Review: Mistresses with Jameela Jamil & Dr Kate Lister

Mistresses with Jameela Jamil & Dr Kate Lister by Jameela Jamil
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fantastic, fun, feminist.  That's this audiobook in 3 words.  

Dr Kate Lister and Jameela Jamil detail 6 women ("sidepieces" one of their words) who were lost to history/had their stories reported on/told by men.  Yes, women can be shitty too.  But also naunced; sometimes one has to do extradinaory things just to survive.  Particularly when one doesn't have the same rights as a man.  

Learning can be entertaining!

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Review: I Think I'm in Love with an Alien

I Think I'm in Love with an Alien by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 * rounded up

Jen (Jennette or Jeneticist in the group chat) is a sci-fi geek.  She's also misunderstood and has difficulty making friends.  She's also a bit stuck, she not in a job she loves (adjunct professor at the community college- astronomy), but is pays the bills.  She's meet 5 others online and they are all online friends with plans to meet in-person at a sci-fi con.  

She has a crush on Seeker (Tam, Tamzir) a member of the group.  He also has a crush on her.  When they meet for real, they have a real connection.  As they get closer, Tam has a secret.  Does he tell her?

I enjoyed the other characters as well, Jaz, Poppy, Ravik, and Tad.  In addition the Seeker, 2 other are aliens too!  The alternating POV are helpful getting in Jen and Tam's headspace.  The group chats interspersed throughout give an idea how close this group has gotten.  

My only issues (I have 2) are the alien hunters at the con and later at Rivak's home.  They are thrown in for a suspense element, but nothing happens.  Who are they? What do they want?  Are the independent citizens?  Do they work for someone?  Who knows!   

And an epilogue would have been nice.  The ending is a bit abrupt IMO.  One of the secondary characters makes a big decision at the end which would/should effect the group dynamic.  As a result of the decision, Jen and Tam decide to move.  It's just so abrupt.  There is no follow-up.

Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo:  secret identity square.  

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Review: Rocky Start

Rocky Start by Annabeth Albert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Avery and Malik both work for A-List Security.  Both are vets.  Malik is settled, knows who he is, and is open to exploring new things, foods, people, his sexuality.  Avery is less sure of himself and has a complicated relationship with his family who have beliefs about masculinity.  Avery has always been the smaller one in his family.  (His dad is a retired football star).  

I thought both took their time and complimented each other well.  This has one of my favorite tropes (forced proximity) which really helped further their relationship.  

For Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  either the tattoo square or latest in series (I will decide later).  

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Review: Husband Material

Husband Material by Alexis Hall
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What a disappointment.  Having enjoyed the first book, I wanted to read this one.  Luc was annoying in book 1, but had good character growth and he grew on me.  I always liked Oliver.  

It's not the ending that bothered me, it's what came before.  The character growth I mentioned Luc had in book 1?  Not here.  What the fuck happened?  Luc was selfish and judgemental.  I can not begin to say how MUCH I DISLIKED him.  He continued to run from having a conversation.  A conversation that would have prevented the very ending of this book.  So rediculous.  

I do appreciate this brings up the complicated feeling gay people can have about marriage.  Both why it would appeal to some, and why others would not be interested at all.  One thing that has always made me scratch my head is the feeling that marriage "changes everything."  (That theme was not only in this one, but other romances too).  Really (IMO) the oly thing that "changes" is you are legal in the eyes of the government (assuming one lives where marriage is legal) and it's harder to walk away/break-up.  

And Luc's thing with there being a "right" way to be gay and a "wrong" way was so stupid.  Fuck off Luc. Oliver deserved better.

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  Set in place you'd like to vacation.

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Review: Napkins and Other Distractions

Napkins and Other Distractions by M.A. Wardell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kent is a divorced, elementary school principle who has decided to explore his bisexuality.  He meet Vincent through a dating app.  Vincent has gone on a lot of first dates.  Never second dates.  Their first meeting is a bit of a disaster.  Good thing they will never meet again!

Haha, just kidding!  Vincent is one of the technical specialists of the company Kent's school district has hired to overall a data entry system to track the school's academic progress.  There is an attraction there, so 2nd date it is.

I liked how accepting Kent was of people in general, relationships with his ex, daughter, grand daughter.  I thought Kent's clumsiness was dialed up to a 10 and didn't need to be (it got to be an eye roll level after awhile, like really?  How is he still alive?).  It was a bit much.  Vincent has learned to deal with his OCD and I like how he realized he was worthy of having love him just as he was.  I did think the ending was a bit abrupt, even with the epilogue.  

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Review: Rebel Hard

Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nayna has agreed to let her parents chose a spouse for her.  She feels like she has to as the "good" daughter.  Her older sister eloped with a man her parents didn't choose and got divorced (the horror!). As a result her parents cut her sister out of their lives for a few years.  Nayna feels like she has to be perfect and as a result is feeling trapped.

Raj is in charge of his family's construction company.  He was abandoned by his birth parents and adopted into the Sen family.  He is his parents son in everything that matters.  As a result of his background, he craves a traditional wife.  

While at a party with her best friend, Isa, Nayna meets Raj.  After a misunderstanding, they meet again as a result of their parents agreement.  

I liked how they got to know each other.  Raj adjusts his expectations of what he really wants. Nayna is able to gain some freedom, and realizes Raj is the one she wants.  Enjoyable.  Takes place during the same time as Isa and Sailor's story.

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Review: Firefly Lane

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5*

This book packed a punch.  It's a story of childhood best friends who grow up and remain best friends.  It's a story of their friendship, fights, jealousy, envy, you name it, it's probably in the story.  Regardless, they find themselves back with each other.  Both characters have their moments of kindness and selfishness.  I thought Kate was too much of a people pleaser.  Tully was a bit too selfish.  The love triangle with Johnny was not needed IMO.  There was enough going on without that.  

This hits the highs and the lowest lows.  

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