Tag: indie author

Book Review: Poisoned Ivy (Legacies #1) by Ava Rani

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 398 pages
Author: Ava Rani
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: October 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maxton Hall meets Rory Gilmore’s college years in this decadent college romance that equal parts passion, privilege and mystery.

Malena Amin is two people.

At home, she the respectable, rule-abiding daughter that her controlling family expects. At her prestigious Ivy-League University, she’s the risk-taking, adventurous woman that she wants to be. With parents who demand to know her location settings at all times, Malena uses a secret phone and secret bank account to make her double life possible.

But when her tutoring job falls through, she hits a snag in funding that double life. So, Malena sets her eyes on the prize money from a National feature-writing contest through the school paper. And when she intercepts an invitation to an ultra-exclusive secret society on campus-she has the perfect story.

She’ll attend, lay low, and get an inside look.

Unfortunately, she’s discovered early in the night by the notorious playboy and Hastings Media heir: Conrad Hastings.

The frustratingly attractive Conrad doesn’t aspire to anything other than a good time. But when his newspaper-magnate father discovers that he’s delinquent on work for the school paper, Conrad needs to complete it before his father can make good on an ultimatum. So, he agrees to let Malena into the secret society-temporarily- if she agrees to share a byline on the article they’ll write together. Conrad fulfils his obligations, and Malena gets the inside look she needs for the contest.

But, the two soon discover an art world mystery hidden between lavish parties and Gothic libraries. And more concerningly: a palpable spark between them. With new clues unraveling before them, mounting desire they can’t ignore and Malena’s web of lies threatening to collapse-their partnership becomes a lot more than a simple deal.

GO FOR THE AUDIO.

I’m a sucker if I see that an audiobook offers duet narration so here we are!! A new to me author and I totally think I’m going to read the next book in this series. I would love more college romance books so this hit the spot. I loved the yearning and the dash of mystery and that undeniable connection between Conrad and Malena.

I didn’t love a few innuendo based things about the book. It kind of felt forced and overdone. Same with the spice. Less is more for this story.

But I adored Conrad. He was just THERE in all the ways Malena needed. I really liked Malena’s friends too. What I wouldn’t do to have such a solid base like that. The setting with the amongst the wealthy with secret societies and such was different than my usual which made for a quick and enjoyable listen.

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult college romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 5ish open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: domestic abuse (Mom pinches and slaps FMC), mentions of infidelity (not between the main couple)

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Book Review: A Wraith Beneath the Tides (Beyond the Tides #1) by Emilia Jae

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 584 pages
Author: Emilia Jae
Publisher: Em’s Bookish Realm Press
Release Date: July 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MEETS ATLANTIS THE LOST EMPIRE. –>

Raised in secret by the sea’s most feared pirate, Esmyra Blackwood knows nothing of her past or the origins of her mysterious powers.

In the mortal kingdom, Draevyn Rowe is the second-born son of the tyrant king, and the only known fire-wielder of their realm.

Esmyra and Draevyn’s journeys collide when she kidnaps him to force a trade with the king for her captain’s life. But when her barter is refused, she is instead tasked with unearthing a kingdom lost a thousand years prior. Together, the two are forced to navigate a labyrinth of lies and secrets in search of the sunken kingdom.

The tides are shifting, and with scheming gods and ancient rivalries at play, alliances will be forged and shattered. The two must decide who to trust, and how far they’re willing to go for the ones they love.

Esmyra will face a choice: Does their world deserve salvation… or will she be its reckoning?

PRETTY GOOD.

This had been sitting on my KU line-up for a bit and I’ve been excited to get to it. And I think it held up pretty well. I’ll read the next book.

It had a plot line that I feel like I haven’t read recently so while, at times, frustrating, it was also nice to see? I am curious where it’s going to lead and how the fallout will occur.

The romance [gratefully] was enough of a slow burn for me. I do think there needed to be something higher on the swoony factor to really sell me but maybe that’s coming in the sequel. I think there was some good banter between Esmyra and Draevyn and it definitely had enemies to lovers vibes.

I’m curious about the addition of a third POV and where that will lead. I have ideas I’d love to see, which one again, leads me to being hopeful about book two. We shall see!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 1-2 open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Falling for Keeps (Falling for Autumn) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: September 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He was supposed to be one kiss…not the neighbor across the street.

As the children’s librarian in Autumn Ridge, Emma spends her days surrounded by happy endings. But between restoring her old farmhouse, keeping her family together, and searching for a decent man in a very small town, her own romance feels permanently shelved.

Then one impulsive night at a bar, she kisses Carson Price—the popular guy she crushed on in high school.

For Emma, it’s a reckless little dream come true.

For Carson, it’s a fun night with a beautiful woman he never expects to see again.

Until the next morning… when he moves in across the street.

Newly divorced, cynical, and focused on raising his daughter while rebuilding the dental practice he just bought, Carson has no interest in love. Marriage? Never again. Romance? Absolutely not.

Friendship with his warm, bookish, unexpectedly tempting neighbor? That might be safe enough.

Except Emma has never been good at doing anything halfway. And the more he lets her into his life, the harder it is for either of them to pretend friendship is all this is.

She’s ready to fall. He’s determined not to. But in a small town, staying just friends might be the hardest thing of all.

WORTH THE READ.

I am not reading this entire series this go around because [time], but I’ve always enjoy Kasey’s books and wanted to give hers a go. And now it’s my current second favorite of the four I’ve read! I was locked in from the beginning and liked the re-meet-cute opening.

The only thing that bugged me was the not quite a love triangle nonsense. It didn’t feel necessary too me and Seth kept just popping up at the wrong times.

I did feel the intense chemistry between Emma and Carson. They had some genuine fireworks and I loved all the ways this small town brought them together. Seeing Carson get a wee bit jealous here and there was stellar and I loved the way he took care of his daughter and Emma. There’s a lot of really sweet blended family moments that I adored too.

Bursting with fall vibes and small town shenanigans I would definitely recommend this book if you’re wondering which ones are worth it.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), divorce (recounted), absent parent

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Book Review: A Bond so Fierce and Fragile (Compelling Fates Saga #3) by Sophia St. Germain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantasy
Length: 465 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Torture. Darkness. Loss.

That’s what the Fae king has planned to break her.

But Elessia is prepared to fight.

She is ready to fight her way out of the king’s claws, fight to save Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and above all, fight to return to the one she loves.

But in the end, it’s her own life she might need to fight for the most, and even though her mate will do anything, including rip the entire world to shreds, to keep her safe, there is nowhere to hide when the gods themselves are after you.

STILL GOOD.

It’s been a minute since I’ve had the chance to read multiple books in a series in one year and I’ve enjoyed diving into this romantasy world. Each book has been solid and I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion soon.

I liked the addition of new POV’s into this one. Getting some more insight into decisions and personalities was helpful for the overall plot. What wasn’t helpful was the *spur of the moment* [how it felt] additions of spice & mate finding. It lacked a sense of build or genuineness I was missing to get on board.

There were some really great moments that moved the plot well, and I still love the main FMC, Elessia. Her relationship with Merrick is solid and I like the way they take care of each other.

This book got brutal and took it out on my heart. Which now has me all sorts of concerned for how the finale will wrap up, but I’ll remain hopeful!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: high

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