Susan Scribner
Interesting premise but deadly dull and amateurish execution. The scenes set in contemporary times are particularly weak; at least the early 20th century epistolary sections have a bit of interesting history.
Advice to anyone who finds their grandparents' love letters in the attic: before you decide to publish, consider whether there is an actual story worth telling and whether you have the skills to see it through.
It's been way too long since readers have been treated to the unique voice of Deborah Smith, one of my all-time favorite authors. The Biscuit Witch only whets my appetite for more. While it brims with colorful characters, Southern humor and a sweet romance, there is so much set up required for the rest of the planned trilogy of novellas that the love story at times seems a bit rushed. Tal and Doug are fine characters but with only 100+ pages to play with, something has to go and in this case it's a bit of depth. Doug has come to Crossroads Cove after his wife left him and he descended into a drunken stupor, but by the time Tal meets him he is cleaned up, ready to fall in love at first sight, and darned near perfect (he loves animals! and children! and he has a darling brogue!). Tal is on the run with her young daughter from her rich, famous ex-boyfriend but it's obvious that his hired goons don't stand a chance against the loyal if slightly crazy residents of Crossroads Cove, so even that suspense is slightly muted. Even with those minor complaints, I loved the novella and read it twice in a row - once to quickly reach the HEA and once to savor every delicious word.
I'm looking forward to more fireworks for Tal's sister Gabby and the man who seems destined to challenge her (unlike Tal, who as a baker has a sweet personality, Gabby is known as the Pickle Queen and is full of vinegar). The plot line for Tal's brother Gus also seems to foreshadow lots of tortured angst. I can't wait. Meanwhile I'm off to re-read The Crossroads Cafe. Welcome back Ms. Smith!
This was a very well-written, angsty book (albeit with some humor), not at all what I was expecting when I read the blurb. Much messier than I think an American version would have been. I wish the author had shown a few flashback scenes of when Fay and Magnus met and got married, so I would have understood better their undying love for each other. And despite (or because of) Gillard's accurate, heart-wrenching portrayal of Magnus' PTSD, I wasn't sure there was any guarantee he and Fay could make their marriage work a second time even if they desperately wanted to.
I picked up Family Reins hoping for a juicy tell-all or an insider's history of the storied Busch family of St. Louis. But the book was relatively tame, and it felt like there was a lot of missing information and many glossed over details. A little Googling revealed some of the facts that Billy Busch left out of this whitewashed memoir:
1) Billy had a daughter with a former girlfriend, who posted on Facebook that he had neglected and abandoned her. She is never mentioned in the book or on the (canceled) MTV reality show focused on his beautiful blonde wife and 7 other children.
2) He was charged with assaulting an 11 year old boy at his son's basketball game. And also of punching a fast food worker in the throat at the drive-thru window.
3) Although he has no official position with Anheuser-Busch (the company was sold to InBev in 2008), he told TMZ that his ancestors would have “rolled over in their graves” if they knew about the furor caused by putting a transgender influencer's face on a promotional only case of beer. Budweiser drinkers, according to Billy, “want their beer to be truly American, truly patriotic,” which apparently means no queers.
The stuff Busch does include in the book is pretty alarming as well. Sure he was a “poor little rich boy” who had everything except love, and his family did suffer its share of tragedies, but that doesn't mean it was okay to literally bite a guy's ear off in a bar fight. Although he claims to love animals, he seems to take more pleasure in describing how many of them he and the other male Busches took down in their game hunting. And he thinks it's hilarious that his dad, Gussie Busch, told him to shoot the black pigeons on their property and spare the white ones (because racism is funny?).
Really, the best thing you can say about Billy Busch is that he is not the guy who joked with DT45 about grabbing women by the p***y on the infamous Access Hollywood tape (that slimebucket's last name is Bush, no “c.”)
A collection of anecdotes from the 93 year old producer of Laugh-In, Real People, and numerous awards and variety shows. They read as if they were told directly by your ribald, sexist, egotistical grandfather, with countless rimshots and constant name-dropping. I wish there were more pages devoted to Laugh-In, the 1960s hippy culture comedy TV show (where Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and others got their start), and fewer about Schlatter's relationship with Mafia buddy Frank Sinatra, but overall it was a quick, entertaining memoir. YMMV if you are easily offended by 225 pages of politically incorrect schtick.
I still mourn the fact that Smith isn't writing full-length novels anymore, but until and unless she changes her mind I will have to be content with a variety of spin-off and sequel novellas. A Place to Call Home was one of my favorite Deborah Smith books ever, but I wasn't sure if I would remember enough about it more than 15 years later to appreciate this novella sequel that is part 1 of a trilogy. Fortunately Smith portrays the love between Claire and Roan with such depth and power that it all came rushing back. I got a little lost among all of Claire's extended family members who keep popping in to meddle, but the central story of the interloper who threatens Roan's fragile confidence in himself and his place kept me going. I hope we don't have to wait too long for parts 2 and 3.
CW for battle scenes that include somewhat graphic descriptions of death and dying.
3.5 stars. Read this on Boxing Day 2020, and it was a fitting end to holiday reading for the year. Gentle (despite the early depictions of battle carnage), mostly chaste romance between English and German MCs who meet during a brief respite from WWI and are reunited several years after the war's end. While the main conflicts are the anti-German sentiment that follows Jochen, Aiden's PTSD that has robbed him of his voice, and the overall danger of being queer at that time, there is also the reader's knowledge that in less than 30 years the world will once again be torn apart by an even more brutal war.
I suspect if I had read this book five years ago, it wouldn't have made much of an impression on me. But in 2020 I am desperate for stories that portray human goodness in the face of difficult times, and I found myself more emotionally engaged than I would have predicted. I guess it was the right book at the right time for me.
Cute story, but weakened by several issues. First, while Cleo meets the ghostly Alex early in the book, she doesn't encounter his brother Rafe until almost halfway through, leaving little time to develop their relationship. Secondly, Cleo's professional issues are never integrated with the romance, and her problems are solved without any proactive decisions on her part. Lots of things happen to Cleo but she rarely makes them happen.
If you don't stop too long to think about these problems, you're left with a sweet story of lost love regained, forgiveness, and moving on from loss, along with some humorous scenes of mischievous ghosts at play.
Cochrane goes back to 1911, pre-Great War, for her latest Cambridge Fellows novella. While I enjoy seeing Orlando and Jonty still young and hale, there's a certain sadness in knowing what lies ahead for them. The mystery is a good one, and our two sleuths find themselves in a bit of danger as they forge ahead.
There was one aspect that bothered me: the lack of concern displayed about the fact that a student has been murdered. Sure, they want to solve the crime and find the culprit, but there seems to be little sadness about the student himself, and the later theft of certain objects feels like it is given equal weight to a brutal murder. I get that this is a “cozy mystery” so the angst is by definition minimized, but it seemed just a tiny bit callous.
Otherwise an enjoyable entry into the long-running series. If Cochrane keeps jumping back and forth in time there is no limit to the number of mysteries she can provide for our intrepid fellows.
I'm giving Rebel Prince a generous 4 stars, primarily on the strength of my love for the first two books in this series and because you have to admire the heck out of an author who finally wrote the third book in a trilogy, a full 20 years after the original publisher, Topaz, made the boneheaded decision to reject it.
Back in the good old 1990s, Lord of the Storm and The Skypirate were two of my favorite comfort reads - nice, juicy space operas with catnip plots including slave-turned-warrior (Storm) and redemption of evil bitch (Skypirate). Over the past 20 years, however, I grew up and romance novels did too. While I enjoyed Rebel Prince, it just didn't move me in the same way as the first two books.
Part of the reason is that sci-fi/fantasy romance has grown and changed so much in the past 20 years. While there were few other options in this genre in 1994 when Storm was first published, now there are many examples of novels and series with sophisticated world-building and mythology. The Star Wars-lite planets of this series - perfect Trios vs. the eeeevil Coalition - now seem quaint and unsophisticated.
Also, readers have grown to accept and even expect kick-ass heroes and heroines who apologize to no one for their bad-assery. So when Rina and the object of her affection keep playing the “I'm not good enough for you” humble card again and again ad nauseum it seems annoying, and an unnecessary conflict.
Then there are our golden children, Lyon and Shaina. Destined from birth to be together, there's very little Davis can do to keep them apart other than the “let's not ruin our friendship” trope, which lasts for about half of the book before they give into their feelings. The romance felt very pro forma. I thought there was more depth of emotion in the fractured relationship between Shaina and her father, Dax Silverbrake (hero of Skypirate) than between Shaina and Lyon.
Maybe I'm nitpicking. After a 20 year wait, it would have been difficult for Rebel Prince to live up to the wait. And I'm 20 years older and more cynical than I was when the first two books were published. I did enjoy the glimpses of Dare & Shayla, and Dax & Califa, and I'm glad that Rina finally got a happy ending. I salute Justine Davis and Belle Bridge Books for finally completing the trilogy and righting a 20-year wrong.
3.5 stars. Self-proclaimed “asshamster” Vic Kalinski is reformed (sort of), married to the love of his life Dan Arou and co-parenting the toddler that was the product of a one-night stand with a young nursing student. His hockey career is over due to a serious concussion but he is an assistant coach of the Cayuga Cougars. Life is good, until he's hit with a one-two punch: the newest member of the Cougars is Dan's ex-boyfriend. And his father, who walked out when Vic was young, leaving him with an alcoholic and violent mother, suddenly reappears, hoping to re-establish a relationship.
In the past Vic would face problems by drinking, hitting out physically or emotionally, or just leaving. But he's a new man now (sort of). Locey mines both humor and poignancy as Vic tries to be a good husband and talk things out with Dan. They have some impressive fights (and lots of makeup sex), but there's never the threat that their relationship won't survive. Fortunately, Vic has the help of the most patient therapist in history, and some of the best scenes in the book are set in the therapist's office while Vic vehemently denies that any of this therapy bullshit is helping even as he reaches new insights and breakthroughs.
Dan is as wonderful as ever, there are cameos from other series MCs, and Jack is shaping up to be an interesting kid who wants to dress up as Moana for Halloween (anyone who has a problem with that can see Vic about it). Not recommended unless you have read the Point Shot trilogy that introduced Vic and Dan, but it you have you'll be happy to see them again.
Not my favorite Mapson novel, but anything she writes is better than most Women's Fiction. The first half of the book is slow but if you are patient the seemingly inconsequential details come together in the last memorable 50 pages, in which so much happens that you wish she would slow down the narrative a little. Calls out for a sequel, although Finding Casey is itself a sequel to the much superior Solomon's Oak.
3.5 stars. Cute, low-angst romance between an Jason, ex-cop who has retired to live on a boat (it's a yacht, but just barely) and the amiable Charlie, ten years his junior, who works in his mom's tourist shop, guides island bike tours and generally looks out for his many friends who live in the community. Jason was married for many years to a woman but seems to take his attraction to Charlie pretty much in stride. They meet cute, they flirt, they kiss, they go to bed, they call it casual but of course it is more than that...really only one obstacle to their HEA occurs when Jason does something really hurtful, and his realizes almost immediately that a big-time grovel is mandatory.
As in the previous books I've read by this author, the feelings of falling in love, complete with dopey grins and “how did I get so lucky?” asides, is nicely portrayed. I just wish Ms. Flippy (surely one of the worst pseudonyms I've ever encountered) would get some copy-editing help, as once again I found an example of her labeling one of the MC's with the wrong name.
Nothing earth-shattering, but a nice comfort read in a time that increasingly demands them.
Another Jonty and Orlando mystery that takes place in the years before WWI and [b:All Lessons Learned 10287109 All Lessons Learned (Cambridge Fellows, #8) Charlie Cochrane https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365991175l/10287109.SX50.jpg 15188844]. I was a little disappointed by this one. By sending the duo back to Oxford where Orlando was an undergraduate student (or whatever they call it in England), Cochrane had an opportunity to dig up long lost fellow students, professors, etc. Instead there is a little bit about Orlando being afraid he will fail and ruin his reputation, but that's quickly resolved and he never actually encounters anyone he knew back when he was shy and withdrawn. The mystery itself has very low stakes and it is solved without much drama. The resolution is clever but doesn't have much emotional resonance. It's almost too cozy. Always good to visit with the boys, but these novellas are nowhere as strong as the initial eight books in the series.
This contemporary romance from 1991 hasn't necessarily aged well. The first part that portrays two fifteen year old summer friends struggling with adolescent changes is charming. The second part of their reunion years later also has its moments. But then...well, let's just say that category romance cliches kick in and the rest is all downhill. Judith Arnold was one of my favorite category romance authors in the 1980s and 1990s, and I'll always be grateful that she contributed a Hanukkah story to the Harlequin American Romance line, but this book did not need to make a reappearance 25 years later.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. A diamond in the rough - sometimes very rough. Several egregious misspellings and downright errors, including the author forgetting which character is speaking. Despite that, I really enjoyed this sweet and funny romance between a down on his luck aspiring actor and the former child star he has long adored from afar. The story is told through Bart's POV as he meets the real Robbie Day (both very similar to and different from his fantasy) and falls in love despite his best intentions to keep his heart safely tucked away. There's angst without melodrama, sex scenes that are more entertaining than erotic, and apparently a strong working knowledge of how Hollywood really works.
Hate the book cover, suspicious of the author's name (I.M. Flippy? Really?) but charmed despite my best intentions.
Favorite quote: “Swear to God, the shortest distance between a good time and an existential crisis is Bart Healey.” (exclaimed by Bart's best friend Adam)
Warning: ends on a HFN for the MCs, but somewhat of a plot cliffhanger, so after investing a mere 99 cents in the first book of the duology I have no doubt I'll be ponying up full price for the conclusion. Well played, Ms. Flippy, or whoever you are.
I hate to write a negative review for a debut author, but Founder's Mercy didn't work for me at all. The world building was standard “rebels against Evil Empire,” and halfway through the story our teenaged hero Adan literally encounters a deus ex machina that makes him virtually invincible. So there's very little about his own skills or strengths that define Adan as a hero, other than the fact that he is a loyal BFF.
Despite the disappointing plot, I was still hoping the story would include a decent romance, but the one that develops is lukewarm, and barely made an impact. The book ends with very little resolved. I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger, but the Evil Empire is still evil, and Adan still has no clue why he has such unique powers.
The book's chapters are interspersed with excerpts from the logs written by several members of the original crew that landed on planet Nesta generations ago. These snippets are actually more engaging than Adan's story, indicating that the author is not without talent. Maybe future installments of the series will be better, but I'm noping out after this one.
3.5 stars for this second-chance holiday romance. The first half was especially strong as the two young adult MCs embark on a relationship they know has a built-in expiration date. My heart broke for the POV MC, Adric, as he realized that there was nothing he could do to make Royce stay with him. The second half was rewarding as the two are reunited, but I needed a little more grovel from Royce or hesitation on Adric's part. Their path to a HEA was almost too smooth. Bonus points for including two cats with very different personalities, always a welcome addition.
Harper writes the most human characters of any M/M author around; they are interesting but so very real and relatable. I wish she wrote more straight contemporary romance because she doesn't need suspense or paranormal plots to engage a reader. And (this is no small thing in today's world of self-publishing) her books are perfectly edited.
Cute concept but poor execution. The sample chapters that the heroine writes for an apocalyptic etiquette book are the best part but the rest is poorly plotted. The mystery/suspense is neither mysterious nor suspenseful and the romance is ridiculous. Hardly worth the $1.99 I paid for it.
Loved the Party of Five vibes, as Jake and his siblings work to keep their family together after their parents are both incarcerated. Also appreciated the positive portrayal of social workers (sadly rare in novels IMO). Not as big a fan of the actual romance, primarily because Ryan/Joey takes way too long to grow up and get his head out of his ass.
4 stars for the “reform of the rake” trope, 3 stars for the rest of it. I love a good “jerk is redeemed and turns into a decent guy” arc, but Langdon seemed like a different person once he was in love with Montrell, which made their relationship lose a lot of its energy. For an example of a great jerk, you don't have to go much farther than Locey's own Vic Kalinski, starting with the [b:Point Shot Trilogy Box Set 34416357 Point Shot Trilogy Box Set V.L. Locey https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488244408l/34416357.SX50.jpg 55077345]). He cleans up his act once he falls in love with Dan Arou, but he is still a hot-headed, loud-mouthed guy, not a pod person. Montrell's big secret, and the fallout once it comes out, dominates the second half of the book. I'm not saying it isn't portrayed accurately or poignantly (including the sad truth of homophobia within the queer community), but it wasn't as interesting to me as watching a former fuckboy learn that his past doesn't have to define him and trusting someone else with his feelings for the first time. Bonus points for Langdon falling in love with Montrell's cat at the same time as he falls for the man.
Very promising debut novel about a group of college students in London. The plot gets moving when Nick, a young Russian-Jewish man who immigrated to the American Midwest as a boy, embarks on his lifelong dream to study in England and becomes involved with the other characters. There is a very slow-burn romance between Nick and Dex, which is complicated by the fact that Nick can't even admit to himself that he is gay. There's also a force of nature in the character of Izzy, who takes Nick under her wing but has her own love life problems to address. There's also Jonny, whose family rejected him when he came out as trans, and Natali, whose family was also less than accepting when she told them she was a lesbian.
Readers looking for a heavy focus on romance may be disappointed, as the Nick/Dex story takes a backseat frequently to other characters' issues. They do get a lovely HFN, but another character is left with a cliffhanger ending. The author mentions in her acknowledgements that she wrote this book while in graduate school, so I don't know how quickly she will release a sequel, but I would definitely seek it out.
Tamara Allen releases new books far too infrequently so each one is cause to rejoice. Invitation to the Dance doesn't disappoint. In turn of the century New York City, a cautious new copy editor and a brash journalist go from enemies to friends to lovers when they are forced to work together to get the Society story of the year, which turns out to be more than they anticipated. This is a slow-burn romance (neither character even admits to being homosexual until more than a third of the book is done, and the first kiss takes place well after the halfway mark) but it feels completely appropriate to the setting. Instead of longing looks we get lots of witty banter, interesting secondary characters (including a sweet M/F romance), and period detail that makes you feel like you are trying to hail a cab on Broadway right before Christmas in a cold wind.
While Allen doesn't shy away from the realities of being a gay couple when it was still a crime, she's also rather matter of fact about the ways that Charlie and Will find to be alone together, so it doesn't feel like their sexuality is the barrier keeping them apart. Once they admit their feelings, the conflict revolves around the actions they have taken to insinuate themselves into High Society and the friends and enemies they have made along the way.
I can't understand why Tamara Allen isn't a bigger name in MM romance, but I look forward to each release with great anticipation. I'm already planning a re-read in the very near future because I already miss Charlie and Will and want to spend more time with them. To resort to a cliche - don't turn down this Invitation (sorry, couldn't help myself)!
2.5 stars. Felt like I walked into the sequel to a book I hadn't read. There is no set up so I never really got a good sense of Micah and Sam's initial friendship or understood why they were pining for each other. Pretty much the whole plot could be summed up by: “He can't possibly like me, I'm not good enough for him, and I'm not going to tell him anything about how I feel.” Which is frustrating and gets old quickly. I give the author credit for a realistic portrayal of mental illness (and how it feels to go off your medication cold turkey - those brain zaps are horrifying!) but as a love story this wasn't a book I can recommend.
Interesting concept but the MC's characterizations are paper-thin, and the love at first sight romance doesn't get much deeper than “wow, he's hot” and “we're meant to be together forever because I instinctively know he is perfect for me.”