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hawaiirican808's reviews
302 reviews
Shh, Purely Poetry by M. J. Mallon
5.0
I love finding new poetry books to read and was so excited when I saw MJ's "Shh Purely Poetry book".
It was a really great collection of poems touching on different sides of romance, a lot of a sensual nature, but written beautifully in the details and very vivid imagery. The only thing I would say I didn't like was that it was a quick read for me. I easily could have gone through another 200+ pages of MJ's beautiful writing and poems. There wasn't a poem that I didn't like at all. I can only hope she continues to write more poetry books in the future because I loved it!
It was a really great collection of poems touching on different sides of romance, a lot of a sensual nature, but written beautifully in the details and very vivid imagery. The only thing I would say I didn't like was that it was a quick read for me. I easily could have gone through another 200+ pages of MJ's beautiful writing and poems. There wasn't a poem that I didn't like at all. I can only hope she continues to write more poetry books in the future because I loved it!
Unforgettable by H.R. Penrose
5.0
H.R Penrose is going on my list of authors to watch out for when new books come out. I was a little worried going into this read when I saw it was 500 pages, but she really wrote one of the most detailed books I’ve read this month, a true masterpiece in its own right.
She intricately weaved plot twists, with the essence of suspense throughout the book, keeping her readers guessing, never knowing what twist she has coming next, while still being meticulous in the little details that only added to her story, giving a greater depth into the emotions and characters themselves. Her writing style was one that I easily fell in love with, and loved that she really kept me constantly guessing, I couldn’t tell where she was going with Cheska, Mateo and Nico, or how this was gonna end. That reason alone is why this was a 5 star read. I love when an author not only maintains their writing style, but truly puts their heart and soul into their work, not missing out on the little details. You can tell she really took her time with this entire duet.
The storyline was something I DEVOURED. I love the idea of two half brothers fighting over the same girl on a surface level, but knowing why there’s that heated rivalry between these two that was deeper under the surface. I still don’t know how she was going to choose between them or could imagine how this whole duet unfolded the way it did. My mind is still blown. It wasn’t your typical romance. This one was something raw and real, showing how imperfect main characters can work through their trauma, abuse and flaws to get their own version of a happy ending, even through all the pain, anger and heartbreaking sadness. This book really was a wild ride from beginning to end. One I wish I could relive for the first time forever and will be a duet that sits on my personal trophy shelf. H.R, thank you for one of my top reads this year, I am obsessed with you. And thank you Love Notes PR, for recommending them in your newsletter! 🫶🏽
Eager House Wife by Evie Rose
5.0
Miss Evie Rose has done it again.
“Eager Housewife” was another AMAZING steamy mafia romance novella with lots of great spicy scenes/moments from beginning to end! Evie knows her niche and literally gives you a BANG of read all wrapped in a perfect novella.
This storyline was different and unique. Blythe’s relationship with Duncan changes when Ainsley (her best friend) goes on a solo trip around Europe for a year, leaving the opportunity for them to really explore and learn more about each other. This was probably her spiciest one yet!?! This was the read I needed to get out of a really bad reading slump!
“Eager Housewife” was another AMAZING steamy mafia romance novella with lots of great spicy scenes/moments from beginning to end! Evie knows her niche and literally gives you a BANG of read all wrapped in a perfect novella.
This storyline was different and unique. Blythe’s relationship with Duncan changes when Ainsley (her best friend) goes on a solo trip around Europe for a year, leaving the opportunity for them to really explore and learn more about each other. This was probably her spiciest one yet!?! This was the read I needed to get out of a really bad reading slump!
A song of Crimson and gold by Jessica Ash
4.0
Book 2 of the Hunted By the Crimson Queen series.
I did enjoy it and liked how Jessica did a unique take on a fantasy romance with a twist on classic stories. This one was a relatively quick read (finished it in one setting) and I liked the pacing of it, it wasn't too slow and held my attention from beginning to end. Ana and Grim made the story very different and intriguing for me. Both complete opposites, but made a perfect pairing to each other. Grim was a likable MMC for me, and I liked how he had a change of heart with Ana, one that I didn't see coming. I liked the plot twists in the storyline and seeing Ana figure out who she wanted to be and where she wanted her life to go. The only thing I didn't like was the cliffhanger, but I will continue the series and enjoyed this retelling!
I did enjoy it and liked how Jessica did a unique take on a fantasy romance with a twist on classic stories. This one was a relatively quick read (finished it in one setting) and I liked the pacing of it, it wasn't too slow and held my attention from beginning to end. Ana and Grim made the story very different and intriguing for me. Both complete opposites, but made a perfect pairing to each other. Grim was a likable MMC for me, and I liked how he had a change of heart with Ana, one that I didn't see coming. I liked the plot twists in the storyline and seeing Ana figure out who she wanted to be and where she wanted her life to go. The only thing I didn't like was the cliffhanger, but I will continue the series and enjoyed this retelling!
Someone Beside Me by N. Slater
4.0
Someone Beside Me was a read that I went into blind by Nic.
I love reverse harem, why choose romances and Nic did not disappoint with this one! I will say, RH books is definitely Nic's niche and she does not disappoint with her dark romance books with this specific troupe at all! I loved the suspense aspect with the dead bodies popping up and the dynamic with Mia and her guys! The spice in this was a 4/5, Nic knows how to write some of the best spicy scenes I've read in a RH troupe book. There was a scene for EVERYBODY and she writes them extremely well! I enjoyed the plot twists, it added a lot of suspense and thrills to the read. Well rounded with emotions, overcoming trauma, love, and so much more. If you want a read that will keep you on your toes and have some great spicy scenes, this is it!
I love reverse harem, why choose romances and Nic did not disappoint with this one! I will say, RH books is definitely Nic's niche and she does not disappoint with her dark romance books with this specific troupe at all! I loved the suspense aspect with the dead bodies popping up and the dynamic with Mia and her guys! The spice in this was a 4/5, Nic knows how to write some of the best spicy scenes I've read in a RH troupe book. There was a scene for EVERYBODY and she writes them extremely well! I enjoyed the plot twists, it added a lot of suspense and thrills to the read. Well rounded with emotions, overcoming trauma, love, and so much more. If you want a read that will keep you on your toes and have some great spicy scenes, this is it!
Watch her Burn by Emily Klepp
5.0
Emily Klepp has done it again.
I will always be in awe of the way she writes her stories, even if they are seriously heartbreaking and traumatic. Watch Her Burn was another incredible angst and trauma filled read. Her way of portraying raw emotions with her characters is absolutely insane. I resonated a lot with Josie and how she has coped with her trauma, not letting it define her, eventually overcoming it. I’ve really enjoyed this series and can’t wait to read more by Em.
I will always be in awe of the way she writes her stories, even if they are seriously heartbreaking and traumatic. Watch Her Burn was another incredible angst and trauma filled read. Her way of portraying raw emotions with her characters is absolutely insane. I resonated a lot with Josie and how she has coped with her trauma, not letting it define her, eventually overcoming it. I’ve really enjoyed this series and can’t wait to read more by Em.
Keeping You Captive by Kathleen Haley
5.0
First, thank you Kathleen for an amazing read!
"Keeping You Captive" was the PERFECT read I needed to escape from moving my house.
I really enjoyed Kathleen's way of writing a well-rounded dark romance. There were a few chapters that gave background history so that the reader can understand what has happened and why our MMC Caleb is the way he is/ getting revenge for the wrongs made to his family. I enjoyed his dynamic with Dayna and how even though they were complete opposites, she brought out a different side to him, a side that shows he's not all dark and has some "light" qualities. I loved their storyline, the action scenes throughout that kept me on the edge of my couch and the plot twists that only added to the thrill that this read truly was. The spice in this was top-notch. Not straight smut, and not vanilla either, just a perfect amount to add to their chemistry and storyline. This will not be the last book I've read by Kathleen. Her writing style, characters, and overall connections I made with this book have made me a forever fan. I'll be diving down her backlist once I'm done with my move!
"Keeping You Captive" was the PERFECT read I needed to escape from moving my house.
I really enjoyed Kathleen's way of writing a well-rounded dark romance. There were a few chapters that gave background history so that the reader can understand what has happened and why our MMC Caleb is the way he is/ getting revenge for the wrongs made to his family. I enjoyed his dynamic with Dayna and how even though they were complete opposites, she brought out a different side to him, a side that shows he's not all dark and has some "light" qualities. I loved their storyline, the action scenes throughout that kept me on the edge of my couch and the plot twists that only added to the thrill that this read truly was. The spice in this was top-notch. Not straight smut, and not vanilla either, just a perfect amount to add to their chemistry and storyline. This will not be the last book I've read by Kathleen. Her writing style, characters, and overall connections I made with this book have made me a forever fan. I'll be diving down her backlist once I'm done with my move!
Poisonous Kiss by Bethanie Loren
5.0
This was a VERY interesting mafia romance novella.
Briar is forced into an arranged marriage with Ezra by her father and does some questionable things to be able to be free from the mafia world and the morally gray men in her life. For me, this didn't feel like a novella, it felt a lot longer just with the sheer amount of plot, plot twists, and spice that Bethanie put into it. It was very fast-paced, leaving you wondering what's coming next. I HIGHLY disliked Briar's dad with a PASSION. I really liked how Ezra was himself, kinks and all and how he kept calling her "river" (Which he explains why later on in the story and it was the SWEETEST reasoning. Their dynamic with each other (Briar and Ezra) was one of my favorites and I am obsessed with how Ezra was possessive, unhinged at times but so sweet to her over time. I really loved this novella and can't wait to see what Bethanie writes next!
Briar is forced into an arranged marriage with Ezra by her father and does some questionable things to be able to be free from the mafia world and the morally gray men in her life. For me, this didn't feel like a novella, it felt a lot longer just with the sheer amount of plot, plot twists, and spice that Bethanie put into it. It was very fast-paced, leaving you wondering what's coming next. I HIGHLY disliked Briar's dad with a PASSION. I really liked how Ezra was himself, kinks and all and how he kept calling her "river" (Which he explains why later on in the story and it was the SWEETEST reasoning. Their dynamic with each other (Briar and Ezra) was one of my favorites and I am obsessed with how Ezra was possessive, unhinged at times but so sweet to her over time. I really loved this novella and can't wait to see what Bethanie writes next!
A Pocket of Lies by R. A. Sandpiper
5.0
I was really excited to read "A Pocket of Lies" because the blurb really intrigued me and I have been wanting to read more fantasy books.
"A Pocket of Lies" was a great book and the first book in a new series by R.A. It gave me Cinderella vibes, but made her a thief and added in a shadow daddy + enemies to lovers troupe (the best troupe in romance books). The plot twists were so good in this one! I liked Suri and how she wasn't a typical FMC. She was strong-minded and really a badass! I loved the tension and hated passion between her and Kol. They literally hated each other's guts so much and it made the story so much more better. RA's writing style was very smooth, amazing world-building and made for a really great read, one that was easy to get through. There wasn't a part of this story that bored me, I had a hard time putting down my Kindle to "adult". For a "not my normal read", I was pleasantly surprised and will continue to read this series as it finishes! :)
"A Pocket of Lies" was a great book and the first book in a new series by R.A. It gave me Cinderella vibes, but made her a thief and added in a shadow daddy + enemies to lovers troupe (the best troupe in romance books). The plot twists were so good in this one! I liked Suri and how she wasn't a typical FMC. She was strong-minded and really a badass! I loved the tension and hated passion between her and Kol. They literally hated each other's guts so much and it made the story so much more better. RA's writing style was very smooth, amazing world-building and made for a really great read, one that was easy to get through. There wasn't a part of this story that bored me, I had a hard time putting down my Kindle to "adult". For a "not my normal read", I was pleasantly surprised and will continue to read this series as it finishes! :)
A Throne of Crimson and Ash: A Dark Fantasy Romance by Jessica Ash, Jessica Ash
4.0
My introduction to Jessica Ash was this book and the start of what looks like a promising series.
I LOVE Disney retellings and will always read them to see how an author writes their own version of classic Disney stories from my childhood. "A Throne of Crimson and Ash" was a retelling on steroids! It's mostly a Cinderella-inspired retelling, with aspects of Rapunzel, Snow White and so much more. There was more to this book than I thought there would be, which was a nice surprise. Jessica did a beautiful job with world-building around Ella and Finn. So many little details that weren't overlooked, lots of plot twists, great character development and a very appealing storyline. It was a magical read and I can't wait to see where Jessica takes this series.
I LOVE Disney retellings and will always read them to see how an author writes their own version of classic Disney stories from my childhood. "A Throne of Crimson and Ash" was a retelling on steroids! It's mostly a Cinderella-inspired retelling, with aspects of Rapunzel, Snow White and so much more. There was more to this book than I thought there would be, which was a nice surprise. Jessica did a beautiful job with world-building around Ella and Finn. So many little details that weren't overlooked, lots of plot twists, great character development and a very appealing storyline. It was a magical read and I can't wait to see where Jessica takes this series.