Book Review: The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 640 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: July 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“The light cannot always overcome the dark. But it can rise to meet it.”

Against all odds, Casia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters alike, and the most powerful crown in the Kethran Empire is now securely in her grasp. Yet a seemingly impossible task still looms: finding a way to rid her world of its darkest god so she actually has a future to rule over.

The path to sealing that god away has been revealed, but to follow it will mean venturing into a deadly and strange new realm, facing old fears and enemies, and deciphering ancient magic that raises more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, chaos continues to spread throughout the empires. Armies rise and fall. The bonds between allies begin to fray—and hope along with it. And with every bloody battle, the final cost of saving their world becomes clearer.

Dawn is coming, but will Casia and her friends survive to see the new day?

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I luckily caught that this was out early on audio and took immediate advantage of seeing how this series came to a close. And I enjoyed it!

I’ve always loved the relationship between Elander and Casia. They’re still one of my favs and there were many sweet moments and a few scenes I didn’t know I wanted and melted me into a puddle.

There’s PLENTY of action and battle scenes. Filled with a sense of what those meddling gods are going to do next. I liked most of this and thought certain character arcs ended where they needed to.

I feel like I was missing that last little connection to give a five star. Something was just holding me back. I still sincerely loved this series and recommend!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open; low/moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, loss of life, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 13th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

Thank you LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

HIT ME IN THE FEELS.

I wasn’t expecting this book to hit on so many personal things in my own soul. As someone who’s always struggled to connect and make lasting friendships, I could not get enough of Isadora’s journey and loved seeing her grow and struggle and ultimately find the happiness she had been searching for.

It’s not heavy on the romance, but it is there, and it is SWEET. I adored the relationship and even with the third act break-up, it worked. I loved all of the sweet, soft moments and how they learned to be there for each other.

And I LOVED all of Isadora’s new friends, young and old. It was absolutely heart-warming and made me misty eyed over and over again.

The audiobook was stellar and I’m so grateful I got to listen to that option.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of a loved one (side character), an emotionally manipulative/gaslighting ex, strained parental relationship

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Book Review: A Duet with the Siren Duke (Married to Magic #4) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 554 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: August 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She sold her soul to a siren and now he’s come to collect.

Victoria risks everything to leave a dangerous marriage and gain a second chance at life. But when her escape goes awry, she finds herself caught in the strong embrace of a mysterious siren, forced to choose: temporary salvation or immediate death.

And so, a cursed deal is struck.

Five years later, Victoria is alive—and the world’s finest ship captain. But her debt to the siren looms while her conniving ex has demanded a king’s ransom as the final price of her freedom. Victoria refuses to cause her family to suffer any more on her behalf, and is determined to make things right before her time is up. But that time is cut short.

The siren comes for her. Six months early.

Taken to the magical and deadly Eversea, home of the sirens, Victoria discovers she’s the sacrifice upon which all sirens pin their hopes. If they want to appease an angry god and save a world on the brink of destruction, then they need her. Which gives her the perfect leverage.

Victoria strikes a new bargain: the Siren Duke will help save her family, and she’ll fulfill his demands. It’s a good bargain until a flicker of passion ignites in the scarred remnants of Victoria’s heart, threatening all she’s worked for. As the sacrifice for the God of Death, she’s meant to give up everything that draws her to the world of the living. But that’s impossible when all she can think about is how this handsome siren’s song, and his hands, make her feel very much alive.

In a realm of ancient magic, submerged secrets, and forgotten gods, can love find a place among shattered hearts as they race against time and the blossoming of forbidden desires? Or will the delicate songs of their hearts be silenced once and for all?

A Duet with the Siren Duke is a complete, *stand alone novel*. It’s for readers looking for a fantasy romance with deep lore, second-chance love, sacrifice, forbidden and slow-burn romance that sizzles on the page, and a happily ever after where love triumphs over all.

While it is set in the Married to Magic universe, readers can start with this book as all Married to Magic novels are stand alones.

GREAT STANDALONE.

I feel like I’m always on the hunt for great fantasy standalones. They are a dime a dozen and I love that I can add this one to my recommendation list. It’s an enjoyable read with all of the Little Mermaid vibes, but darker and more romantic and with amazing characters too.

The romance increasingly grew on me over the book. I loved how Ilryth and Victoria worked together to solve the problems of the Eversea. I loved watching them have the difficult conversations and lean on each other through the harder times and dealing with past trauma.

I did think the plot dragged for me a little bit. Some scenes or intentions were pulled along and I was ready to get things rolling. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about the ending either. There were some aspects I enjoyed and others that have me feeling mixed. The characters really sold this book for me and I look forward to the next one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open; low-moderate explicit
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, losing memories, healing from past truama of a previous marriage

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ARC Book Review: How to Kiss a Movie Star (Hawthorne Brothers #4) by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 325 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s Hollywood’s biggest star. She wouldn’t know him from the pizza delivery guy.

I’m a wildlife biologist in a tiny mountain town, not some kind of law-breaking celebrity stalker. At least not on purpose.

It was an accident when I wandered onto the property of one of Hollywood’s hottest movie stars. Five minutes ago, I’d never even heard of Flint Hawthorne. I definitely didn’t know he lives in Silver Creek.

When I’m detained for trespassing, the last thing I expect is to trade my handcuffs for a designer gown. All I wanted was permission to conduct my research on a remote corner of his estate.

Now I’m walking the red carpet of a Hollywood movie premiere as Flint’s (very fake) girlfriend.

At least, the relationship is supposed to be fake. But the way he slips his arm around me, his breath tickling my ear, the chemistry feels like something real.

The trouble is, I’m not really built to handle his fast-paced celebrity life. Most days, I prefer the company of squirrels to people. I should be glad we’re only pretending.

I’m just not sure my heart got the memo.

Perfect for fans of swoony romantic comedy, this series finale from bestseller Jenny Proctor hits all the right notes!

Books in the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series are connected but can be read in any order.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

MY NEW FAVORITE EVER.

I don’t know how to be coherent when I really want to shout I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH GO READ IT RIGHT NOW. It was everything I could have hoped for in closing out this series and I am a puddle of emotions over the ending.

FLINT AND AUDREY. I think what really sells me on an amazing romance is when I love the characters separate AND together. The chemistry was well timed and the banter was on point. AND HE FELL FIRST. AND FELL HARD. Oh my gosh, Flint Hawthorne. And I adored Audrey. She was brave and so very brilliant and I love how these two opposites came together.

The plot had all of the little moments I could have hoped for. And while being closed door/sweet it still brought that little bit of heat you could feel burning off the pages. I love an intense kiss scene and this one had multiple. And the third act was beautifully and realistically handled and I’m all in my feels again just writing this review.

Not to mention I LOVE the whole Hawthorne family. Getting to see where they are, the text conversations and just the SUPPORT.

I love Jenny Proctor’s books! Incredibly excited to see what’s next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: unwanted grabbing, harassment by media

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