vicki_williams's reviews
2714 reviews

Solan by Becca Seymour

adventurous hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Fantastic! 

Where to begin on how much I loved this monster romance. The superbly crafted world building, the intriguing twisting and turning plot that kept me glued to my kindle or the wonderful Solan and Jack who I just want to be besties with. There’s plenty of action and this very enjoyable book starts off with a bang with a piece of outback Australian being ripped up and plonked into another world. Taking Jack and his property along with his nephew Jamie and their horses. Once dumped in this new and frightening world Jack and Jamie navigate the dangerous environment with the help of Solan, a humanoid monster with some understanding of Earth. So begins a a tale filled with action, drama and a slow burning romance that bubbles quietly along as Jack and Solan explore their fated mates connection. I giggled at the many references Solan made to a world famous actor and I adored young Jamie who is unbelievably resilient. It’s not a cliffhanger ending by any means but the reader is left in no doubt that there’s more to come and I can’t wait for more from this talented author. 

Grave Situation by Louisa Masters

emotional funny relaxing slow-paced

5.0

Loved this so much, 🥰

Talon really, really really doesn’t want to go on, let alone be the leader of, a quest to save the world. This wonderfully snarky smart-mouthed mage does have a sense of responsibility though so he sets out with his dragon rider twin sister Tia, Jaiman and Coryn to rid the land of zombies. Jaiman is a kind and intelligent Master Healer whilst Coryn is a member of the Kings Own Guard and is such a delightfully precious cuddle bunny who happens to be a master with a sword when needed. Their travels not only include plenty of adventures but also the addition of two more members to this talented band of misfits. 

They departed without much information regarding the what, why, where and who regarding the quest but they do have a semi sentient stone that sort of helps when asked, a dragon that just tolerates Talon and a sassy horse that enjoys making Talon’s life just a tad more interesting. 

I loved every moment of this very enjoyable adventure. The twists and turns of the intriguing plot kept me fully engaged from start to finish and the world building is superbly done. There’s plenty of secondary characters to keep things interesting and the slow burn romantic sub plot bubbles along nicely. I felt a myriad of emotions reading this book. From giggling and loud bursts of laughter to sadness and a heavy heart but was left with the biggest smile in my face at the end. 

Reading Between the Lines by Nicky James

hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely amazing! 

What an absolute pleasure to be back with Tallus and Diem as they solve another intriguing case. The sassy, stylish and stubborn Tallus and Diem with all his instability and insecurities are now boyfriends. 

Circumstances have them travelling to Port Hope where a grieving mother requires their investigative abilities. It’s a case that had me hooked from the start and the twists and turns throughout certainly kept me on my toes when it came to guessing the villain. At times my heart broke for Diem and the life he’d had to endure, he’s truly a troubled soul but with Tallus by his side more of the heavily constructed walls surrounding him start to crumble. I also found myself giggling at the absurdity of the Bed and Breakfast they had to endure but it did bring them closer together. This is a fantastic read which kept me fully engaged from start to finish and I loved seeing the relationship between these two wonderfully flawed men grow stronger as slowly but surely Diem opened himself up just a little bit more and accepted some good into his life. 

Over and Above by Annabeth Albert

hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I’m sad to say goodbye to the characters of Mount Hope but I’m thrilled that Eric finally has his story told. 

Eric can be a little bit prickly at times and tends to overthink things but he is also a wonderful Dad, a highly respected paramedic and a grieving widower. Barowner Magnus is very much a people person who happens to be interested in Eric. Circumstances have them spending a lot of together when Magnus is in need of accommodation and stays on Eric’s property. Both feel the attraction but Eric is of course a bit wary to begin with but soon the chemistry between cannot be held at bay any longer. The “friends” arrangement does slowly morph into more for both of these very likeable individuals and although there’s some hesitation, especially when it comes to the offspring’s reactions, communication is the key to Eric and Magnus getting the HEA they wanted. There’s plenty of sweet balanced with steam along with some minor angst and I had the biggest smile on my face and a very happy heart at the end.  As previously stated it’s a bittersweet farewell to Mount Hope but what a way to say goodbye. 

The Killer Who Kept Me by Davidson King

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Oh Em, I want to give you big squishy hugs that last forevermore, your story hurt my heart but also had me happy dancing at the end. Saros is not a man to be trifled with and once he became aware of Em and his circumstances both their lives changed for the better. Saros is both a good man and a bad one who protects what is his. Their romance is not sunshine and sparkles but amongst the darkness of these two wonderful men’s lives they find their way to a hard earned HEA. The villains of the piece do their utmost to destroy everything Saros holds dear but they underestimate Saros to their own detriment. I loved every moment of this very enjoyable and engaging read and couldn’t stop cheering for Em and Saros and the epilogue left me with the biggest smile in my face. 

The Fostered Promise by Ana Ashley

emotional relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

This is the perfect ending to the Spencer Brothers series. Drew and West have been friends since their childhood days together in foster care. As they’ve grown so have the feelings they have for each other but neither wants to take the chance for more in case all is ruined. After an unexpected life changing event the communication barriers are broken down and these two wonderful men finally find themselves exactly where they want to be - together forever. 

This novella was such a joy to read and I certainly had a few feels as Drew and West fumbled their way to an HEA. At times I wanted to just yell at them to communicate whilst also wanting to give them a big hug and tell them all would be ok. I read this in one sitting as I was pulled in from the very beginning by the fantastic main characters and of course the story telling ability of Ana Ashley. 

Devoted by Lark Taylor

emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

Brilliant!

I was fully immersed in Sam and Zeke’s relationship and cheered them on from start to finish. These two wonderful men burrowed into my heart with no intentions whatsoever of leaving. Sam struggles daily with his mental health issues and loneliness but it’s his internal strength to keep on going and wanting do more than just survive that makes him so special. Zeke is an Angel with a traumatic childhood leading to his own inner darkness, are darkness that he constantly fights to contain. Meeting online starts a friendship that soon becomes very important to both of them. Circumstances cause a physical in person meeting that changes both their lives forever. Naturally the villain of the piece tries to separate the fated pair but nothing can break the bond between them and their eternal HEA. The struggles Sam and Zeke face daily don’t magically disappear once they’re mated and it’s beautiful to see them grow and and use all the tools at their disposal to accommodate each others needs to lead a new life together. A life that includes plenty of steam balanced with beautifully sweet and tender moments, laughter and love. 

The Fly-Half by Charlie Novak

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

4.0

Jonny is adorably oblivious to the feelings he has for his best friend Devon. Ever since they were teenagers they’ve been besties although Devon always knew of his feelings towards Jonny. When they play together on the same team after many years apart, Jonny can’t help be very possessive towards Devon.  It takes some help from his teammates to understand that his feeling go beyond friendship and Jonny is quick to embrace this new knowledge about himself. However, he does have to learn how to deal with his emotions regarding Devon and especially his possessiveness. Devon finally gets Jonny the way he’s always wanted him - as a boyfriend who adores and cherishes him. There’s only minimal angst and plenty of heat has these two wonderful men realign their relationship and get a longed for HEA. Of course some of the teammates and characters from the previous books in the series become invested in Devon and Jonny”s romance and eagerly provide their wisdom and guidance! 

Paper Roses by Lily Morton

funny inspiring relaxing slow-paced

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

5.0

Fantastic end to a wonderful series. 

I loved every moment of Jed and Artie’s story. These two wonderful men had me hooked from the very beginning and both of them have burrowed into my heart. Artie is clever, funny, super sweet with some sassiness to balance it all out. Jed is still in mourning and that grief has held him back from forming a close relationship with another. When circumstances have him becoming Artie’s fake husband feelings eventually happen. The road to their HEA does have a few pot holes along the way but nothing that derails them from their goal. 

This very enjoyable and engaging read has plenty of humour, sass and banter. Add in some steamy mixed with sweet, a plot that gave me plenty of laughs and some feels along the way including the bonus of a cameo from some Cornwall friends, I was left a very happy and satisfied when I closed my kindle. 

Handy by K.M. Neuhold

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

This is another wonderful low angst steamy read from KM Neuhold. Handyman Griff is the grumpiest grumpy bear to have ever grumped whilst Ledger, a park ranger, is full of energy and sunshine. These neighbours have an introduction to each other that is certainly a bit different. When circumstances lead to Griff spending a lot of time with Ledger it quickly leads to plenty of no strings attached steamy times. 

It takes time for Griff to appreciate that he is basically very lonely but there’s underlying reasons why he is so closed off. Of course he is by nature a grump so that doesn’t change at all but Ledger adores him as he is.  I loved how Ledger knew what his touch starved grump needed, never pushed him and loved Griff wholeheartedly. It was heartwarming to see Griff become a tiny bit more social and bring colour into his life with Ledger by his side. Their HEA left me with a big goofy smile on my face and a warm and happy. The  Big Bull Construction crew are in attendance and some characters from other series make appearances in this thoroughly enjoyable and engaging romance.