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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Method: audiobook
Rating: 4/5 stars
H rating: 4/5 - Sebastian
h rating: 4/5 - Baylee
Drama: 4/5 - All of LLV books are chock full of awesome drama, it's great!
Thoughts: Great series, loving The Dixie Wardens!!
Lights to My Siren by Lani Lynn Vale ****/*****
#Libby #Reviews
Triggers: Kidnapping, Surprise Pregnancy, and Violence
Troupe: Ex Military, MC
This month I am trying to binge read most, if not all, of Lani Lynn Vale’s books. (LLV from now on) Many of which I was able to find at my local library or already owned. From what I can tell most of her books are connected and cross generations but somehow are all still in modern times. I know I don't understand how either but Ima go with it. Most of LLV’s books seem to be either military, public service or MC books so that’s pretty cool. And all, from what I can tell, are set in texas.
I have now read 8 of LLV’s books and I am having very mixed feelings about her writing. Some of her books are 4’s and some are 2’s but never any higher and never any lower. What is really weird is that it's not even consistent throughout a series on whether I like the book or not. As you can see from the ratings that this is one of the ones I liked. This series is one of her MC series. Book 1 of the Heroes of the Dixie Wardens series. This book is connected to the Freebirds series directly.
I think one of the things I really liked about this one was the hero Sebastian. He is big, gruff and caring. Yes he is in an MC but they don’t do too many illegal things for the most part. But he just wants someone to love him for him. His kid is super cute and his bromance with Kettle is adorable. I felt like the romance between Sebastian and Baylee was pretty well done and their relationship development was perfect.
The main thing I didn't like was the predigest against neurodivergent conditions and the emphasis on the stereotypes. Baylee has ADHA therefore she must be stupid, lack attention, and will never be worthy of love Blah Blah Blah. This story line is beat to hell in this book and makes me want to slap LLV for encouraging this stereotype and enablism. The other thing I didn't like was that the big bad guy of this story wasn't really talked about or a major presence in their lives until shit went down in the climax. Then I just kind of got the vibe that LLV remembered that this is supposed to be a romantic suspense so we gotta have people nearly die, hea, then the end. It just felt very rushed in the end but I really liked the ending so IDK.
I will be reading the rest of this series, maybe not immediately but very soon and as I do I will make edits with what I thought of the rest of the series so stay tuned for more to come.
Author’s Website: https://lanilynnvale.com/
Author’s Reading Order Image: https://lanilynnvale.com/faq/what-is-the-reading-order-of-your-books/
Author’s Reading Order PDF: https://lanilynnvale.com/book-lists/
#Libby #Reviews
Triggers: Kidnapping, Surprise Pregnancy, and Violence
Troupe: Ex Military, MC
This month I am trying to binge read most, if not all, of Lani Lynn Vale’s books. (LLV from now on) Many of which I was able to find at my local library or already owned. From what I can tell most of her books are connected and cross generations but somehow are all still in modern times. I know I don't understand how either but Ima go with it. Most of LLV’s books seem to be either military, public service or MC books so that’s pretty cool. And all, from what I can tell, are set in texas.
I have now read 8 of LLV’s books and I am having very mixed feelings about her writing. Some of her books are 4’s and some are 2’s but never any higher and never any lower. What is really weird is that it's not even consistent throughout a series on whether I like the book or not. As you can see from the ratings that this is one of the ones I liked. This series is one of her MC series. Book 1 of the Heroes of the Dixie Wardens series. This book is connected to the Freebirds series directly.
I think one of the things I really liked about this one was the hero Sebastian. He is big, gruff and caring. Yes he is in an MC but they don’t do too many illegal things for the most part. But he just wants someone to love him for him. His kid is super cute and his bromance with Kettle is adorable. I felt like the romance between Sebastian and Baylee was pretty well done and their relationship development was perfect.
The main thing I didn't like was the predigest against neurodivergent conditions and the emphasis on the stereotypes. Baylee has ADHA therefore she must be stupid, lack attention, and will never be worthy of love Blah Blah Blah. This story line is beat to hell in this book and makes me want to slap LLV for encouraging this stereotype and enablism. The other thing I didn't like was that the big bad guy of this story wasn't really talked about or a major presence in their lives until shit went down in the climax. Then I just kind of got the vibe that LLV remembered that this is supposed to be a romantic suspense so we gotta have people nearly die, hea, then the end. It just felt very rushed in the end but I really liked the ending so IDK.
I will be reading the rest of this series, maybe not immediately but very soon and as I do I will make edits with what I thought of the rest of the series so stay tuned for more to come.
Author’s Website: https://lanilynnvale.com/
Author’s Reading Order Image: https://lanilynnvale.com/faq/what-is-the-reading-order-of-your-books/
Author’s Reading Order PDF: https://lanilynnvale.com/book-lists/
I think what I have found with all of the LLV books that I have read is that I really like elements of them and really hate elements of them.
I liked both Sebastian and Baylee to start with and as the story progressed started to really dislike them.
The common theme, for me, that seems to thread through LLV's books are the time jumps. They are executed frequently leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Don't like that... if you are creating a world, create it in its entirety... please. It is too frustrating. It is as if she doesn't know how to continue with that particular thread and it is just easier to skip... it isn't. It's lazy and not fair to the reader.
I keep getting pulled into these series and then my myself getting irritated. I understand that these are all 'alpha' men... but, bitch please? Describing Shannon as an over-eager puppy? Should've just told her that he wasn't interested, and really? Her brother wouldn't know that she was working at Hooters? Wow... I thought all these alpha types had their finger on the pulse of everything that was important to them. That Tillie? What was the point of her? Who were all the 'girls' that Sebastian no longer played with? And why did we need to know that... it added nothing to the plot and lessened my opinion of Sebastian even more. Why did he let some skanky woman sit in his lap? WTAF would he have done if Baylee had done that? And he didn't even remember?? Dick.
What was the point of the fight club? Or is it the first rule of fight club? Cos, frankly... I didn't give one flying.
The fly-by visits we had on Baylee's call-outs? What was the point of them? Her being threatened with rape? The bloke who tied up his dick and balls? Were they supposed to move the story along... cos, quite honestly, they did nothing for me.
And then Johnny. Poor kid was like an afterthought throughout it. I would've thought that Baylee and Johnny meeting for the first time was a great opportunity to have a basic and emotional exchange.
I have read so many of LLV's books... so obviously there is something that draws me in... but more often than not I end up annoyed and disliking most of the people involved. I think that I persist because I am now relatively familiar with the entire cast of this universe and there are a few that I actually do like... Aspen & Drew.
Shakes head in despair.
I liked both Sebastian and Baylee to start with and as the story progressed started to really dislike them.
The common theme, for me, that seems to thread through LLV's books are the time jumps. They are executed frequently leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Don't like that... if you are creating a world, create it in its entirety... please. It is too frustrating. It is as if she doesn't know how to continue with that particular thread and it is just easier to skip... it isn't. It's lazy and not fair to the reader.
I keep getting pulled into these series and then my myself getting irritated. I understand that these are all 'alpha' men... but, bitch please? Describing Shannon as an over-eager puppy? Should've just told her that he wasn't interested, and really? Her brother wouldn't know that she was working at Hooters? Wow... I thought all these alpha types had their finger on the pulse of everything that was important to them. That Tillie? What was the point of her? Who were all the 'girls' that Sebastian no longer played with? And why did we need to know that... it added nothing to the plot and lessened my opinion of Sebastian even more. Why did he let some skanky woman sit in his lap? WTAF would he have done if Baylee had done that? And he didn't even remember?? Dick.
What was the point of the fight club? Or is it the first rule of fight club? Cos, frankly... I didn't give one flying.
The fly-by visits we had on Baylee's call-outs? What was the point of them? Her being threatened with rape? The bloke who tied up his dick and balls? Were they supposed to move the story along... cos, quite honestly, they did nothing for me.
And then Johnny. Poor kid was like an afterthought throughout it. I would've thought that Baylee and Johnny meeting for the first time was a great opportunity to have a basic and emotional exchange.
I have read so many of LLV's books... so obviously there is something that draws me in... but more often than not I end up annoyed and disliking most of the people involved. I think that I persist because I am now relatively familiar with the entire cast of this universe and there are a few that I actually do like... Aspen & Drew.
Shakes head in despair.
Lights to My Siren is book 1 of the Dixie Wardens MC series. Bailey is an EMT who has moved to Kilgore Texas for a fresh start. Sebastian is a fire fighter and VP of the Dixie Wardens MC. These two meet by chance and sparks fly. They have a lot of struggles-Sebastian has a son, both of their work schedules are crazy, and Sebastian isn't exactly open about his life in the MC.
In the beginning, I was not a fan of Bailey. She is kind of judgmental. She assumes then worst about Sebastian and then seems surprised when he isn't a thug. However, as the story goes on, I liked Bailey more and Sebastian less. Sebastian is HORRIBLE sometimes. He keeps her totally in the dark about the club, then gets pissed when she doesn't seem to know. Then he gets pissed at her about all kinds of things. He doesn't ever discuss anything with her but barks and yells. I felt like he was so stubborn and expected Bailey to change to meet his expectations.
The story is mostly a string of events as opposed to one over arching storyline. I think this method of storytelling allows the reader/listener to not get bored. It also makes the relationship feel more natural. So, I give Vale kudos for this method because it makes for a good listen.
Lidia Dornet narrated another book I listened to previously (When I Need You) and I really enjoyed her narration. She does a great job of really 'performing' the story. Tristan James is a new to me narrator and he did a fine job. He has the slight twang down pat and his female voices aren't annoyingly overdone.
"I read to escape reality not to deal with characters dying"
This quote from Bailey is perfect and so true!
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: MC Club
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
...then you will probably like Lights to my Siren!
Lights to my Siren
This was slow but enjoyable. I wasn't really excited about it nor was I disappointed. That said I did like the second book more than this one.
I love love love Lani Lynn Vale, but this book was all over the place. From one event to a completely new one with no explanation. I like the characters but the format of this book was not it for me.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have read and re-read this book (actually this whole series) love a Lani Lynn Vale book. Character development is always fab. As alway Lani hits with her humour and you can sink into the story without any problems.
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