Book Reviews – Page 14 – Have Coffee Need Books

Book Review: Twisted Kingdom by Rina Kent

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On January 27,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite School #3)
Author: Rina Kent
Genre: High School Bully Romance (New Adult)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last books in trilogies are always tricky for me; it’s like I’m watching my children leave the nest. The story is all grown up, and now I feel so fulfilled and still somewhat empty at the same time.

The ultimate ending of Aiden and Elsa’s story ticked off all of my boxes, except for some backstory questions with which I’ve been struggling. How did Ethan know to show up at the Meet-Up at that moment? What is the actual heart condition Elsa suffers? I know how it started, but what is it she is at risk for developing–because at first, I thought it was some genetic thing, and then we find out ‘oh-no worse.’ But I don’t understand resulting complications–then again I believe that is by far the last thing I should be cross-examining.

But HOW DID ETHAN KNOW TO GO TO THE MEET-UP THAT DAY?

So right, that is where Steel Princess left off, and Rina doesn’t disappoint with the story continuation. I am attributing my Team Aiden campaign to the POV alternating in SP. But I’m not talking about which Horsemen team, but instead Team Aiden vs. Team Elsa. Twisted Kingdom opened up Aiden King’s black heart, and I felt he had a wealth of character depth–but it served to prove to me that Elsa is a fickle and fairweather girlfriend who I couldn’t support.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Voodoo Sector by Nala Kingsley

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On January 21,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Voodoo Sector (Zombie Year 2099 Collection)
Author: Nala Kingsley
Genre: Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

NOLA!

I have a shelf in my Goodreads that is for ‘Fav Locale NOLA.’ It’s a compulsion for me to read stories set in the Big Easy. And it’s a delicate balance between loving and hating books set in NOLA because the city has such a strong personality. I am a gray-area-girl in everything except for New Orleans, coffee, and how many humans I can deal with within one day. I got hard limits there. It’s crucial writers treat the City that Care Forgot really well.

The Zombie Year 2099 series has been giving me joy for weeks now, and Nala Kingsley’s Voodoo Sector delivered up for me some hottie fairies killin’ zombies. In 2099 the city has been laid waste by the undead. These aren’t your comic book brain-eaters; they are excellent hunters with a taste for blood. They can scent humans, so it’s hard to hide, and since NOLA is an abandoned city, it’s not like you can lose yourself in the crowd. Calliope LeBlanc has the losing hand in this game called life; all bets are against her.

I think the thing I most loved about Calliope is Nala Kingsley writes her as a warrior — as Talen would say, she’s a Zombie Warrior Princess. I enjoyed her never-say-die attitude. And more than that, I loved that Calliope was so very pragmatic about her survivability.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: When the Saint Falls by A.D. McCammon

ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On January 18,20 | 0 Comment

When the Saint Falls by AD McCammon — Click to purchase

Title: When the Saint Falls (Westbrook Three #1)
Author: A.D. McCammon
Genre: NA High School Bully Romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh Lord in Heaven. This book has me in love with every one of the characters except for the hero — and it’s not like he sucks. Truth is Thatch is just not as impressive as the others. And boo-hoo for him. I guess that might be a backhanded compliment to A.D. McCammon. I love all her Westbrook peeps, but the hero is Laa-aime.

“We’re told as little girls when a boy is mean to you, it means he likes you, but that’s total bullshit. There must be another explanation. Here’s to hoping it’s not one that makes me want to be homeschooled.” – Violet

Violet is a wallflower, in every way you could mean the word. The only person who appears to be able to see her is her bully, and she wishes she could drop off his radar.

And Thatcher Michaelson is an insecure King of a Crap-pile he’d instead not rule. Wealthy, entitled, and feared, if not respected, because he’s certainly earned his reputation, he is more regretful about it than he is proud. Sadly, someone has to take on the dirty jobs; Thatcher and his best friends: Cole and Arwen have been meting out punishments for years. But Violet is mistaken in thinking Thatcher has it out for her, sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind.

“‘I’m fine, mom. Jesus.’
‘Oh shit … did I interrupt you? You know that’s nothing to be ashamed of. A little self-exploration is healthy.’
‘Oh my god, mother! Boundaries!’”

The thing I loved most about When the Saint Falls is A.D. McCammon empowers the females in this damn book. Violet is no shrinking … well, violet. Her mom Josie is endearing as hell and seeing her struggle to do the correct mom-thing with a girl who, until the present, never needed a mom figure was sweet and often hilarious. It is hard when the shift happens, and you stop raising your parents.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Andorra Sector by Lexi C. Foss

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On January 14,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Andorra Sector (X-Clan Series #1) a Zombie Year 2099 Novel
Author: Lexi C. Foss
Genre: Sci-fi/Shifter Romance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Andorra Sector is my new favorite shifter region. — And this new shifter world is my new treasured special place. And, well hell, this book is my most beloved book of the entire year so far. And that is saying something because I’ve already read finished eleven books, and we are only half-way into January.

But why the hype, Ali?
Yeah, with all that endorsement, I’d be suspect.
When looking to buy a book, I’m always cautious when seeing too pretty covers. They don’t always mean a great story.
Just trust me here; if you like growly, rapacious, horn-dawgs who are subject to the demands of their baby mommas, here you go.

The X-Clan is screwed. The Andorra Sector has every technology this barely surviving existence could want. The wolves are safe from most threats allowing the pack to focus on scientific advancement. And who doesn’t want an edge when facing a post-infection world?

But no amount of research, design, and development is going to give the Alphas of the X-Clan what they need most: mates. The Alphas are currently outnumbering Omega mates by 30:1. And the only mate and Alpha can mate with is an Omega; biologically, they are perfect together.

X-Clan is at a disadvantage in this way, Ander Cain has a revolution brewing, and his wolves are hungering for blood or pleasure.

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Book Review: Winter King by J.S. Dark

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On January 03,20 | 0 Comment

Title: Winter King (The Wyth Courts #1)
Author: J.S. Dark
Genre: Steamy Paranormal Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Winter King, first in this series, has a gorgeous wrapper. I love the artwork. It’s so beautiful! J.S. Dark, if you read this review kudos to your artist!

Lately, I’ve read a great deal of paranormal romance, reverse harem, and sports romance. I am one of those people who gets focused on a genre and then ruts it until I find something to distract me. I looked at this cover for sometime before I read the book. Then it took a while to write the review for no other reason than the end of the year was crazy. I’m not as late to the party as much as I am late announcing I’m here.

Wyth is in trouble. The faerie realm is in danger. Monsters from the Tywyll Forest are plaguing the people; curses are killing the land.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Dreams of Fire by Christian Cura

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On December 29,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Dreams of Fire
Author: Christian Cura
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, LGBTQ
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good vs. Evil.
Witches, demon slayers, spells, family loyalty, love, heartache, rivalry, friendship, and betrayal are the core of Christian Cura’s Dreams of Fire plot. If you enjoy Lev Grossman’s Magicians or the tv adaptation of L.J. Smith’s Secret Circle, Dreams of Fire is something that could appeal to you.

Dedication to protecting non-mystics from magic-users with ill intent is what drives the Hartman Family. But the world of magic isn’t easily policed. The inciting incident of this story lies in temptation. All people can act in a good or evil fashion, or both at the same time. True good is the ability to make the difficult choice, a selfless act when confronted with the temptation to work outside of the mystic world rules.

Kara Hartman fell prey to the slippery slope of mischief run amok and fell into the clutches of lawlessness while studying magic at the prestigious Academy of Mystic Arts. The line she didn’t draw soon enough is now a death shroud marked by betrayal. She survived the unhappy end of a losing battle but with blood on her hands. Now the reluctant mystic is a scarred artist starting over in a more comfortable setting. But her escape is hindered by the mere fact that a blind eye isn’t a way out.

This novel is an excellent start to the series but is fraught with red ink mistakes.

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Book Review: Asking for a Friend by Lauren Blakely

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On December 16,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Asking for a Friend (Boyfriend Material #1)
Author: Lauren Blakely
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amy Summers: Everything that is Right in a RomCom.

I don’t read many books where the hero feels like a secondary character, but Asking for a Friend seems like that. Amy is EPIC in a mega galactic fashion, which means that Superman becomes an afterthought. This cake obsessed Betty Boop is all Linc Silvers thinks about, and this chick should take up real estate in everyone’s mind. It certainly doesn’t hurt those things she loves, the obsessions she has, and her random outbursts run along similar tracks as mine.

Vote for Amy!
Pajamas do need advocacy, and I believe Amy will fight for justice and appreciation for the fantabulousness of super casualwear.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: In The Unlikely Event by L.J. Shen

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On November 19,19 | 0 Comment

Title: In The Unlikely Event
Author: L.J. Shen
Genre: Contemporary, Second Chance, Romance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel like L.J. Shen just Pen-Warded me.

I recently said that Penelope Ward puts me through the wringer, and my Ativan prescription gets a work out reading her books. I am highly dread-filled, a true worrywart, I don’t trust authors to give me HEA even when they promise it.
L.J. Shen nearly crippled me for a good portion of In the Unlikely Event.

Young love is a mixture of hormones and inexperience. I’m old; you will have to take my word for it. Rory Jenkins is full of the dewy awakenings of adulthood, not ready to reconcile the death of the dad she never got to meet or know beyond letters. Fresh from high school graduation, she goes AWOL to Dublin to at least see where her kin live. What she finds is a warning about homicidal gray squirrels, a sexy Boheme poet, and a cold welcome that lets her know that Tolka, Ireland is not for her.

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Dirty Letters by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On November 06,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Dirty Letters
Author: Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m a fan.

I think the first Penelope Ward book I read was Stepbrother Dearest—-No, it was Jake Undone. I loved both of these novels and most of the other Ward books I have read since. I won’t lie, though; I always feel emotionally exhausted on the last page because this woman writes trauma earnestly. She’s excellent at delicately, but honestly, depicting the mental health and mental illness challenges her characters must face. But I don’t find it emotionally comfortable to get though. I love the stories—-but I’m wrung out and exhausted by loving characters like Sevin, Jake, and Channing, which is why I love when she and Vi Keeland write together. I can take Penelope’s punches while Vi holds my hand. Yeah.

“I blinked a few times. No one had ever asked me such a direct question about my mental health. “Um. I have a fear of crowds and confined places.” She set the kettle down on the stove and lit the burner. “That’s okay. I don’t like clowns.”
Dirty Letters by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Book It, Book Reviews, New Release

Book Review: Do You Dare? by Lylah James

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ByMs Ali Cat: Ali Crean | On October 31,19 | 0 Comment

Title: Do You Dare? (Truth and Dare Duet #1)
Author: Lylah James
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For the sake of a place to begin: would you like to hear about my bookgirlcrush and story savior Lila Garcia?

Do You Dare is a slow-burn romance that had me scratching my head as to what genre it was supposed to be through the first dozen chapters. This is not Erotica–or at least nothing at all graphic happens for roughly 96% of the book. There is more of a tell-the-dirty and less show-the-dirty story-driven narrative. It leaves a lot of room for character development, and that in itself is why Lila is my current bookcrush.

Maddox Coulter is afforded plenty of indulgences due to his family’s wealth and influence. His looks and talent are icing on his expensive cupcake-like existence, which is a good thing for most of these hungry bitches, but Lila already knows boys like him taste like regret. Without meaning to incite the predator, Lila dared to commit the ultimate sin; she waited for coffee while having boobs.