Review: Shattered Dreams

 

Shattered Dreams by Linzvonc
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not a review. Just some musings

But rather some musings better suited to a book club.

It comes as no surprise that this is a cheating-spouse/marriage-in-trouble drama.

And the following may be spoilers. Please don't read if you prefer spoiler-free musings.

So Roman messed up big time. And still messed up by not understanding the why and the consequences until much, much later in the book. And then, when grovelling didn't work, he put in actual work after losing everything... and I mean everything.

But Ava...Ava is portrayed as moving from broken to strong. But while I had sympathy, and in general like the "find my power, hear me roar" type story arc, in this case...why the blinders to her own faults?

Her actions a week after the bomb exploded in their life are incomprehensible. She jumped into bed with her best friend. And knowingly used him to feel better about herself...and then spent a week with him...She did not face any consequences for what is, in my view, exactly what Roman did...using someone to feel better about himself. He lost his career, respect, and money... and Ava faces no consequences? Kieron seems okay with being used for a good time and still being best friends; the world never finds out, and she doesn't need to face anyone's judgment. Her family encourages this? Instead, she gets to be the face of women everywhere, getting honoured for their quiet strength in the face of adversity.

A good grovel is a great read. And Roman pulled it off, but I really wanted Ava to see her own hypocrisy, and even if not publicly, at least privately admit to Roman that her actions were not honourable either.

So that is my rant, apologies for the spoilers and the alternate view on this.

Review: Limits

 

Limits by Susie Tate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

oh my

I have not read a book I wanted to rave about in a long time. British to a fault, I was slightly lost at the start of an emotional journey. Yes, this is a love story, but the HEA part plays out in the background while personal growth, standing up, and filling your space with friends and love are the bigger story arcs.

Well done!

Review: Burning for Him

Burning for Him by Samantha Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Baby-girl gets her man. 

The story of Doug and Jenn is adorable, with the expected snark from the uncles.

The HEA is hard-won, with Jenn needing time to do more growing up from when we met her at the start of this series. Not only did Doug need to come to terms with her maturity (really, the age gap was not that large), but so did her godfather and other 'uncles'.

The story did not have the adrenaline rush, some of the other books had, but it was not without its own stressful moments.

If you are a fan of the BDSM element of the rest of the series, this book may disappoint. But really, I could not see Jenn playing. Not that Doug wasn't a protective alpha...

In all, a good addition to the series with a check-in on all the other characters we have come to love.