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book_lover_irl's reviews
449 reviews
Torn by Carian Cole
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Overheard by Maya Banks
3.0
I am not a huge fan of novellas. Because they're so short, novellas don't get into the characters or their mindsets. I prefer more details and depth to my reads. It takes me more time to fall in love with the characters. However, Overheard by Maya Banks was a fun and SPICY novella. A quick 3 hour listen.
The smutty little read dove head first into spicy talk right away and around the 30% mark hit the open door, light k!nk exploration. It didn't disappoint when it just kept on smutting.
The HEA ending wasn't necessary since I went into this book just assuming we'd have a spicy romp and fun times. I think the promise of HEA after a couple dates was impossible to find relatable or realistic. (Yes, I know none of the smut I read is very realistic, but still... LOL)
The smutty little read dove head first into spicy talk right away and around the 30% mark hit the open door, light k!nk exploration. It didn't disappoint when it just kept on smutting.
The HEA ending wasn't necessary since I went into this book just assuming we'd have a spicy romp and fun times. I think the promise of HEA after a couple dates was impossible to find relatable or realistic. (Yes, I know none of the smut I read is very realistic, but still... LOL)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Guilty as Sin: The Sin Trilogy, book 2 by Meghan March
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Guilty as Sin by Meghan March is book two of the Sin Trilogy. It starts with the aftermath of the revelation at the end of book one.
SUMMARY: Now that Whitney is back home in Gable, Lincoln is determined not to let her get away again. However, it seems as though everyone is out to get them and keep them apart just like before. Another secret from the past comes out and causes an even bigger rift in their relationship than ten years ago. This book has quite a few surprises, twists and turns.
Review coming soon...
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY: Now that Whitney is back home in Gable, Lincoln is determined not to let her get away again. However, it seems as though everyone is out to get them and keep them apart just like before. Another secret from the past comes out and causes an even bigger rift in their relationship than ten years ago. This book has quite a few surprises, twists and turns.
Review coming soon...
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, duet narration
HEA: Not yet... hopefully in book 3
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Billionaire, enemies to lovers,
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book_Lover_IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
Richer Than Sin by Meghan March
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Richer Than S!n by Meghan March is a contemporary romance with some mystery thrown in for good measure. The MCs come from two families that have hated each other for well over a century and continue to hold onto awful grudges. A Riscoff and a Gable simply cannot be together, forget about attempting any type of relationship without the horrible interference of both families. There is so much family history and drama working against them that it seems impossible to see a path forward. Despite being apart for almost 10 years, as soon as Whitney and Lincoln see each other again, the sparks fly and their feelings rear up as powerfully as they were a decade ago. As the story jumps between present day and past flashbacks, the plot works towards the cliffhanger.
Whitney Gable seems to have the worst luck in the world, given all the crappy things that keep happening to her. It feels like she is stuck apologizing for her mere existence. This book has her crying and cowering from conflict the majority of the time.
Whereas Lincoln has the world at his finger tips, but has found that all the money and prestige at his disposal cannot buy him love or happiness. He has tried to move on from Whitney after his disastrous declaration was rebuffed, but she's in his blood. Once she returns to town, he is not willing to let her go again.
The narrators (Joe Arden and Erin Mallon) did a good job. I have listened to both of them before and enjoy their voices. Sometimes Erin Mallon feels a bit too whiney in this book but I think that is because of how Meghan March wrote the FMC. Whitney Gable needs to grow a backbone and take control of her life, instead of constantly running away or over-apologizing for stuff outside her control and not her fault.
Book 1, Richer Than S!n, was a quick and easy listen. I went into the book without knowing much about it and wasn't aware that it is book one of a trilogy. When it ended abruptly on a cliffhanger, I felt frustrated. But because of the cliffhanger, I am looking forward to jumping straight into book 2, Guilty As S!n. Here is to hoping Whitney grows a spine, so I can continue the series and avoid rage quitting.
Whitney Gable seems to have the worst luck in the world, given all the crappy things that keep happening to her. It feels like she is stuck apologizing for her mere existence. This book has her crying and cowering from conflict the majority of the time.
Whereas Lincoln has the world at his finger tips, but has found that all the money and prestige at his disposal cannot buy him love or happiness. He has tried to move on from Whitney after his disastrous declaration was rebuffed, but she's in his blood. Once she returns to town, he is not willing to let her go again.
The narrators (Joe Arden and Erin Mallon) did a good job. I have listened to both of them before and enjoy their voices. Sometimes Erin Mallon feels a bit too whiney in this book but I think that is because of how Meghan March wrote the FMC. Whitney Gable needs to grow a backbone and take control of her life, instead of constantly running away or over-apologizing for stuff outside her control and not her fault.
Book 1, Richer Than S!n, was a quick and easy listen. I went into the book without knowing much about it and wasn't aware that it is book one of a trilogy. When it ended abruptly on a cliffhanger, I felt frustrated. But because of the cliffhanger, I am looking forward to jumping straight into book 2, Guilty As S!n. Here is to hoping Whitney grows a spine, so I can continue the series and avoid rage quitting.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️(maybe 2.5?)
POV: Dual, duet narration
HEA: Not yet...?
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Rich x Poor, Family Feuds, Second Chance Romance
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I guess I’m starting out 2025 by handing out five star reviews like candy! I tend to be kinda stingy with stars. However, of the 25 books I’ve read so far this year, I’ve given five books 5-stars. In the entirety of 2024, I read 92 books and only gave ten books 5-stars.
SUMMARY: Whip smart, hardworking and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Ryan has only one problem: her boss. Bennett Ryan is exacting, blunt, inconsiderate and completely irresistible. Their chemistry is off the charts AND he can’t keep his hands off Chloe.
REVIEW: Beautiful B@stard by Christina Lauren was a fantastically spicy, feisty and entertaining read.
I love a stubborn, sassy, intelligent FMC who can hold her own with a grumpy, rude jack@ss MMC. Chloe gave as good as she got when Bennett’s wicked tongue lashings would’ve made most employees cower. The fact that she was extremely confident of her superior skillset was impressive. It was h0t that she knew her worth and didn’t doubt herself in a male dominated work environment.
Likewise watching alpha-hole, Bennett, try to curtail his attraction to Chloe’s strength and wit, but fail miserably, was a joy to behold. Bennett tried sooooo hard to fit Chloe into a neat, little, unemotional box in his organized life but she wouldn’t conform or cooperate.
The sparks that flew between the two of them were FIRE from the beginning. There was no denying the sizzling h0t s3xual tension and crazy attraction. The spice started right away in chapter one and just kept going. So much fabulous spice that just kept spicing…
The plot set a great pace that held my interest. It had me avoiding life so I could learn what happened next.
If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers, he falls first, workplace affair with LOTS of smexy times, you simply must read Beautiful B@stard. I can’t wait to explore more books by Christina Lauren.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY: Whip smart, hardworking and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Ryan has only one problem: her boss. Bennett Ryan is exacting, blunt, inconsiderate and completely irresistible. Their chemistry is off the charts AND he can’t keep his hands off Chloe.
REVIEW: Beautiful B@stard by Christina Lauren was a fantastically spicy, feisty and entertaining read.
I love a stubborn, sassy, intelligent FMC who can hold her own with a grumpy, rude jack@ss MMC. Chloe gave as good as she got when Bennett’s wicked tongue lashings would’ve made most employees cower. The fact that she was extremely confident of her superior skillset was impressive. It was h0t that she knew her worth and didn’t doubt herself in a male dominated work environment.
Likewise watching alpha-hole, Bennett, try to curtail his attraction to Chloe’s strength and wit, but fail miserably, was a joy to behold. Bennett tried sooooo hard to fit Chloe into a neat, little, unemotional box in his organized life but she wouldn’t conform or cooperate.
The sparks that flew between the two of them were FIRE from the beginning. There was no denying the sizzling h0t s3xual tension and crazy attraction. The spice started right away in chapter one and just kept going. So much fabulous spice that just kept spicing…
The plot set a great pace that held my interest. It had me avoiding life so I could learn what happened next.
If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers, he falls first, workplace affair with LOTS of smexy times, you simply must read Beautiful B@stard. I can’t wait to explore more books by Christina Lauren.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual (single female narrator)
HEA: Yea
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, he falls first, workplace, intern x boss
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content
Ghost by Daphne Loveling
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m a sucker for the motorcycle club (MC) trope. There’s just something about a super protective, possessive, tattooed man who exudes “touch her and be unalived” vibes that I find ridiculously endearing. It’s even better when you find a MC book that doesn’t include club bunnies or snippy in-fighting between women, as well as men who generally respect their women.
Ghost, book 1 in the Lords of Carnage series, by Daphne Loveling was a refreshingly light take on MC life. Five years after leaving her hometown and promising to never return, Jenna reluctantly returns with her four year old son, Noah, to get back on her feet after a setback. Her last stay in her hometown left her pregnant by Cas (aka Casper, Ghost), a member of the Lords of Carnage MC and her brother’s best friend (also a MC member). Jenna never told Cas about his son. Upon her return, Jenna and Cas find it impossible to stay away from each other. Their chemistry and attraction to each other is off the charts, so they begin secretly seeing each other. As Jenna and Cas navigate their budding relationship with secrets between them, there are nefarious folks plotting against them. Will Jenna tell Cas about Noah? Will Jenna allow herself and Noah to be part of MC life? Does Cas want a serious relationship or kids or to settle down someday?
At just under six hours, Ghost was a delightfully short audiobook. The book’s brevity meant the plot kept moving along at a good pace. The narrators, Jillian Macie and Troy Duran, showed versatility in their cadence and intonation and made us have all the feels when their performance resonates with us. I need to give a special shout-out to Troy Duran. He is one of my favorite male narrators and does a particularly phenomenal job in the MC trope.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, Duet narration
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, single parent, secret pregnancy
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Ghost, book 1 in the Lords of Carnage series, by Daphne Loveling was a refreshingly light take on MC life. Five years after leaving her hometown and promising to never return, Jenna reluctantly returns with her four year old son, Noah, to get back on her feet after a setback. Her last stay in her hometown left her pregnant by Cas (aka Casper, Ghost), a member of the Lords of Carnage MC and her brother’s best friend (also a MC member). Jenna never told Cas about his son. Upon her return, Jenna and Cas find it impossible to stay away from each other. Their chemistry and attraction to each other is off the charts, so they begin secretly seeing each other. As Jenna and Cas navigate their budding relationship with secrets between them, there are nefarious folks plotting against them. Will Jenna tell Cas about Noah? Will Jenna allow herself and Noah to be part of MC life? Does Cas want a serious relationship or kids or to settle down someday?
At just under six hours, Ghost was a delightfully short audiobook. The book’s brevity meant the plot kept moving along at a good pace. The narrators, Jillian Macie and Troy Duran, showed versatility in their cadence and intonation and made us have all the feels when their performance resonates with us. I need to give a special shout-out to Troy Duran. He is one of my favorite male narrators and does a particularly phenomenal job in the MC trope.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, Duet narration
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, single parent, secret pregnancy
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy
Give Me a Reason by A.L. Jackson
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
SUMMARY: Sweet, strait laced kindergarten teacher, Eden, gets a second job as a waitress at a questionable / rough bar. It turns out her new boss (and the bar owner), Trent, has a son in her kindergarten class. Sparks fly and the chemistry is off the charts between the two MCs. Will Eden and Trent’s budding relationship survive their pasts that are threatening to ruin them?
REVIEW: Coming soon.
REVIEW: Coming soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident
Free by Riley Edwards
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
SUMMARY: Because of a highly secretive military role that Shane accepted after basic training, he faked his own death to supposedly protect those that he loved, including Lily, his high school best friend. Sadly Lily never got over his death and twelve years later, she still visits his gravesite each year on the anniversary of his death. Coincidentally, Shane never got over Lily and he also goes to the cemetery to watch over her from afar and eavesdrop on the life updates she gives his headstone. Suddenly, someone tries shooting at Lily at the cemetery, but Shane swoops in to rescue her and alert her that he is still alive. From there chaos ensues...
REVIEW: Free by Riley Edwards is a super quick, little read (5 hr audiobook). Because the book is so short, the plot is laid out pretty quickly. The storyline is simple and easy to follow. The author shares the pertinent backstory early in the novel and doesn't waste time with many flashbacks. The details are plainly thrown out there for the reader to learn about. The book lacks suspense and foreshadowing due to the forthcoming writing style of the author. Because the book was so brief, the author gave sparse intimate details of the MCs feelings and reasons for their actions -- making it challenging to feel connected to the MCs or invested in their love story. The catalyst towards the end of the book was highly predictable and easily helped the MCs work themselves towards a HEA.
OVERALL: If you are looking for a light-hearted book that is easy to read in one quick setting, this is the romance novel for you. It's like cotton candy for your brain. You won't need to think too hard or guess about the plot, you can just sit back and be lightly entertained.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Military, HS Besties, Friends to Enemies to Lovers
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
REVIEW: Free by Riley Edwards is a super quick, little read (5 hr audiobook). Because the book is so short, the plot is laid out pretty quickly. The storyline is simple and easy to follow. The author shares the pertinent backstory early in the novel and doesn't waste time with many flashbacks. The details are plainly thrown out there for the reader to learn about. The book lacks suspense and foreshadowing due to the forthcoming writing style of the author. Because the book was so brief, the author gave sparse intimate details of the MCs feelings and reasons for their actions -- making it challenging to feel connected to the MCs or invested in their love story. The catalyst towards the end of the book was highly predictable and easily helped the MCs work themselves towards a HEA.
OVERALL: If you are looking for a light-hearted book that is easy to read in one quick setting, this is the romance novel for you. It's like cotton candy for your brain. You won't need to think too hard or guess about the plot, you can just sit back and be lightly entertained.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Military, HS Besties, Friends to Enemies to Lovers
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy
Hans by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hans is book 4 in The Alliance series by S. J. Tilly. I flew through the first three books (Nero, King, Dom) and was excited to read the final book. I was not disappointed.
I love S.J. Tilly. She bases many of her books in or near Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota (where I am from), creates amazing, feisty, curvy FMCs with jiggly thighs (I relate!), and crafts amazing stories with wonderful character development. Tilly's MMC in this series are quite unhinged, completely over the top for their chosen lovely FMC, and fall first in the most dramatic way possible. She also writes FUNNY characters with great banter. (Remember Nero's obsession with brass knuckles and King sending ex's to Alaska? Need I say more?)
Hans is another great book about an alpha-h0le MMC who falls for Cassie, the FMC, the first time he meets her. His possessive streak is OTT and leads to stalker behavior that is adorable and endearing (only in a fictional setting, of course). Hans dedication to Cassie's safety is off the charts h0t and unprecedented. Amazingly enough, considering how OTT the other Alliance men are about protection, I think Hans tops them all with the proactive steps he took and ended up having to use during the second half of the book. I can't say more for fear of spoilers. Similarly Cassie's obsession with Hans (delivering baked good weekly for over a year without additional face time?!) can be considered stalking too.
The sparks and chemistry between the 2 MCs has a fabulous build up and the sp!ce is phenomenal when they are together. The way Cassie is so easily distracted when Hans is touching her is amusing and seems relatable. I wouldn't be able to concentrate either if there was a mountain of a h0t man having his way with me.
The plot for Hans moved slower than the plot for Dom. It focused more heavily on building Hans' preoccupation with Cassie, and developing their actual face to face relationship later in the book. There was enough action and suspense that I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and see where the plot twists would take us.
Cassie's parents are fabulous side characters. The narrators did their best to make them sound very Fargo-esque (remember the movie?) with their odd Midwestern accent. As someone from MN, who of course doesn't think I have any type of accent, the accent was equal parts hilarious and irritating. LOL. Karmine was my favorite side character of the entire Alliance series. I loved that she was a bada$$ woman who was taking charge of her life after her horrific traum@s. I *really* wish that Tilly would write her a standalone book. Learning about Karmine's mission to help traum@tized women take back their power would be PHENOMENAL. But alas, I've read interviews that state we won't be so lucky.
I love S.J. Tilly. She bases many of her books in or near Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota (where I am from), creates amazing, feisty, curvy FMCs with jiggly thighs (I relate!), and crafts amazing stories with wonderful character development. Tilly's MMC in this series are quite unhinged, completely over the top for their chosen lovely FMC, and fall first in the most dramatic way possible. She also writes FUNNY characters with great banter. (Remember Nero's obsession with brass knuckles and King sending ex's to Alaska? Need I say more?)
Hans is another great book about an alpha-h0le MMC who falls for Cassie, the FMC, the first time he meets her. His possessive streak is OTT and leads to stalker behavior that is adorable and endearing (only in a fictional setting, of course). Hans dedication to Cassie's safety is off the charts h0t and unprecedented. Amazingly enough, considering how OTT the other Alliance men are about protection, I think Hans tops them all with the proactive steps he took and ended up having to use during the second half of the book. I can't say more for fear of spoilers. Similarly Cassie's obsession with Hans (delivering baked good weekly for over a year without additional face time?!) can be considered stalking too.
The sparks and chemistry between the 2 MCs has a fabulous build up and the sp!ce is phenomenal when they are together. The way Cassie is so easily distracted when Hans is touching her is amusing and seems relatable. I wouldn't be able to concentrate either if there was a mountain of a h0t man having his way with me.
The plot for Hans moved slower than the plot for Dom. It focused more heavily on building Hans' preoccupation with Cassie, and developing their actual face to face relationship later in the book. There was enough action and suspense that I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and see where the plot twists would take us.
Cassie's parents are fabulous side characters. The narrators did their best to make them sound very Fargo-esque (remember the movie?) with their odd Midwestern accent. As someone from MN, who of course doesn't think I have any type of accent, the accent was equal parts hilarious and irritating. LOL. Karmine was my favorite side character of the entire Alliance series. I loved that she was a bada$$ woman who was taking charge of her life after her horrific traum@s. I *really* wish that Tilly would write her a standalone book. Learning about Karmine's mission to help traum@tized women take back their power would be PHENOMENAL. But alas, I've read interviews that state we won't be so lucky.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, duet narration
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Stalker, OTT alpha-male, mafia-vibes, vigilante / assassin
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Murder