Ali Hazelwood is only getting better with each release. I know she said this wasn’t her typical STEM novel but we still had all the appropriate parts. She also said it was darker but for me, honestly it was more real. 
I love Rue with a passion. She’s such a great FMC. Eli is also phenomenal, I can’t wait for more MMC’s from Ali. 

Solid 4 star book.  I really enjoyed the chemistry between Josie and Matthew.  It fell flat in a few places and really hit it out of the park in a few others.

Where it fell flat for me:
Having read The Long Game, I was really disappointed that there was only one POV from Matthew.  I really, really wanted Matthew's POV.  He was such a great character and I would have loved to see the boy obsessed POV.
Given how long the book was, we never got interaction from Matthew's family or an epilogue wrapping everything up.  I would have loved some interaction with the Flanagan family.  Maybe I'm comparing to The Long Game too much, but we had Adalyn's mom very involved in the story and I wish Matthew's family had been just slightly involved in this one.
Adalyn's storyline and why she couldn't be more involved.  I think Josie was above that and wouldn't have cared.  Seemed like a touch of a cop out.

What I loved:
The chemistry was so good.  I loved Matthew's take charge attitude.  Biggest green flag.  Anytime Matthew took the stress from Josie, I was swooning.  
I loved how much I hated Andrew and The Shark.  Great writing to make me dislike them so very much.
I was so pleased with the ending of the book.  Without creating any spoilers, it was exactly how it should have ended.  (Though an epilogue a few years down the road would have been nice.)
The slow burn even though we could tell from the word Go how much Josie and Matthew both cared for each other. 
That first text reference from Adalyn was gold.  I loved it.

I hope Elena Armas comes out with another book in this small NC town so I can see glimpses of Matthew and Josie happily ever after. 

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

Knot Forgotten was a delicious Omegaverse book. Sometimes it's difficult to find an Omegaverse novel that isn't insta everything. Knot Forgotten follows 5 individuals that have known each other since they were young children and that background allowed everything to grow naturally versus being instalove/lust. I really appreciated that. It was also really well written.

I had a few issues with the book, preventing it from being a full five stars. The main one being that these 5 individuals grew up together. One of the last scenes from the book said they'd known each other since they were 6. The fact that 4 men that were "obsessed" with the FMC didn't recognize her because she straightened her hair and had a few curves--does not track. Especially as in the book, it said she wasn't very popular, but someone from their high school glanced at her in the library and instantly knew who she was? But her 4 closest friends didn't? I know it's needed for the plot, but I really struggled with that. The second point is the way the plot seemed to jump from point to point, ie. the bullying to end of the bullying, the rescue, etc. That said, I kind of get it. To flesh out a full book with 5 MCs and to also flesh out the plot, it would be a 1000 page book before we know it. So I think that's something that just may go hand in hand with Omegaverse novels. You have to lose some to gain elsewhere.

Again, the book was really well written. The MCs were all highly likable. It was a fun quick read on a Saturday night. The spice was spicing and for having to track 5 people, we weren't ending up with 12 elbows that just didn't make sense. Well done to the author on that.

I'm excited to keep reading this author and see what else is in the Hiddenverse.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

 

I was so excited to be selected for this ARC, but I won’t lie.  I was so hesitant to start The Undermining of Twyla and Frank, because book one nearly did me in.  I would call Bannen’s series cozy fantasy, but The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy destroyed me in all the best, not so cozy ways.  I don’t know that I have ever cried that hard while reading.  I was straight up heartbroken.  Bannen came through with a HEA, but it was a journey to get there.  So going into Twyla and Frank, I felt like I needed to suit up in armor.  But, to my pleasant surprise, there was no need.  I loved this story.  I read book one seven months ago.  I was able to slip right into Bannen’s world, with no problems.  A few things I needed to stop and think about in her world, but I wasn’t spending pages and pages just lost.  That didn’t happen.  

I love that we got a middle age love story.  All the accuracies of aging and finding a second love later in life while also in a fantasy world.  So beautifully done.  The banter, my gosh, the banter.  So good.  I was giggling like a school girl, at just the banter.  

I hope we get a book with Duckers, because he’s hilarious.  I also liked his little story arc with Zeddie.  An important growth point, we don’t always stay with our first love. 

What can I say, this book hit every point of cozy fantasy. I loved it with my whole heart and can’t wait to recommend it to friends and anyone I come across while browsing the bookstore.  I’m so hopeful for a book three! 

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for a review via NetGalley.

I was nervous initially going into an omegaverse book. I love omegaverse with why choose but it’s so hard to find *well written* books that I was cautious. Within the first chapter by concerns were blown away. The book is well written and I enjoyed the storylines. As someone who also enjoys sports romances, this felt like a 2 in 1 book for me!

I know things work differently in Omegaverse books due to heats/pack but I wish this has been fleshed out just a hint more in the relationship aspects. Allowed them to build. Even with Jordan, whom she had quite the history with, felt rushed.

I also found some of the initial initiations weird. Not the consent, consent is sexy, but in the beginning it was always abrupt. It got better as the book progressed.

I really enjoyed the book and the spice was deliciously spicy. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author! I feel like I’ve uncovered a treasure trove of Omegaverse. ❤️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily