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bookslovebrains's reviews
335 reviews
Covert Exposure by Valerie J. Clarizio
1.0
I just couldn’t do it. I had to DNF at p. 62 and I really just pushed myself to that point. The author tells too much rather than shows and yet, there is still not enough detail. Everything is too forced and trite. It’s like she’s trying to fit every single common romance cliché into the book, but it just doesn’t work.
For example:
“The rage in her eyes scared the hell out of him. He hunts down killers for a living and none of them ever caused this much fear to penetrate his body.”
Look, I like a strong woman whose man knows not to mess with her (Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken, for example, is one of my ultimate authors and this is the norm in her books). But, not only is this a weirdly phrased cliché, but it doesn’t work because, I’m his owns words, she’s a small, soft, “innocent, and pure” social worker. For him to literally feel fear because of her is just ridiculous.
I could keep going on about all of the other cliché type tropes in the short 62 pages I read, but it’s not really about the clichés - I can like those. It’s just they’re all too forced and I can’t get past that.
For example:
“The rage in her eyes scared the hell out of him. He hunts down killers for a living and none of them ever caused this much fear to penetrate his body.”
Look, I like a strong woman whose man knows not to mess with her (Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken, for example, is one of my ultimate authors and this is the norm in her books). But, not only is this a weirdly phrased cliché, but it doesn’t work because, I’m his owns words, she’s a small, soft, “innocent, and pure” social worker. For him to literally feel fear because of her is just ridiculous.
I could keep going on about all of the other cliché type tropes in the short 62 pages I read, but it’s not really about the clichés - I can like those. It’s just they’re all too forced and I can’t get past that.
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée by Annika Martin
5.0
This was a fantastically fantastic book! This was my first rom-com book and I am so happy I gave it a chance!
I’m usually not that big of a fan for the fake fiancé trope, but this was done so well. Most billionaire fake dating books always have the guy as a mega-watt jerk to the heroine, but while Rex was totally grumps, he was not a jerk. This book also features the sunshine-grumpy couple trope (my absolute fave!) and also did not disappoint!
I giggled so much throughout the book and was even tearing up from laughter at some points. The comedy was definitely more present in the first two-thirds of the book (similar to most rom-com movies as they try to wrap up the plot and define the relationship), but the shift was not disappointing.
I’m usually not that big of a fan for the fake fiancé trope, but this was done so well. Most billionaire fake dating books always have the guy as a mega-watt jerk to the heroine, but while Rex was totally grumps, he was not a jerk. This book also features the sunshine-grumpy couple trope (my absolute fave!) and also did not disappoint!
I giggled so much throughout the book and was even tearing up from laughter at some points. The comedy was definitely more present in the first two-thirds of the book (similar to most rom-com movies as they try to wrap up the plot and define the relationship), but the shift was not disappointing.
Betwixt by Darynda Jones
5.0
I’ve been wanting to read Darynda’s books for a while now and only just realized I had this sitting on my shelf!
There’s a lot that happens in this book, which is a feat considering it’s relatively short. I’m some ways, I feel that certain things were wayyy drawn out (the first 70 or 80 pages going back and forth with her grandmother, for example) and the rest was way to condensed (three cases plus some side tangents in the rest of the 150 or so pages).
Despite that, it (and Defiance herself - the main character) was quirky, interesting, and funny. I outright snorted a few times. Definitely a good start to the series.
There’s a lot that happens in this book, which is a feat considering it’s relatively short. I’m some ways, I feel that certain things were wayyy drawn out (the first 70 or 80 pages going back and forth with her grandmother, for example) and the rest was way to condensed (three cases plus some side tangents in the rest of the 150 or so pages).
Despite that, it (and Defiance herself - the main character) was quirky, interesting, and funny. I outright snorted a few times. Definitely a good start to the series.