HURT ME.

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This book hurt me deeply y’all. DEEPLY. Honestly the ending wasn’t everything *I* was needing and left me a bit bereft and filled with all the feelings.

BUT, this was still an amazingly good read. I was attached to the audiobook because I had to keep seeing how this story unfolded. I loved the historical fiction aspects and reading about a part of history I don’t know a lot about. I love learning through books and this brought an intense amount of insight to the pain of the time period.

And I do love a book that makes me feel every emotion. I was on that journey with Roya and was pulled every which way with her. There’s many many things to unpack in this story and the complications that life ultimately brings.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction
- Language: none-low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide attempt, abortion, war, violence, child loss 

4.5 stars

Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook!

TOOK ME BY THE BEST SURPRISE.

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This was one of those books not on my radar that now has quickly become a new favorite. What a fantastic young adult fantasy book that gave me all the things I love.

I thought the world was very interesting. I loved the sand concept and the different groups of people mixed with beliefs and how the sand worked for everyone. It was intriguing and while predictably unfolded, still kept my attention and was just a solidly good read.

The romance is sweet, I wish I had gotten a tiny bit more tension or angst from them, but it was really heartfelt. And I’m curious where things will go in book two??

I also loved the three POV’s. They all provided unique angles and seeing the good vs. the misunderstood really shaped the story telling overall. I will absolutely be recommending this one and look forward to the continuation.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate 

Thank you Emi Battaglia Public Relations for the ARC.

NOPE.

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I tried really hard to find an enjoyment level in this one but I just could not connect from the beginning. While I liked the initial idea of the spontaneous trip with plenty of forced proximity to find some feelings, this was left with me wanting a whole lot more than I was given.

There were so many random scenes that I don’t feel like they truly helped the story move along. Random side tangents and way too many drunken kisses that wasn’t allowing for true connection. Both Charlie and Sloane had some small, good banter moments, but also spent way too much time arguing for no reason.

I was excited about the gaming content and instead received a sleaze-ball group of men who were so very stereotyped that it made me frustrated. It’s many men, but it’s not all men and I wish it wasn’t entirely forced. This did not have the intended effect on me. There were GLARING red flags from the beginning that honestly would have stopped the book after three chapters.

I will consider this my last book by this author.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2-3 brief open; low explicit
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of cheating, sexism in the workplace 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I LOVE SLOW BURN.

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Slow burn romances just hit different y’all. The tension and angst was pulled out beautifully and I was chomping at the bit waiting for them to finally kiss.

This was a beautiful love story with a lot of nuanced pieces that made of these two characters. I adored both Sean and Andie. The banter was fun and sassy, but then you can slowly see the breakdown of walls and allowing the other person to see a deeper side of you. There’s many complex situations happening in both of their lives and I love how they learned to do life together.

I do think this one felt a little more repetitive in inner dialogue, if that was scaled back the pacing would have been a little better. That’s my only iffy thing though. I love the way Stacy Williams creates a story. These are slightly heavier romances with the right amount of lightness and humor to show that hope and happiness is coming.

I absolutely loved all of the football and music content. There were some good things woven throughout and one of the cutest little characters around. Another great book in this series and I look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:
- Sports Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, poor mother/daughter relationship, loss of a spouse (recounted) 

 I LIKED IT.

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This book doesn’t have great ratings, but I enjoyed it? I did listen to it so that might have swayed me, but if you’re in need of a quick young adult fantasy standalone, I’d say give this a go.

I loved all of the mythology aspects and how they were used in this setting and world. The monsters concept was great and I feel like this had some interesting concepts I haven’t read recently.

There’s a little bit of a romance that grew on me. An unlikely partnership turned more is one of my favorite romance tropes. I also liked the found family pieces too. I love a group of people who come together and find peace and friendship with each other.

I thought it had an awesome closing fight scene and battle. I haven’t picked up a book by Christo since To Kill a Kingdom and maybe I’ll pick up the next!

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

MY NEW OBESSION.

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Holy cow. I LOVED THIS BOOK Y’ALL. It was dark and gruesome and full of all the things that make me love dark fantasy romances. This is the one to pick up.

I looooved how the romance was written. The fated sense, the enemies banter, the I just can’t stop coming near you, AH. ALL OF IT. I was a puddle of a person highlighting just about everything Erik said to Livia. Both were compelling characters that really set that opposites attract to flame.

The world building and magic system was fantastic and I was obsessed with the whole pirate theme. And the whole crew?? Loved them. Loved them all. There were just enough secrets being held and plenty uncovered and some of those closing scenes had me gasping.

NEED BOOK TWO LIKE AIR.

Overall audience notes:
- Dark fantasy romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: 3-4 open door
- Violence: high 

THIS WAS SWEET.

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I’ve made myself a mission to read Joanna Barker’s backlist and was happy to check this one off recently! I adored this friends to lovers romance. It’s just sweet. And I love sweet so dang much.

I do wish there would have been less suitors and more James, but that was my only small tidbit. I loved the character growth in Nora and learning how to be shy and strong and that those are not mutually exclusive traits. Seeing her Father and family fight to find peace and common ground again was wonderful. I love a tight family that may struggle, but you know the love is there.

A short and tender heartfelt romance and one that I really liked on audio!

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence, loss of a sibling 

 BEST SO FAR.

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I felt like I was actually interested in what was happening finally. Book two was kind of a slog for me so I’m glad that this one picked up. I like what’s happening with Eragon. I absolutely adore Saphira and the story is really amping up to an intense finale.

I love having Roran’s POV too. It really adds to the story and getting more sides of everything. There were many intense moments and this had a lot of those hallmark older fantasy plot lines that feel nostalgic and enjoyable to read.

The audiobooks for this series are great and I can’t wait to continue the series!

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

Thank you to the authors for an eARC.

MY HEART.

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Once I started this book I was quickly reminded how much I love this author duo’s writing style. It just sucks me in, makes me feel good, and the story only heightens all of that for me.

I adored this story. It was different, and I love different. I love the complexity of characters and thoughts and trying to find that way to love. There’s reasons and depth and a raw truth that I feel in my bones when reading. Falling in love is hard y’all. And also Benedict King should be protected at all costs.

There were alllll of my favorite kind of moments. The soft, the take care of, the laughter, the swoon, and the amazing kissing scenes. WHY ARE KISSING SCENES ARE UNDERRATED Y’ALL, these were spectacular. I’m sitting here thinking of all the moments that I couldn’t get enough of. This was full of everything I love.

And getting those epilogues? I will not apologize for being an absolute sucker for that kind of stuff. Give me all the glimpses of life in the future.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very low
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: very brief gun violence 

Thank you Berkley for my gifted copy.

DIDN’T QUITE CLICK.

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Well folks, this one let me down a bit. Started off well and I was interested, and then things never picked up. It kind of felt one note throughout and I was waiting to feel INVESTED and that point never hit for me.

The cooking content was good, I love a book that makes me hungry. I liked the setting and there were aspects of the romance that I enjoyed too. It’s a slow burn with a dash of banter and forced proximity.

All of the family drama and secrets started to bug me too. I was tired of hearing I can’t tell you yet, OHMYGOSHJUSTTELLME. It felt added in to stretch out the book and I felt annoyed by this.

I liked that that Georgia had some growth and found where she wanted to be. I love a good full circle moment and this had the ones I was after.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Fiction + romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating boyfriend, a mother with drug abuse issues, parental abandonment, driving under the influence causing a car crash