Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: E-arc via NetGalley from Del Rey

Ronnie’s Review

I rarely pick up a new to me author solely by reading just the blurb, but such was the case with Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale. I was intrigued and thought the combination of Russian folklore with fantasy made for an excellent read and I was kind of right. LOL Does that sound half-ass? Well, the book gets off to an extremely *SLOW* start. You’re introduced to Vasilia and her family.. and the book spends a fair amount of time on the family dynamics between her and various members of the family. There are reasons for this, but it made for a slow start and I found my attention wandering a bit here & there.

The prose is detailed and intricate,  but it often felt like it was devoting more time to the background noise of setting up the scene than it dealt with dialogue and moving the plot forward.

Pyotr Vladimirovich tries to do his best by his family, but one son ends up turning to religion as his life as a monk, and he ends up carrying a talisman for Vasilia that involves favor from an old God. Religion plays a big part in this book, and that’s the part I have the hardest time parsing out. I’m not religious in any sense of the word and I’m not someone of faith, and this book will use faith as both a blessing and a curse. Konstantin (a priest) uses people’s faith and goodwill to subjugate them to his beliefs and someone who will come to be known as The Bear.

If anything, the book makes a point about how women’s lives are not their own. To be sold off to marriage to whomever will make the best match or who is the most desperate. While Anna doesn’t come off in the best light (the stepmother), she never was given a choice about what she wanted, and was cosigned to an unhappy life when she would have been happier alone and in a convent.

You’re more than halfway into the book before certain things happen with Vasya’s destiny and the winter demon, Morozko. The story *slowly* comes together to form a picture that had me turning page after page, when before I was struggling to continue. There is no romance, although a kinship exists between Vasya and Morozko. And the last 15% of the book is like a mad rush of action, so between the beginning and the end, the pacing ranges from sluggish to fast paced, and with what happens, you’re left in an odd place. But there’s supposed to be more books, so I guess that explains that.

I struggled with the pacing and themes, but I did enjoy it overall for the most part.

Rating: = B-

© 2017, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Faithful Badass Readers,

We know we’ve gone pretty quiet for the past month and we just want to give you an update on where we are headed.  Real life has gotten in the way of the prolific reading we were once able to accomplish and now we are spending less and less time tucked between pages. Because of this, we are planning a new direction for the blog in the coming year. We’ll let you know more when it is a little more set in stone, but just know that we aren’t gone for good.  BaBR will be back with a new face, but it will be better than ever!

AH, Christal, D.G., Regina, and Ronnie

© 2017, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton
Wild Aces #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: January 3rd, 2017
Publisher: Berkley

Wendy’s Review

Before I get to my review, I want to start by saying that I’m generally very wary of contemporary romance.  I look at them and immediately lump them into a specific category in my head, one which holds all the books that are just too over the top and shameless.  The ones with the same female-type, feisty and so hot it brings the hero to his knees, and the same male-type (alpha chest beating).  I know it makes me a romance snob, especially because I actually really love reading about love.  A book without some type of romance feels incomplete.  I like the love story to be unique.  I like real world characters, with real flaws.  I like to recognize the humanity in each character, and not left feeling like they’re cookie cutter.  I know I’m generalizing the contemporary genre, and that’s not right, but I can’t help it.  I’m usually let down.

So, bringing it back to Wild Aces, when I first agreed to review Fly With Me by Chanel Cleeton I was really nervous.  As a blogger/reviewer I never ever want to dislike a book I’ve agreed to review.  I’ll say it proudly, I want to give everyone a good review.  Thankfully, despite its rocky start, I ended up liking Fly With Me.  I loved book 2, Into the Blue, even more!  Finally, I’m happy to report On Broken Wings was the best one yet!

On Broken Wings was the culmination of events that happened in the first book, along with a love carried over the entire trilogy.  I figure if you’re reading this review then you probably read the synopsis, so I don’t feel like it’s a spoiler for me to say this is the story of a widow learning to find love again.  That’s a plot full of landmines, for sure.  Usually stories starting with a spouse dying can’t recover.  No matter how hard the author tries, I (the reader) either don’t believe the second love is equal to the first, or get frustrated when the previous marriage is downplayed. Believability is so important in a romance novel.  I have to believe the two main characters have truly fallen in love, and death is a hard thing to overcome, especially without minimizing the original relationship.

Chanel Cleeton handled this perfectly.  Never did I feel like Dani’s feelings for Easy surpassed her feelings for Joker.  Never did I feel like Easy was competing with Jokers memory.  There was a perfect balance between the past and the present, and that alone is what made On Broken Wings so awesome.

I admit to crying multiple times while reading.

I’d like a continuation in this world, but if this is truly the end of the Wild Aces, I look forward to reading what Chanel Cleeton has planned next.

Thank you to Berkley, via NetGalley, for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  = B+

Series Reading Order

1. Fly With Me
2. Into the Blue
3. On Broken Wings

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publication Date: December 27, 2016
Publisher: Kensington
Source: E-arc via Netgalley from Kensington

Ronnie’s Review

If you enjoy fantasy romance and you haven’t read Jeffe Kennedy, you’re missing out. She writes engrossing fantasy and manages to balance the world building with the romance without sacrificing one for the other. My only caveat with The Edge of the Blade is if you haven’t read any of her books set within an earlier series, The Twelve Kingdoms, you won’t have as good of a grasp on her characters in The Uncharted Realms. That being said, I think she does a credible job of making the book appealing to new readers without being too repetitive within the story.

Hands down, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and 2016 hasn’t been a kind year for reading, at least for me. I’m a pretty heroine centric reader, and Jepp made this book. Full stop. I enjoyed her hero, but the story wouldn’t have been nearly as good had it not been for the heroine. She’s wholly comfortable with her sexuality and doesn’t hesitate for a moment to call out the hero for his ass backwards views of women and how they should behave.

Because of a snafu that happened in the previous book, Jepp has to step up and act as an ambassador for her country, and it’s quite clear that it’s a position that she has no aptitude for, and this is where our hero has to step in to help guide her. Her resentment and attraction to Kral lead to verbal squirmishes between the two of them and are a joy to read. The motivations on the hero’s part are a bit murky and it takes awhile for those to become clear, but after that, I felt like I had a handle on his character, and thought him a fine match for one of my favorite heroines ever written.

Given the scope and depth of the story, and how it encompasses a large cast of characters and arcs, I thought the pacing was pretty even. They became intimate immediately without knowing who and what the other person is. That’s what a large chunk of the book is devoted to, to them learning and discovering that maybe they’re not so different and what differences they do have can become assets within the precarious positions that they both are in. I loved Jepp’s fervor and ability to jump right in no matter what the cost, and Kral is very much a counterbalance to Jepp’s impetuousness.

If enemies to lovers is your jam, then Edge of the Blade would be a great book for you.

Rating: = A-

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

2016 was filled with wonderful reads, but here at Badass Book Reviews we are already looking forward to what 2017 has in store. Check out some of our Most Anticipated reads below!

 New Standalone Novels/Series Debuts:

 New Installments in Ongoing Series:

New Installments in Ongoing Series (No Titles and/or Covers)

Kate Daniels, #10 by Ilona Andrews
Cormoran Strike #4 by Robert Galbraith
Alpha & Omega, #5 by Patricia Briggs
Wildfire (Hidden Legacy, #3) by Ilona Andrews
Peace Talks (The Dresden Files #16) by Jim Butcher
Buns (Hudson Valley, #3) by Alice Clayton

 Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists

Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – Paranormal, Historical & Erotic
M/M Romance
Mystery and Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. Take a look below for our 4 favorite reads in the mystery and realistic fiction genres with a few honorable mentions.

Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta || Published Oct 11th, 2016 by Mullholland Books || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Bashir “Bish” Ortley is a London desk cop. Almost over it. Still not dealing with the death of his son years ago, as well as the break-up of his marriage. Across the channel, a summer bus tour, carrying a group of English teenagers is subject to a deadly bomb attack, killing four of the passengers and injuring a handful of others. Bish’s daughter is one of those on board. The suspect is 17 year old Violette LeBrac whose grandfather was responsible for a bombing that claimed the lives of dozens of people fourteen years ago; and whose mother, Noor, has been serving a life sentence for the part she was supposed to have played in the attack. As Bish is dragged into the search for the missing Violette, he finds himself reluctantly working with Noor LeBrac and her younger brother, Jimmy Sarraf. And the more he delves into the lives of the family he helped put away, the more Bish realizes that they may have got it wrong all those years ago, and that truth wears many colours. Especially when it comes to the teenagers on board the recent bus bombing. Including his daughter. Tell the truth. Shame the devil. Bish can’t get Violette LeBrac’s words out of his head. But what he may get is some sort of peace with his own past as the worlds of those involved in two bombings, years apart, collide into the journey of his life.

Why We Love It: Melina took such a horrid subject matter, the racial and religious divide that exists all over, and she turned it into a story of hope.

The Way to Game the Walk of Shame by Jenn P. Nguyen || Published Jun 7th, 2016 by Macmillan || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Taylor Simmons is screwed. Things were hard enough when her single-minded dedication to her studies earned her the reputation of being an Ice Queen, but after getting drunk at a party and waking up next to bad boy surfer Evan McKinley, the entire school seems intent on tearing Taylor down with mockery and gossip. Desperate to salvage her reputation, Taylor persuades Evan to pretend they’re in a serious romantic relationship. After all, it’s better to be the girl who tames the wild surfer than just another notch on his surfboard.

Why We Love It:  A fun, flirty, low-angst read.

The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder|| Published Jun 7th, 2016 by Simon Pulse || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: In this ode to all the things we gain and lose and gain again, seventeen-year-old Penelope Marx curates her own mini-museum to deal with all the heartbreaks of love, friendship, and growing up. Welcome to the Museum of Heartbreak. Well, actually, to Penelope Marx’s personal museum. The one she creates after coming face to face with the devastating, lonely-making butt-kicking phenomenon known as heartbreak. Heartbreak comes in all forms: There’s Keats, the charmingly handsome new guy who couldn’t be more perfect for her. There’s possibly the worst person in the world, Cherisse, whose mission in life is to make Penelope miserable. There’s Penelope’s increasingly distant best friend Audrey. And then there’s Penelope’s other best friend, the equal-parts-infuriating-and-yet-somehow-amazing Eph, who has been all kinds of confusing lately. But sometimes the biggest heartbreak of all is learning to let go of that wondrous time before you ever knew things could be broken.

Why We Love It: Keats has a crooked grin, loves reading and said things like, “Which book chose you.”

The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz || Published Jun 28th, 2016 by Mira || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: It’s 1986, and what should have been the greatest summer of Nate Bradford’s life goes sour when his parents suddenly divorce. Now, instead of spending his senior year in his hometown of Austin, Texas, he’s living with his father in Warren, Wyoming, population 2,833 (and Nate thinks that might be a generous estimate). There’s no swimming pool, no tennis team, no mall—not even any MTV. The entire school’s smaller than his graduating class back home, and in a town where the top teen pastimes are sex and drugs, Nate just doesn’t fit in. Then Nate meets Cody Lawrence. Cody’s dirt-poor, from a broken family, and definitely lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Nate’s dad says Cody’s bad news. The other kids say he’s trash. But Nate knows Cody’s a good kid who’s been dealt a lousy hand. In fact, he’s beginning to think his feelings for Cody go beyond friendship. Admitting he might be gay is hard enough, but between small-town prejudices and the growing AIDS epidemic dominating the headlines, a town like Warren, Wyoming, is no place for two young men to fall in love.

Why We Love It:  Ms. Reisz is an excellent storyteller. Each tidbit of information is slowly revealed, leaving the reader thirsting for more.

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – Paranormal, Historical & Erotic
M/M Romance
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. Today we continue our foray into the romance genre! Take a look below for our 5 favorite M/M romance reads from this year with a few honorable mentions.

Trailer Trash by Marie Sexton || Published Mar 21st, 2016 by Riptide Publishing || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: It’s 1986, and what should have been the greatest summer of Nate Bradford’s life goes sour when his parents suddenly divorce. Now, instead of spending his senior year in his hometown of Austin, Texas, he’s living with his father in Warren, Wyoming, population 2,833 (and Nate thinks that might be a generous estimate). There’s no swimming pool, no tennis team, no mall—not even any MTV. The entire school’s smaller than his graduating class back home, and in a town where the top teen pastimes are sex and drugs, Nate just doesn’t fit in. Then Nate meets Cody Lawrence. Cody’s dirt-poor, from a broken family, and definitely lives on the wrong side of the tracks. Nate’s dad says Cody’s bad news. The other kids say he’s trash. But Nate knows Cody’s a good kid who’s been dealt a lousy hand. In fact, he’s beginning to think his feelings for Cody go beyond friendship. Admitting he might be gay is hard enough, but between small-town prejudices and the growing AIDS epidemic dominating the headlines, a town like Warren, Wyoming, is no place for two young men to fall in love.

Why We Love It:  It will leave you longing, hesitant because you don’t want to the story to end. If you choose to read it, my advice is to savor it. You’ll only get to read it for the first time once.

What Remains by Garrett Leigh || Published July 4th, 2016 by Riptide Publishing || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Web designer Jodi Peters is a solitary creature. Lunch twice a week with his ex-girlfriend-turned-BFF and the occasional messy venture to a dodgy gay bar is all the company he needs, right? Then one night he stumbles across newly divorced firefighter Rupert O’Neil. Rupert is lost and lonely, but just about the sweetest bloke Jodi has ever known. Add in the heady current between them, and Jodi can’t help falling hard in love. He offers Rupert a home within the walls of his cosy Tottenham flat—a sanctuary to nurture their own brand of family—and for four blissful years, life is never sweeter. Until a cruel twist of fate snatches it all away. A moment of distraction leaves Jodi fighting for a life he can’t remember and shatters Rupert’s heart. Jodi doesn’t know him—or want to. With little left of the man he adores, Rupert must cling to what remains of his shaky faith and pray that Jodi can learn to love him again.

Why We Love It: A beautiful story about love, loss, and finding your way back together again even when things feel hopeless.

Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet || Published Jul 8th, 2016 by Dreamspinner Press || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Life for Dexter J. Daley has never been easy, but he’s always found a way to pick himself back up with a smile on his face. Taken from his home, and the arms of his boyfriend and THIRDS partner, Sloane Brodie, Dex finds himself in a situation as mysterious and lethal as the Therian interrogating him. Dex learns what he’s secretly believed all along: his parents’ death wasn’t an accident. Discovering the whole truth about John and Gina Daley’s homicide sets off a series of events that will change Dex and Sloane’s lives forever. As buried secrets rise to the surface and new truths are revealed, Dex and Sloane’s love for each other is put to the test, with more than their relationship on the line. If traversing the waters of murder and secret government agencies wasn’t enough, something inexplicable has been happening to Dex—and nothing will ever be the same.

Why We Love It: A series that you can’t help but completely immerse yourself in, because it just keeps growing and growing.

Until September by Chris Scully || Published Feb 8th 2016 by Riptide Publishing || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: As a teenager, Archie Noblesse clawed his way out of the poverty, heartache, and abuse of the reservation and left his family behind. Desperate to shake the shadow of his past, he reinvents himself as Archer Noble, an outspoken blogger and controversial author who lives only for himself. But when his beloved sister dies, Archer is saddled with guardianship of his niece and nephew. Elementary school teacher Ryan Eriksson is devastated when his best friend Marguerite is killed, leaving her two young children orphaned. Helping Archer with his new responsibilities eases his grief, but when Archer offers him custody of the children, Ryan’s left with an impossible choice: get the family he’s always wanted, or respect Margie’s wishes and convince Archer to give parenting—and his heritage—a chance. To buy time, Ryan promises to stay for the summer, hoping that Archer will change his mind and fall for the kids. But Archer’s reluctant, and the growing attraction between him and Ryan complicates matters. Legal decisions must be made, and soon, before Ryan returns to school. But with hearts involved, more than just the children’s future is on the line.

Why We Love It: A slow build that really gives you a big payoff with its ending. The story is gritty and real so don’t be fooled by that cover.

Beta Test by Annabeth Albert || Published May 30th, 2016 by Carina Press  || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Brilliant graphic designer Ravi Tandel is ahead of the game—he’s just been asked to present a top secret project at a huge conference in Seattle. All systems are go…until he learns his buttoned-up office nemesis is coming along for the ride. Tristan Jones isn’t really the gamer type, but he knows the back end of the video game business inside out. Together, he and Ravi will give an awesome presentation. If they survive the cross-country trip first. Tossed together in close quarters, Ravi’s shocked to see Tristan’s sexy, softer side emerge from such a conservative shell. He’s less shocked to learn his handsome colleague’s prominent family would never support an out-and-proud son. But Ravi didn’t struggle through his own coming out to hide who he is now. To be together, Tristan will have to push past his fear and ultimately decide: Does he want a future with Ravi? Or is it game over before they’ve even begun?

Why We Love It: Story with a slow build where the characters still have a little way to go to find themselves.

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – Paranormal, Historical & Erotic
Mystery & Realistic Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. Today we continue our foray into the romance genre! Take a look below for our 5 favorite paranormal, historical and erotic romance reads from this year with a few honorable mentions.

Savage Urges by Suzanne Wright || Published May 3rd, 2016 by Montlake Romance || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: She’s a lone wolf with a cause. As a volunteer at a shelter for lone shifters—the same one that rescued her—Makenna Wray has dedicated her life to finding homes for its residents. And when she discovers that a teen in her care is related to Ryan Conner, the broody, handsome-as-sin enforcer of the Phoenix Pack, she’s eager to help connect the two. She just wasn’t prepared to feel a connection of her own. Lone wolves are loners for a reason—and most of them bad. Or so Ryan assumes until he meets the mysterious Makenna. Quirky and sensual, she seems to enjoy riling him, especially when she refuses to discuss her past. Although there is no mating bond, he’s sure she’s the one. All he has to do is be patient and wait. But when another pack’s sinister Alpha comes sniffing around, threatening Makenna and her shelter, this enforcer is ready to let his wolf off the leash…

Why We Love It: Wonderful heroine who’s an advocate for the underdog.

A Season of Ruin by Anna Bradley || Published Aug 2nd 2016 by Berkley || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Lily Somerset’s plan for the London season is simple: courtship, marriage to a respectable gentleman, then the comfortable existence of a proper Lady. That is, until one tiny misstep leaves Lily on the edge of social ruin, forcing her to depend on a wicked rogue to save her reputation. Robyn Sutherland doesn’t save reputations—he sullies them. He’d rather be drawn and quartered than find himself spending the season as Lily’s escort. But he has no choice but to stay until her tattered standing is mended. What begins as a ruse to deceive London soon flames into an uncontrollable passion. Robyn calls to the wild spirit that lurks beneath Lily’s prim exterior, and Lily awakens the hero’s heart within Robyn. But can these unlikely lovers trust themselves enough to let desire overrule reason?

Why We Love It: Both main characters are funny without meaning to be, and anytime they’re together, it made for a wonderful scene. And the author didn’t change who the hero was; it’s just now he’s that man for an audience of one.

Storm and Silence by Robert Thier || Published Mar 19th 2016 by Robert Thier || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Freedom – that is what Lilly Linton wants most in life. Not marriage, not a brood of squalling brats, and certainly not love, thank you very much! But freedom is a rare commodity in 19th-century London, where girls are expected to spend their lives sitting at home, fully occupied with looking pretty. Lilly is at her wits’ end – until a chance encounter with a dark, dangerous and powerful stranger changes her life forever…Enter the world of Mr Rikkard Ambrose, where the only rule is: Knowledge is power is time is money!

Why We Love It: Witty and imaginative, clever story that created the perfect atmosphere for those brilliant characters to shine.

In the Eye of the Storm by Robert Thier || Published 2016 by Robert Thier || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: In the desert, an instant turns life into death and hate into love. In the desert, everything is different. Boundaries break down, and you find yourself doing things that you would never, ever have imagined. Lilly Linton finds this out the hard way: in the shadow of the pyramids, she and her boss, cold, calculating Mr Ambrose, must face death and danger together. Is the desert’s heat enough to melt the cold heart of Britain’s richest financier?

Why We Love It: Anticipate lots and lots of laughter, particularly because everything that happens, or is said, is so completely unpredictable!  Adrenaline is high, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, exhilarated and breathless.

Addicted by Elle Kennedy || Published Jun 28th 2016 by Signet || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Lennox used to live in a paradise on earth with his best friend Jamie, in a place where visitors came and went, allowing their desires to run free. But everything changes when a deadly attack forces them to take up with Connor Mackenzie’s band of Outlaws. Lennox knows Jamie is hung up on someone else, but he’s always believed he’s the man for her—and won’t let her go without a fight. Even though Jamie is well aware that Lennox is one hot specimen of a man, she refuses to let sex ruin the most important relationship in her life. But when the object of her interest spurns her, she indulges in a little pleasure-filled revenge with her very magnetic, very willing best friend. One thrilling night with Lennox is enough to awaken Jamie’s unexpected desires for him. And now that she’s had a taste, she’s not sure she can ever give him up…

Why We Love It: Raw and gritty with a strong female lead.

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – M/M
Mystery & Realistic Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. Take a look below for our 5 favorite Contemporary Romance reads from this year with a few honorable mentions.

Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton || Published Jul 12th, 2016 by Gallery Books || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is…cheese. Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can. Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be…love?

Why We Love It: Alice Clayton writes women that you would look up to, women to emulate.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne || Published Aug 9th 2016 by William Morrow || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual. Trapped in a shared office together 40 (ok, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything – especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking. If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth-shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong. Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

Why We Love It: The “enemy to lovers” trope, the funny situations, the heroine’s quirks, the great romance but at the top is the hero’s characterization.

Reaper’s Fire by Joanna Wylde || Published Aug 9th 2016 by Berkley || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: I’ve lived by those words my whole life—assumed I’d die by them, too, and I never had a problem with that. My Reaper brothers took my back and I took theirs and it was enough. Then I met her. Tinker Garrett. She’s beautiful, she’s loyal, and she works so damned hard it scares me sometimes . . . She deserves a good man—one better than me. I can’t take her yet because the club still needs me. There’s another woman, another job, another fight just ahead. Now she’ll learn I’ve been lying to her all along. None of it’s real. Not my name, not my job, not even the clothes I wear. She thinks I’m nice. She pretends we’re just friends, that I’ve still got a soul . . . Mine’s been dead for years. Now I’m on fire for this woman, and a man can only burn for so long before he destroys everything around him. I’m coming for you, Tinker. Soon.

Why We Love It: When you pick up a Reaper’s MC book, you’re guaranteed one hell of a ride. There were some heavy duty, scary things happening in this book, but the author manages to write in a way where it feels authentic to the lifestyle and the plot.

Well Hung by Lauren Blakely || Published Sep 12th 2016 by Lauren Blakely Books || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Here’s what you need to know about me – I’m well-off, well-hung, and quick with a joke. Women like a guy who makes them laugh – and I don’t mean at the size of his you-know-what. No, they want their funny with a side of huge, not to mention loyal. I’ve got all that plus a big bank account, thanks to my booming construction business. Yup. I know how to use all my tools. Enter Natalie. Hot, sexy, smart, and my new assistant. Which makes her totally off limits…Hey, I’m a good guy. Really. I do my best to stay far away from the kind of temptation she brings to work. Until one night in Vegas…Yeah, you’ve heard this one before. Bad news on the business front, drowning our sorrows in a few too many Harvey Wallbangers, and then I’m banging her. In my hotel room. In her hotel room. Behind the Titanic slot machine at the Flamingo (don’t ask). And before I can make her say “Oh God, right there, YES!” one more time, we’re both saying yes – the big yes – at a roadside chapel in front of a guy in press-on sideburns and a shiny gold leisure suit. But it turns out what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. And now my dick doesn’t stay in my pants when she’s around. But the more we try to keep our hands to ourselves, the more we end up naked again, and the more time I want to spend with her fully clothed, too. The question is…do I take this woman to be my ex-wife?

Why We Love It: Lauren Blakely’s best book to date. It was sexy, it was funny, it was romantic with a conflict that made sense for the hero.

Roman Crazy by Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci || Published Sep 13th 2016 by Gallery Books || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi. Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

Why We Love It: A wonderful escape from the drudgery of real life. It’s hot and steamy, sexy, and laugh out loud funny. A perfect vacation read.

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Urban Fantasy
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Historical, PNR & Erotic Romance
Romance – M/M
Mystery & Realistic Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. Take a look below for our 5 favorite Sci-Fi Fantasy reads from this year with a few honorable mentions.

Morning Star by Pierce Brown|| Published Feb 9th, 2016 by Del Rey || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within. Finally, the time has come. But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied – and too glorious to surrender.

Why We Love It: Incredible and detailed the series. A story full of hope, revolution, love, and betrayal.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater || Published Apr 26th 2016 by Scholastic Press || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love’s death. She doesn’t believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Why We Love It:  This series is particularly emotive.  It was so full of feeling and depth that even in the casual scenes you find yourself reading with the whisper of a lump in your throat, with shallow breath.  It’s like you’re afraid to spook the story, because at any point these beloved characters, that are so unique, will disappear.  At any point we could lose one of them, or this entire beautiful world will unravel.  It’s just so magical, every word, and its magic is fragile. 

Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat || Published Fed 2nd 2016 by Berkley || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Damen’s identity has been revealed, and now he must face his master, Prince Laurent, as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill. The struggle that ensues takes them deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of two kingdoms hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilizing for war. Damen’s only hope is in an alliance with Laurent, against their usurpers. But even if the fragile trust that they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity—can it stand against the Regent’s final, deadly play for the throne?

Why We Love It: Far exceeded our expectations. Meticulously plotted and the characterization throughout all three books has never wavered. Every aspect of the story was absolutely flawless.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman || Published Nov 22nd 2016 by Simon & Schuster || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Thou shalt kill. A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Why We Love It: This is a story that makes you question and think. 

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine|| Published Jan 5th 2016 by Margaret K. McElderry Books|| 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule. But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found. Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Why We Love It: A compelling story with a dynamic and inspiring main character, set in a fascinating, magical world.

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Other Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Urban Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – Historical, PNR & Erotic Romance
Romance – M/M
Mystery & Realistic Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Badass Best of 2016. We’re kicking off this year’s posts with one of our favorite genres, Urban Fantasy! Take a look below for our 5 favorite UFs from this year with a few honorable mentions.

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews || Published Sep 20th 2016 by Ace || 5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar. Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead. The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules.

Why We Love It: How could a book that’s #9 in the series be so damn.freaking.good! Magic Binds was worth the wait. There’s just something about getting lost in this world that’s irresistible, and it’s not just the thought of Curran bursting out of his sweats. It was fast paced, with a super strong plot, lots of action and great humor (even with all the blood!) An amazing precursor to the series finale.

The Sight by Chloe Neill || Published Aug 16th 2016 by NAL || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire’s secret is discovered she’ll be locked into the walled district of Devil’s Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city. Bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire’s secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil’s Isle’s towering walls—to defeat the occult threat before magic corrupts them both…

Why We Love It: Level headed heroine, very interesting magic system, great one-liners and intense circumstances which the author manages to keep light with witty dialogue and banter.

Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn || Published Jul 5th 2016 by DAW || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: Evie Tanaka is the put-upon personal assistant to Aveda Jupiter, her childhood best friend and San Francisco’s most beloved superheroine. She’s great at her job—blending into the background, handling her boss’s epic diva tantrums, and getting demon blood out of leather pants. Unfortunately, she’s not nearly as together when it comes to running her own life, standing up for herself, or raising her tempestuous teenage sister, Bea. But everything changes when Evie’s forced to pose as her glamorous boss for one night, and her darkest comes out: she has powers, too. Now it’s up to her to contend with murderous cupcakes, nosy gossip bloggers, and supernatural karaoke battles—all while juggling unexpected romance and Aveda’s increasingly outrageous demands. And when a larger threat emerges, Evie must finally take charge and become a superheroine in her own right… or see her city fall to a full-on demonic invasion.

Why We Love It: Everyone, and everything, is so over the top that it’s hilarious. Very different from 90% of all other UF out there.

Borderline by Mishell Baker|| Published Mar 1st 2016 by Saga Press || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: A year ago, Millie lost her legs and her filmmaking career in a failed suicide attempt. Just when she’s sure the credits have rolled on her life story, she gets a second chance with the Arcadia Project: a secret organization that polices the traffic to and from a parallel reality filled with creatures straight out of myth and fairy tales. For her first assignment, Millie is tasked with tracking down a missing movie star who also happens to be a nobleman of the Seelie Court. To find him, she’ll have to smooth-talk Hollywood power players and uncover the surreal and sometimes terrifying truth behind the glamour of Tinseltown. But stronger forces than just her inner demons are sabotaging her progress, and if she fails to unravel the conspiracy behind the noble’s disappearance, not only will she be out on the streets, but the shattering of a centuries-old peace could spark an all-out war between worlds. No pressure.

Why We Love It: Different UF heroine from all the others out there, story has fae creatures galore and they were Christal’s favorite kind of fae (creepy and slightly crazy), secondary characters are all colorful and unique.

Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning || Published Jan 19th 2016 by Delacorte Press || 4.5 STARS || Review

Synopsis: When the immortal race of the Fae destroyed the ancient wall dividing the worlds of Man and Faery, the very fabric of the universe was damaged and now Earth is vanishing bit by bit. Only the long-lost Song of Making—a haunting, dangerous melody that is the source of all life itself—can save the planet. But those who seek the mythic Song—Mac, Barrons, Ryodan and Jada—must contend with old wounds and new enemies, passions that burn hot and hunger for vengeance that runs deep. The challenges are many: The Keltar at war with nine immortals who’ve secretly ruled Dublin for eons, Mac and Jada hunted by the masses, the Seelie queen nowhere to be found, and the most powerful Unseelie prince in all creation determined to rule both Fae and Man. Now the task of solving the ancient riddle of the Song of Making falls to a band of deadly warriors divided among—and within—themselves. Once a normal city possessing a touch of ancient magic, Dublin is now a treacherously magical city with only a touch of normal. And in those war-torn streets, Mac will come face to face with her most savage enemy yet: herself.

Why We Love It: Funny, fast paced and it even made Wendy cry!

Honorable Mentions (click cover for review)

Upcoming Badass Best of 2016 Lists
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Romance – Contemporary
Romance – Historical, PNR & Erotic Romance
Romance – M/M
Mystery & Realistic Fiction
Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Genre: Erotic Romance
Publication Date: December 13,2016
Publisher: Self-Published by author Kit Rocha
Source: E-arc from author

Ronnie’s Review

Okay, so the Beyond books are an erotic/dystopian series that takes place over the course of 9 interlinking books. Beyond Surrender is the final book in this particular series, although there are a set of spin-off books coming up in the next year. Throughout the years, the stories have featured couples, a menage, a foursome, and the sexuality is fluid.. so if polyamorous relationships or bisexuality is not your thing, well… these may not be the books for you.

I will strongly emphasize that these books highlight solid female friendships and do not tolerate slut shaming in any form. I cannot praise these books enough for their encouragement of a female’s sexuality and her exploration. If you haven’t tried one, you can find the first book, Beyond Shame at various vendors for free either here or here… and there’s more. I just linked BN & Amazon because I’m a lazy cuss   Since I’m referencing earlier books, Beyond Pain is my favorite out of the entire set. (I reviewed that one, on a blog that no longer exists =\)

So there just no is jumping in without having read earlier books, sorry about that. There is a huge cast of characters, and you won’t possibly be able to follow along and understand the backstory without having read the stories before. I think their writing has become more streamlined and tighter since book 1, but that’s just my opinion as a long term reader and blogger. I also won’t be the spoiler-y jackass who tells you who specifically dies, but people do. These books revolve around war and revolution and no one gets off scot free.  I think my biggest criticism involves the ramping up of the war part of these books and that takes the focus from the romance and characterizations of the people involved. It happens in previous books and I know I’ve mentioned it before, so it’s not a new thing. It has progressed the further along the series goes, so I actually think the earlier books are more romantic and don’t have so much ” other” (Other meaning war & strife etc) in them that the later books do.

That being said, Nessa and Ryder are in my top 3 of the couples here.. and while I’ve mostly been a fan of these books for the females, Ryder was my favorite character in this book. Taciturn and wily, he mostly keeps to himself.. but he also has a habit of looking out for others, whether they want it or not.  He doesn’t give a damn about the Sector 4 leader Dallas, and I think that’s one of the most appealing things about him to our heroine. Practically raised in that sector, she’s protected and well, cosseted as much as she can be, with the way things are. The book switches viewpoints, which I can appreciate, but it also takes away from the story, by switching to various characters. Having been a longterm reader, I understand this, but it’s also slightly frustrating. It doesn’t help build the romance, and if you favor a particular character who hasn’t gotten a book yet, well, it’s just a peculiar form of torture. SORRY. It’s always interesting to see where certain characters will lead, and since there’s to be a spin-off, it’s certainly not good bye, and for that, I’m pretty grateful. I’m not looking to let go just yet.

Rating: = B+

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

A Sure Thing by Marie Harte
Series: The Donnigans #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2016
ARC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley

D.G.’s Rating: 3 stars = B-

A Sure Thing was just…OK. Although I really liked the cocky hero and his family, the heroine left me cold with all her psychobabble. In general, I don’t have objections to main characters from particular professions but I think “therapist MC” will become a no-no for me.

Ava is in her 30s so according to her 5-year life plan or whatever, she should be getting married. She starts dating and has a very particular set of characteristics of the man she’s looking for, including size. You see, the guy has to be only slightly taller than her and no more (**rolls eyes**). She meets Landon at the gym and him being a very tall ex-Marine with muscles up to his eyebrows, he’s an obvious no even though they have a serious chemistry. Landon “steamroller” Donnigan doesn’t take no for an answer and soon enough they’re dating.

That’s her only objection to the relationship. “You’re too big and muscly!” Could you believe this woman? You would think that a therapist who loves to psychoanalyze everybody would understand that looks is not the most important thing in a person – I mean, would she advise a client not to date somebody who they really like because they don’t conform to the looks they thought they wanted?

The best part of the story was Landon and his family. They were so real! In romance, we tend to get extremes with regards to family: the horrible family or the perfect family. This was neither! Yes, they are very close but each of the parents get along better with some of their kids than others, there were pranks, trash-talking and best of all, the type A-hero is actually a mirror image of his mother! When was the last time you read that in romance?

Even though I wasn’t crazy about the romance here, I liked the family dynamics so much that I’ll give the next book in the series a chance.

Rating:

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Welcome to our monthly feature where we take a look at 20 of the new releases coming out this month. The release dates are on a best known basis so please check with your favorite store to ensure availability. Now, on to the books!

---

Expected publication: December 6 2016

Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2) by J.R. Ward
Trophy Wife by Noelle Adams {OUR REVIEW}
Island of Glass (The Guardians Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts
Winter Halo (Outcast #2) by Keri Arthur
Rules of Contact (Play by Play #12) by Jaci Burton

---

Expected publication: December 13 2016

Beyond Surrender (Beyond #9) by Kit Rocha
Moonshadow (Moonshadow #1) by Thea Harrison
Crystal Storm (Falling Kingdoms #5) by Morgan Rhodes
Broken Angel (Bad Things #4) by Cynthia Eden
Force of Temptation (The Mercury Pack #2) by Suzanne Wright

---

Expected publication: December 15-20 2016

The Burning Page (The Invisible Library #3) by Genevieve Cogman
One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles #3) by Ilona Andrews
Completely Yours (Opposites Attract #1) by Erin Nicholas
Absolute Trust (True Heroes #3) by Piper J. Drake
The Trouble with Dukes (Windham Brides #1) by Grace Burrowes

---

Expected publication: December 27 2016

The Edge of the Blade (The Uncharted Realms #2) by Jeffe Kennedy
The Fixer (Games People Play #1) by HelenKay Dimon
Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1) by Erin Summerill
Lady Claire Is All That (Keeping Up with the Cavendishes #3) by Maya Rodale
Kill Without Shame (ARES Security #2) by Alexandra Ivy

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Isn’t there no better feeling than finding a book that’s like magic in your hands.  A story that, from page one, sucks you in and holds you hostage.  One that when you get to the end and you can feel your heart squeezing, and your soul aching, and you just clutch the book to your chest because you know that physically putting it down would be like ripping off the toughest of band-aids.

I’ve felt that way about only a handful of books and the sad fact is that, despite rereads, I’ll never get that initial feeling again.  There is literally nothing like reading an epic story for the first time.  Nothing.

I want that feeling again.

This time I’ve decided not to wait for an epic romantic read to just fall in my lap.  I’m going to be proactive.  I’m on the hunt, tracking, and capturing as many of these elusive novels as I can.

The search continues.

Mission: Find Epic Romance | Book: The Mating of Michael

Series: Sex in Seattle
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 30th, 2014 (Dreamspinner Press)

I’ll tell you, there were two reasons I picked up this book.  The first was because a Goodreads friend wrote a glowing review about it.  The second reason is because of of the main characters is in a wheelchair.

I love reading stories that smash the ‘romance’ box.  I love the books that give us the unconventional.  The Mating of Michael did exactly that.  James had a rough history.  He was understandably cynical and distrusting.  He’d been hurt terribly.  I never faulted him for keeping Michael at bay.  Michael never faulted him for it either.  Michael was generous and sweet, loving.  The author set out to write a story about a completely selfless person and it was a success.  Michael was an angel, and it didn’t make me hate him.

The chemistry between Michael and James was strong, and the sex scenes were soooo steamy.  There was just one little area of the book that I struggled with.  Michael is a sex surrogate, meaning he’s a therapist that helps patients overcome emotional issues through actual intimacy.  Prior to reading this I’d never heard of sex surrogacy, and I’m glad that this was my introduction because it was handled with class.  Unfortunately, sometimes I thought Michael was a little too ‘sex therapist’ with James.  I probably shouldn’t even mention it, because how can you turn off your education?  You can’t.  I just thought it was worth mentioning.

Last thought, I wish that I could read Lamb’s whole book.

Final Analysis: There was a lot of good here.  Sadly, that 'something special' just wasn't there.
Rating: B

Mission: Find Epic Romance| Book: Tell Me It’s Real

Series: At First Sight
Genre: M/M Romantic Comedy
Publication Date: February 15th, 2013 (Dreamspinner Press)

The first thing you should know about a TJ Klune novel is that once you start it, that’s it.  Your life is over.  From page one the only thing you’ll be doing with your life is reading.  I was victim of the same phenomenon when I read How To Be A Normal Person, and even though I didn’t think Tell Me It’s Real was quite as good as the former, I still found myself sucked into the vacuum of Klune’s writing.

Specifically, there is something about the way he writes the characters that make them both completely over the top, but also realistic and personable.  They’re the kind of people that you feel like don’t really exist, but at the same time you really want to believe they do so that you can be best friends.  (And, maybe they do, there’s a good chance that TJ is, and is surrounded by, the coolest people!)  And the side characters are always killer!  I loved Paul’s family, and his dog, so much.  Getting more of this group of characters is why I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the At First Sight series.  I want to read about Darren and Sanda/Helena fiercely!

So much about Tell Me It’s Real was amazing.  It’s true that I didn’t laugh quite as hard in this one as I did How To Be A Normal Person, but the thing is that still puts my laughter level well beyond 95% of any other books I’ve read.

Officially, TJ Klune is now one of my favorite authors!

Final Analysis: Great story!  Really funny, great characters!  ...Just not my favorite Klune.
Rating: A

Mission: Find Epic Romance | Book: Split

Series: Nick & Derek
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Publication Date: April 9th, 2011 (Bold Strokes Books)

This was on my to read for a while.  I love how the story was told both in the present and in the past.  In a way, the relationship here reminded me a bit of Bear and Otter (TJ Klune).  It was the story of loving your best friends older brother.  Except where Otter was ‘good’, Nick was ‘trouble’.

The romance actually worked pretty well in Split, I thought.  I loved the divide in the times, from present to past.  You could tell that the decades just weren’t the same, the atmosphere and slang was different.  I thought Mel Bossa really wrote that well.  I also loved how Nick was with Derek.  I loved how he was a bit of an asshole, but he was kind to Derek.  I especially loved the concept of Red and Blue, and how Derek’s favorite color was purple.  I know it seems like such a little thing, but in a book it’s the little things that really resonate.

I don’t really have any obvious complaints.  I don’t even think it’ll be forgettable.  I think I can’t rate this higher simply because I read the synopsis of the following books and honestly, it just twisted my overall feelings.

So, fair or not, this only gets 4 stars.

Final Analysis: Great start to the series, which unfortunately plummets in the next book.
Rating: B

After a lot of deep thought, I’ve decided to do away with marking books as ‘fails’.  It killed me, when so many of them were pretty outstanding.  Instead, I’ll leave the Final Analysis, and if I find that truly Epic Read, I’ll make sure you all know it.  Please, remember, I’m not hunting down good books, I’m hunting the very best of the best.  The books that shelve themselves in my soul.

Now here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it:  Send me recommendations!  I’ll do my best to choose some and read them, include them in my journey.  M/M, M/F, F/F, anything is a go.  Nothing is off the table.

Can you find my next Epic Romance?

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Hooked by Brenda Rothert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: Dec 6, 2016
ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via Netgalley

D.G.’s Rating: 2.5 stars = C

The best thing about Hooked is the cover.

The premise was great but it just fizzled. The pacing was off, the characterization was weak, love scenes were meh and both conflicts were undeveloped and solved WAY to easily. There wasn’t anything exciting about this book with the exception of Jake, who was as hot as they come. But a hot hero does not a romance make.

Miranda works two jobs because she’s trying to put herself to college. One of those jobs is working as a maid in a swanky hotel where Jake, famous NHL player, is staying while his apartment is being remodeled. Once he sees Miranda, he immediately buys some condoms because he knows that she’ll be in his bed sooner rather than later.

They start dating soon enough but it takes months for those condoms to get some use and not because of her. The same guy who saw her and immediately thought “condoms” decides to wait for sex for a really cockamamie reason. I wouldn’t have objected if the reason made sense but it KILLED the tension between them. They pretty much become committed by the middle of the book, so there’s really no excitement left. The issue of the “girlfriend” came up at the end and was solved so easily, that you wonder why Jake made such an issue of it.

I really liked both characters, but felt the author didn’t delve deep enough. Miranda works very hard and is wary of men because of as past relationship. We don’t know why she started college until she was in her mid-20s and what was her life before she moved to Chicago. Jake for his part, hasn’t talked to his family in 4 years and although I wanted to understand him, his reason was very selfish. I know grief is different for each person but in a situation like this, I would have expected a grown man to think of his parents first.

The issue with his parents was also solved very quickly, without recriminations or guilt. I was hoping his father would punch him in the face at least but no luck.

Overall, not terrible but there are lots of better books out there.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Ruled by Elle Kennedy
Book #3 in Outlaws
Genre: Erotic Dystopian
Publication Date: November 1st, 2016
ARC provided by Berkley

Angie’s Review – 2 Stars – D

I’ve been with the Outlaws series since the beginning, and I have been a huge supporter of it. Claimed was one of my Top Reads of 2015, and Addicted is definitely a contender for my 2016 list. I love the idea of ‘outlaws’ in a dystopian world, and the sex scenes have been amazing. Sadly, this installment did not measure up to the first two.

Reese and Rylan’s story has been built up from the beginning, and I had high hopes for them. I love Rylan’s scenes with Connor and Hudson, so I’d expected Rylan and Reese would be hot together. And to be honest, with the addition of Sloan, I was sure they’d be even steamier. Elle Kennedy is, after all, half the duo who brought us one of my favorite M/M stories of all time, HIM. I was very surprised at how awkward and un-sex the sex was. There were moments for me that were cringe-worthy, and the addition of Sloan being bossy about what Rylan could and couldn’t do when he didn’t have an sexual history (or present, for that matter) with Reese was just creepy. And Reese was portrayed to be level-headed, a quick thinker, and an all around badass in earlier books. I didn’t see a hint of that Reese here. This Reese was confused about everything going on around her and making snap decisions that put her people in danger. It just didn’t jive with what I’d already read. When you add all that to the fact that the ending was way too easy and anti-climactic, this book was a bust for me. If you haven’t read this series yet, start at the beginning with Claimed. It was a solid installment and I highly recommend it. Don’t start with this one, or I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.

Having said all that, I am desperately hoping this is not the end of the Outlaws. There are so many more stories that could be told, and I would love to read them!

Rating:

Series Reading Order:
1. Claimed
2. Addicted
3. Ruled

Thank you to BERKLEY for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: November 14, 2016
Publisher: Plain Jane Books
Source: Reviewer Purchase

Ronnie’s Review

I’ve maybe read 3 books post November 8th, and Kristen Callihan’s Managed is one of them. Again, this book wasn’t on the schedule, but I bought it and was immediately drawn in. (Sorry review book, you’ll get your turn. ) Anyways, I was taken out of my negative head space and bought into the world of rockstars and their minions. Honestly, I’m not that big of a rock star fan, it’s not a trope or story that I particularly like or am drawn to… and Managed actually focuses on the band’s manager, Gabriel Scott, aka Scottie, and their newest hire, photographer turned social media expert, Sophie Darling.

Callihan excels at banter, but I had a little trouble with the beginning of the book. Sophie is upgraded to first class with her flight to her interview and it’s there she encounters Gabriel Scott. “Scottie” as nicknamed by his friends, is cold, standoffish and hot. Sophie is not put off by how chilly Scottie’s demeanor is, and succeeds in making him relax a little during the flight, but the reader can see how ill at ease he is with the flight, and Sophie “forcing” herself to cuddle up to him during the flight to calm him down didn’t sit very well with me. I’m not generally a fan of anyone forcing their attentions on anyone, even if to distract them and take their mind off whatever is making them panic. Had this been reversed, someone would call this assault and not think twice. Just because it’s a female doing this to a reserved guy, I still felt uncomfortable at where this lead, despite the fun dialogue and interaction between the two main characters.

That being said, I’ve liked Callihan’s books in the past, so I was willing to go on faith that I would enjoy the book after the beginning and I mostly did. There is some conflict that happens within the beginning chapters, and it’s addressed right up front, so there’s no big misunderstanding at the end. Well, that’s a bit of a stretch. Some of it does come up again… but on the whole, it didn’t kill the book.

A cold, reserved hero is kind of my jam, and Gabriel fits the mold perfectly. He has his reasons, but he’s not without humor and can laugh at himself when the situation calls for it. Mostly. Sophie is a great heroine, willing to laugh at herself, admit her mistakes and move forward with her life as best she can. She’s attracted to Gabriel, but feels awkward and doesn’t want to make him uncomfortable – so she settles for being his pal. And this works for a time, the friendship is built up, although you know the attraction underlays their working together.

The sequel bait is easily set up in these books, but I enjoy the band’s interactions with each other. There’s a deep fondness and affection for one another that comes through in the dialogue and actions of the members. Watching them hassle Scottie about his feelings for Sophie were one of the highlights of the books, and giving each other grief over past actions is something that friends and coworkers often do.

Sophie and Gabriel experience intimacy but don’t actually become intimate with each other until well past halfway into the book. I liked this, I thought it built up the romance and it made more sense, given that they work together and were loathe to start something that wouldn’t end well. She’s much more courageous than he is, and he’s drawn to her for many reasons. Her attraction to him didn’t make more sense until you got past his crusty exterior.  Despite my discomfort with the beginning, and the predictable, somewhat trite ending, I enjoyed this book immensely. It made me smile, and forget my surroundings for a few hours… and I desperately needed that.

Rating: = B

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Trophy Wife by Noelle Adams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 6, 2016
ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via Netgalley

D.G.’s Rating: 3.5 stars = B

I enjoyed Trophy Wife a lot more than I thought I would.

Neither the title nor the cover inspired much confidence that this would be up my alley but I like heroines who take charge of their lives and work for what they want. And that was Alison to a T. The description makes her sound brash but she’s really very brave. She divorces her husband, leaving the luxury she’s known all her life because she wants to find herself and stop being the kind of woman who depends on her husband for everything.

Thankfully, she’s not completely destitute. Her parents left her a house in a small town and when she moves there, she meets Mr. Helpful, a.k.a. Rob, her next door neighbor. He wants to carry her packages, help her fix the toilet, he wants to help, help, help. Understandably, Alison wants to do everything herself. After depending so much on her first husband, she doesn’t want to start depending on the first man she comes across but Rob is having none of it. At first she finds him annoying but then understands that he’s just being neighborly. Rob, of course, has other plans.

I’m really torn about Rob. When I read a romance, I feel I have to be attracted to the hero and I wasn’t in this case. Maybe it was the two divorces (yikes!) or how insecure he was at times. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really nice guy, hard worker, loves his parents, good in bed, in good shape but I felt the author didn’t do a good enough job wowing me with him. At the same time, both of his marriages contributed greatly to his baggage and made the conflict more nuanced. His previous wives had used him and humiliated him and he was very self-conscious about what people would think. He definitely didn’t want to be the town’s laughingstock/object of pity again, which contributed to a lot to his issues with Alison.

Alison for her part, recognizes that she has a tendency to defer to strong men even when she disagrees. I got the impression she believed the issues in her marriage were all her husband’s fault but when she starts behaving in the same way with Rob, she realizes that part of the problem is her. If she wants to have a different type of relationship, she has to start changing herself. What a revelation! You rarely see main characters in romance acknowledging that they shoulder some of the blame when a past relationship doesn’t work.

I also liked how everything wasn’t perfectly solved at the end. She had to get a crappy job to make ends meet and still had it by the end of the book. She didn’t end up madly in love with the small town and vowing to live there forever. But she was working towards the future she wanted and Rob was willing to make changes in order to make it happen.

The book has its weaknesses. The writing was stilted and the author mentioned the phrase “trophy wife” like a million times. It also took until around half the book for the story to get going.

Overall though, the characterization was really good and the conflict was well thought out. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Rating:

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopia
Publication Date: November 22nd, 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Wendy’s Review

I love Neal Shusterman.  I mean, honestly.  I wish I could poke around in his brain in an attempt to figure out how he comes up with these things.  I remember reading something once about how Stephen King is amazing because he just has all these bizarre stories marinating in his head, just waiting to be plucked out and put on paper.  It’s true of King, it’s also very true of Neal Shusterman.  He just has this way of taking real world topics and approaching them in such new and thought provoking ways.  In Unwind he took a controversial subject like abortion/adoption and turned it around in his hands and looked at it from all angles.  Walking away from that read, I still can’t figure out where he stands on the topic, and it didn’t even really matter.  He just wanted to dissect it.

Neal Shusterman did the exact same thing with Scythe, except this time it was a dissection of the increasing, and problematic, population of humans on the planet.  He asks the question, what would happen if we cured illness and death, and we all lived forever?  I mean, ultimately it is what we’re shooting for even if we don’t say it.  Aren’t we so afraid of illness and death that we find all the ways we can to extend life for as long as possible?  And if we succeed in curing all illness and avoiding death, how do we keep the population down now?  Well, we glean, that’s how.  And I’m pretty sure that’s how Scythe was born.

I wish I had his brain.

Writing a book like this raises all kinds of questions.  If we can live forever, what makes a Gleaned death permanent?  And how about Scythe’s who aren’t born with natural ethics and compassion?  Or my favorite, if you could live for 1000 years how much of life becomes mundane?  What do you live for?

Never fear, because in his subtle way Neal Shusterman talks about all of this.  His characters trail through all these deeper thoughts as they navigate this world.

Speaking of the characters, don’t look for anything conventional.  This isn’t a typical love story, because the romance isn’t even a side story.  It’s a footnote.  But, that’s what works.  There is so much more going on, things that are more important than love.  Still, I adored Citra and Rowan together, and I loved them just as much apart.  (Surprise surprise, I loved Rowan in particular.  Especially near the end.)

Lastly, I loved both Honorable Scythe Faraday and Honorable Scythe Curie.  I think Faraday hit me more in my feels, because I could sense his goodness.  His compassion.  It was Curie’s thoughts at the end of each chapter that really resonated.  Those were the spots that made you pause and think.

I love stories that make me question and think.  That’s why I love stories by Neal Shusterman.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  = A-

© 2016, Badass Book Reviews. All rights reserved.