Not just another romance series!
595261
I cannot say enough about this series and this author. If you want a romance series that has emotional depth and romance this is definitely for you! Each book has a different story line than the one before it. You will be on the edge of your seat the whole series!! Scott Hildreth please keep writing!!!
104590
This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I could not put this book down! I was totally invested in the story from the first page! This is the second book by Morgan Rhodes that I have had the pleasure of reading. The one thing that I can say about her writing is that she can keep the reader's attention and keep the reader wanting more.

The absolute best thing about this series is the elaborate plot. The plot really runs deep in this series. There are many characters at play and they all have their own agendas. There is conflict, intrigue, secrets, and so much drama! It is literally the best! I am itching to start on the third book in the series as I am typing this review. The story is that damn good. For real.

The characters are incredible. There are quite a few of them to keep track of, but the writing is so fluid that you don't have a hard time of it. You definitely get a feel for each of the characters right off the bat, and it helps differentiate them all quite easily. And the more characters there are, the more relationships occur throughout the book. This makes for a very exciting read since you never know who is hiding secrets, who is allied with whom, which characters are going to fall in love or lust, and the list could go on. There is just so much intrigue regarding the characters. There are so many options for so many different outcomes. It is so tantalizing! The characters themselves are very relatable and written beautifully. I have grown quite attached to them all already, and when an author can form those bonds with the reader it is really something special.

The world building is still wonderful. It is very atmospheric. I can feel myself in the terrain experiencing things right along with the characters. It was really well done in the first book, and the second is no different.

I loved the small LGBT+ representation and I hope that it expands in the next book!

The only thing that I would change about the book would be the inclusion of more romance. So far the relationships are building so there isn't much romance to be had. I am not a fiend by any means, but I like to spice things up with some romance (or lust) once in a while. It feels few and far between in this book, as it did with the first book. I do have to add that the small amount of romance does not make me dislike the book AT ALL. M five star rating still holds firm, even without more romance. The book is that good!

Overall, this series really is something special. I am so eager to finish this series. These characters have become so special to me over a mere handful of hours of reading. If you are a fan of young adult epic fantasy, then this series was made for you. Go get it. Read it. Love it. And when you're done come back here so we can fangirl (or fanboy) together!
632747
Very enjoyable book, especially for those who like romance!
846756
I absolutely love the series and the worldview it presents. The different cultures and their impact on human history is so real. I can see the brainwashing and oppression happening in different parts of the world. The love story is not typical to romance novels today and it develops at a believable pace with the hesitancy and insecurity we all felt at one time when falling in love. This was a rare find  among the all the other silly romances.
4651012
I loved this book! It doesn't fit in the paranormal genre and it's more than a historical romance. I applaud the author for setting this book in rural Upstate New York in a time period that is often overlooked. The risk paid off. Our heroine, Maddie Sutton, is one of the popular "mean" girls and due to an unexplained tragedy, she changes and grows to focus on others and not herself. She is now a pariah in a small town but she can't abandon her sickly grandfather. Along comes Dr. (McDreamy) Jace Merrick who doesn't believe in faith. He's all about science and research and escaping the trauma of big city medical care to start over in a small town. These two cannot be more perfect and more wrong for each other. The author weaves a wonderful tale of romance and small town living. Her thoughtful take on people's reactions to what they understand doesn't hit the reader over the head and makes perfect sense for this story. I can't wait to read the second in her Sole Survivor series!
160705
I mistakenly thought this book was in the Romance genre. I don't care for most romance books or stories, but I sometimes read them if the protagonist is an older woman, like me. In spite of the title, this is not romance. I consider these stories literary fiction, and well-written. I love that the protagonist in each of these surprising six stories is an older female. The tales are filled with insights, not only about aging, but about the human condition. I look forward to reading more work by Sue Katz. At my request, I received a free copy of this book.
978519
This is such an amazing deal! I have read each one of these novels and look forward to the ones coming. If you like romance and falling in love with not only the characters but their stories, then this is a great series for you to read. Each book takes you on a journey and has different twists and turns, ups and downs. I love these characters and you will too! They are one sitting reads for me because I can't stop once I start them!
Highly recommended!!
2449562
Not your average romance!  The characters are relatable and interesting because they are real and flawed. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and look forward to the third installment of this series. Keep it up, KT Stryker!
4394701
Valentine has a wonderful series here filled with love, lust, romance, and suspense. There is some drama with the characters that makes for an interesting plot! There is a lot going on in each story and each romance had something special. I would definitely recommend to unwind at the end of the day.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
2283615
Sweet and romantic, suspenseful and funny! All of the components for a fun read, for everyone.  The characters are getting stronger as the series expands. Well done!
4258544
I enjoyed this series.  The characters are different from your typical romance novel. They are flawed and have less than pristine pasts.  Another reviewer did not like some of the liberties taken with the medical training for one character,  and had an issue with the way legal matters in the story were handled.  I say, who cares, I read fiction to be entertained, and I was.  If I need medical or legal help, I'll consult professionals in the real world, not get my information from a work of fiction.  I found the series to be a very enjoyable read
3881096
This series continues to impress me. These books are not your sappy supernatural love stories. These books are more focused on family ties and the folklore of the area. I think that's what I am loving about this series. I get to feel like I am getting to know an entire town and not just a couple in love.
1907664
I am so happy that I found this series.  JS Taylor is an extremely talented author who has found a wonderful combination of non-sappy romance, humor, friendship and heat.  As a five book a week romance junkie, I can attest that this combination is extremely difficult to find.  Many novels have characters that are at times very difficult to like.  This series is full of well developed characters that are easy to love and root for.  I am anxiously awaiting the last two books of the series.
2249542
This novel was rich with emotional meaning and philosophy, yet still had an exciting story line that carried me to the end.

I'd caution romance-oriented readers that, while there is romantic tension in these books, they are not primarily romances.  If you're trying to read these as a member of team Nightshade or team Severn, well, this just isn't the Twilight series. At all.

If, however, you're looking for fantasy/mystery/adventure novels with humor, great world-building, and likeable characters who grow over the course of the series, go ahead and click that "buy" button.
693139
Loved this, even more than the 1st of this series!  A great read!
1574561
I did not even know that this book was a part of a series until I started writing this review.  Hope Ramsay did an outstanding job of giving enough of the background as the story progressed that I never would have guessed that I had missed the first 5 books in this series.  That is a quality that not many authors have and I am thrilled that I have previous books to go and explore now.

On to the story!  The characters in this story are developed and unique.  Molly our lead character is by far my favorite.  I love that she is a strong woman standing up and doing what she wants in what is considered to be a man's world!  She likes cars and restoration and she isn't going to apologize for it.  One quickly realizes that there is more to Molly than meets the eye.  While she talks good talk about not wanting a relationship, there is something deep down that gives you a different indication.  Simon well to be honest irritated me for much of teh  story.  I am not sure what it was about him that just left me frustrated.  Buck up!  So what if you though you wanted one thing in life and it is turning out differently!  That being said, he grew on me as the story progressed.  Once he started owning his life, I came to like him.  I also enjoyed all of the supporting character in the story.  Everyone from Simon's gay friend to Muffin the dog.  The supporting characters in this story were just as strong as the  main characters.  This is also something that I do not see consistently.

The plot line was strong exploring Molly and Simon and all their life hang ups.  What I really enjoyed about this story were all of the sub plot lines running at the same time.  They do a nice job of crossing over each other and the main plot line.  Molly's mother up and leaving town to see the world leaves Molly with all of the responsibility of  not only the household but the knitting shop.  There is Simon's father dying and the struggles with his mother.  Simon's art plays a large role as does Molly's Shelby and trying to save it when Simon's uncle takes control of Simon's father's Ford dealership.  And there are a few more lines running at the same time.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the character.  I will be going back and checking out the first 5 books in the series just to see what I have missed.
2471309
This trilogy includes the books 'Beckoning Light', 'Perilous Light' and 'Enduring Light' I read them back to back and I thought I'd write the review of them inclusive too.  I loved this series! It was so fresh and different that I really couldn't put them down.  The name of the main character is Charlotte, which of course, I LOVE.
I also like that this series focuses not only on the main character Charlotte but also her family.  The book has a great family dynamic; very structured and supportive.  In many books I read the coming of age story focuses on distancing the main character from the past/family in order to move forward.  In this book series, there isn't a pivot away from family and into the storyline because the family goes forward in support of the main character.  I liked that.  It shows that there isn't always a loss, or single event that defines the change into adulthood.  The family unit all matures, all goes forward and while they veer in different directions they remain tight and supportive.  It's a whole new take on the coming of age story and it's done beautifully!
There is some loss in the final book, there are always some events that define characters and those losses are essential to the story.  I would definitely recommend this book series to anyone interested in the Paranormal Romance genre.  Enjoy!!

Author Jill Ann Patterson, Charlotte's Struggle Series