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reading past my bedtime

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Sweet, clean with perfect angst and chemistry

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-31-24

Love this entire series. This is the last three. I blow through books really fast. Most I read/listen at a fast pace. Bugs me to listen slower than I could read. But, I found that I loved to savor these. I read them then went back and read them again. And then again.
Each story explores a relationship hovering on the precipice of HEA, hampered by insecurities pounded into them by past trauma. It sounds rote but Mrs Baker is skilled at delving into the situations. I love exploring the feelings and reactions of her characters. So much empathy gained. I love these books.

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Excellent

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-12-24

I love EB Baker. This book doesn’t disappoint. I loved Emerson from the previous book. So good to see him grown up. There is a lot that happens between the last book and this one…we aren’t given any details so I am hoping each of the siblings get their own story.
Next is Bentley and Barbara’s story which is just as good
Beautiful, clean, great character development…no miscommunication troupe!
Highly recommend!!!

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Loved this sweet, surprisingly deep story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-25-24

I stumbled on a book called “minted” and loved it so much I looked up the author and found that it was the final story in a series. And this book was the first. I loved “Minted” so much I’ve probably listened to it 4 or 5 times. Because of that I was extremely hesitant to listen to this book. In my experience when you find a really great book and discover it’s part of a series, the other books in the series are either equally awesome (well, most of them) or a poorly disguised copy of the book you loved. So, I’ve learned to be very hesitant about sequels/series by new-to-me authors.
This book does not disappoint.
I love the love story. I love the emotional journey the characters travel. I love that it isn’t just one character who travels that journey. I love the modeling of healthy relationships. I love that you gain insight/depth into a human experience.
FYI: clean (like G rated!!! Loved that the story is good enough that you don’t miss the spicey spice.
No contrived miscommunication trope.
No senseless “third act break up”
No swearing
Fun side characters (that have their own excellent stories in the series).
No excessive “inner dialoguing” - there is inner dialogue, just not repetitive, excessive or scene de-railing.
10/10 recommend.

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Cute and sweet

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-20-24

I am not going to start by copying and pasting the synopsis from the description of the book. If you found my review you probably have it memorized by now. I will tell you what I liked: I liked the enemies to lovers trope here because it wasn’t contrite or contrived or prolonged simply to make the story long enough. Wasn’t based on forced premises that make you want to roll your eyes. There is No miscommunication trope. No monotonous or repetitive or prolonged inner dialogues.
No swearing. No bedroom scenes. (There is some good kisses).
I Loved both of the main characters and most of the side characters (a couple are obviously not like able on purpose. There IS a teaser at the end about one of the “bad guys” that I am going to pursue right after I post this).
This book deals with an adult returning home and facing all the bullies that made her small, feel alone and scared while growing up. And the adults who ignored her or made her life worse for reasons. And the adults who didn’t.
There is a line where the FMC says that the day she realized how much worse her life could have been took her six months to work through emotionally hit home for me. Sometimes we never realize how protected we are/have been.
I like the reality of the adult versions of her childhood tormentors. I like how she works her way through things being true to character and in a realistic self discovery arc. I love how she discovers herself and the family she had all along. And the people who join her “found family”.
I like the “He falls first” and love that he respects her boundaries. I love his arc too (although his has mostly happened before the story started).
I love how she is careful to be a safe person for a child/children.
It’s worth a listen (or two!)
Just a great feel good (clean!!) love story.

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Love the story, but needs a good editor

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-11-24

Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It is super cute with a truly swoony MMC and a somewhat clueless but adorable FMC. A fun premise with some eccentric parents. Co-workers. Found family. Great food. A good insight into immigration laws and enforcement. A great feel-good story.
It would make a great Hallmark movie.
Now, I never want to disparage any author, especially a good one.
I love Jennifer Griffeth’s work. (Admittedly I have only read 4 of the plethora she has out there but I am already a fan.). I WILL be reading more. BUT I have to take a proverbial deep breath before I start any of her books.
Don’t get me wrong, She is great at the storyline. Good plot. A few unexpected twists. Sympathetic characters. Fun secondary characters. Clean but with some great kisses. She is good at all the stuff that makes you want to really let yourself sit back and just immerse yourself into the story. But you can’t. Not when the characters are telling you every single thought that passes through their head. (Even when those same thoughts/reasons were just listed about 20 seconds ago).
It might have taken nanoseconds for them but for the reader it is an eternity.
Long minutes of gritting your teeth and trying not to let your eyes roll back in your head. The worst part, you can’t really just fast forward or skip a few pages because interspersed in that is actual story points that you are anxious to get at. Points that you just don’t want to miss.
Usually when an author does this I don’t bother with anything else from them but I got invested in the stories. So much so that this is my fourth book from her that I’ve read.
If I love a story I go back and read it again almost immediately,
But as it stands I just can’t bring myself to listen to this one again. Not right now. Maybe I will in a while. Ok, More than likely I will, after a while.

I think a good editor would help her immensely. She could reign in the verbiage and still pull all the emotions she intends for the reader to feel.
Truly, If she really edited the book the end product would be stellar. Simply stellar. A book I would definitely read and re-read and then read again. And then read again.

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I hope this is the beginning of a new series

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-13-24

Another excellent book by Stella Riley. We see some of Stella Riley’s characters from previous books -including references to Rock. I love the Brandon Brothers and that was an unexpected treat. Lord Sarr and Sebastian Audrey too! I am delighted that in this book we get introduced to another friend group! More stories to come?? I hope so!

The Shadow Earl is a story of trauma, recovery and justice. Taking back your life when the world thinks you are dead. Getting your place back when the very people who should be on your side have taken advantage of your misfortune in a loud and obvious way.
It’s a story of working through PTSD. The invaluable support of loyal friends.

Kit experiences trauma and dehumanization. It takes years, but he is finally rescued by some tenacious friends. He returns a “Shadow” of his former self.
He has to face society (and the villain) pretty much immediately and without cracking. Only by Pretending that what happened was something else entirely is he even able to attempt it. First, he is struggling with everything that has happened still. The Anger and even a bit of rage he can let show but not the shame. And that deep shame fuels even more anger.

Second: if the ton really knew - or even suspected- what really happened to him he would never be able to really re-enter society.

Luckily he has some very loyal friends and one incredible woman to stand by him through the arduous journey of Learning to come back to himself. To trust the woman he loves. To trust his friends. To trust himself again.

What I loved about this book: no miscommunication trope! I saw so many opportunities lesser authors would have jumped at to “extend the story”. But, thankfully, she doesn’t.
Is everyone 100% forthright all the time? No, but it’s realistic. There are things that are going to take Kit a long time to ever open up about. Things that take time to say. Things that take time to understand and work through. That is normal.

Loved the resolution. (Spoiler). Kit comes back to himself. He doesn’t get revenge, he gets justice. His questioning himself at the end tells you that he is not the kind of person to be mean, even if given the opportunity to mete out what he was given back to someone who very much deserves it. Bravo! (And Basil wonders why everyone likes Kit better)

I LOVED the duel.

I loved Julia. LOVED Julia. (And Gerald.). I hope for their story soon.

I loved the honesty, support and just plain courage between Kit and Sophie. Both were so brave in their vulnerability and honest with each other. Another bravo!

There is, however, one detailed bedroom scene. Easily skipped if you wish to.

(Another spoiler)
My favorite line I think came from Adam Brandon, at the end. I will totally mangle it, but basically it’s when Adam tells the Basil how stupid he was to believe that arranging to give someone to a slaver would “cost more” than arranging a guide. Pointing out that the man was already going to be walking away with a pretty penny in his pocket. But, of course, money is no object when you’re spending somebody else’s money.

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Wonderful story to read and reread

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-07-23

Love this story. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it (many) simply because I love. Good Cinderella story, Christmas and The Christmas Carol.
I won’t give any spoilers. Just grab some tissues and read it (listen to it).
Excellent performance. Excellent book

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Fresh, clean, funny and sophisticated

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-16-23

I really appreciated that this author didn’t just “cut and paste” the story of Emma by Jane Austin into a modern setting. This book is a fresh perspective with a close (but nice) storyline.
All your favorite characters are there dealing with the same fundamental issues (but in a modern setting).
I really loved reading both Emma and George’s POV.
This is the second Austin retelling I have read by this author and I am hooked! Totally going back for more.

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A wonderful story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-25-23

Another excellent story by Stella Riley. And narrated by the fabulous Alex Wyndham!
I loved Max since Cadenza. His story is so Max!! What a wonderful and humorous story.
I also loved the little bit of the Ralph (The Earl of Sherborne) and Elizabeth.

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My favorite of both series’ AND you get to listen to Alex Wyndham

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-20-23

I love both the Rockcliff series and the Brandon brothers series and this book bridges them.
First: I love Max. I love his sense of humor and his insight. He’s not the star of this book but he definitely steals the show sometimes.
Julien. I fell in love with him same as everyone else. I am not sure anyone could resist. Love Julien.
But my favorite is Ralph. Even though, near the end, you find out he had little to do with the worst atrocities that are attributed to him (hmmm.. pattern here) still he seems pretty irredeemable in the previous book, Hazard. He is very myoptic, controlling and rather angry in that book.
Then, in this book, he dutifully rescues a young miss and her servant from the rain. When I first read this story I expected him to be the villain again. Society has enjoyed painting him as the blackest of villains and his aloof, cold and tightly controlled persona (and actions) just reinforces everything. As Elizabeth (and Rock) gets to know him their (and your) opinion of him starts to thaw.
I love the big conversation between him and Rock where you really realize what Ralph has borne, alone, for so many years. (Ummm, probably should have warned you about that spoiler).

Now you need to read Trick of Fate. It’s Max’s story. (LOVE Max! And his story is so Max). You learn more about Ralph that will make your heart melt just a bit more.

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