TBR Challenge Summary

2021 is almost done!

This means I've completed another TBR Challenge, hosted by Wendy, the Super Librarian, and once again I had fun looking for titles to fit the themes of each month. It is true the themes are optional but to my personal enjoyment, the fun part is precisely to try to find books that will fit. 

As always, when it comes to multiple possibilities, some choices ended up being good ones, others not so much but I also think it's a "truer" experience - if one can say it like that - to commit to a choice and not write about anything that would fit just because it was a good read.

Here is a summary of the books I chose and what I thought about them:

January: Alpha Night - Nalini Singh (comfort read)

The books in Nalini Singh's series "Psy-Changeling" are wonderful scenes of a world I really like. I think that the author has created amazing characters in a well detailed and immersive world and they are a comfort to me. In this installment, an changeling alpha female and an arrow psy discover they are mates while facing adversaries and danger but with friends helping them too. 8/10

February: Lakeshire Park - Megan Walker (new to me author)

This first book I tried by author Megan Walker is an historical with a simple and unassuming plot but with characters I came to like. Amelia and Clara are close to a dire fate but they hope a house party will be the opportunity for a proposal, which will save them. However, someone at the party seems to always be on Amelia's nerves and ruining chances... but it turned out the HEA wasn't too far.... 8/10

March: Smoke Bitten - Patricia Briggs (favorite author)

I wouldn't say mrs Briggs is my absolute favorite author but she is one of them and it is true her style and "voice" is tremendously appealing and I love both series by her I'm following. This is another installment in the Mercy Thompson series and this time she has to face a clever and malicious fey who is causing problems for her family... 8/10

April: Falcon's Fire - Patricia Ryan (old school)

I picked a book written in 1995 which, although not old per se, is already practically 27 years ago, which can seem like a lifetime for some.  After three great picks in the previous months, this was a disappointment because this medieval story had plenty scenes I disliked, even seen through the eyes of a reader in 1995...I just found the plot to be miserable and the characters unappealing. 3/10

May: Den of Wolves - Juliet Marillier ( fairytale, folk tale)

I have enjoyed all the books by this author so far and some have been amazing ones. I count this one among them, for the final installment in the Blackthorn and Grim trilogy has everything to make this special. The tone and vibe of these books is pretty close to folk tales, for the author uses many as her inspiration and I was once again captivated by the adventures the characters faced. 9/10  

June: Heartsight - Kay Springsteen (one word title)

This was a random pick with a one word title and I imagined it would be a sweet, poignant story about a single mother and her child and the man that comes to love them both even though he isn't perfect and the child isn't what many would call "normal". Sadly for me, the writing style wasn't appealing, nor was the pace and I admit it was a chore to finish. 4/10 

July: The Perfect Husband - Lisa Gardner (secrets and lies)

A story where a woman wants to be able to defend herself from a liar of husband, who also has a deceiving behavior in front of others seemed a good way to go this month. I think the idea was great but the execution wasn't as wonderful, mostly because there's also a romantic content and that wasn't as easy to connect with, in my POV. 6/10

August: Wicked - Elisabeth Naughton (more than one book by an author)

This is a PNR series I've been following and I have other things by the author to read, so easy pick. The story might not be easy to enjoy for readers without having read the previous novels, so I would advice reading in order, especially since this one features children of the characters from earlier books. Since I like the series as a whole, this one worked out for me. 8/10

September: The Girls at 17 Swann Street - Yara Zgheib (unusual)

I've decided to go with a theme I'm interested enough but that isn't in any way something I deliberately look for. The main character suffers from anorexia and this is her attempt journey at healing at a clinic. I think the style was a bit difficulty to get into and the fact there's a lot going on is too distracting. I believe a non fiction might have been easier to appreciate then this fictionalized perspective. 5/10

October: Airs Above the Ground - Mary Stewart (gothic)

I chose a well known author for her Gothic novels and was delighted the setting was in Vienna, my dream destination to visit. The plot and writing were superb but the pace sometimes felt...slow.  The mystery was interesting but it's very easy to compare with more modern novels in the sense some behavior the characters show seems dated. 6/10

November: Take the Lead - Alexis Daria (competition)

In this novel, a dancer pairs up with a celebrity to win a dancing competition. This is very close to real life reality shows but I hoped the main coupel would have such a great journey from partners to friends and in love that it had to be the only choice for them. I liked most of the plot, the dance talk, the challenges they faced but the romance wasn't as amazing as I imagined it could have been. 6/10

December: The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan (festive)

What a great way to finish the TBR challenge, this was  acute and sweet read, with some low angst at times to make everything more special when a solution/happy ending is achieved. Carmen is a woman down on her luck and her sister finds her a job to do in a bookshop in Edinburgh. This had all the necessary elements to turn this into a very good Christmas read. 8/10

All in all, as it ever happens, I've liked some things more abut happily, there was a majority of reads I liked than the opposite.

My favorite was May and the one I liked the least was April. Most of my picks were contemporary settings, only two being set in historical periods. Five of these reads were in paperback format, all the others as ebooks. Interestingly, all were by female authors.

I'm very glad I was able to do the challenge and will certainly do it again next year.

Happy reading!

TBR Challenge: Jenny Colgan - The Christmas Bookshop

When the department store she works in closes for good, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. She doesn’t want to move in with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered Edinburgh life.
Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want Carmen there either. Her sister has always been sarcastic and difficult. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs a retail assistant for his ailing bookshop, so welcoming Carmen might still have some benefits for everyone.
At Sofia’s behest, Carmen is thrown into the daily workings of old Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the streets of the old dark city. Can she use her design skills to revamp the store and bring it back to popularity in time to benefit from Christmas shopping traffic? Can she choose between bad boy literary rock star Blair and quiet Quaker student Oke? And will she heal the rift with the most important people of all: her family?

Comment: It does seem surprising, but time does fly and it's December already. That means it's time for another post of the TBR Challenge and the theme for this month was "festive", which can be any kind of celebration but this being December, clearly the pick tends to fall more onto Christmas themes and I chose it as well.

I picked a very recent book by Jenny Colgan (although I'm behind on her series) not only because it was a Christmas story and fit the theme but also because some friends have enjoyed it and I was ready to like it too.

In this story we meet Carmen, she hasn't had a lot of luck when it comes to her choices in life, which explains why she will be out of a job again very soon. Her successful sister, lawyer extraordinaire and mother of three, soon to be four, with a wonderful husband somehow finds her a position at a struggling bookshop in Edinburgh, where she lives. Carmen reluctantly agrees, hoping to endure the process of being with a sister she isn't that close to. However, both her sister's children and the bookshop start growing on her and Carmen must decide if she is willing to bet on a life she is enjoying more and more or if this is really just another experience and she should leave before she gets even more attached...

While reading, I kept thinking this book reminded me of a cozy fire, a hot beverage on the side, while it was cold outside... I thought this because it was, indeed, cold outside, but also because every detail in this book is aimed to make us imagine this scenario, that although there are unpleasant things all the time, we should cherish the sweet, the cozy, the warmth in our lives, even if that is only the support of our family. Of course the intention of this story is very obvious but that didn't mean it would be so satisfying to read it, even knowing it's meant to be sweet and inspirational for the season.

Carmen is an easy heroine to relate to because she has worries and a complicated life, mostly because of choices she made and how her personality is but she is a likable person and we feel it's very easy to root for her, especially since, as the plot moves along, we get to see her better side and why she is deserving of a HEA. She isn't perfect, no, but I believe her intentions are genuine and she is a natural helper, in the sense she might seem picky at times but she truly cares and does the "right thing", no matter how one would describe it.

There's a small moment during the plot where it seems things might turn into a love triangle, for of course part of the fun of having a new life experience is to fall in love, but I wouldn't label this romance as a love triangle for the simple reason that there wasn't a doubt in my mind who Carmen would end up with or why. I think the road to romance and admitting it is both sweet and whimsical enough to seem sweet and mysterious in some scenes but the practical side of me wishes they would have found a more detailed agreement on how things would proceed but it wasn't such a negative element because I think we are shown how they are in love.

In a way, if there is one less appealing element overall for me, is the fact some situations seem a little too convenient, slightly too easily accomplished... although i can put those aside for the type of story we have. I also would liked a little less vagueness in general, there are some situations, again, which feel too simple, not fully contextualized or explained...I wouldn't go as to use the word "angst" for this, but there's this sense the less then cheerful scenes might have had more background. It still didn't ruin the experience for me, though, so don't feel the story is incomplete or anything like that.

Since this is a story where good things are supposed to happen, as soon as our heroine makes up her mind about what she wants to do, everything falls very easily into place, both in her life and in the life of those around her. I think the author planned this story well enough for it to give the vibe intended, this is a sweet story about making choices that feel right, about cherishing family and the simpler things in life that, although might not be the flashier in contrast to others, are still fulfilling and special for what they mean. As a Christmas story, I really think this one worked out well.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Alexis Daria - Take the Lead

Gina Morales wants to win. It’s her fifth season on The Dance Off, a top-rated network TV celebrity dance competition, and she’s never even made it to the finals. When she meets her latest partner, she sees her chance. He's handsome, rippling with muscles, and he stars on the popular Alaskan wilderness reality show Living Wild. With his sexy physique and name recognition, she thinks he’s her ticket to the finals—until she realizes they’re being set up.
Stone Nielson hates Los Angeles, he hates reality TV, and he hates that fact that he had to join the cast of the The Dance Off because of family obligations. He can’t wait to get back to Alaska, but he also can’t deny his growing attraction to his bubbly Puerto Rican dance partner. Neither of them are looking for romantic entanglements, and Stone can’t risk revealing his secrets, but as they heat up the dance floor, it’s only a matter of time until he feels an overwhelming urge to take the lead.
When the tabloids catch on to their developing romance, the spotlight threatens to ruin not just their relationship, but their careers and their shot at the trophy. Gina and Stone will have to decide if their priorities lie with fame, fortune, or the chance at a future together.

Comment: November came as if no one would notice but it's here and once more it's time for the TBR challenge post. This month the theme is "competition" which can be seen as vague but I immediately thought about this book, which features a dancing competition. Choice solved!

In this story, featuring a fictitious dance competition pretty much like the ones seen on TV where dance professionals are paired up with someone who is a celebrity, we follow Gina Morales, a young Latina dancer whose dream is to have her own show or perform on Broadway. She wants this year to be her winning year in The Dance Off but she is surprised the show's production has chosen for her a really good looking guy, which makes her suspect they want them to be the "couple" of the season.

Stone Nielson has his own reality show, along with his whole family, and they live in the woods, "surviving" in Alaska. He accepts the invite to be in The Dance Off because the paycheck is great and his mother has had a costly hip replacement. He figured he would just learn a few dances, have a good time, despite being in the city, which he doesn't care much about, preferring the wilderness of Alaska, but he is paired off with an energetic, nice and attractive partner who he starts to care about.

Can it be these two, going into the show with different reasons and from different backgrounds have enough in common to make it work?

I liked the setup for this book. In fact, that was the main reason why I added it to my TBR and I was eager to see how this would be mixed up with the romance. I liked the book in general but I must say I also expected a better balance between the several aspects dealt with in it and in the end I felt the romance wasn't fully convincing to me. I just can't explain well if it was due to the lack of balance or simply because the falling in love part wasn't credible.

The premise is really interesting and it reminded me of other authors whose plots revolved around movie settings or theater performances and some I really liked. Like those, I also liked how the story was developed here and in particular the eye for detail of the "backstage" possible scenarios. When one watches reality shows it's usually for the dramas or the "real people's experiences" but pretty much everyone by now has to believe the majority of what happens in these shows is planned and staged. Still, I liked the author included glimpses of what happens to make it possible for the show to happen because it did give some veracity to the plot.

I have not watched any dancing competition on TV but it's something popular enough to allow anyone to have an idea. I also liked how a little of the heroine's personality came to live as she was seen planning choreographic moments for the episodes and the competition and practice scenes with her partner. Another interesting thing was the example of how the hero's reality show was based on lies and wrong premises but they had a contract and, again, drama sells. I think the details regarding the setting up of the reality shows was probably the element I found more interesting in this book.

Gina is a great heroine, she is smart, determined and a good person. She doesn't want to give in to stereotypes people have on Latino women while proving her worth as a professional. I applaud her professionalism and her work ethics. I liked her as the heroine of the book and how the story moved along for her. Stone, the hero, is described as quiet but I liked how he tried his best to help Gina and how positive he was in an experience which should be too hard for a shy person. I think it is believable he could overcome this since he was in a reality show of his own.

The romance felt a little disappointing. I liked the part where they fought their attraction, where they tried to keep the focus on their individual goals and then, as a way to help their partner, but as a romantic couple, it felt things were a bit forced. I mean this in the sense, their chemistry didn't feel very natural, only a progression of their dance partnership and proximity because of it. When they were together as a couple, it was nice but I don't think it was that obvious they had to be together. There was so much emphasis on what separated them and what existed to make it too hard for them to be a permanent couple that, along with the lack of balance between writing and romance descriptions, it just felt the end was also a little unlikely and convenient.

There was something missing from this story. I think perhaps a more romantic or well structured romance development would have helped or more nuances to the characters and their actions. Some things felt well thought but not well executed. I'm not certain I'll read the next installment but if I do, it won't be in the near future.

Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Mary Stewart - Airs Above the Ground

Lovely Vanessa March, two years married and very much in love, did not think it was a strange for her husband to take a business trip to Stockholm. What was strange was the silence that followed. She never thought to look for her missing husband in Vienna -- until she saw him in a newsreel shot there at the scene of a deadly fire. Then she caught a glimpse of him in a newsreel shot of a crowd near a mysterious circus fire and knew it was more than strange. It was downright sinister.
Vanessa is propelled to Vienna by the shocking discovery. In her charge is young Timothy Lacy, who also has urgent problems to solve. But her hunt for answers only leads to more sinister questions in a mysterious world of white stallions of Vienna. But what promises to be no more than a delicate personal mission turns out to involve the security forces of three countries, two dead men, a circus and its colourful personnel. And what waits for Vanessa in the shadows is more terrifying than anything she has ever encountered.

Comment: October is here and with it, another TBR Challenge post. The theme for this month is Gothic which, to be honest, isn't one I would pick on my own. Nothing against it, but it's not a type of story I tend to find suits me completely. So, I browsed my bookshelves, trying to see if I could fit anything and this book caught my attention - I had read something already by the author - and after checking GR, I saw many readers labeled it Gothic, along with romantic suspense and mystery. Voilá, I thought.

In this book we meet young Vanessa Marsh, while she sits with a family friend at Harrods and said friend, after a long conversation, finally ends up asking her to travel with her son Timothy to Vienna. Vanessa is surprised by this request but the friend explains she saw Vanessa's husband on the newsreel and would she not travel there to meet him and, as a favor, Timothy could go too, to join his father? This was delivered with a little malice but Vanessa is intrigued and after finding the newsreel, she does confirm to herself it is her husband...the problem is that he sent her a telegram from Sweden, therefore how could he be in Vienna? Vanessa decides to use the presence of Timothy as an excuse in case she discovers nothing, but she does plan her travel to Vienna....

I'll start right away by confessing this book has been for years in the pile because it's set in Vienna. This is my dream destination to travel before I die and had I got the company (I'm too shy to go alone) I would have gone there already. I'm not obsessed with all things Vienna, but I always have my antennae up, lol, when the city is mentioned and thus, this book's presence in the shelf.

I had read the author's work before, two short stories actually and I found that shorter size perfect for the type of story the author had created. Since the books date to the 1960s, some certain prose style is to be expected but I was still a little surprised by how... slow paced several parts of this book seemed to be. The writing style is very specific, as I've experienced with the other book I read, this one also took me some time to get used to - mostly because the wording/language are a little dated and English isn't my mother tongue, but the key moments took quite a while to be reached...

The plot is both clever and easy to follow, as the protagonists go from one situation to another. I'd say the big flaw for me here is the pace. What worked so well in the short stories seemed to fail for me in this full length story. It took time to set up things, to present them in a way that would mean it was believable for the characters to act a certain way, but I found that between key situations, time was passing by, there were many descriptions of actions and steps taken and I must bow my head and confess I was bored during some of these moments.

I know this is a talented author but there were times I just wish things would happen. When they did, they followed the pattern I came to expect from this author's work (a lot settling on convenience and people's social behavior in the 60s) and not much on believability of motive. With this I mean that the reason why the villain was doing his, well, evil deeds, was to expect but the way he went about it... obviously only in a time without easy communication mechanisms, such as a cell phone or a computer. Still, things were found somehow, even for the "good guys".

Vanessa is the main character. I liked several of her attitudes and I think she was quite brave to want to find out exactly what her husband was hiding from her. If there is one thing the author clearly does well is to allow the reader to guess things, to read between the lines...although I must say there is one scene here that in a movie would be perfect but reading through it was impossible for the result to be as amazing as I think the author wanted it to be. Nevertheless, for an attentive reader, the big mystery isn't such a surprise.

I did like all the Vienna references, the inclusion of the Spanish Riding School horses and how they are trained and special and even scenes with veterinary work and other animal related content was interesting to read about. I think the construction of the story and the eye for so much detail did help making this a special story.

The Gothic element isn't as strong as I would imagine, thinking this can be a label given to the book. There's suspense and some scarier moments, especially experienced by the heroine, but when I think of gothic I think more of darker and moody scenes than what we have here but I suppose this can be subjective.

The book ends positively, as one can imagine from this author but I still think some things were left too much into the whole "read between the lines". Fine, this is how things are and perhaps there's a bit of social context here playing a part too, not that I mind it in general, but I do think there was a lot of paragraphs dedicated to describing things which could have been dealt with more quickly and then when some important things - in my POV - should have been more detailed, they weren't.

This aside, I still enjoyed a big part of this book. I'll certainly try another one one day, to keep comparing, and I won't forget the Vienna descriptions but as for the fictional aspects, perhaps this wasn't a full win for me.

Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Yara Zgheib - The Girls at 17 Swann Street

The chocolate went first, then the cheese, the fries, the ice cream. The bread was more difficult, but if she could just lose a little more weight, perhaps she would make the soloists’ list. Perhaps if she were lighter, danced better, tried harder, she would be good enough. Perhaps if she just ran for one more mile, lost just one more pound.
Anna Roux was a professional dancer who followed the man of her dreams from Paris to Missouri. There, alone with her biggest fears – imperfection, failure, loneliness – she spirals down anorexia and depression till she weighs a mere eighty-eight pounds. Forced to seek treatment, she is admitted as a patient at 17 Swann Street, a peach pink house where pale, fragile women with life-threatening eating disorders live. Women like Emm, the veteran; quiet Valerie; Julia, always hungry. Together, they must fight their diseases and face six meals a day.
Every bite causes anxiety. Every flavor induces guilt. And every step Anna takes toward recovery will require strength, endurance, and the support of the girls at 17 Swann Street.

Comment: This month the theme for the TBR challenge is "unusual" and my interpretation of it was quite simple, I chose a book with a theme I don't usually pick. After a review, I got interested in the story of a young woman trying to go through a treatment for her anorexia. I expected a dramatic but heartfelt story of this woman's journey but the result wasn't as good as I imagined.

Anna is a young woman, who happens to be a ballerina, and following an injury, she isn't able to return to her previous position. She copes by starting a diet but things soon get out of control. Besides this, her beloved husband has an opportunity in the US and they leave France without knowing many people which, added to the fact Anna can't seem to find a position with any company, makes her feel depressed and doubting her skills. As time goes by and a merciful job doing something she doesn't like is the only option, the element Anna can control is food and that is how she reaches a point of almost no return, thus ensuring she is admitted to the house of 17 Swann Street, where she hopes to find a plan. But will she be able to defeat her demons and accept help?

I was quite keen on reading this book as soon as the idea of it was shared somewhere and the person's opinion made me want to try it for myself. I have not been ill with anorexia nor have I know close friends/family who were but it's a strange enough illness to make one curious, and knowing how harmful it can be and how definitive it can become if not treated makes me even more worried on how should I behave with someone would have it. I imagined this book would tell us the story of the protagonist on how she gave in to the mental idea which would distort her perception of her body and how could she try to become healthier.

First, I was a little disappointed the tactic was to insert background issues through flashbacks. We don't follow Anna's journey from the moment she becomes ill, we start when she admitted at the treatment house and see how she goes on to have therapy and help in becoming better. This is fine, but I expected more drama from seeing Anna experiencing things - even though this is first person narration and I tend to dislike it - and not just being told about it because she thought while something triggered that memory.

Then, the writing style was just so.. adverse, in my opinion, for the type of story being told that I feel the author didn't use the best tools to convey her message. Due to her choices, the graphic text had many sections in italics, others in current texts, all dialogues and exchange of information weirdly punctuated in the page that I simply didn't enjoy reading this. The content wasn't as great as I imagined, it was so focused on her emotional state which is understandable, but in such a tragic way (I felt more pity for the state of things than for Anna as a person), that added to the writing style of just popping up Anna's possible thoughts everywhere alongside with flashbacks, made the story be too compartmentalized and not fluid nor engaging.

I kept reading but it wasn't a great time. I know the theme isn't easy so when I say "great time" isn't in the sense this should be funny or cute, but that it should have been easier for me to sympathize, to feel a connection to Anna and to why she went from a healthy dreamy girl to someone with possibly fatal disease. It is true we have this information, we do learn how things happened but it's all secondary, told to us, we don't see it happen and I feel the author lost a good opportunity here.

With Anna in the house (whose address is repeated too many times to count) there are more girls with anorexia or bulimia and the caretakers, medical experts... I felt everyone was the symbol for something Anna has to learn/see in order to deal with her own issues. I don't thing any other character, including her husband who never stops loving or wanting to help her, are truly well characterized nor do we feel they matter that much. The words are there but I think there's a lack of structure in how the story is presented for this to feel more important.

Some readers have commented that from the moment Anna accepts her condition and wants to try, her "recovery" is too quick. I can't really comment, perhaps it's true thinking about how mental change is so hard, even more than the physical one, but it does feel as if it was all a matter of moving on from traumas of the past. What I can say is that the end result was not as satisfactory as I wanted and the book ended up being only average to me.

Grade: 5/10

TBR Challenge: Elisabeth Naughton - Wicked

Zagreus—Dark, depraved, cursed. In every way the Prince of Darkness.
Then he found her.
She was his salvation. His sanity. His strength. The only constant in his immortal life. Even when fate ripped her from his arms, he always found her again. But five hundred years has passed since her last death, and with no sign and no guarantee she’ll be sent back, the darkness inside him is swirling out of control.
Then fate drops a female in his path. One with violet eyes he’s sure he’s looked into millions of times across multiple lives. Talisa may be the daughter of the Eternal Guardians’ leader, but Zagreus is convinced she’s the missing half of his tattered soul. He doesn’t care that she doesn’t remember him. He’ll never let her deny that wicked-hot connection still sizzling between them.
This time, Zagreus is willing to risk everything—his present, his future, his destiny, even war—to keep her.
Because this time, even if he has to hold her as his prisoner for all eternity, he won’t lose her again.

Comment: No wonder time seems to fly! It's time for another TBR post and this month the chosen theme is "author with more than one book in TBR" and I could have picked one of so many but decided to go with a PNR series I follow. I chose this because I have other things by the author but this book is the latest installment in the series and this would allow me to be updated on it.

In this 9th book the adventures of the Argolean Eternal Guardians carry on, now with the children of the original characters already grown up. Talisa is the daughter of the couple from book #1 and when the story begins she is annoyed at not having been accepted to be a warrior, even though she has the marks, like her father, making her a true Argolean. While trying to come to terms with it, Talisa visits a bar usually attended by all kinds of supernatural beings and there she is mesmerized by a man that entices her, not knowing he is Zagreus, a constant enemy of her family.
Zagreus, too, is mesmerized for he believes this woman to be the reincarnation of his beloved, and he decides he will not lose her out of sight. But when Talisa's cousins try a rescue, things go terribly wrong. Will it be possible for them to reach the goals they need?

This is a series that, by this point, doesn't make much sense if one hasn't read the previous installments. Several things can be inferred by context and some information is shared in all the books but there are several nuances that can be lost and a lot feels confusing...I have read the books and time apart between releases is enough to make me forget some details, which is why I recommend this series should be read in order.

I think this had all the necessary ingredients to be a good paranormal romance. There's adventure, a world filled with mortals and gods and special powers, secrets to uncover, a romance between supposed enemy sides and enough secondary hints about other characters which makes them feel like friends. There's also what seemed to be a hint about whose might be next and the way things ended feels promising for another good novel.

Since I have liked the series, these elements seem good to me and while reading I managed to remember several things from other books but it's true time makes one forget a lot... the plot of this one isn't too complicated, at its base it's only about a rescue and what goes wrong/different in the process. Of course, as the Guardians try to save Talisa, they learn interesting new information, especially about the gods, which are based on Greek myths, and the surprises some hid. There's a revelation close to the end which was hinted at but when told it makes some information more relevant in previous books too..

The main characters, Talisa and Zagreus have different backgrounds and to be fair, this whole "reincarnation" tactic only seemed necessary to explain the obvious age difference between them. I mean, in the big scheme of things that's not even an issue, for this is PNR and usually most rules don't apply but the age difference here isn't as much maturity or common interests, it's actually about the fact they should be too different to make it work but, of course, they are soul mates! This should not be an excuse but it makes it easier for the author to bring them together.

Talisa I found a bit annoying.. a little too entitled even if her behavior didn't always show it. I can't explain but she read to me as any other PNR heroine and I wasn't too sold on her personality. Zagreus, for more than one reason, is the one going through the biggest evolution and I did like what the author thought for his character. The best thing about a romance is to see how they become better people or special while together and, in this regard, I think the result was positive for them as a couple.

I thing there some irritating issues, namely regarding how things happened so that a new story can (probably) happen next but the Greek myths twists and situations impacting the characters made for it and I had fun wanting to know what and how things would happen next. It was obviously great to have scenes with previous couples and characters and see how they sort of are now, which is even funnier since some are now parents.

I wouldn't say this is always the most stable series, meaning some books aren't as great, but overall I believe this to be a good series, solid enough to keep the interest as it moves along.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Lisa Gardner - The Perfect Husband

What would you do if the man of your dreams hides the soul of a killer?
Jim Beckett was everything she'd ever dreamed of...But two years after Tess married the decorated cop and bore his child, she helped put him behind bars for savagely murdering ten women. Even locked up in a maximum security prison, he vowed he would come after her and make her pay. Now the cunning killer has escaped--and the most dangerous game of all begins....
After a lifetime of fear, Tess will do something she's never done before. She's going to learn to protect her daughter and fight back, with the help of a burned-out ex-marine. As the largest manhunt four states have ever seen mobilizes to catch Beckett, the clock winds down to the terrifying reunion between husband and wife. And Tess knows that this time, her only choices are to kill--or be killed.

Comment: Years ago, I thought this would be a good book to add to my TBR but, as often happens, it has languished for all that time until now, when I finally picked it for the July TBR post theme, which is "secrets and lies", Yes, quite suggestive but I figured any book where crimes are being investigated would have both, wouldn't you agree?

In this novel we follow Tess as she tries to train her abilities in self defense because her ex husband escaped prison and she knows he will come after her.. She is afraid but wants to control her life again and there's also her daughter to protect. She goes to JT Dillon, an ex marine who is (badly) dealing with the death of his wife and son. He seems uncooperative at first but thinks it won't take too long to convince Tess she didn't choose a good deal but in fact, they both learn a team is stronger than two individuals. As her ex keeps killing probably trying to find her, will she succeed in getting the upper hand?

This is the first book by the author I try so I don't have much to compare it with except what I appreciate in thrillers in general. I found the writing to be easy, fluid, fast paced and rather energetic, in the sense there was always something happening. Perhaps it's because of this I also felt things went on too quickly at all levels, both plot and emotional advance. 

I missed a bit more connection with the characters and how they dealt with what was happening with them. I don't believe analyzing everything is necessary to impart information or feelings but in this case things were fast and taken as certain so I feel I wasn't given the chance to really enjoy how the process was done...as if the romantic aspects and the crime solving had to always be par to par without enough time to follow the steps on both things.

The plot was simple if not a little hard to imagine. I'm a somewhat lazy person, a follower of rules maybe, so all the ways characters devise to do things which are so unlikely always feel too weird and hard to accept - I mean how would one go to find a mercenary so easily/quickly as Tess found JT and conveniently be able to live with him and find a personal connection? Sure, this is fiction, but it feel very convenient how so many details match up.

The characters obviously make stories like these, because police procedures always feel overly easy and solvable in books and movies, in real life wouldn't they have to spend way much more time on paperwork? Anyway, I liked Tess and JT as protagonists, even as a couple but I admit I didn't feel an immediate connection with them. It's one of those situations where I don't think I'll have much remembrance of their path into a HEA weeks after having finished. JT has lived through disappointments and disillusionment over his father, someone he admired. I've come to really hate his father but JT and his sister Marion really should have done therapy, perhaps that could have helped.

Tess, the heroine, was a good character study for she goes from naive victim to determined force of nature. I'd say the problem is that since everything happens fast, so does her development/progress. Or, it feels like it does. In that regard, I failed to connect with her because her steps were well planned by the author and there seemed to be no time to allow her to test things as she went, she simply had to get them right in order to be successful. This didn't ruin the story for me, but it's an element I took notice of, therefore, along with the other elements, the overall effect of the story wasn't as memorable as I'd have liked.

Thinking of this story as a whole, I liked it enough to have finished, to have had a good enough experience in trying this author's style but I'm not certain I'll read more so soon.

Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Kay Springsteen - Heartsight

Trish Evers is an artist and single mother, who has inherited her grandmother's Bed and Breakfast in a North Carolina coastal town. Though she must sell the house, she decides to bring her daughter to the beach for one last summer vacation in her childhood town.
Bella is a six-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. Rejected by her father, Trish, is the only parent she's ever known. Bella likes to explore the beach and has a tendency to wander off. One day, Bella goes exploring on her own, and Trish finds her in the company of an intriguing stranger.
Dan Conway is a U.S. Marine, who had been born into a family of Marines. Now blind as a result of combat injuries and unable to "suit up," he feels he no longer has a purpose in life. He's come home to the beach, where he spends his days in solitude. Dan must learn to believe in himself and to love life again, which he begins to do through his interactions with Bella and Trish. When a hurricane strikes, and Bella wanders off again, her only hope for rescue is Dan.
Working within the confines of his blindness, he must overcome his fear of failure and recall his training in order to search for the little girl and bring her to safety.

Comment: This month, the theme for the TBR Challenge post is "one word title". I think it's specific enough to allow people to have something suitable but there are plenty of genres or authors to chose from as well. I immediately looked at the list of books in my TBR and this was the first with one word I saw, therefore I didn't think too long and added it to my monthly list. 

In this story we meet Dan, an ex military man who suffered an accident while on duty and he ended up blind. After many unsuccessful surgeries, he decided it was enough and is currently spending some time at a house near the beach and that is how he meets Bella and her mother Trish. They have come to take charge of an inheritance but Trish is struggling financially and besides that and the worry about her daughter's heart condition due to having Down syndrome, she has recently got news her ex, who never wanted Bella, now is eager to spend time with her and wants his legal rights to be granted. Dan and Trish meet under stressful situations but Bella is a light in their lives... can they really be a match for each other?

In 2018 I had read a book this author co-authored with another author. I barely remember the basics so I checked my post on it and it's cringey to me how vaguely I wrote things, probably to avoid spoilers, and I really couldn't remember vital plot points. Anyway, I'm saying this because I liked that other boo enough even if some things weren't as well done for me. Comparing with this one, and knowing that the one had a second author working on it, I have to wonder how much difference can exist between stories by the same author but, like in this case, belonging to different genres. 

This is a contemporary story but the feel of the story was, for me, like something older, in the sense the author didn't really work on her plot or the characterization of her characters. Everything is simply said, to the point, without much description and the reader only has to take that information for granted and move on. My ebook edition wasn't too big, and I can see how this happened, since the author seemed to economize on words. I mean, it's not that this had to be a bigger book, but the way it was written, certainly felt like it just wanted to impart what was necessary and that was it.

I admit I don't feel very much impressed with the writing style. It doesn't make me want to read more by the author because reading this one was not captivating. Added to that, there's the weird mix of intentions, if I can explain myself... so this is not labeled inspirational but there are some vibes of it. Some readers disliked this, others loved it, I feel indifferent to be honest (in general, I read inspirational books and some have been great but I don't actively look for them) because it's not such a big deal for me, but if this is the aim here, then it was a bit confusing how quickly Dan and Trish felt attraction for one another and even though there are no sex scenes, their connection did feel too quick and too convenient, which added to their constant thoughts about sexy time quite a clash with the supposedly more innocent scenes and the care for the little girl.

It is clear the author wanted to address several issues here, especially when it comes to disability and how people should embrace other's differences and not reduce them to it. I did like some passages and some scenes but it got to a point I was divided between the importance of touching a subject which should inform people and the tactic of putting the characters in the position where they would act silly or do something ridiculous. I didn't feel there was balance in this novel but looking at other reviews out there, perhaps I'm in a minority.

Trish and Dan's relationship happened really quickly. I think, in part, this is due to the writing style, which doesn't seem to allow readers to just read the information and think for themselves, but at the same time, it can be there's also a bit too much telling to speed things up... at least I got that sensation. Just to summarize, and I don't think this is a spoiler, they end up together, Bella continuous being a sweet child and we met one character who will be protagonist in a future book. The "bad guy" is defeated, some problems are solved and the end of the book came as smoothly as the beginning, without much complex content in between, in my opinion.

All in all, this wasn't the success I was looking for. It didn't work much for me, but it's known what might not work for some, can be gold for others, so, nothing like trying. Nevertheless, from my POV, I would not recommend it. There must be other stories out there featuring disabled characters with a stronger writing behind them.

Grade: 4/10

TBR Challenge: Juliet Marillier - Den of Wolves

Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life.
Despite her personal struggles, Blackthorn agrees to help the princess of Dalriada in taking care of a troubled young girl who has recently been brought to court, while Grim is sent to the girl’s home at Wolf Glen to aid her wealthy father with a strange task—repairing a broken-down house deep in the woods. It doesn’t take Grim long to realize that everything in Wolf Glen is not as it seems—the place is full of perilous secrets and deadly lies...
Back at Winterfalls, the evil touch of Blackthorn’s sworn enemy reopens old wounds and fuels her long-simmering passion for justice. With danger on two fronts, Blackthorn and Grim are faced with a heartbreaking choice—to stand once again by each other’s side or to fight their battles alone...

Comment: The theme for May's post of the TBR Challenge is "fairy tale/ folk tale" and I admit the first thing I thought about was Juliet Marillier's books, which often combine a little of both things. There's folk content based on ancient tales and the stories she writes have that vibe we are reading a fairy tale, in the sense there is a moral lesson to be learned from what the characters go through. I know others might have interpreted the theme differently, but my mind stuck on this and I went with it.

This is installment #3 in the Blackthorn and Grim trilogy, and I have enjoyed the previous stories quite a lot which means it was no surprise I'd get to this one too. In this book Blakthorn and Grim have settled a little in Dreamer's Wood, they have friends and allies and Blackthorn is only waiting for her deal with the fey Conmael to reach its end so she can start on planning her revenge. However, she bides her time helping others and having a quiet life while near several settlements where her skill as healer is often necessary. Things change when Cara arrives, sent by her father to stay at the prince's house while something is being built at Wolf's Den, her home. At the same time, Grim starts helping with the construction there and he is more and more curious over some strange things happening and he believes there are some dark secrets about the place. But how to know what is true and what is a lie? In the end, only their work as a team can solve the potentially deadly mystery...

I had a great time reading this one. I'm a fan of the writer, and I expected to be surprised positively, both due to the plot's mysteries and the characterization, which I think she excels at, and I was proved right. The plot is ingenious and so easy to fall into because there are always little things to be learned, to be known, to be guessed as each chapter goes by. I really like this sense every detail can be important and that the dots connect rather obviously if only we have the right clue or the right information.

How incredible it is for an author to pick an old tale, like mrs Marillier says at the end of the book that she found out about the tale which inspired this novel in a random book she was consulting, and from then on she imagined the whole plot and development. She does this in all her books, gives a body and a structure to a story which is, often, small, but then along with her characters and fascinating historical/fantastical settings, they come alive.

This is book #3 which means it's not a good idea to start here, not only because the characters have started to be developed in previous books but also because some references might be lost on a new reader. I actually think this was done well, there is some sharing of previous things but never to the extend of not reading would give the same kind of background. Plus, the first book was a delight, as they all are, with a perfect balance of darkness and hope to keep the reader immersed.

I was quite interested in the secret here, of why Cara had to leave and why did it matter the building being constructed had to be finished, why that way, what kind of secrets were being hinted... I confess at some point the truth became a little obvious, only why was the mystery, but the sense of urgency in some moments, the creepiness of some scenes kept me riveted even if I felt I could guess where things were leading. I think some details felt a little rushed closer to the end, because the big mystery was getting close to be solved and then there was only the matter of the main character's personal lives to be solved, so the author didn't languish, but despite having liked how the book ended, it was bittersweet, I didn't feel like saying goodbye to them.

I think the beauty of the book is how well is blends the weirdness of the fantasy elements with the realistic aspects of human emotions. Blackthorn and Grim are interesting characters but they embody values and notions and feelings that nowadays feel old fashioned but what a joy to have characters who you feel deserve a happy ending, who did mistakes and think wrong things but nevertheless act with truth and justice, I wish I could be as strong willed in my values and in the things I believe in. I'm happy they found their own happy ending.

I see there is another trilogy following this one and characters from this one will be there. I can't wait to get my hands on them, and see if the magic holds.

Grade: 9/10

TBR Challenge: Patricia Ryan - Falcon's Fire

Beautiful and impulsive, Lady Martine vows never to fall in love after her mother dies of a broken heart. But for her brother’s sake, she agrees to wed, sight unseen, the younger son of an English baron. The betrothal has been arranged by her brother’s old friend and fellow Crusade veteran Thorne Falconer, a landless knight in service to the baron.
Born into wretched poverty, the powerful and handsome Thorne pursues the one thing that separates the rich and the poor: land. As a reward for finding a wife for the hot-headed young Edmund, Thorne is to receive what he most craves, a grand manor of his own.
Neither Martine nor Thorne counts on their overwhelming attraction to each other. As the two improbably lovers struggle to deny their desire, they are drawn into a passion so fiery it sweeps away everything but all-consuming love.   

Comment: Time flies! It's time for another TBR post and the theme for April is "old school" which can be interpreted freely (that's the goal), within some rules of course, so the possibilities are always broad. Although, to be fair, anyone who doesn't want to follow the prop can choose something else.

For me, the expression "old school" always reminds me of books written a long time ago... so I picked a book written originally in 1995 (I was ten years old then lol so, suitable for, "old") and in mere four years it will be thirty. I also tend to think of "old school" as something written in a time where certain styles and trends were the norm and for me personally I'd put this up to things I would see up to 2000, 2001 and whereabouts. I might change my perspective a decade or more from now, who knows.

In this story we meet heroine Martine de Rouen who is traveling with her brother Rainulf, a former crusader now following his religious faith, to England, where she will be married to Edmund, an overload's son. The match was thought by Thorne Falconer, another crusader who was friends with Rainulf, so that the overload could finally give him the promised land he covets. However, as soon as Thorne meets Martine he can't help but like her, even when her behavior seems inconstant and it appears she appreciates him as well. Something between them is impossible for several reasons but the heart might not care...at least until terrible events make things happen much quicker than anticipated and then, it might be too late for them to reach for happiness...

This is the first book by the author I try. I can't remember but I think I added this to my TBR (in 2016) because it was certainly mentioned somewhere on having some sort of allure to my preferences...now I have finished, I assume it was the opposites attract sort of vibe Martine and Thorne have when they meet... nevertheless, I finally purchased the book and I decided to read it for the challenge. I should say I don't tend to be crazy over medieval romances (in contrast to Regency or Victorian for instance) because my contemporary self simply can't stand the even worse treatment of women at that time but,  you know, the old dream of a reader never ceases: to find a hidden gem!

I'll say it right away in case your eyes didn't see my grade immediately: I did not like this book. It was nothing like I imagined and although I'm perfectly aware taste is relative, for me the content in this book did nothing to wow me in a positive way. I thought this would be a sweet romance about two people who shouldn't be together but were falling in love anyway, perhaps Martine would struggle in a new place, perhaps the other people in the estate might not like her...anyway, I created some ideas but for me this didn't work at all in the end.

I suppose I could rant a little and give examples of the things I disliked but between not wanting to write that much (!) and not wanting to give spoilers in case someone really feels this might be a possible read, I'll just leave some general words on the kind of things I found made this a bad read for me...

- the treatment of women. I know medieval times weren't exactly enlightened but there are romances where the writing and the choices by the author can give realistic indications of this without ruining the "romantic" aspects. Some scenes made me mad and others so sad... like how Martine's future brother-in-law treated his wife. Yes, historically speaking things might be close to accurate but...

- mistreating and torture of animals. Again, maybe it was the way people behaved back then but I certainly do not want to read about it on the page.

- the lack of communication between some characters and the lack of honorable behavior among some groups/secondary characters, despite rules of conduct in place by the overload and the law itself. Even for plot purposes, I think the author went a bit too far in how descriptive some crimes were committed.

- the religious aspect might be true for the time with all the suspicion and lack of understanding but towards the end, when a key moment is happening, it felt like it was there to simply allow the hero to "save the day".

- the intimacy scenes didn't seem that romantic and for supposedly clever characters, both Thorne and Martine saw themselves in trouble because they couldn't think ahead. I can justify this as a plot device to force them to act a certain way, like when her marriage to Edmund goes badly and Martine and Thorne along with a friend think of a plan and that backfires.

Well, I could say more but I believe you can get it I disliked this one. I hoped things might improve and a better path might happen but it felt like the author did her research on medieval times and of the many characteristics we now know of how things were, she picked several of the most negative aspects and put them in this story. I struggled to be entertained and decided that the author's style just wasn't for me. I guess I'll need to be fair and compare this with another book one day but probably not so soon.

In the end, I simply didn't enjoy the choices the author made. I think a more balanced story would have helped to bear the negative aspects but it just felt like because it was in the medieval times, everything had to be bad, everything had to be so obviously hard and the characters had to face so much adversity to justify their HEA at the end.

I hope I'll have better luck next time, both for the challenge and in reading something by this author. Sadly, this didn't work out for me but I can see how others might focus on different aspects and appreciate it. For me, it just wasn't fun to spend time with these characters.

Grade: 3/10

TBR Challenge: Patricia Briggs - Smoke Bitten

I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only "superpowers" are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I'm going to need them.
Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill--until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything--even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won't, can't, remain.
Not if I have anything to say about it.

Comment: Before one even notices that, another month is gone. I can't say if it feels as if time passes by quicker when one has nothing to do or when one has too much to do but either way, it's time for another TBR Challenge post and the theme for march is Favorite Author. I wouldn't go as far as to say who has to be my favorite author, although for many years I would have chosen a name without much thought. Nowadays, I'm more picky, so I'll go with ONE OF the favorite authors I currently auto buy.

I've chosen this 12th installment in the Mercy Thompson series simply because it was the last one to come out which I haven't read yet. I've discovered that, these days, even for favorite authors, I have plenty to occupy my time and I can (usually) patiently wait for a paperback edition, which is the one I read.

In this new "episode" of the adventures of Mercy Thompson and her family/pack/friends, things seem to be a little off , both with her relationship with Adam and when she feels something weird after a jackrabbit crosses her path. It turns out her instinct was right and a jackrabbit bits one of her neighbors, which means a being from Underhill, as Mercy finds out, is now able to take the form of anyone he bites and the control of that person, as she sadly discovers when the ghost of her neighbor's wife appears to Mercy and tells her some information. It is true she now has a door to Underhill, that whimsically dangerous realm in Faerie, in her backyard but it's better to keep the enemies closer after all and Mercy also wants to protect Aiden from being called back to Underhill... but is there any connection between these things and how it affects her relationship with Adam?

I think, by now, something should be quite clear about this series: the plot of each book might make sense for the duration of the book but it's so much more gratifying and rewarding tho have read things in order. There are so many references and hints about past events that even faithful fans could wonder about (no solution for time between book's releases unless you're fae and control the author!), much less someone falling into this world at book #12.

I would say this cannot be a stand alone story, a good part of the conflicts is related to the previous book and there are other references to books even further back in the series. For me, this is like gold on paper because I do love complex, fulfilling family bonds developing with time, I love this sense Mercy and Adam and the other members of the pack and some friends have this rich and complex relationship... I think the stories could be awesome based only on pack dynamics! However, the mysteries/magical problems Mercy often has to deal with allow for more insight into her personality and of those around her, so another win.

I suppose some readers might feel it has become tiresome how the books seem to be structured the same way, but I have so much fun just getting to spend time with them, I think I can put aside some of the details I can wish were better done or done in a way I'd like more. What has become a little repetitive by now is how Mercy still isn't liked by every pack member after all she has done. In this book, one pack member says something which, to me at least, makes sense on why that might be but... again, I can't understand why they just won't take the wonderful part of this: Mercy cares and would be a friend to anyone who would want to be her friend too.

I think it's very hard to do something that would feel perfect to everyone at the same time. This to say there were some elements here and there I'd change but it's also complicated to really express conveniently how something doesn't work for you without sounding whiny and inconsiderate. This book wasn't perfect to me because on the (unfair!) other side of enjoying spending time with friends as I feel with this world, there's the notion some things just drag and just don't seem to ever get any closer to a definite resolution...the enemies will never cease to come, to case havoc and worry...

I won't write about the plot and the villain who came from Underhill, but let it be said I was not expecting things to go the direction they did. What a creepy real enemy, is what I can say. As for how the villain affects the main characters, I felt this was another transition book, meaning, it's a bridge between stronger plot twists perhaps? It just felt like the big picture in which this whole thing was set upon has yet to reach the peak and that leaves me worried for the characters and their future.

When the book starts, we are told Mercy and Adam have had some issues and this is also addressed during the book. I think it was an understandable situation actually but the paranormal features gives it a whole new sense. Still, rest assured, they are as strong as ever by the end of the novel and if there's one thing this series can be counted on is by how supportive they are of one another, how in love they remain and how much in sync they seem to be. It's good to know they still have little things to discover about one another, even among the whole fighting enemies and problems and stuff.

I liked this novel as a whole, it was wonderful, like I said, to simply spend time with the characters, immersed in their world, see a few more moments of their lives...

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Megan Walker - Lakeshire Park

Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With
their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.
Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart. 

Comment: Although it might not feel like it, it's already more than half way through the month of February. If our reality doesn't seem like the set of a sci-fi move, I don't know, but it's close.

So, for this month, the TBR Challenge theme is new-to-you-author and I could have picked any book easily but ended up setting my eyes on this historical, by an author I had never heard of, whose good opinions and quiet cover promised a peaceful read time well spent. I'm glad to say it was a good story for me, but not perfect.

In this book we meet sisters Amelia and Clara as they are leaving to a house party, invited by mr Ronald, a man who seemed to have become fond of Clara. In fact, this house party might prove to be their salvation for they have been living with their stepfather, someone who has no care or love for them and, as he realizes his end might be near, tells them they can go but they won't need to return. Thus, the two sisters go and hope for the best, namely a possible offer by mr Ronald, otherwise they will be destitute. Things were hopeful until they notice the other guests of the party, in particular the Wood siblings and Amelia recognizes the brother as the man who was rude to her at a shop. To make things even more awkward, his sister Georgiana seems to have set her cap on mr Ronald as well... will this even end well at all?

This was definitely a good and entertaining story and I was glad to spend time with these characters. This is a so-called clean romance, but there was plenty of emotion expressed in the pages, especially towards the end. However, to be honest, it's precisely around the final part of the novel I felt things were a little weaker.

Amelia and Clara are facing a very dire situation. Due to the situation of their parents' past and the fact their mother loved someone else and was forced to marry because of an indiscretion, the family has always been followed by scandal. When their mother finally married the man she loved, the two girls were not well treated and they both faced the impact of how the past affected those who should love them. Now they are left in a difficult situation and if mr Ronald does not offer for Clara, it might be necessary for one of them to marry practically or they will have no options.

When they join the group for the house party they had already stopped at a shop so Amelia could buy gloves and that is how she meets mr Peter Wood, a man who doesn't leave her with a good impression. Of course they will meet again at the party and as they both plot to give their respective sisters a better light for mr Ronald, they end up sharing many moments together and, obviously, fall in love in the process. This part of the story is cute but also has several emotional scenes and inner monologue and even knowing a HEA would certainly happen for Amelia and Peter, it was still heartfelt to go through their emotions as they dealt with what was happening between them.

The romance is quite predictable, and all the scenes they share are evident in how they could only be seen as becoming a couple. Of course, this being an historical, all is discreet and softened, but it does seem odd how the others at the house party wouldn't add the clues immediately. They were a sweet couple, they shared enough scenes for me to be convinced they could make it work.

Amelia is described as practical young woman and she has the heartbreak of her losses to back up her will to not give in to sentimentality. I think the author used a balanced amount of angst and sass on her, otherwise things might too look too negative. Peter is a character who reminded me of a playful alpha, in the sense he had the arrogance but the joy in small things. It was rather obvious he was starting to feel something stronger for Amelia but this being told in first person limited this view a little. I tend to not appreciate forst person in romances but in this case, the goal here was to highlight the romance and the beauty of the way they fell in love and not the relationship or its details.

I was really feeling this and rooting for the girls to find happiness with their intended and it did seem as if things would run smoothly until the end. Of course, the author had to insert some drama/conflict because the plot is really all about the sisters' future but some of her choices were not used as effortlessly and it felt things were being dragged on purpose. When the end comes, there are some engrossing situations happening and some scenes were emotional enough but then the HEA drags too, it's not a proper epilogue, but a delay on the final scene and although this isn't too bad, left me with a unsatisfying feel for I expected something better.

I think the idea of this story was well thought and I especially liked how the characters approached their need to solve their situation but knowing this would end well didn't ruin the experience anyway. I think any fan of historicals would find this a sweet, albeit predictable story, and charming moments to make one happy. I think some plot choices could have been used better too, but overall, this was a very pleasant read.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Nalini Singh - Alpha Night

Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would
harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.
Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.
Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death...

Comment: Time for the first post on the 2021 edition of the TBR Challenge. Again, it is being hosted by Wendy, the SuperLibrarian and it's still time to join! :)

The themes are slightly different this year, to make things more interesting, and January begins with some comfort read, which obviously reads as something people choose to make them feel good. At least, that's how I saw it so I picked the latest psy-changeling book by Nalini Singh, whose paperback edition I've waiting to be released.

In this book, we continue to follow the main plot regarding the fracture of Silence which has been the key focus of the "trinity" stories. In these books, the Psy race have come to terms with what they did so long ago and the repercussions it caused in their people. Now, a new order has been established but there is a lot to be done so people can have peace. Ethan is another Arrow who has suffered while conditioned since he was a child. He now wants to feel useful until the time comes for his life to end, for he knows he will become unstable as time goes by. He wasn't counting on Selenka, the alpha of the biggest wolf pack in Russia, to be his mate and that their bond would happen so quickly. Now the two of them have a new situation to deal with but one thing is certain for both of them, they will both try their best to make the relationship work and for those they care about to be happy with their pairing...

A new reader finding the little text above would probably feel a little lost. It's true all books have a start, middle and end which works for the story itself but these are not books to be read without having read the previous ones too. Also, what a pity if that doesn't happen for the best part is to think about all the characters and their HEAs, the family bonds, the links between them all... more than the romances, I'd say this series and these books are wonderful from the perspective of the connections between the characters.

This is why I feel these books work as comfort reads for me. Each story might be more or less appreciated, depending on the reader, but the overall sense of them is that the characters care about one another and there are several connections among them all which simply make me happy. In fact, many times the main romances aren't the best part of the books for me, and lately a bit more so, but I still love to spend time with these characters in their world.

Ethan is a character who, again, provides a new unique aspect for the Psy race. Now they came out of Silence many adjustments need to be done so that everyone can have the feedback necessary for their mental stability. Ethan, like most children who were raised to become Arrows, has suffered and now only wants to make things right so that new Psy children won't have to be afraid of who they are. I liked Ethan although, like the majority of the Psy characters, he is a little hard to read, he is obviously aloof and lacks the emotional skills which other races use without thought. Still, the beauty of this is in the small things, and how we can glimpse emotions in them as they accept they ae worthy of them. Plus, by the end we discover something abut Ethan which was surprising so I liked his evolution even more.

Since Selenka is a wolf alpha, many of her scenes involve her pack but I must say it wasn't as easily addictive to read about her wolves as it was when SnowDancer was introduced in the early books. I suppose if more books featuring them are coming, this will change but so far, it seems the author is just adding a lot of mentioned characters here and there and giving them stories... how cohesive this can look in the end, I don't know. Selenka's pack also has some interesting novelties regarding pack hierarchies and situations we have not found yet, so it was nice to see different things.

As for the romance, well it was instantaneous. This is also a new look at mating, because usually it would only happen if both partners were in" the same page" so to speak, but this time we have a mating happening pretty much as soon as they set eyes on each other. It's not my preferable way for romances to go, but it was, again, a fresh perspective in this world. When the book ends, I was glad for them but I admit, their relationship was not the amazing journey other couples have had in previous books. It was certainly nothing like the path taken by my favorite couple in the series.

All things considered, this book ticked all the boxes I hoped for: comfort read, captivating world building and characters, satisfying (if not out of this world) romance and a believable HEA. I'll certainly keep on reading this series and its spin offs because even the less than good books (to me) are still good reads. I'm looking for to the next!

Grade: 8/10

Signing-up for the 2021 TBR Challenge editon!

 

The year is practically over and the TBR Challenge is finished.

That means it's time for another edition!

Why not join?: https://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/p/tbr-challenge-2021.html

As before, the image belongs to Wendy!

 

The themes for 2021 follow:

January 20 - Comfort Read
February 17 - New-To-You Author
March 17 - Book by a Favorite Author
April 21 - Old School
May 19 - Fairytale / Folktale
June 16 - Book with One Word Title
July 21 - Secrets and Lies
August 18 - Author with More Than One Book in TBR
September 15 - Unusual (Time/Location/Profession etc.)
October 20 - Gothic
November 17 - Competition
December 15 - Festive

 

Have fun, everyone, and happy reading!

😀