REVIEW: Wednesday (Timeless #3) by E.L. Todd

Hawke and Francesca are back in this third installment to Todd's Timeless series.  Having weathered a turbulent storm, they've found each other again.  For a time all is perfect; however, when a devastating loss resurfaces Hawke's past, his dark side returns and so do their woes.  He fears he'll endanger Francesca and as their relationship crumbles, she vows to never make the same mistake again.  But even as she moves on the memory of having Hawke's love lingers and he's determined to win her back but knows he has to work to overcome the fear and anger associated with his past.

I continue to enjoy this series even if the on again, off again relationship between these two is an emotional roller coaster ride. Just when they make progress, they jump several steps back. While this works in fiction, if this was RL, we'd never encourage a fellow friend or family member to continue to engage in such a draining and sometimes toxic relationship.   Within the narrative, such behavior creates tension and drama for excitement toward the big make up.

I still feel for poor Kyle. He's a good guy and certainly deserves more than he's gotten with Francesca but he is also a bit of doormat and needs to man-up and move on from her.

Overall, I understand the series format but stand behind my view that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday would be that much stronger as an edited and combined piece of work.  I'm looking forward to finishing the series and reading more about Axel and Marie's romantic backstory.

Check out my previous reviews of Monday and Tuesday!  A big thanks to @InkslingerPR for the review opportunity.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_L_TODD



#Wednesday #Timeless #ELTodd #romance #realisticfiction #angst #relationships #books

REVIEW: Tuesday by E.L. Todd

*A big thanks to @InkSlingerPr for making me part of the E.L. Todd team!*

It's been two years since the events of Monday. Frankie has finally moved on from losing Hawke; however, the pain still cuts deep.  She unwilling and unable to pursue any other meaningful relationship despite the fact that a few great guys have come along.  While her personal life is in shambles, her professional one continues to flourish as her Manhattan bakery The Muffin Girl is a huge success.

Following the engagement of her best friend Marie and Frankie's brother, Axel, she has to prepare herself to see Hawke again--he is the best man after all. Swirling emotions resurface for both of them.  Hawke's successful in his own right but his personal life is still hallow. He wants to make a go of things with Frankie but she's not sure if she could handle the pain of loss and rejection again.

Tuesday is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. What I did like was the continuation of Frankie and Hawke's story and the process of moving forward. Both characters are a little frustrating. Hawke is still set in his 'player' ways but realizes what he needs to do much sooner this time around.  His character shows some growth but he is still too alpha and impusive. I hate the reoccuring, blind jeaousy. It is off putting and a serious red flag for any real relationship. Frankie is equally infuriating. I'm pretty upset with her for being horrible to Kyle. Yes, I know these are just book characters but still! He got the short end of the stick. I hope there is a book for him to find some happiness.

Overall, I still enjoyed the story despite some flaws. The pacing and flow felt a bit off, leaving me to wonder if it all couldn't be one really epic book by combining Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday into a stellar and more cohesive narrative.  That being said, I still want to see what happens with their story in Wednesday.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @E_L_TODD



#Tuesday #romance  #erotic #angst #Timeless #eltodd #books #InkSlingerPR

REVIEW: Monday by E.L. Todd

A big THANKS to @inkslingerpr and author, E.L. Todd for the review opportunity!

Expected publication: May 3, 2016

Fallen Publishing - buy it here.

Francesca aka 'Frankie' is a twenty something college student working as a barista at the local coffee shop, 'The Grind'. School is just a means to an end before she endeavors to live her true dream: opening a bakery in Manhattan.  Frankie is no stranger to tragedy or emotional loss, having lost both her parents at a young age. She isn't necessarily looking for love, but when fate intercedes, Frankie finds her soulmate.

Hawke is as gorgeous as he is troubled.  Working as an intern and hell bent on succeeding in the cut throat money trading world, his player attitude and behavior is a defense mechanism wrought from surviving an abusive, turbulent childhood.  Hawke can't escape and put his past behind him since his mother refuses to leave the violent situation--one in which Hawke fears he won't be fast enough to save her one time.

When Frankie and Hawke meet, the attraction is instant.  He pushes her away for fear that he'd hurt her. However, destiny won't be ignored. As their paths cross again, a deep bond of friendship and intimacy neither has experienced before plants the roots for a relationship that is as tumultuous as it is passionate. Sometimes love just isn't enough.

I devoured Monday in virtually one sitting. Todd's characters and their stories are compelling.  There is a nice balance of timely humor, angst and realistic relationship woes mixed with intensely hot, passionate love scenes and a rise in climatic plot tension as everything in Hawke's life seems to explode. I both loved and hated the ending.  As I neared the finish, I was worried that all the problems would be magically solved in a few pages.  That isn't the case. Instead, Todd leaves readers wanting more with a well crafted relationship cliffhanger.  Hence why I 'hated' the ending a little bit too.

That being said, Frankie and Hawke's story continues in Tuesday and Wednesday. True Timeless series fans will be thrilled that Marie and Axel get two books of their own, Thursday and Friday. Publication for all titles is May 3, 2016.

Enjoy!

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_L_TODD



#Monday #Timeless #ELTodd #romance #NA #inkslingerpr #erotic #books