the_cover_contessa's reviews
1658 reviews

Review to come 

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Adult Audio/One More Chapter, and Harper 30 for providing  me with an egalley an audio arc of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've been looking for a good F1 book. I'm a huge fan and follow pretty closely so I know a lot about the sport, the teams, some of the technology and engineering, even. This is not my first F1 book and so far they have all let me down in one way or another. I picked this one as it made sense to me to read a book in a male dominant field with the main characters as two males. Sadly, this book did not live up to my expectations, either.
Let's start with the audio part of the book. I'm unsurprised the narrators use British voices but I will say Joshua Chase and James Joseph were similar enough that it was sometimes hard to tell them apart. This was annoying if I missed the title of the chapter saying who it was. I could usually pick it out once it got going as the narrators did make the voices of the characters unique enough with tone and inflection, plus the author definitely showed each personality of the characters. The narrator that did Harper's voice had a very low quality of his voice. Almost a whisper at times and I found myself having to rewind to hear what he said.
If the narrators not being to my liking wasn't enough, the entire story and plot line just fell short. I feel like the author needed to do a lot more research into F1. You can see some if it there, while at other times it's severely lacking. It's not believable that two F1 drivers would share a trailer for weeks on end while touring. It's not believable that a reserve driver is brought up and has zero understanding about how to talk to the media; he's getting his first trainings now? Seems highly unlikely. Finally, F1 is an expensive sport. You don't really see poor, orphaned kids who have zero support racing. Where is the money coming from? it just makes zero sense.
As I said above, the author did a good job making the two characters distinct. Kian as the stuck up, regimented driver who doesn't want to deviate from his schedule or be friends and Harper who is carefree and not caring who thinks what of him. He does as he pleases and has no inkling of how his actions hurt or injure others. This was truly the only part of the story that might be believable.
Did I feel the chemistry between these two? Not at all. Was their relationship (love/hate, I guess?) believable? Not really because the attraction they talk about (what the author tells us, rather than shows us) just didn't feel like it was really there. And, since this was the entire premise of the book, the growth of the characters felt stunted and overall underdeveloped. I felt zero connection or empathy for either of these characters. Even when the author gave us a bone and look into the background of the characters, which I would hope would help me connect, I just didn't care enough to feel badly for them in any way.
And the pacing was so slow! I just kept waiting for something to happen by even by 60%, when the characters have finally gotten together in some capacity, it was still just stunted. It dragged and I had to push and push and push to even care to finish it. Once I got annoyed enough with the narrators, I switched to Kindle version. But it did nothing to improve the story.
Overall, I'm completely underwhelmed with this title. There is a lot wrong and I feel like it needs another round of edits to point out where pacing could be picked up, characters could be developed, and story line could use some tweaks.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for supplying me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I adored the first book in this series, Collide. It was unexpected from an author I hadn't heard for before. That made me really want to continue on to see the story lines of the other characters I met there. Sprial is the story of Elias Westbrook, who we met in book one, and Sage Beaumont, a newly introduced characters. 
I will say, I went into this book with high expectations given how much I loved the first book. I wanted it to give me the same feel. Unfortunately, that was not the case. 
Elias Westbrook, definitely a grump in this grumpy/sunshine book. He's had some trouble in his past and is paying for it, literally. Being the handsome young rookie on the Toronto Thunder team has has thrust him into the media spotlight. And the media has painted him in a playboy light, when he is nowhere near what they are trying to show the public. He doesn't want to open up for anyone. And he certainly doesn't want to be romantically involved with anyone. His focus is on his career and keeping his nose clean. He doesn't expect Sage Beumont, and he certainly doesn't expect how she makes him feel. However, the amount of tease with him was just annoying for me. He had this big secret he was holding back and I felt like he was stringing Sage along for much of the book. When the big reveal finally happens, I was not impressed. Plus, the actual reveal made no sense given what they had already done together. I don't want to spoil it so I'll just leave it at that.
Sage has one sole focus: get the lead role in the ballet company's showing of Swan Lake, She will do whatever she needs to make sure she can secure that role. Even if it means fake dating the man she won a date with at an auction. Social media will help her be noticed and recognized. Fake dating Eli will help with this. What she doesn't expect is to actually fall for the man. Having spent her life around hockey players, she's always kept her distance. But Elias offers her the support she needs to get her career on track. Sage is supposed to be a POC but I just don't see that worked in to where it made sense to even introduce that. If you're going to introduce this, there needs to be reasoning for it: showing socio/economic differences, showing how this may affect her ability to move forward in ballet, etc. We get a bit of the socio/economic but not enough. I felt like this part of the story fell short as the wealthy white hockey player swoops in to take care of her. It was way too superficial. I enjoyed Sage's relationship with her brother, but I just found it a little unrealistic, to be honest. How is she caring for him when she has the mess of her life? I understand he's at a boarding school but she's just not as involved as I feel like she would be if she were like his guardian.
I wasn't totally comfortable with the relationship between Sage and Eli. The potential was great. I loved the idea of them being forced together. But I wanted more of a slow burn with antics and banter and it just didn't hit for me. There was so much that could have been done to show them growing towards each other but it just felt forced to me. I needed to see their relationship grow more organically and it just didn't. I didn't feel invested in them ending up together. The slow burn was done well enough but not to the point that I felt the emotional connections I would have liked to between the characters.
I felt like the author didn't truly understand the ballet world. I feel like more research was needed to truly show what that world is like for Sage. It's just not realistic the way it's presented. And I'm confused as to why there needed to be a fake dating trope. Was it supposed to be because of Eli's background and he's vow? I don't really get why it was necessary expect to make another story line to follow that didn't really make sense for the plot line.
Overall, I was more disappointed than not with this installment of this series. I wanted to love it but there were just so many plot holes and things that didn't make any sense. I felt like I spent the entire book waiting for something to happen and it never really did. I will still pick up future books from Khabra, as I like her writing and think she has great potential as a romance author.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an egalley and audio galley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've become a fan of Lord's work. She writes sweet, clean teen romance that is relatable with characters who are developed well and real. I was happy to be approved to read this most recent title from her.
Jesse Vilinsky, the narrator, is known to me. She has narrated quite a few Lynn Painter books. Her tone, inflection, and reactions to the part she speaks is spot on as long as they are teen parts. She has an easy cadence, as well. I cannot see that I would enjoy her for more mature narrations but she fits well as a voice for teens with some angst. I was fortunate to also get the kindle version of this book so I read along for the full immersion and it was surprisingly fun.
Sadie has always battled against her rival Sebastian. Their families have been friends since they were born, neighbors all their lives, and they have spent many vacations with each other. But it's always been a sticky type of relationship. Where they love the same things and compete to get them. Sadie is finally free as she starts her freshman year of college at Blue Ridge State and Seb is stuck at another school. But suddenly, Seb is on campus as his waitlisted spot has opened up. Now Sadie must once again worry he will be after the same coveted spot she is on the school new rag. But a twist of events where the funding for their paper is being pulled has Sadie and Seb researching the reasons together and forming an alliance. This only confuses their relationship even more as they are still competing for the same spot on the paper.
Sadie and Seb are really well done developmentally. I liked that Lord didn't leave out their flaws. It made them so much more real. You definitely get the sense they are freshmen in college who are trying to find their way. And it's obvious that they are more than just the friendly rivals Sadie makes them out to be. The book is told strictly from Sadie's POV. I kind of wish we would have had Seb's POV but I do understand the book is about Sadie's growth and her coming to terms with her feelings and with what she wants to do with her life as well as showing her breaking free of her family to try and become more independent. She's always been the rock that held her sisters and parents together and without her there, things fall apart a bit.. I really felt her struggle to try and keep Seb at a distance but at the same time be drawn to him and be confused by it all. It's hard to see your enemy as your lover. Though she does confess to having these same types of confusing feelings back in high school.
Lord writes great side characters who are diverse and fun. I enjoyed watching Sadie and Seb make friends as they managed their first year of college. It would be great to get some of the side character's stories in the future.
I will say, I expected a bit more academics for this book seeing as they are freshmen in college. There is a lot of emphasis put on the time they spend doing things for the paper and I found that a bit unrealistic. I needed to feel the pressure of classes, tests, papers, and all the other things that come along with learning to navigate academia as an 18 year old. 
This book was a great glance into university politics, becoming independent, and breaking away from family woes. If you're a fan of Lynn Painter's young adult works, you'll enjoy Lord's. If you're looking for a wholesome teen romance, this is a great choice!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love me some sports romance. But what I love more is the sports taking a bit of a back ground to the growing relationship between the characters. While the sports background is of some importance in this book, I really loved how Wilde built the relationship between Zac and Melody. Or should I say rebuilt it since it's been 10 years since they talked, 10 years since Zac walked away with no explanation as to why. Did I figure it out early on? I did. Did I care? Nope. I needed to see how Wilde got us to where I knew we needed to be.
Melody is fresh off a rocky and abusive (though she doesn't realize it right away) relationship. She's spent six years twisting herself into a pretzel to please her ex. I'm just going to put right here that I hate this guy, and I'm sure that's exactly what Wilde was going for. The emotional and mental abuse this guy spewed was totally gross. But Wilde did a great job showing it. And showing how easy it was for him to manipulate Melody into believing it. I will say her realization of the abuse was a little to quick for me, considering she endured it for six years. I feel like this would have been a slower process given the time she spent in the relationship. But I do understand it took getting out of the environment for her to be able to look back in and see what was wrong. I love her relationship with her twin. They banter and cajole each other in the most loving way. Parker is super protective of Melody, which comes into play with how she was treated in high school by all of Parker's friends (the football team). I enjoyed how she reconnected with her best friend but I truly enjoyed how she reconnected with Zac. Her slow burn realization that her crush from 10 years ago really never went away held up against her anger for him just leaving her and never looking back is a great dichotomy.
Zac is so sweet. I love how he's held out all these years for Melody. Knowing he screwed up but feeling like he could never really do anything about it for fear of losing Parker as a friend. But I also find it a little unrealistic that he would truly wait all those years hoping she'd come back when he knew she was in a committed relationship for so many years. I truly felt for him, though. I cannot imagine the pain of watching someone you love be with someone else and hoping beyond hope that one day you'd have another chance. I love how he rebuilds his relationship with Melody even with the idea that it may never turn into what he truly wants. And he not only has his heart set on her, but he has his heart set on protecting one of the kids he coaches: Noah. This relationship is built so well. Zac opens his home and heart to this kid because he sees he needs it. Is he trying to rescue him? Maybe a bit. But I jut think his heart is just so big he needs an outlet for all he wants to give. He creates a found family. I was swooning for him.
The pacing and writing style is well done with this book. I didn't feel there was unnecessary plot inserted that stalled the story. Every element moved things forward. I enjoyed how Wilde wove so many elements into the story. I laughed at some parts. Fanned myself with the spice. And definitely shed a few tears with the emotional gravity underlying the relationships between the characters. The chemistry between Zac and Melody is off the charts. They fight, they banter, they can't avoid the pull to one another. And how he helps her heal, even knowing she will at some point leave him, it's just so sweet! It has all the right elements of a romance. I didn't want to put this one down.
Does this book have great supporting characters? It sure does. Summer, Melody's best friend, slowly sneaks her way back into Melody's heart. They reconnect on that level only best high school friends can. And Brooks? OOF! I adore him. He and Zac has this bromance going that is so much fun. 
Gold retriever, cinnamon bun guy? CHECK! Second chance love? CHECK! Brother's best friend? CHECK! Forced proximity? CHECK! Fake dating? CHECK! Slow burn? CHECK! And, a fun, quick, easy read? CHECK! No third act break up? YES! This book hits a lot of tropes which all work together to create a great story. I'm really excited for the next book in this series because BROOKS! Wilde will definitely be a go to author for me in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager/Avon for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
There's something that draws me about books of women in STEM. It's the science, yes, but also the personalities you see from people who choose to make such areas of study their careers. I connect to it on a cellular level because of my medical occupation. When books come along and show strong women who make their way in science, it makes me truly happy. I feel not so alone in loving the geeky parts of my career.
Before I dive in, know there are trigger warnings that come with this book: abuse, loss of a loved one, grief, sexual content, anxiety.
The most interesting part of this story for me was the setting. I have not read STEM books that take place in a museum. And, at first, I wasn't so sure about how it truly fit in. But watching Millie do her thing and show her love of entomology was inspiring. My favorite museums to visit are science museums but I never truly thought about how this part of the science actually fits into that.
I enjoyed Millie's character. She was a bit timid and also at a point where she was more interested in who she was and how that fit into her career than love. But you never know when love will hit you from out of the blue, right? She's also a bit untrusting, understandable given her background with her ex (who I was ready to punch in the face, mind you). This also manifests as severe anxiety at times in the book and the author did a good job with showing this. There's one scene where is literally paralyzed by it and I think the author really understood how to relay this to the audience in a sensitive way.
Finn, oh Finn. I really liked his character so much. Even more than Millie. I love his loyalty to his nieces. How he revolves his world around them while still struggling to come to terms with his grief over his sister. He's so focused on them he doesn't think there is room for anything else. Or that he even deserves it. Of course, his background with his parents and their abusive behavior explains much of this. He doesn't want his sister's girls growing up in the environment he had to endure for so long. He and Ellie have much in common when it comes to having endured abuse and I think this is what gives them more of a connection than not. The only thing I had issue with was his instant attraction to Millie. It was a bit over the top for me since it happened right away. I do get that perhaps he had a thing for her to begin with but this wasn't shown as well as I would have liked considering they had been working together for a while. 
The side characters were great. I loved El and Ave, Finn's nieces. And Millie's parents, they were just amazing. They incorporated Finn and his nieces so easily into their lives, opening their hearts and doors without need of an explanation why and giving Finn the found family he needed. I do wish Kyle, the abusive ex, would have gotten more of a comeuppence in this story. He made me so very angry and, while I can understand not all characters can easily break out of the abuse cycle (which makes the story more relatable), I felt like there needed to be more of a confrontation with him. I feel like that would have made Millie's load much lighter in the long run.
The pacing of the story is well done. I didn't feel like it was slow. The author wove into the story things that helped to move the plot along well. I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine vibe this book had going for it which was well done with the dual POV. While Mille's character had endured some life changing stuff, she's still happy and loves what she does and the life she has created. Meanwhile, Finn puts off a grumpy vibe right from the start. Though you can also see he has moments of sunshine peeking through which only become more prominent the more time he spends with Millie. The banter between the characters made the story fun at many moments.
Overall, I was impressed with how the author tackled the serious topics in this book while still infusing romance and character growth. There was good depth to the story and it showed the author understood her audience and the topics she chose to use, approaching them in a realistic and healthy way. This was a great first novel for this author and I can see she will quickly become a favorite of mine in the future. Fans of Ali Hazelwood will enjoy this story very much. I'm excited to see the future books of this series as they explore Millie's sisters.
3.5 stars rounded to 4