When a witch and a fae prince meet,  sparks fly. Xavier, the fae prince, is desperate to break a curse. He offended the fae queen by saying true love wasn’t real and she cursed him. Now, he must find a perfect kiss before he can return home. Luckily, he meets Ursula. Ursula thinks that if she helps Xavier with his curse, it will help redeem herself from her past mistakes. As they work together, Ursula and Xavier begin to build a strong connection. But what happens once Xavier’s curse is lifted? 

Kiss & Spell is a fun and lighthearted romance. Readers will remember Ursula from book one in the series, though thankfully she truly wants to turn over a new leaf. I enjoyed Xavier and Ursula’s chemistry; it was fun to see them fall for each other. Martin’s writing flows well and creates a cozy atmosphere in the town. I liked how she wove in magic with a contemporary town. The town sort of feels like a magical Stars Hollow (the town from Gilmore Girls). I also enjoyed the cameos of characters from book one. I would recommend Kiss & Spell to readers who seek a cozy, inclusive, contemporary romance with dashes of magic. 

Thank you so much to Celestine Martin, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Twins Clara and Natasha couldn’t be more different. Beautiful Clara is given everything, while Natasha must make do with her discards. One night when their strange godfather comes to visit, a magical journey is unlocked. The classic story of the Nutcracker unfurls, but with ominous twists. As the twins are swept away to a mysterious land, the Sugar Plum Fairy will grant their wishes- for a terrible price. Natasha must decide how far she will go to achieve her dreams and what sacrifices she will make along the way. 

The Kingdom of Sweets is a rich and entrancing retelling of the Nutcracker. There is a sense of old and timeless magic that permeates the pages. I really enjoyed the malevolent figure of the Sugar Plum Fairy and how twisted her interactions with Natasha became. I also really liked Orlov, though I wish he had a little more page time. The most important and fascinating relationship is undoubtedly the complex love and hatred between the two sisters. The push and pull of their dynamic was realistic and haunting. 

Johansen writes a dark take on this traditional story, where magic comes with a heavy price. The writing is filled with tension, making it impossible to put this book down. Readers who enjoy writers like Ava Reid, atmospheric writing, and compelling characters will devour The Kingdom of Sweets. 

Thank you to Erika Johansen, Dutton, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

Consort of Fire is the tale of Sachi, her handmaiden Zanya, and the mysterious Dragon that Sachi finds herself betrothed to. For years, a sacrificial bride or groom has been offered to the Dragon in exchange for protection. It is Sachi’s fate to be the consort to a Dragon who by all accounts is vile and impossible to live with. Still, Sachi and Zanya have an ulterior motive- they’ve been tasked with killing the Dragon. If they don’t, Sachi’s soul will be lost. As Sachi and Zanya get to know Ash, complications arise and they must decide if they can still fulfill their original quest. 

Consort of Fire is the triumphant first book in the Bound to Fire and Steel series. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Sachi, Zanya, and Ash. This book has lots of excellent LGBTQ+ rep and inclusive world-building. The poly romance is handled skillfully and is very compelling. I’m excited to see their connections explored more in future books! Along with the steamy romance, there is interesting world-building with complex mythology. I would recommend this to readers who seek queer romance, expansive world-building, and lovable characters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! 

Thank you so much to Kit Rocha, Montlake, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Name Drop from Susan Lee is an excellent contemporary romance. Elijah, son of the CEO, and Jessica experience a case of mistaken identity when their Korean names are confused on the first day of their internship. Suddenly, Elijah is a common intern while Jessica is experiencing an internship beyond her wildest dreams. As they get to know each other, what happens when their deception is revealed? 

I loved The Name Drop! I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Both Elijah and Jessica are very relatable and likable characters. I enjoyed how they worked together and helped each other achieve their goals, especially the hackathon. Lee weaves in deeper themes about classism, beauty standards and more while delivering a lighthearted escape to New York. Readers who enjoy contemporary YA with a Kdrama twist will adore The Name Drop. I can’t wait to read what Susan Lee writes next! 

Thank you to Susan Lee, Inkyard Press, and Goodreads for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing A Scoundrel is a captivating addition to The Doomsday Books series. When Rufus unexpectedly becomes the earl, problems abound. The arrival of Luke Doomsday is a gift- a secretary who can help him organize the chaos of his estate. But Luke has an ulterior motive for being at the estate that conflicts with his growing feelings for Rufus. When Luke's secrets are revealed, Rufus and Luke will need to decide what matters most to them. 

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing A Scoundrel was a very satisfying new story set in the world of the Doomsdays. I loved seeing Luke all grown up! The cameos from book one were great. Rufus and Luke have a very sweet slow-burn romance. I really enjoyed how KJ Charles dealt with the reveal of the secrets that drives the two main characters apart. I think she did the pacing of this reveal expertly, so they had enough time to come to terms with it and resolve things in a realistic manner. The audiobook narrator, Martyn Swain, was excellent and I could listen to him all day. 

KJ Charles is firmly an auto-buy author for me and I would highly recommend you check out A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing A Scoundrel. Readers who seek queer characters in historical romances, excellent pacing, and lovable characters will enjoy this book. I hope there are more books in The Doomsday Books series to come! 

Thank you so much to KJ Charles, Dreamscape Media, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.