Game of Shadows is the first book in a yuing adult fantasy series by Erika Lewis. I loved Game of Shadows! I found it to be a thrilling fast paced adventure with a wonderful male protagonist. Yes! there is a guy main character! Let us all rejoice for that fact for a moment. This was a great start to what seems like it is going to be a very magical and cool series. I can’t wait for the next book.

Ethan’s world is flipped upside down when he sneaks away from his mom to walk to high school alone for the very first time. Ethan is on the younger side for young adult, so I think this book would appeal to upper middle grade as well as young adult fans. The writing was certainly young adult, but the character could pass for middle grade. Either way, the story and the characters were all excellent. Ethan can see ghosts, which when he is whisked away to the world of Tara, he learns is the mark of being chosen as the next rule. However; Ethan didn’t even know that the land exists. Thrown in some politics and a whirlwind adventure and you have the start to an awesome series.

I loved all the magic in Game of Shadows. There are lots of different creatures and characters to contend with. I can’t wait to see where this series is going to go next. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am so interested to see how they are going to get themselves out of that situation. I really didn’t see that coming. Overall, this was a fun ans fast paced fantasy adventure. I loved that it features a male main character, and I am super excited for more. I was hooked right from page one, and I could not put this book down. Game of Shadows was a hit for me!

Crossing the Friend Zone is an adult contemporary romance by author Kelly Eadon. This is the third book in the Belmont Beach Brides series. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but each of the books can be read as standalones. They are all set in the same world, and I enjoy seeing the character crossover. I loved Kelly’s easy way with romance and building a connection between characters. Her first book, The Wedding Date, was a feel good read for me, and her next book, The Family Man was the same. And Crossing the Friends Zone was no different. It was a feel good romance that I read in one sitting.

Crossing the Friend Zone is the story of Ainsley and Ryan. If you have read my reviews, you know that I love a good friends to more storyline. Mix that in with Kelly’s gift for writing fun, sweet and sexy romances that make you want to smile, and I knew this one was going to be a hit with me. Ryan and Ainsley are both such good people. Yes, neither one of them is perfect and I Ryan has a bit of a playboy in him, but he is what I am calling playboy light. Underneath it all, he is a big softie. The best thing about Kelly’s books is that she writes characters that you can’t help but like and you can’t help but relate to. I felt like I was friends with Ainsley and Ryan. Like I was watching two of my friends get together, which meant there were a whole lot of cheering and awh moments on my behalf. Plus, he rescued her! That earns major points in my book!


Bottom line: Crossing the Friend Zone, and the entire Belmont Beach Brides series is a very fun read. I love the way the series is set up because you can still read each of the books independently, but if you do read them in order you are privy to some extra insights into the various characters and you get to watch them interact in the background throughout the books. It it one of my favorite setups for contemporary romances. Kelly Eadon is quickly becoming a go-to feel good read author. I know that her books will put a smile on my face.

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

Note: This is the second book in a series that must be read in order.
If you are new to the Stranje House series, check out my review of book one, A School for Unusual Girls HERE
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Exile for Dreamers is the second book in the Stanje House series by Kathleen Baldwin. I absolutely loved, the first book in the series, A School for Unusual Girls, and this book was even better than the first book. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Georgie and Lord Wyatt, but I really really adore the setup of this series. Each of the books is told from one of the five Stranje House girls point of views. Book one was Georgie, book two is Tess and book three will be Jane. I just love that idea. The series follows a single timeline and the events of the books take place one right after another, so the series must be read in order. But from each book we get to see the next set of events unfold from a different perspective. It is brilliantly done.

Exile for Dreamers is Tess' story. Tess is such an interesting character. I was super intrigued by her in the first book, and I grew to totally love her in this book. Her story with Lord Ravencross was excellent. Not to mention her ability is really fascinating. Not only her dreaming ability but also her connection with animals. She is a multifaceted character that I was eager to keep learning more about as the book progressed. And I was totally surprised with the direction things took with one of the characters.

With Daneska. The former student that betrayed the girls. (And that is all the detail you will get on this one...even in the spoilers.) :p

The Stranje House series is quickly turning into one of my favorites. I love that it blends different genres seamlessly. It is part historical fiction/alternate history, party magic, and part secret spy school. I have never read another book quite like it. I should note that in the historical aspect, at the end of the last book we took a departure from actual historical events. I thought Kathleen Bladwin did an excellent job explaining the what and the why in her afterword, which I would encourage everyone to read. The Stranje House novels are more of an alternate version of history, where just shifting one event in Napoleon's time could have resulted in a very different turn of events. It is so much fun to explore this possibility. (Can you tell I love history!?) But even non-history majors can easily enjoy these novels. Katleen Baldwin does a fantastic job making them accessible and easy to follow, all the while creating a world and characters that are unputdownable. I am in love with the Stranje House novels. Seriously, in love.

I can't wait to learn more about Jane, Maya, and Sera in each of their stories. I am almost positive that each of the girls will get their own story, and I could not be more thrilled about that. They are each so fascinating in their own regard. So different, and valuable in their own way. I love watching them all work together. They have each other's backs and they don't hesitate to jump in after another girl to help out. (Sometimes literally jumping into something)

Overall, Exile for Dreamers was a FANTASTIC follow up to the Stranje House series. This is a series for readers and lovers of all different genres. I think everyone should read this series. There will be something in between these pages that you will fall in love with, I'm sure of it. Book three, A Refuge for Masterminds is Lady Jane's story- our resident mastermind herself. I am so pumped for the book. I have been absolutely loving it. I know I am going to be so sad when it is over because I will have to wait until next year for the fourth book. Kathleen Baldwin has not let me down yet. I am in love with this series!

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

Note: This is the third book in a series that must be read in order.
If you are new to the Stranje House series, check out my review of book one, A School for Unusual Girls HERE
and my review of book two, HERE
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Refuge for Masterminds is the third book in the Stanje House series by Kathleen Baldwin. I absolutely loved, the first book in the series, A School for Unusual Girls, and the second book, Exile for Dreamers. Each of the books is told from one of the five Stranje House girls point of views. Book one was Georgie, book two is Tess and book three is Jane. The series follows a single timeline and the events of the books take place one right after another, so the series must be read in order. But from each book we get to see the next set of events unfold from a different perspective. It is brilliantly done.

Refuge for Masterminds is Jane's story. As soon as I found out each of the books was going to be written from a different girl's perspective, I was itching for Jane's story. I love a good mastermind, and Jane was intriguing to me right from the very start. As soon as she told Georgie was sent to Stranje House because she was too profitable, I knew there were many secrets lurking beneath her surface. And we get to see so many of them come to light throughout this third installment in the Stranje House series. I am completely in love with these books. Each one builds on the last one, and they all flow seamlessly, while still each having their own distinct voices and perspectives. With each novel, I get to know the girls a little better.

The Stranje House series is quickly turning into one of my favorites. I love that it blends different genres effortlessly. It is part historical fiction/alternate history, party magic, and part secret spy school. I have never read another book quite like it. In Refuge for Masterminds, we are still smack dab in the middle of a whole lot of danger, and speaking of the danger, I have no idea how Kathleen Baldwin does it, but the plot just keeps becoming more and more fascinating for me. Now we are securely in the alternate history realm, but I am so fascinated by the way everything is unfolding. We also get to explore a new love interest in Refuge for Masterminds, with Jane and Alexander. I really liked the romance in this one. Jane and Alexander were another perfect pairing, in my opinion. I love all of the different personalities that we get to know, in both the ladies and the gentlemen.

I can't wait to learn more about Maya, and Sera in each of their stories. They are each so fascinating in their own regard. So different, and valuable in their own way. I love watching them all work together. There are plenty more adventure and danger for the final two girls to get into. I am hoping that this series is longer than five novels. I am ready for more, more, more. Katleen Baldwin does a fantastic job making them accessible and easy to follow, all the while creating a world and characters that are unputdownable. I am in love with the Stranje House novels. Seriously, in love.

Overall, Refuge for Masterminds is a brilliant addition to the Stranje House series. This is a series for readers and lovers of all different genres. I think everyone should read this series. There will be something in between these pages that you will fall in love with, I'm sure of it. Book three, A Refuge for Masterminds is Lady Jane's story- our resident mastermind herself. I am so pumped for the book. I have been absolutely loving it. I know I am going to be so sad when it is over because I will have to wait until next year for the fourth book. Kathleen Baldwin has not let me down yet. I am in love with this series!



This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Kiss of the Irish by Lauren Hawkeye is the first book in the adult contemporary romance Foreign Fling series. To me, even the name of the series screams frivolous fun. And I am happy to report this book was just that. I had a few minor issues with the character and some plot things, but overall this book was a lot of fun. Bring on the Irish!

Kiss of the Irish is the story of Sarah and Cian. Sarah has had a rough go of it lately, so she breaks free for a fun trip to Ireland, where she meets Cian. I enjoyed Sarah and Cian. I liked each of them about 90% of the time. Sarah irked me a bit towards the end of the book, but overall I thought they were both good characters , and their romance was sexy and fun. Just like I wanted. The couple has minor roadblocks but nothing too dramatic, which I appreciated. I liked the set up of the story because it was like a cousin to the roommates trope that I love so much. Sarah was renting Cian's cottage, so they were in a lot of close proximity.

The Foreign Fling series looks like it will have some interesting characters. I liked a lot of the secondary characters, and I think I might end up liking their stories more than this one. I liked Kiss of the Irish, but the ending of the book felt a little rushed to me. Other than that, Kiss of the Irish was an enjoyable light hearted read. It wasn't earth shattering for me, but I wanted something quick, and fun, and it delivered on both of those things. Overall, I liked Kiss of the Irish.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

The Key is the first book in the True Reign series by Jennifer Anne Davis. The True Reign series is a young adult fantasy series. Jennifer Anne Davis' Reign of Secrets series is my all time favorite young adult fantasy series. The Reign of Secrets series is the story of Princess Alyssa, which is the daughter of the couple in the True Reign series. So even though the two series can be read separately and can stand on their own, they are set in the same world and revolve around the same family of characters. I knew that because I am loving the Reign of Secrets series so much, I needed to read the True Reign trilogy. Plus, I knew I would love it as well because I am such a huge fan of Jennifer Anne Davis' writing style. I am halfway through book two right now, and I am totally hooked.

I love reading the story of Darmik and Rema, Alyssa's parents. But in The Key, they are just 17 years old. Darmik is a prince and Rema is a long lost princess, only she has no idea. There are lots of secret movements in place, and the book takes place at a very pivotal time in the country's history. I really loved the set up, because it gave me a totally different look at the countries. The world that Jennifer Anne Davis has created is so rich and detailed. I love that in both of the series. In the Key, the story takes place at a different location than the Reign of Secrets series, so that gave an interesting and very different perspective of the world. Darmik's father is a harsh ruler, as his Darmik's older brother. I loved seeing the two prince's different personalities. They could not be more different, but surprisingly even with as awful as his brother is, Darmik was still caring towards him. (I'm not sure if I would have been able to be as nice.)

I loved being able to see Darmik and Rema, not as parents, but as their own love story. And their love story is not all roses and sunshine. There are secrets around every corner, and the countries are on the brink of war, both with each other and within their own walls. The Key is a highly charged novel. I love the intense atmosphere, and I loved the riddles and secrets that all of the characters needed to unravel. I love this world and these characters so much. The second book is even better than the first book! (In fact, I am itching to finish this review and go back to my reading of book two.)

The Key does an excellent job setting the stage for the next two books, and the ending was intense. I immediately grabbed for the second book in this trilogy, because I had to keep reading. Jennifer is evil with her cliffhangers in all of her books. This is a series that you will want to have all the books on hand because if you are like me, you will want to binge read them. (and you can! Because the trilogy is complete!) I am so happy that I have found Jennifer Anne Davis' books because they are so beloved by me. I could re-read them over and over again and not get sick of the characters or the world. I love Alyssa so much and the Reign of Secrets is still my all time favorite fantasy series, but the True Reign series helps flesh out the world even more! If you are new to both of these series, I recommend starting with The Key, and the True Reign Trilogy, and then immediately jumping into the Reign of Secret series. Books one and two are already out, and book three is forthcoming. These series are incredibly good! They will always be favorites of mine. Everyone should read them. Everyone.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

This book is a very quick read. I think I read it in under 3 hours. All in one sitting. The concept is pretty unique and interesting, that was my favorite part of Pretty in Black.

Marcus is mysterious and determined. I liked that about him. Even though his motives and reasons were not known, you could really tell that he has intense feelings for Ellie. Although I would have liked to see some of his thought process a little more developed. I wanted to get inside his head a little bit more and really get to know him.

Ellie seems like a smart girl, and I always like that in a character but she was too trusting for my tastes. It seemed like she just blindly accepted everything that she was told. And there were some strange things that she was presented with. All sorts of creatures and other worlds and things that she has never dealt with before and she took everything at face value. Someone would tell her something pretty fantasical, and she would just say ok, believe them and move on. I don't know that many people that this would be the case. Most characters or people would at least have some questions or doubts initially.

I think that because the book was pretty short, there was not as much room for development of characters or storyline. I did like that a lot happened in the book, but I think I would have preferred either a little less happening (and have the book at the same length) or have the book be a little longer and just develop the plot a bit more. The writing was good and the story arc was interesting but it just seemed a little rushed and unrealistic at parts for me. I am interested to see where the next book goes. I really like Marcus and Ellie and from the ending on Pretty in Black, I would like to find out what happens next. Im hopeful that because some of the foundation has been laid that book 2 will have a little bit more room for some development and details.

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Tempting Levi is the first book in the new adult contemporary romance, Cade Brothers series by author Jules Barnard. I have read, and really enjoyed, the first couple of books in Jules' series, which used to be called the Blue series, and is now called the Men of Lake Tahoe series. I really enjoyed the books I read from the series, and I have been meaning to finish it. Now that I have read, and enjoyed Tempting Levi as well, maybe that will be the motivation I need to pick up the next book in the Men of Lake Tahoe series.

Tempting Levi is told in dual narrative between our main character Levi, and Emily. Before I dive into what I liked about the characters, let me set up the series for you, because I really love the setup. Levi and his brothers have inherited their father's luxury resort. His father left Levi in charge of it all, and the other brothers play various different roles in the company. His father also made arrangements for Emily to help the business, and Levi, out for one year. I love that this is a series that follows a family, but I also really love that the dad is doing his own kind of meddling, even from beyond the grave. That takes some serious planning, and we all know I love planning. (he-he- my attempt at an estate planning joke.)

The kicker is that Emily is Levi's ex-girlfriend's younger half-sister. The only ex- girlfriend that Levi was totally in love with. I have to say, this is a storyline I haven't seen done much before. I have seen it done with the male character, but not the female. So that was interesting for me. I also really, really loved Emily. In my opinion, there is no comparison between her and her sister. Emily is clearly better! Emily has always had a crush on Levi, so watching them interact as adults was so much fun for me. Emily is a savvy businesswoman, and a super hard-worker. I admired the heck out of her, and I know Levi did as well.

Bottom line: Jules Barnard writes romances, and characters, that you want to read about. I loved getting to know Levi and Emily. The romance had me smiling, and turning pages faster and faster. I could not get enough of these two. Even though Levi resisted from the start, it was clear he was drawn to Emily, which is my favorite kind of romance to read about. Jules writes stories that take on a life of their own, which is what I love about her books. I loved Tempting Levi and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the Cade Brothers series! This was a great read.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert delivers the next book in her sizzling O'Malleys family series, hailed as "The Godfather meets Romeo & Juliet." FORBIDDEN PROMISES features Sloan O'Malley and her mysterious new next-door neighbor, Jude MacNamara.

Forbidden Promises is the fourth book in the contemporary romance series, called The O'Malleys by author Katee Robert. I have read several of Katee's books in the past and really enjoyed the steamy romance, including book one in The O'Malleys.The Marriage Contract, so I couldn't wait to continue this series. I enjoyed getting to know some of the O'Malleys, and this is a series that I really want to go back and read books 2 and 3, which I missed. This series follows the three powerful Boston families- the O'Malleys, the Hallorans, and the Sheridans.

Forbidden Promises follows Sloan and Jude. Sloan is an O'Malley, and Jude is out for Sheridan blood. If I thought The Marriage Pact was intense, the stakes were notched up even higher in this book. While, I was able to figure out what was going on, I feel like I would have had a much better idea and insight into the characters, if I had read this series in order. I think I would recommend new reads stick to the reading order of the series. YOu will get to know the characters better that way. Either way, I love the intense mafia-esque drama that Katee Robert has created. These books are so addictive.

Bottom Line: Forbidden Promises is great for fans of steamy political/mafia-esque romances. If you like family dynamics and drama galore, with great characters this is the book for you. Plus the romance is really excellent!


This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert delivers the next book in her sizzling O'Malleys family series, hailed as "The Godfather meets Romeo & Juliet." FORBIDDEN PROMISES features Sloan O'Malley and her mysterious new next-door neighbor, Jude MacNamara.

Forbidden Promises is the fourth book in the contemporary romance series, called The O'Malleys by author Katee Robert. I have read several of Katee's books in the past and really enjoyed the steamy romance, including book one in The O'Malleys.The Marriage Contract, so I couldn't wait to continue this series. I enjoyed getting to know some of the O'Malleys, and this is a series that I really want to go back and read books 2 and 3, which I missed. This series follows the three powerful Boston families- the O'Malleys, the Hallorans, and the Sheridans.

Forbidden Promises follows Sloan and Jude. Sloan is an O'Malley, and Jude is out for Sheridan blood. If I thought The Marriage Pact was intense, the stakes were notched up even higher in this book. While, I was able to figure out what was going on, I feel like I would have had a much better idea and insight into the characters, if I had read this series in order. I think I would recommend new reads stick to the reading order of the series. YOu will get to know the characters better that way. Either way, I love the intense mafia-esque drama that Katee Robert has created. These books are so addictive.

Bottom Line: Forbidden Promises is great for fans of steamy political/mafia-esque romances. If you like family dynamics and drama galore, with great characters this is the book for you. Plus the romance is really excellent!


This review was originally posted on Book Briefs