Book Review: Invictus (Esperance Trilogy #2) by Heather Frost

April 16, 2026February 18, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 685 pages
Author: Heather Frost
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She chose to trust him.

He swore to protect her.

But surviving Esperance was only the beginning . . .

Amryn never intended to betray the rebels she swore to help—or fall for the husband she was forced to marry. But when everything at Esperance fell apart, Carver became the one person she could trust. Now, she must rely on him more than ever—especially since the knights who hunt empaths know one was at Esperance. If they find her, they will kill her. Yet the threat Amryn doesn’t see coming may prove deadlier, because even though she turned her back on the rebels, the Rising isn’t done with her.

Carver has already lost too much at Esperance. He won’t lose anyone else—especially Amryn. He’ll fight to protect his wife from every threat, including the mysterious bloodstone that nearly killed her. He knows the dangerous relic must be destroyed, but first he has to get the surviving Chosen to the capital—a mission that soon turns deadly, making it clear there is still someone out there who never planned for the Chosen to leave Esperance alive.

But safety isn’t guaranteed in the emperor’s palace. Here, every action is scrutinized and politics twist every word. Surrounded by hidden enemies, ruthless assassins, and deadly conspiracies, Amryn and Carver must navigate a web of danger that could cost them everything—including their lives.

Invictus is book two in a swoony, closed-door fantasy romance series by Amazon bestselling author Heather Frost. If you love slow-burn romance, surprising twists, and an action-packed story you can’t put down, you’ll love Invictus. Just be sure to read Esperance first!

GIMME BOOK THREE.

This is one of the few gems in the [adult closed door fantasy romance] spaces. I have struggled to find ones I can easily recommend and so far so good through book two.

My one small issue was the length. At 670 pages it’s a beast and I started to feel it after awhile. And I did pick out the plot and reveals pretty early on.

Now, the romance?? GIVE ME MORE KISSES. I absolutely loved the building relationship between Carver and Amryn. It’s creating a genuine bond that feels deep and secure and I’m obsessed with the ways the both take care of each other. I truly like this whole cast and seeing some of the side romances blossom too.

This was left with a brutal cliffhanger so I’m excited to read book three when it drops!!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door
Violence: mild-moderate
Content warnings: kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, weapons/physical violence

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Book Review: Anytime I Want by Meredith Logan

April 12, 2026April 6, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 258 pages
Author: Meredith Logan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When I was seven, I made a boyfriend list. Now he’s sixteen and using it to win my heart.

Julia
The boy next door is a total dreamboat. Handsome, kind, and funny but he flirts with everyone- and did I mention he’s my brother’s best friend? And his parents are best friends with my parents? It’s complicated. When he decides to use my childhood boyfriend list to show me how serious he is about us, I have to decide if he’s worth risking all the complications.

Graham
I’ve been in love with her forever. But I’m kind of a screw up and she doesn’t trust me. I come up with a plan to use her boyfriend list to prove myself. I recruit our families, friends-anyone who can help us finally be together. But will it be enough to finally convince her to trust me?

A swoony YA romance about friendships, families, and first loves.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

DEBUT VIBES.

This felt very much like a debut. I had some plot and writing issues throughout that made me focus on them rather than the story, but maybe I wasn’t totally invested in the story either? I had a hard time remembering that these were 16 year-olds because the writing often read younger than that.

I think a few of the aspects were cute. I do appreciate that it is written for a younger audience. Something you could give to a teen without worrying about content which is getting hard to find nowadays. There’s no language, nothing more than kissing and overall the vibe is light and without heavy themes.

Most often I was frustrated with the FMC. Julia was constantly downplaying and coming off as a *pick me* girl while Graham was trying his best to show [over and over and over] how much he liked her. Dare I say, he worked too hard.

The friendships are good and a positive theme throughout as well as the parents. I think having supportive people in your immediate circle is wonderful and hopeful. I loved all of those interactions.

Overall audience notes:

YA Contemporary romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses

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Book Review: A Proper Governess (Hearts of Harewood #2) by Kasey Stockton

April 10, 2026April 20, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 332 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: September 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Aurelia Beswick obtains a post as the governess for Lord Ryland’s only son, she doesn’t realize she has met the earl before until she arrives at his house.

Fortunately, Lord Ryland doesn’t seem to remember her. And she must ensure he never does.

Book two in the Hearts of Harewood series, A Proper Governess is a sweet and clean Regency romance including a governess, and a widower who has turned into a recluse, and a sweet boy who brings them together.

A SWEET HISTORICAL.

I realized I hadn’t caught up on this series so here we are! It’s been a minute since I’ve read a regency romance and this reminded me why I love this historical sub genre. This was a sweet story that had all of that ooey-gooeyness I love.

It was a quick read and I loved seeing the character growth over the course of the book. There were good friendships and lots of forced proximity romantic moments too. For a short read I still felt the depth of the characters and the communication needed between them as Ryland and Aurelia grew closer.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4) by J.M. Kearl

April 9, 2026January 25, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 752 pages
Author: J.M. Kearl
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fourth and final book in J.M. Kearl’s bestselling The Elf Queen romantasy series!

Valeen, the goddess of night, fears no one and is never commanded by anyone.

Layala Lightbringer has embraced her goddess side, Valeen, but she has the fight of her life against the Council of the Gods before she can reclaim her throne and immortality.

No longer is she the confused, lost elf afraid of her power. She is a primordial goddess and wife to the god of mischief and magic, Hel. She, Hel, and Thane have a vendetta to settle, and she will rain down the very stars on her enemies to protect those she loves.

But the enemy is ruthless, powerful, and cunning. Everyone she loves is threatened, including her beloved sister Katana, and the existence of Palenor.

The council wants what she has and they’ve hunted her through the ages to get it. But she won’t give up, and she won’t give in. The drums of war steadily beat, but the queen is back and ready to take what’s rightfully hers.

GREAT CONCLUSION.

I am sad to see this series go but grateful for an awesome conclusion that brought together the things I was hoping for. Granted, I did forget some details from the previous book because I didn’t reread, yet I noticed that it didn’t bug me. I kind of dove in and took in the story as it went and found another fantasy romance series I can rec to others.

I liked the trajectory of romances. There were a lot of aspects at play and I appreciated that some pieces felt new to fantasy. This is what I miss about longer book series, the evolution of characters and relationships and arcs that you don’t always get in less page time. Do I think this could have been a little shorter still? Yes. I did like the audiobook though so it wasn’t a slog (duet narration y’all!!).

There’s loads of action, politicking, betrayals and loved ones loss. Low points and high points and a book that prioritized plot over spice. I loved the four POV’s and the differences between them. The unique personalities made switching between everyone easy. I loved the romantic banter and the deep found family love. This really does have those hallmark moments I love about romantasy books and you definitely should check this series out!!

Overall audience notes: