Category: Book Review

Book Review: Tarnished Crown (The Lochlann Feuds #2) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 354 pages
Author: Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 23rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rowan was finally going to do something right.

Marry for love and for her kingdom. Keep her people safe. Until an archaic law enslaved her to the most feared man in all of Socair, a man who treats her like a pawn and calls her his pet.

But when enemies emerge from unexpected places, she’s forced to realize that being Evander’s property might just be the only thing keeping her alive.

Can she fulfill her blood debt to Bear, even if it means losing Theo forever?

Even if it means sacrificing her heart?

A SEQUEL.

That’s mostly how I feel about this. A good, but meh, second book.

One of my bigger issues was how much more prevalent the love triangle turned out to be. I’m rarely a fan of those and this one was no different, especially because there’s only ONE CHOICE. It’s too obvious and it better be the case or I have wasted my time on this series.

I loved the general continuation of the story. Getting a little bit of a thicker plot with some villains starting to show themselves and more action to the clans. The fantasy world building side of this is still weak, yet it maintains an enjoyable fast paced style that it’s easy read through.

I’m so glad we got to see more Evander (he’s obviously my choice). I love seeing deeper layers to the complex and morally grey characters and this was no different. Engaging (and occasionally enraging), Evander and Rowan found some ground to stand on together.

Things were a bit silly at times (like the snow ball fights??). Personally I’m not a major fan of things like that in my reads unless it truly connects to the story and not as a filler scene to get to the next bigger moment. It is what it is and I do plan to continue with the third book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: little light
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: whipping (on page), kidnapping, attempted murder, near death experiences, loss of life, small battle scenes

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ARC Book Review: This Dark Alliance (The Curse of the Blessed #1) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 288 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 20th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An Heiress. An Assassin. A Quest for Vengeance.
They say if you want a job done properly, don’t do it yourself; hire a Blessed to do it for you.

When the kingdom of Erala found itself full of humans exceptionally talented in various arts, they were revered as saviors. Centuries later, they’re no more than slaves. For the right amount of gold, a Blessed can make you rich. It can build you a mansion. It can turn your debts to sums.

But when wealthy heiress Elynor of Bast arrives at the Sanctum of the Blessed, she isn’t looking for a tailor or a storyteller. She’s searching for a Blessed assassin.

It’s been months since anyone required Sharek’s murderous services. With Elynor’s contract, he sees a chance to be useful – and for freedom. But when the mark goes awry, Sharek and Elynor find themselves in possession of secrets that could lead their kingdom to war. In order to prevent it, a Blessed and his hirer must learn to work together-and in the journey, learn who they truly are.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

GREAT START.

Renee Dugan is one of my new indie author fantasy finds and I am so excited to start a new series by her! I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to future installments.

TDA is super fast paced and easy to move through. I thought the world building was handled well in the beginning to get a grasp of the dynamics and religious aspects that hold everything together. There’s a lot of differing opinions on how things should be done and I can’t wait to further see how those unravel and reshape.

I liked the dual POV main characters too. Sharek and Elynor both bring a plenty to the table and Dugan is known for creating amazing character arcs and I know these two are only in the beginning stages. I even see a hint at future romance??? Slow burns are my jam so I will wait it out!

Plot wise I wish a little more *something* occurred but that’s my only small complaint. It’s still engaging and I love the ease of Dugan’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, near death experiences, physical and magical altercations, loss of a parent, poisonings

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Book Review: The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Mia Sosa
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: April 5th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man is back with another hilarious rom-com about two strangers who get trapped in a lie and have to fake date their way out of it…

Just weeks away from ditching DC for greener pastures, Solange Pereira is roped into helping her wedding planner cousin on a random couple’s big day. It’s an easy gig… until she stumbles upon a situation that convinces her the pair isn’t meant to be. What’s a true-blue romantic to do? Crash the wedding, of course. And ensure the unsuspecting groom doesn’t make the biggest mistake of his life.

Dean Chapman had his future all mapped out. He was about to check off “start a family” and on track to “make partner” when his modern day marriage of convenience went up in smoke. Then he learns he might not land an assignment that could be his ticket to a promotion unless he has a significant other and, in a moment of panic, Dean claims to be in love with the woman who crashed his wedding. Oops.

Now Dean has a whole new item on his to-do list: beg Solange to be his pretend girlfriend. Solange feels a tiny bit bad about ruining Dean’s wedding, so she agrees to play along. Yet as they fake-date their way around town, what started as a performance for Dean’s colleagues turns into a connection that neither he nor Solange can deny. Their entire romance is a sham… there’s no way these polar opposites could fall in love for real, right?

GREAT READ.

And I daresay, better than the first.

This was a legit rom-com. I found myself laughing out loud so many times at the wild antics going down. THAT PARTY THOUGH. And other scenes really brought the smiles. Not to mention, amazing banter that I am alllllllways here for. Solange and Dean hit it out of the park with the chemistry between them. I LOOOVED the fake dating plotline. It added perfect forced proximity moments and actual dates they had to attend together. The sly touches, the STAIRWELL, one bed and more. A great romance all around.

The outside plot was stable for the story too. I liked that Solange was exploring her career options and where her past was colliding with what would be best for her future. Dean finally realizing love is cool and that he should definitely get on that train was on point too. I really enjoyed them on their own separate journeys, but with any awesome romance, I LOVED them together.

It’s a bit on the steamy side for me (but easily skippable). And truly one of those solid contemporary romance books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment recounted, cheating mentioned, alcohol consumption

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ARC Book Review: End of Story (End of Story #1) by Kylie Scott

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Kylie Scott
Publisher: Graydon House
Release Date: February 14th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling sensation Kylie Scott’s sexy, smart and unconventional opposites-attract love story looks at what happens when fate refuses to give up on what’s meant to be…

When Susie Bowen inherits a charming fixer-upper from her aunt, she’s excited to start living her best HGTV life. But when she opens the door to find that her contractor is none other than her ex’s best friend, Lars—the same man who witnessed their humiliating public breakup six months ago—she isn’t exactly eager to have anyone around whose alliance is with the enemy. But beggars can’t be choosers, and the sooner the repairs are done, the sooner she can get back to embracing singledom.

Things go from awkward to unbelievable when Lars discovers a divorce certificate hidden in a wall and dated ten years in the future—with both their names on it. It couldn’t possibly be real…could it? As Susie and Lars work to unravel the document’s origins, the impossibility of a spark between them suddenly doesn’t seem so far-fetched. But would a relationship between them be doomed before it’s even begun?

Thank you to the publisher for a finished copy.

PLOT HOLE.

I wish I could tell y’all what happens with that divorce certificate that was found hidden in a wall, because that felt like the biggest waste of time to me. An entirely huge plot hole in my mind that was never fulfilled.

The premise of this sounded cool. It’s what drew me in. You’re kind of thrown straight into the book without even the smallest build-up. I found my footing pretty quickly though and was initially charmed. House flipping is always fun, there’s a little of bit of mystery and intrigue, some grump x sunshine tropes. Things I’m into.

And then things I was not. The entire plot is boring. Nothing actually happens. It’s like reading about a very basic dating life. Throw in a bunch of random scenes of trying to figure out where the paper comes from and that’s it. That’s all I’ve got. There were a few dramatic points tossed in as well that also really didn’t service the plot either.

I was hopeful, and then those hopes were dashed.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3 open (med-high explicit)
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a family member, being hit by a car (minor injuries), being kissed without consent, physical altercations

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