Average. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I felt mostly detached while reading this.
There was a point towards the end of t 2.5 stars
Average. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I felt mostly detached while reading this.
There was a point towards the end of the book (like literally last 10% or so) when I actually thought that if the book ends with them pursuing other situations/people I literally wouldn’t care, SO I guess that says it all....more
I enjoyed it, but not enough to give it a higher rating. It had all the right elements to make a strong historical romance and it did pull i 3 stars
I enjoyed it, but not enough to give it a higher rating. It had all the right elements to make a strong historical romance and it did pull it off, but I did take frequent breaks during reading which tells me that it didn't manage to capture my attention and make me feel much or care for the characters.
That being said, I would recommend it. It was a well written book, but it just wasn't great for me. I will probably try the next book in the series when it's released. Adam's brothers seemed nice and Beck had all the personality.
Merged review:
3 stars
I enjoyed it, but not enough to give it a higher rating. It had all the right elements to make a strong historical romance and it did pull it off, but I did take frequent breaks during reading which tells me that it didn't manage to capture my attention and make me feel much or care for the characters.
That being said, I would recommend it. It was a well written book, but it just wasn't great for me. I will probably try the next book in the series when it's released. Adam's brothers seemed nice and Beck had all the personality....more
It wasn’t terrible but I also didn’t really enjoy it as I found some of the issues I had with the first book in the series to be present in2.5 stars
It wasn’t terrible but I also didn’t really enjoy it as I found some of the issues I had with the first book in the series to be present in this one as well.
The first half of the book was actually exciting. I was holding my breath for the situation the heroine was in and I thought it was a great way to have her and the hero get closer to one another under false pretences which would later help build a foundation for a deeper connection. Or so I assumed…
Once the heroine’s deceit was uncovered, the story and the characters became banal. There was little to.. nothing happening until the very end, when we got a bit of rushed and frankly boring action, after which they miraculously just sailed away for a better life but not before meeting up with the couple from book 1 for some very cringe and forced dialogue and interaction.
It’s like after almost halfway through the book, the story caught a different frequency. At the most pivotal moment when their connection could have been explored and solidified it all became about hormones, like they were horny teens.
Apart from that, the heroine overdid it with her doubts and constant internal questioning of the hero and how he could change, or change his mind, or have a freaking personality transplant or ANY possible scenario as long as she got to moan about it and we got to read about it over and over over again.
Anyway, point is, I didn’t end up liking either character because once they were next to each other without any pretence, they ceased to have an actual relatable personality or have any meaningful conversations, or do things together which would help them know each other and like each other for reasons other than hormones and the fact that there were slim pickings on that planet....more
Reading this was like a reminder to myself to temper my expectations even when it comes to reading a “sure thing” author.
I have read all the 2 stars
Reading this was like a reminder to myself to temper my expectations even when it comes to reading a “sure thing” author.
I have read all the author’s books except for the next one in this particular series (which is the last one left to read) and despite having some complaints here and there, I have enjoyed pretty much every story for how well it developed the connection between the two main characters. The progression of the main relationship and the way the characters grow and open up to each other was the best thing in each book.
That being said, this particular book not only made a feeble attempt at a semblance of plot but it also failed to establish a genuine connection between the hero and heroine. If you take this exact “plot” and change the setting and some small details to that of a contemporary story where the hero is a guy in the mafia not much would actually change - which to me says it all.
And if you’re wondering, no,it would not be one of the better mafia books, it would be a “cliche, insta-love, he holds all the power and moves her about the chess board like a doll chess piece and she has no personality and does nothing else except sleep, eat, wait to be summoned by him,think of him and how much she wants to do all the dirty things to him and then repeat all that the next day.
The male and female leads were very one dimensional and I couldn’t see them as real people who I care about and wish to see more of.
The insta-connection the hero felt was explained away with the weak argument of “it’s just a very odd reaction for which I have no explanation” . And then we proceeded to pretty much have no development of a bond based on that elusive initial connection because - who needs that when they can spend a whole book thinking about getting it on and how much they really, really, reaaaaaally wanted to do it.
There was no real world building and whatever little there was left a lot to be desired so I genuinely didn’t enjoy any aspect of this story.
Reading this book, I felt duped, lured into a false sense of security only to then have this dumped into my brain and be slightly disgusted when I reached the end.
Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to stories about aliens in space, this is not necessarily one of the worst things out there, but I could point out 100 books just like this one, same characters, same “plot”.
Authors can have a bad book, but this particular one read like it was written by a different person. Like an attempt to write what everyone else does. Same mindless, pathetic smut without depth or an actual good story.
All I can say is that, I reaaaally hope this is a one off because I’ve enjoyed Olivia’s books too much to think that she changed the essence of her books going forward. ...more
Disappointed. One word that described what I felt after reading through this book.
At times it felt like the book was written so the author could giveDisappointed. One word that described what I felt after reading through this book.
At times it felt like the book was written so the author could give herself a pat on the back OR so that she could get praised for being successful regardless of her neurodivergence. Instead of attacking the neurotypical idea of productivity this book fed into it. There is nothing to gain from the experience of the author, except perhaps a deeper sense of inadequacy which would be misplaced because what this books tries to showcase is NOT the general struggle of a late diagnosed neurodivergent woman.
There is no intersectionality. There is no accounting for race, class or education.
This book it’s pointless except, as I mentioned before, to boost the authors profile. ...more
It was a sweet book (eventually)and I liked reading about the innocent and hopeful outlook that Lore had when it came to love and marriage 3.5 stars
It was a sweet book (eventually)and I liked reading about the innocent and hopeful outlook that Lore had when it came to love and marriage.
It’s not foolish to dream and hope that people live up to expectations. It’s not immature to want to build a great relationship and a loving marriage.
I felt a bit jaded when I initially found myself cringing at her emotional vulnerability and how much she craved the hero’s attention and built her life around just sitting around and waiting for him. I mean, yes, part of it was l a bit frustrating for me to read but I was being too harsh on her. She was young and thrown into (although willingly) a situation that she didn’t have the confidence to navigate BUT here’s the kicker - she shouldn’t have had to find her footing by herself.
She was supposed to have a partner, she was supposed to be consulted, to be communicating with her husband. He was the one with all the cards. It was his house, his friends, his colleagues, he had a duty and he failed at it. So I’m not gonna blame a young girl for the fact that a grown man wasn’t able to function properly and do his duties. She shouldn’t be the one to teach him. Yes, she should have said something and spoken up for herself but no one is perfect.
So anyway, although I didn’t love the dynamic those two had it was eventually a cute story with a touch of angst. Everyone needs different things in a partner and I figure those two were what the other needed. Lore with her fragile confidence but sweet and kind disposition provided the kind of refuge Renzo needed from his responsibilities and the often violent and unpredictable life he led. And he gave her the kind of security and protection she most likely craved....more
I loved the chemistry Cinna and Dav had. It was palpable. Their personalities really complemented each other and just made sense.
I love an 4 stars
I loved the chemistry Cinna and Dav had. It was palpable. Their personalities really complemented each other and just made sense.
I love an easygoing hero with an edge but I love a heroine with true grit and confidence even more. Cinna was self sufficient to the point of exasperation but I could relate to her. She wasn’t just a product of her upbringing, she was a product of hard work, determination and courage. I loved that.
The only thing I was about to be disappointed about was the fact that they had the “we can’t have them and we don’t want them” conversation about kids.
I don’t need marriage, rainbows and a gaggle of children to make a HEA complete, I actually love that Jessica is a romance writer who gives each character a believable HEA with some of them deciding to be child-free and others finding different ways into parenthood.
That being said, sometimes I read about a character that I want to see raising and moulding a young mind. ( you don’t need to be a parent to be that kind of influence for a child but it makes it easier sometimes) And it’s never the sweet and gentle ones, it’s the ones like Cinna. Protective with a tough exterior and a steel core.
Now, like I said I was about to be a bit .. disappointed. I felt like just because she was tough and a capo didn’t mean she couldn’t assume the role of mother, however that may look like for her.
Anyway, I definitely wasn’t disappointed, and it wasn’t for nothing that I got those vibes from Cinna because she started collecting children and giving them a home, a steady parental figure, a dependable adult to always lean on when in need and someone in their corner who will fight for them and tell them their lives and their dreams matter.
It was beyond beautiful to read about and it was the best possible way and direction for Cinna’s story. She was the definition of MOTHER. Her love language is definitely acts of service but she definitely knew just the right words of affirmation too.
While I like the couple and I think they had amazing chemistry, for me this book was a monument to Cinna. Loved her.
Small Complaint: I wish we didn’t get told over and over and over how much of a womaniser the hero was. He was still very likeable, he was respectful of women and all the right things, but I wish that one of his defining characteristics didn’t have to be the fact that he basically was running out of women to sleep with because he’d been there done that and got the funny stories to prove it. It can be part of his history but I don’t wanna just see him as that guy.
I mean, that’s not something that tells me much about someone as a person it just reminds me over and over and fills my head with many visuals of him and other women when I just wanna concentrate on the couple instead.
I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be mentioned - I’m ok with that because it can paint a picture of his romantic life previous to being with the heroine BUT it’s enough to get told once - maybe twice if necessary but anything more it’s just stopping me from focusing on his other qualities....more
Why did I wait so long to read this? I felt emotionally drained after I finished it, the way I haven’t felt after reading a book in a VERY l 5 stars
Why did I wait so long to read this? I felt emotionally drained after I finished it, the way I haven’t felt after reading a book in a VERY long time. I had the best time loving these characters and their story.
Loved, loved, loved it!
The love story was beautiful, heartwarming and memorable but what made the book really come together were the side characters who enriched the life of the hero and heroine.
They were at times mere glimpses, other times a more or less integral part of the lives that Parker and Ellie were building.
It was great to see how much richer, bolder and fuller life can be when we make connections with others and we are truly understood and liked for who we are. I loved reading how open and willing the hero was to learn from the people that came into his life and treated him like he mattered. How little by little he learned to open himself up but also to see himself as a person worth knowing, a person of worth in general.
As for Ellie, she at first she seemed more well adjusted and at peace with herself and her standing in society and life in general, but we get to see the cracks early on. There was a self imposed limit on how much credit she’d give herself, how much of life she’d let herself enjoy and how much she closed the door on.
Both her and the hero were discarded by society at large and that made them cling to each other initially, but I was happy to see them go out of their comfort zone and strive for more of a connection to the wider world.
The love they developed for one another and I believe also the admiration they felt for each other gave them the confidence and determination to prove themselves not in the eyes of others necessarily but their own. Living in a bubble is nice but living loud and free is nicer.
There’s so much more I could say about this book. So many little things that made it stand out: - like the way the hero would ALWAYS think of little things he could do to show Ellie he saw and appreciated her; - or the way he worked so hard and was so determined to not only match her kindness but also to make her proud; - the way he strived to regain or simply gain his own sense of self worth by learning and using every skill he could in order to create a home and a living they’d be proud of; - the way Ellie was happy and looked forward to cooking all sorts of things and trying all recipes to see him enjoy her efforts; which he ALWAYS thanked and praised her for; - the way they just enjoyed making each other happy with the small things they’d do for each other and the children
The only flaw this story had was that it didn’t give me more “happy family” moments. I wanted to see them 5 years, then 10, then 20 into the future. I wanted to see the fruits of their labour pay off because they deserved it. ...more
Using a woman’s insecurities and her desire to overcome them as a plot only to then employ some of the most misogynistic and harmful stereotypes to acUsing a woman’s insecurities and her desire to overcome them as a plot only to then employ some of the most misogynistic and harmful stereotypes to achieve “confidence” is batshit to me. Not to mention it’s harmful, sad and disrespectful.
Trash.
Side note: How many women would actually go to a strange man (hot or not) and ask him to basically “fix them” or trust him to teach a woman about female pleasure? I don’t you about yall but I’d rather drink bleach. If I’m looking to gain confidence, find pleasure and better my sex life I’d ask other women for advice never a man, because this is not just about biology or sexuality but it’s an intrinsic part of being a woman - at some point or another we had to learn to take charge of our pleasure and it’s got nothing to do with men and what they do or don’t do because those things are easy to spot and communicate.
No, this is a purely female experience of learning that men and how they feel about us has never had anything to do with how we experience our own sexuality.
Women are not taught to value sexuality as something on its own, it’s always for a man or with a man .. and this book just reinforced that harmful idea.
A man calling me a “Queen” is not gonna make me feel like one, learning to love and learn myself is gonna do that....more
I was really excited to read this because I’m a sucker for betrayal themed books - and most are about cheating and I don’t read those - why d2 stars
I was really excited to read this because I’m a sucker for betrayal themed books - and most are about cheating and I don’t read those - why does everyone assume betrayal can only mean physical cheating? There’s so many ways one can betray a partner… but I digress.
So yes, I was extra excited for the added story of sibling organ donation (when one sibling was conceived for that specifically) - and I was sorely disappointed.
The issues mentioned and the backstory of the heroine were horrific in my opinion. Her suffering and extensive trauma is just crazy to think about. Her parents didn’t allow her any childhood joy or freedom. They controlled every aspect of her life - she didn’t drink a drop of water that wasn’t accounted for. They even went ahead and basically removed her reproductive organs because instead of treating an infection with antibiotics they wanted to make sure she’d be always healthy to donate and didn’t want things like her uterus/fallopian tubes (one of those) getting in the way. They had to move to Mexico because doctors wouldn’t operate on her in the USA. Every time she donated she was in more and more pain for which they didn’t allow her painkillers because again they wanted nothing in her body that wasn’t strictly necessary for her health so that she can always be in top shape to donate.
It was extremely hard to read. And it was all glossed over. It’s such a big thing and it was treated like an instrument to create a little bit of plot for the couple. Gross. Not to mention that the hero and heroine never really get to actually have an in depth and revealing conversation about what she went through and how he failed her. She was wrong for not telling him the whole story BUT he knew his wife and should have accepted that she wouldn’t refuse to save her sister’s life unless she really had reasons to be so vehemently opposed. I think he’d still have made her do it even if he knew tbh. And I can’t accept that.
The lack of communication was abysmal and their relationship felt flimsy because of it. He didn’t even realise she battled depression, apparently she got “moods”. I mean yeah, ok but did he get concern and perhaps talk to her about them? Did he want to know more about her family and demanded explanations? I don’t get this love they professed for each other when one person didn’t know vital, life changing things about their spouse? The kind of stuff that made them who they are and the way they are.
I would love if authors stopped writing these big, traumatic backstories and then phoning it in when it’s time to show how the character revolved because of it. The heroine was basically raised as a biological slave and given no affection. She was a prisoner, taken out only when needed and carefully monitored every single moment of her life. That shapes a child and the adult they become. How exactly is that represented here? It’s not.
Ok now, let’s move on the absolute insane plot that basically wanted to cram everything in it. There’s stalkers, family secrets, murders, arson.. literally you think it, it’s got it. Then at the end the sister was made to seem a saint as well.. I’m flabbergasted all that managed to fit into 250 pages or so. It was ridiculous and insane
Hero was an entitled, selfish narcissist. He never cared about putting himself in the heroine’s shoes. He left and lived his best life while she strugHero was an entitled, selfish narcissist. He never cared about putting himself in the heroine’s shoes. He left and lived his best life while she struggled and put her own life and dreams on hold and then had the audacity to feel like he’s the injured party. It’s been a long time since I read about a hero so revolting as a human being. You can’t love someone and not care about their wellbeing or try to do even the bare minimum to be there for them and be someone who they care rely on as a safe space. Heroine needed to move on to someone who has the ability to love their partner more or as much as they love themselves. ...more
Too much drama llama, over the top emotional situations. It was like drama porn.
Also, Jagger was an ass. I don’t care for hi**spoiler alert** 2 stars
Too much drama llama, over the top emotional situations. It was like drama porn.
Also, Jagger was an ass. I don’t care for his freaking trauma. There are millions of veterans with trauma and they don’t decide to fake their death and then go live a new life and make new friends, get engaged to another woman etc while their family and everyone left behind is mourning him for the rest of their lives.
He was not selfless - he was a self centred prick who I can’t stand.
Merged review:
2 stars
Too much drama llama, over the top emotional situations. It was like drama porn.
Also, Jagger was an ass. I don’t care for his freaking trauma. There are millions of veterans with trauma and they don’t decide to fake their death and then go live a new life and make new friends, get engaged to another woman etc while their family and everyone left behind is mourning him for the rest of their lives.
He was not selfless - he was a self centred prick who I can’t stand....more
I wasn’t planning on reading this because I DNFed the first one and disliked the third one - but then I saw the ebook was on sale and I wa 3.5 stars
I wasn’t planning on reading this because I DNFed the first one and disliked the third one - but then I saw the ebook was on sale and I was in a specific mood, namely I wanted to read something light which included a group of friends and didn’t have much drama or angst. And this fit the bill perfectly. So if that’s the mood - this is a good book to try.
Now, I didn’t expect to like it. I was gonna give it a few pages and DNF based on the track record with the rest of the series BUT this is actually the best of the bunch. I liked the MCs - sometimes the heroine was a bit annoying but then she did kinda grow, matured and just improved as a character. I loved the hero. He was a sweetie. Very genuine and caring.
What wasn’t really my cup of tea was the humour. I’m not gonna lie, some of it was just ok, but some was so cringe and over the top.. but really it wasn’t a deal breaker - it didn’t happen on every page and I could kinda skate past it.
Overall, it was an ok read, perfect for the right mood. ...more
I read every new release by JG because it’s always going to ok. Not always the best but always familiar, quick to read, safe in all ways t 4.5 stars
I read every new release by JG because it’s always going to ok. Not always the best but always familiar, quick to read, safe in all ways that matter to me and her heroes are damn near perfect.
But sometimes, she writes a book that’s better than expected. The formula and writing style is still there but this one made me feel more connected to the characters and I truly believed their progressing relationship was so natural and that those two were truly meant to meet and be each others person.
I think it’s a given that I love the Grassis and their family dynamics but I adored the heroine’s relationship with her mother and how healthy and loving it was. It truly touched me. I love seeing mothers mother and their children loving them for it and showing that with words and actions. It was just so beautiful.
I’m adding this one to my list of JG’s favourites.
Merged review:
4.5 stars
I read every new release by JG because it’s always going to ok. Not always the best but always familiar, quick to read, safe in all ways that matter to me and her heroes are damn near perfect.
But sometimes, she writes a book that’s better than expected. The formula and writing style is still there but this one made me feel more connected to the characters and I truly believed their progressing relationship was so natural and that those two were truly meant to meet and be each others person.
I think it’s a given that I love the Grassis and their family dynamics but I adored the heroine’s relationship with her mother and how healthy and loving it was. It truly touched me. I love seeing mothers mother and their children loving them for it and showing that with words and actions. It was just so beautiful.
I’m adding this one to my list of JG’s favourites....more
For starters the plot had so many holes in it, that it made it hard for me to put my "just go with it cap on.
We are sup 2 stars
This one was not it.
For starters the plot had so many holes in it, that it made it hard for me to put my "just go with it cap on.
We are supposed to believe that the heroine who was, let's face it, kind of oblivious to the games and players of the criminal underbelly, used GOOGLE and found out who was the hitman who killed her boyfriend. No one else knew, because for all accounts and purposes the hitman (also known as Massimo, the hero) is part of a mafia family not even located in NY, and he was so good that he would get hired by other mafia bosses to do their hits. But this girl, during 4 years, used google 10 minutes every week (because that's all she was allowed) and found not just the organization most likely to put the hit, but the actual guy. Okkkkkkkk.....
I wish this was the most unbelievable silly part, but no. The whole plan they put together afterwards in order to get her out of a messy situation and kill some bad guys.. what even was that? She literally could have ran away with her brother and then the hero would hide her until the bad guy was done for. That whole spy like adventure they put together was so absurd. Like.. why? Explanations were given yes, but they made no sense, so they amounted to nothing.
Now, talking about the romance and the couple itself. Zero chemistry, zero feelings, just zero, nada, zilch.
I'm dissapoined by this one. I hope Nino's book will be better.
Merged review:
2 stars
This one was not it.
For starters the plot had so many holes in it, that it made it hard for me to put my "just go with it cap on.
We are supposed to believe that the heroine who was, let's face it, kind of oblivious to the games and players of the criminal underbelly, used GOOGLE and found out who was the hitman who killed her boyfriend. No one else knew, because for all accounts and purposes the hitman (also known as Massimo, the hero) is part of a mafia family not even located in NY, and he was so good that he would get hired by other mafia bosses to do their hits. But this girl, during 4 years, used google 10 minutes every week (because that's all she was allowed) and found not just the organization most likely to put the hit, but the actual guy. Okkkkkkkk.....
I wish this was the most unbelievable silly part, but no. The whole plan they put together afterwards in order to get her out of a messy situation and kill some bad guys.. what even was that? She literally could have ran away with her brother and then the hero would hide her until the bad guy was done for. That whole spy like adventure they put together was so absurd. Like.. why? Explanations were given yes, but they made no sense, so they amounted to nothing.
Now, talking about the romance and the couple itself. Zero chemistry, zero feelings, just zero, nada, zilch.
I'm dissapoined by this one. I hope Nino's book will be better....more
This gave me a bit of a deja-read. If you’ve read The woman in the trunk maybe you can agree or disagree.
There weren’t any obvious simila 3.5. Stars
This gave me a bit of a deja-read. If you’ve read The woman in the trunk maybe you can agree or disagree.
There weren’t any obvious similarities necessarily but I got the same vibe and it felt like the bones/foundation of it was the same but with different characters and plot.
That being said, it’s not a bad thing at all. I loved that book and while this one just didn’t have the same energy I enjoyed reading it - A LOT. Thank God Matteo’s book is coming out soon because I want more.
Luca and Romi were perfect for each other and I could feel their connection even if it was very insta lovey. Nothing wrong with that.
The plot was good as well but it didn’t blow me away. As per usual the side character game was strong!
Merged review:
3.5. Stars
This gave me a bit of a deja-read. If you’ve read The woman in the trunk maybe you can agree or disagree.
There weren’t any obvious similarities necessarily but I got the same vibe and it felt like the bones/foundation of it was the same but with different characters and plot.
That being said, it’s not a bad thing at all. I loved that book and while this one just didn’t have the same energy I enjoyed reading it - A LOT. Thank God Matteo’s book is coming out soon because I want more.
Luca and Romi were perfect for each other and I could feel their connection even if it was very insta lovey. Nothing wrong with that.
The plot was good as well but it didn’t blow me away. As per usual the side character game was strong!...more
