Book Review: Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas (Villains of Lore Book 2)

 Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance • Mythological Romance • Reverse Harem

Tropes: Forced Marriage • Enemies to Lovers • Bully Romance • Greek Gods • Trial by Combat • “Touch Her and Die” • Immortality Games

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Very explicit, frequent by the end)

Series: Book 2 

                Alexis survived the training and is eligible to survive to 19 when she will become immortal. But, she is tainted now and in order to save face she must marry. Kharon and Augustus have stepped up and bound to her. She was their objective anyways and it doesn’t matter that they bullied and tricked her into marrying them. She is theirs and she will come to terms with it. But with Zues insisting that they must all participate in the games they just need to get her strong enough to survive what is thrown at her. Otherwise, they will go to war with the Olympians to keep her relatively safe.

                This book wasn’t on Kindle Unlimited. However, I needed it. Immediately. Do I know that it was going to end up on Kindle Unlimited? Yes. Does that matter? Nope. It wouldn’t be on there fast enough since it was a new release and I needed to know what happened next.

Now, it ended on another cliff-hanger. Sort of. Alexis and her men are resolved, but she seems to be remaining a background character and we will be getting a new trio. I really need that one too, but who knows when the book will be out. The next Jasmine Mas book will be out September 15^th and it is added to my calendar to remind myself. But, it is a new series. Not going to stop me from reading it. As I have mentioned before, I seem to have developed an addiction to any book this author writes.

This book is just as amazing as book 1, but with more spice. It starts out small, but by the end of the book it is almost non-stop. No complaints. All the same trigger warnings from before still apply so check them before you start. This is book 2 that you absolutely cannot read without reading book 1 first. You will have no idea what is going on. So go read the others first.

Now then, I need to know what is going on with Charlie. I know he isn’t a normal human. I just know it. I don’t care if he gets his own book or if it is told in the background. I don’t care. I just need the information immediately.

There is betrayal and bloodshed in this book is amazing. I am trying to hard to be vague when I just want to talk about it. I did see who the “big bad” was, but it wasn’t exactly subtle. I wasn’t really surprised by any of the reveals. Didn’t mean I didn’t adore being proven right and everything that happened along the way.

This book is available on Amazon for $12.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This If You Love:

• Dark mythological romance with Greek gods
• Reverse harem with morally gray men
• Bully-to-possessive devotion arcs
• Deadly trials and combat games
• Marriage of convenience (with teeth)
• Political power plays among immortals
• Betrayal, bloodshed, and revenge
• High-spice fantasy romance
• Cliffhangers that make you immediately need book 3

This series is pure obsession fuel.

Books by this Author:

Psycho Shifter (Cruel Shifterverse Book 1)

Psycho Fae (Cruel Shifterverse Book 2)

Psycho Beasts (Cruel Shifterverse Book 3)

Psycho Academy (Cruel Shifterverse Book 4)

Psycho Devils (Cruel Shifterverse Book 5)

Blood of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 1)

Book Review: The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery

Genre: Contemporary Romance • Military Romance • Fairy Tale Retelling

Tropes: Beauty and the Beast Retelling • Wounded Hero • Small Town • Grumpy/Sunshine • Journalist x Veteran • Forced Proximity • Emotional Healing

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open door, explicit scenes)

Format: Contemporary Standalone Romance

Series: Standalone

     

    Savannah returns to her hometown after falling for an unreliable informant. Fired from her reporting job and left wondering what to do to get her life back on track. When an old friend from school calls her about the possibility of getting on at a gossip rag in Arizona. But, she has to write a fluff piece about something heartwarming to present her skills and she has until the 4^th of July. The seemingly perfect story falls in her lap when she learns of the wounded war hero that has reclused himself away in his family home and is largely shunned by the town. But, an account of his story quickly changes into something more.   

    This book is listed as a modern Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is my favorite fairy tale and always will be. This is a wounded by an explosion vet with a lot of PTSD and a beautiful journalist. There is a bit of lying by omission, attempted rape, and a bit of abuse in this book, so if you have triggers this is your warning.

    I really enjoyed this book and the very explicit scenes within. He does change for her, but not because it was something she needed. It was because it was what he wanted after getting re-introduced to life outside of his home, even in a small way. This couple wraps up perfectly at the end of this book and I would absolutely read more by this author in the future.

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

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Beauty and the Beast retellings
• Wounded, reclusive heroes
• Journalist heroines
• Small-town redemption romance
• High-spice contemporary romance
• Emotional healing arcs

Book Review: Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas (Villains of Lore Book 1)

 Genre: Dark Fantasy / Reverse Harem / Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Abused FMC, Found Family, Touch Her and Die, Villain Love Interest, Reverse Harem, Greek Mythology, Trauma Bonding, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level (Book 1): 🌶🌶 (builds in later books)

Format: Audiobook + eBook

Series: Villains of Lore Book 1

                Alexis Hert was abandoned as a baby and given to Foster Mother and Father. They were cruel, especially when they were hungry…which was often. Her only friend was an invisible snake she found one day while escaping to the library. Nix was her only companion…until the foster workers dropped off another boy. Charlie. Charlie was younger than Alexis and couldn’t speak, but she would die for him. When a test reveals me to be something else I am taken away from Charlie and I will do whatever I have to to get back to my brother and keep him safe. I just have to live that long.

                I got this book with an audible credit and loved it so much. I ended up tandem reading this book bouncing back and forth between the audiobook and the eBook because I just didn’t want to stop reading it. I usually listen to audiobooks while I am cooking dinner, working out, or driving. But otherwise it is a physical book or eBook and I will jump between books. I loved this book so much immediately that I only wanted to read it.

                It is 500 pages of pure trauma, depression, power, and sass. I loved the presents. I really want her to go dig up those boxes because excuse me? I mean maybe not the top part, but what was under the top part. Trying to be vague here. Also, I was in love with Kharon from the very first mention of him. I do not care that he was immediately the villain and was traumatizing her. He was perfection and I was in love. Still am. He is still my favorite and nothing you can do or say will change my mind.

                This is the start of a reverse harem series. And yes it ends on a cliff-hanger. If you have read the other Jasmine Mas books you know it is a theme with her. Book 1 is establishing background and getting to know our characters with just a little bit of spice thrown into the mix. Then there is book 2 that amps it up. I am trying to stick with what happens in book 1 though, because by this point I have already read book 2.

                I am addicted to Jasmine Mas books and the men she writes. I will happily live in every world she creates ad infinitum. Speaking of. This book is big on Greek gods and monsters, Latin, and math. Not thrilled on the math, but it is kind of a common coping mechanism for her FMCs. Case in point being Aran. Aran and Alexis would get along famously. We should do a cross-over. Although would they be sister-in-laws in that case? Food for thought. Still needs to happen.

                This book is what dreams are made of. Or nightmares. Depends on how traumatized you are, because Alexis goes through it. Basically through everything with non-stop torture. That being said, check your triggers. There is child abuse, adult abuse, bullying, physical violence, murder (like a lot), open door sex scenes, and stalking.

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

You’ll Love This If You Love:

• Dark fantasy with heavy trauma arcs
• Reverse harem with morally gray (or fully villainous) men
• Greek gods, monsters, and mythological undertones
• Touch-her-and-die energy
• Powerful, hyper-intelligent FMCs who survive through sheer will
• Villain love interests you absolutely should not root for… but do anyway
• Found family built through pain
• Cliffhanger endings that emotionally wreck you
• Books that hurt you and you thank them for it

Books by this Author:

Psycho Shifter (Cruel Shifterverse Book 1)

Psycho Fae (Cruel Shifterverse Book 2)

Psycho Beasts (Cruel Shifterverse Book 3)

Psycho Academy (Cruel Shifterverse Book 4)

Psycho Devils (Cruel Shifterverse Book 5)

Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 2)

Book Review: Psycho Devils by Jasmine Mas (Cruel Shifterverse Book 5)

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance / Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Morally Grey MMCs, Deadly Trials, Hidden Identity, Tortured Hero, Groveling, Jealousy Chaos, Found Family

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶

Format: eBook

Series: Cruel Shifterverse Book 5

         Aran hates the devil kings. Especially Mallon….Mitch. She is still in disguise, but who knows how long that will last. Then there is Lothaire who knows only torture for his little crew of ungodly slayers. They must now battle in the Legionaire Games to determine who will lead the war. The one consolation? Sadie is there. 

    Book 5 picks up immediately where Book 4 left off. If you haven’t read 1-4 run, don’t walk, to Book 1 now. You won’t regret it. Where Sadie was mostly sunny Aran is all dark clouds and anger. She is and will always be my spirit animal….without the drugs. 

    We get plenty more John time in this book and it is kicked up a notch at the end of this book along with his big reveal. LOVED that! After John and his secret my favorite is Orien. 

    I loved the games and how brutal they were, utterly eclipsing the gladiator games in Book 2. I loved when the Devils realize what is actually making Aran sick and not that accursed slave tattoo Lothaire forced on her. 

    There is so much torture, pain, and chaos in this book and I loved every second of it. Sadie is still up to her normal tricks and it is driving the kings nuts at the mid point of this book. I literally thought they were going to kill her in their jealousy. 

    Hate what Mallon chose to do to Aran in this, but watching him choke and grovel when the big reveal happens made it worth it. Sort of.  

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

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Dark fantasy romance with real consequences
• Deadly competition arcs
• Morally grey kings who must grovel
• Jealous antiheroes losing control
• Tortured heroes and hidden truths
• Ongoing war plotlines
• Series that must be binge-read in order

Chaotic. Painful. Satisfying. And I need the next book immediately.

Books by this author: 

Psycho Shifter (Cruel Shifterverse Book 1)

Psycho Fae (Cruel Shifterverse Book 2)

Psycho Beasts (Cruel Shifterverse Book 3)

Psycho Academy (Cruel Shifterverse Book 4)

Psycho Gods (Cruel Shifterverse Book 6)

Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 2)

Blood of Hercules (Villains of Lore Book 1)

Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Assistant and the Villain Book 1)

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Tropes: Villain Gets the Girl, Morally Grey MMC, Forced Proximity, Secret Identity, Castle Intrigue, Revenge Plot, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook

Series: Assistant to the Villain Book 1

                Evie left the blacksmith after an unfortunate happenstance and now she is out of work. As the sole caregiver in her house she must find work, but there are simply more workers than jobs in her small town. With an ill father and a younger sister at home to care for she will take a job from anyone. Including The Villain. Even if he has a terrible moniker.

                This is another BookTok made me read it. As always, they have yet to steer me wrong and I loved this book. My Aunt decided she wanted to read a book with someone so that we could keep each other on target and talk about the book. We set parameters of reading a chapter and then texting the other when we were done with that chapter. Then we either talked about it or just said to move on to the next. She said it helped her with accountability to finish a book. Personally, I was constantly waiting for her and going a little stir crazy needing to know what happened next.

                I really loved the book though. Evie is what I call my daughter, so that was fun. This book doesn’t have any spice in it, but I believe that will be changing sooner versus later. It also ended on a cliff-hanger, and I will be reading on in this series. It was amazing and Evie’s personality was wonderful.

                I will say I was surprised with who the rat in the Villain’s castle was. Realistically I knew it couldn’t be either of the 2 people that the book was setting it up to be, but I didn’t have a good option. The truth though? Brutal and I loved it. The Villain was probably my favorite character because how couldn’t he be? We always choose the villain. Although he doesn’t really live up to his moniker. So what if there are some heads in the atrium. That is nothing. Or he steals from the king. It’s fine and its all for revenge which makes it fine as well.

                I can’t wait to read on and find out how Evie deals with all the new circumstances that ended book 1. This will definitely be a series that has to be read in order. Besides, I can't abandon my favorite character, Kingsley. He is wonderful and I need to know all there is to know about him!

                This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $12.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• “Villain” love interests

• Morally grey men with revenge agendas

• Fantasy castles and political intrigue

• Slow burn tension

• Zero-spice first books that build anticipation

• Twists involving hidden traitors

• Touch her and Die Vibes

• Series you must binge in order

A fantastic fantasy romance starter with strong characters, sharp twists, and a villain we’re absolutely rooting for.

Book Review: Sparked by Lili Valente (The Virgin Playbook Book 4)

 Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Best Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Virgin Pact, Mutual Pining, Reunion Romance, Open Door

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶

Format: eBook

Series: The Virgin Playbook Book 4)

                Jesse has had a crush on her best friend Sam for years, but when he leaves the day after graduation she never expected him to actually hold up his side of the bargain they made as teenagers. If they are both still virgins at 24 they will take the others. When he shows up for the first time at her 24^th birthday party she barely recognizes him. But when she does? The sparks are still there. But is he still the same man she cared so much about or has he changed irrevocably? Hell…is she even his type?

                I downloaded this book after having read the prequal. I haven’t read anything else within this series, so I may be missing quite a bit and just not know it. But, since I don’t I don’t feel like I was walking in blind to this story. It works well as a stand-alone and I didn’t really see any background characters in relationships or anything that would spoil reading more in the series.

                I have mentioned it before, but for those that are new here I really like the best friends to loves trope. Although I feel like this book also covers the second chance romance aspect considering he did disappear for years without a word only to pop back up again. So I am going to consider it second chance as well.

                I don’t love that he lied by omission for so long into the story, but I am glad that it worked out in the end. This is an open door romance, just in case you have any problems with that. That being said, there is much more plot to the book than spice. I loved all of it and will definitely be reading more in the future by this author.

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

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Best friends to lovers romance
• Virgin pact / “if we’re single at 24” setups
• Reunion stories with lingering chemistry
• Second chance love
• Emotional payoff with open-door heat
• Standalones within connected series

A heartfelt, slightly angsty friends-to-lovers romance with sparks that never really died.

Books by this Author: 

Snowed in with the Boss (Master Me Book 2)

10,000 Things I hate about You (The Virgin PlayBook Prequal)

The Best Friends (to Lovers) Bargain (The Virgin Playbook Prequal)

Book Review: Drone Ensign by Kyle Johnson (Drone Rising Book 1)

 Genre: Science Fiction / LitRPG / Space Opera

Tropes: Dystopian System Control, Leveling Up, False Memories, AI Companion, From Nothing to Captain, Willpower Awakening, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level:  None – Action-Focused

Format: Audiobook

Series: Book 1 

                Drone Benning Kidd serves very little purpose. She walks the tunnels, cleans mold, and walks on with her little ai assistant. She doesn’t think of anything or remember long term things. In fact, if she tries the system rewards her with a sharp dot of pain to curb her desire to further the pain by thinking. When she is offered 3 game credits to go on a second job for the day she doesn’t hesitate. 2 credits is rare, but 3 for 1 job is basically unheard of. When she arrives she is to be put into a chamber to be chosen for a Citizen to be respawned into. But, the system deems her willpower too high for a drone, moving her up to a Citizen herself. Now, with false memories in place Benning Kidd decides to take on her new life as a warrior and starship captain.

                I got this book with my audible credit of the month. I have been on a bit of a LitRPG kick recently and it seemed like a good idea. I haven’t read a lot of space opera’s but this one is decent. We have a character that was the lowest of the low, little more than a meat suit waiting for a Citizens respawning needs. She gains consciousness and her own Citizenship, but temporarily looses her memories in the process. With the system urging her to “move ever forward” and a new set of false memories to go with her desired plan for the future she is ready to become a starship captain and warrior.

                This is a very action packed book although the audiobook left much to be desired. If I hear km and m physically said instead of meters and kilometers one more time I may just go insane. I almost stopped reading the book entirely because of it and my husband asked me if this was an ai generated read since surely no human narrator could be simple enough to literally say the letters instead of the metric reading system. Except according to google it’s a decently popular narrator. Now, I get to start looking for that narrator’s name to avoid.

                The story ends on a cliff-hanger and I might get the eBook to read on, but no way am I going near the audiobook again. Ignoring the audiobook I enjoyed the story. I won’t hold the narrator’s poor performance against the author. It really isn’t their fault. I really enjoyed the non-stop action in this book as well as how Ensign Benning Kidd was able to manipulate both the system and those around her. It made for an enjoyable read that kept you wondering what she would do next. Also, the amount of petty revenge in this book is just wonderful.

                This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $6.99 by clicking here. (eBook- not audio)

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG progression fantasy in space
• AI-controlled dystopian systems
• Strong female leads rising through ranks
• Starship captain arcs
• Non-stop action
• Strategic manipulation of rigid systems
• Cliffhangers that demand the sequel

A high-action sci-fi with a clever, evolving heroine—just maybe grab the eBook instead of the audiobook.

Book Review: The Baby Dragon Café by A. T. Qureshi (The Baby Dragon Series Book 1)

 Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance

Tropes: Small Business Owner, Grumpy x Sunshine, Baby Dragons, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn Romance, Friends to Lovers (Side Plot), Small Town Vibes

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 (Sweet with Light Open-Door Moments)

Format: eBook

Series: The Baby Dragon Café Book 1

                Saphira has always dreamed of opening a baby dragon café. With her grandmother’s small inheritance and years of coffee shop experience, she finally takes the leap. The only problem? Baby dragons are adorable… and wildly destructive. If the café fails, she has no financial safety net. Enter Aiden. After his brother’s death, Aiden is left caring for a baby dragon he never asked for. When the tiny menace quite literally runs into Saphira, a deal is struck—she’ll train the dragon. And maybe, just maybe, soften Aiden’s guarded heart in the process.

                This book was a case of BookTok made me buy it. It wasn’t on Kindle Unlimited, but it was on sale and I had seen it so many times that I just had to get it. This is a very cutesy fall read that has dragons in it. I physically could not pass it up. I loved every second of this book and while it doesn’t end on a cliff-hanger I still immediately bought book 2.

                I loved the dynamic between Aiden and Saphira almost as much as the very obvious budding romance in the background with her best friend and co-worker. I am hoping they are the ones that are in book 2. Friends to lovers will always be one of my favorite tropes. In this book dragon’s are prevalent, but only a select few are able to own and care for them. Outsiders aren’t allowed unless they undergo a certain test that most don’t even know exist.

                I love that Aiden is from a rich family and is technically well off but instead decides to run a little landscaping business and stay far away from people. I completely get wanting to do that. If I could afford not to be around anyone I wouldn’t either. Then there is Saphira who is this outgoing and bubbly person who thrives on being around others. Can’t relate there, but she is still the sweetest.

                This book is available on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Cozy fantasy with low stakes and big heart
• Grumpy x sunshine romance
• Small business owner heroines
• Baby animals (but make them dragons)
• Soft, comforting fall reads
• Subtle magical world-building
• Background couples you can’t wait to follow

Adorable, comforting, and full of baby dragon chaos—I loved every second. 🐉✨

Book Review: The Best Friends (to Lovers ) Bargain by Lili Valente (The Virgin Playbook Prequal)

 Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Best Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Confession Scene, Small-Town Vibes

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook (Short Novella – 54 pages)

Series: Prequel Novella to Sparked by Lili Valente

                Sam and I have been best friends forever…but recently things are a little different. Every touch. Every comment. There is something more there. And I don’t think it’s one sided. So I have arranged for a picnic and I am going to tell him how I feel. Tell him I want to be more. What’s the worst that can happen?

                This is a free book that I got at one point in time or another. I have a lot of Lili Valente books in my account, but haven’t read a ton of them. I have enjoyed the ones I have read, though. This book is more of a long prologue for Sparked. It is 54 pages and most of the book is what happens in that above paragraph. I really say much more than that about the story without giving everything away.

                I will say that I enjoyed that little snippet enough that I immediately downloaded Sparked and read it. Jesse was a bit awkward, but it was adorable. Meanwhile Sam is the reason girls end up crushing on their friends sometimes in the first place.

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

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Best friends to lovers romance
• Short, bingeable reads
• Confession scenes that hit
• Mutual pining payoff
• Sweet with a touch of heat
• Prequel novellas that lead straight into book one

A quick, adorable read that perfectly sets up the full story.

Books by this Author: 

Snowed in with the Boss (Master Me Book 2)

10,000 Things I hate about You (The Virgin PlayBook Prequal)

Sparked (The Virgin Playbook Book 4)

Book Review: I Got Abducted by Aliens and now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberling Lemming (Cosmic Chaos Book 1)

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance / Alien Romantasy / Erotic Comedy
Tropes: Alien Abduction, Reverse Harem (Why Choose), Wizard of Oz Retelling, Fated Bonds, Talking Animals, Found Family, Cliffhanger Ending, Dubious Consent
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Format: Audiobook
Series: Cosmic Chaos Book 1 (Ends on a Cliffhanger; Main Arc Satisfied)

                Dorothy was filming the meerkats fierce battle when a lion ambushed her and ripped out her throat. As she lay dying a beam of light exploded around her and she watched in shock as she and the lion flew into the air. On a spaceship tiny owl creatures covered her in some kind of goop that ended up working as a translator. Once she and her new lion friend escaped she wanted nothing more than to get back to her wildlife. But, she and Toto aren’t in Kansas anymore…well the Savannah...

                I got this audiobook with my monthly audible credit and when I tell you I loved every single second of this book I mean it. The narration is amazing. The characters humor is amazing. I officially need to read everything by this author and need the rest of this series to happen immediately. Full disclosure this is SMUT. Like a lot of smut. Explicit scenes, outdoors, and tail play. Not the lion. Aliens. Which is much better. I will say that the consent was...dubious. Intern and his damnable darts....you'll see what I mean. 

                I loved all of the Wizard of Oz references in the book and kind of hate Intern. He is a deceitful little owlish that really needs plucked. I wonder how much better things would have gone for them had they just killed him from the beginning. This book ends on a cliff-hanger, but Dorothy, Lok, and Sol’s story seems to be finished. I hope they stay on as background characters.

                Also, did I mention there are dinosaurs? Like constantly. Loved that more than I can say. And a pink T Rex? Also wonderful. Although, I am not sure how much of it the owlish just pulled out of their feathers like the “human enrichment items”. You will be laughing all the time with this read and enjoying all the spice. Absolutely amazing read and can’t wait for more from this author.

                This book is available on Amazon for $6.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Alien reverse harem romance
• Campy, chaotic humor
• Wizard of Oz–inspired retellings
• Explicit, creative spice
• Talking animal companions
• Dinosaurs in space
• Audiobooks with stellar narration

This was wildly entertaining from start to finish. I need the rest of this series immediately—and I’ll absolutely be reading everything this author writes.

Book Review: Fear Farm No Trespassers by S. J. Krandall

 Genre: Psychological Horror / Thriller

Tropes: Small Town Secrets, Unreliable Narrator, Disappearances, Serial Killer Threads, Short-Story Structure, High Tension

Spice Level: None

Format: Physical Copy (Signed Edition)

Series: Standalone

                Over the course of a year several people had gone missing from a section of deep country-side never to be heard from again. Rumors abound, but no one knows for sure what happened. A young woman obsessed with their fates begins to live them. Are they real or a figment of her imagination?

                I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. That book was signed and even had a cute little photo of the actual farmhouse the author based the stories around.

 I like this book if you think of it like a series of short stories around one area. If you try to connect each chapter into one overall story that is where it gets confusing. I read it and reread parts and I still don’t know how they are connected. Outside of the murder bit.

That isn’t to say the book is bad, far from it. We have a high tension read where you never know if anyone is going to survive. Just because a story is from that person’s perspective doesn’t mean they will make it. I loved that part, because we usually know someone will live till the end.

The book is well written as a series of short stories. Each chapter has a new instance set in the same general area with the same murderer. That person may or may not be alive, but the risk is still the same. The stories had a very Twilight Zone feel to them and I would absolutely read more by this author in the future.

This book is available on Amazon for $8.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Psychological horror with an ambiguous edge
• Anthology-style storytelling
• Small town or rural thriller settings
• Stories where anyone can die
• Twilight Zone–inspired tension
• Atmospheric horror over gore

This is a strong, well-written collection that thrives on mood and unpredictability. I would absolutely read more from this author in the future.

Book Review: X by Mandy Lee (X, Y, Z Trilogy Book 1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Grey/Dark Elements)
Tropes: Boss/Employee Romance, Secret Identity, Masked Stranger, Workplace Tension, Emotional Healing, Open Door
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶
Format: eBook

Series: X, Y, Z Trilogy Book 1 (Works as a Standalone; Timeline Goes Backward) 

 

               Ella’s life is spiraling into chaos with the purchase of the publishing agency she works for. Determined to release a bit of the tension she accepts the proposal of a man that goes by X at a club. With her blind-folded and him not speaking she gives over control to regain a bit of herself. Meanwhile, her boss Max Delaney demands she stay with the firm and will not take no for an answer. No matter that Ella doesn’t agree with any of the companies practices.

                I am torn on this book. This is a series where are the background characters already have their HEA and moving forward is going back in time. I won’t be reading further in the series for just that reason. That being said, if you want to read this book as a stand-alone it works well in that way.

                It is an open door contemporary romance with dark romance aspects, although it is more grey than actual black. It is also a boss/employee romance book and the FMC is a romance publisher. Loved the little snippets of her reading romance books while dealing with everything else in the story.

Full disclaimer, this book makes it out that the FMC is well on her way to becoming an alcoholic for the first part of the book. She slowly gets her life together, but if that is something you can’t handle reading there is your warning.

The MMC hides his identity for the first little bit, but it was obvious from the beginning who it was. I really enjoyed this book, but again, I fully intend to read it as a stand-alone and not touch the rest of the series. That being said, I would absolutely read more by this author in the future, just in a different series.

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

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Masked stranger / secret identity romances
• Boss/employee tension
• Power exchange dynamics
• Grey-toned contemporary romance
• Publishing industry settings
• Open-door spice with emotional depth

A solid, spicy read with layered tension—best enjoyed as a standalone if you’re not into reverse-timeline series structures.

Book Review: Hex, Love, and Rock & Roll by Kat Turner (Coven Daughters Book 1)

 Genre: Paranormal Romance / Contemporary Fantasy

Tropes: Celebrity Romance, Age Gap, Accidental Curse, Witchy Magic, Grumpy/Skeptic Hero, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn Tension

Spice Level: 🌶🌶

Format: Physical Copy

Series: Coven Daughters Book 1

                Helen is desperate. Her yoga studio is failing after a disastrous investment. Her best friend can barely look at her. So when she’s offered the chance at a money spell, she takes it. The witch gives her a choice: Left or right. Choose wrong, and there will be consequences. Helen chooses. She’s gifted enchanted crystals and strict instructions: bless one with good intentions and gift it properly. Skip a step, and a curse follows. And somehow? She accidentally hexes her celebrity crush. Brian. The Brian. The only problem? He doesn’t believe in magic. Now they’re stuck together trying to break a curse he isn’t even convinced exists.

                This is a paranormal age-gap celebrity romance with strong magical elements and plenty of spice. It takes a minute to really get going—but in the best way. The tension builds steadily. There’s delicious back-and-forth, stubbornness, denial, and just enough chaos to keep you turning pages. I genuinely wondered how the author would wrap everything up as the ending approached. They absolutely did. The couple’s arc feels complete, satisfying, and earned—while still leaving plenty of magical threads open for future books in the series.

                I loved the characters and the world building in the story and will absolutely read on at some point. The author does an amazing job of describing everything the characters are going through and I especially loved the astral-projection scenes.

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

You’ll Love This If You Enjoy:

• Witchy vibes with real consequences
• Celebrity romances with tension
• Age-gap dynamics
• Slow burn that turns spicy
• Magic that feels vivid and dangerous
• Emotional payoff with a satisfying ending

I really enjoyed this one and will absolutely continue the series when I’m in the mood for more magic.

Book Review: Star Cursed by Elizabeth Briggs (Zodiac Wolves Book 2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Shifter Romance

Tropes: Fated Mates, Rejected Mate, Captive Heroine, Forced Bond Threat, Pack Politics, Love Triangle Tension, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Format: eBook

Series: Book 2

                Ayla didn’t leave the Ophiucus pack because she wanted to. She left to protect them. Unfortunately… no one knows that. To her pack, she chose her mate. To Ayla, that mate is the enemy. Jordan insists he isn’t his father. He claims everything he’s done has been strategic. Necessary. Protective. But their mate bond feels wrong—twisted—and Ayla can’t shake the pull back to Kaeden, her pack, and the life she sacrificed. Now it’s a race against time. She needs to escape—with her best friend Mira—before Jordan forces the bond permanently. Thank goodness for Moon magic.

                Book 2 picks up immediately where Book 1’s cliffhanger ends. There’s no recap cushion. If you haven’t read the first book, stop here and go back. Even describing the premise feels like a spoiler.

                This book opens by playing with your feelings… and then immediately drops you into disgust. Not that I liked Jordan to begin with. I didn’t. And the Sun Witches? Also not high on my favorites list. But there’s a moment early on that delivers a full-body ick that solidified exactly where I stand. After that? The tension shifts. Because once the spice kicks in, it kicks in. And there’s a lot of it. The chemistry is intense, emotional, and messy—exactly what you expect from a fated mates storyline tangled in betrayal and pack loyalty.

    Just like Book 1, this ends on a cliffhanger. And this one hurts. It’s sad. It’s heavy. It makes you question everything. I’m debating jumping into Book 3 immediately. The story is genuinely strong and addictive, but staying in the same couple’s tension arc for multiple books can start to feel repetitive. That said… I’ll probably circle back, because the world-building and emotional stakes are too good to ignore.

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

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Fated mates with complications
• Dark, morally gray love interests
• “I left to protect you” angst
• Protective alpha energy
• High-stakes pack politics
• Moon magic and witchcraft elements
• Lots of spice with emotional tension
• Cliffhangers that emotionally damage you

If you thrive on paranormal drama, messy bonds, and heat-heavy romance with serious angst, this series absolutely delivers.

Books by this Author: 

Moon Touched (Zodiac Wolves Book 1)