Best Books of 2018

2019 is here and with it comes a bunch of highly anticipated reads. But before I fully dive into the new year looking for some new favorite books, it’s time to take a look back at the best books of 2018. I read 117 books last year, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 26 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into (Lauren Blakely is now an autobuy author for me). And finally, I participated in my ninth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my favorite reads of 2018 – my top ten new reads, two bonus children’s books that I thought deserved their own category, and my favorite re-reads.

Top Ten Books of 2018
Top Children’s Books of 2018
Top Re-Reads of 2018

My Top Ten Books of 2018

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2018, but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.

1. Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely
My Review | Purchase Link

2. Smoke and Iron (The Great Library, Book 4) by Rachel Caine
My Review | Purchase Link

3. Heroine’s Journey (Heroine Complex, Book 3) by Sarah Kuhn
My Review | Purchase Link

4. The Chateau (The Original Sinners, Book 9) by Tiffany Reisz
My Review | Purchase Link

5. Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

6. Picture Perfect Cowboy (The Original Sinners, Book 10) by Tiffany Reisz
My Review | Purchase Link

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, Book 7) by J.K. Rowling
Purchase Link

8. Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
My Review | Purchase Link

9. Ocean Light (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 2) by Nalini Singh
My Review | Purchase Link

10. Royally Wed (The Royals, Book 3) by Teri Wilson
My Review | Purchase Link

Top Children’s Books of 2018

1. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

2. The Joy of Cookies: Cookie Monster's Guide to Life by Sesame Workshop
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

My Top Re-Reads of 2018

1. Aidan & Ethan (Seeking Redemption, Book 1) by Cameron Dane
Purchase Link

2. Purity in Death (In Death, Book 15) by J.D. Robb
Purchase Link

3. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Purchase Link

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, Book 2) by J.K. Rowling
Purchase Link

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2019 A to Z Reading Challenge

I've had a blast doing this challenge for the past few years and I can't resist another go 'round. I've discovered a few now-favorite books I might not have otherwise noticed because of this challenge :)

Challenge details:
- Duration: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
- Read 26 books which titles begin with the letters of the alphabet.
- You may ignore articles like A, An and The at the beginning of the title.
- For the letter X, any book title with the letter X in it is acceptable if you can't find one that begins with X.
- You can sign up anytime.
- Please only list books you have read. You can read them in any order.
- A book only counts once, so you can include a re-read the first time you read it.

Challenge Completed: August 6, 2019

My List:
All She Wrote by Josh Lanyon – 5/8/19
Baking for Keeps by Jessica Gilmore – 3/4/19
Case of Christmas, A by Josh Lanyon – 1/26/19
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – 1/25/19
Earl’s Countess of Convenience, The by Marguerite Kaye – 3/29/19
Families and Other Enemies by Christina Dodd – 1/25/19
Getting Schooled by Emma Chase – 1/13/19
Harry Potter: A History of Magic by Ben Davies – 3/30/19
It’s in His Kiss by Julia Quinn – 2/9/19
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb – 1/5/19
Kiss Me Maybe by Heather Burch – 7/10/19
Lipstick Voodoo by Kristi Charish – 1/11/19
Moonlight & Whiskey by Tricia Lynne – 2/15/19
No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman – 3/17/19
Orlin’s Fall by Amber Kell – 2/9/19
Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis – 1/21/19
Quill Me Now by Jordan Castillo Price – 8/6/19
Rose, The by Tiffany Reisz – 4/14/19
Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton, The by Stacy Reid – 2/2/19
Tightrope by Amanda Quick – 4/26/19
Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn – 6/23/19
Very Personal Trainer, A by Justine Elyot – 7/7/19
Wrong Bed, Right Roommate by Rebecca Brooks – 1/13/19
xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan – 4/17/19
Yes! by Kim Dare – 6/5/19
Zall’s Captain by Amber Kell – 2/17/19

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2019 New (to me) Author Challenge

I've done this challenge for the past nine years and discovered some great new-to-me authors along the way (not hard to believe since I've read 563 new (to me) authors from 2010 to 2018). A few of my favorite authors that I've "discovered" over the past few years are Jenn Bennett, Lauren Blakely, Kerrigan Byrne, Chanel Cleeton, C.C. Galloway, Larissa Ione, Heather McCollum, Lilah Pace, Stacy Reid, Tiffany Reisz, Cherise Sinclair, Dee Tenorio, and Elia Winters.


The Challenge: Read 20 or more books this year by authors you’ve never read before.
Dates: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

My list:

1. Author: Emma Chase
Title: Getting Schooled (Getting Some, Book 1)

2. Author: Ingrid Hahn
Title: Willful Depravity

3. Author: Tricia Levenseller
Title: Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, Book 1)

4. Author: Amber Kell
Title: Chalice (Planetary Submissives, Book 1)

5. Author: Tricia Lynne
Title: Moonlight & Whiskey

6: Author: Marguerite Kaye
Title: The Earl’s Countess of Convenience (Penniless Brides of Convenience, Book 1)

7. Author: Ben Davies
Title: Harry Potter: A History of Magic

8. Author: Kendall Ryan
Title: xo, Zach

9. Author: Casey McQuiston
Title: Red, White & Royal Blue

10. Author: Uzma Jalaluddin
Title: Ayesha at Last

11. Author: Kim Loraine
Title: His Whiskey Sour (The Cocktail Girls)

12. Author: Kerry Winfrey
Title: Waiting for Tom Hanks

13. Author: Michelle McLean
Title: How to Lose a Highlander (The MacGregor Lairds, Book 1)

14. Author: Mia Sheridan
Title: Brant's Return

15. Author: Sylvia Pierce
Title: Falling for the Boss

16. Author: Lili Valente
Title: Falling for the Boss

17. Author: Heather Burch
Title: Kiss Me Maybe

18. Author: Debra Kayn
Title: Archer (Hard Body, Book 1)

19. Author: Liza Palmer
Title: Conversations with the Fat Girl

20. Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Title: Quill Me Now (The ABCs of Spellcraft, Book 1)

21. Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Title: The Last Wish (The Witcher, Book 0.5)

22. Author: Evie Dunmore
Title: Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women, Book 1)

23. Author: Bria Quinlan
Title: The Sweetest Things (Starlight Harbor, Book 1)

24. Author: Jen DeLuca
Title: Well Met

25. Author: Annabeth Albert
Title: Arctic Heat (Frozen Hearts, Book 3)

26. Author: Oonagh Duncan
Title: Healthy as F*ck: The Habits You Need to Get Lean, Stay Healthy, and Kick Ass at Life

27. Author: Laurel Greer
Title: Holiday by Candlelight (Sutter Creek, Montana, Book 3)

28. Author: Liza Kindred
Title: Eff This! Meditation:108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You're Stressed Out, Anxious, or Overwhelmed

29. Author: Jana Aston
Title: The Boss Who Stole Christmas (Reindeer Falls, Book 1)

30. Author: Liza Kendall
Title: Walk Me Home (Silverlake Ranch, Book 1)

31. Author: Adriana Herrera
Title: Mangos and Mistletoe

32. Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Title: The Little Prince

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Books I've Read in 2019

For the past nine years I've kept track of the books I read. I read so much that everything tends to blend together in my mental library. It's always fun at the end of the year to look back and see what I've read, loved, and want to re-read (and - on the rare occasion - want to avoid). Plus, it's great to share and compare lists with other book bloggers :)

This list is only of books and novellas I've read and finished (though if I read an entire anthology, I list only the anthology title). The books are listed in the order I read them.

There are sure to be many wonderful stories on the list, but the ones with a ** by them are ones I highly recommend.

1. Judgment in Death (In Death, Book 11) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
2. Lipstick Voodoo (Kincaid Strange, Book 2) by Kristi Charish
3. Getting Schooled (Getting Some, Book 1) by Emma Chase **
4. Wrong Bed, Right Roommate (Accidental Love, Book 1) by Rebecca Brooks
5. Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 7) by Jill Shalvis
6. Willful Depravity by Ingrid Hahn
7. Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, Book 1) by Tricia Levenseller
8. Families and Other Enemies (Cape Charade, Book 1.5) by Christina Dodd
9. A Case of Christmas by Josh Lanyon
10. What Doesn’t Kill Her (Cape Charade, Book 2) by Christina Dodd
11. Chalice (Planetary Submissives, Book 1) by Amber Kell
12. The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton by Stacy Reid **
13. Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, Book 3.5) by Ilona Andrews **
14. It’s in His Kiss (Bridgertons, Book 7) by Julia Quinn (re-read) **
15. It’s in His Kiss: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 7.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read) **
16. Orlin’s Fall (Planetary Submissives, Book 2) by Amber Kell
17. Moonlight & Whiskey by Tricia Lynne
18. Celebrity in Death (In Death, Book 34) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
19. Zall’s Captain (Planetary Submissives, Book 3) by Amber Kell
20. Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
21. Baking for Keeps (Big Sky Hathaways, Book 1; Bachelor Bake-Off, Book 4) by Jessica Gilmore (re-read)
22. Connections in Death (In Death, Book 48) by J.D. Robb
23. No Other Duke But You (Playful Brides, Book 11) by Valerie Bowman
24. In a Badger Way (The Honey Badgers, Book 2) by Shelly Laurenston
25. The Earl’s Countess of Convenience (Penniless Brides of Convenience, Book 1) by Marguerite Kaye
26. Harry Potter: A History of Magic by Ben Davies
27. The Wedding Party (The Wedding Date, Book 3) by Jasmine Guillory
28. When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
29. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett**
30. The Rose (The Red, Book 2) by Tiffany Reisz
31. xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan
32. The Singular Mr. Sinclair (The House of Lovell, Book 1) by Mia Marlowe (re-read)
33. Tightrope (Burning Cove, Book 3) by Amanda Quick
34. Lord Bredon and the Bachelor’s Bible (The House of Lovell, Book 2) by Mia Marlowe
35. All She Wrote (Holmes & Moriarity, Book 2) by Josh Lanyon
36. Just Say When (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 6.5) by Jill Shalvis
37. The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient, Book 2) by Helen Hoang
38. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston **
39. The Boy with the Painful Tattoo (Holmes & Moriarity, Book 3) by Josh Lanyon
40. Just Past Two (Comes in Threes, Book 2) by Elia Winters
41. Love at the Shore by Teri Wilson
42. The Wicked Viscount (The Campbells, Book 3) by Heather McCollum
43. Bridal Boot Camp (Little Bridge Island, Book 0.5) by Meg Cabot
44. Wolf Rain (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 3) by Nalini Singh
45. Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
46. His Whiskey Sour (The Cocktail Girls) by Kim Loraine
47. Yes! by Kim Dare (re-read)
48. The Mad Earl’s Bride (Scoundrels, Book 3.5) by Loretta Chase (re-read)
49. In Other Words… Murder (Holmes & Moriarity, Book 4) by Josh Lanyon
50. When He Was Wicked: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 6.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read) **
51. The Duke and I: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 1.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read)
52. Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
53. How to Lose a Highlander (The MacGregor Lairds, Book 1) by Michelle McLean
54. How to Lose a Fiancé (Greek Billionaires, Book 2) by Stefanie London
55. Brant’s Return by Mia Sheridan
56. The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone, Book 3) by Jill Shalvis
57. How to Ensnare a Highlander (The MacGregor Lairds, Book 2) by Michelle McLean
58. Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty, Book 1) by Sabrina Jeffries
59. Say No to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 4) by Eloisa James **
60. Unsung Heroine (Heroine Complex, Book 3.5) by Sarah Kuhn
61. How to Blackmail a Highlander (The MacGregor Lairds, Book 3) by Michelle McLean
62. Falling for the Boss by Sylvia Pierce and Lili Valente
63. A Very Personal Trainer by Justine Elyot (re-read)
64. How to Forgive a Highlander (The MacGregor Lairds, Book 4) by Michelle McLean
65. Kiss Me Maybe by Heather Burch
66. Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
67. The Little Library by Kim Fielding (re-read)
68. Don’t Give Me Butterflies (The Holloway Girls, Book 3) by Tara Sheets
69. The Monuments Men Murders (The Art of Murder, Book 4) by Josh Lanyon
70. Conversations with the Fat Girl by Liza Palmer
71. The Right Swipe (Modern Love, Book 1) by Alisha Rai **
72. Quill Me Now (The ABCs of Spellcraft, Book 1) by Jordan Castillo Price
73. No Judgments (Little Bridge Island, Book 1) by Meg Cabot
74. Under Currents by Nora Roberts
75. The Last Wish (The Witcher, Book 0.5) by Andrzej Sapkowski **
76. Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women, Book 1) by Evie Dunmore
77. Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, Book 3.5) by Ilona Andrews (re-read) **
78. The Sweetest Things (Starlight Harbor, Book 1) by Bria Quinlan
79. Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy, Book 4) by Ilona Andrews
80. The Blacksmith Queen (The Scarred Earth Saga, Book 1) by G.A. Aiken
81. The Engagement Gift (The Gift, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely **
82. Well Met by Jen DeLuca
83. How to Love a Duke in Ten Days (Devil You Know, Book 1) by Kerrigan Byrne
84. The Harp of Kings (Warrior Bards, Book 1) by Juliet Marillier **
85. Hidden Truths (Cape Charade, Book 2.5) by Christina Dodd
86. Sword of Destiny (The Witcher, Book 0.75) by Andrzej Sapkowski
87. Strangers She Knows (Cape Charade, Book 3) by Christina Dodd
88. Romancing Mister Bridgerton: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 4.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read)
89. Walk of Shame (Love Unexpectedly, Book 4) by Lauren Layne
90. Seduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney
91. Wrapped Up in You (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 8) by Jill Shalvis
92. Arctic Heat (Frozen Hearts, Book 3) by Annabeth Albert
93. Royal Holiday (The Wedding Date, Book 4) by Jasmine Guillory
94. Archangel’s Prophecy (Guild Hunter, Book 11) by Nalini Singh
95. Archangel’s War (Guild Hunter, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
96. Rock Chick (Rock Chick, Book 1) by Kristen Ashley (re-read) **
97. Healthy as F*ck: The Habits You Need to Get Lean, Stay Healthy, and Kick Ass at Life by Oonagh Duncan **
98. Mainly by Moonlight (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon
99. Vendetta in Death (In Death, Book 49) by J.D. Robb
100. Holiday by Candlelight (Sutter Creek, Montana, Book 3) by Laurel Greer
101. The Highland Outlaw (The Campbells, Book 4) by Heather McCollum
102. Eff This! Meditation:108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You're Stressed Out, Anxious, or Overwhelmed by Liza Kindred
103. A Mackenzie Clan Christmas (Mackenzies & McBrides, Book 8.5 & Book 11.5) by Jennifer Ashley
104. Single Player (Slices of Pi, Book 3) by Elia Winters (re-read)
105. Healthy as F*ck: The Habits You Need to Get Lean, Stay Healthy, and Kick Ass at Life by Oonagh Duncan (re-read) **
106. The Widow’s Auction by Sabrina Jeffries (re-read) **
107. Three For All (Comes in Threes, Book 3) by Elia Winters **
108. Blood of Elves (The Witcher, Book 1) by Andrzej Sapkowski
109. Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley (re-read)
110. A Limited Engagement by Josh Lanyon
111. The Boss Who Stole Christmas (Reindeer Falls, Book 1) by Jana Aston
112. Passion on Park Avenue (Central Park Pact, Book 1) by Lauren Layne
113. I Buried a Witch (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Book 2) by Josh Lanyon
114. A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
115. If You Give a Jerk a Gingerbread (Reindeer Falls, Book 2) by Jana Aston
116. It’s Getting Scot in Here (Wild Wicked Highlanders, Book 1) by Suzanne Enoch
117. The Engagement Gift (The Gift, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely (revised edition) **
118. Scot Under the Covers (The Wild Wicked Highlanders, Book 2) by Suzanne Enoch
119. Maybe for You (Whiskey and Weddings, Book 3) by Nicole McLaughlin
120. Walk Me Home (Silverlake Ranch, Book 1) by Liza Kendall
121. Christmas Present by Kim Fielding
122. Death in Kew Gardens (Kat Holloway Mysteries, Book 3) by Jennifer Ashley
123. Halloween is Murder by Josh Lanyon
124. Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera
125. My Darling Duke (Sinful Wallflowers, Book 1) by Stacy Reid
126. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
127. Dictatorship of the Dress (Much “I Do” About Nothing, Book 1) by Jessica Topper

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Review: Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz
Series: Cutler, Sutter & Salinas, Book 3
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Romantic Suspense

ISBN: 9780399585296
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Quinton Zane is back.

Jack Lancaster, consultant to the FBI, has always been drawn to the coldest of cold cases, the kind that law enforcement either considers unsolvable or else has chalked up to accidents or suicides. As a survivor of a fire, he finds himself uniquely compelled by arson cases. His almost preternatural ability to get inside the killer's head has garnered him a reputation in some circles--and complicated his personal life. The more cases Jack solves, the closer he slips into the darkness. His only solace is Winter Meadows, a meditation therapist. After particularly grisly cases, Winter can lead Jack back to peace.

But as long as Quinton Zane is alive, Jack will not be at peace for long. Having solidified his position as the power behind the throne of his biological family's hedge fund, Zane sets out to get rid of Anson Salinas's foster sons, starting with Jack.

Foster brothers Jack Lancaster, Max Cutler, and Cabot Sutter were all raised in a cult until one hellish night when cult leader Quinton Zane burned down the compound, leaving them orphans. Supposedly Zane died years ago, but Jack, Max, Cabot, and their rescuer/foster father, Anson Salinas, know better. After years of chasing shadows, the man behind their trauma is within their grasp…if they can survive his machinations. Because Zane is tired of hiding, and with a fortune on the line he needs to eliminate the threat the four men who know too much about him present. And he’s going to start with Jack…

Untouchable is an entertaining read that brings the hunt for Quinton Zane to a satisfying conclusion. Jack and Winter are more cerebral characters which gives them and their romance a slightly different dynamic. They’re an interesting pair: a focused hunter haunted by the past who works cold cases and a skilled hypnotist with ghosts of her own. I loved watching how Jack’s mind worked through cases and he definitely fascinated me. Winter is the only person who can bring him back when he goes too far into his own head and her skills are interesting in their own right. They fit one another well, they have solid (if understated) chemistry, and there’s definitely passion. Yet while I liked them together, I won’t deny that there was a certain ineffable spark that was missing, thus making the love story feel a bit by-the-numbers. I’ll be honest and say that this didn’t bother me overmuch, but I do think it’s worth mentioning because other readers may not be as content.

As one might expect from the final book in the trilogy, the resolution of the Quinton Zane plotline shifts the balance more toward suspense. Zane has been the bogeyman of the series; the charismatic, pyromaniac cult leader who is a brilliant con man capable of eluding capture for decades. The problem with having such a powerful villain is that they work better as a shadowy, unseen figure than they do as a main antagonist. There’s so much buildup in When All the Girls Have Gone and Promise Not to Tell that there’s no way one human man could deliver when he ultimately appears (at least if you want him to be plausibly defeated by the heroes and heroines). For me, Zane was the weak point in Untouchable and I wished some of the much-touted charisma and cleverness had shown to make him a stronger villain. That being said, the action scenes were still exciting and the hunt itself was entertaining. Jayne Ann Krentz knows how to keep the pages turning and the story engaging, so I can forgive some of the weaker points in the story because I enjoyed it, flaws and all.

Untouchable is the third book in the Cutler, Sutter & Salinas series but it can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed revisiting beloved characters and I got a kick out seeing Jack and Winter in towns from other Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick books (who doesn’t love a good Easter egg?). So while Untouchable has its flaws, it was still a solid read and a satisfying end to the Cutler, Sutter & Salinas trilogy.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt

Not the Duke’s Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Greycourt, Book 1
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781538763520
Release Date: December 18, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Elizabeth Hoyt Reading Order

Freya de Moray is many things: a member of the secret order of Wise Women, the daughter of disgraced nobility, and a chaperone living under an assumed name. What she is not is forgiving. So when the Duke of Harlowe, the man who destroyed her brother and led to the downfall of her family, appears at the country house party she's attending, she does what any Wise Woman would do: she starts planning her revenge.

Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, is being blackmailed. Intent on keeping his secrets safe, he agrees to attend a house party where he will put an end to this coercion once and for all. Until he recognizes Freya, masquerading among the party revelers, and realizes his troubles have just begun. Freya knows all about his sins-sins he'd much rather forget. But she's also fiery, bold, and sensuous-a temptation he can't resist. When it becomes clear Freya is in grave danger, he'll risk everything to keep her safe. But first, he will have to earn Freya's trust...by whatever means necessary.

Murder, betrayal, revenge, trauma, blackmail, mysterious orders, politics, secrets, danger, and romance… Not the Duke’s Darling is a whole lotta story packed into one book. Elizabeth Hoyt dives headfirst into the intriguing world of the Greycourt family and the result is a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, I liked many of the elements to this tale. On the other, there was so much going on that everything felt incomplete.

At the center of Not the Duke’s Darling are Freya and Christopher. Christopher was once the best friend of Freya’s brother, Ran de Moray, until the night Ran was accused of and beaten nearly to death for murdering Aurelia Greycourt. It’s been fifteen years since that night, and Christopher is still haunted by it. He’s also carrying invisible scars from the death of his wife and his time as a prisoner in India. Christopher had the potential to be an intriguing hero. All the elements are there – a young man who made the wrong choice and is still suffering for it, PTSD, an adorable emotional support dog, his yearning to feel alive again – but his character development felt stifled by the abundance of plot and I didn’t get as deep a sense of him as I would have liked. Freya suffered the same fate. She’s a Wise Woman and a spy and I wish I could have learned a lot more about that part of her life, 99% of which takes place pre-book. She’s brave, independent, and definitely (humanly) flawed, but she also has a warm heart that shows in moments when the plot lets her breathe.

The romance between Christopher and Freya is enjoyable, but could have been so much more if it had been given room to grow and time for passion to be explored. Instead we are shuffled from one plot point to the next. To start, there’s the Dunkelders – men who think the Wise Women are witches and want to murder them – and their mustache-twirling plot to introduce a new era of witch hunting. The ignorance and sexism that’s innate to the Dunkelders could have been more ominous if – at the risk of repeating myself – they had been given more page time. There’s also the matter of Christopher being blackmailed, Freya’s initial quest for revenge, and looming over everything, the question of who murdered Aurelia Greycourt all those years ago. Neither Freya nor Christopher are Greycourts, but the titular family of the series is featured heavily, mostly in the form of Messalina Greycourt. Messalina is the third point of view in Not the Duke’s Darling and she’s a wonderful character who had the characteristics of a classic Hoyt heroine.

I’m a longtime fan of Elizabeth Hoyt’s which makes this book a bit difficult to put a rating on. Had it been by another author or had I been new to Ms. Hoyt’s work, I might have liked this book better (though at the end of the day, I did enjoy it). But I know Ms. Hoyt’s writing – her passionate, unique, flawed characters and their liveliness on the page – and Freya and Christopher were just missing some of that ineffable zing. I was, however, completely fascinated by some of the secondary characters. From Messalina to the mysterious Gideon Hawthorne to Freya’s lovelorn charge, Arabella Holland, there are plenty of characters who have me excited to read more Greycourt stories. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Ms. Hoyt has in store for readers, especially given the way things ended in this book. So while I may have finished Not the Duke’s Darling wanting a bit more from Freya and Christopher, I did enjoy it and I think there’s great promise to the Greycourt series.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: The Spartan Way: Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better. by Joe De Sena

The Spartan Way: Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better. by Joe De Sena
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Non-Fiction

ISBN: 9781250153210
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Determined to yank 100 million people off their couch cushions to start living instead of being passive observers of life, Joe De Sena has one ultimate goal: to help improve everyone’s physical and emotional health by teaching them the tenets of Spartan living from ancient Greece: simple eating, smart training, mastering resilience, and an all-out commitment to achieving a goal.

Like Spartan training, living The Spartan Way requires endurance to reach your finish line, the goal that inspires and drives you to succeed no matter what obstacles are thrown in your path. De Sena believes you can gain that endurance in just thirty-six days by following the ten Spartan Core Virtues, timeless principles to help you embrace adversity and overcome any challenge, and making them a permanent part of your own personal core.

The Spartan Core Values include:

Self-Awareness―Know yourself
Commitment―Be dedicated
Passion―Discover your purpose
Discipline―Practice diligence
Prioritization―Put your house in order
Grit―Push your limits
Courage―Face your fears and your failures
Optimism―Look for the positives
Integrity―Act honestly
Wholeness―Live as a Spartan

De Sena turned this philosophy into a lifestyle―and so can you. With The Spartan Way, you’ll discover your true north, unleash the warrior within, and transform your life to 10X your maximum potential.

The Spartan Way is a helpful, no-nonsense resource for anyone looking to make a change. No matter what your goal, Joe De Sena’s Spartan philosophy is something you can apply to your life. I loved Mr. De Sena’s passion – it comes through strong in this book and his dedication and enthusiasm is infectious. Self-Awareness, commitment, passion, discipline, prioritization, grit, courage, optimism, integrity, and “wholeness” are not new values or ideas, but the way they are presented is what separates this book from the pack. It’s intense, honest, and straightforward, which I really appreciated. I will note that some of the examples Mr. De Sena uses in this book are a bit extreme and the sample sizes in the studies he cites are sometimes rather low, but the core principals are good. If you want a good kick in the butt and helpful, easy-to-digest advice that will serve you well, I recommend The Spartan Way.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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