Hussy by Selena Kitt 3/5 stars

This was my first experience reading a Selena Kitt book. I have seen her titles around before but my interests have always veered in a different direction. I think what I found most intriguing about this book was the title. Hussy is about Lindsey, a teenager with an unconventional sexual appetite. The book opens with a scene that will leave readers unfamiliar with Ms. Kitt's work in a state of shock. I did insist on reading the novella in one sitting, afraid that I would be put off by the highly charged erotica. Ms. Kitt crafts an engaging story around Lindsey's sexual exploits. I enjoyed the story. I found Lindsey to be complex and well developed. Her motives were confusing in the beginning and Zach's role in the story helps to explain her actions and heal. The sex scenes in this book are not for the faint of heart. Readers who enjoy erotica will enjoy Lindsey's more intimate encounters.

Like Falling (Surfacing Series Book One) by Jaden Wilkes 4/5 stars

I started reading this book almost three weeks after receiving my ARC. The beginning seemed so confined and reserved. The middle is a little scattered and hard to follow. But the denouement is filled with this bliss that seems unreal. The ending is tense and a little unbearable, like Gone With the Wind or Fifty Shades of Grey. I realized that the story is very character driven therefore the movement of the mood of the book very closely resembles the main character.

Sarah is a Mennonite girl from a provincial town in Alberta Canada. She has spent her entire life completely sheltered by the rigid beliefs of her family. She is easily dismissed by her family and seeks solace in daydreaming. The book opens with her on her way to college. She attends a school several hundred miles away from home with her best friend, Naomi. At college she meets two men, Tyr (pronounced tear) and Adam. The rest of the story proceeds with her having to make tough decisions about which of these men she should pursue. Sarah's family is working on arranging her marriage while she is working on pursuing a life outside of her hometown, one in which she would be forced to live within the confines of strict mother and father.

Sarah's journey of self discovery leads her on a path that is sometimes difficult to read. At other times, this book is difficult to put down. I was so surprised by this book, largely because I had never heard of the author. This is an awesome story. The characters are so different from the standard romance novel stock. I tried to rationalize that maybe it was cultural and relative to the setting but honestly I do not care. I love that they make REAL mistakes. I love that their flaws are relatable. I love that the love triangle isn't this tug of war but this young woman's struggle with affection and attraction. I also like that the reader does not automatically know which man is the right one for Sarah, that we have to wait and see. And I did find the end to be very reminiscent of GWTW and FSOG. I'm glad there is a sequel but lately that has made me nervous because I've been reading really strong first efforts and mediocre to subpar second reads. I think as long as the original story arc is followed every reader will be happy with the follow up, Like Drowning.

The Lies We Tell by Elizabeth Dunk (3/5 Stars)

Australia to Americans is so exotic. We fixate on the beautiful and happy people and the mystery of the outback. I'm glad that Elizabeth Dunk has crafted this tale that avoids the stereotypical location but still lets me enjoy imagining the beautiful men (particularly Todd Lansing). I love the intricate web of lies that maneuvers the plot of this novel. Sia's struggles with her obligation to a father that refuses to love her is at times difficult to read but what makes it bearable is that the other characters address their concerns. I love that every character in this novel is purposeful. I have a growing disdain for characters that are excessive and just distractions. One of the more compelling pieces of this text is that the two main characters are dealing with the exact same problem, they are both fighting against their pasts and largely due to issues with their fathers. I love that everything about this story is tangible, the setting in the suburbs, the problems the characters face with money or relationships, the diversity of the people moving through the story. I found this story to be much more mature than so much of what I've read in the past and that's a good thing. I needed a change and this story delivers.

Frigid by J. Lynn 3/5 Stars

J. Lynn creates these unconventional love affairs in a tangible way. Some of her novels have fueled a few of my sweetest dreams. However, I found Frigid to be infuriating. The writing is the same but the basis for the storyline is unbelievable. Kyler Quinn is your male lead. He is handsome and determined. He is resourceful and sincere. He is intuitive up to the point that he cannot tell that his best friend since he was a child has harbored feelings for him. Kyler feels as strongly for her as she does for him but does not act on these feelings. This I have a hard time believing because it is not meeting with his character. Sydney is no better. Her insecurities take a toll on the patience when reading the book. She is constantly second-guessing the meaning behind what Kyler says (which I admit is typical of a 21-year old woman and a 35 year old woman). Anyway it is Sydney's insecurities that cause the most problems in their burgeoning affair. I will stop there because I do not want to spoil the book. Positive feedback: love the setting in the mountains during a snow storm. It seems cliched but this is where J. Lynn works her magic and takes a formulaic convention and still manages to add some interesting plot points. Kyler meets the requirements for sexy book boyfriend with flying colors. SWOON-WORTHY MOMENT: Wait until you find out the meaning behind his tattoo.

 

Weathering the Storm (The Storm Series) by Samantha Towle 3/5 Stars

Last summer I read The Mighty Storm and Jake Wethers became one of my favorite book boyfriends. I spent this past summer looking forward to this sequel. I began reading and quickly became entranced with Jake Wethers and the wicked web he weaves. First, let me say this: Jake in this novel is just as sexy as he is in the first novel. Still charming and completely sweet on Trudy. Now that I've shared that tidbit I need to express some concerns. This novel does not measure up to its predecessor. The Mighty Storm was about a rock star wooing a long lost love after suffering a tragedy. The courtship is always so enchanting in novels even when the characters suffer during their formulaic separation, we readers wait in angst and anticipation for the reconciliation. Unfortunately, the happily ever after is usually dull and doesn't involve as much excitement, both in real life and in this sequel. Samantha Towle does a good job of introducing some drama to Jake and Trudy's HEA to keep us engaged but the plot is not exciting. You know how you like to imagine the love life of Hollywood's most glamorous couple to be but if that couple allowed a camera crew to follow them around for 24 hours the exciting bits would be few and far in between. That's sort of what happens here. There were several points in the novel where Trudy is giving very specific details about her going about getting a drink in the kitchen or choosing an outfit. Frustrating!!! Of course you have the charming and touching components. Jake is still temperamental, endearing, possessive, and hung like an ox (lots of Jake the snake jokes). I did enjoy reading about the direction their love affair takes. I do recommend reading this novel for lovers of the first novel.