Tag: fantasy romance

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: May 2026

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What time is it?
SUMMERTIME.

  • Daggermouth (The Heart #1) by H.M. Wolfe
  • Beast Becomes Her by Crystal Seitz
  • [ALC] Seek the Traitor’s Son (The Burning Empire #1) by Veronica Roth
  • Into a Golden Era (Timeless #7) by Gabrielle Meyer
  • [ARC] Magic at Midnight by Courtney Millecam
  • Honey in Her Veins by Ruth McKell
  • [ARC] Rival Season (Hockey Boys of Loft 3B #2) by Rival Season
  • Release Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic #2) by Tahereh Mafi
  • [ARC] Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights by Celeste Dador
  • The Sea Spinner (Reign of Remnants #2) by Julie Johnson
  • Smoke in the Mirrors (Slanted London #2) by Jessica Scarlett
  • [ARC/ALC] Rebel Heiress (The Diamonds #3) by Amalie Howard
  • Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood
  • [Reread] Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [ARC] Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes by Shelbey Kendall
  • Beneath the Wreckage (Wrecked #5) by Catherine Cowles
  • [ARC] Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson
  • The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
  • An Honorable Love (The Gentlemen’s Gamble) by Audra Wells
  • The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
  • [ARC/ALC] Shadow Reaper (Shadow Reaper #1) by Lynette Noni
  • Unsteady (The Undone #1) by Peyton Corinne
  • Cross Court (The Off Court #2) by Vai Denton
  • His Face is the Sun (Throne of Khetara #1) by Michelle Jabes Corpora
  • [ARC/ALC] Hard to Love (The Lost Girls #1) by Stacy Williams
  • [Novella] S’more of You (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Tessa Bailey
  • [Novella] Girls Just Wanna Have Sun (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Rachel Lacey
  • [Novella] One Hot Summer Wedding (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Falon Ballard
  • [Novella] Save a Horse, Keep a Cowboy (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Jessica Peterson
  • [Novella] Summer Staycation (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
  • [Novella] Summer Thaw (Summer Lovin’ Collection) by Rebecca Jenshak
  • The Gravewood (The Gravewood #1) by Kelly Andrew
  • [Reread] Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Fever Dream (Emerald Lake #1) by Elsie Silver
  • Made for Mayhem (Mayhem Hockey Club #2) by Aimee Vance
  • The Roommate Rule by Georgie Stone
  • Fury Bound (The Wolves of Ruin #2) by Sable Sorensen
  • [ARC] Hopeless Necromantic (The Catseye Chronicles #1) by Shiloh Briar
  • Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

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Book Review: Enchanted Kingdom (The Enchanted Kingdom #1) by Tricia Wentworth

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 434 pages
Author: Tricia Wentworth
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some women in Wylan had dreamt of this day. Some pined and planned for it their entire lives.

Chosen for the Assemblages of Consorts, Jorah Demir will have the opportunity to vie for the twin crown princes’ affections. Though no one knows which prince will eventually rule, they are two of the most powerful Enchanted in all the kingdom.

Not only is a chance for a crown at stake, but also a small drop of the royal bloodline’s magic. Jorah isn’t interested in either. Both princes are Enchanted, the very type of people responsible for her father’s murder.

From the lowest level of the kingdom and without magic, she is forced to go above the walls of Wylan and into the castle itself. She only has one goal: to avoid the crown princes and not, under any circumstances, form an attachment with either one of them.

Surrounded by Enchanted at every turn, she soon learns not all are as evil as she assumed. And when the king’s magic doesn’t affect her, everything Jorah thought she knew is called into question

PREDICTABLE.

And while that’s not always a bad thing I don’t think I’m the audience for this book. I’ve read a lot of fantasy books and this didn’t give me anything new to hold on to. From the first chapter I could tell you where things were going and the romance and characters didn’t bring the swoon I wanted.

Now granted I will say that it is a series so I fully expect some of those aspects to change. But I’m tired of pushing to a second book when I didn’t feel fully invested by the end of book one and that’s the case here. There will be plenty of people who will enjoy this one.

I am not that person.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: The Last Wayfinder by Ellen McGinty

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Ellen McGinty
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 1st, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There are no chains for criminals on Abashi Island, only endless ice.

Born into prison, Kira has only known the arctic wasteland where the worst criminals are sent to be forgotten—including her mother. When a brutal Imperial Inspector sentences her family to death, she unleashes a forbidden magic that comes with a devastating cost: her sister is cursed, transformed into a monster.

Desperate for a cure, she strikes a deal with Captain Ren, a notorious monster hunter whose icy exterior matches the unforgiving landscape. He’s everything Kira despises—rigid, lawful, dangerous—and unfortunately, necessary for survival.

As the two forge an uneasy alliance, Kira discovers the chilling truth about her imprisonment and that more is at stake than her sister’s soul. Now, Kira must risk treason and master her ancestors’ wayfinding magic before she loses her sister—and the beautiful world she’s only begun to discover.

LOVED.

Ellen McGinty did it again. I have sincerely loved both of her books and can’t recommend them enough. If you love young adult fantasy that’s kisses only (with the romance as more of a subplot), great character arcs and learning moments and strong sibling relationships, look no further. This is the type of story I would love to share with my littles when they’re older.

I loved the depth of Kira’s character. She’s resilient and a bit stubborn and that only adds to her growth as she moves through the world. Kira’s love for her sister knew no bounds and I appreciated having that kind of bond between siblings.

The romance was also sweet. It’s got a good push and pull and doesn’t over take the general themes of the novel. I liked Ren a lot and felt like we got a good story from him without having his POV. I just loved the journey for everyone.

Beautiful story.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: living in a prison camp, loss of a parent

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Book Review: Mayhem and the Mortal by Shanora Williams

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Shanora Williams
Publisher: Red Tower
Release Date: March 17th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One mission. One curse. No escape.

Zaira doesn’t want a hero. She needs a weapon.

To save her sister from a soul-devouring curse, she has to cross The Shallows—a nightmare landscape of ruined magic, shifting paths, and vicious creatures that eat people alive.

Her guide? Thane Valkor: sorcerer, assassin, walking red flag. His name clears rooms. His magic kills quietly. And whatever he’s really after, it’s not salvation.

He promises to help. He might even mean it.

But Zaira knows better than to trust a liar with a blade and ice in his veins.

She just doesn’t have a choice.

I LIKED IT!

Thanks to a random story I saw I went and downloaded this book! It was a fun romantasy and while I did think it’s a standalone, I’ll read the sequel!

I liked the dynamic between the romantic leads. Zaira is a strong empath and truly leads with kindness and in a brutal world and magic system I thought it was a great opposition to things happening around (and to) her. While it totally frustrated me at times, I was also interested to see how her character arc would be shaped over the novel.

The romance is very much grump x sunshine. Thane is a force and I liked getting more of his background too. I do think the spice started a little early and I’m still not 100% sold on the relationship. I’m hopeful to see how book two increases the connection.

I liked the world. I liked the magic system and it was all around a good read. I’m not a huge fan of travel adventure style plots so that became repetitive for me, otherwise though, I think you should pick this up!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: mild – moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: near death experiences, murder, torture, kidnapping, creature encounters

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