Tag: romance

The Last Vampire by. Romina Garber | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: The Last Vampire

Author: Romina Garber

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 12/2/25

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Dark Academia, Vampires

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

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


Pride comes before the fall.

When a boarding school opens in a once-condemned Victorian manor buried in the woods of New Hampshire, Austen-loving Lorena Navarro enrolls in hopes of finding her own Mr. Darcy. Instead, she stumbles across a coffin and accidentally awakens the world’s last vampire.

After hibernating for nearly three centuries, William Pride is desperate to find his family—and clueless about the modern world. Relying on Lorena for more than just blood, he enrolls at the school to catch up on all he’s missed.

Soon, William uncovers a chilling truth: He is the last hope for his kind’s return to power. Torn between protecting the humans around him and fulfilling his fate, William must make a choice that could change everything. Will he sacrifice his species for love . . . or will he embrace his dark destiny at last?

Content Warning: violence

+ There were many things about the synopsis of the books I was intrigued by: vampires, a boarding school, an FMC looking for her Mr. Darcy, and for the beginning of this book I was enjoying it. I loved Lorena and Salma’s relationship as best friends. They are very tight and have gone through a few hard times especially with Salma losing her mother.

+ I like that the cast is diverse. I thought the setting of the boarding school was fun and broad the mysterious and academic vibes to the story.

~ I thought when William came along, I would be more invested in the story but I did not like him and also, it made me not care about his romance with Lorena. He was threatening her (which I expect a vampire to do), but he annoyed me.

~ I also thought the found family-friend group would appeal to me, but I didn’t care for them either, especially Tiffany, who was a snobby rich girl but tagged along with the group.

~ I felt this would appeal more to the younger young adults, because it read like that at times. The beginning started strong but then I got bored and lost interest. And then the ending felt rushed.

Final Thoughts:

This book was not for me even though it had all the things I thought I would love in a YA Dark Academia story with vampires. Not sure if I was in a mood reading funk or what but I still think young adults on the younger end would enjoy this one if you are into YA vampire stories.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

Castle of the Cursed by. Romina Garber | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sword Catcher by. Cassandra Clare | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️

Title: Sword Catcher (The Chronicles of Castellane, #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Format: ebook (own) and audiobook (Libby)

Pages: 624

Publication Date: 10/10/23

Categories: High Fantasy


In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces.

As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?


Content Warning: violence

I haven’t read a Cassandra Clare book in YEARS. I still remember when City of Bones was released and I became a big fan and got other people around me to read the series. But I did eventually grow out of it when she started The infernal Devices so I stopped with The Mortal Instruments.

+ I have had this ebook since 2023 and really wanted to read it but never quite was in the mood to read high fantasy. Because I could tell from chapter one it was going to be a lot of world-building. So fast forward to 2025 and finally I got the bright idea to just borrow the audiobook and see if that would help me out and it did! I listened to 70% of it and then switched to the ebook because I was eager to know how it would end.

+ This story has heavy world-building and it is slow for that reason, but I think some of it is necessary because there is a lot of factions at play in this story. There is Kel’s story as the sword catcher/body double for Prince Conor. Kel’s had a good life being his double and even considers Conor a brother to him, I love that they have one another. But now Conor is set to marry and that makes Kel question his role a lot. Conor is a Prince but is more interested in having fun than doing his duties – but with tensions rising, he has to grow up. Then there is Lin, an Ashkari young woman who wants to be a physician so bad, but is not allowed to study. I love the secondary characters like Antonetta and Mariam as well.

+ It took me awhile – like 60% into this book when I realized this story was like the Maccabees and I only know that because my husband is Jewish and my kids go to temple for Sunday School and I’ve had to hear this story every year as we celebrate Hanukkah! I don’t know why it took so long for it to click for me but I did feel like the Ashkari were similar to Jews and now it all makes sense.

+ I really like the political intrigue going on in the story especially with the royals, the Ashkari, and the man in the middle of it all, The Ragpicker King.

+ If you are looking for romance in this book – this first book isn’t where it’s at. There is barely any romance in this one. The romance isn’t a huge factor until more towards the end of the book and I’m kind of glad it grew there because now it makes me eager to read book two. I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers/forbidden romance, and Lin being Ashkari and Conor being a Castellane Prince, definitely is in forbidden territory. There are sparks between them and very confusing feelings on both sides. There isn’t any spice in this story except where it comes to adult situations in a pleasure house setting, but nothing where the main characters are really involved in. And that’s not the only romance brewing, it’s hard to tell yet but Kel also has his eyes on someone, but it’s not an ideal situation.

+ I listened to most of the story and the narrators did such a good job it kept me invested in the story!

~ It’s a slow beginning because of the extensive world-building, with a big cast of characters and it took me until 30% into the audiobook to actually be invested and interested in the characters. So it’s definitely a book you cannot rush through, it’s one that is for slow reading and I’m sometimes too impatient for that so I’m glad the audiobook helped me get through the world-building. It’s a little over 600 pages and it could have been shorter.

~ I wanted more romance but I hope that happens in book two.

Final Thoughts:

So it took me 2 years and 30% into an audiobook to really get into this book but it happened and now I’m invested! 😅. A lot of this book is world building – it’s a big cast of characters, and it just takes some time to really get settled in and I can see how people would be bored with that. This is not a romantasy where things happen quick. It was one of my problems when I got the book 2 years ago but thank goodness for the audiobook. Once I got settled in the story I started to care about Kel, Conor, Lin, and Antonetta. I love the political intrigue and can’t wait to see what happens next in book two. I especially hope there is more romance for these characters!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

City of Bones ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

City of Ashes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

City of Glass ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Clockwork Angel ⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I didn’t rate the others on my Goodreads apparently.*

Something Wicked by. Falon Ballard | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Something Wicked (Idle Reputations, #1)

Author: Falon Ballard

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 12/2/25

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Categories: Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy

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

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


From the beloved USA Today bestselling author Falon Ballard comes a seductive romantasy that blends Macbeth and Moulin Rouge! into a hypnotic saga of sex, love, and murder.

The country of Avon is in deep turmoil. The Uprising has overthrown Avon’s monarchial rulers, and a decree has been issued. Candidates for the first presidential election will be selected by the completion of a special task: to kill the former monarch of their home province.

Callum, the son of the recently dethroned king, is determined to be in the running. But to do so, he must come to terms with killing his father, the key to which lies in the hands of Lady Caterine, a Gifted courtesan at La Puissance, Avon’s premiere sex club.

Lady Caterine has always had the magical ability to manipulate the emotions of anyone who experiences an orgasm in her presence. If Callum can only open up to Cate, he will be able to commit the newly fated murder without suffering the guilt and take his place as the rightful candidate from his province. But Callum has a deep-seated mistrust of the Gifted. And the last thing he expects is to be confronted with an undeniable connection with Cate that neither of them understands, nor wants.

With the fate of the country at stake, Callum and Cate search for ways to bare themselves to each other, and discover a darker force building within La Puissance, one that might ruin the future of Avon for good. To stop Avon from violently falling to ashes, they must sacrifice everything they have . . . even if it requires betraying each other.

Content Warning: violence, death

+ I thought this premise was really interesting and I wanted to see how the Macbeth and Mouline Rouge inspiration would take place in this story. Also I’ve read a few contemporary romances by this author and enjoyed them.

+ This really was a bold undertaking! I love Moulin Rouge and I could definitely see it all over this book. Caterine is a courtesan, and she is Gifted. Gifted have powers and hers is very unique – she can help people manage their emotions….through sex. But she can only perform her gift when they orgasm. Not sure what I thought about that but I went with it to see how everything would play out. Callum, on the other hand is a prince of Scota. But after the kingdoms find themselves on the losing end of war with the Uprising, he loses his title but has a chance to still represent his people by…killing the king, his father! Again…I wasn’t sure how I felt about this, but I guess this is where the Macbeth storyline comes in.

+~ I did like the spicy romance between Caterine and Callum. It’s very sensual and filled with so much heat. But because of Cate’s reputation and his status they do have challenges between them. But I did think they were good for one another. I do wish there were more intimate moments between them to get to know one another, because it is basically insta-lust.

~ The Uprising has new terms in order to join the new government – you have to kill the king of your kingdom. The person who kills the king, gets to represent their people – like why?! I felt like that was overkill, literally. And that’s why Callum sees Caterine, so if he works up the nerve to kill his own father, Caterine, can manage his feelings of guilt with her sex magic after the deed is done. I had to suspend my belief for that and it just didn’t feel right to me for some reason.

~ It needs more world-building but I get that this is a romantasy. So the world-building is light, but I needed more. I also wanted more from Callum. He had a problem with the Gifted (from a traumatic event in the past), he’s against the Uprising, and then he meets Caterine who sort of opens his eyes to the Gifted and why they deserves rights. I did see some growth but also he loses a lot of people, I just wanted to see more from his character.

Final Thoughts:

This was a quick read and I liked the Moulin Rouge inspired parts of the story, I think the Macbeth parts didn’t land so well – maybe I just needed more world-building. There is secrets, betrayal and politics, but again, the politics didn’t quite stick. There is lots of spice, so romantasy lovers will like that. But even with their romance, I wanted more of the intimate connection between them other than the lust. Overall, this had lots of potential, but some things just didn’t work for me.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Just My Type by. Falon Ballard | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Lease on Love by. Falon Ballard | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All We Once Had by. Katy Upperman | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: All We Once Had

Author: Katy Upperman

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Coming of Age

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

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


An emotional and heartfelt contemporary YA romance from the author of Everything I Promised You, exploring the complicated nature of grief, family, growing up, and the beauty of second chances.

Piper and her older sister could not be more different. Tati assumed guardianship when their parents were killed by a drunk driver, and some days Piper feels more kinship with her best friend and her family. Except Gabi isn’t speaking to Piper, just when Piper could really use a friend. Which is not how she expected to start the summer before senior year.

Escaping to their apartment complex’s pool for some space, Piper is stunned to see Henry. Her Henry. The boy who, three years ago, sat next to her at this same pool and offered the kind, calming presence she needed while she was deep in her grief. Together, they walked the beach, talked about their passions, and ultimately, shared a kiss. It was a perfect night. Except Piper hasn’t seen him since.

Henry is back in Florida to spend time with his dad and escape the relationship drama he left at home. Fate has brought Piper and Henry back together when their lives are most complicated with devastating secrets. With no one to confide in but each other, Piper and Henry must confront their painful pasts and the tumultuous present. Is this the start of another goodbye or a second chance at love?

Content Warning: grief, alcoholism, sexual assault

+ This young adult book is emotional and very coming of age. Piper is an orphan but is now being raised by her older sister. Henry, is in Sugar Bay, spending time with his dad who is running a restaurant out there. When Piper and Henry realize they were each other’s first kisses 3 years ago, their reunion makes a lot of sense and provides a lot of comfort to one another since both are going through some tough times.

+ Piper is not having a great summer – she had a falling out with her best friend, her sister doesn’t trust her decisions and is always nagging her, and she’s trying to push all of these problems away. Piper is dealing with grief, uncertainty about her future, trapped by her sister’s love, and lost without her best friend but when Henry comes along I feel like he helped her manage some of these emotions she’s been bottling up. She is also dealing with memories of a moment where she was almost sexually assaulted while she was drunk. So she has a lot going on.

+ Henry is running from something that happened with her ex-girlfriend back home and being at his dad’s place makes him run into Piper again. They rekindled their friendship and then it turns into something more. But I like how Henry and Piper are clearly opposites in personality and they have to learn to navigate some of their differences.

+ The romance was comforting and sweet – I like that these two people found each other again. It’s a young adult so it isn’t spicy but there is some heat because yes teenagers like to kiss and make-out too! That’s totally realistic. I just like seeing their friendship grow into something else.

~ One thing I just couldn’t get into with the story is how Henry and Piper was trying to set up his dad with her sister. Like why?! I know that there is nothing blood related about it but – it just made me feel uncomfortable!

Final Thoughts:

I like how a lot of the young adult challenges of growing up, friendship, family and the future is tackled in this story. I also enjoyed how sweet Henry and Piper’s relationship grows from friendship into something more – they needed each other and was there for one another at the right time.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Everything I Promised You by. Katy Upperman | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rebel and the Rose by. Catherine Doyle | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Rebel and the Rose (The City of Fantome, #2)

Author: Catherine Doyle

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 528

Publication Date: 12/2/25

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult, 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 Margaret K. McElderry Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


The path of destiny burns with love, magic, and betrayal in this second book in the City of Fantome enemies-to-lovers romantasy series perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Caraval.

From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome—and to the assassin who haunts her dreams.

Ransom Hale can’t get Sera out of his head. As their rivalry grows and he grapples with the responsibility of leading the Order of Daggers, he feels himself slipping further from who he wants to be. Is he doomed to a life in the shadows? Or can he forge another path?

Meanwhile, rebellion is stirring in the kingdom, and a dangerous prince grows in power. Forced to work together by order of the king, Sera and Ransom’s conflicted hearts are tested to their limits. And all the while, an ancient prophecy is unfolding that will change the fate of Valterre forever…

Content Warning: violence, drug use

+ This is book two in the series and I honestly wasn’t sure if this was a duology or trilogy but it’s definitely a trilogy.

+ I love that this sequel moves the series forward instead of being filler. Sera and Ransom are back with their enemies to lovers romance. Ransom is now the head of the Daggers and Sera has her own group now that uses Lightfire. I love when these two clash, even when their groups clash, because it’s very entertaining. This time, the king has put them together for a group project. Both Ransom and Sera get something out of this assignment once it is done so they are both committed to it until Sera has other ideas.

+ The storyline of the Saints is the big story in this sequel. I was definitely invested because I wanted to see how this would play out and what side Sera would take. But I love how instead of Ransom and Sera are fighting one another, now they are a team and they need to work together.

+ I was waiting for Ransom and Sera to be together again and though there isn’t much heat between them until the second half of the book, I love their interactions. Ransom is crazy about her and is doing everything to keep her safe even though she thinks he hates her, he’s pretty down bad for her. But she’s always trying to save him too, especially from his Shade use. I liked the private moments they had when they start opening up to one another.

~ I almost thought I wouldn’t love this book because the first 20% of this book was hard to get through! I didn’t even really know why – I think it’s because Ransom and Sera are apart and I had to remember what happened in book one. Eventually I got settled in the story, but that was a rough start.

Final Thoughts:

I’m so glad this story got better after that slow beginning but once I got settled in I was hooked. I loved being back in this world with Ransom and his Daggers and Sera and her little crew. When these two clash, it’s entertaining but this time they have to work together to take down a dangerous man. I loved the world-building and learning more about the Saints. And of course I loved Ransom and Sera’s romance. I’m looking forward to book three!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Dagger and the Flame by. Catherine Doyle | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cursed Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Twin Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review | The Storm Keeper’s Island ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vendetta (Blood for Blood, #1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Inferno (Blood for Blood, #2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mafiosa (Blood for Blood, #3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Weekly Wrap Up | 11/23/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ The week went by quick! I got a lot of reading done despite being totally focused on Brimstone by. Callie Hart. I had the need to go read some contemporary books because I think I’ve had enough of fantasy for right now. I’ll be back to it again this week, but I needed like 2-3 days reading contemporaries and that helped me knock off some arcs I have for January and February.

+ My hubby went to Japan yesterday, to get the keys to the house – he’s going to furnish it, etc… and my son at the last minute told me he had a gaming tournament at school. So I had to rearrange some schedules and be uber driver. I’m taking my kids to temple for Sunday school today since my hubby isn’t here and I’m wondering what else I can do in town. I can go to the bookstore but Barnes and Noble is expensive and I already bought books in the Book Outlet sale. 😅. Maybe I’ll just wait for them and read.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

Currently Reading:

Our Vicious Oaths by. N.E. Davenport

Drive Me Crazy by. Lizzy Dent

Smoke and Scar by. Gretchen Powell Fox

Sword Catcher by. Cassandra Clare – audiobook

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Football
  • Nobody Wants This (Season 2) – Netflix – it’s such a funny and cute show!
  • LUX by Rosalia is on repeat!!
  • Chains of Love – Charli XCX – on repeat

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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The Ordeals by. Rachel Greenlaw | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Ordeals (Killmarth Trials, #1)

Author: Rachel Greenlaw

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/7/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, Magic, Alchemy, Vampires


In this lush, atmospheric romantasy, an illusionist competes in a series of deadly trials for a spot at an elite magical college—that is, if another hopeful doesn’t kill her first.

Twenty-year-old Sophia DeWinter has only known life bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector, thanks to a blood bond he exacted from her as a child. When she learns of Killmarth College, an elite academy for magic wielders outside of the Collector’s control, she knows it is her only chance to finally break free. But to gain entry, she will have to compete against other illusionists, masquiers, botanists, and alchemists in a series of brutal trials that many hopefuls don’t survive—the Ordeals.

Sophia knows her skills as an illusionist are weak; she only makes it through the first challenge by teaming up with a powerful (and insufferably sexy) botanist, Alden Locke. To make it out alive, she will have to hone her magic and learn to identify who is a rival, who could be an ally, and who is a murderer.

Because now, not only does she have to protect her heart, but her very life. Hopefuls are being viciously picked off one by one between the challenges. In her haste to escape the Collector’s trap, Sophia may have fled straight towards her own death sentence.


Content Warning: violence

+ Sophia only chance to escape her guardian, The Collector, is to enter a trials to have a chance to be admitted into a magical college institution where scholars study and work on their different powers like illusionist, arborist, alchemist, or a masquier. But first Sophia has to figure out how to get in and make sure The Collector doesn’t stop her.

+ Sophia meets her romance interest, Alden, right away. And they have an instant connection and flirtation between them ensues. I love that even though their connection was instant, they become partners in the trials first, the flirtation continues but they really do have to concentrate on keeping alive especially since there are some unsolved murders going on. There is spice eventually though. I thought they were cute together. Both of them are nice, good people with some secrets, so they had to learn to trust one another.

+ I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story. There is a murder mystery in the middle of the learning and trials. I like the enemies being vampires. I also really enjoyed seeing Sophia make friends with Tessa and Greg. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts of this story.

~ I’ve read a lot of Dark Academia stories this year so it’s becoming hard to read the same genre and try to find anything new and fresh about it. The trials in this story brought the suspense into the story, but it didn’t feel different from other trials I’ve read in books all year.

~ This book was a nice length at 384 but it took me almost two weeks to finish I think because of the pacing, which was a little slow, and the fact that I’ve read so many books in this genre this year. I maybe should have saved this for next year.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I did enjoy this one, even though the slow pacing made for a slower read. I especially loved Sophia’s friendship with Tessa and her romance with Alden. It will be interesting to see what happens in book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Compass and Blade by. Rachel Greenlaw | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brimstone by. Callie Hart | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy, #2)

Author: Callie Hart

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 668

Publication Date: 11/18/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Romantasy


Duty. Blood. Honour. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn’t want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court’s lips, but now that she’s been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she’s discovering that a queen’s life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward – and her brother – need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

‘Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.’

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.


Content Warning: violence, death

One of my most anticipated reads for 2025 has published and I just finished reading – here’s what I thought:

+ I loved Quicksilver, book one, for a few reasons: Kingfisher’s sarcasm, the romance, and Carrion Swift. And I definitely was wanting to read book two because of the cliffhanger from book one. Once more we are in this world of Quicksilver, where the Fae, humans, vampires and alchemy are thrown together but even more so in book two.

+ There is no questioning this romance between Saeris and Fisher – they are fated mates, if it wasn’t clear in book one. They are wild for one another and love each other very, very much. There is lots of spice in this one – some bite play, some blood sucking (among other things lol), but I think what I enjoyed most about them in this book is that we get Fisher’s POV. And honestly I loved when we didn’t get his POV in book one because he was so sarcastic…but with his POV, we get to know him on another level. He’s a good man, who loves his woman and his friends, and will do anything to save them. There are many times these two are apart in the book but that’s okay, because you know they can hold their own, plus she had to grow.

+ There are secondary characters I love like Carrion who surprisingly enough doesn’t spend a lot of time with Saeris in this book, but he bonds with Fisher, which was so funny to see unfold. Why was their chemistry better with one another than Fisher and Saeris? Fisher can’t stand him but Carrion’s charm wins almost everyone over. Of course I love Onyx the fox, and then there is Archer, the sprite, who was so funny.

+ A lot is going on in this book and it clocks in under 700 pages. Saeris is dealing with being Queen of vampires; Fisher is dealing with friends he left behind in Ammontreith, protecting Saeris, and his home estate Cahlish – so many things. There is a lot of action, which made the story go by fast. The ending is another cliffhanger with the story taking a new direction!

~ I don’t know why but this one didn’t engage me as much as book one. Maybe I went into with too much hype? I was excited going into it but then the more I read, it felt a lot like the usual second book syndrome that feels like filler but it’s filler that is explaining a lot of things and yes I felt explanations was needed but…it also felt like it was info-dumping in between the adventures and action. Pacing was slow, then adventure, action, then slow, and repeat. There is a lot going on, lots of character and not all of it easy to follow sometimes.

~ Some things got repetitive but this is a ME issue because whenever it is the fated mates trope, I cannot stand when they keep calling one another “my mate”, if that makes sense. I already know he’s your mate, does it need to be repeated all the time? Another thing that was repetitive and didn’t need to be? The two of them smelling like they just had sex and everyone commenting on it every time 😅.

Final Thoughts:

I think it’s a solid sequel with lots going on. There is growth for Saeris and we learn another side to Fisher. There is a lot of action, which I enjoyed a lot and weirdly enough my favorite couple (friendship) to come out of this is Fisher and Carrion! I mean, how can anyone hate Carrion? The romance is what I expected to be, Fisher and Saeris are mates. There are a lot of things that are revealed, and a cliffhanger ending. It’s all the things I expect in a romantasy, I just wish it didn’t feel like a filler book but I get it, this is a big world and it’s opening up even more. Will definitely read book three to see what happens next in the story!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Quicksilver by. Callie Hart | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Kiss of Hammer and Flame by. Amy De La Force | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating:

Title: A Kiss of Hammer and Flame (Fated for Hael, #1)

Author: Amy De La Force

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 12/2/25 (first published 7/3/25)

Publisher: Canelo Romance

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy

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

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


An immortal bound in darkness. A shattered empire at war. And a blacksmith whose heart could tip the scales of fate.

When young blacksmith Cahra is commissioned to forge a sword, she uses her imagination to design a symbol. But this symbol invokes an age-old prophecy and awakens Hael – an immortal with the power to shape or shatter worlds – sealed away in a chamber deep in Hael’stromia, the lost capital at the heart of a civil war between three kingdoms.

Now hunted for the sword, Cahra must flee with the very stranger who commissioned it. But what does she truly know about the handsome and charming noble, Terryl?

On the run through the darkly magical Wilds, she is drawn ever closer to Hael, who visits and beguiles her in dreams. With tyrant kings vying to capture Hael and wield him as a weapon, she alone stands between Hael and their deadly ambitions. Will Cahra risk everything to free him in time to save the empire?

Content Warning: violence

+ I got this arc but it’s a book that is being republished with a super pretty sprayed edge. I have a soft spot for female blacksmiths in fantasy stories and in this one we have Cahra who has made a special sword for a lord. But that sword is tied to a prophecy and now her world has changed. Cahra is an orphan, who had a hard life, and everything seemed to be going sort of well until she makes this sword. I think Cahra was a strong character even though sometimes naive, but I feel like she handled some of the challenges, the prophecy and everything being revealed fairly well.

+ The story was interesting even if it’s filled with the usual romantasy tropes. But there was something about Cahra’s story that made me keep reading. Hael, the being inside the sword was very interesting. He reminded me of a jinn trapped in a bottle (but he is not), and the prophecy all ties into him being released and being a weapon that can help rule the three kingdoms. Plus he is tied to Cahra because of the prophecy and their relationship grows into something unexpected. I liked the action in the story which I feel kept the story moving. There are lots of secrets and also political intrigue that I enjoyed a lot – three kingdoms are trying to find this weapon, in order to rule over all, but there is even reveals that have to do with the Oracles.

+ Along Cahra’s journey she meets a few people but I really liked when she meets the Seers and Oracle. I felt like she was all alone, even if Lord Terryl was nice to her, so having these women take her in, kind of guide her and befriend was really nice to see.

~ The romance didn’t really have time to build in my opinion. Cahra and Terryl make a connection when they meet but things change later on. Cahra falls for Terryl because he’s nice and he touches her hand! I didn’t think that alone could do it but it did for her which was kind of frustrating.
She was agonizing over her feelings about him and then things take a different turn so I would have liked to see more build up with the romance.

Final Thoughts:

Surprisingly, I was really into Cahra’s story and journey, when usually in a romantasy – I’m there for the romance. The romance was not my favorite in this story but the political intrigue between three kingdoms and some Oracles really kept me engaged. Overall, I found this one entertaining but wish there was more build-up in the romance storyline. It’s a good start to a series and it will be interesting to see what happens in book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Persephone’s Curse by. Katrina Leo | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Persephone’s Curse

Author: Katrina Leno

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 12/2/25

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Romance, Mythology, Speculative Fiction

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

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


Are the four Farthing sisters really descended from Persephone? This is what their aunt has always told that the women in their family can trace their lineage right back to the Goddess of the Dead. And maybe she’s right, because the Farthing girls do have a ghost in the attic of their Manhattan brownstone —a kind and gentle ghost named Henry, who only they can see.

When one of the sisters falls in love with the ghost, and another banishes him to the Underworld, the sisters are faced with even bigger questions about who they are. If they really are related to Persephone, and they really are a bit magic, then perhaps it’s up to them to save Henry, to save the world, and to save each other.

Content Warning: mental health

+ The Farthing sisters are descended from Persephone or so their aunt likes to tell them. But they do have some kind of magic because Winnie can talk to ghosts, Clara is an artist that dreams of her paintings, Evelyn is musical and Bernadette experiences lots of emotions. I loved these sisters and their relationship was giving Little Women! Their sisterly bond was what kept me invested in the story, it’s a beautiful bond.

+ I like how the story of Persephone and her children were incorporated into the story. I think it’s fun how the girls are tied to her and may have a little something of magic because they are descended from her. I love the paranormal aspects of the story: the ghosts and witchcraft.

~ The story does start off a bit slow. We follow these girls and see how their family works, which I love. Sisters fight, even when they love one another and I loved seeing their relationships. But getting to the conflict takes awhile. It happens when Winnie gets rid of a ghost at their house, a ghost who is basically their brother – so that wasn’t really nice of Winnie even though she meant well and was trying to protect her sister. But from there the story picks up.

~ I felt like I needed more from some of the characters like Henry. I love that he’s this ghost boy and basically like a brother to them, but I wanted more from his character.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story about the Farthing sisters and them having some powers because of their connection to Persephone. There are ghosts, magic, tight sister and family bonds, and romance. The beginning started off a bit slowly, and I wanted more from some of the characters but overall I enjoyed this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble