Tag: Book blog

Book Review: A Bond so Fierce and Fragile (Compelling Fates Saga #3) by Sophia St. Germain

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantasy
Length: 465 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Torture. Darkness. Loss.

That’s what the Fae king has planned to break her.

But Elessia is prepared to fight.

She is ready to fight her way out of the king’s claws, fight to save Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and above all, fight to return to the one she loves.

But in the end, it’s her own life she might need to fight for the most, and even though her mate will do anything, including rip the entire world to shreds, to keep her safe, there is nowhere to hide when the gods themselves are after you.

STILL GOOD.

It’s been a minute since I’ve had the chance to read multiple books in a series in one year and I’ve enjoyed diving into this romantasy world. Each book has been solid and I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion soon.

I liked the addition of new POV’s into this one. Getting some more insight into decisions and personalities was helpful for the overall plot. What wasn’t helpful was the *spur of the moment* [how it felt] additions of spice & mate finding. It lacked a sense of build or genuineness I was missing to get on board.

There were some really great moments that moved the plot well, and I still love the main FMC, Elessia. Her relationship with Merrick is solid and I like the way they take care of each other.

This book got brutal and took it out on my heart. Which now has me all sorts of concerned for how the finale will wrap up, but I’ll remain hopeful!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Smoke in the Mirrors (Slanted London #2) by Jessica Scarlett

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 451 pages
Author: Jessica Scarlett
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Release Date: February 24th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some illusions save us. Others want us dead.

Dorothy St. James has three missions: slip inside the Rook’s circle, recover the stolen enchanted bracelets, and rescue her kidnapped father. But when whispers of a hidden map inside Buckingham Palace surface, everything shifts. Enlisting Ashley Gardner—the brilliant, backstabbing puzzle-solver she can never quite outsmart—might be her only chance of destroying him.

To Dorothy’s annoyance, her dangerous pull toward Ashley only grows, even as fellow Lightfoot agent Nicholas Hart offers a far safer path. Nicholas is steady and dependable, while Ashley is all secrets, sharp edges, and heartbreak waiting to happen.

But Ashley is running out of time. His mutating magic grows more sentient every day, and the final bracelet is the only thing keeping it from consuming him. Desperate, he agrees to help Dorothy hunt the hidden map, even though being near her threatens both his sanity and his survival. And as riddles twist into traps, he begins to fear that their fire may not be real at all—just another illusion his magic wants her to believe.

London’s smoke-choked streets are thick with danger. Where is Dorothy’s father? Who is the Samaritan? Why is the Rook kidnapping innocents? And who can she trust, when she can’t even trust herself?

A thrilling blend of mystery, magic, and simmering romantic tension, Smoke in the Mirrors deepens Jessica Scarlett’s richly imagined Slanted London. With razor-edged stakes and a heroine torn between duty, desire, and danger, this installment delivers atmospheric intrigue and emotional punch in equal measure—proof that in Scarlett’s hands, even the darkest illusions shimmer with heart.

AWESOME SEQUEL.

This absolutely did not have book two syndrome. I was intrigued with this from top to bottom and I need the conclusion!!

I love that this is multiple POV. All of these rotating views only increased my enjoyment. I think the balance of them was just right and I loved even more so that there’s a second romance too. Both of them have different vibes in the best ways making each POV easy to fall into.

The plot was mysterious and atmospheric. I love a gas lamp historical fantasy. The magic is artfully woven into the world building without info dumping and the insight established in this installment was exactly what I was hoping for.

I enjoy all of these characters, the betrayals and twists are good, and it’s just a book you want to pick up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of loved ones, murder, torture, attempted murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: In the Wake of the Ruined (The Siren Mage #2) by Kalie Cassidy

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kalie Cassidy
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: July 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The realm has a new queen… and a new monster.

Imogen can no longer hide. She has claimed her ancestral crown, and now the corrupted bond she shares with the ancient deity Eusia is stronger than ever. Though she is determined to sever it, doing so is no easy feat. The threat of war looms. Shifting alliances, a hunger for magic, and her feelings for Theodore, King of Varya, attempt to thwart her at every turn.

Meanwhile, Theodore is battling the strain of his own crown and commitments. When Imogen suddenly appears on his ship, every dutiful resolution he’s ever made threatens to snap. As they draw nearer to ending Eusia, lurking dangers and their perilous desire for one another prove more insurmountable than they could have imagined.

Will the chaos, ruin, and death that Imogen was prophesied to usher into the realm be the end of all things, or the beginning?

WORKED FOR ME.

I’m going to be completely honest with you, I do not remember a thing from book one. Did that stop me from going ahead with this book? Nope. And it worked out. I think Kalie Cassidy did such a great job of bringing the energy in the first few chapters that I was locked in and really liked this follow up.

I wish there would have been more chapters from Theo though!! I liked this POV and getting more of his dynamic. There’s definitely a lot of longing and yearning and the push and pull of the story beats worked well. I loved the siren vibes and how that magic worked in this world. And I liked all of these characters a lot. The different types of relationships and the unlikely friendships were all great.

I’ll definitely be looking out for Kalie Cassidy’s next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: moderate – high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

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

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph