Fern arrives at the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida six-months pregnant, dropped off by her father, told to not tell anyone anything about herFern arrives at the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida six-months pregnant, dropped off by her father, told to not tell anyone anything about herself -- including her real name. Because how else are they supposed to have their babies and go back to their lives if they can't separate themselves completely from their time at the home? There she meets other girls in her situation, their daily lives controlled down to the food they eat. But when Fern is given a book and they all start dabbling in witchcraft, they begin to realize that as much fun as it is, they'll have to give something in return. And not all things are easily given.
If you've read other books by Grady Hendrix, then I can safely say you know there's going to be extreme horror -- and you know he packs one hell of a punch. The whole book, in my opinion, does lack in supernatural horror. It's there, for sure, and there's plenty of moments I was waiting for something scarier to happen, but I think it what's terrifying about this is the reality of how girls were treated back then, especially teenage/unwed mothers. And holy crap the birthing scenes were terrifying on a whole lot of levels. Overall, this book felt like a love letter to female rage and brings to attention how things can get this bad when we accept things as being normal. This was definitely a heavy book, and while I do recommend, I would advise that if you need them please go an check the trigger warnings. Fantastic book....more
When Rowan finds Sloane trapped in a cage at her latest victim's house, neither of them could have imagined what their lives would look like. After reWhen Rowan finds Sloane trapped in a cage at her latest victim's house, neither of them could have imagined what their lives would look like. After rescuing her, the two of them decide to play a game -- once a year they'll hunt a monster. May the best killer win. But as time goes by, between their annual hunts, their friendship starts turning into something a little more. Will the two of them find their happily ever after with each other? Or will the hunters become the prey?
Give me all of Sloane and Rowan. I adore the way these two speak to one another from the very beginning. The amount of times I swooned from the things Rowan said is just bonkers. I loved their game and the way it turns as their feelings for one another grow was great to watch, and then there's the actual hunts that they go on. I was entertained from beginning to end, and I was rooting for the two of them. It took me reading this a third time to finally realize who it was at the end because I thought it was someone else and I feel like that was a huge thing to misunderstand, but yeah. Such an amazing book. I am addicted to this series....more
Trixie has been living next to Chris and his family since she was ten, and has always felt like they've included her in just about everything. Chris aTrixie has been living next to Chris and his family since she was ten, and has always felt like they've included her in just about everything. Chris and her have been best friends since the very beginning, but when she agrees to go to a public event with him and the press take photos of them together, her high school bullies come to her to use Chris for their reunion. To which Trixie claims he's her boyfriend. Chris has been in love with Trixie since forever, but when she turned him down in high school, he's been respectful, keeping her in his life as his best friend. But when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend, Chris realizes this is his chance to show her that he's doesn't just think about her as a friend.
THIS. WAS. ADORABLE. I loved the dynamic between Trixie and Chris, and to be honest his whole family. There were some things that I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about in the long run, but overall it came together and I ended up loving it. Things that I really loved about this: the way he uses the fake dating as his way to finally break the ice, the fact that there isn't a 3rd act breakup because wow that's a whole trope in romances that annoys me, he falls first (like, years before page one), and the pet rooster -- Luke Skycocker himself. I honestly thought this was absolutely adorable, and I look forward to continuing on with the series....more
Rua has no memories, but when she's found in the woods and is told her name is Emma, she reluctantly goes along with it, hoping to find answers as to Rua has no memories, but when she's found in the woods and is told her name is Emma, she reluctantly goes along with it, hoping to find answers as to who she is. Trying to blend into society, she meets and is immediately drawn towards the Lord of Donore -- Finn. Finn is drawn to Rua, feeling like he knows her from somewhere, but can't quite place his finger on where/how. So when she starts breaking the rules of society, he steps in to help her, despite knowing that he needs to try and make the right connections and friends if he is to survive here having recently arrived from Ireland. As Rua starts to uncover her memories, she starts to realize that she isn't from this world, but something older, filled with dark magic and ancient secrets. The two of them will have to discover the truth of their past before it's too late.
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
Okay, so we've got Irish/Celtic mythology set against the backdrop of New York society in the 1800s. Let me start by saying this: the truth about Rua and Finn was amazing. I loved the way we slowly discover things at the same time that they're remembering it themselves. The layers of memory that they have to uncover while also dealing with the mystery of what happened to Emma and who they can trust within the Harrington household is done beautifully. Never once did I feel confused or overwhelmed with the information I was given. And then there's the weaving in of the mythology. It starts out subtle at first and then slowly piles on until you have the entire picture and it is just **chef's kiss**. And to be honest, I never say any of it coming. I highly recommend this romantic read filled with mystery and magic.
Bonus: the audiobook is so well done. I loved the voice narrators, especially the male voice for Finn. They did a fantastic job bringing Rua and Finn to life....more
When Janice accidentally draws blood from an elbow jab to the face, she doesn't think of anything beyond the paperwork she'll need to file to report tWhen Janice accidentally draws blood from an elbow jab to the face, she doesn't think of anything beyond the paperwork she'll need to file to report the accident. What she doesn't expect is for the incident to set into motion a mate-bonding with her co-worker Khent -- an orc in the IT department. Now they'll have to stay away from one another until it dies down so they can reject the mate bond, but it's not as easy as Janice thinks -- especially when she's caught at work watching adult orc videos by the system and is called to IT. By Khent. Will the two of them be able to get through the month without initiating the mate-bond? Or will they cave into each other and listen to fate.
I LOVE KHENT. He is literally a golden retriever/cinnamon roll/sweet little angel in an orc body. Which, oh my. And poor Janice has like every wall up, literally waiting for the other shoe to drop and hear that she's going to lose her job. Again. These two are so opposite in like every way, and I love how they are with one another. When she stands up for him over the conference room, it's literally like watching a chihuahua take on a pack of wolves to protect a great dane. So dang cute.
Charity -- co-owner of Meow and Furever Cat Caf茅 -- needed a break from her family over the holidays and winds up in Mexico. Alone. Will's best friendCharity -- co-owner of Meow and Furever Cat Caf茅 -- needed a break from her family over the holidays and winds up in Mexico. Alone. Will's best friend just got into a relationship and left Will to head to Mexico by himself for the holidays, and the girl he's been crushing on just happens to be there at that resort. Too bad Will doesn't do relationships. And definitely not marriage. But after the two of them hook up and she goes home and tells her mom about him to get her family off her back, the two of them end up in a fake relationship. But it's not always easy trying to keep someone out, especially when you already have feelings for them.
CAN THESE AUTHORS DO ANYTHING BESIDES ADD EVERYTHING THEY CAN THINK OF TO A STORY?! I mean, I can deal with the fake dating and the crazy families, but then add in the baking contest (which is hardly seen on paper) and how literally INSANE Charity becomes and it gets to be a little too wild at times. There's a lot of things that get resolved a little too conveniently or quick that had me pausing to be like well, okay then I guess? But I did like Will, and there were a lot of cute moments in this.
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