Tag: indie author

Book Review: Into the Abyss (Into the Churn #3) by Hayley Reese Chow

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Sci-FI Romance
Length: 312 pages
Author: Hayley Reese Chow
Publisher: Whimsical Publishing
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It was never just a race…

Four months after dark syndicate interference in Crion’s inaugural race royale, Ezren and Foster have settled into their roles as ambassadors on the BRR council.

Though begrudgingly working beside their would-be murderer, Ezren and Foster have struck an uneasy truce as Calderon mentors them in Casollan politics for the upcoming BRR. While Foster counts down the days until they can walk away from the council, Ezren is conflicted as she weighs their ever-growing positive impact.

However, when a high-profile murder upends the whole system, Casolla’s fragile peace balances on a knife blade of disaster. As the deadly conspiracy unfurls, a new race begins, and blood spills among the stars. With both their lives and Casolla’s future hanging in the balance, Foster and Ezren will have to decide who they’re meant to be or risk losing their world to the darkness forever.

Run. Drive. Fight. Rise.

I’M GOING TO MISS THEM.

I have adored this series so much and didn’t expect this last book to pack such a punch for me but that goes to show how incredible HRC has crafted these characters and story. I loooove Ezren and Foster so much. They have beautiful chemistry and a strong desire to work together (rather than petty problems pull them apart, BLESS). They fought for each other in multiple ways and my heart was in my throat throughout many chapters because things got INTENSE.

And I love this whole cast. The found family trope was executed to perfection where I felt drawn to everyone and emotionally invested in where they landed (praise the epilogue).

The antagonist aka the final boss was predictable, yet I was still drawn to how the plot unfolded. Seeing how they got there, what caused the fallout, and the eventual demise were exactly what this book needed. I loved how the entire series got wrapped up, it feels complete and I can put it down knowing I enjoyed the heck out of every page.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Sci-Fi Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: moderate blood/gore depiction, physical & psychological torture, loss of life, murder, kidnapping

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ARC Book Review: The Legacy of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #5) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 750 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A forgotten myth resurrected. A legacy to conquer them all.

Ophelia and Malakai have been ripped from their loved ones and are at the mercy of a vengeful god.

But they quickly discover that in order to uncover secrets buried among realms, that may be precisely where they need to be. Even if it jeopardizes all they have fought to become.

Meanwhile, their friends receive a surprise visit from a potential ally that spurs them to rekindle partnerships, deny the bounds of power, and push love to the brink of destruction.

With myths resurrected and the very fabric of Ambrisk at risk, can the warriors survive their final battle against the deities? Or are they fated to become the legends stories are written of?

Everything culminates in this high-stakes, realm-shattering conclusion to the Epic Romantic Fantasy series, the Curse of Ophelia. With a loveable found family, scorching slow burn romances, and inspiration from Greek mythology, this series introduces a universe full of twisted lore and ancient battles that is perfect for fans of Chloe C Penaranda, Sarah J Maas, and Melissa K Roehrich.

MADE IT.

I miss the era of longer series and I loved that this has five books (+ a novella) with so many characters to love and appreciate. Each book was genuinely solid. NP crafted an incredible world with an amazing magic system and storylines I was deeply attached to reading.

I won’t go into much detail here because I don’t want to lead into any spoilers. But I’ll be CLEAR, you should absolutely read this series. Especially if you’ve been chasing the high of Throne of Glass ever since you finished the series. It is in no way a copycat, it just has the vibes in all the best ways.

The length of this one got to me a little bit (which could have been a mood thing so take that with a grain of salt). Otherwise, I don’t have any complaints. I loved seeing where all of these pairs ended up, there were so many memorable, soul-binding scenes and the antagonist got their due. The roller coaster of emotions was stellar. I can’t wait to read NP’s next series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild – moderate
  • Romance: 4-5ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content notes: abuse (mental/emotional), loss of loved ones, mild blood/gore, torture, assault, PTSD

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Book Review: The Splendor of Fire (The Hebridean Shield #2) by Ashley Worrell

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 376 pages
Author: Ashley Worrell
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: October 22nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Left without a voice after being lost at sea, and unable to communicate except with the man she calls Father, Moira Allen has spent her life running wild among the treetops on the Isle of Skye. Observing and sketching everything around her, and assisting Father with the care of “prestigious guests” inside the walls of Cràdh Prison, Moira’s untamed heart and sharp instincts have made her uniquely positioned to change the course of history.

Imprisoned by his brother Niall for disgracing his family and killing his sister Elspeth, Léo MacKinnon has known nothing but a life of loss. First the murder of his parents, then his abandonment in France by his brothers, his wife’s tragic death, and now his imprisonment and separation from his only child. Tragedies all spurred by Léo’s darkest and most painful secret. The secret that no one can ever know, yet it is the secret God will not let him forget.

As the Wolf and the MacKinnons tighten their hold on the Isle of Skye and the Kingdom of the Isles, Léo’s survival lays in the hands of a most unlikely champion—a mute and vibrant beauty who will slip into the heart of his captor, risking her safety, her virtue, and her life, all to ensure the freedom of the man she loves.

A GOOD SEQUEL.

(Though I don’t think you HAVE to read these in order, I would recommend it).

I find these books so intriguing. The stories pull you in with the intensity of the moment and the chaos of not knowing where things will go next. The need to know everyone makes it out alive and that the leads get their HEA. It’s easy to follow and read and highly engaging.

The instant love was a little meh to me. I thought things got off a little too quickly. There were some good gaps that helped but I think they argued about the same thing one too many times. I did love Leo and Moira though. They were both fantastic characters with a lot of strength and perseverance. The faith elements were woven in naturally and I look forward to continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: attempted sexual assault, kidnapping, near death experiences, loss of life

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2025

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SHUT UP ABOUT THE SUN.

I will never stop using that quote. This is the lowest amount of reading I have done in a long time! And that’s okay. There was a LOOOOT of life happening and I needed to focus on that. Luckily the majority of these books were great. Some reviews are out now and others will be out soon!

  • Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner
  • Into the Abyss (Into the Churn #3) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang
  • [ARC] Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner
  • [ARC] All’s Well that Friends Well (Lucky in Love #2) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
  • Heir of Storms (Storm Weaver #1) by Lauren Hamilton Murray
  • Let’s Make a Scene (Theo & Cynthie #2) by Laura Wood
  • A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Compelling Fates Saga #1) by Sophia St. Germain
  • Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
  • [ARC] Of the Curse of the Crown (The Veridian Empire #2) by V.B. Lacey
  • [ARC/ALC] Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls #5) by Catherine Cowles
  • Into the Dark (Magnolia Parks Universe #5) by Jessa Hastings
  • [ALC] The Enchanted Greenhouse (Spellshop #2) by Sarah Beth Durst
  • [ARC] A Tartan Love (The Earls of Cairnfell #1) by Nichole Van
  • [ARC/ALC] Steel & Spellfire by Laura E. Weymouth
  • Wicked Sea and Sky (Curse of Ever #1) by Jenna Collett
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed #1) by Brigitte Knightley
  • Pros Don’t (Fall in Love #4) by Leah Dobrinska
  • Lore of the Tides (Lore of the Wilds #2) by Analeigh Sbrana
  • [ARC] If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
  • [ARC/ALC] Soulmatch by Rebecca Danzenbaker
  • Family of Liars (We Were Liars #2) by E. Lockhart
  • [Reread] Gilded Serpent (Dark Shores #3) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology #1) by Maggie Rapier
  • Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni
  • Trial of Bronze and Blood (Bronze and Blood Saga #1) by M.K. Deoradhan
  • Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel: Part 1 by Shannon Messenger
  • Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge
  • [ARC/ALC] Falling Into Place by Allison Ashley
  • A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

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