vicki_williams's reviews
2717 reviews

The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder

funny mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

If you enjoy a romance with plenty of snark, stubbornness, banter, bickering, the creation of ridiculous idioms and kitchen utensils being aligned with personality traits, then this is for you. The cherry on the top is two wonderful characters who are poles apart with some things but they are perfect for each other when it comes to what really matters. 

When circumstances have rivals Toby and Harvey fighting for their survival in an unknown hostile environment, their true selves come to the surface. They challenge and infuriate each other as these façade’s are breached and they morph from enemies to eventual lovers. All whilst trying to survive not only the harsh conditions but also the villains of the piece. 

I loved every moment of this book which had me hooked from the very beginning. The intriguing plot is perfectly balanced with the romance element and the mixture of sweet and steam is perfect. There’s some angst but nothing that can’t be overcome as Toby and Harry get their well deserved and hard earned HEA. 

We are also left with a peek at the characters in the next instalment. This is where we also learn who is responsible for all that happened to Toby and Harry. 

Enemy Mine by Davidson King

medium-paced

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

5.0

Great start to a new series. 

Fred is the unwitting head of the Irish Mafia whilst also being a successful ER doctor. Circumstances bring him into the orbit of Vincenzo who is the head is an assassin organisation. I loved the snarky brat attitude of Fred, especially when he’s feeling defensive, and how well it compliments the possessive side of Vincenzo. This inflames the chemistry between them leading to plenty of heat balanced by sweet. 

Of course whilst building a tentative relationship they have villains to contend with. In amongst  the deceptions and betrayals, the pain of loss and the never ending Mafia duties these two wonderful characters manage to overcome all the odds and find their hard earned HEA. 

This enjoyable and entertaining book had me engaged from the very start. There’s plenty of twists and turns, very interesting side characters and, as expected from this dependable author, a beautiful romance to balance all the intrigue. There’s also some cameos from the Haven Heart universe. 

This can easily be read as a standalone but if you want a richer reading experience I would recommend reading the books suggested by the author beforehand - Secret Simon, Head Rush and Law of Retaliation. 

In The Nick Of Time by Elle Keaton

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

A great fun read. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book and I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. 

I loved the two main characters Nick and Doug who find themselves investigating the disappearance of some SPAM agents. Nick, with a mild power, is a new recruit whilst Doug, once a Superhero, is looking forward to retirement. Circumstances have them heading to Las Vegas along with Tim the most unusual sidekick I’ve ever experienced. After a bit of sleuthing and a touch of drama they manage to thwart the villains and save the day. 

This is a wonderfully original plot that kept me fully invested from the very beginning. I loved the back and forth between Nick and Doug which had me laughing out loud, the balance between sweet and spice and the HEA which left me smiling.  

This is part of the multi author Subparheroes series and can be read as a standalone. 

Off the Clock by Annabeth Albert

relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Great read. 

Another wonderful instalment in the series with the usual minimal angst small town romance this dependable author is known for. 

Tony and Caleb are very likeable characters who try to keep their romance under wraps but are so into each other that it’s only a matter of time before rumours abound and decisions need to be made. 

Tony was steadfast in his belief that he didn’t want or need a relationship but the outwardly full of sunshine Caleb slowly makes him reassess that, and other notions about himself. With much more than just their combustible chemistry in common I couldn’t help cheerleading for them as they made their way to a heartwarming HEA that left the biggest smile on my face. I enjoyed every moment of this engaging read and look forward to the next story in the series. 

Flash by K.M. Neuhold

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Wonderful start to a new series. 

Lewis and Arrow are just perfect for each other. Lewis is needy whilst Arrow is possessive and intense. 

Both have been burned by others who have not liked these tendencies so they are very wary and try to not overwhelm the other by accepting less than what they really want. Even though it takes some time to finally get their act together on the emotional side the sizzling chemistry between them ignites very quickly and burns bright so there’s plenty of heat. They do have a minor hiccup along the way to their much desired HEA but nothing that some mature communication can easily overcome. 

I loved the imaginative pranks between the two workplaces, even as Lewis and Arrow are totally unaware that they work next to each other, and the names Lewis picks for his plants had me in hysterics. This is a very enjoyable low angst romance with some very interesting side character’s whose stories are eagerly anticipated. 

Humility by Lark Taylor

emotional funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Brilliant end to the series. 
Riley and Danny finally get their story told and what a roller coaster it is. I went from laughing out loud at the sass and banter to wiping tears from my face as my heartstrings were pulled taught. These two wonderful characters were totally oblivious to the fact that they are actually more than friends, both being very anti relationships for very valid reasons. Danny twigs first and it takes a while for Riley to final realise that Danny is not only his best friend but also his forevermore. Being mated means Danny having to return to the clan which brings plenty of drama but nothing that can derail their well earned HEA. 

I enjoyed this engaging read from start to finish. From watching them both work through their commitment issues and exposing vulnerabilities to each other to sizzling chemistry with plenty of spice balanced with moments so sweet and tender. It is a bittersweet end to this wonderful series but the introduction of some very interesting side characters means more to look forward to from this author. 

“Riley’s worth it. Having him as my mate is my story. Everything else is just a footnote.” 

Method Acting by N.R. Walker

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Their mutual acting class requires Amos and Chase to be fake boyfriends for the semester project. 

Chase has a very sunshiny golden retriever type personality that he shows to the world whilst hiding his more vulnerable side. Amos is a prickly grumpy/dark and broody emo when really he’s just a introvert who can’t do too much “peopling”. These two wonderful men soon learn the truths about each other and the fake boyfriends requirement soon has some very blurred lines. 

There’s plenty of witty banter, minimal angst causing them to actually communicate their true feelings, just the right amount of steam, a great cast of side characters to keep things interesting and a HEA that made my heart happy. 

A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I'm the Gay Holy Maiden by A.J. Sherwood

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Loved it 😍 

Once I started this amazing book I couldn’t put it down. Real life was not allowed to interfere with the adventure that Silas and Callisto took me on. 

Circumstances bring these  two delightful men together and before long the fate of the kingdom lies with them. Along the way their merry band face plenty of action and drama, whilst collecting some weirdly amazing pets along the way and managing to give me a multitude of LOL moments. With everything going on Silas and Callisto also navigate the sweetest heartwarming romance which blends the perfect amount of sweet/steam with humour on the way to their well deserved HEA. 

I loved every moment of this very engaging and enjoyable read. There’s a great cast of main and secondary characters and an intriguing story line all brought to life by the superb story telling ability of this author.  Silas, Callisto, Dandelion, et al still have me chuckling and smiling as I type this up! 

Prince of Poison by Alice Winters

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Once I started this amazing book I couldn’t put it down. Real life was not allowed to interfere with the adventure that Silas and Callisto took me on. 

Circumstances bring these  two delightful men together and before long the fate of the kingdom lies with them. Along the way their merry band face plenty of action and drama, whilst collecting some weirdly amazing pets along the way and managing to give me a multitude of LOL moments. With everything going on Silas and Callisto also navigate the sweetest heartwarming romance which blends the perfect amount of sweet/steam with humour on the way to their well deserved HEA. 

I loved every moment of this very engaging and enjoyable read. There’s a great cast of main and secondary characters and an intriguing story line all brought to life by the superb story telling ability of this author.  Silas, Callisto, Dandelion, et al still have me chuckling and smiling as I type this up! 

The Keeper by Aimee Nicole Walker

inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I was very much looking forward to Seth and Rueben’s love story and I was not disappointed. Their affection for each other is without doubt and the chemistry between them is sizzling hot but unfortunately circumstances dictate that they keep their relationship to themselves. Although they try to distance themselves from each other it just isn’t possible and they soon snatch tiny slices of time together which includes plenty of steamy times with sweet and tender moments as well. 

Of course life goes on for these two wonderful men and the overall story arc of Salvation Anew comes to a very satisfying conclusion, although not without some drama and associated repercussions. There’s also the mystery of the unsolved cold case and even though I guessed the protagonist it in no way detracted from that story line and my enjoyment of everything coming together for Seth and Rueben. 

I love this series and was thrilled to see that there are two more books on the way, next up is Keegan and I can’t wait.