3 ⭐️ This was a hard one for me to rate. There were things I liked and things I really didn't like.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi monster romance ✨ superhero3 ⭐️ This was a hard one for me to rate. There were things I liked and things I really didn't like.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi monster romance ✨ superheros vs villains ✨ earth setting ✨ morally grey MMC who leans more towards being a villain ✨ photographer FMC who is biracial, bisexual, and plus-sized ✨ loathe to love ✨ 4/5 ...more
4 ⭐️ A wonderful start to the Sweetwater Peak series!
✨ Release Date: September 30, 2025 ✨
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Sweetwater Peak is a town built on chipped paint and cigare4 ⭐️ A wonderful start to the Sweetwater Peak series!
✨ Release Date: September 30, 2025 ✨
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Sweetwater Peak is a town built on chipped paint and cigarette butts and things that go bump in the night. It's also fluffy white clouds and saltwater taffy and mountain breezes.
And I love it.
I also hate it. It's complicated. It's simple. I don't really know how to explain it. It's just...Sweetwater Peak.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ (haunted) small town romance ✨ eerie western atmosphere ✨ photographer who can talk to ghosts ✨ upholster who thinks she's talking to herself ✨ black cat x golden retriever ✨ not so meet cute ✨ forced proximity (roommates and co-workers) ✨ insta-lust ✨ slow burn ✨ 2.5/5 spice ✨ he calls her 'Trouble' ✨ tattooed FMC ✨ MMC who went to therapy ✨ found family ✨ meddling ghosts ✨ a new Ryder + Rebel Blue Ranch cameos ✨ dual POV ✨ HEA with cliffhanger for next FMC
My Thoughts:
This was such a fun read! Soul Searching is a romance that’s both sweet and meaningful, and I loved getting lost in Lyla Sage’s Wyoming world again. This is her second series, set just two hours from the beloved Rebel Blue Ranch in Meadowlark. Instead of ranching and endless blue skies, this town brings a darker, spookier charm that adds a fresh twist to the world Sage has created. I really enjoyed how the story balanced lighthearted moments with deeper, more emotional beats without ever tipping into something overly heavy. The paranormal elements added intrigue, and the abandoned-town setting carried a unique atmosphere that was charming in its own haunting way.
Collins and Brady are both fantastic MCs! Collins has this playful, black cat energy, while Brady gives off total sweet golden retriever vibes - they really balance each other perfectly. On their own, they each feel a little lost and lonely, but together, they find comfort, trust, and a true sense of home in each other. Their relationship felt tender and healing, like two souls finally finding the place they were meant to be. PS: I also loved the little moments where she thought he was boring at first, and he thought she was a little crazy - but in a fun, intriguing way.
The only thing about them that didn't quite work for me was one particular sex scene. In it, Brady spits into Collin's mouth. This was fine for me in Done and Dusted when Brooks was spitting whiskey, not straight saliva, into Emmy's mouth. Then, after they have sex, Collins goes down on Brady, noting "his cock was covered in me". And then, when she's finished, he licks some of his cum off her lips. It was just one thing after the other that I'm not personally into. But this is all based on my own sexual preference.
Despite that moment, I really enjoyed the story, especially the sweet relationship at its core and the touch of supernatural intrigue.
One of my favorite scenes was when Collins and Brady go inside the dilapidated church. It was totally spooky and I 100% would have been scared just like Brady. But it was also beautiful because he decided to trust Collins and experience one of her most special places in Sweetwater Ranch, and it made the scene feel so intimate. The writing was cinematic, and I could clearly picture sitting with them in that church, looking up to see millions of stars against the dark sky. Definitely made me want to visit.
Thank you so much Lyla Sage and Dial Press for sending me a physical ARC. As always, all opinions are my own....more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ rom-com ✨ key west setting ✨ forced proximity ✨ banter ✨ insta-lust ✨ slow(ish) burn ✨ strong 2 ⭐️ I’m guess I'm a hater of The Love Hater
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ rom-com ✨ key west setting ✨ forced proximity ✨ banter ✨ insta-lust ✨ slow(ish) burn ✨ strong female friendship ✨ HEA ✨ TW: Body image issues (present), eating disorder (past), being cheated on (past), death of parents (past), illness, near death experience
My Thoughts:
Audiobook rating: 5 ⭐️ The audiobook production and the narrator was great. Story rating: 1 ⭐️ There is nothing about this story I liked.
I didn’t like this book at all. Based on how I felt, it’s a 1-star read. But the writing itself is competent and the audiobook production/narrator were great, so I’m bumping it up to 2 stars.
***This review contains spoilers***
The biggest issue for me was that the entire story centers on Katie's body image struggles and past eating disorder, which was not advertised. I didn’t relate, and honestly, this just isn’t an “issue” I’m interested in reading about. But even if it’s not my thing, I still think a good story should pull you in. This one didn’t. I only finished it because I got the audiobook as an ARC from NetGalley.
Katie is just not likable. She’s old enough to have gone to therapy (like, a lot of therapy) for her body image issues and everything that went down with her ex. But nope. Instead, she relies on her cousin/best friend to guide her through every single problem like she’s a child. Their relationship is so codependent I legit got the ick.
Katie felt like a caricature of the insecure rom-com heroine: she hates her body, lets her ex walk all over her, lies to get a job, and constantly objectifies the love interest because he’s SO HOT - while also drowning in inner monologues about how flawed she is. And then, the second the love interest kisses her and tells her she’s beautiful, she suddenly decides maybe she shouldn’t be so hard on herself and raves about how this was such a healing experience. Okay . . . so you needed a hot guy to validate you in order to like yourself? Got it.
As for the love interest, Hutch, he’s a hot cinnamon roll but kind of a dud. Right before kissing Katie, he says, “You’re like a human hot fudge sundae or something.” ...more
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 don't know if it was the moon or fate or the universe that made me a werewolf, but, baby, you made 2.5 ⭐️ At least she had chemistry with the wolf.
"I don't know if it was the moon or fate or the universe that made me a werewolf, but, baby, you made me human."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ paranormal rom-com ✨ small town romance ✨ central Florida setting ✨ she's a vet nurse an internet archivist / former fangirl of the TV show The Arcane Files ✨ he's played a werewolf on The Arcane Files and now is turning into one ✨ age gap (42 and 34 years old) ✨ slow burn ✨ bad first impression: they met years ago but he doesn't remember ✨ dislike to friends with benefits to love (her) ✨ strangers to friends with benefits to lovers (him) ✨ opposites attract ✨ 2.5/5 ...more
"You'll never be done with me. I will haunt you from this world into the next."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ romantasy ✨4 ⭐️ Arcana Academy was fresh and exciting!
"You'll never be done with me. I will haunt you from this world into the next."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ romantasy ✨ academic setting ✨ deadly trials ✨ tarot card magic ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ prince/headmaster x prisoner/student ✨ morally grey MMC ✨ fake engagement ✨ denial of feelings ✨ slow burn ✨ 2/5 spice ✨ mystery ✨ found family ✨ cliffhanger
My Thoughts:
PS: I listened to the audiobook book while reading along.
From the very first page I was hooked. I really enjoyed the world and magic. I thought it was the best part, which surprised me because it's usually the romance. I liked Clara and her determination, wit, and that she wasn't a helpless heroine. Kaelis was a great villain turned love interest. I hated him like Clara but then also started to fall in love as he let her in. I really enjoyed their dynamic.
However, the romance was frustrating at times. The banter felt juvenile at times and there was a moment when it was clear they were no longer enemies and that Kaelis would do anything to protect Clara, but she kept insisting they were enemies. Ma’am, this man is buying you beautiful gowns, nursing you back to health, giving you smoldering glances. He does not hate you, nor is he your enemy. He’s in love with you, dammit! Her denial felt contrived and dragged out tension that didn’t need to be dragged out.
There were also stretches of repeated inner monologue that became redundant and increasingly tedious to get through. But it wasn't so bad that I wanted to stop. I just would skim over it.
The end was thrilling! I guessed a few of the twists, but several still managed to catch me off guard, which I loved. I'm so curious what happens next so I definitely will read the next book!...more
3 ⭐️ A sweet story that dives into navigating grief
"You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn't here anymore ... That's who s3 ⭐️ A sweet story that dives into navigating grief
"You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn't here anymore ... That's who she is now. And this journey through grief ... It's what we do for the great loves of our lives."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ contemporary romance ✨ nyc setting ✨ she's the new nanny consumed by grief ✨ he's the uncle who wants a closer relationship with his sister and niece ✨ grumpy x sunshine who has lost her spark ✨ strangers to friends to lovers ✨ SLOW burn ✨ 1.5/5 ...more
2 ⭐️ Cute premise, but I didn't like the execution
WHAT TO EXPECT ✨ contemporary romance ✨ Maui resort setting ✨ co-workers at a retreat ✨ insta-lust ✨ riv2 ⭐️ Cute premise, but I didn't like the execution
WHAT TO EXPECT ✨ contemporary romance ✨ Maui resort setting ✨ co-workers at a retreat ✨ insta-lust ✨ rivals-to-lovers ✨ one suite/bed ✨ slow burn ✨ 3/5 spice ✨ denial of feelings ✨ MISCOMMUNICATION ✨ ex-girlfriend drama ✨ HEA ✨ FMC of Indian descent ✨ women in STEM facing discrimination ✨ complicated family dynamics ✨ single pov
My Thoughts:
I was fine with the first 20% of this story, since we were setting the stage, meeting the characters, and I was curious to see where it would all go. But once they got to Hawaii, it went downhill for me. The romance between Trishara and Rafe was way too messy, and not in a fun or meaningful way. It was heavy on the lust, but light on actual connection. I never felt emotionally invested in the couple. Their back-and-forth dynamic felt more childish than compelling, and the constant denial of feelings and miscommunication wore me out and became extremely frustrating. Then the ex-girlfriend drama, which had been brewing in the background, finally came to a head, and that was the last straw for me. Rafe's ex literally looks at Trishara and says, "I guess you're pretty for an Indian girl". . . I'm sorry, what the f*ck?! Absolutely horrible to say that, but then the fact that this is the woman Rafe was dating for years and has been friends with his entire life??? What does that say about him??? I honestly lost so much respect for him at this moment.
Something else that irritated me was that fairytales or romance books were mentioned quite a few times throughout the story. It started off feeling playful, but they were brought up so often that it was just too much. What was initially a cute touch ended up being overused and feeling excessive.
The only things I’ve liked about this story was that it takes place in a fun tropical setting, and the fact that Trishara is a woman of color in STEM and brings attention to/confronts how she’s been discriminated against, harassed, and passed over for less-qualified men due to nepotism.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own....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
♾️ ⭐️ This is one of the wittiest, sharpest, and most deliciously antagonistic romances I’ve ever read. I'm giving this infinity stars and honestly, t♾️ ⭐️ This is one of the wittiest, sharpest, and most deliciously antagonistic romances I’ve ever read. I'm giving this infinity stars and honestly, that still isn't enough
"Isn't forgetting you preferable to continuing to hate you?" "I'd rather you hate me than not think of me at all."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ fantasy romance ✨ healer x assassin ✨ hate at first sight ✨ mutual loathing ✨ enemies to (not quite) lovers ✨ forced proximity ✨ opposite attract ✨ the SLOWEST of slow burns ✨ he falls first and harder ✨ major denial of feelings ✨ “touch her and die” ✨ 1.5/5 spice ✨ the best banter ever!!! ✨ intellectual humor and overall fantastic writing ✨ magical adventures and shenanigans ✨ mystery ✨ cozy but also high stakes ✨ interesting magic and world ✨ first in a duology / open ending ✨ TW: graphic violence, torture, murder, medical content including fictional diseases affecting adults and children, and depictions of sick children in a hospital-like setting.
My Thoughts:
I AM IN LOVE!!!! Seriously, one of the best books I've ever read! I haven’t laughed this hard while reading in a long time. The banter?? Immaculate. The tension?! Juicy. The denial of attractions / feelings??? Olympic level.
I was already feral over the concept of a healer and an assassin (who absolutely hate each other) being forced to team up. But what blew me away was just how smart and funny this book is. It's like watching two hyper-competent prideful people try to out-snark, out-principle, and out-deny their way into falling in love.
Let’s talk about Osric (my favorite unhinged assassin ...more
Two years after a night of passion, Cory finds herself face to face with the man she can't seem to⭐️ ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY! ⭐️
Synopsis:
Two years after a night of passion, Cory finds herself face to face with the man she can't seem to forget. He might have let her go before, but as a cop, Garrett knows how to pursue what he wants—and this time around, he’s not letting her slip away.
Get ready for a hilarious chase as one man tries to prove that love is worth the risk!
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ contemporary rom-com ✨ Boston setting ✨ she's a tattoo artist opening a new shop ✨ he's a police officer ✨ black cat x golden retriever ✨ one night stand ✨ second chance ✨ she's anti-relationship ✨ he falls first and hard ✨ 3/5 spice (open door, explicit) ✨ found family ✨ little bit of mystery ✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
The Ink Vendetta is a dazzling debut novel that will keep you hooked with its blend of comedy, romance, and unexpected twists, leaving you eager to turn every page.
I've actually never read a rom-com with a cop MMC, but this was such a delight! Garrett is a total cinnamon roll with a heart of gold. I adore him and how he treats his friends, family, and Cory. But ladies, get ready for this gentleman in the streets to also be a freak in the sheets.
Cory was such a badass. I'm obsessed with black cat energy FMCs, and I love how she's also a tattoo artist and business woman opening up her own shop. It’s always nice seeing a strong female lead follow her dreams against all the odds!
The banter between Garrett and Cory is so fun, and suggestive at times. No matter how much Cory tries to push him away or pretends she doesn't want him, Garrett's always able to flip the script on Cory to make her blush. I love these two.
2.5 ⭐ Funny enough, it was the taboo romance that ultimately put me off the story—not for the reason you might expect.
"You're a fucking star that fel2.5 ⭐ Funny enough, it was the taboo romance that ultimately put me off the story—not for the reason you might expect.
"You're a fucking star that fell out of the sky and I was lucky enough to be standing in the right place."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ contemporary romance ✨ boston setting ✨ she's a harp prodigy who comes from a wealthy family and has zero life skills ✨ he's a hockey star ✨ soon-to-be step-siblings ✨ love at first sight ✨ taboo romance (but was it really?) ✨ 2.5/5 spice ✨ "good girl" ✨ third act breakup ✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
I know with this 2-star rating, you're probably thinking, "Yikes, it must be bad." But honestly, it's not a bad book. It has everything fun about a Tessa Bailey story—a super sexy, head-over-heels-in-love man, amazing tension, and lots of spice. The writing and pacing are also fine. There was just one big problem I couldn't get past, and it completely derailed my enjoyment of the story.
The forbidden/taboo step-sibling romance felt so overly contrived that I couldn't get into the story because in real life, it would never have been a problem.
Two people in their late 20s who randomly meet and fall madly in love, only to hours later discover their parents are engaged and they will be step-siblings, is not weird. But apparently, for Sig and Chloe it is SUPER inappropriate and would mean the end of their careers (as a hockey player and a harpist). What? Why? They are adults. They didn't grow up together. They didn't even meet until their parents (who recently started dating) announced their engagement. So how on earth would this be considered inappropriate? And listen, I don’t even read a lot of taboo, so it’s not like I’m just normalizing a step-sibling dynamic. But they weren't even step-siblings!!! They weren't even related!!! And they're adults, so WHY DOES IT MATTER? I just genuinely do not see any issues with this at all. It was a forced issue, only done to create drama. And the resolution . . . don't even get me started. ...more
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