Thursday, May 21, 2020

Mini Contemporary-A-Thon Summer 2020 TBR





Hey, guys!

It's that time! A mini round of the contemporary-a-thon was announced this week and I'm really excited to take part in it. All I've wanted to read is contemporary romance and historical romance, so I'm really excited to dive into my stack of romances. I plan on doing a few more romance-centered readathons, so stay tuned for my TBRs and reading vlogs on my Instagram stories.

If you're interested in participating, I will provide Julie, Chelsea, and Natasha's videos below! I adore their channels and absolutely recommend you subscribe.


Dates: May 22 - May 25 Challenges:
1. Read a book with peach/orange/pink on the cover 2. Read a book under 250 pages 3. Read a book that you think will be fun!

I have quite a few books lined up for the readathon. I've been reading a bunch of books this past week (but not finishing them) and I've been attempting to do TomeTopple as well.

Here are some books I hope to read this weekend:

1. Beauty and the Blacksmith (Spindle Cove #3.5) by Tessa Dare
2. Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove #4) by Tessa Dare
- I'm officially obsessed with Tessa Dare. I'm binging all of her books and I want them all for my collection.

3. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (my BOTM pick for May)
-if you're interested in nabbing a copy, you can get your first box for $9.99 with the code MAY5

4. The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite (for BaeClub through @baecrate)
- I'm really excited about this book because it's a f/f historical romance!

5. War (The Four Horsemen #2) by Laura Thalassa ( for the @romancethequebookclub)
- I've only just recently started diving into the world of fantasy romance -- as in romance novels that take place in a fantasy setting. I've read a lot of fantasy and high fantasy that have romance featured in it, but I've never really found fantasy romance novels that I've absolutely adored. Maybe I'm incorrect, but I just don't feel like I've read adult fantasy romance with the smutty times or adult themes.

6. The Bewitched Viking (Viking I #4) by Sandra Hill (for the lols)
This book looks so funny. I'm fully going into this with low expectations because it's not something I would typically pick up. I don't remember my reasoning when I bought this.



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The majority of these books would apply to the first challenge, the first book applies to the second challenge, and all of them apply to the third. I'm really excited to read these books. I've been having a lot of fun reading so much romance during my time in quarantine.


Are you participating? What will you be reading?
Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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Wednesday, May 13, 2020

{Review} A Heart of Blood & Ashes (A Gathering of Dragons #1) by Milla Vane


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Page Count: 560

Published On: February 4, 2020

Published By: Berkley Romance

Genre(s): Adult romantic fantasy

Source: mass-market paperback personally purchased/listened to for FREE on Hoopla


Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository


My Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Goodreads synopsis:

A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes, he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil--until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.

Though forbidden by the alliance council to kill the corrupt king responsible for his parents' murders, Maddek vows to avenge them, even if it costs him the Parsathean crown. But when he learns it was the king's daughter who lured his parents to their deaths, the barbarian warrior is determined to make her pay.

Yet the woman Maddek captures is not what he expected. Though the last in a line of legendary warrior-queens, Yvenne is small and weak, and the sharpest weapons she wields are her mind and her tongue. Even more surprising is the marriage she proposes to unite them in their goals and to claim their thrones--because her desire for vengeance against her father burns even hotter than his own... 

 

~ ~ ~

 Hey, guys!

I'm really not sure how to review this book... I enjoyed many aspects of it, but there was a lot that I couldn't mesh with. There was so much to unpack on every page and it definitely wasn't the easy read I was looking to start 2020 Tome Topple with... Granted, that isn't a bad thing at all, but I've been reading so many historical romances lately, that this was almost a culture shock (even though I absolutely adore fantasy).

I really wish that GR would implement the 1/2 and 1/4 stars. This book is probably going to get 3.5 stars because there was a lot that I liked, but not enough to give it 4 stars. I wish I had loved this more because it's definitely my jam.

This was recommended to me by the lovely Taylor from BaeCrate and other wonderful members of the BaeClub/BaeCrate group on Facebook. When the blurb mentioned "dragons" and a marriage of convenience, I needed it. This was also my first dip into the romantic fantasy genre. I've read quite a lot of fantasy/high fantasy novels WITH romance, but this novel had a focus on the romance that was being developed throughout. Before, I really didn't think I liked romance-heavy stories, but now I'm converted, and I can't wait to read more. This was a really enjoyable novel, but it had some flaws that I just didn't jive with.

For one thing, I didn't feel like the characters were written as well as they could be. When I was reading or listening, it just felt like they were missing an extra element that would have allowed me to be connected to them or care about what they really did. I wasn't INVESTED. When really lovely characters that I enjoyed got hurt or died, I didn't feel anything at all...which breaks my heart! I wanted to care! Maybe it was because of the different writing style they used, but I couldn't connect with the main couple at all. Whenever I would be on the edge of my seat, the next scene would just lose me. I was bored quite a lot in this book because it would go off on a tangent/info-dump that I didn't want to know about then. I really just wanted a lot more of the characters.

This was a deliciously slow-building romance. I was dying for Yvenne and Maddek to interact and just TALK and hash out their feelings, but they were stubborn as heck -- especially Maddek. Maddek was so hot, but such a stubborn meathead. GRANTED, for the entire book he is grieving for the loss of his parents and struggling to move past the anger and hurt that he's faced because of the lies that are spread about their demise, but holy cow. He can go from being such a sweetheart to a royal dick within a page. I loved it. Yvenne was so stubborn and fit him so well. I loved how she stood up for herself consistently and didn't let the alphaholes step all over her when they thought they knew what was best. She was so wise beyond her years and didn't allow the terrible terrible things that happened to her define how she served her people. She was such a well-developed character. She had her flaws and shortcomings and she wasn't physically able to do all that was expected of her (cue the abuse), but she worked past it to do all that she possibly COULD do. [ Additionally, I loved that Maddek didn't stop her from attempting to push her limits, but when she did push them too far, he would counsel her and help her heal from whatever she did. He didn't know it until it was screamed at him, but holy crap he's such a softy for Yvenne. (hide spoiler)]

ALSO! The side characters were so lovely. I wanted so much more from them. I wish they had been described more -- PHYSICALLY! I have no idea what they look like at all other than vague and general descriptors -- gender, beards, general conversational vibes. I also couldn't keep track of all the names a lot of the time. That's probably on me, but I wish there had been a list of characters or some sort of character art for me to refer to. Someone, please send me all of the fanart. If there isn't fanart, can someone artistically inclined make some? Pretty please?

It's so obvious to me that this author has so much talent and I loved the complexities of her world and the complexities of her characters. There is so much skill that was put into their setting, world-building, and the political aspects that came with such a complex world. However, it was hard to stay immersed if I couldn't connect with the characters. There were so many great lines and conversations, but I felt like the characters were overshadowed by the world and the info-dumping that tended to occur throughout.

I'm excited to read the second book in the series. I really liked how the story developed and progressed. I just wish that there had been more physical descriptions of the book and more character interaction.

The issues that I had with this story, I think, are because of my own preferences. I prefer to read character-based stories. Take it how you will. I'm not trying to bash the book. I really did like it.


Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Ko-Fi // Book of the Month

 


Wednesday, May 6, 2020

{Review} Not Like the Movies (Waiting for Tom Hanks #2) by Kerry Winfrey

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Page Count: 320
Published On: July 7, 2020
Published By: Berkley Romance
Genre(s): Adult contemporary romance
Source: eARC provided by NetGalley
Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4 stars


Goodreads synopsis:

What happens when your life is a rom-com...but you don't even believe in true love?

Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, she's pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that's about to premiere in theaters across America...and happens to be inspired by Chloe and Nick Velez, Chloe's cute but no-nonsense boss.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can't see him as anything but Reason #2: The Scruffy-Bearded Hunk Who's Always There When You Need Him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn't so sure her own story will end in a Happily Ever After.


~ ~ ~ 

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was so fun to read, but still not my perfect cup of rom-com tea. I found that I enjoyed Not Like the Movies much more than Waiting on Tom Hanks, but that was because there weren’t so many references to Tom Hanks and rom-coms that still haven’t seen or haven’t seen in literal AGES.

Not Like the Movies had some really lovely aspects:


•  Chloe — Goodness gracious, I loved her. She was golden-hearted, selfless, a baker, in-tune with her frustrations and adorations, and pretty oblivious at times. I think she’s a fantastic rom-com heroine. She was so freaking relatable and her personality was written and fleshed out so well. I loved her drive and overall nature.


•  NICK! Wow! I wish I had more of Nick in my life. He is the introverted, coffee, and chicken tortilla soup-loving hero that I need. He honestly reminded me so much of my fiancé and I’m so here for it. I loved that he primarily listened to sad, emotional music—because of same! However, I did wish that his backstory had been fleshed out more. He is such a great character, but I want more about how he ticks!


•  Annie’s flaws were addressed! She wasn’t my favorite in Waiting on Tom Hanks, but I’m glad that she wasn’t idolized and made into someone perfect. She still kind of annoys me.


•  UNCLE DON & TYLER! I LOVE THEM!!!


•  GARY! What a beautifully strange older man. He was eccentric and the comedic relief that I always will want in rom-coms.


•  FRED! What a beautiful man and a great partner. He’s going to be so good for Milo.


•  The humor!!! Ugh so many good lines:



“Fred is an angel with a body that won’t quit, and I hope he never leaves you.”

“Annie snort-laughs so hard that she spits Sprite all over her plate.”

“A person shouldn’t make you feel like they always have one foot out the door...”

This was a gem and I’m eager to see what else Kerry Winfrey does next. I need a novella from Don and Tyler’s POV && Fred and Milo’s — I need those now, please.


Please stay well out there, friends!
Olivia
~Liv the Book Nerd~
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

{Mini-Reviews} Alien Romance Edition: Ice Planet Barbarians & The Alien's Ransom










Hey, guys!

During this quarantine time, I've managed to pick up a ridiculous amount of romance novels from all tropes, genres, and concepts. Many of them are definitely out of my comfort zone, but here I am enjoying at least half. 

However, this review duo will not be some that I enjoyed. In fact, I read far too many romance novels that I definitely didn't love before I found what I did love. 

Here are my attempts to see if I enjoy alien romance. 

Spoiler alert: I don't.

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Ice Planet Barbarians (#1) by Ruby Dixon


My Rating: 1.5 stars

Page Count: 188
Published: April 3, 2015
Published by: Ruby Dixon

Avg. Rating: 3.88 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women - including me - on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me...

TW/CW: rape, kidnapping/abduction

Amazon // Book Depository // $2.99 for Kindle or Free through Kindle Unlimited

When I first picked up this book, I didn't expect to enjoy it-- and I definitely wasn't impressed. I went in with low expectations, but a little hope, but honestly this was just too weird for me. This world and these characters are just so bizarre.

Ice Planet Barbarians follows a young woman after she's been abducted by a hostile group of aliens (they were taken to be breeding stock). After some complications, the ship crashes into a strange planet and she and the women are left to fend for themselves. The girl is found by a blue alien with strange appendages who instantly becomes attached to her. 

This story lacked any sort of plot or world-building that would actually enable me to care about the romance that develops. Not to mention, the sexual parts are quite nonconsensual and creepy. The writing was not fantastic and the story development was just mediocre. I really didn't enjoy how the book was written or how the characters were developed; however, the story was just bizarre and strange enough to keep me wondering what the author would make the characters say or do next. 

If you're looking for a quick, steamy read with an out-0f-this-world alien race, you'll like this. I've discovered that I'm not the biggest fan of alien romance, but it was pretty fun to get out of my comfort zone.

~ ~ ~

The Alien's Ransom (Drixonian Warrior #1) by Ella Maven

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My Rating: 2 stars

Page Count: 244
Published: February 24, 2020
Published by: Ella Maven

Avg. Rating: 4.11 stars

Goodreads synopsis:


"Nothing in my life had prepared me for extraterrestrial motorcycle clubs."

Frankie: I thought alien abductions only happened in movies. But here I am on a strange planet with green soil and a gang of muscled, wicked-horned aliens on hover bikes. All I want to do is go back to Earth, but the alpha male in charge has decided I belong to him. Now I'm on the back of his bike speeding to an unknown destination and super freaked out about liking his biceps and serious scowl. Good thing I have some banked personal days because this might take awhile...

Daz: The job is supposed to be easy. All I have to do is deliver a spaceship of living cargo to the vile Uldani and they'll release my brother. If I fail, they'll take it out on him. Except the cargo is something I've never seen before--human females. The one called Frankie is beautiful and soft, and I've already spilled blood for her. Now how am I going to save my brother? Because this human female is mine.

TW/CW: kidnapping/abduction

Amazon //  $2.99 for Kindle or Free through Kindle Unlimited

This was such a mess of a book, but I still couldn't put it down. I picked up The Alien's Ransom for the April BaeClub group read on Facebook where we read a book together and then discuss the designated Facebook discussion area. It's a fantastic experience and it's one of the best things that I've taken part in during this quarantine time. 

This book's plot is quite similar to Ice Planet Barbarians only it has slightly different blue aliens with lots of body modifications, it takes place in a warmer climate, and the plot is established more concisely and isn't lost in the romance. However, the plot still lacks because it's still skimmed over to make way for the smutty romance. The last fourth of the novel was when the actual plot began to pick up, but I still didn't enjoy it very much.
This is a fun story, but it definitely isn't something I would continue with. Alien romance is just not for me.


Have I just been searching for the wrong alien romance titles? If you have any that you love, please let me know in the comments!

Happy reading and stay safe!
Olivia
Liv the Book Nerd ~
Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Ko-Fi // Book of the Month



Friday, May 1, 2020

April 2020 Reading Wrap Up


Hey, guys!

April was the month for romance novels. I managed to read 17 books/novellas and I enjoyed a good majority of them. My main goal for April was to read the books that absolutely interested me and kept me captivated. I was searching for light, fluffy reads where I could sink into another world/someone's life to escape the pandemic. I definitely succeeded. I primarily read romance novels, which is something that I just cannot get enough of now. I'm officially obsessed with Tessa Dare, so expect more mentions of her on my social media and in reviews. 
Total Pages Read: 5,241
Total Number of Books Read: 17
Average Rating: 3.6 stars




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Room by Emma Donoghue 


3.5 stars
TW/CW: rape, PTSD, abuse, abduction,  and kidnapping -- please research before reading

I read this for my last literature class and I quite enjoyed it. It was moving, thought-provoking, and really fun to discuss in class. It's an excellent book to read for larger discussions and it's great for newer students to learn how to analyze. We finished this book online via Zoom as COVID19 went into full swing. I'm not the biggest fan of online book discussions, but the class was really fun and it was nice to be able to talk to my classmates about such an intense and emotional read. 


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Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon


2.5 stars
Alien romance // abduction trip // TW/CW for rape and abduction
Read via ebook

Uh, wow. This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I had a good time giving it a whirl with my friend, Mariana. This novella-length book was just not my cup of tea. I had a lot of fun (the steamy-times were pretty fun), but alien romance isn't really my favorite thing in the world. 



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Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn


3 stars
~ CEO/Boss romance, quirky, organization and planner-loving heroine, gorgeous boss hero~ 
read via ebook

Another book club/buddy read! I read Boss Man Bridegroom for the Romancetheque Book Club and I had a lot of fun with this one. I kind of like CEO/Boss romances, but it has to be done really well for me to fully suspend my disbelief. This was a really really fun read -- I was laughing out loud and yelling at the characters -- but the writing style was just not up to par for my taste. The dialogue became really cheesy or forced at times and some of the language just made me cringe. The humor, additionally, was just too much sometimes. I would laugh, but sometimes it was just overdone. 

$3.99 for Kindle or FREE with Kindle Unlimited



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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward


3 stars
Recommended by Sarah J. Maas

This was just not my cup of tea, but I plan on continuing the series until I absolutely loath it. There's something about the characters and the world that I just want to know more about. It also helps that someone sent me the entire series in a trade for two books off of my trade pile. This book was just so mediocre and so obviously from the early 2000s. The number of name-dropped products and outdated technology mentioned was just so bizarre to behold. I felt like this book abandoned or sacrificed the plot and the world-building for the smutty romance. I would have been so more enthralled with the story and the romance if it hadn't relied on the worst tropes: insta-love/attraction, overprotective alpha holes, and badly fleshed out sacrifice. I hope that the story and world become clearer to me as the series continues on. So many people love the series and were so excited for me to start it. 

$2.99 for Kindle



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Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo


4 stars

This was such a wild ride and I'm honestly surprised that I finished it when I did. I had put Ninth House down because of how intense and dark it was, but when I picked it back up, I flew through the last 40%. This was such a fun and enthralling read. I loved the characters and the world that was introduced. The magic and dark academia aspects of the story were so fascinating and I never knew what would happen next. It took me a minute to get used to how the story was formatted and set up, but once I fully understood what all was occurring and being laid out, I couldn't put it down. 


This is a Book of the Month pick. You can pick up yours for $9.99 {here} with code: MAY5


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The Alien's Ransom by Ella Maven


2 stars
read via ebook 

This was a mess of a novel. I didn't enjoy the aliens and I didn't really enjoy the humans. The relationship that developed was rocky and lacked chemistry. I also didn't enjoy the steamy parts. They made me cringe. This just wasn't for me, but I had a great time discussing it with BaeCrate for their monthly buddy read situation. 

$2.99  for Kindle or FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Beach Read by Emily Henry

4.5 stars
~Writer protagonists, new to me author, BOTM pick~

Wow! What a great way introduction to Emily Henry's works. I adored reading this book. I cannot recommend it enough. It really kicked my butt into gear to start a risky writing project. You definitely need to check out this novel. It's so worth the hype.


This is a Book of the Month pick. You can pick up yours for $9.99 {here} with code: MAY5


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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

4 stars

THT was one of the first books I ever read for my college-level literature courses. Of course, when I first read it, I loved it. I was so enthralled by the unconventionality and different concepts that were touched on throughout the story.  However, when rereading the book, I didn't enjoy it as much. It just felt too rushed and the discussions for our class have been moved online, so it just didn't feel the same. Not to mention, it's far too dark for my mentality during the quarantine. If you've noticed my reading tastes for the past two months, you've probably seen the pattern that I've purposefully pursued -- I wanted the fluffy, mindless reads. This was anything but fluffy and mindless. It just wasn't the right time to reread. 

FREE with Kindle Unlimited


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Wayward Son (Carry On #1) by Rainbow Rowell


5 stars

What a great sequel! I adore how RR continued on the development of Simon, Baz, Penny, and Agatha. Their emotional availability was so realistic considering the trauma that they faced. I love how this series is developing. I was really worried about how the storyline would play out, but I was hooked from page one. I adore adore adore this series. 

This is a Book of the Month pick. You can pick up yours for $9.99 {here} with code: MAY5

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A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1) by Alyssa Cole


3 stars
listened with Hoopla

This was a really fun romance to read, but I felt like the build-up leading to the setting change was far too slow and the romance just lacked chemistry for me. They were definitely attracted to one another, but the spiritual elements of the country's goddess were underplayed and made the important aspects of their chemistry seem contrived and too convenient. 
$2.99 for Kindle

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The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

4 stars

~ hate-to-love romance, representation for those who struggle with fertility, firefighters~ 

This was really fun, but it wasn't as good as I expected. I really enjoyed the first half of the novel, but once the conflict started panning out, I didn't enjoy it as much because I was just sad. I really do want to read the sequel/companion, but I'm not sure when that will happen. This book was really thought-provoking and the romance was really sweet. 



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Guarding Temptation by Talia Hibbert

3 stars
~An overprotective hero, radical leftist heroine, one apartment + one bed~
read via ebook

This was such a fun novella. I absolutely adore Talia Hibbert's writing. She has a gift for creating realistic and wonderful characters with fantastic chemistry. This was really really fun to read, but I couldn't help but compare the writing and the couple to Chloe and Red from Get A Life, Chloe Brown. That book will always outshine other romances. 

$2.99 for Kindle


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The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare

5 stars
listened with Hoopla

~Marriage of convenience, brooding and scarred hero, strong and independent heroine, smoldering romance~

Be still my heart. I am obsessed with this book. A new favorite for sure! Tessa Dare is quickly becoming one of my new favorite writers. Definitely expect to see more of her books in my wrap-ups and reviews because I cannot get enough of her books. I just need need need more in my life. She's so skilled at what she does. I picked this book up on a whim the night before the #SmutAThon began and I literally listened to the first few hours in one sitting. By the time I was in chapter 5, I had ordered the physical book to have in my possession. This was everything that I was looking for. It completely captured my attention and kept me riveted to my headphones (the page). I cannot believe I waited so long to check out Tessa Dare. She's such a fantastic author.
$5.99 for Kindle




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Theirs for the Night (The Thalanian Dynasty #1) by Katee Robert
3.5 stars
read via ebook

~poly-amorous relationship, short read, sexy times galore~

This was a really quick, fun, sexy read, but overall not my favorite. I really enjoyed the quick nature of the story, but it's just an introduction to a series. I thought it was really strange to start a series with a novella-length first book, but if it works it works. 

FREE FOR KINDLE!

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The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare
4.75 stars
listened via Hoopla

I. AM. SO. OBSESSED. This series is so freaking addicting. I didn't want to put it down. I adore the characters Tessa Dare introduces and develops. I'm so in love with the cast of women she focuses on in this series. I cannot wait to continue on with the series in May. It was so wonderful to see such a modern woman in the regency romance genre. While I wasn't as big a fan of Chase, he still really made me laugh. I love how rakish he was and how he learned to open up to Alex, Daisy, and Rosamund. 

$4.49 on Kindle!


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Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After #1) by Tessa Dare


3.5 stars
~whimsical and headstrong heroine, scarred, blinded, and hermit of a duke, enemies to lovers sort of dynamic~
read via ebook

This was really fun to read, but the beginning and the end were where the story really interested me -- the middle? Not so much. This story gave me some "Beauty and the Beast" vibes, but it was really nicely done. I really liked how Izzy encouraged and bullied Ransom to take care of himself.  The twist at the end was also a lovely surprise (I can't believe I didn't guess). I'd love to continue on with the series. I just need more Tessa Dare.

$2.99 on Kindle

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His Bride for the Taking by Tessa Dare


3 stars
~ friendship-to-lovers, a marriage of convenience, one bed, older female protagonist ~
read via ebook

This wasn't my favorite Tessa Dare novella. In fact, I didn't enjoy some aspects of it. However, the Tessa Dare flare kept me really entertained and interested in how the story would progress. The plot and pacing felt really rushed and the chemistry between the two characters just felt forced and unbelievable. There was quite a lot of telling rather than showing. Of course, there are restrictions when writing a 90-page story, but I wish it had been longer and more fleshed out with flashbacks. 

FREE on Kindle


What did you read in April? Have you found yourself gravitating toward a specific trope or genre? Let's discuss in the comments below!

Happy reading and stay safe!
Olivia
~ Liv the Book Nerd ~