Never Been Witched

                                       

Title: Never Been Witched

Series: Starfall Point #3

Author: Molly Harper

Published: Audible Originals, October 3, 2024

Length: 10 hours 17 minutes

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Alice Seastairs leads a quiet life working in her grandparents’ antique shop and hiding her magical secret from the human world. As one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, it’s her job to protect the Island from dark magic and unruly ghosts—including the ones that show up at her shop attached to antiques. But her orderly life is turned upside down when a gorgeous stranger buys the islands most historic—and haunted—hotel.

There’s something about Collin Bancroft that that makes Alice want to muss his polished exterior and find out what’s underneath his expensive suit. But romance will have to wait, because his hotel is being haunted by a ghost so dangerous that Alice’s whole coven must step in. Turns out, a supernatural event is unfolding that’s bigger than any of them ever imagined—and it’s about to blow the secrets of Shaddow House wide open. Will Alice and Collin survive long enough to have a future together?

This trilogy was a cute little escape. Riley, Caroline, and Alice are great. I wasn't pleased that miscommunication was the biggest conflict in this story, but you can't have everything. I'm just glad somebody taught that girl that she didn't have to take the baloney from her grandparents lying down. I know that there will be another trilogy in this world, and I might seek it out. It's cute enough, and time will tell!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

King of Hollywood

    

Title: King of Hollywood

Series: Tales from the Tarot

Author: Fae Quin

Publisher: September 2, 2024

Pages: 413

Genre: LGBT Paranormal Romance

Marshall: I’ve lived a carefully cultivated life on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac. My anonymity and meticulous routine are all by design. No one knows of the monster that lurks inside me, this insatiable urge to commit murder, that thrives just beneath my pastel sweater vests and buttoned-up demeanor.

No one, that is, until my tiny menace of a neighbor comes along and ruins everything.

Felix Finley and I have nothing in common. He’s small and pretty, all friendly chatter and soft features, fair skin and pearly sharp teeth. He’s intriguing and I hate it, loathe him entirely. Definitely don't want to kiss his stupid, gorgeous lips.

But late one night, when I witness him dragging a lifeless corpse from his home and across his front lawn, I wonder if maybe Felix and I have more in common than I thought. Maybe Felix Finley needs my help, my expertise, and this is my time to shine. He’s batty and wicked in a way I never expected. Because I may have lived years of cautiously concealed truths, but in the wake of Felix’s pouty lips and sad eyes, I’m tempted to spill every secret at his feet. And that thought alone, is more terrifying than any monster.

Marshall is such a sassy thing. I love that he is huge and a scary killer and all of that. But he's also so petty and sassy and kind of dainty when it comes down to it. When things are not going his way, no one is happy. Especially Marshall. And I love him.

Felix is tiny and flighty and wants to be admired. And Marshall is so very good at admiring him. Some might call it stalking, but Felix is down for that. I like the way they balance one another. Felix somehow makes Marshall more human. And Marshall does the same for him. And they're adorable. Also, you've got to love a bit of size difference.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Ice Massacre

                        

Title: Ice Massacre

Series: Mermaids of Eriana Kwai #1

Author: Tiana Warner

Published: Rogue Cannon Publishing, September 18, 2014

Pages: 378

Genre: LGBTQ Young Adult

For twenty years, the island of Eriana Kwai has sent its young men to battle the mermaids that plague their waters. None have ever returned alive.

Now, Eriana Kwai sends its daughters to fight—their last hope against the mermaids’ deadly allure. Among them is eighteen-year-old Meela, trained as a warrior and ready to avenge her brother's death.

But Meela has a secret: a lost childhood friend named Lysi, a mermaid who is nothing like the vicious creatures Meela was taught to hate and fear. When Meela comes face-to-face with the mermaids in battle and reunites with Lysi, their hatred for each other melts as their old friendship lingers beneath the surface.

With her loyalties tested and her mission in jeopardy, Meela must choose between duty to her people and the dangerous yet irresistible connection she feels with Lysi. Her decision could either end the war or ruin them all.

I really enjoyed this book. There were mermaids, training sequences, battle scenes, etc. It had a little bit of everything. There was also a heavy sprinkle of Lord of the Flies in there. When you send 10+ 18-year-old young women to be in charge of one another for at least a month in a life-threatening situation, tensions are bound to boil over. And boil over they do. 

At the end of the day, this is a second chance romance between Meela and her childhood, mermaid friend, Lysi. Not a romance novel. That's not what I'm saying. But a second chance romance, absolutely. And they reunite just long enough to be ripped apart again, which is why I have purchased the second book and am very excited to have time to fit it into my reading calendar!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Shark Heart

    

Title: Shark Heart: A Love Story

Author: Emily Habeck

Publisher: S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books, August 8, 2023

Pages: 415

Genre: Lit Fic

For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis: He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.

At first, Wren internally resists her husband’s fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis changes? Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with her college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds.

TikTok, you are such a bad influence. I mean, maybe the correct phrase is just that TikTok is such an influence. I really enjoyed this book. It was poignant and melancholy and kind of beautiful. Even if the premise is absolutely wild and fantastical. 

It felt really tragic for this woman to have cold-blooded creatures surrounding her for her entire life. Like what are the odds? In this world where evolving into wild animals is hereditary and always skips a generation, fairly good, apparently. But bad luck all the same. Also, I think my biggest concern about all of this is that the solution for evolving into a wild animal is either release into the wild, or "ethical euthanasia." We can't come up with a better solution in a world where this is a known medical condition?!? Seems rough. 

Now. If I lived in this world, I would really hope that evolve into a house cat. I already know that my partner is excellent to our pets, and I think they would take care of me too. I don't want to ask them because I already asked them if they would still love me if I turned into a worm, and it shockingly hurt my feelings when they said no. Like I get it. But here we are. And it was still a great book.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Celestial Monsters

                       

Title: Celestial Monsters

Series: The Sunbearer Duology #2

Author: Aiden Thomas

Published: Feiwel & Friends, September 3, 2024

Pages: 415

Genre: LGBTQ Young Adult

Teo never thought he could be a Hero. Now, he doesn’t have a choice.

The sun is gone, the Obsidian gods have been released from their prison, and chaos and destruction are wreaking havoc on Reino del Sol. All because Teo refused to sacrifice a fellow semidiós during the Sunbearer Trials.

With the world plunged into perpetual night, Teo, his crush Aurelio, and his best friend Niya must journey to the dark wilderness of Los Restos, battling vicious monsters while dealing with guilt, trauma, and a (very distracting) burgeoning romance between Teo and Aurelio. Determined to rescue the captured semidioses and retrieve the Sol Stone, the trio races against the clock to return Sol and their protective light. With it, order can be restored.

The future of the whole world is in their hands.

Reading my review of the first book, I really did love that book. I'm a little sad that I didn't have the same love for this second book. The beauty of the mythology was still there, absolutely. But I don't know if I just really am burnt out on YA right now, or what. 

Now just because I didn't like this as much as The Sunbearer Trials doesn't mean that this wasn't a beautiful story. Teo is a wonderful protagonist, he's so funny and cute! I think this would make the cutest TV show. If they leaned into the fun light vibes of the book, not the dark spooky ones! The plot line can still get heavy as necessary, but anyway. I'm not a screenwriter! I would love to see an on-screen version of Teo's wings though!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist

      

Title: Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist

Series: Maple Hollow #1

Author: Ali K. Mulford & K. Elle Morrison

Publisher: Rogue Fables Pty Ltd., September 3, 2024

Pages: 218

Genre: LGBT Cozy Fantasy

Get ready for a bewitching tale of love, laughter, and supernatural shenanigans in the heart of Maple Hollow!

The last thing apothecary witch, Jordyn, had on her mind was romance, but when she got witchy-wasted, she cracked open the coffin of her love life and conjured the ghost of her ex-girlfriend. Jordyn is in for a spell of trouble now that the snarky specter is determined to haunt her until she finds someone new.

Enter Harlow, the new girl in town, who just wants a job in her sister’s cafe but she discovers that the spooky town of Maple Hollow is more than just a gimmick. Real magic lives here. But after run-ins with vampires and one too many grave cafe blunders, she's ready to hop on a broomstick and fly out of town. Until she finds herself falling under the spell of the enchanting witch who asks her on a date.

As sparks fly and cauldrons bubble, will this unlikely pair brew up a love potion that defies the ghostly odds? Or will Jordyn's shade-y ex be the ultimate buzzkill to their budding romance?

Adorable. Cozy and adorable and I loved it. It was just the right amount of hokey and cliche. While still keeping me guessing for a pretty good portion of it! I hope that we get to read Willow's book because she treated Harlow pretty horrendously in this book. Not the whole time, and Harlow isn't perfect, but dang, I could use her redemption arc for sure. 

Ultimately, just a really quick cozy fall read. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Where Willows Weep

     

Title: Where Willows Weep

Author: Luna Fiore

Publisher: June 4, 2024

Pages: 226

Genre: LGBT Horror

If these walls could talk…

Years ago, Jess ran away from her small Southern town and vowed to never return. But when her mother needs a caretaker, Jess is forced back into her childhood home with its rotting floors and growing stains. Reconnecting with her high school sweetheart, Sam, is the bright spot as Jess is haunted by disembodied cries, malicious shadows, and sleepwalking episodes. Will she survive the specters that haunt her home or will the house drown her in its secrets?

This was pretty spooky. Which I know was the idea, but dang y'all! Honestly kind of nightmarish. I don't know if the ghost stuff or the family stuff was scarier, to be frank.

And then at the heart of this, there's a second chance romance for Jess and Sam. And I love Jess and Sam. Jess isn't good enough for Sam, and this town isn't good enough for Sam. But I love them so much.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5