Trope
Premium Journals, Book #2
Heat Factor: Animalistic. But like, in a sexy way.
Character Chemistry: Confusing for everyone involved. Until it’s not.
Plot: Lady Georgina decides that she wants to sex her steward. Also someone is killing sheep.
Overall: This was Hoyt’s second book, and the pieces of what make her later books so great are there, but they’re not quite fully developed yet. Still bonkers and fun.
This month, our theme week—inspired by SuperWendy’s TBR Challenge—was the Blue Collar archetype. What could be better than a cross-class blacksmith romance?
Spindle Cove, #3.5
Heat Factor: He gets her all dirty
Character Chemistry: They’ve been pining from afar for a while and are finally ready to admit their feelings
Plot: Let’s try this courtship thang!
Overall: There are a couple of really standout scenes
Heat Factor: I mean, it opens with her admiring the size of his………………wrists. And it ends with zero doubt some dirty stuff went down.
Character Chemistry: There’s heavy longing suggested, but things get cooking right away, which is nice for us.
Plot: They want each other, but can they HAVE each other?
Overall: It’s really cute and I can tell this is one that will stick in my memory if not just because there are some very memorable (and unique!) moments.
Heat Factor: It’s a novella, so there’s a lot of desiring from afar but only the one fateful night
Character Chemistry: There are some undercurrents between Diana and Aaron earlier in the series, so this book involves a good deal of pining followed by taking action
Plot: Diana and Aaron finally decide to stop dancing around each other and see if their feelings can overcome their class divide
Overall: I enjoyed it more the first time I read it years ago, but it’s still well-constructed and charming if you don’t mind some dated ideas
Devil’s Rock, Book #1
Heat Factor: Their attraction is very physical, and the sex is animalistic (rawr!)
Character Chemistry: They give each other spidey senses, but, like, in a hot-for-you way
Plot: Convict meets nurse volunteering at the prison, rescues her, is released, and much should-they-shouldn’t-they angst ensues
Overall: It fills a specific desire and is written (pretty well) accordingly
Unwritten Rules, Book #2
Review of Unwritten Rules Book #1
Heat Factor: They are very enthusiastic. And enjoy marking.
Character Chemistry: It’s really sweet
Plot: Charlie’s work life is very stable, but he’s getting a divorce, so he’s trying to figure his life out again. Reid’s constantly unsure of where he’ll be playing, and he’s a recovering alcoholic, so he’s taking everything one day at a time
Overall: Ugh, Charlie, squeeze my heart in your enormous hands, why dontcha?
Rebel by Night, Book #1
Heat Factor: High high heat. He loves her quim and worships it accordingly.
Character Chemistry: Two lonely people take care of each other.
Plot: Cress hires a highwayman to break her idiot brother out of prison.
Overall: Propulsive adventure that needed another round of editing.
The Smut Report 