ljamison01's reviews
1181 reviews

Save Your Breath by Kandi Steiner

emotional funny lighthearted sad 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 the fourth book in the Kings of the Ice series and it’s the first one I have read in the series. In this book we have Aleks who is a bad boy. He plays hockey and is a big troublemaker. Now Mia and Aleks grew up together and have known each other forever. She’s a good girl pop star and doing great but the world believes she’s stuck in the past with an ex boyfriend. Mia and Aleks are opposites, opposites attract and these two have a secret thing for each other. Now her ex boyfriend is trying to ruin her reputation by doing awful things. So of course the people concerned with her image think that a fake relationship between her and Aleks will be ideal. So as these two maneuver through this fake relationship with very real feelings it’s incredibly cute, endearing and sad. I’m an angst lover and there was plenty for me to enjoy. Great story of two people maintaining a friendship and feelings for each other for such a long time. I plan to read the first three books of this series because I enjoyed this book. 

Serena's Grace: A Cowboy Ranch New Adult Romance by Siberia Johnson

emotional inspiring sad tense 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

3.5

This is the third book in this Lovesick series. It’s the only book I have read in the series and each book is considered a complete standalone. Serena is sent to Hollow Oak Ranch not as a participant in the program but as an employee. Serena has been getting in trouble and being led astray by a boyfriend so she is sent here to work for the summer. This place is in the middle of nowhere and she is a city girl. When she first arrives she is greeted by Grant another employee who has been there a few years and actually knows the place very well. Serena believes that her flirtatious ways will sway Grant and they will soon have some fling. However, Grant is just getting over someone and Serena’s tricks and manipulations aren’t really working. So when they finally start to meet in the middle, the story revolves around them working through their own individual stuff to be together. This was a new author to me and I enjoyed the story  and the characters. 

Shattered Innocence by Sara Cate

emotional funny sad fast-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

4.25

In this Black Rose Auction series each book is a standalone written by a different author. This book features Birdie, her evil stepmother and two stepsisters. This is of course a fractured version of Cinderella which some major differences. First Birdie is the stepdaughter but her father was an evil, awful man that abused her stepmother. Second Birdie and her stepsister Violet are intimately involved and in love with each other. Birdie’s stepmother has signed her up for the auction to make money from Birdie’s virginity and the she will of course take all the money that is bid on Birdie. Violet her stepsister thinks she has found a loophole by pressuring a previous wealthy lover to bid on Birdie so that the two of them can run away together. This story is just slightly longer than a novella, it’s fast paced and spicy. A very enjoyable read of an alternate version of Cinderella and written as only Sara Cate could write it with, sass, humor and spice. 

My Silver Lining by Laura Pavlov

funny hopeful inspiring 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 the second book in the Rosewood River series and so far the funniest. These two characters were just so memorable. Rafe and Lulu are currently residing in different house on the same compound and therefore they have many interactions alone and with the various members of Rafe’s family. Lulu is getting over a bad relationship and makes a deal with Rafe that if he pretends to be her new boyfriend on a remote call she will attend a weekend wedding with him. But, of course Rafe has to play it up and the remote call turns into a weekend getaway. I enjoyed reading about these two characters. Rafe was the ultimate book boyfriend he was smart, loyal, protective, romantic and had great sense of humor. Lulu was an amazing character too. This was a great lighthearted small town story that will certainly entertain. 

Craving You by Samantha Chase

emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

3.75

This is the fifth book in the Sweetbriar Ridge series. I haven’t read them all but just the last three and they are interconnected but you could read them as standalone. In this book Hailey and Max meet at his brother’s and her cousin’s wedding. They have an instant attraction and spend a great weekend together. After the weekend Hailey return home to Florida and although she thinks about Max she doesn’t contact him. Two months later she discovers she is pregnant and makes a trip to Sweetbriar Ridge to tell him the news. Max is excited and anxious to see Hailey again. When he hears the news he is quick to say let’s get married and figure this out. Since Hailey was contemplating moving to Sweetbriar Ridge that is not the problem. Hailey is more concerned that they are rushing things and that whatever spark or attraction they have may not last. Great story of two people planning to have a baby and trying to figure stuff out. Love the whole family involvement. This is a lighthearted enjoyable story. 

His Secret Obsession (Cedarwood Valley Book 1) by Nicole VanAuken

emotional lighthearted sad 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

4.25

Great start to the Cedarwood Valley series. Jax raised his younger brother and helped put him through school. One night Jax met a lovely woman named Maddison and the two of them connected and as they made out in his truck, a policeman interrupted because he knew Maddison. That’s when twenty nine year old Jax found out that the lovely Maddison was only nineteen. So he decided to do the honorable thing and back off for a while because of the ten year age gap. As he waited his younger brother swept in and began dating her. When Jax discovered that his brother was involved with Maddison he was torn, he genuinely cared for her but he realized he could never hurt his brother. So for 4 years he has watched Maddison and longed for her. (Oh the angst ) Now Maddison and his brother are going through a difficult time and are currently living in his spare bedroom in his house. Can Jax ignore his feelings for Maddison? Will his brother discover their past dalliance and be angry about it? How does Maddison feel about Jax? So we have a very messy relationship, Maddison’s issues concerning the loss of her parents and Jax’s shifts at the fire station as well as some funny side characters. Great story and characters. 

The Sound of Forever by Claudia Burgoa

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

What an amazing book! However, please read The Fault in Forever first. I think that book helps you get a full picture and understanding of Keane. Now at the end of The Fault in Forever I truly disliked Keane and I’m glad that the author was able to redeem his character. Keane was a rock star who was using drugs and not always making the best choices. He was involved with Ophelia and they were expecting a baby when they were in an accident. Ophelia lost the baby and Keane was in a coma, although people were told that he had died. Now on the road to recovery, he’s learning to walk, heal and live a drug free life. The beginning of the book is his 90 days in rehab where he talks a lot about Ophelia. Now that he is out he has decided to rehabilitate himself in a small lake town, near his sponsor while he tries to figure out his life. Next door Julianna and her six year old niece move in. Julianna is going through a rough transition too. Her sister died and she is now responsible for her niece who she is having a hard time connectIng to. Julianna is also discovering things about her sister and her childhood. This is a very emotional book about two people trying to adjust to their new normal. Their friendship and eventual relationship slowly progress as they open up and discuss their lives in these heartfelt deep conversations. If you love realistic love stories that tug at your heartstrings you definitely need to read this book. 

Devour by Gail Haris

adventurous 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

3.75

This was my first book in the Mayhem Makers. I believe there are over 50 different books written by a variety of writers. I will definitely look into reading others. This book focuses on Maeve who is having the worst day of her life. She on a trip to Vegas with her wheelchair bound grandmother and her luggage is lost, she has an unfortunate accident and jumps into the wrong car thinking it’s her uber driver. So of course to make matters worst she gets out of the car, falls and flashes her ex fiancée and his new girlfriend and a bunch of other people. Luckily for her, the driver was Nicholas who not only owns the hotel and is involved in nefarious business dealings but he wants to help her because he wants to secure a business deal with her cousins. This book is loosely based on little red riding hood. My only reference to this fairy tale was she was wearing a red dress. I didn’t get any others. This book was funny and spicy. Nicholas and Maeve have a great weekend in Vegas and then he turns into a stalker, not wanting their time to be over. Great story, I enjoyed the characters and the way he pursued her, took care of her and made her feel special. 

Raptured Souls by Persephone Autumn

emotional informative mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

This is the fifth book in the Stone Bay series. This is my first book in this series and by this author. This book is a slow burn. Now i felt a little lost about the Stone Bay Seven Founders. I’m not sure if the history was explained in previous books but it was hard at first to figure it out. This book features Emery and Maddox. Maddox’s father a man he never knew or heard about left his home to him. But, Maddox doesn’t find out about this until his late thirties. So he had no interaction or knowledge of his real dad and his mother basically lied to him his whole life. So when Maddox arrives his mission is to fix, renovate and sell the house. Emery’s family is part of that Seven and as a lawyer it was her job to assist Maddox with all paperwork. As they got to know each other there was a slight attraction but both had been in some pretty bad relationships and were not rushing to get involved. Emery’s assistance in the house leads to her discovering some information about the town and its founders. The romance is a slow and steady with the characters getting to know each other. Emery has problems with a stalker and the town has lots of secrets and mysteries. Interesting story and premise. I enjoyed the author’s writing style but I felt the pace of the story was just a little to slow. 

Bad Boss by Maya Alden

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book sooo much. Raya and Mateo have both had difficult childhood and lives. Raya works for Mateo and they are having a FWB affair. But this affair is a secret, he doesn’t want their friends or coworkers to know. Mateo likes to dominate Raya during their intimacy and let me tell you it’s really hot. But, he is very cruel to her too. Because he doesn’t believe they should be together he flaunts another woman in her face. Raya being the tough disciplined woman she is takes much more than she should before she leaves. After she quits her job, Mateo seems to realize that he was a jackass. Can he convince Raya to give him another chance? Will they get their happily ever after. This is such a freaking great book. Get your tissues ready. Loved it. So much angst. Ugh!!