Fangirl Down - Tessa Bailey Does It Again!

 

Review of Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

I’m not big into sports romance, but I do enjoy Tessa Bailey’s books, so I thought I’d give “Fangirl Down” a try. Boy, am I glad I did!

Funny, sweet, and sexy this book follows Wells Whitaker, washed up pro golfer and all-around mess, as he allows his #1 fan, Josephine, to bring him back from the brink. Normally overzealous, borderline stalkers aren’t my preference when it comes to heroines, but Josephine is so sweet and down to earth, that it’s hard not to like her.

As with any Tessa Bailey book, the romance is off the charts; Bailey certainly knows how to build up the sexual tension! In addition to the spicy scenes sprinkled throughout, is a real sweetness exhibited by our duo. Josephine’s love of golf and bigger yet, love for Wells, is evident in her every action. Her patience and her hard-working ethic make her one admirable heroine. As for Wells, he may have initially given up on himself, but he never gives up on Josephine. His transformation from selfish jerk to compassionate partner, also makes him one worthy hero in my eyes.

Add in the fact that Josephine has Type 1 Diabetes and that her mentorship of Wells has a expiration date, and you get enough tension to keep the plot really interesting.

I will say I don’t know much about golf, but by the end I was wanting to play a round or two myself. That to me is the mark of a good book!

Review of A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman

 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Note: I received this ARC from NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager in exchange for my honest review.

Book number three in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series features sea captain Morgan and his love interest/rival map maker Harriet. A Wicked Game follows the format of its predecessors in that it sees the pairing of members of the Montgomery and Davies families, who pretend to dislike each other, whilst harboring a profound love for one another.

Both Morgan and Harriet are likeable – Morgan is sweet in his long-held devotion to Harriet and in his first-class treatment of men under his command. Harriet is in turn is unselfish and caring, putting her dreams of traveling the world on hold to care for her blind father.

In terms of the plot, you won’t find much action or suspense, I’m afraid. Most of the story is devoted to Morgan winning over Harriet. What you will get is witty banter, comedic bets, and a couple of steamy love scenes.

There is a villain, but his presence in the story is rather brief and quite unremarkable. The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me – Kate Bateman’s writing is certainly solid – is that I would have liked a bit more action and danger. However, I understand this book is meant to be a fun and light, so I understand the deficiency in that area.

All in all, this an enjoyable read!

Hell's Belle's! A Review of "Heartbreaker" by Sarah MacLean

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Note: I received this ARC from NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager in exchange for my honest review.

Heartbreaker was my first foray into the Hell’s Belles series. Though it contains a common trope – riffraff falls in love with aristocrat – the characters and plot do well to ensure that this novel won’t fade easily into the background.

Henry, the hero of this story, is a duke with a secret – one that makes him feel unworthy of his place in the world. Adelaide, the heroine, likewise feels unworthy given her origins as a thief and daughter of a crime lord.

The sweetest thing about this story is the way Henry and Adelaide slowly convince each other that they are deserving of happiness and love. In the process, they also manage to take down a few villains with the help of Adelaide’s friends, the Hell’s Belles (the most interesting of which in my opinion was Imogen).

I will admit, this book for me was a bit of a slow read. I’m not sure if it was because the action seemed to fizzle at points, or if it was the heavy-handed feminist trope. I do appreciate the strength of all the female characters in this universe, however, I found it frustrating that the women were so often hesitant to accept help from men, and in fact seemed to love to belittle them.

I would have liked a better balance of strength/determination and softheartedness. That being said, this book is still a good, solid read. I find myself looking forward to Imogen’s book, so I will be sure to check back in with the series!

To Reid or Not to Reid? A Review of "A Matter of Temptation" by Stacey Reid.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Stacey Reid delivers another solid read with “A Matter of Temptation”, the first book in her new series. In this historical, we see Miss Wilhelmina Crawford match wit and swords with Simon Loughton, Earl of Creswick.

Mina is a likeable heroine – smart, brave, and fiery. Her only flaw is having once trusted a less than scrupulous fellow with her heart. Ruined in the eyes of the ton, she spent a chunk of her 20s sequestered away in the countryside. Thanks to a duel and a business proposal proffered by Simon, Mina returns to society with a newly animated disposition. 

Simon, a reserved politician, too begins to develop a new vivacity. His devotion to Mina, even upon learning of her past transgressions, is both admirable and endearing. Despite the danger her past relationship poses to his political career, he never wavers in wanting her by his side.

Though there is no real villain and no real danger – aside from a minor attempt on Simon’s life, which hardly factored into the overall plot – the story still captures the attention of the reader with the will they or won’t they tension. 

As is typical of a Stacy Reid book, there are plenty of swoon worthy love scenes, and a nice, satisfying epilogue.

You can’t go wrong with this read!

Review of Breaking Free (Colorado High Country, #8) by Pamela Clare

 My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

You cannot go wrong with a Colorado High Country book, so imagine my utter joy when I discovered the series was far from over. Three years since the last book was released, the newest edition to the lineup takes place not long after the conclusion of book 7, Chasing Fire.

Breaking Free centers around Winona, Chaska’s sister and resident Wolf whisperer, and Jason Chiago, a fellow Native American (of the Tohono O’odham nation), who makes his living as a US-Mexico border agent. Not only are there instant sparks between the two, but they work together rather nicely, as is evident by their ability to track down a livestock killer and his “pet” wolf.

There’s no real angst in this book, and the only real conflict stems from a promise Jason made to his grandmother on her deathbed. That being said, there is plenty of mystery and danger as the two work this case.

Overall, another great book in the series that has me looking forward to the next Colorado High adventure!

Review of Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2) by Tessa Bailey

 

 My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Firstly, thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC! The second book in the Bellinger Sisters series had a lot to live up to, given how much I enjoyed the first. I can happily note, “Hook, Line, and Sinker” did not disappoint! In fact, I rather enjoyed Hannah’s book more than Piper’s. The romantic buildup between Hannah and Fox was a bit slower, as they started out as friends, letting their relationship progress into more over the course of a year+. Because of this, I found their rapport to be a lot sweeter, and certainly more believable. The romance works even better thanks to how likeable Hannah and Fox are. Hannah is the same sweet, hippie girl we saw in the first book. She might be tentative when it comes to fighting for career opportunities, but when it comes to those she loves, she fiercely defends them. It became evident that Fox needed a girl like that in his life, having been perhaps unjustly labeled as a playboy and heartbreaker. He desperately needed a cheerleader in his corner, since he couldn’t rely on family or friends to reaffirm his self-worth. Like with the first book, there is no real prolonged drama or angst in these pages, just a sweet, simmering romance that will make you smile!

Hidden Gems to Read in 2021

Be sure to check out these 2021 romance releases!

Redwood (Linear Tactical #11) by Janie Crouch

On the run from a dark and dangerous past, the heroine receives some help and attention from a Special Forces soldier turned sheriff.

Her Royal Payne (The Survivors #10) by Shana Galen

This historical romance pairs brawn with beauty, as a pugilist helps out a woman whose minister father goes missing.

Don't Play With Odin (Trouble for Hire #2) by Cynthia Eden

A viking-esque PI pairs up with a bubbly heroine who is convinced her next door neighbor is a killer.

Saving Penni (SEAL Team Tango #2) by Nicole Flockton

A convenience store robbery ends with a tough Navy Seal falling for a sweet and savvy PR guru, unfortunately for them the danger doesn't stop there.

Sweet Rogue of Mine (The Survivors #9) by Shana Galen 

Stubborn meets sassy as a blinded sharp-shooter living in self-imposed isolation crosses paths with a quirky and scandalous woman, whose missionary parents have all but abandoned her in the soldier's backyard. 

Review of It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1) by Tessa Bailey

 My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

This one was a quick read for me due to the fact that I couldn't put it down!

The book follows LA party girl, Piper, and her music obsessed sister, Hannah, as she tries to make a go of independent living in the coastal town of Westport. There she encounters a bar left to the sisters by their father, an estranged family member, and most importantly a aloof, but hunky fisherman named Brendan.

As she begins to put down roots in Westport, she not only forms a relationship with Brendan, but with the people of Westport and the bar she came to inherit. Piper might seem shallow on the surface, but she is so much more than glitz and glam. She has a compassionate and caring side, along with a charisma that is best described as her "sparkle"; both of which make her quire likeable.

The male portion of this duo, Brendan, is a stickler for routine and balance. Because of this, he seems a bit cold at first, but soon after he meets Piper, he begins to let loose. The romance between the two is both steamy and sweet, the cutest facet of their relationship, to me, being the fact that Piper calls it her "recharging station" whenever Brendan hugs her!

Not a lot of angst or suspense in this one, but certainly enough action (both in and out of bed) to hold ones interest.

Yet another solid novel by Tessa Bailey. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Review of the Big Kahuna (Fox and O'Hare #6) by Janet and Peter Evanovich

 More like Big Disappointment....

My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars I love this series, or at least I did. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the previous books in this series, a big disappointment especially after such a long wait. Perhaps it was the change in co-authors, but some of the characters seemed off - most notably Nick. Gone was the suave, sophisticated con-man, and in his place was a bit of a goof. His intelligent banter with Kate was lacking, as was their overall relationship - disappointingly, that didn't seem to progress at all from the last book. The plot was a bit sloppy. Despite action packed scenes, it didn't feel like much happened throughout the entirety of the 300+ pages. In the past it seemed as if the cons were well developed and more complex, but this time I felt the whole "mission" just meandered from point A to point B. Furthermore, the team consisted of secondary characters that didn't really serve any purpose - Cosmo was a joke (and not a funny one). One even disappeared somewhat randomly, having been killed "off-stage". Perhaps it was pressures behind the scenes - a change in authors, deadline changes, etc. - that led to this being my least favorite book in the series. Though I'm disappointed, I am still invested in the characters and look forward to the next book. But please, for the love of God, bring back Lee Goldberg for the next one!

Review of The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Warning May Contain Slight Spoilers.

This story is told from the point of view of 17 year old Ananna of the Tanarau, who yearns to captain her own ship, despite the fact the Pirate Confederation does not allow woman captains. The only way for a pirate to better themselves is through murder, mutiny, or marriage. So it is because of this belief system that Ananna finds herself in an arranged marriage to Tarrin of the Hariri clan. Not too keen on being tied to a man, Ananna makes a hasty getaway with the help of a camel. Enraged by her treachery, the Hariri sends the Assassin, Naji, after her.

Naji at first embodies all that Ananna remembers from the frightening childhood stories her father used to tell her.  He appears cold and deadly, seeming to be made more of shadows than of flesh. Ananna’s perception of Naji gradually begins to shift after Ananna accidentally saves the assassin’s life. Ironically, Ananna finds herself bound to this man (thanks to his curse) soon after having escaped being bound to another through marriage. So begins this duos unorthodox relationship. They begin a quest to find the cure to Naji’s curse and along the way they must traverse deserts and oceans, all the while battling characters from both their world and the other world, referred to as The Mists.

With each passing moment we see that Ananna begins to develop feelings for Naji. In her eyes he turns from a deadly assassin into a man that must constantly battle with his inner turmoil. Both characters are quick to define others as beautiful, but when it comes themselves all they can see is their own flaws. However, when they look at each other they are able to see what lay beyond the surface. When Ananna looks upon Naji she sees not a scared face of a murderer, but rather a man that is insecure and vulnerable. Likewise, when Naji looks upon Ananna he sees not a weatherworn girl, but a fierce, independent woman. It seems in this case beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Both characters come across as stubborn and strong willed, which is perhaps one of the reasons I found their interactions to be so amusing. It’s clear that there is chemistry between the two, though for the moment it seems to be more one sided, this is perhaps owning to the fact that everything is in the point of view of Ananna. In addition to the relationship between the main characters, this book was strong in the sense that it offered something for everyone. Featuring everything from pirates to assassins to other worldly beings, with a nice pinch of magic thrown in for good measure, this book is sure to appeal to both men and women. At no point did I feel as if the plot were dragging, instead I found myself unable to put the book down.

As a Lover of young adult adventure novels, I found the Assassin’s Curse to be quite refreshing. The main characters are both intriguing and believable, and the story is well paced. The prose remains consistent throughout the novel, and Clarke is not afraid to add some zest to the narrative by throwing in some swear words.  Clarke could have easily gone overboard with this “pirate talk”, but she does it in such a manner that it adds more authenticity to Ananna’s character (she is a pirate after all!). I also appreciated the fact that the romance in this novel was gradual and subtle. I liked the fact that Clarke did not feel as if she had to either exaggerate the main characters’ relationship or add an over the top love triangle into the mix.

The only downside to this book was the fact that there was no clear climax in the book; instead we get a series of ups and downs, and no resolution in the end. However, the way in which the relationship between Ananna and Naji has begun to develop has left me wanting more, and I eagerly await the next installment, entitled The Pirate’s Wish, which hits stores June 4th.

What I hope to see in this next novel is some sort of resolution, either partial or otherwise. I also hope to get more insight into the thoughts and feelings of Naji. That being said, with this debut novel, author Cassandra Rose Clarke has proven to me that she has what it takes to contend with the likes of Suzanne Collins and Tamora Pierce.

If you enjoyed The Assassin’s Curse I highly recommend you check out these similar books:
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart
Blood Red Road by Moira Young

As always your thoughts and comments are most welcome. Thanks for visiting the blog. Happy Reading!
-The Quiet Girl

Introduction

Hello, welcome to The Quiet Girl's Library Blog! This blog is dedicated to the honest reviewing of the many books I've read and the books I plan on reading. If you love books just as much as I do, then you know that a good review can make or break a book. I hope to review a wide variety of books, so that readers of any gender or age might find a book that they can relate to. Feedback will be welcome, especially in the early stages of this blog. Thanks again for stopping by the blog. Happy reading!