midknytowl's reviews
318 reviews

Take Me To The River by Kaci Rose

2.0

This reads like someone took a lone be wolf fated mates werewolf story from Dreame, but just got rid of the werewolf aspect before publishing. They're instantly attracted and drawn to each other, he's uber protective, they're uncomfortable being separated, etc. The writing isn't very good and the female narrator read Axel's dialogue in such a weird, slow, and disjointed way, but it was just intriguing enough while driving to and from work to finish it. I'll give the second one a try because apparently dude is a virgin, and I just don't expect that, especially in rugged alpha mountain men.

Edit: Had to DNF that one, the writing somehow managed to get worse.

Take Me to the Cabin by Kaci Rose
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.

The first book wasn't written well, but the story was interesting enough fluff that was entertaining enough during my commute. This one though, if it saw an editor they should find new work. There were just such sloppy mistakes, where the other guy's names would be confused. Like Phoenix called Bennett, then hung up to call Cash, and it said he had just gotten off the call with Axel. Really simple mistakes like that where you're not even paying attention.

What was the final nail in the coffin was Jenna finding out that Phoenix was orphaned in a car crash as a teen (which, funny story, Emily was orphaned in a car crash as a teen too! I didn't realize losing both parents in a car accident was so commonplace.). She finds out he originally came from money, and even though he's been living in the middle of the mountains alone ever since, she has to stay away from him because she's running from her old life where people controlled you because they had money. 

I know every romance has the we-have-to-be-stupid-before-our-HEA, but that is fucking ridiculous.

I'm just sad I didn't get to his deflowering to see how that went. Though considering his second kiss ever he was amazing at and for someone who has had no action was able to dry hump her to orgasm first go round, I'm sure he would have been a natural with his Pringle can cock lasting an hour with all the right moves instead of coming in one and a half thrusts.

Dark Need by J. Thompson

medium-paced

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

2.25

Nine Years Among the Indians, 1870-1879: The Story of the Captivity and Life of a Texan Among the Indians by Dale F. Giese, Herman Lehmann, J. Marvin Hunter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.

It was impressive how boring this was. There wasn't really a narrative, it was just and then this happened, and then this happened. I can't read about one more horse raid. An editor or ghost writer or something should have helped to make this into some type of story. 

I've always found this topic and these occurrences fascinating, but I can't make myself read any more of this 

Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca

• 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

3.75

Whisper by Lynette Noni

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Alpha's Moon by Renee Rose, Lee Savino

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

2.5

This book was fine, but nothing to write home about. I was looking for an alpha male, easy romance to listen to while I did stuff, and this fit the bill. It was frustrating though, because it was just almost good and felt like it would get there but never did. 

Oh, and fair warning: the FMC's ovaries are sentient. It starts off simple, with her ovaries clenching and stuff when he's super hot (which I didn't know was a thing, mine must be defective.) Then we get to the point where there's sentences like "my ovaries are in bed, eating bonbons and moping." 🤦‍♀️ It's giving 50 Shades' Inner Goddess nonsense.

Alpha's Vow by Renee Rose, Lee Savino

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

2.25

I don't know why I read this since I felt very mediocre about the first one. You know when you're eating something, and it isn't as good as you thought it would be, but you keep eating it because it's in front of you, even though you're a little disappointed every bite? That's these books for me.

I listened to the first one in a day and this one in two, which would normally indicate awesomeness, but nope. They're just kind of...there. And I really don't know why I picked this one up, since I don't want kids and so pregnancy isn't a trope I typically read. Maybe it was just that taking another bite, hoping it would be better.

It's fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it if I were you.

Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.

The description of this book is completely inaccurate - I'm 40% in and it's still super sad depressing childhood and she's just barely turned 19. Which isn't a bad thing if that's what I'm reading a book for, but I was here for the cooking around the world part. According to another reviewer, that's just the last 30% of the book and becomes more like a cookbook then.

If she wants to share her background and have a memoir, more power to her. But don't misrepresent the book or spread the misery throughout the 192 week cooking adventure. 

I just don't want to slough through another few hours to get to a disappointing payoff.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Toxic relationship

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

The writing is good, but there's so much backstory and things to learn and it's so slow. It's a freaking doorstop and I can't get into it enough to want to read another 700 pages.