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aroundthebookbend1's reviews
149 reviews
The Monster by L.J. Shen
4.0
It was touch and go for a bit
Firstly, I wanted to say that I did enjoy this story. The banter between Sam and Ash was all barbed wire and bleeding hearts. Both of them were nicely developed and complex, and they truly did fit together like two puzzle pieces. It was obvious they were meant for each other. Their chemistry was amazing and the demons they fought felt real. It wasn’t as spicy as I would’ve liked, but what was there was nice.
With that said, between this one and the first two, it was my least favorite. I almost gave it three stars, but it got pushed up by about 70-80%.
Ash at first was a bit weak in character. She was beautifully written, but it was just my own personal preference when it comes to characters in romance. I don’t like weak females that let the world walk over them. But she eventually found her spine, and I was able to really enjoy the rest of the book.
I am excited to read The Rake and see the last of the Boston Belles get her happy ending.
Firstly, I wanted to say that I did enjoy this story. The banter between Sam and Ash was all barbed wire and bleeding hearts. Both of them were nicely developed and complex, and they truly did fit together like two puzzle pieces. It was obvious they were meant for each other. Their chemistry was amazing and the demons they fought felt real. It wasn’t as spicy as I would’ve liked, but what was there was nice.
With that said, between this one and the first two, it was my least favorite. I almost gave it three stars, but it got pushed up by about 70-80%.
Ash at first was a bit weak in character. She was beautifully written, but it was just my own personal preference when it comes to characters in romance. I don’t like weak females that let the world walk over them. But she eventually found her spine, and I was able to really enjoy the rest of the book.
I am excited to read The Rake and see the last of the Boston Belles get her happy ending.
On These Black Sands by Vanessa Rasanen
3.0
Not a fan of the heroine
I couldn’t really get past my dislike of Aoife. I have a pretty low tolerance for characters that don’t really learn from their stupid decisions. I gave her some leeway considering how she grew up, but there were times were it seemed like she didn’t have any kind of common sense. So I wasn’t a fan of her, and that made it hard for me to really enjoy the story.
I loved the concept, and it was executed really well in most parts—especially pirate life. I have nothing to say about Declan. I didn’t hate him, but he didn’t really charm me.
Despite the things I did not like, I thought it was a pretty solid, albeit long, book.
I couldn’t really get past my dislike of Aoife. I have a pretty low tolerance for characters that don’t really learn from their stupid decisions. I gave her some leeway considering how she grew up, but there were times were it seemed like she didn’t have any kind of common sense. So I wasn’t a fan of her, and that made it hard for me to really enjoy the story.
I loved the concept, and it was executed really well in most parts—especially pirate life. I have nothing to say about Declan. I didn’t hate him, but he didn’t really charm me.
Despite the things I did not like, I thought it was a pretty solid, albeit long, book.
Hunter by V.T. Do
4.0
Enjoyed this
I really enjoyed reading this. I do wish there was more of the actual MC, but so few like there will be more in the second book. Roman(Xavier) and Ryliegh(I think that’s how you spell it) had such great chemistry. The spice was off the charts, though not the spiciest I’ve read. I could understand how she wouldn’t recognize him. Trauma messes with the brain, and he does look different from the last time she saw him.
Will definitely be reading the second book.
I really enjoyed reading this. I do wish there was more of the actual MC, but so few like there will be more in the second book. Roman(Xavier) and Ryliegh(I think that’s how you spell it) had such great chemistry. The spice was off the charts, though not the spiciest I’ve read. I could understand how she wouldn’t recognize him. Trauma messes with the brain, and he does look different from the last time she saw him.
Will definitely be reading the second book.
Prey by V.T. Do
4.0
Loved it
I really enjoyed the conclusion to Roman and Ryleigh’s story. Watching Ryleigh’s internal struggle between her mind and heart was interesting to watch. Loved the dynamic between her and Kai. (Can’t wait to get to his story)
Roman and Ryleigh’s chemistry was still off the charts and the spice was
I really enjoyed the conclusion to Roman and Ryleigh’s story. Watching Ryleigh’s internal struggle between her mind and heart was interesting to watch. Loved the dynamic between her and Kai. (Can’t wait to get to his story)
Roman and Ryleigh’s chemistry was still off the charts and the spice was
Monster by V.T. Do
4.0
Toed the line
What a crazy ride. Dominic constantly toed that line of being a little too much, but I did really like him and Emmy together. Some communication at the beginning would’ve been nice though. Loved seeing Emmy and Ryleigh together, and how quickly their friendship formed.
Excited to read the next one.
What a crazy ride. Dominic constantly toed that line of being a little too much, but I did really like him and Emmy together. Some communication at the beginning would’ve been nice though. Loved seeing Emmy and Ryleigh together, and how quickly their friendship formed.
Excited to read the next one.
Cruel King by Rina Kent
4.0
Enjoyed this
Really liked Levi and Astrid. Their chemistry was off the charts and they were both complex. Levi was definitely overbearing, but he ended up wiggling into my heart. I loved that Astrid didn’t just let him run over her. She fought back, which was nice to see. Excited for Aiden’s story.
Really liked Levi and Astrid. Their chemistry was off the charts and they were both complex. Levi was definitely overbearing, but he ended up wiggling into my heart. I loved that Astrid didn’t just let him run over her. She fought back, which was nice to see. Excited for Aiden’s story.
Steel Princess by Rina Kent
3.0
3.5 Stars
I liked this one a lot better than the first. Lots of twists and turns, some I expected and some I didn’t. Loved that we got a deeper look into Aiden. And while it doesn’t excuse some of his actions, I can understand the mentality behind them. Will definitely read their conclusion.
I liked this one a lot better than the first. Lots of twists and turns, some I expected and some I didn’t. Loved that we got a deeper look into Aiden. And while it doesn’t excuse some of his actions, I can understand the mentality behind them. Will definitely read their conclusion.
Twisted Kingdom by Rina Kent
4.0
4.5 Stars
Out of the three stories for Aiden and Elsa, this one was my favorite. It was emotional and deeper than the first two. See big how their connection started was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. And of course the spice was crazy. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Out of the three stories for Aiden and Elsa, this one was my favorite. It was emotional and deeper than the first two. See big how their connection started was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. And of course the spice was crazy. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Black Knight by Rina Kent
4.0
Very emotional
This one really hit me. I cried so much reading this. (I’m also the kind of person that cries during sad scenes anyway, but still.) It wasn’t as spicy as the first four (Cruel King included), but I liked that it wasn’t. It wouldn’t have fit the story if there was a lot of it.
I do wish Xander would’ve groveled a bit more, but that’s just personal preference. All in all, great book. Will be reading the next.
This one really hit me. I cried so much reading this. (I’m also the kind of person that cries during sad scenes anyway, but still.) It wasn’t as spicy as the first four (Cruel King included), but I liked that it wasn’t. It wouldn’t have fit the story if there was a lot of it.
I do wish Xander would’ve groveled a bit more, but that’s just personal preference. All in all, great book. Will be reading the next.
His Death Bringer by Courtney W. Dixon
4.0
Enjoyed this
I enjoyed His Death Bringer. Loved the relationship between Luca and Dante. I liked how the author had Luca retain a sense of childlike mentality in the way he acted and talked, but not in an annoying way. It fit for what he had been through. There are some very detailed descriptions of some of the harsher scenes, so prepare yourself for those. Make sure you read the TW. All in all, I enjoyed this read.
I enjoyed His Death Bringer. Loved the relationship between Luca and Dante. I liked how the author had Luca retain a sense of childlike mentality in the way he acted and talked, but not in an annoying way. It fit for what he had been through. There are some very detailed descriptions of some of the harsher scenes, so prepare yourself for those. Make sure you read the TW. All in all, I enjoyed this read.