A prince of hell, a witch trying to solve her sister’s murder, and demons on the loose. Throw in some enemies to lovers, evil brothers, witches having their hearts taken out of their chest... and what we have is Kingdom of the Wicked, the first book in the trilogy. OH MY SWEET CANNOLI was this one heck of a ride. The story centers around twin witches Vittoria and Emilia who unleash hell, and Emilia finding herself stuck with one of the Princes of Hell, Wrath. I’m not gonna lie, I fell for both Wrath and Emilia, like sign me up. I love their dynamic and the delicious game of trust they seem to be playing at. The dangers are constantly lurking and Emilia is facing all kinds of hells. The murder mystery was such a fun touch to this story and I can’t get over the hate/love going on between Emilia and Wrath.They both constantly want to throttle and maim each other but when it counts it almost feels like they care, because as the saying goes, love and hate are a very thin line and the line tends to blur sometimes. I did really enjoy all the food touches that Kerri added to the store, it just made me crave going out and buying some (especially the desserts). THAT ENDING. THAT CURSED CLIFFHANGER. I am already craving for more, almost as much as someone would crave the kiss from a Wicked (wink wink). Anyways, yes please go read this freaking amazing book because its FREAKING AMAZING. (I’m just gonna go lurk in the shadows now and wait until the next book comes....)

*Thank you Netgalley and JIMMY Patterson for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

She's a a rabbit shifter sent as the new sacrifice to the hungry wolves... except this particular wolf wants her all for himself. Ruth is a rabbit shifter who's entire burrow has had a peace treaty with werewolf shifters... that all hinges on the fact that every year 3 rabbit shifters would be sacrificed to be eaten and hunted by the wolves. When Ruth is selected as a sacrifice she is determined to not go down without a fight and will do anything it takes to stay alive. Carver is a werewolf shifter who is an outcast in his pack, having no real connection with his wolf side... until he meets Ruth when getting ready to set the sacrifices out. Her ruthless nature, her determination to survive, and her beauty all captivate him and awaken the wolf in him. For once in his life his wolf is talking to him and it's telling him that she is his mate... but wolves and rabbits are not meant to be mates... and in this twisted tradition between their clans he is meant to kill her yet all everything in him is telling him to keep her for himself and destroy anyone that gets between them. It's an impossible love between two people who have both murdered those close to the other... yet in this twisted romance they are both perfectly made for one another. The way I completely devoured this book, it was EVERYTHING. It's the twisted love story that I absolutely love and the constant battle between the two characters was great. The undeniable pull between them was so well written and the romance was so good. I really can't get enough of this book and this couple was an absolute delight to read. I love how ruthless and determined to survive Ruth was, and I loved that thats what Carver absolutely adored about her. Ruth was an amazing protagonist who fought tooth and claw to survive, her will to live was amazing. I seriously loved this book and would absolutely recommend it for anyone who enjoys a dark romance with a shifter twist!! It seriously takes enemies to lovers to the extreme perfect state.

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Aiden Pierce for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Here we are at the finale, and oh boy was it a great way to end the trilogy! The story picks up after the second one with Zera and co trying to save Varia and the entire world from magic she has unleashed. They are on a quest to find how to stop the Bone Tree all the while Zera is starting to realize there is only one way to end it and she is the ultimate price. I really enjoyed the quests on this journey and the various relationships and bantor. I loved getting to see Yorl and Ev again and the beautiful relationship between Zera and Lucien bloom. I have always liked Zera throughout the story and honestly, she has to face some extremely tough and painful choices, but she knows that she’ll do anything and thats what makes her so wonderful. The story wraps up beautifully and I couldn’t be happier with the ending. Its just a great way to end the trilogy and I was so happy to have read all of them. The stakes were high, the romance was wonderful, but above all else, Zera’s strength and love was what made these books so great. So please do give it a read, as I fully recommend this trilogy, and remember even if someone leaves, they are never gone. This is never-goodbye.

*Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Twin princesses, one who lives as queen and the other who lives as a body double... meant only to sacrifice her life for her sister if her sister is ever in danger. Meren has lived her entire life under the disguise of a poor girl with no standing but slips into the palace to visit her sister if there is ever danger. Meren has spent her life hidden, knowing she is second best. Training and living in the desert, she yearns for more, for a life of her own. When the queen dies and Meren’s sister is to be crowned queen a proposal from the ageless King Eidolon has come.., suspiciously right after the death of the queen. King Eidolon is known for his treachery and yet Meren’s sister can’t help but believe in his better nature and Meren will do everything to stop the wedding from happening... yet before she can she is kidnapped by a figure made of shadow who mistakes her for her sister. The figure is actually Reven, the Shadowraith who has been kidnapping people... but he asks her to help him and that there is much more going on with the disappearing people than she initially thought. Reven need’s her help in saving his people as he knows Meren’s secret, her abilities over sand and that she could be the key to saving his people... except he is under the guise that she is her sister. Meren will have to navigate through lies, deciding who she can trust, and her feelings for the Shadowraith who has stolen her heart. This was such a fun read! I had a great time reading it and I loved Meren as a protagonist. The romance between her and Reven was great and the overall arc of the story was well done, I absolutely can’t wait for the second book!! I NEED IT!!!! Meren has lived her entire life knowing she is nothing more than a sacrifice but when she is finally given space to just be herself, to show true self to someone, it’s just wonderful. Meren and Reven work well together, they’re both people burdened with powers and duties and things that make it hard for them to truly show another themself, but together they connect and understand one another. The ending has me so excited for the next book. and I AM BEGGING FOR MORE REVEN POV!!! Overall if you love enemies to lovers, political intrigue, action, and romance, this is definitely for you!

*Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was an easy and fun romance read! The plot revolves around Virginia and Francis, Virginia being a recently widowed lady and Francis being someone who has been in love with her since he first met her. Virginia is trying to live her best life after escaping a traumatizing childhood and equally bad marriage, finally having the independence and means to live happy and stable life, on the condition she doesn’t remarry anyone for 10 years after her husband’s death or else she loses everything. Francis, wanting to buy one of Virginia’s late husband’s estates for his sick mother, decides that he’ll do whatever it takes to get it and pursuing Virginia is just a welcome way to get it. Thus begins a harrowing journey as these two deal with not only their emotions for each other and their circumstances, but having people after both their lives and trying to narrowly escape death. We get to read from both their POVs, which is something I always love in romance novels, and understand both of their struggles. The story was interesting and the romance was quite nice, I had a really fun time reading it . The plot wraps up nicely and there is a lot of intriguing schemes and plotting done. The banter and interaction between the two protagonists was enjoyable to read and all in all, I had a nice time reading this!

*Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review. *

Merged review:

This was an easy and fun romance read! The plot revolves around Virginia and Francis, Virginia being a recently widowed lady and Francis being someone who has been in love with her since he first met her. Virginia is trying to live her best life after escaping a traumatizing childhood and equally bad marriage, finally having the independence and means to live happy and stable life, on the condition she doesn’t remarry anyone for 10 years after her husband’s death or else she loses everything. Francis, wanting to buy one of Virginia’s late husband’s estates for his sick mother, decides that he’ll do whatever it takes to get it and pursuing Virginia is just a welcome way to get it. Thus begins a harrowing journey as these two deal with not only their emotions for each other and their circumstances, but having people after both their lives and trying to narrowly escape death. We get to read from both their POVs, which is something I always love in romance novels, and understand both of their struggles. The story was interesting and the romance was quite nice, I had a really fun time reading it . The plot wraps up nicely and there is a lot of intriguing schemes and plotting done. The banter and interaction between the two protagonists was enjoyable to read and all in all, I had a nice time reading this!

*Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review. *

She's the vicious goth woman who destroyed his wedding all those years ago and is now working as his grandfather's death doula... and he's the grumpy doctor turned oil rig guy trapped with her for two weeks on his grandfather's wish for a family vacation... can they find a way to be near each other without ripping each other apart (or their clothes apart)? Ash Keller is a combat boot wearing, gothic outfits wearing, tattooed woman who used to make a job out of objecting at people's weddings (after finding her own fiancee in bed with another woman) but after breaking up Nathaniel Whitford's wedding, she leaves the job to become a death doula. Now years later she's happy as a death doula to her client Augustus Fox, a charming old man. When Augustus has her come with him to host a family vacation to get his family to spend some time with him before he passes the last person she expects to meet is the very same man who's wedding she destroyed. Nathanial Whitford is Agustus's grandson and a grumpy doctor who has hated Ash ever since she wrecked his wedding (despite him not cheating and her claiming he did). Now they're both trapped together on Augustus's trip and have to confront each other (and the crazy attraction that is growing between them). The ore Ash begins to learn about Nathaniel the more she is beginning to realize that she might have messed up and never really knew him at all... and that resisting the hot doctor will be harder than she could ever imagine. Nathaniel knows that he shouldn't be attracted to the slightly feral tattooed woman who works for his grandpa but he can't help but be charmed by their banter and look forward to seeing her... but an he convince her that he's in it for the long run and that he's willing to risk it all for her? This was an absolutely charming romance read and I adored it so much. I love Ash and Nathaniel's chemistry and they were adorable as a couple. I rarely get to see grumpy x grumpy couples and I absolutely loved them in this one. They were both so supportive and sweet, but had amazing banter too. This book just felt so warm and sweet and one I would absolutely recommend!!!

Two girls separated for years reunite at a deadly Halloween party... can they find a way to reconnect or will they die before they make it out? Valeria had a best friend when she was at the children's home, a beautiful girl who understood her to her core until she was taken away from her by the Whitmore family... and now years later Valeria is determined to find out what happened to her beloved and if that means infiltrating the Whitmore estate, so be it. Yet what Valeria discovers there is far more wicked than she could have imagined and a strange woman in a mask sparks something in her. Can Valeria find her beloved and when she does can they both find out what happened to keep them separated for all those years? That is if they can make it out of the Whitmore estate alive.

This was a great sapphic romance read, I loved the slightly gothic dark romance touch and the Halloween vibes were perfection. This book was such a fun read and I adored the relationship between Val and her beloved, it was all consuming and so romantic. Val loved with her entire heart while Camilla loved her in her own obsessive way. This book just hit all the marks for me and I will absolutely be recommend it !!

Release Date: October 11,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

Book 1 in The Whitmore Legacy Series

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNq7FzW Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219209192-mourning-wings

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Childhood sweethearts and best friends separated only years later to reunite... except she's a witch and he's a werewolf, both on opposing sides... and did I mention that they might have made a marriage hex and now have to get married (or that she just might be his mate?) When Violet was young she was abandoned by her mother and her only friend was Silas, a sweet boy. Violet and Silas promised to marry each other if they were both still single at thirty... yet on her birthday her grandmother suddenly appeared and took her, forcing her to leave behind Silas and cut off all communication telling her that witches do not have relationships with werewolves. Now years later Violet is the heir to the Celestial Coven and her grandmother has been training her to take over. Violet would much rather spend her time with her friends, her cat familiar, and just working as the coven healer... but when a new alpha comes into to town requesting a peace treaty meeting the last person she expects it to be is Silas. Silas has grown up and finally connected with his werewolf, he has taken over a new pack and is determined to help fix it, starting by first making a peace treaty that has been long deemed impossible, with the supernatural community in the city. He has been drawn to his pack... and at the very same peace treaty meeting he meets his mate, none other than Violet, the sweet girl who broke his heart and left him without so much as a letter or message. Violet and Silas can't be together because their loyalties are meant to be with their own people... yet the pack they made as kids has turned out to be a hex Violet did and now they both have to get married in secret and find a way to reverse it... but as they reconnect, can Silas prove to Violet that they are mates and that they were made for each other or will Violet's grandmother put a stop to this as well?

This was a delightfully fun paranormal romance between a witch and a werewolf. The childhood friends to lovers trope in this were top tier and I love the fated mates aspect. Silas and Violet both have so much on their plates yet their connection is undeniable. I love the way that Sarah builds the story and the characters and cannot wait to see what she comes up with in the next book. The side characters and friend group in this book was really well fleshed out and I can't wait to see the next love stories for the friends! The romance was so well done in this one and the way that Silas and Violet both fell in love again was cute. I would highly recommend this book for paranormal romance readers or anyone who loves a good witchy romance!

Release Date: October 11,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Sarah Blue for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Two rival authors, one prestigious publishing contract, and a bet to see who can seduce more people... yet the only ones being seduced are each other. Edwina Danforth is a romance author, she loves writing smutty romance novels and finds joy in them but she has yet to actually make a penny despite writing over 17 books. When she is late for her latest tour stop she arrives only to discover that they've also brought in another author... who is now also going on tour with her, the handsome William Haywood. The moment Will and Edwina meet is not great to say the least, with him calling her work "romantic drivel." Will and Edwina do not get along, and when they both find out that the person who sells the most books on the tour will be offered the new publishing contract, tensions only rise. One night out at the bar they come up with a bet: whoever can seduce the most people wins... and a deal with the fae is binding. Edwina, despite writing smut and romance, has actually had very little experience but her pride won't let her stop the agreement. Meanwhile, Will's attempt to tease and actually flirt with Edwina ends up with her misunderstanding and proposing the bet... and now they both are competing...yet the only people they seem to be seducing and wanting to go to bed with is each other. But if they admit to their feelings so much is at stake and their game could end up with one of them losing everything, with both of them having their own desperate reasons for winning and dealing with the feelings they are both trying to fight, can this book tour be a success and can they actually make a romance happen or was it doomed from the start? This was a really fun read and I liked the competitive game between the two. The rivalry was cute and honestly, Will was such a sweetheart. He was constantly looking after Edwina and trying to show her how much he adores her, Edwina was so stubbornly prideful and set in her judgements it made me want to shake her at times. It's a really fun read and I had a blast reading it and can't wait to see where the second book with the second couple goes!!! If you like fae realms, romance, and fun characters I would absolutely recommend this!