Book Review: Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4) by J.M. Kearl

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 752 pages
Author: J.M. Kearl
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fourth and final book in J.M. Kearl’s bestselling The Elf Queen romantasy series!

Valeen, the goddess of night, fears no one and is never commanded by anyone.

Layala Lightbringer has embraced her goddess side, Valeen, but she has the fight of her life against the Council of the Gods before she can reclaim her throne and immortality.

No longer is she the confused, lost elf afraid of her power. She is a primordial goddess and wife to the god of mischief and magic, Hel. She, Hel, and Thane have a vendetta to settle, and she will rain down the very stars on her enemies to protect those she loves.

But the enemy is ruthless, powerful, and cunning. Everyone she loves is threatened, including her beloved sister Katana, and the existence of Palenor.

The council wants what she has and they’ve hunted her through the ages to get it. But she won’t give up, and she won’t give in. The drums of war steadily beat, but the queen is back and ready to take what’s rightfully hers.

GREAT CONCLUSION.

I am sad to see this series go but grateful for an awesome conclusion that brought together the things I was hoping for. Granted, I did forget some details from the previous book because I didn’t reread, yet I noticed that it didn’t bug me. I kind of dove in and took in the story as it went and found another fantasy romance series I can rec to others.

I liked the trajectory of romances. There were a lot of aspects at play and I appreciated that some pieces felt new to fantasy. This is what I miss about longer book series, the evolution of characters and relationships and arcs that you don’t always get in less page time. Do I think this could have been a little shorter still? Yes. I did like the audiobook though so it wasn’t a slog (duet narration y’all!!).

There’s loads of action, politicking, betrayals and loved ones loss. Low points and high points and a book that prioritized plot over spice. I loved the four POV’s and the differences between them. The unique personalities made switching between everyone easy. I loved the romantic banter and the deep found family love. This really does have those hallmark moments I love about romantasy books and you definitely should check this series out!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: brief open & fade to black
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Swept Away by Beth O’Leary

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Rating: ★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Beth O’Leary
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 1st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?

Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter.

Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.

With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.

WOW THIS WENT DOWNHILL.

I was fully in the 3.5-4 star camp for the first 60% of this book. I loved the idea of this romance. Being stuck out at sea is definitely not a contemporary romance plot I’ve read before and I love unique romance/settings. But after starting off with a one night stand, I was a little bereft. It held strong though with all of the open sea drama (and even though I have MANY questions about the sexual encounters + hygiene, I digress).

Then we got to the back on land drama and good heavens, WHYYYYYYY. The first twist tackled me like a blindside and about sent me over the edge, and then upon finding out a little more about the situation I absolutely fell off the edge. It soured the whole story for me and didn’t do anything for the characters.

This just didn’t feel like Beth O’Leary. I’ll cross my fingers for the next one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: minor blood (cleaning + stitching of wounds), being lost at sea, loss of loved ones (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: Start at the End by Emma Grey

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Emma Grey
Publisher: Zibby Publishing
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This powerful sliding-doors novel asks the Are our futures already determined? Or are we able to change fate? A searingly emotional novel about love, loss, grief, and hope from the author of The Last Love Note and Pictures of You.

Thank you Zibby Books for the gifted copy.

WELL THIS WAS A SURPRISE.

I’ve enjoyed Emma Grey’s previous two books so I didn’t even bother with reading the summary before diving into this one and let me tell y’all…don’t read it. Go in blind because it is a journey my friend. Did the whole journey work for me? No, but I had no troubles WANTING to listen to this book needing to know how the stories were going to wrap up.

I did think it was an interesting concept and idea to execute (the author’s note does a great job elaborating on this and helped more of the story make sense for me). The sliding doors moment was confusing but once I got a better handle on what was happening I was shocked. I liked seeing the flawed and realistic nature of going through a terrible thing and the fallout and echoes it leaves on each person.

I’m not sure I *liked* everything that happened or the way certain situations went. And that’s okay, it made me think and ponder a lot and I always like when a book creates that kind of thought process for me. It’s fairly fast paced and the audiobook was wonderfully narrated.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of a partner, self harm, grief, alcoholism

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ARC/ALC Book Review: A Deal with a Debutante (London’s Most Eligible #1) by Chelsea Bobulski

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Chelsea Bobulski
Publisher: Haven
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s running from London’s marriage mart. He’s running out of time to save his estate. Neither planned on falling in love—but their hearts have other plans.

American heiress Calliope Hart is thrust into London’s high society against her will, all because her mother is determined to marry her off to an aristocrat. Despite being named “the debutante of the season” back in New York, Calliope wants nothing more than to avoid becoming another pawn in the social game.

Edward Chase, the Earl of Hayward, is on the brink of financial ruin. To save his estate, he must marry, and Calliope Hart is his last hope. When he boldly declares his intentions, she swiftly rejects him, making it clear she has no interest in marrying for convenience. Undeterred, Edward offers a deal: He will escort Calliope to all the best sights of London that she’s been dying to see if she agrees to visit his estate and consider what they could accomplish together.

What begins as a business arrangement soon sparks something much more complicated—an undeniable chemistry neither can ignore. But as their hearts begin to soften, both must confront their fears: Can Calliope trust Edward with her heart, and can Edward truly win her love when she’s convinced he only wants her fortune?

Thank you Haven Books for the gifted copy.

CHARMING.

I took a risk with picking this book but y’all, it delivered and I will be reading the next couple!! I found this genuinely delightful and it had a different marriage of convenience vibe than I feel like I’ve come across in recent memory. And having this written in dual POV really allowed me to love both of these characters and get a better understanding of them.

I loved the push and pull between Edward and Calliope. There was good banter and just the right kind of heat. I loved the nuanced and tender moments and that they actually got time to spend together and figure each other out. Towards the end some of the do they love me? questions became repetitive and one piece of the third act bugged me, but not much else. It’s easily a historical romance I’d recommend to others.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low

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