Review: The Invitation by Adriana Locke

The Invitation by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Valentine PR, all opinions are my own.

This was hilarious! I love a good enemies to lovers, and this did not disappoint. Ripley and Georgia have known each other since senior year of high school. Something happened that made them fight like cats and dogs every time they see each other, which is fairly often as their best friends are engaged. Georgia's best friend needs a female lead in a reality dating show when the actors she hired pull out at the last minute. Unfortunately, Ripley has been slated as her date to film the pilot. Both of them are too stubborn to back out, and they both have their reasons for wanting to make the show a success. As they "fake" date for the cameras and actually talk to each other for once, they finally get to know each other and begin to wonder why they have been fighting all these years.

This had great banter and it was so fun getting to know Ripley and Georgia. They both have some baggage to work through, but they are there for each other. They also both get to the bottom of why they started fighting all the time back in high school. I always appreciate when couples actually talk about what is bothering them and support each other.

As with all of the books in the Brewer family series, you can read this as a standalone. If you want to get to know the rest of the family, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series and to understand what is going on with their dad as those events have taken place in other books and are only mentioned briefly here.

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Review: Song of Ash and Moonlight by Claire Legrand

Song of Ash and Moonlight by Claire Legrand
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This installment follows Farrin, who if you have read book 1 you will remember as the oldest of the Ashborne sisters.  The first book followed Gemma, and if the trilogy follows this trend I expect the next book to follow Mara, the third sister.  That being said I don't feel like you can really read this as a stand alone, you really need to read the first book in the series, as it sets up events in this book and introduces you to many of the characters.

This was hard for me to get through as the main character was very hard for me to connect with.  She was so angry all of the time.  The audiobook is just shy of 23 hours, so you really need someone you can root for.  I felt like she never wanted to solve the problems and only wanted to whine and wallow in her own issues and block everyone from moving forward.  She never actually had any suggestions to move the plot forward and always acted emotionally, admitting that she let her emotions get the best of her in every situation.  That being said this is very romance heavy and I found that the romance between Farrin and Ryder lacked chemistry.  She is always so mean and distrusting of him that I found it hard to believe their attraction and affection.

I liked the plot and the setting, but the length of the book and the lack of connection with the characters really had me putting this book down more often than I wanted to pick it up.  I really enjoyed the fantasy elements when we get them, the creatures and lore are really unique in this series.  Much like the first book this is more character driven and there are long periods where the characters are interacting or having inner monologues and the plot isn't advancing.  Then there are periods of fast paced action where alot happens all at once and you learn quite a bit of information.  I'm interested to see how the series concludes as I actually enjoy the plot, and if Mara is the focus I think she will make and interested main character.  

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Review: Between the Lines by Olivia Hayle

Between the Lines by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This book is a complete standalone and doesn't tie into any of the author's previous series.  I love a good series, but I find it refreshing to read a standalone from time to time.

This follows Charlotte and Aiden as they both face traumatic events in their past so they can move on with their futures.  Charlotte is a ghostwriter, who travels around the country shadowing her subjects while she helps craft their memoirs.  Her next book is about the CEO of a multibillion dollar media company.  The catch is she has signed and NDA and doesn't know who her next client is until she gets to his office on her first day on the job.  She and Aiden have met before during a spontaneous one night stand when she stopped to hike in Utah on her way to LA to write his book.  He loves to get away and spend time outdoors when he isn't being a CEO.

Aiden and Charlotte were surprised when they are reunited in LA, especially when he has no desire to reveal his secrets about the most painful time in his life.  Charlotte was once on a reality show that Aiden's company produces, and from her perspective ruined her life.  She doesn't like talking about that time, just like Aiden doesn't doesn't like to talk about himself and his father.  They both eventually have to face those times and do alot of healing, but it is well worth it once they figure things out.  They both have alot riding on the memoir from a professional stance and a personal one.  Charlotte is especially good at her job, and he slowly begins to open up to her in exchange for her telling him her own dark secrets.  If the book turns out well, she get to pitch her own investigative nonfiction idea to her publisher and Aiden's board will approve his next strategic move at the company.  Not to mention they have undeniable chemistry and they have grown close as they uncover each other secrets.

I really liked getting to know Aiden and Charlotte.  They both have overcome alot and have trust issues because of things in their past.  Charlotte has become a successful writer, but she likes being hidden as a ghostwriter where no one knows her.  Aiden and his company are still recovering from a scandal caused by his father and he works everyday to protect the company and the people that rely on him.  They both work too hard, but find comfort in each other when they finally take a moment to relax.  I appreciate that Charlotte calls him out when he does something that he thinks will help without asking first, and that her friend tells in turn that her that she needs to stop running from her past.  Trauma is hard to overcome, and we are always our own worst critic when it comes to overthinking decisions that we've made especially when other people are weighing in.  I thought this had a great take on that.  I don't really watch reality TV, mainly because I don't like how you don't get the full story.  Things brings to light some of the things I don't like about those shows, but that's why other people love them and are hooked.

Overall this was a great read whether you like reality TV or not, that isn't really the focus here.  I really loved getting to know the main characters as they get to know one another.  There is a good level of spice mixed in as their relationship develops.  They had good chemistry and communication.  My only complaint is that felt it was a bit on the long side.  

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Review: The Fate of Magic by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

The Fate of Magic by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I did listen to the final published version of the audiobook. As always all opinions are my own.

As with the first book I really enjoyed this.  You really cannot read this as a standalone as the first book really sets up the events that take place in this book and introduces all of the characters and their relationships.  This picks up where book 1 leaves off with Fritzi and Otto taking their place among the witches in the Black Forest to serve Holda, the goddess that has chosen them.  As a bonded pair they learn how to work together to fight against religious persecution and protect their beliefs.  Unfortunately for them, Fritzi's brother Dieter is not done with them and he is not ready to give up his hold on her.  

I really enjoyed Fritzi and Otto's relationship.  They work really well together as partners both in a relationship sense and as battle partners.  They are supportive and neither one wants to cause harm to the other which is a real possibility through their bond.  They deal with high stakes situations throughout the book as they race to out maneuver Dieter with the help of the other witches and the goddess.  I really enjoyed the scenes with the goddesses.  

I thought the pacing was really well done.  It starts out slow as the storyline is set up, but picks up as we understand the plotline.  I was worried as the ending approached as it didn't appear there was enough time to end things neatly in the amount of time left in the book, but I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the ending.  If you enjoyed book 1, I think you are really going to enjoy the conclusion to the series.  

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Review: Heir by Sabaa Tahir

Heir by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the publisher and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

If you are a fan of Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes Quartet, you will love this!  This is set in the same world and follows the next generation of the beloved (and hated) characters from that series.  I would say you don't have read that series first as the author does a good job giving enough backstory for you to follow along if you haven't.  I do recommend reading that series first as it was amazing and  it will give you some insight into the empire and into some of the older characters that play supporting roles in this book as they were main characters in the previous series.  It isn't necessary though as this has a fresh new plot and new characters to keep up with.

This is told from the perspective of 3 characters with 2 brief perspectives from additional characters that I expect to play major roles in the next book.  Aiz is on a quest to save her people and seek vengeance for the wrongs done to them, Sirsha has been contracted to find a murderer, and Quil is the crown prince who wants nothing to do with the throne.  They are all connected by by magic and murder.

This was amazing!  This has everything you could want from a fantasy story.  It has action, magic, great world building, great characters, and a little bit of romance.  The pacing starts out slow as we get to know the characters and are introduced to the world, but it picks up as Sirsha and Elias get closer to finding the killer they seek.  I really enjoyed the plotline, and while some of it may have been predictable, I didn't mind.  I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

In full transparency I also listened to the audiobook (borrowed from my library after publication) while I was reading the ARC.  It was fantastic.  It features a different narrator for each POV, which I always appreciate.  It helps me keep track of which character is telling the story.  All 5 narrators were excellent, and really brought this story to life for me.  If you enjoy a good audiobook, I highly recommend this one!

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Review: All Fired Up by Allie Winters

All Fired Up by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

This was a super fun opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance.  As with all of the books in the series this can be read as a complete standalone.  There are some characters present from other books in the series, however you don't need to read those before diving into this one.  

This follows Hunter and Madeline as they train to be volunteer firefighters.  They both have their reasons for signing up, and they both face challenges with the training.  Madeline is book smart, while Hunter excels with the physical challenges.  They went to high school together, and because his family is part of the local biker gang she always thought he was up to no good as well.  Hunter does what he can to stay on the straight and narrow, but Madeline gets under his skin so he decides to knock her down a peg and a prank war ensues.  The fire chief gets wind of their shenanigans and pairs them up for the remainder of the training with the stipulation that both of them pass or they both fail when it comes to test taking time.  Naturally this frustrates both of them, but it forces them to face each other and air their greivances.  In order to pass the exams at the end of training, they both have to help each other with what they are best at.  Because they are spending so much time together, it gives them time to get to know one another and act on the attraction that has been building between them.

I thought Hunter and Madeline had great chemistry and banter.  Hunter had an undiagnosed learning disability, which made him feel inferior and unworthy.  Given his family situation that is understandable, and really unfortunate.  Madeline on the other hand is very stubborn, she has a hard time accepting help and telling people when she needs something.  She learns through training that she can't do everything on her own, and she has to be part of a team to be successful.  It isn't failing if she asks for help or confronts someone.  Both characters show great growth in this story.  This has some great moments of levity mixed with humor from the pranks balanced with the romance.

This is another great addition to the Smartypants catalogue! 

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Review: Past Tents by Stacy Travis

Past Tents by Stacy Travis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

This was such a fun romance set in my favorite fictional town of Green Valley.  This like the other books in the series can be read as a complete standalone.  There are mentions of other characters that we have met before in previous books set in the series, however you don't have to have read those to understand the storyline in this book.  I do highly recommend them because they are all excellent reads.  

This follows two teachers at Green Valley high who have known each other since they were teenagers.  Clay teaches English and coaches the track team and has been Ally's older brother's best friend since high school.  Ally teaches Art, runs the yearbook, and is the backup nurse now that she took a first aid course in an attempt to be more self-sufficient.  With a stomach bug taking out half of the staff, Ally has been asked to co-chaperone the annual senior camping trip with Clay.    No big deal right?  Well...Ally is terrified of the woods despite being surrounded by them in their small town.  Clay camps regularly and offers to take her on a trial run in his back yard to get her comfortable before going out with the kids.  Their trial run goes swimmingly as Ally realizes the outdoors and camping can be a great escape and she gets to know Clay, who she has had a crush on for ages much better.  They both are able to open up with each other about their vulnerabilities and some baggage they carry around which only makes their mutual attraction to one another deepen.  

This was filled with humor, awkward moments, great banter, great discussions about mental health and having a healthy relationship, and great characters.  Both of our main characters are hesitant to enter into a committed relationship for different reasons, and they both put that out there at the beginning.  They have some stumbling blocks along the way but they have support to help them figure things out and eventually have mature conversations instead of letting miscommunication reign supreme.  I loved getting to know Clay and Ally.

This was a fun read and another great addition to the Pennyverse.

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