lattes_lipstick_literature's reviews
404 reviews

Hello Fellow Readers!

After the last book I read I really just needed a lighthearted easy to read book. This book was perfect. While yes, it was filled with cliche type situations I really didn't mind. Teagan and Corbin are perfect for each other and it really does show with Lynn's writing. The sexual tension between the characters was stifling (in a good way). The entire time I was just like "Please just tear each other's clothes off already!"

Corbin wasn't really a playboy which I enjoyed. Too many contemporary books have the main lead as a playboy. He was still rich, successful, and unable to settle down but at least didn't oogle every women's breasts (just Tegans). Tegan was a little annoying a first since she seemed a little too sweet but eventually, she showed that she had a backbone and refused to just be looked down upon.

The only thing that really annoyed me was that whole thing with Tegan's Ex. It was stupid and I felt didn't fuel the plot like Lynn was hoping.

Hello Fellow Readers,

First off if you are triggered by mentions of rape, child abuse and such DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. With that out of the way, I wanted to like this book so bad! The synopsis really reeled me in, along with the title and great cover. I was impressed with the fact that this is a debut novel for Sarah Sparrow. However, the book did not live up to my expectations.

Willow Wylde, the main character, is your stereotypical cop. He drinks hard, is a bad father and has mental fantasies of raping his neighbor. Not the type of person I want to really connect within a book. Sparrow's writing at times felt disjointed and I had to reread sentences multiple times to make sure that I read it right. The writing combined with the confusion of characters speech and actions made this an incredibly hard book to read. I had to read the book in one day because I knew if I put it down I probably wouldn't have picked it back up again.

I was so disappointed with this book.

Real rating 4.5

*A thank you to Edelweiss, The Author and Publisher for giving me a copy of this book for a fair and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

So Westerns have really been my thing lately, move over Non-Fiction science books I think I may be finding my new favorite genre. So what do I say about this book. Well, let's start with the cover that I absolutely love, I think it's visually stunning. Secondly Hettie was a great female character, flaws and all. While yes she was brash and hotheaded, not to mention more stubborn in than a mule, she was also compassionate and thoughtful.

Over the course of the book we see a lot of changes in Hettie, but I guess that's what happens when you escape death and start on a path of vengeance. Plus, she is the owner of one demonic gun named Diablo, so changes do happen. There is a lot of murder and the fact that Hettie killed so easily makes me a bit wary, but you can tell that it is a side effect of her bond with this Devil's Revolver. I like that McGrath didn't come right out and say it but it's hinted at in her writing and Hettie's actions.

I loved the side characters, including that old geezer Uncle, and while I was a bit disappointed in a revelation about one of them, it didn't diminish the fact that McGrath really thought them through. There was a bit of a romance, and what I thought was the start of a Love-Triangle, but it seemed almost as a after thought and the story was not focused around it. I honestly don't know how I would feel if a romance developed between the two characters that I think will be romantically linked, I would have to see how McGrath handles it.

The inclusion of Native American and Chinese traditions, magic and the historical brutality was amazing and I wish more books would explore more cultures like McGrath did. Lastly, I love the fact that there are consequence. The actions that Hettie and crew did throughout the course of the book was not just immediately forgiven and forgotten. No, people died and I think that is where we are headed for the second book, Which I honestly cannot wait for.

This is another book that I tried to read last year but just could not get into. Something told me though that I should give it another shot and I am so glad I did! I thoroughly enjoy Lex, she was sarcastic, funny and while yes she was incredibly hotheaded she didn't act brash. In fact most of the time she responded to situations in realistic and rational, a bit of a welcome change from what seems to be a trend in other fantasy series.

I also enjoy that Lex was a veteran. There are not too many Veterans represented in books and also the fact that Lex was a female veteran was even more surprisingly and enjoyable. It gave her knowledge and understanding that seemed practical and not just a boom she knows for reason kinda deal. The side characters were okay, although there were moments that I felt they were just there for filler, that was mostly with Lex's family.

A couple of things I did not like. First, the romance was entirely predictable and not at all setup. It was something that just kinda was there suddenly. Did it add to the story, not really besides a bit of unnecessary drama that I felt the book didn't need. Secondly, this fell into the trope of the protagonist has dormant magical power that she has never used in her life but instinctively knows how to use. It's a bit over used in my opinion by a lot of fantasy writers and it just needs to be stopped.

Actual Rating 2.5

I've had this book for a while now on my kindle, I honestly have no idea when I got it, how I got it, or if anyone gave it to me. I decided to read it though because that is the goal of #beatthebacklist. Reading this book took a lot out of me. Honestly, while I did like the main character everyone around him annoyed me. This is honestly because of the whole 'Everyone knows vital information but are going to lie and not share until the last minute but you still need to trust me' trope that most YA authors seem to be using. I know why authors use it because it's the easiest way to keep readers in the dark and have a huge twist at the end. I will admit I liked the twist, but I saw it coming a mile away which made the secrets even more annoying.

I don't mind love triangles if done right then it can really boost the story, but what happens if I like neither of the female love interests? One of them had serious mood swings, it was like riding a weird roller coaster that you can see the tracks of. Her backstory is pretty sad, and I would have sympathized with her had Marks not tried so hard to make her just the complete opposite of the other love interest, who was just so needy and bland that I honestly cannot remember her name (Jessica, Rebecca something that ended in A?).

The plot was pretty interesting despite all these flaws though. Marks did her research on Demon and Angel lore which made some parts really interesting. The beginning of the book was really interesting and if she had expanded upon Aidan's homelessness, his loneliness and his need to protect his sister without those group of paranormal investigators I may have liked the book more. This is a trilogy but I am extremely hesitant to continue. I'll have to think about it more.

So, I really liked the first chapter of this book. We meet Alena who unfortunately is dying, yet she still remains true to herself despite her husband already entangled with another women and selling off her prized bakery. Alena seemed like a strong character who stuck to her morals, then she was turned into a "supe" and everything just got incredible silly. I couldn't take anything seriously which affected any attachment that I had to the main character and the plot. Honestly, there is not much else I can say about this book besides the fact that it just was not my cup of coffee.

*A Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a copy of this book for a unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I love reading Cozy mysteries, as you all know but while the story was fun (despite that they are trying to solve the murder, murder is not fun) I couldn't get past the reason why the MC was trying to solve the mystery. The reason they gave didn't make sense. I also wish I knew this was the third book in the series since there were some established relationships I had a hard time connecting with. The investigation itself was more in the background than I would have liked.

I did enjoy the puns of each dessert and I give Bradford so much credit for it. Plus, I really love the recipes that are included and can hopefully bake something soon.