Review: Summer Thaw

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Colin has a thing for Hattie. But, I don't know, rather then treat her like you want to be treated, let's be an asshole instead. It's gotten to the point that Hattie thinks he hates her. Anyway, college hockey stars, away on a summer skills camp. They are forced to spend time together. The end.

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Review: Beauty and the Bounty Hunter

Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book is a good example of a good start and then once you learn more about the characters (in this case, just 1 of them), you realize the book ain't it.

Cat (Cathleen) was attacked and raped, her husband was murdered.  This leads to a transformation to get vengeance.  When the reader meets her, she is a bounty hunter.  And an effective one.  She gets who she goes after.  

Alexi, a conman who taught her what she knows, comes back into her life.  Apparently she's attracted too much attention and there are elements who want her eliminated.  He could have just told her that, but no, he leads her on a chase to find him.  

My issue wasn't with Cat, for the most part I liked her.  Alexi was the one I had issues with.  I didn't feel like they communicated well and had multiple issue related to this throughout the book.  

This book had a lot on common with some of the "old skool" romances of the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.  We don't learn this until the end of the book, but Alexi know what happened to Cat.  And in order to "fix her" he demanded sex as payment for teaching her the art of the con.  I already didn't like him, but that was the final nail on his coffin.  

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  Historical, not a regency

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Review: Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump

Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will be honest; I am a political junkie and this didn't have anything that I didn't already know about.  However, because there is ALWAYS BAD SHIT happening, the other BAD SHIT gets pushed way in the back of my brain.  I had many moments while reading this, "oh yeah, I remember that."  

This is a good summary of all the bullshit that has happened (and CONTINUES to happen) since the Racist Sexist Orange Asshole won the election in 2024.  If you aren't already, why aren't you pissed off?  Well, if one isn't angry, depressed, frustrated, sad, or any other negative emotion, that would mean one is MAGA and doesn't have a soul.  Or know someone who is an immigrant, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or have empathy for your fellow humans, care about the environment/global warming, oh my this list could go on and on.  I really have trouble believing in karma.  

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Review: You With the Sad Eyes

You With the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Huge fan of Christina Applegate.  I grew up with her as one of my teenage idols (Married With Children and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead are some of my favorites).  I remember when she announced her MS diagnosis.  She's got an amazing sense of humor (it's a bit dark).  She isn't afraid to be honest.  She hasn't had a perfect life and has dealt with her share of abuse, domestic violence, body dysmorphia, and general shittiness that life can be.  And through it all, she is her humorous self.  I think I admire her even more now.

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Review: Heartstopper #6: A Graphic Novel

Heartstopper #6: A Graphic Novel by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The last book. Looking forward to the movie tomorrow!
Anyway, Charlie has come so far in the series. He is fully confident in himself and is a support to other younger students. Nick has also matured and has realized he needs to find/focus on his own interests (instead of always being with Charlie). He is going off to college and this leaves them in a good spot. I can see them broadening their horizons; meeting new people and learning from them. I can also see them together after they are done with their educations.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: published in the last 3 months

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Review: Summer Staycation

Summer Staycation by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beck is neurodivergent and sounds overload her mind. Lucas is a travel reporter. They spend the weekend together. The best so far of this summer themed series, but the ending was abrupt and would have benefited from an spilogue.

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Review: Girls Just Wanna Have Sun

Girls Just Wanna Have Sun by Rachel Lacey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Morgan had her bisexual awakening after a kiss 8 years ago.  She sees Juliet again on a beach trip with friends.  Juliet takes a moment and remembers her.  They spend some time together on the lake; Juliet teachers her how to paddle board.  

Both Morgan and Juliet are mostly opposites (an example is Juliet love the outdoors and everything with it; Morgan isn't).  My low rating comes from a disbelief of seeing them together.  Juliet spends a bit of time annoyed with Morgan.  I couldn't see them together.  I also had trouble believing they couldn't have seen each other in 8 years since (it appeared) they were part of the same friend group.  Color me a bit confused about that one.  

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Review: Hard Ride

Hard Ride by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Slater has found a home at Clean Slate.  He has a history like just about everyone at Clean Slate.  He is private and only the ranch owner Arthur (and I think Jud?) know his history.  He is also a bit of a loner.  Derrick is outgoing and has a loving, supportive family.  They also want to see him in a relationship.  Which Derrick shys away from since he has been hurt in the past (cheating x 2).  One sleepless night, while at the ranch for a double wedding, he and Slater have a hot one night stand.  And both think about it after.

Slater falls off a cliff while saving a boy's life.  This leds to needing time off to rehab.  Derrick offers a deal; he stays with him and they fake a relationship.  Slater gets a place to stay to be closer to physical therapy (and privacy) and Derrick get s a fake boyfriend to take on 5 (yes 5) weddings over the summer.  

I enjoyed this so much.  Both compliment each other so well.  I liked seeing the relationship flow from a one night stand to friendship to love.  It was so sweet.  Of course they have to get out of their own heads towards the end.  

We do see previous characters appear in this one (Mack, Reyes, Robin, Wes, Sophie, Colt, Conrad).  And new characters:  Morgan & Dez, George and Orry.  I've enjoyed this series!

Ripped Bodice Bingo:  friends with benefits.

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Review: One Hot Summer Wedding

One Hot Summer Wedding by Falon Ballard
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had to suspend some disbelief with this one.  Lucy hasn't seen her friend Sara in a decade and gets invited to her wedding.  I get that it's a destination wedding, but really?  Someone you considered a friend goes 10 years without seeing them and you decide to go to wedding?  Lucy also had a thing for Beckett, Sara's brother.  But someone tells a lie because they were worried how a Lucy/Beckett romance would effect them.  I thought the lie and reason (it was stupid) were brushed over and forgiven/forgotten too easily.   

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Review: The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance

The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance by Jamie Leigh Hansen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The "Mammoth Book" series of anthologies has been a bit hit and miss for me. This one is no different. I think my tastes have changed over the last several years, I didn't like this (overall) as much as I thought I would. I am a LInnea Sinclair fan and did initially buy this for her stories (there are 2!). Her stories didn't disappoint.
Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo- Futuristic/Dystopian Romance

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Review: Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy by Jessica Peterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Josie left her small town to pursue a music career.  She is now a successful artist and is back home to officiate her brother and best friend's wedding.  Weston was Josie's first love and chose his family's ranch over her (they were to go to Nashville together).  He has 2 brothers that work the ranch and lots of hired hands, so ranch it is, gotta support my family.  (I would have been more understanding if he was an only child or the family was in danger of losing their home)

2nd chance aren't my favorite and I didn't care for this one.  I couldn't get into the romance and thought Josie was an idiot.  Sure, he loves her now that she's got money.  A song (yes, one song) does not a proper grovel make.  This may have better if it had been a little longer.  

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Review: Role Model

Role Model by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Troy's story (he was Dallas Kent's friend from the previous books, with hints in the last book that he may really not be a bad person at heart).  Troy gets traded to Ottawa, the worst team in the league, after he calls out Dallas over sexual assault allegations.  The league, of course, took Dallas's side.  Needless the say, their friendship (thank the goddess) is DEAD.  And to add another shitty thing, his boyfriend of 2 years broke up with him (and is now out and engaged).

Harris is the team's social media manager.  He is loved by everyone on the team.  He's out, proud, and usually always quick to laugh/have a smile on his face.  He is super close to his family (they have an apple orchard) and they love him just as he is.

Troy is a bit of an asshole at the beginning this is.  I do understand why he was unhappy, but it sucked that he took it out on the people around him.  Eventually he does thaw and Harris provides a person he can confide in and share some history (shocker, Troy's dad is an asshole).  Ilya is also a supportive person and he is one of the first people that Troy comes out to.  We get to see characters from the previous books; Scott, Kip, Ilya, Shane, Ryan, Fabian, Eric, and Kyle all make appearances.  Shane is a blink and miss, Ilya has much more.    

Does cover homophobia, sexaul assault.

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  Animal on cover 

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Review: S'more of You

S'more of You by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Margot and Dean have known each other for the last 8 years having started out spending their summers at camp as campers at 13 to now counselors. Margot has had a crush on Dean for 8 years and this the the year she does something about it. The only problem? He doesn't believe her. Apparently she liked to prank him.
Short, summer themed. Nicely paced and this works because of their shared history. Told in alternating points of view, we knew where each character's minds were. I think that one of the main characters being a virgin was a bit tired (not a big fan of this trope; especially in comtempary romances).

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Review: Heads Will Roll

Heads Will Roll by Kate McKinnon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laugh out loud funny, rauchy, cliche jokes. The perfect distraction to "America 250." Haven't been in the mood to celebrate.

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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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