Book Review: Unmasked (Benevolence & Blood #2.5) by Lauren M. Leasure

July 16, 2025June 20, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 266 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The boys who age out of the orphanage become soldiers. That’s the way of it. That’s always been the plan for Miles Landgrave.

His own past is a mystery to him and he’s content to keep it that way. With his sights set on a higher rank, it seems his true life’s purpose is finally within reach. Soon, he’ll be able to step out of the shadows of survival and into the role he was born to fill.

When he meets Cielle Andyr, all of it comes grinding to a halt. He’s never questioned his own allegiance nor the horrific acts that allegiance will soon force him to commit. But now, he sees everything in a new light, one he was convinced didn’t exist.

For the first time in his life, Miles has more to live for than his duty, placing him at a crossroads between the honor of love and the love of honor. As unrest grows across the continent, he must choose between love and duty, between a sworn oath and a longing heart.

But a world doesn’t exist where he can have both.

I LOVE MILES SO MUCH.

I loved this novella. I’ve been wanting Miles story for a long time and oh my gosh it packed a GUT PUNCH. I loved being back in this world and getting more background. I loved that it was dual POV too. It’s set prior to the current track of the series and gives me a tiny bit of hope for how things will come together.

The romance was well paced. I loved seeing some side characters and I look forward to seeing how this all will fit back into the series! This isn’t a *necessary* story, but if you have been loving this world, I definitely recommend reading this too!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance Novella
Language: high
Romance: 2 open door
Violence: high
Content Warnings: loss of life

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Book Review: The Bones of Benevolence (Benevolence & Blood #2) by Lauren M. Leasure

September 9, 2023July 18, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 455 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Reckoning, Retribution and Ruin

Petra’s entire life has just fallen apart and come together all in a single breath. Against her will, she’s been promised to the Rebel King, head of a bloodthirsty army amassed by force. But now that her true bloodline has been revealed, not everyone is content to sit idly by while her powers are abused in the name of conquest.

Meanwhile, King Belin struggles to reconcile a twisted past — and the part he played in it. As he moves forward from unimaginable grief, he realizes the only future he’s interested in is one with the woman he’s forbidden from loving.
As Petra uncovers what it means to be the daughter of the two most powerful beings in existence, she must learn to balance the weight of a crown she never asked for while learning to accept her life had never been her own to begin with.
Amid the chaos, the time looms near when Petra must come face to face with the force behind her life’s destruction — Lord Evarius Castemont.

Uncertain of what the future holds, Petra continues her crusade for the truth, praying to the Saints that salvation is waiting in the wings.

Unmask the thrilling second installment of the Benevolence & Blood Series

AMAZING SEQUEL.

I just don’t have any big notes on this and I’m all for the vibes of a great fantasy. So here’s five stars, please check out this series ASAP.

I looooved the way this was set-up. Getting to see Petra really come into her own as a Queen. It’s a bit of a stumble, back pedaling, and pushing forward that I love seeing in characters. I love the ups and down. Petra is full of fire and resentment and I thought it progressed amazingly well to see how she worked through heavy emotions and betrayals.

The romance is another major slow burn and I LOVED the way the author handled it. I really appreciate when I feel like physicality isn’t used to add pages, but to bring a couple closer together and move the plot forward. This was that case and I smitten with how things are working out and I can’t wait to see how they continue.

Miles has my whole heart (and I can’t wait for his novella!!!). This whole side cast has my heart in fact. It’s a well built world, I think the magic system and meddling gods is intriguing. There’s flashback chapters that actually provide necessary information and aren’t a waste whatsoever. I flew through this. Give me more.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: heavy & strong
Romance: 2 open door; moderate explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, kidnapping, murder, major loss of life, battle themes, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: The Sin of Saints (Benevolence & Blood #1) by Lauren M. Leasure

October 27, 2022July 16, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Dark Fantasy
Length: 382 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 28th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Growing up in Eserene’s slums, Petra’s life is marred by unimaginable tragedy. Things finally begin to look up when she meets Calomyr, member of the Royal Guard and keeper of just as much heartache as Petra.

Once again, though, her life is upended when her mother remarries a Lord, forcing Petra to undergo a brutal initiation ceremony in order to ascend to the Royal Court.

As Petra prepares for initiation, news of a drug-fueled fanatical rebel regime reaches the high walls of Eserene. No one seems to panic, so Petra doesn’t either.

Until the city is smoldering before her.

Outside the city walls, Petra must untangle a smoke-shrouded web woven long before she was born. She finds her entire life has been orchestrated for one purpose, a purpose kept hidden from her until she unveils the secret that thrums through her veins. As everything she thought she knew unravels, Petra is forced to confront ghosts she didn’t know she had – and the monsters and demons that now join them…

From author Lauren M. Leasure comes the sexy, action-packed first installment of the Benevolence & Blood Series.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED

This was a type of read where I couldn’t tell you what was happening for 90% of the book and I wasn’t mad about it at all. It felt like I was on the journey with Petra as discoveries became relevant to her and betrayals from others brought her to her knees.

I enjoyed this one so much. The past and present timeline chapter flipping worked well. It did slow the pace down a bit, but the continual need to know what happened next was always there. I liked seeing where Petra came from, and how that shaped all the stuff she was going through in the present.

This is definitely a dark read. I honestly can think of maybe two things that could be considered good that happened. It’s gritty and disturbing and I just need MORE.

I’m already chomping at the bit to get my hands on book two. This one felt a bit prequel-esque with the pacing style so I know the second is going to fling us through the ringer after those ending reveals. The writing was wonderful and there were some beautiful quote worthy lines.

Overall audience notes:

Dark Fantasy + Romance
Language: strong
Romance: two open door
Violence: very high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of family, torture, sexual harassment, loss of parents, drug addiction, mass enslavement, kidnapping, physical altercations, weapons violence, explosions, loss of a sibling