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delaneyyyw's reviews
698 reviews
The D-Day Visitor's Handbook, 80th Anniversary Edition: Your Guide to the Normandy Battlefields and WWII Paris, Revised and Updated by Kevin Dennehy, Stephen Powers
informative
fast-paced
5.0
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
My Inconvenient Duke by Loretta Chase
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
I've read and enjoyed a few books by Loretta Chase in the past, so I was thrilled NetGalley approved me for an ARC of My Inconvenient Duke! I hadn't read any of the others in this series, and actually didn't know it was partially a prequel showing how a couple that is estranged in those books got together originally (and how they eventually reunite).
Alice is terrified that her brother's wild antics will wind up with him in a coffin and her penniless with nowhere to go. She's desperate for a husband, while trying to steer clear of her cruel cousin's machinations and also save some orphans. Blackwood, her brother's equally-dissolute best friend, follows her to London to keep an eye on her. He ends up coming to Alice's rescue more than a few times.
The couple has good chemistry, and I loved their banter. Each is pining for the other against their own best interests! The scenes between Alice and Blackwood are by far this book's strength. Chase can certainly write a fantastic pairing!!
Unfortunately, I thought the plot felt really disjointed. The external conflict felt almost episodic, like once one crazy situation was dealt with another one would pop up. Events just didn't seem to flow. And not having read the previous books, I didn't understand the "marriage in trouble" part towards the end. I wish we had less of the pre-marriage capers and more of the post-marriage emotional drama.
Overall, would recommend, but probably read the others in the series first!
Alice is terrified that her brother's wild antics will wind up with him in a coffin and her penniless with nowhere to go. She's desperate for a husband, while trying to steer clear of her cruel cousin's machinations and also save some orphans. Blackwood, her brother's equally-dissolute best friend, follows her to London to keep an eye on her. He ends up coming to Alice's rescue more than a few times.
The couple has good chemistry, and I loved their banter. Each is pining for the other against their own best interests! The scenes between Alice and Blackwood are by far this book's strength. Chase can certainly write a fantastic pairing!!
Unfortunately, I thought the plot felt really disjointed. The external conflict felt almost episodic, like once one crazy situation was dealt with another one would pop up. Events just didn't seem to flow. And not having read the previous books, I didn't understand the "marriage in trouble" part towards the end. I wish we had less of the pre-marriage capers and more of the post-marriage emotional drama.
Overall, would recommend, but probably read the others in the series first!
Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
Man, this was a hard one to rate. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in the Irish setting or like quality characters, but might drag a little.
I enjoyed so much about this book. Nora's a great writer, and I love the way she builds character and setting. I felt so present in the countryside of County Clare--it was as if I were really going for long misty walks with Con (the dog) at my side, returning to a cozy fire in the b&b with a fresh pot of tea and some of Brianna's scones waiting for me! Bree and Gray felt very interesting and different, fleshed-out with their own quirks. And the 90s setting, although contemporary at the time, felt fresh to me. Maybe it's been so long that the "dated" aspects just feel historical!
However---this book felt sooooo long. SO long. The first half was pretty repetitive for me, and then it's like suddenly a tiny external conflict mystery is shoehorned in. I know Nora's the queen, but whew there were maybe 100 pages too many. Mostly that first third....just pages and pages of Bree and Gray puttering around the b&b. I ended up putting the book down for a month or two then finally forcing myself to finish. I was enjoying it but kept choosing other books. Overall, glad I read it but probably won't reread. Might check out the others in the series though!
I enjoyed so much about this book. Nora's a great writer, and I love the way she builds character and setting. I felt so present in the countryside of County Clare--it was as if I were really going for long misty walks with Con (the dog) at my side, returning to a cozy fire in the b&b with a fresh pot of tea and some of Brianna's scones waiting for me! Bree and Gray felt very interesting and different, fleshed-out with their own quirks. And the 90s setting, although contemporary at the time, felt fresh to me. Maybe it's been so long that the "dated" aspects just feel historical!
However---this book felt sooooo long. SO long. The first half was pretty repetitive for me, and then it's like suddenly a tiny external conflict mystery is shoehorned in. I know Nora's the queen, but whew there were maybe 100 pages too many. Mostly that first third....just pages and pages of Bree and Gray puttering around the b&b. I ended up putting the book down for a month or two then finally forcing myself to finish. I was enjoying it but kept choosing other books. Overall, glad I read it but probably won't reread. Might check out the others in the series though!
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Lady Scandal by Laura Lee Guhrke
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Lady Scandal follows the thrice-widowed (gasp!), employed (gasp!), outspoken (gasp!) Delia and the buttoned-up, newly-titled war hero/businessman Simon. If you read Bookshop Cinderella, the previous in the series, you may remember that Delia, Max's cousin, manages the fancy Savoy hotel (despite not needing the money--she enjoys staying busy and truly loves the work). The Savoy's owners and board of directors aren't satisfied by the way the hotel is hemhorraging money under the leadership of Delia's mentor, Cesar Ritz, so they bring Simon in to investigate and implement cost-cutting measures. He and Delia immediately butt heads about how they think the hotel should be run, but as they try to win the other over to their side, major attraction and sexual tension sets in.
I really enjoyed watching the two bristle and bicker! Delia cares about the hotel and the impact of Simon's policies on its employees, but I got irritated every time she complained about things like making aristocrats pay their bills or giving them free champagne. Even late into the book after she's seemingly "bought in" and understands that financial solvency is crucial for the hotel's longterm success, she defends Ritz's more profligate policies!
Still, Simon grows to have major respect for Delia (the sacrifice he makes for her!), and vice versa. I adored Delia's interactions with Simon's sister--she's truly a "girls' girl". Even when she isn't seeing eye-to-eye with him, she shows up when his sister needs her help. I really feel like Delia's character SHINES. Simon, slightly less so, but that's probably only because she's so vivid!
These are "older" characters, mid-30s, which I really appreciated. I'm over the inexperienced ingenue and thought it was fun having a male character who had been sort of unintentionally celibate for a long time. Listen--he's been busy fighting wars and establishing hotels!! The sexual tension is fantastic, and I'm glad Guhrke didn't throw them into bed too soon. I mean...he's her boss...at least they respected that for a little bit (please note, the employer/employee power imbalance isn't a big deal if that bothers you).
Anyway, I gave this a lower score because it dragged a little bit and I was annoyed by Delia's willful ignorance toward Ritz at the end. She had shown a lot of character growth that conveniently disappeared once she learned about Simon's investigation (he COULDN'T tell you!!). I get why she felt indebted to Ritz, but putting her loyalty to him above Simon was unbelievable. Maybe we needed to see her interact with Ritz before learning why Simon was investigating him.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
I really enjoyed watching the two bristle and bicker! Delia cares about the hotel and the impact of Simon's policies on its employees, but I got irritated every time she complained about things like making aristocrats pay their bills or giving them free champagne. Even late into the book after she's seemingly "bought in" and understands that financial solvency is crucial for the hotel's longterm success, she defends Ritz's more profligate policies!
Still, Simon grows to have major respect for Delia (the sacrifice he makes for her!), and vice versa. I adored Delia's interactions with Simon's sister--she's truly a "girls' girl". Even when she isn't seeing eye-to-eye with him, she shows up when his sister needs her help. I really feel like Delia's character SHINES. Simon, slightly less so, but that's probably only because she's so vivid!
These are "older" characters, mid-30s, which I really appreciated. I'm over the inexperienced ingenue and thought it was fun having a male character who had been sort of unintentionally celibate for a long time. Listen--he's been busy fighting wars and establishing hotels!! The sexual tension is fantastic, and I'm glad Guhrke didn't throw them into bed too soon. I mean...he's her boss...at least they respected that for a little bit (please note, the employer/employee power imbalance isn't a big deal if that bothers you).
Anyway, I gave this a lower score because it dragged a little bit and I was annoyed by Delia's willful ignorance toward Ritz at the end. She had shown a lot of character growth that conveniently disappeared once she learned about Simon's investigation (he COULDN'T tell you!!). I get why she felt indebted to Ritz, but putting her loyalty to him above Simon was unbelievable. Maybe we needed to see her interact with Ritz before learning why Simon was investigating him.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Julie Anne Long writes such a funny, heartfelt book. I can't say this was my favorite romantic plotline of hers--the event that caused their rift was silly and Magnus was childish about it, though I think these characters did need that space to grow into humans capable of loving each other and being together. And I'm terribly sick of huge age gaps (partially my fault since I just finished After Dark With the Duke, but Long loves a 12+ year difference). But I love the ensemble cast so very much and the humor and the romance was perfectly sufficient if forgettable compared to the donkey race and the loud newlyweds.
If you're someone who likes to know the backstory of supporting characters even if there isn't a continuous plot throughline, I'd advise reading at least Lady Derring Takes a Lover and Angel in a Devil's Arms before this one. But you really can just read it out of order.
Finally, some people don't enjoy the side characters and the scenes with Delilah and Angelique, but I firmly believe that's the strength of these wonderful books. The sitting room scenes always have me giggling. These books are so unique in historical romance and truly shine.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
If you're someone who likes to know the backstory of supporting characters even if there isn't a continuous plot throughline, I'd advise reading at least Lady Derring Takes a Lover and Angel in a Devil's Arms before this one. But you really can just read it out of order.
Finally, some people don't enjoy the side characters and the scenes with Delilah and Angelique, but I firmly believe that's the strength of these wonderful books. The sitting room scenes always have me giggling. These books are so unique in historical romance and truly shine.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Twelve Nights as His Mistress by Elisa Braden
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne Long
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75
The Wayward Duke by Katrina Kendrick
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
I requested this book from NetGalley knowing nothing of Katrina Kendrick's work (neither the previous books in this series nor the fantasy books she has written as Elizabeth May) but drawn in by the beautiful cover and an adventurous marriage-in-trouble plotline. I can be kind of picky when it comes to sentence structure, word use, etc, and lately it seems like everything I read that isn't from an author I already love really misses the mark. But Kendrick's writing? NOT SO!
The highlight of this book for me was definitely Kendrick's way with words. She writes excellent dialogue, witty and sexy, and I enjoyed the banter between Caroline and Julian. I especially enjoyed the scenes of them codebreaking together, and Julian's dirty letters written in code.
There were a couple things that didn't quite do it for me, though. The sex scenes were incredibly hot, and Kendrick does a great job of showing us how these characters still care for each other in intimate, non-sexual moments t00. But I'm a glutton for paragraphs of internal angst, and I wanted some more raw emotion. I liked the scenes with Gracie, but I wanted to know more about Julian's past with her through his eyes. Why did he feel so compelled to spend months tracking down her family in America instead of staying to help Caroline (with whom he was clearly besotted) work through her grief? And was he not writing letters back to her? I wanted Caroline to ask those questions! Gracie seemed very flat to me, and a more fleshed-out character would have helped me better understand the rift between Caroline and Julian. I also thought the plot structure was a little haywire, and I wish that the action in the terrorism plot had better mirrored the action in the romantic plot. And perhaps the emotional stakes just weren't high enough in the romantic plot. Kendrick is clearly talented, which is why I kept pushing even when I was trying to think of ways the plot could have been better structured.
Overall--really glad I read this book! I'm going to check out some of Kendrick's other work, and I'll be watching her in the future. She has a unique voice and boatloads of writing talent and creativity. I think she's only going to get better.
Thanks NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The highlight of this book for me was definitely Kendrick's way with words. She writes excellent dialogue, witty and sexy, and I enjoyed the banter between Caroline and Julian. I especially enjoyed the scenes of them codebreaking together, and Julian's dirty letters written in code.
There were a couple things that didn't quite do it for me, though. The sex scenes were incredibly hot, and Kendrick does a great job of showing us how these characters still care for each other in intimate, non-sexual moments t00. But I'm a glutton for paragraphs of internal angst, and I wanted some more raw emotion. I liked the scenes with Gracie, but I wanted to know more about Julian's past with her through his eyes. Why did he feel so compelled to spend months tracking down her family in America instead of staying to help Caroline (with whom he was clearly besotted) work through her grief? And was he not writing letters back to her? I wanted Caroline to ask those questions! Gracie seemed very flat to me, and a more fleshed-out character would have helped me better understand the rift between Caroline and Julian. I also thought the plot structure was a little haywire, and I wish that the action in the terrorism plot had better mirrored the action in the romantic plot. And perhaps the emotional stakes just weren't high enough in the romantic plot. Kendrick is clearly talented, which is why I kept pushing even when I was trying to think of ways the plot could have been better structured.
Overall--really glad I read this book! I'm going to check out some of Kendrick's other work, and I'll be watching her in the future. She has a unique voice and boatloads of writing talent and creativity. I think she's only going to get better.
Thanks NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.