Tag: indie author

Book Review: The Ever Queen (The Ever Seas #2) by L.J. Andrews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 450 pages
Author: L.J. Andrews
Publisher: Indie Published
Release Date: January 22nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Songbird:

Captive. Challenger. Queen.

Enemies took her from the man who holds her heart. They might see her as weak, as a pawn in wicked games, but they’re no match for the first Ever Queen.

Let them think they’ve won. Her heart belongs to a beautiful monster, and she will never stop fighting until she’s back in his arms.


The Serpent:

Captor. Villain. King.

His enemies stole the woman who claimed his soul. They betrayed him out of greed and desire for the crown, but they won’t die for that betrayal. No.

They’ll die for touching her.

His heart belongs to a stunning little bird. He will never stop searching for her light across the skies. Not until the blood of his enemies spills at her feet, and his queen wears their bones around her neck.

WHAT A CONCLUSION.

Who knew I’d be obsessed with this dark fantasy? I didn’t and I’m so glad my friends reviews convinced me to pick it up! I loved the way this went. I usually don’t love when a couple is separated for too long in a book, and I think the way the action and intrigue was kept up I was not bothered at all. Everything came together as it should. The slower middle actually worked beautifully because that was the bit of peace the story needed before the action packed, deadly conclusion.

I LOVE Erik and Livia so much. Both on their own and together. There’s incredible growth and I love watching their relationship blossom and thrive. Erik had so many swoony lines that I had to keep highlighting because can you EVEN??? It was the perfect kind of contrast with the darkness of the book. And this whole cast?! I adore them. Side characters can make/break a book and these MADE it.

Fantastic book. I loved it. I am very excited to see that there will be more books in this series (following a different pair!!).

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: very high; high blood/gore
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: torture, sexual assault (brief, on page), war themes

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Book Review: Saints and Monsters by Ellen McGinty

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 392 pages
Author: Ellen McGinty
Publisher: Quill & Flame
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

With her crooked spine and reckless heart, Princess Meera always knew she wasn’t meant to become queen of Ezo. But when her sister, the rightful heir, is cursed on the eve of her coronation, Meera must defend her kingdom from ruthless invaders by taking the throne. Yet, while some countries have simple coronations, in Ezo . . .

The princess must first claim a sea dragon.

Only the dragon is vicious, perfect, and whole-everything Meera is not. And if the dragon doesn’t deem her worthy, it will devour her. Turning to the Saints for help, she doesn’t anticipate that her actions will transform the dragon into a mortal, or that she’ll steal his heart . . . literally.

Now, as two hearts beat inside Meera’s chest, she’s reminded that her life is entwined with a dragon, who despises her weaknesses. Despite their differences, they must work together to reverse the curse and save the kingdom before more is lost than their stolen hearts.

Thank you to the author for a gifted e-book.

WHAT A SURPRISE.

I had seen this around a touch and didn’t know if it would be a hit or miss for me. But an opportunity presented itself, I took it, and then proceeded to binge this book in two days. There’s your review, clearly you need to pick this up too.

BUT, I will give you more. I loved Meera. I loved her strength and loyalty to her family and kingdom. Her journey was amazing and I loved how things came together. This is a standalone and while usually a struggle for me, I had none of those issues this time. I loved the world building, the magic, the DRAGONS and all of the characters. I felt like I got enough of everything needed to feel like it was a well rounded story and closed off all of the plot lines by the end.

There’s a subtle romance woven in that was sweet to watch unfurl. I adored the connection and how slowly but surely (through my favorite forced proximity) they started to work together and solving problems. I don’t want to give too much away in the romance aspects so trust me!!

This was truly a gem of a read. I had a wonderful time and it was the fantasy book I didn’t know I was craving. I look forward to more books by this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Book Review: Beauty and the Beach (Falling for Summer) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 305 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 17th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Phoenix Park is the man I fantasize about…hitting with my car, that is.
He’s rich. He’s sexy. He’s the absolute worst. But after I fall prey to an internet scam and lose every last penny in my account (please don’t ask), it’s Phoenix who swoops in with an offer I can’t refuse. I’ll marry him for the summer so he can inherit the family company from his dying grandmother, and in return, he’ll drop a hefty sum of money into my bank account.

Buy me a pair of sweatpants with GOLD DIGGER across the butt, because I’m just desperate enough to agree.

Our arrangement is only supposed to be for a few months, until Phoenix’s poor grandmother passes. I can pretend for that long. I can stop insulting him long enough to force a few smiles and some lovey-dovey glances. But with every touch we share, with every kiss we fake, I find the walls around my heart beginning to crack–letting in feelings I’m not prepared for.

And when Phoenix’s grandmother makes a miraculous recovery, leaving us stuck indefinitely in this charade of holy matrimony? That’s when I know I’m really in trouble.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

If you need a book that feels like summer, this brought those vibes and the atmosphere I have been craving. This is a GEM. READ IT OKAY.

I have a hard time finding true enemies to lovers in contemporary books. And this DELIVERED. I was obsessed with the snark and banter and all of the nicknames had me hollering. There was this sense that you just KNEW they already loved each other, and getting to see the process of the forced proximity break down those barriers was everything.

There are so many scenes I want to shout about but I also need you to go in blind and trust the moments, because they are MOMENTS. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM THAT HUG SCENE. AND I PROBABLY WON’T. Not to mention the kissing scenes lit my kindle on fire.

I liked the level of chaos that was added from Phoenix’s family. I loved the positive therapy rep. I am obsessed with the chemistry between the MC’s (and it’s dual POV too!!). Everything, I loved everything about this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: an emotionally manipulative grandmother, losing a brother in a car accident

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Book Review: Dukes and Dekes (Chawton Falls in Love) by Torie Jean

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Sports Romance
Length: 460 pages
Author: Torie Jean
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Can a professional hockey player reform his rakish ways for a winning shot at his best friend’s guarded heart?

Nestled between rocks and mountains, the slumbering town of Chawton Falls, NH, blinks alive every autumn when the Wentworth Estate hosts the Jane Austen Regency Fair.

For event coordinator Aulie Desfleurs, fall is a dizzying season full of bonnets, muslin, bicorn hats—and, unfortunately, this year, playing the role of the foolish Lydia Bennet. A sensible woman to her core, she has no time to worry about her mysterious chronic illness or love life.

So what if a spicy photo of her best friend Jack Parker in a penalty box threatens to reignite a spark from years ago? If she maintains her distance—an easy feat during hockey season—she’ll be fine.

Jack Parker, the bad boy of the American professional hockey league, is suspended…again. Forced to flee to Chawton Falls, Jack comes face to face with a swell of repressed emotions…and a goat. Seeking a distraction, he soon finds himself in the fair cast as the infamous rake, George Wickham.

Wearing breeches isn’t exactly on brand, but after five years of harboring unrequited feelings for Aulie, Jack’s willing to sport the high-waisted pants if it means convincing her he can be the dashing hero she deserves.

With a less than stellar dating history, and a suspension deadline looming, Aulie knows falling for Jack would be foolish.

But when he kisses her like a man possessed, one day, and takes care of her like a saint, the next, Aulie’s forced to choose: either embrace Jane Austen’s signature truth, “we are all fools in love,” or risk living like the author without a happily ever after of her own.

“Dukes and Dekes” is a friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romance that deals with grief and chronic illness. It contains adult language and open-door intimate scenes that realistically depict endometriosis (i.e., no penetration).

SO CLOSE.

I was very close to giving this five stars, but the more I thought about it, the more a few things bugged me (I would definitely still recommend this book though!!).

I AM ABSOLUTELY GONE FOR MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN HARD. The mutual pining in this book was off the dang charts. I loved it so much. I loooved that Jack was this grump of a hockey player who every time you got to his POV you saw this blushing man trying to work up the courage to confess his feelings. STOP IT. MY FAVORITE.

And I adored Aulie too. Her health battles and journey brought tears to my eyes. I loved the endo rep and the knowledge this book brought about the struggles and how this effects every aspect of your life.

There were lots of cute and saucy moments between Jack and Aulie. I thought the spice level was great and brought more to the story rather than take it over.

What I didn’t love/find necessary was the ex drama. I thought that was done with and causing ridiculous internet nonsense added more pages, but not more to the plot. I also feel like I have a few background questions that didn’t get answered??

Anyways, I will definitely be reading the next book in this series! I do love the way Torie Jean writes. And if it’s the couple I’m thinking of I love it already.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Sports Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2 brief open door
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: bad doctor experiences (including misdiagnosis), endometriosis rep, loss of a father to cancer (recounted), grief depiction, loss of family memebers

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