Royally Matched (Royally) – audiobook review

Royally Matched
by Emma Chase
Narrators: Andi Arndt and Shane East
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Book #2 in the Royally series
Number of Pages: 276
Contemporary Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: child abuse, domestic abuse, grief,
death of parents, PTSD
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Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.

He’s not handling it well.

Hoping to help her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora agrees to give him “space”—but while the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:

Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.

A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world’s most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.

While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.

The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit… and her naughty sense of humor.

But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight.

As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.

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I was told I would like this story even more than the first book in the series, and that is absolutely true. Henry was everything I hoped he would be when he was introduced in Royally Screwed. Sarah’s back story was even more distressing than I had thought it would be, but that showed how strong her will and character are. Put these two together and magic happens.

While I did find the first few chapters a little slow, things picked up within the first couple of chapters. Once Sarah and Nicholas were sharing the page, I was fully immersed. Their time alone was special and had me rooting for them. The chemistry and mutual respect they had for each other, even when they thought they were so different, set things up for a remarkable love story.

Not only were Nicholas and Sarah great together, I adored Sarah’s friends and sister. I was set to dislike Penny. Instead, the author gave us a fiercely loyal sister who would give up her own dreams to protect and sister. Penny may have dreams of fame and fortune, but they never overrode her love of Sarah or her need to keep her safe.

The last few chapters of this story surprised me, but they were exactly fitting for the personalities of Sarah and Henry. No matter how wild Henry was in the past or how shy and sheltered Sarah kept herself, these two have the biggest hearts and the capacity to share those hearts with everyone.

5 stars

Icehome books 4, 5, & 6 – audiobook reviews

These three books in the Icehome series really cemented the dynamics of this tribe and the different personalities. They have me excited to get to know everyone better in future books.

Clicking on the title of the book will take you to a synopsis of the story.

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Angie’s Gladiator
by Ruby Dixon
Narrators: Felicity Munroe & Sean Crisden
Release Date: December 3, 2018
Book #4 in the Icehome series
(part of the Ice Planet Barbarians universe)
Number of Pages: 272
Sci-Fi Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: forced pregnancy, slavery

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I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been curious about Angie since she came out of stasis on the Ice Planet. The story of her pregnancy and who/what her child ended up being was not what I expected, but I was satisfied with the explanation. The real story here, in my mind, is the story of Vordis and his struggles with being a clone, a slave, and a warrior. There is so much that has been embedded in his psyche from years of being told what to do and when to do it, how to feel, and how to act. It’s no wonder he, and his clone/brother Thrand, have a hard time figuring things out when it comes to their individuality and what that individuality means for their relationship to each other.

Don’t get me wrong, this story is a romance between Angie and Vordis. He is infatuated with her but doesn’t see that she is also smitten with him. The chip on his shoulder from all the years of being interchangeable with his clone has put his self-worth in the gutter so he often thinks he is insulting Angie when his personality comes through in his time with her. Vordis is so thoughtful and sweet, it’s no wonder Angie falls for him.

I love the constant world-building that is going on in this series. You can see threads of stories already read that overlap, as well as the beginnings of other stories yet to be told.

4 stars

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Hannah’s Hero
by Ruby Dixon
Narrators: Felicity Munroe & Sean Crisden
Release Date: April 4, 2019
Book #5 in the Icehome series
(part of the Ice Planet Barbarians universe)
Number of Pages: 308
Sci-Fi Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: grief, fatphobia

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My feelings about Hannah at first were steeped in annoyance. Not in the way she is viewed by a lot of the others at Icehome, but because she is so blocked when it comes to the reality of her situation. The way some of the other people treated her angered me and I understood her feelings of being left out. But when it becomes clear as to why she’s holding back when it comes to her resonance with J’shel, I’m annoyed. Please hang in there with her. It turns out Hannah is not as daft as it seems. She just needs to have control, and if that means lying to herself for a while then so be it.

I wasn’t fully on board with J’shel and Hannah until they went on their trip with Brooke and Taushen. That’s when their chemistry came out in full force and I was hooked on these two. They definitely have a connection in the beginning, but it’s not super fiery until they spend more one-on-one time together.

More and more about the Ice Planet and the creatures that inhabit this world are coming to light. Some threads that have been weaving throughout previous books were explained in this story and it presents a new challenge for all the residents of the planet. Speaking of the residents, I love that there are inventors and scientists and mechanics, right along with the teachers and hairstylists and administrators. Each has a function in this new society and I enjoy watching them all find their niche.

3.5 stars

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Devi’s Distraction
by Ruby Dixon
Narrators: Felicity Munroe & Sean Crisden
Release Date: April 29, 2019
Book #6 in the Icehome series
(part of the Ice Planet Barbarians universe)
Number of Pages: 254
Sci-Fi Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: grief, kidnapping

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N’Dek has held my curiosity since he was introduced a few books ago. I so desperately wanted him to find something that would help him work through the despair he felt after losing his leg. A spark of hope ignites in N’Dek’s mind when he watches Devi as she explores their new land and he sees how brilliant she is.

Although Devi and N’Dek feel a bit of a spark with each other, they start as friends and co-conspirators of a sort. As their friendship deepens, Devi tries to pull away a bit. She’s afraid N’Dek will resonate with another (to be fair to her, that’s because he said as much to her at the beginning) and she will be too invested in their relationship. Before long, neither of them can deny their chemistry and it’s sweet while also being super hot.

I adore this couple. As much as N’Dek has been a grump for quite some time and Devi doesn’t always know how to relate to the others, they are both very aware of how those around them react to them and both are committed to making their tribe a safe and comfortable place for everyone.

On top of this lovely couple finding their HEA, we finally see a side of Bridget that isn’t full-on annoying. Her book is still a ways away, but I was beginning to wonder if I’d be able to sympathize with the character once we get to her story. There is a peek of what she’s going through in this book and I was very glad for it.

4.5 stars

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Happy Place – audiobook review

Happy Place
by Emily Henry
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Publisher: Berkley
Number of Pages: 416
Contemporary Romance
Ages 16 and up
CW: grief, death of a parent,
anxiety/depression
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Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?

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This book packs a punch. There is so much angst and yearning. My heart was being torn out while listening to this story. It’s all told from Harriet’s POV, but once things get going it’s plain to see that she’s not getting the full picture of what is going on around her. Not necessarily through the fault of any of her loved ones, but because Harriet is a people pleaser and never stops to truly listen to what is being said around her. If there is strife, she is looking for a way to smooth things over. Not just in her own life, but in those around her. If her two best friends, Sabrina and Cleo, seem at odds, Harriet is right in the mix to keep things upbeat. She tries so hard and is constantly working to keep things even-keeled, it’s a wonder she hasn’t collapsed under the pressure she puts on herself.

I found this story to be a slow starter. I feel this is the case with most of this author’s books. Yet, as usual, after a few chapters and once everything important is established the story takes off. I love the glimpses of Harriet and Wynn from earlier times when they first fell in love, and how deep their feelings grew. Wynn has so many quotable moments. He’s such a romantic and he is obviously head over heels in love with Harriet. But Wynn grew up with a loving family and knows how to trust his feelings and the feelings of those around him. Harriet questions everything and doesn’t trust that if she doesn’t live up to some image she has made up in her head she will be left in the dust. She may get frustrated that Wynn underestimates his intelligence, but she underestimates her worth. Their week pretending to still be engaged while on vacation with their friends is a roller coaster of emotions. It’s so clear they are still deeply in love, but can they find a way to be together?

This is a friends story as well as a second chance love story. All friendships go through different phases. Now that Harriet and her friends are out of college and into their careers, it is natural that they don’t have a lot of time for each other. Especially since they no longer live close to one another. This means that they are keeping things from each other that they never would have in the past. They each want the little bit of time they have with each other, be it on the phone or in person, to be carefree and fun. Yet these things they’re withholding mean they are speaking to each other less and less and the cracks are forming. The author does a wonderful job of showing those cracks while also showing the depth of the love they have for each other.

I have seen some reviews where people think Harriet isn’t happy, but in my the eyes this is a true HEA. From the first time we see Harriet reflecting on her job it is clear to me she is not happy with the direction she took her life while in school. I don’t want to give spoilers so I can’t say too much about how things end. I will admit there were times I was afraid it wouldn’t be a true HEA for both Harriet and Wynn, that one of them would have to sacrifice their happiness to be together. I ended up loving how things turned out for them and like I said, think it’s a true HEA.

4.5 stars

The Rival (Four Corners Ranch) – ARC review

The Rival
by Maisey Yates
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Book #7 in the Four Corners Ranch series
Number of Pages: 368
Source: ARC from NetGalley
Contemporary Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: grief, abandonment, loss of parents
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This rugged cowboy has always been content going it alone…until he finally meets his match!

Cowboy Levi Granger is his own man. He’s proud of his ranch, and he’s proud of the siblings he brought up after the devastating loss of their parents. The only thing he’s not proud of is the way the Sullivan family took advantage of him when he was struggling the most. So when pretty Quinn Sullivan comes looking to access his land for a business venture, the kick of attraction is as shocking as it is unwelcome!

Book-smart Quinn can more than hold her own when it comes to arrogant cowboys. But there’s something about Levi that gets under her skin. Maybe it’s his ease around the ranch or his smoldering good looks—or maybe it’s the way he stares at her like he hates her but maybe also wants to kiss her. Quinn isn’t one to back down easily, but not falling for the frustratingly handsome cowboy is proving to be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced…

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I’m so happy to get another story from the Sullivan sisters. They fascinate me. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books in this series, this can be read as a standalone. But if you’ve been reading the whole series you know this family is a bit different from the other families at Four Corners Ranch. The Sullivan sisters have gone in a different direction with what they are doing with their land over the years since their father left and it’s all about to come to fruition with their new store.

Quinn has always assumed there was no real basis for Levi’s dislike of her family and the ranching collective of Four Corners Ranch. She knew he had some business dealings with her dad back in the day, but she never truly knew the extent of that partnership. Levi was left to raise his younger siblings before he could even complete high school. His parents died within a year of each other and he took on his family’s ranch as well as the upbringing of the three younger kids. Turns out, Quinn’s dad took advantage of an 18-year-old who was buried in grief and treading water to keep things going.

Levi and Quinn have an interesting dynamic. She is super smart and is one of the few people in their community who went to college. As things progress it is obvious Levi always struggled in school but is extremely smart himself. I love the representation of learning disabilities and how they are often overlooked or ignored. Levi had been told all through school he didn’t apply himself enough and that he just didn’t have the brains to go far with his education and those childhood seeds of doubt grew into adulthood beliefs. Quinn eventually sees beyond the way Levi plays things up and after quite a few dust-ups these two find a good rhythm to working together.

As much as I enjoyed their chemistry, I wish things had moved a bit faster in the beginning. I know there was a lot of work to set up the situation that needed to be done, but the first kiss isn’t until 2/3 of the way into the book. Although I was happy with the relationship Quinn and Levi had built by that point. They may not have been calling each other friends yet, but they weren’t enemies any longer either.

This relationship between Quinn and Levi looks like it will help build a bridge between the people living at Four Corners Ranch and the people in town. Quinn’s eyes were opened to how the community looked at the ranching cooperative and how the cooperative was detrimental to many of the surrounding ranches without meaning to be. Levi was able to see that the people at the co-op weren’t the uncaring snobs he imagined them to be. Working together they can convince others to work better together for the good of all.

Even with a slow start and a lot of work being done for the overall series in this one book, I greatly enjoyed the story. The connection between Quinn and Levi is amazing. Some things about the Sullivans are still a mystery, but I felt the relationship between the sisters was deepened in this book. I’m hoping their bond continues to grow as each of their stories are told.

4.5 stars

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Mine to Possess (Psy-Changeling) – audiobook review

Mine to Possess
by Nalini Singh
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Release Date: February 5, 2008
Publisher: Berkley
Book #4 in the Psy-Changeling series
Number of Pages: 328
Paranormal Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: child abuse, sexual abuse,
violence, kidnapping, torture
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Nalini Singh pulls away another dark layer of sheer desire, revealing passions unknown, in her latest novel about the world of the Psy. A ghost returns from a leopard changeling’s past, making him question everything—even his base animal instincts . . .

Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed . . . and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.

Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life—the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows . . .

Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past . . . or lose everything that ever mattered.

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This book was a solid read that did a lot to move the overall Psy-Changeling plot along, but the romantic match didn’t work for me the way the others have in this series. I’m not sure what was missing from the Talin/Clay match-up, but it was not as intense as any of the other mates as of yet.

Talin is a human who grew up in the foster care system. She and Clay met when they were children as Clay’s mom was human and he didn’t grow up in a pack. In fact, Clay’s Changeling nature upset his mom so he learned at a young age to suppress it and he still has no idea what pack his father was from. Clay is a few years older than Talin and always protected her as best he could, he was just a kid himself. There is a lot of trauma that happens to the kids and they end up being torn apart when they are still young.

I had high hopes for this couple. I love the setup of who they are to each other and how they interacted as kids. But there is so much anger and hurt between them. Talin made some not-so-great decisions in her young life and Clay does not react well to her secrets. Talin also doesn’t react well to what Clay did that tore them apart in the past. Somehow, even though the story moves along well, their path to forgiving and ultimately love seems unbalanced.

Oddly, I still found both characters to be great. There are some great interactions with others in Clay’s pack, especially Dorian, and Talin becomes an integral part of the DarkRiver pack by the end. I think, if you’re reading this series, it would be a mistake to skip this book. There is a lot that is revealed that is obviously going to be important to the series. It’s still a great read, it just doesn’t live up to the previous books. But that’s a high standard anyway.

3.5 stars