While novellas usually are more or less nice fillers that don‘t contribute too much to the plot, I can only highly recommend you to read this one between Kill Switch and Nightfall as it does add an important insight to the whereabouts and plans of the characters just as much as some steamy treats because we do crave them all.

Without having read Nightfall yet, I know the last installement of the Devil‘s Night series will focus on Will, the last of the four horsemen. Something I really appreciate about this series is that despite putting focus on one pairing at a time, the bigger events that are occuring revolve around all of them and keep the suspense of the whole series going. I also loved to see once more the relationship between Damon and Winter which is so pure and beautiful, as well as to see the whole gang meet up to discuss further plans. However, I don‘t know how exactly I should feel about Rika and Michael as I have become rather uninterested in any further drama concerning them. What truly bothered me, and what I hope won‘t ruin the next book for me is one character in particular: Alex. While I enjoyed her in the previous books, it just didn‘t sit right with me for her to basically claim Will as hers in this novella during the meeting. I shall see how that issue will be dealt with in the next installement.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

The fact that I ended up slightly disappointed by this book will be my villain origin story.

Will has been my favorite out of the four horsemen from the get-go (take aside the fact that I was completely blown away by Damon in Kill Switch who I now love so much it actually hurts). I loved seeing his sunny golden-boy demeanor in the past chapters, and was absolutely crushed by how much he had changed from that in the chapters taking place in the present. As we got so many glimpses already of Will‘s love for Emory, my excitement to finally see these two together and find out their story couldn‘t have been put into words. I really thought this book would crush me, and I hate how much potential in there was wasted. Neither Will nor Emory deserved that. But first things first.

Will‘s and Emory‘s backstory might be my favorite because it‘s a tale of first love, of finding your light, of keeping the other one treasured, and it was the most adorable thing ever! They were pure and beautiful together, and seeing Will completely in love with her was such a joy. Emory was a fantastic character who‘s been through a lot, her backstory filled me with rage, and all I wanted for her is to open up to Will, but I understood all the reasoning for her actions. She hadn‘t had it easy, and it made sense that she wasn‘t a happy kid. The fact that Will was the one person, the one thing that brought her happiness made my heart ache because I saw how much he had changed. Emory‘s need for Will was comparable to Damon‘s. Another element of the past that I truly loved was her bonding with Damon. Those chapters left goosebumps all over my body, and I was looking forward to see them meet again.

With everything that happened in the past, I expected to see the tables turnt in the present: now Will was the one who couldn‘t be happy, and Emory had escaped her biggest nightmare. As both of them found themselves at Blackchurch, I also hoped the dynamic would switch as in Emory becoming to Will what he used to be for her. Unfortunately, our poor boy was filled with so much rage and his own agenda that it was rather hard to crack that armor he put on himself. The Will Emory met now is not the Will she had fallen in love with nine years ago. He was cruel, hostile, and an absolute prick to her. And yet the tension, the unspoken words between them, and the fact that they knew they‘ve lost something that barely began was so prominent between them, I was just waiting for one of them to finally break apart. I was sitting on the edge of my chair, flipping those pages like a madwoman, savoring all the interactions, the fights, the tiny peeks we got under their masks, and so eager to see them find their way to each other, and just before that happened, it was ruined by the one character I‘ve come to hate: Alex.

Now before any Alex fangirl or fanboy hits me with a bat, let me explain this. I enjoyed Alex as a secondary character just as much as any secondary character that was being introduced, but to me there was just no place for her to have a bigger part on the stage. I knew that Will and Alex‘ relationship was more intime, not only in terms of them getting physical with each other but also because their friendship helped them both emotionally. However, after she basically claimed Will as her own in Conclave, I knew this woman would become a problem I wanted to be dealt with quickly. Now, it wasn‘t the fact that Will and Alex had a shared past that I disliked about this book. To be honest, a bit of jealousy as a tool to push romance is something that I do enjoy if done correctly. However, what truly annoyed me was how much space her story took up. It quickly put Emory‘s and Will‘s relationship aside, focusing too much on her as a character and her own romantic interest. Now I could‘ve easily stomached that since the book is big enough, but once the Alex drama started, the development of Will‘s and Emory‘s relationship felt too rushed and lacked of the intimacy I craved. And don‘t get me started on the train scene. I was simply not able to enjoy that one in the slightest.

Generally I feel like there was lots of potential from the backstory wasted because of the course the story took. All the unspoken truths between Will and Emory, Emory‘s bond with Damon, Damon and Will‘s friendship was barely shown in the presence, and the way they dealt with the villains of the story. I also would have loved to see the jealousy of Will in terms of Emory and Aydin, and of Emory in terms of Will and Alex better handled as a tool instead of using it just for some conflict and then letting it evaporate. And my biggest complaint? The almost fade-to-black scene once Will and Emory found to each other. Penelope Douglas, this is not what I signed up for reading these books. Gimme thirty pages of them losing themselves in each other, thank you.

Since this is also the last installement, of course there was some spotlight on the other couples and characters toward the end, and while I enjoyed that, I can‘t deny that it left a bitter taste to see how rushed parts of Emory‘s and Will‘s journey has been which almost felt like a 180 degree turn without the necessary release of the tension that was so perfectly built up before. I also felt like some plotpoints were rushed as well, and some of the reveals and explanations didn’t feel as big or mindblowing as I hoped they would. However, I still enjoyed seeing all of the characters back together and finally forming the family they had always been. It was a sweet ending, and left me craving for more which is why I‘m too excited to dive into Fire Night right away.

This book could‘ve easily been a favorite if the storyline of Alex wasn‘t present or at least better taken care of. The fact that Will and Emory‘s backstory was so beautiful, and held so much potential which wasn‘t developed well enough in the present storyline will be my villain origin story, because I loved these two characters way too much to see them overshadowed by a different romantic storyline.

What a nice way to say good-bye to the four horsemen!

I‘m usually not the biggest fan of bittersweet endings, long epilogues that take years after or show us only glimpses of the lives of the characters. But I loved this one. Mainly because we‘ve already seen a lot of the characters - in their past, the presence and their hopeful glances at the future. So it was nice to actually have them all together for some different festivities than Devil‘s Night.

Novellas that are part of a series usually are fillers or nice stories with not much of a plot. Not this one, though. As we get a last chapter by each horsemen, we not only see how strong their bonds with their wives are going, how fulfilled their lives are with their own families, but there‘s also a plot that keeps you on your edge, leaving us some glimpses on what their own children are capable of.

This novella doesn‘t focus on hot or steamy scenes, on fights or building up tension, but on the happiness each couple is feeling, some unresolved emotions that need to be worked on, and on the children they love so deeply. I truly enjoyed reading this novella, and feel like it‘s a better epilogue than the one we got in Nightfall.

While I‘ve had my highs and lows with the series, and was a bit disappointed with how things played out in the last installement, I‘m happy Penelope Douglas gave us Fire Night which fully focused on Michael and Rika, Kai and Banks, Damon and Winter, and Will and Emmy, as well as their children.

I don‘t know if Penelope Douglas will ever write a book on Mads and Octavia or any of the children, and I don‘t think I truly want one as this ending seemed just right.

A new all-time favorite. A masterpiece. A modern classic. This story will take hold of you. It‘s beautiful, sad, painful, full of hopes, lies and harsh truths - and so damn relevant.

Where does one begin with this book? There are too many thoughts in my head, too much love for how beautifully this novel has been constructed, too many feelings about these characters that feel so real I had to constantly remind myself that this is fiction. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo unpacks so many themes such as sexism, feminism, race, sexuality, friendship, love, family, career while it takes us on the journey of Evelyn Hugo‘s life including all the gains, the mistakes, the losses, the things she might have done right and the things she had done wrong. Despite the novel mostly taking place during the Old Hollywood era the cast of characters, the plot and themes are diverse, tackling issues that are nowadays just as relevant.

Evelyn Hugo is one of these characters that doesn‘t have to be likeable, make the right decisions or needs to redeem herself to be admired. The world might have come to admire and love her for her looks, her movies, her being an icon during Old Hollywood, but you will fall for her because of all the layers underneath that mask she so carefully crafted. Evelyn Hugo is ruthless, dedicated, harsh. She is such a complex and well-layered character you will wish her to be real. And while this story is about the life of hers, it‘s also about the ones who were connected to her the most. The friendships and bonds as strong as the characters themselves.

Taylor Jenkins Reid knows how to build characters, knows how to peel off the layers, knows how to develop those bonds between them. I‘ve seen that already in Daisy Jones and The Six, but opposed to that novel, in this one, the way she decided to narrate this story had me captivated in a way which hadn‘t happened with a book for some time. Because this book lives as much from the juxtapositions presented in this story as it does from the convincing plot and lively characters you encounter. While the book is divided in parts dedicated to Evelyn‘s seven husbands, it breaks apart the narrative of her life with chapters taking place in the now where Monique, the journalist and interviewer who‘s set to write Evelyn‘s book, takes in the icon sitting before her, questions her actions, receives some wisdom which the retired actress shares. It puts the decisions and actions of Evelyn in the light of today. Then there are articles of newspapers and magazines scattered among the story, setting a stark constrast between the truth Evelyn finally shares and the truth she made the media and everyone else believe. It helps understand how she has been perceived, and who she truly is. Adding a layer of truth to each deception she had crafted around herself.

Despite the fact that I had known who the true love of Evelyn Hugo‘s life has been (because fanarts, edits and quotes have been telling), I didn‘t mind this little spoiler because the story is not only about her falling in love with that character, but the hardships they‘ve had to overcome to be together. While the book itself is divided into parts dedicated to her seven husbands (featuring little illustrative monikers that set the tone for the upcoming storyline), Evelyn‘s whole story is dedicated to the one true love of her life, the family she found and made, and the life she had hidden from the outside world which has brought her moments of pure joy and happiness as well as painful downfalls filled with sadness.

Once you start this book, there‘s no way to escape the story. You will feel a constant pull towards the story, the little secrets, the actions as well as the characters who you will hate or/and love, understand, and feel for. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a masterpiece, well-deserving of all the love and hype it receives, and hopefully to become a modern classic that will leave an impact on you, I can assure you that.

It Happened One Summer is the fun, addictive, sexy rom-com you‘d want to spend the hot summer nights with - despite the fact that it does nothing to help to cool off. Keeping an ice pack, ice cream or just some gallons of water near you is very much advised. Who would‘ve guessed that fishermen can be this hot? Not me, but hey I was devouring this book just as much as our guy Brendan devoured Piper. *fans herself*

Now, It Happened One Summer was just the book I needed at the time, and therefore, I enjoyed it throughout. It was light, fun, and hot. But unfortunately, my obsession kept itself back with this one. While I did binge the book, it was more because I just needed a night off with a good toe-curling rom-com, and not because I was so invested in the romance between Piper and Brendan.

It-Girl from the big city meets small-town fishermen captain? Upturning her whole life? Finding joy in a place she never thought she would set foot in? Not anything we haven‘t seen before in one way or the other. The small-town-romance trope is not one I would count among my favorites, but I can appreciate it for what it is. Even if the stereotypes went a bit overboard with how exaggerated they were. Which wouldn‘t have been a bad way if it weren‘t for the fact that the development of the characters failed to convince me. From what I‘ve seen, people either love or dislike Piper from the get-go, and I‘m suprised to say I count myself in the former group. While spoiled, rich-kid characters are usually not the ones I can relate to or have much of understanding for, I loved to see such a character in a book. Yes, make her wear floppy hats, walk in tight dresses and with lots of make-up on. I was ready to see a character like her show that the inside doesn‘t always match up with the prejudices that come with her outside. However, Piper did slightly disappointed me in that department. Simply because we are presented with two different people if we compare her character from the start and end of the book, without being truly shown the development. Not that I‘m saying the development itself wouldn‘t be convincing. It‘s just that all the steps, all the layers she kept peeling off happened in quick instances, were more often told than shown, and lacked some depth. Which is also an issue I had with the romance, and Brendan. The male protagonist of this rom-com had its own package to carry, and lots of issues to resolve, one of the lasting seven years. Once more, I felt like the decisions he made weren‘t the problem for they were plausible. It just happened so quick without any time to explore the deep meaning of it all that it made it less convincing on the greater scale. I just feel like they was so much potential with the past these two clung to that it was sad how little we saw of them truly dealing with it.

And same goes for the romance. Was it hot? Oh yes, toe-curling hot. Like I‘m never gonna look at hospitals, boats, kitchens and what not the same way again. I don‘t know if I‘ll be able to go and buy a jeans the same way again. Okay, maybe I‘m exaggerating, but the bottom line is: the romance is steamy, hot and addicting. But aside from that, I wasn‘t able to get as invested because it unfortunately lacked depth. Brendon and Piper‘s start was rocky, filled with prejudices and mean banter which itself is very promising. However, they moved on a bit too quick to lovey-dovey. Since the physical attraction had been there from the beginning, I wouldn‘t have minded to see them explore some fun before falling head over heels instead of having the L-word ready at their lips after … two? Three weeks? It felt a bit over-the-top, cheesy at times, and I might have cringed once or twice about the possessiveness of Brendan.

Finishing this book, I couldn‘t keep myself from comparing it to Book Lovers by Emily Henry which was the rom-com I‘ve read before, and while it tackles the trope in different ways, some similiarities were there. What I prefered about Emily Henry‘s take was that she took the time to get into the depth of her characters. I was not only invested in the banter, the early animosity, but also in the chemistry and love between them. While yes, It Happened One Summer is definitely steamier, the characters in Book Lovers felt more like forming a bond, making the whole hard decision of „Should I return to the city or stay in town?“ believable. However, what I did enjoy more about It Happened One Summer (aside from the hot scenes, because damn I’m still fanning myself) was the sisterly bond between Piper and Hannah. Sure, this one wasn‘t tainted by its own problems as with Nora and Libby in Book Lovers, but that being something I didn‘t much enjoy in that book (no matter how I agree its relevance to the plot), I loved how Piper and Hannah had each other‘s backs in this one, not only supporting the other but also showing understanding and affection through small gestures. Generally, I loved Hannah as a secondary character and to say I‘m excited for her and Fox‘s story in the sequel is an understatement.

However, all the issues I had with this one can be categorized as „minor“ because if I‘m being honest, I didn‘t pick up this book for the look-out of any depth, but because I wanted to have a fun and quick time with it, and in that case, it delivered. I‘ve enjoyed the book, binged most of it during one night, and definitely understand the hype around it as a great summer read. It offers fun, banter, and some very good and hot scenes. (Me continuing to mention those really show how much I appreciated them *laughs*) Did this book leave any bigger impact on me? Not necessarily. Did I still enjoy it? Absolutely. Despite the few issues I‘ve had with it, I can see myself rereading it. Because let‘s be honest: Captain Brendan Taggert losing it after dinner? That scene alone is worth it.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

A true delight of a rom-com for all the book lovers out there! The chemistry between the characters is impeccable, the banter hilarious. Loved the twist on the small-town-romance trope, all the bookish references throughout the book, and overall the great time it offered!

Nora and Charlie are the book lovers we deserved in a rom-com. It was evident very early on that these two belong to each other like no one else. I loved how their story began, all the messages sent back and forth, the banter, the jokes - it was hilarious watching them and feeling the chemistry between them so evidently. I loved how both of them represented the stereotypical characters who usually don‘t get the shot at real romance - or as Nora likes to put it: gets dumped over some baker from a small town. Generally, as someone who is not too much into the trope of small-town romances, I loved the twist Emily Henry put to the stereotypical characters, and focused on the ones who usually are left behind: the city-lovers, the ones who want to build a career, the ones who do like their Manolo shoes and Peloton bikes. The ones who don‘t care much about a calm life in a small town. It turns around the perception that those characters are evil, and shows us how much they care, love and feel. And I loved that! Especially because there‘s nothing about Nora or Charlie that one can not love. On the contrary, I felt more connected to them than to any other character who decides to leave everything behind for a shot at a small-town romance to be quite honest.

The only reason why I‘m not giving this book a full five-star-rating is that I felt the pacing dragged a bit after almost 300 pages, and then rushed too quickly towards the end. While I loved the subplot involving Nora‘s sister, Libby and felt it added more to the characters and their lives, I felt their drama took a bit too long to explode. It took away some good time I would‘ve loved to see between Nora and Charlie, but that‘s entirely a subjective opinion as I was expecting a tad bit more romance. Rationally, the subplot between Nora and Libby added lots of depth to the character, helped the twist of the trope, and was truly emotional I had to held back some tears.

This was my first Emily Henry book, and all I can say is: call me a fan! I shall definitely get to Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation ASAP, and devour them as much as I did this one. Emily Henry has officially become an auto-buy-author for me, and should become one for you as well. Really. Buy the book, read it, love it. You won‘t be disappointed.

Corrupt and Hideaway were like a walk in the park compared to Kill Switch.

I don‘t know how I will ever be okay after this book. After we saw glimpses of Damon‘s life in Hide Away, I knew I probably wouldn‘t survive this installement, and I still don‘t know if I did. Damon is such a complex character that you hate one second, feel for him in the next, and ultimately totally lose it for him. The obsession being very real. This book is the best one out of the series, and won‘t let you go so easily.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. Both the story and the romance hit you in the gut. You will scream, you will smile, you will cry, you will feel the love and light, you will gasp, and ultimately, you will feel empty. Kill Switch is filled with pain, longing, the hope for love, betrayal and the constant ache for these characters to finally be happy. Damon is such an intriguing character who‘s been through way too much. His constant companion in life is pain and the little light that Will used to bring him. Once you‘re inside of his head, you can‘t not understand him, and all you feel is an ache in your heart for all the love he had been denied his whole life. The fact that he is so enticed with Winter is wholly comprehendable, as you read their backstory set in the past. There is this one girl who might despite what happened to her, still shines light and Damon is attracted to her like a moth chasing the sun. Their backstory was so beautiful and painful, because from the very first moment Winter got lost in him, I knew the big reveal will be the biggest betrayal for both of them. Seeing them interact now all the years after that video brought Damon to prison, it was painful to know how much they‘ve could had from the beginning if other people didn‘t intervent.

Just everything about these two was perfect, and I loved every single page they‘ve shared. While the plot kept expanding and was intriguing as well, it was Winter and Damon‘s story that kept me awake all night. None of the previous couples had so many emotional layers to their relationship, and I loved how things played out in this installement. I loved to see the glimpses of Damon‘s life before and after, I loved to see Winter‘s involvement with him before and after, but I also loved to see certain friendships such as the one between Damon and Will which showed how deep it truly ran. Honestly, this book alone is the reason why everyone should read the Devil‘s Night series. I shall never be okay again, and I‘m glad it was these two who put me through so many emotions. Oh, and the smut? Impeccable!

This Vicious Grace is a YA fantasy romance at its finest, I couldn‘t put it down once I got sucked into it. With a beautiful Italian-inspired setting, a swoon-worthy interest, a fierce heroine, great mythology, and lots of banter, this was a fresh reminder why I inititally fell so deeply in love with this genre, and I won‘t let it go.

Honestly, grab a bottle of limoncello yourself when you binge this one (if you‘re at legal age to do so, of course). This one served me everything I am looking for in this genre: I laughed, I (almost) cried, I wanted to throw the book against the wall, I spammed the group chat, I screamed, and I obsessed endlessly. While I loved what Emily Thiede did with the Italian-inspired setting (and therefore, almost making me book a trip to Italy because it‘s been long enough already since my trip there last summer), what really stood out where the characters, and their dynamic. Individually as well as together, there was not a single dull moment of them. Some I loved throughout the whole book, some I loved only to hate later, and some I unexpectedly fell for as I read further on. Of course, Alessa and especially Dante occupied most of the spotlight, and I‘m pleased to have met another YA protagonist that I enjoyed, and even more for a new book boyfriend to add to the club. Because Dante will make it on everyone‘s list, trust me. Oh, trust me. The development of their relationship was so fun to observe. You get banter, emotional and deep conversations, bonding, support, and some more banter - and there‘s no way you ever feel you had enough. You simply crave more. The fact that this book had one of my favorite tropes (do we call this a trope?) of the protagonist‘s touch being deadly only enhanced the tension, and excitment I felt as I watched these two getting closer.

As I have been rather a hard time lately to truly find joy in the YA fantasy category, it was a suprise and a gift to come across This Vicious Grace as it offered all the aspects that made me love this genre this strongly in the first place while it gave us a great new world and story. A true gem that I can only highly recommend!

The only downside to me reading this? The painful wait for the sequel to release! I‘m already coming up with all sorts of theories on what can happen next, and feel strongly for what Dante and Alessa had to face at the end of the book. My excitement and impatience are on a high level - the wait can‘t be over soon enough as I can‘t wait to see all the characters again, and wherever their journey will lead them and us.

Oh, and to all the Italians cringing at the language usage, and maybe contemplating dnfing because of it. Don‘t! Put your trust in Dante, this man got your back!

After finishing It happened one summer and becoming a fan of Piper‘s younger sister Hannah, I knew I couldn‘t squeeze in a different book, and had to dive right into the sequel to see how the story of Fox and Hannah will progress. Let me tell you this: I‘m obsessed. Obsessed. Obsessed. Obsessed.

Never have I obsessed as much over the friends-to-lovers trope as with the one in Hook, Line, and Sinker. The chemistry? The pining? The tension? The bonding? Everything was impeccable. Fox and Hannah did not only capture my heart, they conquered my whole body and soul.

If you don‘t know me, let me clarify a few things up front. As a fantasy reader most of my life, my favorite trope had always been enemies-to-lovers, and my least favorite one? Yes, friends-to-lovers. And while I‘ve came across some great hate-to-love rom-coms, I can see what works for me in fantasy doesn‘t necessarily work in romance. Hook, Line, and Sinker proved that once more by showing me what a freaking blast the friends-to-lovers trope actually can be. I‘ve become so obsessed with all the pining and built up tension, I started looking up for more romance novels with that trope. Eager to get more of it while at the same time worrying that none will hit me as much in the gut as this one.

Sure, I‘ve enjoyed the first installement, but this one? I loved this book so much more. Fox and Hannah have met and befriended it each other during the events of It happened one summer where we already got a few glances of the nature of their relationship: friendship. Nothing more… right? As the sequel takes place several months after, we see where these two left off and what they had been up to during their time apart. Which is a lot of texting, … and not admitting that the whole reason behind that might not be friendship. Watching these two trying to stay on friends-base-only, supressing the predominant attraction to each other as well as the ever growing feelings as they get to know the other even better, it was a rollercoaster of emotions reading this book. Banter, pining, doubt, (sexual) attraction, happiness, healing - these two give you all! The slow burn forcing you to flip those pages, and flip them some more, never getting enough. I‘ve laughed, I begged them to wake up, I screamed, I shook the book hoping to shake them - there was no emotion I didn‘t feel.

What I found a bit lacking in It happend one summer was perfectly executed in this one, giving the characters the time and place to sort through their doubts, worries, and struggles they carry from the past. Fox especially became a character I wanted to hug and comfort myself (or shake him because Hannah was right there). Both, him and Hannah, are a perfect fit, and if I could I would erase every memory I have of this book just to experience it all over again for the first time.

Highly recommend this one if you‘re a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, or if you want to become one like I did now. And yes, you can expect some steamy scenes, and lots of scenes anticipating it (I‘m just saying the conversation about the orange bottle had me screaming, laughing, shaking)! Hannah and Fox are not only cute, but hot.

Is it too soon to reread?