petra_reviews_mm's reviews
589 reviews

Snowed in with the Vampire Prince by Jay Castle

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

3.0

The Witch's Familiar by TJ Nichols

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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

4.0

 Interesting characters and world, but the romance is more HFN.

The suspense was a great way of establishing the world and the characters. The push and pull was a fresh take in fated mates paranormal romance... but, honestly? I wished we saw more of the MCs in their happy and accepting stage. The spicy times are not frequent (like 3 scenes?... though retrospectively it is just enough, though not too long) but really hot and well done. There was also a little bit of some trauma and struggles to feel loved and accepted. The shifter character was more fledged out because we also see him interacting with other characters who are in no way involved in the plot. And I appreciate that.

Will definitely continue the series as they seem to be different from each other while being in the same series of familiars and their witches. 
The Vampire's Familiar by TJ Nichols

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Enjoyed more than the first. A great and refreshing take on a vampire.

Why has this been a better reading than the first book? Mainly because of the romance that is more fulfilling and romantic overall. The book could also have shown more of the happy times but even without them, I was satisfied.
There is hurt/comfort for both characters but more for the vampire who feels that he cannot and should not be loved. And I felt so sorry for him. I'm happy that Sage was not deterred and pursued the vampire despite everything.
There is some suspense, some action and new lore. And a cameo from Jude.

I am interested in continuing the series still.
In This Shadow, Longing by Marina Vivancos

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amazing paranormal hurt/comfort D/s series.

So far, I've read all the books in the series and loved them all. Some more, some less. Oh, Sacred Dark is still my most favorite book from the Coven Ties series, but this one with Alex and Cross is very very close.
There is tons of hurt/comfort. Cross, poor man. His journey is both sad and devastating, but full of love and healing. Alex is also hurt, but I will be honest - I thought his own trauma would play a bigger role in the narrative. It does not.
The found family trope is still evolving and I loved seeing past characters here, living their best lives.
I hope there is more to come in the series. And what I appreciate about the series is that all characters are different and their dynamics too.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Forced by the Hitman by Arden Long

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

3.0

What you expect and not much more. 
It's the typical - I don't want this but my body won't listen. And I wished it was more - either more kinky or deranged and dark. Yes, there is some makeshift dildo but I think there was more room for darker kinks (🩸play could've been explored further).
Absolution by Sloane Kennedy

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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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Pretender by Charity Parkerson

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Another enjoyable read. Though again without kink (even if kitten play is teased in the previous installments), and the conflicts are a bit repetitive. Mainly secrets, miscommunication.

I admit that these two were fresh. We have unexpected bed roles (should be used often!), some hurt and comfort, emotions, and finally happiness. Both characters are not perfect, make mistakes and pay for them. 

Will definitely keep on reading the series. It is short, entertaining, and the new characters always pique my interest.
Nothing by Charity Parkerson

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

Mistaken by Charity Parkerson

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adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Theoden by Nicholas Bella

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 This was delicious. Maybe deliciously wrong at times but I loved every second of it. Loved Theoden's relationship with Ara and the dragon Tylendel. It was delicious though with only little romance. And I mean just crumbs. Yet I loved it still.
The book covers quite a lot and the spice is spaced out well. There is a lot of it but nothing boring about it. And the mythology and the way it is tightly connected to sexual energy was well written.

Some chapters with vengeance were so so satisfying. And I could not help but root for Theoden, even though I knew what he was doing was morally wrong.

Cannot wait for more from the author as this was my first novel from them.