Hatar att älska dig av Alisha Rai

Författare: Alisha Rai
Titel: Hatar att älska dig
Serie: Forbidden Hearts
Förlag: Avon/Lovereads
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Länkar: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

För det första, så älskar jag detta omslag väldigt mycket mer än det svenska. Det här visar ju vilka karaktärerna är, från tatuering till kostym. Så jag använder det här, istället.

Men boken då? Okej, jag blev positivt överraskad av denna bok. Jag har dragit mig för att läsa den, för att jag inte trodde att jag skulle gilla den. Men det behövde jag inte oroa mig för. Istället för att vara en bok som endast handlade om sex och familjedispyter, fann jag en bok om första kärleken, sorg, krossad vänskap och att lära sig att acceptera sig själv.

Boken handlar alltså om? Livvy och Nicholas var ett fantastiskt par. De var upp över öronen förälskade. Sedan skedde en olycka som splittrade deras två familjer och snart fanns inte något "dom". Förutom en natt om året, då de möts någonstans i landet där Livvy bor för tillfället. De tillbringar en passionerad natt tillsammans, innan Nicholas slinker ut under natten. Men nu är Livvy tillbaka i deras hemstad och Nicholas kan inte hålla sig borta från kvinnan han fortfarande älskar.

Vad var bra med den här? Okej, så. Som läsare kan man bli en gnutta frustrerad över att se två människor som är så uppenbart förälskade och som bryr sig så mycket om varandra och de vågar inte göra något åt det. Familjen betyder mycket, men båda deras familjer är inte vad de har varit och det har gått tio år. Något måste ske! Jag gillade deras dynamik. Motsatser som dras till varandra är en av mina stora svagheter och detta är en typiskt fall - åtminstone på utsidan. På insidan är de mycket mer lika än de tror. Bra med representation av både mental ohälsa och lite HBTQ. Det känns trovärdigt och modernt. 

Detta är en väldigt, väldigt, karaktärsfokuserad berättelse. Man är mycket i deras huvud (som det ofta är med romance) och deras känslor. Visst har vi lite bakgrund - vad som har hänt, relationer som finns runt omkring och hintar om saker som kommer hända - men till största delen handlar det om Nicholas känslor för Livvy och tvärtom och deras kamp med sig själva. Är ni ute efter något sådant, önskar jag er en trevlig läsning. Jag ska ta och lyssna igenom de andra två böckerna, så jag får svar på frågorna som uppstod i första boken!

4 av 5 nakna sjöjungfrur

/ Denise

Riven by Roan Parrish

Author: Roan Parrish
Title: Riven
Series: Riven
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Links: Adlibris / Amazon / Goodreads

I went into this contemporary romance with no expectations at all. I've read Parrish's novella Natural Enemies and liked the dynamic between the main characters, but you cant really know that much about an author by just one novella.

Riven did have the same feeling as Natural Enemies. Here are two people that life has left dents and bruises on. Theo is the singer in a hugely successful band and he hates almost every minute of it. Even the part he loves - making and performing music - is getting overshadowed by the things that's slowly suffocating him. Caleb is a former famous singer and a recovering alcoholic, afraid of letting anything good happen to him.

They're kind of unlikely to meet and even then it's not entirely sure they should attract each other. But they do. It's definitely a case of insta-attraction, which I was soooo wary of. Their relationship did have a chance to blossom, though, even if things went big and emotional fast.

What's good with this? I loved the way both Theo and Caleb struggled with their own pasts. How it shone through in their personalities. Theo wants to be loved and take care of everyone. Caleb is scared shitless by the thought of falling back to old habits and disappointing everyone and he's being a damn asshole about it. It's also so many beautiful things about music and life and love and friendship. Loved the friendship between Caleb and his ex-turned-best-friend. Then there is the relationship between our two heroes. I actually loved it. They complemented each other so splendidly, without either being dependent on the other. It's not a perfect relationships, because none are.

What could be better? Well... I don't know. It's not the best book I've ever read, but I can't pinpoint what, exactly could be made different. It's a lot of emotions swirling around and sometimes it gets to be a bit too much. It's also too much tell and too little show. I mean, I know Theo and Caleb are dented people (I don't want to call them broken) and I find it annoying to have it repeated to me in so many different ways. I would have loved some sexual tension, but I guess we can't always have people who are reluctant to sleep with each other out of principle, or something :)

3.5 of 5 guitar picks

/ Denise

Ensamvarg av Sara Dalengren

Författare: Sara Dalengren
Titel: Ensamvarg
Serie: Flocken #1
Genre: Paranormal romance
Förlag: Seraf förlag
Länkar: Adlibris / Bokus / Goodreads

En svensk paranormal romance! Whaaa. Så kul att hitta och läsa denna! Även om jag inte är överförtjust i skiftare - har aldrig riktigt sett något lockande i det, likaså vampyrer - kände jag ändå att jag ville testa denna. Och det var ju en väldans tur att jag gjorde det.

Vad handlar den om? Jonathan är dömd till döden av sin flock, men lyckas fly med hjälp av en annan flockmedlem. På sin flykt stöter han på Miriam och han kan inte hålla sig borta. Han vill bara se henne en gång, känna hennes doft, prata med henne, röra henne...
Miriam är en soft om än något entusiastisk thrillerförfattare (ugh, jag är INTE en thrillerläsare - jag gillar att sova om nätterna),  som bor ensam i sin lilla stuga efter att hennes pojkvän dumpat henne på grund av hennes något makabra intressen (och visst råkade möta ett hemskt öde i hennes senaste manus). Vilken tur, för en skadad, spritt språngande naken man dyker upp och som den gode medborgare hon är tar hon med honom hem. Och gnistor uppstår, självfallet.

Okej, så, vi pratar först om vad jag gillade med denna fina bok. För det första - omslaget! Wow, älskar't. För det andra - Miriam! Jag vet inte om är knäpp eller bara öppen för konstiga saker, men hon är snäll, omtänksam, smart och rolig. Jonathan är också fin - väldigt varg/skiftar-personlighet, men villig att lyssna och lära. Jag gillade också att han inte var den erfarna alfa-hannen (ha, se vad jag gjorde där) som många andra romance-män är. Intressant vad författaren gjorde med en viss kroppsfunktion *blink*.

Ska vi snabbt nämna vad som kunde ha förbättrats? Okej, det gick liiite snabbt i början, tycker jag. Men, när man kom till slutet fick det ändå sin förklaring, så det känns ändå okej. Språket var ibland inte så flytande och koncist och ibland var det lite mycket tell och lite lite show. Jag hade också älskat att höra mer om Miriams författarskap och bakgrund och hade velat att veta lite mer om Jonathan som inte hade med Miriam att göra och hans tid hos flocken. Och, Simon? Inte okej, hörru. Respekt och samtycke kallas det.

Jag rekommenderar denna till alla som är ute efter en humoristisk, mysig karaktärsdriven skiftarromance med ett gäng unika personligheter. Jag ska i alla fall försöka få tag på de andra två böckerna nu.

4 av 5 bräkande får

/ Denise

Her Cold-Blooded Protector by Lea Linnett

Author: Lea Linnett
Title: Her Cold-Blooded Protector
Series: Levekk Invaders #1
Genre: Sci-fi alien romance

Links: Storytel / Amazon / Goodreads

This was my absolute first alien romance. A big step, I tell you. I'm a big sci-fi romance fan, so this was actually just another step up that ladder, but even though the feel is about the same, this has it's unique outlook.

This one is about Lena, who's imprisoned in a multi-species penitentiary after doing something stupid. She doesn't have the best of times, so to speak and after another not so smart but rather inevitable action, she's facing a prolonged sentence. All she wants, and needs, is to get home to her sister, though and she's desperate. Enter the levekk, Kormak - big, brooding, not too fond of humans, with vengeance on his mind. He breaks out of the prison and Lena happens to be at the right place and tags along. Their journey home is filled with disgruntled respect, reluctant attraction and them taking turns saving each others butts.

What was good, then? I did like the concept of earth being invaded 200 years prior and how it's now inhabited by not only humans, but also a variety of different species. Humans are quite low on the social ladder, though. I also liked that Lena was both able to take care of herself, but also felt the need to be protected at times - she doesn't have to be completely in-your-face-badass. Kormak was basically a huge softie, even though he likes punching stuff to a pulp.

What could be better? I would have loved to see more of the world the live in. The next book is about Lena's sister and I hope we get to see more outside the relationship. It was a bit two-dimensional as it were and even though I enjoyed the story, it wouldn't have been bad with another layer. Also, Kormak doesn't hate humans...? It seems like it in the beginning, but I couldn't even feel any hatred. Sure, he though some of the useless, but I hardly think that constitutes as hate.

If you're looking for an alien romance with a hint of potentially awesome world-building, are not afraid of scales and are just looking for a good time, I recommend this to you.

3.75 of 5 scales

/ Denise

Burn for me by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews
Title: Burn for Me
Series: Hidden Legacy #1
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Avon

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

It's been ages since I read a paranormal romance and actually finished it. I know some people don't like this one and while I have some things that bothers me, I also really enjoyed this read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator wasn't awesome, but I still managed to like this book, which is saying something.

Nevada is P.I. in an alternative Huston, Texas, where people has developed magical powers after injecting a serum and now, hundreds of years later, people are born with them instead. Power houses breed for power while regular people live their lives regardless of being magic or not. In either case, magic is a natural state of life in this world. Nevada is forced by the company that owns her family's business to find and bring in a powerful fire mage - something she's not so happy about. To the rescue comes Connor "Mad" Rogan, powerful, dangerous. Or, like, first he tortures her and then they strike an agreement.

This doesn't sound like the type of relationship one should root for, given my recent reads? But this is how it's done! Nevada is a strong, independent, loving, loyal, kickass woman whom I want to throw more adjectives at, because she's just great. She handles life like a boss, even though it kicks her in the face on multiple occasions. Rogan is a huge, rich, powerful - both in magic and influence - dude who's not used to take no for an answer.

So, what I liked about this book - the premise and the backstory made me intrigued, even though I wasn't really in the loop all the time (which is my feeble brain's fault, most likely, and not the book), the characters, the type of magic people could do, the multiple layers of feelings, people and moments.

I know what I'm listening to next - White hot!

4 of 5 blazing balls of luv

/ Denise

Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan

Author: Sophie Jordan
Title: Beautiful Lawman
Series: Devil's Rock
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Avon

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

I didn't think I had read anything from Sophie Jordan before, but now I'm pretty sure she's written a series about dragon shifters and I've read at least two of those books. I think...
Anyway, we're not here to talk about those. I've finished the fourth installment of Devil's Rock - which incidentally were my first read of the series. It's intrigued me enough that I'll probably go back and listen to the previous ones, as well - I do like the sound of the first one.

So, this one is about Piper - a young woman from a family of criminals, jailed or dead ones. Everyone in their small town thinks she's trash like the rest of the Walsh-clan, which makes caring for her younger sister very hard, since no one except the slimy strip club-manager wants to hire her. The last thing she needs is getting involved with the town's sexiest lawman, Hale. Hale, who is golden-boy turned sheriff, who also judges her by her blood. If only she didn't get his blood boiling.

This book is mostly centered around Piper and Hale and mostly Piper's struggles trying to care for her sister. She's a tough one and rolls with the punches. It hurt seeing how she had to play the dumb girl to get people to back off, but I cheered when she sassed back. Hale is kind of an asshole at first - judging people by their families background is just plain wrong and douchy. But, it does happen, unfortunately.

I did love the way Hale and Piper just... fit. They just came together and even though it was a bit of a struggle at times, their lives just went together like bread and butter. The whole background story with her brother and the crime he was incarcerated for was a good way to move the story forward and prepare for the next installment.

3.5 of 5 lap dances

/ Denise

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

Author: Laura Thalassa
Title: Pestilence
Genre: Apocalyptic romance 
Publisher: Independent

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

Yeah, this was... I don't really know how to feel about this. On the one hand, I liked the writing and the main story - The Four Horsemen coming to earth, killing everyone because of the wrath of God and a human falling for them.
Buuuut, the execution left somethings to be desired. Let's start with the good things:

Pestilence is hot -Yeah, seriously, that's a good thing.
Hate-to-love-trope - I love that.
Unfeeling to feeling - I liked the transition for Pestilence, from being an ethereal being, hating humans, to slowly falling in love with Sara, wanting to protect her from everything (even though he hurt her a few times, but details).
Trixie Skillz - dat horse, though.
Violence - okay, I don't specifically like violence, but I liked that the author didn't really skip the details. I mean, Pestilence "died" brutally multiple times.
Sexy times - Even though Sara called him "Pestilence" even in the more intimate situations, I kind of liked the whole virgin side of him. Fast learner, though. And he never forces her against her will (well, he does make her pee and get naked in front of him, but it's strictly platonic..?)

Okay, so on to the less positive stuff:

Divine intervention - Pestilence always said he had a mission and hinted that he didn't have a choice but kill humans. But he never explained why, except that God is involved and humans are despicable (except Sara, she cute). Is this because we'll be getting more books or what? I would have liked some more background story here.
Stockholm syndrome - Okay, so Sara tries to brutally murder him and he is vengeful and wants to make her suffer. He does accomplish this quite spectacularly. Sara still falls for him. She does have her guilt and questions herself a lot, but that doesn't seem to stop her from ogling him from day one.
Bare story - okay, so the story was quite bare, according to me. Things happen, but overall they really don't? I don't want to spoil too much, so I guess you'll have to find out for yourselves.
Feminism - you'd think this was a good thing, right? Well, no, this is a book that seems like it wants to be feminist and then just does and says things that are very counterproductive.

I'll probably read War when it comes out, because I'm interested in where the story is going and why God wants everyone dead, if they actually do want them dead.

2.75 of 5 immortal horses

/ Denise

All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue by Sophie Jordan

Author: Sophie Jordan
Title: All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue
Genre: Historical romance
Publisher: Avon

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

I can't say I loved this book, but it had me intrigued until the last page. I did like the story - how at childhood crush is, well, crushed when it comes to light that he's not so great, after all. And then a misunderstanding that's actually believable and they are so petty and funny and bickering all the time and you can almost touch the tension.

Okay, what was good? I really liked Aurelia. She tried to be independent, to not settle for any marriage even though she felt like a burden to her brother and his wife. She's a fantastic artist and that big misunderstanding years before peaked her interest in making caricatures of people. But not of anyone, just of people who deserves it (according to her). Max was also totally okay. He really has the whole "I'm-a-man-and-therefore-you-shall-do-as-I-say"-vibe, but Aurelia could handle it, so that's nice.

What wasn't so good? Weeeell... Max was a bit caveman at times - which, I know, this is a historical romance, I might be asking too much. But that man could not listen to anyone if his life so depended on it. He was very much into his rights as a man (but other times kind of sweet). The character development weren't marvelous, either and there weren't much of a story tbh. Like, I liked the story about their relationship but other than that, nothing really happened. Oh, except for the pond-incident. That was a good one. I also would have loved to find out more about Aurelia's sketches och Max's childhood.

Why should it be read? If you're looking for an easy, character-driven read with hot males and witty, capable women - you should read this.

3 of 5 drenched wigs

/ Denise

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Genre: Fiction/Historical
Publisher: Atria Books/Random House Audio

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

Jenkins Reid does know how to write problematic characters. Evelyn Hugo isn't in any way all that likable. All the same, I felt for her story and in the end, she had a place in my heart.

Why did that happen? Evelyn Hugo has had a long life filled with success and heartbreak. When she starts telling her story to Monique, the young journalist she insists on sharing it with, we slowly but surely get a glimpse of a strong woman with a great desire to be someone. She's manipulative, smart and knows how to use her looks to get what she wants. The stories about how and why she married her husbands make me mostly sad, because this isn't really a happy book. I like happy books, but just as Daisy Jones, Evelyn had me so interested in her story that I held on till the end. Which I'm very glad I did.

What's so good then? Like I said, this is not a happy book. Neither is it devastating. It's matter-of-fact and still filled with emotion. It contains a lot of food for thought. Like how women were and are perceived, LGBT-rights, love, friendship and family and how sometimes you make the wrong choices. How you grow old and then realize how much time you've wasted, even when you've succeeded in what you set out to do.

Monique didn't really interest me. I understand her part in the story, but I could have been without it. Still, Evelyn's story did get a whole different impact when told like this - rather than the book being told in present form. The ending was in part suspected, but did also surprise me. I also appreciated the short articles between the stories, as well. It really gave the feeling of what life Evelyn was living.

4 of 5 oscars

/ Denise

Söta, Röda Sommardrömmar av Christoffer Holst

Författare: Christoffer Holst
Titel: Söta, röda sommardrömmar
Genre: Feelgood/Deckare/Romance
Förlag: Lovereads
Länkar: Adlibris / Bokus / Goodreads

Det verkar som att så gott som alla böcker jag läser på svenska kommer från förlaget Lovereads, för jag läser ju väldigt sällan böcker på svenska numera. Och nu kommer jag här och meddelar att jag vanligtvis inte läser deckare, heller. Så har jag satt mig ner och läst en svensk deckare! Hur gick detta till?
Well, jag läser ju feelgood och jag gillar Christoffer Holst och titta på det där omslaget och själva begreppet feelgood-deckare fick mig att ge den en chans. Och om jag är glad för det!

Cilla Storm är journalist, men inte den luriga, pengakramande sorten. Hon är nyfiken, glad, rolig och omtänksam och lite konstig. Jag gillade henne nästan direkt. Grannen Rosie är lite av hur jag drömmer om att vara som pensionär och hennes son Adam är helt enkelt yummy. Eller ja, han är ju faktiskt mer än så. Polis. Men inte den hårda, misstänksamma sorten. Även han är ganska öppen och glad. Jag fick inte så mycket känn på honom, men jag hoppas att vi får lära känna dom allihop mer i Blå, blå höstvågor!

Vad handlar det om då? Jaha, jo, boken handlar om att Cilla har köpt en kolonilott på Bullholmen, en ö i Stockholms skärgård. Hon har blivit dumpad av sin pojkvän och vill bara komma bort från allt. Men den stillsamma, vindrickande sommaren hon tänkt sig blir avbruten när en ung kvinna hittas mördad. Cilla var den sista som såg henne vid liv och hon är ju som sagt lite för nyfiken för att låta saker vara.

Vad är det som är så bra då? Jamen, det är en mysig bok, helt enkelt. Inget blir för blaffigt, för mordigt, för pinsamt eller för konstigt. Konversationerna flyter, karaktärerna känns levande och Holst gör mig aldrig uttråkad med sina fina miljöbeskrivningar. Jag listade väl typ ut mysteriet där i mitten av slutet någonstans, men det gjorde inget, för jag hölls ändå i spänning hela tiden.

4 av 5 glas Cava

/ Denise

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Title: Daisy Jones & The Six
Genre: Fiction/Historical
Publisher: Ballantine Books/Random House Audio

Links: Bokus / Book Depository / Goodreads

Daisy Jones and the Six truly surprised me. I saw it on my audiobook service and, having seen all the hype, I though I’d give it a go. I don’t know why, since I almost never read hyped books and I definitely don’t read books about a 70’s band. But I did and I’m glad.

I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did if I hadn’t listened to the audiobook. That’s rarely the case, but this book worked amazingly as an audiobook. The narrators - and there where a lot of narrators (another thing I usually dislike, what’s this book done to me?) - were amazing. It was like listening to a movie. A real documentary.

What's so damn good, then? I don't know! I kept expecting to be bored, getting fed up with the cheating, the booze, the drugs. But the book kept sucking me in, getting me involved in the lives of The Six and Daisy. Camilla was marvelous, but truly - all of the characters' personalities came through even though most of the story revolved around Billy and Daisy. The author made the storyline exciting and, most important, believable - everyone remembers differently, thought differently and that gave another dimension to the story.

Why should it be read? Because it's a beautifully written story with a set of characters you won't get out of your head. If you're looking for a character-driven story set in the 70's, behind-the-scenes of rock music and full of humanity, I recommend you pick this up. Especially the audiobook, if you're into that!

5 of 5 rockstars

/ Denise