The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel
Contemporary Romance
May 12, 2020 by Forever
ARC

I don’t normally do this, but I did read Kini’s review before I began writing mine. I was curious what her thoughts were and it appears we had a lot of the same issues with this book. She is spot on with her content warnings… mentions of past sexual abuse, rape, and trauma as well as emotional abuse and slut shaming that had me turning Kindle pages angrily. It was a lot, and I wasn’t quite expecting how heavy this book was.

The heroine Liya was at times rude and in your face, but would then turn around next scene and be sweet and easy to talk to. I love a tough, take no shit heroine and it wasn’t until her background was revealed that I understood why she reacted to certain things in the ways that she did. I ended up enjoying her character, but it took me awhile to get there.

I kind of felt the same way about the hero, Jay. He seemed charming and like he would be a caretaker to Liya, but then he would turn around and do something completely stupid. Kini mentions in her review him forcing a man who basically assaulted the heroine to apologize and bring her flowers and that is exactly what I’m talking about here. It was just so weird to me and at times I wondered how this couple would ever get together.

I think the slut shaming it what did it for me. I couldn’t take it, it made me so very angry while I was reading. And every character who gossiped about Liya’s supposed bad behavior and easiness immediately jumped on my shit list. I hated this aspect of the story and it kept me from enjoying this book as much as I could have. I did enjoy this author’s voice and will absolutely be trying her again in the future.

Final grade- C-

KINDLE * GOODREADS

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
Will Darling Adventures #1
M/M Historical Romance
May 13, 2020 Self Published
ARC

KJ Charles is back with a new series and I am over the moon excited.

Set in a dusty, overflowing book store sometime after the Great War in the 1920s, Slippery Creatures introduces Will Darling… A simple ex-soldier who finds himself in the middle of a mystery.

When Will comes back from the war he has nothing to his name and is finding it hard to secure employment. Then he contacts his uncle who offers him a place to live and work and then ultimately leaves Will the bookshop when he passes on. Will hasn’t even had time to sort through the stacks and stacks of books and papers when he is thrust into an adventure involving several players all looking for the same “secret” information inside the book shop. It’s quite a lot of fun and I loved the twisty-turny plot that kept me guessing and Will on his toes.

The romance between the mysterious Kim, who was sort of an enigma and who I’m still not sure what he does exactly, and Will was fabulous and I’m all in and ready for more. Their chemistry is off the charts. They were so great together.

They are surrounded by an amazing cast of secondary character and I am more than ready for the next book in the series. I can’t wait to get back to this world.

Final grade- B

KINDLE * GOODREADS

Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
Contemporary Romance
May 19, 2020 by Berkley
ARC

This was one of the books on my TBR list that I was highly anticipating. After reading the blurb I was so excited to get a chance to read. I mean four brothers running their family yarn shop after the death of their adopted mother? Gimme.

This book starts out slow, introducing the main characters who are all still grieving over the death of their beloved Mama Joy, who was the heart of their community. The pacing is leisurely as Kerry , Jesse and his brothers figure out what to do with Strong Knits and spat and squabble amongst themselves.

Kerry is a hardworking, single woman just finished with her degree who offers to help the Strong brothers out of love for Mama Joy and the desire to see the yarn shop stay open. Jesse is a player, who apparently jumps from bed to bed and is free with his affections, but who steps up to the plate and offers to take on Strong Knits.

I will admit that the slower pace left me anxious. I REALLY wanted something to happen between Kerry and Jesse and soon. There is a scene at about 25% in where Jesse has an overnight guest that is NOT the heroine and I was less than thrilled. This is very much a slow burn romance so be prepared to have patience. It wasn’t until after the 50% that the pacing picked up and the chemistry between this couple started to spark. Then stuff started to happen and Kerry took the initiative and I was all YES! And then was just a little disappointed at the close door love scenes. Oh, well. Maybe we will get little more sexing in the next book.

I really enjoyed this world and I am fully invested in seeing the secondary characters get their chance at an HEA. I like this author’s voice and look forward to reading her again.

Final grade- B-

KINDLE * GOODREADS