Very Romancy, But VERY Good!

Ugly Love

By: Colleen Hoover

Genre:  Romance

Pages: 324

Published: 2014

Audiobook: 9 hours 13 minutes

Read:  December

2 out of 5 stars

I don’t read romance novels, but after reading the fabulous Verity, Colleen Hoover’s first and only psychological thriller, I thought I’d give one of her other books I try. Her primary genre is romance, which is in Verity

as well, but not main premise.

My first reaction to Ugly Love was this is NOT my type of book. Where is the plot? It was all explicit love scenes. I wanted substance. The middle third of book I felt as though I was listening to porn.

However, the last third was Amazing and the writing of Hoover that I loved. I was very emotional and on verge of tears. I ended up falling in love with the characters and story. My star rating drastically increased. If you don’t mind a lot of romantic descriptions, give this one a try! I’m glad I read it, well listened to it.

50 Shades of Grey???

Crossfire Series (#1-3)

By: Sylvia Day

Genre: Erotic Romance

Published: 2012/2013

Read: September

Series rating: 4.5 out of 5

Bared to You (#1)

Pages: 338

Published: 2012

3 out of 4


Reflected in You (#2)

Pages: 338

Published: 2012

5 out of 5

Entwined with You (#3)

Pages: 356

Published: 2013

4 out of 5

Having this be only the second erotic novel (series) I have read, I was sorely disappointed in the similarities with Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. The character profiles between Christian and Gideon and even Anastasia and Eva had me believing this series was going to be replica series. This was my belief throughout the entire first book, however Reflected in You is where the storyline takes its own direction and multiplies with several intriguing plots. Day is a much more skilled writer and has a vast vocabulary so each scene doesn't feel like a repeat, as in many from 50 Shades. I think Fifty Shades of Grey may have received more exposure and popularity not only because it was published first, but because of its elementary writing style it attracted the reluctant readers along with the more dedicated. My only disappointments was the similarity with 50 shades and not knowing it was a series (at least 5 novels) instead of a trilogy.

The continuing books will not be published until 2014. Check out these and Day's other novels at www.sylviaday.com.