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Merissa (13489 KP) rated Reap This Too (Oh So Happy Holidays #2) in Books

Nov 11, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)  
Reap This Too (Oh So Happy Holidays #2)
Reap This Too (Oh So Happy Holidays #2)
Rafe Jadison | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Reap This Too is the second book in the Oh So Happy Holidays series and this time we meet up with Ian, Seamus' brother. He has been more interested in travelling than learning which colour candle means what but some of the things have stayed with him.

This is a fast-paced novella that takes you from the pyramids in Giza to Boston, just in time for Samhain. Seamus is there, of course, and we even get a cameo from Mine - but not in the way I hoped!!!

I think it would help if you have read book one because previous circumstances are mentioned in that book and it would give you a better idea of their family too. However, you COULD read this as a standalone if you really had to.

The connection between Khnurn and Ian is instantaneous but there is a depth to it that comes from their previous associations. I loved how sneaky Khnurn was toward the end and I'm sure these two have more adventures to tell us.

All in all, this was a great seasonal read with characters I either know and love or have loved getting to know. A great addition to the series and one I highly recommend. I just hope Mr Jadison has another story planned for Seamus and Mine!!!

* 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!
Nov 11, 2020
  
My Grumpy Sweetheart (Sweetheart Escapes #5)
My Grumpy Sweetheart (Sweetheart Escapes #5)
Ray Celar | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MY GRUMPY SWEETHEART is part of the Sweetheart Escapes series. It can be read as a standalone, but I read it after My Sweetheart Surprise, which has Bailey's friend, Parker, as one of the MCs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, although I would have liked a little more background on Dakota. For example, what made him quit his city job? Why did he have anger issues (apart from the obvious?) Bailey is the kind of character I love to read about but would drive me insane in real life! 😂 Their differences worked though, and I loved seeing Dakota thaw. Bailey's bluntness was so refreshing and absolutely perfect.

One thing I have to mention - because I loved it SO much - is Dakota's reaction to his friends and their oh-so-good plan, plus when they arrive at the B-and-B. First off, it was a real sh!tty thing for them to do, and I completely understood where Dakota was coming from. I would have left the weekend too. And secondly, his reaction to the honeymoon suite. I mean, yes, it works perfectly for the story, but once again, I thought his reaction was perfect. Who would do that?!?!?

All in all, a great read that I definitely recommend and part of a series I want to read more of.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Sep 12, 2023
  
The Serial Killer's Sister
The Serial Killer's Sister
Alice Hunter | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This might be the third in the series but can definitely be read as a standalone; they are not linked and you can read them in any order.

Once again, Alice Hunter has created an intriguing story. Anna hasn't had the best start in life but she has managed to shake that off and build a good life with her husband and all is looking good until the police turn up on her doorstep to tell her that her brother is a serial killer and she may hold the key to catching him or could she be the next victim?

Written over two timelines and mostly from Anna's perspective, the short chapters make this feel fast paced and despite there not being a lot of the usual gruesome descriptions that are the norm with serial killer books, Alice Hunter uses the growing sense of tension to put you on tenterhooks and racing to find out what's going to happen. This is a great story with unexpected twists and just when you think you've got it, another one happens that turns the story on it's head.

I don't think I actually liked any of the main characters but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book and I would recommend to those who enjoy a good serial killer book without a plethora of violence and gore and my thanks must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Serial Killer's Sister.
  
A Vampire Possessed (Deathless Night #3)
A Vampire Possessed (Deathless Night #3)
L.E. Wilson | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the series (although I was unaware of that originally) and as such, I do feel like I have missed out on a big chunk of the story. Although this story was pretty much self-contained, there were references made, situations alluded to, and definitely relationships that have happened previously that I had no knowledge of. So, in my opinion, yes - this book could be read as a standalone, but you will benefit more from having read the first two.

Saying that, this is a fast-paced and enjoyable paranormal romance. You have Grace - a witch without seemingly much power, on the run for most of her life. Then you have Aiden - philanderer vampire, happy to go from one to the next without a thought. They are thrown together in unusual circumstances which just take them deeper into demons possessing vampires.

With a supporting cast of wonderful characters, some with their stories already told, some that I would hope still have theirs to come, this story doesn't slack off on its pace, keeping you entertained throughout.

Well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I would definitely recommend this book, with the proviso that it might be best to read books one and two first.

* 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!
May 7, 2016
  
Cut to the Chase (City Shifters: the Pride #4)
Cut to the Chase (City Shifters: the Pride #4)
Layla Nash | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the fourth book in the City Shifters series, but I agreed to read and review after being assured that it could be read as a standalone. I agree with that statement, but I do feel that you would gain the most from reading the prior books, simply because it sounds like they are all good stories!

Ruby is the joint alpha, along with her brother Rafe, of one of the two wolf packs in town. When the alpha of the other pack approaches her with a business/personal proposition, she is taken aback. She speaks to Carter, a friend of the pack and a lion shifter himself, and he offers an alternative - one she had never thought of. Ruby is all about the pack, but nothing apart from that is mentioned. The pack doesn't play a big part in this book as all the action is between Ruby and everyone else. It alludes that Carter is in to light BDSM, but this is not mentioned in detail, rather it fades to black.

This book is told both from the first perspective (Ruby) and third (Carter), so it is obvious from the start of each chapter who is 'talking'. Well-written, with developed characters and situations, and with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see, this was a thoroughly enjoyable paranormal romance. Definitely recommended.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 22, 2016
  
The Only Exception (Love in the Comptons #2) by Claire Huston
The Only Exception (Love in the Comptons #2) by Claire Huston
Claire Huston | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE ONLY EXCEPTION is the second book in the Love in the Comptons series. although you could read it as a standalone. I wouldn't recommend this as you'd be missing out on a fantastic read of the first book.

Lucinda and Alex first meet in a lift, which runs into trouble, giving them trouble as well, in the shape of an elderly woman having a cardiac arrest. The story follows on from there, throwing our two main characters together, and leaving them no choice but to get to know each other.

Lucinda is prickly and Alex is charming, but both of them have more going on than you first realise. I loved the pace of this book - giving you time to get to know the characters and their situations without being rushed to the next part. Both of them are in their forties, which I think is brilliant! I love that they have had life experiences which help them be who they are today.

Becky from book one made an appearance, and it was good to see her again.

Overall, this was a brilliant read that I loved from beginning to end. I love this author's writing style as it gives me everything I need. That being said, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this wonderful story.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Jun 4, 2022