He looks like he wants to do something else entirely with his mouth. Because I’m learning something private about my boss. He really likes to eat.

A billionaire, single dad needs a date to his Christmas gathering and the merch designer for his football team just happens to be in need of some revenge dating. Throw in all the spice, snow, small towns, meddling family, past trauma, and Penguin the cat, well, this was simply *adorable*

One room. One bed. Five nights.

I would like a Wilder, served up under my Christmas tree please. This was such a fun rom-com, and I’ve been waiting for their story since we met them both in The Boyfriend Goal! I loved both main characters and Mac, Wilder’s daughter! Wilder and Fable were great, they had scorching chemistry and one thing that I absolutely loved was Wilder’s relationship with Mac’s mom, his ex. I love that it was good, so many times I’ve read books where the other women in the stories, whether it’s just passing women or exes, are just written terribly, made to always look jealous and spiteful, so their relationship was refreshing.

Did I say the word love enough? lmao

“Because this”—I nod toward the window and the white flakes floating down—“ is a fantasy, but you are my real fantasy.”

Thank you to Lauren and her team for this ARC!

“It really doesn’t matter that you can’t sing.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you fuck like a rock star.”

 In my dreams, she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

A CLIFFHANGER !?

I AM DECEASED.

My chest tightened. She’d attacked me with murder in her heart. And yet, idiot that I was, it was her I couldn’t take my eyes off.

Well, this was *entertaining*

None of this felt real. If I accepted that this was real, then it meant I was alive. I was betrothed. I was a hostage of vampires. And I was a student.

4.5 stars

This was a great romantasy in an academic setting! It had tension, angst, full back and neck tattoos, romance, spice, politics, DRAGONS, vampires, otherworldly aspects. Yes, I quite enjoyed this 🫡

Pride? I have plenty of pride. Pride didn’t arm me. Pride didn’t give me a blade with which to slit his throat, I retorted.
Ah, but you wished to. That is something at least. Good. Hold on to that. Hold on to your rage.

I really enjoyed Medra, her personality and demeanour, and her friendship with Florence and Naveen (love a good friendship). Blake was also a good character, I say good in the sense that the tension was good, not in the sense he was a good character, it is a minor bully romance lol. I am untrusting and wondering about Tamlin-syndrome in book 2 but we shall see lmao.

The cold steel was pressed against Blake’s throat before his hand could reach me. His eyes widened, ever so slightly, surprise flickering over his face. Then his smirk widened. My heart sank.

I’m looking forward to book 2 IMMENSELY. I need to know what happens next, I’m looking at you ending-that-was-a-cliffhanger, and I neeeed to know how the bonding/pairing plays out now that things have happened and have been revealed.

Medra Pendragon was mine. And I was prepared to die before I let any harm come to her.

Overall, super enjoyable, lil trashy, but we love trash here 💅

Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for an eARC and physical copy (hasn’t arrived yet but figured I’d add my thanks now anyway lol)

“You're mine, Pendragon. Let another man touch you like I just did and you’ll find out just how much of an asshole I can really be.”

“You are a sea in which I would gladly drown, a storm I would let destroy me until there was nothing left. When I am with you, I remember what it means to live, to feel. You are my eternal breath. Through shadows and sunlight, prophecies and fate, all I want, all I long for, is you.”

A shadow-wielding, dragon-riding villain paired with a rainbow-spouting, sunshine-conjuring wisp-like fae with a hidden dark side = ideal

“If we do not leave now,” he muttered, pulling her close as she squirmed in his hold, “we will never make it out of this bedroom.”

Oh, and he pierces her nippies during smexy times and has a textured peen, just in case you needed more excuses *shrug* lmao

“Ever since the first moment I saw you,” Drake growled, his voice hoarse. “I have wanted this. I have wanted to ruin you. To watch you come undone in my arms. Over and over.”

4.25 stars

This was everything I hoped it would be after we met both Drake and Creslyn in All the Choas of Constellations. The main question I have is: will there be baby dragons in the next one?? Because I need to know right meow.

I loved our two MCs together, they were great, and even though it was slightly insta-like, I thought there was enough tension and movement between the two that it went well. I loved that we’re getting more of the background story, things that I felt were left up-in-the-air from book 1 (i.e. war), and I am a fan of Hillary’s world-building, it was magical and emotional and romantic.

Creslyn straddling him with the intent to inflict harm was quite possibly one of the most provocative things he’d ever endured.

I love that Creslyn was such a quick learner (um, in fighting, I see how that could be misinterpreted lmao) and she stood her ground and fought for herself - i.e. wasn’t a pushover. Drake was a legit villain in this and that was great! He did lots of questionable things, things that caused lots of anger and tears and emotions. And the plot twist/reveal! Le gasp!

His future wife would rather drink poison than fuck him. Lovely.

^ I am excited for the next few couples we saw glimpses of in this one, like that quote, yes, please.

“Do you want me to fuck you on the back of my dragon?”

Thank you Hillary for this ARC!

There’s…more books coming right!? I mean, it can’t end like that?

While I still really enjoyed this book, I did like book 1 a lot more. 

Do you ever read a book and think: I’m not smart enough for this?

What an absolute mindfuck.

My poor brain was trying and failing to keep up, to see the manipulations and illusions, the twists and plots. I’ve never flip-flopped on liking and hating characters so much. The ending was unexpected but that just made it even better. I was whispering no no no to myself, at the tragedy, the reveals, the betrayals, and now I’ll just think about this book forever. 

 “I’m fucking starving for you, Wills.”

While chapter 1 wasn’t very long, it was like 1 page, I highlighted the entire thing because what a way to start a book lmao *anxiety has never looked so appealing*

“What do you need?”
To convince you that all of this is real and not just a farce, and to let me worship you for the rest of my life.

Dallas is now added to my book boyfriend list, and you all should know I am very picky, like I am in real-life lmao

Tropes based on Quotes:

❤️‍🔥“Let me take care of you”
❤️‍🔥“It’s always been you”
❤️‍🔥“Everything about this is real for me. But it’s okay if it takes time for you get where I am.”
❤️‍🔥“You’re a little obsessed, aren’t you?”
❤️‍🔥“I’m going to pound you into the couch now, honey.”
❤️‍🔥“I’ll let you fuck my ass if you let me fuck yours first.”
❤️‍🔥“You were and still are the popular hockey player, and I was and still am me. Too intense. Too bossy. Unlikable.”

First, the emotion and characters, then the spice.

We now have a legal, binding document that states that Dallas and I are in a relationship. I think I might vomit. In contrast, his eyes are alight with an unreasonable amount of excitement and satisfaction as he scribbles his signature on the last page.
“It’s official,” he tells me. “You’re mine.”

Hemi/Wills was literally perfect. Her fears, anxieties, her life—everything was so real and so well written. Her insecurities when it came to trusting people was heartbreaking but perfect. Dallas and his obsession with her—I literally died multiple times reading this. I love an obsessed man, and man, was he all-things-Hemi. Dallas’s anxiety was done really well too and I loved that.

“I’m serious, Wills. You need to get off, I will make that happen for you. However you want it to happen. You want me to finger fuck you to orgasm? My hands are yours. Wanna sit on my face? My tongue is ready. You want to ride my cock? I’m already hard.” I point at my crotch.

Dallas had a mouth on him. GOOD LORD that man knew how to talk. BUT, I absolutely loved how Hemi took charge during fun times too, and how Dallas was such a little simp for her. The peaches are more than just a reference to Hemi’s love of them lmao, but also, I loved that Dallas always brought her her favourite stuff! The little crochet peaches! I want one *sob*

“Please always be that vocal. I fucking love it. And the nails, always try to stab me with your fingernail talons. Especially during sex. I wasn’t kidding when I said it gets me going.”

Thank you Helena and Sarah for this ARC!

His eyes heat, and he runs his tongue along his top lip. “I fucking love it when you order me around.”
“Seriously. Go.” I give him my death stare.
He mouths so hot, winks, and heads for the locker room.

____________


I need a Dallas ASAP

ALSO WHAT WAS THAT ENDING!? *faints*

Rtc

 “I’d read you like scripture, a prayer. And all the worship I felt, I’d heap at your feet.”

We all need more female rage in our lives

“If I’m going to have the stabbing, there better be kissing after.”

4.5 stars

This was so atmospheric. The power of family lost and family gained. That when motivated, anything is possible, including burning down an entire empire.

“I am a tool of vengeance now. I exist to destroy those who came for me and my family.”

I don't know how to describe it but it was like the ideal fantasy setting. There was a prison, a castle, markets, farms, swords, horses, hidden identities,

enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers,

he-knows-her-scars,

rain-forcing-them-to-an-inn-for-the-night-with-only-one-room-and-only-one-bed…

Just so perfect.

“Are you flirting with me about getting beheaded?”
His eyes lit up. “I can’t think of anyone else who might even consider it flirting.”

Dania was so strong, after all she went through and lost and I loved her and I loved her friendship with Noor was great. I love a good friendship-building in books, its always so wholesome.

He fell to his knees on the floor, looking up at me as if waiting for his execution.

Set on a Pakistain-inspired background, this book of revenge, rage, forgiveness, acceptance, and romance was just amazing. I loved the movement around Dani and Mazin’s relationship and their history, told in duel timelines (not alternating chapters, though, just enough for background).

“Noor, this isn’t about revenge. It’s about making sure this power doesn’t stay in the hands of anyone who is going to use it to destroy. It’s about stopping the cycle.”
Noor looked up at Maz, her brow raised. “It’s a little about revenge,” he admitted.

Spoiler quotes and squee-ing, but I literally couldn’t leave this out of my review

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you? I’d know you with any face. Any skin. Any hair. A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I’d still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath.”

Can I just say that I almost died when he mentioned that he always knew it was her!! Based on her hands!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? HOW PERFECT WAS THAT AND HE TOOK IN HER CAT?? Yes.

“Let me prove it to you now. Tell me what you want, Dani.”
“What I want?” I lifted my sword in front of my face, the rain beating against the blade. “I want my fucking cat back.”

I would have liked a little more rage, world-building, and romance, hence the not 5 stars, but overall, amazing!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and the author for this ARC!

“It’s too much. I can’t save you without destroying myself.”

Why is it that a woman’s character is questioned based upon her reaction to a man’s bad behavior?

🟢🟡🔴

Melina, how does it feel to be God’s favourite?

“Nothing, and I mean nothing, has ever felt better than my girl on my cock and my man in my ass.”

Spicy

Very spicy with a side of hotness

“I gotta fuck you because your cock’s too big for me to take?” Declan shakes his head.
“You’ll take my cock just fine. I was made for you.”

Should I end the review here?? Lmao you need to know nothing else

4.5 stars

How do I explain that I told people I thought would support me, help me? That I told my family, and they didn’t believe me?

This was emotional and perfect and lovely and I am obsessed. I really loved both Cade and Declan, Melina took some time getting used to be then I was all for her!

“Are we supposed to be, like, holding hands or talking about our feelings?” I cough out a laugh. He’s just as bad at this as I am.
“I mean, I was really hoping to watch football, but if you want, we can.” He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
“Fuck, I’m awkward. Just ignore me.”

I really liked the mental illness and health portrayal in this book, and how Declan used the ropes (in multiple ways *winky wink*) to ease his anxiety.

I’ve never been good with words. To be fair, I’ve never really tried to be good with words. I don’t censor my thoughts, but I don’t say much either way. Normally my face does all the talking.

I didnt like how it's not said anywhere that this is an age-gap, it definitely is and I am not a fan of them, but unlike many, it didn't linger on the ages, it was mentioned as a side comment a few times, but wasn't brought up like a main plot point, which was refreshing.

Based on the interactions I’ve observed between them, it’s hard not to wonder whether they’re the soulmates, and I’m the distraction.

This can be read as a standalone but it was very clearly part of a larger series because of all the characters I should have known and didn’t, so it was confusing for a good part of the beginning.

Thank you so much to Hambright PR and the author for this ARC! 

 有缘千里来相会 (yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì)
we have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles.

The past is calling me right now. It’s telling me I took too long to write this damn review and I remember nothing that happened lmao

But, it was kinda forgettable too?

“Lay a hand on him and I’ll destroy you,” Xian blurted out. “If not in this life, then I swear, I’ll find you in the next.”

I don’t think I’ve read this mythology yet, The White Snake one, but I like that it was a gender-bent retelling, the White Snake is usually a girl, this was a mm YA fantasy, so that was really fun! I will also say that the ending was soul-crushing for a while there, so that was also fun #jokesIamdead

“Zhen tried to memorize everything, but standing close to Xian turned his brain into a sieve.”

With a dash of hidden identity, adventure, and romance, this was a good read overall. There were quite a few things that made me rate it lower, but I literally can’t remember them lmao, so that’s all you get *dances away*

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for this eARC and Frenzy Books for the physical ARC!

"You thought I needed to be reminded that no one chooses me, ever?"

There are some books you read that no matter what part you’re reading, you’re on the verge of crying. Every underlying word, meaning, and action in the book hurts, even when it’s funny, you hurt still.

“When I kissed you, it felt like my spirit left my body. I want you to know that. I felt like I had died kissing you.”

This book was so much more than I expected. I was thinking it would be a cute, cozy, witchy book but instead, it punched me in the face and then drove over me with a van. The pain they were all feeling, the pain each one of them experienced later, out on their own, I was dying.

A breath in which the worlds merge once more. A breath in which I can see every creature that has lived and died, every shadow made, every god that has roamed this earth, all around us like layers of silk spun by spiders.
And then it-this glimpse of divinity-it passes.
As it must.