Reading Roundup #24: Convenient Allies

This week’s running theme is “unlikely allies” – whether they’re teaming up to solve mysteries and fight villains or for marriages of convenience (that, of course, turn out less convenient than intended). Life’s rough these days, but being able to disappear into a book or two (or three) at the end of the day certainly helps. Especially when they’re fun, romantic reads! I can’t think of a better distraction, honestly.

These Violent Delights (“These Violent Delights” #1) by Chloe Gong: *sigh* This book, y’all. This book has great characters, a compelling story and setting, and yet, the prose is an active repellent, dragging the momentum, undercutting emotional beats, and working against my willingness to love this book and lose myself in the world. I stuck with it because it still managed to get me invested in the characters and what was happening (and because I had to read it for a book club), but it was a struggle. So, that’s disappointing, but as a debut novel, it does show promise. With more experience (and a ruthless editor), Gong could really go places. I look forward to the sequel, Our Violent Ends, with half agony, half hope.

The Lady and the Highwayman (“Dread Penny Society” #1) by Sarah M. Eden: If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that the “Dread Penny Society” is one of my favorite series. It’s just good old-fashioned fun, with a dash of romance and adventure! This, the first in the series, is the one that made me fall in love with this world, where a secret society of penny dreadful novelists fight for the underprivileged and vulnerable in London – aided by the daring and cunning women they fall in love with along the way! If any of those elements appeal to you, this is highly recommended.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame: Would you believe I’d never read this all the way through before? I know. It’s one of those that just slipped by me in childhood, but I’m glad I made the time to read it now. I fell in love with wise, crotchety Badger, fussy, capable Rat, and dear, gentle, curious Mole. Toad can hop along, though – what a menace! If I ever reread, I expect I’ll skip over the chapters that are all about him and stick with my friends by the river and in the wild woods.

Hard Hitter (“Brooklyn Bruisers” #2) by Sarina Bowen: After a string of dramas and historicals, I was looking for some contemporary romance and stumbled across Sarina Bowen’s “Brooklyn Bruisers” series. Now, I may not be a big sports fan, but I do like a good sports story, and we all know hockey romances are a particular kind of fun. *wiggles eyebrows* The subplot with the abusive ex was honestly a little much for where I’m at these days, but I enjoyed the rest immensely, and I liked enough of the characters that I’ll probably dip in and out of the other books to see what happens with the supporting characters who caught my attention in this one.

“Marriage of Convenience” books #1-4 by Anne Gracie: I used my long weekend to devour this series, and it was just what I needed! Each book was fun, romantic, dramatic, and exactly what I was in the mood for. I loved the romantic pairings, of course, both separately and together, but what really adds to the charm of these books is that all the other characters are just as delightful and feel like real people in their own right, not just as supporting players to the protagonists. I will absolutely be reading more Gracie – and probably in the near future.

I hope you’re all well – staying safe and healthy! As I mentioned, I’m going through a rough patch, so I’m trying to be extra kind to myself. I hope you’ll do the same for you because I think we all need some grace these days, especially from ourselves.

–b