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katemc7's reviews
1380 reviews
Unsteady by Peyton Corinne
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Protect by Paisley Hope
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Bouquets & Buckles by Elliott Rose
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wyatt by Jessica Peterson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
WYATT!!! Enough said. That is my review LOL. OMG!! I have been WAITING to see how this one was going to pan out since the end of Cash and Jessica IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! Wyatt was beyond anything I could have imagined. I have found myself reading these boy obsessed books recently and Wyatt tops the list. He has officially been added to my top cowboy ever read. He was just sooo dreamy and perfect. He had this mask of being extroverted and a playboy when in reality he didn't want to let anyone in. He was terrified of being hurt again. And then we have Sally our wonderful resident vet with her fancy education that has made her that much more exceptional. She was also just wonderful. She had loved Wyatt for forever but never knew how he felt. She didn't care how she could have him in her life she just wanted him there. She knew how to give him space and reach him when no one else could. I loved and hated the fake dating thing- I mean come on people. Does that happen in real life?? Why would someone subject themselves to fake date the person they actually secretly love? Well because if that's all they can get then they will take it. Their chemistry was an inferno. The spicy lesson scenes were next level- I was fanning myself when they BOTH ended up getting tied up. Jessica you have a way with these scenes let me tell you. The moment of truth though when they told each other how they really feel felt SO perfect. It was the perfect amount of buildup. Their reactions were shock and awe that they actually get to experience these things together like for real though.
Sally is back home for a bit before she makes her big move to New York for the job she has wanted her whole life. Well at least she thinks that's what she wants. But what she KNOWS she wants is some fun before she leaves. Except she can't talk to guys like at all. She clams up. She gets in her head. The only one she can be herself around is Wyatt. Her best friend and town playboy. The man just knows people. So when she works up the courage to ask him to be her fake date to a town event she expects rejection but she gets a yes. And now they are doing this. She is getting dressed up for Wyatt. She is holding hands with Wyatt. She has to remind herself that this is all fake. But the chemistry between them is unlike anything she has felt before. So when the guys she kind of wants to be with throws her a bone she thinks she is going to take it but Wyatt is acting weird. He acts like maybe he doesn't want this to be fake. So she trusts her gut and goes after him. And then they kiss and it is earth shattering. How can this be the case with her best friend? They agree to keep doing this with benefits now. But nothing else. But then she realizes how happy she is and she can't hide it anymore. She tells him how she feels and he actually RECIPROCATES. And NOW they are telling her parents. And she is realizing that she feels more at home here in her element than she would as a small nobody in New York. She just hopes that her family and Wyatt will support her decision to stay because this is her town and he is HER cowboy.
Wyatt has been in love with his best friend since the day she came home for his parents funeral. She showed up and knocked down all of his walls. He doesn't let ANYONE in the way he lets her in. But he knows he has to let her go. He can't ever be the person that holds her back even if it's not intentional. So she leaves but now she is back like 10 years later. And Wyatt has created a reputation for himself of a ladies man. All of it is for show though. He wants to settle down and find his lady. It just can't be Sally. But then she asks him to be her fake date and he finds himself too scared to be honest so he says yes. Why he does this he doesn't know. But then he shows up to get her and she's in THAT dress. And there is this energy between them that maybe has always been there but now it's like THERE. How can he let her go home with someone else. Well he just can't. So he makes a stand. He half tells her the truth. He wants her and only her but no strings. Well that backfires big time because Sally makes him feel things behind closed doors he has NEVER felt. I mean the reaction he had to her calling him Daddy- unheard of for him. So he decides to be honest right when she is. They want more. They want this to be real. Wyatt finds himself opening up to her about his parents unlike he ever has. Everything just feels RIGHT with her. Like even though it's fast it's not because this has developed. Does it hurt how attracted he is to her? Absolutey not. But there is an endgame in mind- she is moving to New York. He just has to convince her to bring him with her if she will take him.
Jessica does SUCH a good job of making you absolutely fall in love with her characters. I wanted to be best friends with everyone in this story. I wanted to be at the Rattler watching this slow dance between these two and being a fly on the wall in the barn (IYKYK). I loved how everyone around them had been waiting for them to finally catch up to their feelings. I laughed out loud in this one. The way Wyatt talked in and out of bed was heavenly and sinful. Now we move onto Sawyer- and thank you NOT for that tease at the end with Ada. Can't wait to hear more about how they "know" each other.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Jessica for a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review! If you haven't picked this series up, I can't recommend it enough!
Sally is back home for a bit before she makes her big move to New York for the job she has wanted her whole life. Well at least she thinks that's what she wants. But what she KNOWS she wants is some fun before she leaves. Except she can't talk to guys like at all. She clams up. She gets in her head. The only one she can be herself around is Wyatt. Her best friend and town playboy. The man just knows people. So when she works up the courage to ask him to be her fake date to a town event she expects rejection but she gets a yes. And now they are doing this. She is getting dressed up for Wyatt. She is holding hands with Wyatt. She has to remind herself that this is all fake. But the chemistry between them is unlike anything she has felt before. So when the guys she kind of wants to be with throws her a bone she thinks she is going to take it but Wyatt is acting weird. He acts like maybe he doesn't want this to be fake. So she trusts her gut and goes after him. And then they kiss and it is earth shattering. How can this be the case with her best friend? They agree to keep doing this with benefits now. But nothing else. But then she realizes how happy she is and she can't hide it anymore. She tells him how she feels and he actually RECIPROCATES. And NOW they are telling her parents. And she is realizing that she feels more at home here in her element than she would as a small nobody in New York. She just hopes that her family and Wyatt will support her decision to stay because this is her town and he is HER cowboy.
Wyatt has been in love with his best friend since the day she came home for his parents funeral. She showed up and knocked down all of his walls. He doesn't let ANYONE in the way he lets her in. But he knows he has to let her go. He can't ever be the person that holds her back even if it's not intentional. So she leaves but now she is back like 10 years later. And Wyatt has created a reputation for himself of a ladies man. All of it is for show though. He wants to settle down and find his lady. It just can't be Sally. But then she asks him to be her fake date and he finds himself too scared to be honest so he says yes. Why he does this he doesn't know. But then he shows up to get her and she's in THAT dress. And there is this energy between them that maybe has always been there but now it's like THERE. How can he let her go home with someone else. Well he just can't. So he makes a stand. He half tells her the truth. He wants her and only her but no strings. Well that backfires big time because Sally makes him feel things behind closed doors he has NEVER felt. I mean the reaction he had to her calling him Daddy- unheard of for him. So he decides to be honest right when she is. They want more. They want this to be real. Wyatt finds himself opening up to her about his parents unlike he ever has. Everything just feels RIGHT with her. Like even though it's fast it's not because this has developed. Does it hurt how attracted he is to her? Absolutey not. But there is an endgame in mind- she is moving to New York. He just has to convince her to bring him with her if she will take him.
Jessica does SUCH a good job of making you absolutely fall in love with her characters. I wanted to be best friends with everyone in this story. I wanted to be at the Rattler watching this slow dance between these two and being a fly on the wall in the barn (IYKYK). I loved how everyone around them had been waiting for them to finally catch up to their feelings. I laughed out loud in this one. The way Wyatt talked in and out of bed was heavenly and sinful. Now we move onto Sawyer- and thank you NOT for that tease at the end with Ada. Can't wait to hear more about how they "know" each other.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Jessica for a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review! If you haven't picked this series up, I can't recommend it enough!
The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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 absolutely LOVED this book! Tarah is becoming a go to author for me as both this and Savor It were five star reads for me. There is just something about the way she develops her characters. They are all going through intense situations which is life. But Tarah has such a beautiful way of following that grief and helping these characters recognize that they are in fact grieving and how to help them heal largely by opening up and letting people in. These two characters were no different. Deacon is going on my book boyfriend list because OMG. The way that this man thinks about Larry AKA LaRynn. The way that he recognizes how amazing she is. The way that he isn't afraid of her strength but instead likes to poke at her. It was fascinating to watch these two fall back in love and HARD. Larry was a such an intense character. She was so strong and fiercely protective of the people she let in but she didn't let anybody in. She has only known love as the broken relationship that was her parents. So reading about her and Deacon when they were 18 and 20 was so relatable- trying to be too cool and act like she didn't care when it reality she cared too much. The way that Tarah had these two characters evolve together through a home renovation was EVERYTHING! I mean I don't know about you guys but I know that a home reno is stressful as all get out and yet somehow it brought these two together.
LaRynn is finally acknowledging that she needs to do the right thing. She has been ignoring his calls. Him being Deacon the man who broke her back in the day. The man who she hasn't spoken to really since then. But the one who keeps calling about the house that is now theirs. Yes that's right- since their grandmas were married they both deeded the house to them. And it apparently is falling apart. She hasn't seen the man in forever but she knows she can handle it until she really really can't. I mean how can he look better now than he did. And then when they realize how much money things will be- they do the unthinkable. They get married because that's how LaRynn gains access to her trust. And so here she finds herself married to the man that broke her heart all those years ago. How does he seem so ingratiated into this small town where everyone seems to know him. And here is LaRynn the woman who didn't even come back when her grandma died. The one who has been running because she knows that acknowledging those feelings will just break her. But OMG this house that is now hers and Deacon's is a trainwreck. I mean there aren't even doors. There are notes reminding her of when she can and can't use things at the same time. And during all of this there is this energy between them. She can't help but love the way he refers to her as his wife. She can't help but think that maybe she misinterpreted what happened between them all those years ago. But she is leaving after all of this- right? But then they come clean about how they felt and what actually happened and it's like this weight has been lifted. They are going to be friends and work through this. They are going to get it all done. But who are they kidding there is no way this energy between them is just friends. And when they finally figure it out- it's explosive and unstoppable.
Deacon can't believe he has had to resolve to threatening to sure LaRynn in order to get her attention. What happened to them? How did they go from being what they were to where they are now which is not exactly enemies but almost like they just never were. And yet Deacon can't seem to shake her. So when she finally shows up and they come up with the idea of marriage to gain access to her trust he says yes. Partly because of the money but also because part of him likes this idea of them working out. But now they have to live together in this hellhole all while faking a relationship. They get into a rhythm and it's like the chemistry they used to have has been amplified. The way she looks at him makes him feel things. The way he has to work for a smile makes him feel accomplished. But there is this underlying current of what transpired. How they broke each other. When they finally get it out in the open it is a relief. They are going to be friends. Deacon is terrified to give her his heart again even though he knows she already has it. But who was he kidding- he can't let her go. He can't let her be with someone else. Not when she is already his. They may have had a rocky start but now he knows that she is his endgame. He just has to get her caught up.
This was just such a wonderful read! I felt the angst tenfold. Their banter was amazing. The mutual pining but being terrified of letting the other in. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when they were finally going to give in while also wondering what had happened between them. Reading about both of their heartbreaks and how they both seen love play out helped me understand where they were at mentally. The chemistry between these two was off the charts! I HATED waiting until like 75% before things really happened but don't you worry Tarah gave us some breadcrumbs. I can't recommend this one enough!!
I want to thank NetGalley and Tarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
LaRynn is finally acknowledging that she needs to do the right thing. She has been ignoring his calls. Him being Deacon the man who broke her back in the day. The man who she hasn't spoken to really since then. But the one who keeps calling about the house that is now theirs. Yes that's right- since their grandmas were married they both deeded the house to them. And it apparently is falling apart. She hasn't seen the man in forever but she knows she can handle it until she really really can't. I mean how can he look better now than he did. And then when they realize how much money things will be- they do the unthinkable. They get married because that's how LaRynn gains access to her trust. And so here she finds herself married to the man that broke her heart all those years ago. How does he seem so ingratiated into this small town where everyone seems to know him. And here is LaRynn the woman who didn't even come back when her grandma died. The one who has been running because she knows that acknowledging those feelings will just break her. But OMG this house that is now hers and Deacon's is a trainwreck. I mean there aren't even doors. There are notes reminding her of when she can and can't use things at the same time. And during all of this there is this energy between them. She can't help but love the way he refers to her as his wife. She can't help but think that maybe she misinterpreted what happened between them all those years ago. But she is leaving after all of this- right? But then they come clean about how they felt and what actually happened and it's like this weight has been lifted. They are going to be friends and work through this. They are going to get it all done. But who are they kidding there is no way this energy between them is just friends. And when they finally figure it out- it's explosive and unstoppable.
Deacon can't believe he has had to resolve to threatening to sure LaRynn in order to get her attention. What happened to them? How did they go from being what they were to where they are now which is not exactly enemies but almost like they just never were. And yet Deacon can't seem to shake her. So when she finally shows up and they come up with the idea of marriage to gain access to her trust he says yes. Partly because of the money but also because part of him likes this idea of them working out. But now they have to live together in this hellhole all while faking a relationship. They get into a rhythm and it's like the chemistry they used to have has been amplified. The way she looks at him makes him feel things. The way he has to work for a smile makes him feel accomplished. But there is this underlying current of what transpired. How they broke each other. When they finally get it out in the open it is a relief. They are going to be friends. Deacon is terrified to give her his heart again even though he knows she already has it. But who was he kidding- he can't let her go. He can't let her be with someone else. Not when she is already his. They may have had a rocky start but now he knows that she is his endgame. He just has to get her caught up.
This was just such a wonderful read! I felt the angst tenfold. Their banter was amazing. The mutual pining but being terrified of letting the other in. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when they were finally going to give in while also wondering what had happened between them. Reading about both of their heartbreaks and how they both seen love play out helped me understand where they were at mentally. The chemistry between these two was off the charts! I HATED waiting until like 75% before things really happened but don't you worry Tarah gave us some breadcrumbs. I can't recommend this one enough!!
I want to thank NetGalley and Tarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-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 was an instant fan of book 1 and was desperate for book 2 and loved it ALMOST as much. Either way it was a 5 star for me. This book follows the best friend's of the MCs in book 1- Tallulah and Burgess. Tallulah is coming off of a work assignment and has agreed to be Burgess' nanny for his preteen. The challenge is that she is regretting this decision because of her attraction to Burgess. We have two wonderful characters here- We have Tallulah who though she comes off as confident is not as much. She does exude sunshines and rainbows though and gets along SOO well with Burgess's daughter. Then we have Burgess who is known as being one of the meanest and roughest players in the NHL. He doesn't have time for anything but work and his daughter. There are rumors about his retirement which is making him feel like he has more to prove. Watching the romance between these two unfold was magical. I legit found myself giggling and laughing at how much Tallulah was resisting Burgess once he made his mind up about what was going to go down between them. I loved how Tallulah offered to help Burgess get back out into the dating world while also realizing that she wanted to be the one to date him. The chemistry and dirty talk between these too was obscene in the absolute best way! Tallulah pushed Burgess to be better and that hockey doesn't have to be life- he can be known as something else. And Burgess helped showed Tallulah how awesome she was.
Tallulah is wondering what she was thinking as she is sitting the store across the street of her new job. She agreed to be the nanny a while ago when she was truly desperate and even though she is still desperate she is concerned. Her attraction to Burgess is a problem. But then he comes in and gives her boundaries- she doesn't have to live with him. He just needs her. And the way he clearly needs her helps with her decision. Now she is living with his teammates situationship and really liking the freedom she has with this job. She likes helping around Burgess' house. She can just ignore this tension between them right?? But it is growing at an exponential rate so when the idea is suggested for her to help Burgess get back out into the dating field she not so smartly agrees. Apparently she is a glutton for punishment. It becomes clear that they can't fight this thing anymore. And so they don't- but they aren't going to tell his daughter until they figure things out. But life has a way of throwing you off when you have a plan and somehow Tallulah is on the wrong side of this. She leaves with her heart broken to avoid Burgess having to make the hard decision. But what she doesn't know is that even the time apart Burgess has been working on his plan on how to win her back. Will he be too late? Or will he show her how good they can be together?
Burgess is "fine" on the outside but inside anxiety is high. There is just so much pressure. Pressure to play great. Pressure to be a good model for the rookies. Pressure to not retire. And do all of this while being a semi single parent. So he has hired a nanny. Of course she is a smokeshow but he has not plans or time for anything related to the opposite sex. But he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Tallulah. She is just so cheery and happy. And he feels the energy in his daughter and in his apartment shifting to the better. She gives him advice he didn't realize he needed. She is helping with his daughter's confidence. The problem he can't stop thinking about what she would be like in bed. He has to fight this- she is his nanny for goodness sake. But then she volunteers to help him get back into the dating world and he realizes that she is trying to push him away because she feels it too. And when they can't fight it anymore it is otherworldly. She is unlike anything he has experienced. He feels like he could take on the world. They just have to keep things on the DL from his daughter until they figure it out. He is choosing to not think about the future. But then the choice is taken away from them. And his heart breaks as she helps him not have to make the impossible choice. The problem is now he is miserable. He gives her space. He works on himself. He works with his daughter. He is ready to show her everything and play his hand. Because she is his end game- he just has to get her on board.
The banter in this one was chefs kiss yall. I was laughing out loud to the point where my husband was like what are you doing haha. I loved everything about this. I felt so many things. My heart broke when theirs did. I again laughed with Tallulah was playing hard to get with her revenge dress. I just can't recommend this one or Fan Girl Down enough! I am SO pumped for the next installment in this series. I just know it is going to angsty as all get out and I am going to have a love hate relationship with that until things get worked out!
Tallulah is wondering what she was thinking as she is sitting the store across the street of her new job. She agreed to be the nanny a while ago when she was truly desperate and even though she is still desperate she is concerned. Her attraction to Burgess is a problem. But then he comes in and gives her boundaries- she doesn't have to live with him. He just needs her. And the way he clearly needs her helps with her decision. Now she is living with his teammates situationship and really liking the freedom she has with this job. She likes helping around Burgess' house. She can just ignore this tension between them right?? But it is growing at an exponential rate so when the idea is suggested for her to help Burgess get back out into the dating field she not so smartly agrees. Apparently she is a glutton for punishment. It becomes clear that they can't fight this thing anymore. And so they don't- but they aren't going to tell his daughter until they figure things out. But life has a way of throwing you off when you have a plan and somehow Tallulah is on the wrong side of this. She leaves with her heart broken to avoid Burgess having to make the hard decision. But what she doesn't know is that even the time apart Burgess has been working on his plan on how to win her back. Will he be too late? Or will he show her how good they can be together?
Burgess is "fine" on the outside but inside anxiety is high. There is just so much pressure. Pressure to play great. Pressure to be a good model for the rookies. Pressure to not retire. And do all of this while being a semi single parent. So he has hired a nanny. Of course she is a smokeshow but he has not plans or time for anything related to the opposite sex. But he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Tallulah. She is just so cheery and happy. And he feels the energy in his daughter and in his apartment shifting to the better. She gives him advice he didn't realize he needed. She is helping with his daughter's confidence. The problem he can't stop thinking about what she would be like in bed. He has to fight this- she is his nanny for goodness sake. But then she volunteers to help him get back into the dating world and he realizes that she is trying to push him away because she feels it too. And when they can't fight it anymore it is otherworldly. She is unlike anything he has experienced. He feels like he could take on the world. They just have to keep things on the DL from his daughter until they figure it out. He is choosing to not think about the future. But then the choice is taken away from them. And his heart breaks as she helps him not have to make the impossible choice. The problem is now he is miserable. He gives her space. He works on himself. He works with his daughter. He is ready to show her everything and play his hand. Because she is his end game- he just has to get her on board.
The banter in this one was chefs kiss yall. I was laughing out loud to the point where my husband was like what are you doing haha. I loved everything about this. I felt so many things. My heart broke when theirs did. I again laughed with Tallulah was playing hard to get with her revenge dress. I just can't recommend this one or Fan Girl Down enough! I am SO pumped for the next installment in this series. I just know it is going to angsty as all get out and I am going to have a love hate relationship with that until things get worked out!
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book has been on my TBR for a minute. I just finally took the plunge and am so happy that I did! The hype is real for this one. It was a wonderful intro to a new world and new characters that left me wanting SO MUCH MORE. I read that this was a slow burn and MAN was it. There really was no spice in this one which was fine but there is a lot to unpack and I'm REALLY hoping spice with a particular prince in the near future. I liked Diem a lot- she was happy to be content with her life and what she didn't know. But then her mom went missing and everything she thought she knew started to change. Her perspective changed. She started questioning things she didn't before. She started to see things outside of her rose colored glasses. She started making decisions for herself. This girl had been through a lot. She was stuck in this world where everyone was in their own box and that was that. She didn't want to be in a box. She wanted to be able to be who she wanted to be whenever she figured it out. Henri was kind of meh. He seemed to be what she thought she wanted before her rose colored glasses got changed out. He pushed her to become a rebel if you will but didn't seem to support her in her decisions. He pushed her but in the wrong way. And then there is Luther. My man Luther who I am guessing is going to end up being Diem's mate or the equivalent in this world. He was a prince. The complete opposite of everything Diem knew or stood for. He knew her mom. He was elusive and terrifyingly powerful, but Diem wasn't afraid. If anything she was more afraid of how he made her feel.
Diem is trying to show the world that everything is fine. She is fine. Life is fine. Except it's really not. Her mom has been missing for more than 6 months and no one seems to care except for her and her brother. Her friend- Henri- who now seems to want to be more is kind of intriguing to her, but she also finds herself not wanting to fit into the box he is trying to put her in. Now that her mother is gone, Diem is a higher up with the healers. So when an accident occurs and Diem saves the princess without realizing it- her life starts to change. Well actually it changes because of her brother Luther. He was so rude and irritated with her but she found herself drawn to him and his power. But he is a Descended. Her kind and the Descended are enemies of a sort. This is what she has been avoiding most of her life, but she can't any longer. She has decided to stop taking a powder her mom has been giving her for forever and things are changing. She seems to have power she doesn't know about. So when it comes to life when she is trying to save someone from a Descended. She has had enough. She decides to listen to Henri and sign up to be a rebel of sorts. Which is how she finds herself back in the palace under the scrutiny of Luther. She has a mission but who does she think she is. She is in over her head. She is getting mixed signals from Luther too- like maybe there is more than this mask he keeps showing her. So when she gives up intel to the rebel group that backfires, she realizes that she has made a mistake. She doesn't want to fight violence with violence. She will find another way. She changes up her life- no longer a healer but figuring it out one day at a time. She can't help but thinking if she will ever see Luther again now that the healer door is closed. But then the King dies and ALL BETS ARE OFF when it comes to Diem. Because there is definitely something going on with her that she doesn't know about yet but apparently the Mother does.
UGH THAT ENDING!! I seriously love romantasy but I question if these authors are out to torture yet. Luckily I have book 2 and plan on starting that right away. I can't WAIT to read more about Luther and Diem- I mean that KISS!! Why oh why do our heroines always fight these strong feelings?? And Henri- I have a feeling that is going to end badly. I have read that the next book is even more of a slowburn so here is to that. I definitely recommend this one if you haven't picked it up yet!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
Diem is trying to show the world that everything is fine. She is fine. Life is fine. Except it's really not. Her mom has been missing for more than 6 months and no one seems to care except for her and her brother. Her friend- Henri- who now seems to want to be more is kind of intriguing to her, but she also finds herself not wanting to fit into the box he is trying to put her in. Now that her mother is gone, Diem is a higher up with the healers. So when an accident occurs and Diem saves the princess without realizing it- her life starts to change. Well actually it changes because of her brother Luther. He was so rude and irritated with her but she found herself drawn to him and his power. But he is a Descended. Her kind and the Descended are enemies of a sort. This is what she has been avoiding most of her life, but she can't any longer. She has decided to stop taking a powder her mom has been giving her for forever and things are changing. She seems to have power she doesn't know about. So when it comes to life when she is trying to save someone from a Descended. She has had enough. She decides to listen to Henri and sign up to be a rebel of sorts. Which is how she finds herself back in the palace under the scrutiny of Luther. She has a mission but who does she think she is. She is in over her head. She is getting mixed signals from Luther too- like maybe there is more than this mask he keeps showing her. So when she gives up intel to the rebel group that backfires, she realizes that she has made a mistake. She doesn't want to fight violence with violence. She will find another way. She changes up her life- no longer a healer but figuring it out one day at a time. She can't help but thinking if she will ever see Luther again now that the healer door is closed. But then the King dies and ALL BETS ARE OFF when it comes to Diem. Because there is definitely something going on with her that she doesn't know about yet but apparently the Mother does.
UGH THAT ENDING!! I seriously love romantasy but I question if these authors are out to torture yet. Luckily I have book 2 and plan on starting that right away. I can't WAIT to read more about Luther and Diem- I mean that KISS!! Why oh why do our heroines always fight these strong feelings?? And Henri- I have a feeling that is going to end badly. I have read that the next book is even more of a slowburn so here is to that. I definitely recommend this one if you haven't picked it up yet!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
Fight by Sloane St. James
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
This was a great first book in a series and intro to this world of hotshots! I liked the MCs a lot but also really liked the glimpses we got of the side characters. The detail that Sloane put into the snowstorm that ultimately set the record straight between Callaghan and Prescott was more than I would have thought- I was impressed. The chemistry between these two was very much felt off the page. Callaghan just SOUNDED like a hottie with a body. He had no problem letting Prescott AKA Scottie know what he wanted. I loved them kind of dancing around each other and then realizing that they were going to be working together. Callaghan gave off this front of not caring about one night stands and ski bunnies when in reality he had been burned BAD and wasn't ready to put his heart on the line. Scottie on the other hand- I did NOT see her backstory being what it was. How original (in my opinion). She is this elusive new woman in town who likes the outdoors and wants to explore things with Callaghan. I liked the switch up of the plot line meaning we had immediate action between these two and then things turned for the worse due to miscommunication and then they got their stories straight and were all in. It felt a little different than other books I have read in this genre.
Scottie is making moves. She has left the past behind (for as long as it will let her), and it trying to strike it out on her own. She gets a job in Sky Ridge as an EMT. She really doesn't have time for anything but work until she meets Callaghan- a local hot shot who is stationed with her. They end up on a training exercise together and things explode between them. Scottie hasn't experienced anything like it. They make plans to continue whatever this situationship is when they get back to town, but then Callaghan turns cold. He drops her like a bad habit, and she is left fumbling and fuming on the sidelines. So when she passes him while summiting a hike, she ignores him trying to continue the conversation. Which is how she has found herself hiding behind some rocks to avoid getting crushed and hypothermia. She just knows that this is the end. She is going to die in the wilderness, but then Callaghan shows up to help her. He leads her to shelter. Provides for her and tends to her wounds. There is so much energy between them that she finally breaks the ice. Which is when she realizes he has learned about her past and took everything the wrong way. When she explains what is actually going on, they reconnect. And now they no they can't let each other go. No more situationship- this is the real deal. But then when they get back to town Scottie's past is there and tries to suck her in one more time. She caves and decides she will go, but Callaghan has other ideas.
Callaghan will never give his heart to another woman. He just isn't into that anymore. He is into making women feel good and then cutting. But then he meets Scottie. They have this thing between them he didn't even have with his fiance. Everything seems so natural- like they have known each other for a long time. So when they end up kind of stranded together on a training exercise- he makes his move. He has never felt that connection with someone. He gets scared and puts his walls up. Makes it seem like he wants to keep having fun. But then gossip gets to him. He misinterprets a situation and his past helps sway his decision to cut ties with Scottie. But he keeps seeing her- everywhere. And now that he is at the bottom of the mountain and doesn't see her car with the bad weather coming in- he does what his gut tells him. He goes to save her. Which is how he has found himself stuck in a small cabin with the woman who rocked his world but lied to him. Eventually they can't fight the tension anymore and when she tells him about her past, he is in awe. She came from that and she is here. He decides no more hiding what he is feeling. He is all in. He wants her in his life. But then her past tries to take her away from him but what she doesn't know is that he wis going to play hardball and will do whatever it takes to keep her.
I thought the character arc for Callaghan was great- it's always reading about the guy who always has a good time being knocked off of his feet. He had a lot of love to give- he was just scared to give it. And then we have Scottie who OMG what a STRONG woman. She has been through hell in a hand basket and made it to the other side. Watching her NOT put up with Callaghan and his ways was entertaining. I have to say the spicy scenes in here were BEYOND creative- the back of an ambulance. Involving Battleship (won't look at that game the same). And Callaghan has a MOUTH on him- fanning myself over here. I can't wait to read the next two- particularly Xander and Callaghan's sister Teddy!! I would definitely recommend this one if you want a sexy firefighter with a mouth on him that gets shut up by the new girl in town.
Thank you so much to Sloane for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Scottie is making moves. She has left the past behind (for as long as it will let her), and it trying to strike it out on her own. She gets a job in Sky Ridge as an EMT. She really doesn't have time for anything but work until she meets Callaghan- a local hot shot who is stationed with her. They end up on a training exercise together and things explode between them. Scottie hasn't experienced anything like it. They make plans to continue whatever this situationship is when they get back to town, but then Callaghan turns cold. He drops her like a bad habit, and she is left fumbling and fuming on the sidelines. So when she passes him while summiting a hike, she ignores him trying to continue the conversation. Which is how she has found herself hiding behind some rocks to avoid getting crushed and hypothermia. She just knows that this is the end. She is going to die in the wilderness, but then Callaghan shows up to help her. He leads her to shelter. Provides for her and tends to her wounds. There is so much energy between them that she finally breaks the ice. Which is when she realizes he has learned about her past and took everything the wrong way. When she explains what is actually going on, they reconnect. And now they no they can't let each other go. No more situationship- this is the real deal. But then when they get back to town Scottie's past is there and tries to suck her in one more time. She caves and decides she will go, but Callaghan has other ideas.
Callaghan will never give his heart to another woman. He just isn't into that anymore. He is into making women feel good and then cutting. But then he meets Scottie. They have this thing between them he didn't even have with his fiance. Everything seems so natural- like they have known each other for a long time. So when they end up kind of stranded together on a training exercise- he makes his move. He has never felt that connection with someone. He gets scared and puts his walls up. Makes it seem like he wants to keep having fun. But then gossip gets to him. He misinterprets a situation and his past helps sway his decision to cut ties with Scottie. But he keeps seeing her- everywhere. And now that he is at the bottom of the mountain and doesn't see her car with the bad weather coming in- he does what his gut tells him. He goes to save her. Which is how he has found himself stuck in a small cabin with the woman who rocked his world but lied to him. Eventually they can't fight the tension anymore and when she tells him about her past, he is in awe. She came from that and she is here. He decides no more hiding what he is feeling. He is all in. He wants her in his life. But then her past tries to take her away from him but what she doesn't know is that he wis going to play hardball and will do whatever it takes to keep her.
I thought the character arc for Callaghan was great- it's always reading about the guy who always has a good time being knocked off of his feet. He had a lot of love to give- he was just scared to give it. And then we have Scottie who OMG what a STRONG woman. She has been through hell in a hand basket and made it to the other side. Watching her NOT put up with Callaghan and his ways was entertaining. I have to say the spicy scenes in here were BEYOND creative- the back of an ambulance. Involving Battleship (won't look at that game the same). And Callaghan has a MOUTH on him- fanning myself over here. I can't wait to read the next two- particularly Xander and Callaghan's sister Teddy!! I would definitely recommend this one if you want a sexy firefighter with a mouth on him that gets shut up by the new girl in town.
Thank you so much to Sloane for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!