Review: The Duke of Distraction

The Duke of Distraction by Darcy Burke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars! In the next installment of this series, we're treated to the story of Felix and Sarah. Long-time acquaintances due to his standing friendship with her brother Anthony, Sarah and Felix never really thought about each other in romantic terms until fate and a dark closet kissing game changes it all. Through hard and sad times, they will fall in love with each other and overcome their fears.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It has a good flow, and two characters that even though they've known each other their whole lives, are starting to see each other in a different light. I loved Sarah's willing to be independent and Feliz absolute support of her. I hope Anthony gets a book soon!
Overall, a good reading experience.

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Review: Heartbreaker

Heartbreaker by Inara Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 solid stars.
This was a new-to-author and I quite enjoyed this book. The book shows the love story between Mason - a high-level capital investment executive - and Tess - a do-it-all dog walker with a tragic past.
What I liked about this book:
- the pace and the flow of the book works
- it's not an insta-love book. They might be attracted to each other from the start, but the author takes time to develop their relationship from attraction to love, step by step
- the backgrounds of both of them help explain why they make the decision they make but there's also time for character growth with both parties
- lack of unnecessary drama or convoluted plot twists
- interesting secondary characters that I'm really interested to know more about
- I'm not really a dog person but all the animals featured in the book were endearing

What could have been better:
- I'd love for Tess to work on some of her own shortcomings and develop further, but that is only a matter of personal taste.

I'll definitely be reading more from this authos
*I was given an ARC copy on NetGalley*

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Review: Devil's Daughter

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yeah, I'll always be here for anything related to Sebastian and Evie. Fun, raw and incredibly wonderful book. West captured my heart since Cold-Hearted Rake and Phoebe is a Devil's offspring through and through. She has her father's wit and sharp intelligence and her mother's indomitable spirit. I adored seeing them falling in love, and working through the intricacies of what that meant.
Also, it's always a wonderful moment when we get to see Sebastian again. I could quote all his dialogues as my favorite parts of the book.

I can only hope the Hathaways make an appearance in upcoming books.

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Review: Burn

Burn by Deborah Wilde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, what to say about this. It's a wonderful feeling to follow an author's growth from the beginning to the series to the last book of it and see it coming back better and stronger. Burn is, to be honest, the culmination of an incredible journey for the characters, the readers and the author.
It's action-packed, fast-paced and it features all of our beloved usual suspects. The author is able to tie magic, tradition and a world of intricacies in a wonderful resolution where she pulls at the threads of the story and weaves them in in a magical ending.
An in the center of this entire world stands Nava.. stronger, more powerful, still making mistakes but knowing that she is loved and treasured and that she can overcome anything life throws at her, because she's learned, she's evolved and she and Rohan have everything to look for.
A wonderful book from beginning to end and the perfect culmination of a wonderful series.

all the other thoughts under the cut include spoilers

spoiler: (view spoiler)[
Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bliss.
What a perfect, PERFECT, way to explain this book and Nava and Rohan's trip. Once again, I adore how Deborah continues to explore Nava as her own individual with fears, mistakes and good moments; and also how her relationship with Rohan keeps growing stronger. They still have bumps in the road, but they continue to talk about it, to deal with their shit and simply overcome the obstacles because they are determined to get past all the bullshit into their blissful happy ending.
And Drio and Leonie, omg those two are my undoing and I loved how Deborah started to slowly mixed them in more and more into the plot and their own story in anticipation of her own book. I really liked to see them both fighting each other and that it wasn't easy to come back from who they are and what happened between them. Drio still has a lot more groveling to do, but him coming to terms with Leonie's nature and also with Aisha's death... my heart swoons. My OTP is getting is own book! yes yes yes !!!
A wonderful wonderful book

(hide spoiler)]


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Review: Passion and Ink

Passion and Ink by Naima Simone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars!!!
In the next installment of her taboo series, Naima explores the concept of assembled families and how it can affect their dynamics. It would be good to point out a couple of content warnings for suicide and depression.
I enjoyed this book for all the rough edges it has, and it was interesting to get a deeper view into Jude, for both his scarred past and his uncertain future.
Cypress, his estranged stepsister is also a heroine full of strength and charisma and their chemistry is undeniable.
I liked that both of them had been carrying the burden of taking care of parents that didn't quite behave as such back in the day and how the topic of depression weaves through it. I liked how this has impacted their own relationship and how it takes both of them accepting and moving on from trauma to finally heal.
This book is raw, unapologetically real and as the title explains, deals with taboo situations that the author explores in each. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's executed beautifully.

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Review: 99 Percent Mine

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't begin to explain how much this book meant to me. I always wondered how Sally was going to come back after the success of her first novel and how/if she could recapture the magic she had in Lucy and Josh. I decided not to read much of this book, just the blurb and nothing else. I shied away from early reviews or comments on social media, anything. And I'm happy I did
If you were looking for a book similar to THG, this ain't it. Sally decided to tackle another story, another narrative and something completely different.
For me, it works. It worked really great
What was fun and flirty banter in her first book became this heartwrenching back and forth between two people that should have spoken clearly and yet they couldn't.
We have a battered and flawed heroine that doesn't hide her flaws and weaknesses. We have a hero that feels the weight of the world on his shoulders and we have a vicious dynamic that was hard to break.
I loved everything about this book, filled with angst that simmers instead of flooding, like a constant buzz on the background that makes it a companion that you cannot leave. I love how, even if you only have one PoV, you're able to piece together the breadcrumbs to see others.
I love how the author takes a risk in involving family dynamics and new friendships and shaping more characters in the heroine and heroes live than in her previous books. To me, all her risks and bets paid off (I simply despise and adore Jamie at the same time) as we see the characters growth from and with their imperfections and each other.

My only small critique would be that I'd love to have seen more of those two months at the end, and really have Darcy and Jamie's development instead of just reading it happened... but alas, you cannot have it all. And Sally gave us a lot in this book.

Can I have Jamie's book now?

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Review: Minimum Wage Magic

Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful series beginner.! I really enjoyed both Opal and Nik's personalities, their quest and their backgrounds and I look forward to know more about them as the books continue to come!
My only take would be that some descriptions were too heavy and confusing for a non native speaker and it took me a while to be able to visualize the world she describes, but it's nothing unsurmountable.


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