Books That Didn't Make the Cut Pt.9

Hello hello! I'm back with some more books that didn't really work for me, but might be winners for you. These all rated pretty well on Goodreads and Amazon, so I think, once again, that this is a ME problem more than anything wrong with the actual books.

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Dec the Holls by Jasinda Wilder	Cuff Me by London Hale
Genre - Contemporary Novella Release - December 19, 2014	Genre - Contemporary Novella Release - July 11, 2017
A week before Christmas, and all through office not a soul is stirring, not even a mouse. Holly is working overtime, cold and lonely and broke. Across the hall, Declan is lonely too, and thinking this Christmas is going to be a joke. Then one blustery night Holly’s car won’t start and Declan is there to help with a little love in his heart.	From the moment Lola moved into my apartment building, I’ve wanted her. She’s too sweet and seemingly innocent, but it doesn’t stop me from lusting after her. There’s something about the hours she keeps, though. Something about the life she leads that has warning bells going off in my cop brain. Yet I can’t stay away. Not when she needs my help. Not when she needs me. Even if being with her could cost me my future.
My Rating - 2 stars I found that I didn’t care for this book. The story didn’t really have a chance to grab me and I was really hoping it would. I could see myself probably liking both Dec and Holly if given more time.	My Rating - 2 stars I’ve actually really enjoyed other books from this author… just not this one. The heroine, who believed that the only job she was qualified for was as an escort… she really tried my nerves. From there, I just didn’t care whether or not she got a happily ever after with the hero. Honestly, I didn’t even know why he liked her so much.

Pitch Black by Elise Noble	When Gargoyles Rise by Ashley C. Harris
Genre - Suspense/Mystery Release - December 1, 2015	Genre - YA Paranormal Romance Release - September 5, 2017
After the owner of a security company is murdered, his sharp-edged wife goes on the run. Forced to abandon everything she holds dear - her home, her friends, her job in special ops - she builds a new life for herself in England. As Ashlyn Hale, she meets Luke, a handsome local who makes her realise just how lonely she is. Yet, even in the sleepy village of Lower Foxford, the dark side of life dogs Diamond’s trail when the unthinkable strikes. Forced out of hiding, she races against time to save those she cares about. But is it too little, too late?	When Rose was born in the year 1544, she and the other gargoyles were a beautiful race of humans with dragon's wings. Created by magic, the gargoyles were able to do and take whatever they wanted... Until the vampires came, and with them, they brought a curse. Almost five hundred years later, Rose awakens from stone in Washington DC, to a world that's very much changed. The kingdom of the gargoyles is no more; instead, the same group of blood suckers that cursed Rose's family now rule a hierarchy of shades and shadows. Desperate to awaken her loved ones and break the spell, Rose learns she must convince Sean Noble, a human, to fall in love with her. Something that should have been easy... if he and Rose weren't only seventeen, and required to attend school. Sean and his high school girlfriend dislike Rose as much as they do homework. And to make things worse, the handsome vampire prince, Adamus, who betrayed Rose in the year 1556, he and his bad boy brother have surfaced... Rose, before graduation, must find a way to keep her identity secret from Adamus, not let him get too close, and trick Sean into falling in love. Easy if you have wings, right? Not so much.
My Rating - DNF The story sounds intriguing, but I’m not a fan of single perspectives and I could feel myself getting bored with just the one voice.	My Rating - DNF I just can’t. No.

Beast by Measha Stone	Passion & Venom by Shanora Williams
Genre - Contemporary Romance Retelling Release - February 27, 2018	Genre - Dark Romance Release - September 12, 2016
Wouldn't you give up everything for the one you love? When Ellie's father is taken by a group of thugs planning to take his life in exchange for his debts, it’s no surprise she goes running straight into the beast’s lair. After all, Ellie Stevens has been her father’s keeper for as long as she can remember. However, Ashland Titon isn’t a man of mercy. If you owe, you pay. End of story. His unrelenting control has built his empire, and he’s not going to give over that power now. But when Ellie charges into his life with her demands and possibilities of sweet surrender, her offer proves too tempting to pass up. Yet there’s more at play here than just working off a debt. There are secrets buried in the shadows, and dangerous desires to be explored. While the two of them dance to an erotic beat, outside forces threaten Ashland's empire and Ellie must decide where her heart truly lies - and what she's truly willing to risk for love.	Imagine this: Your husband is murdered on your wedding day. Your gown is soiled in his blood. You are taken hostage... Treated like a caged animal. The man behind your husband's murder is revealed. His name is Draco Molina. Draco has power. Respect. Wealth. He is a savage beast of a man - dominant in every way. Soon after, he makes you an offer that you can't refuse. All you have do is submit to him, and in return you won't be punished. He will reward you handsomely. But if you disobey, you must be prepared to face the consequences. What do you do when the most wanted man in the world . . . wants you?
My Rating - DNF The heroine fell into every bad trap a heroine could fall into. And while I like retellings and can see why she was prone to pitfalls, I found it hard to care.	My Rating - DNF I was set to love this story. I was warned that it got really dark and from what I’ve read, it was heading there. Gia’s husband is murdered right in front of her on their wedding day. And then she’s kidnapped, beaten and humiliated. So far, so good. Then Gia’s thoughts about her fellow captive, whose arms have been amputated via torture, made her an unsympathetic heroine and I struggled to continue. Yes, he has been helpful at times, but he is a complete jackass. It’s no wonder he’s here–or why those men did that to him. He has a smart mouth. I’m sure he doesn’t control anything he says. I still tried, but then I read this: Those thin, dark brown eyes are… How are the eyes thin? And then this type of phrasing kept happening and I gave up.