authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: The Black Swan of Paris Author: Karen Robards Series: n/a Rife with tension, heartache, and hope I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin MIRA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Don’t take my 4-star rating to heart; I wasn’t the ideal audience for this type of book. I wanted to read this because it …
Title: Dance Away with Me Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Series: n/a A return to form I was kinda nervous to crack this book open, not gonna lie. I was so disappointed in First Star and didn’t want to see more of the same. (Oh my god, was that really four years ago already? Holy shit.) But fear not! This felt like classic Phillips, and I adored it. There wasn’t a whole lot I didn’t like. Only a couple things come …
Title: Call It Magic Author: Janet Chapman Series: Spellbound Falls #7 Started out somewhat promising…then tanked I would like to thank the late Janet Chapman, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I’m sacrilegiously speaking ill of the dead—rest in peace, Ms. Chapman—but that’s not going to stop me from giving an honest review. I wanted this book to be good so that it would honor Chapman’s …
Title: The Sun Down Motel Author: Simone St. James Series: N/A Not her best but I still really enjoyed it Well, let me tell ya. I wasn’t going to review this book because I’m bitter that Berkley wouldn’t allow me to read an ARC. I’ve praised St. James’s books up and down since I discovered them a few years ago; I’ve recommended them to friends and family; and I was allowed to read The Broken Girls six months early. But …
Title: How to Love Your Elf Author: Kerrelyn Sparks Series: Embraced #4 (Embraced by Magic #1 *eye roll*) Could have ended better but overall a joyous return to Aerthlan I would like to thank Kerrelyn Sparks, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Yaaayyy! They’re back! The Embraced series was my introduction to Sparks, and I’ve become a big fan. I grew concerned when, after the release of book …
Updated 10/2024 Recently someone asked me how she could get advance reader copies (ARCs) to read and review. She was probably expecting a short and sweet answer—go to site A, sign up, and give ’em hell—but it’s not that simple (and I’m not that succinct). I’m sure every reviewer’s story is unique, and I could only describe to her what I’ve experienced. I’m no expert by any means, but I did want to share what I told her, in case …
Title: Before He Vanished Author: Debra Webb Series: Winchester, Tennessee #6 Great mystery, irritating characters Thank you to Lisa Wray for inviting me to participate in Harlequin blog tours, and thank you to Debra Webb, Harlequin, and Netgalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I see Debra Webb’s name often, but I think this is the first time I’ve read one of her books. As with Allison Brennan, I just never got …
Title: House of Earth and Blood Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: Crescent City #1 Initial review: Based on first 60 pages: epic worldbuilding, inferior lead I would like to thank Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free excerpt of the first 60 pages (70 including front matter) in exchange for an honest review. I’m so fucking pissed right now. First reason I’m pissed—I should have known better than to read an excerpt. Especially …
Title: The Colonel and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: Enchantresses #4 Charming and heartwarming, but pacing a little off Many thanks to the author, who provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mary’s story (I think I say that for every book, lol), and overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were endearing, the writing style smooth and sophisticated, and the premise intriguing: A couple had to reconcile who they had …
Title: The Third to Die Author: Allison Brennan Series: Mobile Response Team #1 A lot going on but not bad I would like to thank Harlequin MIRA for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, and also thanks to Allison Brennan and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Allison Brennan has been on my radar for years, but I never got around to reading one of her books. So …