Book Review: Isle of Brine and Bone (Halcyon Bay #2) by Natalia Macias Lucia

December 23, 2023November 21, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: Paranormal Mystery Romance
Length: 526 pages
Author: Natalia Macias Lucia
Publisher: Lightkeeper
Release Date: November 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The sea remembers, and so do I.

Dell Costa is reeling from the events that transpired on Halcyon Bay. Since learning the truth about her sister, she’s been haunted by grief and cruel memories of her time at Cliffmoor House. To make matters worse, the search for her fugitive uncle has hit a dead end. That is, until Dell’s cousin Tristen unexpectedly arrives in Woodbridge, bringing news that leads her back to the island—and the mansion—of her nightmares.

But it’s not all pain and desolation on Halcyon Bay. Dell’s romance with Hatch, the charming fisherman who captured her heart last summer, blossoms into a sultry, irrepressible love. Her ties to the Klyne brood are strengthening too, as Dell grows closer to her family and more desperate than ever to protect them from looming danger.

Hunting for clues as to her uncle’s sinister ambitions, Dell explores the island’s dark underbelly, confronting old mysteries that refuse to stay buried, as well as her own inner demons. She soon uncovers secrets that threaten to unravel her fragile world, and a scheme that will wreck everything she treasures most—unless she can stop it first.

In this mesmerizing second book in the Halcyon Bay series, author Natalia Macias Lucia tells a heart-pounding tale of love and vengeance, with higher stakes and strange, new perils lurking around every corner.

STILL IN SHOCK.

I’m not really a thriller gal, but y’all, this series absolutely has all of my attention. I loved book two and I can’t wait for the last book!!!

I really like all of the characters. Dell, Tristen, HATCH, Palmer, seriously the whole crew. There’s a good mix of personalities and decision making skills (or lack thereof) that creates an awesome dynamic. The book has this haunting atmosphere surrounded by a small town that holds one too many secrets. I loved the paranormal aspects too and thought they wove well into the plot without being outlandish. Everything just makes sense.

My one little nugget would be what happened with Dell and Hatch for 15% of the book, I’m personally not a fan of this plot choice, but otherwise it was an incredible read. I was finishing this while at the gym and I’m pretty sure I got some concerned stares as I had a shocked look on my face for the last 30 minutes of reading. GOODHEAVENSWHATHAPPENSNEXT.

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Mystery Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: closed door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, kidnapping, weapons violence, mentions of past abuse

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Book Review: Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffin

November 26, 2023August 5, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Rachel Griffin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tana Fairchild’s fate has never been in question. Her life has been planned out since the moment she was she is to marry the governor’s son, Landon, and secure an unprecedented alliance between the witches of her island home and the mainlanders who see her very existence as a threat. Tana’s coven has appeased those who fear their power for years by releasing most of their magic into the ocean during the full moon. But when Tana misses the midnight ritual―a fatal mistake―there is no one she can turn to for help…until she meets Wolfe. Wolfe claims he is from a coven that practices dark magic, making him one of the only people who can help her. But he refuses to let Tana’s power rush into the sea, and instead teaches her his forbidden magic. A magic that makes her feel powerful. Alive. As the sea grows more violent, her coven loses control of the currents, a danger that could destroy the alliance as well as her island. Tana will have to choose between love and duty, between loyalty to her people and loyalty to her heart. Marrying Landon would secure peace for her coven but losing Wolfe and his wild magic could cost her everything else.

OHHH SO GOOD.

Can confirm. This is my new favorite book of Griffin’s. I was absolutely wrapped up in the forbidden romance between two witches who both wanted better for their groups.

I thought the pacing of the story was enchanting and oh my gosh it gave me ALL of the autumnal vibes. I love the aura of Griffin’s writing and how captivating it becomes. I loved watching Wolfe and Tana come together. THE SWOON. Catch me talking out loud to my audiobook because I could not keep my squeals and stop it right now‘s inside.

A gorgeous story. I loved the themes and romance. I loved the characters and energy of the whole book. I loved all of the witchy drama. READ IT. And the audiobook was amazing too!

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy Romance
Language: a little
Romance: one vague fade to black
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences

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Book Review: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

November 17, 2023November 21, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 23rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family–and a new love–changes the course of her life.

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for….

FULL OF HEART.

I’ve seen this compared to The House on the Cerulean Sea and is definitely a comparison I can follow. This had a lot of those vibes but in a new story that I adored all the same.

I loved the found family between the girls, Mika, and everyone else in the house. Mika needed most to find somewhere to belong with people who knew everything about her and wouldn’t have to leave. I love that she got that chance and how we saw the ups and downs of allowing someone into our lives. It’s not always steps forward, but it’s worth it in the end for the right people.

The romance could have used a little more oomph for me. I did like it, but I thought it was missing something. Maybe a bit more between them would have helped me feel fully connected to Mika and Jamie.

I liked the plot and it moved with a steady pace for a read like this. There were some surprises and a great ending that was filled with sweetness and hope in new beginnings. I’d love to read another book by this author!

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Fantasy + Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: open but then fade to black
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: mention of death of parent, emotionally detached parent, sibling abuse

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Book Review: Deja Brew (Deadlights Cove #2) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins

October 23, 2023October 30, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Aimee Vance and B. Perkins
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: October 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nimue Fitzpatrick never really meant to leave Deadlights Cove, but after she’d impulsively kissed her best friend, Kit Sayana, it suddenly became easier to take freelance photography jobs out of town. Just what she needed to forget the mess and the amber eyes she couldn’t bear to face anymore in the Cove. Now, after four years away, it might be time to admit that she’s been avoiding him.

The last four years haven’t been the easiest for Kit as the pressure to assume his responsibilities as future Alpha for the Arrowwood skulk takes over his life. Needing space, he moved out of his family home and into the apartment above his tea shop, Immortali-Tea. Despite the closeness among the members of his skulk, there is one thing he hasn’t shared with anyone, even his closest friends: ever since he kissed Nimue all those years ago, he’s known she’s his mate. The problem is that an interspecies mate bond is impossible, so it can never be.

When Nimue returns home for her cousin Blaze’s Halloween party, everything changes. No matter how the two childhood friends try to avoid their feelings for each other, fate has other plans. With magic turning on the shifters, the town is set into a panic that requires everyone to work together — especially Kit and Nimue.

Can they recover their prior friendship enough to come together and solve the next mystery, before it has lasting effects on the shifters in town?

Follow Kit and Nimue’s story, along with the quirky band of local misfits, through the Deadlights Cove series, in book two, Deja Brew.

While each book follows a different couple, the Deadlights Cove series is best read in order. Catch up and find out what Petra and Blaze discover in book one, Smoke Show, first.

FIERY.

I love this quirky town. It’s like my favorite small town contemporaries but make it spooky and I am here for it. There’s all sorts of paranormal creatures running around and I love that there’s different focuses on learning more about them with each book.

Fated mates reallllly worked for me between Kit and Nimue. It was written incredibly well that had me feeling all the chemistry they had for each other. It was hot and sweet and all the things in between.

The outside plot is interesting and I like how it subtly continues. Not overshadowing the romance but upping some intensity and bringing the action. This is a great writing duo and I look forward to the future books in this series!

Overall audience notes: