ARC Review: Beauty and the Wiener by Casey Griffin

Beauty and the Wiener

Author: Casey Griffin
Series: A Rescue Dog Romance #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 7th 2017

Summary:

A TAIL AS OLD AS TIME…

Addison Turner has scripted a perfect future for herself, complete with a fairytale ending. She will become the name in doggie fashion design and live happily ever after with the husband of her dreams—and her dachshund, Princess, by her side. Just when her plan is on track and she’s gaining recognition at the local dog show, Addison is hit with some Oscar-worthy drama. A group of prize-winning show dogs are stolen from under her nose, and she’s stuck asking for help from Felix Vaughn, an infuriatingly hot bartender who is the exact opposite of Prince Charming.

When more dogs go missing—and Felix becomes a suspect—the two team up to clear their names. Although Felix and Addison fight like cats and dogs, there’s an undeniable spark between them. And as the trail to the missing dogs heats up, so does their red-hot chemistry. Can Addison be persuaded to throw away her script to find an ending that just might be better than she ever expected?

Review:

A book that took me by surprise.

Beauty and the Wiener is a book that took me completely by surprise.
And I'm not saying this just about one aspect but about several.
First it's not really what I would seek out to read. But frankly I liked the cover and the summary sounded fun. So on a whim I decided that I would like to give it a try. I made sure that it can be read as a standalone, since I haven't read the previous book in the series.
So it's my first book by Griffin as well. And let's just I am sure it won't be my last.

The plot was captivating. I was totally into the mystery. Though I did guess who the culprit is, I kept wavering and wondering if I was wrong. I more than enjoyed the covert missions of Addison and Felix. All the mishaps and all the sneaking around was beyond entertaining. And there were a couple of things, I didn't solve completely.

The character building is interesting. As I said I haven't read Must Love Wieners (yet) so I didn't know any of the cast. My first impression however was, somewhat of shock. I felt Addison was dizzy and superficial, and possibly a bit delusional... Very quickly however I changed my mind. I grew to like her and understand her. Felix, on the other hand had me at the first go. I loved him right from the beginning, As the story went on and we got to know both MCs better, both gained depths and I felt beyond smug that I was always right about the "bad boy". Griffin did a great job and showing Addison's weakness and her past hurts, without dwelling too much on it. And I love how she subtly changed and how she slowly realised what she really wanted.
I liked the interactions between Addison and her friends. But I would have liked some more of it, I felt like it was too little to understand their relationship. Maybe this is because I haven't read the first book yet?
Basically we get little about Addison's personal life despite the fact that this is written entirely from her POV

The romance left me divided. Because I totally adored their "slow" burn romance- that wasn't that slow burn. But I really couldn't relate to Addison's Cinderella dreams. Then there is the nearly love-triangle. It wasn't that bad mind you. I didn't really mind it. Except for Addison's blatant ignorance. It infuriated me, actually. I found the end, while completely satisfying, lost it's swoon factor by talking about how this was so forever. It was a bit too much for me

On another note; the biggest surprise for me was the show dog world. See, I am not much of a dog person, I never owned a dog nor do I have a great affinity to them. I think I am more of a cat person. I know very little about the dog shows. Mind you not that I would know more about cat show, or any other pet for that matter. So I was a bit overwhelmed by that aspect of it. But Griffin did a great job at conveying the world, it's draw backs and it's great sides. At least from my layman's point of view. Because of this I found myself immersed in it and totally enjoying that aspect of the book.

I am definitely going to read the first book and am looking forward to the next.
An interesting discovery for me. I think lovers of the genre and dog lovers will really enjoy this one.

Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

ARC Review: The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne

The Duke

Author: Kerrigan Byrne
Series: Victorian Rebels #4
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: February 7th 2017

Summary:

He is noble, notorious, and takes no prisoners...

They say that now His Grace, Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth has only one hand, he might finally be a mere mortal, but no one seems willing to test the theory. Rich as Midas, big as a Viking, beautiful as Adonis, and lethal as a feral wolf, he is the English Empire’s golden son. But now he’s lost everything. Most of his family died in a terrible accident, his protégé and closest friend betrayed him on the battlefield, and his left hand was cut off while he was a prisoner of war. The only thing that’s kept him going until now is the memory of a night spent in the arms of a mysterious raven-haired woman almost a year ago…

Imogen Pritchard is a nurse by day, but a fallen woman—and a spy—by night. Seduced on the job years ago by a Duke who mourned for the loss of his family, Imogen has never shaken the memory of the man’s despair—or the fathomless depths of pleasure he brought to her. But as the threat of betrayals, blackmail, and secrets abound, Imogen and Collin are thrown back together in a dizzying swirl of dangerous games and earthshattering desire. But can their love overcome the everything that threatens to tear them apart?

Review:

In one word: devastating

In the best possible way.
Devastatingly beautiful, slow, heartbreaking, moving and satisfying.
This is my favorite in the series so far. And the fact that I am going to have to wait for the next novel until October 2017.. rather devastating as well.

I adore this series. In fact I started reading it because it was compared to Monica McCarthy's novels. And while this is very different, it is similar that it is extremely well historically researched - while the characters are fictional it feel very authentic and real.
And it's really really well written. Byrne's prose is as I said before devastatingly beautiful. Her language is rich and descriptive reminding me of some of my favorite classics. Her descriptions are evocative.
I found myself stopping every now and then and marveling over how to a point a sentence was or how beautiful a scene was described.
It's an utter pleasure to read! Byrne is a master of her craft.

The story line is a insta-attraction turning into slow burn star-crossed lovers. Let me warn you, the romance is very slow burn, so much attraction and so little action. And we all know I am not huge on smut. BUUUT after like 3/4 of the book I was wondering when oh when they will finally get their act together. I was desperate for at least some smut... or something other than the devastating gap, yearning and attraction.
But there is way more to this than romance. There is an account of the dark side of Victorian times and a mystery as well. So I kept anticipating, guessing and enjoying any kind of sparing during all this immensely. It's if you put the slightly insta thing in the beginning aside: It's absolutely perfect it you ask me.

And yet I would say this is character driven. Or maybe it's just that the character building is so very masterfully done. And I am totally take by each one of them. The entire cast feels real. It's interesting to revisit the characters from previous books as well. Just like I expected, this is about a dark, tortured hero, that is strong, kind, lonely,disillusioned and extremely stubborn. And a strong, sweet, charming heroine, who is carving her own path in the Victorian era. While this is the overall similarity of all the MCs in the series, they each one unique. Their stories while each one delves into the dark side of the time, unique. It think Imogene is the reason this is my favorite , because she is incredibly brave. I connected with her through her love for art. But more than anything I fell in love with her, because she despite her difficulties she faced in live she was moved on and not only that she uses her advances in life to protect the ones who are not as fortunate. She is a brilliant light in the middle of darkness.
But she comes with her own insecurities and her own past, which makes her relatable and realistic.
Cole is has a whole lot of past to deal with. He is such a hot, tortured and arrogant prick - he totally broke my heart. But his POV steal endeared me and broke my heart all over again. A fierce man with such tenderness. Totally swoonworthy!

I am dying to hear what and more importantly who the next in the series is about. I am atm rooting for the inspector.. but then again I don't really care as long as Byrne keeps writing these novels I will read them!

A MUST READ for lovers of the genre!

Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review