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

Review:  I’m a sucker for reclusive Scottish billionaires! 

 

“Keep Me” follows Sylvie Devereaux, the daughter of famous yet neglectful parents, after she sneaks into Barclay Manor during a trip to Scotland. She doesn’t anticipate facing off against Killian Barclay—the brutish, maddening Highlander who lives there—much less enter a marriage of convenience with him. But his family makes an offer she can’t refuse—move to Scotland and marry Killian to improve his playboy reputation, and after one year, she’ll walk away with ten million dollars. But as she grows closer to Killian, their ruse becomes anything but.  

 

This was the first book I have read by Sara Cate and it most definitely will not be the last! I nearly devoured “Keep Me” in one sitting and only made myself put it down to savor it. 

 

Killian and Sylvie’s grumpy x grumpy, enemies to lovers romance made my heart melt! The two could not stand each other at the start, but their marriage makes it impossible to avoid one another for long. I adored watching them learn to open up as they unwillingly fell in love! Their verbal sparring matches were endlessly entertaining, the pacing of their relationship was deliciously slow, and both characters were very well-rounded. 

 

It is worth mentioning that the taboo elements are very minimal in this one, so it is perfect for those looking to explore this subgenre.  

 

“Keep Me” is the perfect book to kick off the Sinful Manor series. I cannot wait for each Barclay sibling to get their own story!

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

Review: Broadbent breathes new life into her Crowns of Nyasia series with the first installment of the Shadowborn duet! 

 

“The Songbird & the Heart of Stone” follows Mische as she’s forced into a mission worse than execution: a journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death himself. Her sun god commands her to help Asar, the bastard prince of House of Shadow, in his mission, only to betray him…by killing the very death god she’ll help resurrect. Together, Mische and Asar must travel the treacherous path to the underworld, facing trials, beasts, and the vengeful ghosts of their past. Yet, most dangerous of all is the alluring call of darkness and her forbidden attraction to Asar. 

 

I absolutely loved Mische’s character in the Nightborn duet, so getting to read from her perspective was everything. I experienced a full range of emotions as Broadbent shed light on her past—one that is riddled with trauma and grief—and her relationship with Atroxus (the sun god to whom she had devoted her life). 

 

Asar’s past is just as brutal, scarring his soul and his body. I loved him as an mmc and necromancer. He’s broody, yet soft in the way he cares for Mische, his dog Luce, and the wraiths who have strayed from their paths in the underworld. 

 

I loved watching Mische and Asar’s bond form the further they ventured into the depths of the Descent. Their romance was slow burn and I held my breath as the two leaned on each other to survive the wrath of the gods and the underworld. 

 

One of my favorite aspects of the novel was Broadbent’s world-building. I really enjoyed getting to explore Shadowborn territory and learn more about the abilities attributed to such vampires. Additionally, Broadbent further elaborates on the lore surrounding the gods of the White Pantheon to reveal the role they play in Asar’s mission. Her depiction of the underworld is haunting, dark, and dangerously alluring. 

 

I eagerly await what’s next!

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review

Review: A gripping romantasy debut with nail-biting stakes and sizzling slow burn!

“The Serpent and the Wolf” follows Vaasa Kozár after her brother marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler, in hopes he can use her death as a rallying cry to finally invade Reid’s nation. But she is desperate to live and Reid offers her a deal: help him win the votes to rise in power, and he will share his knowledge about the newly awakened dark magic running through her veins. This proposal may be too good to refuse, yet Vaasa and Reid’s undeniable attraction threatens to break the rules of their arrangement. 

When I tell you this book consumed me and made itself my new personality, I mean it! From the very first chapter, when Vaasa put her knife to Reid’s throat, I was hooked and just knew I was going to love their relationship dynamic (I was right!). Each subsequent chapter was better than the last, making it impossible to put this one down! 

The plot is definitely heavy on politics (the machination and scheming is on a whole other level), but the romantic tension between Reid and Vaasa is palpable. Reid seriously had me giddy as a schoolgirl! Every word that came out of his mouth made me swoon. I adore how gentle he was with Vaasa as she came into her own. 

Vaasa is the FMC I want in a fantasy novel. To echo Reid, she is smart, cunning, and wickedly resourceful. I really enjoyed reading from her perspective and watching her character break free from her family’s cruelty to become a witch strong enough to dismantle nations. 

Robinson’s fictional world is intricate, her characters compelling, and her plot twists riveting. If you’re a romantasy lover, definitely pick this one up!

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

Review: Pearson’s adult debut is breathtaking! 

“The Courting of Bristol Keats” follows Bristol Keats as she journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Desperate to save her father, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s just as determined as she is to find her father. 

Pearson’s worlds are beautifully crafted, rife with magical creatures, atmospheric landscapes, and intriguing magic. I was immediately captivated by her lyrical prose and compelling characters. 

I particularly grew attached to Bristol, our FMC, and her strong-willed personality. She is just as in the dark about her past as readers, but is relentless in pursuing the truth, making her character fun to follow. As the novel progresses, Pearson slowly pulls the rug out from under her readers by exposing the lies Bristol was fed by her parents. Each shocking revelation left me on the edge of my seat as I anxiously awaited Bristol’s next move. 

Her entanglement with Tyghan is swoonworthy, devastating, and messy. A relationship between them is forbidden, contributing to the deliciously slow pacing as they tried to ignore their sizzling chemistry. I really enjoyed how their bickering gave way to slow dances underneath the hazelnut trees, longing glances, and intimate moments. At the same time, the closer they got, the more I felt an impending sense of doom by Tyghan’s duplicity, knowing that the secrets he keeps from her have the power to upend everything. The tension Pearson builds is near excruciating, but kept me engaged all the way through. 

The abrupt ending of this book definitely caught me by surprise. It was different than I expected, but I can’t wait to into book 2 when it hits shelves!

Review: Absolute perfection. No notes. 

“Six Scorches Roses” follows Lilith after she strikes a bargain with a vampire, Vale, to save her town from a mysterious god-cursed illness. But what began as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more.

It is hard to believe that this is a novella when there are so many elements and they are all executed flawlessly despite the page constraints! Typically novellas leave me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more, but I finished this one feeling anything but. It truly doesn’t feel any different than Broadbent’s other full-length novels.

The characters felt fully fleshed out to me. I listened to this one on audio and Amanda Leigh Cobb does such a fantastic job further drawing out Lilith and Vale’s personalities with her inflections, pacing, and intonation. By the end, I really understood their motivations and insecurities!

The romance between Lilith and Vale practically turned my insides to liquid. The pacing felt realistic given the time jumps and the added layer of tension took it to the next level. I am convinced the two are soulmates. Part of why I love them so much is because their relationship is Beauty and the Beast coded. Subtle nods are made throughout the novella without taking away from the story’s originality. 

Fingers crossed these two make appearances in later books! I cannot wait to see what role they play! 

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

DeWitt nails it with this steamy second chance romance! 

 

“The Co-Op” follows LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, a decade after their summer fling, when they’re thrust back together and have to figure out how repair the dilapidated Santa Cuz building their grandmothers left them. LaRynn has the money, but in order to access her trust, she has to be married. Deacon has the construction expertise, but lacks the funds. They strike up a deal to marry for however long it takes fix up the property, collect a profit, and cut ties. But it’s all easier said than done when sparks reignite. 

 

This is just one of those books that makes you feel and feel deeply. LaRynn and Deacon’s renovation of their home, themselves, and their relationship is beautiful, emotional, and messy. I think the mess is what I love most about this book. Both characters are flawed in their own ways because they are brought up by parents whose marriages were irreparable and lacked love. It is for that reason that LaRynn and Deacon struggle to communicate, especially with each other. The dual timelines and perspectives highlight how this struggle resulted in the failure of their first relationship when they were younger. 

 

The restoration of their grandmothers’ home forces them to form a partnership where they are more open, honest, and trusting to build a better foundation on. I was rooting for them as they worked through their grief, miscommunications, and slowly let down their walls! Their romantic relationship is definitely slow to burn, but the payoff is profound, which just goes to show that some trials and tribulations are worth enduring! 

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

Review: This is a time travel romance everyone needs in their life!  

 

“Puck & Prejudice” follows Tucker Taylor, a pro hockey player who accidentally travels back in time to Regency Era England. Once there, he stumbles upon Lizzy Wooddash, the brazen contemporary of Jane Austen. The two enter into a marriage of convenience for their shared gain. Yet as sparks ignite, they soon realize that matters of the heart rarely adhere to carefully laid plans. 

 

This book perfectly blends contemporary and regency romance while incorporating some of my favorite tropes of the genres: marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and one bed! 

 

As a fan of historical romance books, Riley captures the era so well and I loved watching Tuck, this giant, lovable, teddy bear of a hockey player stick out like a sore thumb. This endears him to Lizzy and I adored the way she took him under her wing. 

 

I knew that they were perfect for each other from the start. Lizzy is a strong FMC who is very outspoken about her discontent surrounding the societal expectations of women. Because Tuck is from the where women have more rights and he has a sister that he cares deeply for, he is very supportive of Lizzy’s pursuit of freedom and her writing endeavors. The way he uplifts her when her family has put her down her whole life made my heart race! 

 

In keeping with the times, the pair must follow the high stakes rules of Regency courtship, which of course only intensifies the palpable tension between them when fate forces them to share a bed and a carriage to keep up their ruse. The steamy scenes really hit when they could no longer resist temptation and finally let go! 

 

I cannot recommend this one enough and eagerly await another installment from Riley! 

Review: This book has quickly become my newest hyperfixation!

“The Serpent and the Wings Night” follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, as she enters the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with Raihn, a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown, and her greatest competition. In a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love, their blossoming attraction could be their downfall.

Broadbent’s world-building is both intricate and immersive. She takes her time revealing more information as it becomes pertinent to the plot so as not to overwhelm the reader. The Kejari itself creates a tense, high stakes atmosphere that pulled me further into the story and invested me in the lives of Broadbent’s characters.

I absolutely love Oraya as an FMC! She is fierce and fully aware of her humanness as she navigates living in a world of vampires bent on killing her. At first she views her mortality as a weakness, but her perspective begins to change as the trials progress. 

Oraya’s relationship with her adoptive father is interesting to say the least. I enjoyed getting to know their dynamic and learning more about its origins.

Happy to report that I am just as obsessed with Oraya and Raihn as everyone else! Broadbent writes one of the best slow burn enemies to lovers relationship arcs I have ever read! With Raihn being both a vampire and fellow competitor, he actually is Oraya’s enemy. The two begrudgingly become allies after one of the trials demands it of them. I loved watching their partnership push them be more open about their pasts to establish some semblance of trust and become something more. Their banter was also a highlight for me! Even when all hope seemed lost, they still managed to goad each other on. Your honor I fell for them and I fell hard!

Trust me when I say you’ll need the sequel on hand for when you turn that last page!