Book Review: The Serpent and the Wolf (Dark Inheritance Trilogy #1) by Rebecca Robinson

December 29, 2025December 18, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Rebecca Robinson
Publisher: Saga Press
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy and Thea Guanzon, Rebecca Robinson’s thrilling romantasy debut combines high-stakes political intrigue and a steamy, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance.

All her life, Vaasa Kozár has been sharpened into a blade.

After losing her mother—her only remaining parent—to a mysterious dark magic that has since awakened within her, Vaasa is certain death looms. So is her merciless brother, who aims to eliminate Vaasa as a threat to his crown. In one last political scheme, he marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler, in hopes that he can use her death as a rallying cry to finally invade Reid’s nation. All Vaasa has to do is die.

But she is desperate to live. Vaasa enters her new marriage with every intent to escape it, wielding the hard-won political prowess and combat abilities her late father instilled in her. But to her surprise, Reid offers her a deal: help him win the votes to rise in power, and she can walk free. In exchange, he will share his knowledge about the dark magic running through her veins—and help keep it at bay.

This proposal may be too good to refuse, yet Vaasa and Reid’s undeniable attraction threatens to break the rules of their arrangement. As her brother’s lethal machinations take form, everything is at stake: Vaasa must learn to trust her new husband, but how can she, especially when their perfect political marriage begins to feel like the real thing?

SO FUN.

This is another one of those romantasy books that I don’t look too hard into and enjoy all the more. It’s chaos but it’s also marriage of convenience and that’s my favorite so of course I read it. I loved the anger and passion between Vaasa and Reid. It feels perfectly gritty for the setting and the slow burn burns well.

There’s probably a few plot intricacies that were a bit lost. I feel a fantasy romance needs a stable plot and while spice didn’t overwhelm the plot, it was too far in the background that I would get lost occasionally between all of the politicking.

But, I’m in love with the whole romance dynamic and will absolutely be needing to get my hands on book two. The audiobook was fantastic and I’m glad I took a chance on this one.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: open door
Violence: high

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Book Review: Ruin the Friendship by K. Sinko

December 27, 2025December 2, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: K. Sinko
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: November 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It was just one kiss. It wouldn’t ruin their friendship at all. Or so they thought.

Samantha Carter knew it was all her fault; she was the reason they even kissed in the first place. So when her older brother Jeff made her promise to stay away from his best friend, she agreed. She loves her brother, and would never want to do anything to hurt him. But if that truly were the case, why can’t she stop Nico from pulling her into a dark corner at the pub the night before Thanksgiving after years of staying away?

It’s been four years since Nicolas Giuliano kissed Sam, and he’s done everything he can to try and forget about it. What started out as a joke that night quickly shifted into something far more, and it obliterated his sixteen year friendship with his best friend. Now he’s home for the holidays and Jeff wants to make things right. Yet all of that hard work to fix his friendship and forget about Sam instantly crumbles at the sight of her standing in front of him after so long.

Sam knows she should listen to her brother. Nico knows his wounded friendship with Jeff is still fragile. And yet…under the magical spell of New York City during the holidays, the two of them can’t resist the magnetic force that ruined their friendship in the first place.

THIS WAS A HOLIDAY ROMANCE?

I wish that had been more clear from the things I’ve seen about this book because I think it would find its audience on that avenue. There were holiday parties, a celebration of Christmas, being snowed in and more. I could easily call this a holiday romance, so if you’re looking, here you go!!

This book was pretty good. I found it easy to read and with a pace that kept me interested. I love having dual POV and seeing just how down bad Nico truly was for Samantha. There were many genuinely good romantic moments between them that brought the swoon factor I adore.

I did nooooot like the term of endearment, baby girl (and I’m a fan of good use of the word baby in most scenarios).

Another book from K. Sinko that I enjoyed and I can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

Holiday Romance
Language: mild
Romance: 2 open door
Violence: low

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Book Review: Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas by Claire Cain

December 26, 2025December 18, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 284 pages
Author: Claire Cain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My cheery little life was chugging along smoothly until one small shift sent it off track until it imploded. I lost my health, my business plans, and even my apartment—Merry Christmas to me! It’s at this low point Colonel Gruff, a man I know dislikes me, finds me.

He’s the grumpy soldier with a personality like sandpaper, but suddenly he’s offering me a solution to my problems I can’t say no to, and in a matter of weeks, I’m Mrs. Colonel Gruff.

I’m giving him what he needs too—a wife for the holidays. We’ll play pretend for his family, and even though he hasn’t said why, I know convincing them is important. And though this is all part of the agreement, those sugar plum fairies dancing around in my chest every time he gets close aren’t part of the deal.

I’m not ready to give up mistletoe kisses with my fake husband, or this glimpse of his secret soft side. But we’re only married for the holidays. I can’t keep him—even if he’s all I want for Christmas.

Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas is a closed door romance without implied intimacy.

MISSING SOME CHEMISTRY.

I thought this was a sweet marriage of convenience romance (and I love a MOC trope). But I did struggle with the chemistry between the main couple. I wanted to feel more passion by the time those closing chapters were coming around and I don’t think it ever hit that level.

The holiday aspects were good and I adore forced proximity so there were many enjoyable moments throughout. I liked the characters well enough too and did think they got along well. I was tired of hearing Gruff talk about his ex-wife though (I understand a few mentions, but this seemed constant).

So I don’t know, kind of a mixed bag for me on this read. I’m glad it was a quick story at least and I still like CC’s books. This one just missed a few marks for me.

Overall audience notes:

Christmas Romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door

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Book Review: The Holiday Club by Ashley Manley

December 24, 2025December 12, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 203 pages
Author: Ashley Manley
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s lost the holidays she loved. He never wanted them in the first place. But this Christmas, everything could change.

Hollis Hartwell lives for parades on Main Street, matching pajamas, and small-town holiday magic—until a custody agreement hands every Christmas and town festival to her ex-husband. Now, with her magazine column on festive traditions looming and her heart anything but merry, Hollis is desperate for a new way to celebrate.

Enter Jay Randall. A rugged nonconformist who’d rather spend December riding a horse and buggy with his oddball best friend than decking any halls. When Hollis barges into their anti-Christmas plans hoping to prove that traditions matter, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sparks fly, beliefs are challenged, and amid beertending and unexpected pear trees, Hollis begins to wonder if the best traditions are the ones you create for yourself.

(please note, this title contains explicit language and romance)

OOOH I LOVED THIS.

Who knew that this charming novella would find its way to me this season and totally light up my day? I mean, it does kind of gut punch you in the beginning, but stay the course!!

I think as a parent, the sentiments surrounding creating the “perfect” holiday season and trying to accomplish all the things is what sang to me most. Understanding and realizing what’s actually important and what your children are truly noticing.

And I liked the romance!! For a novella I thought the slow burn was honestly pretty good. It gets a touch spicy for me, but easy to skip over. I loved the unconventional gang between Jay, Marv and Hollis. The core themes of this book just really spoke to me and I devoured this one.

Overall audience notes: