Tag: audiobook

Book Review: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 560 pages
Author: R.F. Kuang
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: August 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two graduate students must set aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul, perhaps at the cost of their own.

Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality—her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world—that is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault.

Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands, and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams. Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the same conclusion.

NEW FAV.

I am quite confident this is my new favorite book from R.F. Kuang. The longer I listened the more entranced I became and I was enthralled by the whole story. And y’all know my romance loving heart loved that this had a HEA soft romance woven in!! I genuinely think it added to the story and showed off these characters in a new light. I loved that contrast to them diving into the depths of hell.

I found the story very intriguing. I loved the concept of traveling through Hell and seeing how that world was set-up. The different characters and situations Alice and Peter kept running into kept me glued to my headphones (loved the audiobook too).

The themes tackled in here were written incredibly well. It makes you ponder many different topics and I found multiple sentiments hit home. The only thing I wasn’t too sure on was why it was worth following Grimes. They leads did learn a lot along the way but the initial premise with Grimes didn’t feel as solid as it should.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses; light innuendo
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: animal cruelty, misogyny, su!cidal thoughts, chronic illness (Crohn’s Disease), sexual harassment, injury and near death experiences, classism, gaslighting

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Book Review: Entreat Me by Grace Draven

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 461 pages
Author: Grace Draven
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: December 16th, 2013
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Afflicted by a centuries-old curse, a warlord slowly surrenders his humanity and descends toward madness. Ballard of Ketach Tor holds no hope of escaping his fate until his son returns home one day, accompanied by a woman of incomparable beauty. His family believes her arrival may herald Ballard’s salvation.

…until they confront her elder sister.

Determined to rescue her sibling from ruin, Louvaen Duenda pursues her to a decrepit castle and discovers a household imprisoned in time. Dark magic, threatening sorcerers, and a malevolent climbing rose with a thirst for blood won’t deter her, but a proud man disfigured by an undying hatred might. Louvaen must decide if loving him will ultimately save him or destroy him.

A tale of vengeance and devotion.

ONE OF THE BETTER.

I don’t think I’ve read many Beauty and the Beast retellings lately (honestly, they haven’t charmed as of late), but this was recommend by a few friends and it delivered!!

This was easily one of the best retellings I’ve read for B&TB. I loved the expansion of the main idea, It was dark and gothic and the atmosphere was amazing. I loved the addition of characters and how the structure of the plot was crafted. It was easy to listen to and see how all the things came together.

I will say the spice took me out of the story a bit. I could skip an entire 30 minute chapter and not miss anything (so it is skippable), just bugged me.

It is a standalone and wraps up all of the things. I enjoyed the characters arcs and many things in between. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Grace Draven book and I’m grateful it did not disappoint.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Retelling
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ long open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: If Not for My Baby by Kate Golden

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Kate Golden
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s the duet of a lifetime when a rock star and his backup singer find a new kind of harmony off stage in this sensational contemporary romance.

Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life.

That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.

But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. The two couldn’t see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?

WELL LOOKIE HERE.

I liked this one y’all!!! I can bet you that the duet narration worked wonders on me and I highly recommend the audiobook path for this one. It is SUPREME.

And reading another celebrity romance?? WHO AM I. They are hitting so well lately and I think I’ve read five+ in the last month alone. I loved all of the touring and friendships and singing and passion. Thomas and Clementine had such a lovely dynamic and I loved seeing them together. I do think the spice jumped in a bit too early but it wasn’t the end of the world.

Because what really made me mad was the third act (and the FMC honestly frustrated me throughout). Past that nonsense is a strong romance that will have you feeling all the things.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), a mother with fibromyalgia, sexual harassment, mentions of drug/alcohol addiction

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Book Review: Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Danica Nava
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, author of The Truth According to Ember.

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

I was a wee bit hesitant to pick this one up but Y’ALL. REDEMPTION. I will absolutely be continuing to read Danica Nava books. I loved the fish out of water trope in this one. And celebrity?? Who am I reading so many celebrity romances recently??

I loved seeing Avery discover herself and her roots and all the things in between. She genuinely wanted to learn and I felt all the emotions on her journey. The impact of our own mistakes and how we can progress after those.

And the romance was good! I think I would have liked a little more *something* from them, but the heat and true slow burn nature was so nice to read (and he’s a cowboy so…..). The chemistry and tension between them was just right.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: one open door; 1-2 almost scenes
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: toxic parents, racism, addiction, loss of family members

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