Hide the Witches by. Miranda Lyn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hide the Witches (#1)

Author: Miranda Lyn

Pages: 558

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 4/20/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Enemies to Lovers

Some bonds are forged in blood. Others burn everything to ash.

In Grimora, secrets burn faster than witches, and Syneca Black is both. Forbidden fire magic courses through her veins, hidden behind a lifetime of lies because Hunters don’t spare phoenix blood.

When her best friend vanishes and resurfaces on execution scrolls, accused of crimes that she couldn’t have possibly committed, Syn risks everything and volunteers for a hunt that could see both of them killed. It’s the only way to protect the woman who is like a sister to her. But taking that oath means binding herself to Wickett, the legendary Hunter whose sharp eyes and lethal grace have ended countless witches’ lives.

Every moment beside him threatens to shatter her carefully built lies. Every stolen glance fans flames she can’t afford to kindle. He’s sworn to his cause. She’s everything he’s trained to destroy. But in a city where Sprites carry desperate messages and ancient Furies keep secrets, the most dangerous discovery isn’t the growing fire between them. It’s realizing that both hunter and hunted are dancing to someone else’s deadly design.

When the blood debts come due, Syneca must save the woman who stood with her in shadows or trust the man whose touch feels like salvation.

Will the world burn or will she?

Content Warning: violence, death, grief, abuse

+ Syneca Black is the Phoenix that the Magistrate and everyone else is hunting down because there is a prophecy that her power would burn down the world. Thing is, she’s been hiding her identity well but then one of her roommates and best friend, Vitoria, gets accused of being the Phoenix. Vitoria goes missing and the Magistrate puts together a group to hunt her down. Syn and her other friend Calder join the group so they can find her and help her, but also the Magistrate’s son who is a notorious hunter, Wickett is part of the group. I enjoyed the world building and the different species like sprites, shifters, witches, dragons, etc…

+ I love the found family in this story, especially the one between Syneca and Calder, but more people are added to the group. Syneca has a familiar that’s a grumpy griffin, and there is an Oracle, and Furies. It’s such an interesting cast of characters.

+ The romance is a slow burn and enemies to lovers between Syneca and Wickett, but I can’t say he was easy to get to know. He’s a hunter, he kills easily, and he marked Syneca as a person he will kill after their mission. So when the attraction grows between them, it does give us a spicy scene but also a twist in the story.

+~ I enjoyed this one and read it kind of slow, but it is almost 600 pages, so it was a bit long. But I was invested in the characters and the search for Vitoria. The twist in the story is very interesting and that cliffhanger ending has me downloading book two asap.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoy the world building, characters, the slow burn romance and the twist and turns at the end of this book! I’ve already downloaded book two so stay tuned for that review.

Read if you like:

hunter x witch, enemies to lovers
found family
good world building

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This Shattered Tempest by. Thea Guanzon| ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: This Shattered Tempest (The Hurricane Wars, #3)

Author: Thea Guanzon

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 10/6/26

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Romance, 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 Harper Voyager for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When the storm swallows the world, who will be left standing?

Throughout their political marriage, Alaric and Talasyn struggled to resist the undeniable pull between them, even as rising tensions forced them on opposite sides of a looming war. Hand in hand, they vanquished the cataclysmic threat of the Moonless Dark—and started to hope for a future together.

That hope is shattered when a devastating attack sets off a chain of events that tears them apart once more. Now, as two rival nations prepare for a final, decisive clash, the Master of the Shadowforged Legion and the last Lightweaver fight to find their way back to each other. But the odds are stacked against them, and time is running out…

Is love enough to rewrite destiny? Can a new beginning rise from the ruins of the past? Or are Alaric and Talasyn doomed to meet as enemies on one last battlefield? This explosive third and final book brings the beloved Hurricane Wars series to a stunning conclusion—where passion and power collide, and the fate of a divided world hangs in the balance.

Content Warning: violence, death

+~ It’s been 2 years since the second book came out so I did go into this without doing a recent re-read of that book and there were times I had to wait for things to click because it’s a big cast of characters. The world-building includes a few different regions, so it took me a little while to remember people and places. Of course Tala and Alaric stand out the most to me, but because there is a lot of political intrigue taking place, it’s important to know who is on who’s side – and yes I did get lost at times.

+ Tala grows so much in this book! She has to make hard choices about her ruler, her people, her husband (who is the enemy) and which side to chose. I don’t blame her for choosing her people because that is how she was raised, familial duty is strong in her. But I felt bad for her because she loved Alaric too. There is a moment in the book where she has to break away from him and find strength within herself to do the right thing. Alaric was frustrating me though because he couldn’t break free from his father soon enough, he eventually learns and does the right thing in the end.

+ The romance is so filled with challenge, strife, and betrayal. I almost had no hope for them! I didn’t know how they would forgive each other. Their relationship comes with costs, but eventually they get things right and I didn’t know it would make me emotional. I love their ending. I will say I think Tala bent more than Alaric did – it took him awhile to see the light, and I know that’s trauma on his part because of his relationship with his father. He really was lucky that Tala fought to have him in her life. But someone had to fight for their love and of course it would be Tala because she overcomes a lot and by the end she’s not afraid to be vulnerable and fearless. There are a few spicy scenes between them though which absolutely matched their enemies to lovers vibe.

+ I enjoyed the political intrigue when I could follow who was betraying who, but I also loved the aether magic and the dragons that protect Tala’s people! The story touches on the cost of war on all sides involved and the tension that grew inside me while reading this was almost off the charts near the end. I wanted it to work out for everyone so badly but there was a moment of hopelessness before everything is resolved. There were some emotional parts to this story especially at the ending. I also love that this is by a Filipino author and there is a word in the story that pulled at my heart strings because it’s a word in the Filipino culture for mother or grandmother. Just having that in there was everything to me and connected me more to Tala.

Final Thoughts:

This conclusion to The Hurricane Wars series is tense, heartbreaking but also healing at the end. Tala grows to become the Empress she is destined to be, by making hard choices, confronting the past and even people considered family who is trying to hurt her. She loses a lot in order to become stronger and bring about the hope for the future she and Alaric had. There were times I was a little lost because of so much going on and all the names I had forgotten but I couldn’t put this down. I was rooting for Tala and Alaric and their dream of a future with no war. The story was filled with political intrigue, betrayal, darkness but also hope. I loved it!

Read if you like:

political intrigue
character development
secrets, betrayals
enemies to lovers
tension

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Tusk Love by. Thea Guanzon | Audiobook – 5 ⭐️/ 2🌶️

A Monsoon Rising by. Thea Guazon | ARC Review – 4 ⭐️

The Hurricane Wars by. Thea Guanzon | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Harbinger by. Geneva Lee | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Harbinger (#1)

Author: Geneva Lee

Pages: 496

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/22/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

Arden Icaros was never supposed to matter. From the poorest of five noble bloodlines, she prefers life on the family farm with dirt under her nails over the fine dresses at court. She just needs to get through one boring ceremony, inherit her earth magic, and return home.

Instead, she’s handed a dagger and with it, an impossible choice.

Now Arden is branded an omen of war, half the nobility wants her dead, and assassins are tracking her every move.

Her only chance of survival lies with the most feared man in Antares.

They call him Bishop. No one remembers the name he had before he dedicated his life to his order. Empowered to execute first and question later, Bishop is ruthless, terrifying, and utterly loyal to the kingdom that wants Arden dead.

He should kill her.

Instead, he offers her sanctuary.

But the longer Arden stays under Bishop’s protection, the more dangerous he becomes. Because Bishop has secrets powerful enough to topple kingdoms…and a need for Arden that could ruin them both.

Content Warning: violence, death, complicated family relationships, grief

+~ I tried a few books from this author before but I couldn’t gel with the writing but Harbinger is way different and the writing got better! Harbinger has unique world building – a world ruled by the Stars and the magic it gives some people. But maybe because I’m new to this world and getting use to it there were times that I was wanting more information about some things like this great war that happened long ago and that is about to be unleashed again. Would love to learn more about it since it’s a big deal and Arden is the harbinger to this coming new war.

+ Arden Icaros is her family’s hope to get the magic they need to help cultivate their land. But when the Stars change her fate, she’s labeled a witch, and a harbinger to a new war. I love Arden – lI ove how strong she is and how she says what’s on her mind. She’s not perfect but she loves her family and best friend Kieran. I understood her frustrations with being kept in the dark because as a reader, I felt the same frustrations when it came to the secrets Bishop was keeping. But Arden is so resilient – she goes through a lot in this first book and I liked seeing her trying to rise from her despair. I love Bishop, but would love to learn more about him. The secondary characters are great and then there are the animals!

+ The romance is epic! At first I didn’t quite feel the attraction between them, she had more chemistry with her best friend, Kieran. But when Bishop brings her to his home to protect her things change. Bishop, for the most part kept distant from her but I loved their interactions and how she got under his skin because she wasn’t afraid of him. When the sparks finally fly between them and they act on it, it’s so good, not because they finally get their spice scene but their relationship evolves and they have to work out what a future means between them and if they want to take the risk. I absolutely love them together.

+~ I didn’t expect the emotional impacts that this book gave me. The story touches on family obligation, and complicated relationships. When we first meet Arden’s family, I love them but when challenges come, there are choices to be made and I was sad to see how quick things fall apart. I love her relationship with Kieran. But this story is dark and there are some heartbreaking moments. There are a lot of twists in the story but I have a feeling there is just so much more to learn and reveal in this story. One thing I would have liked to get a better feel for is the ruling kingdom – something happens in the beginning and Bishop whisks her away to his home, so we don’t know what’s happening with the new royal. I think I’d have liked more of the political intrigue to emerge in the story, especially with how it’s tied to the last war but hopefully we learn more in book two.

Final Thoughts:

It was hard to put this one down! I love the magic, world building, found family, Arden’s personal journey, the complicated relationships, the twists and turns and the epic romance. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!

Read if you like:

magic
found family
epic romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Fallen Court by. Geneva Lee | Audiobook Review – 3 stars/2 🌶️

Filthy Rich Fae by. Geneva Lee | Book Review – 3.5 stars

Filthy Rich Vampire by. Geneva Lee | Book Review – 2.5 stars

Hallowed Bones by. Lucy Smoke | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hallowed Bones (Sons of Salem, #1)

Author: Lucy Smoke

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/6/26

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Categories: Why Choose, Witches, Dark Academia, Romance, New Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, 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 St. Martin’s Griffin for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The first in the Sons of Salem series— a seductive, dark why-choose romance filled with cursed bloodlines, secret societies, and a powerful heroine destined to save the coven.

Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright.

I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.

Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.

And me—Haven Wardwell.

Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.

Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Dark Gods will ask for in return.

Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.

Content Warning: violence, death, gore, self harm

Set in Ipswich College in Massachusetts, I love the vibes of this book. It’s got the cobwebbed filled, creepy college (that’s the dark academia element of it); the Salem Witch Trials history in the background, and rich, hot boys who are in a coven. All of it worked for me! I even love the scary monsters from the Veil, and the murders leaving bodies in ritualistic, gory poses. I kept thinking this would be a perfect book for spooky season!

I do think the murders get a little bit overshadowed by the main story of Haven figuring out she’s a witch and one the Sons of Salem need badly, in a provocative and practical sense. They have to convince her she’s a witch and need to learn how to control her powers but Haven gives them a hard time. I like Haven though, she’s practically alone, and has been dealing with visions and nightmares for years, so I would be skeptical like her too, plus she’s brave and strong enough to deal with these four guys.

As for these Sons of Salem – Cameron, Ezra, Reyes and Lyall, all hot, all with different powers, temperaments and ways of seduction – I’m not the biggest Why Choose romance, it has to be done right and so far I think this is starting off good. Is there instant lust? Yes, but it’s a slow burn and hey a new witch is coming into her wild powers and have to be a priestess in a male dominated coven? The instant lust feels normal honestly and all it came with was a few kisses. There is one full spicy scene and I was actually pleasantly surprised by this because I thought she was gonna get with all the guys in this first book. I wasn’t ready for all of that yet! So I’m glad this only had one graphic spice scene. I actually want to see how she connects with each guy as the story goes on.

So I do hope we get more of the murder mystery, but I felt like this first book did a good job of setting the stage for things to come.

Final Thoughts:

I kind of devoured this one because I loved the setting, the paranormal elements, monsters and even the gory murders! I think it all fits together and though this was insta-lust it was also a slow burn when it comes to the spice, I think it’s setting us up for way more to come though. I think out of all the guys Ezra is the one that intrigues me, but I like all the guys so far. I would like more about the murder mystery though so I look forward to reading the next book.

Read if you like:

cursed bloodlines, Witches, Werewolf
Why Choose romance but low spice so far
creepy setting, dark academia
murder mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Crown of Blood and Magick by. Amy De La Force | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: A Crown of Blood and Magick (Fated for Hael, #2)

Author: Amy De La Force

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 9/15/26

Publisher: Canelo Romance

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

Now Empress of Hael’stromia, Cahra is supposed to be ruling the three kingdoms. But Ozumbre is seceding, Kolyath’s nobles sow division and King Thierre of Luminaux is lost to grief. Her only solace is her magickal protector Hael, their bond deepening into something… forbidden.

When Kolyath and Luminaux are attacked by an unknown enemy, Cahra dispatches Hael, leaving her exposed. He never returns, and Wyldaern is granted a vision: Hael, beaten to within an inch of his immortality, has been captured.

Cahra must master her power if she’s to find Hael in time, but there are traitors in her midst who will do whatever it takes to strip her of her title. As friends and allies drift further out of reach, who can she rely on to save Hael – and protect the kingdoms from an enemy so mighty, it could change the fate of her world forever?

Content Warning: violence

Book two in this series follows Cahra on her rise as an Empress, with Hael backing her and protecting her. There is a lot more political intrigue in this sequel but I felt like it took me a little longer to get into this book than book one. There is a large cast of characters and it took me awhile to remember who was who.

I didn’t really feel connected to Cahra in this one, and I’m not sure why. It could be that I didn’t believe she was ready to be an Empress over three kingdoms but there was enough to show her struggles and challenges. I did enjoy her relationship with Wyldaern though, I was invested in that.

The romance between Cahra and Hael finally go somewhere after so much yearning between them, and they even get a spicy scene.

Though it does start slow, the story picks up in the second half.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I think I liked book one better than this one. It took me awhile to get into this sequel. The world-building is still interesting and I did enjoy the friendship between Cahra and Wyldaern. I was happy to see the romance move along with Hael, but for some reason I had a hard time connecting to this one. If you liked book one, I do think you will enjoy this one.

Read if you like:

romantasy

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by. Amy De La Force | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The False Vow by. Lydia Gregovic | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️ (fade to black)

Title: The False Vow (The Weaver Bride, #2)

Author: Lydia Gregovic

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 528

Publication Date: 9/29/26

Publisher: Delacorte Press

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

Love will be tested in this high-stakes, spellbinding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Weaver Bride—the perfect read for fans of The Rose Bargain and Thorn Season.

The gorgeous first edition of The False Vow will feature stunning, stenciled edges and printed endpapers!

Lovett Tamerlane is engaged.

A silkwitch whose magic can only be harnessed through marriage to a Weaver, Lovett was facing life in the cloisters when Eliot Lear offered the deal of a an invitation to the Vainglory to compete for wealthy Weaver heir Noé Allaire’s hand in marriage, in exchange for her solving his sister’s murder.

While they both got what they wanted, the competition was full of surprises. Lovett never expected to fall in love . . . and Eliot never anticipated that she’d betray him.

Now Lovett has one to take down Bastian Alaire and end his corrupt Weaver reign at any cost. But though the Vainglory may be over, danger still lurks at Fortblanche. And when Bastian presents Lovett with one last challenge—solve a murder that occurred within his walls, before the day of her wedding—she realizes the tests aren’t over. To pass this one, she’ll have to partner with the only person she hates more than her father-in-law his son, Noé.

But as Lovett will learn . . . sometimes love and hate are two sides of the same coin.

Content Warning: violence, death

This is book two in The Weaver Bride series and I was looking forward to see what happened to Lovett and Eliot. Well, a lot happens in this book, some very unexpected things. Lovett and Eliot are trying to figure out the murder of Sybil, so they can best Noé’s dad, the weaver king, Bastian. Lovett and Noé are engaged but she still loves Eliot which makes this a love triangle. And the silkwitches who competed for Noé’s hand are trying to kill Lovett.

My favorite part of this story was actually the romance even though it’s a love triangle and I actually wasn’t sure who Lovett was going to end up with. I was a little disappointed with Eliot’s character because it wasn’t what I expected after how close he was to Lovett in book one. But I guess people change. Noé is filled with so much yearning that his confessions at the end really melted my heart. I love seeing their relationship grow. And there is a fade to black steamy scene.

As for the story, I felt like the beginning was half was slow. I only really got into the story at probably the 40% mark. I liked the first book because of the trials but now that is missing, so what takes it’s place is people trying to kill Lovett. Lovett’s competition, now bridesmaids, are all trying to kill her under Bastian’s request and Lovett is trying to figure out Sybil’s murder. I liked getting to know some of the bridesmaids more like Anais and Manon. There was never a warm relationship between Lovett and the girls because it was a competition and Lovett is not someone who allows people to get close to her and vice versa (which is why I loved her with Noé).

Final Thoughts:

I feel like I was more attracted to the romance story in this one than the mystery because the murder mystery felt slow. But if you like mysteries I think you will enjoy this one. The romance is a love triangle, and I wasn’t expecting the direction it went but at the end I wasn’t mad at it and actually loved getting to know Noé more. That guy is filled with so much yearning. Overall, I think this is a solid sequel to The Weaver Bride.

Read if you like:

love triangle
murder mystery
magic

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Weaver Bride by. Lydia Gregovic | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Monstrous Kind by. Lydia Gregovic | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Kiss of the Black Flame by. Helen Scheuerer| ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Kiss of the Black Flame (The Bookbinder’s Bargain, #1)

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 9/22/26

Publisher: Atria Books

Categories: Fantasy, 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 Atria Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Some bargains are sealed with blood…Others with fire…The deadliest are sealed with a kiss…

Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal—even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, she’s learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other people’s treasures while trying not to fall apart herself. But when the man she owes decides her rare talent is worth more than her payments, Saige is traded to the Azkari—an immortal race forged by the gods for war—and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold.

Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her —cursed, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return, Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book. But the book is made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil—or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous—both in the realm and within her.

As their enemies close in and buried memories resurface, Saige and Archer must decide what they’re willing to their freedom, their fragile trust…or the spark that could ignite the world.

Content Warning: violence, death

Archer is an Azkari general who has been trapped in prison with his half corporeal form for 200 years. With his enemy, Malevron, on the move he has to beat him to finding the Confluence – a book that contains all the knowledge about the Azkari people and their magic. He needs a bookbinder who has the talent to restore the book, and he’s found one but not the one he’s looking for. But Saige makes a pact with Archer because she needs help from thugs, but the bargain she makes is unknowingly more than she agreed to.

This is quite a story and I was hooked from the very beginning! I’ve read a few of this author’s books, but I didn’t read the last book of her last series only because sometimes trying to stick to a series longer than 3 books can be difficult when I’m short on time and motivation. But I’ve always loved her writing. This book reminds me why I was a fan of her work in the first place. It’s easy to read and the characters are easy to connect to and invest in. And there are a few things going on like a bargain, a journey, action, a quest, a book restoration, political intrigue, a slow burn romance and a story about family – found and bio. There are a few secrets and some betrayals, so there was always something happening in this story whether it was the quest to find the book and the events that came after it to restore the book. I loved learning about the Askari and hope we get to know more in book two.

Saige is 35 years old, which I absolutely love since I feel like there should be more older FMC’s in stories. I love the found family that Saige has with her adopted mother Yev and her best-friend, Raven. And I can’t forget Yev’s hound, Grim – he was adorable, especially when he was getting on Archer’s nerves. Saige is for the most part, mostly positive and has a happy disposition – even when bad things happen. But she does have a hard time asking people for help and has gotten into debt with a bad man. As for Archer, he is very grumpy, and has a few secrets. I thought his interactions with his friends, family, Saige and her family were funny because he’s such a grump!

The romance is a delicious slow burn because Archer and Saige are very much opposites and come into the bargain reluctantly. It goes from dislike to lovers to…enemies? It ends with a cliffhanger. But oh did I love Archer when he was a tortured general with tattoos of plants or flowers on his back. He also wears glasses and sketches with charcoal, but yes he is also a killing machine made for war. He was such a contradiction and a mystery but we do find out a lot about him at the end – some things I didn’t like knowing, so I don’t know how I felt about him at the end, I’ll wait until book two to judge him. Saige was an interesting character because I think she’s older? So she didn’t need a man and was very big about being independent but she didn’t deny she wanted Archer and I kind of like that she didn’t hide it. Their spicy moments were fun too.

Final Thoughts:

I devoured this one! I love so many things about it like the romance, the quest, the grumpy x sunshine characters, the found family and bio family. There was action, secrets, betrayals and I want more. Can’t wait for book two!

Read if you like:

found family
grumpy x sunshine romance
secrets and betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Fate & Furies by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vows & Ruins by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review– ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blood & Steel by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fabric of Chaos by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

With Dagger and Song by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen #1) by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Ignite the Infernos by. Ivy Asher| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Ignite the Infernos (Secret of the Syphon, #2)

Author: Ivy Asher

Pages: 339

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/8/26

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dragon Shifters, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Series

After her family curse is lifted, Ever’s on the run from her enemy, a shifter who’s both her foe and her fate, in this slow-burn sequel to Spark the Flames.

With one murderous act, Ever Tenebrae has freed the Syphons. But breaking the curse was only the beginning of the daunting journey ahead . . .

Ever’s once again on the run from the Horde and the dragon prince who’s become something far more dangerous than a mere enemy. Aeson Noctis is on the hunt, and the deeper he digs through the sands of the Scorch, the more truths he uncovers.

Though the road’s fraught with peril, Ever will have to move quickly if she’s to reunite with her people and ensure their survival. Staying hidden should’ve been easy for the Syphons, but their protection weakens as the bond between Ever and Aeson grows stronger each day.

Now, with old adversaries closing in and new threats rising from the shadows, Ever must decide once and for all who to trust. Because the Syphons’ secrets are coming to light, and what’s revealed could save them—or lead to their ultimate destruction.

Content Warning: violence, death, mentions of torture, trauma, memories of trauma

+ After reading book one, I went straight into book two without taking a break! Ever is on the run, and Aeson is on the chase because that’s his bonded. And even though Aeson was on the chase, I really wanted Ever to go back home to her sister and the Syphons so she could catch them up on everything going on. Would it have been easy for Ever to just trust Aeson and tell him everything? Definitely. But the people who killed her family were still out there living among The Horde, so I totally get why she can’t trust him with everything yet.

+ I feel like we get to see more of Ever’s bad-assery in this sequel. She’s leading Aeson on a chase and he is flustered. Ever bends a little eventually because she knows she needs help. She knows what she’s doing and as she said, has the ovaries to do it. I love her bravery but yes she can be frustrating because all Aeson wants to do is love her and all she knows how to do is run. We finally get to meet her sister and get to know her better. They have some issues to work out but their bond and love is strong. I loved getting to know their found family of wyverns and sorcai.

+ The romance is complicated because of all the trust issues between Ever and Aeson. He wants her to bend and let him in. She wants to because of her dragon’s needs but she’s also afraid because letting someone in means the potential to get hurt and she’s been hurt a lot. I’m rooting so hard for them though. They bicker and fight, but they also have some tension filled spicy scenes that are fun. And I actually like how there isn’t many spicy scenes between them – just the right amount because they really have a lot to work through. Clearly, he is crazy about her but wants her to choose him not because of the bond. I feel like the payoff for their romance is going to be so good because Ever is right, she is his mate, but he is not her master. And he is sticking by her even when she pisses him off 😅 – he’s a good man!

+ There is more political intrigue in this one because the Dukes and other powerful people of The Horde want a chance to meet Ever and court her too. There are power plays and people making moves and still Ever is trying to weed out who massacred her family – they get somewhere at the end but it leaves the story with another plot twist.

Final Thoughts:

I absolutely devoured books one and two back to back and I cannot wait for book three. I want more of this world, more of Ever and Aeson bickering and having steamy scenes, but I also want to know more about her twin and the Syphons. The secrets are coming out and they are so intriguing – I can’t wait to see how this all plays out. I will be waiting patiently for book three!

Read if you like:

dragon shifters
urban fantasy
strong and stubborn FMC & MMC
enemies to lovers
political intrigue

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Spark the Flames by. Ivy Asher | Book Review – 4.5 stars/ 2 🌶️

Spark the Flames by. Ivy Asher| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Spark the Flames (Secret of the Syphon, #1)

Author: Ivy Asher

Pages: 504

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 3/21/25

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dragon Shifters, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Series

When it comes to dragons, there’s no such thing as safe.

I learned that the hard way when my kith and kindred were slaughtered right before my eyes.

Everyone thinks the wyverns and the sorcai did it, but I know the truth.

I’ve been hiding from The Horde ever since, existing under their radar, surviving.

And then one day, they find me…he finds me. Aeson Noctis, the king’s second son and my new captor.

Aeson thinks he can force me back to Paragon City. He thinks he can use me and claim my power for his own.

But the dragons should’ve been more careful about who they let inside their city. I’m not some weak little pawn. I’m here looking for answers.

I’m here looking for revenge.

When it comes to dragons, there’s no such thing as safe. I know because I am one, and now I’m going to make The Horde pay for what they’ve done.

They thought they killed all the Syphons.

They thought they hunted down every one.

They thought wrong.

Content Warning: violence, death, mentions of torture, trauma, memories of trauma

+ I’ve been wanting to read this book since last year but decided to wait because it was part of a series. I finally picked it up because book two is out but now I wish I waited until book three came out because I enjoyed this book so much.

+ I really enjoy the world building in this series – it’s urban fantasy with dragon shifters and there are portals also. Ever is the FMC who is escaping her captors but ends up with The Horde, the rulers of this kingdom and also her enemy. Ever is a special type of dragon, a Syphon, who were all massacred years ago – or so everyone thought. Ever and her twin have been hiding out with the surviving Syphons and now they are trying to break the curse put upon them and figure out who they need to take their revenge on. This book was such a quick read filled with action, political intrigue and lots of tension. There are emotional moments too because of what Ever’s been through.

+ Ever is spunky, fierce, and she’s got so many walls up she can’t trust anyone but she’s also funny. I love her even if she can be frustrating because of the walls she puts up and the secrets she is hiding. I totally understand why she has her walls though! Aeson, is the Commander of The Horde army and he’s distrustful of Ever too but he also can’t get her out of his head. He wants to protect her, he wants her to bend to him but she is not the bending type. The two clash a lot, which was fun to witness. There is a strong found family trope in this story especially with Aeson and his Wing unit – they guard him with their lives. The people in his Wing are made up of some fun characters. I did like also getting to know Lorn also, Aeson’s brother, who is the heir. I can’t wait to get to know more of the Syphons and Ever’s sister.

+ I love the enemies to lovers romance between Ever and Aeson. Clearly, they are attracted to one another because of their dragons wanting to bond, which makes it very interesting but they both question the attraction – is it the dragons or is it them as people wanting to bond? I love how Aeson wants it to be because Ever wants him…same with Ever, but they still both have hidden agendas too. They have major trust issues they have to work out. So theirs is a complicated relationship but they do have a spicy scene filled with yearning and want – and I love how it built up to that and didn’t happen right away.

Final Thoughts:

I started this one and couldn’t put it down. I love the world building, the characters, the tension filled romance and I can’t wait to jump into book two!

Read if you like:

dragon shifters
urban fantasy
strong and stubborn FMC & MMC
enemies to lovers
political intrigue

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Wildborn by. Perri Torani | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Wildborn (Starborn, #1)

Author: Perri Torani

Pages: 606

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/28/26

Categories: Alien Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Series

To walk the path of a morazir, I will exist in three states of being:

Untouched.

Untaken.

Unconquered.

Airik, a battle-scarred warrior serving the cruel intergalactic empire of the Veynari, craves silence from the nightmares tormenting his mind. But while on post to decommission a failed experiment of a planet, a rogue human spacecraft crashes, and a reckless decision leaves him stranded—entangled with a woman he never should have saved.

Nora wakes light-years from Earth, broken in body and spirit, at the mercy of an alien soldier who refuses to let her die. Devastatingly beautiful, terrifyingly competent, and bound by a warrior’s oath that permits touch only to destroy, he’s the reluctant guardian angel she neither wants nor believes she deserves.

Trapped together, they’re forced to navigate a brutal landscape, vicious beasts, and the deadly remnants of an abandoned world. Duty demands Airik’s cold indifference. Yet Nora sparks something deliciously alive—and entirely forbidden—within him. What begins as necessity ignites a primal hunger: scorching, consuming, and impossible to resist.

But even if they survive, the Veynari—ever present and ruthless—won’t allow its warriors weakness like love. For Airik and Nora to be together, they must risk everything.

Content Warning: violence, death

+ I’m opening up to reading more Alien Romance and saw this as a popular one on Kindle Unlimited so I wanted to try it. Airik is a warrior for the Veynari but he’s also an outcast because of his parents’ love for each other – love is not something the Veynari do. So he’s this really tortured guy, trying to stay in his lane and do what he’s told until he ends up on another planet for a mission. He finds Nora, a human who has crash landed on this same planet. They are forced to be together and that’s how things grow between them.

+~ Nora and Airik are both broken people/species. They have trauma from their past and it was fitting that they met and fell in love. I thought it was fun to see how they learn how to communicate, it helps that Airik was already studying some English and learning about humans. He learns a lot more while around Nora and she learns about his species as well. I don’t think there is anything about Nora that stood out though, I was way more interested in Airik and his past. There is one secondary character in here that I was intrigued by and loved and that’s Torren, Airik’s best friend.

+~ I think I was going into this just thinking it was going to be a romp in space, a little smutty, but fun but I was wrong. There are a lot of tears shed between Nora and Airik, I actually wondered why they couldn’t stop crying, because it was a little too much for me. I didn’t expect this to be so emotional but I really felt for Airik. It’s a forbidden romance between two broken people who just want to be loved and belong somewhere. They want a future together but don’t know how to make that happen and by the end I was hoping they could be together someway, somehow. It’s an alien romance so the spice has some creative elements to it which makes it fun, but yeah, these two have a rough time of it trying to carve a path for a future together.

+~ I did enjoy the world building but I do think the length of this book was too long. Most of the time is spent on the planet with Nora and Airik spending time together, which is fine, and they get all their spicy scenes in, but I did wish some of it would have been cut out to make the story move faster. Pacing was an issue but there is a lot of action at the end though which I enjoyed.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this started off good, and I love when Nora and Airik meet and learn from one another, the spice was fun too but then the story got too long and started to drag a little before the action came in at the end to make things interesting again. So for an alien romance I thought this was not bad and I did find the world building really detailed. There was more emotion in this than I was expecting and I would like to read book two if it’s about Torren but I also hope it won’t be as long as this one but a tighter story.

Read if you like: