jayceejarvis's reviews
283 reviews

Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

This super cute holiday novella is based around a competitive cooking show, with a full cast of great characters. It is super sweet and sexy, with a fun attraction between teammates who need to keep their eye on the prize to win. While the plot moves briskly, this opposites attract romance also explored some deeper themes of different coming-out experiences and what it means to be on your own as an immigrant in the US. Layered writing like this is my catnip, so I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Mistletoe Mistress by Nicola Davidson

emotional fast-paced

5.0

This naughty historical holiday romance had me hooked from the first page. Rachel is a delightfully different heroine, one who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to grab opportunity with both hands. I really enjoyed the way she played off the more reserved hero, and the way they fit together so perfectly. Truly a swoon-worthy romance that brought all the heat!

Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the second book in the series spawned from Naomi Kritzer's fantastic short story Cat Pictures Please. I really enjoy the near future world building, with just enough recognizable bits for aha moments, while still being incredibly creative. I also like the increase in the cast of characters in this one, and really enjoyed getting things from Nell's perspective. Fast paced and imaginative, this story delivers. Cheshire Cat continues to be a charming antidote to doom and gloom AI stories, and I can't wait to see what the Clowder gets up to next.

Nimona by ND Stevenson

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

5.0

Interesting and well done graphic novel about a monstrous side kick who pushes the "arch villain" to his limits. The art is fun and the story line plays on typical fantasy tropes of good and evil in very clever ways. I also really enjoyed the unique world which had a typical fantasy knights and dragons look, but with lots of high tech gadgets and weapons, creating a rich SFF playground. 

Better Than People by Roan Parrish

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Totally immersive and heartfelt, this sweetly sexy romance about two people learning to be better and stronger together checked all my boxes. Simon and Jack need each other in different ways, and I just love the slow authentic way their relationship unfolds. If you like to really get inside a character's head, and enjoy love stories with a heaping dose of angst, this is the book for you. 

Seduced by the Sea Lord by Starla Night

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

This fun underwater series starts off with a bang. Very sexy and fun, with a lot of heart. I loved the dynamic between Lucy and Turon. I really enjoy stories of people connecting across cultural differences, a trope that was handled really well in this story. I also found the development of the world really interesting and unique. Highly recommend for any fans of Aquaman.

Stolen Threadwitch Bride by Clare Sager

adventurous emotional fast-paced

4.75

 This story packed a powerful punch while playing flawlessly on some delightful tropes. I really enjoyed the intricate worldbuilding and appreciated the unique flavor of Ari's magical gifts. Ly was a totally swoon-worthy hero, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. My only complaint is that this is a closed door romance--with sexual tension off the charts. While I enjoy a drawn out evocative kissing scene as much as the next romance reader, I was a little sad to be shut out of their most intimate moments--I guess I'll just have track down the bonus scene! 

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Really heartfelt and wonderful, possibly more emotionally raw and gripping than the first two books in the series.  I really love how personal and vivid Hoang's books are, with the power of love as a force for growth and self-reflection. Quan was every bit as awesome and swoon-worthy and real as I had hoped. Honestly, I want to go back and reread the rest of the series, and I almost never reread books. This was just that good, with just the right amount of tie-ins with the other books in the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness

Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep

adventurous emotional fast-paced

4.75

This epic fantasy moves at a rollicking fast pace, with a heroine who is easy to cheer for. Evie grows into her power, gaining strength from the massacre that decimates her family and thrusts her into the dangerous position of being the only one who can stand between her people and certain disaster. The story wraps up in a satisfying fashion, but I'm very glad I don't have to wait long to dig into the next book, as Evie's adventures are far from over. I'm also hoping for a touch more romance in the next book...

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I loved this historical romance about two very different people managing to find happiness and acceptance together. Hartley was such a beautiful mess, and fully aware of his own issues and ways he made things difficult for everyone, it was really heartbreaking to watch him struggle and fail, but also so satisfying as he did grow and heal--while still more or less remaining a mess. With strong themes about racism, class divisions, found family and sex work, this story didn't pull any punches on its way to a very satisfying HEA.