⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A Telenovela in Book Form, with a Side of Grey’s Anatomy Spice

Arrogant and Merciless by D.A. Lemoyne is exactly what it promises: high drama, hot doctors, fiery emotions, and more twists than a daytime soap. If you’re into stories that read like a telenovela collided with Grey’s Anatomy, this one’s calling your name.

William Randolph Marshall IV (yes, that name) is the very definition of a morally gray, arrogant, cold as ice surgeon who hides his trauma and emotional vacancy behind his surgical mask and billionaire bank account. He’s obsessive, possessive, and 100% determined to punish the woman who once made him feel something… even though she doesn’t even remember him.

Enter Taylor Jarvis. She is sweet, self-sacrificing, and trying to start over after losing everything. When fate throws them back together (forced proximity alert!), William thinks it’s time for revenge. But what starts as a second chance romance wrapped in bitterness turns into something much deeper, especially as secrets unravel and the past refuses to stay buried.

Let’s be honest... the writing isn't going to win awards, and sometimes the pacing is all over the place. But Arrogant and Merciless knows what it is and doesn’t pretend otherwise. It’s over the top, dramatic, steamy, and entertaining as hell. Think: amnesia, revenge, billionaire angst, doctor drama, age gap tension, and that slow burn payoff we all live for. Plus, there's a surprise twist that adds just the right amount of shock value.

If you’re in the mood for something quick, spicy, and drama packed, this is a solid weekend binge. It’s book two in the Gods in White series but works as a standalone, though you will want to know what happens next.

Thank you to The Author Agency and D.A. Lemoyne for the eARC of this book. 

Ooooh, this one was different, in the best way possible. Raquel Riley usually gives us characters who are already close or lowkey obsessed with each other from the start, but Coming In Hot flips that script. Jax and Pharo? They've got serious beef. Like, burn down your house with my eyes kind of beef. And honestly? It made their story even better.

This isn't just a spicy enemies to lovers romance (though the spice definitely delivers) but it's a slow burn emotional journey. We get to see them move from fromer friends and fellow military comrades, to enemies, to reluctant acquaintances, to almost friends again, and finally to something deeper and much more vulnerable. And I loved watching it unfold.

As a veteran, I especially appreciate how Raquel handles the military elements. Her research is always on point, and it never feels like background noise; it's part of who these characters are, and it adds so much depth, especially with the emotional baggage they're carrying. The pain, guilt, and loss these two have to work through makes the romance feel even more earned and powerful.

Jax and Pharo are explosive together. They are both fiery, flawed, and so damn compelling. This isn't an easy love story, and that's what makes it hit harder. There's action, tension, found family (yes to badass men who knit!), and so much healing. And of course, the spice is chef's kiss. It's heightened by the emotional stakes and what they've had to overcome.

If you're into military romance, enemies to lovers done right, and characters with a whole lot of heart (and trauma), Coming In Hot is a must read. Raquel Riley has once again proven why she's a go to for raw, real, and ridiculously sexy love stories.

I cannot WAIT for Tex and Mandy's story! 

I read and loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, so I was beyond excited to return to the world Rebecca Ross so beautifully crafted, and Wild Reverence absolutely delivered.

Once again, her writing enchanted me. Her lyrical prose and masterful imagery brought this prequel to life in such a vivid, immersive way. She has a rare talent for building atmosphere that feels tangible, whether in the divine realm or the mortal world, and Wild Reverence is no exception.

I completely adored both main characters. Matilda is a standout female lead, not for bold declarations or flashy displays of power, but for her quiet, steady strength. Getting to follow her journey from childhood through adulthood made me feel deeply connected to her. Her voice, her thoughts, and her motivations are so thoughtfully portrayed. And Vincent... oh, Vincent. The yearning between him and Matilda was devastatingly beautiful. Watching them grow up both beside one another and through their shared dreams was tender and tragic in equal measure.

The plot was rich and engaging, weaving together the human and divine in a way that expanded on the events hinted at in the original duology while also standing strong on its own. I loved how it deepened the lore and history of the gods, and the callbacks to Divine Rivals were a lovely touch for those of us who have read and adored it.

Wild Reverence was everything I hoped for and more. What a beautifully written, emotionally charged tale of love, fate, and quiet heroism. It reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place and left me eager to explore more of Rebecca Ross’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, and Saturday Books for the eARC of this book. 

📖 On Midnight Shores by Julie Olivia

♾️⭐️ 4.25/5 stars

🌊 Welcome back to Never Harbor, where every book feels like a warm hug and a shot of adrenaline at the same time.

Just when I thought Julie Olivia couldn’t top herself, she gives us this. An age gap, bad boy artist with a hidden soft side? And he falls for the town’s sunshine sweetheart who’s trying to rediscover herself after college didn’t go as planned? Yeah. I’m ruined in the best way.

Bonnie has always been “the good girl”; she is the youngest Davies sibling, raised in chaos, adored by the whole town, and endlessly trying to meet everyone’s expectations. When she comes home artless and heartbroken from a failed internship search, she throws herself into one last shot: interning at the local gallery owned by Rafe Cohen, the town’s broodiest, tatted up mystery man. And let me tell you… the chemistry is palpable. 🔥

Their relationship shouldn’t work on paper because there is an 8 year age gap, she is the little sister of everyone, and he’s built walls taller than the gallery itself, but every scene between Rafe and Bonnie crackled. It wasn’t just the slow burn tension or the teach me spice (which was SO well done, by the way); it was the emotional unraveling of two people finding the courage to be fully seen.

Bonnie’s growth hit so hard. Watching her take charge, in art, in love, in life, was empowering and relatable. And Rafe? A tortured artist with emotional baggage, devastating talent, and a soft spot for the one girl who sees through it all? I’m sorry, I will never recover.

Also, shoutout to Julie for sprinkling in that Davies family magic again. Seeing the rest of the clan and their continued stories felt like coming home. I never want to leave Never Harbor. Every couple has been teased from the start and watching their stories unfold book by book is just so satisfying.

Tropes you’ll love:
❤️‍🔥 Bad Boy x Town Sweetheart
🎨 Artist x Intern (hello, paint me vibes)
🍷 Age Gap (8 years!)
🔥 “Teach me” moments & sexual awakening
🫶🏼 Found Family
🌊 Small Coastal Town Romance

If I had one bone to pick, it’s that the nicknames (Big Bad, I’m looking at you 👀) sometimes took me out of the moment. But honestly? It was worth it. Because Julie Olivia is THAT author, one you want to gatekeep but love too much not to scream about from the rooftops.

I am so proud of her Berkley deal and beyond thrilled to see this series getting the love it deserves. On Midnight Shores is swoony, spicy, soul stirring romance done right.

Now excuse me while I reread all the Davies siblings’ books like I’m part of the family!

Up in Flames had all the makings of a fun, feel good read and in many ways, it delivered. The setup is playful and chaotic in the best way: Sanden stepping in as the rogue groomsman, encouraging a petty party instead of a wedding, was hilarious and had me instantly invested. The chemistry between Sanden and Remy was cute, and the friends to lovers dynamic had potential. It’s definitely an easy, bingeable read.

But while the plot had sparks, the execution fell a little flat for me. The relationship felt inconsistent and emotionally shallow; they swung between flirtation and hook up with very little communication or emotional depth. There was a lot of physical connection, but not enough meaningful conversation to back it up. I wanted more vulnerability and less wishy washy behavior, especially as the stakes grew.

It wasn’t bad by any means, just missing that extra something to truly make the story burn bright.

If you're looking for a light MM romance with low angst, some steam, and a touch of chaos, then this is for you. Just don’t expect too much emotional development.

I’m genuinely not ready to say goodbye to this series, but if it had to end, Rewind It Back was the absolute best, most beautiful way to do it. Liz Tomforde gave us a story that was tender, emotional, and deeply satisfying. I loved every single moment of it.

I’m usually not the biggest fan of second chance romance, but I knew if anyone could do it right, it would be Liz. And she did not disappoint. The flashbacks were perfectly placed. They helped me not only understand but feel the full depth of Hallie and Rio’s story, from the innocence of first love to the heartbreak and, ultimately, the healing.

And let me just say it: Rio DeLuca owns my heart. He is such a quietly amazing man, and his love story was so well deserved. He’s soft and steadfast, and the way he’s loved Hallie for so long? My chest hurt in the best way.

What absolutely shattered me (in a good way) was the “it’s always been you” moment, because for once, it was literally true. Neither of them had been with anyone else during the six years they were apart. That kind of emotional fidelity? That level of longing? It's so rare in second chance romances and it just made everything hit so much harder. It wasn’t just words; it was truth. And it made their reunion feel sacred.

Rewind It Back isn’t just a romance; it’s a full circle journey about growing up, falling apart, and finally getting it right. It's the end of an era, and I am honestly in tears. Saying goodbye to this series is hard, but I’m so thankful it ended with such a gorgeous, gut punch of a book.

Liz Tomforde, thank you for Rio and Hallie. Thank you for this love story. I’ll be rewinding this one back over and over again.

Pitcher Perfect is another spicy, banter filled addition to Tessa Bailey’s sports romance world, but for me, it didn’t quite hit the same high notes as the rest of the series. While the premise had promise: an enemies to lovers, fake dating romance between a cocky NHL rookie and a no nonsense softball pitcher, the execution fell a bit flat.

This was marketed as enemies to lovers, but there was barely any tension or hate between Robbie and Skylar. Instead, it leaned heavily into instalust, and I found myself missing the slower burn buildup that usually makes Bailey’s romances so satisfying. The emotional stakes felt underdeveloped, and some of the plot points veered into cringey and unrealistic territory.

That said, it is Tessa Bailey, and with that comes her signature witty banter and top tier steam. Robbie has his moments as a charming, over the top golden retriever MMC, and Skylar is strong and grounded enough to balance him out... most of the time.

Overall, while Pitcher Perfect had its fun and spicy moments, it didn’t quite live up to the rest of the series for me. A decent read, but not a standout.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon for the eARC of this book. 

⭐️⭐️ – A one time read with potential but ultimately missed the mark

The Other Brother by Tierney Page had all the right ingredients on paper: a forbidden romance, slow burn tension, a rockstar MMC, and a second chance at love premise. As a longtime fan of Tierney’s content on BookTok and Bookstagram, I was genuinely excited to dive into her debut. Unfortunately, while there were moments of promise, this one just didn’t land for me the way I hoped it would.

I did enjoy the dynamic between April and her best friends, Gemma and Anna; their banter brought much needed levity and heart to the story. Their scenes were some of the most entertaining, and I found myself laughing out loud at their conversations. April and James also had clear tension, and I appreciated that their relationship was given some room to grow instead of being rushed, especially considering how quickly Lucas moved on.

The writing style itself is easy to read, and the premise had strong potential. There were some sweet and even steamy moments scattered throughout, and I can absolutely see how others might connect more with the story than I did.

But here’s where it lost me...

The pacing was the biggest issue. It was too slow, and not in a tension building, slow burn way, but more in a drag your feet through the mud kind of way. Whole months would pass without meaningful development, and then entire chapters would focus on a single evening without adding depth or insight to the characters or plot. It threw off the momentum and left me feeling disconnected.

Worse still, the romance between April and James, who were supposedly the emotional core of the story, never fully clicked. Despite the buildup, their connection felt surface level. I kept waiting for emotional payoffs that never arrived. Strangely enough, I found myself more invested in Lucas, the ex fiancé, and his attempts at reconciliation than the supposed “forbidden” relationship with James.

And about that forbidden love? It didn’t feel forbidden. Both characters were single. There was no real tension, guilt, or turmoil driving their connection. When their relationship is revealed, it’s resolved quickly and painlessly. Where’s the angst? The conflict? The stakes?

On a technical level, the editing could have been tighter. There were noticeable structural and copy issues that should have been caught. April’s character also lacked consistency. Her dialogue and internal monologue sometimes read more formal than natural, which made it hard to pin down her voice.

Then there’s the spice. I’m no stranger to a steamy romance, but the spicy scenes here felt awkward, gratuitous, and forced. I skipped a lot of them, and not because I’m squeamish but because I wasn’t emotionally invested enough in the characters to care. The spice lacked buildup, connection, or heat. I didn’t desire James, and honestly, I couldn’t understand why April did either.

The bottom line is that this felt less like a story written from passion and more like a strategic brand extension. If Tierney wasn’t already a well-known content creator, I’m not sure this book would have gotten the same level of praise it’s received. That said, I do love supporting new authors, and I genuinely hope she continues writing. There’s clear potential in her voice and ideas but this just needed more emotional depth, stronger character development, and a more disciplined editorial eye.

Will I read her next book? Probably, and this is because I believe debut authors grow, and I want to see what Tierney does with more experience under her belt. But for now, The Other Brother is a fast, somewhat forgettable read that just didn’t deliver the emotional or romantic punch I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tierney Page, and Forever for the eARC of this book. 

Revive Me by Nikki Castle absolutely wrecked me, in the best way. As someone living with a disability, I felt so incredibly seen by this book. Nikki Castle didn’t just write a love story; she wrote a raw, honest, and deeply respectful portrayal of what it’s like to navigate life after a life changing injury. The emotional depth in Roman’s journey is something I don’t often get to see done right in romance, but this one? Nailed it.

Roman’s struggle with identity, anger, and grief after his spinal cord injury felt real and nuanced. He’s not magically “better” because of love because he’s still healing, learning, growing, and that’s what made his connection with Liliana so compelling. She’s not there to save him, but to walk beside him through the hardest parts, with tough love and quiet strength. Their dynamic is beautifully written.

And honestly? I loved that this book dialed back the spice. It gave space for the emotional journey to shine. The slow burn, the forced proximity, the mutual respect was perfect. The focus on healing and emotional intimacy was everything I didn’t know I needed from a sports romance.

This isn’t just a second chance romance. It’s a story about rebuilding from the ashes, about finding love in your darkest moments, and about discovering who you are when life forces you to rewrite the ending.

This book is personal. It’s powerful. And it’s exactly the kind of story the world needs more of.

3 stars – Not terrible, just not for me

How to Break My Heart had a really fun premise featuring a cozy small town cafe owner, a billionaire brother back in town, and a wedding to plan? I was all in. Plus, it had some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, best friend’s brother, forced proximity, and a good bit of spice. But sadly, this one didn’t totally hit the mark for me.

The biggest issue? The writing style. It felt kind of all over the place and didn’t flow very well, which made it hard to stay in the story. Things felt rushed, and I was confused at times. It honestly read more like a debut book, even though it’s not.

The main guy, Aston, was hard to connect with. I usually love a possessive MMC, but this guy took it too far. He came off more controlling than swoony, and considering he and Eva hadn’t seen each other in eight years (after just one high school kiss!), his behavior didn’t make much sense. Eva was okay, but some of her scenes were kind of cringe, like that birth control convo? Nope.

And Maddy… oof. She wasn’t very likable and felt super spoiled. Most of the side characters didn’t have much depth either, which was a bummer.

I will say, the small town setting and the cafe vibes were cute, and there were a few sweet moments here and there. I just think the author tried to throw in too many tropes and didn’t give any of them enough room to really develop.

This was my first read from Kat T. Masen, and while I didn’t love it, I’m open to checking out more of her books in the future. If you’re a fan of her writing or like trope heavy romances, this one might work better for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kat T. Masen, and Atria Books for the eARC of this book.