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Book Review: A Ballad of Stars (Thieves of Felshan #2) by Jacqlin Guernsey

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 430 pages
Author: Jacqlin Guernsey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Only the stars see all…

With the throne still hanging in the balance and its rightful heir nowhere to be found, the kingdom of Felshan remains vulnerable to the whims of a traitorous mind. Determined to avert disaster, Ari and Roan are set on restoring Princess Lena to the role that is her birthright — with the help of a most unlikely ally.

Tumbling from the hands of one captor to another, Lena reluctantly accepts a new offer of betrothal from the powerful Kael Davenport. When Lena uncovers a hidden diary, dangerous questions arise. Armed with tales of corruption and conspiracy, Lena resolves to exact justice, saving herself and Felshan in the process.

Meanwhile, Ari’s chance for revenge appears within arm’s reach — but she must make an impossible choice. Will she save the man she loves? Or will she fall into the plans of a treacherous king?

And all the while another piece of a malicious master plan is falling into place…  

A Ballad of Stars is book #2 in the Thieves of Felshan series and is a closed-door fantasy romance.

BUMMED.

I had much higher hopes going into this book and it ultimately fell prey to second/middle book of the series syndrome.

I love a good fantasy romance, but I like it to be balanced with the plot. This book was so much romantically focused that the story line took FOR-EVER to get anything going. All of the built up tension sagged because the lead-up was dragged out. I kept waiting for things to happen for anyone, anywhere and none of that occurred until maybe the last 15%.

I do like these characters and the over arching story is good. The way this one made me frustrated has me contemplating continuing the series though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: high

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ARC Book Review: All’s Well that Friends Well (Lucky in Love #2) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 390 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 14th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My love for Luca Slater is not unrequited. It’s just…not requited yet.

Did I break into his house? Technically yes. And did I eavesdrop on that one tiny little conversation? Also yes. But I had good reasons! Intentions matter, you know?

Unfortunately, Luca does not agree. So while I fell for him at first sight, his opinion of me is dismally low, and it’s about to get lower. Because as of today, I am officially working at his office…as the new janitor.

Cleaning toilets isn’t sexy, and I am not cut out for sanitizer and scrub brushes. But I need this job–begged for this job, in fact–so I’m going to make the best of it.

When I see Luca is having some work problems of his own, however, and when I realize I might be just the person to help, I offer my services immediately. As the new branch manager, he needs help softening his image in order to win over his employees, and if there’s one thing I’m great at, it’s people skills.

If I can prove useful, maybe Luca will finally see me as a woman instead of a silly little girl. Maybe he’ll finally realize I’m the one he’s destined to be with forever.

So I’ll help Luca win over his employees, and while I’m at it, I’ll win him over, too. I’m going to do everything I can to make this man fall for me…

One mopped floor at a time.
.
.
This is Juliet Marigold’s story, book two in the Lucky in Love series! These books can be read in any order as complete standalones, but they are best enjoyed when read in order.

Thank you to Gracie Ruth Mitchell for the gifted eARC.

IT WAS SWEET.

Another GRM book I adored so much. This one really took you on a journey from strangers to friends to lovers and it was intriguing to see Juliet be the pursuer. She’s a bit unhinged in her antics and that got to me a touch, buuuut it started becoming endearing and I liked seeing the switch up in this genre.

And I adored Luca. He’s the epitome of a grumpy character who has a soft heart underneath all of the gruff. I really liked his growth and facing the hard things and slowly seeing him break his control to let himself live a little. AND LET ME TELL Y’ALL, that first kissing scene lit my kindle on FIRE. Gosh dang it was hot y’all.

I liked Juliet’s growth a lot too. I understood and could resonate with much of her inner monologue and there were many tender scenes with her and Luca that showed the strength she’s been creating to find a new and enjoyable life path for herself. There were moments that made me laugh, swoon, and squeeze my heart.

I can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), anxiety

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Book Review: Truly Medley Deeply (Sweet as Sugar Maple #5) by Kate Watson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 374 pages
Author: Kate Watson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lucy Jane

The first rule of touring? Don’t fall for your crew.

Especially not the grumpy, emotionally caged, impossible-to-read sound guy who acts like tolerating pop-country singers is pure torture.

Patrick “Patty” O’Shannan clearly doesn’t want to be here. He does his job and barely looks at me unless it’s to scowl. But my last sound engineer quit days before the start of my first tour, and Patty? Well, he was my only option.

The deal is simple: he helps me survive the tour, I help him save his family’s bar, and then we go our separate ways. No complications. No getting attached. No wondering why a small-town bartender is so impossibly good at music.

Only, things get complicated fast.

Like when a rowdy fan gets too close, and Patty steps in before security can. Like when I struggle writing a new song, and he mumbles the perfect lyrics. Like when a booking mix-up leaves us with only one bed, and suddenly, the space between us isn’t enough. Like when I admit I’ve never been kissed, and the label wants me to kiss the famous Connor Nash—and Patty looks at me like it might just break him.

Now, every glance is charged, and every accidental touch lingers. But Patty has secrets, and the closer we grow, the riskier things get.

Can I really fight for the man who refuses to fight for himself? Or should I walk away before I lose everything—including my heart? Truly Medley Deeply is a swoony closed-door rom-com full of delicious banter and crackling chemistry but no explicit scenes or cursing. Books in the Sweet as Sugar Maple Series can be read in any order.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

THIS WAS SWEET.

I’d like to note first off that I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series and didn’t have any issues. There are many moments with the characters from the other stories and I think that would have meant even more to me had I read them though.

The sweet and satisfying moments woven throughout brought some swoony moments. What really sealed the deal for me was the communication. Before things got wildly out of hand both Lucy and Patty would take a beat and actually lean on the trust they had been building throughout the book. It was sincere and well written and gosh I love when couples talk!!

I have some minor quibbles with a few plot points that didn’t quite work for me. Which is fine. I did like the little touch of mystery because hidden identity is one of my favorite tropes. The sass and banter between Patty and Lou worked well and I did feel the chemistry between them.

I don’t think I’ll go back and read the previous books from this series but I do want to continue reading Watson’s new releases.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: parental abandonment, car accident (recounted)

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Book Review: An Improper Scheme (Improper Agreements #3) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: October 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sleep—something Henry longs for yet cannot seem to attain. It had never been the case before, but since his younger sister Louisa has been out in society, he is plagued by dreams of failure. And to top it all off, an old acquaintance has asked for his assistance in watching out for another young lady during her first season. He should say no. But his good nature will not allow it.

Violet dreams of lords and balls, and is all that is innocent and naive. Soon after arriving in town, she finds out her brother-in-law has arranged for another man to keep an eye on her. In a moment of boldness, she turns the tables and asks for a favor of her own. But when she sees how much Lord Wood does for others, and not for himself, she decides to help him instead. Only, he does not know of her secret scheme, and would likely not approve of her methods if he did.

But what happens when they gain feelings for the one they are supposed to be helping?

An Improper Scheme is a clean Regency romance and the third in Audra Wells’ Improper Agreements series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it best enjoyed in order.

CHARMING.

This was another fun read in the Improper series. I adore Audra Wells writing style and I’m happy that I finally decided to pick them up. I love that they are shorter, lighter reads that bring plenty of swoon and heart. I loved Henry and Violet. They had a great opposites attract vibe and lots of good forced proximity moments.

I enjoyed the plot. I didn’t looove the shenanigans Violet and Louisa got up to, but that’s okay. I liked the growth from Henry and Violet and that they both got resolutions to things they were working through.

A cute read and I’m looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low

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