melstylensubstance's reviews
494 reviews

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath

4.5

Reread on audio. I actually liked the story better with the voice actors. 

Finn by Ashley James

4.0

Just what I needed to coax me out of a mini slump. Ashley James has a no fail formula that works. This is the first in a new series. Single parent/nanny is not one of my favorites by any stretch - but the ex’s brother so is. Ash just seemed adorable and fun and feisty. Finn - starts out grumpy, except when it comes to his son. Which makes it easy for Ash to get under the grump to the soft gooey center. The cast of side characters were interesting enough to want to learn more about them is subsequent books, without being overbearing. Except Violet - she can get stuffed. 

Thanks so much to the Author and the Author Agency for a chance to read and review prior to release. 

The Broker by Nikki Sloane

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

This was an easy read. And easy to pick up and put down as needed, I felt. Which for me was a good thing as my real life was a tad more hectic than usual over the days I was reading. 
Things I enjoyed? Seeing Charlotte mature.  Seeing how Noah enjoyed being her teacher and guide on self discovery. 
Now as expected, the sex scenes were hot, but never misplaced. It was via these scenes that they started to realize their feelings for each other. Another good entry in to the Nashville neighborhood. But I do have to say, I was waiting for Judy to be full on creeper even more. 

Thanks so much to VPR and the author for an advanced copy. 

Tempt by Melanie Harlow

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

The HEA and epilogue made me cry in my car on audio. Why - I’m not sure because I’m pretty sure I didn’t cry first time I read it. But be warned if you have any tendency toward squishy sappy feelings when they get all the good things at the end. 

The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long

slow-paced

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

4.5

4.5
The tensionnnnnnnn! It built so slowly, but so honestly. There was a bit of past and present telling to this story, which was definitely a clever way to keep me as a reader invested. Because otherwise I likely wouldn’t have been as patient as I was for the payoff. This book was romantic and sexy without being overly explicit.   My one complaint is that there was too much time spent on conversations with between rooming house guests. I’m fine with the ones that included the MC’s, though scenes without the MCs felt misplaced and didn’t advance the story much. I’m assuming had I read the previous books in the series I would have liked it??? Idk

Fall with Me by Becka Mack

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-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? Yes

4.5

Jaxon is a poor hurt baby. But also a clown for not recognizing that he loves Lenny. And that she loves him. He is such an acts of service king. Lenny is so awesome for taking back her own power.

The Moon & His Tides by Giana Darling

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I have to say I was taken immediately with the style of writing. Prose, descriptions, dialogue. As usual, I find I can’t express very well. But from the beginning, Sebastian just punched into my heart and stayed there. I loved learning about him. So complex for a young man. But obviously an old soul. I kept forgetting he was 18 - he was so self aware, determined, and brave. 

We didn’t get to hear Savannah’s inner monologue, so I don’t really feel like I know her. But that’s on purpose, because no one does. All we know of her is by her speech and actions. We can assume motivation, but don’t know for sure. 

We have some of Adam’s POV and have some understanding of his trauma and what his motivations might be. We know more about his upbringing and how it influences now. But I feel there is still more to learn. His and Savi’s marriage seems complicated, a business arrangement. They seem to maybe not like each other but they are committed. I fear they work so hard on their professional lives that the true emotional work of personal lives just doesn’t happen. Sebastian brings them together and starts to heal their marriage, but not in a lasting way. He’s a bandaid until the emotional work can happen. 

Now all of that sounds heavy, and maybe it is, but there’s enough with side characters to be interesting. And our 3 MC’s getting up to lots of shenanigans in cars. Seb is their chauffeur after all. 

Word of warning, this ends in a cliffhanger. Now I will need to wait until June to learn if our star crossed lovers find their way. 

The King's Maiden by Elle Parker

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25

I hurt my own feelings by reading this book knowing it was gonna end on a cliffhanger. The author did an amazing job of hinting at the intrigue that’s just under the surface between everyone. And I’m a sucker to try to figure out the mystery. 

Quinn’s internal monologue was pretty funny. She’s pretty impulsive tho. 

And this book combined 2 things in a sucker for: King Arthur retelling and a secret society. 

This is a new to me authors, and I’m very much looking forward to the next installment!!

Thanks to the author for the chance to read and review early!

American King by Sierra Simone

challenging emotional tense 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

Infinity stars. Why do I continue to hurt my own feelings by rereading this trilogy???

Chase Lovett Wants Me by Helena Hunting

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Fantastic!!!  I loved Cammie. I loved how Chase was so gone for her. They were so well matched. And the university experience described seemed real. Well, real according to g to my GenX experience. I have no idea if res life is still the same, but either way, I loved it. 
I was glad that them being roommates wasn’t a permanent thing off the start, it allowed for a much better relationship development. 
And high school and university hockey games - the vibes were spot on. Puck bunnies too. 
I was also very glad that the sex scenes weren’t overly explicit. They were there, they happened early and often, but were short. Definitely not the focus of the book, but it’s still a very important part of the university experience, and to me seemed to be described more as a description of the developing intimacy between Cammie and Chase. 
The side characters were developed well too - looking forward to more in this series!

This book was funny and charming. It got absolutely the right notes for me. 

As always, thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced copy!