Tag: 4 Stars

Game of Rogues by. Julie Anne Long | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Game of Rogues (The Palace of Rogues, #9)

Author: Julie Anne Long

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 6/2/26

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Series

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

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

One disastrous night. One devastating man. One diabolical proposition.

Gabriel Marchand ruthlessly fought his way up from the gutters of St. Giles to preside over London’s most exclusive gaming hell. Few dare cross him. But when a young earl gambles away his inheritance, Marchand makes an enemy: a woman with wit like a dagger and the softest eyes he’s ever seen.

Spend a night in his bed, and he’ll call off the debt. This is the offer he makes Guinevere Woodville, the earl’s sister, when she blames him for her brother’s disaster. She’d rather die, of course. But when their seething enmity gives way to sizzling attraction at The Grand Palace on the Thames, his offer haunts them. Soon it seems a matter of not if, but when.

It’s not long before Ginny is facing two stark truths: the so-called worst man in London is the best man she’s ever known….and keeping him would mean losing everything and everyone else she loves. But Marchand has one final card to play…and losing everything is a risk he’s willing to take if it means a chance to love her forever.

Content Warning: violence, grief

I’m not sure what made me request this book because I haven’t read a historical romance or regency romance in years – a decade maybe? But it was my first love that got me into reading decades ago, so I was intrigued with this premise and I know this author is a staple in historical romance. While reading this book, I forgot how well historical romances are written, especially for a slow burn romance, and it felt so nice to read this genre again!

Ginny is a lady who’s youngest brother that just came into money and titles, has gambled it all away in a gaming establishment. And she means to fix her brother’s mistake by asking for the money back from Gabriel, who is the owner of this gaming hell. Ginny loves her family and she had to raise her siblings after her parents passed away, so she is faced with many burdens and pressures. Gabriel came from the streets and climbed his way up to a successful businessman so he knows something about survival.

I love their banter, and watching them go from dislike, to desire, to something so much more was lovely. This is a slow burn and throughout the story Ginny is trying every way she can to save her family. For some reason, Gabriel, can’t help himself and starts to try to help her out, even though some of the debt is owed to him also. I loved getting to know both of the characters, and their stay at the boardinghouse with different guests was so funny and quaint. The spice came at the right time and it’s not too much, but enough to show that they are crazy about one another. Also, there is an age gap between them – she’s in her early 20’s and I believe he is in his late 30’s.

Now this is part of a series, and this is book number nine – I have not read any other books in the series at all and didn’t know it was part of a series until later. And although there clearly were characters in this book that probably already had their own story told, I didn’t feel lost without reading those books.

Final Thoughts:

I found this historical romance refreshing after not reading a book in this genre for so long! I was immersed in the world and invested in the characters. The writing is beautiful. There is humor, and also serious moments about grief, and a slow burn romance that I was rooting for. I really enjoyed this one even though I didn’t read any other books in the series.

Read if you like:

  • regency romance
  • age gap
  • banter

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Summer of Lost Things by. Jenn Bennett | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Summer of Lost Things

Author: Jenn Bennett

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 5/26/26

Publisher: Avon a

Categories: New Adult, Contemporary, 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!


Sexy new adult romance meets swashbuckling adventure when ex childhood friends Paige and Seb reconnect to finally track down the treasure that has been a legend in their small Michigan beach town for decades. Perfect for fans of The Goonies and Netflix’s Outer Banks who are craving more romance!

Star pupil Paige Malone just finished her first year at Harvard. Dropout Seb Jansen spent that time pumping gas for wealthy yacht owners at a Lake Michigan marina. They haven’t seen each other since high school. A shame, considering that they were once inseparable childhood friends who combed their coastal hometown’s sun-kissed beaches along with a couple of other middle-school pals—hunting the Golden Venus, a legendary local treasure that’s distantly connected to Paige’s family.

A treasure rumored to be worth millions of dollars. If it even exists.

These days, however, the former BFFs have traded adventure for reality. Paige is home for the summer and is spiraling after losing her college financial aid. While across town, Seb fell in with a bad crowd and now regrets his life choices, big time. Both feel colossally stuck. And alone.

But when Paige stumbles upon a hidden secret in her grandmother’s beach cottage, she must get their old treasure-hunting gang back together to finally unravel the mystery that has eluded her family for generations. Who the thrill of the hunt might help Paige and Seb find a path back to their lost friendship…or something more.

The Summer of Lost Things brings the summer heat with its combination of a high stakes treasure hunt and a swoony love story.

Tropes

Childhood friends to lovers Second-chance romance Treasure hunt Family secrets Partners in crime Summer love Small beach town setting Overachiever x bad boy Loveable rogues

Content Warning: grief, violence, mentions of drug trafficking, drug use (weed), vaping, strained parental relationships

+ I haven’t read a Jenn Bennett book in so long and it was so nice to get a chance to read her newest book coming out. I read a lot of her young adult books but this one is new adult, which I appreciated since now I’m an older fan of hers. In this book Paige is back in her hometown, a small beach town with lots of memories, some painful with the lost of her Nana. I love how right away we get to know Paige, her struggles, her grief, and her memories – she’s a very fleshed out character. Her memories and feelings about the town really sets the tone for the story.

+ Set in a small beach town in Michigan, Paige and her best friends, Jazmine, Seb and Benny were known as the WAGS. A group of kids on the hunt for treasure, and it helped that Paige’s ancestor was a man with renowned legend in town. There is talk about gold bars being hidden and so the WAGS go on a final mission to find these gold bars but they aren’t the only ones who want them. A family in town who is known her crime and drug trafficking, also wants to find this treasure so there are moments of tension when the treasure hunt gets dangerous. For the most part though, I thought it was so fun following the WAGS on their treasure hunt adventure, they are a close group, no matter what they’ve been through – I love their friendship! It’s very realistic and I love that they are flawed.

+ There is a childhood friends to romance between Paige and Seb. She’s the one who went to Harvard, overachiever and he’s the bay boy who got in lots of trouble, and now trying to get on the right track. Now back together again, Paige realizes her feelings about him have changed from friendship to lust and maybe something more. I loved Paige and Seb! I love how the interacted, you can feel the deep friendship and I even loved the way they fought because you could tell they were close. They are really partners in crime, and in life. There was one moment though that Paige was frustrating, because she clearly wants him, then put boundaries between them and got mad when he wouldn’t cross the boundary. Also there is a spicy scene and more of it but off the page.

+~ This isn’t a clean adventure treasure hunt story about a group of teens or young kids (though there are memories), these are young adults out of high school and they curse, and smoke weed, drink, they do crazy things and maybe even get into troubling relationships but I felt like all of that was realistic to the characters ages. I like that they are all trying to figure life out.

~ There is one supportive parent group in this story, which is Jazmine’s, thank goodness because Paige and Seb did not luck out with having good parents! Very strained and even messed up relationships. So thank goodness for the Neelys.

Final Thoughts:

This is going to be the perfect summer read if you are looking for action, treasure hunting, tension, childhood friends to lovers romance, trying to figure out life and friendship. I enjoyed this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

Always Jane by. Jenn Bennett | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chasing Lucky by. Jenn Bennett | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Review: The Lady Rogue ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review: Serious Moonlight ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starry Eyes by. Jenn Bennett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alex, Approximately by. Jenn Bennett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hart’s Landing by. Melanie Harlow | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hart’s Landing

Author: Melanie Harlow

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 5/12/26

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Categories: Contemporary, Small Town 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 Entangled: Amara for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


Four friends made a promise to live one night like it was their last.
That night changed everything.

Ten years ago, Mila Ferguson fled Hart’s Landing with a devastating fire, a stolen kiss, and a shattered circle of friends in her wake. But when a crisis brings her home, Mila just wants to get in and get out, unscathed by her mother’s constant criticism and unseen by her former crush, Everett McKean.

Only…Everett is everywhere. The boy Mila once loved is now the town’s scorching hot, beloved mayor. And when he’s not serving his constituents or running the family farm, Everett is taking advantage of his second chance with Mila―the one who got away.

As Mila reconnects to her roots and opens her heart, she discovers that coming home again isn’t about where you’ve been―it’s about who you’re brave enough to become. But when old wounds threaten to open after questions emerge about what really happened the night Mila left, it’s that bravery that will finally set her free.

Sexy, heartfelt, and steeped in small-town charm, Hart’s Landing is a story of forgiveness, friendship, and finding the family who loves you no matter how far you wander.

Content Warning: narcissistic mother, abusive parent

+ Set in the small town of Hart’s Landing this is a cozy, sweet, romance that I can see being a Hallmark movie! Mila left the small town 10 years ago after a devastating accident that tore her friendships apart, but now she’s back to take care of her narcissistic mother who is getting hip surgery. While home, she runs into her old crush and some old friends, while getting used to the quirks of small town living again. Also there is a mini mystery about who might have started the fire years ago.

+ Loved Mila as the FMC, she’s sweet, and she knows she has issues mostly stemming from the horrible way her mother treats her, not having a father figure and being blamed for a fire that happened 10 years ago. She’s brave though and someone who falls hard for someone. Now Everett her crush and now the mayor of the town, is flirtatious, funny, strong, and head over heels for Mila and he lets her know it every chance he gets. I feel like both main characters had a lot of depth even though both of them were sweet and funny people. We do meet Everett’s friends and Mila also makes new connections with the old best friends she had in high school before everything went wrong.

+ The romance is a slow burn but I loved all the teasing, banter, flirtation, and them having a second chance at figuring out the attraction between them. There are spicy scenes, and overall, I loved their romance.

+~ Mila’s mom is awful, she’s a narcissist and what can she really do about that but learn to stand up for herself, which she does eventually. But there is a lot of guilt and heavy emotions Mila has to work through to get to that point and it was frustrating to see – but it showed a lot of of growth.

+~ The story starts off with Mila and her best friends in high school and then jumps forward to present day. So there is a lot we are missing, since we only get to meet 2 of the friends in this book. I feel like each girl will be getting their own book?

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a sweet romance but with depth, especially when it came to friendship and family matters. I adore Mila and Everett’s romance and was rooting for them from the beginning – I’m kind of glad the conflict between them was resolved quick. And if this is going to be a series, where we get a story for each of Mila’s friends, I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!

Read if you like:

  • small town romance
  • friendship and family
  • a little bit of mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This Book Made Me Think of You by. Libby Page | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: This Book Made Me Think of You

Author: Libby Page

Narrator(s): Zadeiah Campbell-Davies 

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Pages: 320 Listening Time: approximately 10 hours 10 min

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher:  Penguin Audio

Categories: Contemporary, Grief, Romance, Bookstore




A woman receives an unexpected gift from the man she loved and lost—a year of books, one for every month—launching a reading-inspired journey to live, dream, and love again in this glimmering and heart-stopping novel.

Twelve books. Twelve months. One chance to heal her heart…

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. But mainly because Joe died five months ago….

When she goes to pick up the present, Alfie, the bookshop owner with kind eyes, explains the gift—twelve carefully chosen books with handwritten letters from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

At first Tilly can’t imagine sinking into a fictional world, but Joe’s tender words convince her to try, and something remarkable happens—Tilly becomes immersed in the pages, and a new chapter begins to unfold in her own life. Monthly trips to the bookstore—and heartfelt conversations with Alfie—give Tilly the comfort she craves and the courage to set out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to share her journey with others, her story—like a book—becomes more than her own.

Content Warning: grief, illness, death

World Building: Set around an indie bookstore where Tilly’s late husband has left her a book a month to get through the year after his death. This book is heartwarming, heartbreaking and cozy! The indie bookstore has a book owner Alfie who also knows his share of grief when losing his father. The store also has a cat. This story is definitely for the book lovers and indie bookstore lovers.

Characters: Tilly is lost without her husband Joe, but this is the year she gets out and takes a chance on life because of the books he has left her. It was nice seeing her grow and I related to her grief. Alfie is the shop owner who Tilly befriends but feelings grow between them slowly. I did like the storyline between Tilly and her sister, who meant well even though Tilly was afraid to try new things – I like how they eventually work things out.

Romance: We get a peek at Tilly’s romance with her late-husband Joe and then her trying to maybe make room for more love with Alfie. It’s sweet, heart-warming and I was rooting for both of them.

Story: The narrator did a fantastic job, loved her accent, her voice was soothing. This story was reminding me a little bit of the movie, P.S. I Love You, which I loved. This story really takes us on Tilly’s journey through grief and finding her way with her family, her career and new love. She goes on trips, does a half marathon and works things out with her sister. And then she also starts to fall in love again. It’s a beautiful story! It is a bit of a cozy read, so sometimes in the middle, I found it a little slow, but that’s an issue for me.

Vibes/Tropes: P.S. I Love You, book lover romance

Final Thoughts:

This one was a little triggering for me but I was invested in Tilly’s journey through her grief and watching her grow so much! It is so heartwarming seeing Tilly learn to live and love again. This story is definitely for the book lovers!

Read if you like:

  • bookstore and book lover romance
  • life journey
  • grief

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Last Page by. Katie Holt | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Last Page

Author: Katie Holt

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 5/12/26

Publisher: Alcove Press

Categories: Contemporary, 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 Alcove Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.

Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.

But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.

Content Warning: grief

Ella is a Peruvian American girl from New York City who loves her family, the book store she works at, her employees and her city. Henry is the estranged grandson of the book store, from Tennessee who is there as the new owner of the book store. The two are opposites, Ella is social and out-going, whereas Henry suffers from depression, some anxiety and likes order. The two of them together, made for a very cute rom-com.

I felt like this story was an ode to New York City and all it’s flaws, quirks, and uniqueness. The story captures the energy of the city, the people, and the way of life. It’s also a love story about indie book stores – which I adore. Henry is the new owner of his late grandfather’s book store, The Last Page, but it’s about to close if they don’t do something drastic to raise money. And Ella would be devastated if it closed because she’s spent half of her life in that store – it’s her second home. Both Henry and Ella are dealing with the grief of losing Leo (Henry’s grandfather), Henry with some regrets and remorse, Ella with just a heartbreak from losing a mentor and good friend. The employees at The Last Page were so funny, and quirky – I love how they become a found family for Henry.

Final Thoughts:

This one left me with feel good vibes! I love the New York City, indie book store setting. I love Ella and her love of family, the Peruvian culture rep, and how she’s so opposite of Henry’s more introverted nature. Watching them get to know each other after a rough start, but a cute meet-cute, just made me feel happy. It’s got books, quirky secondary characters, spice and found family.

Read if you like:

  • indie bookstores
  • opposites attract
  • quirky characters

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

Not in My Book by. Katie Holt | Book Review 🌶️🌶️

Seek the Traitor’s Son by. Veronica Roth | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️ (closed door)

Title: Seek the Traitor’s Son

Author: Veronica Roth

Narrator(s): Imani Jade Powers, Max Meyers; Rebecca Soler; Steve West

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432 Listening Time: Approximately 20 hours

Publication Date: 5/12/26

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Categories: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Dystopian, LGBT+

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

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


A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor’s Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier. She spends her days fighting the Talusar, whose deadly Fever and mysterious gifts threaten her small country’s very existence.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Content Warning: memories of torture, violence, death

+ I haven’t read a Veronica Roth series since the Divergent series and Carve the Mark series (which I never finished but not because it wasn’t good) and I thought why not try this one since dystopian is making a comeback. There are four narrators for this book and it really is an amazing audiobook because of all the fantastic job did they for all the characters. I loved the pacing of this story, I was invested and wanted to hear more even when I stopped it.

+ The world building is really fascinating. It’s a futuristic dystopian setting with spaceships, but I found it really interesting that Elegy didn’t believe in aliens! As the story goes on though, there is a possibility that maybe there is something out there. The Talusar is a nation that is powerful, that worships a virus – and it wants to take over Sedra (spelling not sure because I listened to this as an audiobook). But when people are infected with the virus, they either die or change and gain powers – I thought that was kind of cool. There is a prophecy that the Augurs have given to Elegy, a daughter of Sedra, and one to Rava, a warrior from Talusar. But there is a man named Theren (sp?) who is crucial to these women’s lives. He is from Talusar, but becomes Elegy’s knight until a big event happens. There is a lot Theren goes through to eventually get back to Elegy.

+ There is political intrigue and a race to find out what Rava is up to and also if this prophecy will come true and who will be the victor. Elegy is interesting because she doesn’t want to responsibility of being the heroine in a prophecy, so she has to grapple with that.

+ I love the secondary characters like Hela, Elegy’s sister/best-friend and a bunch of the other characters we meet. It’s a well rounded cast that gives depth to the story. Even Rava, as the villain, is an interesting character.

+~ There is a romance that builds slowly between Elegy and Theren, and I think it’s an interesting relationship because of what he’s been through – he’s a bit broken. And he feels guilt for leaving Elegy in the past. I love that they find comfort in one another, but I don’t know if it happens fast or maybe it’s because I’m listening to it as an audiobook, that I feel like it happens too fast? I might have to read the ebook to get a better feel for it but I was rooting for them until the end.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narrators were great and the world building and political intrigue is fascinating. I wish I had the ebook so I could follow the story closer and remember all the characters names, but I look forward to reading book two in this series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Divergent by. Veronica Roth – 5 stars

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Allegiant by. Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark – 4 stars

The Beckett Effect by. Nashae Jones | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Beckett Effect

Author: Nashae Jones

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 5/5/26

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Categories: Young Adult, Contemporary, 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 Simon Pulse for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


There’s no one teenage filmmaker Wren hates more than notorious playboy Beckett Lane. Girls love him because of his famous dad, and Beckett revels in the unearned attention. It seems like everyone is under his spell but Wren—including Wren’s sweet, naive sister Kennedy, who has a huge crush on him.

When Beckett humiliates Kennedy in front of the entire school, Wren swears to bring him down once and for all by teaming up with her BFF Chelsie to make a documentary showing everybody exactly who he really is. They launch an investigation meant to expose him, which includes Wren cozying up to Beckett to get inside information—because she’s the only one in school not susceptible to the Beckett Effect.

Only, as she gets closer to Beckett, Wren wonders if the line between love and hate is as obvious as she thought it was. Could there be more to the school’s biggest playboy than she realized?

Content Warning: divorce

+~ Wren wants to make movies, so she’s always thinking of life in scenes, which made this an interesting but fun story to read. She’s also over protective over her sister Kennedy and despises school heartthrob Beckett Lane (who her sister has a crush on). I loved Wren, but yes there were times she did a little too much when it came to her sister or Beckett and it leads her to some disastrous situations. I think some readers will not Wren as much as I did, she is so stubborn.

+ This story reminded me of my favorite teen rom-coms that dominated the early 2000’s. II kept thinking they should make this into a movie on Netflix because I’d totally watch it for all the shenanigans Wren and her bestie was up to while doing this school project that revolved around Beckett Lane. You already know it’s a bad a idea but Wren was on a revenge kick. And though things blow up in Wren’s face, I loved seeing her trying to fix everything and acknowledge that she was in the wrong. I loved the humor throughout the story and it made for such a quick read.

+ The romance is so cute – Wren hates Beckett, but Becket is a heartthrob for a reason – he’s gorgeous but such a charmer too! I can see why he was so hard to resist. So as much as Wren is using Beckett, he eventually gets under his skin when she learns the real him.

Final Thoughts:

I had a fun time reading this one because it reminded me of early 2000’s teenage rom-coms, and would love to see this made into a movie. Wren is a stubborn FMC who has a lot to learn but the main thing is she does learn in the end. I thought the romance was super cute because Beckett is such a charmer – how could Wren resist? Overall, I enjoyed this one.

Read if you like:

  • high school drama
  • humor, banter
  • sweet dislike to like romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Shadows That Listen by. Louisa Carmody | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating:

Title: The Shadows That Listen (Angel Ruin, #1)

Author: Louisa Carmody

Format: ebook

Pages: 399

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/9/25

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance, Series


WHO WILL SURVIVE THE NIGHT?

The Shadows that Listen is an unputdownable dystopian romantasy with a delicious slow burn romance, from debut author Louisa Carmody. Perfect for fans of Crescent City and Silver Elite.

It’s been five years since the world was brought to its knees by an immortal war. Daemons crawled from the depths of hell and the sky bled gold as the angels arrived. Humanity thought it was saved, but the angels did not come to protect us.

Amara is a human warrior working for the Angel Intelligence Agency. She spends her days searching for those who don’t make it home after curfew. But when her boyfriend Jeremy goes missing, she decides to venture into the shadows to bring him back. Even if it means death.

Nathaniel is an archangel tasked with leading the destruction of humanity, for which he cares little. He doesn’t have time to protect little humans running around in the dark, especially those who stab him in the stomach.

But Nathaniel and Amara will soon realise they share a foe, one that lurks in the shadows and stalks them from the skies. She might long to kill him, but Amara knows that having an angel at her side is the only way to find the man she loves.

The shadows lengthen. They listen. Who will survive the night?

Content Warning: violence, death, suicide

World Building: This urban fantasy, dystopian world is one where humans are caught in a war between the angels and demons. I was very fascinated with it! Amara is part of an agency called the AIA, they train to fight demons, and try to study angels as much as they can. But they also look for missing people, which happens a lot when curfew kicks in at sundown, when the demons come out. Most of the story takes place on a quest to find Amara’s missing boyfriend, Jeremy and a fallen angel named Cain. So I don’t feel like there was much chance for world-building. We do get some of the angel headquarters in the beginning but not a lot. Would love to see this world open up in the next book.

Characters: Amara is a bad-ass, she is a fighter and we get to see all her skills in action. I love her relationship with Xavier, her only family/friend, he was fun and I wish we had more time to get to know him. But Amara is willing to die to find her boyfriend, Jeremy, with the help of archangel Nathaniel. Nathaniel is the head of the angel legion and he can kill very easily. She and Nathaniel get to know one another as they are reluctant allies during their quest. I thought it was interesting how he was deadly in a fight but had moments where he seemed playful. But a few things test their relationship at the end. Since most of the book is the two of them on this quest, I feel like we don’t meet many other characters.

Romance: There is only a kiss, and nothing else. Amara and Nathaniel do grow close and I enjoyed the banter between them. And yes I totally wanted more to happen but she still has a boyfriend. But after that ending, it will be interesting to see what happens next between Amara and Nathaniel! I definitely wanted more steam hopefully in book two!

Story: This story starts off intriguing but there is a moment at the start of this quest where there is not a lot dialogue. The second half of this book really picks up and is so action packed – I loved the fight scenes, especially because of Amara. Some twists were predictable but I still enjoyed it! And the ending, the secrets? The betrayal? That ending ripped my heart out, made me even tear up. But would love more world-building.

Vibes: angels, demons, bad-ass FMC

Final Thoughts:

I read this in two sittings and that ending ripped my heart in two. I did have some little issues with it but I was totally invested in Amara and Nathaniel, loved the fight scenes against the demons. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Read if you like:

  • urban fantasy, with dystopian vibes
  • enemies to reluctant allies
  • secrets, betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Crown Me Dead & Crown Me Yours by. Liz Zander | Mini Book Reviews

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Crown Me Dead (#1)

Author: Liv Zander

Format: ebook

Pages: 270

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 4/10/26

Categories: Dark Romance, Dark Fantasy, Series


Wed me. Bed me. Slit my throat.

Born in dirt, raised in rot, I dig graves for the dead, while the living decay around me.

When my brother coughs blood, he appears.

A man too polished for the graveyard, with a bargain too cruel for the Seduce the King. Become the Queen. Die. And my brother lives.

Kael is a nightmare of living ruin, the rotting ruler of a festering realm. And Vale is his shadow, the cold architect of my demise.

One man needs my heart to beat. The other plans to stop it forever.

They think I’m a pawn. But I’m the gravedigger’s daughter. And I know exactly where to bury them.

Welcome to the funeral.

Content Warning: violence, death, body horror, maggots

World Building: This is a dark fantasy where a whole kingdom is rotting, and I don’t only mean the crops and buildings, but the people too. There is a curse that the current King Kael is trying to starve out, he’s supposed to take a wife he loves and slice her throat to feed his crown blood, but he refuses to do it but it means people will rot and die. There is body horror and…maggots. So if you are totally grossed out about both those things, this might not be for you.

Characters: I love Elara. She is always around death because she is a gravedigger along with her mom and brother. She’s not afraid of it and has seen so much of it that it doesn’t phase which makes her perfect to be King Kael’s bride since he is rotting. King Kael is someone who wants to end the curse, he’s rotting, he’s angry, lashes out but he softens towards Elara’s brash attitude and I was enjoying their growing friendship. Vale is a mystery – he’s handsome, and claims he is a steward for the king. His plan, to get Elara to make the king fall in love with her, so he can sacrifice her and feed the crown – which would remove the rot killing everything in the land.

Romance: For a moment in this book I thought there would be a love triangle. Elara is getting to know Kael, but her body wants Vale. And I was all for her attraction to the dark, mysterious man, even though I thought Kael was the nicer one of the two. There is a lot of mystery around both men, and you can never tell who is good or bad, who to trust. There is spice but nothing too overboard.

Story: I could not put this book down and I didn’t realize it was under 300 pages until I finished it so quick! I love Elara and how strong and brave she is. She loves her family and will do whatever it takes, even give up her life to save them from rotting. She gets under Vale’s skin and she befriends the Kael. There are secrets and lies and everything comes to a head in a cliffhanger. But thank goodness book two is out – because I had to read it right away. There were decisions that Elara made that I was frustrated about, but I understand she was trying to play her own game too and survive the situation she was in.

Vibes: dark vibes, some gross moments, but death is all around

Final Thoughts:

I love this book and only lowered my rating because some of the body horror was gross. But I was horrified and couldn’t look away – and I love Elara. I had to see if they could break the curse! It’s why I had to read book two right away.

Read if you like:

  • dark romance
  • dark fantasy
  • secrets, betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Crown Me Yours (Heartstrings Duet, #2)

Author: Liv Zander

Format: ebook

Pages: 244

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 4/16/26

Categories: Dark Romance, Dark Fantasy, Series

Wed him. Bed him. Slit his throat.

I killed the king.
Crowned myself in his blood,
But the curse still festers.

To break it, I need Death,
On his knees,
A ring on his finger.
My blade at his throat.

The god fights me to the grave,
Evades my touch,
Mocks my wanting.

He would rather tear himself apart,
Than let me close enough to end this.
But I didn’t come this far to lose.
I came to crown him mine.

Welcome to your wedding, my love.

Content Warning: violence, death, body horror

Part two in this duet – this is a love story that makes me cry because what do you mean Elara makes Death fall in love with her? He tries his hardest to not succumb to her but he cannot resist. I love them together. There is spice and banter, it’s less dark than book one – less body horror and there is a battle of wills but Elara is a force.

And the ending chapters which is basically an epilogue? Ugh…my heart! For some reason it was reminding me of Jack and Sally in Nightmare Before Christmas 😅 maybe because of all the skeleton parts of Death when he is revealed as himself. But hello his heartstrings? I could not take it. 💔 What a beautiful ending to this story to show us that love is always worth it, even through loss and pain.

I will say this was shorter than book one and I feel like both books could have been combined since most romantasy books these days are long. I was totally engaged in this story and I really loved it.

Quote from the book:

“You can’t have love without embracing grief. Pain is the price we pay for participating in life.” – Liv Zander, Crown Me Yours

Final Thoughts:

I love this duology which I feel could have just been one book – but besides that, what a story. It’s dark, but so heartfelt at the end. It pulled at my heartstrings. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author!

Read if you like:

  • dark romance
  • dark fantasy

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox

Author: Katrina Kwan

Narrator(s): Feodor Chin, Eunice Wong, Eric Yang

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Pages: 320 Listening Time: approximately 10 hours 10 min

Publication Date: 2/24/26

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Audio

Categories: Fantasy, Chinese Mythology, Romance




Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.

When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of revenge: dragging him—and two of his subordinates—down with her.

Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.

Content Warning: violence

World Building: Tied into the Chinese mythology of Chang’e (the moon goddess) and Hou Yi – Yue is a demon nine-tailed fox disguised as a beautiful young woman when she is wearing a mask. When demon hunter, Sonam, captures her and they banish her to hell, she drags him down with her, with a few of her guards. So most of this story is set in hell, with different tests they have to past to try and get out! I thought it was a fun venture through hell meeting these different Star Gods in hell and seeing Yue, Sonam and crew fight their way out.

Characters: I love Yue! Yes she’s a demon but she has heart, and it’s been broken. She has rules, she doesn’t eat children, and she’s such a fighter. Sonam is a captain of the guard and an infamous demon hunter. These two clash and fight but when they start seeing each other on a deeper level it’s fantastic. I loved the secondary characters too, Sonam’s friend and cousin who is dragged down to hell with them. The maskmaker is a very intriguing character also!

Romance: enemies to lovers with no spice! I was amazed but it totally worked because I was invested in seeing Yue and Sonam fight, and then fall for one another. I loved their banter too. And it isn’t instant because of what she is to him, a demon that he hunts, and what he is to her, a hunter who hunts her kind. But I was so happy when they fall. I love them. I just wish there was a little more than just a kiss, but that’s my personal preference, it really is perfect as is.

Story: The narrators did such an amazing job with this story! I felt like this was non-stop action and I loved it. It made the story move fast which I appreciated.

Vibes/Tropes: enemies to lovers, demon/demon-hunter, deadly trials

Final Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this story action packed story about a demon and a demon hunter. I was rooting for them to find their way through hell and fall in love in the process and I was not disappointed! I would have maybe loved a little more steam in the romance but that’s just a personal preference, it was still perfect. Definitely will check out more books from this author!

Read if you like:

  • enemies to lovers
  • demon/demon-hunter
  • mythology

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble