Hero
Heat Factor: I wouldn’t call it steamy, but it’s definitely not closed door.
Character Chemistry: It’s deliciously complicated.
Plot: Crispin is *the worst*. Except now he has amnesia and is nice. And also has a wife, who doesn’t seem to like him all that much?
Overall: The romance is an exceptional emotional roller coaster, but there’s some other plot that worked less well.
The Rajes, Book #3
Review of The Rajes Book #1, Book #2
Heat Factor: This book is like 90% pining. The other 10% is political stuff and a few kisses.
Character Chemistry: “We had an immediate connection, but then you ghosted me, and now you’re engaged to someone else, but I still have feelings for you.”
Plot: After Yash survives an assassination attempt on the campaign trail, his family encourages him to learn some meditation techniques from India to help him get back in the saddle. Too bad nobody knows that he and India had one beautiful day of connection many years ago.
Overall: I’ll be honest, it took me a while to settle into this one. It doesn’t help that the characters don’t even start interacting until solidly a third into the book.
Soothsayer’s Path, Book #2
Review of Soothsayer’s Path, Book #1
Heat Factor: It’s more tender and sweeping romance than it is ripped bodices and handsy stuff
Character Chemistry: So, I feel like it was obvious Sabina would like a wholehearted and upstanding person like Lucius after reading about her first marriage. Some people just have their heads on straight.
Plot: Sabina chooses a life of silence after she believes she’s responsible for her husband’s murder. But when she meets Lucius, her vow of solitude and silence is tested on all fronts.
Overall: I was actually riveted by the second Soothsayer book—the plot is really carefully unraveled and I loved the sweetness and maturity of Sabina and Lucius’ love for one another.
The Game Maker, Book #2
Review of The Game Maker, Book #1
Heat Factor: They have amazing kinky hate sex energy
Character Chemistry: The “I hate you but I really want to jump you” dynamic is EXCEPTIONAL
Plot: She needs money to stay on the run from her serial killer husband, so she steps in for her friend as a very expensive escort for a night. He is bowled over by her breath of fresh air in his luxurious but monotonous life, but he also thinks everything she says is a lie. So obviously they fall in love.
Overall: Combo of “What did I even just read?” and “That was amazing.”
Southern Gentlemen, Book #1
Heat Factor: Steamy enough
Character Chemistry: “Let me put you on this pedestal.”
Plot: “I’m not the same girl I was ten years ago.”
Overall: There were bits that were really great, but the hero put me into a paroxysm of rage
The Smut Report 