Soul Eater

   

Title: Soul Eater

Series: Monstrous #1

Author: Lily Mayne

Publisher: March 25, 2021

Pages: 329

Genre: LGBTQ+ Fantasy Romance

Twenty years ago, monsters rose on earth and began a new age of civilization. 

One where humans live in military-controlled, cramped and dirty cities along the coasts, and the majority of the United States is known as the Wastes. A lawless, desolate and dangerous place, teeming with monsters that have claimed the land for their own. 

Including Wyn the Soul Eater. 

He appears every three years, making his way across the country and slaughtering humans randomly, sucking them dry until they’re nothing but husks. 

I’ve only been in the military for six months, but now I’m part of a unit tasked with trying to stop and capture him. And when I’m the only soldier out of hundreds that the Soul Eater leaves alive, I realise that… something about me has intrigued him. 

But what is it? What could a twenty-three year old guy from the south, with no one and nothing in the world, have possibly done to capture the attention of a death monster with horns, blackened fingertips and a face hidden in the dark depths of his hood? 

Wow, wow, wow!!! What a fun post apocalypse. Ya know, in the scheme of post apocalypse at least. 

I stayed up until midnight to finish, and I very nearly started book 2 right then. I somehow reined myself in and waited until this morning to start book 2. But only because I am not guaranteed to see Wyn and Danny again, though I'm still holding out hope.

ETA: I am so glad that I got to experience this audiobook. <3 It hasn't even been a year since I read this book for the first time. In that time I've read the 6+ subsequent entries to this series, the 2 entries in the Folk series, and Lily Mayne's contribution to the Monsters & Mayhem multi author horror novel collection. This book was first published in 2021. To anyone counting, that's 10 novels, 1 official novella and quite a few slice of life shorts published in less than 24 months. How do you have the time!?!?! Thank you so much!!! 

I would like to make it known that it is taking every ounce of willpower in my body to not immediately purchase Edin and start listening right now! But there are so many books on my TBR and I am forcing myself to wait. I just purchased the big box sets so the budget can't take it right now! BUT we will find out on 3/19 whether or not I use my audible credit to purchase a book I've never read yet, or Edin. :)

Michael Lesley did a FABULOUS job. I am from Louisiana, so I have to admit to giggling and being really concerned when I first heard his voice for Danny. But it totally works and didn't at all take away from my enjoyment of the story. And then Wyn. The first time I heard his voice for Wyn I had CHILLS. Bravo! Standing ovation for the gentleman with the mic!

As I've said, this was a reread. It was really exciting to see this all over again knowing where they're headed! Seeing so many future characters and villains pop out was very fun and I loved all of the Easter eggs. I would have thought I was immune to crying for them at this point. And still. My emotions have been wrung out and hung to dry. SO GOOD.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

The King's Men

   

Title: The King's Men

Series: All For The Game #3

Author: Nora Sakavic

Publisher: December 2, 2014

Pages: 556

Genre: LGBTQ+ Sports Fiction

Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn't survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he's got more reasons than ever to live.

Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew's never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn't mean anything, maybe Neil won't regret losing it, but the one person Neil can't lie to is himself.

He's got promises to keep and a team to get to championships if he can just outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko's not the only monster in Neil's life. The truth might get them all killed—or be Neil's one shot at getting out of this alive.

What a ride. 

This series is so impressive. I love a made-up sport apparently. I want to watch this sport on TV. Still need to check out lacrosse. I watch hockey all the time but I think I need some more input to fully visualize what Exy would be like. 

This is not a romance novel or series. I know. I can finally accept that. It took some time to come to terms with it. However! #Andreil forever. Those toxic babies made us wait for it! So worth it. 

So much happens in this book. I don't know how Neil and my heart have survived it. I was edge of my seat the entire time. Neil never did anything I expected him to do, and you know what. I'm fine with it! Who needs character growth? Not me or this series. These are messed up people who have had messed up lives and they just wanna dominate in their sport. And I just wanna read about it. :)

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

The Raven King

   

Title: The Raven King

Series: All For The Game #2

Author: Nora Sakavic

Publisher: July 31, 2013

Pages: 286

Genre: LGBTQ+ Sports Fiction

The Foxes are a fractured mess, but their latest disaster might be the miracle they've always needed to come together as a team. The one person standing in their way is Andrew, and the only one who can break through his personal barriers is Neil.

Except Andrew doesn't give up anything for free and Neil is terrible at trusting anyone but himself. The two don't have much time to come to terms with their situation before outside forces start tearing them apart. Riko is intent on destroying Neil's fragile new life, and the Foxes have just become collateral damage.

Neil's days are numbered, but he's learning the hard way to go down fighting for what he believes in, and Neil believes in Andrew even if Andrew won't believe in himself.

Wowzer. Again, unputdownable. This series is speaking to everything that I was obsessed with in high school. Apparently that was the kind of book week I had. First something for the musical theater nerd in me. And now this, the athlete who wished she had secrets. Not these kinds of secrets. No thank you. But you, a little mystique wouldn't have hurt.

I'm baffled by how compelling this series. I would love to watch a game of Exy, please and thank you. Methinks I need to give lacrosse a shot. The closest I've gotten to watching it is the small snippets you see in Teen Wolf. But I did learn recently that it's Canada's national sport, which was a shock because I thought that was hockey. So to find out that it's lacrosse, and Exy is inspired as a mix of lacrosse and hockey? Well, sign me up! 

And to the book. Neil is having quite a character arc in this series. He's learning a lot of things about himself. And the biggest thing that I'm learning about him is that he's a lying liar and the most unreliable of narrators! I love it. How this little scared kid who's been on the run for most of his life is becoming the glue for this team of pirates is wild! But I'm here for it. 

Tons of content warnings. Like all of the content warnings. Rape, death, physical abuse, emotional abuse, etc. 

I'm most looking forward to my little toxic babies Andrew and Neil figuring their shit out in the final book. Still no romance. But a girl can dream!!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

The Foxhole Court

   

Title: The Foxhole Court

Series: All For The Game #1

Author: Nora Sakavic

Publisher: July 30, 2013

Pages: 237

Genre: LGBTQ+ Sports Fiction

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential—and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.

But Neil's not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

I am so mad at how much I enjoyed this and how badly I want to read the next book. I have reasons, ok! The main reason is that I really thought this was a romance novel, and it's not. It's good, ok. But I kept trying to figure out what couple I'm supposed to be rooting for and then it's the end and I'm like......"ohhhhh, well I would have understood that a lot better without the preconceived notions."

Then we have the second reason which is that I can't start book 2 right away! I have a library book and an ARC in the queue before I can jump back into the series! How dare?!?

Other than those things, I loved it. I saw this book on BookTok and Bookstagram. Actually, that's a lie. I had to search out the book after seeing all of the hashtags that do and do not mention the title. Based on those posts, I really wanted to check it out. I get it. It's got a bit of everything. You've got sportsball, mafia/gang drama, university setting. It's almost dark academia but without the paranormal. Which was also a shock because I truly thought I was getting into some fae or fox shifter lore here. I really did not know what I was signing up for, but now I'm just along for the ride.

I can tell it was published 10 years ago. I swear like a sailor, so I'm not afraid of a well-placed f*ck in a book. But I will say this had some harsh language that I am not a fan of. I do not like derogatory language, especially when used by MCs about other MCs. But even that couldn't make me DNF it. Here we are 4 stars later, and I feel like I've been bamboozled! But I'm happy about it? It's madness over here, so maybe it was the fae!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Two Wrongs Make a Right

   

Title: The Wrongs Make a Right

Series: The Wilmot Sisters #1

Author: Chloe Liese

Publisher: Berkley, November 22, 2022

Pages: 326

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn't be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

I am such a huge Chloe Liese fan. After falling so deeply in love with the Bergman Brothers, of course I wanted to see what the Wilmot Sisters were going to be like. Especially when I saw that they were Shakespeare retellings! <3

If you love the absolute chaos of Much Ado About Nothing, you will definitely love Two Wrongs Make a Right. It is certainly chaos. 

Jamie is a hot exacting pediatrician who is always buttoned-up and wrinkle-free. Bea is a hot chaotic artist who is a walking disaster. They balance each other out perfectly. The problem is, they hate each others guts. 

We have fake dating, we have meddling matchmakers, we have enemies to lovers. This is a trope catnip smorgasbord. And I ate up every bit of it with a smile on my face!!! I must warn that this is a sloooooow burn. But the burn is very good. I look forward to all of the chaos to return in Kat's story!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Midnight Duet

   

Title: Midnight Duet

Author: Jen Comfort

Publisher: Montlake, January 10, 2023

Pages: 347

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Self-professed diva Erika Greene has it all: a starring role on Broadway, legions of fans, spectacular natural talent. But after an accident on stage leaves her face scarred and her career in shambles, Erika retreats to Paris, Nevada, where she’s inherited a ramshackle opera house in desperate need of some TLC.

Erika pours her savings into the building, but it’s not enough to stave off casino developer Raoul Decomte’s avaricious gaze. With foreclosure imminent, she leases the space to some unexpected tenants: a German hair metal band, fronted by glam rock god Christof Daae.

Erika is tempted by Christof’s low-slung leather pants—and even more so by his ambitious drive to make Nacht Musik international superstars—but he’s off-limits. The rest of his band thinks he’s still dating their beloved keyboardist, who is conveniently not present on this jaunt to the American Southwest. When Erika finds out Christof’s been unceremoniously dumped and is trying to keep it under wraps, she makes a deal to keep his secret…for a price, of course.

Christof is desperate to hold the rest of the band together after his keyboardist’s departure, but he can’t maintain the charade forever. Nor can he resist the opera house’s mysterious proprietor, who tempts him with midnight singing lessons. It isn’t long before sensuous nighttime interludes turn into smoldering backstage encounters.

But can their newly ignited passion survive the searing light of day? Or will their beautiful duet turn into a brokenhearted power ballad for one?

I am so glad that I read this. Phantom of the Opera had such a chokehold on my high school experience. I know. You're shocked. The show choir nerd was obsessed with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Well this book is absolutely everything that my high school self deserved. 

Erika is the most dramatic b*tch I've ever read. I love her so much. She is a diva and I only wish she were a little less apologetic about it!

Christof is a glamorous German hair-band lead singer. What a description. What a man. He is hilarious. He has a budget spreadsheet, but wears leather pants for the sake of the fit in the Nevada heat! 

The characters in this hair band. I would one million percent listen to Nachtmusik right now. They started out as a Scorpions cover band and it's not ironic at all. It is glitzy and glamorous and everything a rock opera requires it to be. 

In all seriousness, the best part of this book aside from the epic love between Erika and Christof, is how many song lyrics from the stage production of Phantom of the Opera were worked into the text. It's masterful. And every time I heard one, I squealed and giggled to myself. 

The audio production was SO GOOD. Meg Sylvan does a very attractive accent for a German man! And Hunter Millbrook provided the perfect comedic counter point. I highly recommend listening!!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Ugly Love

   

Title: Ugly Love

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books, August 5, 2014

Pages: 337

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

I said that I would give this book a fair shot and not compare it to Verity or November 9 while reading. And while I couldn't do that completely, I did love this book. I couldn't put it down. 

Miles is a very hot airline pilot workaholic...sex machine? This 25 year old man who hasn't had sex in 6 years is the best she's ever had right away. I get uncontrollable chemistry, but dang. Miles is also a sad sad boy who has some excellent growth. In my head he also goes to therapy. Because he totally still needs therapy. But really a great breakthrough. 

Tate is a strong, independent, workaholic nurse going to grad school. She chooses to be in a "no strings attached" situation ship with the very hot emotionally unavailable airline pilot across the hall. She lets him treat her like garbage because he is clear about his intentions and she's the one who is wanting something different. 

The angst is so good. This book emotionally abused me. I cried for the last 20%. But in like a good way. Really the only reason it's not a 5 star read for me is that the character growth was less an arc and more a complete 180 more than 3/4 of the way through the book. But the dual timeline was a very effective way to show us what happened to Miles to make him the way he is. A frickin tragedy, that's what!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5

Maniac

   

Title: Maniac

Series: Necessary Evils #7

Author: Onley James

Publisher: February 16, 2023

Pages: 267

Genre: LGBTQ+ Romance

Thomas Mulvaney was just a child when an error in judgment cost him everything. He vowed then that he would do anything to atone for his mistake. And he did. He never strayed from the right path. Until Aiden.

Aiden Mulvaney doesn’t exist. He’s a lie created by the father who disowned him and by Thomas Mulvaney, the only man Aiden had ever begged to love him. But that was years ago, when he’d still believed in fairytales. Before Thomas rejected him.

Thomas has spent years trying to have Aiden in his life while keeping him at arm's length, but Aiden’s done with half-measures. He’s done with Thomas the martyr. He’s just done. So, he’s kept his distance. Trouble is, now, someone is threatening to expose a secret that affects them all.

No, not that one. A secret so shameful, Thomas won’t even utter it out loud. Can he and Aiden revisit the past and keep the family name intact, or will they both be buried beneath the weight of their memories as their old feelings resurface?

*standing ovation*

This was everything that I wanted it to be. And even more honestly, because I was prepared for more daddy dom and pleasantly surprised that that wasn't their dynamic!!

While I will always compare this series to the paranormal/urban fantasy subgenre, this book felt the least like that to me. Probably because Aiden isn't actually written as a psychopath. Thomas calls him a dark empath which sounds even eerier. So while we get the possessiveness and obsession that we see in the other books, it's tinged with a bit more insecurity than you might expect from a Mulvaney. 

Regardless, it's exactly what I needed it to be! I have SO many highlights saved from this book because I was squealing over all of the family bonding we got! Thomas said, "It's time for everyone to come home," and the Mulvaneys said, "Bet." 

We got all of the snarkiness, bloodthirstiness, and vigilante retribution I expected and needed!!! AND we got some excellent teasers for both The Watch and Jericho's Boys spinoff series! I am already foaming at the mouth for The Bone Collector and Paladin! <3

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

November 9

   

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books, November 10, 2015

Pages: 310

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

I have a very complicated relationship with Colleen Hoover's books. They're so good. They're compelling and quotable and obviously so popular. However, I'm not sure if I find them compelling because I'm rooting for the characters, or if it's a little bit of a hate read. 

Her characters are real and flawed and complicated. But they're not necessarily likeable or relatable for me. I wrote a lot of notes while listening to this book, and they were not very nice. But I'm not sure if Verity was coloring my opinion or not. I do like Ben and Fallon together. This book, and Ugly Love, were recommended to me. When this book started out so dark, I just knew that that was what all of her books were going to be like and I was upset about it. I'm going to take a few days before I start Ugly Love. And I'm going to try my very best to read it without letting my experience with Verity or this book color my opinions.

Now for this book. November 9 is poignant. Two people share the same worst day of their lives, and somehow they take that day and turn it into something beautiful that they can share. It's a lovely story. I don't know how a book with this much insta-love also had this much angst, but it was well done. I don't know how, but she got me to cry. And I'll certainly be thinking about this book for awhile yet.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Good Deeds

   

Title: Good Deeds

Author: Kathryn Moon

Publisher: January 17, 2019

Pages: 252

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Nötchka Uumian, solo-scavenger and pilot, only came to Bandalier for business. But when her first ever heat cycle hits, she has two choices: get off the planet or find somewhere safe to ride out the heatburns. Determined to never end up mated and trapped in a kitchen, she heads into the Droid district. You can’t mate if the other person isn’t an organic right?

Low on funds and preparing for weeks of sexual stupor, Nötchka finds herself in the Nuts in Bolts, a nearly deserted Cozy House with a handful of older models, two of which aren’t even servicing. But the owner, Proto model Avan-8, is willing to trade sex for repairs and Nötchka is desperate. Everything will stay simple with droids… or it would if she didn’t end up liking them all so much.

If she can just make it through her heat without too many feelings, avoid the pack of Dendärys males that seem determined to catch her, and figure out why women are going missing, it will all work out.

It’s definitely not vekking working out.

Good Deeds is a full length, insta-burn, standalone, whychoose romance novel, starring a fiesty heroine and five fritzing hot android heroes.

This is such a fun romp through space. It felt like an episode of Doctor Who but just with sex. Granted, it's a lot of sex. But still so fun!!!

Kathryn Moon is definitely a one-click author for me. I have loved everything that I've read, and her patreon is an asbolute delight!! Working my way through her back catalogue is proving to be a highly satisfying endeavor.

Nötchka and her band of misfit droids are so cute and perfect. They have hot sex, they laugh a lot, and they get into loads of mischief. I ventured into the SweetVerse before reading this book, so I have to mention the parallels between Nötchka's story and Baby's story. Baby and the Late Night Howlers is on my amnesia list, so getting to experience Good Deeds for the first time was almost just as good!!! I absolutely love the inside look into the writing process that this affords. 

And the clever names...I just can't. K1NO, KEV-1, ROM-EO, GL0SS, AVAN-8. So good. I just love that it's a pack of alphas who aren't very alpha. Totally my favorite kind. :)

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

Firekeeper's Daughter

   

Title: Firekeeper's Daughter

Author: Angeline Boulley

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., March 16, 2021

Pages: 496

Genre: YA Fiction

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims.

Now, as the deceptions—and deaths—keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

I started this book because my friend experienced a severe book hangover thanks to it. She was seeking other books with similar themes and she couldn't stop raving about it. I didn't know much about it, so when it started out as an own voices hockey book, I was SO EXCITED!!! 

"Own Voices Hockey Book." What a joke. That is, in fact, a correct descriptor for this book, but it's so much more than that. It's a book about learning your power, and the power of your people. Finding your community and living your truth. Protecting the people you care about, even when they don't want to protect you or themselves. 

There are some heavy themes in this book. Death, and how to survive your grief. Sexual assault. The delicate and toxic relationship between the US government and Native American tribes. The violence and disregard that Native women face at an exponentially higher rate than other people in this country. Daunis says it in the book, "I am so tired. The weight of my expendability is crushing." 

And then, we have the mystery. Daunis uses all of the knowledge and wisdom that she has collected, to puzzle out who is targeting her community. Meth has taken over some of the people in her tribe, and she works to find out who brought the bad medicine in. There's another quote in the book, "It wasn't just generational trauma that got stored in our blood and passed along, but our resilience and language too." And Daunis uses every ounce of resilience that she inherited on her journey.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Lor

   

Title: Lor

Series: Monstrous #7

Author: Lily Mayne

Publisher: January 27, 2023

Pages: 619

Genre: LGBTQ+ Fantasy Romance

My role as Moric—ruler of a small and prosperous fiefdom in a quiet corner of the world—has always been painfully dull and stifling.

Until a beautiful, otherworldly creature with pink skin and a mane of golden hair falls through a strange void that has appeared in my guestroom.

And I am instantly captivated by him.

I have never seen anything like him. I have no idea where he came from, and what else is through that unsettling void—another world filled with soft-skinned, defenceless creatures like him? No tails, no horns, no claws, no sharp teeth. Tiny clothing, rounded ears, bright blue eyes. He is fascinating. And I want to keep him.

But I have no idea how my citizens and councillors will react to his presence—to the knowledge that a whole other world exists, and there is a portal to it in my guestroom. As much as I try to keep him my secret, the truth starts to slip out.

And those in my fiefdom who cling desperately onto power do their best to tear us apart. To take him from me.

I won’t let them.

It was SO nice to get to see some more of monster culture. I guess we mostly see vint culture, but you do get some snips of the other monsters as well. In Wyn we got to see a lot of the monster world through the eyes of a human. It was really cool to see their world through the eyes of a monster. I can totally understand how the world-building got away from Lily, and the intended novella became the beast of a book that it is!!

Lor is such a good bean. I really connect with the intense imposter syndrome that he experiences as a young Moric of his fiefdom. (Obviously not the Moric part....just the imposter syndrome.) He's so isolated and worried about making sure that he's doing what everyone expects. Watching his confidence grow over the course of the novel is really beautiful. He just wants to be a good ruler and make sure his people prosper, emotionally and financially. <3

And Jugs. Sweet baby angel Jugs. The himboiest himbo to ever himbo his way into another world through a freaking portal!!! I love his nickname, I love his gigantic ears, I love his short shorts and crop tops, and I LOVE his mullet. I think mostly I love that he is the softest boi even though he's like this massive buff dudebro. 

So Lor and Jugs are perfect, and neither of them deserve the absolute sh*tshow that they have to go through to get from the 80s to catch up to our current Monstrous series timeline. Like that was straight up rude! I loved every second of it. I'm pretty sure I was just crying through the entire middle portion of the book, like from 25% - 75% I was just leaking tears the entire time. 

I did give this 4 stars, and it is purely for the moments when I felt like it dragged. While I LOVED the descriptions of the monster world and monster culture, there were parts that I was ready for the action to start again. I am so glad that we got as much backstory as we did. We've had 6 entire books to learn what the portals did to the human realm, so I *understand* and truly appreciate that we got to see so much of what they did to the monster realm. But I do think the pacing ultimately impacted the book, soooo yea. 4 stars! I still Highly Recommend!!!! Like mega a lot you have to read this whole series!!! I'm currently chomping at the bit for: the release of Lyri's book, Soul Eater on audio, AND what I hope is going to be a Seis/Gryf novella (or novella turned saga while they chase down that pesky monster!)

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

When No One Is Watching

   

Title: When No One Is Watching

Author: Alyssa Cole

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, September 1, 2020

Pages: 352

Genre: Women's Psychological Fiction

Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she’s known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community’s past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo.

But Sydney and Theo’s deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?

I'm shocked that I managed to finish this book as quickly as I did. I had to stop MANY times because it's VERY f*cking scary. But then I would HAVE to know what happens, so I would start listening again once my heart rate slowed back down to a safe level.

All I could think the entire time listening to this was: Insidious Gentrification

The way this story played out made my skin crawl. You can tell that's the intention, but dang is it effective. I knew it was a thriller, but I was not ready. The unreliability of both of our narrators really helped to keep me guessing until the very end. Sydney and Theo are going through the shit and the more you learn about them, the less I trusted them. And it made finding out what was actually going on imperative!

Some of the scenes in the book where there is blatant, aggressive racism happening, and Theo is just standing by watching and trying to just change the subject were hard to read. But Theo being smacked in the face by his own hypocrisy was really satisfying.

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

A Restless Truth

   

Title: A Restless Truth

Series: The Last Binding #2

Author: Freya Marske

Publisher: Tordotcom, November 1, 2022

Pages: 271

Genre: LGBTQ+ Historical Fantasy Romance

The most interesting things in Maud Blyth's life have happened to her brother Robin, but she's ready to join any cause, especially if it involves magical secrets that may threaten the whole of the British Isles. Bound for New York on the R.M.S. Lyric, she's ready for an adventure.

What she actually finds is a dead body, a disrespectful parrot, and a beautiful stranger in Violet Debenham, who is everything—a magician, an actress, a scandal—Maud has been trained to fear and has learned to desire. Surrounded by the open sea and a ship full of loathsome, aristocratic suspects, they must solve a murder and untangle a conspiracy that began generations before them.

Wow 3rd historical for the year, and I'm officially experiencing Edwardian burnout. I LOVED IT! But I've hit my limit of potentially ruined women for now, and I'm glad that the third book in the series isn't set to release until November. Because while I am VERY interested in how that pairing with work out, and I have a ton of theories about some of the mystery....I am glad for the break.

Maud and Violet were nearly a perfect mix for me. Maud is the naive young woman, just learning about what she wants and how to get it. Violet is the experienced seductress who is absolutely dying to be the next big scandal. Violet is the perfect person to teach Maud all about her various appetites. And holy wow the lessons are HOT.

The action and unravelling the mystery is so well done. I am shocked that this book supposedly only spanned 6 days....so much happened!!! I'm still reeling over the timeline, and the ridiculousness of some of the dealings. There's a stampede for crying out loud! LOL

I must say, I did take off some points because guide lights weren't a large part of this story, and they're clearly the best part of this magic system. :)

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5