She was one soul adrift in an ocean of blood. All the tears in the world wouldn’t wash that from her hands or fill her a channel to Heav5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
She was one soul adrift in an ocean of blood. All the tears in the world wouldn’t wash that from her hands or fill her a channel to Heaven.
Blood Over Bright Haven is a provocative and cleverly rendered dark academia fantasy standalone set against the stunning backdrop of a lush industrial city blessed by an abundance of magic and brilliant minds.
This is the first novel by M.L. Wang that I finally had the pleasure of reading and I am completely blown away.
On the surface, the story follows the first female Highmage in history as she ventures into an unknown domain surrounded by allies and foes—mostly men who deem her as less due to her sex.
But if we delve deeper, the author boldly weaves in such themes of sexism, racial superiority, neocolonialism, and machiavellian politics without dimming the authenticity of the story.
This book scrapped my emotions raw and evoked such devastation and anger in me. Not to say I wasn't absolutely enthralled as the story progressed but so much mirrors the reality we live in and what we are witnessing in modern time as well as what history recorded.
Greed and hunger for power is truly root of all evil. Much more is explored with the concept of the ends-justify-the-means or taking whatever necessary action for a greater good (and the greater good is subjective here).
I have to applaud Wang for creating one of the most multi-faceted cast of characters I've ever read about. Unconventional heroines are always entertaining to read about as they're unapologetic about their flaws and always carry an attitude of "so what?".
In this case, Sciona Freynan is self-indulged and brilliant in her own right. I've rooted for her as much as I wanted to jump into the page and throttle her. She grated my nerves for sure but I can't begrudge her for it knowing what she had endured.
Wang also created a very intricate and science-based magic system that was a little hard to digest at first and I truly have so much respect for authors who manage to build up a magic system from scratch based on their own original concepts.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.”
Trust me when I say my review does not do this book justice, it's something you need to experience firsthand. There is more to it beyond this review and the synopsis.
Trigger warning: this book has dark and adult themes that may not be suitable for sensitive readers and that includes graphic scenes of death, violence, attempted sexual assault, gore, misogyny, classism, racism, etc....more
“Because you’re mine.” His teeth scored my neck. “You wear my ring. You’ve come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Because you’re mine.” His teeth scored my neck. “You wear my ring. You’ve come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don’t want you to…” His palm slid to my hip, where his fingers dug grooves into my skin. “And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. Every. Single. Day.”
King of Wrath is the first installment in the King of Sins series by Ana Huang and I'm delighted to say that I DEVOURED this book.
I adored the Twisted series but this is the first Ana Huang book that gets a 5⭐️ from me and that says much.
What to expect:
— Spicy Contemporary Romance — Arranged Marriage — Slowburn (you'll be rewarded) — Forced Proximity — Billionaire CEO x Society Heiress — Sunshine x Grumpy — Possessive Alpha MMC — Interracial Couple — Groveling — Hot Chemistry — Luxury life — Family drama
Vivian Lau is a 28-year-old luxury event planner and a society heiress as she is the second daughter of Francis Lau, self-made CEO Lau Jewels.
Ana Huang depicted the expectations and aspirations of a new money family/traditional Asian family perfectly. Both Vivian and her older sister Agnes carried the weight of their parents expectations by making successful matches with old money families. Agnes succeeded and married an Eldorran Earl and now it is Vivian's turn to fulfill her parents' wishes by accepting the man they had chosen for her.
My future husband was devastation poured into a suit.
Now the world of high society will flip itself upside down with the news that Dante Russo, the 36-year-old world's most eligible bachelor and enigmatic billionaire of the Russo Group, is to be wed to Vivian.
But how could have Vivian's father secured a marriage for her with the most cold-blooded and ruthless billionaire known to man?
One, Dante was going to be my fiancé. Two, we might kill each other before we ever made it to the altar.
I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
The chemistry between Vivian and Dante immediately sparked upon their first meeting and I was eating up the delicious tension and pull-and-push between them.
Both of them were forced into a situation where their choices were stripped from them for different reasons and I like that it didn't come easy for them.
Vivian had her parents' expectations to uphold, ever the obedient and loyal daughter of the Laus' and Dante... well... you'll know.
“You don’t know what you do to me.” The rawness of his voice matched the desire in his eyes—dark and fathomless and so visceral I felt it in my bones.
The romance and the slowburn was SCORCHING.
“Keep screaming my name, sweetheart.”
I knew Vivian was a ticking bomb with how pressured she was by her family. I felt so much for her and the burden she carried was constant.
This will definitely join my list of comfort reads and I couldn't have picked up this book at a more perfect timing.
Merged review:
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Because you’re mine.” His teeth scored my neck. “You wear my ring. You’ve come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don’t want you to…” His palm slid to my hip, where his fingers dug grooves into my skin. “And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. Every. Single. Day.”
King of Wrath is the first installment in the King of Sins series by Ana Huang and I'm delighted to say that I DEVOURED this book.
I adored the Twisted series but this is the first Ana Huang book that gets a 5⭐️ from me and that says much.
What to expect:
— Spicy Contemporary Romance — Arranged Marriage — Slowburn (you'll be rewarded) — Forced Proximity — Billionaire CEO x Society Heiress — Sunshine x Grumpy — Possessive Alpha MMC — Interracial Couple — Groveling — Hot Chemistry — Luxury life — Family drama
Vivian Lau is a 28-year-old luxury event planner and a society heiress as she is the second daughter of Francis Lau, self-made CEO Lau Jewels.
Ana Huang depicted the expectations and aspirations of a new money family/traditional Asian family perfectly. Both Vivian and her older sister Agnes carried the weight of their parents expectations by making successful matches with old money families. Agnes succeeded and married an Eldorran Earl and now it is Vivian's turn to fulfill her parents' wishes by accepting the man they had chosen for her.
My future husband was devastation poured into a suit.
Now the world of high society will flip itself upside down with the news that Dante Russo, the 36-year-old world's most eligible bachelor and enigmatic billionaire of the Russo Group, is to be wed to Vivian.
But how could have Vivian's father secured a marriage for her with the most cold-blooded and ruthless billionaire known to man?
One, Dante was going to be my fiancé. Two, we might kill each other before we ever made it to the altar.
I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
The chemistry between Vivian and Dante immediately sparked upon their first meeting and I was eating up the delicious tension and pull-and-push between them.
Both of them were forced into a situation where their choices were stripped from them for different reasons and I like that it didn't come easy for them.
Vivian had her parents' expectations to uphold, ever the obedient and loyal daughter of the Laus' and Dante... well... you'll know.
“You don’t know what you do to me.” The rawness of his voice matched the desire in his eyes—dark and fathomless and so visceral I felt it in my bones.
The romance and the slowburn was SCORCHING.
“Keep screaming my name, sweetheart.”
I knew Vivian was a ticking bomb with how pressured she was by her family. I felt so much for her and the burden she carried was constant.
This will definitely join my list of comfort reads and I couldn't have picked up this book at a more perfect timing.
Merged review:
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Because you’re mine.” His teeth scored my neck. “You wear my ring. You’ve come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don’t want you to…” His palm slid to my hip, where his fingers dug grooves into my skin. “And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. Every. Single. Day.”
King of Wrath is the first installment in the King of Sins series by Ana Huang and I'm delighted to say that I DEVOURED this book.
I adored the Twisted series but this is the first Ana Huang book that gets a 5⭐️ from me and that says much.
What to expect:
— Spicy Contemporary Romance — Arranged Marriage — Slowburn (you'll be rewarded) — Forced Proximity — Billionaire CEO x Society Heiress — Sunshine x Grumpy — Possessive Alpha MMC — Interracial Couple — Groveling — Hot Chemistry — Luxury life — Family drama
Vivian Lau is a 28-year-old luxury event planner and a society heiress as she is the second daughter of Francis Lau, self-made CEO Lau Jewels.
Ana Huang depicted the expectations and aspirations of a new money family/traditional Asian family perfectly. Both Vivian and her older sister Agnes carried the weight of their parents expectations by making successful matches with old money families. Agnes succeeded and married an Eldorran Earl and now it is Vivian's turn to fulfill her parents' wishes by accepting the man they had chosen for her.
My future husband was devastation poured into a suit.
Now the world of high society will flip itself upside down with the news that Dante Russo, the 36-year-old world's most eligible bachelor and enigmatic billionaire of the Russo Group, is to be wed to Vivian.
But how could have Vivian's father secured a marriage for her with the most cold-blooded and ruthless billionaire known to man?
One, Dante was going to be my fiancé. Two, we might kill each other before we ever made it to the altar.
I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
The chemistry between Vivian and Dante immediately sparked upon their first meeting and I was eating up the delicious tension and pull-and-push between them.
Both of them were forced into a situation where their choices were stripped from them for different reasons and I like that it didn't come easy for them.
Vivian had her parents' expectations to uphold, ever the obedient and loyal daughter of the Laus' and Dante... well... you'll know.
“You don’t know what you do to me.” The rawness of his voice matched the desire in his eyes—dark and fathomless and so visceral I felt it in my bones.
The romance and the slowburn was SCORCHING.
“Keep screaming my name, sweetheart.”
I knew Vivian was a ticking bomb with how pressured she was by her family. I felt so much for her and the burden she carried was constant.
This will definitely join my list of comfort reads and I couldn't have picked up this book at a more perfect timing.
Merged review:
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Because you’re mine.” His teeth scored my neck. “You wear my ring. You’ve come on my face and hand. You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don’t want you to…” His palm slid to my hip, where his fingers dug grooves into my skin. “And God, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. Every. Single. Day.”
King of Wrath is the first installment in the King of Sins series by Ana Huang and I'm delighted to say that I DEVOURED this book.
I adored the Twisted series but this is the first Ana Huang book that gets a 5⭐️ from me and that says much.
What to expect:
— Spicy Contemporary Romance — Arranged Marriage — Slowburn (you'll be rewarded) — Forced Proximity — Billionaire CEO x Society Heiress — Sunshine x Grumpy — Possessive Alpha MMC — Interracial Couple — Groveling — Hot Chemistry — Luxury life — Family drama
Vivian Lau is a 28-year-old luxury event planner and a society heiress as she is the second daughter of Francis Lau, self-made CEO Lau Jewels.
Ana Huang depicted the expectations and aspirations of a new money family/traditional Asian family perfectly. Both Vivian and her older sister Agnes carried the weight of their parents expectations by making successful matches with old money families. Agnes succeeded and married an Eldorran Earl and now it is Vivian's turn to fulfill her parents' wishes by accepting the man they had chosen for her.
My future husband was devastation poured into a suit.
Now the world of high society will flip itself upside down with the news that Dante Russo, the 36-year-old world's most eligible bachelor and enigmatic billionaire of the Russo Group, is to be wed to Vivian.
But how could have Vivian's father secured a marriage for her with the most cold-blooded and ruthless billionaire known to man?
One, Dante was going to be my fiancé. Two, we might kill each other before we ever made it to the altar.
I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
The chemistry between Vivian and Dante immediately sparked upon their first meeting and I was eating up the delicious tension and pull-and-push between them.
Both of them were forced into a situation where their choices were stripped from them for different reasons and I like that it didn't come easy for them.
Vivian had her parents' expectations to uphold, ever the obedient and loyal daughter of the Laus' and Dante... well... you'll know.
“You don’t know what you do to me.” The rawness of his voice matched the desire in his eyes—dark and fathomless and so visceral I felt it in my bones.
The romance and the slowburn was SCORCHING.
“Keep screaming my name, sweetheart.”
I knew Vivian was a ticking bomb with how pressured she was by her family. I felt so much for her and the burden she carried was constant.
This will definitely join my list of comfort reads and I couldn't have picked up this book at a more perfect timing....more
This was such a fun and easy read! I was in the mood for some sizzling romance and this did not disappoint!
The characters were fantastic, Clara (disThis was such a fun and easy read! I was in the mood for some sizzling romance and this did not disappoint!
The characters were fantastic, Clara (disguised as Helen the housemaid) and Lord Ashworth (William) newfound attraction for each other pulled them into a forbidden romance. The so tender slow-burn romance made my heart burst open.
I felt deeply for both of them.
Clara helped her older sister elope with her lover in pursuit of her happily ever after much to their parents disappointment. Clara is left to face the ton’ scrutiny and alienation. In an attempt to remedy their family’s tarnished reputation, Clara finds her self betrothed to the vile and unkind Baron Rutherford. The Baron is quick to reveal his violent side to Clara which motivates her to take a risky step in an attempt to flee from what would be a disastrous marriage. Clara leaves behind her identity and embarks on a new journey, with a new identity, which leads her to the doorsteps of Earl Ashworth’s country estate, as a maid in disguise seeking employment.
William, Lord Ashworth, wakes up one morning to the realization that he is to become the Earl of Ashworth after the passing of his father, older brother and brother-in-law in a horrible accident in which he was the sole survivor of it. The only family he has left is his sister Eliza and his loving sweet niece, Rosa. Haunted by the accident that took the lives of his family, Lord Ashworth is sorting out his new life along with a title he was not meant to gain. He avoids the ton and their balls and would rather settle in his estate and practice his authority as it’s new owner.
Plagued by the difficult circumstances that unbalanced their lives, Clara and Lord Ashworth find that through their love and challenging it’s impossibility, may lead them to the road of happiness.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Merged review:
This was such a fun and easy read! I was in the mood for some sizzling romance and this did not disappoint!
The characters were fantastic, Clara (disguised as Helen the housemaid) and Lord Ashworth (William) newfound attraction for each other pulled them into a forbidden romance. The so tender slow-burn romance made my heart burst open.
I felt deeply for both of them.
Clara helped her older sister elope with her lover in pursuit of her happily ever after much to their parents disappointment. Clara is left to face the ton’ scrutiny and alienation. In an attempt to remedy their family’s tarnished reputation, Clara finds her self betrothed to the vile and unkind Baron Rutherford. The Baron is quick to reveal his violent side to Clara which motivates her to take a risky step in an attempt to flee from what would be a disastrous marriage. Clara leaves behind her identity and embarks on a new journey, with a new identity, which leads her to the doorsteps of Earl Ashworth’s country estate, as a maid in disguise seeking employment.
William, Lord Ashworth, wakes up one morning to the realization that he is to become the Earl of Ashworth after the passing of his father, older brother and brother-in-law in a horrible accident in which he was the sole survivor of it. The only family he has left is his sister Eliza and his loving sweet niece, Rosa. Haunted by the accident that took the lives of his family, Lord Ashworth is sorting out his new life along with a title he was not meant to gain. He avoids the ton and their balls and would rather settle in his estate and practice his authority as it’s new owner.
Plagued by the difficult circumstances that unbalanced their lives, Clara and Lord Ashworth find that through their love and challenging it’s impossibility, may lead them to the road of happiness.
Reread and I fell even more in love with this story. Sarah A. Parker is truly a masterful storyteller and I'm in awe of every detail, cl5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reread and I fell even more in love with this story. Sarah A. Parker is truly a masterful storyteller and I'm in awe of every detail, clue, and emotion she brilliantly weaves into the story.
Book 1 is no doubt only the tip of the iceberg. Just as Parker seamlessly enriched the story with a tragic backstory and a dark journey leading up to two broken souls finding each other—she is setting the stage for future events I am both dreading and excited for.
----
Thank you to the lovely Sarah A. Parker for gifting me with an eARC of the first installment in her Moonfall series.
Disclaimer: receiving advanced reader's copies do not influence my rating of a book, I prioritize reading ARCs I know I will enjoy.
Parker won me over as a loyal reader through her Crystal Bloom series, so I was thrilled when she announced that she wove a new story and knew it would be nothing short of spectacular.
It comes at no surprise to say that Parker penned another incredible fantasy romance and When the Moon Hatched sets up an original fantastical world with a doomed romance that felt reminiscent to the tale of Tristan and Isolde.
“Chase death, Moonbeam. And I pray your bloodlust brings you the same sense of peace I feel just knowing you exist.”
While at the beginning I was a tad overwhelmed by the world-building, but it is so intricate I was very impressed and Sarah, bless her heart,included a detailed guide at the beginning of the book. It took a while to digest but once I got the gist of it I really devoured the story.
This book is a vibrant mosaic of the most beloved fantasy and romance elements but it still manages to set itself apart even from Parker's beloved Crystal Bloom series.
The lore and the magic is cleverly constructed and especially when it comes to the Dragons, they are not just creatures of warfare but they have their own lore and tales as well and it is beautifully tragic.
The story is narrated by multiple POVs and only one POV is told from the past but it's very crucial to the plot. The book consists of 70% of Raeve's chapters but you'll gradually get new POVs as the story progresses.
Raeve is a wildcat with a sharp tongue and a sharper wit. She's an assassin known as the Elding blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath. Raeve's job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught.
She also carries a heart full of sorrow and grapples with a dark past and the brutal loss of loved ones. The bloody road she's on eventually brings her to Kaan Vaegor, a male who lurks around her like a shadow and unravels her like no other.
But even as Kaan grapples with his own tragic past and a grieving heart, would Raeve find a kindred spirit in a this broken male? or a sworn enemy of he who wears a bloodtstained crown of the King he killed.
You can expect Parker's signature angst generously garnished all over the book, character-driven plots, and a slowburn romance that is more than what it seems.
This is a very solid beginning of the series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book!
Tropes: — Star-crossed/doomed love — Forbidden Romance — Fae — He Falls First — Heavy on the Banter — Strong and Sharp FMC — Forced Proximity — Dragons — Gods and Goddesses — Unique Lore and Magic — Spice (2.5/5)
Content warnings are listed at the beginning of the book and keep in mind there are graphic and mature scenes...more
I let my hands slide back down to the firmness of his chest. “It would be crazier if you kissed me.”5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This is crazy,” he whispers again.
I let my hands slide back down to the firmness of his chest. “It would be crazier if you kissed me.”
“Can I?”
Whew. All that pent-up sexual tension exploded in one instance and it did so beautifully and I can finally breathe. It gave me intense blue balls in the first half and then I was left hot and bothered for the remainder of it. No complaints here.
I needed something after a dark fantasy series sucked me dry emotionally and it turned me into a vessel of the person I once was. I knew a good spicy rom-com would stir my soul and bring me back to life.
The Nanny is a single dad romance but this daddy is a CHEF and an absolute sweetheart with an adorably grumpy encanto-obsessed-pancake-loving-9-year-old who lovingly burns him at every chance she gets (in a literal sense), I guess that's why he comes off so humble—and of course we can't forget the Nanny who is about to change their lives.
Cassie is a 25-year-old in her third year of Grad School for Occupational Health. After losing her job as a therapy assistant in a Children's Hospital and having to downsize her living expenses, she is seeking a job to balance her schoolwork.
And the golden opportunity presented itself in an ad:
“Wanted: full-time live-in nanny position. Experience with children is a must. Free room and board. Serious inquiries only.”
Oh, she also used to be an OnlyFans creator who goes by the name Cici, but she quit because [spoiler].
31-year-old Aiden Reid is an executive Chef with an extremely busy schedule and a adorable 9-year-old she-devil of a child who ran off her the last 4 nannies. Aiden struggles between making time to take care of his daughter and running the kitchen at the fancy restaurant he works at. He's hopeful the next Nanny will be the one.
And dear reader, I leave it up to your imagination as to what is likely to happen when two attractive single adults live in together under one roof (with a child).
I'll insert another [oh] for emphasis, because while Aiden is basically a golden retriever in human form, but looks can be deceived because the words that come out of this guy's tongue in bed are positively filthy.
“Because I shouldn’t be thinking about you as much as I do.”
What else is there to say? I loved this book. I devoured it. I would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to go to bed early because it's Sunday.
The characters and side characters were wonderful and this book had some excellent banter that had me smiling and giggling the entire time.
The sexual tension between Aiden and Cassie is like the most decadent chocolate and the payoff is definitely rewarding. It left me hot and bothered.
My baby Sophie was the star of this book. She was quite the character and I'm always worried in single parent romances that the child is pushed in the background but definitely not in this one. I loved the bond formed between her and Cassie, it's so precious.
Wanda manages to steal the limelight at every scene I absolutely adore her!!
There are some decisions by the characters that made me go "meh" but it didn't bother me much. But thank god I did not have to suffer through the miscommunication trope that is often present in other rom-coms, I wouldn't say there is lack of it here but the characters do open up to each other like the adults they are.
If you're looking for a swoon-worthy romance that'll make your love butterflies flutter, this is the one!
Tropes:
— Single Dad (31) x Nanny (25) — Sunshine x Sunshine — Chef x Occupational Health grad student — Ex-Onlyfans Creator — Parent of a 9-year-old daughter — Rewarding Slowburn — Spicy — Close Proximity — Fun Banter
Content warning: includes explicit scenes and mention of death, grief, child neglect....more
He’d looked at her like she was extraordinary and beautiful, and made of all the things she knew she wasn’t.
I think I'm going to need 105 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He’d looked at her like she was extraordinary and beautiful, and made of all the things she knew she wasn’t.
I think I'm going to need 10 working days to recover from this book.
City of Souls and Sinners is the anticipated second installment in the House of Devils series and you can expect more action, more chilling twists, it gets darker and grittier, and you certainly can expect a steamy romance that is written beautifully.
It was a long book but I've savored every page and was wholly immersed into the world of Angelthene. Seems like the author vowed not to give her readers a moment's rest because you won't have any.
I'm so proud of Loren's growth in this book and I know she might not be a conventional heroine to some as she is vulnerable and not a warrior-type of character, but something about her just makes her seem like a kindred spirit. She's written as a character who is wholly good but also has her own flaws, which I appreciate.
Darien Cassel... and here I thought I have fallen hard for him already but damn... fictional men like him are the reason why people think I have such high standards when it comes to my love life.
The romance in this book is on a whole another level and what Darien and Loren have is something so, so precious!
The lore and world-building is fleshed out more and I'm really liking where this is heading even if it's descendin into a darker path.
I'm also so delighted to see the secondary characters get their moments of spotlight (as they should). There's also another couple I'm rooting for HARD.
This book shredded my emotions and glued them back to shred them all over again. I highly advise you to store some ice cream and chocolate for this because you'll need it.
I want to take these characters away from the author and keep them under my protection because WHAT THE HELL?
But I also would like to thank the author for gifting me an eARC of this emotionally-draining book....more
“We’re not a love story. We’re a tragedy in the making. There’s no happy ending for us.
I LOVEDLOVEDLOVED this. What else is there to say5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“We’re not a love story. We’re a tragedy in the making. There’s no happy ending for us.
I LOVEDLOVEDLOVED this. What else is there to say? Call me a sadist but I just live for these angsty forbidden romances and the couple fight through hell to be together.
Having read the first two books, I could not wait to get to The Emperor and live through Dante and Amara's forbidden love.
What to expect?
— Dark Romance — Forbidden Love — Friends-to-Lovers — Housekeeper's daughter x Mafia boss son/heir — Close-proximity — Immaculate spice — She falls first, he falls harder — Resilient heroine with a heart of gold — Alpha posessive hero who is soft for her only — Action, intrigue, twists, and secrets — Mafia families — Dual POV
She was just a girl and he was just a boy, and somehow, their broken pieces matched.
I expected to get a little bit emotional, but I did not expect to be slammed by so many emotions and not only because of the romance, but because of what each character had gone through.
Amara and Dante's love blossomed so beautifully in a world so cruel, they are soulmates fated to love each other yet their reality and roles would not allow it. Dante is the heir and prince of the underworld and Amara is the housekeeper's daughter. There would be no future or happily ever after for either of them and their enemies would make sure of it.
But their love for each other is not to be underestimated, for it persevered through blood, death, and tragedies.
Amara's resilience and kindness and Dante's determination and tenderness made them perfect for each other. Amara never lost that gentle touch of hers despite living among such monsters, and although Dante was raised and shaped by them—he was dangerous but had such tenderness in him that kept him from becoming fully corrupted. They both found their broken pieces and filled the empty spaces in their hearts and souls. And that what makes for a beautiful love story.
I'm absolutely bursting with love for this book. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and the romance was perfect.
“What if I get hurt?” she whispered into his jacket.
he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “Then, I’ll kiss your scars.”
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, PTSD, mention of suic*de, violence, death, torture, abuse, kidnap, child traffick*ng....more
They had both tasted Death, brushed shoulders with it. They had scars on their skin and on their souls from that fractured moment, and n5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They had both tasted Death, brushed shoulders with it. They had scars on their skin and on their souls from that fractured moment, and now Iris saw more than she had before. She saw the light, but she also saw the shadows.
I was a sobbing mess even before I turned over that very last page. That alone cemented Divine Rivals as one of my favorite reads of the year!
Divine Rivals is an exceptional historical fantasy packed with intense emotions, beautiful friendships, captivating lore and mythology, pure magic, and an extraordinary love story.
I cannot even begin to convey how utterly devastating and beautiful this story was. There are themes of grief, loss, and hope that are woven beautifully in it.
The story has the cadence of a whimsical fairytale set in the early 20th century, yet it's overshadowed by a bloody war and the wrath of a vengeful god.
It all begins at a fictional town called Oath. Two young rival journalists are aiming to win the columnist promotion at one of the most prestigious papers in the city—The Oath Gazette.
18-year-old Iris Winnow is hanging by a thread with her older brother being sent off to fight in the front lines at the War launched by the god named Dacre and her mother's over indulgence in alcohol.
Becoming a columnist is not only an aspiration for Iris , but a necessity.
However, the cold and aloof 19-year-old Roman C. Kitt who hails from an upper class family and maintains a perfect work ethic is not an easy rival to defeat.
Iris reflects all her frustrations in her letters written for her brother, but to her surprise and dismay those letters never reach her brother Forest, but to a complete stranger who is magically connected to her.
She would be comically devastated and scandalized if she ever discovered the magical connection is tied to none other than her maddening rival, Roman C. Kitt.
As the anonymous correspondences continue, the War blazing in the West is edging towards the East—Iris and Roman have more to worry about than becoming a columnist.
For they are along with every other mortal living on these lands are mere pawns in a war between wrathful Gods and Goddesses.
You are not alone. Not in your fear or your grief or your hopes or your dreams. You are not alone.
I know my review did not do this book justice and there is so much more I'm not revealing to avoid spoilers because I would love for the readers to experience it all on their own for the first time.
I truly am absolutely in love with it. No exaggeration here. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Although this is a young adult historical fantasy romance, please keep in mind the triggers below.
“Unless you don’t know how to handle an opponent on top of you, and if so, that’s a whole other issue.”
“I know how to handle you on top5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Unless you don’t know how to handle an opponent on top of you, and if so, that’s a whole other issue.”
“I know how to handle you on top of me,” I challenge quietly.
He lowers his mouth to my ear. “You won’t like what happens if you push me.”
“Or maybe I will.” I turn just enough that my lips brush the shell of his ear.
This book exploded in the book community and with so many hyped books that popped up recently and were sorely disappointing, I was haunted by that experience. I am usually hesitant to clap with the crowd, but it is with absolute delight to say that Fourth Wing cemented itself as one of the best fantasy books of 2023 and it lived up to its hype for me!
First of all, let me settle your expectations with this. Is this a literary masterpiece? no. Does it include some totally new and original concept? to some extent but not really. Do you promise the story won't slow down? in some instances it does so prepare for that. Is the writing top-notch? expect modern slangs but I did find the writing style immersive. Is the plot and world-building intricate? it's well-done but this is not Tolkien.
But Yaz, then what do you mean by this book being one of the best of the year?
Exactly what I said. This book was a gift to me and a reminder of why I love the fantasy genre so much. It kept me enthralled and on edge. I was invested in the lore and world-building. The characters and the setting felt so tangible to me. To put it up simply, I had fun reading every single page.
Best part of this book? Dragons.
What I loved the most is that the Dragons were not treated as mere beasts. They're majestic creatures with a keen intelligence and play an active role in the story and without spoiling much, I am so impressed with how the author created the magic system centered on the bond between the rider and their dragon. To me that was brilliant and something totally unique.
The military college setting was enjoyable and I might sound like a sadist saying this but I loved that there were stakes and no one was safe, I means it's a college for dragon riders right? When someone dies it's treated like every other Wednesday. This is not a school built for the weak, the strongest students survive while the weakest tend to meet a tragic end. The sense of dread creeps up on you because death itself creeps up on the characters not 50 pages in. Be prepared to have your nerves shredded like cheddar cheese.
As someone who hardly gets attached to minor characters, I applaud the author for taking the time to flesh out not only the main characters but also the minor characters. It's hard to explain even though the story was simple but it was layered which is why I could not put the book down.
Our protagonist, 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, was raised her whole life to become a Scribe like her father. Violet was content with that kind of future due to her chronic illness, she knows she can't be a dragon rider like her mother and siblings. Well... her mother throws a plot-twist at her and she's expected to join the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College.
From an outsider's perspective, her mother's decision was a death sentence to her as she would be a prey among many beasts there including the great betrayer's son, Xaden Riorson.
“Stay the hell away from Xaden Riorson.”
Xaden is a third-year and one of the wing leaders, an enigmatic and intimidating man, and he has a score to settle since Violet's mother is the reason his father was executed.
To complicate matters, Violet's older brother was killed by Xaden's father.
Now this makes for a deliciously angsty forbidden romance between two enemies. Their chemistry was crackling with tension and pent up emotions.
And here's a disclaimer to you dear reader; like with all good things, the romance is marinated with a slowburn build-up. You will be rewarded eventually with a nice spicy meal to keep you sated (but are we ever?).
“I can barely count the number of people in this quadrant who want you dead, either as revenge against your mother or because you’re just really good at pissing people off, but you’re still here, defying the odds.”
What I enjoyed the most about Violet is not only does she constantly challenge the odds, she is such a relatable character. She's not exactly perfect or lacking in flaws, she feels like a perfectly 20-year-old woman to me and she acts as such. She's the kind of person in real life I would sit with and spill all the tea between us. Sometimes she's reckless and stubborn but that's part of her charm to me.
Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.”
This book joined my list of favorite fantasy romance books and I'm relieved to know that the sequel is only mere months away. I can't wait to return to this world and these characters that I've come to adore so deeply!
Tropes in this book:
— New Adult Fantasy Romance — Enemies-to-Lovers — Forbidden Romance — Ruthless War College for Dragon Riders — Spicy (2.5/5) — Determined, relatable and fun FMC — Enigmatic and hot MMC — Dragons (each with a personality and voice) — Intriguing lore and world-building — Unique magic system based on dragon bonds — Fun and layered cast of characters — Chronic illness rep — High tension and comic relief — Packed with action scenes in training or battle
The book includes the following triggers: war, battle, hand-to-hand combat, perilous situations, blood, intense violence, brutal injuries, death, poisoning, graphic language, and sexual activities that are shown on the page....more
I bow to no man. I serve no King. And though I may be seen as a weapon, I am the only one who can wield it.
Thank you Lauren M. Measure f5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I bow to no man. I serve no King. And though I may be seen as a weapon, I am the only one who can wield it.
Thank you Lauren M. Measure for gifting me with an eARC of one of my anticipated 2023 releases in exchange for an honest review.
The Bones of Benevolence opens with a jaw-dropping prologue that will have you pause by the end of it to process everything.
Not that this book will give you any space to breathe, I was left reeling after that one hell of a cliffhanger.
While I had a blast reading this anticipated sequel, but at what cost... I'm left in a state of misery until I get my hands on the next book (and the Miles novella).
This book is littered with revelations and answers we've been seeking. Hidden identities are revealed and known identities shed their false forms. Some I've predicted and some were a complete surprise.
Petra's grief and rage is so potent throughout the pages that it hurt my heart. She was fated to live through all this misery, guilt, anger, and sadness but she is also fated for something much greater than the entire realm.
The flashback chapters felt a tad long but the holes they filled in the story made up for it and I love that now I have the whole picture of a situation I presumed was a little rushed. But it all makes sense now.
I bet some readers are eager to learn who is endgame, and you will get a very clear answer in this book ...more
This kid is going to be the death of me. And so is his goddamn nanny.
From the moment I picked up Heart•less until I turned over that ver5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This kid is going to be the death of me. And so is his goddamn nanny.
From the moment I picked up Heart•less until I turned over that very last page my fluttering love butterflies did not settle for once. I swooned and I laughed and I even was on the verge of crying.
That explains how I finished it in one sitting.
What to expect?
— Small town romance — Age gap (25 x 38) — Nanny x Single dad — Sunshine x Grumpy — City girl x Rancher — Slowburn — Forced proximity — Spicy (4/5) — Lovable side characters — Fun banter — Dual POVs
25-year-old Willa Grant is on an unknown path in her life, especially as she is pressured by the success stories of all her family members and yet she had not settled down for anything.
But perhaps she found her calling in the countryside on a visit to her best friend at the Wishing Well ranch. Maybe becoming a babysitter for an adorable 5-year-old boy could add something to her life.
But with an adorable kid comes the grumpiest of the grumps and having Cade Eaton as her boss could very well be a test for her sanity.
It's a common fact that Cade's favorite thing in the world is his son Luke, but he is a man forged by hard circumstances and a million responsibilities. Cade knows he is the least pleasant person in town to be around but it takes Willa to melt down the icy exterior he keeps his true self hidden behind.
Even though Willa drives him on the edge of insanity, he would not have it any other way.
It’s only two months. It shouldn’t be that hard.
Welp. Jokes on him.
I absolutely loved this book! The romance blossomed beautifully but man did I get heavily rewarded right after passing the slowburn stage. The chemistry between Willa and Cade was hot and sweet. The spice SERVED!
And I can't write this review without gushing about our beautiful baby boy Luke. I love that the romance was central in this story but Luke's existence was not kept on the side, he was central too. I loved his relationship with his father Cade and Willa. Willa and him are the chaotic duo that Cade needs to keep a leash on haha. He is an absolute delight.
The Eaton family added the perfect comic relief even among all the tension and the drama.
This is definitely became an instant favorite and a comfort read I will revisit when I'm feeling gloomy....more
“I only hate that I feel drawn to you when I know I shouldn’t. I hate that I think about you when you are gone. But most of all I hate t5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I only hate that I feel drawn to you when I know I shouldn’t. I hate that I think about you when you are gone. But most of all I hate that you were fated to be my enemy, and yet my heart was destined to want you.”
The Last Daughter is a brilliantly rendered fantasy romance enriched with Norse mythology and tells the story of a love so powerful and so devastating that it defied the Fates and the Gods.
But how could such a love, in its purest form, find its way into the hearts of two enemies who found each among so much chaos and so much death.
This is the story of a mortal woman and an Elfin demigod who were damned by the Fates and deceived by the Gods.
What to expect:
— New Adult Fantasy Romance — Enemies-to-Lovers — Chosen Mates — Love interest is the Villain — Norse Gods and Goddesses — Mythological Creatures — 2.5/5 Spice level — Cast of Morally Grey Characters — Rune Magic — Intricate World-building — Dual POVs — Fun Banter — Lovable Side Characters — Chronic Illness Rep
I was immersed into such a dark world yet I loved every second I was in it. The hopelessness and desperation was potent at the beginning and there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the characters—and that element in particular kept me intrigued as I could not predict where this journey will take me with them.
The Norse Mythology elements lend this story it's vibrancy and richness and expect to meet some prominent Norse figures throughout this journey.
He rivaled only the sun with his glory, stole the light of the stars with his existence. The most dangerous thing about this man was not his power but his presence, a treacherous combination of contradictions that seduced before it destroyed.
Ailsa is the fiery 26-year-old daughter of the chieftain Ledger Locharsson of Drakame, one of the territories in the moral realm known as Midgard.
Despite not being raised as a warrior like her sisters who are Shieldmages, Ailsa is a healer with a warrior's soul.
Not soon after the story brings that Ailsa's father and sisters are killed in battle and she becomes the Last Daughter of their line.
Unbeknownst to her Ailsa carries on her a cursed artifact as a family heirloom with a power that once belonged to a dead witch—a power over fate.
“I was born solely for revenge and redemption, and I will not leave this realm until I seize them both.”
Vali is an Elfin Demigod whose realm "Alfheim" is infected by the black magic known as "Sedir" and its light is almost extinguished.
He has been hunting for the Witch's power for 50 years as he was bred for this quest and his fate was tied to finding the witch's power and delivering it to Odin.
After killing the warriors of Ailsa's clan in cold blood and finding her village, Vali demands that the stolen power be given to him and the village will be spared.
The power then binds itself of Ailsa and it no longer exists within the heirloom ring—it lives in her.
To save her village, Ailsa leaves with Vali towards her damnation.
“No, Vali. You are not afraid of her. You are afraid of what she makes you feel.”
There is much to the story that I want readers to experience for themselves especially the blossoming love between Ailsa and Vali which is so beautifully written and it's woven wit tragedies. It's also a forbidden love in a way.
I have so much praise for the way the romance was written that I don't even know where to begin. I will just say that it was emotional, beautiful, tragic, swoon-worthy, hot, and pure.
The chemistry between Vali and Ailsa is there from the moment they met, even if it was such an unpleasant meeting.
“I have never once chosen anything in my life. But I would choose you, Ailsa, if you let me. There are no strands of time where I would not choose you, no matter how they unraveled in the end.”
The story is narrated from Ailsa and Vali's POVs and the dual POVs balance the progression of the story and character arcs.
The writing style is immersive and fast-paced and if it weren't for life interfering with my reading progress, I would've finished it in one sitting.
Trigger Warnings: contains strong language and content some readers may find distressing, including violence, death, mentions of miscarriage off page, alcohol use, and graphic depictions of sexual themes....more
“You haunt me, Alina,” he whispered as if afraid to scare her if he said it louder. “You turn me into a shameless man. You make me burn 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You haunt me, Alina,” he whispered as if afraid to scare her if he said it louder. “You turn me into a shameless man. You make me burn with desire that takes over my body and mind,” he murmured as he kissed her jaw and neck.
“I want your body and your heart. All of you.”
Flowers for the Devil is a seductive and lushly dark Victorian romance with the cadence of a gothic fairytale in the same vein as Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast.
But this tale is one of a tormented man in love, a scarred hero, and an elusive villain.
A tale of sins, redemption, and salvation.
A tale of two lost souls in a fog-ridden city.
A tale of an impossible love of a killer and a lady.
Like all tales, it had a beginning and an end. And this tale marked the beginning of the end for Harlan Krow.
Her kiss was annihilating. I had kissed her like there was no tomorrow. I had wanted to strip her naked and make love to her. Swiftly. Deeply. Roughly. Any way possible. All at once!
That kiss was a confession. There was no villain or countess. No saints or sinners. No titles or etiquette. Only a man and a woman bound by passion.
This book was exquisite.
I was entranced by the eloquent storytelling and writing as it kept me wholly captivated from the first page until the end.
I was promised a villain romance, yet I've been gifted with so much more.
The story is narrated through 3rd person POV and 1st person POV and it is done neatly and was fitting for the story.
The author rendered such a brilliant cast of characters—and this includes the main couple and the supporting characters
Countess Alina Bronskaya was a refreshing heroine as she was what one would consider an unconventional heroine in Victorian romances. She was a widow at 22, a Russian countess living among the English, and a nurse by trade hoping to become a doctor.
I appreciated the nod to Russian traditions and culture, usually non-English heroines adjust to England easily, but it was lovely to see how Alina feels melancholic about her homeland. What's even better is making her love interest appreciate her background and traditions.
“Your stories are always dark,” she said. “Does anything bring you joy?” “You,” he answered, and her heart thudded at the word.
Harlan Krow is a notorious killer whose reputation had haunted every corner and alley in London.
For some he is a mere myth, to others he is a sadistic villain—but to the reader, he is a scarred man.
To Alina, he is a dark lover who made her burn.
Her kiss was annihilating. I had kissed her like there was no tomorrow. I had wanted to strip her naked and make love to her. Swiftly. Deeply. Roughly. Any way possible. All at once!
That kiss was a confession. There was no villain or countess. No saints or sinners. No titles or etiquette. Only a man and a woman bound by passion.
The scorching passion and the all-consuming love between Alina and Harlan Krow was so potent that I could not settle my raging butterflies.
Theirs was a dance of seduction, of longing, of agony.
It was a love that blossomed in the darkness, and brought a tormented soul back into the light.
It was a forbidden affair, but who can ever resist the temptations of what is not attainable?
A man can slay a hundred enemies. Yet he will be slain and go down on his knees in front of the woman he loves. A lion is a king of the animal world, yet he bows to his lioness.
And I was on my knees.
Beyond the romance, there were important themes in the book that shed light on the manipulation of religion and morals as weapons used by corrupt men. The irony of these greed-infested men is that their notion of justice serves their own interests. They could creep upon those who hold less and no power, yet in a moment of retaliation they'd call out god to save them.
We’d met at a crime scene. We’d bonded through letters. One can fall in love with words, Father. I was falling in love with all of her.
My only complaint is I wish we had more of Rumi. I'd be so happy if the author decided to write a spin-off novel for her.
Tropes included in this book:
— Forbidden Romance — Villain is the love interest (he keeps a mask on) — Hidden identity — Gothic Victorian fairytale — Masked ball — Exchanging letters in secret — Secret meetings — Swoonworthy chemistry — Slowburn with rewarding spice — Heroine is a doctor-to-be Russian Countess — Carriage scene — Entertaining supporting characters
Disclaimer: the blurb gives the impression there could be a love triangle, there is no love triangle 100% and no poly romance. This is an adult romance as well.
Trigger Warnings: violence, attempted sexual assault (not by the love interest), blood, PTSD, war, death....more
He was mine and I was his. Now and always. In the end, he’d kept his promise to me after all and I’d kept mine. We’d fought for each oth5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He was mine and I was his. Now and always. In the end, he’d kept his promise to me after all and I’d kept mine. We’d fought for each other until we couldn’t fight any more.
The One Where The Reader Finished ZA6 And Released A Breath She Didn't Know She Was Holding.
The authors really took it upon themselves to keep on grating my nerves like a block of cheese....more
I felt a cracking in my soul that spoke of the promise we’d made on the stars together. To always fight to be together. He’d broken it. 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I felt a cracking in my soul that spoke of the promise we’d made on the stars together. To always fight to be together. He’d broken it. And he’d broken me in the process.