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

Weekly Wrap Up | 4/26/26

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ We have been back in the school routine. I thought I was going to do a jury summons on Monday, but the case was settled so yay, I didn’t have to drive into morning traffic for that.

+ It is back to being HOT in Hawaii, we are hovering in the high 80’s so it feels like summer again.

+ My sister, my daughter and I are going to Stanford, California for the BTS concert in 3 weeks, and then a week after that I’m going to the Philippines with my parents and my kids…so I am traveling in the next few weeks. It’s going to be…a lot! I’m excited but also like…a little overwhelmed? Most of the Philippines trip my parents are planning and they have their way of traveling and I have my way…SO…I am giving up control to them I suppose? 😅 I’m kinda scared BUT…I have learned in my travels the past 3 years…just have to go with the flow.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan
Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen
Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity
Double Happiness by. Heather Eng
The Last Page by. Katie Holt

Currently Reading:

Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews
Verity Guild by. Mai Corland
Soon By You by. Dahlia Adler
Rites of the Starling by. Devney Perry

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

MUSIC:

+ Drop Dead by Olivia Rodrigo – obsessed with it, love the regular and acoustic version!

+ BTS Arirang album so I can know the lyrics for the concert.

+ Still rocking Bruno Mars The Romantic because I am still on the concert high from his show.

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

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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

WWW Wednesday | 4/22/26

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

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

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

Back to my schedule, and trying to get my May and June arcs done as much as I can because I have 2 trips in May, one to the BTS concert and then a 2 week trip to the Philippines with my kids and my parents! So I’m working on that and my Libby holds, some I’ll have to just let go because arcs are taking priority.

What are you currently reading?

Rites of the Starling by. Devney Perry – 3%

Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen – arc – 46%

Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews – 14%

The Last Page by. Katie Holt – arc – 5%

What have you just finished reading?

The Summer of Second Chances by. K.L. Walther – arc- ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Verdant Cage by. Jess Lourey – arc – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan – audiobook – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego – ⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️

Crown Me Dead by. Liv Zander – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

Crown Me Yours by. Liv Zander – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

The Shadows That Listen by. Louisa Carmody – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

What are you going to read next?

Soon By You by. Dahlia Adler

Double Happiness by. Heather Eng

Curses, Keys and Secret Societies by. Breanne Randal

When the Light Returns by. Joanna Ruth Meyer

Shadow Reaper by. Lynette Noni

What are YOU reading right now?

Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Weavingshaw (#1)

Author: Heba Al-Wasity

Format: ebook

Pages: 464

Format: ebook (Libby)

Publication Date: 2/24/26

Categories: Fantasy, Gothic, Romance, Paranormal, Series

In this debut gothic fantasy, the first book of an enthralling fantasy romance trilogy, a young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a magnetic and dangerous purveyor of dark secrets to save her brother’s life.

Three years ago, Leena Al-Sayer awoke with a terrible power.
She can see the dead.

Since then, she has hidden herself from the world, knowing that if she ever reveals her curse she will be locked away in an asylum.

When her beloved brother, Rami, falls fatally ill, Leena is faced with a terrible CHOICE: Let him die or buy the expensive medicine that will save his life by bartering the only valuable thing she has—her secret.

The Saint of Silence, a ruthless merchant who trades in confessions and is shrouded in unearthly rumors of cruelty and power, accepts her bargain, for a deadly price. Leena must find the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw—or lose her freedom to the Saint forever.

As Leena’s search takes her and the Saint to Weavingshaw, she finds the estate and the surrounding moors to be living things—hungry for blood and sacrifice. Fighting against Weavingshaw’s might, Leena must also fight her growing pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself, whose connection to Percival Avon remains a mystery.

As the house begins to entomb them, time is running out on their desperate hunt for answers. For Leena has come to see that here in Weavingshaw, the dead are not hushed—and some secrets are better left buried with them.

Content Warning: violence, death, kidnapping, suicide

World Building: I was so immersed in this gothic atmosphere of Weavingshaw. There is political unrest, and powerful players like the aristos, plus demons and worshiping of saints. One man, St. Silas, the Saint of Silence is one of the most powerful men in this country and Leena needs to make a bargain with him so she can get medicine to save her brother. I really loved the intrigue and secrets that are all over this story, it lends to the dark, gothic atmosphere. And the paranormal elements are fantastic – Leena can see ghosts and her ability is what St. Silas needs. Loved it all!

Characters: Leena loves her brother and she’s a survivor, they both are. But I love how she doesn’t show her fear even though St. Silas is someone feared – he deals in secrets. He has the power to take anyone down. Leena is determined, brave, and gets under his skin. St. Silas has so many secrets and I love how as the story goes on, Leena tries to uncover them. Leena also has a few secrets of her own though. I also love Rami her brother, though he’s a hot-head, and Mrs. Van, St. Silas’ housekeeper who has a history of her own. I love some of the ghosts too.

Romance: This is the slowest burn or slow burns EVER. It kept me hook on the story, as I waited to see if St. Silas would just give in to his yearnings for her. There is just a steamy kiss…that’s it! I think if there was maybe something a little more my rating would have jumped to 5 haha. But I love how she didn’t feel anything for him but fear, until she learns more about him and his actions spoke louder than words. I am kind of relishing the slow burn but I hope in book two, there is a little more steam.

Story: I read this one in two days – I was hooked and could not put it down. I love the gothic romance, the ghosts and deals with demons (they thrive on delicious secrets), the atmospheric writing, the strong willed FMC and the powerful MMC trying to hold himself together. I cannot wait for book two – oh and it has a cliffhanger ending.

Vibes: it might just be me but it was giving me Jane Eyre vibes – the gothic vibes.

Final Thoughts:

I really couldn’t put this book down it had everything I want in a gothic romance, I just want a little more steam but the the yearning, the secrets, demons, ghosts, and atmosphere is just so good. I can’t wait for book two!

Read if you like:

gothic romance
paranomal
dark secrets

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

New Book Releases This Week | 4/21/26

Happy book birthday to these new releases this week!

Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by. Caroline Bicks

A fascinating, first of its kind exploration of Stephen King and his most iconic early books, based on groundbreaking research and interviews with King—all conducted by the first scholar to be given extended access to his private archives

After Caroline Bicks was named the University of Maine’s inaugural Stephen E. King Chair in Literature, she became the first scholar to be granted extended access by King to his private archives, a treasure trove of manuscripts that document the legendary writer’s creative process—most of them never before studied or published. The year she spent exploring King’s early drafts and hand-written revisions was guided by one question millions of King’s enthralled and terrified readers (including her) have asked What makes Stephen King’s writing stick in our heads and haunt us long after we’ve closed the book?

Bicks focuses on five of his most iconic early works—The Shining, Carrie, Pet Sematary, ‘Salem’s Lot, and Night Shift—to reveal how he crafted his language, storylines, and characters to cast his enduring literary spells. While tracking King’s margin notes and editorial changes, she discovered scenes and alternative endings that never made it to print, but that King is allowing her to publish now. The book also includes interviews Bicks had with King along the way that reveal new insights into his writing process and personal history.

Part literary master class, part biography, part memoir and investigation into our deepest anxieties, Monsters in the Archives—authorized by Stephen King himself—is unlike anything ever published about the master of horror. It chronicles what Bicks found when she set out to unearth how King crafted some of his scariest, most iconic moments. But it’s also a story about a grown-up English professor facing her childhood fears and getting to know the man whose monsters helped unleash them.

Thrall by. Rebecca Mahoney

In Thrall, a young woman looking for a transformative college experience is bitten by a vampire and must team up with his other living victims to hunt him down.

Lucy Easting has at last broken free from her grim home life and is ready to truly live. But her long-awaited new beginning at Rollins University isn’t what she expected. After attending the first campus party of the year, Lucy awakens the next day with a memory block…and two puncture marks on her neck.

She tries to piece together what happened that night, but every lead brings her to another dead end. Until she receives a handwritten note from the campus radio station, inviting her to call. When she does, the host’s soothing voice over the line confirms her worst fear, and the simplest explanation of what’s happening to her: she’s turning into a vampire.

Lucy teams up with the show’s host, who narrowly escaped an attack her sophomore year, and a beautiful archery champion who, while exactly Lucy’s type, is as likely to shoot her as kiss her. They believe their “friend with the cold hands” is responsible for the disappearance of several women in town, and they’ve been tracking him via the airwaves since long before Lucy arrived.

As the vampire’s sway over Lucy grows and his plans become clear, she realizes she must fight for a future of her own, or she may not have any future at all.

Love Over Board by.. Kandi Steiner

Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her.

Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not.

Even on a superyacht, there’s nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster.

They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good?

————————————————-

TROPES:

second chance
reality tv
forced proximity
forbidden
high stakes
angsty
Below Deck vibes

The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire by. India Holton

When two history professors and best friends are forced to fake hate to protect their reputations, chaos ensues, in the next rollicking historical-fantasy rom-com from beloved author India Holton.

Magical-antique experts Amelia Tarrant and Caleb Sterling have been best friends forever, although lately each has begun secretly wishing for more than friendship. But when rumors about their relationship spread, they’re forced to fake being enemies to protect their reputations and keep their jobs.

The resulting arguments spark havoc across Oxford University, and when they cause an explosion while fighting over a magical antique, it’s the final straw for their exasperated faculty head. He dispatches them to a job in Cumbria where even they can’t get into trouble.…

Which proves just how wrong one man can be. In a stormbound old manor house, Amelia and Caleb face magical mayhem and rampaging ghosts that make the previous havoc look mild in comparison. Most troublesome of all, though, is the secret of how they feel about each other. When it comes to tackling deadly antiques, hiding the truth in their hearts could destroy them for real.

Are you getting any new books this week?

Happy Reading!

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Student Union: The Undergrads by. Julie Murphy | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Student Union (The Undergrads, #1)

Author: Julie Murphy

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 5/5/26

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Categories: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Series, Rom-Com

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

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

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a sexy rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101…The first in a trilogy of romance novels that follows a group of girls as they navigate love, friendship, and new adulthood, this is perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.

CLOVER ROWAN WALSH knows The Plan.
1. Get a full ride to her dream school, Wexley University.
2. Conquer the school of business.
3. Say goodbye to the paycheck-to-paycheck life she and her mom have known for years.

There’s just one hiccup. With the first semester rapidly approaching, Clover learns her housing grant has fallen through. But a loophole presents Married couples can live in the dorms for the price of one student. Clover is willing to sacrifice the sanctity of marriage . . . even if it means proposing to the one person she swore she’d never speak to again.

Bennett Andrew Graves is the only heir to the Graves Coffee empire. After spending his first year at Wexley, squeaking by in classes and becoming personally acquainted with the female student body, he is looking forward to living off campus. Until the girl he grew up with (and whom he completely devastated years ago) walks back into his life with the most absurd Will you marry me?

Bennett can’t refuse Clover. He owes her this, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two can barely carry on a conversation without getting at each other’s throats. Forget about sharing a dorm—much less one bed.

But as Clover and Bennett hide the true nature of their marriage, they find that playing house isn’t all that bad—especially with certain marital benefits in the mix. In fact, Clover and Bennett are soon forgetting the most important part of their fake marriage of convenience . . . that it’s supposed to be fake.

Content Warning: strained parental relationship, bullying

+ I’ve read a few books from Julie Murphy and love her work so when I saw this new adult rom-com from her, I had to request it, and I’m so glad I did because I was not disappointed.

+~ Clover has come up with a plan to afford going to Wexley University and having on campus housing – getting married. And there is one other person she knows who goes to Wexley – her ex-childhood friend, Bennett Graves. Bennett is gorgeous, rich and once upon a time her best friend until they grew apart. This story is told in 2 POVs though, so we get Bennet’s POV too and that boy is crazy about Clover, which I adored because it’s his POV where we get the yearning. Their romance was so good, and the spice too even though I thought getting married at 19 and 20 is too young, I couldn’t help love watching the two of them experience college and a marriage of convenience. I like how they had a talk about it when their contract of marriage was nearing it’s deadline though. Also, side note about Clover, love that she is a plus-sized girly!

+ This is set in college and I think it captures dorm life pretty well with the strange and unique people you meet – where some will turn out to be some of your closest friends! Also there is a bunch of partying that happens in this story too which also is realistic – even Clover working at the library (I did that too! lol) is just spot on, at least for me. We don’t see Clover in classes much except for pottery class though.

+~ I loved the secondary characters in this book, they were fun and funny. Even jerks like Tate was important to the story because yes those guys exist on campus too. And though the romance is the main focus, there are moments where Bennett is trying to navigate his relationship with his mom – he wants more from her. I would have loved to see if his mom and Clover’s could come back to being friends again. The story explores power dynamics too and the role of money and how it can change in relationships.

+~ I mean sure, Clover could have gotten the money for housing a bunch of different ways. She didn’t have to manipulate Bennett into doing it, but after learning about what happened between them in the past, I think it was a good deal! And it ended up really working out between them.

Final Thoughts:

I ate this up and read it in one day. I loved this book even though the marriage of convenience is happening between a 19 and 20 year old, which personally I think is too young (but that’s just me) – but I love that they are ex-childhood friends who turn into lovers. Bennett’s yearning for her warmed my heart and the story is just fun and reminded me of my college days! I’m looking forward to reading Daisy’s story next!

Read if you like:

new adult, campus life
marriage of convenience

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

A Merry Little Meet Cute by. Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, #1) by. Julie Murphy | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Pumpkin by. Julie Murphy | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Heart of the Wolf Queen (The Star-Crossed Gods, #1)

Author: Sarah Gallego

Format: ebook

Pages: 424

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 4/2/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Series

Love could be her greatest weakness… or her deadliest weapon.

Sorrow Villente is no princess waiting to be saved.

When a devastating accident partially blinded her, Sorrow was locked away at the top of a tower in the wilderness, offered up as a sacrifice to the gods.

But Sorrow refuses to die quietly. Only she knows a dark magic burns inside her. With her fiercely protective wolf, Pablo, she spends every moment plotting her escape.

And yet when she finally breaks free, Sorrow is captured immediately… by the one man she never expected to see again.

Long ago, Sorrow and Matthias were inseparable. Tall and devastatingly handsome, with sparkling green eyes, the sight of him still sends her heart racing. Then she remembers the truth. When she needed him most, Matthias walked away. He didn’t just abandon her. He betrayed her.

And he hasn’t come to rescue her. Matthias is the ruler of a distant land, where monsters lurk in mist-shrouded forests. To save his kingdom, he needs an alliance with Sorrow’s family – one that can be sealed only by marriage.

Sorrow must marry the man who broke her heart… or die.

🌶️ Spice on the page
❤️ Second chance romance
💍 Marriage of convenience
🔮 Fated love
🗡️ Touch her and die
💔 Yearning
🦇 Gothic setting and atmosphere

The first book in the steamy epic romantasy series, The Star-Crossed Gods. Fans of Hannah Whitten, Leigh Bardugo and Sabel Sorensen will love Heart of the Wolf Queen and its feisty heroine.

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Set in a fantasy world where people gain different powers like fire, healing or in Sorrow’s case – talking/controlling animals and necromancy, this is a typical romantasy world. There is political intrigue between Sorrow’s step-father and her husband, Matthias and Sorrow vows to help her husband against him.

Characters: Sorrow is losing her sight and she experiences nosebleeds and headaches but she’s hiding a secret. I love Sorrow’s pet wolf, Pablo. He’s her protector. King Matthias, Sorrow’s new husband used to be her best friend when they were children. Now she’s keeping him at a distance but Matthias is a good guy, gives her space, doesn’t flirt with her much and he just gives golden retriever energy but would have liked more depth to him. I liked the secondary characters.

Romance: Sorrow and Matthias used to be friends until one day she sees something that makes her think he’s into her step-sister, Enfys. After that Sorrow has been carrying a grudge against, add to the fact he didn’t come back to her after an accident she had. Basically all this could have been solved with some communication on both their parts. I would have loved for Sorrow and Matthias to have more scenes together in this book just to show their relationship growing and the attraction building. I feel like they are apart too much. They eventually work things out but the ending is interesting and makes me wonder what will happen to them in book two.

Story: I think this one started off strong, and then it loses me in the middle, because this felt like a young adult book, which lots of cursing from Rose. Even the romance felt YA until there is spice in the book, but I just wasn’t feeling the writing I think. It’s an easy romantasy to read though because the world building isn’t heavy.

Vibes: arranged marriage, second chance romance, MMC is a nice guy, and I love Pablo the wolf!

Final Thoughts:

This one was an okay read for me – I did love Pablo though! I might be reading book two just to see what happens to Matthias after that ending.

Read if you like:

easy to read romantasy, light world building
elemental powers
second chance romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Weekly Wrap Up | 4/19/26

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ My kids and I went to Las Vegas to see Bruno Mars in concert on April 11, 2026. Let me just tell you what a crazy weekend it was. First, the weather called for HEAVY rain – thank you God it didn’t affect us. And I was worried about TSA lines, but that went smoothly and quick. 🙏🏽. Through security I run into someone I went to college with in California…and she’s my ex-high school boyfriend’s wife now. 😅. She’s a great girl, and we keep in touch – but it’s always kind of been awkward between my ex and me, if I saw him in public he never said hi to me. WELL…with me and my kids there and his wife calling out my name, he had no choice but to finally say hi to me. 😂 We even hugged! Anyway, they were going to the same Bruno Mars show as we were but they were on a different flight that was delayed.

Our flight was stopping over on Maui to switch planes, which we did on time…then the pilot comes on and says they need more fuel to make the trip to Vegas. SAY WHAT? And that they were trying to get clearance to fuel up in Maui…well they were denied, so we had to fly to the Big Island next door, to refuel there. So now we were delayed for 2 hours…kids were hungry. Good thing I loaded up on snacks but we reached Vegas at almost 9:30pm, checked into the Excalibur and got to our room by 10pm. They have a 24/7 food court, thank goodness…but yeah it was a LONG, tiring, day.

Since it was my kids’ first time in Vegas I did want them to see it in the day time, so we slept in, got breakfast, then decided to walk to Park Mgm and take the free tram to the Bellagio so I could show them the flower garden.

The hotels are so big you don’t know you’ve walked 8,000 steps until you’ve felt it! After checking out Caesar’s Palace my daughter said her feet hurt and it was time to rest before the concert. We spied the line for the Hello Kitty/Bruno Mars merch which I wanted so badly but my kids didn’t want to stand in line (I don’t blame them – it was a long line). We were supposed to check out the arcade at the hotel but I needed to nap and the kids wanted to go back to the room. So I napped, kids were on their ipads and we got at least 4 hours of resting our feet before taking the free tram from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and walking it over the bridge to Allegiant Stadium. It wasn’t bad at all! The weather was nice too.

The stadium was nice, entry was easy – if you are ever going there for a concert, make sure you read the bag policy – clear bags only of a certain size!!! I’m glad I read it beforehand. Overall, we had such an amazing time! My daughter was a bit tired from all day walking (next time I’ll book one more day to rest), but once Bruno came on, both my kids were so hype. My son is a teen and always so self-conscious about singing…oh boy did he sing his heart out! Bruno was fantastic, such a showman, such a performer and that voice…I’m so glad my kids got to see him with me! ♥️. It’s my 4th time seeing him in concert and each time has been so amazing.

After the concert, we walked back with the massive crowd back over the bridge and to our hotel. When I looked at my steps counted it was 23,000 for the day! I felt it! We got back to our room at 11:45pm and I told the kids to go to sleep because we had to wake up in 4 hours to catch a 7am flight! UGH. I could do these quick trips when I was younger or just traveling with a friend but with kids, it’s a little hard, so next time I know to book one more day. Flight was on time, and who was on my flight? My ex and his wife again LOL….good times! What a weekend.

+ After our concert weekend it was back to our regular schedule but also I am planning my son’s bar mitzvah which is in July. He’s not having a major party because he said he didn’t want one. But I’m trying to at least make it a little special for people attending the ceremony. So now I’m stressed with that. 😅. At least I’ll be better at planning my daughter’s bat mitzvah in 4 years.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

The Summer of Second Chances by. K.L. Walther
Us Dark Few by. Alexis Patton
A Merry Life by. Sarah Branson
Miracles in Mercy by. Briony J. Shutt
The Verdant Cage by. Jess Lourey
Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego

Currently Reading:

For Whom the Belle Tolls by. Jaysea Lynn
The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan
Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen
Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews
Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

MUSIC:

+ I cannot wait for Olivia Rodrigo’s album and by the way I promised my kids I’d take them to her concert. 😩 Mama is broke! But I’m going…someway, somehow. I love her new single Drop Dead!

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