A dark Swan Lake retelling featuring a ballerina who is on the run and the man who is hell bent on ruining her life and getting revenge... only he finds himself falling for the one person he vowed to destroy. A dark and twisted story about the lengths we will go to to be free, and just how far you can fall. I thought this was a unique take on the original and it definitely leans heavily into the dark romance aspect. This is not for the faint of heart and I definitely think that you should check the warnings before going in. It's unique, it's dark, and its got lots of twist and turns!

Release Date: March 7, 2025

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

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

A dark hockey romance that starts when a text is sent to the wrong number... but maybe the receiver might just be the right girl for him. Monroe is tired, she's got her guards up high and is just trying to make it day by day, paycheck by paycheck. Yet when she receives a text from the wrong number she knows she wasn't who it was meant to be sent to yet the sender can't help but keep sending her text. When she tries to convince him she isn't who he meant to send it to, he double downs and is determined to prove to her that though he might have sent it to the wrong girl... she is the right girl for him. Hockey star, "golden boy" of the Dallas Knights, Lincoln Daniel's is famous. He's always attracted everyone's attention and when he sends a text to the wrong girl he doesn't expect to fall head over heels for her immediately. Lincoln knows Monroe is the one, but if he reveals who he really is she might run the other way. Lincoln knows he has to play this carefully if he wants the girl, and his obsession with her is a little "intense" to say the least. Lincoln will do anything go get Monroe, he'll go to any length to convince her that despite the red flags he's Mr. Right. Oh I absolutely loved this book so much. I was immediately hooked from the start and I loved just how insanely in love with Monroe, Lincoln was. He's a giant red flag but a thoughtful, caring, sweet, obsessive red flag haha. I was sucked into this world and can't wait to read the next book in this series. C.R. Jane has definitely become a new favorite author for me!

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

They met as kids when they both were in group homes but separated... and now year's later he's back to get the girl for good. Ari is a hockey star who has been transferred to L.A., it's one of the biggest news in the hockey world... but his real reason for going is because he's finally found her, Blake, the girl who stole his heart all those years ago and disappeared. Blake is now a struggling model who also works as a waitress, just dealing with the harsh world of modeling as well as the cruel expectations of her adopted family, and a boyfriend she doesn't care for. Ari is determined to get Blake no matter the cost, he's willing to go to any lengths to manipulate her, even blocking Blake's boyfriend and changing the number. Ari isn't going to let Blake slip through his fingers again and if it means manipulating her boyfriend out of the picture and even putting him on a no-fly list to keep him away, he'll do it. Blake can't believe Ari is back in her life, but can she still love him when she finds out just how obsessive he is about his love for her? I am obsessed with this series. I can't wait to read more from this author and I just love reading how crazy these guys are for their girls. Its such a fun dark romance series with a bit of rom com thrown in!

Who says you can't fall in love with the woman who tases you the first time you meet? Ever since Emma tased Hunter the day she first arrives in Citrus Cove, he's fallen very much in love with her... only he's kept it a secret. Instead everyone, including Emma, assumes that Hunter can't stand her and that they both can't stand one another. Hunter's kept his feelings a secret because he doesn't feel like he's good enough for her and the fact that she is such close friends with his own family... he doesn't want to risk it...yet life has other plans. Emma is hiding so many secrets, like the fact that she is secretly from a extremely rich family that disowned her, that she has a toxic ex-husband, and that she's keeping it all hidden under her sunny smile. Emma can't stand Hunter, he's so hot, yet so grumpy. But when Emma's ex husband comes into town telling her that her father has died and that he wants her back... she lies and says that Hunter is her boyfriend, but he takes it one step further and says he's her fiancee. Hunter thinks this is the only chance he'll ever get to pretending to be close to Emma... but when you're lying to all your friends and family and have to make it look real... it starts to feel very real. Emma is starting to think that she may have been wrong about Hunter all along and that the grumpy guy she's falling for might actually be in love with her too. I adore this series so so much and Hunter and Emma's relationship was so good. talk about "He falls first and harder" because oh boy did Hunter go a little crazy for Emma. I can't enough of this series and absolutely hope there are more books. I am the biggest Clio Evans fan and this book was just another fantastic one from her! Highly HIGHLY recommend for anyone who enjoys a fantastic steamy small town romance with a bit of suspense and a whole lot of romance.

Release Date: March 18, 2025

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

*Thanks Grey's Promotion for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Charlottes an aspiring designer traveling with her brother who is an Formula 1 driver all the while trying to resist the temptation that is her brother's best friend, fellow f1 driver, Lucas. Charlotte has always had a crush on Lucas but he's always been off limits. He's her brother's best friend, he's older than her by 8 years, and he's a hot shot formula 1 racer... surely he couldn't ever see her as anything more than his best friend's little sister right? Lucas is still reeling from the fact that his brother is dating his ex, the very ex he wanted to get back together with. Then there's also the fact that he refuses to break bro code so when his feelings for Charlotte only grow as she spends more time on the circuit... he knows he shouldn't be spending as much time with her or falling for her... but the heart wants what it wants... and Lucas might have to risk his friendship for a chance to be with the girl of his dreams. This was such a fun f1 romance with the "brother's best friend" x "age gap" relationship. I had a blast reading this and as an F1 fan this was just adorable. Its the third book in the series however you can read it as a standalone ( but honestly I would highly recommend this overall series!). It's such a fun read and the romance was so well done. Lucas just cares and supports Charlotte so much, it was so sweet. I loved their relationship and the "friends to lovers" vibe that they had going on. It's a wonderful book and I can't wait to read more from this author!

Release Date: March 20, 2025

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

*Thanks Valentine PR for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Jennifers Body x Fresh x Promising Young Woman in this story about a unique exclusive sorority that has an unlikely answer to why they are all so beautiful and perfect... and two women are about to discover the lengths that they will go through for community, love, and acceptance. This is a "eat or be eaten" kind of world, and these girls are ruthless. The story is told from two different perspectives: Dr. Sloane Hartley, a struggling new mom who is trying to juggle raising a child, an absent husband, and getting back to work, and Nina Kaur, a girl who had a bright future... but is trying out for a sorority in her sophomore year in order to find a community of her own and a way to success. Sloane is tired, she's tired of her clothes not fitting, of her husband who isn't around and always neglecting both her and their daughter, and trying to get back to work at the university. Sloane years for some peace, for some time for herself, to be a good mom... but it's just all piling and the pressure is making her slowly lose her mind. Then there is Nina, a girl who is determined to succeed, driven to find a way to get into the best sorority that would offer her not only sisterhood but connections into her future dreams of being a lawyer. Nina has gone through things in her Freshman year and hopes that despite that, she can win over the girls at The House, an exclusive sorority. Nina and Sloane both find themselves being drawn into the House, as Nina is accepted as a new pledge and soon finds herself dealing with not only the power plays within the group, but a dark secret to success while Sloane finds herself as the new academic advisor to the girls... and discovering that her husband might not be as innocent as he says... and that Sloane herself might be the only person to find a solution to her problems. When I tell you I was absolutely gasping and had my jaw wide open while reading the last 40% of this book!!! It starts off slow but when it picks up it immediately picks up and things go wild. This was such a delightful read and definitely one I would highly recommend for my female rage girlies, because the commentary on women, on the way we grow and how aging, beauty, and relationships all impact us in this was just so well done. I had an absolute delight for this one and I will say, my appetite is fed!

Release Date: October 25,2025

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

*Thanks Tor Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Best friends to lovers, small town romance, found family, and marriage of convenience? This was such a fun book! I love that the story follows Liam and Hannah, two life long best friends... except for the fact that Liam has been in love with Hannah all along. When he was about to tell her she surprises him by telling him she got pregnant from a one night stand and he's kept it a secret ever since and has been helping her raise her child. Now years later Hannah is running a successful cafe, only her family is threatening to take it from her unless she settles down and when she discovers her ex has been lying and cheating... the only person who can help her is Liam. This is Liam's big chance to finally show Hannah what everyone else sees, that he's been in love with her and that he's the one for her. This was definitely a fun read, especially for fans of the friends-to-lovers storyline. Liam is such a fantastic love interest and he really is so supportive and sweet. Hannah grows so much and you see her open her heart and finally see where it belongs. This series is just a delightful read and one I'd highly recommend for fans of small town romance with big time spice!

Release Date: March 25, 2025

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

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

New job, hot mountain men, and a gorgeous lodge? What more could a girl want? Getting a new job as a handywomen on a cute mountain lodge was supposed to be the perfect new start but when the grumpy hot owner wants you out things aren't looking so good... that is until you find out said hot boss might actually be falling for you. Courtney was looking for a fresh start and Sterling was looking for a new handyman... he assumed he was hiring a man until the woman that tempts him beyond belief is there and suddenly she's his new employee? Can he resist temptation? This was such a fun read!! It's the perfect amount of spice and heartwarming. Courtney is looking for a home and finds herself not only a new community but also a very hot new boyfriend. This was so so good and I need the next book in this series immediately!! The chemistry between the two characters was fantastic and the spice in this book will have you fanning yourself!

Release Date: March 27, 2025

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

*Thanks Valentine PR for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What's a girl to do but take the first flight home after her heart broken... except she's not just any girl, she's an omega without a pack who is going into heat mid flight and suddenly she finds herself being taken care of by the extremely hot and kind pilot... who also introduces her to his pack... and soon she finds herself with her dream men and the possibility of having everything she could ever want. This was such a sweet and healing story filled with spice and emotional healing. I loved every chapter and all the characters were so much fun to read from. The romance was so well done in this!! Truly, this was such a fun read that really delved deep into the healing of the mail character and letting her get the love (or rather loves) she deserves. Talk about chemistry, because there was seriously so much!! I can't wait to read more from this universe and to read more from this author!

Release Date: March 21. 2025

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

*Thanks Sarah Blue for sending me an arc as part of your Arc Team in exchange for an honest review*

For anyone who wanted a 2000's vibe kinda romance complete with the trope of "bad boy player" x "innocent fmc" . Like I can see this is for a specific group of readers and while it wasn't for me I can see how someone else would enjoy it. Like if you like alpha romance leads who are players and just bad habits and a female lead who is new to everything, then this is for you and you will probably really like it!