My Bookish Pet Peeves

Every bookish person has a list of things that tick them off and I am no exception. Some of these are things I've mentioned before, but I wanted to rant some more.

Cracking book spines

I've mentioned it before. It's probably a throwback to when I was young and my Dad would throw a fit if we cracked the spine of one of his precious Bibles. I don't care about Bibles, but for books in general I do not like cracked spines. Probably one reason I stick to the Kindle so much.

Not returning books

I've not returned books to the library before, let's face it, that happens sometimes. However, if you borrow a book from a friend... return the book! I lost a friend over this before. I owned a set of Hobbit/Lord Of The Rings books that a close friend had gotten for me. Another so called friend "borrowed" my books and never returned them. I was furious, I never talked to her again.

People that don't read

I get if you aren't much for books, I guess. It's weird to me, but as long as you read articles and stuff I can live with it. But, people that don't read at all? You can't get by in life just watching TV, I just don't understand not reading. If you can't read that's one thing, and I hope you can get help with that. But, won't read? I don't get it.

Popular books

Unpopular opinion, but I don't usually like Popular Books. I feel like the quality is usually sub par. I liked the Bridgerton series, and I have loved a lot of classics. But, I did not like Harry Potter or City Of Bones. And it's not a problem with YA fiction, I've read a lot of YA fiction that I liked. Popular Books just don't inspire me.

Pierce My Heart by Art Sapphire

Awhile ago I reviewed a MFF book series called Threeway Honeymoon. I loved that series so much, but finding more good MFF books is hard. There is so much more MMF romance than MFF romance. I finally found another full length MFF romance worth reviewing and I couldn't be more excited.

Oliver and Kat were high-school sweethearts, but he broke her heart when his Mother threatened Kat. Years later he is married to Grayce when he runs into Kat again. Then he finds out his wife is attracted to Kat. They want her, but not just for a quick tumble in the sheets. Kat was broken by Oliver once before. She questions if they really want to keep her around long term.

I was rooting for this throuple the way through. Especially when Oliver's Mother starts drama with them for showing up at a funeral together. 

Stranded With My Stepfather by Kiki Lamba

Aside from the fact that this is a stepfather romance, it was done tastefully. No cheating, he didn't raise her. I have always loved "taboo" romance. Stepbrothers and stepfather fall into that category for me. I'm sure there is more taboo than that, it's just what I read.

When Paisley gets lost in a snowstorm, Derek rescues her and takes him to his cabin to recuperate and wait out the storm. She brightens up his life while there, and they end up hooking up. After that, she tells him she loves him and he does not react well. Paisley's aunt encourages her to go out with another man to get over Derek, but Derek has come to the realization that he loves Paisley too.

This story was not quite a novella, in my opinion. But I did read it in about four hours. It was not really fast pace, though. They didn't hook up till 60% or so through. It was a great read, though. 

Blogger's Note: as of this post I am no longer going to be rating my books. I realized that I only ever review books I like and it seemed kind of redundant to be posting ❤❤❤❤❤ after every. Single. Post. If there is something I don't like about a book, I will tell you. I just don't feel the need to rate books anymore.

This Is Not The End by Sidney Bell

This is a book I've had my eye on Kindle for awhile. It was about $5.00  there, worth it, but I'd have to wait to get. Until a book group member mentioned that it's available on Overdrive. I rushed to my app to get it.

Anya and Zac have been married a few years with a young son. Cal is Zac's best friend and band mate. When Anya decides she wants to play with Cal for Zac's birthday. Only Cal has had feelings for Zac and Anya for awhile and he wants serious. They agree to serious, but Cal is still falling apart because he loves this little family and wants to be part of it permanently. 

I don't often like Rockstar romance, but this was well done and it's believable that Rockstars might have a polyamorous relationship. 

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

Best Stepbrother Romance

Okay, I'll admit it, along with my fondness for forbidden romance, I love a good taboo romance as well. Mostly stepbrother, but on occasion a stepfather romance as well (those are hard to find, though).

My Stepbrother's Secret Baby by Jamie Knight

This novella was gold! Barry and Alison meet one night in a bar and the next morning awkwardly meet their one night stand as their new step siblings. The title would have you assume that the secret of the baby lasts longer than it does, but when it comes out that she is in fact pregnant with his baby he fights even harder than he was to keep her. And, he was already fighting pretty hard for that outcome. 

Eyes On Me by Sara Cate 

This is a wonderful stepbrother romance. Garett and Mia are 13 years apart. So, they didn't grow up together. This novel also showcases some severe depression. That might be a trigger for some, but for me it was refreshing. 

Hate Me by A. Jade

A dark, high-school bully, stepbrother romance. He has been her bully throughout high-school and then his Dad marries her Mom. Whispers circulate that he is killing girls that have been turning up dead in town because all the girls have been close to him. The Truth is so much darker.

So Wrong So Right by Erica Marselas

Once you get past the ick factor of a 16 year old with a 19/20 year old this story gets better. They are step siblings but his Dad is beating him up and leering at her. They keep their relationship a secret as long as possible but they can only keep it a secret so long before everything implodes.

Her Wicked Stepbrother & Saint by Amy Olle

A Cinderella retelling when her Dad remarries she thinks her stepbrother hates her. Only he doesn't. Then her Dad finds out and sends him away for twelve years. As a full grown adult her Dad gives him the family business. Only there are a lot of problems with it and now she is hurt that not only did he not come for her in twelve years, but also he got the business she wanted.

Her Little by J.M Walker

This is not a DDLG novel. I really don't even know why it's called that. It is a steamy MFF novella. She has had a crush on her husband's stepsister and he happens to have one too. They decide to approach her for some play. Then feelings get involved.

Baby For My Ex's Father by Suzie Grace

Finally an accidental pregnancy with an ex's Dad! I have read two before, but they are hard to find. I thought about writing a listicle of ex's Dad romance, but there are so few of them I don't think I could fill a whole post!

Tanner's son does not treat his girlfriend right. After he breaks up with Jasmine, Tanner ends up rescuing her a lot. Soon they are exploring a relationship together and things have never been better until Tanner's son arrives back in town expecting everyone to bail him out. Then Jasmine finds out she's pregnant. 

This is a short novel, but not quite novella. It was captivating from the beginning. You could breathe the chemistry. Something that I needed after the last book I tried to read.

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

My Ex-boyfriend's Daddy by Kelli Callahan

I found this book as a recommendation in my "breeder readers" Facebook group.  That was false advertisement. There are zero babies in this book. But, with a title like that, could I really resist it?

When a teenage prank ruins Phoebe's life, Arlo is the only one to stand up for her and help her out. Three years later, in a different city, Arlo finds Phoebe and hires her (again). Soon the two are hanging out together all the time. One day their relationship takes the next step. Phoebe soon realizes that, in order to stay together, she needs to face the ghosts of her past. They also need to tell her ex-boyfriend. 

It was refreshing that the novel featured a nicotine addict that fights their addiction. I, too, used to vape and it actually was my step down from cigarettes. It was nice to see someone else go through something similar. 

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

Texas Roses by Samantha Christy

I thought it was an accidental pregnancy novel because I knew there was a baby involved. It wasn't, and I was so disappointed that I almost made this a book I didn't finish, but the read ended up being totally worth it. 

Quinn and Amber both have a certain reputation as love em and leave ems. However when they spend time together Quinn wants something more with Amber. Just as he convinces her to date him he gets a bomb dropped in his lap in the form of a baby. While he is waiting for the paternity test results he begins to realize that he is in love with both Amber and little Josie. Suddenly he desperately wants Josie to be his baby.

I'm really trying to not give any spoilers here. Amber has been through a lot of loss and is afraid of love. Quinn has a really sucky family and is desperate not to continue the legacy with a family of his own.

I Raye this book ❤❤❤❤❤

My Reading Mentors

The people in my life, that encouraged me to read, are very important to me. Shout out to these amazing reading Mentors. They all taught me that reading is life.

My Mom

My Mom read to me all the time, growing up. She taught me to read at 4 (I was homeschooled). That didn't stop her from reading to me. She would read aloud every night before bed and she always made sure to keep me stocked in classics to read.

My Dad

Well, my Dad was a very conservative religious man. He isn't anymore, but growing up all he wanted me to read was religious books. The Bible being his favorite. I was eventually able to get him to allow me to read Christian romance. Which led to me accidentally reading my first regular romance novel because I thought it was catholic. 

My Granny 

My Granny was the mentor for most introverted activities in my life. She taught me to knit when I was 8. She also kept vintage books around her house, that I would run to her house (next door) to read. This is how I discovered The Bobbsy Twins.

My Aunt

I moved in with my Aunt when I was 17. When I did she introduced me to her extensive romance novel collection and basically told me to have at it. As a middle school teacher, she tried to get me into the Harry Potter books, but I was 17 and the grade level of them was too low for me. The romance novels were much more my speed.

My Cousin 

She is only a year older than me, but she deserves an honorable mention. When we were kids and I was reading classics she got to read kids chapter books. But, when her Mom introduced me to romance novels, suddenly we were reading the same things and she would pass off her read books to me. Which was great for me because I couldn't really afford to buy the books for myself. Plus we got to read and discuss the same books.

No Strings by Nikki Ash

I have been wanting to read a book by Nikki Ash for awhile. She is a member of the "Breeder Readers" Facebook group I follow. So many books that seemed so interesting, honestly, I don't know why I waited so long. I'll try desperately not to give any spoilers, but this one is going to be really difficult. 

When Ben's "baby mama" decides she can't take his son's troubled behavior, he steps in to take care of his son. Savy has been cheated on by her ex husband and not looking for anything new. When Savy bonds with Ben's teenage son a friendship between Ben and Savy begins. When Savy decides she wants no strings sex, Ben offers to fill the position. One thing leads to another and Ben realizes that Savy is the woman for him.

This book really tackled difficulty conceiving.  I wouldn't call it infertility because she ends up getting pregnant. But, she definitely struggles throughout the book.

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

Pregnant With The Bad Boy by Lydia Hall

It didn't take me long to realize this book is in the same series as Pregnant Whose The Father, another book I've reviewed on this blog. I was pleased for characters from the last book to bleed into this one. Plus the main characters in this book were both present in the last one, so that was fun.

Tucker is a partying playboy. He has one rule: never go back for seconds. Amber is the exception to that rule. He goes back for thirds, even going on a date with her. But, once Amber realizes she is pregnant, she doesn't want the child exposed to his bad boy ways. But Tucker not only wants to be Amber's man, he also wants to be a Dad and he will go to whatever lengths he has to, to get what he wants.

I probably mentioned this in the last review, but I don't think this book was written by an American. It takes place in New York, but the wording is off and the description of what happens as the Doctor's office is nothing like any experience I've ever had.

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

Best Friend Baby Daddy by B.B. Hamel

Stumbled on this novella while trying to look up another novel. I got sidetracked from my TBR list. I loved this book, and it was not erotica, but definitely dirtier than your average romance novel.

Ever is in a bind. His Dad is dying and wants the son taking over to be married. So, he asks his best friend, Amy, to marry him for a few months. A few months gets turned into a year. And, even though they have a fake marriage their are some very real results of their marriage. But, Amy is afraid to tell Ever.

I think Ever's reaction to finding out he is going to be a Dad would be the standard reaction to an accidental pregnancy. 

Ever is kind of a jersey, but he learns the error of his ways. Is this a Beauty And The Beast trope? Not sure, but I'm okay with the theme. 

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤

A 4th Of July Interlude

I don't make a habit of posting special posts for the holidays. This 4th of July I am not going anywhere. We will be buying a few fireworks and probably trying to find a store open to get our monthly shopping in.

I'm heartbroken about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. I never made that hard decision with my babies. I blindly dove head first into parenthood. I also blog mostly about pregnancy romance. However, I believe strongly that a woman has the right to make choices regarding her own life. And a fetus should not negate that right.

I have been using a loofah in the shower, which works great. My eye Dt. Told me to apply warm compresses to my eyes to help get rid of eye crusties. Only we have no washcloths! So I started looking up washcloth patterns on Pinterest. I found a cute seed stitch pattern. The sample picture showed white washcloths, but I had this pretty navy blue. My concentration is not what it used to be. I used to knit for hours at a time. Now I can only get about a row or two before I have to set it down for awhile. 

I will be getting back to my regularly scheduled content on the 6th, so stayed tuned. I don't know if I will be doing another life update. I can't really post today's post on Pinterest so there goes my traffic from that source. We will see how this post does.

90 Day Fake Fiance by Roxy Reid

Nothing of note pointed out this book to me. I was searching out fake relationship romance and this came up. There is two other books in the series on my TBR list. I don't know if I'll get to them but, after reading this one, I sure want to.

The only person Sloane hates more than her neighbor is her ex husband. And, he won't leave her alone. Carter steps in as her fake fiance for 90 days. The idea is to get her ex husband to back off, but Carter can't get Sloane out of his head. As he falls deeper in love, his past is getting ready to expose his identity. 

I was flummoxed how a celebrity artist in a mansion, and an engineer in a regular large house, end up being neighbors. 

I rate this book ❤❤❤❤❤