3.5 stars I liked Paz and Kur’tok and their grumpy sunshine dynamic. Paz’s “kink unlocked” moments were very fun. That said, I thought the storyline wa3.5 stars I liked Paz and Kur’tok and their grumpy sunshine dynamic. Paz’s “kink unlocked” moments were very fun. That said, I thought the storyline was rushed for such a longstanding issue.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: kidnapping, captivity, forced nudity, bullying, accidental animal neglect, fire (historical), emotional manipulation and abuse of child (historical), mention of execution, hunting, animal attack, pregnancy, birth...more
3.5 stars Clay and Arcay were usually pretty sweet together, at least, after the initial awfulness passed. The book dealt with some heavy themes, but t3.5 stars Clay and Arcay were usually pretty sweet together, at least, after the initial awfulness passed. The book dealt with some heavy themes, but they were handled pretty well. I didn’t love that there weren’t any girl aliens in the story.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: SA, abduction, violence, gore, torture, attempted murder, power imbalance in sexual relationship, life threatening injuries, involuntary medical experimentation (off page), forced nudity, fall...more
Piper was the volatile vengeful woman that all women turn into when someone kills someone we love. She was bold and brave, sometimes in a TSTL way whePiper was the volatile vengeful woman that all women turn into when someone kills someone we love. She was bold and brave, sometimes in a TSTL way when her anger got the best of her. Crex had his emotions buried deep, but woke up pretty quickly when he bonded to Piper. Some of the fight scenes were a bit unbelievable, specifically the way the last one ended. The ending wasn’t a full HEA because it’s setting up the drama for the next book, but it did end with them finding some form of happiness together.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: captivity, reference to medical SA, references to pregnancy and rape (side characters), violence, gore, forced nudity, torture, murder, animal attack, grief from death of sibling, grief from death of parent, trafficking, near drowning, hunting...more
Awwww poor traumatized Blayne needed his HEA and finally got some peace. Izzy was a great fit for him with her compassion but also take no crap attituAwwww poor traumatized Blayne needed his HEA and finally got some peace. Izzy was a great fit for him with her compassion but also take no crap attitude. She gave him a soft place to land while he became her fiercest defender. Their romance was a whirlwind with a dystopian backdrop. Trefa is an awful place and none of the gladiators or women want to be there, but they still find each other.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: gladiatorial fatal violence and death, gun violence, sex work for survival, threat of SA to side character, discussion of child kidnapping and enslavement, indentured servitude, mentions of alien abduction, drugging, severe illness due to infection, torture...more
3.5 stars The main characters in this book were both fierce in their own way. Luella was very protective of her twin, which in a round about way led he3.5 stars The main characters in this book were both fierce in their own way. Luella was very protective of her twin, which in a round about way led her to being mated to the orc king. Their love story was cute with its fair share of tragedy.
This whole series is just the personification of rage for a god that never cared. This took a much darker turn that the previous 2, but had a rewardinThis whole series is just the personification of rage for a god that never cared. This took a much darker turn that the previous 2, but had a rewarding, if gruesome, ending. Nameless was a fascinating dichotomy of cruel and caring. I would love to have these books be longer because I want MORE.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: breath play, dubcon, captivity, degradation, pain play, blood and gore including beheading, severe blood loss, life threatening chronic illness of loved one, falling...more
Mr Sylas was such a ragey Gryn and I freaking loved how he drooled whenever Alex stroked his wings. Like, how precious is that? Alex was all lonely anMr Sylas was such a ragey Gryn and I freaking loved how he drooled whenever Alex stroked his wings. Like, how precious is that? Alex was all lonely and enslaved by a bounty hunter, but was a consummate survivor which made her a good match for Sylas. They had all the instalove going on with lots of “MINE” declarations and found their way through to their HEA. I’m enjoying the gladiator setting for this spin off series and I reeeaaaalllllyyyyy want Blayn’s book. I’m a sucker for super tortured MCs.
Spice: 2.5/5
Triggers: violence, gore, murder, captivity, slavery, animal attack, severe illness, drugging, abduction, frequent references to past involuntary medical experimentation, mentions of genocide, flashbacks, references to SA (not detailed)...more
What a fun collection! I enjoyed all these shorts, but my fave was Declan’s story with his mermaid. He was just such a sweetie pie and a big boy and IWhat a fun collection! I enjoyed all these shorts, but my fave was Declan’s story with his mermaid. He was just such a sweetie pie and a big boy and I loved him. The variety in monsters was fun too: Demon, Kraken, Mermaid, Minotaur alien, Undead. Lots of plus size rep and a range of morally good to morally bankrupt.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: emotional manipulation, unwilling bondage, implied murder spree, manipulation using sex, murder, dubcon, CNC, chase, blood ingestion, fatphobic commentary (from side characters), internalized fat phobia, electric shock torture (off page), extended captivity and neglect, starvation/severe malnutrition, shadow organization, gun violence, near drowning, implied drowning, mentions of creatures eating human flesh, abduction, fall from great height, pregnancy, verbal abuse from parent, mentions of alcoholism in family...more
4.5 ⭐️ I am a fan of the comedy in this book. Maggie was a sarcastic girlie dealing with abduction and an alien that insists she’s his the way all sarc4.5 ⭐️ I am a fan of the comedy in this book. Maggie was a sarcastic girlie dealing with abduction and an alien that insists she’s his the way all sarcastic girlies would. Of course, Mr Arkan doesn’t get sarcasm, so it mostly her being funny for her own self. Arkan was confident, a little obsessive, and playful when given the space for it. Their fast burn story was cute and intense.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, murder, gore, poisoning, emesis, abduction and beginning stages of trafficking (plan to sell her), captivity, forced nudity, crash, risk of drowning, hypothermia, mentions of torture, discussion of being social outcast, mentions of sick grandmother...more
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
Faelin was such the golden retriever, which I really liked. He had a lot of trauma from gro3.5 stars
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
Faelin was such the golden retriever, which I really liked. He had a lot of trauma from growing up on the streets, but managed it by being the biggest sweetie with seemingly no trust issues, at least when it can to his crew and Nala. Nala had her own bucket of trauma and was still in the thick of said trauma. She was leery of all men, and therefore leery of Faelin. While I do think Faelin was the sweetest and did the sweetest things, I don’t think Nala was in a place to trust him as much as she did. The author went reeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyy dark on the plot points. Like, I don’t know that you can get any darker. It was fast paced and high stakes.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: SA, grooming of child (yes, THAT kind of grooming), child slavery, slavery, physical assault of child, dubcon (FMC is sex worker and has sex with MMC for money), involuntary sex work, violence, torture, gore (including dismemberment), murder, references to racism...more
I always love it when a SYKD book is a good find! This was a dark but fun read with a blue collar FMC and the equivalent of a space cop who are stuck I always love it when a SYKD book is a good find! This was a dark but fun read with a blue collar FMC and the equivalent of a space cop who are stuck in a cell together. So ya know, the title of the book. Astra was a good mix of TSTL fierceness and wits, able to adapt to an impossible situation fairly quickly. Tareq was not the best cop, what with being caught by slavers on accident and all, but he did have a good heart. Their relationship was an absolute whirlwind and sweet.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: abduction, captivity, violence, gore, murder, torture, electrocution, enslavement, medical SA, involuntary medical procedures, exhibitionism by other character, forced nudity, asphyxiation, gun fight, animal abuse, crash, battle including guns, somnophilia (brief, really close to just morning sex), threat of forced breeding...more
This was a dark AF latest installment in this universe and I enjoyed it. I was a lil unsure about Vivian initially, but she grew on me pretty fast, esThis was a dark AF latest installment in this universe and I enjoyed it. I was a lil unsure about Vivian initially, but she grew on me pretty fast, especially when I learned more of her background. Syasku was understandably violent and angry, but to no one’s surprise, got a soft spot for his woman. I enjoyed the intense setting on the spaceship and the way they became each others’ first gentle touches. There is one thing I’m reaaaalllllyyyy upset about, but I can’t say it without spoiling.
Spice: 4.5/5
Triggers: violence, gun violence, gore, torture (including electrocution and skinning), SA, murder, involuntary medical experimentation, pregnancy, childbirth, discussion of child abuse, domestic violence, captivity, dubcon, dehydration, starvation, extreme poverty (involving non main characters), severe illness/injury, grief...more
Buckle up folks because I have some FEELINGS about this book. First off, I’m as salty as Tia is about what went down in books 1-3 of Icehome. ExpectinBuckle up folks because I have some FEELINGS about this book. First off, I’m as salty as Tia is about what went down in books 1-3 of Icehome. Expecting a teenager to commit to adult aliens instead of flirt with them is…. not ok. I’m so glad she found Stacy in Croatoan to be her surrogate mom. Stacy wins kindest person in Croatoan award, although both Salukh and Tiffany are rivals for that title. But I digress—back to this book. I loved how imperfect Tia was, with her lonely childhood informing her views of the ice planet and the people on it. She was so happy to find her man, but of course, nothing is simple on this planet. Rem’eb was a sweetie who had to grow some spine during this book. His dad was ruled by grief and liable to some awful decisions, like kidnapping Tia. The language barrier was a fun throw back. While I enjoyed this book as a whole, I was a little annoyed at neither MC catching on to an obvious solution to the main dilemma. Tia tended to be selfish, but read as more traumatized than anything else. I mean, who isn’t selfish when they haven’t had the resources to deal with childhood trauma? Plus being dumped on a planet at age 17 and then sent away for being a “problem” didn’t help. It’s hard to look outside of yourself when you’re hurting. I thought the ending was solid and I am crossing my fingers so hard for some FF romance in this series!
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: Caverns/Underground locations, Imprisonment and captivity/kidnapping, References to past plague/disease, References to one character’s murder of another (off page), Pregnancy, Reference to forced resonance, A character is drugged (nothing bad happens to them), Strained parental relations, Past death of a parent, Isolation/Feeling unwelcome in a group, Questionable ocular medical treatment (it all turns out well), Mention of side character attempting to be a voyeur...more
3.5 stars ARC review This was a fun little erotica short with a FMC who woke up to the knowledge she was going to be a gladiator prize. Ira was a sweet3.5 stars ARC review This was a fun little erotica short with a FMC who woke up to the knowledge she was going to be a gladiator prize. Ira was a sweetie and I was def a fan of the alien cat monster aspect. The spice was fun. I liked that the FMC had missing glasses as well. I’m also a big fan of the language barrier trope. Some of the writing was a bit repetitive and I wish we could have known a little more about him and his background. But for the length of the book it was appropriate.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: abduction (not by MC), imprisonment, brief threat of SA, have to have his cum scent for safety kinda sorta dubcon, but it’s situation driven, not character driven...more
Jun was a bad A nurse who was fiercely protective of Amanda and her family, and rather grumpy. Brin was sunshiny, traumatized, and brilliant. Nuzal waJun was a bad A nurse who was fiercely protective of Amanda and her family, and rather grumpy. Brin was sunshiny, traumatized, and brilliant. Nuzal was sweet but still violent when needed and working on deconstructing his entire existence. They made a pretty solid triad that came together under the worst of circumstances. Make no mistake, this is a DARK book, even though it has its sweet moments. They were all dealing with various levels of trauma from the pasts on top of the current horrors of their situations. But y’all know me, I like some darkness.
Spice: 3/5
SPOILERS IN TRIGGER WARNINGS
Triggers: violence, gore, surgery, drugging, captivity, involuntary medical experimentation, threat of SA, forced nudity (side character), home invasion, torture, attempted murder by drowning, animal attack, cult-like environment, racism (off page), pregnancy, forced sterilization, child abuse and neglect (off page), emotional abuse, death (side character), PTSD symptoms...more
This was a fun and dark read with a fiercely independent FMC and the king of denial, Drega. Ruby was compassionate but very quick to anger, which wasnThis was a fun and dark read with a fiercely independent FMC and the king of denial, Drega. Ruby was compassionate but very quick to anger, which wasn’t surprising given her estrangement with his father. Their meet disaster was a semi rescue operation, with Ruby doing the rescuing. Drega was very touch averse as a result of torture and medical experimentation, which added a layer of complexity to their relationship. Neither were great communicators, but they stumbled their way through to that HEA.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: torture, drugging, involuntary medical experimentation, captivity, abduction, mentions of genocide, mention of family estrangement, violence, gore, severe injury, PTSD symptoms in side character, threat of SA (not fault of MC), pregnancy of side characters, explosion...more
Im a sucker for language barrier and captive MCs, so this was right up my alley. Lo’zar had that whole morally grey thing going on and was such a softIm a sucker for language barrier and captive MCs, so this was right up my alley. Lo’zar had that whole morally grey thing going on and was such a softie with Rimi. Rimi was just the right mix of soft and fierce. She could stand up for herself and be a bad bitch when called for, but was also sweet as sugar with Lo’zar. I’m enjoying the Trollkin world and all the hatred between humans and trollkin because it adds some enemies to lovers vibes to each book.
Spice: 4.5/5
Triggers: Abduction and trafficking, Captive FMC Neglect and abuse, suicidal ideation, Moderate violence, On-page death (by gun and sword), Claustrophobia, Crime/thieving/smuggling, SA (brief groping), Drug use (off-page), Animal death, Pregnancy, Birth...more
I really enjoyed this retelling because I loved Thumbelina when I was a kid. It was fun to see the twists the author put Thumbelina but make it darker
I really enjoyed this retelling because I loved Thumbelina when I was a kid. It was fun to see the twists the author put on the situations from the OG story. Sorrel had a rude awakening to the evils of the world and Cypress wasn’t there for most of it. He had to figure out who to trust (basically no one) and became quite a bit more jaded. I appreciated the growing up aspect of the story because it gave Sorrel a chance to go into a relationship with a deeper understanding of the world. I’m a bit bummed the getting to know each other part of the story was so truncated, but still really enjoyed it.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: kidnapping, attempted SA (kissing before escaping situation), captivity, violence, light gore, murder, forced engagement, hypothermia, starvation, stalking...more
It was odd coming to this book immediately after reading Hexannacht, as this was decidedly not cozy. Jude had a differentBeautifully done dark romance
It was odd coming to this book immediately after reading Hexannacht, as this was decidedly not cozy. Jude had a different kind of trauma up to her eyeballs: a crappy home life, lifetime of bullying, and being sold off in marriage in a modern age. She deserved so much more than she had and her story was deeply moving. Lux was the morally gray guard who became just what she needed, and she gave him understanding in turn. The tension between MCs was painful at times and I would have loved a longer story to explore their relationship more, but it was perfect for the length of the book.
Vala was the most precious giant of a man. His captivity was so sad, but expected after book 3. Quinn was a sexy curvCinnamon roll and confident woman
Vala was the most precious giant of a man. His captivity was so sad, but expected after book 3. Quinn was a sexy curvy seductress and I absolutely loved it! She helped Vala come into his own with his emotional intelligence and rolled with the punches life dealt her. Ya know, like being abducted by aliens and threatened with medical experimentation. Both characters were well rounded and interesting and I’m enjoying the continuation of the overarching plot, which I can’t go into detail about without spoiling it. This series has been awesome and I’m excited for the final book!
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: abduction, claustrophobic imprisonment, torture, involuntary medical experimentation, drugging, violence, gore, genocide, grief from death of sibling, violent death of parents (off page), brainwashing (off page)...more
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