Book Review: Quest for Love by Danielle Hill (Hearts at Play Book 1)

Genre: Young Adult Romance • Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Online Friends, Gamer Romance, Hidden Identity, College Romance, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Closed Door Romance, Meet Cute, Online Gaming, Love Triangle (Perceived)

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook

Series: Hearts at Play Book 1

    When Arden's best friend leaves for the summer, she decides to see what all the excitement surrounding online gaming is about. Logging into Quest for Camalor for the first time, she has no idea what she's doing until one friendly player takes her under his wing. Before long, he's introduced her to his group of friends, and what starts as simply learning the game slowly turns into something much more. 

    At least for Arden. As the weeks pass, she finds herself developing real feelings for the boy behind the screen. So when she discovers they attend the same college, asking to meet in person feels like the obvious next step. His answer isn't what she expected. Now Arden is left wondering if she completely misread everything between them—or if there's more going on than she realizes.

    I picked this book up after downloading it for free quite a while ago and finally got around to reading it for my alphabet reading challenge. It ended up being a charming surprise.

    This is a sweet young adult romance featuring college sophomores and a completely closed-door romance. As someone who spends plenty of time gaming on PC—and whose husband is also a gamer—the premise immediately appealed to me. There's just something fun about the idea of meeting someone online, building a genuine friendship through a game, and then discovering they're living in the very same town. It made the romance feel both modern and incredibly relatable.

    The author also does a great job directing the reader toward one potential love interest while quietly planting clues about where the story is actually headed. I had my suspicions fairly early on, simply because it's a trope I read with some frequence, but even knowing where I thought things were going didn't take away from the enjoyment. Watching everything unfold was still satisfying, and I appreciated how naturally the mystery was woven into the romance.

    Despite being only 157 pages, the story never felt rushed. The pacing works well for the length, allowing enough time to connect with the characters while still delivering a complete and satisfying romance. By the end, I found myself hoping we'd eventually get a story featuring Arden's best friend, Solana. She was a fun supporting character, and I'd happily come back to this world if she gets her own happily ever after.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.61 by clicking here. 

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Gamer romances
• Online friendships that become something more
• Hidden identity romance
• College-age characters
• Sweet, closed-door romance
• Friends-to-lovers vibes
• Cozy contemporary reads
• Wholesome relationship development
• Fast, feel-good books
• Stories centered around online gaming

A heartwarming gamer romance that perfectly captures the excitement of forming real connections through online games while delivering a sweet, wholesome love story that's easy to read in a single sitting.

Book Review: The Debt Diary by Joshua Neal

Genre: Dystopian Fiction • Literary Fiction • Coming-of-Age

Tropes: Dystopian Britain, Illegal Immigrant MC, Survival Story, Homeless Protagonist, Found Family, Moral Dilemmas, Government Oppression, Near-Future Society, Bittersweet Ending

Spice Level: None

Format: Paperback 

Series: Standalone 

     Harry is a teenage illegal immigrant living in a near future dystopian Britain. The immigration laws have cracked down and those without citizenship papers are targets for scorn and abuse. For a young homeless man just trying to survive in the only home he's ever known this is difficult. And the prime minister's new rally isn't helping matters. When foot traffic and help starts getting more spaced Harry does the only thing he can think of: he heads to a known trafficker and offers to be a lookout for $20. This leaves Harry with a new dependent and more than his own future on the line. 

    I received a complimentary paperback of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  

    The plot itself of this book is intense and leaves off on a bittersweet note. A young illegal immigrant living in a country that has declared war on his kind living in an abandoned roofless warehouse and not knowing where his next meal or water will come from. He tries to be as honorable as possible, keeping a diary of everything he has ever had to steal in order to survive. But, when that same diary starts adding entries of things he couldn't imagine stealing, Harry feels he is trapped by a fate not yet lived. He spends so much time hoping for a better life and just to live that the end hits different. I don't want to spoil it, but it was like it was all for nothing. 

    The author has a way with words that allows the reader to see in detail every single item around Harry at any given time, be it a helicopter whispering overhead, a man standing in a garden, a train pulling into a station, or the decorations in a square. We always know what is around our character as he just tries his best to survive. He makes some questionable decisions along the way, but he is 17 and none of us make great decisions at that age. 

    Although I was occasionally pulled out of the story by some of the phrasing I enjoyed the plot and hope for good things from this author in the future. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $1.23 by clicking here. 

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Near-future dystopian fiction
• Coming-of-age survival stories
• Social and political commentary
• Homeless protagonists
• Morally complex decisions
• Character-driven literary fiction
• Emotional, bittersweet endings
• Realistic dystopian settings
• Stories about hope in impossible circumstances
• Books that make you reflect after finishing

Book Review: The Phantom Beast by K. B. Broas (The Seers Book 1)

 Genre: YA Sci-Fi Horror • Paranormal Thriller

Tropes: Teens with Powers, Hidden World, Small Town Horror, Psychic Abilities, Creatures in the Dark, Found Friendship, Cosmic Horror Vibes

Spice Level: None

Format: Paperback

Series: The Seers Book 1

    Jake is losing his mind. At least, that’s the only explanation that makes sense after watching his best friend literally fall from the sky and wake up buried in a golf course. Ever since surviving a cave collapse, Johnny has come back… different. He can see and manipulate mysterious forces he calls strands.

    Now Jake and Johnny's girlfriend are being pulled into a hidden reality where people can alter perception, manipulate emotions, and bend the world around them in terrifying ways. But Jake’s abilities are unlike the others. Instead of flying or controlling objects, he can make people feel disgusted —or force their attention to slide right past him entirely. And once you become aware of the strands, you also become visible to the things lurking in the dark. Especially the creatures hunting Johnny.

    I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from the author, and first off—the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It immediately caught my attention, and thankfully the story inside lived up to it.

    This is a fast-paced YA sci-fi horror novel that follows three teenagers as they uncover a hidden world tied to these mysterious “strands” and the terrifying entities connected to them. What starts as confusion and discovery quickly spirals into something much darker.

    I really enjoyed watching the characters go from ordinary high school students starting a new school year to kids trying desperately to survive forces they barely understand. Their shared connection to the strands initially brings them closer together, but the horrors stalking them slowly begin tearing those bonds apart. 

    The horror elements were easily my favorite part. The whistling creatures were deeply unsettling—especially the way they lure people into trancelike states—and the larger entity capable of tearing apart reality itself to reach Johnny added genuine tension and danger to the story. The deeper the group gets into this hidden world, the more oppressive and terrifying everything becomes.

    The pacing stays strong throughout, and the story constantly pushes you forward wanting to know what happens next. Even seemingly smaller moments, like dealing with school bullies, end up feeding directly into the larger horror unfolding around them.

    That turning point? Incredible. It’s the moment the darkness truly notices them, and from there there’s no going back. As soon as I finished the book, I handed it off to my high-school-aged niece, and she ended up loving it just as much as I did. This feels like the kind of YA sci-fi horror that could easily hook both teen and adult readers alike. I’d absolutely read more from this author in the future.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• YA sci-fi horror
• Teenagers discovering supernatural powers
• Hidden worlds and secret abilities
• Creepy creatures lurking in the dark
• Cosmic horror vibes
• Fast-paced paranormal thrillers
• Friendship dynamics under pressure
• Psychological horror mixed with action
• Stranger Things-style energy

A tense and imaginative YA horror story packed with eerie creatures, mysterious powers, and teenagers thrown into a terrifying hidden reality.

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

Book Review: Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting (The Curvy Girl Club Book 1)

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Plus-Size FMC, High School Romance, Fake Dating Vibes, Homecoming Bet, Popular Boy x Quiet Girl, Self-Discovery, PCOS Representation, Opposites Attract

Spice Level: No Spice

Format: eBook

Series: The Curvy Girl Club Book 1

    Rory has struggled with her weight since middle school, and by high school she’s mastered the art of blending into the background as much as possible. Between cruel classmates and a mother obsessed with diets and “fixing” her body, Rory has spent years feeling like she’s too much and never enough all at once.

    Then comes the diagnosis: PCOS. On the very same day she finally gets answers about her body, the school’s resident mean girl loudly declares that no guy would ever want a girl Rory’s size. Fed up and speaking out for the other curvy girls in class, Rory fires back—and somehow ends up trapped in a bet. She has to convince star quarterback Beckett to take her to Homecoming. If she fails, none of the plus-sized girls are allowed to attend. What could possibly go wrong?

    This is an incredibly cute YA romance with zero spice, and honestly, I was relieved about that. I love spice in romance books, but not when the characters are minors. Instead, this focuses on confidence, friendship, self-worth, and first love in a way that feels wholesome and emotionally genuine.

    I originally wanted to read this because the ads for it were everywhere on Facebook, and the line: “Why was I being forced to take a pregnancy test as a virgin?” absolutely hooked me immediately. When I finally got the chance to grab it during a Stuff Your Kindle event, it completely lived up to the hype.

    Rory’s anxiety throughout the story feels painfully real, especially once the bet becomes public knowledge. Watching her navigate the fallout, her growing feelings for Beckett, and the fear of humiliation made the emotional moments hit even harder. I’m never a huge fan of secrets in relationships, but in this case it added tension that worked really well for the story.

    One of my favorite aspects of the book was how supportive Rory and Beckett became of each other’s passions. Beckett's photography and Rory's painting weren’t treated like throwaway hobbies—they genuinely encouraged each other to pursue their dreams and believe in themselves. Their relationship felt sweet, healthy, and rooted in emotional support rather than just attraction. And honestly? Watching Rory slowly discover her own style, confidence, and voice may have been my favorite part of all.

    This was adorable, heartfelt, and such a solid YA romance with genuinely good representation and emotional growth.

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You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Plus-size YA romance
• PCOS representation in fiction
• High school romance with emotional depth
• Popular boy x quiet girl dynamics
• Confidence and self-worth journeys
• Homecoming and school drama
• Sweet romances with zero spice
• Supportive relationships and healthy communication
• Creative characters pursuing art and photography

A heartfelt, confidence-boosting YA romance that balances emotional vulnerability, sweet first love, and important representation beautifully.

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

Book Review: We Are Legend by Daron Kappanauff

 Genre: YA Horror • Post-Apocalyptic Horror

Tropes: Apocalypse Survival, Monster Invasion, Teen Survivors, Creature Horror, Survival Camp, Cannibalism, Fast-Paced Horror

Spice Level: None

Format: Physical Book

Series: Standalone 

    Nine months after the goblin apocalypse began, a group of gifted teens are still surviving on their own. No adults. No real safety. And supplies are running dangerously low.

    If they want to survive much longer, they’ll have to leave the relative safety of their camp and venture back into a world overrun by flesh-hungry goblins. The problem? Every supply run could easily become their last. And even if they make it back alive… how long can this kind of survival really last?

    I received a physical copy of this book complimentary from the author. 

    First and foremost: check your triggers before going into this one. This YA horror contains a lot of teen death. Like… a lot. Child and teen death is usually an immediate DNF for me, and in this case I ended up skipping multiple scenes because it was simply too much for my personal tastes. That said, outside of that issue, the actual premise is incredibly fun.

    The book has a very strong Gremlins-inspired apocalypse feel. The goblins are chaotic, vicious little creatures with an appetite for human flesh, and the similarities in appearance to Gizmo were hard to miss—in the best way. The reveal surrounding how the goblins come into existence was fairly obvious early on, but the deeper explanation later in the story still worked well.

    The pacing is one of the book’s strongest elements. Once things start moving, the story barely slows down. Between the goblin attacks, survival tension, and moments of outright horror—including cannibalism—the book keeps the pressure high throughout.

    The author clearly has a talent for writing fast-paced creature horror and survival situations. I’d absolutely read more from him in the future… preferably with significantly fewer dead kids. At least let them turn eighteen first.

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You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Gremlins-style creature horror
• YA apocalypse survival stories
• Fast-paced monster attacks
• Survival camps and scavenging missions
• Horror with constant tension
• Creature features with gruesome stakes
• Post-apocalyptic worlds overrun by monsters

A brutal, creature-filled YA horror with nonstop action, survival tension, and goblin chaos straight out of a nightmare version of Gremlins.

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

Book Review: Apocalypse by Kyle West (The Wasteland Chronicles Book 1)

 Author: Kyle West

Genre: Young Adult / Post-Apocalyptic / Dystopian Sci-Fi

Tropes: Bunker Survival, Coming of Age, Survival Journey, Found Allies, Hidden Truths, End of the World, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook

Series: The Wasteland Chronicles Book 1

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    It’s been 30 years since the meteor Ragnarok crashed into Earth, forcing humanity into underground bunkers to survive. Of the original 144 bunkers, most have fallen—and no one knows why. The residents of Bunker 108 believe their only chance at survival is to remain completely closed off from the outside world.

    Until everything changes.

    When 16-year-old Alex goes on his first patrol with a senior guard, they discover a survivor from a neighboring bunker and bring him back. Within 24 hours, Bunker 108 falls—and Alex is forced to flee to a surface he’s only seen once in his life.

    This young adult post-apocalyptic novel throws you straight into the action and never lets up. The pacing is fast from the very beginning, making it an easy, bingeable read that keeps you turning pages. Even though this first installment focuses heavily on world-building and character setup, it never feels slow.

    As the story unfolds, we get key insights into what happened to Bunker 108, clues about the fall of other bunkers, and more information about the mysterious people Alex encounters on the surface. The world-building is layered in naturally, keeping the tension high while slowly revealing the bigger picture behind the apocalypse.

    Alex’s journey is filled with constant danger, making this a strong survival story with coming-of-age elements. Every chapter introduces new challenges, whether it’s navigating the unknown surface, dealing with other survivors, or uncovering unsettling truths about what’s really happening in this world.

    By the end, it’s clear this is just the beginning. While some questions are answered, many more are introduced, and the story ends on a light cliffhanger that sets up the next book in the series.

    Overall, this is an engaging YA dystopian survival story that balances action, mystery, and character development. If you’re looking for a fast-paced post-apocalyptic read with strong series potential, this is definitely worth picking up.

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⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• YA post-apocalyptic or dystopian survival stories
• Bunker or underground society settings
• Fast-paced, action-driven plots
• Coming-of-age journeys in dangerous worlds
• Mystery elements surrounding the apocalypse
• Books that set up a larger series with cliffhangers

This book is available on Amazon for FREE 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: The Survivor by Rowena Redman (Kingdom of Parvery Book 1)

     Myrbeth was born in a town that was soon after completely destroyed. Only her mother escaped with her clasped tightly to her breast. Taking her to a neighboring king's court she was taken in as her mother died from her wounds. She grew up with the king's sons, but she has now come of age that she must marry. With most other kingdom's refusing what will happen to her? 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I loved the cover on this book. 

    This book is mostly an opener or introduction to the series. It gives you background on the main characters, has romance aspects, and shows how others treat Myrbeth. We learn about the war against the kingdoms and witness the first battle. This book absolutely ends on a cliff-hanger with most of the main story still to be covered. 

    While this was a starter book it was interesting and I enjoyed the characters. The solution to problems with Myrbeth were obvious long before anything was even admitted in the book. I would absolutely read more in this series and by this author in the future. 

    No real trigger warnings in this YA read. It is set in a mythical kingdom, but as mythical kingdom, but as far as I know it is not a fantasy. obviously, there is a war, bloodshed, and betrayal so there are those if you consider them triggers. 

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

Book Review: 21 Dares by Stephen Barnard

     When a teacher retires due to the "bullying" of 4 teenage boys the punishment is for them to clean out his classroom hoarders closet. Inside they find a game of 21 dares stretching back into the towns dark history. If anyone completes the 21 dares they will bring back the loathsome serial killer, Black Jack McKenzie, and allow him to finish his spree. Can these 4 boys complete these increasingly disturbing and destructive pranks or will one be willing to throw in the towel?

    I got this book around Halloween last year and surprisingly enough read it shortly thereafter. A plausible horror novel that includes an autistic kid, a rich kid with serious psychotic tendencies, and two "bad boys". Each must put in something that they deeply care about and whoever completed the last task wins and keeps everything unless the dares are all completed.  

    I enjoyed how deep the speculation went as to the mystery behind the game as well as the progression of pranks. These are all things that could have been executed, although I don't suggest it. Then there was Black Jack which the power of suggestion. Love all of that. I will say that the book takes a minute to get into. It starts out with the dares pretty quickly, but it took me a while to actually get interested. 

    I liked the fact that all of the pranks had to be done at school during school hours, although the fact that the school didn't have cameras for most of the book seemed a bit of a stretch. That being said they couldn't have achieved most of this if they had. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.79 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Keeper's Runes by Lyra Forger (The Originals of Grimm Academy Book 0)

     Nikky has always been an outcast. She has a habit of finding trouble and has never been one to back down. So, when she finally snapped, breaking a law, the last thing she expected was to be taken to the most prestigious house within the academy. Vampires, Fae, and shifters abound, but she is without runes and without power. What chance does she have against these people? But, there is something in the forbidden corridor that is calling to her. 

    This book was an impulse purchase found on one of my book pages or another. I genuinely don't know which one or when it happened, but I flicked through my owned books on my kindle and stopped on this one. It is a YA fantasy book that has the potential to turn spicy. There is a male with a claim, but there hasn't been any outright sexual acts so far. Either way is fine with me, but some people like the warning. 

    This is a prequal to a series that I haven't read so I don't know how important it is to start with this book versus book one. I will say that this book is absolutely packed with important information that I am not sure how a series would be able to start without. It shows how three characters meet and relationships are developed of both friendship and more. It shows how powers are gained as well as a dip into one of the character's pasts. These things may be addressed in book one, but I am not sure. 

    The story has a bit of mystery to it starting with what is in the forbidden wing to who is keeping the hidden item hidden, what the item is, and who is killing students. The author does a great job of casting blame around to keep who is behind things a secret, but I was able to guess correctly, which pleases me. I am curious how this series will turn out since the book, obviously, end with a lot of strings. 

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

Book Review: The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry (Whispering Woods Book 1)

     Mia has lived in Whispering Woods her entire life and has never had any desire to go anywhere else. The only thing even remotely exciting that has ever happened to her was when her brother disappeared one day and she would do anything to get him back. A year later while conducting a science experiment on the feeding habits of local animals she spots 2 men in her woods. Her shock increases when these same two show up at her house telling her of portals to other dimensions and things trying to get into this world. Who should she believe or turn to? 

    I got this book forever ago and started it at one point before getting bored after a chapter. I really should have read beyond the first chapter. Although it is a slow start once it starts it is an exciting story. This is very much so a beginning book. We meet the characters and get a grasp on backstories. We know why the IIA want Mia and what things are allowed and what aren't. There is definitive options in partners for a romance aspect as well. For most of the book it could have gone any of three ways, but it narrows down at one point. 

    I really liked this book once I actually gave it a real chance. Dimension shifters of a sort that are still of human origin with an agency protecting the inhabitants of Earth from potentially fatal tampering. There is quite a bit of action and I will give the disclaimer that the only thing I didn't like about this book is one instance of infant death. It is very quickly brushed over and we didn't "see" it happen, but there is that possible trigger warning. 

    While there is a romance aspect to this book there are no spicy scenes. 

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

Book Review: 10,000 Things I Hate About You by Lili Valente (The Virgin Playbook)

     Harlow has had a crush on Derrick forever. He was her best friend's brother and so off limits. Besides, it's not like he had ever looked at her like that anyways. She was just the annoying kid sister. Nothing even worth paying attention to unless she was getting herself in some kind of trouble. All that was changing tonight though. She was officially 18 and he was home for the weekend and was actually attending the field meetup with everyone else. 

    I am going to try really hard not to be too judgy on this. I have zero issues with the premise of this book, but it feels unfinished. I am hoping against hope that it is a prequal and their entire story takes place in another book. That this is just some inner angst. Because I don't like books that start and then don't finish their thoughts. And I really don't want to stop reading this author. I have read another by them before and I know I have more in my never-ending TBR. 

    Based on what I seen on Amazon it is like a prequal, but it also doesn't state that this is book .5 so I genuinely don't know. What bit of the book there was I enjoyed it and I really want to see what happens with the couple in the future. So fingers crossed and we will see. I can't tell you too much about the book other than what I put in the first paragraph without giving away absolutely everything that happens in this. 

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

Books by this author: 

Snowed in with the Boss (Master Me Book 2)

Sparked (The Virgin Playbook Book 4)

Book Review: Even the Losers by Bryant Delafosse

     It was the summer of 1980 and Neal had just moved to a small town in Texas with his father and older brother. While his brother was able to live rent-free on the couch his father told him to get a job. Setting him up with a position that could lead to the union he was a part of was the first step, but Neal had other asperations. The town had two movie theatre's and the goal for young Neal quickly became to learn everything he could about this place of wonder. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book took some time for me to get through and while it told a story of Neal's first summer in 1980 I didn't get a sense of real purpose for it. He started work, met a girl he liked, was an absolute geek (obsessed with Star Wars, played D&D, and Risk), was friend zoned and so on. He grew as a character and achieved some goals, but largely it was just what a random boy did over the summer in 1980. 

    I will say that I enjoyed seeing how rare arcade style games were and the fact that The Shining was just being released at this time. If you are into coming of age stories this may hold more interest for you. It was well written and engaging. Be warned there is a fair bit of Star Wars hype in this book. While I was never a fan, my husband definitely is. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $10.95 by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh (The Beautiful Quartet Book 1)

 

    Celine was forced to leave her home and dress-making apprenticeship in Paris after an unfortunate event. On the run, she finds herself in a convent bound for New Orleans. The church has agreed to take in the girls until they find suitable matches and are married off. Celine quickly finds herself caught up not only in the entertainment of her new home, but in La Cour des Lions and their leader, Sebastian. Still, this mysterious man and her keepers are not Celine's biggest concern. A murderer stalks the streets and it soon becomes apparent they are targeting her. 

    I was lent this book by a friend of mine and I really enjoyed it. This is a dated book, if the dress-maker description didn't give that away along with the suitable matches to be married off to. It takes place in the late 1800s, which isn't something I read a lot of simply because I am not big on women being treated as little more than property. Still it was a YA vampire book, so I was going to give it a shot.     

    The book started off with some concerns. First, of course, was the time frame. Followed closely by the fact she is in a convent. We know I don't do religion so I was concerned. But, I kept reading and it paid off. While there are some minor religious contexts this is not a down your throat Christian book. In fact, it's a morally grey male main character book. We do have a good guy to choose from too, but the morally grey's are so much more fun. 

    Celine does not fit in the tiny boxes women used to fit into and by the time we finally discover what she was running from it wasn't even a surprise. I kind of assumed from the beginning, but there were a lot of clues leading up to. I genuinely loved Celine almost as much as Sebastian. Although the woman she made the dress for was very close to being my favorite character. So much attitude and did not care what anyone thought. She was wonderful. 

    Then, of course, we have the added thrill of murders happening around town. Bodies of women who were being courted by others found drained of blood. Celine keeps showing up in the wrong places until it becomes clear that she is the killers newest target. We get to flop back and forth between perspectives in this story and it provides an added element of fun. Especially when we see through the killers thoughts but not enough is given away to know who they are. 

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

Book Review: Splintered by A. G. Howard (Splintered Series Book 1)

     Alyssa Gardner had always been a bit different. Her mother had been locked into the ward for most of her life. Ever since she was a child and her mother had taken after her with scissors. She didn't really want to hurt her daughter. In fact, she wanted to protect her from the butterfly. So, when the flowers began to talk to Alyssa she ignored it until she couldn't any longer. After-all. She was the descendant of Alice and she too was destined to fall down the rabbit hole. What she finds was more intoxicating and amazing than she could have guessed. 

    I got this book as a gift from a friend of mine years ago and it has just sat on my shelf as a beautiful trophy. Given, I'd never read the back of it to know that it was Alice in Wonderland themed. Otherwise I would have read it long before I did. Bear in mind I am still ridiculously behind on my reviews. I finished this book August 2nd, 2023. I keep a notebook filled with my read dates just for moments like this. On to the good stuff. 

    This is and isn't an Alice in Wonderland retelling. We pick up on Alice's family a few generations later. She is living a mostly normal life, even if her mother long ago went off the rocker. She visits her mother frequently, has a crush on her best friend's brother, and has favored hobbies. Normal enough life. But, when the opportunity presents itself to see if Wonderland is real she has to travel there. Even if she accidentally takes her crush with her. 

    This isn't the wonderland she read about. Chaos rains and it is up to her to set things to rights. Undo the damage done and regain her life. Can she right the wrongs without losing herself to a certain mischievous creature?

    This book...gods. There is nothing I want more than to finish this entire series. It is on my list. While the person she ends up with hits all the right feels something is off. I may be reading way too many dark romances but there is just something about that morally grey character that will melt me every time. As I mentioned a bit above when Alyssa gets to wonderland she realizes things aren't the same as in Lewis Carroll's book. Not just that that was romanticized.  

    Alyssa has to go through wonderland fixing the things Alice unintentionally broke from her sea of tears to waking a slumbering tea party. The goal is setting her family free of it's curse. Along the way she must decide who to trust. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $8.26 by clicking here. Personally I suggest getting a physical copy. It does make such a beautiful shelf trophy. 

Book Review: The Haunting of Gordon's Lake by Danny Gunn (Van Diemen's Valley Book 1)

     Brad is forced to spend the last weeks of summer with his aunt and uncle, but he is promised lots of fun. Crickets, swimming, and barbeque. While his cousin doesn't initially seem very interested in hanging out, the friends he slowly begins to make warn of ghosts in the area. He doesn't believe it at first, but he may just lose his life the same way a group of kids did years ago if he isn't careful. Will he join the eternal playground or go home with his family at the end of summer?

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is a middle grade horror novel that is well done. Just in case you can't handle child death you might want to be leery of this one. A group of teenage kids die in this book. It doesn't go into a lot of detail about that and it is something that happened years before the book begins, but it is mentioned throughout multiple times. 

    We start by following a young boy as his parents drop him off with his aunt and uncle while they have to travel. Everything seems normal about them, including a surly older cousin, and the cabin they go to seems nice enough. The longer he is there, however, the more weird things begin to happen. While his aunt and uncle assure him that his cousin was only teasing with her warning of ghosts in the area, some things aren't adding up. Following along as Brad decides who is real and who is a ghost out of each he encounters. 

    The truth behind who is a ghost was a bit obvious to me, but it didn't take away from the story. Again, this is a middle grade horror. Still, it is well written and engaging. 

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

Book Review: The Queen of Reckoning by N. C. Hayes (Redfern Legacy Book 2)

     After risking everything to find a teacher to help with her volatile magic Shaye's troubles are far from over. Between a looming wedding, others opinions of her and her families past, and now mysterious visions she may just lose herself. In fact, the more she deals with the person in her visions the more she learns that he was far from the person he was made out to be. Can one secret have so completely shaped her entire past?

    I received a request from this author to read this book after having already read it. She sent me book one and I enjoyed it, but when I finished I lent it to a co-worker, Ms. Deb, who enjoyed it so much she bought book 2. After she was finished with book 2 she gave it to me. So these are books I have the physical copies of. I want to start by saying they are gorgeous and I love having them on my shelves. 

    Book 2 picks up directly after book 1 ends and this is not a book that you can read as a stand-alone. I tried to be as vague as possible with the above so if you haven't read book 1 yet you can go check it out first without a lot of spoilers. 

    Just like in book one this book has a very YA Fantasy feel. Yes, the characters are of age, but there is magic and very innocent scenes. I'm not saying there isn't activity. There is plenty and there is even some possible trigger warnings. I read this book while I was pregnant and it was a lot for emotions at points because of a miscarriage and subsequent depression. If that is something you can't handle, even in literature, this is your warning. 

    I am not by any stretch of the imagination trying to put you off this book. I fully enjoyed book 1, as you will see in by review, and I enjoyed this one as well. I just try to give disclaimers as some people have certain triggers they go to lengths to avoid. The characters are still just as amazing as they were in book one. The same characters have continued on to this one, although character relationships have changed a bit, in the best possible way. 

    We still have the loveable cat of Skye's and her teacher's snake, in case you were wondering. There is also attempted progress made on reclaiming the throne and castle that the mortals currently occupy. That is something that made great progress and I look forward to what will happen next there. I read this book rather quickly and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Although, we will need to wait for the next instance in this series as there are only the two books at this time.

    This book is available on Amazon for $2.89 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

The Wayward Prince (Redfern Legacy Book 1)

Book Review: Journeys by Jeanne Roland (The Archers of Saint Sebastians Book 1)

 

    It is the 14th century and the longbow is renowned. The archers of Saint Sebastians are known far and wide, those who make through trials will be narrowed down until one becomes the Prince's new guardsman. One men are allowed to participate in the trials which take place over 2 years, but when Marieke's father is killed she seeks refuge under the guise of a young boy in these sacred halls. While squiring for a Journeyman Marieke discovers more about her father and current threats. If only she isn't caught for being a girl first. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book is very slow to pick up and it took me a long time to actually become invested in the story. I would "reward" myself for completing a chapter by reading something I was enjoying more. Still, I persisted, and I am glad I did. Once you actually get into the story it is very interesting. A bit bogged down in details, but it works in it's own way.     

    While it took me a while to become interested in the book, once I did I would read only on this instead of deviating to other books, as I am prone to do while reading. This book gives serious Eon vibes, without the disclosure at the end of that book. Still, I loved Eon, and I eventually grew to enjoy this book as well. To the point when it ended I considered immediately grabbing book 2. Afterall, this book ends on a cliff-hanger and I needed to know if they survived. I say they so you don't know who until you read it for yourself!

    Even though Marieke is under the guise of a boy, that doesn't mean her feelings and attraction has magically changed. Instead, she gets to ogle these men as they train, even if she rarely gets to enjoy it as she is trying to hide her own identity. The internal conversations where she attempts to battle these feelings is amusing, as well as the dangers faced both within the grounds and outside of them. Marieke does gain one enemy of sorts, but I don't know about him. I don't think he is as bad as he is portrayed and I kind of wants to see her end up with him instead of with anyone else. If this series were to go down the romance aspect it seems like it will lead into. 

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

Book Review: Keystone by Sadie Mason (The Made Book 1)

     Oriana knows the Others are coming. They have been outside her window every night and she knows she can't fall asleep or they could get her. Others are dangerous, but usually only if you enter into a deal with one. In her case, she didn't. When she wakes up in a tunnel surrounded by bodies she knows she has to get out and make her way home. Her family has to have noticed she is gone by now. When she gets out and goes to the police she can tell them everything about the abduction, but nothing about who she is or where she lives. Now her only option is to trust an Other to try regaining her memories and her life. There is more at stake than just abduction, this time, though. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is kind of a Young Adult Fantasy as it has the fantasy aspect of Others. Others can be fae, demons, dwarves, or most anything else. The main character in the book, Oriana is technically an adult, but only just. There is a romance aspect to the story, but it is very PG. 

    From the start of the book to the very last page you are looking forward to what is going to happen next. Does Oriana get taken? Does she escape? Does she remember her past? Does she trust the Other she has to go to? Will she go back to her family? The author does an amazing job of keeping you on the edge of your seat and engaged in the story. I enjoyed every second of it, even if it did end on a bit of a cliffhanger. 

    The characters are amazing in this book. Everyone had an important role to play and you didn't see certain aspects until the author wanted you to. I don't want to say too much here about the characters and give one fun aspect away for the readers. 

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

Book Review: The Fourth Charm by Robert Howell (Dransmit Children Mysteries Book 2)

     After their adventures following the death of their grandmother the Dransmit cousins now need to focus on their education and prepare for the things to come. However, when witches' familiars begin to disappear, it is suggested to the council that they be allowed to solve this mystery. With an impressive track record they are given access, but only if they do everything possible to stay safe during their investigation. Could three new witches be better problem solvers than the entire witch council? 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. Book 2 picks up shortly after book 1 ended. We see how the children's education of all things witchy is progressing as well as how they are dealing with the things that happened. Then, when they are informed of witches familiars going missing they decide the help the council and those affected by looking into the mystery. Along the way we receive a prophecy stating that the children must harness the fourth charm in order to complete their mission. The only problem is the fourth charm has not been mentioned in any of the books in the Dransmit house. 

    In this book, instead of staying in the present, the author jumps back in time at certain points to tell the story of an event that happened in detail versus just someone talking about what took place. I think it provided us a better insight without taking away from the ongoing story. We seen the characters grow beyond what took place in book one. The book was completely enjoyable, but do keep in mind this is a middle grade mystery. There are very innocent budding romance aspects, children, and mild threats. Although the risk to the characters lives were very real I just mean that the descriptions were not gory at any point. 

    We did not lose the supernatural aspects seen in book one, although instead of the dragon we had a djinn. No complaints on my end about this story. 

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

Books by this author:

Third Times the Charm (Dransmit Children Mysteries Book 1)