rjordan19's reviews
940 reviews

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I got bored pretty quickly and wanted to jump to something else...)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ (I thought the tension was lacking because it was instalust and very, very easy and low angst for them)
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (I mean – it’s very sweet!)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I liked the foreplay, but anything further faded and I like that on page...)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (So there’s a decent amount of foreplay the actual act fades off page)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together:
Cliffhanger: This ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, six months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I think I got widget from NetGalley and I CANNOT say no to widgets 😆
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
This is book 2 of Sullivan’s Rock Bottom Love series. I didn’t read book 2, but found this one readable alone. The mains from book 1 have page time here and the story sounds fun though so I suggest you give it a go first if you like to know all the characters! (The hero from book 1 is the brother of this book’s heroine)

Basic plot:
Jillian meets her old flame Levi and feelings immediately flare...

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- small town setting (Smile, Michigan)
- second chance-ish
- some elements of instalust
- single mom heroine
- chef hero
- childhood friends to lovers
- easy, low angst relationship
- brother’s friend
- low steam – there’s a few kisses and one on page scene of foreplay that then fades for the actual act

Ages:
- hero is 31, heroine is 30

First line:
There were only two reasons to go to a high school reunion.

My thoughts:
Yay for a third person contemporary! I always fall into those stories so much easier than first person.

I loved the setting of this book, being from Michigan I could really appreciate these small town dynamics and adorable settings. (But I did question the line about being able to see the mountains??)

But...I love my angst. And this book had zero. The relationship between them was so, so easy. And so sweet. And some of you will really love that so I hope you give it a read. But sadly I was just soooo bored. And with it having no steam either I was just eager to reach then end.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one?

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- some remembrance of toxic ex/coparenting with an ex
Author content warnings? Didn’t see any

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  I don’t think it’s mentioned? The sex itself is vague/not on page so you don’t really know what’s going on 

 
How’s the consent? 

  It's good! 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  Yes, the heroine has a daughter from a prior relationship and there’s a brief mention of possibly wanting more kids in the future 

 
Pg 83 – kiss
Pg 139 – kiss
Pg 149 – kiss
Pg 166 – kisses that leads to foreplay on page and then the actual act fades
Pg 204 – kiss
Pg 237 - kiss
Total pages: 272 

 

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: they are on page together almost immediately, about 1% (Chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: This ends with a happy for now
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an e-book version through Kindle Unlimited
Why I chose this book: It popped up as a suggested read on goodreads after I finished A Very Stalker Christmas (Layla Fae) and I was tempted!
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Oh hey, Chloe. Guess what? I’ve been stalking you for years. Yeah, no big deal. I’m not a psychopath. Promise. But anyway, wanna date now?

Should I read in order?
I think this is a standalone?

Basic plot:
Chloe is tempted by two men – Jack the sweet fire fighter, and Winter Watcher that seems to know all her darkest desires. Both men hold a secret though...

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- New York setting (Manhattan)
- holiday romance
- heroine is a social media influencer
- hero is a fire fighter
- mask play
- tattooed hero
- dubious consent elements – the hero is a stalker and uses in home cameras
- kink includes exhibitionism, spanking, anonymous sex, praise, light edging
- higher steam – 7ish full scenes

Ages:
- I didn’t see them mentioned

First line:
Fa la la fucking la.

My thoughts:
I grabbed this one because I’m in my stalker era. And I loved so much about it!

This one though, it does have a bit more of a ‘real’ feel to it? There was quite a bit of introspection from the hero, feelings of wrong doing, and it made the whole stalker thing a bit more cringey to me than a usual….you know, ravishment fantasy read. But it also gave it some more depth and I felt like made their story more real and believable.

I enjoyed the build up of this one. I loved that it took a bit for them to really get involved with each other and we got to know both mains. I adored the spicy scenes, and the tension building. I loved the dual personality sides of both mains – the sweet fire fighter of the hero and the naughty Winter Watcher. The professional Chloe and the dark side of exhibition loving DarkAsChlo…

I enjoyed Hensley’s writing and want to try more!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one

Quotes

“Well, I suppose I could pencil you in. But fair warning: my commentary during true crimes docs can get pretty dark.”
“Wanna know a secret? I happen to like dark,” he says, his eyes connecting with mine.
Jesus. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the sudden spark of electricity between us. “Dark, huh? Be careful what you wish for, Jack.”
He holds my gaze, his expression turning serious. “I’m not afraid of the dark. Or of you.”
---
There’s a pause before his response comes through.

You want a man who doesn’t ask. He just does. You want a man who takes control, who knows what you need before you even realize it yourself. I see a woman who craves intensity. Who wants to be pushed to her limits, to experience everything life has to offer. But I also see someone who’s afraid. Afraid of losing control, of being truly vulnerable.

His words hit me like a physical blow. I feel naked, stripped bare by his perceptions.
 

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- scenes of stalking and non-consensual acts with privacy from the hero
- sexual harassment and attempted rape and work blackmail of heroine by a work associate
- alcohol/bar atmosphere
- parental death

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: 

  Condoms used 

How’s the consent? 

  Well – it’s questionable because the hero is a stalker, sets up cameras in the heroine’s home and manipulates situations where he is at an advantage. So if consent and honesty is important to you, I would forgo this novel. But the sex itself is consensual (the heroine agrees to have sex anonymously, so she doesn’t realize who’s she’s fucking at first 

Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  No children or pregnancy within the story, but brief mention of possibly wanting children in the future 

32% - 🔥 heroine self pleasure
As I touch myself, I imagine it’s Jack’s fingers, rough and demanding. In my mind, he takes control, pushing me to my knees, fisting his hand in my hair.

41% - 🔥 sexting and heroine self pleasure that turns into mutual masturbation

Make yourself come, pretty girl. Come for me.
50% - the start of a sexting scene that’s interrupted by the fire alarm for the hero
54% - 🔥 oral for her, bj (complete) at a sex club in a room with viewers (exhibitionism)
”I’m going to make you swallow every last inch of me,” I say, my voice low and full of promise. “And they’re all going to watch you do it like the good girl you are.”

67% - 🔥 heroine blindfolded, oral for her, missionary
I hear the door open, then close. Footsteps, slow and measured, make their way through my house. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. The footsteps pause, then continue, growing closer. He’s in the bedroom now. I can sense his presence, feel his eyes on me.
“Good girl,” he says, his voice low and husky. It almost sounds as if he needs to clear his throat or cough. It’s not natural. His voice is familiar, but different than when I heard it at the club. I can’t quite put my finger on -
The bed dips as he sits beside me, his warmth radiating against my skin.

71% - 🔥 exhibitionism sex in front of her viewers, spanking
Jack’s hand slides down my back, his touch both gentle and commanding. “Bend over,” he orders, his voice low and authoritative.

80% - 🔥 anal
A growl escapes me as I turn her around and capture her lips in a fierce kiss. She responds eagerly, her fingers tangling in my hair. I lift her, and she wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her to the bedroom.

98% - 🔥 sex against the pillar at the sex club (exhibitionism) then they go home, followed by heroine self pleasure while Jack watches through the window

Without another word, Jack spins me around so my back is to his chest. His hand snakes under my dress, pushing my thong aside. I gasp as he slides two fingers inside me, finding me already wet and ready.
“So eager,” he growls, nipping at my earlobe. “Such a naughty girl.”
 
 

 

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person only from the heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character (sex??)
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: soon in, about 13% (chapter 2)
Cliffhanger: This ends...with the possibility of a happy for now. They are going to date each other after spending a night together. But it has the uncertainty of a new relationship. She does have an extended scene about their future dates though that might make it feel more complete!
Epilogue: No, but you can sign up for Thea Masen’s newsletter and get a bonus scene
Format: read the e-book version through Kindle Unlimited
Why I chose this book: I saw @fern.does.books post about it on instagram and was curious!
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
I believe this is a stand alone.

Basic plot:
Sienna decides to make her move and wrap herself up, naked, as a present for her crush. But instead, his brother shows up...

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- she wraps herself up as a Christmas present but is found by her crush’s brother instead…
- heroine is a sex researcher
- tattooed hero
- hero is a Berkeley professor
- some unrequited longing from the hero
- higher steam – 2 full scenes within a shorter page count (and they are lengthy)

Ages:
- didn’t see them mentioned

First line:
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

My thoughts:
This was a fun, quick, and steamy read! I loved how this one played out – the set up was super fun and somehow the tension was really great for me even in such a short page count. I adored how vulnerable these characters both felt, and how they just seemed really perfect for each other! I grabbed their bonus scene to read soon, because the book did leave off on a tentative happy for now, but I am used to a lot more concrete of a relationship – so I’m eager to check that out!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 3
Average rating: 5 stars
Favorite book: Stiff

Endearments

  The hero calls her ‘candy cane’

Quotes

“Alright, everything looks great from out here. Remember, you’re a fucking sex goddess. The Winter Witch. Mrs. Claus. A candy cane ready to be licked. A horny elf who wants to fuck Santa.”
“Ew.”
---
“Guess this whole lack of communication thing is a gender free problem, then.”
He gives that strand of hair he’s been playing with a tug, and my breath catches. His second tug pulls me a little closer. “We should all be more direct.”
---
Up and down. Little circles. I’m not rubbing so much as pressing with little tiny movements.
He curses, and his grip on my thighs tightens.
I stop and smile up at him. “I want you to touch yourself.”
“I want to you,” he practically growls. “I want to show you what a good little student I am.
---
Myles laughs. “Aren’t you the little masochist? You want me to edge you, huh, baby?”
 

Content warnings:
- Didn’t really notice anything
Author content warnings? None given

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  Condoms used, heroine mentions she’s on the pill, and both talk about being free of STIs 

 
How’s the consent? 

  It’s good 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  No children or pregnancy in the book 

 
39% - 🔥 kisses, that lead to touches, fingering for her, blow job (praise) (incomplete), oral for her, bent over against a door, oral on the table, her on top on the couch, finishing on the floor
82% - 🔥 sex (missionary?) then followed by another brief scene 

 

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (maybe even a 2 – I wanted to love this one – but I put it down repeatedly and would force myself to bring it places when I wanted to bring something else and it took me months to finish it)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ (I felt like the tension wasn’t strong in this one – she hates him but fucks him anyway...)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (These scenes were pretty light – way lighter than I was expecting.)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (Maybe even a 2 – they are quite short)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: First person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: immediate for a prologue, and almost immediately in the current story
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue:
Format: bought paperback
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
This is book 1 of Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes series.

Basic plot:
Emmy moves back home and immediately runs into her childhood friend Grant Malone – but he knows too many of her past secrets she’d rather not face.

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- Northern California setting
- skydiving instructor heroine
- police officer hero
- childhood friends to lovers
- some animosity – the heroine isn’t the biggest fan of the hero and pushes him away
- low to mid steam – there’s a few scenes but they are on the lighter/short side

Ages:
- heroine is 28, hero was in the same grade, so I would guess similar age

First line:
My tummy feels icky, and if I look at Emmy, she’ll know I’ve been crying.

My thoughts:
Ugh. This book exhausted me. I was so excited for it...bought it off a recommendation forever ago, got the paperback because I liked it. I started this over the summer and made it my beach read. And it frustrated me so badly.

I was just so disappointed. Emmy isn’t receptive in any way to talking to the hero and pushes him away repeatedly. The hero pursues, which feels rather icky with her past. But she’s just really mean to him a number of times. She has major trauma, so it’s understandable. But instead of opening up to each other, they just start fucking. And I had zero tension or caring about these mains.

And I was SO disappointed in the steam. I was expecting way better but it was quite light. There’s some scenes that had a decent build up and then would just fade to nothing/morning after.

I think there were a few plot things I just wasn’t loving – I never loved either character. I would try another by this author, but unfortunately this one was a flop for me.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- parental illness and death
- parental abuse
- sexual assault of a child (remembered)
- scenes of domestic violence
- remembrance of self harm and suicidal thoughts

Author content warnings? None listed

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  Condoms used 

 
Hows the consent? 

  It’s good 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  There are some scenes with a child side character (a domestic violence victim the hero has contact with through his job) but no kids or pregnancy for the main couple 

 
Pg 94 of 380 – first kiss
Pg 140 of 380 – 🔥 her on top on the couch
Pg 196 of 380 – a blow job that fades
Pg 225 – kiss
Pg 254 – 🔥 oral/fingering for her
Pg 280 – a scene that fades 

 

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: A bit
Perspective: first person from the heroine and both heroes
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: Immediately for Cole and Eve, Griffin comes in pretty soon in (about 7% or so)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a few months later
Format: read an e-book version through Kindle Unlimited
Why I chose this book: It popped up under ‘readers also enjoyed’ list on goodreads for another book the cover was cute to me so I was curious
Mains: This is a M/F/M relationship featuring M/F and M/F/M scenes (No M/M) – very why choose/ravishment fantasy. I took all the mains as cishet.

Should I read in order?
I think this is a standalone novella?

Basic plot:
Eve gets a Christmas surprise when her boyfriend asks to share her with his stepdad. 😆

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- mountain retreat setting
- why choose – Eve gets involved with Cole and his stepdad
- hockey player hero (Cole plays hockey, no ice time on page)
- size difference – they’re taller
- silver fox – Griffin has gray in his hair
- age gap elements – Griffin is in his late 40s while Eve and Cole are college aged
- M/F and M/F/M scenes (no M/M)
- higher steam – 10ish scenes but they are on the shorter side

Ages:
- Eve and Cole I think are in their 20s? (college age) and Griffin is in his late 40s

First line:
“Wake up, babe.”

My thoughts:
I liked this for what it was – a bit of a ridiculous ravishment fantasy with a boyfriend and stepdad.

I liked parts of this book more than others...I liked some of the tension building between Eve and Griffin. I rather loved Cole and how he acted in the relationship with Eve...but the whole reasoning for the attraction/relationship was a bit weird. I wasn’t convinced.

I wish the scenes were a bit more developed. There was a lot of them but they were pretty quick and lacked a bit of emotional pull I really wanted between all the mains.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first by this author
Average rating: 4 stars
Favorite book: This one

Endearments

Cole calls her ‘babe’ and Griffin calls her ‘baby girl’ 

Quotes

“Tell me what you need.” He pushes his pants down and lines the head of his cock with my core.
“I need you,” I gasp as he enters me.
He grips my hair, pulling my head back. “I’ll give you anything you want.”
 

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- Not really much of note
Author content warnings? Didn’t see anything listed

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  Heroine has a birth control implant, no condoms used 

 
How’s the consent? 

  It’s good 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  No children or pregnancy within the story 

 
7% - 🔥 oral/fingering for her from Cole
18% - 🔥 sex without penetration against the door
22% - 🔥 doggy between Eve and Cole
43% - 🔥 sex against the door between Eve and Cole while Griffin self pleasures on the other side
50% - 🔥 fingering for her in the hot tub by Cole while Griffin holds her legs
52% - 🔥 oral for her on the table from Cole, then Griffin then sex with Cole while Griffin self pleasures
64% - 🔥 fingering for her in the car by Cole while Griffin is driving
71% - 🔥 Griffin fucks Eve while she gives a bj to Cole
85% - 🔥 M/F/M scene – bj for Cole (incomplete), then DP with both guys
95% - 🔥 epilogue scene – Griffin fingers Eve in front of his assistant (hidden by the island) and then when he leaves, oral for her then Cole joins and DP in the same hole 

 

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (plus a shorter epilogue scene I decided not to count)
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from both hero and heroine (alternating chapters)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Immediately, he is watching her, but not real on page interaction between them until about 25%
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: Yes, about a year later
Format: read an e-book version through Kindle Unlimited
Why I chose this book: It popped up on a goodreads ‘readers also enjoyed’ list and I was curious!
Mains: This is a M/F romance between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
I think this is a stand alone novella.

Basic plot:
Emma knows she has someone helping her – leaving things she needs, shoveling her driveway, and taking out her garbage….but she has no idea it’s her quiet neighbor

Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- small town setting – Frosty Springs (come onnnnn so cute)
- you’re okay with some dubious elements – like the title says the hero is a stalker and goes into the heroine’s house and does things with her consent or knowledge…
- heroine loves animals, and fosters and rescues animals she finds (she has cats, dogs, rats, rabbit, and guinea pigs)
- size difference (view spoiler)
- he makes her tea
- celibate hero
- (view spoiler)
- mask play
- medium steam – 2 full scenes within a shorter page count (plus a shorter scene I decided not to count as ‘full’)

First line:
I press the binoculars to my face, honing in on the pet carrier in Emma’s hand.

My thoughts:
I’m wondering if this heroine is an ADHD rep? At least….I could totally relate to this heroine and have similar struggles haha. I need a Logan in my life 😂 Take care of everything I am forgetting…

I enjoyed this book! It was so surprisingly sweet to me. And I loved the ‘dark’ stalker aspect without really being dark. Being a novella, it’s short, and I really wanted a bit more from it. I was really enjoying myself and wanted a few more scenes. It ended rather fast!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 6
Average rating: 4.5 stars
Favorite book: This one!

Quotes

Okay. I am swooning for this stalker. Can I have one? I hate doing this shit. lol

Like the last time I gassed up Emma’s car. I take a look at my notes to check when it was. Her tank should be at least half-full, but it won’t hurt to get her filled up tonight. I make a note on my to-do list and bring the binoculars back to my eyes.
She is inside now, letting the car out in her kitchen. I watch everything through the pristine, uncovered window that I washed last night to have the best view possible.
---
Emma is not stupid. That’s not it. She’s simply so incapable of seeing the evil and darkness in the world, it hasn’t even crossed her mind that her creep of a neighbor might be breaking into her place every night to sniff her panties and fantasize about doing vile things to her while she sleeps.
---
Hi, nice to meet you! I’m Logan. Would you like to grab dinner together?
That’s what a normal man would say to a woman he wants. But I’m not normal, so I take one last look at my beautiful neighbor, taking in her wide hips, gorgeous tits pushing through that thin sweater, and her thick, long hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun.
That hair would look so good wrapped around my hand.
---
 

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- hero is a stalker of the heroine and enters her house without her knowledge or consent, fills her gas tank, leaves her hats, etc

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: 

  Noooo? but I think the heroine is on some kind of birth control? I think the pill 

How’s the consent? 

  Oh, well you see the title. If consent is an absolute must for you, maybe forgo this one because the hero does stalk her/watch her and jerk off in her room without consent. But overall the heroine is into it all and consent isn’t an issue 

Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  No children in the story or pregnancy! I feel like it left as a no children in the relationship? But it's not openly a child free HEA 

17% - the hero jerks off with her panties he stole while watching her, but it’s fairly short
49% - 🔥 kiss, fingering for her, hero comes in his pants

I want to tell her how beautiful she is. How perfect. That I’ll always protect her and be everything she needs me to be.
But I can’t speak, so I lean over, cradle the back of her head in my trembling hand, and kiss those words into her mouth.

82% - 🔥 the hero breaks into the heroine’s house at night, bj (incomplete), missionary

“That’s enough. Be quiet and listen to the rules.”
///
“You’ll be good for me, won’t you, baby?” I ask, testing her resolve. Will she answer the question and break my rules?

95% - epilogue sex – oral for her but it’s pretty short 
 

 

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine (and a bit from side characters from book 1, Griff and Julia)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form from the author
Why I chose this book: I was asked by Siniscalchi to read an advanced reader copy and I said yes because I’ve really loved her prior books!
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
It may be best in order – they are stand alone romances but the character flow of the series is there. And this heroine was engaged to the hero from book 1 and the mains from books 1 and 2 attend a house gathering together with their children so the background will make that more enjoyable. And there is an intimate scene between Anne and Pedro (the mains from book 2) so that might feel random to you if you don’t know their story.

Basic plot:
Beth proposes to Boyd to align their families and save her family’s finances and Boyd uses it as an opportunity to exact revenge against how her father treated him years ago.

Give this a try if you want:
- Portugal setting
- 1876 (King Luis I timeline in Portugal)
- bargain vibes – the hero invites the heroine to partake in three challenges to see if they will be suitable as business and marriage partners
- hero keeps trinkets/souvenirs from the heroine (like ribbons, handkerchiefs, etc)
- he’ll blindfold you and feed you wine
- holiday romance
- close proximity – he invites her to a house party of sorts with his family
- she plays the cello for him...naked
- there’s an element of revenge here – the hero and the heroine’s father have a history
- shorter novel
- higher steam – 3 full scenes between the mains plus a scene from the couple from book 2

Ages:
- I didn’t catch either of them.

First line:
“Highlanders have a disagreeable habit of tossing a woman over their shoulders and carrying her off to their caves.”

My thoughts:
Oh I loved the set up of this one. A Scottish hero, bent on revenge, set in Portugal with a proposed marriage of convenience...I was eating this UP from the get go.

Though, maybe ¼ of the way in, I did get annoyed with Boyd a bit. While I loved his playful side, and I loved him taking souvenirs from Beth, I felt some of the things he said/did were just coming off as childish. I did feel like he overcame that. I also wasn’t a big fan of so much secondary character page time, but that’s just me. If you love seeing prior characters in the story, you will enjoy that more. Something I really don’t like is sex scenes between side characters and we get one of those too. (As much as I loved Anne and Pedro, I am always ready for the new, current couple of the book.

But! But! This book grabbed my emotions about ¾ of the way through. I was loving their longing for each other and felt so hard their fear of moving forward. It really gripped me and so I boosted my rating. I adored the angsty all is lost moments for them both.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 5
Average rating: 4.8
Favorite book: This one! (The Taste of Light is close though)

Quotes

Ohhh I love thoughts like this

Instead, peeking from beneath the velvet skirts emerged the daintiest pair of shoes he had ever seen.
Boyd could swear the crushed river pebbles sighed, finally tread upon by footwear worthy of the king’s ransom they must have cost.
Exquisite ankles followed.
---
“A winemaker’s wife calls her husband by his name.”
“I’m not a winemaker’s wife. Propriety-”
“You have my tongue in your mouth, Beth. Fuck propriety. Say my name.”
---
Beth’s eyes widened at the intensity in his voice. A drawing-room groom would never look at his bride with such heat.
She lifted her fingers to her lips. The kiss they had shared – unbridled, electric – had little place in the drawing-room courtship. Well...Perhaps a drawing-room courtship was not so sublime after all.
Grinning, she took a hasty step back, giving him a polite nod. “Thank you, Mr. Sandeman. A lady knows when to heed well-meaning advice.” Without another word, she turned, hurrying toward the exit, her heels clicking against the floor.
“The name’s Boyd. And, Beth, lock your damn door, aye?”
---
“Lass, ye’ve got yerself tae blame.” He pillowed his face in his hand.
The mellow brogue was back, and only her corset prevented her from melting.
“Your serenade last night was loud enough tae wake the whole parish. Ye should be thankin’ me for shooing the swains away from yer door.”
The cello! How mortifying. Her mother would be positively ill if she knew a gentleman had caught her playing the indecent instrument.
“I...I wasn’t serenading anyone! A lady’s true charm lies in her grace, modesty, and quiet dignity.”
“If she wants tae put her man tae sleep, perhaps. But a winemaker’s grace?” He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Is better belt in the bedchamber. And trust me, lass, she never needs to be quiet.”

Gah I am a fool for drooling over body parts like this

He reached for his cravat, his rugged fingers pulling it free with practiced ease.
Beth gasped, her gaze caught on the exposed skin of his neck. So that’s what a man’s throat looks like...unbuttoned, vulnerable.
---
“See you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? Have ye forgotten your challenge tonight?”
Her eyes widened. “The challenge? But...I thought...surely you wouldn’t -”
“Ye thought I’d spare ye because ye’ve had a wee bit too much wine?” His smile was playful, but there was an edge to it that made her pulse jump.
“Enter yer room, lass, and await me there.” His voice dropped to a low, rough purr, and the sound sent heat rushing through her.
“Wait for you?”
“Aye.” His grin widened, a roguish gleam lighting his eyes as he stepped back. “A gentleman might spare a tipsy lady...but lucky for ye, I’m not a gentleman.”
 

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: 

  No 

How’s the consent? 

  Some of the kisses are dubious...but overall it’s consensual. The hero is a bit spontaneous and aggressive with his kisses but we are in the heroine’s POV a lot and know how she feels about him. 

Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  There are some child side characters from the prior couples in the series, but overall children aren’t a focus for the mains. I would assume eventually they would happen (no discussion on child free HEA and unprotected sex is happening) but there are no children in the epilogue, which takes place a year or so after the end of the story 

36% - kiss
48% - kiss
54% - kiss
60% - sex between Pedro and Ann (the couple from The Taste of Light (book 2 in her Winemakers series)
64% - 🔥 oral for her

She played on, but the notes grew fractured.
He needed to taste her. His mouth moved up, taking her earlobe between his teeth, biting gently before letting his tongue glide over her cheek. He licked the freckles sprinkled over her shoulder and closed his lips over one or a hundred. Her fingers stumbled on the strings again, but she kept going, her body trembling beneath his.

77% - 🔥 bj for him (incomplete), her on top in a chair dry humping, doggy, then followed almost immediately by another scene

“I cannot be the gentleman you expect, Beth.”
She arched her back, her hips pressing into him. “I don’t want a gentleman. I want you just as you are.”
Her admission shattered what little restraint he had left. He laughed, the sound low and uneven, as he dragged his tongue along the curve of her neck. “Then heaven help ye, lass.”

95% - 🔥 epilogue sex, her on top, missionary (it’s a bit short?)
“I’ll show ye why. But only if ye’re a good lass and scream loud enough to scandalize every winemaker in the Douro Valley.” 
 

 

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (I really adore Spark’s intimate scenes – a really great mix for me of emotional pull and explicitness)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Takes a bit – about 12% or chapter 3 of 26
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Mains: this is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I really, really love what Sparks is bringing to historical romance. She’s become an auto read for me and I am always excited for a new book!

Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary (most of the focus is on this couple) but I do recommend at least reading book 1 of the series, Surrendering to the Duke. You’ll get Michael and Emmaline’s background and they have page time here, as well as understanding Oliver’s story. And after you read book 1, you should read book 2 because it’s my favorite!

Basic plot:
Caroline finds solace in her father in law when she finds herself abandoned by her husband.

Give this a try if you want:
- Interwar Years? Book 1 takes place in 1921 but I don’t have dates for books 1 or 2. But the mains from book 1 have children so I would guess mid to late 1920s?
- England and America settings
- taboo relationship – daughter and father-in-law
- dyslexic hero?
- Marquess hero
- plus size heroine
- he spoils her
- fun technological advances like telephones
- one bed
- mathematician heroine
- the fun of American 1920s – transatlantic voyages, Yankee games, prohibition parties and speakeasies
- after he goes down on her, he demands she divorces his son
- slower burn
- mid to higher steam – about 4 full scenes

Ages:
- hero is ‘almost 40’, heroine is 21

First line:
When the clock struck midnight, Caroline knew it was time to go.

My thoughts:
I really liked this one! It has some forbidden vibes with Caroline
being abandoned by her husband early on in the book and then taken in by her father in law. I loved their slow development of feelings and how much their longing for each grew over the first half of the book!

I am very much enjoying Spark’s steamy scenes. They pull me in and I find myself really caring about these characters. I did want a bit more relationship angst in this one – I felt like they fell into each slowly, yes, but also easily and I am just a whore for all the relationship angst haha. Also, minor thing, but I felt like I really liked the dynamic of Caroline helping in regards to the math/paperwork – I wasn’t sure if the hero was dyslexic? And it wasn’t really touched on again after being mentioned. Also I maaaaaaybe want a bit more ‘daddy’ vibes in this one lol but I guess that wasn’t the dynamic here and that’s okay.

I am still not sure how I feel about Oliver coming back from book 1. He was a doozy of an unlikable character, but I did appreciate a diabetic character and the amazing mention of the development of insulin.

Overall I enjoyed this read. The time period is fun and different. Both characters were great and the steam was fun!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 4
Average rating:
Favorite book: Despising the Duke

Endearments
[ Hero calls the heroine ‘Starling’. (hide spoiler)]

Quotes
[

“Starling,” he graoned, his shoulders brimming with the tension of holding back. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
She came ever closer, tilting her head up towards his. “Why not?”
His palm found her wondrously soft cheek. He shouldn’t be doing this, and yet somehow his reasoning for not doing this was getting weaker by the hour. “Because they make me want to stop being such a fucking gentleman.”

(hide spoiler)]

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
[
- heroine experiences her husband cheating on her (not the hero)
- scenes/remembrance of abusive and toxic parenting (heroine’s mother)
- parental death
- spousal abandonment
- brief mention of smoking
- fat shaming (including parental fat shaming)
- remembrance/mention of sexual assault
- the villain from book 1 returns but he’s recovered (was able to receive insulin)
- infidelity – the heroine marries in the beginning of the story and finds her husband cheating on her – she then gets with her husband’s dad sexually before they are divorced/annulled

Author content warnings? Yes, Sparks has a list of triggers that are not in the book and also states specific triggers (view spoiler)
(hide spoiler)]

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
[
Safe sex: [ Condoms used for penetration until the last scene when they are married and discussed starting a family (hide spoiler)]
Hows the consent? [ It’s good (hide spoiler)]
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) [ There’s some scenes with family member’s children but the main couple doesn’t have chidlren or get pregnant within the story. They do talk about starting a family at the end of the book (hide spoiler)]
33% - hero self pleasure that she interrupts (short)
52% - 🔥 oral for her

“Is this all for me, Starling?”

59% - kiss
62% - 🔥 fingering for her against a door in the hallway with the possibility of being discovered, followed by bj for him (incomplete), missionary
Distant voices reached their ears, creeping up the corridor. Instead of entering their cabin, David just smirked, his voice low and sensual. “You’re going to come on my hand without making a single sound. Is that clear?”
//
The voices were now so close she could hear what they were saying, but still David plunged his fingers inside her. “If you don’t come now,” he whispered, “they’re going to see you, Starling.”
82% - 🔥 sit on my face oral that turns to 69

Just as he was shoving a third pillow behind his head, a jolt went through him as the heavenly warmth of her tongue licked the length of his cock. David released a hiss of pleasure, quickly followed by a deep, low moan as she sucked on the crown, eagerly taking him deeper on the second stroke – and deeper still on the third.

96% - 🔥 massage that turns into oral for her, missionary
”Fuck,” he bit out, elongating the word into a moan. “Without the condom – fuck. You’re so warm.” His hips moved, stroking into her and pulling a whimper from her lungs. “And wet.” 

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (there was some light emotional pull but ultimately the one scene is just too short and vague to really have enough of what I prefer)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑 (it’s one vague paragraph)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Not too far in, about 4% or chapter 2
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, at least a few years in the future
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form that I am about 9 months late on (oopsie!)
Why I chose this book: I am always attracted to Grey’s covers
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
This is book 2 of Grey’s Say I Do series and I found it readable alone!

Basic plot:
Rick has no recollection of proposing through letter to a Miss Fine until she shows up on his doorstep, demanding he follow through

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (my assumption)
- Duke hero
- heroine is a triplet
- some secret keeping
- marriage of convenience vibes
- low steam – 1 open door scene without details

Ages:
- hero is ‘nearing 30’ and I think the heroine is around 20

First line:
“She had a son.”

My thoughts:
I really liked some elements of this book! But ultimately it didn’t work the best for me. I loved the idea of the proposal and really the whole theme for this series.

I enjoyed the heroine – she’s protective and sweet and didn’t have a problem with coming to bargain with and claim the Duke that proposed to her randomly through letter. But as the story went on, I never really loved the hero. I found him rather irritating and didn’t like his reactions to things. He seemed short and impatient with the heroine and while she does call him out on it, I just felt like she deserved better.

The whole triplet’s plot was interesting but I felt a bit weird for the high drama it caused?? I just wasn’t expecting the hero’s reaction over it.

Grey writes lower steam, but I do like how she incorporates tension and kisses in her stories. I am usually left wanting more from her though in this regard.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 5
Average rating: 3.2 stars
Favorite book: How to Train Your Earl

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- parental death
- reoccurring sickness
Author content warnings? Didn’t see any

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  not sure, there’s no details 

 
How’s the consent? 

  it’s good 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  I don’t recall any children or pregnancy in the story – there are children in the epilogue 

 
20% - kiss
37% - kiss
58% - kiss
80% - sex scene (it’s quite vague) 

 

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I don’t know why I didn’t love this one. Maybe I wanted the characters alone more together. Maybe I was annoyed about the secret keeping. Maybe it was even the writing. It just really didn’t grab me.)
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (There was something missing in these scenes for me. The steam was there (like 3 full scenes or whatever) but they didn’t feel steamy to me. They felt emotionless to me, sadly. Probably just a me thing!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 2 days later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley that I am like 4 years late on (oopsie, sorry I suck)
Why I chose this book: I have wanted to try more Darcy Burke and saw this on NetGalley forever ago and grabbed it

Should I read in order?
This is the first of Burke’s Pretender series.

Basic plot:
Harry is determined to prove Madame Sybila is a fraud, and enlists Lady Gresham’s help in uncovering her mystery.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency – 1819
- London setting
- secret identity
- widow heroine
- hero is the son of an Earl and a Bow Street Constable (former barrister)
- lower to mid steam – there’s 3ish full scenes but I felt like they were concentrated in one area of the book

Ages:
- heroine is 29, hero is 31

First line:
Harry Sheffield, constable for Bow Street, opened the door of The Ardent Rose on The Strand near Drury Lane.

My thoughts:
Sadly this book didn’t work for me. And maybe it was because of the secret keeping (this IS the Pretenders series after all) but I just didn’t like any part of it. I didn’t like the heroine and I liked the hero even less. I didn’t like the sex. I didn’t like the plot. I guess I’m just a debbie downer with this one.

I think if you don’t mind secret keeping and you like kind of a dual enemies to lovers/working together trope this would work for you. This is my second Darcy Burke and I haven’t loved either. Hoping to find one I really like!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating: 3.5 stars
Favorite book: The Legend of a Rogue

Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- mention of gin and opium usage
- remembrance of being hungry and needing to steal/cheat for food
- mention of rape of heroine

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

 
Safe sex: 

  Hero pulls out 

 
Hows the consent? 

  It’s good, other than the heroine not being honest about who she truly is 

 
Pregnancy/children in story? (Please note this is the best to my memory/note taking. If you see something I missed please feel free to message!) 

  Children are in the story as side characters, but no children of the mains or pregnancy on page 

 
46% - kiss
62% - kiss
64% - missionary
77% - bj (incomplete), her on top
80% - sex
95% - kiss