Jacqueline's Reads

Smutty alien read

Revisado: 01-12-20

3 Smutty Alien stars

A short smutty alien novella. What’s not to love? He needs to feed and she has the body for it. That’s basically it, but highly entertaining.

Also, Callie Dalton is one of my top favorite narrator. So double win for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great rocker troupe

Revisado: 01-07-20

4.5 Stars

I’ve been wanting to read Cake forever because of all of the good reviews. I 100% think if you had to do any version of this book, you will have to do the audio version.

I love Andi’s voice and Joe is okay. I did have to speed up the narration to 1.25x to have more of a normal pace for myself.

I think what I enjoyed so much about Cake is that it had the right balance of tension, storyline and slight angst (I’m not a big fan of angst). It’s a highly descriptive book and usually that would bother me, but this one wasn’t so bad. It’s a long book, but the audio version is the way to do it.

I kind of wished the rest of the series is about the couple, but they will be back.

I love a rocker / normal girl troupe, so it had everything I wanted. It had great banter, I liked the slow progression of the relationship and it just seemed organic. They could have talked about anything and I would have listened to it on and on.

I highly recommend.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

4 stars - first 10 hrs, 2 stars - the last 3 hrs

Revisado: 01-04-20

4 stars for the first 10 hours // 2 stars for the last 3 hours

I love kindle unlimited when you can obtain the audio version through the program. I also love Sebastian York and CJ Bloom, so I decided to give T. L. Swan another go, since the other book I read by this author was not via audio.

I think audio totally changed my experience for this book and for the better.

Overall, the Stopover was a steamy read with light angst and tons of fun, EXCEPT for the last 3 ridiculous hours of the book. The last 3 hours was so insane, I changed my listening speed to 2x the speed. That’s how much I wanted to quickly finish the book.

I liked the book. I liked the Hero and I liked the Heroine. I love a rich man / normal girl troupe. I thought the steam was fun and I love it didn’t have a half naked man on the cover.

What I didn’t like was the last part of angst that was thrown in towards the end because authors JUST have to thrown in that last problem right? It was just so out of character and it made me hate the Hero so much.

I’ll listen to another T. L. Swan book, but if the formula is still the same, I’m not sure if I will do another one after that.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good ...but my high expectations weren't met

Revisado: 11-26-19

3.5 – 3.75 Stars

Mariana Zapata has the best audio books. I only listen to her books. I’m a mega fan of Callie Dalton and I’ve read most of the books by this author.

So when I saw that Luna and the lie was released I was over the moon. Why did I wait so long? Usually when I have high expectations from an author I take my time in reading the next book. I like to savor it because when it’s over it’s over.

Sadly my expectations where not met with Luna and the Lie

I was really nervous in starting the book because of the title. It just reads angst right? But Mariana Zapata books don’t have angst, that’s not her jam and it’s one of the reasons why I love her so much. So yes, the title is misleading because Luna and the Lie isn’t about some forbidden secret and the book is NOT angsty at all. It’s just a catching and easy phrase to slap on the title. Sad but true.

Moving on.

This is not a bad book. I did listen to it in almost in two days. So I was glued to my phone for those two days listening in, I just didn’t get the feels like I did like the other Mariana Zapata reads.

What was so great about the storyline and the characters? Nothing

Gah, isn’t that sad to say. Nothing was great about it. It’s about a girl who works in an auto shop and the love interest is her boss. Wow, that’s exactly the kind of book I want to read, not. The biggest person I had a problem was the Heroine.

As much as I love listening to Callie Dalton’s voice, I just couldn’t understand Luna’s needs to complain about everything. How much everyone leaves her, how they treat her, how she has so many issues and she says the same stuff over and over again.

As much as a love a boss and employee troupe, I couldn’t find anything grand about Rip. I guess I just don’t like to read a book about the girl crushing on the guy. It’s never been my thing and it never will be.

The side storyline wasn’t great either. I couldn’t get sucked into the story like I usually can. I didn’t care about Luna’s problems. I just felt very underwhelmed with the storyline.

I did like the slow burn and that’s one of the reasons why I love this author’s books. That didn’t disappoint me.

Overall, I guess you can’t win them all, but I will take a break until the next book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Walking Dead (minus zombies) Meets Harry Potter

Revisado: 03-05-19

4 could have been 5 stars, but it’s a REALLY dark and Depressing Book Stars

Year One is Walking Dead meets Harry Potter, but dark

I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book in a long time and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There’s a lot of things you need to know about this one.

1.) This is not a romance book

2.) There are no Zombies in this book

3.) There are 3 main sets of characters in this book

4.) It’s a paranormal read

5.) Did I mention this is not a romance book?

Even though this isn’t a romance book at all it’s a pretty interesting and different. I think doing the audio version was the best thing for me. I was SUCKED into the story and Julia Whelan was the perfect narrator. She had to do many different voices and I felt like I could follow along. I like her voice transitions as well.

What’s the story about

It’s about when the world goes crazy. OR there’s a deadly virus that kills a lot of people. Like billions of people. Scary right? The thing that gets you hooked into the book is the fact you are there from DAY ONE when everything starts to crumble.

You find out how the virus started and how it affects the 3 sets of main characters.

Who are the 3 sets of main characters?

First Set of Characters – Lana and Max

I would call them my most favorite bunch of the book. Lana is a chef and Max is an author. They are a couple and Max is a witch. Say what? Yes, this is a paranormal book. They realize that NY isn’t getting any better and it’s time for them to seek better options.

You learn a few things with this couple. They are fierce. They love each other and they love each other. They are good, kind and like I said, my favorite bunch in the book. They probably have the biggest chunk in the story too.

2nd Set of characters – Fred and Arlys. Fred is cute, bubbly and she’s different. Arles is a news reporter and her job is to tell the world what is happening, even though the world is falling apart. Oh and there’s Chuck too, but he’s comes in and out later. I didn’t really like the characters too much, but I did like listening to what’s happen to them. I found their parts the hardest to listen to but oh man did they sucked my soul into the book.

3rd set of characters – Joanna, Rachel and the pregnant woman with twins (I forgot her name). I really liked listening to them, but you don’t get a lot of listen time. Joanna is a good man but he can tell when someone is bad or good and when they are about to die. It’s hard talent to carry. Rachel is a doctor and you have the pregnant woman. Joanna has a thing for Rachel, but like I said it’s not a romance book so there’s no sexual tension. Sorry!

So, that’s a lot of characters in the book but they really pull the story forward and somehow it all goes together very nicely.

This book is not for the faint of heart

This book is hard to listen to. A lot of dark stuff happens. What would happen if the world goes dark? People rape, kill and rape and kill some more. It will be hard to listen to at times, but it’s so different you keep on listening to see if the characters can pull through!!!!!

What I found so great is that it’s a dystopian read with paranormal characters. You have witches, elves, fairies, shifters and regular humans. It’s all crazy and fun.

I’m not sure I agree with all the actions in the book, but I will move forward with the second book because I need to know how everything will continue on.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Didn't care for the Love Triangle but overall good

Revisado: 01-23-19

4 Stars

I really liked the first book in the series, For You because it was dark, gritty and so different from Kristen Ashley’s writing style.

I was a bit disappointed that At Peace was less dark, less gritty and more like the way Kristen Ashley writes. So you can start the series at any book you want.

This is Violet and Joe’s story. Violet lives near Colt and Feb, who are in book 1.

I overall enjoyed this book, however, I didn’t care for the love triangle. So if that isn’t your cuppa, you might want to skip this book. What makes it worst is that the love triangle is between the Hero and another guy who is pretty great. I kind of wanted Violet to be with the other guy but that is me.

Violet is a sad story. Her husband was murdered and she is a single mom to two teenagers. I like that her daughters had a big role in the book and they were nice and sweet. There’s so no teenage drama in that.

You feel for Violet.

Joe lives next door to Violet and boom things happen. Joe is very guarded and he’s hard to like. He wants a no strings attached relationship and that’s not my type of story. I really don’t like that story line so you can see where I struggled during the book. Joe is so guarded that to me towards the second half of the book he was a real turn off.

I liked the first half because it was cute and fun, but then Violet starts dating Tim, another cop at the same time dating Joe and it just got a little messy for my taste. Even Violet said she was acting loose and to me, she was. JUST SAYING.

The man that murdered Violet’s husband is interested in Violet and to be honest I wanted to hear more of that story. I wanted more of the mystery storyline.

Like I said, At Peace wasn’t as good as For you, because of my reading preference. I do believe the narrator Olivia Porter really sold me on the story. She reads well and her voice is cute. I usually like a higher-pitch voice, but since the character is 35, she sounds like a true 35 year old. I’m glad she’s doing the next book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

WOW, love the new cover, fits the book perfectly

Revisado: 12-07-18

4 Thank goodness for the new Cover

I had no idea this was the book with the scary cover, had I known I would have NEVER picked up this series.

For you is written differently from Kristen Ashley’s other books. I feel like it was a bit creepy and less alpha male, but that didn’t hinder my listening experience at all.

What really made the book was Liz Thompson. I felt like she was an excellent narrator and I love her voice transitions. She really conveyed the Heroine and I couldn’t picture anyone else as that voice.

I like to listen to Kristen Ashley books because they are so long. I seriously don’t know if I could have read this one, well I probably could, but it would take me awhile. I feel like maybe if 10% was edited out it would have been a 5 star read. I’m not saying there are draggy parts, but at some point the tension was kind of gone and I was ready to move forward.

This is a second chance romance with characters that are slightly older. Alex is 44 and Feb is 42, so it’s not my usual MO because that is kind of older I like, but that’s what Kristen Ashley is known for.

The theme of the book is history. Alex and Feb have mega history and if you are looking for an epic romance you will get it. So something went down in the past and that has driven the story of epic relationship between Alex and Feb. I’m not usually into “secrets” in books, but the author didn’t make it so focal and so I didn’t pay too much attention to it.

Someone is targeting people and killing them and Alex is on the case. I usually don’t like detectives as the Heroes but in this book it really worked. Feb went away for some years and she’s been back in town for two years now. Alex and Feb keep their distance for those two years, but because of the murders it has brought Alex and Feb to talk again.

The tension between Alex and Feb was crazy hot! If you ever wanted a slow burn romance, oh man this is it. I was glued to the story and I loved listening to the tension between Alex and Feb. It really did make the story.

The book is heart-warming and there are some moments where it will break your heart, but overall, it’s a well developed murder mystery story and Kristen Ashley didn’t disappoint.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Love the narrator!

Revisado: 11-11-18

4 Stars

I basically got this book because I love Mary Jane Wells. She’s an amazing historical romance narrator. I love accents and I love hers. I could listen to her all day. She truly made this book better. I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much had I read the book instead of listening to it.

I like reading this series in order, although I completely forgot who was in the first book. I found this one decent, but not my favorite.

My biggest problem was Isabel. She’s very head strong and it’s to the point where I wonder if she was worth pursuing.

She was abandon when she was little and it kind of left her very guarded. She has a house and a little brother. She saves runaway women but she can’t maintain her lifestyle and needs money.

I like that Isabel is strong and she never wants to marry. She’s almost on the shelf (well I think she is) and so she understands that part of her life is over. I like that she saves women and cares for them deeply. I like her relationship with her little brother.

BUT when it comes to men she is clueless.

Nicolas and Isabel’s relationship is interesting. I wouldn’t call it lustful, although he finds her attractive, but they spend a lot of time talking and working out business stuff. I liked Nicolas because he’s caring and loyal. Also it’s always great when the Hero chases after the Heroine.

I think it’s Isabel’s many attempts of self sabotage annoyed me the most. I understand it adds tension to the story, but poor Nicolas, how much can he deal?

I also thought them keeping things from each other was really annoying because in the end if they truly cared for each other they would speak of the truth. I think they liked themselves a little too much verse each other. So it was hard to feel swept away in the story.

BUT there’s something about these old historical romances that I do like in the sense it’s light and comical. I like some predictable parts and it’s exactly why I picked up this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Hot Hot Hot

Revisado: 10-30-18

5 Hot Hot Hot Stars

This book was 100% worth $3. What a steal! I can’t believe the ebook was only $1 and the audio was only $1.99.

Playing with Monsters is a spin-off of The Fae Chronicles, I highly suggest you read The Fae Chronicles because a lot is given away. Also it’s an awesome series and I like the order I read them in. As much as I want to jump into Sleeping with Monsters, I need to read Unraveling Destiny next, too bad it’s not in audio.

So the audio was fabulous. I kind of wished there was more male parts only because I LOVED the male narrator. He was so deep and so masculine, it fit Lucian completely. Gah, I want to listen to his voice all day long.

As for the female narrator, she was okay. I found it a bit too deep for me, but I love a high-pitch girl voice, so that’s a personal thing. It didn’t hinder my listening experience, but I’m not sure I will do the audio version for Playing with Monsters.

There’s a lot that goes on in Playing with Monsters and I felt like the author did a great job in character and plot development. We start out the story of Lucian going through many lives and each life he has to find a girl and kill her. We are not sure what’s that all about but that’s how the story starts.

I will admit at some parts I was trying to follow along and I know if I read this verse listened to it, I probably could have done a better job, but I feel like I got 95% of the story. I liked Lena. She’s that strong Heroine you want to get sucked into. She’s all about family and doing what is right for her people.

Lena is a witch and I have no idea what Lucian is. I hope it wasn’t revealed in the story because I didn’t get it. I guess it’s not that important.

Anyhow what makes this book so great is the tension and chemistry between Lena and Lucian. Oh my goodness, it will make you mad but a happy mad. I found myself trying to listen to the book when I usually don’t listen to books because I wanted to know what was going to happen.

Oh and the steam. I love a PNR book that is steamy and kinky and there’s not insta-anything. I loved the buildup. Gah.

The book leaves you very satisfied when you are done, but the series goes on just FYI.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

It was a little confusing, so pay attention!

Revisado: 10-12-18

3.5 Audio Stars (Probably a 4 star e-reader version)

Some books are better in audio format and some are better in print / e-reader format. In this case, I would have preferred to read this book only because …

The book was straight up confusing

On the bright side there was a lot of dialogue in the book which I like, but on the down side, it was really hard to follow-along. I had no idea, when it was a dream / a flashback / a vision / a voice in her head/ or someone talking to her.

Like I said, CONFUSING.

I also don’t like negative books in audio format. There’s something about negative books that get me so tight, so angry and the fact I’m on my period doesn’t help.

There was a lot of angst, angry fighting and I didn’t like the Hero

I felt like because I listened to the Hero, I felt his rudeness times ten. I didn’t like him. I understand these are children, but oh my word, I couldn’t handle his personality. He was just mean and for no reason because he is “trash” and the Heroine wasn’t. Yup. He was mean simply because of that.

I didn’t like the female Narrator’s voice

She sounded like a young boy. Her voice was young, but deep and I kept on imagining this book as an MM because her voice was too deep for my taste. I will say this did hinder my listening / reading experience.

I didn’t like the beginning

The beginning was the ending and I REALLY hate that in books. It’s about Evie meeting a young man and telling her story. YES! The whole book is her telling a story and how it leads up to this point. I felt like the beginning set the tone and pace of the read and it just set it up to be very dark and not great.

The first half of the book was pointless

This is a dystopian read. There’s a thing called the “flash” we aren’t sure what it is, but basically water is hard to come by, nothing grows and there’s “zombies” but they aren’t called that. Why? I don’t know but it was really confusing until I figured it out.

The author wasn’t hiding what they were, she just didn’t do a good job describing it.

Anyhow the first half is before the flash and with Evie and Jackson in high school. How they met, etc. Oh my word it was pointless! The only thing we found out is that Evie has “nightmares” / “visons” and she thinks she is crazy. Jackson hates Evie because he is trailer trash and that’s it.

I felt like I kept on listening because I was confused most of the time and I had to listen to try to figure out what was happening. Towards the end it made a little more sense, but I didn’t like Evie’s questions not answered. Every time she asked a question, she got a round-about pointless answer and it just frustrated me more.

The downhill of the book was the relationship between Evie and Jackson. I pretty much wanted to bash him in the head at the 50% mark.

So will I read the next book? Yes, but 1.) I will be reading it (not listening to it) and 2.) If the next book gives me all the crazy feelings I have like this one, I probably won’t continue the series.

Overall, the book made me confused and angry most of the time. I kept on reading because I was trying to figure out what was happening. I did get some answers towards the end and that has made me curious for the next book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona