Thank you to the publisher as I received an eARC of Mating The Huntress by Talia Hibbert. This in no way impacted my thoughts, feelings, opinions or rThank you to the publisher as I received an eARC of Mating The Huntress by Talia Hibbert. This in no way impacted my thoughts, feelings, opinions or rating on the book.
If you know me or have been on my blog this year you probably know that Talia Hibbert is my favourite romance author to ever exist. Her books make me swoon and they typically fall in the contemporary genre. Mating The Huntress changed that game and if Talia Hibbert doesn’t continue down paranormal romance I will send her a vial of my tears.
I was a big paranormal fan about ten years ago – around the time I first read Twilight. Over the years it is clear that werewolves and vampires have died off from mainstream books and no one really goes near them too much. Talia Hibbert needs to bring back them because that woman has an utter skill that highlights them. Honestly, if you haven’t read one of Talia’s books, what are you doing?
Mating The Huntress follows a dual perspective of Luke and Chastity. Luke is a werewolf and Chastity is from a long line of female werewolf hunters. Except Chastity isn’t actually trained to be a werewolf hunter due to a prophecy that was told when she was born. Literally, someone busted into the room she was being born and gave her parents the prophecy. I guess that adds to the weirdness when Luke starts romantically pursuing Chastity. It is definitely not something that fits the norm and Chastity is desperate to prove herself to her family. However, these things never go to plan and Chastity learns things that have been forgotten in the history of werewolf hunters that change her perspective.
Honestly, this is such a short read that it is worth your time. It is the perfect story for Halloween, even if you are like me and don’t celebrate it (I live in Australia, it isn’t that weird). As much as I did love this book it did have a few flaws that I would be betraying myself if I didn’t talk about.
I think the first thing about Mating The Huntress that kind of threw me off was the lack of world building. This is an incredibly short book but we are basically thrown into a world with no idea of what is happening. The prologue really sets the scene but apart from that…nothing. I think what factored into that was the fact that this was so short. Talia definitely focused on the romance, but it really left the paranormal aspect to this story feeling a little lacklustre. I have no doubts that if Talia continues to write paranormal (which I hope she does) that this will improve.
My other problem is a whammy, the fact this was so short. It really did make aspects of the book feel rushed, including the romance. I felt like I got whiplash from the drama at one point and the resolution coming so damn fast. Again, I understand the length of this book heavily impacted that but it still would have been nice to have at least 50 more pages.
I really loved the family dynamic of Chastity’s family. The Adofo’s are incredibly close family. One that supports each other no matter what and is willing to take on board new information – even if it counters everything they know. It was incredibly sweet to read the dynamics between siblings since the Adofo’s are a big family.
Finally, this book had the kickass female characters that I love from Talia Hibbert. Chastity is own voices in the sense that she is plus size and black, which is always such a great inclusion. Chastity is also incredibly sassy and just well written. Her personality is the highlight of this book and I found myself laughing incredibly hard at the character dynamics.
Overall, despite its minor flaws Mating The Huntress is another knockout by Talia Hibbert. I have literally read all her works and I will continue to read them. They are worth every second and are just excellently done.
I read this via audiobook on the bus to and from work. reading it via audiobook was a struggle. i’m not sure if it was just the format but i really couI read this via audiobook on the bus to and from work. reading it via audiobook was a struggle. i’m not sure if it was just the format but i really couldn’t get into this book. i am a major fan of unlikeable female characters, but Leah took it all a step too far. she was just a terrible person both internally and vocally throughout the whole book. it made it incredibly difficult. also the pop culture references in becky’s books drive me wild. i desperately wanted to support a f/f novel but this was not one that fit with my reading tastes unfortunately.
this was much better than i thought it would be. it takes a lot of talent to do what marie lu did honestly. she is beyond spectacular with her writingthis was much better than i thought it would be. it takes a lot of talent to do what marie lu did honestly. she is beyond spectacular with her writing and i am 100% impressed. i did have a problem with the ending but that's normal with me and series honestly.
this was incredibly disappointing. i’ll have to go searching through reviews on the discussions about race throughout this book but the abuse representhis was incredibly disappointing. i’ll have to go searching through reviews on the discussions about race throughout this book but the abuse representation in this book wasn’t great. there was also the romance which was basically the healing section of the book. i’m not here for that. i also didn’t like jamie. he came across as controlling and as if he had some kind of hero complex. there was just nothing that made this book standout. ...more
Trigger Warnings: depression, anxiety, parental illness, chronic illness, terminal illness, parental abandonment, discussion of spouse death, suicidal thought mentions, mentions of self-harm scars
Honestly, if you’ve been on my blog for any amount of time I presume you know that Talia Hibbert is my favourite. Not only is she one of the best romance writers I have ever stumbled upon, she is also incredibly lovely. This is really irrelevant to me talking about Untouchable, but I just really like Talia Hibbert as a person.
Untouchable is the second book in the Ravenswood series – technically third if you count the novella. We get to see characters from the first book, Ruth and Evan, and it just makes me so happy. This book follows Hannah and Nate. The pair were in the same year at school but Nate took off at 16 and no ones heard from him since. He’s returned to Ravenswood a widower with two children to look after his terminally ill mother. However, he is struggling to juggle the responsibilities of being a father and taking care of his mother. Also, it is a small town he is remembered for his less than stellar behaviours as a child. Hannah hasn’t worked with children in a couple years due to a snap decision that left her ruining the car of one of the richest people in town. Fortunately, Nate doesn’t care, especially when he sees how good Hannah is with his children. Things obviously get heated as the pair get to know each other again. This book is incredibly steamy and the angst level is kind of off the charts.
Can I gush about how much I love Talia Hibbert any more? I don’t think so, but I’m going to so strap in folks. This author blows me away literally every time I pick up a book. I am anxiously awaiting every new release of hers. Untouchable was no different than the other books I’ve read. It was amazing.
I think my favourite think about this author is that she chooses an issue to bring to light in each of her books. It just gives them so much more depth and a personal touch that truly leaves me on the edge of tears. Untouchable follows largely on sarcoidosis. This was interesting as I have honestly never heard of it. In the authors note at the end of the book Talia reveals that her mother has sarcoidosis, which just makes the inclusion so much more important and obviously helps with bringing awareness to the chronic illness. There are also inclusions of depression and anxiety throughout the book that are so spot on and accurate that I had to put my kindle down at some stages in order to catch my breath.
I was a bit nervous when I realized that this book would feature children. Nate has two children, a son and a daughter, and I didn’t know how I would enjoy that. As a 20-year-old, I have a few friends with children but I haven’t interacted with them much due to the distance between us. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I’m shit scared of children and reading about them in books makes me realize that I am of an age where I can have a child. I really loved the way Talia Hibbert did this though in Untouchable. I loved the personalities of the children and the interactions with them. If anything I wanted more of the children. I know, I was shocked too.
Unlikeable characters fuel my soul because I know in many circumstances I would be an unlikeable character. I was so excited to read about Hannah, who definitely isn’t a character many would gravitate towards. It was such an enjoyable experience and one that I related to. The fact that her depression manifests into a rage is something that I completely understood. When I am relapsing I get so mad without realizing it and it was interesting to see that represented in the text! I also loved the fact that Nate accepted Hannah for who she was. He didn’t want to change her and he simply loved her.
Untouchable is filled with both slow burn and angst but it is honestly amazing. The characters are so fleshed out and the story itself is sexy as heck. Talia Hibbert has a way with words and if you haven’t picked up any of her books – make sure to pick up this series.
I could feel the chemistry too. The last romance book I read (review for that coming in a few weeks) I didn’t feel the chemistry and it felt all over the place. It was just amazing the chemistry between both Nate and Hannah. It was honestly mind-blowing.
Overall, I hope this series isn’t over. I am desperately wanting Rae’s story, a character we meet throughout this story. Untouchable is yet another of Talia Hibbert’s amazing works and I really will continue shouting my praise from the rooftops. I barely have words to even write my overall. These books are just so important with the messages that are entrapped within them. They have more depth than some fantasy books I have read.
Have you read any books in the Ravenswood series? Are you going to? Tell me in the comments!...more
Brooklynaire was probably the book I was most excited to read in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, purely due to the fact that I had grown to love both Nate and Becca separately over the duration of the three previous books. Maybe that is why Brooklynaire disappointed me as much as it did. This storyline was shit. Honestly, it was all over the place. I had so many problems with this and I think the biggest was the power imbalance between Becca and Nate, which I’ll talk about later. Sarina Bowen just felt all over the place with this book and it honestly left me confused in more than one part. This book honestly just felt like a drag and was a poor conclusion to the series as a whole.
Brooklynaire follows both Nate and Becca. The pair has known each other for over seven years and Becca has worked for Nate the entire time. They have experienced each other’s highs and lows and know each other well. However, the relationship has always been professional. Which is pretty good considering Nate is now a billionaire who Becca still works for. The storyline of Brooklynaire crosses over with Pipe Dreams and I think that is what makes for the messiest execution of a book I have possibly scene – since the author seems as if they are doing their best to not repeat scenarios that had happened. The biggest problem in Brooklynaire is a situation from book two, where Becca is experiencing a concussion and is out of word until she is healed. It was just messy, honestly. Very poorly executed and just well written.
I don’t think I have ever read a book where there is zero chemistry between the romantic characters? Brooklynaire decided that was a great idea to do. For most of this book, I wasn’t even sure that Becca liked Nate enough to be his friend let alone to get down and dirty. However, it seemed that was what happened. Sarina Bowen really lets the ball drop with the chemistry though. It was just flat. You could read about Nate lusting over Becca but Becca was virtually indifferent until she wasn’t? There was literally no build up. I feel that this mainly came from the fact that Sarina Bowen was trying to keep up with the storyline of Pipe Dreams, which let it be incredibly damn clunky.
There was so much of the relationship between Nate and Becca that was missed purely because of where and when this story picked up. It didn’t work, at all. I don’t know why. It just didn’t give this couple the depth they needed for me to root for them. In fact, I wanted Becca to ditch Nate and fall in love with Bringley – the AI system that Nate had in his house (I know, it was fucking strange).
I think my biggest problem with this book was the power imbalance between Nate and Becca and how it was solved. Nate is obviously Becca’s boss and her his employee. I always get uncomfortable in books with boss-employee relationships because there is a clear power to the boss. In this book, this imbalance is discussed but Nate barely even cares. His friend tries to push him away from Becca by saying that she could slap him with a sexual harassment case if he pursues her, but he literally doesn’t care. It took away from the whole steam element of this book and left it feeling strange instead. The solution Nate came up with was ridiculous as well spoilers, like why give her your hockey team as a way for her to get an income and for you to no longer be her boss? It felt like a cheap solution. End spoilers.
Becca was definitely my favourite part of this book, mainly because of how relatable she is. She’s been taking care of her mother and sister since their father passed away suddenly from a heart attack. That included dropping out of college and getting a job for Nate. It was something that touched my heart to see as I have been taking care of my mother and sister.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy Brooklynaire. There was too much jealousy and too much that was all over the place. It left the book being a massive disappointment for me and ultimately being a terrible conclusion to the Brooklyn Bruisers series....more
I liked this a lot more than the first time tbh. the one thing i find with all of Sarina’s books is that the relationship always feels a bit rushed? tI liked this a lot more than the first time tbh. the one thing i find with all of Sarina’s books is that the relationship always feels a bit rushed? there’s not too much slow burn, which i do love. but these books are fun to read!
also, ice hockey seems like the most confusing sport ever. i mean if you’re a hockey fan, seems like you get a fuck tonne of games a year but damn as an Australian without winter sports, i have no idea about any of the terminology. still adore hockey romances though
This was definitely enjoyable - hence the 3 stars! I did love both Patrick & Ari. Patrick was my perfect grumpy but soft for his woman & he falls firsThis was definitely enjoyable - hence the 3 stars! I did love both Patrick & Ari. Patrick was my perfect grumpy but soft for his woman & he falls first kind of guy. Ari was fantastically written & I loved all the yoga components - even though I hate yoga with every fibre of my being. I am excited to re-read Lauren’s story!
After disliking The Young Elites by Marie Lu the first four times I tried to physically read it it’s definitely confusing that I decided to pick it up once more. This time I figured I’d give the whole audiobook thing another shot – after listening to parts of The Diviners on audio and enjoying. I walk my dog a lot, listen on 2 times speed and ended up travelling three hours on public transport so I basically threw through this book. I’m so glad to say that my fifth time trying I loved it. The depth of this book was mind-blowing. The characters and how they grew throughout the story. Just wow. My best friend, Alex, and I have a thing for anti-heroes as well, which Adelina is definitely. The twists to her characters let me speechless on the train and wanting to screech (I did my best not to).
I’m sure everyone’s dog knows the plot of The Young Elites since it has been a hyped series since it released in 2014. If not, here we go. Years ago a deadly fever swept through the country. Hundreds of thousands were infected. Thousands died. Some survived. However, strange things happened to some of who survived. Strange markings adorned them and they were labelled as faulty. Adelina lost her eye during this fever and her hair went white. This is something that causes her father deep pain because having a daughter who is tainted is bad for business. These individuals with the strange markings are believed to have powerful gifts though. With a group running around labelling themselves The Young Elites. After Adelina is caught and exposed for her gift she is taken in by The Young Elites. Who can she trust though with one of the king’s men threatening her sister?
I feel like the best part of The Young Elites was seeing Adelina’s growth. Going from an innocent character who had been so viciously mistreated by her father grow into a powerful character who should be feared to one who you definitely should not cross was powerful. Marie Lu captured the transformation perfectly throughout this book that left me cheering. It is beyond clear that as Adelina’s power grows so does the darkness within her and, honestly, it was so fucking awesome.
Honestly, I am so tired of good main characters who want to save the world. Can we get a character who wants to see the world burn and be the one to do it? I feel like this is what The Young Elites are delivering and I am so fucking pumped to read the next books. I know a spoiler for the third book, shout out to everyone who posted it as their status updates on Goodreads when it first came out, but honestly, I don’t think it will bother me (famous last words?). Morally grey characters are changing my life though and authors need to jump on this trend now.
The book is also super diverse. Like, fuck yes? I shouldn’t be surprised though. This is the third Marie Lu book I’ve had the privilege of reading and it is not a disappointment at all. Seeing so many people of colour, having LGBT+ rep and characters with physical flaws rising to the top is where it is at. I honestly don’t know why it took me so fucking long to finish this book because it is fucking incredible.
The other big thing I loved about The Young Elites was the sibling relationship. It truly read like a sibling relationship of two who had been raised in the same house but treated differently. It is something I have experienced and honestly, the representation of it was bringing tears to my eyes when I was walking my dog – which was a straight up mess honestly. It is so good to see these things in books, for me, because not every duo of siblings bands together against the abuse one receives, there is jealousy and undertones of hatred which Adelina definitely felt towards her younger sister.
I have two annoyances with this book, one of which is simply my own fault. Since I was listening strictly via audiobook there were sections in which I tuned out and didn’t really listen in some parts. I had to actively listen which I found difficult due to being someone who can easily tune out background music. However, despite the fact I did this I never really felt lost with the plot which was great.
My other dislike for The Young Elites had to be the romance that Adelina had. I didn’t feel it, nor did I actually ship it. It felt real last minute and rushed in some places. Definitely not something that made me want to continue listening, honestly.
Overall, despite my two tiny flaws for this book I loved it. It was super twisty and left me speechless in so many parts. It was truly such a treat to read – listen to. This book was completely action-packed as well and as someone who thrives on plot-driven stories, this is what I needed. I am so excited to continue this series and I can’t wait to see what Marie Lu does next!...more
Wrong To Need You by Alisha Rai was amazing. I’m sure no one is shocked that I loved it almost as much as I loved the first book in this series. The dynamics between characters and just the overall chemistry that Alisha Rai has the talent of writing blow you out of the park. I think this book may actually be my favourite in the series – something I wasn’t expecting. I said in my review for Hate To Want You that I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about second chance romances since I’m not usually a fan. I guess it goes without saying that I was a bit iffy on the premise of Wrong To Need You – a widowers ex-brother in law and her fall in love. I’m not sure why I was so nervous. It really seems as if Alisha Rai can make me love anything, which is the sigh of an amazing author, obviously.
This book follows Jackson and Sadia. The pair had been best friends going up but once Sadia had started dating Jackson’s older brother Paul things started to get distant between the pair. Not only that but after Jackson was accused of a crime he fled from town and hasn’t spoken to anyone since. During this time Sadia had a son and Paul died. It is definitely not all rainbows for her as she struggles to keep her head above water owning a business she doesn’t want. Jackson turns up in town just at the right time. However, with so much distance between them and a secret Jackson doesn’t want to share, can the two really connect once more?
The answer is obvious, this is a romance book. Let me tell you as well, this book is hot. I can’t even put into words how great the sexual chemistry between Jackson and Sadia is.
Okay, so what did I like about Wrong To Need You? First up we have a bisexual female lead. I know, amazing. Sadia talks about her sexual experiences with both female and males and is 100% not afraid to talk about it. She is super open about it, and despite the fact, there is some mild biphobia from her mother (hence why I added the trigger warning).
I think the other standout feature of this book to me was that Jackson was a chef. I am a pretty big foodie and if you come to my house you have a 98% chance of finding Food Network playing. Hell, the week that I’m writing this review I’m meeting the Masterchef Australia judges – which will have already happened by the time this was published. Basically, any inclusion of food in a romance novel and I swoon. Not only that but Jackson was so good with his nephew, Sadia’s son, that my little heart couldn’t take it. They built a fucking fort and make cookies.
I honestly just can’t deal with these books. My heart is dying. Alisha Rai has the ability to write such imperfect and real characters. She doesn’t write them for the sake of angst or drama. They are simply written as though they are people you may find in your everyday lives. Obviously, there has to be an element of drama but the varying personalities of both Sadia and Jackson were so perfect written together that I was speechless (a common theme with these books it seems).
Actually, my favourite thing about this book was how realistic the panic attack that Sadia has at one point. It is incredibly graphic so I urge caution. However, it was so well written and made me think back to my own panic attacks. I have to credit the author with the talent in which she wrote the attack.
I have two teeny tiny complaints about this book, and honestly, they’re not that big and really just me trying to find something to complain about. I wish that we had gotten more Kareem time on page. I loved that Sadia was killing it as a single widowed mother with the support of her family but I would have loved to see her interacting with her son more. My other complaint is that I wanted to read more about Jia, Sadia’s sister who was taking an unconventional path that her family may not support. Obviously, neither Jia or Kareem are technically main characters in this story so it makes sense why their stories didn’t get included as much but still, I wanted to have a little complain about it.
Overall, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to rip my hair out while reading this book. It was honestly one of the sexiest books I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. It is also a book that battles some tough topics, like separation and grief, but does so in a way that is so flawlessly done. I truly admire Alisha Rai and her words. She is a damn talented author....more
