Book Review: Beneath (Rebirth #1) by Ariel Sullivan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Ariel Sullivan
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: March 24th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hundreds of years before the Illum ruled supreme, humanity risked everything to rebuild after a devastating war in this explosive dystopian romance and prequel to Conform.

Twenty-three-year-old Sasha Cadell knows time is running out in the underground city, filled with survivors of the nuclear fallout six years ago. She works in the Expansion Sector, trying to escape the memories of those she lost. Her bleak existence is upended when Tristian Hayes, a stunningly handsome, frustratingly determined commander of the Force, recruits her to join him and his elite team of soldiers as they embark on a secret mission to the surface.

Sasha is thrust into brutal training with stakes far beyond mere survival. The fate of the remaining humankind depends on their success—or failure. As she confronts her own demons, Sasha finds both allies and foes in the training program, as well as a sizzling attraction between her and Tristian that threatens the walls she’s built around her heart.

But under the surface, secrets and deception run as rampant as illnesses. And not everyone will survive the rise of a power more terrifying than anything they’ve ever known.

SO THIS WAS GOOD??

I liked this more than Conform y’all! It did not feel like a 16 hour audiobook. It flew by and was incredibly engaging.

The romance had a unique set up that I fell in love with. They are literally in each other’s orbit from the get-go and I think it allowed for all of this delicious push and pull tension and wondering when they were going to snap. I love these two and can’t wait for more of them.

And I’m hooked on the found family. The high action moments they go through together, trying to save each other, creating deep bonds. It’s all there and I love them all.

The twists and reveals were awesome. I was shocked in the best ways and I have many theories now. I had no idea there was a spin-off series coming and it was so worth it to pick it up!! I think you can get away with reading this book first before Conform as this is a prequel series starter and doesn’t involve those characters.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dystopian romance
  • Language: low-mild
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, blood/gore, injuries, physical altercations, weapons violence, mentions of war, epidemics

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Book Review: A Vow in Vengeance (Immortal Desires #1) by Jaclyn Rodriguez

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 471 pages
Author: Jaclyn Rodriguez
Publisher: Slowburn
Release Date: January 13th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Deadly tarot, wicked schemes, dangerous alliances . . . can you survive the Forge?

Sexy, action-packed, and brimming with magic, A Vow in Vengeance is an unputdownable romantasy debut.

Rune Ryker has nothing left to lose. Everything’s been stolen by the Immortals—her family, her home, her freedom. But she’s done playing by their rules.

Each year, humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms, but twenty-year-old Rune orchestrates her own selection, determined to find her family and destroy anyone who stands in her way. Rune is used to doing whatever it takes to survive, and now she must endure the Forge, a cutthroat college for the Immortal druids’ elusive tarot magic. When Rune’s magic reveals itself to be the rarest and most powerful, she must live with its only other wielder—Prince Draven. As arrogant as he is ruthlessly ambitious, he’s the last person she can trust.

Rune’s abilities also draw the eyes of the most dangerous druids in the realms. Some want to use her. More want her dead. Draven offers to train her . . . for a price. As Rune becomes ensnared in Draven’s dangerous games, she learns there are secrets at the heart of the kingdom that some will kill to protect.

And Rune and Draven’s growing attraction may be the spark to ignite a brewing war.

SO THIS WAS GOOD?

Not gonna lie, this wasn’t really on my radar until my aunt messaged me and said I would like this one and she was right!! I just sat here glued to my headphones devouring the duet narration and all of the things this book held.

I reallllly liked the main characters. Flawed and grumbly with a good sense of self. The chemistry between Rune and Draven was fantastic. There was a solid level of slow burn where I actually go to enjoy them banter and get to know each other. And Draven is such a big softie?! I’m kind of obsessed with him honestly.

The plot wasn’t anything new but the writing worked so well that it wasn’t a deterrent. I liked the tarot card magic system and the general ideas behind the plot and themes. It felt like an easy read with well balanced world and character building.

I am a little worried with how book two will go because having an end game couple so solidified in book one doesn’t often work well for me in book two but I am crossing my fingers it doesn’t go that way and I can’t wait to pick it up!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: attempted sexual assault, brief mentions of suicide, weapons and physical violence

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Book Review: Man of My Dreams by Olivia Worley

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Thriller
Length: 320 pages
Author: Olivia Worley
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date: June 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A romance author is shocked when one of her characters-in-progress seemingly comes to life… but is he too good to be true, in this dramatic and twisty thriller perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Kate Alice Marshall, where the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been as unlucky in love as she’s been successful in writing—as her sad relationship track attests, there are no good dating options left in New York . . . Until she rescues an escaped dog in the park, and runs into Liam. Charming, British, hot architect Liam. The exact description of the love interest in her next book.

When an instant connection leads to a whirlwind relationship, Ivy is convinced she’s found the dream man. Except he may be too perfect. He may be hiding something.

And Ivy may have secrets of her own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

WELL I HAD A GOOD TIME.

Heyooooo I liked a thriller! TAKE NOTES.

I don’t know if it was combination of reading this in a day or finding me at the right time but I hardly guessed a single thing that happened in this book. It was twisty and full of psychological suspense. I thought the plot flowed well and kept things moving. The unreliable narrator vibes had me second guessing everyone in Ivy’s life, including her.

The audiobook is really good. Highly recommend that format for this thriller. I liked that this had a combination of romance and mystery. It gave me multiple plot lines to be aware of and helped the pacing. I would be interested in reading Olivia Worley’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Thriller
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: arson, loss of life, kidnapping, domestic abuse, medical abuse, murder

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Book Review: The Night Prince (Wolf King #2) by Lauren Palphreyman

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 500 pages
Author: Lauren Palphreyman
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 31st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . .

Aurora may have survived the Wolf King. But his bite marks her skin, and in accordance with Wolf Law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back.

To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life.

As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men.

With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising.

If she can figure out who to trust.

If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong.

If she can stay alive.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Wolf King. A romantasy for fans of enemies to lovers, shifters, forbidden romance, villains you love to hate (or maybe just love!), and werewolves. Contains strong language and sexual situations.

WELL I’LL CONTINUE.

I fully accept the peer pressure on reading this one because it was an absolute step up from book one (for me) and now I must have book three!!

I loved the continuation of this book. I thought the plot was expanded greatly and the world building and magic system started to click even more. I liked the dark politics and subtle twists and turns that led to awesome reveals. A few things went the way I was hoping on multiple fronts (staying vague because going into this not knowing is the best!!) that really sold this story.

I love love love that it’s duet narration. It is my favorite audiobook narration style and it makes the characters shine.

I do wish that the FMC, Aurora, would do a bit more. She keeps being called a damsel and distress, and you know what?? SHE IS. I’ll give in that the end of this book made that look like it’ll be changing soon so I’m hopeful.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: high
  • Romance: 5ish open door
  • Violence: high

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