Book Review: The Ever King (The Ever Seas #1) by L.J. Andrews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 408 pages
Author: L.J. Andrews
Publisher: Victorious
Release Date: September 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter…

For years Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

Welcome to the passionate world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates, sirens, and fae collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a villain and the innocent princess who holds his heart.

*Please note: This series is set in the same world as the bestselling Broken Kingdoms series, but can be read independently, and readers are encouraged to read the list of triggers inside*

MY NEW OBESSION.

Holy cow. I LOVED THIS BOOK Y’ALL. It was dark and gruesome and full of all the things that make me love dark fantasy romances. This is the one to pick up.

I looooved how the romance was written. The fated sense, the enemies banter, the I just can’t stop coming near you, AH. ALL OF IT. I was a puddle of a person highlighting just about everything Erik said to Livia. Both were compelling characters that really set that opposites attract to flame.

The world building and magic system was fantastic and I was obsessed with the whole pirate theme. And the whole crew?? Loved them. Loved them all. There were just enough secrets being held and plenty uncovered and some of those closing scenes had me gasping.

NEED BOOK TWO LIKE AIR.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dark fantasy romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 704 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: August 23rd, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider. Ages 12+.

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

MONTAGE.

This book felt like one really long movie montage where you see the main character, aka the chosen one, go from being horrible at everything to finally knowing how to wield a sword and fly a dragon and hey, Eragon even got a glow up.

I think I would have liked this less if I was physically/digitally reading it. The audiobook (at 3x) kept things moving well and got me to the plot progression moments I needed. I do like Eragon and can see the growth of his character and his relationship with Saphira.

The ending had some good reveals and that makes me curious for the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: bad flirting
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: A Groom of One’s Own (Appies Series) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Sports Romance
Length: 345 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He always dreamed of getting married–but for love, not to avoid deportation.

Eli Hopkins has it all–almost. A hockey career with the wildly popular Appies. Teammates who are like brothers. The only thing he’s missing is someone to share it all with. Oh–and correctly filed visa paperwork. Due to administrative error, Eli is about to lose everything. Unless he can find someone to marry him in the next thirty days. And he might have the perfect woman in mind. The only problem? He’d like to marry her for real, not simply for legal purposes. Now Eli faces the challenge of winning over a wife who thinks the marriage is in name only …

A Groom of One’s Own is a closed door marriage of convenience hockey romcom with heart and humor, sizzle but NO spice. Perfect for fans of sports romance who want a little less heat. This book connects to Just Don’t Fall & Absolutely Not in Love from the Sweater Weather series, but all books can be read as standalones.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SO TENDER.

I love the way Emma St. Clair books make me feel. They are the right balance of heart and humor that make me smile and swoon. I love the kissing scenes and the characters and the way the plot works out with each story and this was no exception.

I adored Eli and Bailey. All the stars for getting dual POV. I loooved how Eli was the best kind of golden retriever MMC. Heart on his sleeve, big feelings and all the protectiveness. Good heavens I couldn’t get enough of him. And Bailey? Loved her too. I loved her shyness but willingness to be bold and open to her relationship and situation.

With just the right level of hockey content and omg a jersey moment, y’all know I LOVE JERSEY MOMENTS. And this whole group of hockey players/friends? AH I LOVE THEM ALL. The wedding scene was sweetest, softest moment and I’m still a melted puddle of those longing looks and heated kisses. And now I’m obsessing over many other scenes and y’all just need to read this one ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Sports Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (past), grandmother with dementia (on page), mom with chronic illness (on page)

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Book Review: Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Urban Fantasy Retelling
Length: 297 pages
Author: S.C. Grayson
Publisher: City Owl Press
Release Date: January 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Most London socialites dream of marrying for love or status, but Contessa’s wedding is about justice—and revenge.

Nathanial Woodrow is known on the streets of London as the Beast, leader of the fearsome Lion gang who mark their victims with three slashes on their face. Since her mother was found dead with the signature slashes years ago, Contessa has wanted nothing more than to see her murderer brought to justice. However, the Beast has been impeccable at maintaining his façade as the high society Mr. Nathanial Woodrow, and nobody has been able to gather enough evidence to convict him. When the Beast unexpectedly asks Contessa’s father, the Chief of the Royal Police, for her hand in marriage, Contessa and her father hatch a plan to bring him down from the inside.

As Contessa enters the lion’s den in search of evidence to convict the Beast, she finds that not everything is as she once thought. Her father’s work, hunting down Talented that use their magic to rule the criminal underworld, is thrown into question with each glimpse of the kind-hearted man beneath the mask of a hardened gang leader. As Contessa navigates her search for justice, she finds herself questioning what side she’s really on, and why she finds herself drawn to a man she’s supposed to hate.

NOTHING NEW.

This book was honestly completely fine. But that’s also all I can really say about it. I have no raging issues to throw down nor do I have anything that I felt like was the best ever. So while it might be middle of the road for me it might be a better read for you.

It’s very easily a Beauty and the Beast retelling. A little too similar for me. Yet once again that was my thought about it, if you love a pretty true rundown this would be a great pick. I liked the characters and that Contessa confronted her own thoughts and feeling about Nate. She was open to changing her mind when she received new information and that’s something I appreciate with characters.

This is NOT a fantasy. I’d say urban fantasy or something akin to magical realism. It’s set in London and the magic system isn’t well explained but there do seem to be people with “talents” that help with random things? That was never full explained. I did like the London/Regency setting and time period.

The relationship is good overall too. The enemies to lovers isn’t full blown and they do take the time to get to know one another before forming ALL opinions. There was a nice ending that wrapped things up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: one brief open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: executions, physical altercations, kidnapping children, weapons violence

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