Tag: Book Review

Book Review: An Empress of Air & Chaos (An Empress #1) by Noelle Rayne

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 532 pages
Author: Noelle Rayne
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 10th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Under the light of the approaching Blood Moon, Emara Clearwater finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural magic. When her village is torn apart and everything she has ever known is shattered, she must navigate through a new world alongside her best friend, Cally. Meeting Witches with elemental magic, Shapeshifters and strikingly handsome Demon Hunters, it’s like she was always meant to find this world.
The Blacksteel brothers, members of a ferocious Clan of Demon Hunters, are bound by both blood and ancient oath to protect the kingdom from an army of demons. As the brothers grow closer to Emara, they will stop at nothing to protect her.
On her path of self-discovery, Emara finds herself questioning everything she has ever believed and must come to terms with some dark truths about her family’s past. Not only is she torn between what world she belongs to, but she also finds herself questioning matters regarding her heart. There is something about the Blacksteel brothers that unlock a part of Emara, that she kept suppressed for so long and she is finally beginning to feel it stir.
But there is a rising darkness…
A darkness that threatens to consume the Kingdom of Caledorna. An Army of Demons are on their way from the Underworld, instructed by their ruthless dark God, to find ancient relics that are the key to unlocking him from his cage.
And no one is safe.
Especially not Emara.
Emara must step into the light of the magic world or be swallowed by darkness forever.

NOT FOR ME.

I tried. I tried to enjoy this book but there were some issues that I just didn’t click with. I’ll be brief.

The writing itself was perfectly fine, BUT it came across as making the main characters seem much more juvenile and modern. The way some phrasing and style choices were used that I didn’t love.

And the love triangle romance seemed to be between the main character and two brothers. That’s got to be my least favorite iteration of this trope.

I will not be continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: assault, murder, loss of loved ones

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 7th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lenny DeMaio made herself a promise: she was done.

Done thinking about him.

Done worrying about him.

Done reaching out to a man who clearly didn’t want to be found.

Too bad no one gave Jonah Collins the memo.

BETTER OVER TIME.

I was worried for a bit that this might become my new least favorite MZ book. Luckily I do think the second half saved the day and I was pretty smitten with this story.

Jonah was something else. Oh my goodness I adored him. I looooove how he came in, tried his best, apologized for his transgressions and made an honest effort to love and support Lena and the situation before him. And those small jealousy and protection moments? MY FAV. I did like Lena a lot too. While I wish she didn’t cuss so much in the first half (it really felt out of control), I liked seeing her character progression too. A loyal and loving woman who was impressively open to what would be best for her circumstances.

I felt like there was a bit less romance than I was expecting or hoped for? It didn’t give me as many swoony moments as my heart wanted. And the first 50% of this book was SLOW.

The ending was absolutely heart squeezing good and even made my tear up. ALL THE FEELS.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong
  • Romance: 2 open; high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, loss of a loved one

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Reckless (The Powerless Trilogy #2) by Lauren Roberts

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Lauren Roberts
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: July 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The kingdom of Ilya is in turmoil…

After surviving the Purging Trials, Ordinary-born Paedyn Gray has killed the King, and kickstarted a Resistance throughout the land. Now she’s running from the one person she had wanted to run to.

Kai Azer is now Ilya’s Enforcer, loyal to his brother Kitt, the new King. He has vowed to find Paedyn and bring her to justice.

Across the deadly Scorches, and deep into the hostile city of Dor, Kai pursues the one person he wishes he didn’t have to. But in a city without Elites, the balance between the hunter and hunted shifts – and the battle between duty and desire is deadly.

Be swept away by this kiss-or-kill romantasy trilogy taking the world by storm.

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook!

AHHHHHHH.

I am here for the vibes on this book y’all. The vibes are VIBING AND I LOVE IT. This is how enemies to lovers romances are supposed to feel. This banter and tension and the gosh dang it we’re supposed to hate each other BUT WE CAN’T. I will be brought to my knees by this romance and will go gladly.

The specific plot for this book wasn’t as strong as the first (like I said, five stars for vibes). It was mostly Paedyn and Kai playing cat and mouse. There were some delectable romantic moments though and I am all for those. And while the audiobook is incredible (highly recommend), I wish I was reading the physical copy purely to tab all of the quotes that sunk me.

I also loved having Kitt’s POV too. It was this delicate and dark balance of watching him trying to figure out the kingdom and his own mind. I can’t wait to see how that comes together in the last book.

An easy to devour second book that [to me] didn’t suffer the dreaded sequel issues. GIVE ME FEARLESS.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Play Along (Windy City #4) by Liz Tomforde

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 385 pages
Author: Liz Tomforde
Publisher: Golden Boy Publishing
Release Date: July 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Kennedy

I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago.

But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand.

Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake.

Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband.

They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home.

Isaiah

As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman.

I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed.

We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material.

Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose.

So come on, wife… play along.

KNEW IT.

I had a feeling from the get go this was going to be a winner for me. I LOVE books where the man is absolutely gone for her and Isaiah Rhodes DELIVERED. I have not recovered. I think The Right Move is still my top, top favorite, but this absolutely competes. I have been waiting for this story after the perfectly drawn out tension.

This marriage of convenience had me in a chokehold. I loved Kennedy!! She was fierce and capable and I just wanted her to feel the love that was surrounding her after being in a deficit for so long. The slow build for her and the character growth she showed was top tier. I loved her journey.

AND ISAIAH? Y’all can already tell I’m obsessed. I loved getting his POV and seeing the deeper workings of his thoughts and decision making processes. He’s a hopeless romantic with a huge heart who just wanted someone to want him. And that hits on a whole other level.

I loved the baseball content, the found family, the soft and sweet and the hard and fast. There’s not one moment I wasn’t glued to my kindle trying to read this.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: moderate-high
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: loss of a mother recounted, anxiety attacks (brought on by thunderstorms), misogyny and sexism in the workplace

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph