smutbook_cami's reviews
1018 reviews

Forever in the Country by Alexandra Hale

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

You know it’s going to be a good book you shed tears during the prologue. Alexandra Hale did that for me. I shed tears.  For this being my first book by her I am very happy. I will definitely go back and read the others. 

“A home, a family, a forever in this small town. I’d fallen in love and found my forever home.”

Sorren. This man has my heart. The little boy who I cried for, to the man who was still trying to protect those he loves. He didn’t realize he had a whole town to protect him. Their love for him was unconditional. Once he could get over the past, he would be unstoppable for Rhea. 

“I can’t wait to be incinerated by her fire. There’s no need to worry about being burned—I plan on being completely consumed by the flames.”

Rhea knew Sorren was it for her and was waiting for him to realize it also. Being best friends with him was good until it wasn’t. She is the one who always does things for others and is the glue that keeps the family happy and together. Getting Sorren to see that will take time. 

“I wanted stolen moments and kisses that were almost indecent in public and to come home after a long day and get lost in the comfort of a person who loved me every day and always.”

Overall amazing book. Quick and fast read for me. Loved it. 

“Yeah well, bottom line is we all have baggage and it’s up to the people we build a relationship with if they want to help us carry it or not. We can’t make that decision for them.”

“It’s because he’ll be wondering why someone as good as you would still be standing next to him.”

I did read this as an ARC for my honest review. 

@smutbookhussler_cami

Fallen Prey by Jen Stevens

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

What an absolutely Fantastic ENDING!!

The twist and turns had you with your jaw on the floor! 

Bash was just as dark and sweet. He was obsessed with Jovie. He would burn the world down for her. Do absolutely anything for his Stardust.

“I had no idea then what kind of torture it would be for me to live through having her exist in a world alongside me, yet remain completely untouchable.”

Jovie was definitely struggling and trying to stand up for herself. It was so hard with so many people against her. Having Bash there, even if at times she wasn’t aware, helped her. 

“They'll never know how incredibly strong and empowering it feels that I’ve managed to fight through the worst time of my life and come out a brand-new version of myself.”

I loved the ending. I believed everything happened the way it was supposed to happen. Chapter 52 IYKYK 👀👀 🔪🔪. 

THANK YOU JEN for writing this duet. I for one really appreciate it and the one scene I asked for. Forever grateful 🥹.

Everything But You by Harlow James

emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

Harlow James always gets you with her books! Another great read and a good ending for this series and the brothers. 

“Funny how plans can change overnight, yet those dreams still haunt us years later.”

Forrest was so in love with Shauna and had his whole life planned out. He held his secrets inside once life didn’t go as planned. Holding everything in didn’t do him any good. He was relatable in that sense. 

“My heart is fucking bleeding and broken, and you’re the only one who can fix it.”

Shauna. I didn’t like what she did in the beginning. Yet you understood why. She had to figure out her life for herself and not because it is planned out for her. Hearts get broken and it’s never easy. 

“And as hard as it is for me to say this, I need to focus on my family right now, Forrest. I want to know that I’m making the right decision for my life so I don’t live with regrets and resentment….”

This was a good well written story about second chances. No matter how many years pass, it’s never too late to try and make up for lost time. Loved this.

“You know, pain has deep roots, thick vines that bury themselves in our souls if we let them. The only way to dig them up is to forgive each other.”

Stories of Betrayal by Natalia Lourose

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a great ending to this duet!!

Val came into herself and was one bad ass bitch! She didn’t let what Leo and Nic did to completely destroy her. She built herself into the person she needed to be to move forward and get her revenge. The lady in red was her inspiration. 

“The vision of the woman in the red dress felt too real, almost as if I could see her in front of me, staring into my eyes….”

Leo still under his brothers Nic control, is shocked to Val back in NY. He vows to get her to understand what happened. He is determined to make her his again. 

“I would have stayed to look you in the eye, to find out the truth. You left with assumptions instead of facts.”

The chemistry was so good between Leo and Val. I loved the direction this went. I can’t wait for the next book. 

The Player by Nikki J. Summers

challenging tense

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

4.5

This was a gritty story of survival and and revenge. 2 people who were skirting around their attraction and feelings for one another. Then circumstances forced them together by The Taskmaster. 

Will was strong and became the rock Bryony needed. He was able to calm her fears and prove that he will always be there for her. 

“Will was just… Will. Loose with his tongue, but you knew he meant well despite it all. An act first, think later kind of guy. To some, he was a villain. To me, he was a guy who’d lived through awful circumstances. That didn’t make him a bad guy, just a tainted one. And at the end of the day, weren’t we all tainted in some way?”

Bryony was always guarded and protected her heart. Fierce and gave it back when prodded. She knew how to protect herself. There was always something there Will. 

“She was the one wearing a leash, but I was the one who felt collared. I’d have followed her anywhere, she had my total and undivided attention.”

Their journey of discovering each other and the evil games they played were very well written. I throughly enjoyed this one! The twist and turns, Ma’am, I need answers. 

Looking forward to more from The Soldiers series. I NEED MORE. 

“I raged. I just didn’t show it like other people. The Taskmaster wasn’t the only one who could wear a mask. I had many of them, all stored deep inside.”

“Will?” I muttered under my breath. “I noticed you. I’ve always noticed you.”

What Doesn't Kill Us by MercyAnn Summers

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

What an ending to this Duet!! We got everything from Darius and Toni. There was so much going on and I loved it! 

Toni finally shows us what she is capable of. What she remembers, her past and what she did. How she became who she was and is. I loved seeing her emerge as a BAD ASS Strong woman. Going after what she wants. 

“Don't be fucking nice to me. Do you think I’m going to willingly give you any part of me? You're going to have to fucking take it if you want it.”

Darius the ever calm man unless it comes to Toni. He will burn the world down for her. Everything he endures and does is because of his undying devotion and his unhinged love for Toni. 

It’s brutal and oh so sexy. 

“Not exactly. More like I was on the path as you walked by, and when I held my hand out for you, you chose to take it.”

The twists, turns, and WTF moments were so shocking and unhinged. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. This is the type of book that when you get spicy moments it’s an added bonus. The plot, characters, and writing are all so good.  

Can’t wait for Tony’s story! 

“We're gonna go over there, and we're gonna fuck around and find out.”

I did read this as an ARC for my honest review. 

The Oath We Give by Monty Jay

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

What a fantastic ending to the Hollow boys. Silas was the perfect ending for this series.

The talk about mental health and representation was done really well. Even for fiction I thought the author handled it with respect. Especially the information in the beginning of resources and knowledge listed. 

Coralline has her tragic past and the trauma that surrounds her, she doesn’t believe anyone can help her, make her feel safe. Except for one person. Silas. 

He is her safe haven. His voice that calms her. 

“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. There is something wrong with me.”

Silas knows what people think of him and harboring a secret that could change everything. He is a beautiful broken soul that heals and is a fierce protector. 

This woman is not a curse, never has been. She is a fucking gift.

I enjoyed this final installment. Silas is a dirty talking Alpha and Coraline is the balm that’s soothes him. As he does the same for her. 

Peter Pumpkined Out by Kacie West

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Ok this was a super fun quick read. 

Peter was funny, quirky, and weird. He tried to be relatable but his bossy billionaire side would always show up. Peter wasn’t afraid to be be slightly different so he could make Cara happy.

 “She nodded and smiled down at me, and my heart skipped. Damn, she had a beautiful smile.”

Cara was a straightforward and strong woman. She wasn’t afraid to say when someone was being an asshole. Except when it came to Peter. She was always trying to accommodate him and his “weird” behaviors. 

“You did it. Good boy.”

Some of the miscommunications were pretty funny. They showed a side of each other trying to please the other one. But once you know, you know. 

“You are the only person I know who thinks I’m weird.”

I did receive an ARC for my honest review. 

Odd Man Rush by Kristen Granata

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

This is as my first time reading Kristen Granada. Holy AMAZBALLZ. 

This story shows all the right sides of LBQT+ society. The fact that society has all of us believing one way is right is not in fact right. LOVE IS LOVE. It shouldn’t be define by what society thinks. It should be defined as what people in the relationship believe. Know what is right for them. 

“I would’ve fallen for them regardless of the bodies they were in, or the genders they identify with, because that’s what true love is all about. Love is the connection, not the gender.”

This story had it all. Love. Spice. So much SPICE. Connections. True love. Family not because they’re blood but bc they love you anyways. Overwhelming support from everyone. 

“Regardless of what the world says about us, we have the support of our team—our friends. It won’t be easy, but we’ll be together.”

Celeste is confident yet still doesn’t believe she can be loved. 

Kourtney loves so much but is afraid of facing the truth. 

Jason is a big Greek God who supports both women and loves them. 

Brilliant writing and I fell in love with the characters. If only the real world was really this accepting. 

The Heir by Ava Rani

hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

The Heir 

This was a good second book from Ava! 

I enjoyed seeing Henry’s side of things between him and his sister. The soft side he had for people close to him and not showing it very often.  Selena was the someone who could change him. 

“Not Selena. She was a little biting. And, fuck, I wanted to bite back.”

Selena is a fixer. Someone who swoops in and fixes PR nightmares for the filthy rich. Working for Henry should be easy so she can get back to LA. Not everything is as it seems nor easy. 

“..When he sounded like this and when he looked at me without his normal restrained indifference, it was hard to stop my mind from wandering.”

These two were Yin and Yang. They fit together like missing puzzle pieces. Selena had a calming presence for Henry. Henry was able to show Selena that as rich as he is , he isn’t like them. 

“ Diablo .”

“That’s right.” His breathing was ragged. “And I’ve come to collect.”

Their banter back and forth was pretty good and overall I enjoyed their relationship and how they worked together. 

“Every day. If you want me to woo you, I’ll be Prince Charming. If you want me to wait, I’ll wait until the end of time.”

I did read this as an ARC for my honest review. Leaving voluntarily.