Book Review: Morbidly Yours (Love in Galway #1) by Ivy Fairbanks

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 328 pages
Author: Ivy Fairbanks
Publisher: Lassen Press
Release Date: July 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner and a movie. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business and carry on their legacy under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. So it’s out of the mortuary and into the dating scene.

Lark Thompson would rather get crushed by a falling anvil than stay next to a funeral home during her stay in Galway, Ireland. The vivacious American cartoon creator and animator came here to embrace life, not be reminded of losing her husband.

When Lark learns of Callum’s dilemma and aversion to marrying out of necessity rather than love, she agrees to help the introverted mortician. Although sworn off love herself, she is optimistic that Callum can find The One and secure his inheritance.

But as the dating project progresses and their friendship grows, so does a mutual attraction. The more time she spends with serious, sarcastic Callum, the more she dreads finding him a match. And the more disastrous dates he endures, the more he dreads Lark’s imminent return to the states.

If they think it’s possible to ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

I LIKED THIS!

This was my first book by this author and it was a good read. I loved the audiobook too and thought the narrators did a great job with the accents. The general set up of this book is not one I’m drawn to (because death terrifies me) BUT, I loved the way this was handled and discussed throughout. I had no anxious moment from listening and loved seeing Callum’s perspective throughout.

I loved how these two slowly came together. There’s a building friendship that spirals into more and I loved how Callum and Lark grew to communicate with each other and be the sense of peace they needed. I do think the spice got to be a little much for me in the second half (but hey, if you love spice, read it).

There were a few things that bugged me throughout and the third act wasn’t my favorite. It’s a good book though and I might look into reading the next one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted), discussions around death

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Book Review: Let You Love Me (Boys of Riverside #5) by Gracie Graham

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 601 pages
Author: Gracie Graham
Publisher: Self Publishing
Release Date: June 30th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first time I met Lane Turner was a stroke of fate.
The second time was a slap in the face. Turns out, she’s my coach’s daughter, completely off-limits. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting her.

Falling for Lane will be easy. Crashing through her walls, not as simple. When I find out she has a daughter? Complicated. But I’m anything if not determined, intent on dismantling the carefully constructed armor around her heart. Proving to her I’m more than just a college athlete is my number one mission in life. Showing her she’s worth it is a close second.

But everyone has their limits, the scars that bind them. Broaching the topic of her daughter’s father is a hard no. Lying is mine. So when her past comes knocking on my door in the form of retribution, I start asking questions. I’m ready to fight for us, but is she?

I FINISHED THE SERIES!

And this was a great book to end everything too. I adore Teagan and loved getting his story. I loved the college setting and all of the football content too. This book had me cheering on a love at first sight play that I wasn’t mad about one bit.

There’s the usual level of drama and chaos I’ve come to expect from this series and I loved the tangled web it wove. I was glued to my kindle waiting for that last shoe to drop and see everything hit the fan before being smoothed over. I will say that Lane frustrated me over one aspect where I thought her secrets were being held on to a little too long.

I enjoyed the swoon and heat from the romance and all of the really sweet moments with Sophie. I loved so many scenes and how they impacted the story and characters. It was fun getting to hear from the previous characters too and I will definitely be reading whatever Gracie Graham writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Sports Romance
  • Language: high (way too high, there were hundreds of f-bombs)
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content Warnings: teen pregnancy (recounted), hazing, physical altercations

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ALC Book Review: Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibanez

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Publisher: Saturday Books
Release Date: January 13th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A lush, atmospheric and achingly magical standalone adult fantasy romance set in Renaissance Italy from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent–a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden. Her revelation makes her a target, and she is kidnapped by the Luni family and taken to Florence, a city of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat ambition.

There, Ravenna is forced into an impossible task where failure means certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the family’s enigmatic and merciless heir. But under his cold reserve hides a vulnerability that draws her closer than she ever intended.

Meanwhile, Ravenna’s forbidden magic does not go unnoticed. The Pope, waging war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself, has his own interest in her abilities, seeing her as a potential weapon in his ruthless campaign.

As alliances shift and war brews on the horizon, Ravenna must navigate the treacherous line between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. With time running out and her every move watched, the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just her own life, but the fragile balance of magic and power that could unravel Florence itself.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

A BIT OF A STRUGGLE.

Beautiful cover. A premise I was intrigued by. But the execution? Eh.

I’ll start off with a note that I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook. Alongside Ravenna’s POV are multiple others and they are kind of sporadic. It took me a bit to recognized that with the single narrator and then it got frustratingly annoying to try to catch the chapter title to figure out who was speaking. I will concede I might have liked this more as an ebook/physical.

I do think the second half was better (probably a product of me finally figuring out a few world building things). The immortals avenue worked for me, though I’m not sure the presence of other beings (vampires, fae, etc.) were totally necessary.

The romance didn’t work for me and I didn’t feel that connection to it I was hoping to grasp. They had some sweet moments at least.

Once again, I do think it turns back to the audio issues I had. I’ll still read another book by this author even if this one didn’t quite work for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: moderate+
  • Content warnings: blood/gore, death, imprisonment

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Book Review: Our Deadly Designs (The Dark Descent #2) by Kalyn Josephson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kalyn Josephson
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Shadows Between Us meets The Scorpio Races in the epic conclusion to NYT bestselling Kalyn Josephson’s This Dark Descent, called “a fierce and darkly magical thrill ride” by acclaimed author Ava Reid.

The Illinir may be over, but the race for Enderlain’s future has just begun. The hunt for the old king’s lost heir is on, and the first to find them will win the throne.

Mikira has allied herself with the rebels in pursuit of the lost heir, but the deeper her search takes her, the closer she gets to the royal family’s wicked past.

Ari is struggling to control her own growing power as she grapples with a dark secret that may be her undoing — and the truth behind Damien’s greatest foe.

Damien, the new head of House Adair, joins the race to find the heir and secure the crown. But as his influence at court grows, so does his paranoia and hunger for power.

Reid is trying his best to stay true to the friend who’s always had his loyalty — and the flame who has his heart — while trapped in a web of chaos and lies.

But a darker force is festering in Enderlain’s underbelly, and Mikira, Ari, Damien, and Reid will need to find a way back to each other — and themselves — before the kingdom is torn apart. Hearts will be broken and new bonds will be forged in this explosive finale to This Dark Descent, where spellbinding fantasy meets Jewish mythology in a cut-throat race for the throne — and Enderlain’s survival.

SO BORED.

I don’t even feel like writing this review because I don’t have much to say. I wanted to enjoy this because I really liked book one but goodness, I could not get into it. I would have listened faster than 3x if I could have.

The plot drags and I became increasingly uninterested in the characters, the romance and everything in between.

I will say the audiobook narrators are great. No issues there and if you were going to try it, go that route. I just can’t recommend this overall as something to pick up. There’s a lot better YA fantasy out there.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kissing
  • Violence: moderate

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