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offmyredcarpet's reviews
682 reviews
Hexennacht by C.M. Nascosta
4.0
These two are so darling; delightful to fall back into their world, this time with the addition of Holt, the familiar of Ladybug’s deceased aunt. I love seeing how the Girl’s Weekend series and the Cambric Creek series are coming together full circle, replete with character cameos—some named, some not (long time readers will know by their descriptions!).
Ladybug gains confidence under Anzan’s affirmations and Holt’s help. It’s easy to see where Holt is driving the hopeful outcome. We don’t get it in this installment of course as this is a series arc but the seeds are there.
I would have liked a little more dialogue as that is where the book truly shines. Ladybug’s inner monologue got a bit repetitive but Nascosta did justice to the anxious ridden, neurodivergent mind. I could 100% relate. Book 2 in a 4 book series with a series arc.
Ladybug gains confidence under Anzan’s affirmations and Holt’s help. It’s easy to see where Holt is driving the hopeful outcome. We don’t get it in this installment of course as this is a series arc but the seeds are there.
I would have liked a little more dialogue as that is where the book truly shines. Ladybug’s inner monologue got a bit repetitive but Nascosta did justice to the anxious ridden, neurodivergent mind. I could 100% relate. Book 2 in a 4 book series with a series arc.
Breathless: A Fish Monster Romance by Cat Wynn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
I really wanted to like this because the book cover is so great. I liked the concept but not the execution. I found it dull. Tried to push through but realized I don’t want to spend my time on something I find boring. The FMC’s inner monologue is a constant array of questions, I detest the way she constantly pressures the MMC, and so much of it feels forced.
The Alpha's Mystery by Reece Barden
4.5
This is my favorite book in the series thus far. The story is great, the tension fantastic, the pacing is spot on. Great relationship development.
What kept it from being five stars is that it became clear that reading book 1 of the Steel Pack series would have been beneficial because this book assumes you have information you don’t have if you’ve only been reading this series, which I have. Don’t make it necessary for readers to start a second series to continue the one they started with. That’s a real quick way to piss me off as a reader. There’s no indication anywhere, book blurb or otherwise, that it was necessary. Can you read this book and pick up what’s going on? Absolutely. But now part of the plot of book 1 of Steel Pack is spoiled.
What kept it from being five stars is that it became clear that reading book 1 of the Steel Pack series would have been beneficial because this book assumes you have information you don’t have if you’ve only been reading this series, which I have. Don’t make it necessary for readers to start a second series to continue the one they started with. That’s a real quick way to piss me off as a reader. There’s no indication anywhere, book blurb or otherwise, that it was necessary. Can you read this book and pick up what’s going on? Absolutely. But now part of the plot of book 1 of Steel Pack is spoiled.
Strangeways by Addison Cain
5.0
This was such a fun read. Not your typical alien invasion romance. Our MMC is charming, methodical, and suggestive but also protective, possessive, and desires to give her the world while slowly assimilating. The author packs a lot into this novella with an extremely creative premise, interesting world building, and great relationship development.
Thirst by Addison Cain
4.5
Definitely not for everyone but I liked it. Extremely alien and manages to maintain that throughout. This is a power exchange. The FMC is bought in a flesh exchange, as such there is noncon. But she’s clever and cynical and manages to manipulate him into taking better care of her. A strange fondness transpires between them and while there is an HEA, they live a long life together dying of old age in the epilogue.
This book does not contain trigger warnings but should for SA, captive, loss of autonomy, power exchange, implantation of larva without consent.
This book does not contain trigger warnings but should for SA, captive, loss of autonomy, power exchange, implantation of larva without consent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual assault, Rape, and Slavery
Crescent Warrior by Saam King
3.0
I enjoyed Hippolyta and Cole’s story. There’s a great over-arcing story in this series but it needs some editing assistance. Pacing issues. Transition issues. POV changes mid-chapter with no clear indication of who’s speaking. Scene changes mid-page were jarring. Like book 2, it reads hurriedly written.
Vikingr by Skye MacKinnon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
Amateur writing. One dimensional characters. Zero character or relationship development. The dialogue was stilted and juvenile. The sci-fi was mediocre and not well thought out. Nothing in the plot was earned, just all very convenient.
But it’s very low angst and definitely an easy read that requires little effort on the readers part to follow.
But it’s very low angst and definitely an easy read that requires little effort on the readers part to follow.