hookedbythatbook's reviews
3099 reviews

Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong

4.0

Who knew a small town hidden in the wilds of the Yukon could have so many secrets and so much drama? Eric and Casey put the residents under the microscope yet again after a US Marshall is shot while looking for his quarry in their town. Casey is a hard person, shaped by her past, but this just means she is perfect for Rockton. Her only soft spot is Eric, and her dog, and maybe her sister. She harbors no illusions about the people living in town and treats pretty much everyone as a potential suspect. And despite the turmoil in the council, Eric and Casey do their best to keep everyone in line and safe. I love April's addition to the story and can't wait to see more of her interactions with Casey. I can recommend this series if you like nail-biting action, where nothing is black-and-white, and characters with more secrets than common sense. It is best to read the books in order.

A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn

5.0

Veronica and Stoker's compelling interviews with witnesses had me glued to the pages. They had this uncanny way of playing off each other and extracting all the information they needed (and some they didn't know they needed). Through that and their shrewd investigative efforts, the mystery of the girl unfolded in a very riveting way. Of all the secondary cast of characters, this time round, I found Mornaday the most amusing. I loved the silent communication between the two of them and their (closed-door) intimate moments. Stoker may be the strong, silent type, but he certainly has a way with words when he deigns to apply himself. This was another exciting installment and I can highly recommend this series if you like historical romance that leans heavily towards suspense and mystery. 

Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score

5.0

This is escapism at its best. 

Riley and Nick and their outrageous entourage are back with the same hilarious writing style that drew me in before. Their relationship is well-established and they are adjusting to life living and working together. Nick is experiencing troublesome bouts of protectiveness, that pushes him into stalkerish behaviour, but it all works out in the end. Apart from the bodies piling up, life keeps throwing curve balls at them which had me shaking my head and laughing. 

The charm in stories like these lie in the way that these characters can overlook bad things and make the best of any situation. They take whatever happens and just roll with it. But, man, it’s still hard to see how Riley’s grandmother treats everybody. 

Nick is learning how to be a boyfriend, Riley is coming to terms with her psychic powers, and even detective Weber is growing on me. I would’ve liked to see a bit more of them as a couple without all the untimely interruptions. 

The existing books in this series are all getting new covers in anticipation of book 4 coming in July 2024. If you like crime solving shenanigans with your steamy romance, then I can highly recommend this series. I personally think it’s best to read them in order, but it’s not strictly necessary. 

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

My Fair Katie by Shana Galen

5.0

Two disillusioned people, who are supposed to be enemies, find love amidst a curse in this delightful romance. 

Henry and Katie were both captivating characters. From the start, Henry saw her for the brilliant person she was, underneath the birthmark that she was taught to be ashamed of. Katie kept her promise of standing by Henry and never leaving him to fight his demons on his own. It was amusing and charming to see Henry trying to make sense of the curse and the witch. 

Henry’s gambling addiction was portrayed extremely well. We could clearly see and understand his obsession and how strong a hold it had on him, the push and pull between his compulsion and his conscience. It ruled his thoughts, until he discovered the wildfire of attraction burning between him and Katie. If they weren’t kissing each other, they were thinking of kissing each other. The story never implied that Henry’s addiction was miraculously solved, but that it would be possible for him to manage it in the future with help. 

There was a spot in the middle that slowed down somewhat, but overall the pacing was just right. I cannot wait to read Rory’s story and see how the curse situation gets resolved. If you like steamy historical romance with down-on-their-luck characters, then this is the series for you. 

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 

Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard

4.0

Lisbeth as Bonnie Bess was a surprise in many ways. She kept her title as Countess of Waterstone and took her role as spy very seriously. But she had also cultivated quite the fearsome reputation on the high seas and embraced a very progressive stance towards her sexuality. Bonnie Bess had the upper hand over Raphael from the start, except when it came to the unexpected strong attraction between them. Their chemistry sizzled just as much as the suspense and action. I enjoyed it all as it unfolded and the way that the villain got his comeuppance was very satisfactory. This is book 4 in an exciting, super steamy historical romance series. It's not necessary to read the books in order, though it might help somewhat, as some of the characters make repeat appearances. 

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

5.0

I loved Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago and their outrageous antics. 

The writing drew me in right from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed every snarky, silly moment. It’s like this book was written just for me. Nick and Riley had fun with their fake relationship turned fake engagement and they made the most of every moment they had to milk that situation. 

This was an unforgettable read with all of Riley’s ridiculous housemates, both their families, and the chaotic sequences of events unfolding at every turn. The secondary cast of characters were also well-written, intriguing, and enjoyable. I cannot wait to continue this series. 

The existing books in this series are all getting new covers in anticipation of book 4 coming in July 2024. If you like your steamy romance with plenty of humour and action, then this is the book for you. 

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

4.0

The story started out really strong and I loved the light-hearted, humorous writing. The fake relationship turned real was also done really well and it was believable. Werewolves are portrayed differently here than what you would normally expect, which was interesting, but I feel that the Alpha and Omega roles weren't fully explained. Mostly the Alpha role. And because of some of the world setup and what I could glean from their thoughts, Noah's actions later on frustrated me to no end. I wanted him to be more assertive. Mack was a strong character all throughout. This was overall a very enjoyable read.

Best of Luck by Kate Clayborn

4.0

Two lost souls learn together that home is not a place, but somewhere you can be loved for who you are, flaws and all. Greer and Alex are complicated characters that both experience enormous emotional growth, on their own and together. Some of their conversations initially were a bit stilted but also comforting, if that makes sense. The author used the same language and tone to describe the intimate moments between them as their processes for lining up that perfect shot with the camera. It created this feeling of anticipation and exhilaration that made each moment even more poignant. This was a complex, emotional read.

Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn

5.0

A fake relationship arrangement had Zoe and Aiden forge an unlikely bond over their shared feelings of guilt. Their initial wary dislike warred with the clear attraction they had to each other. Proximity forced them to share more of themselves than they had maybe intended and eventually led to forgiveness and a beautiful relationship. This story took us through a thorough up-and-down of emotions - guilt, fear, anger, grief, hope - and I loved every minute of it.

Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn

4.0

Brody is the mostest cinnamon roll hero ever. He knows how to laugh at himself, he is loyal, and he worships Maggie like she deserves. Maggie also makes the most of every moment and the two of them go together like peas and carrots. I am astounded that the horrible, no-good Reginald can have such amazing children. This was a mix of ridiculous, fun, hot and steamy, and serious.