Note: Reviews are listed alphabetically by author’s last name.
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Lines Drawn
Abrianna Denae & Leigh Kenzie (Crimson Bonds #5)
The authors kept warning that the worst was yet to come, that this might be the book that broke their readers…and they might be right. We tend to call the leads of romance novels the “heroes,” even when the characters are solidly in the morally gray realm, but the risk of extending past the original “happily ever after” is that the heroes might live long enough to become the villains. I won’t dispute that Allesandro and Cristian have survived a trauma, but in their frantic need to control their families now that they are home, they have handily succeeded in pushing everyone away in their misguided attempts to keep them close. The content warnings for this book are to be heeded, even for readers who consider themselves pros at dark romance. With this book, Denae and Kenzie prove that they are committed to telling a true narrative with this series, rather than simply interspersing an interesting plot amidst fun (and poignant) relationship shenanigans among their multitude of fascinating characters. The lines have truly been redrawn by the end of this book, and as much as my heart hurts for everyone, I’m completely invested in finding out how they will eventually emerge whole on the other side of this long journey. Though this book may (and possibly should) deter some readers, those who join me will not regret further committing themselves to this ride.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the authors.
Top Shelf
E.M. Lindsey (Love the Game)
Lindsey’s vast array of writing skills converges perfectly in this book, which works as a stand-alone that I highly recommend to anyone who has wanted to check out this author’s work but was intimidated by the huge back catalogue available. Of course, you’ll probably then want to read that entire back catalogue, but I highly recommend that, too. Though hockey sets the framework for how Quinn and Ferris first meet, and allows them to remain connected for their eventual happily ever after, the journey they follow in this book is wholly their own. As always, Lindsey allows elements that set these men apart from “usual” romance heroes to function as aspects of their character rather than complete identities. Even more importantly, the chemistry and connection they share are independent of those aspects, but at the same time, I couldn’t imagine anyone else sharing their special bond. Overall, I adored this simultaneously sweet and spicy novel, a unique work that highlights much of what Lindsey does so incredibly well.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
The Winger
Charlie Novak (Lincoln Knights #4)
Though I feel this book can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone, seeing glimpses of how Danny evolves through the earlier installments is one of my favorite parts of reading an interconnected series. For his book, however, his brash personality turns out to hide a sweet, curious man still finding himself. His rugby team’s new marketing manager becomes a dramatic discovery in more ways than one. Danny and Ezra are an unlikely pairing on the surface, which is half the fun of the clever ways Novak plays them off of each other. Ezra’s personal journey offers poignant notes that provide excellent emotional contrast, giving this book a taste of conflict without necessarily detracting from the otherwise fun, sexy vibe that builds between him and Danny. Their age difference offers a different perspective on Danny’s internal conflict without ever lessening its importance. Sometimes I already have a hint which book in a series might be my favorite early on, once we meet all the future heroes…and sometimes, like with this book, a favorite emerges as a total surprise. This book will be an easy re-read in the future, because I know I’ll enjoy falling in love with Danny and Ezra’s romance all over again.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Bitter Burn
Sierra Simone (Lyonesse #3)
The epic conclusion of this trilogy was more than worth the wait. Any earlier fears I had that this would simply feel like a slightly darker version of Simone’s New Camelot trilogy are completely dashed from the first pages of Mark’s perspective. He is not some sort of inverse King Arthur, but a complete character in his own right, modeled after the king from both a different realm and thematic source. The relationship that feels broken at the end of the previous book is quickly revealed to be merely fractured, and the delicate dance of private versus public personas that Mark, Isolde, and Tristan display in order to protect each other lends fantastic internal conflict to the engrossing external conflict that grows in scope to lengths I never imagined. Real-world events may have inspired Simone here, and for once, it was nice to sit back and enjoy a darker form of escapism while knowing that I could be confident in a better reality (which is often not the case in today’s political landscape). And finally, cameos from New Camelot characters feel integral to the story rather than indulgent. Embry’s moaning over Mark’s actions will bring a smile to my face for a long time to come.