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
Brutalize Me is the third installment in the "Corrupted Royals" series and this book is about Armani De Santis and Tiana. And I haven't read any books from this series. I think I was apprehensive because it was another series with the mafia training and since she had another series about this, I was apprehensive about it. But when I saw a friend of mine, rave about this one on her YouTube channel, I knew that I needed to read it. I am so glad that I did though because this is one of my favorite books by this author. This book completely blew me away and the intensity that is packed within this story was just perfection. I honestly couldn't put this beauty of a story down and I am happy for it. If you love mafia romance with arranged marriage, a protective hero and a sensitive introvert heroine, then this book is perfect for you.

First Line
The world I live in is a cruel one. Nothing has ever been easy.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Armani
-Alpha mafia leader in training
-protective
-strong and caring for women in his life

The Heroine: Tiana
-loving
-dreams of marriage and family
-history of being abused
-introvert and shy

Summary
Tiana was raised in a orphanage and she and her brother Misha were constantly abused but then they were taken in by a mafia family who raised them and brought them up in a solid home of comfort and stability. But now Misha is getting married and finishing off in the mafia training academy and soon he won't be a part of her life anymore and she understands what her role within the mafia is. She has always dreamed of a man to love and to raise his children in love and nurturing them. But when Misha leaves for his honeymoon, her adoptive father has other plans for her without Misha's awareness and she will now be forced into a marriage with his business partner, Karlin Makarova. And when Tiana ends up being brutally abused by him, her brother and his best friend step in and arrange their own marriage for her with Armani De Santis which has been arranged for some time. But Tiana and Armani have a strong connection to each other, that is stable and loving and when Armani protects her at all costs, a formidable love forms between them.

What I Loved
This book was epic and beautiful and one of my favorite Mafia romances that I have ever read. I am not sure what it is, but some books by this author are so well done and she really capitalizes on the intimacy and emotion on very deep levels and she really worked the relationship between Armani and Tiana so well. I just loved the way that these two are developed and the poignant moments between them were so awe inspiring at times. The romance that builds between these two is so well done and the slow built chemistry feels just right for them being strangers to each other. Despite Armani being Misha's best friend, they haven't met until his wedding although they know of each other. Unlike with most best friend sibling romances, the brother wants his sister with Armani because he trusts Armani to treat her with care and respect. And Armani is honestly one of the most noble heroes I have ever read in this sub genre. The way he is with gentle Tiana was beautiful. Its apparent he knows how to treat women with gentle care and he knows what she has been through in her past and only want to protect her and love her. His devotion to her was just beautiful. The plot of the story keeps you on the edge of your seat and it was so intense at many times. There was a part of me that was so drawn into this one and seeing our couple work through the challenges that they face and embrace the beautiful connection that they have together. There is a third act conflict which I am still on the fence on, I do wish that there was more trust implemented there but I do like that the hero had to work a bit to redeem his mistakes but it wasn't overdone.

What I Struggled With
The only issue I had is how the third act was handled, but it was resolved pretty quickly so I am relieved it hadn't been dragged out too much. Just wish there had been a bit more trust implemented there.

Overall View
Brutalize Me was a captivating, emotionally driven, and intimate poignant story that melted my heart and delivered all the thrills and feels from beginning to end. A MAFIA GEM!

Favorite Quote(s)
Home. It’s the one thing I want more than anything. A husband I can love. Children I can give the world to. A house I can call my own. To many, it’s a stupid wish, but to me, it’s everything.

“That’s right, tesoro mia. Saying our vows won’t change a damn thing. You’re mine for life, and only death will part us.”

I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’ll treasure her forever.

“I’m going to love you so hard to make up for all the days you felt unloved.”

In such a short time, Armani has given me more love and respect than I’ve ever experienced. It feels like a dream, like I’m getting a glimpse of heaven.

I give him everything I have. My heart. My body. My soul. All that I am belongs to Armani.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Mafia, Alpha Male, Shy Heroine, Abused Heroine
Themes: Pining Hero, Slow Burn, Danger Elements
Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Best Friend's Sister

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix of Both

Song This Book Inspires
Scars by Boy Epic

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as standalones if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

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

 Fury of Shadows is the second installment in the "Dragonfury" series. This series is part of the dragon pack that is living in Scotland. And I absolutely loved this book. I think this book is even better than the first book which I really enjoyed. There was something so much deeper on the emotional moments between our couple that really effects the reader on another level and I really appreciated what this author was capable of doing especially when these books are smaller, they are novella's and not full length reads. The spice that is delivered between this couple isn't many scenes but the ones that we get hit 🔥🔥🔥🔥 and I really enjoyed what she was able to deliver within this one here. I also found the way in which the story was built plot wise to be a wild ride. Its well built and the banter between the various characters was so well done. I really had a blast and my only complaint is that it was too short, I didn't want to say goodbye to this couple here. However, these books are just perfect if you are looking for a fun story with strong emotions than I recommend it highly. 
 

 Quickie Review-May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review.

Lord of the Abyss was recommended to me by a fellow book friend, who really loved this one and when she mentioned that it had beauty and beast vibes and very similar gothic undertones to that of Lair of the Lion by Feehan, I just knew that this book was one that I needed to read. And I also wanted to try to pick this one up for Halloween vibes and it was so perfect. This is out of order of a series, but it can still be read as a standalone if needed. I really enjoyed what the Lord of the Abyss offered here. It has all the vibes I love to see in a fantasy or paranromal romance. Nalini Singh always knows how to write such great stuff, but this is most definitely one of my favorites from her. I wouldn't have minded it being a bit longer though, but even with its length, it was a true gem. There is so much magic and intrigue and smexy vibes contained within this story. And the retelling aspect was so well done. I loved the connections to the "Beauty and the Beast" tale. So if you are looking for the perfect smexy spooky gothic romance to read, I highly recommend you grab this one up here. Its a pure delight and will definitely be buying to to place on my shelf. 

 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: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Damnable Grace is the fifth installment in the "Hades Hangmen" series and in this one we have a story of redemption and healing and going through PTSD trauma and trying to work through that. I honestly just jumped into this one, I knew from teasers from the previous book that it would be about the KKK and how the cults of the sisters would be connected to it, but boy, Tillie Cole really stepped up her game with this one. It was wildly intense and really pushes the boundaries. I really thought I had my boundaries solid for this one but I just wasn't expecting what we deal with here. I highly recommend paying attention to the trigger warnings that I am sure the author has on her site because its wild in this book and intense and might be a bit too much for some.

First Line
"I'm going to be a Marine!"

Summary
In Damnable Grace, we have a story of a ex sniper Marine veteran and a young woman used as a sex slave. Sister Phebe has only known the cult life and she has been used a their whore for years since she was ten years old. But despite what she has gone through, she still has a fighting spirit and one of grace and love. She is being trained as the leader for a man who believes himself to be the leader of the KKK as well as the Aryan Brotherhood, Meister. But then she is saved by a man who has kind eyes and gives her hope for a new life, a life she has never imagined but wants to life desperately. But even when hope and love enter her grasp, both Phebe and AK will have to deal with their trauma and realize that healing takes time and doesn't get recovered from overnight. But with each other, they are able to aid each other through the process of redemption and acceptance...

What I Loved
There was so much to love about Damnable Grace. These books really can be tough for any reader but especially if you are new to the MC world, this author really writes them super gritty. So I wouldn't necessarily recommend them if you don't like women being termed as "Bitches" it can sometimes bother me how this author writes it, but honestly I have learned to just replace the word with women or females most of the time. I do love how she incorporates the cult life with the MC world and crafts it in such a way that leaves you wanting more and by the end of the book, you are a hot mess of feelings and heart. There is something about how Tillie Cole is so effortlessly able to deliver deep emotion. And most especially in the later half of this book, this author had me all over the place with my feels. Seeing AK and Phebe find each other, and slowly work through their past and what they have suffered was so intense at times. I did appreciate that the author doesn't just magically heal the wounds. That from the style in which she writes these books, its healing that obviously take time to overcome. But be ready for a wild ride on this one.

What I Struggled With
There was one section of the story I really struggled with where the heroine does something really stupid. I was like thinking why on earth are you doing this? And of course worse things happen after she makes this decision. So I get that she was so secluded and wasn't educated or anything but still why couldn't she just trust AK to help locate her daughter?

Overall View
Damnable Grace is a intense, leap off the pages emotion, delivering all the fields and intensity that only this author is capable of in one book. Its wild, dramatic and an intense tale of healing and grace....

Favorite Quote(s)
“Think of your face like the sky. The freckles, the stars, only make the sight more worth looking at.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Dark Romance, Suspense, Contemporary
Character Types: Bikers
Themes: Tear Jerker, MC, Danger, PTSD

Book Perspective
duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix of both

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I highly recommend reading these in order if possible

Steam/Spice Explanations

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

 The Debt and the Duke is the debut novel from Brianna Nichols. This author is a beloved friend of mine, so I am admitting first out of the box how biased my review will be. I try to always be honest but I do want to come clean that this is going to be biased here.

This is a really interesting book and I fell into the beginning of the story very quickly. It has a setup that turns into a unique set of scenarios that I wasn't expecting going into it. I really enjoyed the hero's character. He is strong, capable, and trying to lead his family but is caught between duty and love for them. So its understandable why he hasn't put his foot down stronger. The heroine is very self-independent but determined to go her own way and doesn't seek help from anyone. She has to learn that its okay to have help and assistance. The romance between them was interesting, its very reluctance on both parties. But seeing them learn to let go and become open to each other was very endearing and their journey was a fun time. Even though I struggled with the heroine in how she would talk down to the hero, she has her own growth to do which I enjoyed seeing.

Overall this is a solid beginning to what I hope is a fantastic series. Really charmed by this story and the characters that we meet with some swoon feels to deliver heart where its needed most. 

 The Psycho is a book that I have been wanting to give a try for quite a long while. This author has been all over my instagram feed, so naturally, I have been really curious especially around this time of year. And there is nothing more fun than a deliciously dark romance like this one. Now this is my first from this author and I am very intrigued with this series and how its going to be built. The psycho is very interesting. Now this book is far from perfect, it contains some plot holes, however, its was a wild ride that I just had a blast with. I was very intrigued with the hero, he is so layered and seeing him slowly come into his own emotionally was really fascinating. I wasn't as much of a fan of the heroine though, she was alright, but she didn't really do anything for me. I was expecting someone so different than what was in the story so yeah. I didn't hate her, I just couldn't relate to her on hardly any level so that did at times detract from the enjoyment. And there were some plot holes in this one and some teaser on what we would get and it didn't quite execute all the way. The romance itself and the way the relationship is built was intriguing and it definitely held my fascination all the way through and I am eager for the others but most especially Colton...he was hilarious. 

 Quickie Review-May contain spoilers, so be forewarned upon reading this review

Blonde Date was such a pure delight to read here. I absolutely adored all the sweet moments that build between this couple. I really loved this pair that are implemented here. I just had a blast with how these two work together. It has such a fun set up here. And somehow with it being a novella, its my favorite of the series haha Not sure why, but I just fell so hard for this couple. Loved how together they are for each other and I hope we get to see them in future books to see how their relationship goes. But we have a hero who is a Jew and a basketball player, however the fact that the hero is Jewish made the whole fling idea not applicable if he was loyal to this faith anyway. As the religion is pretty strict on sex before marriage so not sure how I feel about that being implemented. But the romance was super endearing. 

 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
Confessions of a Dangerous Lord is the sixth installment in the "Rescued from Ruin" series and this was a fantastic read. I honestly couldn't put this one down and there is something about Elisa Braden and how she writes a regency romance that just strikes deep. And I do think this is one of my favorite books from her. I honestly adored every single thing about this book and never wanted to put it down. That doesn't happen very often anymore with historicals and I am completely hooked by this author and the talent that she has to write such beautiful historical romances that just engage you right away and this one with Maureen and and Henry just strikes deep in so many ways and it captivated me so dearly and the humor was just the right amount here. If you need a refreshing historical, then I highly recommend this one. You can read as a standalone if you need to.

First Line
Most men saw poorly in the dark. Sabre was not most men.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Henry, Early of Dunston
Puts off a persona of being into fashion and a bit flashy with a witty dialogue upon everyone he meets. But deep down he is a undercover spy to hunt down the one responsible for his father's murder.

The Heroine: Lady Maureen Huxley
Maureen has been in love with Henry for years, but he turned down her advances for marriage, and every suitor she has ends up running away from her. But is determined to find a man to love and marry.

Summary
Maureen and Henry have been best friends for years and as their families are connected to each other, they have always been in the same circles. For at least two years Maureen has been in love with Henry but when he turned her down she is determined now to finally move on with her life and find closure in the best way that she knows how to. However, Henry doesn't seem to want to let her go despite his insistence that they never can get together. Henry knows a life with Maureen can never happen as long as his enemy is alive. And that if they ever find out how important she is, then her life would be in danger. But after some wake up calls, Henry realizes that this is his last chance to fight for the woman he loves. But will marriage to him put her in more danger than ever before?

What I Loved
This book swept my heart and mind away to another time and setting in such a brilliantly masterful way. This book was my catnip and I couldn't seem to get enough of what was delivered within this story. I am not sure exactly what it was about this one here, but it had so much deep moments that strikes to your soul in such a way that I will remember forever. The connection that Henry and Maureen have together was so poignant and the mutual longing that they have melted my heart. Henry you completely understand why he has denied Maureen in the beginning. He lives a very dangerous life and she is so loving and innocent and doesn't want to ruin who she is or break her spirit by knowing the type of life he leads. But you see how much he yearns for her but can't have her and knows her parents know about what he does and would never approve of him. Then we have Maurren, who has such a gentle but strong soul. And what she wants....find love, be married and have a family. And I resonated so much with her. She is the TYPE of heroine I need more in my historical's. But when she starts courting another man (who does get a book later on in the series because I adored Phineas) Henry starts fighting for the woman he loves and proving to her he is genuine. Henry and Maureen have such an intense connection and their bedroom scenes are much higher in steam but the intimacy and connection is just as strong and really builds within these scenes when they are able to connect on a deeper level. And when Maureen finds out the truth and her reaction was brilliant and Braden really wrote that scene so well. I just loved everything about her spirit and fire and her deep love for her man.

What I Struggled With
Nothing to be honest. I loved everything about this one here.

Overall View
I fell so hard for this one here, and the way in which this author captured this beautiful intimate romance that brilliantly tugged at my heartstrings and provoked deep resonating moments to hold close to the heart.

Favorite Quote(s)
It is all right, you know. To love a man and also see his faults, ask him to do better. If marriage teaches you anything, it teaches you that we are all constructed of faults—cracks and fissures in rather interesting shapes.” She leaned closer. “With the occasional spot of grace to make things bearable.”

“Strength is not instilled at infancy. It is built over time as we face hardships and either flail about or find a way through.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, England-Regency Era
Character Types: Earls, Aristocrat, Undercover Spy
Themes: London Underground, Family Bonds, Espionage, Danger, Pining Hero & Heroine
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Endless Love by Lionel Richie, Diana Ross

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I do recommend reading this series in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

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

 

 Quickie DNF Review

I wish I could say that this was a good romance but it's not a romance, not in the traditional sense. For those that haven't read it, know that it's a WOMEN'S FICTION I haven't really seen any reviewers mention this at all, and it wasn't marketed as Women's Fiction which actually makes me lose respect for this author. One thing that drives me nuts the most is marketing a book to the wrong audience and not being honest about your book. This was marketed as a romantic comedy but in reality it's not really. Sure it had some funny moments but no more than her other books and the romance is way less focused than what we usually receive from this author. So I decided to DNF this one. I don't read Women's fiction unless it's very well done and I KNOW beforehand. And expect a very slow burn lackluster type of romance, this was not what I was expecting but after a whole week of forcing myself to read this, I am realizing I feel burned by this book and I can't in good conscience give this book a high rating when it didn't work for me at all and y'all that recommended this book knowing I don't do women's fiction but told me I would love it anyway, please be more mindful in the future of what my reading preferences are. I will read more of the Whiskeys from this author but other than that, I am not sure I want to stick with this author anymore. But we shall see. 

 

 Quickie Review----May Contain Spoilers, Proceed At Your Own Risk

The Understatement of the Year is a story I went into completely blind and I am happy that I did so. This book was a pure delight and one of my catnips is second chance romances and seeing how Sarina Bowen handled this setup was so unique. I was also delightfully surprised to see that this was a M/M romance as well. That is one of my favorites in sports romance especially. But when it comes to Sarina Bowen, she really knows how to develop these M/M relationships so well. I really love the moments that we see between this couple. They have such a bitter past which is painful for both of them. We get to see them work through the guilt and pain and find a relationship with each other once again. We also see some solid friendships but also seeing that there was some bigotry that was implemented. So be mindful of that. I wasn't really a fan of that aspect, it felt a bit too much in the way that it was handled. Overall I had a fun time with this one and eager to continue to the next installment of a fun series.