Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the ALC

NOT WHAT I HOPED FOR.

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I very much enjoyed book one. So much so, I jumped at the chance to read this early. And now I’m a bit bummed because I was hoping for more.

There was a lot of good political intrigue and the story line did progress. I liked seeing more of those aspects and watching this found family come together. I think the audiobook is superb and plan to listen to the next one too. The narrator does an incredible job of bringing this story to life.

I felt like the romance took too much of a backseat, and practically anytime they were together it seemed to turn to some kind of physicality and I wanted different lines of connection to be happening too. There was a big betrayal, where’s some extensive groveling?!

Keera is a great flawed heroine and I do like her. She has her struggles and her triumphs and there was some good character growth for her too. I do have plans to continue the series and see what happens next.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2-3 open; mild-high explicit
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, murder, near death experiences, alcoholism, loss of a partner (recounted) 

Thank you to Bethany House for a gifted copy.

LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

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This book took me on a JOURNEY y’all. And I loved every moment. I read the first book as an audiobook so I wasn’t quite sure how it would translate to me reading in print, but don’t worry, Meyer’s crafts beautiful stories no matter the media.

I loved seeing how Maggie worked through deciding which place would be best for her to stay. Each time period is in a critical war era and clearly so much research has been done to bring the historical aspects to life. The transitioning chapters kept the pacing going and had me on pins and needles wondering what would happen next.

The romance starts off as a bit of a love square, but never fear, I loved the way each time period and love interest was handled. Even when I became undecided between the two I really appreciated how everything worked out in the end. It felt true to each of the characters.

I loved this book so much. I just have to say it again. The faith journey also hit me in the soul. I liked that it didn’t feel preachy or forced, but rather more real and impactful.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

Overall audience notes:
- Christian Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: mild-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Civil War, Pearl Harbor and 9/11), loss of life, chronic illness (celiac disease) 

GOOD READ.

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I was seeking a quick contemporary in the midst of reading a big fantasy and stumbled upon this! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading Laura Langa’s next book.

This concept was kind of quirky, but it worked. The fact that the Yeti was called Yeti for most of this book made me chuckle. And I think it played well into his back story and the things he was working to over come. This had an insta connection vibe that I actually really liked and I could feel the growing chemistry between Haley and the Yeti.

I was a little confused by one the plot aspects with the famous guy? It seemed kind of random and I don’t know that it helped any of the story that much. I did appreciate that when a silly third act break-up could have happened that it was worked out in a much more natural manner.

It was a good read and I liked the audiobook a lot. Look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: litttle
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: past verbally abusive/gaslighting relationship, past fire accident and trauma, donating blood 

I went in to this with some VERY high levels of hype and I was NOT DISAPPOINTED. I can NOT handle when the MMC is absolutely gone for the FMC. And Raihn WAS GONE. There’s even dual POV SO WE GET BOTH SIDES.

I CAN’T STOP THE CAPS I’M SORRY (but not really).

There was this beautiful slow build to the plot and romance that kept me wholly engaged. And about the 45% mark I was GLUED to my screen. I devoured the rest of the book needing to know all the answers and finding that amazing ending. I loooove how Raihn and Oraya both worked on their relationship. There was plenty to apologize for and concessions to be made and these two found love in a hopeless place AND I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

And the Vincent story line?? That about made me cry. It was EMOTIONAL. I am in absolute awe of how Carissa Broadbent took this character’s story line and gave it such an impactful and raw telling. That was not easy to do and she absolutely nailed it.

The high levels of action will have you fearing for everyone’s lives and desperately flying through pages to see who comes out on the other side. I loved all of the reveals, betrayals, big moments, little moments, and 100+ things I highlighted and bookmarked.

YOU MUST READ THIS SERIES.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: multiple open; high explicit
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of rape and sexual assault (off screen), blood play, violence against children, complicated father/daughter relationship 

MEH.

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I admit the beautiful cover sucked me in, even though I had friends give this book the same rating I just did. I was still hopeful. OH WELL.

The general idea of this book was fine. And the characters were also that, just fine. Setting, magic, world building. FINE (see where I’m going with this?). The entire book needed much more expansion of all the ideas. Too many things felt small or rushed for the sake of completing the story in one book and I don’t think the overall plot was strong enough to carry it through.

I liked the romance. It was a kind of cute second chance trope that caught my attention. Things moved super fast (my usual issue in standalone fantasies), besides that though, I did like how things wrapped up. It was a good ending and I was happy to see some necessary things resolved.

Darn you gorgeous cover artists.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: mild
- Trigger/Content Warnings: depression, a sick parent, light wound depiction 

SUPER CUTE.

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I hope these short and sweet audiobooks by Bastone never stop because I have really adored each one. This was another great, quick read that brought a smile to my face.

I loved Robbie’s BIG golden retriever energy and the reverse grump x sunshine dynamic. I know Marigold comes off a bit poorly in the beginning, but with this being so short you see the growth in her character quickly. Yes, it’s all a bit cheesy and can feel a bit much. I liked it for what it was and the boost of serotonin it gave me.

All of the interviews left pulled me out of the story and I wish those would have been shortened or not overall included. I know it was the basis of the plot, yet I was easily side tracked and wanting more of the romance between the main couple.

Cute and quick, recommend if you’re needing something light and simple.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses 

WORTH THE HYPE.

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I enjoyed this quick fantasy read. I know it’s been dubbed cozy and I think that’s a great adjective for this whole read. I thought it was sweet that nobody knew what coffee was and that Viv took the chance at making her own shop to help herself and those around her do something different.

It’s a super quick audiobook (with great narration). As a heavy fantasy reader I think I was still missing that deeper plot line and overarching connection within the story. But I liked all of the nuanced characters who popped into the shop and even how they all came together when disaster struck. It was a good read, I think I’d be interested to see if there’s another book in the series. Still on I’d easily recommend to others. Legends & Lattes was a nice break and gave me those warm coffeehouse feelings.

Overall audience notes:
- Cozy Fantasy
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low 

LOVED WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING.

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I honestly don’t even know how to write this review because this book consumed my soul and I loved it so much. It made me feel proud to be a woman and want to shout to hear these untold stories more. I LOVED Deborah Samson. Her courage and bravery. Choosing a hard path, but the path that gave her hope and freedom. I loved the way she carried herself and her resilient, hard working nature that bled into those around her. Deborah is the type of female leads in books that make me love reading.

The romance was completely different than I expected, IN THE BEST WAYS. I loved the age gap, forbidden romance and all the intense and passionate feelings between Deborah and [redacted because I don’t want to spoil]. They had amazing chemistry and I was GLUED to my page anytime they were in the same scene because the magnetic pull between them yanked me along too. I am a puddle after the way everything worked out and wrapped up in the end.

This book was incredible. I expected no less from Amy Harmon (one of my top five authors ever). I love the beautiful way she crafts a story and brings all of these historical aspects to life. I am in awe every time I come to the closing pages. This book needs to be read by all.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction + Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: vague fade to black; closed-door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Revolutionary specifically), indentured servitude, loss of life, loss of loved ones, brief mentions of abuse and parental abandonment 

Thank you to the author for a gifted audiobook.

IT WAS GOOD, BUT IT WAS LONG.

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I have had an up and down ride with this series, and this installment overall made me want to continue. I still feel invested in the overall plot and storylines for this cast. Towards the end there were multiple villain era-esque lines popping up and I AM HERE FOR IT ALL. Let’s make some of these characters a bit more gray because I have been waiting books to see this happen.

But 750 pages? Nooooo. Way too long. The amount of time spent on Dyna and Cassiel’s romantic relationship was, good heavens, expounded upon past the point of true enjoyment. I enjoyed some of the scenes that we did get (and that spice is kept on the more minimal side!), but I just needed less. I’m really interested in a new potential romance that’s brewing and some of the other character arcs almost more at this point. I did think it was interesting to get the villain’s back story because a lot more things make sense in regards to his dynamic now too.

The plot stalled here and there (as previously mentioned). There was some movement and I liked seeing where things are going. I truly did enjoy the audiobook a lot. It’s how I’ve read all of these books and I will continue to do so. The narrators do an amazing job and I continually found myself wanting to listen to this book.

Curious where the ending will take us next!!

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: some mild
- Romance: vague open door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, murder, kidnapping, torture, battle and war themes 

Thank you to the author for an ecopy!

SWEPT AWAY.

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Oh my goodness. I really took a chance on this one with knowing nothing about it besides the summary (and I SUPER appreciate the way the author describes it too because it gave me great insight into the book and helped me want to read it). Don’t expect a fantasy world with heavy world building and a complicated magic system. This is heavily character driven and you’ll easily be attached to the main characters.

This is a SLOWW build. In the best way. Goodness. I LOVED watching Selene’s story develop over the course of years. By the time she’s aged a bit (it starts around age 14) I found myself completely attached to her whole life. I wanted to see it all and I just loved her as a character. She makes mistakes, works hard to fix them, truly is trying to do the best she can to move forward and make a little slice of life that she can be happy with.

And then the romance??? Oh gosh. It is subtle and dang sweet. It’s tender and loving and watching these two develop from acquaintances, to friends, to maybe lovers? Every single moment between Elias and Selene felt important. I hung on every word and scene clutching my book, waiting to see what would happen next.

Even when the inevitable conflict arose it was magnetic. I HAD TO SEE EVERYTHING RIGHTED. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t come up with any better words than saying to READ THIS.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: mild
- Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted suicide, attempted sexual assault, violence, blood/gore depiction, death of an infant, loss of life