AWAKENING of the Starborne by Louve -ch review

 

AWAKENING of the Starborne by Louve -ch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

This book is 570+ pages of pure WOW! 🫢🔥 I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I read the prologue and found myself hesitating—wondering if this book was going to be “my thing.” But then I hit Chapter One… and I was all in.

There’s a lot going on in this story. I mean worldbuilding, political structure, magical systems, emotional layers—you name it. And it’s done so well. It took a few pages to get into the rhythm of everything, but once I did, the writing painted a beautifully dark and immersive world around me. One moment I was smiling like a giddy fool 😍, and the next, I was clutching my chest in full emotional destruction. This book broke me in places—in the best way.

The pacing was perfect—not too fast that you can’t breathe, and not so slow that it drags. The opening chapters hit me hard emotionally. The female lead (FL) was not dealt an easy hand in life, but she made the best of what she had, and that made me root for her fiercely. I genuinely wanted more for her—more love, more justice, more freedom. There’s one moment (you’ll know it when it hits you) that had me ugly crying and gasping for air. I literally had to go outside and walk it off.

Sølas? Let me be honest: I would gladly hand him my heart, soul, last pair of shoes, and house keys without question. 😮‍💨 He ticked every single box. Their chemistry? 🔥🔥🔥 Off the charts. The banter? Chef’s kiss.

The worldbuilding is A-class. It's rich, layered, and emotional. The story just keeps giving and giving. And while there’s plenty of heat—oh, heavens, the spice had me melting—it’s not all about that. The storyline comes first, with the steam woven in naturally. I love spice, but what truly gripped me here was the depth of the plot and the emotional rollercoaster it took me on.

This wasn’t just “good fantasy with some spice.” This was an emotional, character-driven story with meaning, heart, and heat—a rare combination that’s hard to get right. But this book nailed it. I was totally lost in the world, invested in the characters, and emotionally wrecked by the end (in the best way). The ending had me screaming, clutching my chest, and dying for more.

You’re probably asking, “Why not 5 stars then?”

The prologue left me totally confused. It had me worried the rest of the book would be the same—but thankfully, Chapter One grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go.

There were a few moments where the FL’s behavior grated on me. She clearly knew better but still made some frustrating choices. I get that growth comes with mistakes, but at times I was full-on grinding my teeth.

Final Thoughts

This book blew away my expectations and is easily one of my top reads this year. I’m already planning to buy a beautiful hardcover copy when it’s released and will be re-reading it before the next book drops. I seriously hope the wait for Book 2 won’t be too long because I’m emotionally ruined and need closure 🥲.

Would I recommend it?

YES. I’d scream it from the rooftops!

Would I reread it?

Absolutely. This will be a series I return to again and again.

How would I sum it up?

A dark and gritty fantasy that shreds your heart, makes you sob, and then bathes you in rainbows and hope.

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Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight review

 

Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Hush... don’t tell anyone, but this book is like that song you love but never admit to, or the sneaky snack you eat when no one’s looking. Somehow, this book has become my guilty pleasure—my dirty little indulgence when I’m in a reading slump or can’t get into anything else. I keep slipping back into it, and right now I’m on my third reread.

The shocking part? This is 100% NOT my usual kind of book... and yet I still love it.

What do I like?
Well… it’s pretty much unhinged. Like, totally derailed and chaotic. If you squint, there’s definitely a storyline—it's action-packed and full of blood and fighting—but let’s be real, the spice steals the spotlight. And this isn’t just spice… it’s blistering, check your triggers immediately kind of spice. There are moments that made my mouth drop open, had me shaking my head thinking, “No, they’re not going to—oh wait, yes... yes, they are.”

If you like soft, fluffy romances, please keep walking.
If you want a book that won’t make you question your life choices, run.
This book had me wondering: Why am I reading this? Why do I like it so much? Should I seek professional help?!
And yet… I still wanted more.
It’s confusing, and it’s kinda wrong, but in the best way. Like Marmite—you’ll either love it or hate it.

The book is super easy to get into. It opens dark and intense with lots of action and character introductions. I really liked the strong female lead (even though she made me sigh and groan at times because she could really tick me off). But that’s just part of the charm—I think I just like that the whole thing is so totally crazy. 😂

Would I recommend it? No question—YES.
Would I read it again? This is my third reread, so… yeah.
How would I sum it up? Totally unhinged and SO spicy.

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Healed by the Grumpy Elf by Mary Auclair review

 

Healed by the Grumpy Elf: A Cozy Monster Romance by Mary Auclair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

I’ve read all three previous books before this one, and I loved them all — so I went into this with high expectations and a skip in my step, and I was not disappointed!!

The start of this book gives you a totally amusing and fun introduction into book four. The world these books are based in feels so relatable, like real life — but only if your fantasy dreams also merged into it. You get the drama of everyday life mixed with fantastical, magical fantasy, and it’s amazing. The writing flows so smoothly, with such great pacing that you never feel rushed, but also aren’t bogged down with draggy over-explaining.

The switch between the two POVs is great. You get a clear understanding of not just the FL but the ML too, and hearing their inner thoughts sometimes had me giggling out loud and struggling to breathe. The sparks and emotions in this book could not only light a candle, they could set an entire blaze — and that’s not even mentioning the spice. 🔥

The spice in this book fits so perfectly with the overall tone of the story — it’s hot and sweet and leaves you blushing and wanting more. Absolutely delicious.

The story itself was so fun to follow and had me wide-eyed, giggling, then cursing, and then laughing again. It’s not a book that will have you pulling your hair out and lobbing it across the room — it’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up on the sofa with a hot drink and get lost in it. It made me feel warm and at ease in the best way.

I read a lot of books, and I can say this series soothes something in me. It makes me both happy and warm. But don’t get me wrong — it’s not all sunshine and butterflies. There are dark and gritty parts too, but I won’t spoil anything. Just know this book is a perfect all-rounder, and this series has quickly become one of my all-time favorites.

Would I recommend it? YES — all day long.
Would I read it again? I would read this book and the whole series again and again. Easy.
How would I sum it up? It’s hard to sum up this book, but... it’s my happy place. When real life is hard, I can find happiness and warmth here.

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Her Rabid Beasts by E.P. Bali review

 

Her Rabid Beasts by E.P. Bali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

I wanted so badly to love this book — I really, really did — but I found that the parts of the book that are full of action or have more than a handful of things going on often get kind of confusing. The writing style sometimes left me rereading the same section or just skipping over it out of frustration.

It’s weird because there’s such a solid layer of interesting things happening. There’s a great shell of a storyline, characters we’re finally getting more insight into, and it should have me excited and happy... but I just keep finding it all a bit draggy. More often than not, I’m struggling to really get into the book fully because of that.

Once again, I’m left in a strange spot. The book is okay — I’m not over the moon and devouring it, but I’m not hating it either. I’m just… on the fence. And I’m unsure if I want to keep reading the series or stop here. It’s a very odd place to be.

That said, there were a few shining moments that kept me from throwing in the towel and DNF’ing it. I’m still not sure if I’ll carry on, but I haven’t completely given up. Yet.

Would I recommend it? Nah
Would I read it again? Nope
How would I sum it up? A mix of “maybe” and “meh.”

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(Her Vicious Beasts, #1) Her Feral Beasts by E.P. Bali review

 

Her Feral Beasts by E.P. Bali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5 stars)
🌶️🌶️ spice

Please don’t hate me for this review, lol. There’s actually a lot to love about this book! For starters, it has some really great world-building — I loved learning about how everything works: how the different types of beasts live alongside each other and with humans, how the system functions, and just how unique and different everything felt. That really helped me get into the story.

Buuut… sigh. I don’t know what happened. There were things I really liked, but also a long list of things that just didn’t work for me.

On the plus side, the story wasn’t rushed, and there was a lot going on. The characters all had distinct personalities, and I loved the glimpse into the male lead’s past and seeing what made them the way they are. The friendship between the characters was also a strong point — I loved seeing the main character have someone to lean on.

But on the flip side... I found the pacing a little draggy at times. I caught myself drifting off while reading, then having to stop and reread just to understand what was happening — and even then, I was sometimes still confused. I wanted to love it. I almost did. But for everything I liked, there was something that pulled me out of it.

So unfortunately, I’m really on the fence with this one. It was a good read, just not a great one — at least for me. I know a lot of people absolutely love it, and I totally get why, but for me, it was kind of more of a miss than a hit.

Would I recommend it? Nah
Would I read it again? Nope
How would I sum it up? A solid setup with strong world-building, but didn’t quite land for me.

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Her Vicious Beasts: The Beginning (Her Vicious Beasts, #0.5) by E.P. Bali review

 

Her Vicious Beasts: The Beginning by E.P. Bali
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ spice

This was a short little book that seems to be the starting point for the Her Vicious Beasts series. I know very little about the series going in — I’m starting it because a friend told me it’s really good.

Given how small this book is, I was actually pretty impressed by how much was packed into it. There was a lot of information about the lead (who I’m guessing we’ll be following going forward), her family life, and a sprinkle of spice too.

Right now, it’s a little too early to tell if I’m going to love this series, but this was a really solid opener. I do have a few worries about what the main character is going to be like, but I’m going in with an open mind and hoping I’ll be blown away by what comes next!

Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read it again? Nope
How would I sum it up? A nice little opener for the series.

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The Wolves of Crescent Creek Series By Tessa Hale review

Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ spice

Super fun, quick read! I haven’t read anything by this author before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in — but it was a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The book is definitely fast-paced and easy to follow, though I’ll admit that at times it felt a little rushed. Because of that, it didn’t get super intricate or deep, but for what it is, it was a fun little read!

Would I recommend it? Yes!
Would I read it again? I think I would.
How would I sum it up? Quick, easy, and spicy.

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Eclipsed Empire by Tessa Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️ spice

Book 2 of The Wolves of Crescent Creek series

Once again, the books in this series are all on the shorter side — which means I’m devouring them in record time! Like the first, this one is spicy, fast-paced, and has a clear, easy-to-follow storyline.

The book tries to portray a lot of darkness and grit, which I love, but because of how short it is, it’s hard to really feel the emotional weight or pain of the characters. When a book includes high stakes and intense moments, I think it needs more time to breathe — otherwise, everything can feel a bit rushed.

That said, this was still a fun little read. It has a good mix of dark vibes, action, and emotional moments, all layered together with a warm touch of heat.

Would I recommend it? Yes.
Would I read it again? Maybe.
How would I sum it up? Fast-paced, spicy, with hints of darkness and emotion.

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Rising Reign by Tessa Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
🌶️🌶️ spice

Book 3 of The Wolves of Crescent Creek series

The final book in the series — and okay, it was an easy, fun read with spice and all that, but by this point, the story started to feel very samey. I honestly felt like I knew everything that was going to happen before it did.

It wasn’t bad — just predictable. I’d say the series overall sits at around 3.5 stars for me, but this book specifically? A 3-star read. I caught myself skipping parts, getting distracted, and even putting the book down a few times, which isn’t a great sign.

That said, I’m still glad I finished the series. It wasn’t amazing or life-changing, but it was a good, quick set of reads with a bit of heat and a familiar rhythm.

Would I recommend it? Maybe.
Would I read it again? Nope.
How would I sum it up? Predictable, spicy, and just okay.

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The Minotaur's Claim by Jeanette Clarke review

 

The Minotaur's Claim by Jeanette Clarke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Thank you to the author and BookSprout for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when starting this book — I had pretty low expectations, and wow, I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

From the start, the book was smoothly written, with a fantastic setup. Lysandra’s sass and bold personality made diving into the story effortless and fun.

Given how short the book is, I wasn’t expecting much — but wow, it’s packed with far more than I anticipated. The pacing is fast, but there’s a real, fleshed-out storyline underneath all the heat.

I especially loved how the plot gave me hints of Labyrinth, Beauty and the Beast, and classic mythology — but still felt fresh and unique.

While I would’ve loved a longer book with a slightly slower pace, the author did an amazing job weaving a twisty, sexy, satisfying story in such a short amount of time.

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely 💯

Would I read it again?
Yes — the reread value is high.

How would I sum it up?
A sizzling, fast-paced fantasy that blends sass, spice, and story into one addicting read.

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Leather & Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2) Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver review

 

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Audiobook

⚠️ Warning: Do not listen to audiobooks like this while on the bus or stacking shelves at work, because listening to this will cause… blushing, giggling, and wide eyes! 😳😅
If the banter wasn’t enough, the spice is so good it could melt stone into a burning puddle. The voice actors in this? They deserve awards, standing ovations, and raises. Absolute perfection. 🎧🔥

The setup of the book was amazing — the interesting foundation laid out from the start makes it so easy to get swept up in the world. And the voices of the characters? SO. GOOD.

The book just gets better and better as it goes on.
Lark and Lachlan are fireworks — their banter, sass, and flirtation could keep you up all night. Totally fantastic!

And can I just say: THANK YOU FOR HAVING A STORYLINE! 🙌
I’m not someone who enjoys books with heat and nothing else, so I was thrilled to see, like the first books in the series, this one had a well-laid-out, easy-to-follow, exciting plot that unfolds beautifully.

This book was a rollercoaster of everything I love, and I was fully invested from start to finish.

Would I recommend it?
100% I would!

Would I read it again?
OMG YES!!

How would I sum it up?
Hot, spicy, full of sass — with a solid story to back it up.

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Barbarian Alien (Ice Planet Barbarians, #2) Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon review

 

Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Yet another quick, spicy read — this is book 2 in the series.
Now, the spice? Oh, it was all here, and it brought the heat.
But unlike book one… this one was seriously lacking in storyline.

I thought it might follow more from the first book — maybe dive deeper into the alien kind and the planet — but I was left feeling kind of unfulfilled. The spice was great, and the banter was amazing. The book was genuinely funny at times, but there were also moments where I found myself questioning things.

While I loved the heat and humor, it’s hard to stay invested in a book when I’m meant to live on spice alone with not much else.
The parts I enjoyed most were those where I thought more story was about to happen — only for it to fizzle out or lead right back to more spice. The ending did offer a bit more, but by then… I’d kind of lost interest.

It was okay, but nothing more than that for me.

Would I recommend it?
Not so much.

Would I read it again?
Nah.

How would I sum it up?
All spice, little story.

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Ice Planet Barbarians (Ice Planet Barbarians, #1) Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon review

 

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ spice

Well… well.
What in the heavens did I just read? 😂
I feel like I shouldn't have liked it as much as I did — but damn, I loved it.

The opening of this book? Absolutely shocking.
What a way to start. I was shoved headfirst into the story, and the moment I was in, there was no stopping until I hit the last page.

The spice in this book came in like a heat wave — and given the world they’re on, that heat melted me into a puddle.
Thankfully, there was also a solid plot with a lot going on, which made me really happy because I love my books with both smut and substance, thank you very much. 😳

Not only was there a high level of spice, but there were also high-stakes moments, genuine tension, and amazing humor and character interaction.
It’s a quick, easy read with a great story-to-smut ratio — and it hit just right.

Would I recommend it?
YES. YES.

Would I read it again?
An easy yes.

How would I sum it up?
Quick, spicy, and fun.

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Sweet Berries (Cambric Creek, #2) Sweet Berries by C.M. Nascosta review

 

Sweet Berries by C.M. Nascosta
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ spice

If you're hoping to read a book that delves deeply into an epic story, this is not the book for you.
But — if you're craving so much spice your eyes are watering — this book might just be your thing.

The heat is absolutely there: full-on open door scenes, so many I honestly lost count. And for the most part, I enjoyed it!
But sadly, I’m someone who likes more story with her spice.
When I’m reading, I prefer a solid plot with a handful of spicy scenes — this one was more like lava-level heat with just a sprinkle of fluff and storyline. Not bad, just not really for me.

I think I liked Book One more than this installment.
I struggled to really connect with the characters, and overall, it all just felt a bit… blah.
I do enjoy sweet, cotton-candy reads — but I still need a solid story to go with the sugar.

Would I recommend it?
I don’t think I would.

Would I read it again?
Probably not.

How would I sum it up?
Hot and sweet… but with very little substance.

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Vexed: A Dark Supernatural Romance Vexed: A Dark Supernatural Romance by Monique Koen review

 

Vexed: A Dark Supernatural Romance by Monique Koen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice

Vexed by Monique Koen is a super quick read — I think it was maybe 200 pages at most — but for its size, it definitely packs a punch. The story is fast-paced and spicy, with a few clear moments that genuinely shocked me.

Given how short it was, I didn’t expect much, but I was honestly surprised by how much was packed into the book. That said, if you’re someone who wants a deeper, more fully fleshed-out story, this might not be for you. There were a few things that weirded me out a little, but overall, it was an easy, enjoyable read.

It’s a mix of spice and story, but I’d say the spice definitely took center stage. Still, it delivered exactly what I hoped for in a short, steamy read.

Would I recommend it?
Yes!

Would I read it again?
Maybe.

How would I sum it up?
Quick, easy, fun read. 🔥📖

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