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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Seduced in the Dark (The Dark Duet, #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Well he'll always be Caleb to me--James is far too tame a name for him :P
Awww...
It had me worried at the beginning when I started reading this yesterday, that bit at the start where Livvie's telling the FBI agent...I wanted to cry.
It picked up, though the backward and forward thing had me confused to start with but I quickly warmed to it.
I am most definitely a fan of the author after reading these books and I'm starting Epilogue right now so I can read more about these two: Kitten and Caleb :D
Awww...
It had me worried at the beginning when I started reading this yesterday, that bit at the start where Livvie's telling the FBI agent...I wanted to cry.
It picked up, though the backward and forward thing had me confused to start with but I quickly warmed to it.
I am most definitely a fan of the author after reading these books and I'm starting Epilogue right now so I can read more about these two: Kitten and Caleb :D
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Blood Magic (Dragon Born Alexandria #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
So I've been reading this for a week now and I'm not feeling it, which is a disappointment considering i quite enjoyed the first one.
DNF @63%
I think it's the fact that between book 1 and this, it appears I've missed out on quite a lot of stuff. NOTE: It needs to be read in the recommended reading order, not just in the series' order or you miss out on important information
I've struggled along up to here but because I've missed important things, i just can't be bothered to try and understand what's happening. Therefore I'm finally throwing the towel in.
DNF @63%
I think it's the fact that between book 1 and this, it appears I've missed out on quite a lot of stuff. NOTE: It needs to be read in the recommended reading order, not just in the series' order or you miss out on important information
I've struggled along up to here but because I've missed important things, i just can't be bothered to try and understand what's happening. Therefore I'm finally throwing the towel in.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated First and Goal (Moving the Chains, #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
4.5 stars.
It would have been 5 if not for that proper cliffhanger ending.
It was all sweetness and light and rainbows and butterfies for me throughout, though it drove me mad a few times with how oblivious they both were to each others feelings, but that end bit! So dark and cliffhanger-y. I even had to carry on into the sneak peek for the next book just to try and get some answers but nope, cut off before we find out if everyone is okay. Bloody hell!
Now i really need to read book 2 to see what happens next.
It would have been 5 if not for that proper cliffhanger ending.
It was all sweetness and light and rainbows and butterfies for me throughout, though it drove me mad a few times with how oblivious they both were to each others feelings, but that end bit! So dark and cliffhanger-y. I even had to carry on into the sneak peek for the next book just to try and get some answers but nope, cut off before we find out if everyone is okay. Bloody hell!
Now i really need to read book 2 to see what happens next.
Kristina (502 KP) rated Stealing Harper (Taking Chances, #1.5) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
As I read Stealing Harper, I was unaware that it was a novella to a series. Luckily, it didn't feel like a novella, so when I went to write this review, I was surprised to find out it wasn't a standalone. I liked Stealing Harper well enough. I won't lie, I scrolled through the pages a bit, but I will say this: The ending killed me. I had felt cheated out of a proper ending. Now that I'm aware this is part of a series, I'll definitely be reading the other books to find out how the whole story ends!
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Stepsister in Books
May 3, 2020
This really didn't grasp me and I couldn't bring myself to carry on reading. I feel like the concept could have been good but I just couldn't get into the story. I don't know if it was the way it was written or the storytelling flow, I feel bad but I just couldn't.
It's taken me a long time to get here, before I would just power through a book regardless, I'm glad that I've reached a place where I can now say "this isn't doing it for me, and there's so much more out there to read"
It's taken me a long time to get here, before I would just power through a book regardless, I'm glad that I've reached a place where I can now say "this isn't doing it for me, and there's so much more out there to read"
I read or, more accurately, listened to this book via Audible.
As such, I'm worried that I didn't get the full impact of it.
(sorry not sorry)
I am an inveterate worrier, and I did glean one or two nuggets of useful information from this, but I have to admit: I also had to force myself to finish it. I don't know whether it was because of the conversational style used, or the narrator or what, but I did find myself losing interest partway through.
I'm worried now that the author will take this the wrong way ...
(again, sorry not sorry)
As such, I'm worried that I didn't get the full impact of it.
(sorry not sorry)
I am an inveterate worrier, and I did glean one or two nuggets of useful information from this, but I have to admit: I also had to force myself to finish it. I don't know whether it was because of the conversational style used, or the narrator or what, but I did find myself losing interest partway through.
I'm worried now that the author will take this the wrong way ...
(again, sorry not sorry)
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Dancing on Broken Glass in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I think this is the best book I've read in a really long time.
Let's start with a critical analysis and break down the text: First, the writing was really good. Like, Dianne Dixon good, or JK Rowling good. It was filled with flowing and descriptive prose and beautiful metaphors. I could probably write a ten-page paper on some of the literary themes in this novel. It wasn't just fiction for the sake of the story: There was so much beauty about the meaning of life and love and commitment and… well, I'll let you read it.
The pacing was excellent. The very first sentence caught me by the hair and dragged me the whole way through the book. I read most of it in one setting, stopping only to readjust the pillow behind my back.
Now for the really important stuff:
The characters in Dancing on Broken Glass were so epic that I truly didn't want this book to end. They were so wonderful, but so terribly and humanly flawed, just like real people are, that I feel like if I saw Mickey or Lily on the street, I'd recognize them right away.
And boy did I relate to some of these characters!
The ending was just superb. It was heartbreaking, but I knew it was destined from the moment I started reading. It was so perfect and fulfilling that it was worth all the emotional turmoil the rest of the novel put me through.
On that note, it wasn't one of those books that are so hard to read that you can only take it in small doses or that it makes you cry, or extremely emotional readers can't handle it. Nor did it have any offensive language or sex scenes (okay there was some mention of sex, but it wasn't explicit in any way). In fact, it was one of the least offensive novels I've read in a very long time. We're talking years.
The romance was better than anything I've read in any teen novel. The relationships were true and realistic to the core. The flawed characters were just as real to me as I am to myself. The message of hope and grief and dedication and sacrifice will stay with me forever. I hope I never forget this story.
Dancing on Broken Glass was an absolutely beautiful novel. Ka Hancock is going on my Author Watch, and this novel is staying on my "re-read" bookshelf. I recommend it to absolutely anyone willing to hear a really good story.
Let's start with a critical analysis and break down the text: First, the writing was really good. Like, Dianne Dixon good, or JK Rowling good. It was filled with flowing and descriptive prose and beautiful metaphors. I could probably write a ten-page paper on some of the literary themes in this novel. It wasn't just fiction for the sake of the story: There was so much beauty about the meaning of life and love and commitment and… well, I'll let you read it.
The pacing was excellent. The very first sentence caught me by the hair and dragged me the whole way through the book. I read most of it in one setting, stopping only to readjust the pillow behind my back.
Now for the really important stuff:
The characters in Dancing on Broken Glass were so epic that I truly didn't want this book to end. They were so wonderful, but so terribly and humanly flawed, just like real people are, that I feel like if I saw Mickey or Lily on the street, I'd recognize them right away.
And boy did I relate to some of these characters!
The ending was just superb. It was heartbreaking, but I knew it was destined from the moment I started reading. It was so perfect and fulfilling that it was worth all the emotional turmoil the rest of the novel put me through.
On that note, it wasn't one of those books that are so hard to read that you can only take it in small doses or that it makes you cry, or extremely emotional readers can't handle it. Nor did it have any offensive language or sex scenes (okay there was some mention of sex, but it wasn't explicit in any way). In fact, it was one of the least offensive novels I've read in a very long time. We're talking years.
The romance was better than anything I've read in any teen novel. The relationships were true and realistic to the core. The flawed characters were just as real to me as I am to myself. The message of hope and grief and dedication and sacrifice will stay with me forever. I hope I never forget this story.
Dancing on Broken Glass was an absolutely beautiful novel. Ka Hancock is going on my Author Watch, and this novel is staying on my "re-read" bookshelf. I recommend it to absolutely anyone willing to hear a really good story.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated When Dimple Met Rishi in Books
May 23, 2019
I've seen this book get raved about online, but it just didn't sound that exceptional - yet another young adult romance. Contemporary, at that. But I finally read it for the Year of the Asian Challenge, and I am SO. GLAD. I DID.
Rishi Patel stole my heart. Which, as a demisexual, is completely unexpected. But he's just the exact right combination of sweet, romantic, totally geeky, and confident. He is absolutely my favorite character in this book. I like Dimple. But I adore Rishi.
I loved that both Dimple and Rishi tried to help each other achieve their dreams. I wish they'd both been a little more communicative about how they did so, but it was still cute to see them so invested in each other's life goals, as a couple should be!
This is a super cute romance, and it deserves all the rave reviews it got. I definitely need to read the sequel (about Rishi's younger brother) now.
Rishi Patel stole my heart. Which, as a demisexual, is completely unexpected. But he's just the exact right combination of sweet, romantic, totally geeky, and confident. He is absolutely my favorite character in this book. I like Dimple. But I adore Rishi.
I loved that both Dimple and Rishi tried to help each other achieve their dreams. I wish they'd both been a little more communicative about how they did so, but it was still cute to see them so invested in each other's life goals, as a couple should be!
This is a super cute romance, and it deserves all the rave reviews it got. I definitely need to read the sequel (about Rishi's younger brother) now.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated On the Edge (The Edge, #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
Admittedly fantasy books aren't my favourite (neither are books over 400pgs) and this took me a little time to get into. It was probably about the time Declan was properly introduced that my interest was piqued. At the same time though, I was still struggling with the story. I'd say it was from about a third of the way in when it started to grow on me, as did Declan.
It had an interesting concept with the two linked worlds--one fantasy-esque with nobles and the likes and the other a lot like the world now--with a thin strip known as The Edge linking them together.
I didn't always understand what was happening, especially at the beginning, but it was explained in more detail the more I read of the book.
This is my second book by the author and I think I might read more of her Kate Daniels series since I prefer more paranormal romance/urban fantasy books than just normal fantasy.
It had an interesting concept with the two linked worlds--one fantasy-esque with nobles and the likes and the other a lot like the world now--with a thin strip known as The Edge linking them together.
I didn't always understand what was happening, especially at the beginning, but it was explained in more detail the more I read of the book.
This is my second book by the author and I think I might read more of her Kate Daniels series since I prefer more paranormal romance/urban fantasy books than just normal fantasy.
Merissa (13749 KP) rated Discordant Cultivation in Books
Jan 2, 2026
DISCORDANT CULTIVATION is a DARK standalone novel about a music producer who sees the potential in a street busker. He kidnaps him and uses 'dubious' methods to teach him how to get the best out of his music.
Vale is the producer, and Kieran is the musician. You read the story from both perspectives, seeing Kieran succumb to Stockholm Syndrome in real time, along with everything else. There isn't a massive supporting cast, but each one plays a part in Vale and Kieran's story.
Now, it says it is "A Dark MM Captive Musician Romance", but I don't know if I would put the word romance anywhere near this. I mean, yes, they fall into something, a dark and twisted version of love, maybe, but romance? Maybe psychological horror fits better? Don't get me wrong, I love a dark romance, but I struggled with this book. It took me over three days to read it, when I can normally finish a book (or more) in a day.
I will say, read the trigger warnings! You will need to, to protect your own mental health. This book pushed boundaries I didn't even know I had. It was an extremely uncomfortable book to read, BUT it was so incredibly well-written!!! Gale Ian Tate has a knack for dark stories, but I think this one might be both the best and the worst! And while I both loved and loathed it, it definitely won't be one I read again!
An amazing, horrible, uncomfortable story that pushed everything I thought I knew. If that sounds like the book for you, then I can definitely recommend it. Just be careful with your own mental health, though!
** 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!
Jan 2, 2026
Vale is the producer, and Kieran is the musician. You read the story from both perspectives, seeing Kieran succumb to Stockholm Syndrome in real time, along with everything else. There isn't a massive supporting cast, but each one plays a part in Vale and Kieran's story.
Now, it says it is "A Dark MM Captive Musician Romance", but I don't know if I would put the word romance anywhere near this. I mean, yes, they fall into something, a dark and twisted version of love, maybe, but romance? Maybe psychological horror fits better? Don't get me wrong, I love a dark romance, but I struggled with this book. It took me over three days to read it, when I can normally finish a book (or more) in a day.
I will say, read the trigger warnings! You will need to, to protect your own mental health. This book pushed boundaries I didn't even know I had. It was an extremely uncomfortable book to read, BUT it was so incredibly well-written!!! Gale Ian Tate has a knack for dark stories, but I think this one might be both the best and the worst! And while I both loved and loathed it, it definitely won't be one I read again!
An amazing, horrible, uncomfortable story that pushed everything I thought I knew. If that sounds like the book for you, then I can definitely recommend it. Just be careful with your own mental health, though!
** 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!
Jan 2, 2026