romance

Review: Ramsay by Mia Sheridan

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01 aram“Sometimes forgiveness meant letting go. Sometimes forgiveness meant holding on.”

Mia Sheridan is an autobuy for me. Her stories are so unique and always leave me in awe. Her characters are real. Far from perfect, but so very real. And Ramsay definitely fits right in with the rest of them.

Brogan Ramsay came from meager beginnings. He worked hard to provide for his family. But, in an instant, a deception took it all away. He then had to make tough decisions and choices in order to stay alive. But he never forgot who put him in this position. He vowed to pay them back ten fold. Revenge is his goal.

Lydia De Havilland made a mistake that cost her dearly. She has lived with the knowledge all her life and when the chance for redemption comes to her, she’ll do anything she can to get the boy she loved back. No matter how she is treated, she sucks it up and does what she needs to be done, in order to make amends.

Goodness, my heart was aching throughout this story. The heartache. The sheer pain of loss. The actions of loved ones was truly a sight to behold. Love makes you do things that any sane person wouldn’t. Let’s be honest, when you’re in love, you go a little crazy. Brogan did things for love. He spent his entire adult life doing things because he loved.

I read this book in one sitting. I couldn’t tear my eyes from it. I was sucked in and I felt every emotion possible. There were times I wanted to scream and then I wanted to cry. Revenge has a way of making things intense. Intense and passion. Let me tell you. This story has passion. Man, oh man, did it ever. There’s a fine line between love and hate, and this story danced on that line.

“I wake up feeling hungry in that way I promised myself I’d never feel hungry again. Only this hunger can only be satisfied by you, and I’m…I’m not sure what to do about that.”

~Melpomene

Buy Ramsay HERE.

Review: The Little Village Bakery by Tilly Tennant

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This was a cute rom com, short on the rom and com, though, in my opinion. I read it more like a slice of life in a small town. I loved the characters, except for the villainess who seemed a little overly wacky and cruel for a light book. Millie was quirky and emotional, Jas and Rich were a fun couple, Dylan and Spencer were good male characters who made tremendous growth and development by the end of the book. Millie’s potions should have been edited a little to make them either more important or not in the story at all. I felt like her “magic” was an afterthought.

As usual, I was glad for the romance that eventually developed, and for the happily ever after, even as neatly tied up as it was.  
I did enjoy reading The Little Village Bakery, but wished there were more pastries, fewer psych problems, and a smidge more focus on the magic.  

-calliope

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Review: The Last Days of Summer by Sophie Pembroke

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Wow. I thought this was just going to be a bit of fluff based on the publishing imprint (Carina) and the title. But no. It’s almost a saga. There are juicy family secrets, tensions between siblings, eccentric writers, hidden woodland hideouts, varied buildings on the family estate, and the sudden appearance of an assistant, an envelope, and a diary. 

The Last Days of Summer explores deeper issues, too. I especially loved the discussion of the blurred line between truth and fiction — and the ways it can help or hurt a relationship. Pembroke also broaches the topics of forgiveness, honesty, and loyalty. 

My favorite character had to be carefree Caroline, though she was followed closely by her older sister, main character Saskia. I was enamored by their dad and grandfather… their warmth came right through the pages. 

Pembroke really showed her talent for weaving a complicated tale that reads easily. From the arguments to the embraces, the clothes-horse auntie to the raggedy writer, this story had threads of consistency throughout. Pairs of characters on benches, the office, the woods… Every repeated instance kept the storyline tight and moving forward. Brava! 

I sort of want to keep talking and writing about this book, but I don’t want to end up giving away spoilers… so I’ll end here! Don’t miss this excellent read. 

-calliope 

Buy THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Review: Only Beloved by Mary Balogh

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01 aonly It’s done. It’s over. I’m sad. This was such a beautiful and emotional series. It’s only fitting that we close it out with George’s book. I mean, he is the reason The Survivors’ Club was here in the first place.

After the death of his son and wife, George, the Duke of Stanbrook, took it upon himself to open his house to many men and women who suffered after the Napoleonic Wars. He grew close to six of them and watched them get healthy and find their happily ever afters. But after seeing them happy, he felt lonely. He was always content with just his friends, but now he feels that it’s time to see if he can fins happiness for himself.

Dora was content in her life. It didn’t turn out the way she was hoping, but she has no regrets. She has a job and a few close friends. What more does she need? Turns out, she needed George.

When she met George a year ago, she was dazzled, but didn’t think anything would come of it. He’s a friend of her sister and brother-in-law, and that’s it. But when he shows up unannounced, she must make a decision that will change the course of her life.

Now, of course, like all the survivors, George isn’t without a backstory. And his story is one of heartbreak and deception. But he hid it well, under the guise of friendship and mentor. He was the listener of the group, not the sharer.

So bittersweet to see this series end. But I am quite happy with how well everyone turned out. The epilogue is exactly what I needed to move on. Knowing these survivors are well loved and taken of, makes me very content.

I can’t wait to see what new series Mary has up her sleeves.

Review: The Wedding Sisters by Jamie Brenner

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This is a reader’s book for sure. English professor Hugh and wife Meryl have three daughters: Meg, Amy, and Jo. Sound familiar? 🙂 

When the three young ladies accept marriage proposals from their respective – and wealthy and socially prominent – boyfriends, a triple wedding is planned. 

I very much enjoyed the characters and the plot outline in this book. The writing was technically excellent, and the dialogue was on point. But there was something imperfect about it. Part of my struggle was that I thought this book was going to be quirky and fun, but it didn’t quite make it there. Brenner maybe needed to write with a little more jaunt and insouciance. Or if whimsical wasn’t the goal, more dramatic and saga-type scenes would have helped me identify the mood. 

Brenner did impress me by keeping the characters true to themselves, right up until the very end. I appreciate an author who will take a risk with every single character, making them face their own truths in order to be authentic to the people around them. ❤

-calliope

Buy THE WEDDING SISTERS

Waiting on Wednesday~ The Lost Codex by Heather Lyons

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01 al

TITLE:
The Lost Codex(The Collectors’ Society #4)
AUTHOR:
Heather Lyons
GENRE:
Romance, fantasy
RELEASE DATE:
July 19, 2016

SYNOPSIS:
Allies, once inseparable, splinter until they break apart.
An insidiousness carves its way through Wonderland, challenging the land’s very existence.
Battle lines will be drawn as pages, long languishing in darkness, are finally illuminated.
Swords will clash, blood will be spilled, and lives will be lost.
For what is written can still be erased.

Add to your Goodreads shelf HERE

01 wow

Review: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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01 at You can’t capture love in a bottle. You can’t hold on to it with both hands and force it to stay with you.

This is my first Taylor Jenkins Reid book. I’ve heard many people rave about her books, but I just never got around to trying one, since she seems more like chick lit, and that’s not my usual. But I did something out of the norm and read the blurb of this book, and I was immediately punched in the gut. I knew I had to read this.

SYNOPSIS
In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.

Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness.

That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She’s just not sure what it’s saying.

Oh my gosh!! Can you imagine this? What do you do? Here’s this poor girl faced with an impossible decision. He loves both men, but she must choose one. My nerves were all twisted up in this one. One can’t possibly just choose and be done with it. Emma has to learn who she is and what she wants before she can even think about making this choice.

From the very first sentence, I was sucked into this world. I could feel what Emma felt and it broke my heart. After missing her husband for almost three years, all those past feelings come flooding back into her. She must face her past and decide who she wants to spend her future with.

While this isn’t your traditional happily ever after, but rather a bittersweet ending, I am glad to have gone this journey of reflection and growth. I am happy to see Emma face this decision head on. While the journey did make me wince a few times, since I made my own choice, I can see that Emma did what needed to be done in order to make her choice.

There is nothing more romantic than this. Holding the very person that you thought you’d lost, and knowing you’ll never lose them again.

~Melpomene

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Review: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson 

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Tia gets invited to San Francisco to work as head chef on a yacht. Little does she know that a blast from the past – former crush Leo – will be the captain.  

This is an innocent, sweet, young romance with all the silliness and heart-wrenching you’d expect from a twenty-something with a mad crush. Carlson makes no bones about providing a few life lessons throughout the story, but for the most part it’s a fun look at boating and cooking. Carlson writes in wonderful friendships and fellowship, and includes solid family relationships as well. This romance is squeaky clean – just a couple of appropriate kisses – and perfect for young adults. 

-calliope

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Review: Empire by Rachel VanDyken

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01 aemI can barely get my thoughts together after I finished this book. I’m emotionally drained. While I’m thankful this book had the comic relief sprinkled in, it did not help the amount of tears I shed.

“His love story is going to be epic.”

Sergio, sweet Sergio. He has just suffered immensely and I didn’t how much more he could take. Another arranged marriage may very well kill this man. I mean, what was going to be left of him if this went south again? He lost the love of his life and no one was going to compare to her. The last thing he wants to do is get close to another woman and possible fall for her. He loves Andi, and he will always love her. But he will do what he’s told even if that means living a life as half a person.

I loved Val. She was innocent in all things. She has no idea what she’s getting herself into, but she soon finds out that, no matter what, she’ll never compare to Andi. This poor girl has no choice but to hold on for the ride of her life and hold her heart is still in one piece when it’s over.

Without saying spoilers, this book had quite a few surprises. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, Rachel pulled the rug out from under me. The raw emotions pouring through practically every scene had me clutching my stomach. The utter devastation was almost more than I could take. But as Val did, I held on and had lots and lots of tissues nearby.

Review: Better Get to Livin’ by Sally Kilpatrick

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Miss Presley Cline returns home for a break from her Hollywood “career.”  Declan Anderson stayed in town his whole life, carrying on the family funeral home business he wasn’t sure he wanted. When a tornado throws them together, they have to decide where home really is — and with whom. 

I’m such a fan of Kilpatrick that I expected this to be as magical as The Happy Hour Choir (SEE MY 5 STAR REVIEW HERE). Better Get to Livin’ wasn’t quite amazing, but I enjoyed the quirky characters, southern charm, and the happily ever after. 

As far as the writing – superb as usual. I’m not even a paranormal fan, but I absolutely admire Kilpatrick’s skill in writing Presley’s ability to talk to dead people. The ghosts were fun and funny and helped explain some of the characters’ backstories. Just goes to show that a good writer can write fabulous characters, whether they’re alive or dead. Hah! 

On a side note, Sally Kilpatrick totally amuses me on Twitter. On your next reading break, take a peek. 

-calliope

Buy BETTER GET TO LIVIN’