so_many_books's reviews
834 reviews

The audiobook is very poorly produced.
I love the story though.

I'm so glad to be back in the Franklin U universe! I loved all the lighthearted stories in the first season, and this one is shaping up to be another wild but promising ride into college romance.

Harrison (Bowser) and Bennett are both characters that might be familiar if you've read Saxon's previous books. Harrison appeared in Dating Disaster, while Bennett and his twin Emmett were the chaos twins in the CU Hockey series (set ~10 years ago).

A Stealthy Situation is exactly what you expect from a lighthearted college romance. It's funny, it's messy and it has great characters.
Harrison is a hunky plant-dad with the sweetest most honest personality and I was here for it. I love a kind love interest. At the same time, Benny is a bit cranky and a lot all over the place. Their contrast is what makes them work so well.

Yes, there's some twin switcheroo but not in a malicious way. And when things start to fall apart when Harrison discovers something is not right, Benny and Em need to face the fact that they need to not help each other out all the time... because it leads to messy situations.

Harrison and Benny's relationship is sweet and a lot of fun to watch develop. Especially when Benny's bad boy cred slowly crumbles and he shows off his sweeter side.

I wished there was some more talk about healing from the trauma of loosing parents at a young age. It was obvious that Benny still wore the scars but there was no effort to resolve it. Authors, please send you characters to therapy sometimes.

However, I am over the moon to see learning disability rep in a book. It was greatly integrated with all the stigma and fear around it.

All in all, this was a sweet, easy story perfect for relaxing. I loved the characters and I can't wait to read more of season 2 of the FU series.

I adored this story!

KJ Charles' writing always entertains and amazes me. The storytelling is gripping and holds my attention throughout the whole book, the characters have deep-layered personalitites that are usually not balck and white, and the historical settings gives an extra dash of mystery to the story.

Death in the Spires is a gripping mystery. Jem finally decides to figure out who murdered one of his college friends after receiving an accusatory letter. It happened a long time ago yet none of the six friends seem to have settled, and it's time to figure out why.

I loved the slow building of the story with glimpses into the past and Jem's attempt to reconnect with people he trusted and loved the most 10 years ago. The suspense was always in the back of the story without it being overpowering. It is really just very well written.

The characters are always amazing in KJ Charles's books and it wasn't any different here. We see the events unrevel through the eyes of Jem, but we get to see into the deppest secrets of all the characters. They are not black and white, they have darkness and light in them, which makes them relatable. Especially in a case where they could all be the killers.

While I wouldn't say I was shocked by how things turned out in the end, it was still very well presented and I enjoyed seeing everything happen.

The romance aspect of the book was not that much in focus, but provided another layer to the story. And I quite loved it!

I hope there is more to come for these friends. I truly do. 

I've been waiting to read Oscar's story in the After Oscar series for 4 years now. Ever since I started this series, I have loved it. Every story is funny and romantic. It's the perfect rom-com.

In HEA, we finally get Oscar's story. He's been the side character in every other story in the series. The mysterious billionaire playboy whose exes found their HEA right after they dated Oscar. It's been a hilarious plot point, but it's also intriguing. Who IS Oscar?
He's every bit the high society gentleman, but he also has a big soft heart and deep-rooted insecurities. I loved seeing him bloom next to Hugh.
Hugh is a wedding photographer, and his story intertwines with Oscar's since they seem to be at the same wedding multiple times.
Their friendship develops so organically and beautifully. No wonder they both fell in love. Even if it took them a looooooong time to admit it.

I loved every little sweet and hilarious moment of the book. Oscar's shenanigans with his emotional support hedgehog, Frank, the pick-up line contest they have going on with Hugh, Oscar's big heart showing in all the little thing he does for his loved ones, the Flower Family, Hugh's HEA tiktok account, and so much more! I had infinite fun reading this book.

I also cried like a baby at one point because I am a sucker for characters who think they don't deserve love or that they will never have it. Oscar's hidden loneliness and his refusal to get close to anyone in fear of them eventually leaving was palpable and heartbreaking. I wanted to give him a big hug and tell him it's all gonna be okay. But I did cry a lot because of all the feels on the pages.

The book discussed love and connection from so many angles. Romance, friendship, family. I could practically feel the love radiating from the book.

I can only reiterate that this book is full of emotions, humour, and wonderful and lovable characters. I was entertained the whole time.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review."

I have to say, after seeing some other reviews, I feel a bit less awkward sharing my deepest, darkest feelings about this book. It might not always make sense, though.

I honestly didn't know I needed this book. I made my peace with Jean's ending at the end of The King's Men. Oh, boy, was I wrong?!

This book totally destroyed me emotionally and put me through a wringer. But I inhaled it. Jean and Jeremy's story is exactly what was missing from the original trilogy.
I can assure you it is just as tragic and dark and emotionally loaded as anything Nora writes, but it also has the one thing that Nora does best: HOPE.
The hope is palpable in the writing and in all the emotions that are depicted in this book. It's almost overwhelming, yet it's the most precious thing ever.
Hope to live.
Hope to feel.
Hope to have something good.

Jean went through unspeakably horrible times. Things were done to him that would break anyone. The fact that he's still standing, even though the tons of baggage he brings, is a miracle and shows that deep down, hidden even from himself, is a man who hasn't given up yet. It shows in his progression of letting in the world, piece by piece, person by person, after being kept away from it for so long.
I bowled my eyes out multiple times, reading his most vulnerable thoughts about the slivers of hope and beauty he discovers. I am a wreck, yet I am somehow happy.

Of course, none of Jean's progress would be possible without Jeremy. Our golden boy, our sunshine captain. Oh, how he is good. His want to take care of Jean in any way he lets him is so palpable and honest. His kindness is EVERYTHING. I want to see his smile thaw the icy loneliness around Jean.
Adding in the Trojans and their overall good nature is the perfect contrast to Jean's previous reality. And, of course, Cat and Laia are the best chaotic lesbians out their. I low-key adore them. The way they immediately took Jean into their circle, the subtle ways they made him feel at home. It radiates their goodness.

I cannot string together thoughts. This book is just simply good. I want more of it. I want the second book now. I want to know Jeremy's story. I want to have more of the ridiculously queer Trojans. I want more Cat and Laia. I want Jean to smile. At Jeremy preferably. I want him to feel safe. I want to see Jeremy show Jean what it's like when someone loves him. I. Want. More.

Reading anything from this author duo is guaranteed good time.

The Puckboy series is definitely one of my comfort reads, and Bromantic Puckboy brings the same vibes.
I absolutely adored this idiots-to-friends-to-lovers, double bi-awakening hockey romance. Miles Olsen  and Cody Bilson are a hilarious and loveable duo, and I enjoyed their love story immensely.

Bilson (known from book 5) signs with a new team to escape Seattle, aka the city where he runs into an ex-wife/girlfriend every other day. This notion is already hilarious, but add in Miles, a quirky goalie in his rookie season, and you get yourself prime time entertainment.
They get into trouble as quick friends but soon turn into friends-with-benefits and more. Their love story is soooooo organically built, I could feel their feelings deepen for each other.

As far as MCs goes in the Sadenverse, these two are among my favourites. Both their individual characters and them together just make sense. And it's so funny all the ways.

Bilson is the lovesick gentle cutie we love. He craves love (hence all the failed marriage), and it shows in how he treats Miles. I love a man who doesn't fear to show emotion. It gets a tad angsty at the end, though.
Miles is the quirkiest character. All hockey goalie prejudices rolled into one person. But his little oddities are what make him so special. He's not afraid to be his confident self on the ice and with his team. His family and his sexuality are a bit different, though. He fears he'll lose his loving family if he embraces his sexuality. He learns so much over the book, about himself and about relationships.

Next to our absolutely loveable main character, we have the Queer Collective doting out advice and comedic relief. Every interaction, every scene, is humorous somehow that will make you smile and laugh and have a good time. I enjoyed reading this book so much!

Obviously, we got a little teaser for what's coming next in the series, and if I'm right, it's gonna be epic.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*