family

Review: The Beloved by J.R. Ward

Posted by

0

Ok listen. I was so freaking worried after the ending of Lassiter. I had no idea how JRW was going to be able to move this series along. Let’s be real, we were DEVASTATED and shocked and basically left in a fog. 

BUT SHE DID IT. 

BRILLIANTLY. 

I remember always hearing that the BDB kids will get books but I often wondered how that transition would work. I had faith in her that she would figure it out, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it until I read Lassiter. And I love that she did that to us because now this book brought all the old feelings back.

The Beloved was almost like reading about the OG brothers. I loved all their interactions. Seeing LW, Bitty and Nalla all grown up was the best. This new group of friends brought back all the feels. 

The last 30 years haven’t been smooth for anyone. While most people don’t realize what happened, the children can sense the difference. And some of them did struggle a bit but I’m so happy things are starting to move forward.

I loved watching Nate and Nalla come together. Even though they’re technically 30+ it was still a young love type of relationship and it made my heart all a flutter. I found myself reading their parts slower so I could bask in their happiness. 

I look forward to the next book and who it could be about…

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3vAX2eo

Review: Lassiter by J.R. Ward

Posted by

0

Ok. There will be zero spoilers here. 

Let’s start out by saying us readers have been wanting and waiting for this book for over a decade. Ever since we were first introduced to Lassiter, when he brought back Tohr, we knew there would need to be someone extra special to tame this angel. 

After his positively heartbreaking storyline in the previous book, Lover Arisen, I knew this book was going to tug a bit at our hearts. 

I was soooooo right. 

There was quite a bit happening in this story. We have the devious duo, Lash and Devina, whose story I could honestly do without. There was so much going on with these two. I was here for Lassiter and I cringed when I had to read about their “love”. But they’re a necessary evil that will bring upon the next group of books I’m sure. I still have a few questions about them so I’m hoping we get those answers within the next few books.

We have Rahvyn, who was going through an adjustment to this world. I’m still not sure what she is. But I’m assuming one more vampire with special powers, like V and Payne. She reminded me of Autumn a bit. She’s got a lot to learn about this world but luckily she has lots of people around to help her. I love her for Lassiter. She was definitely the right fit for that Angel. 

And of course we have Lassiter. He’s been slowly changing over the past few books, more serious and less flamboyant. But there was a definite shift with this book. Honestly, after the happenings in Lover Arisen, I would be shocked if there wasn’t. He wasn’t forced to go to Davina but it was no less traumatic for him. So he was marked on the inside and he needed help with healing and seeing himself the way others did. 

That’s just a pinch of what’s going on. So many things. But spoilers…

By the time I finished this book my heart was a twisted puddle on the floor. There were quite a few heart stopping moments and I needed to deep breathe through, and so will you. I like the direction she’s taking us in but I sure wasn’t ready for that journey. Ward knew what she was doing in this story. Whew! 

Side note: I finished typing my review before JRW’s Cinci signing so I’m hoping we get a title for the next one and I’m hoping it’ll make the BDB peeps lose their collective minds. 

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3mxZH3U

Review: Making the Match

Posted by

0

Now there’s two sides to every story. We heard from Genny’s side now we get Tom’s side. But Tom’s side also has a twist. Someone from his past has popped up and the universe wants her to stay. 

Rika met Tom many moons ago but it was wasn’t the right time for them. Now it is. Although there’s a few bumps in the road they’re both ready to walk them together. 

I’m pleasantly surprised I enjoyed this book. I’ll admit I wasn’t too excited to read about Tom’s story. Let’s be real, he had his chance for a love story. I don’t wanna rehash his mistakes. I wanted to read about the kids. 

But alas, that’s not what we got. 

Now that this bit of drama is done I look forward to reading about the children. The next book should be interesting.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3DETk4K

Review: Running Wild by K.A. Tucker

Posted by

0

Marie’s story!!!

Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t her biggest fan when this series first started. But I also wasn’t in her head. I didn’t hate her but I just didn’t like her.

And now I do.

There is so much more to Marie than what we get from anyone else. She has hopes and dreams like we all do. She thought she was on the path to having them…and then Calla showed up. Now she’s trying to create a new one, while attempting to heal her heart.

And in walks Tyler.

Marie and Tyler’s story was fun to watch unfold. They sure didn’t make anything easy for one another but they eventually got their heads on straight by the end. This was a sweet friends to lovers romance that is a perfect addition to the Wild series. And now I wanna start it all over from the beginning.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/32z2pMz

Start from the beginning:

The Simple Wild: https://amzn.to/3G3qtoc

Wild at Heart: https://amzn.to/3fWd9aK

Forever Wild: https://amzn.to/3qZxlyU

Review: Dream Keeper by Kristen Ashley

Posted by

0

For those who really know me know that I love Kristen Ashley books. I love romance and she excels at this. But there’s something about the Rock Chicks and Dream Team that hold my heart. I’m not sure if it’s the humor sprinkled in or the fact that my hubby reads and enjoys these as much as I do. Perhaps it’s how real these people seem. I wish I live there and knew them. These crazy, fun characters would be awesome to hang with.


As with the RC series, the Dream Team follows the same group of people. So with every new book we learn more and more about each character and, buy the time Dream Keeper came along, I was SO ready for Pepper and Auggie’s story! A single mom was definitely not going to be the same as all the rest and I think I may like it even more.


Pepper was so protective of her and her daughter’s heart she didn’t see that Auggie needed a little protection as well. Not that I want anyone to have dysfunction in their lives but I don’t think anyone else, except Pepper would understand and know how to help Auggie. They were truly perfect for each other. I know it took her a while to find the confidence to take a chance on him but I’m glad she finally did it.


I love the fact that we get to see all our favorite KA characters in these books. And I REALLY hope we get more books in this series. I have few guys that I wanna see get their HEAs.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2ZzXc5v

Get caught up:

Dream Maker https://amzn.to/3xAeXy9

Dream Chase https://amzn.to/3E5BCF8

Dream Spinner https://amzn.to/3D4R1UT

Review: Chasing Serenity by Kristen Ashley

Posted by

0

Chloe Pierce was taught to take care of everyone. The problem with that was there was no one to care for her. Now that her go-to person is gone, she’s left floundering. She’s made rash decisions, and is a bit over the top, but that’s her. She needs someone who understands that and will help her realize that she doesn’t need to be watcher but the watched.


Opposites attract they say. Well, you can’t get any more opposite than Judge Oakley and Chloe Pierce. From the first moment he sees Chloe surrounded by boxes and boxes of boots, running his workers all around, he knew she was gonna be trouble. Technically he was right, but just not in the way he thought.


These two were a blast to watch. As with all Kristen Ashley books, there’s a fair amount of drama and emotions swirling around. I mean heck, from the first moment she arrived on scene, in After the Climb, you knew she was spitfire with more going on inside than she was revealing. I truly look forward to reading more about all of them.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3DY2wij

Review: After the Climb by Kristen Ashley

Posted by

0

I had so many feelings reading this book. I loved everything about it. There was angst. There was emotions. There was romance. Perfect combination.

I love second chance romances and this was fun. Plus having an older couple made it even more real, and sexy. Cuz we know, 20/30-somethings aren’t the only people having super hot sex. Also, the family all around made for a very fun experience. They way they all care for each other, and bond together, will make this series a definite must read.

I read this when it first released, during the crazy world shutdown, and I really liked it. It was the break from reality that I needed. I just reread this new version and I think I fell in love even more.

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to escape the world around you. Kristen Ashley is the queen of romance and you won’t be disappointed.

~Melpomene

Grab a free copy here: https://amzn.to/3ASfDQF

Review: Wild Wind by Kristen Ashley

Posted by

0

A romance that took over a decade to come to fruition. Oh my word, am I one overly excited book nerd! I feel like I’ve been waiting so long for this book but I just never realized it.

I know this book is a romance but yet this was so much for me. Jagger’s story was emotional and I felt everything he did. He has never known his dad and yet he feels the loss, but at the same time time he doesn’t. He’s grown up feeling the love of his mom but there was always something missing. But then this girl across the way shows up in his life and everything gets flipped. He falls in love but struggles with what that is. This girl sets out to show him.

There’s just something about a KA book that feels like coming home. No matter what’s happening in the world, I know when I sit down to read one of her books the world looks better when I’m done.

These Chaos books are about family. And not just the blood kind. These books show that no matter who, or where, you came from you can make a new family stronger than you ever imagined. Brothers or sisters that will be there to help or hold you up when needed. It’s all rather overwhelming and emotional at times, but so is life.

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/2OGRJUx

Review: A Warm Heart in Winter by J.R. Ward

Posted by

0

As you may know already, I don’t read blurbs or search reviews before I read a book. Especially not from an auto-buy author like JR award. So I went in expecting a novella, since it’s labeled a .5 I’m the series. Boy, was I wrong. 

This book was more BDB than any of the last few books in the series. This had everything I wanted, more of the brothers, more family moments, and way more emotion. I cried three times. And once was legit full on tears, setting the book down to collect myself, type of crying. I was so not expecting these things to happen.


This tiny MMP packs a solid punch. While a Nor’easter slams Caldwell, things at the mansion are anything but smooth. You would think that having a snow day would be fun but one thing after another seems to go wrong.


Blay and Qhuinn aren’t my favorite couple, if I’m being honest. So spending more time in their heads didn’t sound like fun to me but this book changed my mind. Their love story is definitely one of the rockiest we’ve seen, sprinkled with the craziest family dynamic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It makes me so very happy to see how far they’ve come.


Fans will be happy to see who else’s POV we get in this book. It was nice to be back with him and see that even people, or vampires in this case, still have to continue working on yourself even if you have a family. Having a family isn’t always the sure fire way to normalcy. There will always be demons you must destroy.


Last, but definitely not least, we have Lassiter. That angel is one of a kind. He can drive you crazy one minute, and the next have you in tears. I adore him. His scenes are evolving and it makes me stand up and take notice. The angel is definitely growing into himself. We better all hold on.


I wasn’t planning on talking so much about this but again, this little book packs a punch. There’s so much more I could say but I’ll let you just read it for yourself.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3pJ8L2J

Review: Wild Fire(Chaos #6.5) by Kristen Ashley

Posted by

0

It felt so good to be back in the Chaos world.

For being a short book this one sure did pack a lot in. We met Dutch and Jagger a while back so it was nice to be able to see how they turned out.

Dutch made quite an impression on me. He didn’t go off the deep end or anything like that. He seemed even keeled, with a good head on his shoulders. Best part, he’s a reader! Heck, first time we see him he’s at Fortnums then at King’s Shelter. That’s when I knew this was gonna be fun. He’s determined to help a young man out before life grabs hold and pulls him down. What he never planned on was meeting Georgie in the middle of that.

Georgie and Dutch got off on the wrong foot but sometimes that bit of spice it what you need to get things moving in the direction they were meant to.

I loved watching these two together. They were good for each other. When she kept calling this rough and tough biker dude “cute” I giggled. They helped each other out quite a bit and it was nice to see a strong woman doing her thing, and at the same time, letting this alpha dude so his.

I’m a huge fan of Kristen Ashley’s books. I can’t get enough of them. Chaos and Rock Chicks were my favorite series. So when she blessed us with more from those worlds, I am all over that. And I’m excited to see that we’ll be coming for Jagger’s story later. Can’t wait!

~Melpomene


click the pic to buy