Tag: indie author

Book Review: Anytime I Want by Meredith Logan

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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

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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

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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:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: brief open & fade to black
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales (The Fatesworn Saga #1) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 650 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 26th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What is inevitable?
Emmeline DeLeoste has always talked to the stars. As a member of a fortune-telling warrior clan, her exceptional magic allows her to read the Fates, earning her a prestigious Academy job. But it has also cost her everyone she loves.
Roremar Silventa has more responsibilities than any man should. Combined with his Reckless reputation haunting his every step, it’s left him burdened in more ways than one.
When women start disappearing from the drug-infested Isle of Lyra, Emmeline and Roremar are tasked with finding the culprit due to their unique skillsets. In return, each is offered the one thing they can’t refuse. There’s only one problem: the pair couldn’t be more different.
Amid mounting threats from the Fates, and with a murderer creeping closer, Emmeline and Roremar strike up an alliance only to realize that, despite their differences, or perhaps because of them, they may understand each other in a way no one else can.
Can they unveil fated pasts and catch a killer before they lose their lives–or their hearts?
Everyone on Lyra has a secret, and some things may be inevitable after all.
Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales is the first book in an Adult Romantic Fantasy series full of celestial magic, murder mystery, and sizzling, star crossed love. It is recommended for fans of Chloe C. Peñaranda, Sarah A. Parker, and Kayla Edwards.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GOOD START.

I read and highly enjoyed NP’s previous series so I’ve been excited to see what other stories she’d write. I thought this was a great start to a new series and I’m excited to continue. I also listened to the audiobook and loved that format. The narrators (dual POV) did a great job with Emmeline and Roremar.

This had a murder mystery vibe but make it fantasy. Reluctant allies, Emmeline and Roremar, struggle to get along as they work towards the same goal of finding out what’s happening in their city. I super appreciated how much of a genuine slow burn this was and that the plot > spice. I liked the world system and the magic system. Things didn’t feel info-dumpy and slowly unveiled as the book went on. I also loved that Roremar took care of all of his siblings. He’s a protector at his core and it showed in multiple ways.

I know NP does a great job with reveals and twists (I’ve read her previous series) and that was no different here. I sat in stunned shocked for multiple chapters trying to figure out what the heck just happened. It was devastating and wild and made me even more excited for book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, kidnapping, torture, loss of life

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