Calamity Jayne

Review:

Spoilers and a rant.

Was a Kindle freebie at one time.

Spoilers next 2 paragraphs.

 

 

 

Tressa is also known as Calamity because she is clumsy and a bit like the village idiot. She also lacks ambition and doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. I wanted to like her, I did. But, really? How can someone be so TSTL? Some clumsiness, is fine, but Tressa is extreme. Very extreme. She takes the WRONG car. She talks about how broke she is, but does she save money? Hell no! "Hey a girl can go without eating, but she must have a new pair of shoes at least monthly." She doesn't lock her car and has a gun stolen out of the glove box. She STILL doesn't lock her car and Joe surprises her from the backseat. I had to rant to my husband about this one. The envelope that was missing and she swore she didn't have- being in her work VEST the whole fucking time!

I also strongly disliked the love interest, Rick, or as Tressa calls him, Townsend. Rick is the one who came with the Tressa's nickname Calamity. He is the first one to suggest she was imaging a dead body. He clearly thinks she's an idiot. Sorry no. Tressa deserves better than that jackass. Manny had the perfect nickname for Rick: "Rick the Dick." 

So why did I keep reading? I liked the writing. I thought it was humorous, I admit to laughing out load a few times. I kept hoping, hoping Tressa would just stop being such an idiot. And easily distracted by a hot body. She does get a little better. I thought- maybe- a little- of her aimlessness/stupidity was just an act. Maybe? The secondary ones were fun- Joe and Hannah!
I won't be reading the next. I really don't like either main character - for different reasons. 
And then at the very end of the book:
"Enjoyed this book? Please leave a positive review and a 5 star rating on Amazon.com."
So, if I didn't like it, don't review it? Leave a rating? Only 5 star ones count? Excuse me?
I was thinking a 3*, because it kept me entertained and as I said above, I liked the writing. But now, after that? It's a 2. 

 

Ripped Bodice Bingo:  Damsel in Distress

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1773211/calamity-jayne

A Lady's Guide to Passion and Property

Review:

Lucy inherited her father's inn after his death. She is content to live, work, and care for Adam, a blind elderly man. But, her friends, believe she should sell the inn and get married. Enter Harry, ex-military, now spy. He is tasked with finding out Adam's story (after 20 years).
This one was okay. There were moments where I felt I was missing something (some of the relationships were already established- Nate and Miranda, the club are examples). I really didn't see the romance between Lucy and Harry. They didn't have much dialogue IMO. 
I did like and I also thought the romance between Nate and Miranda was better. It felt like they talked more than Harry and Lucy. I could see them together. Harry and Lucy? Nope. 
I liked the mystery of who Adam was (and one of the main characters as well), but I felt let down by that too. It was never really explained what happened to Penelope (I know what happened- but the why was left hanging). Penelope's offspring just found out they have family still living. Nothing happens with that. It was just wrapped up too quickly and too many loose ends. 
While I know this was the 2nd in a series (I haven't read the first one), because this had a new couple getting their HEA, I expected things to be wrapped up more than they were. Oh, and Harry found a glove in the woods that had been there 20 years (moved a pile of leaves and there it was!). And the hidden compartments in the coach I expected to have a place in the mystery/story. 

eARC courtesy of NetGalley and Kensington Books
Published July 3, 2018

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1772951/a-lady-s-guide-to-passion-and-property

Silver Shark

Review:

I liked this more than the first book in this series (Silent Blade). For the length, I thought this was well paced. Claire and Venturo are both fairly likable. My only issue is I would have liked more at the end. It felt rushed. Interesting world. Meli and Celino make an appearance in this one.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1771969/silver-shark

Suddenly You

Review:

This was a very enjoyable book. I liked the unconventional meeting (Amanda hires a prostitute on her 30th birthday, the madam sends someone that is not). I really liked that both are average, everyday people. I loved Amanda's intelligence and Jack for seeing that intelligence. Having said that, it was a little disappointing when Amanda would say something like, "Oh a woman can't do that." On one hand, I understood that, but on the other, it would have been nice if she had run with it. Luckily, Jack doesn't have that opinion.
I liked that this wasn't an insta-love story. It is an insta-lust with a gradual "falling in love." While I understood Amanda's not wanting to tell Jack something big, I also thought she was underestimating him. I'm not a huge fan of that plot-line. I also thought Charles was an amazing character for his support of Amanda.
One of the best lines ever:
"Good," he said softly. "Set the world afire. Just let me hand you the matches."

For Ripped Bodice Bingo, I am using this for the heroine older than the hero square.
It would also work for the carriage sex square.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1771579/suddenly-you

The Magpie Lord

Review:

This was enjoyable. My first historical, paranormal M/M (I think). I liked that Stephen and Lucian were completely opposite (Stephen is short and squat, Lucian tall and lean). It will be interesting how their relationship develops- there was no declaration of love in this one. In addition, the societal norms and their different stations/ranks. Lucian will be able to get away with far more due to his title and wealth. 
I liked that Stephen and other individuals were able to see that Lucian is not his father or his brother. I am curious about Merrick. And Stephen's partner Esther.
This works for "Birds are somehow involved" square for Ripped Bodice Bingo and, you guessed it, that's the square I'm using this for!

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1770597/the-magpie-lord

Murphy's Law

Review:

Whelp. That's done. I really liked the 80's movie "Maid to Order," with Ally Sheedy. This is similar, except it's a guy who has to work for a living (and there are other differences, but the concept is the same). I wish I could say this worked for me.
My main issue is Seth. Yes, he's an Asshole. He had moments, for example, he got attached to the horses and I would think, he's changing! But, then, he'd open his mouth and something shitty would come out. (An example: "No woman's worth that much money.") While he does get better, it wasn't enough for me. I also didn't like how he *suddenly* got so good at the job. Going from groom to trainer to driver? Really? 
While I liked Katie, I thought she got weak at the end. Here is this strong, ambitious, driven woman, who (why???!!!) decides to marry someone that she loves as a friend only. Eh? I really didn't understand how fast she fell for Seth. I also have to point how the plot-line: "I was told I would have a difficult time getting pregnant." Horseshit. That might be true in Real Life, but in Romancelandia? Yeah, not a problem at all! It's a plot device.
All my nitpicking aside? I stayed up this morning until 1230am to finish it. I did like that it took place in Indiana, where I lived from 1986-2006. I lived Indianapolis and worked at Methodist Hospital. Dan Patch Raceway I imagined was like Hoosier Park in Anderson. 
I did like Ross and will read his story. (It's also got one of my favorite tropes).

 

 Ripped Bodice BIngo: Forced Proximity square!

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1770032/murphy-s-law

Hate to Want You

Review:

Livvy and Nicholas were childhood sweethearts. They grew up together. Their grandfather's founded at grocery store that became successful and became a small chain of stores. Things are happy. Until an accident kill's Livvy's dad and Nicholas's mother. Nicholas's father (Brendan) does something underhanded and takes over Livvy's family's control of the business. Livvy and Nicholas break up. For the next ten years, they see each other for sex on Livvy's birthday.
Having just turned 30, Livvy decides it's time to try and reconnect with her family. Her mom had a fall and broke her hip, this gives Livvy a reason to come home too. The accidental effected every single person in both families. One exploited the situation and used it to control others, while others members retreated and dealt with it in their own way.
I LOVED this book! Both Livvy and Nicholas had so much depth. While this is a romance book with a HEA ending, there are some serious issues in this book. I do admit to some frustration with how some characters allowed Brendan to dictate their lives, but I also think that was realistic given ages/circumstances. I liked the moment Tani and Livvy talked (at least a little). I would have liked more on that front. 
I wonder about Eve's paternity; there was a moment that made me wonder. Luckily, she gets her book! Sadia and Jackson are next! And I admit I am curious about Jackson. Just what has he been doing? And was he framed? Maybe by Brendan?
Ripped Bodice Bingo: I'm using this for the enemies to lovers square. (L&N are lovers to enemies to lovers).

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1769362/hate-to-want-you