The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert

Usually I'm a HUGE fan of Annabeth, but this one, I'm not sure why simply didn't grab me. I tried, I got to the middle of it, but realized I don't want to. Both MCs are cute, on their own and together, and I guess I just don't really need to know what happens. I don't have anything negative to say, I'm just not interested which feels.. mmm.. strange.  

Gideon Holiday and Paul Frost have been neighbors for years but didn't really interact. Like their names suggest - Gideon in bubbly and friendly and Paul is the kind to keep to himself. When the holidays arrive Paul accepts Gideon's offer to decorate the outside of his house FOR him to help the neighborhood effort. It's not a struggle for Gideon who actually doesn't have anything else planned for the month of December. He also willingly accepts Paul's request to make his house (the inside of it) worthy for Paul's younger brother and his soon to be wife. 

Lars (Witches of London #1) [Lars & Rhys] by Aleksandr Voinov

I don't know how to classify this book but what I can say is I simply couldn't connect with it. I think it would have been better for me with dual POV. Lars' beliefs are his own and generally speaking it doesn't matter to me that he is Pagan or the specifics of it, there was just TOO MUCH of it. I've read enough Paranormal novels so I tried thinking about this one as such, but it ISN'T. While some things I CAN believe in most of his and his friends' beliefs, it was still very alien to me. I don't want to sound disrespectful because I DO realize some people live this way, including Aleksander who I've heard practices some sort of Paganism(?), I have no issue with that, on the contrary I'm a real advocate to "you do you". That being said, I'm not that curious to the "ins and outs" of these beliefs being a firm atheist. 

Not much happens romantically in the first 3rd of the story. Lars Kendall has a builder company. He accepts a job fixing Rhys Turner's house. From their first meeting Lars seems more than intrigues with the guy but he is a professional so even when Rhys shares he is gay - the first move doesn't come from him. There's also a lot to be revealed about Rhys' current decisions with the house and it's location considering how he used to live before. Some was disclosed but I feel like there's still quite a lot more.

The main story wasn't Lars and Rhys but Lars' Pagan belief and his new found friendship with a group of gay practitioners. Honestly this is what mostly put me off of this story. Their overly perfect connection and the heavy emphasis on Paganism/ Magick. 

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). 

Stand in Place by Mary Calmes

This book started beautifully, but as it progressed I was starting to wonder what I was reading. The interactions between the people made NO sense. The conversations were strange and unrealistic. And in no time half the town was all circling around Kaenon trying to make him feel at home and asking for his forgiveness for the way they treated him 15 years ago when he was outed at 14 years old. This felt like a very strange fairy-tale and I have yet to find any villain... 

Kaenon Geary have been away from the small town of Braxton, Texas since he was 17 years old. Getting a scholarship to play his favorite sport was his way out. Too bad it didn't last as long as he'd hoped getting injured. But he has made a life away from his past and his family. After telling his family he was gay, they basically threw him out, lucky for him his grandparents and his aunt took him in and they were literally his only family from then on. Now when his grandmother Jo is dying he has come to be with her for her last summer. He isn't thrilled to be back but she is all he has now that his grandfather and aunt are gone. Coming home means revisiting all the horrible memories he has of his parents turning away from him, his brother actively making his life a living hell and his beloved sister ignoring him like he died. The kids in town were no better but at a certain point he put everyone beyond a very thick wall and simply played with a sole focus of moving out. 

Deliverance (Darkest Skies #2) [Benito & Mickey] by Garrett Leigh

While Redemption (the previous installment) was one of my absolute FAVORITE books by Garrett and I HIGHLY recommend it, this one just wasn't for me. I can't really complain about anything, I just didn't like the interaction between Benito and Mickey. If you like those kind of fighting for dominance more of aggressive sexual interactions this might really be for you. For me, it's a pass. 

I thought about giving it a fair chance and continuing a bit more but as the synopsis suggests they start with a sexual relationship which slowly becomes more, I feel like I won't be able to connect to either of them until THAT happens. 

Benito Martell got mixed up badly with a gang, he now needs to pay a lot of money he doesn't have while protecting his mother and mostly his little sister. When he stumbles upon Mickey he just wants a break.. Mickey Larwood works for Isha Hussain and Dominic Ramos - if the names sounds familiar it's because we've met them both in "Lucky" (1st and 3rd installment). It seems he has just started working for them and is doing his best to keep himself clean after recovering from a drug addiction. Meeting Benito at the bar seems too good  to be true.

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. 

For a Good Time, Call... (Bluewater Bay #17) [Nate & Seth] by Anne Tenino & E.J. Russell

I thought I could do this but apparently not.. It's been almost 4 years since I more of less abandoned this series (more explanations bellow). But I DID want to read this one by Anne as I've enjoyed so many of her books before and also I LOVE slow burn and this one was sure to deliver (with one of our MCs being "Grace"). Sadly though I liked both Nate and Seth the plot and basically everything that brought them together was, well, boring. 

Seth Larson have been living in Bluewater Bay his whole life, more than that his family is one of the founding families. Not that it makes him feel anything positive about them.. Mostly estranged to them besides his grandmother whom he lives with and helps maintain the family mansion. She actually had enough and she wants to sell, but no one else beside her would agree and since she doesn't have a true hold on her estate or money she isn't sure how to go about it. Seth would do anything to help her, and getting to know Nate proofs to be handy on that account (and a lot more..).

Conventionally Yours (True Colors #1) [Conrad & Alden] by Annabeth Albert

Though I'm a HUGE Annabeth fan (read ALL of her books) this one just wasn't for me. Somehow the plot and the characters simply didn't "grab" me. I felt like the road tripping itself (shifting drivers and getting lost) and the card game (including too many actual games) made this, well, boring.. I used to be into RPG (Role Playing Games) back in the day so I COULD relate and yet I totally couldn't because I don't know this game (or interested in it).

Conrad Stewart seems like he has it all but it's all a front to a lonely life. He used to have a loving family, a promising start in college and a very active social life. What's left? Working in as many jobs as he can and playing "Odyssey ". After coming out his family basically thrown him into the wolves leaving him with no way of paying college (so he dropped out) and barely a way to make things end enough for him to even feed himself. Two weeks on the road to get into an "Odyssey" convention seems like a waste of time and money but if he wins the big price he might FINALLY have means to support himself (while doing something he loves).

Alden Roth looks to have won the jackpot of a family. Two extremely loving moms (and two older sisters) with a planned future as a doctor. But he hides how much his family's expectations is weighing on him. He hasn't been able to get into any program and after two years trying he doesn't feel like going through it again for a third. His moms are pushing him to make decisions concerning his future and all he feels like doing is hiding and playing "Odyssey" - one of the few if not only thing he feels he is good at. Though he has a group who plays "together" he struggles socially. The guys don't really like him - especially not Conrad but the convention might be his way out. Winning big can change his future! Though it might not be the kind his family "approves" of, at least they are happy he is going with friends.. (though they don't know they aren't really).

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.

In Kelly's Corner (Fighting Connollys #1) [Kelly & Bee] by Roxie Rivera

This book simply wasn't for me. I actually did like how it started and the dynamics between our two main characters as well as the dual POVs. What I DISLIKED right from the start is - this is NOT in fact the first book in series, try something like the 6th. The name dropping in this one was HORRENDOUS. I'm not sure I'll exaggerate close to 30 names I have NO idea who they are (besides 90% of them having Russian names). That's when I realized this is a "spin off" (a very BADLY done, it's NOT separate AT ALL) to Roxie's "Her Russian Protector" series and I can tell you now I'm NOT going to read it. This book made me think of how frustrated I was with J.R.R Martin "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.. but while his books where frustrating they weren't as predictable and cliche as this one.

I'm mad and it shows through my writing. I'm sorry. This is actually not a bad book AT ALL. I'm just frustrated there are TONS of details, characters and prior interactions I don't know / understand. Truth being said, even in series I read and enjoy I'm not always good with SO many details, characters and connections. For a series like this I would need to start at the REAL first book and read them one after the other or I'll be - as I am now - totally lost. I KNOW many people adore a universe like this one where they feel they know everybody like their best friends but I'm genuinely HORRIBLE at these things.. Which is why I was SO frustrated.

While I enjoyed the interaction between Kelly Connolly and Beatrice "Bee" Langston, even with them the cheesiness was a bit OTT. I feel like I could predict their even move. Kelly being the tough guy, fighting (figuratively and physically) to protect his family. Honor above all. A true brute with no prior education (except for being a capable Marine). Bee being the sweet naive (virgin) genius, making BILLIONS before she even turned 23.

Arrange Us (The Arranged Duo, #2) by Katy Regnery

I've written a review and decided to change it up completely.. So if you've been here and it suddenly looks different, yep there's a reason for it. I'm known as being totally and absolutely blunt yet I HATE being unnecessarily mean so I hope you'll take my review as my PERSONAL opinion and nothing else. This book rubbed me the wrong way as it deals with a subject I feel STRONGLY about and though I've love SO MANY of Katy's books (I've read them ALL) this one in my personal opinion is HORRIBLE in the way it glorifies deception when it's for the "right" reasons (that's all I'm willing to say while staying spoiler free..).

While I had my issues with the previous installment, it was mostly "personal taste" and though I wasn't pleased I accepted Courtney's decisions as her own, even if I HIGHLY disagreed with most of them if not ALL of them. A lot of people found the story to be quite unique and REALLY enjoyed it. I guess I'm too "modern" in my thinking to romanticize arranged marriages (the problems Courtney and Josh dealt with in this one were EXACTLY why I thought it was a bad idea from the start... just saying..).

For me this one was absolutely NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL. To say I disliked this book would be an understatement. I was RAVING MAD most of the book. I highlighted like crazy all those HORRIBLE thoughts and discussions between Courtney and Josh that showed how this is NOT WORKING and for good reasons. I was truly WAITING for them to break up because I think it would have been the best solution as they are CLEARLY not looking for the same things in life (though the sex is great..).

I actually haven't even finished reading the whole thing.. I've read 95% - leaving out the Epilogue - as I just didn't want to read them "finding HEA" as it would have been a total unbelievable lie the way I see it. I don't think these two CAN have a happy life together with a shattered foundation filled with selfishness, lies and deception. There is no trust, no respect. So how could there be ANY future?

I know I haven't really written anything about the plot and I'm not going to.. instead I'll add a pretty line and after it I'm going to ramble with EXACTLY what made me so mad. It's going to be long, it's going to contain HUGE spoilers so be advised..

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Gemini Keeps Capricorn (Signs of Love #3) [Wesley & Lloyd] by Anyta Sunday

This book was IMPOSSIBLE for me to read. It MIGHT get better but I just don't care and It's really unlike me to throw a book after just 9%, especially by an author I ADORE and enjoyed SO many of her books but I simply CAN'T and WON'T continue.

Nearing the end of the 2nd (!) chapter I feel totally and absolutely LOST. I swear I have NO idea what's going on.. and reading a few reviews (which I don't usually do while I'm still reading a book) I see some people had the same issue. The feeling is like you're starting the book somewhere in the middle. WHO are all of those characters? WHAT or WHY are the relationships between them. HOW do the MCs know each other and WHY do they have this strange relationship which isn't even a friendship. Are they friends? Maybe not really? Then why does Wesley keeps constantly harassing Lloyd?

Shifting Gears (Crossroads #2) [Rod & Landon] by Riley Hart

Truthfully I can't explain it. I just didn't connect to either MC. I came out blank considering what my problem IS really. But I don't know. Both Rod and Landon are likable though neither is perfect (a good sign), each has his own sad story though there is still more to be revealed and especially to one another where I stopped (~32% in). I just didn't really care. I found myself struggling to read and mostly struggling to GET BACK to reading. I think I haven't read for more than a week just not feeling like it AT ALL. That's quite strange for me, if it happens usually it's BETWEEN books not while reading one.

We've met Rod Nelson before, he worked at a sex shop Nick and Bryce visited. They had a friendly conversation but turns out they somehow became friends (as we met both Nick and Bryce in this one). Landon Harrison is not really new in town, he grew up here, but he didn't see himself returning. But his sister getting married is reason enough.. Through Rod, whom he meets at Rod's new sex shop, he gets a job as a mechanic in Bryce's place and soon they strike a friendship neither is TRULY okay with. They both want to have sex with one another, but Landon puts all the breaks, he would rather have the friendship and mixing it up with sex, no mater how much he is attracted to Rod (and vice versa), seem like a bad idea in his book..

Before Midnight (Blood Prince, #1) [Etienne & Loupe] by Jennifer Blackstream

I have to say that though I decided to let this one go at 37% it really is about taste. I thought all characters were kinda childish and the synopsis unlikely (even for PNR). I don't know really, I couldn't connect with either character and I think you have to really be in a fairy-tale mood to enjoy this one because it truly FEELS like one, with the characters being naive and old fashioned.

This book is a "recreation" of Cinderella who is named in this one - Loupe (yep, a VERY unoriginal name). Her evil stepmother and 2 stepsisters treats her badly and keep her busy yet she still manages to enjoy at least one thing - taking care of 3 little wolf pups she hides in the forest near by. Her kinship with wolves started after she got bitten by a werewolf. Now she is a wolf when the full moon rises...

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.

Familiar Angel by Amy Lane

This book just isn't working for me and honestly it's pretty difficult for me to say exactly WHY. The story feels a bit "fogy", a lot of missing pieces confusing facts concerning the world building. Not to mention our hero, as well as his two best friends turned somewhat siblings are all CAT shifters. I don't like cats - AT ALL - so them being sort of the main heroes isn't really that appealing to me, not to mention they behave like FAR more than your regular house cats (which they are). I'm not sure if it's the magic abilities they have or some other enhancement but I REALLY have a hard time imagining some of the scenes with cats being SO brutal they can take a man down or a wild boar. No. Nope. No way.