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Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1)
Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1)
A.M. Arthur | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1) by A.M. Arthur
Melting For You is the first book in the Neighborhood Shindig series. This is decidedly lower angst than previous books by Ms. Arthur I have read, and we meet Joel and Isaiah. Joel has had the dirty done to him by his (ex) partner, in both his personal and professional lives. Isaiah has returned home to look after his dad after he had a heart attack, and also, hopefully, to build a better relationship with him.

The relationship between Joel and Isaiah starts off fast, but then slows down some, as they spend time together doing things, not just each other. I loved how the two of them worked together, and bounced ideas around. One major plus for me were the excellent descriptions of the Neighborhood Shindig itself. I could see it clearly in my mind, and my mouth was certainly watering with the descriptions given.

If I had anything bad to say about the book, it would be the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I only had six minutes reading time left, and neither Joel nor Isaiah had spoken to the other about staying. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to returning to the Shindig. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Dirty Angels (Dirty Angels, #1)
Dirty Angels (Dirty Angels, #1)
Karina Halle | 2014 | Contemporary, Romance
5
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I bought this years ago, 2015 to be exact, and have put it off for a long time when my taste changed from New Adult to Young Adult and Urban Fantasy. I chose it as a challenge read on here so I would finally read it.

So this starts with a prologue. Luisa decides to run away from her abusive drug lord husband in the spur of the moment decision, only to be captured by the enemy. It then moves into Chapter One and we see how she came to be married to Salvador and how she came to be in Javier's captivity. Javier wants her as a hostage so he can negotiate for something Salvador has and the longer they spend around each other, the more they begin to understand each other and feelings emerge.

I'm not really into mafia/cartel books. I find them to be rather violent and prefer sweeter stories with some angst in them. There were some times in this when I just couldn't read all the description and just skipped entire paragraphs, especially the bit with Franco. I also skipped quite a bit towards the end just wanting that final showdown between Javier and Salvador.

I didn't really get their romance. I understand Luisa looking for any light in the blackness that she's living but I still thought Javi was a bit dark, though he did have some nice moments.

I won't be continuing the series.
  
40x40

Merissa (11612 KP) rated Art and Soul in Books

Sep 14, 2020  
Art and Soul
Art and Soul
Claire Huston | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Art and Soul is the debut book by Claire Huston and is both genteel and charming.

Claire is returning to work after taking a year off on maternity leave but she is finding it hard to get her clients back. Charlie is a painter sinking into obscurity, through both circumstances and his own behaviour. Together, these two can get Charlie back into the limelight and get him the woman of his dreams... but what about Claire?

For a simple storyline, this book was surprisingly complex and intriguing. Claire was a great character, being straightforward in certain situations and yet completely blind in others. Charlie was the more tentative of the two, easily being led by Claire and Rachel. I would have liked him to have been a little stronger but then I'm not the author!

Two things I loved about this book - 1) the main characters are not in their 20's! and 2) it was set in the UK. It makes a nice change for it not to be the US.

The scene setting was brilliant and both Claire and Charlie are helped along by a wonderful supporting cast. This was a lighthearted read without any major angst that kept my interest and the pages turning. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Again Again
Again Again
E. Lockhart | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.‏

In Again Again, E. Lockhart is inventive in the way she tells the story of Adelaide Buchwald and her life. Lockhart asks if you could redo some events or moments in your life, would you? Again Again shows for every opportunity you did not take; there is a different one that you did. It reminded me of the old saying, "When one door closes, another opens."

I found the synopsis misleading in that it did not match the energy of the book. The story is a nicely paced story about a teenage girl with ups and downs. The synopsis sounded as if it was describing an adventure movie.

I had difficulty getting into the story, but once I realized Lockhart's intent, I found it flowed well. Again Again is a charming story that is not a new one. However, how Lockart reveals the story is what makes this a good read.

Again Again is marketed as a romance. While there is some teenage angst, it is more of a book of Adelaide trying to live an as-happy/normal-as-a-teenager-can-be life and deal with complex emotions, happy, grief, fear, anger, love, etc.

Also, be sure to read Emily Lockhart's We Were Liars.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/12/20.
  
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Rebel's Desire (Iron Portal #4)
Rebel's Desire (Iron Portal #4)
Laurie London | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the fourth book in the Iron Portal series and I would recommend that you read them all. Not because of any links in the storyline but just because they are all quick, fantastic reads.

This story is about Keely and her sister, who were thrown out at a young age by their father, for being freaks. Taryn is a Cascadian who comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress, even though she is the one who acts first. Keely is a kick-ass warrior who will fight when necessary and has learnt to live on the streets. She knows the rules and which ones she can break or bend. Taryn doesn't like anyone and he trusts even less. So when these two get together, things are bound to get fiery.

The characters in this are as delightful as always, like them like Keely or dislike (loathe is too strong a word) like her sister, they are well-rounded and believable. The Iron Guild warriors are as united as ever.

A fast-paced and well-written story with no plot holes plus a good amount of angst. The Iron Portal series continues to deliver. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2015