Sanctuary with Kings

       

Title: Sanctuary with Kings

Series: Tempting Monsters #3

Author: Kathryn Moon

Publisher: July 20, 2023

Pages: 476

Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance

Evanthia has spent half her life trapped inside the Seven Veils. When the house crumbles, she seizes her moment and runs from Birsha and his twisted pleasures. But pleasure is what she needs to survive, and the dark streets of London leave her starving and vulnerable.

Rescued by a mysterious monster who vows her sanctuary, Evanthia must piece back together the woman that Birsha tore apart. Quiet sanctuary is no cure for her endless hunger, but the war brewing on the horizon is the last place she wants to be. Hiding with sleeping dragons and lonely monsters in a castle made from dreams might be a fantasy, but it’s not enough to keep the nightmares at bay.

When not even Evanthia’s tired heart can remain dormant in the tender care of the kings who keep her safe, she must make the decision. Hide from her past forever, or face the man she fears most on the battlefield.

What a dream. Pun intended. This was exactly what I wanted from the season wrap up of this series. Well, I assume it's the end. Though I would be absolutely thrilled to read more about these lusty reverse harems with tons of monsters!!!

I loved the slower pace of this story. We really got all of the time that Evanthia needed to work through her trauma. I mean, not fully, I'm sure it took her decades at least to really work through it. But it gave her time to really work through it enough to be able to fight the baddies! 

Evanthia has been Birsha's prisoner for centuries. When the Seven Veils falls, Evanthia escapes. It takes awhile, but eventually she is rescued by the King of the Labyrinth, Asterion. He takes her to Grace House, and she is slowly reintroduced to pleasure. Pleasure for the sake of pleasure, not pleasure in pain. She makes her first friend in centuries. Then Asterion introduces her to Connell, King of the werewolves. And they take her to Wales, where she will be safer from Birsha's forces. 

In Wales we meet Laszlo, a gryphon, also known as King of the Western Clouds. He lives in this huge castle with his dragon mate, Hywel, the King of Dreams. It's here, in this castle, where Evanthia really learns to live again. For herself first, and then for her kings. And it was a joy to witness her finding her new self. 

And then she became an absolute BADASS. And that was even better to watch!!! And then there was the sex. Of course. And the cameos!!! Not even cameos, just full on side character action with Hazel and Esther and their men. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

Hello Stranger

      

Title: Hello Stranger

Author: Katherine Center

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, July 11, 2023

Pages: 325

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming . . . Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life―placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition―the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees.

But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into―love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?―with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse.

If only her life were a little more in focus, Sadie might be able to find her way. But perceiving anything clearly right now seems impossible. Even though there are things we can only find when we aren’t looking. And there are people who show up when we least expect them. And there are always, always other ways of seeing.

This was so very interesting. I've heard of face blindness, and I've even had a friend tell me that they have face blindness. But aside from knowing that it was a thing in the world, I didn't know much more about it. The idea that a portrait artist could develop face blindness right before a huge contest is rough. Her chosen career becomes inaccessible to her nearly over night. As you can imagine, the epiphanies do not end there. 

My biggest issue with this book, and the reason it's only a 4-star rating for me, is the main conflict. There are so many to choose from, really. But ultimately, they all boil down to willful miscommunication. Sadie's choice to keep her face blindness a secret from nearly everyone in her life caused a lot of her angst. I understand that she needed time to adjust to this huge life change. I also understand that Sadie had a lot of things in her past that led to her making this choice. 

Which leads to my second biggest issue with the book. Her freaking stepsister. What an actually evil person. I was hoping for a little bit of a character arc for Parker, but she was just straight up evil the entire time. It was WILD. 

But her relationship with Joe was perfection. Well, for the most part. They were so very cute together. Sadie learning to be joyful again after her medical issues was so very fun to read. And her letting Joe in and attempting to draw him was also very fun. Oliver was an exceptional veterinarian. She got some really top notch service there.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Up in Flames

     

Title: Up in Flames

Author: Eden Finley and Saxon James

Publisher: July 13, 2023

Pages: 284

Genre: LGBT Romance

When it’s your job as groomsman to tell the groom his wedding isn’t happening, the smartest thing to do is get it over and done with and then tell the guests to leave.

Yeah, well, I never said I was smart.

I might … accidentally, maybe on purpose, suggest to Remy that the best form of revenge is to have a party anyway. I mean, he’s already got catering, a DJ, and guests, so what better time to throw a petty party?

My loser high school friend never deserved him anyway. If I’d had the chance, I would have locked Remy down years ago.

Only, when the party leads to a drunken kiss, going on their honeymoon, and sharing their marital bed, I have to say, I’m not entirely sad that their wedding went up in flames.

This was fun. It's much heavier than I'm used to from these authors. But it's very good, and they have thorough content warnings in the beginning of the book. But I'm used to their silly, sexy hockey boys. So these silly, sexy, very traumatized fire fighter and paramedic were a bit of a shock!

That's not to say there weren't still moments where this book was laugh out loud funny. Or that it was any less sexy than their other books. It was definitely both of those things. But it also had a heavy dose of harsh reality thrown in. 

So, Remy gets left at the altar. Sanden, who's been harboring feelings for Remy the whole time he was with Eman, convinces Remy to have a reception anyway.....and take Sanden on the honeymoon! He's just looking out for Remy during a hard time. Until the last night of the honeymoon... He's still looking out for Remy, but you know, that's not ALL he's looking out for anymore. 

The farther away from the wedding we get, the more we learn of just how abusive Eman's and Remy's relationship was. And the more we learn about why Sanden became a fire fighter, and just how hard his career can be on him. They burn bright and they burn fast for one another, but they both have a lot of work to do before they're ready to be good for each other. 

I think that the authors handled the trauma really well. But it was tough to read about it. But worth it!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 4/5

A Shadow in the Ember

     

Title: A Shadow in the Ember

Series: Flesh and Fire #1

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Blue Box Press, October 19, 2021

Pages: 647

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

I finally did it! I realized after reading The War of Two Queens that I should have read this book first, so when I saw that A Soul of Blood and Ash was coming out soon...I figured it was officially time to read this book and A Light in the Flame.

Because I am already fully invested in the Blood and Ash series, it's so hard to separate this book out as its own new thing. I know that it's a prequel spinoff series. These are new characters (for the most part). But it's so tightly woven into the lore that Blood and Ash has already started that it's nearly impossible to review it without considering everything. And there is a LOT of everything to consider.

It's especially hard to separate them when Sera and Ash's story so closely parallels Poppy and Hawke's story. It's a very clever plot device. But the characters voices are so similar, that at times it felt like reading the exact same book, just with Draken instead of Wolven. Again, my rational brain knows that this was done on purpose. They're fulfilling a prophecy and what not. But they are SO similar. 

However, getting more world-building and lore surrounding this incredible universe?! I could never be mad about it! The draken are amazing. I'm obsessed with the glimpses of Reaver and Jadis that we get! And I'm obviously looking forward to the rest of the books!!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

The Right Swipe

   

Title: The Right Swipe

Series: Modern Love #1

Author: Alisha Rai

Publisher: Avon, August 6, 2019

Pages: 394

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules: 

- Nude pics are by invitation only 

- If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice 

- Protect your heart 

Only there aren't any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night... and disappears. 

Rhi thought she'd buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won't fumble their second chance, but she's wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…

This book was fighting an uphill battle with me. Which is shocking because I LOVE Alisha Rai. Her books, her TikTok, love her. But I hadn't read this series, and I bought this book at my local bookstore last year. I pulled the title from my little glass jar that's my attempt at reading the physical books on my bookshelf that I haven't gotten around to. However, I am a fully converted Ebook enthusiast. My little noodle arms have such a hard time holding a real book for an extended period of time. 

Then I get into it, and it's GOOD. Like Rhi is this genius software developer who just wants to create a safe space for people to find love without being creeped out by the...creeps.  And Samson is awesome. He's chill and hot and understanding, which is also hot. So why did it take me 5 months to read this book? It's an excellent question. 

It is good. There is a LOT going on. You have a second chance after a one-night stand. You have this business woman trying to conquer Silicon Valley. You have fun side characters, and so much glorious representation. There is also some heavier themes, like CTE and the impact of football on the players health and families. There's abuse and gaslighting and sexual harassment in the workplace. 

I love Samson and Rhi's chemistry. They are hot and they are hot for each other. And I know that they each had their own trauma to work through and stuff. But dang. The way that Rhi kept forcing him to arm's length was rough. It was not his fault Rhiannon. He was not the butthead who hurt you. But again, she did have to go through it. Overall, I made it to the end. I loved Katrina and Lakshmi, but I don't think now's the right time to attempt to continue the series for me. I wanted this to be a little more of a "beach read" than it was. But I finished!!!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 2/5

A Blue Ribbon Romance

     

Title: A Blue Ribbon Romance

Series: Cambrice Creek #1.5

Author: C.M. Nascosta

Publisher: July 14, 2023

Pages: 266

Genre: Monster Romance

Morning Glory Milking Farm was just another quick tug - machine operated facility, no different from all the rest. Sure, they had big pharma money and special hands-on amenities the other milking joints couldn't boast, but at the end of the day it was the same old story — cash he didn't actually need in the bank, all for doing what he would have done for free anyway. Get in, get out, get on with his day. At least, that's what he thought.

Rourke doesn't know why he's so drawn to a particular milking tech . . . he doesn't know anything about her, after all. Not what she looks like without a mask concealing her face, not even her name. He only knows he can't stay away.

He wasn't looking for love, but it managed to find him in most unlikely of places, and now he's determined to prove that you can teach an old bull new tricks.

Violet and Rourke are back at it again with the milk jugs. 

I thought there were Easter Eggs in Morning Glory Milking Farm? This book is just one big bright shiny blue Easter Egg. And I LOVE IT. 

Rourke is this middle-aged minotaur who has a very successful business and is still somehow the mopiest man around. He's so full of angst surrounding his milking farm habits, and his favorite technician in particular. As always, we are brought along the rollercoaster of emotions with him. Because one thing you will do in a C.M. Nascosta book, is FEEL their feelings.

I love that we got a bit more of a glimpse into the non-human side of things in Cambric Creek. We get a little bit more of the politics and social structure from Rourke's point of view than we did from Violet, as a human not yet living in Cambric Creek. That was really fun to see. 

And of course. This is HOT. Rourke is a minotaur after all. Their virility and vigor are keeping pharmaceutical employees everywhere in work. There is so much masturbation in this book. Whether at a milking facility or Rourke's house, he is always down to pound. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

Warrior Girl Unearthed

    

Title: Warrior Girl Unearthed

Author: Angeline Boulley

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., May 2, 2023

Pages: 388

Genre: YA Fiction

Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known who she is - the laidback twin, the troublemaker, the best fisher on Sugar Island. Her aspirations won't ever take her far from home, and she wouldn't have it any other way. But as the rising number of missing Indigenous women starts circling closer to home, as her family becomes embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation, and as greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe, Perry begins to question everything. 

In order to reclaim this inheritance for her people, Perry has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She can only count on her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming new boy in town with unwavering morals. Old rivalries, sister secrets, and botched heists cannot - will not - stop her from uncovering the mystery before the ancestors and missing women are lost forever.

Sometimes, the truth shouldn't stay buried.

I was already fully invested in this book before it ever started. I wanted to check back in on Daunis and her family. I have a lot of feelings about what her future looks like, mostly they're good!!! 

Perry Firekeeper-Birch was another joy to get to know. She is looking forward to her hot girl summer. Driving her jeep, fishing with her dog, and just enjoying the sunshine. But when she gets in an accident to avoid hitting a bear cub, she crashes those plans as well. Her Auntie Daunis (YAY) signs her up for an internship program in order to pay off the repair costs. Bye bye, carefree summer.

Hello, Community Museum and weird old Cooper Turtle. Also, hello, Warrior Girl. Perry meets the Warrior Girl when she accompanies Cooper Turtle, her first internship supervisor, to the museum of a local university. On this trip we learn a bit about NAGPRA, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Cooper is attempting to work with the university to identify and catalog their archives, so that he can ultimately file for Repatriation of their ancestors and funerary objects. This trip also lights a fire under Perry. She is appalled at the careless treatment of her ancestors, and she promises herself to do anything it takes to get them back.

Perry has many lessons to learn and many mentors to learn from over the course of this summer. Her first instinct is to do whatever it takes, and she believes that the ends will justify the means. It doesn't take her long to learn that it's more important to accomplish your goals within the limitations of the rules, than it is to just rush to the final goal. Yet, she manages to brush right over this lesson many times before it really sinks in. 

This book covers some very dark themes. The author is so talented and honest in her handling of these very sensitive themes. It's amazing how dark the book can be, and yet still overall have a hopeful and inspiring feel throughout. The strong, imperfect women that she writes are so easy to read and root for. I look forward to any more glimpses into the Firekeeper family that she's willing to give me. 

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Business or Pleasure

                     

Title: Business or Pleasure

Author: Rachel Lynn Colomon

Published: Berkley, July 4, 2023

Pages: 384

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in "ghostwriter" until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there's a way for them to have both.

Have you ever met someone and felt the scorching chemistry, then when you finally got them in bed things fell a little flat? Chandler Cohen has. With Drew....or maybe Finn? Sure, she also finds out that he gave her the wrong name when she meets him at a business lunch...the morning after she snuck out of his hotel room...

This was great. Funny and poignant and overall, a good time. Chandler's character arc was rough at times. Like I know that we need to go through it to grow through it or whatever, but this girl did some SERIOUS self-sabotaging all over the place. She got there eventually, but some of the mile markers were harder to rationalize than others.

Finn was cute. His reaction to Chandler telling him that their first night together was less than stellar was way better than what you might expect. Certainly way better than what Chandler expected. I like that he was open to the criticism because he genuinely wanted to improve. Ethan would never have been that cool about it, for sure! 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

                    

Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

Series: Montague Siblings #1

Author: Mackenzie Lee

Published: Katherine Tegen Books, June 27,  2017

Pages: 518

Genre: LGBT Historical Adventure Romance

A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee—Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.

Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

This is a cute adventure. Monty is an oblivious rake. Percy is a sweet stoic baby. Felicity is brilliant and has so much potential. They're all so cute and I love them. This was fun, and I enjoyed it very much. It was very much a palate cleansing, "no thoughts only vibes" read for me. Which is exactly what I needed. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

There's a Monster in the Woods

                   

Title: There's a Monster in the Woods

Series: Spooky Boys #0.5

Author: Fae Quin

Published: January 1,  2022

Pages: 112

Genre: LGBT Paranormal Romance

There's a monster in the woods.
That's what the stories always say.
With gnashing teeth,
And wind for wings,
Little children are its prey.

There's a monster in the woods.
At night you'll hear its mournful cries.
And off the path,
You'll feel its wrath,
Be wary of yellow eyes.

There's a monster in the woods.
And if you listen close,
You'll hear its cry,
Echo through the sky,
Its call for blood inside its throat.

These boys are spooky! In the best way. They're a little bit spooky, a lot bit sweet, and very very sexy. I love that Ellis is just trying to live his best life on his little homestead. He doesn't care about social media or phones or any of that. He just wants to grow beautiful vegetables, bake delicious bread, and court the monster in the woods. Well, maybe not that last one at first. But ya know, when in Rome, or wherever his little farm is...

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Only Love Can Hurt Like This

                    

Title: Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Author: Paige Toon

Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons: April 25, 2023

Pages: 400

Genre: Women's Fiction

When Wren realizes her fiancé is in love with someone else, she thinks her heart will never recover.

On the other side of the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago and is still struggling to move on.

Wren hopes that spending the summer with her dad and step-family on their farm in Indiana will help her to heal. There, amid the cornfields and fireflies, she and Anders cross paths and their worlds are turned upside-down again.

But Wren doesn't know that Anders is harboring a secret, and if he acts on any feelings he has for Wren it will have serious fall-out for everyone. Walking away would hurt Wren more than she can imagine. But, knowing the truth, how can she possibly stay?

I saw this on bookstagram and I decided to read it because I love the song by the same name by Paloma Faith. Not the worst reason I've ever decided to read a book.

I have quite a few feelings about this book. I'm very glad that it's not really marketed like a romance novel, though it could be. But there was a LOT of heavy themes throughout this book. It's kind of shocking that I read it so quickly because it really is quite sad. But Anders and Wren are very compelling. And Bailey and Jonas are adorable siblings to them. 

Some of the choices that these characters make no sense to me. Even after learning everything, the fact that these 2 people who are so clearly in love think that they can just be friends is incredible. It never works, right? We can all agree that this course of action never actually works.

My biggest feelings are about the ending. It was good. Arguably, the only possible "happy" ending. But it felt very......"let me tie everything into a pretty bow that I hadn't given any indication was coming whatsoever for the past 395 pages." In saying that, it's still a 4 star read and if the heavy themes don't hit your trigger warning list I absolutely recommend. But the ending is definitely what cost a star for me.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Berries and Greed

                   

Title: Berries and Greed

Series: Deep Earth Dating #1

Author: Lily Mayne

Published: June 30, 2023

Pages: 564

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Greid
I may hate everyone, but you can only take being alone for so long. Sooner or later, you get desperate enough to visit a human cult that worships your species as greater beings in the hope of finding a new roommate to fill the lonely void. We’ve all been there… right?

I swear I was only looking for a roommate. Just someone to watch TV and eat dinner with. Nothing… romantic. No way. But when I see all these humans gazing at me with open adoration and blatant lust and other things that make me wildly uncomfortable, I realise what a terrible mistake this is.

Until I spot the one human woman in the group who is definitely not pleased to see me. In fact, she’s scowling at me. She looks really, really annoyed.

I’m kind of into it.

Beryl
I’m not a true follower of The Order of the Greater Beings. I don’t worship the demiurgus—the monstrous species that lives alongside humans. I definitely do not want to become a demiurgus mate.

So when one shows up at the cult’s compound—the first in the entire twenty-five years I’ve been flying under the radar here—I want to make sure he knows that I think he’s a total creep for taking advantage of worryingly adoring humans this way.

Until I realise… I don’t think that’s why he’s here. He’s kind of awkward. And anxious. And wildly out of his depth. And when he offers me the chance to finally escape the cult—to go out into the real world for the first time, to create a life for myself—all for the low, low cost of an easy, platonic friendship… I take it.

Now I’m navigating the outside world, and I’m roommates with a big, awkward demiurgus called Greid who lives in his pyjamas, watches a ridiculous amount of TV and is high most of the time. He’s also the sweetest guy I’ve ever met, and he’s funny and generous and easy to talk to.

But I’ve spent my entire life making sure I didn’t get sucked in to the cult’s fervent worship of the demiurgus—there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with him.

Right?

Berries and Greed is a MF monster/human romcom and is the first in the series Deep Earth Dating, which features a range of diverse pairings and is for an adult audience only. A full list of CWs can be found at the front of the book, but include explicit content, a non-human love interest (with non-human anatomy), an MC initially involved in a cult, recreational use of a fictional drug, and mentions of childhood neglect.

This is a romp from start to finish!!! Beryl and Greid are the most adorable people and friends and couple! They complement one another SO well and I love them!

Beryl grew up in a cult. But don't worry...she's not fully indoctrinated. This cult worships the Demiurgus that emerged from Deep Earth years ago to cohabitate the surface with humans. But Beryl knows they're just regular people, so when Greid shows up to check the cult out. She just knows that he is a creepy perv. But he's really just kind of lonely and wants companionship. Not sex. He knows way more about anatomy than the cult tells its followers and he knows that they are not compatible. 

Greid is a socially anxious stoner. His idea of a perfect day is spending a few hours making jewelry, and then spending the rest of the day smoking and snacking under a huge pile of blankets while watching trashy television. He would just like a housemate to hang out with him while he does that. Not all the time, but making friends is hard and he gets lonely sometimes! He doesn't want the creeps that look at him with adoration from the cult though. Until he meets Beryl's eyes and she looks at him with pure disdain....sign him up. 

They really do balance one another out so well. And the way that they make space for each other's quirks and are totally obsessed with each other (once they get to know one another better) is SO cute. I can't wait to read more about these Demiurgus!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

Fourth Wing

                  

Title: Fourth Wing

Series: The Empyrean #1

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Published: Entangled: Red Tower Books, May 2, 2023

Pages: 663

Genre: NA Fantasy Adventure

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

I'm absolutely obsessed. I've already written 4 fanfics in my brain for this book and I just finished it this morning. I am SO glad that Rebecca Yarros isn't keeping us in suspense for too long. Even though she left us on that cliff hanger!!!! 

Violet is a girl after my own heart. She just wants to hang out in the library reading and transcribing books. But her mom is out here crushing that dream and telling her she has to go outside and train to be a dragon rider. In the riders' quadrant if the assignments don't kill you, your classmates just might! Surely this isn't her mom's way of getting rid of the "weak link" in their family....right?

There is so much intrigue and deception happening in this book. I read it, and I still don't know everything that's going on! I DID know that I enjoyed myself SO much. I could not stop listening! Come on Iron Flame!!!!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Pucking Around

                      

Title: Pucking Around

Author: Emily Rath

Published: Emily Rath Books, March 20, 2023

Pages: 750

Genre: LGBTQ Hockey Romance

My name is Rachel Price, and two months ago, I walked away from the perfect man. Sweet and funny, and so hot it should be illegal—we shared one magical night. No names. No strings. I never thought I’d see him again.

I was wrong. It turns out Mr. Perfect is the playboy grinder for the Jacksonville Rays, the NHL’s hottest new hockey team…and I’m his new physical therapist. Oh, and the jerk doesn’t even recognize me!

This fellowship is going to be the longest ten months of my life. Mr. Perfect Mistake will do anything to get back on my good side. Meanwhile, his best friend is the surly new equipment manager always riding my case. Worst of all, I’ve got an uncooperative goalie who thinks I can’t tell he’s hiding an injury!

This is my chance to prove myself, and I’m not risking it for anything. But with one unexpected night, one secret revealed, these men are ready to test all my limits. I can’t fall for a player…let alone three. But if love is a game, these guys are playing to win.

She thicc! I definitely should have started this book earlier in the month. Holy cow! She is a honker and I was really getting down to the wire to finish this before the 30th. Luckily it's so compelling and fast-paced and scorching hot so I did it!! And of course, I am thrilled to have all of those extra pages and relationship development between these babies!!!

What to say about Rachel Price. There is a lot that I really like about Rachel Price. HOWEVER. I hate a martyr. Specifically a "I love you too much to stay in this relationship when I might slightly inconvenience you" martyr. This is her whole vibe. Like starting from the prequel novella until the very end. She was ready to ghost the second things got uncomfortable. Not bad, or hard....uncomfortable. But she does learn, so she's got that going for her.

Jake Compton, Caleb Sanford, and Ilmari Kinnunen are perfect. They're all so different but still so perfect for Rachel and each other. I think watching them figure out how to be together is more compelling than watching them figure out how to be with Rachel. Though that part is really fun too.

And holy cow. The spice. This book doesn't PLAY! It is burn your hands hot!!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

BONUS Prequel Novella: 3/5 Stars

It's hot, I loved it. But I'm missing the poly and queer vibes that I'm hoping I'll get in Book 1.

BONUS BONUS Sequel Novella: 4/5 stars

I'm obsessed. I literally couldn't be more obsessed. I'm excited for Pucking Wild, but really only for more Ilmari!!!

BONUS BONUS BONUS Novella:

Titled: Lemongrass

I would absolutely read Harrison and Somchai's entire story. Their meet cute is pretty tricking smooth!! But this was a very cute snippet.