A Forgery of Fate by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Forgery of Fate

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 6/3/25

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Dragons

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 breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father’s disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

Content Warning: gambling debt, violence

+ I always expect this author to write a beautiful story and she never disappoints. Here we are again in a world of water dragons and it’s as magical as ever. There is even a cameo from someone in the Six Crimson Cranes duology so I think it’s safe to say this is the same world. A lot of this story takes place in the undersea which is so unique.

+ Truyan, or Tru, paints forgeries to help her family survive. But she also has the ability to paint prophecies and it’s this talent that gets her into a marriage of convenience with the Demon Prince who is actually not a demon but half human and half dragon. I love Tru, she’s quick thinking, loves her family, a bit sassy but filled with hope and strength.

+ The romance is a slow burn. Elang, is closed off, a grump, but he’s keeping some secrets and by the end their love story is an epic one. I loved them together and was rooting for them.

+ The story had a lot of action and the sea creatures like the turtles, were amazing characters. I even loved Shani who is the most infuriating, mischievous demon but definitely matches sass with Tru. I thought their reluctant friendship was so heartwarming (after from betrayal and secrets). I loved that Tru was a good person and didn’t give up on Shani, even after everything.

~ I felt the romance was too slow building – it was amazing by the end of the book but maybe a hint of Elang’s feelings earlier would have been nice because this is a standalone.

~ I love the world-building but maybe wanted a tad bit more in the undersea just to get a full grasp of the world.

Final Thoughts:

Elizabeth Lim’s novels are magical! I love the writing, the characters, the magic, the theme of family, and the slow building romance with it’s yearning at the end did crazy things to my heart. This is another wonderful book from this author and I look forward to everything else she writes next.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Six Crimson Cranes by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dragon’s Promise by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Her Radiant Curse by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Arc Review: Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2) | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Bound in Inked Flame by. Ava Larksen| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Bound in Inked Flame (Of Crows and Thorns Saga, #1)

Author: Ava Larksen

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 731

Publication Date: 2/27/25

Categories: New Adult, Romantasy, Dark Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Crime Families

When I signed myself away in marriage, I should have read the fine print. Ink fades—blood binds.

I’m a prisoner, trapped behind gilded gates, my freedom traded for safety. Magic pulses beneath my skin, wild and forbidden. In our world of ruling Houses, wielding such power means death. One slip, one spark—everyone I love dies.

As a princess of the Great House, I should have been untouchable. But in a cruel twist of fate, a ruthless family of enforcers claims the right to choose any bride. Now I’m to marry the infuriating Graysen Crowther. Our loathing is legendary, but with only a wall between us each night, hatred burns into something far more treacherous. One touch and I might lose something far worse than my life—my traitorous heart.

As my control fractures and betrayal tightens its noose, my only chance at survival lies in escaping to seek the monster who holds the truth about my magic. Yet when a bargained kiss unleashes an unbreakable bond, dark suspicion whispers through my bones that I’m caught in a blood-soaked web.

For in this deadly game of power, where trust is a luxury I can’t afford, Graysen moves like someone who’s been playing long before I knew there was a game.

And his secret might prove more lethal than any forbidden magic.

BOUND IN INKED FLAME is the first book in the OF CROWS AND THORNS SAGA, an epic dark romantasy. Perfect for readers who crave plot-heavy, character-driven sagas drenched in atmosphere and rich world-building—where dark mysteries unravel alongside a slow-burn romance and heart-wrenching choices that threaten to destroy everything. Please note this book ends on a cliffhanger. For content warnings, please check the author’s website.

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual assault, attempted rape

+ I picked this up on a whim because of the cover, the synopsis and some 5 star ratings. 30% into the book I almost DNF’ed this book. Why did I push through? I wanted to know what power Nelle had and I like a good complicated drama with families who hate each other, I wanted to see how that would turn out. Plus the loathing between Nelle and Graysen was palpable and I wanted to see how slow or quick they turned into lovers.

+ Nelle Wychthorn, is from a great House. Graysen Crowther, is from an old but lower House. And they are bound to marry each other, but they cannot marry until she turns 20. For now, they spend one day a year with one another, until now when her older sister is about to be engaged to a man from another House and there will be weekend festivities and Graysen must attend. These two HATE each other, I like that she gave as good as he gave but she was still the younger of the two, she’s 19 and I think he’s like 25? Or something like that.

+ This is an interesting world – the Horned Gods rule these crime families, but this world is apart from the real world, there is a scene where the FMC and MMC even go to New York City. Any person who is “other”, which is someone with powers, is supposed to be given to the Horned Gods at birth. Some people though, like the Crowthers have minimal magic that the Gods do allow like having truesight.

+ I enjoy a story with crime families that don’t like each other and it’s very true here in this one. The Wychthorns are the top dog of houses, and everyone bows to them because they have favor from the Horned Gods. But I like seeing the different drama families had with one another. The biggest one being between Nelle and Graysen’s family which really puts a wrench in their love story. I liked when Nelle’s sisters or Graysen’s brothers (especially Caidan) were in the story.

+~ The romance is enemies to lovers. I love the tension and fighting between Nelle and Graysen – they hate each other a lot. I like that she fights him, but then starts to care for him and I can see why she would if he’s the only relationship she’s had – bad as it has started out, he is still the only one she’s ever spent time with. In that sense, their relationship is a bit dark and toxic because she knows nothing else except him. And this isn’t a slow burn when it comes to spice…now will there be love? I don’t know, when you think Graysen will just let go and admit he cares, he withdraws back into himself again. There is a lot of betrayal in this story also and by the end of this book I was hoping Nelle never forgives Graysen. It will take a lot for ME to forgive him, he will need to grovel bad.

~ I read this 700+ pager in one day, because I had time but I did also almost DNF’ed this because of nothing much happening in the first 30% of the book. I just wasn’t feeling it and the world building felt so vague. There was focus on Nelle and Graysen’s spice, but I wanted more than that. I stuck around but still, I almost gave up a few times because some things became repetitive.

~ The book has a part where a character mentions reading smut on a Kindle and it took me out of the story, it called me out lol (and I almost DNF’ed right then and there). I think it was the mention of a real-time device in a fantasy world that was a little jarring. Also Nelle is 19 and secretly so powerful but then she would talk like a brat and say “As if…” and I’m so old that it just reminded me of the movie Clueless! 🤭 So then I would think this FMC is ridiculous. I get it she’s young, she didn’t have much control over things even though she tried, she’s sassy and doesn’t like being told what to do. But she’s super powerful and we are reminded of it over and over. I did wish many times that she was older than 19, like 23 or something and was out of the brat stage.

~ Pacing. Sometimes the spicy scenes would take chapters and they really only had one weekend together. But I wanted to learn more about the families and the Gods. Yes, the smut drew me in but it still could have been shortened. So it would go from Nelle’s sexual awakening and them fighting (again/always) to them remembering oh yeah they are there for her sister’s engagement festivities and the Horned Gods were coming so Nelle better keep this secret power inside her in check. There was some good action here and there and then the big event at the end, but pacing could have been better and it could have been less repetitive.

~ I need Nelle to get ruthless and stay ruthless after all the stuff happening to her. She was literally a child when all this drama happened and she was being blamed without even knowing it. I was warming up to Graysen (okay so he’s sexy, hot and protected her – BUT he still pissed me off). And after that ending, I need Nelle to cut him off and punish him and his family for a little bit. I don’t know if I will forgive him – there was a strange mention of a better option vaguely in the story (so many things were vague!), but is there another option out there for her?

Final Thoughts:

I am so surprised I read this in one day after wanting to DNF it a few times but I saw so much potential with the world building. I was drawn to this world of crime lords all fighting and betraying one another. I like that there is an enemies to lovers romance, but I don’t know if I can forgive you now Graysen Crowther. So much could be cut out to make this story move faster and be tighter. I need Nelle to grow up a little and stop acting like a brat, learn some lessons! I need Graysen to grovel 😅 for forgiveness (look I get why he is the way he is, I just need to see if there’s another option for Nelle). I even read the snippet from book two at the end because it has that addictive factor. So I have very mixed feelings about this one but I’m still going to read book two unless that one gets repetitive too and I have to DNF, but I hope some things are cleaned up and it’s shorter. I am definitely here for the drama!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

WWW Wednesday | 5/21/25

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

I kind of don’t know what to read right now because I’m waiting for my copy of The Knight and the Moth to come in. So I’m trying to read more July arcs, but I have a lot of fantasy arcs so I do need to break them up with other genres. I actually can’t believe I read 5 contemporary books this past week! But they are so much shorter (thank goodness) than the recent romantasy books, it’s really nice to just get through something under 400 pages!

What are you currently reading?

Thorn Season by. Kiera Azar – 3%

The Jasad Crown by. Sara Hashem – 15%

Fallen Court: Filthy Rich Fae by. Geneva Lee – 2%

What have you just finished reading?

Predatory Natures by. Amy Goldsmith ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Give Me a Reason by. Jayci Lee ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love Unmasked by. Becky Dean – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

For the Record by. Emma Lord – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bound in Inked Flame by. Ava Larksen – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Enchantra by. Kaylie Smith ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maid for Each Other by. Lynn Painter – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well, Actually by. Mazey Eddings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What are you going to read next?

Summer in the City by. Alex Aster

Great Big Beautiful Life by. Emily Henry

The Knight and the Moth by. Rachel Gillig – Waiting for my copy to come in.

Mayra by. Nicky Gonzalez

What are YOU reading right now?

Books that Feature Travel | TTT | Top Ten Tuesday | 5/20/25

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is:

Books that Feature Travel

The Design of Us by. Sajni Patel

One impulsive lie leads to a weeklong adventure of fake dating for two bickering coworkers in this swoony destination wedding rom-com.

Sunshine incarnate Bhanu brings big UX energy to whatever she does, including going for the promotion where her only serious competition is her work nemesis, AKA Sunny, the grump with the Denzel voice. She expected to get a reprieve from him while visiting her family in Hawai’i, but the universe has other plans. When Bhanu runs into Sunny at the hotel and witnesses his ex criticizing him about being single, Bhanu does the first thing that comes to she impetuously claims to be Sunny’s girlfriend just to get some peace and quiet. Except Sunny is on island for a friend’s wedding and his ex has already texted the entire wedding party about this mysterious girlfriend.

Bhanu truly is the bane of Sunny’s existence. But the last thing he wants to do is cause tension during his friend’s wedding festivities, much less be the object of their pity. He has no choice except to play along, if only he and Bhanu can put aside their quarreling and act like a real couple.

Between Bhanu’s hilariously meddling family and Sunny’s ecstatic friends, the two are pushed closer together, even as stress mounts over the impending promotion.

They say what happens on island, stays on island. But as Sunny and Bhanu let their guards down, will either of them be able to resist this romantic getaway without crossing the line?

The Amalfi Curse by. Sarah Penner

Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse…

Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

Deep End by. Ali Hazelwood

A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.

Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.

So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water…

Under Loch and Key by. Lana Ferguson

A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance by Lana Ferguson, author of The Fake Mate.

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.

A Winter Wish by. Emily Stone

When an unexpected inheritance forces two total opposites to work together, Lexie must decide if Theo is going to push her out—or pull her in for the kiss of a lifetime—in this heartwarming holiday novel from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift

When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she doesn’t know how to feel; they’ve barely spoken in the last ten years. And she’s even more confused when she discovers he’s left her half of his holiday travel company, a successful niche business specializing in trips that explore the holiday traditions of cultures all over the world.

Meanwhile, the other half of the company has been left to her father’s handsome but bad-tempered young executive, Theo. And the will stipulates that the two of them must find a way to run the company together for a year before they decide its fate.

Lexie intends to leave once the year is over, even though, as a wanderer herself, she finds the company’s mission more compelling than she first thought. And a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny.

There may have been some snap judgments made about each other. But mixing business and pleasure isn’t always a good idea.

The Paradise Problem by. Christina Lauren

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents — his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.

Something Like Fate by. Amy Lea

During a summer in Italy, two best friends discover whether true love is up to destiny or free will in this winning romantic comedy by the international bestselling author of Woke Up Like This.

For generations, the fortune-telling women in Lo Zhao-Jensen’s family have foreseen The One—the great loves of their lives—before ever meeting them. Except for Lo, who has zero psychic abilities. Just memories of old rom-coms and a lot of poor judgment when it comes to love.

Until now.

When Lo finally has the vision she’s been waiting for, her delighted aunties are convinced she’ll meet The One on her backpacking trip in Italy. Vero amore, here she comes.

Along for the summer is Lo’s best friend and confidant, Teller Owens, her opposite in every way. Upon arrival in Venice, Lo is saved from a runaway trolley by Caleb, a fellow backpacker. It’s a meet-cute so swoony, it has to be fate. But with each destination, Lo’s complicated feelings for Teller are becoming harder to ignore. From the cobblestone streets of Rome to the rocky cliffs of Amalfi, Lo begins to wonder if fate has other plans.

What’s on your TTT?

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Top 5 Tuesday | Top 5 books with a ballgown on the cover | 5/20/25

Top 5 Tuesday was created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, and now being hosted at Meeghan reads.

This Week’s Topic is:

Top 5 books with a ballgown on the cover

We are hitting it old school and FANCY this week. Your top five books with ballgowns on the cover, if you please. State of the ballgown is up to you. (I know some of you ramtasy fans have probably got bloodstained dresses somewhere on your shelves.)

Matched by. Ally Condie

In the Society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

***

The Luxe by. Anna Godbersen

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone–from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud–threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future. With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city’s gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current.

As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan’s most celebrated daughter disappear… In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

***

The Selection by. Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

***

Fallen by. Lauren Kate

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—and goes out of his way to make that very clear—she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret… even if it kills her.

***

Rumors (Luxe, #2) by. Anna Godbersen

After bidding good-bye to New York’s brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise. All eyes are on those closest to the dearly her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family’s only hope for redemption; New York’s most notorious cad, Henry Schoon-maker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth’s scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency. As old friends become rivals, Manhattan’s most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe , nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.

***********

Enchantra by. Kaylie Smith| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️

Title: Enchantra ( Wicked Games, #2)

Author: Kaylie Smith

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 4/8/25

Categories: Romantasy, Series, Dark Romance, Fantasy

Ready or Not meets Throne of the Fallen in a spicy, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, where an Italian getaway turns deadly after a young woman is trapped in her host family’s cursed game.

Ready or not, the game has begun.

Genevieve Grimm has felt adrift ever since her sister became the head of the family. So when a mysterious friend of their mother’s invites her to Italy, she accepts. She arrives at his grand palace, expecting passion and magic, decadence and luxury… perhaps even a midnight ball.

She doesn’t expect the owner’s ruthlessly handsome son to slam the door in her face. Rowin Silver is tall, dark, and exceptionally rude, and invitation or not, he demands Genevieve leave and never come back. But Genevieve follows nobody’s orders, especially those of arrogant rich boys. She slips inside—and immediately discovers her mistake.

Rowin and his family are caught in an insidious game of hide and seek, where only one can win. The rest will be trapped in Hell… until the competition begins again.

Genevieve must either join the hunt or forfeit any hope of escaping. But to her dismay, her best chance of survival lies with Rowin. Since lovers may play as a pair, Rowin and Genevieve agree to form an alliance under the guise of a fake courtship. However, as they race through the game’s elaborate labyrinth, trapped among gleaming gold and shining marble, their loathing gives way to irresistible attraction. Only Rowin is keeping secrets, especially when it comes to his ruthless family, and Genevieve can’t help but wonder if she’s trapped in two treacherous games: Enchantra and the one Rowin is playing with her heart.

Content Warning: violence

+ I read Phantasma and enjoyed it but didn’t quite love the ending. But Enchantra was fun from beginning to end.

+ Genevieve is someone we meet in Phantasma and compared to her sister, Ophelia, she was definitely the more stubborn one. She brings that attitude here to Enchantra. She’s trying to find out more about her family’s past and opens an invitation addressed to her mom, who has passed away. On a trip to Italy she decides to go to Enchantra and gets trapped there. But that doesn’t stop her from being difficult.

+ Rowin is a Wraith and he and his family is cursed to play a deadly game at Enchantra for entertainment but also to gain immunity from living in Hell. Genevieve’s presence messes with his plans and convinces her the only way to keep her alive is for them to marry right away and enter the games as a couple. I loved Rowin – he was patient enough with Vivi, but also didn’t back down from her. And I love how he cared about his family.

+ The romance between Vivi and Rowin was filled with arguments, but moments of getting to know each other as they hid from Rowin’s blood thirsty siblings. Yes these games happen in a span of like a week but I think they go through a lot, plus the desire is there between them with some spicy scenes thrown in. But I love how the story ends – how they decide what to sacrifice and how they fall in love.

+ One of my favorite things about this book is Rowin’s family, The Silvers. He has a lot of siblings with very different personalities and powers. They were a rowdy, lethal, funny bunch that kept me very interested in the story. It also gave Vivi a found family. Also I liked the games in this book compared to the one in Phantasma. In Enchantra it was like a very deadly hide-and-seek!

~ Sometimes Vivi was TOO stubborn. Like girl, pay attention, Rowin is trying to keep you from dying. But all she wants to do is fight everything and everyone.

Final Thoughts:

I liked this one better than Phantasm and the introduction of Rowin’s family makes me think we are going to get a few books about these very interesting siblings of his! I enjoyed the games, the Silver family, the romance and spice between Rowin and Vivi (even though she could be super stubborn). I look forward to reading more books from this world!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Phantasma by. Kaylie Smith | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Weekly Wrap Up | 5/18/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ We are counting down the school days. Only 9 days left for my kiddos so yes they are excited and are sleeping in later, not wanting to go to school haha. But 9 more days!

+ Didn’t do much this week but the usual. My hubby’s friend’s husband passed suddenly last week so it’s been that kinda vibes – sad, reflective – and we got not so good news about my mom’s bladder cancer. She still is stage 1 but they are worried the cancer cells are moving towards her one ureter/kidney that she has left. She’s 72 years old and it’s not news we want to hear. She’s still in the fight of it though, but aging doesn’t help, she just gets so tired of going to the doctors, and doing chemo or procedures to remove the cells.

+ I’m counting down to my South Korea trip – but I have so many things to do days before my flight that ugh…that I’m just checking things off my list on by one and trying not to stress.

I hope you all have a great week!

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

Damiano David – his new album FUNNY little FEARS – why is he so hot? Like he is the vampire of my dreams! And his voice – beautiful.

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube

Wandering Wild by. Lynette Noni | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Wandering Wild

Author: Lynette Noni

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 330

Publication Date: 5/20/25

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing, Inc.

Categories: Young Adult, Survival, Adventure, Romance, Celebrity 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 Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

She hates him. He needs her. Can they survive when all they have is each other?

Zander Rune was the darling of Hollywood until he fell from glory and was labelled a problematic bad boy. His public image needs fixing—fast—or he’ll lose the role of a lifetime, and all his dreams with it.

Charlie Hart is a regular teenage girl who despises everything Zander represents. But thanks to her scheming best friend and an ill-timed social media competition, Charlie finds herself pretending to be Zander’s biggest fan on a four-day reality TV adventure led by renowned survivalist Rykon Hawke.

When their trip goes horribly wrong, Charlie and Zander are left stranded in the wilderness. No Rykon, no film crew, no rescue. The only way they’ll survive is if they trust each other. But in order to do so, both will have to let go of the ghosts of their pasts, and just maybe find themselves—and one another—in the process.

Content Warning: near death experience, near drowning, snakes, mention of drunk driving, mention of being drugged, mention of suicide attempt, death of parents, cancer, grief

+ I’ve been really enjoying books from this author – her writing style is easy to get into and flows so well. I like how there was a lot of action in this book and moments that were filled with so much tension.

+ Zander and Charlie have been through some trauma in their lives so being on this survival adventure bonds them even more though it doesn’t start of that way. Charlie doesn’t want to be on this trip but she’s doing it for her best friend, whereas Zander really needs this to change his Hollywood bad-boy image so he can get a role he is coveting. I liked seeing the journey of the relationship even though it’s only a 4 day adventure.

+ I love the themes of friendships and even the hardships both character have experienced. I like that the both of them have their own issues and this trip really pushed them quickly to face them. In the end they are better for it, but I love that Charlie has Ember and Zander has Summer and Maddox.

+ The romance isn’t a focus, which is nice, it’s sweet.

~ It is an insta-love story, I mean Zander and Charlie only know one another for 4 days! But they go through more than what couples do in 4 days, so I do think it’s believable that they could fall for one another that fast, especially after near-death experiences with one another.

~ The twist in the story didn’t leave me feeling happy for Zander or Charlie. I thought that really sucked for them. I’m glad they could get over it quickly but it sucked, even though Zander got what he wanted. Kind of wish that wasn’t glazed over so quickly.

Final Thoughts:

I found this to be a very entertaining read especially with the survival adventure going on and Zander and Charlie needing to stay alive because of unforeseen circumstances. I thought the romance was sweet and I love the theme of friendship. I think the author did a great job with her debut into contemporary young adult fiction and look forward to reading more.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Prison Healer by. Lynette Noni | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Gilded Cage by. Lynette Noni | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Blood Traitor by. Lynette Noni | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let’s Talk Bookish: What is one book that everyone else seemed to love except you? | 5/16/25

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly bookish meme originally created by Rukky @ Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits, where every Friday, bloggers write discussion posts based on a weekly prompt and Dini @ dinipandareads has cohosted since the beginning of 2025.

This week’s topic is:

May 16: What is one book that everyone else seemed to love except you? (Isabella @ The Ink Bound Reader)

Prompts: Have you ever experienced what seems like the whole book community raving about a book, only to discover it’s not all that? What are some story elements that put you off while reading? What about books others dislike that you love? Feel free to share examples of which books everyone loved and you didn’t, and vice versa! 🤭

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Have you ever experienced what seems like the whole book community raving about a book, only to discover it’s not all that?

Yes. 😅 The latest one is Onyx Storm. I love the series, but this book I didn’t love like the first book. I might have to do a re-read because I’m wondering if it was because I was in a bad mood? But yes there are a lot of people who loved it and I didn’t but hey…reading is subjective and we are all not going to love the same books. Plus I’m a mood reader so yeah…also I’ve found I don’t love cozy romance as much as others do.

What are some story elements that put you off while reading?

Miscommunication, a FMC who is always making mistakes and never learning her lesson; lately so many romantasy has the same, predictable things happening – secret identity/secret powers – so now I’m trying to find romantasy that is unique but that’s hard to do.

What about books others dislike that you love?

Yes there are some – like I said reading is subjective so it’s fine if people dislike what I like – that’s how it’s supposed to work I think!

Feel free to share examples of which books everyone loved and you didn’t, and vice versa!

I know lots of people didn’t Shatter Me by. Tahereh Mafi and yes it was very different but I was intrigued enough to read the second book and then fell in love with Warner! But people definitely hated this one!

I didn’t love Deep End by. Ali Hazelwood, like everyone did – I gave it 3 stars I believe. There were parts I enjoyed like the sports romance of it all but I felt cold about the two characters. I didn’t like that she always cried and I didn’t like that he came off just bland to me even if they were both into BDSM.

Just for the Summer by. Abby Jimenez was so popular I had to read it and it was the first book I read from her and didn’t love it. It was just okay for me.

The Grandest Game by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes, is part of a beloved series The Inheritance Games or a spinoff of it and I loved The Inheritance Games series but I think I outgrew it? I’m not sure, but I wasn’t into this one.

May Topics:

~~May 2: Bookish Fandoms~~

Prompts: There are very popular bookish fandoms out there, especially in the romance fantasy genre (Maas, Yarros, LOTR, etc.). Are you part of a bookish fandom? If you are, what do you love about it? If not, do you think you’d ever want to be part of one? Does being part of the online book community help you connect to fandoms?

May 9: Motivation to Read (Jillian @ The Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: How do you motivate yourself to sit down and concentrate on reading? Do you have a set reading time/schedule that works best for you to focus? Do you have tips/tricks that you would recommend others try?

May 16: What is one book that everyone else seemed to love except you? (Isabella @ The Ink Bound Reader)

May 23: Literary Palette Cleansers

Prompts: Do you ever feel like you need a reading reset? Maybe you’ve been reading dense literary fiction, or in a reading slump. Are there certain books you read to help reset? Do you ever take a break from reading? Do you find yourself needing those literary palate cleansers at certain times of year?

May 30: Freebie

Prompts: It’s the fifth Friday of the month, so this week is a freebie! Use this week to revisit an old LTB topic, or write about something you’re interested in! You can check out a bunch of topics on our blogs (Dini’s & Aria’s) and Rukky’s blog for more ideas!

His Mortal Demise| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice:

Title: His Mortal Demise ( The Last Bloodcarver, #2)

Author: Vanessa Le

Format: hardcover (owned)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 3/16/25

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Series, Romance

These Violent Delights meets Divine Rivals in the explosive finale to The Last Bloodcarver duology — with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired romantasy world.

Kochin is a heartsooth — a rare being with the ability to heal any wound. Any wound, that is, except death.

Intent on defying nature and bringing Nhika back to life, Kochin keeps her body in a life-preserving casket and waits for a miracle. Stricken with grief and descending into madness, Kochin realizes the answer to his desperate quest can only lie in one place: Yarong, the lush yet battle-ridden island the first heartsooths called home.

Months later, Nhika wakes in a familiar manor-house, with Kochin nowhere to be found. As she traces his footsteps across Theumas, she discovers the haunting path he walked to bring her back, and a world changed by war.

When Kochin discovers the true and grisly way to resurrect a person from the grave, he must decide exactly how much he is willing to sacrifice, in order to reunite with the woman he loves…

Don’t miss this stunning dual-POV follow up to THE LAST BLOODCARVER, where morals will be tested, hearts pushed to the limit, and fates determined once and for all. Vanessa Le’s jaw-dropping sequel is a bloody and luscious spectacle to be devoured in one sitting.

Content Warning: violence, death, war

+ I loved The Last Bloodcarver and with the way it ended I knew I had to read book two. It picks up right after the events of book one which was pretty devastating. Nhika gave her life for Kochin and now he is trying to save her too but it looks like an impossible mission.

+ Kochin has changed after the events of book one and now with losing Nhika he feels like a madman who’s grieving her and yet not able to let go. He goes to war just to see if he can find a way to bring her back to life. He loves her so much and I felt heartbroken for him.

+ This does a happy ending but I was worried for a moment. I love when Kochin reunites with Nhika – they belong together and I just love their relationship so much.

~ There is war breaking out in Theumas and it’s where Kochin believes he has to go to find the answers to bring Nhika back to life but this is told in flashbacks and I didn’t love that, mostly because I don’t usually love flashback in most books. It got a little confusing until the story came together later on in the book.

Final Thoughts:

Overall this was a solid conclusion to this duology and I really enjoy how unique this story is with the heartsoothing. I love that we get to see Kochin’s journey through grief and madness until he is reunited with Nhika. I love them together. I didn’t love the flashbacks but I was satisfied with the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author!