Tag: Book blog

ARC Book Review: The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Molly X. Chang
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: July 1st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two princes. One prophecy. A fate she cannot outrun.

The night Fei was born, a prophecy was made: she would one day become the Empress of All Empresses.

Torn from her family as a child and raised in the palace to one day marry the Crown Prince of the most powerful empire in the land, Fei has only ever known loneliness. When the opportunity arises to seize her own destiny for the first time in her life, Fei sets out to hunt a legendary tiger, knowing it might cost her everything. What she doesn’t expect is to fall under the mercy of Yexue, the beautiful runaway prince from a rival kingdom. Blessed by the night, harboring a dangerous magic, and capable of commanding an army of deadly vampires, Yexue could be the key to Fei gaining more than just her freedom.

But to outrun destiny, Fei must spark a wave of events that will change the world as she knows it. Torn between two princes and plagued by nightmares of bloodshed, she finds that the stars might be more inescapable—and more irresistible—than she ever considered before.

Thank you to Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

WHAT A STUNNER.

I am gob smacked by this book and could not put it down. As a known struggler with love triangles this reminded me that when it’s done right GOOOOOOD HEAVENS it is everything. I loved the push and pull back and forth between them. I honestly don’t know who I like more??? I felt for both of the guys??? Who even am I?!

And I adored the FMC, Fei. She is resilient and strong. I loved that she took the time to learn and also put the men in their places. There’s some highly coded Mulan moments woven in that had my attention in the best ways.

Oh, did I mention theirs VAMPIRES???? I didn’t know either (though the cover does give it away if you look closely). The brutality and savagery of the world and magic was such an interesting dynamic. I am feral to get my hands on book two. This is my second by by this author and they are quickly becoming a favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: one brief open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Bethany Turner
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wes left Addie at the altar two decades ago . . . and that was supposed to be the end of the story.

When her life crashes and burns in a flurry of secrets and redacted information, Addie Atwater-Elwyn hightails it home to the tiny mountain town of Adelaide Springs, Colorado–back to living with her dad, back to working a low-paying job, back to a life of disappointments. Growing up, nobody expected their local girl to become a high-ranking CIA analyst, married to a gorgeous CIA operative. But that was Addie’s life until she lost . . . well, everything.

Now she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life with a little help from old friends. But there’s one old friend she knows her life is better without–Wesley Hobbes, her childhood sweetheart who left her standing at the altar when they were eighteen years old. Truth be told, Addie would be perfectly content never seeing Wes’s stupid face ever again–which makes it very inconvenient that he’s now a beloved senator and presidential frontrunner, his face everywhere she looks. But that has nothing to do with Addie personally. He might make history, but in her book, he is history.

So, when the unwelcome Wes appears back in their hometown, no one rolls out the red carpet–not Addie and not an entire town that was forced to pick sides (and unanimously chose Addie) decades ago. Senator Hobbes certainly won’t win the popular vote in Adelaide Springs.

Wes, meanwhile, is sitting on a few secrets of his own, including the political scoop of the decade: he’d seriously rather gouge his eyes out than spend another minute in politics, much less ever go anywhere near the White House. Addie knows there has to be more to the story, and her curiosity is clouding her judgment. You can take the girl out of the CIA, but it’s not so easy to shake the CIA out of the girl. Of course, it’s not just curiosity (and the acknowledgement that his face isn’t so stupid after all) that’s been reawakened inside her. But after more than two decades, it’s too late. Wes and Addie already had their chance. Right?

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Bibliolifestyle for the gifted copy.

NOT SURE.

This is definitely my least favorite of the series AND on that note, this book really can’t be read as a standalone. I feel like it falls on you knowing the secondary characters well (from their books) so having that knowledge makes the dynamic make more sense.

I steadily watched this turn into a trauma dump. It felt like one thing after another and I kept quirking my head going, why are we adding this?? I think if the focus had been dialed in more the emotional impact would have been better. The themes darted all over the place.

One of the things about reading romance books is always going, do they make it after the epilogue? And honestly I DON’T KNOW THAT THEY DO. There’s so much baggage between them and I think that Wes should have finished going after his dream *spoiler* before settling? Is that just me?

Anyways, bummed by this one but maybe a new series will work for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a spouse (twice, recounted), loss of a parent (recounted), alcoholism, grief

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Book Review: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Carley Fortune
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 7th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won’t give into temptation. This summer will be different.

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

HIGHLY FRUSTRATING.

This started off really strong. I was hopeful, and even with a one night stand trope I was okay with the initial chemistry between the main characters.

What bugged me was the fact that it felt like the story was more focused on the best friend. The way she kept dragging out her *secret* drove me up a wall. It didn’t add intrigue, it just upset me. And the third act??? I literally shouted ARE YOU KIDDING ME when it happened.

I will say there’s good swoony moments that I did enjoy, and I loved Felix the most. The summertime vibes are there at least and the audiobook production is solid.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4+ open door and fade to black

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ARC Book Review: Of the Curse or the Crown (The Veridian Empire #2) by V.B. Lacey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 566 pages
Author: V.B. Lacey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 24th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Princess Diaries 2 meets King Midas in this swoon-worthy forbidden romance fantasy standalone.

An heir. An Empress. A Queen.

As a former rebel leader, Clarissa Aris is no stranger to power. She’s ready to reclaim the throne of the Veridian Empire and is eager to guide her people out of a past of violence and into a better future.

But when a mysterious king unexpectedly asks for her hand in marriage to restore peace between their two lands, she chooses to accept. Clarissa travels to meet him in Mysthelm, a realm they had been cut off from for centuries, and is thrust into a foreign kingdom with secrets around every corner, a betrothed she isn’t sure she can trust, and brewing tension with his handsome best friend and advisor.

Clarissa’s search for answers uncovers the truth behind a deadly blight sweeping Mysthelm and a centuries-old curse threatening to destroy the people she’s come to care for. When she learns her magic may be the only cure, she’s determined to both rescue this kingdom from danger and keep the Veridian Empire safe from meddling forces.

Time is running out. Which will fall the curse or the crown?

Of the Curse or the Crown is the second book in a series of interconnected dark fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of book one, In the Wake of the Wicked , for those who have not read it. While it is advised to read book one first, it’s not necessary. Of the Curse or the Crown follows a newly appointed Empress who chooses to unite with a feuding kingdom in a marriage of convenience. She finds herself thrown into a world of curses, secrets, and meddling Fates while battling feelings for her betrothed’s best friend. Perfect for lovers of Princess Diaries, Greek mythology, and The Plated Prisoner series, this book is full of plot twists, lovable side characters, unique magic, witty banter, and no spice forbidden love romance.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A GREAT READ!

I am just the biggest fan of V.B. Lacey. Do you know how hard it is to find closed door fantasy authors that still bring the heat? I just love picking her books up.

I adored all of the nods to Princess Diaries 2. It made me giddy every time that I noticed the subtle movie moments (y’all don’t even know how many times I’ve watched PD2). It worked perfectly with the plot and made it a fun journey. There were many memorable scenes and pieces I enjoyed. It’s a good romantasy to sink into and watch the expansion of the world and magic systems. I loved seeing a new land and new people with new dynamics.

This was missing a touch of something for me. A little more swoon and a tightened up pace. While I loved the moments between Clarissa and Thorne. And this had a surprise trope that I wasn’t expecting but was nice to see in a fantasy romance setting (it is NOT surprise pregnancy y’all!!!). The endearing quality of the connection between characters was really sweet to see.

By the end this truly had me salivating over the third book. I am HERE FOR ITTTTT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of life, PTSD and panic attacks, weapons/physical violence, near death experiences

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