Winterveil by. Ava Reid | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Winterveil

Author: Ava Reid

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 9/15/26

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Dystopian, Cold War, Dark Academia, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, LGBT+, 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 HarperCollins for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There is no application process for Valeran Academy, but it boasts the brightest – and precociously criminal – students in the nation.

A disgraced politician from a powerful American dynasty.

A coldly brilliant strategist who will sacrifice anything to win.

A former pageant queen with a talent that could change the world.

A prodigious female soldier with an enigmatic past – and a dangerous secret.

With eerie war simulations, cutthroat competitions and foreboding new technology, Valeran trains its students to be elite assets in a Cold War that has dragged on for nearly a century. But as a sinister conspiracy takes shape and these four are drawn together for a mysterious mission, their loyalties are tested, their convictions shaken and they all begin to are they ushering in a new era of freedom, or tyranny?

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual harassment/assault, mentions of abusive parent

Set in 2037, the Cold War, with Russia (USSR) is still going on and USA is still trying find ways to win the war. Already I had to suspend my belief a lot, so I was wary about this book and didn’t think i would like it. But to my surprise, I could not put it down.

I like the different teenagers that are assembled at Valeran Academy to supposedly help end this war. They are misfits, some of them are criminals of a different variety, which made things very interesting. The main four characters are Nadiya, Giselle, Klaudia and Julian. They are all flawed which I enjoyed. I got attached to the three girls because they had fascinating backgrounds and skills. I loved Nadiya and Giselle’s growing relationship and I was drawn to Klaudia and her ice princess personality. Julian was at times detestable and I don’t know if that was on purpose but I don’t know that he can redeem himself in my eyes in the sequel. But I did like his rivalry with Klaudia.

Valeran Academy is a secret institute training the best of minds to help with the war efforts and they train students through simulations. They have other classes to round out their education but the simulations are what will ultimately help them with their missions. The kids are vying for top rankings so they can get a good job after graduation maybe with the CIA or other government sectors but the competition is fierce.

There were some instances that made me feel uncomfortable in the story, but I’ve noticed with the two books I’ve read from this author, that this is a common feeling while reading her books. It can get dark, for example there are teachers being inappropriate with the students. Or Julian and some of his thoughts about Klaudia, especially during a certain scene. It definitely gave the tone that Valeran Academy and the people that run it, though it is all for protecting the USA, have some sinister motives. Also, some of the aspects about the simulations did go over my head because we are in it with them, it seems so real, and I still don’t know how Giselle can do what she does – she doesn’t either so I’m hoping it will be explained more in book two.

Despite that, I flew through this book because of Klaudia and her intelligence, Nadiya and her protectiveness and Giselle with her rare skill or powers (not sure yet). I like the high stakes and puzzles as this team has to figure out their mission.

Final Thoughts:

This was a quick read for me, I really liked the pacing. And although I didn’t care much about the Cold War and what the government was doing to end it, I cared a lot about the characters especially Nadiya, Giselle and Klaudia. I think they are what made the book so enjoyable. They are complex and I admired their intelligence and what they brought to the table. They had different traumas, and fascinating backgrounds. Okay, I guess Julian is a part of the team with his charm, but there are things about him I just don’t like. The only part I did like about him was his rivalry with Klaudia. The story has high stakes, fierce competition, and some betrayal. I’ll definitely be reading book two to see how the story progresses!

Read if you like:

dystopian
dark academia
complex characters

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Theory of Dreaming by. Ava Reid | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Study in Drowning by. Ava Reid | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

White Raven by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: White Raven (Messengers of the Realm, #1)

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Pages: 405

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/1/26

Categories: Dark Romance, Dark Fantasy, Series

“Harbingers of enlightened, bringers of darkness. Givers of life, tellers of death…significance

flies on the backs of raven wings for those who dare to listen to its meaning. For we are the

Messengers of the Realm.”

The White Raven was born to bring magic to the dying realm.

One hundred and ninety-nine years ago the Blood War between the Ravens and the Leatherwings divided the land into Day, Night, and Dusk, cursing the land with the blood of the dead. Abandoned by Odin and his favored pets, Huginn and Muninn, the ravens were stripped of their wings, and their positions as Messengers of the Realm.

Her blood holds the power to heal the land and unite the kingdoms.

Wrennlyn Stallard, the King’s only daughter had lived a life of privilege, kept sheltered in the walls of Silvervale. But on the night of her betrothal, her world shattered when their enemy from the Night Realm kidnapped her, taking her across the snowy terrain into the treacherous land, called the Shadow Rift, the land between the Day and Night.

His mission is to take her to the Night King.

Onyx had waited months to seize her, purposely getting captured to work as a thrall for the Day King. Cold, ruthless, and burning with vengeance, he wasn’t prepared for the pampered, prophesized girl to be defiant, clever, and maddeningly impossible to break. Killing her would be easy, but her life is vital to a much bigger plan.

Because everyone knows…who has the White Raven holds the power.

Content Warning: violence, death, kidnapping, cannibalism, attempted rape

+ I could not put this book down. I read it in one day! I haven’t read a book from this author since the Savage Lands series (I didn’t read book 5 due to lack of time or awareness of it), but I loved that series. White Raven is as dark, but this time it’s inspired by Nordic mythology and culture. There are Nordic Gods mentioned, runes, a land divided by Day Ravens, Night Ravens, and Leatherwings (bats). I hope we learn more about the Leatherwings next! Wrenn and her captor travel across these lands, encounter so much danger and I loved the tension from start to finish.

+ Wren is the prophesied White Raven – on her 19th birthday, she will come into powers and cure the land. She’s a Day Raven and everyone wants to marry her, or own her in some way, shape or form. She’s 18, kidnapped, saw her best friend die, and learning how wrong she was about things outside of her kingdom. I was rooting for Wren because at any time she could have saved everyone the trouble and ended her life and to hell with the prophesy but she stayed strong. The plot twist at the ending cliffhanger is so juicy, I was left shocked.

+ There are a few members in this cast of characters. I loved her best friend, Sarina. Onyx is the FMC, and we don’t learn his name until way later, for a good chunk of the book we know he’s a thrall (slave). But when we do learn about Onyx and his life as a Night Raven, I liked getting to know his friends and crew, especially Bjorn – I love him! There is also a cute creature, a groundling, named Munch who I loved also.

+~ In this dark book there is hardly any romance. Wren has her dalliances here and there at court, but things change when she is kidnapped and everyone wants to take her in violent ways. Onyx and Wren are true enemies to lovers – they hate one another with a passion, but they are also attracted to one another because of forced proximity. There is one spicy scene which was surprising because I thought there would be more – but I think it fit because they are trully enemies stuck in a precarious situation.

Final Thoughts:

I couldn’t put this down! It was fast paced and full of action! It’s also very easy to read. I loved the world building, the dark world, even the horror elements. I hope we get to learn more about everything. The romance is very enemies to lovers, so I don’t know how I feel about it for now until either of them breaks down to one another, but it makes my anticipation for book two that much more exciting. The ending is a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read what happens next!

Read if you like:

dark romance
dark fantasy

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Bad Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review – 3⭐️

Dead Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review – 4 ⭐️

Wild Lands | Book Review – 4 ⭐️

Savage Lands | Book Review – 4 ⭐️

Stalkers Anonymous by. Dana Leeann | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Stalker Anonymous

Author: Dana Leeann

Pages: 398

Format: paperback

Publication Date: 9/1/26

Categories: Dark Romance

Cole Matthews definitely isn’t a stalker. Probably.

Sure, he used company resources and crossed some lines to “have a conversation” with his sister’s abusive ex. But that was a one-time thing. Now, Cole has to attend a group therapy program with a long, clinical name…but the participants? They call it Stalkers Anonymous.

Hailey Brigham is definitely dating the perfect man. Probably.

She’d love to focus more attention on Cole, the smoking hot, ex-military sweetheart whose idea of a casual second date is tandem skydiving. But a drug-seeking patient at the ER where she’s a second-year resident knows too much about Hailey’s personal life, and his fixation on her is getting harder to ignore.

When threats against Hailey escalate, Cole’s protective instincts go into overdrive. To keep her safe, he would do anything—even if it means becoming the monster he’s kept so carefully locked up inside.

Stalkers Anonymous is a dark romance with a morally gray hero, a fierce heroine, and a found family of misfits you won’t see coming (unless they want you to).

Content Warning: violence, death, stalking, mental health

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for sending me a copy of Stalker Anonymous by. Dana Leeann!

+ I wasn’t sure how this story would play out because clearly, stalking is a bad thing, but the twist in this story is Cole, a recovering stalker (he stalked the guy who hurt his sister), meets and falls for Hailey who has a stalker. So Cole’s tendencies to stalk and protect Hailey is coming out in full force. But he’s stalking her stalker! I could sympathize with Cole – clearly he knows what he did to his sister’s ex-boyfriend was over the line, and he was getting help, but I also love that he was stalking the bad guy.

+ The romance was easy and fun until the stalker ramped up his obsession with Hailey. I love how Cole and Hailey meet, they are both good people, and they fall for one another. But I also love when Cole’s past is revealed and it presents a conflict in the relationship that there is space between them so each of them can work on themselves. There are spicy moments between but nothing too crazy.

+ Cole is attending a therapy group session but I love how they sort of become a found family/friendship for him later on in the book. I thought that twist was kind of fun.

Final Thoughts:

I found this book to be a quick, easy read with a fun dark romance twist. Who really is the bad guy when the stalker is helping catch another stalker? I loved the romance between Cole and Hailey, I thought it was easy and fun until the conflict – but I like how they work things out too. Overall, I enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

Read if you like:

stalker romance
dark romance with a twist
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Heart Trials by. J. Elle | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Heart Trials (#1)

Author: J. Elle

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 9/1/26

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

Categories: Dystopian, Fantasy, 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 G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Welcome to The Heart Trials.
The prize is love.
The cost is everything.

In Ethyria the highborn may love; the lowborn may only feel what the Benevolent allows.

Saltblood lowborn Axira Merreri survives the decaying districts by keeping her heart locked tight, couriering goods by day — and smuggling the ruler’s euphoric Heartfillers to the highborn by night. Until a drop goes wrong and her execution looms.

When she strikes a dangerous bargain to steal something from the Tournament of Hearts, a ruthless dating competition for highborn citizenship, she enters. Not for love. For freedom. But as the twisted allure of the competition turns deadly, an unexpected connection cracks her defenses, forcing her to confront a truth she In a regime built on engineered happiness, the most dangerous weapon she has is her heart.

Content Warning: violence, death, drug use

+ The Heart Trials has some really unique world building. People are named after districts they are from for example Saltborn (place with water), Grainborn, Skyborn (wealthy), etc…so trying to learn about this world took some time to get used to. Also, low borns are prevented from falling in love, meaning they have to wear a chain across their mouth to avoid kissing, they have to wear gloves to not be able to touch, and these lower born citizens are monitored heavily by Mercyenforcers. People are also given drugs to stay compliant – can’t have people sad or angry, so the Benevolent (the ruler) can stay in power comfortably. Now the Heart Trials is a competition held by the Benevolent, contestant have to show they have fallen in love at the end of the trials. The winner gets to become a Skyborn, also there is some magic released in the kiss between two people who are truly in love that helps the Benevolent.

+ Axira is a smuggler of heartfillers, the drugs that keep people happy, but one meeting with a client ends up in disaster and she ends up joining the Heart Trials in agreement with the prince. Their goal is to steal the magic of the last kiss in order to take power away from the prince’s father. I thought Axira was an interesting mix of naive but also being savvy. The thing she has no experience in is the falling in love part, which was interesting to see. She’s new to touch, to a kiss, to feelings that involve love for another person that isn’t family or a friend. But I did think she kept herself aware of who was plotting against her.

+~ The romance is young adult and very clean. Axira spends a lot of time with Caelus, the prince, because they have a plan together. But she does start to feel things for him by the end except there is a twist in the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

+~ I do think the first half of the story moved slow even though there were deadly rials that helped show a lot of mistrust among the contestants. It was giving Hunger Games vibes throughout the trials, but I thought it was so funny to have a deadly trial and then they had to get to know a potential lover in the next moment. It wasn’t exactly the environment for romance to bloom! I was thinking this was a 3 star read until that ending. There was good tension that built from the slow start all the way to the cliffhanger ending, which I enjoyed a lot. The second half was my favorite part, especially with the twist in the end.

Final Thoughts:

I think the first half of this story moved a little slowly but there is some world building to acclimate to because it was so unique. I love the creativity. The trials gave Hunger Games with speed dating vibes at times, which was strange but refreshing also. I did like the tension! I also liked the romance and that the twist in the end led to a cliffhanger and now I need book two! Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Read if you like:

young adult dystopian
deadly trials
cliffhanger ending

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

House of Marionne by. J. Elle | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Shadow of Perl by. J. Elle | ARC Review – 3 ⭐️

Sorrow and Strangers by. Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Sorrow and Strangers (Avalon University, #2))

Author: Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune

Format: eBook (Simon Maverick) and paperback (Simon Maverick)

Pages: 754

Publication Date: 9/8/26

Publisher: Simon Maverick

Categories: Dark Academia, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Series

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

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

Fear. Fury. And Fire.

To Know is Never Enough.

Summer Tuatha De Daanan reluctantly returns to Avalon University for her second year after spending the summer with her vampire best friend in Draculea. She’s a shell of her former self, and the peace promised to her has never felt further from her reach. All Summer wants is to keep her head down and get through the year cloaked in her depression, but looming threats linger, and she quickly finds herself thrust into a dangerous position once again; entangled with a friend turned enemy, the protector of her beloved family, and the target of two very powerful kings.

Unwilling to suffer any further loss, Summer must push through her emotions to prepare herself for the enemies who threaten everything she holds dear. Through runic training with the revered and brooding Headmaster Emrys, combat with the aloof and strong-willed Max, and improving her mental walls with the dark and mysterious stranger, each step pulls her further from the edge of despair. Yet, nothing will be simple for Summer, and the more she trains, the more she discovers who she truly is, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. The beast within that purrs for her enigmatic stalker.

A darkness that is waiting to be explored. A darkness that will not be denied.

Content Warning: grief, violence, *read the trigger warnings at the start of the book*

+~ I think this sequel is more character driven than plot driven, which was a little frustrating because I needed more plot. It’s a long book and if constant spice is not your thing, you might want to skip this one because there is a lot of it. We are back at the school but we hardly see these characters go to school, it’s everything to do with outside school hours like partying and training at the gym. I wanted more plot, but it happens at the end of the book. It’s one of those addictive reads that don’t require much brain power though, I even guessed who Stranger was earlier in the book.

+ The portrayal of grief in this book is so real. A little too real that I was missing Connor so much in this book. He really was the character I loved the most in book one and I can’t even believe he’s gone. Summer is grieving in the beginning of the book and she goes through it. She’s wasting away before Alice’s eyes and goes through all the stages of grief.

+~ Summer as a character was never one who I totally loved, not even in book one. So there are a lot of moments in this book she was testing my patience especially with the back and forth with Stranger. Again, her mental state was going through some trauma, but it was whiplash. I would really love to know more about Summer. I need more about her history, being Seelie, what makes her powerful and I’m sure that’s coming in book three but I need more.

+ My favorite characters in this book are Alice and Rafe, the secondary characters who I feel deserves books of their own. Alice is an amazing best friend who is there for Summer thick and thin, through the grief, through the boy drama (she’s the no-judgment best friend), I love her. Rafe is Connor’s brother and I love the Morningside family, they are just good people including Rafe even though he’s going through a hard transition in his life. I also loved Mira, a new character. Stranger is also very intriguing and we get to know him a bit more in this one, he’s still a major stalker though but he has a lot of patience with Summer.

+~ The romance between Summer and Stranger, it’s inevitable, and it’s tumultuous. It’s toxic. There is a lot of spice in this one, and it felt like it was half the story. The spice with Max, it was exciting at first and then got stale because it was repetitive. At least the ones with Stranger were different but it was hard seeing Summer go back and forth between them, putting boundaries and then breaking them without putting up any real fight. My favorite romance in the story was actually Rafe and Mira’s! Sure it was insta-lust and love but those two had the romance I was waiting for between Summer and Stranger.

Final Thoughts:

After reading two books in the series, I think it’s safe to say, the books will always be long. I miss Connor and the book did accomplish relaying the “sorrow” and grief Summer was experiencing after losing him. I would love more world building and a plot that isn’t overshadowed by the spice. The highlights of the book for me were Alice, Rafe and Mira. I also find Stranger fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more about Uncle Luc and Hell.

But if you loved book one, you will love this one too because you will get more of Summer and her boy drama, and lots of spice. For me I just needed a little more world building and a little less spice and hope I get that in book three.

Read if you like:

relationship drama, dark romance
lots of spicy scenes
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Blood & Betrayals by. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune | Book Review – 2.5 stars/3 🌶️

Turncloak by. L.K. Steven | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Turncloak (The Silvercloak Saga, #2)

Author: L.K. Steven

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 544

Publication Date: 9/15/26

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

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

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

Revenge drove Saffron Killoran to go undercover in the Bloodmoon gang. But now, with any chance of retribution gone, she sees only one path forward: harnessing a long-dormant power to fix her ruinous mistakes.

Meanwhile, the new kingpin of the Bloodmoons has discovered Saffron’s true identity as a Silvercloak—and her ultimate goal of bringing his empire down. As old wounds resurface and fresh enemies close in, he finds himself torn between the cause to which he has devoted his life and the fate of the traitorous mage he loves.

Hot on their heels is an ambitious rookie detective sent to stake out the Bloodmoons’ growing rivals. She will stop at nothing to destroy both gangs—and anything or anyone who dares to stand in her way.

Caught in a cat-and-mouse game of trust and betrayal spanning continents, Saffron must choose where her loyalties lie—and determine if her quest to unmake time itself is worth becoming a villain to the whole world.

Content Warning: violence, death, drug addiction symptoms

World Building: The world of Silvercloak is really interesting. It’s a society of mages, with organized crime – the Bloodmoons – who’s leader’s goal is to resurrect his mom’s body so she can get the throne; the Whitewings – a rival gang who is trying to produce a drug that rivals or is better than what the Bloodmoons pedal in the streets. And Silvercloaks are the police force trying to take all of them down. There is a king that rules this world, who has heard of the Bloodmoons thirst for the throne, so he is trying to thwart them too. With all these things at play, it is a place of violence, spying, betrayal, going undercover and trading information – not knowing who you can really trust. I enjoy that political intrigue a lot. I also enjoy the mages and their magic wands, especially when they are battling one another.

Characters: Saffron is trying to rebuild the trust she broke with Levan. Yet she’s still lying, still has cards up her sleeve. As for Levan, though he was made to be a ruthless killer, he is very vulnerable, a recovering drug addict who still craves a hit, someone who trusts too easily, and just someone in a lot of pain. He’s lost so many people. I was really rooting for the two of them – even though their shared goal of turning back time and bringing their parents back, would upend everything. I just kept thinking, it’s a bad idea and wish they gave up their plans and let the dead stay dead. A character that we get to know better is Auria and honestly…I didn’t totally love her. I know she’s law-abiding, but I wanted her to bend a little. We also get to know more about Levan’s past and the brother he once had.

Romance: There is barely any spice, just some steam and honestly, I wanted some spice. But I also respect that Saffron and Levan’s relationship is not so easy to repair. Their relationship is very complicated. I just wish by the end of the book things turned a corner for them and in a way it did, but it will not get any easier for them.

Story: I really enjoyed Saffron and Levan’s story and loved when the focus was on them. I was taken out of the story a bit when Auria came into the picture. I do think this sequel moves the story forward a lot, especially when it comes to Saffron’s powers as a Timeweaver and the search for the Fifth prophecy. We get to learn so much about Levan’s upbringing and his obsession with bringing his mother back. It does start off a little slow because Saffron is trying to earn Levan’s trust but it picks up a lot in the second half and ends with a bang.

Vibes: cat and mouse game

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a pretty good sequel to Silvercloak. I kind of miss the growing tension between Saffron and Levan from book one, but their relationship has turned in another direction, and one day I hope they can find themselves back to what they had. The cat and mouse game gets even more involved in book two because of the addition of the Whitewings who is causing havoc for the Bloodmoons and there is always the Silvercloaks in the background, I really enjoy the political intrigue of this series so far. I’ll definitely be reading book three to see what happens next with Saffron and Levan.

Read if you like:

political intrigue
magic wands
enemies to lovers

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Silvercloak by. L.K. Steven | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Storm Caller by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Storm Caller (Storm Breaker, #2)

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 9/1/26

Publisher: Entangled: Mayhem Books

Categories: Upper Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance, Series

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

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

Poet Graves has only ever wanted to be free. But no matter where she turns, she’s held captive―by a power she doesn’t understand, a truth she no longer believes in, and a love she can’t deny.

As Poet is drawn further into Rook’s world, his secrets force her to question who she can trust. But when friends turn into enemies, enemies prove to be allies, and the place that was once a safe harbor is revealed as the eye of the storm, Poet’s only choice is to fight for what she believes in.

When New Manhattan’s darkest secrets refuse to stay hidden, the cause Poet and Rook fight for will be called into question. The answers are out there…and they could destroy everything.

Content Warning: violence, death

+~ In this sequel to Storm Breaker, the world opens up for a little bit and Poet travels pasts The Wastes and gets to meet Rook’s family and friends at Cloudspire. Her eyes are open to the truth of the world around her now. I do wish they stayed in Cloudspire longer so we could get to know it better. But Poet and Rook go back to New Manhattan to find out more about what’s going on there.

+ The romance between Poet and Rook is solid. There is no wondering if these two will be together, they love one another, already confessed it and it’s them against the world or against New Manhattan. I like that they don’t have drama with one another because it lets all the rest of the story happen without wondering if their relationship is rocky.

+~ I can’t really pinpoint what it is that made me feel like the first half of this book was slow and not as engaging as what I read in the first book. Maybe it’s the second book syndrome for me. I love the ending with all the action, secrets, betrayals and it moved faster. But the first half had Poet and Rook coming back to New Manhattan and dealing with a lot of people I don’t like, like her ex best-friend, Trinity. Also, Poet’s relationship with her dad is not good, she gets more clarity about some things about him but it just doesn’t feel good that she doesn’t have a family that she can really count on, which is why Rook is so important to her.

+ So much is happening in the end and then it ends in a cliffhanger. I don’t really know what will happen in book three after the way this ended.

Final Thoughts:

I think this was a solid sequel but I do wish we got more time in Cloudspire with the rebels because I love seeing Rook in his element. I do love Rook and Poet together, and so glad their love is established. It has less romance because of it but many cute moments of them together, some steamy but not very detailed steam. This one had more political intrigue than book one. And I do not like Trinity (Poet’s ex bestie) at all, maybe that’s why I didn’t love the middle of this book. My favorite part is the ending which is filled with so much action, secrets revealed, betrayal, and then it ends with a cliffhanger.

Read if you like:

dystopian romance
secrets and betrayals
political intrigue
complicated relationships

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Storm Breaker by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️/1 🌶️

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Storm of Ink and Blood by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Dance of Stars and Ashes by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 4 ⭐️

Heart of Night and Fire by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Fate of the Sun King by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review – 3 ⭐️

Rule of the Aurora King by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review – 4 ⭐️

Trial of the Sun Queen by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review – 3 ⭐️

In the Veins of the Drowning by. Kalie Cassidy | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: In the Veins of the Drowning (The Siren Mage, #1)

Author: Kalie Cassidy

Pages: 377

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 7/15/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

The monster is always slain…

Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen’s bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain hidden beneath her skin.

When a neighboring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she can save both their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen’s power threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee the kingdom together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her own ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her—the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.

Content Warning: self harm, violence, death, gore

I finally read this book and I don’t know why it took me so long to get to it. It starts off like most romantasy books, an FMC who is trapped and needs help fleeing the king that oppresses her. There are the usual tropes in this book that are found in romantasy but what stood out to me was how the Imogen and Theodore bicker! It was so much fun. I like how they are honest and tell each other off, to their faces. It’s kind of refreshing! So I loved the enemies to lovers romance in this one, or is it dislike to like? Whatever it is, I loved it even though Theo is reserved and dutiful at first, he very much so reminded me of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice so it was fun to see Imogen getting under his skin. It was my favorite part of the whole story.

But there is also a lot going on in this story – Imogen is a Siren and bound to multiple people and she needs to break free of them, but doing so has it’s own consequences. I was very invested to see what path Imogen would choose and what choices she would make. There is political intrigue, travel, some action, romance, and secrets. I loved learning about the Sirens and the world building was good.

Final Thoughts:

I’m so glad I finally finished this one and I’m not sure why it took me so long to finally read it. It has a lot of things I enjoy in a romantasy like political intrigue, and romance of course, but what I really loved was Imogen and Theo. Seeing them interact and eventually fall for one another was very, funny and entertaining. I also want to see how this story plays out so I’m eager to read book two.

Read if you like:

romantasy
forced proximity

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Once Swindled by. Laura Sebastian | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Once Swindled (Lack and Luster, #1)

Author: Laura Sebastian

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 350

Publication Date: 8/25/26

Publisher: 47North

Categories: Romance, Historical Fantasy, Historical Romance, Series

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

Thank you to 47North for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Ryskamp family fortune is in trouble. And Arden’s gift for invisibility can’t stave off his creditors…or the shame of catastrophic courtships. His only recourse is to marry a highborn Luster girl of his great-aunt’s choosing. But when Arden goes to meet her, another woman catches his the copper-haired beauty who ran away with his heart. And engagement ring.

Newly betrothed to yet another wealthy bachelor, Mavis has gone by many names—Arabella then, Delphinia now. Unlike the Lusters, however, Mavis lacks magical abilities, relying instead on her charms and her cons to get by. But no amount of money can repay her debts. And no amount of distance could prepare her for a reunion with her first mark.

Thrown together by fate, Arden and Mavis put aside their past to pull one last con that could save them both. The only price may be falling in love again. This time, for real.

Content Warning: death

There was a moment when I was reading this (I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day), where I was thought – wow this reminds me of the historical romances I would devour back in the day.

Mavis is a con-woman, it’s the way she’s learned to survive in Low City. But her luck might be running out with her latest con and it doesn’t help that her first love and first con is in the same town as she is and about to blow her cover. Arden fell in love with Mavis five years ago when he thought she was Arabella. Now he knows the truth but needs her help to secure a bride of his own so he can fix the family finances. But as the story goes on it’s hard to pinpoint who is conning who, or is everyone carrying out their own con?

I loved this story. The second chance romance between Mavis and Arden felt so steeped in mistrust, but he cannot help but love her, even when she’s lying. Mavis’ situation was so understandable though, her environment forced her to survive but I love how Arden is where she finally draws the line. I was rooting for them so hard.

Also, the setting is everything I love about historical romances. Set in the Gilded Age when old money and the way of aristocracy was being threatened by new money. But this one has a fantasy twist and the wealthy families not only have money but magic. There are balls, parties, dresses, rules and I enjoyed it all. I loved the main and secondary characters and happy to see it’s going to be a series.

Final Thoughts:

I devoured this book. Historical romance is my first love so this made me feel things I haven’t felt in awhile. I love how it gave historical romance but with magic. I was invested in the second chance romance and the characters (main and secondary). I can’t wait to see what will be in book two and I hope it’s Oriana’s story!

Read if you like:

historical fantasy
magic
second chance romance
cons

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Stardust in Their Veins by. Laura Sebastian| ARC Review – 3.5 stars

Castles in Their Bones by. Laura Sebastian | Book Review – 3.5 stars

Pretty Vicious: The Order by. Lexi Davis | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Pretty Vicious (The Order, #1)

Author: Lexi Davis

Pages: 303

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 1/13/26

Categories: Secret Societies, Dark Romance, New Adult, Series

Laurel just wanted to survive college, keep her father fed, and fly under the radar.

Delivering pizzas was supposed to be the safe kind of side hustle, until the night she witnesses a murder at Ashford House, the most elite and secretive fraternity on campus.

Now she’s a prisoner of The Order, a blood-bound society that controls everything from politics to police. They rule with ritual, obedience, and violence, and they’ve decided Laurel doesn’t get to leave.

At the center of it all is Carrson Ashford, heir to the powerful Ashford legacy.
Cold. Commanding. Infuriatingly magnetic.
Under the rules of The Order, he “bonds” her, marking Laurel as his.

Body. Mind. Soul.

But Laurel isn’t here to be claimed. Not without a fight.
To save her father and her future, Laurel must navigate a twisted realm of initiation rites, brutal secrets, and a bond that may destroy them both.

In this world, there’s one rule: obey or die.

But love doesn’t follow rules. And neither does Laurel.

★ Dark academia meets Southern Gothic in this emotionally intense, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, morally gray, twisted college romance filled with secrets, violence, and impossible love. Perfect for fans of Penelope Douglas, LJ Shen, Shantel Tessier, and Sierra Simone.

Content Warning: violence, death, assault, mention of rape, alcoholism, physical and emotional abuse, prostitution, *check triggers in book*, suicide, suicidal ideation

I’ve been slowly going back to contemporary dark romances after being picky about which ones to read for a few years now. But the sound of a Southern Gothic dark romance sounded so intriguing so I got this one on Kindle Unlimited and was pleasantly surprised.

Laurel is in the wrong place at the wrong time and that leads to Carrson Ashford, son of a powerful man, to take her and make her his Bonded to save her life. Laurel is thrust into this dark, strange, creepy world of The Order – a secret society of men and women who basically produces the people that will someday run the world in every aspect – financial, world leaders, and more. And Carrson is poised to inherit it all but nothing comes easy in The Order. Success comes at the hands of killing and lots of blood, so Carrson is now a good person – but Laurel sees something redeemable in him.

The Handmaid’s Tale is mentioned in this book a few times because the role of women in The Order is basically to procreate, and the rules for them are diabolical. But Laurel is questioning their culture and rules since she is forced to bond to Carrson. But this is a very dark world, a very dark upbringing for anyone who belongs and grew up in The Order.

I was wary about Carrson because he’s an alpha-male, a killer, and sometimes an a-hole but surprisingly Laurel softens him up. Which is why I actually enjoyed their romance. He becomes protective and possessive of her but not in a way to dominate her. There is more to Carrson than what he presents and we actually get a good insight to his heinous upbringing. Even the spicy scene to me was particularly tame for a dark romance but I loved it because it showed he had restraint and had come to care a lot for her. So I’m rooting for them to make it!

Final Thoughts:

I am surprised I enjoyed this one! The characters have depth, and the spice was meaningful instead of degrading or too dark. It’s a very dark story so please check the warnings beforehand! I am totally rooting for Laurel and Carrson’s love story and I hope we see them make changes to The Order as the story progresses in the series.

Read if you like: