Tag: kindle unlimited

Book Review: An Empress of Air & Chaos (An Empress #1) by Noelle Rayne

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 532 pages
Author: Noelle Rayne
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 10th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Under the light of the approaching Blood Moon, Emara Clearwater finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural magic. When her village is torn apart and everything she has ever known is shattered, she must navigate through a new world alongside her best friend, Cally. Meeting Witches with elemental magic, Shapeshifters and strikingly handsome Demon Hunters, it’s like she was always meant to find this world.
The Blacksteel brothers, members of a ferocious Clan of Demon Hunters, are bound by both blood and ancient oath to protect the kingdom from an army of demons. As the brothers grow closer to Emara, they will stop at nothing to protect her.
On her path of self-discovery, Emara finds herself questioning everything she has ever believed and must come to terms with some dark truths about her family’s past. Not only is she torn between what world she belongs to, but she also finds herself questioning matters regarding her heart. There is something about the Blacksteel brothers that unlock a part of Emara, that she kept suppressed for so long and she is finally beginning to feel it stir.
But there is a rising darkness…
A darkness that threatens to consume the Kingdom of Caledorna. An Army of Demons are on their way from the Underworld, instructed by their ruthless dark God, to find ancient relics that are the key to unlocking him from his cage.
And no one is safe.
Especially not Emara.
Emara must step into the light of the magic world or be swallowed by darkness forever.

NOT FOR ME.

I tried. I tried to enjoy this book but there were some issues that I just didn’t click with. I’ll be brief.

The writing itself was perfectly fine, BUT it came across as making the main characters seem much more juvenile and modern. The way some phrasing and style choices were used that I didn’t love.

And the love triangle romance seemed to be between the main character and two brothers. That’s got to be my least favorite iteration of this trope.

I will not be continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: assault, murder, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: Play Along (Windy City #4) by Liz Tomforde

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 385 pages
Author: Liz Tomforde
Publisher: Golden Boy Publishing
Release Date: July 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Kennedy

I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago.

But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand.

Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake.

Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband.

They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home.

Isaiah

As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman.

I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed.

We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material.

Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose.

So come on, wife… play along.

KNEW IT.

I had a feeling from the get go this was going to be a winner for me. I LOVE books where the man is absolutely gone for her and Isaiah Rhodes DELIVERED. I have not recovered. I think The Right Move is still my top, top favorite, but this absolutely competes. I have been waiting for this story after the perfectly drawn out tension.

This marriage of convenience had me in a chokehold. I loved Kennedy!! She was fierce and capable and I just wanted her to feel the love that was surrounding her after being in a deficit for so long. The slow build for her and the character growth she showed was top tier. I loved her journey.

AND ISAIAH? Y’all can already tell I’m obsessed. I loved getting his POV and seeing the deeper workings of his thoughts and decision making processes. He’s a hopeless romantic with a huge heart who just wanted someone to want him. And that hits on a whole other level.

I loved the baseball content, the found family, the soft and sweet and the hard and fast. There’s not one moment I wasn’t glued to my kindle trying to read this.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: moderate-high
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: loss of a mother recounted, anxiety attacks (brought on by thunderstorms), misogyny and sexism in the workplace

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ARC Book Review: The Offer (Scoops #3) by K. Sinko

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 303 pages
Author: K. Sinko
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For the past nine years, everything in Jessica Valerie’s life has been about being with her high school sweetheart.

Jess has worked at Scoops By The Sea longer than any of her other coworkers, designing ice cream cakes and barely scraping together enough tip money to pay rent and her never-ending pile of bills. Picking up a second job managing Post Road Market’s bakery seemed like a decent solution—until her boss decided he’s closing the bakery and wants her stocking shelves instead.

After burning bridges with her family long ago, Jess feels stuck in a life that never seems to get any better. So when local bike shop owner Kevin Perkins comes to her with a promising offer, it seems a little too good to be true. The catch? Leave Charlie for good.

THE OFFER is a new adult romance featuring a girl’s journey of finding herself after years of sacrificing everything for the sake of “true love,” and a golden boy who secretly can’t get enough of her.

It is the third and final book of the Scoops Series, a trilogy of stand-alone romances featuring characters of Scoops By The Sea, an ice cream shop in the fictional town of Haverport, Connecticut.

Thank you to the author for an eARC!

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.

Oh my gosh, this is easily my favorite book of the series (and I loved them all so this is really saying something). I have been chomping at the bit to get Jess’s story and it delivered IN ALL THE WAYS. And I really loved the new adult direction of this one too.

I am obsessed with Kevin. He is *THE* golden retriever. I could not get enough of his energy and goodness. It beautifully contrasted with Jess. The grump and sunshine was executed to perfection. There dynamic and chemistry, off the charts. I loved the slow burn tension. Waiting for the moment they finally came together.

And I adore this whole town. I love the intensely loyal friendships and getting to see Scoops one last time. I loved the themes, of knowing that love is out there, not settling, and reconnecting with family members. This is easily one of the best romances I have read this year.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low – moderate
  • Romance: fade to black

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ARC Book Review: The Breaker of Stars (The Curse of Ophelia #3.5) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: 220 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A war of fractured hearts.
A fate written in the stars.

Cypherion does not love recklessly, but he loves hard. And while his friends may have forgiven Vale’s betrayal following the Battle of Damenal, he has kept the Starsearcher at arm’s length.

That is, until his Revered commands the two embark on a quest to Vale’s territory in order to find the secrets hidden within her damaged magic. And with so many betrayals being exposed in her life, Vale has one goal: win him back, even if only as a friend.

With weeks alone, under the watch of no one but the stars, will Cypherion be able to continue protecting his heart, or will he find a fate that outweighs the risks of love? And if he does, will the eddies of war allow him to keep it?

The Breaker of Stars is a second chance fantasy romance with cunning political intrigue, sprinkles of celestial magic, and a dazzling love story. It is book 3.5 in The Curse of Ophelia series and contains important series details, recommended to be read between books 3 and 4.

Thank you to the author for the eARC!

GREAT ADDITION.

If you’ve been enjoying this series and are curious if it’s worth picking up the novella, I say it is! I loved being back in this world and getting to deep dive into two characters I have really liked.

I liked the pacing and story line. It really feels well woven into the larger plot while maintaining this as a personal story to Cypherion and Vale. I love this world and seeing another view point of it only added to the experience. There’s some good tender moments, a bit of spice and I am definitely curious how this will continue into book four.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Novella
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: physical altercations, depictions of emotional/mental abuse and neglect, torture, physical ailments related to seizures

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