I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by. Ann Liang | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice:

Title: I Hope This Doesn’t Find You

Author: Ann Liang

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 2/6/24

Categories: Young Adult, Romance

Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.

Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a “pleasure to have in class.” It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all times: she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She’d never send them of course — she’d rather die than hurt anyone’s feelings — but it’s a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie’s work.

All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating cocaptain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. “You’re attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain . . . I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you’ve been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft…”

Sadie doesn’t have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them… that is, until they’re accidentally sent out.

Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It’s her worst nightmare — now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they’re not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there’s one person growing to appreciate the “real” Sadie — Julius, the only boy she’s sworn to hate…

Content Warning:

+ I finally got to borrow this book and why did it only take me less than 3 hours to read this? I loved it!

+ Sadie and Julius are co-captains of their student body at school but they don’t like one another. Sadie loathes Julius and he just seem to be egging her on. Their competition is on another level! And when Sadie vents she writes an email that she doesn’t send – until one day at school, those emails get sent. More than half of them go to Julius and now Sadie is trying to fix everything since people seem to hate her.

+ Sadie is the typical Asian daughter who is always programmed to please others – she has the best grades, she helps her mom at the store, she will do anything to stay on top and be successful. Julius has his own issues at home, he’s competing with his older brother who is successful and was always the top of his class. It’s what makes the competition between Sadie and Julius so intense but I thought there were so many funny moments in this story! I loved the classmates, Sadie’s best-friend, and the class trip shenanigans.

+ This rivals to lovers romance is so good because of the competition between Sadie and Julius. I love the snark, the funny moments, the arguments, all of it! They hate each other so much it comes full circle and they both realize they actually like one another. I loved seeing them fall for one another, it’s a young adult romance, so there’s drama and angst, but I loved it. I was rooting for them hard!

~ The ending is a little abrupt – would have loved to see more of Sadie and Julius together as a couple in love!

Final Thoughts:

I loved this one and read it so fast because it was fun! I adored Sadie and Julius, two high achieving kids in competition with one another and both obsessed with each other by the end of the story. Will definitely be reading the novella, I Hope This Finds You.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

This Time it’s Real by. Ann Liang | Audiobook Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Song to Drown Rivers by. Ann Liang | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bitten by. Jordan Stephanie Gray | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Bitten (#1)

Author: Jordan Stephanie Gray

Narrator(s): Avery Caris, Katharine Chin, Matt Mercurio, Chase Brown, Marni Penning, Jordan Stephanie Gray

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 9/30/25

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romantasy, Young Adult/New Adult, Romance, Werewolves

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

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After a vicious werewolf attack on the night of her seventeenth birthday party, Vanessa Hart loses everything she loves in a split second. Her best friend, her father, and even her home.

Bitten and imprisoned without explanation, Vanessa endures an agonizing transformation into the very beast that maimed her, and her captors make it clear she cannot escape: she will either swear her life to the Wolf Queen’s Court, or she will die.

With no other choice, Vanessa joins their enchanted Castle Severi—where flowering vines grow through the walls, gifts are bestowed by the stars, and a claw can break through skin as easily as silk—but she hasn’t forgotten what they stole from her.

Vanessa still seeks vengeance, scheming in the shadows even as she finds herself mesmerized by the golden prince Sinclair Severi, who threatens to steal her heart though he is promised to her nemesis. And by his brooding, disgraced cousin, Calix, whose smoldering gaze hides even darker secrets. Immersed in the magic of their whimsical yet cruel society, Vanessa soon learns not all is as it seems.

The Court is at war, and she may simply be a pawn in its lethal game.

Content Warning: violence, injuries, death

+ I love that this audiobook had multiple narrators. They did a great job bringing this story to life!

+ I really loved Vanessa when she was a human. She had her best friend Celeste, who was fun and sweet! I loved her actually, and wish we had more of her. Her being bitten really changes her into a character full of rage and at times I was losing patience with her. In her werewolf world, I loved Una (not sure of spelling), her only real friend because Vanessa doesn’t even think of making any friends.

+ The world-building in this story about this world of werewolves is really good. There is werewolf court politics, and rules that Vanessa have to learn. She goes through instruction in school and learn combat too but she’s not exactly the top of her class. There is also a murder mystery and a few twists.

+ The romance is nothing new. Vanessa desires the werewolf prince, Sin. But she also feels something about his cousin, Calix. It’s sort of a love triangle. The enemies to lovers is more in lined with Calix, whereas a forbidden romance is lined up with Sin.

~ This has so much potential but I did not like the main character Vanessa. I get that she is in shock, and she’s angry and grieving but it becomes so repetitive. She never learns and she’s naive. It was so frustrating. She’s full of rage, which is fine, I love that she wants to fight for her humanity, she wants to find her best friend’s killer. But because of all her rage, she doesn’t get far in her murder mystery investigation and goals because she’s so focused on killing everyone without any power.

~ I didn’t feel the romance between Vanessa and Sin. It starts off as desire, but he ignores her a lot because of his reputation and I didn’t like that. I felt like he could’ve treated her better. But they fall for each other, and I didn’t believe it because Vanessa was easily physically attracted to Calix when she was around him. I actually like that Calix called her out on a lot of things though.

~ This is marketed as young adult, Vanessa turns 17 in the beginning of the book. But there are a few spicy scenes. So if that is a problem for you as a reader, just beware. It’s why I say it’s a young adult/new adult book. Also the characters do curse. I do wish the characters were aged up at least to 18.

Final Thoughts:

The narrators for this audiobook were really good! But all I could think of throughout this whole story is that Vanessa is not made for this werewolf world. She’s not made for the violence and lifestyle and I’m hoping something about that changes in book two. I get that she’s dealing with grief and she’s only seventeen. But her anger was blinding and it made her miss important things happening around her. I hope she gets it together in the next book. Overall, I did enjoy the world-building and politics though, this world is ruthless and violent, and the ending had a big twist. Romantasy and Twilight lovers, will devour this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Spellcaster by. Jaymin Eve | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Spellcaster (Weatherstone College, #1)

Author: Jaymin Eve

Narrator(s): Savannah Peachwood, Jason Clarke

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336 Listening Time: Approximately 10 hours

Publication Date: 9/23/25

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dark Academia, Witches, Romance, New Adult

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

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

SPELLCASTER is an intense enemies-to-lovers romantasy with steamy heat, magical creatures, fast pacing, and stakes that will keep you hooked. Dive into a world where love is as dangerous as power—and nothing is ever as it seems.

Welcome to Weatherstone College…

Don’t walk the halls late at night.
Don’t disturb the ancient magic.
And don’t, under any circumstances, ever trust a spellcaster.

When my magic bloomed at twenty-two, the last thing I expected was to receive an acceptance letter to the most prestigious witch college in the world. It’s not that I don’t have magic. It’s just…unpredictable. But with Weatherstone a part of my family legacy, I’m determined to live up to their expectations.

A task that’s almost derailed on my very first day when I come face-to-face with Logan Kingston, the son of my father’s enemy. I’m warned to avoid the powerful spellcaster at all costs, but apparently Logan did not receive the same memo. The more time I spend around him, the more I crave his unsettling attention, and as hate flirts with obsession, I’m left wondering if there’s another side to the decades-old feud between our fathers.

On top of that, Weatherstone is not at all like I expected. Built on the ancient blood of necromancers and battle, the magic here is as unpredictable as mine, and I sense a dark energy stalking my footsteps. When a monster attacks me, I have no choice but to turn to the strongest warlock in our school: Logan.

After all, to fight a monster, I’ll need a monster.

Content Warning: violence

+ This is an urban fantasy, dark academia story that is high on the vibes, less on the world building but is highly addictive.

+ Paisley finally got into Weatherstone College, where all her older siblings have been going to school. All is well until they learn that Logan Kingston, a warlock, is transferring to their school. Apparently there is a family feud happening between Paisley and Logan’s families. Also Paisley seems to be missing memories of the two of them when they were children. Another thing happening at the college is monster like creatures are appearing and attacking Paisley and no one knows why.

+ Paisley and her new friends are a fun group. They’re college kids, looking for hot boys to hook up with, passing their classes and having fun – the usual things on a college campus but Paisley’s hung up on trying to find out her power and also trying to stay out of Logan’s way but they are drawn to one another. She can’t stop having erotic dreams about him.

+ I love Paisley’s big family.

+~ The romance isn’t quite there yet – it’s pure desire and there are a few spicy scenes. But spice that doesn’t show an emotional connection yet. Alyth can’t stand Logan but that doesn’t stop them from wanting each other. It will be interesting to see Logan open up more and we get to learn more about him. But would love to see an emotional growing between them.

~ I listened to this as an audiobook and though I liked the female narrator, I think the male narrator’s voice was too low for me. I also couldn’t differentiate between Noah and Logan’s voice, except with the very slight accent Logan had…but still they sounded too alike.

Final Thoughts:

It’s been a few years since I’ve read a Jaymin Eve book! This is the kind of dark academia that is more fun and addictive than strict and serious academia. It’s set in college, has a slow-burn but very spicy enemies to lovers romance, that hasn’t reached the romance stage quite yet. It’s definitely the type of book I pick up when I want to escape and not get too bogged down with details. I look forward to book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Book Review: Supernatural Academy – Year One ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Broken Wings (Dark Legacy – Book One) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Broken Trust (Dark Legacy Book 2) ⭐️⭐️

Charlie Quinn Lets Go by. Jamie Varon | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️

Title: Charlie Quinn Lets Go

Author: Jamie Varon

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 304

Publication Date: 9/30/25

Publisher: Park Row

Categories: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

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

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

Charlie Quinn has spent her life playing by the rules. But when, on her thirtieth birthday, she is laid off, her boyfriend leaves her because their life is too “predictable” and she spends the night with violent food poisoning, she hits rock bottom at a stunning velocity, and her carefully constructed world unravels.

She has no choice but to return to her childhood home in LA, where her little sister strikes up an Can control freak Charlie go a whole month saying yes to anything her free-spirited sister requests? Charlie agrees, if only to prove that living by one’s whims will result in nothing but disaster and disappointment.

But when a serendipitous encounter with her high school crush leads to a month of steamy no-strings romance, Charlie starts questioning her monotonous existence. Can she learn to loosen her grip, to let go of past heartbreak, to finally say yes to a messy, bold and exciting life?

Content Warning: grief, trauma, parental abandonment

+ Charlie Quinn’s life has turned upside down and for the woman who values control of her life, this is not ideal. Her younger sister, Benny tells her to come home and she does – reluctantly. Home has a different meaning for Charlie who as a kid, didn’t feel safe with her carefree, free-spirited mom who is an actor looking for her big break. Charlie was afraid because her mom didn’t have a stable job and why Charlie worked hard for her job and put her whole self into working. But coming home is something that she needed desperately.

+ While Charlie goes home, she replays nightmares of a moment in her past. She’s in college, meets the man of her dreams and they make plans to travel the world. She’s in love, but it’s clear this story doesn’t have a happy ending and most likely is the trauma that makes Charlie the way she is now. Yes, before meeting him she already felt unlovable – because her dad abandoned the family, but after this time with Noah has made her afraid of love, and wanting joy in her life. I love Charlie’s mom and sister and that their house is a place where people can gather and be themselves (except Charlie I suppose).

+ The romance with Alex, her crush from high school is really cute. I was really rooting for Charlie to embrace their attraction and open up to him. But this is a realistic story and people in trauma don’t open themselves up to happiness that easy, as we see in this story.

+ I really liked the themes that are tackled in this story: family, self-worth, passion versus stability, mental health, and grief. Charlie is not okay, but bottling it up for year was not the right thing to do even though she thought it was. I’m just glad things worked out in the end.

~ Charlie is such a tough nut to crack and she frustrated me with throwing all her anger over everything in her life towards her mom. I wanted to shake her. I understand her fears – her story actually triggered me, and caused me to shed a tear, but wow, was it frustrating to see her take it out on her mom.

~ There is mention about the pandemic and I know some people don’t like that in books. I don’t mind it at all – the pandemic was a change in mindset for a lot of people and it shows it here in this story.

~ There’s a moment that helps Charlie “see the light” so to speak and it feels a bit magical. Not sure that was needed at all and would’ve like it without it.

Final Thoughts:

This was such a quick read, which I appreciated! I loved all the themes about family, self-growth, and love. Charlie really needed to let go, and I hate that she took it out on her mom, but this story was showing a complicated family and that’s realistic. Overall, I enjoyed this one, even though it got a tiny bit triggering for me.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

BLOG TOUR} Main Character Energy by. Jamie Varon | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great Big Beautiful Life by. Emily Henry | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Great Big Beautiful Life

Author: Emily Henry

Narrator: Julie Whelan

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Pages: 432 Listening Time: approximately 11 hours

Publication Date: 4/21/25

Publisher: Berkley

Categories: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years–or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

Content Warning: parental issues, mental health

+ The narrator did such a good job voicing all the characters! The climactic ending/argument was so well done!

+ Alice and Hayden are fighting for the chance to interview a recluse heiress, Margaret Ives. Alice is miss sunshine, positivity and friendly whereas Hayden is the opposite. They are rivals, and they both want this job so bad but Margaret is testing both of them. They spend time together, mostly because Alice initiates talking to him and the sparks fly, there is desire and it grows into something more.

+ Alice and Hayden are interviewing Margaret Ives for a tell-all book. So we get the story of Margaret’s life, little by little. I do think her story built a little slowly and I was waiting for the big reveal and it did finally come in the end but I had already guessed it by the halfway point.

+ There is a lot of family themes in this story. Margaret and her family, dealing with being famous and rich. Alice and her issues with her mother, and then Hayden mentioning his mom’s challenges.

~ I was a little bit more interested in Alice and Hayden’s relationship rather than Margaret’s past. But they did fall fast for one another, they were only together for a month!

Final Thoughts:

I think this was pretty good but it is definitely more women’s fiction than full on romance. I liked Alice and Hayden’s romance, although it did all happens within one month, but I thought seeing them fall was fun because they are such opposites. It’s big on family themes, which I appreciated and the narrator did an amazing job doing all the voices for this story!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Funny Story by. Emily Henry | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy Place by. Emily Henry | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beach Read by. Emily Henry| Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Lovers by. Emily Henry | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

People We Meet on Vacation by. Emily Henry | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Weaver Bride by. Lydia Gregovic | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Weaver Bride

Author: Lydia Gregovic

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 9/30/25

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Magic

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

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

A sweeping fantasy about a witch who must navigate a ruthless marriage competition—and try not to fall in love along the way. Part twisting mystery, part thrilling romance, The Weaver Bride is an unputdownable romantasy steeped in a lush magical world.

Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch. Like all girls of her kind, she holds a rare magic—a magic that can be harnessed only through marriage to a Weaver. But finding a Weaver husband requires status, refinement, and money, all of which Lovett sadly lacks. Her one secret ability, to open any door, is her saving grace. Hidden in plain sight, Lovett spends her days using her gift to steal from wealthy families and her nights avoiding the fate imposed on all unwed silkwitches: a life confined to the cloisters.

But opening doors can be dangerous, and when Lovett steals from the wrong person, she finds herself face to face with Eliot Lear, the notorious son of a prominent Weaver. It turns out Eliot’s been watching Lovett. He knows she’s a silkwitch, and he offers her a life-altering opportunity: entrance to the Vainglory, a competition with the ultimate prize—marriage to Noé Alaire, heir to generations of Weaver wealth. The catch? Last year, the Vainglory ended in tragedy. The winner died. And the winner was Eliot’s sister.

The arrangement is simple: If Lovett solves the mystery of Ophelia Lear’s death and unmasks her killer, Eliot will ensure she has her pick of Weaver suitors, regardless of who wins the competition. Yet unraveling Ophelia’s murder proves far more complicated than either of them anticipated. And Lovett should know better than to take a Weaver at his word.

After all . . . what is love without betrayal?

Content Warning: violence, death

+ I’ve read one other book from this author and enjoyed it so I couldn’t wait to see what The Weaver Bride was about. The premise is intriguing and the world building sounded different plus the book cover is gorgeous.

+ I enjoyed the unique world-building in this story. This story has sorcerors – Weavers and silkwitches. Silkwitches hold power in their hair, and it can be woven into magical, power items. But silkwitches need to be married by their 21st birthday or they will end up in a cloister, which means, wealthier families had more of an advantage getting their daughters married and Lovett was not from one. Lovett had parents who was afraid that she was a silkwitch and a community that feared them or coveted their hair. So Lovett has been surviving on her own as a thief. But when she comes across an opportunity given to her by Eliot, a who comes from a powerful family, it’s hard to pass it up. But the opportunity involves a competition of the most worthy silkwitches in society, and Lovett has to pretend to belong for their ruse to work.

+ The tension between Eliot and Lovett was so thick, I was hoping for more scenes between the two of them. Both characters are morally gray and come into an agreement based on their own selfish reasons, Eliot wants to find out who murdered his sister, and Lovett wants to stop surviving and have wealth. It’s a dislike to like romance, they are always arguing and there is so much push and pull between them. There is also betrayal and just so much distrust between them but so much angst and longing too.

+ The mystery about Eliot’s sister was very interesting and kept me invested. I love how it ties into more information about silkwitches and the truth about their history and powers. I’m not sure if there is a sequel, but with the way this book ended, I hope there is!

~ I wanted more of Eliot and Lovett. They seemed doomed as lovers, especially since Lovett is trying to win the hand of Noé, who is Eliot’s best friend but also heir to a powerful family. This is not a love triangle, but the way this book ends has no closure for Eliot and Lovett and I want to see what happens next.

~ Would also love more growth for Lovett. I like her character a lot. She’s had a rough upbringing, had to survive on her own and she’s used to using her looks to get her out of certain situations and did hold her own again Eliot and some of the other men. But I hope after that ending, we see her grasp more power.

~ Pacing was kind of choppy, there were times where things are happening quickly – like the beginning, although the competition trials seemed kind of weak, and then times where it slowed down because there is a murder investigation taking place with Lovett doing all the investigating.

Final Thoughts:

I read this book in one sitting! I loved the unique world-building, the romance filled with tension and betrayal, the murder mystery and learning more about the silkwitches. I had some issues but it didn’t stop me from enjoy this story and I hope there is a sequel!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

The Monstrous Kind by. Lydia Gregovic | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Witch of the Wolves by. Kaylee Archer | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Witch of the Wolves by (Witch of the Wolves, #1)

Author: Kaylee Archer

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 9/30/25

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Categories: Paranormal, Werewolves, Series, 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 St. Martin’s Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When a powerful witch discovers she’s the daughter of an Alpha werewolf and is taken by his Pack, she’s determined to break free all the while denying her attraction to her abductor. Witch of the Wolves is perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash.

Cordelia Levine comes from a long line of powerful witches. She’s been flying under the radar in the human world, focused on strengthening her magic. She loves working at her aunt’s apothecary in London, secretly serving supernaturals.

Until the truth about her family is revealed.

She always assumed her enhanced sense of smell came from her French perfumer father. But when Bishop Daniels abducts Cordelia at the request of her father, the Alpha, Cordelia learns she’s a lycan–sharing both witch and werewolf traits. She’s brought to Trevelyan, the pack estate, under the guise of protection from foreign threats who want to use her to continue their bloodline.

She quickly learns that to keep her from being sold off to another pack, her father intends to give Cordelia as a mate to Bishop. His second in command and the future Alpha.

Cordelia refuses to accept this as her fate. She can’t rely on her magic alone to escape and when she learns Bishop plans to challenge her father’s power, she reluctantly begins to trust him. The cracks within the Pack become evident and something is bound to break. And Cordelia and her growing desire for the man who shouldn’t set her on fire are right at the center of it all.

Witch of the Wolves is the first book in this Victorian romantasy series, featuring an intense and sexy romance and a world on the brink of change.

Content Warning: violence, death

+ Cordelia is a witch but then she gets taken by a mysterious man, Bishop Daniels. She finds out right away that she is not only a witch but half werewolf. You get thrown into the story without much build-up so it’s a fast start.

+ I did like how this story moved quickly. We learn about Cordelia’s father, Silas, who is the alpha of a werewolf pack and Bishop is part of the pack. I like the Victorian setting, Bishop is such a proper gentleman of a werewolf, even though he is dangerous. There is a lot Cordelia has to learn about the werewolves, and there is even betrayal I didn’t expect at the end.

+ The romance is a slow burn, I liked the progression, but maybe would have loved more interactions between them to see the build-up of their feelings. Cordelia’s father is forcing her to marry Bishop just for the sake of breeding. So they both agree they don’t want to be in a forced arranged marriage but eventually the desire between them grows. I thought their spicy scenes were intense but fun and playful also.

~ The whole story takes place at Silas’ estate. Cordelia is basically a prisoner there so we don’t get to see too much of anything surrounding this place except for maybe the woods. Would have loved maybe a little more world-building.

~ Would have liked to see more witchcraft also. Cordelia already knows how to do spells and uses her powers in a fight but it would have been nice to learn about the witches. Maybe in book two since the events at the end of the book hint that the witches are now their enemies?

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a solid start to the series. I liked the Victorian era setting and the story is filled with with witches, werewolves, romance, werewolf politics and even betrayal. Would have loved more world-building and witchcraft but overall I enjoyed it!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

To Cage a Wild Bird by. Brooke Fast | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: To Cage a Wild Bird (Divided Fates, #1)

Author: Brooke Fast

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 9/9/25; deluxe edition 3/3/26

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Dystopia, 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 St. Martin’s Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A deadly prison. A forbidden romance. A fight for survival.

THERE’S ONLY ONE RULE IN OBEY OR DIE.

In Dividium, all crimes are punishable by life in prison. A prison that’s a life sentence in more ways than one. Where the wealthy can hunt the inmates for sport.

Raven’s mission is infiltrate the infamous and deadly Endlock Prison to save her brother.

There’s just one Raven has a target on her back. Her reputation as the most ruthless bounty hunter in Dividium precedes her, and the inmates she’s sent to Endlock want their revenge.

So when the prison guard she’s sworn to hate becomes her only chance to survive, Raven has no choice but to trust the one person she shouldn’t…

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual harassment, torture, hunting humans for sport

+ Raven is a bounty hunter and her skill helps her survive in one of the deadliest prisons in Dividium. This is set in a dystopian world where society is divided in three different tiers. People in the Lower Sector have been suffering while everyone above them have it less challenging. The world building was typical dystopian, but most of the story takes place in the prison so I can’t say too much about the world outside of it. The prison has it’s share of evil guards and Raven realizes too late that the people she put in prison were not going to be happy to see her. Also, Upper Sector people come to the prison and pay to hunt criminals. There is a rebel group called the Collective who is trying their best to help people and make a difference.

+ I liked Raven. Raven’s goal in life is to always protect her younger brother and when a rebel group tells her she can go to the prison to free him, she takes her chances. I like that she was smart and kept her cool, plus she’s brave and wasn’t afraid to get into a fight.

+~ The romance is forbidden but that adds to the tension. Plus Vale for the most part of the story was a bit mysterious – we didn’t know much about him but it seemed Raven’s new friends trusted him a lot. There’s some spice and I actually was rooting for the two of them because both seem like good people. But they did fall kind of fast.

+ Raven meets a bunch of people in prison because she’s supposed to figure a way out. I liked this found family she is brought into.

~ I do think the story was predictable but that’s why I read it so quick. It had the known elements of dystopian romance – which I enjoyed. But I did want more out of Raven, Vale but maybe we get more out of them in book two. Also want to feel that it is high stakes – it’s a prison break and yes hunting criminals added to the suspense, but I wanted more tension I think.

Final Thoughts:

This is the type of book you can binge and read quickly! It’s got all the dystopian elements – oppressed people and a secret rebellion, it’s set in a prison, and has a forbidden guard/prisoner spicy romance. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I hope we get more out of the main characters in book two.

**Book is available now on Kindle Unlimited but deluxe edition will be published on 3/3/26**

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Steeping of Blood by. Hafsah Faizal | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: A Steeping of Blood (Blood and Tea, #2)

Author: Hafsah Faizal

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 9/23/25

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Categories: Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, Vampires, Series, 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 Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The epic conclusion to the #1 bestselling A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal; the gritty fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

She’s had her tea, now she’s out for blood.

White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public calls for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration.

Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, but it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time – and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.

In Ceylan.

After the jaw-dropping ending of #1 bestselling A Tempest of Tea, Arthie and her crew still have plenty of hearts to break and crimson-red secrets to uncover. Hafsah Faizal crafts a deliciously twisty and seductive sequel that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.

Content Warning: violence, death, torture

+ This is the conclusion to the Blood and Tea duology and I thought it was a pretty good end to the story.

+ I still love the found family that is Arthie, Jin, Flick and the others. After the wild events of book one, Arthie and her family are picking up the pieces and trying to take down the Ram. Everyone has their role and parts to help with the mission which makes them strong together. Although there is a part where this found family breaks apart for a little bit.

+ I enjoyed the vampirism and politics. There is a lot of action as Arthie and her friends try to stop the Ram. They travel to Ceylan, where they find out things have changed and there is a new type of vampire among them. A lot of the action come in the second half of this book.

+ I loved the relationship and romance between Flick and Jin – they are so sweet together! I thought Flick’s POV in book was the weakest but in this book she really shines. As for Arthie, Matteo is there for her this time and it was nice to see her open up, fall for his charms and let him in.

~ I don’t know why but with book one, I read it in one day. This book took me a whole week or more. I think it’s because the beginning moves slow but everything picks up in the second half. But there was something about the story that wasn’t hooking me like book one.

~ There are a bunch of heartbreaking moments in the second half of this book. It made me so sad!

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a solid conclusion! Arthie and her friends completed their mission, taking down the Ram but with a lot of loss. I loved the romance relationships, especially between Flick and Jin. The beginning was slow but it picks up at the halfway point and ends in a heartbreaker. It’s a bittersweet conclusion.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

A Tempest of Tea by. Hafsah Faizal | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Free the Stars | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review | We Hunt the Flame ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thief of Night by. Holly Black | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Thief of Night (The Charlatan Duology, #2)

Author: Holly Black

Narrator(s): Jonathan Davis, Sara Amini, Vikas Adam

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 288

Publication Date: 9/23/25

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery

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

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

The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black’s stunning adult debut, Book of Night . This program features multicast narration.

“Award-winning YA author Holly Black has created an imaginary masterpiece yet again with her first foray into adult fantasy, narrated with perfection by Sara Amini.”— AudioFile on Book of Night (an Earphones Award winner)

“Sara Amini’s narration is exceptional, providing unique voices for the broad range of characters.”— Library Journal on Book of Night

There’d always been something wrong with Charlie Hall. Crooked from the day she was born. Never met a bad decision she wasn’t willing to double down on. She may be good enough to steal a shadow from a tower, but will she be good enough to steal back a heart?

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

Content Warning: violence

+ The narrators for this story really kept me invested in the story even when the story itself moved slow – they did an amazing drop bringing the characters to life. I feel like the narrator for Charlie really did a great job and it’s how I imagine Charlie’s voice to be.

+ Charlie is such an interesting character. She’s a con-artist, and is always lying but she’s good at what she does. She’s the hierophant and trying to find out who is leaving these dead bodies. While trying to investigate she has to deal with other things like her sister and Red/Vincent.

+ Charlie and Red/Vincent’s relationship is so complicated because of what happened to him in book one. There is very little heat, but they did have some moments. I like that Charlie had to finally realize he was different. The romance was not the focus of the story though.

~ I feel like I should have re-read Book of Night so I remembered what happened. I got confused because I didn’t remember the whole thing about shadows.

~ It took me until 50% into this story to really get into it. I do feel like the first part was slower than the second half. And it’s a mystery but I honestly couldn’t follow what exactly Charlie was trying to do because I had a hard time paying attention, I was bored in the first half.

~ I think I enjoyed book one better than this one.

Final Thoughts:

I thought the narrators did a great job but it took me until 50% into the book to get invested in the story. The first half moved to slow for me and I was trying to remember things from book one. And I do recommend re-reading book one, Book of Night, if you are going to read Thief of Night. Maybe I would have enjoyed this one better if I had remember all the details from book one. Overall, I think mystery lovers would enjoy this one!