Robert Zimmermann

Review: A Girl Like Her, by Talia Hibbert

Revisado: 07-02-19

Anyone who's read my reviews before probably knows that I'm a sucker for small-town romance. But I've never read a small-town romance set outside of the United States. A Girl Like Her is a first for me for that, as it's set in England. It's also my first Talia Hibbert book, mainly because I've been slacking. It won't be my last Hibbert book though. I want to continue reading this series.

What was great about this book was the diverse representation Hibbert wrote into it. The heroine, Ruth, is a woman of color who has autism. The town thinks she's weird, she keeps to herself, and the hero doesn't care. He's new to town and is falling for Ruth. But is autism in your face, over-mentioned, and drilled into the reader's head? No. Ruth is Ruth and she's just like any other heroine. I always enjoy books where the author will write underrepresented characters, but not make a big deal about it. That's how I feel it should be because there are many types of people out there and everyone has a story.

As for the small-town setting in England, that left me wanting a little more. While it didn't need to be the focus in this particular book, I felt that it was lacking a little bit of the normal feel of a small-town setting. The town itself isn't really explored until the last quarter of the book, even when the townspeople are cause for conflict throughout. It's more in the background. That's part of why I know I'll be reading the other books in this series. 1) To see more of the characters introduced here, and 2) to explore this town more. It wasn't a bad start to it, but I crave more.

This was a good book to check out. And a good start to a series. If the buzz around Hibbert is anything to go by, I don't think I'll be disappointed moving forward.

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Review: Stud in the Stacks, by Pippa Grant

Revisado: 05-09-19

It’s not often I go into a book completely blind. That’s basically the case with Stud in the Stacks. I was going through Audible looking at books that Karen White had narrated. I’ve only listened to her read Jill Shalvis books until now, and this was my chance to branch out a bit. I’m glad I picked this one.

The book was unlike what I’ve read before. It’s the first time I’ve seen a male romance reader as more than a passing character. And the way romance books in general was weaved into the store made it so easy to relate to the characters and the conflicts they were dealing with, especially what Knox was going through.

Another fun thing was that because Knox is a prolific romance reader, romance blogger, and a librarian, he knows exactly how a fake fiance relationship usually plays out; it never ends well in books. Despite this, the characters go ahead with it anyway. You can guess what happens, even with this knowledge. If they know the future, can they change the outcome to make it as if they’re not living a romance novel? Well, you’ll have to read the book.

This book is a great read for book lovers and those passionate about romance. It’s a quick, refreshing read and I’m happy to have picked it up.

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Review: Fumbled, by Alexa Martin

Revisado: 05-04-19

I read the first book in the Playbook series last October, after seeing such great buzz about it. But I didn’t get around to reviewing it. I’m not making the same mistake for book 2, Fumbled. These are both great books, so please consider this an endorsement for Intercepted, as well as Fumbled.

I feel that one of the best things about Martin’s book(s) is that she is able to make me care about football. I’m not a football fan. At all. But with the way Martin writes, I’m drawn into the excitement and emotions of the game when it’s presented in the book. I also think that some of this is accomplished by not making this a “football romance” in the same way other sports romances are. There’s football in the book. The hero is a big-deal player. But this book doesn’t revolve around the game. When the game is included, it’s done so to push the plot, character development, and endgame along. It’s not just to have the sport in the book. (Not putting down more sports heavy romances. This just works so much better for me.)

I also really enjoy Poppy’s character. This is a second chance romance, as can be seen in the description. And while the relationship restarts early in the book, the relationship is also a slow burn all the way to the end. Poppy is so strong and protective of her son, Ace. No matter what seems to be happening between her and TK, she never forgets that she and Ace could get hurt at any time. Martin didn’t allow Poppy to get lost in the relationship and it’s not often I read of a character who’s strong in this way.

Having two amazing books to start off this series, I’ll be finding myself wanting to fast forward to December for the release of Blitzed. Can’t wait to read Brynn’s story. I really want to know more about her!

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Review: The Chosen One, by TB Markinson

Revisado: 04-27-19

I think what made me enjoy this book the most was that I wasn’t sure it was the book for me at first, but it ended up making me really want to read the second book as soon as I finished this one. I haven’t jumped into that book yet, but I’m sure I’ll do so soon.

This book involves a political family, the Carmichaels. That’s why I didn’t think it would be a perfect fit for me. The politics. I feel that I learned early on that Markinson included just the right amount into her book that it made me as a reader realize the importance to the characters, without it being a political book in itself. It was a romance, a coming-of-age in difference ways for characters, and had a great cast of characters. Plus it made knowing presidential facts sound like fun.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I’m eager to read the second book in this series to see where Ainsley and Maya are after what they (and all the other character) went through near the end of The Chosen One.

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Review: Not So Vanilla, by Morgan Noel

Revisado: 08-27-18

A quick read (listen, for me technically). Didn't end up enjoying it as much as I had thought going into it. I felt a potential for these characters to really go somewhere and develop, but much was left out for me. There's a great premise having a third guy come to live with a couple and there was conflict there. Mew had a chance to grow both sexually and socially, too. While he technically did by the end, it was a bit too easy of a conclusion and then the story was over. I think working this into a larger story could do all the characters justice and I would be interested in reading that book.

Still, with the potential I feel it had, I'll be checking out more of Noel's writing. I may stick to text over audio though. Mew came out as too whiny for being a sole narrator and maybe that shaped his character into an even less enjoyable one than he was created to be.

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Review: To Get Me To You, by Kait Nolan

Revisado: 07-05-18

While I’ve been following Sarina Bowen’s work for a few years, what made me check out this book was her co-author. I’ve only had the pleasure of listening to Tanya Eby read other author’s books. This time, I got a taste of her writing. Bowen is a great author and along with Eby Man Hands was a great book to pick up.

The comedy in this book reminds me of Tara Sivec’s writing. They all are hilarious most of the time and don’t pull punches. Along with that, but characters are also sweet and a great fit for each other. I even ended up enjoying the reality show elements of the book, despite not enjoying them in the real world.

The only (minor) thing that brought the rating down for me was the pacing of the story. I felt it was a little on the speedy side. With how much I was enjoying the characters and their interactions, I felt the story as a whole was a little rushed. I think there was room to stretch it just a little more while not fluffing it up. Maybe there’ll be a novella with more of this couple to satisfy my needs. Even without that, there are more books in this series for me to read!

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Review: Man Hands, by Sarina Bowen and Tanya Eby

Revisado: 07-05-18

While I’ve been following Sarina Bowen’s work for a few years, what made me check out this book was her co-author. I’ve only had the pleasure of listening to Tanya Eby read other author’s books. This time, I got a taste of her writing. Bowen is a great author and along with Eby Man Hands was a great book to pick up.

The comedy in this book reminds me of Tara Sivec’s writing. They all are hilarious most of the time and don’t pull punches. Along with that, but characters are also sweet and a great fit for each other. I even ended up enjoying the reality show elements of the book, despite not enjoying them in the real world.

The only (minor) thing that brought the rating down for me was the pacing of the story. I felt it was a little on the speedy side. With how much I was enjoying the characters and their interactions, I felt the story as a whole was a little rushed. I think there was room to stretch it just a little more while not fluffing it up. Maybe there’ll be a novella with more of this couple to satisfy my needs. Even without that, there are more books in this series for me to read!

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Review: Overexposed, by Megan Erickson

Revisado: 11-13-17

This is the fourth book in Erickson's In Focus series, and I can't get enough of them. I've listened to books two through four in audio, after reading book one, and each were hard to put down. Overexposed is no exception. It might even be a favorite in the series. I can only hope that Erickson has move In Focus books for us in the future.

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Review: Focus on Me, by Megan Erickson

Revisado: 08-27-17

I haven’t read a Megan Erickson book in a while. I may have even taken too long of a break from Erickson’s writing. I say this because after finishing Focus on Me, I realize that I’ve missed her great books.

I read the first book in the In Focus series, Trust the Focus, and loved it. It was one of my first M/M romance books. Focus on Me is the follow-up and didn’t disappoint. It had much of what I enjoyed from the first book, but had an appeal all its own that set it apart.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about this book was that I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I didn’t know where the relationship between the characters was headed. I know ultimately in a romance novel things work out. But Erickson doesn’t give up the conclusion that easily. The conflict that real, it was strong, and it was emotional at many points.

Not only was the conflict raw and pulling me along, the characters had so much depth to them. It wasn’t easy to figure them out and they were growing until the very end, and probably beyond. Characters are one of Erickson’s strength and keep me coming back to her books.

A nice surprise was how she tied this book in with the first book. While they both stand alone on their own, they way they connect was a nice touch. I think I see how this one will tie in with book 3, but I’ll have to see if I’m right once I get to that part of my TBR. For now, I’ll have to wait. I just won’t wait as long. Book 4 comes out in a few months!

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Review: Out of Frame, by Megan Erickson

Revisado: 08-27-17

Erickson continues to write great books in her In Focus series. Out of Frame was no exception. In fact, it was more enjoyable than I was expecting.

I wasn’t too keen on the reality show and cruise ship aspects of the book, after reading the description. Those are just two things I don’t normally have interest in. But, it’s a book written by Megan Erickson. I had to give it a chance, especially since I loved the first two books in the series. The two aspects of the book that I wasn’t expecting to like may be the two that made this story as good as it was.

Being on a cruise ship, the characters were limited in where they could go, who they could interact with, and what they could do. Add in the cameras, fans, and script of a reality show…you get a difficult to develop relationship between two characters needing something good to happen to them.

I think if I went into more detail about why Quinn and J.R. were so great, and why I liked them together, this review would end up being too long. Plus, I want to leave readers with things to discover for themselves. Just know, like all Erickson’s characters, there’s a great deal of depth to them. Even the secondary characters. (Maybe Jess could get her own spin-off?)

Out of Frame takes to the seas for a road trip of a different sort. But it still continues on in a series full of memorable moments with memorable characters. I’m confident that when I get to the 4th book, Overexposed, the magic will continue.

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