jayceejarvis's reviews
976 reviews

Seducing the Sorcerer by Lee Welch

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I loved this wondrous story of magic horses and a groom's take on court politics. The characters are both in their mid-forties and a little world weary, but not so much that they aren't ready to fall in love. The character and voice are compelling while the world building is layered and nuanced. As always in romance I would have enjoyed it more if we had gotten both POV's, but Fenn was enough of a character to keep me engaged. Highly recommend for fans of steamy fantasy romance. I'm hoping there will be more books set in this world. 
The Night Market by Jesikah Sundin

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

 While Lena can read anyone's future she can't see her own, leaving her blindsided and yearning when she foresees her childhood crush falling in love. I loved all the characters--including Lena's gender fluid brother and all their merry band of friends. I was cheering for them through their struggles to find joy and freedom while trapped in an unjust system, though I also felt like they kept appeasing their oppressors in a way that made me uncomfortable. Justice triumphed in the end, but the road to get there was a little to long for me. Still, I recommend this story for anyone who enjoys rags to riches stories with a sprinkling of sexy shifter magic, and all the banter. 
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New Hand: A Bluewater Bay Story by L.A. Witt, L.A. Witt

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

 I'm not sure I've ever read a romance with an HIV positive main character. The emotional complexity was handled with grace and nuance, setting up conflicts with Garrett's own recent trauma of watching his husband die of cancer. The characters were lovable and easy to cheer for, even as their respective pasts haunted them both. Add a layer of geeky goodness with comic cons and Magic the Gathering tournaments, and I was hooked. Highly recommend for fans of character driven contemporary romance. 
Outside the Lines by Anna Zabo

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emotional lighthearted relaxing 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 enjoyed this sweet--and sexy!-- small town romance between an adorkable comic shop owner and a professional model maker. It was refreshing to read about a couple with an open relationship, with the space for Ian to get involved with Simon without him necessarily falling for his wife. So many poly friendly stories end with a committed throuple, so I was glad to see something a little different in this character driven story. Highly recommend for fans of nerdy heroes who enjoy a little bit of fun kink in their stories. 
Legally Bound by Golden Angel

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 I just loved the characters in this one night stand that becomes more. Freddy is a total charmer, and the best kind of caretaker submissive, while Camille isn't afraid to go for what she wants and makes no excuses for her life or her choices. I especially liked the fact that their workplace conflict was handled in a mature fashion with honest communication. Highly recommend for fans of scorching hot BDSM romance with a soft spot for femdoms and all the club drama. This is part of a series, but I found it worked just fine as a stand-alone. 
A Rational Arrangement by L. Rowyn

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 This fantasy of manners has all the angst and feels. I loved all three of the unique and finally drawn characters in this complex love triangle. All of them are nuanced characters who make mistakes, but are also doing their best in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed the layered worldbuilding that created its own difficulties and the details of the magic and religious systems. I felt like the ending was a little rushed, and possibly needed more groveling (I do love a good grovel) though overall the romance hit all the beats, and the high-drama action was handled in a way more sensitive to the realities of trauma than is often the case in swashbuckling stories. Highly recommend for fans of forbidden romance and all the angst. 
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The Lord, His Monster, and Their Lady by L. Rowyn

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I really enjoyed this story of a brooding (or shy?) lord who agrees to do his duty and wed, but isn't quite sure what to do with his charming wife once he has her. Raindrop is a fun character from the previous Fey-Touched book, so it is fun to see her all grown up and making her mark on the world--and still not taking anything too seriously! The characterization is deep and compelling, making it easy to cheer for this trio even as they make mistakes, and I continue to be charmed by the creative worldbuilding and deep themes in this series. Highly recommend for fantasy of manners fans who like a little gothic mystery to go with their steamy slow burn romance. 
The Princess, Her Dragon, and Their Prince by L. Rowyn

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

 I expected this to be a fun fantasy with a poly romance-- a quick and light read, with some of my favorite tropes. Instead it was surprisingly nuanced with believable political intrigue, deep characterization (including excellent trans rep) and a multi-faceted romance that hit all the beats. I could not put it down, and am kicking myself for leaving on my TBR pile as long as I did. This is the first book I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. Highly recommend for fantasy romance fans who like creative world building and rich cultural layers to go with their steamy romance. 
Stories from the Deep by Claudie Arseneault

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

The adventure continues as Horace and his friends travel across the sea--only to be attacked by a mighty kraken, and shipwrecked on a deserted island. This is a nice addition to the series, adding some depth to Rumi, and exploring some of the limits of Aliyah's powers, while revealing more about the mysterious fragments. This series is best read in order, and highly recommended for fans of found family, and coming of age cozy fantasy. 
Unpainted by Dani Finn

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense 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 character driven fantasy romance and its unique and intricate setting. While the focus is on Tera and Aven's relationship after their arranged marriage, there is plenty of family drama and political intrigue to keep the pages turning. Highly recommend for fans of cozy fantasy romance who enjoy lots of steam.