Thank you to the publisher for an ARC.

NOT FOR ME.

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I don’t even much feel like writing this review because this book and I did not get along. I was expecting a cute romance set in London, learning a little about the guard life, sweet dates, some good kissing, etc.

What did I get?:

- A big history lesson that did not further the ROMANTIC plot of a ROMANCE book whatsoever. Took up too many pages.
- The love interest is hardly actually in the book. HE LITERALLY RUNS AWAY MULTIPLE TIMES.
- Multiple bad Tinder dates that beg the question, WHY.
- Third act wildness that caused me to laugh, because if not, I might throw my book.
- Everything was over the top and not in a good way (clearly, HA).

I just…this let me down so much. And I’m going to end it here because I would not recommend it.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a mother (off-page), a manipulative gaslighting ex boyfriend 

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook!

THOUGHTFUL.

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Audiobook review: Daisy Ridley narrates this y’all. Enough said. I thought it was fantastically well done.

I’m not one to go out of my to pick up a contemporary fiction, BUT for Moyes? Yes, yes I will give that a go. And I really liked this one y’all. It’s full of complicated, and unlikeable characters. Many I wanted to shake, and give a hug too all over the course of reading. I like layered and dynamic personalities that showcase the full scope of what it means to be human and to be trying desperately to get by when life throws everything at you.

I liked the inter-mixing of mental health too. The effects it can have on so many levels of your life and those around you. It’s tough, it’s gritty and good and bad choices are made. I did NOT love every decision and action, but I think that was the point. It became a thoughtful examination of many themes.

The supporting cast held this book together too. I adored them all. Both Sam and Nisha had some rocky roads and I was grateful that ultimately they found their own feet to stand on for themselves and take the next step forward. Nisha’s closing scene actually made me tear up a little and hit me right in the heart. This was a solidly good book. Moyes did it again.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Fiction
- Language: some strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce, cheating, break-ins, emotional manipulation, a friend with cancer, bad work environment 

WELL.

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I’m not sure I have anything to say past what has already been said at this point but I’ll throw some of my thoughts out.

What is the most upsetting is that a young boy lost his Mother and NOBODY did anything to truly help him grieve and work through that and that’s why everything eventually fell apart. I ache for him in that context.

Ghost writer wise, I am uuuupset that at such a wasted opportunity to create a great novel. Instead it was like Harry said here’s what happened and the writer put EVERY LAST TINY DETAIL THAT DIDN’T NEED TO BE THERE into these short choppy chapters that read poorly. 60% of this could have been taken out and it would have felt much more compelling.

The last bit with Meghan and afterwards is nothing that hasn’t been said a hundred times over in multiple interviews and documentaries. We’ve heard the story. Again and again and again.

I also think he through his family under the bus way too many times. I’m not saying they didn’t do wrong as well, but there’s a side to every story and if you were hoping for true reconciliation then maybe should have thought about that before sharing some of this.

I’m not necessarily upset I read it, I just don’t think it truly added anything I didn’t already know.

Overall audience notes:
- Memoir
- Language: a little
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: grief, anxiety and depression depiction, loss of a Mother, brief physical altercations, drugs and alcohol use, suicide ideation, stalking 

WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO FEEL.

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This book left me feeling super conflicted.

If I think about the romance in one context, I don’t necessarily mind it, I can see where it could work. Morally gray is my wheelhouse and romantic switch ups are fantastic. Lets do it.

Buuuut if I’m supposed to be thinking about it in a different way on the other side of the love triangle I didn’t realize was occurring then why were they separated the entire time??????

I DON’T KNOW. Honestly, I don’t know how to continue the review. There’s not much true plot movement. It’s mostly spent with Alizeh trying to decide if she should marry someone and Kamran wallowing about his new position. Grateful for an audiobook I could speed up.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Context Warnings: kidnapping, some physical altercations 

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an eARC.

RELATABLE.

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I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this one. I do think it’s Henry’s heaviest book and that you should definitely be aware going in! Not in a lengthy list of trigger warnings way, just the real life can bring you down way. The happy place ideal is oddly ironic for this book and by the end I liked how it was all portrayed.

The romance is a little more at the forefront than Book Lover (but not as much as BR/PWMOV). I liked seeing more of it and watching Harriet and Wyn’s story unfold. There was just the right amount of flashback chapters to add to the plot without feeling like everything was stuck in the past. Harriet and Wyn had some great banter, truly tender moments and I was loving the raw communication and anger that came out in the end.

Friendships are another main focus and, at times, over shadowed Harriet’s journey. The last 20% really hit me in the feels though with the many sentiments expressed. Life is hard, feelings are hard, and the parents you have truly play a part on how you view your future self and relationships. I am satisfied with how all of the friendships worked out too though. It’s something special to have that type of bond with others.

An impactful read that had me thinking and reflecting a lot. Do I still wish the romance was even more at the front? Yes. And there were a few scenes here and there that I thought slowed down progression. A glory days atmosphere I could have been cool without.

I loved the core of the story and the messages it left me with. And I thought Harriet really came into her own in the end and I LOVED that journey for her.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: one full open; medium explicit + some almost scenes and fade to black
- Trigger/Content Warnings: losing a parent, grief depression and anxiety depictions, use of recreational drugs, alcohol use 

Thank you to the author for a e-copy!

SPOOKY.

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Well this will give you the hibbie jibbies REAL FAST. This was outside of my usual genre choices but added in a lot of things I always love reading about for an eclectic and fast paced book. I was real excited when a snarky Fae showed up to hunt down the terror in the woods. I thought he and Cass had great banter and there’s definitely some slow build romance happening here.

There were good twists too. Especially about a certain character (!!). I love being taken by surprise and I think it helped build Cass’s character too knowing her decisions from the past. I didn’t love her sister, Pen, who felt like she was 11 instead of 17. But I did adore Theo.

This is absolutely perfect for the fall and with the addition of witches gives all the vibes you could hope for. Occasionally I would find some of the information repetitive (as in, it was just touched over, but is being repeated by a different character on the next page). Besides that I don’t have any major complaints. I loved the pacing, the need to know what happens next and seeing all of the spooky things that go bump in the night. After that ending I’m excited to see how this story further unfolds!

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal mystery
- Language: a little
- Romance: flirting
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: missing children, loss of life, physical and magical altercations, creature attacks, near death experiences, loss of a parent (off page, prior to book) 

This was a cute novella! I enjoyed it. 
I don't think it necessarily added anything to the STORY, but if you're looking for an extended epilogue kind of vibe, read it!

THOUGHTS.

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This book has me feeling multiple different ways.

What did I like? I didn’t mind that Imani was an unlikeable character. Those tend to be my favorites AS LONG AS there are signs that they understand the need for change and growth in their own life. And I thought by the end Imani was starting to showcase some of that (and it’s a series, we’ve got time). The magic system is cool, needed more world building overall but I like what I know so far. I liked the sibling dynamics too. It came off as real with the bickering and also protecting them at all costs kind of vibes.

The romance has me the most up in the air. It definitely went a different way than I expected and I’m soooo very curious where that’s going to lead. I don’t mind not knowing after one book, it has me intrigued enough to read book two.

I don’t love traveling tropes and this was in abundance. Run over here, go over there, meh. It had one too many moments where I wanted them to stop moving for a second and lay some groundwork. And I need more Qayn. LOTS MORE Qayn.

I’m not upset I read this, I do think it’s a bit over hyped though. And I will be picking up the next book at least!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: med-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and weapons violence, magical violence, torture (off page), animal death 

NEW SERIES FAVORITE.

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I have highly enjoyed every book in this series, but Wing and a Miss is my new favorite. It hit a new level of perfectly placed banter and with a grumpy protective hero? SIGN ME UP.

Even though Selene and Ryker started off a one night stand (which yay for me was off page prior to the book) they built their relationship from that and I was very much connected to seeing them fall in love. There were so many good moments between them. The snarky taking care of you scenes, to the cabin in the woods, to every other stolen time they got. LOVED it all.

The over arching plot continues to keep my attention too. I like that it adds the action and intrigue while the romance stays at the fore front. This book are a lot of fun. I like that they make me laugh, swoon and sit on the edge of my seat. There’s multiple other couples I can’t wait to get books for!!

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 3 open; low-med explicit
- Violence: mild
- Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, kidnapping 

Thank you to the author and Covenant Communications for an ARC.

WONDERFUL READ.

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This is my first A.L. Sowards book and it will officially not be my last. I was captivated from the start and continually kept wanting to read this to know what happens next. I’m picky when I pick up historical fiction because I prefer reading about less common areas and this has it. 1918 in former Russia? No I have not read any books like this and I loved learning more about this time through the book and the author’s note afterwards (and as a history nerd googling things too).

I loved Nadia’s strength. She could have easily lied down and be done with all that life was handing her, but through her faith (their is a light faith vein throughout) and the kindness of just enough people Nadia kept taking the next step forward. I also adored Filip. He had that passion and deep love for what his country and watching out for those around him. I thought their relationship was sweet (and HELLO marriage of convenience!!). The way multiple things were handled between them gave my heart all the flutters and hope.

This book surprised me by having more than two POVs and I LOVED the addition of the others! With the seeing other snippets of the people around Nadia and Filip, I quickly fell in love with the side characters too. Why I wouldn’t call every ending a happy one, it all did feel beautifully hopeful and true to the unfortunate nature of war.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction + Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door between married couples
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions/theme of war, war injuries, gun violence, disease, miscarriage, kidnapping, off-page sexual assault/rape, executions