Lightning reviews: the good, the bad, & the DNF

Just because I haven't been reviewing a lot lately doesn't mean I haven't been reading. In fact, I've read some great stuff lately. And I've read some not so great stuff. Here's a breakdown and some super quick reviews:

Loss Recovery by Jemma Westbrook

My review: This is an instalove bodyguard romance. I used to have super strong hate-like feelings for instalove, but when it's done well, I've learned to live with it. This one was done...OK. The story is about a security specialist who hooked up with a woman two years ago, didn't give her his real name because his life is so dangerous and complicated (as is the typical life of an ex military romance novel hero), then left her right afterwards. He never forgot her, because all these alpha males apparently need in order to know they've found the love of their life is to bang her, and he's been a grumpy a-hole ever since. Come to find out the woman he's just been assigned to protect from her ex is...you guessed it. The woman from two years ago. AND, shock of shocks, while he was off being a grumpy bastard, she had his secret baby. It's like trope bingo. Overall, the writing is decent. The plot is thin and the romance is thinner (since they both kind of take one look at each other again after two years and decided they're ass-over-elbow in love and it's the 4-eva kind)--but it's not terrible. I give it a 3 out of 5 for easy reading. Spice level: mid. Maybe 3 chili peppers.   

Killer Instincts by Tawna Fenske

My review: This isn't something I usually say about romance novels featuring heroes who are trained assassins, but...this was super cute!! The romance between Dante and Jen was beyond adorable. There's nothing I love more than seeing a big, bad, tough guy hero falling hard and fast for a smart, capable heroine. This one delivered that in spades. And the banter was awesome. I especially loved how Dante would go absolutely feral when anyone abused animals. Made me go, "Aw, what a big sweetie!" I give this one a solid 5 out of 5. Highly worth a read. Spice level 3 chili peppers. Side note: this reminded me of the Jennifer Crusie/Bob Mayer classic, Agnes and the Hitman. (Another highly recommended read) 

Perfect Stranger by AM Hargrove 

My review: I'll be honest. I didn't make it very far with this one. In the first chapter, the hero, Miller, uses the word great something like twenty times. I considered making a drinking game of it and taking a shot every time he said it. But I would've died of alcohol poisoning before I made it to chapter 2, so I thought better of that idea. I pushed through a few more chapters, though, and found that while Miller was a great (see what I did there?) guy, I didn't really care for Mariah. She just didn't feel authentic in her reactions and dialogue for some reason. But, like I said, I didn't make it that far in the story before I nope'd out, so if the book got amazing after the halfway point, I would've missed it. *shrugs*  

Charming My Broody Billionaire Boss by Jolie Day

My review: This one is a record holder, folks. I DNF'd after the first paragraph. In that paragraph, the hero, Damon, calls a service worker "doll" and asks her to "hurry up" because he doesn't have all day. I didn't think he could recover from that, so I quit reading. If the book got great after that, I missed it. But I regret nothing. Treat service workers right, men. (Hint: calling them "doll" and telling them to hurry up because you're a big, busy, important guy is NOT treating them right.) 

Reaping Angels by Laura Thalassa

My review: This one was a lot of fun! Super heroine falls for super villain. He kidnaps her (after he's been sent by his boss to kill her) once he realizes that she's the only person he can touch without killing for some reason. It's fun, it's sexy, and there are plenty of laughs that are supplied by Angel's team of other super heroes. Highly recommend. 5 out of 5 stars. Spice level: 3.5ish. 

But what about you? Read anything great (or awful) lately? Let's discuss in the comments!