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ARC Book Review: Whispers of You (The Lost & Found #1) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 334 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One night—a single bullet—cost me everything.

My body, broken beyond repair. The boy I’d thought was my forever. The life I’d always dreamt of.

Now, Holt’s back. And he’s no longer a boy, but a man with shadows in his eyes and demons haunting him.

He says he’s here to make things right. To get back a little bit of all we’ve lost. And he doesn’t show any signs of leaving the small town that has been my refuge.

As stolen moments turn to days, Holt’s around every corner. With his burning stare and lingering touches. Before long, my walls come crashing down and I’m just hoping that taking this second chance isn’t as reckless as it feels.

But not everyone is happy that Holt has returned. As tragedy strikes again, I’m the one left in the crosshairs. And Holt might not be able to save me this time…

Thank you to the author for an ARC and ALC.

SO GOOD.

Audiobook review: I was fortunate to receive an audio copy as well and I loved it!! The narrators did a fantastic job and there was a seamless speed between the dual POV.

Wow does this book start off with the dark notes. I was captured from the prologue and excited to dive into this romance. The tension and angst were perfectly applied to this second chance romance between Holt and Wren.

I adored both of these characters. I liked that I felt everything from frustration about decisions to joy at confessions. A great spectrum of character growth and hope in a brighter future. I felt the love between them from the beginning and that both could not let the other go. I anxiously awaited the moment when they crashed together and found the solace they had been after for 10 years.

And the suspense?? Oh my goodness. Generally, I’m pretty good at figuring out who the bad guy is, and while I had an inkling I was still SHOCKED when they walked on page as the true antagonist. The best kind of drama.

This book just had it all. Plenty of alpha protectiveness, strong FMC, gripping page turner and more. I am already next level excited for Nash’s story next!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: three brief open; medium explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple acts of gun violence, kidnapping, grief, trauma

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Book Review: The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Lauren Asher
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 8th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rowan
I’m in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don’t get happy endings.
Not when we’re destined to ruin them.

Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything.
Especially not us.

THOUGHTS.

In all honesty I would probably give this book three stars, but it was compulsively readable and that to me, deserves the extra star. For a big contemporary, I flew through it. Felt invested enough and at least it had a good ending.

I thought a lot of the innuendo was poorly done. It felt randomly placed and unnecessary? That might be a me thing, but I like it all to flow and this felt like some sentences were added for “spice” and that’s a big nope from me. It’s steamier overall than I usually go for. It is easily skippable and isn’t until the second half.

The grump and sunshine trope was on point though. I loved the juxtaposition between these two and the continual collisions that brought them together. I thought Rowan exhibited a ton of growth through his thick skull as this story progressed. Wanted to shake him a few times, but it’s all part of the process. Zahra was fantastic. A heroine I could easily get behind. I liked that she always stood up for herself and had a great sense of optimism.

Plot wise, I found it fun to be whisked away into a billionaire’s world. All of the things Rowan could do at the drop of a hat that I couldn’t fathom. Oh the fun of reading! Things weren’t always realistic and I like that necessary suspension for a romance. A good read, I think I’ll try the next book and see how I feel there.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: three explicit open door + innuendo
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: suicidal ideation recounted, death of a parent recounted

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Book Review: Children of Ragnarok (Runestone Saga #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy / Retelling
Length: 544 pages
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Balzer + Bay
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sweeping adventure, breathtaking twists of fate, and immersive worlds based in Norse mythology are woven into this first volume of the Runestone Saga, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Realms and Shattered Realms series.

Ever since Ragnarok—the great war between the gods and the forces of chaos–the human realm of the Midlands has become a dangerous place, bereft of magic, where most lead lives of desperation.

Sixteen-year-old Eiric Halvorsen is among the luckier ones. Between fishing, going vikingr, and working his modir’s farm, the family has remained prosperous. But Eiric stands to lose everything when he’s convicted by a rigged jury of murdering his modir and stepfadir. Also at risk is his half-systir, Liv, whose interest in seidr, or magic, has made her a figure of suspicion. Then a powerful jarl steps in: He will pay the blood price if Eiric will lead a mission to the fabled Temple at the Grove—the rich stronghold of the wyrdspinners, the last practitioners of sorcery.

Spellsinger, musician, and runecaster Reggin Eiklund has spent her life traveling from town to town, performing at alehouses all for the benefit of her master, Asger, the fire demon she is desperate to escape. Then after one performance that amazes even Reggin herself, two wyrdspinners in the audience make her an irresistible offer: return with them to the temple to be trained in seidr, forever free of Asger.

Eiric, Liv, and Reggin’s journeys converge in New Jotunheim, the site of the Temple at the Grove, a paradise fueled by magic. They soon realize that a great evil lurks beneath the dazzling surface, and that old betrayals and long-held grudges may fuel another cataclysmic war. It will require every gift and weapon at their command to prevent it.

GREAT SERIES STARTER.

I have missed reading Chima’s books!!! I am a super fan of the Seven Realms series and I was so happy to get my hands on her newest saga.

This had all of the hallmark things I love about YA fantasy and all the things I needed to feel convinced to get my hands on the next book. I love all of these characters and the background and layout we have for them. It’s a full cast with multiple points of view and a wonderfully woven storyline that I can’t wait to see further connections arise.

I loved the mythology aspects and Nordic lore. It has the epic vibes of an the best kind of reading escapism. They’re a lot of characters that I can’t wait to know more about. Eiric, Reggin, Liv and more. This book is scratching the surface of what’s going to be an intense ride.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, near death experiences, physical altercations, weapons altercations, small scale battles

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Book Review: Lightfall (The Starchaser Saga #4) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 478 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 15th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fight for alliance has just begun.

Scarred and shaken by months of imprisonment, Princess Cistine Novacek takes the newest battlefield before her: Valgard’s treacherous political landscape. With her cabal at her side, she faces the daunting task of healing from her trauma and securing the treaty her kingdom needs…while in the shadows, sinister threats arise.

A kingdom away, Ashe and Maleck walk a tenuous line. It’s dangerous enough convincing Mahasar’s Mad King of a treaty that doesn’t yet exist – harder still while battling their own specters and the disastrous attraction growing between them. The future of both kingdoms rests in the hands of two warriors who were once sworn enemies; if they can’t learn to be something more, together and apart, war may come before Cistine fulfills her mission.

Alliances shift. Old and new enemies storm the gates. Healing comes at a cost. And with their own fears threatening everything they hold sacred, the cabal must learn how to trust one another with an unshakable faith.

Nothing less will survive the coming storm.

BEAUTIFUL.

Vague review to keep spoilers away.

This was a gorgeous middle book filled with some necessary healing and loving scenes that I was swooning left and right over. I loved many many moments and even highlighted some quotes (I’m terrible at remembering to highlight parts I love).

The character development is as always, first and foremost in my mind and Lightfall brings it. I loooove seeing how these character continue to move forward from trauma and intensity of all the things that have happened.

I like how Cistine stays at the forefront of this group, but that each book seems to highlight another’s journey. This one followed Ashe the most and while I occasionally wanted to shake her, I’m so happy to see where she is now. The focus on therapy and speaking your truths is a theme throughout.

The PAIN of that ending though has me on pins and needles and I NEED ANSWERS.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, physical and magical altercations, battle themes, torture, loss of loved ones, PTSD, mentions of rape and sexual assault

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