The Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely love when books branch out from such a singular, heteronormative style. It’s fantastic to read books that are inclusive. My only complaint with this book was that it was too short!! I’d love to revisit the romances; this would be a great book to create a series! It was a quick entertaining foray into a romance oft not found in novels. Loved it.
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Dowry of Snails and Mud was interesting. I wasn’t too sure what I was reading at first. It took some time to pique my interest, but once it did I appreciated what it was. The author wrote a beautiful story that starts off kind of slow(don’t let that deter you) but turns into something so much more. A very strong female lead that grows even so much more throughout. I struggled to get into it but once I was, I couldn’t put it down. So worth it.
Rhia has been bartered to marry the King’s 6th son in hopes of the king forgiving her home for refusing to pay taxes on the land. Frustrated and treating it as the end of the world she does everything to make everyone miserable with her. Prince Emerys may be soft but he is no pushover. The push and pull between the two of them will be the end of Lians. Unfortunately dealing with the wildmen brings that potential to a screeching halt, but it could be just what they need.
Now saying all that, I’m sure you’re curious. Why would I go to the trouble? Because this story and author deserve some recognition for what was presented in this book. Keep an open mind and jump in. If you struggle like I did at first trust me when I stay push forward because it’ll be worth it!
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Dowry of Snails and Mud was such a delightful read. Two completely opposite people are forced to marry a stranger for the sake of their families. One from a small poor community, and the other is the Kings youngest son. Can these two put aside their differences for the sake of their people or will everything fall apart? Brittany Tucker did an amazing job with the depth of these characters. Both had lessons to learn and both found strength when everything seemed lost. Both have a way with people and their differences kind of balance each other out. I look forward to reading more by this author. If you’re on the fence about the book, definitely give it a try.
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Falling Home by Libby Kay is a heart-warming, second-chance love story. It follows small-town high-school sweethearts Ginny and Max years after their divorce and Ginnys subsequent move to the big city. Going home to help her Father through surgery, Ginny isn’t exactly excited about being home or the holidays but she’s less excited to run into her ex-husband Max. However, life isn’t predictable and neither is the heart – putting both Max and Ginny into real, relatable situations. I liked the characters and the story left me intrigued to read the next book in the series.
Reviewed by @whisperhymer
Married Blind by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this twist on a well known TV show format! I am a marriage of convenience trope fan and Abi and Finn’s adventure settled just in that perfect sweet spot! As a bonus, you have an Irish hero who is also a celebrity so you get that peek into the personal life of a famous star! I will be definitely be looking out for the other books in this series! Highly recommended!
Reviewed by @sparkinside
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There’s a wedding in the village and Rhiannon’s not happy about it. Actually, no one really is! Due to some poor mismanagement of his territory, Mr. Caddell is having to marry his daughter off to the King’s son. One would think that this would be a fantastic arrangement, especially for Rhia, but the King has six sons and she’s to marry the sixth…a rogue named Emerys.
Rhia and Emerys know nothing about each other before exchanging “I do’s” and it doesn’t seem like they are going to get to know each other if Rhia has anything to say about it. She’s doing everything she can to push Emerys away, not realizing that he feels the same as she does about many things.
Can they overcome these differences and save the land from the King’s clutches?
I loved this read! It’s a bit of a rom-com with a medieval twist. There are several very funny expressions and the way that Rhia acts…well I found myself giggling. She’s very independent and strong willed! The story kept me engaged the entire time.
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a really good read! I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and it kept me entertained throughout reading it. I loved Rhia’s attitude, humor, and just general self. I giggled several times just from her internal thoughts about the royals. For a book that has somewhat of a mystery surrounding it and some turmoil with the king outlying people, it had a happy ending! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely read more from this author in the future!
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ginny and Max were high school sweethearts. They got married but things soon began to change. Ginny became more involved with her job and Max took over the local diner. Ginny soon decided to move to New York and leave her small town life and her now ex husband behind. Ginny has been gone for 3 years but is now back to help her dad who is about to have hip surgery. She has not spoken to Max in 3 years and was hoping to be able to avoid him on this trip but that does not exactly happen. Everyone wants to see Ginny and Max back together, but can their feelings be fixed. They both still care and love each other but can they fix things for the better!
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love second chance romance stories and this one was right up my alley! I really enjoyed the author’s easy writing style. The story reads from Ginny and Max’s point of view. He is a patient loving guy and wants nothing but happiness for Ginny. She just want to chase her dreams. When she has to come back home to help her father she starts to question what her dreams really are. Would walking away from her life in the city really make her happy or resent Max forever? This story is such a sweet read and you really will fall in with Buckeye Falls. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and more about this small town!
Underboss’s Retaliation by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Coming from enemy mafias, Dominic and Emelia should not feel an attraction to each other, but they do. Aside from being forbidden, they should also stay away from each other because Dominic’s cousin has been kidnapped by Emelia’s father and Dominic has taken Emelia until his cousin is released. The biggest problem, though, is they just can’t stay away from each other.
Opinion
I’m a huge fan of Via Mari’s mafia books. While they offer some gore, they are much more about relationships, and not just between the man and woman but between family members as well. Just reading through them can almost make you envious of the support the families have.
This book was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Dominic and Emeila are from rival mafia’s. That is not necessarily something I expect in a mafia romance book.
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! A light and feel-good story. Ginny returns to her small home town of Buckeye Falls, OH, after living in New York City for 2 years. Even though she came home to take care of her father who was having hip surgery, Ginny agrees to work with her ex-husband, Max, to plan the town’s holiday Jubilee. The characters in this story feel genuine to me – they go to work, they need hip replacements, they grocery shop – all things that make them more relatable. I enjoyed the characters’ interactions with one another. Just as the characters feel genuine, so do their interactions. I couldn’t wait to keep reading until the end!
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was definitely a cozy book to read during the Christmas season. A lot of people use this time to learn how to love again and get back in the Christmas spirit. Max still lives in Buckeye Falls, Ohio, and misses his Ex-Wife, Ginny. She comes back to visit her Dad after he had surgery. This became Max’s moment to get her back. He tries to win her over with Quesadillas and Christmas spirit. Ginny wanted nothing to do with Christmas, but was ringed into helping the town this year, and with Max. It was definitely a cute romance! 🙂
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Dowry of Snails and Mud is a YA enemies to lovers medieval Rom-Com. This is Brittany’s debut novel which is a little crazy, a lot quirky and the humour had me laughing out loud at times.
At a stalemate over money the Mayor and King decide an arranged marriage will solve their problems. The married couple are to con the other to get the money.
This historical romance stars sassy 16-year-old, Rhia who soon finds herself in an arranged marriage to help the town. Her marriage to her sick and useless husband is to ensure the greedy King gets what he wants from the town. Along the way Rhia finds that there is more to her husband and they find that working together to break down stereo typical thinking between classes that there is a better way for all.
Brittany’s writing makes the story flow easily and the adventure fun. There are characters that you will like and others not so much like the sourpuss Winnie.
If you love YA rom coms then you will love A Dowry of Snails and Mud.
Reviewed by @jennadb
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Dowry of Snails and Mud
By: Brittany Tucker
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. I picked it because the premise seemed promising, but then I never read anything quite like this – Historical Fiction with queens and kings and dowries. But I thought I would give it a chance.
I am so glad I did. Within the first few chapters I was hooked. I loved everything about this – the small village that is always under attack, the prince who is being punished by his father and set up to fail. A girl who wants all her problems to go away but she has been promised for marriage. Add to that snails and a good sense of humor and this is definitely a must read. I did not want to put it down. I definitely hope that there is going to be a sequel to this because I truly grew attached to the characters. I truly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun read!
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a sucker for a good young adult romance and historical romances and this one combines the best of both worlds! I have not read any books by this author before and was very happy with the way the story was written. I felt as though I was on the journey with the characters and not just reading words off of a page. I found myself not wanting to work but I was wanting to read and see what was going to happen next! I cannot wait to read more books by this author and tell all of my friends that read as much as I do to read it as well!
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book turned out to be so much embittered than I was expecting. Historical romances I find hard to really fully connect with the characters because their journeys feel so far removed from me and yet this one I had no issues with at all. I thought the main character was so well written. It was easy to tmsee things from her perspective and really become invested in what was happening with her.
The story itself was well thought out and had such great detail to it. I really became absorbed in the storyline and enjoyed how the author had written it. This is my first unexpected read of the year and I am excited to discover more of her work.
Falling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a sweet book. It was enjoyable, sweet, and whimsical. Ginny Myer goes to her hometown in Buckeye Falls, Ohio. Her father is having surgery, so she is going home to take care of him. She tries to ignore her ex-husband, Max Sanchez, but she has forgotten how sweet and caring he is. She decides to help out with the community event, the Christmas Jubilee. When she and Max work together, they quickly realize that they still have intense feelings for each other. Can they overcome the years apart? Find out in this cute and enjoyable story!
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book so much!! Everything about it appealed to me from the inner dialogue to the quirky sayings to the overall story. One time she said fart in a jam jar, and I laughed so hard at that! Rhiannon Caddell or Rhia as she is known is the main character. She is to marry the crown prince of Wales, Emerys. She is quite determined to not like him and to make his life miserable – not unreasonable when you are forced to marry someone. She discovers that maybe he isn’t too bad overall. He might even be able to help her land and people with the money they owe and with the wild men who attack them. I loved every second of this book and highly recommend it!
The Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Husbands is an exciting and unconventional romance. I have enjoyed other books by the author – predominantly fantasy – so it was interesting to read her work in a different genre.
I particularly enjoyed that it’s very much a bisexual romance. Dorian and Augustine falling for each other doesn’t negate their feelings for their wives. I also enjoyed how much the story is driven by Magnolia and Aubrielle’s friendship!
Dorian and Augustine’s complicated history, as well as the secrets they are keeping from each other, add layers of interest to the story. Can they find a way to make things work, or would they have been better off never seeing each other again as they’d originally planned?
This is a great read, it gets five stars from me! If you’ve enjoyed other books by this author do give it a try – I enjoy the diverse queer relationships in her books and this story gives you that! And I’d recommend it to fans of LGBT+ romance.
Married Blind by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an enjoyable and entertaining contemporary romance novel, which kept me captivated from page one. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone story. The marriage-of-convenience Hollywood romance theme intrigued me from the start and the storyline had me hooked. Both Abi and Finn enter the reality TV show, ‘Married Blind’, for very different reasons, but they both agree that the first time they meet they will get married, and stay married for three months. For Abi it means taking a break from her regularly scheduled life in which she’s working three jobs, and in which she has no time or the opportunity to meet ‘Mr Right’.
Meanwhile Finn’s reason is simple as his agent signs him up in order to rehab his image and salvage his career after his latest sexcapade. For Finn the role of a 24-hour loving husband on a reality TV show will be the hardest part he has to play. Abi definitely did not expect a reality TV husband to be ‘The One’, and Finn never thought that he would have the perfect woman chosen for him. But the problem with reality TV is that it’s difficult to know, what is for the show and what is for real. I loved Abi and Finn as they are both likeable and relatable in their own ways. Their chemistry really comes across in the narrative, and I was cheering them on hoping they would both get their HEA.
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker. This is the story of 16 year old Rhia Caddell who is tired of her life in the village where she is expected to marry someone her father has arranged for her to marry. Forced into a marriage with a Prince she does not like him nor her so of course the marriage is off to a rocky start. If she doesn’t stay married it could destroy her village. Rhia is very outspoken and wants things done her way and that is not how things are done in her village. When her husband is kidnapped by a group of men called the Wildmen she has to use every bit of that back talking, strong independent ways she has to save him. The village is on the verge of going to the Wildmen and being lost forever along with her husband who she realizes now that he is in danger, she loves! Will Rhia be able to save the man she loves and her village? Read this amazing historical romance to find out!
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a story about a peasant girl who is fiesty, has her own mind and bows down to no one. She is forced into a marriage with a Prince in the hopes of saving her village. Needless to say the marriage isn’t a happy one and things go wrong. They are losing the village and now the Prince has been kidnapped by a tribe called the Wildmen sworn enemies of the people of Lians. Now the Princess has to use everything ounce of courage and strength inside her, that the royals don’t like such as her not backing down from a fight or her sharp tongue to try and rescue the Prince which she now realises she does actually love and save her village.
Can she save the Prince in time? Will her village be saved or destroyed? And how will the snail’s Rhiannon despises become something she truly adores?
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an enjoyable and entertaining YA historical romance which kept me happily turning the pages. Set in Wales, and sixteen year old Rhia Caddell lives in a small village, with her father who is the Mayor, and she works the land as a farmer. With the village in debt to the king, Rhia’s father agrees to an arranged marriage between her and the Prince of Wales. However, Rhia is not impressed by the “oh-so-dainty Prince of Wales”, after all, “what good is a man who can’t out-lift her or bring a belligerent steer to the ground.” Rhia sets out to either whoo or intimidate, whichever works best, her new husband in order to get him to erase the village’s debt. Unfortunately, the Prince has been told to sway his wife into giving over the gold in order to earn his father’s approval. For Rhia, the outcome is either to lose the only life and home she’s ever known to the king, or give up the fragile prince who she’s tried hard not to fall in love with, but she has. I loved the likeable and relatable characters in this romantic comedy, and especially liked the dynamic between the Prince and Rhia. The storyline flowed well and the plot had plenty going on in it to keep me hooked. The descriptive narrative and added historical details made the characters and the setting come to life, making me feel immersed in the story.
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just love how these characters are total opposite and not in the way we’re used to in a genre like this. The female isn’t your normal damsel in distress as she knows the lay of the land, literally. The fact that it’s not your normal “fairy tale” makes this an interesting story to keep up with. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s the best story I’ve read in a minute as it kept you guessing but in unexpected ways.
A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my goodness! This is one of the cutest young adult stories I’ve read. Rhiannon is forced into marriage with the Crown Prince of Wales. Emerys is everything she doesn’t like. The adventure starts right from the beginning. She and her brother are collecting snails for soup. You’ll have to read to find out why. Between having to save her land, battle the Wild Men, stand up to the King and face Catrin, Rhi has her hands full…..and she might even have to admit she loves the king. The story has humor, drama, family issues, snails, mud, and romance. The characters are quirky. I love how the author teaches about caring for others under all that fun story. Rhi grows up in this story. She’s strong and grows even more. I really enjoyed the story and will be sharing it with a few others that enjoy these stories.
~ ~ ~ ~ COMING SOON ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.
Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious, cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange, suffering man. Then the master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire racing through her body.
When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.
☆‿☆ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ☆‿☆
16-year-old, Rhia Caddell, doesn’t know what’s worse—arranged marriages or high finance.
Now she’s stuck with both when her desperate father agrees to marry her to the oh-so-dainty Prince of Wales in an attempt at royal tax negotiations. As a farmer, Rhia prefers toiling in the earth over romance. Life in a fiefdom requires muscle, and what good is a man who can’t outlift her or bring a belligerent steer to the ground?
But now, the pressure has fallen onto her to whoo (or intimidate) her new, royal husband into erasing her village’s debt before the king’s final deadline comes due. Problem is, the prince has been given the same task—to sway his new wife, the mayor’s daughter, into forking over the gold and finally earning his father’s approval.
For Rhia, losing their new, delicate game would mean turning over the only life and home she’s ever known to the king. Winning, though, could mean giving up the fragile prince she’s tried so hard, and failed, not to love.
Click here to view the Book Trailer for A Dowry of Snails and Mud by Brittany Tucker
Brittany Tucker lives on an island off the coast of Washington state with her husband, daughter, a menagerie of fur-children, and her imagination. She prefers generic cereal, collects tattoos and action figures, and was in the top 5% on the planet for ship’s sunk in Assassin’s Creed III.
Brittany also likes to write books from time to time.
The Taste of Light by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“The Taste of Light” is intense, yet beautiful which is exactly what I expected having already read “The True Purpose of Vines.” The villain from book 1 is the main character in book 2, an interesting twist.
The depth of the characters is remarkable. Pedro, Count of Almoster, is dark and broody, yet we see just enough light in him to root for his deliverance. Nothing in Pedro’s life has been easy, but he is so much more that what has happened to him. Anne is more than the young and naïve girl initially presented. She is resilient, resourceful, and the angel Pedro needs. Their story is a beautiful and passionate despite Pedro’s rocky past with Anne’s brother and sister-in-law.
The world-building in “The Taste of Light” was phenomenal and beautifully done. The descriptions are perfect and create a brilliant picture for the reader. The final scene with Ulrich seemed more like a movie than a book due to the descriptions, bringing the scene to life. Intense is an understatement. “The Taste of Light” is an extraordinarily stunning story of deliverance for the dark Count of Almoster.
The Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First, I must say I love this author! Everything I’ve read from them I’ve enjoyed. Although this wasn’t the usual genre that they write, I decided to give it a read just because of who wrote it. I was not disappointed.
The book starts off 3 years in the past. Dorian is in Hawaii for a job. When the job goes wrong, he ends up accidentally hurting Augustine. Feeling guilty, he keeps close by to make sure Augustine is fine. As time goes on, they start to develop feelings. Both men are happily married to their wives and realize that they should go their separate ways before a line is crossed.
Three years later, Augustine and his wife moved to a new town. Little did they know that Dorian also lived in this town. Augustine and Dorian’s wives meet and become fast friends causing the two men to enter back into each other’s lives.
As much as they try to avoid each other, old feelings start to creep back in. The men try to be friends for the sake of their wives.
This was a cute little romance book with a HEA. Even though it is a short read, it is still so emotionally detailed that it sucks you right in. Totally recommend reading this and anything else this author wrote.
My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was an ok read for me. I had a really difficult time connecting with it because the relationships in the story made me anxious. I also had a difficult time connecting to the plot because of how I felt about the characters. I would read others by the author because I did enjoy the writing style. For me, the three stars was just about how I personally connected with it.