Tag: American South

Location

Review

Review: The Devil in the Deep South by Amy Craig (2022)

Ingrid

Heat Factor: It gets pretty steamy, but it’s later in the book and it’s not heavy.

Character Chemistry: One of those hate then love ‘em type books

Plot: Christopher is a billionaire and grandson of a state senator/presidential hopeful from Georgia who took over his brother’s business and is looking for a new place to build a state-of-the-art factory. Taylor is a small-town, southern, bookseller who is the glue of her community. Then Christopher can’t stay away, and Taylor and Christopher both end up having to re-examine the lives they think they wanted.

Overall: One of the more accurate depictions of a small town I’ve seen—slow, but with good character development.

Continue reading “Review: The Devil in the Deep South by Amy Craig (2022)” →
Dueling Review

Dueling Review: Wish Out of Water by Holley Trent (2022)

smutreportteam

Hooked, Book #1

Holly’s Take

Heat Factor: The two sex scenes are pretty detailed, but there are only two of them

Character Chemistry: Her magic doesn’t suck his happiness away. It’s fate!

Plot: Cooper doesn’t want to be king, so he asks Brook to do a marriage of convenience with him. Apparently marrying an American means he automatically abdicates. (???) Plot twist: Brook is a mermaid and discovers she’s the real heir to the throne.

Overall: The pacing was off…it was like: solid start, slow, slow, slow, INTRIGUE!, denouement.

Ingrid’s Take

Heat Factor: It had moments of heat but was largely pretty mild.

Character Chemistry: They’re fated mates and I guess fated rulers.

Plot: He’s supposed to be king. She’s supposed to be a human nobody. But actually she’s a mermaid with royal lineage and it’s enough to throw everything into chaos.

Overall: It feels like a very long start to something and that didn’t actually develop into its cohesive, finished result.

Erin’s Take

Heat Factor: There’s a bit of dissonance between the perfection of their coming together and, like, everything else about their relationship. 

Character Chemistry: They’re basically fated mates.

Plot: She’s a nobody, except she just has no idea that she’s not a nobody, and he’s a bastard prince who grew up outside the kingdom but is somehow inheriting the throne because of Reasons, which she is supposed to fix but doesn’t.

Overall: I was extremely confused. Also this relationship contains most of the “I’m leaving now” drama that I actively dislike.

Continue reading “Dueling Review: Wish Out of Water by Holley Trent (2022)” →
Review

Review: The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha (2021)

Holly

Mercenary Librarians, Book #2

Review of Mercenary Librarians, Book #1

Heat Factor: Maya is frequently overwhelmed by sensory experiences, so this is a slow burn as she and Gray work up to physical touch

Character Chemistry: Really supportive of each other but also let’s not get too close because Gray could drop dead at any minute

Plot: We’re tying to make this dystopian reality a better place

Overall: Really fantastic worldbuilding

Continue reading “Review: The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha (2021)” →
Review

Review: Sheriff Dragon’s Secret Baby by Brittany White (2020)

Erin

Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers, Book #4

Review of Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers, Book #1

Heat Factor: Well, they have a lot of sex, and it’s very descriptive…

Character Chemistry: They had a one night stand five years ago and even though he has fully embraced his “bachelor lifestyle” (ahem), she is the one who has always stuck in his memory

Plot: Dragon shifter has super baby dragon finder powers, discovers his secret baby, becomes fully invested in his new family (even when the baby’s mom runs away to Cuba), and also there are evil witches

Overall: What even is this series? This book was exactly what I expected it to be – totally bonkers

Continue reading “Review: Sheriff Dragon’s Secret Baby by Brittany White (2020)” →
Dueling Review, Rant

Dueling Review: Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata (2018)

smutreportteam

Erin really wanted to rant about this book, but while Ingrid might not enthusiastically recommend it, she isn’t about to agree with Erin that it’s rant-worthy. Clearly, we needed to review this book together. 

Welcome to Dueling Reviews. 

Moderated by Holly, who had no interest in reading this book but still asked a gazillion questions.

Erin’s Take:

Heat Factor: Not much heat. Mostly yearning.

Character Chemistry: I both like and hate their chemistry at once 

Plot: Luna has a really weird relationship with both of her bosses, but one’s like her dad and the other she has a crush on

Overall: I’ve read this more than once because I really like the idea of it, but every time I get into it I am totally enraged

Ingrid’s Take:

Heat Factor: Zapata starts fires with sticks, really

Character Chemistry: It makes sense. I stand by that.

Plot: Luna spends her life making everyone happy except her boss, Rip

Overall: I mean, it’s a classic Mariana Zapata–so it’s messy, sure. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t satisfying.

Continue reading “Dueling Review: Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata (2018)” →