Thank you to Orbit books for the gifted ARC and LibroFM for the audiobook.

OH WOW.

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I loved the journey this book took. I admit it was a bit slow on the uptake for me but once the mystery started I was really invested. I love the way that Gillig writes and the torturous atmosphere created by the depths of the storytelling. It has the feeling of sitting in a medieval bar listening to a bard tell a tale.

The romance was filled with snarky banter and that slow burn vibe I often crave. I loved how the character arc for Sybil wove into the romance and how she grew to stand on her own. I love when characters take in new information and really DO something with it. There’s a lot of adventure with a traveling plot as the secrets of the cloister are ripped to shreds.

Honestly I could have seen this being an amazing standalone but I’m not upset that we get more books in this world. I loved the dark ambiance and characters. OH MY GOSH BARTHOLOMEW. I can’t forget about him. There’s seriously so many little aspects of this story that I can’t get out of my brain. The complicated craft of the world x magic system is like none other.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: mild
- Romance: open door (2-3 scenes)
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: drowning (repeatedly), murder, loss of loved ones 

Full review to come!

 Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

WELL I AM SURPRISED.

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I did not like the fantasy series by this author. And so picking up the contemporary made me hesitant, but you know what, I’m not mad I read it. I actually liked more of this than I thought. A soft four stars feels like an apt rating for me.

It’s very much a summer romance type of read. On location in Hawaii there were many beach activities, hanging out on boats and more. The idea behind having a three week work conference seemed a little far fetched, but I could be wrong, maybe they are that long. At least there was an intense amount of forced proximity thanks to a hotel snafu (IYKYK).

I did find the FMC quick to complain a lot (mostly about the hotel situation, it got repetitive. But I did love her tenacity in other areas. Trishara had a great character arc where she found the best ways to fight for what she deserved and the way to do so. I thought the themes were very obvious but I didn’t think they were heavy handed.

The romance was super swoony. I loved the slow burn (though when the spice hit, watch out). I just adored Rafe. He communicated [mostly] well and was sweet and protective and broody while rolling out good banter and heat too. The ex-girlfriend drama though? I hated it. It’s just a plot device that I don’t love seeing and I also find goes a step too far. That was my biggest gripe.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 4ish open door
- Content warnings: sexism, misogyny, racism, nonconsensual touching, blackmail 

 Thank you to the author for an eARC.

OH HOW I ADORED THIS BOOK.

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This was a huge surprise to me that this story was coming and y’all, I NEEDED it and didn’t even know it. I loved seeing Naomi and Camden’s love story get its own book. It was incredibly soft and tender. It’s low angst but high tension and filled with alllll of the communication. This book brought me peace every time I picked it up.

And getting to see the entire Appies team one more time was hitting me in the feels. The group texts and friendships make this book. I love how large this family is and how they treat and love each other through the highs and lows.

AND DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT FEAR, the jersey moment there and it was *on fire*. BLESS SPORTS ROMANCES.

Overall audience notes:
- Hockey Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: a loved one with early on-set dementia 

 WHOA.

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This honestly wasn’t on my radar until release day and I feel very fortunately Libby delivered a copy so quickly because OH MY GOSH WHERE HAVE I BEEN. This was like adult Divergent (but I swear if it ends the same you will feel my wrath across the globe) but add in more romance and I was SO HERE FOR IT ALL.

I can’t even go over everything I want to because there’s so much to unpack. The action was INTENSE and I loved the hidden identities and crossing loyalties and how the magic aspects worked into this dystopian-esque world.

I loved Wren, the FMC. She was wild and tenacious while battling grief and taking what she hoped would be the next best step. I loved that both sides have some twisted backgrounds because I think the exploration of that in the next book will be amazing. I want all of the history between these warring groups.

And the romance was heated. Such an amazing slow burn that was filled with that I hate you but I love you banter that sends me every time. There were a few key moments that my feet kicking and my voice squealing. The audiobook was incredible at bringing this book to life. Good heavens I need book two YESTERDAY.

Overall audience notes:
- Dystopian Fantasy Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: 4-5+ open door
- Violence: high 

 3.75 stars

Thank you to Get Underlined for the gifted ARC and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

I THINK I LIKED THIS?

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I will say the audiobook production was fantastic. I loved all of the narrators and the seamless switches between characters.

Now, the book itself. Well, I think I’ve decided the bones of the story are good. I loved the historical elements and the combination of religion + politics + war looming scenario. There were many scenes I was all over. And I didn’t mind the characters either. I could get behind them and can see the growth coming for the series (duology?) too.

The pacing is what threw me off. It can’t quite decide if it wants to be quick or slow or somewhere in between. And that kept taking me out of the book. I did enjoy the romance. I liked the snarky star crossed enemies banter. It’s got an edge of insta-love that didn’t bother me all that much.

I do have plans to read book two, which honestly is a statement of its own that I liked it enough to continue.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Historical Romantasy
- Language: mild
- Romance: one fade to black; light innuendo
- Violence: high
- Content warnings: mild blood/gore, self harm (for magic use), loss of loved ones 

 4.25 stars

SHE DID IT.

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I would absolutely read more paranormal romances from MZ. I loved this one!

My one little issue is the length. I really felt it this time around. The 720 pages could have been tightened up a bit but otherwise it’s a fantastic book.

I adored Henri and Nina. They are some beautiful souls. Spark fueled banter, chemistry for days and all of these soft tender moments that brought the connections between them. AND THE JEALOUS MOMENTS? Gosh those send me every dang time y’all. A perfectly well placed possessive scene? GIVE IT TO ME ALWAYS.

I loved seeing all of the different mythical creatures (of which I will not mention any, go read it!!). They all added a little something to the story and the setting. There’s also a big theme surrounding motherhood and that got me in the feels a few times. Wanting to do right by your children and making those hard but loving decisions to give them everything you can. It delivers a beautiful and impactful novel.

Now I’ll just be sitting here waiting for the next MZ release.

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal Romance
- Language: mild
- Romance: 2-3 open door
- Violence: mild 

 THE JOY THIS BROUGHT ME.

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Oh my gosh did I love reading this book so dang much. I had no idea how I would feel about this spin off series and it delivered. NOW, I will say, this is not a series to ponder every single page and break it down. Enjoy the ride, the drama, the banter and the family. Speaking of found family, I highly recommend reading the original Shatter Me series first to get a full understanding of the characters and world. This is set 10 years later and I think my basis of the previous series helped me enjoyment level for this one.

I loooved the banter and chemistry between James and Rosabelle. I love that he’s the sunshine character and the interactions between them set me of every time. They are a hoot. I love the push and pull and waiting to see who’s going to betray who and when all the secrets will come out. I liked that there was enough information here to turn the pages but that there’s plenty more to uncover as the series goes on.

And I loved seeing all of my favorites again. GOSH I MISSED THEM.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Dystopian Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: almost kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Content warnings: torture, starvation and lack of food 

Full review to come!

Full review to come