courtney_s's reviews
108 reviews

Sterling Streak by L.B. Dunbar

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4.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧 🎧🎧/5  (Dual Style)
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: I think I will
•Trope: Baseball romance/Rockstar Romance.  Single Dad. 

• Thoughts:
I have been reading LB Dunbars Christmas books. So, I was really excited to listen to a book outside of that little genre. I enjoyed this book. I loved the single dad and the fact that he was essentially facing his issues, and that was turning him into a grumpy bear. I thought his daughters were adorable! He was a fantastic father. 
She was this spunky country music star and fell fast and hard for this baseball player and his girls. She had some demons that she was working through as well. I would say the book only got 4 stars from me because I didn't feel they had much of a connection. I felt something was missing for the first little bit. The other part of what I struggled with was the back and forth. I am fine with a few spats and issues, I felt this couple had one too many. Personally, as a reader, I am not a fan of it. However, it did not ruin the story for me. I very much liked it and enjoyed it. I read this series, but of order, so now I need to go back and start from the beginning. 

Narrator Thoughts:
Oh my gosh. JF Harding and CJ Bloom. Say no more. I have become a huge JF fan. I love his voice. CJ has always been a favorite of mine. Throw them together and Bam. Instant perfection.  
Tangled Fates: Book 1 in Tangled Duet by Mandy Muse

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adventurous dark

4.5

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform: E-book 
•Recommend: Yes 
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Yes
•Trope: Reverse Herem, Repunzel retelling,  Paranormal.  

• Thoughts:
This book was sooooo good!!! I knew within  a few chapters I was gonna be salivating for book 2. Low and behold. By the end of the book. I neeeeeeddddd book 2. I am so excited to see where this goes. This story read out like a movie! I was sucked in. I loved the twists, and I move that we have a wolf shifters and 2 vampires and an extremely grumpy cat. Lol. It was all deliciously put together and the cliffy it leaves us on. I am so ready for book 2!! And I am wondering g if there may be clues to another fairytale retelling... 
Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧 🎧🎧/5  (Duet Style)
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: I think I will 
•Trope: Motocross/Gymnastics Romance. BAD boy/Good girl. 

• Thoughts:
This was my very first Rebecca Jenshak book, and it will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a quick easy listen for me. I had it done in a day. The store kept my attention,  I am totally invested in these brothers!! I love the family dynamic. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters.  It made me all swoony! It was overall a very fun and sweet story. I liked her writing style she created a world that was very easy to love! 

Narrator Thoughts:
Duet style is the best style, especially with narrators like Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon. These two are so very talented. I know I am in for a treat when I see both of them! 
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

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dark funny tense medium-paced

5.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧 🎧🎧/5  (Duet Style)
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Sure will
•Trope: Grumpy-sunshine,  Enimies to lovers, marraige of Convince,  Serial Unaliver. 

• Thoughts:
I have no words! Okay, first off. If you are not an audio person.. you should become one for this book! I will talk more about the narrators below..back to our review of the book. Now, I feel this was slightly different than B&B. And not in a bad way. If you are expecting the same thing. You will be disappointed.  This has a different vibe and feel. I went into this book excited, and I left the book just as excited! I love that Lachlan is this grumpy gus, but man, does he have a gooey center when you are in his inner circle. Lark is this sunshine and happy go lucky person. (or is she??) Lark is a natural caregiver and wants to take care of everyone around her! I absolutely adore that about her character.  She is an incredible character with a heart of gold until she isn't. (Cackling laugh here) Lachlan and her, I feel compliment one another perfectly. This is a slow burn! The Enimies to lovers in this book is strong! They get under one another's skin. There is zero trust, and it is so fun to watch. But I tell ya, once that spice hit, oh my lanta, that Spice hit.(The crawl moment..... oh my gaawwwddd) 
 I was captivated with their story! It's was so well done. I knew I was in for one hell of a good time when it came to the trigger warnings. (IYKYK) (manically laughing) 

Narrator Thoughts:
Samantha Brentmoor, my good freaking night!! She was absolutely 100 percent incredible!!! I am already in love with her, and this year, I have learned she has one hell of a Scottish accent (not this book), but she can freaking sing! SING!!! when I heard her sing. I got goosebumps. It was amazing! She is hands down one of the top female narrators! 
Eric Nolan, sir! You have in one book quickly become a favorite narrator of mine. I can listen to your Scottish broge all freaking day! You did an amazing job!!! This whole audio book was freaking amazing! This audio would make anyone an audio lover! 10 out of 10. Highly recommend!!! 
Forgotten Desires by Corinne Michaels

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funny inspiring medium-paced

5.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶.5/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧 🎧🎧/5  (Dual Style)
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Sure will
•Trope: Small Town, Marriage of Convince, Single Dad, Billionaire Romance, That's my Wife. 

• Thoughts:
Well..... (stands up and claps!) I don't know about you! But wooowwweeee Crew has my heart! Brynn, she is the best heroine ever!! And I mean ever. 
I have loved every single one of Corinne's books she is a (chef's kiss) author. But there was something about this book that turned me to goo!  
The second that Crew busted out "My Wife" I linked out of my chair, and that is where I remain.... okay.. not really. But you get the picture. The connection I felt with these characters Brynn and her goodness. She is so selfless. Now Crew has a ruthless side, but when it comes to his girl. He is ewwy gooey. The Spice was perfect. The chemistry was excellent, the banter and one liners were perfection.  If you have not. I would highly recommend this book. It became a favorite of mind. This town is fun. I just don't have enough words to describe. 


Narrator Thoughts:
I did listen the audio. Gahhh, Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter.  Geez!! That is an epic cast right there! I can listen to anything these two narrate!! Their performance was excellent!
Somewhere You Belong by Harlow James

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

5.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧 🎧🎧/5  (Dual Style)
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform: Audio and E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Sure will
•Trope: Small town Romance,  Enimies tonLovers, he falls first. 

• Thoughts:
I am still gathering my thoughts! You guys!!  What a freaking amazing story!! I loved this! I loved this town. I loved the characters, and I adored and LOVED Dallas and Willow. I was enamored with this book from the dedication!! I loved that the first interaction they had was him reminding her if having manors. I cackled and thought... oh, man, this is going to be so good!So much "love" is being used. But I very much enjoyed this book, and I am so looking forward to what happens with the rest of the series.  Willow and her trauma and watching her character grow was such a great thing! I am positively giddy when the MMC falls first. And he fell hard!!! Can we talk about his flithy mouth?!?! Oh.. my... hell!! I am pretty sure there were several times during this book where I was like, daaannnnngggggg, check out the mouth on this guy! The push and pull between these characters we spot on!! I don't think I could have loved this story more. This series is going to be so good! I loved the nickname Dallas gave Willow. It was fun and unique. Seriously, this was an incredible 1st book for what I know is going to be an epic!!! Series! This made me so happy! 

Narrator Thoughts:
Mckenzie Cartwright and Connor Crais are the narrators.  Wowzaa! They were amazing. They both brought heart to these characters. But I mean, really? Is anyone surprised? 10 out of 10, and I would highly recommend the audio!! 
Little Sunshine by Layla Frost

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy: 📚📚📚📚📚/5
•Platform:E-book 
•Recommend: Yep
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Sure will
•Trope: Age-gap, Touch her Nad you know what vibe, Posessive Alpha, Cinnamon Roll, Slow burn.

• Thoughts:
Well, well, well.... Daddy Ash!!! Wooow.. ugh, I loved Ash in Little Dove,  but to see him in his own book. I am in love... be still my heart! But it's not just Ash I am in love with, Mila and her personality, her determination,  her drive, her stubbornness. She was perfect for receiving Ash's affection! Lord knows she needed it! She was not handed an easy life, and she fought Ash every step of the way (good for her. Lol, IYKYK) Ash is patient and affectionate, and is a love bug. He is possessive and his touch her and.. you know.... vibe is extra swoony. Ash and Mila compliment one another so much! 
Ash is a natural caregiver, so for him to have a daddy vibe.  Eeekkk, it was perfect! I knnnneeewwww from the dedication page I was going to be hooked. I really love Layla's writing, her ability to capture her characters, and how her books consume you. It is ALWAYS a treat reading Layla Frost! If you need an age-gap daddy book. Ohhhhhh is this the book you will crave! I had book hangover with this one! 
Crossroads by Devney Perry

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective

4.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
•Spice Level:  🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5- Dual Style 
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy:📚/5 
•Platform: Ebook and Audio
•Recommend: Yes
•Re-read/re-listen: No
•Trope: Small town romance  Second Chance 


• Thoughts:
Well, I enjoyed this book. But it wasn't my favorite. There was something missing, and I couldn't figure out what it was. I feel like maybe it should have been longer? I don't know?  I loved the transition between past and present. I felt their relationship would have been more meaningful if maybe they exchanged numbers as they got older and still kept in communication with one another. Maybe their connection was missing? They had it, but for me, I don't feel it was fully developed.  This book did cause me a little tears. I knew what was happening in that sense to cause me to get emotional, but actually reading/listening to that pain was something else. The author wrote that incredibly well. I loved the epilogue. I am glad I read/listened to it. 

•Narrator thoughts 
Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais are the talent behind these characters and they were Fantastic.
The Dark One by Nikki St. Crowe

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dark mysterious

4.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
•Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5 - Dual Narration with a full cast. 
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy:📚📚📚/5 
•Platform: Ebook and Audio
•Recommend: Yes
•Re-read/re-listen: I think so
•Trope: Peter Pan and Wendy retelling. Dark,Reverse Herem. 
CW- and this series muclst be read in order. 

Quick review. I will leave a full review when I have finished all books. 
• Thoughts:
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved learning the characters and then trying to figure out what is going on, and how this is going to play out. The only complaint I have is why Vane is not getting his own chapters.  We are learning more and more and I swear this book has me hooked! I can't wait to get to the conclusion of this series. 
**does leave on a cliffhanger 
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
•Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶🌶/ 5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5 - Dual Narration with a full cast. 
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Bookshelf Worthy:📚📚📚/5 
•Platform: Ebook and Audio
•Recommend: Yes
•Re-read/re-listen: I think so
•Trope: Peter Pan and Wendy retelling. Dark,Reverse Herem. 
CW- and this series muclst be read in order. 

Quick review. I will leave a full review when I have finished all books. 
• Thoughts:
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved learning the characters and then trying to figure out what is going on, and how this is going to play out.