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rjordan19's reviews
854 reviews
Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? a mix of both, but maybe more plot leaning
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in, first chapter
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years later
Format: voluntarily read an e-book copy through NetGalley
Should I read in order?
You could – book 1’s characters are heavy side characters in this one – I’m not sure how much depth you get for these characters in the prior book. I did find myself wishing I had dove into that one first.
Basic plot:
Sol finds himself saved by a mysterious Hannah and can’t stay away even though she is everything he needs to avoid...
Give this a try if you want:
- England 1832 (What do I call this period? I usually did Victorian at 1837, but it’s not really late Regency at the point of William’s reign….let me know what you call this!)
- London setting
- she rescues him
- Snow White retelling (twist – the hero is Snow White)
- age gap with older heroine (heroine is 32/hero is 26)
- pawnshop owning heroine
- Jewish mains
- bit of grumpy heroine/sunshine hero vibes
- class difference
- the sweetest hero
- medium steam – 3 full scenes
Ages:
- Heroine is 32, hero is 26
First line:
Night was the best time to hunt – especially if you relied on stealth, not strength, to snare your prey.
My thoughts:
There is so much to love about this novel! But overall, I ended up wanting them together more, and the romance got a bit lost for me in all the plot antics.
I love the older heroine pairing, and Sol is so, so sweet. Oh he’s so caring and gentle and loving and I just adored him. I love his optimism. Hannah has been through hell and is a survivor. She tries to protect her heart as well as keep her family safe. So this leads to a lot of push and pull between them that I enjoyed.
Outside forces started taking over this book for me though. We have multiple side characters, and I found Sol spending a lot of time alone or with his brother, and Hannah alone, on the streets, with nefarious side characters or her sister. I wanted them together more. I also wanted more tension between them – I feel like when they were together it was a bit of instalust and then they’d separate and come together again and be glued to each other (but only for a short time because forces)
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- being immersed in a life of struggle – heroine’s parents were in a scandal and heroine runs the pawnshop and takes care of her sister. She faces people trying to take advantage of her, dealing with illegal activities, doing side jobs for a man that threatens her
- scenes of threatened sexual assault
- physical abuse/assault on page resulting in bruising and swelling
- antisemitism
- poisoning of hero (allergy related)
Author given content guidance: attempted (nongraphic) sexual assault, nonconsensual sexual contact, depictions of emotional abuse, and discussion and depiction of antisemitic language and behavior.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Hero pulls out
Hows the consent? It’s good
19% - kiss
28% - kisses
35% - kisses
42% - 🔥kisses, oral/fingering for her, missionary
51% - kiss
67% - 🔥oral for her (sit on my face and hold the head board), missionary
He crooked a finger at her. “Now, come here and let me make you feel very good.” He grinned. “Provided you do as I say.”
74% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, her on top
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? a mix of both, but maybe more plot leaning
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Very soon in, first chapter
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few years later
Format: voluntarily read an e-book copy through NetGalley
Should I read in order?
You could – book 1’s characters are heavy side characters in this one – I’m not sure how much depth you get for these characters in the prior book. I did find myself wishing I had dove into that one first.
Basic plot:
Sol finds himself saved by a mysterious Hannah and can’t stay away even though she is everything he needs to avoid...
Give this a try if you want:
- England 1832 (What do I call this period? I usually did Victorian at 1837, but it’s not really late Regency at the point of William’s reign….let me know what you call this!)
- London setting
- she rescues him
- Snow White retelling (twist – the hero is Snow White)
- age gap with older heroine (heroine is 32/hero is 26)
- pawnshop owning heroine
- Jewish mains
- bit of grumpy heroine/sunshine hero vibes
- class difference
- the sweetest hero
- medium steam – 3 full scenes
Ages:
- Heroine is 32, hero is 26
First line:
Night was the best time to hunt – especially if you relied on stealth, not strength, to snare your prey.
My thoughts:
There is so much to love about this novel! But overall, I ended up wanting them together more, and the romance got a bit lost for me in all the plot antics.
I love the older heroine pairing, and Sol is so, so sweet. Oh he’s so caring and gentle and loving and I just adored him. I love his optimism. Hannah has been through hell and is a survivor. She tries to protect her heart as well as keep her family safe. So this leads to a lot of push and pull between them that I enjoyed.
Outside forces started taking over this book for me though. We have multiple side characters, and I found Sol spending a lot of time alone or with his brother, and Hannah alone, on the streets, with nefarious side characters or her sister. I wanted them together more. I also wanted more tension between them – I feel like when they were together it was a bit of instalust and then they’d separate and come together again and be glued to each other (but only for a short time because forces)
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- being immersed in a life of struggle – heroine’s parents were in a scandal and heroine runs the pawnshop and takes care of her sister. She faces people trying to take advantage of her, dealing with illegal activities, doing side jobs for a man that threatens her
- scenes of threatened sexual assault
- physical abuse/assault on page resulting in bruising and swelling
- antisemitism
- poisoning of hero (allergy related)
Author given content guidance: attempted (nongraphic) sexual assault, nonconsensual sexual contact, depictions of emotional abuse, and discussion and depiction of antisemitic language and behavior.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
19% - kiss
28% - kisses
35% - kisses
42% - 🔥kisses, oral/fingering for her, missionary
51% - kiss
67% - 🔥oral for her (sit on my face and hold the head board), missionary
He crooked a finger at her. “Now, come here and let me make you feel very good.” He grinned. “Provided you do as I say.”
74% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, her on top
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (for kisses)
Sex Scene Length: No sex scenes on page
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): No on page steam
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: Takes a little bit, about 12% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, not too far in the future
Format: voluntarily read an e-book version of the novel from NetGalley (requested after the pub date)
Should I read in order?
I believe this is a stand alone or first in a future series.
Basic plot:
Charlotte has just been informed she is betrothed – whether she wants to be or not. She simply must prove her future spouse is too awful to marry and engages in his brother’s assistance.
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance (I couldn’t peg the date, but maybe Georgian? Pre-Regency?)
- brother’s best friend
- villain to defeat
- pets/animals in the story – a parrot and a monkey are featured
- doctor, author and spy hero
- no steam on page but there’s multiple kisses
Ages:
- Heroine is 25, didn’t catch hero (but I think he’s a similar age, as his older brother is 29
First line:
“This gown will be perfect for the betrothal ball.”
My thoughts:
I really appreciated the humor in this one. At some points it maybe felt a bit over the top but it was still enjoyable. The animal friends were hilarious.
I definitely wanted more steam. There were quite a few kisses though!
Overall I liked her writing and fast pace of the story. I definitely want steam in my books at this point, so I’m not sure if I would read her again. Maybe I’d pick up a novella. Those that don’t mind lower steam might really enjoy this romp though. It has a lot to enjoy.
Minor complaint
The start of the book has a scene with the heroine basically running away from her family in the middle of a dress fitting – I was a bit unsettled this was never addressed or returned to. Her mother seemed over the top and controlling, so I was very curious what her reaction was to Charlotte’s behavior that day. I was surprised when we are told she is just back to living with her parents because I took it has she was escaping them forever…
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of crime and murder
- scenes of medical work, blood, cannulas, etc
- gunshot wound on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No sex!
Hows the consent? It’s good
I didn’t end up marking the pages for kisses, but they start maybe halfway or a bit later?
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (for kisses)
Sex Scene Length: No sex scenes on page
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): No on page steam
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: Takes a little bit, about 12% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, not too far in the future
Format: voluntarily read an e-book version of the novel from NetGalley (requested after the pub date)
Should I read in order?
I believe this is a stand alone or first in a future series.
Basic plot:
Charlotte has just been informed she is betrothed – whether she wants to be or not. She simply must prove her future spouse is too awful to marry and engages in his brother’s assistance.
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance (I couldn’t peg the date, but maybe Georgian? Pre-Regency?)
- brother’s best friend
- villain to defeat
- pets/animals in the story – a parrot and a monkey are featured
- doctor, author and spy hero
- no steam on page but there’s multiple kisses
Ages:
- Heroine is 25, didn’t catch hero (but I think he’s a similar age, as his older brother is 29
First line:
“This gown will be perfect for the betrothal ball.”
My thoughts:
I really appreciated the humor in this one. At some points it maybe felt a bit over the top but it was still enjoyable. The animal friends were hilarious.
I definitely wanted more steam. There were quite a few kisses though!
Overall I liked her writing and fast pace of the story. I definitely want steam in my books at this point, so I’m not sure if I would read her again. Maybe I’d pick up a novella. Those that don’t mind lower steam might really enjoy this romp though. It has a lot to enjoy.
Minor complaint
The start of the book has a scene with the heroine basically running away from her family in the middle of a dress fitting – I was a bit unsettled this was never addressed or returned to. Her mother seemed over the top and controlling, so I was very curious what her reaction was to Charlotte’s behavior that day. I was surprised when we are told she is just back to living with her parents because I took it has she was escaping them forever…
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of crime and murder
- scenes of medical work, blood, cannulas, etc
- gunshot wound on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
I didn’t end up marking the pages for kisses, but they start maybe halfway or a bit later?
Fated to the Alien Grump by Erin Hale
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (In all of these, I find myself wanting just a bit more character depth, more background)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (I think there was a good build up here!)
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (about average?)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit – about 18% in (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, but it’s a preview in the next book’s character, Sage. The last chapter of the book is kind of like an epilogue though, taking place a week in the future from the end of the story.
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book format
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes because you’ll gain knowledge of the clan and characters as well as a bit of world building. But I did love that Hale started this one with a bit of a prologue that sets up Maeve leaving Earth and coming to Tavikh so it doesn’t start you off in the middle of the world (like book 2 did a bit). If you want the full story, you can also get Fated to the Lost Warrior as a newsletter grab freebie (which is the prequel novella).
Basic plot:
Maeve is aboard the ship bound for Tavikh under a new name and is hoping for a new life
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting (primitive)
- this takes place in a futuristic time period (Earth is sending people to populate the planet Tavikh)
- alien hero/human heroine
- fated mates
- denial of a fated mate bond (she doesn’t just give in when it happens)
- survival themes
- hero runs the forge
- heroine has abuse and trauma from a prior relationship to overcome
- heroine nurses hero back to health
- slower burn
- found family vibes for heroine (with the other females on the planet)
- virgin hero
- scarred hero
- lower to mid steam – 2 full scenes (but it feels like a touch lower page count)
Ages:
- Didn’t catch either?
First line:
Sweat trickles down my back and nausea churns in my stomach.
My thoughts:
I love that Hale included not only content warnings for her books, but also a note on chapter 1 that if the book opens to this page, the content warnings are available in previous pages. I personally have not come across triggers or content that bothers me, but I like to be cognizant of it for others and really appreciate Hale’s extra touch of empathy here (especially because many times e-books open after where content warnings are usually placed)
I was worried about getting into this one because Benham and Maeve are not together too often in the beginning of the book. It takes about 35-40% until they really start interacting and I was foaming at the mouth for them to be on page together more 😂 When they are together it’s perfection!
Benham is so deliciously gentle with Maeve, and so sweet. I loved their progression to getting to know each other and slowly opening up. Slower burns with tension build up are my favorite and I found that here. I still think I like the prequel novella just a bit more (Fated to the Lost Warrior) but this is a close second. I ended up really loving this couple.
Cock/Hero Stats: (some of this is taken from prior books about the culture and may not be specifically mentioned in this novel)
- mating bonds are never broken, even in death. If either dies, their mate follows them on their journey to the lands of Deeka
- They have a belief system of ‘gods’ that’s integrated through their thought process but not overwhelming (mention of Deeka blessing them/prayers sent)
- translators are used and gets most language across but there are some nuances that are lost
- hero smells faintly like chocolate
- hero’s cock has nodes that run the length of it and fill with ‘mating fluid’
- cock has a head that is flared and shaped like upside down umbrella
- when the mating nodes open there are tiny hairs that release a fluid that enhances pleasure
- yellow eyes with vertical pupils
Endearments
The heroes call their mates ‘keeshla’.
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
“Benham?”
He stops hammering and gives me his full attention.
“Would it be okay if I...if I touched you?”
“Is that what you would like to do?”
No. Yes. Maybe. My hands shake and I clench and unclench my fists. “I think so.”
“My Maeve,” Benham says softly and hearing him call me his makes my stomach flip-flop in a weird way. “I would like nothing more than that, but I want you to know that you want to, not just think you do. When you can say yes without hesitation, then I welcome all of your touches.”
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- parental death
- remembrance of an abusive relationship for the heroine on Earth, including physical abuse
- some brief mentions of furs/hunting for food
- mention of prior attacks on the village but nothing on page
- implied rape of heroine by her boyfriend
- side character remembers her sisters suicide
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No
Hows the consent? It’s very good! The hero is gentle and asks and goes slow to make sure the heroine feels safe
54% - kiss
61% - kisses
67% - kisses, light touches
84% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
94% - 🔥 dirty talking hero, oral for her, missionary with tail play on the clit
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (In all of these, I find myself wanting just a bit more character depth, more background)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (I think there was a good build up here!)
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (about average?)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a bit – about 18% in (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, but it’s a preview in the next book’s character, Sage. The last chapter of the book is kind of like an epilogue though, taking place a week in the future from the end of the story.
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book format
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes because you’ll gain knowledge of the clan and characters as well as a bit of world building. But I did love that Hale started this one with a bit of a prologue that sets up Maeve leaving Earth and coming to Tavikh so it doesn’t start you off in the middle of the world (like book 2 did a bit). If you want the full story, you can also get Fated to the Lost Warrior as a newsletter grab freebie (which is the prequel novella).
Basic plot:
Maeve is aboard the ship bound for Tavikh under a new name and is hoping for a new life
Give this a try if you want:
- science fiction romance
- alien setting (primitive)
- this takes place in a futuristic time period (Earth is sending people to populate the planet Tavikh)
- alien hero/human heroine
- fated mates
- denial of a fated mate bond (she doesn’t just give in when it happens)
- survival themes
- hero runs the forge
- heroine has abuse and trauma from a prior relationship to overcome
- heroine nurses hero back to health
- slower burn
- found family vibes for heroine (with the other females on the planet)
-
- scarred hero
- lower to mid steam – 2 full scenes (but it feels like a touch lower page count)
Ages:
- Didn’t catch either?
First line:
Sweat trickles down my back and nausea churns in my stomach.
My thoughts:
I love that Hale included not only content warnings for her books, but also a note on chapter 1 that if the book opens to this page, the content warnings are available in previous pages. I personally have not come across triggers or content that bothers me, but I like to be cognizant of it for others and really appreciate Hale’s extra touch of empathy here (especially because many times e-books open after where content warnings are usually placed)
I was worried about getting into this one because Benham and Maeve are not together too often in the beginning of the book. It takes about 35-40% until they really start interacting and I was foaming at the mouth for them to be on page together more 😂 When they are together it’s perfection!
Benham is so deliciously gentle with Maeve, and so sweet. I loved their progression to getting to know each other and slowly opening up. Slower burns with tension build up are my favorite and I found that here. I still think I like the prequel novella just a bit more (Fated to the Lost Warrior) but this is a close second. I ended up really loving this couple.
Cock/Hero Stats: (some of this is taken from prior books about the culture and may not be specifically mentioned in this novel)
- mating bonds are never broken, even in death. If either dies, their mate follows them on their journey to the lands of Deeka
- They have a belief system of ‘gods’ that’s integrated through their thought process but not overwhelming (mention of Deeka blessing them/prayers sent)
- translators are used and gets most language across but there are some nuances that are lost
- hero smells faintly like chocolate
- hero’s cock has nodes that run the length of it and fill with ‘mating fluid’
- cock has a head that is flared and shaped like upside down umbrella
- when the mating nodes open there are tiny hairs that release a fluid that enhances pleasure
- yellow eyes with vertical pupils
Endearments
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
“Benham?”
He stops hammering and gives me his full attention.
“Would it be okay if I...if I touched you?”
“Is that what you would like to do?”
No. Yes. Maybe. My hands shake and I clench and unclench my fists. “I think so.”
“My Maeve,” Benham says softly and hearing him call me his makes my stomach flip-flop in a weird way. “I would like nothing more than that, but I want you to know that you want to, not just think you do. When you can say yes without hesitation, then I welcome all of your touches.”
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- parental death
- remembrance of an abusive relationship for the heroine on Earth, including physical abuse
- some brief mentions of furs/hunting for food
- mention of prior attacks on the village but nothing on page
- implied rape of heroine by her boyfriend
- side character remembers her sisters suicide
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
54% - kiss
61% - kisses
67% - kisses, light touches
84% - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
94% - 🔥 dirty talking hero, oral for her, missionary with tail play on the clit
Time to love a duke by Lavinia Glen
slow-paced
3.75
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (how can you deny the love through the centuries being romantic???)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I didn’t connect as well with this steamy scenes as I was hoping. Not sure why! It might just be a ‘me’ thing right now)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (they vary a bit)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine (and a touch from a side character)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? probably on the slower end
When mains are first on page together: Not too long, about 3% (chapter 2)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a month later (plus an additional bonus epilogue offered to readers at the end of the book via bookfunnel link)
Format: bought e-book
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Glen’s Love Through Time series.
Basic plot:
Olivia travels to England on behalf of a client for an estate but gets pulled back to Victorian England.
Give this a try if you want:
- time travel romance
- Victorian setting (mostly) - 1872
- divorced heroine
- architecture and design heroine
- Duke hero
- bit of hero nurses hero back to health
- widower hero (his wife passed 7 years ago)
- only one horse
- current day technology comes with to the past
- celibate hero (it’s been years)
- hero plays piano
- marriage of convenience-ish
- skinny dipping
- higher steam – 7ish scenes plus some shorter scenes I didn’t count as ‘full’
Ages:
- Heroine is 32, hero is 38
First line:
“In one hundred feet, turn left.”
My thoughts:
I am always looking for more time travels so I was happy to try this one by Glen. I think this one was interesting because the hero was in on the heroine being from the future almost from the beginning so we didn’t have any secret keeping until the very end and I found that refreshing! I was also rather fun how so much of the heroine’s contemporary objects/technology came with her.
I enjoyed both main characters in this novel. Olivia is a divorced architect and Dale is a Duke that takes his responsibilities to his dukedom seriously. I enjoyed learning about Dale’s past and the resolution to that quite a bit but I did find some parts of story lagging. It was probably directly related to personal life stress and mood though, but I found myself setting this one down a lot and telling myself to pick it back up.
This one did introduce some side characters that were quite fascinating to me, and I’m very curious where the next book will take us (as they are the mains). The ending was different and fun. Overall this was a pretty unique time travel! Those looking for some high steam Victorian fun with a contemporary heroine should give this one a go.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Taking a firm grip, she tipped his head back, forcing him to look up at her. Biting her lip, she moved forward until she hovered only mere millimeters from his ear. “Tell me, Dale, do you like to be dominated...or to be the dominator?”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- sibling death
- death of spouse
- mention of heroine’s husband cheating on her
- mention of a period of infertility
- hero’s marriage had issues and they didn’t get along – remembrances of unsatisfactory sex scenes between them, and her death while she was pregnant
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Not for the first 4 or so penetration scenes, but then he starts pulling out to protect against pregnancy
Hows the consent? It’s good!
14% - kiss
23% - heroine self pleasure but it’s pretty short
24% - 🔥 hero self pleasure – it’s still pretty short but a bit longer than the prior scene and I decided to count it as a full one
Just imagining her naked and wet, all slippery from the soap, drove him wild.
Leaning his back against the closed door, listening to her in the bathtub, he grabbed himself.
29% - kiss
34% - kisses and touches
43% - 🔥 fingering for her in the music room then they move the bedroom, oral for her
46% - followed by a spooning sex scene
50% - 🔥 kisses, doggy
“Get on the bed. On your hands and knees.”
52% - 🔥 kisses, oral for her
55% - kisses
61% - kisses, her on top on the sofa (on the short side)
64% - mention of sex
73% - kisses
76% - 🔥 spooning sex
80% - 🔥 bondage scene – the hero ties the heroine to the bed, candle play (hero penetrates the heroine with a candle stick), missionary
95% - 🔥 bj followed by shower sex with anal fingering
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (how can you deny the love through the centuries being romantic???)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I didn’t connect as well with this steamy scenes as I was hoping. Not sure why! It might just be a ‘me’ thing right now)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (they vary a bit)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine (and a touch from a side character)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? probably on the slower end
When mains are first on page together: Not too long, about 3% (chapter 2)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a month later (plus an additional bonus epilogue offered to readers at the end of the book via bookfunnel link)
Format: bought e-book
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Glen’s Love Through Time series.
Basic plot:
Olivia travels to England on behalf of a client for an estate but gets pulled back to Victorian England.
Give this a try if you want:
- time travel romance
- Victorian setting (mostly) - 1872
- divorced heroine
- architecture and design heroine
- Duke hero
- bit of hero nurses hero back to health
- widower hero (his wife passed 7 years ago)
- only one horse
- current day technology comes with to the past
- celibate hero (it’s been years)
- hero plays piano
- marriage of convenience-ish
- skinny dipping
- higher steam – 7ish scenes plus some shorter scenes I didn’t count as ‘full’
Ages:
- Heroine is 32, hero is 38
First line:
“In one hundred feet, turn left.”
My thoughts:
I am always looking for more time travels so I was happy to try this one by Glen. I think this one was interesting because the hero was in on the heroine being from the future almost from the beginning so we didn’t have any secret keeping until the very end and I found that refreshing! I was also rather fun how so much of the heroine’s contemporary objects/technology came with her.
I enjoyed both main characters in this novel. Olivia is a divorced architect and Dale is a Duke that takes his responsibilities to his dukedom seriously. I enjoyed learning about Dale’s past and the resolution to that quite a bit but I did find some parts of story lagging. It was probably directly related to personal life stress and mood though, but I found myself setting this one down a lot and telling myself to pick it back up.
This one did introduce some side characters that were quite fascinating to me, and I’m very curious where the next book will take us (as they are the mains). The ending was different and fun. Overall this was a pretty unique time travel! Those looking for some high steam Victorian fun with a contemporary heroine should give this one a go.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Taking a firm grip, she tipped his head back, forcing him to look up at her. Biting her lip, she moved forward until she hovered only mere millimeters from his ear. “Tell me, Dale, do you like to be dominated...or to be the dominator?”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- sibling death
- death of spouse
- mention of heroine’s husband cheating on her
- mention of a period of infertility
- hero’s marriage had issues and they didn’t get along – remembrances of unsatisfactory sex scenes between them, and her death while she was pregnant
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
14% - kiss
23% - heroine self pleasure but it’s pretty short
24% - 🔥 hero self pleasure – it’s still pretty short but a bit longer than the prior scene and I decided to count it as a full one
Just imagining her naked and wet, all slippery from the soap, drove him wild.
Leaning his back against the closed door, listening to her in the bathtub, he grabbed himself.
29% - kiss
34% - kisses and touches
43% - 🔥 fingering for her in the music room then they move the bedroom, oral for her
46% - followed by a spooning sex scene
50% - 🔥 kisses, doggy
“Get on the bed. On your hands and knees.”
52% - 🔥 kisses, oral for her
55% - kisses
61% - kisses, her on top on the sofa (on the short side)
64% - mention of sex
73% - kisses
76% - 🔥 spooning sex
80% - 🔥 bondage scene – the hero ties the heroine to the bed, candle play (hero penetrates the heroine with a candle stick), missionary
95% - 🔥 bj followed by shower sex with anal fingering
My Fair Katie by Shana Galen
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (Some are average, some are on the shorter side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (being a bit generous because one is short)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the heroine and hero
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a little bit, about 14%
Cliffhanger: No, their relationship ends on a happy for now (and marriage) but a few plot things with the curse are unresolved (just like book 1, I’m sure the ending curse breaking will be in the final book)
Epilogue: No, but the ending has a bit of a wrap up.
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Should I read in order?
I think it might be better in order because you’ll get the full prologue with the boy’s backstory and how the curse happens. This story also mentions King a bit and his dire straights, which you’ll understand if you read book 1. If you decide to read out of order, you get a brief recap though so you shouldn’t be confused. But you will miss out on a lot of the suspense and danger of the way the curse feels...
Basic plot:
Kate is basically a prisoner in her new country home her father won in a bet. But she wasn’t aware the prior owner (and duke) is now homeless and living with his mother in the dower house.
Give this a try if you want:
- Historical – I couldn’t peg the date?
- rival families – the two families wronged each other long ago during the French revolution
- heroine has a large birthmark on her face that she is self conscious about and her father has hidden her away from society
- artist heroine – heroine is a painter but has been forbidden to paint by her father
- bit of a size difference – heroine is 5 ½ ‘ tall and hero is 6’
- one horse
- bit of enemies to lovers – heroine thinks the hero has not been a good caretaker of his home and tenants and doesn’t like him
- medium steam – 3-4 scenes but some might be on the short side
Ages:
- Heroine is 21, hero is 30
First line:
The first time Henry’s life flashed before his eyes, he was thirteen, drenched and cold, shivering in the wilds of Scotland.
My thoughts:
I * mostly * loved this story! I enjoyed so much about book 1 of this series, and was curious how the curse would play out so I was eager to pick this one up.
This had so much to love in it. I loved the country setting and the close proximity of Henry and Katie. I loved the push back Katie gave Henry and how she pushed him to be a better version of himself. Henry’s mother is a side character here and I adored time with her too!
Henry is a hard man to love, but very real and raw. He has lost everything due to his gambling addiction. And it was hard to read in some instances. I struggled a bit with Henry having a break down so late in the story – but I do think this shows the realness of addiction problems, the constant pull and battle to overcome. And in romance we see a lot of curing impossible odds with love and I’m sure that can get tiring in regards to representation.
I adored Katie. She has been kept hidden by her father due to her large birthmark on her face and is self conscious about being uncovered. Henry’s mother’s influence on Katie was lovely and she was the motherly figure Katie needed.
I was left needing a bit more of a solid epilogue, but I am hoping that comes with the series end.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Katie says this to Carlyle and I felt a kinship with her about my husbands long stories 😂
“I don’t care about this story.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- some toxic family relationships – the heroine’s father basically imprisons her in the country
- mention of parental death
- mention of abuse a boys school
- some light supernatural elements that include a curse
- gambling addition
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No? It’s kind of vague
Hows the consent? It’s good!
Pg 82/208 – kiss
Pg 99/208 – kiss
Pg 120/208 – 🔥 kiss, oral for her
Pg 128/208 – brief kiss
Pg 129/208 – 🔥 kisses, breast play, oral for her
Pg 149/208 – 🔥 fingering for her then missionary that stops because she’s in pain
Pg 175/208 – 🔥 oral for her, missionary (it’s a bit short) followed by spooning in bed sex
Pg 202/208 – kiss, bj but it’s only a few sentences
Pg 204/208 – her on top (again it’s quite short)
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (Some are average, some are on the shorter side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (being a bit generous because one is short)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the heroine and hero
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: It takes a little bit, about 14%
Cliffhanger: No, their relationship ends on a happy for now (and marriage) but a few plot things with the curse are unresolved (just like book 1, I’m sure the ending curse breaking will be in the final book)
Epilogue: No, but the ending has a bit of a wrap up.
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Should I read in order?
I think it might be better in order because you’ll get the full prologue with the boy’s backstory and how the curse happens. This story also mentions King a bit and his dire straights, which you’ll understand if you read book 1. If you decide to read out of order, you get a brief recap though so you shouldn’t be confused. But you will miss out on a lot of the suspense and danger of the way the curse feels...
Basic plot:
Kate is basically a prisoner in her new country home her father won in a bet. But she wasn’t aware the prior owner (and duke) is now homeless and living with his mother in the dower house.
Give this a try if you want:
- Historical – I couldn’t peg the date?
- rival families – the two families wronged each other long ago during the French revolution
- heroine has a large birthmark on her face that she is self conscious about and her father has hidden her away from society
- artist heroine – heroine is a painter but has been forbidden to paint by her father
- bit of a size difference – heroine is 5 ½ ‘ tall and hero is 6’
- one horse
- bit of enemies to lovers – heroine thinks the hero has not been a good caretaker of his home and tenants and doesn’t like him
- medium steam – 3-4 scenes but some might be on the short side
Ages:
- Heroine is 21, hero is 30
First line:
The first time Henry’s life flashed before his eyes, he was thirteen, drenched and cold, shivering in the wilds of Scotland.
My thoughts:
I * mostly * loved this story! I enjoyed so much about book 1 of this series, and was curious how the curse would play out so I was eager to pick this one up.
This had so much to love in it. I loved the country setting and the close proximity of Henry and Katie. I loved the push back Katie gave Henry and how she pushed him to be a better version of himself. Henry’s mother is a side character here and I adored time with her too!
Henry is a hard man to love, but very real and raw. He has lost everything due to his gambling addiction. And it was hard to read in some instances. I struggled a bit with Henry having a break down so late in the story – but I do think this shows the realness of addiction problems, the constant pull and battle to overcome. And in romance we see a lot of curing impossible odds with love and I’m sure that can get tiring in regards to representation.
I adored Katie. She has been kept hidden by her father due to her large birthmark on her face and is self conscious about being uncovered. Henry’s mother’s influence on Katie was lovely and she was the motherly figure Katie needed.
I was left needing a bit more of a solid epilogue, but I am hoping that comes with the series end.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Katie says this to Carlyle and I felt a kinship with her about my husbands long stories 😂
“I don’t care about this story.”
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- some toxic family relationships – the heroine’s father basically imprisons her in the country
- mention of parental death
- mention of abuse a boys school
- some light supernatural elements that include a curse
- gambling addition
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
Pg 82/208 – kiss
Pg 99/208 – kiss
Pg 120/208 – 🔥 kiss, oral for her
Pg 128/208 – brief kiss
Pg 129/208 – 🔥 kisses, breast play, oral for her
Pg 149/208 – 🔥 fingering for her then missionary that stops because she’s in pain
Pg 175/208 – 🔥 oral for her, missionary (it’s a bit short) followed by spooning in bed sex
Pg 202/208 – kiss, bj but it’s only a few sentences
Pg 204/208 – her on top (again it’s quite short)
Hell of a Lady by Annabelle Anders
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (for kisses and partial)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): (There is only an interrupted partial scene)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately (chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audio from the library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
I would say yes. The events of the series are referenced, there’s character cross over, and this book and book 3 kind of happen concurrently in parts so I think it might flow better to read in order. (Though for a rebel reader, it’s still doable. There’s nothing ongoing in the series that will be confusing without the prior books)
Basic plot:
Rhoda has almost given up on finding a marriage prospect when an awful bet is placed at a men’s club and she starts getting harassed. Justin must marry for money, but his honor calls for him to protect penniless Rhoda...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- vicar turned Earl hero
- bet made against the heroine’s virtue is a plot point
- compromised heroine
- house party
- low steam – there’s quite a few kisses but only a partial scene and nothing complete for a sex act in this story
Ages:
- I didn’t catch them. If I had to guess, I’d guess Rhoda was around 20, maybe mid 20s and Justin was late 20s?
First line:
“I don’t understand it, Emily.”
My thoughts:
I think what really threw me for a loop with this one was I didn’t realize there was a novella attached to the end of my hoopla audio. So, I was glancing at the percentage and waiting to get to the ‘good part’ where they actually come together, and the book ended. And I was totally unprepared for that and it felt really abrupt to me (but I might have just been deluding myself because of the percentages…)
I did like this one – Rhoda and Justin are both needing to marry for money. Rhoda has hardly any dowry to offer so she is struggling to find a marriage match. Justin never thought he would become an Earl – he lived a simple life as a vicar before all this – but finds he desperately needs money to help his tenants and work on his estate. And they come together rather unexpectedly.
I love compromised heroine. It’s one of my favorite historical tropes. I liked both mains but I found myself not loving them. Rhoda did annoy me a touch, but I’m not sure why – maybe the way she said hurtful things and was prepared to go with another guy. Justin was enjoyable but a bit too wishy washy for me.
I was SO disappointed there wasn’t a full steamy scene. I was ready for it. And it ended without one and I was so confused.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- quite a few scenes of attempted assault
- remembrances of various plot points from prior books that include death and cheating
- remembrance of heroine being basically used and lied to (she gave her prior love her virginity and he ghosted her then died)
- death of prior significant other in a carriage accident
- mention of heroine’s mother having a bad marriage
- brief mention of thoughts of suicide
- mention of hero’s mother having to sell her body to feed them
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No? There's penetration on page, but not to completion
Hows the consent? It's good
Note that these percentages are OFF from this story as a whole because the audiobook version I was listening to had a novella attached to the ending chapters
23% - house party kiss
41% - kisses
52% - kisses
63% - kisses
68% - kisses and start of a sex scene (sex against a wall maybe?) but the heroine’s mother walks in
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (for kisses and partial)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): (There is only an interrupted partial scene)
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately (chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to audio from the library (Hoopla)
Should I read in order?
I would say yes. The events of the series are referenced, there’s character cross over, and this book and book 3 kind of happen concurrently in parts so I think it might flow better to read in order. (Though for a rebel reader, it’s still doable. There’s nothing ongoing in the series that will be confusing without the prior books)
Basic plot:
Rhoda has almost given up on finding a marriage prospect when an awful bet is placed at a men’s club and she starts getting harassed. Justin must marry for money, but his honor calls for him to protect penniless Rhoda...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- vicar turned Earl hero
- bet made against the heroine’s virtue is a plot point
- compromised heroine
- house party
- low steam – there’s quite a few kisses but only a partial scene and nothing complete for a sex act in this story
Ages:
- I didn’t catch them. If I had to guess, I’d guess Rhoda was around 20, maybe mid 20s and Justin was late 20s?
First line:
“I don’t understand it, Emily.”
My thoughts:
I think what really threw me for a loop with this one was I didn’t realize there was a novella attached to the end of my hoopla audio. So, I was glancing at the percentage and waiting to get to the ‘good part’ where they actually come together, and the book ended. And I was totally unprepared for that and it felt really abrupt to me (but I might have just been deluding myself because of the percentages…)
I did like this one – Rhoda and Justin are both needing to marry for money. Rhoda has hardly any dowry to offer so she is struggling to find a marriage match. Justin never thought he would become an Earl – he lived a simple life as a vicar before all this – but finds he desperately needs money to help his tenants and work on his estate. And they come together rather unexpectedly.
I love compromised heroine. It’s one of my favorite historical tropes. I liked both mains but I found myself not loving them. Rhoda did annoy me a touch, but I’m not sure why – maybe the way she said hurtful things and was prepared to go with another guy. Justin was enjoyable but a bit too wishy washy for me.
I was SO disappointed there wasn’t a full steamy scene. I was ready for it. And it ended without one and I was so confused.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- quite a few scenes of attempted assault
- remembrances of various plot points from prior books that include death and cheating
- remembrance of heroine being basically used and lied to (she gave her prior love her virginity and he ghosted her then died)
- death of prior significant other in a carriage accident
- mention of heroine’s mother having a bad marriage
- brief mention of thoughts of suicide
- mention of hero’s mother having to sell her body to feed them
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
Note that these percentages are OFF from this story as a whole because the audiobook version I was listening to had a novella attached to the ending chapters
23% - house party kiss
41% - kisses
52% - kisses
63% - kisses
68% - kisses and start of a sex scene (sex against a wall maybe?) but the heroine’s mother walks in
Hell Hath Frozen Over by Annabelle Anders
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: no
Format: listened to the audiobook from the library (Hoopla) as an add on of Hell in a Hand Basket (it’s also on for audible plus membership listens)
Should I read in order?
I think so yes – if you think you will read this series in entirety it’s better in order for sure. If you are just looking for a novella and won’t return to the series, you could grab this one alone without confusion. (To explain: This story’s heroine, Loretta, was Sophia’s mother in law in her story (which is Hell in a Hand Basket (book 2) and there is references to what happens in that story. Overall there’s not a ton of character cross over though, it’s more the order of events and how they are referenced in future stories but generally this one will be best in order in the series.
Basic plot:
When Thomas is considering buying property to be closer to his grandchildren, Loretta offers to travel with him to check the property
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- holiday themes
- older mains – heroine is 43 and hero is a similar age (grandparents)
- widowed duchess heroine (18 months since passing)
- widower hero
- bit of class difference – Duchess heroine and ‘man made for labor’
- average novella steam – 1 scene
Ages:
- Heroine is 43, hero is a ‘similar age’
First line:
Loretta reached down to examine the near perfect leaf that had fallen from the tree.
My thoughts:
I loved this novella so, so much. It was so sweet. If you’ve read the series in order, then you got to know Loretta in book 2 as a side character with a decent amount of page time. And you go through her series of losses that affect her greatly. You are just wanting her to have a HEA so badly!
I loved her pairing with Thomas. He’s a bit rough around the edges and pushes her a bit out of her comfort zone but also lifts her up and gives her confidence that she needs after her rather lackluster marriage (there was love but they weren’t IN love).
Super sweet read! I have one more novella for this series to finish. And I plan on reading more by Anders for sure.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- remembrance of an unsettled marriage
- death of spouse and children remembered
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No
Hows the consent? It’s good – the heroine is a bit reluctant but she struggles with confidence after being married to a gay man and never feeling loved – the hero doesn’t push, he asks
My locations are not accurate because I listened to the audio as an add on to a prior book in the series so I will just note the acts
- kisses
- 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: no
Format: listened to the audiobook from the library (Hoopla) as an add on of Hell in a Hand Basket (it’s also on for audible plus membership listens)
Should I read in order?
I think so yes – if you think you will read this series in entirety it’s better in order for sure. If you are just looking for a novella and won’t return to the series, you could grab this one alone without confusion. (To explain: This story’s heroine, Loretta, was Sophia’s mother in law in her story (which is Hell in a Hand Basket (book 2) and there is references to what happens in that story. Overall there’s not a ton of character cross over though, it’s more the order of events and how they are referenced in future stories but generally this one will be best in order in the series.
Basic plot:
When Thomas is considering buying property to be closer to his grandchildren, Loretta offers to travel with him to check the property
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- holiday themes
- older mains – heroine is 43 and hero is a similar age (grandparents)
- widowed duchess heroine (18 months since passing)
- widower hero
- bit of class difference – Duchess heroine and ‘man made for labor’
- average novella steam – 1 scene
Ages:
- Heroine is 43, hero is a ‘similar age’
First line:
Loretta reached down to examine the near perfect leaf that had fallen from the tree.
My thoughts:
I loved this novella so, so much. It was so sweet. If you’ve read the series in order, then you got to know Loretta in book 2 as a side character with a decent amount of page time. And you go through her series of losses that affect her greatly. You are just wanting her to have a HEA so badly!
I loved her pairing with Thomas. He’s a bit rough around the edges and pushes her a bit out of her comfort zone but also lifts her up and gives her confidence that she needs after her rather lackluster marriage (there was love but they weren’t IN love).
Super sweet read! I have one more novella for this series to finish. And I plan on reading more by Anders for sure.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- remembrance of an unsettled marriage
- death of spouse and children remembered
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
My locations are not accurate because I listened to the audio as an add on to a prior book in the series so I will just note the acts
- kisses
- 🔥 kisses, fingering for her, missionary
To Hell and Back by Annabelle Anders
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
Overall: 4.5 rounded ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (Maybe a bit more for the heroine if you read the prior books)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Not much
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla) – it was an add on ending to one of the audiobooks earlier in the series
Should I read in order?
I think so yes – if you think you will read this series in entirety it’s better in order for sure. If you are just looking for a novella and won’t return, you could grab this one alone without confusion. (To explain: This story’s heroine, Eve, is Rhodas mother (who is the heroine from the prior book Hell of a Lady (book 4) and there is references to what happens in that story. And Rhoda’s story happens kind of concurrently with book 3, Hell’s Belle and is probably best to read that one first. But then you’ll want to read book 2, Hell in a Hand Basket before book 3 because book 3 gives away a lot of the plot points of that book...Overall there’s not a ton of character cross over though, it’s more the order of events and how they are referenced in future stories)
Basic plot:
When Eve’s husband passes, she finds she can rely on her man of business for so much more than she thought...
Give this a try if you want:
- this is historical but I couldn’t place a time period – maybe Regency?
- widow and mother heroine
- working class hero – he is the family’s man of business
- some unrequited longing from the hero
- novella
- light road trip feels
- celibate heroine
- celibate hero
- average novella steam (one scene)
Ages:
- Didn’t catch but they are older – I would guess the youngest would be late 30s but maybe early to mid 40s (heroine has a grown daughter that is featured in book 4)
First line:
“Ma’am, please sit down.”
My thoughts:
I loved this novella!!! I didn’t realize at first how these characters related into the story, but once I realized she was Rhoda’s mother I loved it even more. She has some page time in Rhoda’s story and we know her marriage was not a happy one, so I am loving seeing her get her own HEA.
This is a novella and has some decent road trip vibes – the heroine’s husband has passed and she brings her man of business for the viewing and making sure everything is in order, legally. I ate up the unrequited love the hero felt for the heroine and how protective and gentle he was with her.
Overall, this was a lovely and quick read! I think I would have loved one more steamy scene between them after everything was kind of ‘sorted out’ but that’s okay.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of abuse and almost death from husband
- death of spouse (it was not a happy marriage)
- mention of opium usage
- carriage accident on page
- forced drugging of the heroine
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Just a fingering scene
Hows the consent? It’s good!
My percentages would be way off because I listened to an audio of the novella at the end of another full book in the series so I’m just going to note the acts
- kiss
- 🔥 kisses, fingering for her
- start of a scene, but the hero was injured and his ribs hurt so they end it
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (Maybe a bit more for the heroine if you read the prior books)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Not much
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: listened to audiobook from the library (Hoopla) – it was an add on ending to one of the audiobooks earlier in the series
Should I read in order?
I think so yes – if you think you will read this series in entirety it’s better in order for sure. If you are just looking for a novella and won’t return, you could grab this one alone without confusion. (To explain: This story’s heroine, Eve, is Rhodas mother (who is the heroine from the prior book Hell of a Lady (book 4) and there is references to what happens in that story. And Rhoda’s story happens kind of concurrently with book 3, Hell’s Belle and is probably best to read that one first. But then you’ll want to read book 2, Hell in a Hand Basket before book 3 because book 3 gives away a lot of the plot points of that book...Overall there’s not a ton of character cross over though, it’s more the order of events and how they are referenced in future stories)
Basic plot:
When Eve’s husband passes, she finds she can rely on her man of business for so much more than she thought...
Give this a try if you want:
- this is historical but I couldn’t place a time period – maybe Regency?
- widow and mother heroine
- working class hero – he is the family’s man of business
- some unrequited longing from the hero
- novella
- light road trip feels
- celibate heroine
- celibate hero
- average novella steam (one scene)
Ages:
- Didn’t catch but they are older – I would guess the youngest would be late 30s but maybe early to mid 40s (heroine has a grown daughter that is featured in book 4)
First line:
“Ma’am, please sit down.”
My thoughts:
I loved this novella!!! I didn’t realize at first how these characters related into the story, but once I realized she was Rhoda’s mother I loved it even more. She has some page time in Rhoda’s story and we know her marriage was not a happy one, so I am loving seeing her get her own HEA.
This is a novella and has some decent road trip vibes – the heroine’s husband has passed and she brings her man of business for the viewing and making sure everything is in order, legally. I ate up the unrequited love the hero felt for the heroine and how protective and gentle he was with her.
Overall, this was a lovely and quick read! I think I would have loved one more steamy scene between them after everything was kind of ‘sorted out’ but that’s okay.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of abuse and almost death from husband
- death of spouse (it was not a happy marriage)
- mention of opium usage
- carriage accident on page
- forced drugging of the heroine
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
My percentages would be way off because I listened to an audio of the novella at the end of another full book in the series so I’m just going to note the acts
- kiss
- 🔥 kisses, fingering for her
- start of a scene, but the hero was injured and his ribs hurt so they end it
The Prince's Runaway Lover by Robin Covington
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted just a bit more emotional pull)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (Always hard to tell for me on audio but felt about average)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? probably character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: not too far in, chapter 2
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 6 months later
Format: listened to audiobook through library (hoopla)
Should I read in order?
This is part of the Men of the Zodiac series by different authors and seemed fine to pick up alone.
Basic plot:
Nicholas must find a bride, but it certainly cannot be his irresistible gardener...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- fictional country – Callanos
- workplace romance (bit of employer/employee)
- gardener heroine
- prince hero
- hero needs a wife
- secret identity
- triathlete
- divorced heroine
- pierced hero
- tattooed hero
- medium steam – 2 scenes but the page count felt a bit lower
Ages:
- Didn’t see them mentioned but would guess late 20s, early 30s
First line:
The pounding on the door was seriously messing up his rhythm.
My thoughts:
Overall this was a fun read. I haven’t tried Covington yet, but grabbed her as an option for an Indigenous author for the Diverse Baseline Challenge.
I liked the book, the characters were lovable. The steam was fun!
I did struggle a bit with the royalty aspect because it brought in quite a bit of political talk, and if the hero was fit to rule, including people scheming behind the hero’s back and I wasn’t into that. But the book was on the shorter side and a nice read. I’d definitely read more by Covington!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of father having alzheimers
- death of brother and his wife
- refugee camps are mentioned and visited (and need extra funding/help as they are in bad shape)
- paparazzi danger/drama
- mention of family member getting cancer
- domestic abuse and violence remembered, remembered assault in self defense
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: Condoms used
Hows the consent? It’s good
Starts with a threesome sex scene (hero and two women) that’s interrupted
42% - kisses
52% - kisses that eventually lead to oral for her, hero as a pierced peen, bj (incomplete), missionary
77% - kisses, oral for her, her on top
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted just a bit more emotional pull)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (Always hard to tell for me on audio but felt about average)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? probably character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: not too far in, chapter 2
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 6 months later
Format: listened to audiobook through library (hoopla)
Should I read in order?
This is part of the Men of the Zodiac series by different authors and seemed fine to pick up alone.
Basic plot:
Nicholas must find a bride, but it certainly cannot be his irresistible gardener...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- fictional country – Callanos
- workplace romance (bit of employer/employee)
- gardener heroine
- prince hero
- hero needs a wife
- secret identity
- triathlete
- divorced heroine
- pierced hero
- tattooed hero
- medium steam – 2 scenes but the page count felt a bit lower
Ages:
- Didn’t see them mentioned but would guess late 20s, early 30s
First line:
The pounding on the door was seriously messing up his rhythm.
My thoughts:
Overall this was a fun read. I haven’t tried Covington yet, but grabbed her as an option for an Indigenous author for the Diverse Baseline Challenge.
I liked the book, the characters were lovable. The steam was fun!
I did struggle a bit with the royalty aspect because it brought in quite a bit of political talk, and if the hero was fit to rule, including people scheming behind the hero’s back and I wasn’t into that. But the book was on the shorter side and a nice read. I’d definitely read more by Covington!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- mention of father having alzheimers
- death of brother and his wife
- refugee camps are mentioned and visited (and need extra funding/help as they are in bad shape)
- paparazzi danger/drama
- mention of family member getting cancer
- domestic abuse and violence remembered, remembered assault in self defense
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
Starts with a threesome sex scene (hero and two women) that’s interrupted
42% - kisses
52% - kisses that eventually lead to oral for her, hero as a pierced peen, bj (incomplete), missionary
77% - kisses, oral for her, her on top
The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I kept putting this down and forcing myself to pick it back up)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 (I did get some angst!)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (I think it started out really strong for me but did fizzle by halfway dramatically for me. But the beginning was great!)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (Really loved how her steamy scenes were written!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from the heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium (maybe a bit slow in parts)
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in, about 3% (chapter 2)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few months in the future
Format: read e-book form from Kindle Unlimited
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Fenn’s Orc Sworn series.
Basic plot:
Grimarr wants revenge against Lord Norr, and kidnaps his wife in a raid.
Give this a try if you want:
- monster/fantasy romance
- this takes place in a fantasy realm similar to a medieval England
- orc hero / human heroine
- captured heroine
- unrequited longing (from the hero)
- pregnancy – very breeding kink
- revenge (hero wants revenge on the heroine’s husband)
- ravishment fantasy vibes
- enemies to lovers
- higher steam – 11 or so scenes
Ages:
- heroine is mid to late 20s? (Mentioned that her husband is nearing 40 and over a decade older than her)
First line:
Lord Norr was leaving.
My thoughts:
Well, I am sad I struggled with this one so much! I wasn’t sure what to expect – I have read a few orcs before and enjoyed but they didn’t have the, ahem, special ending bonus in bed that I’ve come to associate with Finley Fenn posts. So I had to try it!
Now, I think the sex in this book was one of my favorite parts. I loved how focused she was on the emotions AND the details. So. Many. Details. And I love that. I loved how developed her scenes were and how the angst and longing was even brought into them. I adored that.
But – and maybe this is me just struggling a bit with enemies to lovers – I just never came to LIKE either of them really. And their relationship was painful for me to read. I felt like I was a bit on a wheel of repetition and reliving a cycle of lust, bedding, hatred, hurt that repeated for however many sex scenes there were.
I was not a fan of whatever the orcs had going for them that kind of ‘endeared’ them to humans. It felt like some kind of brain fog almost, that Jule would come out after getting fucked and it really felt like all the body betrayed me tropes I read in the 90s by Johanna Lindsey that I never came to love.
There were definitely parts and things I really loved about this book. But ultimately I had issues throughout the whole story (though I was very partial the beginning through the first sex scene!) and it felt really long to me. I would definitely consider trying more from her in this series, I think I might like some other tropes at play a bit more.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Our hero, Grimarr, is an orc
- skin is a deathly shade of grey and latticed over with scars, black eyes, long black hair and huge (a head taller at least than our heroine), pointed ears
- claws retractable? (‘now somehow with their claws pulled back’)
- cock is huge, as big around as a young tree-trunk or a cup
- so the orc culture has a bit of exhibitionism lifestyle – they don’t see it as a big deal to do things in front of others, and it’s an honor for their mates to parade around naked and covered in semen
- orcs have almost like a….lulling tactic they can use with humans – their smell and voice and taste of their semen all soothes the heroine and makes her almost under a spell and forget about her hatred of him
Endearments
The hero calls the heroine ‘woman’ – not sure if it’s an endearment though…
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
“Where are we?” she asked toward Grimarr, without thinking – but then she went stock-still all over, because she was looking at him, and he was looking at her. And here, standing in the bright, unforgiving daylight, the infamous captain of the orcs was truly, thoroughly hideous.
---
“That man is very powerful,” Jule said bitterly. “He is one of the highest-ranking nobles in the entire realm. He has five thousand armed men at his call.”
Grimarr came another silent step closer. “Yes,” he said, with undeniable satisfaction. “And now his woman is mine.”
---
“I have hungered for you,” he said, his voice almost a purr between them. “I wish to make you my own.”
His hot breath on her skin was strangely sweet, and too late Jule caught herself inhaling it, dep. Smelling that scent of earth, of rich warmth, of life.
“I will not force you,” that voice continued, deep rumbling heat in Juel’s thoughts, her belly. “I wish you earn your troth, woman. I wish for your hand, freely given. I wish for you to hunger for me, as I hunger for you.”
Ha. Hunger for an orc. That was impossible, ludicrous, he was the most hideous thing Jule had ever seen, a beast, a monster, he had kidnapped her…
“I hunger to touch you,” he purred, soft. “I hunger to taste you.”
His voice was doing inexplicable things to her, inside her, and Jule gulped for breath, for sanity.
---
“There is no pleasure in the mating,” she snapped. “Orcs ravage women. You leave them bloody and broken and miserable and terrified.”
There was another one of those low, rolling laughs, a replying clench deep in Jule’s belly. “That is the tale your men tell to keep you away,” his voice purred. “In truth, an orc gives his mate deep joy. Deep hunger.”
---
“You can’t give me anything,” she protested, weakly, even as her back arched a little at the touch, as that huge strong hand tugged her a little closer. “I’m a lady. You’re an orc. And you’re hideous.”
“Then do not look at me,” he whispered back, almost in her ear now, and how had he come so close? “Listen to me. Smell me. Feel me touch you.”
---
“I will fill you,” he breathed, promised, as his finger pressed in harder, deeper. “I will plough you and plant you. I will drench you with my seed.”
---
It was – huge. Larger than any man Jule had ever seen, as big around as a young tree-trunk, or perhaps a drinking-cup. And it was wet, slicked over, and with a gasp Jule realized that that was because he was dripping copiously out the tapered grey tip of it, a thick pale ooze of shining wet orc-seed.
“Ask me, woman,” he said, commanded, the words a breathless thud in Jule’s thoughts. “Beg me for this.”
---
He’d brought that hardness even closer with the words, and as Jule gasped, stared, his big hand came and stroked up it, once. Thickening that dripping ooze to a smooth steady stream, and – Jule gave a sharp little cry – drizzling it down on to her still-clenching wetness.
It felt hot, sticky, slippery, glorious, and the sight of it even more so, that leaking cock now connected to her with that thick band of white. While that big hand pumped out even more, oh fuck, coming even thicker, pooling hot and hungry against her, into her.
“You wish for more,” he whispered. “Beg me.”
---
His answering groan was a shout, almost like a war-cry – and his entire big body arched, straightened, fired. Pummelling his seed straight out that huge invading cock, driving it into Jule’s body like a geyser, a cannon, liquid gushing spraying everywhere, leaking, filling, drenching.
When it finally stopped Grimmar was dripping wet all over, his clothes stuck to his skin, his big chest heaving with his breath.
---
Releasing its hold with a loud, humiliating noise, and – Jule gasped – also releasing his thick white seed like a pent-up fountain, splattering over her, over him, the bed, the floor.
He’d pulled back to watch, Jule realized, even spreading her legs wider to see it, and once the worst of it finally subsided, she could still feel it seeping from her, oozing thick out onto the bed.
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- heroine is in an abusive marriage – her husband is mean, neglectful and it’s mentioned he’s whipped her
- infertility
- death and violence on page
- possible feelings of infidelity – heroine is married (to an awful guy) when she gets with the hero and agrees to be his mate
- dubious consent – heroine is kidnapped (the hero is very good about consent and asking, but as she’s kidnapped and chained, I know consent is skewed in a situation like that)
- hero threatens heroine with binding, gagging, and starvation to get her to obey
- mention of parental murder
- threat of forced abortion
- heroine murders her husband on page
- beating and whipping of pregnant heroine on her knees by her husband (not the hero)
Author given content warnings: didn’t see them mentioned
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex: No
Hows the consent? It’s questionable due to the kidnapping/prisoner aspect. The first scene the hero is very clear he won’t take her against her will and he asks multiple times before moving forward.
10% - 🔥 touches, neck kisses, fingering for her, missionary
22% - 🔥 oral for her, missionary
29% - 🔥 bj for him, her on top
48% - 🔥 bj
55% - 🔥 missionary on the floor, forceful bj
59% - 🔥 hand job for Grimarr during a meeting that turns into a bj
62% - mention of sex on a rock (short and not a lot of details)
64% - 🔥 doggy
69% - 🔥 oral for her, anal (outdoors)
73% - 🔥 her on top
80% - 🔥 missionary
95% - 🔥 exhibitionism scene – bj (incomplete) her on top
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I kept putting this down and forcing myself to pick it back up)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 (I did get some angst!)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (I think it started out really strong for me but did fizzle by halfway dramatically for me. But the beginning was great!)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (Really loved how her steamy scenes were written!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from the heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium (maybe a bit slow in parts)
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in, about 3% (chapter 2)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few months in the future
Format: read e-book form from Kindle Unlimited
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Fenn’s Orc Sworn series.
Basic plot:
Grimarr wants revenge against Lord Norr, and kidnaps his wife in a raid.
Give this a try if you want:
- monster/fantasy romance
- this takes place in a fantasy realm similar to a medieval England
- orc hero / human heroine
- captured heroine
- unrequited longing (from the hero)
- pregnancy – very breeding kink
- revenge (hero wants revenge on the heroine’s husband)
- ravishment fantasy vibes
- enemies to lovers
- higher steam – 11 or so scenes
Ages:
- heroine is mid to late 20s? (Mentioned that her husband is nearing 40 and over a decade older than her)
First line:
Lord Norr was leaving.
My thoughts:
Well, I am sad I struggled with this one so much! I wasn’t sure what to expect – I have read a few orcs before and enjoyed but they didn’t have the, ahem, special ending bonus in bed that I’ve come to associate with Finley Fenn posts. So I had to try it!
Now, I think the sex in this book was one of my favorite parts. I loved how focused she was on the emotions AND the details. So. Many. Details. And I love that. I loved how developed her scenes were and how the angst and longing was even brought into them. I adored that.
But – and maybe this is me just struggling a bit with enemies to lovers – I just never came to LIKE either of them really. And their relationship was painful for me to read. I felt like I was a bit on a wheel of repetition and reliving a cycle of lust, bedding, hatred, hurt that repeated for however many sex scenes there were.
I was not a fan of whatever the orcs had going for them that kind of ‘endeared’ them to humans. It felt like some kind of brain fog almost, that Jule would come out after getting fucked and it really felt like all the body betrayed me tropes I read in the 90s by Johanna Lindsey that I never came to love.
There were definitely parts and things I really loved about this book. But ultimately I had issues throughout the whole story (though I was very partial the beginning through the first sex scene!) and it felt really long to me. I would definitely consider trying more from her in this series, I think I might like some other tropes at play a bit more.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Our hero, Grimarr, is an orc
- skin is a deathly shade of grey and latticed over with scars, black eyes, long black hair and huge (a head taller at least than our heroine), pointed ears
- claws retractable? (‘now somehow with their claws pulled back’)
- cock is huge, as big around as a young tree-trunk or a cup
- so the orc culture has a bit of exhibitionism lifestyle – they don’t see it as a big deal to do things in front of others, and it’s an honor for their mates to parade around naked and covered in semen
- orcs have almost like a….lulling tactic they can use with humans – their smell and voice and taste of their semen all soothes the heroine and makes her almost under a spell and forget about her hatred of him
Endearments
The hero calls the heroine ‘woman’ – not sure if it’s an endearment though…
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
“Where are we?” she asked toward Grimarr, without thinking – but then she went stock-still all over, because she was looking at him, and he was looking at her. And here, standing in the bright, unforgiving daylight, the infamous captain of the orcs was truly, thoroughly hideous.
---
“That man is very powerful,” Jule said bitterly. “He is one of the highest-ranking nobles in the entire realm. He has five thousand armed men at his call.”
Grimarr came another silent step closer. “Yes,” he said, with undeniable satisfaction. “And now his woman is mine.”
---
“I have hungered for you,” he said, his voice almost a purr between them. “I wish to make you my own.”
His hot breath on her skin was strangely sweet, and too late Jule caught herself inhaling it, dep. Smelling that scent of earth, of rich warmth, of life.
“I will not force you,” that voice continued, deep rumbling heat in Juel’s thoughts, her belly. “I wish you earn your troth, woman. I wish for your hand, freely given. I wish for you to hunger for me, as I hunger for you.”
Ha. Hunger for an orc. That was impossible, ludicrous, he was the most hideous thing Jule had ever seen, a beast, a monster, he had kidnapped her…
“I hunger to touch you,” he purred, soft. “I hunger to taste you.”
His voice was doing inexplicable things to her, inside her, and Jule gulped for breath, for sanity.
---
“There is no pleasure in the mating,” she snapped. “Orcs ravage women. You leave them bloody and broken and miserable and terrified.”
There was another one of those low, rolling laughs, a replying clench deep in Jule’s belly. “That is the tale your men tell to keep you away,” his voice purred. “In truth, an orc gives his mate deep joy. Deep hunger.”
---
“You can’t give me anything,” she protested, weakly, even as her back arched a little at the touch, as that huge strong hand tugged her a little closer. “I’m a lady. You’re an orc. And you’re hideous.”
“Then do not look at me,” he whispered back, almost in her ear now, and how had he come so close? “Listen to me. Smell me. Feel me touch you.”
---
“I will fill you,” he breathed, promised, as his finger pressed in harder, deeper. “I will plough you and plant you. I will drench you with my seed.”
---
It was – huge. Larger than any man Jule had ever seen, as big around as a young tree-trunk, or perhaps a drinking-cup. And it was wet, slicked over, and with a gasp Jule realized that that was because he was dripping copiously out the tapered grey tip of it, a thick pale ooze of shining wet orc-seed.
“Ask me, woman,” he said, commanded, the words a breathless thud in Jule’s thoughts. “Beg me for this.”
---
He’d brought that hardness even closer with the words, and as Jule gasped, stared, his big hand came and stroked up it, once. Thickening that dripping ooze to a smooth steady stream, and – Jule gave a sharp little cry – drizzling it down on to her still-clenching wetness.
It felt hot, sticky, slippery, glorious, and the sight of it even more so, that leaking cock now connected to her with that thick band of white. While that big hand pumped out even more, oh fuck, coming even thicker, pooling hot and hungry against her, into her.
“You wish for more,” he whispered. “Beg me.”
---
His answering groan was a shout, almost like a war-cry – and his entire big body arched, straightened, fired. Pummelling his seed straight out that huge invading cock, driving it into Jule’s body like a geyser, a cannon, liquid gushing spraying everywhere, leaking, filling, drenching.
When it finally stopped Grimmar was dripping wet all over, his clothes stuck to his skin, his big chest heaving with his breath.
---
Releasing its hold with a loud, humiliating noise, and – Jule gasped – also releasing his thick white seed like a pent-up fountain, splattering over her, over him, the bed, the floor.
He’d pulled back to watch, Jule realized, even spreading her legs wider to see it, and once the worst of it finally subsided, she could still feel it seeping from her, oozing thick out onto the bed.
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
- heroine is in an abusive marriage – her husband is mean, neglectful and it’s mentioned he’s whipped her
- infertility
- death and violence on page
- possible feelings of infidelity – heroine is married (to an awful guy) when she gets with the hero and agrees to be his mate
- dubious consent – heroine is kidnapped (the hero is very good about consent and asking, but as she’s kidnapped and chained, I know consent is skewed in a situation like that)
- hero threatens heroine with binding, gagging, and starvation to get her to obey
- mention of parental murder
- threat of forced abortion
- heroine murders her husband on page
- beating and whipping of pregnant heroine on her knees by her husband (not the hero)
Author given content warnings: didn’t see them mentioned
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
10% - 🔥 touches, neck kisses, fingering for her, missionary
22% - 🔥 oral for her, missionary
29% - 🔥 bj for him, her on top
48% - 🔥 bj
55% - 🔥 missionary on the floor, forceful bj
59% - 🔥 hand job for Grimarr during a meeting that turns into a bj
62% - mention of sex on a rock (short and not a lot of details)
64% - 🔥 doggy
69% - 🔥 oral for her, anal (outdoors)
73% - 🔥 her on top
80% - 🔥 missionary
95% - 🔥 exhibitionism scene – bj (incomplete) her on top