Book Review: We Danced Among Shadows (Meadowbrook Ranch #2) by Ashley Dill

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 420 pages
Author: Ashley Dill
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: January 20th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”

Six years after losing his wife, Jesse Holmes has dedicated his life to his son and Meadowbrook Ranch. And he’s determined not to let grief or the bottle rule him ever again. But his foundation shakes when a ranch wedding stirs painful memories. On the cusp of a relapse, he finds comfort in a guest who stirs something else entirely—feelings he doubted he’d ever have again.

Hollie Aldridge appears to have it all—a rich husband, two beautiful daughters, and a luxurious lifestyle. But she’s keeping secrets. Isolated by long term abuse, Hollie doesn’t know how to reach out for help. When her husband leaves her, she fends for herself to keep the peace, protect her girls, and manage her family’s expectations.

Masking her grief, she flies to Texas for her sister’s wedding, hoping to avoid drama at all costs. Yet five minutes after she steps off the airplane, she’s thrown into crisis with a handsome cowboy whose wide-open vulnerability cracks her fortress walls. Stealing away after the wedding, they share a dance. And the memories of him haunt her for weeks to come.

When Hollie returns to the ranch to stay for the summer, Jesse’s unflinching pursuit turns her world upside down. But opening her heart requires exposing the betrayals she has protected for so many years. Will their connection be another secret she keeps hidden in the dark? Or the dawn of her healing?

We Danced Among Shadows, is a single dad, cowboy romance set in Central Texas and the second installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.

A TENDER STORY.

I have continued to enjoy Ashley Dill’s books over the years and here we are again with another sweet gem. And the fact that this was set in a special to my heart spot? 1000% worked for me. I loved the ranch and rodeo and cowboy goodness.

There were many soft and tender moments as Jesse and Hollie both worked to show each other that a new chance at love was possible. I liked seeing them argue and communicate. It brings a realistic vibe to the plot that makes me feel more connected to the story. I enjoyed the side characters a lot too and thought they created a well rounded book.

It’s just a well rounded book and I look forward to Ashley Dill’s stories each time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: make outs
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: divorce, infidelity, a loved one with cancer (recounted), su!cide attempt, loss of a spouse (recounted)

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Book Review: The Ballad of Falling Dragons (Moonfall #2) by Sarah A. Parker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 704 pages
Author: Sarah A. Parker
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: May 19th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Ballad of Falling Dragons is the much-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling phenomenon When the Moon Hatched, featuring an immersive, vibrant world with mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages.

“Moonbeam. A moonfall is coming.”

Raeve’s thirst for vengeance continues to burn, as does her love for Kaan Vaegor—a staunch beacon from a past she’s yet to face. With Rekk’s blood still fresh on her hands, she learns the world will face its most devastating moonfall yet, forcing her to pick a path:

Chase death.

Or life.

Desperate to save his kingdom from ruin, Kaan’s crown has never felt so heavy. His many larks to scattered friends and family remain unanswered, and time is running out.

As allies merge and enemies surge with bloodlusting agendas of their own, secrets brew hot enough to burn, but none so mighty as the truth nesting within the icy depths of Raeve’s long forgotten past.

Something … Other.

Something with the knowledge to change it all.

BEAUTIFUL SEQUEL.

This is one of my most anticipated sequels in 2026 and I’m grateful this held up!! I did listen to the audiobook instead of eyeball reading. The audiobook was wonderful. Different narrators for different POV’s. Good accents. No complaints. I *do* think I might have enjoyed eyeball reading this more? It is so intricate and complicated that I would have probably caught more (sad it wasn’t on KU this go round).

The progression and addition of more POV’s was exactly what I was hoping for. I love getting a larger lay of the land and more of how the magic system x dragons work in context. The new POV’s were intriguing for a variety of reasons and I can’t wait to see how those continue to develop in the future books (how many books are we going for here??).

I’m obsessed with the main romance too. I love the tension between them and how down bad Kaan is for Raeve. Also super duper appreciate that while a spicy romantasy it is not spice > plot. There is absolutely a ton of story and plot and I have missed having such a complicated story to read. Bring back these kind of epically intricate and also have amazing romantic storylines too.

This is a series I am happy to own copies of, can’t wait for more!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate – high
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: animal cruelty/death, blood/gore, torture, traumatic childbirth, threat of sexual assault, murder, suicidal thoughts

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Book Review: Playing for Keeps by Ranee S. Clark

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Rating: ★
Audience: NA Sports Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Ranee S. Clark
Publisher: Sweetly Us Press
Release Date: June 1st, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Football-loving TyAnne Daws has long admired BYU’s star quarterback from afar. This semester, she’s determined to step away from the sidelines and she has the perfect game plan for winning the heart of Anthony Rocket Rogers. When some smart moves land her in one of his classes, she finds herself in the perfect position to make her play. But as she gets to know the real Anthony, away from the lights of the stadium, Ty realizes that this is no game; she’s falling in love . . .
Anthony takes full advantage of his all-star status, holding girls at arm’s length for one reason: it keeps him from repeating the same mistakes that once led to a devastating heartbreak. When he meets Ty, his assumption that she’s just another pretty face is quickly proven wrong. Though he’s completely drawn in by this sweet young woman, her intriguing mix of amusing football know-how, and her quiet selflessness, he will not let himself fall in love. But when faced with the reality of losing the woman he’s come to care for despite himself, Anthony’s resolve is tested. It’s getting harder to keep his head in the game when his heart’s on the line.

IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN.

I won’t spend a lot of time on this because there’s too many things to touch on that made me rage as I read this book. Essentially all of these “college kids” act like middle schoolers and the drama is roll your eye worthy to the nth degree.

And there’s a stalker that everyone is way too lenient with? I don’t know why they kept brushing him off and then he’d just pop back up again like the worst game of whack-a-mole.

This poor FMC (and the MMC) made me want to bang my head against a wall. BLESS YOUR HEARTS.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Sports Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warning: a side character who stalks the FMC

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Book Review: What Echoes in the Dark (What Blooms From Death #2) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 566 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Months ago, Bellanova Halestorn brought her world back from the dead.

But life is a fragile thing.

The magic reviving the decayed realm of Noctaris is unstable. Unpredictable. Worse, the one who helped Nova begin to balance that realm—Aleksander—is gone, his body overtaken by the vengeful divine being known as Lorien Blackvale.

As the survivors of her ravaged world look to her for salvation, Lorien offers Nova a dangerous bargain: Undo the curse that ruined him centuries ago, restore the scattered pieces of his true self, and she can have Aleks back.

Desperate to save the man she loves, Nova agrees.

But every step she takes uncovers secrets far more dangerous than Lorien himself. Secrets about her past, about a fanatical order hellbent on controlling the Vaeloran cycle…and about Aleksander’s true nature.

Because his Light is changing.

Something darker is waking.

And saving her world from that darkness might mean losing him for good

BETTER THAN BOOK ONE.

I’ve been sitting on the fence about picking up book two but I’m glad I did! I think this one was better than the first. I like the drama and tension between Aleks and Nova. The push and pull with wild circumstances keep them circling around each other until things burst. A bit of the spice was out of pocket but I thought was preferable to the management of it in book one.

I also liked the background I got on the antagonist and how that affected the overall plot. More things started to click and that drove my engagement level. There’s a strong found family that I love seeing work together and fight for peace. Some of the other world building pieces were lost to me (more than likely because I read What Blooms From Death over a year ago).

This was definitely enough for me to pick up the conclusion and to continue reading Gaither’s books. Her Shadows & Crowns series still remains my overall favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 6ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, mentions of past child abuse

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