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Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for a review.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
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I seriously love this series. If I could convey this book in one word it would be: STRESSFUL.
I would have to put the book down and chill out my racing heart because everything in this book will set you on edge. IN THE BEST WAY. The daring adventure that both Teriana/Marcus and Killian/Lydia go on are absolutely captivating. I had to know what happened next. I NEEDED to know what happened next. This is easily becoming one of my favorite YA Fantasy series.
The ANGST on both sides had me reeling. Yesssss, you get those soft and sweet moments, but wow did the general will they/won’t they leave me excited for future books. I love both of these ships and am incredibly impressed at how well each character is built. There was more background stories added to everyone as well which helped me attach myself to them too.
Talk about JAW DROPPING MOMENTS. Things I did not see coming in any capacity that change the entire landscape of the story. MY FAVORITE. Ah, I love being surprised in this way. It only amped up the setting and the harrowing situations everyone kept finding themselves in. [Seriously, can my loves catch a break?]
I really recommend this series 100 times over if you love fantasy. These are a slower build, but have so much action it doesn’t feel that way. I love the Roman-esque inspired nature of the world and the magic system is fascinating. I can’t say enough good things about the Dark Shores series. I’m a forever fan of Danielle L. Jensen’s writing.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: Kisses to little detailed brief scenes (mostly closed door)
- Violence: physical altercations, battles, weaponry, animal attacks, corruption
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
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I seriously love this series. If I could convey this book in one word it would be: STRESSFUL.
I would have to put the book down and chill out my racing heart because everything in this book will set you on edge. IN THE BEST WAY. The daring adventure that both Teriana/Marcus and Killian/Lydia go on are absolutely captivating. I had to know what happened next. I NEEDED to know what happened next. This is easily becoming one of my favorite YA Fantasy series.
The ANGST on both sides had me reeling. Yesssss, you get those soft and sweet moments, but wow did the general will they/won’t they leave me excited for future books. I love both of these ships and am incredibly impressed at how well each character is built. There was more background stories added to everyone as well which helped me attach myself to them too.
Talk about JAW DROPPING MOMENTS. Things I did not see coming in any capacity that change the entire landscape of the story. MY FAVORITE. Ah, I love being surprised in this way. It only amped up the setting and the harrowing situations everyone kept finding themselves in. [Seriously, can my loves catch a break?]
I really recommend this series 100 times over if you love fantasy. These are a slower build, but have so much action it doesn’t feel that way. I love the Roman-esque inspired nature of the world and the magic system is fascinating. I can’t say enough good things about the Dark Shores series. I’m a forever fan of Danielle L. Jensen’s writing.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: Kisses to little detailed brief scenes (mostly closed door)
- Violence: physical altercations, battles, weaponry, animal attacks, corruption
STOP TYING KNOTS.
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I didn’t love this.
I didn’t hate it either.
But in reading I compared it often to The Lost Queen Trilogy. And that by far has more of my attention. This more fantasy based retelling didn’t do it for me by the end.
Curious tagline ey? Well, our lovely main character Guinevere would not stop tying knots for everything. Goodness. It was apart of her magic system but it because incredibly tedious. I was hoping for a bigger display of power or just something else. Instead, she kept tying knots, and I kept wanting to unravel them myself.
I don’t know if this was supposed to be a romance. It had some times to one with two characters, but…there was no chemistry? With either of them. I didn’t feel swayed one way or another and when secrets and lies starting coming to the surface I still wasn’t feeling any sort of way.
I love the initial ideas here. Camelot is such an interesting concept for a story. That’s what really drew me in. The tale of Merlin, King Arthur, Lancelot, etc. I am immediately drawn to reading stories of this type. This writing is a little more prose based. Not as much dialogue (which I know everyone has different opinions on how much of which they enjoy).
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy / Retelling
- Language: some light
- Romance: Kisses
- Violence: Swords, arrows, animal attacks, magical and physical altercations
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I didn’t love this.
I didn’t hate it either.
But in reading I compared it often to The Lost Queen Trilogy. And that by far has more of my attention. This more fantasy based retelling didn’t do it for me by the end.
Curious tagline ey? Well, our lovely main character Guinevere would not stop tying knots for everything. Goodness. It was apart of her magic system but it because incredibly tedious. I was hoping for a bigger display of power or just something else. Instead, she kept tying knots, and I kept wanting to unravel them myself.
I don’t know if this was supposed to be a romance. It had some times to one with two characters, but…there was no chemistry? With either of them. I didn’t feel swayed one way or another and when secrets and lies starting coming to the surface I still wasn’t feeling any sort of way.
I love the initial ideas here. Camelot is such an interesting concept for a story. That’s what really drew me in. The tale of Merlin, King Arthur, Lancelot, etc. I am immediately drawn to reading stories of this type. This writing is a little more prose based. Not as much dialogue (which I know everyone has different opinions on how much of which they enjoy).
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy / Retelling
- Language: some light
- Romance: Kisses
- Violence: Swords, arrows, animal attacks, magical and physical altercations
SMITTEN.
That’s how the first book in this series made me feel. It’s totally Hallmark + some steam and I am here for seeing how the rest of these characters love stories play out.
I easily read this in a day and I love when shorter books feel like the perfect length. I got the answers I wanted, the cuteness I needed and I only wish the ending was a bit longer to get more of Sophie and Braxton.
Braxton and Sophie were definitely an enemies to lovers saga (which is probably the number one reason I enjoyed this). They clashed immediately, but the obvious fire was there too. I liked how each one had some misconstrued ideas about the other, but after listening to the facts and learning more about each other they both had changes of heart. Sophie and Braxton seeked to figure out each other and how they could fit into each other’s lives.
Side story that I looooooved was that Sophie was a jewelry designer!! I just thought that was really unique from the romances I’ve read and adored how it fit into her personality and her life at large.
Dude wow, did I really loathe Sophie’s Mother. Finding out what really happened made honestly angry that a parent would put their child in that situation (and lie about it). I didn’t see redemption there, but I guess at least Sophie worked it out.
The steam was a bit much more my preference, but it can be easily skipped and the story at large is lovely and engaging. I’m so glad Dallas’s story is next!!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses to open door scenes
- Trigger/Content Warnings: infidelity, divorce, loosing both parents in an accident
LOVED THIS.
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This is my favorite installment yet. Namely because of one scene that I needed to happen, DID. And don’t you love it when you get what you asked for?
The mystery for this was also interesting. I keep wondering if I’ll eventually get bored of the murder mystery aspect and I still haven’t. Each one has it’s own tone and plays back into the true over-arching plot of the entire series. I’m easily wrapped back in each time wondering who is actually the murderer and for that matter, WHY.
I love all of these side characters. Max, Finn, Melissa and more. They are just the epitome of friends with Wanda. I would definitely read spin-off books about them (HINT HINT).
Now that all of these instances have occurred I am even more into this. I want to know how it ends and I can’t wait to finish this series too. I’m even planning on reading the Melissa side stories too!
Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal cozy mystery
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder, physical altercations
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This is my favorite installment yet. Namely because of one scene that I needed to happen, DID. And don’t you love it when you get what you asked for?
The mystery for this was also interesting. I keep wondering if I’ll eventually get bored of the murder mystery aspect and I still haven’t. Each one has it’s own tone and plays back into the true over-arching plot of the entire series. I’m easily wrapped back in each time wondering who is actually the murderer and for that matter, WHY.
I love all of these side characters. Max, Finn, Melissa and more. They are just the epitome of friends with Wanda. I would definitely read spin-off books about them (HINT HINT).
Now that all of these instances have occurred I am even more into this. I want to know how it ends and I can’t wait to finish this series too. I’m even planning on reading the Melissa side stories too!
Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal cozy mystery
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: murder, physical altercations
A LET DOWN.
This book really took me back. I was in a few friends quince’s growing up and all of the practicing, trying on dresses and learning new dances reminded me of the wonderful times those were.
There were many many ups and downs in Carmen’s journey. I think there was a bit tooooo much drama for me. Now that I’m thinking on it, I don’t remember many people giving out genuine apologies? Things felt brushed under the rug, even at the end. Carmen spent the entire (no, really) book angry. So angry at everything. I love a good character arc, but waiting until 95% to give it, was definitely too long to wait. Way more development was needed.
Mauro was super sweet at least! I liked his efforts in reconnectiong and understanding what happened intitially between him and Carmen. The enemies to lovers (+ second chance) trope is always a good decision so I wasn’t mad about that.
The plot was there and I enjoyed what I got overall. It was muddled on and off with many tangents that I didn’t know what the main focus was supposed to be. I didn’t like but maybe 2 (of the many) side characters. Nobody ever got better. No growth to be found by anyone who deseperately needed it. Waverly was an unsung hero and I wish more focus had been put on her friendship with Carmen.
Other aspects like Carmen working for a company that dresses up and princesses/princes for parties was fun. The parties with the little kids made me smile and was wholesomely sweet. Carmen’s video-editing hobby was really cool too! I would have loved to have seen even more of that as well.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door scenes
- Violence: a lot of yelling and familial conflicts, brief physical altercation
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mention of sexual harassment in the first chapter or two
IT WAS FINE.
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Not gonna lie. I’m glad I can be finished with these books (yes, I know there was more added and a spin-off series as well, I’m stopping here though). I just, struggled with these y’all!? It’s okay, it happens.
I fell more out of love with Yelena this time. Her character growth happens so late in the book that I’m no longer enamored with the concept. I was tired of her shoving others away to “protect them,” instead of allowing them to help her. Yelena also continually ran off to danger without a second thought. There comes a time to be brave and then just reckless and repetitive.
But don’t worry, our elusive love interest shows up in the nick of time to save her time and time again. Yet also, where was he for the first 200 pages again?! I hate that. Don’t introduce a love interest and then not even utilize him for the story. Ugh.
I enjoy the writing and the world itself. The plot may still be confusing to me (where’s the endgame here?), but there’s a lot here about recovering and working towards a place a peace after awful things have been done to them. I liked these aspects and how it was approached.
Maybe this series wasn’t for me, but I know plenty who enjoyed them. They’re a bit older, so could be a good backlist title!
Overall audience notes:
- New adult fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; a closed door scene
- Violence: swords, magic, physical altercations, fires, torture
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Not gonna lie. I’m glad I can be finished with these books (yes, I know there was more added and a spin-off series as well, I’m stopping here though). I just, struggled with these y’all!? It’s okay, it happens.
I fell more out of love with Yelena this time. Her character growth happens so late in the book that I’m no longer enamored with the concept. I was tired of her shoving others away to “protect them,” instead of allowing them to help her. Yelena also continually ran off to danger without a second thought. There comes a time to be brave and then just reckless and repetitive.
But don’t worry, our elusive love interest shows up in the nick of time to save her time and time again. Yet also, where was he for the first 200 pages again?! I hate that. Don’t introduce a love interest and then not even utilize him for the story. Ugh.
I enjoy the writing and the world itself. The plot may still be confusing to me (where’s the endgame here?), but there’s a lot here about recovering and working towards a place a peace after awful things have been done to them. I liked these aspects and how it was approached.
Maybe this series wasn’t for me, but I know plenty who enjoyed them. They’re a bit older, so could be a good backlist title!
Overall audience notes:
- New adult fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses; a closed door scene
- Violence: swords, magic, physical altercations, fires, torture
A little slow to start, but I was invested by the end. Definitely plan to continue to the next installment.
Gorgeous artwork and design.
Gorgeous artwork and design.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own!
ADORED THIS.
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Whole-heartedly. Such a cute young adult contemporary romance y’all.
This was utterly full of romantic cliches and I didn’t mind one bit. It was written beautifully and conveyed everything so well that I leaned into all of the obvious platitudes and felt myself breaking out in continual smiles over Liz and Wes.
Ohhh Liz and Wes. What chemistry from the get-go. You knew exactly where things were going and I appreciated the ride. Their witty banter, and soft moments made my heart flip and I love how things worked out for them. Liz definitely grew over the book and anything I was frustrated with her about was resolved. It made for a very quick read, I suprised myself at how fast I devoured this because the story kept making me want more.
I love the addition of movies and music. It was fun picturing this book with a movie flair and I think it’ll be fun to look up some of the songs mentioned throughout. I’m such a lover of love and the childhood friends / enemies to lovers vibe was perfect here. This is a happily ever after you should add to your TBR if you’re looking for something to give you warm fuzzies.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult contemporary romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses and make-outs
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent by car accident
ADORED THIS.
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Whole-heartedly. Such a cute young adult contemporary romance y’all.
This was utterly full of romantic cliches and I didn’t mind one bit. It was written beautifully and conveyed everything so well that I leaned into all of the obvious platitudes and felt myself breaking out in continual smiles over Liz and Wes.
Ohhh Liz and Wes. What chemistry from the get-go. You knew exactly where things were going and I appreciated the ride. Their witty banter, and soft moments made my heart flip and I love how things worked out for them. Liz definitely grew over the book and anything I was frustrated with her about was resolved. It made for a very quick read, I suprised myself at how fast I devoured this because the story kept making me want more.
I love the addition of movies and music. It was fun picturing this book with a movie flair and I think it’ll be fun to look up some of the songs mentioned throughout. I’m such a lover of love and the childhood friends / enemies to lovers vibe was perfect here. This is a happily ever after you should add to your TBR if you’re looking for something to give you warm fuzzies.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult contemporary romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses and make-outs
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent by car accident
CHARMED.
I felt charmed by the end my read. I liked this one much better than the first. Took out some of the uncessary hoopla and added it a lot more tension. Yesssssss.
I gotta say, age gap is usually not my trope. I love the way this was written! It was romantic and endearing. I wanted Zoey and Gavin to be together. I felt it. All the chemistry. All the vibes. What I was worried might make me cringe was incredibly well developed that I through any initial issues out the window. You find love at any age, whatever works…works.
This was easy to fly through and kept my attention. I was reading a second book at the time but kept coming back to this because I wanted to know what would happen next. I am soft for taking care of a love interest when they’re sick. And Zoey and Gavin hit those scenes perfectly. I love the adaptable nature of Zoey (and Gavin now that I’m considering the scenario). There was a lot to take on and move forward with and they handled it pretty well.
I didn’t love a particular moment nearing the end, but I am so glad it didn’t last long so my opinion of the overall book wasn’t wholly affected. I wish the ending wasn’t wrapped up so quickly because I wanted more of them after the inital on fire kissing scenes. There’s a really cute epiloge though which I am always here for!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses/make-outs
- Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce (cheating spouse), remembrance of a loss of a parent
WOW, HERE FOR THIS.
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Don’t sleep on this book guys. I picked it up on a literary whim and it turns out I loved it! It’s a pretty standard YA fantasy, but had that little something else that kept me intrigued and invested.
It was an enthralling adventure. For a mostly traveling book I didn’t feel like it took away from the sibling rivalry saga. There were enough changes in location, action scenes and quiet moments that made the whole journey come alive. I’m curious about the larger expanses of this land, but enjoyed what been initially given.
Okay, the romance. Yes, there is a tiny bit of a love triangle here. I wasn’t too phased by it though because it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen. I liked the lead-ups and steady rising chemistry between them. I found the relationship sweet by the end so I’m satisfied with it. We’ll see if book two ruins this though (why does this keep happening in sequels?!).
The magic system is still a touch undefined, but they’re a lot of cool powers running around. I liked learning more about them and how everyone fit into the nation’s hierarchy. This is something else I hope that gets expounded on in the sequel!
The ending has me gasping for some straws as to what happens next. It’s not a wild cliffhanger, I just definitely didn’t see it all coming. I like what was left open and can easily see another book for this installment (rather than thinking it should just stay as one).
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses / make-outs
- Violence: murder, poison, physical, animal attacks, magic, swords/knives/arrows; not overly gory
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Don’t sleep on this book guys. I picked it up on a literary whim and it turns out I loved it! It’s a pretty standard YA fantasy, but had that little something else that kept me intrigued and invested.
It was an enthralling adventure. For a mostly traveling book I didn’t feel like it took away from the sibling rivalry saga. There were enough changes in location, action scenes and quiet moments that made the whole journey come alive. I’m curious about the larger expanses of this land, but enjoyed what been initially given.
Okay, the romance. Yes, there is a tiny bit of a love triangle here. I wasn’t too phased by it though because it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen. I liked the lead-ups and steady rising chemistry between them. I found the relationship sweet by the end so I’m satisfied with it. We’ll see if book two ruins this though (why does this keep happening in sequels?!).
The magic system is still a touch undefined, but they’re a lot of cool powers running around. I liked learning more about them and how everyone fit into the nation’s hierarchy. This is something else I hope that gets expounded on in the sequel!
The ending has me gasping for some straws as to what happens next. It’s not a wild cliffhanger, I just definitely didn’t see it all coming. I like what was left open and can easily see another book for this installment (rather than thinking it should just stay as one).
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses / make-outs
- Violence: murder, poison, physical, animal attacks, magic, swords/knives/arrows; not overly gory