Sub-Genre (primary)
Heat Factor: The moments when they connect are really special, but it doesn’t happen often
Character Chemistry: Gennady’s a bit of a cynic, and Daniel just can’t help falling in love
Plot: Wise Spies – they both know very well the games their governments are playing, and that connection forges unexpectedly deep trusts that carry through years and separations
Overall: Oof. Wow. How can I read another book now?
Heat Factor: It gets pretty steamy, but not remotely with the romantic couple.
Character Chemistry: They end up kind of being a balm for the rest of the very difficult to like cast of characters
Plot: It’s an Emma/Mean Girls mashup, essentially. Georgiana is the impoverished new girl in town, who catches the interest of wild child Frances and her rich group of friends. On the periphery of the friend group, Georgiana meets Mr. Hawksley, who is actually a good person, etc.
Overall: I almost DNF’d it three times. I struggled with this one because it was good but it was really uncomfortable to read and if that makes me a goody-two-shoes nerd, then so be it.
Lone Star Legends #3
Heat Factor: It’s medium spice–there are certainly scenes but they’re not down-to-the-minute detailed and they aren’t too plentiful
Character Chemistry: Initially very juvenile and irrational but ends up mature and deep
Plot: Paisley moves back to her hometown after the untimely death of her father, convinced that her first love’s family is behind it. Crockett is still as smitten as ever, but until Paisley sees that his family is pure as the driven snow, they can’t be together. Plus, the unhinged and abusive brother wants to kill everyone.
Overall: It’s a classic western, slower paced and sometimes a bit flat, but the plot ultimately carries the story just fine.
Heat Factor: Above-average historical romance heat
Character Chemistry: Always solid—even if I hated the characters, they always seemed to like each other.
Plot: Something bonkers is definitely going down.
Overall: I binge-read this whole series over the course of about a month in the fall of 2021, and I have no regrets. These books are the perfect mix of romantic and bonkers.
Continue reading “Series Review: Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt (2010-2017)”
Heat Factor: It’s pretty fraught and steamy
Character Chemistry: There are four pairs in this generational story, and all of them have this desperate, meant-to-be energy
Plot: This is a romance that spans centuries and revolves around the sirens of the Island of Kell. It’s very gothic and desperate and sexy.
Overall: It was a tad slow for me in the beginning but then I got really into it and ended up loving it.
The Smut Report 