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Girls Weekend #3
Invitations
You’re invited to the wedding of the year . . .
Lurielle didn’t dream of her wedding day as a little girl. Hard to think about a far-off future when she was too busy trying to get through her awkward adolescence at the Elvish club as invisibly as possible. Unlike every other elf she knew, she did not have binders of wedding plans ready to be activated at a moment’s notice.
Now the orc of her dreams is telling her he’s going to build her a bridal fire they can see from space, leaving her unprepared and completely out of her depth. It doesn’t help that the engagement of one of the Cambric Creek elite has gripped the entire town in the throes of wedding mania, and as Khash catches the fever, all Lurielle wants to do is elope.
At least she can count on her friends to help her through the most mortifying highs and lows of dress shopping . . . at least, she thinks she can.
Ris isn’t sure how she managed to get so lucky. Ainsley is everything she wants — her crops are watered, her skin is clear, she’s getting her back blown out weekly, and she’s ready to be the best bridesmaid in the history of matrimony. But when his support system vanishes, the carefree no-strings-attached Ainsley she loves seems to disappear overnight. In his place is an orc who wants more than Ris thinks she’s prepared to give.
It’s hard to focus on someone else’s happily ever after when her own is going through such hard growing pains. Thank the stars Silva is there to help with the wedding planning minutiae . . .
For as long as she could remember, Silva had daydreamed about her dream wedding to the tiniest detail, and now she’s ready for the new future she’s planning — Silva of the Nighttime and the orc of her dreams living their best life together, because nothing is going to stop her from getting what she wants.
Nothing, except for the truth Tate hid from her so thoroughly.
Choosing between what her heart wants and what she needs to do isn’t easy, but as the secret she keeps grows large enough to swallow all of Cambric Creek, Silva doesn’t need to wonder which choice Tate would have her make.
It’s hard to plan someone else’s happily ever after when you don’t believe in them anymore.
Invitations is the third book in the four-book Girls Weekend series, which should be read as a series.
Lurielle didn’t dream of her wedding day as a little girl. Hard to think about a far-off future when she was too busy trying to get through her awkward adolescence at the Elvish club as invisibly as possible. Unlike every other elf she knew, she did not have binders of wedding plans ready to be activated at a moment’s notice.
Now the orc of her dreams is telling her he’s going to build her a bridal fire they can see from space, leaving her unprepared and completely out of her depth. It doesn’t help that the engagement of one of the Cambric Creek elite has gripped the entire town in the throes of wedding mania, and as Khash catches the fever, all Lurielle wants to do is elope.
At least she can count on her friends to help her through the most mortifying highs and lows of dress shopping . . . at least, she thinks she can.
Ris isn’t sure how she managed to get so lucky. Ainsley is everything she wants — her crops are watered, her skin is clear, she’s getting her back blown out weekly, and she’s ready to be the best bridesmaid in the history of matrimony. But when his support system vanishes, the carefree no-strings-attached Ainsley she loves seems to disappear overnight. In his place is an orc who wants more than Ris thinks she’s prepared to give.
It’s hard to focus on someone else’s happily ever after when her own is going through such hard growing pains. Thank the stars Silva is there to help with the wedding planning minutiae . . .
For as long as she could remember, Silva had daydreamed about her dream wedding to the tiniest detail, and now she’s ready for the new future she’s planning — Silva of the Nighttime and the orc of her dreams living their best life together, because nothing is going to stop her from getting what she wants.
Nothing, except for the truth Tate hid from her so thoroughly.
Choosing between what her heart wants and what she needs to do isn’t easy, but as the secret she keeps grows large enough to swallow all of Cambric Creek, Silva doesn’t need to wonder which choice Tate would have her make.
It’s hard to plan someone else’s happily ever after when you don’t believe in them anymore.
Invitations is the third book in the four-book Girls Weekend series, which should be read as a series.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2024
247 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Nascosta
28 books4,517 followersC.M. Nascosta is an author and professional procrastinator from Cleveland, Ohio. As a child, she thought that living on Lake Erie meant one was eerie by nature, and her corresponding love of all things strange and unusual started young. She’s always preferred beasts to boys, the macabre to the milquetoast, the unknown darkness in the shadows to the Chad next door. She lives in a crumbling old Victorian with a scaredy-cat dachshund, where she writes nontraditional romances featuring beastly boys with equal parts heart and heat, and is waiting for the Hallmark Channel to get with the program and start a paranormal lovers series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 1, 2024
When did everyone get so selfish?
Lurielle and Ris were unbearable in this. The way they treated Sylvia is so horrible. They belittled her choices and her relationship behind her back and only reached out to her if they wanted something from her, then got pissy bc she was pulling away.
Lurielle only cares about her stupid wedding and Ris spent the whole book treating Aisling like shit then getting mad at him for standing up for himself.
And poor Sylvia is going through hell over there in the corner but no one cares bc apparently she is too young and stupid for her problems to matter.
Lurielle and Ris were unbearable in this. The way they treated Sylvia is so horrible. They belittled her choices and her relationship behind her back and only reached out to her if they wanted something from her, then got pissy bc she was pulling away.
Lurielle only cares about her stupid wedding and Ris spent the whole book treating Aisling like shit then getting mad at him for standing up for himself.
And poor Sylvia is going through hell over there in the corner but no one cares bc apparently she is too young and stupid for her problems to matter.
July 4, 2024
Spoilers and content warning for genital mutilation.
First off, I really wish the content warning at the beginning had been more clear. Just saying "BITING" for (consensual?) genital mutilation is not good enough. That scene between Silva and Tate where he bites and, from what I can surmise, tears her clitoral hood was disturbing. Him checking in afterwards does not make him a good partner. I hope a more thorough content warning can be added.
I will say I do enjoy the Cambic Creek books as a whole. I find them fun with interesting characters and relationships. Nascosta does a refreshingly novel job of making a complicated social and magic society. Even better she doesn't just have her characters be entirely likeable to readers or friendly towards other characters. I'm strongly reminded of Jane Austen's Emma and how Austen wrote the titular character knowing most readers would not like her. I am awed at Nascosta's boldness to make her characters real and multifaceted. Like real people they all have their own personal tastes and opinions on the other members of their communities. For the most part, all the characters have strong personalities. Cambric Creek as a universe does an impressive job of balancing a wide cast of characters - all pretty different from each other - and making sure their relationships are varied and unique. Sometimes hostile, sometimes friendly, sometimes just annoyed with each other.
The romances are, of course, delightful to read.
The Girls Weekend series clearly sits the strongest in the Cambric Creek worldbuilding. Fun little cameos of characters or mentions of other protagonist and their continued lives throughout. It was fun to see Vanessa from the Hemming Brothers series crop up especially with the added irony that it was her wedding to Grayson hampering Lurielle's wedding. Just a nice touch for people who have read more of the Cambric Creek universe.
For myself, personally, I always love seeing Ladybug pop up. Flatout, her series, Wheel of the Year, is my favorite. I do think that's Nascosta's stronger series in Cambric Creek but Girls Weekend does bring a lot of fascinating lore to the world overall.
Girls Weekend is, admittedly, more ambitious and experimental in writing style than Wheel of Year due to its three character perspectives while Wheel of Year sticks to one. Changing perspective, however, is not a new tool by any means, especially in the romance genre, but Nascosta feels like she has - with full knowing intent - put three books into one.
While each character is clearly in the Nascosta flowery prose and has the (sometimes a bit too long) tendency to fall into reverie, the character's stories feel vastly different in tone. Lurielle's storyline is a bit more sweet. Her story and the tone made me think more of Nascosta's other novel Sweet Berries. Ris's storyline has more of a modern edge with her romance being funnier and more honest overall. Silva has the strong trope of spoiled princess breaking her gilded cage with a dangerous bad boy with horrible communication from both sides with a heavy dose of Fae lore to give it an even darker edge. Their story reminded me tonally far more of Run, Run Rabbit which, while not my total cup of tea because of the toxic relationship between the main characters, was much darker and heavy but very well written.
While I like that Nascosta chose to give very different stories and tones, I'm not sure it was the strongest choice the further into the series we get as I found the tonal shifts to be jarring. In Invitations in particular the tonal shifts were far more acute because so much time went to Silva whose storyline is considerably darker than Lurielle or Ris. A good chunk of time would go to Silva and then it would pop back to Lurielle trying to plan a wedding or Ris realizing her dating expecations, once again, need to change. I think the contrast betweent the darker thread and the two more modern ones cheapened all of the stories overall. While I can understand that combining three different types of romance novels into one can be an interesting challenge, and worked well for the first book, I feel like it wasn't as strongly executed in this book and, for me, made it frustrating and hard to stay invested. It was like someone coming up and switching my plate out from under me between every bite flipping from saccharine ice cream (Lurielle) to fresh, modern sushi (Ris) to a dark, heavy ribeye (Silva). At this point all three women just need their own standlone to tie up their stories.
Even more frustrating was the continued heavy reliance on Silva and Tate just blatantly not talking about really anything. Most of their scenes relied on either Silva making up either overly happy dreams or imagining the absolute worst of Tate (who has been nothing but faithful to her just cryptic and commitment shy). Just like in the other books she keeps trying to shy away from making any real choices or opening up to anyone else about her feelings because...I don't know? The princess can't let anyone else in? I'm truly just always frustrated with Silva and her lack of motivation to do anything. This would be fine for a first book with her, just like it was for Lurielle and Ris whose character development I have enjoyed even with all of their flaws. But as much as Silva likes to gripe about how other people only see her as a doll she doesn't do anything for three books to change that. I liked Silva in the first book - I love a plotline that forces a character out of their ivory tower - but Silva is so inactive in her own story. Lurielle and Ris in comparison are truly main characters. They mess up, have flaws, have successes, they learn and push and fight and live. But Silva for three books now is just a doll and I'm honestly tired of reading about her. The worst part though is that her storyline is the most magical plot heavy with its Fae story which I do like a lot. Truly I'm confused as to what Silva and Tate even have as a real foundation for a relationship. Their relationship in comparison to the other ones throughout the series just seems so flat and based purely on mystery which really weakens after the first book. Now, of course, Silva is also accidentally pregnant which just adds on that extra layer of tired tropes.
I'm curious as to how the next and final book will be but this particular one left me rather unsatisfied in comparison to Nascosta's usual books. I do highly recommend reading the other stories of Cambric Creek.
First off, I really wish the content warning at the beginning had been more clear. Just saying "BITING" for (consensual?) genital mutilation is not good enough. That scene between Silva and Tate where he bites and, from what I can surmise, tears her clitoral hood was disturbing. Him checking in afterwards does not make him a good partner. I hope a more thorough content warning can be added.
I will say I do enjoy the Cambic Creek books as a whole. I find them fun with interesting characters and relationships. Nascosta does a refreshingly novel job of making a complicated social and magic society. Even better she doesn't just have her characters be entirely likeable to readers or friendly towards other characters. I'm strongly reminded of Jane Austen's Emma and how Austen wrote the titular character knowing most readers would not like her. I am awed at Nascosta's boldness to make her characters real and multifaceted. Like real people they all have their own personal tastes and opinions on the other members of their communities. For the most part, all the characters have strong personalities. Cambric Creek as a universe does an impressive job of balancing a wide cast of characters - all pretty different from each other - and making sure their relationships are varied and unique. Sometimes hostile, sometimes friendly, sometimes just annoyed with each other.
The romances are, of course, delightful to read.
The Girls Weekend series clearly sits the strongest in the Cambric Creek worldbuilding. Fun little cameos of characters or mentions of other protagonist and their continued lives throughout. It was fun to see Vanessa from the Hemming Brothers series crop up especially with the added irony that it was her wedding to Grayson hampering Lurielle's wedding. Just a nice touch for people who have read more of the Cambric Creek universe.
For myself, personally, I always love seeing Ladybug pop up. Flatout, her series, Wheel of the Year, is my favorite. I do think that's Nascosta's stronger series in Cambric Creek but Girls Weekend does bring a lot of fascinating lore to the world overall.
Girls Weekend is, admittedly, more ambitious and experimental in writing style than Wheel of Year due to its three character perspectives while Wheel of Year sticks to one. Changing perspective, however, is not a new tool by any means, especially in the romance genre, but Nascosta feels like she has - with full knowing intent - put three books into one.
While each character is clearly in the Nascosta flowery prose and has the (sometimes a bit too long) tendency to fall into reverie, the character's stories feel vastly different in tone. Lurielle's storyline is a bit more sweet. Her story and the tone made me think more of Nascosta's other novel Sweet Berries. Ris's storyline has more of a modern edge with her romance being funnier and more honest overall. Silva has the strong trope of spoiled princess breaking her gilded cage with a dangerous bad boy with horrible communication from both sides with a heavy dose of Fae lore to give it an even darker edge. Their story reminded me tonally far more of Run, Run Rabbit which, while not my total cup of tea because of the toxic relationship between the main characters, was much darker and heavy but very well written.
While I like that Nascosta chose to give very different stories and tones, I'm not sure it was the strongest choice the further into the series we get as I found the tonal shifts to be jarring. In Invitations in particular the tonal shifts were far more acute because so much time went to Silva whose storyline is considerably darker than Lurielle or Ris. A good chunk of time would go to Silva and then it would pop back to Lurielle trying to plan a wedding or Ris realizing her dating expecations, once again, need to change. I think the contrast betweent the darker thread and the two more modern ones cheapened all of the stories overall. While I can understand that combining three different types of romance novels into one can be an interesting challenge, and worked well for the first book, I feel like it wasn't as strongly executed in this book and, for me, made it frustrating and hard to stay invested. It was like someone coming up and switching my plate out from under me between every bite flipping from saccharine ice cream (Lurielle) to fresh, modern sushi (Ris) to a dark, heavy ribeye (Silva). At this point all three women just need their own standlone to tie up their stories.
Even more frustrating was the continued heavy reliance on Silva and Tate just blatantly not talking about really anything. Most of their scenes relied on either Silva making up either overly happy dreams or imagining the absolute worst of Tate (who has been nothing but faithful to her just cryptic and commitment shy). Just like in the other books she keeps trying to shy away from making any real choices or opening up to anyone else about her feelings because...I don't know? The princess can't let anyone else in? I'm truly just always frustrated with Silva and her lack of motivation to do anything. This would be fine for a first book with her, just like it was for Lurielle and Ris whose character development I have enjoyed even with all of their flaws. But as much as Silva likes to gripe about how other people only see her as a doll she doesn't do anything for three books to change that. I liked Silva in the first book - I love a plotline that forces a character out of their ivory tower - but Silva is so inactive in her own story. Lurielle and Ris in comparison are truly main characters. They mess up, have flaws, have successes, they learn and push and fight and live. But Silva for three books now is just a doll and I'm honestly tired of reading about her. The worst part though is that her storyline is the most magical plot heavy with its Fae story which I do like a lot. Truly I'm confused as to what Silva and Tate even have as a real foundation for a relationship. Their relationship in comparison to the other ones throughout the series just seems so flat and based purely on mystery which really weakens after the first book. Now, of course, Silva is also accidentally pregnant which just adds on that extra layer of tired tropes.
I'm curious as to how the next and final book will be but this particular one left me rather unsatisfied in comparison to Nascosta's usual books. I do highly recommend reading the other stories of Cambric Creek.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series but this one…we’ve lost the plot
I don’t think I could bring myself to root for a single character. Lurielle is soooooo busy but is she actually doing anything? She “plans” her wedding for 2 weeks but then hires Grace who does literally everything else so what is keeping her too busy to give a shit that Silva has literally gone off the deep end?
Ris is just kinda mean. I get her hesitation and anxiety at the state of her relationship changing but Ainsley was giving very clear signs that he was increasingly invested in a committed, monogamous relationship. She mentions 5 billion times that their communication is amazing so why was she flabbergasted when he wanted to take their relationship to the next level?
Ainsley…look he’s cool as a person and I love that he’s smart and cultured and whatnot but every time I remember that he has a spiky Mohawk I want to throw my kindle.
Tate and Silva…holy miscommunication. What do they actually talk about? They’ve been together for 3 books now but I cannot picture them having a conversation. I saw him disappearing a million miles away and he made so many cryptic comments but Silva’s a doormat so of course she never asks him what the fuck is going on. Silva is the queen of ignoring problems and hoping they go away. Like holy shit how long did she know she’s pregnant and do literally nothing to even confirm it? And *that* scene…who finds that hot? I’m genuinely asking because it just sounds painful.
Plot wise this book was kind of a nothing burger. It was continually building up something to happen but then nothing ever did and now we just have to wait for the next book. Lastly, please for the love of God get an editor. The amount of spelling and grammar mistakes in here were unacceptable. I can excuse a few in self published books but it got to the point where I was just getting annoyed every time I found another one.
I don’t think I could bring myself to root for a single character. Lurielle is soooooo busy but is she actually doing anything? She “plans” her wedding for 2 weeks but then hires Grace who does literally everything else so what is keeping her too busy to give a shit that Silva has literally gone off the deep end?
Ris is just kinda mean. I get her hesitation and anxiety at the state of her relationship changing but Ainsley was giving very clear signs that he was increasingly invested in a committed, monogamous relationship. She mentions 5 billion times that their communication is amazing so why was she flabbergasted when he wanted to take their relationship to the next level?
Ainsley…look he’s cool as a person and I love that he’s smart and cultured and whatnot but every time I remember that he has a spiky Mohawk I want to throw my kindle.
Tate and Silva…holy miscommunication. What do they actually talk about? They’ve been together for 3 books now but I cannot picture them having a conversation. I saw him disappearing a million miles away and he made so many cryptic comments but Silva’s a doormat so of course she never asks him what the fuck is going on. Silva is the queen of ignoring problems and hoping they go away. Like holy shit how long did she know she’s pregnant and do literally nothing to even confirm it? And *that* scene…who finds that hot? I’m genuinely asking because it just sounds painful.
Plot wise this book was kind of a nothing burger. It was continually building up something to happen but then nothing ever did and now we just have to wait for the next book. Lastly, please for the love of God get an editor. The amount of spelling and grammar mistakes in here were unacceptable. I can excuse a few in self published books but it got to the point where I was just getting annoyed every time I found another one.
July 1, 2024
I'm still crying after finishing this amazing book. I have missed the Girls Weekend characters so much. And I went into this latest book knowing I was about to be put through an emotional wringer in the best way and it more than lived up to expectations.
I don't know how CM Nascosta manages to make three completely different women all seem so relatable, the only answer I have is magic. Every time we switch POVs the character somehow speaks to a different facet, from Lurielle's struggle with self worth to Ris' struggle to know what she wants from life and a partner to Silva's struggle to reconcile the person she wants to be with the expectations of those around her. I cried along with their heartbreaks, laughed along with them at the happy moments, and cried again at their joy.
The relationships aren't always perfect, they take work. And for me that's the real strength of the book, we get to see imperfect people doing their best to be perfect for each other. And it is by turns sweet and spicy. The after all both elves and orc have needs and this book definitely has the spicy times along with the sweet romance and emotional moments.
This series is like a perfect little slice of life soap opera and reading it will bring out all the emotions and leave you feeling like you've caught up with old friends after some time apart. We even get to see some other Cambric Creek friends dropping in for cameos. I am absolutely feral to read the next and final book and see how it comes together in the end.
I don't know how CM Nascosta manages to make three completely different women all seem so relatable, the only answer I have is magic. Every time we switch POVs the character somehow speaks to a different facet, from Lurielle's struggle with self worth to Ris' struggle to know what she wants from life and a partner to Silva's struggle to reconcile the person she wants to be with the expectations of those around her. I cried along with their heartbreaks, laughed along with them at the happy moments, and cried again at their joy.
The relationships aren't always perfect, they take work. And for me that's the real strength of the book, we get to see imperfect people doing their best to be perfect for each other. And it is by turns sweet and spicy. The after all both elves and orc have needs and this book definitely has the spicy times along with the sweet romance and emotional moments.
This series is like a perfect little slice of life soap opera and reading it will bring out all the emotions and leave you feeling like you've caught up with old friends after some time apart. We even get to see some other Cambric Creek friends dropping in for cameos. I am absolutely feral to read the next and final book and see how it comes together in the end.
November 11, 2024
I really love Nascosta’s work, and this series never really appealed to me but I’ve been slowly enjoying it. I feel very 50/50 about this. On the one hand, i was intrigued, actively listening, and worried about all of our stories. The sex scenes are always wonderful so that will never ever be an issue. Overall I trust that Nascosta will wrap the series up happily, possibly in the next book, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, everyone was so infuriating. Not unrealistically, but why were Lurielle and Ris so mean to Silva? why didnt they ask more questions? Why weren’t they by her side like friends should be when Tate left? Why was Ris being so dumb when it came to Ainsley? As if they werent basically exclusive and doing couples stuff. I understand that everyone was going through it, but isnt that what friends are for during these times? To stick together and communicate, hash it out. There were so many instances where Silva shouldve just TALKED TO TATE about the visions. I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, i just feel like the pain that Silva felt after Tate left, is the pain that I felt for everyone. I want everyone to be friendly and to have the bfs at least tolerate one another for the love of their girlfriends. Even Khash and Lurielle’s wedding was shadowed by my worry for everyone else and how this would all come together.
Anywho, i still liked it a lot, just didnt expect sadness and worry to be my primary emotion this go round.
Anywho, i still liked it a lot, just didnt expect sadness and worry to be my primary emotion this go round.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2024
2.5
I couldn’t stand Ris and Lurielle this whole book, and their partners were even worse some of the time. I couldn’t get over talking about Silva like she was a complete mistake and a terrible person for being with Tate. I really would’ve enjoyed a book just about them. I get relationships take work but I hated reading about Ris treat Ainsley like crap. At least he stood up for himself and they seem to be getting somewhere. The only time they reached out to Silva was to ask for stuff, they couldn’t even stand up for her when asked about her relationship!! At least the guy at the end was willing to step up and just be with her because he likes her.
Idk I just couldn’t enjoy 2/3 of this book but will be reading the finale just for Silva and Tate. My poor girl went through so much and had almost no one, instead having to go back and be the other version of herself…
I couldn’t stand Ris and Lurielle this whole book, and their partners were even worse some of the time. I couldn’t get over talking about Silva like she was a complete mistake and a terrible person for being with Tate. I really would’ve enjoyed a book just about them. I get relationships take work but I hated reading about Ris treat Ainsley like crap. At least he stood up for himself and they seem to be getting somewhere. The only time they reached out to Silva was to ask for stuff, they couldn’t even stand up for her when asked about her relationship!! At least the guy at the end was willing to step up and just be with her because he likes her.
Idk I just couldn’t enjoy 2/3 of this book but will be reading the finale just for Silva and Tate. My poor girl went through so much and had almost no one, instead having to go back and be the other version of herself…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2024
Wow I have no words. WTF is happening with Silva and Tate? Their love story has become so unpredictable and while in the first two books, I was so shipping them, I’m done with the drama. I just want an HEA for them already. And in some ways, this book made me look at Silva in a different light. I don't necessarily know if I like her or not but I guess her living in Lalaland all the time kinda drives me up the wall.
On another note, there were so many moments that I loved in this book and can I just say that Tannar was such a good guy and I felt bad for him because he’s just getting suckered. It’s torture that I have to wait for the final book.
Lurielle and Khash definitely made me laugh + I really loved how he should up for her when she accidentally bumped into her ex. His backhanded compliments were just top tier.
Then there's Ris and Ainsley. I loved them the most. I loved their easy relationship so when it turned differently and Ainsley wanted more and she didn't get it. I was so pissed at her. What was stopping her from just letting her heart make the decision? Ainsley is just a perfect guy for her.
One thing that kinda griped me is that I feel like this book needed a very thorough edit. Some sentences did not make sense. There were quite a bit of typos and it just felt a little harried in my opinion. I still love the story but that needed to be fixed and I'm not gonna lie, this Tate origin story is dragging out too much for me. I just want to know now!
On another note, there were so many moments that I loved in this book and can I just say that Tannar was such a good guy and I felt bad for him because he’s just getting suckered. It’s torture that I have to wait for the final book.
Lurielle and Khash definitely made me laugh + I really loved how he should up for her when she accidentally bumped into her ex. His backhanded compliments were just top tier.
Then there's Ris and Ainsley. I loved them the most. I loved their easy relationship so when it turned differently and Ainsley wanted more and she didn't get it. I was so pissed at her. What was stopping her from just letting her heart make the decision? Ainsley is just a perfect guy for her.
One thing that kinda griped me is that I feel like this book needed a very thorough edit. Some sentences did not make sense. There were quite a bit of typos and it just felt a little harried in my opinion. I still love the story but that needed to be fixed and I'm not gonna lie, this Tate origin story is dragging out too much for me. I just want to know now!
July 14, 2024
This author used to be a one click author for me, but the last few books have been seriously disappointing.
I don’t understand how they took fun and capable characters and turned them into something I no longer like.
The spelling mistakes and grammatical errors made my eye twitch.
I don’t think I will be returning to this author’s stories anytime soon.
I don’t understand how they took fun and capable characters and turned them into something I no longer like.
The spelling mistakes and grammatical errors made my eye twitch.
I don’t think I will be returning to this author’s stories anytime soon.
October 24, 2024
This series has just been a bit long and we’re still not done. I skimmed most of the book and the amount of typos I found, while not even reading closely, was really annoying. Elvis for elvish, did know for “didn’t know” - these were rampant.
July 31, 2024
What was the point? I was mad at everyone for some reason. Like it just didn’t not do it for me.
November 7, 2024
Everyone in this book is an idiot and I cannot wait for the next one. Really didn't like the secret pregnancy & Silvia makes me sad and makes me want to hit her. Lauriel is my favorite and I wish her nothing but happiness. I'm really sad no one was there for her during this wedding planning I feel bad for her. The next book better make someone more redeeming or I'm going to lose it 🥲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2024
I'm literally mad at everyone except poor Silva. Ris and Lurielle are so wrapped up in their own inconsequential garbage they don't even care about her problems, because she's young? Idk. I guess everyone is going through it but Silva's got it a lot worse.
I NEED THE NEXT ONE IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN GET TO THE HAPPY EVER AFTERS THIS IS JUST SAD.
Also, girl, you need a better editor. The typos, spelling and grammar errors are really hard to deal with at this point especially if you're going to insist on these being like 400 pages.
I NEED THE NEXT ONE IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN GET TO THE HAPPY EVER AFTERS THIS IS JUST SAD.
Also, girl, you need a better editor. The typos, spelling and grammar errors are really hard to deal with at this point especially if you're going to insist on these being like 400 pages.
January 21, 2025
It didn’t feel like a ton happened in this one, especially given the amount of cliffhangers we were left with. There are so many things unanswered that I’m hoping will be resolved in the last book of this series. The questions are getting to a point of frustration, as opposed to curiosity and excitement.
I feel like the main three women who are supposed to be friends really just don’t give a shit about each other’s lives, which I don’t love. They also just don’t tell each other anything at all, and even when they do, they don’t really support one another in any meaningful way.
I feel like the main three women who are supposed to be friends really just don’t give a shit about each other’s lives, which I don’t love. They also just don’t tell each other anything at all, and even when they do, they don’t really support one another in any meaningful way.
November 24, 2024
I'm so disappointed in this book. How could I come to hate these characters I used to love so much? To recap:
- Lurielle is a self-centered asshole, who would rather ignore her friends' pain rather than question her own beliefs and privileges
- Silva is a resentful little thing. Girl if you're not happy with your friends not being on board your weirdass relationship then tell them. Stop whining.
- Ris is actually tolerable, just a bit too two-faced for my liking.
I'll finish the series, but I will do so while complaining.
- Lurielle is a self-centered asshole, who would rather ignore her friends' pain rather than question her own beliefs and privileges
- Silva is a resentful little thing. Girl if you're not happy with your friends not being on board your weirdass relationship then tell them. Stop whining.
- Ris is actually tolerable, just a bit too two-faced for my liking.
I'll finish the series, but I will do so while complaining.
July 1, 2024
I love following the character growth of these couples. I listened to the first two on audio and read this one on my kindle so I’m thankful I had the character voices in my head as I was reading. The story is a great continuation of the other books. My only criticisms are a transition to a flashback that caused me to go back and reread trying to figure out what happened and where we were in the story and there were multiple missed editing issues. As a former copy editor, I have a pet peeve for multiple mistakes in books. The story is fun as always and I love seeing them grow into their relationships.
August 18, 2024
Thought this was pretty cute but not a lot happens until the very end. This book really focuses on the emotional development of the characters. I got kind of bored. Tate and Silva were really the only ones I cared about. I was pleasantly surprised at Ris's character development, though. Lurielle and Khash are adorable and I teared up when I read his vows to her. This seemed kind of drawn out and there doesn't really need to be a 4th book imo. The author could have wrapped everything up in this one.
P.S. This was littered with typos. Sometimes it took me out of the reading experience.
P.S. This was littered with typos. Sometimes it took me out of the reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
this one was kinda disappointing to me because I loved the first two books but god all the characters were so unbearable in this ): I saw there's another book coming but I don't know if I can deal with it again lol
January 23, 2025
DNF @ 40%
I feel really let down by Invitations.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series immensely and I was excited when my hold at the library finally came due and it was my turn to borrow the third installment of the Girls Weekend series. However, by the 30% mark, I started to realize that whole chapters had gone by and I was so completely disinterested that I didn't even rewind to find out what had happened. At the 40% mark I decided to just stop listening. I was bored and often annoyed by the characters, so I decided to read spoilery reviews instead. And, to be honest, everything I read in these reviews I had already seen coming from book one.
Since I was listening to the book, rather than reading it, I was less aware of the spelling and grammatical errors, but there were a couple times while listening that sentences simply didn't make sense. After reading other reviews, I came to learn this was a real complaint for most readers.
Sadly, though I adore the town of Cambric Creek and all the species within it, I will not be finishing this series when book 4 is published. From what I understand, Invitations ends on another cliffhanger, but I have lost all interest in these characters.
Though this book may not have worked for me, it may work for other monster p*rn lovers, so don't let me stop you from reading this story.
Happy Reading y'all
I feel really let down by Invitations.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series immensely and I was excited when my hold at the library finally came due and it was my turn to borrow the third installment of the Girls Weekend series. However, by the 30% mark, I started to realize that whole chapters had gone by and I was so completely disinterested that I didn't even rewind to find out what had happened. At the 40% mark I decided to just stop listening. I was bored and often annoyed by the characters, so I decided to read spoilery reviews instead. And, to be honest, everything I read in these reviews I had already seen coming from book one.
Since I was listening to the book, rather than reading it, I was less aware of the spelling and grammatical errors, but there were a couple times while listening that sentences simply didn't make sense. After reading other reviews, I came to learn this was a real complaint for most readers.
Sadly, though I adore the town of Cambric Creek and all the species within it, I will not be finishing this series when book 4 is published. From what I understand, Invitations ends on another cliffhanger, but I have lost all interest in these characters.
Though this book may not have worked for me, it may work for other monster p*rn lovers, so don't let me stop you from reading this story.
Happy Reading y'all
July 12, 2024
Rating : 1,5 ⭐
Read
July 27, 2024DNF @ 13%
I was already kinda ambivalent on the series and this one wasn't grabbing my interest. I may try it again someday.
I was already kinda ambivalent on the series and this one wasn't grabbing my interest. I may try it again someday.
January 11, 2025
5 stars
I become more and more invested in these females the farther to go. I can't wait until later this year fir the next novel
I become more and more invested in these females the farther to go. I can't wait until later this year fir the next novel
February 23, 2025
If I wanted story with hints of smut, I'd read Fourth Wing. I visit Cambric Creek cuz I want descriptions of hot sex between anthropomorphic species. Also, I want my couples, throuples, and others happy! Don't zap someone to an evil fae dimension where they face certain death without explaining the situation to their partner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2025
i love this universe so much. how complex and detailed everything is with so many layers of lore. i feel like CM's writing style has changed. maybe I just never noticed it before, but in her later books, there's so much flashback to the point I don't even know what the present plot is. like we will be reading about Silvia in present and then it shifts and some memory from last week takes up the rest of the chapter. its not a bad writing style, but I don't like how disjointed it feels. and honestly I was kinda bored. i think I wanted more of an active plot. i loved the second book in this series so much and I was so excited for "invitations," but I was just so bored and it look forever to finish.
October 8, 2024
Ok, Ris and Lurielle are bitches, and not in the fun way.
They talk behind Silva's back, they talk behind Dynah's back, they think shit of their other coworkers, and they think shit of each other's partners and relationships.
I get that the point of this book is to showcase three completely different relationships, but Nascosta made the weird decision to make each girl think their own is the best, and that they don't need anything else beyond their partner and their families.
So much for girl friendship.
They talk behind Silva's back, they talk behind Dynah's back, they think shit of their other coworkers, and they think shit of each other's partners and relationships.
I get that the point of this book is to showcase three completely different relationships, but Nascosta made the weird decision to make each girl think their own is the best, and that they don't need anything else beyond their partner and their families.
So much for girl friendship.
August 17, 2025
At this point there is only 1 couple that doesn’t irritate me lol
July 14, 2025
Με τα δύο προηγούμενα πέρασα διασκεδαστικά. Ήταν συνεπή στο ύφος του είδους που υπηρετούν. Το τρίτο μέρος έπασχε από μια ακατάσχετη φλυαρία με εσωτερικές σκέψεις των ηρωίδων που επαναλαμβάνονταν χωρίς να προσφέρουν τίποτα περισσότερο από αναγνωστική κόπωση, ενώ συχνά το περιεχόμενο του βιβλίου ερχόταν σε κόντρα με το είδος του και την πλοκή, καθώς ένιωθα να ξεπηδάει απ' τις σελίδες του ο Βέλτσος σε μια κοινωνιολογική προσέγγιση της ταξικής διαστρωμάτωσης του κόσμου των ξωτικών, των νεραιδών, των όρκ, των μινώταυρων και όλων των πλασμάτων που παρουσιάζει. Αν ήθελα κάτι τέτοιο, προφανώς, θα επέλεγα τη "διάκριση" του Μπουρντιέ.
June 8, 2025
So much sadder than I was expecting! Everyone’s sad in this book, like legit I cried several times. More typos in the last 1/3 than I can really tolerate.
May 7, 2025
Not the cliffhanger I was expecting
I’ve enjoyed this series, but this third installment was a harder read. It felt like things were unraveling between the characters. The story of Tate and Silva was the hardest to follow with so many unanswered questions. Hopefully the last installment comes out soon to solve the mystery.
However, in this installment of the story, you see the characters having to grow through challenges but it also breaks them apart.
I’ve enjoyed this series, but this third installment was a harder read. It felt like things were unraveling between the characters. The story of Tate and Silva was the hardest to follow with so many unanswered questions. Hopefully the last installment comes out soon to solve the mystery.
However, in this installment of the story, you see the characters having to grow through challenges but it also breaks them apart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2024
The Girls Weekend series has been one of my favorite fun reads. Then this book came along and hit me with ALL the feels! I was not prepared. I want to hug these women. Also impressed how smoothly characters from the other book are integrated. Top notch story weaving.
July 6, 2024
So amazing! I need Reunions immediately!
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