bluebeereads's reviews
1344 reviews

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

At this point, I'm convinced that Kelly Fox can do no wrong for me. I love all her books, simple as that. Her writing always pulls me in, her characters always feel wonderfully real, so perfectly imperfect. The romance always makes me swoon, the spice is always just right, and the story always has the right amount of angst without it feeling suffocating or too much. Rough Country is no different and I didn't expect anything else.

Emery is a burned-out city guy, Woody is a broken-hearted country guy. While at a glance, these two shouldn't go together, they absolutely do. Neither of these men really know how to love or be loved and it was wonderful watching them grow closer and find what they needed in each other. The side-characters added another layer to it. I loved Emery's mom, I loved Kess and Rowdy (who will be getting their own book) and I adored Emery's daughter Stevie.

This is a beautiful story set in the Central Texas Hill Country and while I would've been perfectly happy if it had been a true standalone, I am glad that 1) we WILL be getting Kess and Rowdy's book and 2) we got a few sneaky cameo's and mentions of Kelly's other books.

Another winner for Kelly Fox! If you love her other books, you should definitely read this one. If you love MM contemporary romance with a lot of heart, you should also definitely read this. In other words, just read this. It's worth it, promise.

Endangered Species by Onley James

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Satisfying by Onley James

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Cute!

Infuriating by Onley James

Go to review page

dark emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Really enjoyed this one! Jackson is a sweetheart and Day is sassy, snarky, and fabulous. Loved these two together.

Exasperating by Onley James

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 stars

Oh, I loved Robby and Calder so much! This story is a tad emotional and intense at times, but the romance was honestly very sweet. Just like every Onley James book, I really loved this. Except for one thing. The jump from the last chapter to the epilogue was very abrupt and jarring story-wise. Which is the only reason why this isn't 5 stars like all other Onley James book I've read so far.

One moment Robby is shot and Calder is breaking down because it seems like he's dying and they're saying their I love you's and making promises for the future even though they might not have one and it's all kind of intense and emotional... and then suddenly we're in the epilogue a year later. Just like that. So yeah, that pulled me out of it big time.

Anyways, on to book 4!

Captivating by Onley James

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Oh, look, another great Onley James book. What a surprise. This didn't hit as hard emotionally as the first one did, but I'm not really sad about that. Of course, since I read Necessary Evils first, I'd already been introduced to Shep briefly, so I'm glad I finally got to his book! He's so precious, truly. Which might be a weird thing to say about a sociopath, but he is! I loved Elijah as well and their romance was as great as I've come to expect from an Onley James book.

Next up will be Calder and Robby and... oh boy, I have no idea what to expect after reading this book. I'm going in blind so... let's see how that turns out, shall we?

Intoxicating by Onley James

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh, man. This one hit me like a sledgehammer. Wyatt has my heart forever and ever because many of his issues hit close to home, and I'm not gonna lie. I sniffled and even cried my way through most of this book, but it was so good. Wyatt and Linc are really perfect for each other, and I am glad I finally read this one!

Rogue by Onley James

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced