Hot Combat

Review:

This had one of the tropes I really don't like and stay away from (secret baby- you can easily guess). However, in this book, it didn't bother and piss me off like it usually does. Charlie's motivations and secrecy made sense to me. She still took away a choice from Jon, but I still liked her. The plot line was relevant to today (right wing anti government sentiment and using arms to make the displeasure known and it was based in the West- which is something that has happened in this general area- see the Bundys and the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge).
There were a few things that didn't make sense to me/just made me roll my eyes. One of suspects spouses was interviewed and she said something about how she doesn't know how to use their computer and they took her at her word (I got the impression that because she was an older woman she wouldn't know computers). Another one was how 30 yr olds having mad internet/computer skills because (you know) they grew up with it.
I did like this one. The main characters was interesting and likable.
I read this for Romance-opoly Soldier Street sun track

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2073523/hot-combat

Heart of the Wolf

Review:

Bella was taken in by the gray pack when her family was killed. She flees the gray pack after their alpha, Volan, tries to force her to mate with him. Bella has lived on her own for 150+ years when this story picks up.
I thought the zoo thing was funny and unique. The whole gray/red wolf differences/hierarchy. Those are the things I liked about this book. You've got an asshole (Volan) trying to force himself on someone who doesn't want it (but it's the wolf's way!). You've got a woman (Bella) who has remained chaste and a virgin for her "one true mate" for 150+ years. The "one true mate" (Devlyn) who hasn't. The whole, "I want you, but I can't!" trope.
Thanks for the remainder- "good" woman don't have sex for pleasure/because they want to and the moment is right/etc with anyone but the "one." The guy? Free pass!
I read reviews for #2 and it sounds like completely new characters. So maybe I'll give this series another chance....maybe.
I read this for Romance-opoly Fated Folly sun track

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2063327/heart-of-the-wolf

Pack Enforcer (this is the new title for the reissue)

Review:

Full disclosure:The "fated mate" trope is not my favorite. It can be done in a way that doesn't irritate me and in a way I like. This is not that book.
What not to do:
1. Not tell the full truth. Nina consented to sex. That's it. Not a mating bond. Lex knew what was going to happen and deliberately didn't tell her the full story. That should not be okay. It's not sexy, it's disgusting.
2. Make the women (and only the women) go crazy with the mating bond. But wait! They don't have to go cray-cray! Sex with a 2nd man (tri-bond) with fix it! That sounds *super sexy*!
3. Sacrifice the plot. It was an interesting one. Someone in the Pack has gone Rogue and is stealing and killing. Backstabbing! Treachery! But......let's not focus on the that. It's about the sexy times.

[spoiler]

And the 3rd partner with Nina and Lex? Lex's brother Cade!

[/spoiler]

And I need to bleach my eyeballs.
I read this for Romance-opoly Fated Folly moon track.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2063315/pack-enforcer-this-is-the-new-title-for-the-reissue

A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day

Review:

The last book in this series about Amber the youngest Wong sibling. Amber has a history of dating assholes so she is on a no boyfriend kick. Sebastian is back in town to open his own practice. They met in a grocery store.
I could believe their romance. I think it helped they knew each other growing up (Sebastian was friends with Zach). I liked it when Sebastian stood up to his parents.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2061853/a-big-surprise-for-valentine-s-day

I Am Princess X

Review:

Libby and May met when they were in the 5th grade and became fast friends. Together they created a comic called "I am Princess X." After Libby is killed in an auto accident, May gives up on the comic and Princess X is no more.
Fast forward about 3 years and May is now 16/17 and she notices Princess X everywhere (a sticker on a window, graffiti). Does this mean Libby is alive? Turns out there was more to the accident. And there are clues everywhere May looks. She enlists a boy in her building (who believes himself to be a computer hacker).
I did like the mix between traditional story/comic-graphic novel. I recognize May's a teen, but there were some things I thought she did/said/should have picked up on (like thinking her computer doesn't work- when it just needed to be plugged in to charge, really?!). This was a decent mystery and a good cast of characters. There was no romance in this one. Very much about friendships.
I read this for Romance-opoly Post Office moon track

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2058781/i-am-princess-x

The Undateable

Review:

Bernie is a librarian. She was photographed one day making a face during a marriage proposal (one of her student workers). This became a meme- "Disappointing Librarian." Enter Colin, a staff writer for an online fashion magazine. Through the magazine, she is offered a make-over and 30 dates in 30 days to prove she is not undateable.
I really enjoyed this. I liked both Bernie and Colin. I liked Bernie's feminist voice and how she called out certain things. I thought she grew throughout the book and did certain things/adapted things because she realized she liked it. I also liked how some of Colin's viewpoints changed once he got to know Bernie. This was a bit of enemies to friends to lovers. Their transition to each was gradual.
I read this for Romance-opoly Post Office square sun track

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2057696/the-undateable

A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year

Review:

This was a short and sweet story about a friends to lovers romance. Both Jo and Zach had previous serious relationships that didn't work out and each had their heart broken. They became friends over their shared misery/mourning. Fast forward a few years and Jo has a crush on Zach. It isn't until Zach needs a fake girlfriend to get his parents off his back that he begins to realize he has feelings too. (In the first book, the Wongs set each kid up with a date).
The Pictionary scene was hilarious and my fav part of the book.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2056915/a-fake-girlfriend-for-chinese-new-year