Shenanigans for the #win!! What ridiculous fun this story turned out to be. It wasn’t just the storyline itself that was fun but so were Kolby andShenanigans for the #win!! What ridiculous fun this story turned out to be. It wasn’t just the storyline itself that was fun but so were Kolby and Adam! This was a genius set-up that I could have read for a long while! The improv class alone entertained me to no end! Shenanigans!! *sigh* This binge-read I did with the last 5 stories in this series was truly epic and Showstopper added the best comic relief I’ve read in a while! This is one story I wish were longer and longer for that alone! ճ’s not to take away from all the other goodies this story had to offer, though. It was well written with no plot points just hanging there or dramatic events milling around just for drama’s sake. This was a total #funfest I would highly rec to every reader out there!
Sidebar: I love the fact that the story has a thin attachment to Moo U hockey which highlights it's versatility in The World of True North! So props for that :)...more
I binge-read the last five books of the Vino & Veritas series and although they weren’t all 5 star reads for me, it was a heck of an epic binge all arI binge-read the last five books of the Vino & Veritas series and although they weren’t all 5 star reads for me, it was a heck of an epic binge all around!
You guys � I really enjoyed this story, until I didn’t. *sigh* I love the choice the author made for their meet-cute, it fit them both perfectly. However, the conflict, that didn’t fit them so well. They’d only known each other a short period of time when *secrets* are revealed so the level of drama over said secrets felt way over the top and it stole a lot of shine for me. It just didn't fit the story as a whole, in my opinion, so I was disappointed. You never know what might trigger a reader into not enjoying a story and altho I can’t say I did not enjoy this story; the overly dramatic situation took a whole lot of shine away from it for me. It’s a rather easy story, aside from the OTT with likeable characters that for the most part fit really well. Like I said, I didn’t not like the story but my eyes rolled so � 3.5 but not enough for 4 stars! ...more
I binge-read the last five books, starting with this one of the Vino & Veritas series and it was an epic ride! The story of Jud and Sky was a heartwarI binge-read the last five books, starting with this one of the Vino & Veritas series and it was an epic ride! The story of Jud and Sky was a heartwarming swoon-fest for me. I love second chance-to-get-it-right stories and this one had the added pleasure of getting a childhood friendship back on track and it made it that much sweeter for me.
I must give the author mad props for handling the whole miscommunication conflict of the story maturely and respectfully. I don’t want to give details of this story away, so you might have to read the book to fully understand what I mean but I will say this about it, too many times past problems with characters are dragged into the narrative of the present journey and not dealt with efficiently and in my opinion, that is a sure way to ruin a story quick. This one didn’t do that, so mad props!
This is my first read by this author and I am left with a very happy heart and a huge smile. The storyline unfolded well and the choices she made for the characters read true to characters in their late 20s; realistic and relatable. I’m looking forward to reading a bit more of her work in the future!...more
I am sitting square in the middle of like/dislike for this story. The problem with it for me is an absolute me thing because the writinhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I am sitting square in the middle of like/dislike for this story. The problem with it for me is an absolute me thing because the writing is solid, and the story is not half bad. But see, if I can’t invest in what’s happening or rather if I want to scream because a character is just so hmmmmmm, even if the writing is solid, I’m not going to enjoy myself reading and what do I always say about a reader’s feelings � they are of the upmost importance but a writer has zero control over a lot that may or may not go into how a reader feels while reading their book. So here I am, as the reader, completely blah about a story that I probably should feel more than blah over and if I’m being honest, it falls squarely on the shoulders on my connection with Sean.
Sean isn’t just young in age, he’s young mentally also. He’s naïve and just too much, for me. Let me repeat for those in the back, for me. This is in no way the author’s fault, but I couldn’t shake it so it kinda bummed me out for the rest of the story and maybe even caused Cooper to lose a bit of his shine. Copper� character was shinny for me. He was perfect and so were his circumstances. I really think the author did an excellent job representing him in the story. And also the build-up of the relationship itself. See, there’s a lot that was shinny but gaaaaaaaaah, I just couldn’t root for Sean. I tried guys. I really did. I even stopped reading and came back and still, too much.
So that’s my 2 cents for anyone out there who cares :) Don’t spend them all at once! ...more
I’ve mentioned in the past that I very rarely read blurbs as a means to deciding if I should read a book or not. I’m more of a fly by the seat of yourI’ve mentioned in the past that I very rarely read blurbs as a means to deciding if I should read a book or not. I’m more of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of reader. Give me a cover that pops and you’ve pretty much won me over. There’s an exception to this almost 100% of the time and that’s with new-to-me-authors. There are way too many plots that can go awry in a flash and way too few hours in the day to read so you do the math LOL
Anywho, I read this blurb and yes, I cringed at the bet scenario because it takes the guessing game of what will be the conflict before we even begin. Also, it’s a ridiculous plot point for grown adults to be a part of in my opinion so I was cautious with my hopes on this one. Turns out this author made some pretty good choices in this story and pulled this entire thing without me rolling my eyes too many times and that’s a thing kinds so don’t discard it. My eyes roll, twitch, and blink quite a lot but on the flip side, my heart soars and I get giddy quite a lot as well. I’m a well-rounded reader :) I think I’m digressing �
There’s a lot to like about this story but my favorite part is the growth in our characters, especially Logan. He came into the story as one character and journeyed thru or rather navigated himself into a more beautiful soul because of his pursuit of Brody and where that took him. I know what you’re thinking, vague much, but you didn’t think I’d spell it out for you did you? HA! Like I ever. I’ve given you enough information from my perspective that should lead you to the conclusion that this story was a hit for me, not without some problematic areas, but the good outshined! Do with that information what you will :)...more
When I read the blurb to this book (not that I wouldn’t have read it anyway), I laughed stupid hard at “I might know zip about animals—but I do know IWhen I read the blurb to this book (not that I wouldn’t have read it anyway), I laughed stupid hard at “I might know zip about animals—but I do know I’m crushing on the sexy, absent-minded vet I work for�, because it gave me Schitt’s Creek vibes like you wouldn’t believe and I was there for all upcoming shenanigans! (Those of you who may not get the reference, don’t tell me, just please step away from under your rock LOL (kidding but not)) Unguarded did not disappoint!
What an absolute swoonfest this story turned out to be. All of it was swoony guys. I mean just look at that cover! Amirite?! I dunno where Jay Hogan has been all my life, but I’m glad I found her. Not only am I looking forward to the future but I downloaded her Auckland Med series for when I get a minute to binge :)
I was consumed with this entire storyline from beginning to end. I could not read enough of Emmett and Tai and all the animals ;) The story wasn’t without conflict, but it was organic and real. These two were kismet and it was written perfectly! Well done!
Another #win from my binge-read of the last 5 books in this series is going straight to Murph’s story after meeting him in Unforgettable by Marley ValAnother #win from my binge-read of the last 5 books in this series is going straight to Murph’s story after meeting him in Unforgettable by Marley Valentine!!
I am so super stoked with the choices Leslie made with this story especially developing Murph and Jason as friends before more. It added a layer of swoon and #feels for me that just made my heart want to burst! Their friendship was amazing and made for some truly funny scenes between them. The progression of the journey was mature, and I could feel the awakening aspect in the story. I wasn’t just reading this one, I felt like I was in it. It drew me in, and I loved it. I loved them. I loved all of it!
I’ve never gone thru the type of journey portrayed in this story myself, but when I read the story, I knew it was realistic and relatable. Don’t ask me to pin-point for you the when/where/who of it all because I don’t do that, but you’re going to have to trust me on this. The story was also inclusive of characters other than those specific to this book and that made it even more enjoyable for me because I’ve met them all!
I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my binge-read. Undone mirrored 4th of July fireworks at the end of a 4th of July get together with family and friends for me. It made me *happy sigh* and put a smile on my face!...more
AGAIN, Marley Valentine can write no wrong. The timing of this story for me was spectacular. I read it as part of a binge of the last five books in thAGAIN, Marley Valentine can write no wrong. The timing of this story for me was spectacular. I read it as part of a binge of the last five books in the Vino & Veritas series and although I didn’t exactly dislike my binge thus far, I really needed a story to dig deep and get me all riled up and holy bananas, Unforgettable did just that and then some!
I am still all hot and bothered over the incredible chemistry with these two men! The energy that surrounded them had me on pins and needles! *fans self* I’m not unfamiliar with Marley’s wizardry, but no matter how much I prepare myself for one of her readers it’s just never enough! She always manages to blindside me with how much depth she adds to even her short(ish) stories! I was invested from the very beginning with these two. Even tho I wanted *their* story to go on longer, it was also just right.
I’m struggling a little bit right now because I don’t really know what to say or not to say in this review because I don’t want to ruin the experience for future readers, but I am bursting at the seams to tell you everything! It was all just so good! The chemistry and the friendship between Reeve and Oz were explosive. Their journey and growth in the story unfolded spectacularly and even tho it was not all hearts and flowers, it was hopeful and full of heart. Everything I love and have come to expect from a Marley Valentine story. My heart is full.
I need for everyone to be reading this story ASAP and any other story this woman has ever penned! #Trust...more
The most unique aspect of this story is the likeability because it builds as you read. I might not have the right words this late in a workday to explThe most unique aspect of this story is the likeability because it builds as you read. I might not have the right words this late in a workday to explain this properly, but you know the beginning of a roller coaster ride, how it’s just chug-chug-chug and then swoosh, down you go? That was my experience with both the storyline and Auden and Carter’s journey as a couple. So, the more I read, the more I enjoyed and liked the story and the more we got into the story, the faster these two kids went from smoldering to #sexfest � everyone feel me? lol When you put that together you get a really nice story that always had something to look forward to. There was no lull in the storyline nor was I ever bored, quite the opposite actually. I found myself charmed by the entire thing and didn’t stop reading from beginning to end.
I like that I’ve found a new author with this story, especially one that writes the kind of sexual chemistry I like in my MM reads ;) I mean I’ll take #sexfest over #swoonfest any day of the week and I don’t apologize for it :) I can’t say I’ll dive into her backlist because the books don’t seems to be my taste, but I’ll sure keep an eye out to what she writes in the future! ...more
Second chance, childhood friends, teen lovers � I mean who’s not gonna #oneclick that?! amirite?!
I enjoyed all the choices Rachel Lacey made for not jSecond chance, childhood friends, teen lovers � I mean who’s not gonna #oneclick that?! amirite?!
I enjoyed all the choices Rachel Lacey made for not just the story but also Taylor and Phoebe as characters, but I was detached from their romance. I totally believed in their friendship and their growth in that respect, but not the romance. I can’t even pinpoint why? #bananas Maybe it was too easy? This is a low, almost nonexistent, angst read. The revelation on the who/why/where of the past and why Phoebe basically ghosted all those years ago was put out there for us readers, but I felt nothing. I think I should have felt something, especially because of when in happened. Teenaged years are super hormonal, for lack of a better word, yet when I read my heart felt nothing.
Honestly, I’m starting to think this is a huge me thing rather than the actual story because it happened with the previous book as well. I’ve taken the time to think on this the last couple of days and although I feel my interpretation of my read is legitimate, I’ve read this author in the past and haven’t had this issue so � I dunno, feel free to disregard anything you just read, k. ...more
I’m very middle of the road on this book. I did not not enjoy the read, but I read it more out of blogger/ARC obligation than anything elHmmmmmmmmmmmm
I’m very middle of the road on this book. I did not not enjoy the read, but I read it more out of blogger/ARC obligation than anything else. It’s a perfectly good story, but I didn’t believe in not only the romance journey, or the HEA. I mean, I read it, and it happened, but in my head, I was thinking Chelsea and Tara would someday become part of the divorce statistic because try as I might, I didn’t see these two sitting on rocking chairs 60 years from now enjoy some lemonade on their veranda, or whatever LOL Even now, just trying to think back, I just don’t see their connection. I have no clue what they saw in each other.
I’m not going to ruin the story for you by detailing my biases because then I’d have to start talking about specific plot points and I’m never about that. Like I said at the beginning, this is a perfectly good story, if you just look at structure, grammar, and the like. What it was missing is feeling. That special thing in a story that makes the reader so invested they believe in the journey, they’re invested in the outcome and they can’t wait to read what happens next.
Okay, that’s my 2 cents. Don’t spend them all in one place :) ...more
I’m going to use bullet points to describe this book because at this point, there are enough wordy reviews that I don’t need to add to. Plus, I like tI’m going to use bullet points to describe this book because at this point, there are enough wordy reviews that I don’t need to add to. Plus, I like this method best :)
1. Adorbs 2. Charming 3. Heartfelt 4. Insta visceral attraction with great build-up
And then it fell apart �. Briar has a complicated history that should have blended with the journey between him and Jamie waaaaay before it did as to not come across as rushed and frankly, a bit forced. His history came to blows in a cliché kind of way and not enough time was utilized to really develop and incorporate it into the storyline, in my opinion. For me, it put a cloud over the almost two thirds of the book I had already invested it and it disappointed me.
Excellent beginning with some good development and them fizzle � mayor bummer for me but the story has tons of potential that maybe some day in the future the author might think about re-branding and exploring more thoroughly the plot points. But I’m not an author so what do I know, right? DO what all this info what you will :)
Sidenote: If half stars were a rating thing, this story would have rated 2.5 from me but it's not a 2 star so 3 it is :) ...more
L.A. Witt made so many fantastic choices with this story that I don’t even know where to begin and I kinda just want to tell you to go #oneclick rightL.A. Witt made so many fantastic choices with this story that I don’t even know where to begin and I kinda just want to tell you to go #oneclick right now and that’s it. But I’m gonna give you more cuz I’m a giver like that :)
The meet-cute was strong and sizzled. When I was reading the scene, I felt their connection and it was glorious. The ensuing relationship, friendship and lovers, was ridiculously satisfying for me. Both of these men brought a different dimension to their friendship. Truth be told, several different dimensions and it made their story more poignant for me. Brent wasn’t just an injured ex-hockey player reinventing his future and Jon wasn’t just a newly divorced single dad revamping his future, they were both lugging around very heavy backpacks full of history they needed to navigate and move past.
I have to give props to LA Witt for writing Brent’s growth in the story respectfully and accurately. She gave careful consideration to all the nuances that come with Brent’s struggles and she represented his turmoil with respect and a lot of knowledge. I have never suffered from chronic pain or ever had to endure what Brent had to endure but I’m pretty astute and have a few years under my belt, and what I read came across as thoroughly researched and true to life as I believe it to be. There’s a lot of vulnerability in the storyline and I truly appreciated it all of it, because these two had a lot to unpack and again, it made their story that much more poignant for me.
I could only find one miniscule thing I would rather not have had to do and that’s the bit of skimming that I did. I get it. I know the why of it. I don’t need it explained to me but, gaaaaaaaaaaaawd, so much inner monologue. I like my stories to be 90% interactive and 10% introspective, if I was to give a ratio and this one leaned the scale the opposite way. I don’t think I missed anything key in the story because I was never lost or confused. I was just *sigh* sometimes LOL But that’s such a tiny spec of nothing in the grand scheme of things that this is still a 4.9 so obviously 5 STAR read!
Okay, but one last thing ... someone tell that boy to get his hands out of his mouth and stop biting his nails #notwinning *runs*...more
First of all � a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats I mean � #oneclick tag line if I’ve ever read one, amirite?!
I’ve read every book published iFirst of all � a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats I mean � #oneclick tag line if I’ve ever read one, amirite?!
I’ve read every book published in not only this series, but the World of True North itself (and even a few coming up to publish soon) and the one thing that is consistent within all of them is their diversity. There is a myriad of different storylines with all kinds of themes, and it is the most marvelous aspect to me because that’s life. There are all kinds of people doing all kinds of things leading all kinds of lives all around us in life so why should fictional worlds be any different.
Undercover is the story of an FBI agent and a guy floundering at life trying to get his footing. The story falls under the umbrella of romantic suspense because Alec, the FBI agent, is actually on a case in our lovely town of Burlington, which automatically makes the story more about the case than the romance. Yes, they’re happening at the same time, but it turns the romance into a slow-burn, or at least that’s the choice the author made. I didn’t want a slow-burn. I mean when I read FBI agent and cute twink, I expected a lot more sizzle than I got. However, it’s not my story to tell so *shrug* I will say that even though I wanted something different, I was pleased with what I got. It was well executed for a slow-burn romance and it was also well executed and unfolded for a story where one of the main characters is pretending for much of the story. ճ’s what happens when you write a character undercover. What are you gonna do? I do which the story had been a bit more thorough or fleshed out in a few places because the amount of time Alec was pretending didn’t seem very proportional to the amount of time he was not, which put me in a position of doubt when it comes to their forever. I know, I know, I just said it was well executed LOL and yes, it was, but it wasn’t perfect :) so 3.5 dead center but I have to do a whole number and cannot go to 4 so 3 it is STARS ...more
First of all, why have I not devoured all the Eden Finley words?! WHY?! I’ll tell you why, because � why do you guys hate me so and not tell me of First of all, why have I not devoured all the Eden Finley words?! WHY?! I’ll tell you why, because � why do you guys hate me so and not tell me of this greatness?! ճ’s why! #shameful I don’t even have a second of all so let’s move on.
I had a huge smile on my face for pretty much the entire read of this story and my heart, holy bananas kids it melted and soared at least a hundred time. No, more, a gazillion times. This story, these two men, they just sparked like fireworks. I was giddy. ճ’s it, just giddy and excited! SO EXCITED for Whit and Rainn! I mean I had to give myself a mental talking to a time or two because, fictional characters! But they weren’t tho. They were right there in my head, in my life, or I was there, in their lives Lol You know what I mean! GAWD, I love a story that blends all aspects of romance so well! You have the heat, the friendship that evolves to more, the absolute adorbs trope, the emotion, the laughter, the happiness! I felt all of that! I’m gonna read a lot more Finley words very friends. I suggest you do the same, starting right here :) �
Swoooooooooooon!! Every single aspect of this story touched my heart. Gawd, the complexity but yet simplicity of these two men just destined for eSwoooooooooooon!! Every single aspect of this story touched my heart. Gawd, the complexity but yet simplicity of these two men just destined for each other took my breath away. The ease in which they both nurtured each other thru their personal history at the same time as they nurtured a new relationship between the two of them was a thing of beauty. But wait, there’s more LOL Surrounding all of this growth and love was a thin veil of angst that just made the entire journey that much more affecting. All of this just unfolded so spectacularly to me. Honestly, I was taken by surprise by the entire package. I can’t even tell you how many times I said out loud ”what is even happening right now?�, but the good kind of wonder. The kind that has you up till all hour of the night reading a story because you can’t wait to read how it all wraps up and at the same time you are bummed because � no more words! *cries*
Garrett put together and incredible story that was just perfect for Tanner and Jax. I felt it. I was so embedded in their story that I knew them. I felt their struggled and I ached for their reward of each other. I cannot recommend this story enough. I cannot recommend every story I have had the privilege of reading in The World of True North enough. It has been a spectacular ride thus far and I look forward to much more in the future!
I’ve read quite a few books by Annabeth in the past, some have been over the moon great and some haven’t. ճ’s just how things go. She’s a talented I’ve read quite a few books by Annabeth in the past, some have been over the moon great and some haven’t. ճ’s just how things go. She’s a talented author and one of the very few that I one-click automatically. I may not get to read all her books on release, but she’s good enough for me to have them sitting on my kindle waiting till I do :)
The best aspect of this story for me was the opposites of Finn and Harrison alongside the attract of them. They had wicked chemistry in all the things, and it was delightful to read. It was in each other’s personality that brought the best out of the other. THAT was my fave of faves. There’s a whole lot to like in this story but there’s also a few things that needed depth for me to really be able to say it was perfect. IMO, the focus on the farming and those types of details could have been taken up by having more Finn and Harrison so I could connect with them. I honestly never did, but I believed in their HEA. I know, weird, but there it is. It isn’t a very lengthy book and with it being the first in a series, there was also room taken up with the intro to future characters. Again, I believed their HEA, but I was never invested in it. That was a bit of a bummer, but not enough for me to say I was disappointed. *shrug* Cute and funny story so �. 3.5 closer to 3 than 4 STARS! ...more
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