Jeffrey Alvarado

BEAUTIFUL MM PNR

Reviewed: 08-29-23 Listener received this title free

We finally get Levi & Silas’s love story that’s been brewing for 13 stories in this series!! Chase has always been inclusive of LGBTQ side characters, but this is the first time a male/male romance has been featured in the Keating Hollow series and it was done so well! In my opinion at least. She stayed true to both of their characters that we’ve caught glimpses of for the past 13 books, and focused on their own faults & hang-ups in their own struggle to rekindle the love they’ve had for each other that has only dimmed since their breakup years ago. I think it helped that she’s created a world who’s so inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ characters and avoiding any homophobic situations or people. It really helped focus on their story and rollercoasters of emotions.

There are scenes with PDA, but faded to black before alluding to spice which I applaud only because I think those scenes should be written by someone with firsthand experience in those scenes. I will say, however, that like other Chase PNR stories, there were definitely times where I got chills when the characters were professing or showing their love for one another. And that’s coming from a straight married woman. It was just so well done! For a change of pace, the last TWO chapters were spent introducing a branch in her stories. Bc One continuing Keating Hollow with Harlow’s story, and also August’s story that will be set in a new town with some ties to KH. I’m definitely intrigued in both!

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Magically Heartwarming!

Reviewed: 05-22-23 Listener received this title free

I’m a sucker for poor kids stuck in the middle and my heart melted with the story of Brody and his daughter and how Zaya & Brody overcome the impossible circumstances their lives have put them in. The plot twists are similar to other ones Chase has written but she still takes you on a wild adventure to see exactly how the journey will get them through it. I was also pleasantly surprised to see more of the LBGTQ side characters step into the spotlight more and I’m interested to see how their stories will find their happily ever afters. Loved this installment to Keating Hollow though!

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Intrigue, Mywtery & More

Reviewed: 03-22-23 Listener received this title free

This book starts right where Hunted by Fate left off, and you'd better buckle up - you're in for a wild ride! There's an ample amount of intrigue, mystery, and danger to keep you hooked to the final page. There are new characters and even creatures to add a different twist! Aaaaaand.... even some adult spice! It's well written and very tasteful without detracting from the world or characters she's built.

I want to obsess over this series since I love Dominic's character and the world Mayer's created, but there's just something missing for me. This is another fast-paced second installment; but I do think it's a bit rushed. This feels like it could be another longer series with the intricate details she's added, so I'm worried how much ground will be covered in the next and final book in this trilogy. I am looking forward to seeing if Dominic and Sienna finally get some sort of a happily ever after. I really really hope they do!

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WONDERFUL Winter Romance!

Reviewed: 03-13-23 Listener received this title free

My favorite book in the Witches of Christmas Grove so far! Olivia and Declan had a strong chemistry from the start and I appreciate romance novels where the characters don’t cause extra strife with miscommunications. Even though he is the stereotypical big city boy who wants to never settle down, watching him fall for Olivia was swoon worthy. 10/10!

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Complex & Hilarious World of the Basajunak

Reviewed: 03-13-23

The complexity of the world continues to build; though Breene gives a pretty simplified plot the reader should expect to follow in the next adventure of the Ivy House crew. It amazes me how she’s still able to introduce more characters though there is already an extensive cast on the Ivy House crew. Buckle up though, this installment features the Basajouns (finally!!). Breene doesn’t make their territory or dwellings elaborate though. She beautifully simplifies both while adding little nuances here and there that draw your attention and make you think yes, that could totally work. Ivy house remains cheeky throwing wrenches into the mix, the team faces insurmountable odds yet grow in their teamwork and powers, while bickering nonsensically the entire time.

I loved seeing Jessie’s transformation in embracing the inner darkness of her gargoyle just when you thought she was already a powerhouse (though still inexperienced). There’s a lot of dialogue and planning in this book which is necessary yet distracted me a bit, though it goes to show how much I trust the author when I tune out on the details knowing she’ll handle everything in the end. The way she sets up this book for the NEXT one though is awesome and I CANNOT wait to meet Ulrich’s mom and how meeting the gargoyle cairns will go. I’m sure it’ll be a wild and crazy ride as always.

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Sisters Struggle to Save Men with E.D. and Acne

Reviewed: 01-25-23 Listener received this title free

Another great story in Chase’s Premonition Pointe world. This one focuses on a sisterly bond Marion & Charlotte must repair to save the unwitting men of Premonition Pointe. By now, there are a LOT of names, details & relationships to remember which kept my head spinning at times. Because of this, I’d recommend a reread of at least the 2 previous Mismatched Dating books in the series first. The pace is steady and mystery hovers over the sisters’ heads till the final line of the book. Though this is a witchy Hallmark book, there’s a decent amount of darkness present to set it apart. And as always, Chase is very inclusive of LGBT side characters & topics.

The one thing I missed the most was the setup into the next book in the series. There’s a little bit of a sneak peek but it isn’t as obvious as the other books have been. All in all, I love the world and will keep reading whatever Deanna Chase writes.

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High Flying Adventure in Premonition Pointe!

Reviewed: 01-23-23 Listener received this title free

I loved the action & adventure throughout the book. There are a lot of characters and information making you wonder about how the plot will develop which I really enjoyed. There were some definite unsavory characters which was unexpected but turned out ok in the end. The final chapter REALLY set up the next book in the series with Marion and her estranged sister which I can’t wait to delve into next!

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New Addictively Wild Ride from Mayer

Reviewed: 01-23-23 Listener received this title free

Another crazy wild ride from Mayer, with some ah-mazing characters in a complex and beautiful world. The snark is over the top and I’m sooo here for it! I usually HATE when author’s reviews-write well known characters like Loki but I could NOT put this book down! (Like always 😉). Mayer really set the hook in this story and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I docked points for the performance though because I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. She read the book ok, but unlike other narrators, I couldn't hear Mayer's voice and cadence shining through like other narrators are able to do.

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More of Chase's Witchery & More Spice!!

Reviewed: 01-23-23 Listener received this title free

More Premonition Pointe Witchery with More Spice!

I love the PWF Premonition Pointe witches, and twisting it into a new Miss Matched Dating Agency branch is brilliant. Some of the twists & turns of the dating fiasco in this book was a bit predictable, but Chase keeps you on your toes questioning why till the very end. There are plenty of opportunities for other plots featuring more characters while keeping with the dating agency theme; and I’m excited to see where else it will lead. And more spice has been added = yum!

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Crazy New Cutthroat World by Mayer

Reviewed: 11-15-22 Listener received this title free

Crazy & wild new world where True Blood meets The Hunger Games and the Bachelorette in a way. Sienna is fierce as always, with a hint of naïve about many things since the Veil started falling. The series is a bit darker and supposed to be spicier than her other works lately. Unfortunately it amounts to a bunch of angst & a whole lot of sexual tension between Sienna & Dominic. FOR THE LOVE!!!! PLEASEEEEE give us some full on sex scenes in book 2 because I can’t take much more tension in any of Mayer’s’ ongoing series’ right now.

Discovering the characters and power players in a new Mayer series is always an adventure in of itself, and the intricacies of this one had my head spinning for a bit. There’s an enormous amount of mystery around Sienna’s plight, outcome, and her seemingly more than she appears human characteristics.

If you prefer plot over romance, always choose a Mayer novel; I just hope this series can finally give us more of her elusive romances. The story was great; I just might be slightly bitter over the plot twist at the end.

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