Book Review: Curse of Shadows and Thorns (The Broken Kingdoms #1) by L.J. Andrews

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 348 pages
Author: L.J. Andrews
Publisher: Bowker
Release Date: September 24th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A rebellious princess. A cursed rogue. A forbidden love that will bring a kingdom to its knees.

As niece of the king, Elise Lysander cares about two things: sneaking into gambling dens, and avoiding an advantageous marriage at all costs.

When her uncle holds the life of her deathly-ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can’t ignore.

As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago.

After a bloody coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic—and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through.

With war between magic and mortal on the horizon, Elise must pick a side to protect her kingdom. Does she stand with her people who stole the throne? Or with a man who lied his way into her heart and whose secret past could bring her destruction?

I’LL CONTINUE.

This was a good start. And if you didn’t know this NINE book series does not follow the same couple the whole time. I was worried based off how this book went that that would be the case and I was confused if it would work. I’m glad that there will be future couples and I look forward to that too.

A solid start with a hidden identity trope. That’s one of my favorites, especially in fantasy books, and I liked how it played out. I really enjoyed Elise’s character. She was willing to try and make a difference. I thought there was good chemistry between Elise and Legion too.

The twists were fairly predictable but that didn’t take away from my general enjoyment. It made me curious to see how this world expands and changes. Especially since I’ve already read the Ever King series so I’m intrigued to see how we get there.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: make-outs with touching
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: attempted sexual assault, blood/gore

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Book Review: Made for Mayhem (Mayhem Hockey Club #2) by Aimee Vance

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 404 pages
Author: Amiee Vance
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: March 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One chance to rewrite their story.

On the eve of his retirement from the NHL, Ty Hudson met a woman he never forgot—and lost her just as quickly. One night. Instant sparks. Terrible timing.

Three years later, Ty is back in Linwood, building a life that feels smaller than the one he planned—coaching the Mayhem Hockey Club, tending a rescue farm full of misfits, and loving the eight-year-old next door like she’s his own.

Then Daisy Winslow comes crashing back into his world.

Daisy never expected to return to Linwood heartbroken and grieving, desperate to hold on to the only family she has left. The last thing she’s prepared for is Ty—the man she never truly moved on from—or the way her niece Junie already adores him.

That spark reignites, even as grief makes everything heavier. Daisy is barely holding herself together. Ty is risking his heart—for her, and for the family he never knew he wanted.

But this time, he isn’t walking away.

Made for Mayhem is a second-chance small-town hockey romance featuring single guardian, forced proximity, found family, and all the heart.

EXCUSE ME.

Don’t let this cute little, sunset colored cover fool y’all. This book is heavy. Admittedly I was not prepared so consider this your warning. It will also incite any medical anxiety you may have. You have been warned.

BUUUUUT that didn’t stop me from loving it and making me tearful in those closing moments. Good heavens the FEEEEELS I had. I am obsessed with Ty Hudson y’all. What a gem of a man who takes care of all the things and loves so deeply and is the best kind of man you want in your corner.

Daisy bugged me a little with her avoidant tendencies but it was a genuine strength AND weakness that I liked seeing develop over the book. There were some brutal moments that will sink into your bones.

I adore all of these side characters and the found family they provide. It’s full of good communication and tender moments. I flew through it without even trying because Aimee Vance is incredible at pulling you into the circle.

And I’m sorry, BOOOOOK THREEEEEE???

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a sister from cancer, parental abandonment (recounted), grief depiction, discussions around foster care

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Book Review: Into the Dark (Magnolia Parks Universe #5) by Jessa Hastings

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 720 pages
Author: Jessa Hastings
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: February 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Book five in the sensational Magnolia Parks Universe series!

How many loves do you actually get in a lifetime? Everyone knows by now that Magnolia and BJ are in the stars, but is that enough?

Magnolia and BJ are reeling from a devastating loss as they try to plan what’s been dubbed “the wedding of the century”. As family tensions mount and their respective pasts begin catching up to them, they finally have to look the truth in the Can they learn to trust and be with one another again, or will they die trying?

WELL I FINISHED IT.

First and foremost, this book is entirely too long. 700 pages?? Absolutely not.

This about lost me in the first half. I just can’t get on board with Magnolia. And BJ occasionally too. They kind of drive up the wall, OVER AND OVER AGAIN. The personality clash is real, though I can admit to finding some enjoyment in watching it all play out. I felt like I was taken on a roller coaster because I would be cranky at one point, and then I would understand the grief sentiments, and then I would actually think these two are sweet, and a million other things too.

I don’t even know if I can recommend this series because it really is for a specific type of reader. And while I never fell IN LOVE with it like I wanted to, I’m not *mad* I read it.

And I do think the plot was kind of a wash at this point. It got super repetitive. I’d go into more detail but I think I’d accidentally cause some spoilers. If you took out some of the sub-plots I think much of this would have worked better.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate – strong
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings; miscarriage (recounted), infidelity (on page & recounted), eating disorder, grief/depression, loss of a sibling, child loss, sexual assault

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Book Review: Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: May 26th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From The New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script , a romance about a single mother who’s offered a Pretty Woman -type deal that’s too good to refuse.

If they begin by pretending, can they end with something real?

Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home.

So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and swinging on the porch, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself, can she really start now?

LOOOOVED.

Oh this made for the perfect kind of Sunday morning reading this book! What a gem. And I’m not usually sold on a millionaire romance, THIS SHALL BE THE EXCEPTION. I loved the chemistry between Dolly and Stewart. They end up in this chaotic fake dating situation together and I could not get enough of all the little banter and tender moments between them.

It felt like a genuine adult romance with legitimate adult problems. I liked the discussions around the themes and the progression of the romance because of all of the forced proximity moments. I adored the way Stewart interacting with Dolly’s son and the *fancy* moments Dolly got to be a part of. Dolly was an FMC I wanted to cheer on and I loved her character a lot. Probably because this is the definition of eldest daughter core.

The third act made me a little cranky (and it also took so long???), but I digress. I was smitten enough not to knock the rating. This is definitely one of my favorite Annabel Monaghan books now and is perfect for summer!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: a sister with cancer (recounted, she survived), a brother with a TBI, panic attacks on page, parental abandonment

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