missdevo's reviews
266 reviews

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.

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

This book had me in my feelings. It is so well written (as I've come to expect from Kennedy Ryan). I put her up there with Abby Jimenez as my favorite writers who can really break through and make me feel something with their stories. Nothing feels gratuitous in this book, everything feels grounded and real, from the emotion to the sex. Soledad is so real to me that I feel like she could just walk off the page. Her tribe of sisters and best friends being so supportive and connected is enviable. I really appreciate how KR navigated the complex issues of family, love, self sufficiency, spectrum disorders, friendship, and motherhood. We're not given any easy answers, but the depth makes everything richer. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of whether they typically read romance. It's THAT GOOD. I actually haven't read the 1st book in this series yet, but after meeting this incredible tribe of women, you can bet that's about to change. 

Bad Blood by Khardine Gray, Faith Summers

3.0

Not Just a Crush by Helena Hunting

funny hopeful fast-paced

3.5

Originally part of "Smartasses: a Rom-Com Anthology", in this novella we get to see what happens when Dahlia gets stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains after reading one too many "Why Choose Mountain Man books".  The "Mountain Man" who comes to her rescue? Her unrequited (or was it?) crush from high school. It's a cute quickie of a read, without much depth or substance, but I would recommend it as a fun palate cleanser if someone is stuck in a book hangover. It's sweet and Spicy and just right!

Play With Me by Becka Mack

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This audio was great. Alex Kydd and Kasha Kensington were fantastic once again, and it was funny and sexy and emotional all at once. I really appreciate how well developed the characters are in this series. This book builds on the 1st, and the appearances by the other team members, Carter and Olivia, and the rest of the family really help give depth to the story. This one will really hit home for anyone who has ever felt like they were stuck in the shadow of another person. For Jennie it's her famous brother, but it really could be anyone. I love a book that can make me feel something, and I definitely recommend this one. 

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I love a Mariana Zapata slow burn romance. I have yet to find an author who does it better. The buildup of tension is a vibe. The characters are well developed, and just as I start to get antsy for the action to finally start, there it is- right on time. Aurora is a complicated woman. She's dealing with unresolved grief and recovering from the end of her 14+ year relationship when she rolls back into the town where she lived as a child. Tobias Rhodes is a rock solid man; the kind you think might only exist if written by a woman. He's complex, not perfect, and dealing with his own unique family traumas. Part of the magic happens when broken people help hold each other up so they can do what it takes to heal themselves. Rhodes can prop me up any day *whew*! I love how this book portrays found families and non traditional family makeups. There's a new edition with exclusive bonus content that released in January, so WHEN I reread this - I'll be looking for that version.

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff

emotional funny hopeful inspiring

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Sexy, charming, and full of beloved pop culture references, “Till There Was You” is a rom-com that played right into my interests. The behind the scenes peek at the life of an aspiring chef was well written in contrast to the fast rising fame of a musician/ pop star. I wanted a bit more from the subplots involving Ethan  & Madison though. Ultimately those conflicts felt a little thin. The found family girl tribe that Lexi has gathered are great; the kind of support we all want. The wild conclusion made me chuckle. Overall this was a fun, entertaining read that I would recommend to foodies and lovers of celebrity alike. It has heart and spice in equal measure. 

Beat by Vi Keeland

challenging emotional

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

4.0

This book's tropes didn't bother me, but I know that one of them in particular is something a lot of folks have issues with. That said, I really enjoyed this book. To put it generationally for me:  Imagine you went from having Jordan Knight on your walls, to actually dating him, and then you met JC Chasez. What's a girl to do? There's a fine line to walk in a triangle to really have tension by not making the reader really hate either character. Vi Keeland did a great job maintaining the tension through most of the book to keep me engaged. I love the tagline about being stuck between a rock (star) and a hard place. I listened to this book on audible without knowing it was the 2nd in a series, and it still worked well. The audio narrators were great too. I would recommend this book, and I intend to go back and read the 1st in the series. 

Devious Obsession by S. Massery

3.5

I loved the 1st book in this series, so I guess I had high expectations.  This one just felt a little... messy to me. The spice was spicing, so no complaints there, but the character building missed a step. The motivation for Steele felt forced, and the subplot about Aspen's past felt too fragile, like the author was afraid to really get into what happened, and that made her trauma feel forced too. I had a hard time drumming up any emotion from the plot, and on face value that makes no sense. If you outlined it, it was definitely dramatic-but the character development stole a lot of that from me.  I still liked the book and plan to continue reading the series. I'd recommend it for people who like high spice (check triggers first!) and don't mind the plot being a little thinner. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Child abuse

Moderate: Pedophilia

The Jake Ryan Complex by Bethany Crandell

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

As someone with an emotional attachment to John Hughes movies from the 80's, I couldn't pass this book up. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Xe Sands, and the performance was great. I have always enjoyed her talents as a narrator. This is virtually no spice, but the story is really entertaining. The cast of supporting characters all retain their separate identities and don't meld together in the background. The mother/daughter dynamics are well written and not just broad cliches, which I appreciate. The twist toward the end definitely got me! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted romcom and a soft spot for Jake Ryan.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment and Pregnancy