bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 2/5🌶️

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert is a cozy fantasy about the powerful Sorceress Oneira after she has retired. On a whim she takes a visit to the most extensive library which happens to be in the home of her most powerful rival Stearanos. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

Tropes:

Rivals to lovers

Slow burn

Cozy Fantasy

Dark past

Tragic romance

Redemption

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I really ended up loving it. It almost had a gothic fantasy vibe while also being cozy! This is definitely more character driven than plot but it is such great story telling which such interesting magic. 

Oneira is such a powerful sorceress who is just trying to atone for the destruction she’s caused and live a quiet life. Stearanos is still under contract but wanting to slow down and be free. Their quiet yet powerful friendship and then romance is really quite beautiful. The banter between them was funny but also heart warming as they are both such wanting to connect with someone. 

I loved the magical animal companions! A wolf, a bird, and a cat! Yes, please so cute! I really hope there is a second book!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

The Good Samaritan by John Marrs is a fast-paced psychological thriller. Laura is an operator for End of the Line where people call when they need hope and reassurance that life is worth living but is Laura someone you can trust to help you? 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC of this book!

This new edition has a bonus chapter at the end! Publish date July 8th, 2025!

OMG! What the heck! This was seriously diabolical but so freaking good! I could not put it down. I listened to this and the narrators were fantastic! So engaging and easy to follow! You have no choice but to hate Laura literally none but yet you are still pulled into wanting to know what happens and how she manages to weasel out of the situations she puts herself into. 

Honestly though the unreliable narrator really kept you guessing! You don’t what is and isn’t real!

The ending made me so mad! I had hoped for a different ending but I get it! 

Definitely recommend to those who like psychological thrillers that are fast-paced, dual POV, and unreliable narrators. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde is the second book in the Windy City series. Indy and Ryan are the most unlikely of roommates. When Ryan needs to change his image he can’t think of a better way to do it than to pretend to date his roommate. 

Another super cute book! I can’t decide if I like this one better than the first. I do love Indy. She is hilarious and caring. I loved her character and Ryan is a grump with a marshmallow center. Them two together is so sweet. 

Tropes:

Best Friends brother

Fake-dating

Sports romance

Forced proximity

I love interconnected series like this because you can still visit the characters you fell in love with in the previous books. 

I always know in these contemporary romances that there is going to be some type of conflict and man there was so much book left I was anxiously awaiting for the shoe to drop. 

I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait to continue on. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5🌶️

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir is book two in the An Ember in the Ashes series. Laia and Elias are being hunted after the events of the Fourth Trial. Laia is determined to free her brother and Elias wants to help her succeed at any cost. 

This was seriously just as freaking good as the first book if not better! I loved loved loved that we got more of Helene’s POV as she is such a gripping character! So many warring emotions that she is working through! 

There were some definite plot twists in this I did not see coming but woah!! I cannot wait to continue with this series. I actually might finish it this month because I literally cannot get enough. 

Laia really had some growth in this book as well. She had to make some difficult decisions and deal with those consequences and she doesn’t let it bring her down or change her path. Elias is everything! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Hot Shot by Staci Hart is book two in the Roseville Ramblers series but can be read as a standalone! Cass and Wilder were childhood sweethearts who got married for only one night before they left for college. He was supposed to annul the marriage, he didn’t, and when she comes back to marry another man, she is still married!

This was so stinking cute! I loved Cass and Wilder’s dynamic! Wilder is a swoon worthy book boyfriend for sure. Their level of cuteness together was unmatched. I actually really enjoyed all the drama and twists! I thought it added a lot of depth to the otherwise cute romance story!

Definitely give this a shot if you like firefighter romance, second-chance, fake-marriage (but not really fake but kind of fake), and a smoking hot book boyfriend! 

This was a decent short story! Less than 100 pages and super easy to read. Keeps you engaged for the short amount of time it takes to read! I almost wish it had been a little longer! I think that’s just what I want from every short story. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall is a new young adult mystery/thriller  being published 7/29/2025! Eight teens all sign up to be a contestant on a new survivalist show for the chance at a giant pay out. When they arrive at the secluded off grid location something doesn’t feel right and the entire set is empty! 

Just my type of mystery and thriller! Gripping and a nail-biter. Mercy was definitely my favorite! I loved her calm cool exterior but we got her inner voice too. Which really showed how much she was struggling. It added a lot of depth to her character. Althea as well! What a well rounded character. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this! Loved the plot and the characters! I had wanted a little more from the ending but I still enjoyed it. Overall I would say this is a great YA mystery with a lot of intrigue and suspense! The twists were twisting and had me gasping!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Anteros’ Return by Samantha Jayne is a second-chance sports standalone romance. The first time Beckett laid eyes on Emily he knew she was hers. Emily loved Beckett with all her heart but wanted him to chase his dreams. Almost eight years later life sends them back together but can everything be forgiven? 

Tropes:

Second-chance

Best Friends sister

Miscommunication

Sports romance

HEA

Thank you to @sunnybabepr for sending me a copy of this book!

Such a stinking cute romance. I think it was so wholesome but also spicy. Now miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes but I think it was really well done here. It didn’t last the whole book and the characters really took charge and tried to figure everything out. 

Beckett had me swooning! He had such a big heart and really wanted to make things right with Emily. The sports aspect really gave it that extra oomph as it added to the depth of their story and one of the reasons why they were apart. 

Would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a light romance with a HEA and the other tropes above.P

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim is a young adult fantasy novel that has strong family ties and a dash of romance. Channi is offered in sacrifice to the demon witch by her father and is cursed with a serpent’s face. Vanna (her sister) is the only person who doesn’t see a monster when she looks at Channi. To save her sister from a cruel match Channi becomes the target of his wrath. 

Ah! I really knew I was going to love this book. This blended Beauty and the Beast, Asian mythology, and other tales so seamlessly. Channi, was so strong even though she has been ridiculed, cursed, and shunned her whole life even by those she called family. Her sister and her have such an amazing relationship which really shines through the whole book. 

This is a young adult novel so the romance is not in your face and it is not spicy but it does just have a wholesome feel. Heartbreaking but wholesome. I would say this was medium-paced and more character driven. It had adventure, action, love, and loyalty! Also dragons! 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy young adult fantasy novels with a touch of romance, asian folklore, Beauty and the Beast vibes, and adventure. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough follows Emily and Freddie after they move to the country after Emily has had a bad fall. Soon after moving in Emily feels like something is wrong with the house and a terrible presence from the third-floor room. 

This was quite creepy! Which I love. I have been entering into my horror era and this was a great one to continue this horror fascination. Emily cannot tell if these things are really happening or if she is going crazy. I enjoyed the unreliable narration and the multiple POV. 

Seeing the house from both Emily and Freddie makes it even more creepy as they were both having such different experiences. This is a short book and quite an easy read! It honestly gave me chills on some parts! Good thing I read it during the day. 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy fast-paced horror with eerie alimentation, isolation, and complex marital dynamics.