The 2nd POV felt like playing an otome game/dating simulator and I think that concept is really unique and very fun!

The story itself is very, very cliche and I was very relieved once we got past the “Professor Prick” phase of the story because ultimately, you, are almost always the one being combative for no reason. You are not unlikable per say, but definitely immature. I did enjoy Gideon and I loved the little bonus chapter at the end from his perspective. 

Maybe my expectations were too high because I typically loved forced proximity but I had to force myself to finish this book.

Positives — I really liked Talia Hubert’s writing and the spicy scenes were giving. 

Negatives — I don’t particularly like either one of the characters. 

Rahul was… fine. He’s nice, but honestly a little pathetic and I think he let Jasmine walk all over him way too much. Also so much of the pressure he puts on himself as the “man of the family” felt dated and gross to me. Jasmine was a mess and left me feeling frustrated. Both character flaws are acknowledged and worked on but I didn’t buy the character development. 

Neither are the worst or anything but I was never rooting for them.

What an absolutely fantastic trilogy! I came into this with pretty low expectations, but I’m honestly blown away with the storytelling in this series. 

Ivy and Ketahn have my heart. I love them both individually and together.

I will say, the middle of this book really dragged. There was probably 100+ pages straight of them walking through the Tangle, being exhausted, and Ketahn internally stressing out. It’s worth getting through though because once they reach the thornskulls it’s fanatic and engaging until the end. The climax is *chefs kiss* 

I loved every single side character (even Cole grew on me by the end). I was really connected with the characters and invested in their survival and safety.

I cannot wait until the spin-off standalone about Rekosh and Ahmya is released!

(I’m writing this review after finishing the trilogy.)

I came for the smut (pun not intended) but stayed for the fantastic world building, plot, and character development!

This book had the best pacing out of the three, in my opinion. With the introduction of the other 7 humans, as well as more scenes with additional Vrix, the cast of characters expanded greatly. The humans added a really interested element and overall impact to the greater plot.

In this book we really get to see Ivy and Ketahn shine as a couple and with each scene I love them both more and more. 

Ends with a cliffhanger, but the third book is already out so it’s all good. 

(I’m writing this review after finishing the trilogy.)

I really loved this book and I think it was a strong start to the series. Tiffany Roberts does an excellent job building the world and introducing us to the Vrix species and culture.

This book is honestly a slow burn and I really like it that way. It takes Ivy and Ketahn a while to get used to one another and learn how to communicate, so I’m happy that the romance wasn’t rushed.

This book sets up the trilogy well while still being very interesting on its own.

MZ does it again. I devoured this book.

I’ve read a handful of MZ books and the superhero aspect of this book is so new and different for her and it made the read really unique and fun, while still maintaining all of the great staples of a MZ book (grumpy guy, aggressively slow burn, insanely long).

This was a bit grittier and darker than the other MZ books I’ve read but I wouldn’t describe it as dark.

Alex is borderline mean in the beginning and I was worried I wouldn’t come around to him but of course I came around by the end. Gracie was the standout though, she was just absolutely delightful and such a strong, likable character.

I really loved that Gracie was a virgin but it’s not important to the plot and she’s not seen as more desirable or naive because of it.

Edit: Changing my score from a 4.5 to a 4. The more I think about why Alex was so resistant and distant in the first place doesn’t add up to me, like he wasted so much time, and for what? Still a great read though. 

Incredibly cute! A little cliche but I think it adds to the charm. A modern 90s-esk rom com but make it sapphic. 

I wasn’t a big fan of Alex in the beginning. She was very harsh and was lacking conviction in her actions. She grew on me a lot by the end of the book though I loved the character development. 

I think the transition from strangers to friends to lovers was very natural and Molly and Alex fit very well together. 

I really wish either one of them had a single friend though. They were literally each other’s only friend and now they’re dating, so in a way they’re back to having zero friends. I wanted more/better side characters. 

Very good. I liked that we didn’t have to wait long at all for the plot to get going. In fact, I was really wondering how the book was going to fill up 350 pages since Darby finds Jay so early on, but it’s never dull.

The gore doesn’t come in until like 70% into the book but it was pretty damn gory (which I personally like).

I reread the last two pages and I still didn’t understand?

Did Darby die or not? Jay literally says that the cops mistake cost Darby her life, but then on the next page it seems like Darby is the one tracing the epitaph on her mom’s grave? Was it supposed to be ambiguous because I’m confused.

I had such high hopes for this book and I’m very sad to say that I didn’t love it. 

While the plot is very interesting, I think there’s too many instances of “it is what is is” in this book to be enjoyable. And while some questions have flimsy answers, like why does the family kill young girls? And why does Ray hate Michael? None of them really get to the root of anything. 

One reveal I predicted, one I didn’t. I don’t think either added or took away from the story.

Ultimately, I think Michael is too passive and pathetic to be the main character of the novel. Even though I completely understand why he’s so passive, his perspective just wasn’t an enjoyable read for me. He’s not unlikable as a character but he’s hard to get through as a reader.

Even though I loved the writing in this book, I wasn’t super in love with the couple. 

Anthony was fine—likable but not really noteworthy. The side characters stood out more than him though. I like that he fell first, but I don’t think Gwen ever likes him as much as he likes her. 

One thing I loved is that even though this is a brother’s best friend trope, there’s no animosity or disapproving between Anthony and Duncan. 

I like Gwen as a character but I didn’t really like her as a love interest. I found it a little odd how she seemed to be emotionally unaffected by the ending of her multi-year relationship with her ex. And then she immediately dives in head first into dating again. It made her look a little desperate and like her character way more about having a boyfriend instead of who that boyfriend actually was (even though she was picky).

This book was a great read for the fall. There’s a harvest festival, a pumpkin competition (and mishap), and a ghost tour.