Tag: romance

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/19/26

Aloha friends!

+ It was a busy week since my in-laws were still here after the bar mitzvah. They just left on Friday but we got to take advantage of guest parking at their hotel and the kids went night swimming at the beach and at the pool for two nights in a row. They had so much fun! I had fun too, it felt like a mini vacation.

+ Today, my hubby is going to the Philippines for a work trip. But it’s back to school shopping time for me and the kids.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

  • Song For Another Home by. Bora Lee Reed
  • The Anatomy of Magic by. Alexis L. Menard
  • Forsaking Midnight by. Emily McIntire
  • Vows of Blood and Deception by. Aria Ashbrook
  • The Dark in Her Veins by. M.K. Lobb
  • Prince of the Sun by. Emma Noyes
  • An Arcane Education by. Lyla Andrews
  • Ravenous by. Kresley Cole

Currently Reading:

  • Roses & Ruin by. Hazel Cross
  • Gingerbread Bones by. Jennifer Lovise
  • Nightwitch by. Jaymin Eve

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

+ Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love – still listening to this

+ World Cup Final

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!

Instagram | Tiktok

The Serpent’s Throne by. Kathryn Ann Kingsley | Book Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ.5

Title: The Serpent’s Throne (Bloodlines, #3)

Author: Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Pages: 298

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 7/10/26

Categories: Romantasy, Dark Romance, Vampires, Fae, Series

I swore Iโ€™d kill Raziel Nostrom. Now he owns my heartโ€ฆ

After a shattering betrayal, Nadi and Raziel flee into the Wildโ€”the endless labyrinth of caves that is home to the fae.

Nadi trained for years to infiltrate and kill a ruthless family of vampires. Now she faces an even deadlier challengeโ€”returning to her own family with their most hated enemy by her side.

In a realm of flickering lights and terrifying monsters, the desire that binds her to Raziel only grows stronger. Enemies and allies wish to tear them apart, but she still craves his razor-sharp smile, his touch, his biteโ€ฆ

In the city above, Razielโ€™s siblings are building a new world, where vampires rule with no restraint and no mercy. Soon their power will be untouchable.

Nadi and Raziel only have each other. Two shattered and broken things, in a world that wants them dead. Two perfect assassins, sharpened to a killing edge and hungry for revenge.

Their love was forged in blood. And it will end in bloodโ€ฆ

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Nadi and Raziel are in the home of the fae, the Wild – which is an underground labyrinth. They make plans and need to escape, I like the symbolism of Raziel being deep underground in Fae territory and needing to climb all the way up to the surface to carry out his vengeance. In the Wild, we meet some of the Fae in power and learn about them and their motivations.

Characters: Nadi has chosen her side, and it’s Raziel so she does everything to take his family down. Raziel has gone beyond anger, he is the Serpent and will do anything to take down his family and rule. He has always been morally black, but I love how Nadi grounds him, just enough – I like how he knows what he is good at and had some sanity while he seemed like he was going insane. Kalo was interesting and we get to know more about him – at times I didn’t know what side he was really on but I did like his growth.

Romance: Nadi and Raziel are like Bonnie and Clyde and they will go down together with a world burning around them. I love how they were each other’s ride or die til the end! They have seen the best and worst of one another, and they are committed – I love that about them! Nadi sees all his red flags and things, I want that. ๐Ÿ˜… Surprisingly this is the least spicy book among the three in the series, but I didn’t mind it because there was a lot of killing going on, no time for spice!

Story: This is a great ending to the trilogy! I like how Nadi and Raziel went about carrying out their plans and vengeance. They were in it 100% and I admired that about them even though Raziel is a little crazy. These two are made for each other, I love their crazy moments and heartfelt ones too. I enjoyed the journey Nadi and Raziel go through to finally achieve their goal. And the ending had a little twist I definitely wasn’t expecting.

Final Thoughts:

I was cheering Nadi and Raziel on because I wanted to see them get vengeance too. I liked learning about the Fae, the politics, the violence and the vengeance. I love the romance, I was all about them being crazy and crazy for each other. I really enjoyed this series and hope to read more from this author!

Read if you like:

  • mafia vampire vibes
  • revenge
  • romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Serpentโ€™s Sin by. Kathryn Ann Kingsley | Book Review – 4 stars/ 3 ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

The Serpentโ€™s Bride by. Kathryn Ann Kingsley | Book Review – 3.5 stars/ 3 ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Vows of Blood and Deception by. Aria Ashbrook | Book Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: Vows of Blood and Deception (The Hirathean Path, #2)

Author: Aria Ashbrook

Pages: 544

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 7/7/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Series

She won the Goddessโ€™s blessing. She got everything she asked for. So why does it feel like sheโ€™s lost it all?

Rose Kultavaris survived the Retterheld. She reclaimed her magic. Her title. Her place at court. But victory can be a hollow thing.

The palace celebrates her as the gifted, yet behind gilded doors alliances shift, secrets surface, and the past refuses to stay buried. The pretty crown Prince Kyor chose over her remains firmly on his arrogant head โ€“ and every time their paths cross, the tension between them threatens to burn down the High Hold itself.

In transpired that the Goddessโ€™s โ€œgiftโ€ did not restore Roseโ€™s life anywhere near as neatly as promised.

Old betrayals cut deeper than any blade, while new truths shatter everything she thought she knew. Rose is more alone than ever, and her power, now reclaimed, proves far more dangerous than anything else she has faced.

In a court built on lies and ambition, Rose must decide what she truly vengeance, love, or something far more dangerous โ€ฆ freedom.

Vows of Blood and Deception is the second in a dark, spicy slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy series, perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, The Serpent and the Wings of the Night, and Throne of Glass.

Content Warning: violence

World Building: In this sequel, the world opens up and instead of trials there is a quest. Rose needs to find the Issen so they can teach her about the ice magic she has and has to hide. She needs to figure this out before she hurts someone with it. So Rose and some of her friends go on a journey that is filled with some danger, but mostly them getting to know one another more.

Characters: Rose has ice magic and needs to learn more about it. Kyor is back, and he wants Rose back but they have a lot things to work through, most especially trusting one another. He is so stubborn! I love the found family. Rose’s friends Benny, and Ruben are fun! Caz is someone we get to know more about. I think there was growth for all the characters.

Romance:ย Things are complicated for Kyor and Rose, but clearly he is obsessed with her and she can’t stop loving him though she is angry with him too. So it takes a lot for them to act on their desires. Every time they make progress, something breaks them again, but I think by the end of this book, they are committed even though it seems like there is no hope between them. They are trying so I’m rooting for them! I just wish Kyor could say why he won’t turn his back on his horrible father.

Story:ย I do think this story moved forward but I did hope they would run into the Issen like in the middle of the story but that wasn’t the case. So for me, this sequel felt a little bit like filler – it was a back and forth between Rose and Kyor for sure. I did enjoy Benny and Ruben though! Also, the dire wolves were great. They brought some humor to the story. It ends with a cliffhanger but I hope we see Kyor grow a little more.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I enjoyed this one though I wish we got to see Rose get answers about her magic. So yes this did feel like filler, but I did enjoy Benny, Ruben and the dire wolves. The romance was a lot of back and forth but I like that they are trying to work through their challenges and problems. It ends with a cliffhanger so I look forward to reading book three.

Read if you like:

  • a quest
  • found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Web of Vows and Vengeance by. Aria Ashbrook | Book Review – 3.5 stars/2 ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Prince of Swords by. Elise Kova | ARC Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: Prince of Swords by. Elise Kova (Arcana Academy, #2))

Author: Elise Kova

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 560

Publication Date: 7/21/26

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Tarot Magic, 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 Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Welcome back to Arcana Academy. Tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal collide for the power to change the world in the thrilling second book of this New York Times bestselling fantasy romance series.

I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster.

Clara Graysword is Oricalisโ€™s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Claraโ€™s fate. If she dares to trust them.

But the most dangerous alliance of all is one sheโ€™s already deeply ensnared Prince Kaelis.

Kaelis, second-born prince of Oricalis and headmaster of Arcana Academy, is the one man she canโ€™t escapeโ€”maybe she doesnโ€™t want to escape. Ruthless, dangerous, and bound to Clara by destiny and desire, Kaelis tests her heart as much as her loyalty. Together, they grow closer to the most powerful secrets of the tarot . . . and to the truths they both hide that could destroy the passion that they no longer deny.

Hidden in plain sight within Arcana Academy, Clara walks the daggerโ€™s edge. Revelations about Oricalis threaten everything she thought she knew, and every choice she makes is the difference between salvation and ruin.

To change the world, Clara must risk everythingโ€”her power, her beliefs, and her heart.

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Back in the world of Arcana Academy, Clara is being hunted. We’re taken back to the prison and back to the academy, but this time Clara is trying to not get caught and she is willing to do anything to accomplish her goals of inking the World card and helping her sister Arina. Also instead of learning the tarot card magic, we see it being used more in fighting scenes and even some spicy scenes.

Characters: Clara is going through some tough things in this sequel – mostly, she’s trying to stop being super stubborn about accepting help. I do sympathize with her and understand why she didn’t trust anyone though – every someone helped her they ended up losing their lives. She goes through lots of loss in this book, and mistrust, but she does start to accept more help at the end. Kaelis is even more mysterious and dangerous in this book – there was this never ending nagging feeling inside me that I couldn’t trust him. It made me nervous for the whole plans of remaking the world! The secondary characters are great and add so much to the story but this book is a heartbreaker when it comes to some characters like Arina, Clara’s sister and others. My heart was broken more than once!

Romance: The romance is a roller coaster of emotions! There is mistrust and secrets between Clara and Kaelis, but they are forever drawn to one another. We learn more as to why that is, but oh my…the confessions between them about their feelings was making me squeal! There is spice, there is angst and so much yearning, and then there is the ending of this book which I will not spoil but made me need book three, ASAP.

Story: The story picks up right away from book one, I will say I felt like the pacing was a little up and down. It starts off with action, but when things settle and Clara has to learn who to avoid getting plus trying to figure out how to draw the World card – things do slow down. I still felt like it was a quick read despite the middle slow down and then the last half of the book? Amazing – I felt like I was racing to the end with a few plot twists revealing themselves and leaving me shocked.

Vibes: tarot magic, yearning, secrets

Final Thoughts:

What a sequel and though the middle does feel like it slows down a little, this story finishes off with a cliffhanger that has me needing to read book three asap. I love the twists and turns. There is growth in Clara – she goes through so much and though at times I didn’t agree with some of her choices, her intentions are good, and there is so much riding on her from every angle. The romance had me in my feelings – Kaelis was really something in this book, he reveals more of himself than I expected by the end of this book and it makes me so curious to see what will happen at the end of this series. I felt like this story was an emotional rollercoaster and I can’t wait to continue the series.

Read if you like:

  • tarot magic
  • secrets
  • found family
  • romance – yearning, angst

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Dragon Cursed by. Elise Kova | Book Review โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

Arcana Academy by. Elise Kova | ARC Review โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

A Duel with the Vampire Lord by. Elise Kova | Book Review โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic #2) by. Elise Kova| Book Review โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

A Deal with the Elf King | Book Review โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

To Drown a Witch by. Lindsey Olsson | ARC Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: To Drown a Witch (#1)

Author: Lindsey Olsson

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 7/14/26

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Categories: Upper YA, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Paranormal, Witches, 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 G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A criminal and a royal guard are drawn into the hunt for a dangerous witchโ€”and an unexpected romanceโ€”in this YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy, perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter.

In Orlonea, the Witch is feared above all else. Reborn into each generation, she is the only person with magic running innately through her veins, able to wield magic with a single thought.

So when guards across the city begin to drop dead, gruesomely murdered by violent and vicious magic, everyone knows the Witch has returnedโ€”and no one will be safe until sheโ€™s killed.

Toran is the Princeโ€™s Crown, the most highly skilled fighter in the Kingโ€™s Guard. Tasked with the responsibility of leading the hunt for the Witch, Toran tries to focus on his assignment to forget the ghosts of his past. And after he learns of Nes, a thief with an uncanny ability to sniff out magic, he forcibly recruits her into joining his hunt.

As the two face deadly magic and otherworldly threats, their mutual dislike soon turns to something more electric, and they find themselves drawn to each other in ways theyโ€™d never imagined. But the Witch is always a step ahead of them, and with bodies piling up, secrets threaten to come to lightโ€”secrets that could destroy everything from the fragile trust between them to the very city of Orlonea itself.

Content Warning: violence, death, drowning, alcoholism

World Building: The Witch is feared and there is a constant search for her – even though some girls and women are accused of being the witch and die because of it. Toran is the King’s Crown (the Prince’s protector and guard), and the king gives him a mission to bring the Witch to him – alive. But Toran doesn’t want to fail again so he asks Nes to help him. There are different kingdoms but this is set in Orlonea, there are royals, there is poverty, and a place called the Ditch where Nes has been living. The Ditch has someone who runs the streets named Phineas, he’s a crime lord and Nes used to work for him. There is magic in this world, and a drink that can give people powers but it is addictive and illegal.

Characters: Nes is someone from the Ditch and worked for Phineas, she also has a little bit of a mysterious past and she’s morally grey. We know her father is in the prison and her main goal is to get him out. She can also sense magic. Toran has connections to the King so he asks Nes for help to catch the Witch in exchange he will free her father. There are some other interesting characters like Genna, Suri, Quint and of course Phineas. There is mention of the Prince, but he doesn’t really appear in the story.

Romance: Well the romance was not what I expected – I was going along with it, I liked it a lot, Nes, the girl from the Ditch who got her hands dirty and Toran, the King’s Crown, who failed a mission and has a broken heart – I was rooting for these two. I thought they were cute together…and then the plot twist. And I have never loved a MMC and then hated him so fast in my life (I think ๐Ÿ˜…). One minute I was like aww…the next I was like WHAT?! But I loved the ending and cannot wait to see what happens in book two. This is promoted as young adult, but it is upper young adult because there is a spicy scene but it is not graphic.

Story: I was very surprised that the mystery part of this story kept me in it – usually I find mysteries slow. But I liked learning about this world where they hunt and fear the Witch. I like learning about Toran who has a past but that ending really messed with me. I didn’t expect the cat and mouse game that came in the second half, it hooked me. I had some suspicions about who could be the Witch, and I like how the story misdirected me a few times. Now, throughout the book we get some information, sometimes barely information (for example about the Prince who is mentioned but never seen) – I kept wondering and wanting to know more about these things to piece the puzzle together. So in book two I hope they will explain so much more about the Witch, her background, Toran and his past, the Prince and even the place where Toran failed his mission, Aeos, because all of these things factor in somehow to tie it all together, but since it’s book one we don’t have the full picture.

Final Thoughts:

I went into this enjoying the mystery of the first half, which is surprising since mysteries for me can feel slow but I was really getting invested into Nes and Toran’s story. Then the second half of this book had twists and turns, that had me rushing to the cliffhanger ending. There is so much more to learn about this world, and a lot of be explained, so I will be eagerly waiting for book two!

Read if you like:

  • mystery
  • twist and turns
  • witches

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Forsaking Midnight by. Emily McIntire | ALC Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ซ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: Forsaking Midnight (Defying the Stars, #2)

Author: Emily McIntire

Pages: 528

Format: audiobook

Listening Hours: 15 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Andi Arnt, Connor Crais

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Publication Date: 7/14/26

Categories: Romance, Series, Romantasy, Why Choose, Fantasy


From the Queen of the Never After retellings comes a modern-day Lancelot & Guinevere filled with serious yearning, hate-to-love you vibes and a happily ever after

Some sins are worth the fall . . .

Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.

Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he’s never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost.

Then he’s asked to protect her.

Genevieve DeGrance didn’t ask for any of this.

She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor’s son. But nothing in this town is what it seems. Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat.

She hates him.
He can’t stand her.
And yet . . .

The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.

And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she’s forbidden to want.

In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both.

But staying away might be the one fight Lance can’t win.

๐Ÿ’ซ Why you will love this book ๐Ÿ’ซ
๐Ÿ’œ forbidden love
๐ŸŒ™ enemies to lovers
๐Ÿ’œ best friend’s girl
๐ŸŒ™ morally grey hero
๐Ÿ’œ forced proximity
๐ŸŒ™ yearning that ruins lives
๐Ÿ’œ slow burn with SPICE
๐ŸŒ™ mafia style romance

Content Warning: death, violence

+ This is book two in the Defying the Stars series. Book one was a Romeo and Juliet retelling and now book two is a Lancelot and Guinevere retelling. I kind of love these different retellings! And Lance and Genevieve did not disappoint, even though there is cheating – but hey it tracks with the love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. So if you don’t like cheating, then this might not be for you.

+ I like Lance’s story. He is best-friends with Art, who is Genevieve’s boyfriend. But they have a history, they are brothers at heart, but something happens – Art does something, and Lance helps him out. But the debt lasts too long and in the process, Lance loses himself. He is used, abused, has trauma and all because he wanted to help his best-friend out. Lance is a good guy. Genevieve, has a story too, but I think Lance’s character was stronger. I actually love all the other characters like Lance’s siblings and Romeo’s too and can’t wait to see what their stories will be.

+ I didn’t mind the cheating because Art was not a good friend to Lance, or a good boyfriend to Genevieve. True, they still shouldn’t have gone behind his back, but I didn’t like Art, so I didn’t mind. ๐Ÿ˜… I loved Lance and Genevieve together. Their relationship is beautiful and spicy – there are a few spicy scenes between them but I still gave it only 2 chili peppers because I didn’t think there was anything too freaky between them, but some might rate it a 3 because of how many scenes there are, if that makes sense.

~ For the most part I loved the dual narration for this audiobook but I did love Lance’s voice more than Genevieve’s.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Lancelot and Guinevere – there are secrets, betrayal, family drama, a gossip social media account keeping tabs on people, and a love triangle. The narrators did a great job, especially the voice for Lance! I’m really enjoying these loose retellings of different romance classics, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Read if you like:

  • modern Lancelot and Guinevere retelling
  • cheating trope; best-friend’s girlfriend

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Burning Daylight by. Emily McIntire | Bookย Review – 3.5 stars/ 2 ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Unbound by. Penelope Bloom | ARC Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: Unbound (Confluence Academy, #1)

Author: Penelope Bloom

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 592

Publication Date: 7/21/26 (first published: 5/27/26)

Publisher: Forever

Categories: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Academia, 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 Forever for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nineteen-year-old Nessa Thorne expects death when she volunteers for Empire’s selection. Instead, she’s thrust into Confluence Academy, where students harness elemental magic and bond powerful beastsโ€”from wolves to ancient dragonsโ€”forging themselves into the Empire’s most lethal weapons.

Students are branded by water, air, earth, or fire. But Nessaโ€™s mark is different. A silver spiralโ€”the mark of an unbound. Itโ€™s a power so dangerous her kind were hunted to extinction centuries agoโ€”or so the Empire claims.

To survive, she must hide what she is in a castle that reeks of blood, where students kill each other for advantage and failing to tether an elemental means death.

Nessaโ€™s greatest threat may be the only other volunteerโ€”Raith Hollow, a powerful fire affinity whose scorching gaze follows her every move and whose secrets could topple kingdoms.

Alliances are forged in blood, enemies circle like vultures, and forbidden desires close in. Death once seemed like release from her tragic past. Now it’s not an option. She’ll embrace her terrible potential or watch everything she’s fought for burn.

At Confluence Academy, students leave as weapons… or they don’t leave at all.

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Set at Confluence Academy, this story had all the usual elements found in fantasy academia stories lately. There is a young woman, Nessa, with more powers than others but she has to keep it secret. An enemies to lovers develops between her and a guy who has fire elemental powers and secrets. But a lot of the story revolves around their training at the school plus people trying to team up and take Nessa out. There are also trials to pass, which involved a lot of dangerous situations.

Characters: Nessa is the girl with a tragic past and powers she needs to keep secret because people would want to get rid of her or use her. Raith is the hot, tough guy at the school who she has an enemies to lovers relationship with. He ends up being protective of her but he also has a secret. The secondary characters, Nessa’s new friends, were a fun group. I also Bastian, an air elemental, is a mystery – I can’t tell if he is there as a friend to Nessa or if he will be an enemy later on. I kind of needed more from his character. I did enjoy the beasts that people were tethered too, like Nessa’s beast is a dragon and he is sassy which I thought was funny.

Romance: The romance is a slow burn and it does lead to some steamy scenes but I did appreciate Nessa and Raith getting to know each other before acting on their desires. I feel like their bond grew stronger and stronger as the story moved along.

Story: First off, this story is too long. There were so many parts that could have been cut out because it was repetitive. I think the story has too many elements that are found in other romantasy stories set in an academy and not enough to make it stand out from the rest. It was predictable and I found myself skimming. It’s not anything new I’ve read before but even if it wasn’t new, I just wanted something a little different so it kept me interested. I was in and out of this story, wishing something more was happening and I did enjoy when there was action, or even more steam in the relationship – something to get me excited about what was happening. More of the plot reveals itself in the second half but I wish it hooked me from the beginning.

Final Thoughts:

I wanted more from some of the characters, and wish the story was shorter. I just couldn’t stay fully invested and found myself skimming some pages that felt repetitive. I did like the slow burn romance and the creatures that students were tethered to but overall this was just an okay read for me.

Read if you like:

  • war academy
  • trials
  • enemies to lovers romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Magic So Deadly by. Vasilisa Drake | Book Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Spice Rating: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Title: A Magic So Deadly (Kingdom of Dark Magic, #2)

Author: Vasilia Drake

Pages: 479

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/30/26

Categories: Romantasy, Vampires and Witches, Series

She has become everything she ever wantedโ€ฆ and everything she despises.

Samara wakes in a prison cell as her worst nightmare: Sheโ€™s a vampire, cursed with bloodlust that horrifies her. And though she now has the magic sheโ€™s always desperately craved, itโ€™s a secret she must guard with her undead life.

Because this same magic marks her as an enemy of all vampires. Especially Raphaelโ€”their king.

Now, as a vampire, Samara is haunted by an inescapable thirst. In her sleep, she claws at her throat, trying to ease the pain. But when sheโ€™s around Raphael, her fangs ache for a deeper reason she canโ€™t explain.

A mystical bond ties Samara to Raphael as her sire, preventing her from fleeing before he can discover her identity as the very witch heโ€™s been hunting for centuries. Instead, she must journey with him to the Southern Vampire Kingdom. A journey that has her sharing both his carriageโ€ฆ and his bed.

There, Raphael offers her another bargain: Yield to her vampire nature and master her abilities, and he will help her break the bond.

But if she lowers her guard too much, if her control over the powers she barely understands slips and Raphael learns sheโ€™s the necromancerโ€ฆ

Heโ€™ll be forced to kill her.

A Magic So Deadly is the second book in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series, filled with a slow burn romance, unique magic systems, and forced proximity. 

Content Warning: violence, death, self-harm

World Building:ย In this sequel, Samara’s time is mostly spent in Raphael’s kingdom, but there is a moment in the end where we get to meet another vampire ruler. But Thea is on her mission somewhere else but I’m not going to lie, I was mostly reading to see how Samara and Raphael’s romance was going to grow.

Characters: Samara is now a vampire, and she’s trying to come to terms with it. But she learns something which she feels she can twist to enact her revenge against Raphael. Raphael is trying to give her as much space as he can but also needs to force her to accept her new self so she can survive. There is an intriguing new character, Julian, that comes in at the end.

Romance:ย I was here for the romance since book one had barely any. And Raphael gives Samara space but that man is crazy about her, which made me crazy about him! I love that he won’t let her go and now we get to see him expressing all his yearning and feelings that he has been holding back. I devoured it. I loved watching them getting to know one another and finally acting on their desires. Loved their spicy scenes – it’s so sensual in a vampire way (bloody haha, but not too bad), which again I devoured, it’s what I expect from a vampire romance!

Story:ย I did enjoy seeing Samara learn to accept being a vampire. There is some political intrigue and something brewing in the background that Thea is involved in, and a betrayal that shocked me. There is an unexpected plot twist at the end and of course it had to be a cliffhanger so now I have to wait for book three. But like I said, I wanted to read this book because I wanted to see the romance to develop and that goal was definitely achieved.

Final Thoughts:

All my stars are for Raphael haha, and his devotion to Samara. I love a vampire who’s fallen first and will do anything to be with the one he loves. Most of the story was about their relationship but that cliffhanger ending shocked me – now I have to wait, but I honestly have so much faith in Raphael’s love for Samara that even this change of plans won’t stop him from loving her! Now I just want to see her have that same love for him and do the right thing.

Read if you like:

  • slow burn
  • vampire romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Bargain So Bloody by. Vasilia Drake | Book Review

My Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

Spice Rating:

Title: A Bargain So Bloody (Kingdom of Dark Magic, #1)

Author: Vasilia Drake

Pages: 498

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/30/25

Categories: Romantasy, Vampires and Witches, Series


Sheโ€™s trapped in a magical prison. To break out, sheโ€™ll make a deal with the most dangerous prisoner of them all.

Sentenced for a crime she didnโ€™t commit, Samara is bullied by guards and tormented by the screams of her fellow prisoners. Sheโ€™s resigned herself to enduring her fifteen-year termโ€ฆ until she learns that the freedom she’s been promised is the cruelest lie of all.

Now she’s faced with a choice: resign herself to dying in the cold walls of Castle Greymere, or do the unthinkable and escape. But no one leaves Greymere alive. So to break out of the prison? Sheโ€™ll have to use one of the undead.

Raphael is the worst kind of a vampire with a thirst for blood, the mortal enemy of witches, the same breed that killed her mother. And most importantly, heโ€™s unspeakably powerful, his supernatural strength tamed only by the enchanted cuffs forced on him.

Heโ€™s her only chance at a life outside the prison walls.

The deal is Samara unlocks his shackles, and he’ll help her escape. But although Raphael agreed to help her leave Greymere, he never promised to let her goโ€ฆ

A Bargain So Bloody is the first book in an exciting new romantasy series, perfect for readers who love slow burn romance with morally grey heroes who fall first and hard and heroines who find their own strength.

Content Warning: violence, death, self-harm

World Building:ย There is a Witch Kingdom that is surrounded by Vampire Kingdoms and we get to spend time in the Witch Kingdom and the Western Vampire Kingdom. Samara has been a prisoner at Greymere, since she was a child. She is a null (no magic) and she’s basically the prison master’s slave until a prisoner appears and makes a bargain with her so she can help set him free. I was very intrigued with this world of vampires and witches.

Characters: Samara and Raphael escape the prison and go on a a quest to find a grimoire. They are both morally grey characters which made things very interesting. Sam has a secret past though, where she has memories of her mother and another life but we don’t know much more than that. She also hates vampires deeply and being with one opens her eyes to her enemy. Raphael is a powerful vampire, and realize he is more than he seems. There are some other interesting characters like Thea and Demos.

Romance:ย There isn’t much romance, this is very much a slow burn and enemies to lovers because Sam hates vampires. But I liked seeing them get to know one another, their banter and the tension between them. It’s a vampire romance, so there are some sensual scenes that had to do with blood drinking but not spice. I think it’s evident though that Raphael feels something strongly for Samara, and what I love about him is he gives her space. I did want more to happen, but it was a quick read.

Story:ย I like the world building, and the escape from the prison. I thought Sam and Raphael were interesting characters. The romance was slow but I didn’t mind because Samara was exploring Raphael’s home and finding out about vampires, grimoires and witches. I enjoyed the friendship Sam builds with Thea. There is a twist at the end that made me read book two right away.

Final Thoughts:

It did feel like nothing much was happening in the book after they escape from prison but I still felt like it was a quick read. I love a vampire romantasy though especially when the vampire falls first. It’s a slow burn romance between Samara and Raphael and I enjoyed the build up. I also found the world building interesting and look forward to reading more books in this series.

Read if you like:

  • slow burn
  • vampire romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/12/26

Aloha friends!

+ oh what a week it has been!! Yesterday was my son’s bar mitzvah so we had family fly down from New York and Delaware, played tourist a little in between the planning and getting things ready for the event. We had to do rehearsal, Friday night Shabbat service and then Saturday was the Bar Mitzvah – my heart is full. ๐Ÿฅฐ And I am so exhausted. We are so immensely proud of him and his hard work – so many people praised him. It was a long day, but with so many of my family helping me, it was successful! Sometimes I wonder why I worry so much when usually things just work out. ๐Ÿ˜…. We had family, friends, community and food…then after a much needed nap we went to the hotel my in-laws are staying at and they cooked burgers and hot dogs, the kids did some evening swimming in the pool and then the beach. It was a beautiful Bar Mitzvah day! Now I have one more to do for my daughter in 3 years.

+ Today, we are doing brunch with my hubby’s family who flew down and my immediate family to do one last celebration.

+ now with all of that done…I have to do back to school shopping! And my hubby will be gone for a work trip next week so, it will be just me and the kids again.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

  • Ruinous Ends by. I.V. Marie
  • A Magic so Deadly by. Vasilia Drake
  • A Bargain so Bloody by. Vasilia Drake
  • Queen of the Night Sky by. Amalie Howard
  • The Raven at the Ash Door by. K.A. Linde
  • The Someday Garden by. Ashely Poston

Currently Reading:

  • Song For Another Home by. Bora Lee Reed
  • The Anatomy of Magic by. Alexis L. Menard
  • Forsaking Midnight by. Emily McIntire
  • Vows of Blood and Deception by. Aria Ashbrook

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

+ Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love – still listening to this

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!

Instagram | Tiktok