Hello hello and welcome to another recap!
September wasn't too bad. I got my reading mojo back, my thoughts were staying positive, and everything seemed to be coming up Natalie. Then the last week in September, actually until today, I HAD NO INTERNET!! Can you imagine? I felt like I was living in the dark ages 😂😂 Which is absolutely ridiculous since I spent half my life with no such thing as internet. But the internet was down, my data was wonky (so no hotspot), and I was watching cable of all things during the night. I couldn't even sync my kindle so NO READING!! Life was so unfair this past week, but my internet is back, supposedly stronger than before, so here's to hoping things only go up from here.
Before my online life turned to shite, here's what my month looked like...
I found a couple of five-star worthy reads. They're from two of my favourite authors, so I'm not surprised :)
I added the Campus Wallflowers series by Rebecca Jenshak because I was blown away by Deanna's reviews over at A Novel Glimpse. So I'm gonna give it a shot, hoping that I love it as much as she did.
I've also added The Summer series by Elizabeth O'Roark because the reviews I've seen from some of my favourite bloggers made me wanna do it :)
Aside from books I borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, I've bought nothing!! I'm doing so well with this DON'T YOU DARE BUY ANY MORE BOOKS, NATALIE goal I've set for myself :)
September wasn't too bad. I got my reading mojo back, my thoughts were staying positive, and everything seemed to be coming up Natalie. Then the last week in September, actually until today, I HAD NO INTERNET!! Can you imagine? I felt like I was living in the dark ages 😂😂 Which is absolutely ridiculous since I spent half my life with no such thing as internet. But the internet was down, my data was wonky (so no hotspot), and I was watching cable of all things during the night. I couldn't even sync my kindle so NO READING!! Life was so unfair this past week, but my internet is back, supposedly stronger than before, so here's to hoping things only go up from here.
Before my online life turned to shite, here's what my month looked like...
Stats
Total Books Read: 12
Total Pages Read: 3895
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Scifi
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, retelling, single parents, second chance
From my TBR: 2
Avg. Rating: 3.79 stars
Total Pages Read: 3895
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Scifi
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, retelling, single parents, second chance
From my TBR: 2
Avg. Rating: 3.79 stars
All the Books
I found a couple of five-star worthy reads. They're from two of my favourite authors, so I'm not surprised :)
The other books I read and would recommend were:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Garnet Flats by Devney Perry
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles
Mourning Wood by Heather M. Orgeron
Stars and Shadows series by Holly Renee
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle
Garnet Flats by Devney Perry
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles
Mourning Wood by Heather M. Orgeron
Stars and Shadows series by Holly Renee
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle
Added to my tbr
I added the Campus Wallflowers series by Rebecca Jenshak because I was blown away by Deanna's reviews over at A Novel Glimpse. So I'm gonna give it a shot, hoping that I love it as much as she did.
I've also added The Summer series by Elizabeth O'Roark because the reviews I've seen from some of my favourite bloggers made me wanna do it :)
Book Haul
Aside from books I borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, I've bought nothing!! I'm doing so well with this DON'T YOU DARE BUY ANY MORE BOOKS, NATALIE goal I've set for myself :)
I hope we find only the best reads in October!
Talk soon,
Talk soon,
xo, Natalie
Three books with what appears to be nothing in common... except that they entertained me!
| In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros |
My Rating ★★★★ |
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| Type: Standalone Genre: Contemporary Romance Trope: Second Chance POV: Dual 1st person Heat: a few descriptive scenes Source: ebook purchase from Amazon Length: 348 pages |
To keep this simple, I'll just share the things I liked: ⭒ the serendipitious vibe throughout the story. Who doesn't want to meet and re-meet their one and only love time and time again? ⭒ the obvious connection between the protagonists. Even if they tried their hardest to fight what they shared in the present. ⭒ the tragic overtones and how hope couldn't help but shine through. My only real issues were the wartime backdrop (don't know how accurate it was) and Izzy's nonsense with her fiance. Girl, grow up! Overall, this was very enjoyable and I can see myself reading more from this author. |
| Time Thief by Anna Hackett |
My Rating ★★★ |
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| Type: The Anomaly #1 Genre: SciFi Romance Trope: Time Travel / Enemies to Lovers POV: Dual 3rd person Heat: vaguely descriptive Source: ebook purchase from Amazon Length: 93 pages |
This story was short, not so sweet, and full of drama. Bay was a time thief, meaning she could stop time for brief periods of time. She was also being hunted, and while Sean had her in his sights, he might be the only one able to keep her safe. I really enjoyed the idea of the various anomalies out there and how these people had to cope with their abilities and stay one step ahead of those who wanted them for their powers. The relationship between Bay and Sean was instalust at first sight, but I could see the potential for so much more in the end. I hope to see them in the following books of the series. |
| A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle |
My Rating ★★★★ |
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| Type: Standalone Genre: Fantasy Romance Trope: Pirates / retelling POV: Dual 1st person Heat: several explicit scenes Source: Kindle Unlimited Length: 466 pages |
I love retellings and this one was quite enjoyable. It was a bit darker than The Little Mermaid tale we all know and love. For one, Princess Maren wasn't a mermaid. She was a Syren—vicious, man-eating, creature of the sea. She felt unloved and ignored and wanted more. After a glimpse above the sea, she found the sea witch and made a fool's bargain to get legs, have the prince fall in love with her, and get her happily ever after. Too bad nothing happened the way she wanted them to. Prince Aerik was abusive and after 10 years of it, Maren had practically accepted her lot in life. When they're captured by pirates, she finally had a taste of freedom. And the first person to see her, to actually see her is the captain of the ship, Ramsay. I loved Ramsay. He was hilarious, without intending to be. He was loyal, honorable, and yet he was an outcast leading a group of outcasts. There is so much more to learn about him, but I'll let you discover all of the magic of him and this story for yourself. Enjoy! |
Today's flashback is the Monster in His Eyes series by J.M. Darhower. One of my first ever dark romance reads, these books let me know just how much I would love this subgenre. Dark romance quickly became my go-to.
Ignazio Vitale is not a good man.
I suspect it, the first time I see him, sense the air of danger that surrounds the man. He has a way of commanding attention, of taking control, of knowing what I'm thinking before I even do.
It's alarming and alluring. It's dark and deadly. It's everything I've ever wanted but the last thing I truly need. Obsession.
It doesn't take him long to draw me into his web, charming me into his bed and trapping me in his life, a life I know nothing about until it's too late. He has secrets, secrets I can't fathom, secrets that make it so I can't walk away, no matter how much I beg him to let me go. I see it sometimes in his eyes, a darkness that's both terrifying and thrilling. He's a monster, wrapped up in a pretty package, and what I find when I unmask him changes everything.
I want to hate him.
Sometimes, I do.
But it doesn't stop me from loving him, too.
Don't say it unless you mean it…
It's a simple concept, one I've said time and again, but something people don't seem to comprehend. You should choose every syllable carefully, because you never know when somebody will hold you to your word.
Somebody like me.
I'm not a good man. I'm not. I know. I have enough darkness inside of me to rid the world of every stitch of light. But there's one I could never harm, one light I couldn't bring myself to snuff out.
Karissa.
She thinks I'm a monster, and maybe I am. I taunt her with my touch, get a thrill out of torturing her soul. But I'm not the only one. The world is full of monsters, and I'm not the most dangerous one out there.
Not even close…
God help me, I love her.
I do.
And God help anyone who tries to take her from me.
The best way to keep your word is never to give it. Not long ago, in a chapel in Vegas, I swore to love Karissa for the rest of my days. But nobody's promised an infinite number of tomorrows. Nobody's promised forever. Sometimes, all we have left is today.
Carpe Diem. Seize the day.
It should've been over, we should've been happy, but people are making it hard for me to live in peace. I've got so much blood on my hands they'll never be clean, and somebody out there seems to want me to pay for it. Happily Ever After always comes at a cost, one any real man would be willing to pay. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to roll over and accept these consequences. Because when it comes to the woman I love? The life I've fought for? Nobody is safe.
Monster in His Eyes
Ignazio Vitale is not a good man.
I suspect it, the first time I see him, sense the air of danger that surrounds the man. He has a way of commanding attention, of taking control, of knowing what I'm thinking before I even do.
It's alarming and alluring. It's dark and deadly. It's everything I've ever wanted but the last thing I truly need. Obsession.
It doesn't take him long to draw me into his web, charming me into his bed and trapping me in his life, a life I know nothing about until it's too late. He has secrets, secrets I can't fathom, secrets that make it so I can't walk away, no matter how much I beg him to let me go. I see it sometimes in his eyes, a darkness that's both terrifying and thrilling. He's a monster, wrapped up in a pretty package, and what I find when I unmask him changes everything.
I want to hate him.
Sometimes, I do.
But it doesn't stop me from loving him, too.
My Rating: ★★★★ ~ I love my twisted dark books. I cannot get enough of the anti-hero and Ignazio Vitale is definitely an anti-hero. But he's so sexy with it. He's dominant, hot, older, scary, secretive, charming, rich, etc. There wasn't a time in this book that I wasn't interested in what he would do next. I wasn't a huge fan of Karissa unless she was interacting with him. She wasn't interesting but his intriguing shadow made her seem likable.
The history between these two characters was heartbreaking and I honestly thought once everything was revealed that that would be the end. I'm so excited that there's another book to read. I can't wait to find out more about Naz. I want to see how they earn back each other's trust. I want to see them win their hard won HEA or at least a HFN.
The history between these two characters was heartbreaking and I honestly thought once everything was revealed that that would be the end. I'm so excited that there's another book to read. I can't wait to find out more about Naz. I want to see how they earn back each other's trust. I want to see them win their hard won HEA or at least a HFN.
Torture to Her Soul
Don't say it unless you mean it…
It's a simple concept, one I've said time and again, but something people don't seem to comprehend. You should choose every syllable carefully, because you never know when somebody will hold you to your word.
Somebody like me.
I'm not a good man. I'm not. I know. I have enough darkness inside of me to rid the world of every stitch of light. But there's one I could never harm, one light I couldn't bring myself to snuff out.
Karissa.
She thinks I'm a monster, and maybe I am. I taunt her with my touch, get a thrill out of torturing her soul. But I'm not the only one. The world is full of monsters, and I'm not the most dangerous one out there.
Not even close…
God help me, I love her.
I do.
And God help anyone who tries to take her from me.
My Rating: ★★★★ ~ First, I would like to thank the author for writing this book from Ignazio Vitale's pov. I am sooooooo grateful for it!!
Second, please tell me I'm not the only one head over heels for Naz????!!!! He's amazing! Getting to see everything through his eyes gave me a chance to try to understand what motivated him. To get why he made the choices he did. There were parts of this story that were absolutely gut-wrenching such as when he told what happened the night Johnny came to kill him and his wife and parts that made me laugh. I liked seeing that Naz really had a sense of humour despite his cold appearance. His inner thoughts around people was hilarious! Especially with Paul. And I loved how OCD he was with his things, such as his kitchen and his "trunk".
I'm not sure how I felt about the visiting Maria's grave scene. I couldn't figure out if it was to underline how much he still loved her or if it was to show that through his grief he was able to find love again. He said he felt guilty for what he had with Karissa and it kind of pissed me off. I completely understood it, don't get me wrong, but it still annoyed me.
I'm glad that it didn't take too long for Naz to see Ray's true colours. It's just sad all around. But I am happy that everyone got their just desserts lol.
So after some ups and many downs, Naz and Karissa got their HFN. I wonder how long it really lasts considering there is a third book! Can't wait to read that one and I hope it's in Naz's pov again. I cannot get enough of this character!!
Second, please tell me I'm not the only one head over heels for Naz????!!!! He's amazing! Getting to see everything through his eyes gave me a chance to try to understand what motivated him. To get why he made the choices he did. There were parts of this story that were absolutely gut-wrenching such as when he told what happened the night Johnny came to kill him and his wife and parts that made me laugh. I liked seeing that Naz really had a sense of humour despite his cold appearance. His inner thoughts around people was hilarious! Especially with Paul. And I loved how OCD he was with his things, such as his kitchen and his "trunk".
I'm not sure how I felt about the visiting Maria's grave scene. I couldn't figure out if it was to underline how much he still loved her or if it was to show that through his grief he was able to find love again. He said he felt guilty for what he had with Karissa and it kind of pissed me off. I completely understood it, don't get me wrong, but it still annoyed me.
I'm glad that it didn't take too long for Naz to see Ray's true colours. It's just sad all around. But I am happy that everyone got their just desserts lol.
So after some ups and many downs, Naz and Karissa got their HFN. I wonder how long it really lasts considering there is a third book! Can't wait to read that one and I hope it's in Naz's pov again. I cannot get enough of this character!!
Target on Our Backs
The best way to keep your word is never to give it. Not long ago, in a chapel in Vegas, I swore to love Karissa for the rest of my days. But nobody's promised an infinite number of tomorrows. Nobody's promised forever. Sometimes, all we have left is today.
Carpe Diem. Seize the day.
It should've been over, we should've been happy, but people are making it hard for me to live in peace. I've got so much blood on my hands they'll never be clean, and somebody out there seems to want me to pay for it. Happily Ever After always comes at a cost, one any real man would be willing to pay. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to roll over and accept these consequences. Because when it comes to the woman I love? The life I've fought for? Nobody is safe.
My Rating: ★★★★ ~ I originally thought the series ended at book 2. And I would have been fine with the HFN that Naz and Karissa got. But I am so happy that there was this third book!! It was phenomenal!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love love love Naz! He's cruel, vindictive, merciless, ruthless... but the way he loves Karissa is utterly beautiful. Everything he does is to protect her and their future together. And he does a lot to ensure that future in this book. His pov was so amazing that it made me enjoy her's a lot better. I was actually surprised to find her pov palatable. I honestly liked Karissa in this book. She's growing up *tear*
Karissa's friend Melody was wonderful comic relief. I'm not completely sure that was the intention but this character sure gave me a lot of laughs. Her music references were killer and she reminded me a lot of Melody from Josie and the Pussycats. She had a hard time stringing words in a sentence to make sense. Those quotes that were almost there but not quite lol.
Lorenzo... holy crap this character was deadly. But he charmed me and I liked him. I would like to know more about his NY takeover. It would definitely make for an interesting story. Anyway, I found his character to be exactly what I envisioned Naz to be pre-Karissa. Maybe Darhower will give Lorenzo his own version of Karissa. Maybe that story will also include Melody and her beau, Lorenzo's brother Leo. Maybe we could also get to see Naz again??? (*wink wink*)
In the end, I was sorry to say goodbye. But Naz and Karissa have officially gotten their HEA (I think/hope) and I thoroughly enjoyed their story.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love love love Naz! He's cruel, vindictive, merciless, ruthless... but the way he loves Karissa is utterly beautiful. Everything he does is to protect her and their future together. And he does a lot to ensure that future in this book. His pov was so amazing that it made me enjoy her's a lot better. I was actually surprised to find her pov palatable. I honestly liked Karissa in this book. She's growing up *tear*
Karissa's friend Melody was wonderful comic relief. I'm not completely sure that was the intention but this character sure gave me a lot of laughs. Her music references were killer and she reminded me a lot of Melody from Josie and the Pussycats. She had a hard time stringing words in a sentence to make sense. Those quotes that were almost there but not quite lol.
Lorenzo... holy crap this character was deadly. But he charmed me and I liked him. I would like to know more about his NY takeover. It would definitely make for an interesting story. Anyway, I found his character to be exactly what I envisioned Naz to be pre-Karissa. Maybe Darhower will give Lorenzo his own version of Karissa. Maybe that story will also include Melody and her beau, Lorenzo's brother Leo. Maybe we could also get to see Naz again??? (*wink wink*)
In the end, I was sorry to say goodbye. But Naz and Karissa have officially gotten their HEA (I think/hope) and I thoroughly enjoyed their story.
Life had gotten a whole lot sweeter since Slone had come into my life.
Freak Show by Lani Lynn Vale
My Rating - ★★★★1/2
Standalone - Welcome to the Circus #2
Genre/Trope - contemporary romance / single dad
POV - dual 1st person
Heat - several slightly explicit scenes
Source - eARC from the author
Length - 257 pages
Standalone - Welcome to the Circus #2
Genre/Trope - contemporary romance / single dad
POV - dual 1st person
Heat - several slightly explicit scenes
Source - eARC from the author
Length - 257 pages
Slone Day, defensive end for the Longview professional football team, has a lot on his plate.
He’s at the peak of his career, he’s a single father raising a girl that’s border line genius and can’t seem to find the time to date. Let alone see someone seriously.
He’s perfectly content living his life as it is.
Then he goes to a circus.
There, he meets a woman that literally takes his breath away.
And in one bold, crazy, this is probably going to backfire move, he not only asks the woman out. But he invites her to spend the next two weeks with him while she’s recovering from an incident.
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There she is, a practical invalid who can’t go anywhere without being babysat, experiencing a crisis in the middle of a public setting, when she spots him.
The moment that Caristonia Singh meets Slone, she realizes her life is about to change.
Meeting men when you work in a circus is practically impossible. That’s why she’s the inexperienced girl that doesn’t know how to act around a hot guy.
A really big, really sexy, holy crap he could toss me over his head and make it look easy, guy.
From the moment he comes to her defense—family can be dicks sometimes—she starts falling.
But nothing good ever lasts when it comes to the circus life.
People come and go. No one ever stays.
But Slone is dead set on proving her wrong, but she’s learned firsthand that nothing good ever lasts.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
My Two Cents
When I read Banner's story in Somethin' About That Boy, I knew I wanted to learn more about Slone. I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled I am for getting my hands on his book!
Slone was a professional juggler—single dad, professional athlete, and a truly decent guy. I'm so happy he was as sweet and thoughtful and kind as I remembered him to be. This man deserves all the happiness in the world and he finally found some more.
Ari was a beautiful mess and I really enjoyed getting to know her. The instant spark she shared with Slone had me bouncing in excitement and I lived for every moment that they shared.
Despite a creepy stalker and a callous sister, this story gave me all the feel-goods. There was such warmth and family and friendship in these words and I'm excited to continue this series.
About the Author
Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information!
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