Casee
I’m reading a book called Explosive by K.E. Osborn. I’m about 25% into it. I’m not sure what to think yet. I’ve been really into MC romances but this one hasn’t pulled me in like I expected. It’s been mostly a dud of a reading week for me. Hopefully it’ll turn around.
Holly
I finished Fractured Souls by Anna Carven, then immediately started the next book in the series, Decadence. I ended up setting it aside when I realized it wasn’t the character I wanted next, however. I think I’m going to take a break from that series for awhile. I don’t love the direction this spinoff is heading, and I’m not invested in the characters. I read Witches Get Stitches by Juliette Cross, the third book in the Stay a Spell series. I enjoyed parts of it, but the female MC was immature and frustrated me more often than not.
I listened to American Princess by Stephanie Thornton, a historical novel based around the life of Alice Roosevelt Longsworth, the eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. The story was fascinating and the narrator was wonderful. I definitely recommend it. I read First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones for my book club. I enjoyed parts of the story, but the humor of the MC, coupled with a lot of the procedural stuff, constantly pulled me out of the story. I don’t think I’ll continue with the story.
I’m currently listening to Good Boy by Sarina Bowen, a re-read for me. I love this book. I haven’t decided what I’m going to read next.
The best book I read this week was Ella James’s WRATH. It’s billed as a dark m/m stepbrother romance, but it’s really a beautifully-written and heartbreaking book about how institutionalized homophobia and “conversion therapy” destroy the mental, physical, and emotional health of young gay people. It was hard to read in places, but ultimately had an uplifting ending. It’s one of my favorite books of 2021.
I just recently came across a review for WRATH and added it to my TBB. Thank you for this. I may have to move it up on the list.
I’ll list what I read over the past two weeks ~
— Gravedigger’s Brawl by Abigail Roux. I’m not sorry that I read this contemporary m/m romance, but it was a little too eerie for my taste.
— The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood; I quite enjoyed this contemporary romance. It made me reflect on some of my own grad school experiences — Chemistry in my case versus Biology for the book’s heroine. I look forward to the author’s next book.
— Murder in Material Gain: A Doyle & Acton Mystery by Anne Cleeland; it’s the brand new Acton and Doyle book, and I enjoyed revisiting the characters. This is the latest book in a series that needs to be read in order.
— reread Stray and Lab Rat One by Andrea K. Höst which I enjoyed once again. NOTE: Stray is FREE for US Kindle readers.
**
For the final week of my reading challenge on a different site, the challenge was to read a book whose cover art you love. I wouldn’t say that I “love” the covers of these books, but they are all attractive to my eye.
Tattoos & Teacups by Anna Martin
This romance featured men who were quite different — Robert (Scottish, tea drinking, rather staid 32 year old professor of literature) and Chris (23 year old, tattooed, motorcycle riding, rock band and symphonic percussionist). I almost didn’t finish the book several times in the first half, but then the book became more engaging. I’d describe the book as low angst.
**
Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Gray
I quite enjoyed this cold war era romance featuring an FBI agent and a Soviet agent who are paired to find the person behind an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Khrushchev during his 1959 visit to the US. The first segment of the book takes place over three months or so as the men drive through various states seeking information; during this time, they get to know and care for each other. The next two sections take place a number of years later. I expect to re-read this book.
**
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
This book has mages, werewolves, seers, vampires, demons, succubi, Greek and Norse gods and goddesses manipulating others to their own ends, witches, a number of governmental agencies, and let’s not forget the villains; I’d describe it as busy! Our main leads are Patrick (a mage with metaphysical, physical, and emotional scars) who is sent to NYC to work on a serial killer case and Jono (a British alpha werewolf who is packless in NYC). This is the first book in a series; I enjoyed it, but I’m unsure whether I’ll read on.
**
Dalí by E.M. Hamill
This science fiction work is set in space in the future; the title character is an empath, an ambassador, and a changeling third-gender (an intersex human able to assume a male or female form at will). Dalí’s husband, wife, and unborn child were killed in a bombing six months ago and, when the novel begins, Dalí is grieving. Other third-gender changelings have gone missing from various worlds, and Dalí is recruited to go undercover to learn more. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequel.
Over the past week ~
— My daughter is visiting from South Korea (her first visit in two and a half years), and I’m really enjoying her company. I’m not getting as much reading done as usual but have reread with pleasure Caszandra, Gratuitous Epilogue, In Arcadia, and Snow Day by Andrea K Höst.
Oh, how lovely that your daughter was able to come home. I hope you have a wonderful visit.
I’ve heard mixed things about The Love Hypothesis. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Holly; I’m having a great time!