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

Review: A captivating spin-off that will make your heart pound. 

 

“Heir” follows Aiz (an orphan), Sirsha (an outcast), and Quil (a prince) as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love, the devastating consequences of greed, and a killer who will bring the empire to its knees. 

 

I loved everything about this book, which is not surprising seeing that the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet is one of my favorite series of all time! “Heir” takes place in the same world, but 20 years later, and follows the next generation of Tahir’s most beloved characters. It warmed my heart to be able to catch up with Helene, Elias, and Laia after so long (even though their happily ever afters were tampered with by Tahir) and see new dynamics form between them and Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. 

 

The characters are the driving force of this story. Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil are three-dimensional, contending with complex inner conflicts. Aiz is devoted to her faith and her people, but she lets power corrupt her humanity. After being banished from her tribe, Sirsha struggles with trusting others, something she must face head on when she discovers that she alone cannot hunt down the killer who has murdered children across the Empire. Born to a Plebeian and an Illustrian, brought into the world by a Scholar, and raised among the Tribes, Quil feels as if he belongs nowhere. What’s more, he’s loathe to inherit the throne in fear of becoming his father (the most hated emperor in the history of his people). 

 

I particularly enjoyed reading from Sirsha and Quil’s point-of-view because of the relationship that developed between them when fate crossed their paths. While not the focus of the book, the subtle romance made my heart flutter! 

 

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to explore the Empire alongside the characters. Tahir builds off the fictional world she established in the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet by seamlessly introducing new cultures, religions, peoples, and magic systems. The dual timelines also add an element of intrigue. As with her other books, Tahir doesn’t reveal all her cards at once, slowly relinquishing information the further we get into the story until the part each character plays in the larger narrative becomes clear. I’m on the edge of my seat as I wait for book 2!

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

Review: An epic historical fantasy meant to be devoured. 

 

“A Song to Drown Rivers” follows Xishi after her beauty draws the attention of a famous young military advisor, Fanli. He presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty to topple the neighboring kingdom of Wu and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within. But if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down. 

 

Liang’s adult debut is inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Her atmospheric writing immerses the reader in a world set during Chinese history that has a fantasy feel to it. I really love how Liang’s reimagining characterizes Xishi as someone who is so much more than a beautiful face. She sacrifices her own happiness, draws upon her wit to manipulate men who think her harmless, and never lets her guard down, even in the face of loss and violence—all for the greater good of her kingdom. Her story is one that I find empowering. 

 

Liang creates an interesting dynamic between her characters that is a recipe for tragedy. Xishi is at the center of it all, coveted by Fuchai (the cruel king of Wu that I couldn’t manage to fully hate thanks to Liang) despite her heart belonging to someone else. That someone else happens to be Fanli, who typically doesn’t allow himself to fall victim to selfish desires. The forbidden attraction that sparks between them over the course of the ten weeks they trained together made my heart race! I could practically feel the yearning behind every stolen glance and brush of their fingers. I wanted nothing more than for them to get together. 

 

The ending of this book is devastating. Seeing what little power Xishi possessed be ripped away from her, and the attempted erasure of her from history, permanently damaged my tear ducts I fear. Yet, the final pages leave a lasting impact in the most beautiful way. 

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

Review: A feel-good, cozy Christmas story with lots of laughs and spice! 

 

“Window Shopping” follows Aiden Cook, the owner of a Manhattan department store, and Stella Schmidt, an aspiring window dresser, after a chance meeting results in sparks flying.  

 

Stella and Aiden are an adorable couple! I particularly enjoyed their dynamic with Stella’s prickly personality contrasting Aiden’s sunshiny one. They cling to their differences and the employer x employee power imbalance between them to prevent a relationship from forming, but there is no escaping the connection they have! I loved watching them throw caution to the wind and finally give in to their emotional and (quite intense) physical chemistry. 

 

Aiden Cook is my favorite MC written by Tessa Bailey! Her Ted Lasso inspired hero could not be more perfect. I immediately fell in love with his goofy, cheerful, and kind self. Like Stella, my heart melted every time he appeared with a new Christmas themed bow tie and told another one of his outlandish stories about his Aunt Edna. Most of all, I appreciated him giving Stella, an ex-convict, a shot at achieving her dreams as a window dresser. 

 

Stella is incredibly strong and courageous for rebuilding her life from the ground up regardless of the stigma surrounding ex-convicts in the workforce. I appreciate Bailey for shining a light on this matter. 

 

I love these characters, their matching robes, and the way they support each other through their struggles (Stella’s re-entry into society and Aiden’s suppression of his own feelings). Reading this book is truly the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!

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

Review: The future is female in Patel’s F1 novel! 

 

“Offtrack” follows Diana Zahrani, Formula One’s first female driver, and Miguel de la Fuente, World Championship favorite, as they race through the season. But when sparks fly, they must decide for the sake of their team where their priorities lie: on track, with the championship, or offtrack, with each other. 

 

I loved reading from Diana’s point-of-view because she is such an empowering character! F1 is a male-dominated sport, so to see her persevere despite the misogynistic culture and the obstacles imposed on her is inspiring. She does not do so without struggle. Her perspective highlights the immense pressure she experiences, yet her love for the sport never wavers, which made her more real in my eyes. 

 

Diana’s fellow competitors do not take her seriously. Miguel, however, recognizes that she is a fierce competitor and that is what I love about their relationship. Beyond that, the romance definitely takes a back seat to both characters’ 2022 season. Normally, I am totally okay with subtle relationship development, but because of the slow placing, that aspect of the story lost me. It paled in comparison to the well-researched F1 elements and almost felt forced, especially with the dreaded third act break-up that occurred with ten chapters to go. Nevertheless, I appreciated the friendship that blossomed between them and the way they put each other in their place on the track. 

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

Review: A dazzling adult debut from Saft! 

 

“A Dark and Drowning Tide” follows Lorelai Kaskel, a sharp-tongued folklorist, and Sylvia von Wolff, her academic rival, as they pair up to solve their mentor’s murder whilst on an expedition to find a magical spring for their king. 

 

Saft’s atmospheric writing contributes to her immersive world-building. Her story is set in the fictional kingdom of Brunnestaad, a country heavily inspired by Germany, that is populated by both Brunnestaaders and the Yevani, akin to the Jewish community. Saft tackles problems of nationalism and antisemitism through the perspective of her main character Lorelai, a young Jewish woman whose determination to make a name for herself in being a part of the Ruhigburg expedition stems from her experiences in being “othered”. I really appreciate the Jewish representation and how Lorelai’s rich knowledge of Jewish and German folklore contributes to the reader’s understand of the country’s history, culture, and politics. 

 

I could not get enough of the murder mystery Lorelai tasks herself with solving as well as the sapphic, academic rivals-to-allies-to-lovers subplot! Sylvia is the only suspect that Lorelai can rule out following their mentor’s murder. These circumstances push them to strike a begrudging alliance as they work together to prevent the murderer from striking again. I love the slow pacing of their relationship development as they are forced to confront their feelings while in each other’s proximity. I thoroughly enjoyed occupying Lorelai’s mind during this time. Lorelai is fascinating to follow as she draws on her knowledge of folklore, quick wit, and keen observation skills to find the Ursprung and the killer. At the same time, she is actively fighting against her love for Sylvia by burying her emotions and masking them with self-loathing. I adored watching Syliva break through Lorelai’s stubborn and guarded personality with her unrelenting optimism! They are truly opposites in every sense of the word and complete each other. Nothing was more satisfying than watching them capture the culprit and each other’s hearts! 

Review: These books have quickly become comfort reads of mine! 

“Apprentice to the Villain” follows Evie Sage as she becomes her outrageously handsome evil overlord’s apprentice to save both him and the Kingdom of Rennedawn’s magic.

Evie and Trystan made me giddy with joy! Their romantic tension heightens as the two are put in situations they would only fantasize about. I was left feeling satisfied and not (in a good way because I don’t want this series to end!) as they inched closer towards coupledom. While the slow burn is truly infuriating, there is nothing I would not endure for them.

I really appreciate how Maehrer leans into the found family element with this book. The added points-of-view shed light on the backstories of characters new and old. Learning more about what Evie went through as a child and the sacrifices she had to make informed my understanding of her character and the growth she underwent in this story. She steps out of her comfort zone and learns new skills to embrace her new role as Trystan’s apprentice while holding on to her kind, gentle, and optimistic personality. I think that is what I love most about Evie—she never loses sight of what is important to her, her softness included!

This series is so ridiculously fun and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 3!

Review: Hazelwood’s steamiest STEM romance by far! 

 

“Not in Love” follows Rue Siebert and Eli Killgore, one of several people involved a hostile takeover of her company, as they engage in a no-strings-attached, secret affair. But the heart is a risky business—one that plays for keeps. 

 

I have come to the realization that erotic romance is just not for me. Going into this book I knew from the author’s note that it would be tonally different and have more mature scenes, but I wasn’t expecting Rue and Eli’s physical intimacy to overshadow a lot of the elements I love from Hazelwood’s other works that she has published in the past. Elements like a slow burn romance and a strong emotional connection between the characters. As a result, I had a harder time investing in Rue and Eli’s relationship as a couple. 

 

This isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy the book. In my opinion, Rue Siebert is Hazelwood’s most layered, complex, and real fmc yet! She conceals her shyness, self-consciousness, and social anxiety behind a mask of detachment and I really related to that. A lot of Rue’s behaviors, and Eli’s as well, stem from childhood trauma and I appreciate Hazelwood broaching difficult topics like grief, food insecurity, and child neglect by having Rue and Eli open up to each other about what they went through. The more time the two spend together, the more vulnerable they allow themselves to be, revealing bits and pieces of themselves they buried deep in a judgement free atmosphere. I loved the moments where their emotional bond shone through. 

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

Review: A strong start to a romantasy series with endless potential! 

 

“Fear the Flames” follows Elowen Atarah, an exiled princess, as she teams up with Cayden Veles, the feared Commander of Vareveth, to free her dragons and save her people. As forces beyond their control try to keep them apart, the pull between Elowen and Cayden becomes irresistible. 

 

The concept of this book immediately grasped my attention. It was the reluctant allies-to-lovers romance that drew me in further! Elowen and Cayden’s knife to the throat meet-cute put me in a chokehold and I was living for their banter. Their dynamic is truly incredible and the tension had my heart pounding. 

 

Unfortunately, the pacing and aspects of the writing are what lost me. While Cayden fell first, he also fell very fast. Many readers might like this if they prefer instantaneous chemistry, but I tend to like books where the relationship development moves more slowly, so I did not enjoy how quick it felt. Much of their dialogue, aside from the banter, was also clunky and cringey at times. 

 

As far as the plot, the heist was the main focus, so I was a bit let down when it missed the mark. There was a lot of build-up surrounding it only for it to be done and over with so quickly. Nearly everything was executed without a hitch, so it just ended up being anticlimactic. 

 

Overall, I appreciate this book’s vision and really liked some of its elements despite its setbacks. I’m interested to see what direction Darling takes the next book now that the groundwork has been laid.

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

Review: Reading this book is like receiving a bear hug that gives you all the warm, fuzzy feelings! 

 

“Unbearably Yours” follows Charlee Fletcher and Oliver Reynolds after a twist of fate forces the former lovers to collaborate on a nature documentary and put their grudges and wounds aside. But will they survive two weeks together in the wilderness if their bond still lingers? 

 

This was such a delightful book to read! I was completely immersed in the small town of Pine Falls and fully invested in the lives of Colliard’s compelling characters. 

 

What sets this book apart from others is that it is told from two perspectives and split between two timelines—the past and the present—that ultimately converge towards the end. Chapters taking place in the past are written as letters exchanged between Oliver and Charlee that document their development from strangers to friends to lovers over the span of a year leading up to June 21, 2018—the day they ceased communication. As a fan of epistolary novels, I really enjoyed this touch and the seamless transition between the two timelines. The contents of each letter directly connects to something going on in the present in one way or another or another, making it easy to follow Colliard’s storytelling. Only bits and pieces surrounding why their relationship went awry are revealed over time, which kept me engaged all the way through. 

 

I adored Oliver as soon as he graced the page! He’s so sensitive and kind and Colliard portrays his neurodivergence with care. The more time I spent with Charlee, the more I grew to love the woman beneath her tough exterior. Both characters grapple with grief, but find solace in each other even after five years apart. They have such great chemistry and this becomes only more obvious when circumstances beyond their control leave them no choice but to spend more time together the deeper they journey into the Great Bear Rainforest. I loved watching the sparks reignite between Charlee and Oliver as they worked through their pasts to get another shot at love!

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

Review: Henry Turner and Halle Jacobs are my everything! 

 

“Daydream” follows Henry Turner, the captain of the hockey team, and Halle Jacobs, and aspiring author, as they strike a deal amongst themselves to overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year. In exchange for being Henry’s private tutor to help him maintain his good academic standing, he will give Halle new experiences to beat her writer’s block. They just need to stick to their rule book. Simple enough…right? 

 

First and foremost — Hannah Grace, just in case anyone hasn’t told you this yet, “Daydream” WAS worth waiting for! It is beautifully written and will be held close to my heart from this point forward. 

 

As an eldest daughter, I heavily related to Halle and her people-pleasing tendencies. The loneliness that stemmed from taking on so much and putting everyone else first truly made my heart ache. 

 

Henry faces many obstacles of his own, like the pressure he puts on himself to be a good team captain. I appreciate the way Grace portrays his neurodivergence. It felt realistic and she handles it with care, which is so important in terms of representation. I enjoyed reading from his perspective and learned a lot from how he views the world and processes conflict. 

 

I adore Henry and Halle’s dynamic. Henry puts Halle first and Halle, having a sister with an ADHD diagnosis, makes every effort to understand Henry and his needs. She is very observant of his body language and gives him space when he needs to sort through his feelings. I especially love the pacing of this book surrounding Henry and Halle’s physical intimacy. Halle had a lot of anxiety surrounding it due to her previous relationship and Henry was so patient with her. He made sure to be respectful of her timeline, ask for consent, and check in with her. Throughout the book they maintain a healthy relationship by being open and honest with each other. Not only is it heartwarming, but it contributes to their insane chemistry!