Book Review: Daggermouth (The Heart #1) by H.M. Wolfe

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Dystopian Romance
Length: 564 pages
Author: H.M. Wolfe
Publisher: Scarlett Press
Release Date: March 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

NOT QUITE IT.

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding this book so of course I had to try it?? But it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

I liked the idea of the masks and thought it could work well in the confines of the world building. As it was laid out though, I still have questions and still wonder why the masks are that important? And why everything is dictated by them when Maximus is so evil he could have just changed the situation? Some of the darkness in the book seemed somewhat shock value based and not as woven into the world building as I hoped.

This was multiple POV which surprised me, yet kind of worked. I liked seeing the different angles and dynamics between characters. Turns out there were multiple romances too. Shadera and Greyson diiiiid come off more insta love than I would have expected in an enemies to lovers romance. I really need books to burn longer, PLEASE.

While there were many twists I don’t know if I’m just grumpy with fantasy books at this moment or if they were just too easy to predict. There was ONE, one moment where I was shocked (and angry) at that one??!

Do I want to read book two? I *think* so. I will probably wait for the audiobook though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dark Dystopian Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4ish open door
  • Violence: very high
  • Content warnings: war themes, blood/gore, loss of a parent, weapons and physical violence, torture, genocide, child deaths, abuse (domestic, emotional), sexual assault (off page, recounted)

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ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard’s Fall (Falling for Autumn) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Rmance
Length: 354 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: August 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard.

I know how to write murder mysteries.
Dead bodies? Great. Blood and gore? Even better.

Romance? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately for me, my production company disagrees. After years of writing cozy crime dramas, I’m suddenly being forced to write a flannel and cider romantic screenplay filled with pumpkin patches, maple festivals, and happily-ever-afters I don’t actually believe in.

Especially not after months of terrifying messages from a stalker who seems to know way too much about me.

Which is how I end up back in my hometown of Autumn Ridge, under the protection of Tate Walker—my older brother’s best friend, a cop, and the same overprotective pain in my neck who spent most of my teenage years telling me what I could and couldn’t do.

Tate is temporarily off-duty and back home recovering from a dangerous undercover operation that left him injured and drowning in guilt. And somehow protecting me has become his newest assignment.

Now I’m living on his family’s hay farm while police attempt to catch my stalker. Between boxing lessons, tractor rides, and cozy autumn outings that feel suspiciously like dates, I start finding inspiration for my romantic screenplay in the one place I never expected:

My bodyguard.

But as the threats escalate and my stalker gets closer, so do Tate and I. And falling for the man assigned to protect me might be the most dangerous plot twist of all.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS BOOK Y’ALL.

Cindy Steel does not miss. I was in love with this book from the opening chapter and that obsession only grew. I loved the banter and tension between Tate and Liv. It was sexy and swoony and every touch and glance had me kicking my feet and grinning. They were a couple that was an obvious match from the get go and I loved seeing Tate fall HARD. I love a well used brother best friend’s trope.

This book had allll of the autumn vibes. The setting was magical and made me crave all things pumpkin and cozy. I loved the ranch setting (hello tractor) and the small town fall moments too. I also loved the family and friend relationships too. I really like having a family on page that looks after and teases each other all in the same moment.

The suspense elements were woven in perfectly and only added to the book. I liked feeling slightly on edge wondering when Liv’s stalker was going to pop up again. I liked that it didn’t overwhelm the love story and ended in a satisfying way too.

This book is everything fall and romantic and all things Cindy Steel wrapped in a new book to love.

AND PLEASE JUST TRUST ME YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO PICK IT UP OKAY???

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: stalker (main plot point), mentions of gun violence (recounted)

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Book Review: A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #2) by Kath Richards

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Mafia Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Kath Richards
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since she was a girl, Vanessa Morelli has trained for two titles: CEO of Morelli Construction, and more importantly, head of the Morelli Crime Family. So far, it’s going well; business is booming, and the city’s criminals fear and respect her. Or at least she thought they did, before shipments start disappearing, construction sites blow up, and—most annoying of all—the older women lay on the pressure for her to marry and make an heir.

When an ill-advised date with her Godson’s math teacher goes horribly wrong, she brings him under her protection while she figures out who’s sabotaging her operation.

Nate, the goofy, dog-owning teacher, wants nothing to do with her after learning that she’s the queen of organized crime in the city. But when the choice is life or death, he chooses to accept her help and move in for the summer. Bored out of his mind, though, Nate offers his services on the hunt for a suitable husband, interviewing every eligible mafioso in Massachusetts.

But when more sparks begin to fly between her and Nate instead of her and her suitors… she starts to wonder. Can they work and live together, without falling for each other along the way?

WHAT FUN.

I have always wanted to be a mafia romance girlie but I have a hard time finding ones that aren’t too dark (or way too spicy) and I feel like this was a good balance! The spice was still a bit much for me but overall I had an incredibly fun time with the “rom-com” vibes of this book.

I loved that Vanessa was the head of the crime family and her tenacity towards keeping herself at the top and protecting her family too. And I kind of absolutely loved that Nate was the one on the outside who had to learn all of the workings of Vanessa’s life and slowly leaned in and worked to be in Vanessa’s life.

It’s flirty and feels a little forbidden. There’s great family dynamics and relationships too. I LOVED that the audiobook was dual narration and will be back for book two!

Overall audience notes:

  • Mafia Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, weapons violence, physical violence

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ARC Book Review: A Lass Beloved (The Earls of Cairnfell #2) by Nichole Van

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 310 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Florenza Publishing
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lord Matthias Kinsey lives under an unlucky star. Born without a right hand, he once spent a Season in London and vowed never to endure such humiliation again. But after years of living as a semi-recluse, Lord Matthias has grown tired of merely enduring life. In a bid for change, he lets a castle deep in the Highlands.

Cecily Armstrong once had everything a young lady could desire—social position, wealth, . . . a husband. But life hasn’t gone as she expected. Widowed and penniless, she now must work for her bread.

When Lord Matthias arrives at his new home, he instantly recognizes his new housekeeper as Miss Cecily Moulton, the reigning beauty from his brief time in London. Didn’t she marry some English lord years ago? What has happened to exile her to poverty and a life in service?

As Mathias takes tentative steps to build a life for himself, Cecily must decide if she has the courage to reclaim her own. Perhaps, together, they can even help each other find happiness. The one thing they can’t do is fall in love. Because a gentleman does not—under any circumstances—court his housekeeper.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

HOW DO I CONVEY.

Oh my love for Nichole Van and her romance stories. Every one is a delectable, swoony journey. I adored both of these characters so much and I looove getting dual POV in romances. It really can bring a story to the next level.

I loved the intimacy between Matthias and Cecily. That man is SO DOWN BAD. And it is the sweetest kind of protective love. They banter and push each other outside of comfort zones and watching the walls crumble is EVERYTHING. I’m just obsessed with the personal character grown for both Cecily and Matthias.

Add on top some well placed danger/suspenseful moments and this one was easy to eat up. They had that genuine chemistry from the get go. And I ended up really loving how the ending all came together. Goodness gracious Van’s books NEVER GET OLD.

Also, as a side note, I am already chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next two stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted, moments of PTSD), ableism, stalking

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