ARC/ALC Book Review: Lost and Found (Spunes, OR #3) by Tarah DeWitt

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Tarah DeWitt
Publisher: Platkus / Macmillan Audio
Release Date: August 4th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A stunning novel of romance and redemption filled with heartbreak and hope from the ‘master of emotion’ (Rachel Lynn Solomon) Tarah DeWitt

Bea always wanted to be a mom, but she never expected she’d have to lose her best friend to do it. Armed with nothing but her best friend’s eggs and a bucket list to complete, Bea’s world is a sea of changes.

When Silas steps in to give her a place to live when she needs it, Bea is half-relieved she has a longtime friend in her corner. A firefighter living in the wake of an accident, Silas has his own challenges to work through that have left him cautious and vulnerable in equal measure. At first, they expect nothing. But as these two former sunshines knit together in a love that has been unfulfilled till now, a new beginning comes out of the ashes of the past. One that will lead to a love that can withstand all the slings and arrows, joys and triumphs, that life can throw.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the audiobook and St. Martin’s for the ebook.

HOW DO I CONVEY MY LOVE.

Oh gosh y’all. This one had me BROKEN UP. AND THAT EPILOGUE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Honestly this book consists of MULTIPLE triggers that make my anxiety spiral and give me a case of the hives, but for Tarah DeWitt I had to try. And grateful I stuck it out!! Please be mindful of the content warnings though before going in. This is on the heavier side.

Any who. I am obsessed with Silas and Bea. I loved the long time friends to lovers trope mixed in with grief and pain and hope and pockets of joy. It’s the definition of how life isn’t linear and it’s okay to take a few steps backward before being able to move forward. I think there were a lot of difficult conversations and character relationship themes that were approached well and felt realistic and vulnerable. The banter was playful and sweet and oh my goodness is Silas just a smitten man. I liked the flashback chapters too and loved that they moved the plot forward in meaningful ways.

I adore this whole family and loved getting a bunch of glimpses of them throughout too. The Byrd’s added that layer of compassion and humor as the siblings took care of each other. Even if the focus was on Silas and Bea this go round.

I really just can’t recommend this book enough. Or any of Tarah DeWitt’s books. They are beautiful and full of genuine characters making mistakes, and falling in love, and living life. Another favorite!!

🎧: The audiobook is STELLARRRRR. I listened and eyeball read this one but you can’t go wrong with the narrators!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: grief/depression depiction, losing a loved one to cancer, IVF journey, panic attacks (on page), mentions of body injury (from a fire)

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ARC Book Review: To Dance with Death (The Edge of Glass #2) by Brittney Arena

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Brittney Arena
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: August 4th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the epic conclusion to the fantasy romance duology that began with A Dance of Lies, Vasalie must journey to the realms of the dead to restore the memories of her beloved prince and stop a mounting war.

Once a spy for the ruthless King Illian, Vasalie sacrificed herself to kill him and prevent a prophesied war. But Illian’s brother, Anton—the king she allied with and began to love—struck a deal with Moranya, the goddess of the underworld, to bring Vasalie back. The his compassion, his memories of her, and all the events of the past six weeks.

Now stripped of the truth, Anton believes his friends betrayed him and accepts Moranya’s offer to rule the kingdom of the dead. But with the kingdom he leaves behind on the brink of civil war, and her cruel father threatening to invade, Vasalie realizes only Anton can reunite a fractured realm.

To save her world and the man she was coming to love, Vasalie must journey to the underworld and reclaim him. But the Anton she finds is the worst version of the arrogant, debauched king she once thought he was. To restore him, she’ll have to restore his memories first… even if it means sacrificing her own heart.

Thank you to Del Rey for the eARC.

BEAUTIFUL CONCLUSION.

I just really love the way Brittney Arena writes. It’s delicate and raw and always brining these added touches that create an environment I can’t look away from. I was most attached to the themes and small moments I highlighted about life and loving someone at their best AND worst and how that can lead to a hopeful and peaceful life.

Vasalie exhibited the same strength from book one and took even further leaps to guide Anton back to her. I loved that their was still a lot of dancing content and friendly banter between Vasalie and Sundar. The halfway mark was a turning point that brought more of the plot lines moving and I loved the convergence.

I’m still smitten with Vasalie and Anton. I liked the banter and the somewhat reversed situation from the previous book. I have many moments playing through my mind on a loop that I just could not get enough of. Bring me the swoon and the yearning.

I would have loved a few more Anton chapters and I do think there was a small issue with the pacing.

Minor things that do not override how much I loved the journey. Brittney Arena has solidified herself as one of my favorite fantasy romance authors and I can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1-2ish vague open door, emotional based
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Olivia Rose Darling
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second novel in Olivia Rose Darling’s thrilling and steamy romantic fantasy series, following Fear the Flames.

In the explosive sequel to the bestselling romantasy Fear the Flames, two fated lovers must unite against warring kingdoms to defend their home and crowns from those who wish to destroy them.

Cayden Veles, renowned Demon Commander of Vareveth, overthrew the throne to save Elowen Atarah, the woman he searched for since childhood. Now he’s determined to fulfill his quest for revenge against her father, even if it means forcing the only person he’s ever wanted into a marriage of political convenience.

Elowen Atarah has everything she thought she’d ever want. Finally reunited with her dragons, she now has an army to enact vengeance, but as events transpire, she begins contemplating if she wants more. As her father’s only living heir, the Imirath throne is her right and destiny. But fighting and winning a war will require trusting Cayden Veles, her partner in crime and now king to her queen; the man she both longs for and doubts, especially after opening her heart only to become a pawn in his game.

Navigating the shifting allegiances amongst all the kingdoms of Ravaryn will require all their strategy and strength, with devastating and bloody attacks on one side and cutthroat diplomacy for alliances on the other. But Elowen and Cayden must find a way to stand strong within the power they’ve gained, or risk losing everything.

Delving deeper into a vast and ever-changing world, Wrath of the Dragons will take you on a journey filled with epic battles and a tender, angsty love for the ages.

SO I LOVED THIS?

Note: I read the first book when it was indie and the Wrath audiobook mentioned that I should go back and read the traditional version of Fear the Flames first because of the changes. I didn’t do that and honestly had no issues. Any continuity questions didn’t bug me enough to go back. I rolled with it and it was still amazing.

I just LOOOOVE a man down bad so dang hard. Cayden can truly see nothing in front of him but Elowen and I love that for him. This was heavy on the romance side and I was cool with allllll of it. There was also an uptick in action and intrigue and all the things. And there were some swoooooony scenes.

NOT TO MENTION the audiobook is DUAL narration which is always the superior choice. It really made the book and you have to read it this way. I’m looking forward to the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4+ open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 354 pages
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: June 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a desperate gamble to save her throne, a young monarch conceals a secret marriage in the shadows of an enchanted forest—and unknowingly alters the fate of her world—in this dazzling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

Anne of Brittany was a child when France invaded and drove her royal father to his death. Now she is a young woman, sovereign duchess of an occupied realm, and France means to crown their conquest by marrying her to their king. Such an alliance would put her title, her lands, and her body forever in the hands of her enemies.

But Anne refuses to be the last duchess of Brittany.

Her only hope of resisting conquest is another alliance sealed with marriage, so Anne arranges a daring last gambit: a secret betrothal to Charles of France’s greatest rival. But secrets are hard to keep in a world where rival courts spy on each other with diviners.

The forest of Brocéliande was once the haunt of Merlin the Enchanter and the long-lost faerie queen. But magic is long gone from Broceliande, except for the occasional sight of a unicorn and one critical quirk: This ancient forest is completely hostile to divination.

While pretending compliance with France, Anne plans a unicorn hunt in Brocéliande. A bit of pointless pageantry. A diversion so she can wed in secret.

Or so she thinks.

In this rich and epic novel, the author of the acclaimed Winternight trilogy turns the real history of a remarkable woman into an unforgettable tale of mystery, enchantment, and the price of power.

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

I should have expected nothing less because I have loved every one of Katherine Arden’s books. This was another absolute amazing read. I devoured the audiobook (highly recommend). It’s the exquisite kind of historical fantasy that locks you in with gorgeous writing and story telling. Anne of Brittany was beautifully crafted and I loved the exploration into her story and character with a fantastical touch.

There is a small romantic angle if you’re curious. It’s not the point of the over arching story. But it adds to Anne’s tale and I was kind of swept away by the forbidden-ness of it all. I loved Anne’s strength and tenacity. She’s fiercely loyal to her family and her country. The magical elements involving unicorns and other things I shouldn’t say because spoilers, only increased my love for this book.

It is not one to miss!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 2ish vague, low explicit open door
  • Violence: moderate

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