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ljamison01's reviews
1072 reviews
The Protégé by Nadia Han
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is probably much better if you have read the previous books in the WaterFyre Rising series since this is the sixth book. The story between Orion and Elena is great but there is a lot of other things that were discussed in previous books that just confuses the reader. Orion is a very wealthy businessman who has issues with anxiety. Elena is a news reporter who works extremely hard at several jobs trying to repay this enormous loan that her father took out with a loan shark. Although these two had seen each other previously and were intrigued they met by accident. Orion hires Elena to work for him. Orion has been trained to be a skilled thief and his mentor has died and Orion would like to know who killed him. I enjoyed the story between Orion and Elena because they just seemed to be a perfect match for each other. Orion was generous, driven and determined. Elena was smart, strong and very helpful. However this story has so much going on that many times I became confused. This book has tons of mysteries, secrets and surprises. I think I would appreciate this book more if I had read the previous books in this series.
Mistletoe Ever After by Nana Malone
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a very sweet Christmas story. We have Jamison (Jamie) an African American woman game designer who owns her own gaming company that is in danger of going under unless she can work on a new upcoming game. So Jamie decides to hide out in this lodge and work during the Christmas vacation. But unfortunately her reservation was messed up and she is forced to stay in the same suite as Cole. Cole is the owner of a tech company that coincidentally is trying to buy Jamie’s company although both are oblivious to this fact. These two know each other because he was her brother’s friend and teammate. Cole and Jamie shared a very tender kiss (years ago) that neither has forgotten. This story is told from the present reminiscing about the past and explaining what happened previously. Jaime is a Christmas fanatic and traveled with lights, wreaths and a mini tree in her luggage whereas, poor Cole preferred just to ignore the holidays. This sweet story tugged at my heart it was short but definitely memorable. I loved that Jamie was capable and strong but also soft and sympathetic. Cole was a good guy who wanted the best. This story will certainly get you in the holiday spirit and make you believe in love.
Beautiful Devil by Rachel Leigh
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Brogan and Hayes meet when she’s visiting the college during cheer camp. She is instantly attracted to him although he is a jerk to him. Hayes is also attracted to Brogan but she gives him a false name. Hayes is very matter of fact with her saying let’s just do this. He sweeps her into his room and it’s on. Now immediately after he is rude and she is horrified. Months later she is dating Kamden who is on the football team. While trying to go to Kamden’s dorm to check on him she literally runs into Hayes and their conversation is recorded by her phone as voice mail to Kamden. Kamden is beyond upset since he and Hayes are enemies. Now Hayes is a rude jerk and as we learn about him we find out that these are his defense mechanisms. This book is a slow burn except for their initial intimate moment. This book uses Brogan and her actions as a way to discuss how different genders are viewed differently based on their actions. This was my first book by Rachel Leigh and I enjoyed it.
Retribution by Wendy Million
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Retribution is the first book in a trio about The Donaghey Brothers. Kim is an undercover agent working with the two brothers. Lorcan hired her to be a bodyguard and find out who killed their father but, he believes that his brother Finn did it. Finn said he didn’t do it but he won’t tell his brother and the agency she works for said the Russians. Both of the brothers are protective and strong willed men Finn is a little tougher to figure out. He very deceptive at times and very evasive. Lorcan is starting to develop feeling for Kim so he appears more open and willing to talk. Now in the midst of all this Kim is also trying to investigate the death of her stepbrother because somehow he is tied with Finn since they fought at the same place. Kim has a handler named Malik that may or may not be trustworthy or at least not completely truthful. This story is a slow burn. In fact I would classify it as a mystery romance since the romance part happened almost at the last 1/3 of the book. I enjoyed the mystery wanted more romance I’m curious about the next two books because the focus primarily on Finn and his love interest Carys. Looking for a mafia mystery that has several levels with lots of twists and turns, you’ve found it.
Single All The Way by Amy Knupp
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the second book in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series. I didn’t read the first book and although characters and events from the previous book are mentioned I didn’t feel lost. This book focuses on Ben, who is a caretaker and gatherer. He collects animals and unfortunately people too. Ben is the widow father of two who works as a veterinarian and has a collection of horses, llamas, chickens, cats and dogs. Emerson went to school with Ben and he was her husband’s best friend. Although her husband was in the military and they had moved away. Emerson was living with her mother in law until she fell in love and decided to sell her house and move away. Nice Ben offers his home to her and her children until she can find a new place. I loved that in this story Ben was the one with the holiday spirit and he baked and cooked and planned for the winter holidays. Emerson seemed to keep the holidays very low key barely celebrating them. Ben is our cinnamon roll guy who had feelings for Emerson when they were young and have them now. Emerson seemed to be avoiding all sorts of things and seemed unable to really handle motherhood and because of her hangups her daughter was having some issues too. This is an absolutely wonderful small town romance where the man is happy and carefree and the woman is not a grumpy but a little bit of a Scrooge. Great story and great characters.
Snapshot by Kay Cove
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Dex’s grandmother feels bad about how Dex’s life has turned out so she tries to fix this but ordering him to take a leave of absence and live life like a so-called normal man and not a billionaire. So Dex moves to Vegas and he runs a dive shop. Dex meets Lennox and they friend zone each other. They get along great, there is witty banter and they trust each other. Unfortunately Dex suffers a lost and in order to gain control of his family’s conglomerate he must marry Lennox. So they agree to marry for one year but in that one year anything can happen. Their feelings begin to emerge and their relationship grows and of course things happen. This is really a sweet story because Dex is such a great upstanding guy. He is a great listener and he is very attentive to Lennox’s needs. We all need a Dex in our lives. This story has secrets, lies and some spice. Great story. This is the second book in the Lessons in Love series.
Wild Goose Chase by Kilby Blades
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is my absolute favorite troupe. (I’m not actually sure it is a troupe) But, I love when the best friend or brother falls in love with a widow, especially when children are involved. There is something about the emotional ties to the deceased and the widow trying to move on and the brother or friend being a pseudo dad to the children. Ugh be still my heart. The angst gets me every single time. All of my favorite books are this. I want my heartstrings pulled, I want to cry and I want to anticipate you two realizing that you were meant to be together. So when I read the blurb I knew this book was meant for me. Now Chase is the original nice guy or cinnamon roll. He is so sweet, kind, he’s a great cook, he’s the whole package so why isn’t Violet jumping on him? Violet’s husband died almost 8 years ago in a fire, he worked along side Chase and he feels responsible for her husband’s death. I wanted to love this book so much but it lacked the angst I needed. It was good story and there is a mystery all tied up in the fire and a court case. The story was a slow burn but it just didn’t hit me where I wanted it too. The story focuses on mental health and getting over a loss and it does a great job discussing how people adjust after a loss. This is a slow burn with little spice, but maybe more spice would have given me more angst. Its a good small town romance book.
Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Rosie and Nathan grew up in the same neighborhood and they use to meet in the woods, they were friends. One day Nathan announced he was moving and Rosie was devastated. Nathan was her only friend. So Nathan moved and went on to become a great football star and later the owner of a tech company. Almost twenty five years later they meet when Rosie is catering a wedding for one of his former teammates. Rosie is devastated that Nathan doesn’t remember her. Although he doesn't remember her, he is instantly attracted to her and he wants to get to know her. Thus begins the story of Rosie and Nathan. Nathan is such a great guy, he feels horrible that he didn’t remember his friend. However, he is all in with pursuing her and getting to know the woman she is now. Rosie wants to be with Nathan but her life hasn’t been as easy and glamorous as Nathan’s, and she’s not really willing to let him in. This was a wonderfully sweet, tender, sad, emotional story. I love when people reconnect and especially when the man is the one so open and welcoming and it’s the woman who is pushing him away. I’m a new fan of S. J. Tilly and I have to say so far every book I have read have been spicy, with sexy characters and amazing possessive and devoted men who will do anything for their woman. Great book a must read.
Bound by J.L. Quick
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
This is the second book in the Men of Club Triskelion. I read have read both books and I’m enjoying the Irish mafia and its takes a while to get use to some of the words and vocabulary used by the characters but it probably makes it seem more authentic. In this book we have Declan and Quinn who have known each other since they were young. Declan was good friends with her brothers. In fact Declan saved her when she was almost brutally attacked. After that incident they began a secretive relationship. Quinn wanted him to tell her brothers she was tired of hiding it but Declan refused. So Quinn went to Dublin and Declan went on and eventually married and had a daughter. It is now years later and Quinn is living in Declan’s house as a nanny for his daughter and it’s not long before feelings begin to grow between these two again. There are a great deal of BDSM aspects in this series and some issues that may be sensitive to others so please check the trigger warnings before reading. Can Quinn get over Declan moving on and having a family and is Declan willing to commit to her this time? In the midst of this relationship they are involved in a bitter war with the Bratva and there have been threats made against Quinn. Great story with some violence and suspense.
Filthy Mogul by M. Robinson
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the third book in the Billionaire Dollar Men series. This book focuses on Luke the original bad boy. Luke is dark, aloof, possessive and he walks a thin line between honest and nefarious means to make money. He owns a club where he sees a woman DJ who is pumping up the crowd and has them dancing and enjoying themselves and he wants to meet her. Duchess although attracted to Luke has no intention of telling him her real name. Luke becomes a little obsessed because they keep meeting but he refuses to pursue anything unless he knows exactly who she is. I love when a woman can hold her own against a man and challenge him, and she certainly does that. This book has spice, romance, suspense and a little mystery. An enjoyable read you don’t want to miss.