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A review by lilibetbombshell
Captivate by E.J. Lawson
4.0
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Alphabet Soup Romances/Omegaverse/PNR/Paranormal Romance/Romance Series/RH Romance/Reverse Harem Romance/Smut Level 3
Merged review:
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Alphabet Soup Romances/Omegaverse/PNR/Paranormal Romance/Romance Series/RH Romance/Reverse Harem Romance/Smut Level 3
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Alphabet Soup Romances/Omegaverse/PNR/Paranormal Romance/Romance Series/RH Romance/Reverse Harem Romance/Smut Level 3
Merged review:
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Alphabet Soup Romances/Omegaverse/PNR/Paranormal Romance/Romance Series/RH Romance/Reverse Harem Romance/Smut Level 3