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winemakerssister's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I grabbed this from hoopla because I was in the mood for a paranormal romance. But both the paranormal and the romance were pretty wimpy. There was a lot of talk about the romance (and sexytimes) but I really didn't feel a lot of chemistry. The MCs had an encounter in the past and then... poof!... now they're in love and getting married. And the paranormal storyline was even worse. There was a brief mention of shifting to go hunting but other than talking about wolfish aggression and politics, that was it for the werewolves. And Katie Faith was taking lessons in witchcraft but we never heard anything about them - just that they were happening. I suspect this is because the author spent so much time laying the groundwork for the rest of the series. But by doing it, Katie Faith's and Jace's story suffered.
The good stuff? I liked the strong females and I liked that Dane set up a slightly different paranormal world than I've read before. But I found the book to be really repetitive and too fixated on the town's politics and the animosity of the two shifter families.
I grabbed this from hoopla because I was in the mood for a paranormal romance. But both the paranormal and the romance were pretty wimpy. There was a lot of talk about the romance (and sexytimes) but I really didn't feel a lot of chemistry. The MCs had an encounter in the past and then... poof!... now they're in love and getting married. And the paranormal storyline was even worse. There was a brief mention of shifting to go hunting but other than talking about wolfish aggression and politics, that was it for the werewolves. And Katie Faith was taking lessons in witchcraft but we never heard anything about them - just that they were happening. I suspect this is because the author spent so much time laying the groundwork for the rest of the series. But by doing it, Katie Faith's and Jace's story suffered.
The good stuff? I liked the strong females and I liked that Dane set up a slightly different paranormal world than I've read before. But I found the book to be really repetitive and too fixated on the town's politics and the animosity of the two shifter families.
emhof96's review against another edition
2.0
Overall rating: 2 stars
Genre: Shifter Paranormal Romance
Plot: 4/10
Ending: 6/10
Writing: 3/10
Enjoyment: 4/10
Hero: 7/10
Heroine: 4/10
Supporting Characters: 7/10
Humour: Not really
Sex: Not really
Feels: No
HEA:
Thoughts:
Genre: Shifter Paranormal Romance
Plot: 4/10
Ending: 6/10
Writing: 3/10
Enjoyment: 4/10
Hero: 7/10
Heroine: 4/10
Supporting Characters: 7/10
Humour: Not really
Sex: Not really
Feels: No
HEA:
Spoiler
YesThoughts:
Spoiler
Too much taking and words getting going nowhere. Her name did my head in and it was repeated far too muchbeyondevak's review against another edition
3.0
Moonstruck (Diablo Lake #1) was an interesting story. I really liked the idea of a town steeped in magic and the paranormal. Shifters, werewolves and witches living together in harmony...or were they???
Jace and KM, the main characters, had a hot and spicy relationship. It sizzled a bit when they were younger and later at their reunion of sorts, it began blazing anew. Though these two had insane chemistry and a bond that defied naysayers, their coming together seemed rushed, in a sense. They had a lust to love thing happening big time. Still, by the end of the story, things clicked into place.
Because this was the first book in the Diablo Lake series, a lot of background information about the town, the werewolf clans, the witches, the political strife, the power struggles, and even more was revealed. It was pretty heavy getting through it. The hanging threads were placed fairly well though.
This book had colorful characters who proved to be passionate about what they were passionate about. I found it humorous that they all loved food so much. What was that about? All in all, there was just enough texture and variety with the people in Moonstruck to keep me somewhat intrigued.
Rating: 3- to 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R, C
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Suspense/Intrigue: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Series: Yes
Stand Alone: +/-
Re-read: +/-
Source: NetGalley
Jace and KM, the main characters, had a hot and spicy relationship. It sizzled a bit when they were younger and later at their reunion of sorts, it began blazing anew. Though these two had insane chemistry and a bond that defied naysayers, their coming together seemed rushed, in a sense. They had a lust to love thing happening big time. Still, by the end of the story, things clicked into place.
Because this was the first book in the Diablo Lake series, a lot of background information about the town, the werewolf clans, the witches, the political strife, the power struggles, and even more was revealed. It was pretty heavy getting through it. The hanging threads were placed fairly well though.
This book had colorful characters who proved to be passionate about what they were passionate about. I found it humorous that they all loved food so much. What was that about? All in all, there was just enough texture and variety with the people in Moonstruck to keep me somewhat intrigued.
Rating: 3- to 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R, C
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Suspense/Intrigue: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Series: Yes
Stand Alone: +/-
Re-read: +/-
Source: NetGalley
morgan_haybook's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
A great start from Lauren Dane in the Diablo Lake series. Three years ago Katie Faith left her home after being left at the alter. Now that she's had time and a chance to grow, returning home when her father is recovering from a stroke is the perfect time to put her life back on track. What she wasn't expecting was sexy werewolf Jace catching her eye, and her heart. Back when they were teenagers Katie Faith and Jace shared a very special night. Jace has never forgotten the sexy witch and with her living in the apartment across the hall he's not about to let her go this time. A great, sexy, funny story about love lost and found and the wonderful town that harbors shifters and witches alike. Can't wait to continue the series!
bookworm_anna's review against another edition
1.0
premise was not compelling enough to finish (plus not spicy enough)
elliered's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feeling about this book....
FIRST I will be reading the second one
I wanted more world building (too much basic info not explained)
The romance was genuine but a bit sad that they kept talking about the pack of the H would benefit from the h joining
The story felt a bit rushed even though it took me ages to finish it
FIRST I will be reading the second one
I wanted more world building (too much basic info not explained)
The romance was genuine but a bit sad that they kept talking about the pack of the H would benefit from the h joining
The story felt a bit rushed even though it took me ages to finish it
xvicesx's review against another edition
3.0
It was alright, but not quite as good as I had expected it. It felt a touch like insta-love, too easy a romance and the barriers weren't real barriers to the couple... All in all, not bad, but I can't say I'm necessarily tempted to finish the series.
droar's review against another edition
2.0
This book went nowhere loudly(seriously there is sooooo muuuuccch pointless dialogue). While I do not in any way require my romance novel reads to have a strong and serious plot outside of the central love story, if you act like there is a political mystery going on for 98% of the novel I'm going to expect some actual story movement. Alas it was not meant to be. Moonstruck is inoffensive enough that I did finished it but I was actively grumpy for a least half the read whereupon I immediately returned it in disgust. Despite the clear efforts at tail end political cliffhanging I have no intention of picking up the follow-up story or likely reading any of Dane's other offerings. Not particularly recommended for anyone unless your thing is repetitive dialogue and overusing people's names in said dialogue.
cnapierkowski's review against another edition
3.0
I will read anything Lauren Dane writes but this seemed like a "light" version of her best work. I love this world and look forward to the next book in the series - hoping that we'll get more character development now that everyone knows what to expect.