Scan barcode
dobbsthedog's reviews
1722 reviews
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
3.0
Received from NetGalley and LibroFM quite some time ago, thanks!
This book was okay. I can’t quite figure out what it is that didn’t quite work for me? Maybe it was a bit too much not-like-other-girls? I really don’t know.
I adored Vasti’s Halifax Hellions novellas, so was really looking forward to a full length novel, but for whatever reason this one just didn’t hit the same way as those ones did.
Overall, there was very little relationship drama, no third act breakup, Selina runs a library with an erotic section for women because she wants to educate them and Peter is a an abolitionist. All of these are things that should have made me love it, but it just fell flat.
The story is that Peter Kent, the new Duke of Sanford has fallen into the title, being an illegitimate son of the former Duke, who was raised in New Orleans. This obviously makes him an outsider in parliament and the ton. He is also trying to get custody of his two much younger siblings, as their mother has died. It is decided that it would look better for his petition if he’s married. And so starts his sort of courting of three different not-like-other-girls, when Selina is the not-like-other-girls that he actually wants.
Anyway, I’ll likely read Vasti’s other books, in hopes of getting something closer to the Hellions books. And this book wasn’t bad, it was just kind of blah, imo.
This book was okay. I can’t quite figure out what it is that didn’t quite work for me? Maybe it was a bit too much not-like-other-girls? I really don’t know.
I adored Vasti’s Halifax Hellions novellas, so was really looking forward to a full length novel, but for whatever reason this one just didn’t hit the same way as those ones did.
Overall, there was very little relationship drama, no third act breakup, Selina runs a library with an erotic section for women because she wants to educate them and Peter is a an abolitionist. All of these are things that should have made me love it, but it just fell flat.
The story is that Peter Kent, the new Duke of Sanford has fallen into the title, being an illegitimate son of the former Duke, who was raised in New Orleans. This obviously makes him an outsider in parliament and the ton. He is also trying to get custody of his two much younger siblings, as their mother has died. It is decided that it would look better for his petition if he’s married. And so starts his sort of courting of three different not-like-other-girls, when Selina is the not-like-other-girls that he actually wants.
Anyway, I’ll likely read Vasti’s other books, in hopes of getting something closer to the Hellions books. And this book wasn’t bad, it was just kind of blah, imo.
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
I’ve decided not to give this a book a star rating because, really, how do you? How do you impose a modern rating system on a classic gothic novel, the first gothic novel, published 250+ years ago?
Did I love the story? Not really. Did I find it entertaining? Definitely! And I absolutely appreciate the uniqueness of it and how it must have been received in 1764 when it was published.
So, we start the story with a murder, of Conrad, who is about to be married to Isabel, and is the prince’s only male heir. He appears to have been crushed to death by a giant helmet. What happens from here is very gothic, with lots of religion and surprise declarations of fatherhood (yes, multiples), scheming, murder, and a giant ghost.
I don’t want to go into too many details, because it is a short book, and I don’t want to spoil it.
Not as bonkers as The Monk, which is definitely the most bonkers thing I’ve ever read, but still there on the bonkers spectrum. Definitely looking forward to exploring more classic gothic novels in the future.
Did I love the story? Not really. Did I find it entertaining? Definitely! And I absolutely appreciate the uniqueness of it and how it must have been received in 1764 when it was published.
So, we start the story with a murder, of Conrad, who is about to be married to Isabel, and is the prince’s only male heir. He appears to have been crushed to death by a giant helmet. What happens from here is very gothic, with lots of religion and surprise declarations of fatherhood (yes, multiples), scheming, murder, and a giant ghost.
I don’t want to go into too many details, because it is a short book, and I don’t want to spoil it.
Not as bonkers as The Monk, which is definitely the most bonkers thing I’ve ever read, but still there on the bonkers spectrum. Definitely looking forward to exploring more classic gothic novels in the future.
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
4.0
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
This might have been the slowest book I’ve ever read. And it’s not that it wasn’t good, it’s just this slow, sort of meandering story, very melancholy and full of grief.
So, this is the story of Vitrine, a demon, and the city of Azril, which she helped to build over hundreds of years. Until the angels come and completely destroy it. In her grief and anger she curses one of the angels and because of this he is not allowed to returned to his brethren anymore. So, he sort of hangs around and helps Vitrine to rebuild Azril.
Throughout most of the book, probably the first 75% or so, it’s mostly Vitrine grieving for what she’s lost and trying to figure out how to recreate it. There are many flashbacks to the past when Azril was thriving, with Vitrine looking at all of the people she’s loved and lost.
I feel like this book is saying a lot, but I wasn’t necessarily understanding it all. There are the obvious themes of grief, and of family, as well as all different kinds of love. Though I think the main thing that I got from the book is that, regardless of how difficult it can be to let go of something you love, it’s important to remember how it was, to remember the love and the joy, but that it can never be the same again. And that even if it’s not the same, that doesn’t mean it’s not as good or important, it’s just different, and that’s okay.
The way that Vitrine was written was really interesting; not at all how you would expect a demon to behave in some things, but then absolutely demonic in others.
I had a really difficult time understanding the relationship between Vitrine and the angel. And I did not understand the ending at all, so if someone would like to explain what exactly happened, that would be great. 😅
If it weren’t for the ending, this likely would have been a 5 star read. Maybe as I sit with it, and turn it around in my mind, it will make sense and I’ll change the rating, but for now, this is a really solid 4 star read.
This might have been the slowest book I’ve ever read. And it’s not that it wasn’t good, it’s just this slow, sort of meandering story, very melancholy and full of grief.
So, this is the story of Vitrine, a demon, and the city of Azril, which she helped to build over hundreds of years. Until the angels come and completely destroy it. In her grief and anger she curses one of the angels and because of this he is not allowed to returned to his brethren anymore. So, he sort of hangs around and helps Vitrine to rebuild Azril.
Throughout most of the book, probably the first 75% or so, it’s mostly Vitrine grieving for what she’s lost and trying to figure out how to recreate it. There are many flashbacks to the past when Azril was thriving, with Vitrine looking at all of the people she’s loved and lost.
I feel like this book is saying a lot, but I wasn’t necessarily understanding it all. There are the obvious themes of grief, and of family, as well as all different kinds of love. Though I think the main thing that I got from the book is that, regardless of how difficult it can be to let go of something you love, it’s important to remember how it was, to remember the love and the joy, but that it can never be the same again. And that even if it’s not the same, that doesn’t mean it’s not as good or important, it’s just different, and that’s okay.
The way that Vitrine was written was really interesting; not at all how you would expect a demon to behave in some things, but then absolutely demonic in others.
I had a really difficult time understanding the relationship between Vitrine and the angel. And I did not understand the ending at all, so if someone would like to explain what exactly happened, that would be great. 😅
If it weren’t for the ending, this likely would have been a 5 star read. Maybe as I sit with it, and turn it around in my mind, it will make sense and I’ll change the rating, but for now, this is a really solid 4 star read.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
5.0
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
Oh, I really enjoyed this one!
The premise is basically that each holiday is it’s own kingdom, with Christmas being the biggest and most powerful, and Santa is running is like the mafia, blackmailing the other holidays into giving them a percentage of their joy.
I’m not usually a fan of holiday themed books, but this one worked really well.
Coal is the prince of Christmas and Hex is the prince of Halloween and I just loved everything about both of them. Coal tried to do something good, tried to spread joy, and it was a disaster, so he’s stepped back from anything related to the holiday. But when his dad, Santa, starts making wild moves in an attempt to grab more power, Coal, his brother Chris, their friend Iris, and Hex, work together to come up with a better, and more equitable, option.
The relationship between Coal and Hex was great. I absolutely loved the level of consent that was happening in all of the sex scenes, how Coal was getting enthusiastic consent for everything, and explaining why, but in a sexy way that just added to the scene. I am always here for a well-written consent discussion during a sex scene.
There were also some really funny parts, especially what happens when Hex swears. 😂
Overall a really great read!
Oh, I really enjoyed this one!
The premise is basically that each holiday is it’s own kingdom, with Christmas being the biggest and most powerful, and Santa is running is like the mafia, blackmailing the other holidays into giving them a percentage of their joy.
I’m not usually a fan of holiday themed books, but this one worked really well.
Coal is the prince of Christmas and Hex is the prince of Halloween and I just loved everything about both of them. Coal tried to do something good, tried to spread joy, and it was a disaster, so he’s stepped back from anything related to the holiday. But when his dad, Santa, starts making wild moves in an attempt to grab more power, Coal, his brother Chris, their friend Iris, and Hex, work together to come up with a better, and more equitable, option.
The relationship between Coal and Hex was great. I absolutely loved the level of consent that was happening in all of the sex scenes, how Coal was getting enthusiastic consent for everything, and explaining why, but in a sexy way that just added to the scene. I am always here for a well-written consent discussion during a sex scene.
There were also some really funny parts, especially what happens when Hex swears. 😂
Overall a really great read!
Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
4.0
This was cute! I’ll definitely try to pick up the next volume, which I believe is out next year.
Also, I would like my own Blob Ghost, please!
Also, I would like my own Blob Ghost, please!
Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski
4.5
I’m really unsure how to rate this and how to review it. I guess probably 4.5 stars, as 4 doesn’t seem like enough, but I’m not sure that it was a 5 star read?
I really liked this book. And all the thanks to Will M Watt for promoting his narration of the audiobook, otherwise I likely never would have come across it!
This is the story of Ludwik, a young man who falls in love with another young man at a summer agriculture camp in Soviet era Poland (early 1980s). The story between Ludwik and Janusz is sweet, but challenging; homosexuality isn’t illegal, but it’s also not exactly legal. It was interesting to read about Ludwik and the challenges he faces as communism is beginning to fall in Poland, how corrupt everything was. You really couldn’t do anything or have much of a life unless you were a member of The Party (the communist party); you couldn’t see a doctor or get medications, you couldn’t get proper rations, you couldn’t pursue a higher education, unless you knew the right people. And Janusz knows the right people, is working his way up within the party, whereas Ludwik sees the reality of it, the struggle of the everyday person.
I truthfully don’t know a lot about Soviet era history or the history of Central/Eastern European countries, so I found this all really interesting. As a proponent of Marxism/communism, it’s so disheartening to see it used in a racist and totalitarian way, the way it was in the Eastern Bloc. The fact that this book uses Ludwik to critically look at the political and social systems is probably why I enjoyed this short little book so much.
I really liked this book. And all the thanks to Will M Watt for promoting his narration of the audiobook, otherwise I likely never would have come across it!
This is the story of Ludwik, a young man who falls in love with another young man at a summer agriculture camp in Soviet era Poland (early 1980s). The story between Ludwik and Janusz is sweet, but challenging; homosexuality isn’t illegal, but it’s also not exactly legal. It was interesting to read about Ludwik and the challenges he faces as communism is beginning to fall in Poland, how corrupt everything was. You really couldn’t do anything or have much of a life unless you were a member of The Party (the communist party); you couldn’t see a doctor or get medications, you couldn’t get proper rations, you couldn’t pursue a higher education, unless you knew the right people. And Janusz knows the right people, is working his way up within the party, whereas Ludwik sees the reality of it, the struggle of the everyday person.
I truthfully don’t know a lot about Soviet era history or the history of Central/Eastern European countries, so I found this all really interesting. As a proponent of Marxism/communism, it’s so disheartening to see it used in a racist and totalitarian way, the way it was in the Eastern Bloc. The fact that this book uses Ludwik to critically look at the political and social systems is probably why I enjoyed this short little book so much.
Home Ice Advantage by Ari Baran
5.0
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
CW: racism, racist slurs
I really enjoyed this one! Both MCs are in their 40s, they’ve retired from professional hockey, and are now coaching.
There was definitely a lot more hockey in this one than in the previous books in this series. Or, maybe not more hockey, but a lot more on the technical side, as that is now these two characters’ relationship to the game. I was good with it, having played and coached, but I could see it being a stumbling block for someone not overly familiar with the game. There is a lot of talk about the different drills that are being run, specific types of plays during games, etc.
This book had one of my favourite tropes, rivals to lovers, and I love that it comes about when the two coaches are having a fight and then just kiss. Like, obviously that’s the right way to end an argument with someone you don’t like. 😂
I really appreciated that this book had a third act conflict instead of a breakup and that it was external to the couple. And that it was resolved in a way that I found to be really satisfying. It was quite low angst in terms of how these conflicts go, which was really nice. Obviously I know that you need that conflict in order to prove why the couple should be together, but the typical third act breakup gets really old. I love seeing the creative ways that authors are changing this up!
Definitely my favourite in the series thus far and I’m really looking forward to reading the next!
CW: racism, racist slurs
I really enjoyed this one! Both MCs are in their 40s, they’ve retired from professional hockey, and are now coaching.
There was definitely a lot more hockey in this one than in the previous books in this series. Or, maybe not more hockey, but a lot more on the technical side, as that is now these two characters’ relationship to the game. I was good with it, having played and coached, but I could see it being a stumbling block for someone not overly familiar with the game. There is a lot of talk about the different drills that are being run, specific types of plays during games, etc.
This book had one of my favourite tropes, rivals to lovers, and I love that it comes about when the two coaches are having a fight and then just kiss. Like, obviously that’s the right way to end an argument with someone you don’t like. 😂
I really appreciated that this book had a third act conflict instead of a breakup and that it was external to the couple. And that it was resolved in a way that I found to be really satisfying. It was quite low angst in terms of how these conflicts go, which was really nice. Obviously I know that you need that conflict in order to prove why the couple should be together, but the typical third act breakup gets really old. I love seeing the creative ways that authors are changing this up!
Definitely my favourite in the series thus far and I’m really looking forward to reading the next!
Settle the Score by Kris Ripper
4.5
Audio ARC received from NetGalley, thanks!
Happy sigh… Pete Cross so totally did this book justice with his fantastic narration. Really elevated it, and gave Des and Orion so much depth, it was really great.
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
CW: suicidal ideation
I am SO happy to have a new Kris Ripper book to read! And did I ever devour this.
While it's not my favourite Ripper book, it is still so, so good. It's incredibly readable and I loved both of the characters. Plus, I think this is the first book I've read that has a character names Orion in it??? (that may be the name of one of my children, so I'm a bit biased)
Going into the book, I wasn't really sure about the premise; how could anything happen between a former reporter who publicly outed the then star soccer/football player? But, it worked. Ripper made me believe it, and in a totally real way, too. Des and Orion both struggled with their past and their current feelings for each other and how to deal with all of that. While maybe not entirely realistic, it felt real enough to me and I totally bought it.
I am also a huge sucker for forced proximity as a trope, which is basically all this book is. Well, the majority of it, anyway. Des ends up trapped at Orion's secluded cottage after a freak snow storm in April. I think that everything that happened while they were forced to share a space was realistic and something that could actually happen. Maybe finding a limping, nearly blind dog in the middle of a snow storm is a bit less likely, but I don't care, it worked for me. Rescuing a stray dog as a plot device to bring the two characters together 100% worked for me.
I'll say it again, I am SO happy to have a new Kris Ripper to read and I can't wait to have the actual book in my hands so that I can add it to my ever-growing mountain of KR books.
Happy sigh… Pete Cross so totally did this book justice with his fantastic narration. Really elevated it, and gave Des and Orion so much depth, it was really great.
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
CW: suicidal ideation
I am SO happy to have a new Kris Ripper book to read! And did I ever devour this.
While it's not my favourite Ripper book, it is still so, so good. It's incredibly readable and I loved both of the characters. Plus, I think this is the first book I've read that has a character names Orion in it??? (that may be the name of one of my children, so I'm a bit biased)
Going into the book, I wasn't really sure about the premise; how could anything happen between a former reporter who publicly outed the then star soccer/football player? But, it worked. Ripper made me believe it, and in a totally real way, too. Des and Orion both struggled with their past and their current feelings for each other and how to deal with all of that. While maybe not entirely realistic, it felt real enough to me and I totally bought it.
I am also a huge sucker for forced proximity as a trope, which is basically all this book is. Well, the majority of it, anyway. Des ends up trapped at Orion's secluded cottage after a freak snow storm in April. I think that everything that happened while they were forced to share a space was realistic and something that could actually happen. Maybe finding a limping, nearly blind dog in the middle of a snow storm is a bit less likely, but I don't care, it worked for me. Rescuing a stray dog as a plot device to bring the two characters together 100% worked for me.
I'll say it again, I am SO happy to have a new Kris Ripper to read and I can't wait to have the actual book in my hands so that I can add it to my ever-growing mountain of KR books.