Engrossed Reader > Recent Status Updates

Book 2 is coming out soon, so a reread is due. This is probably going to be my fourth time reading Hench, one of those time by audiobook. Looking forward to the mayhem

Apparently I've read 163 page of this in October 2025 and stopped. Who knows why I did but must be because of lack of interest. The fact I've not made one note or highlighted any phrase is telling. That only happens if I'm not feeling it or mediocre. Because if a book is getting on my nerves, I'm negative AF and letting it known in frequent comments. Parked until I feel like it

It was the blogging style that got me to download this book but once I started reading got annoyed by it. Another November book, that's going in the pile of 'your time will come, but not anytime soon'. Parked.

Reading the synopsis I can't believe that I started this book in November 2025 and haven't gotten beyond 29%. In that time I've read over 200 books. What has stopped me from continuing this one? Truly baffling until I checked out my kindle notes and highlights. Might be a great book, but it's not grabbing me right now. Going to park this, because if I haven't read it in 3 months how likely am I to read anytime soon

Read the sample and so far nothing of note has happened. Only the strict household edict to complete tasks and speak quietly. Why is the only mystery that is making me consider downloading the full book. Why does the naga require near silence to cover his home? The MMC and FMC have already met and that was underwhelming. I'm not enthralled, enraptured, curious or even interested in what happens next. Onto the next 1

I was feeling a bit meh about this book and decided to read some reviews to see if it was worth pursuing. The verdict? Maybe, but not now as I have too much to do than wait on the slow burn of will they won't they. And more importantly why it's even a problem.

"Watching them interact, seeing the love they have between them, it’s inspiring. It also makes me even more sad. “I wish I could find a relationship like yours.”
The first time Fox goes for a drink with colleagues after work (after working there for years), he gets drunk enough to be cut off by the bartender, leaves a voicemail for his boss and when said boss turns up says the above to boss and boss' partner. Yikes!

Is every sex scene going to have his signature move because it's untenable. BTW “I love you. So fucking much, Shardonnay.” Chardonnay as a name, spelt this way is...words fail me.

The sex scene after the gala is mortifying. It sent a cold all body shudder through me. Ending with another cringe move of drawing an X inside her. Just not enticing, sexy or even pleasant. Back to skimming.

Why would you give her the deed to her dead mum's apartment now so she can cry and ruin her make up before the big event. Cheers mate.
X is SO infuriating.

The MMC just keeps on irritating me and I don't know how it is possible to get more and more annoyed with this guy. Almost every scene with him is is giving me the ick. I'm now at the point where my initial opinion has changed from rich wannabe alpha to rich douchebag throwing his weight around for no good reason.

I know that I've read this exact book before. Young couple get behind on their bills and move in with the boyfriend's dad. Boyf is a waste of space, cheats. Moves out. Girl stays. Dad is charming, responsible and hot. Stuff happens. Haven't heard from boyf mother in a while. Wonder how she will stir up more trouble. Interesting times.

At 45% and I don't know if I'm reading the same book that most other readers have given 5 stars for a brilliant dark romance. Why is the MMC shooting or stabbing anyone who looks at the FMC and feeding to his murder pigs. Why does the FMC character say that's she's traumatised from her previous domestic violence relationship but MMC gets a pass for all of his extreme behaviour. This isn't crazy love but stupid

Finally into the epilogue "sweating like a fish on roller-skates". Yep doesn't make sense, like a lot of this book

"If you don't relax, you'll be in a world of pain"
Impossible to see past Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde presentation. Proper split personality.

This book is banned on Amazon. I'm at the point where I can see why. It reads like a fever dream. This guy is obsessive, possessive AF and so OTT you would expect his head to explode from the over exaggeration of every single interaction between them. This abused virgin is straight into kinks like she was schooled in them. All very convenient but unbelievable. The switch between crazy man to romantic partner is wild

I know that sometimes you have to suspend belief when reading but there's no way that within a month a traumatised, abused teen would be taking liberties in her employer's suite. She's there to clean, not roll around naked on his bed, narrating loudly her filthy fantasies.
How fortuitous that said employer is hiding in secret tunnels to hear this. Which will in part absolves him from the noncon acts soon to come

Akira The Don "Discipline Equals Freedom", lyrics are right on the nose for stalker guy with anxiety. Could be his personal mantra. I've never heard of this artist, however the song is tat. Unlike unhinged guy, I wouldn't be blaring it from my car speakers. I haven't quite found his signature tune yet; Prosthetic by Slipknot touches the obsession in part, but not the anxiety and OCD. His song will come to me

Out of the frying pan into the fire. FMC goes from an abusive home in foster care to the housekeeper of a stalker who has total control over her life. On balance doesn't seem that either are great choices.

Baffled and bemused by how the harem is developing. It literally is from out of nowhere.

This my second Kindle sample of 2026. The first was a bust, DNF, this I'm 50:50 on whether I will download the full book. I loved Shane and Ilya's story in Game Changers/Heated Rivalry and this has a similar premise: hockey, closeted Pros, attraction not acted on, etc. Fingers crossed for less angst.

Got to 33% and wanted to strangle the girlfriend Mila for being selfish and oblivious when pushing a threesome given her boyfriend wasn't into it. Therefore I feel no pity for the upcoming implosion of her relationship. She had a good thing going with Alexander and brought in another guy Christian thinking that she would be the focus. Sucks that she will be excluded and the boys get monogamous with each other

This book has me cringing so hard. I feel like I'm going to have an aneurysm any second now. Nothing feels right: the instalove, DDLG dynamic, human trafficking storyline.
I'm out

I literally read this book a week ago and here I am again. This is book 2 in a series and where I started. Loved it so much I went to book 3, then finished #1 earlier today. Now circling back to this sweet tale of best friends since childhood realising that their relationship love is romantic too.
"We’re always everything together.” Donovan to Eric

Mona's bad dates are comedy gold and so, so terrible.

On reading the book blurb, I thought how trite this why choose set up would never work; all participants are too dissimilar. However I'm pleasantly surprised and charmed by the story so far. Finley is sassy and the guys all interesting individuals.

"I’m not a cheater. I don’t cross lines. I don’t betray the people I love" Tell yourself more lies Ariana Clarke, because you've been in bed more times with your boyfriend's twin on this vacation than him. Break up already, you had already checked out of the relationship, thus it's unclear why you'd agree to join his family's vacation. Glutton for punishment

I have a hard limit on cheating in real life and mostly in book life. It's as simple as ending one relationship and starting another. For numerous reasons, people prefer the overlap and the drama that goes with it. Maddox shouldn't be fixated on his brother's girlfriend, nor should he be slipping into her bed most nights. But I see Ari as the issue, break up first with lackluster Asher, then grab love with Maddox

I'm a big fan of crazy.

"She’s mine to take care of now. Even if she doesn’t realize it yet".

"Ari’s tired. She’s been holding everything up for so long, she doesn’t even realize she can let go. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll make her let go. I’ll show her she doesn’t have to make the decisions, or be the strong one, or take care of everyone else."

How can you say no to this obsession?

"Why did Asher even bring me here? To watch him work? The realization stings more than I want to admit." You're invited to your boyfriend parents' you house and his twin who you've only just met, spends more time with you than him. This twin sees who you are more than the brother you've been dating for 2 years. Really who should you be dating?