Trope
The Hunters, Book 8
Heat Factor: She’s a fucking Surprise Virgin
Character Chemistry: Fate keeps bringing them together. Or something.
Plot: She is a vampire who hunts vampires. He is a human who hunts vampires.
Overall: DNF at 30% after the first sex scene
Psy-Changeling, Book #1
Heat Factor: They both think they’re having sex dreams about each other, but it’s actually real
Character Chemistry: It’s always fun when the protagonist knows fated mates is a thing but has no idea how that manifests and it takes a while for everyone to figure it out
Plot: She’s trying to avoid being lobotomized because she has feelings, he’s trying to hunt down a serial killer, they’re fated mates
Overall: Nalini Singh is a queen, and I shouldn’t start a 19 book series right now, but I’m hooked
Heat Factor: It’s wholesomely sparky, but in a youthful way
Character Chemistry: Emma and Sophia are combative and then cuddly, and it’s extremely cute
Plot: Omg, guys, it’s Much Ado About Nothing but YA and Bi. Hearts just SHOOTING out of my eyes and also I completely forgot how ridiculous teenagers are?
Overall: This is a really sweet and surprisingly complicated book set to the tune of Much Ado About Nothing, and it was lovely.
The Third Rule of Scoundrels
Thanks to Susan Craig for the recommendation! I was looking for inspiration for The Duke Project, and Temple is, indeed, a prime specimen of Duke-ish-ness.
Heat Factor: Simmering
Character Chemistry: Sizzling
Plot: You ruined my life, and now I will have my revenge!
Overall: Well executed, but I couldn’t get over the initial premise
Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 4
Heat Factor: Their first kiss was boring
Character Chemistry: Hate and love are two sides of the same coin
Plot: It’s marketed as Steampunk Cinderella but it’s more enemies-to-lovers / bodyguard / road trip
Overall: DNF at 50%. I was slogging and then just couldn’t take it any more when Gus-Gus the friendly pumpkin farmer appeared.
