3.5 stars. The premise of a fake marriage is a problematic one- these sorts of marriages can only really happen in Romancelandia- but I am a bit of a s3.5 stars. The premise of a fake marriage is a problematic one- these sorts of marriages can only really happen in Romancelandia- but I am a bit of a sucker for them. Close proximity, sexual tension (provided they don't jump into bed in the first 20 pages) and the guaranteed HEA generally makes the angst worthwhile. KS managed to pull this off quite nicely. Her character development was on point, and many of the familiar personalities from her previous linked series deepened my appreciation of the emotional drama that took place in this book. Beckett and Greer could not have been more different. She is an all-in, passionate, impulsive woman who tends to do things because they seem like a good idea at the time, and doesn't seem able to anticipate consequences or potential fall-out.
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Beckett is the planner, the carefully-thinking-through-to-all-possible-outcomes kind of guy. She wore her emotions like a badge of honour, he was reserved and incredibly self-disciplined.
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When they embark on their fake marriage, which is relatively early on, each of them do it for love- Greer for her step-dad, who is terminally ill and would like to walk one of his girls down the aisle before he dies, and Beckett for his 6 year-old daughter, Olive, who he wishes to have with him full-time for the year Olive's mother will be in England with her new husband. Having a stable relationship with a potential mother figure in the house will hopefully convince the ex to leave Olive with him, rather than taking her to England with her. (Their interactions with Olive were lovely to read. She was a sweetie) What follows is an agonised dance around each other. Serious attraction, painful sexual tension and plenty of frustration- it's all there. I was like .... [image]
I admit I was a bit annoyed by each of the MCs at different times in the book. Beckett was SO serious and disciplined, I wondered whether he was too repressed to actually commit to a relationship with anyone. On the other hand, I admired his integrity, and his profound love for his daughter. Meanwhile, Greer was so gutsy and prepared to go out and get what she wanted, I felt she was giving way more to him than she got in return. She hung in there, banking on Beckett finally acknowledging the future she could see for them all. It took him far too bloody long, if you ask me, and the pain this inner conflict caused him was deserved- Greer was braver than he was, but then, I guess she didn't have a child to factor into the equation. What I liked without reservation was to see Beckett's relationship with his ex: not together longer than a few months after their unplanned baby is born, their relationship clearly never going to work, yet ALWAYS focusing on the child's best interests. No animosity, just love for their child. Such a rare thing to see and read- it was great! Not my fave book by this author- I really didn't enjoy The Bombshell Effect- as I prefer the male to do the pursuing- but I will always give anything written by this author a shot....more
Quite a sweet love story that started out a bit ho-hum, with the hero exhibiting very frivolous, shallow behaviour and the heroine coming across as moQuite a sweet love story that started out a bit ho-hum, with the hero exhibiting very frivolous, shallow behaviour and the heroine coming across as more mature than he was. But the character depth developed really nicely and I was quite moved towards the end, the hero becoming a much more sympathetic and likeable person, even if I wondered whether he was actually capable of becoming more self-aware!
The writing was sound, despite a couple of odd /inelegant turns of phrase (one pokes fun AT one’s betters, not OF one’s betters, for example) and I enjoyed the insightful conversations between the H and h, where he clearly struggled with the knowledge that she could see through his façade and understood him, perhaps better than he understood himself.
While the plot might have been a bit far-fetched with regard to how well-bred ladies would behave in those times, I was happy to suspend my disbelief and allow the emotional elements to carry me away. And it was lovely to have a strong heroine with real backbone.
After a veritable drought in good HR recently, this was a pleasure to read, so thank you, Jultri, for the recommendation! I will definitely give the others in the series a shot....more
Have you ever had the feeling that you are not sure why you grabbed a particular book on KU? It languishes on your shelf for months, and every time yoHave you ever had the feeling that you are not sure why you grabbed a particular book on KU? It languishes on your shelf for months, and every time you see the cover, you think: what was this about again? And: the title sounds a bit Mills and Boon- why did it get it again? Then you read it, and damn if it isn't actually really terrific!
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This is what happened here. I admit I am coming off some pretty superficial sports romance/NA books, so the bar might have been a tad low.
Firstly, I adore the fact that the FMC, Lina (Catalina) is Spanish and that part of the book takes place in a small town in Northern Spain. I also loved all the Spanish in the book- it was integrated so well, with clever ways of giving us the meaning of the sentences without just translating them, that I never felt it interrupted the flow. (I am bilingual and teach a foreign language, so perhaps that helped, too.) Part of my pleasure was also the fact that I had travelled to Spain only a few months before Covid hit, and loved my time there to bits.
Secondly, this new author did a wonderful job in providing depth of characterisation. Lina and Aaron were such appealing characters, with all the hang-ups and experiences that made them so interesting and explained so much about the way they navigated their relationship. They became real people to me, and that doesn't happen very often.
It was not a short book, yet I could not stop reading it. Their trials and Angst, the emotions they suppressed and the way they struggled for their HEA, all of this captured me. I was in love with Aaron myself, in the end, and I am notoriously hard on my heroes! The author got the balance just right, with an alpha, sexy, ex-footballer who was also sensitive and determined to win Lina over, even if it meant his pride took a hit again and again. His patience and consideration for her was impressive, and the way he supported her when she was with her large, noisy and intrusive family, or struggling with her ex, was very moving.
Indeed, Lina drove me a bit nuts at times, making him work so hard because she still couldn't get past what had happened to her many years before when she was in university in Spain. Once we were aware of what had gone down and why she ran to America, she suddenly made a lot more sense. It was really horrible. She was still bloody lucky that Aaron was not the type to give up. Many lesser men would have. As her father said, Lina certainly was a firecracker!
[image] This was a beautiful story, with so much humour, heartache and a very slow burn romance. Sexual tension through the roof is something I love in my romance. (Hence my dislike of ONS CR varieties- once the sex is done, the tension is gone). When it finally came to the sex, though, it was hot. Aaron was a master at gradual, very subtle, seduction. And then an absolute boss in bed.
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I sure kissed a lot of frogs, recently- but I think I finally found a prince. Congratulations to the author, Elena Armas. She nailed this- and I hope she writes more romance with this wonderful balance of passion, emotion and wit. And that's a big "yes, please" to the steamy Cavill-esque romance the author promised a friend in her Acknowledgements!...more
This is the story of Dex (Ethan), a giant, tattooed, pierced, bearded centre in the NFL, and Fiona (the younger sister of Ivy from the previous book),This is the story of Dex (Ethan), a giant, tattooed, pierced, bearded centre in the NFL, and Fiona (the younger sister of Ivy from the previous book), a flaky, and seemingly superficial, designer and furniture maker. They do spend lots of time apart in this book, which I generally don't enjoy in a romance, but Fiona really grows and matures, perhaps partly because of this separation. Importantly, she doesn’t give up on poor, repressed Dex. I thought that was really great- and different. She could get past her own hurt about what he said or did and see the pain that had led him to lash out. They both struggled because neither had been in a deep relationship before, and in the past, Fiona had always bolted when things got a bit hard. A much sweeter story than I had expected, especially after the previous book in this series, and a little bit different from the usual college/sports romance. Dex was pretty cute!
Note to self: NEVER send nude pics to somebody else's mobile phone! [image]...more
3.5 stars. This was a cute story from the Smartypants Romance library. I have read quite a few of these, and some I have really liked, others not so mu3.5 stars. This was a cute story from the Smartypants Romance library. I have read quite a few of these, and some I have really liked, others not so much, and still others I have not even wanted to read. So there is sure to be something for everyone! (Frankly, the whole beard thing does not grab me, but then, I don't like beards. I have read Penny Reid's Beard books- they aren't a patch on the Knitting in the City series, btw- and I visualise the heroes as clean-shaven to get past my instinctive dislike of the beards!)
[image] One reason I don't like beards: unhygienic!
The story was sweet, the Hero not an alpha type at all (though he did have a bloody beard), which was a change from my usual style. The Heroine's character, that of a somewhat clueless and spoilt girl, developed nicely as the story progressed and became very likeable.
What I enjoyed the most about this one was the fascinating setting- this thing called the Appalachian Trail. It sounds like an amazing walk/hike, perhaps an American version of the Spanish Camino Trail- without the pilgrimage aspect! I might try that one day, if we can ever fly out of Australia again!...more
This was quite a sweet college romance (even though I don’t really understand America’s college system or the whole sports obsession on campus, tbh). NThis was quite a sweet college romance (even though I don’t really understand America’s college system or the whole sports obsession on campus, tbh). Nix - short for Phoenix, and where the hell fo they get these names? was a footballer but atypical in that he wasn’t I to the whole party and groupie scene. Elle came across as an obsessive control freak ( couple of bad love experiences and serious money issues can do that to a girl). He is controlled by his father, a man living his football dream vicariously through his son, she is controlled by her crazy need for vengeance on a former boyfriend. They both had a bit of growing up to do!
I felt the story was too long and the time it took for them to be together (or even feature on the same page) had me a little bored in places, but I did love the relationship between Elle and her bestie Jules.
I may read more by this author, but I have a limit on how much college drama I can handle. Vocabulary like “kegger” and all those red cup, loud parties seem terribly infantile to me. I sincerely hope that is not everyone’s University experience in the States- when I was studying I was too busy trying to pass exams to party as hard as they seemed to do!...more
An enjoyable sci-fi read with some good world-building and writing. I liked both the MCs- he was a rather tortured soul with a good heart and serious An enjoyable sci-fi read with some good world-building and writing. I liked both the MCs- he was a rather tortured soul with a good heart and serious combat skills, she was a kidnapped human who had been treated (brutally, I might add) as a pet/slave by a wealthy alien but nevertheless managed to retain her courage and spirit. Will definitely go on to read the next in the series. ...more
This was just a bit too long-winded and I don't always enjoy reading the text written as a Scottish brogue- lots of "ye"s and "yer"s - I guess it is sThis was just a bit too long-winded and I don't always enjoy reading the text written as a Scottish brogue- lots of "ye"s and "yer"s - I guess it is supposed to add authenticity, but it's a little distracting. Pleasant story, clearly well-researched, but it just didn't grab me....more
Quite short and mostly ok- half the book is epilogues and ads for more books-but nothing stands out here. Very insta-love/lust and I really wondered aQuite short and mostly ok- half the book is epilogues and ads for more books-but nothing stands out here. Very insta-love/lust and I really wondered about the fandom of American football players. They are cray-cray. And I cannot take any book too seriously when people talk about orgasm or ejaculate using the the word cum. What are we-13 years old? Ugh....more
This was everything an HR should be: subtle, charming, moving, sensual and witty.
When Lady Delilah Derring is widowed, she discovers that she is not This was everything an HR should be: subtle, charming, moving, sensual and witty.
When Lady Delilah Derring is widowed, she discovers that she is not the only one who has been left penniless and alone, as she discovers her husband’s estate was ruined. His mistress is also in a similar position, and the two women have the misfortune (or so she believes it to be, initially) to meet at the solicitor’s office where he has unctuously just informed her of her impecunious state. Her shock at there even being a mistress is tempered by a feeling of kinship, and when the women run into each other at an inn next to the only piece of property Delilah has been left with- a run-down former brothel on the docks- they begin an unlikely partnership. How refreshing to see them work together, instead of fighting over a man who was never worth it in the first place!
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Firstly, I had to leave my prejudices at the door. I don’t normally enjoy books about mistresses, as the power imbalance always makes me cross. In this case, both women are intelligent, sensitive people who have been battered by life and are determined to bounce back. Most of all, they plan to do it without a man. Having learned the hard way that a woman should not depend on a man, because he will invariably fail them, they turn the building into a boarding house and work hard to make the business a success. At the same time, the handsome but hardened Captain Hardy is hunting the smuggling gang that caused the death of a whole family, when they burnt down the family’s house. This, all because the father refused to allow them to use his property for their smuggling activities.
I have to say, the slow burn and sexual tension in this story was masterful. The contrast between this and a lot of CR, which is often all about the ONS and the determination to “hand in the V-card” (What the hell are these authors thinking- even the expression “V-card” is repugnant) is stark. And welcome.
Delilah and her friend Angelique’s relationship had an intriguing dynamic, with the cynical and disillusioned Angelique a foil for the more tender-hearted, kinder Delilah. Make no mistake, Delilah was not weak or bland. In many ways, she was fierce and passionate, even tough when required to be. Both she and Hardy longed for a place to call Home, for a family. Hardy refused to think of it initially, clashing as it did with what had always been his purpose in life. Delilah could not afford to think of it, now that she was no longer a lady but rather, the proprietress of a boarding house on the docks. She was determined to finally be true to herself and not beholden to any man for her happiness. After all, look how well that turned out last time.
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The two main characters are wonderfully complex. It was marvellous to read about a man who had finer feelings and a depth to his thinking that went beyond where to stick his penis. There were moments of great humour (I actually laughed out loud several times during reading, and that has not happened in a while) and the minor characters were lovingly drawn. I wiped away a quiet tear and struggled through the emotions tingling in my chest. And I smiled for the pair and their HEA.
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I have read most of JAL’s work, and have enjoyed much of it, but this book was a stand-out for me. How these two damaged, lonely, people find their Home in each other was truly moving. I warmly recommend it for lovers of high-quality HR. You won’t be disappointed.
These men of the haven brotherhood are just too cute. For domineering alpha types, that is.
Zeke is a doctor and he meets Gabrielle by chance, a shy meThese men of the haven brotherhood are just too cute. For domineering alpha types, that is.
Zeke is a doctor and he meets Gabrielle by chance, a shy mechanic who has an anxiety disorder. Their romance is so sweet, as he gradually breaks down her barriers and supports her attempts to deal with her problem. There is also some shady business going on in the neighbourhood, which calls for action on the part of the Brotherhood. And they know how to deal! An emotional and charming addition to the series. ...more
This was my introduction to one of my favourite CR series, by an author I generally love.
Initially, I was reluctant to start these books- I mean, knitThis was my introduction to one of my favourite CR series, by an author I generally love.
Initially, I was reluctant to start these books- I mean, knitting? I can do crafts (I've even made a quilt or two and have knitted, embroidered etc), but I am not someone who is going to wax lyrical about a type of yarn, or fight someone for that discontinued alpaca wool. If that is also you, don't be put off. These are really just amusing peripheral aspects of a series about the deep friendship between different kinds of women, and how they meet their one-and-onlys.
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I adored the MCs in this story. Janie is brilliant but definitely on the spectrum. Weird in a cute way. Does that put Quinn off? Nope- Sir McHotpants is all in from the start. He is fascinated by her. I loved the push/pull nature of their relationship. I laughed out loud, I chuckled and I got a little hot under the collar. In many ways, they are the complete opposite of each other, and so complement each other perfectly.
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Just a delightful and even insightful romantic comedy about two engaging and unusual people that I will no doubt re-read again and again.
RE-READ April 2020: and I'm re-reading the edition that has a little extra raunch and the wedding book included. OMG I love this book. Why 4 stars- I'm adjusting it to 5 stars now! Especially after some of the god-awful schlock I've read lately- or dnf-ed. The intense, single-minded way Quinn is into Janie is to die for. And I still have to giggle at some of the trivial facts she spews. What struck me this time as how Quinn totally dedicated himself to winning her. Single-minded devotion to the cause. No hesitation, no playing coy or hiding his feelings. He said ILY first and meant it. Sublime. Add the gorgeous ladies from the knitting group and I am complete. Time for another one of these: [image]...more
This was an interesting read, and although I felt the romance, and the characterisation of the hero, were not up to scratch for me, the depiction of aThis was an interesting read, and although I felt the romance, and the characterisation of the hero, were not up to scratch for me, the depiction of an autistic heroine, the way she thought and how she struggled to appear "normal", was wonderful. The 3 stars were for that alone.
The hero was too good to be true, folks. Did that man have a flaw? Was he ever impatient, un-understanding (is that a word?) or judgemental? Nope: he was pretty much perfectly sweet, and hot into the bargain. Well, I guess this is fiction.
I was also a bit surprised by the fact that (view spoiler)[ Ruth slept around like crazy after her break-up with the villain. Her reasons for this were a bit hard to take. The fact that the hero responds with "only 15 men?" is funny and sweet. Again, he is too perfect. (hide spoiler)].
All the same, probs won't be reading any more by this author. Just not my jam....more
3.5 stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this CR/NA. I always wonder what I am doing reading college romances, but this was so much better than I 3.5 stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this CR/NA. I always wonder what I am doing reading college romances, but this was so much better than I thought it would be. Sexy but cute, with the protagonists more mature than usual. Also, Dylan is a couple of years younger than Lex, yet it works really well. Definitely worth a look!...more
I was pretty excited when this prequel came out- another book in this excellent series! Yay!! And it was a bit of a tear-jerker, I have to say.
The unI was pretty excited when this prequel came out- another book in this excellent series! Yay!! And it was a bit of a tear-jerker, I have to say.
The underlying thread in this story seems to be guilt. Annabelle cannot overcome her guilt that she caused the horrific damage to Robert's leg by behaving in her usual impetuous fashion, even though she was just a child at the time. And Robert has felt endless guilt about how he brutally excised her from his life after it happened, event though his motives were pure. (He refuses to let her saddle herself with the damaged man he is just because she feels she owes him.)
Yet there is also the sweetness that these two are simply meant for each other, and have loved each other almost all their lives. The letters that Annabelle writes over the years to a man who will never read them (she doesn't post them) are charming and heart-breaking. His gesture at the end (view spoiler)[ where he writes a response to each of those letters after she gives the bundle to him (hide spoiler)] is just perfect.
Under pressure from his grandfather, who has watched Robert work his arse off on the estate and would like to see him settled and with an heir before he dies, Robert goes to London to seek a wife. And sees Annabelle again for the first time in seven years.
In the meantime, Annabelle has put her sketching talents to good use and has been having her satirical caricatures published in a gossip paper, the Informer. Problem is, if the ton finds out who has been ridiculing them, her reputation will be shot.
So it's Robert to the rescue (The series IS called "Rescued from Ruin", after all!) I loved the incorporation of other plot threads from later books into this one. Knowing all the characters so well made it seem very real- like recalling old friends. In this instance, the saga of Atherbourne and Lady Victoria plays out at the same time.
As usual, Lady Wallingham is at her meddling best. She teases Robert with tidbits about Annabelle's many suitors (there aren't really any, because she has never made an effort to attract anyone) and arranges for Annabelle to assist Robert with his search for a wife. When Robert resists, insising that he is leaving London, she plays her trump card: his old, ill grandfather will be most disappointed. He must return with a wife.
Annabelle refuses to hep him so he follows her. everywhere. He is like a dog wit a bone. It's kinda cute- not stalkerish because, after all, he toldher he would follow her...
This was a charming story, even when I wanted to smack Robert's stubborn head. When Annabelle says: "Ha! That would be the first thing you say to me, wouldn't it?" She lowered her voice to mimic his 'Have you lost your mind?' Hmmph. A fine way to end a seven-year pout." I thought- exactly!
It didn't move me quite as much as the letter that Sarah's father wrote to her in Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel but still, a fine, emotional end to an intriguing series....more
3.5 stars. Hannah Gray has been through hell. Disciplined (tortured) by a sadistic man who kept her captive and assumed the role of her father for many3.5 stars. Hannah Gray has been through hell. Disciplined (tortured) by a sadistic man who kept her captive and assumed the role of her father for many years. Rescued and now living with her half-brother, Phineas, she is very damaged. In particular, she struggles with touching people, and cannot bear to have them touch her. Aware of this, her brother and those who know of her past treat her gently and never challenge her to move on. Eugenia, her sister-in-law, is not inclined to do this anymore, and pushes Hannah to acknowledge that she would like a husband- or rather, a family, especially children. So a decision is made to host a house party where eligible men (kind, unthreatening types- blancmange) would be invited for Hannah to make a selection. Well, the house party is at Lady Wallingham's estate, and we all know how that is going to go. That old bag never met a problem she couldn't fix!
Jonas Hawthorn is a Bow Street Runner, and despite being drawn to Hannah (in a previous book) knows he is not good enough for her. He finds himself invited to the house party, ostensibly to solve a crime and receive a huge reward, but with Lady W in the picture, ulterior motives are always on the cards.
This was a sweet story, with two good people struggling to overcome their feelings of low-self-worth and emotional scars. Hannah also has the physical scars that were a legacy of her brutal treatment by the villain in previous books, and she is very self-conscious about them. But Eugenia - and several others- have worked out how Hannah feels about Jonas, and they all unite to push the reluctant pair together. Her brother is not on Team Jonas, however, and warns him off.
I tend to get a bit frustrated with HR where one of the MCs is of a different class. I know that the rigid class system was a reality for those times, but it always comes across as this immoveable impediment to happiness, and the underlying snobbery irritates the hell out of this egalitarian Aussie/European. In this case, I can't help but wonder how a by-blow (Hannah was the illegitimate daughter of a lord and his mistress) can be so much higher on the social scale than an honest, hard-working Runner.
So Hannah makes an effort to like her blancmange suitors, and Jonas stews on the sidelines. It was bit annoying, tbh. Then she decides she wants Jonas. Bam. Decision made. We witness her sad attempts at flirting. I know they were meant to be awkward, but she just came across as a bit hard, somehow. Well, I guess she had been tortured....
What ultimately put me off a bit was (view spoiler)[ that she asks him to marry her. Not the other way around. (hide spoiler)] So the tension sort of dropped and with it, the intensity of my interest in the outcome. I must be stupidly old-fashioned or something!
Not my favourite in the series, but a solid contribution.
The writing was excellent, as it always is with this author, but I wasn't sure how I would take to the hero in this one, #8 in the series. He came acrThe writing was excellent, as it always is with this author, but I wasn't sure how I would take to the hero in this one, #8 in the series. He came across as a bit unattractive and weird in an earlier book. But I adored him by the end.
Phineas is a horticultural expert, a rich lord with an obsessive hobby. He also had a psychotic mother and has a very emotionally damaged younger half-sister. He seems a cold man, one who has ruthlessly suppressed any strong emotions because he is terrified of them taking over. Underneath, he is a fiercely protective and passionate man. Throw a vivacious, impulsive Huxley girl into the mix, who struggles with the idea that she is just a substitute for her sister- the wrong bride- and watch it all explode.
I particularly loved the way Genie worked to break down Phineas' sister's walls. Her dogged optimism and determination to make the best of things should have been annoying. It wasn't. And it helped her break through to her husband, too! I confess, there is something incredibly hot about watching a strictly self-disciplined man slowly unravel and melt under the influence of his woman. And become very demanding and passionate. Sigh.
The story was cute, sexy and emotional by turns, and I was delighted with their HEA. Braden writes a mean epilogue, which is another huge plus....more
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