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ljamison01's reviews
1071 reviews
He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Alta Hensley
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
This was a very interesting book. Chloe is an influencer who makes money showing jewelry online. She works for two different jewelry companies, one is more conservative but pays her the most and a second smaller company that is a little bit more untraditional and aligned with personality. Now Chloe is not a very enthusiastic about the upcoming holiday season because she has experienced lost and is alone. Chloe meets Jack who has been stalking her for quite a while. Jack has been at her bedroom window watching and observing everything she does. One night Jack discovers a big secret about Chloe that really changes their relationship. This change causes her to doubt that she can really be with Jack. Now Chloe does have some suspicion that someone is watching her. She’s been having strange interactions with an employee at one of the jewelry companies that she works for. Jack is a fire fighter and he was there the night her family had the tragic accident. Jack behavior’s is bizarre because although he is her stalker, once he has access to her, and they begin to meet and casually date why does he continue to stalk her? Great story of a girl who falls for her stalker who is truly obsessed with her. I did expect this story to be spicer and darker because of the author but it was a great mix for those who don’t appreciate truly dark stalker material.
From Air by Jewel E. Ann
emotional
mysterious
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
This is only my second book by Jewel E. Ann, but already I love her writing style. This book focuses on Jamie a traveling nurse from Florida who travels to Montana to work in a psychiatric hospital. She is living with 3 other firefighters who work in various ways to put out fires and rescue others. Immediately upon entering the house she is warned about Fitz but when she meets him she is intrigued by him and based on his personality able to detect his zodiac sign. Calvin (Fitz) who is a grumpy, hard to get along with smoke jumper and about 10 years older than her. As they get to know each other and playfully tease one another, a romance begins to grow. But, Will the owner of the house has banned any of the roommates from getting involved with each other. So these two try to keep this relationship a secret from the rest of the house. But, Calvin has his own secret. This story was so sad and angsty. As always I prefer to go into a book blind and I’m glad I did. This story was so compelling I couldn’t stop until I reached the end. Great characters, amazing plot with some spice.
My Pucking Crush by Tori Chase
dark
emotional
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
Max is a hockey player, in fact he’s the captain of the team. He was recruited after college and has played for this one team his whole career. Max is sexually confused. He interacts with both men and women but he can’t picture himself long term with a woman and he is too afraid to come out as gay. Max had a relationship with a male friend while in high school but it ended badly. Luca works as a bodyguard for the hockey team that Max plays for. Luca is obsessed with Max. He fantasizes about him. He hooks up with men and makes them wear Max’s jersey. He is truly pining for him. Now after Max is attacked when going with a woman to a hotel, Luca becomes his personal bodyguard living in his house and sleeping in his hotel room when the team travels. This is Luca’s personal nightmare, he’s close to Max but he can’t cross the line because he’s his bodyguard. Luca was in the mafia but he escaped after his wife and son died because they tried to kill him. He only plans to work with this team until the end of the year so he can get his bonus and move on. Now this story isn’t just about twos men who are attracted to each but there is this whole aspect of the mafia and are they after Max or Luca? Max has some dark issues he needs to deal with. This story had some great angst especially with Luca wanting Max so bad. This book was very spicy and it was so good. I loved these two strong men who truly both just looking for love and acceptance. Great story and romance.
Butcher by Kimberly Knight
dark
emotional
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
I absolutely loved this book. I love a book where everyone loves everyone. These three start this relationship after a championship win. The three of them send the night together and things bloom. What should have been just physical became emotional as well. Butcher is a bisexual man although he doesn’t publicize this because he plays hockey. However, he is fairly confident in himself although he has his vulnerable moments. Levi comes from a religious background so he has some difficulty accepting himself and dealing with his family. Now Kaylee kept the men grounded in the relationship but she too had her insecurities, although hers stemmed from her not being sure of her place in this throuple. This threesome had wonderful communication skills and I love when there aren’t these silly misunderstandings because couples don’t talk. This book has some great spicy moments, truly hot. I love when an author shows a poly relationship that is warm, loving and accepted by others. This was another great book by Kimberly Knight. Please check the trigger warning because there were things that could make some uncomfortable.
Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne
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? No
4.0
This second chance, forced proximity romance felt like a Hallmark movie to me. Brynn and Pierce met six years ago when Brynn was taking a class in England and Pierce was the teacher’s assistant. They met before class had begun and had been intimate. Pierce tried to stay away and ignore Brynn in class so that he would get in trouble. Brynn was really hurt by his treatment of her and after the semester she left. Now six years later they are competing for the same job and spending the holiday together. Pierce makes it very clear to Brynn that he would like to try to rekindle their romance. Whereas, she is firmly against anything happening between them ever again. This was a cute story, but Brynn got a little annoying to me. It was obvious that she still cared about him and he was really bending over being gracious and apologizing for the past and she kept shutting him down. I loved Pierce he was a man who although had a terrible childhood and limited family, he had so much to give to Brynn. If your looking for a great romantic hallmark like story this is your book.
Grouch-ish by L.B. Dunbar
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? No
4.0
I don’t really like Hallmark movies or read Christmas books. But this story was very cute and sweet. Pear (I love that name) and Brock are adults who are looking for something new and different in their lives. They have both come out of relationships that they thought would be their last. So they have experienced some type of love and know what they want or don’t want. Somehow these two end up in the same cabin (forced proximity) looking for something. Now Brock is the original grump but he sort of melts and reforms himself for Pear. This story takes the song the 12 days of Christmas and applies it to this couple. I have to say this was definitely a new and interesting plot twist for me. I enjoyed reading about older adults because they usually speak more frankly about their needs and wants and there is less drama. If your looking for a book that is sweet with that small town feel. You will enjoy this book.
Eternal by Eva Simmons
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Eternal is the second book in the Sigma Sin series. I wish I had read the first book because there is some back story on Declan the MMC in that book. Now this book focuses on Declan who is the current president of Sigma Sin house and in this house they do some very cruel dangerous things. In fact the initiation in this house involves the guys performing heinous acts or watching them. Declan and Teal have know each other for years. Their fathers are enemies so Declan had been warned to stay away and he has. But, now he decided to go for what he wants and that’s Teal. He proposes fake dating since her father has supposedly found her future husband. Now Teal is an interesting character because she has been labeled many different things and has been medicated for the last few years. Each medication she has taken has caused either paranoia, panic attacks or any of a number of other symptoms. She is not exactly sure if the medication is helping or hurting her. Declan has decided that he must help Teal get to the root of her problem, what happened one night when she was found in the middle of the road. Her memory is completely wiped. Now Declan is this sadist, who is definitely morally grey, he will unalive,or destroy anyone who hurts Teal. With Teal he is loving and patient but also demanding that she confront her issues so that they can resolve her problems. If you enjoy college bully romances with a lot of mystery and mayhem, then this book is for you.
Theirs by Mandy Muse
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? No
5.0
Marriage in trouble is my absolute favorite trope. This book is about a marriage that was in jeopardy but the husband and wife decided to fight to stay together. In this book we have Camilla and Luke who are in the middle of couples therapy. The book opens on the day that Luke has admitted to Camilla that he would like to be dominated. Camilla is anxious, worried but willing to give this a chance. They get a recommendation from a friend of a woman that teaches classes on domination. Camilla and Luke attend the class and afterwards she tries to dominate him, not very effectively but she tries. Now Genevieve the instructor has just lost her two subs so she looking for someone to replace them but, she doesn’t want to be involved with them while they are in therapy, she doesn’t want to affect their marriage. This is a very emotional book. We have a couple struggling to for fill each other’s needs and yet still get what they want. Luke is a true cinnamon roll to me so sweet, loving and caring about how his needs may affect his wife. Camilla is a woman who grew up thinking her role was to be subservient to her husband and she is constantly apologizing. Genevieve wants to have a sexual relationship with them but she has a hard time connecting to others emotionally. A great book with some very steamy sex scenes.
Illicit Temptation by Deborah Garland
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
This is the third book in the Astoria Royals series. I don’t think you needed to read the previous 2 books to follow what’s going on but I would recommend you read them first. Trace and Shea have known each other because their families have worked together for various reasons. When Trace and Shea meet up in Vegas they have an amazing night where Shea drinks way too much marries Trace and then doesn’t remember in the morning. Unfortunately Trace was called away on an assignment so he isn’t able to discuss anything with Shea but he leaves her a voice message. So when Trace returns 3 years later wanting to reclaim his wife and telling her he’s her bodyguard. Shea isn’t exactly happy to see him. This was a good story. I loved that Trace fell first and he fell hard. Even though he knew her brothers would not be pleased that he married their sister. Shea is a tough girl and she’s certainly independent and strong willed but, she’s no match for Trace and she really didn’t want to fight him anyway. This was a great mafia story with violence, a mystery and lots of spice.
Gifted To His Dad by J. Wilder
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you like a short book with a mini plot but a lot of smut, this is your book. Cole has met and fallen in love with Eve. She is everything he could want, smart, sweet and sexy. Eve unfortunately has been brainwashed by her mother to think that she is a waste of time and a nuisance. So her self confidence is at all time low. Cole has bought her to his stepdads cabin for Christmas. But, Cole really has an alternative reason for bringing these two together. He believes that Eve is the woman, him and his stepfather Griffin can share and form a relationship with. Cole loves Eve and thinks she will make the two of them very happy. So this book is all about the seduction of Eve by these two big possessive, attractive men who are only interested in pleasing her and her happy. Lots of steam and smut, it’s so good.