Fire on the Ice

Review:

Blaze is a short track speed skater, Maisy is a figure skater. Every 4 years (I assume) the Snow and Ice Games (SIG) happen. 4 years ago at the last SIG, Blaze and Maisy had a red hot affair. Both are down for the same at this event.
There were some things I liked; the figure skating and speed skating and the last couple of chapters. 
Blaze was a unique character (she's bisexual, polygamous (and very open with who she is) which is something not really seen in romance- it did take some getting used to). Maisy on the other hand was more of a wallflower and didn't want to be. I wanted her to stand up to her parents/coach and do what she wanted. 
What I didn't: the first 3/4 of the book was sex and sex and more sex. There was no plot, no character development.
1st part: 1*
2nd part: 3*
Average: 2*
Ripped Bodice Bingo: F-F contemporary

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1925966/fire-on-the-ice

A Lily Among Thorns

Review:

This had a slow start for me. Serena fell in love with one of her father's footmen. She then opted to run away and join a brothel becoming a well known courtesan. Solomon visits the brothel with his "friends" and gives Serena his quarterly allowance which allows her a chance at a new life.
I did think Serena was cold and harsh at times. I also thought Solomon was maybe too perfect (he sews! he cooks! he plays!). However, I could see them together and I thought they fit. I liked the spy subplot and the secondary love story with Rene and Elijah. I would have liked a little more about Rene/Elijah. And also- did anything happen to Serena's father?
For Ripped Bodice Bingo- on the page atheist

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1922952/a-lily-among-thorns

Chase Me

Review:

Roxy is a struggling actress. Louis is a lawyer with a great job and from money. Louis also happens to be a manwhore. They meet when Roxy sings a song about his penis dressed in a bunny suit.
This was cute and I liked the banter. I didn't quite believe the romance, but I liked both characters.
Ripped Bodice Bingo- someone wears a costume.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1922003/chase-me

Rock Redemption

Review:

I'm not always a fan of second chance romances (and this one kinda is). Kit is best friends with Noah (and she loves him and he her). Noah, believing himself to be not worthy, orchestrates a betrayal (of sorts). He had something happen during his childhood that causes him to self medicate with women. Lots of them.
Noah was

[spoiler]

sexually abused as a child and his parents opted to ignore it and send him away to boarding school.

[/spoiler]

Instead of seeking out counseling, talking about it, he bottles it in- until it can't be dealt with in his usual way. I wanted more from him sooner then it came. He does eventually redeem himself, but it was pretty much towards the end of the book. I thought his treatment of Kit was super shitty. While I didn't like he was sleeping with other women, it technically wasn't cheating since they weren't a couple.
I was still in the story. NS can write!
Angst- check. Secret- check.
Ripped Bodice Bingo: Show Business square

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1922002/rock-redemption

The Rule of Luck

Review:

In this future, the Earth as we know it has been destroyed by climate change, earthquakes, the subsequent wars that followed. Humanity is ruled under one government. That government controls everything from life-span to fertility to calories. Humanity has colonized Mars and Venus. There is AI, cloning, and genetic modification.
I thought the concepts were interesting and I liked the writing. What I didn't like so much were the characters. Felicia is struck dumb and in lust by Alexei's perfection. Oh please no. I did like Felicia's tarot card reading and her luck gene (yes, that's a thing in this book). Alexei is an Alpha-hole extraordinaire. I think that title explains it all right there.
This would have been better had he been less of a possessive asshole and she less "stupid in lust" (my term for lack of a better descriptor). There's also the cheating.

[spoiler]

Yes, I know she really isn't that much into Roy. And I know he really is a spy for her mother. Roy also happens to be married with a baby on the way. His wife thinks he and Felicia are work friends. 

[/spoiler]

For Ripped Bodice Bingo- tarot square.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1918324/the-rule-of-luck

How to Win at Feminism

Review:

Well, hummm. Some of the satire/sarcasm worked and some of it didn't work for me. There are some things you can joke and laugh at. Other things not so much. This book has some LOL moments. It also had it's fair share of hell no not funny moments.
I did like the fake ads spread throughout. Pink Goats International was one of my favs.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1918141/how-to-win-at-feminism

Romancing the Duke

Review:

Izzy father wrote fairytales. When he dies, she is left with nothing except a castle she inherits. When she arrives at this castle she finds someone living there. It turns out Ransom Vane Duke of Rothbury owns the castle...or does he? Ransom was injured in a sword fight, scarring his face and losing his vision (most of it).
I love Beauty and the Beast stories and I think this is one of them. I enjoyed both Izzy and Ransom and could believe their interest and later romance as they got to know each other. The band of people that help out Ransom later are interesting characters. I did think it strange that once Izzy started reading his correspondence and they both realized something was fishy, neither of them acted on it.
I also liked

[spoiler]

Izzy was the bread winner and author of the popular stories.

[/spoiler]

For Ripped Bodice Bingo- I'm using this for the free space

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1918140/romancing-the-duke

The Governess Affair

Review:

The plot was unique in this one. Neither one are titled and are the average working folk. I liked how Hugo admired and cared for Serena. I would have liked for Serena to get a meeting with Clermont though.
I liked meeting Marshall, Robert, and Sebastian (Robert's cousin).
For Ripped Bodice Bingo: Epistolary square

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1917784/the-governess-affair

The Secret History of Wonder Woman

Review:

This was very fascinating. I enjoyed reading about earlier feminism. WMM was definitely ahead of his time (but also had his issues). This was really, really well researched, so it came off as a bit dry for me so I read small portions at a time. 
One thing I found fascinating were the relationships Elizabeth, Olive, Marjorie, and William all had with each other. After Marston died, the women continued their relationship/friendship. I thought it was interesting the amount of secrecy. The author made a point of pointing out that each child had a different POV. 
This is most definitely a story of how Wonder Woman began and all the amazing women that inspired her creation. But it's also a story of family.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1917782/the-secret-history-of-wonder-woman