Book Review: Wild About You by Rebecca Jenshak

Synopsis

A month ago, I was a rookie with the best stats in the league. I was traveling the world, playing hockey, and making more money than I ever dreamed.

Then my sister showed up on my doorstep, expelled from high school, with nowhere else to go.

I don’t know the first thing about being responsible for a troubled teen, and the team jet isn’t exactly kid-friendly.

Enter Piper. My sister’s new teacher and nanny.

Smart, nurturing, and just as beautiful as I remember.

I fell in love with her four years ago and never stopped.

Too bad she hates my guts.

We need her.

And this time, I’m not letting her go.

My Review:
5 out of 5 stars

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! Even without reading the first book in this series, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything when reading this one. I am definitely going to go back and read the first book. I hope there will be more books in this series to come!

Second chance romance is my absolute favorite trope and this one did not disappoint at all. Piper and Tyler were so cute together, had amazing chemistry, and it was clear that they were meant for each other. I was rooting for them throughout the book. I loved how supportive they were of each other. I appreciated that there wasn’t a big, dramatic break up scene like there usually is in romance books.

Joe Arden and Emma Wilder narrated this book and did an amazing job. I’ve listened to other books narrated by each of them and they are among my favorite narrators now. Both of their voices really suited the characters and helped to bring them to life.

*I received an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review – Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

Synopsis

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule…or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city’s inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize…or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can’t keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield?

My Review
3.5 out of 5 stars

There are so many people that have said this was their favorite book of the series so far, but that wasn’t the case for me. My favorite so far is Electric Idol. I didn’t like Achilles for most of this book. I liked Helen and she grew on me throughout the book. One of my favorite things about her is her determination and never giving up. Her sass was a lot of fun, too. My favorite character in this book was Patroclus. We learn some things in this book that have me really excited for the next book in this series! I hope we get some answers to questions that we’re left with at the end of the book. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrators did a fantastic job. *I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review – Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

Synopsis

One night, and my entire life went up in flames. All because of him. Jafar. As my world burned down around me, he offered me a choice. Walk away with nothing but my freedom… Or rise to his challenge and win my fortune back.

I bargained.

I lost.

Now Jafar owns me, and even as my mind rails against his rules, my body loves the punishments he deals out when I break them.

But a gilded cage is still a prison, I’ll do anything to obtain my freedom.

Even betray the man I’m falling for.

My Review
3 out of 5 stars

I’ve been putting off reading this series for a while but I’m glad I finally decided to dive in. I buddy read this with @ms.scarletinthelibrary on Instagram and really enjoyed our daily discussions. I enjoyed seeing Jasmine grow throughout the book. She was able to explore and figure out things that she wants, things that she wasn’t able to have before. My favorite part was the ending 😁 I’m not really into some of the kink in this story and I wish there had been more world building and time with some of the side characters, but I enjoyed this book overall and am looking forward to continuing with the series. Hades is up next and I’m sure his story is going to be interesting! I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narrators, Lessa Lamb and Jack Calihan.

Book Review – Apollo by Carly Spade

Synopsis

For ballet dancer Laurel Berg, no amount of artistic expression ever seemed enough to satisfy the ravenous muse within her. Painting didn’t have enough brush strokes, music didn’t seem to have enough notes.

But when the company director announces Ace, front man of the band Apollo’s Suns would have a special appearance in their new production, she had no idea she’d be amidst the King of the Muses himself.

And when magical things start happening, things she can’t rationally explain, she’ll discover there’s more to rock star Ace than an ego the size of Mount Olympus and a dazzling smile that could put the sun to shame.

My Review
5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved Laurel and Apollo together. Their banter at the beginning of the book was hilarious and it was so fun to watch their relationship and connection grow throughout the book. I loved that Apollo could see the passion and potential in Laurel, she just needed a little nudge to let go and show her true self. I absolutely love Greek mythology but there is still a lot about it that I don’t know, so I enjoyed when Apollo was telling Laurel about some of his history. I really enjoyed seeing other characters from this series and can’t wait to move on to Ares’ book next! I listened to the audio version of this book and loved the narrator. She did a great job with all of the different voices.

Book Review – Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower

Synopsis

Shiloh Bellamy cashed in her big city job and 401K to return home to Michigan to save the family farm, but turning Bellamy Farms into a sustainable, organic operation – complete with a farm-to-table café – is no small feat. Especially when her new investor is found dead among the flowers just hours after the contract is signed. Everyone knows her father had a grudge against the investor, and word travels fast in a small town…

Now, Shiloh must clear her family’s name and track down the real killer before her organic farm dreams wilt before her very eyes. But with her father trying to stop any progress on his land, her cousin belittling her every effort, the farmhouse falling down around her, and the whole town believing her family at fault, Shiloh’s small town troubles are growing much faster than her crops. She’ll have to trust her own investigation or risk all her dreams drying up before they begin.

My Review
2 out of 5 stars

I’ve read other books by this author and really enjoyed them, but unfortunately I just didn’t really care for this book. I do like this author though so I’m going to give the second book in this series a chance anyway and see if I like that one better. I had a very hard time paying attention to the story because for a large portion of the book, nothing much happened. Things picked up a little toward the end of the book but by that time I was just ready for the story to be over. The people living in the town were just horrible to Shiloh, constantly telling her that she was a murderer. It was a little over the top at times with their cruelty. I was not able to guess the killer so the author did succeed in stumping me with that.

Book Review – Flock by Kate Stewart

Synopsis

I grew up sick.⁣
⁣
Let me clarify.⁣
⁣
I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.⁣
⁣
Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.⁣
⁣
When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.⁣
⁣
Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.⁣
⁣
Secrets that cost us everything to keep.⁣
⁣
That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.⁣
⁣
Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.⁣
⁣
And all were punished.

My Review
4 out of 5 stars

I listened to the audio version of this book and absolutely loved the duet narration. Both narrators were great and were easy to listen to. As for the book, I decided to check this series out since it’s insanely hyped. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. That sound on TikTok has been driving me crazy wondering why everyone bursts into tears when hearing it LOL. The storyline definitely held my interest even if all of the secrecy was a little annoying. I’m invested though and need to know what’s going to happen next. I’m going to start Exodus right away.

Book Review – Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

Synopsis

There’s nothing like a good deli and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World famous for its pastrami, cole slaw and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, the only clue in each case is one shoe that’s been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it’s a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they’d better figure out what’s going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum

My Review
3 out of 5 stars

It’s been a few years since I read book #24 in this series. I didn’t enjoy that book as much as I did the earlier books in the series and unfortunately, I didn’t really care much for this one either. I would hate to give up on these books now given how much time I have invested in this series, but Stephanie’s back and forth between Ranger and Morelli is really getting old. I wish she would make a choice between them or just not be with either one. I’m pretty much only reading these books now for Lula. She is hilarious and I love her character.

Book Review – No Rings Attached by Rachel Lacey

Synopsis

Lia Harris is tired of being the odd one out. She’s never quite fit in with her uptight family, and now that her roommates have all found love, she’s starting to feel like a third wheel in her own apartment. Fed up with her mother’s constant meddling in her love life, Lia drops hints about a girlfriend she doesn’t have. But with her brother’s London nuptials approaching, she needs to find a date to save face. Lia turns to her best friend, Rosie, for help, and Rosie delivers—with the fun, gorgeous Grace Poston.

Grace loves to have a good time, hiding her insecurities behind a sunny smile. Her recent move to London has provided her with a much-needed fresh start. Grace isn’t looking for love, and she hates weddings, having weathered more than her fair share of heartache. Friendships are different, though, so for Rosie’s sake, she reluctantly agrees to pose as Lia’s adoring girlfriend for the wedding festivities.

Both Grace and Lia are prepared for an awkward weekend, complete with prying family members and a guest room with only one bed. As it turns out, they get along well—spectacularly, in fact. Before they know it, the chemistry they’re faking feels all too real. But is their wedding weekend a fleeting performance or the rehearsal for a love that’s meant to last?

My Review
4 out of 5 stars

After finishing the previous book in this series, I was so excited to see that Lia was going to get a book of her own since I really liked her character. I absolutely love Lia. I am similar to her in a lot of ways. I have to make plans for things and know what is going on, and though I’m not quite as bad as Lia about talking things to death, I can do that sometimes too lol. It was nice to see a character that is so willing to communicate and talk about things when there are so many books where the characters don’t communicate at all, which can be so frustrating. Lia and Grace had amazing chemistry together. That came across even more as Grace made a connection with Lia. I really loved seeing the demisexual rep in this book. Grace could be a little too harsh with Lia at times, but that made sense for her character, even if it made me feel bad for Lia. I love the way that this book ended! It was the perfect way to wrap up everyone’s story.

Book Review – The Noise by JD Barker and James Patterson

Synopsis

In the shadow of Mount Hood, sixteen-year-old Tennant is checking rabbit traps with her eight-year-old sister Sophie when the girls are suddenly overcome by a strange vibration rising out of the forest, building in intensity until it sounds like a deafening crescendo of screams. From out of nowhere, their father sweeps them up and drops them through a trapdoor into a storm cellar. But the sound only gets worse . . .

My Review
4 out of 5 stars

I had no idea at all where this story was going. It was fast past and the suspense built throughout which left me eager to find out how it would end. I have so many questions after that ending! There isn’t much to say without it being a spoiler, so I’ll just leave it at this.

Book Review – Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon

Synopsis

I’ve never spent a day without my mate since arriving on the ice planet. I’m happy and in love, and we have a beautiful child together. All that changed when the world shook.

My mate nearly died.

He wakes up from his coma…and he can’t remember me. Or our son. Every memory of the past two years is gone. And that changes everything between us. How can I love someone that doesn’t remember me?

How can I not, when I know he’s still my mate underneath it all?

My Review
4 out of 5 stars

My heart absolutely broke for Pashov and Stacy and their kit. I can’t imagine the pain of someone I love not remembering me anymore. As bad as I felt for Stacy, I felt even worse for Pashov. It seemed like he couldn’t get a break at all. Everyone was telling him what he should and shouldn’t do. I wish Stacy had communicated more about how she was feeling instead of just pushing Pashov away. Some of my favorite moments were when Pashov was playing with and taking care of Pacy so he could get to know his son again.