ARC/ALC Book Review: Ancient History Between Us by Kaitlyn Hill

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Kaitlyn Hill
Publisher: Delacorte Romance
Release Date: June 23rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three years since they last saw each other. Two months to untangle their complicated past. One unforgettable Italian summer.

As kids, Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs ran wild on dig sites around the world with their respective archeologist parents. But they haven’t spoken since three summers ago, when their first kiss was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking goodbye . . . This summer, though, an anniversary celebration of their parents’ most famous discovery will bring them back together under the same Italian villa’s roof.

Secretly, Cammie plans to make some discoveries of her own. She has her mom’s journal from the year she was born, and she’s determined to use it to find the father she’s never met. Though West doesn’t know where he stands with Cammie, he insists on joining the search. He’s never been able to let her take on a risky scheme alone, especially not one that takes them across the southern Italian coast—from the stunning cliffs of Capri to a Naples pizza kitchen, even to the ruins of Pompeii.

As the pair digs deeper into Cammie’s mom’s past, their own can’t help but resurface. Feelings are rekindled, truths are unearthed, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll discover that their own history isn’t as ancient as it seems.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

FOR THE MAMMA MIA FAN.

I had a blast with this book y’all. It felt like the best kind of summer beach read. It moves effortlessly and is set in Italy and has all of these moments that just say summer romance. I loved the childhood friends to lovers / second chance romance trope use. Cammie and West are this chaotic match that just works and I liked seeing them hash out the past and find their way back to each other.

Though I was a bit grumbly about the third act. After all the work that it took to get to a good place to throw it back out so quickly for the same story? Not needed.

Cammie’s quest to find her father was definitely Mamma Mia coded. And I think they’re both set in Italy too?? Some key pieces there that were similar. I liked the travel schemes that came about and seeing history collide. And West’s anxiety rep?? SO SEEN. All of those moments were [to me] well written and a depiction that I have felt in my own life. It really endeared me to his character.

🎧: I had the easiest time listening to this book. The narrators were fantastic and I was shocked when I realized I had listened to so much in an afternoon. Highly recommend going with the audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: divorced parents, anxiety depiction

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Book Review: We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood #1) by Stacia Stark

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 423 pages
Author: Stacia Stark
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: December 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the bestselling author of the Kingdom of Lies series comes a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros.

Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

Thank you LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

I GET IT.

I’ve been sitting on this audiobook for just a little bit because there was a lot of hype surrounding it amongst my friends (and I don’t know why that makes me nervous) BUT LO AND BEHOLD. I enjoyed it and I’m excited to read book two!

Y’all know duet narration is my kryptonite so bless this audiobook for making it such a great listen. I liked the narrators and that they did a good job in executing the storyline.

I didn’t quite understand why Arvelle would be chosen to kill the emperor when she had no big marketable skills? But I mostly rolled with it and liked seeing her slowly grow (and I hope that continues in the next book).

The romance was…a little meh to me? BUT I can’t really say why without spoiling it so I think I’ll have to keep that to myself and see if I’m right. If I am, then I think I’d love this book even more. The wait is on to see!

For the world building and magic, I didn’t know just how brutal this was going to be but I’m here for it. I love a gritty dark fantasy and this hit those marks. I liked how the vampires functioned in society and the gladiator vibes could be felt throughout.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dark Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: high ++
  • Content warnings: blood & gore, loss of loved ones, murder, animal cruelty, grief

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Book Review: Heir of Storms (Storm Weaver #1) by Lauren Hamilton Murray

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Lauren Hamilton Murray
Publisher: Roaring Books Press
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The very day Blaze came into the world, she almost drowned it. A Rain Singer born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire, Blaze’s birth summoned a devastating storm that left thousands dead. She’s been hidden away ever since with a dark secret: the same torrential power that branded her an outcast disappeared that fateful day. And she’s not sure she wants it back.

When an unexpected invitation arrives for Blaze and her twin brother, Flint, to compete as future rulers of the empire, she’s suddenly thrust into the limelight again — and into battle. Threats abound at the Golden Palace, where intrigue and romance await with not one but two handsome suitors: the enchanting Crown Prince and a dangerously alluring newcomer at court.

As Blaze explores her untapped power, she discovers the throne may be within her grasp. But in order to take it, she’ll have to leave behind the stories that others have told about her, and find the courage to write her own.

NOTHING NEW.

But I didn’t hate reading it? It’s one of those series starters that you enjoy long enough to be convinced to read book two. Do I think it followed stereotypical young adult fantasy monikers? Absolutely. There were some good dynamics between characters and the quest for the throne though. I liked the competitions and learning more about the magic system and world.

I think the romance could have been a little more heavy handed or at least less insta-love. Either change would have resulted in more connection. It did set up for one of my preferred romance plot lines though so I look forward to seeing that result.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Heart Check (Varsity #1) by Emily Charlotte

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Sports Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Emily Charlotte
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: November 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A star hockey player and his biggest critic must reexamine their assumptions about each other when forced to work together at an after-school job in this feel-good young adult rom-com debut about breaking the ice—featuring stenciled sprayed edges!

Luke Dawson and Harper Braedon could have been friends. They trade shifts at the same diner, share classes at school, and are driven by their greatest passions: hockey for Dawson and jewelry-making for Harper. But some things aren’t meant to be. Dawson thinks Harper is stuck-up, too good for anything resembling school spirit. Harper thinks Dawson is a self-centered jock, a perfect fit for a hockey team that seems to absorb all the budget away from the arts departments.

When his beloved hockey coach gets fired for misallocation of funds, Dawson is terrified that all his plans for impressing scouts are vanishing before his eyes. A rumor goes around that Harper was the one who got him fired, and suddenly she’s public enemy number one.

But even with their mutual dislike at an all-time high, Harper and Dawson can’t escape splitting shifts forever. Can forced proximity help them find some common ground, or will long-held grudges finally succeed in bringing them both down?

TIS A BIT DRAMATIC.

I feel like I have this fine line when it comes to drama (as do many of us?? maybe?? just me?) where it either works or I roll my eyes repeatedly. Very little in-between. This was in the roll your eyes category. For a while I didn’t mind and it worked for the plot but things spiraled here and there and it felt forced to add plot that was diminishing.

The vibes between Harper and Dawson were good. I liked them together and how they slowly started to figure each other art. The opposites attract trope was just right. And I loved all of the hockey content. I’m always a fan of hockey romances. I wish some of the themes had been more fleshed out like Dawson talking to his dad about pressure, more background on the coach who was fired, why does Harper want to leave so badly?? there were plot holes throughout.

It is decently appropriate for mid-older YA. With light language throughout, some underage drinking and make-outs.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Sports romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low

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