melstylensubstance's reviews
490 reviews

I was hoping for something darker. Not sure I will continue the series. When I saw 3 POV I thought maybe it would be MMF but then I realize the 2 dudes are cousins. Why give a POV to the villain? Very weird.

It was only ok. Wasn’t dark enough. If I’m gonna read about mafia hogwarts I want it to be dark and twisted. I liked the connection with “the spy” and nix. And I pretty much called who the spy was only from book one. But- I didnt care so much for the descriptors of the gun fights etc. I guess I like angst more than action.

This novella moves along nicely. I could feel the heat sizzles between them. But - I’m just so tired of the telling lies by omission and jumping to conclusions. I have little patience for this nonsense in any book, and so I was frustrated in the last quarter of this one. Why spend effort in this with only such a short word count? Give me more of the romance part!

Awwww! A road trip trope with some mild kidnapping. Lots of misadventures. But it felt so organic with Winn and Asher. Like I can’t pinpoint when things changed for them, but it did. And it was so seamless. And the ending was sewn up so nicely and I didn’t see it coming. And as always, refreshing to see a “plump” heroine. And pirates!!! And Asher’s dad may be the most vile of the vile fathers I’ve encountered in recent memory.

Awwwwww! It was slow to start, but it was the slow burn chance encounter friends to lovers low angst I didn’t even know I needed it my life!!!! Jane and Raven meet in a brothel - which is a whole thing. Jane is so sheltered and naive she is her own worst enemy. But as the story continues, she and raven develop a friendship of sorts and he can’t stay away from her. They like kissing, a lot. And it’s awfully convenient that her parents don’t seem to give af and she can roam around nights and have raven visit her nightly in their conservatory. This book has all the swoony lovey butterfly feelings.

Another slow start, but I was completely invested by the midpoint. Brandon has fallen for Ellie. He can read her like a book and has a plan. And he follows it. But stupid George is the dumbest and stupidest and most vain clueless clod ever and Ellie can’t see it. She feels like she owes him something - and news flash, you don’t honey. Brandon is doing EVERYTHING right. It takes her a while to realize it and he’s as patient af. Top tier book boyfriend material. I’m sure the book was 75% by time they got to the sexy bits and it was soooo good after having such a build up. Very similar in feel and pacing to the last book.

Another slow start This series has a lot of consistency in characters and pacing. Low angst, lots of good character work building to a believable connection. Though this one had a few less than believable plot points. Savage was a scoundrel who really wasn’t one. Prue was ruined without actually having been ruined. Again - these debutantes are so naïve. I did notice a few TV Bridgerton inspired moments. Prue’s laugh snort. And also the wedding in the early morning was weird. But I will read the next book in the series. Mostly because the aunts will be in it and really I want the aunts stories more than Meg’s.

Firstly - a heroine who is 40ish and a hero who is 50ish? LOVE IT. This is a second Chance romance. I enjoyed how this book is exceedingly feminist and inclusive while also seeming to be historically accurate. The plot devices seemed to be somewhat believable. I loved Rafe for how big he loved. And it was refreshing to see Cordelia as the one who couldn’t accept love - role reversal from most histroms.

I had higher expectations. The book spent too much time on POV from side characters in the beginning. I liked Jasper and I believed how his feelings built. I understood Tru and all of her thoughts and feelings - but it seemed to me somehow rather sudden when she gave in. In the end, I think I finished just so I could find out how they could be together.

I loved Owen and Fox. They did seem well matched. Loved that Fox called Owe. Dr Lavigne as a pet name. Overall the story was very simplistic and easy breezy. The “drama” that was inserted about Reggie and Aya seemed very contrived. This book was an easy read that was pleasant enough that I will forget as soon as I finish with this review.