Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Review Round Up ~ August 31




New(er) Releases:


My rating: 5 of 5 stars - One of the Best

Review Copy Provided by Author

I’m going to start this review of a bit of a disclaimer. If you are expecting a full on Escape to New Zealand romance, this is not the book you want. This is more closely aligned with what I would consider “women’s fiction” - that is not a bad thing at all as this is a wonderful read, but the drama/conflict is a bit broader than what you would expect to find in a pure romance read.

Okay, now that is out of the way - let’s talk about Kiwi Sin. Oriana is a character that we met in Kiwi Gold (as a secondary) and is the sister of Daisy whom we’ve met before. Gabriel is also from the Mount Zion community and has come “Outside” to make a life for himself.

Told in alternate points of view, we see both Oriana and Gabriel struggle with adapting to the changes around them and finding their groove amongst family and worldly expectations. As their paths continue to cross, we see the story unfold to include a budding romance and drama related to Mount Zion.

Written in Ms James’ unique style, I loved seeing the evolution of Oriana, Gabriel, and the family surrounding them. This story is told with a great deal of grace as the cast of both primary and secondary characters grow and develop on the Outside. There is a strong message regarding finding YOUR path, even if it’s not what someone else thinks is best that I appreciated.

My one other disclaimer regarding this strong entry into the Kiwi series is that the books are very much connected. While Oriana and Gabriel’s story can be read by itself, I truly do think that they work better when read in order.

Amazon



TBR Reads:   


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Purchased

Ms Callihan is an author I’ve enjoyed in the past and this has lingered on my TBR for a while - when reading this I was reminded why I enjoy her and annoyed with myself that it took so long to read Dear Enemy!

Delilah and Macon grew up together and are the center of some of the hardest high school memories for both. After 10 years of not speaking a misunderstanding with Delilah’s sister brings them back together.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the way we got to see this pair both past and present - and see how they navigated through a lifetime of hard feeling to become friends then more.
Peeling back motivations - and some mutual soul searching - helped cement Delilah and Macon as a pair that I wanted to see find their happy ending.

A small secondary cast put the focus of Dear Enemy strongly on Delilah and Macon. The interactions between them felt realistic, especially some of the hard conversations, and this book makes me want to elevate other Callihan reads in my TBR to the top of the list.


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review Copy Purchased

This was a quick read that delivered what I expected it to based on prior reading of Ms Vale's work. Meeting Celia, Luke, and Walker was entertaining and fit the bill for what I was in the mood for at the moment. There isn't a ton of character development and the "relationship" develops very quickly.
Definitely a lighter and spicer read.

Amazon



 *Buy links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated if you choose to make a purchase. 

Monday, August 29, 2022

Never Look Back by A.L. Jackson ~ New Release & Review

Never Look Back

An Enemies-to-Lovers, Close-Proximity, Second-Chance Romance from A.L. Jackson

Available Now on Amazon and Free with Kindle Unlimited




"The spice was on point and the romance was swoony. A total must read."

- The Boho Book Blogger

"This amazing story is dark and decadent, with the past never really being all it seems.

I loved his fierceness and his determination to make the past right again, with just enough Alpha attitude to give him a “lickable” edge."

-Mere, Sweet Reads & Treats

"Second chance romance is my absolute catnip and Never Look Back is a beautiful, angsty, and gritty addition to that trope."

- Nose Stuck in a Book Blog

 

Read Amazon or Free with Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/NLBAmznB

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon: https://geni.us/NLBAudioB

Order a Signed Paperback or Hardback: https://geni.us/ALJacksonShop

 

DETAILS:

TITLE: NEVER LOOK BACK

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 29TH, 2022

Synopsis

From NYT and USA Today bestselling author A.L. Jackson comes an enemies-to-lovers, close-proximity, second-chance romance…

Logan Lawson won me in a bet.

The second I saw him sitting at the illegal card table, I knew I was in trouble.

Years ago, he sealed my fate and condemned me to a life I didn’t want to lead.

Yet he’s filled with untamed fury and thirsting for vengeance against the husband I hate.

 

Aster Costa is everything I never should have wanted.

The second she showed with her pompous, prick of a husband, I should have gotten up and walked.

But there’s no looking away from the woman who wrecked me.

Worse, I can’t stop myself from plotting to get her back.

I want nothing more than to be free of my husband.

I’m afraid Logan Lawson is the only one who can make that happen.

He might hate me for our past, but now it’s me on my knees begging for help.

 

Finding each other in the middle of it wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain.

But once Logan touches me, I’m gone.

A torch is rekindled. A fire is lit.



Aster Costa has always been mine.

And this time, no matter the cost, I won’t give her back…

Read Amazon or Free with Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/NLBAmznB

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon: https://geni.us/NLBAudioB

Order a Signed Paperback or Hardback: https://geni.us/ALJacksonShop



 

Read Amazon or Free with Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/NLBAmznB

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon: https://geni.us/NLBAudioB

Order a Signed Paperback or Hardback: https://geni.us/ALJacksonShop

Read Amazon or Free with Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/NLBAmznB

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon: https://geni.us/NLBAudioB

Order a Signed Paperback or Hardback: https://geni.us/ALJacksonShop

 

 



A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson - Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

Facebook: https://geni.us/ALJacksonFBB

Reader Group: https://geni.us/AmysAngelsB

Amazon: https://geni.us/ALJacksonAmznB

Bookbub: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookBubB

Twitter: @aljacksonauthor

Instagram: @aljacksonauthor

TikTok: @aljacksonauthor


Elizabeth's Review


3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author


Never Look Back is the conclusion (?) to the Redemption Hills books surrounding the Lawson brothers - this time focusing on youngest brother Logan.

I’m going to be honest and say that I had very mixed feelings about this book. Part of me loved the story of Logan and Aster and how they embody the idea of Redemption. But, there were some stylistic issues that rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.

In terms of Logan and Aster, I appreciated the way Ms Jackson set this story up to seem very antagonistic and slowly peeled the layers back. Not only did we gradually see the modern day pair evolve, but we were also gradually introduced to their past. The intersections of past and present made everything more pointed and made them a couple i wanted to root for.
Add in a healthy dose of intrigue to the romantic story and you have a compelling tale.
We also see some of Trent, Jud, and their lady loves in this story, so the timing is very much sequential. If you don’t want spoilers, make sure to read the books in order.

In terms of the style issues - I’m not really going there as I had an advanced copy and it may not have been 100% final. Ms Jackson has a unique writing style that I normally enjoy. Therefore, my assumption is that even if the version I had was final, the issues that bugged me were a fluke and not indicative of a greater issue.

Overall, this is a book worth reading, especially if you have enjoyed meeting the Lawson brothers in previous books. I am curious if we are done with Redemption Hills. Tessa should be a story too!

View all my reviews

GIVEAWAY

The Ultimate Reader Pack



ENTER HERE: https://geni.us/NLBReleaseGiveaway


Friday, August 19, 2022

Review Round Up ~ August 19




New(er) Releases:


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

An Unexpected Turn is an expectedly good read! Okay, yes, I know that’s corny, but as a fan of Ms Rose, I did get what I expected from this story.

And what exactly did I expect? I expected a hero on the alpha side, a heroine who had backbone and maybe a bit of sass, a strong sense of family/loyalty, some spicy times, and a love story for the ages. With Jake and Peyton, Ms Rose delivered all of that plus a bit of angst in terms of a forbidden romance.

I truly enjoyed watching Jake and Peyton fight the good fight and try to resist the romantic push they had to each other. They both had plenty of reasons, so seeing the explosion when they gave in was amazing.

Add in an excellent secondary cast and this is a strong addition to Ms Rose’s catalog of alpha heros. As always with her writing, I was pulled in and felt like I was spending time with friends. I was glad to see how their story ended, but sad to see them go.

Amazon



TBR Reads:   


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Purchased

This was an entertaining quick read that also packed a surprising emotional punch.

Evie and Merrick have a funny “meet cute” that shouldn’t work as well as it does, but sparks definitely fly between them. As sparky as their initial interactions are, it was even more fun seeing them spend time together and letting the other see behind the walls that they have built.

I appreciated that the drama that caused these two to have a rough patch was something unexpected and not something trite given the work place dynamic of their story.

The Boss Project reinforces Ms Keeland as a go to for a strong story and refreshing read. 

Amazon



My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Purchased

This is an excellent read about meeting the right person at the wrong time and having fate intervene to bring them back into your life.

Interesting characters and a complex story pulled me in and kept me on the edge of my seat as we saw Aaliyah and Connor navigate their friendship and challenges.

This is a series I have read out of order (I started with book 3 in the series) and it was nice to come back to see what happened earlier in the series.

Amazon


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 *Buy links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated if you choose to make a purchase. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Code Name: Omega by Sawyer Bennett ~ New Release & Review

Code Name: Omega Sawyer Bennett Release Date: August 16, 2022

READ A SAMPLE | HEAR A SAMPLE

Synopsis:

I joined the team at Jameson Force Security three months ago and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. Leaving behind the Marine Corps together, my dog Omega and I made the cross-country trek to Pittsburgh for an exciting new career. Now I get to spend my days doing dangerous missions with my team and Omega gets to spend his days relaxing, unless there are explosives to be sniffed, and then he’s all paws on deck. When Omega—who I affectionately refer to as Bubba—snacks on something he most definitely shouldn’t have, an emergency trip to the vet introduces me to Abigail Blackburn. She’s a little quirky, a lot smart, and completely captivating. She also has a penchant for trouble and when Abby makes it her own personal mission to expose the puppy mill industry, she finds herself mixed up with unsavory characters who aren’t happy with her efforts to cut into their profits This seedy underbelly is a dangerous place, particularly for a well-intentioned, yet somewhat naïve, small-town vet. What began as peaceful protests outside of local pet stores has escalated into something that threatens Abby’s safety, and I refuse to sit by and watch her get hurt. Somehow this raven-haired beauty has gotten under my skin, and I don’t hesitate to call in my teammates at Jameson to help keep her safe. Now I find myself trying to balance my need to protect Abby while helping her successfully complete her mission, but also redirecting her focus long enough to show her that I’ve completely fallen for her. One thing is certain—this is going to be my toughest assignment yet.

Download Code Name: Omega Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo | Google | Print

Buy the digital and signed paperback direct from Sawyer Bennett: https://bit.ly/Store_Omega ** Digital files must be read within the BookFunnel app **

 

About the Author:

 
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs. If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook | Reader Group | TikTok | Instagram Goodreads | BookBub | Join Sawyer's Newsletter

Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Review Copy Provided by Author


One of the things I truly enjoy about Sawyer Bennett as an author is that when I go into a book, I know there will be certain givens, but there will be surprises a long the way as well. Code Name:Omega continues this tradition as the latest addition to the Jameson Force Security series.

The Givens:
*As this is a Jameson Force Security book, I expected an element of intrique and this definitely delivered.
*Awesome characters! Kellan and Abby were fantastic on their own and I loved their chemistry. Add in the strong Jameson family of coworkers and you have a great secondary cast too.

The Surprises:
*The heat level of the intrigue story line. While there was a mystery to solve, the overall tension level was a bit lighter.
*Could this be the end of the Jameson Force Security series? As with all Ms Bennett's series, there are previous characters that pop into the story. In this case, there seem to be a larger number than usual and we have even more updates about where characters are headed. It seems as if we may be ending our current journey with these characters. If that's the case, I will miss them, but we are definitely ending on a high note.

View all my reviews

Monday, August 15, 2022

Steals and Deals ~ August 15 - 20



Steals:

 













Little Lies H Hunting




Deals:








Smartasses: A Sexy Nerd Rom Com Anthology by Avery Flynn & More $.99

Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians) by Dianne Duvall $1.99






Other Fun Stuff:










*Prices are accurate at the time of posting, please double check before one clicking. All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated. 

Fling ~Adriana Locke ~ New Release & Review

    FLING by Adriana Locke 
  Release Date: August 15th 
Genre/Tropes: Contemporary Romance    
  Grab your suitcase and prepare for the time of your life in this swoony tale that’s as hot as the tropical destination itself. Fans of runaway brides, close-proximity, one-bed, and friends-to-lovers tropes will fall hopelessly in love with this fling-to-forever romance.   
  AVAILABLE NOW! FREE IN KU!!! 
  Amazon Universal: https://geni.us/FlingLocke

 
  Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/cqw2  
  Blurb: CONTEST: WIN A DATE TO MY HONEYMOON   I realize that a social media post isn’t the usual way to secure a date to your honeymoon—for obvious reasons—but here we are. My wedding was canceled. What’s not canceled is the nonrefundable, ten-thousand-dollar all-inclusive vacation at a luxury resort, and I’m not about to let it go to waste. I’m packed and ready to hit the beach. ButI can’t deny that it might be more interesting to honeymoon with someone. Since my track record of picking dates isn’t exactly golden, I’ve done something that I hope I don’t regret. In a moment of weakness—mixed with panic and fueled by margaritas—I agreed to let my friends choose someone to go with me. It’ll be a blind date / postnuptial vacation—without the nuptials. A few fun days in paradise with no expectations. No obligations. Before you say, “pick me for a free vacay!” a few things to consider … The perfect candidate will be single. He won’t talk too much on the plane. And he’ll be able to leave town quickly. He will also be okay with sharing a bed. It’s a honeymoon suite, after all. If you want to be considered, email Rebecca and Sara your application at the address below. (Get creative. There’s a free vacation on the line.) Wheels up next week! Godspeed, honeymooners.   Grab your suitcase and prepare for the time of your life in this swoony tale that’s as hot as the tropical destination itself. Fans of runaway brides, close-proximity, one-bed, and friends-to-lovers tropes will fall hopelessly in love with this fling-to-forever romance.   

  About the Author: USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.   She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.  


Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend


Review Copy Provided by Author


I feel bad for Fling… not because it isn’t a great book (because it is), but because it got caught up in back to school week at our house and that meant reading time was scarce.

In Fling, Ms Locke brings us back to the Carmichael brothers and oh they are just amazing! The dynamic between the brothers is so fun and I really appreciate the glimpses of all the brothers in addition to the main character of Maddox.

Maddox is paired with his long time friend Ashley. The give and take between these two was pure fun and tugged at the heart strings as we saw their friendship blossom.

Well written and entertaining, Fling definitely delivered in classic Locke style. An Alpha male lead, a slightly sassy leading lady, humor, and a bit of steam! After seeing more of the brothers, I am so curious about what happens next!

View all my reviews

Monday, August 8, 2022

Steals and Deals ~ August 8 - 14



Steals:


 

















Deals:



Love Next Door (Lakeside Book 1) by Helena Hunting $1.99






The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley) by Devney Perry $.99


The Reef by Nora Robets $1.99







Other Fun Stuff:










*Prices are accurate at the time of posting, please double check before one clicking. All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated. 

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Sunshine & Sammy by Melanie Moreland ~ New Release & Review

 

Sunshine and Sammy by Melanie Moreland is now live!

 

Luke Adler lives for his ranch. It's the only reason he agreed to get on board with his sister's grand plan for guests staying on the property.

Nothing prepares him for the force of nature that is Samantha Morrison. When she arrives on his ranch to help construct this new part of his business, what he expects and what he gets are two entirely different things.

He expects a no-nonsense businessman. Straightforward and simple.

What he gets is a sunshine smile, sweet sass, and a woman who pushes every button and boundary he has.

He tries to ignore the draw, the urges she makes him feel. But when she gets close, he only wants her closer.

She makes him question his decisions, his thoughts, and the idea that being alone is best for him.

Even when they are consumed by the fire between them, he knows they come from two different worlds and he has to let her go.

But when the time comes, can he do that?
Can he live without her sunshine to warm his cold heart?
Or can this cowboy learn a new trick?

Author's Note: Heat and heart fills the pages as our heroine learns to ride a horse and tame a grumpy cowboy in rural Alberta.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zi4nPd

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/SunshineAndSammy

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3xb6dzT

Elizabeth's Review


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author


This was such a fun read!
Sammy (Samantha) is the daughter of Liv and Van from the original BAM books. It was fun to see her as a grown up and how she has taken the gifts she was given and expanded on them. I especially loved how she is blazing her own path professionally.
 
That professional path has led her to Luke. He was a character that I just wanted to cuddle. Not because he’s soft and squishy, but because oh boy does this man just need a dose of softness!
From clashes to sparks to friendship and maybe more, the interactions between Luke and Sammy were fantastic and entertaining. Add in a great secondary cast made up of family and close friends and their story was very touching. The role Sammy’s family played was just perfect, but in terms of it being fun, but also in how some of those interactions have Luke the nudge he needed.
 
This was a great addition to the second generation Vested Interest series. I am curious - will we see more?

 

Meet Melanie


New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of thirty-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

Connect with Melanie

Website: https://www.melaniemoreland.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7355350.Melanie_Moreland

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Melanie-Moreland/e/B00GV6LB00

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormoreland

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MelaniesMinions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morelandmelanie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorelandMelanie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melaniemoreland

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/melanie-moreland

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/melanie_moreland/

Other: https://bingebooks.com/author/melanie-moreland

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/melaniemoreland


Monday, August 1, 2022

Steals and Deals ~ August 1 ~ 7



Steals:


 














Deals:



Love Next Door (Lakeside Book 1) by Helena Hunting $1.99


Elect (Eagle Elite Book 2) by Rachel Van Dyken $.99




Blackbridge Security Box Set 1 by Marie James $.99

Verity by Colleen Hoover $2.99




Other Fun Stuff:










*Prices are accurate at the time of posting, please double check before one clicking. All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated. 

Review Round Up ~ August 1




New(er) Releases:


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

What a fantastic story about family and second chances!
This is a multi generational story featuring Alek, his mother, and his daughter as they all approach changing situations.
Ms Pike did an excellent job of weaving the various family stories, budding romances, and giving us a glimpse of true Hawaiian culture.
This is definitely a feel good story about meeting the right person at the right time and being open to change. I would be curious about seeing more of the Medina family!

Amazon


The Magic of Lemon Drop PieThe Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

4.5 stars - On of the Best

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

When this popped up as an option on Net Galley - I thought “that sounds like a cool premise” and The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie did not disappoint.

We meet 33 year old Lolly when she is at a cross roads. One tragic event changed the course of her life and things have not gone the way she once dreamed. She is faced with a set of regrets and “what ifs” while also struggling with the fact that the life she has isn’t going all that great either. An eccentric aunt gives Lolly the chance to experience what life “could” have been. What happens next? Well, for that - read the book!

For me, this was a poignant read. I think everyone has a moment in their life where they wonder “what if” in regards to decisions made or things that have happened to them. Getting to see this phenomenon through Lolly’s eyes and the lessons she learned was touching and emotional.

I’m trying really hard not to give any details away, but I will say that I truly liked Lolly. I appreciated getting to see current day Lolly as well as some of the events that shaped her via flashbacks. Understanding the context of her life helped cement her character for me and made me root for her that much more. The things Lolly experienced made her think - and the lessons learned made me think a bit too. This is the type of book that you finish and really wish there was someone nearby who had read it too!

Amazon


TBR Reads:   


3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Purchased

With Tease, Melanie Harlow continues the second generation connected to Coverleigh Farms with Felicity (one of Mac’s daughters) and her long time best friend, Hutton.

This was a fun and emotional read. Hutton has quirks that he struggles with and his relationship with Felicity has been a constant for him. Felicity has baggage that she hasn’t really shared with anyone other than Hutton before now - those issues impact how she interacts with romantic partners.

These two - oh my - I loved them together, but also wanted to bang their heads together sometimes as they were so clueless! Ms Harlow does an excellent job of pulling them together and using the secondary cast to help shape how they deal with their struggles.

We get to see Felicity’s sisters here - they play a key secondary role and I am hoping we see more of them as well as more Felicity and Hutton in future books.

Amazon


Contest Judging:

Slow Ride: Bad Boy Autos (Drive Me Wild, #3)Slow Ride: Bad Boy Autos by Bronwen Evans

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Content provided by Contest Administrators

This is a bit of an odd one to review for me - I received the copy as part of a contest so I know the author’s nationality (that bits important later) and normally that wouldn’t impact the story, but here it does. So, I’m going to talk about this book in 2 pieces - the story and the voice.

The story: 3.75 maybe 4 stars
Marcus is a former Formula One champion forced to retire due to accident/injury. Stella is his long term friends with benefits who suddenly decides to end things.

I enjoyed both of these characters and their story arc of emotional growth and development (both individually and together). A strong secondary cast helps them along the way.

The one ding - this is part of a series and that strong secondary cast - there are lots of references to things someone starting here won’t know. It’s not overwhelming, but it does cause of a bit of feeling lost sometimes.

A few small editing and consistency issues also detracted from the story. (I mean the man almost stepped in dog pee, but no one cleaned it up!)

The voice: 3.25 to 3.5 stars
The setting of the book is a bit nebulous, but appears from inference to be California and characters in the book appear to be American. The problem is that our New Zealand based author uses New Zealand based terminology and speaking patterns for these American characters.

Why does this matter - well, to some it may not, but it pulled me out of the story.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. The things that pulled me from the story were probably small in the grand scheme, but they did keep this from being a full 4 star read for me.

Amazon   




My rating: 3 of 5 stars - Average Read

Review Content provided by Contest Administrators

To be honest - Promise You Nothing is book that left me a bit confused. I went in blind (had not read the blurb) and while I enjoyed it, there were holes in the story that left me feeling a bit frustrated.

The good bits:
The characters- Emmie and Josh are both interesting people. They meet at a point where both are dealing with baggage and strike up a somewhat unusual friendship.

How Josh “courts” Emmie - there are times when I wonder if he even realizes what he’s doing. It’s definitely sweet!

The confusion/frustration:
Emmie’s job or lack there of - there is never a good reason given as to why she’s unemployed. Was it to move in to the house with her brother? Something else?

Josh’s marriage - the details of its status are a bit fuzzy as are his feelings towards women, but he actively goes after Emmie. It would have been nice to have more clarity here.

Overall:
An entertaining quick read. Definitely a bit escapist, but worth the time if you don’t think about some of the details too much.


 *Buy links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated if you choose to make a purchase.