Poison Kisses Part 1 by Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis:

Amanda Skye made me want her. She made me trust her. She made me love her. Then she betrayed me. And now, a madman brings us together again and before our battle with him is over, I will make sure that she never forgets my name: Seth Cage. The Fixer for The Brandon Family Empire, but to a covert CIA operation, I will always be The Assassin. And to Amanda, I will be the man who made her moan, sigh, and beg. And I will make her beg.

***Note -- Poison Kisses is part 1 of a 3 part serial: All three parts are super sexy with an alpha man who has met his match in a kickass female. There will be naked moments that may or may not include a gun, which may or may not be his gun. ****
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
For years now, I've heard incredible things about Lisa Renee Jones' books. She's on my list of authors that I want to be able to read eventually. In fact, she has been for quite a long time. I recently had the opportunity to read one of her books, Poison Kisses Part 1. Unfortunately, I DNF'd it halfway through.

I feel bad for DNF'ing Poison Kisses Part 1 halfway through. It's such a short book that Goodreads has it listed at 86 pages. Usually I don't do that with short books, but it just wasn't holding my interest at all. To me, it felt like the book was all sex, no plot. Don't get me wrong, I love smutty books. I read quite a few of them. However, I like them to have a story line that makes sense too, whether it be serious, or funny. It still needs to be about something if you were to remove those scenes.

Unfortunately, I didn't like Poison Kisses Part 1. In fact, I didn't like it so much that I ended up DNF'ing it, which is unusual for me. I really do want to give Lisa Renee Jones' books another chance because I believe opinions of an author's writing shouldn't be based on one bad experience that someone has with one of their books. I have a feeling that I might enjoy one of her series, The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I own those books, so I think I'm going to try that next.

I give Poison Kisses Part 1: 1/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.lisareneejones.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisareneejones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisareneejones/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-renee-jones
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/73977.Lisa_Renee_Jones

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

Synopsis:
From ​the New York Times bestselling author comes a breathtaking fantasy of a cursed kingdom, warring clans, and unexpected salvation.

Bayr of Saylok, bastard son of a powerful and jealous chieftain, is haunted by the curse once leveled by his dying mother. Bartered, abandoned, and rarely loved, she plagued the land with her words: From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok.

Raised among the Keepers at Temple Hill, Bayr is gifted with inhuman strength. But he’s also blessed with an all-too-human heart that beats with one purpose: to protect Alba, the first girl child born in nearly two decades and the salvation for a country at risk.

Now the fate of Saylok lies with Alba and Bayr, whose bond grows deeper with every whisper of coming chaos. Charged with battling the enemies of their people, both within and without, Bayr is fueled further by the love of a girl who has defied the scourge of Saylok.

What Bayr and Alba don’t know is that they each threaten the king, a greedy man who built his throne on lies, murder, and betrayal. There is only one way to defend their land from the corruption that has overtaken it. By breaking the curse, they could defeat the king…but they could also destroy themselves.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
I love Amy Harmon's books. Over the past few years, she's become an insta-buy author for me. As soon as she releases a new book, I but it. I don't care what it's about because I know as long as she's writing it, it's going to be good. As soon as the audiobook became available, I knew I had to binge listen to The First Girl Child, one of her newer releases. Unfortunately, it's one of the only Amy Harmon books that I didn't like.

At first, The First Girl Child really drew me in. I greatly enjoyed the prologue, and the first few chapters. After a while though, the book became incredibly boring. It felt like nothing significant was happening. At one point, I found myself losing focus. I had to rewind a few times while listening because I was so bored that I found my thoughts drifting elsewhere, and wasn't paying attention to what was going on in the story line.

I do have to admit that towards the end of the book, things did start to get interesting again. From about the hour and a half left in the book mark on until the end, I found myself becoming intrigued again, and really getting back into the story line. I needed to know how things ended. It wasn't enough to make me love Bayr's story, but it did help increase my enjoyment.

Unfortunately, The First Girl Child just wasn't for me. I found about eighty percent of the book to be boring, so much so that I found myself day dreaming while listening. It just felt like nothing was happening, and the story couldn't hold my interest. Even though I didn't enjoy this book, I will definitely continue to read Amy Harmon's future releases. I've enjoyed almost all of the other books she has written. 

I give The First Girl Child: 2.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website:  https://www.authoramyharmon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyharmon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aharmon_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.harmon2/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoramyharmon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbxWykpRGYyQOzwhNgtH-QA
Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-harmon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829056.Amy_Harmon

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover

Synopsis:
Welcome to the Point

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
For years, I've heard great things about Jay Crownover's books. Everyone in the romance book community talks about how incredible the books are. I decided recently that I wanted to try to binge read her books because I own quite a few of them. A friend recommended that I start with Better When He's Bad, the first book in the Welcome to the Point series. Unfortunately, I didn't like it.

I don't even know where to start with what I didn't like about Better When He's Bad. There are so many things. First of all, Dovie and Bax have such a toxic relationship. It's incredibly problematic. There's a certain sex scene that sticks out in my mind just because of how much it bothered me. There was no regard for consent whatsoever. Dovie tells Bax no multiple times, and he continues anyways. It just left me with an icky, gross, uncomfortable feeling as I was reading it. In addition to that, Bax was also extremely emotionally and mentally abusive. He was controlling about where Dovie went, and who she spent time. It set off red flags for abusive signals in my mind. I thought that Dovie could do so much better than Bax. In fact, I was rooting for them not to be together because her being alone would have been better than having to endure that abusive behavior.

Unfortunately, I didn't like Better When He's Bad. Dovie and Bax's extremely toxic relationship made me severely uncomfortable the whole time I was reading. In my opinion, Bax was emotionally, mentally, and physically abusive to Dovie. I do plan on giving other books of Jay Crownover's a chance because I own a lot of them, and don't like to form opinions on whether I like an author's writing based on one book. However, I won't be continuing the Welcome to the Point series. I own most of the books in her Marked Men series and I've heard it's a lot tamer, so I think I'll try that next.  

I give Better When He's Bad: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.jaycrownover.com/about
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCrownover
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jaycrownover
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay.crownover/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6875794.Jay_Crownover

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Transfigured Hart by Jane Yolen

Synopsis:
Is what Richard saw in the woods really a unicorn? 

Beloved fantasy legend Jane Yolen (The Devil's Arithmetic; Sister Light, Sister Dark) offers an unexpected answer in this perfect jewel of a coming-of-age story. The Transfigured Hart bridges the wondrous in-between world where adults rediscover childhood wonder and children discover new favorite tales.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
 I have read a few of Jane Yolen's books, and greatly enjoyed them. One of my reading goals is to eventually make my way through all of her books. Recently, I decided to pick up The Transfigured Hart by her because I've owned it for a while. Unfortunately, it was the first book of hers that I didn't like.

It made me sad that I didn't enjoy The Transfigured Hart. I found the book to be boring. To me, it was almost pointless to read because it felt like nothing happened throughout the entire story. All throughout the book, it was leading up to what felt like an epic finale with a huge plot twist. In reality, the ending was incredibly underwhelming. It was so disappointing. In fact, the only reason why I'm giving the book two stars is that I liked Richard, the male main character. I found his love for books and reading to be very relatable.

I really wish that I loved The Transfigured Hart, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Other than the male main character, I didn't like the book at all. I still plan on reading the rest of Jane Yolen's books because I enjoyed the other ones that I've read. I'll try The Emerald Circus next in hopes that I like it better. 

I give The Transfigured Hart: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.janeyolen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.yolen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janeyolen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5989.Jane_Yolen

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Driving Mr. Wrong Home by Shirley Jump

Synopsis:
Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
 
When a handsome man from Gabby's past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Over the past year or so, I've made it in a main focus in my reading life to read books that I've owned for a long time. I have books that I acquired in 2010-2015 that I still haven't read yet. While reading those books, I've really enjoyed a series of short stories about a dog named Charlie. I've put off reading the last book for a while now because I don't want the series to be over. I finally decided to finish the series with Driving Mr. Wrong Home. After finishing it, I thought it was just an okay book.

There were a few things that I enjoyed about Driving Mr. Wrong Home. First and foremost, I loved Charlie. He absolutely cracked me up. I loved how cute he was, and how he kept finding sneaky ways to bring the two main characters together.

However, there was also quite a bit that I didn't enjoy about the book. There were quite a few scenes that were over the top cheesy. Typically I don't mind a little bit of cheesiness in the romance books I read, but these were just too much. I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit while reading this book, just because of how ridiculous some of the things were. A certain scene with a helicopter sticks out in my mind. It was so ridiculous. There's no way that type of thing would happen in real life.

Even though I had mixed feelings on Driving Mr. Wrong Home, I am sad to see this mini series come to an end. I will miss Charlie, and all of the silly trouble he gets himself into. I will also miss reading about the way he brings random couples together. Hopefully I am able to find quick stories like this that have a similar theme somewhere else.

I give Driving Mr. Wrong Home: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://shirleyjump.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleyjump.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleyjump

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

My Dad Thinks I’m a Boy?! by Sophie Labelle

Synopsis:
'My Dad thinks I'm a boy named Stephen who likes wrestling and fishing. But that's what my Dad likes.' Stephie is 7 years old. She likes bugs, books and spaghetti. Also, she's a girl... which should be pretty easy to understand, right? Well, not for her Dad! He's been mistaking her for a boy since she was born and struggles to see her for who she is. This powerful and uplifting comic book for primary age children and their families humorously portrays a situation that is often too common, where a trans child is forced to negotiate between their true self and their parents' love. With amusing illustrations, and a useful guide for adults, it's the perfect book to help show children that no one else than ourselves gets to decide who we are.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
It is so hard to find LGBTQ+ books for children. Finding books for children that represent transgender people is almost unheard of. When I finally found one, My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy, I knew I had to get a copy to read. I try to keep resources in case someone I know might be transitioning, or thinking of transitioning, and needed the books to help with that. I think this is a great resource that will help people understand what it's like to be transgender.

Not only is this book a great resource for children to understand more about what it's like to be transgender. I think it's also a great resource for adults as well. The explanations are incredibly simplified, and straight to the point. The book makes things incredibly easy to understand, whether the reader is four years old, or one hundred and four. I think this would especially be a great resource for a parent that is having a hard time understanding their child being transgender, and everything that goes along with that, no matter how old their child is. The discussion guide in the back of the book could be a great tool to open up a civil discussion between a child and adult about some misunderstandings they might have.

I really enjoyed My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy. It's a transgender positive book for children and adults alike. I think it could really open up a discussion between transgender people, and those that don't quite fully comprehend what betting transgender means, whether that be family or friends. I think the book is an incredibly valuable resource that should be added to libraries everywhere.  

I give My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy?!: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.serioustransvibes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lasophielabelle/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/assignedmale
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labellesophie/?hl=en
Tumblr: https://assignedmale.tumblr.com/

I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

Synopsis:
The fifth installment in Seanan McGuire's award-winning, bestselling Wayward Children series, Come Tumbling Down picks up the threads left dangling by Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones

When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister--whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice--back to their home on the Moors.

But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome.

Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken.

Again.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
From the moment I read Every Heart a Doorway, I have been addicted to Seanan McGuire's writing. I have read most of her books in a single sitting because I love her writing so much. I thought for some reason that her Wayward Children series had ended with the previous book that was released, In an Absent Dream. Therefore, you can imagine how excited I was to find out that there was a fifth book in the series that was recently released. As soon as I found out about Come Tumbling Down, I knew I had to read it right away. I thought it was an excellent addition to one of my favorite series.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones was definitely my favorite book in the Wayward Children series. When I found out that part of Come Tumbling Down took place within the same door, I was excited. It felt great to be reunited with some of my favorite characters that I had really missed. It almost felt like coming home after being gone a really long time. I especially loved that we got to see more of Jack. She's always been one of my favorite characters in this series.

Another thing I loved about Come Tumbling Down is that the reader gets to explore more of my favorite door. In this book, the reader sees a completely new side to this door that's never been seen before, and I loved every second of it. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't had a chance to read the book yet, but it was something that I never expected, and it added so much to the world. I hope that Seanan McGuire does that for other doors in other books in this series too.

Come Tumbling Down was an almost perfect addition to the Wayward Children series. My only complaint that I have is that I would have liked to see a little more of Jill, and her perspective on things. Otherwise, I absolutely loved this book. It held all of the magic and wonder from the previous books in the series, and was a fantastic display of Seanan McGuire's addictive writing style. I hope she continues to write even more books in this series, and expands even more on this universe that I love so much.  

I give Come Tumbling Down. 4.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.seananmcguire.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seananmcguire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seananmcguire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seananmcguire/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2860219.Seanan_McGuire

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz

Synopsis:
Trick…or wicked treat!

It was a devastating dirty trick—Joey Silvia just found out her boyfriend of two years is married. What. A. Dick. Joey knows her best chance to get over one guy is to get under another. Of course, heading home to her family's remote cabin in Oregon poses some challenges in the "available men" department…until she discovers this cabin comes with its own hot handyman!

Holy crap, Chris Steffensen. When did her brother's best friend turn into a hard-bodied pile of blond-bearded hotness? He's the perfect Halloween treat—and a surprisingly dirty rebound guy. For a couple of weeks, anyway. Except that Chris has other ideas…like proving to Joey that this blast from the past is a whole lot more than a naughty Halloween hookup.
(Synopsis from Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:
Over the last few years, I've read quite a few of Tiffany Reisz's books. I've loved every single one that I've read. I've read all of he Sinners series, and the spinoffs. Some of her Sinners series I've even read multiple times. I recently found out that she wrote a few books under the Harlequin Blaze imprint, so I decided to pick up the first book in the series, Her Halloween Treat, and read it. I thought it was an enjoyable, sexy read.

When you hear someone talking about Harlequin books, the first think you probably think about is cliches that make you wan t to roll your eyes, and a lot of fluffy, non substance writing. That wasn't the case with Her Halloween Treat at all. The book was a bit cheesey at times, but in a sarcastic fun way. I especially enjoyed the banter between the main character, Joey, and her best friend, Kira. They cracked me up together. The banter between Joey and the love interest, Chris was also great. They had incredible chemistry that just rolled off of the pages, especially during the incredibly sexy parts of the book.

Sometimes while reading romance novels, the characters can kinda feel cookie cutteresque, like they don't have much personality because the book is more about sex than the plot. That wasn't the case with this book at all. The characters all had very well fleshed out personalities and backstories. Joey's brothers backstory was absolutely heartbreaking. Even though he's only a side character, Tiffany Reisz puts so much detail and emotion behind everything that he went through as a teenager that the reader feels like they're experiencing it first hand.

All in all, I really loved Her Halloween Treat. It didn't surprise me that much that I loved the book, considering how much I've enjoyed the author's other books. However, it did make me more open minded about reading more Harlequin books in the future, as it's a genre that's not something I usually pick up. I definitely plan on binge reading the rest of the Men at Work series, and reading a few other Harlequin Blaze authors too.  

I give Her Halloween Treat: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.tiffanyreisz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleredridingcrop/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/8thcirclepress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany_reisz/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4480131.Tiffany_Reisz

I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.