Review: Beyond the Darkness

Beyond the Darkness by Katie Reus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

So, I jumped right into this series at book 3. I don't feel that I missed anything but not reading the books in order.

Keelin is the only daughter of the Petronilla Dragon clan's Alphas. When they went into hibernation she joined them because they felt she wouldn't be safe on her own. But then she woke and joined the modern world. She is tiny for a dragon shifter and she was almost killed a year ago by a deranged cousin. She works as a waitress in Bo's (a half-demon) supernatural club in Biloxi.

When she feels her parents come out of hibernation she is worried. They have always treated her as fragile and unable to look after herself and she is afraid they will try to force her back home. Added to that, Bran Devlin, the Alpha of the Devlin Dragon clan is being all possessive and her dragon likes it but Keelin is fighting the attraction because she feels she would be overridden by such a large powerful Alpha.

After Bran tries to speak to Keelin in the club she rushes out to her car where she is attacked by three strange guys, only Bran's quick responses managed to save her. More worrying it seems that the guys weren't really guys at all but some kind of demons and they were specifically looking for Keelin.

Now some of the lead up to this story may have been in the previous books, there was certainly enough lead in for Nyx and Bo's future story and for one or two other couples, but it wasn't entirely clear how the demon escaped his imprisonment or why Keelin has suddenly started wearing her grandmother's bracelet. Anyway, the demon has vowed to kill all females of the Petronilla line after Keelin's grandmother imprisoned him and stole his bracelet. Now that Keelin is wearing the bracelet he can track her movements, unless she shifts into a dragon.

Soon Bran and Keelin, along with Keelin's brothers, sister in law and friends, trying to find out who is trying to kill Keelin whilst Keelin and Bran try not to mate each other.

I haven't read a paranormal romance in a while and this ticked all the boxes with special powers, mating frenzies, almost virginal women etc. I would have liked a bit more story and a little less tab A in slot B, stroke C rinse and repeat but I know that is par for the course. The actual showdown with the demon (yeah, I know but it is a secret) is over VERY quickly which was a disappointment.

Overall, it wasn't Thea Harrison but it was a fun read and I will definitely be reading others in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Things She's Seen

Things She's Seen by Pat Esden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Northern Circle Coven series, it can be read stand-alone (as I did) but there is quite a lot of back story.

Emily Adams can see and talk to ghosts. As a child she was exploited and abused by her aunt and mother, tied up and left alone for hours at a time until she was rescued by the police. After hitting rock bottom she joined the Northern Circle coven and has slowly started to feel accepted. After the events of the last novel the coven is under investigation by the High Council of Witches and the investigator is none other than her childhood friend, and secret crush, Gar Remillard.

The source of all their woes, rogue witch Rhianna, is stirring up trouble with the Witches Council and Gar is haunted by the wraith of his aunt Saille, an aunt he believes was murdered by one of the Northern Circle witches.

This is not a cosy paranormal romance. Rhianna impersonated one of the coven members by creating a necklace of the other woman's skin (yeuch!). There are gruesome murders and the abuse Emily suffered from her aunt is gut-churning. It was gritty and scary, and okay Emily is a special snowflake, but it was fast-paced and intriguing.

I immediately bought the first book in the series on the strength of how much I enjoyed this one.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: The Fixer: The Killing Kind

The Fixer: The Killing Kind by Jill Amy Rosenblatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kat is still on probation with MJM and her jobs are getting more complex. She's obsessed with the OCD thief Alexander Winter whilst being forced to date the cop Ryan by her well-meaning but barking-up-the-wrong-tree friend Emma. Her lunch client Simon Marcus is a pig, her father is having a mid-life crisis, she's sourcing 'herbal' assistance for an author, and she's conflicted over her role in the murder of her first client's wife. Oh and now a DEA agent has her in his sights!

This is much darker than the introductory novella, Kat is starting to realise that each job, each contact, draws her deeper into a world of billionaires with no scruples, mobsters and drug dealers. There's violence and a pervading fear, then adrenalin-pumping action.

I'm loving this series, I think Kat is still incredibly naïve, she's trusting the wrong people and some of her mistakes come back to haunt her in this thrilling novel.

I'm already one-third of the way through the next one!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.


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Review: The Fixer: The Naked Man

The Fixer: The Naked Man by Jill Amy Rosenblatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Intriguing intro novella.

Katerina is a law student in New York, she's recently split up from her lying, cheating, associates-with-criminals, boyfriend (and boss) and is working dead-end jobs trying to pay the rent on her scuzzy apartment. Then she gets a call in the middle of the night from one of her-boyfriend's clients. He needs help urgently, his "lady friend" is naked and unconscious in his bed, his wife is due any minute and her husband is not someone to cross.

When Kat successfully extracts the naked woman without the client's wife being any the wiser she is offered a job as a "Fixer" or "B-Girl" by the mysterious MJM Consulting. In return for a significant cut of the fee Kat will "fix" anything her client wants: finding out the likes of a billionaire's girlfriend so that he can buy her a birthday present; retrieving an incriminating video tape from a hidden drawer in a desk; collecting food from the local Thai restaurant; all in a day's work for Kat.

Without spoiling this novella or the next novel (which I am currently reading) I think Kat is being a little naïve about her clients. I think she's wrong about the man in the blue car (or at least his employer) and I have my suspicions about the actor.

Anyway, this was short, intriguing, fast -paced and I have already requested the second and third books.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: The Day We Meet Again

The Day We Meet Again by Miranda Dickinson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 24%.

I liked the premise of this novel. Two people on the cusp of their own big adventure/voyage of self-discovery meet at St Pancras train station and strike up a conversation. Unbelievably they fall in love but decide to let fate decide, they will each go on their separate adventures and, if it was meant to be, they will meet again in 12 months time at the same place.

For me, the trouble was that I just didn't buy into the insta-lurve between Sam and Phoebe, I didn't really warm to either character or their romance and switching between two characters didn't really make for a cohesive reading experience. Having stopped and started the book twice I've regretfully decided it's not for me, no point in forcing myself to read a book if I'm not engaged.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.


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Review: With or Without You: Are you ever sure you made the right decision?

With or Without You: Are you ever sure you made the right decision? by Shari Low
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine if you will, Sliding Doors meets One Day meets Cold Feet.

New Years' Eve 1999, Liv and Nate have decided to separate after six years of marriage because although they love each other, they aren't in love with each other. But at the stroke of midnight Nate says he's changed his mind, can they try again. This novel looks at how their lives, and those of their best friends, develop over 20 years depending on whether Liv agrees or disagrees with Nate's request.

First we see Liv's life without Nate, told through a series of events over the next 20 years, memorable birthdays, weddings, funerals, christenings etc. Then we see Liv's life with Nate and chart the similarities and differences. Are certain things inevitable, will people always end up together, or will one decision have implications for hundreds of people?

I can't really tell much more of the story without answering those questions. Suffice it to say I enjoyed this novel, set in Glasgow, the ups and downs of life over 20 years with a small group of friends. I can't even say which life I preferred!

Got this as a free read through Amazon Prime.

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Review: Love on Lexington Avenue

Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second in the series about three women who discover that they were all seeing the same man, at his funeral!

Clare Hayes is the unfortunate widow of the philanderer. Now a year after his death she is coming to realise that she is lonely, living in an ugly, old-fashioned brownstone on Lexington Avenue, her life is boring and beige, heck even her favourite flavour is vanilla. All her society friends fell away, not entirely their fault, and she has nothing to occupy her days any longer. So she decides to use what little money she has from her husband's estate to renovate the house. But then she realises she has chosen shades of beige and cream and white to decorate her house - no colour, no personality - just like her.

Scott Turner is a wealthy successful property developer but recently he has become a bit jaded with high-rise corporate behemoths and is looking to reenergise himself. Despite his better judgement he is instantly drawn to the ugly brownstone, he can see how good the structure is, and how wonderful it will look when renovated, even if the owner is some spoilt trophy wife who wants to decorate the entire house in Pepto-Bismol pink. He's renovating this house despite the owner!

I love a secret millionaire, grumpy contractor, opposites attract and this one has it all. After a couple of books that didn't really do it for me Lauren Layne has come back with a sassy, sweet, snarky romance that ticked all my boxes.

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Review: Pushing His Luck

Pushing His Luck by Kira Archer
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 27%.

Charley Claybourne is an insurance assessor. She's started up her own business and is about to meet her new client, the billionaire daredevil Chris Lachlan who she has sort of won under false pretences because he thinks she still works for one of the most prestigious firms of loss adjustors in the city. Desperate to calm her nerves she tries to buy some lactose-free chocolate milk only to get into a tug-of-war with a handsome guy over the last bottle. Of course there's a chocolate milk related accident and of course the guy is her new client.

I enjoyed the previous books in this series but I couldn't believe in either Chris or Charley and what felt charming, endearing, funny and sweet in the previous books felt laboured. I can't put my finger on what I didn't like. Maybe its the idea of two adults fighting over chocolate milk?

Anyway I picked it up and put it down twice - no point in carrying on if reading feels like a chore.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Rekindle the Flame

Rekindle the Flame by Kate Meader
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Prequel novella to the Hot in Chicago series.

Beck Rivera and Darcy Cochrane had a romance as teens. He was the Puerto Rican son of a gangbanger fostered by firefighter Sean Dempsey, full of rage and violence. She was the heiress to millions. He broke their romance off and she fled Chicago heartbroken. Now she's back to look after her grandmother and they run into each other again in Dempsey's bar.

Beck's rejection was a pivotal moment in Darcy's life and she used it to brace herself against her father's controlling behaviour to forge a new life for herself, very different to that of the society princess Beck remembers. She doesn't want to go back but one glance is enough to confirm she never stopped loving Beck.

Fairly typical second-chance wrong-side-of-the-tracks romance complete with controlling father and curmudgeonly gran.

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Review: You Can Have Manhattan

You Can Have Manhattan by P. Dangelico
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sydney Evans has risen above her abusive childhood to become Frank Blackstone's right hand and Head of Legal at Blackstone Holdings. Then Frank drops a bombshell, he's dying and wants Sydney to succeed him but the Board might not endorse his decision so he wants Sydney to marry his son Scott, they can divorce after three years. Although Sydney would love to be CEO of Blackstone Holdings she wants to make Frank happy more than anything else, after all he is the closest thing she has ever had to a father-figure and he gave her a chance when no-one else would.

Ten years ago when Sydney met Scott he was a drunken party-boy manwh*re, he called every woman babydoll and acted like it was the 1950s. What Sydney doesn't realise is that Scott had a come-to-Jesus moment a few years back and now is a respectable businessman with his own environmentally neutral ranch in Wyoming. He has steadfastly refused to return to Manhattan and the family business, avoiding his father until he is blackmailed into marriage with the Ice Queen.

I love me a marriage of convenience, especially an opposites-attract romance and this definitely delivered. Scott is determined that Sydney will back out of their sham marriage so he does everything in his power to make her life miserable. Little does he know that she is made of sterner stuff!


I love P Dangelico's novels and I requested an ARC of this novel from NetGalley (didn't get one :( ) but there was something about this novel that wasn't the full P Dangelico experience. Maybe it was because I struggled to reconcile Sydney's version of Frank Blackstone with the way he behaved. He was her mentor and supported her meteoric rise and yet he also seemed to hire a whole load of misogynist a-holes who tried to undermine her at every turn. Also he blackmails his son and his pseudo-daughter and puts them both in an untenable situation for his own purposes. Similarly, I found Scott's motivations to be confusing. He has grown and evolved from the petulant party boy but then behaves like a teenager to Sydney (getting drunk at their Vegas wedding, disabling the hot water etc)(view spoiler)[, then he is all-in with a relationship and then he throws a wobbly when he finds out the truth about his father (hide spoiler)]. Overall, I didn't love Scott as much as I should have.

Nevertheless, if you want funny, sexy, charming, intelligent romance P Dangelico still delivers in spades - her mediocre is better than most people's best.

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Review: Lost and Found

Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ezekiel Blast is a 14 year old boy with an unusual gift, he senses when objects are lost and returns them to their owners or to Lost and Found. Unfortunately other people, being cynical and suspicious, prefer to believe that Ezekiel is a thief (although why he feels the need to return things is never explained) and he has become a pariah, ostracised by his school-fellows and living a sad, solitary life with his father, the only one who believes him.

Then two extraordinary things happen to Ezekiel. First, a new girl called Beth Sorenson, 13 years old but with a growth hormone deficiency and a metabolic disorder that makes her look like a proportionate dwarf, decides to make friends with Ezekiel, or at least travel in his "shunning bubble" on the way to school so she doesn't get bullied. It's the first time that Ezekiel has had a friend, although he finds her more of a nuisance at first. Secondly, Ezekiel is invited to take part in a study called 'Group of Rare and Useless Talents' which explores the boundaries of talents like Ezekiel's through scientific experiments.

Then a policeman comes to Ezekiel's home, not this time to arrest him for stealing things but instead to assist with looking for a young girl who has gone missing. Although Ezekiel refuses to help the policeman at first, explaining that he finds objects not people, because people are never really lost, as he and Beth test his talent he finds he may be able to find people after all.

The first half of this book is everything I would expect of a young teen novel. Funny, clever, full of the trials and tribulations of being a child, especially a clever child, in a world where adults rule. Obviously it's Orson Scott Card so the writing is witty and engaging right from the get-go but like his other young adult series, the incomparable Ender's Saga, there is a dark and scary undertone. When tragedy strikes (and it is shocking) Ezekiel must put his new found skills to their limit.

I loved this book although I found the adult theme shocking for a teen novel, maybe that's a sign of my age, so I would recommend parental caution if the reader is a young or sensitive reader.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

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Review: In Skates Trouble

In Skates Trouble by Kate Meader
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've read the Chicago Rebels novels so when the prequel novella came up on NetGalley I was intrigued to know how it all began.

Addison Williams is a former model and the ex-wife of Michael Babineaux, owner of the Cajun Rage hockey team, she's setting up her own lingerie business designed for real women. About to move to Chicago, she and some friends are shooting the breeze on the balcony of her Chicago hotel room about men and their lack of a clue when it comes to pleasing a woman.

Ford Callaghan is back in his hometown of Chicago but his troubled relationship with his brother Jax means he's spending a couple of nights in a hotel before going to stay with Jax and his family. He can't help but eavesdrop on the raunchy no-holds-barred conversation on the next door balcony, then when her guests are gone he and Addy have a steamy anonymous encounter, neither knowing the other's real identity.

Of course Addy is Ford's boss' ex-wife. An illicit romance, more hook-ups than dating, this is a steamy novella - heavy on the steam and light on the plot. Nevertheless, this was a satisfying read, enough tension to keep things interesting, strong backstories and a glimpse of the main characters for the first novel. Overall, I think this was a good teaser novella for the new series.

I received a free copy of this novella from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: The Trouble with Christmas

The Trouble with Christmas by Amy Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Suzanne St Michelle is a brilliant copyist, she makes a good living in New York creating replicas of priceless paintings for art galleries and private collectors but living in the shadow of her mother, a world renowned sculptor, Suzanne really wants to find her muse. When her BFF suggests she gets away from it all and seeks inspiration in Credence, Colorado she jumps at the chance to commune with nature. Unfortunately her muse appears more interested in the taciturn, and downright rude cowboy rancher living in the cabin next door.

Joshua Grady is a former soldier, his entire family and his childhood sweetheart were killed when he was just 17 years old and since then he hasn't let anyone close, except his aunt and uncle who raised him. He can't stand the chatty New York artist who has moved into his uncle's rental cabin and he's livid when he finds out she's been painting him.

Suzanne has always wanted a traditional Christmas with tinsel and a big tree with lots of ornaments, unfortunately the St Michelle house doesn't do traditional, her mother prefers an art installation approximation of a Christmas tree and absolutely none of the schmaltzy decorations so Suzanne does everything she can to get out of returning to New York for Christmas, including telling her mother that she is involved with Joshua and wants to spend Christmas with him - because he's such a Christmas freak! Before you can say Kris Kringle Joshua's cabin is decked out in the tackiest decorations Suzanne can find and the two of them are wearing matching Christmas jumpers.

I liked this but I didn't love it. Amy Andrews said she found this book a struggle to finish and I think it shows. I don't think I really understood Joshua's motivations properly, he just seemed to be a foil for Suzanne's spiralling fantasies.

Overall, while Amy Andrews is still an auto-request for me this didn't hit my buttons. However, I am chomping at the bit to read the next book in this series, which I hope will feature Suzanne's friend Winona, the erotic novelist, and Arlo the uptight policeman.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: A Question of Us

A Question of Us by Mary Jayne Baker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clarrie Midwinter is nearly 30 years old but she's still not really got the hang of being an adult. Permanently broke, cadging cigarettes from her friends and crippled by social anxiety when among strangers she is happiest working in her little book shop and quizzing in the local pub league with her friends, The Mighty Morphin' Flower Arrangers. Clarrie is the only woman in the team after Sunny and Gem split up. The other team members are Sunny, Simon, Dave and Dave's dad.

Simon has been asking Clarrie out on a date forever, they've been friends since infants school and Clarrie can't take him seriously, especially since he seems to have a procession of giggling women walking through his front door, so Simon makes a bet - if they win the quiz league then Clarrie will have to go on a date with him. Can Clarrie overcome her fear of losing Simon forever and take a chance on love?

Although the Might Morphin' Flower Arrangers are adults none of them have really grown up, except maybe Simon, some of them still live at home and they have a juvenile sense of humour which can be an acquired taste - you know when teenage boys are scared of girls so they cover it with bravado and sexist comments? That sort of humour.

I enjoyed this book, I love a pub quiz so this was right up my street, however Clarrie's fear of being an adult (because really that's what it was) did get a bit tedious, she was too old to have such a fear of marriage and having children and to make such crass inappropriate comments when in social situations.

Simon doesn't get off scot free either.(view spoiler)[ Having pursued Clarrie since they were children he throws a wobbly when she tries to back off after they finally sleep together. This is something I've seen before in novels, the man waits years for the woman to come around and then when she doesn't immediately go All In he has a tantrum and storms off forever. Big babies. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, if you have a soft spot for quizzers and young men who aren't ripped and don't have glamorous or sexy jobs and normal lives then I think you'll enjoy this low key romance.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: We Met in December

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this book but it felt like a mish-mash of ideas from various books and films with a plot that only had one premise.

Jess moves to London from her home in Bournemouth after finding her boyfriend is cheating on her with a woman at work. She joins an improbable flatshare in Notting Hill where Becky, a college friend, has inherited a house from her grandparents and rather than sell it for millions she decides to rent rooms to a group of random friends and ex-colleagues at below-market values. Jess moves in to the house in December and is instantly attracted to one of the other tenants, Alex, but Becky has decreed no inter-house relationships.

Alex used to be a lawyer working with Becky but changed career to train as a nurse. Having just come away from a broken relationship he isn't looking for a girlfriend, yet finds himself drawn to Jess. However, a one-night stand with another housemate seems to create an impenetrable divide - will Jess and Alex always be just good friends?

Told over the course of a year in alternating points of view we see Jess and Alex becoming close, very good friends but never becoming involved romantically ...

I have to say that this was Bridget Jones meets Notting Hill meets One Day - but not in a "If you liked that, you'll love this" way but more like I've seen this all before. Jess is in love with Alex practically from the first day and falls deeper in love as they get to know each other. Alex on the other hand has a friends with benefits relationship with their flatmate and doesn't understand why he feels upset that Jess is considering Tinder. Get a clue, mate!

Overall, I felt this was a lovely advertisement for Notting Hill and walking tours of London but the romance left me cold, too many side stories about Jess' mum and nanna, Becky and Jess' friends Sophie and Gen and not enough guts to the Jess and Alex story.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Courting Darkness

Courting Darkness by L.R. Braden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some spoilers below for the first book in the series.

Alex is a halfling, half-fae in a word where the humans and the fae have just brokered an uneasy peace after a brutal war. She has found out that she is related to one of the Fae Lords and has been summoned to Court to make her curtsey (as it were) where she will be quizzed on fae life and possibly challenged by rival fae. Oh, and added to which she and her friend Sophie were attacked by a werewolf and Sophie is now a werewolf being cared for by the local pack.

I thought all of the above was enough plot for the second book, but no, Alex's sort-of boyfriend Simon has been accused of murdering a young woman in his art gallery and we are suddenly drawn into yet another group of non-humans.

I'll be honest I found all of the different characters a bit confusing - Alex seems to have befriended a member of every single fae species, most of whom hang around her cottage on a regular basis but none really have enough personality to distinguish them from each other.

Alex did have a touch of the TSTLs, when your BFF who has just turned into a werewolf and can't be allowed out unsupervised calls out of the blue and invites you to go clubbing do you think that's normal? If she says her alpha says it's fine do you believe her? Alex does! Also she is consistently rude to the fae sent to teach her what she needs to know about her grandfather's court. Granted Hortense is a snooty entitled woman but does Alex have to behave like a petulant child?

Overall, once the story came together it had all the drama and action that could be required but it felt like too many characters have been introduced too fast and we just need to consolidate the characters and their relationships a bit more.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Duke of Manhattan

Duke of Manhattan by Louise Bay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What could be better than a marriage of convenience trope? Well add in the British nobility of course!

In a convoluted entail which excludes his daughter entirely, the Duke of Fairfax's title and estate will only pass to the eldest married male in his family. As his eldest grandson, Ryder Westbury would inherit except he's not married and he has no intention of changing that status, until his grandfather tells him that he also owns a controlling interest in Ryder's business which he can no longer sell or transfer - on his death it will pass with the rest of his estate to Ryder's cousin Frederick who loathes Ryder and will delight in wresting his company from him.

Scarlett King is divorced from her childhood sweetheart, the split came out of the blue and destroyed her world. Now she has a new dream and a fledgling perfume business with her friend Cecily. The only problem is they have loans falling due and no way to repay them. Westbury Investments is offering the money but only in exchange for control of their company, control neither woman wants to give.

Imagine Scarlett's surprise when her rebound one-night stand turns out to be the head of Westbury Investment ... and he has a new offer to put on the table.

This was a steamy, sexy, super fun read. Moving between life in a million dollar apartment in Manhattan to a stately home in England, complete with croquet and pheasant shooting this marriage of convenience quickly becomes real, but will Scarlett and Ryder realise this before it's too late?

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