theartsybookwitch's Reviews (393)

 “I’m coming for you Little Flower. Whether you want me or not, because I’ll be f*cked if I let you go again.” 

 

ARC Review 

 

OUT SEP 17 

 

Violet and the boys are back! 

 

I fell in love with Bed Dawn’s writing in Violet Craves and have never fallen out. 

 

Eli, Isaac and Renz are amazing and I love all of them. All of them denying they want her and Violet feeling the same, just for fate to bring them back together.  All the guys melting just for her, but being a badass themselves. 

 

There’s so much I love about Rough Love and not enough space. I fell in love from the very first scene. And Violet is a badass, blatantly obvious from her first sentence. 

 

And Eli ordering every single coffee drink on her menu, out of spite just to talk to Violet? Ultimate goals tbh. 

 

And yes he’s hotter than the lumberjack on TikTok. 

 

“ ‘What is this, Eli? Fight club? Hogwarts? Because I’m telling you, I’m beginning to feel a little bit like a muggle right now.’ “ 

 

“Like a priest with holy water, these sessions purge me of my demons and 42 just happens to be my church.” 

 

“ ‘Plotting murder, Princess?’ // I barely contain an eye roll as the second asshole strolls into the library. ‘If he dies, can I have his books?’ “ 

 

You would love all my kindle highlights from this alone. 

 

It’s not even out yet and already I need more of them. 

 

Tw // kidnapping, graphic sexual content, alcohol, drugs, blood, murder, panic attacks, car accidents 

 

📸 Edit is mine, photos from Pinterest 

 

#2022releases #2022arcs #bexdawn #bexdawnauthor #darkromance #romance #arcs #2022reads #2022arcreviews #violetcraves #mafia #whychoose #whychooseromance #trichotomyofnewyork #contemporaryromance 

“Magic is real.” 

 

Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE djinn and genie stories? It’s something that we need a lot more of. 

 

I am always trash for German Shepherds and the fact Nora has one? Named Bailey? The ultimate 10/10 badass in my book. 

 

We meet Nora, forever cursed with whenever a wish is made, disaster follows. All the while, leading Nora to her eventual death. 

 

Her journey, in not only finding who she truly is legacy wise, but herself and gaining her confidence spark back, was uplifting. She started out not knowing truly anything, just the basics of her familial curse, and ended up, yes with more questions than answers, but in a life she saved. 

 

I loved being on Nora’s journey with her, from self-discovery to self-confidence. 

 

Don’t even get me started on Rafe. He’s amazing. 

 

HEY LISSA. WHY DID YOU DO US DIRTY LIKE THAT. 

 

And all the fandom references? Kills me every time. 

 

“ ‘Does this one speak in complete sentences, or is he just here for the muscle?’ “ 

 

“This would be a great time to convince my inner self to stop checking out the enemy.” 

 

Tw // loss of parents, acrophobia, claustrophobia, 

 

📸 Edit is mine, photos from Pinterest 

 

#2022releases #2022arcs #2022reviews #wishmarked #wishmarkedlissabolts #stonesandcurses #stonesandcursesseries #lissabolts #urbanfantasy #magic #fae #faerealm #djinn #jinn #fantasy #paranormal #katieandbrey #katieandbreypa #katieandbreypatours 

 

Speak No Evil is a heartbreaking tale that just keeps you reading from the first page. 

 

We meet Melody Fisher, a young teen girl we follow through therapy, learning about her life before, during and after foster care. 

 

She’s been through such grief and loss, that no kid should ever go through. 

 

The synopsis is vague enough to entice you to read, and looking back makes sense about what happens. But I’ll be honest, I thought it was a horror novel. And god, did I enjoy being wrong. 

 

Speak No Evil is beautifully written and so tragically real and honest. It takes on very hard-hitting topics like the foster care system, grief, loss and SA. 

 

My heart tore in half, I cried the entire time, for Melody. 

 

Liana Gardner’s writing is so special and I can’t wait to read more by her. 

 

SPOILER trigger warnings and quotes below 

 

 

“ ‘You will never learn to fly–‘ … ‘– …if you let some else carry your wings.’ “ 

 

TW // SA, rape, grief, snakes, loss of parents, death, stabbing, foster care system, gaslighting

“All I know is it feels a lot nicer to have someone here than to do this alone.” 

 

Not Rowing To Lie is an unexpected but entertaining take on college sports romance. 

 

When it starts off with a murder mystery party, you know it’s gonna be good. 

 

Renee and Jesse are so cute together, getting together in typical college fashion. When fate brings them together, their lives change for the better. 

 

I absolutely loved them together. Jesse is the ultimate ride or die, and how he’s all in before he’s all in? Kills me every time. He even brought her to the ultrasound, and makes her feel better after everything that happened with her mom. My kinda boyfriend (we’re I ever to get one 😂) 

 

The fact that they’re both athletes and support each other no matter what is incredible. 

 

And the fandom references, love that for them. 

 

HIGHLY recommend for any college sports romance reader. 

 

AND THE BEAVERS. I’m dead. 

 

“I’m a papa beaver, throwing myself down an embankment to save my squishy, furry kid.” 

 

“Did you know she offered to watch Game of Thrones with me and tell me when it was safe to look and narrate all the parts with the bodies so I didn’t have to see?” 

 

Tw // cancer, death, college murder mystery party 

 

📸 Edit is mine, photos from Pinterest 

 

#2022releases #2022reads #notrowingtolie #rosiebirch #castoriau #college #collegerance #hockey #rowing #pregnancytrope #sports #sportsromance #castoriauseries 

“My body isn’t just my temple, it’s my ticket out of poverty.” 

 

I fell in love with Ren Blakely’s writing in her latest series The Drákon Legacy (as B. Lybaek). And reading Tempting Distractions is no exception. 

 

Mia, aka Baby, is the top-rated performer at Serendipity, an infamous strip club. Alec and Kas join the team as Mia’s bodyguard and the club’s event planner, respectively. CJ meets Mia at a business class that they both take. After some time, they all fall deep in love with Mia and her with them. 

 

I loved the different point of views from all 4 of them, and how they all make each other’s lives better, regardless of their dynamics. Mia is so powerful, knowing what she wants and how she feels about herself, no matter what anyone says, especially her mother. 

 

Alec definitely became a fast favorite, CJ and Kas not far behind. Despite their pasts, they’re all special, and all best friends despite their personalities. 

 

I really enjoyed their dynamics with each other, being vulnerable and intimate with each other after everything. 

 

And that cliffhanger? 

 

I cannot wait to continue on with Untold Secrets and continue with Alec, CJ, Kas and Mia. 

 

Highly recommend for any dark romance, why-choose reader. 

"You can't change who people are, without destroying who they were."

Just Leave made my emotions run wild. Blakely does such an incredible job describing such a sad and tragic story and come out the other end with beautiful prose. 

I think I nearly cried the entire time I was reading. I feel so bad for all the characters except him, and everything they go through hits you hard. Especially when you consider that they're only seniors in high school.

The strength that Pen has is incredible. She goes through so much, one thing after another, and while it's mostly not ideal coping mechanisms, she's a badass and so powerful in her own way. I felt very conflicted on my feelings towards her, cause although she does things in a way that made me upset at her, she is so accepting, loyal to a degree and so loving in her own way. 

Pen honestly didn't deserve her friends, I loved them all. Her ride-or-dies, will drop everything to protect her. I need that in MY life. 

I loved everything about Just Leave, even the dang cliffhanger, which left me begging for more. 

How is this only Blakely's DEBUT? 

I can't wait to dive into more of her works and continue on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

“ ‘I think we allow ourselves to indulge because we deserve it.’ ” 

 

Cambian and Giselle are a thousand times perfect together. 

 

I knew I would love The Devil You Know from the title alone. But add demons, angels, Lucifer and spice? Automatic 5 stars. 

 

This is my first by Nicole Northwood and was so impressed. 

 

I loved her writing style and the way you fall in love with the Hedonism world. Everything from the way the aesthetics paint a vivid picture in your mind, to the characters themselves. 

 

Cam and Giselle are such powerful characters, but together, they’re incredible. From the moment we first meet them, it’s obvious of their chemistry. 

 

And don’t even get me started with the bathroom scene? Lives rent free. 

 

The Devil You Know is book one in her Hotel Heat series, and I can’t wait for book 2! 

 

Highly recommend for any paranormal romance lover 

 

“ ‘I can come back later with handcuffs and taser if you want.’ “ 

 

“Friends will help you bury a body. Best friends will take care of it for you.” 

 

“ ‘It’s not about guilt, Giselle. It’s about the fact that I’m f*cking falling for you.” 

 

Tw // explicit sexual encounters, smoking, drinking, blood, stabbing, assault, mentions of murder 

 

📸 Edit is mine, photos from Pinterest & Maleficent (2014) 

 

#2022releases #2022arcs #arcs #2022reads #2022arcreviews #thedevilyouknow #nicolenorthwood #hotelheat #hotelheatseries #demon #angel #demonromance #paranormalromance #paranormal 

“ ‘Shit. His manhood throbbed against her thigh? All these years I wrote off reading when there’s book porn out there?’ ” 

 

And thus, the start of a beautiful relationship. 

 

Jumpstarted is the latest in Ava’s Mechanics on Main series and it is SO GOOD. 

 

The chemistry between Ellie and Grant is insane. Their relationship is so well done and they are amazing together. The golden retriever to her Chihuahua, they give off major grump sunshine vibes. 

 

Broken before they even meet, they fill in each other’s cracks in the mud. Taking care of each other in ways the other needed expects.  

 

And the meet-cute at a wedding where he notices her? You’re killing me Ava. 

 

HEY AVA, I CRIED THAT ENTIRE TIME. YOU KNOW WHEN. 

 

Even all their friends knowing what’s best for them better than themselves is the kind of friends I want (need). 

 

And all the pop culture references? Pure perfection. 

 

I LOVED Jumpstarted and I can’t wait for more of Ava’s writing. Please pick this up you won’t regret it. 

 

“Mmm, free alcohol. The only compelling reason to put up witty another Sputhern wedding season.” 

 

“ ‘Do I look like the kind of man who strikes out, Ellie Wells?’ 

… ‘I’m sorry, do you think I’m going home with you after my eggs benedict?’ 

I snort. ‘Ouch.’ “ 

 

“ ‘You’re a f*cking golden retriever and I’m the chihuahua.’ “ 

 

Tw // cheating (not b/w MCs), divorce, sexual content 

 

📸 Edit is mine, photos from Pinterest 

 

#jumpstarted #avamunroe #mechanicsonmain #mechanicsonmainseries #romance #romcom #contemporary #contemporaryromance #friendstolovers #smut #smuttyromance #bookworm #smutpeddler #mechanic 

“She’ll become my broken little butterfly, that won’t be able to fly away once I test off her wings.” 

Wings In Captivity was so good! 

When Tara goes on the run from her past, she ends up in the interest of Grimm, an assassin for hire. He kidnaps her and ends up his sex toy. 

This is my first by C. Soto and wow did it not disappoint! 

It’s fast paced, and in my opinion, ends a bit abrupt. But I know we’ll see more of them! 

I enjoyed both Tara and Grimm. And how he takes of care of her afterwards is sweet as well. And he even acknowledges what she likes too. 

I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys dark captive romances, but do be wary of the trigger warnings. 

📸 edit is mine, photos from Pinterest

#csotoauthor #wingsincaptivity #wingsincaptivitycsotoauthor #darkromance #darkromancebooks #darkromancereads #katieandbreypa #katieandbrey #katieandbreyarcs #katieandbreybooktours 

 

HAPPY RELEASE DAY! 

 

I devoured Chances in like 5 hours (less if work didn’t get in the way). 

 

I have loved Jacquot’s books since I first read QoM last year and I haven’t stopped. 

 

When Sabreena Accardi goes into an arranged marriage, she falls for the wrong person. 

 

Both Sabreena and Lucian are amazing and you fall in love from the moment you first meet them. 

 

And the way he takes care of her is giving me EVERYTHING. 

 

A fantastic start to her newest series and I can’t wait for more! 

 

“Crushing on the guy who is delievering me to my arranged fiancé? Real classy.” 

 

“How could it feel so perfect-so right- when it’s anything but?” 

 

SPOILER QUOTE BELOW 

 

“ ‘I don’t care if it starts a f*cking war, if I see you again, I’m slicing your f*cking throat open. Is that mob-wife enough for you?’ “ 

 

#2022releases #chances #leejacquot #arcreview #2022arcs #2022reads #thedivinecorruption #thedivinecorruptionseries #mafia #arrangedmarriage