Lock’em Down by Gina Azzi

1 Star

I’m a carpe diem, live-in-the-moment, kind of woman. But waking up in Vegas with a rock on my finger and a gorgeous man in my bed? Well, now I’m redefining what it means to roll the dice…

Especially because my new husband is Tennessee Thunderbolts center, Leif Bang.

Yes, he has electric blue eyes that pierce me to my core. For sure, I’ve never seen forearms quite like his. And — another point for him — he makes me fold over with laughter.

But he’s also the man my mother was scheming to set me up with once I settled in Knoxville for my new job.

Determined to start my new life on my own terms, the last thing I need — or want — is a wickedly charming husband who’s never had a serious girlfriend, much less an impulsive wife.

It’s fine because I’m all about those annulment papers. Except, our moms are old friends, I’m new in town, and Leif is nothing like I expected.

Especially when he asks me to fake this marriage a little while longer.

Now, I’m forced to embrace my life’s motto and leave things up to chance…

Even if I’m gambling with my heart.

This book was literally the worst of all of the series. I stopped reading them cause I hated this one so much. It was a lot of things going on without any depth. Cami’s mom just pissed me off and it’s not resolved well. Cami was also a really annoying character. Just a huge miss for me.

Book 4 Bang Brothers

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Home Advantage by Layne Wren

1 Star

Carson

I’m well-known for being a controversial hockey player.

A lesser-known fact is that I want someone to call mine.

So when I see the most perfect woman in the stands during a fist-fight on the ice, I get distracted and think: finally, just before I get punched in the face.

A worse blow is when she gets away—and the finishing move is when my favorite food brands refuse to work with me unless I improve my reputation.

But when I run into Jamie Michaels at the bookstore she works at, our attraction to each other is undeniable, even if she won’t trust me with the broken heart I’ll do anything to fix.

Jamie

When my ex says he’s leaving me, I shouldn’t be shocked, given my history.

But him cheating and kicking me out makes me so done with this love thing—so there’s no way I’m letting an NHL player get his hands on my heart.

Yet when Carson Callaway offers me a chance to get back at my ex, it’s too good to pass up, and in turn, I offer to help repair his image.

We’ll fake date and keep it just that, fake.

But it’s so, so hard to with all this tension and chemistry simmering between us.

I can’t handle any more heartbreak, but what if things are different this time? What if Carson and I finally find home in each other?

 

I hated this book so much. I didn’t feel there was a connection or chemistry between Jamie and Carson. I also really hated how Jamie was so horrid to herself throughout this book. Maybe it is because I love hockey books so much this one just didn’t work for me. It is an author I will be skipping the rest of the books.

Book 1 Tampa Talon

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Whispers of Redemption by Elle Carr

1 Star

Seven years ago, I left the only man I ever loved.

I found out I wasn't able to have children, and I couldn't watch him give up the family he deserved.

I never told him the truth, and I never stopped wondering if I made the biggest mistake of my life.

Now I'm working as a children's doctor, when suddenly the ER doors flew open, and a little girl was carried in unconscious.

Immediately, I checked her airway and started compressions, I pressed the stethoscope to her chest, praying to hear a heartbeat.

Thirty seconds later, her chest finally rose, and air rushed back into her lungs.

She looked right at me, dazed and confused, and whispered, "Are you my mommy?"

I smiled, thinking she had confused me with her mother, until I heard the doors swing open. A deep familiar voice sounded behind me and I turned to see the man I left 7 years ago, standing in the doorway with a photograph in his hand.

I was very confused by the timeline in this book. Add in the covert Christian rhetoric later in the book this book was a hard pass for me. I liked the idea of the book. She finds out she can’t have kids, leaves him, only to come back later is an interesting book. Throw in God hates her and everything else it was a just no for me.

Book 1 Of Grace and Glory

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Trueborn’s Queen by Leona Page

1 Star

Warning Mature Language and Content, including abuse, violence, and SA

Ophelia
I never wanted this. I never asked to be a Luna. I only wanted a mate who loves me and cares for me as I do him. A simple life; happy and secure. I never knew that there was no humanity left to soften the Beast. I didn't understand until it was too late. I ran. I ran into the arms of another wolf. A good wolf. A knight in shining armor. A fairytale prince... but royal blood will never be stronger than a TrueBorn.

Gideon
I am TrueBorn alpha and no runt princeling will take her from me. She is mine. If I need to become King to Claim her, then so be it. I will make her a Queen.

Luna's are fought over... a Queen is worth dying for.

 

I’ve loved most of Page’s books but between errors in spelling and grammar plus the redemption of Gideon. I just hated this book. Gideon never redeems himself from all that he did to Ophelia. Ophelia tried so hard to get away from him and when all avenues are blocked she caves to his demands. I loved the secondary characters and Ophelia but Gideon just ruined the story.

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Loved Girl by Lexie Winston

1 Stars

When the unthinkable happens to Harlow and the twins, the Summers family scrambles to solve the mystery of her stalker- for once and for all.

Meanwhile, Harlow, Jaxon, and Jacinta are told a mind-blowing tale of deceit and treachery, discovering how their lives have been intertwined since long before they were even born.

Will one of them need to put their life on the line to save the others, or will they all make it out unscathed?

WTF did I just skim read. This was over the top. High drama and all unbelievable. I struggled with reading this one and wish I had never started the series. I was right about the stalker but so not worth reading.

Book 6 Neighpalm Industries

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Feral Alpha by Sierra Knoxley

1 Star

I've been my grizzly bear's prisoner for close to a decade.

He's full on feral.

For almost ten years, I haven't felt cool air in my lungs or felt rough dirt under my feet.

The vicious monster keeps me trapped inside while he terrorizes the forest we live in, trying to kill anyone who enters.

Until one day, she steps into our territory and everything changes.

I get myself out and taste freedom for the first time in way too long.

And sharing it with my mate just makes it that much sweeter.

But my grizzly bear is a vengeful beast.

He's simmering below the surface.

And when he manages to fight and claw his way out...

Nobody will be safe.

Including my mate.

The idea was there for a good story but it took way too long to get there. The good… It wasn’t a wealthy pack at all. It showed the struggles packs have when they don’t come from money and the things you must do to survive. I also like the different personalities of the alphas. The bad… Lack of world building and character development. Pacing was an issue throughout the book. The bad was too much for me to give more than a 1 star for the book.

Book 3 Alpha’s Obsession

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Punished by LV Lane

1 Star

He calls me his god and creator.

But they were just words upon a page.

He says I’m cruel and wicked.

But I didn’t mean to be.

None of this matters anymore, for the lines have gotten blurred.

I need to be punished, and he’s going to punish me.

The fourth wall is broken with this one. That didn’t bother me but what did bother me was I wanted more plot and world building. This is basically sex and that’s it. If you want some nonconsent sex this might work for you.

Book 1 Mate for the Alien Master

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Stranded by Selena Winters

1 Star

In the cold wilderness of Alaska, my host is as wicked as he is enticing. I thought I had my golden ticket to love until I stumbled upon my boyfriend’s betrayal. A romantic Christmas vacation to Alaska, planned for two, is now a solo venture. Little did I know, I was stepping into the lair of a dark, dangerous man I knew nothing about.

Maddox, a tattooed giant of a man, a fugitive turned recluse, has been living in the shadows. But his obsession ignites when he sees a photo of me online after booking his cabin, the golden girl with a silver spoon. He’s dangerous and unstable, and yet I’m drawn to him. The rugged man in front of me is nothing like the polished lawyers and businessmen I’m used to. Maddox is raw and real.

In the isolated cabin, the icy Alaskan wilderness becomes our playground. Maddox, the man obsessed with masks, pulls me into his twisted game of obsession and desire. But as the temperature drops, our dangerous dance only heats up, pushing boundaries.

I thought the snow stranded me, but I’m exactly where Maddox wants me. In his world, under his rules. I’d come for solitude, but I’m in for a wild ride. No one can hear you scream when you’re miles from civilization. After all, there are no rules in the heart of the wilderness. The only law is survival. But can I survive Maddox?

Just NO for me. I am all for dark and gray characters. This wasn’t it at all. Guy stalks her. He had every intent to take out the boyfriend and keep her for himself. That’s the entire story. The rest is them hooking up. Major pass for me.

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Beauty and the Orc by Finley Fenn

1 Star

She was ruined by an orc. Now his enraged ex wants to finish the job…

In a world of orcs and powerful men, Kitty Clarendon is a bubbly, beautiful woman about town — until she’s dumped by her benefactor and thrown onto the streets. And as she’s drowning her sorrows, she meets… an orc.

He’s rash, reckless, and on the rebound — but his laugh is contagious, his touch warm and wicked. And for one perfect, forbidden night, he’s all Kitty’s darkest dreams come true…

But by morning, there’s only shame. Regret. And the orc quickly makes his escape, abandoning Kitty to a devastating discovery…

She’s been compromised. With his… orcling.

But the orc never returns, and Kitty is left ill, impoverished, and hopeless. Until finally, another orc finds her. Varinn, of Clan Grisk.

The first orc’s best friend.

And… his very recent ex.

Varinn can’t hide his jealousy, or his bitter, broken rage — but he refuses to leave Kitty behind. And soon she’s under his stern supervision, and on her way to Orc Mountain. Back to the orc who so cruelly spurned her. The orc who’s been losing his own battles, and still longs for Varinn’s firm handling… and his heart.

And can Kitty bring two hostile, heartbroken orcs back together, for her orcling’s sake? Or will they break her own heart, too?

This book never ended. It was so long and repetitive with no forward movement in the story. I hated how passive Kitty was and let herself be abused by everyone. Varinn was just a dick and the other was so troubled. The one who was troubled was an addict and that was handled nicely in the book. Overall, this was by far the worst book in the series.

Book 8 Orc Sworn

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Pucking Wrong Number by CR Jane

1 Star

Monroe has been on her own forever. A runaway from foster home and finally an adult just trying to make it in the world when one night she gets a random text. She tells the texter they have the wrong number, but they don’t believe her snarky response. What she doesn’t realize is that she texted Lincoln Daniels NHL golden boy who is intrigued by her snark. He is determined to have her no matter what. Will he win her over?

WHAT THE HELL did I just read? From the description of the book, it sounds like a standard hockey romance. Boy meets girl by text the wrong number and he goes after her. Boy is wealthy and plays pro hockey and girl is form foster/street kid trying to make her way in the world with nothing. Sounds good. MAJOR SPOILERS COMING.

That is until about ¾ of the way through and she finds out he is literally stalking her and isolating her, so she only has him. He’s got her phone and apartment bugged. Her landlord evicts her, so she has no where to live because her bosses fired her because he PAID them all off to do this to her. When she is rightfully angry and tries to throw him out of her life, he KIDNAPS her and CHAINS her to his bed. He won’t let her go because she is HIS.

I read dark romances all the time and don’t mind dub con if it is done correctly. This was not done correctly. She literally caves to his whims almost immediately and is all in because she just loves him sooooooo much. I can’t get behind a book that is classic abusive relationship. This one is a hard pass, and the author ends up on my no thank you list.

Book 1 Pucking Wrong

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A Word Fitly Spoken by T.A. Lawrence

 

1 star

Fae King of Naenden caught his human queen committing treason and decrees that he will take a bride a day and execute her in the morning unless one woman will offer herself up as a sacrifice. Asha knows she won’t be chosen as she is too disfigured to be selected. However, when she discovers her sister is one up for being selected as a bride she volunteers to be the queen. After the wedding she has one request of her husband that she be allowed to spend the night with her sister telling a story. The king eavesdrops and come morning he refuses the execution as he wants to know how the story ends. How long will he remain interested in the story?

I want my time and energy back for this one. The Asha is incredibly fickle which makes me hate her thus making the book incredibly long. The book itself was long & this was made worse by her. The ending left me wanting loose ends tied up. Not interested in any future books. In my head they've all died.

Book 1 Severed Realm

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Fevered by Devyn Sinclair

 

1 Star

Left for dead after a rogue fae attacked me. Four fae men rescue me and vow to keep me safe. Their touch brings me more pleasure than I ever dreamed but time is running out to save my life. Will they be able to keep their promises or will the rogue fae win?

I wanted to like this book and the first chapter drew me in so nicely. Then the book just fell apart for me. There was no world building or character development. I quickly lost interest in the book and started skimming to see if it would get better. It didn’t. The FMC spends 80% of the book in crippling pain or unconscious. So how was she falling for these guys? I’ll skip the rest of the books.

Book 1 Carnal Court

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Quarantined by Drethi Anis

 

1 Star

Milo has been in love with his stepsister Raven, for years. He had her once and lost her. Now she’s home and he’s determined to have her again.

I love a good dark romance with dub/con. This was not one of them. It was straight up SA. I couldn’t get past the hero of the story assaults the heroine. Beyond this the author also jumps back and forth in the timeline which makes it hard to keep track of where we are and what the hell is going on. Beyond the story there is also the money grab the author has on this one. This one is 184 pages, and nothing really happens in it. It’s all set up. There are two more books in the series, and each is $3 so all in a $9 book. They are also all on KU and I could borrow them to finish the series but I really didn’t enjoy the first book enough to waste a spot on my check out.

Book 1 Quarantine

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Ruled by Magic by Zara J Black

 

1 Star

Lord Commander Leo Rahl gave Livet a choice, to take the 15 years in prison for exposing the magical elite or 6 months of being his toy. She opts for the 6 months figuring it won’t be that bad. He can do whatever he likes to her and there is nothing she can do. Will she regret her decision to take Leo’s deal?

So I borrowed this book twice cause I forgot I read it, that is how forgettable it is. I wanted to like it but it just came across as an abusive relationship vs a dark, BDSM esq book. I don’t usually have a problem with dark or Dub/Con but this one crossed a line. Some people might be ok with the content and there’s no judgment for my morals it crossed a line. There was a lot of public humiliation, and this would have been fine but she hated it. None of it was for her pleasure but all his. He wanted revenge on her and it twisted into love at some point but I never felt the connection. Overall, the writing style was good and I will probably give the author a second chance but this book wasn’t for me.

Book 1 Ruled by Magic

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Petal Plucker (The Flower Shop Sisters #1) by Iris Morland

 

1 Star

Dandelion "Dani” Wright is too busy running her family's flower shop to have a life. High school crush Jacob West is back in town and she wants but he's the competition.  Is she gives in it could jeopardize everything.

I have never been so mad at a book then I was when I finished this book. I actually was set on a 4 until the end. Jacob steals the ideas the Dani came up with for a competition. He literally started a relationship with her to get the design she was planning. Instead of her getting mad and him groveling to get her back AS HE SHOULD. She apologized because Jacob's daddy was struggling, and they were going to lose the business without winning the design. WHAT FUCKING BULLSHIT IT THIS? Dani goes from doing her own thing to be a passive woman who takes care of her man. It’s been a while since I read the book and I am still mad about how it ended.

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Branded by Scarlett Finn

 

1 Star

Nye Yorke was expecting her night to go like it always did until the closed club was raided. She witnesses her coworker be brutally raped and murdered. She expects the same until she is "rescued" by Archer. He wants her best friend and will use her to get him. He expects her to broker a deal but the more time they spend together the less she wants them freedom.

Not many thing skeeve me out but the beginning of this book did as there is a graphic rape on the page where the victim dies, the other woman is than kidnapped, and used to get at her "brother" I don't understand Nya or Archer's relationship. How do you get past what Archer and his crew did I like a good dark story but this one went too far.

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Barbarian’s Captive by Maddie Taylor

 

1 star

Lt. Eva La Croix and her all-female crew land on a planet they think is a good substitute for earth. The problem they are captured by the aliens of the planet and forced into a mating. She is planning on ignoring him and escaping the first chance she gets. She just needs to ignore the growing attraction she has for her mate. When there’s a misunderstanding drives them apart will they be able to come back together?

I was so not expecting to hate this book, but I did. The first book I read had Dominance and spanking, but it never felt abusive. This book felt abusive. Women are to be seen and not heard. They have a device to put on women that prevents women from talking. At one point in the book, Eva decides to leave; changes her mind, and ends up kidnapped. When she is brought back, she is whipped for harming her mate by leaving. She didn’t know this would happen as no one told her. There were a couple other parts that felt abusive, but the women just accepted this as their new life. There are a couple other books in the series and I’m skipping them.

Book 1 Primarian Mate

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Hunted for the Pack by Natalia Prim

 

 

1 Star

Ree is still trying to find her way. New bonds are being created and Cyan isn’t sure he can keep his family together. Will they figure out what is going on and be able to keep the family together.

I was bored reading this. I ended up skimming this book so many times as I was trying to keep all the POVs straight. It seemed like the book was all over the place and was trying to do too much and it got lost. This one also ends on a cliffhanger but unlike the last one I have no intention of picking up the next one as this didn’t hold my attention at all.

Book 2 Celestial Claim

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Knights Full of Magic by Angela Edgehart

 

1 star

Catryn knows her life isn't hers to decide. Princesses do as they are told. When her brother is approached by King Mythos for her hand, she knows her opinion doesn't matter. Mythos is a brute, but she will do her duty. When she arrives at his home, she wasn't expecting his mistress to be waiting or for her future husband to not want anything to do with her. When weird things start to happen will they figure out what is the cause before Mythos does something to start a war?

Just No! There is no world building. Things are thrown in as needed. The hate Mytho has for everyone is never explained. Mythos and Catryn aren't even married, and they both take lovers and neither seems to care. Which leads to no connection to the characters. Then there's the big everyone has amnesia which is mentioned in passing. This is mentioned once and never resolved. And finally, the book doesn't end well. Opting out of the rest of the series.

Book 1 Fae Queen's Circle of Dragon Shifter Mates

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Wolf Chosen by Alexis Calder

 

1 star

With all her history finally revealed. She knows what she has to do. The problem she's not sure she can.  Will she be able to take out her uncle and get rid of the corruption plaguing the packs?

Well, the series is done, and I am left with questions. Why do they have King/Queen? Why couldn't a mate bond be broken without Someone dying? Particularly when the mate is abusive! Overall, the book and series were not the best and I would skip it.

Book 3 Moon Cursed

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