Mood
Heat Factor: It’s not a slow burn, it’s a no-sex burn
Character Chemistry: There were moments it could have been great, but it never really clicked
Plot: Ethan keeps compounding his problems by trying too hard to make everything how it should be, and Beau opens his eyes to how he wants it to be
Overall: I liked it fine, but readers will probably enjoy it more if they expect a single personal growth arc rather than a glorious romance
Heat Factor: Some scorching kisses!
Character Chemistry: There’s a lot of high school angst here, but it was a bit much for me
Plot: Seryo’s quest for love has become something of a joke at school, and Shino, believing the joke to be all it is, asks Seryo to date him for the week
Overall: Loved the concept, so-so on the execution
Heat Factor: It’s pretty steamy. There’s a lot of hate whoopie before there’s any tender whoopie, if you’re into that kind of thing. (If you’re not sure…give it a go with this book.)
Character Chemistry: The layers of emotional complexity, backstory, and personal development make these characters and their fiery chemistry very, very satisfying.
Plot: Makayla moves home to clean up and sell her estranged, abusive father’s house–and immediately runs into Ben at a wedding. The two get stuck one upping each other in petty pranks and comebacks, all while they inexplicably find themselves supporting one another from an unknown danger.
Overall: This book is utterly bonkers. It’s got some incredibly witty snark, caustic pranks, emotional character development, and a murderous mystery.
Heat Factor: Much of the first quarter of the book is kinky hate sex. Then it’s just lotsa sex.
Character Chemistry: Apparently threats to life and limb are an aphrodisiac
Plot: Will is trying to kill the man Kit is protecting (until he gets the file he wants and can kill his protectee himself)
Overall: If you can buy into the drama, it’s a pretty good spy vs. spy suspense
Heat Factor: There’s some icky predatory stuff and some consensual sapphic action
Character Chemistry: Adèle is a charming narrator, but I wouldn’t say she has much chemistry with anyone. She’s a very self-contained character and that doesn’t change.
Plot: Jane Eyre and beyond, Adèle’s perspective
Overall: A mixed bag
The Smut Report 