This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books are first is series that I won’t be continuing – either the book was a DNF or I just am not interested in knowing more. You’ll notice that even the DNF books I actually gave 2 stars because they had potential, which is why I want to share them. What didn’t work for me, could really work for someone else.
Note: These are the reviews I wrote when I finished the books and I never got around to publishing them on the blog. Clearly I was in different moods when writing my reviews. Some are more complete than others!
Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson Series: Sometimes in Love #1
Published by St. Martin's Press on April 30, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 361
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Goodreads
IT’S TIME TO FLIRT WITH A MAN IN A KILT
Cassie Crow, a pop-culture reporter for a TV talk show, is focused on becoming a “serious” journalist. But when she stumbles into a kilted Highlander with a killer accent, Cassie decides that taking one night off from work and spending it with a sexy Scot couldn’t hurt. . .
Logan Reid has built a career on his charm, hosting a series of off-the-wall hijinks on the Web. But when the Scottish prankster meets the all-American, equal parts intelligent and irresistible Cassie, Logan realizes that one night of fun won’t be enough. Could it be that this career-focused, commitment-phobic couple is finally ready to take a chance at true and lasting love?
I ended up not finishing this book – after stopping and starting it over and over again over month. I liked the characters and the general idea of the story. It just goes on way too long, it could have resolved over and over again by the point I gave up, which was about 75%. The fact I made it that far says it wasn’t awful, but also the fact I don’t care about how it wraps up says it never managed to fully pull me in. So I say meh.
Update: Funny thing – I thought I did finish this and was surprised when I read my review. Reinforces that idea that it dragged on past several good ending points.
Heartstone by Elle Katharine White Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown
Series: Heartstone #1
Published by Harper Voyager on January 17, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Retelling, Romance
Pages: 352
Length: 10 hours 50 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms.
They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.
Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.
Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.
It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.
Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique new world.
I enjoyed this, particularly they way it brought back some of my favorite Pride and Prejudice moments. However, some of the reinventing of characters didn’t work for me. Mr. Collins for example… His being pretty ok was weird. Charlotte Lucas and her marriage motivations was another change I didn’t love. I think anyone who LOVES Pride and Prejudice the way I do will struggle with some of the characters. But the fantasy element didn’t bother me at all, I rather enjoyed it. The romance was okay, but not as epic as Lizzy and Darcy. I think the only thing that brings this book down in my rating, though, is that constant inescapable comparison to Pride and Prejudice. It would have been done better for me if it was not connected. While I’d probably read this author again, I’m not drawn to continue the series.
Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan Series: From Manhattan with Love #1
Published by HQN Books on May 31, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 464
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Goodreads
USA TODAY
bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces a sizzling new trilogy about three best friends embracing life—and love—in Manhattan
Cool, calm and competent, events planner Paige Walker loves a challenge. After a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, she's now determined to prove herself—and where better to take the world by storm than in the exhilarating bustle of Manhattan? But when Paige is let go from the job she loves, she must face her biggest challenge of all—going it alone.
Except launching her own events company is nothing compared to hiding her outrageous crush on Jake Romano—her brother's best friend, New York's most in-demand date, and the only man to break her heart. When Jake offers Paige's fledgling company a big chance, their still-sizzling chemistry starts giving her sleepless nights. But can she convince the man who trusts no one to take a chance on forever?
I’m giving this two stars because, had I finished it, I think it would have been a “meh” book for me. However, I’m done reading books that are only “meh” so I’m quitting it after two days with no desire to even pick it up. The characters were okay, though they blended together a bit for me. I thought I would find their business more interesting as I was in event planning once upon a time, but (as far as I got) there was very little actual work happening. Nothing about it was bad, I just found myself not interested.
Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballenger Series: Seven Range Shifters #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on January 1, 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Goodreads
Seven shifter clans call the Montana mountains home.But a new evil will stop at nothing to tear their world apart.
For centuries, the shifters that roam Big Sky country have honored a pact to keep the peace. Even bad-boy rancher Wes Calhoun, former leader of a renegade pack, has given up his violent ways and sworn loyalty to the Grey Wolves. But his dark past keeps catching up with him...
Human rancher Naomi Evans cares only about saving the ranch that was her father's legacy. Until a clash with Wes opens up a whole new world―a supernatural world on the verge of war―and Naomi, her ranch, and the sexy cowboy wolf stealing her heart are smack dab in the middle of it.
I returned this one to the library unfinished. It wasn’t bad, but it took too long for me. To get invested in the characters… And I gave up instead of trying. I think it had good potential though.
I am not a fan of super long romances so I can see why you quit some of these! 🙂
I try hard not to DNF but sometimes it is the only choice. I do it more with the freebies, but even things I’ve requested sometimes don’t work for me.