A Theory of Dreaming by. Ava Reid | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: A Theory of Dreaming (A Study in Drowning, #2)

Author: Ava Reid

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 7/29/25

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Dark Academia, Series, Fantasy, Romance, Politics, Young Adult

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to HarperCollins for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology.

All stories come to an end.

Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairy tale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.

But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university—and soon the entire nation—is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin’s legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories?

With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king—visions that start to follow him even in waking.

As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his.

Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

Content Warning: violence, drug addiction, attempted drug overdose, mentions of child abuse/father-daughter incest

+ The dark academia setting is done really well in this series – especially if you like strictly academia (it’s a hit or miss for me, I have to be in the mood). Effy and Preston are students and very serious about their studies. Effy is immersed in her thesis but she still has her same insecurities about being at the university, and she delves deeper into a depression that Preston and those around don’t really see coming. Preston on the other hand is working with one of his teachers on dreaming but is also dealing with racism against him being half Argantian especially with a war between Llyr and Argant brewing.

+ Effy and Preston’s romance is so sweet but filled with so much angst and fears, especially for Preston who fears he will lose Effy. He is so protective of her.

+ I liked the themes of prejudice that Preston is dealing with because of his ethnicity and Effy dealing with sexism because she’s the only female in her classes. I like how Effy’s research has uncovered how a woman’s writing was overshadowed by a man. There are lots of themes to explore in this one.

~ It took me awhile to get into the story because I didn’t remember much of what happened in book one, but I finally got into it 30% in. It’s a lot of academia, both characters doing research on their own so at times I was bored. Also, the dreaming parts? At times I was confused, at times I was wondering what it had to do with everything.

~ There is mention of an incestuous, abusive relationship mentioned in a letter but still. It’s dark.

~ There is a lot of communication issues between Effy and Preston. I think they are sweet together but they could have helped one another if they talked to one another. I also think I expected more from Effy’s character. She’s smart, and she stayed in the class even when she really didn’t want to be there, she’s brave but she was also mentally declining.

Final Thoughts:

Effy and Preston was dealing with a lot of challenges in their personal lives and there are lots of dark themes that the book tries to tackle. Overall, it was a slow start, sometimes confusing, sometimes boring (because I was not in the mood for a very strong academia book) but I think Effy and Preston’s sweet, angsty love kept me reading.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Study in Drowning by. Ava Reid | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wrath of Dragons by. Olivia Rose Darling | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames, #2)

Author: Olivia Rose Darling

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 544

Publication Date: 7/29/25

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Series, Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Politics

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Delacorte Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The second novel in Olivia Rose Darling’s thrilling and steamy romantic fantasy series, following Fear the Flames.

In the explosive sequel to the bestselling romantasy Fear the Flames, two fated lovers must unite against warring kingdoms to defend their home and crowns from those who wish to destroy them.

Cayden Veles, renowned Demon Commander of Vareveth, overthrew the throne to save Elowen Atarah, the woman he searched for since childhood. Now he’s determined to fulfill his quest for revenge against her father, even if it means forcing the only person he’s ever wanted into a marriage of political convenience.

Elowen Atarah has everything she thought she’d ever want. Finally reunited with her dragons, she now has an army to enact vengeance, but as events transpire, she begins contemplating if she wants more. As her father’s only living heir, the Imirath throne is her right and destiny. But fighting and winning a war will require trusting Cayden Veles, her partner in crime and now king to her queen; the man she both longs for and doubts, especially after opening her heart only to become a pawn in his game.

Navigating the shifting allegiances amongst all the kingdoms of Ravaryn will require all their strategy and strength, with devastating and bloody attacks on one side and cutthroat diplomacy for alliances on the other. But Elowen and Cayden must find a way to stand strong within the power they’ve gained, or risk losing everything.

Delving deeper into a vast and ever-changing world, Wrath of the Dragons will take you on a journey filled with epic battles and a tender, angsty love for the ages.

Content Warning: violence, death

~ I thought book one, Fear the Flames, was an okay read and I thought book two would be better but I had some issues with it.

+ I did like Cayden’s POV because there is a lot wrong with him and Elowen and before their wedding, he is trying to gain her trust and make things right again. That man is in love with her badly, but she has trust issues throughout most of this book. They eventually work through things. There is lots of flirting and desire between them but he was not going to take it to the next level unless their relationship was fixed which was sweet. There is lots of spice when they finally do take it there though.

+ The found family is a big trope in this series. Also there is finally more dragons. I wished for more dragons in book ones and was disappointed and now there is more dragons so that was nice.

+ Last 20% of this book is when the action picks up and the story moves quickly. And it ends with a cliffhanger kind of ending.

~ I could not get into this story no matter how many times I put it down and picked it up. The beginning bored me and it was mostly about Cayden and Elowen’s relationship. When it wasn’t that it was some politics and war I was not invested in. It was just too slow for me. I actually skimmed from 50% into the book until the end when all the action was taking place.

~ This book is under 600 pages, which is long.

Final Thoughts:

If you loved Fear of Flames, then you will love this sequel – especially the ending. For me, I didn’t love book one and so it only went a little more down for me in this sequel because I wasn’t invested and it was long and slow, until the last part of the book. This series isn’t for me so I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Fear the Flames by. Olivia Rose Darling | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well, Actually by. Mazey Eddings | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Well, Actually

Author: Mazey Eddings

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 8/5/25

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Categories: Contemporary Romance, LGBT+, Second Chance Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An utterly delightful and sexy second-chance romance between a black cat and golden retriever with Mazey Edding’s signature sparkling voice!

Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.

Content Warning: biphobia, misogyny, death of a family member

+ This is a second chance romance with a grumpy/sunshine trope but this time the woman is the grump, which I thought was fun. Eva Kitt is stuck and stagnant in her career goals, she hosts a show where she eats hot dogs while interviewing celebrities and that is far from her journalist dreams but she needs to make ends meet so she’s sticking it out. Until one drunken night she posts something that goes viral and basically changes her life, according to her, for the worse but in the end it was for the best.

+ Rylie Cooper is a famous podcaster and he’s the guy Eva blasted in a post that went viral. When both their jobs suggest they grab the opportunity of her viral success and put them together they come face to face again, and this time Rylie is trying his best to not lose her again. They agree to go on 6 dates for Rylie to win her back and she gets to critique the dates on his podcast. I thought it was interesting how Eva’s personality played out with the audience. Comments about Rylie was always about him being hot. Whereas Eva was hot but that didn’t matter – people said mean things about her because she came off as a bitch. I love Eva and her cynicism.

+ Eva is so spicy and Rylie is so sweet that the two of them together was fun. Eva comes off mean but it’s her armor. She’s had a lot of childhood experiences that made her feel invisible and unwanted. Rylie has his own issues too with grief and his sexuality, and when they finally get honest with one another, it’s a beautiful thing. The fact that he has the patience of a saint with Eva speaks volumes about how much he cares about her and I loved it. I loved their verbal banter and battles, the spicy scenes between them and just seeing them give love another chance.

~ Now I love Eva, but there were times I wanted her to drop the armor and just let Rylie hug her or something. But I totally relate to her also, I like armor. Still Rylie is so nice, even though he did show at times he did have limits, she did push his buttons a lot. She had to learn to accept affection and praise, and he was always there not judging her.

Final Thoughts:

I found this refreshing because of Eva – maybe I’m just reading too many female characters who are always the same but having her being the grump was fun. And I loved Rylie, who is the sunshine! I found both characters relatable and I loved how they faced their issues even if it was hard for both of them to admit some things. The banter and verbal battles was lots of fun, and the spicy scenes between just adds to it. I enjoyed this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

Tilly in Technicolor by. Mazey Eddings | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Between These Broken Hearts by. Lexi Ryan | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️

Title: Between These Broken Hearts

Author: Lexi Ryan

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 7/22/25

Publisher: Storytide

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Series, Fantasy

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Storytide for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Forbidden romance, mysterious prophecies, and the battle to save the fae realm come to a captivating conclusion in the #1 New York Times bestselling saga begun with Abriella in the These Hollow Vows duology and continued with Jas and Felicity in Beneath These Cursed Stars.

Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.

Content Warning: violence, death

This is the conclusion to the These Hollow Vows series and I think it was a good conclusion which tied up lots of loose ends.

Jas is running out of time and they are all racing against time to try and figure out how to save her. She goes through so much in this book and she even tries her best to defeat the enemies alone but it’s obvious she can’t do that. I love her blooming relationship with Kendrick. They have both been tested and I was rooting for their love.

As for Felicity, she has a role in this prophecy about her being the one to kill her evil father – but the consequence is losing her brother Kendrick so she has some tough decisions to make. As for her romance with Misha, I was also rooting for them! I did want Felicity to stop discounting herself, because it’s a big issue between her and Misha. But I love both romance storylines going on. I am also glad Felicity gets to finally hear her real brother out, Konner.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a solid conclusion to this series! The loose ends are tied up, some of them with a sad ending, but there is so much love and hope as well. The trauma and growth Jas went through is amazing and Felicity’s growth and strength was admirable too. I enjoyed both girls’ stories and romances. If you loved the previous books in the series, I’m sure you will enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

These Hollow Vows | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

These Twisted Bonds by. Lexi Ryan | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Beneath These Cursed Stars by. Lexi Ryan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Soul of Shadow by. Emma Noyes | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Soul of Shadow

Author: Emma Noyes

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 7/29/25

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Mystery, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Norse Mythology

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Charlie Hudson just wants to get through junior year. Since the death of her twin sister two years earlier, she’s drifted through life, going through the motions at school and parties and even at home. The spark that once burned so brightly within her has all but flickered out.

Until her classmate goes missing in the forest, leaving nothing behind but a pair of shoes and strange symbols carved into a tree.

Drawn to the disappearances by forces she can’t explain, she finds herself investigating the mysterious, alluring newcomer in town, Elias Everhart. With piercing eyes and sharp wit, he dances around her questions, only intriguing her further. Elias has a secret. More than one.

But what Charlie doesn’t know is that those secrets will lead her to a place she never a world hiding in plain sight, made of magic, gods, and monsters – and a first love fated to fall apart.

In Emma Noyes’s Soul of Shadow, truths and temptations lurk in the darkness, and for Charlie, the only thing more dangerous than facing her past, is the boy with the power to change her future.

Content Warning: violence

+ There are missing kids in town and Charlie is curious about them when a new boy comes to town, Elias, and he starts getting close to her brother. When he explains he’s a creature from Norse mythology and he opens her eyes to it all around them, Charlie’s world is changed.

+ I did like the Norse mythology in this urban fantasy book. I thought Elias was an interesting character, a very mischievous. And I felt like the world building was dark and at the end filled witha lot of action. He’s a dark character but kind of easy to also fall in love with, which is what is happening with Charlie. But clearly he is not one to trust.

+ Charlie and her friends are going through high school and focusing on things like the homecoming dance when Elias shows up and throws Charlie’s life in disarray. But I like her friendship group and her issues with her older brother. I think this story would appeal to teen readers rather than adult YA readers.

~ When I first read this I kind of did not get how Charlie and her siblings being in the circus as kids tied into the missing kids at school and then Norse mythology. So I had to push through with the story and I am glad I stuck with it but I do think there was too much to follow in the beginning. Once Elias comes into the picture and the Norse mythology information comes through then it makes more sense.

~ The pacing is a bit uneven because it will slow down when Charlie is doing all this research on google about norse mythology. There is a lot to learn.

~ Like I said above, this would appeal more to younger readers so if you are not into young adult, this might not be for you.

Final Thoughts:

After kind of a confusing start to the book, I got settled in and the Norse mythology tying into the contemporary world really fascinated me. I think Elias is a great character because he’s an attractive and charming guy, but for sure he’s a character you couldn’t trust. I liked all the action at the end of the book and wonder what will happen next. I do think it will appeal to younger YA readers and yes the pacing was slow at some parts but overall I thought this was an entertaining read.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Love at Full Tilt by. Jenny L. Howe | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Love at Full Tilt

Author: Jenny L. Howe

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 7/22/25

Publisher: Delacorte Romance

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Delacorte Romance for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this joyful celebration of fandoms, whirlwind romance, and plus-size girls, love is the ultimate roller coaster ride.

Lia Baker has spent the last few months wishing time would stand still. Soon her friends will head off to college while she’s left behind, buried under her mom’s anxiety and working a job she doesn’t want. But life throws her for a loop when she wins a spot in the fiftieth-anniversary scavenger hunt at Fableland, a legendary theme park. The contest is a golden ticket to a world where her favorite stories come to life and a chance for her to write some new ones of her own.

Everything seems perfect, especially after she teams up with Mason, a cute rival who knows as much about Fableland as she does. Together, they’re unstoppable. But as Mason’s sweet smile starts to melt her focus, Lia realizes that she may have to choose between the future she wants to rewrite—and a love she hadn’t planned for.

Content Warning: fat-shaming

+ This was a cute young adult romance which takes place at an amusement park, just like Disneyland, and there is a competition for super-fans about the park. The winner can win $50,000 and Lia is determined to win it so she can choose her own future instead of the one her parents are pushing on her.

+ Lia is at this amusement park with her two best friends before they go to college. So I like the friendship themes that arise during this trip even if they are challenging issues for Lia and her friends, especially because Lia feels like they are leaving her behind. She’s also dealing with issues from home because her mom has anxiety and Lia being away from has triggered her much more. Lia is trying to figure out her future and her parents are assuming she already knows her path. Another issue that is brought up in the book is Lia’s weight – she’s plus-sized but is mostly confident in her skin until she gets heckled for it, which sucks.

+ The romance between Lia and another contestant, Mason, is really cute and it happens during a week. It is very much a whirlwind romance but I do like that the romance extends after the vacation!

~ I definitely think younger me would have loved this book more – teens will enjoy it!

~ I do think at times Lia came off a little bit selfish. Her friends went on the trip with her to have fun before they left for college and make memories, but Lia was on a mission to win this contest and they tried to compromise and it mostly worked out. But when they would argue, Lia made it seem like her friends weren’t being good friends.

Final Thoughts:

This story definitely brought many coming of age issues like friends going to college vs. you staying home, your dreams vs. your parents’ dreams, body-weight issues, friendship themes and all of this set at an amusement park. The competition was fun and this was a quick read. Overall, I thought this was a cute young adult romance.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Arcana Academy by. Elise Kova | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy, #1)

Author: Elise Kova

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 576

Publication Date: 7/22/25

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Political Intrigue, Dark Academia, Magic

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling romantasy series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.

Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?

Content Warning: violence, death, grief

+ I haven’t read an Elise Kova book in awhile, but I had to read this one because of it’s premise. Tarot card forgery, magic, and an arcana academy sounded very intriguing!

+ In this world of Arcana, a deck of cards is all you need to fight and defend yourself and Clara is talented in making tarot forgeries which is illegal. And it ends her up on the most notorious prison, Halazar. Clara has a second chance now, posing as the second prince’s fiance and attending Arcana Academy. While she’s there working with him to execute his plans of changing the world, she’s also trying to find her sister Arina, who was at the academy and has disappeared. I thought the setting of Arcana Academy was lush, dark, mystery and even opulent for a school. Clara makes some new friends and enemies.

+ I found the magic of the tarot card deck really fascinating! Also throughout the story, Prince Kaelis has a plan to steal some Major Arcana cards from his father, the king, so at some parts of the story it felt like a heist, which I thought was fun and engaging. I also liked the politics. There is still so much secrecy about some of the characters in this book that I hope will be revealed in book two. Also there is a found family trope.

+ The romance was full of tension but I didn’t feel it was a main focus of the book for awhile. Prince Kaelis has an agenda and though Clara is helping him to keep herself from going back to prison, she doesn’t fully trust him either but is definitely attracted to him. He is the misunderstood, brooding prince with a bad reputation, but he is also headmaster at Arcana Academy. The attraction grows between them – reluctantly, since they are enemies, but by the end they do become lovers. There is some spice, where clearly they choose to keep this relationship casual and physical but I think that works out fine since Clara has a lot going on.

~ The story is under 600 pages, but I did read it in two days. The pacing is slow but not in a way that I got too bored. I was steadily curious throughout. I think there was so much information about how the tarot magic worked that sometimes it tended to get info-dumpy and I still was confused about some things because I felt like I needed actual visuals of these cards. But I was also equally fascinated and wanted to learn more!

~ The romance though fun at moments, wasn’t a lot. I wish Kaelis and Clara had more interactions. Clara is really focused on her studies, finding her sisters, and trying to forge cards for Kaelis.

~ There is so many more secrets to be revealed and there is a cliffhanger ending. So now I will be eagerly waiting impatiently for book two!

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a really good start to a new series and I found the magic system fascinating even though sometimes confusing. I enjoyed the enemies to lover romance, the politics and the found family and I’m always a sucker for a dark academia book. The cliffhanger ending makes me eager for book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Duel with the Vampire Lord by. Elise Kova | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic #2) by. Elise Kova| Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Deal with the Elf King | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Mayra by. Nicky Gonzalez | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Mayra

Author: Nicky Gonzalez

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 240

Publication Date: 7/22/25

Publisher: Random House

Categories: Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Random House for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An eerie, hypnotic debut about friendship, desire, and memory set against the sultry backdrop of Florida’s swamplands

It’s been years since Ingrid has heard from her childhood best friend, Mayra, a fearless rebel who fled their hometown of Hialeah, a Cuban neighborhood just west of Miami, for college in the Northeast. But when Mayra calls out of the blue to invite Ingrid to a weekend getaway at a house in the Everglades, she impulsively accepts.

From the moment Ingrid sets out for the house, danger looms: The directions are difficult, she’s out of reach of cell service, and as she drives deeper into the Everglades, the wet maw of the swamp threatens to swallow her whole. But once Ingrid arrives, Mayra is, in many ways, just as she remembers—with her sharp tongue and effortless, seductive beauty, still thumbing her nose at the world.

Before they can fully settle into the familiar intimacy of each other’s company, their reunion is spoiled by the reemergence of past disagreements and the unexpected presence of Mayra’s new boyfriend, Benji. The trio spend their hours eating lavish meals and exploring the labyrinthine house, which holds as much mystery and danger as the swamp itself. Indoors and on the grounds, time itself seems to expand, and Ingrid begins to lose a sense of the outside world, and herself.

Against this disquieting setting, where lizards dart in and out of porches and alligators peek up from dark waters, Gonzalez weaves a surreal, unforgettable story about the dizzying power of early friendship and the lengths we’ll go to earn love and acceptance—even at the risk of losing ourselves entirely.

Content Warning:

+ I am not the right audience for this book. But I still found myself intrigued with the story.

+ My favorite part of the book is the atmosphere, the Florida swamp, and how isolated and lost you can get. I think the author did such a great job setting the scene. Also I liked Ingrid’s voice – she’s a very fleshed out character so even though nothing much was happening for half way into the book, I liked her stories about her early years with Mayra.

+ The friendship between Ingrid and Mayra is a big part of this story and actually it seemed like that’s all this story was about. How a close friendship can change, what the person means to you and other themes of friendship. I like how that was explored, especially with both girls being Cuban and how they were raised was very different from, Mayra’s boyfriend-Benji’s upbringing.

+ This is a short book, under 300 pages and nothing much happens in it until near the end when some of the secret of the house they are staying at is revealed.

~ I wanted to learn more about the sentient house, but once we find out what’s happening the story ends.

~ I don’t think I grasped what the book was about – except for Ingrid and Mayra’s relationship and how they were when they were younger, to now together in the house where things are happening, like making them forget, keeping them there without them really noticing.

~ Ingrid finding a journal halfway through the book? It didn’t interest me and I couldn’t see how that connected with what was happening at first. Until of course the secret of the house is kind of revealed but by then the story was over.

Final Thoughts:

This wasn’t for me but I did enjoy the atmosphere, Ingrid and Mayra. I do wish we learned about what was happening in the house much earlier in the story but I guess there were subtle hints that went totally over my head since Ingrid and Mayra’s friendship was the focus. Would have loved more horror but there wasn’t any really. I think if you like atmospheric mystery and suspense you might enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Jasad Crown by. Sara Hashem | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Jasad Crown (The Scorched Throne, #2)

Author: Sara Hashem

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 692

Publication Date: 7/15/25

Publisher: Orbit

Categories: Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Political Intrigue

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Orbit for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In the thrilling conclusion to the Egyptian-inspired Scorched Throne duology, a fugitive queen must risk everything and everyone she loves for the chance to restore her lost kingdom of Jasad.

Held deep in a mountain refuge, Sylvia has been captured by the Urabi, who believe the Jasad Heir can return their homeland to its former power. But after years of denying her legacy and a forbidden alliance with Jasad’s greatest enemy, Sylvia must win the Urabi’s trust while struggling to hide the dangerous side effects her magic is having on her mind.

In a rival kingdom, Arin must maneuver carefully between his father’s desire to put down the brewing rebellion and the sacred edicts Arin is sworn to uphold. He is determined to find Sylvia before it’s too late, but Arin’s search unravels secrets that threaten the very core of his beliefs about his family and the destruction of Jasad.

War is inevitable, but Sylvia cannot abandon her people again. The Urabi plan to raise the Jasadi fortress, and it will either kill Sylvia or destroy the humanity she’s fought so hard to protect. For the first time in her life Sylvia doesn’t just want to survive. She wants to win.

The fugitive queen is ready to reign.

Content Warning: violence, death, grief, parental abuse

+ This is part two in The Scorched Throne series and what I loved about the first book was Arin and Sylvia/Essiya. I wanted to see what would happen to them in the conclusion and what a conclusion it is.

+ The enemies to lovers romance in this series is top notch. The tension between Arin and Essiya is so good. And they are always fighting and I don’t mean arguing but physical fighting. And I wanted more in this book but I felt like we still got bread crumbs. There are some exceptional moments though where Arin is telling Essiya what lengths he would go to save her, be with her, love her. It made me melt! It hurts my heart just knowing what they had to go through in this story. But what a love story it turned out to be!

+ Sylvia/Essiya was the compelling character in book one because of who she was and what she was hiding. She’s still amazing in this one – strong, impulsive, but learning to be a leader. It’s Arin that stole my heart in book two. He has to deal with a lot of truths, betrayals, guilt and with his brilliant mind, with him always trying to figure out a puzzle or plan for the future – he of course has to figure out how to save Essiya. I loved both their personal journeys, but more so Arin’s.

+ The world-building was great and the twists in the story did surprise me. I love this lush world of magic, with magical creatures and beasts coming to life.

~ Like book one, I felt like this book again was too long. This is longer than book one, coming in just under 700 pages. I wonder why this was never made into a trilogy because it definitely could have been! Also, I’m starting to question if I just don’t enjoy long books?

~ Because I felt like it was too long, the pacing was uneven. The beginning was slow, it took me a few days to get through it, I was trying to get my bearings and remember who Sefa and Marek were. This time they have their own POVs. I was not-so-patiently waiting for Arin and Essiya to be in scenes together. And then I would be riveted to the story and then it would slow down again. The second half was much better. The ending plot-twist felt a little rushed and I wish there was more to explore that which is why I wish this would have been a trilogy!

Final Thoughts:

Even though it was too long and the pacing was uneven, the Arin and Essiya love story really bumped up my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. I love them together and was rooting for them hard. I loved the world building and the twists in the story. This was a good conclusion to the duology. If you like fantasy and romance (not so much romantasy – there is no smut in this) then you will enjoy this series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Jasad Heir by. Sara Hashem | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Silvercloak by. L.K. Steven | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Silvercloak (Silvercloak Saga, #1)

Author: L.K. Steven

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 7/29/25

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Fantasy, Magic, LGBT+, Romance, Romantasy, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this addictive new fantasy series set in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages—knowing that one wrong move will get her killed. . . .

Two decades ago, the Bloodmoons ruthlessly murdered Saffron Killoran’s parents, destroying her idyllic childhood. Hell-bent on revenge, she lies her way into Silvercloak Academy—the training ground for her city’s elite order of detectives—with a single goal: to bring the Bloodmoons to justice.

But when Saff’s deception is exposed, rather than being cast out, she’s given a rare opportunity: to go undercover and tear the Bloodmoons down from the inside.

Descending into a world where pleasure and pain are the most powerful currencies, Saff must commit some truly heinous deeds to keep her cover—and her life. Not only are there rival gangs and sinister smuggling rings to contend with, but there’s also her growing feelings for the kingpin’s tortured son, with his vicious pet fallowwolf, his dark past, and the curious prophecy foretelling his death at Saffron’s hand.

With each day testing her loyalties further, Saff finds her web of lies becoming harder to spin. And when one false step could destroy everything and everyone she’s ever loved . . . the detective who’s dedicated her life to vengeance just might die for it.

Content Warning: violence, death, drug use, torture

+ Silvercloak introduces us to a world of magic, and to fill this magic well in each person is pleasure and pain. The world-building is amazing – it is lush, detailed and violent. There are mages who uses wands and spells for their magic. There are Silvercloaks who are in essence the good guys, and then the Bloodmoons who are the bad guys – run by Lyrian who acts like a cold-hearted mob boss. Saff is training to be Silvercloak but gets assigned to be deep undercover as a Bloodmoon to gather intel so that their organization can be finally taken down.

+ Saff is an undercover Silvercloak and caught in a mess. Lyrian runs a tight ship and Levan, his son is ruthless and keeping an eye on Saff. She does her best with what skills she has but this being her first real undercover mission – she is not that savvy and makes so many mistakes. I found her to be a fascinating character with her immunity to magic. Levan is even more fascinating with his hard exterior, violent tendencies and yet love for fantasy books. The attraction between them is automatic because in this world, pleasure and pain seem to be there for the taking with anyone they choose. There are a few spicy scenes and it gets creative when using wands and magic! I thought that was fun plus because it’s a world of pleasure – this is a queer community, both Saff and Levan are bisexual.

+ The side characters were great too – I felt like Saff’s friends gave us a lot of insight into her life and world before becoming a Bloodmoon. And the Bloodmoons are interesting too especially when Saff starts to dig into why they do what they do.

+ There is a lot of violence in this book because that is what Bloodmoons are. I liked the twist at the end and it makes me eager to know what will happen in book two. Also I usually don’t enjoy time jumping but this one was easy to follow.

~ I wasn’t 100% on Saff’s reasons for joining the Bloodmoon (the made up reason), clearly someone like Lyrian who has his “eyes” everywhere knows she is a rat – he knows, he just doesn’t have proof but I just kept wondering, why not just kill her? She really doesn’t bring anything to the table here and they were suspicious of her the whole time, but that’s what made the twist more interesting.

~ Clearly this is an enemies to lovers romance but I am still not sure about Levan and how he feels about Saff. Also because they can refill their magic wells with pleasure – I didn’t feel like they had a budding romantic connection at all, more like okay I can help you replenish with this. Do I hope they have a romance? I’m not sure yet.

~ As I mentioned, Saff isn’t the most experienced undercover Silvercloak so there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her. Also, this is adult fantasy but feels young adult or maybe new adult.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this one, especially the world-building which was detailed. I love the magic and wand wielding. There were some pretty violent and bloody scenes in this one but I thought it was fitting since the Bloodmoons are an organized crime unit. They lived up to their reputation. This was entertaining and I’m looking forward to see what happens in book two!