ARC Review: Capture the Sun by Jessie Mihalik

June 7, 2023June 6, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Capture the Sun
Jessie Mihalik
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: June 20, 2023
Series or Standalone: Starlight’s Shadow #3
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: anxiety; death; war; violence

“Don’t think of me as in danger, think of me as dangerous.”

I’ve been dying for Lexi and Nilo’s story since it was teased in Hunt the Stars, but I’ve also been dreading it as it means the Starlight’s Shadow series is over. Why do good things have to end? But at least this send-off was more than worth it as Jessie Mihalik delivered another stunning sci-fi space romance that perfectly blends the action, intrigue, and romance in one story.

Review: Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

June 5, 2023June 4, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Never Dare a Duke
Gayle Callen
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: November 25, 2008
Series or Standalone: Sons of Scandal #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: assault; bullying; injury

I apparently read this book in 2016 (thank you, Goodreads!), but I remember NOTHING about it, so I was basically reading this one for the first time. I had such high hopes for this one as the premise sounded like my jam, and it was precisely the type of book I was in the mood for. But this book was missing something special to make me love it.

May 2023 Reading Recap

June 2, 2023June 1, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Is this a reading slump, or am I just busy? That is the question.

For the second month in a row, I barely read ANYTHING. May was a busy month though as my sister got married! I was her only bridesmaid so it was a lot of work, but it was a beautiful wedding, and I am so happy for her and her new husband. Here’s a photo of the two of us having a blast:

A photo of me and my sister at her wedding

The week of the wedding, I basically read nothing, so it was a tough reading month. But, hey, 3 books is better than nothing!

Here’s what I read:

Review: A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

A Notorious Countess Confesses
Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
Series or Standalone: Pennyroyal Green #7
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Domestic abuse; physical abuse; death; sexism; alcholism; reference to rape; sexual harassment; death of a child

Much like Evie, this book worms its way into your hearts, even if you don’t want it to. Right after reading this, I was unsure how I would rate it, but the more I’ve sat on it and thought about it, the more I appreciate this book.

Review: A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid

May 25, 2023May 24, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

A Matter of Temptation
Stacy Reid
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
Series or Standalone: Unforgettable Love #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Domestic abuse; physical abuse; murder; gun violence; mentions of infidelity and death of parents (off page)

Did I pick up this book because the premise sounded a bit like my all-time favorite historical romance, The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath? You bet I did. I only wish it lived up to its potential! The bones of a great story are there, but I had mixed feelings while reading. The story started out great, but around halfway through, the pacing and romance started to feel off-kilter.

Review: A Rogue in Texas by Lorraine Heath

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

A Rogue in Texas
Lorraine Heath
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: April 6, 1999
Series or Standalone: Rogues in Texas #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: rape; verbal abuse; gun violence; mention of animal abuse, physicial abuse, war

Oh boy. Where do I even begin with this book? This was an odd read for me as I adore Lorraine Heath and her Westerns, but some things in this book just didn’t work for me. But, I also found myself fully invested in this book and wondering, “How the heck is this going to end?” as Heath took the plot in some interesting places. And let me say – you’re not going to see the ending coming. It was so bonkers and dramatic, and I loved it.

Review: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

May 4, 2023May 3, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Talia Hibbert
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Series or Standalone: The Brown Sisters #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Abusive relationship; emotional abuse; chronic pain/illness; physical abuse

“Once upon a time, Chloe Brown died.”

Get A Life, Chloe Brown has been on my to-be-read list for way longer than I would like to admit, but I finally got a chance to read this as a beach read last summer! While I liked many things about this book, the ending ruined the story a tad as it relies heavily on the miscommunication trope, which I’m so over in my romances.

April 2023 Reading Recap

May 1, 2023May 29, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Well, April was a bit of a bust when it came to reading. I hit a major reading slump this month and was also super busy and stressed due to work and planning my sister’s bridal shower, which led to very few books being read.

In April, I read only read 3 books. I’m currently super behind on my reading goals for the year, but trying not to focus on that as there is still plenty of time to catch up!

Here’s what I read this month:

Review: The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare

April 27, 2023April 26, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing Shelf1 Comment

The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright
Tessa Dare
Publisher: Avon Impluse
Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVEIW

CW: death; grief

I adore Tessa Dare, and seeing as I’ve read all her full-length novels, all that’s left for me to read are the novellas she’s written! I’m a bit hit or miss with her novellas (it’s more of a me problem as I struggle with historical romance novellas), but this one was a short and super cute historical romance story that managed to pack quite a bit into it. Also, I highly recommend listening to it as an audiobook if you’re in the mood for something you can quickly get through – it’s very listenable and quick if you listen to things at 2.5x speed.

Review: Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills

April 18, 2023April 18, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Beauty and the Baller
Ilsa Madden-Mills
Publisher: Montlake
Publication Date: March 29, 2022
Series or Standalone: Strangers in Love #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Grief; depression; car accident; injury; death of a parent; alcoholism; cheating (not the main couple)

Recently, I was craving a heartachingly good sports romance, and Beauty and the Baller delivered! This book was the perfect fake dating, sports, and small-town romance that seriously gave me all the feels. I was instantly hooked as soon as I started and stayed up waaaaay too late to finish it in one sitting.

First off, I LOVED the premise of this! It has so many elements I truly adore, so I couldn’t help but be hooked by it.