Sunday, June 30, 2024

Leather & Lark

      



Title: Leather & Lark
Series: The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2
Author: Brynne Weaver
Publisher: Zando, June 4, 2024
Pages: 409
Genre: Dark Romance

Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first.

And they can’t stand each other.

Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.

As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them.

There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep.

And this one has come for blood.

I love a good fake engagement / marriage of convenience. And then you mix marriage of convenience with enemies to lovers? So many treats in one book. 

If you read Butcher & Blackbird you know that Sloane is not exactly stable. One could infer that her bestie is probably also a little unhinged. But the level of crazy inside Lark is AMAZING. Truly, this woman is not well. And again, the trauma makes it understandable, but she does not mess around. Or more precisely, she messes around too much. 

I was a little surprised that the main big bad in this book happened so early. I kind of thought she was setting him up to be in the background through the whole trilogy. Which makes me wonder what's going to happen in the third book. I guess I do have to wait a year to find out, but I have a feeling I'm really going to like it. If these two are any indication. 

Ratings
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 4/5

Butcher & Blackbird

     



Title: Butcher & Blackbird
Series: The Ruinous Love Trilogy #1
Author: Brynne Weaver
Publisher: Blue Nose Publishing, August 15, 2023
Pages: 360
Genre: Dark Romance

A friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and spice, unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Every serial killer needs a friend. Every game must have a winner.

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.

But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.

Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves?

Or have they finally met their match?

I am honestly so annoyed that I enjoyed this as much as I did. It's so popular on booktok and social media and stuff. Alas, I understand the hype. It's certainly sensational in many ways.

Ultimately it was fun. Rowan is hot, Sloane is kind of self-righteous, but also hot. They're funny. They're absolutely oblivious. Especially when it comes to each other. I did quite like this book. But they barely mention the police. These are two very specific serial killers who leave calling cards and all kinds of stuff. And the most they have to say about the police is that they can't figure out Sloane's messages. I would also read a book about the FBI agents chasing after Rowan and Sloane's hijinks. Workplace romance, anyone??

This book is dark. It's funny, but there is quite a lot of gore and killing, so keep that in mind. Also, Rowan and Sloane have been through quite a lot of trauma. Which is understandable considering what they've chosen to do with their lives, but they do discuss that past trauma quite a bit as well. 

Ratings
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 4/5

Thursday, June 27, 2024

The Hunter

        


Title: The Hunter
Series: Cal Hooper #2
Author: Tana French
Publisher: Penguin Audio, March 5, 2024
Pages: 474
Genre: Suspense

It’s a blazing summer when two men arrive in a small village in the West of Ireland. One of them is coming home. Both of them are coming to get rich. One of them is coming to die.

Cal Hooper took early retirement from Chicago PD and moved to rural Ireland looking for peace. He’s found it, more or less: he’s built a relationship with a local woman, Lena, and he’s gradually turning Trey Reddy from a half-feral teenager into a good kid going good places. But then Trey’s long-absent father reappears, bringing along an English millionaire and a scheme to find gold in the townland, and suddenly everything the three of them have been building is under threat. Cal and Lena are both ready to do whatever it takes to protect Trey, but Trey doesn’t want protecting. What she wants is revenge.

Tana French is an auto-buy for me. She just writes a dang good book. 

Cal is just trying to live in this little life he's managed to build for himself in Ireland. He had a rocky start in Ardnakelty, but he's managed to smooth the edges and polish things up to a pretty good shine. He's got a good house, a small garden, an independent girlfriend, and Trey. He's practically adopted Trey after working the case for her when he moved to Ireland. 

But Trey's father is back in town, and stirring the pot. And Trey is keeping secrets, Cal is keeping secrets. Things are really shaking up for this sleepy village. And everyone else is more than ready for some shaking up. I do feel like it's wild that Cal stayed in town after everything that happened in the last book, but I'm glad he did. It's fun drama to read about.

Ratings
Stars: 5/5

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

10 Things That Never Happened

    


Title: 10 Things That Never Happened
Series: Material World #1
Author: Alexis Hall
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, October 17, 2023
Pages: 391
Genre: LGBTQ Contemporary Romance

FAKE AMNESIA. REAL FEELINGS? REAL PROBLEMS.

Sam Becker loves—or, okay, likes—his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git.

Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk…only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?

Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guilt—as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression…but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?

Sam Becker doesn't take much seriously. Jonathan Forest takes everything, including himself, way too seriously. To be fair, owning your own business gives you a bit of a right to take it seriously. Jonathan takes it to another level, but we get there in the end.

Sam is just trying to meet his quotas, keep his staff employed, and his boss happy. Which seems nearly impossible. Until Sam gets a head injury at work, and attempts to make a joke that everyone takes a little too seriously. This comedy of errors quickly snowballs out of control and it's pretty stressful. But I mean, still a comedy so hilarious.

It hit all of the beats. Bumbling employee and uptight boss. It made me laugh, it made my cry. Honestly, it did make me cry. That third act breakup HIT. But then Gollum the cat saved the day. I mean, it wasn't that dramatic, but I love a good dually literary pet.

Ratings
Stars: 5/5
Spice: 1/5

A Polar Expedition: And Other Stimulating Research Opportunities

       



Title: A Polar Expedition: And Other Stimulating Research Opportunities
Series: The Shades of Sanctuary #1
Author: Kass O'Shire
Publisher: June 16, 2023
Pages: 296
Genre: Fantasy Romance

She has everything she needs for a solo trek through the Arctic: a sledge heaped with supplies, a little magic, and evidently, the eye of a polar bear shifter–who shouldn't even exist. 

Sirin is determined to find the source of magic, and nothing is going to stop her. Not expulsion from her guild, not their warnings about her “certain death,” and certainly not the damned polar bear stalking her through the taiga.

Berne is a simple bear. He likes spending time shifted, a good meal, and apparently, round little scientists. When his duty to protect a thousand-year-old secret is tested against the strange pull he feels toward her, Berne can't help but sink his teeth into the one solution that might let him keep his adorable prey.

I think that I built this one up a bit in my head. I had really high hopes, and this was VERY good. But it wasn't what I was expecting.

I love the footnotes. I love that Siri is this sassy little thing! She's so oblivious. It's pretty adorable.  She's so smart, and she's so good at research and field observations. But then she has to interact with people, and she has got nothing. Except some pretty cute snarks in the footnotes.

Berne is also really funny. Such a gentleman. I'm looking forward to the next one! Here's hoping Berne's sister is just as cute as her kids!

Ratings
Stars: 3/5
Spice: 4/5

Putting Out for a Hero

      



Title: Putting Out for a Hero
Series: The Villainous Things #3
Author: C. Rochelle
Publisher: July 13, 2023
Pages: 460
Genre: LGBTQ Action Adventure Romance

Baltasar

It’s time for me to start pulling my weight in the Suarez clan—to prove I’m worth more than the plays I make on the field or the dirt I dig up on rival families. I want to make Wolfy proud.

And not get unalived by Simon.

So I volunteered what I had to offer, knowing my infamous genes could be used for uniting two powerful clans in marriage. After all, I’m the only not-gay one in my family, so that alone should entice the super-babes looking to get busy with baby-making.

I mean, as long as they don’t ask me to do math or anything.

But the last supe I expected Wolfy to match me with was the ice queen hero herself, Dahlia Salah. She's not bad, but her brother is my former Deathball rival, and the only one on the planet who can make me Hulk out with a single snarky word.

All I have to do is keep my eye on the prize and ignore this weird tension between Zion and me.

I’ve totally got this.

Zion

I never would have guessed Baltasar Suarez would be the man to lock down my sister.

But shady business deals are what make our world go ‘round, and Dahlia sealed her fate when she went up against the leaders of his clan—as if she were destined for our legendary throne instead of me.

Not that I've been interested in wearing the crown.

Not after everything that happened.

Without Deathball to distract me, I spend most of my time keeping my daughter safe and happy, even though her mother is gone and my parents treat her like an outcast.

Otherwise, I’ve just been… existing. Until Baltasar showed up, as tempting as ever—reminding me of all I’ve lost, and everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything I can never have.

Or can I?

My beast—my true supe form—has already decided the villain is ours, so why not remind my backstabbing family that everything under this roof is destined to belong to me?

Starting with him.

I thought for sure that Baltasar was going to be my favorite Suarez, and so far that stands!! I have a feeling the twins are going to give him a run for his money. But it would definitely take the both of them, because Balty is awesome!

I am also a big ol' sucker for a sports rivalry. Are you joking? Sport rivals who are also "super" rivals? Who have been pining for each other the whole time?! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

And then of course there's Daisy. Who's basically going to be scarier than Simon when she grows up. I love her so much. 

Ratings
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 5/5

Saturday, June 1, 2024

How You Get the Girl

           


Title: How You Get the Girl
Author: Anita Kelly
Publisher: Forever, February 13, 2024
Pages: 372
Genre: LGBTQ+ Contemporary Romance

When a smart-mouthed junior joins East Nashville High’s basketball team, Coach Julie Parker’s ready for the challenge. What she’s not prepared for is the teen’s new foster parent, a super-hot ex-WNBA baller and star of Julie’s fantasies. Julie knows the cool and confident Elle Cochrane is way out of her league. But despite being completely tongue-tied around her, somehow Julie persuades Elle to step in as her assistant coach. 

Elle has not been on a court since her career-ending injury, but she can’t seem to resist Julie, who is just as adorable as her nervous babbling. Maybe because being around her makes Elle feel sparks for the first time in
 long while—which is why she offers to help when Julie reveals her lifelong insecurity about dating and how she wishes she could practice at it…like sports. As Elle helps Julie navigate dating life, lines grow increasingly blurred, and the two must decide whether they’ll stay on the sidelines—or finally take their shot.

What a good finish to this little family's love stories. Don't get me wrong, I would ABSOLUTELY read Hank's book if Anita Kelly wants to give it to us. But this definitely had all of the bits of a series ender that you want to see. Including the continuation of your previous books HEAs. <3

This was absolutely wild. Julie meets her idol and then turns her into her assistant high school basketball. Elle meets an old fan, but she's also just agreed to foster her cousin's teenaged daughter. And now she's coaching basketball? The. Drama.

As someone who has extensively considered fostering, this was very interesting to read. It contained all of the bits that keep me from taking the leap into the system. At least Elle was family with her foster, and they get to stay in each other's lives. Which is better than some people get out of the system. It was lovely to read it.

I also really enjoy stories with Demi/ace representation. It's not something that I relate to, so getting to read about it is really nice. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5
Spice: 2/5