vicki_williams's reviews
2717 reviews

Marrying Mr. Majestic by Lucy Lennox

inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Waylon and Silas are such likeable characters who become the “strangers who wake up married in Vegas” couple. They come from completely different worlds but are really perfect for each other. After initially going their ways they quickly come to an agreement for a fake marriage to assist the extremely dedicated Waylon help his town with an event. 

Although it’s fake, Waylon doesn’t freak out about his newfound feelings for a man and adjusts rather easily to this new information about himself. Of course the chemistry between him and Silas is undeniable and soon leads to plenty of steamy times. There is some lack of communication as the “fake” marriage becomes more real and feelings develop but nothing that can derail their HEA. 

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable read with two wonderful main characters and an interesting cast of side characters. It’s easy to read with some angsty moments, plenty of laughs and an ending that left me feeling very happy. There is a sneak peek at who gets their story told next and I can’t wait! 

Wreaking Havoc by Grae Bryan

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Batting Style by Louisa Masters

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Jordan is a sweet enthusiastic and sometimes clueless baseball player who is always there to help people when needed. When he needs to buy a new suit he soon learns that suit shopping can be a real eye opener. That’s entirely due to the gorgeous shop assistant Blaise, a man who has a detailed plan on how to reach his life goals. Life goals that soon include Jordan. 

These two wonderful men quickly embrace the chemistry between them as Jordan discovers his true self, a not unexpected discovery so there’s no angst in that regard. They also only realise that they are actual boyfriends when family and friends point out the obvious! 

When Blaise learns the secret that Jordan is keeping it causes a huge angst filled rift between them but after some time and communication they repair the relationship and get their HEA. 

I loved every moment of this thoroughly engaging and enjoyable book. Jordan’s enthusiasm for everything had me giggling whilst at times my heart strings were pulled tight by the circumstances Blaise was in. As expected the story telling ability of this author left me with a huge smile on my face at the end. The cast of side characters kept my interest and there were cameos from other characters in this multi author series. 

The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger by Jennifer Cody

funny relaxing slow-paced

4.0

Romily, Fox and the rest of the Foxily Family are back for more mayhem in their latest adventure. 

There’s expected and unexpected travel between realms, plenty of action and drama (think huge plot twist) and of course all the extended family members playing their parts. The engagement ring saga continues, with another twist that I never expected but truly enjoyed the “Ah ha” moment. Fortunately for Fox and Romily all ends well for them, the family and the world in general with minimal angst and lots of love and laughter. 

I really enjoyed being back in this universe and couldn’t stop myself from turning the pages. The world building is just as excellent as always, there’s the perfect balance between action/drama and romance and of course plenty of steamy times for Romily and Fox. 

Deadly Little Sparrow by K.M. Neuhold

fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Great start to a new series. 

Xaviaro is a deservedly feared mafia enforcer and has a different version of a “meet-cute”when he crosses paths with Sparrow, a rage filled twink who is on a revenge driven crusade. Sparrow’s moral compass is fortunately a little bit off centre which make him and Xaviaro perfect for each other. They compliment each other perfectly with Xaviaro being such a marshmallow when it come to Sparrow whilst Sparrow seems to intuitively know what Xaviaro desperately desires and is able to accommodate his needs. They fall hard and fast and deserve their HEA. 

There’s plenty of sizzling chemistry/heat in this low angst engaging and enjoyable read which also includes a wonderful introduction to other members of the Morelli crime family whose stories are just waiting to be told. 

Skeletons in the Closet by Nicky James

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Fantastic start to a new series. 

Tallus is very much a people person. He’s vibrant, self confident and enjoys to banter and be flirty. Even though there’s been some misery in his past it doesn’t stop him from being true to himself. 

On the opposite end of the scale is Diem who is a very tall burly grump with absolutely no social skills. He dislikes his personal space being infringed upon and struggles with intimacy, affection and any type of physical contact. It takes some time before we learn some of the reasons behind his daily struggles and his feelings of inferiority and I have to say that my heart broke, especially with his constant negative inner monologue battling against what he truly desires. 

These two complex and well developed characters first came together in very embarrassing circumstances (see the prequel Invisible Scars) and are now investigating what at first appears to be a fairly simple case but soon morphs into so much more. There’s lots of twist and turns as the suspect list and the victim list increase in this engaging and intriguing mystery. It all comes together in the end but not before some dangerous moments for both Diem and Tallus. 

This is very much a slow burn with minimal steamy moments. It doesn’t finish with an HEA or an HFN but I’m eager for more in this series as I can’t wait to see all the layers these two superbly written characters have be slowly stripped away. I loved everything about this book and enjoyed having Valor and Doyle along with Costa and Torin making some appearances. 

Enchanting Exposition by Alice Winters

adventurous funny fast-paced

5.0

More mayhem for Miles and Havoc. 

My favourite mage and demon are back with their found family for more magical mayhem. There’s the usual combination of action and adventure mixed with hilarious/bordering on utterly ridiculous banter between not only Miles and Havoc but all the usual side characters from the series. A new villain is introduced as is another very interesting new character who’s motives can keep you guessing. 

I loved the plot revolving around and inside an evil book. It had me turning the pages desperate for more. It was perfectly balanced with the ongoing romance between Miles and Havoc and Menace is his usual fabulous/grumpy menacing self, especially when Miles agrees to look after another cat for a friend. This wonderfully enjoyable and engaging read had me laughing out loud one moment then gasping out loud the next. I was captivated until the very end. 

In His Corner by H.L Day

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Levi and Hayden don’t really start off on the right foot. Hayden is very sceptical of taking on an ex convict at his restaurant and Levi just wants to keep his head down and concentrate on his new start in life, humble as it is. Life throws them for a loop though as they both fight against the immediate mutual attraction between them. 

They can’t ignore it and give into the sizzling chemistry leading to some very heated moments. As they get to know one another better the layers they both hide behind peel away to reveal a genuine loving connection between them and also exposes the truly wonderful men that they are. Levi’s past does come back to haunt him causing him some angst but nothing that can the derail the HEA he and Hayden strive for. 

I loved this very enjoyable and engaging read which kept me turning the pages and left me with a very happy heart at the end. 

Easy, Schmeasy! by Becca Seymour

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

What a wonderful way to end the Fast Break series. Sammy and Bentley have been best friends since their first year at college after meeting at basketball practice. Both of them just clicked and so begun a very strong friendship that after a few years, as the edges blur, morphs into something more. It takes some time for them to fully acknowledge that they are no longer friends having some fun and are actually in a relationship. Sammy has valid reasons for wanting to keep their change in status to themselves and the ever patient Bentley fully agrees. 

Their relationship is filled with plenty of witty sassy banter that had me giggling as well as plenty of steam balanced with plenty of sweet. The circumstances of Sammy and his teenage trauma with it’s ongoing ramifications made my heart hurt but it was quickly filled with happiness when there was a totally unexpected surprise twist along the way to their HEA. 

I loved every moment of this engaging and enjoyable book which made me fall in love with Sammy and Bentley. I was invested in their story from start to finish and very reluctantly put the book down when life interfered. 

Sebastian by Taylor Rylan

hopeful medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Wonderful fated mates romance. 

Drew has had a difficult life until he was rescued and now works at the council store. On his first visit to the store Sebastian meets Drew and knows immediately that Drew is his One. Drew can be a spitfire when required, has low self esteem, is inexperienced in relationships and can on occasion be utterly adorable. Fortunately Sebastian is very understanding and patient as well as being a total romantic. 

Although destined by Fate they still have some hurdles to negotiate but with open and honest communication between them it’s nothing they can’t overcome together. 

Drew slowly begins to believe that he is equal to and offers just has much to the relationship as Sebastian and it was a joy to see that growth and trust develop. As is the way of fated mates there’s plenty of chemistry but they do get to know each other a bit before the heat levels rise. This is an easy and enjoyable read with two very likeable characters, some angsty moments and a well deserved HEA.