Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz

Let’s start with the positives, shall we? A genderflipped Pride and Prejudice is an interesting idea, as is swapping around the names of the guys from Pride and Prejudice so they still go by Darcy (now female) and Bingley (still a guy and gay). The Bennet boys are now Luke, Jim, Kit, and Lyle, and Darcy has three brothers who I’ve already forgotten because they don’t matter.

Bingley and Jim Bennet are adorable. They get a meet cute and fall head over heels, moving very quickly which is both noted and hand-waved in text. Unfortunately, their relationship disappears about the halfway mark and is only mentioned once after that.

The writing is not the best… grammatically, it’s mostly okay, apart from perhaps too many long sentences and that time when Darcy “power-walked clumsily to the bed". There is a tendency towards telling rather than showing, and the middle of a kiss is not the appropriate time to internally monologue about Christmases Past. However, it’s the editing where it really falls down. There are continuity issues, inconsistent characterisation and backstory, characters reacting to things that hadn’t actually been said, and a minor twist is revealed only retrospectively at 96%. The author even gets her parents’ names wrong once.

I’m very much not a fan of the main character, Darcy Fitzwilliam. She received a well-deserved smackdown at 50% and instead of learning from it, everyone around her falls over themselves to convince her that it was undeserved and she’s like the best person ever. Even said smackdown-er apologises at least twice. The whole point of the Lizzie Bennet Smackdown (tm) is that it's right! And Darcy learns! And apologises! Not the other way around. She really is a terrible person who strings her high school sweetheart along for about twelve years afterwards "as a constant ego booster" and thinks buying her assistant a Christmas gift makes her not selfish! Her declaration of love comes when both of them are engaged to other people! Her own father acknowledges that she’s selfish and entitled but that’s okay because it’s a family trait. She doesn’t learn anything! Ever!

There’s also a bit of internalised misogyny as she is ashamed to like Britney Spears and Gilmore Girls, calling Kate Middleton a “social climbing puppet”. She constantly asserts that she doesn’t need a guy to be happy and then is unhappy until she gets the guy. This has the unfortunate implication that even if you’re happy and successful alone, you’re secretly not happy and would be happier with a husband and child, which… no.

Overall, this book was a great idea but has inconsistent editing and a selfish main character. Its only redeeming point is a cute side couple who disappear too quickly. I can’t really recommend it.

Two prejudiced stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Coattails and Cocktails by Rumer Haven

A clever whodunit set in the Roaring Twenties

It’s the old story: a dinner party in the country, clashing personalities, and a body in the library. Tensions rise as the remaining guests must work out whodunit and why. There’s no detective present, just five scared people and a whole lot of alcohol.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery with plenty of twists; I thought I knew where it was going several times, and each time had the rug pulled out from under me. Despite this, it’s no deus ex machina. There were several red herrings but everything you need is right there in front of you.

It was a bit of a slow start but it really drew me in. The characters were thorny and flawed but interesting, the setting labyrinthine but I eventually got the hang of where everything was. I liked the ending as well: not too pat, but with a hope for the future.

If you want an atmospheric murder mystery, please pick this book up.

Five twisty stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Christmas Romances 2017

Right what it says on the tin

Are you looking for some sweet romances this holiday season? Then look no further than this collection of five stories. Each is chock-full of Christmas cheer and enough sweetness to make your teeth hurt! As a bonus, each one ends with a recipe that featured in the story and I can’t wait to try some of them out.

 My favourite story was Analeigh's Christmas Cupcakes by Jennifer Conner about a cupcake baker who suffers a hit and run on the way to a wedding that could make or break her business. I adored how the hero was a down-to-earth tow truck driver and how he helped Analeigh – not just with a ride but in the kitchen! I have a soft spot for guys who enjoy domesticity without being showy. My other favourite was Margie's Magic Cookie Bars by Laura Strickland about a couple of unrequited crushes. I absolutely loved when Margie finally realised what a tool her crush was – it was super satisfying to read.

The other stories were also fun, though I’m not a huge fan of insta-love or love triangles. Still, if light and fluffy is what you want, I’d definitely recommend this anthology.

Four sugary stars

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Scandal in Battersea by Mercedes Lackey

Magical Victorian Mystery

It’s Sherlock Holmes with Magic!... sorta. This book is number 12 in the Elemental Masters series and the second to feature the Great Detective as well as a cast of recurring characters. The little hints to prior books prick the interest without being intrusive and it works well as a standalone if you so wish. Overall, it was a fun read with all the right ingredients: magic, friendship, an amoral magician, and a creeping evil.

It’s not without its problems. There was a focus on virginity which had some unfortunate implications and some unexpected sexual content on the part of the villains. Title notwithstanding, there wasn’t much Holmes in the book except as the token sceptic so he seemed almost unnecessary. Series notwithstanding, there wasn’t much Elemental Magic in the book except as passing mentions. There wasn’t much closure at the end – I would’ve loved to see some of the other victims rescued (or even acknowledged by the main characters), and the magician’s fate was annoyingly ambiguous.

Looking over that list, I’m making the book sounds worse than it was. It was a solidly enjoyable book that will please fans of Nan and Sarah. The problem is that I’m comparing it to the earlier books which had that added fairytale-retelling layer. The Sherlock elements seemed rather incidental and pasted on, rather than being woven in as the fairytales were. If that doesn’t bother you, then I recommend this book.

Four foggy stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Dark and exhilarating as two prickly souls find each other

Wow-ee. I feel like I just scoffed down a dark chocolate cake – a really rich one with ganache and maybe a bit of raspberry. I wanted more of it just so I could glory in its beauty. This is book 10 in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series and it’s a cracker.

Venom and Holly have great chemistry. They’ve been striking sparks off each other for a few books and their constant banter is a delight to read. The entire book is a delight to read, come to think of it. I loved the growing feelings between the two; the scene where we finally get under Venom’s skin? Amazing. Nalini has taken one of the more reserved, unreadable characters and shown the heart he’s been hiding for so long.

The pain and beauty of this series lie in the evaluation of time – what you do with it and what happens when you have more of it than the people you love. Once again, this book hits those themes right in the feels.

For some background: this series is a combination of romance and fantasy, so some books introduce new couples while others return to the main couple. This book introduces a new couple, though the characters have both appeared previously. As such, it’s one of the better entry points to the series – there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but the plot is relatively self contained. I’d still recommend starting at the beginning, but it that’s not available, this one’s good, as long as you don’t mind some spoilers. My only complaint is the amount of exposition at the start. I felt like we didn’t need to know all that detail and it seemed a little heavy-handed – contrast Honor’s story for background drama that didn’t require infodumps.

I loved this book and cannot wait to read more in this series, particularly about Illium and Aodhan, though their time is yet to come. I also want a meet-the-parents scene, because that got teased a couple of times and I think that’d be delightful.

Five poisonous stars (because between these two, poison is totally a compliment)

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

A playful, steamy romance set in the world of competitive dancing.

I love Dancing with the Stars. The drama, the contrast of celebrity and talent, the glitz and glamour and sparkly dresses. With Take the Lead, we get to go behind the curtain with a dancer who’s desperate to win and her reluctant partner, a wilderness expert.

I loved Stone and Gina. They were both realistic, well-rounded characters fighting against the roles that society had decided for them. They did fall into that time-worn trap of miscommunication but they each had understandable motives and worked to make things right as soon as they realised how badly they screwed up. There is a satisfying scene where they both get their grovel out and hash out their issues. Better yet, Stone doesn’t ask Gina to give up her dream for him and doesn’t give it up. In the end, they both win.

The start of the story did seem a little slow but I enjoyed how the dances showcased the slowly growing relationship between Stone and Gina. I feel like the wealth of characters added depth but slowed down the plot - but if they get their own book (and I especially hope Tash does) it will all have been worth it. I understand the conflict being the show itself and the desire for ratings, but I was slightly put off by both the antagonistic characters being fame-hungry women with boundary issues.

I enjoyed reading this book and if you like a slow burn romance against the backdrop of fame, I definitely recommend giving this a go.

Four quickstep stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just One of the Boys by Leah and Kate Rooper

Holy shmokes, I want to hug this book.

It’s a modern retelling of Twelfth Night - with hockey. Alice Bell knows she’s good enough to play for the Chicago Falcons and there’s no rules against a girl playing - she’s checked. But when she takes off her helmet, her brother is given her place on the team. When she gets the chance to play in his place, she grabs it with both hands. She never expected to fall for the star player, troubled Hayden Trembley.

I loved the characters - they’re all flawed, all selfish in their own way, but this little deception gives them all the chance to learn and grow. Alice learns to embrace all of herself and to find a world that isn’t all about her and hockey; Hayden learns to let people (mostly Alice) in and that he is more than his perfect brother’s shadow.

There was a plot thread with Maddy that I would’ve liked to see a little more of - and Xander, for that matter, but maybe that’s set up for another book. I liked there was no ‘gay panic’ on Hayden’s part (the ‘oh noes, I think I’m in love with my best friend am I GAY?’) because his relationship with Al in his eyes was just a really good friendship.

The hockey metaphors were fun and totally appropriate and while I would love to read more, the book finished in a good place. Go Falcons!

Five soaring stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Sexy paranormal mystery with colourful characters

Charley Davidson sees dead people. It’s gotten her into trouble more than a few times, so she’s learnt to keep her mouth shut and feed anonymous tips to her police detective uncle. She also sees a mysterious dark figure who has saved her life a few times and might be entering her dreams – and she’s definitely not telling her uncle about those.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a madcap whirl as Charley juggled several cases, survived on coffee, and generally failed to avoid getting beaten up. The plot was all over the place, full of twists and turns that in the end, mattered less than those precious moments between characters as Charley helps the dead find peace. She’s smart-mouthed and terrible at self-preservation, but she’s so upfront about it, you can’t help but love her anyway. The supporting cast is great as well, my particular favourites being her best friend Cookie and Cookie’s adorable daughter Amber. It did feel like it was setting Charley up for a series, introducing heaps of characters and dropping dark hints, so I’ll have to track down the next ones.

If you like your paranormal romance with a side of ass-kicking mystery, take Charley Davidson for a ride.

Four ‘grim’ stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.