Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The Maid and the Crocodile (Raybearer) by Jordan Ifueko

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The smallest spark can bind two hearts . . . or start a revolution.

In the magic-soaked capital city of Oluwan, country bumpkin Small Sade needs a job—preferably as a maid, with employers who don’t mind her unique appearance and unlucky foot. But before she can be hired, she accidentally binds herself to a powerful god known only as the Crocodile, who is rumored to devour pretty girls. Small Sade entrances the Crocodile with her secret: she is a Curse Eater, gifted with the ability to alter people’s fates by cleaning their houses.

The handsome god warns that their fates are bound, but Small Sade evades him, launching herself into a new career as the Curse Eater of a swanky inn. She is determined to impress the wealthy inhabitants and earn her place in Oluwan City . . . assuming her secret-filled past—and the revolutionary ambitions of the Crocodile God—don’t catch up with her.

But maybe there is more to Small Sade. And maybe everyone in Oluwan City deserves more, too, from the maids all the way to the Anointed Ones.

Fans of the Raybearer series, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Beauty and the Beast will enjoy The Maid and the Crocodile–no prior knowledge of the Raybearer series necessary.

GREAT AUDIO.

I loved being back in this world and getting this spin-off story. It has the aura of a folk tale and listening to it as an audiobook really brought everything to life. I loved had strong Sade was and the journey she undertook. I love a non-linear path and seeing all of the pathways taken to forge your own way when the world feels like it wasn’t made for you.

You don’t have to read the previous two books but I do think it will spoil some key aspects of that story and you won’t have as much background knowledge to the world and magic system already in place.

The subtle romance was really sweet and I loved the curse aspects to it. I loved the way they came together and the slow and tenuous interactions between them. It’s a great read and if you enjoyed the Raybearer duology you should absolutely pick this one up too.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: self-harm, ableism,

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ARC Book Review: Stuck With You (Cal’s Garage #1) by Stacy Williams

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 440 pages
Author: Stacy Williams
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if you’ve been through hell?
How difficult can it be to start over?

Sarah Atwater is seeking a fresh start. When an opportunity arises that she can’t refuse, the single mom is ready to leave her painful past behind—and perhaps her old self along with it. But sometimes, new beginnings are like learning to walk again, struggling to put one foot in front of the other.

Slade Bennett enjoys his quiet, simple life. The blunt grump is perfectly content running his mechanic shop and working with his best friends. Or is he really? When the sister he raised decides it’s time to move out, Slade may have to admit he’s a bit too closed off.

Will past trauma and grief continue to dictate his life when a sassy professional strolls into his garage and challenges him at every turn? Or will Slade finally be forced to confront the fears he’s avoided?

Stuck With You is a poignant love story that reminds us that only when we’re held to the flame do we discover what we’re truly made of.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

HAPPY TO BE BACK.

There’s something about reading a new book from one of your favorite authors that just hits the spot. And all of the autumn vibes with some glimpses of holidays set the perfect atmosphere for this time of year (so go read it now!!!).

I love the incredible slow burn each time. It’s reminiscent of Mariana Zapata where the pay-off is worked for and the journey is a few steps forward, back, and filled with growth and tender moments that make you crave the next chapter.

Slade and Sarah were absolute gems. Both holding on and moving through a lot who found each other. AND found a way to do life together. I loved all of the sentiments and quiet conversations they had. You KNOW they were in love in the deepest ways.

And all of the side characters?? Can’t get enough. The love and banter with tough conversations throughout really bonded me to these characters. There’s a lovely balance of heavy and humor that genuinely made for a read that I kept wanting to pick up. I loved how everything came together and there was such a sweet epilogue.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, I am STOKED for the future books in this series!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), infidelity/cheating (recounted in multiple situations)

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Book Review: Family of Liars (We Were Liars #2) by E. Lockhart

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The prequel to We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.

A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts.
A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow.
A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy.
A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes.

Welcome back to the Sinclair family.
They were always liars.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

I WAS BORED.

While I don’t think there was anything WRONG with this book I was just so bored I found very little enjoyment in reading it. After We Were Liars and knowing the twist and the family dynamics in that book it made this one seem very predictable. Of course there was more drama and chaos, but nothing I couldn’t see from a mile away.

Maybe I read these two too close together? I’m not sure. I do have book three so I’m going to read that too and maybe that’ll make me feel differently about the series as a whole.

I did like the audiobook so if you wanted to read this, I’d recommend that format!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Mystery
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: attempted r*pe, alcohol consumption, prescription drug use, grief/loss depiction, loss of a sibling, murder, drowning recounted

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Book Review: Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Release Date: August 5th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

LOOOOVED.

GOSH, these books are just so fun??! I love them. I love how unique and different they feel and the vibes are immaculate every time. The slowest of slow burns continues to burn at the perfect level and I am continually feral for every tiny interaction between Evie and Tristan.

And I liked all of the other POV’s too. They were a great addition and added more layers to the story and plot and all of the other scenes that we wouldn’t have otherwise seen. The other romances between these characters were cute too!!

Hands down, these have some of the BEST BANTER I have ever read and I love listening to the audiobook (though I will not I wish it had multiple narrators!!).

The ending cliffhanger had the reveal I was hoping for and I am chomping at the bit to hear information about book four!!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: vague fade to black
  • Violence: moderate

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