Tag: urban fantasy

Book Review: Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Shirlene Obuobi
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: July 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models-and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.

Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In A bad idea.

Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry-even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms-memory lapses, a lack of restraint that’s unlike her, persistent exhaustion-that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who-or what-is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?

THIS WAS *SOMETHING.*

This was a read purely decided upon because a friend recommended it and I said sure why not??

I really want to tell you what is happening in this book but I honestly think that would take away from it. It’s not clear in the synopsis and I like that. Just know that when the reveals came out I loved it and thought it was unique and helped me enjoy the overall story even more.

My main issue was the lust factor. I know it plays into the plot (with reasoning) but it’s not something I love in romance books. That was my only standout issue though. Anything else was minor enough that I don’t even remember at this point.

I liked all of the medical content (I believe the author is a doctor in real life so love that even more). It was woven in well with the story line and added another complex angle. The romance grew on me and I think the way everything came together worked for me. It all made sense and wrapped things up well. Not mad I read this at all and perfect for the autumn season!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: moderate+
  • Romance: lust/innuendo throughout; multiple open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, discussions of losing patients, miscarriage (recounted) but very much on page with complications, previous emotionally abusive relationship, mass shooting

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Book Review: Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: NA Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Kika Hatzopoulou
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the bestselling author of Threads that Bind and Hearts that Cut comes a brand-new compulsive romantasy about a girl obsessed with the dark and the shadowy magical prince she falls in love with, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Laini Taylor.

The dark has come alive . . .

Six years ago, vicious creatures began to crawl out of the dark crevices of the world, and with it Sascia’s fascination with the darkness was born. Now eighteen, that fascination has become an obsession, and while exploring an area known for its connection to the Darkworld, Sascia sees a person climb out of the darkness. But Nugau is no ordinary person, they’re a genderfluid elf prince with one mission . . . to kill Sascia.

Except, the second time they meet, Nugau is younger and doesn’t recognise Sascia. And the third time, Nugau stumbles out of the darkness with poison running through their veins, expressing their undying love for her.

Piecing together the puzzle, Sascia makes two shocking the timelines of her world and Nugau’s are not linear, and she is inexplicably enmeshed in a war between humanity and elves. But with their worlds at battle, is it worth fighting for each other . . . ?

I’M NOT QUITE SURE.

I wanted to love this one but I got lost in the humdrum of repetitive middle ground that left me trying to get to the end. I think there were some good themes and discussions woven in. But maybe it was trying too much? There was a LOT in here for a standalone. And maybe that’s why inconsistencies and my engagement level petered out.

The concept was unique, I will hands down give it that. I loved the idea of an alternate world in the dark. There’s enough time spent there that it doesn’t feel like a portal fantasy that skips back and forth. And this was my second book with a time loop in one week and I need something different.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: The Enemy of the Book Keeper (The Secret of the Book Keeper #2) by J.A. Hemingway

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Urban Fantasy
Length: 410 pages
Author: J.A. Hemingway
Publisher: Glenthorne Press, LLC
Release Date: June 9th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Stories are disappearing… and Theo may be the only one who can stop it.

After his fantastical and dangerous encounter with the magical town of Bridgingdale, Theo is left reeling from all he has learned about Leyna, the Book Keeper, and her ancient calling to mend tears between the literary world and reality.

When characters begin to fade from the pages of beloved classics, Theo knows something is terribly wrong. Desperate to warn Leyna, he must find his way back to her one more time. However, the only person who can help him is the one person he swore never to trust.

As the line between fiction and reality begins to unravel, even the most treasured books hold secrets. And when worlds collide, the damage may just be irreparable…

The Much-Anticipated Sequel to The Secret of the Book Keeper brings a fresh mystery in the magical world of the Book Keeper!

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

GOOD FINALE.

J.A. Hemingway genuinely writes incredibly well. It’s a well crafted story that does a good job of providing a tale to get lost in. I love that it’s a true young adult novel and one that can easily be handed to a teen. Theo is an endearing MMC who you want to cheer for and is a relatable 20ish year old. While the characters are college aged I think this can be enjoyed by younger and older audiences.

I liked the way this book developed. There’s good themes of forgiveness and acknowledging mistakes. The character development was top notch. The books within books was a fun plot device that added a magical element. I thought the reveals were good and the magic system made sense with realistic boundaries. There’s a soft background romance that’s heartfelt too. I just loved all of these characters.

The ending brought everything together beautifully and wrapped up the story in a very satisfying way. I loved where everyone ended up and I think there’s potential to follow a character on another adventure!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: physical altercations, loss of loved ones (recounted)

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ARC/ALC Book Review: All’s Fae in Love and War by Lee Nichols

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: 371 pages
Author: Lee Nichols
Publisher: Second Sky
Release Date: May 28th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Pandora Voss has one last summer to unlock her powers—or lose all memory of magic forever.

No pressure.

Pandora returns to her enchanted hometown in Maine to nurture the magic she knows must be inside her. Time is running out, and the last thing she needs is a distraction…

Which makes the return of her high-school heartbreak, Leo Carter, deeply inconvenient.

The handsome antiquarian bookseller has come back to the island in search of a rare book. Leo still has that warm, devastating smile that sets pulses racing wherever he goes… Not that Pandora has noticed because she is absolutely, completely over him.

But when an unexpected encounter at Leo’s family boathouse ends in a wildly sexy kiss, Pandora’s plans are blown apart. Andwhen she’s “volunteered” to work with him at the library the next day, the tension between them unleashes a spell that goes spectacularly wrong.

As enchantments wreak havoc across the island, Pandora and Leo team up to save the town. Racing to contain fairytale creatures and dodging unresolved feelings, Pandora must decide what’s more untamed magic… or falling for Leo all over again.

With magical mayhem, spicy romance, and laugh-out-loud humor, All’s Fae in Love and War is the first book in a trilogy that’s perfect for fans of fantasy rom-coms like The Ex Hex and Rewitched.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy.

DID NOT WORK.

On soooo many levels. And honestly I am convinced these two don’t even make it past the last page. That’s how this romance felt.

🎧: One of the few positives was that the audiobook was good and easy to listen to. There’s two narrators for the two POV’s and they do a good job.

I didn’t love that it was written from the perspective of a diary for only Pen’s POV? It came across as breaking the fourth wall rather than an epistolary style story. The romance was just Pen and Carter finding and making up over and over again. And over the same thing. The spice between them was cringey and just didn’t fit the tone of the novel.

There were some things that felt whimsical? Though none of the humor felt humorous. Overall the book felt stale and lackluster. I won’t be continuing the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: moderate

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