booksthrilljessica's Reviews (537)

Metzler has done it once again! In this sequel, we follow Aisling as she grapples with the betrayal of not only her family but also the man she trusted most, her husband, the fae king. As Aisling embarks on a new, epic journey to uncover the origin of her powers, she realizes that the connection to her husband, Lir, is not something she can easily sever. While I do wish there was more spice in the story, we do get a taste of the slow burn I had been anticipating for. But the big question is…. will they unleash the devastating sequence of events foretold in their journey together, or can they avoid the inevitable destruction of everything they've known? 

I absolutely love the depth Metzler gives to each character, allowing them to truly shine and tell their own stories. The world-building is so immersive that it feels like I’ve stepped right into the world she’s created. I can't wait to see where the next book takes these characters!

*Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky and Netgalley for the ARC and copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This is a book I’ll never stop recommending! It had me in a choke hold from start to finish. Metzler has a rare and incredible gift for writing, making this story absolutely captivating. In the first book, we meet Aisling, a mortal princess who is set to marry, only to discover that her fiancé is actually her mortal enemy. She soon learns that her own family has used her as nothing more than a pawn in their alliance with the Sidhe. Now, she must navigate a world filled with those she’s been taught to believe will do anything to deceive and destroy mortals. The story is beautifully interwoven with folklore, making the world building flawless. I fell in love with these characters and the way they interacted with each other which added so much depth to the story. As Aisling adjusts to her new life and husband, she realizes that she may not be who she thought she was. Making her embark on a journey.  A quest that is both physical and mental, to uncover who her true enemies are and ultimately, to discover who she really is. The audio book was just as captivating with narration done by Samantha Norbury, who made all the characters come to life and made the folklore pronunciations flawless. I can't get over how much I love this book and Metzler's writing style. I can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series!

*Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky, Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was incredible! In a world where vampires, ravagers, and dark witches hold power and humans are mere vassals, Sophie Devereaux is determined to uncover the truth about her mother's death and find a way to wipe out all supernatural beings. Her strategy is to infiltrate the vampire world by posing as a clan leader’s vassal. But Sophie never expected to learn that not all vampires are evil, nor that the lies she has been told extend to just supernatural beings. With the help of a note left by her mother, Sophie will discover something within herself that will send her life down an unexpected path. The writing was fantastic, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. My only wish is that some of the more intense moments were explored further, allowing readers to truly experience them alongside the characters. The slow burn romance between Sophie and Henry is absolute perfection! I am desperate to read book 2!

*Thank you to V.I. Davis, Oliver Heber Books and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This was my first Hendrix book, and unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me. I was excited to dive in, especially with all the hype and the intriguing synopsis. I was expecting something with a "The Craft" like vibe, but it just didn’t hit the mark. The book's premise tackles the injustice faced by young pregnant women who are pressured by societal norms and family expectations to give up their babies. However, the witchcraft element felt tacked on, almost as if it was there to add intrigue but wasn’t fully explored. When it was explored it was done only by some of the girls at the detriment of the others. Fern, in particular, was hard to connect with, her indecision and lack of clear direction made her feel insignificant to the overall story other than being the main character or narrator. Even though the book ends with a so called HEA, it felt rushed and forced, leaving me unsatisfied.

Set in a dystopian waterworld, Abigail discovers that her beloved father is not the man she thought he was. When he is murdered, she is determined to seek revenge. Along the way, she finds unexpected solace in someone she never imagined, and an enemy in someone she once held close. I do wish the book had been longer to explore more of the story in greater detail. Some intense or steamy moments felt rushed, and I would have loved more time to truly dive into the characters and their journey. I grew attached to them and wanted more time to connect with their backstories. 

In this dark mafia romance with a Romeo and Juliet feel, we meet Rose, who has pined for her best friend August since childhood. But when Briggs Andrews enters her life, everything she’s known is about to be turned upside down. With secrets about her tragic past waiting to be uncovered, she’s on the brink of discovering something that could shatter her life. The sizzling sexual tension and undeniable chemistry between Rose and Briggs is absolutely irresistible. I especially loved the mystery that unfolds, revealing why Briggs has been pushing Rose away for so long. For all the dark romance girlies out there, this is a must-read!

*Thank you to E.S. Portman for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention. Featuring a shadow daddy, a matter of fact MFC, and a secret magical side plot. I loved the representation of a main character who struggled with mental health issues as well as being neurodivergent. I could also relate to the way she navigated social situations. However, I struggled with how much of the story centered around Alora’s desire to get laid. The lack of world building and explanation as to what Alora’s dreams ment left me confused. Especially since key details were only introduced in the final chapter and were glossed over to the point where I still don’t fully understand who or what Alora or Darce are. That said, the concept is intriguing, and I’m open to reading the second book in the series to gain a clearer understanding of the story.

*Thank you to B.L. Wilde for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I was completely captivated by this enchanting story from start to finish. The forced proximity, fated mates, and slow burn romance between Wren and Finn had me hooked. However, I do wish we had more insight into Elodie’s backstory, specifically the challenges she faced and how she became so powerful. I truly felt for the characters, and their struggles and heartaches were deeply moving. Finn’s internal battle, torn between his lifelong role of hunting those with magical abilities and the magnetic pull he feels toward Wren, was particularly heartbreaking. Meanwhile, Wren is desperately trying to suppress her magic to stay hidden from those who want to destroy her. While the spice level was low, the plot developed nicely with several unexpected twists and turns.

*Thank you to Jessica Thorne, Second Sky and Netgalley for the Audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A gripping tale of betrayal and deceit, this novel follows three friends who discover just how far they’re willing to go to protect their secrets. The story begins with the trio setting off on a bachelorette trip abroad, only to be harassed and stalked by a fellow hotel guest. As the tension builds, questions arise… what have they done to provoke such attention, and how does it end with one of them dead? The characters are flawed and relatable, yet also deeply frustrating. Despite wanting to root for them, I couldn’t help but feel that “Karma’s a bitch” as the story unfolded. Ichaso expertly explores the idea that while everyone has secrets, those hidden sins, especially when they come at the expense of others, can lead to devastating consequences.

*Thank you to Chelsea Icaso, Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The premise of this book seemed perfect for me, especially with my love for William Shakespeare and the dual timeline featuring two similar narrators. Unfortunately, that’s about where my expectations ended. The story was filled with nothing but heartache, toxic men, and frustrating situations. I get the intention of highlighting that not all lives are happy. However, when I read a book I tend to crave a balance between good moments mixed with the bad, to offer an escape from the harsh realities of life. That said, I do appreciate how Picoult tackles tough, often taboo topics with a depth that other authors tend to avoid.

*Thank you to Jodi Picoult, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.