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avigail's reviews
1032 reviews
Dance Upon The Air by Nora Roberts
4.5
For some reason, I am in the mood for Nora Roberts's writing, and I like her romantic suspense novels. Magical realism is a genre I enjoy. Dance Upon the Air is a captivating read for fans of magical realism, romance, and stories of healing and self-discovery; who draws into the enchanting world of Three Sisters Island and the powerful journey of Nell Channing as she finds love, breaks free from her past, and uncovers the secrets of the island's ancient magic.
In Dance Upon the Air, Nell journeys to find herself and her courage. Ultimately, she finds love, friends, and people she can call family.
I want to give trigger warnings for domestic abuse and violence.
In Dance Upon the Air, Nell journeys to find herself and her courage. Ultimately, she finds love, friends, and people she can call family.
I want to give trigger warnings for domestic abuse and violence.
McKinnon's Bride by Sharon Harlow
4.5
It has been a long time since I read a closed-door historical romance. After reading some spicy books, reading McKinnon's Bride is a palette cleanser. Yes, a book first published in 2003, but the setting of 1880s Texas with cowboys, ranchers, and outlaws was a good choice.
Readers who adore slow-burning, emotional historical romances that explore the complexities of trust, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal deep wounds, with a strong focus on character development and a poignant portrayal of the human experience, would love this book. The McKinnon's Bride has romance, suspense, and wild, wild west.
Jessie is a strong woman who traveled alone with her children for a better life. Cade is a good man who knows how to deal with every situation he gets into. Brad & Ellie endured a lot at a young age, but they found a family in their new home with their mother's and the people's guidance. There are so many wonderful secondary characters that I need to read their story.
Readers who adore slow-burning, emotional historical romances that explore the complexities of trust, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal deep wounds, with a strong focus on character development and a poignant portrayal of the human experience, would love this book. The McKinnon's Bride has romance, suspense, and wild, wild west.
Jessie is a strong woman who traveled alone with her children for a better life. Cade is a good man who knows how to deal with every situation he gets into. Brad & Ellie endured a lot at a young age, but they found a family in their new home with their mother's and the people's guidance. There are so many wonderful secondary characters that I need to read their story.
The Obsession by Nora Roberts
5.0
Nora Roberts knows how to write suspense novels with a hint of romance.
The Obsession by Nora Roberts takes a different tone, with a slow-paced and tense atmosphere. In comparison, I appreciate books that tackle complex subjects.
Naomi and Xander are strong characters, and even though Xander knows Naomi's secret, he is a person who will give her a chance to open up and tell her story at her own pace and time.
I like that this prolific author decided not to put a third-act conflict. The Obsession is a page-turner; the truth is only before the last chapter. I found out who the villain of the story is.
For some reason, I am always impressed with Nora Roberts's male characters, and I fall in love with them. Xander can read Naomi and is there in good times, but most notably in tough times; even when she withdraws from her feelings, he knows how to push her buttons and sees a better way to allow people to love her for who she is.
Yes, Naomi had her brother, Mason, and her uncles, Seth and Harry, but in the small town, she decided to settle down; she found a family that accepted her for who she is, who her father is, and who her past is.
I have to pick up more of Nora Roberts's suspense novels.
The Obsession by Nora Roberts takes a different tone, with a slow-paced and tense atmosphere. In comparison, I appreciate books that tackle complex subjects.
Naomi and Xander are strong characters, and even though Xander knows Naomi's secret, he is a person who will give her a chance to open up and tell her story at her own pace and time.
I like that this prolific author decided not to put a third-act conflict. The Obsession is a page-turner; the truth is only before the last chapter. I found out who the villain of the story is.
For some reason, I am always impressed with Nora Roberts's male characters, and I fall in love with them. Xander can read Naomi and is there in good times, but most notably in tough times; even when she withdraws from her feelings, he knows how to push her buttons and sees a better way to allow people to love her for who she is.
Yes, Naomi had her brother, Mason, and her uncles, Seth and Harry, but in the small town, she decided to settle down; she found a family that accepted her for who she is, who her father is, and who her past is.
I have to pick up more of Nora Roberts's suspense novels.
Matched by Pippa Grant, Jamie Farrell
4.5
After reading the first installment of the Misfit Brides series I had to continue with Matched. The second novel of the Misfit Brides series is lighthearted, emotional, and romantic stories that blend the magic of small-town charm, the thrill of rockstar romance, and the sweet serenade of country music, all set against the backdrop of a wedding that will bring together two long-lost loves in a second chance at happily ever after.
Reading about a reverse grumpy-sunshine second-chance romance is fun. Lindsey, our FMC is the grumpy because she doesn't know how to deal with her powers while wearing happy emoji faces underwear and Will, our MMC is the sunshine even though he has his storms to deal with as well as how to break the walls of Lindsey's heart so they can both fly to their happy ending.
There is a little spoiler in the epilogue of this book. Still, at the same time, we know that the next installment, Smittened is Kimmie's relationship happy ending, and independence from her mother (hopefully).
Reading about a reverse grumpy-sunshine second-chance romance is fun. Lindsey, our FMC is the grumpy because she doesn't know how to deal with her powers while wearing happy emoji faces underwear and Will, our MMC is the sunshine even though he has his storms to deal with as well as how to break the walls of Lindsey's heart so they can both fly to their happy ending.
There is a little spoiler in the epilogue of this book. Still, at the same time, we know that the next installment, Smittened is Kimmie's relationship happy ending, and independence from her mother (hopefully).
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon
5.0
Xeni is a delightful, lighthearted romance that captivates me. Readers who adore stories about love, family drama, and self-discovery, particularly those who appreciate biracial and bisexual representation, are looking for a heartwarming tale of a marriage of convenience that blossoms into something more.
Xeni Everly-Wilkins has ten days to clean out her recently departed aunt’s massive colonial in Upstate New York. With the feud between her mom and her sisters still raging even in death, she knows this will be no easy task. Still, when she hears what she gets as an inheritance from her aunt, Xeni quickly discovers the decades-old drama between the former R&B singers is just the beginning.
The Secrets, lies, and a ton of cash spilled on her lawyer’s conference room table all come with terms and conditions. Xeni must marry before claiming the estate that will set her up for life, and her aunt has just the groom in mind—the ruggedly handsome and deliciously thick Scotsman who showed up at her aunt’s memorial with bagpipes.
When his dear friend and mentor Sable Everly passed away, Mason McInroy knew she would leave a sizable hole in his heart. He never imagined she’d leave him more than enough money to settle the debt, keeping him from returning home to Scotland. He also never imagined that Sable would use her dying breaths to play matchmaker, trapping Mason and her beautiful niece in a marriage scheme that comes with more complications than they need.
With no choice but to say I do, the unlikely pair try to make the best of a messy situation. Xeni & Mason had no plans to fall in love.
Xeni Everly-Wilkins has ten days to clean out her recently departed aunt’s massive colonial in Upstate New York. With the feud between her mom and her sisters still raging even in death, she knows this will be no easy task. Still, when she hears what she gets as an inheritance from her aunt, Xeni quickly discovers the decades-old drama between the former R&B singers is just the beginning.
The Secrets, lies, and a ton of cash spilled on her lawyer’s conference room table all come with terms and conditions. Xeni must marry before claiming the estate that will set her up for life, and her aunt has just the groom in mind—the ruggedly handsome and deliciously thick Scotsman who showed up at her aunt’s memorial with bagpipes.
When his dear friend and mentor Sable Everly passed away, Mason McInroy knew she would leave a sizable hole in his heart. He never imagined she’d leave him more than enough money to settle the debt, keeping him from returning home to Scotland. He also never imagined that Sable would use her dying breaths to play matchmaker, trapping Mason and her beautiful niece in a marriage scheme that comes with more complications than they need.
With no choice but to say I do, the unlikely pair try to make the best of a messy situation. Xeni & Mason had no plans to fall in love.
Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
4.0
Someday, Maybe is a poignant and powerful novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate emotional, reflective storytelling and are drawn to themes of family, grief, and the complexities of human relationships, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and those who enjoy exploring the complexities of the human experience. A witty debut novel about a young woman’s emotional journey through unimaginable loss, pulled along by her tight-knit Nigerian family, a posse of friends, and the love and laughter she shared with her husband.
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb
4.5
Once again, you see how strong the relationship between Eve & Roarke is. This time, in Judgment in Death, you get glimpses of Eve's dark childhood. The font family. This series is excellent to consume. It is an audiobook because the narrator uses the Irish accent exceptionally.
In the In Death series and this installment, you get a train ride with twists, turns, and sexy time.
In the In Death series and this installment, you get a train ride with twists, turns, and sexy time.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
For some reason, I didn't want to read Ali Hazelwood's contemporary-stem romance novels, but Bride looks like something I would like. My feelings are correct; I loved this book and the author's writing about why the world can't accept that humans, werewolves, and vampires can't have romantic relationships.
The plot is a refreshing idea of accepting the different species. Like in the real world, couples are interracial, so the fictional world of the Bride can't have interspecies relationships. This novel appears to weave together themes of romance, omega verse, werewolves, and mystery, which align with your interests. With its promise of a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf,
I like the slow burn between Misery and Lowe; they start enemies, become friends, and, ultimately, are lovers who want to improve their world for humans, vampires, and werewolves. This novel weaves together themes of romance, omega verse, werewolves, and mystery, which align with your interests and its promise of a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf. The secondary characters are also engaging, and I look forward to seeing more books set in this omega verse with their stories.
The plot is a refreshing idea of accepting the different species. Like in the real world, couples are interracial, so the fictional world of the Bride can't have interspecies relationships. This novel appears to weave together themes of romance, omega verse, werewolves, and mystery, which align with your interests. With its promise of a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf,
I like the slow burn between Misery and Lowe; they start enemies, become friends, and, ultimately, are lovers who want to improve their world for humans, vampires, and werewolves. This novel weaves together themes of romance, omega verse, werewolves, and mystery, which align with your interests and its promise of a dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf. The secondary characters are also engaging, and I look forward to seeing more books set in this omega verse with their stories.
Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker
4.5
Because 2024 is a leap year, one of PopSugar's 2024 reading challenges was to read with the word "Leap" on the title. As it is a contemporary romance, I said I could accomplish two tasks in two different reading challenges with one book.
I listened to the audiobook and read the digital copy of Lucky Leap Day, which I borrowed from the library. Please listen to the audiobook of this lighthearted, humorous tale of accidental love, mistaken identities, and the magic of second chances, with a dash of Irish charm and a Hollywood twist. The narrator, Cady Zuckerman, does the Irish accent so well.
With Lucky Leap Day, you'll appreciate the erotic comedy's playful tone, whirlwind romance, and fish-out-of-water scenario as Cara navigates her new marriage and life with Finn in LA. Also, the epilogue has a cute perspective, which is a genuine surprise.
I listened to the audiobook and read the digital copy of Lucky Leap Day, which I borrowed from the library. Please listen to the audiobook of this lighthearted, humorous tale of accidental love, mistaken identities, and the magic of second chances, with a dash of Irish charm and a Hollywood twist. The narrator, Cady Zuckerman, does the Irish accent so well.
With Lucky Leap Day, you'll appreciate the erotic comedy's playful tone, whirlwind romance, and fish-out-of-water scenario as Cara navigates her new marriage and life with Finn in LA. Also, the epilogue has a cute perspective, which is a genuine surprise.
Strict Confidence by Skye Warren
4.0
It is the continuation and second book of The Rochester Trilogy, and I can't say much about Jane and Beau's story. Jane is getting closer to Paige and Beau and, little by little, the secrets of the Rochester family.
Please start with the first installment if you decide to read the series. You'll be drawn into a web of secrets and forbidden desires as you enter the mysterious world of Strict Confidence. Meet Beau Rochester, a brooding and commanding figure with a house full of secrets, and Jane Mendoza, a woman who's fallen for the one man she can't have. With a workplace romance brewing and an age gap raising eyebrows, this dark and emotional ride will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering if trust can conquer all. I think that tomorrow, I will start reading the third installment.
Please start with the first installment if you decide to read the series. You'll be drawn into a web of secrets and forbidden desires as you enter the mysterious world of Strict Confidence. Meet Beau Rochester, a brooding and commanding figure with a house full of secrets, and Jane Mendoza, a woman who's fallen for the one man she can't have. With a workplace romance brewing and an age gap raising eyebrows, this dark and emotional ride will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering if trust can conquer all. I think that tomorrow, I will start reading the third installment.