Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

November 11, 2023August 31, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ASSISTANT WANTED:Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

WHAT A DELIGHT.

I have been seeing some serious hype for this and I’m happy it didn’t disappoint! I was smitten from the get-go with Evie and the Villain and I love how quirky and different this was in the fantasy romance genre. I liked that it was still villainy but it felt a little lighter. Not weighed down with world building, but more of the focus on the office romance and the spy in the midst.

The mutual pining between Evie and the Villain was next level. I ADORED them. I love how protective the Villain became and how Evie had perfect little quips about not falling for the bad guy and how that utterly failed.

I enjoyed the plot. There’s betrayals and good turns, I love a ball scene, round it out with an evil king and I am excited to see where book two leads.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder, murder, loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars #1) by Thea Guanzon

November 10, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Thea Guanzon
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: October 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The heart is a battlefield.

All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion–one that could save their world…or destroy it.

An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.

Thank you Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

WELL I LOVED IT.

I can tell y’all right now, not everyone will love this. I get that, but I was here for it all and I am obsoletely committed to getting my hands on the second book as soon as I can. I adored the banter between Talasyn and Alaric. It made me smile and swoon. I loved the way Alaric’s character was crafted too. He was this dark shadow daddy type who has no concept of wooing a woman and the thought process made my day.

This is heavily romance focused and yet, I thought the world building and magic system was crafted well! I followed what was happening and understood that different politicking dynamics between the nations. I have no major Reylo knowledge, but I did see a few nods and I loved those too.

It is a fast paced and entertainment wise, was everything I needed. I loved reading this (the audiobook is GREAT and the ending gave me all the things I love. BOOK TWO WHERE ARE YOU.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: one open door
Violence: moderate-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, war themes

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Book Review: A Newport Christmess (Christmas Escape #4) by Jess Heileman

November 10, 2023November 13, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: Jess Heileman
Publisher: Vagabond Publishing
Release Date: November 9th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Love can be downright messy.
This last year has been a total disaster, but my failed six-month marriage takes the cake. While my ex is out having the time of his life, my coping mechanisms consist of an unhealthy obsession with true-crime podcasts and trying to revive my floundering social media account.

So, when I get an offer from one of social media’s darlings—Nikki Aker—to make gingerbread centerpieces for her Christmas wedding, I can’t refuse. Not only because the job pays well (my maxed-out credit card will attest to how much I need this money), but it’s a last-ditch effort to increase my following before I’m forced to get “a real job.”

There’s only one small problem I didn’t account for: Nikki’s a self-proclaimed matchmaker, and apparently, I’m her next target. My only hope to escape unscathed is to conspire with Nikki’s grumpy—albeit gorgeous—brother, Landon, who seems equally determined to get through this wedding with his single status fully intact.

All we need to do is convince Nikki we’re developing feelings for each other. What can possibly go wrong?

*This is a sweet/clean romance

PRETTY GOOD.

I liked this one y’all! Unfortunately not as much as I hoped but we’ll get into that.

All of the Christmas/holiday vibes were here. Adored the setting and plot set-up. The gingerbread houses were a fun touch and I wish I could see those in person!!

Landon was a dreamboat. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of him. He was clearly smitten from the get-go and really pulled out all of the stops in genuine ways to show Quinn that love after divorce is still possible. I loved a lot of the conversations and sentiments expressed between them and it pulled at my heartstrings at the tough things both main characters had to work through.

I did struggle with Quinn’s character. For most of the book I was cool with the mindset and difficulties. It worked with the plot and made sense for everything else. BUT, the character growth hardly showed up and that wasn’t until 90% through the book. I wanted to see a bit more of it overall and watch Quinn learn for herself how much she’s worth and how much she deserves.

There’s a lot of great moments here and I truly did have a good time reading it. Even with my one main issue I’d still recommend because a lot of people I know loved this one!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: both main characters are divorced, emotionally manipulative parents

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ARC Book Review: To Spark a Match (The Matchmakers #2) by Jen Turano

November 9, 2023August 12, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery / Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: November 14th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she’s destined to remain a spinster forever–a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend–and one of high society’s leaders–to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.

When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon’s case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good–along with their lives.

Thank you to Bethany House for the eARC.

LONG-WINDED.

I enjoyed book one and was excited to read book two. It ended up only being alright though.

I liked both main characters, Adelaide and Gideon. There was a lot of charming banter and a big time slow burn. I loved the Adelaide owned who she was and learned what place in society she was fine with holding. There’s even a ball scene where Gideon is oh so swoony and I fully support having a ball scene in every book.

For the writing style, I struggled. I felt like everything seemed long winded. The dialogue, descriptions, about every paragraph was thick. With all of the cozy mystery vibes I wish things had been a little more paired down.

The mystery aspects were fun. A charming book store and hidden journals. A bit of blackmail and whodunnit moments. I loved that Adelaide kept showing up and helping in unconventional ways.

Overall audience notes: