Well Matched by. Jen DeLuca | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Well Matched (Well Met #3)

Author: Jen DeLuca

Format: paperback (own)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 10/19/21

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Series

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!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Well Met by. Jean DeLuca | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tokyo Dreaming by. Emiko Jean | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Tokyo Dreaming

Author: Emiko Jean

Format: audiobook (borrowed) /hardcover (own)

Pages:

Publication Date: 5/31/2022

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.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Tokyo Ever After by. Emiko Jean | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Fourth Wing by. Rebecca Yarros | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Fourth Wing (#1)

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Format: ebook (owned)

Pages: 662

Publication Date: 5/2/2023

Categories: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Series, Dragons

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die .

Content Warning: violence

I’ve been seeing so many good reviews for this one and then I found an audiobook copy available on my online library and so I borrowed it. Two chapters in and I made the decision to buy the ebook and read it faster because I was hooked!

This book has everything I want in an enemies to lovers romance. It has a competition, high stakes, great world building, friendship, enemies, a satisfying slow burn, tension, action and dragons. And it’s not a quick read – I actually stayed up past midnight to finish this on and honestly it was worth it.

Violet is supposed be a scribe but her mother, General Sorrengail, believes all her children should be dragon riders. But Violet isn’t physically strong like her deceased brother, and her sister Mira. She wasn’t trained in warfare. Being a Sorrengail doesn’t do Violet any favors in the Riders Quadrant, many of her classmates are out for her blood. It’s survival of the fittest and Violet believes she’ll die trying to be a rider, but better to die than disappoint her mother. I love Violet’s story and how she overcomes various physical challenges in order to become a rider. I was rooting for her all the way!

The secondary characters are fantastic as well. I love Rhiannon who was Violet’s first friend. All the other classmates we meet along the way are distinct in their own way. It’s a big cast but every character had a way of standing out, even if they were hateful. And the dragons are epic, majestic, fearsome and I love the bond they have with their rider. The banter between Violet and her dragons are so fun. I even love her relationship with her sister Mira, who I hope we get to see more of in book two. I love the sibling bond being strong despite the way their mother treats them.

And the bond between Violet and Xaden is purely electric. What a slow, hot burn between these two. And it wasn’t even purely focused on them in the beginning of the story. He came and went while Violet was training hard, but their interactions are so good and it kept building to an awesome climax and I mean that literally! When they finally can’t stay away from her, my goodness, it was everything I wanted it to be in an enemies to lovers romance – even what happens in the end. I love them.

The ending…when you think this book can’t get any better, it ends in a cliffhanger like that. This story was an amazing ride. I can’t wait for book two, which comes out in November. Thank you for not making us wait forever!

Why you should read it:

the enemies to lovers between Violet and Xaden
the world building, the characters, the competition, the action, the dragons!
book two comes out in a few months

Why you might not want to read it:

not into dragons

My Thoughts:

The hype is real for this one and it’s well worth it if you like everything I’ve mentioned above. I’m always looking for a good new adult fantasy that has all the elements I love – especially if it’s an enemies to lovers romance, and this one gave me all the feels I’ve been searching for lately. I’m counting down to book two which releases 3 days after my birthday!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

These Infinite Threads by. Tahereh Mafi | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: These Infinite Threads (This Woven Kingdom, #2)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Format: ebook (owned)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 2/7/2023

Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Series

With the heat of a kiss, the walls between Alizeh, the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, and Kamran, the crown prince of the Ardunian empire, have crumbled. And so have both of their lives. Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn throne, is destined to free her people from the half-lives they’ve been forced to live under human rule. When Kamran, the heir to the human throne, falls in love with her, he’s forced to question everything he’s been taught about Jinn. Kamran’s grandfather lays dead at the hand of Cyrus, ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Tulan. Cyrus has stolen Alizeh away to his homeland and plans to marry her there, giving her everything she needs to become the Jinn queen—and when she assumes the throne he will have fulfilled his own bargain with the devil. Alizeh wants nothing to do with Cyrus’s deal or the devil. But without a way to escape Tulan, and with the fulfillment of her own destiny tantalizingly close, she’ll have to decide whether she can set aside her emotions to become the queen her people need. Kamran, meanwhile, is picking up the pieces in Ardunia. Facing betrayal at every turn, all he knows is that he must go to Tulan to avenge his grandfather. He can only hope that Alizeh will be waiting for him there—and that she hasn’t yet become the queen of Tulan.

Content Warning: violence

I went into this with no expectations and of course, of course Tahereh Mafi throws in a love triangle. Is Cyrus the new Warner (Shatter Me series)? 😆 I can’t take it anymore. J/k, give me more! lol

What exactly happens in this sequel? I have no clue! Nothing much moves the story forward – so why did I enjoy it? Well, I didn’t enjoy Kamran and Alizeh being separated because then I wanted to read more of Alizeh’s interactions with Cyrus than all the emotional trauma Kamran was going through. He lost his grandfather, he lost the girl he was falling deeply in love with (he’s kind of obsessed but is it magic doing it to him or not?), and he’s now physically deformed and probably dying. Kamran’s scenes are best when he’s with Hazan, who he wants to kill but their bond goes deeper than that. I like their friendship, their banter is fun, even when it’s not meant to be.

Speaking of banter – what was going on with Alizeh and Cyrus? There is tension, hate, desire, and even at some points mutual understanding and maybe friendship – which I love. Alizeh is soft, beautiful, and naive. Cyrus is her exact opposite and when the two are together their fighting is so good – it’s pretty much the only thing that held me in thrall during the whole story. Who will Alizeh end up with? Cyrus who pretty much knows everything about her or Kamran, who fell in love with her before he knew what she was.

There is something about Alizeh that bugged me but I don’t know if that’s because I’m used to reading about bad-ass girls in books. Alizeh is a soft girl, and I don’t mean she hasn’t struggled, but her whole demeanor is soft. She’s a gorgeous girl who cries easily, a sweetheart basically and there is nothing wrong with that at all. She hasn’t had an easy life. She’s had to struggle in life because she’s different. I felt like she at least was stronger in book one. I think being with Cyrus brings out the fight in her though and I like that because she’s supposed to lead her people. If she’s someone destined to be Queen and lead her people, the Jinn, then I want to see her get stronger, while keeping her softness.

Where does this leave Kamran and Alizeh, I don’t know. He wants to kill her, but he’s also obsessed with her. I’m team Cyrus for now, but I’m afraid what the devil, Iblees, will do to him and I can imagine all the ways this story could break my heart if I root for Cyrus. 😅 I’ll root for him anyway.

Tropes: special girl, love triangle

Why you should read it:

the enemies to lovers between Cyrus and Alizeh, love how they fight and hoping to see them one day “love”

Why you might not want to read it:

it’s a filler sequel – nothing much happens
love triangle

My Thoughts:

For a sequel that’s basically just a filler, I know I gave it a high rating but Alizeh and Cyrus was really entertaining. I hate when there is a love triangle where I like both guys. It’s a guaranteed heartbreaker! I do wish more happened with the plot, because when I ended the book, I was left with the feeling of “what? that’s it?!”. Will I be reading book three? Most definitely yes, just to see who Alizeh ends up with – and I’m hoping it’s Cyrus, but the devil or Alizeh may kill him by then. 😒

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This Woven Kingdom by. Tahereh Mafi | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Defy Me (Shatter Me #5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review: Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (#2)

Author: Carissa Broadbent

Format: ebook (KU)

Pages: 665

Publication Date: 4/14/2023

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, New Adult

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power – and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

Content Warning: violence, death

I’ve been waffling back and forth on how to rate this book because I loved it but also I had some issues with it (not major) so maybe it’s more like a 4.25 rating? I loved the first book because it was pretty ruthless and there was a competition, so it was a fast moving story.

After the events of book one, Oraya and Raihn are a bit broken. Raihn has gotten what he wanted but has hurt Oraya beyond belief. He’s killed Vincent, to become the new King of the House of Night. What I really love about this book is the struggle Oraya and Raihn have to deal with. Raihn is trying to be a better king, but how when there is no one he can really trust. And how does he mend things with Oraya? As for Oraya she has to reconcile all the lies and truths she knows of Vincent and deal with her grief at the same time. She loves him, but she hates him too and she needs to figure out how to move on in his life without him. Then there is the problem of Raihn, her husband, her best friend really, but also her enemy. He has broken her heart. The shining star in this book are the relationships between Raihn and Oraya, and also Oraya’s memories of Vincent.

Speaking of Raihn and Oraya – yes she has been so hurt by him, but under the hurt is the friendship they built in book one and I loved when that side of them would peek out from the pain between them. It’s quite a love story and one that shows no matter how times were going to get…even if they couldn’t say the words and even didn’t know it was love, that ultimately it was heading towards it. They are a great couple. They have each other’s back and I love that they are not fated mates. I like that they had to do very hard work and fight for their bond and love. I’m also glad we get two perspectives because the whole situation between them is complicated.

I love that Mische came back into the story because she’s a ray of sunshine in such a dark story. And yes, Vincent is a bad man, but he is one of my favorite characters. He was a ruthless king, saw humans as beneath him but his half-human daughter does something to him. And I liked all the complicated feelings Oraya has about him and I was so so sad for her and with her.

I did hear that this series is now going to be a 6 book series but that Raihn and Oraya’s story is concluded. With that said, there are some loose ends in the story, especially when it comes to Septimus and I’m sure he will be dealt with in the future books. I think Mische’s story is next though so that will be exciting to read. She deserves a great love story of her own.

As for the story-telling, I think there was a few lulls in the story because Oraya is in grieving mode and Raihn is in rebuilding mode. But I did love the action when it was there – especially when they visit Oraya’s cousin.

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

you liked book one and want to be immersed in this world again
Oraya and Raihn
Oraya and Vincent (heartbreaking)

Why you might not want to read it:

didn’t enjoy the first one
some loose ends but it’s going to be a 6 book series

My Thoughts:

I’m sad that Raihn and Oraya’s story is over but super excited for Mische to get a spotlight because she deserves one. I think this was a good conclusion for Riahn and Oraya – I mean these two really battled it out between one another, between enemies and traitors, and each time they came back together. I’ll miss Vincent but I did feel like Oraya got closure about her feelings about him. Oraya found herself and learned to become powerful without him – which is what she deserved. This was an awesome book, some issues here and there but overall it was entertaining and it met my expectations!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kingdom of Blood and Salt by. Alexis Calder | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Kingdom of Blood and Salt (#1)

Author: Alexis Calder

Format: ebook (KU)

Pages: 330

Publication Date: 3/30/2023

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Shapeshifter, Vampire, Political, New Adult

An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, and Sarah J Maas.

After spending years training to defend my people from our enemies, I never expected that my enemy would be the one keeping me alive.

Athos is the last human city. A treaty with the Fae keeps the fae, the vampires, and the wolf shifters at bay, while we fight against the dragons at our border. Being a human in this world is dangerous and we all make sacrifices to survive.

When the delegation sent by the Fae King arrives to claim the human tributes required by our treaty, I never expected to forge a connection with their leader.

Ryvin is as dangerous as he is handsome. I know he’s my enemy, and I know I’m supposed to hate him, but with each passing day, he’s more difficult to resist.

But things are changing in Athos. Humans no longer want to bend to the Fae King.

Alliances blur and centuries of lies begin to unravel.

And I’m faced with a choice.

No matter how much I hate him, Ryvin might be the key to preventing war.

But it may mean sacrificing everything….

Kingdom of Blood and Salt is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy with fae, vampires, and shifters. This enemies to lovers series contains violence, mature language, and spice. This is a NA/adult fantasy romance and steam level will increase as the series progresses. Mind the cliff.

Content Warning: violence, sexual assault

I wanted a Fae story and I got one with some vampires and shapeshifters on the side.

So this is the typical romantasy – an illegitimate human princess, Ara, meets a tall, dark, handsome stranger, Ryvin, who turns out to be part of the delegation from the enemy Fae kingdom of Konos. The attraction between them is instant. This is an enemies to lovers romance, and the animosity and desire between Ara and Ryvin was the most entertaining part of this book.

There wasn’t really anything new in this story compared to other books that are similar to ACOTAR and this genre. Ara is trying to be a dutiful princess, and out of all her sisters, she’s the one training to be a warrior but when secrets are unveiled, her world is shattered. Ryvin is the typical charming, possessive, sexy, shadow-wielding, Fae (or I think he’s Fae?). I enjoyed the sparks between them! She’s sassy and he can’t help but be attracted to her resistance of him. I think my favorite part was whenever the two of them were together and aggravated with one another.

There is spice but for some strange reason I felt like it could have been spicier? I think because their fighting was so good I just felt like the sex should have had a better pay off. But I think there is hope for it in the next book. I know it’s because they agreed it would be just the act and no feelings (even though there is definitely feelings!).

I also enjoyed the sisterhood between Ara, Cora, Lagina and Sophia. It would be nice to get to know all of them better. That goes for Ryvin and the kingdom of Konos. I will be reading book two just to learn more about Konos and maybe eventually the other kingdoms.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, princess is a sacrifice, shadow-wielding death Fae

Why you should read it:

you like stories about the Fae
enemies to lovers romance

Why you might not want to read it:

not into stories that are inspired by ACOTAR

My Thoughts:

I found this one entertaining but I often love stories about the Fae even if they are starting to sound alike! I enjoyed the bickering and spice between Ara and Ryvin because I like a good enemies to lovers romance with my romantasy stories. I think Ryvin is still mostly a mystery though, as is the kingdom of Konos. Another thing I liked is the relationship between Ara and her sisters. I didn’t feel like this book had anything outstanding and unique about it but I enjoyed it regardless.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

These Twisted Bonds by. Lexi Ryan | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2)

Author: Lexi Ryan

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 7/18/22

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, New Adult, Magic

Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance.

After Abriella’s sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn’t get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making - loving two princes and trusting neither – things are not quite as clear as she once thought.

As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn’t even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don’t lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm – whether she likes it or not.

Content Warning: violence

I finally got to read this book! Here is what I thought:

+ I honestly forgot what happened in These Hollow Vows – but the sequel did a good job in reminding me of past events. I did remember that this had a major love triangle and it continues in this conclusion. There is a choice made though, thank goodness. I was definitely there for the romance but I have more thoughts on that below.

+ I enjoyed it because I love Fae stories. It’s got a lot of the tropes I love: fake dating, love triangle, one bed, etc…and also it’s got some sexual situations which is always surprising because I always see this cover and think young adult. But this New Adult.

~ I think I would have eaten this book up in my 20’s. In my 40’s I was tired of her going back and forth between her feelings. And I always enjoy love triangles but I hate it when it’s between brothers because I tend to like both brothers! So yes 20 year old me would’ve given this 5 stars but 40 year old me has no patience lol.

~ I love chosen one stories but why is Brie so special? I was rolling my eyes when another Fae King started flirting with her. Like come on! And because of that, this book could have been 100 pages less. This is an always 500 page book. There is a lot of angst on Sebastian’s part – ugh….Sebastian. Actually there was a lot of angst going around – Brie was was blaming herself. She’s the special one but she doesn’t know why (I didn’t either) and she kept saying everything was her fault.

Why you should read it:

all the tropes, Fae, romantasy
you want to complete the duology
entertaining

Why you might not want to read it:

love triangle, angst, blame game

My Thoughts:

Like I said above, I would have eaten this up in my 20’s. In my 40’s I’m a bit less patient about the love triangle (and I usually like love triangles) and the angst, along with the blame game. Also it was maybe 100 pages too long. But I did find the story entertaining because I like romantasy and especially when there is Fae involved, so I’m glad I got to take this off my TBR list!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

These Hollow Vows | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Foxglove King by. Hannah Whitten | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Foxglove King (The Nightshade Crown, #1)

Author: Hannah Whitten

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 466

Publication Date: 3/7/23

Categories: Fantasy, New Adult, Magic, Kingdom Politics, LGBT+, Romance

In this lush, romantic new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten, a young woman’s secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court.

When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.

Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore’s job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore’s power is revealed, she’s taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what’s happening and who in the King’s court is responsible, or die.

Lore is thrust into the Sainted King’s glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August’s ne’er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society.

But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.

Content Warning: violence

I liked this author’s previous series but didn’t love it. When I heard about this new book I was excited to read it because the synopsis sounded intriguing. Here is what I thought:

+ I love all the political intrigue in this story. The king thinks his son is betraying their kingdom by working with the enemy so they plant a spy, Lore, to find out his secrets. What she finds out is more than what she was led to believe. I enjoyed following Lore and this story to see where it would go, and I can say it wasn’t disappointing.

+ I enjoyed the world building and magic system. Lore can control Mortem – which is basically death. She’s basically a necromancer but that’s the least of her problems. There is a power play happening in court between the King, and the religious body the Presque Mort, and Lore is being played around like a puppet.

+ I was definitely invested in the characters, especially Lore, Gabe, Bastian and Alie. I was not disappointed with how everything unraveled and it makes me eager to read book two.

~ I can’t really call this a romance which was my biggest issue with the book. I wanted all the romantasy I got in her previous series! I was waiting and waiting for it and only got 2 kisses when this is definitely the type of story that calls for more heat. Gabe is basically a monk and he is attracted to Lore – he’s fighting tooth and nail against it, which means, I wanted a little more stolen kisses between them. Also…is this a love triangle? I’m not sure yet…because I don’t feel like Bastian comes off as a love interest. I feel like he and Lore are very good friends instead. So I don’t know but really, these characters are 23+ and I admit I wanted more action between Lore and Gabe at least! There was some angst between them though.

~ The story moved slowly but honestly I am so surprised I read this in two days. Usually a slow moving plot will lost my attention but I think the characters kept me in the story.

~ Lore…I liked her but I also expected more from her being a spy with all these powers? Okay she doesn’t know much about it but she came off confident in the first pages but when she has to spy on the prince – it’s not easy for her and she blows her cover right away. The prince is smart and calculating and I kind of wanted her to match up against him but I guess they were matched in a different way.

Why you should read it:

you like kingdom politics
it’s not heavy on the romance
I enjoyed getting to know the characters

Why you might not want to read it:

a love triangle brewing? To be honest, I wanted more romance

My Thoughts:

I like this series much more than the previous one already! It held my attention even though some parts were slow because I was invested in the characters. If you don’t like love triangles, you won’t like this one even though it’s not clear where Lore’s attentions will land. I liked the ending of this book and can’t wait to see what happens in book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

For the Throne by. Hannah F. Whitten | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

For the Wolf by. Hannah F. Whitten | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Liar’s Crown by. Abigail Owen | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Liar’s Crown (Dominions, #1)

Author: Abigail Owen

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 8/30/22

Categories: Fantasy, New Adult, Twins, Romance

Some shadows protect you…others will kill you in this dazzling new fantasy series from award-winning author Abigail Owen.

Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.

Content Warning: violence, kidnapping

The ebook for The Liar’s Crown is on sale on Amazon for $1.99 and so I decided to get it. I’ve been seeing the advertisement for book two of this book coming out soon and I love the cover so I thought, why not? Here is what I thought:

+ If you like stories about twin sisters, you will enjoy this one. I’m 50/50 on twin stories – sometimes I think it’s overdone but I was definitely entertained with this story. Only a few people know about the twin princesses, Tabra and Meren, because it was kept quiet at their birth. They did this because King Eidolon of Tyndra always takes the queens…at least that’s what Meren learned from her grandmother. So Tabra will be the Queen, and Meren, her twin and body double will step in when needed to protect Tabra.

+ Reven is an interesting character – he’s a shadow, literally! He’s a Shadowraith and dangerous. But his dangerous side comes in handy when they are dealing with monsters, because when unleashed he’s the scarier monster. He’s a morally gray character – he is supposedly a bad guy but he’s trying to do good by taking down King Eidolon. Meren and Reven have an attraction that goes into new adult territory which I was very surprised about since I thought this was young adult. So expect a steamy scene between them!

+ I liked the political stakes of the story – I thought it helped move the story along. I like the mistaken identity and body double idea though. It will be interesting to see what happens in book two.

~ I didn’t like that Meren was prepared to be Tabra’s body-double but when her grandmother dies, she’s pretty much in the dark about a lot of things. I wish her grandmothers did a better job of telling her about EVERYTHING, like what the amulet was for, and what King Eidolon’s deal was….you know…important stuff!

~ Meren needed to get back to save Tabra, but it was taking her forever to try and get there. I felt like if she told Reven the truth sooner, she could have saved Tabra from King Eidolon.

~ Meren’s best friend Cain is a potential love interest from chapter one but the boy has no chance. So it’s not quite a love triangle, since obviously Meren is going to end up with Reven. But poor Cain is just chasing after her.

Tropes: mistaken identity, enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

you like stories about twin sisters, in this case one is a body double, the other will inherit the throne
Meren and Reven’s romance
lots of action and kingdom politics

Why you might not want to read it:

cliffhanger ending

My Thoughts:

I went into this one with no expectations and was very surprised that it was New Adult, and that I didn’t dislike this twin sisters story (sometimes I feel twin sisters stores are overdone). There were a few things about the story that I had issues with like Meren taking her time getting back to Tabra when she knows the moment Reven isn’t King Eidolon! Your sister is in danger, girl, get back to her! The ending makes me curious enough to want to read the next book and see what happens.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

Silver in the Bone by. Alexandra Bracken | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Silver in the Bone (#1)

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 4/4/23

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure, 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 Knopf Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower. As a mortal with no magical talent, she was never meant to break into ancient crypts, or compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside. But after her thieving foster father disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was the only way to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.

Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian vanished with a powerful ring from Arthurian legend. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.

As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .

Content Warning: violence, gore, death

I wasn’t sure what to expect when requesting this book. I enjoyed Lore which is from the same author. So I thought the concept for this one was intriguing. Here is what I thought:

+ Once I got my bearings in the story, and things started to gel a bit better I was really into the action parts of this story. It’s quite an adventure that Tamsin goes through in this book. It’s urban fantasy so it starts off in the modern world and there is magic, portals and yes Avalon. So I enjoyed all the places this book took me, it’s quite a journey.

+ I liked the characters. Tamsin is that girl who has abandonment issues, doesn’t have a traditional family, doesn’t have anyone really except her brother Cabell. She keeps people away with a gruff, pessimistic front which means she’s not the easiest to be around. Cabell is dealing with some things! Neve is this cool and kind hearted girl who is a sorceress and then there is the gorgeous Emrys who is a rich boy but he has his own issues to deal with. And then there are all the characters in Avalon that were fun to get to know.

+ I mentioned the action but can I say I didn’t expect this to get a bit scary/creepy too? There are zombies in this one and they are relentless and vicious. I actually enjoyed the scenes when they were fighting them even if it got bloody and gory.

+ The ending is a cliffhanger but wow, how the story leads up to it is pretty exciting. I think the second half of this book was the best part, there were a few plot twists that were unexpected. I need to know what is going to happen with Cabell, what is going on with Emrys and I am rooting for the girls to do what they need to do!

~ It took me awhile to get situated in the beginning of the book because I was thrown into it. I didn’t know what Tamsin was, what a Hollower was, if this was fantasy, if this was contemporary. I kind of wish I was lead into it a bit better.

~ Pacing – at times this book was going really fast, because the action is really great and then once it would get good, it pulled back. I had to check a few times how many more pages was left in the book because I was hoping I was near the finish line. It definitely felt like 480 pages.

~ The zombies or Children of the Night are reminiscent of the Whitewalkers in Game of Thrones. They are afraid of fire, they are freakishly scary and want blood, and come out at night. It’s what I totally pictured in my head when I read the scenes with the Children of the Night. Also the bodycount factor reminded me of GoT also! The author wasn’t afraid to kill off good people in this story – it was a heartbreaking scene but definitely makes me want to read book two. But anyway if you aren’t into zombies – this might not be for you.

Tropes: found family,

Why you should read it:

King Arthur legends, adventure, zombies, magic
the enemies to lovers romance between Tamsin and Emrys
you like urban fantasy

Why you might not want to read it:

you get thrown in to the story, pacing is all over the place, it’s kind of chaotic until you get your bearings

My Thoughts:

I found this book very entertaining for the most part! The pacing issues made it feel laggy in some places but the action was really good especially in the later part of the book. I will definitely read book two because I want to know what happens to these amazing characters.