The Wicked and the Damned by. Rebecca Robinson | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Wicked and the Damned (Dark Inheritance Trilogy, #2)

Author: Rebecca Robinson

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 2/24/26

Publisher: S&S/Saga Press

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, 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 S&S/Saga Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In the exhilarating second romantasy novel in Rebecca Robinson’s Dark Inheritance Trilogy, a fiery couple forced apart must navigate a deadly maze of politics and power to reunite across a continent at war.
Torn from her husband Reid’s arms and dragged back to her homeland in chains, Vaasa is no longer a ruler, but a political pawn. Now under the control of Ozik—a cunning Zetyr witch with a stranglehold on her magic—she faces annulment, forced betrothal, and a kingdom that no longer feels like her own. As Ozik’s machinations aim to install himself as the true power behind the Asteryan throne, Vaasa is forced to take part in his game.

Meanwhile, across the continent, Reid is done playing politics. But waging war is never simple, and a soldier’s fury cannot stand up against Icruria’s bureaucracy. With allies fading and time slipping away, Reid may have no choice but to infiltrate Asterya on his own to find the woman he loves and bring her home.

As Vaasa’s magic begins to flare, she desperately seeks control, even if Ozik is the only one who can offer it. She then finds a cryptic final message from her mother about a precious missing necklace that might just be the answer to finally freeing her magic from Ozik. Yet when a ghost from Vaasa’s past reemerges among the suitors vying for her hand, escape might be within reach—but will it demand a betrayal that real love may not survive?

Content Warning: violence, death

This is book two in the Dark Inheritance Trilogy, the first book being The Serpent and the Wolf. I really enjoyed Vaasa and Reid’s story in book one, but this time around they are apart for half the book.

I did feel like the first half moved slower for me, maybe because I was trying to remember all the characters and what happened in book one. By 50% into the book, I was hooked and it was a action filled second half filled with political intrigue, and Vaasa and Reid’s reunion.

I felt like a lot of this book focused on Ozik and we learn a lot about him and by the third book I think we’ll see if Vaasa can keep her promise to him. There was another character introduced in this book, Roman, who is from Vaasa’s past and I did not like him at all.

I enjoyed the twists and turns and hope book three starts off a bit faster.

Final Thoughts:

I do feel like this book moved the story forward though I did find the first of it slow. The second half was filled with a little spice, lots of political intrigue, twists, turns and action. I’ll definitely be looking forward to see how this series concludes in book three.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Serpent and the Wolf by. Rebecca Robinson | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Last Wish of Bristol Keats by. Mary E. Pearson | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Last Wish of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, #2)

Author: Mary E. Pearson

Narrator(s): Brittany Pressley

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Pages: 449 Listening Time: approximately 14 hours

Publication Date: 11/10/25

Publisher: MacMillan Audio

Categories: Romantasy, Series

Everyone needs something to hold onto, even if it’s a lie.

After Bristol nearly loses Tyghan to the monsters her mother unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But, when a daring rescue attempt turns disastrous and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could ever have imagined – and more dangerous, too.

Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he re-encounters his betrayer, Kierus, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question. Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a monster just like her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most if it means keeping them safe?

Discover the stunning second book in the Bristol Keats fantasy duology, from New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson.

Content Warning: violence, death, grief

+ This is a series with a large cast of characters and yet, there one only one narrator and she did quite a job! I think the only voice I didn’t love was for Tyghan – but that’s just a personal preference. She was amazing doing all the voices for this book. And I’m glad I listened to this book because I don’t think I would have been as invested if I sat down and read it.

+~ I felt like this story moved quicker than book one, which I appreciated. Maybe because it finally gets to to big battle. The ending is gets very emotional but also kind of gave me whiplash. I can see why Bristol does what she does out of grief, but again with their communication issues.

+~ There is so much conflict for Bristol in this story. Her parents are enemies of Tyghan and his court. She loves them so much that she wants to save them which is totally understandable. Tyghan has lost people due to her parents though so I can understand his anger too. Throughout the whole story it was just this back and forth of who was right and what the right choice was for dealing with her parents. I felt bad for Bristol. It still felt weird to me that Tyghan was raised with and is ex-best friends with her dad though – just something I can’t really shake. 🤦🏻‍♀️ It kinda gives me the ick.

+~ Because of Bristol’s conflict, there were many times where Tyghan and her and to work through their relationship because of the issues that came between them. I did not like Tyghan keeping things from her about her dad. So communication was something they had to work on a lot. Clearly they loved one another and really wanted to make things work out. There are some spicy scenes. And the ending? It’s very emotional for both of them.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook except how Tyghan’s voice was done – it just didn’t work for me but for all the other voices this amazing narrator had to do? Outstanding. This is not my favorite series from this author, I think it might be my least favorite of them all but I’m glad I got to finish it.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Courting of Bristol Keats by. Mary E. Pearson | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Review | Vow of Thieves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dance of Thieves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Kiss of Deception ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Heart of Betrayal ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Beauty of Darkness ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Cure by. Pedro Urvi | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Cure

Author: Pedro Urvi

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 2/24/26

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing, Inc.

Categories: Young Adult, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Post Apocalyptic

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

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

From internationally bestselling author Pedro Urvi comes a gripping new adventure that follows one young woman’s perilous journey to defy a divine curse and unearth a lost cure that could save humanity.

Ava’s people are cursed.

Long after an ancient and mysterious Apocalypse reduced what remained of humanity to a primitive tribe living in the shadows of sphinx and pyramid, a horrific transformation eventually overtakes each member of the community, turning them into vicious and terrifying monsters.

Every year, the capricious god Siaais selects three champions from the tribe to undertake a perilous quest for the Cure, the key to the salvation of Ava’s people. And every year, those champions fail, never to return.

But this year, something extraordinary happens. Instead of three warriors, Siaais chooses only one—Amos—along with a scholar and a healer: Ava’s cousin Amelia, and Ava herself. So begins an adventure in which past, present, and future collide. As Ava and her companions race against time to reach the Cure, they face dangers and mysteries beyond their imagining in a world where nothing at all is as it seems.

Content Warning: violence, death

I was asked to read and review this arc – though it’s out of my comfort zone, I liked the book cover and the synopsis, so I thought, why not? I usually read dystopian romance, and though this didn’t have a romance as a focal point, it was still an interesting read.

The first half of the story did go slowly for me. Ava, Amelia and Amos are the chosen ones from their tribe to find a cure for the disease that is making people transform into zombielike creatures. On their journey through ruins they meet new people from other tribes with the same goal. So it is a race to find this cure for everyone.

From what we gather as Ava and crew meet other tribes, each tribe has different levels of knowledge. It felt like Ava’s tribe was the most primitive, whereas Emma was someone who knew a lot of tech, and Logan had magic. So it made me curious about what else was in this world.

The story picks up at the halfway point and then ends in a flurry of a tiny bit of romance , unexpected deaths, action, violence, and a big twist I was definitely not expecting!

I’m not sure if this will be a series, since it’s not stated in the synopsis – but hopefully it is a series, because that ending was a cliffhanger.

Final Thoughts:

This story has a slow build in the beginning but it really caught my interest in the second half where so many things happen. It also ends in a really unexpected cliffhanger. I enjoyed the twist in the story! Definitely check this one out if you like Young Adult Dystopia/Sci-Fi books.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Masquerade of Mirrors by. Samantha Hartwood | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Masquerade of Mirrors (Halls of Glass)

Author: Samantha Hartwood

Format: eBook

Pages: 592

Publication Date: 2/17/26

Publisher: indepdent

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, LGBT+

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

Thank you to Samantha Hartwood for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The only thing more dangerous than falling for a lie
is falling for the liar.

Don’t look at the desert. Don’t think about the desert. Never step onto the sand. Taera has followed these rules her entire life—until he arrives.

Impossibly gorgeous, with a face masked in magic, Nikolai kidnaps Taera and drags her deep into the dunes. He says she’s powerful and needs to be trained…if she ever wants to see her family again.

Thrust into a deadly school of illusions and lies, Taera can’t trust anyone. Especially not her breathtaking, ruthless captor. Top student and notorious liar, his secrets run deeper than the sand. He’s her worst nightmare—and everything she craves.

The cutthroat Halls of Glass have a mind of their own. Trapped within their looping corridors, Taera is surrounded by hostile students and forced to rely on Nikolai.

Taera knows she shouldn’t fall for his illusions. But magic requires a partnership, and he’s the only mage who can handle her wild, untamed power.

And the only way he’ll help her is if she pretends to be his.

Masquerade of Mirrors is a fast-paced, slow-burn fantasy romance. Taera and Nikolai’s story is for readers who love crackling chemistry, daring escape plans, and as many lies as truths. This book is highly addictive and contains adult content.

Content Warning: violence

+ I found the world building very interesting! Set in a desert with mages and magicians, Taera is terrified of what the desert storm brings – a sickness with no cure. But also, she’s traumatized by an event where a mage came and did something to her mother, so she’s terrified of mages/magicians. These magic wielders often where an illusion so you never know their true face, and Taera was taught to fear them until one magician takes her to the Hall of Glass, a training school where magic wielders (Conduits) and Sources go to train their powers and learn about magic. Most of the story takes place in the school, but there are moments we get elements of the desert.

+~ I found Taera an interesting FMC who is naive because she hasn’t left her village. She has a lot to learn about people, and magic. I liked seeing her grow, but there were times her character frustrated me. As far as Nikolai, he’s handsome, desired, powerful, a liar and a thief. I did enjoy some of the other secondary characters like Omi, and Annie. There was just a lot of times Taera didn’t know what was going on and she’s being bullied, and Nikolai just lets it happen because he’s not a good guy. So there were times, I didn’t like that Taera clung to him even when he was being horrible. But we do learn more about his past, which is a bit tragic. He has done a lot in his young life to be drowning in regret and guilt, and he has to choose to lose himself completely in pursuit of power to change what he can’t.

+ The romance is very much a focus and it’s enemies to lovers, who are forced to one room, and one bed. It’s hard not to be charmed by Nikolai – everyone wants him, and Taera falls hard for him. Even when he’s not treating her good! But it’s her love that helps him and changes him so by the end I was rooting for their romance. There are some fun spicy scenes between them.

~ The story does turn into a dark academia school drama, which at points made me wonder if this was young adult – but it’s not. Taera is 24, but she’s never been in a setting where there are students who are cutthroat and all about drama. They bully her and sometimes Nikolai doesn’t care about it. Also, it was frustrating how Nikolai explained nothing to Taera about the school. He kidnaps her, and tells her to do this or that, but never explains anything. He hands her a book to study! Thank goodness for Omi who helped her.

~ I don’t think the story about the desert sickness ever gets addressed and I felt like the situation with Omi was easily pushed aside. I needed them to be face to face to discuss what happened so I hope if there are more books in this world, Omi’s story could be told?

Final Thoughts:

I really thought the world building was unique. I loved learning about the magic system involving conduits and sources. Would love to learn more about the mysteries of the desert, the Labyrinth and the school. It does turn into an academic drama that at times felt like a young adult book. The romance definitely had me invested, and I’m glad there is growth in Taera and Nikolai. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Author Website

Crown of War and Shadow by. J.R. Ward | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Crown of War and Shadow (Kingdoms of the Compass, #1)

Author: J.R. Ward

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 2/17/26

Publisher: Bramble

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

An outcast burdened with a curse and a mercenary who’s out for himself collide in this star-crossed, slow-burn, high-stakes romantic fantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward.

In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall.

Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen’s crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.

Content Warning: violence, death, maternity death, animal death

I haven’t read a J.R. Ward book since the first few books of her Brotherhood Dagger series! So it’s been a decade maybe? So I was excited to be approved to read this book.

Sorrel hasn’t had an easy life, she’s an orphan and hiding behind a hooded shroud covering her face. She has some powers of healing, but also to look into the eyes of someone and determine how they will die. She also bring something back to life. When a mercenary comes into the tavern her fate and future is tied to him in good ways and bad.

I was actually surprised this didn’t have as much romance as I was expecting. I loved the bickering between Sorrel and Merc and right away there is a physical attraction – and though his request of payment for his protection is sex with her – it’s not something he pushes onto her and actually backs off. There is maybe 2 spicy scenes. Also, for all their bickering, and forced proximity whether it’s on one horse or one bed, the romance didn’t feel like the main focus at all.

The main focus was Sorrel’s journey from a young woman always hiding, to coming to terms of all that is revealed at the end of the story. She grows a lot. But there are times where she doesn’t know how to swim, and then swims like a fish. Or can’t ride a horse, and then ends up being exceptional on a horse. I wasn’t sure what was going but I went with! I actually loved all the moments when she connected to people, like her friend Mare, or a stranger like Lena. It was heartfelt because you knew Sorrel had a good heart. But she did test my patience at times because she didn’t Merc to even tell him about her powers, yet he’s almost dying on this quest with her.

And speaking about journey? This story has Merc and Sorrel traveling from town to kingdoms and back again. It’s a travel adventure story filled with a lot of action fighting off scary creatures. There are even dragons!

There is a twist at the end I wasn’t expecting but makes what comes next in book two very interesting.

Now because this was an arc copy, there were a lot of typos or missing words. Also there is a lot going on in the story, and I felt like it was a never ending things of what could happen to Sorrel next. At times it was too much that it felt comical.

Final Thoughts:

I read this one in two days because with everything going on in the story, it was hard to put down! But some things also felt off in this story because too many things were happening. I liked seeing Sorrel’s character grow so much. It was kind of nice not having the romance as a main focus, because that left more time for action and adventure. But I also wanted a tiny bit more romance. The ending had an unexpected twist and I’m wondering what will happen in book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Black Dagger Brotherhood Books 1-8

Fated Skates by. Victoria Schade | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Fated Skates

Author: Victoria Schade

Narrator(s): Katie Schorr

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352 Listening Time: Approximately 9 hours 26 min

Publication Date: 1/13/26

Publisher: Avon a

Categories: Sports Romance, Olympics 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 HarperCollins for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

She’s chasing gold. He’s chasing forgiveness. The Winter Olympics heat up as two comeback stories collide.

Quinn Albright was America’s figure skating darling until a humiliating Olympic performance splashed her across every headline. Now she’s back, stronger than ever, ready to claim the gold medal on her own terms—no PR fluff, no perfect princess act, just the real, unapologetic Quinn.

But the one distraction she didn’t train for? Bennett Martino. Once the golden boy of speed skating, Bennett’s reputation took a hit he’s still paying for. The chance to host a sporty news magazine show is the perfect redemption arc, and nothing would boost his ratings more than an inside look at Quinn’s comeback. There’s just one issue—she’s the last person who wants him around.

As this year’s Olympic Games commence, past mistakes, shared secrets, and unrelenting chemistry collide. With cameras rolling and the ice melting under their skates, Quinn and Bennett must figure out if they can rewrite their stories—or crash and burn.

Content Warning: narcissistic mother, eating disorder, depression

+ I thought this was a very timeline romance book since the 2026 Winter Olympics is about to start in Italy! I used to love watching figure ice skating when I was younger, not so much now as an adult, but I wanted to try this one. The narrator did a great job with this one in being Quinn’s voice.

+ Quinn is chasing gold after losing in the last Olympics. She is putting pressure on herself but there is lots more pressure from her mother who is a narcissist. To help her image, her mom signs her up to do a sports documentary – but the person in charge of interviewing her is her one-night stand, Ben. I liked Quinn’s story because she deals with her humiliation from losing, her awful mother, struggling through an eating disorder and fighting to climb back up and win gold.

+ I love Quinn’s support group, her friend, and her coach.

+~ I enjoyed how the romance progressed. They were a one-night stand 4 years ago, after she lost, he was there to listen to her. Now working together, they put up boundaries, but spending a lot of time, makes them remember how much they enjoyed each other’s company years ago. I like how they build a friendship and open up to one another. We learn how Ben had depression and how winning didn’t necessarily equate to happiness. They are there for one another as Quinn chases gold. I do feel like their love story was more cozy rather than filled with sparks. They found comfort in each other’s company and yes there is spice, but it’s mild.

Final Thoughts:

I thought it was cool to get a peak into Quinn’s life as an ice skater trying to compete for gold. There is so much pressure, down to the outfit she wears on the ice. The romance was cozy, and I like their support for one another. If you like ice skating romances and the Olympics, you will enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by. Emma Simmerman | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart

Author: Emma Simmerman

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher: Avon a

Categories: New Adult, Mystery, Thriller, 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 Avon a for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets Tell Me Lies in this binge-worthy debut murder mystery about a college student whose senior year takes a deadly turn when her exes start turning up dead…

Every time a guy breaks my heart, I write him a eulogy in my journal. It’s kind of my thing—closure through creative mourning. They don’t actually die… or, at least, they didn’t.

Now? These guys aren’t just dead to me, they’re dead to everyone. And I’m the prime suspect.

With my senior year at Pembroke College—and my entire future—on the line, I’ve got no choice but to play detective. Unfortunately, that means teaming up with my long-standing frenemy, Asher, who is insufferable and somehow always there when I need him the least. We bicker, we banter, we occasionally almost hook up, but with the body count rising and my name all over the suspect board, there’s no time to get distracted.

Between college parties, messy exes, suspicious deaths, and a murder investigation I never asked to be a part of—one thing’s for this is not how I thought my last year would go.

Here’s to hoping I can find out who the real killer is… before someone ends up writing my eulogy.,

Content Warning: alcohol use, drug use, violence, death, murder, cheating

I went into this book thinking this was young adult – I bumped it up to New Adult because there is spice in this one, which I didn’t mind at all. I actually want more New Adult mystery thrillers like this one!

Sloane is in her senior year of college but this girl is messy. She’s had a few scandals, and has a reputation but all she’s looking for is love – except the guys she picks aren’t the best. And it doesn’t stop her from writing a eulogy for each on in her journal, whenever things fizzle out. But now her journal is missing and the guys she writes about are ending up dead. But who is the killer?

This one kept me on my toes and I didn’t figure out who the killer was, which fun! There are a few suspects that could credibly be the killer, but it was twisty enough to make me not see the betrayals coming.

The messy romance kept me invested. Sloane wants Wes, her friend who she hooked up with and who is back with his girlfriend. Asher, Wes’ cousin, is a total a-hole, but he makes a deal with Sloane to keep her secret of hooking up with Wes, if she fake dates him to make Wes jealous and she can convince him to give up being owner their family resort (which Asher wants). Sloane and Asher are frenemies to lovers but can it last? And what about Wes? Does she still want him? Wes is the nice guy, but when Sloane is with Asher – fireworks, they are always fighting, but I loved it, and the banter was funny!

Sloane is NOT good at picking her men, plus she’s always drinking, always partying, and at times I was tired of her antics. But I found all this college partying so accurate, and them hooking up with whoever is just realistic, so I cut Sloane some slack.

I don’t know how I feel about the ending – there is closure, but also, it felt rushed and I wanted something more concrete!

Final Thoughts:

This one is a fun, twisty mystery thriller that kept me on my toes. The messy romance was keeping me invested along with the murder mystery. There is spice, a little cheating too, but it’s too be expected with Sloane and her friends I think. Would have loved the ending to have more closure but I guess I can imagine what happens next in my own way. Overall, I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more books from this author!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Songbird of the Sorrows by. Braidee Otto | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Songbird of the Sorrows (Myths of Empyrieos, #1)

Author: Braidee Otto

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 2/3/26 (first published on 6/18/24)

Publisher: The Dial Press

Categories: Fantasy, 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 The Dial Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom, but the secrets she uncovers force her to decide whether to follow orders or defy them.

Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.

Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

Princess Aella was ousted from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, shattering her world and forcing her to abandon the truth of her royal lineage. Instead, she was raised in The Aviary, which disguises itself as a school for orphaned children but is actually a secret order designed to train its students as spies for an intelligence network embedded throughout the Empyrieos.

Now twenty-three years old and having completed her final tests, Aella is summoned to join Alpha Flight, the Aviary’s elite team of assassins that’s led by none other than her former flame, Raven. Everything about him calls to her—he’s brave, loyal, and lethal. But is Raven worth breaking the rules and risking everything she’s worked so hard to achieve?

Before she can decide, the Alpha Flight team is sent on a dangerous mission that tests Aella’s resolve in every way. Her role is crucial and she must assume her former title of Princess of the Sorrows, the identity she once had to forsake, to compete in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eretria. As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, the mission begins to unravel, and Aella must decide if she is brave enough to disobey her superiors in order to do what she believes is right.

Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine through trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue, kingdom politics, and a journey of self-discovery, true love, and redemption.

Content Warning: torture, sexual assault, drugged, death, violence

I thought this book started off really good. I liked the world building. It’s explained pretty well how there was a God War and how the many different islands came to be and their kingdoms. Aella is an outcast princess turned into a spy. She went through very harsh training at the Aviary, who’s leader is called the Eagle. I liked all the bird names they used for each spy! When Aella is given her first assignment, it’s ironically to be the princess she already is. Aella, does have a somewhat secretive history and it is revealed little by little.

There are some interesting cast members in this story. Raven, her former lover, is back – she hadn’t heard from him in a year, but now while back together – the attraction is back. The interesting thing about this love story is I didn’t feel the love, I felt the second-chance romance of it all, without the romance. They are two trained spy assassins on a mission and Raven makes it clear the mission is what matters the most, no matter how many times they put aside the rules and hook up. So I wasn’t really into Raven.

I did love Aella’s friend Nyssa and her new friend Myna and even Titaia. They made a good trio who went undercover in another kingdom to partake in a deadly bridal trial, as a distraction, so the rest of the crew could find this infamous weapon people are looking for. I also loved the captain of The Nightingale – he was a fun character.

I felt like the middle of the story slowed down when Aella and her crew go to Eretia. The competition happens kind of quick, and I didn’t feel the high stakes of the trials until afterwards. After the trials is when things pick up again, and the story finishes off strong. There is betrayal, and a new, interesting character at the end that helps set up book two.

There are a few words that are hard to remember or say in this story so I had to look it up.

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed the world-building and the assassin spy crew that Aella and her friends are a part of. I liked the beginning and end, but found the middle (the deadly trials) kind of slow and it felt low-stakes. I didn’t love Aella with Raven but I’m intrigued by Xan, the new character we meet at the end of the book. So I’m looking forward to reading book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Stolen Midnights by. Katherine Quinn | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Stolen Midnights (#1)

Author: Katherine Quinn

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, 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!

This magical new YA romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of To Kill a Shadow will steal your heart. Set in Andalay, a world where the ruling Fates bestow gifts among the favored, a thief must join forces with the palace darling after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change everything.

When Damien, a cold and hardened thief, is hired to steal a gift from the powerful Fates meant for Andalay’s sweetheart, Wren Hayes, he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets.

The gift? A locket containing his own phototroph.

Once the locket is opened, hidden truths unravel, ones that shed light on the ruthless ways of the upper-class society. Yearning for the three Fates and the magical gifts they bestow, the lords of Andalay will go to any length to keep their power—including murder.

Brought together by destiny, and fighting a temptation that neither understand, Wren and Damien navigate a seedy world where the truth can destroy not only their lives, but the city itself.

Content Warning: violence, death

Wren doesn’t have good standing in society or among her family, and when her birthday magic gift isn’t given to her, it makes her reputation even worse. Damien, is a thief, and he is the one who stole Wren’s magic gift, a locket – with his picture inside it. But the question is why? When another thief steals it from him he reluctantly joins forces with Wren to find this gift.

Wren and Damien are from different classes, she’s a pampered young lady from a rich family and Damien is from the streets. They clash in personalities, but I found their bickering pretty fun. There is an attraction growing between them but Damien runs from her each time he feels more for her, and she gets upset with him a lot about it. There is a tiny bit of spice, there are barely details in the act of it.

But with this quest to find the missing gift, Wren stumbles onto something more sinister that involves the Fates (the ones that gift the magic), and the high lords in society – including her own father. There are a few twists and turns at the end that was a surprise and it ends in a cliffhanger.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a fun, young adult fantasy with a surprise ending I didn’t expect. I love Wren and Damien’s back and forth banter – they are both pretty stubborn. But I love the rich girl/poor boy trope so I was invested in their romance. I also thought the mystery about the high lords and the operation they were hiding really added to the mystery. Overall, a pretty good start to the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

To Shatter the Night by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

To Kill a Shadow by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Second Chance Romance by. Olivia Dade | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Second Chance Romance (Harlot’s Bay, #2)

Author: Olivia Dade

Format: ebook (borrowed – Libby)

Pages: 395

Publication Date: 11/25/25

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Second Chance Romance

In the second installment of USA Today bestselling author Olivia Dade’s Harlot’s Bay series, a mistaken obituary leads to the reunion of two former high school crushes. Sparks fly in this hilarious grumpy/grumpy romance, packed with Dade’s signature body positivity and a delicious amount of spice.

Karl and Molly were never together. There was a time, right after high school, where it seemed like they might finally cross the line from friends to lovers…but instead, a foolish misunderstanding meant they never spoke again. Molly went to LA and got married. Karl stayed in Harlot’s Bay and bought a bakery.

The only connection the pair has shared over the years is painfully one-sided: Now divorced, Molly narrates monster romance audiobooks, and Karl is an ever-diligent listener, clinging to his only piece of the one that got away.

Still, Molly hasn’t totally left Harlot’s Bay behind. When she hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the local paper, unexpected grief prompts her to hop on the next flight to Maryland…where she finds Karl very much alive, the victim of nothing but an accidental obituary.

As the pair reunite, they finally hash out their missed connection. True, Molly isn’t quite ready to trust again, but Karl is determined to prove himself worthy of her faith and devotion. And as her remaining time in Harlot’s Bay ticks down, Molly, the habitual cynic, just might find that Karl, the cranky town curmudgeon, is impossible to leave behind a second time.

Content Warning:

I didn’t read book one in this series, but I wanted to try out an Olivia Dade book and this caught my eye so I borrowed it.

+ Harlot’s Bay is a small town, one that Molly wants to eventually escape. We get to see how Molly and Karl evolve as friends in high school to how they fell apart and reconnect again. I love the setting of Harlot’s Bay – the community seems wholesome yet quirky, and Karl is a staple there with his bakery. Molly does escape to California, and she comes back to Hartlot’s Bay due to a misunderstanding which I thought was funny.

+ Both Karl and Molly are strong characters, they know who they are, which is refreshing. Karl is grumpy, swears a lot, but he’s a good guy who just wants Molly. He goes out of his way to try and make her feel comfortable, build trust in him, and gives her time even though he stubbornly wants her to move back to Harlot’s Bay. Molly is someone who doesn’t trust easily because of her father. She’s been married and divorced and still has to deal with her ex. But I love how she’s an audiobook narrator! And the fact that Karl listened to the smutty books and was a fan was so funny and cute. These two are quite a couple and they just work!

+ The romance was cute – Karl asks Molly to stay until the school reunion and give him a chance. Karl isn’t the type to know how to express his feelings, he’s grumpy, but he and Molly completed one another because she can be grumpy too. They try to build trust between one another by going on dates and doing trust exercises. I love how he gave her space and time. But one thing is undeniable, there are lots of sparks between them, so things do get spicy.

+ There is a little bit of romance. Lucan is the Vicar’s adopted son, and he’s been tasked to keep his eye on Isola. Isola doesn’t like him because an incident in the past, but during the Tribunal, they spend more time with one another and decide to team up. Being around one another makes their attraction grow. I was definitely rooting for Lucan and Isola but we’ll have to see what happens in book two.

~ They both had communication issues, so I didn’t finish this as quick as I thought I would because they were taking so long to communicate how they feel.

Final Thoughts:

I mostly enjoyed this one but I did take longer to finish this – I really thought I could finish it in three days, but I think the trust exercises and lack of communication took me out of the story a little bit. But I did love the Harlot’s Bay community, there are so many fun character and funny moments. I also like the plus-size representation and though Karl and Molly had communication issues, he really was in love with her and would do anything to make her stay. I loved that about him! I’ll definitely try out more books from this author.