ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Sin & Snowflakes: A Mafia Romance Anthology by Lucy Monroe

dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

This is an anthology that contains 10 mafia romances. The stories are fairly brief (novella length). There are several stories written by well known authors such as; Arianna Fraser, Jane Henry, Lucy Monroe and Cate C. Wells. The stories have a variety of interesting tropes such as, age gap, marriage of convenience, second chance romance and arranged marriage. Many of the stories contained either family or secondary characters from the author’s previous books. So it was nice to see how a character’s daughter is doing as an adult. Great book with interesting stories all centered around the mafia. 
My favorite story in the anthology was “Yuletide Pact” by Jane Henry which focuses on Kolya and Galina who fell in love but were separated. Kolya believed that Galina had gotten married and when he found out that she was available, he knew nothing would keep the apart, not even her brother. This is an age gap romance. 

Emperor of Lust by Jagger Cole

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is the third book in the Memonto Mori series. I believe each book is a standalone but you need to read them in order to understand the back story and what’s going on. Now Hana is the sister of the head of the Yakuza and has been in all the previous books, she was the cool, calm, composed ice queen. She’s rarely ruffled always immaculately dressed without a hair out of place. Now Damien is the heir apparent of the Bratva and these families are linked by marriage. Damien is deranged, is a little off center, in fact he says he’s probably neurodivergent. Damien rescues Hana from an unfortunate event and then they become intimate. She thinks this is a one time thing until it is revealed to her a few days later that they are trying to invade the Tokyo market and because she’s a single woman she needs a husband or a fiancé to help her be an acceptable business ally and Damien is their choice. The dynamic between Damien and Hana is hot. There’s is push and pull, they have great banter and the spice isn’t bad either. But learning about why Hana needs to be so in control and compulsive about things was really important. Hana had been this mysterious character and we got to know and like her so much more personally. This was another great book by Jagger Cole with an amazing storyline and action. I loved it!! Please check your trigger warnings before reading. 

Finding Out by Jenni Bara

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

This is an age gap, forbidden, snowed in together, baseball romance. This is the fourth book in this series and although I haven’t read the previous three I didn’t feel lost or confused. Although this book later focuses on a couple from a book in the series. Wren works for an art company that acquires art for wealthy clients. One very particular client refused to work with her but unfortunately the person working with him is unable to help with the purchase and transfer of the artwork Wren steps into their place. The client is none other than Tom (Daddy Wilson what Wren calls him) he is purchasing a very expensive piece of art that Wren truly loves. Now as they travel to NY to pick up this art we the reader find out that they are both extremely attracted to each other but have been fighting it for years. Tom is Wren’s best friend’s father and her father’s best friend. So when in NY together during a snow storm they give in to their feelings it’s incredibly hot. Tom is a mature man in his 40’s who knows what he wants and although he’s concerned about everyone else he tells Wren “You. Are. Mine”. My heart just swooned, he was emotionally committed to her. I love the relationship that these two have with mutual respect and admiration for each other, but this book is called Finding Out for a reason. What happens whenever everyone finds out? How will they find out? Can his daughter Avery and her father Heath respect them and their feelings? I enjoyed this book it made me laugh, made me annoyed and sad but eventually our couple get their HEA. This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it and I definitely want to go back and read the previous three books before the last book is released. 

He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Alta Hensley

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a very interesting book. Chloe is an influencer who makes money showing jewelry online. She works for two different jewelry companies, one is more conservative but pays her the most and a second smaller company that is a little bit more untraditional and aligned with personality. Now Chloe is not a very enthusiastic about the upcoming holiday season because she has experienced lost and is alone. Chloe meets Jack who has been stalking her for quite a while. Jack has been at her bedroom window watching and observing everything she does. One night Jack discovers a big secret about Chloe that really changes their relationship. This change causes her to doubt that she can really be with Jack. Now Chloe does have some suspicion that someone is watching her. She’s been having strange interactions with an employee at one of the jewelry companies that she works for.   Jack is a fire fighter and he was there the night her family had the tragic accident. Jack behavior’s is bizarre because although he is her stalker, once he has access to her, and they begin to meet and casually date why does he continue to stalk her? Great story of a girl who falls for her stalker who is truly obsessed with her. I did expect this story to be spicer and darker because of the author but it was a great mix for those who don’t appreciate truly dark stalker material. 

From Air by Jewel E. Ann

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

This is only my second book by Jewel E. Ann, but already I love her writing style. This book focuses on Jamie a traveling nurse from Florida who travels to Montana to work in a psychiatric hospital. She is living with 3 other firefighters who work in various ways to put out fires and rescue others. Immediately upon entering the house she is warned about Fitz but when she meets him she is intrigued by him and based on his personality able to detect his zodiac sign. Calvin (Fitz) who is a grumpy, hard to get along with smoke jumper and about 10 years older than her. As they get to know each other and playfully tease one another, a romance begins to grow. But, Will the owner of the house has banned any of the roommates from getting involved with each other. So these two try to keep this relationship a secret from the rest of the house. But, Calvin has his own secret. This story was so sad and angsty. As always I prefer to go into a book blind and I’m glad I did. This story was so compelling I couldn’t stop until I reached the end. Great characters, amazing plot with some spice. 

My Pucking Crush by Tori Chase

dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

Max is a hockey player, in fact he’s the captain of the team. He was recruited after college and has played for this one team his whole career. Max is sexually confused. He interacts with both men and women but he can’t picture himself long term with a woman and he is too afraid to come out as gay. Max had a relationship with a male friend while in high school but it ended badly. Luca works as a bodyguard for the hockey team that Max plays for. Luca is obsessed with Max. He fantasizes about him. He hooks up with men and makes them wear Max’s jersey. He is truly pining for him. Now after Max is attacked when going with a woman to a hotel, Luca becomes his personal bodyguard living in his house and sleeping in his hotel room when the team travels. This is Luca’s personal nightmare, he’s close to Max but he can’t cross the line because he’s his bodyguard. Luca was in the mafia but he escaped after his wife and son died because they tried to kill him. He only plans to work with this team until the end of the year so he can get his bonus and move on. Now this story isn’t just about twos men who are attracted to each but there is this whole aspect of the mafia and are they after Max or Luca? Max has some dark issues he needs to deal with. This story had some great angst especially with Luca wanting Max so bad. This book was very spicy and it was so good. I loved these two strong men who truly both just looking for love and acceptance. Great story and romance. 

Butcher by Kimberly Knight

dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

I absolutely loved this book. I love a book where everyone loves everyone. These three start this relationship after a championship win. The three of them send the night together and things bloom. What should have been just physical became emotional as well. Butcher is a bisexual man although he doesn’t publicize this because he plays hockey. However, he is fairly confident in himself although he has his vulnerable moments. Levi comes from a religious background so he has some difficulty accepting himself and dealing with his family. Now Kaylee kept the men grounded in the relationship but she too had her insecurities, although hers stemmed from her not being sure of her place in this throuple. This threesome had wonderful communication skills and I love when there aren’t these silly misunderstandings because couples don’t talk. This book has some great spicy moments, truly hot. I love when an author shows a poly relationship that is warm, loving and accepted by others. This was another great book by Kimberly Knight. Please check the trigger warning because there were things that could make some uncomfortable.

Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This second chance, forced proximity romance felt like a Hallmark movie to me. Brynn and Pierce met six years ago when Brynn was taking a class in England and Pierce was the teacher’s assistant. They met before class had begun and had been intimate. Pierce tried to stay away and ignore Brynn in class so that he would get in trouble. Brynn was really hurt by his treatment of her and after the semester she left. Now six years later they are competing for the same job and spending the holiday together. Pierce makes it very clear to Brynn that he would like to try to rekindle their romance. Whereas, she is firmly against anything happening between them ever again. This was a cute story, but Brynn got a little annoying to me. It was obvious that she still cared about him and he was really bending over being gracious and apologizing for the past and she kept shutting him down. I loved Pierce he was a man who although had a terrible childhood and limited family, he had so much to give to Brynn. If your looking for a great romantic hallmark like story this is your book. 

Grouch-ish by L.B. Dunbar

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

I don’t really like Hallmark movies or read Christmas books. But this story was very cute and sweet. Pear (I love that name) and Brock are adults who are looking for something new and different in their lives. They have both come out of relationships that they thought would be their last. So they have experienced some type of love and know what they want or don’t want. Somehow these two end up in the same cabin (forced proximity) looking for something. Now Brock is the original grump but he sort of melts and reforms himself for Pear. This story takes the song the 12 days of Christmas and applies it to this couple. I have to say this was definitely a new and interesting plot twist for me. I enjoyed reading about older adults because they usually speak more frankly about their needs and wants and there is less drama. If your looking for a book that is sweet with that small town feel. You will enjoy this book. 

Eternal by Eva Simmons

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Eternal is the second book in the Sigma Sin series. I wish I had read the first book because there is some back story on Declan the MMC in that book. Now this book focuses on Declan who is the current president of Sigma Sin house and in this house they do some very cruel dangerous things. In fact the initiation in this house involves the guys performing heinous acts or watching them. Declan and Teal have know each other for years. Their fathers are enemies so Declan had been warned to stay away and he has. But, now he decided to go for what he wants and that’s Teal. He proposes fake dating since her father has supposedly found her future husband. Now Teal is an interesting character because she has been labeled many different things and has been medicated for the last few years. Each medication she has taken has caused either paranoia, panic attacks or any of a number of other symptoms. She is not exactly sure if the medication is helping or hurting her. Declan has decided that he must help Teal get to the root of her problem, what happened one night when she was found in the middle of the road. Her memory is completely wiped. Now Declan is this sadist, who is definitely morally grey, he will unalive,or destroy anyone who hurts Teal. With Teal he is loving and patient but also demanding that she confront her issues so that they can resolve her problems. If you enjoy college bully romances with a lot of mystery and mayhem, then this book is for you.