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ALC Book Review: Jilted by Vi Keeland

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 266 pages
Author: Vi Keeland
Publisher: Bramble
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestseller Vi Keeland comes a brand new slow burn, swooning romance where 27 Dresses meets The Hating Game.

Weddings. I spend every working minute talking and writing about them, when just the thought of one makes me want to scream. After my fiancé abandoned me at the altar last year, my dream job at Bride magazine has turned into a reoccurring nightmare.

To add insult to injury, the bridezilla at my latest assignment, somehow roped me into filling in for a missing bridesmaid. Of course, I had to get paired with the most gorgeous groomsman. Wilder Hayes is perfect—except when he opens his mouth and we end up bickering all evening. That is, until the coat closet incident.

At least I’ll never have to see him again. Or so I think… Until I walk into work on Monday and find out Wilder isn’t just a jerk, he’s also my boss’s son. And I’ll be spending the rest of the season working with him at every single wedding I cover this year.

Can the jilted bride and the man who is afraid of love find a way to heal each other?

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

THAT’S A NO FOR ME.

I had been warned before listening to this that it might not work for me. I went in level headed and admittedly did like it for the first 50%ish. The bones of the plot were good. The MMC was a rugby player and uber charming. I didn’t mind the FMC, all is hunky-dory.

But after the halfway mark things went downhill. So much so that I’m quite confident this is the only book I will read from this author. I’m good with that. I didn’t like the heaviness of the spice and the third act??? NOPE. One of my most frustrating tropes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4+ open door; high explicit
  • Content warnings: cheating (not the main characters), Parkinson’s disease, loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 860 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: November 8th, 2011
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It began with Eragon… It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini’s worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

WHAT WAS THAT.

Yeah yeah yeah this book was a pretty good conclusion and wrapped up most of the plot lines and things ALMOST ended as they should, but I can’t help my romantic brain, why did the author have to do this to me? This didn’t even feel like an eventually matter, it’s just straight unrequited forever. Booooooo.

Anyways, I did love all of the dragon content, and the evolution of Eragon has been great. I liked the other POV’s we saw and that Murtaugh got some good moments as well because I do plan to read his book.

That’s about all I can dive into without fully spoiling everything at the end of this first era of the series. I’m not mad I read these, they’re verrrrry long winded though and I’m glad I did them on audio.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: unrequited nonsense
  • Violence: moderate-high

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Book Review: Signed, Sealed, and Smitten (Only Magic in the Building) by Melanie Jacobson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 330 pages
Author: Melanie Jacobson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 16th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The last thing she needs is another off-limits work romance. He’s fine playing the friendly flirt . . . until he falls for real.

Embarrassing breakups at work cost you promotions. Phoebe learned that the hard way. So when a patron’s will names her as the director of a new museum in Serendipity Springs, she jumps at the chance to prove her professionalism.

Her new plan: focus on work. Ignore distractions. Definitely ignore men. Easy peasy.

But then the mailbox in Phoebe’s quirky apartment building starts delivering a series of old love letters written between strangers…sixty years ago.

She can’t afford the distraction, but she also can’t ignore the letters, so she enlists the help of Jay, the flirty heir to her benefactor’s fortune, to help her solve the mystery of who they belong to.

Jay is exactly the history pro she needs, but he’s also the kind of handsome charmer Phoebe always falls for, and since he’s on the museum board, she’s not about to risk her recovering reputation. Despite their sizzling chemistry, she quickly sends Jay to the friend zone.

Until the mysterious letters from the past lead them to surprising discoveries in the present, and serendipity steps in with an irresistible nudge and a memorable, magical kiss.

HERE’S THE LET DOWN.

This is the first book in this Only Magic in the Building series that I have struggled with. My positives were that many of the romance based scenes were sweet. I do think that Jay and Phoebe had chemistry. They cared about each other and that was evident. And some of the museum content was fine too.

What bugged me were some of the dialogue choices. Things like Hot Prof, hottie with a body, and more are just not my cup of tea. And I found the whimsy aspect with the letters dry. I didn’t want to read another letter and then hash out all of these details. Combine that with the ever present presentations Phoebe was trying to get through and this felt work/life balance was skewed.

It’s a sweet story, just not one that I loved.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Kelsey Impicciche
Publisher: Blackstone
Release Date: April 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From popular content creator Kelsey Impicciche, Voice of the Ocean follows a daring young siren who defies her people to save a human prince, unearthing ancient magic and igniting a dangerous romance amidst treacherous waters.

As the youngest daughter of the Siren queen, Celeste’s life is tightly controlled. Desperate to prove her worth, she intends to join the Chorus – an elite group of siren warriors. With her final test on the horizon, Celeste must finally gain control over her temperamental Song. But when Celeste encounters a seemingly harmless ship, helmed by the intriguing Prince Raiden Sharp, her path veers towards forbidden waters.

Believing the handsome sailor to be innocent of any wrongdoing, Celeste defies Siren law to save Raiden’s life – despite knowing he is the son of a king who has murdered many of her kindred. The penalty for Celeste’s betrayal should be death, but the queen offers her an alternative: right her wrong by assassinating the prince. Determined to first discover the truth behind the prince’s clandestine mission, Celeste agrees to become human.

The human world is nothing like she expected, nor is the prince the charming and noble man she assumed him to be. But as Celeste finds her place aboard the ship, friendships – and attraction – begin to grow. Will Celeste be able to save herself? Or will her choices unravel a kingdom, devastating sirens and humans alike?

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Bibliolifestyle Tours for the gifted copy.

I LIKED IT!

I enjoyed reading this one! I have been looking forward to this story and the audiobook was fantastic. And I loved the FMC. She cries a lot (relatable) and goes through a great coming of age process that I look forward to seeing even more of in the next book. I loved seeing the growth and strengths and weaknesses.

Found family was a bit aspect of this book and I loved seeing those bonds form. A ragtag group of rascals from different spots in life and with a whole host of personalities. I loved getting to know everyone.

The romance is not at the forefront but I am intrigued by it. I loved the trope movement (of which I won’t go into detail to save from spoilers). I definitely need more of these two (and hooray for calling this book YA and actually having it be kisses only).

Overall audience notes:

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

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