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phyllica_reads's reviews
737 reviews
Brutal Bond by J.L. Quick
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Here I am reviewing yet another J.L. Quick story... Why? Because this series is * Chef's Kiss * and I can't help myself.
Red flags?? Where??
Trust me, there are plenty of red flags in the Savagely Depraved series, but I am ignoring all of them because these men are spicy and their tastes for certain activities are oh-so fiery! Can I get a why choose version?
In all seriousness, after each book this author puts out, I swear I have found my next favorite, and then it is immediately topped by the upcoming release. I can't help it.
Thankfully J.L. Quick writes fast because I devour each story in one sitting every time.
Red flags?? Where??
Trust me, there are plenty of red flags in the Savagely Depraved series, but I am ignoring all of them because these men are spicy and their tastes for certain activities are oh-so fiery! Can I get a why choose version?
In all seriousness, after each book this author puts out, I swear I have found my next favorite, and then it is immediately topped by the upcoming release. I can't help it.
Thankfully J.L. Quick writes fast because I devour each story in one sitting every time.
Antidote by Shae Ruby
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
* 4.5 Stars *
If you're looking for an author who writes gut-wrenching stories featuring heavy-hitting topics and passionate codependency, look no further because Shae Ruby is the author you're seeking.
Antidote is a new adult/college taboo romance following step-brothers who find themselves on a roller coaster of codependency, emotions, and unyielding love for one another.
A beautifully heart-wrenching story that I really enjoyed and loved.
Ollie's story broke my heart. He knew who he was and all he wanted was to be loved. Being openly gay was an issue for others, not him. Rejection from the one he loved most pushed him over the edge and sent him down a path of addiction. There is another reviewer who expressed that Ollie needed a gateway drug before he dove into prescription meds. That is false. In his hour of desperation, he went to the dealer seeking pot and the dealer only had pills. It only takes one. He didn't need a physical injury to tap into addiction. He just needed something to ease his internal anguish and he found that solace in pills. Every case of addiction is different. There is no one-size-fits-all.
Hunter on the other hand is the character I wanted to reach between the pages and punch. He doesn't know what he wants and in his exploration, he discovers he wants to have his cake and eat it too. That isn't how it works. Keeping people at an arms-length distance and then pulling them back in when it is convenient is the worst thing to do to someone you supposedly "love." However, this is what makes the reader unwilling to put the book down.
I have been a huge fan of Shae Ruby's since the beginning and I am so thankful she is finally pursuing a part of her writing that she has wanted to explore for a while. Antidote is her first plunge into writing MM Romance and I hope she continues to sharpen her skills and follows this passion further.
Highly recommend this author and their backlog of books.
If you're looking for an author who writes gut-wrenching stories featuring heavy-hitting topics and passionate codependency, look no further because Shae Ruby is the author you're seeking.
Antidote is a new adult/college taboo romance following step-brothers who find themselves on a roller coaster of codependency, emotions, and unyielding love for one another.
A beautifully heart-wrenching story that I really enjoyed and loved.
Ollie's story broke my heart. He knew who he was and all he wanted was to be loved. Being openly gay was an issue for others, not him. Rejection from the one he loved most pushed him over the edge and sent him down a path of addiction. There is another reviewer who expressed that Ollie needed a gateway drug before he dove into prescription meds. That is false. In his hour of desperation, he went to the dealer seeking pot and the dealer only had pills. It only takes one. He didn't need a physical injury to tap into addiction. He just needed something to ease his internal anguish and he found that solace in pills. Every case of addiction is different. There is no one-size-fits-all.
Hunter on the other hand is the character I wanted to reach between the pages and punch. He doesn't know what he wants and in his exploration, he discovers he wants to have his cake and eat it too. That isn't how it works. Keeping people at an arms-length distance and then pulling them back in when it is convenient is the worst thing to do to someone you supposedly "love." However, this is what makes the reader unwilling to put the book down.
I have been a huge fan of Shae Ruby's since the beginning and I am so thankful she is finally pursuing a part of her writing that she has wanted to explore for a while. Antidote is her first plunge into writing MM Romance and I hope she continues to sharpen her skills and follows this passion further.
Highly recommend this author and their backlog of books.
Given to the Mafia Boss by Cora Masters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
* 4.25 Stars *
Given to the Mafia Boss is book two in the Marrying the Mob series and offers the reader its first taste of the mafia life. Switching places with her sister, the FMC Bria puts aside her hatred for the MMC Luciano and agrees to complete the terms for an arranged marriage.
Written in 1st person, with dual POVs, the reader takes off on this whirlwind dark mafia romance.
My favorite part of this book was the unwavering fierceness from Bria. Constantly forced to prove herself due to the simple fact of being a woman, Bria refuses to let anyone or anything come between her and the present goal. On the other hand, Luciano, the future husband and loathsome enemy is one encounter Bria did not fully prepare for.
Accustomed to proving his masculinity and dominance, Luciano is prepared to marry the docile and compliant Montrelli sister, he didn't bargain for the headstrong Bria. He was also unprepared for how fiery their attraction would be for one another.
I read a lot of dark romance and mafia stories, so I am thankful this story wasn't a carbon copy of something else I have read before. However, what held this one back a bit for me was I was hoping for a bit more tension/angst between the two MCs. There was a bit of push/pull but I'm selfish and wanted that heat turned up a few more notches first. I wanted it to be palpable. That being said, I still really enjoyed this story and will be continuing the remainder of the series.
I am a huge Cora Masters fan, so you know I had to snag myself a copy of this story.
Highly recommend their wide range of books available! If you love your stories DARK AF, please give their Playhouse Horrors series a chance. One of my absolute favorites.
Given to the Mafia Boss is book two in the Marrying the Mob series and offers the reader its first taste of the mafia life. Switching places with her sister, the FMC Bria puts aside her hatred for the MMC Luciano and agrees to complete the terms for an arranged marriage.
Written in 1st person, with dual POVs, the reader takes off on this whirlwind dark mafia romance.
My favorite part of this book was the unwavering fierceness from Bria. Constantly forced to prove herself due to the simple fact of being a woman, Bria refuses to let anyone or anything come between her and the present goal. On the other hand, Luciano, the future husband and loathsome enemy is one encounter Bria did not fully prepare for.
Accustomed to proving his masculinity and dominance, Luciano is prepared to marry the docile and compliant Montrelli sister, he didn't bargain for the headstrong Bria. He was also unprepared for how fiery their attraction would be for one another.
I read a lot of dark romance and mafia stories, so I am thankful this story wasn't a carbon copy of something else I have read before. However, what held this one back a bit for me was I was hoping for a bit more tension/angst between the two MCs. There was a bit of push/pull but I'm selfish and wanted that heat turned up a few more notches first. I wanted it to be palpable. That being said, I still really enjoyed this story and will be continuing the remainder of the series.
I am a huge Cora Masters fan, so you know I had to snag myself a copy of this story.
Highly recommend their wide range of books available! If you love your stories DARK AF, please give their Playhouse Horrors series a chance. One of my absolute favorites.
Stranded with My Mafia Boss: A Billionaire Age Gap Romance by Cora Masters
fast-paced
4.0
A short and sweet, contemporary romance novella you can read in one afternoon.
Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton
slow-paced
3.0
Oh boy...
I've been a fan of Hamilton's Anita Blake series for a very long time and this is the first time I had the urge to skim through a lot of the nonsense.
There was no focus on the main objective, only on her unique living situation and which person got their feelings hurt for one reason or another.
Took my months to finish this book and that is why...
I have the series sitting on my shelf, but who knows when I'll pick up the next one.
I've been a fan of Hamilton's Anita Blake series for a very long time and this is the first time I had the urge to skim through a lot of the nonsense.
There was no focus on the main objective, only on her unique living situation and which person got their feelings hurt for one reason or another.
Took my months to finish this book and that is why...
I have the series sitting on my shelf, but who knows when I'll pick up the next one.
Little Blue by Eva Marks
fast-paced
3.0
After reading quite a few books from this author, I have circled back around to read this earlier career series.
Being an early in her career story, I first noticed that the writing and storytelling is not as polished as some of her recent releases. That being said, the FMC was driving me bonkers with her lack of confidence and her quickness to rule out the MMC. This is where their age gap really showed and made her sound extra whiny and childish.
One thing I also noticed about Eva Marks writing is that she has become predictable. This wasn't a long story, but I could tell precisely where it was heading. That being said, the jump between the last chapter and the epilogue was rather large and could have been written as a few extra chapters instead of a timeline jump.
I will continue the last two novellas in this series even though I have a feeling I am going to run into what I already know is coming.
Being an early in her career story, I first noticed that the writing and storytelling is not as polished as some of her recent releases. That being said, the FMC was driving me bonkers with her lack of confidence and her quickness to rule out the MMC. This is where their age gap really showed and made her sound extra whiny and childish.
One thing I also noticed about Eva Marks writing is that she has become predictable. This wasn't a long story, but I could tell precisely where it was heading. That being said, the jump between the last chapter and the epilogue was rather large and could have been written as a few extra chapters instead of a timeline jump.
I will continue the last two novellas in this series even though I have a feeling I am going to run into what I already know is coming.
Transcontinental Breakfast: A Romantic Food Porn by Thundertail Slapbush
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Underneath the comedic genius and food references, Transcontinental Breakfast tells a lovely story about traversing the world of dating while trying to figure out who you are as a person, both inside and out.
Really enjoyed this quirky story and will be reading the next one when it is released.
Really enjoyed this quirky story and will be reading the next one when it is released.
Here There Be Monsters by E.C. Garrett
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
* 4.5 Stars *
Here There Be Monsters is my first read by this author and I can safely say this will not be my last.
I appreciated Garrett's storytelling and their ability to snag my attention from the beginning. I have found that certain books containing similar themes feel bogged down or repetitive. I did not think that while reading this book.
Each of the main characters had their own unique personality and a pivotal part in the plot, making it feel complete. A bonus was the genuine use of lgbtqia+ representation.
I will definitely be looking for the next book when it is released and in the meantime, I will be seeking out other stories by this author.
Here There Be Monsters is my first read by this author and I can safely say this will not be my last.
I appreciated Garrett's storytelling and their ability to snag my attention from the beginning. I have found that certain books containing similar themes feel bogged down or repetitive. I did not think that while reading this book.
Each of the main characters had their own unique personality and a pivotal part in the plot, making it feel complete. A bonus was the genuine use of lgbtqia+ representation.
I will definitely be looking for the next book when it is released and in the meantime, I will be seeking out other stories by this author.
Insatiable hunger by C. Hebert
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
* 4.5 Stars *
I love a good folk horror story and this was no different.
At first, I was eager to find out which direction this story was heading, but as it unfolded I loved it even more. I was not expecting certain aspects of the story, so I was pleasantly surprised when the plot crept further into the horrifying darkness that I love.
You should certainly check out the Living Nightmare books.
I love a good folk horror story and this was no different.
At first, I was eager to find out which direction this story was heading, but as it unfolded I loved it even more. I was not expecting certain aspects of the story, so I was pleasantly surprised when the plot crept further into the horrifying darkness that I love.
You should certainly check out the Living Nightmare books.