There is a thing about the first passage don't you think?
Sometimes the attraction starts with first few sentences. You get quite intrigued. This actually showcases the writer's ability to start at least. Some books have very simple, but very intriguing beginnings that will make you want to inquire about - what is going to happen next?
My TBR; is already extensive I think and it might look intimidating. But what to choose? As a person who reads mainly according to their mood I am not a good judge of those things. I just find that there is no need to really stress it out, read what you want, never follow trends, explore on your own it's fun.
So this is why I was in the mood to open a lot of potential reads and check out just first few passages to see, will there be magic?
Here is the list of books I opened:
A skeleton in every house by Isabella Duke
Catriona Winters. Book 1
I already mentioned this book previously. I read up to 12%. And I'll be honest, I'm not completely sold on it, but actually A Whisper of Death that I reviewed earlier also had a rough slow start. Here it feels a bit the same. Catriona is a lady actually, her father own a publishing house/newspaper. She aspires to have her own investigation during the time when a body is found at the docks.
The detective who is following the case is called Thomas Marlowe, but he is pretty tight-lipped not to let the "press" in the face of Catriona know more details she ought to know.
I'll see how it goes, I want to give it justice, it's not bad at all.
Also Marlowe is not her first interest (if she will ever develop one in him), because she is attracted to a man and it might be another plotline along the investigation.
Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Assistant to teh Villain. Book 3
It recently came out and I'm onto it, because as I mentioned when I reviewed book 1 and 2 that I want to get to the center of it all.
I liked Book 1, I let a lot of things slide when it came to the first in the series, but I was not tender with a second one and ripped it to shreads, at least in my imagination, because it was too much of pining, too little of the world or the plot, everything felt weird, underwater cell scene still haunts me till this day. And their dumb relationship development. And the fact that the storyline and main event that could have happened in few chapters actually takes so long and we see it at the very end of the book. But I do want to find out what happens next. Even if it's my pile of trash I need the answers.
A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING by Deanna Raybourn
Veronica Speedwell. Book 2
I did not like the first book and thought it was kinda not great. Veronica felt hypocritical in her pursuits of female freedom, while she herself did not risk her reputation as well. In a way she felt insuffarable in her actions and thoughts. But this series has so many books and so much positive feedback I want to give it aother chance, maybe it will become my next guilty pleasure of hate-reading it.
I want to give it a try also because the "mystery" of the first book was not it, it was more about the origins of Victoria which kinda dragged on and the result was brought by a coincidence imo, but if they plan to be actually investigating cases from now on, it might become more exciting. Especially the task mentioned in the summary to this novel - save a man who is accused of murder.
Even if I read the first few pages and Veronica is still insufferable lol.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
Regency Faerie Tales. Book 1
I want to read one of the books by Olivia Atwater is because she and her husband (if I'm not wrong) helped Jacquelyn Beson with her Raiders of the Arcana series that I fell deeply in love with and will not stop recommending. So when a person likes and mention another person with such warmth, I want to read their books, also I saw this series mentioned so many times on Booktube.
This is a story of a girl, well, with half a soul. Just like the title. It also has a magical element to it and those who read it all rave about it.
And the first few lines inspired to follow through.
The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson
The Charismatics. Book 1
Speaking of Jacquelyn Benson. While waiting for the 3rd book in Raiders of the Arcana series I want to try out her previous series called The Charismatics. Because it is her and I have so much faith in her already ahaha.
It's a story about a girl named Lily, who has visions and wishes to stop the killer. For that she must confide to someone she does not wish to and let them give a helping hand in catching the culprit.
It also has a paranormal aspect to it which is present in Raiders as well.
Murder at the Mayfair Hotel by C.J. Archer
Cleopatra Fox. Book 1
Another detective girl. Cleopatra has to move into a hotel owned by estranged uncle after the death of her grandmother. Basically alone she has to depend on others now and has no idea what to expect from the future. Then there a murder happens (by poison).
Cleo, I suppose, wishes to find the murderer before things get really dreadful, because it also affected the hotel's reputation where it all happened. Cleo does not trust anyone and wants to get to the truth.
I've read the first chapter or so and it felt quite interesting.
The Wedding Bargain by Victoria Alexander
Effingtons. Book 1
It is a re-read for me. I've read this book a long time ago and read few books and I remember I liked them, they were quite fun. But still time passed and I can't recall it or where I stopped lol. I can only recall the good feelings.
I love when the series is about a family and is inter-connected. And Effingtons is an extensive series just right for the task. It had some interesting an non-typical FMCs.
The first book talks about a Pandora Effington and her "bargain" or offer to Maximillian Wells. I remember the plotline was light-hearted, a bit silly, but fun. As if - you wanna get me? Try to impress me hottie~.
Released in 1999, before trends of what is popular nowadays kicked in. It's all about the society, balls, romance and burning passions.
Because I love that period of writing I want to read it.
The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
Montgomery /Taggert. Book 1 (by publication order)
Talking about books from older ones. Another "oldie" is this book which is also the first in the series about Montgomery/Taggert series. I wonder if it was in this one where it is mentioned - this book is written in British English lol. Just IMAGINE someone reads a book and later sends a letter - you have some serious editing to do, I saw so many typoes. And they have to make sure.
I also read the intro of this one. But the summary says it's a stormy romance and marriage first, but later the characters go through trials of time and lies of others.
FMC is called Lyonene but MMC nickname is Black Lion, so yeah very 1980 ahaha
But I want to read some of older books for this purpose - to get a different taste of HR.
A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina
Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 1
The beginning. She thinks about how a man she dislikes would look like if she threw some of the meals served at the dinner would look on this man's head. And it was described with quite a wit that I was sold in a second.
It's another Murder Mystery set in historical setting.
Quote: "Nothing ruins a lovely house party like bloody murder."
She stumbles upon a body during a party and well, becomes a suspect? Intrigued. Especially when the guy she wants to throw food at is MMC.
Shadow at the Morgue by Cara Devlin
Spencer & Reid. Book 1
Another Murder Mystery but with couples. Although cover looks not good.
Honestly, in first few passages she works on a body in a morgue and a guy rushes in with a knife and threatens her to give him a bag that belonged t the person, but she continues to do her work nonchallant lol. This kinda impressed me.
Also because I fell for Dr Julia Lewis, another lady connected to similar profession was most welcomed.
A Whisper at Midnight by Darcy Burke
Raven & Wren. Book 2
I do want to continue with these two. Although the first book was an okay one, but the last phrase in the book 1 was a catchy one. I didn't mention it in the review.. well, it's kinda a spoiler but the official summary will say it all - Tilda is called to investigate a divorce case of a woman who dumped Ravenhurst. I did not read the summary for this book, I only know that one phrase and this is the point where the novel starts from. So we continue~!
Nine Rules to break when romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Love by Numbers. Book 1
I've seen MacLean in recommended a lot, so I decided to try it out. Good old cheap-looking Avon covers from 2010 ahaha But I'm not sure if I ever read her books or not, this is why I treat it as a first-time experience.
And a story about a girl who wants to break rules after following them for so long and (getting humiliated in first few sentences, according to her))) what brought her nothing good. And for that she finds herself a rakish partner. The book really starts from above-mentioned 9 rules, which are close to what a man would do. And what women are not supposed to do.
A wicked husband 악인 남편 by 사하
I actually easily read like first 60 chapters of this one.
FMC has a deep psychological trauma, but she is still quite good-natured. You really need to read more to get her motivation, otherwise she will feel kinda weak.
MMC is a reborn person, from his verbal outbursts we can deduce what exactly happened in the past life, which was quite horrid. Not the best way to deliver to the reader how things turned out in the past, but this is how we have it, also almost everyone repeated the same thing over and over how he changed. He is quite possessive now, obviously, and wants to protect FMC at all costs, but he also doesn't want her continue living in a glass castle and be the same, this is why he allows, almost encourages something to happen to her.
The story has flaws, but so far it's an easy read. But mainly concerns their relationship and several incidents that from MMC's pov will help FMC grow.
I won't be abandoned twice by 세리안
Pretty cover, but I easily DNF'd it after first chapters. It's the type of story that screams - I will be bad - from the get-go.
FMC was led by her nose almost, we have another character, a hysterical Empress who ruined her sister (FMC), who acts like not the smartest person.
I just can't with FMC like these.
When her husband returns she asked like three times the same thing. Not to mentioned she acted weirdly before. You don't go around telling people you have something going on.
But I decided to mention it anyway, because my instinct screamed "bad" with flashing red alarms.
I Won’t Pick Up The Trash I Threw Away Again 버린 쓰레기는 다시 줍지 않는다 by 배고픈
This feels like the thing I would hate to read, but might enjoy. And it also has a word 'trash' in title, my inner raccoon is here. Plus tags like drama and revenge~ but the synopsis starts from FMC fiance taking back a woman and a child back. And I instantly can smell it.
Sigh, what are they doing, these gorgeous covers are killing me.
The downside it hasen't been translated for a long time, I'll look out for spoilers if I decided to start it.
The Tyrant’s Aide Wants To Resign 폭군의 보좌관은 퇴사가 하고 싶다 by 김미카
I wanted to try it out because it seems like a traversin girl who became an aide, which sounds very much like a modern secretary type of story that gets fed up with her boss. I tried seevral stories with similar premises and I want to see a Korean take on it with their beloved European ambience.
Also I do not include any fancy summaries here, because official ones are shite anyway and they leave me with absolutely nothing.
When the Bitter Wind Blows 삭풍이 불어오면 by 우유양
Well, this had an interesting premise, FMC was falsely accused and sent to the northern regions where a lot of rumors originated, but she might find a far better place for herself and even love.
This is surprisingly shorter than anyone else.
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