Book Reports (69-78) ...
Because I've had trouble keeping up with my reading, I'm going to change my book report style a bit. Now I'm aiming to write reviews on Goodreads and simply post the link here. But I'm also going to change my star system:
* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read
****+
The High Crown Chronicles, by Jodi Gallegos -- YA fantasy -- Malory, the firstborn of the King of Devlishire, is denied her birthright when her brother works to usurp her throne; instead, she finds herself given away in marriage to the High King with the expectation that she'll spy for her father (who betrayed her) and help him gain the High Crown.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603463486
****+
The Silence, by Kendra Elliot -- adult mystery/suspense -- Ava and Mason finally have their wedding in sight, but then a brutal murder and a targeted explosion (aimed at killing police) involve them in ways they didn't expect.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603484743
****
Date Me, Bryson Keller, by Kevin van Whye -- YA LGBTQ romance -- When Bryson agrees to date the first person who asks him each Monday (for one week only), Kai doesn't expect that he'll also get a chance; but when Bryson says, "Yes," both boys find something they didn't realize they wanted.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603499130
****
In a Fix, by Mary Calmes -- adult male/male romantic suspense -- Croy goes to Vegas to complete a job for a challenging client, never expecting that he'll end up in the middle of a drug sting with a playboy investigator who piques his interest.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603516957
**
The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love, by Alice Winters -- adult male/male mystery? humor? -- Leland and Jackson are after the same guy, though Leland (a hitman) is working to kill him, while Jackson (FBI) wants to arrest him; when they decide to work together, a different kind of spark begins to fly.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603533533
****+
Caulky, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Ren and Cole have a one-night stand, and then Ren discovers Cole is the contractor he hired for his bathroom remodel; they start an awkward friendship before both set up online profiles through a dating app -- and unknowingly start a friendship there, as well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603541721
***+
Nailed, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Stone moves in next door to Dare, and because of a misunderstanding, it's war from the get-go; eventually, the two learn to communicate and begin dating.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603550963
****+
Hardwood, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Ev finally admits to himself that he's gay; now he just needs to be honest with those closest to him, including his ex-wife (especially since he's falling for his daughter's music teacher).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603556051
****
Screwed, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- when Daniel and Ollie end up married in Vegas, Daniel's insistence that they stick to it long enough to win a bet ends with more than either expected.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603561101
****+
One by One, by Ruth Ware -- adult suspense -- when a group of shareholders meet at a Swiss chalet for a working ski vacation, no one expects one of them to be a murderer; plus, the hostess has secrets of her own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603569824
I also re-read some of my favorite Laura Griffin mysteries ... the fun never ends. ;)
* = Just not for me
** = Interesting premise but not engaging enough to complete
*** = Okay; didn't love but liked enough to finish (or at least skim)
**** = Good; liked the writing style and/or the plot enough to stick with it
***** = Loved; will definitely keep and/or re-read
****+
The High Crown Chronicles, by Jodi Gallegos -- YA fantasy -- Malory, the firstborn of the King of Devlishire, is denied her birthright when her brother works to usurp her throne; instead, she finds herself given away in marriage to the High King with the expectation that she'll spy for her father (who betrayed her) and help him gain the High Crown.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603463486
****+
The Silence, by Kendra Elliot -- adult mystery/suspense -- Ava and Mason finally have their wedding in sight, but then a brutal murder and a targeted explosion (aimed at killing police) involve them in ways they didn't expect.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603484743
****
Date Me, Bryson Keller, by Kevin van Whye -- YA LGBTQ romance -- When Bryson agrees to date the first person who asks him each Monday (for one week only), Kai doesn't expect that he'll also get a chance; but when Bryson says, "Yes," both boys find something they didn't realize they wanted.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603499130
****
In a Fix, by Mary Calmes -- adult male/male romantic suspense -- Croy goes to Vegas to complete a job for a challenging client, never expecting that he'll end up in the middle of a drug sting with a playboy investigator who piques his interest.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603516957
**
The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love, by Alice Winters -- adult male/male mystery? humor? -- Leland and Jackson are after the same guy, though Leland (a hitman) is working to kill him, while Jackson (FBI) wants to arrest him; when they decide to work together, a different kind of spark begins to fly.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603533533
****+
Caulky, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Ren and Cole have a one-night stand, and then Ren discovers Cole is the contractor he hired for his bathroom remodel; they start an awkward friendship before both set up online profiles through a dating app -- and unknowingly start a friendship there, as well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603541721
***+
Nailed, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Stone moves in next door to Dare, and because of a misunderstanding, it's war from the get-go; eventually, the two learn to communicate and begin dating.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603550963
****+
Hardwood, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- Ev finally admits to himself that he's gay; now he just needs to be honest with those closest to him, including his ex-wife (especially since he's falling for his daughter's music teacher).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603556051
****
Screwed, by KM Neuhold -- adult male/male romance -- when Daniel and Ollie end up married in Vegas, Daniel's insistence that they stick to it long enough to win a bet ends with more than either expected.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603561101
****+
One by One, by Ruth Ware -- adult suspense -- when a group of shareholders meet at a Swiss chalet for a working ski vacation, no one expects one of them to be a murderer; plus, the hostess has secrets of her own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603569824
I also re-read some of my favorite Laura Griffin mysteries ... the fun never ends. ;)