Maddison Michaels

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this and I stayed up a little later than usual so I could finish it. But it also had a loose thread or two that was never explained/picked back up, and a few times (especially near the end) where the characters made dumb choices not because it made sense or seemed likely, but because they were being arranged for further plot events. The cynical part of me wanted to raise a brow and be like 'but of course you did...'. I suppose that's my #1 complaint really, the plot wasn't bad, I could just really see the author pulling the strings, and that distracted me from the story. Also the side characters could have used more dimension. And when an orphanage is so integral to the plot I expect it to actually play a roll, this one was used as the reason for one major decision and then might as well not have existed. Overall though, I was entertained. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to trying another (I do hope these issues improve though, if they continue in book after book then I'll likely start rounding down rather than up).… (more)

I liked the three full novels in this series, so I wanted to like this as well, but I just didn't. Even halfway through I was still hoping that I'd be able to round a 2.5 up to a 3, but in all honesty, it's not even a 2.5 for me. It didn't feel like it had been thought through entirely. There were multiple and sizable plot holes, and the main characters weren't likable enough to compensate for it. They were both huge fools at times, and they both withheld very significant information from the other. All around disappointing unfortunately.… (more)

A bit fantastical, and there's not a strong reason for them to *not* just be a couple already, so it ends up just being the two of them getting in their own way, mostly by stubbornly insisting that they *couldn't possibly* BE together (despite a stronger and stronger case that they should), on repeat past the point of all reason. The main characters were not that bright in general, and sometimes went into definite 'utter fools' territory (making terrible decisions and needing things explained to them like children before they catch on), which made it a little harder for me to like them. And the story was definitely on the 'predictable' side. But I did enjoy the road trip aspect and the archaeology (though that was definitely part of the fantastical quality I mentioned, think Indiana Jones but without his problem solving skills and prior experience =D ). Italy was a fun location, and I did chuckle several times, so I didn't hate it. But overall, I definitely can't rate it higher than a 3. It might interest you if you're looking for sort of a whimsical adventure story (but with a darker villain, so it's not all fluffiness), (slight) enemies to (just barely) lovers, lol, and characters generally attracted to each other but trying to resist it.… (more)

This was a solid little story. The heroine is given a pretty meaningful backstory, and personal hurdle to overcome, so I felt happy and proud of her when things improved. In comparison, I was a bit underwhelmed with the hero's backstory, especially when he allowed it to determine his present. But he is loyal and caring, and I think well suited for the heroine. (It's much more common for the hero to have some grand battle-hardened or traumatic backstory, and the heroine to just have some piddly little issue, lol, so this helps balance the scales perhaps). I'm not sure how possible it is to solve the puzzle just based on the clues we're given, so the mystery twist ending isn't extraordinary, but it gets a point for not being painfully obvious I suppose. Overall, I like both the leads and was entertained.… (more)