'm a sucker for angst porn and there is so. much. agony. in these books, both romantically and personally and for the greater good. The dynamics reminded me a bit of The Winner's Trilogy, with amped up action and sex. Like way amped up.
-- The sex is pretty fucking sexy. Super enjoyable and creative (until some of the scenes in the last book, and it's a bit much with the secondaries getting it on all the time, too).
-- Auren is awesome. In the first book, she is in an untenable position at the mercy of someone she trusted to keep her safe. I admire the strength and conviction it took for the author to let this reveal itself slowly, as abuse often doesn't present itself as obviously as most fiction would have you believe. Although occasionally (especially at the end), she is sometimes too selfless and perfect, her character's gradual strength, values, and compassion really called to me.
-- Hot villain who pines for his woman. I mean.
-- Wyvern-y flights and battles. :D
-- I have a mixed relationship with fairy stories, but I loved the way magic and fae are portrayed here, particularly in really going for it with feral impulses and tendencies, both physically and mentally. Commit to it if you're gonna have it! And so imaginatively integrated.
-- Such an interesting spin on King Midas as well. Loved this take and really appreciate the expansive, layered world created from this.
-- Superb writing. Lots of great quotable lines and all the characters were memorable and had agency, which is very difficult with such a big cast.
-- It's smart and nuanced and has things to say about women and power and responsibility.
The first book starts off feeling a bit like a stereotypical paranormal erotic romance, but it becomes so much more than that very quickly. I raced through these with so much excitement and pleasure, and I'm astonished that the first three seemed to have been indies before being picked up for traditional publication. Huge amount of respect for that (I'd say those books might've actually been better overall) and I can't wait to explore more books by this author. And to see this story on the big screen someday.
4.5 stars as a whole. There were only a couple of books that were less, which is pretty great in a 6-book series. Books 2 and 3 were my favorites....more
Super Christmassy and fun. I cranked up the air conditioning so I could get in the mood to read it, being that my library loan came in months before tSuper Christmassy and fun. I cranked up the air conditioning so I could get in the mood to read it, being that my library loan came in months before the season!
Very much contemporary romance + Knives Out/Agatha Christie + loads of humor. While the mystery was intriguing for the first 3/4, I didn't end up loving the culprit, which surprised me given how well-plotted and engaging it was before that.
The romance, though, is really, really cute. I like her, I love him, I like their detective work together, and I love this mash-up of cozy modern mystery with an edge blended with enemies-to-lovers energy. A great pick when you want to get in the holiday mood.
3.5 stars So very nearly a strong 4. I am chuffed to see so many YA authors doing well crossing over into adult books, though. Sometimes it's an eyeroll, but recently there have been some very good ones.
Audio Notes: Both narrators are great. The dynamic jazzy opening/closing music is very Archer/Jonny Quest, which sets the tone nicely (but it doesn’t intrude since it’s limited to those bookends, something I which I wish other audio productions would take note of).
Side Note: I rarely comment on cover art, but man oh man, did this story deserve better. I see the Archer/Chris Evans fisherman sweater influence, but I also see pine-scented man soap ad and...I don't even know. ETA: I SEE A PINK GIRLY VERSION FOR THE KINDLE ART. I still don't love the artwork for that, and I don't know if I really care for the male vs. female swing, down to the very gendered pink and blue choices....more
All I have to say is he woos her by wooing her cat + witty banter + lots of dirty sex. :D
Somehow even better and more unhinged than the previous one.All I have to say is he woos her by wooing her cat + witty banter + lots of dirty sex. :D
Somehow even better and more unhinged than the previous one. I just can’t believe this is an indie, it’s so much better than most of the traditionally published romances I’ve read lately! My favorite contemporary romance of 2024 so far.
Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent genius of a heroine, is infinitely patient and poignantly unusual and swooningly tender.
I love her, I love him, I love the writing, I love the scientific/mathematic/literary references, and most importantly, I love the author.
WOW. With two degrees from Harvard and this lovely pearl of a book, who needs traditional editing/publishing?...more
4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fu4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fun, and their chemistry is ...more
Beginning was a bit chaotic, but this ended up being such a great enemies to lovers story. Because:
� he’s a genuine grump, but so is she, kinda! � theBeginning was a bit chaotic, but this ended up being such a great enemies to lovers story. Because:
� he’s a genuine grump, but so is she, kinda! � their arguments felt genuine. They are cutting, they are clever, and they are committed to winning (but they’re never mean). They continue to fight after they get together, because it’s in their nature. � their dynamic, within a hospital setting, felt a bit Ali Hazelwood, except less scattered and zany. � both of them deal matter-of-factly with her disordered eating � a fun, supportive friend group —these friends also have a group text in the middle of his despairing, mopey angst over her not knowing whether she wants to commit to him, and they refer to him as Eyeore. � sexy sex � the best use of exasperated, affectionate nicknames I’ve ever read, the best of which is his referring to her as his screech owl.
Then they reach the point when he is completely and utterly smitten with her; he takes care of her when she’s sick, he stands up for her, he sees her. His feelings are described so well and so endearingly, and the book sidesteps mistakes of the usual nonsense over misunderstandings and such.
Anyway. I’ve read Kate Canterbary before, but I had no idea she had this in her! Imma have to add some additions to my TBR. ...more
I smiled beatifically at tomatoes in the grocery store. I burst out laughing as I drove wobbily down the street. I giggled uncontrollably as I stood iI smiled beatifically at tomatoes in the grocery store. I burst out laughing as I drove wobbily down the street. I giggled uncontrollably as I stood in lines, strangers noting my amusement with polite bemusement. I fanned myself as my face grew alarmingly flushed walking through parking lots. All this, because I listened to this audiobook and enjoyed it so so much.
India Holton has infused her Victorian rival ornithologists romance with vigorous adventure, rapier wit, and an intoxicating blend of lust and tenderness. It's a little Fantastic Beasts + rugged Indiana Jones-style academic pursuits, all of it wrapped up in a dazzling storm of magic and helpless attraction.
Beth was the first person he'd met who truly spoke his language. Her presence made the world finally slide into place for him. She was beautiful, unconsciously sexy, and he was drawn to that, of course, but it was only a minor part of how he felt. His attraction to her was so intensely intellectual, it affected his very brain function.
and my favorite birding bit, aside from a passing mention of demon ducks:
She leaned closer, wanting to kiss the humor back into him, but something flashed in the night behind his shoulder, closer than a star, brighter than a fragment of moonlight. Beth stared, as the speck of light began to dance.
"What is that?" she breathed.
Opening his eyes, Devon looked only at her. He smiled. "That, darling, is my favorite bird."
Their physical attraction to each other is inexorably entwined with their mutual professional respect and their care for magical creatures, and their shy vulnerabilty in their feelings is lovely contrasted against their assured confidence in their knowledge of ornithology. This would make a splendid film, as the visuals of helicopter parasols and ice birds are so clear in my mind, and of course the author's ferociously intelligent (and punny) humor just makes the entire chase a delight.
So excited for book two!
4.5 stars
Audio Notes: It's no secret that I exhibit stalkery levels of smitten when it comes to Elizabeth Knowelden reading India Holton. I cannot imagine another voice actor so deftly handling the playful language, so much so that I turned down a chance to read the ARC months ago so that I could wait and listen to her read the story. Worth the wait, as it’s practically perfect in every way....more
Ugh, the CUTENESS of this book. From hilariously annoyed inner dialogue as she’s fighting her attraction to him to sexy banter to adorable gr4.5 stars
Ugh, the CUTENESS of this book. From hilariously annoyed inner dialogue as she’s fighting her attraction to him to sexy banter to adorable grandma/grandma love, this one surprised me from beginning to end with how funny and thoughtful it was.
Great chemistry between them (physical, intellectual, and emotional), and even better, the swooniest affection, too....more
Once, I was watching a show in which one of the contestants became helplessly, endearingly panicked and overwhelmed. You could see how he was utterly Once, I was watching a show in which one of the contestants became helplessly, endearingly panicked and overwhelmed. You could see how he was utterly at a loss at what to do, until the host swiftly, firmly, gently put it into context and told him that she had full confidence he could cope with it. This whole-hearted, unreserved kindness suddenly and immediately made me intensely attracted to the host, whom I liked but had never previously thought about in that context.
Which is all to explain in part why I love this book, whose Hallie is so passionately drawn to Julian because he is kind. A guy who goes out of his way to help people, sincerely, and who can’t stop staring at her glorious curls, or stand the idea of her being unhappy. (He’s also a professor, grumpy, and hot. And he tells a bunch of kids they are disgusting, which makes them laugh.) People can be complicated, yes, and I love a sexy villain, but deep down and IRL, nothing is more appealing to me than someone trying their best to do the right thing. I guess how much you value that might play into how you react to this story—it’s a big part of the plot.
Other pluses: their chemistry is electric and their absorption in each other is fucking adorable. I loved her sarcastic and foul-mouthed friends and his rebel sister, I enjoyed the vineyard setting (all aspects so familiar to me, as a Californian) and the subplot helping the elderly neighbor’s wine shop, and it’s funny from start to finish.
Quibbles: the stuff that are the “hooks� for marketing purposes could have been developed more (and there was a lot of it), including the secret admirer letters, their past missed connection, the landscaping/personal development thing, his family dynamics and panic attacks…it’s too much and not enough at the same time. I also wish Tweed Twit had had a bigger comeuppance! I expected we would circle back triumphantly to the rival wine shop at the end, so it was disappointing that never happened.
But still. He’s so utterly charmed by her and she’s so intensely into him that you can’t help but fall in love with them both. I love when people are genuinely kind to each other, and it’s so nice to see books that embrace that without cynicism or being overly, simplistically sticky-sweet....more
1. Handsome alpha werewolf (the big, gentle handyman traveling with a boy from one of the previous books) who is a good match to the strong alpha fema1. Handsome alpha werewolf (the big, gentle handyman traveling with a boy from one of the previous books) who is a good match to the strong alpha female struggling to hold her pack together
2. Excellent pack and shifter dynamics. This world has expanded bit by bit with each book and I love being in it. All the characters feel different, too—hard to do with a series.
3. There’s a were-puppy. :D
I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how good the novellas in this series have been. Other than length, most of them have felt fully fleshed out, immersive, and satisfying. ...more
Wendy Darling
>
Books:
crush-worthy-boys
(143)
Loading...
