Book Review: Tall Boy Sun by Neal Holtschulte

Genre: Science Fiction • Space Opera • Character-Driven Sci-Fi

Tropes: Redemption Arc, Middle-Aged Hero, Space Pirates, Found Family, Family Drama, Hidden Conspiracy, Off-World Adventure, Reluctant Hero, Second Chances

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook & Physical Book

Series: Works as a Standalone with Series Potential

    Sol has spent most of his life trying not to become his father. He may have a questionable employment history, a tendency to drink too much, and a habit of making spectacularly bad decisions, but at least he never abandoned his children. Even after his divorce, he was a parent constantly trying to spend more time with them—not less. Then he gets fired from yet another job after pulling a reckless stunt that could have cost a coworker their life.

    While tinkering with the piles of scrap cluttering his living room, Sol discovers an old holodisk containing footage from one of the leaders of the rebellion that ended twenty years ago. Unsure if it's authentic, he turns to a childhood friend who now works for the government. His friend insists it's fake. But, the events that follows leaves a lot more questions. 

    I received a complimentary copy of this book in both audiobook and physical formats from the author.

    I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. The narrator did an excellent job conveying emotions, and I never struggled to tell who was speaking. But the real strength of this book is its characters. Sol is not instantly lovable. In fact, he's kind of a mess. He's a middle-aged man full of unrealized dreams who firmly believes he would have been a legendary pilot during the war…if he hadn't been ten years old when it ended. He drinks too much, makes poor decisions, and has damaged relationships with nearly everyone around him.

    At the beginning, I didn't necessarily feel sorry for him. He created many of his own problems. But watching his growth throughout the story was incredibly rewarding. As the story progresses, we see him confront the effects of his father's abandonment, deal with the consequences of alcoholism, and slowly begin taking responsibility for his choices. His redemption arc felt genuine because it wasn't easy or immediate. He stumbles, backslides, and struggles, which made his growth feel earned by the end.

    This is a fast-paced space opera with plenty of moving parts, including conspiracies, gunfights, family drama, and an intriguing mystery surrounding the holodisk. Despite everything happening, the story never felt overwhelming and kept me invested from beginning to end.

    Trigger Warnings: Parental abandonment, alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms (DTs), abuse, kidnapping, and gun violence.

    The ending doesn't leave off on a major cliffhanger, but it does leave one particular storyline—especially concerning Sol's sister—just open enough that another book could easily happen. And honestly? I would happily return to this universe.

    This book is available on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. 

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Character-driven space operas
• Redemption arcs and flawed protagonists
• Middle-aged main characters
• Space pirates and off-world adventures
• Family drama and second chances
• Government conspiracies and hidden secrets
• Sci-fi with emotional depth
• Fast-paced adventures with strong character growth
• Stories about broken people learning to do better
• Audiobooks with excellent narration

    A fun, emotional space adventure that blends conspiracies, family relationships, and a wonderfully messy protagonist into a satisfying sci-fi read with plenty of heart and room for future adventures.

Books by this author: 

Crew of Exiles 

Book Review: Carl’s Doomsday Scenerio by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2)

Genre: LitRPG • Science Fiction • Dark Comedy • Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy

Tropes: Dungeon Crawl, AI Game Master, Talking Animal Companion, Found Family, Survival Game, Leveling System, Quest-Based Adventure, Dark Humor, Apocalypse

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2

    Carl and Donut survived the first two floors of the dungeon. Barely. They even managed to rescue most of the nursing home residents along the way, which is honestly more impressive than some of the boss fights. Now they've reached the third floor, where crawlers must choose their race, gain new abilities, and begin carving out their place in the dungeon hierarchy. This is where Carl and Donut stop being just another pair of survivors and start becoming legends.

    The third floor introduces a massive sky-fowl city filled with quests, factions, side missions, and enough chaos to keep even the most experienced crawlers busy. Mordecai warns them repeatedly to avoid the quests and focus on leveling, but when has Carl's life ever gone according to plan? Before long they're tangled up with a half-niad royal, a circus full of possessed animals, a town-saving mission, and a series of increasingly ridiculous situations where failure could mean Donut's death. 

    I don't think it's possible for me to be objective about Dungeon Crawler Carl anymore. This series has become a permanent fixture in my personality and I regret absolutely nothing. By this point, the world-building really starts to expand. The dungeon feels larger, stranger, and more alive than ever before. We learn more about Borant, the viewers, and the bizarre economy that keeps the crawl running. Every floor somehow manages to feel completely different while still maintaining the same chaotic energy that made me fall in love with the series in the first place.

    One of my favorite aspects of this installment was seeing Carl and Donut truly establish themselves as major players. They're no longer simply reacting to whatever the dungeon throws at them—they're beginning to influence events themselves, whether anyone likes it or not. We also get significantly more Mongo in this book, which is always a win. He's finally grown into his full dinosaur glory and, while he's still very much a child with selective hearing, Donut has become a much more capable dinosaur parent. Their interactions remain some of the funniest moments in the series.

    The humor continues to be absolutely unmatched. The AI remains weirdly obsessed with Carl's feet, Mordecai is perpetually exhausted by everyone's existence, and Donut somehow manages to be both hilarious and infuriating in equal measure. At the same time, the emotional moments hit harder than ever. There were several reveals throughout this book that added depth to the larger story, including finally learning the truth about Ferdinand. Some long-running mysteries begin paying off, while others are only becoming more intriguing.

    And then there's that ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say Carl acquires something that has all the potential to become an absolute disaster later. Knowing Carl, it almost certainly will. I am both excited and terrified to see what happens next.

    The audiobook continues to be phenomenal. At this point, Jeff Hays doesn't just narrate these characters—he is these characters. I genuinely cannot imagine experiencing this series any other way.

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG adventures
• Dark humor and absurd situations
• Talking animal companions
• Dungeon crawls with unique mechanics
• Explosive action and boss fights
• Found family dynamics
• AI characters with questionable motives
• Quest-heavy fantasy adventures
• Apocalypse survival stories
• Books that balance comedy and emotional moments

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

Books by this author: 

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1)

Book Review: The Beginning by Joshua Kern (The Game of Gods Book 1)

 Genre: LitRPG • Progression Fantasy • Apocalypse Fantasy

Tropes: System Apocalypse, Mythology-Inspired Gods, Chosen Champion, Survival Quest, Animal Companion, Anti-Social MC, Leveling System, Divine Challenges, Found Family, Road Trip Adventure

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: The Game of Gods Book 1

    The gods are tired of being forgotten. After centuries of fading into myth and legend, they decide to remind humanity exactly who they are. Their solution? End the world and turn survival into a game. Some gods choose human champions. Others choose monsters. 

    Charles, however, misses the announcement entirely because he sleeps through the apocalypse. The punishment is immediate and brutal: he loses the ability to sleep until he completes twelve divine challenges. His first task seems simple enough—travel from Colorado to Maine and find his sister, potentially the last surviving member of his family. The problem? The world is overrun with monsters, everyone else can grow stronger while sleeping, and Charles can't. Armed with a few divine gifts and accompanied by a loyal canine companion named Alley, Charles sets out across a shattered world where surviving one day at a time is an accomplishment in itself.

    I stumbled across this audiobook while browsing Audible's included catalog and looking for something to fill the void while waiting to continue another series. I've been on a massive LitRPG kick lately, and this one ended up being exactly what I was hoping for. The apocalypse setup grabbed me immediately. Instead of the typical system arrival, we get gods actively participating in humanity's downfall and transformation. The mythology elements add a fun twist to the genre, especially because the gods aren't distant figures—they are directly involved in shaping the world and influencing the people trapped inside it.

    Charles makes for an interesting protagonist as well. He's an anti-social computer programmer who suddenly finds himself navigating a world where social skills might actually be useful. Watching him adapt to impossible circumstances while dealing with the curse of sleeplessness creates a constant sense of urgency throughout the story. 

    The real star of the book, however, is Alley. Give me a giant husky companion that gets bigger, stronger, smarter, and more powerful as she levels up, and I am immediately invested. I will never get tired of animal companions gaining intelligence and becoming full-fledged characters. Every scene involving Alley was a highlight for me, and she easily stole the show.

    Beyond the action and monster fights, I also appreciated the character development. Along the journey, Charles gains new allies and encounters challenges that force him to grow beyond the isolated life he lived before the apocalypse. One particular storyline involving a new companion added a surprising amount of emotional depth and helped develop both characters in meaningful ways. The pacing stays consistently strong throughout, with plenty of combat, progression, and system-based advancement to keep things moving. By the end, the major characters feel well established, the world has expanded considerably, and the groundwork has been laid for future books.

    While the story does end on a cliffhanger, it feels like a satisfying first installment because so much time is spent developing the characters and setting up the larger journey ahead.

    As for the audiobook, I thought the narration was excellent. The narrator delivered clear character voices, handled the action sequences well, and—most importantly—never had any distracting pronunciations that pulled me out of the story. It's a single-narrator production, but I never struggled to follow conversations or identify who was speaking.

    At this point I've already read Book 2, which should tell you everything you need to know about how much I enjoyed this one. And yes, Book 3 is absolutely on my TBR.

You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• System apocalypse stories
• LitRPGs with strong progression systems
• Mythology-inspired fantasy worlds
• Gods interfering directly with humanity
• Animal companions that level up
• Survival adventures across post-apocalyptic landscapes
• Anti-social protagonists forced to grow
• Monster hunting and dungeon-style combat
• Road trip fantasy adventures
• Audiobooks with strong narration

A highly entertaining LitRPG apocalypse featuring divine challenges, nonstop progression, memorable characters, and one of the best animal companions I've read in a long time. Alley alone is worth the price of admission.

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

Book Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1)

 Genre: LitRPG • Sci-Fi Fantasy • Apocalypse Adventure

Tropes: Dungeon Crawl, Alien Invasion, Survival Game, Talking Animal Companion, Dark Humor, Reality TV Apocalypse, Leveling System, Found Family

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1

    When The Flattening happened, Carl was outside in nothing but boxers, a jacket, and his girlfriend’s too-small Crocs trying to coax her prize-winning cat out of a tree during the coldest night of the year. Then every building on Earth vanished. Aliens have arrived, civilization has collapsed, and the only chance humanity has to survive is entering massive underground dungeons scattered around the globe. If humanity can clear every level, they get to keep Earth.

    Simple, right? Now Carl and Princess Donut—yes, the cat—must descend floor by floor through a televised apocalypse filled with monsters, traps, insanity, and an AI host that may be having entirely too much fun watching humanity suffer-and a weird fetish.

    Welcome to the dungeon, crawler.

    I absolutely love LitRPGs, and this series had been floating around my book group forever before I finally gave in and started it. My husband had technically started it first but never finished… until I bullied him into continuing because I needed someone else to witness the chaos. And chaos is truly the best word for this book.

    Princess Donut Queen Anne Chonk, Best in Dungeon is hands-down one of the greatest characters I’ve ever encountered in a LitRPG. She starts off delightfully obnoxious, overly dramatic, and completely ridiculous—but somehow becomes impossible not to love almost immediately.

    Book one mainly establishes Carl, Donut, and Mordecai while throwing them headfirst into complete madness. Between murderous monsters, explosive combat, bizarre dungeon mechanics, and an AI obsessed with feet for reasons I genuinely do not want explained, the humor in this series is unmatched. The dark comedy absolutely lands.

    One minute you’re laughing at Donut demanding proper recognition and the next you’re witnessing horrifying dungeon brutality. Somehow the series balances absurdity and violence perfectly without losing momentum.

    I listened to this on audiobook and immediately started book two the second it ended. The narration is phenomenal. The narrator gives Carl this Kronk-esque energy that somehow works perfectly, and now I genuinely cannot imagine Carl sounding any other way. Donut’s voice is equally iconic.  And yes—Donut talks. A magical pet biscuit gives her sentience, and from that point onward the series becomes even more unhinged in the best possible way.

    This book ends with Carl and Donut descending to the next floor, already mildly traumatized and wildly underprepared for what’s coming next. Unfortunately for them—and fortunately for us—it only gets worse from there. The combination of nonstop action, dark humor, ridiculous dungeon mechanics, explosive violence, and genuinely lovable characters makes this one of the strongest LitRPG starters I’ve ever read. Add in the unusual detail of Carl being former Coast Guard instead of the typical overpowered military archetype, and the whole thing just feels fresh.

    At this point my ringtone, notification sound, and phone background are all Dungeon Crawler Carl themed, so I think it’s safe to say this series consumed my personality a little bit. No regrets. I don’t feel like I need to say that I will be reading on in this series, because who could possibly stop after book one? After all crawlers, we have to get out there are “Kill, Kill, Kill!” There isn’t a thing I would change about these books and will be sad when I run out of them. Side note. I MAY have a DCC tee shirt on that says "I AM YELLING, CARL" as I write this...

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG and dungeon crawl stories
• Dark humor mixed with brutal survival
• Talking animal companions
• Reality TV-style apocalypse settings
• Explosive action and nonstop chaos
• Alien invasion stories
• Video game leveling systems
• Audiobooks with incredible narration
• Found family dynamics
• Ridiculous humor alongside real emotional stakes

An absolutely chaotic LitRPG masterpiece full of explosions, monsters, dark comedy, and one unforgettable talking cat.

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

Books by this author: 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2)

Book Review: A Pack for Autumn by Emilia Emerson (Cozyverse Book 1)

 Genre: Cozy Omegaverse Romance • Paranormal Romance

Tropes: Reverse Harem / Why Choose, Small Town Romance, Lighthouse Setting, Protective Alphas, Fresh Start, Plus-Size FMC, Found Family
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Format: Audiobook
Series: Cozyverse Book 1 

    After losing her parents five years ago, Autumn has slowly drifted away from everything connected to her old life. Desperate for a fresh start, she accepts a job as a lighthouse keeper in a small coastal town her family once visited together. For the first time in years, things finally seem peaceful. 

    Then she meets Easton. Persistent, protective, and very much an Alpha who doesn’t understand the meaning of “no,” Easton immediately disrupts Autumn’s carefully controlled life. With his pack helping restore the lighthouse, avoiding them quickly becomes impossible—and while her Omega instincts may want to lean into the connection, her painful past makes trusting anyone difficult.

    I listened to this on audiobook, and the duet narration absolutely made the experience for me. Dual POV romances are already fun, but duet narration is quickly becoming my favorite format because it makes the stories feel so much more immersive. The narrators did an amazing job, and honestly, I didn’t want the book to end.

    This is a cozy, open-door Omegaverse romance where polyamorous relationships are normalized, and I loved how naturally the world handled it. One of the most unique aspects for me was that the Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics exist without shifters. Most Omegaverse books I’ve read tie the hierarchy to wolf shifters or other paranormal creatures, so this felt refreshingly different.

    Autumn’s relationship with the pack develops in such a comforting way. I especially loved how patient and reassuring her men were when it came to her insecurities and fear of being “too much,” particularly as a plus-sized FMC with low self-esteem. Their support felt genuine without completely erasing her struggles overnight.

    But let’s be honest—the true star of this book was Felix the cat. That cat is absolutely not normal, and I refuse to believe otherwise. The epilogue from Felix’s perspective completely hooked me, and now I desperately need answers about whatever secrets that suspiciously intelligent feline is hiding.

    This was cozy, spicy, comforting, and exactly the kind of Omegaverse read I needed. I’ll absolutely be continuing the series.

---

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Cozy Omegaverse romance
• Lighthouse and small-town settings
• Protective Alpha love interests
• Why choose / reverse harem romance
• Plus-size FMC representation
• Found family vibes
• Duet narration audiobooks
• Cats that are definitely hiding secrets
• Open-door romance with emotional comfort

A warm, spicy Omegaverse romance with lighthouse charm, supportive relationships, and one unforgettable cat.

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

Book Review: Dungeon Incursions 3 by Adam Bright (Dungeon Incursions Book 3)

 Genre: LitRPG • Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy • Dungeon Crawl

Tropes: Dungeon Runs, Monster Portals, Team Progression, Apocalypse Survival, Leveling System, Government Control

Spice Level:  None

Format: Audiobook

Series: Dungeon Incursions Book 3

    Lance and his team have survived another brutal dungeon run and are steadily leveling up in the aftermath of the apocalypse. Once they’ve stopped “vibrating” enough for another incursion to be considered safe, they head toward a farm two hours outside the city. But outside the dungeons, the world is still changing. The government has issued a new directive that could drastically alter how survivors move forward—and Lance’s group will have to decide where they stand before the next portal opens.

    I’ve now read the first three installments in this series, and they absolutely need to be read in order. That said, I use the term “book” loosely here because these read more like episodic dungeon-crawling adventures than full-length novels.

    The primary focus is very clearly dungeon runs, combat sequences, monster encounters, and power progression.

    And honestly? The dungeon sections are the only fun bit. The portals themselves are one of the coolest aspects of the series. Each dungeon functions like a gateway into another world where monsters spill into Earth until the boss is defeated and the surviving humans are ejected back into reality. It’s a fantastic premise and creates nonstop tension whenever the team enters a new incursion.

    This installment’s dwarven enemies were especially well described, and the action scenes remain the strongest part of the series. The author clearly excels at combat and environmental descriptions.

    Where the series struggles a bit for me is outside the action. Even after three installments, there’s been very little character development, and I’m still not heavily invested in the cast themselves. The quieter moments often feel rushed—as though the story is eager to get back into the next dungeon instead of slowing down long enough to deepen the characters or world-building outside the incursions.

    Because of that, these feel more like “episodes” than fully fleshed-out novels. That isn’t necessarily bad—it just depends on what you’re looking for. If you want nonstop dungeon action and progression mechanics, this absolutely delivers. If you’re hoping for deep emotional arcs or heavy character-driven storytelling, it may feel a little thin.

    I already own the next two installments through the box set, so I’ll definitely keep going to see if the emotional investment catches up with the excellent premise.

---

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG apocalypse stories
• Dungeon crawling and boss battles
• Fast-paced action over heavy character drama
• Monster-filled alternate worlds
• Team-based leveling systems
• Episodic fantasy adventures
• Portal fantasy with survival stakes
• Continuous combat and progression mechanics

A fun, action-heavy LitRPG with an excellent dungeon concept that shines brightest when the monsters start pouring through the portals.

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

Books by this author: 

Dungeon Incursions Book 1

Dungeon Incursions Book 2

Book Review: The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C. J. Archer (The Glass Library Book 1)

 Author: C. J. Archer

Genre: Historical Fantasy / Mystery / Magical Realism

Tropes: Hidden Magic, Post-War Setting, Quest for Answers, Family Secrets, Slow-Burn Relationship, Amateur Sleuth, Artifact/Art Theft Mystery

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: The Glass Library Book 1

---

    Sylvia was a reporter during the war, but now that the men have returned home, there’s no place for her in that world anymore. Not that she misses it. Instead, she finds quiet comfort working in a library, repairing books and keeping to herself. With no real family left—her mother and brother gone, and no knowledge of her father—she’s always lived a transient life, moving from place to place.

    But everything changes when she reads her late brother’s journal.

    Inside, he writes about magic—about the possibility that their family was connected to it—and his search for a mysterious magician named Glass. Determined to uncover the truth, Sylvia sets out with her friend to track down the elusive Glass family and finally get answers about her past.

    Along the way, they stumble into an unexpected art theft mystery that pulls them deeper into a world of secrets, danger, and hidden magic.

    I listened to this as an audiobook, and I’ll admit—it took a little while to fully grab my attention. Historical settings, especially ones with older social dynamics, aren’t usually my go-to. While this leans more WWII/post-war than Regency, it still carries some of those same frustrations, particularly with how women are treated.

    That said, once the story gets going, it really pulls you in.

    This historical fantasy blends mystery and magic in a way that keeps you guessing. Sylvia’s journey through London, following the clues left behind in her brother’s journal, is engaging and layered with emotion. She’s searching not just for answers about him, but about herself—and keeps hitting dead ends until one name changes everything: Glass.

    The magician she’s searching for is one of the last known magic users, though she rarely practices anymore. That mystery alone is compelling, but when combined with the art theft plotline, the story gains a strong sense of momentum. The investigation feels real, the twists land well, and while the theft itself is resolved, the bigger questions surrounding Sylvia’s past are left open—ending in a solid cliffhanger that sets up the next installment.

    One thing I kept questioning throughout the book was whether this would turn into a romance. The dynamic between Sylvia and Gabe walks that line, but as of now, it reads more like a slow-burn partnership or colleagues working toward a common goal. Personally, I’m hoping it stays that way—at least unless circumstances change—because certain tropes (looking at you, cheating) just aren’t for me.

    Overall, this is a strong historical fantasy mystery with a unique blend of magic, post-war atmosphere, and investigative intrigue. Once it finds its footing, it becomes an engaging and rewarding read.

---

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Historical fantasy set around WWII or post-war London
• Hidden magic and magical realism
• Mystery-driven plots with investigations
• Female protagonists searching for identity and truth
• Slow-burn character dynamics (romance-light or ambiguous)
• Stories with layered secrets and cliffhanger endings

This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

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: 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: 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: The Tomb of the Black Pharaoh by Christopher Michael

 Genre: Historical Horror / Occult Thriller

Tropes: WWII Espionage, Nazi Occult Plot, Ancient Artifact, Academic Turned Spy, Lovecraftian Influence, Desert Tomb Discovery

Spice Level: 🌶 (Minimal – plot-driven, no focus on romance)

Format: Audiobook (also available in print/eBook)

Series: Standalone 

                Danforth, once a university scholar immersed in arcane studies, now works for the OSS during World War II. When intelligence reveals a Nazi plot to recover the Talisman of the Black Pharaoh, he’s sent to Egypt to stop them. Armed with his knowledge of the occult—and a strange personal pull toward the artifact—Danforth quickly realizes this mission is far more dangerous than simple wartime espionage. Because if the Nazis obtain the talisman? No one knows the full extent of the destruction it could unleash. And it’s best not to find out.

                I received an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review, and while I genuinely enjoyed the story, the narration didn’t work for me. The delivery leaned heavily monotone, and several pronunciations—most notably “skeletal” pronounced as “skel-ee-tall”—pulled me out of the experience repeatedly. That said, this critique applies specifically to the audiobook performance, not the writing itself.

                Focusing purely on the narrative, this is a fast-paced, atmospheric WWII horror adventure. The author clearly has a deep appreciation for Lovecraftian themes—ancient tomes, forbidden knowledge, creeping dread—and blends them seamlessly with historical espionage. The worldbuilding is immersive. From the university halls where Danforth first uncovers the occult tome to the bustling streets of Cairo and the haunting silence of desert tombs, the settings are richly described. I could vividly picture the museum and the excavation scenes once the artifact hunt begins. The tension builds steadily, combining historical stakes with supernatural horror in a way that feels cinematic.

                As a WWII-era occult thriller with strong Lovecraftian inspiration, this story absolutely delivers. It’s immersive, well-written, and packed with tension and atmosphere. I would gladly read more from this author—especially in eBook or physical format, where the prose and worldbuilding can shine without distraction. There’s clear passion behind the storytelling, and plenty of room for more dark historical adventures.

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

🔥 You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• WWII espionage with supernatural stakes
• Nazi occult conspiracy plots
• Lovecraft-inspired horror elements
• Academic protagonists drawn into danger
• Ancient artifacts with world-ending potential
• Atmospheric desert and tomb settings
• Fast-paced historical thrillers with horror undertones

If you’re drawn to historical horror that blends wartime espionage with ancient cosmic dread, this one is well worth exploring—preferably in print.

Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros (The Empyrean Book 1)

Title: Fourth Wing

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Fantasy Romance / Romantasy

Tropes: Dragon Riders, Enemies to Lovers, Military Academy, Morally Gray MMC, Touch Her and Die (Slow Build), Disabled FMC, Deadly Trials, Found Family

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶 – Explicit scenes, slow-burn tension

Format: Audiobook 

Series: The Empyrean 

    Violet Sorrengail never wanted to be a dragon rider. With fragile health and bones that break too easily, she was always meant for the Scribe Quadrant—following in her father’s scholarly footsteps. But after his death, her mother—the commanding general—forces her to enter the Riders Quadrant instead. To survive, she must endure brutal trials, outlast ruthless candidates, and convince a dragon to bond with her. Simple. Especially with enlistment numbers at an all-time low and dragons known for incinerating the weak, Violet’s chances are slim. Add in her physical limitations and a training environment where fellow cadets would gladly kill for a better ranking, and the odds are stacked against her.

    This was a classic BookTok made me read it situation. I grabbed the audiobook and devoured it at work—yes, including the spicy scenes. Zero regrets. I was hooked from the moment Violet stepped onto the parapet.

    The tension is relentless: will she survive the other candidates? Will the dragons deem her worthy? Every trial feels life-or-death, especially with her disability constantly used against her. And then there’s the Wing Leader.

    The book initially sets up like it might lean toward a friends-to-lovers arc—but I’ve never been happier to be wrong. The “good boy” friend follows the rules, even when those rules hurt Violet. Meanwhile, the morally gray love interest? That’s the energy. Protective, intense, and not above bending the world when it comes to her. While he’s not fully in the “burn the world down” stage just yet, the groundwork is absolutely there.

    The romance is slow-burn with explicit moments that hit hard when they arrive. The chemistry builds through danger, rivalry, and undeniable attraction. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully the next installments are already out, so you can dive straight into the chaos. I will absolutely continue the series. As much as I loved the characters, the dragons stole the show. Every scene involving them elevated the story.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $14.99 by clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Dragon rider fantasy
• Military academy settings
• Enemies-to-lovers tension
• Strong but physically vulnerable heroines
• Morally gray romantic leads
• High-stakes fantasy with cliffhangers

Book Review: My Darling Jane by Isla Madden-Mills (The Darlings Book 1)

 Genre: Contemporary Romance / Rom-Com

Tropes: Frenemies to Lovers, Sports Romance, Quarterback MMC, Matchmaker FMC, Single Mom Romance, Celebrity Romance, He Falls First, Slow Burn, Banter-Filled Romance

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 – Moderate spice with strong romantic tension

Format: Audiobook 

Series: The Darlings Book 1

    Jane has the perfect business idea: matchmaking. Never mind that her own love life is practically nonexistent. Dressed in her Cupid costume, she heads to a local bar to drum up potential male clients. Unfortunately, she runs into Jasper. The same Jasper who has driven her crazy every time they’ve met. But if he’s willing to let her set him up on dates—with someone who isn’t her—what’s the harm?

    I listened to the audiobook (included with Kindle Unlimited), and I loved every second of this frienemies-to-lovers romance. He’s a quarterback with a playboy reputation; she’s an up-and-coming matchmaker with abandonment issues. (To be fair, he has his own baggage too.) Their chemistry is immediate, and the banter is top-tier.

    Jake (yes, I adored him) is blunt, sarcastic, and occasionally insufferable—in the most entertaining way possible. His brutally honest dating questionnaire responses had me laughing, especially when he turned everything into something explicitly inappropriate. Watching him play along with Jane’s matchmaking plan—even when he already knew exactly who he wanted—was peak rom-com energy.

    This is a lighthearted contemporary romance that wraps up beautifully with a satisfying, feel-good ending. It’s funny, flirty, and emotionally grounded without being overly angsty. I will absolutely be reading on in this series because I am attached to these characters and will be needing more. Full disclaimer it is a single mother celebrity read. I know single parent reads aren't everyone's cup of tea, so just wanted to put it out there. 

📚 Availability:

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $2.49 by
clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Sports romance with a quarterback MMC
• Frenemies-to-lovers tension
• Matchmaker heroines
• Banter-heavy rom-coms
• Single mom romance
• Celebrity/athlete love stories

Book Review: Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver (The Ruinous Love Trilogy Book 1)

Genre: Dark Romance / Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Serial Killer FMC, Vigilante Justice, Morally Gray Characters, Enemies to Lovers, Dark Games, He Fell First, Touch Her and Die, Found Partnership, Cat-and-Mouse

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶 – Slow burn with long, explicit scenes

Format:  Audiobook

Series: The Ruinous Love Trilogy Book 1

    Sloane has needed an outlet for her darkness and the best way to expel that darkness is ending other serial killers. She is the Orb Weaver and if the FBI were smart enough to uncover her clues they would find all of her victim's victims. Her latest goal ended…badly and now she is trapped in a cage while his body slowly decomposes mockingly on the other side of the bars. Until an Irish pretty boy waltzes in and suggests a game. Once a year the two have to meet up for a game. Whoever discovers who the target is and offs them first wins a prize of their choice for the year. One game turns into multiple and a friendship is born. But will the ultimate prize be won? 

     This is a BookTok made me buy it book. I have been DEEP in my dark romance era and have no regrets. I have been seeing things about Cookies and Cream ice cream getting ruined by a book for so long and didn’t know. Trust and believe that I know now. No, it will NOT stop me from eating it. As a matter of fact, I have cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches in my freezer right now. And no. They don’t expire April 11th or 13th. I checked. Twice. 

     Rowan is probably my favorite character in this book. Or Lark. Hard choice. I am going to go with Rowan though. He is this amazing mix of golden retriever and dark broody touch her and die. Basically the perfect man. And that accent. Yes, I listened to the audiobook. Yes, I loved every second of it. And yes, I did immediately purchase book 2s audiobook as soon as I finished book 1. 

     The spice doesn’t spice for most of the book but when it does it is a solid 20 minutes for 1 spice scene. Have I mentioned how much I loved this book and these scenes? They are depraved, graphic, and every kind of wonderful. And the tattoo??? Swoon. Basically everything about Rowan is a swoon though. Like he can cook. Amazingly well. This is absolutely a he fell first book and there isn’t a thing I would change. 

     That being said, check your triggers. This book has a lot. Accidental cannibalism. Not so accidental cannibalism. Cookies and Cream Ice Cream. Murder-like a lot of it. Graphic scenes both sexual and gore-ridden, sometimes in the same room. Abuse of minors. Torture. Stalking. I think that’s it. But, probably not. There is a list of triggers at the beginning of the book. 

 This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $1.49 by clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Dark romance with morally gray leads
• Serial killer stories with a vigilante twist
• Cat-and-mouse games turned romance
• He-fell-first energy
• Audiobooks with unforgettable accents
• Books that absolutely wreck your snacks