bookishlychar's reviews
2122 reviews

Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

 

Fragile Sanctuary is the start of a new series, Sparrow Falls, by Catherine Cowles. Rhodes’s life was torn apart 14 years ago when her family home started on fire and her parents and sister died. She was taken in by her best friends family, and now, 14 years later wants to return to the property that was burned and restore it. Anson works for Rhodes’s foster brother and is an ex-profiler for the FBI. They both know the pain of loss and soon realize they have this in common. When “accidents” start to happen around Rhodes, Anson is there to protect her and keep her safe. Will Anson and Rhodes be able to survive their pasts to move into the future? 

 

Rhodes is a strong woman. She has dealt with a tragic past but has come out loving and caring for people. Anson is also dealing with a past that has left more pain and scars, shutting himself off from the world. She doesn’t let the darkness and gruff exterior that is Anson scare her away. I loved these two together so much, they were wonderful together and complimented each other so well. 

 

I always love Catherine’s ability to give us a love story, and some suspense, but what I liked about her was the family, both found and blood that existed here. I loved all the foster siblings and how they have their histories but love and care for each other so much. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series. 

 

There was so much I loved about this book. If you are looking for romantic suspense, with a grumpy/sunshine trope, this is for you! I look forward to reading more from Sparrow Falls and can’t wait for the next story! Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

Moonlit Temptation by Penelope Black

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I thought I would try out this series to check out 3 hot bikers in this why choose romance. I can see how this would be a good book, but maybe why choose romances are just not for me. It seemed really indecisive, rather than why choose.

The One I Left Behind by Piper Rayne

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.0

 

The One I Left Behind is the first in the Plain Daisy Ranch, a new series by Piper Rayne. I recommend reading the short prequel, One Last Summer, as it gives a bit of background on their relationship. Ben and Gillian were high school sweethearts, but when Ben went away to college, she was heartbroken when they broke up. He made it as a professional football player and is returning home 14 years later. Gillian is trying to avoid Ben, however, that is hard when they seem to be running into each other all over town. Additionally, Ben starts to work with the high school football team, the same team Gillian’s son Clayton has started playing for. Ben has never stopped loving Gillian, and he is not about to let her slip away again. Can Gillian protect her heart from pain again? 

 

This was a great second-chance romance. Ben and Gillian had tried for so long to get over each other, but you can tell, even from the first glimpse that they love and care for each other. Gillian is such a strong character. She helped care for her siblings and then became a mother at a young age. She has put her life on hold for much of her life, putting everyone ahead of her. Ben was a great character, who wanted to make up for the past mistakes that got them to this point. 

 

The chemistry between Gillian and Ben was top-notch. There was so much tension behind them at every turn and I was there for it. You could tell there was so much history and pain between them. Gillian wasn’t quick to forgive Ben, he had to grovel, not only to Gillian but to Clayton too. 

 

Clayton was a great addition to this story. He was so fiercely protective of his mom and wanted to do everything he could to make sure Ben didn’t hurt her again. I also loved being introduced to Ben’s family and getting to know his brothers and dad. 

 

This was a great second-chance romance that pulled at your heartstrings. I loved the introduction to Plain Daisy Ranch and the whole town. I’m excited to head back to the ranch in the next book. Thank you to Piper Rayne for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

One Last Summer by Piper Rayne

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

this was a cute little introduction to Piper Rayne's newest series and Plain Daisy Ranch.

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

After Cece breaks up with her fiance she moves back to her family ranch. She runs into Nash, her brother's best friend and childhood crush. He was the boy who always pestered her, but now he is turning out to be sweeter than she remembered. Cece and Nash start working together and fighting their budding attraction is proving difficult. 

Nash was swoon-worthy. The little things that he did for Cece were so wonderful. Him remembering her coffee order and bringing it to her each morning was perfect. Paisley Hope combined two of my favourites, hockey player AND cowboy and made Nash pure perfection. He is so protective of the whole Ashby family, giving as much as he could to them. 

Cece was a great character to know as well. She was fierce and spunky and I loved getting to know her.  I also really liked getting to know the side characters in the story as well.  


I thought Cece and Nash's relationship developed at a perfect pace. Though they knew each other from their childhoods, they got to know each other as adults and the tension and banter between them was awesome. 

Paisley Hope transported me to her world and I loved it. I found it hard to believe that this was a debut novel and look forward to seeing what else she writes! 
Read if you like: brother's best friend, he falls first, age gap, hockey player & cowboy, forced proximity

The Vendetta by Dr. Rebecca Sharp

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

This is a romantic suspense book, and I did find myself surprised, but that was not enough to keep me captured. I felt that some of the story dragged, and though this is a slow burn, I just did not feel the desire between the two characters. I can see why people love this book, but I think it just wasn't for me. 

Ruthless Empire by Rina Kent

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I cannot believe this series is done! I may be late to the Rina-verse, but I love her books! 

I was prepared to hate Silver, but Rina was able to turn around my feelings for her and even come to love and feel for her. We knew Cole previously, but we got to see his darkness in this one. Getting to know both of these characters both apart and together was a complete privilege. 

I also thought it was interesting seeing some of the scenes from previous books through Silver's lens and it made things seem so much more real.  

The ending of this book, oh my goodness! I knew something happened, and still, it surprised me!! I was gasping and couldn't stop myself from turning the pages. 

I'm sad this story has ended, but I look forward to seeing more of Rina's characters and getting even more into her world. 

The Words by A. Jade

challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.5

Lennon and Phoenix met in high school. Lennon was bullied for her plus-size body, and Phoenix was the hot loner that all the girls wanted to get with. When she starts tutoring Phoenix to help pass English the pair grows closer. He becomes many of her firsts, including a betrayal. He breaks her heart. Now four years later, Phoenix is a rockstar heading down the wrong road. The band brings Lennon in, knowing she will be able to keep him on track, even though they hate each other.

This book is filled with so much angst and pain. These two have been through it, and go through it in this novel. The character's highs and lows were so strong, and we went through them all. Ashley Jade is not afraid to let her characters make mistakes and there are so many times throughout this book that I just wanted to slap some sense into them. But what comes through, even in their messiness, is the love they have for each other, though they have done unforgivable things. 

Lennon has a lot of self-esteem issues, stemming a lot from her weight and negative relationship with food. She used food as a coping mechanism and was bullied in school. Even though she struggles with her self-esteem, she also knows who she is and that she brings value to situations. Phoenix was so broken, broken down by his childhood, and his current life. He has been through so much in his life and has issues he struggles with. Though they are, many times, toxic to each other, they have this deep, connecting love, that tears them apart and brings them together again. 

If you want a book that puts you through the wringer, this is it. There is so much pain and emotion in this book that you will feel it all. 

Read if you like: friends to enemies to lovers, forced proximity, it's always been you, found family, rockstar, friends with benefits, 

Before We Came by Sloane St. James

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

4.5

Birdie finds many secrets after her mother's death. Everything in her life has been a lie, and she turns to the family she thought never wanted her. This includes her brother's best friend Lonan. Lonan's innocent crush as a child, has now grown to so much more with Birdie. Lonan becomes Birdie's protector, but Birdie pushes back, wanting to make decisions for herself for the first time.

This book has a lot of serious trigger warnings in it. If you need those, please check for them.

I was hooked on Birdie and Lonan's story from the get-go. From their childhood kiss to finding each other after many years, these two were meant to be. Lonan is such a sweet guy and navigates the tender feelings that Birdie is feeling. He only wants what's best for her, but does make mistakes in the process. I thought Birdie's friend, Freya, was so important in this book. She put both Birdie and Lonan in their places, understanding both of them so well.

This book was a lot different than the typical romance book you read, bringing something unique to the table. I found myself not wanting to put this down and continue reading. If you love heartfelt friends to lovers, with a hockey hero alpha, this is the book for you!

The Edge of Temptation by J. Saman

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.0

This was a good book, but I think just wasn't for me. I'm not big into the widower trope, especially when the person has not dealt with the death. It was a sweet romance, but there were so many times I thought these two characters should sit down and talk.