Dark Lover

Dark Lover, by J.R. Ward, was an extremely interesting read. The basic storytelling is the bland good against evil, the bad guys are bad because they're bad, and the good guys are good because they are good. There's no moral decisions made, and the plot is extremely boring due to this. However, the characterization of the main characters is very well done, which leads to a very strange book with compelling characters who never could have done otherwise.

Entertaining, makes for good candy, but not a compelling novel. Its like watching a feature length video that's made solely out of K-pop love ballads. Three out of five stars.

Compromised Hearts

Compromised Hearts, by Hannah Howell, is a western romance following Cloud Ryder, a rough and tumble mountain man who will never settle down, and Emily Brockinger, a down on her luck socialite fleeing west. Compromised Hearts had more of a fleshed out story than Highland Lover, though the characters were just as enjoyable.

Though a fun read, there were several tropes that I don't enjoy present (I like consent in my romance, and don't particularly like virginity as purity tropes), and the novels treatment of women left a little to be desired. I give Compromised Hearts 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Highland Lover

In Highland Lover, by Hannah Howell, Alana Murray is captured as she searches to find her sister. In a dark dungeon she meets Gregor MacFingal Cameron, your classic highland Scot, who decides to help her on her quest. Romance ensues as they learn to trust each other with their secrets and their emotions, but will his past ruin the future they have tried to create?

This was a fun romance. It's pretty standard in its layout, and the characters are very fun. The relationship between Alana and Gregor is filled with witty banter. My one complaint about the story is that Alana never does find and help her sister, which is a little unsatisfactory as that goal is a major mover in the plot line, though I understand that the sisters story is purposefully left out as it's the story of another book by Howell.

Highland Lover was a very fun escapist read, I give it 3.5 out of five stars. Thanks to Amanda for lending it to me, it was a fantastic pick-me-up.