ASAP by. Axie Oh | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: ASAP

Author: Axie Oh

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 2/6/24

Publisher: HarperTeen

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Second Chance Romance, K-Pop, Contemporary

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

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

New York Times bestselling author Axie Oh’s ASAP is the much anticipated companion novel to beloved romance XOXO, following fan favorites Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her K-pop star ex-boyfriend, in a swoon-worthy second chance love story.

Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend.

Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . .

So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide: Is her future worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?

Content Warning:

+ We are back in the XOXO world and I’m loving it. I loved XOXO, so I really needed to read ASAP – asap…haha okay lame joke. But I loved the characters and knowing this was Sori and Nathaniel – I had to have it. I love the insider look into the life of a K-pop idol and it’s even more interesting because Sori is giving up the chance to be an idol, so I liked how she was trying to find a new path in her life. I like that she eventually was brave enough to tell her parents what was important to her. That’s something relatable.

+ The XOXO boys are back but there isn’t too much of Jaewoo and Jenny. Which is only right because this isn’t their story. But I love this cast of characters! I thought it was interesting we got more of Sun though – is it because he’s such a grump that I am totally attracted to this XOXO member and want his story the most? I know there is going to be a good story for him but I guess I have to wait, I feel like his would be the last book in the series. I love how Sori is close to these boys because of their time in training to be an idol – she’s got a level-headedness about her that I like. I like how strong she is.

+ The romance is a second chance romance which isn’t my favorite trope. But I did love that Sori and Nathaniel had a second chance at it. I just felt bummed at the little things that kept them apart – well I thought that the issues were so minimal – but to a K-pop idol or trainee like the characters in this book, it’s BIG problems like dating, scandals (that don’t even seem scandalous), and other issues like that. I hated that the same issues that pulled them apart was threatening their love again. It’s a sweet romance though, Sori and Nathaniel are so comfortable with one another, I thought that was comforting – by the way, I need all of these books in this “series” to be a K-drama. It would be perfect!

~ I’m older so sometimes I find all this perfection in these stories a bit too much. The characters have some troubles here and there, but they are perfect – because they have to be for their idol statuses. They are gorgeous, they are talented, my goodness the pressures they put on themselves! It just goes to show how much sacrifice these trainees and idols have to make for their success.

My Thoughts:

If you like K-pop and you loved XOXO, you will love ASAP. If you like sweet, fluffy romance that makes your heart flutter, you will like this book. I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

XOXO by. Axie Oh | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by. Axie Oh | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Destroy the Day by. Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Destroy the Day (Defy the Night, #3)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 550

Publication Date: 1/23/24

Categories: Young Adult, Series, Romance, Fantasy, LGBT+

Left for dead, but desperate to survive . . . they have one last chance to save their kingdom.

Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An unlikely but deadly pair, Corrick and Lochlan must plot their next moves carefully.

An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken and angry. Grieving Corrick, and unsure how to find a way back to Kandala, she doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian—the man she trusts least—makes an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane and see what the future holds . . .

Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support—and maybe more—in unexpected places.

Can Harristan be the king his people need? Can Corrick and Tessa find their way back to each other? As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Defy the Night series, Brigid Kemmerer crafts heartrending twists and devastating turns that will keep readers breathless to the very end.

Content Warning: violence

+ I found this series addicting since book one and I think what makes it good are the characters! Yes, I was mostly reading it because of the romance between Corrick and Tessa but they are mostly apart in this book. And when I say apart…I mean up until the last few chapters of this book! But just because Corrick and Tessa weren’t together doesn’t mean there were not any meaningful relationships in this book. There are actually surprising friendships made along the journey of this story.

+ One surprising partnership in the story that was entertaining is Corrick and Lochlan – especially since they do not like each other. But being on the verge of death changes everything between them. Another pairing is Harristan and Quint which if I may say, was the romantic highlight of the story since Corrick and Tessa were apart. I loved that for Harristan and Quint. And lastly, Tessa and Rocco had to stick to one another.

+ There is a lot happening in this book with it being told through three POVs: Corrick, Harristan and Tessa. Everything is happening with the goal of all of them coming together in the end. There is action, there is danger, there are some plot twists.

~ I was intrigued by Rian in Defend the Dawn, he was mysterious and a little shady. He didn’t turn out so great in this book and to top it off was hardly in this book at all when he was mostly in book two. I was disappointed in his character because I thought there was potential there to make things interesting and not in a way where I wanted Tessa to be with him. I wanted him to have his own story and liked how he called out Corrick on Kandala’s troubles but in the end he was just a not so great guy. So if you loved Rian in book two – this book is not for you. Honestly this happened to me in her other series, Cursebreakers, where I loved book one and then things veered off the track I was hoping it would take and never did.

~ There is a new character named Ellmo and honestly…it made me think of Sesame Street Elmo all the time lol.

~ I don’t know if I love the ending, it’s bittersweet.

My Final Thoughts:

This book didn’t go in the direction I was hoping it would but it was still entertaining and the relationships are my favorite parts of the story. This wasn’t my book favorite of the series but this is a solid conclusion.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Defy the Night by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Defend the Dawn by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Curse so Dark and Lonely by. Brigid Kemmerer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Heart so Fierce and Broken by. Brigid Kemmerer ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by. Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Forging Silver into Stars by. Brigid Kemmerer | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Letters to the Lost by. Brigid Kemmerer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

More Than We Can Tell by. Brigid Kemmerer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dance of Stars and Ashes by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Dance of Stars and Ashes (The Nightfire Quartet, #2)

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 379

Publication Date: 2/16/24

Publisher: Second Sky

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

A love that burns brighter than starlight. A gift that could leave her world in ashes. It’s time for Zarya to release the fire within.

In the jeweled city of Dharati, Zarya found passion and adventure for the first time. A mysterious stranger named Rabin helped to free the power within her—a dark, ancient magic that should not exist.

Now, Zarya learns Rabin’s true identity. A warrior prince, born to rule, he is as deadly as he is beautiful. He’s also insufferable. Arrogant and superior, with dangerous secrets of his own.

Zarya wants nothing to do with him. Terrifying demons are gathering beyond the walls and Zarya’s friends are rushing to complete a ceremony that will protect the city. Her mind is fixed on saving her home and finding the origin of her magic.

But every discovery and every dream pulls her back to Rabin. Does an enchantment bind them, or is it pure desire? Will opening her heart give Zarya the power to turn back the demons, or will it let the darkness to devour her?

Content Warning: violence

+ I really wanted to read this book after the ending of book one: Heart of Night and Fire, mostly because what happens at the end of the book when Rabin makes an appearance. Rabin is Vikram’s brother and the guy who Zarya has been seeing in her dream forest (in her dreams). The tension between them was enticing and I wanted to see where it took them in book two. It’s a continuous slow burn, with lots of tension but we get rewarded with some steamy action by the end of the book – so I’m glad we didn’t have to wait until book three. There is some drama again between Rabin and Zarya at the end, so we will see what happens there in the next book.

+ I still find this world-building so fascinating especially with Amrita’s position as queen and basically the tree of life. I’m still very curious about her and Vikram and their special roles and rituals they have to do to keep the kingdom thriving. This story is filled with monsters and magic!

+ I absolutely love Zarya’s platonic relationship with Yasen. It’s become one of my favorite parts of this series! Yasen and Zarya have become best friends and with her past of growing up isolated from the world, you can tell their relationship is special to her. They also bring humor to the story because their exchanges are so funny.

~ There is still more drama Rabin and Zarya have to work through because of what is revealed, even though they are finally together. I believe in the next book we get to learn more about her father. There is a lot still that we don’t know about Zarya’s family background so it’s going to be very interesting I think!

My Thoughts:

This was a great sequel and I think I liked this book better than the first one because Zarya and Rabin get to interact in real life. There are a lot of steamy moments between them after the initial slow burn in the first half of the book. Also, I just love the friendship between Yasen and Zarya. Will definitely be reading book three to see if we learn more about Zarya’s father.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Heart of Night and Fire by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Trial of the Sun Queen by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rule of the Aurora King by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Endless War by. Danielle L. Jensen | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Endless War (The Bridge Kingdom, #4)

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 552

Publication Date: 11/28/23

Categories: Adult, Series, Romance, Fantasy

Newly crowned as king, Keris has watched powerless as his forbidden relationship with Zarrah is revealed. But when Zarrah is imprisoned by the Empress, Keris knows there is only one way to save her: to ally with the kingdom he nearly destroyed.

Imprisoned on the dreaded Devil’s Island, Zarrah faces two choices: prove her loyalty to the Empress who condemned her or die a traitor. Yet as she struggles to survive among violent prisoners, Zarrah uncovers a third path: a rebellion to overthrow tyranny entwined with a destiny she must fight to claim.

While the Empress plots a war with devastating consequences, Keris and Zarrah must find their way back to each other. Yet their greatest adversary is the fiery passion between them. Unless they overcome the bitterness of betrayal, their love will not be the bringer of peace but rather the fuel that turns the Endless War into an inferno.

Content Warning: violence, war, death, cannibalism

+ This is book four of The Bridge Kingdom series (and I didn’t know there is going to be six of them) but the world building is fantastic as always. And there is a lot of action that keeps the story tense and moving. This is also part two in Keris and Zarrah’s love affair. There is a lot of politics involved in this story.

+ I totally love when Lara and Aren make an appearance since they are my first loves when it comes to this series. It started with their story and it’s just great to see them again. We also get to see Keris and Lara’s relationship grow somewhat and I like that for them. I found Aren and Keris’ brotherly relationship pretty funny at times!

+ Keris and Zarrah are an enemies to lovers romance. But in this book they are apart for the most part and Keris has to make amends. They try valiantly I feel to figure things out between them with all the chaos going on around them and for the most part it’s a struggle for the both of them. But it’s undeniable these two love each other – it’s about trying to be ruler of their own kingdoms (who hate each other) and deciding who to put first that they have to figure out. It’s a happy ending though!

+~ Zarrah learns a lot truths about her family and she has to learn to come into her own as a leader. I think she does a good job at it by the end. But I do feel like Keris’ character came out stronger in this book. Not that they were competing…but sometimes they were because she had to show her people that she could be a leader for them. Keris is a natural leader and sometimes the people deferred to his guidance naturally and it was just interesting to see how Zarrah had to deal with that – since she loves Keris so much. He had to pull back and let her shine and she had to step forward and believe in herself.

~ I wish Keris and Zarrah was together more in the story but they both had their own things to figure out. There wasn’t too many spicy scenes between them because they are struggling with their relationship and there is so many other things going on. I love the political drama but I thought this had so much at times it was hard for me to keep focus – or it could be I didn’t find Petra’s obsession for Zarrah very interesting.

My Final Thoughts:

This is the perfect conclusion to Keris and Zarrah’s story. It is filled with lots of action, politics, relationship struggles, romance and just a tiny bit of spice. I loved seeing Lara and Aren make an appearance and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Inadequate Heir by. Danielle L. Jensen | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Traitor Queen |Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review | The Bridge Kingdom ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gilded Serpent (Dark Shores, #3) | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dark Skies | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review: Dark Shores ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Getaway List by. Emma Lord | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Getaway List

Author: Emma Lord

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 1/23/24

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Best Friends to Lovers

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!

The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future.

Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart.

Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

Content Warning: neglectful parent, challenging parent relationships

+ There is a lot I like about this book. I could relate to Riley’s confusion about what to do with her life now that she graduated high school and how she and her mom don’t see eye to eye on her future. I loved seeing New York City through her eyes and trying to find herself after being what her mom wanted for years in high school.

+ New York City is the perfect city for this story. It’s a place of endless possibilities as Riley finds out, but I did also like Riley’s mom’s backstory about why NYC wasn’t the best place for Riley. In the end it’s a good fit for Riley and she makes a bunch of new friends and even helps her best friend, Tom, fall in love with the city. The secondary characters really bring this story to life.

+ Riley isn’t the only one dealing with parental issues. Tom’s mom is neglectful and spends most of her time on work -which really sucks for Tom. Both Riley and Tom doesn’t have any ties to their fathers or at least they’re not in the picture while this story is unfolding. But where Riley can actually argue with her mom and talk things out, Tom and his mom barely have any communication which is sad.

+ This is a best-friends to lovers romance and it’s a slow burn. There are so many other issues Riley and Tom need to take care of to really talk about their relationship. It builds and I love their friendship so much, it almost felt natural for them to take it a step further – but they do so while keeping in mind they both have some issues to work on with their mothers and their plans going forward.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy this book a lot – there is just something about books set in New York City that is so much fun. I love Riley and Tom and the group of friends they have together. They are all in the same age group and trying to basically find their way but having fun at it! It’s a really enjoyable coming of age story. If you like a best friends to lovers romance and you love stories set in New York City – you will definitely enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

ARC Review | Tweet Cute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You Have a Match | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When You Get the Chance by. Emma Lord | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Begin Again by. Emma Lord | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If I Promise You Wings by. A.K.Small | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: If I Promise You Wings

Author: A.K. Small

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 1/16/24

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Grief

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

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

Hold Still meets You’ve Reached Sam in this lyrical novel about one young woman’s journey through the Paris fashion scene as she chases promises, overcomes grief, and falls in love. Seventeen-year-old Alix Leclaire dreams of becoming a renowned feather artist, creating statement pieces that define glamour and high fashion. As an intern at Paris’s premier feather boutique, trained by the alluring Raven, she works with the staff to construct wings for the dancers at the Moulin Rouge.

But with every feather she sews, the grief Alix has been evading looms. Her best friend, Jeanne, died months ago and ever since, Alix has felt compelled to live as Jeanne did, taking risks she never would have before. Alix begins stealing feathers for her own use—a serious offense at the boutique—and loses herself in a passionate affair with Raven, who makes her his muse. Even when Blaise, an old schoolmate, offers solace and healing, she pushes him away.

Echoing the chaos and division in her heart, the wings that Alix creates take on a frightening and wild beauty. Living like Jeanne has given her everything she ever wanted—but at the risk of losing it all.

Content Warning: neglectful parent and abandonment, death, grief,

+ I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book because it is very lyrical, and we are in Alix’s head a lot. Alix’s mother left her and her dad, her dad is a neglectful parent and her best friend just died. Alix finds herself being brave enough to ask to apprentice at a feather artist shop. I thought her growth in the story was inspiring. I loved Alix’s connection to feathers and how working at the shop helped her open up to people, and to her own art.

+ My favorite part of the story I think had to be about the feathers! Mademoiselle Salomé is a premier feather artist in Paris. I went to the Moulin Rouge during my honeymoon so I was actually fascinated about the setting and theme of this book. I could really envision these feather works of arts that Mademoiselle Salomé and her team would create and loved the drama behind the scenes with the other staff at Mille et Une Plume. I liked the secondary characters in the book also, they had so much character.

+ The romance is a bit of a love triangle. Alix is caught between two boys. She starts hooking up with one boy, Raven and then starts befriending the other boy, Blaise, as they both grieve over Alix’s best friend. You could kind of tell how it would play out and honestly, I didn’t mind it because Alix is a broken soul. And if she’s looking for love because she doesn’t even have parents around to be there for her, then I was there rooting for her on this journey – even if it meant her trying to fix some relationships.

~ This is all part of Alix’s growth but she is very timid at times especially in the beginning and I just wanted her to do the right thing, when she did the wrong thing. She doesn’t know how to communicate how she feels and that was frustrating at times. Like I said, she learns eventually to come clean, so there is growth in her character.

~ There is a lot of French words and I didn’t know what they meant but it didn’t make it hard reading. I just hoped I was saying them correctly in my head – but I’m pretty sure I was wrong!

My Thoughts:

I thought this was a beautiful story about personal growth and how an obsession with feathers helped keep Alix afloat during her grief of losing her best friend and even losing her dad, who leaves her in a time when she really needs someone to stay with her. I love how Alix finds a family with the staff at Mille et Une Plume and she learns a lot about fashion, and actually expressing herself. The secondary characters really bring the story to life and the romance, though a love triangle, I thought had a beautiful ending. By the end of the book I was as obsessed with the feathers as Alix was.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Ruthless Vows by. Rebecca Ross | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)

Author: Rebecca Ross

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 12/26/23

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Magic

The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.

Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.

Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

Content Warning: violence, war, death

I finally read the sequel and conclusion to Divine Rivals and here’s what I thought:

+ The writing is beautiful as ever, it flows, it’s magical – enchanting.

+ Love the addition of new character Tobias. I thought his interactions with Attie was cute. We get to learn more about Dacre and Enva in the sense that they finally come to life on the page and they talk.

+ I feel like this historical fantasy fiction works! It’s set in war-time, feels like the 1940’s, but has magic (ley lines, typewriter, and buildings) and Gods who are at war. And usually I would think that’s hard to pull off but for me it works really well in this story. It even gives that war movie romance – the couple is apart but have to do what they have to do wherever they are, they have to survive but also want to be together again.

+ Speaking of romance…Roman and Iris are beautiful together. I’m glad they found their way to one another. There were some beautiful quotes between the two of them.

Let me be your secret, then. Tuck my words into your pocket. Let them be your armor.”
-Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows

I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.”
-Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows

Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces.”
-Rebecca Ross, Ruthless Vows

~ I didn’t love this as much as Divine Rivals but I loved it. I think because Divine Rivals has the rivals to lovers element and in Ruthless Vows they are just trying to survive and find their way back together. I loved their banter in the first book. But they are still a lovely couple and I was rooting for their love really hard.

My Final Thoughts:

This is such a beautiful duology! I love the writing, the magical feel of the story, the lovers torn apart but doing everything they can to find one another. It’s heartfelt and everything I could hope for in a sequel and conclusion.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Divine Rivals by. Rebecca Ross | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sisters of Sword and Song by. Rebecca Ross | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A River Enchanted by. Rebecca Ross | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: The Queen’s Rising ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Atlas of Us by. Kristin Dwyer | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Atlas of Us

Author: Kristin Dwyer

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 1/29/24

Publisher: HarperTeen

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Grief

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

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

Atlas James has lost her way.

In a last-ditch effort to pull her life together, she’s working on a community service program rehabbing trails in the Western Sierras. The only plus is that the days are so exhausting that Atlas might just be tired enough to forget that this was one of her dad’s favorite places in the world. Before cancer stole him from her life, that is.

Using real names is forbidden on the trail. So Atlas becomes Maps, and with her team—Books, Sugar, Junior, and King—she heads into the wilderness. As she sheds the lies she’s built up as walls to protect herself, she realizes that four strangers might know her better than anyone has before. And with the end of the trail racing to meet them, Maps is left counting down the days until she returns to her old life—without her new family, and without King, who’s become more than just a friend.

Content Warning: grief, injuries, cancer death

+ This book is about grief. Atlas James is lost – her life is a mess especially her dad dies from cancer and the only way to get her out of this situation is her mom has her attend a wilderness retreat. She goes without a cell phone for a month and hikes her dad’s favorite trail while learning about the area, surviving in the wild and how to care for the environment. It’s a sad story and tough but it’s a story about moving on and being vulnerable and having a found family in your teammates.

+ Atlas is an imperfect character. She’s dropped out of high school, doesn’t have friends, doesn’t have anything to look forward to and she’s drowning in the grief for her father. She’s a good liar but what she really is – is hurting. This is her journey to work through her grief, open up to strangers, believe in herself to survive for a month and take on responsibility and accountability. It’s a pretty heavy journey but very touching.

+ I love the found family and the friendships that grow from her experience. None of the people in her team really has a good life, each one of them has a past and not the best at making friends. But through their trials in this one month and after…they hold onto one another and try to make their friendships work, which I loved.

~ There is a romance that happens on this hiking trail between Atlas and King, who is their group leader. It’s kind of instant and I can see the attraction between them being believable especially in a stressful situation like this hike – plus Atlas seemed like someone just looking for a connection. But I kind of didn’t like the back and forth between them because of the secrets they were keeping. I understand the secrets and the angst between them but it did get pretty intense for knowing each other only for one month. I did root for them afterwards though, I think at least that was realistic and I like how they rebuilt their relationship after all the secrets are revealed.

My Thoughts:

This was a good read for me because I was reading so much fantasy and needed something contemporary but different and I liked that this was more of a personal journey through grief than a straight romance. It’s a heavier read because of the grief but Atlas overcomes a lot of things and in the end she comes out stronger than ever and I really love that.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gild by. Raven Kennedy | Mini Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Title: Gild (The Plated Prisoner, #1)

Author: Raven Kennedy

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 402

Publication Date: 10/16/20

Categories: Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Fae, New Adult

The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.

Gold.

Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.

Even me.

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.

Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.

Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.

The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.

Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and rape. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.

Content Warning: see above in synopsis

This is a very popular series on Kindle Unlimited and I wanted to see why. I had a copy of this book for almost half a year now and I could not get past the first few chapters – but I made a vow to finish it even if I had to skim it by the end of 2023 so I finally did it!

What an interesting world of “saddles” and King Midas. Auren lives in a cage and her owner/lover is King Midas. In this first book there seems to be nothing that appeals to me about Auren or King Midas. This is definitely a starter book that lays out the setting and characters and nothing much else. There isn’t even much romance in it because I don’t know what Auren and Midas have going on but I feel no connection. I think it got interesting when she left her cage and I’m sure her character growth gets better in the next few books but this one did nothing for me.

I don’t think I’ll be continuing on with the series unless I have nothing else to read or someone can tell me why I should continue with the series in the comments below!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by. Amélie Wen Zhao | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White (#2)

Author: Amélie Wen Zhao

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 1/2/24

Publisher: Delacorte

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Series, Duology, Asian Fantasy, Mythology, Dragons, 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 for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The epic sequel to the book Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan’s homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom’s greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan’s mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.

Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he’s willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom–and the girl–he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it–in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.

The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.

Content Warning: violence, death

The first book in this series really surprised me and I loved it! Let’s see how it ends:

+ The story takes places immediately after all the chaotic events that happened at the ending of the first book. Zen is on a mission to defeat the Elantians by any means possible but Lan doesn’t believe that’s the right thing to do. Both have their own path and it keeps them apart, which is sad because I loved them together.

+ There is so much conflict in this story. The Elantians want to take over but Zen is fighting tooth and nail to stop that from happening – does this make him a villain when he uses his demon god to try and fight them? Zen’s storyline is heartbreaking and I didn’t expect that. Lan is trying to achieve peace but feels it’s wrong to use the demon gods they are bound to because the demons could overtake their souls and she doesn’t want that for Zen but he makes a choice and she makes hers. I liked all the questions about power and about choices, and doing the right thing.

+ The love story is tragic and made me want to cry! They love each other but with everything going on they know it’s not going to end well. I loved their moment together where they confess what they feel and what kind of future they could have but their love is heartbreaking. This is a bittersweet love story.

+ I love the battles between the demon gods – they are so epic! Also I love the secondary characters and wish we had more time with them. I love Dilaya, who’s a fierce warrior and a leader. She becomes Lan’s closest friend and their interactions were so good.

~ There are a few villains in this story because of the way they are bound to a demon and want more power and will do anything to achieve their goals but I felt like the Elantians weren’t as present in this story as they were in book one. I actually feel like this should have been a trilogy and not a duology because some parts felt rushed. It’s such an epic world – I think it definitely deserve another book to at least feature more conflict with the Elantians.

My Thoughts:

I wish this series was a trilogy because I felt like there could have been more tension to draw out with the enemies because there are multiple. But despite that I enjoyed this book a lot because of the questions it asks about power and choices. I love the characters and all their different journeys no matter how hard it got for them. The battles between the demon gods were full of action and epic. And even though this is a tragic romance story between Lan and Zen, I loved them so much together and their love story almost made me cry at the end. My heart broke. Although it’s a bittersweet ending, I think it ended perfectly.