JanineConversationsbad dialogue / dual-timeline / exposition / flashbacks / infodumps / nonlinear timeline / prologues11 Comments

Janine: Every book requires exposition (the conveying of background information) but sometimes it’s handled well and other times clumsily. Multiple techniques can be used and authors often employ more than one in the same book. I thought it might be fun to share our thoughts about them. For the sake ... more >

JayneBook Reviews / C+ Reviewsclass differences / England / Historical / lesbian heroine / LGBTQIA characters / LGBTQIA romance / London / non binary / Regency / When the Blood Is Up seriesNo Comments

Lady Agnes is a scandal, thanks to her sister’s marriage to a prizefighter. Or rather, she should be, but as a charitable spinster-to-be, she remains firmly invisible, even to those she loves. Always dutiful, Lady Agnes should be the toast of her family, but only if she marries well. Finding ... more >

JayneBook ReviewsAmerican historical / domestic abuse / domestic violence / First-Person / forced sterilization / gender-based violence / Historical / Historical fiction / Kentucky / librarian / miscegenation / POC / poverty / racism / Young-Adult2 Comments

Bestselling historical fiction author Kim Michele Richardson is back with the perfect book club read following Honey Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, who must fight for her own independence with the help of the women who guide her and the books that set her free. In ... more >

JanineB- Reviews / Book Reviewsanimals / bisexual heroine / Captivity / child abuse / environmentalism / fox / Graceling Realm / kidnapping / Kristin Cashore / political intrigue / queen / romantic-elements / sex positive / YA / YA fantasy4 Comments

Dear Kristin Cashore, I consider myself a fan of your YA fantasy even though not all of your books have worked for me. I really liked Graceling, the first book in the Graceling Realm series, did not much care for Fire but loved Bitterblue, and Jane Unlimited, a book separate ... more >

KaetrinB+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsdisability / fake relationship / found family / frenemies to lovers / friends-to-lovers / NetGalley / New Zealand / POC / POC author / rugbyNo Comments

Dear Nalini Singh, It’s been a while since the last Hard Play release (Love Hard – I did in fact love it hard) and there have been a lot of books in between, so I’d kind of forgotten who Catie and Danny were and the various relationships in the Bishop-Esera ... more >

JayneB- Reviews / Book Reviews1900s / Business woman / class differences / family relationships / Gilded Age / Historical / inspirational / New York City / Russia / social critique / social justice / social unrest / turn of the 20th century10 Comments

He carries a dangerous secret, but can he survive long enough to expose it? Count Dimitri Sokolov has been charged with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but during this work, he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. In an effort to silence ... more >

KaetrinBook ReviewsCanada / coming out / depression / enemies with benefits / grumpy / sunshine / hockey / homophobia / I’m not worthy / LGBTQIA+ / m/m / May-December / secret relationship / star-crossed lovers39 Comments

A thread for discussing Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, including the recently released The Long Game, book six, *WITH SPOILERS* for all the books included. ALL your thoughts are welcome.   For those readers who prefer spoiler-free reviews and discussions, reviews of the earlier books can be found below: Heated ... more >

KaetrinA Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsbisexual / Canada / coming out / Contemporary / depression / disability / Gay / hockey / joint review / LGBTQIA+ / NetGalley / queer / rivalry / star-crossed lovers18 Comments

Janine, Sirius and I were all so excited to read The Long Game and eager to talk about it once we did so we decided to review it together. Please note there will be series spoilers for prior books. Heated Rivalry is essential prior reading but Role Model is also ... more >

JanineBook Reviews / Open ThreadOpen Thread13 Comments

Got a book you want to talk about? Frustrated with a book or series? In love with a new one? Found a buried treasure? An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading? Just want to chat about stuff in general?

JayneB Reviews / Book Reviewsanxiety / Contemporary / depression / discrimination / divorcee / family relationships / Firefighter / Holiday / holiday novella / interracial marriage / Islam / mental health / Muslim / novella / POC / POC author / Ramadan / Ramadan Nights series9 Comments

She wasn’t looking for love, but it found her. Zaynab flees a dysfunctional marriage, saving herself from an emotional breakdown. After two years of therapy overseas, she returns to reconnect with the son she left behind. She is not interested in remarrying, but then a sexy firefighter pulls her from ... more >