Book Review: Beast Becomes Her by Crystal Seitz

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Paranormal + Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Crystal Seitz
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: March 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Netflix’s Wednesday meets Norse mythology in this gorgeous dark contemporary fantasy following a teen berserkr sent to a secret magical academy where she must unmask the real killer behind the gruesome campus murders or risk becoming the next victim.

Edith has always been a good girl—she has to be, or her foster family might think she’s like her violent father. No matter how much anger simmers inside her, she keeps it buried, hidden…

Until the day she’s pushed a step too far, and that anger comes bursting out in the form of literal claws.

It’s then that Edith learns she’s a berserkr, a descendant of ancient Norse warriors with the ability to turn into animals. To avoid jail for attacking a student, Edith is shipped off to the mysterious Skallagrim Academy. The ancient school is supposedly a haven for people like her, a place where she can learn to control her powers and then push them down so deep that they’ll never come out again.

But someone—or something—is stalking the dark halls of Skallagrim.

On her second night, Edith stumbles upon a gruesome murder and is caught at the scene of the crime by Amund, who is tasked with hunting down wayward berserkir. Now, with Amund suspecting Edith as the killer, she’ll have to catch the real culprit to prove her innocence before she ends up in the hunter’s crosshairs—or becomes the killer’s next victim.

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

IT WAS OKAY.

I enjoyed Crystal Seitz first book but this one left me wanting more. I do think the audiobook was good though!! Two narrators for dual POV and they were fantastic. If you try this book, go with that format!

What I will say is that I do think this is mid-teens+ friendly. There’s not an obsessive amount of language and the romance level was kisses only. While I did find it predictable in regards to the villains and plot line up I still think a younger audience would have a good time.

If you enjoy paranormal academic settings with a murder mystery and wondering what’s around every corner, this could be for you! The atmosphere is perfect for a moody fall day.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Paranormal + Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of life, creature attacks, near death experiences

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Book Review: Caught Stealing (Southern Sports Sweethearts #1) by M.J. Padgett

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: M.J. Padgett
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 24th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Charlotte Clarke’s life revolves around numbers and facts. But when life throws her a curveball, will she rely on her brain or her heart to guide her?

Love is the last thing on Charlotte’s mind. She’s too busy teaching uninterested high school students mathematics to make time for dating, despite her best friends’ protests that she needs a man. They seem to forget that the breakup with her long-time boyfriend shattered her heart.

When Charlotte’s friends discover a new dating app, they sign her up, surprising her with a list of men interested in stealing her heart. Not wanting to disappoint them, Charlotte chooses the first name on the list, preparing herself for utter humiliation and rejection. What she doesn’t know is the app is a cover for athletes looking for serious love. And one thing Charlotte doesn’t need is another athlete breaking her heart.

Andrew Rossi is sitting out with his second injury of the season. At his age, he’s beginning to worry his career with the Savannah Sharks might be coming to a close. What’s worse is he has no one to share the rest of his life with. Sick of superficial dating and flimsy relationships, Andrew decides to sign up on an elite, super secret athlete dating app. The second his eyes land on a gorgeous, brainy redhead with a deep love for dogs, his heart leaps in with cautious optimism.

The only problem? His sunshiny, sweet date despises athletes.

Keeping his athletic stardom a secret gives Andrew the chance to get to know Charlotte. As the two grow closer, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he has to come clean. But how do you tell a woman you’re falling for that you’re the one thing she hates?

Caught Stealing is a sweet, secret identity baseball romance with light faith elements, a side of comedy, and two show-stealing pups!

This is the first book in the Southern Sports Sweethearts series and the first in the Savannah Sharks baseball mini-series! The books in this series can be read in any order, mixed and matched, and moved around!

THIS DID NOT WORK FOR ME.

I was initially enjoying this one. I’ve been looking for some more baseball romances and was excited to try a new author out. Buuuut, this ended up not clicking on many fronts.

One of my main issues was that the whole plot felt centered around Lottie’s ex. Why the broke up, why she has a hard time trusting, why she STILL has a hard time trusting, him trying to win her back, him trying to win her back AGAIN, and so on and so forth.

And while there were some sweet scenes with Andrew in there and some of the dates were cute, it felt very ordinary. It was missing swoon and heat (even though I admit Andrew had some quotable lines).

I thought the writing was fine and I know this will work for others. I don’t know that I would try another book by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: cheating (previous relationship)

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ALC Book Review: Seek the Traitor’s Son (The Burning Empire #1) by Veronica Roth

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor’s Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

WHO KNEW?

Reading a Veronica Roth book wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card because I swore to never read another after Allegiant. The power of friendship compelled me to try this one out and you know what? It went well. I will read the sequel. BUT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I QUIT FOREVER.

Anywho.

I loved the dystopian + magic vibes in this book. The fever idea was intriguing and the world building is grand. Some of it did get a bit confusing but hopefully that’ll shake out in the sequel. There were two POV’s that I’m unsure of why they were there? And that tends to bug me as a reader. I’m counting on a good explanation soon.

I did like the romance. The set-up felt more unique than the usual I’ve read and it’s got a good slow burn quality as well. The time jumps and flashback memories were a little meh for me. Actually the time jump didn’t bug me, the flashbacks did. I think that slowed down the pacing more than necessary in the dreaded middle zone.

The complicated relationships and character to character dynamics was the best part of this book. I like the non linear nature of these moments. Combining that with the dark world and intense clawing for survival and you’ve got a good book on your hands.

Also, the audiobook is great!! I love having multiple narrators for multiple POV’s and blessed be, that was here.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dystopian Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish vague open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: war themes, blood/gore, loss of loved ones, imprisonment, deadly viruses

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Book Review: Love Sick by Deidra Duncan

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Deidra Duncan
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

First year of residency is hell, and Grace Rose, a brilliant new OB-GYN resident, starts off in the deepest circle. Her social anxiety is on high alert after she discovers she’s battling a rumour that she slept her way into the program.

Um. False.

Grace sets the record straight by putting on her devil-red lipstick and putting her rude – and frustratingly handsome – co-resident, Julian Santini, in his place. But rumours take on a life of their own, and no amount of studiousness, or support from her co-residents, can course-correct her reputation. Ironic, given Grace hasn’t been physical with anyone since her ex broke her heart in med school.

Julian is exhausted from years of studying. Despite that, he’s determined to prove he deserves the residency position he narrowly landed. If only he could buckle down and concentrate. Instead, he’s preoccupied by the judgy girl grappling with an absurd rumour – a woman he unintentionally offended on day one.

Yeah, he put his foot in his mouth. But he has no interest in participating in the hospital’s frat house culture that continues to slut-shame Grace.

Stuck together as residents, Grace and Julian begrudgingly set aside their mutual hatred to focus on training, and as their attraction grows, the cracks in the thin ice between love and hate start to appear.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

The only reason I finished this was because I was on a solo road trip and needed something to listen to and this did the trick of keeping me awake because I had to see what would make me angry next.

A small side quest to say that I was really excited to pick this up because it was a doctor romance and I feel like I don’t come across medical romances a lot. I did learn about residency programs and the drama that can happen in a hospital so all of that was fine. Oh, and I liked the MMC well enough.

ANY WHO LET’S GET STARTED.

All of the “banter” and “heated exchanges” between Julian and Grace were cringey. I did not feel any of that enemies/rivals charm and instead was gritting my teeth anytime they talked to each other. And much of the dialogue made it seem like these characters were closer to teenagers than late 20’s medical doctors.

I really wish that Grace had shown more character growth. That showing up at 95% through the book is not it. If there had been some key moments where she stopped acting weak (and this is coming from someone who has social anxiety too) and started standing up for herself and took some time to work through some of her past I could have gotten on board. And some of the trauma seemed thrown in for shock rather than naturally woven in.

DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE THIRD ACT. ABSOLUTE NONSENSE.

I’m just not convinced these two ever made it to the epilogue.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: workplace bullying and gossip, slut shaming, abusive relationships (recounted), misogyny, miscarriage, birth trauma, attempted assault

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