mollyreadsandcrafts's reviews
903 reviews

Temporary Partner by Nicky James

4.25

Quaid Valor is a detective in Toronto's Missing Persons Unit. When a baby goes missing, he's forced to work with his work rival and complete opposite Aslan Doyle, a homicide detective lending his help while the MPU is short staffed. They have to out aside their differences and ignore their growing chemistry to work together to sort through the victim's family drama and find the baby before time runs out. 

This is the first book in a long series so what I really appreciated about the story was how much it built up these two main characters. Quaid is the type A, strait-laced, by the book detective with a tragic past who struggles with loneliness and self-worth (sound like anyone we know, Hazardverse friends?). Then there's Aslan, the bad boy detective who flirts his way through everything, but is really using his promiscuity to cover up a bigger addiction he's struggling with. I won't lie, I'm not 100% sold on Aslan yet but I can see how he can be good for Quaid. They are complete opposites but work really well together, whether it's solving cases or succumbing to their hot chemistry. There's a lot of depth to each character and there is so much to explore between them given their personalities and their backstories. I'm really looking forward to how their relationship evolves and how they grow as individuals. 

I liked the case they were working on because it allowed me to think of a few theories myself but I never guessed how the ending would go. The family of the victim is very messy and there were so many ways it could've ended up. With such a short timeline you could feel the stress of Quaid and Aslan to find out what happened while navigating their partnership. I'm curious to how they work together in the future, given the dynamics of their departments, but I can't wait to find out. 

Read if you like: 

• romantic suspense   

• work rivalry   

• slow burn  

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Department Rivals by Nicky James

Read to get a little taste and see if I would like the series - yall I'm hooked! Gotta see where this goes 

We meet Quaid and Aslan as their bosses force them to participate in a team bonding activity to clear some hostility between their police departments. They know nothing about the other, other than the rumors around the offices, and it's the first time they really interact. This was a great introduction to the characters, we get some of their backstory and it sets the scene for the first book - and subsequently the series. The "case" they had to solve was fun, lowkey, and showed off their great chemistry. A cool novella to dip our toes into the Valor & Doyle world. Having read the first book, I can say I highly recommend reading this before starting the series!

Friends on the Force by Gregory Ashe

Cute, I read it after Doom Magnet and in hindsight it's a good setup for the themes of the next book. 

Emery by Cora Rose

4.25

Emery is probably my favorite character of the series so far, deserves the whole world

When we saw Emery and August together in Sem, I did not at all get the vibe of his personality that we see in this book. I thought he was all dark and broody, getting drunk in a bar, but he's actually super talkative and almost bubbly, which was a weird adjustment to make in my mind. It jumped in kind of fast into their relationship, I feel like August's feelings on the road trip came out of nowhere. I just went with it, I feel like for this author you just have to go with the flow and don't question things too much.


April 2023: 📚Reread & Audiobook 🎧 

I love Emery so much and I still agree that he deserves the whole world! He's a sweet baby angel. I just wish that August would have gotten it together sooner and stopped overthinking everything. He absolutely adores Emery and I wanted him to just show the world! 

I would say I still think August's feelings were surprising at first, just because they both seemed so different than the when we met them in the last book. This book is hilarious and adorable, and still holds the title of my favorite of the series!

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract 
• hurt/comfort 
• neurodivergent rep

Luke by Cora Rose

4.0

All of these characters are crazy, you just gotta go with it. I'm pretty sure I've written that in my review for every book in this series. Love them all to death, but they are so over the top and extra. 
Elliot is the most dramatic and Luke is such a sweetie, but if some dude just started showing up and staying at my house after one day I would've thought he was just a homeless creeper honestly. Elliot at the end talking about Lex just coming and taking his stuff and letting him creep around made me laugh. Everyone is so weird, I like it

September 2023: 📚Reread & Audiobook 🎧

Honestly, this was just delightful. Reading my first review makes me laugh out loud because I had the same thoughts this time around. Cora Rose always has wild characters and this is no exception. A fun audiobook with lots of laughing and cute moments.

Luke is such a sweetheart, he meets Elliot and he's like "Yeah he's mine now". Elliot annoyed me a little because he wouldn't open up and I didn't want him to hurt Luke, but after the conflict happened he had me laughing because he was the most dramatic. I loved their dynamic together because they were complete opposites but they still had such a sweet relationship, mostly because I think Luke is the best. 

I loved all the side characters too. Elliot's sisters were so meddling and supportive. We meet Lex, Emery's friend, again and he's just as crazy. But I'm glad he pushes into Elliot's life and Elliot has him as a friend. Excited to listen to his story next and see what shenanigans he gets up to. 

Read if you like: 
• grumpy/sunshine 
• age gap 
• sexual awakening

Until Him by Cora Rose

4.0

I just like how all these characters Cora Rose writes are slightly unhinged, the main premise is a little crazy but that's normal with this author. Characters adorable as always and entertaining writing

October 2023 Reread: 
4⭐️ 3🌶️

A typical Cora Rose romance with low angst, laughs, over the top moments, and fun characters. The audio book was an easy and quick listen. 

Logan is a star jock (water polo) who needs tutoring to keep his scholarship. This story starts on an iffy note where Theo basically tells Logan that in order to get tutoring services, he has to sleep with him. Logan does agree to this, and it's the start of his sexual awakening. While Logan is interested and says it's ok, the first few times do feel a little weird. Obviously real feelings start to develop but it was definitely a choice to start their romance with blackmail. 

Their relationship definitely has a weird start, but as they spend more time together Logan starts to see a softer side of Theo. Theo has all the walls and doesn't make it easy. It makes sense with his past, but Logan is such a genuinely good guy I wish Theo go it together sooner. Logan is so patient and kind, which is really what Theo needs. As Theo lets Logan in, he gives him the same kind of love and support.

I wish the sports theme was used a little more, it kind of falls off after the beginning. I liked the characters and Logan's family is a lot of fun. I would recommend if you want a light, spicy read with some laughs. 

Read if you like: 
• nerd x jock 
• grumpy/sunshine 
• hurt/comfort

Doom Magnet by Gregory Ashe

4.0

When Dash stumbles upon a body at the bottom of a cliff, he is tangled in a new mystery as he tries to prove his friend's innocence and find the killer. 

I'm such a big fan of Dash, his humor and way of thinking is just the kind that I love. This story had a good amount of self reflection as Dash's friendship with Bobby faces new challenges. Bobby is leaving his job and Hastings but is having a hard time reconciling those choices. He and Dash spend the book going back and forth about these decisions. It's hard for Dash to see someone he cares so much about making choices that hurt himself, but Bobby is already struggling enough with finding the courage to act on what he truly wants without the unhelpful advice. Dash has to rise above his own wants and fears and support his friend who just needs someone to be there for him, which Dash is finally able to do in the end. 

I liked the mystery enough, there were a few plot holes that weren't really resolved but the case felt more background in this book than any others so far. It was there more for Dash and Bobby to be thrown together and work through their issues than anything. The Last Picks weren't as involved in solving the mystery but are a great sounding board for Dash's chaotic mind, and once again their supportive found family shines. I especially enjoyed seeing Keme and Dash's friendship grow! I love these humorous, sweet, cozy mysteries - Ashe is knocking it out of the park. 

Read if you like: 

• cozy mystery  

• found family  

• slow burn still slow burning 

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New Neighbors by Gregory Ashe

Oh my gosh I'm obsessed. This was the cutest thing ever! I laughed so many times, Dash is my spirit animal - I'll say it in every review. And Deputy Bobby! Stop being so sweet. Gah I just loved it. 

Engineered Public Confession by Gregory Ashe

I read this after the second book but man Hugo was worse than I thought. Good for Dash for leaving! 

Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell

4.0

Cade and Silas old competitors on the motocross track who form a quick and intense friendship after a party one night. Cade takes Silas under his wing and as they grow closer they start having feelings they haven't felt before. But things are complicated with their families, home life, and personal struggles. 

These two are such sweethearts. I really liked Cade and his soft spot he had for Silas. Cade has a lot of his own issues with his wayward parents and trying to provide a stable home life for his sisters. He's a natural caretaker and tries his best to do what's right for his family and those close to him. He sees Silas struggling and actively tries to do what he can to be there for him. He cares deeply for the quiet, social awkward man and just wants to make Silas's life easier. He's a sunshine character who does his best to shine his light on those around him. 

Silas is fighting his own battles with his mental health that are worsened by his stressed relationship with his father. Now back in Possum Hollow, for the first time he has a chance to do something for himself. Cade gives him unwavering support and helps him step outside his comfort zone, but even when things are great his mental health problems don't just disappear. Thankfully Cade shows him it's okay to have help. Silas loves Cade and his family and is there for them no matter what they're going through, being someone that Cade can lean on when things tough. 

I loved the first half. I was so invested in watching them become friends, then more, and the spice was perfect. But then the second half hit and the pacing and the relationship development slowed down. It didn't really keep my attention as much as the first part. I like reading about mental health in books, but sometimes I struggle with how it's written. It can be very repetitive and slow, and this isn't the first book recently where that kind of depression just hasn't worked for me in a book. So I think that's more of my personal preference when reading that type of representation. 

Overall I did enjoy the story and the characters. This book surprised me in a good way because I wasn't sure if the setting was for me. I liked where everything ended up even though it was a happy for now ending, and I can't wait for the second part of their story! 

Read if you like: 

• motocross 

• mental health rep 

• sexual awakening (x2)

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