3 stars. I’m not confident that this was the book for me. 

The premise was interesting but it was too easy to unravel. I didn't feel connected to the characters. The backstory with the ex-boyfriend felt underdeveloped and because of that the comparisons were awkward. The chemistry between the characters was missing for me. The developed feelings after just a tiny short amount of time felt forced. I was missing fun and giggle worthy banter. The miscommunication with the family was also weird. The texts barely seemed to resolve it? Felt like a bit of a bandaid wrap up.

I received an e-ARC from atria and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I’ve struggled to get my mind right with this one. 

I think the author did a disservice by trying to make this story so flowery, so to speak. It’s already high fantasy. I feel like some of the pace, the way the words flowed, etc. wasn’t necessary. The narrator also made it feel like I was reading a sweet little fairytale. We were in fast-paced battle scenes and the narration didn’t change one iota. Didn’t speed up, no emotion change, nada. 

That said, I enjoyed the story. I found it interesting and the magic system set up unique. The author struggled to build relationships. If the spice was removed from this book, it would 10000% be young adult. In fact; I don’t think this book needed it. It was unnecessary and made so awkward with language. 

My biggest gripe with this book. You have a woman who grew up in a temple. Where women are allowed to take lovers, though it is not recommended. But women *can*. Where Oracles are also healers. But this naive girl doesn’t think about the implications of unprotected sex and what herbs to brew to prevent said implications? Also, why was the herb even with them?! Who just carries around anti-baby herbs when you’re on a mission. 

Ok ok, one last gripe. They are getting down and dirty daily. Mouths is places mouths have no business being while traveling for days on end via horseback with my little access to washing up. They even get back and it’s announced how badly they stink. 🤢 No, just no.

I will admit I don’t love the narrator, but can admit that holy hell, what a job she does. The not loving the narrator is me, it has something to do with her voice. But the battle scenes? The timing? So damn good. Let’s not forget the way I straight up sobbed through the last battle. I didn’t even get that emotional the first time I read it. Well done! 

Solid 3.5 stars.

I'm struggling with this review.  The book was adorable, but it felt more like a self-discovery book and not a romance book.  It felt very romance light for me.  It also read log a blog, not a book?  I adored all of the side characters and thought they all had a lot of depth but I was missing the depth from John, the MMC.  I wish we'd have had a chapter or two from his POV, just to get inside his head a little bit.  

All that said, I couldn't put the book down.  I started it after work and finished it before going to bed, so it has a definite unputdownable quality.  I just wanted more swoon worthy romance.  

I received an E-ARC from Harper Collins and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew when I read the synopsis I was going to love this book.  I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed a forward thinking FMC and the believable plot of her living on her own and teaching. I loved the ideas and the ability for everyone to grow and see opposite sides of the coin.  I loved the interactions, I loved the side characters (who I hope we see in the future, looking at you Atkinson sisters!), overall there was nothing I didn't enjoy about this book.  I can see myself recommending this for a great little vacation/beach read! Enough sweet and fluffy to have one kicking their feet but enough mystery to keep you invested too! 

I received a free E-Arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

As always, my Queen, Helena Hunting, did not disappoint.  I absolutely love Dallas and Hemi.  I knew I would from reading If You Hate Me and that grew in If You Want Me.  I think this *almost* tops my love of If You Hate me, *almost*.

With fake dating to fake fiancé trope, I believe the way the fake dating occurred was actually my favorite of any fake dating trope I've ever read.  I can just hear Dallas thinking, "Oops." 

I struggled a little with the pacing, I felt like instead of having one big climax, we had a lot of small apexes, not one large one?  Like yes we resolved the fake dating/fake engagement, but there were a lot of small bumps, not one big hurdle to get over. Threw me for a bit of a loop, we'd resolve one and I'd think, "Ok, but why is there still 60% left?".  Didn't deter my rating, I adore these two.  The side characters were great, the Babe Brigade was amazing, the families were out of this world.

The foreshadowing of all of the future couples??? Phenomenal! I was literally into the epilogue when I figured out who it would be about, Helena did so much fun foreshadowing. I can't wait for the next book and whatever comes after! 

I received a free e-ARC from Good Girls PR in exchange for an honest review.