Started off just fine, I loved the Wyoming ranch setting and it felt like it was going to be super cute.
But there was so much freaking exposition thaStarted off just fine, I loved the Wyoming ranch setting and it felt like it was going to be super cute.
But there was so much freaking exposition that I started to get uneasy, and then at least three times the momentum was lost in a significant moment because the story goes off on a tangent. And THEN it somehow it turned into a typical, nearly-every-single-NA-box-checked New Adult/indie romance novel, down to the same litany of tired phrases, annoying nicknames, and pseudo-dominant sex that seems to reproduce itself over and over in those categories. There might’ve been a cute book in here somewhere, but it is completely obscured by the writing.
The light-hearted romance + occasionally awkward smut thing doesn’t feel entirely natural as written, either. And his whole vibe was off, as he’s supposedly a reformed manwhore with random details thrown in to prove it (some of the sex, the icky sleeping with his childhood first kiss’ mom thing) but he never acts that way except when it’s supposed to be shocking or exciting you.
I was absolutely floored to look at the book editions and find that this was apparently published by Dial, a division of Penguin? After finding so many NA language and situational markers, I thought this was an independently published book, not one with the benefit of editorial help, especially a publisher as big and well-respected as that. (Explains the cover, though.) So annoyed by this, and am disappointed I can’t rely on the name being synonymous with quality any longer.
Not the author’s fault—I don’t know what this book’s path was to publishing, I can see why it sparked interest (I so hoped it would be another Amy Barry-type western series), but this was taken on, acquired, and released way before it was ready.
1.5 stars Docking it an extra half star for writing and editing that should have been way better. Concept + quirky cover aren’t enough to cut it....more
In the eyes of parents, I think, children always seem just a blink away from redemption. No matter to what depths we watch them sink, we believe they In the eyes of parents, I think, children always seem just a blink away from redemption. No matter to what depths we watch them sink, we believe they need only grasp the lifeline, and we can still pull them safely to shore.
Feels like a cozy mystery (narrator contributes to this), except with less zaniness and more serious, though not graphic, crimes.
My first Brennan. WaFeels like a cozy mystery (narrator contributes to this), except with less zaniness and more serious, though not graphic, crimes.
My first Brennan. Was pleasantly surprised by the PI’s persuasive skills as she investigates, though I didn’t really understand the need for the shifting 1st to third person POVs. But enjoyed it well enough to try another one.
3.5 stars Enjoyed, mostly because she is fantastic.
I just think not enough time is spent on the resolution of the biggest obstacle to their romance, 3.5 stars Enjoyed, mostly because she is fantastic.
I just think not enough time is spent on the resolution of the biggest obstacle to their romance, which is his determination to marry a lady with a pedigree. While I appreciated the walking stick subterfuge, the trick of the flowers, and his Freddy Eynsford-Hilling on the street where she lives, I would like to have seen a more explicit spelling out of his remorse and regret and change in heart.
I did like seeing Catherine and Harry’s introduction, though. One thing I tire of in series is when the author feels the need to spend massive amounts of time introducing characters from the next installation or characters in previous installations outstaying their welcome. That doesn’t happen here or in book one—we get fond glimpses, and the characters are lovingly included as part of the family, but the focus is on the H/h. As it should be....more
I liked this one. Borderline John Marrs-y, though not quite as tight in plotting or layered in character work. It's also not hard to guess a few of thI liked this one. Borderline John Marrs-y, though not quite as tight in plotting or layered in character work. It's also not hard to guess a few of the reveals, but it's enjoyable and well-written for the most part nonetheless. I'd definitely check out more of this author's books.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Skillfully read in lovely Irish accents by Emer Heatley. New fan!...more
I love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get betterI love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get better later on and is still funny with lots of chemistry, but it’s just not the delight from beginning to end that books 1 and 3 were. And I expected, after learning early on what's made Keeley live her life with such abandon, that it would be more poignant.
I enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (heI enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (he goes from hating her to being smitten really quickly), and the mystery is light.
But I don't mind, because I like them both, I like the writing, I like how seamlessly the heroine is feminist within a historical context, and the audio version narrated by Mary Jane Wells is just lovely.
I’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agI’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agents, editors, etc.) you’re supposed to get from traditional publishing. Such a nice surprise after being so underwhelmed by Not in Love.
First chapter is a little jumbled, but the rest of it is pretty much a funny, flirty dream....more
Not a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a worNot a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a work party with no memory of what happened to her.
I don't have the brain space to write the review this book deserves, but it's a good companion piece to Consent, Know My Name, and The Female of the Species. Like TFOTS, this one delves into sensitive subjects under the guise of riveting fiction, and also explores racism, cultural identity, complicated parental bonds, and various relationships. (view spoiler)[The amount of dismay and rage I felt when she finally tells her boyfriend about her rape and she ends up comforting him. Unfortunately a familiar dynamic for many women, as well as all the fallout that follows. (hide spoiler)]
I was not at all prepared for this, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. Really well-written, and an author to watch.
Audio Notes: The audio performance by Rosa Escoda is absolutely perfect....more
Enjoyed the ride, even if I'm not specifically blown away. But that's okay.
When I read The Kind Worth Killing, I didn't realize it was going to be a sEnjoyed the ride, even if I'm not specifically blown away. But that's okay.
When I read The Kind Worth Killing, I didn't realize it was going to be a series, but although they're somewhat loosely connected in the sense that Henry/Lily don't spend the entire books together solving crimes or whatever, their connection forms the basis of an interesting relationship nonetheless.
I did like the way the last chapter was written, too.
Wendy Darling
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