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On Point (Out of Uniform #3)
On Point (Out of Uniform #3)
Annabeth Albert | 2017 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
On Point (Out of Uniform #3) by Annabeth Albert
On Point is the third book in the Out of Uniform series, and we learn more about Ben and Maddox, who have been known to the reader since Zack and Pike's book.

They have been best friends for years, but things have been weird between them lately, and neither of them knows how to make it right. You find out what happened through a series of flashbacks, from both points of view, so you can see the situation for both of them.

Oh my goodness, I wanted to give Ben a hug - even knowing he'd push me away! He has been so hurt in the past, and it is affecting his judgement of the present and the future. For Maddox though, he will try. Maddox is a dream of a character. He is tough and gentle, hard and soft. He is a S.E.A.L. who dreams of owning his own bakery, and gets excited about trying new recipes. You wouldn't think these two would match, but they do, if only Pike would let them. Of course, it doesn't quite go according to plan, but they have plenty of steamy fun times on the way.

One thing I love about these books is previous characters aren't forgotten. Through cameo appearances, the reader finds out just how they're getting along. Brilliant!

There were no editing or grammatical errors that interrupted my reading flow, and I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish. I am loving this series, and this is definitely my favourite so far. Absolutely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1)
Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1)
Fonda Lee | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
To anyone on the fence about Jade City let me just say: READ IT!

It is easily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly ever. Even after seeing it described as "the Godfather of fantasy" I still wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. I expected something more along the lines of a YA fantasy, a kind of watered down, light Godfather-esque story about the two clans who gain mystical powers from jade, where a heroine comes in to unite them against outsiders save the day and everyone lives happily ever after. Boy, was I wrong!

It's a very character driven story and the characters are so exquisitely written, with each one, including the heroes and the villains and those in between, perfectly developed from the mc's all the way down to the bit players.

I found myself so attached and emotionally invested in these characters that I had to put it down and step away at times when the shit hit the fan cause I didn't want certain things to happen to them but at the same time I didn't want to put it down because I needed to know the outcome. That's not something that happens very often for me, and it speaks to the author's high level of skill and talent that she was able to draw me into her world so completely.

Going into it I had no doubt it would be a good book, but I was surprised at how much I absolutely loved Jade City. This is one of those rare (for me) books that I know I will re-read again and again and I'm sure I'll find more to love about it each time. It's simply AMAZING!

**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**
  
Mine to Take (Mine, #1)
Mine to Take (Mine, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
l love the cover of this; it’s very evocative. It caught my attention straight away. I should probably say that if a cover doesn’t look very good, I’m not very likely to read the synopsis. I know it sounds bad, but it’s how I choose my books. (This isn’t always the case, I might add, but generally it is.)

The story was just as good as the cover with some hot scenes and an engaging storyline.

This is my third book by Cynthia Eden (Bound In Sin and A Bit of Bite, are the other two) and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Her style of writing and the characters she creates are extremely engaging. This was no exception.

Trace was hot. The obvious desire he had for Skye was captivating and I was engrossed in their back-story and what started it all off between them and how he was going to get her back after letting her go ten years ago. He was so intense but it didn’t come across as annoying, to me it came across as passionate and almost desperate.

Skye was strong and somewhat stubborn but I’m surprised she didn’t break under the mounting pressure of the stalker. At certain points she just seemed so fragile but she always came out more determined. I liked that about her.

Not to mention the whole stalker issue and them trying to figure out who it was. I had a few suspicions about who it might be and questioned myself throughout about my thoughts when further information came out. I wasn’t quite expecting who it turned out to be either, not until right near the end.

If you like a domineering guy, then this is right up your street. If you like romantic suspense, then you’ll love this. I’m looking forward to reading more books from the author.
  
Secret Legacy (The Windhaven Witches #1)
Secret Legacy (The Windhaven Witches #1)
Carissa Andrews | 2020 | Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Secret Legacy is the first book in The Windhaven Witches series and is full of quotes from Buffy, which I loved! Autumn thinks she is a 'normal' person and her mum encourages her to think that way. Her dad is supernatural but she doesn't have much to do with him. So imagine her surprise when she receives a full scholarship to a prestigious school that she never even applied for. She decides to go for it and then is swept away by forgotten memories, unknown abilities, and mysteries.

The one thing I wasn't too keen on is the Wade situation. Not only was it insta-love but there is seriously something off with that dude and Autumn never seems to notice! And please don't tell me about his silver eyes any more! I just can't cope!!

Apart from that, there was plenty here to keep me occupied and turning the pages. I would love to know more about the other main characters and the school Autumn is attending but, maybe, that is something that will follow in later books.

There are some usual tropes in this book - from normal girl with untold powers to slightly dodgy boyfriend - but it is entertaining. The world-building could do with some work as I have questions about how the supernatural fits into everything but, on the whole, it wasn't bad.

A great start to a new series and I can't wait to find out more. Definitely 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!
  
The Killables. Gemma Malley
The Killables. Gemma Malley
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I first discovered Gemma Malley thanks to my close friend several years ago. I remember loving her books and was so upset when the sequel to the book I'd read had not been released. I'm planning on reading that book soon...

So, the plot. Evie thinks she's evil, doomed to be reconditioned. She has dreams that must be caused by her evilness, and even meets up secretly with her matched one's brother.

The city Evie lives in is supposed to be safe, with no evil. But when her lover, Raffy, is destined to become a K, Evie knows something is wrong. His brother, Lucas, who once seemed so harsh and cold, is now the one helping Evie and Raffy escape. What if everything she had thought about him was wrong?

Beyond the city walls, Raffy and Evie meet Linus. He reveals the truth about the New Baptism, about the effects of the operation - how removing the amygdala does not only remove evil but humanity itself. They devise a plan to overcome the System as it is and return it to its original design.

I love the plot of this, and it's fantastically written. It's exciting and unexpected and really easy to read. But the love triangle... Why... Why does every YA book have one?! Why can't Evie just be in love with one brother and leave it at that?! Meh.

I am soon to read the rest of this trilogy, and will be posting my reviews on those too. But I do really like Gemma Malley, and would certainly recommend reading some of her books.

As for this particular novel, I'm going to rate it 4 stars out of 5. Exciting and thrilling, but not perfect.