missdevo's reviews
265 reviews

Icing It by Emma Foxx

emotional funny hopeful inspiring

5.0

 Now this is what I love. It's fun, it's super spicy but it still feels emotionally grounded and real. We've got three men to fulfill the emotional, mental, and physical needs of one woman, but it doesn't feel gratuitous. It makes sense in a way that some why choose books need me to suspend disbelief to get into. The spice is heavy and varied, which I love. It takes some of the fun away when it starts to feel redundant. This is not the first book in the Chicago Racketeers universe, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read Dani, Crew, Michael, and Nathan's story first. I do want to go back and dive into those books though because I really loved this one. It's my first Emma Foxx book too, but it won me over very quickly. I liked that it was complicated, and that it took some time to get where it needed to for everyone. It makes the payoff so much richer. If you love hockey romance, and why choose relationships, do not miss this one! 

A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting

4.0

The performances were great in this 3rd installment of the All In series. While Bishop and Stevie still have my heart, King and Queenie have a sweet story too. I love a good boy who likes to be filthy at the right time, so King hit the spot. Corey is the villain I’d most like to kick in the nards, so he was well written too! My only regret is not seeing he and Sissy get what’s coming to them. 

Sucker Punch by Alta Hensley

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

If you like it hot and basically non stop, Sucker Punch is a great place to start. It's a smorgasbord of sexy times with a little plot to tie it all together.
I enjoyed the read, and how gritty the story is. Set in a world of MMA/boxing gyms and underground cage fighting, Ari runs her family gym "Smiley's" with the help of her...Frankie. Enter Bones and Lotto, a fighter and his friend/manager trying to get back in the game and overcome past mistakes. This is more of a polyamorous love story (swords cross in multiple configurations) than a why choose/3 musketeers style (all for one and one for all). I actually liked seeing all their dynamics develop together and separately. There are some D/S elements to the relationships, and some situations that I would definitely recommend checking TW/CW before diving in if you have concerns in that area.
For me this book is really about how this crew must somehow form a family (I'm almost embarrassed I typed that, but not enough to take it out). Plot feels a distant second to spice in this case, but as it seems to be the launching pad for more to follow around this universe, I don't feel as robbed by that as I usually do. There's some grace for world building, and the challenge of giving backstory and development to 4 leads instead of the usual two. 

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid

funny hopeful lighthearted

5.0

I listened to the audio book, and let me tell you- Chris Brinkley and Joy Nash are fantastic. They do the lion's share of narration for the Green Valley series. This series revolves around the Winston family. There are 6 brothers and one sister (Ashley Winston's book "Beauty and the Mustache" from the Knitting in the City series also serves as the backdoor series starter for the Winston Bros) living in Green Valley Tennessee together and meddling in each other's love lives. This book features Duane Winston (whose twin brother Beau has his story in "Beard in Mind"). I got sucked into this little Tennessee town and family so quickly that I found myself running through the entire series. It's not super spicy, but it's so entertaining that I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Highly recommend you head to Green Valley to discover the Winston family for yourself. 

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

challenging dark emotional tense

5.0

This was the first darker romance I had read. This book is not for the faint of heart if you're not comfy in the dark romance world. I kept seeing it on social media as highly recommended, and I went in blind. WOW - mind blown.  That said, I really loved this book. It is devastating and hopeful, and I cried more than once. I still think about it to this day, and I read it years ago.  I even discovered the original cover is the author and her husband's hands in a photo they took themselves for the book. I love the original cover. 

A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting

emotional funny medium-paced

4.5

 The 2nd book in the All In series features Stevie, the sister of book one's hero, Rook. Now that Rook has brought his wife and son back home to Seattle via the NHL expansion draft, we're settling into a new team and cast of characters. Some old faves have come along for the ride (Alex & Violet Waters), but we're meeting a whole new crew of players and friends too. Among the team is Bishop Winslow who thought he was going to be the new team Captain until Alex brought along his buddy Rook and gave him the job. I like how this book explores being the sibling of a star athlete, and all that comes with that emotionally. Bishop is spicier in temperment where Rook was sweet, so I liked the resulting banter and friction (if you will) of him and Stevie. Overall I would rate this one slightly higher than book one, and the audio is fantastic. Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan are two of my faves, and they make this story sing. 

A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting

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

4.0

 I enjoyed this spinoff of the "Puckedaverse". The meet cute for Rook/RJ and Lainey is fun and funny. I loved the Alaska section of the story, and only have a couple of minor quibbles with the Chicago section. The trope everyone seems to love to hate doesn't bother me much as long as it's well written. In this case, it's pretty good (only verges on cheesy a few times). Overall I enjoyed this book, but wish there was a little more tension in the relationship aside from the lost contact in order to make the payoff feel bigger. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I listened to the audio on audible, and it was fantastically done. It's duo/chapter by chapter and not duet narration, but both Stella Bloom and Jason Clarke (a particular fave) handle the other gender voices well. 

On the Line by Naomi Loud

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

The Bear, meets Sweetbitter meets Kitchen Confidential with a little Shameless mixed in.
I love watching movies and TV shows that highlight fine dining and restaurant culture, so I was super excited to dive into this book. Having never worked in a restaurant, I can't say from experience, but from conversations I've had with friends who have worked food service, the culture described is pretty accurate.  
     The spice, the kink, the pining (OMG the pining!).  I just ate this up. It's a very horny story in the best of ways. It does walk the line with some darker/heavier elements for both main characters to overcome, but it still feels real. The character journey for James in particular was fantastic. (check CW if concerned) I also really love that there's no magical string to tie everything up in a pretty bow at the end. When it comes, this happy ending is grounded and real and a little gritty, but all the more beautiful for that. Jimbo & Ozzy forever!

Walk of Shame by Avery Flynn

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

4.0

One night. No strings. And a really good puck.

   Astrid has sworn off dating and hockey players for good. After being jilted at the altar by her pro hockey goalie fiance, she's made some big changes. After spending a year banging it out around the world, she's back home and settled in with some new life rules to protect herself. No dating, she won't mix sex with anything that might resemble a date. No repeats, one night only . No hockey talk. No hockey players. She never counted on Cal though... 
   The meet cute here is so good, and it just builds from there. Avery Flynn handles the humor and spice with real finesse, blending both so they don't lose their punch. If spicy rom-coms are your thing, look no further! The characters have depth and motivations that make sense within the story, and the pacing just builds the tension the whole way through. As an oldest daughter, the idea that Cal sees that she takes care of everyone and wants to be the one to take care of her...SWOON. There are some surprises to be had in this book, and some things I didn't see coming as it ended. 
   Savannah Peachwood is high on my list of favorite female narrators, but this is the first time I've heard Robert Hatchet do his thing, and I am here for it! The spice is SPICING here, and both narrators do a fantastic job of keeping it hot and not sliding into cringe or awkwardness. This is a really fun listen, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB media for the ALC and opportunity.

If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

After Rix rage quits her job and ditches her oversexed and inappropriate roommates, she’s forced to move in with her pro-hockey playing brother and his childhood best friend and teammate while she gets back on her feet.   
     This book is so sexy and funny, and still has real heart. I adored it, This one should definitely be HEARD, so don’t miss the audiobook. Connor Crais’s deep rasp is perfect for all the filthy delicious things Tristan says, and CJ Bloom has the perfect blend of sass and vulnerability in the smoking hot dual narration. 
     If You Hate me kicks off a new series featuring the Toronto Terror pro hockey team, and I’m already invested in this entire crew of players and friends. Check the content warnings if you have some sensitivities.