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7sofia7's reviews
532 reviews
The Devil's Ride by K.A. Merikan
Not bad but not good either.
The book was a bit too slow and the relationship turned sexual around half way through.
I am not fond of the older gruff guy - young naive inexperienced twink and the bdsm aspects made sense but it added an uncomfortable factor to an already unbalanced relationship. But it was overall okay.
I liked the difficult but mostly positive family dynamic. (The mum made me mad at times but I see why she acted that way)
The protagonist life had been very rough. It's true to life but I would have wished for a little less trauma.
The book was a bit too slow and the relationship turned sexual around half way through.
I am not fond of the older gruff guy - young naive inexperienced twink and the bdsm aspects made sense but it added an uncomfortable factor to an already unbalanced relationship. But it was overall okay.
I liked the difficult but mostly positive family dynamic. (The mum made me mad at times but I see why she acted that way)
The protagonist life had been very rough. It's true to life but I would have wished for a little less trauma.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I think another one of my reviews has been deleated :'\
The book was not it for me. The family, work identity and city-small town dichotomy were good but I did not care one bit for the relationship. The mmc was bland and their flirting over funny romance/erotica was stupid to me (and a too obvious nodd to the reader).
A decent read but not a great romance.
It read like a passion flick.
The book was not it for me. The family, work identity and city-small town dichotomy were good but I did not care one bit for the relationship. The mmc was bland and their flirting over funny romance/erotica was stupid to me (and a too obvious nodd to the reader).
A decent read but not a great romance.
It read like a passion flick.
Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
A fun read but not an extraordinary one.
I have read other Laura Thalassa's books, they are always pleasant but nothing too special. And this one was similar.
At the beginning I struggled a bit with the new adult writing style but later on I found it readable.
Near the beginning the plot was moving too fast but then I found it intriguing. It had an interesting witchy vibe, it reminded me of the circle tv show. I would recommend it!
This is only a me thing but I am used to reading standalone romances so the fact that this is just the first installment in a series was a strange reading experience.
The thing that was very different about this book is that even if they are soulmates they are also true enemies. It was refreshing (but I see how other readers might not love it) to see a mmc act badly and selfishly. He also acts nicely so it counteracts but you never feel like he is a good guy.
I don't know how to feel about the fmc's attraction to him: she was uncontrollably attracted to him and this can be fun in a soulmate book but it also gave her no agency. The title accurately describes the case.
I feel like the school (uni) setting was underuse as were the werewolves. I hope to see more of them, especially the lycanthropes.
I have read other Laura Thalassa's books, they are always pleasant but nothing too special. And this one was similar.
At the beginning I struggled a bit with the new adult writing style but later on I found it readable.
Near the beginning the plot was moving too fast but then I found it intriguing. It had an interesting witchy vibe, it reminded me of the circle tv show. I would recommend it!
This is only a me thing but I am used to reading standalone romances so the fact that this is just the first installment in a series was a strange reading experience.
The thing that was very different about this book is that even if they are soulmates they are also true enemies. It was refreshing (but I see how other readers might not love it) to see a mmc act badly and selfishly. He also acts nicely so it counteracts but you never feel like he is a good guy.
I don't know how to feel about the fmc's attraction to him: she was uncontrollably attracted to him and this can be fun in a soulmate book but it also gave her no agency. The title accurately describes the case.
I feel like the school (uni) setting was underuse as were the werewolves. I hope to see more of them, especially the lycanthropes.
Sinful Hearts by Jagger Cole
I had tried this author before and not realising that it was the same author I read this book.
Even if 3 years have passed (and I have heard later on that this author has grown) I have the same opinion: readable but not a very good book. It's very tropey, I don't care for the couple and the characters don't feel real to me.
An over the top contemporary with mafia elements.
I wouldn't say that the writer is bad but I wouldn't recommend his books either. As a serious dnfer I can attest that it didn't bore me and even if I didn't like some aspects of it it was entertaining enough (if very tropey). The action part near the end was fun
I know that we all have read and liked books with sex clubs but I feel like it's an overused scenario and that the authors that use it lately use it only as a prop at the beginning of the book.
There is a hint of him being domineering and in one scene she calls him daddy.
The fact that she's a virgin is remarked on by men way too much.
I appreciated how much family plays an important role in the story
Their sexting was fun and hot.
A lot of past or threat of sexual assault.
Also: the characters kept saying "I 'm not gay" and it slightly bothered me. But there is a marginal character who is queer and nice so not the worst rep.
Even if 3 years have passed (and I have heard later on that this author has grown) I have the same opinion: readable but not a very good book. It's very tropey, I don't care for the couple and the characters don't feel real to me.
An over the top contemporary with mafia elements.
I wouldn't say that the writer is bad but I wouldn't recommend his books either. As a serious dnfer I can attest that it didn't bore me and even if I didn't like some aspects of it it was entertaining enough (if very tropey). The action part near the end was fun
I know that we all have read and liked books with sex clubs but I feel like it's an overused scenario and that the authors that use it lately use it only as a prop at the beginning of the book.
There is a hint of him being domineering and in one scene she calls him daddy.
The fact that she's a virgin is remarked on by men way too much.
I appreciated how much family plays an important role in the story
Their sexting was fun and hot.
A lot of past or threat of sexual assault.
Also: the characters kept saying "I 'm not gay" and it slightly bothered me. But there is a marginal character who is queer and nice so not the worst rep.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
The Frat Boy by Nikki Sloane
A pleasant read but not a new favourite.
I really liked the beginning: frat wars and shooting pornos. It felt fresh and exciting (I normally read other types of romances)
The second half didn't do it for me though: they shifted from a hate-attraction into a we can actually stand eachother (wich were a fine progression) to a I love you/domesticated couple. Pretty boring and unexciting near the end. The conflict shifted from an internal one to an external one (sketchy neighbour and petty university friend (?)) So the couple was almost on the background.
I really liked the beginning: frat wars and shooting pornos. It felt fresh and exciting (I normally read other types of romances)
The second half didn't do it for me though: they shifted from a hate-attraction into a we can actually stand eachother (wich were a fine progression) to a I love you/domesticated couple. Pretty boring and unexciting near the end. The conflict shifted from an internal one to an external one (sketchy neighbour and petty university friend (?)) So the couple was almost on the background.
Fractured Souls by Neva Altaj
Even though it wasn't anything groundbreaking it was a very pleasant book.
I liked both of the mcs, their love story and the writing style.
I waited a few months to read it because I was scared that the topic was going to be too hard to read about but the book focuses on them coming together and helping brighten each others life. It was not graphic nor hard to read at all (for me).
The only thing that I could say about the book is that the plot wasn't complex, you follow them living together for a couple of months. It's endearing but not the most memorable
I liked both of the mcs, their love story and the writing style.
I waited a few months to read it because I was scared that the topic was going to be too hard to read about but the book focuses on them coming together and helping brighten each others life. It was not graphic nor hard to read at all (for me).
The only thing that I could say about the book is that the plot wasn't complex, you follow them living together for a couple of months. It's endearing but not the most memorable
Dangerous Innocence by Cora Reilly
Ugh, the tropes were good but I did not like the writing/pacing: everything moved way to fast and there were too few descriptions, there was no setting the scene. The characters also felt very generic (not in a bad way but in an unmemorable one), their emotions were pretty shallow (not their attraction but the way they went through life).
It lacked depth.
The fmc was way too accepting and accommodating, as if what was happening was normal. Also she had no real qualms about his violent life style
Them having sex (much oral) quite often didn't do anything for me: I didn't feel the tension between them. And beware of a sex scene in a confessional.
The books spans over some months but we aren't shown them developing any sort of relationship, but we are expected to believe that they have grown attached to eachother.
I did not extremely enjoy how the irish comunity was portrayed but at least the author made a real effort to add flavour to the story
Still an average readable book but nothing special.
It lacked depth.
The fmc was way too accepting and accommodating, as if what was happening was normal. Also she had no real qualms about his violent life style
Them having sex (much oral) quite often didn't do anything for me: I didn't feel the tension between them. And beware of a sex scene in a confessional.
The books spans over some months but we aren't shown them developing any sort of relationship, but we are expected to believe that they have grown attached to eachother.
I did not extremely enjoy how the irish comunity was portrayed but at least the author made a real effort to add flavour to the story
Still an average readable book but nothing special.
Fish & Chips by Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban
The book, while not being mind blowing, was mildly entering, it's the first book in the series that I took some breaks while reading it.
The setting was fun (but the writing style is quite bare so no fun ambience) but the cases in this series turn out to be so undeveloped!
The beginning was engaging enough but the last third was a slog to me, and it's quite ironic because it was filled with action. Too bad that it wasn't backed up by an interesting plot. They were meandering on the cruise ship and their spying came out to nothing at all.
What irked me the most was the fact that each book has the same conflict, that seemes to be resolved in the previous installment, returns. They are in love with eachother, they realize it at the end of one book but as soon as you start the next one it's as is it never happened.
It's nonsensical at this point. We all feel insecure but this is just a recycled conflict.
I've binge read this series (untill this point, I'm taking a break after this one) and perhaps I've became fatigued but I didn't care for the couple.
So, after an interesting start it became a mid to disappointing book. Not a terrible one but one that wasn't plotted out properly.
The setting was fun (but the writing style is quite bare so no fun ambience) but the cases in this series turn out to be so undeveloped!
The beginning was engaging enough but the last third was a slog to me, and it's quite ironic because it was filled with action. Too bad that it wasn't backed up by an interesting plot. They were meandering on the cruise ship and their spying came out to nothing at all.
What irked me the most was the fact that each book has the same conflict, that seemes to be resolved in the previous installment, returns. They are in love with eachother, they realize it at the end of one book but as soon as you start the next one it's as is it never happened.
It's nonsensical at this point. We all feel insecure but this is just a recycled conflict.
I've binge read this series (untill this point, I'm taking a break after this one) and perhaps I've became fatigued but I didn't care for the couple.
So, after an interesting start it became a mid to disappointing book. Not a terrible one but one that wasn't plotted out properly.
Sticks & Stones by Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban
4.25
This one was such a pleasure to read!
The tone and content of the book was vastly different from the first one. In this one they are on vacation and they are going on trails with Ty's family. It's much more focused on relationships (family and love) and characters (mental health) over anything else.
I found it a very charming change of pace (even though I would have expected it later on in the series), I really them as a couple in this one but I cannot fail to see how someone else might not like it as much. Crime solving is nowhere to be seen, even if the authors still managed to instill mystery and action, and of course someone(s) getting injured. But be aware the shady stuff that we see is not resolved in the book - I think that it might come out again later on in the series.
The first book was highly readable thanks to the need to solve the case, here the plot spanned only a few days and it made it also very compelling (it felt shorter to me).
Even though I enjoyed reading the second book more, the story and plot of the first one was better/more complicated overall.
I had a blast reading it
the relationship dynamic was: two idiots in love who can't admit it to themselves and eachother. There was some banter but it was mostly all lovey dovey.
My appreciation was probably heightened by the fact that I knew, and was fond of, the mcs from the first book (I really hates how traits of their personalities were slowly uncovered in thie first book, here I was much more comfortable with them)
I really enjoyed the focus on Ty's family, I liked them all. The conflict with the father was realistic. This series is more true to life than you might expect. I want to warn you: Ty's parents are pretty conservative: ex military and christians Appalachians so even if they love their son he cannot come out to them. It's stated many times but it's not a huge deal in the story (the mcs are still uncertain about how they feel bouth eachother) but it really hit me how lucky I am not having to worry about it irl.
Reading it I definitely see how this series has inspired mny books in this mm crime solving romance genere
The tone and content of the book was vastly different from the first one. In this one they are on vacation and they are going on trails with Ty's family. It's much more focused on relationships (family and love) and characters (mental health) over anything else.
I found it a very charming change of pace (even though I would have expected it later on in the series), I really them as a couple in this one but I cannot fail to see how someone else might not like it as much. Crime solving is nowhere to be seen, even if the authors still managed to instill mystery and action, and of course someone(s) getting injured. But be aware the shady stuff that we see is not resolved in the book - I think that it might come out again later on in the series.
The first book was highly readable thanks to the need to solve the case, here the plot spanned only a few days and it made it also very compelling (it felt shorter to me).
Even though I enjoyed reading the second book more, the story and plot of the first one was better/more complicated overall.
I had a blast reading it
the relationship dynamic was: two idiots in love who can't admit it to themselves and eachother. There was some banter but it was mostly all lovey dovey.
My appreciation was probably heightened by the fact that I knew, and was fond of, the mcs from the first book (I really hates how traits of their personalities were slowly uncovered in thie first book, here I was much more comfortable with them)
I really enjoyed the focus on Ty's family, I liked them all. The conflict with the father was realistic. This series is more true to life than you might expect. I want to warn you: Ty's parents are pretty conservative: ex military and christians Appalachians so even if they love their son he cannot come out to them. It's stated many times but it's not a huge deal in the story (the mcs are still uncertain about how they feel bouth eachother) but it really hit me how lucky I am not having to worry about it irl.
Reading it I definitely see how this series has inspired mny books in this mm crime solving romance genere
Cut & Run by Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban
A good read for sure, not a masterpiece but if you are a fan of the opposite lgbt+ cops forced to solve a crime together this is a solid read.
What I have just described is a genere that I am keen on, and even if nobody turned into a werewolf this definitely scratched the hitch.
The writing was solid, the story was intriguing, very tv show like and it kept my attention from beginning to end.
During a few scenes, in the middle, I thought that the pacing was a bit off, it felt as if the writers hd decided that they wanted to write them and so they did, even if they were not well joined together.
Overall the policing was fun and captivating, I especially enjoyed the fact that in the second half the reader was almost sure about the identity of the killer, and that in the last chapters the narrator stated it even before the characters had understood it.
The polt was never boring or too long but near the end, with the two small time breaks I felt the passing of time/the length of the investigation.
There was much action and it was very well written in my opinion.
The characters were layered, complicated but mostly fun. I liked their introduction and their banter.
This being a romance we knew that they wre going to end up together. I wasn't sure if anything was going to happen, it being quite a long series, at the beginning it was a slow build but one third into the book thing star to move. And what a great sequence! It's well known trope that after a huge fight the couple comes together, and this made their fight even more delicious, knowing how it would develope later on (even if this was one of the moments that I was talking about previously: the venom in their fight was too much for their dynamic at the time).
The sex scenes were well written.
At the beginning I was weary of how long it was taking for them to act on their attraction but later on I felt like the depth of their feelings, expecially for one if them, was too much too soon. In general I preferred the beginning of the book when they were always getting on eachother nerves and they were not soppy (maybe I am to harsh here) lovers.
I also liked how addiction, injuries (care taking scenes!), the military, undercover work etc were integrated in the novel.
Potential SPOILERS
The authors decided to pull the rug under you 80% percent into the book at it got me so mad! I was angry at the characters but mostly at the writers. Their decision was necessary for the plot and they gave hints, it was gradual, even though it still remained a shock. So yeah, the change in personalities was ugly for me, and their reunion sex was distasteful to me due to the telephone part.
The shift in the characterization was jaring and even at the end where the two aspects of the mcs were made to be almost joined it still felt as if their description at the beginning was too much different from the reality at the end. As if they had wanted to start with the trope of opposite attract bit after setting up the scene they had decided that they wanted to spice things up and so they changed it. But I have to give credit where credit is due: they gave hints form the beginning, or middle, that not all that seemed true and clear was really so.
As for the characters I personally, and I thought that the narration aided in this, felt like I understood, preferred and knew more about Zane rather than about Ty.
Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit, the police plot and the love story. I was captivated more then invested though.
I am definitely going to continue on with the series.
What I have just described is a genere that I am keen on, and even if nobody turned into a werewolf this definitely scratched the hitch.
The writing was solid, the story was intriguing, very tv show like and it kept my attention from beginning to end.
During a few scenes, in the middle, I thought that the pacing was a bit off, it felt as if the writers hd decided that they wanted to write them and so they did, even if they were not well joined together.
Overall the policing was fun and captivating, I especially enjoyed the fact that in the second half the reader was almost sure about the identity of the killer, and that in the last chapters the narrator stated it even before the characters had understood it.
The polt was never boring or too long but near the end, with the two small time breaks I felt the passing of time/the length of the investigation.
There was much action and it was very well written in my opinion.
The characters were layered, complicated but mostly fun. I liked their introduction and their banter.
This being a romance we knew that they wre going to end up together. I wasn't sure if anything was going to happen, it being quite a long series, at the beginning it was a slow build but one third into the book thing star to move. And what a great sequence! It's well known trope that after a huge fight the couple comes together, and this made their fight even more delicious, knowing how it would develope later on (even if this was one of the moments that I was talking about previously: the venom in their fight was too much for their dynamic at the time).
The sex scenes were well written.
At the beginning I was weary of how long it was taking for them to act on their attraction but later on I felt like the depth of their feelings, expecially for one if them, was too much too soon. In general I preferred the beginning of the book when they were always getting on eachother nerves and they were not soppy (maybe I am to harsh here) lovers.
I also liked how addiction, injuries (care taking scenes!), the military, undercover work etc were integrated in the novel.
Potential SPOILERS
The authors decided to pull the rug under you 80% percent into the book at it got me so mad! I was angry at the characters but mostly at the writers. Their decision was necessary for the plot and they gave hints, it was gradual, even though it still remained a shock. So yeah, the change in personalities was ugly for me, and their reunion sex was distasteful to me due to the telephone part.
The shift in the characterization was jaring and even at the end where the two aspects of the mcs were made to be almost joined it still felt as if their description at the beginning was too much different from the reality at the end. As if they had wanted to start with the trope of opposite attract bit after setting up the scene they had decided that they wanted to spice things up and so they changed it. But I have to give credit where credit is due: they gave hints form the beginning, or middle, that not all that seemed true and clear was really so.
As for the characters I personally, and I thought that the narration aided in this, felt like I understood, preferred and knew more about Zane rather than about Ty.
Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit, the police plot and the love story. I was captivated more then invested though.
I am definitely going to continue on with the series.