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cozysquib's Reviews (165)
Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter
This book is wild. This is a high spice romance book, but with fantasy themes, elements, and characters.
There is no underlying fantasy plot with a big bad or sudden unexpected twists. It is a standard romance novel, plain and simple... except... it isn't, because it's fantasy?
The key plot revolves around the love story between the two main characters, with a few wrenches thrown in to the mix.
The barely there fantasy was done exceptionally well. It was fun, and kept me waiting for some big plot or villains to jump out. Only to be pleasantly surprised when it stuck to it's roots and stayed a romance first novel.
This is closer (but spicier) to what I was hoping for from Divine Rivals.
The only place where this book lost me was the epilogue... It aimed to answer some lingering questions and introduce the future standalone couples. However, I feel like it gave away a bit too much of their upcoming stories.
If you are primarily a romance reader, looking to dip their toe into fantasy romances. This would be perfect for you.
This book is wild. This is a high spice romance book, but with fantasy themes, elements, and characters.
There is no underlying fantasy plot with a big bad or sudden unexpected twists. It is a standard romance novel, plain and simple... except... it isn't, because it's fantasy?
The key plot revolves around the love story between the two main characters, with a few wrenches thrown in to the mix.
The barely there fantasy was done exceptionally well. It was fun, and kept me waiting for some big plot or villains to jump out. Only to be pleasantly surprised when it stuck to it's roots and stayed a romance first novel.
This is closer (but spicier) to what I was hoping for from Divine Rivals.
The only place where this book lost me was the epilogue... It aimed to answer some lingering questions and introduce the future standalone couples. However, I feel like it gave away a bit too much of their upcoming stories.
If you are primarily a romance reader, looking to dip their toe into fantasy romances. This would be perfect for you.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
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Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
The story is dragging something fierce and doesn't feel like any real progress is being made.
The nail in the coffin was a conversation in the below where super important story altering motive is being revealed to another character. Except the reader is left out of the loop. The scene is an unnecessary tease that lands poorly.
Way too little show, way too much tell, and even the tell is being dangled like a carrot on a stick.
Hit my breaking point with the series. Dissapointing.
The nail in the coffin was a conversation in the below where super important story altering motive is being revealed to another character. Except the reader is left out of the loop. The scene is an unnecessary tease that lands poorly.
Way too little show, way too much tell, and even the tell is being dangled like a carrot on a stick.
Hit my breaking point with the series. Dissapointing.
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
This series is a fantasy retelling of beauty and the beast with a twist. Although the main influence is beauty and the beast, we see touches of many other fairytales as well as The Wizard of Oz and even The Lord of the Rings.
The main story is fun but slightly predictable in book one due to the nature of retellings. However, the characters and their struggles throughout the series are the selling point.
This is a spicy reverse harem / why-choose, featuring MM romance, FM romance, and group romance throughout the series.
A few things I didn't like;
Please remember, these reviews are a reflection of my tastes as a reader, not the author or their work.
Although I liked the story, the writing style was a miss for me. It often felt heavy-handed and leaned toward telling instead of showing. My frustration with this eased by 20% through book one. Whether from Stockholm Syndrome or a shift in the writing, I couldn't tell you.
The naming conventions for the MMCs was also a bit of a miss. Though I'm a fan of unique names, some strayed a bit too far into the ridiculous category for my taste.
Overall, I am now in love with this series and definitely hooked on the story and characters.
This series is a fantasy retelling of beauty and the beast with a twist. Although the main influence is beauty and the beast, we see touches of many other fairytales as well as The Wizard of Oz and even The Lord of the Rings.
The main story is fun but slightly predictable in book one due to the nature of retellings. However, the characters and their struggles throughout the series are the selling point.
This is a spicy reverse harem / why-choose, featuring MM romance, FM romance, and group romance throughout the series.
A few things I didn't like;
Please remember, these reviews are a reflection of my tastes as a reader, not the author or their work.
Although I liked the story, the writing style was a miss for me. It often felt heavy-handed and leaned toward telling instead of showing. My frustration with this eased by 20% through book one. Whether from Stockholm Syndrome or a shift in the writing, I couldn't tell you.
The naming conventions for the MMCs was also a bit of a miss. Though I'm a fan of unique names, some strayed a bit too far into the ridiculous category for my taste.
Overall, I am now in love with this series and definitely hooked on the story and characters.
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
This series is a fantasy retelling of beauty and the beast with a twist. Although the main influence is beauty and the beast, we see touches of many other fairytales as well as The Wizard of Oz and even The Lord of the Rings.
The main story is fun but slightly predictable in book one due to the nature of retellings. However, the characters and their struggles throughout the series are the selling point.
This is a spicy reverse harem / why-choose, featuring MM romance, FM romance, and group romance throughout the series.
A few things I didn't like;
Please remember, these reviews are a reflection of my tastes as a reader, not the author or their work.
Although I liked the story, the writing style was a miss for me. It often felt heavy-handed and leaned toward telling instead of showing. My frustration with this eased by 20% through book one. Whether from Stockholm Syndrome or a shift in the writing, I couldn't tell you.
The naming conventions for the MMCs was also a bit of a miss. Though I'm a fan of unique names, some strayed a bit too far into the ridiculous category for my taste.
Overall, I am now in love with this series and definitely hooked on the story and characters.
This series is a fantasy retelling of beauty and the beast with a twist. Although the main influence is beauty and the beast, we see touches of many other fairytales as well as The Wizard of Oz and even The Lord of the Rings.
The main story is fun but slightly predictable in book one due to the nature of retellings. However, the characters and their struggles throughout the series are the selling point.
This is a spicy reverse harem / why-choose, featuring MM romance, FM romance, and group romance throughout the series.
A few things I didn't like;
Please remember, these reviews are a reflection of my tastes as a reader, not the author or their work.
Although I liked the story, the writing style was a miss for me. It often felt heavy-handed and leaned toward telling instead of showing. My frustration with this eased by 20% through book one. Whether from Stockholm Syndrome or a shift in the writing, I couldn't tell you.
The naming conventions for the MMCs was also a bit of a miss. Though I'm a fan of unique names, some strayed a bit too far into the ridiculous category for my taste.
Overall, I am now in love with this series and definitely hooked on the story and characters.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
I wish the publishers had let her keep the original name and the one that is used outside the US (The Crimson Moth).
This was a very quick read. I absolutely devoured the chapters and did not want to set it down. This books is not overly heavy, it's super palatable, and a very clean read.
Emotionally, I wanted a bit more from the characters and the romantic tension. There were only two times I can think of that triggered an emotional response for me.
Rune is fun and has great potential for growth in book two and I can't wait for her to come into herself a bit more and embrace her true self.
The story is fun. The book is quick. The romance is clean. Overall, it's a great book to add to your tbr.
Perfect for fans of;
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Love
Fantasy
Witches/Magic
I wish the publishers had let her keep the original name and the one that is used outside the US (The Crimson Moth).
This was a very quick read. I absolutely devoured the chapters and did not want to set it down. This books is not overly heavy, it's super palatable, and a very clean read.
Emotionally, I wanted a bit more from the characters and the romantic tension. There were only two times I can think of that triggered an emotional response for me.
Rune is fun and has great potential for growth in book two and I can't wait for her to come into herself a bit more and embrace her true self.
The story is fun. The book is quick. The romance is clean. Overall, it's a great book to add to your tbr.
Perfect for fans of;
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Love
Fantasy
Witches/Magic
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
This series is a little difficult to review because I had a really hard time finishing it.
I LOVED the story. I loved the writing style, the world, the magic, and all of the side characters. However, I really did not like the main protagonist. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just not my cup of tea for a main character. I prefer my leading females to be stronger, snarkier, and a bit more abrasive. That is just my personal taste.
I would burn through the pages every time I picked up the book because I could not get enough of the story, but whenever I would set it down I would go days before feeling any urge to pick it back up.
The plot is compelling, and there is no world in which I could imagine DNFing because the curiosity would kill me!
Evangeline's character is pure, sweet, and a little naïve. Her primary pursuit in life is love, and it is a driving force behind all of her decisions. She reminds me of Taryn from The Cruel Prince, or Signa from Belladonna.
I loved this series. The plot will stick with me, but I probably would not read it again purely because the FMC is just not my type. I highly recommend this series for its story!
Psycho Academy by Jasmine Mas
This set of three books continues the timeline from the first three “Psycho Series” books. Only now we are following Aran on their journey through fate.
Aran is by far my favorite character in the entire series, and her bizarre combination of self depreciation and overt overconfidence feels very human. She is dealing with some heavy shit from her past and is now dumped into an academy full of grade-A assholes who are out to make her life more difficult.
The sexual tension and slow burn continue for our FMC while we get a heavy dose of side character on page smut. The will they/won’t they romantic tension killed me. Again, how can something be so downright smutty while being torturously slow burn!
This is one of those series where there is still a really good fantasy plot rather than being smut over the plot. I loved this series. I wasn't the biggest fan of the final few chapters purely because the “peace time” life felt very jarring after the brutal events of the earlier books.
*Update, this series has moved to Roman Empire status because it is CONSTANTLY in my head, and the itch to go re-read it is growing every day.*
Perfect for fans of
Fated Mates
Reverse Harem
Strong FMC
Slow Burn Tension
True Enemies to Lovers
Toxic Masculinity
Forced Paring
MM and Group Romance
This set of three books continues the timeline from the first three “Psycho Series” books. Only now we are following Aran on their journey through fate.
Aran is by far my favorite character in the entire series, and her bizarre combination of self depreciation and overt overconfidence feels very human. She is dealing with some heavy shit from her past and is now dumped into an academy full of grade-A assholes who are out to make her life more difficult.
The sexual tension and slow burn continue for our FMC while we get a heavy dose of side character on page smut. The will they/won’t they romantic tension killed me. Again, how can something be so downright smutty while being torturously slow burn!
This is one of those series where there is still a really good fantasy plot rather than being smut over the plot. I loved this series. I wasn't the biggest fan of the final few chapters purely because the “peace time” life felt very jarring after the brutal events of the earlier books.
*Update, this series has moved to Roman Empire status because it is CONSTANTLY in my head, and the itch to go re-read it is growing every day.*
Perfect for fans of
Fated Mates
Reverse Harem
Strong FMC
Slow Burn Tension
True Enemies to Lovers
Toxic Masculinity
Forced Paring
MM and Group Romance
Psycho Academy by Jasmine Mas
This set of three books continues the timeline from the first three “Psycho Series” books. Only now we are following Aran on their journey through fate.
Aran is by far my favorite character in the entire series, and her bizarre combination of self depreciation and overt overconfidence feels very human. She is dealing with some heavy shit from her past and is now dumped into an academy full of grade-A assholes who are out to make her life more difficult.
The sexual tension and slow burn continue for our FMC while we get a heavy dose of side character on page smut. The will they/won’t they romantic tension killed me. Again, how can something be so downright smutty while being torturously slow burn!
This is one of those series where there is still a really good fantasy plot rather than being smut over the plot. I loved this series. I wasn't the biggest fan of the final few chapters purely because the “peace time” life felt very jarring after the brutal events of the earlier books.
*Update, this series has moved to Roman Empire status because it is CONSTANTLY in my head, and the itch to go re-read it is growing every day.*
Perfect for fans of
Fated Mates
Reverse Harem
Strong FMC
Slow Burn Tension
True Enemies to Lovers
Toxic Masculinity
Forced Paring
MM and Group Romance
This set of three books continues the timeline from the first three “Psycho Series” books. Only now we are following Aran on their journey through fate.
Aran is by far my favorite character in the entire series, and her bizarre combination of self depreciation and overt overconfidence feels very human. She is dealing with some heavy shit from her past and is now dumped into an academy full of grade-A assholes who are out to make her life more difficult.
The sexual tension and slow burn continue for our FMC while we get a heavy dose of side character on page smut. The will they/won’t they romantic tension killed me. Again, how can something be so downright smutty while being torturously slow burn!
This is one of those series where there is still a really good fantasy plot rather than being smut over the plot. I loved this series. I wasn't the biggest fan of the final few chapters purely because the “peace time” life felt very jarring after the brutal events of the earlier books.
*Update, this series has moved to Roman Empire status because it is CONSTANTLY in my head, and the itch to go re-read it is growing every day.*
Perfect for fans of
Fated Mates
Reverse Harem
Strong FMC
Slow Burn Tension
True Enemies to Lovers
Toxic Masculinity
Forced Paring
MM and Group Romance