booksjenrecs's reviews
305 reviews

It seems surreal to be thirty-seven books deep into a series and still finding new things to love, but Lynsay Sands does just that with the latest Argeneau vampire romance, Immortal by Morning.

We’ve seen Crispin in previous books in this series, and I was glad to see him finally take center stage with his own romance. Like many of the older immortals, Crispin is growing bored with his everyday routine; it doesn’t help that there’s little to no real detective work for this detective to do. But all that changes when Crispin gets a call about skeletons in a yard, and meets his life mate on the scene.

I actually really loved that so much of the conflict in Abril and Crispin’s courtship comes from outside their romance. There’s no real denial of their feelings for each other, like we’ve seen from many previous mortal life mates, and it was nice to see them both acknowledge and explore the possibility of love outside of the conflict happening around them. Abril also took all the new information about immortals really well, and after being this far into the series, it was great to sort of cut out all the unnecessary and drawn-out disbelief and just let the mortal character accept the new normal.

Given that Crispen has been alive for millennia, he of course knows all our favorite immortals from previous books. I loved getting to see Lucian out doing field work again, rather than in his home environment, and Bricker always brings some fun with him. I also loved getting that throwback mention of Basil and his many children, which we learned all about back in The Immortal Who Loved Me. For a while, the Argeneau books all seemed very self-contained within their own plots, but having all these tie-ins to previous books - events, relationships, locations - only adds to the series as a whole.

Immortal by Morning was another solid addition to the Argeneau lore. Readers get yet another unique introduction to a new life mate without over-explaining the immortal backstory that is present throughout the thirty-six previous books. I loved watching Crispin finally find love after millennia, and Abril had a well-developed story arc that was perfect for this story.

I received an advanced review copy of this title via NetGalley, and my review is based on the pre-published text. All opinions are my own.

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'll Keep Her Safe by Jen Morris

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Jen Morris writes age gap romance so well, and this third book in the Forbidden on Fruit Street series is my favorite one of hers yet.

There is so much to love about Poppy and Wyatt. Despite both main characters fighting their initial feelings, I loved how they both recognized those feelings pretty early on. There was no questioning their love for each other, no possibility of Wyatt using any sort of power dynamic to win Poppy over. Even with their age gap, they were both on pretty equal footing when it came to past relationship experience, and that set the stage for an easy-to-read and easy-to-love romance between the forty-two year old Wyatt and the twenty-five year old Poppy.

Both main characters had well-developed stories involving professional and personal growth. I loved seeing that acceptance of pursuing your passion, no matter your age or how established you may be in your career. After toxic exes left both Wyatt and Poppy feeling trapped in their career choices, I loved seeing them bring out the best in each other with nothing but encouragement to follow their true passions, no matter how scary it may seem to do so.

Not only were these main characters the perfect support system for each other, but they sizzled on the page as well. Their chemistry was undeniable, their connection tangible. Once Wyatt and Poppy stopped putting their feelings aside and wondering what anyone else might think, their passion and love for each other was combustible. Of course, having the support of our previous two Forbidden on Fruit Street couples definitely helped move things along.

I’ll Keep Her Safe was a fantastic, age gap romance that had a heavy focus on moving forward, both in love and in life. It reminds readers of the important things, like doing what makes you happy and brings you peace, while showcasing that love can find you at any age.

If you love older, protective MMCs with tattoos for days and FMCs who learn to pursue their dreams, you won’t want to miss the spice between Wyatt and Poppy.

Thank you so much to Jen Morris for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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booksjenrecs's reviews 305 reviews

booksjenrecs's reviews
305 reviews