LIFE'S A PEARL

I read a lot of books last month and due to that I adjusted the way I share my book reviews.

Since I’ve been reading a lot of long series recently, I didn’t want to get too repetitive or spoilery by giving a synopsis of each book. So I started reviewing one book in a series and then sharing my star ratings for the other titles.

As a result though, I didn’t get the chance to share a review for any of the 5-star reads I had last month.

Let’s remedy that today.

Here are the six 5-star books I read in May and what I loved about each!

May’s 5-star Reads:

Home Game by Odette Stone

Rating: 5 stars 

Steam Level: 3

This is the second book in Odette Stone’s Vancouver Wolves hockey romance series. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. I did a hybrid read with the audiobook through Hoopla.

After running away from her last foster home and eventually aging out of the system, Zoey is doing her best to stay safe living out on the streets. That includes making sure she gets to the homeless shelter before curfew so she can have a safe place to sleep for the night. Unfortunately one evening she gets caught up helping a stranger at a cafe and gets locked out.

That stranger is Ryan Parker, the newest player for the Vancouver Wolves hockey team. Ryan immediately offers for Zoey to stay with him for the night. She’s wary but he really means it when he says it’s just an offer of help, no strings attached.

Circumstances keep throwing the two together until a friendship forms that might have the potential for something deeper.

What I Loved

This book started out so dark and tragic that it really surprised me how much I wound up loving it.

The way their friendship grew and Zoey began to trust and open up to Ryan was just everything! Ryan put Zoey first even when it became clear that they were headed for something she wasn’t emotionally ready for. He figured out how to support and empower her.

I loved that this book introduced readers to more of the team, especially Micah (who’s the hero of book 3).

There was even some drama with one of the other players who didn’t get along with Ryan but became interested in Zoey. Usually that kind of angst and jealousy isn’t something I enjoy but in this book it worked for me.

I loved Zoey’s love of Ikea! I adored how almost everyone in Ryan’s life just instantly accepted and cared for Zoey too. The book definitely had a sense of found family. Everyone was so protective of her.

The anticipation and build up of this couple’s chemistry was amazing! The story was somewhat of a slow burn – most of the steam comes in at the end of the book which felt earned. That bonus chapter was fire!

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 5 stars 

Steam Level: 4

This is the second book in Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs series. It tells the story of Cade Eaton, the oldest Eaton brother, and Willa, Summer’s best friend. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited.

Single father Cade needs a live-in nanny for his six-year-old son, Luke, for the summer while he’s working long days running the family ranch. The problem is none of the applicants seem to be applying for the right reasons.

Enter fun loving Willa, who has unexpected time off this summer and would love to get out of the city. After a hilarious first encounter with Cade, he doesn’t want to hire her, but Luke adores her from their first meeting climbing trees together. They gear up for a great summer of adventures.

Cade and Willa are attracted to one another from the beginning and living in the same house for the summer doesn’t make those sparks lessen!

What I Loved

I was intrigued by this one because of the hype but I wasn’t sure it would work for me. I didn’t know if I’d like some of the tropes such as single dad and nanny romance.

Willa though is not at all the nanny I was expecting. She’s completely unconventional and it is amazing!

This book starts out freaking hilarious! And it never really stops. Between Willa and Harvey (the Eaton patriarch) I was constantly chuckling. There are so many fun family dinners and gathering in this one.

Willa and Cade are on the same page with Luke. I loved when she shut down a boys will be boys comment saying “Boys will be gentlemen” and made Cade almost smile. She’s fiercely protective of Luke and it made me cheer!

The combination of relationship development and character growth that Elsie Silver can balance while delivering so much steam is mind boggling. Cade is a dirty talking hero. I concur with other reviews that the 4 chapter long spicy scene, when things finally explode, did not get boring.

Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 5 stars 

Steam Level: 3

This is the ninth book in Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series. It tells Stacy and Pashov’s story in a very unique way. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. I did a hybrid read with the audiobook through Hoopla.

From goodreads:

“I’ve never spent a day without my mate since arriving on the ice planet. I’m happy and in love, and we have a beautiful child together. All that changed when the world shook.

My mate nearly died.

He wakes up from his coma…and he can’t remember me. Or our son. Every memory of the past two years is gone. And that changes everything between us. How can I love someone that doesn’t remember me?

How can I not, when I know he’s still my mate underneath it all?”

What I Loved

I guess the running theme with my 5-star books is that they surprised me because this was another one that did that!

This story felt so different from the rest of the series. I personally needed that shake up to keep things from getting stale and repetitive. Plus this story is set against an overall move for the tribe which made everything even more interesting.

Barbarian’s Heart also felt more emotional than the previous books (though not as heart-wrenching as the next one). The heartache of these characters is so palpable in this story.

The situation they find themselves in is nobody’s fault but they still have to find a way to live with it. And hopefully find their way back to one another.

I felt so much for Stacy especially trying to take care of her young son with her world suddenly turned on its head.

I was definitely more invested in the world and the characters than I have been in previous books. This one wraps up so sweet. It really had me looking forward to the next 3 books in the series – 2 of which were also 5-star reads!

Barbarian’s Hope by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 5 stars 

Steam Level: 3

Barbarian’s Hope is the tenth book in Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series. In it we finally discover Asha and Hemalo’s story. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. I did a hybrid read with the audiobook through Hoopla.

From goodreads:

“Seasons ago, I resonated to the quietest of tribesmates, a male content to love me from afar while I was the center of attention. We could have been happy. Despite our differences, I loved him and he loved me.

But then a terrible thing happened…and my world was never the same again.

Now resonance is giving us a second chance, but…I’m afraid. What if what I have with my mate is too broken to be fixed? What if there’s no hope left for us at all?”

What I Loved

This is another one with deep feelings! It definitely make me choke up a few times.

I loved getting to know Asha better since we’ve seen hints of her depression but have also witnessed so many negative interactions between her and other tribe members.

The story was heartbreaking but sweet. Getting inside both her and Hemalo’s POVs to understand them better and ultimately see them work things out was so satisfying!

This was our first sa-khui and sa-khui pairing in the series. I loved it!

I also really enjoyed Claire’s role as Asha’s friend. She has a POV in this book too and I loved how some of the loose ends from her story (Ice Planet Holiday) were wrapped up in this one.

There’s a time jump at the end of this one that was so necessary! I couldn’t wait for Farli’s story to be next now that she’s all grown up.

Barbarian’s Choice by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 5 stars 6 stars!

Steam Level: 3

UPDATE: Upon further reflection and adding a 6th star to my rating system to designate favorites, I upped this one to a 6-star read! It remains my favorite of this series.

This is book 11 in the Ice Planet Barbarians series from Ruby Dixon. It follows Farli’s story with Mardok, a character we had not met before. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. I did a hybrid read with the audiobook through Hoopla.

From goodreads:

“I might be the only unmated female in my tribe, but it doesn’t mean I’ve given my heart. I’m waiting. I want resonance, and I won’t settle for anything less.

But when an alien ship lands and a handsome stranger steps out, I know he’s the one. His name’s Mardok and he’s fascinatingly different – and distractingly appealing. But Mardok can’t stay on the ice planet, and he says he can take me with him.

Now, I must make a choice. Do I stay and lose my mate forever? Or do I follow him to the stars and leave behind everything I know?”

What I Loved

I couldn’t stop reading this one! I stayed up way too late finishing it.

The story was just fascinating from meeting new aliens to the mysteries surrounding this planet’s history to the introduction of other cultures. I was totally hooked!

Then we have Farli and Mardok. I wasn’t even that huge a fan of Farli until this book. I really expected her to pair up with one of the hunters. I love that she finds a mate in someone completely new to us.

Through that experience with all their differences, I fell in love with Farli too. Especially her curiosity! She’s so innocent growing up on this primitive planet but on the other hand she’s one of the most capable characters we know. She proves to have amazing intuition.

The contrast between her and Mardok in terms of background and culture was so interesting. I truly didn’t know until the very end what the choice would be and I loved it!

This is my favorite of the series so far and if I did 6-star reads this would be one.

Barbarian’s Rescue by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 5 stars 

Steam Level: 3

Barbarian’s Rescue is the fourteenth book in Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series. It tells the story of Summer and Warrek. As of this posting the ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited. I did a hybrid read with the audiobook through Hoopla.

From goodreads:

“Bad day? Try mine on for size.

Rogue slavers have landed on the ice planet and captured the tribe. The only ones not snatched? Me, a walking human motormouth with no skill except that of incoherent babbling, and Warrek, who’s as silent as he is attractive. Two more unlikely people have never been paired together.

And now we’re supposed to form a rescue team.

Saving the others is either going to bring us closer together – or drive us completely apart. I’m pretty sure the feelings I’m having for my alien companion are as unrequited as they are inappropriate, but since we aren’t going to make it out alive, what harm is one teeny, tiny kiss?

Who knew that one kiss could change everything?”

What I Loved

The plot of this one was very different and exciting!

I didn’t expect to love either Summer or Warrek as much as I did. Previous to this book, Summer came off rather annoying and Warrek didn’t have much of a personality at all.

When it comes to saving the day here, they were both so badass and capable! The way Warrek, a strong hunter, recognized Summer’s strengths and put his complete faith in her was so satisfying.

I also loved that they chose each other as mates even before their khui did.

Oh and the reverse kidnapping was so fun! It was about time!

Honorable Mentions aka 4.5-star Reads:

Between six 5-star reads and eleven 4.5-star reads, May was a darn good reading month! Here are my honorable mentions for books I loved with links to reviews when they exist.

• Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting
• Puck Me Secretly by Odette Stone
• The Penalty Box by Odette Stone
• Flawless by Elsie Silver
• Powerless by Elsie Silver
• The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
• Barbarian Mine by Ruby Dixon
• Ice Planet Holiday by Ruby Dixon
• Barbarian’s Taming by Ruby Dixon
• Barbarian’s Lady by Ruby Dixon
• Barbarian’s Tease by Ruby Dixon

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What was your last 5 star book?