Roberta Blablanski's Blog
April 28, 2023
Sundays with oliver
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Kelly Jensen is the queen of older MCs! Her characters aren’t youthful 20-somethings, going out partying and getting wasted and making the types of decisions one makes at that age when there’s time to correct course.
That’s not to say that Oliver and Nick, the stars of Sundays with Oliver, aren’t victim to making some questionable decisions. They are both going through major life changes and meet each other at this tumultuous time.
Nick’s autism (which I spotted straight away) was written with much care and authenticity. If you’ve ever watched the TV show Parenthood from the 2010s, picture Max as a grown up and you’ll have a good idea as to Nick’s personality.
Oliver is not autistic and it is interesting to witness his interactions with and reactions to Nick. He has some awareness of Nick’s particular quirks and I loved seeing how Oliver processes everything.
Oliver and Nick are complicated characters with interesting, and at times traumatic, backgrounds. Their family members are rich and also complicated additions to their story. Everyone has particular role in the men’s lives. There are no throw away characters to be found.
I very much enjoyed how the first impressions I had of some of the characters gradually changed as the story progressed. (I’m looking at you, Cam.) It’s fascinating to see through the eyes of one character, and then to have that impression flipped upside down.
Sundays with Oliver is emotional and delightful, and I’m thrilled this will be a series. (Gray needs some TLC!)
***Thank you to GRR for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
April 25, 2023
Sundays with Oliver
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Kelly Jensen is the queen of older MCs! Her characters aren’t youthful 20-somethings, going out partying and getting wasted and making the types of decisions one makes at that age when there’s time to correct course.
That’s not to say that Oliver and Nick, the stars of Sundays with Oliver, aren’t victim to making some questionable decisions. They are both going through major life changes and meet each other at this tumultuous time.
Nick’s autism (which I spotted straight away) was written with much care and authenticity. If you’ve ever watched the TV show Parenthood from the 2010s, picture Max as a grown up and you’ll have a good idea as to Nick’s personality.
Oliver is not autistic and it is interesting to witness his interactions with and reactions to Nick. He has some awareness of Nick’s particular quirks and I loved seeing how Oliver processes everything.
Oliver and Nick are complicated characters with interesting, and at times traumatic, backgrounds. Their family members are rich and also complicated additions to their story. Everyone has particular role in the men’s lives. There are no throw away characters to be found.
I very much enjoyed how the first impressions I had of some of the characters gradually changed as the story progressed. (I’m looking at you, Cam.) It’s fascinating to see through the eyes of one character, and then to have that impression flipped upside down.
Sundays with Oliver is emotional and delightful, and I’m thrilled this will be a series. (Gray needs some TLC!)
***Thank you to GRR for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Contract Season
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had low expectations going into Contract Season, as I had difficulty enjoying the first book in this series (Season’s Change). I was hoping for part two of Benji and Olly’s relationship because Nary didn’t give us much of that in the first book. And a major part of the book was dedicated to lots of hockey which, as someone who is completely clueless about every sport imaginable, kinda took me out of the story.
Anyway, I decided to give book two a try, and I am so glad I did.
I can’t express how much I loved the characters and the romance. If you’ve followed my reviews, you know that I am sucker for rock stars and will read just about any book with a musician MC. Sea is not a rock star but a country star. I grew up listening to country music (Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Willie Nelson, George Jones), I’m not much of a fan of contemporary country music. However, I found Sea utterly charming. I loved getting to know him: how he started as a small town, awkward teenager thrust into a life in front of cameras. How he managed his public persona and his private life. His sassiness, especially with his manager, and his stubbornness when it came to his music.
You would think the other MC, Brody, would have absolutely nothing in common with Sea. Brody is, of course, a hockey player, with a set life plan. Much different from Sea, who seems to go where the current takes him while struggling internally for his own life raft. Brody feels he needs to stay in the closet until he hits a certain milestone in his career and even a long-term boyfriend won’t derail him. Sea is in a similar situation; the country music industry, historically, isn’t queer-friendly, and he keeps his sexuality close to the vest in favor of advancing his career. Both are extremely career-driven.
The couple’s initial meeting starts off with major sparks and leads to some complicated feelings. They each process the aftermath of their encounter in different ways that are so authentic to their characters. Brody focuses on hockey; Sea writes a song.
One of my other favorite tropes, the fake relationship, features in Contract Season. After getting caught in a compromising position, the characters’ managers devise a plan to craft a fake relationship for the media and public. I love it when characters are fighting so hard not to fall for each other as they are forced to deal with their feelings head on.
The writing is amazing. Nary’s talent for conveying emotion and the struggles of the characters is phenomenal. Her words grabbed me from the first paragraph and made it difficult to put the book down.
I’m so glad I gave this author a second chance. Brody and Sea came through, making Contract Season far exceed my expectations.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Out of the Ashes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Five star send off for the Ashes and Dust series!
In Out of the Ashes I finally felt like Evan and Colin were connecting. The previous two book in this series left me wanting more from the MC and his love interest, and Jenn Burke delivered!
Book 2 ended on one hell of a cliffhanger that left me distraught for poor Evan. He has held a dear place in my heart since Not Dead Yet. He was one of those side characters who could steal the show. Burke put him through hell and back in the Not Dead Yet series, and there was no way she could let him not get his HEA.
The culmination of the mystery at the center of this series was bittersweet. I wasn’t (truthfully, I’m still not) ready to say goodbye to Hudson and Wes and their band of paranormal misfits. My reader soul is satisfied with the end of Evan’s story, but i can still hope Burke gets inspired to write another spinoff.
***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
The Perils of Intimacy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Five stars for the story; 3 for narration.
I first read The Perils of Intimacy back in 2017 when it was first released. Rick R. Reed is one of my go-to authors, and this story did not disappoint. The history the two MCs share is painful and heartbreaking. Their second chance brings those dark times back to the surface. These characters are put through the wringer. The themes of redemption and forgiveness are heavy and written with a rawness that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
David Allen Bargo is a new-to-me narrator and, while I found his voice and characters just fine, it’s the sound effects that make me give the narration 3 stars. The beeps and buzzing and distorted voices marking internal dialogue and phone calls took me out of the story. The first beep, when Mark is leaving a voicemail, was jarring and I’d hope that was the last of it. Also, the echo effect of the characters internal dialogue was distracting.
My issues with the audio are purely personal preference, and I don’t think anyone should avoid listening because of my opinion. I am very likely to listen to other books by this narrator.
***Thanks to GRR for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Dead Draw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I do love the fake relationship trope, with all of the denial and pining and such. Dead Draw delivers the angst that comes with pretending to be in a relationship and more. Though, I do have to admit, I wasn’t completely sold on the reason for Marsh and Levi’s pretend marriage. I did, however, enjoy the chemistry between the two, compounded by the reluctance they each have for getting real feelings involved.
The yearning builds along with the suspense, concluding Dead Draw on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see how this adventure ends for Marsh and Levi.
***Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Book Boyfriend
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Book Boyfriend started out a bit rough for me. I found it difficult to get into the story and, frankly, PK annoyed me. I wondered what Art saw in him as a friend and the first person he ran to after a break up. I’m glad I stuck with it, though.
About halfway through, I began enjoying the story more. Perhaps it was the inclusion of additional characters that diluted some of PK and made him more bearable, but I did get invested. The failed grand gesture would have been a classic plot device in any other romance novel. I was pleased when it didn’t follow the typical narrative. The fallout made for an interesting second act.
While I had high hopes for Book Boyfriend, coming off the heels of The Life Revamp, which I ADORE, my overall feelings were less enthusiastic.
Lovely concept, slow start, but a decent read.
***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Ghosted
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As a preteen and teen, Stephen King was my favorite author. I loved his twisted horror stories. I eventually broaden my reading interests and found myself straying away from horror. I think the last King book I read was 11/22/63, and none of his other books published after piqued my interest. Perhaps his writing style and my tastes diverged into different paths, but I still have a fondness for his later works.
Jess Whitecroft is an amazing storyteller; she could write about anything and make it interesting. Her humor is sharp, her characters have depth, and her plot twists are engaging. She has written about drag queens, aging pop stars, and chefs. She has mastered contemporary romance, comedy, fantasy, and historical. She could master any genre or topic.
Which brings us to Ghosted, a fantastic horror/paranormal story that hooked me from page one. And this is where Stephen King rears his head again. (I bet you were wondering what that tangent at the beginning of this review was about, huh?) Jason and Ange’s adventures are very much reminiscent of what I loved about Stephen King. The story is complex and warped, and there are so many aspects that reminded me of Mr. King…with one very big difference.
Ghosted is hella funny. The one-liners hit a the right moment without taking away from the anticipation for the terror that is right around the corner. A few of my favorites:
“Whole damn country’s darker than a Joy Division B-side.”
“I think I’m having a nervous breakdown.” “You’re not. You’re just lactating.”
“Arkansas is just one of those things that happens to you.”
A good portion of the story is set in New Orleans, and I am a massive snob when it comes to non-residents using the city as a backdrop. Because I’ve lived here all my life, I hold authors to a high standard when describing NOLA, and any little discrepancy can turn me off of a story. Readers, Whitecroft f—king NAILED IT. She got the atmosphere right, and even shouted out a neighboring city, Metairie.
On a serious note, I appreciated the references to Hurricane Katrina and one of the character’s first hand experiences. The trauma was handled with delicate candor. Those who lived through Katrina will never forget.
I highly recommend Ghosted for anyone looking to be horrified and tickled simultaneously. Trust me, Whitecroft makes the combo work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Going Public
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Caution: Do not read if you’re even a tiny bit hungry. Lin’s descriptions of food are mouthwatering and make me crave what the characters are eating. Short of reading a food blog or receipt book, you’ll want to order in these foods.
Going Public is complex with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. Ray and Elvin are great characters. I love how neither are perfect and their flaws are dealt with head on. Elvin’s family is lovely and, even with several siblings, each has a distinct personality.
If you’re a fan of the opposites attract trope, you’re going to love this book. Elvin and Ray’s differences are a point of contention, more so for Elvin, that is just one issue these character face in their relationship.
Other tropes you’ll find: one bed, forced proximity, workplace romance, boss-employee romance….Going Public has EVERYTHING. I doubt any reader won’t be able to find something to love about it.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Sink or Swim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 2 in Albert’s Shore Leave series was a lovely read. Calder was not what I expected based on the glimpses I got of him in Sailor Proof. He felt very one-dimensional and not very deep, so I went into this story not expecting the complex character that he was.
I loved loved LOVED all the cuddling Calder and Felix get up to. It was nice to have love interests not immediately jump to penetrative sex; rather, these two slowly get to know each other in all kinds of ways. The demi rep was lovely.
Felix’s nieces were a delight and added that extra piece to the story. Without them, I don’t think we’d get the same kind of connection between Felix and Calder, and it made Felix’s hesitation to let Calder in feel very real. I also loved how Calder was like a big kid with the girls while still being a responsible adult, even if he didn’t have the confidence that he could be a parent figure.
I would have liked to have seen them at the family summer camp. I really enjoyed those scenes in Sailor Proof.
***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
