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Five-Star Reads for January 2025
Note: Reviews are listed alphabetically by author’s last name. Juvenalia Jennifer Burke (Valerius Mystery #2) I was immediately swept into this book once again by Burke’s amazing talent at making the alien world of ancient Rome so incredibly relatable to a modern perspective. Valerius falls headfirst into another combination of mysteries, doing his “non” job at…
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Five-Star Reads for October 2024
Note: Reviews are listed alphabetically by author’s last name. Xerxes Descendant Adelaide Blaike (House Epsilon #1) The short version of this review basically boils down to “insert screaming and flailing here.” This author knows that I’m extremely picky about my speculative fiction, so I considered it an honor that she invited me to be a…
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Book Review: Accidentally August by E.M. Denning
The fun thing about romance tropes is that the same general story can be told a million different ways, even by the same author. Denning doesn’t necessarily stretch the boundaries of the “brother’s best friend” trope with her latest book, beyond adding a bit of an age-gap element, but her excellent characterization work elevates this…
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Book Review: What They Deserve (Desires: New Beginnings #3) by E.M. Denning
Read my reviews of previous books in the Desires: New Beginnings series: What He Learns (#1) | What He Finds (#2) I’ll be honest; I didn’t love Jade after meeting them as a secondary character earlier in this series. In retrospect, I’m not even sure I can tell you why. Jade certainly did not “owe” anything to…
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Book Review: What He Finds (Desires: New Beginnings #2) by E.M. Denning
Read my review of the first book in the Desires: New Beginnings series, What He Learns. The combination of experienced Dominant and new or less experienced submissive is such a common trope in kink romance that it takes a lot to make something new out of the storyline. However, whether you are a reader who…
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Book Review: What He Learns (Desires: New Beginnings #1) by E.M. Denning
This book launches a spin-off collection of stand-alone romances in a previous series. Though I’ve read the earlier books, I’m pretty sure this one works well in isolation, with some previous main characters appearing as strong secondary characters here, not just as treat cameos for loyal readers. Denning introduces the world and the new heroes…
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Book Review: Best Served Cold by E.M. Denning
One of my favorite books by this author is called Murder Husbands, so I knew I had to check out her dark romance featuring a literal demon. I was not disappointed, and this book is a perfect way to enjoy the spookiest month of the year. Note, however, that I primarily call this a dark…
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Book Review: Rediscovered (Do-Over #2) by E.M. Denning
This book continues the tale of the other groom in the failed arranged married from the first story, along with evoking plenty of thematic echoes to create an excellent duet of stories. Denning held back a lot of Harrison’s half of the story in Rearranged in order not to spoil this half of the narrative.…
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Book Review: Rearranged (Do-Over #1) by E.M. Denning
One of the best things about following an author on social media is getting to experience the full evolution of a story, from conception to publication. I followed along as Denning mentioned binge-reading all the arranged marriage trope romances she could find and then as she spoke about writing her own. So, it was pretty…
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Book Review: Last First Kiss by E.M. Denning
Disclaimer: I received an electronic ARC of this book from the author. This book is one of those stories that is exactly what it says on the tin, and absolutely nothing about that is bad. Denning is deft enough at characterization that Logan and Ezra are more than walking stereotypes of young twink and jaded,…
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Review: Blood in the Water by Kate Hawthorne & E.M. Denning
Disclaimer: I received an electronic ARC of this book from the authors. This reaction didn’t happen when I read the previous co-written books by these authors, but it turns out when you combine Hawthorne’s steamy angst with Denning’s sweet feels and add a healthy dose of supernatural…you get tears. Like, all the tears. They’re good…
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Review: Spare Time (Trouble With Triads #3) by E.M. Denning
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Trouble With Triads series: Spare Room (#1) Spare Parts (#2) Disclaimer: I received an advanced electronic review copy of this book from the author. Denning saved the best for last in her trio of unique poly romances. Once again, she also presents a new arc within…
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Review: Trouble With Triads Series by E. M. Denning
This post includes reviews of the currently available books in the Trouble With Triads series: Spare Room (#1) Spare Parts (#2) Spare Room (Book 1) This story is surprisingly low-angst for how relatively dark things are at the beginning of the book for Alex, the man who first gave up Tristan and moved away only…
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Review: Lust & Longing by E.M. Denning
It takes strong characterization to create two characters in a single scene and have me believe they’re meant to be together forever—and then split them up for 20 years. It takes even stronger characterization for me to stick with the point-of-view character over those 20 years when he’s kind of a jerk for many of…
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Review: Mallory Vineyard Series by Kate Hawthorne & E.M. Denning
Future Fake Husband (Book 1) This book is chock-full of fun romance tropes, including fake relationship, a relationship for external reasons, and of course, “there’s only one bed!” Despite these multiple familiar scenarios, the book managed to include plenty of unique elements that I enjoyed. Both Cole and Rhett are solid characters dedicated to their…
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Review: Cloudy With a Chance of Love by E.M. Lindsey, Kate Hawthorne & E.M. Denning
After meeting these three characters in another book, showing them enjoying their happily ever after, I had to know how they reached that point. I was not disappointed by their love story. On the surface, Collin, Spencer, and Max lead very different lives. They run the spectrum from age to education to income, but none…
