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ivanareadsalot's reviews
1162 reviews
How to Hack a Hellhound by Shannon Mae
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
DNF @ 51%
unfortunately i just don't think this narrative style is for me. while i do love the hellhound pack and the touch of supernatural to this, at 51% i was STILL not vibing with the characters, especially q. i see a lot of people loved this installment and that's great! but sadly i'm just not able to get into it.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
DNF @ 51%
unfortunately i just don't think this narrative style is for me. while i do love the hellhound pack and the touch of supernatural to this, at 51% i was STILL not vibing with the characters, especially q. i see a lot of people loved this installment and that's great! but sadly i'm just not able to get into it.
Fated Winds and Promising Seas by Rose Black
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I would like to thank NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This was a lovely, soft, fantasy romance with the most gentle MCs, a bit of water magic, zealots vs heretics and quite a few run ins with Leviathans that added some toothy monster energy to the narrative!
The overall tone was an interesting blend of cozy and creepy. And while the weaver-beater-church bit made me tune out as i've no patience for religion, i stayed for the sweetlings, Lucky and Gabe, for the Dreamers -especially Poe- and for the HEA i needed more than anything because Lucky and Gabe were sooo precious and they deserved it!
The trauma was real and very painful to read at times, and for both Gabe and Lucky the going was tough for a while there. But there was also so much here about identity, devotion, and trust. And the way they both had to help the other -at different parts of the story- to discern what was real from the terrors that haunted from within, just shored up their love story with an intimacy that i found really validating.
Fated Winds and Promising Seas was on the lighter side of queer fantasy, and other than a few gaps in the narrative where i wasn't sure if i'd just missed a connection (arc copy) or the jump was on purpose and my brain was scrambled for a sec, i thought Black did a good job with tone and palpable tension. Can't wait to see what Rose Black has in store in the future, because this was charming and I'm sure whatever comes next will be as well!
This was a lovely, soft, fantasy romance with the most gentle MCs, a bit of water magic, zealots vs heretics and quite a few run ins with Leviathans that added some toothy monster energy to the narrative!
The overall tone was an interesting blend of cozy and creepy. And while the weaver-beater-church bit made me tune out as i've no patience for religion, i stayed for the sweetlings, Lucky and Gabe, for the Dreamers -especially Poe- and for the HEA i needed more than anything because Lucky and Gabe were sooo precious and they deserved it!
The trauma was real and very painful to read at times, and for both Gabe and Lucky the going was tough for a while there. But there was also so much here about identity, devotion, and trust. And the way they both had to help the other -at different parts of the story- to discern what was real from the terrors that haunted from within, just shored up their love story with an intimacy that i found really validating.
Fated Winds and Promising Seas was on the lighter side of queer fantasy, and other than a few gaps in the narrative where i wasn't sure if i'd just missed a connection (arc copy) or the jump was on purpose and my brain was scrambled for a sec, i thought Black did a good job with tone and palpable tension. Can't wait to see what Rose Black has in store in the future, because this was charming and I'm sure whatever comes next will be as well!
Rylan: Seattle Sasquatch Book One: An M/M Hockey Romance by Harper Robson
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This had some cute and spicy moments, but overall it was your typical closeted, type a hockey player falling for the new guy, traded because of homophobic ex-teammates. You know the drill.
Rylan's story was built on some challenging family tragedy that was pretty sad to read at times. And the pressure that was on his shoulders to captain a 180 turn around for his team, as well as his troubles with his Dad was a very heavy burden to carry. So while i completely understand how being so tightly would up can make a fella run hot and cold, it still made me cringe the few times Rylan pulled away harshly from Jamie after succumbing to his true feelings. It all worked out for the best in the end though, with a tidy HEA that wrapped up the usual 3rd act mess with a message of hope and acceptance, and for the love of the game no matter who you love!
this was a super light and easy read, with some drama, awesome teammates and ofc hockey chemistry that sizzled on and off the ice! There's lots more steamy fun to come for Seattle Sasquatch Hockey, with books for Louis and I think Coach as well so that should be a good time! Can't wait!
This had some cute and spicy moments, but overall it was your typical closeted, type a hockey player falling for the new guy, traded because of homophobic ex-teammates. You know the drill.
Rylan's story was built on some challenging family tragedy that was pretty sad to read at times. And the pressure that was on his shoulders to captain a 180 turn around for his team, as well as his troubles with his Dad was a very heavy burden to carry. So while i completely understand how being so tightly would up can make a fella run hot and cold, it still made me cringe the few times Rylan pulled away harshly from Jamie after succumbing to his true feelings. It all worked out for the best in the end though, with a tidy HEA that wrapped up the usual 3rd act mess with a message of hope and acceptance, and for the love of the game no matter who you love!
this was a super light and easy read, with some drama, awesome teammates and ofc hockey chemistry that sizzled on and off the ice! There's lots more steamy fun to come for Seattle Sasquatch Hockey, with books for Louis and I think Coach as well so that should be a good time! Can't wait!