Review: His Reluctant Cowboy

His Reluctant Cowboy by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Harlequin Carina Press and Netgalley for the early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

Major content warnings galore for this one: abuse (physical and sexual).

I've loved the Clean Slate Ranch series and the first book in this Woods Ranch spinoff, but I really am not sure how much I liked this one. It just felt like nonstop pummeling of one of the main characters mixed in with a lot of repetitive phrases and a very formally wooden naughty scene.

I didn't hate it, but I really was hoping for more from the story, and less of the trauma.

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Review: Archangel's Resurrection

Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy! The following review is my honest opinion.

Oh, man, that ominous title got me!

I really enjoy Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. It's creative and fun, and I'm invested in a lot of the relationships. I was especially hoping that this one would be part two of the 'ship from the previous book, which progressed a lot slower and didn't go as far, romance wise, as the couple's usually do in these books. That being said, when I found out it was Alexander and Zanaya, I was a little disappointed. But I enjoyed this story too, and the long history of "Xander and Zani."

The current timeline plot was good too - a dark force rises from the grave (no spoilers!)... but what I really struggled with was the way this book was structured compared to others. In most of the books, if there is history between the characters, we see flashbacks sprinkled throughout the modern day storyline. In this one, it started waaaaaay back in the day at their very beginning, and the first 40% or so of the book was their history, with minimal reference to the current events. It made for a slow, slow start, in my opinion.

I also struggled with Alexander and Zanaya's on-again, off-again relationship and constant repetition of the issues that they faced in their relationship. It got very tiresome to have the same thoughts and feelings dredged up over and over and over. We got it the first few times.

All in all, I still love this series and will definitely continue, but this one was a weak entry for me. Three and a half stars, rounded down. I absolutely still recommend this series, and don't suggest skipping any, this one included.

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Review: Sign Here

Sign Here by Claudia Lux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy. Below is my honest review.

I was sold when I read the blurb for this one. A worker from Hell who makes Faustian deals as a main character? Yes, please. A family with dark secrets as some of his targets? Yes, please. A character named after Legend of Zelda? Yes, please.

This one had great plotting - the reveals were just at the right times, the character development was spot on, the darkness of the secrets was sufficiently deep. There were some twists that were, well, predictable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of watching it play out on the page. In fact, this would have been a five star read for me in spite of that, if not for what, to me, feels like a very abrupt ending that didn't provide the most satisfying ending after building emotional connections with these characters throughout the book. Thus, I had to make it a four star rating.

Overall though, it was compelling and hard to put down, and I am now hankering to get my hands on any other Faustian deal books I can find. :)

Definitely recommended - and I'll definitely read more Claudia Lux.

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Review: Dead Man's Hand

Dead Man's Hand by James J. Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy. This is my honest review.

Jim Butcher has made a big name for himself in the Urban Fantasy book world. He's huge! So when his son decided to throw his name into the ring as well, I knew I had to give him a shot - a fair one, of course, without judging him by his father's reputation.

I'm so happy that I did! What a fun story! The world-building was great - it was revealed as needed, and explained thoroughly without coming across as info dumps or lecturing. The cast is recognizable based off of some tropes, but also provided enough depth and characterization so that they're not JUST tropes. The plot was well-constructed, and things that seemed extraneous had huge payoffs by the end.

The author also manages to avoid some of the things that people complain about in his dad's work, namely the commentary on every female character's body.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one and will pick up book two if and when it releases. Recommended for urban fantasy fans.

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