B's Monday Review: The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy

Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages

Published May 26th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

Series: Forgotten Empires #2

Fantasy

To review

I know my example might sound like a cliffhanger, but hear me out;

The end, omg so intense. It was like the author took the characters, took them to a cliff, laughed manically and then pushed them all over, and made them hit everything on the way down. "Luckily" they did land before the ground, and they did break everything. So it was not a total freefall, and for now they are safe on a tiny tree sticking out from that cliff and it might break any second.

Poor Lia. How could you be so cruel to Lia! In the first book I was a bit blaze about everyone, but here, Lia is not truly human, I do not get the whole thing. I wonder about so much since well queen of something that might waken, that will be intense too.

Conri, I was not impressed by him either in book 1, frankly he deserved to be pushed from that cliff and not saved. But he saves himself here, and I will not push him. I get that his life has been hell and all he wants is revenge.

Oh and the evil emperor must die a really painful slow, like really slow, like brought to death, nursed back, brought to death, nursed back and then have every piece of him..oh oh bloody eagle. Yes let's eagle that sucker!

Two people dancing around each other because they both want to save the world. Then darkness, so much darkness. Romance, no, this is not a romance. But it might be. One day.

Omg Lia! I am still in freefall from that cliff.

Book 3 will be something else 

Conri and Lia’s marriage of convenience has turned into an uneasy alliance. If only the two leaders could agree on something. Driven by revenge, Conri wants to attack Emperor Anure before the tyrant gets to them first. But Lia needs to keep Calanthe safe, and refuses to sacrifice her kingdom. Their ongoing battle for control has built up tension they’re both more than happy to release in bed, the only place where they find common ground. But Conri and Lia are developing deeper feelings for each other that are complicating matters. In the second book in the Forgotten Empires trilogy, Conri and Lia find their loyalties torn, and with Emperor Anure’s threat growing, will they be able to risk everything with each other before it’s too late?

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Book Review: Honeymoon Alone by Nicole Macaulay

Author: Nicole Macaulay 
Title: Honeymoon Alone
Genre: Romance, Contemporary set, Chick Lit
Format: ebook
Pages: 312
Published: December 3rd 2019 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley) 

Summary:
Just how reliable are psychics - specifically psychics hired by your sister for wedding entertainment?

When irrepressibly romantic Lucy Gray is ditched at said wedding by her date in front of her whole family, the promises of a psychic seem better than her pity-riddled reality. The psychic's advice seems insightful: stop ignoring fate's signs - fate will lead you to love. But when "fate" leads Lucy to London, she finds herself tangled in a web of lies. In a story about finding independence and taking chances, Lucy learns that leaving everything up to fate can be dangerous - and jeopardize her chances at happily ever after



Review:
Sooo this was an explosion of genres! Chick lit with some romance with some comedy and some action near the end there! I am glad I read this. 

The story follows boring ol' Lucy Gray. She is ditched at her sister's wedding by her date in front of her whole family. A psychic at the wedding provides some solid advice to allow fate to lead her to love. Take a chance! A chance appears like a miracle for Lucy to go to London during Christmas time. Maybe the psychic is right as she finds herself on a vacation that gives her the independence she deserves, but there is some danger, too, that can ruin everything.  

Awww Lucy. She has a huge and overprotective family. I can see why she took that leap of faith and got on the plane. I would've. I want to! Someday Carole...someday. *grumbles about still needing to get a passport*. 

This was a fun book. I even had BF curious when I would provide updates. Lots of drama especially near the end. I had zero ideas about what was going to happen...especially with the big ol' twist! RUN LUCY RUN!

I hattteeeddd Oliver. Ugh. Surrrreeee after a certain scene I did understand him and...I liked-ish him then, but still. Bleh. 

I was meh about Cary too.

There were huge lulls especially in the middle when Lucy was just exploring London and Paris. It was nice to just see the city through her eyes since I've never been. However, I do feel like some of the lull could've been cut a hair. 

THAT ENDING. Holy cannoli batman. That was good. Again...I didn't see THAT happening. I had a bunch of theories, but nope...nope. 

Overall, I did really like this. I would love to see this become a movie or something. It was a lot of fun. Some lull and a couple of characters I was meh about, but I highly recommend this for those that love a good chick-lit. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Movie Review: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Film Title: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Length:     1h 34min 
Released:    25 March 2016 (USA)
Genre:  Comedy, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Hulu

SUMMARY:
A Portokalos family secret brings the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this movie. I had LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the first movie when it came out in 2002. It was so fun and cheesy and cute. I was scared to watch this because it has been so long and I do worry about sequels. 

The story follows our beloved Portokalos family. It has been years since we last saw them. They are older and the kids are growing up. Toula is facing a new life change...her daughter is about to go away to college. But where? At the same time of her crisis, her parents are having their own crisis....the marriage certificate was never officially signed in Greece years ago...soooo by the law they are NOT married. 

This was a chaotic mess, but fun. This family really makes me laugh, but I love them. Apart of me wishes I was part of their family, but then there are some similarities to my own big family and it reminds me that I can barely handle my own so I would not survive this one. 

I do love that we got to learn more about some of the other members of the family. It was nice.

John Stamos makes an appearance in this for like 10 mins. He's so hawt, but his character was totally just written up for him last second. Pah-lease. I get you wanna add him, but I wish he had more influence over the story or a bigger part. Maybe a hot cousin? IDK. Something. I feel like he was just there for eye candy. 

The acting was 50/50 in this. Half of the crew were fantastic and fun! The other half? Ugh. What happened? Did you forget how to act? I usually don't name names, but Toula seemed so....stiff. She had one octave in her voice. Even when she was angry...it didn't seem like she was angry. Was she like that in the first film? Mmm I'll have to dig that up and rewatch it someday. But yes. It was awkward sometimes with awkward acting.

The ending was CUUTTTTE and it made me happy. Like the first film, they are leaving some wiggle room to have another sequel. CUTE! I hope someday maybe. I do want more time with this family. 

Overall, I did like this film. It was cheesy and cute and made me chuckle. If you liked the first one, you will like this. It was nice to see everyone and learn more about our side characters. Not as good as the first movie, but it did okay. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

Author: Alyssa Cole
Narrator: Karen Chilton
Title: A Duke by Default
(Reluctant Royals #2)
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
Format: Audiobook 
Pages: 374  
Published: July 31st 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Summary: New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice, and his attraction to her, but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

Review:
Book 2! I was a little worried about starting this because I wasn't a fan of Portia in the first book. However, I believe in second chances and I wanted to get to know her and see her find love. Andddd being set in Scotland certainly helps ;) 

The story follows Portia who is done disappointing everyone and herself. She accepts an apprenticeship with a swordmaker in Scotland. She has stopped drinking and having sex so she can find the real her. She did not expect that her gruff and sexy boss would get under her skin. Tavish doesn't need or want the spoiled American telling him how to improve his armory even though all the points she makes seem legit. He tries to rebuff her and ignore the growing attraction, but when she discovers that his absent father is a duke? Well...they will need each other during this whirlwind of change. 

Okay..I was wrong about my opinions on Portia. I AM SORRY! I actually adore her. Sighs. She got under my skin. I felt so bad for her when we get to dig into her thinking and feelings and her family life. Screw her parents. They suck. >_> I want to throttle them. Maybe we'll get some more closure with them when we read Portia's sister's little novella. IDK but I feel so bad for Portia. 

I liked Tav the moment he and his grumpy-ass came onto the scene. LOL He was a big jerk, but I liked him. He is rough around the edges, but he is very sweet in his own way. It took him a bit to really come around to anything and everything, but Portia is equally stubborn. It took foreverrrrr and a day for the two to find out they needed and loved each other. I wanted to kick both of them, but it makes sense it took so long. Lots of hurdles and issues to get around. 

This was really good. I think I liked it a hair better than book 1. Shocker! I know! 

I think what really made me appreciate this was the very serious issues underlining a lot of the story. Racism and anti-immigrant issues. It made me sad, but it made the story feel more realistic. I am so glad Tav will have a chance (in this fictional world) to make a difference. He is such a good guy. 

The narrator was good. Her Scottish accent was a lil hit or miss if I am, to be honest. Everything else worked okay. I did have some moments when I had to rewind so I knew who was speaking. Some of her voices for some characters were very similar to each other, so I would forget who was speaking. Her old lady British Queen accent was SO on point though! loved it. She pulled that off so well. I hope she can use that voice more ;) 

Overall, I really, really liked this. Maybe even a touch more than book 1! I am glad my opinion on Portia was flipped. I actually adored her. Tav was awesome too. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #26 for Audiobook Challenge
- #17 for DUKE in title. 

binngooooo