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

Review: Soto’s YA debut proves that no matter what genre, she will always deliver! 

 

“The Thrashers” follows an elite friend group at New Helvetia High known as The Thrashers after Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies. Their lives are turned upside down when her journal surfaces. As eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet. 

 

This book gripped me from the very first page. Every time I sat down to read it, I tore through each chapter like a woman possessed, desperate to find out what would happen next. 

 

The novel is told from the perspective of Jodi Dillon. Jodi is the odd one out who feels like she must always prove her worth to the group to avoid being left behind, something I found entirely too relatable. Her character, much like the secondary characters, is complex and well drawn. Faced with betraying her friends of protecting herself, she gives readers a glimpse into the group’s dynamic. As the story progresses, Jodi uncovers their secrets and the role each person played in what happened to Emily. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed trying to put the pieces together alongside Jodi, often falling susceptible to Soto’s misdirection tactics. I love how Soto incorporates Emily’s journal entries in conjunction with flashbacks to add intrigue. The paranormal elements kept me guessing to the very end as I tried to discern what was fact and what was fiction. 

 

The romance that is sprinkled throughout is absolutely phenomenal. While not the focus of the story, the stolen glances, verbal sparring matches, and tantalizing tension made my heart pound. A certain disgustingly attractive water-polo player won me over with that paint room scene! 

 

The ending, while satisfying, adds a new twist that had me flipping back in disbelief. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel!

Thanks to Valentine PR and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: A western romance sure to make you kick up your heels! 

 

“Sawyer” follows Ava Bartlett and Sawyer Rivers after a steamy honky tonk hook-up leads to a shot at happily ever after. 

 

Right out of the gate, Ava and Sawyer have intense attraction that got me in a chokehold. Their connection goes beyond mere physical intimacy with both characters embracing each other fully. I love how Sawyer respects Ava’s freedom and worships her wild, especially after learning about how her ex-husband put her in a cage. Sawyer is very protective of her and I really enjoyed watching Ava’s confidence grow with him at her side to uplift her. At the same time, Ava helps Sawyer loosen up and learn how to accept help from others after spending years trying to do everything on his own. 

 

Both are single parents that have a deep of understanding of how exhausting the role can be. The way they take care of each other’s needs as well as their children’s while still carving out time for themselves is everything. Their unconditional love for each other and the little family they form makes their chemistry feel that much more palpable on the page. I cannot wait to see what they get up to in future books! 

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

Review: A sweet, small-town surrogate romance! 

 

“Nine Month Contract” follows Wyatt, a grumpy mountain man, and Trista, the animal-loving surrogate he can’t help but fall for. 

 

I had the best time reading Daws’ spicy romcom! Wyatt and Trista’s near instant connection hooked me from the very start and the sizzling tension kept me in a chokehold as the story progressed. I loved being able to alternate between their perspectives each chapter and see how their feelings for each other grew week by week the more time they spend together on Fletcher Mountain. 

 

Trista’s sunshine personality perfectly complements Wyatt’s grumpy one. They often clash, resulting in hilarious banter. When they first meet, both are in the process of working through painful pasts—Trista having experienced parental neglect and Wyatt having been manipulated by a toxic ex. I appreciate how patient Wyatt and Trista are with each other as they open up on their own time. The solace they ultimately find in their relationship and the little family they form make for the perfect happy ever after. 

 

If you love opposites attract, age gap romance, and curvy FMCs then I could not recommend this book enough!

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

Review: Impicciche breathes new life into a classic tale with her fin-tastic, swashbuckling debut!

 

“Voice of the Ocean” follows a daring young siren who defies her people to save a human prince. With no other choice than to assassinate him to right her wrong, Celeste agrees to become human. As she finds her place aboard Raiden’s ship, a dangerous attraction begins to grow amidst treacherous waters. 

 

Celeste is my kind of FMC! She is soft and more sensitive than her fellow sirens. At first she views her emotions as a weakness, but the more she allows herself to feel, the more she realizes that strength comes in many forms. As a soft girl myself, I really resonated with Celeste and was empowered by her journey of self-acceptance. 

 

Any kind of relationship between a siren and a human is strictly forbidden, creating a push-pull dynamic between Celeste and Raiden that I could not get enough of! The tension and pining as they are forced to work together to find the lost treasure on Lunapesce is positively swoon-worthy. Their connection and Celeste’s internal conflict surrounding it drives the story in a way that makes it impossible to put down. 

 

I really enjoyed the fast-paced, high stakes atmosphere aboard the Red Revenge. Even more so the family Celeste finds in Raiden’s rag-tag crew. The fantastical elements woven into the story pertaining to the sirens take this pirate adventure to the next level. Impicciche’s song-based magic system adds depth to her world and showcases just how fierce Celeste is in taking up the sword instead of relying on her voice to see her mission through.