ARC Book Review: Of the Curse or the Crown (The Veridian Empire #2) by V.B. Lacey

July 17, 2025July 12, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 566 pages
Author: V.B. Lacey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 24th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Princess Diaries 2 meets King Midas in this swoon-worthy forbidden romance fantasy standalone.

An heir. An Empress. A Queen.

As a former rebel leader, Clarissa Aris is no stranger to power. She’s ready to reclaim the throne of the Veridian Empire and is eager to guide her people out of a past of violence and into a better future.

But when a mysterious king unexpectedly asks for her hand in marriage to restore peace between their two lands, she chooses to accept. Clarissa travels to meet him in Mysthelm, a realm they had been cut off from for centuries, and is thrust into a foreign kingdom with secrets around every corner, a betrothed she isn’t sure she can trust, and brewing tension with his handsome best friend and advisor.

Clarissa’s search for answers uncovers the truth behind a deadly blight sweeping Mysthelm and a centuries-old curse threatening to destroy the people she’s come to care for. When she learns her magic may be the only cure, she’s determined to both rescue this kingdom from danger and keep the Veridian Empire safe from meddling forces.

Time is running out. Which will fall the curse or the crown?

Of the Curse or the Crown is the second book in a series of interconnected dark fantasy standalones. This book includes a summary of book one, In the Wake of the Wicked , for those who have not read it. While it is advised to read book one first, it’s not necessary. Of the Curse or the Crown follows a newly appointed Empress who chooses to unite with a feuding kingdom in a marriage of convenience. She finds herself thrown into a world of curses, secrets, and meddling Fates while battling feelings for her betrothed’s best friend. Perfect for lovers of Princess Diaries, Greek mythology, and The Plated Prisoner series, this book is full of plot twists, lovable side characters, unique magic, witty banter, and no spice forbidden love romance.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A GREAT READ!

I am just the biggest fan of V.B. Lacey. Do you know how hard it is to find closed door fantasy authors that still bring the heat? I just love picking her books up.

I adored all of the nods to Princess Diaries 2. It made me giddy every time that I noticed the subtle movie moments (y’all don’t even know how many times I’ve watched PD2). It worked perfectly with the plot and made it a fun journey. There were many memorable scenes and pieces I enjoyed. It’s a good romantasy to sink into and watch the expansion of the world and magic systems. I loved seeing a new land and new people with new dynamics.

This was missing a touch of something for me. A little more swoon and a tightened up pace. While I loved the moments between Clarissa and Thorne. And this had a surprise trope that I wasn’t expecting but was nice to see in a fantasy romance setting (it is NOT surprise pregnancy y’all!!!). The endearing quality of the connection between characters was really sweet to see.

By the end this truly had me salivating over the third book. I am HERE FOR ITTTTT.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door
Violence: moderate
Content warnings: loss of life, PTSD and panic attacks, weapons/physical violence, near death experiences

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Book Review: Unmasked (Benevolence & Blood #2.5) by Lauren M. Leasure

July 16, 2025June 20, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 266 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The boys who age out of the orphanage become soldiers. That’s the way of it. That’s always been the plan for Miles Landgrave.

His own past is a mystery to him and he’s content to keep it that way. With his sights set on a higher rank, it seems his true life’s purpose is finally within reach. Soon, he’ll be able to step out of the shadows of survival and into the role he was born to fill.

When he meets Cielle Andyr, all of it comes grinding to a halt. He’s never questioned his own allegiance nor the horrific acts that allegiance will soon force him to commit. But now, he sees everything in a new light, one he was convinced didn’t exist.

For the first time in his life, Miles has more to live for than his duty, placing him at a crossroads between the honor of love and the love of honor. As unrest grows across the continent, he must choose between love and duty, between a sworn oath and a longing heart.

But a world doesn’t exist where he can have both.

I LOVE MILES SO MUCH.

I loved this novella. I’ve been wanting Miles story for a long time and oh my gosh it packed a GUT PUNCH. I loved being back in this world and getting more background. I loved that it was dual POV too. It’s set prior to the current track of the series and gives me a tiny bit of hope for how things will come together.

The romance was well paced. I loved seeing some side characters and I look forward to seeing how this all will fit back into the series! This isn’t a *necessary* story, but if you have been loving this world, I definitely recommend reading this too!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance Novella
Language: high
Romance: 2 open door
Violence: high
Content Warnings: loss of life

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Book Review: A Ballad of Stars (Thieves of Felshan #2) by Jacqlin Guernsey

July 11, 2025June 1, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 430 pages
Author: Jacqlin Guernsey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Only the stars see all…

With the throne still hanging in the balance and its rightful heir nowhere to be found, the kingdom of Felshan remains vulnerable to the whims of a traitorous mind. Determined to avert disaster, Ari and Roan are set on restoring Princess Lena to the role that is her birthright — with the help of a most unlikely ally.

Tumbling from the hands of one captor to another, Lena reluctantly accepts a new offer of betrothal from the powerful Kael Davenport. When Lena uncovers a hidden diary, dangerous questions arise. Armed with tales of corruption and conspiracy, Lena resolves to exact justice, saving herself and Felshan in the process.

Meanwhile, Ari’s chance for revenge appears within arm’s reach — but she must make an impossible choice. Will she save the man she loves? Or will she fall into the plans of a treacherous king?

And all the while another piece of a malicious master plan is falling into place…

A Ballad of Stars is book #2 in the Thieves of Felshan series and is a closed-door fantasy romance.

BUMMED.

I had much higher hopes going into this book and it ultimately fell prey to second/middle book of the series syndrome.

I love a good fantasy romance, but I like it to be balanced with the plot. This book was so much romantically focused that the story line took FOR-EVER to get anything going. All of the built up tension sagged because the lead-up was dragged out. I kept waiting for things to happen for anyone, anywhere and none of that occurred until maybe the last 15%.

I do like these characters and the over arching story is good. The way this one made me frustrated has me contemplating continuing the series though.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: make-outs
Violence: high

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Book Review: Beyond the Aching Door (The Fatebound Duology #1) by Victoria Mier

July 2, 2025May 23, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 541 pages
Author: Victoria Mier
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: March 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A mortal journalist. A mysterious series of drownings. An exiled Fey king. A forgotten Fatesong. A single, desperate chance to save magic from extinction.All Raegan Maeve Overhill wants is to survive another October. It’s the anniversary of the worst thing that ever happened to the unsolved disappearance of her father nearly two decades ago. But when mysterious drownings grip the city of Philadelphia, Raegan sets her mourning rituals aside for a career-making opportunity to lead her newspaper’s investigation.

Her hunt for answers takes her to the city’s shadowy places where magical beings appear in puddles, the Fair Folk offer bargains, and magic is very, very real. When Raegan uncovers a startling connection to her father’s disappearance, she knows she can’t just return to her normal life without finding the truth. To get it, though, she’ll need to make a deal with the dark, deadly and alluring Unseelie Fae King—and do her best to ignore their dangerous attraction to one another. Inspired by Welsh mythology, Slavic folklore and Arthurian legend, Beyond the Aching Door is an adult urban fantasy romance for fans of A Discovery of Witches and Dark Night, Golden Dawn. This spicy fae romantic fantasy is intended for readers 18+.

DID I READ A DIFFERENT BOOK?

After a few friends raved about this one I gave it a go and I’m so sad that it ended up not working for me.

Once again I have been plagued by another URBAN fantasy book masquerading as a true fantasy. If the modern world is present, it’s not FULL FANTASY (for my interpretation). And I really struggled with that. The first 200 pages were drawn out and had a repetitive quality to it that made reading tough.

The love interest does not have a personality. I wanted to love him (he gave me wannabe Rhys vibes), and it felt like we never got to KNOW him. The connection between him and Raegan was stilted even if I was loving the fated romance aspects.

I truly thought this was an interesting premise and many good bones were in place. Some of the execution lacked for me and these 550 pages felt longer than necessary.

Overall audience notes: