Author: GoodeyReads

Book Review: Starlight (Angels of Elysium #3) by Olivia Wildenstein

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Urban/Paranormal Romance
Length: 488 pages
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: WildStone Publishing
Release Date: December 28th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ANGELIC FACT NUMBER 100: Having wings doesn’t make one noble; it simply makes one fly.

Naya and Adam have nothing in common. Besides black wings. The same birthday. And fathers who are as close as brothers.

But nothing else.

Sweet, diligent Naya has always abided by the rules. Arrogant, uncivil Adam has made it his life’s mission to break each one.

She is the beloved daughter of an archangel. He is the guilds’ resident bad boy . . . well, bad fletching.

When Naya thrusts herself in Adam’s life to request a place on his clandestine team of guardians, he turns her away. The last thing his unsanctioned squad needs is an archangel’s attention, and the last thing he needs is a bubbly, blonde distraction with a sinful voice and soulful eyes.

Problem is, Naya suddenly, and inexplicably, becomes the only thing he wants.

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I have really enjoyed this series. I read it over a month which is unusually fast for me to binge a completed trilogy. While there are some magical system gaps and I still have questions about world building, I had SUCH A GOOD TIME with the stories. It’s intense, and romantic and swoony and all the things.

Naya and Adam’s story has been a long time coming and I love the slow burn edge this book took. There’s a really good build up and I loooove Adam’s alpha side. I can’t help myself. Naya is a strong FMC and if you’re looking for a darker vibe, this book has it. The plot is dark and full of shocking things and it often kept me on the edge of my seat.

This feels like an underrated paranormal romance series. I am so happy I took the chance on it and for someone who’s not usually a paranormal fan this checked off many of my boxes. And they’re fantastic on audio!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door; high explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, medical experimentation, murder, high blood/gore depiction, physical and weapons violence

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Book Review: Seoulmates by Susan Lee

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Susan Lee
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.

But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs.

But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.

Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?

KIND OF LIKED.

I went up and down with this book way too many times. Maybe it was supposed to be like a K-drama? (I haven’t read one so I can’t attest to this, but that could be where I missed the full connection with this).

The relationship was pretty sweet and I liked the returning friendship vibes that blossomed into more. Hannah and Jacob were solid YA characters. Nothing flashy or anything outside what you’d expect, but they did the job.

Plot wise, it’s fine. I’ve read some others I’ve loved more with this same kind of vibes and this was a pretty straightforward set-up. It’s a cute story with some dramatic flair that might work well with others.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief fade to black

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Book Review: Back to Class (The Thornback Society #3) by Aspen Hadley

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Aryn Murphy loves her family and friends, sports, and teaching school. What she doesn’t love is all the wrong attention she receives from men who don’t know the first thing about her.

When her childhood friend Wesley moves to town and lands a job working at the same school where she teaches, she has the perfect idea – he can be the decoy that keeps all the men away while she focuses on her otherwise perfect life. After all, Wesley has always been someone she’s felt safe with.

Wesley Baker harbored a secret crush on Aryn in high school, and when he arrives at his new job to find Aryn there too, that crush comes raging back. Now she wants him to play the part of doting boyfriend by night, and forgotten coworker by day.

But he had enough of playing pretend all those years ago. This time, he’s looking to play a different game – one with high stakes, and the potential to make them both winners.

Back To Class is a kissing only, sweet and clean romcom, with all the swoon but no explicit content.

LOOOOVED.

First and foremost I have to talk about one of my favorite aspects of Aspen Hadley’s writing and the way she crafts a character. I love that we can see the flaws of her FMC’s. Aryn has things she needs to work on and issues that are weighing her down. And what I appreciate most is that when the conflict comes up in the end it doesn’t turn into miscommunication. It turns into an argument and talking and communicating needs and wants. Compromise and speaking with respect. IT IS MY FAVORITE. I love these kind of conversations and they make my heart absolutely melt.

I looooved the opposites attract, reverse jock/nerd tropes. They worked so well. I just adore Aryn and Wesley. The chemistry was continually flying and all of those little moments really added up to a wonderful romance. I love all of the friendships and family and traveling that happened. The volleyball games were fun and this book was a delight to read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: The Bones of Benevolence (Benevolence & Blood #2) by Lauren M. Leasure

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 455 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Reckoning, Retribution and Ruin

Petra’s entire life has just fallen apart and come together all in a single breath. Against her will, she’s been promised to the Rebel King, head of a bloodthirsty army amassed by force. But now that her true bloodline has been revealed, not everyone is content to sit idly by while her powers are abused in the name of conquest.

Meanwhile, King Belin struggles to reconcile a twisted past — and the part he played in it. As he moves forward from unimaginable grief, he realizes the only future he’s interested in is one with the woman he’s forbidden from loving.
As Petra uncovers what it means to be the daughter of the two most powerful beings in existence, she must learn to balance the weight of a crown she never asked for while learning to accept her life had never been her own to begin with.
Amid the chaos, the time looms near when Petra must come face to face with the force behind her life’s destruction — Lord Evarius Castemont.

Uncertain of what the future holds, Petra continues her crusade for the truth, praying to the Saints that salvation is waiting in the wings.

Unmask the thrilling second installment of the Benevolence & Blood Series

AMAZING SEQUEL.

I just don’t have any big notes on this and I’m all for the vibes of a great fantasy. So here’s five stars, please check out this series ASAP.

I looooved the way this was set-up. Getting to see Petra really come into her own as a Queen. It’s a bit of a stumble, back pedaling, and pushing forward that I love seeing in characters. I love the ups and down. Petra is full of fire and resentment and I thought it progressed amazingly well to see how she worked through heavy emotions and betrayals.

The romance is another major slow burn and I LOVED the way the author handled it. I really appreciate when I feel like physicality isn’t used to add pages, but to bring a couple closer together and move the plot forward. This was that case and I smitten with how things are working out and I can’t wait to see how they continue.

Miles has my whole heart (and I can’t wait for his novella!!!). This whole side cast has my heart in fact. It’s a well built world, I think the magic system and meddling gods is intriguing. There’s flashback chapters that actually provide necessary information and aren’t a waste whatsoever. I flew through this. Give me more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: heavy & strong
  • Romance: 2 open door; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, kidnapping, murder, major loss of life, battle themes, blood/gore depiction

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