In an era where adapting stories to screen has brought us so much entertainment, it is not uncommon to find lots of opinions about what book should beIn an era where adapting stories to screen has brought us so much entertainment, it is not uncommon to find lots of opinions about what book should be “next�. And yes, I myself am guilty of pausing amidst the unbelievably snappy and charming dialogue of END OF THE DAY and thinking, “This should be a movie." And yes, no movie could do justice to the red hot intimacy between these characters, but I'd love to see them try. Once might be beginner's luck, but twice has me adding all of Earnest's books to my insta-buy list. An unbelievable blend of snappy, sexy, and gut-wrenching, both installments in this series are *chef's kiss* perfect....more
(7/12/21) Flesh and Skin are great postapocalyptic romances. There's definitely quite a bit of a "marriage of convenience" vibe underpinning the "You'(7/12/21) Flesh and Skin are great postapocalyptic romances. There's definitely quite a bit of a "marriage of convenience" vibe underpinning the "You're the first living woman I've seen in six months" trope. ...more
If a Hallmark movie had sex. Light, cute, many a plot moppet and pet. Writing could have used some polish, plot could have used some nuance, but enterIf a Hallmark movie had sex. Light, cute, many a plot moppet and pet. Writing could have used some polish, plot could have used some nuance, but entertaining. ...more
A thoughtful, thorough character driven romance. I’m not a fan of Big Misunderstandings or Big Secrets, but that is books shows I can love it when donA thoughtful, thorough character driven romance. I’m not a fan of Big Misunderstandings or Big Secrets, but that is books shows I can love it when done right. ...more
(1/2/21) I managed to make it through this early KA, but I had to skip a lot. Especially in the beginning, when a very familiar situation is laborious(1/2/21) I managed to make it through this early KA, but I had to skip a lot. Especially in the beginning, when a very familiar situation is laboriously and endlessly built up. ...more
I’m afraid of space, I’m afraid of the deep sea, and apparently I’m afraid of being stranded on Antarctica surrounded by mercenaries and running for mI’m afraid of space, I’m afraid of the deep sea, and apparently I’m afraid of being stranded on Antarctica surrounded by mercenaries and running for my life. I think my dread of an environment that will murder these characters in seconds without the protection of very specific equipment made me slow to pick this book up between chapters. Despite tapping in to the 90’s psychosexual thriller fascination I have (I cast Sampson as Kevin Bacon, for those wondering) I just didn’t hurry back to this one. Love seeing Only One Bed further refined to Only One Tent, though. ...more
Great meet cute, I enjoyed these two. The hero was set up as classic, stuffy duke, but I feel like he was very quick to name and articulate his feelinGreat meet cute, I enjoyed these two. The hero was set up as classic, stuffy duke, but I feel like he was very quick to name and articulate his feelings. Adding the heroine’s familial background made this feel like a Class Difference romance, though both were aristocrats. Very clever use of how racism others individuals. ...more
**spoiler alert** So many romance heroes have their sexual past and lustful present as tent pole characteristics (ahem). A signifier to the reader tha**spoiler alert** So many romance heroes have their sexual past and lustful present as tent pole characteristics (ahem). A signifier to the reader that he is desirable, but always safely directed at the heroine so as not to violate the No Cheating Rule.
Josh is a delightful, explicit spin on this established practice. He is unabashedly sex positive and lustful. While he has insecurities related to his value outside the adult entertainment business, he loves the sex part of his job a lot. Like, a lot a lot. I think this was as far as the author could stretch the trope, as he’s otherwise kept safely vanilla (outside the now practically mainstream “sex with more than one partner at a time� references).
Clara’s belief that Josh isn’t interested in a relationship with her gives her the chance to get close to him, mirroring the way Everett had become her sexual obsession by not initially being a romantic possibility (by virtue of them being friends before puberty). I also appreciated that her belief doesn’t blind her to the insult of denying knowing Josh in front of clients. I don’t think I would have had patience for her to figure that out in addition to waiting for her to gain the courage to set her own course in life.
I love that Naomi and Everett aren’t Evil Exes. I love the party guest earnestly explaining to Clara how Never Have I Ever works. I love how off the charts, red hot sexy Josh’s and Clara’s relationship is. ...more
(8/20/20)) I quite enjoyed the hero’s supposed “simple nature� counterbalanced by his considerate actions. And as always, watching a Noirot dance arou(8/20/20)) I quite enjoyed the hero’s supposed “simple nature� counterbalanced by his considerate actions. And as always, watching a Noirot dance around society is delightful. ...more
What a sweet, funny, sexy book. Both Jasmine and Ashton have vulnerabilities that are organic and relateable. I wish Ashton had gotten more time on paWhat a sweet, funny, sexy book. Both Jasmine and Ashton have vulnerabilities that are organic and relateable. I wish Ashton had gotten more time on page to deal with his anxiety, but perhaps that’s just because I wanted more Ashton any way I could get him. Truly a cinnamon roll. ...more
(5/22/20) My first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book in a long time, and it is a deeper pleasure for the years I’ve lived in the meantime. I’ve gotten mar(5/22/20) My first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book in a long time, and it is a deeper pleasure for the years I’ve lived in the meantime. I’ve gotten married, I’ve had kids, I’ve had loses and doubts and struggles. SEP always showed Marriage in Trouble, she always acknowledged the ways women could love their partner but still feel lost or overshadowed by their family.
I picked up this book and genuinely didn’t put it down again, I finished it in one afternoon and enjoyed the ride. Tess and North were great together, edges and angst in all. I can’t say how much I treasure Tess’s grief and anger. Both she and North work through so much. I do have conflicted feelings about Bianca’s arc (and perhaps fridging?), however, and the ways Tess moves past it.
Possibly the most fantastical element in this book is town issues resolved, but it was so satisfying I didn’t mind....more
5/22/20 There’s nothing wrong with this book, but I think I just lost excitement for the formula. Cat’s secret was an interesting twist, but what I th5/22/20 There’s nothing wrong with this book, but I think I just lost excitement for the formula. Cat’s secret was an interesting twist, but what I think should have been a celebration of competency porn and power exchange felt rather boring. The plot didn’t hold my attention and the emphasis on consent felt neither sexy or natural. ...more
(5/5/20) I had trouble picking this back up at the end. Mixing the Grumpy Asshole trope with the Zany Comedy voice didn’t work for me. I didn’t like T(5/5/20) I had trouble picking this back up at the end. Mixing the Grumpy Asshole trope with the Zany Comedy voice didn’t work for me. I didn’t like Tai and I wasn’t getting a dark, sexy buzz off of that. And the “trapped on a desert island� deal wasn’t as good as ON THE ISLAND. ...more
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