Review: Though I favor “Fourth Wing”, this much anticipated sequel is fairly entertaining! 

 

Following the events of its predecessor, “Iron Flame” revolves around Violet Sorrengail as she navigates her second year at Basgiath War College. But this time it’s different. Her determination to survive won’t be enough, not when the age-old secret she has been keeping threatens to destroy the world she thought she knew. 

 

Like the rest of the bookish community, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. The cliffhanger at the end of “Fourth Wing” had me chomping at the bit as I eagerly awaited the action I so desperately craved. Admittedly, I got bogged down in the first half with the influx of new information in the way of new characters and a deep dive into the history of Basgiath. The second half, however, was like a completely different book and Yarros delivered! I became completely engrossed in the war Violet was thrust into and the role she played in turning the tide. 

 

I could not say the same about Violet and Xaden’s relationship. I lost interest in the couple I grew to love in book one when their romantic development regressed. Their constant back and forth stemming from the same argument became a bit repetitive and the “other woman” drama left a sour taste in my mouth. I understand that it is hard to hold reader interest once the main couple in a book have solidified their relationship, but I yearned for a moment where things weren’t tumultuous. 

 

While the ending was somewhat predictable, I was still left reeling! Its safe to say that I will definitely be reading the next one when it comes out. 

Review: This book is 519 pages and I loved each and every single one! 

 

“Love Redesigned” follows Julian Lopez and Dahlia Muñoz, childhood rivals who enter a temporary truce when they are tasked with renovating a historic house together. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but years’ worth of denied attraction is impossible to ignore. 

 

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is my favorite book of the year. I fell in love with Julian and Dahlia instantaneously!  Both are family oriented, proud of their Latine culture, and grapple with inner conflicts that make them feel real and more human. Their points-of-view were equally compelling to me, which is why it was extremely difficult for me to slow down and savor this one. I especially found myself heavily relating to Dahlia and resonating with her struggles. As someone with anxiety, I felt so seen and appreciated the way Asher represented mental health with such care in this book. I also really liked how she broached the subject of infertility and adoption to ultimately communicate that family is family, no matter how diverse the family structure. 

 

Julian and Dahlia’s rivals-to-lovers relationship was so well-developed and well-paced. The characters have a lot of history together and Asher does a great job slowly revealing bits and pieces of their past leading up to their unsuccessful first attempt at becoming a couple. I am all for the “right person, wrong time” trope and Asher masterfully builds off of Julian and Dahlia’s lingering attraction for each other in the present to invest the reader in their second chance at getting things right. The slow burn tension made their happily ever after all the more satisfying!

Review: “The Lives of Saints” is the perfect companion novel to Bardugo’s Grishaverse series! 

 

I absolutely adore the Grishaverse, so it should come as a surprise to no one that I picked this one up and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many of the tales of the saints, like Sankta Lizabeta of the Roses and Sankt Ilya in Chains, are alluded to in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, Six of Crows duology, and King of Scars duology, so I loved learning more about them by reading their full stories. I also came across new saints I had never heard of, which served to widen my view of Bardugo’s complex world and contribute to my understanding of its lore. In addition to the stories, beautiful illustrations graced nearly every page and they took my breath away. Those turning to this book to read more about this universe will be far from disappointed. 

Review: Lauren Roberts’ debut novel blew me away!

“Powerless” follows Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary born without the powers possessed by the Elites that rule the kingdom of Ilya. Left with no choice, Paedyn poses as a Psychic to blend in to survive in the slums and avoid banishment. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya’s princes, however, she is thrown into the spotlight as a competitor in the Purging Trials—a brutal competition showcasing the Elites’ abilities. Her survival is entirely dependent on the lie she has spent her whole life living, but her growing feelings for the prince threaten to destroy all her carefully laid plans. 

I absolutely flew through this book! Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, forced proximity, knife to the throat… the story was definitely written around common tropes and the plot resembles the likes of “Red Queen” and “The Hunger Games”, but it really worked for me because I grew deeply attached the characters. I was fully invested in Paedyn and Kai’s development as a couple and as individual characters. I particularly enjoyed alternating between their points-of-view because Roberts does such a great job capturing their irresistible chemistry and respective internal struggles.

I also took a liking to Roberts’ world-building. While simple, I was not left wanting. The kingdom of Ilya’s political structure, the system of magic in relation to the Elites, the Purging Trials, the rebellion headed by the Ordinaries, and the different environments the characters navigate fascinated me and have so much potential for expansion in upcoming novels in the series. 

The atmosphere Roberts creates with the high stakes her characters must grapple with and the action packed plot make for an impressive debut. Fair warning, the ending of this book is a punch to the gut and scream inducing. I most definitely will be getting my hands on “Reckless” upon its publication in July!

Review: If you ever were to read a novella, this is the one to get your hands on! 

 

“Same Time Next Year” follows Sumner, a hockey player on the brink of breaking into the NHL. With Sumner’s work visa about to expire, his only chance to stay in America and achieve his dream of going pro is to get a green card. Enter Britta, an ambitious waitress looking to become a part owner of the bar she works at. In exchange for the money she needs, Britta reluctantly agrees to marry Sumner, but the closer they become in preparation for their green card interview, the harder it is for them to keep their relationship solely contractual. 

 

Novellas can be challenging to write because they are shorter than novels, yet longer than short stories (typically being anywhere from 70 to 160 pages), but Tessa Bailey navigates the constraints beautifully. She tracks her characters’ fake marriage across the span of a year, cleverly homing in on specific moments in time that are sure to hold the attention of readers and further invest them in the development of Britta and Sumner’s relationship—like when Sumner insists on accompany Britta to a concert or when they went to their first family gathering as a “couple”.  Bailey also perfectly balances steamier scenes with more wholesome moments. 

 

By the time I got to the end, I wanted more, not because I was left unsatisfied (a feeling I often experience when reading novellas due to their brevity), but because I genuinely fell in love with the characters and their story.  I thoroughly enjoyed this little taste of what is to come in Bailey’s sports series and cannot wait for them to hit shelves!

Review: I’ve read this short story before, but seeing it adapted into a graphic novel really deepened my appreciation for it! Dani Pendergast does a phenomenal job depicting the Darkling in his youth. The illustrations paired with Leigh Bardugo’s text allow readers to get a glimpse into his past and how it informs the decisions he makes in the “Shadow and Bone” trilogy. This added layer of understanding only contributes to the complexity of his character and makes you question whether or not he is the villain everyone makes him out to be. I loved every single page and could not recommend this one enough! 

Review: Make no mistake…this book will have you in a chokehold. 

 

“Pretty Little Mistake” follows Lennon Wells and Beckham Sullivan who are forced to work together on a project despite the wounds they still nurse from their failed relationship. But the two can’t ignore their lingering attraction for each other and when one sizzling night leaves Lennon pregnant, they become a constant in each other’s lives whether they like it or not…and they just might be starting to. 

 

I picked up this book after stumbling across the author’s TikTok teasers and it lived up to all my expectations! I loved every single page. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—it isn’t easy to execute the unexpected pregnancy trope. Oftentimes, books featuring this trope depict two strangers starting a relationship based solely on the fact that they are having a child together, which isn’t a great idea when you really think about it. That isn’t the case in this book. Lennon and Beckham have history and their circumstances only give them a second chance to reconnect and find they’re happily ever after. 

 

Lennon and Beckham’s chemistry is palpable. Their playful banter is endlessly entertaining and their actions speak volumes for how deeply they care for each other. I appreciated how they were both there to support each other as they worked through their respective generational trauma without overstepping. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-AARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The third book in the Chestnut Springs series nearly checked every box for me! 

 

“Powerless” follows Sloane Winthrop, a prima ballerina whose life comes crashing down on her wedding day. Luckily, Jasper Gervais, her childhood best friend and star hockey player is there to swoop in and save her just as she has done for him. The two go on an impromptu road-trip to escape everything, but the more time they spend alone together, the more they begin to view each other as more than friends.  

 

This book has a completely different feel to it than the other books in the series and I really enjoyed it! The tension and pining that built up throughout the duration of the novel were wonderfully drawn out. The “will they or won’t they” movements further sucked me into the story as I eagerly awaited Sloane and Jasper to cross the line between friend and lover. 

 

When their romantic relationship began to finally take off, I felt as though the steamy moments were too numerous. As a reader, I wanted more regarding their actual friendship. There was a period when they weren’t a constant in each other’s lives and I was more so interested in them reacquainting themselves with each other emotionally before exploring each other physically.