Thank you to Chloe Gong and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: Seeking out the next fantasy book that will destroy you? Look no further! 

 

Picking up where “Immortal Longings” leaves off, “Vilest Things” follows Calla Tuoleimi as she serves as royal advisor to August Shenzhi, who has risen to the throne. Only Calla knows Anton took over August’s body to survive her betrayal. The two must set aside their conflicts when Otta Avia awakens and her secrets threaten the very fabric of the monarchy.  

 

This book outdoes its predecessor with more power (but in the wrong hands), more repercussions, more politics, more tension, and even more  betrayals. Gong truly has a knack for making her readers suffer and I’m not sure what this says about me, but I endured every cliffhanger, volatile exchange between Calla and Anton, and unanswered question happily. 

 

“Vilest Things” is told from multiple points-of-view and I was captivated by every single one. Gong makes each perspective necessary in advancing the plot forward and unraveling what larger is at stake. As a result, I was equally frustrated and excited to follow a different character at the start of each chapter and discover a new piece to the puzzle. 

 

I am obsessed with the world Gong creates in “Immortal Longings”, so I really enjoyed how she expands upon it in this book. Gong completely engrossed me in Calla and Anton’s journey beyond the walls surrounding San-Er and into the outer reaches of Talin. Each province they cross into is accompanied by descriptions of the region and its customs to make one distinctive from another. The secret that draws them out there in the first place adds an element of mystery relating to the kingdom and its history that kept me on the edge of my seat! 

 

 Calla and Anton’s begrudging alliance on their travels had me in a chokehold! The events at the end of book one obliterate all trust established between the two of them, bringing their relationship right back to square one, and their toxicity festers because of that. Both still have residual feelings, but allow their stubbornness to keep them apart. Otta also serves as a source of tension for Calla and Anton’s relationship and nothing was more agonizing than watching Otta manipulate their perceptions of each other. The angst and mutual pining, however, makes it all worthwhile. 

 

Fair warning: “Vilest Things” ends with the most brutal cliffhanger. I thought the end of “Immortal Longings” was soul-destroying…but this is a whole other level. I could do nothing but watch it play out and I fear I might be scarred for life. Chloe if you’re reading this, I’ll forgive you in exchange for book 3. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: A friends-to-lovers f1 romance that checks every box! 

 

“Collided” follows Liam Zander, Formula 1’s golden boy, and Sophie Mitchell, the daughter of the team principal to his rival on the grid. Everyone is against their friendship, including Liam, who considers Sophie his greatest fantasy brought to life. So when he learns of her naughty bucket list, he wants to strike a deal. One season. One list. One dirty secret. What was once platonic is destined to be catastrophic. 

 

The chemistry between Sophie and Liam is apparent from their very first meeting. They chose to ignore it, but Sophie’s list only solidifies their connection. I could not get enough of their deliciously slow development from friends to friends-with-benefits to lovers. The added tension stemming from their age difference and the fact that they are on opposing F1 teams further invested me in their relationship. I think the “will they or won’t they” back and forth went on for longer than it needed to, but the payoff was rewarding. The epilogue gave me butterflies! I actually teared up a little. 

 

Both of them grapple with their own internal conflicts. Sophie is burdened by her father’s expectations of her. Liam’s past haunts him. I love that they met each other where they were at and helped each other grow as people. 

 

I adored Sophie and Maya’s friendship in this one! Seeing more of the camaraderie between Noah, Jax, and Liam was also a highlight! Asher subtly sets up book 3 nicely through their interactions and I am looking forward to what is in store for Jax.

Review: 736 pages of everything I’ve ever wanted in a thrilling fantasy romance! 

 

“When the Moon Hatched” follows Raeve, a valued Elding Blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, after she is captured by a renowned bounty hunter employed by The Crown. She finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles—a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. That is until Kaan Vaegor stumbles upon her. Echoes of the past race between them. There’s more to their story than meets the eye, but some truths are too poisonous to swallow. 

 

This book is a vibrant tapestry woven together with lyrical prose, an immersive world, a unique magic system, mysterious creatures, complex characters, and a beautifully devastating romance. I was captivated by every single thread to the point that I became so deeply entangled in the book that I was afraid to reach the end, because it meant parting the world and the characters in it. 

 

The first half of “When the Moon Hatched” is very slow-paced, which might be a deterrent to some, but was actually helpful for me as I adjusted to Parker’s intricate, dense world-building and parsed through her world’s rich history. Referring to the glossary and map was especially helpful and enriched my reading experience. 

 

Once the pacing picked up, I was gripped by the plot and the multiple perspectives I read from that contributed to its unfolding. I particularly love Raeve’s character. She is a strong, sassy, female protagonist that takes matters into her own hands and doesn’t allow anyone to make her feel less than. Her chemistry with Kaan is undeniable and I really enjoyed how it took her by surprise. She tries to brush it off, but not even their witty banter can mask the tension and longing behind every word, touch, and glance between them. The two are slow to act on their feelings despite my suffering, but the payoff is a balm to the soul. 

 

Parker really got me with the shocking revelations made in the final few chapters. I anxiously await “The Ballad of Falling Dragons”!

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: A dark, tragic, and haunting reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous villainess. 

 

“Lady Macbeth” follows Roscille after she is wed to a Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed. To survive his hostility and dangerous court, she relies on her wiles and hidden witchcraft. 

 

I am quite the Shakespeare fanatic and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is one of my favorite plays precisely because of how cunning and ruthless Lady Macbeth’s character is. I gravitated toward this novel because I was curious about Reid’s take on the character and though this is not the play retold from her point-of-view, I enjoyed it for what it is! Reid’s reimagining gives Lady Macbeth her own name, a past, and occult power that cleverly expands on Shakespeare’s original work. In Reid’s rendition, she captures a woman living in a patriarchal society who has her voice violently taken away by the men around her. Roscille’s fear surrounding abuse at the hand of men is what fuels her scheming and manipulation—what ultimately turns her into Lady Macbeth. She doesn’t want a crown, she wants to survive. She uses her beauty as a weapon in retaliation against those holding her womanhood against her. She finds power in her rage, which she acts on only after it has festered. I think that is the key difference between Roscille and Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth—in a world that does not favor women, she is less ambitious and more reactive in a sense. This new portrayal took some getting used to, but once I did, I appreciated how it widened my perspective. 

 

I was entranced by Reid’s atmospheric and lyrical writing. The intention and power behind each and every word adds depth to Roscille’s character, showing the extent of her wiles and smarts. The bits of proverbial wisdom Reid sprinkles throughout allow her to emulate the bard himself in her own way. What I love most is how Reid uses various names for each character to reflect the different languages being spoken at the time. 

 

➾ NOTE: After careful reflection and reading reviews written by my peers, it has been pointed out that this book can be interpreted as xenophobic. Intentional or not, most, if not all, of the Scottish characters—an ethnic group that Roscille does not belong to—are underdeveloped and described as brutish, violent, and evil. This characterization is unfair and in no way pays homage to the source material. 

Review: #2 in the series but #1 in my heart!

 

“A Photo Finish” follows Violet Eaton, a jockey at Gold Rush Ranch, after an injury forces her to move in with Cole Harding, one of her grumpy coworkers. Little does she know, Cole is the same man she had a secret online relationship with a few years back…and he still can’t get her out of his head. 

 

I love the pacing of this one, the heartwarming friendships, and Violet and Cole’s grumpy x sunshine dynamic. The spark between them is slow to ignite, but once it does the wait is definitely worth it because what happens in the horse stall is everything! 

 

My favorite part of this book was watching Violet and Cole fall in love with each other twice—in person and online. Silver begins each chapter with flashbacks that consist of their online chats. She then transitions to Violet and Cole’s interactions in the present. Silver reveals the details surrounding their shared past little by little so as to conceal the full scope of their relationship until the very end—when both of their worlds collide. 

 

I love that the romance wasn’t the only focal point in the story. As a former soldier, Cole struggles with PTSD. Not only that, but his father’s death has a lasting impact on him. Throughout the book, he actively seeks out help from a therapist and I appreciated the care with which Silver depicts his mental health struggles. Further, I love how patient Violet is with him. She is always there to lend an ear and doesn’t treat him differently because of what he is going through. 

 

Having read the Chestnut Springs series first, I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the baby sister of all the Eaton brothers and how she found the man of her dreams! 

Review: A hate-to-love romance that will make your heart race! 

 

“Chasing the Slipstream” follows Rowan Emerson, a force to be reckoned with in the world of Formula 1, and Avery Sharma-Maddox, his new press officer, as their turbulent connection gives way to forbidden desires. 

 

Rowan and Ava have a really fun dynamic not only as a f1 driver and press officer, but also as rivals! Though their bickering goes a smidge too far at times, it still has a playfulness to it that I enjoyed. Their rivalry creates great tension and I love how their hatred for each other gradually transformed into lust! Learning that they were both secretly attracted to each other when they first began working on the same racing team three years prior made their relationship development that much more satisfying. 

 

I think this book was a bit longer than it needed to be, but I really appreciated the messages conveyed throughout: 1) everyone is worthy of love and 2) winning doesn’t always equate a trophy. Readers that are fond of open door spice and looking to get caught up in the world of Formula 1 should definitely pick this one up!

Review: Fans of Gold Rush Ranch won’t want to miss out on this one! 

 

“Out of the Gate” follows Ada Wilson, an aspiring racehorse owner, and Dermot Harding, the employee on her father’s ranch that is ten years older than her, as all their reasons for staying away from each other fall away the more time they spend together. 

 

I really enjoyed getting a taste of Gold Rush Ranch in its infancy as well as Dermot and Ada’s story! Their characters play an integral role in Vaughn’s story with Dermot’s decisions weighing heavy on the grandson he raised and the reputation of the ranch following his death. In this novella, the motivations behind his decisions are revealed, filling in the gaps and adding more pieces to the puzzle in order to inform the series as a whole. 

 

Having gotten a snapshot of their relationship in “Off to the Races”, it was really cool to see how Dermot and Ada’s love blossomed! Their romance is fast-paced, but still fully developed because of the history Silver establishes between Dermot and Ada. I could feel the longing, heartache, and frustration behind every lingering look and touch. When they finally gave in to their electric chemistry in spite of their age difference, all was right with the world!