Full review to come!

THAT ENDING.

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This series has blown me away. It came out of nowhere for me and now I am sucked into this world and these characters and wish I could binge the entire series right now.

I love Diem. I love that she is utterly flawed, but also works hard for the things she wants. Stubborn, loyal and always learning, she makes a lot of leaps in this book. I loved the progression of Diem learning her magic. I did want to shake her about the Henri plot line, but I’m glad that finally ended where I wanted it to.

LUTHER. I felt like I could highlight every time he spoke because that man had a way with words. I loved how fiercely protective he is and the power of his presence throughout the story.

The plot has a beautiful pace. I loved the soft moments and all the action and how we really got to watch Diem in her new role. Based on the ending I now have no idea where this is going and I’m simultaneously terrified and absolutely stoked.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: some mild
- Romance: one brief almost scene
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of loved ones, blood/gore depiction 

NEW SERIES FAVORITE.

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I don’t even know how to write this review.

One. Because this book was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.
Two. Because I in no way want to spoil a single thing about it.

I loved the direction PB took for the storyline. It really came back around to Darrow and his continual character arc. I loved SO MANY of the moments Darrow got to have and confronting a lot of past choices and gaining opportunities needed for the final showdown in Red God. The relationship between Darrow, Sevro and Cassius is hands down one of my favorite men groups around. I LOVE THEM. It’s filled with complexity, tough love and unwavering support.

I’m pretty sure I moved through every emotion possible throughout. The way I love many of these characters and love to hate many others. There’s a much better balance of action to politicking and slower moments. Pierce Brown knocked it out of the park.

And I feel like I could keep talking about other aspects of this

Overall audience notes:
- Sci-fi / Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: high blood/gore, loss of loved ones, battle and war themes 

Thank you to the author for a copy!

OH HOW SWEET.

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That’s the vibe of this whole book. It is SWEET. If you need something that doesn’t have a lot of angst with two people who are clearly into each other, pick this one up. I appreciate that it never came off as a love triangle or anything. You know the endgame from the beginning and it was cute watching them realize how much they loved each other.

I adored Liam and Charlotte. I liked their personalities and strengths. Both exhibited many good qualities and I liked seeing them separate as much as together. Honestly I could have used even more time of them together because I liked the banter and tender ways they look after the other.

There’s a little bit of drama, definitely some reminiscent pieces of The Selection Series and Princess Diaries 2 (my personal fav), and some good kissing scenes too. This was my first by Schimmoeller, but won’t be my last. I have my eyes on the third book in this series!!

Note: I read this without having read the first and didn’t have any issues!

Overall audience notes:
- Modern Royal Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: grief surrounding loss of parents 

Thank you to Orbit for the ARC.

DISAPPOINTED.

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This book was a struggle to get through. I think unfortunately I got off on the wrong foot with it because I wasn’t super into the writing style and it went downhill from there.

I’m very confused by the world building. It’s fantasy, but sci-fi, but dystopian? I’m not quite sure and I wish some more time was spent in creating a world that made sense.

The characters were pretty cardboard too. My favorite was Leo. That man was jumping off the deep end, but at least he was doing something and had a personality. You never knew quite what he was going to do next and that was somewhat intriguing. Yassen and Elena were every fantasy main character you’ve ever seen. There romance was suuuuper lack luster and I wanted to connect more with them too. For 500 pages I felt like a lot was missing.

There’s some cool ideas here with the Phoenix/Prophet scenario. I was surprised by some of the things that happened at the end. But I can’t tell you if I want to pick up book two. Maybe on audio.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: one very brief & vague
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle themes, torture, being burned alive, mass murder 

LACKING CHEMISTRY.

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This is a super quick read, and I think that was a bit of the plot’s downfall. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Luke and Allie. It was an attempt at enemies to lovers then it jumped to them jumping each other and I was left in the dust.

The single Dad trope was good. And I loved the Allie became the owner. There’s some good moments throughout and there’s plenty of solid football content too. And that third act? If you’ve read it, you know why that would make me a bit cranky.

I did like both characters on their own. Well built, mature and strong. I loved how great of a Dad Luke was and his consistent nature. Allie took a lot of new things thrown at her with such grace and poise. I loved the way she handled things.

I kind of want to try another book by this author, but I’m on the fence.

Overall audience notes:
- Sports Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: multiple open; high explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (off page) 

Maybe 4.5 stars?

LOVED.

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Took a swing at another Devney Perry book and this was a HIT. I was in a chokehold over Ford. I loooved how much he was IN. He wanted all of Millie and continually made a point of showing that in word and deed. We are here for a man like that. Swooned in a puddle 100x over.

I also really loved Millie. She finally got the chance to clear the air, reconnect and find her happily ever after. I absolutely loved that she was an assistant AD. Ford as a single Dad was immaculate. And the football content was everything you want in a sports romance.

The burn is pretty quick and I do wish there was a bit more something. Some more angsty buildup? I don’t know, there’s just this last little thing niggling me that was missing. The ending was too dang good though and I am can’t wait for book two.

Overall audience notes:
- Sports Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: 4+ open; high explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce, cheating ex (who also is a neglectful parent) 

 INFORMATIVE.

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I looooved how much this book taught me. Easily my favorite aspect of reading this. And I also loved the way the audio was put together too. The whole production was fantastic.

I liked Lilah as a FMC. Very much a YA lead, and easily relatable to first love, finding your path and trying to enjoy those last breaths of summer. I loved the camp setting and all of the growth it allowed for. I do wish the book was a bit more positive overall. Not that it was heavy, but the negativity seemed at the front a lot.

The romance was super cute. I loved seeing Isaac and Lilah figure each other out and stumble as they connected. It was realistic and sweet and I liked how the ending was handled with them too.

This was a great debut novel and I think a solid young adult book for teenagers.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: many accounts of ableism, accusation and wrongful police arrest 

EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED.

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I started this one off not knowing how I would feel about it and then found myself holding my hand to my open mouth in shock watching the other shoe drop angry I had to put my audio book away for real life things because I NEEDED ANSWERS. Cleary this book wrapped me up and I was utterly smitten with Dylan and Zoe.

This turned out to be a really sweet strangers to friends to lovers scenario. I loved the forced proximity and all of the subtle moments that brought Dylan and Zoe together. I can’t help but love a good jealousy or protective moment and this had BOTH. I can also happily say this is definitely a sports romance. I loved the football aspects that were woven in well to the plot too.

I thought the Mark thing was initially off putting until fully explained and I wish that that creep factor hadn’t bee there at all. I don’t have any major issues otherwise. This was a swoony new adult romance that I could not put down.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Sports Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 3-4 open; high explicit
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: rape (occurs to a side character, aftermath depicted), physical assault 

WAY TOO LONG.

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I don’t think I would have gotten through this if it wasn’t for buddy reading it and listening to it on audio. I just don’t know why this needed to be nearly 1,000 pages long? It’s basically one very long-winded travel story with out a whole lot happening until the last 20%.

Not to mention, I waited WAY TOO FLIPPIN’ LONG to find out more about how the romance is working out. I won’t say details for spoiler reasons. But I’m very conflicted and was hoping for a different angle. I don’t know, maybe book three will work this issue out.

There’s some good moments throughout. The plot did eventually move forward at a glacial pace. I still needed more action and more general things happening. There’s random POV’s of some of the side characters thrown in and I also don’t think this added to the story.

I have been waiting for this sequel for years and I really wish it had worked out as a better read for me. Will I read book three? Probably so.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy + Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2-3 open door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: battle scenes, blood/gore depiction, sexual assault, murder, physical and weapons violence, loss of loved ones