so_many_books's reviews
834 reviews

A sweet and funny spin off from Vawn Cassidy's Dead Serious series.

The Haunted Hotel focuses on the residents (both living and corporally challenged) of Asthon House, an old hotel up in Yorkshire. If you're familiar with the authors' Dead Serious books, you might recognize the place as the location of the infamous murder mystery weekend in book 4.
The story is set just a few weeks later, showing the behind the scenes of running and trying to save the old hotel.

Ellis is the receptionist/waiter/maid/event planner of the hotel. He's a ray of sunshine who always has kind words to everyone and loves the hotel and all of its residents with all of his heart. His character really is a breath of fresh air. I hope to see a bit more serious side of him, but so far, that only comes about in glimpses. I hope his character is rounded out in the books to come.
He, along with the resident ghosts, is on a mission to figure out how to save the hotel from financial trouble.
I liked that Bertie and the other ghosts were quite integral to the story. This book is definitely not a mystery, but it is a paranormal romance as there are quite a few ghosts, and they do show themselves to the employees, especially Ellis. Bertie has her own chapters showing her and the others' shenanigans. They try to save the hotel, deal with a ghostly investigator auditing their hauntings, and help Ellis fall madly in love with Morgan.
Morgan, who is the owner's grandson and who hasn't stepped foot in the house ever since he and his mom moved away after his dad's death. In my opinion, Morgan is the most developed character so far. We get to know him and his past through several conversations with his brother, his memories of the place, and also his granddad's stories. His struggles with fitting in with his stepdad and brother, his repressed memories about Ashton House from when he was little and his tentative conversations with his estranged grandfather all depict a clear picture of him that is sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. His grumpy exterior hides a very soft and loyal inside that comes out in spades during his stay in the hotel.

The one thing that is a bit lacking in the story is the romance between Ellis and Morgan. While there is much physical attraction, I didn't get the vibe of them connecting on a deeper level. I hope to see them getting to know each other a lot more thoroughly in the continuation of the story because so far, their fledgling fling is very superficial and lacks any kind of substance.

The story is written to amuse and entertain. It's full of funny and heartwarming scenes and characters that bring a very cosy vibe to the book. It's definitely a cosy, paranormal romance book that is lighthearted and fun. I smiled a lot, I teared up at scenes and, all in all, really enjoyed myself while reading it.
I started this book with great expectations after adoring the Dead Serious series and all other books related to the universe so far. This one is a fun little branch out from the original story with little lighter undertones. It's got humour and fantastic living and ghostly characters that we are used to from the author. It hasn't quite reached my expectations in terms of the romance, but I see where the story is going next, and I can't wait to read more.

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

When I think about a romance between a serial killer and a vampire, wholesome is not the first word that pops into my head. Well, to be honest, I don't usually think about such a pairing, but still!!

King of Hollywood brings a fun and entertaining romance into a dark romance theme, which is not often described as such. And I absolutely loved it.
I'm not usually a fan of dark romance or any kind of romance featuring serial killers, but I love Fae's writing and I needed to know what kind of twist she comes up with for Marshall and Felix. I am not disappointed, not at all.

Marshall is a recluse, living in a small town, avoiding people as much as he can. It is not stated in the book, but I strongly suspect he's on the autism spectrum. He also has a rather unusual... hobby. It is not really the focus of the book but rather a part of Marshall personality that he is, in fact, a serial unaliver. I would describe him as morally really dark grey.
Felix is his sunshine neighbour who is even more of a recluse than he is. Felix rarely leaves the house, and if he does, it's only at night to walk his cats... or to haul a corpse through his garden. Oh, he's a vampire if you haven't gathered that much.

Their relationship (or something like that) starts when Marshall helps get rid of said body. And from then, there is no going back for either of them.
Their courting is anything but normal working around Felix's night routine and Marshall's social obstacles and their secrets. I can't even describe it properly. It's a perfect mix of creepy and stalkery and sweet. Marshall's obsession with Felix is wild and inappropriate, but Felix likes it somehow. It's infinitely amusing seeing Marshall stumble through his first date and the early days of dating. It's even more funny and entertaining seeing him and Felix navigate their budding relationship. I laughed a lot and smiled at every weirdly romantic moment.

Apart from being sweetly (and a bit creepily) funny, Marshall and Felix's story also delivers a strong message about being outcasts and the strong need to fit in somewhere. Preferably  as yourself. Both Felix and Marshall struggle with finding someone they can be open with, so it is extra special when they find each other and their misshapen, special pieces fit right together. 

The cats almost stole the show for me, but just because Marshall was so adamant about hating them until he met Felix's cats. Dolly, Tiffany, and Vladimir perfectly round out their budding little family.

After a delicious slow burn, the book gets very spicy and very bloody at some point, at the same time, which is not entirely my jam, but it does fit the story well.

All in all, I quite enjoyed this dip into dark romance, which turned out to be rather wholesome on its own way instead. Marshall and Felix are a perfectly matching pair with all their quirks, secrets, cats, and hobbies. Their courting is sweet and amusing and will definitely make you laugh.

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

Adored it!

While I think Davey and Mack would have never made it before their divorce and eventual second chance, I did enjoy the romance of this book.

Forgotten Romance is the sixth and final book in the Divorced Men's Club series. Like the other books, this one also tells a second-chance-at-love story after a divorce, just a tad differently. Why? Because Davey and Mack had divorced each other and are now trying to reconnect instead of moving on from a previous partner.

The story is quite unique as I have never read one like it. Davey and Mack got divorced after Davey's job, which required him to be away a lot, got between them. However, neither of them really wanted to separate because they are each other's one true love. Also, they have two little ones, so the separation was on paper only, and Davey still lives with them when he is at home. And now, he has 3 months off to spend with his family, which Mack tries to use to get him back.

First of all, prepare for MAJOR miscommunication and the lack of communication altogether. It actually bothered me a lot how much they kept from each other. Big things, like life-changing things. So that put a damper on my mood for most of the time.

However, they were really sweet for each other. And if you put aside that they spent like 10+ years married (so the basics of communication, life planning, and such, should have been there already), it's actually a very entertaining romance.

Mack is a bit of a disaster, but he loves Davey a lot, and he's not ready to give up just yet. I like his self-discovery throughout the book when he digs deeper to realize Davey's job was not the only thing pushing them apart. His clumsiness and enthusiasm are loveable.
Davey is the serious one with great pressure on his shoulders to provide for his family. That sense of responsibility is the main thing that leads him to choose not to quit his job when Mack asks for a divorce. He slowly realizes what he is missing, focusing on being the breadwinner of the family. He's a sweetheart with a heart full of love for Mack and their kids, Van and Kiera. His small gestures of caring make it glaringly obvious that he's not ready to move on.
Their journey to rekindling their relationship is full of sweet moments and romance. And, of course, a healthy those of passion.

As I said before, my biggest issue is that in no universe would they have survived for so long together when they don't talk about household expanses, finances, and future planning. How on earth do you stay married to someone when you don't know anything about their job or dreams or the pressure they are under. While the book do explore some of these things as part of the resolution, I just don't get how they got here.

This book is also a swan song to the DMC series, so all characters from the previous books pop up to help Mack and Davey get together again. It brings up memories of the previous books and also provides a soft goodbye to all of them.

Anyways, this book is very low angst and fun, so have at it, if that's your jam.

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

Hunt Me! is the definition of an emotional roller-coaster. Prepare tissues because you'll most definitely cry. Don't worry, though the happy ending is hard-earned it is sweet and happy.

I've been loving Fae Quin's Spooky Boys series ever since Bite Me! came out but I have to say Hunt Me! might have taken the lead amongst my favourites.

Hunt Me! tells the story of Jeffery, who might be familiar if you've read the first book, and Mutt. Their story is a roller-coaster of hurt/comfort, self-discovery and learning to love and forgive. Prepare for heartbreaking back stories! There is very little chance your heart won't hurt just a little for Jeffery and Mutt, both individually and together.

The characters are wonderful as ever. The author can create character who are flawed yet loveable. probably because their feeling are so real that you have no choice but to emphasize with them.

Jeffery is a twenty-something, tall, handsome ginger showing the world how happy and put together he is. Unfortunately, his façade doesn't really fool everyone. He is a man trapped in his childhood. He survived so much trauma and he struggles to overcome it and move forward. His feelings of guilt, self-loathing and panic are so very strong and one of the main plot of the book is showing him coping with the help of his family, a good therapist and, of curse, Mutt.
My heart just about broke for this man and his inner child. I rooted for him all the way to finally find his happiness with Mutt. He stays loyal and innately good despite everything that happened to him.

However much I adored Jeffery, Mutt has a piece of my heart. He's an alpha werewolf who struggles to keep himself from going feral. He needs a mate but his heart pulls him towards the broken pieces of a beautiful redhead instead of another wolf. He is a SWEETHEART. Yes, with capital letters. He's the sweetest, most loving and caring and innocent person ever. And he's just what Jeffery's broken pieces need. I adored his cluelessness, his loving gestures, the way he took care of Jeffery and everyone around him, not caring about himself as long as they were happy.
Despite Jeffery's heartbreaking story, I found myself crying most for Mutt while reading. He is so pure and loving that he does not deserve the hand that he was served. His POV chapter towards the end made me sob like a baby, because I wanted him to be happy sooooo much.

Mutt and Jeffery's relationship is definitely scorching hot (I mean their chemistry is off. the. charts.), but what they discover with each other is so much more than that. They become each other's safe space where they can hide from the cruel world. The way they heal one another and show each other what honesty, trust and love can be will make you melt into a buddle.

The story is set in Elmwood, our favourite supernatural small town, and our favourite characters from the previous books make an appearance in abundance. Obviously, Jeffery's blood and found family takes the cake when it comes to supporting characters. Blair, Richard and Collin are all there, trying to reach Jeffery in his place of despair and play a huge role in him healing. Their presence brings a good doze of fun and humour, too, to compliment the lighthearted and free dynamic between Jeffery and Mutt.
I talked a lot about needing tissues while reading, but rest assured, you will have plenty of opportunities to laugh, too.

All this wonderfulness is pulled together by the wonderful writing style of the author. I fel like I lived through everything myself while reading and the beautiful writing style made the whole story just that much more emotional. At this point, Fae can write anything and I'll probably love it.

Overall, Hunt Me! is another epic story in the Spooky Boys series. It has two broken boys finding their home within each other and fighting with their everything for their happy ending.