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lambsbooks's Reviews (1.4k)
“Do not toy with me. This—this is the last piece of my heart I have left, do you understand? I don’t know how to protect it once it is outside my body. If I trust you and then you cast it into the dirt, it will be the death of both of us. What is left of me will kill what is left of you.”
Aye, what the fuck
“Murder is only treason if left unfinished,” Arin said. He tucked his hands into his pockets and turned to the door. “When I am done, they will call it succession.”
I am dead inside
This is going to be chaotic, and I had to leave out so many good quotes, otherwise, this would have been even longer than it already is
Arin firmly believed an attempt on one’s life was the highest form of flattery. Becoming a threat by the very virtue of your existence, inspiring the sort of mad dedication that drives men to murder...what could be more of an accomplishment?
This was the first sentence of the book ^^ off to a great start and really setting the tone lmao
Where to begin? The fact that from page one, Arin was unhinged and I loved it? The fact that we got Marek and Sefa’s POV, and they killed me? The fact that Sylvia was slowly losing her mind, and so was I?
Hm, no, not there
“Everything I have is hers to command. What she wills, I will create. What she hates, I will destroy. I am the weapon of the Malika, and it is her alone I pledge myself to.”
Let’s talk about the fact that there were more knife-to-throat scenes in this. Let’s talk about how this book emotionally ruined me. Let’s talk about how I never want to talk about the end of the book again10 YEARS HE WAITED 10 YEARS MY POOR BABY BUT WHAT WAS WORSE WAS MAREK ARE YOU KIDDING ME I am ded
For the truly enlightened among us are those who understand that the realities we build were already built for us.
Sara once again built a magnificently structured world with a beautiful tone, dark/dry humour (literally top tier funnies), and tension (even though they were separated a little, there was still tension! Like, how did that happen?? I love it). The side characters, Sefa and Marek, Arin’s guardsmen, everyone was so well done!
“If you let it, fear will make ruins of the future. You will build the rest of your life on the grave of every good thing you might have had, if only you had let yourself try.”
The way I love our two main characters together is not normal. Man, they were great. Sylvia, or Essyia, was strong, violent, caring, terrified, hurting, and afraid. Arin was, well, like I said, unhinged. He was just so done with everything, and I was living for it. He was also almost always 3 steps ahead, and that was just a great time lmao
Why enjoy a moment when I was just so good at ruining them?
I did have the same problem as the first book, the world-building, while amazing, was very dense, so I struggled with the first 50%. Like, I still really loved the first 50%, but it was hard to get through.
Overall, you are not prepared for this book. So, read this duology, please, and suffer with me.
Thank you to Orbit Books and the author for this ARC!
Aye, what the fuck
“Murder is only treason if left unfinished,” Arin said. He tucked his hands into his pockets and turned to the door. “When I am done, they will call it succession.”
I am dead inside
This is going to be chaotic, and I had to leave out so many good quotes, otherwise, this would have been even longer than it already is
Arin firmly believed an attempt on one’s life was the highest form of flattery. Becoming a threat by the very virtue of your existence, inspiring the sort of mad dedication that drives men to murder...what could be more of an accomplishment?
This was the first sentence of the book ^^ off to a great start and really setting the tone lmao
Where to begin? The fact that from page one, Arin was unhinged and I loved it? The fact that we got Marek and Sefa’s POV, and they killed me? The fact that Sylvia was slowly losing her mind, and so was I?
Hm, no, not there
“Everything I have is hers to command. What she wills, I will create. What she hates, I will destroy. I am the weapon of the Malika, and it is her alone I pledge myself to.”
Let’s talk about the fact that there were more knife-to-throat scenes in this. Let’s talk about how this book emotionally ruined me. Let’s talk about how I never want to talk about the end of the book again
For the truly enlightened among us are those who understand that the realities we build were already built for us.
Sara once again built a magnificently structured world with a beautiful tone, dark/dry humour (literally top tier funnies), and tension (even though they were separated a little, there was still tension! Like, how did that happen?? I love it). The side characters, Sefa and Marek, Arin’s guardsmen, everyone was so well done!
“If you let it, fear will make ruins of the future. You will build the rest of your life on the grave of every good thing you might have had, if only you had let yourself try.”
The way I love our two main characters together is not normal. Man, they were great. Sylvia, or Essyia, was strong, violent, caring, terrified, hurting, and afraid. Arin was, well, like I said, unhinged. He was just so done with everything, and I was living for it. He was also almost always 3 steps ahead, and that was just a great time lmao
Why enjoy a moment when I was just so good at ruining them?
I did have the same problem as the first book, the world-building, while amazing, was very dense, so I struggled with the first 50%. Like, I still really loved the first 50%, but it was hard to get through.
Overall, you are not prepared for this book. So, read this duology, please, and suffer with me.
Thank you to Orbit Books and the author for this ARC!
“You’re kind of beautiful when you lie.”
OH WHAT IN THE EVERLOVING FUCK
“I will sleep wherever you want me to. Whether it’s on the floor or in the dirt or in your bed, I’ll be there if you want me.”
4.5 stars
I’ve seen comments everywhere about the end, mostly about how it ruined it, but NO SIR NOT FOR ME. I cannot wait to see how this plays outenemies to lovers to enemies yess. I don’t love that he slapped her, wtf, so hopefully that was actually something else but *she* betrays him from the beginning is a huge yes for me. And BEAU?? What!! I do wish it was a little less “in your face” though, more organically thrown in instead of spelled out like it was.
“Tomorrow morning, I’m taking you down to start training.” He leans close, placing soft lips on mine. “I’m eager to see you with a sword in your hand.”
This ending actually raised the rating for me, you know, shock-value, because I had some big issues with this, mainly the editing. I read the ARC of the trad published version, so why were there still so many grammatical issues? The formatting problems? Hopefully just the ARC but come on, these editing issues were obvious and annoying.
“You’ve been feeding me with the same dagger you put through a man’s eyeball?”
The beginning was also awkwardly written, I dunno, I had a hard time for the first 30%-ish? But once a certain event happened, I was ALL IN LET’S GO
“Don’t worry [Brynn], I’m going to court you so well you’ll be begging to climb into bed with me.”
I loved the boat journey and their trek across land too, it was so heartbreaking, watching them kinda wither away at some points. Seeing them grow closer and you know, almost die, was great for their development.
THE FUCKING BIRD yes - loved all of that, and how it played out in the end
There were actually a few things I didn’t love about Acker. Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of things I loved, but a few that just didn’t sit right with me. But I am very much invested in the outcome of this series.
I loved the relationships that formed in the book, not just between our main characters but the side characters and the main characters as well!
“Cold soup as payment for saving your life,” I say, lifting a brow. “When you put it in perspective, couldn’t you have at least saved the whole roll for me?”
He quirks a sardonic smile. “After hearing my captor profess his love for you? I would have rather died.”
So that doesn’t sound like a positive review, but I still really enjoyed this! Obviously, I rated it pretty high lmao. Anyway, thank you to Saturday Books and the author for this ARC!
__________________
OH WHAT THE FUCK YES
Everyone: ugh, the ending ruined the book
Me: SHUT THE FRONT DOOR YES this is exactly what I want in a book 👏👏
rtc
OH WHAT IN THE EVERLOVING FUCK
“I will sleep wherever you want me to. Whether it’s on the floor or in the dirt or in your bed, I’ll be there if you want me.”
4.5 stars
I’ve seen comments everywhere about the end, mostly about how it ruined it, but NO SIR NOT FOR ME. I cannot wait to see how this plays out
“Tomorrow morning, I’m taking you down to start training.” He leans close, placing soft lips on mine. “I’m eager to see you with a sword in your hand.”
This ending actually raised the rating for me, you know, shock-value, because I had some big issues with this, mainly the editing. I read the ARC of the trad published version, so why were there still so many grammatical issues? The formatting problems? Hopefully just the ARC but come on, these editing issues were obvious and annoying.
“You’ve been feeding me with the same dagger you put through a man’s eyeball?”
The beginning was also awkwardly written, I dunno, I had a hard time for the first 30%-ish? But once a certain event happened, I was ALL IN LET’S GO
“Don’t worry [Brynn], I’m going to court you so well you’ll be begging to climb into bed with me.”
I loved the boat journey and their trek across land too, it was so heartbreaking, watching them kinda wither away at some points. Seeing them grow closer and you know, almost die, was great for their development.
THE FUCKING BIRD yes - loved all of that, and how it played out in the end
There were actually a few things I didn’t love about Acker. Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of things I loved, but a few that just didn’t sit right with me. But I am very much invested in the outcome of this series.
I loved the relationships that formed in the book, not just between our main characters but the side characters and the main characters as well!
“Cold soup as payment for saving your life,” I say, lifting a brow. “When you put it in perspective, couldn’t you have at least saved the whole roll for me?”
He quirks a sardonic smile. “After hearing my captor profess his love for you? I would have rather died.”
So that doesn’t sound like a positive review, but I still really enjoyed this! Obviously, I rated it pretty high lmao. Anyway, thank you to Saturday Books and the author for this ARC!
__________________
OH WHAT THE FUCK YES
Everyone: ugh, the ending ruined the book
Me: SHUT THE FRONT DOOR YES this is exactly what I want in a book 👏👏
rtc
“Look somewhere else, Nina. I’m only so strong.”
I actually felt like I was immersed in this book! So many books lately are really getting the vibes right *clap* I’m not sure exactly what the background/world was built on but I felt like I was in Ireland for some reason and I loved it
“Your God turned his head from this place a long time ago, Ma. We’re the only gods here.”
A CLIFFHANGER. RUDE. The last part?? CRYING
The House of Lords should have accounted for an angry boy who might one day stumble onto a crate of fake idium, might board a train back to the brink and divulge. Might one day lead an army of revolutionaries.
This was such a strong intro into this new fantasy series. There were twists and reveals that I did not see coming (but are we surprised?? Most of the time I really should see them coming lmao), and I love when a book can take me by surprise. I love when you just can’t put it down.
“No one will touch you, Nina. They wouldn’t dare. You have my word.”
“And what does your word count for, exactly?”
Found family. Morally grey characters. A perfect MMC (uh, in my mind). A desperate, strong FMC. Great side characters. Tension. Unique magic. So good. I loved the time jump in the beginning, I thought it added so much to the story! The politics, the class separation, corruption, scheming, death, the world-building. Yesss
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Canada and the author for this ARC!
Was I crying, or was blood running down my face?
I actually felt like I was immersed in this book! So many books lately are really getting the vibes right *clap* I’m not sure exactly what the background/world was built on but I felt like I was in Ireland for some reason and I loved it
“Your God turned his head from this place a long time ago, Ma. We’re the only gods here.”
A CLIFFHANGER. RUDE. The last part?? CRYING
The House of Lords should have accounted for an angry boy who might one day stumble onto a crate of fake idium, might board a train back to the brink and divulge. Might one day lead an army of revolutionaries.
This was such a strong intro into this new fantasy series. There were twists and reveals that I did not see coming (but are we surprised?? Most of the time I really should see them coming lmao), and I love when a book can take me by surprise. I love when you just can’t put it down.
“No one will touch you, Nina. They wouldn’t dare. You have my word.”
“And what does your word count for, exactly?”
Found family. Morally grey characters. A perfect MMC (uh, in my mind). A desperate, strong FMC. Great side characters. Tension. Unique magic. So good. I loved the time jump in the beginning, I thought it added so much to the story! The politics, the class separation, corruption, scheming, death, the world-building. Yesss
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Canada and the author for this ARC!
Was I crying, or was blood running down my face?
And Narissa, stars bless her, was neither sweet nor enjoyable. She was an ocean made of fire.
4.5 stars
It was a pretty fucking perfect wedding, save for one minor detail.
His bride.
This is definitely my favourite in the series so far! Ohmygod, I loved Narissa and Solarius together! And Solarius was the definition of playboy to simp, and it was perfect and gave me life.
Narissa patched up her broken heart and channeled that misplaced anger into an esteemed hatred for him, and now he planned on fucking the word hate right out of her vocabulary.
Hillary really knows how to create an atmospheric read filled with tension and intrigue. Since this was a second-chance romance, it was definitely character-driven and I was here for it 👏 but also, the reason behind the need for a second chance was awful - awful for Narissa cuz wft I was so sad for her😭
“You are an ocean made of fire, and my soul burns for you. I would gladly drown in your tumultuous sea of emotions if it meant you were only ever mine. Moonrise to moonfall, so long as the tides continue to kiss the shore, I will forever in this life, and every life thereafter, love only you.”
The world-building is expanded with each book that comes out and I'm so excited for how this underlying plot is going to evolve, and I need the next book nowww because omg the epilogue has me squealing
Thank you, Hillary, for this ARC!
If she’d let him, if she hadn’t run from him, he would have worshipped her like the moon. Gazed upon her like the stars. Unraveled her like the endless night.
4.5 stars
It was a pretty fucking perfect wedding, save for one minor detail.
His bride.
This is definitely my favourite in the series so far! Ohmygod, I loved Narissa and Solarius together! And Solarius was the definition of playboy to simp, and it was perfect and gave me life.
Narissa patched up her broken heart and channeled that misplaced anger into an esteemed hatred for him, and now he planned on fucking the word hate right out of her vocabulary.
Hillary really knows how to create an atmospheric read filled with tension and intrigue. Since this was a second-chance romance, it was definitely character-driven and I was here for it 👏 but also, the reason behind the need for a second chance was awful - awful for Narissa cuz wft I was so sad for her😭
“You are an ocean made of fire, and my soul burns for you. I would gladly drown in your tumultuous sea of emotions if it meant you were only ever mine. Moonrise to moonfall, so long as the tides continue to kiss the shore, I will forever in this life, and every life thereafter, love only you.”
The world-building is expanded with each book that comes out and I'm so excited for how this underlying plot is going to evolve, and I need the next book nowww because omg the epilogue has me squealing
Thank you, Hillary, for this ARC!
If she’d let him, if she hadn’t run from him, he would have worshipped her like the moon. Gazed upon her like the stars. Unraveled her like the endless night.
She wanted his sweat. She wanted him groaning for her.
You know, I don’t even know where to start?
And the thought floated through her addled consciousness that there was an auction, and she would belong to someone in a few short minutes. And Toven Hearst was bidding.
I think Julie Soto's writing is my one true love in life. I will read anything she writes. Rom-com? Check. YA Thriller, when I’ve never read a thriller in my life? Check. Romantasy? Check please.
This wasn’t a love story.
Gah, what do I say? This was roughly medium-paced, in my opinion. Everything was well-explained and moved along, keeping your attention on a fucking tightrope. Nothing was rushed or glossed over. I don’t like flashbacks in most books; I find them annoying, and they take you out of the story. This was an exception. I need these flashbacks to be their own story now, please. Desperately.
“I suppose I’ve never sought anyone who obeys easily.”
Also, there was a magic house, and that’s my downfall in books.
The bottom drawer had extra blankets and a black shoebox. She pried the top open and found nothing inside but a green lace ribbon.
The characters, main and side, were so interesting and exciting, and I can’t wait to see how so many things progress, omg, so many twists and turns, reveals and secrets, I can’t believe the wait for book 2 is now so long lmao this book isn’t even out yet and I already need the next.
“Come on, Toven,” she continued, goading him. “Tell me how often I’m on my knees for you, and how often you’re on your knees for me.”
The slow burn, enemies to lovers was just *shivers* I can’t even express how much I loved this. Toven and Briony were amazing characters. I was squealing with every damn interaction with them and then his family - I am shook.
Some of their mothers or aunts may be on the line, but the second generation was certainly a boys’ club.
I can’t wait for all the entire line of succession to get murdered, like holy fuck, I haven’t hated so many characters all at once. They better burn their kingdom down and get the so-deserved revenge they all deserve from the shit they had to deal with. Definately take the trigger warnings seriously, this isn’t a light, happy book at all and you will be screaming at the audacity, arogance, and psychopathy of these so called men.
Rory hadn’t understood that, but Briony, who’d hidden herself for years as something unremarkable, had a certain respect for someone who knew they deserved more but held themselves back for whatever reason.
I am SO interested to see how book 2 will deal with her brother. I did sort of see it coming, that he’s alive, but we know that Briony was feeding him power all along, so I want to see if he can stand on his own two feet because she has no time to coddle him anymore, and honestly? I don’t think Toven will just sit by and watch her do that anymore.
Also, they better be going after Cordeilla, because she got fucked over so bad in this book and it’s basiclly because she was Rory’s betrothed. They should be going after so many that are suffering but they’re hiding in a fucking cave with a dragon. Also, his family, mygod, I did not see that coming and I am here for whatever the fuck is going on in their rebellion.
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and the author for this ARC!
“You can’t just sit in a man’s lap and kiss his neck, Rosewood!”
She blinked at him, breathing quickly as he dragged a hand through his hair.
“And why not? That is precisely what happens at Biltmore—”
“That’s Biltmore!” he snapped. “This is here, in my house!”
Her eyes were wide as she watched him move toward the exit.
“What is your problem? We’re practicing—!”
“You cannot be this dense,” he muttered, striding out of the dining room.
You know, I don’t even know where to start?
And the thought floated through her addled consciousness that there was an auction, and she would belong to someone in a few short minutes. And Toven Hearst was bidding.
I think Julie Soto's writing is my one true love in life. I will read anything she writes. Rom-com? Check. YA Thriller, when I’ve never read a thriller in my life? Check. Romantasy? Check please.
This wasn’t a love story.
Gah, what do I say? This was roughly medium-paced, in my opinion. Everything was well-explained and moved along, keeping your attention on a fucking tightrope. Nothing was rushed or glossed over. I don’t like flashbacks in most books; I find them annoying, and they take you out of the story. This was an exception. I need these flashbacks to be their own story now, please. Desperately.
“I suppose I’ve never sought anyone who obeys easily.”
Also, there was a magic house, and that’s my downfall in books.
The bottom drawer had extra blankets and a black shoebox. She pried the top open and found nothing inside but a green lace ribbon.
The characters, main and side, were so interesting and exciting, and I can’t wait to see how so many things progress, omg, so many twists and turns, reveals and secrets, I can’t believe the wait for book 2 is now so long lmao this book isn’t even out yet and I already need the next.
“Come on, Toven,” she continued, goading him. “Tell me how often I’m on my knees for you, and how often you’re on your knees for me.”
The slow burn, enemies to lovers was just *shivers* I can’t even express how much I loved this. Toven and Briony were amazing characters. I was squealing with every damn interaction with them and then his family - I am shook.
Some of their mothers or aunts may be on the line, but the second generation was certainly a boys’ club.
I can’t wait for all the entire line of succession to get murdered, like holy fuck, I haven’t hated so many characters all at once. They better burn their kingdom down and get the so-deserved revenge they all deserve from the shit they had to deal with. Definately take the trigger warnings seriously, this isn’t a light, happy book at all and you will be screaming at the audacity, arogance, and psychopathy of these so called men.
Rory hadn’t understood that, but Briony, who’d hidden herself for years as something unremarkable, had a certain respect for someone who knew they deserved more but held themselves back for whatever reason.
Also, they better be going after Cordeilla, because she got fucked over so bad in this book and it’s basiclly because she was Rory’s betrothed. They should be going after so many that are suffering but they’re hiding in a fucking cave with a dragon. Also, his family, mygod, I did not see that coming and I am here for whatever the fuck is going on in their rebellion.
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and the author for this ARC!
“You can’t just sit in a man’s lap and kiss his neck, Rosewood!”
She blinked at him, breathing quickly as he dragged a hand through his hair.
“And why not? That is precisely what happens at Biltmore—”
“That’s Biltmore!” he snapped. “This is here, in my house!”
Her eyes were wide as she watched him move toward the exit.
“What is your problem? We’re practicing—!”
“You cannot be this dense,” he muttered, striding out of the dining room.
“I’ve loved you for ages, Dani. I’ve just been waiting for you to catch up.”
Ezra, how does it feel to carry the entire book on your shoulders??
Ezra was amazing. Ezra is the reason this rating isn’t like 2 stars.
3.5 stars
“I want to touch you and make you realize that all I ever think about is touching you, that sometimes it’s the only thing that gets me through the day.”
So, I guess to start, I went into this thinking there would be some great tension, rival lawyers fighting on either side of cases. That screams tension. Give me! But you know, they were already hooking up so there was zero tension. Ezra basically says he’d date her, and Dani saying, “but I hate him” blah blah. They literally had sex on page one. That’s the opposite of rivals-to-lovers tension I want.
Dani. What a fucking spoiled little brat. Her entire personality focused on the fact that she was so angry, for the last like 15 years that her parents divorced and remained best friends. That her “whole life was a lie” and “she’ll never trust again.” I’m sorry?? On what fucking privileged planet do you live on? Grow the fuck up. I wanted to strangle her so much. You don’t have an actual problem, this isn’t an actual issue. Does Lana hate women?
“I came over here because seeing you was the only thing in the world that I could think of that might make this day less of a goddamned nightmare.”
Also, I dunno if Dani was supposed to be written as good at her job but she was a literal idiot. Every single thing caught her off guard during the case, what a horrible lawyer with no poker face. And she’d just freeze each time, be overwhelmed, but Ezra was a calm and collected cucumber, so I ask again, does Lana hate women? None of the FMCs I've read have been written well by her.
You know, I hate the 1-D friends that are always featured in books like these. They all pretty much have the same voice, no substance, and exist only to comfort or tell off the FMC in some sassy way.
Most of my quotes are from Ezra. I think that says something. I have more but honestly, I don’t want to think about this anymore.
I think maybe I’m done with Lana’s books for now. I've read 3 and I haven’t really loved, or even really liked, any of them.
Thank you so much to Berkley for this ARC! I literally never get approvals from them and this is probably the last I’ll get because I basically tore it to shreds. *sobs*
Ezra, how does it feel to carry the entire book on your shoulders??
Ezra was amazing. Ezra is the reason this rating isn’t like 2 stars.
3.5 stars
“I want to touch you and make you realize that all I ever think about is touching you, that sometimes it’s the only thing that gets me through the day.”
So, I guess to start, I went into this thinking there would be some great tension, rival lawyers fighting on either side of cases. That screams tension. Give me! But you know, they were already hooking up so there was zero tension. Ezra basically says he’d date her, and Dani saying, “but I hate him” blah blah. They literally had sex on page one. That’s the opposite of rivals-to-lovers tension I want.
Dani. What a fucking spoiled little brat. Her entire personality focused on the fact that she was so angry, for the last like 15 years that her parents divorced and remained best friends. That her “whole life was a lie” and “she’ll never trust again.” I’m sorry?? On what fucking privileged planet do you live on? Grow the fuck up. I wanted to strangle her so much. You don’t have an actual problem, this isn’t an actual issue. Does Lana hate women?
“I came over here because seeing you was the only thing in the world that I could think of that might make this day less of a goddamned nightmare.”
Also, I dunno if Dani was supposed to be written as good at her job but she was a literal idiot. Every single thing caught her off guard during the case, what a horrible lawyer with no poker face. And she’d just freeze each time, be overwhelmed, but Ezra was a calm and collected cucumber, so I ask again, does Lana hate women? None of the FMCs I've read have been written well by her.
You know, I hate the 1-D friends that are always featured in books like these. They all pretty much have the same voice, no substance, and exist only to comfort or tell off the FMC in some sassy way.
Most of my quotes are from Ezra. I think that says something. I have more but honestly, I don’t want to think about this anymore.
I think maybe I’m done with Lana’s books for now. I've read 3 and I haven’t really loved, or even really liked, any of them.
Thank you so much to Berkley for this ARC! I literally never get approvals from them and this is probably the last I’ll get because I basically tore it to shreds. *sobs*
And toying with him was too much fun. Fuck caution. Let’s see what I could get away with.
All the stars because it’s my bestie's debut novel 🤭🥳
You know, I don't think I've read a book based on Celtic mythology? Or at least not like this one! And the Twelve Dancing Princesses! It was so unique! The research that went into it was 👏
Get ready to meet the most cinnamon roll-y man you've ever met. A golden retriever dream. A cinnamon retriever, a golden roll, if you will.
A golden roll.
What tf am I saying at this point?
Anyway, what a great debut novel featuring a badass FMC, found family, all the middle ages vibes (is that a thing? I didn't know how to word it lmao), cheese biscuits, and slow burn romance!
“I’m clearly the eldest if this behavior is anything to go off. They need me.”
“Well, then you’re the eldest of us all,” Brí said.
“How dare you,” Dàibhid said.
I loved Brí and Dàibhid's banter, and I especially loved that she didn't betray her brother because I have trust issues and was expecting it the whole time lmao
The thing I loved most was the family aspect tho, the trio, and I'm hoping we maybe see some more of Rígan's family too 👀 and I'm obvvviously hoping for more Rígan and Dàibhid
“You two really are alike. Time-wasting caution and maybe action later if the mood suits you.”
Regan took no shit from anyone and I loved that *clap*
Thank you so much, Kaila, for this ARC!
All the stars because it’s my bestie's debut novel 🤭🥳
You know, I don't think I've read a book based on Celtic mythology? Or at least not like this one! And the Twelve Dancing Princesses! It was so unique! The research that went into it was 👏
Get ready to meet the most cinnamon roll-y man you've ever met. A golden retriever dream. A cinnamon retriever, a golden roll, if you will.
A golden roll.
What tf am I saying at this point?
Anyway, what a great debut novel featuring a badass FMC, found family, all the middle ages vibes (is that a thing? I didn't know how to word it lmao), cheese biscuits, and slow burn romance!
“I’m clearly the eldest if this behavior is anything to go off. They need me.”
“Well, then you’re the eldest of us all,” Brí said.
“How dare you,” Dàibhid said.
I loved Brí and Dàibhid's banter, and I especially loved that she didn't betray her brother because I have trust issues and was expecting it the whole time lmao
The thing I loved most was the family aspect tho, the trio, and I'm hoping we maybe see some more of Rígan's family too 👀 and I'm obvvviously hoping for more Rígan and Dàibhid
“You two really are alike. Time-wasting caution and maybe action later if the mood suits you.”
Regan took no shit from anyone and I loved that *clap*
Thank you so much, Kaila, for this ARC!
“I didn’t realize how lonely my life was until I met you.”
Emotional from the first page, this book tried to kill me.
Travis was so awkward and introverted and my little heart couldn’t handle all of it
I stand a few feet away from him, shifting from one foot to the other. I don’t know what to do with my arms.
This was my first Formula One book! I loved F1 as a kid so this was super fun to read about. The romance between Travis and Jacob was also super cute and very angsty - but it was done well! This was a fast-paced, sorta second chance romance featuring Travis, who was quiet and reserved and Jacob, who was outgoing but so deep in the closet he was in Narnia. But his family was shit, so he had a good reason.
*Que drama*
But also, the humour in this was amazing! I’m a big fan of funny stuff in serious-sad-etc. books
“Plus, I still think it’d be kind of rude to just show up out of nowhere at his door. If he wanted to see me, he could. So, I should just . . . respect that. Right?”
Kelsie doesn’t look up from her typing.
“Right?” I say again. “Kels?”
“Huh? Oh—sorry, babe. I was just Googling synonyms for ‘coward.’”
I loved the fact that when they were separate, Travis found his own little family *sob* Found family is absolutely great in books, and Travis was so alone. And Jacob went to therapy which was a huge positive thing cuz that boy needed it, badly. It allowed for some well-needed character development! I wish more books would show the characters going to therapy, god knows most need it lmao
If you wait for everything in your life to be perfect before you take action, then you’ll be waiting forever.
I did wish that the accident was more front and centre, I guess? Or maybe the recovery, but the pace of the book was fast, so it was glossed over a bit. But what was talked about, see my first sentence again 😭
Eventually, I drag myself to the shower down the hall and stare at myself in the mirror. It’s hard to do. I hate myself so much these days. It’s like—I can hear myself being a dick, but I can’t stop it. I feel so awful and hateful inside, it spills out into everything I say, everything I do.
Anyway, definitely recommend!
Big thank you to Harper Collins Canada and the author for this ARC!
Emotional from the first page, this book tried to kill me.
Travis was so awkward and introverted and my little heart couldn’t handle all of it
I stand a few feet away from him, shifting from one foot to the other. I don’t know what to do with my arms.
This was my first Formula One book! I loved F1 as a kid so this was super fun to read about. The romance between Travis and Jacob was also super cute and very angsty - but it was done well! This was a fast-paced, sorta second chance romance featuring Travis, who was quiet and reserved and Jacob, who was outgoing but so deep in the closet he was in Narnia. But his family was shit, so he had a good reason.
*Que drama*
But also, the humour in this was amazing! I’m a big fan of funny stuff in serious-sad-etc. books
“Plus, I still think it’d be kind of rude to just show up out of nowhere at his door. If he wanted to see me, he could. So, I should just . . . respect that. Right?”
Kelsie doesn’t look up from her typing.
“Right?” I say again. “Kels?”
“Huh? Oh—sorry, babe. I was just Googling synonyms for ‘coward.’”
I loved the fact that when they were separate, Travis found his own little family *sob* Found family is absolutely great in books, and Travis was so alone. And Jacob went to therapy which was a huge positive thing cuz that boy needed it, badly. It allowed for some well-needed character development! I wish more books would show the characters going to therapy, god knows most need it lmao
If you wait for everything in your life to be perfect before you take action, then you’ll be waiting forever.
I did wish that the accident was more front and centre, I guess? Or maybe the recovery, but the pace of the book was fast, so it was glossed over a bit. But what was talked about, see my first sentence again 😭
Eventually, I drag myself to the shower down the hall and stare at myself in the mirror. It’s hard to do. I hate myself so much these days. It’s like—I can hear myself being a dick, but I can’t stop it. I feel so awful and hateful inside, it spills out into everything I say, everything I do.
Anyway, definitely recommend!
Big thank you to Harper Collins Canada and the author for this ARC!
“I said that wrong. What I meant was it’s hard to believe you’re an introvert because you shine in every room you enter.”
ohmygawd
oneroomonebed
He’s Lucifer, wearing the disguise of a Ralph Lauren model.
This was so much more than I expected! I loved this so much!
“I’m not obsessed with Rafe.”
I’m totally obsessed with Rafe, but not in the way Molly is implying. No, my obsession was forged in the hellfires of acrimony. My obsession is purely professional, and I operate on the premise of keeping an eye on your enemies.
I work for a massive, international nonprofit and yet we still don’t get retreats to tropical islands for leadership training lmao
But the organization is also mostly women so this male-centred, egocentric, stuck-up-filled, sausage fest wouldn’t be something I’d want to attend anyway lmao I do not have it in me to have patience with sexism, not anymore, so Tris had more patience that I would have.
She was grace. She was poise. She was fed up in the end
But the end??
*perfection*
I always say: I burn bridges because I can SWIM
“Fuck,” he murmurs into my skin. “You taste as good as I imagined.”
I guess I did talk about the end first but I’ll also talk about how much I adored our main characters together! I love a good workplace rivals to lovers and Rafe was *starts sweating* very attractive
I have so much love for books that feature a little getaway like this and this had lots of little things I loved and the humour was top notch
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and the author for this ARC!
“This is hardly office appropriate.”
I mean, that was the entire point of this dress. I just never imagined I’d be wearing it with Rafe.
His eyes darken. “You’re right.” He leans down, speaking directly into my ear. “I’d rather it was balled up on the floor with my face between your thighs.”
ohmygawd
oneroomonebed
He’s Lucifer, wearing the disguise of a Ralph Lauren model.
This was so much more than I expected! I loved this so much!
“I’m not obsessed with Rafe.”
I’m totally obsessed with Rafe, but not in the way Molly is implying. No, my obsession was forged in the hellfires of acrimony. My obsession is purely professional, and I operate on the premise of keeping an eye on your enemies.
I work for a massive, international nonprofit and yet we still don’t get retreats to tropical islands for leadership training lmao
But the organization is also mostly women so this male-centred, egocentric, stuck-up-filled, sausage fest wouldn’t be something I’d want to attend anyway lmao I do not have it in me to have patience with sexism, not anymore, so Tris had more patience that I would have.
She was grace. She was poise. She was fed up in the end
But the end??
*perfection*
I always say: I burn bridges because I can SWIM
“Fuck,” he murmurs into my skin. “You taste as good as I imagined.”
I guess I did talk about the end first but I’ll also talk about how much I adored our main characters together! I love a good workplace rivals to lovers and Rafe was *starts sweating* very attractive
I have so much love for books that feature a little getaway like this and this had lots of little things I loved and the humour was top notch
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and the author for this ARC!
“This is hardly office appropriate.”
I mean, that was the entire point of this dress. I just never imagined I’d be wearing it with Rafe.
His eyes darken. “You’re right.” He leans down, speaking directly into my ear. “I’d rather it was balled up on the floor with my face between your thighs.”
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Great Big Beautiful Heartbreak
There. I fixed it.
Fuck Me.
I think I'm dehydrated.
There. I fixed it.
Fuck Me.
I think I'm dehydrated.