Cynfulbooks
Butcher & Blackbird is my favorite read of the year so far! It delivered all the feels. It had me actually laughing out loud, crying, near-vomiting, and completely smitten.
The chemistry between Sloane and Rowan is off the charts. I loved their banter, playfulness, and protectiveness. I enjoyed watching their friendship morph into love. It was refreshing to read a romance novel that developed over a significant period of time, as opposed to an instalove connection.
Brynne Weaver's ability to work in that list of trigger warnings in such an amusing and/or lighthearted way was incredible. I mean, how could accidental cannibalism make me actually laugh out loud? Ice cream, though...
It was a quick read but unrealistic. There wasn't enough to make the characters “in love.” It had potential but seemed to just fast forward past relationship building. Conflicts were wrapped up and resolved without trying. There was no groveling or understanding. Just instant acceptance and forgiveness off all characters in the story.
It's hard to believe this is a series. Nothing in this book makes me want to read another book about any of the characters.
I will start by saying I was not truly prepared for this book. It is very intense. It is not a dark, spicy, smut book like Haunting Adeline. I did not expect her to be stuck in the sex trafficking ring for half of the book. It was detailed and traumatic. It was a very hard read!
That said, it was incredibly well written. I cried for Adeline. I found myself devastated and questioning how she could come back from certain scenes/experiences.
I had a hard time with the second half of the book. I cringed during a lot of the scenes with Zade saying things to her that other men said during the sex trafficking. I found it unrealistic that she could accept him forcing her, cutting her, and talking to her the way he did. I feel like I was the one experiencing the PTSD for her. Then, being surprised that she was okay with things.
contains spoilers
This book had a lot more potential but was a disappointment.
The most cringey issues were that she was underage and vulnerable in the beginning and the blatant rape.
The relationships were bipolar. One minute, they “love her”, the next second, they are degrading her and being physically and/or emotionally abusive. It was not done in a sexy, consensual way either.
The individual relationships were also underdeveloped. They eluded to a connection, and then she was forced into the next bed as if the first connection hadn't existed.
I won't deny that some scenes were very hot. The ending was very cute and actually softened the book for me.
The Spy Coast was an easy read. I don't normally like books that go back and forth in timelines, but this one was easy to follow. It wasn't an action-packed spy novel, but I enjoyed it. It was a slow build as you had to learn the backstory.
I really liked Maggie Bird and found her character relatable and respectable. It lightly introduced the Martini Club members, and I am excited to read the next book to learn more. I am even more intrigued by Jo Thibodaux's character, the local acting-police chief, and looking forward to more of her.
I really enjoyed The Pucking Wrong Number. It is a dark hockey romance with a morally grey MMC.
Lincoln is a very hot, successful hockey player who falls in love at first sight with Monroe, a struggling waitress/college student. Lincoln becomes an obsessive and possessive stalker, determined to make Monroe fall in love with him.
In my opinion, Lincoln goes too far in his endeavor to help Monroe and give her everything. However, I did fall in love with him before and after the incident in question.
I really loved the texting between Linc and Monroe at the beginning. I also loved the friendship between Linc and Ari, and I can't wait for more.
