mhtbooks's reviews
530 reviews

A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

Oh my gosh what a super fun ride A Very Merry Mistake was. The fact that Jake Jolly was the quintessential, charming, southern man had my toes curling. He was absolutely a gentleman, but he also knew how to treat a woman, if you know what I mean. But seriously the book is a holiday treat and takes place in Merryville and they celebrate Christmas year round!  The founding members of the town all have holiday last names, see super fun.  Did I mention Jake’s dad is the town Santa and his mom Mrs. Claus? When Claire gets stranded trying to get to Merryville, Jake the gentleman he is , gives her a ride to town. The chemistry between Jake and Claire was so fun to watch from the very beginning. I love that he poked at her and called her stubborn Susan, whenever he tried to offer her help had me rolling. I think this was my first time listening to Thomas Oakley and I got to say I love his whiskey voice! And Samantha Cook captured Clair’s grumpy, yet sweet self perfectly.  I dedicated my day to listening to this, and the Lyra Parish and narrators knocked it out of the park. 

Eternal by Eva Simmons

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Who doesn’t love a dark college romance with blackmail and manipulation? Because this my friends was just that, dark and spicy.  My girl Teal was so kind and strong even while being over medicated to the point of numbness. And Declan, I wanted to hate him but boy does he redeem himself by his words and actions. All the tropes blended together made Eternal an absolute masterpiece. I had so many questions at various points and one by one things slid into place. Don’t not forget to read the bonus epilogue, we get a glimpse into Teal and Declan’s future. So good! 

The Wrong Quarterback by C.R. Jane

adventurous dark funny hopeful tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Who else was excited to read Disney’s baby bro Parker’s Story?!?! And oh boy, CR Jane did not disappoint. The Wrong Quarterback had so much soul and the freaking spice was chefs kiss. Parker was exactly what I wanted in a read flag hottie, he fell first, he was a boy obsessed, he would do anything to get her, he was unhinged but also a teddy bear. So I obviously love him!!! And Casey she was a quiet girl who had never been anyone’s #1, not in her family not even with guys. But Parker came in like a wreaking ball and made her his #1 after just one look. I’m sorry there’s just something about a guy who will do anything to have you. I loved the story and the complexity of the relationships between everyone, parents, friends and siblings. CR Jane you are a freaking queen and I hope I can be a member of the No Drama Llamas!! 

Her Knotty List by Ari Wright

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

If you are looking for a fun, spicy feel good book, Her Knotty List is for you. From the beginning you absolutely become BFF’s and love Emma. When she is matched with a pack she is hoping to finally get the pack and love she is craving, but then hears them talking smack about her. When she runs out of there she didn’t expect that nightmare would lead her a group of men (3 she had never meet) that could be her HEA. I hurt (on Emma behalf), I laughed, I panted (it was steamy), I was hopeful, Her Knotty List really had it all. I will forever be a fan of Ari’s, I can’t wait to meet her at Love N Vegas 25. 

Breathing Without You by Christina Maria

adventurous challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I absolutely loved Christina Maria’s debut Breathing You In, so when I saw that she was releasing Breathing Without You I knew I had to get my hands on it. This book follows Willows best friend Emerald who we know is a ride or die kinda friend. And Creedence who is Carsten’s best friend, it’s always the quiet ones IYKYK. I loved the besties having boyfriends who are also besties a ridiculous amount. He falls for her first and just comes out and says so and I was swooning!!! And every time he called her Sugar, I turned in to an absolute puddle. I don’t want to give too much away about the story but it was emotional and spicy And when I say it’s spicy I mean SPICY. Yummy, my favorite. Another great book by the amazing Christina Maria. 

A Temporary Forever: A Marriage of Convenience Billionaire Romance by Maxine Henri, Maxine Henri

adventurous funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

A Temporary Forever was the perfect enemies to lovers meets marriage of convenience. From the beginning I loved Celeste. She was an amazing friend and her love of dance was apparent.  Caleb is Celeste’s best friend’s brother, and he loves to push her buttons.  Every time they are together, they bicker like crazy. Caleb is such a doting brother, that when his sister Saar asked him for help he did it, especially since marrying Celeste wasn’t exactly a hardship.  Watching Caleb and Celeste spend time together and both realize that this could be more was fun. And the rich boy Caleb was sure a dirty boy, he was definitely a fan of hooking up anywhere that wasn’t his bed. A Temporary Forever is the best blend of great characters, interesting plot and spice. 

A Deal for a Kiss by Willow Winters

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

A Deal For A Kiss has a mortal FMC and a demon MMC, not just any old demon. A demon named Carlisle who has loved Ivy for several lifetimes and will do whatever it takes to have her again. I can’t not even explain how such a short book had such amazing and detailed world building. I was freaking in a trance as I tore through this book. Then you have Aphrodite and Hades who make an appearance in this book, and I was screaming. I love anything with Greek Mythology and so this had me in a chokehold. The absolute lengths that Carlisle went through to have Ivy again was freaking awe inspiring. I can’t wait to start His In The Dark, Hades story when it comes out in January! 

Twisted Collide by Ava Harrison

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Once again Ava Harrison gives us a book that gives you all the feels and characters you fall in love with. I absolutely loved Sweet Collide, so I knew that Twisted Collide would be amazing. And it was, Dane our grumpy hockey player and Josie was our spit fire sunshine girl.  There are a lot of complex family issues that bring Josie to her father’s door step, a father she has never met. And when Dane and Josie meet for the first time, they didn’t exchange names just talked, then got spicy in the vineyards. What a fun surprise when Josie starts to intern for her dad, and her dad is the coach of Dane’s hockey team. I think my favorite thing about Dane is that he’s quiet but has a dirty mouth on him when he’s with Josie. Something out Ava’s writing really pulls me in and captures my heart. Did I laugh? Yes, the banter was phenomenal. Did I tear up and may cry a bit? I totally did. Twisted Collide was an amazing book, that I’ll be thinking about for weeks to come.  Andy Arndt had the perfect sassy personality for Josie.  Lance Greenfield captured the quiet, broody Dane perfectly.

DECEPTION by BJ Alpha

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I absolutely love age gap, but I was not prepared to love this reverse age gap even more! Deception is dark and oh so very spicy. Rocco being young, yet so dominant was what had me panting embarrassingly. Because who doesn’t love a dominant man in the mafia? And Hallie had no idea that Rocco had been moving pieces in her life to bring them together for years. Rocco was playing the long game and damn it that’s hot. The smut is just so good, but the story is great. I would definitely read the tropes and trigger warnings to make sure you’re not surprised by anything. Every time I read a BJ Alpha book, I learn a few new things about myself. If BJ Alpha writes it, I’m gonna read every dirty word and love it. 

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

I cannot get over what a super fun holiday romance My Favorite Holidate was. The narrators Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clark nailed Fable and Wilder to a T. The banter between these two was not only fun, it got spicy too. Now if I needed a Christmas boyfriend I would absolutely call on my very own Wilder, because he’s naughty and nice. And Fable takes care of everyone, especially her little sister, so she deserves to be taken care of too. There are a whole cast of side characters that really made this book. Especially Wilders daughter Mac, she’s kind, smart and loves her father so much, it makes my heart hurt. I love a fake dating trope and My Favorite Holidate made it so fun with a Christmas twist. Lauren Blakely sure knows how to give you sugar and spice all wrapped up in a bright red Christmas bow.