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courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1213 reviews
Captivated by Love by Brenda Jackson
3.5
I read this as a standalone, and I don't think it works as well - I probably would have liked it more if I had that background on the Grangers, but it still worked. I wasn't as gripped by the first half (but I'm also not really a fan of prison set stories or insta-lust), but I did like the connection and deep love between Carson and Sheppard, and I always love when there's no third act breakup. I'm also not usually a fan of one trop (<spoilers> accidental pregnancy </spoilers>) but it really fit and worked for the characters involved.
The Baker & the Bard by Fern Haught
3.0
Very gentle and very cozy - it's about Juniper and Hadley's friendship, a cozy quest to find some mushrooms, and the friends they meet along the way. It's definitely a book to pick up if you like nice, gentle, cozy, soft-fantasy with a dash of queer.
Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My favorite of the Destiny trilogy (though I read the first 2 years ago), and I adore Pilar. Jenkins really loves her pirate characters, and I feel like Pilar was an epitome of this, and I love Noah's artistic nature. I loved seeing Pilar back at the family ranch, and could have read so many more chapters about her training horses. The 3rd act crisis was good, and I'm glad Noah ultimately resolves his trauma in a healthy way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
I adore Ali Hazelwood, and her oblivious FMCs, and her Adam Driver MMCs. I devoured it in 24 hours and have no complaints.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Beverly Jenkins loves her feisty FMCs and I am here for it. I liked the take of Rhine passing, and then having to cross back over for love, but especially compared to her other books I read recently, this is much more of a romantic subplot than a romance novel (I still really liked it!) I also love her commitment to a 3rd act crisis over a 3rd act breakup.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, and Racism
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins
4.0
I love that Beverly Jenkins writes historical romances about Americans AND I always learn cool new historical facts from her. I love the characters (and definitely want to read the other LeVeq books) and the feistiness of her FMC. The pacing of the book was a little off for me (it kept building towards the inevitable arrival of her father and that was resolved so late in the book and so quickly), it lacked the same build as other books. However, I *loved* that there wasn't a third act breakup!!
Definitely a solid choice for historical romance readers or anyone looking for a book set in New Orleans or during Reconstruction.
Definitely a solid choice for historical romance readers or anyone looking for a book set in New Orleans or during Reconstruction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Racism
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adore Abby Jimenez and I really loved this book, even though I saw the third act breakup coming the entire book like that slow moving Zamboni driven by Deadpool and while I *hated* it, it was also completely necessary and apt for the story. Justin is absolutely a golden retriever and the epitome of "if he wanted to he would", but I also really empathized with Emma.
My only question is why this isn't listed in the Part of Your World series!
My only question is why this isn't listed in the Part of Your World series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Mental illness
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
5.0
I just truly adore Chloe Liese. While there was a point I thought this could be my favorite Bergman book, it is middle of the pack - but that's more because I adore her books so much (and Frankie/Ren and Ziggy/Seb are perfection). I love the focus on romance novels and pets and focusing on having a healthy relationship.
Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I'm really loving this series! I absolutely love the multiple POV narrators, especially as some narrators are against each other, but still think *their* perspective is correct. Benton-Walker does a good job of pacing and creating vivid characters, but this book especially has so much ANGER, from Cris especially. If you are looking for a book that does not turn the other cheek, this is definitely the book for you. There is even more hurting in this book, as the characters have to deal with the fallout from book 1, but it does not read like a 2nd installment slump at all, but it does have many heavy subjects and issues. I will absolutely continue reading this series.
There were a few moments where I felt the book skipped and jumped ahead, and then retroactively addressed what was skipped (particularly around the Emma character, who I hope is significant in the next book), but I think they were intended to keep the pace of the book moving (and it does MOVE), and I think was more of a "me preference" as a reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There were a few moments where I felt the book skipped and jumped ahead, and then retroactively addressed what was skipped (particularly around the Emma character, who I hope is significant in the next book), but I think they were intended to keep the pace of the book moving (and it does MOVE), and I think was more of a "me preference" as a reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism
Horse Barbie by Geena Rocero
5.0
I really enjoyed this, and highly recommend it, especially for people who like memoir.
I wasn't familiar with Rocero before her book, and it works well without prior knowledge of the author. She tells her whole life story, with a lot of focus on her professional experience (beauty pagents, modeling, and activism), but there is a lot of focus on her time as a stealth model, and the mental and emotional duress she experiences by staying in the closet. There are absolutely moments of joy and I love how she spends time talking about her friendships (and later in the book her most important relationships). She also does an excellent job reading the audiobook, and I liked the moments where there were sound effects (primarily camera shutters).
I wasn't familiar with Rocero before her book, and it works well without prior knowledge of the author. She tells her whole life story, with a lot of focus on her professional experience (beauty pagents, modeling, and activism), but there is a lot of focus on her time as a stealth model, and the mental and emotional duress she experiences by staying in the closet. There are absolutely moments of joy and I love how she spends time talking about her friendships (and later in the book her most important relationships). She also does an excellent job reading the audiobook, and I liked the moments where there were sound effects (primarily camera shutters).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Death of parent