Tag: contemporary (Page 30 of 122)

REVIEW: Syncopation by Anna Zabo, narrated by Greg Boudreaux

April 28, 2020 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is one from my own TBL.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Twisted Wishes front man Ray Van Zeller is in one hell of a tight spot. After a heated confrontation with his bandmate goes viral, Ray is hit with a PR nightmare the fledgling band so doesn’t need. But his problems only multiply when they snag a talented new drummer—insufferably sexy Zavier Demos, the high school crush Ray barely survived.

Zavier’s kept a casual eye on Twisted Wishes for years, and lately, he likes what he sees. What he doesn’t like is how out of control Ray seems—something Zavier’s aching to correct after their first pulse-pounding encounter. If Ray’s up for the challenge.

Despite the prospect of a glorious sexual encore, Ray is reluctant to trust Zavier with his band—or his heart. And Zavier has always had big dreams; this gig was supposed to be temporary. But touring together has opened their eyes to new passions and new possibilities, making them rethink their commitments, both to the band and to each other.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Syncopation is the first book in the Twisted Wishes series by Anna Zabo. Twisted Wishes are a rock band on the rise, but the story begins with the exit of their drummer, Kevin. The remaining members, lead singer Ray Van Zeller, lead guitarist Dominic Bradley (aka Domino Grinder) and bass player Mish Sullivan are suddenly in need of a new percussionist.

Zavier Demos is a Julliard-trained tympanist who had been playing with orchestras and touring the world. But after a BDSM relationship with the conductor of his previous orchestra went sour when Zavier didn’t want romance, he’s been effectively black-balled. Zavier loves all kinds of music and has been following Ray’s career in particular. Ray is just around 3 years younger than Zavier but they went to the same high school and, at one stage Ray asked Zavier to join his (at the time) garage band. Zavier declined, destined for Julliard and bigger things – or so he thought then. There was mutual attraction in high school but the age difference then was problematic – Ray was barely 16 so Zavier stayed far away. Continue reading

Review at Dear Author

April 22, 2020 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with a review of Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai. A bit of a slow start but once things get going, it’s a really sweet romance.

Review at AudioGals

April 21, 2020 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon, narrated by Caitlin Davies. Billed as a romcom but I did not laugh.

REVIEW: Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan

April 7, 2020 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I saw some buzz about this one on Twitter so I bought it.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Mechanic Benji Holiday is so over Valentine’s Day and men who don’t get him. A weekend getaway with friends to escape the holiday hubbub is exactly what he needs. But William O’Dare—a stern and silent nightclub owner with “Be My Valentine” practically stamped on his forehead—throws a wrench into Benji’s plans.

William has spent years focused on his career, and it has cost him friendships and love. Inexperienced in the business of romance, he’s on the hunt for the perfect partner, and he’s armed with specific criteria to guide him. But William didn’t expect a hunky mechanic wrapped in satin and lace to show up on his doorstep.

Unable to resist their attraction, Benji and William agree to be secret fake valentines for the weekend, but secrets have a way of getting out. William gets struck by Cupid’s arrow, and as the weekend winds down, he doesn’t want fake or secret. He wants Benji to be his valentine for real and for keeps.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): What a charming delight this novella was! Benji was funny and sweet and he won my heart as he was winning William’s. And William was fabulous too in his own way. Benji is more out there, very emotionally open and a little messy. William is more controlled and reserved but the perfect foil for Benji. Both of them are emotionally vulnerable and very brave as they find their way toward one another and I loved how the dynamic shifted from one to the other in that regard.
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March Round Up

April 1, 2020 / Kaetrin

Monthly Mini Review

The Trouble With Mistletoe – a Passionflix Original movie – B (based on the novel by Jill Shalvis from her Heartbreaker Bay series) I recently signed up to Passionflix especially to watch Kristen Ashley’s The Will (loved it) but I was happy to get the chance to finally watch this movie too. I have the book on my TBR – I thought I’d read it but I haven’t. I had no trouble following the movie though which indicates the screen adaptation was fairly good. When I do read the book (someday!) I will naturally think of Rachel Melvin and Thomas Beaudoin as Willa and Keane regardless of their description in the book. There was one thing I did not get and which I still wonder about though – Keane and Willa briefly went to high school together. Keane stood her up at the Sadie Hawkins dance and, initially when grown-up Keane comes back into her adult life she’s very resentful and mistrustful (of course!). But it was never told to the view why Keane stood her up. Was there a reason? Was he just a jerk back then? I’m hoping the book has an explanation and I’m puzzled by there being none in the film (even if there wasn’t one in the book – it’s the kind of thing that would have annoyed me in print too). Continue reading

REVIEW: Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday

March 19, 2020 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is one from my own TBR.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Eve Abbott has a problem–actually, make that a lot of problems. And they’re all going to get worse the moment her toes hit the sand in Matchmaker Bay. Once a blissful summer escape, now the tiny town just reminds Eve of loss. Inheriting her aunt’s beloved Mermaid Inn is the only reason Eve is coming back. She’s definitely not ready to handle nosy neighbors, extensive renovations, or the discovery that a certain heartbreaker still lives down the street…

Police Chief Sawyer Collins always does the right thing, even when it costs him everything. Like Evie. He’s spent the past ten years trying to forget her–to forget how right she felt in his arms, to forget the pain in her eyes the day she left. The last thing he expects is to see her back in town or to find that the spark between them is as strong as ever. Sawyer knows this is his only chance to prove that his feelings have always been real… before Eve turns tail and leaves for good.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): A new Jenny Holiday book is cause for celebration so I preordered this one and cracked it open almost as soon as I had it. There was a lot to like, with the signature humour which tends to really work for me and characters I cared about, as well as some delightful quirkiness for extra spice.

Eve Abbott used to spend summers in Moonflower Bay, on the banks of Lake Huron in Ontario, with her Aunt Lucille who ran the Mermaid Inn. (Yes, I know the series is called “Matchmaker Bay” – I’m getting there.) She became fast friends with young Sawyer Collins as a young teen and they gradually grew to be more over the years. By the time they were both 17 they began having sex and then when they were both 18, everything came to a screeching halt when Eve watched Sawyer make out with Jeannie Wilkerson on the Mer-Queen float in the town’s annual Labor Day Mermaid Parade. Eve left town and did not return. Thereafter’s Eve’s interactions with Aunt Lucille were limited to when she came to where Eve was, or via phone calls or email. Eve put the rest of Moonflower Bay out of her mind and had not intended to ever go back. However, as the book begins, Aunt Lucille has died and left Eve the Inn in her will. Only, there’s a catch. Eve must not sell the Inn for a year. Continue reading