norcalnatty's reviews
548 reviews

Forget Your Morals by Sarah Blue

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challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My Rating
4 🌟
3 🌶
 
I really enjoyed this contemporary taboo romance by Sarah. Ive read many of her OV stories, but this was the first contemporary non OV by her Ive read. It was spicy, sweet, and a lil bit scandalous! Looking forward to reading Swallow Your Pride which is book 1 of this series. 

Thank You to Sarah and her team for allowing me the opportunity to read this early. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
Whispers of the Heart by Rae Knight

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I had the privilege of reading this as both a Beta and ARC reader. This book ticked all the boxes for me. I laughed, I bawled my eyes out, and I felt every emotion these characters went through. Rae created characters that felt real and had depth. I loved everything about this book!

Have tissues ready cause this book pulls at the heartstrings.
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Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Well wasnt that just a delightful, sweet, and spicy listen! 
3🌶 
Minotaur Daddy had the best dirty mouth. 
Cant wait to continue the series! 
A+ narration as well!
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

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adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 
While I liked the premise of this story. Rich Girl thrown out of her element into a small fishing town where she and her little sister have inherited a very run down bar that was owned by their late father.

Sunshine "It Girl" Piper Bellinger has to learn who she truly is beyond the al glitz and glory of LA life and social media. Will she sink or swim?

Grumpy Captain Brendon lives a very regimented simple life. He likes routine and never strays from it. What happens when he meets the wildcard, Miss Piper?

I almost dnf'd this book. While I liked the characters and the story I hated the descriptive language used during the spicy scenes. It gave me the big ICK. Im not sure I want to read the 2nd in the series but Ive been told its much better than this one.

*fingers crosssed I like it*

 
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Whoa! Youre gonna need a cold shower after that masterpiece! Great job Brynne! I plowed through this audio in like 7hrs. 
My Minotaur Husband by Lyonne Riley

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was an absolute delight of a spicy listen. It was both cute and packed full of delish spicey moments. 

My only complaint is that I wish this book was in duel or duet narration. I would have also loved duel pov. Gaining some of the Theos perspectives. 

But overal this didnt deter my liking of the story. Will be looking into more of Lyonnes books in the future!
Leigh Makes Three by Grace Pearce

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Let me just say I love the way Grace writes. She has this way of making you fall for her characters. They feel like such real people in my minds eye. 

Leigh and Wes were no exception. I loved their chemistry, learning about their past, and watching them grow young together. 

This whole book felt like two people learning to find themselves in one another and finding the fun again. 

If you love
☀️Summer Vibes
☀️Small Town Feels
☀️ Brothers Best Friend
☀️ Right Person, Wrong Time
☀️ Banter
☀️ Low Angst
☀️ Spice
☀️ Rom-Com

Then give this one a try! Im afraid Grace will never be rid of me! Haha she is now an autobuy author! 
A Duet With The Siren Duke [Dramatized Adaptation] by Elise Kova

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I read this with my bookclub!
 I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the narrators, the characters, and the story. I love the magical world Elise has created. Ive read all of the Married to Magic books. 
Its so bittersweet knowing this is the second to last in the series. 


Bow Before the Elf Queen by J.M. Kearl

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

While I did enjoy the duet narration the story felt dragged out to me. The slow burn between the MCs was too slow in my opinion. They didn't even share a kiss until like 70% of the story. 

I did enjoy the world building and the cast of side characters. I loved me some Tiffapine! She was witty and brought some good lightheartedness to the story. I will be continuing the series as I am invested in what will happen to Layala and Thane as the story progresses. 


Cursed Wolf by Sophie Ash

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I really enjoyed the connection and how Tryn and Emmaline found eachother. I could hardly put the book down. I only did because sleep and we had friends visiting from out of town.

My only complaint is I wanted more. It kind of felt like the ending was rushed to me. I know it is a novella but honestly I wanted there to be a bit more interaction between the MCs and the side characters. I would have loved to have some more interactions between Emmaline and Tryns grandma.

But overall I enjoyed the story and the relationship between the MCs

Thank You Sophie for gifting this advanced copy and I am leaving my review voluntarily.