That's What I'm Talking About
I generally review romance, paranormal and urban fantasy. I tend to pick review books that I want to read, so generally my reviews will be positive. I always give my honest opinion: good, bad, and indifferent.
Note: on my blog I use a letter grading system. I've listed the ratings below. For sites with stars, I have listed the equivalent rating. If I didn't finish the book, I will not rate it with stars.
A+ Personal Favorite (5 stars)
A Loved It (4.5 or 5 stars)
A- Enjoyed A Lot (4 or 4.5 stars)
B+ Liked It A Lot (4 stars)
B Liked It -- Recommend (4 stars)
B- Liked It -- But I had a few small issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C+ Liked It -- But I had issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C Finished It -- Liked some, didn't like some (3 stars)
C- Finished It -- Liked a little, didn't like a lot (2 or 2.5 stars)
D Not A Big Fan (2 stars)
E Don’t Waste Your Time (1 star)
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TW: Reading this book was like watching a Train Wreck
DNF: Did Not Finish
updated July 9, 2015
Currently reading
Review: Pure Wicked by Shayla Black
I’ve read a handful of the 1,001 Dark Nights books, to include Forever Wicked by Shayla Black, and I have honestly enjoyed the stories, regardless if I’ve read the original series. Such is the case with Ms. Black’s offerings. Written to be completely stand alone, I had no troubles jumping into Ms. Black’s Wicked Lovers world and the Pure Wicked novella.
Jesse McCall is a world-famous pop star who has been selling out shows since at the age of sixteen. Twelve years later, he’s still doing the same; however, a year ago the party life almost ruined him, so he's been sober since. Unfortunately, his bandmate Ryan didn’t clean up his act, leading to a horrible tragedy, which is used as the opening scene for the book. Now Jesse must lay low until the media circus quiets down.
Bristol Reese isn’t having the best day. Forced, due to southern society’s rules of hospitality, to attend the engagement party of her ex-boyfriend and her own sister, she’d rather be anywhere. So when a handsome stranger offers to be her new pretend beau to get her mom off her back, Bristol decides to play along. Yet once the pair spends a few hours together, they realize their attraction is something worth exploring.
Pure Wicked is wonderful romance and absolute joy to read. While limited by a shortened length, the story is fulfilling and emotionally rewarding. Ms. Black is able to condense a whirlwind romance effectively, leaving me content and happy at the end, which is not always an easy thing to do in a novella-length story. There is just enough conflict and satisfying character development to create a complete romance.
Jesse and Bristol work well together. The author does a great job setting up Jesse’s character as one who is clearly ready for a change. He’s already 90% through the metamorphosis, and it just takes a tragedy, followed by meeting Bristol, to bring him all the way around. Meanwhile his sheer enthusiasm for life and Bristol left me satisfied that they will make it past the paparazzi and demanding lifestyle of a rock-and-roll star.
Pure Wicked is the perfect afternoon read. It is simple enough to blaze through, yet filled with enough complexity to leave me satisfied. And the pair has off-the-charts chemistry, which is important in a novella-length romance. I highly recommend this little gem of a story for a quick, yet fabulous read.
My Rating: A, Loved It
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by publisher
