This book follows three unique characters, each dealing with their own challenges in a vividly create✭ 3.5 stars
“Tell me a dream, little love.”
This book follows three unique characters, each dealing with their own challenges in a vividly created world. Aiz is an orphan from the tough Kegari slums, driven by a burning desire for revenge due to a painful past. Her fierce determination leads her to make a big mistake that lands her in what seems like an unbreakable prison. Then there's Sirsha, a tracker who's been kicked out of her tribe and takes on a dangerous mission to catch a killer targeting kids across the Empire. Meanwhile, Quil, the crown prince, struggles with the heavy weight of his family’s legacy. With a new threat hanging over the Empire, he has to confront his doubts about leadership and figure out if he can step up to be the leader his people need. Sabaa Tahir does a fantastic job weaving their stories together, exploring themes of power, love, and the fallout of greed. This dark and captivating journey will definitely keep readers hooked, proving that the search for justice often comes with a hefty price.
Note: I haven't completed the “Ember Quartet” series yet, and while this book works well as a standalone, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment in any way. I do think that reading the series first would enhance your understanding of the world-building, but I feel as though Sabaa Tahir effectively summarises key events in each perspective, so personally, it was quite easy to grasp the story.
➸This book is super interesting because it gives us three different points of view. At first, I thought the pace was a bit slow, mainly due to all the world-building—it felt a little overwhelming with the characters’ varying perspectives. But as I read on, I realised just how crucial those viewpoints were to the story, and Sabaa Tahir’s storytelling really shines. I loved how each character faced their own challenges and grew from them; their journeys were really engaging. The book does a great job on expanding on the world from An Ember in the Ashes , seamlessly introducing new characters alongside familiar ones, which kept the plot layered and interesting. It’s definitely one of those reads that makes you want to go back and revisit all the different POVs to fully appreciate everything. Plus, it’s filled with jaw-dropping moments and unexpected twists that keep you on your toes, along with some emotional hits that might just rip your heart out.
“In the name of Mother Div,” she whispered, “I take my vengeance.” Aiz brought the blade down.
Aiz ➴ Aiz is an orphan living in the rough Dafra slum of Kegar, where her limited windsmithing skills really hold her back. We meet her as the lone survivor of an orphanage fire started by Tiral, a tyrant who killed innocent kids out of rage and jealousy. Kegar is ruled by three powerful triarchs, each representing a different kind of magic: bloodsmithing, mindsmithing, and windsmithing. Aiz has a lot of resentment toward her childhood friend Cero, who’s really good at windsmithing and has become a pilot for Tiral, the son of the windsmith triarch.
Driven by a need for revenge, Aiz is dead set on assassinating Tiral, thinking it’ll free her people from suffering and help her reclaim their ancestral home. But when her plan goes south, she gets captured and tortured in prison. While she’s there, she discovers that other innocent kids are also trapped, which only fuels her determination. Inspired by a prophecy about Mother Div coming back to lead her people home, Aiz believes that if she can escape, she can stop Tiral’s tyranny and save those kids. Fully committed to her people, Aiz’s journey is all about finding her place in the fight for Mother Div’s liberation and turning her thirst for revenge into a meaningful quest for justice and hope.
Love was pain. Love was hurt and betrayal. But it was also the reason she stood here, battling a creature of ancient and unrelenting hunger, instead of on a ship a few hundred miles away. Love was why for the first time since her family cast her out, Sirsha didn’t feel alone.
Sirsha ➴ I loved Sirsha right from the start—she’s such a badass and sassy character with a big heart. As a Jaduna tracker, she can control the four elements to hunt down all kinds of beings. But after a terrible choice that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people, she’s been shunned and can’t use her powers to track magical beings anymore. That really weighs her down, making her feel isolated and diminished. Everything shifts when she meets Elias Veturias, who needs her help to find his son’s killer. Stuck with a promise that could drive her mad if she doesn’t keep it, Sirsha reluctantly sets off on a dangerous journey. Along the way, she runs into Quil and his group of allies with their own missions. This unexpected connection challenges Sirsha’s beliefs and adds some real depth to her quest for redemption.
“Grief is a strange beast. Some battle it, their souls scarred from its abuse. Some bury it, and live life waiting for it to reemerge. And some tread water, the grief a weight about their necks. Every reminder makes the weight heavier.” She turned halfway, her face in profile. “You and I tread water, nephew. And I would not see you drown.”
Quil ➴ Quil is such an interesting character, and I really enjoyed following his journey. He’s the nephew of Helene Aquilla, the Empress of the Martial Empire, and was raised by Tribe Saif. Even with his noble background, he struggles to take on leadership responsibilities when his aunt steps down, especially since there's a ruthless killer going after innocent kids. When the Kegar army, led by the brutal Tel Illasi, starts causing chaos across the Empire, Quil knows he has to step up. He takes his aunt’s urgent advice to heart and teams up with his cousin Arelia and Sufiyan to figure things out and find a crucial artefact from their ally, the Blood Shrike which could help end the war. As they go through this dangerous journey, they cross paths with Sirsha, whose mission connects with theirs, adding even more layers to what they’re trying to accomplish.
The only reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating is that I found the twist a bit predictable. While it was definitely shocking at first, the story's direction felt pretty obvious afterward. I also thought the plot dragged on a bit too long after that reveal, which dulled some of the excitement. Once you uncover that character’s true intentions and get a glimpse of the past, it shifts everything in a way that felt a bit stretched out.
Overall, this book brings together the journeys of Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil quite well with each of them facing their own unique challenges around themes like power, revenge, and redemption. Sabaa Tahir really nails the storytelling here, weaving these narratives together smoothly and creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that makes the story even more impactful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the arc.
────⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡──── I’m so excited to dive into this! An Ember in the Ashes was really good so I’m hoping this one is just as great!...more
“I’m not good at romance like you are. I don’t have the right words to make you understand how completely wrapped around your finger I
☆ 3 stars ☆
“I’m not good at romance like you are. I don’t have the right words to make you understand how completely wrapped around your finger I am. I didn’t believe in soulmates, and for the longest time I didn’t believe in love at all-until I met you.”
Imagine if “The Hating Game” and “Beach Read” decided to team up—this book is their perfect mashup. In “Not in My Book” by Katie Holt, Rosie, a passionate Peruvian-American who’s a bit disconnected from her culture, leaves her tiny Tennessee town to chase her writing dreams in New York. Things get complicated when she ends up in a class with her nemesis and former crush, Aiden Huntington—an arrogant, brooding, and ridiculously good-looking literary fiction writer who’s not a fan of romance or Rosie. The tension between them is intense until their professor steps in and says they can stay in the class only if they team up to co-write a novel that mixes their genres. As they work on their surprisingly steamy book, they start to connect and set aside their differences, using their manuscript as a way to explore their feelings and attraction to each other.
༘*⁀➷ I thought this book was super cute! I picked it up because of the adorable cover (yeah, I know, not the best reason, but it worked). I hadn’t read a workplace romance in a while, so I was excited to jump into this one. The pacing was spot on—never too slow or dragging. Each chapter was well-timed and kept things moving, which I really liked. But I didn’t enjoy the conflict that popped up at the 89% mark; it really brought down my rating. I think the book would’ve been even better if we’d just gone straight to the happy ending. It would’ve worked just fine without that extra drama.
The Writing The writing was pretty good—nothing groundbreaking, but it was a nice, easy read. I especially liked how the author incorporated the theme of writing a book into the story. The little snippets of quotes from the book within the book added a fun touch. Overall, it was a charming read that hit the spot without being overly serious.
Rosie ౨ৎ Rosie, as the main character, is super strong-willed and ambitious, which I really admire. However, I have to admit that there were moments when she was a bit irritating. Even so, I found her relatable, which was a positive aspect for me.
Aiden ౨ৎ I thought Aiden was really sweet, kind, and genuinely caring toward Rosie. At first, their banter was entertaining and kept me hooked, but what really got me was how Aiden goes the extra mile for Rosie later on—it's just so adorable. I also liked how the story delves into their healthy and unhealthy relationships with their families.
Friendships Rosie’s friendships with Jess, Logan, and Tyler were another highlight. Their group was incredibly heartwarming and cute, and their supportive nature towards each other was great to see. They also had some genuinely funny moments that added a lot of charm to the story.
Overall, the book was cute and enjoyable. It might not be my all-time favourite romance, but it was a fun read. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers setup where Aiden and Rosie start off not liking each other at all. Their back-and-forth was entertaining, and the happy ending was satisfying. It’s definitely a feel-good romance, but it didn’t have anything that stood out as particularly special or memorable for me.
‧˚ ✩°｡⋆ ⋆˙⟡ ⋆˙⟡⋆｡°✩ Thank you to Edelweiss and Alcove Press for the arc ...more
If I’m sunshine to him, then he’s the earth beneath my feet, the grass between my toes, grounding me like nothing else.
Nikolai is d☆ 2.7 stars ☆
If I’m sunshine to him, then he’s the earth beneath my feet, the grass between my toes, grounding me like nothing else.
Nikolai is devoted to hockey and is determined to make his final season memorable. However, his transfer to rival McKee University for his senior year puts his place on the team at risk, particularly since the team captain is Isabelle Callahan’s older brother- the girl he secretly spent the summer with. Reigniting their relationship could threaten his spot on the team and confront his troubled past, which complicates the possibility of a genuine romance. Nevertheless, seeing Isabelle again reignites his intense feelings. Meanwhile, Izzy has two main goals for her sophomore year: to reclaim her old volleyball position and to move on from Nikolai. Yet, when Nikolai reenters her life, she finds it hard to stay away.
༘*⁀➷ This was the first book that I read by Grace Reilly. I usually don't vibe with books that start off with characters being fwb, so it’s no shock that this one didn’t totally click for me.
The book felt pretty dull, and I had a hard time staying interested. I seriously considered DNFing it, and I'm honestly surprised I made it to the end. I wasn't thrilled with how the story was mostly just smut with barely any plot. I get that the characters were into each other, but I usually prefer books that dive more into emotional connections rather than just a bunch of smut scenes. As a result, the plot seemed to get lost. The book also features a brother rivalry subplot, but it gets resolved quickly, and the rivalry doesn’t play a significant role for most of the story. Additionally, I found Izzy's admiration for Nik’s supposed “sexy and hot” Russian persona incredibly cringe. I also felt like this book could have been a lot shorter. By the halfway point, it seemed like everything was mostly resolved, but it just kept dragging on with a lot of unnecessary stuff.
On the bright side, the book does have its moments. It’s cute and portrays a relationship that's refreshingly free of toxicity. Izzy and Nik really support each other and lift each other up, which is genuinely heartwarming to see. Their encouragement and positive interactions create a nice contrast to some of the more dramatic elements of the story.
That said, after finishing this book, I’m kind of hesitant to jump into the previous ones in the series. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to them, but I’m open to it eventually. One thing I do appreciate about the series is the found family theme. It’s great to see characters from previous books happily in love and maintaining their friendships, even if this particular book didn’t completely win me over.
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Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the arc. ...more
“I am just Wes fucking Bennett, Lib, the guy who can't remember a single day in his life when he didn't love you.”
Wes and Liz had an a✭ 3 stars
“I am just Wes fucking Bennett, Lib, the guy who can't remember a single day in his life when he didn't love you.”
Wes and Liz had an amazing few months together before starting college at UCLA but something terrible happened and Wes ended up losing her. Now, they’re both back at UCLA and in a better place, but Wes is set on winning Liz back. He’s pulling out all the stops with big romantic gestures, hoping to get her to fall for him again. The catch? Liz isn’t interested, especially since she’s hanging out with a new guy friend. Despite his best efforts, Wes is starting to wonder if their relationship is really over for good.
➸ I had some mixed feelings about this book. Right from the start, I was thrown off when the story jumped ahead 2 years just 2 chapters in. It was a pretty jarring shift for me. I didn’t hate the book, but I didn’t really love it either. It took me a while to figure out my rating because I was pretty confused. I had low expectations going in since the ending of "Better than the Movies" seemed perfect. I couldn’t see why Liz and Wes would break up, and I was worried there’d be some annoying miscommunication drama. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. At first, it was really annoying to read about their 2 year silence without knowing what happened, other than the fact they broke up. It made it hard to enjoy the book at the beginning. On the plus side, even though they were broken up, the moments Liz and Wes shared were really sweet. They were still kind to each other, which was nice to see.
Liz ౨ৎ I did really like Liz’s character in this book. I felt a strong connection to her, just as I did in BTTM especially during the breakup when she was left completely in the dark about why Wes ended things. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and although she was understandably upset, I appreciated her maturity and how she handled everything. Despite the difficult situation, she remained kind towards Wes. That being said, I did miss some aspects of her previous character. Her passion for rom-coms seemed to be missing, and her usual charisma was toned down. Perhaps Lynn intended to show a more mature side of Liz since this book is set during their college years, but I missed her charming personality from before. In BTTM, the rom-com quotes that reflected Liz and Wes’s relationship were such a delightful touch and their absence here was noticeable. The quotes in this book didn’t have the same impact and sometimes felt a bit cringy, which was disappointing. On the bright side, Liz’s relationship with her parents was absolutely heartwarming. Seeing her bond with Helena grow from the previous book was lovely, and her parents’ support throughout her challenges was truly wonderful.
Wes ౨ৎ Wes was incredibly romantic and sweet in this book! One of the main reasons I was excited to read this was to get to know Wes better, and the dual POV really worked for me. Learning about his struggles was heartbreaking. He truly deserves the world after everything he went through. The way Wes handled his struggles was really moving, and I felt so sorry for him. Even after everything, I loved seeing him transform, get back on his feet and chase his dreams. His resilience was inspiring. I was surprised by how deep and complex Wes’s story turned out to be. I didn’t expect it, but I appreciated Lynn exploring these layers. However, I was pretty frustrated during the first half of the book because we didn’t get a clear reason for why Wes decided to break up with Liz. It felt like he could have just talked things through with her and continued their great relationship. While I get why he needed to withdraw because of what he was going through, it was still pretty frustrating to read about. It also felt a bit odd that after two years, Wes suddenly decided he wanted to win Liz back, especially since I strongly believe the perfect book boyfriend Wes from "Better Than the Movies" would have opened up to Liz and kept working on their relationship despite his struggles.
The Romance -`♡´- This book definitely leaned more into Liz and Wes’s personal lives and college experiences rather than just focusing on their romance. But the romance that was there was really good! Wes puts in so much effort to win Liz back, and he’s even respectful about it, especially when he believes that she’s with someone else (it was a fake relationship btw). It’s like he’s the perfect guy. His efforts to win her back were spot on, and I loved the playful banter between them—it was still there and made me happy. Even though Liz kept her distance at the beginning, fate just kept on bringing them back together. Wes’s pining in this book was great to see. So, even though the book wasn’t all about the romance, it was still handled really well.
Overall, I’m still on the fence about whether this book was really needed. I think it would have been great if the author had just wrapped things up with the last book instead of starting this one. It felt like Liz and Wes already had their perfect happy ending. This book does dive into some more mature and serious themes, which was a nice surprise and made it better than I expected. It’s a solid read, but I still would’ve been okay not reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
♥ Quotes & Moments ♥
❀ “I love you, Wes Bennett,” I confessed, wondering how I’d ever thought it was possible to deny this. “I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love you.”
❀ “There will never be anyone else for me. Hard stop. So go have your think and do what you need to do. But Lizzie—we are worth the risk. We always will be.”
❀ “But just know that no matter what you decide, and no matter what happens, I will feel this way about you for the rest of my life.”
Better than the Movies Sequel #1 Better than the Movies 4 stars #2 Nothing Like the Movies: 3 stars
‧˚ ✩°｡⋆ ⋆˙⟡ ⋆˙⟡⋆｡°✩ ༘*⁀➷ pre-read: I'm finally starting this after having the arc for a while but I’m absolutely terrified at the same time cause WDYM LIZ AND WES BROKE UP?!...more
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future
2.5 stars
“Wanting used to scare me so much, because I didn’t think I had the space to want anything more than what I’ve got. But wanting a future with you is the easiest thing in the world. And I want it all, with you.”
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage is a small-town romance that follows Teddy Andersen, who’s suddenly feeling a little lost after a series of frustrating setbacks. As she starts questioning her contentment with her quiet life, she’s pulled into helping Gus Ryder, who’s struggling to balance managing his family’s massive ranch and caring for his young daughter. Their history is complicated, and working together brings up old tensions—and some undeniable chemistry. The growing attraction between them adds a fun spark to the story as they navigate how to keep things professional while exploring new feelings.
➸ In the first two books of the series, Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, Teddy and Gus are basically enemies who can’t stand each other. Their constant bickering had me hooked, and I was especially excited to pick up this book because I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I was expecting a slow burn with their relationship, but they only really hated each other for a short part of the book. Then, out of nowhere, they started seeing each other differently, and by around the 40% mark, they were already admitting their attraction.
I really wish this book had gone for a slower burn or given more details about how their relationship developed. As it is, it was hard to connect with the characters, and the story felt pretty surface-level.
However, I did find empathy with Teddy’s struggles the way she worried about her dad’s health was so relatable, and their heartfelt moments together really tugged at my heartstrings. It was clear that Teddy had a lot of love for him, but also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what might be coming.
I also connected with the emotional shift in her friendship with Emmy. As Emmy’s relationship with her fiancé deepened, Teddy felt like she was being left behind, and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of losing touch with a close friend as their life changes.
I feel like Lyla Sage did a good job of showing how romantic relationships can sometimes affect long-time friendships, and I appreciated how Teddy’s feelings of sadness and frustration were portrayed. It made the story feel more real and added some depth to her character.
Gus was fine—hot, but fine. Honestly, he didn’t really stand out to me that much. He was just your typical single-dad cowboy, and with his six-year-old daughter, Riley, he hit all the familiar notes, but nothing about him felt particularly memorable.
I liked how Gus and Riley’s mother, Cam, have a friendly and respectful relationship. I’m especially thankful for it because it meant there was no unnecessary OW drama, which was a relief.
One thing that really disappointed me was the random flashback chapter that popped up out of nowhere. We’d been getting little hints about something that happened between Teddy and Gus, and then suddenly, we’re thrown into this entire chapter of the flashback. Honestly, it didn’t add much to the story or help explain the tension between them—it felt completely unnecessary. I really don’t get why the book didn’t just give us a more detailed conversation or a deeper explanation between the two about why they had such long-standing hostility. Instead, we got this flashback that just felt out of place and kind of threw off the flow of the whole story.
Overall, I feel like Lyla Sage’s books tend to stay pretty surface level for me. Lost and Lassoed is a quick, fun read, but it just didn’t capture my heart like I hoped it would. I feel as though there are so many other books with cowboy MMCs, small-town settings, forced proximity, and the single-dad trope that are way more engaging and exciting (like Heartless by Elsie Silver). It’s kind of disappointing because I was really looking forward to Teddy and Gus’s story for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC....more