Review: There’s snow place like Lake Wisteria for the holidays! 

 

“My December Darling” follows Catalina Martinez, a maid of honor who is back in town for her sister’s winter wedding, and Luke Darling, the outgoing best man determined to make her his. The only hiccup? Luke is best friends with Catalina’s ex…who is also marrying her sister. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed Asher’s short n’ sweet holiday romance! Though only 234 pages, this novella surprisingly has a lot of depth to it. It’s faster paced, as is common with stories of this length, but Asher manages to create well-rounded characters that come to life on the page. 

 

Catalina and Luke’s palpable chemistry had me kicking my feet and swooning! The push and pull happening between them as a result of Catalina’s reservations about being in a relationship given their history adds the perfect layer of tension. Their compatibility both emotionally and physically is what convinces them both that they are more to each other than a holiday fling and I loved watching that play out!

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

Review: Erriu’s romantasy debut is divine! 

 

“Heavenly Bodies” follows Elara Bellereve after she has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for one of the stars that rules her world, but that it will kill them both. When the Star of Wrath and War descends to hunt Elara, she has no choice but to seek refuge in the neighboring kingdom. Something dark brews within her and with it, an undeniable star-crossed pull between her and the enemy prince training her to become his weapon. 

 

It was not hard for me to become completely immersed in the stunning world of Celestia. Erriu’s vivid descriptions are alluring and her magic system equally intriguing. I especially love how the twelve gods who lord over the kingdoms of Celestia are inspired by astrological signs. Their characterizations very much align with the zodiac they embody and the lore surrounding them adds depth to Erriu’s world-building. 

 

I really enjoyed reading from Elara’s perspective as she faces her fears, comes into her power, and exacts her revenge. Her relationship with Prince Lorenzo is strictly forbidden, making each moment of pining chock-full of sizzling tension that made my heart melt. I’m convinced their love is written in the stars! 

 

The only issue I had with this book are the amount of tropes incorporated in the storyline. With so many crammed in, they become the driving force of the plot and leech it of its substance. Additionally, the majority are concerned with shaping Elara and Enzo’s relationship. As a result, the pacing is thrown off and Elara’s interactions with the secondary cast are minimal at best. It was hard to stay invested in the side characters’ storylines when they were underdeveloped in comparison to the leads. 

 

Though I got bogged down at times, the twists and turns at the end made it all worthwhile! Believe me when I say that the last 50 pages will leave you completely floored. 

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

Review: This book rises above its predecessor in the best way! 

 

“A Monsoon Rising” follows Alaric and Talasyn as they play the part of husband and wife while secretly plotting to overthrow the other. But the longer the couple are forced together in an attempt to save their world from the Moonless Dark—a cataclysmic magical even that could devour everything—the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. 

 

I was not prepared for how much this book would consume my every waking thought, but I am more than okay with that! 

 

The sequel to “The Hurricane Wars” takes readers on a wild ride with more betrayal, more politics, and, of course, more romance. Watching Alaric and Talasyn’s marriage become more than a political alliance made me feral! The pull that exists between them truly shook me to my core with how palpable it is. Because any kind of entanglement involving the two is forbidden, the tension born from their yearning in combination with the slow development of their romantic relationship is torture (I say this as a glutton for torture)! I loved the way Alaric and Talasyn got under each other’s skin. It reached a fever pitch when their feelings began to outweigh their loyalty. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when they finally gave in to their attraction! 

 

The fantasy elements play a less prominent role in this one, but it is all worth it for the “who did this to you,” wound tending, and “only one bedroll” moments! When it comes to the cliffhanger at the end, however, I fear that I will never recover. I NEED to know what comes next!

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

Review: This book took the world by storm and rightfully so!

“Quicksilver” follows Saeris Fane, a metalworker and thief, after she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms with the. Strange powers she possesses and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior. He has nefarious agendas of his own, but he’s the only way Saris is going to make it home alive. 

If you’re looking for an addicting enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of a centuries-long conflict in a dangerous fae realm, this one has your name on it! The very first chapter put me in a chokehold and did not let up until I found myself at the very end! 

Hart’s immersive world is dangerously captivating. She does a wonderful job distinguishing the differences between each of the Fae kingdoms and the regions they are located in. She also takes her time in revealing bits and pieces about the magic they possess and the gods that rule over them as both become more relevant to the plot. While the lore did bog me down at times, it is necessary in paving the way for the books to come. 

The friction that builds between Saeris and Kingfisher is insane!! I was living for their dynamic! As crazy as it sounds, every fight they picked kept me coming back for more. Watching their animosity slowly give way to an intense, all-consuming love was way beyond satisfying. 

I really enjoyed Saeris’ character. In a world of temperamental Fae, she doesn’t let her humanness damper her tenacious, strong-willed personality. She isn’t a skilled warrior by any means, but never shies away from a fight when the lives of those she cares about are in peril. It was fun to read from the perspective of a novice in combat and magic for a change.  

Fair warning, the end of this book is absolutely criminal! I’m excited to see how things play out in the next one!

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

Review: Each new book in the “When in Rome" series just gets better and better! 

 

"Beg, Borrow, or Steal" follows Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, two feuding teachers (and neighbors), as they find themselves teaming up to steal back her manuscript. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming? 

 

As an eldest daughter, I saw so much of myself in Emily in the way she fears change, strives for perfection, and protects her siblings. The depth of her loneliness stemming from feeling no longer needed is something I know all too well and tugged on my heartstrings. 

 

I heavily related to Jack's people pleasing tendencies and his natural inclination to bury his feelings. Both stem from his childhood growing up in a house with a narcissistic parent. Adams writes about his familial situation with great care and even though it brought tears to my eyes, watching him work through it brought great comfort. 

 

I couldn't be happier with the universe (aka Sarah Adams) for pushing these two together! I seriously could not get enough of their bickering and verbal sparring matches as they played out via email over the years. While entertaining, I also appreciate how their rivalry allowed them to be their messiest, worst, and most authentic selves with each other. The slow pacing of their relationship development is phenomenal as their unconventional friendship evolves into a romantic relationship. I loved watching them heal by learning to be emotionally vulnerable and wholly honest around one another, as it only made the steamier scenes that much sweeter! 

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: A holiday novella guaranteed to give you all the warm fuzzy feelings! 

 

“Sweet Boys Love Christmas” follows Bertie Carthwright after she spends the holiday with Luke Covey, the one-night stand she cannot stop thinking about, when her Christmas plans go up in flames. But there’s one unexpected gift that’s going to last long past the holiday season, because ready or not Luke and Bertie are going to be parents. 

 

I was intrigued by Bertie and Luke’s relationship in “Rule Breaker’s Fall Hardest,” so getting to learn more about it from their viewpoints was immensely enjoyable! 

 

I really felt for Bertie when the full scope of her loneliness was revealed. With Rosie, her best friend, gone, it was nice to see her begin to confide in Luke about her tumultuous relationship with her parents. Though I understand her reasons for keeping him at an arm’s length, I was happy to see her let him in. As indicated by the novella’s title, Luke truly is sweet. He faces his own hardships, but still makes it a priority to support Bertie without pressuring her to become romantically entangled. While the two eventually do give in to their attraction, the pacing made it feel right. 

 

This novella leads into Bertie and Luke’s full-length novel and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Based on the ending, the two are definitely going to have their hands full.