Tag: Book Review

ARC Book Review: Heat of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #3) by Penn Cole

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 1026 pages
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 12th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem’s allegiance—or her death.

After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves… even from each other.

The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.

Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.

But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything…

Heat of the Everflame is the third book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our fiesty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice, her struggle to survive in a royal palace full of betrayal and intrigue, and her journey of self-discovery and finding true love. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers series is perfect for fans of unique magic systems, dragons and other mythical creatures, angst and romantic tension, and hilarious banter. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

This is one of my newest favorite series ever. Three books in and I am LOVING EVERY PAGE. Do not let this page count concern you. I didn’t notice one bit that this was 1,000 pages. Luther will soothe your soul and you’ll fall in love with Diem’s personality.

I love the massive journey this book took. Meeting other leaders and seeing other lands. Watching the magic happen and curious where things will continue to turn. Well written politicking is my favorite and I love how this was crafted here. There’s a lot of people trying to make the best decision of their people, even if they might not be seeing the full story.

Getting some BIG answers to some questions I know we’ve all been waiting on was FANTASTIC. I have many theories and I will be waiting on pins and needles needing to know how this series wraps up. I love all of the gryvern content. I love how Diem makes right and wrong decisions and in genuinely trying her best. I AM OBSESSED WITH LUTHER and his unwavering loyalty and determination. There’s multiple side characters who I adore, and many I hate, and I love that I feel that much for everyone.

This is a beautiful series. With the slowest of slow burns and the intense action that my fantasy reader self craves. I LOVE THIS SERIES PLEASE READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, near death experiences, battle themes

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Book Review: Bewitched by You by Kendra Mase

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 340 pages
Author: Kendra Mase
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: September 27th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Luella Pierce is having a mid-witch crisis.

Her best friend is top of her class and currently on a fast track to land her dream job. Her coven members have all found their passions in life and are excited to start their next chapter. Even her arch nemesis and Barnett University’s star football player, Ryan Gardner, has future plans. Sure, they’re to become a permanent nuisance in her life, but still. Everyone else seems to have life figured out except her.

Lu’s big plans? Procrastinating the future by throwing all her energy into creating the most fantastic Samhain–Halloween–celebration BU has ever seen. That is, if she can convince the student council she won’t perform any satanic rituals.

Cue the eye roll.

But when Ryan sustains a career-ending injury and Lu receives an offer from her sweet yet meddling coven matriarch that causes her to rethink everything, Lu also begins to question if the strongest magic may be taking a chance on love.

And herself.

Bewitched By You is a standalone new adult contemporary romance featuring a handsome, people pleasing football player and a quirky yet disheveled modern day witch finding home in a small college town. Perfect for readers who can’t resist the charm of Practical Magic or the sweet swoons of a romantic comedy with an emotional happily ever after.

IT WAS ALRIGHT.

I’m a sucker for these types of covers and I admit to this being a total cover download. I did like it overall in the end at least.

The romance is really one note and very much what I would expect to see in a college relationship. I liked Luella and Ryan. They were sweet on one another and I felt the chemistry between them. It was lacking in any form of angst (something I like even a dash of) as they steadily moved through their relationship. There were some truly good moments between them and I enjoyed the support they gave each other as life landed on them.

Plot wise it’ll give you all the whimsical and fall season vibes. There’s not much past that, buuut I know that’ll be a hit with others looking for something simple. I didn’t like the mean girl moments or some of the drama that resulted from it. But I did find it a quick read that put me in the mood for all things autumn.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: one brief open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: bullying, loss of a mother (recounted), season ending sports injury

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Book Review: Starlight (Angels of Elysium #3) by Olivia Wildenstein

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Urban/Paranormal Romance
Length: 488 pages
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: WildStone Publishing
Release Date: December 28th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ANGELIC FACT NUMBER 100: Having wings doesn’t make one noble; it simply makes one fly.

Naya and Adam have nothing in common. Besides black wings. The same birthday. And fathers who are as close as brothers.

But nothing else.

Sweet, diligent Naya has always abided by the rules. Arrogant, uncivil Adam has made it his life’s mission to break each one.

She is the beloved daughter of an archangel. He is the guilds’ resident bad boy . . . well, bad fletching.

When Naya thrusts herself in Adam’s life to request a place on his clandestine team of guardians, he turns her away. The last thing his unsanctioned squad needs is an archangel’s attention, and the last thing he needs is a bubbly, blonde distraction with a sinful voice and soulful eyes.

Problem is, Naya suddenly, and inexplicably, becomes the only thing he wants.

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I have really enjoyed this series. I read it over a month which is unusually fast for me to binge a completed trilogy. While there are some magical system gaps and I still have questions about world building, I had SUCH A GOOD TIME with the stories. It’s intense, and romantic and swoony and all the things.

Naya and Adam’s story has been a long time coming and I love the slow burn edge this book took. There’s a really good build up and I loooove Adam’s alpha side. I can’t help myself. Naya is a strong FMC and if you’re looking for a darker vibe, this book has it. The plot is dark and full of shocking things and it often kept me on the edge of my seat.

This feels like an underrated paranormal romance series. I am so happy I took the chance on it and for someone who’s not usually a paranormal fan this checked off many of my boxes. And they’re fantastic on audio!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door; high explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, medical experimentation, murder, high blood/gore depiction, physical and weapons violence

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Book Review: Seoulmates by Susan Lee

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Susan Lee
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.

But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs.

But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.

Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?

KIND OF LIKED.

I went up and down with this book way too many times. Maybe it was supposed to be like a K-drama? (I haven’t read one so I can’t attest to this, but that could be where I missed the full connection with this).

The relationship was pretty sweet and I liked the returning friendship vibes that blossomed into more. Hannah and Jacob were solid YA characters. Nothing flashy or anything outside what you’d expect, but they did the job.

Plot wise, it’s fine. I’ve read some others I’ve loved more with this same kind of vibes and this was a pretty straightforward set-up. It’s a cute story with some dramatic flair that might work well with others.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief fade to black

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