I feel conflicted about Kick. On the one hand, the writing is amazing: engaging, exciting, intense, and evocative. On the other hand, the main character, Fiona, deeply disturbs me. The fact that this is a novella with a well-rounded plot and a multi-dimensional main character, let alone a short story that causes discordant emotions, is a testament to CD Reiss’s skill as a writer.
I suspected Kate Stewart was a talented writer when I read Loving the White Liar, but reading The Fall has made me a true believer. The Fall is a second chance love story that well exceeded my expectations.
I’ve been in love with K. Bromberg’s Driven series since the very beginning. The characters in her books have heart, the bonds between friends are impenetrable, the humor flows, and there is always an underlying poignancy to elevate the stories from being more than just over-sexed romanced novels. Sweet Ache is no exception.
NOTE: Coda is the last book in the Songs of Submission series. It is not a standalone and should be read after Sing. This review contains major spoilers that pertain to Sing.
The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy and the Game On series by Kristen Callihan are probably the two most popular series in the college sports romance sub-genre. Jen Frederick makes no secret that their work was the inspiration for Sacked, and in many regards it’s a successful homage.
I’m sad to say I was disappointed with this one. I didn’t hate it but I wouldn’t recommend it either. The book summary sounded interesting but the story wound up being under-developed, rushed and somewhat unrealistic. Overall, Where I Belong just isn’t what I’ve come to expect from a J. Daniels book.
I tend to avoid love triangles; however, this one has a twist. Evan, a Navy SEAL, leaves his pregnant fiancé, Ryley, when deployed on a special mission. When he’s “killed” in the line of duty, Evan’s twin brother, Nate, is there to help Ryley pick up the pieces. Six years later, Evan returns home to find that Ryley and Nate are engaged and his son calls his brother, “Dad.” The premise sounds intriguing. The problem with this story is in its execution.
This was the ideal lazy weekend read. It grabbed me from the first chapter and I gobbled it up in one day. It’s a unique second-chance love story, one that starts on a whimsical note and ventures into the land of pulled heartstrings.
Sweet Hope is the third book in the Sweet Home series and is perhaps my favorite so far. The book deals with themes of guilt and redemption. Elpi and Ally are a true star-crossed pair. Elpi, the intimidating and tortured artist, is in desperate need of a second chance but feels unworthy of salvation. Ally, a carefree museum curator, feels inexplicably connected to Elpi’s work. I really admired her tenacity and unabashed faithfulness. My heart broke for Elpi, and the weight of his shame and his rejection of happiness were overwhelming at times.
Don’t let the fact that Sweet Fall is a sports romance set on a college campus deceive you. This isn’t a New Adult romantic comedy – at all. It deals with some heavy subject matter, but it still manages to be… well… sweet.
