Category: Romance - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Unbleugh My Heart

6/6/2023

Unending (The Fallen Guardians #5)
by Cassie Laelyn

Cole has been forced to watch his soulmate die over and over again throughout the centuries, their moments together few but worth the pain. Evie is now on her last incarnation. She has no memory of their past and he should leave her alone, like she wanted him to, but Evie isn't making it easy for him. And nor will she cease her pursuit of the book that could end everything, once and for all.

It's always fun to catch up with the Guardians and see what else Blaine (aka the Big Bad) seems to be cooking up. And hey, I have a weakness for cupcakes and immortals who consume cupcakes. However, this book didn't grip me as much as the previous titles - maybe I'm a bit fatigued of the series. It's also a bit creepy when a man refers to his lover, someone he's attracted to, as "baby girl". Bleugh.

Hot Damn

30/5/2023

Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1)
by Kat Kinney

Asher Heath is part fae and part human, gifted with extraordinary fire magic - but when he tried to fight one particularly large blaze, he failed and has been haunted by that day ever since. It doesn't help that suspicious fires keep following him. He's not the only one being hunted - Gwyn Drake is a dragon shifter with her own troubles. It's a good thing fire and dragons are an excellent combo.

Light My Pyre is a cosy small-town paranormal romance and this is an excellent combo itself. And I just love that title! I really enjoyed the mystery that Kinney gave us - and obviously my favourite character was Daisy the Wolfhound, who is such a scene stealer. But I was a little disappointed that we didn't really get to see Asher and Gwyn properly fall for each other.

More Less than More

27/5/2023

More or Less a Temptress (The Somerset Sisters #3)
by Anna Bradley

Hyacinth Somerset has always been the most delicate Somerset Sister, so it's not surprising that she loses her senses when a murderer arrives at a ball populated by polite society. Lachlan Ramsey is no murderer: he's the long lost brother of the Lord of Huntington. But now his reputation is in a precarious position - and soon his heart will follow. For Hyacinth is not as demure as she seems.

Alas, this one was not as fun nor as good as the previous two titles in the series. Hyacinth got on my nerves and I'm not sure she had enough character development to justify her bold decisions towards the end. It's still a pleasant enough read, but it's distracting when more interesting characters are floating about in the background, awaiting their moment to shine in another series.

Adventures in Angst

21/5/2023

More or Less a Countess (The Somerset Sisters #2)
by Anna Bradley

Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, is back in London and can't leave until he gets himself a wife. But in his hasty pursuit, he mixes up the two Miss Somersets and gets far more than he bargained for. Violet Somerset has a book to write and Lord Dare could fill an entire chapter. She definitely doesn't want him anywhere near her sister and she definitely isn't going to fall in love with him!

I wasn't so sure about the premise, but I'm glad I dived in anyway. Violet and Nick were such a delight during their initial adventures - and we got to see the Selfish Rake start to melt in her presence. Then things took a more angsty turn. I'm usually into stories were a lack of communication is the driving force of the plot...but even this was a bit much for my patience! Overall, an enjoyable read.

Diana Merriwell, P.I.

9/5/2023

Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters #2)
by Virginia Heath

Giles Sinclair is in big trouble. He's just inherited a dukedom, except it might not be his at all - his unknown mother certainly wasn't a duchess. His secret won't stay secret for long. Luckily for him, he knows a most infuriating woman who might actually be able to save him. Diana Merriwell never wants to cede her independence to any man...but she does have a soft spot for a duke in distress.

Okay, I was a little worried with the slow pace at the start, but then things really got going and I REALLY enjoyed myself. Giles and Diana are delightful. Especially when they're together! I was also drawn in by the mystery and found it very satisfying, despite guessing its resolution early on. Heath creates great MCs, but it's her fabulous minor characters that make her books so brilliant.

Always Fall for a Good Book!

1/5/2023

Never Fall for Your Fiancée (The Merriwell Sisters #1)
by Virginia Heath

Hugh Standish is an earl and he has a mother keen to marry him off - an exhausting combination. So he invented a fake fiancée named Minerva, to give him some respite. But now his mother is coming home to meet her. It's incredibly convenient that he meets a real life Minerva who agrees to pretend for a little while. But Minerva Merriwell will soon wonder if the money he's paying is worth it!

"But why's it over? I don't want it to be over," I told my husband sadly as my Kobo asked me to rate the book I'd just finished reading. Such is my love for this book. I became so fond of Hugh and Minerva's chaotic families and the comedic hijinks were actually funny (as opposed to some novels that make such things feel cringey). I'll obviously be devouring the sequel next, but still I wish the story had gone on forever...

Second Book Down

28/4/2023

Second Bride Down (Majestic Maine #2)
by Ginny Baird

Misty Delaney doesn't have long until either she or her sister has to marry the son of their family's enemy. But she didn't expect a billboard to go up, advertising her desire for a quick husband. Her long-time friend Lucas comes to her recuse with a plan - he'll move in with her and they'll pretend to be together for a week. Just until everything cools down. But maybe things will heat up instead!

As before, I knew this was my kind of book because it has my kind of premise! I enjoyed this second instalment more than the first one, mostly because the hero and heroine were refreshingly level-headed in how they handled things. The rivalry with Charlotte, Misty's sister, was more fun than I was expecting too. Ah, I'm just so happy for Lucas and Misty. A story of love and compromise.

First Comes Bet, Then Comes Marriage

27/4/2023

First Bride to Fall (Majestic Maine #1)
by Ginny Baird

Nell Delaney and her sisters have an opportunity to save the family business. So they make a bet. Whoever isn't engaged or almost married by the end of 30 days has to marry the son of their father's rival. Nell has no intention of doing that - in fact, she's going to be the first one married. Now she'll have to transform Grant Williams from distant crush into willing husband. Emphasis on willing.

This was a lot fun. But then again, I seem to have a penchant for deception and situations that should have been solved by communication lol. I did enjoy most of this, though the portion of the book where they both acted like toddlers felt like a bit of a chore at times. That said, Nell and Grant were so cute together. Cute... with a side order of sizzle! Now I'm going to start the next book in the series.

Average Regency Tale

4/4/2023

The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn

Lucie is due for her Season when Freddie, her new dashing neighbour, falls out of tree and requires her aid. But Anthony, his guardian, has a more suitable match in mind. Freddie needs a steadying hand this Season - as does Lucie, so Sybella, her widowed sister, is along for the ride. Sybella knows Lucie and Freddie would be happy together, but Anthony is unconvinced - and so very infuriating.

Alas, this wasn't as exciting as the brilliant cover and title suggested (but that's on me for allowing myself to be lured in by them). The writing itself reveals that the author hasn't had much experience with fiction. Some plot elements felt like Dunn was ticking boxes. And don't TELL me that the tension is almost tangible - it should be obvious! That said, this was a sweet and decent enough read.

Far From Aced

19/3/2023

This Doesn't Mean Anything
by Sarah Whalen

Content warning: sexual assault

Spencer has just entered college and wants to spend her time working hard, though she often has to share her favourite quite spot in the library with Nicholas, a student and barista - and one of the few guys she can stand to have in her personal space. As they continue to grow closer together, Spencer realises it might be possible to be asexual and still get the guy.

It is obvious that This Doesn't Mean Anything is a first novel - unfortunately, it also reads like a draft. A brutal edit (cutting about 25%) would have done wonders, because there is potential inside these pages. The hero is quite unlikeable and toxic - and his main character trait seems to be that his presence is required to stop any sexual assault from occurring. I'll stop here, since there are a litany of issues with this novel and I don't have time to write an essay lol. But I will say that there is a decent foundation here that can be improved upon, if the author is willing.

I was actually quite excited to read this initially, since ace romances are underrepresented in the market. Alas...