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unusablebooklore's reviews
322 reviews
50 Shades of Orc: A monster romance by L.A. Monteiro
I didn’t read the blurb - I only really grabbed book 1 because I was keen to read book 5
I'm pretty happy with my choice to give this a chance. I really enjoyed this it was short and fun, filled with loads of story set up, and mystery for the following books in this series. I'd be lying if I wasn't a little worried that the characters in the second book are completely different, but I'm still going to give it a chance.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Orc shifter
Sneaky reporter with anxiety issues
Insta matey like lust
I didn’t read the blurb - I only really grabbed book 1 because I was keen to read book 5
I'm pretty happy with my choice to give this a chance. I really enjoyed this it was short and fun, filled with loads of story set up, and mystery for the following books in this series. I'd be lying if I wasn't a little worried that the characters in the second book are completely different, but I'm still going to give it a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
On Thin Ice by Hayden Hall
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Step-bros
Forced proximity
Mutual pining
Hockey
Bi visibility
College Romance
I really enjoyed the level of set up and how the author established the relationship between Asher and Jordan. I liked that both boys acknowledged they aren’t related or really brothers in any way…they were teenagers when they met. This is awkward, but this isn’t taboo. Because of this, the debate about “should we” went in a bit too long for me, but it was probably because I didn't see any issue with their relationship.
I really enjoyed the level of set up and how the author established the relationship between Asher and Jordan. I liked that both boys acknowledged they aren’t related or really brothers in any way…they were teenagers when they met. This is awkward, but this isn’t taboo. Because of this, the debate about “should we” went in a bit too long for me, but it was probably because I didn't see any issue with their relationship.
I liked this book WAY more than For The Fans.
It was well paced for me - slow to medium paced, there was no necking until >40%. But, the last 15% of the book just felt rushed, the drama came and was resolved in 48 book hours. Ash’s mom’s 180…it feels too rushed. I get why 'surprise' mom's come around and has had time to think about things for more than a half a second, but uggh, it's all resolved a little too quick for me. It didn't feel right.
It was well paced for me - slow to medium paced, there was no necking until >40%. But, the last 15% of the book just felt rushed, the drama came and was resolved in 48 book hours. Ash’s mom’s 180…it feels too rushed. I get why 'surprise' mom's come around and has had time to think about things for more than a half a second, but uggh, it's all resolved a little too quick for me. It didn't feel right.
“Three years later” epilogue 💯 But I wish Jordan's internal dialogue was more fitting a 25 year old. He thinks like he's going on 40. Which I kinda get, I was pretty arrogant at 25 and thought I KNEW life. But I did not, he does not, and it just annoyed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Lessons in Timing by Sylvia Barry
This book doesn't just follow one couples POV it fallows two couples! Four individual minds to know.
+ Fish conversations
- Horses…🙄
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fade to black
Note/Texting
Nerdy
Note/Texting
Nerdy
Skyler = precious babe that doesn’t know himself well yet - accidental model - ace
Armand = semi functioning alcoholic - ex stripper - comic creator
Robin = caught up in his own crap - VERY self focused - possibly more talented than he realises
Lucas = emotionally manipulated - gymorexic - he needs protecting mostly from himself.
Lucas = emotionally manipulated - gymorexic - he needs protecting mostly from himself.
This book doesn't just follow one couples POV it fallows two couples! Four individual minds to know.
I loved the premise. I loved the idea of two guys moving in together and never crossing paths. Lucas and Armand are so incredibly flawed and so supportive of each other. They have the best intensions at every turn but have a very VERY hard time getting over their own hangups.
Down side: Lucas' breakup is intense, my partner interrupted me mid scene and it inadvertently caused a fight because Darren is THAT horrible.
Down side: Lucas' breakup is intense, my partner interrupted me mid scene and it inadvertently caused a fight because Darren is THAT horrible.
+ Fish conversations
- Horses…🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Just Business by Anna Zabo
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.0
K!nky
So much hurt - Ex abusive partner / Death of a partner
Work place
#MiddleLifeRomance
Justin is a mature grad student looking to learn from the best. Eli is a CFO who's working for the best. These two start off tiptoeing around each other and the second they come together it's sizzling.
So much hurt - Ex abusive partner / Death of a partner
Work place
#MiddleLifeRomance
Justin is a mature grad student looking to learn from the best. Eli is a CFO who's working for the best. These two start off tiptoeing around each other and the second they come together it's sizzling.
Justin and Eli are brothers broken in their own ways.
Justin was burnt by a bad dom. It's messed up his head in a huge way.
Eli lost his first partner young and it seriously impacted his life.
They seem perfect, until they aren't and it takes a half a second for them to come back together.
Justin was burnt by a bad dom. It's messed up his head in a huge way.
Eli lost his first partner young and it seriously impacted his life.
They seem perfect, until they aren't and it takes a half a second for them to come back together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Physical abuse
Houseswap 101 by Jaime Clevenger
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Oh my I've been picking some tough sapphic novels. They all seem SLOW. This book took me 11 (!) days to finish.
It was really good, I'm not just sure it was the book I wanted to read at the moment.
It was really good, I'm not just sure it was the book I wanted to read at the moment.
Devyn - no labels but seems 100% okay with being into a woman, she's been attracted/crushed on women in the past but never acted on it. But knows she's into ladies.
Robbie - Fully into ladies, and has an intense crush on Devyn from early on. She thinks about asking all the right questions (what Devyn wants, what happened with her ex) lots for most of the book but doesn’t get them out until both women are too far into what they have for it to really matter.
Lots of emotion, lots of heat, the whole thing was lovely.
Lots of emotion, lots of heat, the whole thing was lovely.
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Alien Virgin
Kinda Kidnapping
Enemies to Lovers
HE’S TOUCHING HER WHILE SHE’S UNCONSCIOUS. I don’t care that Rahosh is being gentle. Why can’t Liz be awake and know what’s going on?! The author of these books is so casual with the SA.
Also I'm not personally a big fan of mixed messages without prior negotiation. This book has so much…”don’t touch me right here…(where I’m showing you)…Oh I really hate it when you do (insert specific thing)…
This book wasn't better or worse than the first. These books are what they are. Not great, not terrible, just meh...But I will likely give a couple more a try. I don't see myself reading all of them.
This book wasn't better or worse than the first. These books are what they are. Not great, not terrible, just meh...But I will likely give a couple more a try. I don't see myself reading all of them.
These books liberally use c*nt. Do I mind? Not at all. But if you aren't a fan of the word...maybe give them a miss.
CW: SA…
Narration notes: The lady narrator sounds like she’s in a bubble. It's truly terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Aliens
Fancy 🍆
Mates
Language barrier
Big blue dude essentially says “Hi, you’re my mate!” by putting his mouth on the FMC's 😼. I don’t have an issue with his greeting. I have an issue with the fact that she’s not really conscious and consenting. She could have been…boo.
40%…it’s not been a day. This book is moving fast.
Over all; this isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read, I may even give the second book a go. But I can’t help but feel that the popularity of this book is mainly driven by people new to spicy books. I can’t help but feel like the novelty of spice and alien peen is the primary reason people are enamoured by this book.
Fancy 🍆
Mates
Language barrier
Big blue dude essentially says “Hi, you’re my mate!” by putting his mouth on the FMC's 😼. I don’t have an issue with his greeting. I have an issue with the fact that she’s not really conscious and consenting. She could have been…boo.
40%…it’s not been a day. This book is moving fast.
Over all; this isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read, I may even give the second book a go. But I can’t help but feel that the popularity of this book is mainly driven by people new to spicy books. I can’t help but feel like the novelty of spice and alien peen is the primary reason people are enamoured by this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Excrement, Vomit, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Husband Material by Alexis Hall
The narration like for the first book is still very, very good.
I'm incredibly excited for the final book in this series.
funny
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
3.5
This one missed the mark for me a tiny bit.
Unfortunately I found myself utterly frustrated by this book. There is a distinct lack of communication by the MC’s and the single POV left me desperate to know what the heck was going on in Oliver’s brain and we only got Luc’s perspective.
Unfortunately I found myself utterly frustrated by this book. There is a distinct lack of communication by the MC’s and the single POV left me desperate to know what the heck was going on in Oliver’s brain and we only got Luc’s perspective.
The narration like for the first book is still very, very good.
I'm incredibly excited for the final book in this series.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Single POV - Not my favourite but not bad
Low heat / No heat
Not your typical enemies to lovers - more like man that’s mildly annoyed by your presence to lovers.
Not your typical enemies to lovers - more like man that’s mildly annoyed by your presence to lovers.
I adored the whole cast of characters.
Fantastic, immediately started the 2nd book.
This book has literally started me on an Alexis Hall fixation.
The narration is really good.
The narration is really good.
Cover Story by Rachel Lacey
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
#MiddleLifeRomance
Sapphic
Fake dating
Lady bodyguard
Canadian MC
Hollywood starlet (Natalie) is in need of some personal protection so she gets an extra bodyguard to pose as her girl friend.
Slow burn - no real spice until 70%
I find lots of Sapphic Lit I'm drawn to is slower than MM or MF but at the same time stereotypically fast. This couple went from Boss/Employee to "I love you" in less than 3 months and one romp in bed.
I find lots of Sapphic Lit I'm drawn to is slower than MM or MF but at the same time stereotypically fast. This couple went from Boss/Employee to "I love you" in less than 3 months and one romp in bed.
Narration: two distinct narrators is always my preference but the single narrator was okay. Natalie’s inflection is giving Paris Geller vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Stalking
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault