Category: B reviews (Page 58 of 74)

Short Soup by Coleen Kwan

March 21, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) A story about best friends, childhood dreams, and the healing power of Chinese food…Toni Lau and Dion Chan were connected from birth — first via their parents’ jointly-owned restaurant, then via their bone-deep friendship. But children grow up, and Toni leaves their sleepy hometown looking for more than it can offer.Now Toni is back, raw with the knowledge that not all childhood dreams come true. Dion is on the brink of realising that both his own ambitions and his childhood friend have the power to derail all of his hard work. But loving Toni — and winning her love in return — has always been on his wish list. Can Dion really put her on the back burner while frying up his chef dreams? Or is it possible that together they can come up with a recipe for happiness?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I liked this little book. The style was engaging and fun and, at just over 100 pages, it was an easy evening’s read. Toni and Dion are both Australians of Asian descent and the mix of Australian culture and Chinese culture was a bonus in the book.

I really enjoyed that no attempt was made to “Americanise” the text – I don’t think US readers would have a problem with understanding it and it made me feel more at home. It was after all, an Australian romance, set in Australia. It should sound Australian don’t you think?

Too Stupid To Live by Anne Tenino

March 19, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) It isn’t true love until someone gets hurt.Sam’s a new man. Yes, he’s still too tall, too skinny, too dorky, too gay, and has that unfortunate addiction to romance novels, but he’s wised up. His One True Love is certainly still out there, but he knows now that real life is nothing like fiction. He’s cultivated the necessary fortitude to say “no” to the next Mr. Wrong, no matter how hot, exciting, and/or erotic-novel-worthy he may be.Until he meets Ian.Ian’s a new man. He’s pain-free, has escaped the job he hated and the family who stifled him, and is now—possibly—ready to dip his toe into the sea of relationships. He’s going to be cautious, though, maybe start with someone who knows the score and isn’t looking for anything too complicated. Someone with experience and simple needs that largely revolve around the bedroom.

Until he meets Sam.

Sam’s convinced that Ian is no one’s Mr. Right. Ian’s sure that Sam isn’t his type. They can’t both be wrong . . . can they?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This book was a whole lot of fun. It’s more than just funny but it is certainly that.I have the prequel books on my reader (they’re available free from ARe) but haven’t read them yet (no time!). Given my enjoyment of this story, I don’t think there is any need to have read the earlier stories. Given my enjoyment of this story, I definitely plan to read the earlier stories. Continue reading

Down and Dirty by Christine Bell

March 14, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) He was a dare she’d never been able to resist…Cat Thomas has never been the kind of girl to stick. A self-professed infatuation junkie, she latches on the newest, hottest guy on the block, then finds a reason—real or imagined—to dump him. When she accepts a dare to rekindle her high school flame and jump in bed with her brother’s best friend, Shane Decker, she knows she’s in trouble. She can’t resist the man, even after all these years apart, and that just won’t do.Shane has come back to town for a couple reasons. The biggest one? He’s tired of living away from those he loves, including Cat. But now she’s spooked and will do anything to drive a wedge between them, including trying to fix him up with other women through an online dating service.What does he have to do to make her see that settling down doesn’t mean settling, and he’s ready to spend a lifetime proving it?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Down For The Count – I liked the author’s style so I expected I’d like this one. I did, but with some qualifications around story and characterisation.

Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

March 14, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I confess I haven’t read any of the previous 7 books in this series. Looking back, I think that put me at a disadvantage. There were a lot of characters in this book. A lot. I lost count at 30. Toni has 2 parents, 10 siblings and a best friend, Ricky Lee has 3 siblings plus his mother and various cousins and there are multiple other characters who play a part in the book. Trying to keep track of them was difficult at first. And, because there were just so many of them, the set up took a long time.

Take It Off by LA Witt & Aleksandr Voinov

March 13, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Turnabout is foreplay.High-end Market Garden rentboys Tristan and Jared have found their niche. Men are willing to pay good money to watch Tristan tease Jared, and the two of them seduce London’s elite with sex and power games.Except Tristan is less and less interested in getting money out of the johns these days. He wants his partner in crime, and he wants the seduction to be real. But is Jared just in this for the pay?When Rolex, the john who started it all, returns to Market Garden, the boys jump on the opportunity to service him—and each other—for a fresh pile of cash. Rolex isn’t the only one itching for a rematch, though. Jared’s been waiting for a chance to get back at Tristan for teasing him so mercilessly the first time.

And for a former stripper, revenge is a dish best served extra hot.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): In my review of the first book Quid Pro Quo, I mentioned that Tristan was not well known because it was told from Jared’s point of view. Delightfully, this story is told from Tristan’s perspective so I feel I have a better handle on the couple now. I know from the first book, that Jared was very attracted to Tristan. In this book, which takes place some little time afterwards, Tristan has found himself smitten but is uncertain of Jared’s affections. Because there has been some time which has passed and Tristan acknowledges that he recognised Jared’s crush earlier, the reader is left in somewhat delicious doubt of Jared’s affections – just as Tristan himself is.

Once a Brat by Kim Dare

March 11, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Experienced dominant Marcus has a stalker. On the plus side, the boy following him around his local leather club is gorgeous and a self-professed submissive. Unfortunately, he’s also inexperienced, bratty, and liable to drive Marcus insane within his incessant chatter and questions.Bret Daniels fell head over heels with Marcus the moment he first saw him. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get Marcus’s attention and prove his worth as a submissive. He might not be a traditional sub, but he knows he has a lot to offer a dom who can handle his quirks.When Marcus gives in and agrees to do a scene with Bret, sparks fly. One scene quickly becomes another, and another. But will it be a case of once a brat, always a brat? Bret intends to prove to Marcus that—expectations and experiences aside—he deserves his master’s collar.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): The blurb gives fair warning there is insta-love from Bret to Marcus and insta-love is not my favourite thing. I like to read romance for the courtship and the emotional connection. In some books, there can be instant feelings but there is still time and interaction for the feelings to develop and to sell them to me as the reader. The problem for me with this book was that the interaction was almost all sexual and, while the scenes were very hot and well written, there wasn’t much interaction outside of that. Bret and Marcus didn’t have much by way of conversation. I didn’t see them falling in love, at least not Marcus falling for Bret. I was told it happened by didn’t see why. There was certainly a sexual connection but that is a very different thing IMO. I knew that Marcus generally avoided relationships but I didn’t know why. And, when he decided to break that rule for Bret, other than the sub’s persistence, I also didn’t see why.