Book 57, 2025
Jun. 2nd, 2025 08:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chez_jae
Killer Mousse by Melinda WellsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
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I finished my “spare” book last night. It was Killer Mousse by Melinda Wells, and it’s the first in her “Della Cooks” series of cozy mysteries. The main character is Della Carmichael, a 47 year-old widow who runs a cooking school.
Della’s cooking school is doing okay, but she’s struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, she jumps at the chance to host a cooking show on a local cable channel. However, during the live airing of her first episode, the woman who volunteers to taste-test Della’s “killer mousse” drops dead. When it’s learned that Mimi died of an allergic reaction because the mousse contained peanuts, Della becomes a murder suspect. Her late husband was a police officer, so Della knows her way around the legal system. Soon, she is speaking to others involved with the cable station, trying to learn who may have had it in for Mimi. In the meantime, the TV station senses a PR opportunity and sends an investigative journalist to interview Della. She finds Nicholas D’Martino (or NDM, as she refers to him) to be arrogant and full of himself. When someone else connected with the studio is murdered and Della is attacked, she realizes she’s running out of time to find out who killed Mimi.
I enjoyed this story. I liked Della, and I appreciated that she was a mature woman. Other characters were three-dimensional and relatable, including the foul-mouthed owner of the station. When Della chose to indulge in a fling, I was both astonished and approving. It was refreshing to read about a woman who took what she wanted. Rowr! There really wasn’t much humor in the story, although Della was possessed of a dry wit. The plot moved at a good pace and didn’t meander.
Favorite lines:
♦ Maybe I was so upset at seeing a woman die in front of me that I was being unreasonable.
♦ She was as pale as a vampire’s entrée.
Very good story, and I look forward to reading others in the series. Four stars.
( Trope Test )
Unromantic Romance by Seokchan Jeong
Jun. 2nd, 2025 05:06 pmreviews_and_ramblings
In a world where Omegas rule supreme, it’s tough being an Alpha. But Hyeon-oh’s been able to lead a decent, if a little boring, life so far and it seems like things'll stay that way. He’ll graduate from university, get a job as a reporter, meet an Omega who’ll take care of him, start a family with them and live happily ever after. The perfect romance. The kind of romance that starts when you ask the bartender to make a drink for the only other person in the bar. Little does Hyeon-oh know how that innocent gesture will pull him headfirst into the most unromantic of situations...
My Rate: 9 (www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/unromantic_en)
The story is a little twist on the ordinary Omegaverse universe, in the meaning that here the Omega are the superior gender, and the Alpha are the submissive partners. Among the omegas, Ga-in Chu is the most desired, an hyper-dominant omega heir to a big conglomerate business; on the other hand Hyeon-oh Oh is an ordinary student, but he is indeed a dominant alpha. But that is not the reason why Ga-in falls for him, but rather because Hyeon-oh is sort of an innocent puppy, who is openly and madly in love with Ga-in, and Ga-in is not able to be mean to him... it would be like kicking a puppy. I liked this one, despite the fact it was a black and white design (I love my colors in manhwa) but the story was nice, very much romantic comedy, very little, if nothing drama... Ga-in's resistences fell down almost immediately and from that moment on, it's just full romance for these two.
Love Tractor by Angrymonster and hmmyongyong
Jun. 2nd, 2025 11:51 amreviews_and_ramblings
When family obligations force Sun Yool, a stressed-out law school student, to the countryside, it seems like a great opportunity to escape the chaos of the city. After all, the great outdoors promises fresh air, sunshine… and a new romance?! Soon after arriving, Sun Yool is thrown into a series of strange encounters and misunderstandings with his 20-year-old neighbor, Yechan. But in spite of Yechan’s bumbling first impression and Sun Yool’s prickly exterior, the two find themselves drawn to each other… Will this tractor-driving stud's rustic charm be enough to melt this cold city boy's heart?
My Rate: 9 (www.tappytoon.com/en/book/love-tractor and www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/lovetractor)
Love Tractor manhwa is for sure better than the drama adaptation, that, let's be true, was a bit boring. Probably the manhwa is better since it goes into their common life, 8 years into it, and therefore we can share a bit of their happily ever after. Both the manhwa and the drama is quite chaste, there is almost no sex, in the drama just a kiss, in the manhwa something more, but always on a very prim and proper way, letting a lot to the reader's imagination. In this case I was a little disappointed, cause Sun Yool is for sure sexy, and it would have been nice to see how he makes Yechan loose his inhibition. But at least we have a love story set in an ordinary environment with a happily ever after where the couple can share their happiness without being ostracized by whom is really important in their life.
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My Way with You by Upi
Jun. 1st, 2025 06:21 pmreviews_and_ramblings
Some wounds are slow to heal. Giran’s been alone ever since his grandmother died, and he has no intention of letting anyone into his life. But one day, out of nowhere, he meets an exceptionally pretty face…who’s also exceptionally good in bed. This one-night fling turns into something more when Giran finds out that his meeting with Seon-gyeong was more than just a coincidence. The two have similar pasts that are stained with painful losses. Trauma can be all-consuming, but every walk through life is made better with someone by your side.
My Rate: 9 (www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/way_with_you)
This is basically a short story, just 3 episode, that for a manhwa is basically a preface, but it was long enough to made you wonder about the character of Seon-gyeong. Some manhwa can be twisted, so even if this is a romance, strange things can happen, and more they are cute, more they are evil. Be aware that the cover is very nice and stylish, but this is a black and white manhwa so it can be disappointing on that regard (I love the full color manhwa), but in this case, I advice you to not be discouraged and to read it, the story make it worth the lack of coloring.
Dear Benjamin by ID and Tapjeong
Jun. 1st, 2025 06:02 pmreviews_and_ramblings
An omega in hiding and an alpha with a dangerous past meet in a collision of desire and danger. Isaac has always lived as a beta, but his world turns upside down when he discovers he’ s a recessive omega during an undercover operation. As he experiences his first heat cycle, he encounters Felix, a notorious and hyper-dominant alpha arms dealer. In the midst of a chaotic raid, Isaac, overwhelmed by his heat, seeks relief from Felix. Four years later, Isaac has reinvented himself as a modest florist in San Diego, trying to escape his tumultuous past and conceal his omega status. His peaceful life is shattered when Felix reappears. Felix is immediately infatuated with Isaac and, upon discovering that Isaac needs protection from an unknown threat, offers a dangerous but tempting deal; his protection in exchange for Isaac’ s body. A flower shop isn’ t the safest place for an omega with a past, especially when Felix is around even more so when Issac’ s most precious secret may be uncovered…
My Rate: 9 (amzn.to/3Z956hT)
I admit I have read the manhwa, not this light novel, but if the light novel is at all like the manhwa I read, it's good. Of course there are all the usual thropes, but here the omega is a bad ass probably even more than the alpha, who is, somehow, clueless... it's funny how everyone around Felix understood Benjamin is his son other than him. The graphic is indeed the only fault I found, it's sometime childish, not as much detailed as I like, but in this case, the romantic comedy hints of the story make it up for the graphic.
Feigning Fox With a Face Full of Flowers by Ryo Ayamine
Jun. 1st, 2025 05:59 pmreviews_and_ramblings
A loving, tolerant seme & a proud, beautiful fox spirit hungry for love. At his late grandfather's house, Ken meets Kazune, a "fox spirit" who claims to have known his grandfather.
One fateful day at his late grandfather's house, Takeru meets Kazune, a beautiful and proud fox spirit!
After ten long years of awaiting Takeomi's return, Kazune mistakes Takeru for his grandfather and greets him with a passionate kiss. As a centuries-old yokai who feeds on human life force, however, a simple kiss is hardly enough to satiate Kazune's all-consuming hunger...
Kazune's incorrigible appetite awakens a beast deep within Takeru, who's been starved for companionship his whole life. As his feelings for Kazune deepen, will his body be enough to satisfy Kazune's desires, or will Takeru choose to offer Kazune his heart in his grandfather's place?
A story of mutual salvation, where loneliness is fulfilled with rapturous love!
My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/4kJpTAX)
Blood Night Market by Chise Ogawa
Jun. 1st, 2025 05:54 pmreviews_and_ramblings
From popular Boys' Love creator Chise Ogawa! In this action-packed supernatural thriller, a dark city thrives when humans feed the desires of vampires.
Step into the pulsating heart of Blood Night City, a metropolis teeming with vampires thirsty for blood and humans eager to sell. In this dark urban landscape, Sotetsu toils as an employee of the Blood Control Bureau, an organization determined to stamp out illegal vampire activities. But when he crosses paths with the enigmatic Mozu, a self-proclaimed vampire gourmand, Sotetsu's world is suddenly turned upside down. For the first time ever, a vampire craves his "undesirable blood," but could there be more to Mozu's desires?
As their destinies intertwine in a web of blood, prepare for a gripping tale of seduction, intrigue, and salvation unlike any other!
My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/4kHDuZp)
Low Tide in Twilight by Euja
Jun. 1st, 2025 05:38 pmreviews_and_ramblings
A dark Boys’ Love omegaverse romance about an omega at his limit and the alpha who plans on making him repay his debt—with his body. The hit webcomic is finally available in English print!
Kim Euihyun is an omega at his limit. After living a life of troubles and owing an unpayable debt that isn’t even his, he’s ready to give up. Hoping to spare himself and his little brother a life of more pain, he opts to walk into the cold depths of the sea. With his escape in reach, it seems like everything will be over soon—until someone catches him. Yeo Taeju, a sadistic alpha who seems to take pleasure in other’s pain, gives Euihyun the choice to pay off his debt with his body but when the omega refuses, Taeju proves he has no other choice.
Still desperate for escape, Euihyun tries to plan his next attempt while doing restaurant work. But with a sorry paycheck that barely covers his interests and his little brother to care for, will Euihyun have to sell his body after all just to survive? And, is it even worth surviving if this is what his life is meant to be?
My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/43EYokZ)
I think I read this manhwa at least three times, and everytime I enjoy it a lot. Not the first chapters, Taeju is basically forcing Euihyun to have sex with him (=rape), and there is no excuse for it, but basically Taeju is an egotistic piece of garbage, and it's only his love for Euihyun saving him. I like this story cause not only Taeju and Euihyun are full fledged characters, there is a whole lot of side characters that made me want to read their story, first in front of all Taeju 's parents. And then, in the side stories, Taeju's brother and sister make an appearance, and even Taeju's grandfather, even if just on the phone. They are all so well drawn, and with their own personality, that you really want more. This is a 100 episode manhwa that leave for thirsty for more once you finish it.
Book 56, 2025
May. 31st, 2025 05:24 pmchez_jae
The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert ArthurMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
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With one day left in the month, I cheated a bit and chose to read a YA book, which I knew I could knock back in short order. One more book for the month, huzzah! I read The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur, which is the 7th in the “Three Investigators” series of classic, young adult mysteries. The main characters are boys Jupiter Jones, Bob Andrews, and Pete Crenshaw.
There’s been a dearth of mysteries for the Three Investigators to solve, until a former detective turned mystery writer calls them to help the son of a friend of his. The son, Gus, has been left an inheritance by his reclusive great-uncle, but the only clue is a cryptic letter sent to him. The boys eagerly take on the case, which they learn involves an infamous gem and the gang of thugs who are intent on claiming it first. The race is on for the boys to solve the clues hidden in the letter and secure the Fiery Eye before Gus’ inheritance is lost forever.
This was a quick read, not only because it was novella length, but also because the plot zipped along. There were red herrings, mysterious characters, and a dash of danger. It was fun, in a nostalgic way, to see the boys pedaling their bikes all over, making (and waiting for) telephone calls, and doing research at the library.
Favorite line: “I am fighting an enraged chair, and I think I’m winning.”
Fun story, four stars
Quick meme swiped from Twitter
May. 31st, 2025 11:04 pmzimenaGive me one of these in the replies. Then repost so I can do the same for you.
* A music rec
* A cute message
* Why you follow me
* If we could meet, how would it go?
* Something you want to know about me
* One fact about you
* A music rec
* A cute message
* Why you follow me
* If we could meet, how would it go?
* Something you want to know about me
* One fact about you
Boss, Bxtch, Baby! by Dakto
May. 31st, 2025 06:59 pmreviews_and_ramblings
When financial issues put one man in a tough spot, he becomes the boy-toy to an unhinged corporate heir that was his former one-night-stand. The hit Boys’ Love webtoon is now available in English print!
Hojin Koo is in deep trouble. Ruthless loan sharks are after him, demanding payment for a debt his runaway brother left behind. Just when he braces for the worst, a group of suited strangers swoops in to save him. But his relief is short-lived—his rescuer turns out to be a former one-night stand with a wild proposal: become his personal plaything for a year, and the debt disappears.
Reluctantly, Hojin agrees. At first, he’s nothing more than a pet for the eccentric corporate heir, but as time passes, he glimpses the loneliness beneath the man’s wealth and power. As their relationship evolves and emotions stir, is Hojin falling into something real—or just making another terrible mistake?
My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/3HkXrqL)
Finally a story set in South Korea where the fact the main character is gay is an issue for his standing in the good society. It's true that Yoosung Baek is the heir to a big conglomerate business, but he was confined far from Seul for 15 years to hide the fact he is gay. Now his family needs him to inherit the business but Yoosung decides to rebel a little bit and buy himself a new toy, Hojin Koo, the sweet bartender with whom he had a one night stand and who happens to be deep in debt (as usual not for his fault but for his family bad behaviour). The funny thing is that Hojin would have willingly followed Yoosung even without the money since he has fall in love with the man at first sight: Yoosung fit the three B for his perfect man: Boss, Bxtch, Baby. And the story unfollows as you can imagine, but I really loved the contrast between the good spirited Hojin , who Yoosung compares to a fox, but he is really just a big golden retriever, while Yoosung is, more or less, a doberman, black, sleek and lethal. I love the mix of drama and comedy, both of them right dosed.