Category: Romance - JARED R. LOPATIN

ROLL FOR LOVE by M. K. England (Audiobook)

7/9/2025

Read by Mary Helen Gallucci, Natalie Naudus, and André Santana.

I really enjoy M. K. England. I stumbled across them on Libby when I read THE DISASTERS and I love their work. Plus, a sapphic romance with Dungeons and Dragons? Sign me up! This was adorable. It starts with almost all of the problems solved and then things go off the rails. The secondary characters are fun as well; they have their own problems. It wraps up a LITTLE too quickly for me. We don't actually get to see how certain characters resolve their feelings in order to make everything a happy ending but it didn't bother me enough to take me out of the story. Strangely enough, the parts I enjoyed the least were the inserts of Dungeons and Dragons. I really wanted to focus on Harper and Ollie's relationship and working through their personal issues in general even though I know many of us D&D nerds can work through our issues in game. England does a nice job with that; it just didn't grab me the way that I wanted. Overall, a delightful book with a fun coming-of-age identity story and just the right amount of romance. (Side note? I absolutely love the cover art as well.)

Quote:

"I have been stereotyping my own town; writing myself out of a story that I have full control over."

4.5/5

HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW by Sarah J. Maas (Audiobook)

6/23/2025

Read by Colleen Delany as Narrator, Kit Swann as Bryce Quinlan, Danny Montooth as Hunt Athalar, Nick J. Russo as Ruhn Danaan, Devon Lexington as Lidia Servos, Jonathan David Bullock as Ithan Holstrom, Danny Gavigan as Tharion Ketos, Khaya Fraites as Hypaxia Enador, Zura Johnson as Sathia Flynn, Debi Tinsley as Jesiba Roga, Patrick Boylan as Aidas - Prince of the Chasm, and Rayner Gabriel as Baxian Argos. Also with John Kielty, Henry W. Kramer, Daniel Llaca, Crystal Lee, Emily Beresford, Michael Glenn, Sarah Ruth Thomas, Lolita Horne, Gregory Linington, Wyn Delano, Natalie Van Sistine, Torian Brackett, Christopher Williams, Dawn Ursula, Robb Moreira, Joey Sourlis, Holly Adams, Thomas Penny, Deepa Samuel, Michael John Casey, Richard Rohan, RJ Bayley, Stewart Crank, Grace Srinivasan, Sura Siu, Su Ling Chan, Belsheber Rusape, Nhea Durousseau, Rob McFadyen, Ryan Haugen, Jeri J. Marshall, Marissa Clay, Niusha Nawab, Terence Aselford, Jessica Threet, Morgan Dalla Betta, Gail Shalan, Jon Vertullo, Kelly Baskin, Ellen Quay, Karen Novack, James Konicek, Karenna Foley, Nazia Chaudhry, Yasmin Tuazon, Nanette Savard and Matthew Pauli.
#3 - Crescent City

Okay, okay, so I've come to the end of this series. I think I might have enjoyed this more than ACOTAR. I don't know; there was something darker about it. Perhaps it's the number of factions that are involved or the expansion on worldbuilding, but I really enjoyed it. Satisfying ending as well. I'll be sad to see the back of Bryce and Hunt, as well as their friends. Even some of their foes. There was a little dip into tech that I felt was a little bit laid on top of the world but it didn't bump me from the world itself. This is basically a soap opera (as was ACOTAR) and who doesn't love a well-written soap? Looks like I will have to pick up THRONE OF GLASS next.

4.75/5

HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH by Sarah J. Maas (Audiobook)

6/14/2025

Read by Colleen Delany as Narrator, Kit Swann as Bryce Quinlan, Danny Montooth as Hunt Athalar, Nick J. Russo as Ruhn Danaan, David Cui Cui as Cormac Donnall, Jonathan David Bullock as Ithan Holstrom, Danny Gavigan as Tharion Ketos, Devon Lexington as Lidia Servos, and Dawn Ursula as Celestina; with Rayner Gabriel, Sura Siu, Nhea Durousseau, Daniel Llaca, Emily Beresford, Henry W. Kramer, Robb Moreira, Tia Shearer, Torian Brackett, Patrick Boylan, Michael Glenn, Lolita Horne, Anthony Palmini, James Konicek, Debi Tinsley, Todd Scofield, Sarah Ruth Thomas, Drew Kopas, Gregory Linington, Kelly Baskin, Grace Srinivasan, Wyn Delano, James J. Johnson, Tanja Milojevich, Crystal Lee, Deepa Samuel, Donald Guzzi, Thomas Penny, Laura C. Harris, Ryan Dalusung, Gail Shalan, Michael John Casey, Belsheber Rusape, and Karenna Foley.
#2 - Crescent City

Are we kidding? It took me half a beat to return to this world but Maas' worldbuild is extensive and I quickly found my footing once more. Bryce and Hunt are back and I'm glad they are. This is now a soap opera as Maas explores a number of other characters, offering us an expansion on what has gone before. Still sex-filled, still twisty, still an adventure, we are faced with new enemies and friends, not to mention new systems. The Astronomer for one...well, that was something I didn't expect. Also one moment that took me completely by surprise. (Hence the "Are we kidding?") I am thrilled that the third book is readily available because whatever's coming...I'm here for it.

5/5

VOYAGER by Diana Gabaldon (Audiobook)

6/10/2025

Read by Davina Porter.
#3 - Outlander

I wasn't sure about this one, to be honest. Ship adventures are never my ideal reading material. I don't know what it is about a voyage at sea; it just never feels as exciting. I also recognize the need for a new storyline but I really didn't think chasing after a teenager was going to be the next piece of the Claire/Jamie saga. Still, all-in-all, I enjoyed this book. I was glad to see the return of some old friends (and foes) and to meet some new characters. I'm very curious about where this one ended and where it's going from here. While the books are getting longer and longer, Gabaldon's writing holds my interest. It seems the politics are becoming more subsumed within the actual story which is much more palatable for me.

4.25/5

A FUGITIVE GREEN by Diana Gabaldon (Audiobook)

6/4/2025

Read by Jeff Woodman.
#2.5 - Outlander

I wasn't sure about this. I was considering just going through all of the main books in the series and then going back and reading the "halves" but I'm glad I read this one in between. I really enjoyed Minerva and the way she handles her troublesome situation. I like the setup of this novel. It was a refreshing break from the rest of the Outlander series and, though I missed Claire and Jamie, I was happy to meet these new characters. I'm curious to see how Hal and hopefully Minerva show up in the rest of the novels. I did recognize the last name Grey from the second novel; enjoying that little hint of connection. I do miss Davina Porter narrating but Jeff Woodman does a decent job.

4.25/5

DRAGONFLY IN AMBER by Diana Gabaldon (Audiobook)

6/3/2025

Read by Davina Porter.
#2 - Outlander

It took me a minute to get into the second book in the Outlander series. I'm fascinated by the interpersonal relationships, especially between Claire and Jamie, of course, but I find myself glazing over the political elements of the novel. I know that's kind of bad since that's basically the through-line of the books. Overall, though, I get the gist of it. I found this to be a second novel. It dips a little from the first, or perhaps that's just a bias of something being new. I will say, I am very much enjoying Davina Porter's reading of the novel - she is able to create distinct characters with her voice so I never have any trouble knowing who is speaking. Gabaldon's writing is still holding me and I will definitely continue with the Outlander series.

3.75/5

THE AWAKENING by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti (Audiobook)

5/20/2025

Khaya Fraites as Tory Vega, Jessica Schly as Darcy Vega, Gregory Linnington as Orion, Julian Dailey as Darius, Jon Vertullo as Caleb, Ryan Dalusung as Seth, and Gabriel Michael as Max. Also with Karenna Foley, Daniel Llaca, Lydia Kraniotis, Nora Achrati, Kelly Baskin, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Crystal Lee, Dawn Ursula, Lise Bruneau, Kaylee Eluvian, Marissa Clay, Bradley Foster Smith, Michael John Casey, Ken Jackson, Tyler Hyrchuck, Donald Guzzi, Yasmin Tuazon, Jeri J. Marshall, Laura C. Harris, Karen Novack, Eric Messner, Scott McCormick, Drew Kopas, and James Konicek.
#1 - The Zodiac Academy

I have been curious about this series for awhile now. After all, I have my own astrology-themed series and I love to see how other authors incorporate the stars into their novels. I was a little bit disappointed that there wasn't more of a tie to the signs themselves, but maybe that's forthcoming. Love some of the references and, of course, I'm a fan of elemental magic. Seems that there is a lot being brought into this world: astrological quality, mythological creatures, elemental magic...I'm curious to see how it all plays out. Right now, some of the villains are a little two-dimensional; I suspect they are getting fleshed out in books to come and the authors are playing a long game here. There's so much of a world here to explore and I want to know more. This is a good introduction.

4/5

HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD by Sarah J. Maas (Audiobook)

5/14/2025

Read by Colleen Delany as Narrator, Kit Swann as Bryce Quinlan, Danny Montooth as Hunt Athalar, Nick J. Russo as Ruhn Danaan, Torian Brackett as Isaiah Tiberian, and Gail Shalan as Danika; with Stephanie Németh-Parker, Gabriel Michael, Robb Moreira, Debi Tinsley, Lise Bruneau, Holly Adams, Daniel Llaca, Joel David Santner, Nhea Durousseau, Khaya Fraites, Michael John Casey, Henry W. Kramer, Karenna Foley, Jonathon Church, Sarah Ruth Dawson, Sura Siu, Ryan Haugen, Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Williams, Emily Beresford, Karen Novack, LaMont Ridgell, Rob McFadyen, Deepa Samuel, Christopher Walker, Thomas Penny, Jonathan David Bullock, and Jeri J. Marshall.
#1 - Crescent City

I am trying another Maas series. I wasn't expecting this one to be so much of a murder mystery. I love the unconventional sleuths considering it's set in a fantastical world. Maas seems to have a knack for creating such rich worlds and the characters are well-fleshed out. I, of course, adore Bryce and I happen to be a big fan of Ruhn. I know I'm supposed to love Hunt and I like him but he's not my main interest in this. I enjoyed the premise of this, especially since it takes such a sharp turn to the left so early on. I would love to be able to use this as an example of a trigger in my teaching but it's probably not one I should put on the curriculum. There were moments that caught me by surprise, which I admit, probably shouldn't have, but I love just relaxing into a story and not ALWAYS trying to figure out the twist. I am looking forward to the next in this series.

4.75/5

QUICKSILVER by Callie Hart (Audiobook)

3/20/2025

Read by Anthony Palmini and Stella Bloom.
#1 - Fae & Alchemy

I saw so many people posting about this on social media with raves so I had high expectations for this book. Perhaps it's because of the hype or perhaps it's because it's in a similar vein of books that I've been reading but it did not grab me right away. There's a feisty heroine, a bad boy with a past, a smart-alecky companion - it should add up to fun. It wasn't until the second half that I really started to invest and the ending certainly grabbed me. I enjoy a fey world and each author's take on it. I'm a fan of Hart's alchemical base for magical workings. Overall, I'm curious to see where this is going and will likely pick up the second book in the series.

4/5

MARRIAGE AND MASTI by Nisha Sharma (Audiobook)

3/14/2025

Read by Vikas Adam and Soneela Nankani.
#3 - If Shakespeare Was An Auntie

Despite the second book taking on my favorite Shakespearean work, I think this one was my favorite of the series. Perhaps it's also because I knew I would have to say goodbye to these lovable characters as this is the final book in the trilogy. This is a telenovela of a book: it has intrigue, twins, misunderstandings, breakups, surprise relationships, villainy, backstabbing, sex, and love, of course. Veera and Deepak, the last singletons of their friends, are forced into marriage by circumstance and start to realize that maybe it's what they wanted. The true focus of the story is the business and family drama that surrounds the business of Illyria. As always, I loved the references to the original Shakespeare story and the sendoff from the author herself squeezed my heart.

4.75/5