melstylensubstance's reviews
490 reviews

Re read for Derek Craven day! I have to say I understood both Derek and Sara better on the re read. It’s been over a year since I first read it, and to be honest I couldn’t remember more than the scene at the assembly, meeting Jenner, that she went home, Derek dazed in the ashes and ruin, and of course the breast milk in the epilogue.

On the second read - I could better appreciate the tightness of the story, picked up on more symbolism and Derek’s soul. White rose petals?? How did I miss that, lol. I still don’t understand his obsession with her spectacles tho. I had forgotten how large a part Lily plays in it all and that crazy bitch Joyce.

I liked this one a lot better than the first one. The misunderstandings and avoidance of truth were much more real and high stakes. Though, why wouldn’t cat ask her Russian mobster boyfriend to take care of her ex husband as soon as she figured out he liked her? I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t take much to convince him to help her out.

Oooooo good twist!! Didn’t see it coming, but I was waiting for the shoe to drop. Dimitri has so much trauma. He is a man with a singular focus that’s for sure. Obsession would normally be very creepy, but for some reason it works for him?!

I kinda could see what was goi g to happen with the mystery of who was the abused and who was the father. Judy is just vile. Maybe the most vile villain I’ve read ever. So is Kurt, and I don’t think I’ve ever relished a brutal beating scene more. There were some editing issues, spelling, grammar, etc. and I think possibly a continuity error about letters to melody from her father. They seemed to come out of left field but I do t remember them being mentioned before? In any event, despite all that I enjoyed reading the book when I wasn’t too sure I would when I started it.

I was waiting for this! And it just wasn’t as good as I was expecting. It definitely had a softer feel than the first 3 books, neither Apollo didn’t have much edge at all. Cassandra had a bit of an edge. But I didn’t necessarily feel the heat between them. They admitted to their mutual pining without much angst or incident. What was nice was seeing that there was no use of a miscommunication trope, both were mature and aware. Which is refreshing for sure. So the drama mostly came from the house party storyline and trying to figure out the mystery of Minos. I think this book works mostly to set up the next books. I’m hoping the next one will be edited better. This book is traditionally published I believe, so why then are there typos and grammatical errors? And repetition. To the point all the internal thoughts became redundant and boring. So after all the wait for this book, I’m disappointed. I think this one will become forgettable in the series.

This was sooooooo good! It was mentioned on an episode of fated mates. Essentially that the conversation and banter between charlotte and Roman as they play chess all night after he wins a night with her from her father in a card game. The premise was all I needed to hear to get the book. And my word - it was soooo gooooddd. The writing style is unlike any I can think of right now. The seduction Roman plans, the patience. The clandestine affair. I found myself breathless and heart fluttering over it. I could feel the emotion. Roman, wanting to take care with her. Charlotte, wanting to be her own person, with her own choices. What was different in this book I felt is that charlotte didn’t discard what she was bred to do and the expectations placed on her by society and her family - as often happens for love. She was very pragmatic about the whole thing. She knew that even though she loved Roman, she would marry well like she was expected to, then continue on in an affair with Roman after her marriage. She was ok with the political marriage. She never asked it of Roman, and he never asked it if her. And because of this, they were both showing their love for each other. I. The end yes, they marry. But not because they are forced or because it’s expected or anything like that. She has happy to say no to trant and be a spinster with an affair.

Sierra Simone novella, age gap student prof after a ONS. Tale as old as time, but Sierra makes it sexy af. As expected. Oliver (professor) and Zandy (miss lynch). And the cat named Beatrix. A story is always improved when the hero has a cat.

As a woman of a certain age myself, the concept was so good. Cat and Jace were so hot. And I kinda liked that the issues and internal conflicts were cat’s. Baby boy Jace can do no wrong.

This is like a continuation of the world of ivy and Julian. I like Silas and Molly as a couple much more! I’m such a sucker for a friends to enemies to lovers with a marriage of convenience thrown in. Molly is a great heroine - smart, business minded, in control of her own decisions. Silas is just……swoon! Fun and flirty and aware. The short story preceding the main one is so sweet. It sets up the main story so well. The scene where Molly figures out how to exploit the infidelity clause in her marriage contract is wow. She’s so smart and the patriarchy is so dumb.

This is like a continuation of the world of ivy and Julian. I like Silas and Molly as a couple much more! I’m such a sucker for a friends to enemies to lovers with a marriage of convenience thrown in. Molly is a great heroine - smart, business minded, in control of her own decisions. Silas is just……swoon! Fun and flirty and aware. The short story preceding the main one is so sweet. It sets up the main story so well. The scene where Molly figures out how to exploit the infidelity clause in her marriage contract is wow. She’s so smart and the patriarchy is so dumb.