ADORABLE.

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I’ve been seeing this book floating around on the Audible Originals page and needed something quick and light. THIS WAS THAT BOOK (I also believe it is available in ebook format now?).

The production for this was perfect. I loved the way everything sounded and I truly felt this story come to life. I would love if more audio books used a bit of sound effect to enhance the reading.

I adored Jessie and Elliot! Immediate chemistry from that first text and the subsequent late night chats had me laughing and smiling from ear to ear. This book just makes you feel good and I love that. I like the way the conflict/drama was handled. In a short read it didn’t take up unnecessary page time and really let Jessie and Elliot build up their relationship. All of these digital interactions made the in person moments all the better.

It’s a sweet read. The ending was everything I hoped for in the progression of this story. No overreaching for a relationship just beginning, but all the ooey-gooey-ness your heart can handle. Definitely one to pick up!!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: parent with terminal cancer, gun violence 

THAT ENDING SAVED THIS.

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Let me start off with some audio comments. This is one of those few times where I’m going to say: skip the audio. All of the main characters (and their love interests around the same age) sounded closer to 10-12 year-olds than 17/18. I struggled with that (didn’t affect my overall rating though).

A lot of this was intriguing! The magic system is kind of cool with the stardust components and how stars actually fall from the sky?? Wild and I love it. I also love a good sister story and these three push and pull each other, but they clearly care for one another. It’s a heavy political fantasy and at times that did drag the plot.

I definitely needed some better world building initially. I was very much confused as to who was where and what that separate nation was like for almost half the book. A friend sent me the map/family tree and that helped tremendously.

The ending saved this book for me. It was fast paced, full of action, and I am still SHOCKED at some of the final scenes. Was it true?! I have questions and I will be seeking answers in book two.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: mild blood/gore
- Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual harassment, poison, loss of loved ones, executions 

Reread January 2024: The way I still panicked throughout this one. NEED HOFAS.

*FLAILS INCOHERENTLY*

Someone should have recorded me as I finished this book because the way I ran around my house flipping out was WILD.

BECAUSE THAT ENDING WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE.

Once again SJM has brought the house down with her captivating storytelling. I loved that there were even more points of view from this whole cast. I felt more connected to everyone and got a better feeling for their personal and group dynamics. I’m very much emotionally attached to them and the ships I want sailing and will not stand for anything less than HAPPY EVER AFTERS FOR ALL.

The plot thickens even more and my jaw hit the flow as things were unveiled. I love how the web is woven and die cast for all at play in the world. The combination of masteries it took to put this together blows my mind. Writing wise, it reads slower. Yet, it’s one of those novels that makes sense for the slowness. It’s heavily character driven and those stories need told.

I LOVE where many of these lines are heading and I will be impatiently awaiting the next book. I intentionally tried to keep this as vague as I could because people who spoil are the worst. Another SJM all the dang stars read for me!

This had allllll of the romance y’all. Super swoony. Can’t believe I haven’t read any of the other books in this series. I must go remedy after enjoying this one.

It’s long for a regency (400 pages) and I would say I only noticed that a tiny bit. This is filled with plenty to keep the pages flipping. I liked the mixed of small quiet moments, and the bigger all out kind of scenes. A fun twist was the addition of mermaid lore. I loooove all things mermaid so this felt unique and fresh to the genre.

I adored Morvoren and Trevik. They had chemistry from the get go and the development was solid. Learning to build the trust between them as things piled against their favor. No ridiculous conflict to be found, but one that fit the actual premise of the entire story. I love a good reveal at the end, and Trevik showing Morvoren just how free she was, was absolutely precious.

Hathaway is one of my favorite regency authors and I love the way she tells stories!

 

GREAT READ.

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I have found a new series I would love to work through. Absolutely love a Scottish romance. This had Outlander vibes, but without the very long list of content warnings.

Enjoyable characters that I can fall behind are always something I’m looking for and this group was that for me! There’s many avenues of adventures to explore and different romance tropes to get to and I’m excited for that.

I really liked the chemistry between Jane and Andrew. Andrew continually brought out Jane’s true nature and basked in it. I love a man falling first, and he’s clearly smitten from the get-go. It would have been nice to overall have a little more showing rather than telling. I wanted more close moments between these two (though they’re some great swoony ones don’t worry!).

The murder mystery aspects were a nice touch and kept the plot moving. I liked the small flashbacks that gave depth to Andrew’s story and how that played into who he is now. I love a good villain unveiling and was surprised by this one! The way the ending came about was exactly as I hoped for too.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: passionate kisses
- Violence: minor blood
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a friend, shipwreck, slavery, kidnapping, attempted murder, blackmail, extortion

 

3.5 stars

MOSTLY GOOD.

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The biggest thing that’s bugging me right now is that the title didn’t match the book? I wouldn’t even call this enemies to lovers. Hardly rivals to lovers. There wasn’t enough time spent in that arena to give the angst needed for that trope. I don’t remember anyone every hating anyone…so….?

Most of this was really cute. I ADORED all of the dog content. And all of the old ladies were a bit wild and a hoot. I enjoyed the dog show aspects combining with a former beauty queen. All of those things worked really well. The chemistry between Spencer and Ruby was there, and overall, it was all fine.

One of the spicy scenes was kind odd and random? I didn’t think that fit well whatsoever and then things leaned more towards a friends with benefits trope than anything else this book was trying to accomplish. That’s not my favorite, and that’s when I realized things had gone a bit downhill for me.

It was a really quick read with great narrators. I would recommend the audio book easily. And maybe this is more for you than it was for me!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: two open door + some innuendo
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of unsafe dieting habits, a family member on house arrest, gambling addiction (side character), stealing drugs

 

NOT A FAN OF THE ENDING.

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I love a good gory and darker YA book. This gave all of those vibes and more. [It is gruesome, please check warnings!]. Great atmosphere and I liked the writing style.

Hazel was a pretty solid YA heroine too. I liked her tenacity and that she refused to give up on her dream of becoming a doctor. Hazel might have taken some unorthodox routes to get there, but hey! I liked her and I’m cool with it.

The love story aspects didn’t really happen until the halfway point? For a smaller book that’s really hard to accomplish well and I thought it was lacking. I wasn’t as invested in the romance as I wanted to be. Hazel and Jack had some sweet moments, but I needed more.

Aaaaand that ending. Throwing in some fantasy aspects all of a sudden had me tilting my head. Seemed like an easy way to fix some of the remaining plot issues and attempt to tie everything up in a neat bow. It didn’t all come together the way I hoped.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Gothic Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: extremely blood/gore
- Trigger/Content Warnings: grave robbing (with use of the bodies in medical fields), kidnapping, organ harvesting, body dissection (with detail) 

OVER IT.

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Five books.

That’s how long I made it through this love triangle.

I’m not typically a fan, but I really was into all of the drama. The push and pull, will they won’t they kind of nonsense. The first two books were great. Third, eh. Fourth, pulled me back, and now I can say I’m okay with putting this series down. Maybe I’ll read a spoiler of the last book (whenever that is) to know who the main character ends up with.

There’s some great friendship scenes and being there for those you love. I like all of the nuances of that and working together and enjoying each other’s company. This group is a mix of all different personalities and quirks and make for a good time.

Noah was even a big flirt this time (FINALLY). And I loved all of those moments too. I guess I was hoping for a bit more? The plot/layout of this book is unique so it reads somehow slow and fast all at the same time.

Anyways. I’m moving on!

Overall audience notes:
- NA Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: heated make-outs
- Trigger/Content Warnings: underage drinking, mentions of abusive parenting 

I finished this book and didn’t know quite what to rate it. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but I leaned towards 4 and here we are.

What I did like were a lot of the conversations surrounding the main character, Tait, and moving past divorce and opening herself up for true love again. I still remember some of those conversations from this book and liked the passion and heartfelt emotions that come along with moving past something personally devstating.

Some of things that irked me were the complete lack of editor. I hope further books are looked over a bit more. It got better as the book went on, but an immense amount of grammatical and punctuation becomes very noticeable. I didn’t always love Henry’s POV either. It was occasionally cringy and I just didn’t love him as much as I wanted too. The spice is a bit past my comfort zone (but I know others love a bit more! I’d say a 3/5 flames).

I did like Tait and Henry together. I thought things got off pretty fast between them, but slowed down just enough that I was able to get on board with their relationship. At times, the family drama leaned a bit too much to the ridiculous side. I did like that Tait got to meet some of her estranged family and find healing through those decisions.

It was a good read and I look forward to the author’s next book.

 

First time I tried to read this, I DNF at 140 pages.

Second time, I went with the audiobook and made it through. Even gave it four stars. I’m as surprised as you are.

My main issue is this dang love triangle. I just can’t get with it. And I still like the wrong guy more too. For a bit it seemed to push the narrative for inner conflict within the main character, Elloren. Now it seems superfluous with how much of the ending went. WHY THO. The constant thoughts Elloren has about Lucas and Ivan make her lack depth and opportunities for growth in other areas.

Ignoring my romantic plot issues with this one and we can get into how intricate the other aspects of the story are. It’s a heavy political read with many sides at play. At times devastating and shocking. Throw your book across the room status. Other times, things seems to finally be going the right way. I liked this push/pull nature and it helped keep the story moving.

I do plan on continuing. I’m invested enough to see how book three will take care of a few plot lines. We’ll see what happens next!