Tag: Smut Adjacent

Books that aren’t really romance novels, but have some sort of central romantic plot element.

Review

Review: Lost in LA by Amy Craig (2021)

Ingrid

Heat Factor: It has a few moments but I wouldn’t say it screams “fire”

Character Chemistry: They just don’t have that connection that leads to a satisfying HEA

Plot: Wylie is a freelance beachside yoga instructor who ends up temporarily homeless after getting kicked out of her sublet. She strikes up an Instagram promotional deal with a food truck vendor and before long she finds herself forging ahead with a new life in a shared house situation, all while falling for Nolan (the food truck secret billionaire).

Overall: This book leaned into Smut Adjacent territory because the couple’s romance ended up taking a back seat to the sub plot.

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Review

Review: Blood and Bone by Paula Dombrowiak (2020)

Ingrid

Heat Factor: It’s steamy but it’s a slow build and it’s a very unique unfolding.

Character Chemistry: There are so many kinds of chemistry here it’s impossible to summarize.

Plot: Jack is a world-famous musician whose career began with his other half, Mia. At perhaps the twilight of his career, Jack is interviewed by Erin, a journalist. Together they unfold a story and also a deep and profound connection.

Overall: This is a two-fer – one romance, smut adjacent but deeply touching. The other, a very sweet HEA. I would not categorize this as a classic romance, but a very well written adult fiction with an engaging romance story line.

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Review

Review: Drawn in Shadow by Ashton Abbott (2020)

Holly

The Goddesses of the Morrigan Series, Book 2

Heat Factor: I’m covered in the blood of my enemies! It’s a perfect time to bone!

Character Chemistry: Macha is pretty self contained

Plot: Battle Goddess experiences several lifetimes, learns some stuff, kills a bunch of people

Overall: This is not in any way a romance, but it was an entertaining read

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Review

Review: Blood & Ash by Deborah Wilde (2020)

Erin

The Jezebel Files, Book #1 

Heat Factor: This is some drawn out will they/won’t they business

Character Chemistry: I want them together soooooooooooo badly

Plot: It’s super involved: abductions and political machinations and self-discovery and mysteries to solve

Overall: So it was super fun, but also I do not want to have this relationship business dragged out for four books 

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Recommended Read, Review, Uncategorized

Review: Letters and Lies by Colleen L Donnelly (2020)

Ingrid

Heat Factor: It’s not ‘hot’, but don’t let it deter you.

Character Chemistry: You hope she’ll fall for the hero but there’s so much else going on it’s not a sole focus.

Plot: Louise Archer gets jilted by her unseen suitor at the last possible moment by telegram and decides to hop on the train as planned anyway so she can convince him to change his mind. But when she lies to a US Marshal and ends up in a dismal little town in desperate need of saving, Louise can’t help but jump right in… 

Overall: This is not a steamy, relationship-driven romance but it’s darn good and it sticks with you.

Continue reading “Review: Letters and Lies by Colleen L Donnelly (2020)” →