Mandi:

In Deep by Stacy Gold. More of a novella length, this book is all about ski patrol. Max and Sophie have a history – a hot and sexy history. Once lovers, Sophie was coming off of a divorce, and Max witnessed his ski patrol co-worker get severely injured on a mountain – their few months of passion fizzled due to real life events. They each go their separate ways until a few years later Sophie takes a job with a new ski patrol, and Max ends up being her boss. He wants to keep her safe, still traumatized over his former co-workers injuries. Sophie wants to prove herself. So they butt heads. There is a lot of good action and detail surrounding ski patrol in this one. It felt well researched. The romance takes a while to get going and then moves really quick. Yes, they are rekindling a former flame, but it goes from rekindle to let’s get married in one day. I needed more in the romance department. Grade: C+

Tori:

This Love Story Will Self Destruct by Leslie Cohan
Contemporary Romance/NA
Grade: DNF

A classic new adult romance that shows two individuals’ evolution through life and love as they keep reconnecting and eventually build a relationship one meeting at a time. I tried reading but found myself unable to connect with the heroine; I just can’t stomach a whiny self-absorbed 20-year-old making bad decision one right after another. A majority of the story is from the heroine’s pov and she’s annoying. I’m going to try again at a later date because the reviews for it are very favorable.

Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong
Mystery/Suspense Thriller
Grade: DNF

The #3 in Armstrong’s Casey Duncan series, I was excited to pick up and read, thinking it was along the lines as her other stories. Set in a small off the grid town that people can pay to live in for up to three years. Mostly used for those who need to disappear for a while.  When a supposed criminal is brought to the town for safekeeping, we learn that everyone has a motive and no one is truly ever off the grid.  This is a solid police procedural thriller, and while I enjoy the occasion mystery/suspense, I found this incredibly dry and verbose. I think you really need to read the first two in order to understand the underlying dynamics, backgrounds, and the various character relationships and have a healthy addiction for police procedurals.

When Death Meets The Devil by L.J. Hayward
Romantic Thriller/MM
Grade: B

This is a fast complicated spy thriller that is told symontaniously in the present and the past. Set in Australia, Jack Reardon, former SAS now Meta State agent, finds himself up against one of the most dangerous men alive, Ethan Blade-killer for hire, during a mission. When his cover blown purposely by Ethan, Jack has to depend on him if he wants to make it out alive. One year and lots of therapy later, his nemesis is back and needs his help, promising to uncover a mole in the agency in return.  Hayward’s latest is an action-packed adventure with a new twist and betrayal at every turn, leaving the reader gleefully unsure whom to trust. Hayward cleverly builds the intrigue and suspense along with the tension-filled romance, leading us to a climactic ending and the possibility of more stories.

Kini:

Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin

A quick read novella that features a second chance at love for the hero and heroine. Jase and Becca were neighbors growing up and spent a lot of time together. They both thought the other didn’t really like each other and 18 years later, they reconnect. When they first meet again, Becca is in a relationship with someone else and there is a kiss between Becca and Jase. I know that is a hard limit for some readers, so I do want to mention it. That relationship ends before there is anything else between Jase and Becca. We do get a HEA for Jase and Becca and I was invested in it. But the most interesting thing in this book is what appeared to be teasers for another book, Jase’s friend Aiden seems to have a torch for Becca’s sister but never acted on it. I will be stalking the author for information about that book.  Grace C+