Search
Search results
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Jack's Heart in Books
Sep 3, 2019
So we meet Jack not long before he gets released from prison after doing a stint of seven years for a crime he didn't commit. He's asked by his cell-mate of the last three years to deliver a letter to his sister who it turns out lives near where he grew up as a kid. Upon sight, they have an instant attraction and things get very heated.
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure about Jack at the start. He seemed very cocky, almost intimidating in those first few chapters. But he did grow on me, quite a lot in fact. He had lines he wouldn't cross like having sex with Ahri while she was drunk. I liked that. I liked how protective he was of her. One quote summed him up pretty well:
Jack had the whole, "don't judge a book by its cover," down to an art form. There were layers to him no one ever expected, and they were addicting.
Ahrianna was a fighter. She'd had a tough childhood but was striving to do better, be better. She worked two jobs, barely getting any sleep, and was doing an online course so she could get her dream job in management--where the money was.
The sex scenes were a little too dirty for me. We had anal play and very filthy dirty talk (which I'm not the biggest fan of. I don't mind the odd bit but this was very in-your-face-description dirty talk) and I skipped a few paragraphs.
As for the romance in this, it was nice. Two really damaged people coming together and the attraction being so sudden that the romance just evolved naturally. They were...I don't know how to describe it. So alike in so many ways but complimented each other in others. They were a really great couple.
With those first few scenes and the hot sex I expected this to be more erotica than romance but it wasn't like that at all. Definitely more of a romance.
I've just finished it and seen that Ceifador, a character from Jack's past is the next book and with that last scene in the prison I'm wondering if that guy might be him? I may have to read it and find out.
If you like steamy contemporary romances with good-hearted bad boys and feisty female characters then you should give this a try.
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure about Jack at the start. He seemed very cocky, almost intimidating in those first few chapters. But he did grow on me, quite a lot in fact. He had lines he wouldn't cross like having sex with Ahri while she was drunk. I liked that. I liked how protective he was of her. One quote summed him up pretty well:
Jack had the whole, "don't judge a book by its cover," down to an art form. There were layers to him no one ever expected, and they were addicting.
Ahrianna was a fighter. She'd had a tough childhood but was striving to do better, be better. She worked two jobs, barely getting any sleep, and was doing an online course so she could get her dream job in management--where the money was.
The sex scenes were a little too dirty for me. We had anal play and very filthy dirty talk (which I'm not the biggest fan of. I don't mind the odd bit but this was very in-your-face-description dirty talk) and I skipped a few paragraphs.
As for the romance in this, it was nice. Two really damaged people coming together and the attraction being so sudden that the romance just evolved naturally. They were...I don't know how to describe it. So alike in so many ways but complimented each other in others. They were a really great couple.
With those first few scenes and the hot sex I expected this to be more erotica than romance but it wasn't like that at all. Definitely more of a romance.
I've just finished it and seen that Ceifador, a character from Jack's past is the next book and with that last scene in the prison I'm wondering if that guy might be him? I may have to read it and find out.
If you like steamy contemporary romances with good-hearted bad boys and feisty female characters then you should give this a try.
The Unbreakables: A Novel
Book
A delicious, sharp novel about a woman who jets off to France after her perfect marriage collapses,...
Fiction Contemporary
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Seducing the Sorcerer in Books
Sep 26, 2021
I kept missing bits that were just thrown in, and I really loved that.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Jumping straight in with this one, cos I really REALLY enjoyed this book bar one teeny weeny thing, but I'll come back to that! This is the second book by this author I read, and that book was a 3 star, it-was-ok kinda read and this one is so NOT that!
I loved that many times in the book I had to back up a bit, and reread what I just read cos I was like "say what, now?" MANY times. And a book that makes me slow down my reading is never a bad thing, I had to here, cos I kept missing bits that were just thrown in, and I really loved that.
I loved that Fenn had no idea about magic and the sorcerer and what was going on in the tower. Loved that Fenn was quite laid back about it all, really.
I loved the way things crept up on Fenn, much like his worple horse and what it can do, (not sure if thats the correct spelling though!) and that so much was not as it appeared to be. I loved what the horse does with the pink eiderdown 🙂
It's not especially explicit but is steamy enough. Violence level is low but fitting for this book. I was surprised at the level of emotions that Fenn threw at me though, and I've no idea why!
What let it down, for ME was only Fenn has a say, and I so wanted to hear from Morgrim, I really did! I wanted to know what he was thinking when Fenn first landed in the tower grounds; what he felt about Fenn and his horse.
But what I wanted MOST to know about, was how Morgrim felt about what had happened to him 2 years ago, and how he was dealing with all that. I'm greedy, I know, but had Morgrim been given a voice, I have no doubt at all that this would have been a five-star review, it really would!
I can see the author skill has grown a great deal since I read the other book (2017) and I WILL read more now!
4 really REALLY good stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere​
Jumping straight in with this one, cos I really REALLY enjoyed this book bar one teeny weeny thing, but I'll come back to that! This is the second book by this author I read, and that book was a 3 star, it-was-ok kinda read and this one is so NOT that!
I loved that many times in the book I had to back up a bit, and reread what I just read cos I was like "say what, now?" MANY times. And a book that makes me slow down my reading is never a bad thing, I had to here, cos I kept missing bits that were just thrown in, and I really loved that.
I loved that Fenn had no idea about magic and the sorcerer and what was going on in the tower. Loved that Fenn was quite laid back about it all, really.
I loved the way things crept up on Fenn, much like his worple horse and what it can do, (not sure if thats the correct spelling though!) and that so much was not as it appeared to be. I loved what the horse does with the pink eiderdown 🙂
It's not especially explicit but is steamy enough. Violence level is low but fitting for this book. I was surprised at the level of emotions that Fenn threw at me though, and I've no idea why!
What let it down, for ME was only Fenn has a say, and I so wanted to hear from Morgrim, I really did! I wanted to know what he was thinking when Fenn first landed in the tower grounds; what he felt about Fenn and his horse.
But what I wanted MOST to know about, was how Morgrim felt about what had happened to him 2 years ago, and how he was dealing with all that. I'm greedy, I know, but had Morgrim been given a voice, I have no doubt at all that this would have been a five-star review, it really would!
I can see the author skill has grown a great deal since I read the other book (2017) and I WILL read more now!
4 really REALLY good stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere​
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Midnight Fear (The Bloodline Chronicles #2) in Books
Mar 21, 2024
did not see that coming, not at all!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Thi is book 2 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and it cannot be read as a stand alone. You NEED to read Witch's Knight before this one, to get the full story, much is not recapped and you will need it all.
I loved this one, more so than Witch's Knight, because it took a turn I did NOT see coming and it kinda threw me for a loop, in the best way. And there is one niggle at the back of my mind I need to talk about.
Marcelle is NOT fine, at all. After being tortured in the first book, she really is suffering emotionally, and it takes a session with Setanta, in which she does something that she never did before, to make her see that she needs help. Sarai makes her see too, and it's the love Marcelle has for Sarai that tips her over the edge and she gets some help.
Setanta plays a huge part here, but we don't hear very much from him. And I missed him at key points along the way. Hearing MORE from him would have, probably, negated my niggle, but that is not my niggle. I'll come back to that.
It's dark and deadly, steamy and smexy! Oh so smexy, and I did not, never in a million years, see that coming at me! It really threw me, and I wasn't sure it was gonna work, but boy, oh boy, does it ever! And when Sarai gets to meet some of her mother's family, THAT surprise too, what was said then, I did not see coming and I loved that this book surprised me at every turn.
So, my niggle?? This is billed as the conclusion to the duet of books. BUT I feel it's unfinished. I found the ending kinda rushed, and while Sarai, Marcelle and Setanta are happy for now, I wouldn't give them a happy ever after. They need another book, to tell what happens when Giovanni gets her comeuppance, along with Sarai's sister, when she wakes. There is much unfinished and I need it, Goddammit!!
So, because of the unfinished feeling, I gave this book...
4 very VERY VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Thi is book 2 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and it cannot be read as a stand alone. You NEED to read Witch's Knight before this one, to get the full story, much is not recapped and you will need it all.
I loved this one, more so than Witch's Knight, because it took a turn I did NOT see coming and it kinda threw me for a loop, in the best way. And there is one niggle at the back of my mind I need to talk about.
Marcelle is NOT fine, at all. After being tortured in the first book, she really is suffering emotionally, and it takes a session with Setanta, in which she does something that she never did before, to make her see that she needs help. Sarai makes her see too, and it's the love Marcelle has for Sarai that tips her over the edge and she gets some help.
Setanta plays a huge part here, but we don't hear very much from him. And I missed him at key points along the way. Hearing MORE from him would have, probably, negated my niggle, but that is not my niggle. I'll come back to that.
It's dark and deadly, steamy and smexy! Oh so smexy, and I did not, never in a million years, see that coming at me! It really threw me, and I wasn't sure it was gonna work, but boy, oh boy, does it ever! And when Sarai gets to meet some of her mother's family, THAT surprise too, what was said then, I did not see coming and I loved that this book surprised me at every turn.
So, my niggle?? This is billed as the conclusion to the duet of books. BUT I feel it's unfinished. I found the ending kinda rushed, and while Sarai, Marcelle and Setanta are happy for now, I wouldn't give them a happy ever after. They need another book, to tell what happens when Giovanni gets her comeuppance, along with Sarai's sister, when she wakes. There is much unfinished and I need it, Goddammit!!
So, because of the unfinished feeling, I gave this book...
4 very VERY VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Crushed Ice (Hockey Ever After #4) in Books
Feb 6, 2024
Russ fell for Liam, but hadn't been able to put a name to the feelings.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Hockey Ever After series. I have only read book 1 and 2, and missed book 3. It's not necessary to read those books before this one. Dante and Gabe play a part here (from book 1) but neither Ryan and Nico (book 2) or Max and Grady (book 3) play a part except there is a wedding.
I really liked book 1 and I loved book 2. I can't say I loved this one, but I did, for the most part, enjoy this. It was great to catch up with Gabe and Dante!
Russ is already playing for the Caimans when Liam joins them. There is attraction, right from the start, but Russ is not fully out and Liam is his rookie. I loved how Liam set Russ off kilter. The one-liners from Baller made me chuckle. It gets the point across, that Russ fell for Liam but hadn't been able to put a name to the feelings.
It's on the sweeter side, and fairly low angst. There is an age gap, but not a massive one. It's emotional, though, in places, but I didn't get that sucker punch I got from book 2, Scoring Position. Steamy and smexy in palces, but fade to black in others and I did like that.
So, what didn't I like? There are detailed hockey match descriptions. I know, I KNOW this is a hockey romance, but books 1 and 2 didn't have the long descriptions of the matches like there are here. Or I don't think they did. I said in my review for book one, that I liked that book because there were not huge long descriptions of hockey matches. So, for ME, and I stress the ME, those matches that are here were too much for me. I'm a UK native, and ice hockey is not the massive sport it is on the North American continent.
Still, an enjoyable read, that was on a par with book one, but not book 2, which I gave the full 5 stars.
So, 4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Hockey Ever After series. I have only read book 1 and 2, and missed book 3. It's not necessary to read those books before this one. Dante and Gabe play a part here (from book 1) but neither Ryan and Nico (book 2) or Max and Grady (book 3) play a part except there is a wedding.
I really liked book 1 and I loved book 2. I can't say I loved this one, but I did, for the most part, enjoy this. It was great to catch up with Gabe and Dante!
Russ is already playing for the Caimans when Liam joins them. There is attraction, right from the start, but Russ is not fully out and Liam is his rookie. I loved how Liam set Russ off kilter. The one-liners from Baller made me chuckle. It gets the point across, that Russ fell for Liam but hadn't been able to put a name to the feelings.
It's on the sweeter side, and fairly low angst. There is an age gap, but not a massive one. It's emotional, though, in places, but I didn't get that sucker punch I got from book 2, Scoring Position. Steamy and smexy in palces, but fade to black in others and I did like that.
So, what didn't I like? There are detailed hockey match descriptions. I know, I KNOW this is a hockey romance, but books 1 and 2 didn't have the long descriptions of the matches like there are here. Or I don't think they did. I said in my review for book one, that I liked that book because there were not huge long descriptions of hockey matches. So, for ME, and I stress the ME, those matches that are here were too much for me. I'm a UK native, and ice hockey is not the massive sport it is on the North American continent.
Still, an enjoyable read, that was on a par with book one, but not book 2, which I gave the full 5 stars.
So, 4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Joint Penetration (Hot Under the Collar #3) in Books
Jun 13, 2024
so freaking good!
I was gifted my copy straight for the author.
Jumping straight in, again!
What this book is, book 3 in the series, is an abso-freaking-lutely brilliantly written, brilliantly told story, of realising what has been in front of you for 15 years, and not questioning, not once, what you really feel for your best friend.
Liam has been in love with Ollie since he was 14. His best friend, his straight MARRIED best friend. He knows he can never have him, but he cannot let go. Ollie announces hi is getting a divorce, and promptly turns to Liam for his shoulder. Not to cry on, though, Ollie just needs Liam close, as always. Making a discovery about Liam that Ollie did not know, sets off a chain reaction, and Ollie sees, really SEES Liam for the first time.
I cannot, and never will be able to, express how much I loved this book of 2 friends falling in love. Of two friends finally seeing what everyone else sees: that they are perfect for each other. I mean, this is another , ANOTHER book that I need to add to myMasterpieces shelf of McIntyre's and she keeps delivering them! I really gotta change my rules for that shelf!
It's steamy, yes, but I loved that Ollie jumped straight in, once he was aware of his feelings and, more importantly, of LIAM'S feelings about them sleeping together. I loved that Ollie didn't really question what he was feeling: he knew, KNEW that Liam was his, and now he would be in all ways, but Ollie questioned WHAT he was feeling when he touched Liam. He never felt anything like this when he touched his ex-wife, so what he was feeling for Liam had to be monumental.
It's super low angst, and it's too freaking cute, and so warm and fuzzies, its off the scale!
I loved that we got to catch up with Liam's group of friends, and the guys from books one and two. We are also introduced to Ollie's brothers, and THEY are the subject of a new series that will feature drop ins from these guys.
I might go on all day, but I'll cut myself short.
READ THE FREAKING BOOK, GUYS! Better yet, read the whole SERIES cos they are all. . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Jumping straight in, again!
What this book is, book 3 in the series, is an abso-freaking-lutely brilliantly written, brilliantly told story, of realising what has been in front of you for 15 years, and not questioning, not once, what you really feel for your best friend.
Liam has been in love with Ollie since he was 14. His best friend, his straight MARRIED best friend. He knows he can never have him, but he cannot let go. Ollie announces hi is getting a divorce, and promptly turns to Liam for his shoulder. Not to cry on, though, Ollie just needs Liam close, as always. Making a discovery about Liam that Ollie did not know, sets off a chain reaction, and Ollie sees, really SEES Liam for the first time.
I cannot, and never will be able to, express how much I loved this book of 2 friends falling in love. Of two friends finally seeing what everyone else sees: that they are perfect for each other. I mean, this is another , ANOTHER book that I need to add to myMasterpieces shelf of McIntyre's and she keeps delivering them! I really gotta change my rules for that shelf!
It's steamy, yes, but I loved that Ollie jumped straight in, once he was aware of his feelings and, more importantly, of LIAM'S feelings about them sleeping together. I loved that Ollie didn't really question what he was feeling: he knew, KNEW that Liam was his, and now he would be in all ways, but Ollie questioned WHAT he was feeling when he touched Liam. He never felt anything like this when he touched his ex-wife, so what he was feeling for Liam had to be monumental.
It's super low angst, and it's too freaking cute, and so warm and fuzzies, its off the scale!
I loved that we got to catch up with Liam's group of friends, and the guys from books one and two. We are also introduced to Ollie's brothers, and THEY are the subject of a new series that will feature drop ins from these guys.
I might go on all day, but I'll cut myself short.
READ THE FREAKING BOOK, GUYS! Better yet, read the whole SERIES cos they are all. . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Entangled Beta (Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse #2) in Books
May 22, 2025
Murdery and Mayhemery indeed!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse series. I have not read book one, Shattered Omega. I will come back to this point.
The title of this series is absolutely SPOT on! I mean, Sasha is . . .I mean, I LOVED Sasha and her murdery tendencies! She is who she is, and once she talks to Levi, her Alpha, she makes no apologies for being who she is. It really is needed, the on page violence that she inparts on certain folks who darn well deserve what they get coming to them!
But I also felt, deeply, for Sasha. Since she is a beta, and not an omega, when Levi finds his Kismet Omega, she feels she may be pushed out. Now, I think she didn't give Levi enough credit for how he feels about Sasha, but add Stone into the mix, another Alpha, and with Flynn being the omega in the pack, it's understandable how she loved.
I loved that Stone crept up on both Levi and Sasha. Flynn was another story. Flynn was in everyone's mind from the minute they saw his picture and met him. But Flynn has suffered, badly, and needs time. I love that the Alphas gave him that time, and allowed Flynn to heal before starting something new with everyone.
It's steamy and the smexy times are plentiful, but they do not overtake the plotline, and I did love that. I do love the smexy books, but I need a plotline with them!
Back to not reading the first book. I think I maybe missed *something* by not doing. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, and my book brain will not release what's bothering it, but there was that tiny niggle at the back of my brain for the whole book.
This point, and that fact it is present tense, multi POV AND first person are the only reasons I give this book. . .
4 solid stars
I do need to go back at some point and read book one before I get to book 3, which I really REALLY want to read, especially after reading that blurb and who I think that it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse series. I have not read book one, Shattered Omega. I will come back to this point.
The title of this series is absolutely SPOT on! I mean, Sasha is . . .I mean, I LOVED Sasha and her murdery tendencies! She is who she is, and once she talks to Levi, her Alpha, she makes no apologies for being who she is. It really is needed, the on page violence that she inparts on certain folks who darn well deserve what they get coming to them!
But I also felt, deeply, for Sasha. Since she is a beta, and not an omega, when Levi finds his Kismet Omega, she feels she may be pushed out. Now, I think she didn't give Levi enough credit for how he feels about Sasha, but add Stone into the mix, another Alpha, and with Flynn being the omega in the pack, it's understandable how she loved.
I loved that Stone crept up on both Levi and Sasha. Flynn was another story. Flynn was in everyone's mind from the minute they saw his picture and met him. But Flynn has suffered, badly, and needs time. I love that the Alphas gave him that time, and allowed Flynn to heal before starting something new with everyone.
It's steamy and the smexy times are plentiful, but they do not overtake the plotline, and I did love that. I do love the smexy books, but I need a plotline with them!
Back to not reading the first book. I think I maybe missed *something* by not doing. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, and my book brain will not release what's bothering it, but there was that tiny niggle at the back of my brain for the whole book.
This point, and that fact it is present tense, multi POV AND first person are the only reasons I give this book. . .
4 solid stars
I do need to go back at some point and read book one before I get to book 3, which I really REALLY want to read, especially after reading that blurb and who I think that it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Filtration Play (Leather and Lattes #4) in Books
Sep 25, 2025
steamy and emotional
I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Leather and Lattes series, but you can read it as a stand alone book. Reading the other books will give you the bigger picture of Whipped and the people who work/live/play there and their kinks and the relationships between them, but it's not necessary. HOWEVER! I loved them and I think you should, if only cos I said so!
Ollie is newly single, and a bit in the closet about his bi-sexaulity. He finds himself dragged by his brother to Whipped, and is smitten immediately by Fin, who gives him an offer he cannot refuse. There follows a wonderful story about two people finding their own place in the world, not in anyone's shadow or on anyone's coat tail.
I really enjoyed this, I can't quite love it and I hate that I cann't say why! (insert wailing!)
I liked that Fin and Ollie get a say. I loved the immediate and powerful connection between these two. It burns bright and hot from their very first meeting, and does not let up. It sets the page on fire at points and I lovevd that Fin was able to let themself go with Ollie and just BE, you know? They needed someone like Ollie in their life, their bed and most importantly, in their heart.
I loved that Ollie walks into that first playnight knowing full well what might happen, and it does, but with Fin at his side, he revels in the attention. Ollie loved that Fin and ONLY Fin would be taking him that night: Ollie know and Fin knew it and I think that's why they both enjoyed themselves so much.
The emotioanl connection comes fast and furious, but it's Fin who runs when things get tough. Having their business trashed by a bitter excuse of a woman was almost what broke their relationship with Ollie but it's Ollie who says the magic words to Fin and they make their way HOME, to Ollie.
What didn't work, I've no idea so I'm leaving it at that, but I will continue with this series, cos I love the whole set-up at Whipped and I *LOVE* the people in it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Leather and Lattes series, but you can read it as a stand alone book. Reading the other books will give you the bigger picture of Whipped and the people who work/live/play there and their kinks and the relationships between them, but it's not necessary. HOWEVER! I loved them and I think you should, if only cos I said so!
Ollie is newly single, and a bit in the closet about his bi-sexaulity. He finds himself dragged by his brother to Whipped, and is smitten immediately by Fin, who gives him an offer he cannot refuse. There follows a wonderful story about two people finding their own place in the world, not in anyone's shadow or on anyone's coat tail.
I really enjoyed this, I can't quite love it and I hate that I cann't say why! (insert wailing!)
I liked that Fin and Ollie get a say. I loved the immediate and powerful connection between these two. It burns bright and hot from their very first meeting, and does not let up. It sets the page on fire at points and I lovevd that Fin was able to let themself go with Ollie and just BE, you know? They needed someone like Ollie in their life, their bed and most importantly, in their heart.
I loved that Ollie walks into that first playnight knowing full well what might happen, and it does, but with Fin at his side, he revels in the attention. Ollie loved that Fin and ONLY Fin would be taking him that night: Ollie know and Fin knew it and I think that's why they both enjoyed themselves so much.
The emotioanl connection comes fast and furious, but it's Fin who runs when things get tough. Having their business trashed by a bitter excuse of a woman was almost what broke their relationship with Ollie but it's Ollie who says the magic words to Fin and they make their way HOME, to Ollie.
What didn't work, I've no idea so I'm leaving it at that, but I will continue with this series, cos I love the whole set-up at Whipped and I *LOVE* the people in it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Make Them Bleed (Pretty Deadly Things #1) in Books
Sep 25, 2025
dark, but good.
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
THis is book 1 in a new series by Logan Chance, and it spins off Men of MAddox Security (I think, since I read that series and Dean Maddox pops up here!) But you don't need to have read those for this to make sense. Arrow popped up at some point in the other series, is all.
Juno's sister was murdered, while she live streamed. And Juno sets about finding her killers and getting some justice, somehow. She resorts to the dark web, and meets a masked man who offers to help. Said masked man is none other than her best friend, Arrow, who puts trackers on her computer, so he could keeps a eye on what she was doing in the dark web. CAn he keep his identity a secret, while helping Juno??
Ohhhh! I liked this, a lot!
Juno and Arrow are perfect for each other, even if they have been friends for years!
What I loved most about this, was when Juno finds out who the masked man is, and what he has done, she's not mad, or angry. She understands WHY Arrow does what he does. What she does feel, though, is a whoosh (almost, since it's been brewing a while!) of attraction to Arrow and she forces the issue. Loved the way she does that.
It's dark, Arby, Juno's sister is murdered live streaming. There are some darker forces at work here but I did NOT see where they were coming from. So well played on that front, Mr Chance!
It's steamy, once Juno and Arrow get their act together!
It has some funnier moments, but I wouldn't call this a romantic comedy. Emotional in places, very much so.
A character, right at the beginning, has a say and I wasn't sure why he did for a long time. But it does become clear, in the end.
A huge supporting cast, who I believe will get their own stories. Looking forward to that.
But heads up about this one. The murder is live streamed, and on page, from a viewer's POV. Harrowing reading, but I do think it is needed.
4 VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
THis is book 1 in a new series by Logan Chance, and it spins off Men of MAddox Security (I think, since I read that series and Dean Maddox pops up here!) But you don't need to have read those for this to make sense. Arrow popped up at some point in the other series, is all.
Juno's sister was murdered, while she live streamed. And Juno sets about finding her killers and getting some justice, somehow. She resorts to the dark web, and meets a masked man who offers to help. Said masked man is none other than her best friend, Arrow, who puts trackers on her computer, so he could keeps a eye on what she was doing in the dark web. CAn he keep his identity a secret, while helping Juno??
Ohhhh! I liked this, a lot!
Juno and Arrow are perfect for each other, even if they have been friends for years!
What I loved most about this, was when Juno finds out who the masked man is, and what he has done, she's not mad, or angry. She understands WHY Arrow does what he does. What she does feel, though, is a whoosh (almost, since it's been brewing a while!) of attraction to Arrow and she forces the issue. Loved the way she does that.
It's dark, Arby, Juno's sister is murdered live streaming. There are some darker forces at work here but I did NOT see where they were coming from. So well played on that front, Mr Chance!
It's steamy, once Juno and Arrow get their act together!
It has some funnier moments, but I wouldn't call this a romantic comedy. Emotional in places, very much so.
A character, right at the beginning, has a say and I wasn't sure why he did for a long time. But it does become clear, in the end.
A huge supporting cast, who I believe will get their own stories. Looking forward to that.
But heads up about this one. The murder is live streamed, and on page, from a viewer's POV. Harrowing reading, but I do think it is needed.
4 VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated Captivated by Dominik (The Ralston Brothers) in Books
Jan 27, 2026
I just felt I missing *something*
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This appears to be a spin off series, in the Gen-Heirs world. I need to comment at that before I start.
For ME, and I stress ME, I think I maybe should have read some other books in this world to get the feel of it fully. I found myself feeling (and ya'll know about me sharing my book feelings!) I was missing some vital information that I should know about this world. At more than one point, I thought I had missed something but no, it was jusy dropped in like I knew what they were talking about.
The most obvious one, was what happened to the world almost a thousand years ago. I have know no idea, not a single clue as to what happened. Did I miss something along the way? I dunno. But book feelings are important to share and I'm-a sharing.
What I did like, though, was that this was a different world and the rules are different. They think nothing of contracting out a marriage a year, and then they move on. Or I should say, the powers that be do. Sienna struggled. Dominik comes along, as bodyguard for a mission, and she is thrown for a loop when he changes the contract to 5 years. But Dominik is a Beast Master, to Alisater, a hawk. The animal knows before the person does.
I liked that Dominink let Sienna call all the shots in their personal relationship. He let her know that he WOULD touch her, but only when she asked. And he waits. He lets Sienna, at every point, move their relationship along. I loved that she trusted him enough to do that. It gets steamy and smexy once Sienna really lets Dominik in.
I liked that both Sienna and Dominik get a say, as does Alisater when he's talking to Dominik. The bird has opinions! You get into both their minds, as they navigate this new contract, the mission and their growing feelings.
I think I'll read something else by this author, maybe about Dominik's siblings. I might find what I'm missing here.
A thoroughly enjoyable 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This appears to be a spin off series, in the Gen-Heirs world. I need to comment at that before I start.
For ME, and I stress ME, I think I maybe should have read some other books in this world to get the feel of it fully. I found myself feeling (and ya'll know about me sharing my book feelings!) I was missing some vital information that I should know about this world. At more than one point, I thought I had missed something but no, it was jusy dropped in like I knew what they were talking about.
The most obvious one, was what happened to the world almost a thousand years ago. I have know no idea, not a single clue as to what happened. Did I miss something along the way? I dunno. But book feelings are important to share and I'm-a sharing.
What I did like, though, was that this was a different world and the rules are different. They think nothing of contracting out a marriage a year, and then they move on. Or I should say, the powers that be do. Sienna struggled. Dominik comes along, as bodyguard for a mission, and she is thrown for a loop when he changes the contract to 5 years. But Dominik is a Beast Master, to Alisater, a hawk. The animal knows before the person does.
I liked that Dominink let Sienna call all the shots in their personal relationship. He let her know that he WOULD touch her, but only when she asked. And he waits. He lets Sienna, at every point, move their relationship along. I loved that she trusted him enough to do that. It gets steamy and smexy once Sienna really lets Dominik in.
I liked that both Sienna and Dominik get a say, as does Alisater when he's talking to Dominik. The bird has opinions! You get into both their minds, as they navigate this new contract, the mission and their growing feelings.
I think I'll read something else by this author, maybe about Dominik's siblings. I might find what I'm missing here.
A thoroughly enjoyable 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere