ljamison01's reviews
1184 reviews

Duke of Pryde by Mariah Stone

challenging funny informative 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

5.0

This is the third book in the Seven Dukes of Sin series. This book follows Constantine, he is restrained, stiff, unflappable, and full of pride. Yet he has a secret that he will do anything to protect. He has a blackmailer and a young infant that is causing him all sorts of grief. So Constantine devises a way to thwart all. He will marry the vicar’s daughter in a marriage of convenience and raise this child. However, no marriage of convenience is ever easy. Modesty prefers to dig in dirt, rather than exchange niceties with others. Modesty would always do for others before herself. She would truly love to be an archaeologist. As with all previous MFC’S in this series each woman is unique and talented, skilled in some area in which women were traditionally forbidden from. I enjoy how the author uses these historical novels to explain and describe how women were trendsetters and paved the way for the future. Modesty and Constantine begin to enjoy each other and their family as the blackmailer looms closer and more dangerous. Constantine’s history really plays into how he will decide to handle things. Will he sacrifice his wife and family to keep his pride intact? I am truly enjoying these historical novels, not just for the romantic aspects, but the history and the wonderful stories. 

Obsessed with Her by D.A. Lemoyne

emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

This is the third book in the Konstanidis family series. This a series of interconnected books about 4brothers. This book is about Serenity and Ares. Ares becomes Serenity’s ward after purchasing some of the stocks her previous ward/guardian owned. The Konstanidis brothers needed the stock to take over a company of a man that had caused their family irreparable harm. When Ares meets Serenity she is a 19 year old ballet dancer. He believes that he will do his duty from afar and keep her protected with bodyguards. However, Ares becomes obsessed with her. He knows that she is too young for him and that he has no staying power. He dates women for a week or two and moves on. Serenity is a special girl. Her parents died when she was very young and she spent her most formative years at a boarding school. Two years later Serenity is the Prima ballerina in a dance company in New York living one floor below Ares. Can these two resist each other? Serenity also has to contend with a stalker who wants to own her and keep her hidden away. This was another fabulous book in this series. Each brother is possessive and domineering yet oh so loving with their partner. Amazing book. I cannot wait to read about the last, most difficult brother Hades. 

Dance of Deception by Jagger Cole

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

5.0

This is the first book in the new Darkest Dance series. This book focuses on a dark society made up of five men (The Black Court). Lyra our MFC has had an awful childhood and life. Her father was a horrible criminal and her mother an alcoholic and gambler. Lyra hasn’t had any love or guidance in her life. She is currently a dancer in a Russian ballet company rumored to be funded by the Bratva (there are many characters from previous books ). Lyra’s father left her and her mother with an incredibly large debt that they must pay. This forces Lyra a dancer and struggling med student to do something so unusual and dangerous. Lyra must dance with a blindfold on in front of a group of people for five thousand dollars. She is given the number by a dancer friend who also currently dances. Unfortunately, while dancing Lyra’s face masks slips and she witnesses something she shouldn’t have seen. Carmine our MMC is the future heir to the mafia. He wears a different mask in every room he enters. Carmine is unhinged, possessive, ruthless and dangerous. However, once he meets Lyra the attraction is amazing and the dynamics between the two are crazy. This book is much darker than his previous books you may want to check the trigger warnings. I thought this book was entertaining, engrossing and fabulous. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. 

The Step Dare by Devon McCormack, Riley Hart

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing 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 is the third Peach State Stepbros book. I hadn’t read the first two but Bren summarizes the first two books by saying a lot of stepbrothers are together and living their lives in the Peach State dorms. Bren is young brass guy, outgoing, talkative and bisexual. Taylor is quieter, more introspective and although he thought he was straight, with all his friends coming out, he’s willing to experiment. Most stepbrother romances start with the steps hating one another or being antagonistic. This book is completely different, more lighthearted and hopeful. The boys are at first shocked that they parents have fallen in love and want to marry, so they decide to stop their fooling around. This is easier said then done as they realize they miss each other. I loved how Bren was able to allow Taylor to go at his own pace and accept him as he was. Great story, really great awakening. 

Bride By Initiation by Maggie Cole

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

5.0

One of my favorite tropes is mafia romance. This new book is not only mafia but dark, secret society, friends to lovers, and a marriage pact. Zara and Sean have been friends for years. Zara is his sister best friend. But, they have agreed not to date each other so that they can remain friends. Both are famous for getting bored of their partner and moving on. Sean sees Zara interacting with a strange man and he walks him outside and notices a strange branding/tattoo on his hand that looked familiar. As he thought about it he realized it was the same thing his father had on his hand. Now both Zara and Sean have been searching and requesting information about their fathers. Sean’s father either disappeared or died when he was very young and Zara’s father was missing the first 15 years of her life.  They are both enticed by people from the Underworld to come and get all the answers to their questions. But, the underworld is dark, forbidden and in many cases downright dangerous. Can their union help them find their answers? Is there a way out of this underworld and will they want to leave? I love when an author can come up with new and unique ideas. Excellent start to this new series. 

For the Show by Katie Van Brunt

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

This is the second book in the All for Love series. I did not read the first book where I believe these characters may have been introduced. Millie has just lost her job as an actress because she doesn’t have what others may deem as a great shape or body. As she struggles to accept this and figure out what she will do next in life. Millie and Ezra have a complicated and difficult relationship. Since Millie is an actress and Ezra needs someone to help convince his brother and father that he is married, he asks Millie to travel with him as wife. As these two try to maneuver through this relationship and deal with their own personal issues and well as the new feelings that develop. 
Katie Van Brunt is a new author to me. However, I would love to applaud her on tackling some very real issues that people are currently experiencing and showcasing them in a way that is real and honest showing that people can survive and persevere through them. 

The Liar's Reckoning by August Jones

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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

This book was so freaking great. It will definitely be one of my top ten of the year. It is such a spicy, steamy, sexy, angsty book. Ugh. I absolutely devoured this book. This is the fourth book in the Doormen of the Upper East Side. I must admit I had only read the third book and this one but the books and the storylines are interconnected so it’s probably best to read them all and in order to enjoy them. This book focuses on Silas who is going through some rough stuff, his mom is very sick and he is paying for her medical treatment as well as taking care of her and her twin sister, he’s working three jobs to pay for everything, his boyfriend just dumped him and he’s living with 4 roommates and the sleeping arrangements are chaotic. One on his jobs is working as an escort which is how he meets Graham a very conservative catholic republican senator. Graham hires Silas for the evening the night before his wedding. Graham is in 30’s and is a very emotionally stunted man. He was bullied as a kid, so was homeschooled, he’s never had a sexual relationship of any kind with a man or woman and he’s about to get married. Graham tells Silas almost his whole life story and although Silas is in it just for the money he is sexually satisfied by this encounter. Months later Silas is now the doorman at his residence and coincidentally his physical trainer. Graham not being emotionally capable of understanding social cues takes Silas hostility towards him as dislike and loathing when in fact its desire and attraction. The relationship of these two men are such a comforting, loving and compassionate one, once they get pass all the insecurities and deflections. The couple face some really difficult situations and with Graham’s lack of interpersonal skills he doesn’t handle things the best way. However, the emotional growth of these two men throughout the story was so wonderful. Seeing a character grow and change in a book is truly an enlightening experience. Grab your tissues you will need them. 
This book deals with some serious stuff and in this political climate I appreciated the author's note at the beginning. This book is foremost a romance book. It is a beautiful love story between two men who love each other in spite of their differences and unfortunately they bring their own emotional baggage into their relationship. I loved that the author did not shy away from several political issues that divide us as a whole.  I enjoyed how Graham was presenting an issue from a catholic conservative point of view but missing the nuances or underlying issues that a democratic could understand. I love when a book tickles my heart and my brain as well. 

Triple Power Play by Jessica Lyn

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

This book starts off very innocently with Aurora meeting Jackson and admitting that she is an escort that provides the girlfriend experience. Now Jackson is smitten he wants to book her for the next several months and give her thousands of dollars. He wants her badly. Now Jackson is a totally hockey bad boy. Young, impulsive but he’s really tormented in a lot of ways. Their relationship is thwarted in many ways by many different people and Aurora meets Ethan who is older, mature, dominating but he’s has his own demons. Soon Ethan and Aurora are caught in a situation they need to deal with but here comes Jackson wanting Aurora back. This story was certainly interesting and kept me engaged and entertained. This book does end with a cliffhanger so the next book will need to be read. 

Sworn to Protect: A Single Mom, Ex-Military Romance by Kimberly Readnour

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

Mackenzie is a widow with 2 children. She is working and trying to go to school at the same time. She’s tough and determined and a little feisty. Nate is a retired military surgeon who wants to check in on Mackenzie and then just leave town. Unfortunately or fortunately he gets wrapped up in looking at for her and there is some attraction between the two of them. Although Mackenzie tries to resist falling for Nate. Nate is so sweet with her and her kids, how could you not love him. This was a great military romance with a mystery. I love when the MMC is great with the MFC kids and he is accepting and welcoming and allows them to be themselves. Great story. 

Pretty Little Threats by Daria Quinn

emotional funny mysterious 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

5.0

This is a new author to me, but the blurb really intrigued me. Rose and her father are very wealthy and her father has a vendetta against Dare. He has convinced Rose that Dare is a horrid man who has killed his parents as well as other people. Dare has managed to buy stock in her father’s company and sits on the board. Rose’s father is determined to destroy Dare. Rose blindly trusts her father since she lost her mother tragically at a young age. However, circumstances become muddled and suddenly Rose needs Dare to marry her. Once married her father is beyond annoyed that Rose is siding with his enemy. Can Rose find out the truth? Will Rose find true love with Dare? Or is Dare the horrible killer her father thinks he is.  Great mystery, there was amazing banter between these two, a spicy story that was fast paced and interesting.