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ladysadiereads's reviews
2878 reviews
500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan
4.0
Can you fall in love with some from 500 miles away via text message? Lissa trades nursing placements - albeit reluctantly - with Cormac and as they both wrestle with being fish out of water and their own strains of PTSD they become unusual mutual safe harbors.
There were some truly magical moments in this book of finding yourself in a place that is exactly what you didn't know your soul craved. In a way that only Colgan can - there is a tiny haven on the shores of Loch Ness that makes everyone's soul can breathe just that much deeper and slow down in the rampant race of the digital age. I also so could relate to Cormac's initial experiences in the city - so far as making me actually tear up.
Probably what knocked this up form 3 stars is one single moment. Just truly, beautifully written moment of people all over at once experiencing something entirely separately and yet all together. It was one of those close the book and sigh moments. There are also some video/ remote meetings that are especially hilarious after months of teaching remotely.
I did want more - more of their mutual angst and pining, more of their conversations - this is the slowest of slow burns and honestly, they aren't even in the same country for most of it which adds a different dimension to it. But I didn't dislike it at all - Colgan is a strong enough storyteller that I was into it all the way through. There is also a show-stealing side character who is a mother hen with various dating exploits as a transwoman in London and I could read an entire series about her.
TW: violent car crash, PTSD and panic attacks
3.5/4 Stars
There were some truly magical moments in this book of finding yourself in a place that is exactly what you didn't know your soul craved. In a way that only Colgan can - there is a tiny haven on the shores of Loch Ness that makes everyone's soul can breathe just that much deeper and slow down in the rampant race of the digital age. I also so could relate to Cormac's initial experiences in the city - so far as making me actually tear up.
Probably what knocked this up form 3 stars is one single moment. Just truly, beautifully written moment of people all over at once experiencing something entirely separately and yet all together. It was one of those close the book and sigh moments. There are also some video/ remote meetings that are especially hilarious after months of teaching remotely.
I did want more - more of their mutual angst and pining, more of their conversations - this is the slowest of slow burns and honestly, they aren't even in the same country for most of it which adds a different dimension to it. But I didn't dislike it at all - Colgan is a strong enough storyteller that I was into it all the way through. There is also a show-stealing side character who is a mother hen with various dating exploits as a transwoman in London and I could read an entire series about her.
TW: violent car crash, PTSD and panic attacks
3.5/4 Stars
Scandal And The Duchess by Jennifer Ashley
4.0
Rose Barclay is many things young, beautiful, Dowager Duchess - but the newspapers prefer her to be an endless scandal to scribble about. Captain Steven McBride hoe on leave from his African posting is many things as well - none of them particularly good. But when he accidentally falls headfirst into Rose, he knows that she might be the one good thing he could do.
I love me some Jennifer Ashley historic romances - there tend to be dashing men and most of them are in kilts. (I am a simple woman.) This one was heart-squeezingly (it is a word!) lovely. Rose is kind - like truly kind - and doesn’t have a hard edge on her. Steven is angsty and grieving and so badly wants to be someone’s hero. Super quick read and definitely worth it! Not the steamiest thing I have read but the bedroom scenes are tender. Other of Ms. Ashley’s expansive casts wander through but it isn’t necessary to have read their stories for their visits.
I love me some Jennifer Ashley historic romances - there tend to be dashing men and most of them are in kilts. (I am a simple woman.) This one was heart-squeezingly (it is a word!) lovely. Rose is kind - like truly kind - and doesn’t have a hard edge on her. Steven is angsty and grieving and so badly wants to be someone’s hero. Super quick read and definitely worth it! Not the steamiest thing I have read but the bedroom scenes are tender. Other of Ms. Ashley’s expansive casts wander through but it isn’t necessary to have read their stories for their visits.
The Untamed MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
4.0
Lady Louisa Scranton has always played by the rules and it has brought her here to being accused of the murder of the Bishop of Hargate... and back into the realm of the stoic and utterly intriguing Lloyd Fellows. Detective Inspector Lloyd Fellows knows he is not for the likes of Lady Louisa but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t replayed their heated kisses every night since they happened.
This was a recommendation from Under the Covers blog that is running Romanceopoly - and honestly, it was super fun! Lloyd is gruff and almost awkward around Louisa and doing his damndest to make sure he a) doesn’t fall further for her and b) that she doesn’t go to the noose for a crime she didn’t commit. Both are far harder than he wants them to be. Lady Louisa for her part really doesn’t worry that she will go down for a murder she didn’t commit but definitely has already fallen for Lloyd.
This definitely intrigued me enough that I have added some of the others in the series to by neverending TBR pile. I would say that some context from other stories probably would have helped but it wasn’t necessary for this novella. There is definitely heat between these two but it isn’t explicit during their love scene. I also would highlight that this is a little bit of a mystery, a little bit of an inter-class romance and definitely two people who are reluctant to fall for each other.
This was a recommendation from Under the Covers blog that is running Romanceopoly - and honestly, it was super fun! Lloyd is gruff and almost awkward around Louisa and doing his damndest to make sure he a) doesn’t fall further for her and b) that she doesn’t go to the noose for a crime she didn’t commit. Both are far harder than he wants them to be. Lady Louisa for her part really doesn’t worry that she will go down for a murder she didn’t commit but definitely has already fallen for Lloyd.
This definitely intrigued me enough that I have added some of the others in the series to by neverending TBR pile. I would say that some context from other stories probably would have helped but it wasn’t necessary for this novella. There is definitely heat between these two but it isn’t explicit during their love scene. I also would highlight that this is a little bit of a mystery, a little bit of an inter-class romance and definitely two people who are reluctant to fall for each other.
Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole
5.0
Sofronia is the perfect daughter. She excels at college, doesn’t rock the boat and always has dinner ready on time. Until she can’t bury her fury any longer. Ivan can take a punch but Sofie knocks him flat - and despite all the reasons and ways they can’t be together - he knows there isn’t anyone else for him.
Honestly, I don’t know where to start with this novella. It is hands down five stars for me. It is brilliant from the first word to the last. (Note: if you get this novella, make sure you have the extra story - No Valley Low.) There is so much heart and struggle packed into this story and it seems like it wouldn’t do it justice - but that is just wrong. Ms. Cole has these two characters who had childhood crushes on each other meet as adults as they both struggle with the injustice that surrounds them and the distance they both have with their fathers. There is a great sense of humor and irony in the middle of such a sad story. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Honestly, I don’t know where to start with this novella. It is hands down five stars for me. It is brilliant from the first word to the last. (Note: if you get this novella, make sure you have the extra story - No Valley Low.) There is so much heart and struggle packed into this story and it seems like it wouldn’t do it justice - but that is just wrong. Ms. Cole has these two characters who had childhood crushes on each other meet as adults as they both struggle with the injustice that surrounds them and the distance they both have with their fathers. There is a great sense of humor and irony in the middle of such a sad story. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Banging the Bartender by Mimi Kinley, Mimi Kinley
5.0
Ummmm beards and bartenders - heck yes.
Steamy story that starts as a hookup and ends with an HEA. I am here for it!
Steamy story that starts as a hookup and ends with an HEA. I am here for it!
Secrets at Midnight by Nalini Singh
4.0
Adorable! I loved the hurt/ comfort addition to the fated mates aspect! Plus - loving seeing Mercy and her brothers!
A Nude Attitude by Honey Phillips
5.0
UMMMMMM.... this was a delight from start to finish and might be my favorite in the series now!
I love antiheroes and this definitely had one! And his character growth?! **chef kiss** And then there is a toughie heroine?! Just... loved it! Also loved seeing the connection to book one! (Can still be read as a standalone but more fun in order!)
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam:
I love antiheroes and this definitely had one! And his character growth?! **chef kiss** And then there is a toughie heroine?! Just... loved it! Also loved seeing the connection to book one! (Can still be read as a standalone but more fun in order!)
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: