We’ve Hit Turbulence by. Jessica L. Cozzi | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: We’ve Hit Turbulence

Author: Jessica L. Cozzi

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 304

Publication Date: 1/13/26

Publisher: Delacorte Romance

Categories: Young Adult, 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 Delacorte Romance for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When a girl is stuck on a cross-country flight with her ex, things get bumpy—a swoony YA rom com perfect for fans of K.L. Walther!

As if flying couldn’t get any worse.

Olive Austin just wants to get on her flight to visit her long-distance boyfriend in peace—a spring break filled with white-sand beaches, cute date nights, and soaking up the sun in Hawaii. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered…especially since lately she can’t shake the feeling that her relationship is on the rocks.

Unfortunately, when she boards her cross-continental flight she discovers that her seatmate for her 13-hour journey is none other than Tyler Ferris, her ex…a.k.a the boy that her heart never really got over.

Even though Olive’s prepared to ignore him and survive the flight with her heart unscathed, Tyler has other plans, and before long, with nowhere else to go, the past begins to resurface. Now, Olive’s feeling more confused than ever about her heart, what went down that tore her and Tyler apart, and—most importantly—what she’s going to do once the turbulence passes and the flight finally lands.

Content Warning:

+ This was a cute second chance romance story that is set in Hawaii, which appealed to me because it’s my home. Olive is on her way to Honolulu, to surprise her boyfriend Jack who is attending the University of Hawaii, thing is…he’s been ghosting her. She can’t get ahold of him and she’s suspicious as to why. And then coincidentally enough the person sitting next to her on the plane, is her ex-boyfriend Tyler, so that made for an interesting plane ride.

+ Olive is raised by a single mom who is always dating and trying to find the one. This gives Olive a lot of insecurities about guys and dating in general. She doesn’t want someone who isn’t responsible or planning their future like she is – she is a planner and Tyler was her opposite, he lived life to the fullest and didn’t have a plan.

+~ A lot happens in Hawaii, and Olive isn’t even there for a week, but she gets to see some parts of Oahu and gets to spend time with Tyler. They also get to really talk about what went wrong with them. But I kind of wished she was there a whole week, because the time spent with Tyler was way too fast. Also, I loved Tyler’s bestie, Delia – she was straight-up with Olive, which is what she needed, someone to tell her she was not being a good friend. Speaking of Tyler, he’s a great guy, he loves her, would do anything for her, it’s crazy how she let him go but I also get it because of her fears.

~ I sympathized with Olive’s fears but also, I was kind of annoyed at how she she jumped into a supposedly stable relationship with Jack even though she really loves Tyler. Things happens fast in this story – like she is having problems with Jack and then maybe falling again for Tyler. But the title of the book is appropriate for this story because Olive and Tyler’s relationship is really turbulent.

Final Thoughts:

Second chance romance isn’t usually my favorite of the romance tropes but I really enjoyed this one. Olive and Tyler are young and are prone to make mistakes and they do that in this story but I love how things come full circle with them and they eventually make things work.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A War of Wyverns by. S.F. Williamson | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: A War of Wyverns (A Language of Dragons, #2)

Author: S.F. Williamson

Narrator(s): Henrietta Meire

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 368 Listening Time: Approximately 12 hours

Publication Date: 1/6/26

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Historical Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Dragons, 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 HarperCollins for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons—and one translator has the power to change the world. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Who is Vivien Featherswallow?

It’s the question on the lips of every human and dragon in Britannia, and even she doesn’t know the answer. Is she the Swallow, the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons? Is she a brasstongue, a translator on the cusp of discovering a new dragon language? Or is she just Viv, the girl who lost the love of her life after playing spy?

Viv isn’t sure, but she knows she has to fight back.

Armed with a machine that allows her to listen to dragons’ thoughts, a diary with the clues of a never-before translated dragon tongue, and her own need to avenge her lost love, Viv seeks out the elusive Hebridean Wyverns. If she can find them and convince them to join the war, the rebellion might have a chance.

Viv will soon realize that while translation is a weapon, it might not help her on her journey to victory—or to finding herself.

Content Warning: violence, death

In book two of the A Language of Dragons series, the story moves forward as Viv reunites with her colleagues and her cousin. But this time they need to try and get the help from Wyverns. There is more moments of Vivian trying to figure out echolocation and translating different dragon languages. And the message is very clear in this series of how erasing languages is one of the major ways to oppress people but in this case, it’s the dragons who’s language and culture is at the risk of being lost. There is political intrigue, betrayal, and even some emotional moments.

There is a lot of action in this one because Vivian and crew are in hiding and trying to figure out how to survive and who to trust when it comes to politics. But there is something about Viv that I wasn’t connecting to and even found her character a little annoying because she’s so full of pride and want to be right about everything. As the story goes on, it’s obvious Viv just wants to be important and useful and doesn’t know what she’s an expert at or how to help. I just didn’t love her whining all the time.

I do find the world-building of dragons in different countries, like they each have their own culture, really fascinating! And the narrator did a great job with the voices and accents but for some reason, it’s Vivian’s voice that comes off so snooty at times that I just didn’t enjoy her character.

Final Thoughts:

This one is action packed but I didn’t love Vivian though she did grow. I know she was finding herself but for some reason I just wasn’t vibing with her. But I loved learning more about the dragons, their differences, and their cultures! I think this is a good sequel to the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Language of Dragons by. S.F. Williamson | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Sins of Silas by. Kylie Snow | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles, #2)

Author: Kylie Snow

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 784

Publication Date: 9/18/25

Categories: Romantasy, Dark Romance, Series, LGBT+

A SECRET MAGE. A VENEGEFUL PRINCE.
WILL FORBIDDEN LOVE UNITE THE REALM – OR BURN IT DOWN…
*please check trigger warnings before diving in

Five years ago, Silas La’Rune lost his mother, his home and his love, Lena Daelyra. Grief turned into rage, and rage to purpose. Now known as the Slayer of Witches, Silas wages a brutal campaign against Magekind. But during a raid on a Mage village, he finds Lena alive, hiding a secret darker than she is a Mage herself. Torn between fury and forbidden desire, Silas can’t help but show mercy when faced with the eyes of his lost love.

Amid a Kingdom on the brink of war, with no one else to turn to, the pair form a fragile alliance to to topple the tyrant King of Otacia – Silas’ own father, Ulric La-Rune. Yet another shadow looms, a rising necromancer is
beginning to terrorise the land they once called home.

Forced to hide their past, every stolen glance reignites a fire they cannot tame. As rebellion ignites and old loyalties fray, Silas can’t decide what will destroy him her lies or his sins…

Content Warning: death, violence, torture, rape, cheating

I really don’t like the original book covers for this series but so far the story is addicting. It’s filled with tropes and so many ridiculous situations happening all at once, it’s entertaining and comical at times, it’s hard to put down. It’s SO messy.

Silas and Lena are now teamed up as allies, trying to find more allies in neighboring kingdoms so that they can find this mysterious Necromancer and also put an end to the reign of Silas’ father who is an awful king. But in between all the searching for allies, and trying to figure out this mystery about the Gods and prophecies – there is SO much relationship drama.

I was like this most of the time. 🫢 Because I’d be reading something and then something crazy would happen or some random information would drop. I would even start laughing because of all the whiplash in this story! It’s one after the other and it’s entertaining as heck.

Silas and Lena are Soul-Ties (fated mates) and clearly are trying to stay away from another and be with other people but we know and almost every character in the book knows – they want one another. Silas is married so he’s trying to keep up a front and and then there is Lena who is itching to get with Roland, until Torrin comes along too and she wants him as well. This woman….wants them all! And the spice? It’s got all the smut for the smut lovers out there. Threesome anyone? Like love triangle what? Why stop at a triangle huh? 🤣. My eyes were like this 😳.

Honestly, I just wanted Silas and Lena to talk things out. And they eventually do and it’s a loaded talk, more trauma, more secrets we didn’t even know, torture that Silas endured. But why is there now more than one rape scene in this series? Is the darkness really necessary when we have enough relationship drama going on? It just seems so out of place in both books and just feels like it’s thrown in for shock value.

There are other relationships going on like with Merrick and his lady problems.

The one thing I do enjoy about this series is the found family. I love the side characters like Merrick, Torrin, Elowen, Viola, and Dani.

I also like how the world opened up and humans and mages meet the warlocks. But again the story takes on a wild turn near the end, like a cell phone shows up – so now there are going to be portals huh? I don’t know if I can take anymore of it but the ending was crazy and ends in a cliffhanger.

Final Thoughts:

The writing is not really for me but it’s easy to consume and the story is entertaining and messy. The world building is still not the best. Do I like Lena hooking up with everyone in front of Silas, nope because aren’t they Soul-Ties? Or are we going for Why Choose? Because that could work if Silas was down with it. 😅 I’m reading this series for the drama! It’s messy as hell and I need to see what happens in book three with Silas but I hope it ends at three books because I don’t think I can take anymore. 😆

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Lies of Lena by. Kylie Snow (audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Lies of Lena by. Kylie Snow | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles, #1)

Author: Kylie Snow

Narrator(s): Kieran Regan; Natalie Van Sistine

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 462 Listening Time: Approximately 12 hours 34 min

Publication Date: 1/6/26

Publisher: Gollancz

Categories: Romantasy, New 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 Gollancz for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A SECRET MAGE. A VENGEFUL PRINCE.
WILL FORBIDDEN LOVE UNITE THE REALM – OR BURN IT DOWN…
*please check trigger warnings before diving in

In Tovagoth, Mages like Lena Daelyra live in hunted, outlawed, and reviled. Even after fleeing to Otacia, Lena hides her magic, cloaked in silence. But when she meets Quinn Callon, a quick-witted swordsman from the Inner Ring, her walls begin to crack. He trains Lena to fight, never suspecting the truth she hides. But as their connection deepens, so does the danger… and Lena knows love is a risk she can’t afford.

Silas La’Rune, Crown Prince of Otacia, has been caged within the Kingdom castle since the kidnapping and murder of his sister, the Princess. Until one day beyond the castle walls reveals a Kingdom rotting beneath its guiled surface – and a girl who shouldn’t exist.

When tragedy tears Lena from Quinn, as destiny would have it, Lena and Silas’ paths collide. For the future of Magekind depends on them, and love could just about be the deadliest weapon…

Content Warning: violence, torture, sexual assault, rape, grief

I remember seeing this book all over the booktoks and book socials this past year and I even downloaded but I don’t know why I never read it. I can’t say I love the original cover, but I do like this new one for the audiobook. I decided to try it out the story this way to see if I could actually get into the book.

This story was a little all over the place. It’s got a lot of the usual romantasy tropes like secret identity and forbidden love. A teenage girl who is secretly a Mage, meets a handsome boy on the streets who has his own secret and from there they train together and a sweet romance grows. Sweet….but spicy. Yes, there as spicy scenes between teens in this story which was very surprising to me because it is graphic. Didn’t love that but I really did believe in their teenage love story and was rooting for them since both characters seemed like good people.

The world-building I thought was pretty light, a kingdom called Otacia is ruled by a king who has oppressed mages. In this world they use copper, silver, gold for currency, they wear tunics and then out of the blue a character will mention they have pizza as food? Sometimes modern clothing is mentioned. Even modern speech was used in this world so I had a lot of questions about the world-building. There is also a time-jump in part two of the story where it jumps ahead 5 years. I’m glad for the jump because the sixteen year olds having spicy scenes early on was kind of jarring. They also mention vampires, and the undead, so this world seems to have everything.

As for the characters? Lena is naive and acted like an impulsive, love-struck teenager, making wrong decisions. At least with the 5 year jump, I feel like there is a lot of growth there. Gone are the sweet teens. Lena’s stronger, has grown without Silas, knows her magic better and now is thrust into a position to lead. Silas, went from a sheltered prince to a cold, violent, damaged one. There are other characters, like Torrin, who just disappears, which I though was kind of strange.

As for the romance, like I said it’s a sweet love in the beginning. But with the time jump, and Silas and Lena having moved on with their lives, their reunion is not a happy one. Now they both have other options, trauma from the past, and I know it’s going to be very dramatic when these two ever get back together. It was just strange to me that they are fated but Lena is looking at every attractive guy – like what?

But despite all these issues the narrators did such an amazing job at bringing this story to life. All the stars I’m giving is mostly for them. I feel like if I read this book as an ebook or hardcover I would have DNF’ed because of the naivety of the characters, and the light world-building, but their voices made this story kind of addicting which surprised me!

Note the triggers for this book because there are some ugly scenes it in. It’s violent, there is grief, there is rape. But I will say even though it was awful, I felt like the author never stayed in the darkness for long and moved past certain events quickly. There was a feeling that things just moved quickly in the story, without dwelling in certain feelings, thoughts or emotions for the character. The story lacked depth.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this audiobook was great. I really don’t think I would have been able to continue this book if I read it in another form, but this audiobook really brought the story to life. There are a lot of issues with the story but I will say because the audiobook was addicting, that this is the kind of story you sit back with your popcorn next to you and just read for the messiness of it all. It’s filled with drama, and eye-rolling moments to the point it made me cackle. I’m not here for the writing quality or the plot really – I think I’m here for the drama, so yes I will be reading book two soon.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Language of Dragons by. S.F. Williamson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice:

Title: A Language of Dragons (#1)

Author: S.F. Williamson

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 1/2/25

Categories: Academia, Historical Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons.

London, 1923. Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to risk growing up Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

With her parents arrested and her sister missing, all the safety Viv has worked for is collapsing around her. So when a lifeline is offered in the form of a mysterious ‘job’, she grabs it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, Viv discovers that she has been recruited as a codebreaker helping the war effort – if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.

At first Viv believes that her challenge, of discovering the secrets of a hidden dragon language, is doable. But the more she learns, the more she realises that the bubble she’s grown up in isn’t as safe as she thought, and eventually Viv must decide: What war is she really fighting?

An epic, sweeping fantasy with an incredible Dark Academia setting, a clandestine, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and an unputdownable story, filled with twists and turns, betrayals and secret identities, A Language of Dragons is the unmissable debut of 2025, from an extraordinary new voice.

Content Warning: violence, war, classism

This story is set in 1923, alternate London, and there is a civil war brewing between humans, rebels and dragons. The world-building is great. I love how the dragons are evolved, have their own language and is now at peace with the humans because of an agreement, but their past seems tumultuous. Another part of this world is the class system that humans have been broken up into – with first, second and third class citizens.

Vivien’s parents have been arrested as rebels against the Prime Minister of the British government, and all Viv wants to do is save them and her little sister, but she does something that alerts the government to her. They take her and promises if she helps them with protecting Britain, her family will be saved. Viv’s talent is she is a polyglot, she knows several languages – most of them, dragon languages. She is tasked to be a codebreaker and figure out the messages that dragons are passing to one another. Viv is in a team with other young people though, one of them being her ex-best friend, who Viv stabbed in the back, the other being her best-friend and cousin, Marquis.

I found the group of kids with Viv to be very interesting, but many of them are suspicious of each other. There is even romance blooming between Viv and another character, which I thought added to the tension of the story and made Viv really examine her choices about protecting Britain or defecting to the rebel side to protect dragons. The choices are hard.

I did find some of the academics to be a bit too slow for me in the beginning (something I had to be in the mood for and I was sort of but not really into), but I loved the second half of the book with all the betrayal, politics, and action!

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a really interesting story especially with the world building and it being historical fantasy. There are humans and dragons at war with one another, post World War I. I loved the romance, the politics, the betrayal and the forms that bond between Viv and her new colleagues. Looking forward to seeing what happens in book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Swan’s Daughter by. Roshani Chokshi | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating:

Title: The Swan’s Daughter

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Narrator(s): Ell Potter

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400 Listening Time: Approximately 10 hours

Publication Date: 1/6/26

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Categories: Cozy Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale, 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 Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.

To find love is a curse …

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris’s parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living.

Content Warning:

+ The narrator really brought this magical story to life. I loved how she did all the voices, she infused so much life in these characters! I would say the beautiful prose made this magical story feel very lush!

+ I don’t usually vibe with cozy fantasies because they move too slow but this one was very enjoyable because it reads like a fairytale! The story of Demelza who is basically the runt of the litter, the swan born without wings, she can’t sing at all and she is not the most beautiful, so she leaves her family and ends up in a bridal competition for Prince Arris’ hand in marriage.

+ The characters were all very interesting and their interactions were funny! I found myself laughing out loud a few times. There are many relationships I found very fun in this story, especially Arris and his sister Yvelle. Demelza also makes friends with a lot of the girls in the competition. Also Demelza has a complicated relationship with her own parents. Her dad being a powerful sorcerer who wants more power. I like how all these different relationships were explored in the story.

+ This felt more like a friends to lovers romance because Aris finds out that Demelza is just there to escape her parents but she has the power to make people tell the truth, so he enlists her help to report on the contestants so he knows who is the best candidate as his bride. But the more they spend time together, the more the feelings grow. And I say friends because Aris is kissing all these girls left and right and sometimes he’s feeling a girl, but eventually in the end, it’s Demelza the girl he is so comfortable with that wins his heart.

Final Thoughts:

I love the narrator and her story-telling. I love the prose and how the story was magical, cozy, heart warming and funny. I enjoyed this enchanting fairytale!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Book Review: The Gilded Wolves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Review | The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Three Kisses, One Midnight by. Roshani Chokshi, Evelyn Skye, Sandhya Menon | ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Heavenly Bodies by. Imani Erriu | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Heavenly Bodies (#1)

Author: Imani Erriu

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 1/13/26 (First published 2/13/22)

Publisher: Random House Canada

Categories: Romantasy

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

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

“You know the most dangerous kind of villain? A woman with nothing left to lose.”

In a world ruled by the cruel and merciless Stars, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for a Star, but that it will kill them both.

So when Ariete, Star of Wrath, War and Chaos, descends to wreak havoc on Elara’s kingdom, she flees her home—the Kingdom of Night—for the neighbouring Helios, Kingdom of Light.

And strides straight into the arms of an enemy prince.

Fearing that Ariete might turn his sights to Helios next, Prince Lorenzo is forced to train Elara as a weapon—one worthy of battling against the tyrannical reign of the Stars. But there are shadows even within the Kingdom of Light—and they threaten to reveal the darkness in Lorenzo’s past and the ancient magic that slumbers in Elara’s veins.

And with it all comes an undeniable, star-crossed pull between Elara and Lorenzo that neither can seem to resist…

Content Warning: violence, death, grief

I saw this book around on Amazon and on social media for awhile, but never got around to reading it though I was very interested in it. I know it was first published a few years ago but it seems like it’s going through another republish, maybe with a new cover? Not sure but the publisher reached out to me to ask if I would be willing to read this book and the sequel and of course I was excited about it!

Heavenly Bodies has really interesting world building. It is inspired by the zodiac. Each kingdom is ruled by a zodiac sign with a royal family, but there is also a ruling Star over that family and the people, almost like a God/Goddess.

Elara’s life is in turmoil. She is from Asteria (Piscea-Pisces), her parents have been killed by the King of Stars, Ariete, because of a prophecy that connects the two of them together – apparently Elara’s is supposed to be with him and it will kill them both.

Kidnapped, Elara, finds refuge in Helios (Leyon-Leo), where the king wants her to train to be able to kill Stars. Prince Lorenzo is tasked to train her and they have a rocky start, but eventually a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance grows between them. This story centers around Elara and Lorenzo no matter what the prophecy says and I loved watching their romance grow!

I enjoyed the found family that Elara has found in Helios despite the king being an enemy of her kingdom. I liked a lot of the secondary characters also. We do learn some things about Elara’s kingdom, Asteria and her past later on in the book. She is a political pawn in the first half of the book and is mostly training to use her skills, and learning more about the prophecy but things change in the second half. As a character I thought she was strong and brave and seemed to stand on her own against Ariete.

I think the beginning throws us into the story pretty fast, and right into Helios, without knowing much about Elara and where she is from, so I had to just assume a bunch of things about her kingdom. We do learn more as she compares things but I thought it was a jarring start to the story.

There are a few twists in the end of the story which I thought was fascinating and am eager to see how the story moves forward in book two.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was an engaging read and I was really invested in the world building but the romance is the main focus of this story and what a romance it is. I loved the slow burn between Elara and Lorenzo and the reveals at the end of the book was really unexpected. There are secrets, prophecies, betrayals, found family, action and everything I look for in a romantasy. I’m excited to read book two to see where the story goes after that surprise ending.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Song of the Stars by. Kaiti Mills | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️

Title: Song of the Stars (#1)

Author: Kaiti Mills

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 608

Publication Date: 12/2/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

Kit Rivermoor has always been the overlooked fae, living in the shadow of her gifted sister and warrior brother. She never expected her quiet life to change, until a forgotten prophecy stirs unrest in the Seelie courts and pulls her into a journey across the fae lands of Andarnia.

As she travels through glittering cities full of secrets and rivalries, Kit begins to sense a star-bound magic awakening inside her. With it comes a connection that feels fated, a bond that could shape not only her future but the fate of the realm itself.

Kit steps into the unknown, where every choice could change the fate of the fae and the bond that calls to her heart.

Content Warning: kidnapping

I came across this indie author on TikTok, I saw her promoting her book and it was the book cover that caught my eye. It published earlier this month (December) and was available on kindle unlimited so I decided to read it.

It starts off promising and I think if you are the type of reader who likes quests, a prophecy, a girl with special powers without knowing what it is, and who is the chosen one to save the world, then you will enjoy this. I do enjoy these tropes but I also like to see a little hardship for the FMC and outside of feeling overlooked, I didn’t feel like Kit has gone through much to make her be the chosen one, but I guess the stars know what they want. Kit being told she was special without knowing why was very repetitive throughout the book so it took me out of the story. It’s a long book so I did pause reading this halfway through because of it being repetitive.

I did read it again after a week and I’m happy to say it picks up at the halfway mark.

Kit as a character is a spitfire and she definitely could hold her own with her brother and his friends. It was nice to see her grow into her power and confidence. But I felt at times she was inexperienced and not battle tested but thrust into a leadership role. Of course she won’t be able to rule alone, but throughout the story it just feels like it’s all on her. She travels with a group of people but I feel like outside of Bastian, we don’t get to really know everyone else very well. I wanted to see her bond more with her brother since he left his bride’s side right away to help Kit.

There are some twists and betrayals in the story and I thought the gemstone/stars magic was interesting and would like to learn more about it.

As for the romance, let’s just say I’m glad it ended up the way it did by the end of the book. It’s a sweet, growing romance and I love Bastian, who is supportive and protective but allows her space to grow.

Final Thoughts:

For a debut, indie novel, I thought this was well written. It was a little too long for me and repetitive at times but I did enjoy the second half of the book. The romance was sweet and even if I didn’t feel like I connected with Kit at times, I think Bastian was amazing. There is adventure, prophecy, and a girl who is chosen to save the world.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

We Who Will Die by. Stacia Stark | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood, #1)

Author: Stacia Stark

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 12/30/25

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, 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 Avon for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

From the bestselling author of the Kingdom of Lies series comes a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros.

Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

Content Warning: death, violence, murder, mention of suicide, grief

+ I didn’t know what to expect from this book but wow was I pleasantly surprised. This story has gladiators, vampires, mythical creatures, a serial killer, a cult, and even zombies? Yes all of that in one book including trials, a slow burn second chance romance plus maybe a brewing love triangle!

+ Arvelle is a bodyguard trying to keep her younger brothers alive, especially Evren, who has bad lungs. But her plans of bringing him to the town who has healers is in jeopardy when a vampire makes her a deal – help him kill the emperor and her brother will be healed and they can be free. To carry out this plan she has to enter another fighting trial, which reminds her of the last one she had participated in where she won but had to watch her best friend die in front of her. Arvelle is a complicated character, frozen by grief, motivated by fear to keep her brothers alive, and just trying to survive.

+ I loved the world-building with everything mixed together – gladiators, vampires, and magic wilders called Sigilmarked. As Arvelle tries to navigate this world of cutthroat empire politics, and trying to train and survive the trials, I was really enjoying how the story was unfolding. There was even a murder mystery, bodies turning up and also someone trying to bring them back to life to build an army – there was a lot going on! I also loved some of the unexpected plot twists!

+ Arvelle is the main character, but Rorrick, the emperor’s son with a sadistic, ruthless reputation is the one I’m really interested. Speaking of Rorrick, this story story has a slow-burn second chance romance involving another guy but also a potential love triangle in the making?

~ Though the romance isn’t really the focus, Arvelle, has to figure out how to kill the king and save her brothers, I’m bummed that this could be a love triangle between brothers. I have found out this year, that I’m tired of romances involving a girl coming in between two brothers. And I also don’t want this to be a “why choose” because they are brothers! That’s a no for me. I am leaning a certain way already, but hope there’s more interactions between them in book two.

~ Arvelle is a complicated character but I needed more from her. I get that she was wallowing in guilt. Everyone could see she didn’t want to be at the trials, but wow was she so weak. And I am glad she went in with grief, bad memories, and a weak ankle but I needed some grit for her. For someone who relied on her instincts being a bodyguard, her instinct about people trying to befriend, was bad. I wanted growth in the second half of the book, is that too soon?

~ There was a lot going on in this book and most of it worked. The only one plot line that got lost among everything going on is the murder mystery. There are dead bodies showing up around these trials – I loved the reveal at the end, but there is no real investigation in the middle of the story about this important development in the story. Pacing of the story also felt choppy at times.

Final Thoughts:

I binged this book in two days. I loved all the elements thrown together: gladiators, vampires, magic, betrayal and everything else. I don’t love a love triangle between brothers but I’ll be here for the mess, drama, and whatever is going to happen in book two. Hopefully there is more growth in Arvelle and she grows some tough skin, especially because she is among vampires. It’s an addicting read and a fun story. I can’t wait for book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

A Court This Cruel and Lovely by. Stacia Clark| Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

My Blade, Your Back by. K.M. Moronova | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: My Blade, Your Back (Dark Forces, #2)

Author: K.M. Moronova

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 378

Publication Date: 12/9/25

Categories: Dark Romance, Series, Military Romance

Broken. Lost. Unforgiven.

One month after surviving the Under Trials, Emery Maves finds herself in a world she doesn’t recognize―with a man whose cold eyes are haunted by secrets she can’t remember. Stripped of her memories, Emery is tormented by dreams of danger, death, and deceit. The only constant is the lure of the experimental drug that shatters her mind but leaves her almost invincible―and the dangerous pull of the man called Mori.

Cameron Mortem is fighting a battle he thought he’d already lost. He knows letting Emery in could destroy them both, but her amnesia is a curse neither of them can outrun. Forced together on a high-stakes level black mission that goes disastrously wrong, they find themselves thrust deeply into the underworld of the black market with an unexpected foe.

But as old scars are torn open and hidden plots unravel, Emery discovers she’s more tangled in this world than she ever imagined. And Cameron will have to face the one person he fears most: himself.

Loyalties will be tested. Secrets will be weaponized. Their bond―once forged in blood―may be the only thing that can save them. If they don’t lose themselves first.

Content Warning: death, violence, torture, drug use, amnesia

This is book two in the Dark Forces duology and I just read book one Your Knife, My Heart, just a few weeks ago so it was nice that this one released right after.

I had a few expectations from this book. I wanted to know more about Emery’s life before the military, and we do get that in this sequel, but I feel like we don’t get it until almost halfway into the book. Emery has amnesia, which isn’t my favorite trope, but I really wanted to see her and her family to come in contact earlier in the book. The first half of this book is Emery not remembering Cameron, and integrating herself into the Dark Forces. It was nice to meet the squad though. But I was losing interest in Emery and Cameron’s story.

Things do pick up once Reed comes into the picture and we get a taste of how ruthless Emery’s dad is, giving us a glimpse into how her life before Dark Forces. Reed was an interesting character and there is a twist in the story.

As for the romance, it’s filled with angst because Cameron has self-loathing for what happened at the end of book one. I didn’t love that both of them were taking the experimental drugs, making them both crazy. 😅🤦🏻‍♀️. I didn’t care anymore like I did in book one, which is strange because I just read book one. So I don’t know what changed, but I wasn’t feeling it.

Final Thoughts:

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I did book one. I think the first half is slow and amnesia isn’t my favorite trope, so that didn’t help. Eventually we get to meet Reed and learn more about Emery’s past life, but I think it happens too late in the story, and I stopped caring. Overall, this was an okay sequel for me.