4 stars out of 5
I really loved this book, and enjoyed it much more than I thought I was going to.
Synopsis:
"There wasn't much Violet Warren considered easy in life. Even just talking to people was a challenge. On the other hand, she didn't like all that many people. Her dad was one of few people she loved, simply because he understood her. Or at least tried to understand her, as opposed to her mom.
Then there was Mac... She couldn't really say she knew Mac, but he'd been around her entire life, since he was the son of the club’s President. She liked him. He was the one who suggested she could become a tattoo artist, an idea she loved, since drawing was one of few things she considered herself good at. Her dad helped her to get a spot as an apprentice at Wicked Ink. She wasn't sure how to thank him properly until he asked her to do a tattoo on him. It sort of went downhill from there.
Marcus 'Mac' Baxter couldn't really say he knew Vi. She was just the tiny, shy girl who'd always had a sketchbook in her lap. He knew she'd been crushing on him when she was a kid, but he'd never thought much about it. When he decided to become a Marauder, he left Greenville, Arizona, to join the Emporia, Kansas charter instead. He wanted to make a name for himself and not just be 'Brick's son.' A few years later he transferred back, and realized Vi had grown up while he was away.
But you didn’t take advantage of a girl who’d been crushing on you for years, a girl who was the daughter of a fellow member. You just didn’t.
And you definitely didn’t kiss her. That was insane… But that’s what he did. "
**Can we talk about how gorgeous that cover is???**
I honestly don't know what to say other than I enjoyed the fuck out of this book, and love to reread it.
It is by no means a flawless book, but I really didn't care about that I just got sucked into the story and had a smile on my face and was rooting for Violet and Mac the whole time. I loved the biker aspect of the book, and I really liked the fact that these great and caring people in Violet's life were criminals. It didn't make them any less caring or loving but just added another complex layer to their characters. I absolutely loved the scene where Violet was just coming to realize this aspect of her family and boyfriend.
I also really liked the age gap, which was about six years, between Vi and Mac. I was obsessed with the fact that he refused to rush her with anything sexual. I loved that he had respect for her and actually cared about her as a person. And I loved that he struggled with wanting her to explore but at the same time not wanting to push her; the fact that he struggled and questioned showed what an amazing and caring person and boyfriend he was.
I did not care for the second class treatment that a lot of the male characters in the story gave the women. I understand that that is a cliche in biker life and stories, but it doesn't mean that I like or appreciate it. I do not like being referenced to as "pussy" or a "piece of ass", I felt like that cliche could have been not used. But whatever you can't have everything.
I really, really loved the fact that Vi was a tattoo artist, and that we got to see her training and maturation in that world throughout the novel. I have such a love for tattoo artist stories, not only in books but also documentaries. I have a few tattoos and I have such an appreciation for tattoo artists and the love that they have for their craft.
The middle section of the book felt like it drug on a bit, but it wasn't that huge of a problem the story was still very enjoyable. I could have done without the overly caricature-ized "evil" mother. I really loved the relationship that Violet had with her dad Bear. I thought it was really sweet how close they were and had always been.
I was also a really big fan of the time lapses that the story was told under. I thought that they added a cool dimension to it. I really like the idea of seeing the past and seeing how the characters interacted and evolved from there. It was cool how it would go from Violet's ages for example fourteen years old, 16, to 18.
Final thoughts:
I definitely recommend this, it was such a fun and enjoyable read. The sex was super hot and it never felt excessive or repetitive.
Oh you can totally read this as a standalone, I did because I really wasn't interested in the first one of the series and I wasn't lost whatsoever.
4 stars out of 5
This was just so fucking good. I just really loved reading it, and I really can't wait to read it again.
Synopsis:
"When Princess Lan'xiu's brother delivers her under duress into General Hui Wei's harem as a political offering, her only question is how soon her secret will be discovered. She is under no illusions: when the general discovers she is actually a he, death is his only future-though he doesn't plan to make it easy. Lan'xiu has dressed as a woman all his life, but he is no damsel in distress. He can swing a sword with the best of them.
General Hui Wei has everything a man could want: power, wealth, success on the battlefield, and a harem of concubines. At first, he regards Lan'xiu with suspicion, but he finds himself strangely drawn to her. When he discovers the beautiful young woman is actually a man, his first reaction is to draw his sword. Rather than waste such beauty, he decides to enjoy the spirited Lan'xiu's submission-and ignites a passion and desire deeper than anything he's felt with other wives. But court intrigue, political ambitions, and the general's doubts may be too much for their love to overcome."
**I don't want to misgender so I will be using he and she interchangeably like the author did in the book. I am extremely sorry if that offends anybody**
There were a few parts that annoyed me and I could do without, but honestly those were far and few between. I loved the love that they shared for each other, and I know that a few people din't care for the epilogue type ending of the "legend" but I loved it.
I just absolutely enthralled with hearing about how strong and devoted their love was, and how Lan's love affected everyone in his life. This was such a different and unexpectedly great read, and I am so glad that I listened to recommendations and read it :)
What I really liked:
-The battle scene. And I loved that Lan was referred to as a warrior princess, I thought that that was fabulous and now I really want that to be a term of endearment for everyone in books and life.
-All the fucked up shit we learned about the second wife after **SPOILER**she died. Dude the baby skeletons in the attic and the hidden secret child? What the fuck** END OF SPOILER**
-How fierce Lan was. I loved that he wasn't some victim who didn't fight back or defend himself. And at the same time was able to say that she missed her "husband" when feeling sad or lonely. He was such a complex character and I loved reading every scene that he was in.
-Bai. That's all I need to say, she was bat shit crazy in the best way possible.
I could go on and on about all of the things that I loved, but I don't want to spoil the whole book for you!
A few things that I could have done without:
-The crazy second wife. Yes she added immensely to the plot, but she felt so forced and like such a caricature most of the time that when she was in the scene I would roll my eyes and hurry past her crazy speeches. I did like the fact that she was insane and just kept trying to kill the sister-wives. I have no idea why I found that hilarious but I did; I think it was just the casual way everyone went about it that was so funny.
-The way Hüi went about letting the crazy wife stay in the kingdom? palace yards? I have no idea what the living quarters was called, but I thought it was really fucking stupid that he just let her live there with all the wives...that she has been trying to kill.
Final thoughts:
If anyone is worried about the multiple concubines do not fear there is never any cheating! Hüi has not been with any of the wives for quite sometime even before Lan showed up.
Just read it and give this book a chance. I went into it thinking that I wasn't going to be too impressed with it and up adoring it, hopefully you will too.
**I am reviewing books one and two in the series and I thought it would be much easier to do both in one post since both are not only short stories but also short reviews, and because it would save me some time :)
Mending Noel (book 1)
2.5 stars out of 5
This was a sweet story and I liked the mystery portion a lot.
Synopsis:
"All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other—petty fighting that might be based on hatred… or a heated mutual attraction. It’s up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone’s trying to break his holiday spirit?"
Which was surprising to me because with such a short story the mystery portion of the plot felt really fleshed out, and I am one of those readers who feels that if there is a suspense or mystery element it has to be fully done or else I am not going to like it. I also really loved Jack and Rudy♥
I can't wait to see where their story leads to. I'm really hoping for some flashbacks to the early days of their relationship or finding out how they got together.
I just can not get over how nasty and just mean Noel was. It wasn't a sweet grumpy or anything it was really mean and hurtful, and there was really no super heartfelt apology that would make me feel mildly better.
The Heart of Frost (book 2)
3.5 stars out of 5
I did like this one a lot more than the first book of the series, but it was not what I expected.
Synopsis:
"At the North Pole, no one is more powerful and feared than the Prince of Frost. As general of the toy soldier army, Jack Frost has been working extra hard to put away the villainous Mouse King once and for all. If that isn’t taxing enough, Jack has to deal with the scandal and gossip brought on by news of his relationship with Rudy Rein Dear, captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, which hit headlines last holiday season. Lucky for Jack, his reputation has managed to deter any foolish attempts to stir up trouble. At least until now.
When someone sabotages Rudy’s plane during a test run a few weeks before Christmas, Jack is determined to find the culprit by any means necessary. The closer he gets to finding answers, the more difficulty he has not falling back to his icy ways. Has the Mouse King stepped up his game in order to throw Jack off his, or is someone a little closer to home behind the attempt on Rudy’s life? Either way, Jack has every intention of delivering a Christmas they won’t soon forget, even if it means losing the newfound warmth in his heart."
I loved that we were able to see the love that they have for each other but I'm disappointed that we only witnessed this in memories and the first part of the book. They were separated a little too long for my tastes, it sort of felt like the whole middle part they weren't together and that annoyed me.
I also wasn't a huge fan of lying to a partner in order to "save" them heartache. To me that is bullshit and it isn't your right to decide what your partner can handle and what they can't. Jack should have been told what a conniving little fuck *SPOILER* his cousin Hollis*END OF SPOILER* was, because he should have the right to know and choose who he wants to surround himself with. I felt like Rudy crossed crossed the line by keeping that secret and making others keep it as well, especially since it was literally right after he and Jack promised no more secrets like that.
But other than those small annoyances I really enjoyed this book, and I love the affection and love that they share with each other it is incredibly sweet and heartwarming( I swear I did not realize the pun until after reading what I wrote!! Oh god I'm laughing so hard).
**I don't think I'm going to read the next book in the series. I really am interested in Vale and would love to read his story, but Vixen just does not interest me in the slightest.
4.5 stars out of 5
This was so unexpectedly amazing. Yes there were flaws(like any book), but I did not give a single fuck. That's how deep I was in while reading this story.
Synopsis:
"Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. She’s a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper’s daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She’ll take obscurity, thank you very much.
All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He’s an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he’s also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn’t just a scandal waiting to happen. He’s waiting to happen to her…and if she’s not careful, she’ll give in to certain ruination."
I was smiling, and swooning, and tearing up, I just loved every second reading about two amazing (fictional) people. I want to get lost in their story again and again.
I loved how relatable it was no matter the time difference or intellectual difference I had with the characters. I felt so connected to them that when it was over I was shocked by how fast the ending came all while having a stupid smile on my face. I could relate to both characters so much that I agreed with both of them at a time when they were having conflicting feelings with one another. With Rose I can totally relate to struggling with a partner who is white, in a world that doesn't like mixed race relationships.
Story time: I briefly had a (white) boyfriend once who did not realize that racism was still a "thing" and was appalled every time someone commented on our relationship. He couldn't understand how I dealt with people saying ignorant things to me on a daily basis, nor did he ever have to deal with his friends and family commenting on a relationship of his or asking inappropriate questions about a girlfriend before. It really opened up his eyes to the fact that our relationship would be hard work not just regular couple stuff between us, but also between us and those who had a problem with our different races.
So I could see why Rose (at first) just believed Stephen was trying to seduce her, not to mention he had a reputation for sexing up the ladies. Which I really couldn't picture because his character was so far from the "rake" character that that description of him felt odd.
I could definitely understand how frustrating it was for Rose to have Stephen not fully realizing the hardships that would be in store for them...for life
But I could also understand Stephen's point that he really loved her and it didn't matter how hard situations would be, that it would only make him want to stand by her side even more.
I just loved that their main sources of worry not really "frustration" was focused on how much they didn't want the other one to struggle or hurt.
So all in all I fucking loved this story and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
My only real complaint is how short it was.
**I haven't read the rest of the series, just this one, so it can definitely be read as a standalone if that's what you wanted to do.
Sorry that I have been missing for the past couple weeks!! I have just been so busy with the week leading up to finals, and the final papers and projects themselves. Plus I've been spending some much needed time back home with my family enjoying the holidays.
I hope you all have been enjoying your time with family and loved ones! I will be back to posting in a few more days. Until then stay safe and have fun :)
-Jade xx
**This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review**
I don't know how to rate this book, which is probably a first for me.
Synopsis:
"Anissa is traumatized by the most brutal conflict of the 21st Century: the Syrian Civil War. In 2012, Islamists in Homs terrorize a Syrian-Christian community and destroy everything that a young woman holds dear. Narrowly escaping death, Anissa restarts her devastated life as a college student in NY. She is bewildered and lost -- a virgin in every sense.
But despite her inexperience with men and life in the United States, Anissa is quickly drawn to two powerful individuals: Michael Kassab, the Syrian-American leader working to found the first Mideast Christian state, and Julien Morales, her Columbia University professor who runs a $20 billion hedge fund.
Complicating matters, Michael is still attached to his ex-girlfriend and Julien is the most sought after bachelor in Manhattan (and has hidden demons even his therapist can't extract). Anissa's heart and her communal ties pull her in different directions, as she seeks hope and renewal in a dark world.
LIFE shattered her. LOVE empowered her."
I absolutely loved the history portion of this book and the sort of current events aspects on the going ons in Syria. I was obsessed with that part of the novel and would hands down give that a 5 star. But I was not a fan of the romance portion of the book whatsoever. I found both men, Julien and Michael, to be creepy and they made me uncomfortable. I just felt that neither had redeeming qualities, and the fact that they were pursuing a 17 year old girl made me feel that much more uncomfortable.
What I loved:
-I loved Anissa's growth as a person. I felt that that was amazing, empowering, and uplifting not only because she is a young woman coming into her own, but also because she was a young woman being ripped from her country during dangerous war torn times. Her home was essentially a battle field and the event that happened to her family was beyond traumatic, so every time she succeeded in a class or when she got the top score in Julien's class I was so excited and happy for her!
-The facts and history of Syria. I thought that this was my favorite part of the novel. It is all so sad but beautifully written, you feel for these people and, you feel disgusted that their story is one that goes untold for so long. This novel definitely brings some light on this country and the horrors it has gone through and is going through, and it has definitely educated me in ways I did not expect when I first started reading.
-The fact that most if not all of the characters are POC. I love the representation that we POC get in this book. It is so rare to see any color but white in novels let alone novels about wealthy and successful businessmen/women, and educated people.
What I didn't like:
-The whole romance portion of the book. I felt like it was very unnecessary and felt slightly out of place. The book was focused on Anissa coming from Syria to America in order to have religious freedom and to have a better future and education. This weird semi- love triangle felt very off and to me took away from the beauty of the story. I sometimes found myself skimming over the parts that had to do with her "confusing" relationship with both men.
-Julien and Michael. They were both sort of creepy and made me uncomfortable. I don't know, but I just did not like them and they both rubbed me the wrong way. It also felt very odd that men of 28 and 40 something were pursuing a young girl of 17 who was very vulnerable in a new country, and was sort of naive in some relationship aspects. They both felt like they were out for more than what was being offered, and I don't even know how to explain it but it all felt very unsafe. Also, Julien would constantly bring up her young age and how her "innocent youthful beauty" shined through whenever she was dressed up for his parties. It just felt really fetishizing, and instead of her age just being a part of her, it almost felt like it was a need for his attraction. And Michael felt very arrogant and slightly cult leader-ish, his wants for a better place and equality was beautiful and admirable. But a lot of the things he said gave me pause and made me think that peace is not the only reason he is leading these people in protests and during club meetings.
-The title. While reading I kept trying to figure out how the title fit into the story besides the fact that she is in fact a virgin who is Syrian. It felt like the title was setting the book up to be something that it's really not. Plus it's sort of off-putting when browsing for future books to read, I know if I saw this on the shelf at a store I probably would skip right over it. The title makes it sound like the novel is all about sex when in reality is so about so much more, and it sucks that people will see it as a sex book instead of the intense journey that it is.
Final thoughts
For the most part I enjoyed this story. It was really unlike anything that I have ever read before and I definitely recommend it. I could have done without the romance and the love triangle-ish aspect, but I feel like the good in this book out weigh the bad.
5 out of 5 stars
Loved. Loved every single second, word, and page that I read.
**all the titles are links to their Goodreads pages**
This series is so fucking special. I can't explain how amazing each character is or how complex the friendships and love that they all share. The series is not just about 2 people but 6 and all of the crazy in their lives.
What I love most about this series is that the characters are real people. Yes they are amazing and sweet and in love, but they are also assholes who say hurtful things occasionally, they fuck up and don't always make the right choices. All in all they are not perfect and that is what I love about them, they are all real representations of people not idyllic troupes.
Okay, so on to what I loved about this specific book:
-Everything. Seriously, there was nothing that I wanted to change. Even when Lo said things that were hurtful or when *SPOILER*Jonathan relapsed*END OF SPOILER*. I felt that everything was there for a reason and served a purpose.
-The babies. Oh my god, can I just say that I was in love with Coballoway and LiLo becoming parents. It was so sweet and real, they all love their children beyond anything and it was amazing to see their journey to that point. Moffy is adorable and I hope he will grow up knowing how much his parents love him and how much they sacrificed for him (Lily's addiction being put at risk and Lo's worries and stress about his addiction). I cannot wait to see how Jane will be when she is older. I loved the affection and just love that Rose and Connor had for her. Rose was nervous about being a mother but ended up being a wonderful mom. I just have so many feelings about this that I can't even describe them... The little baby wampa cap♥ Rose is such a sweet Aunt.
-The wedding. So perfect for Lily and Lo and I loved every part of it. I love that Connor officiated it and that Moffy was in a superhero outfit. I loved Lily's dress that sound so pretty and so her. Their vows made me cry they were just so perfect and fit them.
-Raisin. I loveee their dynamic in this book. Probably because this is the first book where they are a "true" couple for the entire book, instead of the snippets that we read in Hothouse Flower and Thrive, where their relationship and interactions with other couples is shown for the last 1/4 of the books. Ryke has so much love for Daisy it is heartwarming and heartbreaking to read. He helps her through her struggles and loves her at her most wild. I loved the handstand she did at the committee dinner party and how her underwear said: I love Ryke Meadows. And his reaction to them♥ so adorable. I also really loved everyone's (especially Lo) acceptance of them it was really amazing and I loved what Lily said to Connor and Rose "Why does the media insist on destroying something beautiful?" #RaisyIsAlive
-The Limo scene. Oh my god! That was insane and I thought that I couldn't love Connor anymore than I already do, that scene proved me wrong! The way he was in control of the situation and how his love and those tears!! shown through. I love how he was able to calm Rose down by quizzing her, it was so sweet and just so them. *SPOILER*Wow giving birth in a limo was something that I was not expecting *END OF SPOILER*but I truly loved because it just showed all the love everyone has for Rose and I just loved that and thought it was a perfect scene. I loved how vulnerable Rose was and how that showed the others how scary the situation was.
I think the quote that perfectly sums up this scene is:
"Ryke turns his head not able to watch this. I can barely keep my eyes trained on Connor and Rose either. It's hard seeing two put-together people face a situation that seems too damn big for them. With consequences that could cripple everyone. And there's nothing we can do to help."
-The dynamic between Rose and Lo. They felt more like allies in this book than any other in the series to me. I loved that they had more of a friendship in this one, don't worry still constant bantering and bashing each other. But there are also a lot more smiles.
Final thoughts
Again I have to say that I truly loved everything about this book and felt that it was such a beautiful ending for Lo and Lily's pov. I cant wait for the rest in the series and for the new series about the kids!!! I am on cloud nine and so excited for the future.
Fuel the Fire
Long Way Down
Series about the kids:
Like Us series
This series and the authors deserve all of the praise that they get! Highly recommend reading the series, you will not regret it!
