Secrets and Charms (Lou Harper)
3.5 stars
Secrets and Charms is the sequel of last year's Secrets and Ink. This story features Olly Blackwood, who is Jem's friend (from book #1) at the Hollywood gourmet grocery, Fred’s Trade Post. I don't think you need to read book #1 to enjoy this because clearly I didn't even remember who Olly was and I liked it just fine *lol*.
Anyway, being the son of two hippies and has accepted his sexuality since early age, Olly definitely won the coolness factor -- I mean this guy had a Cthulhu tattoo covering his groin and hip, for God's sake. WITH TENTACLES!! Olly was quite a fun guy, he took everything in stride, and he definitely didn't bear a grudge. A very good quality of character considering his love interest.
Seriously, Rich got that a "deep-in-the-closet-and-in-denial" attitude. He got stick up his a$$ and I would like to see Olly slapped Rich on the back of his head from time to time. Some of his words were hurtful but then of course, Rich realized that he did hurt Olly and trying to apologize. Definitely a messy brain that Rich had right there!
There was a undergoing mystery too -- although it was a bit light and didn't necessarily in direct connection to Olly and Rich. Rich's sister seemed to be blackmailed -- and even if she didn't pay too much attention to it, Rich thought he should be a good protective big brother and handled things himself, dragging Olly a bit.
Again, it was light and I couldn't even say that it was the core of this story. Since neither Rich nor Olly were part of the police department and they didn't seem wanting to take up sleuthing as their part time job, the mystery resolved quite fast and didn't take too much time from the relationship progress. I totally thought that Rich's sister Sandy rock, by the way.
All in all, it was another nice addition to the series and as always Lou Harper's writing just clicked with my taste. I will look forward to book #3 which will feature another of Olly's friend, Dylan.
PS: I got that tiny bit connection between this book and Dead Man's books in related to Bran's mother. Keep crossing your characters/stories, Lou. I can count it as Easter egg hunt or something *lol*
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Secrets and Charms is the sequel of last year's Secrets and Ink. This story features Olly Blackwood, who is Jem's friend (from book #1) at the Hollywood gourmet grocery, Fred’s Trade Post. I don't think you need to read book #1 to enjoy this because clearly I didn't even remember who Olly was and I liked it just fine *lol*.
Anyway, being the son of two hippies and has accepted his sexuality since early age, Olly definitely won the coolness factor -- I mean this guy had a Cthulhu tattoo covering his groin and hip, for God's sake. WITH TENTACLES!! Olly was quite a fun guy, he took everything in stride, and he definitely didn't bear a grudge. A very good quality of character considering his love interest.
Seriously, Rich got that a "deep-in-the-closet-and-in-denial" attitude. He got stick up his a$$ and I would like to see Olly slapped Rich on the back of his head from time to time. Some of his words were hurtful but then of course, Rich realized that he did hurt Olly and trying to apologize. Definitely a messy brain that Rich had right there!
There was a undergoing mystery too -- although it was a bit light and didn't necessarily in direct connection to Olly and Rich. Rich's sister seemed to be blackmailed -- and even if she didn't pay too much attention to it, Rich thought he should be a good protective big brother and handled things himself, dragging Olly a bit.
Again, it was light and I couldn't even say that it was the core of this story. Since neither Rich nor Olly were part of the police department and they didn't seem wanting to take up sleuthing as their part time job, the mystery resolved quite fast and didn't take too much time from the relationship progress. I totally thought that Rich's sister Sandy rock, by the way.
All in all, it was another nice addition to the series and as always Lou Harper's writing just clicked with my taste. I will look forward to book #3 which will feature another of Olly's friend, Dylan.
PS: I got that tiny bit connection between this book and Dead Man's books in related to Bran's mother. Keep crossing your characters/stories, Lou. I can count it as Easter egg hunt or something *lol*
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
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