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book_lover_irl's reviews
454 reviews
Zack by Sawyer Bennett
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
I tend to avoid sports romances but I needed a book that started with Z for a book challenge and that’s not as easy to find as you’d think.
Zack by Sawyer Bennett was an easy, light read with some delicious spice. I appreciated the emotional inner reflections. I loved the strong willed and tender hearted FMC who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is and who legit embraced the “we listen and we don’t judge” ethos. It took the MMC a long time to get his head out of his arse but while he waffled and worked through things, at least he was truthful about where his head was (mostly).
Overall I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I sped through it. I would most likely read it again (if I were the type to ever reread any book).
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: nanny, single dad, sports romance
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Zack by Sawyer Bennett was an easy, light read with some delicious spice. I appreciated the emotional inner reflections. I loved the strong willed and tender hearted FMC who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is and who legit embraced the “we listen and we don’t judge” ethos. It took the MMC a long time to get his head out of his arse but while he waffled and worked through things, at least he was truthful about where his head was (mostly).
Overall I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I sped through it. I would most likely read it again (if I were the type to ever reread any book).
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: nanny, single dad, sports romance
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content
The Sinner by Shantel Tessier
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
I just can't do it. I cannot finish The Sinner by Shantel Tessier. I knew it was a dark romance but this is something else. I've read plenty of dark romances and enjoyed most of them. I read Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman, Pretty Little Savage by Lucy Smoke, Riches to Riches by Ames Mills and Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby. Those had dark themes and tropes. The Sinner feels like it is ENCOURAGING violence against women, pleasure of a man above the humanity of a woman, and straight up awful misogyny - expecting women to quietly slip back into the 1950s. with zero rights over their own bodies.
I guess I have discovered a trope I cannot condone -- dub con and consensual non-consensual. I might also have an intolerance for bully romances. Previously I didn't think I had many TWs, now I know better.
I cannot get on board with the violence that continues to happen to poor Ellington. Every time I think perhaps Sin / Easton is mellowing a teensy bit to be a less despicable human being (not even good -- just less horrific), he proves that violence in the name of his s3xual pleasure is king and he has zero regard for Elli. I get that, in theory, someone who has been abused so severely for years may have a skewed idea of what intimacy and pleasure should be. However, I cannot understand why Sin wouldn't at least attempt to give Elli pleasure in a way that isn't straight up considered sexual assault and abuse. Try BDSM and drop the need to make her bleed and cry. If Elli is never shown a different way to experience pleasure, how will she know if she does or does not like it?
I know my opinions will be unpopular and I totally get it if you love this book and these tropes. I'm not here to yuck your yum. I'm simply unable to hop on that train and enjoy the ride. I really wanna know how The Sinner ends, but not enough to keep reading the book. 2025 is supposed to be the year that I embrace DNF if a book isn't for me, so here I am. Cheers to The Sinner being my first DNF for 2025.
Stars: 0 -- DNF for me
I guess I have discovered a trope I cannot condone -- dub con and consensual non-consensual. I might also have an intolerance for bully romances. Previously I didn't think I had many TWs, now I know better.
I know my opinions will be unpopular and I totally get it if you love this book and these tropes. I'm not here to yuck your yum. I'm simply unable to hop on that train and enjoy the ride. I really wanna know how The Sinner ends, but not enough to keep reading the book. 2025 is supposed to be the year that I embrace DNF if a book isn't for me, so here I am. Cheers to The Sinner being my first DNF for 2025.
Stars: 0 -- DNF for me
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ -- according to BookTok. I couldn't get past the violence.
POV: Dual
HEA: No clue. DNF
Cliffhanger: No clue. DNF
Tropes: Bully romance, touch her and d!e, friends 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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Stalking, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Absolution by Avelyn Paige
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The feeling of MEH continues with Heaven’s Rejects MC series. I read book one, skipped book two and just complete book three.
Almost 90% of the book was removed from the MC life, so I wouldn’t really say this is an MC story. Rikka and Ratchet were engaging main characters. Rikka’s backstory was horrific. Ratchet’s patience with her was endearing and sweet.
The angsty drama point or so called “twist” at approx the 75% mark was extremely anti-climactic and predictable — frankly disappointing.
The spice was decent but I quickly grew tired of “pebbled” as a descriptor. The epilogue did end on a great spoiler that kinda makes me wanna read the next book in the series. However, I don’t love the author’s writing style, so I’m highly tempted to just find a spoiler summary and move on from the series and author.
P.S. I know a lot of MC series include misogynist messages - club bunnies are good enough to f*ck but not be in a relationship with, old ladies can’t know club business, women shouldn’t have careers and are only good for popping out babies. This one attempts to sell the MMCs crappy sexist thoughts and inner dialogues as being “protective” and “good for women”. It seriously just pissed me off. If this type of thing doesn’t drive you bonkers (we listen and we don’t judge…), that’s cool and good for you. You may love that about this book. Me? Not so much.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ - maybe 2.5 or 3, if I’m being generous
POV: Dual
HEA: Yea
Cliffhanger: Yep
Tropes: MC, alpha male, traumatic childhoods, he falls first
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Almost 90% of the book was removed from the MC life, so I wouldn’t really say this is an MC story. Rikka and Ratchet were engaging main characters. Rikka’s backstory was horrific. Ratchet’s patience with her was endearing and sweet.
The angsty drama point or so called “twist” at approx the 75% mark was extremely anti-climactic and predictable — frankly disappointing.
The spice was decent but I quickly grew tired of “pebbled” as a descriptor. The epilogue did end on a great spoiler that kinda makes me wanna read the next book in the series. However, I don’t love the author’s writing style, so I’m highly tempted to just find a spoiler summary and move on from the series and author.
P.S. I know a lot of MC series include misogynist messages - club bunnies are good enough to f*ck but not be in a relationship with, old ladies can’t know club business, women shouldn’t have careers and are only good for popping out babies. This one attempts to sell the MMCs crappy sexist thoughts and inner dialogues as being “protective” and “good for women”. It seriously just pissed me off. If this type of thing doesn’t drive you bonkers (we listen and we don’t judge…), that’s cool and good for you. You may love that about this book. Me? Not so much.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ - maybe 2.5 or 3, if I’m being generous
POV: Dual
HEA: Yea
Cliffhanger: Yep
Tropes: MC, alpha male, traumatic childhoods, he falls first
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Heaven Sent by Avelyn Paige
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Everything about this story was just "okay". The plot was meh (synopsis blurb made it sound better than it was). Pacing was uneven and didn't flow well. The writing was mediocre at best. Conversation seemed stilted, banter was lacking, and spicy scenes sounded repetitive.
Usually I enjoy MC tropes (minus the way club bunnies and non-old-lady women are treated). It's often fun to read about the trouble and vigilante justice that outlaw bikers bring to a story. However, this story didn't give the reader any in-depth details about what made this Heaven's Rejects MC special. You weren't sure what businesses they were involved with; you didn't get a decent introduction into the other characters or their affiliation with the MC (other than a little bit with the club president).
The author failed to help the reader feel connected to the 2 MCs. Hero's emotions for Dani were volatile and all over the board. First, he was attracted to her, but then he didn't trust her because of possible ties with another MC, and at the same time he had supposedly been simultaneously head over heels for her from the get go (but didn't start sharing that until the last third of the novel.) His statements didn't jive with his internal dialogue or outward actions.
Dani was fiercely independent and wasn't afraid to stick up for herself and / or attempt to physically defend herself from unwanted male attention. As a strong FMC, Dani's disdain for being treated as "less than" because she was a woman was refreshing. However, as soon as Hero mentioned he liked her, Dani suddenly was all goo-goo eyed over him and glossed over all of the horrible things he'd said and done to her. It made zero sense considering how awful he had been. Honestly, my last straw came at the end of the novel when Dani *instantly* forgave Hero after he failed to support her in a pivotal moment. It left me flabbergasted and feeling as if the FMC devolved from the beginning of the story into a weaker MC, not stronger.
I hate giving unpleasant reviews. I think most books have redeeming qualities and bright spots. This particular novel was straight up "average" without any shining moments. I won't re-read it or recommend it to friends. I am not invested enough with any of the characters or plots to continue to read further on in the series. Someday I may circle back around to book #3 (Absolution) in the series to see how Rikka's story unfolds, but if it doesn't capture my attention in the first third of the novel, it will most likely be a DNF for me. In 2025, I want to focus on reading books I wholeheartedly enjoy, not stuff I just trudge through to get to the end.
Usually I enjoy MC tropes (minus the way club bunnies and non-old-lady women are treated). It's often fun to read about the trouble and vigilante justice that outlaw bikers bring to a story. However, this story didn't give the reader any in-depth details about what made this Heaven's Rejects MC special. You weren't sure what businesses they were involved with; you didn't get a decent introduction into the other characters or their affiliation with the MC (other than a little bit with the club president).
The author failed to help the reader feel connected to the 2 MCs. Hero's emotions for Dani were volatile and all over the board. First, he was attracted to her, but then he didn't trust her because of possible ties with another MC, and at the same time he had supposedly been simultaneously head over heels for her from the get go (but didn't start sharing that until the last third of the novel.) His statements didn't jive with his internal dialogue or outward actions.
Dani was fiercely independent and wasn't afraid to stick up for herself and / or attempt to physically defend herself from unwanted male attention. As a strong FMC, Dani's disdain for being treated as "less than" because she was a woman was refreshing. However, as soon as Hero mentioned he liked her, Dani suddenly was all goo-goo eyed over him and glossed over all of the horrible things he'd said and done to her. It made zero sense considering how awful he had been. Honestly, my last straw came at the end of the novel when Dani *instantly* forgave Hero after he failed to support her in a pivotal moment. It left me flabbergasted and feeling as if the FMC devolved from the beginning of the story into a weaker MC, not stronger.
I hate giving unpleasant reviews. I think most books have redeeming qualities and bright spots. This particular novel was straight up "average" without any shining moments. I won't re-read it or recommend it to friends. I am not invested enough with any of the characters or plots to continue to read further on in the series. Someday I may circle back around to book #3 (Absolution) in the series to see how Rikka's story unfolds, but if it doesn't capture my attention in the first third of the novel, it will most likely be a DNF for me. In 2025, I want to focus on reading books I wholeheartedly enjoy, not stuff I just trudge through to get to the end.
Stars:⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, Alpha Male, Insta-Love
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Book three of the Mindf*ck series did not disappoint. It started out with a bang and ended on another cliffhanger with some amazing dramatics.
I’m still invested in seeing the plots through to their conclusions, enjoying the steady pacing and loving the character development.
Lana’s flashbacks are hard to listen to and I suspect will only get more graphic and heartbreaking as we learn more details.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - two more books in the series
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Law Enforcement/ Criminal, Alpha male
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
I’m still invested in seeing the plots through to their conclusions, enjoying the steady pacing and loving the character development.
Lana’s flashbacks are hard to listen to and I suspect will only get more graphic and heartbreaking as we learn more details.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - two more books in the series
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Law Enforcement/ Criminal, Alpha male
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Book three of the Mindf*ck series did not disappoint. It started out with a bang and ended on another cliffhanger with some amazing dramatics.
I’m still invested in seeing the plots through to their conclusions, enjoying the steady pacing and loving the character development.
Lana’s flashbacks are hard to listen to and I suspect will only get more graphic and heartbreaking as we learn more details.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - two more books in the series
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Law Enforcement/ Criminal, Alpha male
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
I’m still invested in seeing the plots through to their conclusions, enjoying the steady pacing and loving the character development.
Lana’s flashbacks are hard to listen to and I suspect will only get more graphic and heartbreaking as we learn more details.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - two more books in the series
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Law Enforcement/ Criminal, Alpha male
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Sidetracked by S.T. Abby
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
I’m currently obsessed with the Mindf*ck series because it loosely reminds me of Criminal Minds, one of my all-time favorite tv shows.
Plot pacing is swift and details are condensed since they’re packed into such short novels. There isn’t a ton of angsty inner dialogue, which I find refreshing after the last few books I’ve read recently.
Despite all the secrets between Lana and Logan, I’m cautiously optimistic that when things blow up between them they’ll still be able to figure out how to be together. I hate Lana’s lies and fear Logan is going to act holier-than-thou when he learns her truth.
As mentioned by some other reviewers, the female narrator does a pretty good job. I don’t mind her version of the FMC. The male narrator’s voice isn’t deep enough for me. The way he sounds doesn’t match the way I hear him in my head. I wish Jacob Michael or Troy Duran did the male narration.
On to the next book…
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (very little spice in this book. Story progression just didn’t leave much room.)
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - still more books left in the series
Cliffhanger: Of course
Tropes: Law enforcement / criminal opposing MCs, Alpha male, Bas@ss FMC
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Plot pacing is swift and details are condensed since they’re packed into such short novels. There isn’t a ton of angsty inner dialogue, which I find refreshing after the last few books I’ve read recently.
Despite all the secrets between Lana and Logan, I’m cautiously optimistic that when things blow up between them they’ll still be able to figure out how to be together. I hate Lana’s lies and fear Logan is going to act holier-than-thou when he learns her truth.
As mentioned by some other reviewers, the female narrator does a pretty good job. I don’t mind her version of the FMC. The male narrator’s voice isn’t deep enough for me. The way he sounds doesn’t match the way I hear him in my head. I wish Jacob Michael or Troy Duran did the male narration.
On to the next book…
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (very little spice in this book. Story progression just didn’t leave much room.)
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - still more books left in the series
Cliffhanger: Of course
Tropes: Law enforcement / criminal opposing MCs, Alpha male, Bas@ss FMC
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
The Fix Up by Kendall Ryan
3.0
Book was enjoyable but wasn't anything to rave about. Plot was fine and included some good banter. The MMC was sometimes crude (which is to be expected in spicy novels) but didn't seem to fit other parts of the narrative. Not much to say about the story, other than it was "fine" but didn't make me squirm in my seat the way I was hoping it would.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (barely)
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (barely)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Billionaire, friends to lovers, Different social classes
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
The Risk by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
Loved this introduction to the Mindf*ck Series. I wish the author, S. T. Abby, had condensed all of the novels together into one book, instead of making each audiobook super short (each book is only 3-4 hours long with at least 4 or 5 books in the series.) I understand and recognize that it probably makes more sense for the author to make multiple short novels so she can: #1 release installments of the story sooner, and #2 actually earn a living while practicing her craft. However, as a reader it's kind of irritating to switch novels every 3 hours when a book "conclusion" feels like the ending of a chapter, not the ending of an actual story and/or an actual cliffhanger.
With my complaining out of the way, I really enjoyed listening to The Risk as an audiobook. Marie Hawkins did a beautiful job of ensuring Lana's voice and thoughts were nuanced. You could feel her confusion, anger, and other emotions throughout her audio performance. T.J. Clark, the male narrator, did an acceptable job voicing the MMC, Logan. I didn't particularly love his voice (nothing wrong with it, just not what floats my boat. Wish it had been Jacob Michael or Troy Duran.)
I went into the novel mostly blind and didn't know much about the plot. Synopsis: Lana and her family suffered a horrific attack when she was a teenager. As an adult, Lana is on a revenge mission to make the perpetrators pay for their heinous actions. Her revenge plans are complicated when she falls for Logan, an FBI profiler who hunts serial killers -- like Lana.
Originally I thought this story was more of a novella (didn't realize it was a series). The plot moved quickly. We are slowly fed information about Lana's past traumas as we navigate her present day life. The slow feed keeps the reader hanging around, waiting for the next morsel of information to be dropped as we strain to fit the jumbled pieces of the puzzle together.
Despite wanting to hate Lana's violent desires and actions, she is an incredibly empathetic character. I was torn between disgust with her euphoria during her bloody revenge escapades and rooting for her / scared that her secrets would be exposed too soon.
Logan is also incredibly relatable and lovable. He is sweet, honest, and wicked smart. I adore his insta-lust / insta-love with Lana. I like that he doesn't pry into her past but tries to trust her to share her traumas when she feels ready.
This book definitely ends on a big ol' cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how the rest of this story unfolds. I predict I will be buying way too many installments of the Mindf*ck series in a very short amount of time so I can learn what happens with Lana and Logan.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With my complaining out of the way, I really enjoyed listening to The Risk as an audiobook. Marie Hawkins did a beautiful job of ensuring Lana's voice and thoughts were nuanced. You could feel her confusion, anger, and other emotions throughout her audio performance. T.J. Clark, the male narrator, did an acceptable job voicing the MMC, Logan. I didn't particularly love his voice (nothing wrong with it, just not what floats my boat. Wish it had been Jacob Michael or Troy Duran.)
I went into the novel mostly blind and didn't know much about the plot. Synopsis: Lana and her family suffered a horrific attack when she was a teenager. As an adult, Lana is on a revenge mission to make the perpetrators pay for their heinous actions. Her revenge plans are complicated when she falls for Logan, an FBI profiler who hunts serial killers -- like Lana.
Originally I thought this story was more of a novella (didn't realize it was a series). The plot moved quickly. We are slowly fed information about Lana's past traumas as we navigate her present day life. The slow feed keeps the reader hanging around, waiting for the next morsel of information to be dropped as we strain to fit the jumbled pieces of the puzzle together.
Despite wanting to hate Lana's violent desires and actions, she is an incredibly empathetic character. I was torn between disgust with her euphoria during her bloody revenge escapades and rooting for her / scared that her secrets would be exposed too soon.
Logan is also incredibly relatable and lovable. He is sweet, honest, and wicked smart. I adore his insta-lust / insta-love with Lana. I like that he doesn't pry into her past but tries to trust her to share her traumas when she feels ready.
This book definitely ends on a big ol' cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how the rest of this story unfolds. I predict I will be buying way too many installments of the Mindf*ck series in a very short amount of time so I can learn what happens with Lana and Logan.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet?
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Past trauma, Dominant male in uniform, First Responder
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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
SYNOPSIS: BookTok sensation PEN PAL is a high octane, tautly written dark romance with an unforgettable twist that will leave readers gasping.
The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence:
The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence:
I’ll wait forever if I have to.
It was signed by Dante, a man I didn’t know.
CHECK THE CW / TWs.
—————
CHECK THE CW / TWs.
—————
REVIEW: Whoa! Wow! I just finished this audiobook and I’m… I’m… I’m sooooo unsure what to say but in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE!
The writing was amazing, the pacing fabulous, the plot perfectly twisty and the love story splendiferously angsty in the BEST way. The spice was blazing hot and beautiful.
Never have I loved a pet name more than “Bunny Rabbit” and “Little Bunny”. It felt natural and lacked the cheesiness of endearments found in some other spicy novels.
It’s hard to say much without accidental spoilers so I’m going to end the review with a couple of my favorite quotes.
The writing was amazing, the pacing fabulous, the plot perfectly twisty and the love story splendiferously angsty in the BEST way. The spice was blazing hot and beautiful.
Never have I loved a pet name more than “Bunny Rabbit” and “Little Bunny”. It felt natural and lacked the cheesiness of endearments found in some other spicy novels.
It’s hard to say much without accidental spoilers so I’m going to end the review with a couple of my favorite quotes.
“Love means nothing unless it’s acted upon. Love isn’t real without intent. It’s a verb. It isn’t passive. … Whatever love asks of you must be given, no matter the price.”
“It’s incredible how many different people one body can hold. We all walk around with a thousand strangers inside us, slumbering quietly until someone else wakes them up. Like the jolt of electricity that reanimated Frankenstein’s monster, all it takes for our sleeping giants to jump to life is a single spark.”
—————
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: It’s complicated…
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Dark, Mystery, Alpha -Dominant Male
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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 hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol