naceprettub's reviews
786 reviews

This review can also be found on Book Boudoir.

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I've been wanting to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone for entirely too long. I couldn't decide what to read next and asked twitter. Several people told me I "had" to read it when I mentioned I hadn't. So here I am!

One of the things I loved right away was the world Laini Taylor created. Modern, but different. Secret passage ways leading to other countries, and worlds. A girl with 'natural' blue hair that spent her days in art school and her nights doing the bidding of the creature that raised her.

I found Karou to be a fascinating girl. Every time I'd learn something new about her it made me want more and more. When Akiva makes his first appearance he's mysterious and my curiosity amped up a bit more. Obviously there's a connection between the two of them -- but what is it?

Further into the book there is a jump back into another time. I enjoyed getting a peek into Akiva's past. What made him the way he is. A stony faced, hard nosed boy that keeps popping up everywhere Karou is. There's so much about that time that made him the person he is now. The way his story interweaves with Karou's life and those that raised her is intriguing. I still want to learn more about the 'man' that 'fathered' her. I never disliked him one bit, but at the end of the book I found myself wanting to hug him for doing the things he did.

It's so hard to write a review of DoS&B without giving away too much. This is one of those books that has bits and pieces of info scattered throughout. It keeps you reading and gets you hooked. I'm thrilled it's a series because I can't wait to follow these characters more. Their journeys are going to be amazing.

This review can also be found at Book Boudoir.

I don't usually read books with a religious undertone. And every time I say that I roll my eyes at myself because I seem to read them randomly -- even though they are on my "don't read" list. Yeah, it makes no sense. The summary of The Guest Book was enough to catch my attention and I decided to give it a try anyway. Part of me is glad I did. I'll explain why.

I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason. Whether it's a conversation you are having making you realize something, or even reading a book that makes you realize things won't always be tough. However, I don't like for religion to be the forefront of anything I read or listen to. Mostly because there is such a fine line between sharing your views and pushing your opinion on people to try and make them believe it too. TGB straddled that line for me.

It started out without any mention of religion and I thought maybe the other reviews I'd read were just flat our wrong. Then about half way through it seemed to just pop up...followed by it being mentioned what sometimes felt like every other page. It was borderline too much. That aside, I really did enjoy the book. [Don't look at me like that! I'm a woman and I have every right to like something even when it is full of things I don't connect with.]

There was a lot of repetitiveness. I felt like "the artist" was being drilled into my head every page or two. But it was a neat idea for a story. I just didn't feel like it was solid enough to grab me and not let me go. There was something that I didn't connect with. Possibly because I haven't gone through the major things that Macy had? I don't know. I can't say for sure.

I'd have liked to have learned more about certain characters. I enjoyed Macy's daughter, mother and brother .Really curious about him by the end of the book. Enough so that I'd be willing to read a book about him probably, even though I felt like his life was being groomed into something religious.

At the risk of spoiling it, Macy does meet three men, all very different, and all being set up for romance. I found myself unable to decide who to "root" for when it came to them. Usually I have a pretty solid idea of who I want the heroine to end up with in a romance based novel. Not so with this one. I kind of enjoyed that! All three men were sweet and caring at the core, which was a huge bonus. No jerks with ulterior motives in-sight. Phew! That was a breath of fresh air since some romance novels lean on that a lot. I definitely enjoyed that the people Macy meets come into her life for a reason. Some stay for longer than others, but they all helped her grow and see what she wanted out of life.

Ms. Whalen's writing style and voice was nice and I'm curious enough to check out other books by her. I think The Guest Book would be a great beach read, if you're planning on stocking up on books for summer vacation!

This review can also be found at Book Boudoir.

I actually read this as fanfiction originally but I'm always curious to see the differences of a former fanfic. Sometimes they are drastic, other times not. This is one of the 'not' times.

It's a really cute, short story but it did have some spots that needed editing for typos and such. But really, I'm all about some typos myself so it didn't distract me too much but if you're a stickler about that, it might get under your skin.

As someone that texts a lot, in particular, a significant other, you'll probably smile while reading CR. There's a lot of flirting, a smidgen of 'mystery' in the form of the secret admirer, though I'm sure you'll figure out who he is quickly.

Overall, conTEXTual was a sweet story I enjoyed re-visiting.

This review can be found at Book Boudoir.

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It's no secret that I'm always a sucker for books where the hero and heroine are friends first. Unrequited love that has a happy ending is one of my favorites. Plus One hit the spot with that theme. Olivia has had terrible luck in the men department. From creeps to flat out weirdos. She has come to the conclusion that she's never going to find someone worth her time. For me, this was one of those stories I could relate to when it came to that. I've dealt with some crazy guys in the past myself.

When Olivia's friend Ian steps up and offers to be her 'plus one' in a slew of weddings she must attend, she agrees. What could be better than spending the evening with someone that knows you well. No more awkward dates are needed! It makes perfect sense. Except, Ian always had a crush on Olivia and she was totally oblivious.

One of the things I liked most about Plus One is that in this type of story it's usually the female lead that has a crush on the guy and he doesn't realize. The switch up is a fun twist! I really enjoyed that.

Also, the sexual tension between the two of them was smokin' hot. It's obvious there is a serious connection, physical and emotional, but both of them do their best to fight against it in different ways. Ian is afraid of getting hurt, Olivia is just confused about these feelings she's having. Neither of them wants to ruin their friendship.

These two characters are the type that you just want to smush together and MAKE them kiss. Just so they'll see what they are missing out on. Luckily, I didn't have to do that and they got their HEA. Yay!!!

Brighton Walsh tells such a great story. Plus One is sweet, and sexy. My only tiny complaint is I didn't want it to end!

This review can also be found on Book Boudoir.

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I'm currently making an effort to read more of my netgalley books and since I've been in the mood for some historical romance lately, I chose Seven Nights to dig in to. I can't say how glad I was that I did finally read it. SNiaRB hit every single sweet spot I have. Loner, misunderstood guy that is afraid of contact with others because of a tragic past. Virginal lady that is being handed over to the wolves to save her family. Ding ding ding.

The setting of Seven is gothic and intriguing. From the first sentence in chapter one I was curious about what was taking place. Sidonie arrives in the middle of a storm, having agreed to take her sisters place and spend a week with a man that she's been led to believe she should fear. She is such a strong character though. I don't know that I could turn myself over to someone just to protect my sisters secret! But Roberta's secret isn't the only one Sodonie carries. She also has one of her own, and it involves Jonas. Bum bum bum.

When we first meet Jonas he is a hard, cold man that lurks in the shadows. It's obvious he has reason for these things, making him even more intriguing. As I got to know him, I realized that all of Jonas' life he's been incredibly mistreated for a few silly reasons. Society has shunned him and it's made Jonas very bitter; rightfully so in my opinion.

Sodonie slowly brings out a different side of Jonas in the short amount of time they spend together. They also share a great amount of sexual tension, another personal favorite. One of the other things I really enjoyed about this novel is that they don't jump into bed immediately, despite the books title. Jonas doesn't try to force her or pressure Sodonie into anything. He's patient, even though it's obvious he wants her in his bed.

Their time together is delicious and somewhat bittersweet, with knowing she can't stay there. Sodonie and Jonas both begin to have feelings for one another but neither admits to it.

After Sodonie returns home and Jonas finds out she was withholding information that could change his life, he is completely torn apart. The revelation puts a large rift in any future relationship they might have had. It's completely heartbreaking. Jonas shuts down and refuses to talk to Sodonie. But she's determine to make him see that she wasn't trying to hurt him, but protect her sister.

It is completely gut wrenching how torn apart Jonas is. He wants Sodonie, to create a family with her and to finally be happy, but he is so very broken and doesn't think he can trust her. Thankfully, her determination to make him see that she was doing the right thing does pull through eventually. I was really worried that I wasn't going to get my happily ever after and it was down to the wire. I kept watching my kindle percentage tick on and finally at the last minute, everything was worked out for the best.

Seven Nights was sexy, heart tugging, and sweet. This is the first in a series and I can not wait for the next installment!

This review is also posted on Book Boudoir

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A Scandalous Affair was a bit of a novella. Occasionally it's hard to get into a shorter book but Affair pulled me right in from the start. It's rare to read such a strong female lead in a period piece, which was part of the reason why I loved this story.

Daphne doesn't hesitate to go after what she wants, even when it's possible the man she's after doesn't want her in return.

Hartwell is said to be arrogant and cold. Treating women like they are nothing once he's done with them.

But when Daphne and Hartwell dance at a masquerade ball, she realizes there may be more to this man. She's determined to find out if she's correct; whether it means taking some risks with her own reputation or not.

Hartwell is uncertain, afraid really, of what Daphne's reaction will be when she discovers his "affliction". It's something he's struggled with all of his life, the emotional scars from his childhood still haunting him. But she isn't shallow enough to let that stop her. She sets out to prove to him that he's been wrong to hide from everyone. That he shouldn't hide from her.

The chemistry between the two is off the charts, both behind their masks and when they are removed. When they sneak around and are more out in the open, it's delicious. Daphne sees to it that she shows Hartwell what it's like to be loved by someone unconditionally.

My tiny complaint is that though we know Hartwell has a stutter, we don't really 'see' it in the story since the stutter doesn't manifest when he is with Daphne. I think it would have made my heart soften even more toward him if I got that somewhere during Hartwell's journey in this book. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it and sped through it rather quickly.

I've actually not read the first two books in this series since I received this from Netgalley. I'm incredibly curious about these books and want to pick up more.

This review can also be viewed here.

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Faking It is the follow up to Losing It, which I read recently as well. In this installment, "Max" is this sassy, flaming red haired, tattooed rocker chick. She uses all of that to hide behind her vulnerabilities. The life she has in Philadelphia is a bit of a mystery too. She keeps a lot of herself hidden from her parents but when they show up for a surprise visit, Max has to think quickly.

No way will the 'rents be ok with the guy she's dating. They'd never approve of him, and Max needs their support while she tries to get her band off the ground. So instead of letting them meet Mace, she enlists the help of a stranger. Max asks Cade to be her boyfriend for a day, just to put her parents at ease.

Cade is still in a coffee shop minding his own business, nursing his broken heart, when a beautiful girl approaches his table. He's the quintessential "frat boy," according to Max, and the perfect boyfriend in her parents eyes. It doesn't take long for Cade to agree to help this woman he's incredibly attracted to. He also can't help but think that this might be a great distraction from the girl he loved.

The last thing either of them expected though, was to actually like the other. They are really different people, something Max isn't sure she can really get past. Besides, she still has a boyfriend! But her parents absolutely love Cade, "Golden Boy", and you can see Max's mother getting way ahead of herself. Their family has been torn apart by tragedy but Mrs. Miller wants Max to find that perfect guy. If she met her daughters real boyfriend, she'd have had an aneurysm.

I was worried that the story would feel rushed since I knew Max's parents were not going to be visiting for long. I wasn't sure if they would magically be in love after Mr. and Mrs. Miller went back home the next day. Instead, there was a lot of ups and downs and twists that often made me nervous about the future of these two. One of my favorite things is when a male and female character are extremely different but still manage to make it work. I love the 'opposites attract' theory.

With Max and Cade, their individual personality traits even one another out. Where Max can be rough around the edges, Cade is sweet and caring. He spends a lot of time being there for her in several different ways. Also, their chemistry, it is palpable. Max struggles to ignore it, but Cade dives in head first. That was one of the things about him I could relate to. I'm very easy to read in the way he was. Max definitely keeps things close to the cuff. When she slowly started to open up to Cade, it was nice to see a vulnerable side of Max.

Instead of their time together being over after Max's parents went back home, Cade was still there for Max. Even when she made it hard for him. As Cade falls for Max, he gets frustrated with himself that he can't find someone that isn't already in a relationship. It's hard for either of them to keep from flirting with each other though. And as things with Mace start to get rocky, Max sees more and more what a catch Cade is.

Still, she pushes him away, thinking once they do one last thing for her parents, Max can walk away from Cade and not look back. Except it's not that easy. The connection they share grows every time they are together. While I won't give away how things end for Max and Cade, I will say that a lot happens to open up both their eyes. They are strong characters separately, but even more so together. I loved their friendship and their blossoming relationship. It was fun, sweet and sexy.

Faking It was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a while.

This review can also be viewed here.

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This is one of those books I found myself identifying with characters immediately. It's real and funny and delicious.

Bliss is the kind of character that I can relate to. I could see a bit of myself in her; in the way she thinks, and reacts. Bliss is awkward and funny but her experience with guys is limited. She feels left out, being the only one of her friends that is still a virgin.

She's tired of being that girl and her best friend decides she should find someone to have a one night stand with. Bliss very reluctantly goes along with it, allowing herself to be dressed up and taken to a bar. There, she meets a deliciously accented guy and they hit it off. I found myself really hoping this smart, funny, charming guy may make a huge impact on Bliss' life.

Thinking he could be the one that can help her out, Bliss takes him home with her. When things heat up between the pair, she leaves him in her bed, making up a rather funny excuse for taking off. But the giggles don't end there because once she gets outside, Bliss realizes she's barely dressed and doesn't have her apartment keys.

Never expecting to see the gorgeous would have been one night stand, Bliss allows her best friend to think she had sex with him. Who would ever be the wiser? But one day she walks into a classroom to see him again. Turning her world upside down and, I admit, making me flail around a little at their possible second chance.

Things are easy for Bliss, with having feelings for this new guy that she shouldn't get involved with, an unexpected confession from her best [guy] friend and her classes. That girl has a lot on her plate. There's a lot of misunderstandings, confusion, heart flip flopping, swooning moments. I really enjoyed the story though. It felt like one of the most real books I've read in a while. Losing It has a lot of heart.

This review can also be viewed here.

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I absolutely adored this book! It was short and sweet and I didn't want to put it down. I also didn't want it to end.

I'm such a lover of the "I'm in love with my best friend/brothers best friend/best friends brother" kind of story. I can't even tell you how much it makes me swoon! It's always been one of my favorite tropes.

The reader is dropped right into Lacey's wedding and her finding her new husband with someone else. Oh he's such a jerk! Cheating on her the day of their wedding and making her feel like it's all her fault. Lacey's families company is depending on her marriage to this man working but it's the last thing she wants now that she knows who he really is.

Lacey is devastated and Galen comes to her rescue without hesitation. There's has been a relationship full of childhood teasing and unrequited feelings. She'd always had a crush on Galen but had done everything she could to hide it. She knew he wasn't interested in her; not like that. He barely tolerated her for years. Seeing her as his little sisters annoying friend.

But when Galen whisks Lacey away from the wedding venue, helping her avoid friends and family, she sees a different side of him. He's always been sexy, a little cocky too, but this new sweetness she's seeing in him is huge.

They spend a drunken night talking and getting to know one another better. Galen seeing another part of Lacey, the girl he'd always tried to keep out of his mind. When he makes a joke about them going on Lacey's honeymoon, she jumps at the chance. They wake up the next morning in Puerto Rico with massive hangovers.

Galen begins to help Lacey to see that she's not the woman she thought she was. The one that her husband cheated on because he wasn't satisfied with her. The boxer woos her and makes her realize that she's sexy and desirable. This adventure is making Galen crazy though because he wants so much more from her.

With Lacey trying to dodge calls from her mother and Galen worrying about where his career will go, the two do their best to take advantage of the honeymoon resort. But things go awry [of course!!!] and words get twisted, causing our lovers to part rather painfully. Galen was hard headed, Lacey was stubborn...and I was flailing and just wanting to step into the book and make them kiss.

Sexy, sandy moments on the beach, in a pool, and in their bungalow make a girl fan herself. The heat between them is off the charts. Down for the Count is fluffy, funny, and flat out fantastic. I can't say enough how much I swooned over this adorable story.

This review can also be viewed here.

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While this is not my first BDSM novel, it is only the second book I've read with a Master/slave aspect. I'm very--- uncertain about M/s on a personal level, but I like to keep an open mind and see what a story brings. I read Slave because it was recommended by someone on twitter. I'm always looking for more novels in this realm so I tackled it with anticipation.

First, I thoroughly enjoyed Sherri Hayes' writing style. She is clear and concise and the emotions through the book were palpable. I felt an easy connection between the characters. Stephan's pain leapt out at me, as did Brianna's.

Overall, I struggled reading the bulk of Slave. I hit a point when I felt like it was monotonous because the story takes place mostly in Stephan's apartment. Brianna is frightening, understandably, to go out in public after what she lived through. For me though, it got to be boring that there wasn't much going on outside of that. I hated that I wasn't more in love with it but I kept reading, hoping things would pick up. Seeing as this is the first in a series, I can see that the bulk of Slave was the setup for a lot to come in the future for these characters. Establishing a connection between them and the reader.

Brianna was intriguing and she is the character that kept me reading when I felt like I may've been losing interest in the story. I became angry that someone had treated her the way they did. That's a good thing though, because if I can't care about a character, what is even the point in reading their story?

Stephan made me feel for him on a different level. He so much wanted to save Brianna from the very beginning. Though I'm not sure he went about it the correct way, he did what he thought was best. I gave him major points for what a great person he was. As a Dom and as a man. In the end it was hard for me to believe he was in love with Brianna though. I felt that he barely knew her, both because she hadn't not been with him for long and she hadn't really opened up to him much until the end of the book. Even then, there was still so little he knew about her.

There was a lot of unanswered questions I'm sure will be covered as the series goes on. I feel like that will be interesting. While I didn't love Slave, I'll probably read the second book to see what happens to these two.