Book Review: Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2) by Callie Hart

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 672 pages
Author: Callie Hart
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: November 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Saeris Fane doesn’t want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court’s lips, but now that she’s been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she’s discovering that a queen’s life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward – and her brother – need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

‘Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.’

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

A DANG GOOD SEQUEL.

We all know that sequels can be very hit or miss. BLESSED BE. This was not one of those cases. I thoroughly enjoyed this book a lot and especially the duet narration.

I thought the plot maintained a fairly steady pace and I was consistently engaged in what was going on. I liked the expansion of the world and magic system and the forces between vampires and fae. And I’m obsessed with Carrion. I could read a bonus novella about him and would love every minute.

What my one tidbit in this book that stood out negatively was the fact that the main couple is endgame. They were endgame by the end of the first book and I think that took out some of the romantic tension I enjoy seeing. If it’s a series, at least draw it out until somewhere in book two??? Please???

It’s a good ending with a major cliffhanger reminiscent of other romantasy books I’ve loved. I’ll definitely be after reading book three when it drops.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romatasy
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: high

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ARC Book Review: The Cowboy’s Game (Pride and Pranks #3) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 356 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 18th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s coaching her love life…and losing control of his own.

Jake Evans knows a thing or two about heartbreak. Recently divorced and raising his four-year-old daughter on his own, the cowboy has sworn off women for good. When a job opens up at a dude ranch in his hometown, he comes running, emotional baggage in tow.

An unexpected bonus? Spending the summer with his childhood best friend.

Shelby Tucker was always better at sinking three-pointers than navigating relationships. With a promising new job on the horizon, her life needs a change. She’s determined to stop sitting on the sidelines while life happens all around her. 

First thing to tackle? Dating.

But after one too many cringeworthy moments, Shelby turns to the one person she trusts completely. Jake reluctantly agrees to coach Shelby through the dating world, certain his heart is safe where it is. Soon they’re back to their old routines—placing bets, shooting hoops, and putting Jake’s strategies into play. 

Except this time, every touch lingers. What once felt safe now feels dangerous. And the line between practice and something real is blurring fast.

When an accident threatens to fracture Jake’s carefully rebuilt life, he’s forced to confront the one truth he’s been the woman he’s never allowed himself to date might be the one he can’t live without.

★ The Cowboy’s Game is a closed-door romantic comedy full of heart, sizzle, and witty banter, but without explicit content.

This is the third full-length novel in the Pride and Pranks Series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but you will see character crossovers!

Thank you to the author for a gifted eARC.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW.

This book was 10000% worth the wait. I kept wanting to put this book down to hold on longer but could not stop reading it because JAKE and SHELBY? ARE YOU KIDIDNG ME? I am absolutely positive I am still a puddle from the first kiss alone. I’ve been burned by multiple friends to lovers romances lately and this took on a different dynamic and let me tell y’all again, IT WORKED.

I LOVED the setting. The dude ranch x cowboy vibe was aesthetically pleasing on all fronts. It’s got this perfectly sexy and heated vibe while still being closed door. You can feel the dawning tension and chemistry turn to romance from the moment Shelby is back in Jake’s life. AND OMG, the hat scene??? IS THIS MY NEW FAVORITE MICRO TROPE? BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE.

And I think this did a beautifully job of balancing the light with the heavy. Jake has a lot of baggage and things to work through and I loved seeing his anger and joy and frustration and hope. He comes to the realizations and truths he needs to and leaves what’s not serving him in the past. It’s one of the best male character romance arcs I’ve ever read.

Seeing the characters from previous books is always a good time and all of the ranch shenanigans only added to the plot. I am a smitten fool for this book and Cindy Steel’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very low
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: absent father, car crash (side character, harmed but okay), parental abandonment, divorce

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Book Review: A Crown So Silver (Fair Folk #2) by Lyra Selene

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Lyra Selene
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On a mysterious snowy island ruled by a trickster king where magic comes at a price, a deadly trial commences. The prize: a chance for vengeance.

After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.

Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic.

With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.

I LIKED IT MORE THAN THE FIRST.

Which kind of surprises me but we’re going to roll with it. I thought it picked up great in the beginning and I immediately felt immersed in the audiobook and story and characters. I love when I don’t feel lost from the first book and the execution here helped that a lot.

Now the rest of the first half was a bit meh. I did like seeing Fia and Irian work together but the cracks started to show and I found myself bored with the plot. The second half was much better in this regard. The pacing found a steadier rhythm and I liked Fia’s character arc more by the end. And y’all know I love a good cliffhanger and this definitely had on that makes me want book three as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator does an amazing job with the accents.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: moderate – high

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Book Review: Falling in a Sea of Stars (Green Rider #8) by Kristen Britain

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 672 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After Sacoridia’s victory over Second Empire, Karigan G’ladheon’s life as a Green Rider should have settled into an ordinary routine. But her father’s abrupt departure to rescue Laren Mapstone, leader of the Green Riders and the woman he loves, from the far distant land of Varos, has left Clan G’ladheon’s business in disarray and Karigan’s hands full.

Even as Karigan tries to sort out the clan’s mess, a darker, more perilous crisis casts its shadows over her: Mornhavon the Black has reawakened. Moreover, he has freed two undead wraiths from their imprisoning tombs to hunt Karigan down and bring her to him in Blackveil Forest.

In a deadly confrontation with one of the wraiths amid the frivolity of the Harvest Ball, Karigan is left vulnerable to the intrigues of another old adversary she thought destroyed long ago. Haunted by the unceasing rhythm of the dance, she falls endlessly through the frigid dark of the heavens, and even Westrion, god of death, cannot save her.

King Zachary, bereft and hopeless, keeps vigil for her safe return. If they are not reunited, her loss may destroy him – and any chance Sacoridia has of overcoming Mornhavon’s dark designs.

I NEED SOMEONE ELSE TO READ THESE BOOKS.

To this day, I am convinced I am the only person I am aware of who is up to date on this series and it HURTS me because there is way too much to discuss!!!!!

Another intense installment with politicking and twists and action and questions and so many moments. What I find amazing about the writing style is that it continually switches POV and I have no issues listening to the audio through all of the changes. The characters stand out and I could not put this book down. I love the story telling and I must know what happens next.

There’s one plot line that brings me a little frustration [maybe I finally clocked where it’s going??] but otherwise I am here for it all. While not a ROMANCE in the traditional sense the romantic plot lines are well woven in and I love them all.

I just can’t recommend this series enough y’all!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1 almost vague scene; closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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