Book Review: A Promise so Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 458 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After saving her rebel friends on the final day of the election, Elessia is on the run.

But the danger is far from over.

As she fights her guilt for betraying Loche, the man she foolishly believed could mend her broken soul, and wrestles with the unexpected emotions stirring within her for Merrick, her fiercely loyal guard, Elessia learns of the rebel’s true plans—plans that threaten every loved one she’s left behind.

But it’s the even greater peril looming on the horizon—the one that could shatter the very foundations of their world—that forces her to decide whether she is willing to embrace her birthright to the Rantzier name and, with the help of Merrick and his band of unwilling warriors, lead the journey to unite the warring factions of Havlands before it’s too late…

Or before the Fae king and human regent find her.

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

This is definitely a hidden gem in the romantasy world. I love the way the love triangle has been working out and where things led to in this installment. I think that Elessia showed so more growth and I am continually enjoying seeing her journey. The action hits an uptick and the second half of this book really flew by.

I loved the addition of more characters and the complicated found family dynamics they created. The higher level of intensity is starting to set the scene for the next book. [So far] I have found the continuation just right, I’m still getting enough info about the world and magic while also loving on the romance. Elessia was a *touch* too oblivious for me in regard to the romance BUT Merrick? Hot dang I loved watching that man follow her around.

Very excited for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door (slow burn, concentrated at the end)
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Fury Bound (The Wolves of Ruin #2) by Sable Sorensen

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 608 pages
Author: Sable Sorensen
Publisher: Requited
Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Revenge demands sacrifice. Don’t miss this action-packed, jaw-dropping, dark and romantic sequel to Dire Bound.

CROWNED BY DESTINY. CONSUMED BY VENGEANCE.

Against all odds, Meryn Cooper has inherited the crown—and a deadly war. As the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under the weight of generations of lies, it is up to Meryn, her bonded direwolf Anassa, and their allies to bring the country back from the brink.

But the commoners, the Bonded, and the nobles are distrustful of their new queen and Meryn is caught in a deadly game of politics. Meanwhile, Meryn’s beloved younger sister, Saela, is more at risk than ever.

Confusingly, the one person Meryn can trust is Stark Therion—the dark, dangerous Alpha she thought hated her as much as she loathed him. Yet, his loyalty is unshakeable. His presence is intoxicating. And with his guidance, Meryn can seize an unthinkable level of power.

With enemies closing in and shadows stirring in her dreams, Meryn stands to lose her kingdom—and her heart.

Blood will spill. Bonds will break. Fate will be tested.

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

ROUND AND ROUND.

This kind of had book two syndrome? But it was also pretty easy to gobble up? Not to mention that the audiobook is superb so that definitely helped too.

Most of this book felt like a circle. Bad guy does something, there would be some kind of battle/skirmish, a slightly cringy love scene, repeat. And that happened for at least the first 60%. After that point some of the reveals and things finally starting happening and the fallout was needed. I could see how the world had expanded and how this affected Stark and Meryn. I do appreciate that this kept the same tone from book one. It’s dark and you never know who is going to survive the next part of the quest and that also helped the pacing too.

So while not my favorite, I do think it was a solid sequel. I’m excited to see what happens next but I’m also okay not owning these books too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 6ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: high blood/gore, the general atmosphere of the book is dark

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Book Review: The Setup Man (Catching Feelings #3) by Kate Watson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Kate Watson
Publisher: Little Blks Creative
Release Date: April 16th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s fake dating the wrong guy. Enter Mr. Right.

Scottie

I’ve spent my whole life cleaning up after Jake Rodgers—the bad boy of Major League Baseball. So when his latest PR disaster threatens to send him to the minors, agreeing to fake date him feels noble. Temporary. Manageable.

Then hot young pitcher Lucas Fischer shows up—with coffee I didn’t ask for and a smile that doesn’t quit—and suddenly none of it feels manageable anymore. Especially when I’m assigned to be his handler.

Now I’m pretending to be in love with the guy I’ve never wanted while trying not to fall for the one I can’t have.

Lucas

I’ve been bringing Scottie Quinn coffee for ten months. I’ve never once guessed her order wrong–no small feat, considering the woman orders coffee based on vibes.

I’ve also never once told her that I know she’s fake dating Jake Rodgers, that she deserves better, or that I’m in love with her. I’m a patient guy. I can wait. What I can’t do is watch her disappear to make everyone else comfortable.

But Jake and I are on the same team now, and our GM has one ironclad rule: no clubhouse drama.

Easy enough. All I have to do is keep showing up until she stops pretending… without blowing up both our careers.

Yeah. Maybe I’m not that patient after all.

OKAY THE YEARNING?

I do consider this a soft five stars, but it did make me tear up in the last few chapters and that pretty much signals that I loved the book so here we are!! Easily my favorite book from Kate Watson. I honestly wasn’t sure this plot set up was going to work for me but I loved the way it was handled and the right kind of lines were kept so I’m a happy little soul soaking in this baseball romance.

The way my man Lucas YEARNED. And learned. He was tender hearted and flirty and genuine all while realizing he could be more firm in his decisions and taking the next step forward with strength rather than letting things happen to him. I loved watching his relationship with Scottie but I also loved watching his dynamic with Logan and Coop too.

Scottie was someone I could easily see myself in and that made her story frustrating to read, but also entirely relatable. I love a fierce sports girlie and Scottie is a pro. I could have jumped for joy when she started making decisions for herself and holding to what she wanted out of life and her relationships. And how everyone showed up for her??? CUE THE EMOTIONS.

It was just all around a great baseball romance. I ate this one right up and you must get on it to reading it too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: Problematic Summer Romance (Not in Love #2) by Ali Hazelwood

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 27th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

OKAY THIS WAS FUN.

This really did whisk my away to wanting a summer holiday. The set up and setting were fantastic and brought me all of the poolside reading vibes that I could want.

I forgot how much I love Ali Hazelwood’s quirky FMC’s. They are so funny and relatable to me. I loved Maya and her ability to say whatever she was thinking and going after what she wanted. Two fools in love worked so well here. I thought Conor was amazing too. They truly had great chemistry and made the age gap make sense. Though I will say that was beaten over my head one too many times. I get it, they are 15 years apart. I GET IT OKAY.

Anyways, it’s swoony and hot and I loved all of the side characters, wedding shenanigans and cute moments. The whole book was a delight.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of parents (recounted)

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