Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: Wisteria (Belladonna #3) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: August 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

DON’T COME AT ME.

Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.

My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.

But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder

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ARC/ALC Book Review: The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats #1) by Mary E. Pearson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Flatiron
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance.

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

Thank you to Flatiron for the gifted ARC and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

LOTS OF THOUGHTS.

Alright, y’all know this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and I thought it delivered in the end. I do tend to have a hard time with an urban-ish setting where the characters kind of flip back and forth between fae/human lands. I thought enough time was spent in the fae lands that I was able to enjoy the fantasy world.

I loved that it was multiple POV. I love having views from all the characters. And with shorter chapters the pace was moving well and I was getting every angle of the story I needed to see the big picture.

The world building was perfectly fine and I love books with fae so no issues at all for me there. I thought Bristol was a FMC I could get behind and I think her potential is brewing and I liked the growth and strength throughout this book. There were some good reveals that you could see coming but enjoyed all the same with the dramatic fall outs.

I also loved the romance. It was a slow burn where the characters actually got to know each other and gave good push and pull with banter and heated moments. This is OPEN DOOR for anyone who has read her previous series. It’s vague though (my preference) and didn’t overwhelm the plot.

The audiobook was amazing. I listened and read my copy and loved the experience. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job for reading all of the POV’s and creating distinct voices.

I’m just a huge fan of MEP and I loved being immersed in her writing and world again. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: 3+ vague open door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: murder, loss of life, weapons violence

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Book Review: The Mist Thief (The Ever Seas #3) by L.J. Andrews

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 454 pages
Author: L.J. Andrews
Publisher: Victorious
Release Date: June 30th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

he tried to kill him, so he made her his wife.

Skadi first met her husband-to-be with blades in hand on the opposite side of a battle. She lost, and he claimed his prize.

To her horror, the king of the shadow elven agrees to marry her off to Jonas, a prince in the fae realms, as a way to unite their kingdoms against a shared enemy—the light elves. Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won’t come into play.

Except her new husband makes not falling in love . . . challenging.

When new threats arise, Skadi must decide to either love her enemy, or keep him alive by betraying him to another.

Welcome to another installment in the Ever Seas world where pirates, fae, and elves collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a morally gray cinnamon roll and the broken princess who steals his heart.

*This book is a standalone with a guaranteed HEA, and can be read before The Ever King/Queen, but to see the full impact of their story, it’s recommended to read that duet first. This series is set in the same world as the bestselling Broken Kingdoms series, but can be read independently, and readers are encouraged to read the list of triggers inside.*

LOVELY STANDALONE.

I loved loved loved being back in this world. It hit that fantasy romance craving I am always in search of and it was MARRAIGE OF CONVENIENCE. How was I supposed to resist???

I loved Skadi and Jonas. I love seeing a man fall hard and do whatever he can to make Skadi feel comfortable and safe with him and his family.

Jonas stilled for a breath, then leaned forward, drawing his cheek alongside mine. “Be kind, be gentle, and be monstrous. I will want you every way.”

This line was used a few times throughout and I was OBSESSED every time I read it. Who doesn’t want to be loved this way? Through the darkness and the light. It resonated deeply and made this passionate book all the more.

The physicality of the relationship started to outweigh the plot in the second half. And that did bug me enough to notice and mark it. Otherwise I don’t have any issues. The plot is slower and heavily romance focused rather than the larger plot. It has the edge of feeling cozy while still dark and gritty. I can’t wait for more books with future couples!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: high
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: self harm (recounted), murder, assault, kidnapping, torture, mentions of emotional and mental abuse

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Book Review: Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #2) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: August 8th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. —Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat…er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies…including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so…so…delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

WELL THIS WAS FUN.

I know you could throw me a handful of reasons why you didn’t like this book or what it was missing, etc. etc. BUT, I gotta say, I love that this takes me out of my usual and brings me a good smile and chuckle. The banter was still amazing and I loved the nuanced aspects of this series. It was swoony with a fantastic slow burn and I absolutely loved having multiple points of view.

I wasn’t sure where the plot was going to go because it starts off fast from the previous and kind of settle that score (for the moment). I ended up loving the progression and found myself increasingly invested and wanting more. This is quirky and just brings me joy.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: heated make-outs with touching
  • Violence: moderate

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