book within a book

Review of Vampire Charming by Cassandra Gannon

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Synopsis:
Jane Squire is a normal, rational human, who doesn’t believe in fairytales. Then, the self-proclaimed “King of the Vampires” arrives in her grocery store. Slade says that Jane is destined to help him on some crazy, epic quest. Not only does the arrogant lunatic get her fired, but she’s somehow transported into the worse fantasy movie imaginable.

With script pages full of stolen dialogue, random musical numbers, and a whole cast of supernatural weirdoes, there’s no denying that Jane and Slade are stuck in a swords-and-sorcery film. Even worse, Jane is starting to think that the handsome vampire who’s wrecked her practical life might just be her Prince Charming.

M/F
Happily Ever After
Fated Mates, Isekai trope, medieval world romance, himbo romance
97,000 + words
Standalone romance, but Slade also appears in Not Another Vampire Book

Review:
I had a bit more understanding of how this book was going to work than Not Another Vampire Book and while I did enjoy the story, there were A LOT of holes. From the story we learn that Jane Squire is a loner but there is never any more back story about her parents or life outside of one role in theatre that didn’t work out for her. While overall there were some good quips and lessons, such as you shouldn’t rely on another person to bring you happiness- you need to find that for yourself, there was a lot of entitlement and switching perspectives. While the nature of this story is a story within a story it seemed at times that Jane completely shifted from her thoughts and feelings on a matter and what had been happening in the “real” world of Infinia would change without any mention of change because of the script–just randomly Jane would think or desire something else. I did love how characters from the past world Slade lived in were in this one, and that being said, highly recommend if you want to read this book reading Not Another Vampire Book beforehand.

While Slade does grow quite a bit in this novel to learn that he shouldn’t just have things given to him and should consider others, Jane seems to be fighting being a typical heroine while becoming more of a stock character. “Slade’s real power is his goddamn optimism.” (page 100) By the end she’s calling him “Dummy” and it’s just totally out of character. Priorities are also clearly an issue in this book as there is no problem with long intimacy scenes in the middle of a fight/escape. While part of me wants to dock the book for all of the above, given that this book seems like it was written by someone other than Amalie, and perhaps the lack of ability of the author within the story is what made the issues so big. I did love the tie in with Prince Charming, and there were many of neat modern drama references. I did like the acting background and Dracula, Ph.D, however a lot of times there were mentions that seemed as if they were put in just so the author could state they liked xyz- like continuously calling Slade shiny towards the beginning/middle of the book. Also not a fan of how a person’s world would JUST STOP without another in it. That being said, if you go in knowing this book is kitsch and comical while trying to be a deep romance novel, you could still have an enjoyable reading experience.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Wreckless Heart by Brighton Walsh

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Synopsis:
Turns out the gorgeous stranger I had a one-night stand with is not only my sister’s best friend but also my new employee.

Worse? I shared a whole lot more with Avery than one mind-blowing night.

I told her my deepest, darkest secret.

Despite my constant worry that she’ll let the truth slip to my family, I can’t stay away from her. And when we’re tossed together for an out of town trip and forced to share a room with only one bed, the chemistry between us finally explodes…again.

I have no problem making her see stars—or breaking the bed. The trouble is, the longer our secret relationship goes on, the more I want to keep her.

But she’s eight years my junior, the sunshine to my grump, and I know her free spirit wants more than the small town of Starlight Cove can offer.

I have no doubt no one will ever give her more pleasure than I will, but I refuse to hold her back.

Even if that means letting her go when her three month contract is up.

Review:
This book is amazing and gripping from the very first page. Both main characters have excellent back stories with reasons for how they are how they are. Aiden is incredibly considerate and as Avery would say “the best book boyfriend”. The relationship developed well and there was never a point where I skimmed or just wanted to be done with part of the book. I absolutely loved how open and outgoing and out there Avery is (can relate!). I also quite enjoyed how detailed but not overly minutely so experiences were explained, specifically about a trip Addison pushes. One of the best parts of this book is the reoccurring suggestion that you should accept people as they are and while you may want something more, know that people do not often change their nature. “Begrudging her for what she wasn’t took so much more energy than just loving her for what she was.” (Page 225, Chapter 22)

Let’s talk spice. Holy. Crap. I considered adding a spice meter when I have been rating/reviewing romance/smut before and let me tell you- this book is the best to start that scale with a resounding 5/5. Well written, detailed but not too detailed, so perfectly steamy. I immediately signed up to Walsh’s mailing list in order to get those sweet sweet four additional bonus chapters and I was not disappointed!

Do you like best friend’s brother romances, opposites attract romances, hot and incredibly steamy scenes, and book loving MCs? This book is definitely made for you!

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

/ authoramysbrown / 1 Comment

Synopsis:
What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales.

Review:
This book is amazing. There are so many questions that so many of us go through all the time; what is real and what is imaginary? It is so easy to end up enthralled in this book, and the characters have great depth and personality. I absolutely love how there is a book within a book; I hadn’t expected such beautiful illustrations and highly recommend you buy a paper version so you can truly experience this novel. This is a beautiful story that is unique and so expertly told that it may always slightly linger in the back of the reader’s mind. There are many questions brought up but not quite answered about what people may wish or think of you and how that can affect you, positively or negatively, as well as thinking of your wants but also how getting what you want would effect others in your life. At the end, I certainly hadn’t expected what happened, but was also left with so many questions and the burning need to know more that I immediately went online and bought the sequel. I cannot wait to read more of what happens Off the Page.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯