Mood
Lovelight, Book #1
Heat Factor: It’s not not sexy, but the vibe was definitely in keeping with the cover art
Character Chemistry: Stella and Luca have been in love for NINE YEARS but refuse to a) admit it and b) do anything about it
Plot: Thirty-year-old woman is incompetent at both entrepreneurship and love, figures out how to do both during the course of this book
Overall: I was not a great audience for this book, but there are many people who will totally love it
Heartstopper, #3
Reviews of Heartstopper #1 and #2
Heat Factor: Sleepovers are now forbidden at Charlie’s house, but they do go on a field trip to Paris… (and talk about how they’re not ready yet)
Character Chemistry: Silly teenager flirting
Plot: Acknowledging oneself is one kind of scary, but coming out is a whole other kind
Overall: The sweetness remains! But there’s also a lot of giggling.
Daycare for Shifters, #2
Ingrid’s review of Daycare for Shifters, #1
Heat Factor: There’s an epic sexathon without a ton of details
Character Chemistry: “My dragon says that you’re the one!” But also they’re really cute together.
Plot: Single dad dealing with some stuff + neighbor who is really good with kids + the American West is on fire
Overall: A cute read
Heat Factor: So many puns about fire and heat factor and so little time. They have many encounters and entanglements.
Character Chemistry: It’s a lot of cute, eager yearning and then it’s off to the races.
Plot: Olivia is not a shifter, but she’s hoping to shift gears and start over in a new town. Ian is a single dad with a massively challenging home life going on, and he’s immediately drawn to his new neighbor.
Overall: Very tender and entertaining.
Heat Factor: I don’t think I’ve ever read an Elva Birch book with this much descriptive sex. (They go through a whole box of condoms in one weekend!)
Character Chemistry: Is it fated mates or are they just really into each other?
Plot: She’s running from her past, he’s running himself ragged with a shifter toddler, and there are some worrisome things happening around town
Overall: It’s light-hearted and sweet
**Our discussion contains spoilers**
Continue reading “Dueling Review: Dragon’s Instinct by Elva Birch (2022)”
Heat Factor: Kisses!
Character Chemistry: It’s not like they’re without their problems, but this is a really lovely relationship
Plot: Bitty goes to college and learns how to be himself. And he falls in love with the NHL-bound hockey captain.
Overall: I read everything within 24 hours. Absolutely delightful.
Continue reading “Series Review: Check Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (2018-2020)”Cider Bar Sisters, Book #5
Review of the rest of the (excellent) Cider Bar Sisters series: Book #1, Book #2, Bonus Novella #2.5, Book #3, Book #4
Heat Factor: Things go from steamy to simmering to scorching.
Character Chemistry: I mean, they’re not fated mates but they’re so well-suited for each other that it pretty much feels like they are.
Plot: Rose meets what was supposed to be a one night stand, who turns into a potential BIG DEAL, only to have him ghost her…and then show up as her new roommate. WHAT.
Overall: This book is a sticky one. As in, it’s going to stick in my heart for a while, because it was so, so charming and lovely.
The Smut Report 