Book Review: Grumpy Romance by Nia Arthurs

Title: Grumpy Romance

Author: Nia Arthurs

Series/Standalone: Billionaire Dads Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Adult Fiction

Pages: 414

Publisher: Independently Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Kindle

First Line: "I know something's off when I walk into my apartment."

"Holland Alistar is the gorgeous computer prodigy who took the real estate game by storm. 

Arrogant. Surly. Eyes of steel.

He meets me on the worst day of my life and gets his fern kicked. Literally.

I'm sure I'm getting sued. Instead, I get a job offer.

Turns out, managing Allistair's schedule- and temper- is actually his revenge. 

In the office, his eyes follow me everywhere. Is he going to fire me or devour me?

I can't decide what I want either. I plan his death on my off-time. I kiss him senseless in my dreams.

Hate and want. Push and pull. All we do is tiptoe around what' between us.

Until on chance meeting with his adorable daughter changes everything.

Suddenly, I'm seeing the softer side of Alistair.

But falling for him wasn't in my job description. And neither is stealing kisses in the office stairwell.

Can I keep my head on my shoulders when the office grump sets his sights on me? And what will happen if news of our forbidden romance gets out?"

DNF @ 85%

My Rating: 1/5

I know that this series is for someone. I've just determined it wasn't me. While I like a single-dad romance, and I don't hate the billionaire boss play, I didn't love a lot about this book. I feel like if you're dipping your toes into romance this might work for you. I would also like to make this clear for people reading THIS IS FADE TO BLACK ROMANCE! Which is perfect if you're not into smutty writing. Just not perfect for me. Classy, I know! I don't forsee myself reading any of her work in the future, but again if you want written like a rom-com romance, it might be worth giving a shot.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: I Don't Need Therapy (and other lies I've told myself) by Toni Lodge

Title I Don't Need Therapy (and other lies I've told myself)

Author: Toni Lodge

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, Memoir

Pages: 256

Publisher: Alien & Unwin

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"A hilarious memoir of home truths and whatever the opposite of 'that girl energy' is, from one half of the hit podcast Toni and Ryan.

Most of us tell little white lies all the time. Whether it's 'I'm five minutes away' or 'it must have gone to my spam folder', most of these fibs are harmless. But what if you realised that you weren't just lying about the little things, but the big 'life' stuff too?

When Toni Lodge sat down to write this memoir, she discovered that the leis she was telling herself were hiding some pretty important home truths- about her work, her identity and her mental health. her dogged pursuit of these truths sent her on a brazen exploration of everything from gastro, fame and Twilight to funerals, the Dalai Lama and Brazillian waxes.

In this hilarious warm hug of a book, Toni exposes the lies she has told herself about who she is and what she is capable of, inviting you on a riotous from that will make you laugh, cringe, cry and utterly rethink the truth behind the stories we tell ourselves."

My Rating: 4/5

As I say every time I review a memoir or a nonfiction story, I do not rate the content of the book I usually rate the writing style. Let's begin by saying if you haven't seen any TikToks, or videos of Toni and Ryan you must be living under a rock! They are hilarious, open and amazing folks and while I'm newer to their podcast, the community they create is amazing. This book really hit home to me about a lot of the lies I tell myself, and how I could really use a mindset change. Toni is relatable, funny, gorgeous, smart and talented! The only reason this didn't receive 5/5 from me is the chapter breakdown. It just felt a little disjointed in my mind. I still would highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Title: Rock Paper Scissors

Author: Alice Feeney

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller

Pages: 294

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Year Published:2021

Format: Audiobook

"Think you know the person you married? Think again?

Things have been wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away in Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can't recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts- paper, cotton, pottery, tin and each year Adam's wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn't randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn't want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets and an anniversary they will never forget."

My Rating: 4/5

This wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all but I'm kind of glad for that. I ended up listening to the audiobook in one sitting (road trip anyone?) and it kept me hooked. I didn't feel the need to skip off it, but when we did get to the end I did kind of feel let down. There were still bits and pieces that surprised me and the atmosphere was excellently written. The atmosphere felt very similar to the shining to me so if that's something that interests you I would recommend it. I do hope to read more from the author, any recommendations of what to pick up next?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

Title: The Other Mrs.

Author: Mary Kubica

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult Fiction

Pages: 416

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbour, Morgan Baines, is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie, who is terrified by the thought of a killer in her very own backyard.

But it's not just Morgan's death that has Sadie on edge. It's their eerie old home, with its decrepit decor and creepy attic, which they inherited from Will's sister after she died unexpectedly. It's Will's disturbed teenage niece Imogen, with her dark and threatening presence. And it' the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan's death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light."

My Rating: 5/5

This thriller had me gawking by the end of the story. The way the author writes such a creepy and uncomfortable atmosphere is perfection. The audiobook kept me on my toes and kept me wanting more. Throughout the story, I did fall for different twists and turns and when we got to the end I was impressed by the author's ability to leave breadcrumbs throughout. I would recommend reading more by the author and I plan to read as much of her backlist as I can get my hands on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Heartless by Elsie Silver

Title: Heartless

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Chestnut Spring Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult, Romance, Smut, Contemporary

Pages: 476

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line:  "Lucy Reid's eyes flutter my way."

"Working as a nanny for the world's grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can't keep my eyes off him. And he can't keep his hands off of me.

Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than i am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off- and so are our clothes.

He's gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shoulder ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl's kryptonite. So who am I to resist?

But it's in our quiet moments together that he softens. It's when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a facade. It's when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him. 

Someone convinced him once that his best wasn't good enough. But I've never felt more cherished than I do in his arms.

My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months.

But my heart says this is forever."

My Rating: 5/5

I loved this second book. There were a few kinks that weren't necessarily for me but overall this book proved that certain tropes aren't ones I hate, they just need to be done well. I loved the smut, it was fun. The lusting after each other was great. The atmosphere was excellently written and the characters were fantastic. I also love the way the author introduces the next characters in the series so organically. It was excellent. I would highly recommend it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

Title: Good Girl Complex

Author: Elle Kennedy

Series/Standalone: Avalon Bay Series (Book #1)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"She does everything right. So what could go wrong?

Mackenzie 'Mac' Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It's exhausting, really, always following the rules. Unlike most twenty-year-olds, all she really wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but she must get a college degree at her parents' insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Mac's had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edge. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Despite his disdain for the trust-fund kids he sees coming and going from his town, Cooper soon realizes Mac isn't just another rich clone and falls for her. Hard. But as Mac finally starts feeling accepted by Cooper and his friends, the secret he's been keeping from her threatens the only place she's ever felt at home."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I'd heard a lot about this first book in this series and thought it sounded up my alley but the more I read the more it was just ok for me. It was fun, it followed the basic romance linear equation. I liked the characters fine, their separate lives made them feel unique, and the atmosphere was fun enough. It just didn't hit as hard as I wanted it too. I also found that while the sex scenes were fun, the pacing of the rest of the plot felt stilted. I do plan on reading the next book (mostly out of curiosity based on which characters it follows) but I'm not in a huge rush to carry on. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Tin Stars by Jeff Lemire

Title: Tin Stars

Author: Jeff Lemire

Artist(s): Dustin Nguyen

Series/Standalone: Descender Series (Volume #1)

Genre: Science Fiction, Graphic Novel, Adult

Pages: 160

Publisher: Turtleback Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Young Robot boy TIM-21 and his companions struggle to stay alive in a universe where all androids have been outlawed and bounty hunters lurk on every planet. Written by award-winning creator, Jeff Lemire, Descender is a rip-roaring and heart-felt cosmic odyssey. Lemire pits humanity against machine and world against world, to create a sprawling epic."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This first installment was interesting to me and it took a while to get used to the worlds we were being introduced to. As far as an introduction went it was ok, but the premise interests me. So I'm looking forward to seeing where the next volume goes. Was it perfect? No, but was it intriguing? Yes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 13

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 13

Author/Artist: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks 

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 224

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"It's been 20 years since his mother told Seiichi that she renounced motherhood, since she thanked him for being a killer, since he tried to strangle her there in the courtroom- and somehow he made it through. living alone, working the night shift at a commercial bakery, barely speaking to his father, Seiichi's life is solitary and empty, and he likes it that way. But nothing lasts forever....

The grand preface is over- and now the real story begins!!!"

My Rating: 1/5

I think this is where I will be leaving the series. I don't care to continue on, the time jump did nothing for me, and the direction the plot is taking isn't for me. I doubt that I will continue at this point but I would still recommend the series for anyone who wants to be a bit unsettled. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Title: Hook, Line and Sinker

Author: Tessa Bailey

Series/Standalone: Bellinger Sisters Duology (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Pages: 353

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he's a guaranteed good time- in bed and out- that's exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She's immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his... personality? And want to be friends? But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah's in town for work, crashing in Fox's spare bedroom. She knows he's a notorious ladies' man, but they're definitely just friends. In fact, she's nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a  few tips from Westport's resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker's eye... yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can't deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. 

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she's walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and.... and.... man overboard! He's fallen for her, hook, line and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he's all in, she'll choose him instead?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book was exactly what I needed from a summer romance. It had a great atmosphere, follows characters we've already met and a great trope for the reason the characters can't be together. I do love a fake dating trope. The smut was phenomenal as always, but I did find the flashbacks to what the characters had said in previous scenes frustrating. It's one thing to be thinking about what the hero or heroine had said and another to have it seem to loop so frequently that I was taken out of the current storyline. Not my favourite, but the epilogue made up for it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Flawless by Elsie Silver

Title: Flawless

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Chestnut Springs Series (Book #1)

Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 424

Publisher: Kindle 

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "You got one angry motherfucker here, Eaton."

"The rules were simple. Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble.

But now I'm stuck with her. There's only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.

I'm the face of professional bull riding- the golden boy. Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I'm stuck with his ballbusting daughter for the rest of the season as my 'full-time supervisor.'

But I don't need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can't stop running not 

A mouth I can't stop thinking about.

Because Summer isn't just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn't run- she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn't.

She says this means nothing.

I say this means everything.

She says there are boundaries we shouldn't cross. That my reputation can't take any more hits- and neither can her damaged heart.

I say I'm going to steal it anyway."

My Rating: 4/5

This book was such a fun ride..... the author did an excellent job of making the characters unique but not too over the top. The way the perspectives of the characters alternated so well together made my reading experience so much more enjoyable. Between the plot and the smut, it was a great read and I can't wait to read more from the author and this series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny