Book Review: Starlight (Angels of Elysium #3) by Olivia Wildenstein

September 12, 2023June 6, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Urban/Paranormal Romance
Length: 488 pages
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: WildStone Publishing
Release Date: December 28th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ANGELIC FACT NUMBER 100: Having wings doesn’t make one noble; it simply makes one fly.

Naya and Adam have nothing in common. Besides black wings. The same birthday. And fathers who are as close as brothers.

But nothing else.

Sweet, diligent Naya has always abided by the rules. Arrogant, uncivil Adam has made it his life’s mission to break each one.

She is the beloved daughter of an archangel. He is the guilds’ resident bad boy . . . well, bad fletching.

When Naya thrusts herself in Adam’s life to request a place on his clandestine team of guardians, he turns her away. The last thing his unsanctioned squad needs is an archangel’s attention, and the last thing he needs is a bubbly, blonde distraction with a sinful voice and soulful eyes.

Problem is, Naya suddenly, and inexplicably, becomes the only thing he wants.

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I have really enjoyed this series. I read it over a month which is unusually fast for me to binge a completed trilogy. While there are some magical system gaps and I still have questions about world building, I had SUCH A GOOD TIME with the stories. It’s intense, and romantic and swoony and all the things.

Naya and Adam’s story has been a long time coming and I love the slow burn edge this book took. There’s a really good build up and I loooove Adam’s alpha side. I can’t help myself. Naya is a strong FMC and if you’re looking for a darker vibe, this book has it. The plot is dark and full of shocking things and it often kept me on the edge of my seat.

This feels like an underrated paranormal romance series. I am so happy I took the chance on it and for someone who’s not usually a paranormal fan this checked off many of my boxes. And they’re fantastic on audio!!

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 3-4 open door; high explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, medical experimentation, murder, high blood/gore depiction, physical and weapons violence

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Book Review: Testing Times (Wayfair Witches #15) by A.A. Albright

August 7, 2023August 15, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 157 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wanda is truly in the midst of some testing times. Her boyfriend is still trapped in another world, and her exams are being constantly rescheduled. The latest change of plans, though, was for a very good reason – the examiner has died.

The death seems to have been a natural one – after all, the woman was ill. But her familiar, an owl called Minerva, is convinced it was murder, and Wanda wants to help – even if Minerva seems determined to go it alone.

There are other problems for Wanda to contend with. Her friend Gretel is growing in clumsiness and losing her confidence. As for the new Max, he is becoming dangerously accident prone.

Can Wanda solve all of these problems, catch the killer, and pass her exams? And can she ever bring the real Max home?

ALMOST FINISHED.

I can’t believe I’m a book away from finishing this series!

This installment was (as per usual) a good one. I enjoyed the mystery and that things were still progressing with the larger plot. I do feel like there’s a lot that’s supposed to be wrapped up in the last book which makes me nervous for seeing how it all comes together.

Who does Wanda end up with? Are all the foes vanquished? This is such a fun series that hits all of my cozy mystery love and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to switch things up.

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Language: none
Romance: flirting
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder

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Book Review: Doing Time (Wayfair Witches #12) by A.A. Albright

July 5, 2023July 27, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Length: 250 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 9th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Wanda kills Baldrick Berry, there’s only one place for her to go: Witchfield Prison.

Being an inmate isn’t much fun – not when Wanda’s the one who arrested a lot of of the prisoners in the first place. And not when two prisoners have died in mysterious ways. Even Witchfield itself has some secrets to be solved.

But when an angry little dog comes to haunt her, Wanda begins to realise that Baldrick’s death wasn’t quite as simple as it seemed.

Wanda must navigate prison life, deal with an angry ghost, and find out the truth. At the same time, she’s discovering new and frightening aspects to her power, and trying to understand her confusing feelings for Will.

WE’RE BACK.

I love this series. It is light, it is an escape, and it fun to enjoy Wanda’s journey.

This is another quick read that left me with enough mystery to keep the pages turning. I am very particular to one side of this love triangle and while I don’t mind the other, I am waiting with baited breath to know if I will be on the right side of this in the end.

I like that there seems to be another bigger arc for the characters and I can’t wait to see how things shake out.

Easy recommend if you’re looking for something new and that has great writing and wonderful dynamics.

Overall audience notes:

Cozy Paranormal Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, false imprisonment

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Book Review: Pier Pressure (Deadlights Cove #4) by B. Perkins and Aimee Vance

June 10, 2023May 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 418 pages
Author: B. Perkins and Aimee Vance
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: May 20th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lysander Theroux has always been ordered around by his mother and head of the Deadlights Cove witch Coven, Ostara. In the best interest of the Coven, he puts his ego aside, glad he at least has an escape from the crushing pressure in his band, The Lost Talisman.

Maisie Douglass has been living a double life for years. Abovewater, she uses a fake name in town to hide her true identity. Underwater, she plays the dutiful heir to the throne, the eldest daughter of the overbearing Ronan, King of the Sea Nymphs.

When their controlling parents announce they’ve both arranged marriages for their children to increase their magical powers — Lysander to a bear shifter, and Maisie to a demon — they’ve finally gone too far.

Together, Lys and Maisie will pretend to be in a serious relationship so their parents will back off the whole arranged marriage thing — simple enough, right?

True to the town’s history, nothing ever goes to plan.

THIS SERIES MAKES ME HAPPY.

Another win for Deadlights Cove. I loved Lysander and Maisie!!! The dash of forbidden romance worked so well between these too. I felt the connection from the get-go and those fiery kisses set me ablaze. There were great character arc building moments and I loved seeing Lysander and Maisie both stand up for themselves and for the right to choose what they wanted to do with their lives. It was swoony, the perfect level of heated, and the rush of action at the end was the perfect capstone.

I love this entire town and every single character. There’s humor and heart and I laughed many times as I devoured each page of this romance. As someone who usually says I’m not a paranormal fan, this is the exception and I need everyone who feels the same to try this series too!! You won’t regret it!!!

Overall audience notes: