Teddy Spenser Isn't Looking for Love by Kim Fielding

Where to begin? ~sigh~ I didn't like this book. Simply didn't. If it wasn't an audio version I wouldn't have finished it. Teddy Spenser isn't a likeable guy and / or hero material (IMO). I didn't see what Romeo found in him and even if I did, their relationship developed VERY strangely. From a dislike to a "like-like" WAY too fast, as well as the whole progression of the relationship. I understand that spending a few days together 24/7 makes a different impact than regular "dates", and yet, it was still totally and absolutely ridiculous. 

I don't know how old Teddy Spenser is (or Romeo for that matter). But he feels early 20s. He has been working at an innovative company, on the marketing side. He is tasked to work on a special project with Romeo Blue the software guy. Teddy has A LOT of assumptions on the guy. Most of them are either mean or just plain negative. That's with barely speaking to the guy. Granted he has his own office, unlike the others who work in cubicles, yet it seems like no one gives him any credit or tries to figure the guy out. 

The company is in a very sensitive place, unsure if they'll even survive due to lack of funds so when a VERY rich and influential (former?) designer offers to take a look and consider the project, Teddy is HIGHLY motivated. Meeting her is a dream come true, he just didn't think he'll do it with Romeo by his side. 

Force Play by Elle Brownlee

I gave this book more than a fair chance but honestly, I just don't care about baseball (or know anything about it..) which means a HUGE portion of this book was totally lost on me. I was here for the character development and romance and I didn't get enough of it to keep me going. I mean, Harmon was going through stuff for sure, but it wasn't enough to keep me invested. 

Professional baseball player Harmon "Hawk" Kiel made a mess of things. First for being drafted to a prestige team and being unable to deliver. Then he was outed when he had too much fun and was too drunk to take his regular precautions. Being transferred to the worst team possible - Loggerheads - was a deserving punishment but since he has nothing without baseball he accepts. 

It took time for Harmon to say it "out loud" but in this stage in life he doesn't even like baseball and the fact he can't play as well as he "should" makes it even harder for him, not to mention his new team has another role for him to play so naturally he isn't good at it, and though he might be starting to get better, his lack of connections in town, in his team or just ANY friends makes his life miserable. His only real light is Caleb Jackson who is a part of the Loggerheads organization. He doesn't play, he sort of helps the team on practice though it's obvious he USED to play but where I stopped we still don't get any explanation to what happened. It was truly sad being in Harmon's head. Not because of what he was saying more so of what he wasn't or didn't have - including family (since he was outed). 

Gametime (Moo U #4) [Pax & Naomi] by Jami Davenport

While I enjoyed this book, I can't say I loved it. Maybe it's me feeling so far away from the New Adult genre (or being at that age) it was a rounded up 4 star most of the time. There was a lot of angst from the MCs as well as the (deteriorating) relationship between the twins. At times I was exasperated with them but honestly, if they would have worked things out sooner it wouldn't have felt real, especially considering how young they are (21 years old). I needed to be patient with them in a way like they needed to be with themselves and realize their true priorities but also how to get there and not lose who they are and the people they hold close. It was quite a journey for the three of them (even if we don't really see what happened or WILL happen with Patrick). 

So why am I giving this book a 2 star rating? Because I can't ignore the ending. I don't want to spoiler anything, so I'll just say Jami dealt with a mental situation with one of the characters in a very unprofessional way and since this is MY field of study it really rubbed me the wrong way. I knew it was coming, there were enough hints and honestly if it didn't happen right at the end, I would have put the book aside. 

The Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion by Marie Sexton & Cari Z.

I tried, I really did but I just couldn't continue on with this book. I'll admit I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi novels but I've read a few by Cari and LOVED them so it was a given I'm going to give this one a go. So I delved in hoping for something different and exciting and finding myself ANNOYED and mostly, truth being said - bored. I didn't connect or even like any of our 3 MCs, their constant banter was tiring and it led to almost nothing happening in the first quarter of the book. I think I actually got to the point things started to happen but I can't commit to it. I'm sorry. 

I won't say a lot about the plot firstly because VERY little actually happened besides Denver Clayborne (our sole POV up until 22% where I stopped) finding a "pod" coming from at least a century ago and in it a promise of something extraordinary. His sick twin brother Laramie is skeptical and moreover he doesn't want Denver to put his life at risk for his sake (hoping for a cure) and their third member - Marit - isn't able of doing anything but complaining. There's a lot of not really world building but references to the past and how everyone came to be living in space (and Earth becoming uninhabitable). I didn't care about any of it because it was all done in their usual banter which threw me off this book in the first place. 

Never Enough by Kristina M. Sanchez

This book, in one word, was DISTURBING. I don't mind angsty books, I don't mind age gaps, this book didn't work despite these things not because of them. It's been a while since I've read a book that was SO hopeless. Val's life story is more than sad it's HORRIBLE. Everything that happened to him and especially the house he ran back to - one where he is underappreciated (as usual) and seen as a no good criminal was truly hard to read. Maybe there was a start to his own redemption but I couldn't see it, not with Mina by his side. Anyone BUT Mina. 

When Valentin Belmonte was 18 years old he was sentenced to 4 years in jail for attempted murder. Not just any murder but his little brother. When he finally got out of jail it was to a half brother who can't look at him, a stepfather who hates him, a mother who loves him but doesn't know what to do with him and a little girl his mother and stepdad adopted. 6 years old Mina who hasn't said a word for a whole year. For some reason Mina and Val connected but she was always the little girl - his Mia. When life got complicated he left town trying to be a responsible adult, to take care of his business, yet he wasn't good at that no matter how hard he tried, and honestly the odds were never in his favor. 

Spectred Isle (Green Men #1) [Randolph & Saul] by K.J Charles

Nope. This one just wasn't for me. I have similar feelings about this one as I did The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. I'll just say it.. I was bored. There was NOTHING grabbing me in this book. I don't understand the world building or the WORLD really. 26% in (where I stopped) and I basically don't understand anything about who's what and what is the purpose of anything or anyone. I expect to understand more of what's going on in a dual POV novel but while Saul is mostly confused about his "findings", Randolph who's supposed to be "on top of things" reveal very little in his inner dialogue and the ones he has with his partners / close friends leave me with the same questions I had in Simon Feximal's book. I've read most of K.J's books. I actually have only one left on my list and I ADORED so many of them. I enjoy her writing and her characters and relationship buildup but this one (and the previous one) feels TOTALLY different. I wouldn't have EVER guessed they were written by the same person. I just don't get it..

The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles

In one word - Redundant. I've read most of this book (DNF at 75%) and NOTHING makes sense about it. It's an assortment of "tales" written in retrospect by the journalist Robert Caldwell containing his adventures and relationship progression with Simon Feximal the ghost hunter from their first encounter to a friendship and partnership (professionally and intimately) spanning 20 years. The book contains 9 "stories" with very little connection between them and though it's obvious Simon and Robert's relationship is evolving it was very hard to feel any romantic vibe from neither man especially from Simon whom I'm not ever sure is actually a human. Honestly I hardly consider this one to be a romance novel.

We don't get explanation to right around ANYTHING in this book. We know Simon Feximal is a ghost hunter, we know he has a way of communicating with ghosts and he isn't there to eliminate them but to free them through their story. But besides that we know nothing about his powers / abilities, where they came from, where HE came from. What is his connection to Miss Theodosia Kay besides growing up like siblings (Why and how they came to live in her house). There are SO MANY unanswered questions in this one and that's without the very strange way this book is compiled. I feel like I'm missing half of the chapters with references to things that happened and weren't specifically told.

No Quick Fix (Torus Intercession #1) by Mary Calmes

Sadly, this book was a HUGE disappointment. I'm usually a big fan of Mary's books, I've actually read ALL of them, but this one just wasn't for me. I felt it was simply unrealistic. In a way I just couldn't relate to the MC or the story. After reading 21% I realized that my main issue won't change and I'm not in the mood to ignore it the whole book so I decided to put this book aside.

Brann Calder is working for Torus Intercession, a company which "fixes" things for people. Truth be told I'm not really sure what that means and the job Brann gets in this one DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. Brann is an ex Navy SEAL (been out for 6 months) he is sent miles and miles away to a small town on the border of Canada to help with the merging of two family and businesses. Yet what he is TASKED to do, from the start, is be the nanny to two little girls (5 and 7 years old) up until their father Emery Dodd gets married.

Wheels Up (Out of Uniform #4) [Dustin & Wes] by Annabeth Albert

I wanted to love this book, as much as I LOVED the other ones in the series and other books I've read by Annabeth, but this one just rubbed me the wrong way. I just couldn't stand Dustin and Wes' dynamics. While I got why Dustin was insecure about a relationship with Wes, his behavior just didn't work for me considering who he is, and his position. I get that some people enjoy being dominated, but somehow his TOTAL submissiveness even when on uniform felt off. How did he get to his current position with him being unable to stand up for himself about ANYTHING.

We've already met Dustin Strauss in the first installment where his little brother Dylan got together with his best friend Apollo. Dustin has known he is bi-sexual for years but he wasn't ready to out himself as one, still isn't. Finding himself talking to a guy on an app made things feel more real. He enjoyed their interaction the sexual one, sure, but also their friendship. When they have an opportunity to actually MEET in person they go for it even if both are rather reluctant. Once they meet they wish they could have more but since they live in the opposite coasts how could it work out? Also there are far too many secrets between them. Mainly one - the are both SEALs.

The Lady in the Lake (Camelot West Virginia Season #1, Episode #2) by Emma Jameson & Cyn Mackley

I tried. I really did. But I didn't connect with this installment AT ALL. I've read 67% so you'd think I know what this one suppose to be about but I don't. I'm confused by all the characters and their connection to one another. I'm also confused by the semi-magical situations that occur. IS this a supernatural book? or are the people in this town a bit "off"? I really can't tell.

So this installment, as far as I understand, talks mostly about Mayor Dreama Avalon who is also "The Lady of the Lake" ever since she got her own lake when she was younger. We get to learn a bit about her childhood, who she married and a bit about the kind of person she is now.

Crossroads (Skins #4) [Angelo & Dylan] by Garrett Leigh

This short novella is a closure to the series, though it contains the POVs of Angelo and Dylan all three couples are enjoying the holidays together at Joe's (and Harry's) Farm. The feeling is more settled, certainly for Joe and Harry but also with Rhys and Jevon. Angelo and Dylan needs to find a way to make their relationship work. Staying at the farm doing physiotherapy with Harry and in general living there makes a HUGE difference on his health and so he needs to find a way to talk to Dylan and explain it to him, hoping Dylan can make a future with him somewhere near the farm..

Dylan already realized Angelo's future is entwined with his and this is NOT something that is going to change, even if he sees the great influence the farm has on Angelo's health and it's underline meaning. So it's up to him to find a way to make a life there. With a bit of help from the guys he does find a way which suits him well and will enable them to chose their own path together.

Innocence by Suki Fleet

It's hard for me to actually write it but it's my truth so I gotta - I didn't like this book AT ALL. It was all over the place with Christopher running around in circles, in his head but also in real life. It FELT like the YA I stay clear of and frankly I don't get what a 29 years old guy would find in someone 10 years younger. Their whole relationship was BEYOND strange. Not to mention with the book finished I still don't think I know anything about Malachi besides he's a mechanic who loves to play and sing music (there's also a dark secret, but it's a spoiler-free-zone here so I'll let you figure it out..).

This is Christopher Grey's story for sure. We follow him around as he tries to find a place in this world he can call his own. He have been living with his dad and younger brother on a boat all of his life. When he was 5 years old, the 3 years old Jay got burned by accident which consequent in their mother leaving for good. Doesn't sound like the exemplary mother, does she? and their father isn't that much better even if he have been taking care of them since then. it's not black and white I guess.. he is who he is, and he's doing what he thinks is the right thing even if his reasoning aren't the best.  Jay is the focus of Christopher's life, he would do right around anything for him, he is his number one priority even if the one thing he craves - finding their mother - is not something Christopher is mad about. He doesn't feel there's a point and also where to start?

Timing (Timing #1) [Stefan & Rand] by Mary Calmes

I guess I have rather high expectations where Mary is concerned as I've read and enjoyed most of her books, so I'm really sad this book didn't work out for me. Our MC and sole POV Stefan Joss was BEYOND perfect in a way which felt totally unbelievable so while I was trying to accept that's the way he is, came his romantic partner in this book and I was just not feeling it. I didn't like Rand Holloway or care for him in any way. He ran too hot and too cold.

Stefan Joss came to Texas to attend his best friend's wedding Charlotte Holloway. He is thrilled to see her and her soon to be husband but less happy to see her brother - Rand - who have always been mean and degrading towards him (and her at times..). Yet he is the bride's older brother, naturally he attends her wedding.. Stefan and Rand would just have to find a way to get along even if they hadn't in the past.. especially with Rand asking for a truce. Yet ever since asking that he has been coming on to Stefan. I guess it wasn't obvious for him at first but for me it felt like it and it totally felt off and wrong, especially how bossy he was towards Stefan. It might be his character but it didn't fit Stefan or the situation between them.

A Few Good Fish (Fish Out of Water #3) by Amy Lane

This book just wasn't for me.. The first chapter started with a different couple as a sort of "introduction" and I just hated it. In the next chapter we got back to Jackson and Ellery I wasn't pleased either. I think that's the exact moment I realized just HOW damaged Jackson is. There IS such a thing as too damaged. It doesn't make the character more appealing, it just makes you realize why therapy was invented and why there are times when it's a good thing to have and there are other times when it's CRUCIAL for a man's future, if he wants to have one that is.. Which is why after just these two chapters I had to take a three week break before I could continue reading the book right to the end.

There's a lot of action in this one though there are also a bit of time of Jackson and Ellery trying to make the best they can from their time together. Ellery is truly doing his best to take care of Jackson but as I've just said, sometimes therapy is needed.. Sadly this book didn't promote it, it promoted religious help which is nice and all for believers but it doesn't change one's reality or perspective about THEMSELVES. If there is, or isn't a higher power - I'll leave this debate for others. What I WILL say is believing doesn't change your reality, your fears and insecurities. "Dumping" your emotions on a rabi or a priest is similar to therapy in the exact same way it helps to talk to a friend - it won't HEAL you, it won't make a CHANGE in you but it will make you feel better probably... Which is why it's USELESS for HEALING.

Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge, #1) [Aidan & Lily] by Jill Shalvis

I did expect quite a lot from this author though I haven't read her before. She has A LOT of raving review, some from my friends so I was getting ready to fall madly in love. "Spoiler Alert" - I didn't. This book was a total and absolute cliche. I think I got to about 60-70% when I started skimming. Not sure why, I could have DNFed it and I would have been fine with it (rule of thumb, if you don't like a book half way in, it's not going to change enough to change your opinion of it). But I DID finish it and though it ended nicely, I had SO many issues with this one along the way I wasn't satisfied with it.

I really feel bad about writing this review.. I mean it's all PERSONAL opinion after all.. It's MY personal take of this story. You might LOVE it. So take everything I'm writing with a grain of salt.

This is a beginning to a series, the story of 3 out of 5 Kincaid siblings. This one features Aidan Kincaid. He's gorgeous, he has a very loving family (though it could be said they are all somehow dysfunctional..), he is a life-saver, working both as a fire-fighter as well as on a  Search&Rescue team in the mountains he loves so much and where his family own a resort. He might not have a girl, but he is satisfied in life and frankly doesn't have any time for one.. Well, except for Lily Danville - the one who got away..

His Hearth (Warders #1) [Julian & Ryan] by Mary Calmes

This one was VERY disappointing. I don't think I have very good things to say about it but frankly. Yet. it's MY personal preference and it has nothing to do with the quality of the book. The things that made me put this one aside might be the exact ones to make you appreciate it, so as usual read with caution ;)

This novella is a part of a Urban Fantasy series, each book is actually novella length. As this is Mary and I've loved so many of her books in the past (I've read MOST of them) I bought the  compilation of the first three installments in the series. It starts as a regular Contemporary Romance novel and as it seems the Paranormal side of things starts very close to the end (which I haven't gotten to since I DNFed it at 33%).

In the Right Light by G.B. Gordon

Truthfully I just didn't connect with this one. It was too short to be realistic romantic wise, at least for me. it felt too fast and the "relationship buildup" felt more like an infatuation.

Danny Holt and James Carver find themselves working at the same project from different ends. James a landscaper, and Danny working artistic lights in a big estate. Though it's what Danny usually does with his artistic talent, James works with his older brother and father who mostly put him off and so their usual clients are more "mediocre", this is a big chance for them yet if they keep their attitude it's not just they won't get better jobs, James would leave as well. He had enough of his father and how badly he treats him... James has his dreams but he doesn't feel he'll be able to pursue any of them with his father managing the business..

Roses in the Devil's Garden (Fallen Rose #1) [Harlan & Nathan] by Charlie Cochet

I almost didn't finish this one. I've read half, got annoyed, decided not to continue then in the morning thought I should give it a full chance, after all it's quit short so.. Can't say it made me like this one better. But at least I sort of got the whole story. Thing is, it feels (and it ends) like a beginning of a new series. One that deals with issues that honestly don't interest me that much though I'm  probably in a minority here... I haven't watched any movie of series from the Prohibition times where the mob was stronger than the police or maybe the police was just a part of the problem with dirty cops all around. Harlan Mackay and Nathan Reilly are actually the good guys and though they have a hard time trusting the people around them - they have each other. BEWARE SPOILERS AHEAD! 

Change of Heart (Change of Heart #1) by Mary Calmes

My issue with this book is something you either REALLY mind or you don't. If I had to name it using just one word I think "destiny" might help out but it's not just it.. Reading PNR books you are usually presented with a lot of situations in which people are "destined" to be together and so their attraction is either OTT or there's this "click" between them they can't shut off and here they are - a couple. While I CAN accept that in PNR books to some extent I don't like it. Heck, the MC in this book doesn't like the idea of being stuck with someone because that's how the "laws of attraction" works so why should I?

Jin Rayne is a werepanther but he's not just ANY werepanther, he is destined to mate with a pack leader (there's a special name for that "destined job"). That's is quite bizarre considering he is male and pack leaders is male "job". What kind of pack leader would want a man for a mate? Jin does his best to avoid any pack leader not only to NOT stumble upon his destined mate but also because he has a certain appeal because of his special "destiny" that makes him likeable to right around anyone who meets him (human or shifter). Though it's nice having most of everyone on your side it felt a bit "staged" and very "fake". While Jin was trying his best to stay in the side lines, wherever he goes people just want him to stay and almost worship his strange appeal. When meeting other shifters with other "destinies" (other "jobs") it become a little unbearable for me. I understand that shifters are not a real thing.. but I would like the story at least to feel realistic somehow. Alas, it wasn't.

The Auspicious Troubles of Chance (The Auspicious Troubles of Love #1) [Chance & Jacky] by Charlie Cochet

I'm not sure why really but I didn't connect with Chance, our sole POV. He started with a lot of "telling" of his personal history and continued with not enough of "showing". Chance had a very difficult life, being unwanted for too many years and when he finally found himself everyone he cared about were tragically taken away from him. Not knowing where to go now he finds himself in the French Legion looking for a commander that is said to be able to make a "proper soldier" out of him. Same man will turn out to be a lot more than just his officer.

I'll admit I haven't read a lot of this one. After 25%, which isn't a lot page-wise considering it's not a long novel, I felt isn't for me. Chances' way of thinking, his general disposition towards life didn't appeal to me.. So I figured I'll just let it go..