The Captive

Review:

Christian was captured, held captive, and tortured for almost a year. He is freed at war's end. This book had heavier issues due to this. He had to deal with the trauma done him- both physical and emotional. Gillian was married to an abusive man for 8 years before died of a stroke. To get an idea of how sadistic this guy was is he tried to frame Gillian for his (natural) death.
Both Christian and Gillian connect and find comfort in each other while carrying for Christian's daughter Lucy. Something happened and now Lucy does not speak at all. While he was a prisoner, his wife (Helene- Gillian's cousin) and son (Evan) died.
The book did drag for a little while in the middle. Then the suspected attempts on Gillian's life happened and it picked up again. I think the villain responsible for that (and Christian's capture in the first place) is easily guessed at. And also Lucy's inability to speak.
Girard's (AKA Sebastian St Clair) story is the next book and I admit to being leary about that. Girard was a villain in this one (he was one of Christian's torturers), but was humanized at the end of the book.
For Romance-opoly Courtship Row Moon track 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2036155/the-captive

Love and Other Scandals

Review:

Joan is a wallflower and about to be a spinster. She's tall, curvy, and the latest fashions do nothing for her. She first meets Tristan as a child when he comes home with her brother. Never invited back, it's years before she meets him ago. Tristan has issues with his aunt and cousins (they don't like him).
I liked this was a little bit of a slow burn. It was a bit of enemies to friends to lovers type of book. It was nice that Joan's parents loved her, even if her mother had certain ideas. I did like Joan standing up for herself more, that was needed.
I liked Joan's friends- Abigail and Penelope (and Olivia).
For Romance-opoly Sun track Courtship Row

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2036153/love-and-other-scandals

Fortune's Pawn

Review:

Devi is a mercenary whose life goal is to be a Devastator (an elite group that serves the king of Paradox). She signs up for a year of security work on The Glorious Foul because she'll get credit for 5 years and serve 1. However, all is now what it seems.
I liked the writing and I thought the world interesting. However, I would have liked more backstory on the different species and planets (why don't Paradoxians like the Terrans and vice versa for example). I liked Devi, but had trouble connecting with her. I found this was very easy to pick up and put back down. I wasn't really that invested in her story. Then that fucked up ending. I disliked that

[spoiler]

mainly because Rupert took any choice any. 'Cause he knows best.

[/spoiler]

For Romance-opoly Outer Space Sun track.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2036151/fortune-s-pawn

Anyone else having a problem

with read dates not saving?  Affecting my reading tracker for the year.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2026936/anyone-else-having-a-problem

Passing Strange

Review:

This took me a little bit of time to figure out. This opens in modern day San Fran with Helen selling a painting by Haskel. This painting is Haskel's last known work before disappearing. This then returns to 1940s San Fran. Franny, Babs, Helen, Haskel (Loretta), and Helen are all a group of lesbian friends. Franny and Babs are a couple. This book is about Haskel and Emily's story. Things happen. Franny has some ability to do magic and so does Haskel. Haskel's ability is mentioned in the last part of the book. Overall, this was unexpected and the result was a surprise.
Even in modern times, the assumption is Haskel was a man. I would have liked more on the magical ability.
Romance-opoly WInter Square for Sun

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2026934/passing-strange

Wild Embrace

Review:

4 novellas
Echo of Silence
This was a romance between a Psy (Stefan) and Human (Tazia). Briefly got a glimpse of the underwater station Alaris. I liked this one, but it was slower paced.

Dorian
Takes place through several years. Another good one.

Partners in Persuasion
My favorite in this collection. Felix is a submissive wolf was was burned before. Dezi is a dominant leopard. I liked their dance and build-up of trust.

Flirtation of Fate
A 2nd chance romance. Garnet and Kenji have been in love for years. Then on her 21st birthday, Kenji deliberately hurts her after he received some news. Fast forward 7 yrs and they team up to figure out murder of a follow packmate. Kenji's big secret-

[spoiler]

most likely unable to father his own biological children.

[/spoiler]

Romance-opoly WInter Square for Moon

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2026933/wild-embrace

Crossing Hearts

Review:

Emerson broke Hunter's heart when she moved from her small town to pursue her dreams (there was a lot of shit going on that she never spoke to Hunter about). 12 years later she is back. She gave up her job with a pro football team and moved back to her small town. Hunter still resides there, working on his family farm.
This was a frustrating read. I understood why she left and agree that teenage Hunter would have probably followed her and been unhappy. However, it would have been nice for fully realized adult Emerson to just stand up to her parents. I didn't understand why the MS dx was a big secret (going to the next town over for treatment even though it further just because daddy worked at the closest hospital- she would have had the right to medical privacy). Considering she's in the medical field (she was a physical therapist) she knows the value in a supportive network of friends/family. Once she (finally) told Hunter, he did all he could do to help her. Ultimately she finally did come clean and it was just fine. I wish she would have realized this made her a more empathetic and relate-able to her patients and a better PT (once she learned her limits)/caregiver.
And there was something going on between Owen and Eli (Hunter's brothers), but I don't think I care to read the next to find out what it is.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2024361/crossing-hearts