I was able to take some time and catch up on some ARC’s that I was behind on while I was on vacation this weekend! I was in Colorado surprising my brother for his 30th birthday, so you best BELIEVE I was on that flight there and back reading those books!!! I had two very different genres of books, one was definitely more romantasy and one was straight smut romance. Ok, onward!
By the Lockpick and the Lyre by Mariah Montoya (book 3 of the Esholian Institute)
Rating: 5 out of 5 Good Council members…
I am behind on reviewing this but OMG Mariah Montoya did it again. I was so excited to get the ARC for the newest book in the Esholian Institute series that I devoured this. Even with the time in between novels, I was able to pick this up right where I left off and become totally immersed in the narrative. I feel like Montoya does a great job of plugging plot holes as she goes, and not leaving anything but a cliffhanger to keep you interested. Rayna and Coen, but this point, have been through so much and this was definitely “it’s going to get worse before it gets better”. The cast of characters were just amazing and of course there was devastation everywhere. I sincerely can’t wait until the next book and to see where the storyline goes from here.
*ARC received from the author for review*
Rules and Reservations by Michele Elizabeth
Rating: 4 out of 5 consent checks
This was such a fun book. I knew going into it that it was going to be spicy and a why choose but I think what I really appreciated was just how much character development there was and how much thought was truly put in to show what the kink world is truly like. Yes, consent IS key and I loved just how often the guys checked in with our FMC and how she was able to do that with them as well. What brings this down to a 4 instead of a 5 star is Garrett. To be honest, I don’t feel like he had nearly the chemistry with Amanda as she does with Eaton and Wells. They truly took some time to get to know her, and it was just insta lust/love with Garrett. To me, that really kind of ruined the epilogue for me too. I felt like it was too close to the way author Emily Rath handles her own stories that are like this (Pucking Around and the Second Sons series). I had that same gripe about her books too. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and am grateful to the author for sending me an ARC for review. I will likely continue the series because I did enjoy this!
*ARC received from the author for review*
Before those, I went on a crazy novella reading spree. To see those reviews, please visit my Goodreads page and check them out, as well as see what books I’m currently reading.
