Jude Maddox knows nothing of love or even light. He knows only his grim duty as the Hand of Death, to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a land filled with nightmares and certain demise. It’s only when he sees her ―a young woman with wild, amber eyes who’s as fierce, defiant, and swift as the shadow beasts themselves―that he feels the warmth of life in his blood…
The other Knights may fear their lethal commander, with his hard, merciless demeanor. Outcast Kiara Frey sees only a leader, a man who knows how to survive. Someone like her . But wanting him is as treacherous as the shadows themselves…and just as seductive.
With a kingdom on the verge of collapse, the Knights must now venture into the darkest heart of the land and uncover the secrets of the misted shadows, where evil will prey upon their minds and feast on their flesh.
It will betray their senses. It will surpass their nightmares. Most of them will die.
But they have no other choice. Because the only way to fight the darkness… is to become it.
Content Warning: violence
I was intrigued with the premise of this book and Goodreads has pretty good reviews for this book so I gave it a try:
+ I like that it had lots of action and it didn’t shy from being brutal at times. It made the Mist seem like a very dangerous place. Characters were getting killed off with no mercy!
+~ Kiara is a fighter. She’s bold, arrogant, the only girl among boys and men (which makes her super “special”) and she’s bi-sexual except this is definitely a romance between her and Jude. She mentions giving her all to a girl in the village very early in the book but there’s nothing else about it. I didn’t love her although I did admire her bravery and willingness to fight for her friends – I just felt like some things about her were so forced – like her relationship with Jude and then her becoming like a mother to her guy friends in her group.
+ Some interesting plot twists to the story that I wasn’t expecting, especially about one of the side characters.
~ I didn’t connect to any of the characters or the story and I think it’s because it lacks world building. I couldn’t even get into the found family aspect of the story because it just felt like it happened too quick. I wanted to know more about the curse and it didn’t seem like any of the characters really knew about it either.
~ The romance happens too quick for my liking. I wanted a little bit more tension between them. He thought she was the most amazing thing days after knowing her, so it’s a bit of insta-love.
My Final Thoughts:
I must be in a crazy mood because I like how characters were being killed off because that’s the thing that surprised me most about this book! I think the romance is okay if you are into insta-love romantasy and the “special girl” trope. I think it lacked the world building I needed to be hooked on the story. Not sure if I will continue with this series but I know a lot of people will enjoy this book.
Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Historical Fiction
One girl. One boy. A promise broken. A magic stolen.
Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared into the mysterious mist of the Rann salt flats one night. Now seventeen, Irinya uses her knowledge of magical flowers to help her caravan survive in the harsh desert. When her handsome hunting partner and childhood friend finds a priceless silver spider lily–said to be able to tear down kingdoms and defeat an entire army–Irinya knows this is their chance for a better life.
Until Irinya is tricked by an attractive imposter.
Irinya’s fight to recover the priceless flower and to fix what she’s done takes her on a dangerous journey, one she’s not sure she’ll survive. She has no choice but to endure it if she hopes to return home and mend the broken heart of the boy she’s left behind.
Content Warning: violence
I was definitely intrigued about this title because it’s cover – it’s so beautiful!
+ I thought the world-building was very unique with the magical flowers! I love that Irinya is from a nomad group and I enjoyed seeing the community between her kul. There is a tiny bit of romance, it’s not the center of the story. It didn’t even need to be in the story but it did make me question some of the men in Irinya’s life.
+ There is some historical fiction in this story which was another interesting and eye opening. It brings up how the Portuguese was on India’s coasts and trying to take over the country. Something I didn’t realize because usually I think about how the British colonized India, and didn’t realize that the Portuguese did as well.
+ The story moves quickly and is a stand alone book. The story has themes about power, and familly/community.
~ I did find Irinya’s penchant for falling for a guy a bit quick. I don’t blame her for feeling all these new feelings for guys she’s just met but it really sets off a series of events that harms the people she care about! For the most part she was a strong character which I loved, except when it came to the guys that came into her life.
My Final Thoughts:
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but after reading two of this author’s books I have to say I like how her characters engage with one another and I like the action in her stories. I thought it was a nice treat to have some historical information about India and I came away learning something new along with being intrigued about the magical flowers. If only flowers had that much power! I look forward to reading more from this author.
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
Content Warning: violence, war, death, torture
I FINALLY finished Iron Flame and let me tell you…just trying to get my printed copy was such a disappointment. I pre-ordered it and it was not shipping when I thought it would, then I saw all the printing issues on tiktok and said okay, I’m gonna cancel and buy the ebook. I’m glad I did! Now if you look at the pages of my ebook above it says 878. Yup…and I don’t know why because the hardcover on Goodreads said it was 623 pages. 🤷🏻♀️ So when I was reading, I felt like I was slogging through 878 pages – but it’s only 623? I don’t know. But here is what I thought:
+ I love being back with the dragons. I love Tairn and miss Andarna who is going through a bit of a transformation but I was there for it! I loved all her sass. I also liked that we get to meet some gryphons and new characters! I really enjoyed the story opening up and finally meeting the so-called enemies or more like frenemies in this war against the venin. I also liked that we get more time in the Archives and Jesinia has a bigger role.
+ Violet and her group of friends always make things entertaining but it’s scary because I care for them and am scared they are going to end up like Liam. 🥺 Because you never know in this world who is just gonna get killed. Speaking of Liam…there is a scene and it almost made me cry. But yeah nothing is ever easy for Violet but thank goodness she has good friends around her.
+ There was more an emphasis on Violet’s family bonds in this one which I also enjoyed along with her friendships. She’s reunited with her family and even though they have the toughest relationship with their mother…something her mom said hit ME as a mom…and this story definitely showed us a bit more of her mother’s motivations. And the scene in the end with her made finally made me unexpectedly cry.
When you are a mother, talk to me about who you’re willing to sacrifice so your child lives.”
Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame
+~ I think it’s clear, Xaden and Violet are end game but this whole story is them working out all the kinks in their relationship. They are working through trust issues, opening up to one another, being truthful about what they want from one another, and sometimes I thought it got to be a bit too much only because I wanted them to work through some things a bit quicker. They have some good moments and hot moments too but I do think I enjoyed Violet’s relationship with her friends and family more than the struggle she was having with Xaden. And like I said, I know they are end game so I wasn’t too worried about them except being worried if one of them would die or be kidnapped by the venin. Of course the ending makes me want to know what will happen in book three.
~ Not gonna lie, I was getting bogged down at times with so many character names to remember. And this goes for people, places, dragons and gryphons! There are a lot of names to try and remember in this book. Also this book was a tad too long for me and felt like it could have been 2 books. I think there was some things that could have definitely been cut out to make the book move faster because at times it felt like nothing much was happening. Because this is about year two, I think it loses a bit of the excitement we had from Fourth Wing because Violet and her friends aren’t competing anymore. There is still danger in the story but I think the pacing for this one was more up and down than the first book.
My Final Thoughts:
Did I find this one as good as book one? No, but I wasn’t expecting that because I know sequels are always a challenge. There were some things I absolutely enjoyed like the friendships, and the struggle with family relationships. I totally love the dragons and love that we get to meet some gryphons and there are some intriguing new characters like Aaric and Cat! I especially love the battle scenes, anything with danger and not knowing what was going to happen or being scared that a character you cared about was going to die (okay I hate that part too…love and hate! lol). The parts I did struggle with was the pacing because I felt like the book was too long and some things could have been cut out because it was repetitive like Xaden and VIolet’s constant back and forth fighting for their relationship. I mean, I appreciated that they wanted to work things through but I think it slowed some parts down for the book and I wanted all the action because it’s so good. I do love how this story makes me care about the characters and yes it did make me unexpectedly cry. I’m definitely curious to see what happens next in this series after that ending!
Categories: Nonfiction, Memoir, Music, Pop Culture
The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.
In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.
Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.
I don’t read a lot of memoirs even though I always plan to add it to my TBR list. I’ll read one here and there but I HAD to get this one because I love Britney. I was in college when she blew up in the music industry and my little girl cousins were obsessed with her because of Baby One More Time. And she was so awesome to hold a Free concert here in Hawaii (and back then it was hard to get any big musicians to do concerts here in Hawaii!!!) – I never went but I remember my cousin’s wives brought their little girls and they were so excited and happy about it. I wish I did go now because who holds free concerts now? Not in this economy of overpriced tickets. But Britney held a free concert in Hawaii on the beach and it was made into a DVD. I wasn’t obsessed but I loved her music, especially her next albums where there was more tracks I could dance to. And from there I just loved her music, her videos, and her performances – she was the moment! Until everything imploded and now we get HER side of the story and it’s so long overdue.
+ I love how she gives us a glimpse into her childhood which she experienced with an alcoholic father and a mother that fought with him a lot. It’s only a quick glance into her early years, memories here and there about growing up in Kentwood, Louisiana.
I wanted to hide, but I also wanted to be seen. Both things could be true.”
Britney Spears – The Woman in Me
I’ve heard that this sometimes happens to parents – especially if you have trauma from your childhood. When your kids get to be the age you were when you were dealing with something rough, you live it emotionally.”
Britney Spears – The Woman in Me
+ Her relationships with the various men in her life really didn’t turn out the best and I think it’s because of her already traumatic childhood didn’t give her a good idea about what a good, stable relationship is like. With the whole Justin thing – I loved them together and was sad when they broke up. And it got messy in the tabloids and in the media. She was tarnished and labeled a bad woman because of the breakup and they were so YOUNG They were 17 and 18? My goodness it reminded me of me and my ex high school boyfriend and how we ended and I got labeled a slut when I wasn’t even sleeping around with anyone but they believed HIM. Like why does that happen? 🙄 And then came K. Fed. 😡 This girl wanted to be loved and he was that rock for her at first until he chased the fame too. She did skim over when she dated “the photographer” as she calls him – kind of wanted to know more about that but I’m sure that was a rough time in her memory.
That interview was a breaking point for me internally – a switch had been flipped. I felt something dark come over my body. I felt myself turning, almost like a werewolf, into a Bad Person.”
Britney Spears – The Woman in Me
+ She explains some of the images we saw on tabloids and on the news – the moment the police show up to her house and take her on a gurney into the ambulance or the moment the pictures of her almost falling with her baby in her arms when the heel of her show twists…stuff like that. And again…they were like sharks after her! And why her, is what I ask…why did they want to tear her apart so badly?! I was flabbergasted how clearly she was going through postpartum depression (only now I understand because I’ve had 2 kids)…but she was suffering and there was no one there to help her with that at all or even diagnose her with PPD? I can only imagine what she was going through. I remember when everything was happening in the media, I really thought she was going to end up in an overdose like how most troubled celebrities end up and I was scared for her.
It felt like that was the only thing people wanted to tall about: whether or not I was a fit mother.”
Britney Spears – The Woman inMe
+ The moment she talks about the conservatorship and the role her father takes – I feel her anger and the betrayal in her words. I am so angry FOR her. No one was in her corner. And she went along with everything for her babies. 😭💔 I understand that when she was having a mental break, probably because of the PPD, the conservatorship helped her get back on her feet. But now we get to hear her thoughts about how she felt during that 13 year period. I ask the same questions she is asking…how can someone be in a conservatorship – but be worked to the bone, performing, touring, being out in public and paying everyone’s bills…how can they deem her unfit to be her own person yet milked for the money she could make them? When she talks about the nurse showing her the #freebritney movement on the internet…I felt like I was watching a movie and that was the moment everything turned around for her!
This is too much for me. But I didn’t see a way out. So I felt my spirit retreat, and I went on autopilot. If I play along, surely they’ll see how good I am and they will let me go.”
Britney Spears – The Woman in Me
+~ Is it well written? I’d say not particularly because I’m such an avid reader – but I’m also used to the way she writes captions on her Instagram account! So I feel like this is authentic to her voice and the way she talks. Even the speech she made in court kind of sounds like this book where her sentences rush into one another. Some of her timeline in the beginning felt like she was jumping between childhood memories, kind of skimming over some memories but if someone asked me for details about my childhood it wouldn’t be fully detailed either. But her writing does get better and smoother when she writes about her adult years. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to put what she went through down on paper – I can feel the pain and so much anger in her words.
My Final Thoughts:
There is so much I want to say but overall it’s a good read especially if you are a Britney fan like me. It’s full of details I never knew and just full of her emotions and I am angry and heartbroken for her. Britney is 41 years old which is 4 years younger than me and wow….her life story just hits me because I remember living in this Britney era. It just makes no sense to me that she was labeled the “unfit mother” but she was so unfit that she WORKED her ass off and paid everyone’s bills while she was “unfit”?! That bugs me a lot. So the “help” they gave her was to work her harder and push her to the brink? Like she said she was a people pleaser and she’s learning to now say no, thank goodness. That’s totally relatable because it’s a hard lesson to learn (from a fellow people pleaser). Sometimes you give so much that there is nothing else to give because you are empty.
I hope she makes a movie about her life because it would be so good. It’s an inspirational story. But on the other hand, she owes us nothing else because she gave us so much of herself and I’m grateful for that. I still work out to her music and my kids love Oops I did it again, Toxic and Lucky. I just hope she continues to do what she wants with her freedom and have more therapy to help HEAL all her mental trauma and wounds. 🙏🏼 😔 I got a new appreciate for her strength as a woman and a mother after reading this book – she really held on for her kids and I can relate to that!
A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that can’t stay buried and the sinister house that sits at the crossroads of it all.
Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot.
Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.
As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to make a dire choice to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.
If Opal wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it.
Content Warning: violence, thieving. nightmares, monsters, incest, death of parent
I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read from this author but I finally did it.
+ I like the small town vibes with secrets and a haunted house! The story is set in Eden, Kentucky and the Starling House is what they are known for. Starling House is a mysterious house and author Eleanor Starling used to live there but disappeared. There is lots of lore about the town and the house. Everyone has a version of the story about Starling House and different theories. It’s quite a mystery.
+ Opal is such a strong character – she is a survivor. She thieves, she lies, she does everything she can to keep her brother Jasper thriving – but they are close to being homeless. They have little to eat most times but they only have each other. She only wants to give her brother a good life. Arthur is the new guardian of Starling House and he’s a scary, anti-social recluse. They are both described as very not good looking people but I love that they look ordinary (because that’s REAL) and they fell for each other in all their imperfections.
+ I love the found family, the romance between Opal and Arthur, the sibling bond between Opal and Jasper, and the history of Starling House. The gothic, dark fantasy vibes are great, it’s very atmospheric – makes for a good book for fall.
~ I think the beginning was a bit slow for me (it’s a me thing – sometimes mysteries are just too slow for me), but the second half of the book, I was totally hooked until the end.
~ There was a lot going on at the ending and the way it was resolved was not what I was expecting. It was strange and maybe I needed to suspend my belief a bit more because I didn’t totally believe it. I did like Eleanor’s story and how we learn the truth of what happened but it also felt a bit anti-climatic for me.
My Final Thoughts:
This one is a great read for fall because it has all the right elements: it’s gothic, has a haunted house, and a small town with secrets. I did like the second half of the book more than the first but only because mysteries are not my favorite genre. This one had a great lore surrounding Starling House and it was definitely a fascinating story. If you are into gothic, fantasy contemporary tales about a sentient house, nightmares and monsters then you will definitely enjoy this one.
Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Gothic, Dark Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult
In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she’s wrought – perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching.
Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders.
If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom.
And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head. The Nightmare. And he’s not eager to share any longer.
Content Warning: violence, death
Two Twisted Crowns is the sequel to One Dark Window and the last book in this duology. It is a fantastic conclusion to this dark gothic fantasy series.
+ Everything comes together. Ravyn and Elm are close to finding the Twin Alders card but they have to deal with the horrific realization that Elspeth has now been possessed by the Nightmare. It’s a story full of political intrigue, a quest to find the last card and protect the others, and needing to save Elspeth. This book is like seeing all the puzzle pieces coming together which was really well done.
+ Ravyn and Elspeth’s romance takes a backseat because that would be awkward with the Nightmare inside her. So the new romance in this book is Elm and Ione and I LOVED it. Elm has a reputation and before Ione wielded the Maiden card and became “beautiful” he was curious about her. But they get more time together it this book and they have chemistry, tension, passion and I love how they helped complete the quest together.
+ The ending made me emotional. Even though the Nightmare was a villain for most of this series, we learn his history and he honestly grew on me and Elspeth it seems.
+ The author does a wonderful job capturing the gothic, dark vibes and I still say the magic in this series is so unique. I’ve never read a book with magic cards quite like this and I love the lore and the questioning of the consequences of having too much power.
~ I hate Hauth – what a villain he is!
~ I did miss having Elspeth be her own person but I did love her interactions with the Nightmare who was almost like a dad to her – in a strange way.
My Final Thoughts:
It took me a little longer to read this one because Elm and Ione becomes the main characters and I was waiting for Ravyn and Elspeth to take the spotlight. But I’d say everyone had a chance to shine since this is told through Elm, Ravyn and Elspeth’s perspectives. I was emotional about the ending because I really loved the Nightmare as a character and it was tough to say goodbye to him. Overall this duology has everything – romance, dark fantasy, gothic vibes, a quest, unique magic, a villain, court intrigue and I highly recommend it if you like any of the things I mentioned!
Kidnapped by the notorious rebel group, Provstat, Brexley finds her connection goes deeper than she ever imagined. Reunited with old acquaintances and an uncle she never knew, Brexley is thrown into the vicious world of politics, where human and fae leaders will do anything to come out on top. Here dangerous associations and meticulous plots are far more dangerous and cutthroat than any game she survived in Halálház.
If her life wasn’t complicated enough, her relationship with the infamous legend is growing stronger. The more she tries to untangle the link between Warwick and her, the thicker it wraps around them both, entwining them in a world between life and death, where brutal passion and fury collide.
When whispers of a coveted magical substance, called the nectar, start buzzing louder, Brexley’s strange bond to the fae book leads her on an unexpected journey. One that brings her closer to the answers she seeks.
But once she opens the door, all the secrets and lies of her past come flooding out.
Truths she’s not ready to face.
And betrayals that cut bone deep.
I am so addicted to this series and I hate when it ends. I actually was hoping this would be a trilogy so I can stop pining for it haha. But it’s not over yet and I hope the wait isn’t too long for book four!
So what happens in book three, it’s fast paced as usual which I love about this series. Brexley is with her uncle but she doesn’t stop there because everyone wants a piece of her and we still don’t know why but we are getting closer to knowing what she is. There is betrayal and finally all the wild, earth-shattering sex Brexley and Warwick have been basically heading towards, since books one and two was major foreplay for them. I’m glad because I was getting weary of the phantom hands and tongue action. 😅 Like that was fun for a little bit but like Ash said, let’s just get it out of the way. So if that’s what you were waiting for – you get it a lot in this book!
I love all the side characters like Ash, Kek, Birdie and everyone else who makes an appearance in this book. And yes I love the crazy little imp and brownie too – they always bring the humor.
I do like that we are finally getting to know more about Brexley’s background, we find out more about the night of the Fae war and her mom – we need more! We also find out more about the pills with fae essence but we need more information about that too.
This one is action packed, sex packed, motorcycle packed lol…but we are getting closer to finding out what Brexley is so that makes me happy. There were a few twists that kept things interesting as well.
Triggers: violence, death
Okay look, I love that Brex and Warwick finally got it on because it was long overdue but I got so mad at him when he gets jealous. He is alpha-male, he will do anything to protect Brexley that much is proven, and he kills with abandon. But WHY do I want her to have something going on with Killian too? That’s so unlike me. And I’m usually all for fated-mates and all that but Killian…handsome, smart, ruthless…can he get his own book?
Everyone is attracted to Brex…but why? So yes even though she and Warwick are basically having the best sex ever, there are others attracted to her, it bugs him a lot but for her…I’m not sure where she stands because she still feels attraction towards Killian for one.
I also see some potential hookups happening in the book between some of my favorite characters. Would love to see it happen!
I’m addicted to this series and wish I could have binged it all in one sitting. I love the intensity throughout the series, it’s fast paced and gritty. Brex and Warwick finally start getting their tension out of their system and yet it creates more. We find out more about Brexley but now I have more questions. And all I want from this series is more. I am eagerly awaiting book four!
Being sired by a Madrid is supposed to be a blessing, but for Tempest, it’s a curse that leaves her orphaned, penniless, and enslaved to a blood thirsty crown on the brink of war.
Found too unruly to become a ward of the court, she’s thrust into the care of the King’s Hounds – the assassins and warriors responsible for protecting the kingdom. Driven by rage and an oath to avenge her mother’s memory, Tempest throws herself into training.
But becoming the first ever female assassin isn’t enough. Now, she must obtain the heart of her kingdom’s most feared enemy – the jester – a deadly shapeshifter hidden in a land twisted by myth and darkness.
Revenge is never easy or cheap. Tempest is willing to sacrifice everything to see justice served. Even her own soul and freedom.
I don’t recall the story of the Fox and the Hound – I’m sure I read it a long time ago, but despite that, I thought the premise for this book sounded pretty interesting.
Tempest is an orphan, raised by the King of Dotae’s ruthless guards, the King’s Hounds. When she becomes of age, she takes part in the trials to become the first ever female Hound. Tempest also is trying to thwart the King’s advances so she makes a deal with him. If she finds the infamous shapeshifter and leader of the rebels, the Jester, and brings his heart to the king – Tempest gets a seat on the War Council. But if she doesn’t succeed, she will belong to the king. Will Tempest complete her mission or will she be entrapped by the king forever?
I like stories about female assassins and Tempest is definitely a worthy adversary. We don’t see her much being a Hound in the story but on her mission to find the Jester, she shows the skills she’s known for back in Dotae. As a character I found her at times naive but willing to look at the evidence if things feel wrong, so I think there will be a lot of growth in the sequel with her, at least I hope there is.
Gotta love a sexy, flirty shapeshifter and we definitely have that with Pyre. He is a kitsune or fox shapeshifter. I like seeing how he cares for his people and yet knowing he is dangerous under the wily smile. I’m loving the attraction that is growing between him and Tempest. It’s a slow burn too, which is nice!
I enjoyed the world building in The Hunt. This book focused mostly on the kingdom of Dotae and the Talagans (shapeshifter community). But in the beginning of the book it explains in the prologue how this world came to be, a world filled with dragons, fae, shapeshifter, humans, etc…until the peace between them broke.
I did like Tempest’s bond with the men she grew up with, her uncles, the Hounds…of course she comes to question what they stand for later on but I think it will be interesting to see how Tempest deals with the information she has about the men she loves.
I think King Destin is a bit cringey especially how he preys on Tempest who is only eighteen years old. He is in his 40’s! 🙄 He is definitely the villain in this story.
And though I do like Pyre, why is Tempest getting caged in by these men?! 😕 I guess it’s trying to show how powerless she is as a woman in this world where the men are the leaders but I hope to goodness somewhere in the sequel or down the line in the series she gets her power back and kick some major ass, especially King Destin’s. By the way, these two men are not the only ones interested in her…🤷🏻♀️ but I hope that storyline doesn’t go anywhere. I don’t want a love triangle in this one, please!
Triggers: fighting, death, physical wounds
I really enjoyed Pyre and Tempest’s interactions with each other in this first book. It looks to be a long series according to the information on Amazon, so there is a lot more story to unravel here and I hope a juicy romance between the two eventually. I think the position Tempest is put in made me weary about the story a bit but I have hope she will overcome these traps these men put her in! 💁🏻♀️ I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
As the twenty-one-year-old heiress to the Le Spyre fortune, my life should consist of strawberry mojitos and golf carts. Right?
But I’m determined to forge my own path.
Desperate to escape the meaningless games of the rich, I flee my family’s estate.
Secret alias—check. Place to sleep—uh, kind of? Job—crap!
I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but that’s the least of my worries.
My city is a giant board game. The players are supernatural— freakin’ vampires—including an overbearing crown prince whose unwanted attention could spell my demise.
Now, I must play their deadly game, or my grandmother and best friend will pay the ultimate price.
This is another Kindle Unlimited title by indie author Kelly St. Clare and I have to say I was in the mood for some vampire urban fantasy novel.
What I Liked:
It’s a different take on a vampire novel…there are two old, wealthy vampire families competing and playing a game, think Monopoly. Yes, they roll dice when it is their turn and buy property. Sound confusing? Oh I’m still a little confused, two books in, but I’m rolling with it because it’s different! The winner gets to live, the losing family…DIES. The city they are playing for IS real…and human and heiress Basilia, or Basil to some, and Bas to others…lives in. She gets caught in the middle of this crazy game.
The vampire prince, Kyros, is a hottie of course with major alpha male tendencies. And yes they are attracted to one another but Bas and Kyros go through blood exchange that has a consequences, three days of a thrall, which makes them lust for each other on a crazy level. It’s hot…but also…kinda weird because his vampire siblings has seen Bas naked…A LOT. 🤣 But she doesn’t care.
Bas is…young, so she can be naive due to how she was brought up – filthy rich. I mean she’s twenty one, she’s just been really sheltered. And thank goodness for her best friend Tommy. Love her! Tommy is real with Bas and Bas doesn’t have many people in her life. I love how close they are.
Super fast read and entertaining if you like urban fantasy stories. Hot, slow burn attraction between Kyron and Bas. And it’s a cliff-hanger ending but book two is published so that’s good!
Things That Made Me Go Hmm:
Kyros’ alpha male can be a but much at times – but he’s a vampire…so you kinda gotta let the guy be.
The dice game is a bit confusing, it supposed to be high stakes and I get that. But as long as I remember it is like Monopoly, then I just go with the flow.
What is up with Kyros’ family always seeing Bas naked during a thrall? LOL…vampires! 🤦🏻♀️
I didn’t get some of the lingo in the book, only because I thought it was British or Aussie slang, but I see the author is from New Zealand, so it’s probably slang from there? Which I am clueless about.
Last week, I inherited every cent of the multi-billion-dollar Le Spyre estate.
But tequila is far easier to swallow than the coincidence of my beloved grandmother’s death.
I’m over this supernatural game, yet walking away from Kyros isn’t simple with the damn mate thing on the cards.
The Indebted need my help. My grandmother deserves justice. And, uhm, the third blood exchange did something to me.
It’s official. I’m done playing by paranormal rules. I’m making my own–and playing to win. Because if I enter Ingenium on my terms, there’s no turning back.
Winning is the only option.
What I Liked:
Bas and Kyros finally hook up – I mean, I’m all for the slow burn but their moments in thrall was putting them over the edge and when they finally have sex I was like, okay, glad THAT’S out of the way now. 😅
We learn more about Bas’ grandmother and we move into her former life as an heiress. We get insight into where Bas grew up and how she grew up.
Kyros’ siblings are interesting characters. It was funny to see how they try and do matchmaking between Kryos and Bas by irritating Kyros.
Bas shows she has more power now that she is back in charge of the Le Spyre wealth and out from under Kyros’ thumb. She has an ulterior motive but it’s nice to see her in charge for a change. I like that she is the championed of the Indebted (basically vampire slaves).
Things That Made Me Go Hmm:
Bas is in charge but she was also kind of whiny and irritating. I get that her relationship with Kyros is mostly because of the thrall and he’s done some shady things but it’s a lot of back and forth between them. I kind of want her to make up her mind already.
The story lagged for me in the middle – but maybe because I read the books back to back so I felt like I was reading 800 pages instead of just 400? LOL…maybe I just needed a break from Kyros and Bas’ crazy relationship.
I’m pretty sure Bas is going to fall in love with Kyros and turned into a vampire. I mean…it’s heading there right?! As for who wins this Monopoly game (which at times seems silly to me haha), we shall see in the next book.
Triggers:
Blood, violence, alpha male losing his temper.
So far, I liked the first book better than the second, yet I liked seeing Bas get some control back in the second book. It’s an entertaining take on vampires playing Monopoly (I know that sounds weird) but just go with it. We shall see what happens in the third book!
Title: Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1)
Author: Claire Kingsley
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 303
Categories: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary
“When I kissed you last night, I wasn’t pretending.”
Everly Dalton is a walking, talking, martini-drinking dating disaster. Forget kissing frogs. She can’t even get past the first date. But at work, she’s a badass—the longest-running assistant billionaire Shepherd Calloway has ever had. Her coworkers wonder how she handles the big bad wolf—and never gets bit.
Shepherd Calloway isn’t interested in being anyone’s sugar daddy. Tired of women who only want him for his money, he swears off dating, determined to focus on running his empire. Until his gold-digging ex hits him where it hurts, putting him in a difficult position.
His solution—to have Everly pose as his live-in girlfriend—is obviously crazy. But the timing is uncanny. It just so happens Everly needs a favor from her boss—a big and awkward one—and this could ensure everyone gets what they want.
Besides, Everly can totally survive a few months of faux romance.
Except there’s a problem. Shepherd is supposed to be a single-minded, unemotional robot boss. Not an actual human with a heart and morning wood. Between the awkward bed-sharing and tingly fake dates, lines are blurring. And as Everly gets to know the real Shepherd, she discovers there’s more to the man behind the bank account.
And faking it gets all too real.
Faking Ms. Right is a hot, STAND-ALONE romantic comedy.
It’s been awhile since I went into my Kindle Unlimited subscription to find an eBook. I was in the mood for a fake-relationship trope and I got it with Faking Ms. Right!
Everly comes off as perfect, perky, and nothing can dull her shine, but underneath she is made of steel…with a smile.
Her boss Shepherd is hard to get to know, Everly is there as his assistant and runs his daily work schedule competently. Until one night, Shepherd needs her to go beyond her assistant duties and fake being his girlfriend to save face in front of his ex-girlfriend.
Everly does her “job” perfectly but she’s also falling for her boss, and he is falling for her. This can’t turn out good…or can it? It definitely can.
Everly is Miss Positive, a ray of sunshine that was refreshing to me! She’s charming, and sweet but can stand her ground if need be. I like that she can make the best out of a bad situation.
Everly’s best friends, Nora and Hazel are hilarious, mostly Nora who is that girlfriend who is outspoken. They were so fun and it showed a side to Everly that did enjoy letting loose and having fun. But having those girlfriends get her through her tough times or them knowing she was going to fall for Shepherd and was going to be for her anyway, that’s friendship goals!
Diversity was present with Everly’s sister who had a wife and Shepherd’s brother had a husband. That was nice to see and why was I so emotional at the end when Shepherd’s brother and Everly’s sister had a “moment”? Ugh! It was a good moment and it made my heart happy.
Everly and Shepherd’s relationship I thought evolved nicely, from fake to an attraction they couldn’t deny. I mean, I can’t blame her after he lets her in. The thing I liked about Shepherd was that he wasn’t arrogant, even if he was a “billionaire”, his money status wasn’t a focus of this book. He was private and closed off yes (due to some past parental stuff) – but you could tell he cared about his brother and dad a lot.
There are steamy sex scenes in this one with a touch of kinky. Haha…not too much, but hey it’s definitely a fun time between Everly and Shepherd!
Of course it IS a fake-relationship trope and you already know they will get together so it was predictable but I loved it anyway.
Now Shepherd moves Everly into his home to make their relationship more believable and I thought wow…they are really going all in with this. I mean, couldn’t he just say he was dating her without the whole moving in thing? But I understood why it happened. Plus it made the tension and attraction between them grow much faster!
This was exactly what I needed to get me out of a fantasy slump. It’s always refreshing to switch genres and this one has a happily ever after, definitely what I was looking for! I love all the characters in this book except Svetlana of course. I want Nora and Hazel’s stories to be written too – it would be interesting to see what kind of guy they would end up with. (Actually, I see that Hazel’s story was just published!! So I will be reading that very soon.) 😍 I’m very excited to continue reading about these fun characters.
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