Wow! I am so excited to write a full review for this book now that I've re-read it and officially started taking my reviews seriously. Truthfully, this is my 4th re-read, but only 2nd recorded on Goodreads.

General Description:
Picture this: you just kissed the girl of your dreams, but your uncle breaks up the kiss and says people need your help. Do you stay with the girl, or go with your family? Well, Bobby Pendragon decides to go with his family, and his life changes forever. His uncle takes him to an abandoned train station where they run into Saint Dane, the man responsible for leading territories into chaos. Bobby's uncle, Press, sends Bobby to safety from Saint Dane via a flume, a portal through different territories in time and space. Bobby lands on Denduron, a territory about to be tipped into civil war and Bobby must help Press stop it. Bobby is also like 12. Can he do it?

The goods:
- The worldbuilding is expansive and detailed, yet easy to understand.
- The ENTIRE cast of main characters (Bobby, Courtney, and Mark) are unique and keep you engaged the entire time
- The conflict makes you reflect on how actual conflicts in the world could be handled
- You're kept on your toes the entire time for how the book will resolve itself. It is unpredictable and a joyous ride. 

The loss of a half star:
- I recognize this is a fantasy book, but the description of Kagan and Bobby's emphasis on her just made me a bit uncomfortable as an adult.

Overall, if you want an epic series that will make you feel every emotion, this is the next series you MUST pick up.

General Description:
If you were given a second chance with your first love, would you take it? Well, only if it would further your career of course! Violet and Xavier were in love in high school, but Xavier ended it. Now, years later, they see each other in Vegas, and what happens in Vegas, doesn't stay there. After a Vegas 'marriage', Violet and Xavier head back home. Violet is still reeling from her broken engagement and in order to avoid continuing to focus on the past, Violet claims she got married. Of course, her small hometown, where Xavier teachers, celebrates the news, even though Xavier has no clue. However, he can use this fake marriage to further his coaching career. How long will the marriage stay fake and once real feelings come in, can they stay together without hurting each other again?

ALLL the goods:
- The faking marriage trope is executed SO well.
- I absolutely loved the character growth in both Xavier and Violet.
- This takes the classic Vegas story and flips it on it's head, making it fresh and fun to read
- The dialogue between all characters is quick, heart felt, and enjoyable to read
- The scenarios our couple is put through feel realistic, while also keeping the joy in every scenario.

Overall: If you're looking for your next favorite romance author, seriously don't sleep on Kristina Forest and pick up The Neighbor Favor and The Partner Plot ASAP.

2.5/5 Stars

General Description: Evie gets hired by The Villian to work as his assistant. The Villian's shipments of equipment start getting targeted and Evie must help The Villian figure out why. (sorry it's so short a description but I feel like that's pretty much it).

The good:
- the frog was funny
- It did get twisty at the end.

The loss of two and a half stars:
- I felt there was such a lack of worldbuilding, I was lost.
- It did not feel like one continuous story and was really clunky.
- My BIGGEST complaint: I thought the villian would stay a mystery and this was one perspective. BUT WE GET HIS PERSPECTIVE and he's still a mystery most of the time even though we spend half the book in his mind. It was so irritating to have these questions with a POV you had in the book.

Overall: I think there are other 'romantasys' that do it better personally. I'd skip this one until the series develops a bit more.

3.5/5 Stars 

General Description: Lore is the last of her bloodline. When Athena asks Lore for help to kill the false Ares, Lore can't refuse. However, Lore's best friend Castor is also a false god (Apollo), so Lore has to do her best to protect him as well, even if Athena wants him dead. Can Lore protect herself, Castor, and Athena from death during their week of mortality?

the good:
- The action was fantastic, I was engrossed in the fighting scenes
- The found family was really cute (side and main characters)
- Once I understood the world in the last hour and a half of the audiobook I did not want to leave.

the loss of a star and a half:
- I think half a star is due to being extremely disengaged during the audiobook. Time would skip randomly and I found it hard to keep up (please note, I have listened to over 800 hours of audiobook at 1x speed in 2023, so I consider myself an audiobook veteran)
- The world was just extra confusing to understand because of the mixing in of greek mythology I knew and the complete transformation of greek mythology, but it would happen in the same sentence and I'd get lost.

Overall: Don't have this been your first audiobook or first introduction into greek mythology. However, if you love greek mythology, I think you'd enjoy this darker take.

General Description: Rosalind can't die by a physical wound, so she naturally became an assasian for the nationalist in China in the 1930s. However, she's partnered with Orion, the second 2nd of a potential traitor to the nationalists, to infiltrate a Japanese newspaper to figure out why the Japanese are chemically killing people in their city. Orion believes Rosalind's name is Janie Mead. Will they be able to find trust in each other in a world full of secrets and death?

the good:
- I liked all the politics behind this book once I got a handle on understanding it.
- The action was top-tier in this book, my heart was pumping!
- The twists and turns in this book are so clever.
- the side plots in here are very well thought out and kept me engaged the entire book.

The loss of a star: 
- I think it's either because I didn't read the Violent Ends/Violent Delight duology first, but I felt like I could not get a great grasp on the worldbuilding in this book until near the very end. I feel set up for th 2nd book, but it took so long.

Overall: If you like in depth political systems with twists and espionage along the way, this should be your next read.

4.5/5 Stars

General Description: Magic has disappeared until Amari sees her father with a scroll that brings it back. In the same breath, Amari witnesses her father killing her best friend over magic. This leads Amari to still the scroll and escape the palace. Zelie happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when Amari asks for help to escape. Zelie is a diviner, someone who could have magic if it existed and wasn't brutally wiped out years before. When Amari brings Zelie's magic back, Zelie knows she must be the one to bring magic back to everyone. However, Amari's brother, Inan, can't leave her alone and must go find her. Will Amari and Zelie be able to bring magic back before Inan can get to them?

The good:
- I loved having 3 unique perspectives to always keep you in the know.
- the magic system/types/explanation were completely encapsulating and I can't wait to read more about it.
- Zelie is such a hardworking FMC, I couldn't get enough of her perspective.
- Amari's personally progression was insane and I loved seeing it through her eyes.
- The travel is done very well, not bogging down the book but you still feel like you're on an adventure.

The loss of a half star:
- I didn't like the romance subplots simply because so much was already going on, I didn't want to be pulled away to focus on romance. 

Overall: If you need a new fantasy series with a fresh magic system, this should be your next read (especially with the 3rd book coming out in 2024!!)

4.5/5 Stars

General Description: Shiori is magic in a world that is scared of it. However, so is her stepmother, Raikama. Once Raikama realizes Shiori knows her secret, Raikama banishes Shiori and turns her brothers into crimson cranes. Shiori has to get back to her land, but she's cursed to not talk. How can she find her brothers and get back to her home without being able to speak? Who can help her along the way? Will she be able to break both curses that now plague her family?

The good:
- The WORLD BUILDING and MAGIC was phenomenal. I was completely engrossed in the world.
- I loved the setup for this book to be a duology. You know exactly where you were going.
- The brothers and Takkan as side characters were great to balance the serious tasks Shiori faced.
- Shiori is an amazing FMC that I found personally inspiring in her character environment.

The loss of a half star:
- I've said this with other authors, but it felt like it was too fast at some points where I lost focus on the story.

Overall: If you need a new fantasy duology to read, this should be one you pick up immediately.

General Description: What if you didn't know what time you'd be in when you entered your apartment? After Clementine's aunt passes away, she inherits the apartment where her aunt has 2 rules: leave your shoes at the door and don't fall in love in the apartment. However, Clementine comes home one day and realizes it's 7 years earlier, to a time when her aunt was alive and a man is living in the apartment. How will Clementine interact with this unexpected guest, and what does he look like 7 years later? Will she break her aunt's rule?

All the good:
- This book was perfectly paced to me. The other book I've read by Ashley felt slow, but this one had none of those moments.
- The concept of an apartment that travels to specific moments in time was refreshing to me.
- I think Iwan's character development over the entire book was extremely captivating.
- Clementine's relationship with her aunt and having to exploring her in depth emotions was extremely moving to me.
- I want friends like Clementine's and Iwan's, the side characters were fantastic!

Overall: If you like contemporary romances, this book should be added to your TBR immediately.

This book turned me back on to Jeneva as an author. I was not sure I'd read another book by her until I read CrimeTime.

General Description: Half-siblings Naydia and Chase are living together. When they witness a burglary and Chase goes viral on Tiktok for it, they realize they now have to figure out who exactly lived above them and what that might have to do with both of their pasts. Will they make it out alive?

All the goodies:
- Having a full cast definitely upped the production of this audio exclusive.
- The side characters kept me wanting to listen to more.
- The main characters complimented each other perfectly and I loved their dynamic.
- I found there to be quite a few hilarious moments in this book where I laughed out loud.
- With the sound effects, it really felt like I was in the world.

Overall: If you're looking for a unique listening experience and a cozy mystery, this MUST be your next read.

Note: This is a dark romance book.

General Description: We follow Tristan, who's brother, Michael, is set to become King of the kingdom. Tristan has been plotting to overthrow his brother for a while, but there is a new contender in the kingdom: Michael's finance, Sarah. Sarah's father was killed by the Fasa family and she's determined to end their entire line. Tristan and Sarah are drawn to each other, but what will happen when they discover their ulterior motives? Can a relationship form? 

The good:
- I loved all the easter eggs
- I liked the multiple mysteries and depths of the subplot lines
- I felt the spice was better in this book than book #1
- I am a fan of court politics, so the entire system was interesting

The loss of a star:
- While I enjoyed the plots, I didn't fully feel engaged in the story? I found myself not as focused while listening to this book. So no inherent problem, but just a lack of staying connected in the book.

Overall: I would have this be your first book in the Never After series and skip Hooked