SMITTEN BY THIS SERIES.

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I am now three books in and still wanting to read more. There is clearly something enigmatic and easy to love about these books and my favorite witch, Wanda.

These mysteries have been uniquely different and I honestly don’t easily catch who the culprit is. It only makes me want to read more so I can figure out what paranormal fiend has become the villain now.

Not to mention, the subtle romance that I know will keep building. I am caught up in a small love triangle and…I don’t hate it? I KNOW. I’m just as surprised as you are.

It’s hard to write a long review because these are shorter books. I just like the feeling these books give me. They’re on the lighter-hearted side. The comedy makes me smile and feel like I’m right there with this coven. For someone who isn’t a general paranormal fan, these have captured my reading heart. Can’t wait for the next one and see what Wanda is up to next!

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal cozy mystery
- Language: none
- Romance: an almost kiss
- Violence: murder (nothing bloody/gory)

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own!

CONVOLUTED.

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Yes. I enjoyed this. But also yes, some of this went over my head.

This is totally CREEEEEPY. Granted, I’m a wimp when it comes to thriller/horror books, but still. I preferred to read this in the daylight hours and I accept that. The mist and twisted souls wandering around had me second guessing every character in the book (with good reason).

I liked the formatting of this one with flashbacks (and forwards) to “videos” of what was happening at different times on the island. Also, who would even want to stay on this island!?!?

What kind of lost me, was the last quarter or so. I didn’t quite get what all of the echoes were doing, who they were following (and why), and a few other questions. A lot more world-building and deeper explanations would have helped me make sense of everything with Sophia and the echoes.

This is a highly atmospheric read and I think that’s why I thought it was intensely chilling. It kept me flipping pages fast and furious to see who survived and made it out alive. I enjoyed the characters and while I didn’t think the sub-plot of romance was all that necessary, I didn’t mind it. I liked that this group worked together to suss out the entities wreaking havoc on Bitter Rock.

Overall audience notes:
- Young adult thriller/horror
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder, attacks by supernatural entities

TRAVELLING TROPE.

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Oh goodness. I don’t *mind* a travelling story. There can be a lot to them that takes away form the fact that the characters are going hundreds of miles somewhere. Take ship stories for instance! They’re on the water plenty and I rarely find it such an issue.

Here? Yes, issue. Even in audio book form I was going wild listening to the repetitive motion of the girl or guy getting captured, then finding a way out, to start all over again.

In instance of The Princes Bride similarities, I did see some. I haven’t watched the movie in a very long time so I won’t speak more to this. But even a casual watcher of it could see where some of the story interlapped.

I liked Ama just fine as a main character. She was interesting. Loved her trying to take down a society that clearly has some flaws by forcing a woman to marry and not letting her rule in her own right. Totally here for that part. I didn’t even mind the love story that much because it was given from the start. It took me some time to get on board with the ship, from having to learn the characters, but I liked the idea.

I kind of think this should have been left as a standalone. With a different, more closed off ending, but I’m not sure how a full second novel will not drag about to continue this story. It’s a predictable plot, with slow pacing that really left me underwhelmed.

Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: snake bites, swords, physical altercations, poisoning, murder

AN ABSOLUTE NEW FAVORITE.

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This is one of those reviews I want to WRITE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

I didn’t even notice it was 500 pages (which is usually on the longer side for a contemporary romance) because it didn’t matter. This book was amazing. I am completely smitten with AARON BLACKFORD. Oh gosh. Swoon-worthy, romantic, stoic, loyal, an absolute cinnamon roll.

“Because when I finally take those lips in mine, it will be the furthest thing from pretending. I will not be showing you what it would be like if you were mine. I’ll show you what it is.”

Add together some of my FAVORITE tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace, only one bed, fake dating. Oh my gosh, how can you go wrong?!

Answer: YOU CAN’T.

I knew from 50 pages in I was going to love it. That’s how well this hooked me. Sunk its teeth into my soul and took me a long for some a perfect ride. Going to Spain, meeting the family, little confessions of love, ahhhh. I’m writing this review right after finishing so I am sporadic because I HAVE NO CHILL.

Watching walls crash down, and the most beautiful slowwww burn occur over this trip left me breathless. They discuss important topics with care and handled them so wel. My heart would flip every time Lina and Aaron got close. I couldn’t get enough.

“You feel complete in my arms. You feel like my home.”

Another great thing I loved was that the conflict was placed in the exact spot it needed to be. AAAAND it wasn’t overdone. No drag out, unnecessary issues. Pure, raw, revealing truths that made both characters shine brighter. Hot dang, I love Aaron and Lina so much.

A fantastic book. Had everything I want when I read a romance.

TL;DR: READ THIS BOOK.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses to a few open door scenes
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, sexism in the workplace, grief, unsafe dieting (restriction of food)

LONG AWAITED [WORTH IT] SEQUEL.

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This is such a hidden gem of a series. If it’s even remotely your niche I definitely recommend picking them up! The Lost Queen is the first for this trilogy and I was once again entranced by book two.

This is not a fast read. It’s one of those that takes you on a slower journey through the pages, yet it doesn’t seem to bother anyone. I like how this story moves. The characters feel right out of history (a testament to the research Pike has done for these novels) and the road they go on always leaves me in shambles.

Speaking of shambles, can I get some good news in the third book? I am overly distraught over how some of my ships went about their time together and need more answers! Granted, I know this is based on history, and I don’t know the exact history, so I might be in for a wallop of a time anyways, BUT I DIGRESS. I will hopefully get some kind of soothing ending to my favorites.

This time around the story leaned towards Lailoken and the battles he travailed through in wanting to keep his kingdom as it was. I love the way this is written and the clear character changes that show up as times goes on [it’s believed he’s the basis for the character we know today as Merlin]. I loved his story line. I still love Languoreth’s plot too. She is a fierce, protective queen who gets stuff done. And we added in a new story with Languoreth’s daughter, Angharad. I thought her pieces might drag a bit, but as the chapters increased it was clear just how important she was to the overall story.

A heart-aching read with war and strife, with people from history brought to life. I adore this series and can’t wait for the conclusion.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction [with some fantasy aspects]
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses; innuendo
- Violence: gory/bloody; war, battle scenes, murder, dismemberment and more

COVER DOES NOT MATCH THE STORY.

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I’ve never come across a more clear depiction of a cover and story not matching. Maybe because it’s an older book? I’m not sure, I’m just saying…the story is so much better and the cover does not do that justice in anyway.

On to the story portion. WHERE WAS VALEK. I do have a severe issue with love interests being established and then removed for 70% of the next book. That was the case here and gosh dang the story was incredibly better once he showed up. Not that I didn’t mind getting to see Yelena learning about her powers and all of that good stuff, but I wanted both of them more often.

Yet, I find myself unable to put the book down. I like reading them. Something about the writing style keeps me drawn in and I find that I fly through the pages. It’s an interesting story line and the side plots don’t always connect back in (because I’m still trying to figure out where book three actually goes), but it’s a series I want to continue.

These are a lot darker than I ever anticipated. I struggle with the necessity of this towards the plot line in comparison with other portions that are kept less explicit.

A lot of these new characters are interesting and I especially hope Leif gets a better story line come the third book. I didn’t always love how stubborn Yelena was being. Running off because she knew best, then getting captured again…and again.

I don’t know, this review has gotten ramble worthy because there’s plenty to pick from here. I am somehow attached to this story yet its flaws turn me off. I’ll give the third book a chance still for some redemption.

Overall audience notes:
- New adult fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses / make-outs; a few no detail, fade out scenes
- Violence: murder, torture, physical altercations, poisoning, swords, arrows
- Trigger warnings: sexual assault, torture, rape (mentioned about multiple girls, no full scenes, but smaller paragraphs remembering what occurred); suicide ideation, mention of suicide attempt, PTSD

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own!

GREAT MIDDLE BOOK.

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We all know that sometimes a middle book doesn’t have the same fire as the first. I thought this was a great second book! SO MUCH happened.

This is a high action book. Everywhere I turned there were dragon attacks, a whole lot of fire, backstabbing and betrayals. It was plenty to keep track of and I enjoyed the challenge. I really like the addition of Griff into the story. He was able to provide insight from the other side of the war. I loved his romance sub-plot and how Griff continued to strive for a better solution for his situation and of those he loved.

Getting more of Annie and Lee was the best. I love this push and pull relationship. It doesn’t feel contrived, there’s a lot both characters have to work through. Pain, grief and anger. Lee and Annie had to look within themselves and had wonderful character progression. The tidbits of romance only make me want more and what’s hopefully a long awaited happy ever after!

A high action book filled with tough conversations and reveals. I would definitely lean this towards a darker YA book. There’s war, high loss of lives, and some really twisted individuals. I looooove all of the dragons and this might be one of my top series involving them. I can’t wait for the finale and to know where all of this leads!

Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder, mass loss of lives, mass burnings, physical, creature attacks; fairly violent nature throughout the book

CAN’T STOP. WON’T STOP.

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But really. I can’t stop reading this series.

Not a problem at all.

There’s something compelling about the simplicity of a cozy mystery that has really drawn me in. I love following Wanda on her adventures. Her tenacity to solve the murder mystery, while also supporting those around her just works together beautifully.

I don’t know how I’m supposed to ship Wanda with though! I have somehow caught myself up in a love triangle, that when reading, doesn’t even read as one. BUT I KNOW IT IS. I’ve convinced myself it is at least, because I know where I’m still leaning. It’s at least not annoying me, so yay for a love triangle [maybe] that’s working for me.

I appreciate that this mystery did actually shake up location and story line. Got to take care of a few malicious witches, solve some family troubles, and a whole lot more. There’s plenty packed in to a small amount of pages and I love it. On to the next!

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal cozy mystery
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder (believed to be a suicide, but is found out to be a murder)

A WINTER MYSTERY.

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Why yes, I did finish this book in less than 24 hours because I didn’t want to put it down.

So much is happening in so few pages y’all! I didn’t know how it was all leading up until the mystery started being unraveled. I love how with each mystery the larger plot of the entire series keeps unfurling. I’m not sure where that’s quite leading to, but I am definitely here for the ride. I can’t believe I’m almost to the halfway point [There’s 11 books + 2 side stories].

This one made a few things clearer in regards to Wanda and her love life. And I am totally on board which I feel is why I’m still invested in this stories. It’s kind of hit or miss in that department (as it always is with ships).

I love how themed this was with Christmas and the Winter Solstice. It made it playful and fun even if it did have its usual dash of murder. I’m smitten with these lovable characters and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal cozy mystery
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder

STUNNING.

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It was a test of my willpower, but I have kept this spoiler free!

That’s the best word I could think of, but yet still doesn’t encompass everything I felt reading this book. I felt EVERYTHING. It was a beautiful and hard journey Nesta went through. This book just went on a whole other level. I won’t be able to convey everything I’m sure I’ll try to in this review, so in simplicity: I loved it. I love this series. And will add this to books I reread every year.

I know this book was about Nesta, but it has to be mentioned, CASSIAN. That patient, very patient soul. Oh my goodness, every time the sentiment, keep reaching your hand out, was used I couldn’t handle. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. And watching both of them grow and accept and love and all the things. I’m already incoherent. Cassian and Nesta solidified themselves as one of my favorite couples everrrrr.

The story was definitely character driven (I don’t mind). I was impressed that a whole new plot was unfurled and actually connected really well to the previous 3 ACOTAR books. I’m excited to see where each book will take us. There’s a lot to explore and so many characters to follow too! I don’t know how SJM is going to give us all of the answers, but I don’t doubt that she’ll be able to.

Can we also discuss the new characters? Nesta’s new friend group. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. And saw the inklings of where their stories will go and I AM HERE FOR IT. I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. They were the perfect pieces that Nesta needed to open up to others & start the mending of her own soul.

I found myself laughing many times and wondering where was my magic, smut reading house? I found myself crying many times because of the pure raw anguish of Nesta’s grief and coping (and that ending really had me). This was everything I hoped for in getting Nesta’s story.

It was interesting to see characters like Rhys for her point of view. There was such a contrast to Feyre’s (obviously). I really loved seeing all of the court in another way and continuing there stories too. I wish I would have seen more from some, but I understand the whole-hearted focus on Nesta.

I didn’t think she’d become such a beloved character. This story changed my mind.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy romance
- Language: strong throughout
- Romance: verrrrrrry open door scenes & lots of ’em
- Violence: battles, physical altercations, kidnapping, magic use
- Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief and depression; suicide ideation, loss of loved ones; discussion and scenes of past sexual assaults and rape