Hero
Heat Factor: It’s definitely sexy
Character Chemistry: Sexual chemistry for sure
Plot: Sexy lockdown rumpus
Overall: The sex writing was really well-executed, but I didn’t buy all of the emotional stuff
Tang Dynasty, Book #4
Heat Factor: A bit of sizzle.
Character Chemistry: Literal sparring partners. Like, with swords.
Plot: Le Fing is a bandit. Han is a thief-catcher. He’s chasing her around China after she was maybe involved in stealing some jade. Then they team up because there is something bigger afoot.
Overall: I gobbled this one up. Nom nom nom.
Ace Security, Book #1
Heat Factor: It gets a little explicit
Character Chemistry: I hate them both
Plot: Rescue man saves demoralized, abused woman
Overall: I struggled so hard. But my eyeballs probably got their best ever workout with this book.
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.
Department of Second Chances, Book 1
Heat Factor: Just when I was beginning to suspect it would be no sex… BAM
Character Chemistry: There was so much going on in the suspense plot, the relationship between the protagonists was relatively superficial
Plot: FBI agent + attractive single mother + serial killer
Overall: I’m not entirely sure how to reconcile my feelings about the first half of the book (chilling serial killer drama) with my feelings about the second half of the book (why are these characters so frustrating?)
