L-L-L-Little Reviews #28: 5 Miscellaneous Genres

Posted February 12, 2021 by Lisa Mandina in Review / 4 Comments

A bit behind so far this year. It’s February and I’ve got books from clear back in December to share. This is all the reviews that aren’t part of blog tours up to this point. One is an audiobook, one is more of a pamphet type, one is a novella, and then there is a YA fantasy and an adult contemporary romance.

Girl in Luv (In Luv Duet #1) by Jay Crownover and Rebecca Yarros:
L-L-L-Little Reviews #28:  5 Miscellaneous GenresGirl in Luv by Jay Crownover, Rebecca Yarros
Series: In Luv Duet #1
Narrator: Sofia Willingham, J.F. Harding
Published by Tantor Audio on October 6, 2020
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Length: 04:58
Source: Purchased
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: four-stars
Goodreads
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Langley Vaughn is in desperate need of a date.
But not just any date.She’s looking for a date to the wedding from hell. It isn’t every day you’re forced to be in the bridal party while your first love marries your arch nemesis… otherwise known as the world’s worst stepsister. The entire situation is a nightmare, and Langley is sick and tired of taking orders and forcing a fake smile. She’s done being the bad guy when she was the one who was wronged.
She needs to find a date who’s not afraid of her family’s money and someone who is willing to shake things up. She needs someone outside of her normal social circle, someone ready to go to war with the well-to-do. She needs someone who won’t back down. Someone willing to play the complicated game of tug of war she’s been engaged in with her family for years.
Never in a million years did she think she was going to stumble across her very own heroic heartthrob when she set her crazy plan in motion.
Not only does Iker show up for her time and time again, he also forced her to finally fight for herself.
He says he’s only there for the money… but his actions speak so much louder than his words.
Iker Alvarez would do anything and everything to get his hands on some quick cash.
Not just any cash, but enough to make sure his younger brother gets into the college of his dreams.
Thank goodness for a desperate, pretty little rich girl with too much money and her heart set on an outrageous scheme. Being in the right place at the right time might just be the answer to both of their prayers — and this smart soldier has never let a golden opportunity slide by.
Iker doesn’t mind coming to Langley’s rescue and being her plus-one… as long as the price is right.
Only, he didn’t plan on liking the blonde socialite as much as he does. He is totally unprepared for the pull he feels toward her, coupled with his growing desire to protect her from the vultures and villains living under the same roof.
He wants to be the guy who keeps her safe and gives her the courage to fight back that she obviously needs… But someone else, someone far more powerful and influential than Langley’s wealthy family, has dibs on Iker’s time and on his future. He knows he isn’t the guy Langley can count on in the long run, but damn if he doesn’t want to do everything in his power to be that man.

My Review:

I had been waiting a while to read or listen to this one. I finally used an Audible credit to buy it and I did enjoy it, although it was short and had a cliffhanger ending. I probably won’t get to the second part until my Audible membership starts up again in April. My only complaints were that while the female narrator had a good voice, she sometimes paused at weird moments. I’ll be eager to find out how book 2 will pick up, and I have to say that this was good even if a bit predictable.

Come Again (Coming Together #1) by Poppy Dunne:
L-L-L-Little Reviews #28:  5 Miscellaneous GenresCome Again by Poppy Dunne
Series: Coming Together #1
on March 8, 2018
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 200
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
My Rating: three-half-stars
Goodreads
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If a Pride and Prejudice/Bridget Jones’s Diary mash-up but with more sex, sexual tension, and sexy sex, sounds good to you, you've come to the right place!
It is truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a dead-end job, shoebox studio apartment, and zany, intensely loyal friends, must be in want of a man.
But in my wildest dreams, I never expected that man to remember me selling overpriced KoolAid in my Rainbow Brite underpants when I was six years old. Life is unpredictable.
Fraser Drake was the least sexy boy when we were growing up: all elbows and knees and khaki pleats and debate club. But right now, in my mother's kitchen, he's never looked hotter, more irresistible. Granted, he's looking down on me as I expertly dance the sock hop scene from Grease. But behind those layers of haughty indifference, I detect the hint of lust.
He is everything I never knew I wanted. Since I met him, my feet haven't touched the ground and my smile hasn't left my face. His laugh is like a well-aged scotch, and I have a feeling I could get drunk on it.
*This is a STANDALONE romantic comedy, with a hell of a lot of heart, and a lot of heat. Complete with some loud LOLs and an even better HEA!

My Review:

So I noticed this author on Facebook, and after having her comment a bunch on my posts, I thought, I’d better read a book of hers soon! So I bought this one last year and read a bit at a time over the month of December. I did enjoy it, as it had a lot of funny moments in it. But then there were things in it that I had issues with. Some things went kind of fast, like saying they were dating seemed really quick. And then there was a point that he did not explain something, or even say he would explain later, and that made no sense to me. There were also some political types of comments that totally made sense when I know what the author has commented on my own posts on Facebook, but they are things that turned me off a bit. Overall it was a good story, and had funny parts and steamy parts and was a good read. Others won’t have the same political issues I had, as I seem to be in the minority for that topic. But I personally don’t care to bring politics into my fun reads in that way, so it got it marked down for me a bit.

Get Inked (Pucked #5.5) by Helena Hunting:
L-L-L-Little Reviews #28:  5 Miscellaneous GenresGet Inked by Helena Hunting
Series: Pucked #5.5, Clipped Wings #3.5
Published by Everafter Romance on October 10, 2016
Genres: Adult Sports Romance
Pages: 164
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
My Rating: five-stars
Goodreads
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When the itch for new ink takes over, NHL star Randy Ballistic commissions his trusted tattoo artist to design a new sleeve, and the rest of the PUCKED boys decide it's time to commemorate their love of hockey with a team tattoo.
But it can't just be about the boys--the PUCKED girls want in on the action, too. Ink cherries will be popped, cupcakes will be consumed, and the hazards and enhancements of boob bling will be pondered.
Worlds collide when the hockey boys pay a visit to Inked Armor, the renowned Chicago tattoo studio where master artists Hayden Stryker and Chris Zelter ply their trade. Don't miss the resulting action and insights in this Pucked series and Clipped Wings crossover novella.
Paperback ALSO includes the novella BETWEEN THE CRACKS (from Clipped Wings series).

My Review:

Of course I tend to love anything that has to do with the Pucked series boys, especially if Randy Ballistic is kind of the main character in a way. This novella actually took a lot of different viewpoints of not only the characters from this series, but also characters from another of Hunting’s series that I need to read still. It also put me in the mood for another tattoo. I have ideas of what I want, just no idea where I want to put them at on my body! Of course there is also the part that talks about Buck’s “Yeti” status. And the hairy tidbits they discuss are so true. Reminding me of a guy I dated in college like that.

Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga #5) by Stephenie Meyer:
L-L-L-Little Reviews #28:  5 Miscellaneous GenresMidnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight #5
on August 4, 2020
Genres: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 662
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: four-stars
Goodreads
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When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

My Review:

Honestly, I loved this venture back into the Twilight world that I loved so much when it first came out. This was so much more than the original little short story that got leaked back when the author said she would first write it. I enjoyed so much all the different aspects of things told from Edward’s perspective. It’s been so long since I actually read the books, so there are some things that I wondered if actually they were more based around things in the movie as opposed to the book, but I still was okay with it as I loved it. It was a little long towards the end for me though. Which makes sense since I do tend to zone out at the end of the movie once the bad vampires start their bit. But I had to finish it anyway just to see where it went, and I wasn’t disappointed. Because it was basically just the same story, I only gave it 4 stars instead of the 5 I think I gave the original book.

Checking Progressive Privilege by Carrie L. Lukas:
L-L-L-Little Reviews #28:  5 Miscellaneous GenresChecking Progressive Privilege by Carrie L. Lukas
Published by Encounter Books on July 23, 2019
Genres: Nonfiction
Pages: 48
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
My Rating: five-stars
Goodreads
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Progressives have taught us that it doesn't take overt discrimination to make society unfair. Privilege afforded to different groups--such as whites, males, and heterosexuals--can infect our cultural institutions, creating unfair burdens for other groups.
But one form of privilege has been overlooked: progressive privilege. Today, the progressive worldview is depicted as what is normal, right, and worth celebrating by our cultural institutions. Conservatives are marginalized and stereotyped in entertainment, news, academia, and throughout our culture.
Progressive privilege isn't just unfair to conservatives; it has warped our entire political environment and made our country more divided. Recognizing progressive privilege is the first step to ending it, so that we can have a fairer, more truly inclusive society.

My Review:

I saw this on another book blog last November I think and searched it out after reading its synopsis. I used to consider myself pretty conservative, but I’ve come to be much more of a centrist. And one thing I’ve always had an issue with is the hypocrisy of many who call themselves progressive. This book puts what I’ve always thought into well explained terms and even gives suggestions for why this is the way it is and what things we might try to do in order to work on this. We need the people who say they want to work together with the other side and work on compromise to be willing to actually do that, to think on how other people see things and work to compromise, not just steam-roll their own beliefs as the only ones. I know that I used to like to argue with people all the time. It didn’t matter their viewpoint though, I liked to be the devil’s advocate and come up with the opposite of what they thought. Even when they agreed with what I thought I was right, by doing this, I often convinced myself to change my own thoughts and opinions. I wish everyone was able to do this. Until people can do that, I think we will continue to struggle as a country at coming together and working for the good of everyone.

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4 responses to “L-L-L-Little Reviews #28: 5 Miscellaneous Genres

    • Lisa Mandina

      Yep. Even though I knew it would, I didn’t buy the second one yet. Need to do that still! Thanks for stopping by!

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