Netgalley review: Curves For Days by Laura Moher

Summary of the book:

Alice Rose Barnes, who chooses to go by Rose, has a history of trauma that has made her wary of trusting others. She wins the lottery, which leads to a sudden influx of people trying to connect with her due to her newfound wealth. Feeling overwhelmed and unsafe, she decides to escape her old life and start fresh in Galway, NC, under a new identity.

In Galway, she manages to build a new life for herself, forming friendships and integrating into the community while keeping her lottery winnings a secret. Her interactions with the grumpy carpenter she hired to reno her new house, Angus Drummond, lead to an unexpected relationship. Angus is someone who values honesty and authenticity, which attracts Rose despite her decision to hide her millionaire status.

As the story unfolds, Angus helps Rose open up about her past trauma, and their relationship gradually evolves from initial tension to a more romantic connection. At the same time, Angus’s own challenges, particularly related to his experiences as a military veteran, are explored, adding depth to his character.

The novel addresses themes of trust, healing from past wounds, the impact of personal history on relationships, and the importance of authenticity in forming meaningful connections. The “slow burn” of their relationship suggests a realistic development of their feelings over time, while the gradual revelation of their secrets adds intrigue and emotional depth to the plot.

General Review:

This book was so amazing.  I have read other books by this publisher, and they have not hit me like his. I loved the setup. I loved the setting. I loved the main characters so much. I love the secondary characters. It was impossible for me to find major fault with this one. It is a cozy, charming read with deep issues addressed and dealt with in ways that seem realistic and sweet. Can’t wait t read more from this debut author.

Characters:

Rose’s trauma is believable and relatable.  As a plus-size woman and someone bullied in school, I found myself cheering her on so hard.  I wanted to see her move past her trauma and find the connections she was looking for. While I understood why she was so leery to disclose her lottery winnings, I knew that it would be the downfall of her relationship with Angus.  I loved Angus; he is my perfect book MMC. But Angus has some culpability here as well. He is so blinded by his own issues that he is not as forthcoming with Rose as he needs to be for her to see how important the absolute truth is to him.

As for secondary characters, I hate the ones Moher wants me to hate and love the ones that are so refreshingly kind and sweet and accepting of Rose.

Tropes and Triggers:

Slow burn, small town. Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Grumpy/sunshine, Forced Proximity

fatphobia, death, sexual assault/rape, bullying, PTSD, suicide (mentioned).

Quotes:

“Kissing Angus was… a lovely way of getting to know my sweet friend better. How can a man who could break me in half with his hands be so incredibly gentle? He tasted like… security and spice. And he held me like I was treasure. Wanted you to feel safe. Lordy.”

“There’s not a damn thing missing from you, Rosie. You’re one of the most complete people I know.”

Stars:

5

Author ARC Review: Keep Me by Summer O’Toole

Summary of book:

Regenia Cortez worked hard to leave her father’s cartel connections behind. However, fate had other plans for her. As bodies start turning up with connections to her father’s criminal activities, Reggie finds herself pulled back into the treacherous and sinister world she had tried so hard to escape.

Uncertain of whom she can trust, Reggie has to deal with Roan Fox. Roan hired by her father to ensure her safety, has Reggie on edge. The lines between allies and enemies blur, and she struggles to discern his true intentions.

Forced into each other’s lives, Reggie and Roan soon find themselves entangled in a web of deception and danger that runs deep. They realize that the situation is much more complex and far-reaching than they had initially believed.

As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Reggie and Roan give in to the pull they have toward each other, even as their own personal demons threaten to tear them apart. Their circumstances make it difficult for them to trust each other fully.

Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remains constant—Roan’s unwavering determination to keep Reggie safe. He will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means confronting his own troubled past.

In their fight for survival and justice, Reggie and Roan are pushed to their limits. But their shared strength and resilience allow them to overcome the darkness that threatens to consume them. With their lives hanging in the balance, they are determined to find the truth, protect each other, and finally break free from the suffocating grip of the past.

General Review:

I know this book has all kinds of warnings, but Summer O’Toole means them when she lists them. So before I say anything else about his book make sure you read the TWs/CWs and pay attention.

I have repeatedly talked about tropes and/or themes that I generally do not like except when a singular author writes them.  Super dark and degradation are included on this list. Summer O’Toole’s Fox Family Syndicate Series is my exception.  This third installment in the series is so very good.  I think the key for me is that O’Toole writes a dark romance with an interesting and compelling mystery. I want to know about the bodies. I want to know who The Warden is. And creating a story that expands beyond the DR in a way that is equally interesting makes this story (and series) a favorite.

Additionally, I was not sold on the idea of incorporating a playlist into the actual book. But it is done in a way that works and adds to instead of distracting from the story.

Finally (and maybe this is not fair), Roan not being Finn cost it a star. Finn4Eva! 😊

Characters:

Roan Fox is not a cinnamon roll or even an alphahole.  The term I have been using is that he a burnt marshmallow.  Crispy and hard on the outside with a soft gooey inside that can still burn you. Reggie Cortez is tough and smart and wary. And mostly the secondary characters are just that.  Interesting but not distracting.

Tropes and Triggers: From the author’s page: Dead bodies, Parental Loss, PTSD, Night terrors, Mentions of off-page suicide, Pregnancy (not between main characters), Off-page death of a pregnant woman, Parental neglect/abuse, Near death experience, Mentions of off-page alcohol abuse, Smoking, Physical abuse, Graphic violence/murder against women, Allusions to rape, Human trafficking, Bombs/Explosives, Guns, Graphic consensual sex, Mutual masturbation, Gunplay, Breath play, CNC

Quotes:

“So no, Cortez, I don’t want to touch you – I want to fuck you, own you, ruin you.”

Show spoiler
“Wake up, please I need you. If you wake up for me I swear I’ll fucking marry you. I’ll take you skydiving. I’ll love you with every breath I breathe, every second of my life. Please just come back to me –”

“I’ll always be your monster, you only have to be my light.”

“Little Menace.”

Stars:

Thanks to Summer O’Toole for the ARC review opportunity.

Review: A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair

Apparently, I am weak when it comes to Hades/Persephone retellings. I want them all! This series installment should be subtitled “Persephone getting in her own damn way.”

Series: Hades X Persephone Series #2

CW: Explicit sex scenes, Mental illness, Sexual assault, References to rape, Suicide, Abduction, Attempted rape, Assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Anxiety. 

Scarlett St. Clair

Review: Hate Me by Summer O’Toole

Read “Make Me” for a book club, and some folks said book #2 was better. They were not wrong. Team Finn all the way.

Series: Fox Family Crime Syndicate

CW: Dubious consent (dub-con), Non-con, Recording sex without consent, Murder on page, Torture on page, Mentions of (off page) suicide, Grief/Loss of loved ones, Emotional and physical abuse from a parent, Panic attacks, Primal/CNC, Breath Play, Exhibitionism, Impact Play, Orgasm denial and forced orgasm, Praise, Degradation, Back-door play

Summer O’Toole

Review: Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

This book, a library loan, was a slow start that never really clicked for me. The characters were OK, the story was OK, but nothing was standout.
Perhaps it is unfair to judge anything after finishing Bohemian, my year to date favorite read.

Series: Sugar Blitz

CW: cyber-bullying, blackmail, strained parent-child relationship

Jamie Wesley

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2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Carrie has read 92 books toward her goal of 300 books.
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