Tag: indie author

ARC Book Review: Girl Meets Grump by Hailey Gardiner

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: Hailey Gardiner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Trent Stewart is sick and tired of spending all his time dealing with the nagging guests who stay at the cabins of Wildwood. The only way he can finish his current build on the property, a tree house, is to bring on a manager. But Trent’s frustration only mounts as he discovers the new hire is someone he’s already met, a guest whose incessant questions and breezy personality had driven him mad during her stay.

Sydney Foster has recently returned home to Kitt’s Harbor after a stint in Europe working as a travel blogger. When she finds herself needing a steady job, managing the enchanting cabins at Wildwood feels like the perfect way to satisfy her wanderlust. Too bad the charming haven in the woods comes with a bear of a man who seems doggedly determined to bring out the worst in her.

In this opposites-attract, sweet romantic comedy, Trent and Sydney must join forces to turn the tide for Wildwood while stubbornly trying not to catch feelings for each other along the way.

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

OH HOW TENDER.

I adored this soft and gentle romance. Sometimes that is exactly what I’m after and this was a beautiful story. I loved the dichotomy between Sydney’s extrovert self and Trent’s introvert self. They gave each other space to be who they are, and also meeting each other and being open to new dynamics. It was the sweetest grump and sunshine.

Absolutely obsessed with the setting. I’m not a PNW girlie but boy did this make me want to try it out. I felt like I was there and I love that so much. And I loved all of the side characters too. They were subtle and just what this book needed to bring it all together.

A lovely romance. Hailey Gardiner deserves all the love for her romances y’all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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ARC Book Review: Where You Belong (The Abandoned Brothers #2) by Stacy Williams

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 463 pages
Author: Stacy Williams
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if you’re lost? What will it take to find your way back?

Andie has been hiding, wanting to stay in the past rather than face the uncertainty of the future. When the force of a lie pulls her out of the darkness and into the light – the spotlight she’s avoided – she has to decide if she’ll stand and fight or run for cover.

With each step, she has a choice to make. She can continue to watch life go on around her or see what might be waiting on the other side. Will fear keep her from moving on, or can she find the courage to take the leap?

Sean thought he had it all. That is…until he realized it was only surface-deep. He let himself get caught up in fame, fortune, and the life that comes with it. But when his superficial world blows up in his face, the face of the man he let himself become, he has a battle on his hands.

When the professional footballer’s career is left hanging in the balance along with a life of his own, Sean has to decide if the risk of losing all he’s worked for is worth it to get back to the man he wants to be – the man he used to be.

Where You Belong is a touching love story that reminds us that even when we don’t expect it…love shows up.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I LOVE SLOW BURN.

Slow burn romances just hit different y’all. The tension and angst was pulled out beautifully and I was chomping at the bit waiting for them to finally kiss.

This was a beautiful love story with a lot of nuanced pieces that made of these two characters. I adored both Sean and Andie. The banter was fun and sassy, but then you can slowly see the breakdown of walls and allowing the other person to see a deeper side of you. There’s many complex situations happening in both of their lives and I love how they learned to do life together.

I do think this one felt a little more repetitive in inner dialogue, if that was scaled back the pacing would have been a little better. That’s my only iffy thing though. I love the way Stacy Williams creates a story. These are slightly heavier romances with the right amount of lightness and humor to show that hope and happiness is coming.

I absolutely loved all of the football and music content. There were some good things woven throughout and one of the cutest little characters around. Another great book in this series and I look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, poor mother/daughter relationship, loss of a spouse (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: Champion of Sorrows (Thief of Sorrows #2) by Kristen M. Long

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 530 pages
Author: Kristen M. Long
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After narrowly escaping their brief touch with death at Briarhole, Isolde Cotheran, the Hood of Arnoria, and her cadre, set their sights on retrieving what was stolen. With those she loves bound in chains destined for the mines of Elenarta, Isolde is left with only one path forward. Retribution.

When a royal summons is sent to Thornwood, demanding their attendance at the Tournament of the Guard, Isolde has her way in. An open door into the wolves den, into Elenarta. Once deemed the crowning jewel of Arnoria, the capital is now ruled with a fist of steel and ice. Erebus Tenebriath, the murderous king who sits on a stolen throne, gives Isolde an ultimatum she can’t escape. One that leaves them all not only at the mercy of Erebus, but also his Right Hand, Gage.

Dwelling in the ornate halls of a palace beneath the Oronilma Mountains, Isolde, Malaki, Blyana, and Cillian will face trials, heartbreaks, and nightmares they never dreamed possible. One decision, made out of love, will lead them all down a path of no return. A path lined with secrets, power, and betrayal. Alliances will be tested, ghosts will return from the ashy grave, and sides will be chosen. And as the veil of the past is lifted, Isolde will be faced with a fate she can no longer run from. A truth she must face head on…or burn in its light.

Thank you to the author for an ARC.

STARTED WELL.

I’ve been excited to see where this story continues and I thought it started off really well. I was intrigued by the premise for this sequel. I also adore books with multi-POV and I loved that aspect here too.

One of the things I struggled with were the antagonists. I still don’t feel like I have a reason for them being evil. It’s just, they are. And I want a little more background to truly feel angry about what they’re doing.

The competition in here had some high moments, but I’m also wondering why it was a part of the plot? I think this ties back in to my antagonist issues though.

My interest has been peaked about the direction of the romance (which, FYI, this is much more fantasy than romance. Romance takes a small sub-plot here.). I think seeing more development here will help the connection with characters.

A solid good cliff hanger type ending that does make me want to know what happens next. I do love the found family aspects of this group and how much they love and look after each other.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 3 very brief, low explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, assault, near death experiences, torture, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: The Game of Hearts (The Otherworlds #2) by Courtney Millecam

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: Courtney Millecam
Publisher: Laurel Ink Press
Release Date: February 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Win the game, change your fate. Lose the game, lose your life.

When Alice Liddell runs away on the night of her engagement party and stumbles into a shadowy pub on a forgotten street, she thinks her life is ruined. Her parents are furious, her reputation is destroyed, and her fall from society will be printed in all of London’s gossip columns. Then a mysterious stranger gives her an unexpected solution to all of her problems: A yearly game inviting mortals into the land of Faerie to play the queen’s infamous Game of Hearts. To win is to gain a wish of your heart but to lose means sacrificing your freedom.

Alice quickly realizes the game is far more intricate and deadly than she was led to believe and teams up with the rebellious and irreverent cat-shifter Ches. Together they must outwit the other players by solving the obscure riddles given as clues and get out of the queen’s enchanted hedge maze unscathed. It also means staying far away from Maddox, the queen’s champion player and Alice’s fiercest competition. He’s determined to win at all costs, but Alice suspects his motives may not be his own.

The deeper Alice goes inside the world of cunning fae, bloodthirsty beasts, and vengeful queens, the more she fears that winning means betraying those closest to her. And in this Game of Hearts, Alice needs to guard hers.

This 1920’s Alice in Wonderland reimagining is the second book in the Otherworlds Trilogy and is perfect for fans of fairytale retellings with dark twists, atmospheric settings, and slow burn romance that’s swoony, not spicy.

Thank you Courtney Millecam and Book of Matches Media for the gifted copy & eARC.

WHERE IS BOOK THREE.

This was incredible! There is absolutely no second book syndrome here. I thought everything was taken to the next level. The writing, the characters, the story, all of it.

I adored seeing all of the subtle allusions to Alice in Wonderland. It was so cleverly accomplished and had all of the elements I love in a retelling while still being a completely different story. I loved Alice and seeing her character growth throughout the book. She found her voice and deep dived into how strong she can be in the face of multiple trials.

And the side characters!! I’m especially partial to Ches. I loved his friendship with Alice. I feel like often with competition style plots the story can get bogged down in all of the different games, and this was not the case here. I loved how the sub-plots and the larger story kept moving forward. I loved the nods to where this series is going next.

Seriously an incredible read. I love so many things about this series!

Overall audience notes:

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

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