THIS WAS INCREDIBLE.

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Why did I hesitate to pick this up? The world may never know and I regret not reading this sooner. One of my favorite aspects was the readability. This was written with such ease and flow I could not put it down. I was drawn in from the first few chapters and smitten with the whole plot.

The BANTER and snark and dynamic between Nico and Camilla was everything. I was obsessed with these two and how they interacted. Perfectly heated and torturous where you can clearly see the connection forming between them. I loved Nico. Protective without being a jerk and was absolutely swoony too. One of my favorite micro tropes is when the guy picks out a dress for the girl and this NAILED IT. Camilla was stunning too. She showed a lot of growth throughout as she tackled new information about herself and understanding her spot in the hierarchy of her family.

I loved the setting and vibes this book gave off. It’s dark and gritty, filled with a steam-punk, gilded age aura but add magic. And it WORKS. I am so enthralled by this book. I absolutely can’t wait for book two.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: 1 open door; low innuendo
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: tobacco and alcohol use, kidnapping, death of loved ones, gaslighting family members, brief breath play, mentions of suicide (recounted) 

 VERY FRUSTRATING.

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I adored XOXO and this was a big letdown. I felt like a lot of this book happened around the main character and she was on the sidelines. Sori was helping everyone else and doing things for other people while she was standing still. I would have loved to see her more involved in the plot.

And the second chance romance was on the eh side too. The third act conflict about had me throw my phone across the room. The level of unnecessary drama to drag out the story made much of it feel like filler plot lines rather than a cohesive novel.

The audio narrator was fantastic and that had me holding on. Otherwise this book left a lot to be desired for me.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door 

DNF @10%.
The amount of telling vs. showing already happening was not a good sign for the rest of the book.

Thank you to Zibby books for the gifted ARC.

A BIT TOO MUCH DRAMA.

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I went in with good hopes about this one. It sounded charming and humorous and full of hijinks. Buuuut I think those shenanigans crossed a line into the ridiculous and I was increasingly frustrated with what was happening.

There were some cute moments and I liked seeing Olivia work things out for her life. She gets walked all over a bit before finally apologizing and going after the things she want too. I wish the focus would have been more on Olivia and not the other two brides.

Also, to note, this isn’t a romance. It’s fiction with a tiny dash of romance. I really wish Will had played a larger role in the story too.

Overall audience notes:
- Fiction
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: one fade to black 

 Thank you to the author and publisher for an eARC.

READY FOR THE SERIES.

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This has me all sorts of excited for the full series coming. I love this setting and the historical and faith aspects too. Even with a short (116ish pages) story I felt like these characters were incredibly well crafted. I could feel the emotional depth of what they were going through. I loved the faith aspects too. Those hit me on a soul deep level and I connected to the main leads so much.

It’s a nice intro to the where the larger story and different characters are going. I look forward to seeing the expansion of the world and learning even more about this time period. I love Sowards gorgeous writing and how well this book has been researched.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical + Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, major loss of life, mentions of miscarriages, near death experiences 

BEAUTIFULLY POIGNANT.

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I am the biggest fan of historical fantasies. They get me every dang time and this was no exception. I’m also a major fan girl of all books Katherine Arden, so I shouldn’t be surprised by this development.

I thought this was beautifully written and explored many nuanced aspects of WW1. The fantasy dynamics intrigued me and I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end. It brought the whole book (and certain characters) into an even better focus and the complexity is next level.

Freddie and Laura were great main characters. Giving two sides to this moving tale. The fierce love between siblings to find each other again, amidst the war, and ghosts, and love and all of these factors yanking and tugging them in different directions.

I could pick a few things I’d love a bit more of, but overall, this is a really solid standalone and one I would highly recommend to others. A book that is dark and vibrant at the same time and one that will stick with you.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fantasy
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: blood and gore depiction, WW1 themes 

 3.5 stars

LESS OFFICE, MORE ROMANCE.

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That’s honestly how you can boil down this entire review. I really loved Alex and thought he was a handsome cinnamon roll. And I even enjoyed the FMC, Casey too! Both were great characters. I did like them together, I just needed more of them connecting and hanging out (without work being involved so much) to really feeeeeel this romance.

There’s A LOT of office content. Honestly some of it was even going over my head at various points because I just didn’t care. I love an office romance, but there can be too much. This was that case. I found myself skimming over those portions to get back to Alex and Casey. Casey also tended to have random inner monologue tangents that took me out of the story too.

All to say, I would read another book by this author. I know it was a debut so I’m curious to see how the growth of writing goes in another romance.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 3ish brief, low explicit open 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SO TENDER.

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I love the way Emma St. Clair books make me feel. They are the right balance of heart and humor that make me smile and swoon. I love the kissing scenes and the characters and the way the plot works out with each story and this was no exception.

I adored Eli and Bailey. All the stars for getting dual POV. I loooved how Eli was the best kind of golden retriever MMC. Heart on his sleeve, big feelings and all the protectiveness. Good heavens I couldn’t get enough of him. And Bailey? Loved her too. I loved her shyness but willingness to be bold and open to her relationship and situation.

With just the right level of hockey content and omg a jersey moment, y’all know I LOVE JERSEY MOMENTS. And this whole group of hockey players/friends? AH I LOVE THEM ALL. The wedding scene was sweetest, softest moment and I’m still a melted puddle of those longing looks and heated kisses. And now I’m obsessing over many other scenes and y’all just need to read this one ASAP.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Sports Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (past), grandmother with dementia (on page), mom with chronic illness (on page) 

 3.5 stars

STARTED STRONG.

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I genuinely went in with the best of hopes for this one. And the first 40% were solid. I was intrigued by the magic system and world and all things pirates. A burgeoning romance was upon the pages and things seem settled for an amazing read.

And then I thought some aspects went downhill. The rest of the book was in one location and I needed more movement. There was also a lot of world building and magic explanations that felt info-dumping because we didn’t really see those in action. Having the book only in one place stopped a lot of expansion opportunities.

Then we had the love interest disappear for a bit on his own adventure which left the progress there become stagnant. I still don’t know if I like them together honestly. It does appear there will be a second book? I don’t have plans to pick it up though.

The last 25%ish picked up with some good twists and reveals. The villain monologues went on a bit but I was surprised by some scenes. I think I’m most obsessed with Captain Shade who absolutely needs his own POV.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high 

MY NEW OBESSION.

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This book absolutely blew me away. It was one of those books where from the first few chapters I could feel the five stars coming. I LOVE the world building and magic system and the whole vibe of this book is dark and moody and everything I love about fantasy romance.

And yes, the ROMANCE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I have a new micro trope unlocked after one scene. The push and pull and oh no we’re catching feelings-ness is exactly how enemies to lovers is supposed to play out. This is a true enemies situation filled with steam and heat and insane levels of tension.

I love that this was dual POV with both Gideon and Rune’s perspectives. Getting both sides of the story was exactly what this book needed. I love both of them. Flaws, strengths and all. I am obsession with their chemistry and there was one scene at the end that sent me y’all.

An absolute must read. I am so upset I have to wait for book two now.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 1 brief/vague open; light innuendo
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: lots of blood content, physical and sexual abuse (off-page)