Make Me by. Natasha K. Lauren | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Make Me

Author: Natasha K. Lauren

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 11/17/26

Publisher: Dell

Categories: Dark Romance, Mafia 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 Dell for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

He’s sworn to protect her. He thinks he’s the one in charge. She thinks . . . that’s cute.

By day, Gia Loren is a beloved Brooklyn trauma nurse with a coffee addiction and pink scrubs. By blood, she’s Giovanna Marcelli—daughter of one of the most powerful Italian mafia families in New York. And even if she walked away from that life years ago . . . the mob never forgets. . . and never lets you go.

When a rival boss is murdered and the city’s criminal underworld teeters on the edge of war, Gia is dragged back into the shadows and placed under lock-and-key protection, trapped in a safe house with a man who drives her crazy—in more ways than one. Nico Vitali, the Marcellis’ lethal, brooding enforcer and the one man completely off limits. Too bad Gia’s never been good at playing by the rules.

Ex-Marine. Combat-trained. Emotionless—at least on the outside. Nico’s life depends on his ability to control himself and his surroundings, and protecting Gia should be just another assignment. Except she refuses to behave. Fiery, flirty, and furious at her family and the situation, Gia turns captivity into a challenge, determined to rattle Nico’s unshakable discipline with every tease, every glance, every slow, dangerous smile.

Giving in would mean death. But resisting her just might be worse.

As sparks turn into a wildfire and the mafia war explodes around them, Gia must confront the truth about who she is and what she’s willing to claim. And Nico must choose where his loyalty lies—with the family he serves or their daughter he is sworn to protect.

Because in this city, love isn’t safe. It’s a liability.

And it might cost them everything.

Content Warning: torture, death, violence, kidnapping

+ Gia is a Mafia daughter who broke away from the violent life. She’s a nurse and is living on her own when a hit is put on her and her family swoops in to protect her. The person protecting her 24/7 is Nico Vitali, the bodyguard she wants literally guarding her body, and then some – but he’s resisted her for many years. Nico and her brother and cousin are also trying to find out who is trying to come after Gia. Gia even suspects her parents which tells you how messed up her upbringing was as a daughter of the Mafia.

+ The forbidden romance between Gia and Nico is great. There is tension and restraint but when the damn breaks, the spice is hot between them. Gia is constantly doing things to get under Nico’s skin and usually he’s so good at keeping his distance but living with her is new territory and eventually he cannot resist her. I loved the two of them together and glad they get their happy ending.

+~ Most of the story is Gia stuck in one place because she’s being protected but that means we don’t get to see much of her outside. We eventually learn who is trying to put the hit on Gia and I liked how that played out.

Final Thoughts:

This was a quick and easy read which had everything I expected in a mafia romance – it had tension, danger, and a spicy romance. I enjoyed this one!

Read if you like:

mafia romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Love Code by. Connie Kitson | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Love Code

Author: Connie Kitson

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 11/17/26

Publisher: Hera

Categories: Romance, Contemporary

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

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

Jenna, a talented web developer by day and a cyber vigilante by night, wages a covert cyberwar against Belmayer, a giant oil company she believes was responsible for her father’s death while at work on a rig eight years ago.

But unbeknown to her, Kieran, her childhood friend and long-time secret crush, now heads up Belmayer’s cybersecurity team.

When their paths collide at a family wedding, their old feelings are rekindled. However, Jenna’s double life and relentless pursuit of justice put their relationship to the test, and she must face the fact that bringing down Belmayer makes her the secret enemy of the man she loves…

Content Warning: anxiety attack, grief, death

+ I love the idea of this story premise with the FMC being a secret hacker and the MMC being the guy she’s hacking. It turns out though the story is a little more emotional than just a hacking romance. Jenna isn’t hacking for fun, she’s hacking a company where her dad worked, a company who is hiding secrets about how he died on the job. She’s someone who is still grieving, wanting revenge for what happened to her dad and also dealing with anxiety, though most people around her thinks she’s okay. But there is a lot of growth for Jenna.

+ I like how this friends to lovers romance develops. Kieran is Jenna’s brother’s best-friend, he used to be close to Jenna until he left for the army. So Jenna and Kieran drifted apart and reunited at her brother’s wedding. Clearly he is crazy about her, and she is attracted to him but she’s not the girl he once knew. When the conflict happens between them though I like how it felt realistic with how the situation plays out, and how they fix things between them.

+ I thought it was really cool how Jenna was a hacking legend and it was so interesting to see Kieran deal with this information. I did like how the storyline about her dad’s death gets dealt with, since it’s not a dark romance (because you know in dark romance she could have gotten away with taking down a company through hacking them), I think the legal way this gets dealt with is the more realistic way.

Final Thoughts:

I found that this romance had more depth than I was expecting which was a pleasant surprise. I love Jenna’s journey through dealing with anxiety and grief, and eventually realizing her methods of finding answers were not going to hold up in a lawsuit so she redirects her energy to do it the right way. Her romance with Kieran was a journey but a good one. She opens herself to love and to her family too. Overall, I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more books from this author.

Read if you like:

friends to lovers

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sharpest Court by. Kiera Azar | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Sharpest Court (Thorn Season, #2)

Author: Kiera Azar

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 544

Publication Date: 11/3/26

Publisher: Storytide

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

Alissa Paine has fled her home, the Kingdom of Daradon – forced to say goodbye to her old old life in order to escape the clutches of both the cruel, tyrannical King Erik to whom she was once betrothed, and the Hunters who persecute Wielders like Alissa.

But she has not left Daradon empty-handed, and Alissa has in her possession an object that Erik greatly desires – a mysterious and ancient spellmade compass which has the potential to reshape the world, if Alissa – or Erik – can unlock its secrets.

Seeking refuge in the Ansoran Empire, Alissa is able to demonstrate her Wielding powers openly for the first time in her life. But Ansora is not a safe haven, and Alissa is quickly forced to navigate the rules and customs of another dangerous ruler. And even with her former ally, Kiel Arcus, by her side, Alissa soon learns that, while she may have been raised in the kingdom of thorns, she is yet to enter the sharpest court….

Content Warning: violence, death

+ This is book two in the Thorn Season series and I was very eager to find out what happened after book one! The world in this story really opens up as Alissa has to navigate different courts while trying to make sure Erik never gets her back again. There is so much political intrigue, and betrayal in this one. It was a tense read.

+~ Alissa is doing what she does best – survive, but using her wit and courtier trained tongue. There were times I was so frustrated with her because she relied on her words and tone to fight her battles but I wish she knew how to control her specter (magic power) better. She does train to learn how to do that but I just felt like her skills at court weren’t working for her in this book like it did in the first one.

+ I always want a little bit of spice in my romantasies but this one barely had any spice. It’s a slow burn romance! The good thing about that is the tension between Alissa and Kiel is great, and oh I love Kiel. He’s patient, he gives her space and will always be there for her in any way he can be. I’m ready to see them have a real romance!

+ So much happens in this book, and throughout I just had a feeling of dread. I felt like Alissa was trapped and Erik set it real good. Erik is such a good villain that I hate him and I cannot wait to see Alissa take him down – I hope it’s a good take down. A few things are going on in the story along with the political intrigue, there is also a mission to search for a magical object. There are a few twists and reveals in this book, especially the ending!

Final Thoughts:

The story definitely moved forward with more reveals, more kingdoms to explore, betrayal and a tiny bit of romance with lots of yearning. I can’t wait to see how this series will end. Also I just have to add the deluxe books for this series are so pretty!

Read if you like:

political intrigue
slow burn romance
no spice romance
evil villain

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Thorn Season by. Kiera Azar | ARC Review – 4 stars

Captive Traitor King by. Brigid Kemmerer| ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Captive Traitor King (Braided Fate, #2)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 11/3/26

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Why Choose, 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!

CAPTIVE. Asher has always sworn loyalty to Jory, the princess he’s loved from afar—but now the King of Incendar has claimed a place in his heart too. Someone wants them both dead, and only Asher’s blade can keep them safe. Yet his past won’t let him go, and he must decide if he can break free—or remain prisoner to his old scars.

TRAITOR. Princess Jory of Astranza agreed to marry the King of Incendar to secure peace, but betrayal runs closer than she ever imagined. With her own brother unmasked as her enemy, two kingdoms teeter on the edge. To protect her people, she must take the throne. But there are still dark secrets to unravel that will force Jory to confront where her true allegiance lies.

KING. Maddox Kyronan has discovered trust—and something more—with his reluctant bride and her deadly protector, but the fragile alliance between their nations threatens to unravel. His people are starving. His enemies are circling in. Torn between the crown and his heart, Ky risks losing it all.

As buried truths surface and tensions reach a breaking point, Jory, Asher, and Ky must confront the desires that could save their kingdoms—or shatter them forever.

TROPES:
Why Choose/polyamorous romanceSecret MagicHidden IdentityHurt/ComfortRoyal-Political SchemingBetrayal/Redemption

Content Warning: violence, death

+ Things pick up right where book one ended and Ky doesn’t know if he can trust Asher or Jory but he feels a strange protectiveness over them. Jory wants to send Asher, her assassin, to kill her brother so she can take the throne but Ky says they need a solid plan. The Draegs are causing havoc and are trying to take Jory for their own. There are a few reveals in the end and a twist in the story that I find really interesting and off course this one ends in a cliffhanger.

+ Asher is still my favorite character out of the three. He is traumatized and has such a vulnerability to him while also being a stealthy assassin who will do anything for Jory. I feel like Ky – I’m protective over him and only wish good things to happen to him. Ky is a leader for his people, strong and violent when he needs to be but soft when it comes to Asher and Jory. Jory is attracted to both men, but again, protective over Asher. We see a little more of her spunk at the end of this book but at times she’s very impulsively. So Ky is who brings her back to earth.

+ The romance is polyamorous and filled with yearning, longing and vulnerability. They choose each other, they genuinely are happy to be in this threesome and it works out. Ky is the protector and he is always so patient with Asher and notices things about him that Jory might miss. Asher adores Jory, but is attracted to Ky and is opening up more under his patience. Jory enjoys both of them – Asher gives her comfort, and she’s attracted to Ky’s dominance. So it works for all of them, and the spice is spicy between them but again filled with so much patience.

Final Thoughts:

I think this sequel was more focused on the relationship between Ky, Asher and Jory as they figure things out. I think the polyamorous relationship between the three is a beautiful, fragile thing that is being treated with care and patience. I will say I hate Asher’s past handlers, I hope they get dealt with in book three. Also there is a twist at the end that is very interesting and I can’t wait to see how it plays out!

Read if you like:

political intrigue
polyamory romance/why choose
secrets

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Warrior Princess Assassin by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review – 4 stars/ 3🌶️

Defend the Dawn by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review – 4 stars

Destroy the Day by. Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review – 3.5 stars

Defy the Night by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review – 4 stars

Forging Silver into Stars by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review – 3.5 stars

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by. Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review – 3.5 stars

Book Review: A Curse So Dark and Lonely – 4 stars

Book Review | A Heart So Fierce and Broken – 3 stars

Book Review | Call It What You Want – 4 stars

The Wrath of the Fallen by. Amber V. Nicole | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: The Wrath of the Fallen (Gods and Monsters, #4)

Author: Amber V. Nicole

Pages: 673

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Series

When Gods dance with Monsters, the world will tremble.

With the return of Samkiel, the rightful heir to the throne, tensions grow in the remaining realms. Battle lines begin to form between those pledging their loyalties to either Samkiel or Nismera. War looms on the horizon, and Samkiel must deal with his growing power. Without the Ring of Oblivion, the dark ancient force living under his skin begins to lash out.

Meanwhile, an ancient power calls to Dianna, plaguing her dreams with messages of retribution. Samkiel, seeking to protect the woman he loves, sets out on a desperate search for answers, but the solution will mean a dangerous voyage to the one place he dares not go—the Otherworld.

Forces, primal and eternal, have taken notice, forcing Ig’Morruthens and gods to work together on a quest to reclaim an object capable of unraveling reality. An unlikely bond is formed in blood and fire, leaving all affected with no choice but one—save the realms or themselves.

It is a race against time as Nismera hunts for Vincent and Camilla, seeking what they stole. Her thirst for power and her armada only grow stronger as she rampages across the realms.

Content Warning: death, violence, grief, possession

+ Once more this worlds open up even more and we get to trek to The Otherworld, and meet some of the princes that rule there. We also learn more about Gatharriel and Death. There are so many more secrets revealed in this story, secrets that reveal the timeline that led to what is happening in present day. Even Unir’s ghost makes an appearance and we learn what his role is in the destruction of the realms. There is also a reluctant alliance between Kaden, Isaiah and Dianna.

+ As the world opens up we meet more fascinating characters. There are still multiple POVs but I still hate Vincent and I’m meh about Camilla. I’m also adding more people to the hate list like Nismera and Milani. Xavier is kind of on it too (but I know he is being manipulated), oh and the Gods are on the list also. What I did like about this book was getting to know Kaden and Isaiah more but mostly Kaden because he had a past with Dianna and we know it wasn’t good but now we kind of know why. I feel like this helped bring closure between them.

+ Dianna and Samkiel are still my most favorite couple, there is love, hardship, they are always working on their relationship and trust, but most of all they are best friends. They are funny together even in the most stressful times. I love how they love one another unconditionally and will burn the world down for one another.

+ All the books in this series end in a betrayal and this one doesn’t, but it ended in a way that brought tears to my eyes. This author is not afraid to kill of characters and the one she chose to kill in this story killed me. Especially since Vincent is still hanging around. 🙄. I need to read book 5 the minute it comes out because I need this constant despair in this story to turn around. I need Samkiel and Dianna to start winning.

Final Thoughts:

I am addicted to this story and love how we get to know more about Kaden and Isaiah. We learn so much in this book as the world opens up even more and more characters are added. I cannot wait to read book 5!

Read if you like:

fantasy
gods vs. monsters
epic romance
reluctant allies

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Book of Azrael by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/2 🌶️

The Throne of the Broken Gods by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/2 🌶️

The Dawn of the Cursed Queen by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/3 🌶️

The Dawn of the Cursed Queen by. Amber V. Nicole | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: The Dawn of the Cursed Queen (Gods and Monsters, #3)

Author: Amber V. Nicole

Pages: 689

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Series

Ask her, boy. Ask her what she begged the stars for and what lives now. Ask her what she ripped from the very heavens. And then ask her if she cares. The old blood runs through her veins.
Nismera and her legions rule the realms as Samkiel’s power fills the sky. With him gone, she strives to solidify her spot on the throne, no matter the cost.

Dianna struggles beneath the weight of half-truths, lies, and deceptions. After overcoming what she thought was her hardest battle, she soon learns she is at risk of losing everything.

Samkiel strives to heal, but he has more on his plate than ever before. The Hand is dismantled, the realms are in turmoil, and the one person he can trust keeps him at arm’s length. Can the two work out their differences, or will they both fall to the blade of the Goddess of War?

The one true king returns, but is it the king or queen who shall rule them all?

Content Warning: death, violence, grief, depression

+ I am addicted to this series! I went straight to book three after reading book two and this world opens up even more. We get to know our villains: Nimsera, Kaden and Isaiah. And we learn what has happened to The Hand after the betrayal in book two. I hated Vincent in this whole thing but I feel there is a redemption arc coming for him but I don’t know if I can forgive him. Samkiel is resurrected but he doesn’t know and Dianna is withholding that information from him, which is making her feel all kinds of guilty.

+ With the world opening up there are more new characters and we even get multiple POVs in this book. But the found family Dianna had and lost is being reshaped again with some of these new characters, which I love.

+ Dianna and Samkiel are one of my new favorite couples because of how they fight, how he won’t let her go, how he makes her feel safe, how they both are so protective of one another, how they push through major challenges together. And their love and bond only grows even tighter in this one. Theirs is truly an epic love story, worthy of the gods! And if books one and two had only one or two spicy scene, this one has many. I chalked it up to them making for lost time when they were apart in book two haha, and hating one another in book one. But in book three they have more time with one another and I didn’t mind because they make spicy time fun. They are the real deal and I feel protective of them too!

+~ All the books in this series are long, but the story isn’t slow I think because of the different POVs we get and usually I am more addicted to one character than the others but in this series, I enjoy reading all the different POVs except Vincent’s (but like I said, I think his will have a redemption arc, but I don’t know if I can forgive him – we shall see! He has to earn it.). I cannot put these books down even though I know I should space it out before book 6 is released. I love the humor, the tragedies and the action scenes are so good.

Final Thoughts:

I loved this book because Dianna and Samkiel are my favorite couple – and they are finally together. They are always trying to protect one another, they can’t keep their hands off one another but also, they work through their problems big and small. I just love how Samkiel is down bad for Dianna, and I love how Dianna doesn’t know what to do with her big feelings for him. As for everything else in the story, there are more characters, and we get to know Kaden and Isaiah more, we get to see a different ruler trying to rule the realms with fear, things are still broken but in this book you can see Dianna and Samkiel try to pick up the pieces. I love that about this story, that’s it’s always about getting up and fighting when you feel lost and defeated. On to book four!

Read if you like:

fantasy
gods vs. monsters
epic romance
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Book of Azrael by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/2 🌶️

The Throne of the Broken Gods by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/2 🌶️

The Throne of Broken Gods by. Amber V. Nicole | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Throne of Broken Gods (Gods and Monsters, #2)

Author: Amber V. Nicole

Pages: 728

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Series

Descended into darkness . . .
Wronged beyond comprehension, and grieving, Dianna is hellbent on revenge against those who betrayed her. As a legendary Ig’Morruthien, she thirsts for blood and can take any form. But her true form is the most terrifying of all. As the last shred of her humanity is ripped from her, she decides to embrace her monstrous side and set the worlds alight.

Only love can bring her back . . .
Samkiel, an immortal God, was once the sworn enemy of Dianna and her kind. Yet now he alone refuses to believe that the woman he loves has become the monster whom everyone else sees—and he’ll do anything in his power to save her from herself, even if it means losing her forever.

With every realm now at risk from Kaden’s army, and a myriad of new threats on the horizon, Samkiel can’t afford to let his guard down. Only he can pull Dianna back from the brink of damnation. And as Dianna’s thirst for blood only increases, he is running out of time to save them both.

Content Warning: death, violence, grief, depression

+ I had to jump straight into book two after that crazy ending in book one and you know what book two is? A revenge tour massacre for Dianna because they messed with her sister. They betrayed Dianna and took the one thing she loved and I was livid for her and honestly…I’m so glad she didn’t hold back. She is a killer and I was there for it! Once again, I love the epic fight scenes!

+ We get more POVs in this book which made me wonder why at some points…like why Cameron? As for Vincent – hate him. Maybe he has a devastating back story but I never liked him since book one, we’ll see what happens there. We learn a little more about Kaden. We get to know The Hand much more.

+ The romance in this one is devastating because Samkiel is trying to reach Dianna in her grief but he cannot find her, he’s afraid to lose her and bless this man to the high heavens, he is amazing with her. He is patient and he is strong and everything she deserves in a soul mate. He loves her but he gives her space, he won’t give up on her and I love their love story. They are an amazing couple.

+~ This is a long story but I still devoured it – there is some repetition but I think having it revolve around Dianna’s grief was perfect because Gabby was what tethered her to her morality. I felt like this whole book described grief so wonderfully that I hurt for Dianna. Her journey through grief is wrought with so much emotion, I just wanted her to get through the rough parts and with Samkiel there by her side. But her getting to know people in The Hand helped her heal also which was so nice to see. Now there are things at the end of this book that reveal so much, things I wasn’t expecting at all…so I am going straight into book three. I do have to say though the betrayal in this whole series has been well done!

Final Thoughts:

What a sequel! This story is addictive, almost like I’m binge watching a tv series or something…but I cannot put it down. I love how the story moves forward and I was here for Dianna’s revenge tour! I absolutely love Dianna and Samkiel and how their love is epic, I can’t get enough of them so I’m going straight into book three.

Read if you like:

fantasy
gods vs. monsters
slow burn, enemies to lovers romance
grief

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Book of Azrael by. Amber V. Nicole – 4 stars/2 🌶️

The Book of Azrael by. Amber V. Nicole | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Book of Azrael (Gods and Monsters, #1)

Author: Amber V. Nicole

Pages: 572

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Series

World Ender meets Ender of Worlds…
A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Eoria to save her dying sister. She called upon anyone who would listen, not expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer. Now she does what Kaden asks, even if that means securing an ancient relic from the very creatures that hunt her.

A King thought long dead and long forgotten.
In the old world his name was Samkiel. In the new world it is Liam, but one title remains true throughout time. He is the World Ender, a myth to his enemies, a savior and King to those loyal to him. After the Gods War, he locked himself away, hiding from the world. He denied his crown and responsibilities, leaving the very ones who needed him most to deal with the fallout of the death of their homeworld. Now an attack on those he holds dear sends him back to the one realm he never wished to visit again and into the sights of an enemy he thought imprisoned eons ago.

Now enemies older than time must put aside their differences and work together in hopes of saving both their world and every realm in between.

Content Warning: death, violence, grief, depression

+~ I’ve put off reading this since it came out years ago but I finally sat down and read it and I’m glad I pushed through the beginning of the book which was a little slow because it introduces us to a lot of characters and world-building. Once I kind of understood the different realms and worlds of this story things started to click for me, but it did take me until 15% into the book until things started making sense.

+ The FMC, Dianna is really fleshed out along with the MMC, Liam/Samkiel. She has a past which I would love to learn more about, but this woman has sacrificed herself because she loves her sister Gabby that much. She’s a badass shape shifting assassin who doesn’t give up – love her! I love Dianna and Gabby’s sister relationship, it’s flawed but also very loving. It’s what makes me love Dianna even though she is morally gray and have done monstrous things in order to protect her sister. As for Liam/Samkiel, he is arrogant because he is a powerful king but he has a very traumatizing past. He is, the World Ender, but this man is so tortured from what he’s had to endure, his obligations, his nightmares of the past – I loved seeing his transformation with Dianna’s help as she offers him friendship. There is a big cast and I’m enjoying getting to know everyone so far.

+ The romance is very enemies to lovers. Liam is a god and Dianna is the enemy, an Ig’Morruthens (beasts/monsters), there has been war, death, and killing between these two sides for centuries. Liam and his celestial see them only has monsters, so the fact that he gets to know Dianna and things start to change was amazing to see. They bicker a lot in the beginning but when an offer of friendship is extended from Dianna to Liam, it changes everything. Their forced proximity helps push things along to lovers which was a nice slow burn.

+ The story focuses on the search for a powerful book, the book of Azrael but we learn a lot about the celestials and Ig’Morruthens while on this search. I love the fighting scenes because Dianna is such a badass, it’s a given that Liam is too since he’s all powerful, but Dianna is amazing because she’s been turned into this beast but still has pieces of her mortality clinging on to her.

Final Thoughts:

It did take me a few days to get into this book but once everything clicked for me, I devoured it. I love Dianna and Liam, this world full of gods and monsters, and cannot wait to see what happens in book two which I am reading right away!

Read if you like:

fantasy
gods vs. monsters
slow burn, enemies to lovers romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Lost Guardian by. Natalia Hernandez | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Lost Guardian (#1)

Author: Natalia Hernandez

Pages: 439

Format: ebook

Categories: Adventure, Romance, Peru

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books

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: Red Tower Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The stories we’re told aren’t myths. They’re warnings.

Santiago Rios didn’t plan to leave his quiet life in Los Angeles. But when his grandfather sends him a map to the lost tomb of the final Incan emperor, the young archaeologist is thrust into a brutal race across the Andes, pursued by ruthless tomb raiders who will stop at nothing to steal the emperor’s treasure.

His only hope is Ali, a fierce Peruvian woman whose secrets could unlock Santiago’s map―or spell his doom. The closer they grow, the more certain Santiago becomes. Ali is trouble…just the kind of trouble he likes.

To save their world, Santiago and Ali must solve ancient riddles, outwit deadly enemies, and lay a spirit to rest before it’s too late. Because if they fail, the past won’t stay buried―and neither will the curse.

Based on the true history of Atahualpa, the last emperor of the Inca people, indie sensation Natalia Hernandez delivers a powerhouse romantasy adventure set in the modern day.

Content Warning: violence

+ Santiago’s grandfather in Peru passes away which leads to a chain of events that has him in disbelief. He goes to Peru with bad men after him as he hurries to find the emperor’s treasure. This story had Indiana Jones vibes – it is so full of adventure, puzzles and riddles that need to be fun, it’s a fun read! Not only is it full of adventure in Peru but we get immersed in Incan and Peruvian culture and history which I enjoyed. We even get some astronomy.

+ Santiago is a hot nerd, which I totally adore. He’s smart, awkward, a little shy, and a nice guy. He was a refreshing and unexpected MMC. Ali is the young woman who is helping him find the treasure, explaining that she was tasked by his grandfather to do so. There are other interesting characters like Santi’s best friend Brooke, but we only get to know her in the beginning of the story. Then there is the professor, Jose, who I wanted more of.

+ I didn’t even expect this to have spice but Santiago and Ali are forced to be together and they get to know one another so a romance develops but it doesn’t take over the story. Through the harrowing adventures in Peru they grow close and since this is told from Santiago’s POV, it was so nice to see his thoughts about her and we see him falling for her.

+ I thought this was a standalone but there is a sneak peek into the next book which might be book two or interconnected to this one? Not sure.

Final Thoughts:

This was a fun read especially because it was different – it has adventure and history, plus a little romance. Santiago is not the typical MMC, he’s nerdy but still hot, but very awkward and passive at times. Ali is the strong character so it was a nice little reversal. I loved learning about Incan and Peruvian history and culture. Definitely read if you like adventure, riddles, history and some romance.

Read if you like:

adventure
romance
history and culture

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Cursed City by. Kate Golden | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Cursed City (Harker Academy, #1)

Author: Kate Golden

Pages: 523

Format: ebook

Publication Date: 9/29/26

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dark Academia, Romance, Series

Welcome back to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, where the line between hunter and hunted has never been thinner.

To rescue someone close to her, Viv Abbot must team up with Reid’s violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: the chance to embrace her darkness.

Viv’s mission takes her to the center of Astera’s seedy underbelly with none other than the White Stag as her guide. But when a bounty on Viv’s head puts those she cares about in danger, Viv will be forced to go to lengths she never dreamed in order to protect them.

With enemies closing in from all sides and a ticking clock on her life, Viv must save the Half City from destruction while surviving a betrayal that strikes at the heart of everything she’s fighting for. Because in a world where monsters wear familiar faces and temptation cuts deeper than any blade, making it through her second semester at Harker will take more than skill—it will take everything Viv has left to give. Who can she really trust in a city that thrives on lies?

Content Warning: violence, death

+ I was going to re-read book one but had no time so I just jumped into book two hoping I’d remember things. And thankfully I did remember! Viv is looking for Reid, and she’s enlisted his annoying brother Deacon, to help her. But Viv has a curse on her back and she needs to learn how to get rid of it before she hurts someone she loves and loses her mind. So the story is about finding Reid and finding an answer to Viv’s curse. We learn about the Elders, and who the High Thane is – I liked the twist and turns in the story!

+ I love the found family in this story! Viv doesn’t have a great relationship with her own blood family but the friends she’s made at Harker become her found family and I love them together – they are the support and friendship she needs!

+ I love Deacon, even though he’s such an a-hole sometimes. But I so loved how his relationship with Viv grows. I didn’t even care about Reid while she was with Deacon. It is a love triangle but nothing happens between her and Deacon, he has a spicy fantasy, but outside of that there is barely any steam or spice in this one, just some unspoken yearning on both their ends. I was hoping for a kiss but didn’t even get that. I hope that means book three is going to have more of them and a romance going between them.

+~ There were times I thought Viv was just so naive. Deacon’s old…he’s been around since Genghis Kahn and yet she doesn’t believe his knowledge on some things. Which of course is true to her age but it was frustrating too at times.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down because Deacon and Viv are amazing together. I loved their banter but also love how their relationship evolves. Not sure what’s going to happen in book three but I’m rooting for them! I also love the found family and twist and turns in this story. I look forward to reading the next book!

Read if you like: