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Book Review: The Heart of War by Olivia Snow

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 364 pages
Author: Olivia Snow
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

London, 1815

If love is war, then London’s marriage mart is a battlefield—and Helena Weston is its most cunning general. As the diamond of the season, Helena has never struggled to collect suitors. But when her father’s fortune collapses, she faces the unthinkable: marriage not as a conquest, but as survival.

Using Sun Tzu’s The Art of War as her courtship playbook, Helena has only two months to secure a husband rich enough to save her family from destitution. She selects three candidates for her scheme, including Edmond Hawke, a handsome newcomer to London with a mysterious past and an insufferable tendency to jeopardize her carefully laid plans.

With her future on the line, Helena must decide what victory truly means—and whether surrendering to love is the most strategic move of all.

QUITE GOOD.

I ate this up. I was a sucker from a reel I saw and here we are. This was a solid historical romance that I can totally recommend. Even if I have a few caveats.

One of those being the girl vs. girl drama. I just get tired of that narrative and while I would have been fine with an instance (maybe even two) I was not okay with it being such a larger part of the plot. It was aggravating and frustrating and I really just need Sybella to go away. My other caveat is how long it takes the FMC, Helena, to DO anything. She talked a lot of game but the follow through took much longer to achieve.

I did think the romance was a unique case that I haven’t come across (off the top of my head) before in historical romance. I loved the MMC’s back story (would have loved his POV too!). I liked how earnest he was and how gosh dang down bad this man was for Helena. I am a sucker for the small and subtle moments because that’s what makes a lasting romance and this book delivered. I also adored the little side plot with Mrs. Sweete. I loved how tight the friendship was between Helena and Mrs. Sweete. Definitely needed more of that.

I would totally be interested in reading another book from Olivia Snow. This was a fun find and for my closed door readers this was kisses only too!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: sexual assault, physical altercations, minor injuries, loss of a parent, emotionally abusive parent

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Book Review: Daggermouth (The Heart #1) by H.M. Wolfe

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Dystopian Romance
Length: 564 pages
Author: H.M. Wolfe
Publisher: Scarlett Press
Release Date: March 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

NOT QUITE IT.

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding this book so of course I had to try it?? But it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

I liked the idea of the masks and thought it could work well in the confines of the world building. As it was laid out though, I still have questions and still wonder why the masks are that important? And why everything is dictated by them when Maximus is so evil he could have just changed the situation? Some of the darkness in the book seemed somewhat shock value based and not as woven into the world building as I hoped.

This was multiple POV which surprised me, yet kind of worked. I liked seeing the different angles and dynamics between characters. Turns out there were multiple romances too. Shadera and Greyson diiiiid come off more insta love than I would have expected in an enemies to lovers romance. I really need books to burn longer, PLEASE.

While there were many twists I don’t know if I’m just grumpy with fantasy books at this moment or if they were just too easy to predict. There was ONE, one moment where I was shocked (and angry) at that one??!

Do I want to read book two? I *think* so. I will probably wait for the audiobook though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dark Dystopian Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4ish open door
  • Violence: very high
  • Content warnings: war themes, blood/gore, loss of a parent, weapons and physical violence, torture, genocide, child deaths, abuse (domestic, emotional), sexual assault (off page, recounted)

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Book Review: A Summer Without You by Caitlin Moss

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance / Magical Realism
Length: 330 pages
Author: Caitlin Moss
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Savannah Swanson is an author and self-proclaimed nomad, wandering from town to town to fully immerse herself in each setting before weaving it into her next romance. She’s written love stories in bustling cities, quaint beach towns, exotic destinations, and charming suburbs. But when her publisher demands a small-town romance, she balks—until she remembers the one place she’s avoided for years.

Roslyn, Washington.

It isn’t just another dot on the map. It’s where she left Graham Stewart, the man she almost chose, the love she almost had. And as fate would have it, he’s still there—now a rugged dairy farmer with a life far different from her own.

A near collision on the highway sets off an unexpected shift in her world, revealing glimpses of what life could have been if she’d said yes all those years ago. As Savannah navigates the pull of past regrets and present possibilities, she’s forced to decide: is love just something she writes about, or is it something worth staying for?

NOT TOO SHABBY.

Once again, I remain a fan of Caitlin Moss and her books (I mean come on, we both spell our names the CORRECT way, but I digress). I liked the way the magical realism aspects played into this. While not a minor part of the plot it was woven in seamlessly where I was continually pulled into both lives wondering what conclusions Savannah was going to come to by the end of the book.

I looooved the way Graham loved Savannah. It was sweet and heated and all consuming. I loved the way he looked after her and just wanted her to be whoever she wanted. I did struggle with the way Savannah was with Graham sometimes though. Enough so that I questioned how long they made it after the epilogue? I don’t know, something was off for me.

But it’s an engaging plot that will keep you guessing and swooning. There is spice but it isn’t the focus of the plot. I thought many of the conversations and dialogue supported good themes and I look forward to Moss’s next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: divorce, loss of a grandparent, post-partum depression

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Book Review: The Americana Playbook by Cathryn Carter

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 412 pages
Author: Cathryn Carter
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Parker Montgomery was once America’s sweetheart. She took her first steps in the Capitol when her father was a congressman, and starred in his senatorial campaign ads. But in high school, during his first bid for the White House, she disappeared from the political limelight, leaving her home and best friend, Fitz, behind.

Known for his grit and unwavering determination, Fitzgerald Rhodes is a seasoned quarterback who has just led his team to the Super Bowl. But the bigger win is a chance reunion with his childhood partner in crime, the now sitting-President’s daughter, and–unknowingly to Parker–Fitz’s greatest love.

Reunited, Parker turns to Fitz when a question of inheritance involves not only a wedding, but a return to the spotlight she had been banished from. Seeing this as an opportunity to come clean about his feelings, Fitz agrees to help. But their mutually beneficial relationship grows less convenient as he begins to do just that.

In prime election season, Parker’s revenge on the political dynasty that harmed her unearths not just unrequited love, but secrets and scandal leaving Fitz and his career as collateral damage.

——

The Americana Playbook does include information some readers might find sensitive including: struggles with OCD, highlighting the troubled-teen industry, emotional abuse, details (though not graphic) of physical and emotional abuse as well as sexual harassment.

OH THIS HAD ME.

The things I get for not reading the summary and getting to enjoy all of the tropes and turns this book took (!!). It had me in a chokehold from the first chapter and I haven’t binge read an ebook like this in a long time. IT WAS GLORIOUS.

Fitz and Parker represented my favorite version of childhood friends to lovers. I LOVED that Fitz has been down bad for years and the angst was ramped up every time they were on page together. This was heated and tense and a bit on the heavy side but it worked really well. This was my first book by this author and I highly doubt it will be my last. There’s even football content?? BLESS.

Parker was a tad too oblivious about Fitz for me (and now that I’m thinking about it, the same goes for Fitz about a few other things). I spent most of my time wanting to shake her and I wish that had been resolved sooner. I was at least obsessed with the protective and control vibes that Fitz continually presented. It’s an easy book to fall head over heels for. I could not get enough.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Sports Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: child abuse, false imprisonment in an institution, sexual assault, loss of life, abusive coach (verbal/emotional), abusive parents

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