Mad for a Mate by MaryJanice Davidson

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If Lorelei Gilmore dictated a shifter murder mystery I imagine it would be something like this. Quirky to the extreme it was almost difficult to follow at times likely because this is my first time reading this author and it’s also one of the later books in a series. 

This book features a unique oddball madcap zany sarcastic sense of humor that I imagine could be too much for some people. 

Our heroine is a shifter who cannot shift but does have heightened senses. They call this minority squibs. More or less exactly the same as non-magic people from magical families in Harry Potter are called squibs. I was not sure how I felt about this and looked up the work on merriam Webster while there is a definition for just squib that I suppose could be somewhat related - a broken fire cracker that fizzes. More interesting was that “damp squib” was listed as British

: something that is disappointing because it is not as exciting or effective as expected.

The heroine and her friends call them selves the damp squibs and perform extreme challenges/dares.

Our hero is an adorably awkward Scottish bear shifter. Some of his backstory felt a little convoluted but I imagine would have made more sense had I read the previous books. So I would recommend reading in order in this case. 

Lowish steam. Door only slightly cracked open and only at the end. More plot and humorous dialogue driven. 

Trigger warnings - specism? Foster care, child runaways, remembered child trafficking (but not in a sex way), extreme sport death. 

Additionally the title feels a little misleading. Many shifter books bring us fated mates or mate bonds or mate frenzies etc. There are zero mates here. There is a side character wedding but they’re not referred to as mates either it’s just a wedding. So don’t go in expecting Mates of any kind really.

^4/5

Immortal Rising by Lynsay Sands

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 34th book in the series. While I have read this author before this is the first book I have read in the series. However I did not feel lost at all and feel confident it can be read as a stand alone. Though I definitely plan to read more of the series now.

Here we have an immortal heroine who can hear the thoughts of others and a hero who is a an animal human hybrid with giant eagle wings and feathers instead of hair. He definitely sounds super hot though so the heroine and I are both good with that. 

This book offers plenty of adventure and suspense while at the same time being somehow both steamy/romantic and also heartwarming in the relationships between the found family members. The depth of character that I’m sure reaches into the other books is apparent. There’s also a journey of self discovery for our main characters and they’re getting to know you phase feels so genuine and relatable.

5/5 Great read.

Never a Duke by Grace Burrowes

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 7th book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series. While it will likely be more enjoyable reading after the previous six it can be read as a stand alone. There is an overarching theme of found family and the previous book couples are involved but their back stories are adequately addressed to not leave the reader confused.

Our hero is from humble but honest beginnings but when finding himself orphaned and alone in the world does what he has to to survive until he ends up Newgate prison. While there he takes it upon himself to take up for and protect another youth who ends up being a long lost heir to a dukedom. Thusly our hero is adopted into this now illustrious family and transformed into a gentleman banker. Despite his good fortune in this rumors tend to follow him.

Our heroine is a blue stocking, a defender of those with less, wether they be human or animal and also the daughter of an Earl. She is a square peg in a round hole in her family and frequently goes under appreciated. Our hero’s dubious reputation serves him well when it causes her to seek him out over the matter of missing ladies maids and ladies companions that have vanished and no one appears to care about except her. He takes up this cause and in doing so gets to know our heroine and they each find themselves rather smitten. 

This is low steam/door ajar historical romance. There is mystery, intrigue, adventure as well as delightfully sweet courtship and a meeting of the minds. There is appropriate and satisfying comeuppance to those who deserve it. Triggers involve off the page rape, kidnapping, being orphaned, being bullied by immediate family.

5/5 A fun and satisfying read.

That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant Narrated by Monica King

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I was also sent a widget for the kindle version of this book from NetGalley a good while back and did not realize this was the same book because the covers are different and I tend to request most of the romance audiobooks on NetGalley. Anyway.

I really enjoyed the narrator. She did an excellent job especially considering that most of the characters are male. Sound quality was also solid.

I had not read this author before but I like a cowboy/country western romance now and again being from the middle of no where myself. The book opens straight to action with our hero waking up in a field after a night of drinking unable to remember how he got there. Our heroine is pointing a shot gun in his face as he is on her land and her prize stallion is missing.

The synopsis notes that she has relatively recently inherited this ranch and he ends up working for her and there is a mystery of someone trying to sabotage/kill her. I’ve read some before that were very - she doesn’t know what she’s doing and it’s an enemies to lovers situation where he has to protect her and show her how to run a ranch etc however I was pleased to see that in this book she had a longstanding history with the ranch and was fully competent, knowledgeable and independent in her own right and our hero admired and respected that about her.

This is mid-low steam, half open door? Not tons of detail. Lots of action/adventure/mystery/intrigue. Trigger warnings - parent death, rodeo related death, manipulation

4/5

Shadow Fallen A Dream-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon Narrated by Fred Berman

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I have not read this author and primarily picked it up because it was categorized as romance and the cover makes the hero look like a cross between The Witcher and Dr. Strange to which I said - uh yes please. However after having listened I believe your experience will be better if you have already read the previous books in the series. I am not sure how interconnected they are not having read them but I was a little lost a few times in the beginning so I would assume they would have alleviated some of that. 

This book leans heavily into a fantasy realm of angels vs demons etc during the Middle Ages and the hypocrisy of Christian’s persecuting others in the name of God. So if these are subjects that you’re not on board with reading about steer clear. Additionally while I would categorize this as primarily action/adventure/fantasy there is some romance and while it is technically open door it’s not terribly detailed. Lowish steam.

While I’m generally a fan of the scarred/injured hero with the thought process of oh how could anyone love me? I felt like this heros inner monologue was excessively - oh woh is me. I mean admittedly he had a terrible life but it stemmed primarily from having 2 different colored eyes and people thinking this was a mark of the devil - so run away, get an eye patch, change your name, problem solved. There are way worse genetically unique features to have. 

The narrator was ok. He emoted well and did the side character voice differentiation very well however I felt the hero’s voice should have been significantly deeper. Sound quality was good. 

Trigger warnings - war, Christian hypocrisy, manipulation, abandonment as a child, remembered child abuse from caretakers.

For me this was a 3.5/5. For someone who is a fan of this author or series I’m sure they would view it more favorably overall. 

Conscious Crafts: Knitting 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands by Vanessa Koranteng; Sicgmone Kludje

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I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

This is an excellent book for beginners and those new to knitting - the how to pictures and explanations are fantastic.

I really appreciated the mindfulness of the content presentation as well as the practicality of the patterns included. The end note of how to upcycle other unneeded items to use in place of traditional yarn was an excellent touch. 

Great knitting book! 5/5

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez Narrated by Julia Whelan; Zachary Webber

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all the narrators were just perfect seriously I could not have asked for anything more. 

This is my first experience with this author. Fellow sharks of awesome (Penny Reid Fans) will love that our meet cute is instigated by a raccoon. I won’t go into any details but trust me it works. 

Our hero is the ideal cinnamon roll - big, strong, manly, sweet, handy, a good cook, humble, thoughtful, good with his hands, need I go on? 

Our heroine is coming out of a long term emotionally abusive relationship and is continuing to heal through therapy and self empowerment. Despite having legit reasons for self confidence her environment has made her especially susceptible to emotional abuse. 

There is a side character who experiences physical as well as emotional abuse - so trigger warning. Additional trigger warnings - family drama, teenage/not there parent, classism, difficult home birth, PTSD, small town vs big city, peer pressure, rich snobbery (not from anyone we like).

Medium steam, open door but not terribly explicit. Character and plot driven. I definitely laughed out loud many times while listening. I would categorize as a contemporary romantic dramedy because there are some heavier subjects. However it didn’t feel as heavy to me personally while listening as it sounds while I reflect but I also don’t key into any of these triggers. That being said - phenomenal book. Loved it. I would love to see more of this town! 5/5

A Little Moore Action Moore to Love Series / Book 1 by Sara L Hudson

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This was genuinely a laugh out loud RomCom. Our hero fits into the trope of super hot rich guy who’s family treats him like the terrible black sheep even though he’s really not that bad just mischievous and initially commitment phobic. 

I appreciated the examination of the repercussions of lady on lady work sabotage and how women in the work force are held to different standards than men. 

Additionally - hairless sphinx cat in sweaters owned by the hero. Lol

5/5 A fun read 

Rules for Engaging the Earl The Widow Rules by Janna MacGregor

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This is a second chance romance. Generally I’m not a huge fan of second chance romances because the reasonings behind screwing up the “first chance” are often what I would consider lame and avoidable. However in this case our hero is needed by his country to go off to war and is gone for a long time - so understandable. 

This is also a scarred/wounded/injured hero trope which is one of my favorites because I love the whole - oh I’m so (something negative) how could anyone ever love me? And then yes but she sees your inner value and does love you and - HEA. However in this book his inner monologue pity party was a little more extensive than I feel was strictly necessary. 

So a surprising book all around in that my less favorite trope worked and my favorite trope didn’t work quite as well. But all in all a solid regency romance featuring a widow with baby taking place largely at the country estate which I always find fun. There are several humorous moments and I love how independent the ladies are. There is some focus towards then end on post combat ptsd and the value of finding support and acceptance through communicating with others of similar experience. I felt this could have been expanded upon but was glad it was mentioned because many do not address this topic. Love the cover.

Open door, medium-lower steam. Trigger warnings, combat ptsd, black mail, combat injury. Deceptive first husband. 

4/5

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love a Greek mythology retelling. I had previously listened to the audiobook for Neon Gods the first book in this series and loved it. (Who doesn’t love a Hades and Persephone retelling?)

This book focuses on characters that are well known but that I generally knew less about - Helen of Troy, Achilles and Patroclus. In Katee Roberts version of Olympus the 13 primary ruling “gods” are more positions that are held by mortal individuals than actual individual immortals. Therefore to select the next Ares applicants must compete in a series of three trials that had a hunger games-esque quality to them. 

Very LGBTQA+ positive. We have a fairly prominent non binary side character utilizing they/them pronouns. Patroclus has 2 moms and has a long term male partner and in case you couldn’t tell from the description we’re headed towards a polyamorous throuple in this plot.

Robert presents the relationships and characters in a way that is compelling, relatable and accessible even to someone who is not familiar with them in their daily life. This story is open door and high steam and yet still plot driven with captivating inner monologues from fully fleshed out characters. Trigger warnings - dead parents, dad murdered mom, manipulative siblings, history of emotional abuse as a child and in romantic relationships, bullying, abandonment/orphan. 

Awesome book. I definitely want to hear more from Olympus. 

Bravo - 5/5