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

Review: I’m not horsing around when I say this book is a masterpiece!

“Lost and Lassoed” follows Teddy Andersen, an aspiring clothing designer, and Gus Ryder, her best friend’s older brother. The only thing they have in common is how much they hate each other. But when Gus’ workload starts to overwhelm him, Teddy is the only person who can help take care of his six-year-old daughter. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

Gus and Teddy’s relationship has been hinted at since book 1, so I highly anticipated their love story. Let me tell you that Sage went above and beyond all my expectations! She totally delivered!

Both characters are similar in that they take care of people—their families and their friends. When it comes to being cared for, however, they struggle to ask for help. Teddy, for instance, feels left behind as she watches other people, her best friend included, move into new phases of their lives and feels like she cannot confide in anyone about her fears (this is something that hits closet home for me). Gus is too stubborn to depend on others despite suffering under the weight of trying to be a father, son, rancher, and brother all at once. 

With Teddy agreeing to be Riley’s part-time babysitter, they strike up a truce and discover just how alike they are. Their romance is a slow burn that drove me crazy, but there is nothing I wouldn’t undergo for them! I couldn’t get enough of their banter, the moments when they took care of each other, and the way they just fit! 

I can’t write this review without obsessing over Gus’ daughter Riley! I love that this story is bigger than just Gus and Teddy. At its core, “Lost and Lassoed” captures what it means to love the people in our lives with our entire being. That love manifests itself in the way Gus and Teddy both care for their friends, their family, and of course, for Riley. Riley’s character brings a sense of joy that alleviates some of the more heartbreaking moments of the novel. I love her relationship with Gus, Teddy, and her mother Camille throughout this book. Their family is not considered “conventional,” but the one they formed is perfect all the same!

“Lost and Lassoed” will definitely join my list of favorite books of all time. I can’t wait to get to “Wild and Wrangled” after the massive cliffhanger the epilogue left on!

TW: kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual harassment, drugging, misogyny

If you are hoping for a fluffy, festive romance, this is not it. 

 

Set after the Caraval series, “Spectacular” follows Donatella Dragna as she embarks on the ultimate holiday adventure to find the perfect gift for Legend. 

 

I LOVED the first half of this book. It was a joy to return to Valenda and spend more time with Scarlett, Tella, Julian, and Legend. Rosie Fowinkle’s gorgeous illustrations truly bring them to life! The red accents Fowinkle added to her images paired with Garber’s whimsical writing definitely got me into the holiday spirit. 

 

Unfortunately, this book took a turn for the worst near the halfway point that left me feeling uncomfortable. Simply put, this book fails to take consent into consideration. 

To go into more detail, Tella is drugged and kidnapped at one point in the story. She wakes up in the Spice Quarter—a place riddled with gambling pits, drug dens, and brothels. Soon after, she is forced to change into an outfit that leaves her scantily clad so that she can show off her backside to a man whose identity is not known. She is then taken to his private room where she is blindfolded, gagged, and restrained. Once there, the man touches and kisses her without her consent. The reader ultimately finds out that the mystery man is Legend, but honestly, that did not make the whole series of events better in my eyes. Had she known it was him all along, what transpired would still be considered assault given that she did not consent to any of it. Readers fresh off of Finale might be able to connect what happened here to the letter Tella wrote in which she asked Legend to kidnap her. Why Legend thought this would be such a great holiday gift is lost on me. As someone who hasn’t read Finale in years, I did not make the connection. Neither did Tella, which is what made the whole thing icky.

I was hoping for more ScarJulian content at the very least, but their presence is more akin to a cameo. I hope that the next one (which is alluded to in the epilogue) does not follow in its predecessor’s footsteps. 

Review: Mosey on over to your local bookstore and get your hands on this stellar sequel!

“Swift and Saddled” follows Ada Hart, a city girl who refuses to be saddled by a man, not after the disaster that was her short-lived marriage. When Ada arrives in Meadowlark to be the interior designer for one of the largest ranches in Wyoming, she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy in the local dive bar...except he turns out to be her boss—Weston Ryder. Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?

I love “Done and Dusted,” but what I feel for this book is on a whole other level! It absolutely blew me away. 

The mental health representation in “Swift and Saddled” is fantastic. As someone with major depressive disorder, I really resonated with Wes as a character. I enjoyed reading chapters from his perspective and connected to his fears surrounding his mental health. He is so open about how his depression ebbs and flows and I understood him on a deep level, which I feel doesn’t happen very often with male characters. He is definitely a golden retriever personified and I adore the way he respects Ada’s boundaries, champions her dreams, and loves her for who she is. Weston Ryder IS the blueprint!!

Ada and her “black cat” personality have a special place in my heart. I definitely related to her struggle to feel a sense of belonging. Nothing made me more emotional than when she shared how her loneliness stemmed from this perception that her true self wouldn’t be well received by other people. Watching her then find her place at Rebel Blue Ranch and form meaningful friendships with Emmy, Teddy, and Camille was everything!

Ada and Wes’ chemistry is electric from the get-go. I absolutely loved their dynamic! I feel like I’ve read so many books where the MMC has the more cynical characterization, so the role reversal was a breath fresh air.

This book captures more of the Ryder siblings’ close knit relationship and I could not get enough! The way they show up for each other made my heart melt.

Sage does such a great job interrelating her standalones. Past couples make appearances while she subtly plants the seeds for new ones. She does all of this without taking away from Ada and Wes’ story. I cannot wait for Geddy’s time to shine!

Review: I will devour Ali Hazelwood’s books in any form! 

 

“Two Can Play” follows Viola Bowen and Jesse Andrews, two video game designers from rival companies. When the chance of a lifetime to design a video game based on their all-time favorite book series arises, the two are sent on a wintery retreat in a remote mountain lodge to team-build. As the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to her arch-nemesis than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one. 

 

I feel like I need to start by saying that audiobooks are not usually my thing. I have a pretty difficult time preventing my mind from wandering without a page in front of me keeping me focused, which is why it is such a big deal to me that I loved this one as much as I did. Kelsey Navarro Foster’s narration and Hazelwood’s storytelling is a magical combination. Foster’s voice gripped me from the start, her different voices for each character keeping me engaged all the way through. 

 

When it comes to the story itself, it is short, steamy, and has a great plot! In typical Hazelwood fashion, the MMC is big and the FMC is little, and there is a misunderstanding that prevents them from getting together sooner. I did not mind it in the slightest and I think it was better this way because Hazelwood’s brand of writing kept me from getting lost when my attention drifted in that I knew what to anticipate. I could not get enough of the tension and mutual pining born from their miscommunication. Despite its brevity, “Two Can Play” felt like a complete story from start to finish with Hazelwood cleverly finding ways to incorporate flashbacks that further established Viola and Jesse’s history. The circumstances surrounding the retreat force them to confront each other and is what ultimately propels their relationship development. It should come as a surprise to no one that their chemistry is electric! The wintery setting creates a memorable backdrop for their budding romance. I hope this comes out in book form eventually so that I can add it to my collection! 

Review: Lyla Sage’s debut roped my heart! 

 

“Done and Dusted” follows Clementine “Emmy” Ryder after a riding accident leaves her no choice but to return to her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He also happens to be Emmy’s nemesis and her older brother’s best friend. She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules. 

 

I am obsessed with every single thing about this book and that is no exaggeration! I loved living inside the heads of Sage’s characters and hold them close to my heart. 

 

I appreciate the way Sage portrays Emmy’s neurodivergence when writing from her perspective. The subtle differences in how she navigates her life are so well-written. I heavily related to the way Emmy bottles up her feelings to avoid inconveniencing anyone. My heart broke as I watched her struggle to get back on the saddle again in silence, but I’m so glad Brooks picked up on what she was going through and made it his mission to help her do what she loves again! 

 

Luke faces hardships of his own that stem from his family situation growing up. He was made to feel unwanted, but found the strength to put that behind him after the Ryder’s took him under their wing. I love the thoughtful, protective, and kind man he became! He is definitely a top book boyfriend of mine. 

 

Emmy and Luke’s relationship made me positively giddy! The kitchen slow dances, nights out at The Devil’s Boot, trips to their secret place, and rides through the mountains make it impossible to fight the visceral urge to reread this book immediately. Everything about it truly makes my heart happy, from the Ryder family’s dynamic to Meadowlark’s small town atmosphere. This has quickly become a comfort read of mine and I cannot wait to return to Rebel Blue Ranch in the next installment!

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

Review: A fast-paced, Pakistani romantic fantasy that leaves little to be desired! 

 

“For She is Wrath” follows a talented swordswoman named Dania after she is framed for a crime she didn’t commit, which leads her down a path of vengeance against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love. 

 

Using “The Count of Monte Cristo” as the foundation for her fantasy novel, Varga diversifies Dumas’ characters and carefully constructs a world with djinn magic to create something wholly new and her own. With magic thrown into the mix, a higher cost is attributed to Dania’s all-consuming vengeance to further emphasizes the idea that seeking retribution often does more harm than good. As a classic literature lover, I really enjoyed how Varga’s debut explores the same themes as its source of inspiration, but from the perspective of a strong, powerful female character! Picking up on the little easter eggs woven into the atmospheric prose was definitely an added bonus. 

 

While not the main focus of the book, Dania and Mazin’s lovers-to-enemies relationship arc is intoxicating. The past and present dual timelines help to establish their palpable connection and the gut-wrenching events leading up to Dania’s false imprisonment. Despite the rage-inducing suffering she endured at his hand, she cannot escape the lingering feelings that rise to the surface whenever she is in his presence, adding sizzling tension. 

 

This standalone truly manages to have it all—characters you cannot help but root for, heart-racing twists, political intrigue, and a satisfying conclusion! I am hopeful that more books set in this world are to follow with the way things wrapped up. 

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

Review: An enthralling adventure with a love that lasts lifetimes!

“The Last Dragon of the East” follows Sai, a matchmaker born with the ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates, after he is thrust into the search for a dragon long thought extinct. As his own thread of fate, one that is gray and fraying, begins to move, he may be able to solve the mystery of his Fated One at the other end of the line. 

Kwan’s romantasy debut is captivating, weaving together her atmospheric writing and elements of Chinese mythology. I love how she incorporates the red threads of fate into her storyline to enhance the romance between San and Jyn. Their dynamic is such a breath of fresh air! Sai isn’t your typical MC, giving new meaning to the phrase “I’m a lover not a fighter.” His big heart perfectly balances Jyn’s more guarded personality. She initially tries to push him away when fate crosses their paths, but she soon comes to realize what I already knew from the start: their connection is undeniable. It manifests itself in their playful banter, their yearning glances, and the sacrifices they make for each other as the novel progresses.

Kwan is intentional about choosing to tell this story from Sai’s point-of-view and I could not get enough of his voice! She skillfully alternates between multiple different timelines to both build suspense and shed light on the mystery surrounding Sai’s unusual thread. The twists propelled me forward until I ran out of pages to read. While the end wrapped up a bit too quickly, I still found it satisfying. I hope there will be more to come from Kwan in this genre!

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

Review:

This sizzling sequel stomped its way onto my favorite reads list!

 

“For Better or Hearse” follows Ash Keller, a death. Dour, after her millionaire client, Augustus Fox, asks her to accompany him on an all-expenses paid trip to mend family ties and fulfill last wishes. There’s just. One problem…Nathaniel Whitford—her client’s absurdly gorgeous, grumpy doctor of a grandson’s—is along for the trip. A man who has hated her guts since she crashed his wedding years ago. But when family drama threatens to derail the vacation, the two call for a truce. Soon, a tentative bond forms, making the unlikely pair question whether they’re willing to risk it all—for better or hearse—as the trip comes to an end. 

 

I love these two grumps with all my heart! Their relationship gets off to a rocky start due to their past and the Whitford family doesn’t exactly break the tension, but Hunter does such a great job planting the seeds of attraction between them. Instead of their opposite personalities driving them further apart, it is what makes them gravitate towards one another. Ash is very quirky, chaos personified, and macabre. These traits paired with her type 1 diabetes diagnosis have resulted in here feeling unloved and unwanted at times by those who are not willing to get to know the real her. But Ash’s weird is exactly what Nathaniel needs after his planned and orderly life proves to be less than perfect in the eyes of his father. The circumstances surrounding the trip force them to work through their history and once they do, nothing made me happier than watching their bickering turn into playful banter! In being vulnerable, Ash and Nathaniel crack through each other’s hard exteriors and accept each other for who they are. I laughed, I cried, I swooned...my heart belongs to Ash, Nathaniel, and Augustus!