melstylensubstance's reviews
490 reviews

God what is wrong with me? Why am I tearing up at romances?? Oh geez, I felt so much for both Silas and Molly. But they did get their HEA so I’m happy :)

Meh. To me Merlin and Nimue weren’t a story that needed more than a paragraph in American King. For a novella this felt too long even. The stuff in the past, both 1500 and 20 y ago held my interest a lot more than the current “captive” situation. I still don’t know why she kidnapped him? Unless the whole novella was a consentual non consent kink that I missed????

This was so charming! And hot in a cute way. I had belly swoops as Michael started making headway with her. I felt for Stella - her awkwardness and difficulty understanding social situations and peoples motivations. And Michael seemed to easygoing and perceptive and caring - just what she needed. But I am a bit perplexed on how he could be so understanding and forgiving with Stella but not realize his own flawed thinking. They really were well matched.

This was a fated mated rec for a road trip romance. The road trip didn’t last long. I thought Dragos just not understanding what was going on hilarious. I can’t say I was super in to this book though.

Where can I find a Julian? If I were to put on paper and ideal, Julian would be pretty damn close. A Stanford professor, his family owns a Napa vineyard. Not shy to say what he’s thinking and feeling. Sure, he’s got issues, but who doesn’t? I really enjoyed how he and Hallie got closer, it definitely seems authentic. They were mirror opposites of each other. Hallie was such a chaos agent. And I’ve got to give the girl props for getting herself in to the situation for frequent contact with Julian, her high school crush. I thought the secret admired letters were dumb - In that she was dumb to do this, but I guess it’s on brand for her. But it all came together to make sense as a plot device for the 3rd act misunderstanding, just not in the way I would have predicted.

This story was very well crafted at how it all tied together. There was quite a bit of plot to this book, and I thought it weird that the hero and heroine spend at least half the book apart. This book didn’t get very far I. To feelings angst or motivation. In fact, I found the most emotional scene to be the one with James and his dad. I read this book over a few days on vacation, and it was a perfect poolside read.

This book was so CHARMING! It was a fated mates recommendation from the novella episode. It is warm and romantic and making me feel all squishy inside. Reggie and Annabelle grow up in neighboring properties. Her father, an Earl, despises Reggie’s father, a wealthy coal merchant. How DARE a wealthy merchant purchase property adjacent an earl? Due to the earl’s disgust of working class, the families are in a de facto feud.

Yep - chase is a pretty swoony hot cop, complete with ovary exploding ease with children. Liv needed to get over herself - immature and the least self aware person ever. I totally expected that chase would lose his job since they made a deal about the HR manager and the no sex on the job presentation. But it never came back to bite him in the ass, which is surprising. Also - love that father Jordan makes a brief appearance as the priest marrying them and they have their honeymoon in Weston (ahem father bell)

Another bang on recommendation from fated mates and the small town romance episode. This was adorable, sexy, and swoony. The premise of Nico and Livvy as young sweethearts forced to part because of family drama. But every year on her birthday they meet in a different city, just for the night. No talking. Ten years goes by. Livvy returns to town, but one thing about small towns is that people have long memories, hold grudges and gossip. The story of not only them reconnecting and dealing with their personal issues, but how the remaining members of the feuding families react and respond to the old drama and new is very well done. I cared about them all.

I loved that the hero was an introvert. Loved the concept of it. But Sadia was a much stronger character than Jackson. Even if he was hot strong and silent. And I think there was just something missing for me about their attraction. I still don’t understand why Jackson was so in love with her when he was younger. Why she ended up with Paul. Also, because there was so much history and emotions tied in with that, it seemed to be a pretty slow burn. But I think one of the best things in this book was the relationship of all the sisters. I loved how it was portrayed.