That’s So 2021 Book Reviews
My 2021 goal is to read 100 books whether it be via my Kindle and/or actual hardbound books. I love to support my local bookstores, so you will more than likely always fine me with a physical book and my Kindle.I utilize my Kindle for when traveling as I can’t pack 5+ book easily in my carry-on and when my husband is snoozing next to me & I do not want to disrupt his slumber with the bed side lamp on. Anyways, if you can’t tell from the above few sentences, I am a huge lover of books / a book worm / bibliophilia. For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed reading and going to the library.
I do not really have a favorite genre as my personal library is filled with all kinds of books from classics to fantasy to historical fiction to literary fiction to romance to sci-fi to women’s fiction to suspense & thrillers to biographies & autobiographies to history to memoirs to self help.
I thought I would start a running list of the books I have completed each month, share small reviews, and what format I read them in. Why am I sharing? Well reading is something I enjoy and something I am sure those in the TSC community enjoy as well. Plus, TSC is not all just about living with celiac disease. I am and you are more than our diagnosis, so I want to share what else makes me, me!
I will update this list as I finish books! Also, I appreciate all the book recommendations you all send my way too. My “must-read” list keeps growing.
January 2021 Books
Forty Days and One Knight by Samantha Cole
Trident Security Omega Team Book 2
I was excited to finally get a closer look at Princess Tahira as she has been teased throughout the other Trident Security books. I enjoyed her story and learning more about her. This entire series is filled with books that makes me not want to put my Kindle down and continue reading as not only is the main story being told intriguing, but so are the side stories that are introduced as well.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Note: I read the previous books in the series in December 2020, so this is a continuation of that reading. You can go to the author’s website to understand the reading order of the books, which is how I read all of her current available books. I was pulled into the approach of ex-military characters, the setting being in Tampa, FL, and what the stories that go with each character. Also, the books in this series are definitely for mature adults eyes as these are quite steamy!
Tuff Enough by Samantha Cole
Blackhawk Security Book 1
I enjoyed learning about Jason’s story, especially since his character is so quiet throughout the other books. Plus, I loved being introduced to the amazing pitbul, Meatball! The only thing that disappointed me, was the ending of the book as I felt like it ended too soon, just as things were getting super steamy!
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Torn in Half by Samantha Cole
A Trident Security Novella: Book 8.5
I really enjoyed this book, as Ian is one of the OG’s of the Trident Series and I read his story back in December, so getting another look into his character and story was fun! This book pulled in his brother [Devon] as they were sent on a mission to save their mom.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Knot a Chance by Samantha Cole
Doms of The Covenant Book 3
Ian who I mentioned above is one of the OG’s of the Trident Series and we get to see him involved in this story line, which brings some good humor to Stefan and Cassandra’s story. This story was a little different from the others in regards to how Stefan & Cassandra started then how they are brought back together. I appreciated a different type of plot in this book while also bringing in the OG’s of the series.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Blood Bound by Samantha Cole
Blackhawk Security Book 2
I was not expecting the type of story I got in Blood Bound. However, I am so happy I got this story. I fell in love with the relationship between Mickey & Chase. Again, Samatha Cole brought a different type of plot to the characters she has been sharing with us throughout the entire series. A lot of these books focus on the character’s military background along with their association in the BDSM world, especially since their bosses own an elite BDSM club in the Tampa Bay area, so this was nice switch in what elements were involved.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Master Key Resort by Samantha Cole
Master Key #1
Cordell and Tiffany were two characters I was introduced to earlier on the series, so it was nice to get a deeper dive into their stories and what happened to them after Mitch pairs them up. This book has a 10/10 steamy factor. Plus, this book is the start of another spin off the Trident Series, which is going to bring us not only the OG’s of the series, but new characters to meet as well. I love the world that Samantha Cole has created throughout her books.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Priest by Sierra Simone
Priest #1
I read this book on a whim due to a book account I follow on Instagram giving this a high rating in both the story, the steaminess, and the “taboo” storyline. Tyler Bell’s story was not only intriguing, but heartbreaking. He became a priest due to a personal tragedy. He is living his vow of celibacy to only break that vow on the altar of his own church. Like I said, this taboo type of story was steamy and 100% had my attention as I unpacked the different layers of Tyler and Poppy.
Available via Kindle
Finding His Mark by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 1
I started reading this series based off a suggestion from one of the members of the TSC Community. I am not sure if I should be thanking that person or cursing that person as I have been sucked into the world of Brittney Sahin and do not want to leave. Luke’s story is an interesting one, especially when he collides with Eva. The first Stealth Ops book is a fun romantic suspense that is filled with plenty of action and romance, plus some steaminess. This book also introduces you to other characters that makes you want to to add the next book in the series ASAP! Plus, the series is based on “retired” SEALs / Black Ops that have reasons for becoming retired and doing what they’re now doing [I know very vague, but I can’t give everything away].
For reference, if you are curious - The Stealth Ops Team - Navy SEALS who handle off-the-books operations for the President under the guise of an alias, Scott & Scott Securities.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Note: the books in this series are definitely for mature adults eyes as these are quite steamy!
Finding Justice by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 2
Owen and Samantha stories were very intriguing, especially since I was not exactly sure how Samantha’s story would intertwine with Owen’s. Samantha finds herself at the center of a massive government cover-up, which has Owen possibly being the only person who can help her. This story had me intrigued from the first page, thanks to the action and all the different characters at play.
I knew more about Owen due to the previous book, which is one of the reasons why I got sucked into Brittney Sahin’s world. She does not let you off the hook as you get not only the main characters’ stories in a dedicated book, but you get side stories of the other characters as well. What I am saying is that all the information you need from past books to know exactly who’s who and what happened snowballs starting in book one.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Finding the Fight by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 3
This is one of my favorite books of of the Stealth Ops Series as the first two books had me so intrigued with Jessica, Asher, and Jessica & Asher’s relationship. The first two books, highlight the banter and tension between these two, so when I found out the third book was going to address that, I jumped on the opportunity to read it. I am pretty sure I read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down. a deep The connection the characters have, which was created before they even had to form their Scott & Scott Security cover! I was on the edge of my seat from the suspense and the romance.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
February 2021 Books
Finding Her Chance by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 4
Liam and Emily’s story was not only heartwarming, but frustrating at times. These two accidentally got married in Las Vegas then have to go be in undercover roles as a married couple. Is the team aware of why it is so easy for these two to act like they are in love and even married? Then you bring in a very smart young lady, Elaina, who is not only someone Liam & Emily need to protect, but is beyond captivating and pulls on your heart strings. Their story is sweet, filled with chemistry, suspenseful and captivating.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Finding The Way Back by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 5
Knox has been heavily talked about in the previous books, so I was pumped to learn more about him, especially since his Dad’s job could make it or break it for him and his team’s future / job security. Then you add in Adriana Foster, whom has a history with Knox and is pushed back in to Knox’s present when there is an attempted assassination on his father. This is the last book that focuses on the Bravo team, so it was a bittersweet finishing the book as I really enjoyed getting to know the team guys on this team. However, I know the Bravo guys will show up throughout the stories of the team guys on Echo team.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Chasing The Knight by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 6
Wyatt’s backstory has been teased throughout some of the Bravo teams’ stories, so learning more about that backstory along with the twist and turns that come with that was fun. This book definitely set the tone for the rest of the Echo team as it was filled with lots of suspense, thought I figured it out but didn’t moments, and romance [duh! this is a romantic military fiction series].
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Chasing Daylight by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 7
This book brings A.J to the forefront and how on a previous mission, he fell in love at first sight with an fiery FBI agent, Ana. This book is filled with Russian spies, missing sources, FBI leaks and one of those drunken phone calls that is a turning moment for any relationship, good or bad. That phone call ends up pushing A.J. and Ana's paths to cross again, nearly a year after meeting. There is more than meets the eye with Ana as well, which had me very intrigued.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Chasing Fortune by Brittney Sahin
Stealth Ops Series Book 8
This is another one of my favorites in this series as it has a lot of originality, the characters are solid, the crossovers between different stories, the passion between the main characters, Rory and Chris, and the foreshadowing of what’s to come, which had me turning pages quicker than I realized. Rory’s past catches up with her, which is a quite mysterious past. Kind of like the team guys on Bravo and Echo. I really do not want to give much away because you 100% need to read this book for yourself as it is a page turner from the very first page. Plus, this books gives you some more time to know Harper, Roman, and Finn. And let me tell you, I have been itching to know more about Harper and Roman, especially Roman.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
Someone Like You by Brittney Sahin
A Becoming Us Novel 1
Chasing Fortune is the most current / newest book in the Stealth Ops Series. I am currently waiting for Chasing Shadows to be released as that will dive into Harper and Roman’s stories some more. So while I wait for that book to be released, I decided to start this book, which actually inspired Brittney to write the Stealth Ops Series. Brittney herself actually recommended I give this series within her world a read and I am so happy I did. I really enjoyed learning about different characters and how the Bravo team was possibly started. Two worlds 100% collide in this book, ex-Navy SEAL and a high-profile business professional. There were many twists and turns in this book along with introducing some intriguing characters with interesting backstories, which hooked me to read the second book in the series. Brittney Sahin just keeping me floating around in here world of characters in the best way possible.
Available via Kindle Unlimited
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This is a historical fiction novel, which breaches the topics of identity, specifically racial identity. The Vignes twin sisters grow up together in a small, southern black community [that nobody really knows about] and run away at age sixteen. This decision / action to run away, shapes their daily lives, which results in different lives as adults, especially their families, their communities, and their racial identities. This book took me a few chapters to settle into, but there is a moment in the book where Early is introduced and that is what hooked me. This book was well written and vividly painted the story in mind as I was reading. Brit does an amazing job at broaching quite a few different topics as well while creating a compelling, unique, and honestly heartbreaking story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for their next book and enjoys reading historical fiction.
Supported one of my local bookstores through this physical copy. However, you can purchase this book in many different formats. Whatever floats your boat.