Unwept by Tracy and Laura Hickman

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I really, really wanted to like this. I mean the cover was so pretty, and I had such high hopes. The problem is this book was SO boring, and I just couldn’t get into the characters.  Then that ending happened, and it was a cliffhanger, and I just really didn’t care. There was no emotional connection for me to care to find out what happens in the next book.

I guess I was looking for the magic Hickman had with Weis in the Dragonlance Chronicles and it wasn’t there.

Rating: ⋆

- E

Nothing Like Paris by Amy Jo Cousins

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I didn’t find this installment of the bend or break series nearly as enjoyable as the first one; it was mostly a miss for me.  I found myself skimming past the sex scenes, because I was only interested in the drama. I just couldn’t get myself to fully forgive Jack, even after finding out all the gory details about his life.

The story annoyed me a few times when it mirrored book one just a little too closely for my taste. There is a scene in Off Campus where Tom breaks his cell phone in a fit of rage, and in this one Miguel breaks his credit card machine when he gets pissed off at Jack. By itself it I would have been okay with it, but I just had too many déjà vu moments.  Also what is with the calling people kid Jack, dude he is like three years younger than you. I understood Tom doing it to Reese as a coping mechanism in book one, but enough already. You come across as a condescending prick….oh wait you are a condescending prick.

Maybe if I read this book first I could have liked Jack more, so if you have issues with forgiving bullies I recommend doing so.

 Rating: ⋆⋆

- E

Liesmith by Alis Franklin

I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I have a weakness for a certain kind of main character. All the stories with main characters that start off big, bad, and kick ass are fine. They make sense in a certain context, but I've always found it boring, and anti-climatic to read about someone who you're pretty sure is going to triumph over whatever the plot throws at them. I also understand the books about people who long for adventure, and challenge. I mean most of the time it's that desire for something new, and different that drives the action of the story, and it's usually hard to write about someone who'd rather stay home, and read than slay dragons. This book however found my personal favorite main character: the reluctant, ordinary person.

It's probably pretty easy to see this love from my favorites list; from Arthur Dent who would rather have a nice cup of tea than intergalactic travel to Richard Mayhew whose act of kindness sends him on an adventure he never wanted, I love the main character who has to almost be dragged into the action of the plot. I think I identify with that kind of person much more easily than the invincible swordsman or the girl who sets off to find her destiny without a backwards glance. I'm a bit of a coward, and I like tea, and reading by the fire. Sigmund Sussman, for me, fit the bill perfectly. I liked that he was not immediately excited about the prospect of intrigue, and mystery in his life. I liked that he was an ordinary guy, a bit of a nerd, who didn't feel too much like a complete stereotype. He was not defined by his interested, and I didn't feel like the author overwhelmed the story with references to prove their nerd cred.

The relationship between Sigmund and Lain was well done, and I liked the pace at which it developed. It never felt like instant love, or that they were destined to be together, which all things considered, is a very good thing. Another thing I appreciated was that the love story never took over the plot. It wasn't a romance novel thinly disguised as an urban fantasy, but fully fledged urban fantasy with a bit of romance. The plot was nicely developed, and I loved the twists, and turns. It kept me guessing, and I enjoyed that. The mythology fit very nicely into the plot, and story. It was well integrated, so it never felt like awkward information dumps or stilted exposition. I liked how the mythology fit into the modern setting, and how much it added to the plot, the setting, and the characters. I also loved reading an urban fantasy that wasn't set in the United States, or England. It made for a nice change of pace. Overall I really loved this book, and am really looking forward to reading more from this author.

mle

Doctor Who: Lights Out by Holly Black

I received this story from Netgalley for an honest review.

Black just didn’t get twelve’s feel right. I think could do ten or eleven better, they are more manic and she does manic well. The mystery wasn’t much, and just not odd or creepy enough for it to mesh with the overall emotions of season eight.
I just expect more from Black, and have a high expectations for a Doctor Who story with the writers of the show doing it so well.

Rating: ⋆⋆

E

Sheepsquatch by I. Ronik

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, I requested this book on a dare from Liz, and ended up enjoying it way more than I thought. Becky was a fun main character, and I appreciated the fact that she wasn't the typical helpless maiden that usually populate these books. I thought the romance was well done, and better than a lot of serious romance novels I've read. I liked the plot, and the ending made me happy. I was expecting silly, nonsense monster porn, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this had much more going for it.

mle

If it Drives by L.A. Witt and Aleksandr Voinov

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not usually a fan of such a large age gap, but the respect that James and Cal have for each other, and the genuine connection that they share beyond the physical made this relationship work for me. Kink played a large role, but it wasn't the entirety  of their connection, and I liked how much each man clearly cared for the other.

The kink in this story worked for me because of how grounded it felt in Cal's feelings for James. He knew it was something James needed, so he makes the decision to seriously learn about James's needs, and desires. Cal wants James, and in wanting James he wants to understand all of him, and I respect that. I did like that it became more than that, and Cal learned as much about himself and his own desires as his did about James. Maybe more. I liked that it wasn't about Cal being a martyr to James's needs, and sacrificing his own desires to please another. Cal has his questions, and reservations, but he understands that it is a learning process, and he is willing to seek help, and ask questions which just made me respect him even more.

I loved seeing Nick, and Spencer again. I liked the role that they played in this story. Nick's guidance really helps move the story along, and I liked seeing other sides of both him, and Spencer. I liked that Nick's sexual preferences don't define who he is as a person, and don't prevent him from being caring or kind. He isn't just a sexual sadist, but a fully formed human being which is a nice change from so many erotica. I liked that domination and submission were something to be learned, and to be understood rather than presented as something people just knew by instinct. The mistakes, and the miscommunications made everyone seem much more human, and relatable to me.

I liked the conclusion. It fit the characters, and felt happy without feeling to fairy tale romance, or Cinderella. The moment that Cal shares with Spencer, and Nick cemented their place as my favorite characters from this series. My apologies to the other characters who I like, but not as much as I like Nick and Spencer. Another strong addition to the series, and I'm hoping that this is not the end for Market Garden. That would be too sad for me. 

Em

Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau

I received this story as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was really an interesting story. I didn't know what to expect going into it seeing how Austin acted throughout the rest of the series. I was looking forward to seeing things from his perspective, and I wasn't disappointed.

I was really pleased by what a complicated person Austin turned out to be. It was easy to see him as almost a stereotype in the earlier books, but seeing things from his point of view made me realize exactly what drove his words and actions. I really felt for him and the fear, and self loathing that drove him. I can't imagine how scary his feelings were, and seeing how much he punished himself for his own needs and desires almost broke my heart. He makes so many mistakes, and bad decisions because of this it was hard for me to read in parts.

I was surprised by how much I liked Liam as well. I appreciated how much Liam seems to care for Austin, and how much Austin's self loathing and fear hurts his heart. I loved that Liam wasn't the stereotypical cold, perfect dom. Liam made mistakes, and messed things up like Austin, and it made Liam more human to me, and like him that much more for it.

I love that this series continues to explore a wide array of sexual expression. That the lines are a bit blurred, and it's more than just gay, and straight or even gay, straight, and bi. It makes for such rich characters, and story lines. The relationship between Liam, and Austin might not be traditional, but the feelings and needs that drive it are real, and work for both of them. I appreciated that the Austin and Liam connected not just on a sexual level, but on a personal one as well. I liked that they were friends, and that when real feelings arose it wasn't just based on physical need.

I also appreciated that this book didn't just focus on Austin and Liam's relationship. I liked seeing how Austin and Bobby's interactions change over the course of the story as well. I liked seeing what colored Austin's view of Bobby, and how he learns, and makes a sincere effort to change. Their friendship was really one of the highlights of the story for me. I liked that it wasn't about Liam making Austin accept himself, and how his friends played a role as well. Austin's hockey is well integrated into the story, and I like how big a part it plays. It adds a lot to the story, and seeing Austin interact with the team gave me a better appreciation for his character. 

Overall it was a really well told story. Austin frustrated me at times, but I understood where he was coming from. The stress, and the pressure he put on himself, and the terror of discovery that colored all of his actions, and relationships felt honest. I appreciated seeing his growth over the course of the story, and seeing him learn to fully accept himself was wonderful. The ending was well done, and it left me feeling good about where things ended up.

Em