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cluckieduck's reviews
289 reviews
Not All Himbos Wear Capes by C. Rochelle
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.0
I like it, but it’s much too long and really dragged in some parts. Probably 100 pages could have been cut and you wouldn’t miss anything.
Heavy on the sex, which was totally hot and all-encompassing.
Heavy on the sex, which was totally hot and all-encompassing.
Competition by Maisie Beasley
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Quick & dirty read, but not nearly as entertaining as book 1. There was just something lacking in the connection between 3 supposed ‘best friends’.
Also 2 major (technically, minor) pet peeves of mine - the e-book version ended at 86%. Boo. And the cover models don’t look anything like the character descriptions! Double boo.
Also 2 major (technically, minor) pet peeves of mine - the e-book version ended at 86%. Boo. And the cover models don’t look anything like the character descriptions! Double boo.
Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Umm...why have I not read a pirate romance before now?!? I feel sorry for any that may follow because it's quite the standard to live up to.
This was an incredibly well-balanced read. The right amount of plot and characterization to create a tense, thrilling atmosphere that gave way to heavily erotic romantic scenes.
At times, I was getting Our Flag Means Death-vibes from Hawk, who enjoys the theatrical elements of being a pirate. But at 41, he's also tiring of the pirate life and wants to retire to a quieter, more peaceful existence. When 18-year-old Nathaniel becomes his captive, many things get thrown for a loop for Hawk, none more so than the chance at an actual relationship. I enjoyed how their relationship developed from intimidation and mistrust to appreciation and reciprocity. They also have some great teasing interactions:
"It looked like quite a big ship."
Grimacing, Haw said, "Aye, but bigger isn't always better. Those hulking ships are not as..." He waved his hand in the air as if searching for a word.
"Agile?"
"Yes, you fancy little fuck. Not as agile."
There was A LOT of sex, more than I thought there would be, yet it I found it wasn't sex for sex's sake, each scene paramount to particular circumstances they found themselves in and boy were they 🔥🔥🔥
It did drag a bit towards the end, but overall was quite an enjoyable read.
This is a great read for fans of:
-Age gap
-power imbalance
-hurt/comfort
-enemies to lovers
-virgin MC
This was an incredibly well-balanced read. The right amount of plot and characterization to create a tense, thrilling atmosphere that gave way to heavily erotic romantic scenes.
At times, I was getting Our Flag Means Death-vibes from Hawk, who enjoys the theatrical elements of being a pirate. But at 41, he's also tiring of the pirate life and wants to retire to a quieter, more peaceful existence. When 18-year-old Nathaniel becomes his captive, many things get thrown for a loop for Hawk, none more so than the chance at an actual relationship. I enjoyed how their relationship developed from intimidation and mistrust to appreciation and reciprocity. They also have some great teasing interactions:
"It looked like quite a big ship."
Grimacing, Haw said, "Aye, but bigger isn't always better. Those hulking ships are not as..." He waved his hand in the air as if searching for a word.
"Agile?"
"Yes, you fancy little fuck. Not as agile."
There was A LOT of sex, more than I thought there would be, yet it I found it wasn't sex for sex's sake, each scene paramount to particular circumstances they found themselves in and boy were they 🔥🔥🔥
It did drag a bit towards the end, but overall was quite an enjoyable read.
This is a great read for fans of:
-Age gap
-power imbalance
-hurt/comfort
-enemies to lovers
-virgin MC
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The people spoke and CoHo answered, giving us an overtly sweet extension so Lily & Atlas can finally get their HEA. Was it necessary? No. Did I finish it in one sitting? Absolutely.
ISWU goes against the grain of CoHo's typical angst-fest pages of turmoil, so maybe that's why this one didn't completely blow me away. Which is strange to say because it's not like I wanted Lily & Atlas to experience conflict or heartbreak, but Atlas was practically deified here. He had the right answer/reaction for everything thrown his way that I had to suspend my disbelief and just roll with the punches (literal & figurative).
I enjoyed the subplot that ties into the title and, overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book as well.
ISWU goes against the grain of CoHo's typical angst-fest pages of turmoil, so maybe that's why this one didn't completely blow me away. Which is strange to say because it's not like I wanted Lily & Atlas to experience conflict or heartbreak, but Atlas was practically deified here. He had the right answer/reaction for everything thrown his way that I had to suspend my disbelief and just roll with the punches (literal & figurative).
I enjoyed the subplot that ties into the title and, overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book as well.
A Walrus & A Gentleman by Emmaline Strange
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My high rating DESPITE the romantic plot being rife with miscommunication/non-communication says enough - this was darn lovely. But ohhhh is the lack of communication strong in this one. I have never wanted to smack two people upside the head more!
Come for the walrus, stay for two traumatized souls finding peace with one another.
Come for the walrus, stay for two traumatized souls finding peace with one another.
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
emotional
4.0
What a delightful little read - I can see this becoming a comfort read of mine because of its sweet, soft atmosphere. The way it handled trauma-responses and anxiety was really well done and did such a good job in portraying dissociation.
Maybell & Wesley - two gentle souls destined to meet. I want to squeeze both of them into one squishy hug.
Maybell & Wesley - two gentle souls destined to meet. I want to squeeze both of them into one squishy hug.
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
2.0
It's been a week since I finished it and I can barely remember anything that occurred. I think that says enough.
The Messy Truth About Love: A Cantos Novel by CL Walters
emotional
2.0
"Love might be messy. Life might be complicated. But being at home with your person means being all in, the good, the bad, the messy, the ugly, the beautiful. All of it."
For all the difficult subject matter discussed, it's a very surface level take on DV and toxic relationships.
Had I known this was a continuation/spin-off of a previous series, I may not have picked it up. While it is labelled as NA, it reads as YA and, as I get older, I find I'm not as enamoured with YA/NA titles as I once was. The characters and writing are too juvenile.
I enjoyed aspects of the second-chance romance between Seth & Hannah. Their re-acquaintance 'meet-cute' was sweet, but as their relationship blossomed and began to get into the messy, I felt it got cleaned up too quickly and neatly.
After reading the author's note at the end, I appreciate what they were attempting, but unfortunately it fell a little flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
For all the difficult subject matter discussed, it's a very surface level take on DV and toxic relationships.
Had I known this was a continuation/spin-off of a previous series, I may not have picked it up. While it is labelled as NA, it reads as YA and, as I get older, I find I'm not as enamoured with YA/NA titles as I once was. The characters and writing are too juvenile.
I enjoyed aspects of the second-chance romance between Seth & Hannah. Their re-acquaintance 'meet-cute' was sweet, but as their relationship blossomed and began to get into the messy, I felt it got cleaned up too quickly and neatly.
After reading the author's note at the end, I appreciate what they were attempting, but unfortunately it fell a little flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.