kala_b_reviews's reviews
226 reviews

Asking for Trouble by Giana Darling

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Before we get to the review, I read this as an ALC so that’s what my review below is based on. BUT I have already previously read this in e-book form last year. Ok that’s all! Onto the review:

NGL I’m actually really loving this audiobook. In fact, I think for this story, I would highly recommend reading it in audiobook form! Gregory Salinas did such an amazing job with B0ner. I actually really loved his voice for this character. And Lee Daniels! I think this is the first audiobook I’ve heard her narrate so I am loving the fact that I can tie her to Blue since I love the Fallen.

Asking for Trouble is still (currently) the shortest book in the series. Things kinda pop off at the beginning and doesn’t really let off even going through to the epilogue. Blue’s past makes me slightly uneasy—her ties to certain people. BUT, I’m hoping in the next few books, we really get to see the Fallen take em down hard! 

This is, in my opinion, not a standalone. You will want to read the books in the beginning to truly have a feel for B0ner and who he is to then truly appreciate this story. Also, I have a bad feeling this was kind of the intro into something really bad happening to the fallen for the next couple of books. I’m SCARED for the boys but, hopeful this gets neatly resolved in some way!

The Problem with Dating by Brittainy C. Cherry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

I realized something reading this book, I generally don’t reach for small town romances because it just hits a bit too close to home and when it comes to this trope, I just can’t separate it from my own experiences. But, this book really healed a little of that small aversion to small town romances.

This story was just so romantic! I didn’t realize that I would miss stories like this that center so much on the romance without the smut (not that that’s bad!! I’m a smut reader through and through). 

I loved that Yara helped Alex get over any lingering issues with his ex while Alex helped Yara take back a little more confidence because the way those townspeople treated her at the shop was just so not right!!!

I read The Problem with Players last year and fell in love with that book but this one is really no different in terms of my adoration! Seriously, no notes! I can confidently add Brittainy Cherry to my list of top favorite romance authors!

Also, shout out to Aure Nash and Gabriel de Leon for the narration! Y’all did great! I have no feedback. Just excellent!

The King of Solideath by Dimple Singh

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I saw this so highly rated and wanted to pick this up as a new to me genre. The idea of the story was great! I really love the card element and the inclusion of that throughout the book, with the added explanation at the very end. I love that the beginning of the book and its characters tied all nicely together. 

However, I was a little bit disappointed by the writing. This was set as 3rd person POV and with so many characters, I wish we stayed with just 1-3 characters. However, it felt like often times, this story changes setting after a couple paragraphs almost out of the blue. Maybe a little deviator in the pages would have been great. 

I think this story could have definitely benefited from being a bit longer. With so many characters with different stories and backgrounds that offer a piece to the puzzle, I would have definitely enjoyed it a lot more if we could have sat with each character just a little bit longer to form a connection.

Accidentally Kidnapping the Cowboy by Chloe Maine

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Im gonna be completely transparent and say that I LOVE me some Chloe Maine! She writes over protective daddies and I always reach for her books when I’m in a slump because I know I’ll read about an MMC that’s only objective is to be protective of the FMC and want to start a family of you know what I mean 😉 And honestly, that is all right up my alley when I need an escape from reality!

This wasn’t my most favorite story from Chloe Maine and that’s probably because it was a super short story. BUT, this story was still extremely STEAMY from start to finish with a spice kick at the end. I love that this story while part of the “Accidentally Kidnapped” series, is also connected to the Wildfire Ranch series with the Lowry brothers!

I do really hope she comes out with the extended epilogue! I still want more from Daisy and Zane’s story!

Chocolate Scented Captive by Ellie Exton

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Before you get into this one, don’t just read the tropes, read the content warnings! If this is your first dark read, I’m telling you now, read the content warnings. This is not the book you should read if you’re just starting out. IDK if this is a spoiler but I need you to be aware. This is not a romance. It does not have an HEA. 

Ok onto the review! Now the author does warn you about what kind of world this is before you get into it so I had a fairly good idea of what to expect when proceeding. BUT, the male omega’s history is a sad one. We don’t get much on the rest of the alphas of the Pack Martin other than a general overview. That is until they get into the suite (if you could call it that) and that’s when each of their personalities come out. And let’s just say, I had certain expectations from each person in the pack and they did not act the way that I thought they would!

I HOPE the author comes out with more parts to this story! It deserves more! I need the FMC to get her revenge! She doesn’t have to end up with the pack but I need her to have some type of HEA at the end! She deserves love and kindness and protection! This can’t be it, I need to know more!

The Hunter by Tara Crescent

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

From the very beginning, things are not what they seem. All the info that’s given to you as a reader cannot be trusted and this is exactly why this story sucked me in from the beginning! The thrill of needing to find out the next set of information to try and solve the puzzle with only parts of the info being given throughout the story…til the very end?!? That’s what sticks out the most to me in this story.

Now, last year, I read an ARC for The Fixer and gave it five stars. For this story? The rating is no different! I love the way Tara Crescent writes. There’s just something about the way she sucks you in right at the beginning, makes you care for these characters and then forces you to stay til the very end! 

This is a series of standalones so, you can definitely pick up any story and read it and be fine. But if you are looking for a thrilling, mystery romance, this is the book for you! I enjoyed Stefi and Joao’s story immensely! Their history is tragic and yet they both did their best to survive. And when they come together, it’s electric! The love they have for each other?! It has me kicking my feet!!! 

There’s so much I could say about to is book but one of the allures of this book is the mystery and secrets behind it so I’d rather leave it at that! But, I will say, given this is the SECOND 5⭐️ book I have for Tara, I will DEFINITELY be back to reading this world starting with book 1!

A Simple Lie by Danielle Sarah

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Ah! Come onnnn I can’t live like this I need more. This had me wanting all the answers!

Ok, so book 2 we pick up exactly where we left off. I’m kiiiiinda sad that they got past their issues very quickly. Idk what is wrong with me but I’m feigning for an angsty, drama right now! But, I’ve got some theories and inquiries I’d like answered ASAP! Can’t wait for the next!

A Simple Game by Danielle Sarah

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

GAH!!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! I need the next! Honestly, I thank this book and this author for such a captivating, sexy, thrilling story! I have been headed towards the edge of a book slump and Ms. Danielle Sarah yanked me right back up!

This was a fast paced, fast burn book with high stakes, thrill, spicy and book two is shortly on the way! Eek!

Taking Over the Dark by Tilly Ridge

adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I have a couple favorite things about this author: 1) the music/playlist choice. I LOVE a good playlist in books! 2) the representation that she writes in both books. She does not shy away from the love these characters show one another when society shames people for it and she makes it a point to call that out in her books. 3) the level in which she shows empathy for people in all walks of life and stands by them loudly and proudly. I actually found her in the wake of the results of the election and am so happy to see that not only does she stand by her morals but she also expresses this in the book!

Now, the sad part. I for some reason just couldn’t get as invested in this book as I wanted. I’m gonna say the same thing I said in my previous review of the other book. I really think the spicy scenes got in the way of developing more depth to these characters. I wanted more drama. I was a little shocked about how Ellie was mad at Cello for “what he did” (iykyk) when leading up to it, it really seemed like a) she should have figured it out based on the pet name Cello has for her and b) given that this is dark romance…Cello literally did his research in what she likes and delivered. Ok, writing that out loud, maybe I should dial down on my dark romance mind cuz every book is different BUT, she also got over it really quickly and they never had any kind of serious talk/heart to heart about it. I wanted depth and drama!!! lol 

Anyway, seeing as this is only her sixth book?! Yeah, I’ll definitely be back to reading this authors books in the near future because I LOVE authors who aren’t afraid to go against the status quo and write about representation!

The Moon & His Tides by Giana Darling

adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So, you know me and first books we don’t mesh well together and this is technically no different. Definitely an introductory book to a (very complicated) love story. However, I just now realized that there are previous series/books with stories about Sebastian’s sibling prior to this book. And now I’m thinking, I would have been way more interested in this story had I read the previous books. But…of course, I always dive into books head first not really reading blurbs 😭 

Now please don’t misconstrue my words, just because I assume I would have loved this book more had I read his sisters’ stories first does in no way mean this book does not deserve its credit. 

I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit worried because, knowing Giana’s writing, the love is always gut-wrenchingly hard earned with her characters. The way this book was written, majority of the time, just seemed to look like we meet these 3 characters, we get to know their outward and internal struggles and then we get to see them fall for each other…of course, it just had to be the ending that took me out. And I mean freaking bawling while I’m listening to this at work 🤦🏽‍♀️

I listened to the audiobook version and everyone did great! As someone who has an ear for the Italian accent, it was a bit awkward here and there but, it did not deter me from the story at all. Kudos to Shane East, CJ Mission and Desiree Ketchum!