Not-so-Saturday TV Show Review: Never Have I Ever (s4)

This month we decided to review 'Never Have I Ever' season 4. 

Blodeuedd is in blue and Carole is in pink.

Title: Never Have I Ever (season 4)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Released: 2023

Rating: TV-14

Site: Netflix 


The complicated life of a first-generation Indian-American teenage girl.

Click here for the trailer. 

DISCUSSION:

I do admit that my recollection might be hazy ;)

I knowwww I’m sorry I took forever to finally finish it. Adulting is dumb *shakes fist*

I do know about that, it took me 4 months to finally start Queen Charlotte. Though I did binge Never have I ever, cos last season!

Once I got through the second episode….I couldn’t stop. UGH the feelings! The drama! The humor. Who allowed that Granny to become my favorite character??? She is hilarious!

Granny brings all the feels, I like that she had a story in this one. Go Granny!

Yesss! She grew so much from the last season. She has loosened up and is taking America by storm! 

I do like how it makes me cringe too, cos omg the trouble she gets in. It is such a fun show. Together with all the sides, like Granny obvi lol

Ooooo Davi. I adore her but OH the cringe hit hard sometimes. WHICH they are teens so the cringe seemed real. Just thinking about the things I said and did at that age….*shudder*

Still, Davi, omg, she truly is the queen of messes. I love her for it, but yikes. But it does feel real, she just wants things so much

That final episode when she wrote that essay? I literally sobbed. That whole scene was perfection. 

True, she finally, finally got it.

Yesssss! It took seasons upon seasons but she finally got it. Her therapist had the patience of a god!

I am sad it is over but at the same time. It is college time and it would not be the same

The ending hinted that maybe there will be more? But I think how it ended was great. Maybe a quick one-long episode of “where are they now” would be fun….but idk sometimes it is best to end on a good note. We can all assume what will happen or what we want to happen. HEA for all. Friends forever. Maybe Davi will have a sibling….hehe….and Granny will live forever. 

I forgot about that, hmm, I mean I am not against it! I´d love to see everyone more settled…now you got me all excited again

I actually wouldn’t mind re-watching it. I may try and get the Hubby to watch it too. He’s so weird though on what he’ll watch. He always surprises me. Like he adores Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte. Typically that isn’t his type of show. 

My guy does not like these shows either, and nope on Bridgerton too. Though he always managed to come inside when Queen C was on and in a naughty scene, I am not kidding. I am always the one watching naughty scenes alone then lol. I think these kind of shows are just too dull for him. He does not know what he is missing. They are fun, and cringe, and makes you think back. Not Queen C though obvi, I am not that old.

Men usually don’t like the feely-feely shows. I tried to get him to watch Heartstopper and he was nearly passing out so I watched it without him. Maybe it is the naughty scenes in B and Queen C he likes ;) He also loves Lady Danbury. But anyway…yeah - I am tempted to re-watch this one now that everything is said and done. Can I be honest???? I will block this out for spoilers….I wasn’t that keen on her ending up with Ben. I still had hope for Paxton. :/ 

Spoil away, and I agree, I felt for them. But she did mess it up. Dunno where I stand in the end.

I like Ben, don’t get me wrong….but I think they won’t last long. I feel like they will struggle and fight ALL the time. Super toxic household for sure if they have babies. 

They will be over before College ends

Agreed. Maybe I’ll get my wish after some years. Davi and the person I mentioned…maybe they will grow up and try again. #dreamer

I think so too ;)

Now I am itching to re-watch hahahahaha. 

From the start!

Yessss! OH! I do have a single issue I just remembered…I wish Aneesa had more screentime. She had like 2 lines the whole season!!! I missed her. Like…what happened to her? Where did she go? ANSWERS NETFLIX ANSWERS!!!

True, she was not in it a lot…maybe we need that new season or a movie

Now I really want one. I get she ended up just being a side character, but she was their friend. I feel like she got no love this season. A little 10 sec blurb would’ve been nice. 

Maybe they wanted to wrap things up

Maybe. And maybe the actress had zero time or something. She was talented that is for sure. 

Might be on another project for sure. Anyway, I do not have a lot more to say. Awesome series, fun new season. Def watch this series, it is so funny.

Agreed. This was such a fun show. I for sure recommend it. :D Laughs, tears, cringe….fun. 

The end?

‘Till next time!!!

Re-read: Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Author: Kate Quinn

Title: Mistress of Rome

Series: The Empress of Rome #2

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 470 

Published: April 6, 2010

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

First-century Rome: A ruthless emperor watches over all--and fixes his gaze on one young woman...

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia. Now she has infuriated her mistress by capturing the attention of Rome's newest and most savage gladiator--and though his love brings Thea the first happiness of her life, their affair ends quickly when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

Remaking herself as a singer for Rome's aristocrats, Thea unwittingly attracts another admirer: the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But the passions of an all-powerful man come with a heavy price, and Thea finds herself fighting for both her soul and her sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor's mistress.

Review:

Awww yayy! Been meaning to re-read this. Thank goodness for Book Club, eh?

Here we have Thea who is a slave girl from Judaea. She was purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida. For the first time in her life, she has found love in Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. Her happiness will be caught short when Lepida tears them apart. Thea remakes herself as a singer for Rome's aristocrats. Thea will attract another admirer...the Emperor of Rome. However, his passions will come with a heavy price. 

You can read this without reading the first one but there are some references you will miss. When I first read this series I read this one first and was not lost, however, it was nice re-reading this in the proper order so I could understand some of our older characters a little better. 

UGH this is so dang good. I adore this author and how she brings these characters and this world to life. Fabulous. 

You can't help but love Thea and Arius. 

Booooo Domitian and booooo Lepida! Truly terrible baddies. 

Rome seems like it would be a wild place to live. I would NEVER pick Rome to time travel too. So many vipers and so much death and blood. I always feel so bad for the poor animals forced to fight. Sobs!!!!

This does have some graphic scenes, but the author does a good job not getting TOO descriptive. But lots of blood and fighting...which should be expected with Rome and gladiators being our mains. 

The ending is wonderful and you can stop there. Not too shabby of an ending. I won't spoil anything! BUT if you are like me, you will want to read the next one. 

5 stars. I can't wait to talk about this in book club. It is SO hard not to give away spoilers!!

Book Review: I've Got My Mind Set on Brew by Stephanie Jayne

Author: Stephanie Jayne

Title: I've Got My Mind Set on Brew

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Expected publication April 9, 2024

Where I Got It: Netgalley

Summary: 

A down-on-her-luck craft beer brewer and her privileged new boss clash as they work together to save a quirky brewpub in this enemies-to-lovers workplace romcom, perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s The Ex Talk.

Kat Malone is left cash-strapped after a job loss and a bad breakup (pro tip: never offer to pay living expenses for a freeloading poetry major) when she discovers a surprising new career path: craft beer brewer.

When the brewpub is sold, the new owner places his light-on-experience son in charge of the pub. Ryan is as basic as a pale lager and aims to turn quirky Resistance into a run-of-the-mill sports bar. Worse, he won’t consider Kat for the position of brewer’s assistant—the job she’d been promised by the previous owners.

Despite clashes between Kat and Ryan, he confides that Resistance is in financial trouble and that drastic changes will be needed if the pub has any hope of survival. Forced to collaborate, Kat realizes Ryan isn’t as bland as she assumed—he might even be exactly what she’s been craving.

But just as Ryan promises Kat a true partnership in the face of his father’s opposition, Kat is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. “Marrying the beer” used to be Kat’s only goal, but can she craft a brew for her life that allows her to have it all?

Review:

This cover? This title? This summary? Yes pleaseeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we follow Kat who has had a string of bad luck. She's recovering from a job loss and a bad breakup. However, she discovers a new career path that she is passionate about...craft beer brewer. Things are looking up until the brewpub is sold to a new owner and the owner puts his son, Ryan, in charge. Ryan wants to change a lot of things and Kat won't have it! They will soon learn there is more to each other than meets the eye. 

This was cute and fun and unique. I personally prefer wine or whiskey, but craft beer can be fun! Hubby likes trying all the crazy crafts. If this became a movie or show, I think he would adore this story (he's not much of a reader). However, I enjoyed learning about the process and different types of brews. Kat is a knowledgeable lady and you can't help but adore her and her passion!!

I had one big issue with this...Ryan. Sighs. He was rough...super rough around the edges. Just be honest with Kat and everyone. I promise he will get better by the end, but it was a rough journey for sure. There were times I just wanted Kat to walk away from that pub and that man and never return. But she loves the pub and the people...and she loves Ryan. Sighs.

Anyway, I did enjoy this overall. It was so refreshing. Sometimes it felt more like a chic lit than a romance, but the romance does happen...eventually. They have a lot to weed through so it takes time. Ryan was a tough character to fall in love with, but like Kat, when you do fall for him...you'll fall hard. But yes, this was pretty fun. A nice way to end August. I'll give it 3 stars. 

Blodeuedd Reviews: Jaran by Kate Elliott

Book 1 in the Novels of the Jaran series

Author Kate Elliott

Narrated by Cindy Kay

Publication date Aug 15, 2023 by Tantor Audio

Running time 20 hrs 26 min

Scifi/to review

Narration

Great narration. For a book that is a lot about travelling she keeps it interesting, and always entertaining. She was good with different voices 

Book:

This audiobook was a long one for me, I am more used to shorter ones when it comes to audio. I would say it was like anthropological sci.fi. Where to even start...

Aliens took over earth. A man named Charles tried to rebel but instead they made him a prince. His sister Tess is on her way to him, but instead spies on the aliens and is stranded. On a planet where the native population does not know about space travel, or anything. So she pretends to be from overseas and learns to know the Jaran people.

It is slow, a lot could have been left out in a way. But still it is compelling. I wanted to know if she ever reaches her brother (spoiler she does not. Travelling by horse is slow, the world is big. There are more books.) I did not want to stop listening, I wanted to know. But yes they spend a LOT of time travelling.

And yes there is that guy that she will end up fancying, but she has some fun before she even gets to know him like that. And that is way at the end. Not a romance, but she does get to explore. That was a good thing about this culture, women got to do what they wanted, but only until they got married.

Will I read more? Well I would want to, but they are so long. I will see. It took me quite some time, and yes it was only 20 hours, some fantasy books are 40+. That would take me a month.

 In the past, humans were the dominant star-traveling species in the universe—until the Chapalil came, conquered, and absorbed the Earth into their intergalactic empire. One of the only humans ever granted nobility by the Chapalil, Charles Soerenson once led a failed rebellion against the alien overlords. Now his sister, Terese, has abandoned her homeworld, impelled by a broken heart to seek a new life among the worlds her brother rules.

On Rhui, a planet off-limits to interstellar voyagers, Tess stumbles upon a dangerous Chapalil conspiracy—and only the timely arrival of the Jaran saves her from near-certain death. A tribe of nomadic humans roaming the plains of Rhui, the Jaran have long forgotten their ancient Earth history and heritage. Intrigued by their world and their ways, Tess shares an immediate emotional connection with Ilya, the Jaran's brilliant, charismatic leader.

But despite her growing loyalties to this proud chieftain and his people, Tess must take care. For Ilya's ambitions threaten to trigger violent planetary upheaval. And the Jaran have been chosen to play an unwitting role in a plot that could have powerful repercussions far beyond the nomads' volatile world.

Audiobook Review: Vow to Protect by JL Beck and Monica Corwin

Author: JL Beck & Monica Corwin

Narrator: Meghan Kelly & Aaron Shedlock
Title: Vow to Protect

Series: Doubeck Crime Family #1

Genre: Dark, Contemporary Romance
Published: August 13, 2021

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

They call me a monster.

Murderous and hateful.

Beautiful but broken.

Nothing can calm the ever raging storm inside of me. As the ruthless leader of the Doubeck family there is a certain standard of brutality I have to uphold.

To be gentle or kind is a weakness I cannot afford.

That is until the day I meet her.

Beautiful, innocent, and so very afraid.

Valentina is a rival family's daughter, and the little temptress has purposely tangled herself in my dark web.

She seeks me out, needing my help, but the price for what she wants will be steep.

Since my father’s death I’ve needed a wife to solidify my family name and this woman has piqued my interest.

We strike a deal intertwining our futures.

I’ll put a ring on her finger, own her body, keep her safe, and kill them all.

I make a vow to protect her at all costs.

That is until her secrets come to light, and I’m left with the choice of becoming the monster she’s only ever heard rumors about.

Review:

Who doesn't love a bad good guy? ;) 

Here we follow Valentina and Adrian. They are both part of the mafia world. Adrian has taken over his father's Doubeck family after his death. Val is the daughter of their enemy. When Val has had enough of the abuse and evilness of her forced fiancé, she turns to Adrian for help. They strike a deal that will forever change their lives....Val will marry Adrian and Adrian will forever eliminate Val's fiancé.

PLEASE NOTE - this is a pretty dark story at times. Lots of it is talk like what Sal and his goonies do, but there are scenes of abuse that Val has to go through. 

I felt so bad for Val. She is stuck between an abusive father and an abusive future hubby. I'm shocked it took her that long to be done with it, but she is a victim and it's hard for victims to get the help they need. PLUS she is stuck in the dark mafia world and the cops won't be able to save her.

Honestly, Val needed a therapist. She had been abused for so long and Adrian is not going to fix anything with his magical......love. Even though I hated (and how many times I rolled my eyes at her inner thoughts/etc) how needy she becomes and how weak and fragile.....you can't blame her one bit. If Adrian really cared for her, he would get her a mafia-paid therapist. I imagine they have to have those on retainer lol. 

Adrian was def super Alpha and super "Mine!" But he is a mob boss so it is to be expected. However, he does encourage her to do her own thing and buy what she wants and etc. Which good! Granted he wants her to have protection which she really should. Her father wants her back...her ex wants her dead or back (I really don't get him)....and I'm sure others will be gunning for her now that she is his wife. He did get a little annoying with the "Angel" thing though. Give her a different nickname. 

WHICH brings me to my big issue, this felt so repetitive at some points. Same convos...same inner monologue. Sighs. It felt like we had a lot of filler. 

And that end...WTH?????? You can't leave us like that! From what I read of the summary of the second book she is going to overreact and whatnot. It's going to annoy me, but I'm going to want to read it.

The narrators were okay. I liked the guy voice for everyone much more than the female voice. Her Val was too whiney for me. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. It was pretty dark esp with Val's ex. *shudders* I have a feeling book 2 will be pretty predictable, but I am curious so I'll eventually do the audio of it. I'll give this 3 stars. 

  

Challenge(s):

- #34 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Author: Daphne du Maurier

Title: Rebecca

Genre: Classic, Fiction, Gothic, Romance, & thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 441

Published: August 1, 1938

Where I Got It: Borrowed from my friend

Summary: 

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again...

Working as a paid companion to a bitter elderly lady, the timid heroine of Rebecca learns her place. Life is bleak until, on a trip to the South of France, she falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower whose proposal takes her by surprise. Whisked from Monte Carlo to Manderley, Maxim's isolated Cornish estate, the friendless young bride begins to realise she barely knows her husband at all. And in every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca.

Rebecca is the haunting story of a woman consumed by love and the struggle to find her identity.

Review:

Never heard of this book until it was selected for our book club. I decided to jump right in without reading the summary. I wanted to be completely surprised. 

We follow our timid heroine who was a paid companion to an elderly lady. Life is bleak until she meets Maxim de Winter and they fall in love. They get married and he whisks her to his isolated Cornish estate called Manderley. Once there our heroine will realize she barely knows her husband at all and every corner of every room is haunted by the first wife, Rebecca. 

The beginning was slow and slightly confusing. We start where the story ends. Which was unique for sure, but I was all "Okaaaayyyy". Once we got into the past and started our story I was hooked. 

It is a classic novel and we all know writers back then were bored so things take forever. The convos are long. I still enjoyed it though. I do wish our heroine had a name, but that was commonplace too back in the day. 

This is a hard review to write because I do not want to spoil anything. There are a lot of twists and turns and one shocking moment at the end. Ooooo damn you Rebecca. 

Once I got to the ending the whole beginning made all the sense. I actually re-read the beginning because I couldn't remember anything. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this. The beginning was a hair rough since it was technically the ending, but once you get through the story it all makes sense. It is a little slow, but it worked to build up the tension for the ending few chapters. I'll give this 4 stars. 

B's Tuesday Review: The Empire's Ruin by Brian Staveley

960 pages, Paperback

published July 6, 2021 by Tor

Series; Ashes of the Unhewn Throne (#1), Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne (#5)

Format: 960 pages, Paperback

Fantasy / Own

Damn, I have forgotten a lot from the previous series. Like what happened to Kaden? Ack. But yes it still worked great to jump back in into this new series.

We follow Gwenna, sent to find more Kettral in a hostile land. The first part of the trip was not the most interesting, but when they got there. Oh so good.

Then there was Ruc, I liked him at once. But when Gwenna´s story started getting really good, Ruc´s waned as he was stuck in one place. Oh and totally need more info about his foster parents. It kept me reading like crazy

Then there was Akiil. He just was. Sorry man, but Gwenna´s and Ruc´s stories was too good. I needed to binge through those.

Such a good book and I can´t wait to read more. I need more now!

The Kettral were the glory and despair of the Annurian Empire – elite soldiers who rode war hawks into battle. Now the Kettral’s numbers have dwindled and the great empire is dying. Its grip is further weakened by the failure of the kenta gates, which granted instantaneous access to its vast lands.

To restore the Kettral, one of its soldiers is given a mission. Gwenna Sharpe must voyage beyond the edge of the known world, to the mythical nesting grounds of the giant war hawks. The journey will take her through a land that warps and poisons all living things. Yet if she succeeds, she could return a champion, rebuild the Kettral to their former numbers – and help save the empire. The gates are also essential to the empire’s survival, and a monk turned con-artist may hold the key to unlocking them.

What they discover will change them and the Annurian Empire forever – if they survive. For deep within the southern reaches of the land, a malevolent force is stirring . . .

Book Review: Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews

Author:  Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Steals

Series: World of Kate Daniels #7.5

Genre: Short Story, Urban Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 92

Published: August 16, 2016

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau may be a powerful healer and magic user, but she’s far from what might be called “normal”. She dislikes the violence and bloodshed that are a way of life for most of her kind, even going so far as to become a vegetarian. The last thing she wants is trouble...

Jim Shrapshire is an original, hardcore badass. A jaguar shifter, he’s been tasked with keeping Atlanta’s Cat Clan in line, which he does with swift and lethal force when necessary. His only soft spot is for the petite Dali, whose kindness he calls upon when he is injured.

When Dali is approached by a desperate woman whose grandmother has vanished, Jim is concerned enough to help investigate. But what they find may just be the end of them—an enemy whose skill in the dark arts is matched only by their willingness to kill anyone in their way...

Review:

Been away from this series too long! I need to get back on it ;) I want to catch up someday. 

Here we take a sidestep to Dali and Jim. With Curran and Kate away in Europe, Jim is left in charge of the pack. Jim is tough and scary and a badass. Dali is a powerful healer and magic user, but she is far from what some would call "normal" in the shapeshifting world. She hates violence and even is a vegetarian. She doesn't understand why Jim, the poster boy for shapeshifters, likes her. When Dali is approached by a desperate woman whose grandma has vanished, Jim is concerned enough to join in on the investigation. What they find is an enemy whose skill in the dark arts could scare anyone and everyone. 

I'm loving Dali. I have had a soft spot for Jim and I want him happy. Dali is perfect. This is the 2nd short that features these two. I would love a full-length novel!! They are so opposite, but they fit together oh so well. 

The big baddie was scary. Won't spoil anything but omg the curse they are using???? Ugh. No, thank you. 

The ending was good but made me mad. It gives me hope for another short somewhere down the line but when? How? WHAT? I NEED MORE OF DALI AND JIM!! *shakes fist*. You just can't LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????

In the end, this is a nice break from Kate and Curran. It is nice to see more of the pack in a different light. I hope we get more. Dali is adorable and Jim is such a softie who could kill you without blinking. LOVE IT. 

4 stars. 

 

Book Review: My Fake Billionaire by Ana Ashley & Rhys Everly

Author:  Ana Ashley & Rhys Everly

Title: My Fake Billionaire

Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBT, Novella, short story

Format: ebook

Pages: 68

Published: October 23, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Denver Scott escaped New York after his break-up and got himself the dream job. Running the blog and book store at the Barefoot Beach Resort can only lead to good things. Even to the acquaintance of a handsome hottie with a heart of gold.

Billionaire William Knowles is looking forward to escaping to the little tropical island of Saint Louis and everything it has to offer. What he didn’t think he’d find there, was the cute Barefoot Librarian that makes his insides melt with need.

When Denver’s ex-boyfriend turns up on the island with his sugar daddy and his toxic attitude, the two men pretend to be in a fake relationship to get back at him. But even if their affair is not real, their feelings might be

Review:

I love a fun fake relationship! So this def caught my eye. 

Here we follow Denver and William. Denver left New York after a terrible break-up and got himself a dream job! He is running a blog and bookstore at the Barefoot Beach Resort. Things are looking up until his ex shows up with a sugar daddy. Enter in billionaire William. William is also escaping but from dating and his parents. He agrees to pretend to be Denver's boyfriend. As time goes on feelings start bubbling to the surface. 

I loved both Denver and William. You can see from their first encounter that they are perfect for each other. They are both sweet men who deserve all the love in the world. Both have been very hurt in the past, so it takes some time for them to see past the hurt...especially William. He has struggled to find someone who loves him for him and not his money. 

This was very sweet and it made me want to go to a resort like that! I love the chill vibes. 

The resolution was extremely simple, but this is a quick story and a quick romance. It worked for them. 

Overall, a nice quick love story to read this summer! Perfect summer read. I'll actually stamp this with 5 stars. I really enjoyed it. 

Book Review: City of Storms by Kat Ross

Author: Kat Ross

Title: City of Storms

Series: Nightmarked #1

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, 

Format: ebook

Pages: 506

Published: August 23, 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A city simmering with repressed urges…

A fallen angel bent on chaos…

And a conspiracy that could destroy them all.

Can one woman harness her own psychic power to stop it?

In a world with three layers of ever darker magic, few dare to wield the most dangerous. And those who try can fall prey to violent madness.

The Church keeps a tight leash on its citizens.

It tests every child for psychological deviancy.

If you pass, you're given a Mark. A tattoo that lets you use the ley power—and shields you from your most primal desires.

For the lucky ones, the world is at their feet. The rest suffer a life of menial jobs and hopelessness.

When tarot reader Kasia crosses paths with a young priest who hunts deviants, her own ugly secret is dragged into the light. Will they learn to trust each other in time to stop a greater evil from corrupting their world?

Review:

The cover caught my eye and then I read the summary and I knew I had to give this a shot. 

Between suppressed urges, a fallen angel, a conspiracy, and the church....this city and the people are on the verge of utter destruction and chaos. Can a single woman harness her own psychic power to stop it? Kasia will cross paths with a young priest whose job is to hunt deviants. Will they learn to trust each other in time to stop a greater evil?

On paper, this sounds like the book for me....magic, love, danger, and a wild world. However, I just could not really get into it. 

I had a hard time really grasping and understanding this world. The details were there, but I just couldn't understand or, to be honest, care. My level of caring for sure went in waves. There would be chapters I would be totally into the story and then other chapters it was a struggle to get through. Near the end I found myself skimming just to be done. 

What kept me going instead of DNFing? The characters and hope. The bones of the story were there and I liked our main heroine so I kept pushing forward in hopes I would fall into the hole of love. I never found it sadly. 

In the end, there are a couple of good things that kept me going, but I struggled big time. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Resonance Surge by Nalini Singh

Book 7 in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series

Author Nalini Singh

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Publication date Aug 15, 2023

Running time 13 hrs 21 min

Paranormal romance /to review

The bears are very, well they are bears. Loud, obnoxious, friendly and protective. You have to love the bears.

A Jack the ripper type is haunting the streets of Moscow. The Marshall family is coming to terms with their ghosts. And a bear is having visions that ends in blood.

Thea is a hidden Marshall. She has love Psy powers, she should have been killed at birth. What a waste of good genes. But she has a powerful twin and he has protected her even as they were separated. And now her twin wants to deal with the bad things their granddad did. And he sends Thea to RU to investigate an institution. Where lowgrade Psy were sent.

As her companion she gets a bear, and we all know how these Psy Changeling books go. He falls for her, she can´t resist him, even if she is Ice herself.

The killer is loose. These two fall in love and lust. Thea is dealing with her own powers and what has happened to her. And dang, her brother Pax sounds so interesting. We also gets bits and pieces of Yakov´s brother Pavel and his mate Arwen.

Another good installation in the series. The ending was rather chilling. I really need the next book because I am hoping it is Pax.

Great narration as always. Angela Dawe makes these books perfect. She is the narrator. Her voices are excellent and I really feel the power of everything

StoneWater bears Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev have been a unit since birth, but now Pavel’s life is veering in a new direction, his heart held in the hands of Arwen Mercant, a Psy empath—and the only man who has ever brought Pavel to his knees. This is it. A point of irrevocable change. For Pavel . . . for Arwen . . . for Yakov . . . and for another pair of twins whose bond has a far darker history.

A low-gradient Psy, Theodora Marshall is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful twin, Pax. She is the sole person he trusts in their venomous family to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history—an unregistered rehabilitation center established by their grandfather.

Places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, leaving the victims shells of their former selves, the Centers are an ugly vestige of the Psy race’s Silent past. But this Center was worse. Far, far worse. And now Theo must uncover the awful truth—in the company of a scowling bear named Yakov who isn’t about to take a Marshall at face value . . . especially a Marshall who has turned his dreams into chilling nightmares.

Because Yakov is the great-grandson of a foreseer . . . and he has seen Theo die in an unstoppable surge of blood. Night after night after night . . .