Something Secret This Way Comes

Review:

This series had a great prequel that spiked my interest. However, the first book was average for me. While I liked the writing, there were a few things that were predictable and annoying. 
Secret dislikes of her werewolf half. She thinks of werewolves as "animals." Vampires are "primarily human in their behavior." So, when it turns out she is "soul-bonded" (yes, it's everyone's *favorite* trope/plot device: the love triangle!!) to 2 werewolves, I thought she accepted it too easily. (Rolls eyes). And Lucas is the Alpha of the East Coast pack with Desmond being his second. And Lucas is a billionaire. 
Secret was also a born wolf. "A born wolf is a thing of legend among our people." She's also born royalty. 
I didn't appreciate the cliffhanger ending. Nice development with Secret's mother Mercy. 
In short, Secret is Super Special! The prequel was much better. This was average, not-so unique, and ho-hum.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1862166/something-secret-this-way-comes

The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters

Review:

Secret is 1/2 vampire and 1/2 werewolf. No many know of her mixed heritage. She happens to be an assassin who kills vampires are dictated by the vampire counsel. She's out on a date and is also trying to kill her next job.
This was a great introduction and I'm interested in learning about Secret, this world, Holden, and anything else that pops up.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1862026/the-secret-guide-to-dating-monsters

A Magical Match

Review:

This took me so long to get into. There is so much going on. I found myself picking this up and putting back down (rinse and repeat) until (finally) about halfway through when it picked up.
Lily is planning her wedding and a party, Sailor gets arrested for murder, there's a doppelganger out there, her magical abilities take a vacation, mom issues, dad issues, an evil cupcake lady, and her grandmother's coven coming to visit.
A plus: we get to meet Graciela and Lily's mom (I forget her name- did she have a name?)
I'm not sure I "get" Lily's relationship with Sailor. And surprise- they're getting married but haven't talked about where they are going to live, kids, etc. Seriously. Sailor as a character is so unknown- to both Lily and the reader (how fun! Not.). If Lily was going to end up with someone, my choice for her would have been Aiden (but there are Issues there too).

[spoiler]We learn that Lily has been to Germany to find her father. It turns out, Aiden was his student. Dearest father has been trying to summon demon(s). That act requires the 3 of them to combine their powers to defeat the demon. Aiden is left with scars (he uses a glamour to hide). Lily with amnesia of her trip. It also appears Lily has a 1/2 sibling.

[/spoiler]

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1861094/a-magical-match

Beyond Shame

Review:

Mixed feeling about this one. On one hand, I did like it, it kept me engrossed, but on the other hand there were many things that bothered and annoyed me.
So, Eden it this place that "has it all," depending on your definition of "all." The sectors are wild, lawless. If you live in a commune, you are an indentured servant making someone else money. Regardless of where one lives, sorry if you happen to be female! Eden= subservient homemaker there to make you husband's life better. The sectors= prostitute, stripper. The commune= baby marker.
Noelle happens to really like sex and drinking. She gets kicked out of Eden. Jasper, of the O'Kane gang, rescues her. Her dad happens to be a councilman. I got so tired (so tired!) of reading about how "bad" she was. Oh please. Jasper was okay. This was more Noelle's story. I didn't really know Jasper by the end of this. I did like the difference POVs; Lex, Dallas, Six, Bren, and Rachel are interesting characters. The sex scenes were hot. I thought some of the scenes were there purely for shock value. 
Surprisingly, I was interested in the world, but found the world building severely lacking (what did I expect in an erotica?). There is no explanation of the "Flare" that started(?) this whole mess. Fertility is also an issue- why? It's convenient in an erotica to not have to worry about contraception. Or STDs. For a sci-fi dystopian, this didn't turn over any new leaves. Men are still better because they are physically stronger. Which is everything. Women are still reliant on men for their well being. I might as well have been reading a historical. 
I did (for the most part) like the characters. But, for the reasons listed above, I'm not reading more of this. It'll just piss me off.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1856135/beyond-shame

Chaos Station

Review:

War has been over for about 6 months. Felix (AKA Fix) is part owner of a ship that takes jobs. He is the mechanic and can fix anything. He was also a POW and declared dead. Zander (aka Zed) was "let go" by the military after the end of the war. He is at a crossroads and doesn't know what to do with his life; also in part d/t an experiment to make him a super soldier. Felix and Zander have known each other since they were kids, having gown up together and gone to academy together. Best friends, former lovers. Zander though Felix was dead.
This was a sweet 2nd chance story with good action and world building. The secondary characters are intriguing too- Qek, Nessa, and Elias. I would have liked more information on the Stin, that maybe forthcoming in a future installment. I'm betting the experimentation that Zed was exposed to will play into future books since they are only learning about the short term effects (and long term are completely unknown).

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1854008/chaos-station

For the Love of Pete

Review:

This this fun, but not quite as good as Hot. In Hot, we met Dante Torelli. Dante is sent to flush out and find the FBI agent who is taking bribes on the side and leaking confidential information. Dante ends up being late to his assignment guarding Nikki, Ricky, and Pete, gets into an argument with Zoey over a parking spot, and witnesses Pete's kidnapping. Zoey, not to be left behind, gets in Dante's car and off they go to follow Neil. (Zoey's sister's (Nikki) boyfriend (Ricky) happens to be the one in protective custody. He is due to testify in court and bring down Tony the Rose, mob boss. Nikki and Ricky's daughter Petronella Spicy Hernandez (AKA Pete) is the one who is kidnapped).
This has several stories going on. Neil, the kidnapper, brings his own son to a job and ends up osing both Pete and Jr. Two Indian women, Partima and Savita-di, steal back their saffron from Neil. Only thing is, there are 2 babies in the car! Dante's been framed, shot at, is being followed, and has to figure out why the 2 Indian women would take Pete. See- lots going on!
I did like this, but felt too much was going on. I thought while this had humor and there were several funny moments, there were other times it fell flat for me. More than a 3, but definitely not a 4*.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1853537/for-the-love-of-pete

Rock Addiction

Review:

Finally, a new adult book I really enjoyed. 
The minute Fox sees Molly he is drawn to her. Molly is interested too and decides to go for it. They each have pasts (and family) that suck, but they've overcome that part.
This was refreshing. It's a little angsty, but not too bad. They talk and communicate. Yeah, they might have sex first, but the communicating gets done. No misunderstanding in this one, just 2 people getting to know one another.
The things that I didn't care for: Molly was a virgin to Fox's vast sexual experience (but to the book's credit, this was dealt with quickly and not dwelt upon). I also thought Fox was too bossy, too alpha. Again, Molly was able (and did) stand up for herself.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1853333/rock-addiction