no kink

Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Rescue My Heart (Animal Magnetism, #3)
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Animal Magnetism  #3
Reviewed by Kay

This is Adam and Holly’s book. It starts out cute enough, with Holly needing Adam to help find her father. He’s gone off into the mountain area surrounding their town and no one can reach him. Adam is big into Search & Rescue, so he helps her by going to look for her dad. Oh, by the way Adam and Holly were a couple many years ago. It ended with Adam leaving town for the military and Holly brokenhearted. Adam’s tour in the military has left him emotionally scarred.

Holly goes with Adam on his seasrch and one thing leads to another. This is a second chance love story, which is usually one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the main characters at all. I couldn’t see where Adam was anything at all to want to pursue a relationship with. I found myself not liking Holly because she was willing to accept any scraps of Adam’s attention that he would throw her way.

If you are a big Shalvis fan and have read this series, then you should read this one also. Jill Shalvis is an auto-read for me, so while this book was not my fave it was still worth reading.

All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

All He Ever Desired (Kowalski Family, #5)
Grade-A
Hotness Level- Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series- Kowalski Family #5
Reviewed by Kate and Anne
note: there are some mild spoilers in this review

Goodreads Blurb:
A second shot at first love

After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family-owned Northern Star Lodge and he’s forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal—and learns the boy is Lauren’s son…

The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan’s door every day to work off his crime.

With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can’t deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love?

Kate:
Things I liked about this book: 1. This is not an easy romance. The hang ups that Ryan and Lauren have are genuine. And not one sided (it’s not a case of one of them coming to terms with something while the other has no issues).
2. The resolution is realistic and satisfying.
3. The original Kowalski clan makes an appearance for Mitch and Paige’s wedding, but it fits in the story instead of seeming forced.

Things I did not like about this book: 1. I worry that the author is going to make Rosie sick with more than a flu/cold.
2. The author has made me care for too many secondary characters…Hailey, Rosie, and Andy. As well as making me curious about new character Tori. Well they get their HEAs, or will we be left guessing?

My favorite parts of the book: 1. The scene when Nick walks in on Ryan and Lauren in bed.
2. When Dozer is trying to ask Ryan if he slept with Lauren but can’t find the right words, so Josh helps out.


Anne:
I totally agree with you (with one exception mentioned below)! Here’s what I’d add
Things I liked about this book:
1. There is some pretty hilarious dialouge in this book.  Here’s just one example

His brother was quiet long enough that Ryan guessed he probably wouldn’t like whatever came out of his mouth next. “I thought you guys were just fooling around.  I didn’t realize it was that serious.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“No.” Again with the hesitation.  “Just a lot of hurdles, that’s all.”
“I got a ribbon in track and field.  I can handle it.”
Mitch laughed. “Dumbass, that was a participation ribbon. You sucked at track and field.”

2. Kate said this, but it bears repeating.  It just felt so real.  There were things about it that weren’t easy, but at the same time it felt worth it.
3.  I liked all the secondary characters and the building and background info for the rest of the series.

Things I did not like about this book:
1. I thought the resolution between Ryan and Lauren came a bit too easy.  No one said something really stupid, which surprised me.  And Ryan’s self realization surprised me, too.  It’s a romance, so it didn’t surprise me that he had that moment where he realized he was being a jerk.  It did surprise me that he realized it himself and no one else had to tell him.  All in all, this was a minor thing for me.

My favorite parts of the book:
1. The continued references to Ryan being Lauren’s “you know, whatever.”
2. The glimpses of Mitch and Paige at their wedding and mentions of the huge shower in their new house.

So, that’s a hearty recommend from both Anne and Kate.  Enjoy!

 

Pride and Pleasure by Sylvia Day

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Pride and Pleasure
Grade-D
Hotness Level- Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series- None
Reviewed by Kay

Eliza is an heiress but one with a brain. After being pursued for five Seasons, she is looking forward to getting the sixth over with as well. If she doesn’t find a man to settle down with, she will be allowed to take her inheritance and live her life as she wants.

Jasper is a thief-taker, which I thought of as a person who skirted the law. He has revenge on his mind and nothing will stop him from achieving it. He agrees to work for Eliza so he can keep her safe and an eye on one of her prospective suitors.

Both of these characters have secrets in their past. I did enjoy that part of this story but honestly that was about it. I have read Sylvia Day’s historical novels before and never been a fan, but a friend suggested it to me. I thought I’d try it for her. She had used the word epic in her description of this book. Let me explain something, I love historical romance. Not just a little but an enormous amount. I believe my favorite genre is contemporary but I crave historical in a way that I don’t contemporary. When I salivate over a possible epic historical, like I did this one, I worry. Worry about heightened expectations and possibilities of disappointment. I got that here in spades.

I love Mrs. Day’s Crossfire Series and highly recommend it but not this book.