Review: The Doctor's Date (Copper Point Medical #2) by Heidi Cullinan

The Doctor's Date (Copper Point Medical #2)
by Heidi Cullinan

Published June 18th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The hospital’s least eligible bachelor and its aloof administrator hate each other… so why are they pretending to date?

Dr. Owen Gagnon and HR director Erin Andreas are infamous for their hospital hallway shouting matches. So imagine the town’s surprise when Erin bids an obscene amount of money to win Owen in the hospital bachelor auction—and Owen ups the ante by insisting Erin move in with him.

Copper Point may not know what’s going on, but neither do Erin and Owen. Erin intends his gesture to let Owen know he’s interested. Owen, on the other hand, suspects ulterior motives—that Erin wants a fake relationship as a refuge from his overbearing father.

With Erin suddenly heading a messy internal investigation, Owen wants to step up and be the hero Erin’s never had. Too bad Erin would rather spend his energy trying to rescue Owen from the shadows of a past he doesn’t talk about.

This relationship may be fake, but the feelings aren’t. Still, what Erin and Owen have won’t last unless they put their respective demons to rest. To do that, they’ll have to do more than work together—they’ll have to trust they can heal each other’s hearts.

While I may have liked this book slightly more than the first, this wasn't what I thought it would be from the synopsis. Erin and Owen's situation ended up being quite different from what I was expecting, so that threw me off. Somehow, they made things work by dealing with their issues together. The more time they spent together, the more they made sense as a couple, and I wanted to see them get their happy ending.

Overall, this was just another okay read. It was a bit boring at times, and there's not much excitement. I'm glad that the spelling of Erin's name was cleared up for me (it really bothered me in the first book!) I'll still be reading the 3rd and final book in this series since I need to know what happens for the next couple.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Building Up to Love by J.V. Speyer

Building Up to Love by J.V. Speyer

Published May 17th 2019 by MLR Books

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jared is at the top of his game, professionally. His love life leaves a little to be desired. All he wants is someone who can love him for him, and who doesn’t demand he “pick a side.” The sudden reappearance of his college boyfriend, Logan, doesn’t make anything better.

Logan knows he broke Jared’s heart all those years ago. He plans to keep a respectful distance, especially once he starts defending a mob case. The last thing he wants is to bring more trouble into Jared’s life. As they keep getting thrown together, he finds it harder to stay away.

The Mob isn’t known for being considerate of their targets’ love lives. It’s not going to be easy to build a new relationship with Jared as Logan’s client’s enemies come knocking at his door…

I haven't read anything by this author before, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I mostly enjoyed this book, so I may try to read one of her other books to see how it compares.

While I liked both Jared and Logan, it feels like I didn't get to know them very well, other than the aspects that were expanded upon from the synopsis. The author just didn't dig deep enough to get to the heart of these characters. The angst was 10 years old, so Jared and Logan's rehashing of the past became repetitious. I just wanted them to move on and get over it already!

I really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Gage. So, overall, this wasn't a terrible read, but I think with a few changes it could have been a great story.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

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Review: The Doctor's Secret (Copper Point Medical #1) by Heidi Cullinan

The Doctor's Secret (Copper Point Medical #1)
by Heidi Cullinan

Published April 23rd 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The brilliant but brooding new doctor encounters Copper Point's sunny nurse-next-door... and nothing can stand in the way of this romance.

Dr. Hong-Wei Wu has come to Copper Point, Wisconsin, after the pressures of a high-powered residency burned him out of his career before he started. Ashamed of letting his family down after all they’ve done for him, he plans to live a quiet life as a simple surgeon in this tiny northern town. His plans, however, don’t include his outgoing, kind, and attractive surgical nurse, Simon Lane.

Simon wasn’t ready for the new surgeon to be a handsome charmer who keeps asking him for help getting settled and who woos him with amazing Taiwanese dishes. There’s no question—Dr. Wu is flirting with him, and Simon is flirting back. The problem is, St. Ann’s has a strict no-dating policy between staff, which means their romance is off the table… unless they bend the rules.

But a romance that keeps them—literally—in the closet can’t lead to happy ever after. Simon doesn’t want to stay a secret, and Hong-Wei doesn’t want to keep himself removed from life, not anymore. To secure their happiness, they’ll have to change the administration’s mind. But what other secrets will they uncover along the way, about Copper Point… and about each other?

I haven't read very many books by this author, but I was really looking forward to reading this new series that is set in a hospital. For a lot of reasons, this first book fell short of my expectations.

I liked both characters well enough, but neither one really made an impact on me. Their romance happened instantly, and I never really felt their connection or the saw the reason why they were good together. There was immature drama instead of angst, and that made it hard for me to get behind their relationship.

The story dragged a bit in the middle, and I thought the hospital board's no dating policy was out of line. So overall, this first book was just an okay read for me, and that makes me sad because I had such high hopes for this series.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Stuffed Stockings by K.A. Mitchell

Stuffed Stockings by K.A. Mitchell

Published December 17th 2018 by Carina Press

Genre: M/M, Christmas, Romance, bdsm

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Have a holly, very jolly Christmas…

Lucas doesn’t usually do the anonymous holiday gift exchange. But when his office crush, Zane, extends an invite, how could he say no? A little holiday cheer might be nice for a change.

What he doesn’t expect are the bonus presents accompanying the bulge in his Christmas stocking—increasingly kinky gifts that have him wishing he’d torn into them in the privacy of his bedroom.

Though Lucas can’t stop fantasizing—in vivid detail—that his seductive Santa is Zane, he can’t quite believe it’s true. That is, until Zane starts dropping clues that have Lucas blushing almost as much as the erotic gifts themselves.

One thing is for sure: Christmas may be right around the corner, but waiting to unwrap his final sexy surprise is going to be a challenge…

I've read previous full length books and novellas from this author, so I was looking forward to reading Stuffed Stockings. I loved the idea of a naughty secret elf, although the gifts were over the top and not office appropriate. I liked Lucas, and I enjoyed seeing his reactions to some of the 'gifts'. Zane was all over the place, so I'm not sure I ever really liked him. My main problem with this novella was there just wasn't enough content for me to become invested in the relationship or story. The bdsm element felt too forced for my tastes, and there wasn't much of a plot (other than gifting of sex toys.)

Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this novella. I really wanted to love it, but it turned out to be just okay.



An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Joy by C.S. Poe

Joy by C.S. Poe

Published April 5th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Down on his luck is Gideon Joy’s default state. He doesn’t know why he expected anything different on his cross-country trip, but not surprisingly, the hits keep coming—literally this time. Gideon strikes a moose with his car in New Hampshire, not only totaling his own vehicle, but damaging one belonging to local construction worker Silas Bright. He has no choice but to stay in Lancaster and take a job that’ll pay for the repairs. And in a town so small, Gideon’s always running into Silas. What starts as annoyance between them soon blooms into something much more romantic. But when Gideon’s notorious bad luck rears its head yet again, how many disastrous dates will Silas be willing to weather before realizing Gideon’s not worth it?

Despite Gideon’s desire to remain in the quaint community that has accepted him as one of their own, past fears of inadequacy threaten the very joy he left Los Angeles to discover. If he’s to find a happily ever after with Silas, Gideon must learn that sometimes it’s okay to not be the best. And true happiness might be waiting in a small town nestled among the great White Mountains.

There wasn't anything bad about this book, but I found it to be just okay. I though the story really suffered due to the short length. I get that it's a novella, but this had so much potential that was never reached. It IS a cute story, and I really liked the characters and setting. There's really no conflict, so the emotional level is pretty low. And with no sex between the MCs, the story was a little flat. I think my favorite thing about this was the cover (which I love!)

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Three's Company by N.R. Walker

Three's Company by N.R. Walker

Published March 20th 2018 by BlueHeart Press (first published October 27th 2012)

Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After being publicly outed and his restaurant business in tatters, instead of vacationing with his lover, Wilson Curtis goes to Key West alone. He meets Simon and Adam and is soon invited into their bed for some holiday fun.

But once isn't enough, and the offer is extended for the remainder of his stay. As they get to know each other, in and out of the bedroom, sparks fly and ten days is all it takes to change their lives.

When it comes time for Wil to leave, with outside tensions closing in and time running out, tempers flare and emotions fray. Beneath the misunderstandings and lack of communication, is the realization these three men aren't ready to say goodbye.

I really wasn't sure what to expect going into this. I was just looking for something a little different, and this was it. Three likable characters, lots of sex, and really low angst. Everything conveniently worked out for these guys, but my only real complaint was the story had more telling than showing. So overall, this was good enough to spend a few hours reading.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

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Review: Kairos by Mary Calmes

Kairos by Mary Calmes

Published December 15th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

Page Count: 154

Genre: M/M, Romance
Source: Library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sometimes the best day of your life is the one you never saw coming.

Joe Cohen has devoted the past two years of his life to one thing: the care and feeding of Kade Bosa. His partner in their PI business, roommate, and best friend, Kade is everything to Joe, even if their relationship falls short of what Joe desires most. But he won’t push. Kade has suffered a rough road, and Joe’s pretty sure he’s the only thing holding Kade together.

Estranged from his own family, Joe knows the value of desperately holding on to someone dear, but he never expected his present and past to collide just as Kade’s is doing the same. Now they’ve stumbled across evidence that could change their lives: the impact of Kade’s tragic past, their job partnership, and any future Joe might allow himself to wish for….

The first 75% of this book could have been a scene from early on in the Marshals Series. I love, love, love Miro and Ian, so I shouldn't have any complaints, but I wanted to read a new story with new characters. And Kairos just makes me really miss Miro and Ian. Sigh.

I'm still not sure how I feel about Kade and Joe. On one hand, the character type is so familiar to me. But on the other hand, I feel like I didn't get to know them very well at all. So you could say that I'm conflicted.

The secondary characters were all quite entertaining. I especially liked Declan. And Joe's ex, Evan, interested me. What are the chances of getting their stories?

There really was a lot going on in too short of a time period. I did enjoy the action and drama that Mary wrote here, but the characters and story were not fleshed out enough for me. I can't help but feel that this book could have been SO much more.

Overall, this book was not what I was expecting. It was too short and very familiar. So while I liked it well enough, I just didn't love it.

A few final thoughts:
Someone snickered in the 2nd paragraph. That was quick.
Peacoat mention at 19%, so that took a while to show up.
Please stop calling him Joe. His name is NOT Joe. It's Miro.

My Rating: 3 Stars

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Review: WILD by Adrienne Wilder

WILD by Adrienne Wilder
Published September 1, 2017
Page Count: 326
Genre: M/M, Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

August Vallory had it all. A modeling career, a man he loved, and the extended family he’d acquired in the business. Then the world he knew was torn away when the plane he was on crashed en route to a photo shoot.

Lost in the Alaskan wilderness, August doesn’t stand a chance.

No sane man would choose to live in the Alaskan bush unless he had something to hide. And Keegan Brooks has secrets darker than night, more dangerous than wolves, more brutal than an Alaskan winter.

Every day was a fight for his life until he stumbled upon a downed plane with a lone survivor. Now it’s no longer just Keegan’s life teetering on the edge of survival.

It’s his heart.

I ended up having mixed feelings about Wild. It started off really intense, but things went sideways for me after that. I guess I just expected more to happen during the story. It took me a bit of time to get through the book because it slowed down in the middle. Also, the setting didn't change, so I got a little bored.

August and Keegan were likable, yet a little bland, and I never really connected with either one. I did admire their strength, tenacity, and resourcefulness though. I know I certainly wouldn't want to test my own survival skills the way they did!

What bothered me the most about August and Keegan's relationship was it seemed that their feelings for each other only developed due to proximity and necessity. They literally couldn't live without the other. So it didn't feel like 'love' to me.

I wasn't satisfied with how the book ended. It was just too nice and neat after so much devastation and near death experiences. And that was a lame ass epilogue after such an intense book. So, overall, I liked this book well enough. I just didn't love it.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

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Review: Walk the Edge (Thunder Road, #2) by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge (Thunder Road, #2) by Katie McGarry

Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Page Count: 412
Published by: Harlequin TEEN
Source: Paperback won on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules.

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

I liked the first book in this series, and because it's Katie McGarry, I am continuing with the series. I still have my issues with the 'motorcycle club', but thankfully I wasn't overwhelmed with it in Walk The Edge. I liked that most of the story took place away from the club's prying eyes. So, YAY for that.

I liked Breanna and Razor well enough. I think I liked them more than Emily and Oz because of the way McGarry wrote them - it was hard not to root for them. Seeing Breanna and Razor together worked for me, and there were definitely some very sweet and delicious swoony parts that would appeal to the YA crowd.

Is it wrong that I really enjoyed seeing the club struggle trying to bring Razor into the fold? Because that was my favorite thing. There were times when the story felt a bit too dramatic for my taste. Overall, the story wasn't completely pleasurable, but I liked it well enough.

I feel bad that I keep reading this series and not enjoying it as much as I should be. I like the author, and I enjoy her writing, I just really have a problem with the motorcycle club (mainly because of the sexism and boorish behavior. They are not likable at all!)

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Just Drive (Anchor Point #1) by L.A. Witt

Just Drive (Anchor Point #1) by L.A. Witt

Publication Date: November 19, 2016
Page Count: 300
Published by: Riptide Publishing
Source: ebook borrowed from library
Genre: M/M military romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:

For Sean Wright, driving a cab in the tiny Navy town of Anchor Point isn’t an exciting job . . . until he picks up just-dumped Paul Richards. A drive turns into a walk on the pier, which turns into the hottest hookup Sean’s had in ages.

After a long overdue breakup, Paul can’t believe his luck. Of all the drivers, he’s picked up by the gorgeous, gay, and very willing Sean. Younger guys aren’t usually his thing, but Paul can’t resist.

One taste and neither man can get enough . . . right up until they realize that Paul is Sean’s father’s commanding officer and the last man Sean should be involved with.

With two careers on the line, their only option is to back off. It’s not easy, though; the sex and the emotional connection are exactly what both men have been craving for a long time. But Paul has devoted twenty-four years to his career and his dream of making admiral. If he’s caught with Sean, that’s all over. He has to choose—stay the course, or trade it all for the man who drove off with his heart.

This is a new to me author. I was browsing though Hoopla via the library, looking for something different. I came across this series and thought I'd give the first book a try.

What did I think? There was sex. Lots and lots of sex. Nothing graphic though, and honestly, the sex scenes were mediocre at best. That's the writing though, and not my take on the characters sex lives. This had a very basic plot. Just 2 guys having sex, all hyped up by being forbidden from being together. Nothing really happened. Not even dialogue. (Except in their heads, because internal monologues are so much more intriguing than an actual conversations.) I needed meaningful conversations and getting to know you scenes - not just for the characters, but for ME. Paul and Sean were likable, but I knew next to nothing about them, so I didn't know what they saw in each other. Having said all of that, this book wasn't completely terrible - especially if you're not looking for anything deep and meaningful. Overall, I would say this was just an okay read for me.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen: Marvel Adaptations) Graphic Novel

Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen: Marvel Adaptations) by Nancy Butler, Janet Lee (Illustrator), Jane Austen (Original novel)

Publication Date: September 19, 2012
Page Count: 112
Published by: Marvel
Source: borrowed from library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lovingly adapted from Jane Austen's most humorous work, Marvel Comics is proud to present literature lover Catherine Morland's quest to be the leading lady of her own great romance. Can real life prove the equal of the Gothic novels she finds so enchanting? Can Catherine find true love amid the fictions of others and her own wild imagination? And what dread secrets lie in wait in Northanger Abbey itself? Award-winning author Nancy Butler continues her quest to reinvent Jane Austen's Regency world in the Mighty Marvel Manner. With exquisite illustrations from Janet Lee, 19th-century England comes alive like never before. Discover - along with Catherine Moreland - that while truth may not be stranger than fiction, it can be no less surprising!

I've never especially enjoyed Northanger Abbey. I tried reading it once, but I didn't get very far. I've seen the movie (maybe more than one movie?) but it's never inspired me to want to read the entire book. I thought I would try this graphic novel to see if I could get into the story and like it better than the movie. My experiment failed.

I can appreciate the artistry that went into creating this graphic novel, but the style was just too dark and gloomy for my taste. I also had a bit of a hard time following along, even though it was adapted directly from the original story. I didn't like that the writing was SO small I had strain my eyes to read it.

So I can safely say that I won't be picking up Northanger Abbey to read any time soon since the graphic novel was so uninspiring.

My rating: 2.5 stars

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Review: What Light by Jay Asher

What Light by Jay Asher

Publication Date: October 18, 2016
Page Count: 256
Published by: Razorbill
Source: borrowed from library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

I had a hard time getting into What Light at first because it started feeling like an 'issues' book. I was looking for something lighter for the holidays, so I put it down for about 10 days. When I started reading it again, something just clicked and I was able to finish the book in one sitting. It turned out to be better than I originally thought it would, but that's not saying much.

I enjoyed the idea of this story, the interesting setting, and the overall Christmas-y feel. However, most of the story didn't ring true, which really bothered me. I also didn't feel anything for any of the characters. They didn't annoy me, which was great, but I failed to connect with anyone. It's hard to muster excitement for a book when you don't care about the characters or what happens to them.

Despite the slow start, I liked this book well enough. Maybe my expectations were too high for my first holiday book of the season.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Page Count: 367
Published by: Atria Books
Source: Borrowed ebook from Library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up - she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan - her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

This book contains graphic scenes and very sensitive subject matter.

Despite being excited to start reading this book, it was really difficult for me to get into the story. Over a week later I was only halfway through, so I buckled down and read the rest. It took to about the 70% mark to even get my interest up, and then I just wanted to finish and see how things would end. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to feel anything for the characters OR the story. I know I was supposed to have 'all the feels', but I honestly couldn't care less. Maybe it was because I wasn't feeling any chemistry between Lily and Ryle, or between Lily and Atlas. Another reason had to do with the absolute slaying of 'Mr. Perfect'. I can't even go there right now.

This was my first time reading a Colleen Hoover book (because it had the shortest wait list at the library.) I didn't even read the synopsis, so I had no idea what it was about. Even though I didn't really like this book, I'm willing to read another of her books to form a better opinion.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Breaking Up with Barrett (The English Brothers, #1) by Katy Regnery

Breaking Up with Barrett (The English Brothers, #1) by Katy Regnery

Publication Date: May 15, 2015
Page Count: 174
Published by: Katharine Gilliam Regnery
Source: free on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Breaking Up with Barrett is the first of six books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

(Except Alex. He's a womanizing manwhore. And maybe Stratton, because he's wicked hot, but super awkward around girls.)

Barrett English, aka "the Shark," is the fair-haired, first-born of the English brothers, and the CEO of the oldest, most prestigious investment banking firm in Philadelphia. He rules the boardroom with an iron fist, refusing to take no for an answer and always getting his way.

Emily Edwards, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, grew up in the gatehouse on the outskirts of Barrett's childhood estate. The daughter of his family's gardener and housekeeper, she was always looking through the window of privilege, but forced to remember her place at the very periphery of the kingdom.

When business partners suggest that a fiancee might soften Barrett's image over business dinners, he approaches Emily for the "job" of fiancee. And while love wasn't necessarily on Barrett's radar, he begins to realize that Emily always has been. But will his take-no-prisoners boardroom tactics work on the heart of the woman he loves.

This book was just okay for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Barrett and Emily were fine, but there was really nothing that stood out as special about either of them. The conflict in the story was almost non-existant. I expected there to be some drama, but it only lasted a nano-second, so nothing really came of it. A major plot point is that Barrett has been in love with Emily since he held her as a newborn when he was 8 years old. That's either really creepy, or really romantic. I haven't decided which yet.

So there were 2 meh characters, no conflict, and the creepy/ick factor. The story was pretty boring until the 75% point, but even then it never really picked up enough steam to be really interesting. Nevertheless, I did finish reading this since it was quick and easy.

I have never read anything by this author before. This book was offered for free on Amazon, so I decided to check it out to see if I liked it enough to continue the series about the English brothers. Right now I'm not convinced I would enjoy continuing on with this series.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: Show Me How (Thatch, #3) by Molly McAdams

Show Me How (Thatch, #3) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: August 23, 2016
Page Count: 243
Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: eArc from Publisher for Review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After her first love was ripped from her grasp four years earlier, Charlie Easton was sure she would never be able to trust anyone with the shattered pieces of her heart again. That is, until Deacon Carver forces himself into her life, and makes those pieces swirl in chaos. But Charlie doesn't know how to let him in… until a stranger stumbles upon a notebook filled with her innermost secrets, and shows her how.

Deacon Carver is known for sleeping his way through the town of Thatch, as well as the surrounding cities—something he used to take pride in. But that persona has haunted Deacon ever since he decided to leave that life behind for the girl he wants more than anything: Charlie Easton.

But when another girl falls into Deacon's life, allowing him to be himself without judgment for his past, will their conversations hinder his relationship with Charlie … even if he's never seen her?

I binge read this series, and maybe it was too much for me to take in. I had a few ups and downs while reading, but in the end, I thought this story was just okay. From the beginning I didn't like Deacon's antagonistic behavior towards Charlie. He honestly had no idea what was really going on with her. I felt sorry for Charlie because she was just trying to get on with her life after struggling for a few years. She really didn't deserve the attitude from Deacon.

Charlie was introduced in the first book in this series, but it wasn't until this book that I fully realized what life was like for her. Getting her POV really helped me understand her better. Deacon was one of those characters that you want to like, but you're never really sure about. I felt like things could go sideways with him at any moment, so it was hard for me to believe in him.

When they started spending time together, Charlie didn't know what to make of Deacon's changing behavior towards her. As the story progressed, I was never sure if the whole truth would ever come out, and if Deacon could overcome his prejudice towards Charlie.

I'm trying not to be disappointed in this story. I didn't really love it, but it wasn't ALL bad. I think Charlie's son, Keith, may have been the saving grace. He was too cute.

SPOILER:
Once again, the plot holes just about did me in. (There's a HUGE issue that was never directly addressed - Ben was an only child, and his parents were devastated when he died. But not once did anyone think to tell his parents that he had a son. I don't know how something like that was overlooked.)

This is another Molly McAdams book that will definitely have your emotions all over the place.

My rating: 3 stars

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Review: To the Stars (Thatch #2) by Molly McAdams

To the Stars (Thatch #2) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: February 9, 2016
Page Count: 384
Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: borrowed from library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

He promised to wait for her.
She told him he was wasting his time.
Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life.

When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was three and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life—whether she liked it or not—but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else.

Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?

To say this was another angsty and emotional story from Molly McAdams would be an understatement. Just wow. This book was twisted and disturbing, which made it very difficult to read.

I feel really bad about saying this, but it was hard for me to summon the correct amount of sympathy for Harlow. There was just something that was holding me back because I couldn't connect with her. Don't get me wrong, because I don't think she deserved anything that happened to her. She was in a crappy situation with her piece of shit husband, and I desperately wanted her to have a better life.

I liked Knox because he seemed to be a real stand up guy and a loyal friend. He's the kind of guy that would have been everything to Harlow if she had just let him. After Harlow broke his heart, he wouldn't let another girl get close to him. He spent his time working, hanging with his friends, and sleeping around. And he did a lot of sleeping around, which I didn't like. But once he saw Harlow as an adult, I knew he would do anything to protect her.

Knox's best friends, Graham and Deacon, made me angry with they way they treated Knox and Harlow early in their relationship, and then again when Knox and Harlow reconnected as adults. I was so happy when they became overprotective and big brotherly once they realized what Harlow had been through with her husband.

There were a few plot holes in this story, and you'll have to suspend your common sense a few times, but this turned out to be a pretty good book. Molly McAdams managed to deliver another angst filled story that had my feelings bouncing all over the place.

My rating: 3 stars

Official Song

They Don't Know About Us by One Direction

"People say we shouldn’t be together
We're too young to know about forever
But I say they don’t know what they're talkin’ about

'Cause this love is only getting stronger
So I don’t wanna wait any longer
I just wanna tell the world that you're mine, girl"

"They don't know how special you are
They don't know what you've done to my heart
They can say anything they want 'cause they don't know us"

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Review: Letting Go (Thatch #1) by Molly McAdams

Letting Go (Thatch #1) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Page Count: 320
Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: borrowed from library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Grey and Ben fell in love at thirteen and believed they’d be together forever. But three days before their wedding, the twenty-year-old groom-to-be suddenly died from an unknown heart condition, destroying his would-be-bride’s world. If it hadn’t been for their best friend, Jagger, Grey never would have made it through those last two years to graduation. He’s the only one who understands her pain, the only one who knows what it’s like to force yourself to keep moving when your dreams are shattered. Jagger swears he’ll always be there for her, but no one has ever been able to hold on to him. He’s not the kind of guy to settle down.

It’s true that no one has ever been able to keep Jagger—because he’s only ever belonged to Grey. While everyone else worries over Grey’s fragility, he’s the only one who sees her strength. Yet as much as he wants Grey, he knows her heart will always be with Ben. Still they can’t deny the heat that is growing between them—a passion that soon becomes too hot to handle. But admitting their feelings for each other means they’ve got to face the past. Is being together what Ben would have wanted . . . or a betrayal of his memory that will eventually destroy them both?

I read Molly McAdams purely for the drama and angst. I can admit that. I think I'm pretty sure I know what to expect from her - love triangles, plot twists, plot holes, and no character is safe from anything. McAdams is predictably unpredictable. And sometimes, that's just what I'm in the mood to read.

The characters this time around? Barely tolerable. I found Grey to be annoying. Oh, that's so bad, but so true. I could have done without her. I liked Jagger. I maybe even love him. Strong and silent with the added bonus of suffering and pining after someone who can never be yours. Oh yes, crank up the angst. Let's not forget to mention Ben, who I didn't like for some reason. And that was BEFORE the bombshell. So, yeah, I could have done without him, too. Jagger's mother and sister were just props in this story, and they only served to add drama.

A few other things bothered me about this story. I didn't like that every decision Jagger made was based on what Grey was doing. He followed her around like a lost puppy, and I would have appreciated him more if he had a life for himself. I also couldn't understand how Grey graduated college, was supposed to be smart, and yet had zero life goals and career plans. I don't know what her major was in college, but why go back to your hometown if it can't support your profession?

You know what? This book was just okay. It had plenty of problems, like the dual POV being a bit of a mess, but I still finished it (and went on to read the next 2 books in the series.)

My rating: 3 stars

Official Songs:

I Loved You First by One Direction

"I've been waiting all this time to finally say it
But now I see your heart's been taken
And nothing could be worse
Baby, I loved you first"



I Wish by One Direction

"'Cause I got three little words
That I've always been dying to tell you"

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