Sunset Beach

Sunset BeachTitle: Sunset Beach
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages: 433
Length: 14h 31m
Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

SUNSET BEACH is my first book by Mary Kay Andrews and it won’t be my last. I mostly chose to read this because other reviews said it was romantic suspense. If you go into it thinking there’s a healthy dose of romance, you’ll be disappointed. It’s very light on the romance. The romance doesn’t even show up until 70% or more into the story. Even though I was a bit disappointed due to the lack of romance, I still really enjoyed the story, characters, and setting, and the mystery aspect kept me guessing until the end.

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The Duke And I

The Duke And ITitle: The Duke and I
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 438
Length: 12h 9m
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman
My Thoughts

I’m glad I decided to read THE DUKE AND I because it was such a fun, steamy historical fiction romance. Despite taking place during the time of one’s reputation being the most important thing, there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Daphne and her courage to help Simon, the Duke of Hastings, overcome his past trauma by showing him that love is more powerful and healing than anger and resentment. I loved the instant connection and attraction between Daphne and Simon. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

The edition I read had a second epilogue, which was fun but way too long and a bit overkill. I loved being able to see Daphne and Simon happy together with their grown children, but I rolled my eyes a couple of times at the sap.

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Iron Flame

Iron FlameTitle: Iron Flame
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #2
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 623
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Fourth Wing, Onyx Storm
My Thoughts

Gah! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! Waiting for ONYX STORM is going to be torture! I saw the end coming because of the foreshadowing, but I’m still in agony!

I loved that IRON FLAME kicked it up a notch! There was more adventure, intrigue, political mayhem, warfare, and so much more romance. It was everything I wanted in a romantasy and sequel. It was excruciating to read because of the non-stop suspense and action. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time wondering how it was all going to go down.

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Bringing Down The Duke

Bringing Down The DukeTitle: Bringing Down the Duke
Author: Evie Dunmore
Series: League of Extraordinary Women #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 356
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE was such a fun, steamy historical fiction romance. I really loved the setting of Victorian era England, just at the beginning of the suffragette movement and the admission of women to Oxford. I thought it gave the romance and characters, especially Annabelle and Sebastian, some depth. Not only did I love the theme of women’s rights and equality, I also loved the themes of friendship, finding one’s own way, and duty to one’s country vs. being on the right side of history.

I really loved Annabelle and her willingness to speak her mind even though it was looked down on at that time. I loved the instant connection and attraction between her and Sebastian, the Duke of Montgomery. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

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When I’m Dead

When I’m DeadTitle: When I'm Dead
Author: Hannah Morrissey
Series: Black Harbor #3
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 308
Length: 10h 37m
Narrator: Xe Sands, Andrew Eiden, Caitlyn Kelly, Gary Tiedemann
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

Also in this series: Hello, Transcriber, The Widowmaker
My Thoughts

WHEN I’M DEAD is a very dark thriller that kept me guessing until the end. It’s thought-provoking and deals with subjects like bullying, suicide, and parent / child relationships. I thought the story was captivating, emotional, and suspenseful. I love Morrissey’s prose. It’s so descriptive and beautiful. (Although, if I heard “shadow of a doubt” one more time, I might have screamed.) I really liked that the story’s told from multiple POVs. I loved the different look into what was going on and I thought each POV was unique and made the story better.

I really liked the characters, especially Rowan and Axel. Their anxiety and fear was so palpable. Reading from each of their POVs was thrilling because of need to find their daughter, Chloe, and their self-doubt in wondering whether they were good parents and really knew their daughter. There was so much more emotion in this story than the previous two books, which kept me reading and thinking about the story when I wasn’t.