four stars - No Apology Book Reviews

The Duke and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden

November 4, 2019February 23, 2019

Title: The Duke and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: The Enchantresses #2 Wonderfully complex characters, minor narrative issues My thanks to Paullett Golden, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t like Charlotte or Drake as they were portrayed in the first book. I thought she was a whiny woe-is-me brat and he was an obnoxious, selfish asshole. I was very curious about this second book, because I …

Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose

November 7, 2019February 17, 2019

Title: Say You’re Sorry Author: Karen Rose Series: Sacramento #1 Good read but rather bland Click here to find an interview with the author regarding this book. I liked this book a lot, but it…lacked energy, I guess. Things moved along at a steady clip, never got slow to the point of putting me to sleep—but I didn’t want to stay up late to read more, either. There were only two scenes—in six hundred pages—that got my heart pumping: when …

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle

November 4, 2019January 7, 2019

Title: The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan Author: Dayle King Searle Series: N/A A slow burn but still a solid novel My thanks to Dayle King Searle, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review. First and foremost, I want to say this was not a romance. Oddly enough, it’s women’s fiction with a male protagonist. I found the weird clash of tone, perspective, and genre fascinating, and I have to …

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

November 5, 2019November 7, 2018

Title: I Owe You One Author: Sophie Kinsella Series: N/A Good but not great I would like to thank Sophie Kinsella, The Dial Press/ Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fixie Farr possesses a compulsion to “fix” things. From cleaning up a stain no one would notice to calling 999 despite her friend’s wishes, Fixie derives pleasure in knowing she righted wrongs. She considers the compulsion one of her …

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

October 13, 2018

Title: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #11 Too much plot and a little frustrating The eleventh Charley Davidson book is a good example of too much plot. The other books in the series have tread this line, but this is the first one I feel steps over it. While I love this book as much as I love all the others, I can still acknowledge that this novel was either a little too full of …

Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas

November 13, 2019April 14, 2018

Title: Mornings on Main Author: Jodi Thomas Series: n/a mostly about theme but the story and characters grew on me Not gonna lie, I approached this book with reluctance. Another quilting/knitting/sewing mainstream wannabe literary novel? That trend started over a decade ago and largely died off two or three years ago. Another story about a small town with a quaint little B&B and a family dealing with a heartbreaking illness that’s slowly sucking the life out of the matriarch/patriarch? Another …

Marry in Scandal (Marriage of Convenience #2) by Anne Gracie

November 6, 2019April 3, 2018

Title: Marry in Scandal Author: Anne Gracie Series: Marriage of Convenience #2 Uninspired plot saved by endearing characters I would like to thank Anne Gracie, Berkley/Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The charm of the characters saved this novel. The plot is lazy: A man with a gambling debt absconds with a young, naive heiress to Gretna Green to marry her and inherit her fortune, but some kind …

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks

October 9, 2018March 19, 2018

Title: Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon Author: Kerrelyn Sparks Series: The Embraced #3 An issue with the narrative but overall I LOVE this series! I would like to thank Kerrelyn Sparks, Macmillan/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. When her beloved niece is kidnapped by a dragon, Gwennore grabs onto the beast’s foreleg and hangs on for dear life, determined to protect the girl. They’re taken to …

An Excuse for Poor Conduct by Kate Dolan

October 9, 2018December 9, 2017

Title: An Excuse for Poor Conduct Author: Kate Dolan Series: n/a good story, skilled writing I would like to thank Kate Dolan and Author’s Den for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a nice short story. Dolan’s writing, mechanically, is more skillful than I expected. Quite professional, actually. The setting of the almshouse and the indigent circumstances of the characters were interesting, a welcome change from the privileged doves and roosters …

Year One by Nora Roberts

November 5, 2019December 9, 2017

Title: Year One Author: Nora Roberts Series: Chronicles of The One #1 a dark, magickal mix of Zombieland and Heroes I was thoroughly impressed with the ingenuity and world-building in this novel. It’s probably been done before, but I’ve never seen the end of the world caused by dark magic. A deadly virus spread with crazy ease and speed, killing billions of people—but also unlocking supernatural abilities in others. And there were also ordinary humans who just seemed to be …