booksbyec's reviews
162 reviews

Burning the Midnight Oil by Ashley James

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So far this is the book with the most angst in it. And for a good reason.

Some would say it is a slight taboo feel to the book since the characters are ex brother in laws.

Boone's marriage to Jade is on the rocks and we learn early on that they decide to divorce. In the beginning of the book we meet Jade's little brother Grady who is home form university over the summer. Grady has had a crush on Boone since forever but never said anything. And even with the pending divorce he is not going to say anything because Boone is straight, dammit. But things happen and all of a sudden Boone and Grady will have to spend the rodeo season in close quarters and let say sparks fly. As I said in the beginning this book is heavy on the angst but we also get the funny and spicy moments Ashley is known for.

I know I put down a note in the book with the phrase; Shooter is such an asshole but like an good asshole. I like that Boone uses him as an sounding board but that he doesn't take everything he says for the truth. 

I love the mix of everyday life and high intese rodeo stuff. Also Suzy is a jem.

I will now sit patiently and wait for the next book, this time Colt will be in the lime light. 

Dirt Road Secrets by Ashley James

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

What a 2nd book of this series. Dirt Road Sercets had so many laugh out load moments.

In this book we meet Cope, who lives in Copper Lake and is a bronco rider. We also meet Xander an city boy on an adventure. 

Cope and Xander meet in the beginning of the book when Xanders car breaks down on his way to Copper Lake. Xander is going there to.help his aunt out with her farm and animals whilst she has hip surgery and let's say he is in over his head. 

Ashley James has a way to drag you into the world of Copper Lake and you feel like you never want to leave. The way she is building the characters make you route for them but also say WTF when they do stupid shit. She really knows how to mix everyday life with spice and emotional substance. 

Also Ashley is really sneaky in how she sets up the next books MCs. In a throwaway scene we meet them and at first you don't think much about it but you realise you just got a nugget for the next book. So kudos to you Ashley! 

Since the books interconnect, especially time line wise it is best to read them in order. I mean you could read them as stand alones if you really wanted to but trust me. Read them in order because there are some lor that you need when reading the later books. 

BTW the camper scene = LOL gold star

It's All You by Linden Bell

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I met Gavin and Beau the first time in Linden Bells book Sebastian and I thought maybe one day we will get their story. And here we are now.

This book is part of the Mars Fitness series, it may be the 3rd book published but it is a prequel to Ripped and Stacked. I have both books on my TBR so I am really happy to have read this one first.

Gavin has been in love with Beau since High School but Beau is oblivious to Gavins feelings. Beau's bi-awakening comes with some really ***** and sweet moments.

It's All You had me aw-ning and oh-ing the whole way through. It is a short read, only 103 pages, so it's more like you are getting snapshots on Gavin and Beau's journey and realisation that they love eachother.

This book also made my TBR list all messed up, because I had a plan on what books to read and in what order. Do I have plan now, nope!

Duplicity by A.E. Madsen

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

To be honest in the beginning I felt the story moved pretty slowly. But this is a me problem, it has been a while since I have read a romance book set in pure college/uni setting. And the world works differently there, its like you are i  your own bubble. 

But when the story picks up it does it is an fantastic read.

I don't want to spoil to much but Daniels background with a very religious family is a big deal. And there are some twists I did not see coming. Ian who is the other MC does get mistaken for his twin brother Aiden when he first meets Daniel. And let's just say he get in over his head. 

This romance book is the tentative, sweet and navie young love that I rarley read anymore. But A.E. Madsen's world building for the series Blue Mountain University has me wanting more and I will read the upcoming books in the series, because I am invested in all the characters now. 

Let Me In by Luna David

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

May contain spoilers 

I don't know what is wrong with me but I keep picking books that will trash me emotionally. 

The way Liam and Cash met is kinda sweet but also a bit sad. The fact that Cash had no idea his former boy had gotten him a new boy makes for some heartbreaking scenes and I will tell you the angst don't stop there. Liam is so young and innocent but also so mature. This makes his decisions proper but also rushed because he rather leave then stay and get hurt. Liam and Cashs chemistry is off the charts but them not being completely honest makes for hard times. 

After finishing the book my heart had broken and then healed again. Liam is a wonderful little that just want his perfect daddy dom Cash and they do get there eventually and that makes my heart happy.

Eight Seconds to Ride by Ashley James

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book made my laugh out load, it made me cry and it also made me facepalm when the MCs where ridiculously stubborn. 

Sterling is the rookie in the pro league of bareback bronco riding.
Shooter is the 3 time WC in bareback bronco riding. He is also a legacy with all that entails.

They meet the first time after the NRF in Las Vegas and let me tell you they start out hot. What they don't know then is that a couple of months later they will be rivals that somehow turn into lovers. Because these 2 have chemistry. 

I love the fact that I went through all the emotions when reading this book. I laughed and giggled many times. Luckily for me I was home alone because otherwise my sanity would be in questioned. Mostly because I talked out loud when one of the characters did something stupid or whenever Shooters dad entered the page. I don't know what it is about parents being stupid that get me so mad. 

And yes I cried multiple times, that I did. Something about how Ashley writes certain scenes just hit me in the heart and I felt the hopelessness and dejection the characters felt, mostly Shooter. I think parts of his story resonates with me on a personal level and it hit me that everyone doesn't have the support they need to make certain decisions. And yes I am being vague not to give spoilers.

Looking forward to the next book.

Blood Spilled by Ashlynn Mills

dark hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is dark, twisted and sad but also somehow hopeful. I don't know how that works and I think it's my brain being stupid. But yes there is light in the darkness. Mind you though this is not for the faint-hearted. ♥️♥️♥️

* MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS *

We met Santiago in Out For Blood, the first book in Ashlynn Mills series Cartel Wars.
He was not a good person in that book! You would think there are no redeeming qualities to him but this book proves you wrong. I cried, Santiago made me cry. I felt so bad for him, especially the further along we get into the book and the more we learn about his backstory. 😭😈🩷
I kind of wanted to punch every single person in his past.🤬

Also, the fact that we go into this book with the perception that Angel is the "good guy" makes it so much harder. Because he is not nice, sure I know where he is coming from. But dammit he is not a good person. 😇😈😇😈

The way Angel treats Santiago is despicable and there are some really graphic scenes both between the main MCs and also in regards to other characters in the book. Well, it is a darkish mafia romance book so if you know what you usually get in that universe this is the book for you. 

This book is part character and part plot-based, and it is an intricate plot so you have to read the books in the right order because otherwise, you will not understand anything. 

But to summarise I enjoyed this book very much and I can't wait for the next one. Also, I am a sucker for a redemption story, and for the villain getting his happy ending. So this book was perfect for me. And if you are like me a bit unhinged you will love this book. 

Will by Kerry Kilpatrick

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has a little bit of everything. Angst, love, spicy, funny moments and sad moments. 

Beckett is an grump or rather he is an introvert that can't with people outside of his job as a cop. Will is sunshine but also stern in his approach of Beckett. They have a will they or won't they relationship that has its ups and downs but in the end love wins. 

I can with certainty say I hate Becketts family and Cameron is one my s*itlist, I don't care if he is sorry or not. 

The books is the first in a series and Kerry is nicely setting us up for the next book with some well placed hints. 

This was a lovely read with laugh out loud moments, awesome smut but also moments where you get a bit sad and angry in regards to how people treat certain people, but all is well. 

Pay to Play by D. Dove

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

4.0

There is basically only 2 characters in the book and 1 of them are pretty indisposed. It is taboo to the highest degree with dub con vibes and a lot of spice.

Matteo's Mettle by Anna Sparrows

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This book is sugar and spice. Sweet as can be but with a mix of chili. 
Matt is such a sweet gentle boy and London being his new daddy just works. An intresting dynamic with an older little and a younger daddy, but in this instance it just works. They are both open to evolving themselves and the relationship they are creating. 

It's an low angst book with fast love and it was a perfect read after the dark mafia romance books I have been reading lately, IYKYK.