I wasn't initially interested in this book, because I'm not a fan of politics or royalty in a romance. But I 'accidentally' read the first ch4.5 stars
I wasn't initially interested in this book, because I'm not a fan of politics or royalty in a romance. But I 'accidentally' read the first chapter, it was included in a short story I've read by this author, and I liked it so much that I just wanted to keep reading.
For the longest time I thought this would be a 5-star read for me. I loved everything about it – the writing, Callum and Oliver (especially Callum), their conversations, their connection and their friendship. The slow burn and the romance were perfect. Even though the story is unrealistic, those two felt very real to me.
Everything was going so well (view spoiler)[until the last 20% or so, when the story turned into what felt like a soap opera, with all the drama going on and implausible scenarios. I was also not happy with how the problem of the prime minister and the future king not being allowed to date was resolved. (hide spoiler)]
Despite my complaints, I still think this was a wonderful story and one of the best I've read this year....more
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things2.5 stars
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things, so there were no twists here that I didn't see coming.
I was still curious to how everything would be resolved, but the ending was very underwhelming. It felt unbelievable, I didn't see the the motivation behind certain characters' actions, and there were a number of questions that remained unanswered.
I enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reaI enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reasons why I’m not giving it a higher rating. Firstly, I found most of the characters one dimensional and it didn’t help that the narration felt flat and lacked the emotion. Secondly, the ending was too far fetched and unbelievable, and I don’t think that certain characters’ actions made sense. ...more
I really wish I enjoyed this book more, because I genuinely liked Rafferty and Stan as characters and I found their connection and friendshi2.5 stars
I really wish I enjoyed this book more, because I genuinely liked Rafferty and Stan as characters and I found their connection and friendship believable. But there were too many things that affected my enjoyment of the story.
(view spoiler)[The relationship development didn’t work for me at all. Maybe that’s all me and my false expectations, but I thought they were just best friends who live together and secretly have feelings for each other, so I was very surprised and disappointed when I learned that they used to hook up for like two months. We learn about that in flashbacks. If you give me two people who have been best friends for most of their life, live together, and they start hooking up all of a sudden with no actual communication, I won’t find it believable. And then they stop because Stan decides to start a relationship with someone else and they’re back to being friends. Yeah, I don’t think so.
Which brings me to Bennett, the typical silly character this author likes to recycle and that I can’t take seriously. Everything about him and his relationship with Stan is ridiculous. He is with Stan for like 2 months, sleeps around, asks Stan to marry him, asks Stan to fake their engagement when Stan turns him down and then goes to Rafferty to secretly arrange their wedding. Because he hates losing. LOL Obviously, I couldn’t see him as a threat, but it did annoy me that Stan was technically in a ‘relationship’ with him for most of the book.
Bennett wasn’t enough, so we also have Chris, Stan’s ex. He conveniently shows up at the same place as Stan and Rafferty, goes on the same hike, just to tell Rafferty how Stan feels about him. This happens late in the story, so yes, by that point Rafferty had no idea that Stan was in love with him and it comes as a total surprise.
This is another thing that was so frustrating. The miscommunication between them goes so far that they need other people to tell them how they feel about each other. And they need other people to bring them in close proximity, even though they literally live together.
I get why Rafferty would be hesitant to have a relationship, but how could he not know that he already is in one with Stan?
A couple more things that annoyed me here: constant name dropping and various movie and tv show references that are supposed to be funny, and having to read about sexual life of completely random people, Rafferty’s parents included. And I really didn't like how both Rafferty and Stan sleep with other people after they've been together. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is such a lovely, cozy read. It's quite long and there's not much of a plot, but I enjoyed every minute spent in Shane and Brady's company and I This is such a lovely, cozy read. It's quite long and there's not much of a plot, but I enjoyed every minute spent in Shane and Brady's company and I could have happily read more pages about them.
I liked them both a lot and I liked their teammates, especially Michael and Robbie. I know that's how hockey works, but I hate it when someone gets traded. And the animals in this one? So adorable and I loved them all.
The only two characters I didn't like are Shane's mum and Jen. I was happy with how Shane dealt with that situation. Good riddance! ...more
This is such a sweet and endearing story about a boy who sutters, but wants to play the Big Bad Wolf in his class production of The Three Little Pigs.This is such a sweet and endearing story about a boy who sutters, but wants to play the Big Bad Wolf in his class production of The Three Little Pigs.
I love the support he gets from his teacher, his family and his friends, which is as important as having the courage to do what you want to do. The illustrations are lovely, too.
I found the story very motivating, and I appreciate the note from a pediatric speech and language pathologist at the end of the book. It is very informative and provides tips on how to communicate with someone who stutters....more
**spoiler alert** I had many ups and downs while reading this. Overall, I think that Nico and Jadon are good for each other, even though they are both**spoiler alert** I had many ups and downs while reading this. Overall, I think that Nico and Jadon are good for each other, even though they are both quite a mess. The relationship development could have been better. As it is, it felt a bit rushed. There were some situations that I thought were adorable, but they were overshadowed by all the things that didn't work for me here.
Before I start with the negatives, I have to say that I love Nico. He was my favorite character in H&S books, those that I've read, so I was looking forward to reading his story.
The first thing that bothered me was everyone objectifying him. It was disgusting. And why does he have to constantly apologize for being a model? What's wrong with that?
There's one thing that didn't make sense to me. First of all, he is obviously traumatized by everything he experienced in his modelling career and wants to be taken seriously. Second of all, it's obvious that there's a creep stalking him. And yet, that's what he decides to wear for the Halloween party and then goes outside alone, in the dark?
The last 50 pages or so ruined what could have been a 3/3.5-star read for me. It would be an understatement to say that I didn't enjoy reading one particular scene. And I skipped the last sex scene. It felt so off, considering what Nico went through before that. It totally killed the mood for me. Also, no shower?
Two more issues I had with the story: The mystery was a bit underwhelming and weak, and I found most side characters very annoying. I'm sorry to say this, but I really don't like North. ...more
This was going so well for me, until the last 50-ish pages.
Waking-up-married and cowboys are somewhere at the bottom of my preferred tropes 3.5 stars
This was going so well for me, until the last 50-ish pages.
Waking-up-married and cowboys are somewhere at the bottom of my preferred tropes list, but I actually really enjoyed this story. I loved Silas and Way and the little ranch house. Despite their insta-attraction, everything else about their relationship moved slowly and I liked that. I couldn't wait for them to finally tell each other how they feel and to see them together as a real couple.
Well, I wasn't happy with how the former went, and the later is left to my imagination. The ending feels so rushed and messy with some unnecessary added drama. Not to mention how ridiculous and unbelievable it felt. The epilogues are more about everyone else than them, and I had so many questions about their life on the farm that remained unanswered. Very disappointing....more
A great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I likeA great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I liked the dynamics between Jason and Sam. I was only a bit disappointed that they didn't spend that much time together, both professionally and privately. Or maybe book 3 spoiled me and I expected more. There were a couple situations when I wanted to slap them both, but I'm very satisfied with the ending.
I have no idea why I waited so long to start this series. I've read and loved many of this author's books and this one is pretty typical of h4.5 stars
I have no idea why I waited so long to start this series. I've read and loved many of this author's books and this one is pretty typical of how she writes mysteries with some romance on the side. And it totally works for me.
The mystery is quite good. There might be a plot hole here and there, but it was very engaging and I enjoyed watching how it unfolded.
What I didn't expect is to love the characters as much as I did. The author often writes the same type of characters: one older and grumpy, and the other younger and more prone to get himself in trouble. But for some reason it never feels like I'm reading about the same characters. They are all very distinct in my mind.
Anyway, I loved both Jason and Sam. I loved their dynamics and how their relationship developed from the initial animosity. The things between them aren't necessarily romantic, but there were moments that I thought were very sweet. And I absolutely loved the ending.
I absolutely adore this story, it's one of my top comfort reads. I originally read it, and re-read it, as a series of three novellas, so this was techI absolutely adore this story, it's one of my top comfort reads. I originally read it, and re-read it, as a series of three novellas, so this was technically my sixth time reading it. Now I also own this lovely paperback edition. ...more
I was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. HowevI was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. However, everything else, from the storyline to the romance part, wasn't that exciting. I even started getting bored in the second half of the book.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration wasn't my favourite. An actual Welsh accent would have been nice. ...more
Interesting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they gInteresting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they get weirder as the story gets darker (the pdf is available when listening to the audiobook).
However, the story itself was a letdown for me. It started promising, but ultimately I didn't find it that exciting and none of the events really surprised me. It gets gory towards the end, which is something I'm not a fan of, but the story itself wasn't scary at all. The characters were a bit flat and I didn't get attached to any of them. I did like the ending, sort of. ...more
I really enjoy this author's audiobooks. The narration and the production are always excellent, and I love the added sound effects. Noah Reid and Zoë I really enjoy this author's audiobooks. The narration and the production are always excellent, and I love the added sound effects. Noah Reid and Zoë Chao narrate this one and, honestly, I could also talk to Noah on the phone for hours. ...more
The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps.The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps. They were done in a way that never felt confusing to me and made the story flow nicely.
I had my suspicions along the way and, even when some of them were proven right, the author did a good job at keeping me guessing and second-guessing until the end. There were things that I didn't see coming and that took me by surprise. What I loved the most is that everything that happens and is revealed makes sense when you look back.
The characters are well developed and distinct. I wouldn't describe them as likable, they range from annoying to pretty terrible, but I couldn't help caring and actually rooting for some of them. I'm very happy with how the story ended. It made perfect sense.
The narrator, Claire Corbett, is fantastic. Her narration is one of the reasons I was fully invested in the story from the moment I started listening to it. I loved the voices she gave different characters. And I have to say that the voice she gave the child in the story is one of the cutest I've ever heard....more
This is a fun and light read, just as the previous books in the series. I really like all the characters that we've been following from book 1. SeeingThis is a fun and light read, just as the previous books in the series. I really like all the characters that we've been following from book 1. Seeing them here again was my favourite part of the story. I love that they always get a lot of page time, and not only the MCs.
Marty is great in this one. I actually like him more in books where he is a side character. Love his dog Squirrel. Trey and Scout are wonderful. I'm still bummed that they didn't get a full-length novel, because they deserve it. I also really liked the new character, Charlie. He is a sweetheart.
The one thing that didn't entirely work for me is the relationship between Casey and Briar. I liked Casey. He is really sweet and kind. Briar, on the other hand, is not. I usually like prickly characters, but I didn't like his hot and cold attitude and the lack of communication. Their relationship felt purely physical with not much development....more
This was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolutionThis was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolution is a bit predictable, but there were a couple things that surprised me along the way. I really liked the ending.
The two narrators were good, especially the one reading Kat's POV, but the production could have been better....more
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