Oh look at who is almost 4 months late posting a wrap-up?

June was a lot of rereading but 17 books during a busy month that included a holiday was good going I think.

Deacon (Unfinished Hero #4) – 5⭐& Sebring (Unfinished Hero #5) – 4⭐ by Kristen Ashley

This isn’t my favourite KA series but these two are favourites and I was in a real book for Deacon and Sebring. Deacon is a particular favourite, the longing in that book!!! Phew!!

Sebring is well liked because it’s a real redemption book for Nick, who lets face it, made a lot of enemies and he not only redeemed himself but gave Livvie her HEA and man did she deserve a HEA. Highly recommend listening to José González – Stay Alive while reading the HEA!

Rock Chick Rematch (Rock Chick #9.5) by Kristen Ashley – 5⭐

Like it’s probably a 4 star read but I was just so excited to finally get their story that I have to give it 5 stars.

It didn’t go as I thought it would and I both loved and hated the secrecy that was going on everywhere but I’d really liked for this to have been a 500/600 page book. I wanted more of Darius and Malia’s family and a bit more drama.

Overall I loved them both though and after waiting so long I loved getting a HEA!

Oh and how refreshing that the MMC was also celibate during their time apart, it’s usually the FMC who makes that ‘sacrifice’ and the men can sleep with anyone that moves because ‘needs’ so I was happy it was both of them yearning and both of them not interested in anyone else!

Crossroads (Haven River Ranch #1) by Devney Perry – 4⭐

I’ve come to the conclusion that I prefer Devney Perry’s later books over her earlier ones and this one could be one of my favourites.

As usual with DP this story is all a bit over the top but it was also emotional and I liked how crazy it was that Indy bought a million dollar property and let’s be honest, failing business, that belongs to the family of an ex! That be crazy!

BUT

I enjoyed the crazy and Indy turning things around and West getting his head out of his ass!

I loved the flashbacks and seeing Indy’s relationship with her dad and with West. It made the emotional climax that much more emotional.

Indy’s ex was a dick and probably the silliest part of the story but, I guess he served a purpose so I’ll overlook it! 😀

Bad Habits (Wages of Sin #1) – 4⭐, Play Dirty (Wages of Sin #2) – 4⭐& Head Games (Wages of Sin #3) – 4⭐by Onley James & Neve Wilder

So full disclosure, I picked this series up thinking it was Jericho’s Boys. It is in fact a totally different set of characters to those found in Necessary Evils . In fact this series is so different that two authors actually wrote it and not just Onley James. So me reading this series is a representation of me not paying attention!

No fear though as I became invested (once I stopped trying to figure out how the characters were connected to the Necessary Evils gang) I couldn’t put it down.

It’s just as mental and over the top as Necessary Evils, maybe not as violent?

I think Play Dirty was my favourite!

The Woman by the Lake (Misted Pines #3) – 4⭐by Kristen Ashley

So at the beginning I liked neither of them, Nadia had a stick up her butt and Riggs was a proper asshole but once we got into things I was hooked and I really enjoyed it. This is in fact my favourite Misted Pines thus far and if they continue this way I’d be very happy.

I actually enjoyed the secrets around the mystery this time and it didn’t make me feel icky like previous books, primarily The Girl in the Woods.

Looking forward to more from Misted Pines!

The Coppersmith Farmhouse (Jamison Valley #1) – 2⭐by Devney Perry

I think this is a good example of me getting on much better with the newer Devney Perry books, this just didn’t do it for me. It was all a bit weird to be honest and my BIGGEST takeaway from it was that Jess was mostly an asshole. How he treated Gigi from the moment he met her, how he spoke to Rowen when all she did was be excited to see him and how he behaved when there was a group of pre-school girls in the house was a MASSIVE red flag. There were countless other things but those come to mind right now. Just all round no from me for Jess if I’m honest.

Now, I read the preview to The Clover Chapel and I do kind of want to see what happens so maybe I’ll pick up the next book but I don’t have high hopes.

Off to the Races (Gold Rush Ranch #1) & A Photo Finish (Gold Rush Ranch #2) by Elsie Silver

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Gold Rush Ranch trilogy, is it as good as The Chestnut Springs books? Probably not! This is Elsie Silvers debut though so I get that she improves the more books she writes.

I adored Billie from Off to the Races though, she is a total badass, I enjoyed Vaughn becoming ‘human’ because he needed to loosen up BADLY. Most of all I loved Billie’s relationship with DD. I was in tears when there was any kind of drama with him. What a fabulous third main character!

I would like to side eye something from Off to the Races though (something I’m giving the benefit of the doubt about), it’s referenced at least twice that Billie was working in the United Kingdom before she came back to Canada. She was in fact working in Dublin. I am sure Elsie Silver did not make the mortal sin of even suggesting that Ireland is part of the UK and this was just an editing error or maybe Billie worked in the UK before moving to Ireland? That’s what I’ve decided on anyway! ;D

I liked A Photo Finish but didn’t love it!

This is for sure to do with Elsie Silver just getting better and better and I started with her later books. This just wasn’t as fleshed out as I’d have liked. Cole had so much trauma and I felt like it was resolved too easily even though he has been in therapy for years. Getting over his fears just felt too easy and on that note, Violet was really kind of mean. I get that he definitely didn’t require pity or coddling but he was dealing with some pretty significant shit and Violet’s solution was to give him two weeks to get over it! Now, I’m very glad that she didn’t even consider giving up her dream, that’s actually pretty cool, but she could have made that clear and also be supportive. Suggesting they speak to Trixie (therapist) together pops into my mind as just one suggestion.

I still enjoyed it though and loved that Billie and DD made an appearance and I fell in love with Pipsqueak, along with Cole.

Sweet Dreams (Colorado Mountain #2) – 5⭐, Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain #3) – 5⭐, Breathe (Colorado Mountain #4) -3⭐, Jagged (Colorado Mountain #5) – 4⭐, Kaleidoscope (Colorado Mountain #6) – 5⭐, Bounty (Colorado Mountain #7) – 4⭐by Kristen Ashley

A favourite series to reread for me, interestingly though I’ve not been enjoying it as much as I used to, it’s still always a fun series to fall back on when I’m feeling sluggish!