Between the covers book club

Hello there, lovely ladies

This last week saw our first REAL chilly weather, and as you can imagine, I am Not. A. Happy. Puppy. ❄️ But, luckily, it also came with some stellar reading, so that’s a win. 👍🏻

I forgot to mention this with my previous rambling, but Sharon shared this, a blogpost from the Shameless Book Club featuring 16 Romance and Erotic Books to Read Before You Die. Not sure why Christian and Gideon didn’t make the cut, and a few I personally don’t feel belong, but nevertheless, an interesting mix and perhaps fodder for your bookshelf. Let us know if any on the list blew your mind and is worth pursuing.

As far as I know nothing new or exciting is brewing in our little world, but I came across this article by Entertainment News where Erika speaks her mind on writing Christian’s POV. Interesting stuff.

Then, let’s dive right in, shall we?

This week I read:

 

When It’s Real by Erin Watt was a lovely light read showing us yet again how shallow and lonely stardom can be. I enjoyed the premise, but it has to be said, cottoning on to my book-nookie trend observation from last week, that the lovin’ was VERY lite and started very late. With the previous success of her Paper Princess series I would have thought that she would stick to her winning recipe. Alas.

Sparrow by L. J. Shen scored a mega 4 1/2 stars from me. Thank you, Tara for the rec. 😉 It was much more gritty than our usual clean-cut stories, rather like a fairytale from the rough part of town, but it was well worth the glimpse into the grimy underbelly of crime families. I will definitely be looking for more from this accomplished writer.

Currently I’m reading:

Black Tie Optional by Ann Marie Walker, book 1 in the Wild Wedding series.

I couldn’t help posting this. If boys have their toys, well then, so do we girls.…

😂😂

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, lovelies. As always, please feel free to share your book glory stories with us!

Between the covers book

Hello there, lovely ladies 🤗

How was your week? Anything interesting to report? I think I do… I might have started to notice a new trend in our genre. Lately, in almost every book I’ve read from an established author in our genre, the lovin’ was postponed to around 2/3 in. When the FSOG craze hit the market we saw the relative fast capitulation by the lady. Her resolve to stay away from her billionaire’s magnetism crumbling along with the speedy turns of our pages. Then came the rise of first-page nooky. Quick, hard and dirty was the name of the game, but the hook-up eventually evolved into a deep and lasting connection. Now we’re seeing a host of stories where there is some sort of reason that make romantic liaisons impossible until very late in the tale. Is it only me, or do you see it too? Tell me what you think, girls. I can’t say I mind. If the story is gripping I don’t particularly care when the joyous joining occurs, but it makes me curious to see what comes next. 

This week I read:

 

Crown of Lies by Pepper Winters, book 1 in the Truth and Lies Duet series. This was a strong rec and an interesting read for me from a writer’s perspective. Firstly, the tale is a fresh take on your standard boy-meets-girl. It had lots of unusual and creative plot lines, all of which makes for a good read. However, the author’s research lets her great story down. Personally, I get stuck on serious plot holes and this one is riddled. It’s a helluva’ pity. If you can read over the gaps, she’s written great characters woven into an engaging idea. Thank you for the gift, Katherine! 😉 I wish I could edit her book and make it as awesome as it could be.

Trophy Wife by Alessandra Torre was a sad disappointment. Throughout the book it felt as if she was building up to the gobsmacking twists that she’s known for, but, as I saw the place line on the bottom of my e-book’s page inch closer and closer to the end, I realised that there was less and less time for the excitement I sensed gathering to play out. In the end, the HEA was flat and gratuitous, it left so many important plot points unexplored, unanswered that I felt utterly deflated as a result. What a shame. 😔

Currently I’m reading:

When It’s Real by Erin Watt.

Before I sign off, let’s look at what June will bring thanks to Goodreads:

I’m particularly excited about the This Man novella and the new one from Christina Lauren. 🎉 Usually I wouldn’t hesitate to click that pre-order button on the latter, but the theme sounds so much like their first book in the Beautiful series, Beautiful Bastard. I loved the whole series, but BB was my least favorite, and I’m not particularly keen on a repeat. If you’re going to jump at their latest offering, please let me know if we’re getting another Chloe and Bennet, or if it feels completely new.

Let me leave you with this funny visual…

😂😂

Have a beautiful weekend, girls. Hope you spend it relaxing with a good book!