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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Review: Mixed Signals

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is Layla's story (the 3rd of the friendship trio with Stella and Beckett).  She is the baker.  It's been hinted strongly in previous books that Caleb has a HUGE crush on Layla.  Layla has never noticed him.  Until now.  They start out dating as a training session (she tells him what he is doing "wrong" and vice versa).  As things go, they fall for each other.  Well, Layla.  Caleb was already in.  Layla was just too "I don't deserve this" and later "I don't want to get hurt."  That got so old so fast.  The first couple of dates were funny (in that things went wrong).  

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Review: Rituals

Rituals by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Final book (except for some novellas) in the Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky saga.  Things have come full circle and Liv knows who she is and what she wants.  She and one of the above men, finally admit their feelings and start a romantic relationship.  

We learn more about the deal with the fae her parents made to heal her spina bifida.  And it turns out, it may have been someone/something else.  That something else wants what is theirs.  A satisfying conclusion (there are a few minor character deaths).  I thought the dryads Helia and Alexios were so fun.  And I liked that they found a place to stay when things were done at the end.     

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Review: Us

Us by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That continues Jamie Canning's (now a junior league hockey coach) and Ryan Wesley's (now a rookie in the NHL) story.  Living together, but having to be quiet about it.  Jamie doesn't interact with Wes's teammates and Wes with Jamie's follow coach's.  They have each other, but not much by way of friends.  Friends you'd have let in and allow them to know things.  As a result, both are isolated, Jamie more so than Wes.

Each thing they do is weighed, will this out us?  When one of Wes's teammates, Blake, moves into the building, things get interesting.  I wasn't sure if he would truly be a friend or the villain.  Blake doesn't know boundaries.  Blake is very likeable and at the same time annoying.

Things come to a head when Jamie gets really sick with the flu complicated with pneumonia.  In the end, things do work out and they learn to really communicate what each is feeling.  Enjoyable!

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Review: Common Goal

Common Goal by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eric is Scott's teammate (he is a goalie).  Eric is having a bit of a mid-life crisis; recently divorced (amicably), leaning into his bisexuality, and facing retirement.  It's important to retire on his own terms.  

Kyle is a grad student and figuring out what he really wants to do.  He enjoys her bartending job, but it's frustrated by his boss who wouldn't let him implement changes.  He also likes older men and has had his share of hook-ups.  He is also friends with (and in love with) Kip.

Kyle suggests helping Eric out in his quest to date a man.  And surprise!  They fall for each other.  It was a frustrating (at times) Eric's fixation on his (old) age (41).  That got old quickly.  Kyle didn't have an issue with it, so get over it.  I thought the ending was a bit rushed and appreciated the Epilogue. 

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Review: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cherry (who is Cinnamon's sister) disappeared several years ago and was presumed dead.  She's been locked away in isolation since then.  Enter Dante, a dragon, who is looking for his mate.  He's jealous of Fallon and Felix.  

Dante ends up checking on Gideon (another dragon who has been MIA).  And lo and behold he meets his mate, Cherry.  Dante tries to win over Cherry.    

I think what ruined this for me was I couldn't forget Cherry has been isolated from her family and they do not think she is still alive.  I thought there would have been more with her family and reuniting.  I also thought she would have been more in a hurry to get home.  I just couldn't suspend my disbelief.  We do get to see the cast of characters from the previous 2 books.  That was nice!

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Review: Lucky Break

Lucky Break by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Shawn's (he is the 2nd cook at the saloon in Bently Ghost Town) and Robin (one of the ranch's cowboys).  Shawn had a Bad Thing happen when he was 15 that ostracized him from his small town.  He left when he was 18.  He worked and continued to send money home to his retired grandparents to help pay for his grandmother's health issues (to the point he lived in his car for 2 years).  His parents are both dead.  Robin's husband died  unexpectedly and Robin blames himself.  He ran away from his job (at a traveling rodeo) and was saved by Arthur and Judson, starting over at Clean Slate.   

Both are attracted to each other and their relationship starts out slowly.  It takes time for them to open up to each other (d/t issues with their pasts).  We get appearances from the previous couple and characters from the previous books and see where they are at in their lives/relationships.  Derrick (and Slater) who has an upcoming book has a small amount of page time in this one.  Levi is introduced (Robin's former brother-in-law).  I really enjoyed this.

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Review: Sweet Little Lies

Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pru is a ship captain.  Her parents were responsible for something that altered many lives.  Pru feels responsible (even she had nothing to do with it).  She donates money and finds ways to help out those affected.  

Enter Finn.  He owns the bar that has her favorite chicken wings.  They become friends and then more.  And Pru has this secret (related to the above, Finn was among those whose lives changed).  She keeps it from Finn for most of the book.  Very annoying.

Good friend group:  Willa, Archer, Spencer, Elle, Haley.  

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Review: Her Perfect Mate

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Huh. Little world-building in this world of shifters who live among us, some doing normal jobs, and others assist with national security. Enter Ivy, a feline shifter who works for the DOC (and department of DHS, kinda). I did like the idea of shifters in the world. They don't fully shift into their animal form, but rather take on and adapt characteristics they can make one faster, stronger.
This had an interesting start, but I quickly lost interest. I expected more from Ivy, who should have been kick-ass. Instead I got someone (who despite having seniority in DOC and experience) who deferred to her partner, in this case Landon. She was too unsure and behaved stupidly way too many times. I also thought Landon was annoying as a character (seriously, is there anything he couldn't do?). Add in the shifter trope of mating and this was just too much.
Disappointed. I did like the writing and I was as engaged as much as I could be despite characters I personally found annoying.

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Review: Rag and Bone

Rag and Bone by K.J. Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Story is set in the "Charm of Magpies" world.  Characters are introduced in "A Queer Trade."

Crispin is trying to learn magic the "right" way.  He is struggling, in part, because the majority of his instructors don't seem to understand him and resent him (because of his past).  His partner Ned, is supportive, but also tired of magic.  They both get thrown in the fire (so to speak) when Ned's neighbor is found dead.  Suspiciously.  When nothing untoward is found, Ned takes it up on himself to investigate.

Loved these 2, they work well together.  I liked the end and am a bit disappointed there isn't another installment in this series. 

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Review: Double Full

Double Full by Kindle Alexander
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Colt is a college football star on track for a NFL career.  He also has a crush on Jace, a cheerleader.  Jace is out and proud.  The book opens with them having sex in the locker room (with no condom).  A few days later they are hot and heavy in HI.  Colt's homophobic father gets involved with threats and Colt ghosts Jace.

Fast forward 10 years and Colt is miserable, but has a successful NFL career.  Jace has his own cheer-leading school.  Colt's made Many Bad Decisions in an effort to forget Jace.  Things finally change when he decides to grew a pair and straighten out his life that things change.  

This was not my jam.  There was too much angst and they got back together way too quickly.  I thought it was creepy Colt's stalking of Jace in college (not romantic).  Throw in the cliche evil girlfriend, awful homophobic father, an accident (that is not an accident), and you have even more angst that was not needed.  And that accident?  Not even resolved.  

Mitch is the next book (who had a significant part in the back half of this book).  Probably will pass.   

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Review: Bitterburn

Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nice Beauty and the Beast retelling. This has the hallmarks of the original tale with some of the problematic moments re-done. Amarrah and Njal are characters you like. The goats were awesome. Amarrah figured out her abilities quickly and I thought the end (in regards to the villains) was somewhat anti-climatic.

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Review: Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service

Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service by Josh Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up

Josh Shapiro came on my radar when he was vested for the VP position in Kamala Harris's administration. And also the antisemitic attack on the governor's residence.
At times he is humble and other times he is braggadocios. Either way, he is clearly proud of his (as he should be) life in public service. Depending on how things shake out, I would anticipate him to be a contender for a certain nomination in 2028. I think he is fairly centrist in his views and probably would appeal to many. I have some issues with him, so he's not my first (or second) choice, but we shall see.

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Review: Boyfriend Material

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Luc has (somewhat) famous parents. His dad was a rock star, fell from grace, and is on a comeback tour on a reality show (think something like the "The Voice"). His mom was a singer/song writer and is now retired, having been there, done that. His dad also walked out on him and his mom when he was 3. Luc's been a bit (make that a lot) of a fuck-up since a break-up and betrayal 5 years prior. And now he's in danger of losing his job.
Oliver is a buttoned-up lawyer. He needs a date to his parents anniversary party. Luc needs a normal boyfriend to help rehab his image (and keep the job).
I was a bit surprised I liked this so much. When I say Luc is a fuck-up, he 100% completely is. He made the same mistakes constantly and didn't seem to learn from them. And I was so annoyed with him at the beginning. But then, you realize that he really doesn't like himself or think much of himself. I liked Luc's character growth throughout the book. Both he and Oliver have interesting groups of friends who really dish it out (and take it too) and are supportive. Luc's co-workers are a hoot. His mom and Judy were pretty good too.

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Review: The Women of NOW: How Feminists Built an Organization That Transformed America

The Women of NOW: How Feminists Built an Organization That Transformed America by Katherine Turk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A lot of history is crammed in this book.
I am very lucky to have been born after the women's rights movement. I am a MS supporter. Once upon a time a woman was beholden to a dude for everything. No bank or credit account in her name. You get the point.
It's not surprising that the women's movement had a lot of growing pains. A lot of opinions and thoughts about the direction(s) to go. Often at the expense of people of color. A great many things were accomplished. And now. Now, until this current administration we see a roll back of rights. Roe v Wade; gone. An interest in pro-natalism and having a shit ton of kids. The "Trad-wife" phenomenon. Voting rights on the chopping block (I understand the SAVE America Act is stalled in the Senate and is (effectively) dead- only for now). Christian nationalism growing in the US government. Doug Wilson (yeah, he's from Idaho, of course he is) stating women shouldn't vote (or vote how their husband tells them). Pete Hegseth echoing that statement. If we are not careful we will lose what these courageous women throughout history fought for. Suffered for. Died for.

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Review: The Gargoyle Gets His Girl

The Gargoyle Gets His Girl by Kristen Painter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Willa is a fae who ran away from home as a teen because she was being forced into something she didn't want to do. After years of on the run, she puts down roots in Nocturne Falls. She has the ability to "talk" to and control metals and works as a jeweler. Nick is ex-military and as an orphan (his parents were killed in a car accident) wants to put down roots. He is also a gargoyle.
Willa has a stalker and when she makes a wish inadvertently binds Nick to her. The fae have a negative history with gargoyles. Gargoyles are sensitive to fake magic and a long time ago, gargoyles were enslaved to some fae. So this, at first, doesn't go over well with Nick. They quickly bond and fall for each other. Add in some estranged siblings and parents and you have a conflict.
Very light and fun read.

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