After doing the crazyness that were my book reviews April to July, we are back on a more normal review schedule
Silver Elite by Dani Francis
Goodreads blurb: Psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy.
TRUST NO ONE.
Wren Darlington has spent her whole life in hiding, honing her psychic abilities and aiding the rebel Uprising in small ways. On the Continent, being Modified means certain death—and Wren is one of the most powerful Mods in existence. When one careless mistake places her in the hands of the enemy and she’s forced to join their most elite training program, she’s finally handed the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks.
LIE TO EVERYONE.
But training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you’re harboring dangerous secrets and living in close quarters with everyone who wants you dead.
AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FALL FOR YOUR GREATEST ENEMY.
As the stakes grow ever higher, Wren must prove herself to Silver Block. But that’s easier said than done when your commanding officer is the ruthless and infuriatingly irresistible Cross Redden, who doesn’t miss anything when it comes to her. And as war rages between Mods like her and those who aim to destroy them, Wren must decide just how far she’s willing to go to protect herself . . . and how much of the Continent is worth saving.
my take: 4.25 out of 5. This month was definitely the month of new romantasy, and great romantasy at that. I loved the relationship buildup in this book, the tension takes so long to evolve that its so satisfying by the end. Additionally, the world building is really well done and I could totally picture their surroundings. Some of the characters broke my heart with their actions, but I guess it is a war, and some people just suck. A must if you like the genre, and a really good romance even if you dont.
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
goodreads blurb: Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be. The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel. I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father’s. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king. I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood. But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life. Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know. Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated? And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?
my take: 4 out of 5 A great book to keep the romantasy lovers going before we get new Fourth wing or ACOTAR installments. The twists in this one were superb and I was on the edge of my “reading” seat trying to really understand what was going on in this world. All the families suck but I love our main characters. There were some things that were not properly explained and I am really looking forward to book 2 because I do not like a crumb that does not have a finish line.
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
Goodreads blurb: One train. No stops. A deadly game of survival and revenge. In 1942, six people destroyed Anna Matheson’s family. Twelve years later, she’s ready for retribution. Under false pretenses, Anna has lured those responsible for her family’s downfall onto a luxury train from Philadelphia to Chicago, an overnight journey of fourteen hours. Her goal? Confront the people who’ve wronged her, get them to confess their crimes, and deliver them into the hands of authorities waiting at the end of the line. Justice will at last be served. But Anna’s plan is quickly derailed by the murder of one of the passengers. As the train barrels through the night, it becomes clear that someone else on board is enacting their own form of revenge—and that they won’t stop until everyone else is dead. With time running out before the train reaches its destination, Anna is forced to hunt the killer in their midst while protecting the people she hates the most. In order to destroy her enemies, she must first save them—even though it means putting her own life at risk.
my take: 3.5 out of 5. I absolutely loved Riley Sager’s The Only one Left, but I feel the follow ups have just not lived to that expectation I have of her. This book was very inspired on Strangers on a Train and the Agatha Christie train mysteries and they are not my favorites. I Have to say some of the twists and turns were great and I really appreciated the ending, but it was a mediocre premise so it was hard to go from there.
Rock Bottom Love Series
Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
Goodreads blurb: Presley Ayers is not the woman you bring on a camping trip. An accomplished concierge at an exclusive hotel in Great Falls, MI, she knows more about the top ten places for champagne and caviar than she does about the best hiking boots to go stomping around near Lake Michigan. But when she surprises her boyfriend of eight months with a vacation to the Get Lost Lodge and he dumps her instead, Presley decides to rough it solo and take the trip herself. When Beckett Keller helps the gorgeous woman off the rickety boat and onto Lodge territory, it’s clear she’s made a mistake. She doesn’t like hiking, fishing, or nature in general, so why did she go on this trip?―but he’s got other things on his mind. A crumbling lodge, and his own plans and dreams that are forever deferred―so he doesn’t have time for Ms. Fish-Out-of-Water. But neither Beckett or Presley can help that inexplicable draw they feel towards each other. He’s all rough stubble and plaid shirts, while she’s all high heels and brand-name athleisurewear. But you know what they say about opposites.
A charming opposites-attract romance, Love, Naturally is for anyone who ever stepped outside their comfort zone and found that all the best things can happen when you take a chance.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. Presley gives me hope that maybe I could become an outdoor person? or a camping person? Well maybe not but I was like Presley and even though its not my jam I absolutely loved the crew of the Get Lost Lodge. I love all the family dynamics and the romance is beautiful too. I might need to go vacation in a lake now.
Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan
Goodreads blurb: A second chance at love, small-town romance that’s all sweet with just a hint of heat Jillian Keller took the long route to her best life, but is now happily settled in her hometown of Smile, raising her little girl alone while helping her brother run Get Lost Lodge. A lover of structure and routine, she doesn’t need anything, or anyone, disrupting her carefully curated life. After chasing and achieving his culinary dreams, Levi Bright realizes he’s still missing something. Something he can’t find in a big city. Returning home to Smile, he intends to build a different future for himself that includes mending fences with his dad, reconnecting with friends, and creating elevated comfort food for a town he loves. When Levi and Jilly run into each other one day in Smile, once requited feelings that never had a chance to bloom as teens flare between them immediately. Jaded from her past, Jilly is cautious and convinced that she can handle being just friends, as the two have to work closely together to prepare for Get Lost’s official summer opening, spending time together, camping, laughing, kayaking, and reminiscing. But when her brother hires sweet, funny, ridiculously hot Levi as the new chef at the lodge, and she and Ollie are getting more attached, things are moving more quickly than she anticipated–and Jilly has been hurt before. If she wants to be head over heels in love, she’ll have to learn that the past doesn’t always repeat itself. Sometimes, it just leads you where you’re meant to be.
my take: 3.5 out of 5. I continued to fall in love with the Kellers and the whole crew at the Get out lodge. Its such a sweet small town series that I think you will enjoy and also such quick reads that you can get into the whole series very quickly. I love Jilly’s girl she is the best character in the book!
Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan
Goodreads blurb: Two people end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling, in this small-town, opposites-attract romance from Sophie Sullivan. Charlotte “Charlie” Ashford has worked hard to become her own person. Tired of living in the shadow of her famous parents, she gladly left behind a life of glitz and glamour to pursue her true passion: becoming a counselor. However, when a viral video upends Charlie’s plans, she wonders if the real key to discovering herself is through her late father. Grayson Keller has finally found his footing. He’s settled in one place, surrounded by family, and secure in his business. By his third summer as owner, Get Lost Lodge is showing a steady profit and seeing its fair share of repeat visitors. Whatever happens, Grayson is perfectly content with his quiet life and careful heart. That is, until he meets Charlie, who he can’t seem to get out of his head. On the surface, Charlie and Grayson seem to have nothing in common more than a growing attraction that neither of them can fight. Trusting each other isn’t easy. They’ve both been hurt before, and they’re not looking for anything serious. The solution is easy: they’ll date, have some fun, and walk away unscathed. Right? Or, maybe this once, they can see past the hurt to what, or who, is on the other side waiting for them.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher.
my take: 3.5 out of 5. When I got the ARC of this book, I had not read any of the series. I went through the three books back to back and that was amazing. I think waiting a year between the books I might have lost a lot of detail, but just going straight through the three was so fun and enjoyable. Even though you do not need to read the previous two to enjoy this one, I would say it gives you so much more context. Also it would make no sense to read this one without the other two if you ever want to go back. I loved that we kept interacting with the Keller gang, and although Charlie and Grayson’s relationship was as insta love as the other two, the development of this one felt the most real. However, I really didn’t understand a lot of the drama most of the book. Basically not going into detail in the video made you not really understand why it was all so bad, it was clouded in mystery, But once you know more about the video it rally does not seem that bad.
Tati's Tidbits 