Review: The Restorer

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A new series. Definitely good enough to continue, although I may not go the audio route next time. The narrator kind of drove me nuts--I felt like the accent was forced.

A lot of the book spent time establishing the characters and their backstory, as you would expect. There is foundation built, but questions still remain for future books. We get to understand Amelia. A bit less about Devlin, but since it isn't from his point of view you would expect that. We were left hanging about the two of them, just a taste to get you to pick up the next book in series. I'm ok with that.

I have to admit a couple of the plot twists took me by surprise, but I was listening to the audio so sometimes I miss details in that format. A good dose of paranormal, and a moderate amount of romance. 3 stars.

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Review: Small Favor

Small Favor by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry, Harry, Harry. You will never change, and that's why I love you so much. More sass. More monsters. And more coins floating around Chicago, harassing Murph and Harry. Luckily they have the knights and wardens to help them fight evil.

Marcone is trouble, and Mab calls on Harry to bail him out. He reluctantly helps his frenemy, because he just can't resist the siren's call of trouble. He gathers his band of merry men and women, and they quest on to save the good people of Chicago. And Ivy. And Marcone. Harry makes some missteps and bad decisions, puts everyone in danger, and barely saves the day, as usual. And he gets his ass kicked as many times as you would expect. But what's that I smell around the corner? Could it be romance? Nah, I feel like Butcher is messing with us. Guess we will see in book 11.

You should try these books on audio. So good! Just like you would think Harry would sound. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Becoming Alpha

Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pretty decent start to a new series. I am going to choose to ignore the insta-love in this case because a) you knew it was coming from the book blurb, b) it's young adult, and it goes with the territory, and c) it worked in a really weird way.

Tessa has a strange condition, and her parents somehow roll with it. Ok. Cool parents, I guess. Turns out she's a witch. Witches and werewolves don't mix, until they do. Then it becomes Hogwarts for wolves and peculiar children, and we are off to the races. With angsty love, because what is high school without it.

Strife, battles, and good vs. evil. Good enough to read book 2 to see where it's going.

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Review: The First Days

The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book was not good. I mean, it started out ok, then fell apart like paper in a rainstorm.

I really thought it would be my jam. Survival, zombies, and what should have been kick-ass heroines. Alas, it was not.

I wanted to love you, book, I really did. It's probably not you based on the other glowing reviews, it's me.

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Review: Bear's Gold (Erotic Shifter Fairy Tales #1)

Bear's Gold by Yvette Hines

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've never read an erotic shifter romance. Very new genre for me. It was pretty ok.

Riley gets into a car accident while fleeing her creepy, terrible ex. She's rescued by Theo, who is a hot were-bear with two cute twin were-bear boys. And he lives in Den County (get it, Den?) with an entire community of were-bears.

It was fun, a little cheesy, and had my favorite kind of ending: HEA.




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Review: UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)

UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Cute start to the series. I'll read the next one.

I see a lot of the reviews say the typos were terrible. Thank god I listened to this on audio, because nothing pulls me out of a book faster than poor editing. Mina is clumsy and unpopular at her high school. She has a crush on the popular rich guy. She reminds me of Mia from the Princess Diaries. In fact, now that I think about it, her best friend reminds me of Lily, and the whole book is similar in a lot of ways. So if you liked the Princess Diaries, you will probably like this book too.

Anyway, standard high school young adult paranormal. Three stars.



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Review: Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)

Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. It's one of my new favorite series. I think the steampunk kept me away, but it was subtle enough to forget and fall in love with the characters.

Alexia is my favorite type of MC. She's strong, and sassy, but not too perfect. In fact, her acknowledgment of her flaws adds to her charm. Same for Lord Maccon--my new book boyfriend. Strong, brash, bossy, and a little overbearing. Hey, what can I say? I have a type. The two of them make the perfect point-counterpoint.

The plot is good, the romance is good, the action is good, the setting is good. I just love everything about it! Read it. Enjoy it. You know you want to!



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Dead Wrong (Blackmoore Sisters Mystery #1)

Dead Wrong by Leighann Dobbs

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This isn't a good book. The plot is ridiculous and doesn't make sense. There is weirdness with the cat that is never explained. And insta-love. Really, I tried to like it but just didn't. The characters are ridiculous. If you have this book, I hope you got it for free.

There are so many good cozies out there to read. Stay away from this one. The best thing I can say about it was it was short.

P.S. They aren't witches, and this isn't paranormal. Again, this isn't a good book.



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The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Do not listen to this on audio. Just don't. There is too much going on and you will miss things, no matter how hard you try.

I started out not understanding what was happening. It was hard to continue on in parts because the book doesn't really give you a proper setup. I'm clearly not alone in this, as the reviews are filled with "DNFs" and "Abandoned" and "I hated this book because it was frustrating and didn't make sense." But stick with it if you like complicated stories with a mostly satisfying payoff at the end. I will eventually go back and read this one, because I can't be sure I didn't miss something cool or relevant. It's just too complicated of a plot for my work commute.

I'm sticking with three stars because I liked it, but I have reservations about it as well. Fits a lot of genres so if you stick with it you will probably like it by the end.



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Shadows (The Rephaim #1)

Shadows by Paula Weston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So, I went on a blind date with Rafa, and I really enjoyed myself. Hellions and all.

Gaby has lost her brother and most of her memories, and is trying to put her life back together in Australia. But you can't run from your past, as she quickly finds out. Too bad she can't remember anything about it.

Angels, demons, sexy guys, and fight scenes. I liked it. I especially liked Rafa. Jason was ok, don't get me wrong, but Rafa hit all of the right notes for me. What can I say, I like my relationships with a little sass. Now to track down book 2.



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