Book Review: Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S.K. Ali

December 5, 2025November 29, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Dystopia / Sci-fi
Length: 544 pages
Author: S.K. Ali
Publisher: Kokila
Release Date: October 8th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Would you trade love for peace?

Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth. Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology into Lower Earth will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.

Or is justice more urgent?

Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding. Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution.

When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother—a fugitive on the run. And when Nayf and Raisa meet, the long-simmering animosity they feel toward each other’s worlds slowly burns away into something unexpected.

But the Crown Prince wants his bride—and future—back. And he will go to the ends of the Earths to reclaim them.

SOLID.

Or maybe more? I feel like the ending kind of left things open but I do think enough of the story lines were closed off that it can be read as a standalone without any trouble. This wasn’t initially on my radar but I am so happy I picked it up. Fledgling starts out INTENSE and keeps that energy going for most of the book. I enjoyed the darker angles of the story and the how this dystopian world worked.

There were multiple POV’s from all different angles that added to the complexity of this story. From rebels, to government members to everything in between. I loved seeing the underside of Lower Earth and how that compared to Upper Earth. I enjoyed the complex character dynamics and how you never quite knew what was going to happen next and who might be the next cause of betrayal. World building and politics were heavy hitters here and made for a great read.

Overall audience notes:

YA Dystopian / Sci-Fi
Language: low
Romance: closed door
Violence: high
Content Warnings: murder, torture

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ALC/ARC Book Review: Better in Black (Shadowhunter Chronicles) by Cassandra Clare

December 4, 2025November 24, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella Collection
Length: 464 pages
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ten original love stories by the reigning queen of romantasy, featuring fan-favorite couples from her #1 New York Times bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles—one of the most popular series of all time, with more than 50 million copies in print worldwide!

Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.

Jace and Clary, seeking out an exiled Shadowhunter and learning that love can save the world—or destroy it. Will and Tessa, honeymooning in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path. Simon and Izzy, observing increased demonic activity around New York, on a hilarious urban romp.

These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite with:

• Anna and Ari
• Emma and Julian
• Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
• James and Cordelia
• Thomas and Alastair
• Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
• Jocelyn and Luke

A love letter to every fan of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series!

Thank you PRH Audio and Get Underlined for the gifted audiobook and physical copy.

I LIKED IT.

I feel like I haven’t read a Shadowhunter book in a hot minute and it was fun to be back in this world with so many of my favorite characters.

Each novella felt like a mini story and brought a swoony edge each time. I think even some of them might be hinting at future things to come? [There’s another series coming right??]

I’m not sure I’d say this is 100% a necessary book to read but I do think you’ll enjoy it if you’ve been a fan of the Shadowhunters over the years.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy Romance Collection
Language: low
Romance: closed door
Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Yuletide Bride (Regency Christmas Brides) by Kasey Stockton

December 3, 2025November 23, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 245 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: November 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a marriage of convenience becomes inconveniently complicated…

Mercy Caldwell, the vicar’s eldest daughter, has watched her younger sisters march down the aisle while she remains resolutely on the shelf. When a chance at matrimony arrives mere hours after her youngest sister’s engagement, Mercy seizes the opportunity—and the man she’s secretly admired for years.

Colin Birchall’s grand estate is crumbling, and his aunt’s generous inheritance comes with one he must be married by Twelfth Night. In Mercy, he finds the perfect candidate to meet his aunt’s exacting standards. It seems an ideal arrangement—until they’re forced to actually live together.

From differing views on marriage to clashing Christmas traditions, Mercy and Colin discover that convenience and compatibility are two very different things. But when Colin’s aunt arrives unannounced demanding proof of their love, they must convince her—and perhaps themselves—that their hastily forged union is more than just a festive facade.

Can Mercy and Colin turn their paper marriage into a love match before Twelfth Night? Or will their convenient arrangement crumble faster than Colin’s ancestral home?

Book three in the Regency Christmas Brides series,Yuletide Bride is a heartwarming holiday romance that proves love often arrives in the most unexpected packages—no bow required.

A DELIGHT.

I loved this book. I loved how fast pace it was and that it was just the right length to convey a full story and make for a quick read during a busy season. I haven’t read a regency in a minute and this reminded me of why I love them.

The holiday charm was in full swing and I love all of the historical aspects of those moments. And y’all know I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience so I knew I had to pick this one up. I looooved Mercy and Colin. They had a lot of differences to work through and I appreciated them learning how to communicate and be friends as that turned into love.

I appreciated that the aunt was eccentric but not overly dramatic. She provided the little spark for Colin and Mercy that really got the romance swinging and I loved all of the little tender moments and the slow burn on the kissing scenes brought the tension. You won’t regret picking this one up.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Christmas Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: none

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ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

December 2, 2025November 23, 2025 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Amy Lea
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A secret romance writer discovers that the hottest story of summer might just be the one happening between her and the Prime Minister’s bodyguard, from the international bestselling author of Set On You.

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted eARC.

I JUST ADORED THIS.

I’m an easy to please reader when it comes to Amy Lea’s books. I love the way she crafts stories. The main characters (duel pov y’all!!) are genuine and effortless and seeing the plot unfold always makes me feel something.

I thought the plot was engaging and covered a variety of topics well. While some heavier content is present the overall mood is hopeful and Nolan and Andi are meant to be. i could not get enough of Nolan’s constant support. It was endearing in all the ways. I thought the plot > spice which is always a pro for me.

I genuinely binged this in a day. I just couldn’t get enough. It’s sensual and swoony and full of heart. All of the hallmark romance moments were there and each one made me giddy [not to mention, no out of pocket third act nonsense either!!].

Overall audience notes: