Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath review

 

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 spice

There was a massive problem with this book. Pucking Sweet is book three in the Jacksonville Rays series. While book one followed a solid timeline and book two picked up where that one left off which worked really well book three dragged us all the way back to the start of book one’s timeline. That means most of the main events from books one and two were repeated in this one, just from a different POV.

Now, I’m not saying the entire book was a repeat absolutely not. I loved the parts that felt fresh and totally new, especially the content that had nothing to do with the previous books. But the sections that rehashed things I’d already read? That really ticked me off. I kept thinking, "Can we please skip the déjà vu and get to the good stuff?" I ended up skimming more than I wanted to.

That said, the new story elements were so good. I really liked the characters and the direction this story took when it wasn’t echoing past timelines. Poppy is smart, driven, and layered sometimes seen as the “PR barbie,” but she’s got a strong sense of self and it shines through. Colton and Lukas are both fully fleshed out, and watching the development of their relationship over the course of the book was really satisfying.

I would have loved a deeper dive into Colton and Lukas’s backstories, but overall, the story was well-structured. The spice? Red hot. It wasn’t quite as constant as in book one, but it was still a lot and really fun to read. I also appreciated the surprises, emotional turns, and how the relationships evolved it genuinely made me smile.

Unfortunately, I just can’t give this book four stars due to the timeline repetition. I’ve never been a fan of backtracking or re-seeing the same events from a different angle, so that held the book back for me.

✅ What I liked:
Loved the characters
Enjoyed the story when it focused on new plotlines
Great surprises and emotional beats
The Jacksonville Rays family vibe is amazing

❌ What didn’t work for me:
Hated that the book replays the same timeline as book one
Too much focus on PR and work-related stuff
Disappointed that some storylines didn’t get proper closure

Would I recommend this book?
Not really. It has great moments, but the timeline structure held it back for me.

Would I reread it?
Probably not.

How would I sum it up?
A spicy, emotionally layered sports romance with great characters but frustrating timeline repetition.

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Pucking Wild by Emily Rath review

 

Pucking Wild by Emily Rath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 spice

I didn’t think I would like this book more than the first one, but here we are. I think book one was a bit overwhelming for me because I’m so used to fantasy being the main focus, and I don’t read much contemporary romance especially not sports romance. So book one was a totally new experience, but book two really surprised me in the best way. Even though this one doesn’t have the why-choose element that the first book did, I enjoyed it so much more because the storyline was clearer and easier to follow.

Tess was relatable, using her smile and bubbly personality almost like armor to hide the pain she carries. Her trauma runs deep, and even though she puts on a brave front, it’s clear she’s bleeding internally. It was portrayed so well that I really felt for her. Ryan, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine who constantly made me smile. He’s sweet and caring, but not a doormat, which I appreciated. I do wish we’d gotten a little more of his backstory, but what we did get gave me a much better understanding of who he is.

Don’t get me wrong there’s still room for a deeper dive into both leads' pasts, and there were moments where certain events felt like they were implied instead of shown, which bugged me a bit. But the characters weren’t flat. The spice in this book was hot and well done, even if there was less of it compared to book one. Honestly, I liked that. It gave more space for the actual story to breathe. I also loved seeing characters from book one return in big ways, which gave it all a cozy, interconnected feeling.

And wow there is one character in this book that had me ready to throw hands. I was wide-eyed and screaming every time they appeared. But honestly, it made the story even more intense, and I was so here for it.

This book also focused less on the hockey side, which I think worked better for me overall.

💖 What I Liked:
The clear, emotional storyline
Tess’s slow growth and healing
The slightly reduced focus on hockey
The darker, more emotional themes

😕 What Didn’t Work for Me:
Certain characters didn’t get the consequences they deserved
Some big scenes happened off-page or were implied, which felt like missed opportunities
I wanted deeper dives into both leads’ histories

Would I recommend this book?
Yes! It was a fun and emotional at times

Would I reread it?
I think I would.

How would I sum it up?
A spicy, emotional hockey romance that hits harder than expected.

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Pucking Around by Emily Rath review

 

Pucking Around by Emily Rath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5 spice)

Okay, so this is not the kind of book I usually read, but my friend Sammy loves this style, so I gave it a shot. Honestly, I’m still not sure how I feel, but I did enjoy it more than I expected.

The characters are really well fleshed out. Each one has a distinct personality, which made them easy to tell apart and more fun to read. I appreciated that they didn’t all feel the same or bland. As for our lead, Rachel I liked her overall, though there were moments where she annoyed me a bit. She sometimes felt like a bit of a yo-yo emotionally, which ticked me off, but her slow personal growth by the end was satisfying.

I’m not a sports fan. I know next to nothing about hockey or most sports, really. I grew up watching darts and snooker, but even that’s not something I keep up with now. So I worried that the hockey angle would bore me or go over my head. Surprisingly, it didn’t. The way the book explained games and the team dynamic was easy to follow, and I found myself actually interested in the sport side of things.

Now… the spice. There was so much of it. Like, so much. I swear this book is 40% spice, and I’m shocked it didn’t set itself on fire. The sex scenes were detailed, intense, and varied the kind of spice that leaves your face red and your fan on full blast.

That said, I’m used to books where the story leads and the romance and spice are woven in around that. This one felt flipped more like it was romance and spice first with plot sprinkled in. That threw me off a bit. It’s probably just because I’m not used to reading pure romance books, so my brain kept searching for a central storyline that wasn’t really the main point here. I think I need to read more in the genre to get used to that style.

💖 What I Liked:
Well-developed, distinct characters
The descriptive spice was absolutely off the charts
The romance and different relationship dynamics were interesting
A fun and unexpected look at hockey
A satisfying ending

😕 What Didn’t Work for Me:
Felt like there wasn’t a clear story arc, but that might be because I’m new to this genre
Rachel was a bit emotionally up and down, which got frustrating at times

Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I would definitely recommend it to fans of spicy romance.

Would I reread it?
Not sure yet. Maybe after I read a few more romance-heavy books.

How I’d sum it up:
A burning hot, spice-loaded romance with a fun look into hockey and team dynamics.

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(A Realm of Revelry #2) Straw and Gold by Chelsey Ann Tompkins

 

Straw and Gold by Chelsey Ann Tompkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ (2 spice)

This is book two in the A Realm of Revelry series. Like the first book, it’s on the shorter side, but it doesn’t feel lacking in any way. It’s clearly a fairytale retelling, but it only uses the framework and spins an entirely new story from it.

The story opens so well. We get a glimpse of Korven and Seraphine (and OMG, Avici!) even if it’s just for a moment. It was such a fun way to kick things off.

Morella is funny, strong, and such a fantastic female lead. I loved her sass, her confidence, and how she goes after what she wants. She can take care of herself, and she knows it. Killian is broody and yes, sometimes I wanted to yell at him but the book does a great job of showing why he is the way he is. I was honestly impressed with how much the author delivered in just over 200 pages.

The book has a clear plot, a strong direction, and yes open door spice. It’s not overpowering, though, and it doesn’t take away from the actual story, which I really appreciate.

💖 What I Liked:
The characters, especially Fedir total standout
The strong, clear plot from beginning to end
The twist at the end I didn’t see it coming!

😕 What Didn’t Work for Me:
The spice is open door, but something about it felt a little off for me. Maybe the word choices? It just didn’t quite hit like I hoped.

Would I recommend this book?
Yes. I really liked this one and the first in the series.

Would I reread it?
Happily. It’s the kind of fun, quick read I could pick up again.

How I’d sum it up:
A short, sassy, spicy little read that hits all the right notes.

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Curse and Spindle by Chelsey Ann Tompkins review

 

Curse and Spindle by Chelsey Ann Tompkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ (2 spice)

I randomly stumbled upon this book, and after reading the description, I was intrigued. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Sleeping Beauty retelling before, so I figured why not?

First off, this book is short (under 200 pages), so I was worried it wouldn’t give me much. Joke’s on me, though, because for such a small book, the author managed to pack in a lot. While it has the Sleeping Beauty framework, much of the story felt new and different in a really good way. It gave me the vibes without being a copy-paste retelling.

The plot wasn’t over the top and felt fairly simple, but it worked so well for the book’s size. I loved the characters and was pleasantly surprised by how much depth the author added. The character interactions were great, and I enjoyed watching the build-up between them.

For such a short story, the pacing was handled well. It didn’t feel rushed, and although I do think the book could have been longer with even more content, I wasn’t disappointed. It gave me a little bit of everything romance, intrigue, fun without making me feel like I was racing through it.

As for the spice… It was technically open-door, but it felt a little watered down compared to other open-door scenes I’ve read. It was fine, but it didn’t quite hit for me.

💕 Things I Loved:
The fresh twist on a classic fairytale
Seraphine’s personal growth
Korven. Enough said.
How full the story felt despite its length
A perfect quick read
The ending

🙃 What Didn’t Work for Me:
The spice just wasn’t spicy enough for my taste

Would I recommend this book?
Absolutely! It was a really nice, easy read.

Would I reread it?
Yes. It’s short, fun, and would be a great reread during a slump.

How I’d sum it up:
A quick, lightly spicy Sleeping Beauty retelling that leaves you smiling.

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(Monstrous, #1) Soul Eater by Lily Mayne

 

Soul Eater by Lily Mayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ (3.5 spice)

Sometimes you read a book and your brain has a moment of, "What did I just read?" — and then you’re shocked that you didn’t actually hate the weirdness you just consumed. Well… I’m currently there.

Where do I start?
The book had a great opening. It didn’t overload you with info but gave just enough while expanding on what was happening in the moment. At first, I worried it would lean too heavily into a military/army base plot, and I thought I might give up on it… but wow, I was so wrong.

The story follows Danny — a super likeable, sweet character I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I really liked the post-apocalyptic world the author created, and how the story kicked off. This was my first M/M monster romance, and having read quite a few F/M ones before, I was excited for the change — and it didn’t disappoint.

💖 What I Loved:
The fantastic opening that introduced the world smoothly.
The characters were well-developed, with distinct and clear personalities — not carbon copies with different faces (which can sometimes happen).
The spice in this book? OMG. WYN. I can't. 😳
The descriptions during the first time were jaw-dropping.
Multiple spicy scenes — open door, graphic, and frequent.
Had me fanning myself and reaching for ice water.

But it wasn’t just the spice — the last few chapters wrecked me emotionally in the best way. I was sobbing, clutching my chest, ugly crying with my hand over my mouth to stay quiet. It was so well done, I was blown away.

Why Not 5 Stars?
Honestly, I wanted to give it 5 stars. But the middle of the book dragged — mostly filled with travel and smut, but not much else. It felt like a missed opportunity to deepen the plot or character development. I just needed something more than spice alone to hold it all together.
Still — a very, very fun and unique read overall!

Would you recommend this book?
Yes! It was a good, solid read.

Would you reread this book?
I think I would — it’s a fun, easy re-read with a strong emotional payoff.

How would you sum up this book?
A spice-filled, emotionally gripping M/M monster romance that’s fun, unique, and leaves an impact.

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X Marks The Stalker by K.N. Wilder review

 

X Marks The Stalker: A Dark Romantic Comedy by K.N. Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3 spice)

Reading the content warning of this book felt like reading the ingredients of a fine wine while I “umm” and “ahh” deciding if it was for me. 😆 Honestly, I just love a well-done warning page—it really warms my heart (which might say something about me, but let’s not look too closely at that 🤭).

From the very first page, I was completely hooked—pulled into the story at breakneck speed, ready to inhale the book like my life depended on it. What got me first? Xander. His hilarious banter and inner thoughts had me laughing so hard I cried. He was so damn funny, witty, and just an absolute riot.

If this book is a parade of red flags, then call me color blind because all I saw were green ones. 💚 How do you take a walking, talking killer and give me cinnamon bun vibes?! It's unfair. I probably need medical help for how hard I fell for him.

What genuinely shocked me was how rich the story was. This wasn’t just “spice, spice, baby.” Nope—this book had structure, depth, and detail. It didn’t feel bloated or confusing, either. The female lead had layers, her actions made sense, and everything tied together beautifully. Major A+ for that. 👏

The supporting characters were also well developed, likable (or hateable), and vivid. Though the book wasn’t long, it felt so full—like it was bigger than it really was. It packed in action, darkness, humor, and heat, blending everything I love into one story. The humor really balanced out the dark themes and made the whole ride even more enjoyable.

And THE ENDING. My heart was in my mouth. I was freaking out. It was absolutely spectacular! 🖤

As for the spice... oh my gods. One particular scene involving a certain sweet treat will haunt me forever—I’ll never look at those the same again. 🍬😳 The scenes were open-door, descriptive, and definitely not for vanilla readers. But the spice never overshadowed the story. And that’s something I really appreciated. I love spice, but I need a full meal—not just sugary snacks. This book delivered both. 🔥

Would you recommend this book?
OH YES. If you enjoyed The Ruinous Love Trilogy or Lights Out, this book is 100% your vibe.

Would you reread this book?
Also yes. Without a doubt.

How would you sum it up?
Dark, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny—with a rich story and spice that doesn’t quit.

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Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart Review

 

Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ (2 spice)

Not gonna lie… I did something that, as a reader, I know I shouldn’t do. 😅
I saw the shiny, lovely, cute cover and was like… I WANT IT. Then I put off reading it, afraid it would disappoint me and just become a new book ornament—pretty on my shelf but unread. 🙈
I'm happy to report that after finally picking it up and finishing it within a few hours, it was so good—I really should have read it sooner! 🎉

The book starts off strong. It slips you into the world effortlessly, gives a great introduction to the lead female, Daella, and helps you understand where she’s at in her life. I really felt for her, and that connection pulled me into the story right away. 🥹

It’s an easy read with a lot going on. The beginning made me think it was setting up for a more action-packed plot, but it turned out to be more soft and cozy with lots of drama rather than outright action. I was a little sad about that, but the book still stayed interesting and fun. I really liked the magical world the author created. The banter and sparks between the characters added a great layer of fun too!

I absolutely loved the cozy vibes—the book made me want to curl up on the sofa with tea and just get lost in it.

As for the spice? Yes, there is open-door heat! 🔥 But if you’re looking for a book packed with constant smut, this one isn’t it. There are three spicy scenes—one short and two mid-length. They were super hot and graphic, but not over the top. It’s not a smut-first book—it’s a story with spice, not a story built around it. And that worked really well for me.

Why not 5 stars?
1️⃣ I felt like the book hinted at more action early on, but it never really got there.
2️⃣ While the story and drama were strong, a few moments missed the mark or felt underdeveloped.

Would I recommend this book?
✅ Yes! Especially if you love cozy fantasy stories like Tusk Love or Coven Crest Academy.

Would I reread it?
Definitely! This one has high re-readability for me.

How I’d sum it up:
A quick, light, fun read with lots of drama and just enough heat.

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My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine review

 

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️ (1.5 spice)

I honestly did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into, but I found it totally amusing, funny, and with just the right splash of spice.

The writing style was super easy to read and follow, and the pacing was perfect—not rushed, but not slow enough to lose interest. The real win for me was the characters and their interactions. I was laughing so hard at times that I cried! 😂 The book doesn’t take itself too seriously and leans into being light-hearted and fun in the best way.

I was a little worried it would be all spice and no story, but that was not the case. The spice is open door, but it’s not the only thing keeping the book afloat—which I loved. Sure, I would have loved a little more heat 🔥, but honestly, I don’t think the book needed it to be enjoyable. I would have liked a bit more at the end, but overall, I really enjoyed this read.

Would I recommend this book?
✅ Yes — it’s a great, easy, feel-good read.

Would I reread it?
Absolutely. Super rereadable.

How I’d sum it up:
Quick, quirky, and super funny with a perfect splash of spice!

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(Never After, #1) Hooked by Emily McIntire review

 

Hooked by Emily McIntire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3 spice)

Wasn't sure if I wanted to give this one 2 or 3 stars. There's a solid storyline in this book, smoldering spice, and a dark twistedness that weaves through everything.

Was the book easy to read? Most of the time, yes—though I did find myself skimming in parts. Now here’s the problem: I felt like almost everyone was just really, really stupid at times. I kept groaning and wanting to slam my head into the table—like, what are people thinking?!

It started strong, and I was following the story, but the ending? It made me want to pull my hair out. There were moments I disliked so much I had to put the book down and watch puppy videos just to reset. 😅

Maybe this is why I don’t usually read books without fantasy or magic. In fantasy, I can excuse the madness as “not real,” but with no magic, I focus only on the facts—and when things feel off, it really stands out.

That said, there were parts I genuinely enjoyed. Some scenes felt well-developed, the action was exciting, and there were moments of fun. But overall, this one just wasn’t for me.

I didn’t hate it... but I definitely didn’t love it either. So, I’m going with: It was okay.

Would I recommend this book? 🤷‍♀️ Not sure
Would I reread this book? ❌ No
How would I sum up this book?
💀🔥 Dark and twisted, layered with action and questionable choices.

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(The Bond Dissolution Omegaverse, #2) The Scent of Us: Part Two by Eliana Lee review

 

The Scent of Us: Part Two by Eliana Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️️🌶️ (4 spice)

Book two had a much clearer storyline than the first, and I was really glad for that. This series, to me, is all about new beginnings, healing from trauma, and finding your true self after a painful past. I really loved seeing that growth — Juno has come such a long way, and I just wanted to wrap her in a warm hug. This book delivered that emotional payoff, and it made me genuinely happy to read.

The spice is once again hot and present throughout the book, and while it definitely takes center stage more than the plot, I was okay with it. It matched the tone of the series and still felt meaningful to Juno’s journey.

The writing style is the same as book one — a little choppy in places — but by this point I was used to it, and it didn’t bother me too much. I read both books in the same day, which really shows how easy and enjoyable they were to binge. I was never bored, never tempted to skip, and that’s always a good sign!

Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I would. ✅

Would I reread this book?
Yeah, I think I would.

How would I sum up this book?
A great ending — short, sweet, and spicy.

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The Scent of Us: Part One by Eliana Lee review

 

The Scent of Us: Part One by Eliana Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3 spice)

Really surprised—
The opening to this book was not what I expected, but it did an amazing job introducing you to Juno and letting you get a feel for who she is and what she's been through. I really loved that. It started off dark and made me sad for Juno, but slowly, I found myself smiling and feeling warm inside.

This book was good. Was it perfect?
By no means. The story, after the first part, kind of felt like an afterthought to the spice. The writing felt a little choppy at times, and there were moments where it seemed like things were missing that should have been explained.

That said, I still really enjoyed reading it. I loved seeing the lead step up and grow into the person she wanted to be. And the men in this book? Wow. Loved them.

If you’re after a story-heavy, plot-first book, this probably isn’t for you. The romantic and spicy elements definitely take the spotlight. Still, I think this book was a nice break for me. I’ve read so many super dark books lately—I needed something like this.

Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I would. ✅

Would I reread this book?
I’m a little unsure—but I think so. 🤔

How would I sum up this book?
An easy read with heart and spice. 💖🌶️

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(Vicious Lost Boys, #4) The Fae Princes by Nikki St. Crowe

 

The Fae Princes by Nikki St. Crowe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3 spice)

What an ending to such a dark, beautiful, and spicy series!
This is the final book in the Vicious Lost Boys series, and it did not disappoint. From the moment it started, the book was packed with action, story, drama, and hot, hot spice. It was the perfect ending.

The whole series has been an absolute blast, but this finale? It felt like everything was unwrapped, dragged into the light, and laid bare — and it was freaking fantastic.

I love a spicy read, but I want my spice woven into a heart-stopping storyline that makes it all feel magical — and this book delivered. I couldn’t put it down. I think I read all four books in just two days. I stayed up late. I was happily possessed by these books. This last one was the cherry on top of a dark and spicy cake.

It’s the kind of book that reads as easily as breathing air. The shifting POVs and glimpses into each character’s thoughts added layers, and the storyline was just plain fun. So much is packed in, and yet it never feels rushed. These books aren’t long, but they’re overflowing with goodness.

Hands down, this is one of my all-time favorite series.

Would I recommend this book?
I would recommend this book — and the entire series — all day long.

Would I reread this book?
This is my second or third reread!

How would I sum up this book?
Perfection — quick, spicy, and full of everything you need.

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