Title: House of Roots and Ruin (Sisters of the Salt, #2)
Author: Erin A. Craig
Format: eBook (NetGalley)
Pages: 544
Publication Date: 7/25/23
Publisher:Delacorte Press
Categories: Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, 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 Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.
Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.
When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.
Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.
But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .
We are back with Thaumas sisters but mostly one in particular, Verity. I will note that only Verity and Camille are present in this story though the other girls are mentioned. But that’s totally okay because this is Verity’s story and what a story it is.
Verity goes to Bloem under the pretense of doing the future duke’s portrait. But she has longed to leave Highmoor for awhile now and live her own life and this is her chance. But Camille tells Verity something about her that is shocking. Bloem is way different than Salaan and Highmoor but it is as gothic a setting as Highmoor but filled with more…flowers.
Without giving any spoilers let’s just say the first part of this story builds slowly like a mystery but the new characters like Alex, Gerard and Dauphine are intriguing. Something is going on at Bloem, and I kept trying to guess what was happening and I will tell you when all was revealed I was in shock. The hits kept coming and I was wondering to what end?! And what an ending it was. I loved the mystery, the gothic vibes of Chauntilalei, the ghosts, the romance (which didn’t really start off with sparks – it’s a slow burn), the creepy experiments and the reason behind it all!
Tropes: girl can see ghosts
Why you should read it:
great storytelling and building up to that ending
gothic vibes, creepy, ghosts, romance, Gods
Why you might not want to read it:
not into Gothic mysteries
My Thoughts:
I was so excited to get a copy of this arc and I can say I was not disappointed. I didn’t know which way the story was going and when I thought it did – it changed on me and in an unsuspecting way. I enjoyed Verity and the gothic estate of Chauntilalei where there are secret passage ways, long, dark hallways and someone or something lurking in the corners. I am eager to read book three!
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.
Ready your blade. Defeat the undead.
In the Dominions, the dead linger, violent and unpredictable, unless a bonesmith severs the ghost from its earthly remains. For bonesmith Wren, becoming a valkyr—a ghost-fighting warrior—is a chance to solidify her place in the noble House of Bone and impress her frequently absent father. But when sabotage causes Wren to fail her qualifying trial, she is banished to the Border Wall, the last line of defense against a wasteland called the Breach where the vicious dead roam unchecked.
Determined to reclaim her family’s respect, Wren gets her chance when a House of Gold prince is kidnapped and taken beyond the Wall. To prove she has what it takes to be a valkyr, Wren vows to cross the Breach and rescue the prince. But to do so, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with one of the kidnappers—a fierce ironsmith called Julian from the exiled House of Iron, the very people who caused the Breach in the first place…and the House of Bone’s sworn enemy.
As they travel, Wren and Julian spend as much time fighting each other as they do the undead, but when they discover there’s more behind the kidnapping than either of them knew, they’ll need to work together to combat the real a dark alliance that is brewing between the living and the undead.
Content Warning: violence
I saw this book cover, saw who the author was and knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed!
What I really love about the story was the world-building and we do get a lot of it in the beginning which for a bit felt like info-dumping but once I pushed past through that, the story starts to flow. Wren is a bonesmith and has trained to be a valkyr – a warrior who fights ghosts. There are other smiths out there, like the ironsmiths, ghostsmiths, goldsmiths and we get a good sense of this world and a war that happened in the past that fractured alliances and sides. Wren’s family history is embedded deep into this climactic even.
I like Wren a lot – she’s fiesty, kind of rash in her decision making and wants glory but it’s mostly to appease her father and the grandmother who never approved of her. She never lets getting banished really get her down. She adapts, she keeps moving, she’s brave and even selfish but she knows when to say sorry. On the opposite side is Julian who is an ironsmith and her enemy but they are bound together to one goal, finding out who betrayed Julian and rescuing a Prince.
This is being compared to Game of Thrones and yes I could definitely see it because of the revenants, ghosts that attack, bodies coming back to life. It’s dark and filled with fighting, magic and adventure and I loved it all! There is even a tiny bit of a romance developing but it is not the main focus of this book. I love that Wren and Julian are both warriors, both trying to figure out who’s betrayed them, there is something growing between them, but they have to figure out a lot of things first. I’ll be rooting for them!
Despite the info-dumping in the beginning and me wanting a bit more romance, this was an entertaining read and I look forward to book two! I’m hoping we see more of Leo and maybe even Inara.
Tropes: enemies to lovers
Why you should read it:
world-building, magic, fighting ghosts, political intrigue
Wren and Julian
Why you might not want to read it:
not into fighting the undead
My Thoughts:
I read this one in two days, only because I had to push through the beginning that was filled with information, but after that it was a quick, engaging and entertaining read. The world-building is great! I’ll be rooting for Wren, Julian and Leo and I’m excited to read book two!
Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Fake Dating, Small Town Romance
Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.
Will—the sexy, tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky. Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no.
Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.
Content Warning: grief
I never read When in Rome, but apparently this is book two in this romance series. After reading Practice Makes Perfect I may just have to pick up When in Rome.
Practice Makes Perfect is such a cute, heartfelt story that left me feeling good inside. I love the whole premise of Annie being the one in town with the good girl reputation and here comes Will, her future sister-in-law’s bodyguard who comes with a bad reputation. The romance is sweet with enough heat between them and plenty chemistry. I love them as friends and trying to work out some personal issues before willing to commit to one another. The fake dating is very brief in the book though. Will becomes her “dating coach” but Annie doesn’t really need it, all she needed was someone to like her for who she is, like Will does. There is very little steam but when it’s done, it’s done really well. The sex scene is fade to black so this is not as spicy as Annie’s favorite pirate smut stories! I think I would have liked a tiny bit more of spice because their chemistry is so great!
The other thing I love about this story is the small town environment where everyone is in everyone’s business, which I bet could be annoying but I thought the way they looked out for Annie was sweet. And Annie has a wonderful cast around her. Her parents died when she was 3, so she is really close to her siblings. I thought her interactions with them were fun. Especially when she and sisters admitted what what kind of romance books they read. I did love how Annie’s a big reader of pirate smut and how Will reads a copy of her book haha.
Overall this was such a feel-good romance and a quick read so I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tropes: good girl/bad boy reputations, fake dating, small town
Why you should read it:
Annie and Will’s sweet love story – acquaintances to lovers
small town
Why you might not want to read it:
it isn’t spicy enough
My Thoughts:
I thought this was a fun and sweet rom-com and I actually want to read When in Rome and whoever’s story is next! Annie has two sisters who are still single. I’m hoping for Maddie’s story and I’m thinking James has a thing for her, so I’ll definitely read the next book!
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Thank you to Gallery/Saga Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.
Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.
Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.
Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.
Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.
Content Warning: violence, death
I almost DNF’ed this book but I pushed through because it’s Chloe Gong and once our two main characters met, I became invested. But let me tell you that the first 20% of this book was a struggle for me to get into. I couldn’t quite get my bearings on this world the author created. It’s two cities San-Er in the kingdom of Talin, and there is a power imbalance with lots poverty among the people and the king flourishing and turning a blind eye. So August, the prince wants to take the throne but he needs someone to kill the king. The plan is to get a player into the annual games, the winner can get close to the king at the end and kill him. But there are other players in these ruthless games who want to win for their own agendas.
The power play is intriguing. Do we really know August? He says he will be a different king from his father but others say he will be just the same. He does everything in his power though to make sure his plan comes to fruition.
Then there is Calla, my favorite morally grey, ass-kicking character who is fearsome and fierce. She has history with August, but so does Anton Makusa, the fastest body jumper around. And yes this society of people can jump bodies, which makes the action quite exhilarating and fast-paced.
I was hooked on Calla and Anton. I love them fighting, even if it meant drawing blood. I liked their chemistry and obsession with one another – I am now obsessed with them! This was my favorite part of the book and probably the only reason it’s getting 4 stars and that I want to read the next book. Oh yeah, it ends on a cliffhanger.
Speaking of blood, there is a lot of it. Calla and Anton are fighting to the death in these games and it is bloody with lots of rolling heads and slit throats. It’s violent but I enjoyed it. I do think the games could have been explained more -it’s sort of like the Hunger Games but those games were the focus. The games here isn’t quite the focus. There are a few things going with August needing his plan to take place, talks of rebels coming into the city, and issues with a religious sect. My struggle in the beginning was the info dumping and trying to figure out this world of San-Er. It’s kind of dystopian? It’s inspired by historical Hong Kong. But the beginning of this book did not hook me, maybe because we are thrown in with many characters being introduced. Also, I wasn’t into the body jumping. Once I got my bearings, and Calla meets Anton, I was intrigued. Also I can’t comment on it being a retelling of Antony & Cleopatra because I don’t remember reading it.
From their meeting to the end it’s a wild ride. Calla and Anton is what saves this book for me. I can’t wait to read book two but I hope for more character development and less info-dumping.
Tropes: enemies to allies to lovers
Why you should read it:
Calla and Anton
political intrigue
Why you might not want to read it:
the beginning of this story is a lot of info-dumping and I almost dnf’ed this book
My Thoughts:
I’m so happy I pushed through with this one and didn’t give up! The beginning was really a struggle for me and I wish there wasn’t so much info dumping. It’s a fascinating world the author has created with people who can jump bodies which I’m still not sure how I feel about because it’s not regulated and just seems so violating and cheating almost. It makes for an interesting story though! I fell in love with Calla and Anton and I’ll be looking forward to reading book two after that cliffhanger ending.
Categories: Young Adult, Time Travel, Romance, Academy, Series
These days, I’ve been killing it when it comes to letting people down. Now I’ve been kicked out of high school, arrested, and accepted into a remote, off-the-grid school owned and operated by an inscrutable billionaire tech guru.
Gray Wolf Academy is looking for a certain kind of student. Ones that no one will miss. Like me.
Then there’s Braxton. The beautiful, oddly anachronistic guy who showed up right when the trouble started. And he’s a total enigma—which means that I definitely can’t trust him, even if there’s something about him that makes me want to. They all tell me I have a gift. A very rare gift. And Gray Wolf Academy wants me to learn it. To use it. Because if what they say is true, I have all the time in the world. And that makes me the most dangerous high school student you’ll never know…
Content Warning: violence, sexual assault
I’ve been curious about this title and saw it as available to borrow as an audiobook so I tried it out. But then I found it was on Kindle Unlimited so I stopped listening on the audiobook (which wasn’t bad or anything) and read it because I thought I could just read it faster. There are 100+ chapters but each chapter is short, like a page short.
Just an FYI, time-travel stories are usually a hit or miss for me. I think for this book it’s a hit! Natasha is going through some teenage things. And when her ex-best friend, Elodie, sets her up as a thief and she gets taken away to a secret academy she learns the truth about what Elodie is or does. Gray Wolf Academy is a training facility for time-traveling thieves under Arthur Blackstone’s tutelage and demands. He’s a wealthy man who covets historical artifacts and he needs Natasha to do retrieve some unconventional things from her trip missions.
It’s an academy book so I like the drama – I expect it with this trope. I like that Natasha doesn’t really know who to trust and something is happening at the academy, like people going missing or not coming back from their “trips”. I want to know why. Elodie lives up to that girl who is a frenemy. The romance between Natasha and Braxton is a bit of an insta-love moment (not that Natasha calls it love, but she’s testing the waters). I found all the training and time traveling fascinating and Arthur Blackstone is a mystery. The art and historical artifacts knowledge is fun – Natasha is just a wealth of information isn’t she?
Would like more character development in book two but for the most part I thought the story was entertaining, especially for a time-traveling story.
Tropes: insta-love, time travel, boarding school academy
Why you should read it:
you like time travel and boarding school academy settings
there is a lot of mystery and historical facts
there is romance and backstabbing
Why you might not want to read it:
not into the boarding school academy trope – I feel like teens and young YA readers would enjoy this one
insta love
My Thoughts:
I’m someone who loves books set at a boarding school and I thought the time-travel element was done well. I think I’d like to see more character development in book two. Everyone’s background is still quite a mystery and I think there is a lot more to learn about everyone.
Title: Taste of Torment (Shadow Hill Academy: Relentless #1)
Author: Stacey Trombley
Format: ebook (KU)
Pages: 424
Publication Date: 9/20/22
Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Supernaturals, Young Adult, Mystery, Demons, Magic
A magical prince wants to date me, but there’s one big problem.
This prince has claws.
Everyone at Shadow Hills Academy desires the dark and powerful Jarron Blackthorn. But I’m the only one who has seen the terrifying beast beneath his magical façade.
When my sister is murdered, and the case mysteriously dropped, I know where to begin my own investigation-Shadow Hills Academy, an elite school for supernaturals. Technically, I have zero magic, but just enough skills with potions to be accepted. Now I have the means to get close to the most likely culprits-powerful people like the demon prince Jarron.
I was friends with Jarron years ago, before I saw his true form, but I’m still shocked when he reacts to news of my sister’s death with a fierce determination for vengeance. He has an insane plan to help me get access to Elite Hall, where the most powerful students reside-by pretending to date me.
Dating a demon was NOT how I expected this year to start, but his plan will work. Hang on the arm of Jarron Blackthorn, the heir of the Under World, and everyone in school will be so desperate for my friendship they’ll spill their darkest secrets.
I just have to make sure Jarron never learns he is my number one suspect.
Keep your enemies close, right?
Content Warning: violence
I stumbled across this title one sleepless night (due to jetlag) and thought I’d give it a try since I was in the mood for an “academy” type of book that I assumed would be filled with all kinds of tropes. Candice enrolls at Shadow Hills Academy with the pretense of finding her sister’s killer. She’s a weak, mostly-human, girl who of course has history with the popular kids at this school. In fact she was once close to Jarron, the infamous demon prince. Now she hates him because he is a suspect on her list of people who could have murdered Liz, her sister. But she needs his connections in order to do her investigation.
I wasn’t totally invested in Candice’s investigation of her sister’s death but I was totally into her interactions with Jarron. It has the typical new, weak, human girl at a supernatural academy trope. She has to stay under the radar but it’s hard since Jarron singles her out. She does make new friends, and I did like them because they tried to help Candice when she was lost. There is fake dating, but it’s a very slow burn between Jarron and Candice because there are some complicated feelings and issues between them.
I found the beginning of the story to be okay and predictable but by the end I felt myself wanting to binge the whole series because of Candice and Jarron. There is something about a demon who is head over heels over a human, but she’s clueless about his feelings and I was hooked.
I did find Candice’s investigation about her sister’s death kind of weak – I felt no sense of urgency until the ending. All she was doing was getting information but I was hoping for some major digging into suspects, but there isn’t none. Also I wish there was more mention about the secret, illegal game that Liz might have been a part of – but that mostly comes at the end and on a cliffhanger. Candice as a character was ok but frustrating at times. I was rolling my eyes with all her back and forth feelings about Jarron. It was a quick read, and I moved onto book two right away. Overall, I thought it was entertaining enough, despite all the teen drama and it’s one of those series that you can binge quickly.
Title: Drop of Anguish (Shadow Hill Academy: Relentless #2)
Author: Stacey Trombley
Format: ebook (KU)
Pages: 404
Publication Date: 12/28/22
Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Supernaturals, Young Adult, Mystery, Demons, Magic
A soulless monster is hunting me. I might be a magicless human, but I won’t be easy prey. Everyone at Shadow Hills Academy thinks they know who I am. Canadice Montgomery, a weak magicless human whose only claim to power was her relationship with the demon prince, Jarron. The girl who’s so desperate for power, she’d be willing to kill her peers in a deadly competition. A broken-hearted girl who wasn’t good enough to keep the attention of a prince. They’re wrong, about nearly all of it. I don’t want their magic. All I care about is finding the demon that killed my sister and making him suffer. But that’s made extra difficult when I’m public enemy number one at a school full of immensely powerful beings. Not to mention the ominous notes I keep receiving signed “the Jinn.” Soon, I realize just how little I know about the games, and my sister’s death. When Jarron returns to the school, a shell of his former self, things get even more complicated. The dark beast inside of him is growing, clawing at him from the inside and tearing apart his soul. There isn’t a cure for his sickness in any of my potions books but that won’t stop me from seeking out any possible solution. Even if it means consulting with the enemy. The jinn has a plan for her next set of games. She knows my every weakness. And this time, she will not stop until I’m one of the contestants.
The angst between Jarron and Candice continues but this time Jarron has a war going on inside himself. I felt for Jarron and my frustration with Candice continued in book two. I love how patient he is with her though. So the problem between them is that he’s a demon and he supposedly imprinted with her sister when they were younger. But she died…so Candice doesn’t know if Jarron finds her to be the second best choice, or if he really wants her for her. Oh the angst…it drove me a bit crazy, but I also found it understandable because who wants to be second best?! But I love Jarron’s patience so I kept reading.
As far as Liz and the games – I wanted to know how it would end but once again Candice is dealing with some things going on at campus and Jarron’s war with his demon and her back and forth feelings. She busy making potions since that’s her biggest defense around supernaturals.
I can’t pinpoint what makes this series addictive but it is even if I don’t love the MC and the story is inconsistent in places. I think I just wanted to see that claiming bite from Jarron happen! 😅🤭
Title: A Dose of Agony (Shadow Hill Academy: Relentless #3)
Author: Stacey Trombley
Format: ebook (KU)
Pages: 404
Publication Date: 5/29/23
Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Supernaturals, Young Adult, Mystery, Demons, Magic
The final installment of the Shadow Hills Relentless series.
They say the games have only just begun, but I’m here to end them once and for all.
A civil war is brewing in the Under World, lead by the same villain who stole my sister from me. Jarron must return to his world for damage control, leaving me alone at Shadow Hills Academy again. This time, though, I’m protected like a precious gem, and trapped in Elite Hall until we’re certain it’s safe. I understand the caution but I’m not a delicate princess, and I’m not going to let someone else fight this battle for me.
There’s a way to end the Akrasia Games once and for all and free the Jinn from the Cosmic Council’s control. I’m going to find a way to put them all in the grave for what they’ve done to my sister, even if it means seeking out unlikely allies and sneaking away from the school– and the planet– the get the information I need.
This is my least favorite of the series because Jarron and Candice are separated. He’s back in his world dealing with the fallout of not being able to claim Candice and war. I skimmed a lot because why was Candice busy making potions and helping Thompson (which is fine but felt like a different story going on there) and how can she still be questioning Jarron’s love for her? I was rolling my eyes hard in this one because honestly she didn’t deserve him if she couldn’t choose him lol. Give him to me!😅 I mean how can they communicate and yet miscommunicate so much?! I wanted more from her, more growth but it just wasn’t there. I didn’t even feel that she was powerful just because she could make potions.
There is finally a sex scene between them but it’s not detailed at all. I was kind of disappointed that this ended as a book I skimmed through but it has a happy ending between Jarron and Candice so I’ll be satisfied with that. Jarron was probably the only reason I binged this series so quick!
Overall I think the whole series is addictive and bingeable, though the MC did get on my nerves in book two and three. If you are into supernatural academies, a slow burn and a demon who is clearly head over heels in love with a mostly human girl then you might enjoy this one.
Title: A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies #1)
Author: Stacia Stark
Format: ebook (KU)
Pages: 532
Publication Date: 3/24/23
Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Fae, New Adult
For fantasy romance readers who love Raven Kennedy, Amanda Bouchet, and Carissa Broadbent. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers series will enchant you…
For years, when I fell asleep, I dreamed of a man with blazing green eyes and a cruel smile.
The day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead.
Just hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae.
The humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt. And they are burned.
When my forbidden power is discovered, I’m forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore.
To survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest.
Our deal is simple: I’ll help him and his mysterious friends sneak into the city. And he’ll help me learn to wield the strange, dark power I’ve always kept hidden. The power that may just be the key to my survival.
But the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love. Secrets that could tear this kingdom—and perhaps even this world—apart.
Please note: A Court This Cruel and Lovely is an NA/adult romantasy book with steam. While this series is slow burn, the chili pepper rating will increase for each book.
Content Warning: violence
I was looking for a new adult romantic fantasy so read during my trip and I found this one on kindle unlimited. It has all the tropes I enjoy: slow burn, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, court intrigue, a girl training with warriors, Fae, magic and found family.
I liked Prisca and Lorian’s testy relationship. He’s an alpha-male but surprisingly was patient with Prisca because he admired the fight in her. Prisca also has the secret bloodline, which is another trope I enjoy. I found her interactions with Lorian’s men entertaining and endearing as they become a found family for her on their journey. Speaking of family, there are even touching family moments with her own brother.
Yes, the story was predictable also. The twist in the story I guessed early on but I didn’t care, I still enjoyed the story and will read book two!
Tropes: found family, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, slow burn, secret bloodline, court intrigue
Why you should read it:
you love all the typical tropes in a romantasy book
Why you might not want to read it:
not into romantasy
My Thoughts:
As I said above, thought the story is predictable, it was in every way that I enjoyed. It has all the tropes I love in a romantasy and I look forward to continuing the series.
Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Twins, New Adult, Paranormal, Shadows
My twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, hiding and clinging to life in the desert, while I reign as the false queen alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There’s only one escape from this gilded prison: Reven. My Shadowraith. My heart. Only the shadows that he struggles to control are growing more sinister, more powerful.
It’s just a matter of time before they turn on him…and on me.
Even escape doesn’t mean true freedom, though, when we’re still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. And when we discover there’s a traitor among us, I have no choice…I must become the queen I was never meant to be.
Because as one evil hunts me, the other loves me more than himself.
And my fate lies with both.
This is the second book in The Liar’s Crown series and talk about reading a book because of its book cover. I love the book covers for the series, but I don’t totally love the series. I thought I was rating this too low but I saw my review for the first book and it was 3 stars, so 2.5 stars for this one sounds about right since I could barely motivate myself to finish it.
The first half was fine. Reven is struggling with the shadows inside him and they finally got Tabra away from Eidolon. They are now with Cain and his people trying to figure out a wait to fight Eidolon. But this was 528 pages long when it could have been 350 pages – I skimmed from 60% in unto the end and I tried to get into the mood to read this since it came out at the beginning of the month! So at least I tried. The main reason I lacked motivation to keep on reading? Reven and Meren are not communicating so that takes out the romance until near the end of the story. Also I started to not care so much about Reven and his multiple shadows. Poor guy, I felt for his struggle but I wanted something more to happen. And I’m not saying nothing was happening, there was a lot happening with many different characters, but I did not care and there were too many of them.
I was on the fence about reading this one because I gave the first book 3 stars, so I should have listened to my instincts and just passed on book two. Sequels are always a struggle to read in a trilogy but I could barely finish this one which makes me think this series is just not for me.
Why you should read it:
you loved book one
Why you might not want to read it:
many characters to remember, but couldn’t connect to them
felt too long
My Thoughts:
This book has great reviews from it’s fans so take my review with a grain of salt. I didn’t love book one, so I think it’s safe to say after reading The Stolen Throne that this series isn’t for me. But I think a lot of people who loved the first one will enjoy this sequel.
Single mother April Parker has lived in Willow Creek for twelve years with a wall around her heart. On the verge of being an empty nester, she’s decided to move on from her quaint little town, and asks her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvement projects to get her house ready to sell.
Mitch Malone is known for being the life of every party, but mostly for the attire he wears to the local Renaissance Faire — a kilt (and not much else) that shows off his muscled form to perfection. While he agrees to help April, he needs a favor too: she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family dinner, so that he can avoid the lectures about settling down and having a more “serious” career than high school coach and gym teacher. April reluctantly agrees, but when dinner turns into a weekend trip, it becomes hard to tell what’s real and what’s been just for show. But when the weekend ends, so must their fake relationship.
As summer begins, Faire returns to Willow Creek, and April volunteers for the first time. When Mitch’s family shows up unexpectedly, April pretends to be Mitch’s girlfriend again… something that doesn’t feel so fake anymore. Despite their obvious connection, April insists they’ve just been putting on an act. But when there’s the chance for something real, she has to decide whether to change her plans — and open her heart — for the kilt-wearing hunk who might just be the love of her life.
An accidentally in-love rom-com filled with Renaissance Faire flower crowns, kilts, corsets, and sword fights.
I didn’t read book two in this romance series because I really wanted April story which is told in Well Matched. I found April an interesting character in Well Met because of her accident and also being a single mother. I’m so happy she gets to find love in this book.
Her so-called lover is Mitch, who is a friend and the school’s gym teacher! April decides to help Mitch out by going home with him and be his fake girlfriend in front of his family. The faking turned real in the bedroom when they realize that they are really attracted to one another. And who can blame April for falling for Mitch? He’s a good guy, a nice guy and he wears a kilt in the Ren Faire and has an accent!
My favorite parts of this series is always the action taking place in the Renaissance Faire. This time April decides to join in the fun and she realizes even though it’s grueling how much fun it is being with friends and working at the REn Faire.
There is a little hiccup between April and Mitch but it gets resolved in a timely fashion and they get their much deserved happily ever after.
Tropes: fake dating, single mother/gym teacher
Why you should read it:
you like the other books in the series
April and Mitch have great chemistry
Why you might not want to read it:
you didn’t like the other books in the series
My Thoughts:
It took me awhile to finish this paperback but only because May has been a crazy, busy month for me. I’m glad I finally finished it and I can see why it is so loved. Now I have to read the other two books in the series!
Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Princess, Family
When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi’s life is a Tokyo dream come true.
Only…
Her parents’ engagement hits a brick wall. The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother’s lack of pedigree. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.
But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?
Return to Tokyo for a royal wedding in Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Dreaming, the sequel to the Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller Tokyo Ever After
I listened to this as an audiobook and then read the last few chapters (because I read faster lol). But I finally read book two of this series and it follows Izumi who is the daughter of the Crown Prince of Japan. After the events of book one, we find out her mom and dad still had feelings for each other so her mom agrees to go to Japan to see where the relationship would go.
Back in Japan Izumi and her mother have to adjust to royal life and it seems to be going well until some things catch up to them. I don’t know that I loved the love triangle. I think Eriku is a great guy and everything was easy and fun with him but her heart was still with Akio even though he basically disappeared from her life. I didn’t quite feel it for her and Akio though like I did in book one.
But I think Izumi grows a lot and she tries to figure out what she wants to do – college or not? And her mom tries to figure out if the royal life is for her. I did like that Izumi became friendly with her cousins.
Tropes: fake dating, love triangle
Why you should read it:
because you enjoyed book one
It’s like The Princess Diaries but set in Japan
Why you might not want to read it:
love triangle
My Thoughts:
I think this one was a sold sequel and if you are into The Princess Diaries type of stories, you may enjoy this one. I also love that it’s set in Japan and we get a peek into the culture and the royal life. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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