GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 272 pages
Author: Ambelin Kwaymullina
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 21st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A gripping YA fantasy with a deadly contest to win a crown, a fierce heroine determined to right the wrongs done to her people, and a smoldering love story that could change everything…

I didn’t want to rule the Risen. Wreak a little havoc upon them, though? That was something else entirely.

Bell Silverleaf is a liar.

It’s how she’s survived. It’s how all Treesingers have survived, after they were invaded by the Risen and their gods. But now—thanks to some political maneuvering—Bell is in the Queen’s Test. She’s one of seven girls competing in deadly challenges to determine who rules for the next twenty-five years. If Bell wins, she’ll use the power to help her people and get her revenge on the Risen.

But Bell doesn’t know how much she’s been lied to. She’s part of a conspiracy stretching back generations, and she’s facing much bigger dangers than the Queen’s Test. She’s up against the gods themselves.

Getting hold of that crown might just be the least of her problems.

Thank you to GetUnderlined for the free book.

I AM SO CONFUSED.

This book confused me. There wasn’t enough world building for me to understand anything and I was constantly in a state of befuddlement as I tried to piece together the land, the rules, and the magic system.

The summary even mentions a romance, there is no romance. There is one kiss, with no relationship buildup.

I guess I kind of liked the side character friends Bell had?

And the writing style didn’t work for me. There was a severe lack of dialogue for much of the book and it made it hard to connect with characters.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: none
Romance: kiss
Violence: low-moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Captured by Chaos by Kathryn Marie

May 17, 2024April 24, 2023 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: E.J. Mellow
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 21st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Protect the Peace.

On the Isle of Kazola, peace has always been protected by The Onyx Guard, an elite force of genetically modified soldiers.

Kasha has lived her life in the Onyx Guard. But when she is passed over for an advancement and forced to follow the Alpha promoted in her place, she must find a way to put her anger aside and work with him.

Because their team is on the hunt for Elliot Wells, an elusive killer who has terrorized Kazola for years. And there is more to his twisted deviance that meets the eye.

Along the journey, Kasha must learn to face her past, accept her new reality, and trust others…or else the deaths will continue, and everything she has built for herself might just slip away.

This New Adult Paranormal Fantasy & Romance tale takes readers on an epic journey of found family, a swoon-worthy rivals to lovers slow burn, and a unique twist on werewolves and vampires that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

HMM.

I went in with high hopes about this one but was pretty dashed as things went on. As a ME thing,, I love a good amount of dialogue and the start of this book didn’t have a lot. The inner monologue of Kasha was good for a bit then I needed more.

The idea of the combined shifter + vampire lore was unique! I did like that and the general world building and magic system. It’s clearly explained and easy to follow. I liked the urban setting that combined some technology aspects with old world things too.

Romance was, I don’t know if I can even call it rivals to lovers? There’s not actually any rivalry. Just a general miscommunication (not in a bad way) that gets solved pretty quickly that then leads to a romance. It has some sweet moments, but I wasn’t swept away with Nolan and Kasha like I wanted to be.

I enjoyed all of the found family and side characters too. There was a great tight knit bond between Kasha and her group and I am always here for unconditional support. There’s another small plot thing or two that I struggled with. I’m on the fence about continuing the series at this time.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: light
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, serial killer, sexual assault & rape (recounted), therapy sessions

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review

ARC Book Review: Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls #1) by Catherine Cowles

May 16, 2024May 4, 2024 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 366 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: May 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house.

He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.

Until he sees me shatter.

Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.

As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.

But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for my ARC!!

MY NEW OBSESSION.

I love the start of something new and this was an amazing starting point for the Sparrow Falls series. I was in love with Rhodes and Anson from the get-go and especially the way Anson used Rhodes nickname. I LOVE NICKNAMES.

And the plot was an enigma. I kept looking one way then the other trying to solve the case. Then I found myself up way too late because I NEEDED answers and the answers blind sided me in all the best ways. I love the way Cowles crafts the suspense aspects. It gives that look over your shoulder atmosphere, but mixed with all the heat of a couple falling in love.

I loved watching Rhodes and Anson break down walls and let each other in. The way they connected over the big and small things and every time Anson brought out his protective side. I was a swoony, puddle, tabbing all the moments kind of feral devouring this book.

I LOVE this family and am beyond excited to see the future stories in this small town.

Overall audience notes:

Romantic Suspense
Language: moderate
Romance: 3+ open door
Violence: moderate-high
Content Warnings: serial k!ller, gun violence, near death experiences, car accident, loss of family, arson

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review

Book Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons #4) by Julia Quinn

May 16, 2024April 23, 2024 GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 472 pages
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 1st, 2002
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On the sixth of April, in the year 1812 – precisely two days before her sixteenth birthday – Penelope Featherington fell in love. But Colin Bridgerton certainly didn’t fall in love with her in 1812 (and not in 1813, 1814, 1815, or – oh blast, not in all the years 1816-1822, either, and certainly not in 1823, when he was out of the country the whole time, anyway). Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?

I LOVED THIS?

I didn’t know what to expect going in (other than the trailers for S3), lo and behold, I found this friends to lovers fantastic. It had a sweet and swoony vibe and I love how the unrequited love became an all consuming romance.

I loved the care that Colin gave to Penelope over man facets of the plot and how Penelope learned to truly shine as herself. I loved seeing the whole Bridgerton family again and all the moments between just the family members.

It’s a great audiobook, and I loved the way Colin hadn’t even realized just how deep in love he was. It has the great slow quality and then BAM, Colin is head over heels just as we know Penelope always has been.

Overall audience notes: