Tag Archives: spicy

Review: Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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This book was cute, if you can call a book about serial killers who kill other serial killers who fall in love. Sloane and Rowan are killers. However, they hunt other killers. It is a form of vigilantism. Going after people who have victimized other people who can’t defend themselves is an interesting moral code, but really, they do it because they like it. It gives them a rush. After a chance meeting, Rowan proposes a game. Once a year, they will meet up and hunt the same person. Whoever gets the kill first wins. Their banter between the two as they mock and goad each other is fun. They are attracted to each other from the moment they meet, but it shouldn’t surprise you that people who kill people for fun are not the most sociable or had a happy childhood. For years, they have played these games and ignored their feelings for each other. Once they do open up, the floodgates open, and oh boy, it gets spicy. It does take almost 2/3 of the book to get there, but worth the wait. It was a fun read, and I am looking forward to reading the next book that follows Rowan’s older brother and Sloane’s best friend. It’ll be a while before I can read it because it’s a long waitlist at my library, but I have other books to read in the meantime.

Review: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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This follows the pattern of Ali Hazelwood’s other academic romances, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Rue is a brilliant scientist who is doing research to prolong the shelf life of food. Eli is part of an Equity firm that has bought the loan of her company. They first meet on an app for hookups, and the attraction is immediate, which only complicates things because Eli is trying to ruin Rue’s mentor. They both have their issues. This book deals with serious topics of food insecurities, neglect, and abuse. All play a role in why they both try so hard not to admit what they are in love. What I love about Ali’s books and many of the romance novels that I have read is that Eli is always so patient. Consent is important in every relationship. He fully admits he wants more from her, but respects her boundaries. As their relationship grows and secrets start to come out about others and each other, Rue begins to open herself up to new things. She starts to trust Eli, but also herself in stating what she wants and how she wants it. As for the big reveal of who the “big bad” is, if there is one in this book. Minor spoilers, but it is pretty obvious from the beginning. It reminded me of something Kate has said about her time in Grad School. While they were women in her field, who have become successful, they haven’t done much to form paths for the women that came after them. Rue’s mentor does help Rue. There is no denying that, but when push comes to shove. She only cares about herself and will sacrifice anyone, no matter how close she is to them, to save herself. Things do have a happy ending because this is, after all, a romance, but not the ending. We will see more of Rue and Eli in the sequel.

Review: Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

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This is the third book in the Fan Fiction series by Olivia Dade. I think it’s the last but I hope not. While fan fics didn’t play as big as part in the plot as the first two it was still enjoyable. Peter and Maria meet one day at sauna, have a one night stand only to find out the next day that they are both actors and auditioning for the same show. Of course they get plum roles for the hit series Gates of the Gods that Marcus and Alex are in but they characters spend the entire series on a deserted island away from everyone else. Which would be great but Maria left Peter without a note after their one night stand and Peter is quite salty. He has some issues. Don’t we all. The first two books follow Marcus and Alex dating “normal” people so already this one is different because both Peter and Maria are actors and become very famous thanks to their roles on this show. There is mention of the fandom and shippers. I wished they kinda went more into this because I found fandoms to be so interesting but I understand while it was not a focus. The story is about Maria and Peter and how for them to get together, they both have to overcome their own insecurities and professional obligations. This is also a story of found family. Maria is adopted and is afraid of being abandon. Even though her adopted family is awesome, the fear of being left behind again still stays with her. Peter is desperate for his dad’s approval and to prove he can make it as an artist that he often shuts people out so not to disappoint anyone else. Though each other, they not only find love but a family that cares and supports them. Isn’t that what we all need. To me, this wasn’t as good as the first two but it was still very much enjoyable.