In an absent dream by Seanan McGuire

Kindle Edition, 187 pages

Published January 8th 2019 by Tor.com

Series: Wayward Children #4

Portal fantasy

Own

I think this was my least favorite so far. It was good, but not as great as the other ones. I feel it was because I felt like I was missing the best parts.

She went to the goblin market

She came back

We never hear of the interesting things that happened. The ones that wounded her so deeply that she went home again.

She goes back

And home again

Again we are missing the interesting bits

And her best friend was toxic and the goblin market totally effed with Lundy. She did so much and then she got effed like that? Well fu back goblin market.

Still good, but yes the darkest and depressing one

This fourth entry and prequel tells the story of Lundy, a very serious young girl who would rather study and dream than become a respectable housewife and live up to the expectations of the world around her. As well she should.

When she finds a doorway to a world founded on logic and reason, riddles and lies, she thinks she's found her paradise. Alas, everything costs at the goblin market, and when her time there is drawing to a close, she makes the kind of bargain that never plays out well.

Audio: Tempt me at twilight by Lisa Kleypas

By: Lisa Kleypas

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Series: Hathaways, Book 3

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 06-23-20

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical romance

To review

I forgot to write my review when it was fresh in my mind! How?

Poppy is nice sweet and wants to marry a good man, have a nice house and kids. A nice respectable and quiet life. Because her family is rather messy and scandalous.

Harry is, well kind of an asshole, nah, a bit of a sociopath, hmm, yes maybe. He is ruthless, but he does show kindness. He is powerful, but does think about others. He will do anything to get what he wants, yes that is true.

And he wants Poppy, so he does anything he can do get her. And well obvi he does it the wrong way. Oh I would hate him, but then the guy Poppy liked did not really make an effort. If you loved her you would have done anything!

Marriage of Must. They have to marry. And she learns to see there is more behind that ruthlessness, and so do we. And I really do like him, because he is kind, but that always borders on something else. He learns and I enjoyed the journey.

Great narrator that puts voices to these characters. A good range and I especially like the lazy rake voice of Poppy's brother. It fits him so well

It makes it a good book listening to 

Though she adores her quirky family, Poppy longs for a conventional life. But nothing, especially love, is ordinary when you’re a Hathaway....During a stay at the magnificent Rutledge Hotel in London, effervescent Poppy Hathaway captures the attention of Harry Rutledge himself. With his brilliant mind and ruthless nature, Harry does whatever it takes to get what he wants. Fascinated by Poppy’s sweetness and charm, he comes up with a devious plot to steal her from another man and marry her himself.

At first, Poppy is charmed by the handsome genius, who rescues her from scandal with an offer of marriage. But when she discovers how her new husband betrayed her, Poppy flees the marriage. Now it’s up to Harry to prove he can change his ways. Only by opening his heart, and loving Poppy with all the tenderness he’s capable of, will he convince her to give him another chance. And despite Poppy’s reluctance to forgive him, she realizes her shrewd, sexy husband may just turn out to be the man of her dreams.

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

July 14th: Does your reviewing style change depending on the book? (Courtesy of Roberta@ Offbeat YA)

I guess you all are the better judge of that. But I do feel that my review style is  mostly the same. It never changes. Though the really bad one maybe makes the style more noticeable ;)

I have fallen into this style, and can't change it

Carole's Monday: The Devil's Own by Liana LeFey

Author: Liana LeFey 

Title: The Devil's Own

(The Wicked Waywards #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 400 

Expected publication: October 19th 2020

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley) 

Summary:

All hell breaks loose, when the devil falls in love with an angel.

Lord Devlin Wayward, gambler and dedicated rake, returns home for the first time in years, and lands himself and his identical twin, Daniel, the good reverend, in deep trouble. Devlin ends up with a broken leg and unable to travel to London, yet he must return. He’s got an important deal that will make or break his fortune. He persuades the reluctant reverend to take his place in London while he temporarily minds his brother’s flock.

Miss Mary Tomblin is taken with the devastatingly handsome reverend. He represents everything she desires in a husband, after narrowly evading a ruthless rake last Season. Mary knows she'll make him an excellent wife, but the vicar rebuffs every advance – until he suddenly accepts her help with pastoral duties while his broken leg heals. Mary seizes the chance to show the good reverend what an excellent helpmeet she will be.

The devil takes on the role of village vicar and discovers it's nowhere near as easy as he imagined—especially when he falls in love with an angel who mistakes him for a saint.

Review:

After seeing that cover I could not deny this book! It is so pretty! Plus I was intrigued how this story was going to play out. 

We have Miss Mary Tomblin who is taken with the handsome reverend. He represents everything she wants in a husband especially after evading a ruthless rake in the last Season. But this reverend has evaded and rebuffed all her advances. We then have the dedicated rake and gambler, Lord Devlin Wayward, who is the twin brother of the reverend. He returns home for the first time in years and lands himself and his twin in some trouble when Devlin ends up with a broken leg. In order to not losing an important trade deal in London, he forces his twin to trade places. Devlin agrees to mind the flock and let down Mary easily. Well...things do not go to plan. 

Oh you dang idiot Devlin!!!!!! UGH. I wanted to smack him around. He had a million and two chances to tell Mary the truth and find away around this stupid plan he and Daniel created. Idiots. Big ol' idiots. Daniel is equally to blame!

And you Mary....sighs. You are an innocent, yes, but leave the poor reverend alone. I get you like him and wanna get married ASAP, but my lord. And that scene at the Devlin/Daniel's place. C'mon lady. 

We have two idiots doing idiot things and no wonder we got such a tangled mess. BUUUUUT it was fun to try and see them untangle this with as little damage done. It was certainly a mess. Where is my popcorn to watch them figure everything out??? I was worried. YES. I was worried, but I could NOT stop reading the last 25% of the book especially when a big ol' twist was tossed in. I totally should've expected it, but by dang...it got me. Kuddos to the author there!!

Okay - so my one BIG issue was the HUGE lull in the middle. Honestly it could've been cut a little bit and we could've had more time with Devlin and Mary in their bliss. NOO spoilers folks...this is a HR after all ;) You know they figure it out and find love. But yes...I really was yawning for a couple of chapters there. 

OOO and I also am meh about Devlin...maybe seeing more of him and Mary in their bliss would've changed my mind completely. Yes, he does redeem himself, but still. MEH. 

Overall, this was certainly a ride with a lot of twists and turns and knots to untangle. Sure, there was a big lull in the middle, but the crazy ride made up for it. I wanted more time with them being in love, but I enjoyed what I did get to see. I am curious about book 2 someday. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #6 on THE BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE challenge