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ezichinny's reviews
3357 reviews
Wrath by Ella James
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ache for You by J.T. Geissinger
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to like Kimber more but many of her problems came from her being self absorbed or just lacking in awareness. She was also judgmental of people and things without giving people the benefit of the doubt.
I cannot for the life of me understand how she never visited her father who is supposedly big stuff in fashion for three years. Clearly she never read the papers either if she didn’t know he was remarried. That part of the story was too unbelievable as it was eve basis for a large majority of the misunderstanding of Matteo and his mother’s motives.
Kimber and Brad’s relationship at the beginning and the fact that her dad didn’t come to her wedding was just not sitting well with me.
I did like Matteo’s persistence and he continues to prove something that I’m finding to be more true than not…men like when women treat them like crap in the beginning.
This one wasn’t my favorite in the series. But I admit that the sex scenes were good!
I cannot for the life of me understand how she never visited her father who is supposedly big stuff in fashion for three years. Clearly she never read the papers either if she didn’t know he was remarried. That part of the story was too unbelievable as it was eve basis for a large majority of the misunderstanding of Matteo and his mother’s motives.
Kimber and Brad’s relationship at the beginning and the fact that her dad didn’t come to her wedding was just not sitting well with me.
I did like Matteo’s persistence and he continues to prove something that I’m finding to be more true than not…men like when women treat them like crap in the beginning.
This one wasn’t my favorite in the series. But I admit that the sex scenes were good!
Melt for You by J.T. Geissinger
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this audio. It was such an engaging, entertaining and enjoyable experience.
An awesome story about not judging a person but their appearance only because Joleen misjudged her boss and her neighbor.
I knew this was a buckle up your seatbelt kind of novel because Jo’s interactions with Cameron were intense from the beginning. The chemistry was there, the banter was there and the narrator voice for Cameron nailed the sexy Scottish accent. Whenever a man and woman share meals like Cam and Jo, something is bound to pop off!
I loved the nosy old lady. She was a great addition considering Jo’s family really did a number on her self image. It was interesting that everyone assumed Cam’s lit was so great since he looked good and had money. No one knew what he had been through with his parents and how hard he worked to get where he was.
Great character development, great message on body image and self worth and really good sex scenes.
This one was another great addition to the series.
An awesome story about not judging a person but their appearance only because Joleen misjudged her boss and her neighbor.
I knew this was a buckle up your seatbelt kind of novel because Jo’s interactions with Cameron were intense from the beginning. The chemistry was there, the banter was there and the narrator voice for Cameron nailed the sexy Scottish accent. Whenever a man and woman share meals like Cam and Jo, something is bound to pop off!
I loved the nosy old lady. She was a great addition considering Jo’s family really did a number on her self image. It was interesting that everyone assumed Cam’s lit was so great since he looked good and had money. No one knew what he had been through with his parents and how hard he worked to get where he was.
Great character development, great message on body image and self worth and really good sex scenes.
This one was another great addition to the series.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
2.0
This book was pretty depressing but I understand it must have been cathartic for the author Michelle Zauner to write this book. As a child of immigrants, I did empathize with the feeling of being not quite fully one race. I also enjoyed how she came to have a new understanding of her mother as an adult. Food is one of the things that really defines a culture, so I could see how a shared love of Korean food was a bonding experience between the mother and daughter.
I wish there had been a little more about how the parents relationship evolved, more about her relationship with her dad and also with her husband.
The painful personal journey pertaining to cancer, the effusive amount of pages devoted to food and just the overall tone of this book made it too tough for me to enjoy as the first bookclub read of the year.
I wish there had been a little more about how the parents relationship evolved, more about her relationship with her dad and also with her husband.
The painful personal journey pertaining to cancer, the effusive amount of pages devoted to food and just the overall tone of this book made it too tough for me to enjoy as the first bookclub read of the year.
Personal by Alexandria House
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I liked Armand and I loved that I learned about Intermittent explosive disorder. I didn't like how he behaved with his mom in Leland's book [book:Let Me Hold You|40514449]. This book allowed Armand a chance to figure out why he was flying into rages with everyone and begin the process of healing from his trauma. Now he meets Ella, Big South's daughter, who is also dealing with the fallout of her last relationship as well as the abuse she suffered at the boyfriend's hands.
It was like the second generation of the McClains finding love. I loved how the author weaved the characters we have grown to love with the new kids.
I just didn't buy the relationship dynamic with Ella and Armand. There wasn't enough set up to build trust for that. Armand and his rage issues acquiesced a little too fast and easy especially. I also didn't get the sense of true alpha dominance from Ella. I definitely regret listening to the book because the narrator Wesleigh Siobhan didn't pull it an assertive, commanding and dominant presence at all. Especially when couple with Jakobi Diem, it just didn't ring authentic to me.
I did enjoy their devotion and loyalty to each other and think they were good for each other. Bonus for me was Unc calling Boogie, Booger. He always manages to add levity to all situations. A good love story in this series.
It was like the second generation of the McClains finding love. I loved how the author weaved the characters we have grown to love with the new kids.
I just didn't buy the relationship dynamic with Ella and Armand. There wasn't enough set up to build trust for that. Armand and his rage issues acquiesced a little too fast and easy especially. I also didn't get the sense of true alpha dominance from Ella. I definitely regret listening to the book because the narrator Wesleigh Siobhan didn't pull it an assertive, commanding and dominant presence at all. Especially when couple with Jakobi Diem, it just didn't ring authentic to me.
I did enjoy their devotion and loyalty to each other and think they were good for each other. Bonus for me was Unc calling Boogie, Booger. He always manages to add levity to all situations. A good love story in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When the author wrote Slow Burn, she meant slow burn! But I loved it. She really took her time to develop the characters Chef Bianca Hardwick and business mogul Jackson Walker Boudreaux.
Favorite Quote: “Love makes you a better person. It makes you want to be a better person. You know it’s love when you feel comfortable just as you are, when you feel seen and understood, when you know you could tell all your darkest truths and they’d be accepted without judgement.”
It was very clear from the beginning this was a beauty and the beast retelling (Bianca did nickname Jax “Beast” after all) but each character had a layered story.
Bianca was impressive as she was a strong woman who was a creative chef. She even made a menu utilizing the Boudreaux bourbon was a backdrop. It all sounded tasty to me. I also liked Jax though he appeared insufferable at the beginning, I knew there was much more to him that the prickly exterior. Who would raise his friend’s son if he didn’t have a heart?
I like how the author slowly thaws their hearts towards each other because it made it believable. From the “engagement” to the unraveling of the pain that Jax had been carrying, the author weaves an angsty tale of family secrets, money and love. Jax’s family appeared to use their money to control him, Jax used his money to help Bianca and her mother, Bianca helped Jax reconnect with his family. There is a reason that I love this author. It’s her storytelling. It just resonates with me. Another awesome start to a series.
Favorite Quote: “Love makes you a better person. It makes you want to be a better person. You know it’s love when you feel comfortable just as you are, when you feel seen and understood, when you know you could tell all your darkest truths and they’d be accepted without judgement.”
It was very clear from the beginning this was a beauty and the beast retelling (Bianca did nickname Jax “Beast” after all) but each character had a layered story.
Bianca was impressive as she was a strong woman who was a creative chef. She even made a menu utilizing the Boudreaux bourbon was a backdrop. It all sounded tasty to me. I also liked Jax though he appeared insufferable at the beginning, I knew there was much more to him that the prickly exterior. Who would raise his friend’s son if he didn’t have a heart?
I like how the author slowly thaws their hearts towards each other because it made it believable. From the “engagement” to the unraveling of the pain that Jax had been carrying, the author weaves an angsty tale of family secrets, money and love. Jax’s family appeared to use their money to control him, Jax used his money to help Bianca and her mother, Bianca helped Jax reconnect with his family. There is a reason that I love this author. It’s her storytelling. It just resonates with me. Another awesome start to a series.
Demon's Dream: An Unexpected Love by Elle Kayson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wow. What a tale of family, crime and relationships.
It’s not for the faint at heart but it has some heart warming moments too.
Demon Montana was a force to be reckoned with. The moniker “Demon” was earned and deserved because Demon is one that you don’t want to mess with.
When the Castle family came knocking at the Montana door to apologize for a slight committed by son DeAngelo, the head of the family Dante sets into motion a plan that unites the family as well as begins to address old enemies that were due for payback.
This book was so interesting from beginning to end. Definitely some trauma in both families past. But some really sexy scenes take the edge off the intense moments. Dream was a good match for Demon’s rage. She was tough enough to ensure her siblings were okay. She humanizes Demon and it was really cool to witness the journey from Demon to Damien.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
It’s not for the faint at heart but it has some heart warming moments too.
Demon Montana was a force to be reckoned with. The moniker “Demon” was earned and deserved because Demon is one that you don’t want to mess with.
When the Castle family came knocking at the Montana door to apologize for a slight committed by son DeAngelo, the head of the family Dante sets into motion a plan that unites the family as well as begins to address old enemies that were due for payback.
This book was so interesting from beginning to end. Definitely some trauma in both families past. But some really sexy scenes take the edge off the intense moments. Dream was a good match for Demon’s rage. She was tough enough to ensure her siblings were okay. She humanizes Demon and it was really cool to witness the journey from Demon to Damien.
I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
The Bond, A Paranormal Love Story by Karen Magill
3.0
This story was about Laura, independent and hardworking store owner, who has an out of body experience linking her with Julian, an artist who is trying to make his mark in the art world. They had a car accident at the same time, and so their souls were in communion during their out of body experience. When they returned to their respective bodies, they were left feeling incomplete without each other.
This premise was creative and I wish she spent more time really acclimatizing us to the characters. The book was a quick read, but I wouldn't have minded if it was twice as long. I didn't "experience" Julian's struggle/suffering as an artist. So it made it hard to appreciate his one night success. Laura had a bad relationship, so she was single and hiding behind her work. I wanted to know a little bit more about what shaped their lives.
My favorite thing: the Heroine was a strong, independent and savvy entrepreneur. I am sick of these weak and feeble women needing rescue.
My least favorite thing; I was hoping for a real world connection as well as a mystical bond. I didn't feel a serious reciprocal connection between Julian and Laura...or even Gerald and Laura. The book would have benefited from more fleshing out of their times together. It didn't have to be graphic, but there should have been more descriptions about their emotions when they were around each other. I wanted to FEEL their love, passion and their BOND.
Also the ending was rushed. There wasn't enough time of Julian and Laura together getting to know each other. That was what the book was about--their bond, and there wasn't enough of a physical bond (on earth). That is what I was truly waiting for.
I will recommend this book because it was pleasurable and it wasn't so focused on sex as many of the paranormals seemed to be. It was a nice twist to the same old plots.
This premise was creative and I wish she spent more time really acclimatizing us to the characters. The book was a quick read, but I wouldn't have minded if it was twice as long. I didn't "experience" Julian's struggle/suffering as an artist. So it made it hard to appreciate his one night success. Laura had a bad relationship, so she was single and hiding behind her work. I wanted to know a little bit more about what shaped their lives.
My favorite thing: the Heroine was a strong, independent and savvy entrepreneur. I am sick of these weak and feeble women needing rescue.
My least favorite thing; I was hoping for a real world connection as well as a mystical bond. I didn't feel a serious reciprocal connection between Julian and Laura...or even Gerald and Laura. The book would have benefited from more fleshing out of their times together. It didn't have to be graphic, but there should have been more descriptions about their emotions when they were around each other. I wanted to FEEL their love, passion and their BOND.
Also the ending was rushed. There wasn't enough time of Julian and Laura together getting to know each other. That was what the book was about--their bond, and there wasn't enough of a physical bond (on earth). That is what I was truly waiting for.
I will recommend this book because it was pleasurable and it wasn't so focused on sex as many of the paranormals seemed to be. It was a nice twist to the same old plots.