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booksafety's Reviews (586)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Stepping into a Karen Rose world is like getting a warm hug. I can always trust her to write a great and intricate mystery with great suspense and action, paired with a low angst romance. It’s my literal kryptonite.
It’s not a secret that I am deep in my MM romance era. I’ll reread my favorite MF romance books occasionally, but there’s not many who make me want to read any new ones. Karen Rose is probably one of two.
The thing I probably appreciate most is that her MMCs are allowed to be vulnerable. They often have to lean on the FMC emotionally, and there’s never any toxic masculinity. They’re allowed to struggle and cry. The FMCs are always badass in their own way too, but never in the ‘she’s not like other girls’ way. She can be flawed, feminine and be struggling too. I’m probably over-explaining, but I really appreciate that.
I love books with service dogs, and I thought Phineas’ PTSD was well written. None of that toxic ‘pushing through’ the disability.
I love that we always get the villain’s POV. It’s never any mystery *who* did it, just how the characters will figure it out.
Sadly no quotes as I listened to the audio and it’s not in KU.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Mental illness rep
Romantic suspense
Past trauma
Security guard
PTSD
Size difference
Service dog
Found family
Military veteran
Solving a mystery
Age gap (9 years)
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Gun violence
On-page murder
CPR on injured SC
PTSD & flashbacks
Panic attacks
Grief
Death of sibling (past, cancer)
Close family deaths (past)
Mention of suicide (bad guy’s spouse, past, off page)
Mentions of domestic abuse (minor SC)
Details of past homelessness
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of injuroes sustained during military deployment
Some details of dismembered military squad (past)
Brief mention of rape (family member, past, no details)
Brief mention of suicide attempt (family member, past, few details)
MC injured on page (gunshot wound)
Death of SC
MC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/F
Main characters’ age: 28 and 37
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 525
Happy ending: Yes
Stepping into a Karen Rose world is like getting a warm hug. I can always trust her to write a great and intricate mystery with great suspense and action, paired with a low angst romance. It’s my literal kryptonite.
It’s not a secret that I am deep in my MM romance era. I’ll reread my favorite MF romance books occasionally, but there’s not many who make me want to read any new ones. Karen Rose is probably one of two.
The thing I probably appreciate most is that her MMCs are allowed to be vulnerable. They often have to lean on the FMC emotionally, and there’s never any toxic masculinity. They’re allowed to struggle and cry. The FMCs are always badass in their own way too, but never in the ‘she’s not like other girls’ way. She can be flawed, feminine and be struggling too. I’m probably over-explaining, but I really appreciate that.
I love books with service dogs, and I thought Phineas’ PTSD was well written. None of that toxic ‘pushing through’ the disability.
I love that we always get the villain’s POV. It’s never any mystery *who* did it, just how the characters will figure it out.
Sadly no quotes as I listened to the audio and it’s not in KU.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Mental illness rep
Romantic suspense
Past trauma
Security guard
PTSD
Size difference
Service dog
Found family
Military veteran
Solving a mystery
Age gap (9 years)
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Gun violence
On-page murder
CPR on injured SC
PTSD & flashbacks
Panic attacks
Grief
Death of sibling (past, cancer)
Close family deaths (past)
Mention of suicide (bad guy’s spouse, past, off page)
Mentions of domestic abuse (minor SC)
Details of past homelessness
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of injuroes sustained during military deployment
Some details of dismembered military squad (past)
Brief mention of rape (family member, past, no details)
Brief mention of suicide attempt (family member, past, few details)
MC injured on page (gunshot wound)
Death of SC
MC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/F
Main characters’ age: 28 and 37
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 525
Happy ending: Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No matter what happened after this, in this moment Graeme Hewitt was mine.
Reasons why I normally wouldn’t have liked a book like this:
- the MCs are both really young
- they’re in school
- it’s enemies to lovers
It honestly didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. I absolutely LOVED it. I dreaded finishing the book because I didn’t want it to end. Enemies to lovers is never something I seek out, but when it’s done well? So worth it. The progression of their relationship, fights and all, felt really believable. And in a book with witches, demons and necromancers it was nice to have that realistic aspect. A little bit impressive, too.
I liked both MCs a lot, but I have a soft spot for Cassius. He suffered so much for things he never did, and it broke my heart a little bit (actually cried in the grocery store, not cool).
It’s a Romeo & Juliet retelling, but I don’t actually know that story so it didn’t matter to me at all, lol. If I hadn’t read about it being a retelling in the blurb I wouldn’t have known at all.
The stars incline us, they do not bind us
Anyway, run and read this. Or listen. I did, and JF Harding did a great job narrating it.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Romeo & Juliet retelling
Private Academy
Dark academia
Enemies to lovers
Dark romance
Paranormal
Happy ending
Heterochromia
Fast burn
Feuding families
Witches
Necromancer
Hate sex
Flip-fucking
First time topping
Solving a mystery
Fighting demons
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Underage drinking
MC injured by other MC (pre relationship)
Few details of decapitated murder victim
Death of family members (past)
Blood consumption
Unsafe sex
Dubious consent
Drug use — smoking — for necromancy
Vomiting
Severely injured SC — burns
Death of side character (MC’s friend)
Graphic violence
Death of family member (on page)
MC accidentally killing SC in self defense
Animal cruelty (murder of crows killed off page)
Injured MC
Violence between MCs
Harry Potter reference
Parent suicide (off page, current time — details, hexed by other witch)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Weeks without contact after fight — after hooking up, before defining relationship
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 18 and 19
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 394
Happy ending: Yes
And there I stood — dick out, pants undone, chest heaving, watching the boy of my dreams step over the pile of books and turn the corner like he didn’t just come in and wreck my fucking world.
“My brain is confused. All I know is that you are all I can think about these days. You’re driving me crazy, Cash. It’s like nothing in the world makes sense until you come around, then everything feels… right.”
Reasons why I normally wouldn’t have liked a book like this:
- the MCs are both really young
- they’re in school
- it’s enemies to lovers
It honestly didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. I absolutely LOVED it. I dreaded finishing the book because I didn’t want it to end. Enemies to lovers is never something I seek out, but when it’s done well? So worth it. The progression of their relationship, fights and all, felt really believable. And in a book with witches, demons and necromancers it was nice to have that realistic aspect. A little bit impressive, too.
I liked both MCs a lot, but I have a soft spot for Cassius. He suffered so much for things he never did, and it broke my heart a little bit (actually cried in the grocery store, not cool).
It’s a Romeo & Juliet retelling, but I don’t actually know that story so it didn’t matter to me at all, lol. If I hadn’t read about it being a retelling in the blurb I wouldn’t have known at all.
The stars incline us, they do not bind us
Anyway, run and read this. Or listen. I did, and JF Harding did a great job narrating it.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Romeo & Juliet retelling
Private Academy
Dark academia
Enemies to lovers
Dark romance
Paranormal
Happy ending
Heterochromia
Fast burn
Feuding families
Witches
Necromancer
Hate sex
Flip-fucking
First time topping
Solving a mystery
Fighting demons
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Underage drinking
MC injured by other MC (pre relationship)
Few details of decapitated murder victim
Death of family members (past)
Blood consumption
Unsafe sex
Dubious consent
Drug use — smoking — for necromancy
Vomiting
Severely injured SC — burns
Death of side character (MC’s friend)
Graphic violence
Death of family member (on page)
MC accidentally killing SC in self defense
Animal cruelty (murder of crows killed off page)
Injured MC
Violence between MCs
Harry Potter reference
Parent suicide (off page, current time — details, hexed by other witch)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Weeks without contact after fight — after hooking up, before defining relationship
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 18 and 19
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 394
Happy ending: Yes
And there I stood — dick out, pants undone, chest heaving, watching the boy of my dreams step over the pile of books and turn the corner like he didn’t just come in and wreck my fucking world.
“My brain is confused. All I know is that you are all I can think about these days. You’re driving me crazy, Cash. It’s like nothing in the world makes sense until you come around, then everything feels… right.”
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
I really, really enjoyed this novella and I finished it fast as fk. I wasn’t that excited about the concept initially but it honestly worked really well. Loved seeing the usually laidback Travis being the possessive and jealous one for a moment. And it made me want to finish the Imago series because Lawson is an amazing character.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Established couples
Series crossover
Flip-fucking
Mortal peril
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
SC bitten by snake
SC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Trav and Charlie are visited by Jack and Lawson. Charlie and Jack used to be FWB in college, so there’s some awkwardness and jealousy, but no drama or issues.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 31 and 33 (maybe)
Series: Series novella (not important for plot)
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 76
Happy ending: Yes
I really, really enjoyed this novella and I finished it fast as fk. I wasn’t that excited about the concept initially but it honestly worked really well. Loved seeing the usually laidback Travis being the possessive and jealous one for a moment. And it made me want to finish the Imago series because Lawson is an amazing character.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Established couples
Series crossover
Flip-fucking
Mortal peril
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
SC bitten by snake
SC hospitalized
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Trav and Charlie are visited by Jack and Lawson. Charlie and Jack used to be FWB in college, so there’s some awkwardness and jealousy, but no drama or issues.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 31 and 33 (maybe)
Series: Series novella (not important for plot)
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 76
Happy ending: Yes
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Cute and quick christmas novella with way more happening than you’d think could fit, lol. Glaring continuity issues in terms of timeline with the rest of the series, but it was relatively easy to ignore.
Full of the same sweetness, heat and hilarity as the rest of the series.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Christmas novella
Established couple
Beef farmers
Australian outback
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Bloody injury (minor)
Broken bone
Heatstroke and vomiting
Killing snake (on page)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 23/24 and 25/26 (I think)
Series: Series novella (not important for plot)
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 54
Happy ending: Yes
Cute and quick christmas novella with way more happening than you’d think could fit, lol. Glaring continuity issues in terms of timeline with the rest of the series, but it was relatively easy to ignore.
Full of the same sweetness, heat and hilarity as the rest of the series.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Christmas novella
Established couple
Beef farmers
Australian outback
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Bloody injury (minor)
Broken bone
Heatstroke and vomiting
Killing snake (on page)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 23/24 and 25/26 (I think)
Series: Series novella (not important for plot)
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 54
Happy ending: Yes
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Why does he dislike every person he comes across but not me? What did I do that snagged his attention? What could make me special to this man? Why does that terrify me… but also excite me?
I mean, it’s a book by Alice Winters so I should’ve expected the heavy focus on humor and silliness, but the blurb and tropes made me think it would be more serious. I really enjoyed the book, tho, silliness and all. A lot of the humor worked for me, but by the end I did wish it would’ve been more serious.
I really enjoyed both MCs and the plot/mystery was so well done. The entire thing felt original and I’m curious about what will happen in book 2.
“You’re back!” Penny says as she comes up from behind me and gives me a hug. I’d much rather she’d choked me or something less revolting.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Law enforcement
Vigilante MC
Serial killer hunting a serial killer
Homicide detectives
Funny
Slow burn
Touch him and 💀
Protective MC
‘We shouldn’t’
Romantic suspense
Mortal peril
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
Gun violence
MC killing bad guys (off page)
MC kidnapped (off page)
MC held captive
Injured MCs
SC cheating on spouse (mentioned several times)
Details of murder scene
Brief mention of death of parent
Near-death of SC
Explicit sexual content
On-page home invasion (past)
MC and parent injured and held hostage
MC’s parents killed on page (past)
Injured MC (gunshot wound, hospitalized)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles (for now)
Main characters’ age: 32 and 38 (maybe)
Series: Duology
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 368
Happy ending: Yes
Sometimes I’m so fucking stupid I can’t understand how people think I’m intelligent.
“You know, when I walked in this place and someone said my partner was Detective Paige and at least ten heads whipped around to look at me, I was a little bit worried. Someone even gave me a blessing when I was at the urinal. It was the most awkward thing I’ve ever done with my pants down.”
“So when she ‘acts out’ it’s cute, but when I ‘act out’ you get mad.” “Reaching for a piece of pork and murdering someone are wildly different things.”
Why does he dislike every person he comes across but not me? What did I do that snagged his attention? What could make me special to this man? Why does that terrify me… but also excite me?
I mean, it’s a book by Alice Winters so I should’ve expected the heavy focus on humor and silliness, but the blurb and tropes made me think it would be more serious. I really enjoyed the book, tho, silliness and all. A lot of the humor worked for me, but by the end I did wish it would’ve been more serious.
I really enjoyed both MCs and the plot/mystery was so well done. The entire thing felt original and I’m curious about what will happen in book 2.
“You’re back!” Penny says as she comes up from behind me and gives me a hug. I’d much rather she’d choked me or something less revolting.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Law enforcement
Vigilante MC
Serial killer hunting a serial killer
Homicide detectives
Funny
Slow burn
Touch him and 💀
Protective MC
‘We shouldn’t’
Romantic suspense
Mortal peril
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
Gun violence
MC killing bad guys (off page)
MC kidnapped (off page)
MC held captive
Injured MCs
SC cheating on spouse (mentioned several times)
Details of murder scene
Brief mention of death of parent
Near-death of SC
Explicit sexual content
On-page home invasion (past)
MC and parent injured and held hostage
MC’s parents killed on page (past)
Injured MC (gunshot wound, hospitalized)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles (for now)
Main characters’ age: 32 and 38 (maybe)
Series: Duology
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 368
Happy ending: Yes
Sometimes I’m so fucking stupid I can’t understand how people think I’m intelligent.
“You know, when I walked in this place and someone said my partner was Detective Paige and at least ten heads whipped around to look at me, I was a little bit worried. Someone even gave me a blessing when I was at the urinal. It was the most awkward thing I’ve ever done with my pants down.”
“So when she ‘acts out’ it’s cute, but when I ‘act out’ you get mad.” “Reaching for a piece of pork and murdering someone are wildly different things.”
He was so tired of feeling pain. Why couldn’t it stop? His first real dream, first real hope in years, and it was taken from him as surely as the stars were out of reach.
I definitely need to keep reading more Sheena Jolie. Their stories are so much fun and sweet. Once I start one of their books I literally can’t put it down until I’ve finished it. This book was a perfect blend of intriguing plot, sad backstory with a lonely character and a super sweet romance. Absolute catnip.
The MCs had amazing chemistry and every time they hugged and Elia hid his face in Merrick’s chest when he needed comfort, I just melted.
It’s low heat, but it was right for the story. The heat that was there was great, tho. I love it when the slow burn, casual intimacy and chemistry results in something romantic and hot. I’ll take one or two of those scenes over a book full of spice any day.
Highly recommend
“There’s no trap, sweet prince. I’d treat you with dignity and respect, and your needs would be my own.”
Side note: I’ve never read a book where a main character’s name has been misspelled so many times, lol. We had Elias, Elai, Elis and more. Impressive!
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Fantasy
Royalty
Empath (senses emotions)
Lonely MC
Virgin MC
First times
Single dad
Age gap
Widower
Size difference
Magic-born
Slow burn
Secret identity
Hurt/comfort
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
MC physically abused by family/court
MC emotionally and verbally abused by family/court
MC’s parent died in childbirth (past, off page, because of physical abuse)
Alcohol consumption
On-page assault/physical abuse of MC
Bullying and public humiliation of MC (on page)
Mentions of slavery
Bigotry towards MC and entire people
Severely injured MC
Mentions of death of MC’s wife (accident)
SC abusing alcohol
Mention of death of parent (past)
Homophobic SCs
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Fantasy + romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 18 and 29
Kids’ age: 5 and 5
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 420
Happy ending: Yes
He gave up on having dreams when he was younger, though the ache of wanting something better still cropped up.
“If it’s in my power, let it be yours.” Elia was both terrified and thrilled at the next words that fell from his mouth in a near breathless whisper. “A kiss?”
And Elia could dream, since it was unlikely that he would ever be allowed happiness. A dream all the same, and he refused to look at Sir Merrick, knowing his heart would be in his eyes.
I definitely need to keep reading more Sheena Jolie. Their stories are so much fun and sweet. Once I start one of their books I literally can’t put it down until I’ve finished it. This book was a perfect blend of intriguing plot, sad backstory with a lonely character and a super sweet romance. Absolute catnip.
The MCs had amazing chemistry and every time they hugged and Elia hid his face in Merrick’s chest when he needed comfort, I just melted.
It’s low heat, but it was right for the story. The heat that was there was great, tho. I love it when the slow burn, casual intimacy and chemistry results in something romantic and hot. I’ll take one or two of those scenes over a book full of spice any day.
Highly recommend
“There’s no trap, sweet prince. I’d treat you with dignity and respect, and your needs would be my own.”
Side note: I’ve never read a book where a main character’s name has been misspelled so many times, lol. We had Elias, Elai, Elis and more. Impressive!
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Fantasy
Royalty
Empath (senses emotions)
Lonely MC
Virgin MC
First times
Single dad
Age gap
Widower
Size difference
Magic-born
Slow burn
Secret identity
Hurt/comfort
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
MC physically abused by family/court
MC emotionally and verbally abused by family/court
MC’s parent died in childbirth (past, off page, because of physical abuse)
Alcohol consumption
On-page assault/physical abuse of MC
Bullying and public humiliation of MC (on page)
Mentions of slavery
Bigotry towards MC and entire people
Severely injured MC
Mentions of death of MC’s wife (accident)
SC abusing alcohol
Mention of death of parent (past)
Homophobic SCs
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Fantasy + romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 18 and 29
Kids’ age: 5 and 5
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 420
Happy ending: Yes
He gave up on having dreams when he was younger, though the ache of wanting something better still cropped up.
“If it’s in my power, let it be yours.” Elia was both terrified and thrilled at the next words that fell from his mouth in a near breathless whisper. “A kiss?”
And Elia could dream, since it was unlikely that he would ever be allowed happiness. A dream all the same, and he refused to look at Sir Merrick, knowing his heart would be in his eyes.
