Review: There are not enough stars for how amazing this novella is! 

 

“The Exception to the Rule” follows T and C, two strangers who, after an accidental email, make it a friendly annual tradition to wish each other a happy Valentine’s Day—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As the years pass, it becomes harder and harder to abide by the rules for their email “dates” and they begin to question what would happen if they actually met. 

 

This story gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings! The first half or so consists of email exchanges between T and C and the fun formatting only heightened my excitement as I watched their relationship develop. Though years pass before they decide to act on their feelings for each other, the passage of time felt so natural and the pacing was deliciously slow. With each chapter, T and C share more and more about each other and because it is dual pov, the reader gets to see how their feelings for each other grow from both of their perspectives. This is one of those novellas that I wish was a full-length novel because of how much I adored T and C’s chemistry, but all in all, the epilogue left me feeling satisfied! 

Review:  My jaw can rest easy now that I’ve devoured this book (it was on the floor practically from start to finish). 

 

“House of Flame and Shadow” follows Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar as they rally everyone they love to save their world before it is lost forever. 

 

Sarah J. Maas is notorious for making the last 100 pages absolute chaos, but this novel jumps right into the action and kept me engaged all the way through! 

 

With her newfound abilities, Bryce is able to walk between worlds. Maas allows the reader to explore new and familiar places through Bryce’s point-of-view. Her complex world-building immerses the reader in Bryce’s new environment with other beloved characters. At the same time, Maas doesn’t lose sight of what is occurring in Midgard and makes sure that Bryce’s time in those worlds doesn’t overpower the main storyline. 

 

I really enjoyed the addition of Lidia’s points-of-view, no matter the pain it caused me. Lidia’s perspective gives the reader access to her involvement with both the Asteri and Ophion as well as her past. My favorite part of this book was definitely the development of her relationship with Ruhn. The mutual pining and sexual tension is just so well done. 

 

Of the trilogy, House of Earth and Blood remains my favorite. I anticipated that House of Flame and Shadow would take the cake, but despite the curveballs and shocking revelations, I ultimately did not find many of the character perspectives as compelling as they were in previous books and did not like the turn that Bryce’s characterization took. She invalidated Hunt’s feelings when he was trying to process the trauma he underwent (which honestly disgusted me) and somehow managed to master her powers while carrying out elaborate plans behind the scenes. I just didn’t buy it and didn’t think her behavior aligned with the character I knew from books 1 and 2.  

 

Despite these criticisms, I had a great experience with this book, as I do with all Sarah J. Maas books, and look forward to returning to Lunathion if/when Crescent City 4 comes out!

Review: A promising start to an action-packed series with a scorching romance! 

 

“A Fate Inked in Blood” follows Freya, a shield maiden blessed by the gods, as she battles to unite the fractured nation of Skaland under a power-hungry jarl—while also resisting her forbidden attraction for his fiery son. 

 

Jensen weaves elements of Norse mythology into her world’s magic system and I was immediately hooked. The idea that the power of the gods can manifest in those who receive a drop of their blood during conception was really fascinating and following Freya’s journey as she navigates her god-given abilities was even more so. Her character is very distinct from others in the book in that she is iron-willed, and fiercely protective of her family, which made her perspective more compelling to read from. 

 

Freya and Bjorn’s forbidden romance is so so good! I could not get enough of the tension, banter, and mutual pining that contribute to their irresistible chemistry. Bjorn is the perfect love interest: a skilled warrior that cannot resist fussing over Freya’s wounds, staying at her side always, and sharing a bed with her to keep her warm. I enjoyed watching the two take fate into their own hands by slowly giving in to their desires despite the forces keeping them apart. 

 

Unfortunately, the second half of the book lost me a little bit. The pacing slows and I found myself gradually losing interest as Freya contemplated the same dilemma over and over again. Seasoned fantasy readers may find the ending predictable, but it still packed enough of a punch that I’ll likely reach for book 2 when it comes out!

Review: Hazelwood’s paranormal debut is addictive and all-consuming! 

Bride follows Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman, who agrees to uphold a Vampyre-Werewolf alliance by marrying Alpha Lowe Moreland after discovering that  her future husband may be linked to her missing friend.

It was really fun to see Hazelwood branch out into the paranormal romance genre! I enjoyed her world-building and thought the history surrounding Vampyres, Werewolf, and human relations was very digestible.

I love how Hazelwood incorporated the mystery of Serena’s disappearance into the storyline. The breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout paired with the novel’s paranormal elements kept me fully engaged and on my toes.

While “Bride” is quintessential Ali Hazelwood with women in STEM, a big male love interest, galaxy apparel, and palpable love for cats, I think that Misery as a female protagonist ultimately sets this book apart from her contemporary romance novels. I found myself laughing out loud at Misery’s sense of humor and really admired her strength and perseverance. Despite all she goes through having been cast out from Vampyre society, she still remains inherently kind and is fiercely protective of her found family.

Lowe and Misery’s development as a couple is well-paced and her slowest burning romance yet! It takes a while for the characters to give into their attraction to each other given that they are supposed to be mortal enemies, but once they do, Hazelwood delivers on the spice! I couldn’t get enough of the caretaking while injured and “that’s my wife” moments as well as the snippets of Lowe’s internal thoughts at the beginning of each chapter!

This book ends with the potential for a sequel and I hope she’ll move forward with it full steam ahead!

Review: The stakes continue to heighten as Mafi slowly builds on her explosive series!

“All This Twisted Glory” picks up where the second installment leaves off with Alizeh searching for ways to fulfill her destiny as the heir to the Jinn throne. Cyrus, the ruler of Tulan, has offered his kingdom to her with one stipulation: she has to marry him and when time comes, take his life. His past is soaked in blood, so killing him should be easy, but the more she learns about him, the harder it is for her to believe he is the monster he makes himself out to be. What’s more, Prince Kamran arrives in Tulan ready to exact his revenge and he makes her an offer she can’t ignore.

With Kamran in Tulan, Alizeh’s two love interests are at odds. She finds herself being pulled in two different directions, unsure whether she should follow her heart or do what’s best for her people. Her inner conflict is so well done and Mafi doesn’t reveal who Alizeh will end up with until the very end, which kept me on my toes.

The addition of Cyrus’ point-of-view in this book allows readers to gain more insight into his character. While we are still left in the dark about the deal he made with Ibees, details about his past are slowly made known that shed light on the person he might have been if it weren’t for the devil’s intervention. His old hopes, dreams, and ambitions in addition to the torture he endures at Iblees’ hand add depth to his character and make him more sympathetic. The reader also gets to see just how deeply he feels for Alizeh and how tormented he is by Kamran’s interactions with her. 

Because Mafi spent a lot of time establishing the country of Tulan in “These Infinite Threads”, I expected more action in this book. In actuality, this was not the case. The majority of the book focuses on the palpable tension between Karman, Cyrus, and Alizeh instead of larger conflicts like the war between Tulan and Ardunia as well as the Jinn prophecy Alizeh must fulfill. The killer cliffhanger, however, proves that a lot is in store for book 4 and I cannot wait to see what Mafi has up her sleeves!

Review: Consider me Wellsophine’s biggest fan!

“Fangirl Down” follows Wells Whitaker, golf’s resident bad boy, as he bids adieu to his once “promising” career. Enter Josephine Doyle, Wells’ number one fangirl and the one person he doesn’t want to disappoint. Determined to undo the greatest mistake of his life, Wells shows up at her door proposing that she be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split his winnings. Before long their feelings begin to grow alongside their success.

This may very well be my favorite Tessa Bailey series! In the acknowledgements, Bailey reveals that her daughter shares the same Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis as Josephine, which makes this book extra special in my eyes. I love how she emphasizes that Josephine is so much more than her condition through her love story with Wells. As they travel together and grow closer, he makes her feel capable and healthy without being overbearing. She truly felt safe with him and those feelings are reciprocated by Wells when he begins to open up and shed the grumpy persona he presents to the public.

Wells and Josephine’s relationship is so well-developed, building off their past interactions at golf tournaments. Bailey also does a fantastic job creating romantic tension through their mutual pinning and boss-employee relationship. I just adored their dynamic as couple. Nothing made me smile more than Josephine’s sunshine personality wearing down his growly exterior until the sweet, thoughtful guy underneath reveals himself. 

Like her other books, “Fangirl Down” is dual pov, so the reader gets to see how Wells and Josephine’s feelings for each other change and develop from fangirl and athlete to something more. Both perspectives were equally compelling to read from because their starkly different personalities made switching back and forth so entertaining!

Review: Smeltzer single-handedly won me over on reverse age-gap romances with this book!

“Eleven Eleven” follows thirty-two-year-old Via as she moves across the country to start fresh after her divorce. Enter twenty-one-year-old Reid Crawford. He’s only supposed to be a one-night stand, but their chemistry is hard to ignore. The next time she sees him it’s because she’s on a date with his dad. Falling in love with someone eleven years younger is something she shouldn’t want, but what if he is everything she needs? 

One of my favorite things about this romance novel is Via and Reid’s relationship. It has so much depth and there are many layers to it. Smeltzer establishes that they are physically compatible at the outset when they have a one-night stand. From there onwards, Via and Reid prioritize really getting to know each other and go out on dates to become emotionally intimate. The dual pov really showcases how their feelings for each other grow stronger over time and the pacing of everything felt so true to life. It was SO good! I seriously adore Via and Reid as a couple!!

I also loved the internal struggle that Via faces throughout the book—learning to pursue who and what she wants without letting her age get in the way—it was so realistically done and I love how Reid was at her side to support her as she came into her own. 

Review: This is the second ya rom-com I have read by Ann Liang and I cannot get enough of her writing! 

 

“I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” follows Sadie Wen, the perfect student who channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. While some are addressed to her teachers and classmates, most are directed at her infuriating co-captain Julius Gong. When they are accidentally sent out, her carefully crafted reputation begins to crumble. But amidst the chaos, the one boy she is sworn to hate begins to fall for her true self. 

 

I have never connected with a character as deeply as I connect with Sadie Wen. I felt so seen by her need to be perfect and her people-pleaser tendencies. Julius calls her out for being fake, because she never allows herself to express how she truly feels, and she undergoes so much growth because of it. I loved seeing her begin to prioritize herself towards the end. 

 

Julius and Sadie’s relationship is top tier. The pace of the romance in this book is so deliciously slow with the most satisfying pay-off. Liang takes her time in establishing their decade old rivalry, even going so far to explain its origins and the point system attributed to it. It felt so real and her gradual blurring of the line between loathing and love is so well done. I especially enjoyed reading the contents of Sadie’s emails after Julius committed them to memory because they are what made them both come to the realization that they were meant for each other.

Review: I absolutely adore this book! It is like “The Proposal”, but in young adult book form.

“Just Say Yes” follows Jimena Ramos, a seventeen-year-old who had no idea she was undocumented. The quickest way to get her green card is to find an American to marry. Her best candidate: Vitaly, her next-door neighbor and friend. But Vitaly has his own plans for the future. So Jimena tries online dating…only she can’t stop thinking about him.

I appreciate how this book not only focuses on teenage love, but also how difficult it can be for undocumented teens trying to go through the immigration process in the United States. 

Within the first chapter, Jemina discovers that she is not a legal citizen. Her resilience and determination to overcome one of the most difficult times in her life is what made me love and admire her character so much. While I cannot relate to her situation personally, I understood her devastation and how badly she wanted to be a normal teenager. I couldn’t help but root for her.

I really loved Jimena and Vitaly’s slow development from neighbors-to-friends-to-lovers. They are so so cute and absolutely perfect for each other! I wish the ending was  more drawn out so that I could bask longer in their coupledom because I could not get enough of them. 

Review: Jessica Joyce has given me no choice but to read this annually! 

“A Risk Worth Taking” follows Claire Ashford as she prepares to pursue a job opportunity in San Francisco after she realizes how much her cautious nature has cost her. The night before she leaves, she decides to take a risk and spend it with Connor Stella, the gorgeous stranger at the holiday party where she’s bartending. But the weather has other plans, and soon one night with no strings attached turns into an entire weekend. Claire’s new adventure is just a plane ride away, but her heart belongs to the man she’ll have to leave behind. 

This was simply the most delightful little novella I’ve ever read. It was only 78 pages and it had me giggling and smiling like crazy! 

I am simply in love with Claire (my kindred spirit), Connor (my golden retriever boy), and their relationship. Sparks fly the moment they cross paths and Joyce works her magic to make their connection palpable. Their banter, the way take care with each other, and their physical compatibility made it clear that they were meant to be more to each other than a one night stand and I loved watching that come to fruition!