Review: Roped In

Roped In by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Colt and Avery's story. We met them in the first book. They had previously had a relationship and Colt's inability to tell Mack what happened in a SWAT shooting that went wrong and his inability to trust/accept when Avery had to leave for a work trip. Anyway, they broke up and Colt left the city they both lived in (LA) for a remote ranch (Clean Slate).
Avery comes back in Colt's life when the remains of a ghost town are found on ranch property. Feelings come back. 2nd chance romances aren't my favorite (in my mind y'all broke up for a reason), but I did enjoy this. Both characters are not who they were 5 years prior. They are more mature and own their mistakes. Not super big on BDSM story-lines, but I didn't feel that was a big deal for me in this one (your mileage will probably vary).
Mack and Colt's relationship was improving. Colt made the decision to re-connect with his (very religious, conservative) family. That reunion was (I felt) thrown in towards the end and was a bit rushed. I thought the ending was a bit rushed when all said and done; luckily we get an epilogue.
Next book is Reyes (Mack and Colt's friend) and Miles (Wes's roommate).

View all my reviews

Review: All Boys Aren’t Blue

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well written. Lots of heavy topics (rascism, homophobia, rape, etc). This is a book that some groups have successfully had pulled from school bookshelves and others that are trying. I do think people overlook that abuse knows no boundaries and teens do experience it. Teens do think about sex and have sex. Topics that make people uncomfortable should be discussed. No one lives in a perfect world. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. You can tell the author writes for a living; the writing style and flow is very well done.

View all my reviews

Review: Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide

Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide by Keith Payne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This covers the divide in the US that has split families/friends. It's amazing how many people believe fake news (ie immigrants are evil, the Democrats are pedophiles, etc). Not surprising that a lot of this comes down to the education one gets during their schooling. If one goes on to higher education (or some sort of secondary education) they are less susceptible to false information.

View all my reviews

Review: Dreaming in Cuban

Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina García
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This follows 3 generations of women (Celia- the matriarch, her daughters Lourdes and Felicia, and granddaughter Pilar). Well written, but hard to follow a times due to shifting point of view, time, and location. This deals with difficult topics; depression, rape, abuse.
I'm trying to make a point of reading some challenged books each year. This is one such book.

View all my reviews

Review: Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was both extremely sad (that someone could even do this) and infuriating. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with (some) people??

View all my reviews

Review: The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles

The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting read about Simone Biles old coach. As life happens their paths diverge; each going their own way presuming new personal goals/achievements. She does talk about Larry Nassar and the massive cover up. Human being sometimes can see only what they want to see at times; we can be so blind. And then realizing later (most anyway) of how we fucked up. She always talked about the Karolyi's toxic training environment at their camp (and how they were welcomed when the defected by USA Gymnastics). Some coaching styles are cruel, abusive and were considered "normal" and "okay." This was enlightening.

View all my reviews

Review: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Brie (she makes cheese and is Cin's best friend) and Felix's (he was introduced in book 1, he is a werewolf) story. Cin and Fallon (from book 1) are happily together and have a strong part to play in this one. Felix imprints on Brie at the same time she accidentally hits him with a love potion. How much is the potion vs he really imprinted? That remains to be seen.
Meanwhile someone/something is kidnapping young, single women from town. People are still getting used to having demons (any supernatural creature) around. Like humans, most are good, but some have bad or murky intentions.
This was funny. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but still served up a fun and engaging story.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: Paranormal romance OR magic square

View all my reviews