ALC Book Review: Seek the Traitor’s Son (The Burning Empire #1) by Veronica Roth

May 21, 2026May 31, 2026 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor’s Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

WHO KNEW?

Reading a Veronica Roth book wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card because I swore to never read another after Allegiant. The power of friendship compelled me to try this one out and you know what? It went well. I will read the sequel. BUT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I QUIT FOREVER.

Anywho.

I loved the dystopian + magic vibes in this book. The fever idea was intriguing and the world building is grand. Some of it did get a bit confusing but hopefully that’ll shake out in the sequel. There were two POV’s that I’m unsure of why they were there? And that tends to bug me as a reader. I’m counting on a good explanation soon.

I did like the romance. The set-up felt more unique than the usual I’ve read and it’s got a good slow burn quality as well. The time jumps and flashback memories were a little meh for me. Actually the time jump didn’t bug me, the flashbacks did. I think that slowed down the pacing more than necessary in the dreaded middle zone.

The complicated relationships and character to character dynamics was the best part of this book. I like the non linear nature of these moments. Combining that with the dark world and intense clawing for survival and you’ve got a good book on your hands.

Also, the audiobook is great!! I love having multiple narrators for multiple POV’s and blessed be, that was here.

Overall audience notes:

Dystopian Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 2ish vague open door
Violence: high
Content warnings: war themes, blood/gore, loss of loved ones, imprisonment, deadly viruses

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Book Review: Love Sick by Deidra Duncan

May 20, 2026May 26, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Deidra Duncan
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

First year of residency is hell, and Grace Rose, a brilliant new OB-GYN resident, starts off in the deepest circle. Her social anxiety is on high alert after she discovers she’s battling a rumour that she slept her way into the program.

Um. False.

Grace sets the record straight by putting on her devil-red lipstick and putting her rude – and frustratingly handsome – co-resident, Julian Santini, in his place. But rumours take on a life of their own, and no amount of studiousness, or support from her co-residents, can course-correct her reputation. Ironic, given Grace hasn’t been physical with anyone since her ex broke her heart in med school.

Julian is exhausted from years of studying. Despite that, he’s determined to prove he deserves the residency position he narrowly landed. If only he could buckle down and concentrate. Instead, he’s preoccupied by the judgy girl grappling with an absurd rumour – a woman he unintentionally offended on day one.

Yeah, he put his foot in his mouth. But he has no interest in participating in the hospital’s frat house culture that continues to slut-shame Grace.

Stuck together as residents, Grace and Julian begrudgingly set aside their mutual hatred to focus on training, and as their attraction grows, the cracks in the thin ice between love and hate start to appear.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

The only reason I finished this was because I was on a solo road trip and needed something to listen to and this did the trick of keeping me awake because I had to see what would make me angry next.

A small side quest to say that I was really excited to pick this up because it was a doctor romance and I feel like I don’t come across medical romances a lot. I did learn about residency programs and the drama that can happen in a hospital so all of that was fine. Oh, and I liked the MMC well enough.

ANY WHO LET’S GET STARTED.

All of the “banter” and “heated exchanges” between Julian and Grace were cringey. I did not feel any of that enemies/rivals charm and instead was gritting my teeth anytime they talked to each other. And much of the dialogue made it seem like these characters were closer to teenagers than late 20’s medical doctors.

I really wish that Grace had shown more character growth. That showing up at 95% through the book is not it. If there had been some key moments where she stopped acting weak (and this is coming from someone who has social anxiety too) and started standing up for herself and took some time to work through some of her past I could have gotten on board. And some of the trauma seemed thrown in for shock rather than naturally woven in.

DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE THIRD ACT. ABSOLUTE NONSENSE.

I’m just not convinced these two ever made it to the epilogue.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 2-3 open door
Violence: low
Content warnings: workplace bullying and gossip, slut shaming, abusive relationships (recounted), misogyny, miscarriage, birth trauma, attempted assault

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Book Review: Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley

May 18, 2026May 25, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Alexandra Kiley
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: March 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

SCOT ON THE TRAIL!

Brooke Sinclair’s dream of being a published author derailed when she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh seven years ago. Now a ghostwriter, she sticks to other people’s stories. But when her college mentor Mhairi McCallister needs a co-writer for her memoir about Scotland’s most challenging trek, Brooke would do anything for the opportunity—including agreeing to hike the rugged Skye Trail for authenticity’s sake… not knowing the nature photographer who’ll join her is Jack Sutherland, the man who shattered Brooke’s writing career—and her heart.

Between getting sacked from the University and walking away from his family’s tour-guiding business to follow his photography dreams, Jack is desperate to prove he didn’t disappoint his family for nothing. And he can’t ignore his Aunt Mhairi’s final wishes for her memoir. Even if it means acting as guide and storyteller for the one who got away. Even if it means keeping secrets about Mhairi’s health.

As Jack and Brooke head into the solitude of the sweeping Scottish landscape, they’re forced to confront old feelings that haven’t disappeared with time. But can two weeks and eighty miles heal years of unspoken hurt and offer a second chance at the end of the trail?

I AM FRUSTRATED.

And honestly I am writing this review days after finishing and I can’t even think of the specifics because of how much I have blocked it out already.

The flashback chapters didn’t add anything for me. I was not swooning over the first chance they had in a relationship and by the epilogue I still wasn’t convinced this couple actually made it that far.

I watched many characters struggle with miscommunication and that took away from what I thought were originally good bones of the story. I am getting exhausted from how often I am coming across books with a main plot of miscommunication. It feels like a weak plot device for 85% of situations.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 3+ open door
Violence: low
Content Warnings: loved one with cancer

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Book Review: A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball

May 11, 2026May 20, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 223 pages
Author: Heidi Kimball
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: March 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin’s glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.

Edmund Fletcher thought he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?

GOT CAUGHT UP.

In the miscommunication. ACK. I wanted to love this and enjoyed it for the most part but the longer the book went on the more the lack of one single conversation that was desperately needed started to make me cranky.

I thought Edmund and Eleanor were both sweet. I always appreciate dual POV too. There’s some flashback chapters as well that lend to creating a better back story for the iciness that occurs at the beginning of the book. I thought the audiobook was great too.

So not my favorite HK books but I’ll still be reading whatever she writes next.

Overall audience notes: