ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Unleashed by Jane Henry

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 book has my favorite trope of amnesia. It is so difficult to find a good book with amnesia. Polina and her mother make their escape to Russia because someone is pursuing her. Unfortunately she bears a striking resemblance to Anissa the fiancé of Rafail who fled from the church on her wedding day. So Rafail who is searching for his fiancé because her running will cause a bunch of problems for the Bratva that he currently is the leader of. So as these two connect Rafail chases her and she gets hit by a car which causes her to have amnesia a broken leg and an assortment of other injuries. When he tells Polina who she is and what her life is like she is shocked. He quickly becomes intimate with her and tries to keep her isolated from his family and the world. Polina has grown up with lots of older brothers and isn’t really used to being afraid or shy about expressing her feelings. Now Rafail has been the only authority in his home over his four siblings and he rules with an iron fist. As this story continues Polina is able to soften up Rafail and the way he treats his sibling while still trying to figure out who she is because Rafail’s picture of her doesn’t feel right as her memories return. This was an enjoyable fast paced story. I loved the romance between these two and the way both characters evolved over the book. 

Sweet Boys Love Christmas by Micalea Smeltzer

emotional 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 was a fast paced novella featuring Bertie and Luke. Now this two had a one night fling when they were both freshman in college. Now the both in their senior year and Luke is a year away from joining the NHL and Bertie has no idea what she is going to do with her life. During the Christmas break Bertie is all alone and Luke encourages her to spend time with him and his mom. He really wants to be in a committed relationship with her but, she just got out of a long toxic one so she’s not ready to commit to him. However, they agree to date one another and they give in to their desires once and Bertie finds out she is pregnant. Their complete story will be in an upcoming book. 

Crossover by Kathy Lockheart

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

This is the second book in the Cross Duet Series and its picks up right where book #1 ended. Ivy has been kidnapped and Grayson is trying to save her. This book like the previous has so many twists and turns. The book has you constantly on pins and needles wondering what’s going to happen next. There is more romance and spice in this book than the previous book. I loved how strong a character Ivy was and capable of defending herself. Grayson was so intent on protecting her and helping her but he also kept secrets from her. This was an incredibly interesting and intense duet. I don’t read many romantic suspense books but I truly enjoyed this. I’m hoping Grayson’s brothers get their own books.

See It Through by Julia Wolf

emotional funny lighthearted slow-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 perhaps the 6th book I have read by Julia Wolf and I always enjoy her characters and the storyline. In this one it took a long time for the story to get going. It felt incredibly slow paced at first. It made it hard to keep reading.  This story focuses on Remington and Hannah and it’s the first book in the new Kelly Ranch series. Remington returns home to Wyoming to find out that his father has passed and that his father’s home is owned by Hannah and himself. So they have to coexist in this home not because Hannah lives in the house but she uses a room as her office. She has also taken over his father’s business. Remington although reluctant to be home he is very friendly to everyone. Hannah is extremely distraught by the death of his father and the fact that he never came home to see his father in his last days although they reached out to him. Remington had suffered in a bad accident and is still suffering from the effects of that accident. Hannah is hostile and mean towards him until she finds out about his illness. After that is revealed, suddenly they are very attracted to each other and can’t keep their hands off each other. There was no hint or inclination before that they thought the other was attractive. The romance was good and there was a mystery to keep the story moving but this was a slow paced story and didn’t keep me as engaged as her stories usually do. 

Forsaken Oath by Penelope Black

emotional 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? No

3.5

This book is about Beau and Eloise and their small town of Avalon Falls. This is the second book in the series. Eloise is a brass, tough woman who taken on the task of raising her 2 younger sisters for most of her life due to her mother’s addiction. She’s grumpy, overworked and phenomenal driver. Beau is Mr. Sunshine. He’s caring, thoughtful, sweet and a very savvy driver. Now these met at a drive in movie theater where they both went to relax and unexpectedly got caught in a storm and spent some time under a booth in a cafe getting to know one another, sharing secrets, the attraction between them was strong and intense and Eloise ran away as fast as she could. When they meet again (be still my heart) Beau says “I’ve been waiting for you Peach.” He was so invested in getting to know her and waiting to have a connection with someone of his own. The love story between them was so sweet and tender because he had a lot of walls to tear down. Now the car racing aspect of this story was one that I didn’t like and couldn’t relate to. Beau was running the gauntlet (race) and participating in it. I had a hard time grasping the logistics of this illegal race and how they were able to operate in this small town and make it so profitable. I know there is a movie series based on car racing but I’ve never seen any of the movies. The competition and rivalry of the drivers was interesting but I felt myself skimming some of the racing aspects of the story. The story of Eloise and Beau kept me engaged so that I could finish the book and enjoy it. 

Enticing by Bella Matthews

emotional hopeful 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

Addie has been having a rough time. She left the father of her two daughters and is now living alone with them. She’s an author working with a deadline but she has a mountain of debt due to her baby’s illness. So when she meets Leo she is not willing or prepared to like him. But, Leo is so darn charming. Who can resist a man who loves kids and holds babies? Leo is a hockey player who works with Addie’s daughter Izzy on teaching them hockey. I loved how precocious Izzy was, she reminded me of my daughter. Izzy helps Leo get closer to Addie, since she regularly freezes him out. However, out of desperation she marries Leo so that she can have access to her trust fund. Leo is fully engaged any way he can get Addie is fine by him. I loved how he was patient and willing to give her room to trust him. This was a fast paced story that was engaging and enjoyable. I loved their romance and how great Leo was with her kids. 

The Night Before Grumpmas by Kendall Hale

funny 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

3.5

Are you looking for a feel good holiday book? This is your book, we have Noelle this super sweet, kind over the top holiday enthusiast and Jacob your traditional bah ha grump. Have these two live next door to each other and see sparks fly. Her with her loud holiday music and decorations. Jacob with him trying to put a damper on everything that she enjoyed and loved. Their road to their happily ever after had a few bumps and conflicts. This very sweet book had great banter between the two main characters and some funny moments. 

Wicked Spite by Havoc Wilde

dark emotional medium-paced

5.0

This is the third book in the Wicked Brothers of SCU, and it’s the second book of the series I have read. I loved the previous book. This one I enjoyed too. Penn and Reagan are some damaged souls. The people who were supposed to love and care for them did them dirty. As crazy and bizarre as Penn is well Reagan is his counterpart. Regan witnessed something she shouldn’t have and Penn orders her to marry him or disappear forever. This story was crazy and it was dark.  I loved that no matter how deranged they both were they felt something strong towards the other. This story will take you on a crazy ride with some spicy scenes thrown in. Great bizarre characters and interesting plot. 

King of the Cage by Mila Kane

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

If your a fan of Mila Kane’s books especially “Unholy Vows” than you will be pleased that the MFC of this book is the sister of Renato the Don of Atlantic City. Giada is one tough IT mafia woman. She carries a knife, she threatens to finish someone who hurt her friend. She’s an equal match and perfect companion for Bran. Bran is called the lost boy of Hell’s Kitchen. He is one of three children and unfortunately a big disappointment to his dad because he was always doing the wrong thing. Bran’s older brother is in jail and he feels it’s his job to watch over his younger sister Quinn. Now Quinn and Giada’s friend get involved with some unsavory people and unfortunately are given a very bad drug that literally leaves them unable to move, talk or defend themselves so they are at the mercy of their captors. Giada likes to investigate unsolved crimes and decides to find out who is making and selling this drug. This gets her into a whole mess of trouble that only Bran can get her out of. I loved the dialogue and banter between these two because Bran realizes that fate has decided that Giada is the woman for him and although he doesn’t want to comply he knows he has no choice. Loved the characters, the plot and this book. Such an enjoyable mafia read. 

Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.5

I don’t know if this book is a standalone but, there is definitely a book before because there is a lot of discussion on the terrible things Asher has done to her friend and her husband. Asher is a professional football player who had a terrible childhood and an awful mother. He really suffers and always feels like he’s not good enough. The only thing going right in his life when the book begins is his daughter Mia. Kelly is Mia’s mother. Kelly and Asher were involved when she became pregnant but after his antics she broke up with him. They are currently co parenting and getting along. He would really like a reconciliation with Kelly and although she has feelings for him she’s not sure it’s a good idea. This was a pretty fast paced, light hearted romance. This was a new author for me. If your looking for a drama free, sweet romance with light spice you will enjoy this book.