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Townsend Harbor #1
Nevermore Bookstore
Cadence "Cady" Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer's order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man. Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as "Fox" last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person?
There's nothing Roman Fawkes wants more than the brilliant, beautiful bookstore owner, but he knows it can never happen. Secreted in his mountain hideaway above sleepy Townsend Harbor, his hermit's existence shields him—and those around him—from the pain of his past. Until one of their weekly calls is interrupted by a break-in, and Fawkes is powerless to protect the woman who has become his one link to the world. Orchestrating a trap for the fool who dared harm her, Fawkes finds himself not just ensnared, but beguiled by her. Now so close to Cady, he discovers she's fallen for "Fox", and yet he's unable to reveal her heart's desire is closer than she thinks. Can Fawkes resist the temptation to get between Cady's covers, knowing they'll never have a happily ever after?
Contains mature themes.
There's nothing Roman Fawkes wants more than the brilliant, beautiful bookstore owner, but he knows it can never happen. Secreted in his mountain hideaway above sleepy Townsend Harbor, his hermit's existence shields him—and those around him—from the pain of his past. Until one of their weekly calls is interrupted by a break-in, and Fawkes is powerless to protect the woman who has become his one link to the world. Orchestrating a trap for the fool who dared harm her, Fawkes finds himself not just ensnared, but beguiled by her. Now so close to Cady, he discovers she's fallen for "Fox", and yet he's unable to reveal her heart's desire is closer than she thinks. Can Fawkes resist the temptation to get between Cady's covers, knowing they'll never have a happily ever after?
Contains mature themes.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 28, 2023
1421 people are currently reading
7510 people want to read
About the author
Kerrigan Byrne
71 books5,026 followersIf you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,455 reviews
March 28, 2023
If I highlighted every made up word, unnecessary italicization, cringey turn of phrase, terribly structured sentence, hyperbolic nightmare of a paragraph, my kindle would be visible from outer space. This book was aggressively cliché. It’s the literary equivalent of “not like other girls.”
For some reason I expected a cozy sexy paranormal small town romance (hello cover!!). What I got was an ex-military man in a cave who liked to watch the heroine with binoculars and call her on the phone like he’s in Scream.
Did it make sense that there was a cave that close to her bookstore? No absolutely not. None of this godforsaken book made sense. Why was the phrase “get knotty” on the cover at all?? Neither character enjoyed being tied up! In fact Fox could get triggered by it! Books and bookstores were actually so irrelevant past like chapter 3. Yeah she owned a bookstore but none of those cozy vibes were present.
Fox was not the hero for me. We were hit over the head with the fact that he was a manly masculine man. He called her woman all the time. Or baby. Which actually makes sense because he described her like she was some innocent child. “Sweet, naïve Cady” to quote him directly after he totally invaded her privacy by going through all of her prescriptions. Plus her eyes were always filled with innocent and “adorable” wonder. Also why was “tummy” in this man’s vocabulary? He was fucking creepy.
Cady was a rather weak character and her forgiveness of the enemy at the end angered me. She was constantly making up words, using texting shorthand in conversations, and being hit-you-over-the-head-with-ten-thousand-bricks over the top quirky. She seemed so much younger than Fox and that doesn’t do it for me. When described from his POV, she simply didn’t seem real.
Overall, the sentences were paragraphs long, the writing was incredibly heavy handed, and the book tried so desperately to be relatable. This is genuinely the most random book I’ve ever read. I’ve never been more confused than when I was reading chapter two. Why does he reference Santa??? You can’t even blame me for thinking this was paranormal he totally read like a vampire.
The only well written part of this book was the representation of her chronic pain (ankylosing spondylitis) and his PTSD. While I can’t know for sure, those at least felt genuine.
⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25*/5
*he talked like an ancient vampire during sex
WTF Notes:
I’ll admit I paid less than full attention but I searched all words relating to safe sex and nothing came up. He came inside her with no contraception, no talk of condoms or sexual health or anything.
I also think she compared her pubes to Colin Kaepernick’s hair? What would possess someone to make this correlation??
Quote: Squirming uncomfortably, she covered her eyes. “How can you like it? It’s like I have Colin Kaepernick in a leg lock down there.”
*it = her pubic hair
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
For some reason I expected a cozy sexy paranormal small town romance (hello cover!!). What I got was an ex-military man in a cave who liked to watch the heroine with binoculars and call her on the phone like he’s in Scream.
Did it make sense that there was a cave that close to her bookstore? No absolutely not. None of this godforsaken book made sense. Why was the phrase “get knotty” on the cover at all?? Neither character enjoyed being tied up! In fact Fox could get triggered by it! Books and bookstores were actually so irrelevant past like chapter 3. Yeah she owned a bookstore but none of those cozy vibes were present.
Fox was not the hero for me. We were hit over the head with the fact that he was a manly masculine man. He called her woman all the time. Or baby. Which actually makes sense because he described her like she was some innocent child. “Sweet, naïve Cady” to quote him directly after he totally invaded her privacy by going through all of her prescriptions. Plus her eyes were always filled with innocent and “adorable” wonder. Also why was “tummy” in this man’s vocabulary? He was fucking creepy.
Cady was a rather weak character and her forgiveness of the enemy at the end angered me. She was constantly making up words, using texting shorthand in conversations, and being hit-you-over-the-head-with-ten-thousand-bricks over the top quirky. She seemed so much younger than Fox and that doesn’t do it for me. When described from his POV, she simply didn’t seem real.
Overall, the sentences were paragraphs long, the writing was incredibly heavy handed, and the book tried so desperately to be relatable. This is genuinely the most random book I’ve ever read. I’ve never been more confused than when I was reading chapter two. Why does he reference Santa??? You can’t even blame me for thinking this was paranormal he totally read like a vampire.
The only well written part of this book was the representation of her chronic pain (ankylosing spondylitis) and his PTSD. While I can’t know for sure, those at least felt genuine.
⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25*/5
*he talked like an ancient vampire during sex
WTF Notes:
I’ll admit I paid less than full attention but I searched all words relating to safe sex and nothing came up. He came inside her with no contraception, no talk of condoms or sexual health or anything.
I also think she compared her pubes to Colin Kaepernick’s hair? What would possess someone to make this correlation??
Quote: Squirming uncomfortably, she covered her eyes. “How can you like it? It’s like I have Colin Kaepernick in a leg lock down there.”
*it = her pubic hair
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
March 7, 2023
Nope. As soon as he got a boner by a fire and turned away to “avoid a wiener roast” I was done. I just can’t.
April 3, 2023
This Rom-Com isn’t as cozy as the cover suggests…so let’s get that out of the way.
This book kept me interested to where the story was going but I ended up scratching my head more than once. The writing is mostly decent (until the spicy scenes) and although the plot is thin, I didn’t really mind it. I did like the small mystery surrounding Cady’s bookstore, that was a fun little treat to the story. I wasn’t thrilled with the MMC being 12 years older than Cady and she’s barely drinking age. I did like the twist of him having PTSD and her having an autoimmune disease, that was the most authentic feeling thing of this whole story. This story did make me chuckle a few times too, but it was sparse.
If you like just reading about the day to day with not a lot of conflict, plus you like spice that has age disparity and course descriptors, you might like this. I was NOT prepared for the spicy talk-that made me ick a little to be honest. I thought maaaaybe I would read some romantic scenes and wasn’t sure how that would go since this is my first Rom-Com…I was absolutely not prepared for the very NOT romantic descriptions. Overall, this book was just ok for me.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book kept me interested to where the story was going but I ended up scratching my head more than once. The writing is mostly decent (until the spicy scenes) and although the plot is thin, I didn’t really mind it. I did like the small mystery surrounding Cady’s bookstore, that was a fun little treat to the story. I wasn’t thrilled with the MMC being 12 years older than Cady and she’s barely drinking age. I did like the twist of him having PTSD and her having an autoimmune disease, that was the most authentic feeling thing of this whole story. This story did make me chuckle a few times too, but it was sparse.
If you like just reading about the day to day with not a lot of conflict, plus you like spice that has age disparity and course descriptors, you might like this. I was NOT prepared for the spicy talk-that made me ick a little to be honest. I thought maaaaybe I would read some romantic scenes and wasn’t sure how that would go since this is my first Rom-Com…I was absolutely not prepared for the very NOT romantic descriptions. Overall, this book was just ok for me.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2024
Remarkable how more people aren't talking about how fucking racist that Colin Kaepernick line is.
(The line in question: )
(The line in question: )
Want to read
January 21, 2023Kerrigan Byrne is writing a contemporary romance omg
June 20, 2023
Second reaction: I had a great time reading this book but definitely check out some reviews before deciding. I felt like this book dealt really well with some physical and mental health. But there are some issues I address a little below and other reviewers address in more detail.
First reaction: This book was delightful and magical and all the things I love!
(Please note the final note at the end. This was pointed out to me after I posted my review which, as much as I loved this book makes me dock it from 5 stars to 4. Authors, get better about listening to your arc readers! We all have internalized racism but when you don't listen, you're making a choice to be racist).
We have two damaged main characters who have severe conditions. She has chronic pain and he has PTSD along with some other mental conditions. I absolutely love this book so incredibly much
It was not what I expected at all! This is more like a romantic suspense book. Contemporary romance. Small town romance.
Another reviewer is totally right in saying that this book has the "fun of a cozy mystery with a steam of a contemporary romance". https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I actually thought it was a vampire romance when I first started it. Don't ask me why! I really have no idea where that idea came from. How did I even find this book? I don't know! But I am so thankful it is not a vampire romance because I wasn't that excited about it. But I highly recommend this book. I cried, I laughed.
It's a bit heartbreaking for how much the guy pushes against having a relationship. But he has a lot of issues from being a prisoner of war. And being a soldier in general
I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense.
The relationships in this book felt real in a way that is not true for so many books. Like her best friend who sometimes tries to sweetly bully her into what the friend considers better health. Or her confusion over the guys she's dating. Now that I'm writing this, why does it feel real? Cause some of these situations are over the top. Hmm. I don't know.
The cover does not match the main character descriptions at all. He is a giant at 6'6" and wide. She is described as larger and fluffy.
I love this book and I will read it again in the future.
Safety deets.
- She is dating another man when she is getting to know and crushing on the hero. She does kiss the other man after meeting the hero. The hero told her there was no hope for them. So, as much as I hated her kissing the other guy, it was understandable that she wanted to see if the other guy could work
- They don't use birth control or even discuss it. It is definitely off because they are not together together for their first time or even their second. So, it really would've made sense for them to talk about birth control.
- The hero has been divorced in the past. And talks about his ex-wife a little bit. No other women.
- the hero is a bit stalkery and lurky. I think it didn't even register to me because I came into this book expecting it to be paranormal and that's typical of the genre.
- please note there is a mention of Colin Kaepernik that is extremely weird and likely racist (internalized at least tho since it wasn't corrected after hearing from readers, it should be considered externalized). This quote below is when they are having naked time. I'll admit I didn't pause to think about it when I read... but a friend asked about it and I agree now that I'm thinking that it is not okay. It's too bad the authors/publisher didn't listen to readers when they mentioned it during arc reads. 1. Curly hair is beautiful, not matter where it is on the body. 2. Black hair is beautiful and black head hair should not be compared to pubic hair. 3. No woman should feel ashamed of the natural hair on her body.
“Besides, I’m all, like…gross from last night, and unwashed, and also I didn’t think I’d be having sex at all, so I’m super not groomed, as you may have noticed. Allow me some dignity.”
“I’m not making a move,” he said in a sleepy voice he’d not heard in a million years from his own throat. Smooth. Relaxed. Sated. “I’m just petting you. I like it.”
Squirming uncomfortably, she covered her eyes. “How can you like it? It’s like I have Colin Kaepernick in a leg lock down there.”
First reaction: This book was delightful and magical and all the things I love!
(Please note the final note at the end. This was pointed out to me after I posted my review which, as much as I loved this book makes me dock it from 5 stars to 4. Authors, get better about listening to your arc readers! We all have internalized racism but when you don't listen, you're making a choice to be racist).
We have two damaged main characters who have severe conditions. She has chronic pain and he has PTSD along with some other mental conditions. I absolutely love this book so incredibly much
It was not what I expected at all! This is more like a romantic suspense book. Contemporary romance. Small town romance.
Another reviewer is totally right in saying that this book has the "fun of a cozy mystery with a steam of a contemporary romance". https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I actually thought it was a vampire romance when I first started it. Don't ask me why! I really have no idea where that idea came from. How did I even find this book? I don't know! But I am so thankful it is not a vampire romance because I wasn't that excited about it. But I highly recommend this book. I cried, I laughed.
It's a bit heartbreaking for how much the guy pushes against having a relationship. But he has a lot of issues from being a prisoner of war. And being a soldier in general
I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense.
The relationships in this book felt real in a way that is not true for so many books. Like her best friend who sometimes tries to sweetly bully her into what the friend considers better health. Or her confusion over the guys she's dating. Now that I'm writing this, why does it feel real? Cause some of these situations are over the top. Hmm. I don't know.
The cover does not match the main character descriptions at all. He is a giant at 6'6" and wide. She is described as larger and fluffy.
I love this book and I will read it again in the future.
Safety deets.
- She is dating another man when she is getting to know and crushing on the hero. She does kiss the other man after meeting the hero. The hero told her there was no hope for them. So, as much as I hated her kissing the other guy, it was understandable that she wanted to see if the other guy could work
- They don't use birth control or even discuss it. It is definitely off because they are not together together for their first time or even their second. So, it really would've made sense for them to talk about birth control.
- The hero has been divorced in the past. And talks about his ex-wife a little bit. No other women.
- the hero is a bit stalkery and lurky. I think it didn't even register to me because I came into this book expecting it to be paranormal and that's typical of the genre.
- please note there is a mention of Colin Kaepernik that is extremely weird and likely racist (internalized at least tho since it wasn't corrected after hearing from readers, it should be considered externalized). This quote below is when they are having naked time. I'll admit I didn't pause to think about it when I read... but a friend asked about it and I agree now that I'm thinking that it is not okay. It's too bad the authors/publisher didn't listen to readers when they mentioned it during arc reads. 1. Curly hair is beautiful, not matter where it is on the body. 2. Black hair is beautiful and black head hair should not be compared to pubic hair. 3. No woman should feel ashamed of the natural hair on her body.
“Besides, I’m all, like…gross from last night, and unwashed, and also I didn’t think I’d be having sex at all, so I’m super not groomed, as you may have noticed. Allow me some dignity.”
“I’m not making a move,” he said in a sleepy voice he’d not heard in a million years from his own throat. Smooth. Relaxed. Sated. “I’m just petting you. I like it.”
Squirming uncomfortably, she covered her eyes. “How can you like it? It’s like I have Colin Kaepernick in a leg lock down there.”
March 27, 2023
*This book will be published on the 28th of March 2023*
I would like to thank NetGalley, the authors and Oliver Heber Books for providing me with a free ARC of this book in return for my honest and personal opinions.
I was ecstatic when I received the notification that I was approved this ARC because the cover and book synopsis promised a cute and fluffy small town romance between a bookstore owner and a mysterious grump. The book isn't that far off but I was DEFINITELY not expecting the male lead to be like that.
The Plot
This book had SO MUCH to offer but the plot fell really flat to me, so much that it felt like a chore to read this book. To me, it was very evident that this book was written by two authors because the writing was differing drastically from one chapter to another. I don't want to sound ridiculous but at a point in this book, there simply was no plot and only lust between the two main characters. I feel like this book would have been so so so much better if the male leads "circumstances" were different because it truly could have been a cute small town, grumpy x sunshine romance. The book just seemed like the authors wanted the book to be different from other books but, to me, it just came out plain weird.
The Characters
Cady
Cady annoyed me SO MUCH in this book! She seemed to be one of those people who would bring herself down just to receive compliments from others 🙄 She was so freaking naïve and ignorant. She's 22 not 10 for god's sake. If we were all in a war, she'd be the one to give a hug to the missel. The more I read, the more she got on my nerves.
If I was her I would happily file a restraining order against the cave man. People like her are the reason why scammers are still in business.
Fox
This man is the literal meaning of pervert. If you search it up in the dictionary, you will find his name in bold I promise you. He seemed so manipulative to me for some reason. His living circumstances were the weirdest thing out of the entire book I promise you. It is not normal to live in the mountains, in a tent at that, and (especially) spy through someone's room, using binoculars.
The way I would have filed that restraining order in 5 seconds when I found out. I also can not get past the fact that he is one of those die hard survival in the wilderness type of people. There's nothing wrong with that but, throughout the entire book, this is what I was imagining him to be like Taylor Lautner sprinting in the woods meme. And whenever I see that meme, I cackle out loud💀 Every time he was describing her it was either her " curvy BUT round ass" Or her "jiggly boobs" and every single time, I wanted to run in the middle of the street to be saved by this eye sore.
---------------------------------------------------
In conclusion, I don't recommend this book. Again, it could have been so much better without the entire caveman vibes and mostly illegal things but it does definitely give off the grumpy x sunshine and small town tropes.
Anyways that's it lovelies xxxx
I would like to thank NetGalley, the authors and Oliver Heber Books for providing me with a free ARC of this book in return for my honest and personal opinions.
I was ecstatic when I received the notification that I was approved this ARC because the cover and book synopsis promised a cute and fluffy small town romance between a bookstore owner and a mysterious grump. The book isn't that far off but I was DEFINITELY not expecting the male lead to be like that.
The Plot
This book had SO MUCH to offer but the plot fell really flat to me, so much that it felt like a chore to read this book. To me, it was very evident that this book was written by two authors because the writing was differing drastically from one chapter to another. I don't want to sound ridiculous but at a point in this book, there simply was no plot and only lust between the two main characters. I feel like this book would have been so so so much better if the male leads "circumstances" were different because it truly could have been a cute small town, grumpy x sunshine romance. The book just seemed like the authors wanted the book to be different from other books but, to me, it just came out plain weird.
The Characters
Cady
Cady annoyed me SO MUCH in this book! She seemed to be one of those people who would bring herself down just to receive compliments from others 🙄 She was so freaking naïve and ignorant. She's 22 not 10 for god's sake. If we were all in a war, she'd be the one to give a hug to the missel. The more I read, the more she got on my nerves.
If I was her I would happily file a restraining order against the cave man. People like her are the reason why scammers are still in business.
Fox
This man is the literal meaning of pervert. If you search it up in the dictionary, you will find his name in bold I promise you. He seemed so manipulative to me for some reason. His living circumstances were the weirdest thing out of the entire book I promise you. It is not normal to live in the mountains, in a tent at that, and (especially) spy through someone's room, using binoculars.
The way I would have filed that restraining order in 5 seconds when I found out. I also can not get past the fact that he is one of those die hard survival in the wilderness type of people. There's nothing wrong with that but, throughout the entire book, this is what I was imagining him to be like Taylor Lautner sprinting in the woods meme. And whenever I see that meme, I cackle out loud💀 Every time he was describing her it was either her " curvy BUT round ass" Or her "jiggly boobs" and every single time, I wanted to run in the middle of the street to be saved by this eye sore.
---------------------------------------------------
In conclusion, I don't recommend this book. Again, it could have been so much better without the entire caveman vibes and mostly illegal things but it does definitely give off the grumpy x sunshine and small town tropes.
Anyways that's it lovelies xxxx
April 30, 2024
3.25 stars
this was definitely a “very little actual plot, mostly vibes” book but i mean the vibes were.. good? i liked the small town and the quirky characters and i LOVED that the fmc had a chronic illness (chronic illness rep will always get to me🥹🥹)
its just that for the first like 250 pages of this book i genuinely had no idea what was going on 😭 and then when you finally find out what IS going on its a bit rushed? like everything happens sooo quickly
i still had fun tho, and i am probably gonna read the next one 🙈
——————————————
pre-review: i need something fun on the side of reading a massive fantasy book and this looks like it could deliver 🙈🙈
i <3 quirky small town romances
this was definitely a “very little actual plot, mostly vibes” book but i mean the vibes were.. good? i liked the small town and the quirky characters and i LOVED that the fmc had a chronic illness (chronic illness rep will always get to me🥹🥹)
its just that for the first like 250 pages of this book i genuinely had no idea what was going on 😭 and then when you finally find out what IS going on its a bit rushed? like everything happens sooo quickly
i still had fun tho, and i am probably gonna read the next one 🙈
——————————————
pre-review: i need something fun on the side of reading a massive fantasy book and this looks like it could deliver 🙈🙈
i <3 quirky small town romances
March 6, 2023
This book had a little bit of everything and all of it was deliciously fun!
Cady’s life isn’t easy, especially since her aunt has passed away. The one bright spot is her Thursday evening calls with Fox. This premise alone was enough to intrigue me. By the time that call had ended, I was fully invested in Cady, Fox and not only their pasts, but their futures. I wanted to know all the things and the process of learning them kept me turning the pages.
I’ve only read a couple of “cozy mysteries” and I’m not sure if this is labeled as such, but it certainly felt that way but with so much more. It had the fun and quirky heroine, the mystery that kept me guessing (I never did guess right) and the wild cast of characters that added flair to the town and therefore the story. But it also had some serious steam between the hero and heroine without fading to black. We got the full deal and holy mother of all taxidermied animals, it was delicious!
I loved everything about this story and I can’t wait to get more in the series! This is going on my reread shelf.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Cady’s life isn’t easy, especially since her aunt has passed away. The one bright spot is her Thursday evening calls with Fox. This premise alone was enough to intrigue me. By the time that call had ended, I was fully invested in Cady, Fox and not only their pasts, but their futures. I wanted to know all the things and the process of learning them kept me turning the pages.
I’ve only read a couple of “cozy mysteries” and I’m not sure if this is labeled as such, but it certainly felt that way but with so much more. It had the fun and quirky heroine, the mystery that kept me guessing (I never did guess right) and the wild cast of characters that added flair to the town and therefore the story. But it also had some serious steam between the hero and heroine without fading to black. We got the full deal and holy mother of all taxidermied animals, it was delicious!
I loved everything about this story and I can’t wait to get more in the series! This is going on my reread shelf.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
February 8, 2024
Nevermore Bookstore by Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St Aubin
Townsend Harbor series #1. Contemporary romance.
Cady Bloomquist runs the local bookstore in Nevermore. Business isn’t great but thanks to a weekly call from a customer with an order, she’s doing ok. She looks forward to that Thursday night phone call every week with more anticipation and a little bit of flirting. She doesn’t know much about him other than he is a prolific reader and he has a mesmerizing voice.
Roman Fawkes has PTSD from his time in the service. He feels it’s best for everyone if he lives by himself in the wilderness. But he can’t give up books and has also become addicted to his conversations with Cady. When her store is broken into one night while he’s on the phone he goes instantly into protective mode and runs into Townsend Harbor to investigate. But with his “condition” in mind, he poses as a local homeless person and makes himself useful to Cady in repairs and services. If only he could tell her who he is but that wouldn’t be safe for her.
Adorable, a bit snarky and entirely entertaining. Lots of feisty banter, some steamy hot scenes and a slow build or a romance that will make you sigh in contentment.
I absolutely love that she fell for Fox in both his iterations.
Love she fell for both versions of Fox. Of course, she still has to convince him that’s it’s going to work out and in the meantime a little passion doesn’t hurt anyone.
Townsend Harbor series #1. Contemporary romance.
Cady Bloomquist runs the local bookstore in Nevermore. Business isn’t great but thanks to a weekly call from a customer with an order, she’s doing ok. She looks forward to that Thursday night phone call every week with more anticipation and a little bit of flirting. She doesn’t know much about him other than he is a prolific reader and he has a mesmerizing voice.
Roman Fawkes has PTSD from his time in the service. He feels it’s best for everyone if he lives by himself in the wilderness. But he can’t give up books and has also become addicted to his conversations with Cady. When her store is broken into one night while he’s on the phone he goes instantly into protective mode and runs into Townsend Harbor to investigate. But with his “condition” in mind, he poses as a local homeless person and makes himself useful to Cady in repairs and services. If only he could tell her who he is but that wouldn’t be safe for her.
Adorable, a bit snarky and entirely entertaining. Lots of feisty banter, some steamy hot scenes and a slow build or a romance that will make you sigh in contentment.
I absolutely love that she fell for Fox in both his iterations.
Love she fell for both versions of Fox. Of course, she still has to convince him that’s it’s going to work out and in the meantime a little passion doesn’t hurt anyone.
April 8, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I have loved Kerrigan Byrne's historical romance so when I saw she was dipping a toe into contemporary romance I was excited to try it out. Nevermore Bookstore is the first book in the new Townsend Harbor series written by Kerrigan Bryne and new to me author Cynthia St. Aubin. This is definitely a book for those who like quirky broken characters, strange word combinations and imagery, don't mind a little minor stalking and well, really just want to have a good time in a small town interesting characters.
Cady is broken...not so much emotionally, but there is some of that but physically. She has a spinal condition that causes her to have severe back pain, mobility issues and real use of only one hand. Cady inherited the bookstore from the aunt she lived with after her parents died. Just a few problems. She can't find the deed to the bookstore, she is grieving the loss of her aunt and the thing she is most excited for every week is a call from some mystery man to order books. Her Pollyanna attitude to look on the bright side of things was something I really connected with and I loved how she really tries to have that positive mindset. So I liked Cady but there will be those who just don't get her.
Fox, the mystery caller. Lets get this straight up front. I love the broken hero, the guy that has all the baggage, the guy trying to overcome or even thinks he can't overcome until some one pulls him out. I'm a sucker for that guy. So I love Fox! But, if you struggle with that type of character that lurks in the shadows to be unseen and at times seems a little on the stalker side of life, watching the world but not being a part of it you are going to have huge issues with this book. I like him and all of his struggles. He likes Cady, he wants to protect her, wants to see her, but never expected her to see him. So when Cady's bookstore is broken into and the line goes dead, Fox heads into town to protect this angel he has only spoken with on the phone and make sure whoever has targeted her can't get to her.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It took me out of my head and I liked they wrote about characters with real issues, Cady and her back problem and Fox with his severe PTSD. They were more real to me because of this. Cady's friendships and banter with her friends I found hilarious but it will be extremely hit or miss for readers I think. We also both love Ice Planet Barbarians (Blue Alien's with interesting tooling), definitely in my Yum column.
Overall this is a fun story, with an unexpected villain and the HEA we always expect from a romance novel. I like this duo authorship and look forward to seeing the characters of Townsend Harbor again.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
"I should probably ask because… Well, people will ask me if I checked… But you’re not a serial killer, right?”
He shrugged. “More of an oatmeal guy.”
I have loved Kerrigan Byrne's historical romance so when I saw she was dipping a toe into contemporary romance I was excited to try it out. Nevermore Bookstore is the first book in the new Townsend Harbor series written by Kerrigan Bryne and new to me author Cynthia St. Aubin. This is definitely a book for those who like quirky broken characters, strange word combinations and imagery, don't mind a little minor stalking and well, really just want to have a good time in a small town interesting characters.
Cady is broken...not so much emotionally, but there is some of that but physically. She has a spinal condition that causes her to have severe back pain, mobility issues and real use of only one hand. Cady inherited the bookstore from the aunt she lived with after her parents died. Just a few problems. She can't find the deed to the bookstore, she is grieving the loss of her aunt and the thing she is most excited for every week is a call from some mystery man to order books. Her Pollyanna attitude to look on the bright side of things was something I really connected with and I loved how she really tries to have that positive mindset. So I liked Cady but there will be those who just don't get her.
Fox, the mystery caller. Lets get this straight up front. I love the broken hero, the guy that has all the baggage, the guy trying to overcome or even thinks he can't overcome until some one pulls him out. I'm a sucker for that guy. So I love Fox! But, if you struggle with that type of character that lurks in the shadows to be unseen and at times seems a little on the stalker side of life, watching the world but not being a part of it you are going to have huge issues with this book. I like him and all of his struggles. He likes Cady, he wants to protect her, wants to see her, but never expected her to see him. So when Cady's bookstore is broken into and the line goes dead, Fox heads into town to protect this angel he has only spoken with on the phone and make sure whoever has targeted her can't get to her.
“Just like Willoughby when he found Marianne on the moors,” Cady said dreamily, gazing out at the pewter-bellied storm clouds rolling in.
“As if. I’m an officer and you have daddy issues,” he pointed out. “We’re solidly in Colonel Brandon company.”
“That may the sexiest thing a man has ever said to me.”
I enjoyed this book a lot. It took me out of my head and I liked they wrote about characters with real issues, Cady and her back problem and Fox with his severe PTSD. They were more real to me because of this. Cady's friendships and banter with her friends I found hilarious but it will be extremely hit or miss for readers I think. We also both love Ice Planet Barbarians (Blue Alien's with interesting tooling), definitely in my Yum column.
Overall this is a fun story, with an unexpected villain and the HEA we always expect from a romance novel. I like this duo authorship and look forward to seeing the characters of Townsend Harbor again.
March 26, 2023
I want to start off by saying I was so excited for this book. The blurb, cover, and title gave me the vibe that this would be a paranormal romance. It absolutely was not, so maybe that was my bad? But I believe others felt the same.
The first chapter had me hooked. I still believed it was a paranormal romance at this point. However, it immediately lost me in chapter two, but I pushed through thinking things would start to make sense again and fully believed in its potential. It had SO MUCH potential. While we did get answers about some things, this book was all over the place and I felt that there was a lot that didn’t add up or was left unresolved by the end. It felt rushed and dragged out at the same time.
Things I liked:
Decent rep for people with chronic pain. I don’t suffer from PTSD so I am not entirely sure if the rep for that was good. It seemed to be. I do love when mental health issues are addressed and worked on (though that got rushed and happened off page).
I liked Cady and I liked Fox. I loved Gemma and I even liked Ethan even though I was suspicious of him the whole time. Vivian and Myrtle were incredible.
I personally didn’t have an issue with some of the things that Fox did that others found creepy. I liked his protectiveness, even if a bit intense at times. But I read dark romance, so that was nothing. Maybe don’t take my advice on this. Though I definitely would not classify this as a dark romance. More like a confused rom com with a dash of mystery.
Things I did not like:
It was so cringey. Some of the jokes I found funny. And others I thought were really weird and / or horribly inappropriate. They compared her pubic hair to Colin Kaepernick’s hair. They made a joke of the Me Too movement. WHO thought these two things were okay?? There were two authors and I’m sure several other people, and no one stopped to say “hey, this is really insensitive and a horrible idea.”
If you picture a republican trying to impersonate what they think a liberal sounds like, you would get this book. At least half of it.
There were parts I did genuinely enjoy, but overall it was too jumbled and weird and it was like a thesaurus threw up on every single page. There were also just a bunch of made up words trying too hard to make the characters quirky. But most of all those two “jokes” really bothered me. If it weren’t for that, this probably would’ve been a solid 3 stars? Maybe? And I probably would’ve read the sequel, but I just can’t see myself supporting this author after that.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first chapter had me hooked. I still believed it was a paranormal romance at this point. However, it immediately lost me in chapter two, but I pushed through thinking things would start to make sense again and fully believed in its potential. It had SO MUCH potential. While we did get answers about some things, this book was all over the place and I felt that there was a lot that didn’t add up or was left unresolved by the end. It felt rushed and dragged out at the same time.
Things I liked:
Decent rep for people with chronic pain. I don’t suffer from PTSD so I am not entirely sure if the rep for that was good. It seemed to be. I do love when mental health issues are addressed and worked on (though that got rushed and happened off page).
I liked Cady and I liked Fox. I loved Gemma and I even liked Ethan even though I was suspicious of him the whole time. Vivian and Myrtle were incredible.
I personally didn’t have an issue with some of the things that Fox did that others found creepy. I liked his protectiveness, even if a bit intense at times. But I read dark romance, so that was nothing. Maybe don’t take my advice on this. Though I definitely would not classify this as a dark romance. More like a confused rom com with a dash of mystery.
Things I did not like:
It was so cringey. Some of the jokes I found funny. And others I thought were really weird and / or horribly inappropriate. They compared her pubic hair to Colin Kaepernick’s hair. They made a joke of the Me Too movement. WHO thought these two things were okay?? There were two authors and I’m sure several other people, and no one stopped to say “hey, this is really insensitive and a horrible idea.”
If you picture a republican trying to impersonate what they think a liberal sounds like, you would get this book. At least half of it.
There were parts I did genuinely enjoy, but overall it was too jumbled and weird and it was like a thesaurus threw up on every single page. There were also just a bunch of made up words trying too hard to make the characters quirky. But most of all those two “jokes” really bothered me. If it weren’t for that, this probably would’ve been a solid 3 stars? Maybe? And I probably would’ve read the sequel, but I just can’t see myself supporting this author after that.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2023
Full disclosure. I love Kerrigan Byrne's books and will read anything she writes. Nevermore Bookstore, by Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin is like nothing Kerrigan Byrne has ever written, so if you're a historical romance reader, adjust expectations accordingly.
And yet... despite the contemporary rom-com setting and dual perspectives, it IS familiar in the way you want authors whose works you love to be familiar in different genres. The hero is broody and tortured, with a fierce protective streak and a deep love for the heroine. Her voice, unfamiliar to me, is quirky, fun, and very frank - her frankness actually took some getting used to, but when I fell into the rhythm of the story, it fit her well.
The bookstore and the town's inhabitants are wonderful characters in their own right and I look forward to all the possible stories with them. The bookstore merch potential is endless (as is the sequel's coffee shop - I can't wait!), and I love all the details that painted the picture of Townsend Harbor so perfectly.
I think that's the best measure of a book - did I want more while I read it, and do I want more from the world now that it's done? And the answer to both in Nevermore Bookstore is a resounding YES.
And yet... despite the contemporary rom-com setting and dual perspectives, it IS familiar in the way you want authors whose works you love to be familiar in different genres. The hero is broody and tortured, with a fierce protective streak and a deep love for the heroine. Her voice, unfamiliar to me, is quirky, fun, and very frank - her frankness actually took some getting used to, but when I fell into the rhythm of the story, it fit her well.
The bookstore and the town's inhabitants are wonderful characters in their own right and I look forward to all the possible stories with them. The bookstore merch potential is endless (as is the sequel's coffee shop - I can't wait!), and I love all the details that painted the picture of Townsend Harbor so perfectly.
I think that's the best measure of a book - did I want more while I read it, and do I want more from the world now that it's done? And the answer to both in Nevermore Bookstore is a resounding YES.
December 19, 2023
Cute cozy romance
March 28, 2023
Right up front I'm gonna say that I am not a big fan of Contemporary Romance, but I am a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne and it will be interesting to see if her trademark prose and humor found in her Historical Romance books translates to a modern setting. The prose is here and the humor too. But if this is what 20-somethings think Romance is, all the sexual smack talk, I am way too old to be reading this Contemporary Crap. I'm going to need to reread some SEP (Susan Elizabeth Phillips) to cleanse my mind of this dribble. The only thing that kept me reading to the end was the mystery element. The sleazy dialogue and over the top sexual references, I tried my best to ignore. Yeah, an SEP reread is definitely in order. If the first half of this book was as good as the last half, it would be 5-Stars, but that is probably my Romantic-Suspense preference talking.
At fifteen Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist came to live with her Aunt Fern in Townsend Harbor, Washington, a quaint seaside town that now lives on the tourist trade. Aunt Fern was the owner of Nevermore Bookstore in an historical downtown section of the town. When Fern died suddenly, Cady was devastated and since she has an autoimmune disease that affects her spine and joints, life is has not been easy for her. But Cady is no victim and refuses to acknowledge that she has a problem. Those who know her as a warm, caring person are also very protective of her. A mysterious customer calls in a weekly order each Thursday evening, which basically keeps the store afloat. Over the months, he and Cary have settled into an intellectual discussion of books and an increasingly erotic flirtation.
Fox is a lost soul with PTSD from is time in the Army Special Forces that ended with him being tortured and held as a hostage. He lives as a hermit in the mountains above Townsend Harbor and Cary is his lifeline to humanity and his secret sexual obsession.
On a Thursday call, Cady has had more than she should at a friend's party and is especially flirtatious with Fox when her store is broken into, and Cady is injured. Fox is galvanized into action and will not rest until whoever broke into Casy's store is found. But that means getting up close and personal with Cady and he just doesn't feel he can do that. He invents "Bob" a transient to get close to her because he doesn't want her to know him or why he lives the way he does but he can't escape the pull she has for him. 3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
At fifteen Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist came to live with her Aunt Fern in Townsend Harbor, Washington, a quaint seaside town that now lives on the tourist trade. Aunt Fern was the owner of Nevermore Bookstore in an historical downtown section of the town. When Fern died suddenly, Cady was devastated and since she has an autoimmune disease that affects her spine and joints, life is has not been easy for her. But Cady is no victim and refuses to acknowledge that she has a problem. Those who know her as a warm, caring person are also very protective of her. A mysterious customer calls in a weekly order each Thursday evening, which basically keeps the store afloat. Over the months, he and Cary have settled into an intellectual discussion of books and an increasingly erotic flirtation.
Fox is a lost soul with PTSD from is time in the Army Special Forces that ended with him being tortured and held as a hostage. He lives as a hermit in the mountains above Townsend Harbor and Cary is his lifeline to humanity and his secret sexual obsession.
On a Thursday call, Cady has had more than she should at a friend's party and is especially flirtatious with Fox when her store is broken into, and Cady is injured. Fox is galvanized into action and will not rest until whoever broke into Casy's store is found. But that means getting up close and personal with Cady and he just doesn't feel he can do that. He invents "Bob" a transient to get close to her because he doesn't want her to know him or why he lives the way he does but he can't escape the pull she has for him. 3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
March 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St Aubin for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I have nothing but positive things to say about this book! I laughed, I smiled, and the spice was good! I especially enjoyed the mystery aspect a lot of Fox’s character had.
I’m so glad that they had a happy ending
I have nothing but positive things to say about this book! I laughed, I smiled, and the spice was good! I especially enjoyed the mystery aspect a lot of Fox’s character had.
I’m so glad that they had a happy ending
March 26, 2023
This book gives the tale of a bookstore owner who falls for the mysterious man who calls her store once a week.
This was truthfully a one-star read for me, but I appreciated the development and care given to the depiction of chronic physical and mental illnesses.
Unfortunately, Fox’s behavior was often toxic, creepy, and incredibly violating (secretly watching the heroine in her room from the woods with binoculars???) and the boundaries of consent were not treated with respect in this book.
I also hated how the protagonist describes herself as “big,” and the book makes a big deal about her round shape and body positivity, yet the cover shows a completely average, small to mid-sized woman. Absolutely not a fan of that design choice.
In short: This one wasn’t for me. :(
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
——
Content Warnings: Break-ins, PTSD, combat memories, surprise kiss, abandonment, hostage situation, chronic illness, suicidal ideation, mature content rating at a 7 on the RCRS scale.
This was truthfully a one-star read for me, but I appreciated the development and care given to the depiction of chronic physical and mental illnesses.
Unfortunately, Fox’s behavior was often toxic, creepy, and incredibly violating (secretly watching the heroine in her room from the woods with binoculars???) and the boundaries of consent were not treated with respect in this book.
I also hated how the protagonist describes herself as “big,” and the book makes a big deal about her round shape and body positivity, yet the cover shows a completely average, small to mid-sized woman. Absolutely not a fan of that design choice.
In short: This one wasn’t for me. :(
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
——
Content Warnings: Break-ins, PTSD, combat memories, surprise kiss, abandonment, hostage situation, chronic illness, suicidal ideation, mature content rating at a 7 on the RCRS scale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
November 2, 2023Dang, first DNF for November bites the dust. I just couldn’t connect. The writing felt really disjointed in places and I couldn’t picture things as they were happening. And it was just too…much. Cady is everything a well-bred liberal girl should be and it felt too forced - virtue signaling. And this is coming from actual liberal. Also…I have trouble liking a book when the FMC is Just! So! Adorably! Quirky! It’s like unhinging your jaw and swallowing an Instagram perfect cake whole without even a glass of water to wash it down with. No thanks.
March 12, 2023
Good god. I can’t remember the last time I started a book and didn’t finish, but it was a necessity in this case. DNF at 20%. This was a nightmare. It is trying SO hard to be quirky and sexy, it’s repulsive instead. The writing was 90% ridiculous similes and metaphors, and it had so many neologisms that I sometimes didn’t even know what they were talking about. Most of these were sexual innuendos, usually combined with swear words. I swear like a sailor and I have no issue with sexual innuendo, but get a grip!! These characters were so far from believable it just made the whole thing a giant eyeroll. Fox is a literal caveman (he lives in a tent? Permanently? And lives off of animals he hunts??) but simultaneously speaks and thinks in poetry? And is pro-women’s rights but also misogynistic? Cady is just annoying and strange. I could go on, but this book wasted enough of my time as it is. I have no idea who this would appeal to. I can’t believe it was written by two people because that means they were somehow BOTH on board with how this turned out??? Need to go use mouthwash to get the disgusting taste of this book out of my mouth. So sorry!
1/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
1/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2023
Well…
This just isn’t for me.
I was so excited to see a contemporary by Kerrigan Byrne and I jumped when I received this as an ARC.
I just want to sigh a bit. The further I got into the book the more weird it got?
I wanted Cady to end up with Ethan.
I loved Ethan.
Fox just creeped me out the further I got in the book and Cady felt so naive to me.
I can see Ethan ending up with Cady’s best friend though, and I would eat that book up! But this one? It’s a no for me.
Thank you Netgalley and oliver heber books for providing an ARC!
This just isn’t for me.
I was so excited to see a contemporary by Kerrigan Byrne and I jumped when I received this as an ARC.
I just want to sigh a bit. The further I got into the book the more weird it got?
I wanted Cady to end up with Ethan.
I loved Ethan.
Fox just creeped me out the further I got in the book and Cady felt so naive to me.
I can see Ethan ending up with Cady’s best friend though, and I would eat that book up! But this one? It’s a no for me.
Thank you Netgalley and oliver heber books for providing an ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2023
DNF- 50%. I don't know what I'm reading. I thought it was a paranormal but it's not? The plot is kind of buried and the humor is aggressively cringe. The romance is non-existent. I feel like I was dropped in the middle of their story. The whole thing is so uneven, it's weird.
March 13, 2023
First of all, I want to live in Nevermore Bookstore and hang out with all of the people who frequent it. I never pass on a chance to read a contemporary romance set in a bookstore, and Nevermore Bookstore sounds charming. I also loved Cady. She’s such a great protagonist. She’s so upbeat and positive even though she’s going through so much. She’s mourning the loss of her beloved aunt, and she suffers from a chronic illness and chronic pain. She’s also fighting to keep a floundering bookstore afloat. Cady has a lot on her plate, but she is kind, generous, and selfless, and she never gives up fighting for the people and things she cares about. She’s pretty remarkable, and her introspection is admirable.
Then there’s Fox, Cady’s love interest. I so rooted for Fox, even though I didn’t love how he watched Cady from afar. It was a little strange and stalkery but totally understandable considering his PTSD and how debilitating it was for him. And his backstory is dark and made it almost impossible for him to be indoors. Throughout the whole book, I kept hoping he would get the help he needed because he was struggling on his own.
Cady and Fox have great chemistry, and though they both have a lot to work through and figure out, I was hopeful that they’d find a way to be together. I feel like they really understood each other, and I love that their relationship began with phone calls and book talks. I also loved when Cady called Fox out for pushing her away. She makes him face some hard truths, and, in turn, she faces her own. Their relationship has major grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and their romance is pretty steamy. That phone sex scene fogged up my kindle! lol
The story is not as light and fluffy as the cover suggests. it deals with some heavier topics like PTSD, chronic illness, small-town politics and greed, and financial stresses. However, these topics are balanced well with the comical banter, small-town charm, interesting secondary characters (especially Kevin Costner, the cat!), and the romance. And the ending is fantastic – so swoon-worthy and sweet, and Fox and Cady show how deeply they care for each other.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Then there’s Fox, Cady’s love interest. I so rooted for Fox, even though I didn’t love how he watched Cady from afar. It was a little strange and stalkery but totally understandable considering his PTSD and how debilitating it was for him. And his backstory is dark and made it almost impossible for him to be indoors. Throughout the whole book, I kept hoping he would get the help he needed because he was struggling on his own.
Cady and Fox have great chemistry, and though they both have a lot to work through and figure out, I was hopeful that they’d find a way to be together. I feel like they really understood each other, and I love that their relationship began with phone calls and book talks. I also loved when Cady called Fox out for pushing her away. She makes him face some hard truths, and, in turn, she faces her own. Their relationship has major grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and their romance is pretty steamy. That phone sex scene fogged up my kindle! lol
The story is not as light and fluffy as the cover suggests. it deals with some heavier topics like PTSD, chronic illness, small-town politics and greed, and financial stresses. However, these topics are balanced well with the comical banter, small-town charm, interesting secondary characters (especially Kevin Costner, the cat!), and the romance. And the ending is fantastic – so swoon-worthy and sweet, and Fox and Cady show how deeply they care for each other.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
March 15, 2025
So, Ummm... What the actual F?
There's sexy phone voice guy, that turns into phone sex....
But wait.. This dude is stalking her and watching her in the window.
Then there's the homeless guy in the park who turns into a weird handyman, which is now a fantasy.
But wait..... there's a secret about these men.
Ok, so.... no one really has any issue with the fact that she was being stalked by a homeless guy, and then she had sex with him????
Also, what was the actual job??? It wasn't clear to me, it seemed like the job was something that he created? This was unclear... Someone explain this to me
I am so weirded out by this book.
On one hand, if this was a fantasy universe and he was a faun, troll, or other fae creature, this would have worked a lot better and been more acceptable. Heck, he could have even been a werewolf.
Instead... it was supposed to be a contemporary romance.
So we have some pretty nice spicy scenes, but then you kind of feel like if you are turned on at all that it is kind of messed up when you remember the facts of what is going on like it's a bit creepy.
I'm just glad to know that someone else in the universe uses the term: "shit snacks," and I loved the inappropriate humor! The narrators on the audio were great, but I kept wondering what in the heck the male narrator had to be thinking as he was reading some of these scenes.
I have no idea how to rate this. There are things I love and things that make me shudder in cringe...
2.5 Stars.
There's sexy phone voice guy, that turns into phone sex....
But wait.. This dude is stalking her and watching her in the window.
Then there's the homeless guy in the park who turns into a weird handyman, which is now a fantasy.
But wait..... there's a secret about these men.
Ok, so.... no one really has any issue with the fact that she was being stalked by a homeless guy, and then she had sex with him????
Also, what was the actual job??? It wasn't clear to me, it seemed like the job was something that he created? This was unclear... Someone explain this to me
I am so weirded out by this book.
On one hand, if this was a fantasy universe and he was a faun, troll, or other fae creature, this would have worked a lot better and been more acceptable. Heck, he could have even been a werewolf.
Instead... it was supposed to be a contemporary romance.
So we have some pretty nice spicy scenes, but then you kind of feel like if you are turned on at all that it is kind of messed up when you remember the facts of what is going on like it's a bit creepy.
I'm just glad to know that someone else in the universe uses the term: "shit snacks," and I loved the inappropriate humor! The narrators on the audio were great, but I kept wondering what in the heck the male narrator had to be thinking as he was reading some of these scenes.
I have no idea how to rate this. There are things I love and things that make me shudder in cringe...
2.5 Stars.
March 10, 2023
I’m OBSESSED. What a magical duo in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin.
Seamlessly blending a mystery, romance, mental health issues, chronic illness, and a curvy main character with a penchant for rescuing taxidermy, Nevermore Bookstore is the secret identity, small town romance that honestly I both didn’t want to put down but also never wanted to end.
More official review to come at LitBuzz.
Seamlessly blending a mystery, romance, mental health issues, chronic illness, and a curvy main character with a penchant for rescuing taxidermy, Nevermore Bookstore is the secret identity, small town romance that honestly I both didn’t want to put down but also never wanted to end.
More official review to come at LitBuzz.
March 13, 2023
I was super excited about this one and unfortunately, I didn't love it. Parts of it were enjoyable. I loved the older ladies and their book club. I liked much of the first half of the book, but as it went on the story felt weird. I really had a hard time pushing through to the end.
I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 mainly for my love of Myrtle and the book club.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 mainly for my love of Myrtle and the book club.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 31, 2023DNF
I was really hopeful with this one but boy did it drag. There was a lot that was put in that wasn't necessary to the story and even more that felt clunky.
I was really hopeful with this one but boy did it drag. There was a lot that was put in that wasn't necessary to the story and even more that felt clunky.
Read
June 24, 2023This just wasn't at all what I wanted it to be. Terribly cheesy in the beginning, and I wanted something weird and spooky, and I thought "positive kink," was right in the description? It was none of that, none at all.
Some of it was cute. Most of it was perplexing or trite
Some of it was cute. Most of it was perplexing or trite
March 16, 2023
Well that was…just a hot mess really. I give it two stars for the beginning, because I thought this was going to end up being a really cute read. The heroine was funny, I loved the illness rep, and the pacing was good. But once the POV switched to the MMC, it got weird and felt like a totally different book. And not in a spooky, paranormal way but more in the fact that I thought I had somehow skipped pages…or entered a different book. The main issue here from my perspective is that there were so many gaps in the story. I didn’t understand how this man was getting boxes of books delivered while he lived in a literal cave. He has obvious PTSD but the way his episodes are described are so confusing. It was difficult to get through. He also just came off as a weirdo rather than a hunky, grumpy sort of dude. The relationship between the two MCs was awkward, mainly from there being basically zero development between them as a couple.
I’m not sure if it’s this writing duo, since normally I love Kerrigan Byrne. But unfortunately, this was a big flop for me. I think with an editor, maybe it could have worked, as they would have helped the story flow better. Not to mention worked on the MMC’s character and actions.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
I’m not sure if it’s this writing duo, since normally I love Kerrigan Byrne. But unfortunately, this was a big flop for me. I think with an editor, maybe it could have worked, as they would have helped the story flow better. Not to mention worked on the MMC’s character and actions.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
September 4, 2023
4 She Could Spill His Blood With A Knife, And He Would Thank Her For The Intimatw Pentration Stars
Nevermore Bookstore is the first book in the Townsend Harbor series by Cynthia St. Aubin and Kerrigan Byrne.
I truly enjoyed the way the words flowed. The way in which this author duo constructed such intoxicating melody within the cadence of their storytelling had me succumbed to its grasp until the finale. Invite new romantic entanglements into your life, and suddenly romantic novels are the only literary interest you possess.
I fell fairly quickly for the ML and FL. They both share this quality that makes you yearn to understand them on a microscopic level. Dissect the way in which the world has twisted them from newborn into adulthood. The medical condition that shapes Cady's days into either good or bad categories. The CPTSD that Fox has grown tired of fighting and on the verge of submitting to.
I was still left underwhelmed by the culprit behind her troubles regarding ownership and break-ins at the Nevermore Bookstore. But this book is the first new book I've read in months, and it has this pearlescent glow surrounding it in my mind for bringing me back into the arms of literature. Four stars might be pushing it... if one didn't take into account the beautiful quirks litering the story that emphasize a fascinating uniqueness to this cast of characters. Or perhaps the truly delectable scenes in which Fox and Cady's passion for each other nearly consumes them.
Nevermore Bookstore is the first book in the Townsend Harbor series by Cynthia St. Aubin and Kerrigan Byrne.
I truly enjoyed the way the words flowed. The way in which this author duo constructed such intoxicating melody within the cadence of their storytelling had me succumbed to its grasp until the finale. Invite new romantic entanglements into your life, and suddenly romantic novels are the only literary interest you possess.
I fell fairly quickly for the ML and FL. They both share this quality that makes you yearn to understand them on a microscopic level. Dissect the way in which the world has twisted them from newborn into adulthood. The medical condition that shapes Cady's days into either good or bad categories. The CPTSD that Fox has grown tired of fighting and on the verge of submitting to.
I was still left underwhelmed by the culprit behind her troubles regarding ownership and break-ins at the Nevermore Bookstore. But this book is the first new book I've read in months, and it has this pearlescent glow surrounding it in my mind for bringing me back into the arms of literature. Four stars might be pushing it... if one didn't take into account the beautiful quirks litering the story that emphasize a fascinating uniqueness to this cast of characters. Or perhaps the truly delectable scenes in which Fox and Cady's passion for each other nearly consumes them.
January 30, 2024
2.5-3 stars. This book was described as a cozy, contemporary and paranormal romance. But there was nothing paranormal in it! That was one of the reasons I picked up this book. I didn’t enjoy the storyline and the 2 main characters. Side characters were good as well. But some of the analogies used were cringy. And some of the modern day references didn’t go well.
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