Trope – includes protective / caregiving behaviors, daddy/stern daddy
Dream Team, Book #4
Heat Factor: They didn’t have on-page sex until after 60%… Is this even a Kristen Ashley novel?
Character Chemistry: Eh
Plot: It wasn’t what I was expecting it to be, that’s for sure.
Overall: How very dare
Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers, Book #4
Review of Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers, Book #1
Heat Factor: Well, they have a lot of sex, and it’s very descriptive…
Character Chemistry: They had a one night stand five years ago and even though he has fully embraced his “bachelor lifestyle” (ahem), she is the one who has always stuck in his memory
Plot: Dragon shifter has super baby dragon finder powers, discovers his secret baby, becomes fully invested in his new family (even when the baby’s mom runs away to Cuba), and also there are evil witches
Overall: What even is this series? This book was exactly what I expected it to be – totally bonkers
Heat Factor: Sort of perfunctory
Character Chemistry: They are brought together by a series of epic misunderstandings.
Plot: Mandy is abducted by nefarious aliens who sold her to himbos with tentacles who don’t realize that humans are sentient. Mandy feels like a pomeranian until the translation implant is installed.
Overall: The plot is not really well-developed, and we had some feelings about the breeder kink, but the writing is so fun that we kind of didn’t care.
Heat Factor: I can totally envision an octopus twirling its tentacle to make it fit in a, ah, space, and why is that so hot?
Character Chemistry: Him: “I want to woo her, let’s have convenience sex.” Her: “I am having an existential meltdown.”
Plot: She’s having business troubles. He’s on a treasure hunt. They’re having a lot of sex.
Overall: Fun and (depending on how much you like tentacles) sexy, but nothing particularly unexpected or surprising.
Children of the Night, Book #8
Heat Factor: Purple prose fading to black
Character Chemistry: Well…
Plot: There’s a meddling vampire family and a vengeful sire and just a lot
Overall: It’s not tightly written
Erin really wanted to rant about this book, but while Ingrid might not enthusiastically recommend it, she isn’t about to agree with Erin that it’s rant-worthy. Clearly, we needed to review this book together.
Welcome to Dueling Reviews.
Moderated by Holly, who had no interest in reading this book but still asked a gazillion questions.
Heat Factor: Not much heat. Mostly yearning.
Character Chemistry: I both like and hate their chemistry at once
Plot: Luna has a really weird relationship with both of her bosses, but one’s like her dad and the other she has a crush on
Overall: I’ve read this more than once because I really like the idea of it, but every time I get into it I am totally enraged
Heat Factor: Zapata starts fires with sticks, really
Character Chemistry: It makes sense. I stand by that.
Plot: Luna spends her life making everyone happy except her boss, Rip
Overall: I mean, it’s a classic Mariana Zapata–so it’s messy, sure. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t satisfying.
The Smut Report 