WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi romance ✨ demon-looking alien hero x human heroine ✨ heI absolutely ADORE Rhaego and Aurora!!!!
“What a clever wife I’ve caught.”
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi romance ✨ demon-looking alien hero x human heroine ✨ he's a giant cinnamon roll on a secret mission ✨ she’s his reluctant but incredibly sweet bride ✨ bride hunt ✨ marriage of convenience ✨ forced proximity ✨ SLOW BURN ✨ "my little wife" ✨ fated mates ✨ yearning / mutual pining ✨ 3/5 ...more
♾️ ⭐ I haven't felt this way about a story since Manacled! READ THIS ASAP!!!!
“I loathe you. And I long for you."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ dark romantasy ✨ MM en♾️ ⭐ I haven't felt this way about a story since Manacled! READ THIS ASAP!!!!
“I loathe you. And I long for you."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ dark romantasy ✨ MM enemies to lover ✨ captive x captor ✨ morally grey MMC ✨ cinnamon roll MMC ✨ slow burn ✨ opposites attract ✨ angst and yearning ✨ “I loathe you” ✨ touch him and die ✨ SPICY ✨ witchcraft and magic ✨ psychological horror elements ✨ gothic and macabre undertones ✨ hearing impaired rep ✨ dual timelines ✨ dual POV ✨ HEA ✨ TW: graphic torture, murder, death, necromancy, and more so be sure to read the authors trigger warnings beforehand. Shit get's dark.
My Thoughts:
Audiobook rating: 5⭐️ Absolutely perfect! Story rating: 5⭐️ So good that I fear I will never recover.
When I tell you this book had me sobbing, I mean it. Blotchy face, snot coming out of my nose, tears blurring my eyes, weeping. I was an emotional mess, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Even In Death is a breathtaking story about the lengths you are willing to go to for love that will simultaneously make your stomach flutter and break your heart.
Out of the 50 books I’ve read this year, both traditional and indie, this is hands down the best book I've read/listened to all year!!!! I loved EVERYTHING about it! From the wonderful MCs, Finnian and Cassian, to their heart-wrenchingly beautiful romance, from the intriguing world building to the high-stakes plot, this is a story that I'll never forget. It's been two weeks since I listened to this audiobook and I honestly still cannot think about anything else. . . I haven't felt this way about a book in so long!
Finnian and Cassian’s story starts right in the middle of chaos.The Goddess Of ends with Finnian offering himself up to Cassian, the High God of Death and Curses, in place of his sister. And the present day storyline starts with Finnian's torture. Right away, we're thrown into this brutal, high-stakes situation. Finnian’s dealing with so much: surviving captivity, protecting Naia and his nephew, trying to free his father, and on top of all that, he’s fighting to keep his mind intact against a curse. And then there’s Cassian, who seems like this cold, merciless god at first. But really he's misunderstood, deeply wounded, and desperate for revenge. And as the story shifts between past and present, you really understand his character so much more.
I'm not going to lie, I honestly wondered how on earth we were going to move past the enemies part of the romance. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their connection is something far more powerful. Their history? Complicated. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their love? Painful, raw, and true. They’re like two souls caught in a storm, constantly pulled back to each other no matter how hard they try to stay apart. It's the kind of love that makes your chest ache in the best way. Cassian and Finnian would do anything for one another, even if it means hurting themselves. Their story is intense, emotional, devastating, and full of yearning - the best kind (at least to read about).
I truly loved Cassian and Finnian as a couple, but also as individual characters.
Finnian is commanding, fierce, and impossible not to respect. But underneath all that strength, he’s kind, just, and fiercely loyal. Once he cares about someone, that’s it, he’ll protect them with everything he has. I admired and respected his unwavering devotion to the people he loves. And the way he wrestles with guilt and grief? It felt so honest and relatable. He’s a badass on the outside and all heart on the inside.
"Many say marriage is a cage. But in our case, you will find it is the key to your freedom."
WHAT TO EXPECT3.25 ⭐️ Another good addition to this series
"Many say marriage is a cage. But in our case, you will find it is the key to your freedom."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ alien romance ✨ primitive planet ✨ she's a doctor and the daughter of the leader of a human colony ✨ he's a strategist for the Zelconians (a peaceful bird-like race) ✨ hybrid MMC (half human, half Zelconian) ✨ marriage of convenience ✨ playful banter ✨ he falls first and hard ✨ 2.5/5 ...more
"The day Kayog told me I had to marry an Ordosian to avoid execution, I thought my life was over. I never would have imagined 4 ⭐️ I had a great time!
"The day Kayog told me I had to marry an Ordosian to avoid execution, I thought my life was over. I never would have imagined it was in fact the beginning of a fairy tale."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ alien romance ✨ primitive planet ✨ human x naga (snake-looking alien) ✨ MCs are skilled hunters ✨ marriage of convenience ✨ strangers to friends to lovers ✨ playful banter ✨ he falls first and hard ✨ 2.5/5 ...more
4 ⭐️ Say it with me, “We listen and we don’t judge.” lol
"We are partners for better or for worse. I am your safe haven as you are mine."
WHAT TO EXPEC4 ⭐️ Say it with me, “We listen and we don’t judge.” lol
"We are partners for better or for worse. I am your safe haven as you are mine."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ alien romance ✨ she's a human farmer in need of a husband ✨ he's a lizard-looking alien and chief of his tribe ✨ arranged marriage / mail order bride ✨ friends to lovers ✨ loss of virginity ✨ 3/5 ...more
"They have taken from you your whole life, Naia. Let this be the last time."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ urban fantasy romanc4.25 ⭐️ CALLING ALL ROMANTASY LOVERS!
"They have taken from you your whole life, Naia. Let this be the last time."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ urban fantasy romance ✨ mythology ✨ meddling gods, mages, humans ✨ magic and curses ✨ she's the first daughter of the High Goddess of the Sea who escapes a life of imprisonment ✨ he's the man who finds and helps her navigate the human world ✨ star crossed lovers ✨ he falls first ✨ force proximity ✨ slow burn ✨ 1.5/5 ...more
4 ⭐ I enjoyed this book so much and hope we get more stories set in this planet/realm!
"My beautiful little witch in the woods. You need to be apprecia4 ⭐ I enjoyed this book so much and hope we get more stories set in this planet/realm!
"My beautiful little witch in the woods. You need to be appreciated. You need to be touched. I think you need to be loved."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ cozy romantasy set in a haunted forest ✨ human healer FMC ✨ half Kylorr, half something else hero ✨ strangers to lovers ✨ she nurses him back to health ✨ he calls her “little witch” ...more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi monster romance ✨ human x kraken ✨ he saves her from drowning ✨ forced proximity ✨ distrust to lo5 ⭐ WE LISTEN AND WE DON'T JUDGE
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi monster romance ✨ human x kraken ✨ he saves her from drowning ✨ forced proximity ✨ distrust to love ✨ forbidden romance ✨ 2.5/5 spice ✨ slight ow/om drama (but I promise it's not a big deal) ✨ (view spoiler)[accidental pregnancy (hide spoiler)] ✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
Yep. You're seeing that correctly. I'm giving this human x kraken monster romance 5-fucking stars.
I want to start by saying that it's been a challenge lately to read/listen to a book and stay engaged the entire time, and I certainly was while listening to the audiobook of Treasure of the Abyss. Hence my 5-star rating. No, it is not some high brow story or award winning drama. And I KNOW FOR A FACT that this book is not for everyone. But if you're someone who saw The Shape of Water and thought "Um, yeah I might be down to f*ck a monster" or if you're slightly interested in how a human woman and a male Kraken would get it on, then saddle up because this book is for you.
Summary: The story takes place on another planet in a different galaxy, years into the future. Macy is a human on a settlement near an ocean. She is about to get engaged and is not very eager about the prospect. When she's on a boat with her suitor, they get caught in a storm and Macy almost drowns but is saved by a Kraken named Jax. Until that moment, no humans knew about the existence of Kraken, but Kraken have been aware and wary of humans for hundreds of years. To keep his species a secret, Jax tells Macy she is not allowed to return home and will stay with him indefinitely. A little bit of captive x captor vibes going on here. ...more
3.5 ⭐️ Allarion is officially the new king of the simps
"You would burn down his life, whereas I would incinerate the man himself. Let me bring you hi3.5 ⭐️ Allarion is officially the new king of the simps
"You would burn down his life, whereas I would incinerate the man himself. Let me bring you his cinders."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ fantasy monster romance ✨ he’s an ancient fae ✨ she’s a human barmaid ✨ arranged marriage ✨ fated mates ✨ he falls first ✨ insta-lust ✨ miscommunication ✨ denial of feelings ✨ slow burn ✨ size difference ✨ 3.5/5 ...more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ new adult paranormal fantasy romance ✨ gothic medieval-esque world ✨ couples: Elm x Ione (main), Elspeth x Rav3 ⭐️ It was a fine sequel
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ new adult paranormal fantasy romance ✨ gothic medieval-esque world ✨ couples: Elm x Ione (main), Elspeth x Ravyn (side) ✨ forbidden romance ✨ forced proximity ✨ insta-lust ✨ slow burn ✨ 1/5 spice (one open door scene that's not explicit) ✨ secrets and lies ✨ magic has a price ✨ high stakes ✨ multiple POVs
My Thoughts:
It was an interesting sequel. Once again, I like the gothic vibes, moody/creepy atmosphere, unique magic system, and characters. The story is well put together and the plot was unique and intriguing. However . . .
While I actually like Ione and Elm, it was surprising they were the stars of this book. Elspeth is the main character of book 1 but takes a backseat in this story. I get why but it’s a bitter pill to swallow when you've invested your time into Elspeth, only for previous side characters to take over as the main protagonists. Again, I liked the new MCs but I just wasn’t as invested in them as I think we were expected to be. So yeah, I was disappointed that Elspeth didn’t play a big part in this book.
Also, the romance between Ione and Elm was infatuation to love at best. The transition from "I'm horny for you to I deeply care for you" was too sudden and not believable.
I was not a fan of all the different POVs. It’s hard going from the previous book that only has two POVs to five POVs.
The twists/reveals were once again not shocking. Everything came together nicely but either the foreshadowing was too obvious or the story wasn't complicated enough that I was able to predict everything.
Maybe it was my disappointment and disinterest as I continued to read, but I found the writing to be overly descriptive and wordy at times. So I ended up skimming a bit.
And a few other random annoyances. There was a moment when time freezes and Elm could have killed his brother but he didn't. Why? This felt like a major oversight. Also, Elspeth's uncle / Ione's dad should have been sentenced to death for his betrayals.
I was expecting to be blown away because of all the hype but I just wasn’t. However, I would recommend this to people who like fantasy with a bit of romance and want to read something different.
Favorite Quotes:
If he ever grew old enough to do so, he would tell this story to his children, with the firm lesson being don't ever strike bargains with beautiful women. _______
"You have a wonderful mouth. . . And now, it's all mine." _______
"I want you to know me very well, Ione Hawthorn. Which is" -he dipped her again, bowing over her and speaking against her throat- "a rather horrifying feeling, if I'm perfectly honest." _______
"You're beautiful." "No. That word is only for you." _______
"Don't die. I won't. Because if you do, and we never get the time we're owed, I'll hate you, Ravyn Yew. I'll love you and hate you forever." _______...more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ Christmas novella ✨ best friend’s brother ✨ doctor x tech guy ✨ he fell first and hard ✨ “it’s always been you” ✨ fo4 ⭐️ This was cute
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ Christmas novella ✨ best friend’s brother ✨ doctor x tech guy ✨ he fell first and hard ✨ “it’s always been you” ✨ forced proximity ✨ yearning/pining ✨ slight reverse age gap (2 years) ✨ 2/5 spice (1 open door scene) ✨ HEA ✨ single pov
My Thoughts:
Listened to the audiobook. The narrator was fantastic.
The story is cute with lots of yearning and a dash of spice. The fact they’ve known each other their whole lives only made this story sweeter. The spice was minimal and only there at the end. Wish there had been more since there was so much tension leading up to it but I know with novellas you usually have to sacrifice character development or spice, and in this case I’m glad it was the spice. I’d definitely recommend reading or listening to this if you’re looking for a short holiday romance....more
There once was a girl clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a kin4 ⭐️ An intriguing gothic fantasy romance
There once was a girl clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a king - a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same:
The girl, the King...and the monster they became.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ ya/new adult paranormal fantasy romance ✨ gothic medieval-esque world ✨ Elspeth is one of the 'infected' and shares her mind with the 'Nightmare' ✨ Ravyn is the captain of the king's army and hunts the 'infected' ✨ reluctant allies to lovers ✨ fake engagement ✨ forced proximity ✨ insta-lust ✨ slow burn ✨ 1/5 spice (one open door scene that's quick and mostly fade to black) ✨ secrets and lies ✨ magic has a price ✨ high stakes
My Thoughts:
An intriguing gothic paranormal fantasy with a dash of romance.
Positives:
I enjoyed the gothic vibes. The world and magic system was fresh and interesting. The court politics were fascinating to watch unfold. I like the side characters and am excited to see what happens to each of them in the Next books.
Negatives:
I thought the plot twits/reveals were never surprises thanks to the obvious foreshadowing. So many things could have been avoided or solved if the Nightmare had just been forthcoming with Elspeth, which made his withholding information feel like a weak plot device. Elspeth overreacted towards Ravyn a lot, which came across as annoying and immature. The romance, while I liked it, was very insta-lust and I didn't quite believe the development and depth of their connection.
-
Again, I did think it was a solid read but everyone was raving about it so I guess I’m a little disappointed that I’m not obsessed. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the gothic vibes and dark medieval-esque world. And the characters are interesting. I just thought this book would have a bigger impact on me. Maybe book 2 is better and solidifies this as a top tier series? Please tell me if book 2 makes this series better or worse ...more
"A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have. A perfect match."
WHA2.5 ⭐️ I was . . . underwhelmed
"A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have. A perfect match."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ fantasy romance ✨ vicious vampires and meddling gods ✨ quest to the underworld / Dante’s inferno vibes ✨ she's a vampire prisoner once blessed by the sun god ✨ he's the bastard son of the Shadowborn vampire king ✨ captor x captive ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ forced proximity ✨ cold/reserved x sunshine ✨ slow burn ✨ 2/5 spice ✨ action-packed ✨ high stakes ✨ skeleton dog companion ✨ heavy descriptions of world building ✨ found family ✨ secrets ✨ single POV ✨ cliffhanger ✨ TW: OW drama (an ex consistently shows up), violence, grief, religious indoctrination and manipulation, emotional abuse
‼️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS‼️ but I will announce when they are about to happen.
My Thoughts:
Carissa Broadbent is an auto buy author for me. I love the Crowns of Nyaxia series and I was so excited for this next installment of the series. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed and ultimately disappointed by this novel.
But before I disclose what ultimately led to my disappointment, here's what I enjoyed:
This world continues to fascinate me. Throughout the story, we learn more about the relationships between gods, humans, and vampires and dive deeper into divine politics, ancient power, and the precarious balance between the different realms. I specifically enjoyed learning about Mische's relationship with Atroxus (the sun god) and seeing first hand how the gods manipulate for their own pleasure and gain. Additionally, the journey into the underworld, which is inspired by Dante's Inferno, adds a haunting, horror-esque aspect to this story where the characters are forced to face the deepest, darkest parts of themselves.
I like Mische as a character and thought she was such a strong individual to embrace gentleness and kindness when she has been the subject of much cruelty and felt so much grief. It’s an admirable quality that makes her a standout character.
Asar is a sweetheart and has a quiet strength that complements Mische's own vulnerabilities. I like him, but I also don't really feel strongly about him either. I’m still waiting for that deeper emotional pull to make me care more about his personal stakes in the story.
Luce, Asar's skeleton dog sidekick, was the real MVP. Her unwavering loyalty and love to Asar was heartwarming, and it was so adorable when that loyalty and love started to extend to Mische as well. She's also a fearless protector - stepping in to save the day more than once, by fighting off enemies and offering support in moments of crisis. Her presence brought a sense of comfort and security to both Asar and Mische (and even the reader). I hope we get to see more of her in the next book.
So what didn't I enjoy?
The pacing of this book felt like a tedious pendulum, constantly swinging between intense action scenes and painfully slow moments of rest afterwards. This repetitive back-and-forth quickly became exhausting, making the entire experience feel monotonous. Also, the story supposedly spans several months, but the jumps in time made it feel like it only took a few weeks. The timeline was off and negatively impacted the flow of the narrative.
Mische passing out from exhaustion or deadly wounds was overkill. It’s just boring and predictable how many of the high stakes situations ended the same. Also, ending chapters with Mische passing out and starting the next one with her waking up felt like something a less experienced author would do. So I guess I was disappointed with this writing choice.
While I liked the continued world-building and the setting of the underworld, much of it felt overly abstract and took away from the core plot and drama. There were just so many descriptions but instead of grounding me into the story, it was so tedious to get through that I lost interest and ended up confused as to what was being described to me. And even though each level was supposed to be different, they all felt like variations of the same thing. This only added to the sense that the story wasn’t progressing.
While I like the MCs, I wasn't convinced of their romance. They go from indifference to suddenly having a deep emotional connection, which feels abrupt and unearned. I think there should have been more romantic buildup.
‼️MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD‼️ . . . . . . . . . . Do not keep reading unless you want the story spoiled! . . . . . . . . . . I mean it!!!! . . . . . . . . . .
The OW/ex drama didn't work for me, either. Asar's dead lover being the main villain hunting Asar and Mische through the underworld? Come on. ...more
3.5 ⭐️ If you like small town, hate to love cowboy romances, this one is definitely for you!
Hating him is easy. But if I don't hate him . . . then wha3.5 ⭐️ If you like small town, hate to love cowboy romances, this one is definitely for you!
Hating him is easy. But if I don't hate him . . . then what?
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ small town cowboy romance ✨ she's just inherited her estranged father's Texas ranch ✨ he's the foreman ✨ city girl x country boy ✨ hate to love ✨ forced proximity ✨ grumpy x sunshine ✨ insta-lust ✨ delicious tension ✨ sharp banter ✨ 2.5/5 spice (mustache rides) ✨ bar fight ✨ he takes care of her ✨ found family ✨ HEA ✨ TW: death of parent, grief
My Thoughts:
I actually enjoyed this story. The characters had depth and were likable (even the side characters), the banter and tension between Cash and Mollie was fantastic, the spice was hot as hell, and bonus, there is NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP! Mollie's emotional journey surrounding her father's death was really touching, and I liked how her grief was handled. And I like that in the end, she embraced both the country and city life and didn't have to choose between the two. Instead she had a supportive partner who offered her both, and that's how it should be. Cash was a great, grumpy MMC who shoulders so much responsibility. It was wonderful watching him give up some of that control and allow himself the freedom to relax.
I do think this is a 5-star story, but my rating mostly has to do with me not quite clicking with the author's writing style. I found it to be a bit too wordy for my taste, so I ended up skimming a lot of non-dialogue (which is a majority of the book).
I also found it ridiculous how both Cash and Mollie would get super horny during every single encounter they had with each other, and mostly because of their looks alone. They took lust to a whole different level, and it was too unrealistic for me, so I definitely rolled my eyes more than a few times.
But overall, I do like this story and think it's worth the read!
Favorite Quotes:
Life is heavy. It'd be nice not to have to face it alone. _______
"You wanna know if I ride like the devil?" He shifts, angling his hips towards me. "Get in the saddle and find out." _______
If this heat doesn't kill me, Mollie Luck surely will. _______
"At first, I couldn't fucking stand you. And now I can't sucking stand how much I want you." _______
"You're a cowgirl now, honey. And cowgirls can't be tamed. Wouldn't dare to try." _______
"I do have a million things to do." "Make me all of them." _______
"Just because you're not perfect doesn't mean you're broken." _______
"Honey, I'd marry the shit out of you. Not because it's the right thing to do, but because I'm in love with you." _______
Having a boyfriend who's a filthy-mouthed cowboy in the sheets but an absolute gentleman in the streets sure as hell as its perks. _______
"Ride fast and ride hard, then. You know how." _______...more