Tag: audiobook

Book Review: I’m Gonna Get You Back by Elena Armas

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance Novella
Length: ~5 hours
Author: Elena Armas
Publisher: Spotify
Release Date: October 14th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Haunted by a stalker and the ashes of her career, Frankie Rossi travels to Vermont hoping for one last chance—but instead collides with the man she’s never been able to forget.

Once a celebrated suspense novelist, Frankie arrives at a small book convention carrying more secrets than she can bear. The last person she expects to see is Turner Reece—her brother’s best friend, her first love, and the man who still owns her heart…even if he’s engaged to someone else. But Turner has secrets of his own, and their reunion is charged with everything they’ve left unsaid: longing, regret, and a chemistry that refuses to stay buried.

As anonymous gifts turn sinister and a blizzard snows them in with Frankie’s stalker, the fragile hope she’s building with Turner is pushed to the edge. Can they finally claim the love they’ve both been running from—or will the darkness shatter their second chance?

From the bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception comes a gripping new novella—available only in audio.

NOT IT.

Well, as much as I was jumping to get to this, it let me down. It’s at least half spice and took over any form of a plot and I just got bored trying to skip to the actual story line.

And for this to be supposedly about a stalker? It is such a weak plot line and I think it had the potential for so much more.

I loved that it was duet narration, but that’s honestly about it.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance Novella
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: stalker

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Book Review: Reckless Refuge (Wrecked #4) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 326 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: May 11th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There were shadows I was running from.
Ones that haunted and taunted.
Ones that made it so I had no choice but to disappear.

I’d spent years hiding from the world.
My little island haven, the only assurance of safety.

It all changed the moment he showed up at my door.
The hint of pain in his eyes told me that something haunted him, too.
And I couldn’t help but be drawn closer.

But finding the person I needed most came with risks I never expected.
And when our ghosts find us again, neither of us may make it out this time.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.

I’m really into this series now and it’s been another good one! I loved the island setting and all the turmoil that found its way to the shore. Brody and Shay were reluctant to be in each other’s circles and I loved watching the walls crumble.

In this case, I did find the twists predictable. It’s pretty simple to follow from the beginning so I wasn’t as surprised when things went down.

Still a great read and I’m excited to finish the series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: parents murdered, PTSD, loss of loved ones, serial killer, panic attacks (on page), assault, psychopathic character

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Book Review: Mate (Bride #2) by Ali Hazelwood

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 457 pages
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

WELL.

Uh, Bride > Mate.

Honestly, I could leave the review at that sentence but I’ll continue a bit.

I DID LIKE THIS. It just didn’t have the same punch that Bride did and I will die on that hill. I love the fated mates trope and this worked for many scenes. But others? I kind of cringed a bit. The hyper focus on Serena and being in heat was not it. I’m sorry y’all. It was practically the only thing anyone could talk about ever and I just needed something more to the plot. Toss in a cult? Sure? I guess?

I loved seeing more of the friendship between Serena and Misery. They have a genuine friendship I can’t get enough of. And like I said, there were some great scenes between Serena and Koen. I just think the bones of the plot needed a different dynamic.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of life, loss of loved ones, a cult, kidnapping

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Book Review: Heir of Illusion (Verran Isles #1) by Madeline Taylor

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantasy
Length: 458 pages
Author: Madeline Taylor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 31st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An alliance between enemies. A weapon of untold power. And a bond that could rewrite fate.

Fall into the viral, propulsive dark romantasy everyone is reading. A fae assassin with the power of illusion, sworn to a king she despises. An enigmatic grim reaper, searching for freedom. Enemies collide in an unlikely alliance, brimming with desire and destruction.

She is not the pet they tamed.

Blessed with the power of illusion, Iverson Pomeroy has many tricks up her sleeve. However, none of them are a match for the enchanted collar at her throat that keeps her bound as assassin and mistress to a ruthless king. Forced to play the role of his obedient pet, she plots in secret to destroy him and claim the freedom she has always been denied.

She is the beast they let inside.

When a mysterious reaper, Thorne, arrives in the city with his sights set on the same weapon Ivy needs—the only artifact that can remove her collar—she must decide how far she’s willing to go.

And she will show no mercy.

With a tenuous alliance tying them together, Ivy learns there is more to her reluctant companion than meets the eye… He sparks her curiosity and ignites dangerous desires within her. But will the secrets they harbor destroy each other? And does it even matter, when anyone who so much as touches Thorne dies?

GREAT START.

I had a lot of fun with this one. I was confused for a bit on what was happening and I do think the world building stayed murky throughout. Not enough to deter me from picking up book two though.

I loved the audiobook. It’s duet narration which really made this cat and mouse game between the leads play off well. I liked the banter and heat. There’s a forbidden nature to it that I fell in love with and I’m excited to see how the romance continues.

It was very easy to pick and continue. I liked seeing some less common romantasy themes next to the usual suspects. It kept things interesting and brought out that yearning that I love so dearly. Also, y’all know I love a wild ending which this delivered!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: mentions of self harm, intense near death experiences, loss of life, attempted sexual assault, unwanted touching, emotional and physical abuse

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