petra_reviews_mm's reviews
588 reviews

Topped By My Father-In-Law by Jay L. North

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Okay, so the smut was hot. The kinks, dirty talk, really nice. 
But, I didn't really vibe with the "cheating" aspect. I know it's the whole premise but the MC just glosses loved it...
And the way the MC just accepted what was happening around him. He has a fiancée but barely talks to her even though she's "the one" for him? I guess she's there for the taboo aspect but I'm not really interested in continuing.
Oral Fixation by Becca Vale

Go to review page

fast-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? Yes

5.0

Alpha Awakened by Christa Tomlinson

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This is how you write a slow burn shifter omegaverse romance.

This was a new author to me so I had no idea what to expect but this was not it: the plot, the friendships, the pining and tension between the MCs and their slow build up into something more was so satisfying. The plot is well written with isolated cases but also a plotline that will continue in the next book. I was afraid that the romance would be just a secondary thing but it is always present. I mean, our two MCs are rarely separated which I loooove.

The first half establishes the missions, the 448 team and Ice as the grumpy loner and Hazard as a bubbly officer that everyone loves. Hazard's patience was that of a saint. I mean, his poor heart went through it but he always persevered and did not give up on Ice even though Ice often did everything in his power to estrange himself from Hazard.

The spice was to die for. I mean, I don't think there were any fade to black moments and oftentimes their intimate times were not just about satisfaction but also building their trust and even the romance. These guys actually talk and open up to each other which does not always happen in shifter romances.

The end was satisfying and I'll be honest - the 500 pages felt like nothing. The pacing was just stellar.
Skip a Beat by Ariella Zoelle

Go to review page

3.5

3*-4* I cannot decide... but closer to 3.5* really.

So the story is quite straightforward, and sweet with a young mature character and a smitten forty-year-old. Once you get used to the names you will be immersed in this ordinary world of musicians and their loved ones.
 
But the dialogue and conflicts were so repetitive. The first half has one conflict and is constantly repeated in the character's thoughts and the conversations with side characters. That continues even after the first half - and it is about the age gap which is 20 years but did I really bother as a reader? No. So why was it repeated so much?

I am also unsure as to why was it so important that Lix is so similar to young Sir and why that made Sir himself horny? lol.

What I also wished for was to have more of Calixto's struggles to take care of himself and for Sir to take that role for him. And once they did the deed... I just was not feeling it much. Do not know why. The guys were so horny and always thinking of being bent over (or bending the other over something) and then... it was not the explosion I wished for. The cum play though? Heck yeah!

I will try other books by the author because she knows how to write realistic dialogue and I am all for low-angst romances.
The Wolf's (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.5

 Rating: 4.5*
For the longest time, I wasn’t sure how to rate The Wolf's (Un)Lucky Fae. Undeniably, it is yet another example of Mrs. Notaro’s talent for writing about marginalized characters, with the hurt/comfort dynamic at the front.

First off, the pacing in the first half is a bit slow. We’re introduced to the characters, their situations, and how the world works. On one hand, this world-building is fascinating, but on the other, I felt there could have been more showing rather than telling. That said, everything comes together in the end, and I couldn’t put the second half  down.

The romance:
This is definitely the book's strength. Remi is so sweet and swoon-worthy, and I was initially worried that Bel’s fae history and situation would cause major problems and angst. But that wasn’t the case. Yes, Bel withheld crucial information and tormented himself over it, but Remi didn't make a big deal out of it. Instead, he quickly comforted Bel, proving that he’s the man he promised to be.

Bel’s reluctance to let Remi take care of him made sense to me. They had only known each other for a few weeks, so it felt realistic that Bel wouldn’t blindly trust him. His pride and loyalty to his family were his top priorities, and that came through clearly.

This book is low on steam, with one short intimate scene and the rest off-page. Did I mind? Well, my rotten mind sometimes wished for more, but I stayed for the romance!

The plot:
While a little predictable, it kept the story engaging. I loved meeting the dragon king and instantly fell in love with him, even though Tan thinks he’s a douche. Speaking of Tan, he was so cute and funny! I really can’t wait to read his book. 


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
His Submissive Husband: The Complete Series by D.J. Heart

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I really enjoyed this one. Finally a book with tons of kinks in a D/s relationship. And not only dominance but tons of toys and pushing boundaries. I mean, Landon is not a green flag. Cole does not have a safeword and, honestly, even if he had one, Landon would definitely ignore it. So that is that. It is not a romantic story but more erotica with characters that evolve and, in the end, you still see the love they have for each other.
Spanked By My Roommate, The Stud by D.J. Heart

Go to review page

4.0

Quite a bit of BDSM, not always between the MCs, yet done well.
Spanked By My Best Friend's Dad: The Cop by D.J. Heart

Go to review page

5.0

Actually hot, the two want each other and do anything they want. Loved the confrontation with Frank's son.