Quickie Review:

This was not your typical dark romance or even typical Sam Mariano story. So I do think even fans of her work are really going to struggle with this. Also keep in mind that this is a novella, its not one of her full length books. This was probably one of my least favorite books from her. This is not me saying that its a horrible book, far from it. But it just didn't have the flavor of a story that I was going for. I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book but it definitely wasn't quite my cup of tea. I enjoyed some elements. The heroine was sweet yet strong and not afraid to embrace her desires. Our hero was cunning and willing to do whatever it took to claim the woman he wanted. There are some family dynamics in this one that was a bit hard to deal with at times. But I did enjoy where the author took this story and it was definitely one of the more adventurous sexually of her books. So you definitely need to keep an open mind to even be okay with this story. But I really enjoyed how these two just were right for each other. It did have some poignant moments when I least expected it, and I enjoyed the affection that these two held for each other in just the perfect moments.

Overall while this one is definitely not a favorite of mine, I respect the reach iin which the author was going for on it and it had its redeeming qualities. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥.5
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
The Dark King was a really fascinating fantasy romance. This is the type of fantasy romance that is part of our world currently. I really enjoyed the setup and I don't get a chance to read books with fae in them that much especially with this type of setup, so I was highly intrigued. I am not sure I have even read this author before, I am pretty sure that I haven't although I have most defiinitely seen her around quite a bit. This is a trilogy about three brothers and a very interesting lineup of the fae courts. This also blends in a forced proximity/mating type of situation as well that really brought a interesting dynamic to the relationship.

First Line
Sex Sells

Summary
When our heroine, finds herself being let go of her job, but having an opportunity to take a free trop to Vegas, she can't resist the temptation. So she goes to Vegas and she runs into Caiden Verran, and instantly the chemistry between them is instant and strong. Caiden is the king of the Dark Fae who was rejected by the courts because of his grandparents, and now he is stuck in the mortal realm alongside with his family. When he and Bryn wake up, after being drunk, they realize they both married and were mated and now their fates are sealed. Until Caiden can find a way out of this, he has to force Bryn to stay with him. But their relationship with be packed with conflict as Bryn doesn't understand why, and Caiden is used to being the leader and having to make the tough calls. But together they slowly learn to trust in each other. But there is a evil plot to destroy them both and only by working together can they defeat a hidden enemy.

What I Loved
So there were many aspects to this story I enjoyed. I really loved the hero. There is something about a stubborn commanding alpha male that I am just immediately drawn to. I also loved the way he is a leader and has to make the tough calls. He is fair and just though with his people and I really respected that even though you can see how tortured he is at times. The heroine was sassy and strong willed and got a bit creative and I admired that from her. The plot was by far the best part of the book. I found the whole their lives being in danger and the whole third act was so intense I guarantee it will keep you at the edge of your seat. I also enjoyed how the family interacted with each other, it was so infectious. If you need strong spice levels in your stories, I can guarantee that the steam in this book will literally SINGE YOU!! Whew this book was SPICY!! haha But much of the emotional aspects of the relationship were built so well in these scenes and I really respected that about this author instead of it just being about the sex only.

What I Struggled With
The angst in the relationship was a bit too much at times. I really wanted to see more teamwork and to be honest I never really understood why they were so against one another. I mean they were both in the same situation so why attack one another? It just didn't make much sense.

Narration
The narration on this was super well done and I am glad that I was able to listen to this one. It was truly delightful.

Overall View
I found The Dark King to be a spice filled fantasy romance that will keep you on edge and be regularly delivering the thrills and fire up the senses for the adventure, intrigue and passion!

Favorite Quote(s)
I'd rather be sorry for taking a thousand risks than be safe for never taking any.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Fantasy Romance, Erotic Romance
Character Types: Fae, Royalty
Themes: Family Bonds, BDSM, Hot Smexy Times, Vegas Wedding
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Avery Reid, Aiden Snow
 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Divine Rivals is the first book in the duo series "Letters of Enchantment" and I wasn't sure that I was going to read this one, but after receiving many recommendations from those that have similar reading tastes as I do, I decided to pick this up. So I first want to say that Divine Rivals was an incredible read. I have no clue why its categorized as YA though, they are adults in this book, most likely for just marketing purposes most likely. I had really high expectations for this one and it definitely lived up to those expectations. I can see why this one is so well loved. My largest impression is that this had some of the most unique world building I have ever read. It had a quality to it that just drew you in slowly and I really appreciated the delicate nature in the author in being able to deliver that aspect to the reader.

First Line
Cold fog had settled over the depot like a burial shroud, and Iris Winnow thought the weather couldn't have been better.

Summary
Iris and Kitt are rival journalists that are both fighting for the same position. Iris is struggling with her brother being missing in the war and her mother is a alcoholic. She needs to win the columnists promotion. Roman Kitt has his own home struggles. His father is forcing him into a marriage he doesn't want and going to use anything to his power to get Kitt the position but he is determined to make his own way without his father's aid. When he starts writing letters with a special typewriter and figuring out its from his work nemesis, he is curious to discover what he can but the more they exchange words, the more intrigued he becomes and determined to be the man that she needs. When their ways keep running into each other, they discover a powerful love. But there is a war happening with an enemy that wants to destroy them at all costs. Will they lose each other just when they find a love worth fighting for?

What I Loved
Divine Rivals is a book I wasn't expecting. I couldn't seem to get enough of and I did this mostly in audiobook and then at the end I physically read it in my kindle. So I absolutely had a blast with the chemistry between Kitt and Iris and it was off the charts. The rivals to lovers aspects was written perfectly. There was such a easy flow from rivals to friends to lovers. They have a powerful connection in their letters and when the truth comes out .....the romance BLOSSOMS in a way that is so epic and beautifully captured. But the angst between them isn't too overpowering either. Its handled with a delicate writ that pulls you further into the story. The atmosphere that is created is so cozy at times but in other times has a more majestic feel to it. It definitely has a 1940's war era type of feel with the technology and clothing and culture of the time. Its a blend of magical realism and historical mythological fantasy mixed together. The magical elements are slowly inforced, so you don't need to worry about being overwhelmed by the world building. The fantastical elements really build in the third act with so much mystery being hinted at in the first half of the story. Rebecca Ross really captured the beauty of love so brilliantly. I was on board with these two as a couple and how they were willing to fight for each other in the third act finale was so precious and captured my complete attention. Its a story of devotion, of healing and redemption and the transcendent beauty of love in the most dangerous of circumstances.

What I Struggled With
The ending was a cliffhanger, not a fan of this but it didn't change my rating or overall enjoyment of the story.

Narration
I absolutely adored the narration. There is a bit of an accent so that took some getting used to. But once you get used to it, it really flows so naturally.

Overall View
I found this to be a journey of mystery, connection and magic that will stir the senses and keep you captivated all the way through!

Favorite Quote(s)
sometimes strength isn’t swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. sometimes it’s found in quiet, gentle places.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Mythological Fantasy, Magical Realism
Character Types: Journalists
Themes: Angst, Whimsical, Lyrical Writing
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Enemies to Lovers, Epic Love

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

Song This Book Inspires
The Power of Love by Celine Dion

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Play With Me is the second installment in the "Playing for Keeps" series. Its been a while since I read the first book and I was nervous to read the second book because the heroine was a character I had seen in Consider Me and she was a bit prickly, in fact she was a bit of a brat or that is the impression I received so yeah I am not a fan of bratty heroine so I was so apprehensive to see if this author would be able to make her work for me and what do you know??? She worked some miracles in this book here because I had so much fun with it. It was so endearing and fascinating and I couldn't get enough of it.

First Line
"I fuckin' told you."

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Garrett
Professional Hockey Player
Playboy/Manwhore
Alpha Cinnamon Roll

The Heroine: Jennie
Prickly and Sprited
Professional Dancer
Isolated

Summary
Garrett and Jennie are brought together when Jennie's overprotective brother buys her an apartment in the same complex as Garrett and has Garrett being a bit of her protector when he can't be there for her. Even though at first there is some tension, very quickly, a fast friendship forms between them. And those bonds of friendship develop into something hot and heavy very quickly and even though they both know how forbidden it is, they have a secret relationship with each other. At first its just for some hot sex and the fact that they get along so well together, but that spice quickly turns into something sweet and tender. But as the secret is dragged out, Garrett and Jennie will need to decide if a happy ever after can be in their future.

What I Loved
Play With Me was such a deep and sexy romance that I instantly was drawn into. I absolutely had a blast with this one here and Becka Mack threw in the big guns with this one. I still don't know how she was able to redeem this pair for me but most especially the heroine for me because I had the most difficult time with her character in the first book and I honestly was sure how it would have been possible to do this for me. But I have to say, this book impressed so completely with this author's talent of being able to write such a unlikeable heroine and turn her so likeable so QUICKLY. I started liking Jennie almost from the beginning. She is a bit spirited and does act like a brat at times, but once you see why she is so defensive, you can really see why. I was so in tune with her character and felt for her in how she struggles making genuine connections. Garrett is a hero I honestly fell hard so quickly. He is alpha in the bedroom and a cinnamon roll out of it. But he is so protective at times and I respected his character so deeply. We see how much family means to him and the scars that he carries deep inside. Garrett and Jennie are just pefect for each other. They really balance each others strengths and weaknesses. There were so many heart filled moments within their sexy moments and I enjoyed seeing their relationship form so deeply in the most unexpected ways. And if you need great spice in a romance, look no further than Becka Mack. She writes it so spectacularly. I adored it in every way. And considering I normally skim those scenes unless its an erotic romance, then that should tell you how well it was handled. The family bonds were just right in this one. And the epic explosion from the brother was so well built up and if you love that aspect in the brothers best friend trope, trust this author to do it just so well and satisfy you in the end.

What I Struggled With
Jennie's character in the beginning is the ONLY reason this book isn't a five star. It did turn me off for a while until she started to become likeable which took some time.

Narration
The narration was BRILLIANT and so masterful and I never wanted to put this down. Even though I could have easily switched to the ebook, I just didn't want to let go of the narration. So well portrayed and the emotional impact especially was perfection!

Overall View
Play With Me is a stunning addition to the series that is packed with sexual intimacy to curl the toes, banter to endear your heart, and emotion to take captive your soul! A WINNER!

Favorite Quote(s)
you weren’t made to fit in, jennie. you stand out way too much to hide in the shadows.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete, Dancer
Themes: Slow Burn, Hot Spice, Dirty Talk, Praise Kink
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Brothers Best Friend, Friends To Lovers (with benefits)

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Anti Hero by Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 Quickie Review:

Fury of Persuasion was such a blast of a book. It was a bit different type of tone of the story as this was more of a these are two people that were both kidnapped and find their way out and escape together and find out that they are fated mates through that forced proximity type of situation. The heroine is human but she has some psychic abilities, she has this capability of energy that draws in other dragon shifters to her. She was taken captive, used and abused, and eventually left alone in her cell to practically starve. When she is rescued and joins forces with our hero, the story really becomes elevated. The romance was enjoyable but I didn't quite connect with the relationship aspects as I did some of the other books. However, the plot and storyline were SUPERB as always! I am really fascinated by the dragon lore in this series and how the author has developed this series so far.

Overall I am intrigued for more and fascinated to see what happens next for this group and was such a fun listen. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Rowdy is the fifth book in the Marked Men series and what a fun story this turned out to be. I absolutely had a blast with this second chance romance and having a heroine do the grovel and redemption with the hero??? TOP TIER experience. We just don't see this aspect very often in books these days but I just had a fun time seeing how Jay Crownover developed this story. Even though it does start out slow at times, it turned out to be such a win of a read. No surprise with Jay Crownover at the helm. I just loved everything about this one and it really added so much more to Rowdy's character. I just wanted so much more with these two.

First Line
I don't have a lot of great memories from my childhood.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Rowdy
Bad Boy
Artist
Heart closed to Love
Playboy/Manwhore

The Heroine: Salem
Latino descent
Independent

Summary
Rowdy and Salem were best of friends when they were growing up, and right when Rowdy had started to fall for Salem, she abandoned him with no word and disappeared. Even though he thought he found a love with her sister, he was never able to forget her or the pain that she caused him as kids. Now they are adults, she is back in his life, and he is feeling bitter towards her. Salem knows that she hurt Rowdy. But she had to have freedom away from her controlling father and needed to forge her own path. But she never forgot the love she held for Rowdy, and has now come to Colorado to win over his heart. But her man is hardened and a bit of a playboy now, and she will have to be patient to win his full heart...

What I Loved
Rowdy was a blast of a good time. Jay Crownover writes some of the best gritty contemporary romances. Its always such a refreshing experience to pick up one of her books. I really found Rowdy to be so interesting to me. And having a groveling/pining heroine who has to work her butt off to win off her man....YES PLEASE! It can be so nice to have the heroine fight for the relationship. Both Rowdy and Salem are just endearing characters. They have such likeable personalities and you can feel their journey and struggle with each page. We really see both their perspectives and seeing how much pain is on both sides but both of them struggling in different ways. We also have a bit of a suspense side plot that I found very interesting. We also see hints for Asa's book. He is the character I have been so wanting the story for the most and I can't wait for the finale as I hear its EPIC.

What I Struggled With
The pacing was my struggle with this book. It starts out slow and ends slow. But the middle portion of the book was SUPERB! Also why is the KINDLE BOOK so expensive? Like these are new editions so shouldn't they have a reasonable price? Good thing I was able to read this through the Hoopla app but still. $13 is such ridiculous for a ebook cost especially in this economy.

Narration
This narration duo was superb. I only listened to about half of this book (and read the ebook in the second half) and they really brought the connection between the character so well focused.

Overall View
Rowdy is a fantastic read that embraced some powerful emotion, captivates your attention and digs deep into your heart!

Favorite Quote(s)

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types:
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Kids/Teens, Danger/Suspense, Heart/Touching, Pining Heroine.
Tropes:Unrequited Lovers, Slow Burn, Grumpy Sunshine, Friends to Lovers, Rags to Riches
Character Types: Tortured Hero, Single Parent

Book Perspective
“I always thought it was the firsts that matter, but now I know that it’s the lasts that stay with you.”

“You are the last person I want to kiss. The last woman I want in my bed. I want you to be the last girl that touches any and all parts of me, Salem, and that means so much more than a first.”

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Need You Now by Lady A

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either. Rowdy can easily be read as a standalone though

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖.5
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
These Rough Waters was my very first book by this author. I saw it recommended on Booktube (honestly I can't remember where) but I was intrigued because I just love the whole setup of this being a dark small town romance. Most small town romances are so tame, rarely do they have this level of tension and darker elements to them so whenever I find one of those I just have to go for it. I especially love the island theme to the story. I really was hooked pretty quickly into the story. The premise of the story just immediately pulled me in.

First Line
The clouds overhead tumble, rain lashing against the sea as lightning and thunder clash across the sky.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Torin
Assassin Hero
Grumpy and Broody
Tortured
Widower

The Heroine:Maya
MC on the Run
Abused
Single Mother

Summary
These Rough Waters begins with seeing the beginning to Torin. Torin we see lose his wife and son to a dangerous storm on the sea and this is where he loses himself and gives up everything including his career as an assassin. He settles in a island town to stay hidden in and nurse his bitter emotional wounds. When a lone woman and her daughter, who are obviously on the run and abused take refuge on his boat, his reaction isn't the most welcoming and Maya despite what she has suffered has spirit and strength and she stands against it. As Maya and her sweet daughter settle in this small town, they charm the heart of Torin and have him opening his heart to love and family once again and no matter who Maya is running from, he will protect her at all costs.

What I Loved
Now this story packed such a punch and I just didn't want to set it down. I had so much fun with it. I am definitely intrigued by this author and want to read so much more of her work. I loved how the plot developed and beautiful relationship that builds between these three especially was so endearing. It had a bit more inner relationship angst than I was honestly expecting but I didn't mind it. Some aspects of it was very refreshing and I felt like the author really developed the angst very well in many regards. The setting was rich and quite atmospheric and I was surprised how well drawn in I was into this story. I became so easily captivated by the relationship between Maya and Torin. They had such a connection and each of them need to go on a journey of healing and the spice in this was "on point"!

What I Struggled With
I do think that this story could have been a bit longer but overall was a solid win for me.

Overall View
These Rough Waters is a humbling romance that delivers powerful healing, renewal from trauma and a love being built in some surprising turns! A CAPTIVATING READ!

Favorite Quote(s)

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Male Assassin, Single Mother, Abused
Themes: MC on the Run, Island/Nautical Setting
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy Sunshine

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both

Song This Book Inspires
You Stay by Lauren Daigle

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨


First Impressions
Hans is the final (I think it is anyway) book in the "Alliance" series. After such a positive experience that I had with "Dom" I had really high expectations for Hans and it didn't quite work for me if I am being honest. I was really excited too because I loved what I saw with him and his "ladies" in Dom. However, I was disappointed with what this booko delivered. While there are positive aspects to it, the character of Hans was disappointing and the heroine, I didn't really connect with like I did some of the previous heroines in the series.

First Line
The soft scraping sound of my blade gliding over the whetstone fills me with a sense of calm.

Summary
Hans is a brooding man that keeps his secrets close. He is a trained assassin and fights for a very good reason and still has one enemy out there he will never stop fighting to get to. When a sexy woman moves in across the street from his home, he is tempted more than ever before. She is constantly using him as her guinea pig for her bakery recipes and his attraction to her is only building. There is a mutual attraction between Hans and Cassie, but Hans lives a dangerous life and doesn't know that he can risk being with Cassie and have her put in danger. But their connection is building to a point that he doesn't know he can let go of.

What I Loved
There were aspects to the story that I did enjoy. The first being is the plot. The plot was super well written in this story and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how well developed it was and the suspense elements that are gradually built throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the chemistry between Hans and Cassie, that focus was well built. This author definitely knows how to build her intimacy. There were also some fun interactions with the others in the Alliance that was a bit entertaining at times.

What I Struggled With
I will be honest in that this book was a disappointment. I am not sure exactly what it was but it just felt lacking especially in comparison to the previous books that I read on this one here. I really wanted to love it though. It just didn't execute in the way that I expected it to. I think my issue with this one was that the romance I just didn't feel that strongly. Yes there is good chemistry, but the actually relationship aspects and the swoons between this couple just didn't quite make it for me. The pacing in the book was slow, I am not sure if this was a "me" issue or not, however, I just had the hardest time keeping interest in this story. Another element was the characters I just didn't feel the depth for like I expected. Hans, while we get a good back story, I expected more from his character. After Nero, King and Dom, Hans feels like a cinnamon roll and I am not saying that in a positive way. If I am reading a dark romance with a crazy unhinged hero, I want an alpha male. He felt way too soft for me. Also another aspect to the story that I don't understand with this one was the number of chapters, there are over 100. That is WAY too many especially when quite a few chapters were only one page. What is that?? LOL

Overall View
Hans while a disappointing read at times, had such promise and was a satisfying finale in some respects. Despite my experience with this one, I will always have this author on my watchlist.

Favorite Quote(s)
But if he’s gonna be obsessed with me, he’d better be obsessed with only me.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance
Character Types: Assasian-Male, Curvy Heroine
Themes: Retelling (Goldilocks)
Tropes: Next Door Neighbor, Protector

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot

Song This Book Inspires
Body Electric by Lana Del Rey

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 

 Quickie Review:

Azagoth is a story that I really wanted to read. I have been wanting to explore more of the 1001 Dark Nights Franchise and when I saw the blurb for this one, I was instantly intrigued. And I have had a fun time with this author in the past and was curious to see how she would handle a shorter story and I have to say how impressed I was with how this book was written. From the moment I started it, I was immediately swept away into the story. I had such a good time with this one here. It was so fantastic and I enjoyed the way this story developed. The romance was just right. Now this is how enemies to lovers should be written. It was well evolved and the angst between them was just fun. I enjoyed their bantering and the way they knew when to stand on things and when to back down. The conflicts that rise within this story felt natural and had such an entertaining value to them. I enjoyed the aspect of the forced relationship in a way and seeing how these two find balance and make a relationship work. And how it resolved in the end, was pure perfection. This couple is hands on so dreamy. They are both willing to fight for each other and I just loved that. The heroine was a very good kick ass heroine. What I was impressed with is that she isn't hard. She still is feminine in her own way, but she has her own kind of backbone that really balances out Azagoth.

Overall I found Azagoth beyond entertaining and packed a deep emotional punch that strikes deep to the heart.