Hello, my pretties! Welcome to another edition of the mutiny.
What’s the mutiny you ask? Well, I have always said that I wasn’t going to become a review blog and yet, I’ve had this itch in the back of my head… so here we are. I’m waging a mutiny against myself and I’m going to do some mini reviews + feature upcoming reads I’m excited about.
For this specific edition, I’m going to share some of my favorite reads from May to August, so settle in!
A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman — 5★ — I love love loved Carys and Tristan. She’s carefree and he’s straight laced and together they have banter and button pushing for days. I loved the chemistry and longing they each had for the other. Of course, it was fun seeing the other family members and the Aunts stole every scene they were in. These two are together for nearly the entire book and that was perfection. I loved reading their prickly relationship shift and change (all while still staying prickly) and appreciated the open conversations. The build up to the conflict was slight and resolved in a fun way.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera — 5★ — I loved Luz Alana and Evan. She’s a spitfire who stands up for herself. He’s smitten from the start. Together they have instant chemistry, mutual respect, and support for days. I loved all of the friends and family members and I can’t wait to get more from these characters. I loved how Luz Alana and Evan were together for nearly the entire story. I loved their open conversations and how their relationship progressed from acquaintances to business partners to more more more. There was conflict, but nothing serious and it was wrapped up almost immediately. My only complaint is that I wanted a future take of sorts, but I’m hoping I’ll see more of their HEA in the next book.
Defiant Heart by Brighton Walsh — 5★ — I loved Luna and Brady. She’s passionate and loyal. Brady is stoic and by-the-book. He is all crunchy exterior against her whimsy and I was here for all of it. They have instant banter and that antagonizing quickly turns to chemistry to more. Oh, and Brady’s siblings are fantastic, I hope everyone gets a book. There are a few moving pieces and it all worked well. I especially loved the meddling Mabel and her social media hijinks. I hope I’ll see more of them in the next book (which was set up gloriously.)
Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean — 5★ — I love love loved Adelaide and Henry. They’re both smart, capable, and loyal people. Together they have loads of chemistry, loads of secrets, and loads of honest conversation. I was rooting for them from the very first scene and just couldn’t get enough of them. The scenes with all four Belles are some of my favorites. I truly love how these four women work together and offer unwavering love and support…and then throw Henry in the mix too. There are carriage races and highwaymen and highwaywomen and fights and kissing and stabbings and explosions and more kissing and banter and did I mention kissing? The story starts off with a bang and doesn’t let go until the very end.
Scandalized by Ivy Owens — 5★ — I love love loved Gigi and Alec. She’s smart and fun. He’s charming and loyal. Together they have childhood history and instant chemistry and so much adorable likability that it was almost disgusting. I loved Eden and her reaction to everything. And while there are other secondary characters, this story is firmly Gigi and Alec’s. The time frame is specific (which I appreciated) and their connection was fantastic. I enjoyed the balance of sweet and serious and even the angsty breakup didn’t get me down. The last few chapters were perfection, only bested by the epilogue.
A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid — 5★ — I loved Mina and Simon. She’s smart and sassy. He’s gruff and steadfast. Together they have banter and conversation and chemistry and mutual respect. I loved reading them get to know each other and see how their relationship progressed organically. The build up is slow and steady and I reveled in it. Mina and Simon are together for the majority of the story (which I always love) and they worked together in everything.
How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart by Vivienne Lorret –5★ — I love love loved Prue and Leo. She’s sweet, but reluctant, and looking to be a thief. He’s charming, but closed off, and looking for a new companion. Together they have playful teasing, a couple of contracts, and chemistry for days. I loved reading these two figure their feelings out, even if it was deliciously maddening that neither of them would talk about those feelings. There are a few ups and downs and some scheming from other characters. The angsty times don’t last long and the grand gesture was perfection. This is definitely my favorite of the series and likely my favorite from Vivienne.
Up All Night with a Good Duke by Amy Rose Bennett — 5★ — I love love loved Artemis and Dominic. She’s smart and headstrong and sassy. He’s a little withdrawn, but charming and instantly smitten. Together they have chemistry and banter for days. I wasn’t a fan of Artemis’s aunt and sister, but they did redeem themselves a bit by the end. The angst is minimal and I loved how the relationship organically moved from attraction to friends to more. I always love when the H listens and hears what the h is saying and Dominic was top notch.
You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne Long — 5★ — I’ve loved this entire series, but this one might be my favorite. I love love loved Aurelie and Christian. She’s a little naive, he’s a little hardened and together they just understand each other. I loved how each provided something to the other and how they were both basically smitten from the beginning. And it’s so much fun to see the previous characters. It’s the slowest of slow burns and I really enjoyed it this time. I loved reading each of them analyze the situation and process their feelings. Of course, I wish we would have seen more of them properly together, even if it felt like they were.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey — 5★ — It’s way too early for a proper review, but this book was absolutely glorious and I can’t wait to read it again.
I’m still so behind on review books and I’m trying to catch up as fast as I can; however, I’ve fallen back into the “In Death” series by JD Robb, so who knows when I’ll resurface…
What about you? Have you read any of these books or do you want to?
I’ve really got to read a Tessa Bailey. Lots of good books, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for reading and commenting!