I'm a big fan of this series. There are so many incredible recurring characters and I love that with each book we get an update on the other couples. Giuliana sure does know how to write a lovable MMC. I think Luca might be my favourite but I don't know if I can cement that decision. Shiver is the perfect slow burn. There's plenty of chemistry and tension but you get to see them connect on a deeper level first. 

Luca is adorable and the way he steps up for baby Gia despite his imposter syndrome is so fricking heartwarming. I also loved how he dealt with his ex, a definite green flag. The banter between him and Samara was excellent as well.

Samara comes across as hard to start with but you soon see that yes she is a badass but she's also battling with a lot of insecurities and vulnerabilities. I loved seeing a character deal with the realities of PCOS and infertility. 

This series wouldn't be complete without Luca's family. They are a wild bunch and they always have me cackling. They are also so damn supportive, it's beautiful. Gloria is the star of the show and has her nose in everyone's business. I love that she's always one step ahead and scheming for her kids as well as roping everyone into her smutty book club. 

My favourite thing about the Philia Players series is that every book shows a different way of having a family with or without children. Do check the TW though.

I read an arc

This is such a great series. I've missed out some in the middle but I will definitely be going back to catch up on them. They can be read as standalones though. 

The murders are always so intriguing, and this one is no exception. I love learning about the different beliefs and mythologies. Silent Souls focuses on Egyptian mythology and has the perfect creepy cave setting. I did guess who the killer was, but it didn't ruin it for me. 

As always, there are some great characters. DS Fallon was a great lead detective. She was a fierce female leader and dealt with all the crap thrown her way. I loved getting to see more of Ryan and his new adorable roommate. I look forward to seeing him grow even more. Harrison is so lovable, and I was rooting for him in his personal life. 

I read an arc via NetGalley

This is such a great series, and while they can technically be read as standalones, I think they work better if read in order. Vanessa's family is tied up in some mysterious bug ring that runs throughout the 3 books. 

I'm so intrigued by the weird cult element. We get to see just how far it reaches and learn a bit more about Vanessa's family in this book but there are still so many questions. 

I love learning about all of the different bugs, and the entomology side of the case is so interesting. It makes a nice change from the usual crime thriller setup.

Vanessa is such a cool character and as usual there are some great side characters. I loved Finn and his adorable daughter. 

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked but I did find there were a few long winded chapters where we were just thrown a lot of information or theories, which slowed down the pace. I can't wait to see where the story goes next though.

I read an arc via NetGalley

At 600+ pages this book is long, and I found it a bit slow paced in places. It was also extremely insta love which isn't my favourite. While it was insta love, there was the suspense of when they were going to give in and get together. It did get a bit repetitive towards the end though with the on/off thing going on. 

This book does come with some added angst and trauma, which is how I like my romance. I thought the vaginismus representation was done pretty well, there was no quick fix, and therapy and professional help was encouraged. There is also diabetes rep and how a sick parent can affect the children as well. Both characters have trauma from their family lives which made them feel real. 

I liked the friendshis and the banter was excellent. Jazz was the star of the show. She was so freaking adorable and I loved seeing her interact with Willow. I did question the reactions of Kings mates though. It felt extremely immature. 

It's definitely a book that makes you feel a range of emotions, with plenty of giggling as well as spice. Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I'm not sure if I'd go back for the rest of the series. 

I read an arc via NetGalley