I first fell in love with Claudia Tan’s writing on Wattpad, so when I found out that her “Perfect Series” was getting published, I knew I had to get my hands on “Perfect Addiction.” 

 

Tan writes sports romance well. She clearly knows her stuff when it comes to boxing and uses common terms to familiarize the reader with the sport and immerse them in the ring. Further, female athletes are typically underrepresented in this subgenre, so I love that both Kayden and Sienna, the two main protagonists, are both skilled at what they do. 

 

Though this book is advertised as an enemies-to-lovers romance, its pacing makes it more akin to an insta-love romance. Kayden and Sienna fall in love within the span of three weeks, the time jumps making it seem even faster than that. From there, important milestones are reached at an even quicker rate, Kayden introducing Sienna to his parents after just a week of dating being a good case in point. Things happened way too fast for my tastes, but fans of this trope will definitely love what Tan has to offer. 

 

In addition to the pacing having an effect on the romance that unfolds, it also rushes along characterization. Not enough time was spent on fleshing out some of the supporting characters in favor of focusing on the revenge plot line, resulting in a surface level connection between the reader and those considered to be important to the protagonist. 

 

Regardless, I love how Tan ended the novel, communicating how important it is to take time to reflect and heal in order to move on. 

Review: “A Strange Hymn” is the perfect sequel to “The Bargainer” series. 

Thalassa takes her time acquainting the reader with regions of the Otherworld that were merely mentioned in “Rhapsodic.” Through Callie, we are able to explore the islands that claim permanent residence within the Kingdom of Night: Memnos (Land of Nightmares), Arrestys, Somnia (Land of Sleep and Small Death), Phyllia (Land of Dreams), Barbos (City of Thieves), and Lephys (City of Lovers). It was exciting to learn of the defining features attributed to each island and the ways in which its inhabitants differ in mannerism. In addition, Thalassa invites the reader to visit the Kingdom of Flora for the Solstice Celebration. With all the leaders gathered in one place, we can get a feel for the dynamics between kingdoms.

The Thief of Souls also makes a reappearance during the the Solstice Celebration, throwing the reader for a loop. The mystery surrounding the Thief’s identity is definitely more prevalent in this book and I enjoyed trying to piece together the clues Thalassa leaves for us. 

Des and Callie’s love for each other only grows in “A Strange Hymn.” There are many swoon-worthy moments (such as Des helping Callie feel comfortable in her new body) and heartstrings are tugged when the Bargainer finally begins to open up about his past. We learn of pivotal moments in his life at the same time as Callie, hungering for more than the snippets of information he provides here and there. Those moments give insight into Des’ character and the choice he ultimately makes at the novel’s end when the Thief tests the bounds of his love for Callie. 

Review: “Rhapsodic” is the perfect cure for any type of book hangover. Holy cow. I am just obsessed with this paranormal romance! 

“Rhapsodic” tells the story of Callypso (Callie) Lillis, a powerful siren and badass private investigator who once made 322 deals with the Bargainer in her youth. A black bracelet beads up her wrist, serving as a reminder of all that she owes the fae king of the night. For the last seven years, however, he has not come to collect his magical IOUs. Until now. A dark presence looms over the Otherworld. Fae warriors have begun to disappear without a trace and the Bargainer needs Callie’s help to solve the mystery. 

Thalassa’s book is wholly unique and like nothing I have ever read before, which is why its was so easy to fall in love with her characters and the world she created! I especially liked how each chapter begins with a flashback before transporting us to the present. This way, we do not get the whole picture right away and instead have to read the whole book to find out why the Bargainer never sought Callie out for repayment. 

I really enjoyed reading from Callie’s perspective, even though I got teary eyed at times. As a young adult, Callie suffered her father’s physical and verbal abuse after her mother was killed. Though she has been through a lot, she makes it clear that she is no one’s victim.

The Bargainer recognizes this, giving her the space she needs to be independent despite his possessive and protective nature. His determination to rekindle his friendship with Callie after seven years and develop it into something more had me immediately under his spell. 

I must admit that things were slow moving for the first 200 or so pages while Thalassa engaged in world-building surrounding the differences between the Otherworld (home to the fae and separated into the Kingdoms of Night, Day, Flora, Fauna, Death and Deep Earth, and Mar) and Earth (home to sirens, shifters, seers, and humans). However, once I became familiar with the world, I could not get enough of the storyline. 

Review: Is there anything Tessa Bailey can’t write? “My Killer Vacation” is the perfect murder mystery rom com! 

 

My favorite thing about this novel would have to be Taylor and Myles’ character dynamics. Their worlds collide when Taylor discovers a corpse in her Cape Cod rental home and Myles is hired to solve the crime. When attempts are made on Taylor’s life, the two are forced to work together even though they could not be more different. Taylor is an energetic elementary school teacher tired of living a life without risk. Myles is a big, brooding bounty hunter afraid of facing his past. But you know what they say…opposites attract! The further Myles tries to distance himself in order to catch the killer, the harder it is for him to get Taylor off of his mind. 

 

Bailey gives the reader access to both Taylor and Myles’ points-of-views, which is something I appreciated! I loved getting the opportunity to explore their differing personalities and watch them catch feelings for each other at different times. 

 

Because the book takes place within the span of a week, the instalove trope is present. Though this trope is normally not my favorite, Bailey somehow made it work for me! What did not work for me, however, was the ratio of steam to suspense. The amount of spice packed into “My Killer Vacation,” overpowers the murder mystery plotline, leaving little room for clever plot twists or shocking reveals. 

 

With that said, Bailey’s swoon-worthy standalone is a great summer read!

Review: “A Dance with the Fae Prince” is the best “Married to Magic” book yet!

Inspired by “Cinderella,” “A Dance with the Fae Prince” is told from Katria’s perspective. The daughter of a once prosperous merchant, Katria is forced to occupy the role of her step-family’s servant when her father falls prey to the sea. That is, until the money funding their lavish lifestyle runs out. In a bid to return their estate to it’s former glory, Katria’s step-mother sells her hand in marriage to the mysterious Lord Fenwood—a man that refuses even his new bride the pleasure of seeing his face. Little does she know that her husband is actually Davien Aviness, a fae prince looking for a way to reclaim his throne. 

It is important to note that “A Dance with the Fae Prince” is set in the same universe as other “Married to Magic” books. I really enjoyed the complexity of the world Kova created and how it is divided into different parts: the Natural World (inhabited by humans), Midscape (inhabited by elves, fae, vampir, lykin, and mer), and the Great Beyond (inhabited by the dead). Because Davien hails from the fae wilds, the reader gets to fully explore a region that was only touched upon in “A Deal with the Elf King” when he returns to take up his crown. Kova’s imagery is fantastic, detailing how vibrant the fae wilds are in comparison to the Natural World. 

Through Katria, we learn of the Boltovs and the Aviness, two families competing for control over the fae. In order to reign over the wilds, an heir of the Aviness bloodline must possess the magic of the old kings, be anointed, wear the crystal crown, and rule from the high court. All of these qualifications contribute to Kova’s worldbuilding and the intrigue surrounding the identity of the true heir, no matter that the obvious hinting took away the element of surprise. 

The romance in this novel is subtle and slow to develop, which I personally did not mind, but some may find it underwhelming considering that the book is advertised as having “the right amount of steam.” The few spicy scenes that are present are well-written, but not as impactful as they could have been because of Katria and Davien’s surface level connection. Regardless, I enjoyed how the two started out as enemies and ended as lovers—I truly am a sucker for this trope. 

Review: I LOVED returning to the Cursebreakers universe with “Forging Silver into Stars.” It was a dream come true to be able to reunite with some of my favorite characters and meet new ones along the way. 

The novel takes place four years after the events of “A Vow So Bold and Deadly” and is told from Tycho, Jax, and Callyn’s points-of-view. 

Having fallen in love with Tycho the moment he was introduced in “A Heart So Fierce and Broken,” I enjoyed reading from his perspective for the first time and seeing the young man he has grown into. As the King’s Courier, Tycho allows the reader to travel with him between Syhl Shallow and Emberfall. Through Tycho, we are able to explore new towns within the borders of the two kingdoms and get to know the people that inhabit them. Kemmerer also takes great care in revealing Tycho’s tragic past, which was merely touched upon in the “Cursebreakers” trilogy. A lot of his past hardships shed light on his motivations and deep-seated insecurities.

Like Tycho, Jax’s life has been full of misfortune. His mother died in childbirth and he lost one of his legs in an accident at the age of thirteen. As a result, Jax’s father physically and verbally abuses him. He also leaves Jax to keep their forge in business while he wastes away at one of the local taverns. His best friend Callyn helps him survive most days and with Tycho’s encouragement, he finds the confidence to become a skilled archer despite his father’s belief that he is worthless without both of his legs. I really appreciate the inclusion of Jax’s viewpoint because it allows for readers with dis/abilities to see themselves represented in literature. 

Callyn has spent her entire life living just down the street from Jax in Briarlock. Her mother was killed in the war with Emberfall. Not able to overcome his grief, Callyn’s father dies shortly after in a siege against the Crystal Palace. At eighteen, Callyn is left to raise her younger sister Nora and run her family’s bakery. I absolutely love how fiercely protective Callyn is of Nora. Their sisterly bond is reminiscent of Lia Mara’s relationship with Nolla Verin in “A Heart So Fierce and Broken” and “A Vow So Bold and Deadly.” The two have gone through so much together and Kemmerer depicts Callyn’s grief in a way that is both beautiful and devastating. 

Watching all three characters interact and grow close to one another was so much fun! Two different couples form as the novel progresses and all parties in each relationship start out as enemies before becoming lovers. This trope is my absolute favorite and I particularly loved how things developed between two LGBTQ+ characters. I am curious about which relationships will survive to the end of the series, because this book’s cliffhanger was wild! I cannot wait for book 2!

Review: “Under One Roof” is the perfect novella to read on a rainy day!

Hazelwood writes from Mara’s point-of-view as she navigates life as an environmental scientist working for the Environmental Protection Agency. Like “The Love Hypothesis,” Mara identifies as demisexual and is a woman in academia that faces hardships in a field that previously favored men in STEM. Hazelwood’s choice to broach topics like workplace inequity in her literary works start conversations that need to be had in order to instill change, which is extremely important. In addition, characters like Mara and Olive are crucial in giving readers hoping to pursue a career in a similar field a role model to look up too. 

My only issue with this novella is it’s length, because I WANT MORE! Had “Under One Roof” been written as a novel, Mara and Liam’s development from enemies to lovers would not have felt as rushed. Nevertheless, this steminist novella is a fun and spicy read!