Tag: spicy

Under Loch and Key by. Lana Ferguson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Under Loch and Key

Author: Lana Ferguson

Format: eBook (Libby)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 12/3/24

Categories: Romance, Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal


A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance by Lana Ferguson, author of The Fake Mate.

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.


I already know a Lana Ferguson book is going to be spicy and this did not disappoint. Can I say, monster love?

This was a fun book and surprising light-hearted! Keyanna goes to Scotland because her dad’s wishes was to have his ashes scattered there in the hometown he fled. She finally meets her estranged grandparents but her grandmother is a tough cookie and doesn’t give her a warm welcome at all. I thought that part was sad, but I guess realistic in the sense that families are always complicated.

Key does meet a handsome local named Lachlan and they rub each other the wrong way at first meeting. He’s a charming, rascal kind of guy and is always getting under Key’s skin. But she’s also doing the same to him. But there is a twist in this story which has to do with the Loch Ness monster and I thought it was different. I liked it! There was some mystery in the story and even a little suspense (a bit predictable) at the end.

Also the spice is spicy, especially when some surprises happen in the bedroom between Key and Lachlan!

Final Thoughts:

I found this a fun read and something different since I haven’t read a romance involving the loch ness monster. I loved Lachlan and Keyanna’s interactions. It’s spicy, but light-hearted and overall I was entertained.

Book Links:

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Amid Clouds and Bones by. Ella Fields | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Amid Clouds and Bones

Author: Ella Fields

Format: eBook (KU)

Pages: 403

Publication Date: 7/23/24

Categories: Romantasy, Spicy, Fae, Fantasy, Romance


A princess determined to survive an arranged marriage to a heartless faerie prince is saved by a twist of fate that could destroy their world in this all-new standalone fantasy romance.

As the half faerie daughter of a human king, my days were spent tucked out of sight—until the Seelie Fae sought an alliance with our kingdom. In exchange for my father’s help in defeating their Unseelie enemies, I would wed Atakan the heartless.

The Seelie prince loathed everyone, but none more than me. Throughout the years leading to our nuptials, each encounter grew more terrifying than the last as he demonstrated how he’d earned his infamous reputation.

Fear would only doom me faster. So I learned to hide it with games I soon became happy to play. I wasn’t supposed to crave a monster. But just when I’d thought I might tame the untameable, fate intervened.

And delivered me straight to his enemy.

This fast-paced standalone features true enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, high heat, and a cast of morally grey and villainous characters.


Content Warning: violence, grief, dark romance

This book jumps right away into the romance. It’s between Prince Mildred (half fae/human) and Prince Akatan of the Seelie. They positively loathe one another but to survive in his kingdom as his betrothed, she seduces him instead. They seduce each other, and yes it’s spicy.

And though I did enjoy the hate-seduction going on somewhat, it did feel dark. There isn’t a lot of world-building so the seduction/romance was the main focus. Mildred is caught in between this war with the Seelie and Unseelie, but the story focuses on her survival and her choice in how to survive is seducing her soon-to-be husband. But in between the power plays and insults to one another, they eventually fall for one another. But I almost didn’t believe Atakan because he’s a horrible person. 😅 There is also a love-triangle but once again it was Mildred getting caught up in the politics.

Now, Mildred is an interesting character. I loved that she has a close connection to her sister, but this girl was falling for guys pretty easily Atakan was the bad boy, and Vane the Unseelie king, is a supposed bad boy too but he was actually nice? She’s basically a pawn and I get she’s trying to survive her situation, but I kind of wanted more out of her. Sex was her power but I wanted more.

Final Thoughts:

I didn’t feel like this story got deep and that’s fine because once I realized it was more romance heavy then I stayed for the enemies to lovers vibes. It’s got Fae, lots of spice, two characters hate/loving one another, some political intrigue, shifters, and dragon creatures. Overall, it was a quick read and I was entertained.

Book Links:

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Window Shopping By. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Window Shopping

Author: Tessa Bailey

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 258

Publication Date: 10/1/24 (first published on 10/19/21)

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Holiday Romance, Workplace 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 Avon for giving me a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A sizzling, standalone, feel-good holiday romance from Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer.

Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the décor.

It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see one—and I have to make it last.

I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.

I wanted to read a holiday romance and got approved for this one so here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ Has anyone here watched the 80’s movie Mannequin? With Kim Catrall? I LOVED that movie as a kid lol…the mannequin came to life. Anyway this book sorta reminds me of that minus the mannequins coming to life. None of that happens here but the book centers around a department store, during the holidays and a young woman who’s dream is to design storefront windows. She gets the job, but of course falls for her boss.

+ The romance has a lot of spice and maybe a little too much for me. The attraction is instant and usually I want some build-up but this is a short book so I get why it built up quick. Anyway, if you like your holiday romance spicy, you’ll like this one.

+ I did feel the holidays vibes – department store, Christmas shopping, romance.

Dislikes:

~ Though I thought their romance was cute, I didn’t really feel invested. Also did he really just hire Stella because he was attracted to her? There were some things in the story that just made me go hmmm…

~ There was nothing about Stella’s window creation that hit me in the feels and I think for a holiday romance, I want to feel cozy, heartwarming feelings and I didn’t really feel it with this one.

My Thoughts:

This one was just okay for me but if you like spicy holiday romance, you might give this one a try. Also, this one is on Kindle Unlimited so if you have that you can find it there.

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Book Links:

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Other Books I’ve Read By This Author:

Wreck the Halls by. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unfortunately Yours by. Tessa Bailey | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Secretly Yours by. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Hook, Line and Sinker by. Tessa Bailey | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It Happened One Summer by. Tessa Bailey | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quicksilver by. Callie Hart | Book Review

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1)

Author: Callie Hart

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 624

Publication Date: 6/4/24

Categories: Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy, Fae, Vampires, Magic, Alchemy


Do not touch the sword.

Do not turn the key.

Do not open the gate.

In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember.

But a secret is like a knot.

Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed herself right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her.

Death has a name.

It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate.

His past is murky.

His attitude stinks.

And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child.

The devil is in the details…


N.B. Quicksilver contains depictions of graphic violence/adult situations and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and TWs, please visit the author’s website.

Content Warning: violence

I’ve been seeing this recommended on my Kindle Unlimited for a few months now and I loved the cover but wasn’t sure about it. For some reason this week, I borrowed it and I read it in 2 days! Here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ I love when I go into a book not expecting much (I didn’t read the reviews but saw it had a lot of 4-5 stars), and takes me by surprise. I was here for vibes and it gave me all the romantasy vibes I was looking for: a strong MC, a hot and annoying love interest, villains, found family, a war, magic, plot twists, spice, tension, banter, humor – it really did have everything! It’s over 600 pages but it kept my attention the whole time.

+ Saeris has been living in squalor in the Third sector in Zilvaren, fighting tooth and nail just to keep her, her brother and family friend alive for another day. But she does something that changes the course of her life forever. She is taken to the Fae world of Yvelia where she learns about the Fae and their war, learns about alchemy and creates friendships and finds the love of her life. I love Saeris’ toughness and grit, but also how she cares for her family and those around her. I really liked her gift of alchemy and thought it was so cool she could forge weapons.

+ Fisher is such a menacing rascal who’s role in life was to get under Saeris’ skin but as the story keeps going we find out what’s going inside his head and heart. He turns out to be the biggest softy where Saeris is concerned and I really loved that about him. I, like Saeris, hated and loved him too!

+ The love story between Saeris and Fisher is everything but I love how it was evenly balanced throughout the book and that even when the whole “mate” issue was brought up, I wasn’t turned off. I usually am only because once a “mate” appears in a romantasy…the word is repeated so much that I get sick of it. It didn’t do that to me in this book because I felt like it was just right and not overkill (thank you!). I love the banter, the attraction, the spice and them choosing one another despite everything. I’ll add them to my favorite couples list.

+ The world building is great! I love how we went from the human world, then the Fae world and got a peek into the vampire world – really all the things I love (fae and vampires!). And I also loved the cast of this story from Carrion whose relationship with Saeris is so funny. And then the found family Saeris finds in Yvelia with Fisher’s sister, his best friend and his healer. I’d love to get to know all of them more!

Dislikes:

    ~ There were typos. So I hope that gets cleaned up for book two.

    ~ Also I think some parts of the story like when they have to do research to solve a problem, some of that could have been taken out to move the story along better and cut down on the page numbers. Like okay, did all of them have to be in the library doing research? I love libraries and love that they thought to do research but I would think there should be an urgency to things with the vampires trying to kill the Fae and with Saeris trying to get home to help her brother?

    My Final Thoughts:

    Even with the minor issues I had with this book it honestly hit the spot for what I was craving at the time I borrowed the book. I wanted enemies to lovers, banter/bickering, fun characters, Fae, vampires, spice and magic! This one was fun! It’s an addicting read and I’m looking forward to book two.

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    Book Links:

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    Truly, Madly, Deeply by. Alexandra Bellefleur | Book Review

    Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply

    Author: Alexandria Bellefleur

    Format: ebook (borrowed)

    Pages: 328

    Publication Date: 4/30/24

    Categories: Contemporary, Romance, LGBT+


    Sparks fly when a lovelorn romance novelist and a divorce lawyer who has sworn off relationships agree to cohost a podcast series offering dating advice to viewers, in Truly, Madly, Deeply, the next steamy queer rom-com from Lambda Literary Award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

    As a bestselling romance novelist, everyone thinks Truly Livingston is an expert on happily-ever-afters. She’s even signed on to record a podcast sharing relationship advice. Little do they know she feels like an imposter—her parents just announced they’re separating, she caught her fiancé cheating, and her entire view on love has been shaken to the core. Truly hopes the podcast will distract her… until she meets her cohost.

    Her first impression of Colin McCory is…hot. But then he opens his extremely kissable mouth. Colin’s view on love just pisses Truly off, even if he does have an annoyingly attractive face. Bickering with a cynical divorce lawyer is the last thing she needs—so she walks out, with no plans to return.

    A few days later, Truly is surprised when Colin tracks her down, asking for a fresh start. Truly can’t deny the little thrill she gets from Colin begging, so she reluctantly agrees. As they go from enemies to friends to something else entirely, Truly discovers they have more in common than she ever imagined, including their shared queerness. He’s a genuinely good guy—charming, sweet, and equally as unlucky in love as herself—and there’s something about Colin that drives Truly a little wild. When their attraction reaches a fever pitch, Truly is happy for the first time in years. Yet she can’t help but wonder… is Colin truly, madly, deeply in love with her? Or is it all too good to be true?

    Content Warning: toxic family

    I went into this one knowing nothing about it but do you guys remember that song in 90’s Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden? Yeah…I saw, the title, thought of the song and said why not borrow this one. Here are my thoughts!

    Likes:

    • Truly is a romance author and Colin is a family lawyer and their first interaction leaves Truly with not a good impression. He’s gorgeous yes, but he gets on her nerves. I loved their interactions and banter and the spice is spicing in this one! The romance is fun.
    • There is bi-sexual representation with both main characters being bi.
    • Truly isn’t only dealing with what she feels about Colin but her parents are having a rough patch in their marriage and she’s questioning love in general. I liked how Colin gave her space, even though this man is crazy for her, and he also tried to make her see the realistic side of love and relationships – because of his job as a family lawyer. But I liked his insights and I just like that he gave her time to think about things. There wasn’t games between them which I enjoyed.
    • I love Truly’s parents who are so quirky and her best friend Lulu who is such a character! They were so funny!

    Dislikes:

    • Colin’s family sucks. And speaking of family the Parent Trap plot line Truly concocted was kind of weak. For most of the book after she think of it – there is no planning or thoughts about it until near the end. So I felt like it wasn’t necessary.
    • Pop culture reference – I don’t mind Taylor Swift being mentioned in books, but sometimes it can be overkill and I thought this one had too much of it.

    My Final Thoughts:

    I thought this was a fun read minus Colin’s horrible family and quick Parent Trap side plot. It’s quirky, funny, spicy and the romance is full of great banter. Overall, I was entertained!

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    Book Links:

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    Bridesmaid For Hire by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review

    My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Title: Bridesmaid for Hire

    Author: Meghan Quinn

    Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

    Pages: 448

    Publication Date: 4/2/24

    Categories: Adult, Romance


    Sometimes the wedding of the century calls for desperate measures.
    And sometimes those desperate measures are to pretend the person you hate most is actually your boyfriend.

    After years of working her tail off at her event-planning business, Maggie Mitchell is ready for a vacation. With nothing on her mind but R & R, she’s enjoying the warm weather of Bora Bora when in saunters Brody McFadden, her brother’s best friend and also her sworn enemy. Thanks to years of tension between the two—kicked off by a make-out session at her brother’s wedding that ended horribly—Maggie has sworn to stay away from the man. That is, until she finds out he’s in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, hoping to use the trip to win a real future at the company.

    Maggie promised herself she wouldn’t even think of work on the island, but as word spreads about the “wedding of the century” taking place in the midst of her vacation, she realizes offering her services as a bridesmaid and planner could bring her business to the next level. The only catch? She needs to pose as Brody’s girlfriend to get the job…while letting him stay in her peaceful bungalow.

    Tensions rise, irritation flairs, and despite years’ worth of bickering behind closed doors, Maggie can’t quite squash the sparks building between her and her new fake boyfriend, especially when she learns the real reason their first kiss was cut short. But as the wedding day draws closer and everything starts to go wrong, it just might be Brody who sends Maggie’s business crashing down—and her heart along with it.

    Content Warning:

    This one started off strong. Maggie, and her brother’s best friend, Brody, had a moment during her brother’s wedding. But he left her hanging and she put that bad experience out of her mind. They meet again coincidentally in Bora Bora where Brody is trying to get in good with the head of the company he works for. Maggie, is a wedding planner and wants make some connection with Brody’s boss also, so she can further her goals for her company.

    There are a lot of fun tropes in this one: fake dating, forced proximity, and mutual pining.

    Maggie and Brody bicker so much and it’s really fun and funny at the beginning of the book. Then it just becomes a bit immature. Clearly the physical attraction between them is there and I love that Brody likes things about Maggie like her being driven, social, and just always making people feel comfortable. But I think Maggie only likes Brody for his looks because honestly…there wasn’t else much there about him to be attracted to. He seems like a fun guy, and with her brother Gary, they are ridiculous together. I felt like at times Maggie went overboard with trying to humiliate him too – even if it wasn’t “on purpose”, I was like okay…that seemed uncalled for? When they finally take things to the next level though, it gets steamy. They have good chemistry in bed and when they aren’t fighting.

    I did think the book was too long. I was hoping for a quick, romance read and I thought it would be with how fast everything was happening in the beginning but by 60% in I was kind of losing interest. Also there were some typos in the beginning of the book which threw me off a little.

    My Final Thoughts:

    This one is a fun romp on an island with two characters who are trying so hard not to fall for each other but it’s so hard when they are physically attracted to one another and forced into one room for a few days. There is a lot of sex humor in this one. It’s a spicy romantic comedy that’s easy to read but for me it fizzled out at the end.

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    Book Links:

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    A Not So Meet Cute by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    The Highland Fling by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Bride by. Ali Hazelwood | Book Review

    My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Title: Bride

    Author: Ali Hazelwood

    Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

    Pages: 410

    Publication Date: 2/6/24

    Categories: Adult, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Werewolves


    A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

    Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

    Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

    Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

    Content Warning: poisoning, attempted murder, attempted kidnaping, kidnapping, toxic parental relationship

    I’m so glad I got to finally read this book which has been getting so much hype and I can see why!

    I love a good vampire story and this one where a vampire and a Were marry one another to keep the alliances is such a good storyline. I thought the world building and politics were done well and I could feel the high stakes of an alliance between vampire and Weres to be vital to both species against the humans. I felt like I learned a lot about vampires through Misery (what a name!) and there was so much insight about weres when Misery goes to live with them. I like that the explanations in this book didn’t feel like info-dumping but something I was genuinely interested to know.

    Misery is a great character – she’s cold and comes off unfeeling because she’s a vampire, they lack the emotions to supposedly care for another being. But then there is Serena, a human, who was Misery’s foster sister and their relationship even though for 3/4ths of the books it was through memories, was such an important relationship for Misery. It’s why she jumps into a marriage alliance – it’s all to find Serena, who is missing and Misery cannot fathom a life without her. I love them together.

    As for Misery and her romance with Lowe, it’s a slow burn. But yes, Weres have “mates”, so I think it’s safe to say that was a predictable part of the story. Still, I thought their relationship grew nicely for two people in a forced marriage and when the attraction finally hit for Misery it turned this book quite spicy. And yes, the word I learned this year is “knot” after reading another Were romance earlier this year and not knowing what the heck that was. Well…this book gives a LOT of explanation and demonstration! I don’t know what I think of it yet…like I don’t know if I find it sexy? But hey it’s the way they do things, so I’m just going with it.

    The story had a great flow from beginning to end with the search for Serena, the politics of the alliances and how Serena might be involved, Misery living with the Weres and also Misery dealing with not fitting in anywhere ever since she was a child most in part because of her horrible father. I loved the relationship building between Misery, Lowe and the Weres because the hate and fears between them was so strong at first.

    The only thing I didn’t quite love was Lowe always taking things on himself and pushing Misery away – after what she’s been through as a child – I hated that for her. That was so weak of him and it annoyed me.

    It looks like this is going to be a series or standalone stories in a series – after what happens at the end, so I’m looking forward to the next book!

    My Final Thoughts:

    This had everything I want in a paranormal romance! Vampires, politics, a slow burn, smart characters, lovable characters, and an entertaining story from start to finish. I’m looking forward to the next book!

    Find me here: Instagram (bookstagram📚) | Instagram (crafts🎨) | Twitter (X) | Etsy (shop)

    Book Links:

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    The Love Hypothesis by. Ali Hazelwood | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The Graham Effect by. Elle Kennedy | Book Review

    My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Title: The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries, #1)

    Author: Elle Kennedy

    Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

    Pages: 498

    Publication Date: 10/31/23

    Categories: New Adult, Romance, Series, Hockey Romance, Sports Romance


    Gigi Graham has exactly three qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine – a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

    Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude . . . and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.

    Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.

    The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

    Content Warning: traumatic childhood

    I read the Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy back when it was first published almost 10 years ago – wow! I don’t remember if I read them all though and I for sure didn’t read any of the Briar U series but here is a new series called Campus Diaries and it takes place at Briar University. But this time the wild hockey boys from Off-Campus have grown up! The Graham Effect is all about Garrett Graham’s college aged daughter, Gigi. She’s a hockey player too is trying to make the Olympic Team but also having the most fun at college with the hockey boys and her best friends.

    I thought this was a cute and spicy romance but also it was more than just a fluffy romance. Not gonna lie, I was expecting a fluffy and spicy hockey romance. This one is shy of 500 pages and I think it was a tad bit too long. But the story does give us a whole spectrum of Gigi and Ryder’s romance. I thought they had great chemistry and there are a lot of spicy scenes between them. Gigi is a good girl, good daughter and student – she was pretty much perfect. Ryder is the boy with the reputation for a bad attitude, but he is definitely the boy with the traumatic childhood. The two made a good couple because honesty was number one for them – no matter what. Loved that about them.

    I loved seeing Gigi and Ryder’s relationship grow – and I love all the different characters we meet! Gigi has her best friends, Mya and Diana and Ryder has his close buddies and then some with his old and new teammates. There are a lot of names to remember but I thought each character stood out on their own pretty well. Do I think everyone needed to be introduced? Maybe not. Also, I know this is a sports/hockey romance and I like the sports stuff fine, but not so much of it. I really did feel like at some point this story kept going on and on. Another thing that I won’t spoil but something happens at the end of the book and I was like…why?! 😅 Why did that need to happen?

    My Final Thoughts:

    This is a spicy new adult hockey romance set in college. It’s got good looking and mostly nice characters (a lot of characters). Gigi is sweet, smart and athletic and Ryder is gruff, not a talker and athletic. They have a great chemistry and a strong relationship. I do think the story was way too long and some things could have been cut but overall still a very fun read.

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    Book Links:

    Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

    Misfit by. Elle Kennedy | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

    Bad Girl Reputation by. Elle Kennedy | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️

    Good Girl Complex by. Elle Kennedy | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Kingdom of the Feared by. Kerri Maniscalco | Book Review

    My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Title: Kingdom of the Feared (#3)

    Author: Kerri Maniscalco

    Format: ebook (own)

    Pages: 393

    Publication Date: 9/27/22

    Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

    Categories: Romance, Fantasy, Series, Supernatural

    Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

    When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

    Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

    Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

    Two curses.
    One prophecy.
    A reckoning all have feared.

    And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.

    Content Warning: sex, violence

    Okay everyone, they should have stopped marketing this as YA since the last book. If you thought that was steamy…oh boy…this one takes it to the next level. Let’s dive into this book and see what did and didn’t work for me:

    + Wrath and Emilia are back and forget all the teasing and tension in book two. This is a book of full on Wrath and Emilia smut. Now they get to release their passions on one another and they sure do! They are horny for one another and show it everywhere it seems. 😅 I do admit, at some later points of the book I was skipping the sex scenes to get to the story. I love them together though. This book is as sinful as these princes of Hell.

    + This is Wrath and Emilia’s story basically told by Emilia, but really, it involves so many other characters. It’s a tangled web of secrets, curses and betrayals. I love the reveals in the story, especially because yay, finally we know what the heck is going on with Vittoria, the werewolves, the curse, and Emilia’s powers. It is ALL revealed! There was so much to unpack and I think the story did a great job at tying up loose ends and leaving some open for a spin-off.

    + I love the different princes, and I think this series has the potential for so many spin offs. Now I want to know about Pride and Vittoria…and what about Envy? Greed also has potential for his own story with a certain werewolf/demon. So many characters, so many more stories to tell? But this time it can’t be marketed as YA…just give it to us straight NA or Adult Fantasy…and throw in all the sexy scenes you want. I doubt we could handle a book about Lust. 😅 I also want to know more about Claudia! There is just so much potential and that mostly happens because there are characters we care about in the book. And that series definitely made us care about the characters.

    + Emilia really grows in this final book. She opens her eyes to the truth, no matter how much it hurts (physically and emotionally) and she makes some really hard choices. But I did admire how she found a way to keep Wrath….and her sister. She wanted it to work for her blood family and her new family.

    ~ I enjoy smut but I feel like they marketed this whole series wrong. It started off YA in book one…but clearly isn’t been NA since book two. I’m glad they are together and have good sex. I knew they have their happily ever after so my mind wanted to just get to the other threads of the story like Vittoria! So if you like smut, you will love this book. If you don’t – you will not enjoy this book.

    ~ The truth made me kinda sad…especially about Emilia and Vittoria’s upbringing. I can understand why it happened but just knowing how a person in their childhood really feels about them. I felt like that resolved too quick (at least for me). It was a betrayal that is heartbreaking.

    Tropes: curses, good twin/evil twin, secret powers, fated

    Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

    Why you should read it:

    • you want some Wrath and Emilia smut
    • so many reveals about Vittoria and Emilia, the werewolves, and all the side characters are unique
    • an entertaining, solid conclusion that leaves the doors open to potential spin-offs

    Why you might not want to read it:

    • not into smut

    My Thoughts:

    This whole series is entertaining and I think this is a great conclusion to this trilogy. I loved the world building, the characters and we get all the secret reveals! This book in particular has the smut we have all been waiting for and knew it was leading to. But I do wish this was marketed properly in the beginning of the series. I would have loved it too as a YA novel with less smut but strategically placed sexy scenes. But if you want spice – you get it in this book! Emilia and Wrath get their happily ever after and we get some things left open for potential spin offs. If that’s the case I need a few because there are many characters who deserve their own story. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next!

    Book Links:

    Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

    Other books by this author that I have read and reviewed:

    Kingdom of the Wicked by. Kerri Maniscalco – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Kingdom of the Cursed by. Kerri Maniscalco – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    You are kerosene. Volatile. Noxious.”

    ~ Kerri Maniscalco, Kingdom of the Feared

    And he is her fate. ‘As above, so below’. They are the balance. Lights and dark. One fallen from above, and one created in the underworld below.”

    ~ Kerri Maniscalco, Kingdom of the Feared