Review: I’m a little late to the party reading this one, but hey…better late than never, right? 

 

“Twisted Games” follows Bridget von Ascheberg, the Princess of Eldorra, and Rhys Larsen, the elite bodyguard charged with protecting her. They aren’t meant o become emotionally involved, especially after Bridget’s brother abdicates the throne, but each day they spend together makes it harder to resist the love that could doom them both. 

 

I really really love bodyguard romances and Huang took it to a whole new level! This book is dual pov, so the reader gets to see how Bridget and Rhys’ less than tolerable working relationship transforms into something more intimate. Their chemistry on the page is unbelievable. The gazebo scene…that’s all I’ll say and you’ll have to read it for yourself to understand. 

 

I also really liked the depth of Huang’s characters. They have complicated pasts and inner demons they battle. The darker subject matter is well balanced with several scenes that reminded me of “The Princess Diaries 2”, which is one of my comfort films. 

 

I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series and explore Huang’s newer releases in the future! 

Thank you to Sammie for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: Clare’s departure from the Shadowhunter world is sure to make its mark in the adult fantasy genre. 

 

“Sword Catcher” follows Kel, an orphan turned Sword Catcher (the body double of the Prince of Castellane) and Lin Caster, a physician and one of the Ashkar possessing magical abilities. After a failed assassination attempt brings the two outcasts together—they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld—and find themselves at the center of world-altering change. 

 

The element of romance takes a backseat to Clare’s immersive world-building. She provides the reader with detailed descriptions surrounding the region of Castellane—the walled city of the Ashkar, the Ragpicker King’s Black Mansion, Marivent from which the royal family rules, and the mountains and ocean bordering the kingdom—as well as neighboring regions she makes distinctive from one another. Additionally, she goes into depth about the role of the charter families of Castellane in relation to the monarchy, the beliefs of the Ashkar, the kingdom’s rich history and politics, and the diverse cultures making up the diverse populace. I especially like how she used excerpts from ancient texts at the beginning of each chapter as a means of foreshadowing and filling in any gaps in understanding. While I must admit that I was overwhelmed at times, I am more so impressed by how elaborate and intricate Clare’s world is. 

 

Of the two points-of-view the story alternates between, I really enjoyed Lin’s perspective the most. Because she is one of the Ashkar, she gives the reader great insight on Clare’s magic system, which is fascinating in and of itself. I found myself rooting for her in her aims because of her selfless nature, fierce determination, and inner strength. Kel, on the other hand, was less compelling to me as a character. While his role as a Sword Catcher is certainly intriguing, I was more interested in the narratives of side characters like the Ragpicker King and brooding Prince Conor. 

 

The ending, however, more than makes up for my criticisms. In true Cassandra Clare fashion, my jaw was on the floor and I have been left to suffer until book two comes out. 

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

Review: Christo’s newest release is a staple for spooky season! 

 

“The Night Hunt” follows Atia, a monstrous girl who feeds on fear, and Silas, a Herald of death that cannot remember his past, as they work together break their respective curses and destroy the Gods. 

 

Christo’s world-building lured me in from the start and did not once lose my interest over the course of the novel. She familiarizes the reader with the supernatural beings that exist among humans in her world (vampires, nefas, banshees, and lykai to name a few), the limits of their power, and the rules they must abide by as enforced by the Gods. She does all this and more without overwhelming the reader with too much information, which is something I greatly appreciated. 

 

I could not get enough of Atia and Silas’ forbidden love story, especially considering that it is born from forced proximity. In the beginning, the two despise each other because of the rift between Gods and monsters. The only reason they are willing to set aside their differences and work together is because they are preoccupied with breaking their own curses. With time, however, they begin to care for each other and rid themselves of the loneliness they once felt. 

 

I also adored the found family that is established in this book. Atia and Silas do not embark on their quest without the help of Tristan, a monster scholar, and Cillian, who is half banshee and half human. At first glance, they all couldn’t be more different from one another, but the reason they work well together as a team is because they are accepting of those differences and find strength in them. I find that underlying message beautiful and loved the book all the more for it!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Grace’s latest in the Maple Hills series is a swoonworthy summer read! 

 

“Wildfire” follows Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts who reconnect at a summer camp where they are both counselors after a passionate one-night stand. Will the two learn to peacefully co-exist or will they end up breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing” rule? After all, some rules are meant to be broken. 

 

More than anything else, this is a book about the family you choose. Both Russ and Aurora have complicated home lives—the former’s father having a gambling addiction and the letter’s father neglecting her. As a result, they both feel broken, but manage to find safety in each other as they heal. I love how Grace emphasizes that Russ and Aurora don’t need each other to be strong, but they have each other all the same. 

 

Russ and Aurora’s love story is endearing and felt very true to life. Their development from strangers to friends to lovers is not without its trials and tribulations, but their undying support and love for each other help them grow as people and as a couple. Their wildly different personalities contribute to their amazing chemistry and the sexual tension created as a result of their forced proximity in an environment with strict rules that need to be adhered to has a huge payoff when they finally decide to throw caution to the wind. 

 

The atmosphere Grace creates surrounding her fictional summer camp Honey Acres is cozy, lively, and of course, utterly romantic. I adored the campers both Russ and Aurora interacted with and the activities they took part in. I also really enjoyed learning about the camp’s history through Aurora, as she reminisced on the summers she spent there as a child. 

 

With each new book, Grace’s writing gets better and better! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Henry in the next book in the series!

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: This book is the holiday rom com of my dreams!

“Wreck the Halls” follows both Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins—the adult children of two former rock stars—who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert. When they met as teenagers, the two felt an instant connection, but it is nowhere near comparable to the intense attraction that only heightens as they undergo rock star shenanigans to make the Steel Birds reunion a reality. But as Christmas Eve approaches, a decades-old scandal threatens to ruin everything.

I don’t normally love the “insta-love” trope, but I’ll always make an exception for Tessa Bailey and I’ll tell you why. While Beat and Melody do instantly fall in love with each other, they do not instantly make their feelings known. In fact, reading from both of their points-of-view reveals that they both try to deny their attraction and make their infatuation less obvious for most of the book, creating “will they or won’t they” sexual tension that builds up to a satisfying climax when the two finally profess their love. 

Additionally, Beat and Melody’s connection is like no other. It is deeper than your run-of-the-mill “insta-love” romance because they both understand what it is like to be in the limelight and for the tabloids to pry into their personal lives due to the fame surrounding their mothers. They find that they can be unguarded with each other and it makes their romance that more appealing and real. 

The holiday spirit is subtly woven into this book rather than all up in your face, which I appreciated because it doesn’t hijack the storyline. Come Christmas time, I will definitely be reading this again. In fact, I think I’ll make it a yearly tradition to cozy up with this book by the tree and you should too!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: Namey’s newest release is a heart-wrenching story about weathering life’s storm. 

“A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak” follows Flora Maxwell who, after losing her mother to a long illness, decides to escape to Miami without telling anyone—including her longtime friend Gordon Wallace. But Flora’s change of scenery doesn’t cast away her self-doubt or her stormy emotions. Instead, it leaves her caught between teen influencer Baz Marín and Gordon, a future architect and the friend she has beginning to see in a new light.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the extended metaphor Namey creates surrounding Flora and her personality. In the beginning, she likens Flora to a chaotic hurricane destroying everything in her path before it can get close enough to hurt her. Over time, Flora realizes the extent of the damage her behavior has inflicted on her friends and family and makes a commitment to weather life’s storms with those she loves instead of trying to do it alone. Watching Flora develop as a character in coming to this conclusion mends the soul.

Much like Flora’s, my emotions were all over the place reading this book. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned—all because I felt so attached to Namey’s characters and the world she created. Flora as a protagonist is complex and compelling. She goes on a journey of self-discovery as she comes to terms with her grief. Her pain felt so real and something I could empathize with and even relate to. Seeing her raw emotions on display and get to a place of healing filled me with hope and validation. Seeing her fall in love and gain the courage to act on her feelings tugged on my heartstrings and shed tears of joy. 

Because Flora is immersed in Cuban culture while she is staying in Miami, so are we as readers. Spanish is seamlessly woven into much of the dialogue and Cuban cuisine is described at great length. I loved learning more about the customs and traditions of a region of the world I am not as familiar with and seeing its impact on Flora as she comes into her own! 

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

Review: Lewis’ debut novel is a thrilling must-read that is entertaining to no end! 

 

“Thieves’ Gambit” follows 17-year-old Rossalyn Quest, a master thief  who plans to run away from her notorious family to leave behind her life of crime. Things take an unexpected turn, however, when her last job goes sideways, leaving her mother’s life in the balance. In a desperate bid to save her, Ross enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a legendary, yet dangerous competition in which the world’s top teen thieves go head to head for the ultimate prize—a granted wish for anything in the world. 

 

There are no dull moments in this book! Lewis’ high stakes, fast-paced storyline made it impossible for me to put it down. I was endlessly entertained and engaged by the series of heists Ross had to complete in the tournament, the cinematic feel of Lewis’ writing, and the backstabbing, lying, and cheating amongst competitors amidst the chaos. 

 

As much as I loved the novel’s plot, I loved Rossalyn Quest as a protagonist even more! Caught between her dream of a normal life and staying loyal to her family of thieves, Ross’ internal conflict is complex and relatable. Her fierce love for her mother is admirable and I found myself rooting for her to win the wish the entire time! The only thing standing in her way is her struggle to trust others. This layer of intrigue only deepens when her fellow competitor Devroe Kenzie begins to break through her walls with his charm and persistence. I adored their partnership and couldn’t help but audibly scream when it turned into something more. 

 

“Thieves’ Gambit” is full of love and betrayal and I could not get enough despite the ending absolutely destroying me. I need book two immediately and hope that Lionsgate Studios moves forward with the development of Lewis’ debut so that I can see it on the big screen! 

Review: Maehrer’s debut novel is charming, witty, and utterly romantic! 

 

“Assistant to the Villain” follows Evie Sage as she looks for employment to support her ailing family. When a chance meeting with Rennedawn’s notorious villain results in a job offer, she takes it without a second thought. She never expected to fall in love with her boss, especially considering that he is evil personified, but when his carefully laid plans are sabotaged and his life is put in danger, she has little choice other than to come to terms with her feelings as she uncovers the culprit. 

 

What I love most about this book is that it’s just so fun! The atmosphere that Maehrer creates with her storytelling is similar that of some of my favorite comfort films/shows like Ella Enchanted, Tangled, and Once Upon a Time. Despite the novel’s high stakes, I found myself actually laughing out loud when I got to many of the comedic moments and became so attached to the characters that I really had a hard time letting go of them at the end. 

 

I really appreciated being able to read from both Evie and the Villain’s points-of-view. I was instantly intrigued by the Villain as a character because Maehrer skillfully kept his origins a secret, sprinkling hints here and there, until the big reveal near the end. His guarded and grumpy nature beautifully compliment Evie’s sunshine personality. I love a good “opposites attract” romance and Maehrer delivers on that front, going the extra mile to painstakingly capture their mutual pining for each other and the feelings left undeclared as they attempt to ignore their attraction within the workplace. When they finally do act on their feelings, nothing is more satisfying. 

 

That satisfaction, however, dissipated when I go to the final cliffhanger. To say it was punch to the gut is an understatement. I am desperate for book two because I cannot get enough of these characters and I want them to get the happily ever afters that they deserve!

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

Review: Mahurin’s newest release is one you’ll want to sink your teeth into! 

 

Picking up six months after where “Gods & Monsters” left off, “The Scarlet Veil” follows Célie Tremblay, the first female Chausseur, as she investigates a string of murders in Cesarine—all of the bodies drained of blood. When she stumbles upon the body of an old friend, however, the investigation becomes personal. Determined to avenge her friend, Célie attracts the attention of the killer and learns that he has special plans for her. 

 

I want to start off this review by talking about my love for Célie. I’ve always admired Lou from the “Serpent & Dove” trilogy for her courage and brazenness. But it wasn’t until I read from Célie’s point-of-view that I felt seen. As Mahurin so beautifully puts it, “she’s softer, more sensitive, even emotional” and she isn’t less strong because of it, as “strength comes in all shapes and sizes, and soft girls aren’t weak.” Célie is such a special character to me for that reason. I am the sensitive girl that feels so deeply. I see so much of myself in Célie and I’m so grateful to Mahurin for that. 

 

Another aspect of the book that I love so much is Célie and Michal’s relationship development. They are actually enemies turned lovers! Despite Michal being a vampire and Célie being a human, the two have fangtastic chemistry. Célie fights against it because she believes him to be a monster and she despises that she even feels drawn to him. Her inner turmoil creates sexual tension that is unmatched and left me craving more long after the novel’s end. 

 

As with her other novels, Mahurin’s world-building in “The Scarlet Veil” is captivating. She does a beautiful job explaining away the absence of the Éternals in her previous works and transporting the reader to the Isle of Requiem. I really enjoyed learning about the history, customs, and abilities associated with Mahurin’s vampires and could not get enough of the nightwalkers making up the ensemble cast. 

The element of mystery woven into Mahurin’s dark and fantastical world with the added bonus of vampires make this book my favorite of hers! It is so special and I hope that others will love it as much as I do!

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

Review: Goldbeck’s debut is a work of art, just like the film it plays homage to. 

 

“You, Again” follows Josh, a hopeless romantic, and Ari, a commitment-phobe, who first meet after learning that they are both sleeping with the same woman. The wrong kind of sparks fly and the two are not eager to cross paths again. But years later, as they’re both nursing breakups and heartache, a chance encounter leads to friendship. Before they know it the lines of their platonic relationship begin to blur. 

 

It is no secret that this novel is a “When Harry Met Sally” retelling and I am totally here for it! Like the film, Goldbeck’s timeline jumps forward, capturing the pair’s chance encounters and most pivotal moments. I like how these moments are not only comprised of their highest points in life, but also their lowest points. Goldbeck is also intentional in leaving out any mundane details that will overwhelm the reader as she guides them through a large span of time, which I appreciated.  

 

Just as we are able to get glimpses of both Harry and Sally’s thoughts and feelings in the film, each chapter of the book alternates between Josh and Ari’s perspectives. I loved reading from both points-of-view because they exposed me to their raw emotions, making me emotional in turn when they came to the realization that they were right for each other at the wrong time. It hit me so hard because I became fully invested in their development from enemies to friends to lovers and only wanted them to get their happily ever after. 

 

Goldbeck is certainly one to watch in the romance space! I look forward to reading what she puts out next!