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Author: Ember Nicole Series: Stand Alone Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "On the surface, it must seem like I have everything. But my life is a perfect lie. I live in a world where omegas don't have to work, don't have to do anything but have their alphas provide for them. An idle, easy life that might be attractive to some. It was once to me until I learned it comes with a gilded cage." - Everleigh Everleigh is in a bad spot and though three powerful alphas come to her rescue when she needs it the most, she can’t afford to trust them. Betrayed, abused, and lied to by those who claimed to love her most, Everleigh doesn't think she will ever trust anyone again. Legally bound to the Alpha she ran from, there are few options for her. Traumatized, Everleigh is in denial for a good majority of the book, living with the fantasy of freedom when that is not an option for Omegas. I'd have rather a more pragmatic character who made the best of things instead of a girl unable to come to terms with the real world. "Lawrence made me a princess in the eyes of the city, but my prince turned out to be the villain of my story. Now its time for me to save myself and swear off princes forever." - Everleigh Cian, Julian, and Rune's good deed of rescuing an abused Omega turns into a more precarious situation when they realize the person they promised to not cage is their scent match. Each of them was desperate to find their Omega and when it came down to it, they were willing to put her needs before their own, even if it meant letting her go. They were unconditional love personified and I'd argue they deserved better than what Everleigh was willing to give them. I found this book particularly frustrating because of how distrusting Everleigh was of the alphas when readers knew from the dual POVs that they only had good intentions. The book was a long, practically slow-burn romance, which is fine but at points, I just wanted to get to the HEA ending. The third-act breakup was random and out of place, to say the least. Despite the ever-running theme of an Omega's heat, this book didn't have a ton of spice. Aside from a marathon sex scene that lasted a few chapters 70% of the way in, there was only a sprinkle of spice here and there compared to other Omegaverse novels and I wouldn't say it was very original. 'Runaway Omega' is a little darker than some of the other Omegaverse books out there, one of the main plot points involves human trafficking and rape. Though things start to turn around when Pack Ashe exposes corruption in the city, the conclusion is too quickly wrapped up to feel like any victims were vindicated or saved. Overall, I'd put it in the middle of the crowded pack of Omegaverse books available. Tropes and Themes: Billionaire, Abuse, Mates, Omegaverse, Heat, Infertility, Reverse Harem, Why Choose, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance Blurb Mom told me I was a Beta. She lied. I’m an Omega. I'd always lived a quiet, ordinary life. I never expected anything special would happen to me, but after I present as an Omega, my whole world changes. I lose my home, my family, and even my identity. Then there’s the Alpha my mom promised me to. A man as wealthy as he is cruel. Now I live in a gilded cage, my life full of constant abuse, and one I dream of escaping. When my Alpha throws yet another party to show me off, I see a chance to run and take it. Society says no Omega can last long without her Alpha, but after a year spent covering bruises, I’m willing to risk it. And if I go into heat? I’ll deal with that problem when I’m far, far away from him . In my desperate bid for freedom, I run into three hot-as-hell Alphas who smell as good as they look. Not only do they notice my bruises, they can’t miss the way I flinch away from their touch. Yet to my surprise, when trouble hurtles our way, they take over my escape and carry me away to their mansion. I’ll be safe there, they say. I wish I could believe them. These men seem to want to protect me, but I know all the cruel things one Alpha is capable of. But being at the mercy of three of them?

SPOILER ALERT! I'm not in the business of ruining books, so if you haven't read this book yet, turn back now! Author: Jessica Clare Series: Hex Series book #1 Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb I’m a sucker for a girl in the wrong place at the right time and it’s mysterious circumstances that land Reggie the job of familiar to witch Dru. Even better, she thought it was for an assistant position for a card game, an honest mistake I guess! Dru was beyond hilarious, I love crazy secondary characters. And she was definitely up there in the crazy department though I wondered half the time if she was just old enough not to care anymore. I laughed out loud when she started a food fight at the fancy restaurant and the drama between her and her frenemy. If I was two thousand years old, I'll bet I would try to see what shenanigans I could get away with as well to pass the time. It’s Dru's world and we're just living in it! Reggie was are stereotypical OCD-type MC wrapped in a healthy dose of childhood trauma. Apparently unable to stop organizing to the point of losing several previous jobs, I thought Clare laid on the neat freak a little much for comical effect. However, seeing as Reggie cleans when she is stressed, and her life has been one cluster after another, it is still very relatable. I have been known to start cleaning the floorboards when life gets intense. Reggie's biggest weakness is the ability to stay in denial instead of accepting reality and moving forward with her life. She refuses to believe in magic for a good chunk of the book, despite the ever-growing evidence and multiple people saying it is real. Finally, Dru pulls out all the stops to convince Reggie the hard way, I guess being turned into a cat can break through any stubbornness. It was very annoying and downright sad how much Reggie wanted to believe in her parents as they let her down time and time again. Again she wasn't ready to believe what was right in front of her. She gets there in the end but after we learn all her parents had done to her, I was ready to knock them out myself a time or two. Ben was such a softy! From Reggie’s point of view he started out as your typical standoffish alpha male but the moment we get inside his head, Ben is all talk and no bite. It was refreshing to have a male MC fall in love first for a change, Reggie totally got under his skin in all the best ways. He was endearingly protective of her from day one and when he came to her rescue and was so genuine in caring for her cemented his good guy status no matter what his reputation seemed to be. It was clear that Ben was trying to cover up how little he thought of himself with gruff indifference and overachieving in the magic world. I cheered when Reggie FINALLY understood and saw Ben for who he truly was. Also, can I mention how sinful the bedroom scenes were? Ben took worshiping freckles to the next level and Reggie is one lucky girl. The world-building was a bit sparse, we were told where magic originated but not much else. I would have liked to understand more about how magic exists alongside the ordinary world. It seems like a bit plot hole that somehow big corporations are paying warlocks to curse their competitors but magic is still a secret to the general population. We don't get a whole lot of interaction with the other family houses outside of hostile encounters and vague threats. I still don’t understand the difference between a familiar and a witch/warlock other than they descended from the Roman gods, other than their skill level in magic and how ornery they can be. Anyone who likes a bit of magic along with their enemies-to-lovers troupe will be delighted with Go Hex Yourself. I'd recommend putting it first in line because book two, What the Hex, is right around the corner, slated for April 2023. Book two follows Penny's adventures as William's familiar, another barely tolerable Warlock with a rough exterior. Here's hoping we’ll get another fabulously written sunshine and the grump book - a favorite of mine to review! Tropes and Themes: Enemies to Lovers, Magic, Witches, Romcom, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Forced Proximity. Blurb When Reggie Johnson answers a job ad in the paper, she's astonished to find that she's not applying to work at her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. Instead, she's applying to be an actual familiar for an actual witch. As in, real magic. The new job has a few perks - great room and board, excellent pay, and she's apprenticing to a powerful witch. Sure, the witch is a bit eccentric. And sure, there was that issue with the black cat Reggie would prefer to forget about. The biggest problem, however, is warlock Ben Magnus, her employer's nephew and the most arrogant, insufferable, maddening man to ever cast a spell. Reggie absolutely hates him. He's handsome, but he's also bossy and irritating and orders her around. Ben's butt might look great in a crystal ball vision, but that's as far as it goes. But when someone with a vendetta targets the household, she finds herself working with Ben to break a deadly curse. Apparently, when they're not fighting like cats and dogs, things get downright...bewitching.

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read this book yet, this is your only warning to not forge ahead. Author: Mariana Zapata Series: Stand Alone Category: Fantasy Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb A story where grunts can replace full sentences First and foremost, I definitely should have read the blurb. That was my bad. I saw a new Mariana Zapata book out, I acquired the book, and then I read the book as quickly as possible so I could get to this review. There wasn't much forethought happening other than I had a couple of hours to myself. So it was completely my own fault that I was blindsided when a literal superhero fell out of the sky in Gracie's front yard along with purple fire. I’ve read every Zapata book out there and thought I knew what I was getting into. It turns out I didn't, but I also kind of did. Alexander was everything I wanted and more in my grumpy male lead. His glares coupled with sweet moments of honesty and straightforward protectiveness got me in the feels. He was very egotistical and arrogant but it made sense the further along the story went and the family dynamics that were in play. It was a really interesting take on the burden of superheroes and what the normal side of their life would be like, albeit, of course, he was filthy rich. I loved Gracie’s empathy, even if it was caked on pretty thick. She had more than a couple of wallow moments that dragged on and she gets a gold star for the lavish pity party she threw herself over and over again. But, I get it. Her life was utter crap and she was constantly trying to make the best of things while feeling terribly alone. I just think we could have moved things on a bit if we didn't have to read about how unfair her life is 15 times. This book was a million pages long and somehow only spanned a couple of months at most. It must have been too close to that time of the month, but this book had tears running down my face a time or two. For all Gracie's talk about how she wasn’t a hero and didn’t want to die, time and time again she sacrificed everything she had to do the right thing. She had such high regard for Alexander, the Trinity, and what they did for Earth, that she put them above her own safety. Gracie may have been a tad annoying but she was easy to root for. The aliens plot through me for a loop, but I found it easy enough to accept in the plot. I mean, we already had superheroes so they might as well be aliens from another planet. I wish we had more backstory about Alexander's family, especially his grandmother who could have made the ultimate villain but was too busy playing board games with her great-granddaughter to bother. Predictably, after many hints, we learn that Alexander and Gracie are fated mates. While this was a barrier in taking their relationship from friends to something more, Zapata twisted it into something more about Gracie’s low self-esteem and wanting to give Alexander a choice when so many had been taken away from him. Yes, it was dumb she didn’t figure out he liked her until 98% way through, but as convinced as Gracie was that nothing good would ever come of her life, it made sense she couldn't see a future with Alex. My one complaint about this book is the same as all of Zapata's books: Potty humor. Someone, for the love of all bookish people everywhere, please tell Ms. Zapata that not every awkward nerdy girl talks about butt cracks and pooping. I don't know how this idea got inside her head but I can't stand it anymore! Every single book she writes has potty humor in it, don't believe me? When Gracie met the Grump: Chapter 3 - Gracie looks for stains on Alex's clothes from peeing himself while unconscious The Wall of Winnipeg and Me: Chapter 24 - A puppy covered in poop Kulti: Chapter 3 - and I quote "Poop, poop, poop, poop, poop" Luna and the Lie: Chapter 23 - Luna timing Rip's bathroom breaks I could go on, but I think I have made my point. I didn’t know I was a prude until I started reading her books. She is one of my favorite authors but Mariana, if you are reading this, please have mercy on me and stop! Yet, knowing there is a 99.9% chance of potty humor, I will read her next book that comes out. Because I love a slow burn too much, I love her writing style too much and I love torturing myself as well. Overall, When Gracie Met the Grump wasn't like anything I had read before and I would recommend it to even those who don't love the sci-fi subgenres that much. Just don't expect to get through this one in a single day unless you don't mind staying up late! Tropes and Themes: Superpowers, Forced Proximity, Sunshine x Grump, Fated Mates. Blurb Of all the things that could have landed in her yard… it had to be him. For most people, finding a half-naked superbeing in their yard might be a dream come true. Unfortunately for Gracie Castro, it’s the exact opposite. Especially when he’s grouchy, rude, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon. But when a hero of mankind needs you, you do what you have to. Even if it compromises everything you know. And totally changes your life.

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read this book yet, this is your only warning to not forge ahead. Author: Lucy Stone Series: Knockemout Series book #1 Category: Contemporary Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb I feel the need to preface this whole book review with something: sometimes a book just works. A whole lot of odd things came together into a jumble of words and with a magic wand, Ms. Score produced a book that was enjoyable to read and left a smile on my face. The Things We Never Got Over brings our two main characters, Naomi and Knox, together right away. Naomi is mistaken for her twin Tina and Knox is NOT a fan. We trouble pretty quickly further and further into the mess that Tina has made for her twin and readers don't have to wait for the drama. Straight out of Kristen Ashley's first draft edits of "Sweet Dreams" comes Naomi, a woman running away from her wedding and straight into a small town. Though everything about this book is a cliché, Naomi is pretty likable and I loved how she takes charge of situations and gets things done without too much of a meltdown. And as a checklist addict myself, I appreciate a character that is organized and maybe a little bit high-strung when it comes to planning. Knox is the grumpy golden-hearted man of my dreams, trying to stay in his own lane but completely unable to not help someone. More often than not, I was laughing at how to put out he was about everything, but time and time again he proved to be a nosy do-gooder of the town. The relationship between him and his brother was touch and go but once the plot started to progress, Knox proved blood is thicker than the divide between them. The couple was mostly together throughout the book as a "fake" couple, which turned into something WAY more as these things tend to do. Together, Naomi and Knox made a really balanced couple, where Naomi pulled Knox out of his loner shell and reminded him what family actually meant day to day. Knox, for his strength, chilled Naomi out in a way and was a rock she could lean on when things spiraled out of control. All that said, the side characters made this book. Nothing is more entertaining than a meddling family that has its own brand of crazy, a town full of people actively amused at bickering between main characters, and a stereotypical gay best friend named "Stef" who had the best quote of the whole book. "These are my car wine glasses. I always carry a pair" Although the book was pretty long, the pacing was good and I think the author added just enough drama to the storyline. I love a book with a kidnapping or two so extra points for Ms. Score. There was a decent amount of spicy scenes, nothing too wild but enough to fan your face a couple of times and keep things interesting. As much fun as this book was to read, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the ridiculous names that slipped past the editor somehow and made their way to print. The top five most absurd name choices in Things We Never Got Over, other than the book's title are: "Waylay" the 11-year-old niece vs. "Waylon" Knox's dog Lucian the high-ballin' semi-scary CEO aka "Lucy" Twins named "Naomi" and "Tina" Brothers named "Knox" and "Nash" A town called "Knockemout" i.e.. "Knock 'em Out" Overall, the book was over the top in just the right places and the characters were fun. Naomi was a goody two shoes, Knox was a grumpy gills alpha male, and I feel pretty accomplished reading for 5 hours instead of doing house chores. Can’t wait to read the next one, Knox's brother Nash is up next! Tropes and Themes: Small Town, Grumpy x Sunshine, Single Mom, Single Parent, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Romcom, Mystery, Suspense. Blurb Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order. Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of. There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life. At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Books: Psycho Shifters #1, Psycho Fae #2, Psycho Beasts #3 Author: Jasmine Mas Series: Cruel Shifterverse Series Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb “Plus, I was never going to enter into a relationship; zero sexual experience ensured that. If I were in a league, it would be called “scrawny chicks with homicidal voices and general unwellness.” - Sadie Holy hell was that fun! In a crazy type of way obviously. Since I devoured the first three books in one sitting, I decided to review them together as a "series". Technically, there is a fourth book and more planned, but the focus shifts to different main characters so the first three are their own trilogy in a way. As much as I enjoyed them and completely recommend them, these books weren't perfect. But, they were a whirlwind of a good time and I can overlook shortcomings if a series has an energy about it that won't let me put it down. Sadie was the definition of snarky and I recognize it's not for everyone. She is dramatically over the top, but I loved her for it. Whinny but with a 'life sucks why is this happening to me? I hate it, but I guess I’ll get through it and be a badass thank you very much' attitude. I thought she was tough but reluctant to embrace her true self. Throughout the three books, she finally owns up to her fears, her power, and eventually accepts that she only has the option of moving forward. “Small bitches could still give off big-dick energy.” - Sadie All of the men we meet throughout the books are complex struggling with their own issues. I liked the struggle between the group as they tried to mesh relationships together and often got things wrong. There was a lot of trial and error and back and forth between almost everyone involved and no one was in the right all the time, even Sadie. It felt much more real than the typical insta-love of reverse harems. Even to the end, there was a push and pull of overprotectiveness vs. Sadie trying to be herself. “Rationally, it didn’t matter, and I was a bad bitch who didn’t need a man. Irrationally, I was a woman who just wanted to get railed and told I was pretty.” - Sadie Jax was so steady, a fiercely loyal man that was almost from day one in Sadie's corner. He was the strong presence she needed and often the voice of reason, not only for the other guys but for Sadie herself. Cobra was the most in every aspect; the most damaged, the most hateful, the most standoffish, and the most violent. His personality was volatile, but explained by his past, so even though I didn't necessarily like his character, he still was a great character and a perfect balance to Jax's overly sweet actions. Ascher, my least favorite of Sadie's men, was nothing special in my eyes. He spends a lot of the series holding himself back and while the plotline explains this, I still held it against the character. Xerxes was the last of the harem to come on board, but the addition to the group's dynamic was sorely needed. He has his own trauma and prejudices but overall I liked how he fit in. Sadie and Aran are priceless together, I loved that their friendship didn't fall away from the story like most romances once the FMC falls into bed. They are # squadgoals and though their mild co-dependency and unhealthy coping skills are problematic, they make up for it with hilarious banter and genuine love for each other. While not part of this review, I have read Aran's book, the fourth in the series, and highly recommend it as well! The spice in these three books was top-notch, despite Sadie being a technical virgin for way longer than I thought it would take. There were a whole lot of BDSM elements, very character-appropriate, and unlike with some books, the amount of sex wasn't distracting from the overall story but rather woven into it. “Fuck you moon goddess. I was going to be a raging whore and fuck so many men that I couldn’t walk from the strain on my vagina. Then I was going to find a sex club, and I would invent positions so exotic and shocking that they would worship me for my creativity.” - Sadie Specific comments about each book: Psycho Shifters: The book does not give a whole lot of backstory of Sadie or the world we are in before the FMC is dumped right into a fortress with three alphas. There was some info dumping, and most of the bullying elements of the series happen here. I HATED the cliffhanger, but it worked because I immediately started the next book. Psycho Fae: Once again, we enter a new "world" with new enemies and new rules. The group is torn apart, both because of their own actions and their pasts, but have no choice but to rely on each other. I loved the tournament elements and getting more character development for both Sadie and her guys. It was brutal, physically and emotionally. Psycho Beasts: There were SO MANY twists and turns, I felt like this was a borderline thriller, especially towards the end. There were so many new characters thrown into an ever-increasingly complicated storyline, it was a bit much at times. Everyone has grown closer but still nursing big wounds, and now the Mafia is in the mix. By the end of the book we have some resolution but other questions are left open as the next book shifts to Aran's story. Trekking through different worlds with Sadie and her unhinged group of lovers and friends was fun. Each world was full of different horrors and pain, but the overall storyline time and time again showed our group overcoming obstacles, trauma, and self-doubt to be better together. This book is violent and has a lot of triggers so please read those before picking this up. Happy reading! Tropes and Themes: Wolf Shifters, Enemies to Lovers, Reverse Harem, Why Chose, Abuse, Touch Her and Die, Psychos, Anti-Hero, Fae, Mafia, MM. Blurb for Book #1: Psycho Shifters Fight like a girl...or a shifter of lore. After growing up with nothing, I've finally found my path to freedom: I'm a shifter, an elite soldier who transforms into a monster. All I have to do is survive. I didn't count on my three 6'5 roommates. Covered in tattoos, jeweled, and horned, these are like no men I've ever dealt with before. They don't think I belong. They don't think I'm strong enough for war. They don't think I can fight. I'm about to prove them wrong. The only problem, can I survive them discovering the secrets of my past? In the battle for life and death, everyone is so much more than they seem. Jax, Ascher, and Cobra are going to be devastated when they discover my truth...just wait until they see my shifted form.

ARC Review - Publish Date July 2, 2023 Author: Tanja Longoria Series: Book 1 of Healing Blood Series Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "She knew following a stranger into the unknown was stupid. At the same time, the tugging within her became stronger, and another thought arose within her. Even if she couldn't trust him, he wouldn't be able to hurt her. The worst thing a person could do to another human was to kill them, and she knew he wouldn't be able to do that to her. On the off chance he did attempt to hurt her, she knew she would survive it." - Niev The Wolf Slayer was a strong story with enjoyable moments, however, some elements of the writing and character development could be improved on. The dialogue between characters was silted at times, not all of it felt like natural conversation. There was a lot of telling not showing, especially when it came to Niev and Blake's relationship - possibly because they fell in love so quickly that there wasn't time to show anything but a mysterious instant-love connection. "He still couldn't explain his obsession with her, but that was exactly what it was. Day and night his thoughts returned to her and it was driving him mad." - Blake Blake and Niev's relationship was sugar-sweet, and both of them jump head-first into each other with barely an introduction. There was plenty of graphic spice in this book, mostly of the vanilla variety. These scenes give readers tons of chemistry between the two main characters, which was lacking at the beginning of the book. "He didn't know her, yet he missed her." - Blake Despite being in his 30s, Blake comes off as a teenager instead of his own man. When both his father and his brother stepped over the line and put his relationship with Niev at risk, Blake didn't fight back, only stoically refused to forgive them. There are reasons he submits, but it is hard to reconcile the strong, confident lover with scenes of him meekly giving in to demands and orders. Perhaps other shifter books have ruined me with the big bad alpha routine but Blake comes across as a boy in constant trouble, not a man willing to do anything for the woman he claims to love. "'Niev, please don't say that. I trust you but I just can't go against my father. I have to obey him.' 'What are you? Six years old? You're a grown man. It's really getting frustrating.'" Niev was easygoing, despite all the changes happening around her. She tended to rely on vague instincts to make decisions, which made me wonder if this was linked to her connection with Blake. Though she was called a strong modern woman by other characters, I found her to be a doormat at times, especially when she repeatedly tried to change her personality to fit in. Niev was extremely brave when fighting for others, I wish she had the same confidence and courage to stand up for herself. "A woman willing to fight didn't fit into this world, even less a woman that had already fought a wolf." - Niev The community ostracizing Niev because of her abilities was disjointed, there wasn't any indication that werewolves had prejudice against special abilities until that moment. Considering the men shapeshift into wolves and also heal more quickly than humans, I'm not sure why a faster healing ability was so outrageously hated. Overall, The Wolf Slayer had a great storyline but could use some finesse. I still have a lot of unanswered questions about Niev. The book concluded with a happy-for-now ending but gave us an ominous epilogue. Obviously, there are plenty more enemies that await Niev and Blake, as well as the rest of the Timber Wolves. *I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Tanja Longoria for the opportunity. Tropes and Themes: Wolf Shifters, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Insta-Love, Surprise Pregnancy. Blurb Growing up in the human world and unaware of her healing ability, Niev is in for a shock when she discovers that she is indestructible. As she discovers who and what she is, she meets Blake Timber, a cursed werewolf who struggles with his fate of being the only alpha never to rule his own pack. After learning Niev is pregnant with his child, Blake has no other choice but to break his father's orders and bring her home and reveal himself to her. As Niev tries to adjust to her new life, her new home is attacked, and Blake’s life is at risk.

Author: Juliette Cross Series: Book 1 in the Stay a Spell Series Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "'Eveleen Marielle Savoie. Hear me know. We're going to help this guy because it's our job. But you are not to get emotionally attached to this Mateo.'" - Jules, Evie's sister. Look, I didn’t know I was missing the psychotic ramblings of a horny, rage-thirsty werewolf in my shifter books, but I have seen the light and I don't ever want to go back. Seriously, drop what you are doing and pick up this book! I could end my book review there, but I can keep gushing about this story because I loved this one to death. We got the best of both worlds in Mateo; a kind, considerate, and caring MMC along with his very dominant wolf Alpha, complete with lots of dirty talk and dark gazes. The difference between these two sides, both in personality, voice, and priorities, was a unique take on the relationship between a shifter and his wolf. Alpha was practically a devil sitting on Mateo's shoulder, voicing primal thoughts, none of which were more tempting than taking Evie for themselves. While he was sweet, Mateo was also bossy and protective of Evie, especially once their relationship developed. "'Hey. I can be gentle. Go get that red-haired witch, and I'll show her how gently I can smack her ass.' - Alpha 'Fucking hell. Save me.' - Mateo Evie was such an understanding character, and I enjoyed how open she was with Mateo. Even while she constantly second-guessed herself, Evie portrayed a confident witch and reliable sister. I loved her nerdy self and her quirkiness and obsession with Marvel were endearing. "She was magnetic. Fun, flirty, beautiful, hypnotizing. I was so far gone, I hadn't even noticed how it happened." - Mateo Mateo's confidence in Evie and his steadfast presence in her life was just what she needed to branch out and reach for her dreams, without the paralyzing fear of failing to hold her back. He really lifted her up and showed her how special she was, while reassuring her that he would support her no matter what. "I'd never failed at breaking a hex, but I'd failed in other areas. And failed to chase my dreams for fear of failure. Yeah. That f-word was the only one that made me wince." - Evie The sexual tension between Mateo and Evie was fabulously delicious. Their relationship was a semi-slow-burn, and while there was an immediate attraction between them, the characters gradually went from strangers to friends and then to red-hot lovers. And once they crossed that line, they couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. "Well, Doc, apparently I get turned on by being pinned down and helpless, with a bloodthirsty werewolf's hands around my throat and on my pussy without my permission. Is this normal?" - Evie I was easily drawn into the world of magic, shifters, vampires, and grim. The Savoie sisters are a force to be reckoned with and are clearly such a tight-knit family. I am ecstatic that they each have their own book in the series, and even better, they're all available now! Epic storyline and characters, I loved everything. Tropes and Themes: Fated Mate, Wolf Shifters, Witch, Magic, Sisters, Vampires, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers. Blurb What's the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf? Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he's cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane. ​Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven — no werewolves. They're known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls into the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she's ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules. ​What Evie doesn't know is that Mateo's wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she's in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

ARC Review - Publish Date January 25, 2023 Author: Kristi Strong Series: Stand Alone Category: Psychological fiction Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Blurb "The whole point of Balloon Days was to disturb the unconscious junk, let it float to the mind's surface, and then do something about it already." - Elliott Balloon Days is not what it seems, both the hallucinogenic therapy pioneered in the story and the book itself. I found the novel captivating but not necessarily an easy, laid-back read as the books I typically prefer. That being said, I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to break out of the romance novel mold, just make sure you're ready to take on some heavy subjects before you dive in. I promise you'll be glad you did! "Death never came - nor the expected suffocation. This was still a Balloon Day, she remembered. You don't die in Balloon Days." - Elliott Balloon Days reminds me of an artsy Oscar Awards Best Picture movie in a way, with immense imagery, imperfect characters, and lurking moral questions surrounding grief, anxiety, and self-worth. This book reads like a movie, flitting between the three characters who are all interconnected in some way, experiencing different life problems and all needing an escape from reality that they hope Balloon Days can provide. "On Balloon Day, you could do anything, anywhere, with anyone. Hold on to the string and let it take you away." - Howard Something not quite right is sitting just below the surface of the Center of Balloon Days, and as the story unfolds, I came away with more questions than answers about the purpose of therapy and how the human mind is supposed to process negative emotions. This book was thought-provoking and exponentially deep, bringing readers on a journey through three characters' lives as they each endure their own trials, dotted with grief, self-doubt, and uncertainty. Elliott, Orson, and Howard are all flawed in their own ways and their quest for relief from their problems brings them to rely on Balloon Days. "'They do feel so real. That's why they're so alluring, addicting even.'" - Elliott But, as the reader and the characters begin to question, is Balloon Days just a new addiction, just perhaps a more socially acceptable one? *I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Kristi Strong for the opportunity. Tropes and Themes: Thriller, Interconnected Characters Blurb Let Your Perception Be Your Guide… At the Manhattan-based Center of Balloon Days, you will find a psychotherapy unlike any that came before it. Imagine unlocking your desires and your fears and manipulating them in an unparalleled lucid-dream-like state. Bookish Elliott Bailey, a young psychologist at the Center, struggles to prove the perfect life exists, all while helping others with their own troubles; love-starved Howard Nor’s use of Balloon Days lends him temporary respite from the grips of depression, but they may be allowing him to live in a fantasy while his real life falls apart; and top lawyer Orson Thatch develops an obsession with Balloon Days, as it’s the only time he can see his dead wife—even if it risks his career and his relationship with his seven-year-old son. All three face a choice: Continue to live a life rooted in illusions or overcome the challenges of reality. Genre-blending and emotionally rich, Balloon Days powerfully highlights the longing for acceptance, the agonizing struggle when our morals are put to the test, and the conflict between escapism and responsibility. It is a moving exploration of the entwined layers of one’s mind, pulling us deep into the psyche and returning us to the shallow with sincere insight.

ARC Review - Publish Date June 15, 2023 Author: M.A. Cobb Series: Stand Alone Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "The best kiss of my life was from a ghost. That says so much about my previous partners." - Alice The Curse of the Mourning Ring was a spicy read, filled with ghosts, mystery, and murder. Alice was rough around the edges, to say the least, especially at the beginning of the book. I'll admit I barely made it past her irritable attitude and unhygienic ramblings. Being crass and insufferable isn't a lovely personality type to read about and this book review would have been much more negative if things hadn't moved along quickly. Thankfully, it didn't take long for the story to take off, and I was quickly pulled into the paranormal anomaly that was Alice and Henry's relationship. "She can be so clever, then so crude. It's always a surprise what she will say." - Henry Despite being a ghost, Henry was the typical possessive alpha male. His world was completely centered on Alice, the one person he can interact with, and he quickly became obsessed. A morally grey character, he was surprisingly full of sweet words. Even if they did stem from a need to own Alice and claim her mind, heart, and body. "I have been summoned from the nether to her; it must be my duty to satisfy her needs. This is a wondrous hell, allowing me to succumb to my own desires." - Henry Thanks to the physic-bending rules of Henry's existence, this book was filled with creative smut that went well beyond the norm. When clothes or physical objects don't provide a barrier, sex can happen anywhere and at any time. "'Un-fucking believable.' I read the review again. 'How can someone read a book in an erotica category and say it has too much sex?'" - Alice I found the author's writing style took a couple of chapters to get used to. Sentences and paragraphs felt like they jump from thought to random thought of our characters and I really had to pay attention to what was going on. From the blurb alone, I knew this book would stand apart from anything I had read before. I still couldn't tell you if this book finishes with a happy ending or not. The premise was a bit out there from the get-go, but if you are willing to roll with this good kind of crazy, you won't be disappointed. *I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you M.A. Cobb for the opportunity. Tropes and Themes: Dark Romance, Ghost, Time Travel. Blurb Alice, a reclusive author, has spent her life hiding behind her computer and only writing about love. But her hopes soon falter as she stumbles upon a little wooden box beneath the twisted roots of a fallen oak tree. Inside she finds a long forgotten heirloom. A ring bound to a fierce man who had died a hundred years ago. A ring that pulls his dark, tortured soul to her. She can hear him. She can feel him. But can she love him? Henry’s life ended in betrayal. An oath he swears upon his father’s ring holds him back from eternal peace, tethering his spirit to this plane. He moves amongst the living, unseen and intangible. A man out of time, out of touch. There is only one thing in his grasp. There is only her. She is his everything. Will he win her love, or is he destined to linger in her shadow eternally?

Author: Katherine Center Series: Stand Alone Category: Contemporary Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "Most of the time, you're safer if your protection goes unnoticed. And I am fantastic at going unnoticed. All women EP agents are, which is why we're in high demand. No one ever suspects us. Everyone always thinks we're the nanny." - Hannah I couldn't imagine a more perfect book that needs to be turned into a movie. I know I'm not the first book reviewer to say this, so by the collective power of bloggers, let's make this happen. Someone pull together a director, some actors, and a producer and I'll be the first donation on the kickstart campaign! This book was so lightheartedly funny, that I genuinely couldn't keep a smile off my face as Hannah and Jack found themselves in love. If you didn't know by now, I love a fake dating set up and this book delivers on all of the reasons this trope is one of my favorites: bed-sharing, pretending to be a couple in front of family and friends, and pushing both characters out of their comfort zones to rely on the other. Jack was so sweet, and the complete opposite of the stereotypical A-list actor I thought we may get in this book. His family was important to him, especially his mom, and I loved their interactions and how much emphasis was placed on their relationships. “It doesn't hurt to spend your life with people who see what's great about you - in a way that you maybe never would have on your own. The people we love to teach us who we are.” - Hannah Hannah was harder to immediately like than Jack, however, learning more about her backstory made her persistent self-esteem issues understandable. She was physically strong but vulnerable emotionally and surrounded by people who didn't care too much about her other than what she brought to her job. I loved her gradual acceptance that she was lovable and deserving. Both Jack and Hannah had some baggage that clearly weighed on them. Once they both were able to open up to each other, their relationship only made them stronger individually. Their banter was witty and it was easy to see their chemistry despite their differences. "Maybe love isn't a judgment you render - but a chance you take. Maybe it's something you choose to do - over and over." - Hannah Overall, The Bodyguard had all of the addictive Hallmark movie elements that we love and is the perfect feel-good read for anyone who needs a fun romance book for their summer. Tropes and Themes: Body Guard, Celebrity, Fake Dating, Romcom. Blurb She’s got his back. Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. He’s got her heart. Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid. They’ve got a secret. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it. What could possibly go wrong??? Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

ARC Review - Publish Date September 5, 2023 Author: Meg Cabot Series: Stand Alone Category: Paranormal Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Goodreads Blurb "For long life, vitality, and attractiveness, drink wine." - Goody Fletcher, Book of Useful Household Tips Enchanted to Meet You was a cozy small-town romance wrapped in a touch of magic. I struggled to get into the story at first because there is an awful lot of info dumping happening in the dialogue between Jessica and Derrick, then Jessica and her group of friends. Yes, I wanted to know more about the story's setup and magical world, but no, I didn't need to consume that information all at once before I even got to know the characters. The story jumped back and forth between current and past events, which tended to take me out of the moment. While this ploy drew out the story of the ill-fated love spell, I would have rather used a different literary tactic. However, once we finally get to the actual storyline, a mixture of old vendettas, impending disaster, and using your voice to right old wrongs, the story is much more entertaining. "'You know this is basically the beginning of every supernatural horror film ever made, right?'" - Jessica Jessica is fun and quirky, and we as readers know this because she wears a yellow jumpsuit and rambles a lot. Just kidding, but man did the author lay it on thick in the first couple of chapters! Thankfully the personality trait exaggerations settle down a bit and we get to know Jessica more for her generosity and genuine helpfulness towards others rather than her wild fashion choices and speed talking. "But still, I looked like how I felt: a sleep-deprived, slightly cranky, full-figured thirtysomething witch in a neon yellow jumpsuit." - Jessica Derrick is an odd character to pin down, he is very protective of Jessica off the bat but also guarded. He fell quickly for her, and also the small town of West Harbor. I wouldn't call it love at first sight, but within a day or two they were more a couple than not. "So he liked cats, and was a little perfectionistic. This was bad. I liked men who were kind to cats and also kept things tidy." - Jessica Since the storyline took place over a short time, the chemistry between Derrick and Jessica didn't have enough time to build up. Despite the graphic sex scene, I wouldn't consider this book particularly steamy. There are more fade-to-black and mentions of sex than anything else descriptive. I loved the West Harbor community, all of Jessica's family and friends, and the world-building of magic being something anyone can harness. However, the end was rushed and anti-climatic considering the high stakes and continued hype of demons. I would have loved to have seen Jessica actually mentor Ester in magic instead of just showing up everywhere she was to keep an eye on her. With all the witch and magic books out there nowadays, this one was just an okay read for me. Tropes and Themes: Fantasy, Witches, Mystery, Magic, Small Town, Fake Dating. *I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the opportunity. Blurb In her teenage years, lovelorn Jessica Gold cast a spell that went disastrously wrong, and brought her all the wrong kind of attention—as well as a lifetime ban from the World Council of Witches. So no one is more surprised than Jess when, fifteen years later, tall, handsome WCW member Derrick Winters shows up in her quaint little village of West Harbor and claims that Jess is the Chosen One. She’s the Chosen One Not chosen by West Harbor’s snobby elite to style them for the town’s tricentennial ball—though Jess owns the chicest clothing boutique in town. And not chosen finally to be on the WCW, either—not that Jess would have said yes, anyway, since she’s done with any organization that tries to dictate what makes a “true” witch. No, Jess has been chosen to help save West Harbor itself . . . As Summer Ends, Her Power Grows But just when Jess is beginning to think that she and Derrick might have a certain magic of their own—and not of the supernatural variety—Jess learns he may not be who she thought he was. And suddenly Jess finds herself having to make another kind of choice: trust Derrick and work with him to combat the sinister force battling to bring down West Harbor, or use her gift as she always has: to keep herself, and her heart, safe. Can she work her magic in time?

ARC Review - Publish Date July 4, 2023 Author: Sam Crescent Series: Volkov Bratva Series book #3 Category: Dark Romance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blurb "This was a death sentence. I knew that. The Volkov Bratva was not a good...anything. They were dangerous, deadly, and my life had a ticking clock attached to it. Tick tock. It wouldn't be long until I took my last breath." - Charlotte Ive was a complicated man, who really wasn't all that complicated in what he wanted in life, until her. All he wanted was to do his job well and without too much hassle, and Charlotte becoming his wife was the definition of inconvenient to him. There is nothing sweet about Ive, except all the ways that he grows to care and provide for Charlotte. "Yeah, that was a real fucking surprise to me as well. I actually wanted to spend time with my wife. It was unexpected. I had started to look forward to seeing her. No woman had ever left me feeling that way. This was all new to me." - Ive Ive spent a great deal of time fighting his desire for his wife, but even then, he always treated her well and protected her feelings. He was gentle and seemed to always know the right thing to say to guide her into finding herself worthy of living. Ive complains time and time again that he never wanted to be married, least of all to a woman so young, but from the first day he treated her with respect and strove to make her happy while putting her safety first. Charlotte had a horrible life and at the beginning of the book she had very little self-esteem or confidence. Despite everything she had endured, Charlotte was very sweet, open, and honest, although understandably guarded when she wasn't positive her thoughts were truly wanted. The author did a great job of showing her growth as a person throughout the story and her slow-burn romance with Ive. "No one has ever treated me like this. There had been no guy in my past and there certainly wouldn't be anyone else. I belonged to Ive, and I loved that I was his, in everything. I was the mistake, but now, I was his wife." - Charlotte For being a scary, brutal mafia boss, I couldn't stop picturing Ivan as a fairy godmother of sorts. He immediately took Charlotte under his wing, and though he continued to manipulate situations, I really did think he had her best interests at heart. I smiled every time he goaded Ive into being a better husband to Charlotte. "But then, Charlotte's life had been full of monsters. I wonder if she considered Ivan a good monster. As if there were truly any of them around." - Ive My one disappointment was how rushed the ending of the book was. The reader knows something bad is going to happen but as the pages went by and I got closer to the end of the story, I realized that the confrontation would be quick. I would have loved a more drawn-out ending, however, I appreciated the page space Charlotte and Ive's relationship got so that would have meant a longer page count. "The one thing I know from my short existence: life is real fucking cruel." - Charlotte I haven't read a ton of Mafia books, but this one was a great read. There wasn't a ton of gore/violence despite people being killed, and the characters were morally grey but had hard limits on innocents. While Charlotte and Ive's relationship ends on a HEA, there is plenty of setup for more books in the series and clearly more to come from the Volkov Bratva. This is the third book in the series, and even though there is enough backstory given in the book that you could read it as a stand alone, I'd recommend reading the series from the beginning, starting with Second Best. Tropes and Themes: Mafia, Arranged Marriage, Age Gap, Touch Her and Die, Anti-Hero. *I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you BookSirens and Evernight Publishing for the opportunity. Blurb I was the mistake. A piece of trash. No one wanted me. All of my life I’d been told this. I meant nothing. I was nothing. The Volkov Bratva made a mistake. They kidnapped me and it should have been my sister. My father wanted me dead. I expected Ivan Volkov to kill me. Instead, they killed my father, and now I’m to marry Ive Yahantov, a brigadier. I’m to be his wife. The man hates me. He doesn’t want me. I don’t know what changes, but I go from being ignored, to being with Ive all the time. We share everything. The life I thought was only ever going to be that of a dream, becomes my reality. I’m falling for the man I thought I would hate. But nothing is ever certain. Ivan Volkov faked his death, and the repercussions of that is far and wide. My husband has enemies, and those enemies, they’ve come to collect. I knew I was going to die young, but I had no idea life could be so cruel. I knew peace. I knew love. I knew happiness, and now, it was all going to be taken away.