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midknytowl's reviews
318 reviews
The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 73%.
It started off pretty strong but man the characters are just insufferable. I'm sure there will be some kind of arc, but at 70% of the way through maybe a little hint of growth from any of the characters? No, none? Okay, fine.
Also all this to protect her sister, who is an immature, inconsiderate irritant any time she's on the page. Should have DNFed sooner.
Also all this to protect her sister, who is an immature, inconsiderate irritant any time she's on the page. Should have DNFed sooner.
A Wolf in Duke's Clothing by Susanna Allen
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
The details and choices made in this book confuse me. I don't DNFed in the first chapter because it was a lot of strange words being info dumped, which is even harder (for me) when it's an audiobook.
There were tons of threads through the book that I assumed were setup for future books, but they ended up just being left loose. Why are the following books not having a lead of Jemima or Bates? Or one with his sister?
There was this back and forth between Bates and the Omega (no idea how to spell her name from what the narrator said) about him having ignoring or rejecting his fated mate, never addressed again. There was all this mystery of Jemma on why she left home suddenly and hints towards something being off with the aunt, never addressed again. The Omega also has some unknown backstory, showed up on their doorstep kind of out of nowhere, also never addressed again. Even within this story, they couldn't find her stud horse and no one knew where he was...and it was never addressed again.
There were confusing and clunky bits of the book that made it rather meh, but I thought it might be suffering from setting up the series and trying to fit in all the setup and would have continued if the next book covered one of the above mentioned characters. Instead it includes a guy that was in two minutes of the story towards the end, in one of the more confusing scenes.
Why all the build up of things for what will at best be side stories? Also epilogues don't take place a week after the main story when you've had time jumps like that before. If you're going to talk about baby making and how important it is for the pack, then why the hell isn't the epilogue far enough along that we'll know if she got pregnant or not?
It feels like a debut novel that needed a heavier handed editor, because it has potential in there but it's drowning.
Also please come up with a better euphemism than honey pot. 😒
There were tons of threads through the book that I assumed were setup for future books, but they ended up just being left loose. Why are the following books not having a lead of Jemima or Bates? Or one with his sister?
There was this back and forth between Bates and the Omega (no idea how to spell her name from what the narrator said) about him having ignoring or rejecting his fated mate, never addressed again. There was all this mystery of Jemma on why she left home suddenly and hints towards something being off with the aunt, never addressed again. The Omega also has some unknown backstory, showed up on their doorstep kind of out of nowhere, also never addressed again. Even within this story, they couldn't find her stud horse and no one knew where he was...and it was never addressed again.
There were confusing and clunky bits of the book that made it rather meh, but I thought it might be suffering from setting up the series and trying to fit in all the setup and would have continued if the next book covered one of the above mentioned characters. Instead it includes a guy that was in two minutes of the story towards the end, in one of the more confusing scenes.
Why all the build up of things for what will at best be side stories? Also epilogues don't take place a week after the main story when you've had time jumps like that before. If you're going to talk about baby making and how important it is for the pack, then why the hell isn't the epilogue far enough along that we'll know if she got pregnant or not?
It feels like a debut novel that needed a heavier handed editor, because it has potential in there but it's drowning.
Also please come up with a better euphemism than honey pot. 😒
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Infertility, Grief, Death of parent
Hunted by Meagan Spooner
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really like it and like how Spooner really changes the retellings when she does them. (My first of hers was Sherwood.)
It was just rather slow for me, which knocked it down from 4 stars. That or too long, maybe. It's weird because I did really enjoy reading the story, but simultaneously felt like it was dragging on.
It was just rather slow for me, which knocked it down from 4 stars. That or too long, maybe. It's weird because I did really enjoy reading the story, but simultaneously felt like it was dragging on.
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Ah, there's a reason I haven't reread this one in almost two decades, even though I've read the one set right after it numerous times. It even has my favorite trope that I believe this book introduced me to - girls disguising themselves as boys.
Lindsey does it so much better herself in Hearts Aflame and A Loving Scoundrel. In this one Georgina just doesn't even try and is kind of stupid. They're both stupid, actually. I only like James in other Malory books, but Georgina isn't very redeeming.
But it was the first Malory book I read (didn't realize it was a series when I picked it up), and the turning point before they started getting really good, so I'll give it that at least.
Lindsey does it so much better herself in Hearts Aflame and A Loving Scoundrel. In this one Georgina just doesn't even try and is kind of stupid. They're both stupid, actually. I only like James in other Malory books, but Georgina isn't very redeeming.
But it was the first Malory book I read (didn't realize it was a series when I picked it up), and the turning point before they started getting really good, so I'll give it that at least.
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A blind protagonist in a historical romance novel! Never would have expected it, and it was handled well I think.
Sugar Daddies by Jade West
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've never had an erotica be such an actual book before. There was a fully fleshed out plot, there was really good emotional scenes, and it was so very spicy. The best threesome I've ever seen, where all three are actually into each other and not two focusing on one, and the writing was really good
It just didn't stick the landing for me. As someone who has been told for 20-30 years that I'll change my mind about wanting kids, Katie doing so just irked me to no end. There was a way to get their HEA right there too, without doing that.
Her main issues was baby specifically, what it would do to her body, how it would affect her riding, etc. She didn't seem opposed to children as an entire concept though, especially considering her dream was to have a riding school for kids. It's the baby part that's the problem. He wanted a family of his own like he never had, to provide that to his own kids and get to be a father.
...So why not do stable foster care and/or adopt? Honestly I thought Rick would have suggested it and that was how the issue was going to be resolved.
It would clear up her biological birthing issues, it would provide the large family the guys wanted, and it makes more sense. Karl (Carl? I read the audiobook) wants what he couldn't have; wouldn't the best solution to also satisfy his needs be to provide that to kids that are in the same situation he was in? They could be part of the riding school and everything.
It would have given the HEA without falling into that same trap of thinking all women will eventually want kids/change their mind on having them. And I think Daddy Rick and Daddy Karl would run a kickass, not miserable little orphanage family thing.
Also Katie was my least favorite of the trio, which I wouldn't have expected. I loved the guy's interactions so much, they were so sweet.
Oh, and please banish "tummy" from being mentioned anywhere in an erotica. It's so weird to have tummy and cock on the same page. 😅
It just didn't stick the landing for me.
Her main issues was baby specifically, what it would do to her body, how it would affect her riding, etc. She didn't seem opposed to children as an entire concept though, especially considering her dream was to have a riding school for kids. It's the baby part that's the problem. He wanted a family of his own like he never had, to provide that to his own kids and get to be a father.
...So why not do stable foster care and/or adopt? Honestly I thought Rick would have suggested it and that was how the issue was going to be resolved.
It would clear up her biological birthing issues, it would provide the large family the guys wanted, and it makes more sense. Karl (Carl? I read the audiobook) wants what he couldn't have; wouldn't the best solution to also satisfy his needs be to provide that to kids that are in the same situation he was in? They could be part of the riding school and everything.
It would have given the HEA without falling into that same trap of thinking all women will eventually want kids/change their mind on having them. And I think Daddy Rick and Daddy Karl would run a kickass, not miserable little orphanage family thing.
Also Katie was my least favorite of the trio, which I wouldn't have expected. I loved the guy's interactions so much, they were so sweet.
Oh, and please banish "tummy" from being mentioned anywhere in an erotica. It's so weird to have tummy and cock on the same page. 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy
The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne by Elisa Braden
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
A solid case for why people should have premarital sex - then you don't end up stuck forever with an asswad because you've got raging hormones.
Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
There's several layers of nopes for me on this one. First, she's very into her religion, which is fine if you're into that kind of a thing, but I'm not and I certainly don't expect to hear scriptures being quoted in my romance novels.
Two, he's an ass, and not even the good kind that you wouldn't like on real life but secretly swoon over in a book. His emotions seem to be angry, petty, and horny teenager. The first time he's attracted to her is when he's so furious at her he grabs her and she's trying to push him off her while frightfully saying no. Ew.
Thirdly, and why I've thrown in the towel, is now apparently she has visions and can see the future a little bit or something. Not what I was expecting and weird to throw in 40% of the way through.
I don't buy the attraction at all and I want the dude to die lonely at this point. At least now I know not to dig through Kleypas' backlist.
Two, he's an ass, and not even the good kind that you wouldn't like on real life but secretly swoon over in a book. His emotions seem to be angry, petty, and horny teenager. The first time he's attracted to her is when he's so furious at her he grabs her and she's trying to push him off her while frightfully saying no. Ew.
Thirdly, and why I've thrown in the towel, is now apparently she has visions and can see the future a little bit or something. Not what I was expecting and weird to throw in 40% of the way through.
I don't buy the attraction at all and I want the dude to die lonely at this point. At least now I know not to dig through Kleypas' backlist.
Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Just 13 minutes in and I already hate the female lead. And she's apparently missing a child, which is just not my jam.