FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTEDFTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
I've been looking forward to this series for a while now, but I am extremely disappointed with this release. For it to be the second book in the series, this does not bode well for the fate of the series!
My biggest complaint was that the plot was CONSTANTLY interrupted by the fact that the main characters had to have sex! It went way beyond the realm of erotic, and veered straight into crazy! It was totally unbelievable to me, just how much they had to have it. The romantic suspense plot was constantly interrupted by this! Because of the constant interruptions, the romantic suspense plot didn't make much sense to me. There wasn't that much detail about the events, or why Price's suspicions were raised. This aspect of the plot felt very forced and thrown together.
I totally believed in Kate's grief, and the love that she and Price shared, but the rest of the plot totally overwhelmed this aspect of the book. I liked the characters to a point, and much preferred Otis and Michelle to the main characters.
Having read these authors before, I know they are capable of doing much better than this! I can honestly say that I won't be purchasing or recommending this book!...more
DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT ADISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
I'm sorry to say it, but I hated this book! The blurb says it's a "Wall Street meets the Sons of Anarchy" type of book, but that couldn't be further from the truth! It definitely has the Wall Street vibe, but it's mixed more with War of the Roses and The Godfather than anything else.
The Brandon family is full of drama, deception, and backstabbing. This made it difficult to connect with any of the family members, let alone care about them. Shane was supposed to be the good one, the one with a moral compass, and yet he was a complete and total jerk when it came to Emily, coming off as a possessive and controlling a-hole more so than anything else.
Emily was a bit of a mouse of a heroine. She's supposed to be this strong woman, it seemed, and yet she submitted to practically everything Shane wanted from her. She also has this deep, dark secret, that I believe is tied to the events of the first chapter, but there's so much vague innuendos and deception that it was hard to tell.
One of the biggest problems I had with this book was the fact that nothing is well explained. After reading it, we're left with more questions than answers, especially with a cliffhanger ending. It read more like a serial than an actual full length novel! Considering how much I hate serials and cliffhangers, this was not a good way to leave things for me.
This was my first introduction to the author and her work, but if this is indicative of her writing style, I will be avoiding her work in the future. As it is, I definitely would not recommend this book to others, and won't be continuing the series!...more
I wasn't that impressed with this book. The blurb makes it seem like this would be more of a circus themed book, but what we got was an elaborate reveI wasn't that impressed with this book. The blurb makes it seem like this would be more of a circus themed book, but what we got was an elaborate revenge plot that was built off of illusions and deception.
Jay feels slightly stalkerish in the beginning, then he just becomes manipulative of Matilda, seeming to me to force her into situations she may not want to do. He even goes so far as to manipulate her father into taking his court case, without telling him all the pertinent facts up front.
Matilda is such a mouse of a heroine! She goes along with the "manipulation", but she also doesn't stand up for herself! So much just went over her head and even I could see there was something too convenient about things! Granted, she eventually follows her dreams, but she allows Jay's deceptions to stand, all because he begs her to "wait and see the bigger picture". She came off as weak and stupid, rather than brave.
There are some interesting secondary characters, but I felt early on that Jessie was trouble, and didn't care for how her actions could be harmful to herself. I was surprised by what she was actually doing, but felt it could have been handled differently.
I didn't like that the prologue really didn't fit the most of the book, other than a few casual mentions, until the last few chapters. I dislike dropping a mystery on a reader like this, as I prefer it woven throughout the entire story, not started at the beginning, ignored for the first half, then dropped into the middle and sprinting to the end of the book with it. Makes the mystery rushed, in my opinion, and that was certainly the case here.
I don't think I'll continue the series, or continue to read the author's works....more
I was under the impression when I started this book that it was a Romantic Suspense, but upon reading it, I found that my impression was horribly wronI was under the impression when I started this book that it was a Romantic Suspense, but upon reading it, I found that my impression was horribly wrong! I would definitely classify this story as a New Adult novel, which I really hate, but this one was actually rather engrossing! There is a definite mystery element to the story, but it is a very rudimentary one. In fact, the entire story felt rather simplistic!
We only get broad strokes when it comes to Kennedy, we don't get a lot of detail when it comes to her thought processes. Most of the events that occur in the story are told to us, rather than shown to us, so the combination of the two make it difficult to connect with Kennedy overall. The topic the story focused on is rather saddening in itself, so lacking that emotional connection to the story makes it harder to enjoy. Supporting characters that weren't Christians felt superficial at best, and the Christian ones weren't as in depth as I'd like.
I believe that this is the author's first book, and it certainly reads like that, even as such a quick read. I liked the fact that the story was complete for the most part, but that there were enough loose ends to progress to the next book. I was entertained enough with this that I'll probably read the next book in the series at some point....more
This installment was an interesting twist for me. I recognized that this was the start of Where It All Went Downhill for me the first time I read the This installment was an interesting twist for me. I recognized that this was the start of Where It All Went Downhill for me the first time I read the series. That being said, I didn't feel that the events of this book warranted that kind of reaction as much. This one was a bit of a repeat of book 5, Ceremony in Death, and even book 11 Judgement in Death, which is what sparked the initial reaction in the first place. It even went so far as to bring one of the characters met in book 5's story into this one. It was interesting to see the changes that book 5 had wrought on the character of Jamie. I also liked how it gave me some things to think about as well, like how the relationships become central to what makes a good romantic suspense. All in all, it was an interesting read!...more
I've been a fan of the World of Warcraft game for quite a while now, and inevitably my fandom led me to exploring the lore a bit more in depth. I got I've been a fan of the World of Warcraft game for quite a while now, and inevitably my fandom led me to exploring the lore a bit more in depth. I got my start in the game during the Burning Crusade era, so reading this book was a bit like returning to my game origins, for it is the novelization of the events in Outland of that entire expansion. However, it is so much more than that. What this book does is ties the events that occur in Outland during the Burning Crusade era to the upcoming events in Legion, through a sub-plot involving the Night Elf Vandrel and his quest for vengeance against the Burning Legion.
What I found most interesting was the fact that no one actually took the time to sit down with Illidan and discover what his true motivations were. Basically, here he is, the one unique person that can describe the Legion's plans in detail and his own plans for defending Azeroth, and yet every person on the planet and in Outland hated his guts! He wasn't the Betrayer, he just was trying to defend his homeworld. It makes him the most misunderstood Villain in the game.
To me, this was well worth the read. Makes me really want to go back to Outland, quest through the zones, see the sights that were discussed in the book, then run the raids to see how this all wove together. I hope we see more of this lore to come!...more
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTEDFTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
Normally, I enjoy reading a romance that is a homage to shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, but I have to say I didn't really enjoy this one.
I absolutely hated the deception! With Hanna being a "Christian" woman, her reputation should not have been her entire focus! Actions speak louder than words, I always say, and her actions were not saying anything good about Hanna! Will was just as bad with his innuendo and selfish nature, almost as if he felt he deserved to have Hanna just fall at his feet! I couldn't understand them together, and didn't see much romance or wooing between the two of them.
For me, this book really dragged, taking entirely too long to get through. Thankfully, it was a standalone romance and not a series, but even then I wouldn't recommend or purchase a copy of this book for myself....more
I started reading this because the other book I was reading was kind of boring me, but this one was even worse! It's more of a 1.5 star read, but I'm I started reading this because the other book I was reading was kind of boring me, but this one was even worse! It's more of a 1.5 star read, but I'm rounding up because I actually finished it.
My first problem with it was that it was new adult romance. The heroine was largely forgettable, though she was quick witted. I hated how much she bed hopped and was fairly proud of that fact. I couldn't understand who her "brother" was, and what the conspiracy was surrounding her. It never gets fully explained, either. She breaks the "major rule" and yet winds up a Hero anyway, continuing on with missions. The book was too vague to make sense!
All in all, this was largely forgettable, and I'm abandoning the series and deleting it from my Kindle....more
As I read this book, I had a lot of thoughts about the story and most of them were negative. The heroine, for being even a marginal Christian, wanted As I read this book, I had a lot of thoughts about the story and most of them were negative. The heroine, for being even a marginal Christian, wanted to deceive her friends and family entirely too much for my taste. I also wondered why she didn't (view spoiler)[report the rape right away, as she met the offender in a public place and others could have given a decent description of him, even if she couldn't (hide spoiler)]. It just allowed for others to get hurt too! She also couldn't move on from her losses in the past and it impacted what got her in the situation in the first place as well as the potential relationships she wanted to cultivate when she returned to Chapel Springs. Jade was a very weak heroine in my eyes, because she wouldn't even speak up for herself at times, and then copped out and wound up hurting her closest friend, just because she couldn't handle the results her decisions created. Daniel's agreement to all this also made him weak in my eyes, because he wanted Jade any way he could get her and was willing to settle for a relationship not based on love. While it was mildly interesting, I don't think I'd buy it at full price, and may wind up not owning the book at all....more
I was hoping that this book would be better than the previous book in the series, but I was sadly mistaken, as this story had even more issues than thI was hoping that this book would be better than the previous book in the series, but I was sadly mistaken, as this story had even more issues than that previous story!
Tate/T.J. is a complete jerk! He thinks he knows best, so he acts in a way to "spare" his wife from feeling guilty. His method of doing so? A divorce, with no real explanation to her as to the reason why. It was as if he thought Cassie was a sexually submissive slave, instead of a partner in their marriage, though it is never actually labeled as such. I couldn't believe that he thought her so weak that she couldn't handle the truth, and yet his actions caused her transformation into a more dominant woman, one who goes after what she wants, which was him. His actions were totally unbelievable, and his beliefs unrealistic.
Cassie's not without her own problems, though. I found it hard to believe that she'd want to be that taken care of and not want to do for herself in the long run. I also couldn't believe that she'd insist on not reporting the incident at the first sex club, even if it meant opening their relationship up to public scrutiny. However, I did like seeing her grow as a woman as the month wore on and she tried to win Tate back.
This book also gave us more insight into the club as well as Leo and Shay's relationship from the previous book in the series, which I did enjoy reading. It was good to see Shay settling down a bit and growing into her relationship with Leo. Brute was also in this book, and I think he is the best of the three owners of the club. I am eager to read his story!...more
This is my first experience with this author, and after reading this, I'm not so sure I would read another book by her. The premise was interesting enThis is my first experience with this author, and after reading this, I'm not so sure I would read another book by her. The premise was interesting enough, but didn't fully deliver on the potential that I could see within it. The curse's parameters were both squicky and uncomfortable for me, and at the same time they also felt like an excuse. I couldn't really connect with the characters, because we don't get a lot of backstory about them and the fact that they were constantly dancing around information about themselves, which made for a lot of miscommunication. I was constantly bemoaning the wasted potential! I'd give this a 2.5 star rating, if I could, but it is not a 3 star caliber book!...more
I think this is the book where Roberts announced that she is J.D. Robb, but I really feel that it could have been better done. This book has since beeI think this is the book where Roberts announced that she is J.D. Robb, but I really feel that it could have been better done. This book has since been split into two separate books: Hot Rocks and Big Jack, but I think that splitting the book has done it a disservice as it really needs to be read as a whole to capture the nuances completely.
The first half of this book is the Hot Rocks half, and I have to say, I wasn't that impressed with this plot! Lainie and Max had nothing of the courtship or romance, they just have sex a couple of times and it's insta-love! I had a hard time believing it, as I had a hard time believing that Lainie's friends would just totally accept that she's been lying to them for years! I would have hard feelings over it, and it just was hard for me to suspend disbelief there. The heist story was interesting, but the villains actions were very predictable. 1.5 stars for this half.
The second half is Big Jack, and it is much better done! The villain is again predictable here, but their crimes were not. It was interesting to see where everyone had ended up and get Eve's look at the now 50 year old crime. The pacing was faster, and there was more excitement overall. Just a much smoother story, and we didn't have the messy entanglements of a new romance to deal with! 3.5 stars for this half.
All things considered, this was an interesting addition to the series, and one definitely worth checking out!...more
By the time you get to the fifth book in a series, you've either built up some pretty massive anticipation for a particular couple's story, or you've By the time you get to the fifth book in a series, you've either built up some pretty massive anticipation for a particular couple's story, or you've lost me as a reader because I haven't found anything in your series that speaks to me. When I finally sat down to read this book, I was in the massive anticipation for (Jack) Tanner and Abby's story camp. However, when I finished this book tonight, I found myself wondering if I should continue the series.
Abby is the sheltered and protected little sister of the DeLuca family, and she's mainly let that ride for the first four books. In this book, she finally gets her claws in so many ways, and yet in so many others, she winds up being a whiny, spineless shell of what she started out as. I found it very annoying. It took a character I hated from the beginning of the book to point out to Abby how spineless she really was, then she finally took charge of what she wanted. There was also a lot of miscommunication in this story, which could have been cleared up if only (Jack) Tanner and Abby had talked with one another! (Jack) Tanner was also the silent type, too much so, as he wound up taking a lot of crap from all of his supporting characters in the group, to the point where I wondered if he had "doormat" as a secondary nickname. To be fair, I did chuckle and laugh at a good handful of places in the book, which has saved it from a 2 star rating, but in my opinion, this book is the weak link in the series, and I'll be waiting for a library copy of the 6th book in the series to read it before purchase....more
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH ONE OF A VARIETY OF SOURCES. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IFTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH ONE OF A VARIETY OF SOURCES. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
When I first learned of this book, I was very excited to read about such a strong and independent woman. Unfortunately, my excitement waned very quickly once I started the book and I'm afraid that I'm going to be the dissenting opinion among the early reviewers because I didn't enjoy this read!
First and foremost, this is not a standalone romance! In order to have things make sense, you must have at least read Fluffy, if not it and Little Miss Perfect. Neither the blurb nor the promotional materials make reference to that fact, and I really think that they should have.
Secondly, the rekindled romance got lost amidst Perky's obsessive need for revenge! I get that she was angry, and she absolutely had every right to be, but when it takes roughly 75% of the book for her to finally start getting her head out of the sand and believing Parker, that's a bit much for me. There was so much wasted time! If she had heard Parker out earlier, they could have worked together to figure out who wanted her ruined in that manner, and that, I believe, would have been a more enjoyable read!
Thirdly, I didn't find the book that funny! Yes, there were some witty one liners, but that was about it for me. I found the entire situation too hurtful and important to be truly funny.
The book wasn't a total loss though. The writing, when I wasn't objecting to situations in the book, was engaging. The overall subject matter in the story was actually very relevant to the world at large today, and I appreciated the topic overall. It will make for interesting talking points with my oldest daughter, as she prepares to leave home for the first time to make her way in the wide world.
I think that this was a case of me just not being a good fit for this book. I know others have really enjoyed this, and I know that I am still a fan of this author's works, but this one just missed the mark for me. I hope to be able to read the follow up novel as well, and hopefully turn my opinion of the "series" around!...more
This series happens to be one of my favorites of Nora Roberts', however this book lacks some of the charm of the first two in the trilogy. Shannon is This series happens to be one of my favorites of Nora Roberts', however this book lacks some of the charm of the first two in the trilogy. Shannon is a very harsh, disbelieving heroine, and while she's had to be strong in order to deal with the sudden deaths of her parental figures so close together, it is that strength that has her pushing away what she finds in Ireland. In this book, we readers finally see Murphy Muldoon take the plunge, falling in love with the lost Concannon sister that is Shannon. This is the only book in the series that ties the romance to a bit of Irish legend and mysticism, and I felt that the story suffered for it, because it became a distraction and felt unnecessary to the plot. I enjoyed the other stories in the series more because they didn't have that mysticism in them, they came off as more realistic and strong romances because of it. All in all, it was a decent way to spend a Sunday afternoon!...more
Second verse same as the first with this book, it was just ok. I had a hard time connecting with the characters overall. Molly acts more like she's 20Second verse same as the first with this book, it was just ok. I had a hard time connecting with the characters overall. Molly acts more like she's 20, instead of the late 40's widow she really is. Adele is a giant witch to everyone, and there is no real reason why given in the story. CeeCee's focused on being a celebrity, her good side, and her special makeup for television appearances, and it was old in the first book! Sheila's nice, but forgettable, as she doesn't stand up for herself much and is rather meek overall. Dinah's an enabler, and not in a good way. Don't even get me started on Barry, because he seems like he's using Molly more so than anything else, and she doesn't see it! It seems like every new member of the group seems to be evil in some way! It was too predictable! Thankfully, I got this from the library, but I'm not sure I'll be continuing after the next book....more
I'm always eager for an Eve Dallas novel, and now that I've caught up to the series, I eagerly anticipate every release. However, this one was a bit oI'm always eager for an Eve Dallas novel, and now that I've caught up to the series, I eagerly anticipate every release. However, this one was a bit of a disappointment for me, even though I ripped through it in roughly 9 hours.
It's somewhat of a follow up to Echoes, in so much as the crime is all about the rich and famous of the city. This is more of a gossip angle though, and I found the crime to be very boring! I was actually glad that the victim was dead! I liked how Eve stood for her anyway, as it spoke to Eve's Character. I loved how introspective Roarke was! It was a great look into his mind, and saved the book from a 2 star rating! Hopefully, things will improve with the next book!...more
Oh, my, gosh! I literally could not put this book down! It was amazing! It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me running the spectrum of emotions!Oh, my, gosh! I literally could not put this book down! It was amazing! It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me running the spectrum of emotions! I loved that we got so much resolution in this book, even though that resolution led to more issues for Eve herself. I loved how far this book pushed Eve out of her comfort zone, and showed the dichotomy between her homicide teams and other teams in the Police fraternity. The bonds of Eve's relationship with Roarke were also tested here, and I believe overall that they came out stronger for it. I think this is the strongest book in the series so far, and this story will have far reaching impacts on the Eve Universe for years to come....more
I hated this book! It starts out completely horribly, and I just couldn't get over it! Donovan was a complete, pardon my language, asshole! I couldn'tI hated this book! It starts out completely horribly, and I just couldn't get over it! Donovan was a complete, pardon my language, asshole! I couldn't understand why Sofie kept wanting to be with him when he treated her has shabbily as he did! The author used the guise of wanting to understand him, but honestly, if he treats you that badly on your first sexual encounter, then considers you nothing more than an inconvenience when he does return to town, then he's really not worth wasting your time on! This is the second disappointment for me by this author, but thankfully it will be my last. I'm deleting the books from my Kindle Library, and I don't think I'll continue with the series....more
I really wanted to enjoy this, but it felt like too much telling rather than showing. It read as if we were reading an extended diary or journal entryI really wanted to enjoy this, but it felt like too much telling rather than showing. It read as if we were reading an extended diary or journal entry rather than an actual plot. There was very little meaningful interaction between the main characters. I also found it unfathomable that Roxie wouldn't have been more torn up about her previous relationship ending. She wound up jumping into things with Kai awfully fast! It also was irksome that it seemed like half the plot was missing only to find out that there was a prequel that should have been read before this! Not worth keeping on my Kindle and will be avoiding the author in the future....more
