Book Review: Sucker Punch by Alta Hensley (The Riot Crew Book 1)

Author: Alta Hensley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Why Choose, Reverse Harem, MMMF, Cage Fighting, Found Family, Forbidden Romance, High-Stakes Sports Romance, Sword-Crossing

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 – Very spicy with explicit scenes

Format: eBook

Series: The Riot Crew Book 1

     Ari needs a cage fighter if she’s going to save Smiley’s. Freakshow can’t fight anymore, so she heads to a local match to scout talent—and instead runs straight into the infamous Bones Vega. Bones fights like a man possessed, but after throwing a high-profile fight, no gym will touch him. With his reputation in shambles, the question becomes whether Bones, his manager Lotto, Ari, and Freakshow can fix not only his career—but themselves.

    I have been on a RH (Reverse Harem)/Why Choose kick for a hot minute and I am loving it. We start with a spark between Ari and Bones. Then introduce the situationshop Ari is in with Freakshow. Then Lotto says whatever she does with Bones she does with him. Love it all. 

    This is a true MMMF dynamic—three men who engage with each other just as much as they do with her. The book is unapologetically smut-heavy, and I loved every second of it. That said, the spice never overshadows the story. There’s plenty of action, cage fights, emotional tension, and angst woven throughout to keep things engaging and impactful.

    Potential trigger warnings worth noting include: multiple partners, cancer, sword-crossing, open-door explicit scenes, cage fighting, gambling, and addiction.

    What really stood out was the group dynamic and how thoughtfully everything was handled. I wasn’t thrilled with how things ended with Cisco, but it was still preferable to the slow, painful outcomes I’m unfortunately familiar with. This book works well as a standalone within a series—there’s no cliffhanger—though it’s clear their story isn’t finished. 

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Why Choose / Reverse Harem romance
• MMMF dynamics with sword-crossing
• High-spice contemporary romance
• Cage fighting or underground sports settings
• Found-family relationships
• Plot-heavy smut with action and angst

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Dungeon Incursions by Adam Bright (Dungeon Incursions Book 1)

Author: Adam Bright

Genre: Apocalyptic LitRPG

Tropes: System Apocalypse, Dungeon Breaks, Party Formation, Real-World Setting, Skill Progression

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook

Series: Dungeon Incursions Book 1

    On the way home from archery practice, Lance and his friends witness monsters attacking their town and instinctively jump into action. When their kills immediately reward them with coins, it becomes clear that the world as they knew it is over. The apocalypse has begun—ushering in dungeon incursions and a game-like system in classic LitRPG fashion.

    This is a fun, fast-paced post-apocalyptic LitRPG that starts right at the moment everything falls apart. There are no system prompts, no lengthy explanations, and no dramatic speeches—just monsters suddenly invading a quiet town and chaos unfolding in real time. While I haven’t read a huge number of LitRPGs set in the modern real world, they remain some of my favorites, and this one fits squarely into that niche.

    That said, there were a few elements that felt odd to me. Most notably, there are no visible stat sheets. Characters can tell they’re improving their skills through use, but they can’t see numerical levels or progress bars. Additionally, all upgrades are coin-based, and arrows cannot be retrieved when looting, effectively making them single-use items. I personally would have liked to at least see an option to purchase stat sheets or system access through the in-game shop—even if that wasn’t available immediately.

    A quick heads-up: this is a very short read at just 112 pages. Book one focuses almost entirely on establishing the party, lightly sketching out the characters, and completing an initial dungeon run. Very little happens beyond setup. I do already have book two, so I’m hoping the story gains more depth and momentum as the series progresses.

    One final note: the MMC was my least favorite character in the book. He’s abrasive and honestly kind of a jerk, and I’m very much hoping for significant character development moving forward.

You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• System apocalypse stories that start immediately when the world ends
• LitRPGs set in the modern, real world
• Dungeon incursions and early party formation
• Fast, easy reads that focus on setup rather than deep lore
• Skill-based progression without heavy stat crunching

This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: A Sovereign’s Scorn by Luke W. Logan (Dragon's Dilemma Book 1)

Author: Luke W. Logan

Genre: Fantasy LitRPG

Tropes: Monster Protagonist, Underdog to Overpowered, Gender-Bender, Hidden Identity, Slow Burn Progression

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 – Moderately low spice with a few explicit scenes

Format: Paperback

Series: Dragon’s Dilemma, Book 1

 

   Typhoeus was born the runt of his dragon litter and cast out of the dragonspires into the foothills, forced to survive among the lesser monsters that Creation has populated the world with. Typhoeus is Level-capped until he reaches the age of 100, while human adventurers—unrestricted by such limits—regularly invade his cave in hopes of capturing the “evil dragon runt” for their guild.

    To survive, Typhoeus assumes an alternate form: a carefully designed human female body, crafted to appear unremarkable based on human artwork he sourced from passing caravans. As “Typh,” he must navigate the adventurers’ world from the inside, pairing up with another level-1 adventurer to level discreetly and avoid suspicion.

    I received a paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The novel opens from the perspective of Typhoeus’s mother before quickly shifting focus to Typheous himself for the remainder of the story. 

    One notable element is the gender-bender aspect. Typh is male as a dragon, but his human form is female. Internally and in narration, Typh is always referred to as male, while other characters perceive and refer to him as female. Personally, I found this perspective split somewhat distracting and felt it took away from immersion at times.

    This is largely a low-spice LitRPG, though there are a handful of explicit scenes scattered throughout. These scenes are technically female/female in presentation, though Typh is still referred to as male internally. I chose to skip these moments, as they felt cringy to me—but more importantly, they are entirely skippable and do not impact the plot or character progression.

    Outside of that aspect, I loved this book. A LitRPG told from a monster’s perspective—rather than yet another human adventurer—is a refreshing change of pace. It’s a clear underdog-to-triumph story, even if Typh is already OP once in human form. I’m very interested to see where the series goes next.

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• LitRPG with non-human or monster protagonists
• Underdog stories with steady progression and power growth
• Fantasy worlds with detailed leveling systems
• Hidden identity and dual-form characters
• A fresh twist on traditional adventurer narratives

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Aaron's Mate by Abigail Raines (The Quinton Shifters Book 1)

Author: Abigail Raines

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Shifter Romance, Boss/Employee Romance, Accidental Pregnancy, Fated Mates, Forbidden Relationship, Protective Alpha, Secret Baby

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 – Lots of explicit spice

Format: eBook

Series: The Quinton Shifters Book 1

    Shifters can’t get humans pregnant—so having a fling with the beautiful Michelle shouldn’t have been a problem. Except when he picks her up one day and her scent has changed. Suddenly, he’s facing an impossible choice: protect the woman he cares about and the pup she’s carrying, or remain loyal to his shifter family.

    This is a boss/employee paranormal romance, though refreshingly he’s only slightly above her in rank—not a billionaire CEO. The attraction is there from the start, but circumstances and unspoken rules keep them apart…until they don’t. Once they cross that line, things spiral quickly for both the shifter and his human mate.

    The spice in this book is plentiful and unapologetic, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The supporting cast is solid, but his mother easily stole the show for me. I seen her secret coming from a mile off as soon as their preferences were explained. 

    This feels like the start of a classic shifter series where each brother gets his own mate, and I’m absolutely on board. Fated mates, family dynamics, and paranormal romance will always be my weakness, and this book hit all the right notes.

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Shifter romances with fated mates
• Boss/employee or forbidden workplace romance
• Accidental pregnancy tropes
• Protective alpha heroes
• High-spice paranormal romance
• Series that follow siblings finding their mates

This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: Black Friday by James Kaine

Author: James Kaine

Genre: Horror

Tropes: Survival Horror, Battle Royale, Deadly Game, Isolated Setting, Snuff Film, Dark Web, Countdown Clock

Spice Level: No Spice

Format: eBook

Series: Stand-alone

    After Thanksgiving ends, every shopaholic’s favorite holiday looms—and for a select group of desperate people, it becomes a nightmare. Each receives a mysterious, hand-delivered invitation instructing them to arrive at an abandoned mall and tell no one. Once inside, their participation is enforced by a sniper. The rules are simple: survive to become a millionaire.

    I discovered this book through a Facebook ad and downloaded it immediately. After reading so many romances, I was craving something purely horrific—and this absolutely delivered.

    A seemingly wholesome YouTuber known for children’s content hides a horrifying secret. He spies on people, lures them into a deadly competition, and live-streams their suffering to viewers on the dark web. The participants are free to use anything inside the fully refurbished mall, but only one can make it out alive. If you don't escape by 2:00 AM, the building will explode.

    There is zero romance in this story. The narrative jumps between characters as they are hunted—or become hunters themselves. It’s brutal, disturbing, and vividly descriptive. And I loved every second of it.

    I would read more from this author without hesitation. In fact, I hope he has many more utterly unhinged stories waiting in the wings.

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Survival horror with high body counts
• Battle-royale–style stories
• Dark web and snuff-film themes
• Isolated, high-stakes settings
• Fast-paced, relentless horror
• Books that don’t pull their punches

This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Dawn by Cliff W Pettibone (The Brotherhood of Time Book 1)

Author: Cliff W. Pettibone

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Tropes: Historical Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, M/M Romance, Time Travel

Spice Level: 🌶 Low Spice (one explicit scene)

Format: Paperback

Series: The Brotherhood of Time — Book 1

    Rorthan has had a hard life from the very beginning. His mother died in childbirth, and his father—who has always blamed him for it—never even gave him a first name. As the King’s general, his father’s position comes with certain privileges, including elite tutoring, but warmth and affection are not among them.

    Everything changes when Rorthan cuts through the palace gardens one day and meets Prince Tomren. What begins as a chance encounter quickly turns into an unexpected adventure that forces Rorthan to confront secrets about his past—and his future.

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Full disclosure: this is an M/M (male/male) romance. If that isn’t something you enjoy, you can either skip the single explicit scene or pass on the book entirely. Personally, I have absolutely no issues with it.

    This story blends historical fantasy with light sci-fi elements and a unique take on time travel. Much of the story takes place in the ancient past, and I really enjoyed how the time travel mechanics were handled, as well as the gradual unfolding of secrets along the way.

    While I hated what happened to Rorthan’s mentor, I was ultimately satisfied with how things played out—even though the book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the boys’ futures uncertain. The characters are teenagers, giving the story a slightly YA feel, but the presence of a sex scene means I’d recommend some discretion if considering it for younger readers.

    Overall, this was an engaging start to the series, and I’d absolutely be interested in reading more from this author.

⭐ You’ll like this book if you like:

• Historical fantasy with time travel twists
• M/M romance that’s character-driven rather than spice-heavy
• Stories about identity, hidden pasts, and destiny
• Fantasy that blends ancient settings with sci-fi concepts
• Slow reveals, secrets, and cliffhanger endings
• Royalty, palace intrigue, and unlikely friendships 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. 

    

Book Review: Phantom by H. D. Carlton

Author: H. D. Carlton

Genre: Dark Romance

Tropes: Cheating, Abuse, Sexual Assault, Torture, Murder, Stalker Romance, BookTok

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 — very explicit

Format: eBook

Series: Stand-alone set in the Cat and Mouse universe

    Gigi has been married to her husband for over a decade, and together they share a teenage daughter. Her life has never been particularly exciting, but it was comfortable—and she loved him. That stability begins to crumble when her husband’s drinking and gambling spiral out of control, threatening not only their marriage but their home.

    Enter Ronaldo.

    What begins as a routine job—collecting information on a debt owed to his boss—quickly turns into something far more dangerous. Ronaldo becomes obsessed with Gigi, and from that point on, the story descends unapologetically into dark romance territory.

    This book does not ease you in. It opens with torture, immediately setting the tone for what’s to come. The content includes cheating, abuse, rape, murder, and graphic violence. Please, genuinely—check your triggers. No matter how compelling a book may be, it is never worth sacrificing your mental health.

    That said, if you can handle the content, this was a gripping read. I found myself conflicted about the cheating aspect until the assault occurred—after that, all moral lines were erased. Ronaldo is a stalker who repeatedly breaks into Gigi’s home, and somehow… I still loved him. If that sentence alone doesn’t tell you whether this book is for you, nothing will.

    The story exists within the Cat and Mouse universe, and fans will appreciate the deeper lore. The grandmother’s journal entries belong to Gigi, and we get to experience both the moments as they’re written and the events unfolding around them in real time. It adds an unsettling, intimate layer to the narrative.

    This can absolutely be read as a standalone, regardless of where you are in the Cat and Mouse series. While still very dark, it is slightly less brutal than Haunting Adeline. The ending is bittersweet—I personally wanted more, but it fits the story Carlton chose to tell.

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Stalker romance
• Extremely dark romance
• Mafia-adjacent storylines
• Morally gray (borderline black) MMCs

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Aaron: Mating Fever by V. Vaughn (Rocked by the Bear Book 4)

Author: V. Vaughn

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Insta-Love, He Falls First, Bad Boy/Good Girl, Shifter Romance, Opposites Attract

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 (Low–Moderate, more sweet than spicy)

Format: eBook

Series: Rocked by the Bear Book 4

    Olivia is a little OCD—everything must be planned, organized, and prepared for every possible outcome. Aaron, on the other hand, is impulsive and reckless. When Olivia asks he and his band to play at her University, he agrees on one condition: a date. A motorcycle ride, some ice cream, and two absolutely unhinged neighbor ladies later, everything is a mess.

    When I started this book, I didn’t realize it was the fourth in a series. If you plan to read this as a standalone, don’t mind spoilers for background characters, or don’t intend to go back and read the earlier books, it still works well. Personally, I prefer the lingering mystery of will they or won’t they—even though I mostly read HEAs—but that one’s on me for not checking where this fell in the series beforehand.

This is very much an insta-love, he-falls-first romance featuring a classic bad-boy/good-girl pairing. He softens for her, she loosens up for him, and it’s undeniably cute. It’s a fun, light read and absolutely worth it—if only for the neighbors. I adored those little old ladies and their sheer absurdity. I also loved the bear jokes sprinkled throughout before the shifter aspect was revealed.

I would absolutely read more from this author, though I’ll probably skip the rest of this series—even if it means missing the sisters.. 

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Insta-love romances where the MMC falls first
• Opposites-attract dynamics (organized FMC × reckless MMC)
• Lighthearted paranormal romance with shifter elements
• Cozy, low-angst reads with humor
• Quirky side characters who steal the show
• Found family vibes 
• Paranormal romance

    This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: How to Fake it with a Fae by Amy Boyles (Seven Suitors for Seven Witches Book 1)

Author: Amy Boyles

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fake Engagement, Forced Proximity, Fae, Cozy Mystery

Spice Level: Low 🌶

Series: Seven Suitors for Seven Witches Book 1

     Addison can match you with your perfect read-but that is where her magic ends. Born into a powerful magical family, many consider her a failure for her own inability to do more. To keep the magic strong they must marry, but her boyfriend broke up with her just before her grandmother died. 

    At her Aunt's insistence, Addison attends a ball, where an attempt to avoid her manipulative ex goes horribly (and magically) wrong. A Fae stranger named Feylin accidentally binds himself to her, forcing them into a fake engagement neither of them wanted-but might need. 

    This was an adorable read. While it's technically enemies to lovers, it leans more into miscommunication and third-party meddling than outright hostility. 

    Oh. This is also a forced proximity fake engagement book with the added bonus of a murder mystery thrown into the mix. The characters were charming, especially Feylin's nephew, who completely stole the show for me. I will say Feylin went a bit too far with the bookstore incident-but it was made up for, which I appreciated. This is book 1 in a series that ends with Feylin and Addison all wrapped up, but still going on in the background. 

    You can see the set-up for the characters of book 2 in this one and I fully intend to read on in this series. There are spicy scenes, but this is a low-spice romance overall. If you enjoy a good rom-com without the spice overpowering the plot, this strikes a nice balance. If you are one of the people, like me, that frequently find yourself being dragged into those gods-awful Facebook ReelDrama/DailyMotion ads and then watching them even though they are so over the top you will love this. 

Who This Book is For: You'll love this book if you enjoy: 

• Cozy Fantasy Romance
• Fake Engagements
• Fae characters
• Light spice
• Murder mysteries mixed with romance
• Over-the-top drama

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Blackened Blade by Isla Davon (Blackened Blade Book 1)

    Micai died in a torture prison only to wake up in the past during her time at Westbridge Academy. Things are NOT going to go the same way. Seria is no more than a back-stabbing gnat and her boys don't matter. She is not weak and she is NEVER going back to the facility. 

    Surprisingly enough my husband rec'd this book to me. This enemies to lovers RH/Why Choose with bullying, abuse, and torture. The man reads fantasy. Not romantasy. LitRPG and fantasy. I was happily surprised when I got into it. 

    I have been on a RH kick and have been loving every second of it. I have already read book 3, so I am trying to keep the stories separate in my mind. 

    In Book 1 we meet Amex (love him) and his crew. He is the first sold on Micai, although none of the group want anything to happen to her. Except Cade. 

    I hated Seria in this book and that opinion won't change. While Micai gets relentlessly bullied (and attempted rape) she is strong and capable which makes me love her all the more. The book ends on a cliff-hanger and you will absolutely inhale books 1 & 2 while begging for book 3's release. Disclaimer, I have no clue when that will be. Probably next October considering that's when book 2 came out. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Phantasma by Kaylie Smith (Wicked Games Book 1)

     Ophelia has inherited her mother's necromancer abilities along with some supposed debt. The bank is planning to take the family house if she doesn't pay off the debt. When her sister leaves after a fight all the clues lead to Phantasma. Ophelia must travel the 7 deadly sins with the help of Blackwell to see her sister and get out of this literal Hell. 

    BookTok mad me add it to my TBR. Laura Horowitz made me get the audiobook. She is my favorite narrator and she did an amazing job with this book. You can always tell which character is speaking without thinking about it or context clues. 

    On to the book. I physically cannot say enough good things about this dark paranormal smut. There are so many explicit scenes, including my all time favorite. It's the blood rain scene, in case you're wondering. 

    I loved all the characters and especially the sin challenges. They were done amazingly. It was like combining Caraval and the Lizzy and Diesel sucks by Janet Evanovich. The characters are amazing. The deaths are amazing. I love this book more than I can put into words. Blackwell is by far my favorite character in this book. Between the attitude and him hardcore falling but fighting it every step of the way. Just all of the wonderful. 

    I absolutely have book 2 on my TBR that I have big hopes for after reading this. I am hoping her sister gets her own book since Ophelia and Blackwell's ended so well. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Root of Hope by Ricardo Victoria (Tempest Blades Book 4)

   Victory has long been a forgone conclusion for Fionn, but recent events have changed things. Gaby has been hurt and he is trying to be there for her while dealing with it himself. There is still an apocalypse looming, so they may need to set aside their personal issues for the sake of everyone. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is book 4 in a series that must be read in order. I tried to keep the above vague in case you are new here. Please, go back and read books 1-3 before this review. 

    This book picks up shortly after book 3 ends and wraps up everything in the story nicely. All characters get a ending that suits them along with an exciting epilogue. What happens to Fionn sucks, but mostly works. 

    I enjoyed this book as much as the others, which isn't always the case in series. Oftentimes, they seem to fizzle out as the story-line progresses. We keep the same action and adventure that we have enjoyed up till now with more mature characters. You can really see how much the characters have grown and developed across the series. 

    ***Spoiler***This is a trigger warning and a spoiler. This book contains a miscarriage. If this is not something you are okay with reading about please be advised. 

    I would absolutely read more by this author in the future and look forward to what he writes next. This book is available for $7.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

The Withered King (Tempest Blades Book 1)

The Cursed Titans (Tempest Blades Book 2)

The Magick of Chaos (Tempest Blades Book 3)