piperkitty's reviews
2228 reviews

Summer with a Fireman by Carolina Jax

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4.0

 Thank you to @carolinajax_author and @wildfiremarketingsolutions for the warm welcome to the team! "Summer with a Bodyguard" is a delightful and steamy read that will leave you blushing. I was captivated by the dynamic between Maddox, the witty firefighter, and Marigold, the ambitious newcomer starting her own bakery. Their chemistry ignites not only in the kitchen but also in their banter. The tension builds gradually, setting the stage for an intense and sizzling romance that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Dive into this charming story of love and passion in a small town setting, where desires simmer beneath the surface and sparks fly with every interaction. Experience the heat between Maddox and Marigold as they navigate their growing attraction amidst the backdrop of a cosy bakery. The playful exchanges and undeniable chemistry between the characters add depth to the narrative, drawing you in with every page.

Immerse yourself in the world of "Summer with a Bodyguard," where passion and romance collide in a whirlwind of emotions. Feel the intensity of their connection as it unfolds, leading to moments of pure bliss and heart-racing excitement. Join Maddox and Marigold on their journey towards love, as they discover that sometimes the sweetest things in life come with a touch of spice.

#SummerWithABodyguard #RomanceNovel #SmallTownRomance #BakeryLove #SizzlingChemistry #BookRecommendation #SteamyReads #BookLovers #SummerRomance #HeatedMoments 
The Knife and the Serpent by Tim Pratt

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4.0

 
 "The Knife and the Serpent" is a standalone space opera novel by Tim Pratt, and it was published by Angry Robot Books. The story follows a lighthearted adventure with two narrators who embark on a journey through multiple universes, only to discover that someone they knew was actually an alien. One of the aspects that stood out to me was the novel's open discussion of sexuality without resorting to unnecessary explicit content. The emphasis on gender and sexuality, as opposed to solely focusing on physical relationships, was truly refreshing. The character development, particularly when Glenn authentically embraces his true self with the support of Vivy, was a highlight for me. Additionally, the exploration of both healthy and toxic relationships added an intriguing layer to the narrative. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I did find the ending to be somewhat rushed. Nonetheless, I found "The Knife and the Serpent" to be an incredible sci-fi adventure worth exploring.

#TimPratt #SciFiNovel #GenderIdentity #HealthyRelationships #SpaceOpera
#SexualityRepresentation #CharacterDevelopment #RelationshipDynamics
#SelfAcceptance #EmotionalConnections #SciFiAdventure #BookReview 
Just the Nicest Family by Alison James

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 
The book, which is told from multiple points of view, initially had a slow start for me. However, as we were introduced to the different characters within a stunning setting, the story picked up. The descriptions of the sea, the ambience, the smell, and the feeling it evoked during night walks took me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminding me of past vacations. The simplicity of the line stirred up a lot of emotions within me. In the story, Tim Cutler is negotiating with Renee Weber, the CEO of a Swiss company looking to acquire his veterinary practice. Renee has invited Tim, his wife Louise, and their children to spend two weeks at the Villa in Le Mas des Flores with herself and other guests. While this getaway was supposed to be a relaxing break and an opportunity for Tim to sell his business, it becomes clear that more than one of the guests is keeping secrets that could potentially destroy lives. The narrative is quite compelling, and it effectively conveys the main character's intense horror and desperation in response to the unfolding events.

#SuspensefulNarrative #ThrillingPlotTwists #IntriguingCharacters #VividDescriptions #EmotionalJourney

WIND BREAKER, Vol. 1 by Satoru Nii

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challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 Thank you to Netgalley and the tagged publisher for my copy of Windbreaker Vol 1.

I loved reading this manga. It didn't take me long to read, but I already love the premise of this manga. I really liked Haruka Sakura's design and his attitude. It made me laugh at times because he's so determined. It centers around the life of young Haruka Sakura, a boy with heterochromia in both hair and eyes. He has always been ostracized because of his appearance and demeanor. The alienation he felt led him to enroll in Furin High School, an institution renowned for its delinquent-like students, to prove his strength by defeating the current leader of the school. Unbeknownst to him, two years prior to his arrival, the students of Furin pledged to defend their town from outside attacks and invasions, which seemingly obstructs his plan. He did not expect to start experiencing a sense of community thanks to the recent change in the school and the way townsfolk react to his presence. 

Although I did watch the anime first, so maybe I am taking that into consideration, but I can't wait to read more of this series.

Avabilve to watch on Chruncyroll 

#Manga #Anime #Community #Determination #UniqueCharacter #Adventure #Friendship #NewSeries #Crunchyroll #Windbreaker. 
The Suspicions of Mr Whisker by Mandy Morton

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inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 Thank you to @instabooktours and the publisher for "The Suspicions of Mr. Whisker" by Mandy Morton. This delightful cosy mystery follows the clever feline detectives, Hettie and Tilly Jenkins, as they delve into a series of intriguing murder cases. From the shocking murder of a hockey mistress to the enigmatic mysteries surrounding Pomadora Moseley and Clara Toddlebury's Country Dance Class, the story is filled with suspense and wit. Set in the dark and mysterious Mr. Whisker's Academy, Hettie and Tilly's quick thinking and charm keep readers engaged as they work to solve the crimes. The diverse cast of characters, including the endearing Bruiser, adds depth and richness to the narrative. If you have a penchant for crime fiction with a touch of feline flair, this series is an absolute must-read.

#CozyMystery #CatDetectives #BookReview #CrimeFiction #Whodunit #BookRecommendation #MurderMystery #MandyMorton #BookLovers #FelineSleuths 
The Love Algorithm by Camilla Isley

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 Thanks to Netgalley and the tagged publisher for providing me with a copy of "The Love Algorithm."

Women in Science
Enemies to lovers
Workplace romance
Romantic comedy
Billionaire
One bed
Forced proximity
Slow burn to end all slow burns 

In this book, we follow Reese and Thomas, who work at Mercer Corp, which is Thomas's dad's company. Thomas has been the poster boy for years. However, a situation has arisen where he now needs to get more hands-on with the company and learn more of the inner workings. So, now he's heading to the robotics division of the company. Enter Reese, who works in the robotics division and is there to teach him the ropes. Their first meeting made me laugh out loud. My favourite character in this book has to be K-2p, the AI bot. He's so funny and snarky.

Reese represents many women in the workplace. She’s a woman in a STEM field, a boss at a young age, excelling. Yet, when certain men don’t get what they think they deserve from her, they try to tear her down and smear her reputation. Despite this, she doesn’t let that stop her and continues doing what she loves. She embodies the strength of many women perfectly.

Thomas, on the other hand, is (at first) a classic nepotism beneficiary being handed his career on a silver platter. He’s the opposite of Reese in so many ways. However, in the end, he surprises you in many good ways that you must read to find out.

#TheLoveAlgorithm #WorkplaceRomance #STEMBoss #GenderDynamics #ProfessionalGrowth #AIAssistants #RomanticComedy #BookReview #SlowBurn #ResilientWomen 
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 I recently completed "The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King," the second novel in the "Crowns of Nyaxia" series. I had the pleasure of participating in a read-along with BookBreak, and I found the book to be absolutely captivating. The series has now become one of my most beloved fantasy series, blending elements of vampires, intense confrontations, and intricate political schemes. In this particular instalment, I was impressed by the portrayal of Oraya as a formidable queen and her continued growth throughout the story, which kept me on edge as I eagerly anticipated her next move. The dynamic between Oraya and Rainh was particularly intriguing, adding an element of mystery and amusement to the narrative. Additionally, the side characters contributed significantly to the plot and world-building. One character that stood out for me was Septimus, with his enigmatic and dark persona, leaving me eager to discover more about his role in the story's progression. Although I typically do not favour slow-burn plots, this book executed it flawlessly, and the enemies-to-lovers theme was exquisitely portrayed, adding depth and intensity to the narrative.

#FantasyBooks #BookReview #CharacterDevelopment #Intrigue #Romance #WorldBuilding #CrownsOfNyaxia #Vampires #PlotTwists #ReadAlong 
A Condition Called Love, Volume 1 by Megumi Morino

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Under Her Roof by A.A. Chaudhuri

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 In the novel, Sebastian Walker, a struggling writer, is in search of a new place to live. Initially, he desires his own apartment, but then he comes across an advertisement for a room for rent in a beautiful, grand house. Upon meeting his landlady, Adriana Wentworth, he is immediately enchanted by her. However, things take a dark turn when he starts receiving threatening emails from an anonymous sender. It becomes evident that this person is observing both him and Adriana and is likely responsible for the deaths of Adriana's previous tenant and childhood therapist. As Seb attempts to unravel the mystery of this mysterious stalker, he makes a shocking discovery about his father's death that changes everything. This story was brilliant and cleverly written. It captivated me with its intricate plot and concealed twists. The characters were complex and compelling. The dual timelines created a dynamic tension, which expertly built anticipation and suspense. The ultimate revelation, which I didn’t see coming, was both shocking and satisfying.

#SebastianWalker #AdrianaWentworth #mysteriousstalker #father'sdeath #thrillingdiscovery #roomforrent #strugglingwriter #threateningemails #shockingrevelation #darkturn 
Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of "Thank You, Next" by Kathryn Freeman.

The story revolves around Molly, whose boyfriend Duncan, a personal trainer, decides to participate in a dating reality show and temporarily breaks up with her. Unbeknownst to him, Molly is invited to the show where she comes face to face with two of her exes, including Ben, who broke her heart during their 6-week relationship. To her dismay, Molly is paired with Ben on the show, and we witness how their forced proximity affects their behaviour. While the book was entertaining, there were moments when the pacing felt slow, and it was challenging to maintain interest due to the focus on romance. The story explores the impact of reality TV on relationships and emotions, shedding light on the difficulties of navigating love within a highly orchestrated setting.

I don't watch reality TV shows, so I don't know if this is how it goes.

#RomanceNovel #RealityTV #SecondChances #RelationshipDynamics #LoveStory #CharacterDevelopment #EmotionalJourney #DatingShowDrama #UnexpectedTwists #BookReview