Lucky Leap Day

                                              

Title: Lucky Leap Day

Series: Hashtag Holidays #2

Author: Ann Marie Walker

Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca, January 18, 2022

Pages: 319

Genre: Contemporary Romance

After one-too-many whiskeys, fledgling screenwriter Cara Kennedy takes a page out of someone else’s script when she gets caught up in the Irish tradition of women proposing on Leap Day. She thought she might have dreamt everything until she woke the next morning with a hot guy in her bed and a tin foil ring on her finger. Her flight is in four hours, her clothes are all over the room, and she has the most important meeting of her career in exactly two days—and on top of everything else, her husband has a dog who thinks Cara is a perfect surrogate mother, despite the fact that she has never been much of an animal lover…

Deciding to work things out stateside, Finn and her new fur baby accompany her to LA, where Finn spends his days going on auditions and his nights charming his new bride, leaving Cara to wonder whether this is real love, or if Finn is another aspiring actor just after her Hollywood connections? With limited time on his tourist visa, will Finn be able to convince Cara that she’s the right girl for him, or will time run out on their Hollywood ending?

Reading this adaptation of the movie Leap Year was cute. That might be harsh, and I am absolutely going to be watching the movie Leap Year later today to see just how close they were. Because it's been about 14 years now since I saw that movie. 

BUT. This book was cute. Cara has plans to go to Dublin with her boyfriend. Obviously he dumps her right before the trip and for whatever reason, they both still go to Dublin? This was suspect decision number 1 for me, in a long string of wild decisions, but here we are. In Dublin, with Cara getting into the backseat of a very attractive man's car for a Lyft from the airport to the hotel. Finn is hot and charming. So Finn closes out the Lyft and offers to take Cara on a little driving tour of Dublin. And suspect decision number 2 is that Cara goes. 

OK, I'll stop pointing out the crazy decisions. But I promise they're there. After riding around, Cara gets out of the car and is convinced she'll never see Finn again. But, obviously, they do meet again, on Leap Day, and Cara takes Finn up on his invitation to see his band in a pub that night. She has one (or five) too many whiskey punches that night, proposes, and marries Finn. Then they wake up in bed together the next morning with tin foil rings on their fingers. I could recap the whole book but you can imagine. 

Finn does join Cara, with his dog, on a flight back to L.A. More hijinks ensue. Somehow there are more cliches and romance tropes in this book than even I anticipated! And I'll be honest, I expected a lot of cliches and romance tropes from a book called Lucky Leap Day. 

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Lizards Hold the Sun

                                             

Title: Lizards Hold the Sun

Author: Dani Trujillo

Published: Sin Verguenzas, May 23, 2023

Pages: 266

Genre: Native American Contemporary Romance

Archaeology has historically been a field for white men only.

Not anymore. Xiomara Chavez has dedicated her life to the preservation of her Mexican homeland. Out of hundreds of applications, she alone was selected to lead the creation of the Bunchberry Tribal Museum. Faced with her most remote project ever, Xiomara must rely on the help of Calehan, the aloof museum architect. Sparks fly in the archives as Xiomara struggles to refrain from dating in the workplace.

Tight-lipped Calehan Yellowbird has been tethered to Bunchberry, Canada for a thousand years. After the loss of his mother as a teen, Calehan has been providing for his family more than half his life. While he earned his architecture degree nearly a decade ago, the Bunchberry Museum would be his first official project. The pressure was immense, and Calehan felt the pressure of this project being his first…and last. Romance and dreams weren’t in the cards for someone like him. For Xiomara though, he was willing to take the chance.

Thrown among ancient artifacts, shooting stars, and cultural obligations, Calehan and Xiomara must decide if they belong to each other or if the responsibility to their tribes and families are where they must be.

Xiomara is amazing. I love the way that she sees the world and her work. I love that there isn't really a ton of indecision or "will they/won't they" between Xiomara and Calehan in the beginning. They meet and pretty quickly are together.

This is a lovely story. The celebration of Native culture and archaeology was apparent on every page. The author paints these beautiful pictures and really makes you feel homesick for the desert, even if you're not from there. 

The cast of characters is Bunchberry is great. Chief Thomas is a bit of a creep in the beginning, but he turns it around eventually. Calehan's family is wonderful. Even Joy when she's being an absolute sass queen. Ultimately, I definitely recommend this. If for nothing else than the archival/curation porn that you get from the description of breaking ground on an archaeological site all the way through opening a museum with those recovered items from that site. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Behind Her Eyes

                                               

Title: Behind Her Eyes

Author: Sarah Pinborough

Published: Flatiron Books, January 30, 2017

Pages: 320

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake, but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.

And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend. But she also just happens to be married to David. And if you think you know where this story is going, think again, because Behind Her Eyes is like no other book you’ve read before.

David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife. But then why is David so controlling? And why is Adele so scared of him?

As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong. But Louise can’t guess how wrong—and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.

Holy. Guacamole. What a mind f*ck. I don't know quite what to make of it really. It's definitely good. I had a good time reading it. But I don't know if it I enjoyed it. I am glad to have read it. I'm going to be thinking about it for a while yet. It made me IMMEDIATELY want to watch the show. But was it good? I mean. Yes? But also every single character is utterly unlikable. Well maybe not every single one. But definitely all of the star players, that's for sure.

This book marinates in that gray space where there are no heroes and only villains. There's definitely a hierarchy of villainy. And some of the badness is ethical, some more, some full on felonious. Some of it is really just plain dumb. But there's a lot of bad choices being made by everyone. 

As stated, it did make me want to watch the adaptation on Netflix tout de suite. So I did. I think it actually made me finish the book faster so that I could see the show. And the show is such a wonderfully faithful adaptation. So creepy. So believable. Even having just finished the book, I liked and disliked all of the characters in their turns. All of this to say, I HIGHLY recommend both and/or either.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Audited by the Anubis

                                             

Title: Audited by the Anubis

Series: Monstrous Meet Cutes

Author: Wendi Gogh

Published: Monster Heart Ink, November 3, 2023

Pages: 288

Genre: Monster Romance

I knew I shouldn’t have opened my door, but when a seven-foot descendant of a death god comes calling, you answer.

Especially if this Anubis is from the government, but I don’t have anything to hide from the IRS.

Right?

Right?!

Turns out, my mom—a.k.a. my business accountant—does. 

Now, every time I turn around, he’s there.

Assessing.

Advising.

Arousing me until I can’t think straight.

But I don’t need a stranger to fix my problems. I’m doing just fine on my own, and I swear the only thing crumbling in my life is the topping on my amazing fruit cobblers.

What a delight. This falls into that wonderful niche of monster romance that takes place in an utterly mundane setting about mostly mundane things. It's such a wonderfully perfect niche that I'm so obsessed with! I am fully in this world though. I can't wait for Fern's best friend's book!! 

But dang. Fern was in it. She's so cute and owns a bakery and has just gotten out of a terrible marriage. Ahnou, the Anubis auditor with the IRS, shows up to audit her taxes because she's not paid them in about 2 years. This is news to Fern. She has been paying her taxes to her business manager. So where's the money going?

The answer was heinous. Especially considering her business manager is her mom. But the biggest thing is that Fern and Anubis are so completely hot for each other. Immediately. They're talking about taxes and then all of a sudden they're making out on the couch. This was a sneaky omega verse book too. Ahnou is an alpha! He also has a fluffy, wagging tail. It's a whole mood.

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 3/5

Blackwater

                                              

Title: Blackwater

Author: Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham

Published: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks, July 19, 2022

Pages: 304

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

Tony Price is a popular high school track star and occasional delinquent aching for his dad’s attention and approval. Eli Hirsch is a quiet boy with a chronic autoimmune disorder that has ravaged his health and social life. What happens when these two become unlikely friends (and a whole lot more . . .) in the spooky town of Blackwater, Maine? Werewolf curses, unsavory interactions with the quarterback of the football team, a ghostly fisherman haunting the harbor, and tons of high school drama.

This was adorable. The art, the story, everything. It's very queer, pretty spooky, heart-warming. I loved it. Tony and Eli are so wonderful. In high school, so little sh*t$ some of the time. But wonderful. I would absolutely read more about Blackwater if they decided to bring us back!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Silver Silence

                                             

Title: Silver Silence

Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #1

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: Berkley, June 13, 2017

Pages: 456

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that's exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him. 

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence - her mind clear of all emotion - Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That's what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious...and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed.

Valentin and the StoneWater Bears are my new favorites. Bears are great. I had no doubt that I would love the bears, and I really do. They breathed life back into the series. We still heard about some of our old pals, but for the most part we've moved on to a new cast. And they're wonderful.

It is officially time for a break from the Psy-Changelings though. There was one scene in particular that really gave me the ick. I'm so close to being caught up with the whole series, and they made up for it in the end. One of the major themes in this book is that the Psy are trying to prove that they can be trusted to not take advantage of people with their sneaky talents. And Silver goes and forces a connection with Valentin. Granted, Valentin did want to be mated to her, he courted her, he loved her. But he was actively saying "No," when she finally pushed through to force the mating bond and it was icky. 

But in saying all of that. I loved them together. She's Silver F*cking Merchant and he's her teddy bear. And I do look forward to seeing more of their cool world...eventually.

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Allegiance of Honor

                                            

Title: Allegiance of Honor

Series: Psy-Changeling #15

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: Berkley, June 14, 2016

Pages: 478

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy . . . and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

I am so enjoying my journey through the Psy-Changeling world. I think I need a break soon though, reading so many in a row has blurred the edges between these stories.

This was a reunion tour for the ages though. It didn't do anything to help me separate the stories from one another though. Because this book didn't introduce a new couple like all of the previous books. As the last book in this series, prior to the spin-off or "season 2" of Psy-Changeling Trinity, this book moved forward the political plot and showed us some of our favorites from the first series. 

It was a nice way to say farewell for now to the couples that have paved the way to make the Trinity Accords happen. We still have some loose threads to pick up in the Trinity series. As such, of course I immediately hopped into the first book in that series. Even knowing that I should have taken a break. Maybe after this next one. Maybe not. It's just so easy to start the next book!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

New Year Knew You

                                              

Title: New Year Knew You

Series: Capricorn Cove #5

Author: Evie Mitchell

Published: Thunder Thighs Publishing, February 25, 2020

Pages: 80

Genre: RomCom Novella

Emily

The doctors told me I have amnesia. They've said it's a result of the concussion I sustained on New Year's Eve, but I know the truth.

I've been transported to a parallel universe. It's the only plausible explanation as to why I'm now living five years in the future, where I've morphed into some kind of crazy bully who has a better relationship with my mother-in-law than my husband.

Or should I say, ex-husband? How is it that Calvin Jameson and I have gone from hopelessly devoted to separated and on the cusp of divorce?

I can't remember, but I'm damned sure I'm going to find out.

Calvin

I love my wife. The problem is, I no longer like her. After our wedding, she morphed from the dorky barefooted hippy into a prim and proper Stepford wife whose tongue is sharper than a sword.

When Emily wakes up from a coma claiming not to remember the last five years – I'm sceptical. But then she shows signs of the old her. The woman who eats burgers with extra fries, who wants to learn how to juggle, who plays the violin naked and dreams of exploring every beach the world has to offer.

And I have to ask myself – what if I just ignore the last five years? What if this is our do-over?

I've done it again. And by it, I mean the disservice of jumping into a series in the middle. Who knew that this was a thing that I did? Just a year ago I would have said that I'm not capable of it, and I don't know that that's a completely inaccurate statement. It's just not a recipe for me fully enjoying a story, I think. And it's more than likely not how the author intended the story to be consumed.

All of that to say, I did enjoy this story. I just think I was missing some of the background information to really get the most out of the experience. 

We love an amnesia trope though. And the way it was done here was really good. The idea that these two people were so in love, but their insecurities got in the way the first time around. And now they've gotten this medical second chance was really well done. I thought the questions and hurdles that might be presented for this couple were really interesting and handled well. Mostly I enjoyed musing about it on my own. I love a good thought experiment. 

This is short, sweet, and very very human. If you're looking for a quick, spicy read, this is a good bet. 

Ratings

Stars: 3

Spice: 2

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands

                                             

Title: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands

Series: Emily Wilde #2

Author: Heather Fawcett

Published: Del Rey, January 16, 2024

Pages: 342

Genre: Romantic Fantasy / Folklore

Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore who just wrote the world’s first comprehensive encyclopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Ones on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival Wendell Bambleby.

Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother and in search of a door back to his realm. And despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage: Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and dangers.

She also has a new project to focus on: a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by his mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambleby’s realm and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.

But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors and of her own heart.

Emily Wilde is still a super grump. And this time she's got the added irritation of Wendell being chased by various and sundry assassins from his, one of the most violent and dangerous, realm. Wendell's spirits are as high as ever. When he's not being nearly killed that is. 

Emily is also still living a dream. They travel to the Austrian Alps in search of a door to Wendell's realm. Of course, Emily is embarking on a fairy quest to save her, maybe soon to be betrothed. But she's not going to let this opportunity pass her by. She's going to take this opportunity to research for her map of the realms of faerie. Because of this, she needs assistance in her research in the form of her niece, Ariadne, and her fellow scholar, Dr. Farris Rose. Shadow also travels with them. How could she leave him behind?

We see some old friends, and some new in this adventure. Poe is as helpful as ever, and Emily finds a friend in Snowbell. Wendell gets an answer to the proposal that we saw at the end of Book 1. There are beautiful faerie doors and terrifying faerie forests. We learn a bit more about the Borderlands that seem just as dangerous as any other part of Faerie, even if they're not fully in Faerie. 

Emily is just as popular with the townspeople of St. Liesl as she was in Hrafnsvik. Luckily, Ariadne is actually popular with them. And of course, Wendell is delightful in their eyes. Emily's true genius lies in her ability to surround herself with people who actually can help her with the crazy things she wants to do. I don't know that she would even admit that it's her real talent, but it sure is!

I did receive this ARC from NetGalley. Thank you so so much! I loved every second of it. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Shards of Hope

                                            

Title: Shards of Hope

Series: Psy-Changeling #14

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: Berkley, June 2, 2015

Pages: 483

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.

And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.

This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough—because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken . . . like Zaira.

Another day, another Psy-Changeling entry down for me. It's really funny actually. these two are convinced that the other's silence has always been fractured or non-existent. They both were just very good at hiding it according to the other. 

I mostly loved that Aden has a new best friend in the alpha of a Changeling pack, Remi. He looks to Remi for guidance on how to lead the Arrows, and to help them become a family together. 

The Consortium has firmly ensconced itself on the opposite side of the road from the Trinity Accord. I'm curious to see how that all shakes out. But mostly, I'm still waiting for a deeper look into Black Sea. She keeps teasing them, but I'm so greedy for it.

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

Shield of Winter

                                           

Title: Shield of Winter

Series: Psy-Changeling #13

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: Berkley, June 3, 2014

Pages: 466

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he's done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch - if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake.... 

Having rebuilt her life after medical "treatment" that violated her mind and sought to suffocate her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy's fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness.

**MINI-SPOILER ALERT**

I have been looking forward to Vasic's book for some time now! I wanted to know more about his gauntlet, and boy did I get more about it. 

Ivy has a pretty perfect setup before Vasic comes for her. She's living and working on this farm/orchard area. She's got a cute puppy named Rabbit. Her parents, while "Silent," supposedly, seem awesome. They've been protecting her and her E designation since she was little. And Vasic shows up asking her to help with the infection in the PsyNet. 

As always, there's so much about politics in this book. All of it is fascinating! I am fully way more invested in what's going on with the politics of this world than the couples. BUT Vasic and Ivy are so good together. I love the E-Psys and that they're basically the key to saving everyone. You have to have balance, my friends!!!

Now that I'm quite a few books back into my re-entry to this series. I have learned that my favorite stories are about the Changelings and Psy getting together. I like the deep look into the packs that we get from the Changeling couple books. And I like the cool look at Psy abilities and Silence from the Psy couple books. But definitely the Psy-Changeling pairings are my favorite. 

In saying that. I'm really pumped to see what's going to happen moving forward with the series. I know I'm getting closer to the Trinity Accords. She's introduced the Forgotten in the last few books, and I'm very excited to learn more about them! So Shards of Hope, here I come.

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5