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imtiredofthisgrandpa's reviews
113 reviews
His Princess by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Hearts We Claim by Christina Berry
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
The characters just didn’t hit for me. They were all fine, but I can’t tell you a thing about them now that I’m finished with the book. The MCs were just okay, and I wasn’t interested in most of the side characters; I felt like I was dragging through the book because I kept losing interest in the MCs.
I did enjoy the actual writing, so maybe I’ll revisit at a later date to see if this just wasn’t what I needed at the present moment. Despite my disappointment with the characters, I do think this was a good introduction to this author’s writing!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did enjoy the actual writing, so maybe I’ll revisit at a later date to see if this just wasn’t what I needed at the present moment. Despite my disappointment with the characters, I do think this was a good introduction to this author’s writing!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rico by T.O. Smith
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
2.5
A quick read with “instalove” and drama. It isn’t a novella I’ll read again, but I’m not… mad I read it? I’m not a huge fan of Anurak, honestly, which is why I didn’t give it a flat three stars; I wish a full-length novel in Rico’s POV existed because he’s an interesting character, and I’d like to spend more time in his head.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Trusting Cade by Luna David
1.0
Every time a character speaks in this, it’s a full monologue of emotional vomit or too embarrassing to handle. The MCs literally just met, but MC1—a total stranger to both MC2 and MC2’s bestie, other than a connection to the bestie’s brother—slides into bed to hold MC2, who doesn’t even know a man is in bed with him and is, for some reason, completely oblivious (a migraine doesn’t seem enough of a reason to not realize, but idk) to the fact that it’s this “gigantor” man cuddling him rather than his female best friend. Maya (said bestie) returns to check on MC2 to find said “gigantor” stranger in bed with her bestie and “wiped away a tear.” MC2 is also supposed to be being stalked during this.
Idk, friends. I tried, but I DNFed at 25%; I couldn’t handle another word, even though nothing except the initial discovery of the note collection had happened with “Handsome Stranger” stalker-guy.
I want to say something nice, so I’ll say that the side character POVs, as brief as they were, were very interesting to include; I haven’t seen many authors use them, and it’s something I’d like more of from others.
Idk, friends. I tried, but I DNFed at 25%; I couldn’t handle another word, even though nothing except the initial discovery of the note collection had happened with “Handsome Stranger” stalker-guy.
I want to say something nice, so I’ll say that the side character POVs, as brief as they were, were very interesting to include; I haven’t seen many authors use them, and it’s something I’d like more of from others.
The Mobster's Mate by Kiki Clark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I think the final confrontation could have been more detailed, but the book was very engaging and fulfilled my age gap and “mafia men” needs. That said, the plot had no real wrap-up; the note at the end says things will continue through the Silver Oak Pack, so I’m assuming there will be more answers eventually.
Though I’m not certain I’ll read about a new pack to get the loose ends tied, I enjoyed the characters and the mob boss vibes with shifters. I’m a softy and a sucker for protective older men, so it scratched that itch very well.
I think that the author saying this can be read as a standalone is stretching it, just a bit. I’m only partway through the first Kincaid Pack novel, so I haven’t gotten to whatever happens with the witches and Rick and Quentin that gained Amato his favor, but I’m not sure I would’ve been able to follow along as well with some of the scenes if I didn’t have that minor prior knowledge of Rick’s pack and Kai. I wish this had found my eye first so I could give a better view of the “standalone” claim.
Overall, it was enjoyable, despite the plot not fully circling around with full reasonings and such. I’m not a fan of pulling plots over into other series, but I understand that they’re all interconnected, so it’s fine, yet frustrating.
I’d have rated it five stars, even without the story’s main conflict resolution, if I’d just been given more details about the final “fight” and the Seer, rather than a fade-to-black instigation and “he said you wouldn’t be here” once the mid-baddie was pinned.
(The audiobook can have all five stars for Kirt Graves’ voice.)
Though I’m not certain I’ll read about a new pack to get the loose ends tied, I enjoyed the characters and the mob boss vibes with shifters. I’m a softy and a sucker for protective older men, so it scratched that itch very well.
I think that the author saying this can be read as a standalone is stretching it, just a bit. I’m only partway through the first Kincaid Pack novel, so I haven’t gotten to whatever happens with the witches and Rick and Quentin that gained Amato his favor, but I’m not sure I would’ve been able to follow along as well with some of the scenes if I didn’t have that minor prior knowledge of Rick’s pack and Kai. I wish this had found my eye first so I could give a better view of the “standalone” claim.
Overall, it was enjoyable, despite the plot not fully circling around with full reasonings and such. I’m not a fan of pulling plots over into other series, but I understand that they’re all interconnected, so it’s fine, yet frustrating.
I’d have rated it five stars, even without the story’s main conflict resolution, if I’d just been given more details about the final “fight” and the Seer, rather than a fade-to-black instigation and “he said you wouldn’t be here” once the mid-baddie was pinned.
(The audiobook can have all five stars for Kirt Graves’ voice.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping
Moderate: Cursing, Violence
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Temptation by Kiki Clark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I listened to the audiobook, and I loved it! I “read” the first in the series and was interested in Six immediately (even more once the “he called you Daddy” conversation happened).
I’ll confess that I definitely didn’t love Reckless, but I’m really happy that I kept going and gave Temptation a chance because it kept me interested all the way to the end. One character’s POV had me just as entranced as the other’s, and I felt like everything flowed very well.
(Also, the spice was spicing, and I’m super-duper excited for Tomas’ story.)
I’ll confess that I definitely didn’t love Reckless, but I’m really happy that I kept going and gave Temptation a chance because it kept me interested all the way to the end. One character’s POV had me just as entranced as the other’s, and I felt like everything flowed very well.
(Also, the spice was spicing, and I’m super-duper excited for Tomas’ story.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Unhinged by Onley James
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Adam and Noah are my current obsession.
I love the premise of this series, and this was a wonderful introduction to it all (and to Onley James, for me). I originally listened to the audiobook, and Liam DiCosimo had me in love, but I also have since sat down to read the print version and enjoyed it just as much.
Adam’s obsessive possessiveness fits Noah’s desire to be wanted so beautifully; it’s completely unhealthy, which Noah acknowledges, but also entirely perfect for them. I love that they meet the first times through their mutual stalking and how Adam makes himself a welcome intrusion into Noah’s trailer and life. I love how Noah is a balancing presence for Adam’s anger and how Adam consistently chooses to make Noah the most important person in his life.
”You’re not going to lecture me on drinking my problems away?” Noah asked.
“No. If this is what you need to cope, then I’ll keep you safe while you do it.”
Noah’s heart ached, and his chin wobbled for the thousandth time that day. “Thanks.”
The main focus of this novel is past (and current, to others) CSA, however, and the eventual targets of the family are all pedophiles, so I’d absolutely skip this if it’s too much; there’s not any on-page CSA, but Noah remembers and speaks about some things throughout the book.
In my opinion, the rest of the books in this series (other than Moonstruck because I can’t get enough of Jericho and Freckles) pale in comparison to this one—even down to the final confrontation, which I see as quite a bit more cohesive than the other storylines.
I love the premise of this series, and this was a wonderful introduction to it all (and to Onley James, for me). I originally listened to the audiobook, and Liam DiCosimo had me in love, but I also have since sat down to read the print version and enjoyed it just as much.
Adam’s obsessive possessiveness fits Noah’s desire to be wanted so beautifully; it’s completely unhealthy, which Noah acknowledges, but also entirely perfect for them. I love that they meet the first times through their mutual stalking and how Adam makes himself a welcome intrusion into Noah’s trailer and life. I love how Noah is a balancing presence for Adam’s anger and how Adam consistently chooses to make Noah the most important person in his life.
”You’re not going to lecture me on drinking my problems away?” Noah asked.
“No. If this is what you need to cope, then I’ll keep you safe while you do it.”
Noah’s heart ached, and his chin wobbled for the thousandth time that day. “Thanks.”
The main focus of this novel is past (and current, to others) CSA, however, and the eventual targets of the family are all pedophiles, so I’d absolutely skip this if it’s too much; there’s not any on-page CSA, but Noah remembers and speaks about some things throughout the book.
In my opinion, the rest of the books in this series (other than Moonstruck because I can’t get enough of Jericho and Freckles) pale in comparison to this one—even down to the final confrontation, which I see as quite a bit more cohesive than the other storylines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury