This Vicious Sea by Megan G. Mossgrove review

 

This Vicious Sea by Megan G. Mossgrove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5 Spice

Wow, alright, I am impressed. I have never read a pirate book before, and I never really felt pulled toward them. This book was flipping awesome from the get go. Almost at once, you are thrown into action and drama, with hints of our female lead Odelia's backstory being less than stellar. I felt pretty much pulled in right away, and by the time we meet Rune, I was totally convinced I was going to love the book, and I was not wrong.

This book gave you action and drama in spades, along with a great view of ship life, crew, and found family. All of it was fantastically done, to the point that I had clear favorites among the crew. The storyline in this book stayed at the forefront the whole time. There was none of that feeling where the story fades into the background when other things start happening, or where you suddenly stop and think, wait, what was the story about again? Nope. The storyline was carved through the book thick and clear, and it was amazingly done. I found the whole thing super exciting and great to read.

The banter at first felt catty and a little tit for tat, but as the story progresses, you see a turning point. From there, the banter turns more flirty and blush worthy. The longing and want were nicely done, and oh boy, it had a brilliant amount of spice that really levelled the book up. I honestly felt like I had everything I wanted wrapped into this book. Super impressed and super happy overall.

The only problems I had in the book were these. There was one thing that confused me and made me question why Odelia never looked into it or spoke up about it again. It would have greatly changed things if she had. It also seemed like something she would not normally overlook. That also made me think that Rune or Tavi would have worked it out as well, even if not as much as our female lead would have.

I also had another question that was left unanswered. I sort of guessed it might have been one character or another, but it was never clearly said, so now I am left to wonder. Unless I somehow missed it on my first read through, but I really do not think I did.

Overall, a great read. Action, adventure, love, spice, and a massive helping of sea life.

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My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine review

 

My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️½ 1.5 Spice

360 plus pages of unique, easy, comedic, light-spiced fun. I really liked the first standalone but interconnected book in this series, and was not sure what I was going to get in this one, but it turned out to be a really easy read.

The writing was easy to follow. The book does not take itself too seriously. The storyline is there, but it's just fun and loose, and there is no terror or end of the world stakes. It is cozy, light, and amazing, sort of like a romcom in book form.

I felt an instant love for Reggie. I thought he was super funny in the first book, but I really loved him in the second. I also liked that we got to see Frederick and Cassie and where they are now. While it is not the focus, it was fantastic to get a glimpse of the after.

The interaction between Amelia and Reginald was easy and hilarious, but the texts between Reginald and Frederick were just as funny. I spent a lot of my time trying not to laugh and smile.

I found the spice super fitting. It is not over the top, but it is open door and definitely makes your heart race. Altogether, I was super pleased with it.

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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

((Reread and still love it!))
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (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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Hard Bubbles by Leah Legend review

 

Hard Bubbles: A Shifter City Romance by Leah Legend
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

While the book is only three stars, I did not hate it. It was a fun, quick read, but it had some pretty big problems. I think the book either needed a full rework or simply more pages because it was so fast paced and abrupt that I might need a neck brace.

It had a super rushed feel, and everything happened within about a day, which made me feel totally uninvested in the events and action because they had zero weight behind them. I had questions left unanswered even at the end. I also questioned the lead's flip flop nature in general. At the start of the book, the verbiage felt a little weird now and then, but that seemed to settle down about fifty pages in.

That being said, it was fast and fun and asked for very little investment from you as a reader. If you like spice and a little bit of weird in your book and no real drama, it is definitely a fun little read.

I would say if you want to feel love and heart stopping romance, you are not really going to get it here. Due to the speed everything comes at you, it feels more like lust or want. Even with the story, it never feels like much more than that.

In the end, I did have fun, but it just was not something I could fully get into, believe, or feel deeply connected to. It did have some fun spice, but let us just say I was not into what happened in the cave at all. Hard pass from me.

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Diamond Dust by K.F. Breene review

 

Diamond Dust by K.F. Breene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐½ 3.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

Well, this is strange. Turns out I really liked book two more than the first book.

When I finished the first book, I gave it three stars. I sort of worked out that my main problem was that this duology is a spin off from a bigger series, and all those characters and the world are built from that. But since I had not read it, I was pretty lost for a while. Thankfully, by the time I finished the first book of this series, I had done the hard work of figuring things out. So when I started Diamond Dusk, I had a better level of understanding of the characters. Given that we were in a new environment that Daisy did not know, it meant we got the details I needed to understand what was going on.

I would totally say that I wish I had read the original series first before starting this one, because I do not like the feeling of confusion and not knowing what is going on or who people are. Apart from when the book shifts POV to Lexi or Kieran, who are from the original series, where you are given lots of names and people you do not really know if you have not read it, most of the time you are in Daisy’s POV. Thankfully, being in the Fae kingdom made it easier to enjoy the book more.

A lot was going on, and the story follows where the last book left off. I do feel book two was darker than the first. I also felt that Daisy was more left to her own at the start, but that did not last long. Daisy is clearly smart and strong, and due to her past and upbringing, she deals with things, even horrible things, really well. To the point I was starting to think she would need a whole lot of therapy by the time the book reached its end.

The book felt fast-paced with a lot going on, a lot of action and events, and it was honestly fun. But shockingly, the high stakes just were not that impactful to me. Normally, when you are facing something that should make the reader fear for the characters or the world, I just felt like, meh, alright, sounds cool. So I am not sure if I just did not connect as much with the writing or if it was the characters. Overall, it was fun, and I read it in two sittings.

I would say I would not reread the series, and I might not buy it for my physical shelf. But otherwise, I am glad I got through it, and it was a fun story. I do feel a little bad that I did not love it as much as my friend did, but hey, we all like different things, right?

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A Pact of Ash and Thorn by Gael Ashen review

 

A Pact of Ash and Thorn by Gael Ashen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🚫No Spice

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

What happens when two old beings, skilled at repressing anything that resembles emotion, are thrown together and end up in a mystery style hunt for what is going on and who is behind it? You end up with a really unique book that is totally unlike anything I have read before.

I really could not help but love Bryn and Kern. For how old the pair are, the way they dealt with their existence was very similar. Both came across as very put together, calm, and focused, and at times like they were unshakable pillars. But once you pull back those layers as you read on, you see it. The walls built to help them exist and get by. There was something both relatable and heartbreaking about it. I found myself imagining being in either of their places, and it was like falling down a rabbit hole of what ifs.

The book had this awesome mystery crime feeling throughout, layered on top of a mythology and fantasy backdrop that really made it stand out. The story and its writing style were smart and adult. I very much doubt I would have been able to read this when I was younger. It would have gone over my head. But now, as an adult, I see the layers built and laid on top of each other to create a world that is both familiar and yet totally different, but only to those who can see it.

The words and events really made me pause and think, and I believe that if I had not truly dived into the book one hundred percent, I might have missed a lot of great things. I would say I would have loved more information about the Pale, as I did get a little lost a few times at the start. I am also not really a massive fan of third person, even if it is omniscient rather than restricted third person, but I did not hold that against the book because it was well done.

I really enjoyed the internal thoughts and getting a great view of what was going on within their minds, but it was within the silence, or the things not said, that really screamed the loudest. It was so smartly done. I really felt Bryn and Kern's age from the way they acted and spoke to how they carried themselves, but my total happiness came from the unspoken moments. For me, that was like a siren going off in a silent room. The want and longing were unmistakable, and it made me so focused on waiting to see what would happen and whether I would be giddy or sobbing at the end.

As the book started to reach its end, I felt like my heart was a jackrabbit bouncing around my chest. There were little moments that had my heart squeezing and me biting my lip. It was pretty magical seeing the slow lowering of the walls, and I was swept up in it and dizzy.

The ending really threw me through so many loops. I love the story and the progression. I would have loved more, but that is me being super greedy at this point. After reading so many books that have instant lust or are so fast paced you miss things, I think I found in this book that sometimes things do not have to come at you at breakneck speed. A lot can be read between the lines. Silence can be deafening. Care and love do not always have to come with a massive side of spice or instant gratification. They can be deep, slow, and steady.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was totally out of my normal reading zone, but I do not regret reading it for a moment.

Likes:
Older leads
The mystery crime feel of the book
The slow burn and longing

Dislikes:
Was not totally into the third person writing style
The repetition of a few things, a few too many times

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(Shadowbound Fae, #1) Obsidian by K.F. Breene review

 

Obsidian by K.F. Breene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

I have never read anything by this author before, so when I started this, I was not aware it was a sort of spin off from another series of hers. I will have to check out the rest of the author's books.

The book opens up with total violence and action, which is a great way of throwing me right into the story. While I was a little confused at the start with some terms and characters I was unfamiliar with due to not reading the other series, it only took me a little bit to catch on and get an understanding. There was a small hiccup of confusion about not knowing who people were, their dynamics in the book, or how they were related to our FMC.

The book is set at a nice pace, neither too fast nor too slow. I totally loved the action and the general storyline. I found it super fun and interesting, and I also loved the darker bits. I enjoyed the sassy comments and banter, laughing hard at the terms used throughout the book.

If you are looking for love or deep romance, I did not really feel it from this book. Lust and want, sure, but the spice was about a two for me.

There is a lot of action, but I felt like I was struggling more often than not. There were moments when I had no clue what I was seeing or reading. I would stop, go back, and try again, and it was like I was reading something in a foreign language. It was not all the time, but there were larger areas where I might as well have been reading diagrams instead of text because I was left scratching my head, confused.

I also felt like while the FMC and MMC were together, the story really picked up, only for it to stop or fall flat when it was just the FMC. That left me a little sad, as Daisy was strong and had such a great foundation as a character.

At the end of the book, everything picked up again, throwing more action and revelations at the reader. I did not hate the book, but it was not the best either. I enjoyed it at times and also found it hard at times as well.

Likes
Strong female lead
A great amount of action
Found family and supportive dynamics
The sassy mouth of the MMC

Dislikes
The introduction had way too many characters all at once within the first chapter, which took a moment to work out who was who, why they were there, and how it worked. It was only later I realized this was a spin off and I would have had a better understanding if I had read the other series first.
Instant lustiness. Not really my thing so early on.
The story fizzles out and loses traction when the MMC is not around and it is just the FMC.
Having no clue what the MMC was called until about 50 to 55 percent through the book. I did not like that at all.
The information given was not always super clear.

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(Darkest Powers, #3) The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong review

 

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🚫No Spice

Reread of 2026, first read in 2010.

The Darkest Powers series is a fantastic trilogy. While there are only three books and they are not overly long, they pack a punch and are story driven from the get go. I felt like each book was a little darker than the last.

Not only does this series have a brilliant storyline, there is a lot to love, from supernatural themes, fantasy, death, and betrayal, to a sprinkle of romance. I felt this book, and the series as a whole, really gave you character growth and development. Watching a character you once did not like become one you found funny and cared about. Seeing someone go from weak and meek to level headed and strong. Realizing that someone you thought was a bully was, in truth, scared and capable of learning to love, protect, and listen.

I devoured these books when I was much younger, and to this day the series remains a favorite.

Please also keep in mind this is YA. The main characters range between 15 and 16 years old. Of course there are adult characters, but the focus is on the teens, so there is no spice. There is a tiny bit of romance, but it is not the focal point. The series was always centered on its story. So if you are after more than that, this series might not be for you. But please, it is totally worth a try.

Great story, brilliant characters, layers of elements within the pages, dark themes, and a roller coaster of events and actions that have you totally sucked in. I will always love this series, and while it is not my usual read now, I still very much treasure it.

[

Likes
-I love the story line its unique and one of a kind its well planed out and keeps you guessing the whole way though. There is a lot going on throughout the whole book and each pages unfolds and gives you a insight into the world of the darkest power series. I loved the idea of a group of kids being different and powerful yet the people they trust most have changed them and pretty much turned them into weapons. The bad guys where bad and smart and most of the time I thought half crazy on power. There was none stop action, mystery and drama and heaps more to sink your teeth into.

-The character had to be one of the best things about the book solid and likable you can’t help but want to read on and on and keep you fingers crossed that all goes well for them. There is always going to be a character you love most and while Chloe is kick arse and hands down amazing there was one character that by all means made these books for me was Derek. Derek was one those characters that creep up on you and you had no idea you went from not noticing him to loving him and feeling for him. He was by far my favourite and even after reading the books Derek still stays in you mind long after you put the books away.

-The writing style in this series way also another part I loved it was so simply to read and get into and that’s all thanks to the author. How she writes and gets everything so right in this series.

-The emotion in the book is something that could blow any reader away in my eyes the hardest thing a author has to do is make me feel. I can read a whole book series and I can liked it but I never really felt anything but not in this series. I felt pretty much everything the characters go though I laughed, cried and felt hope and more.

Now I really could go on and one about this series but why not just read it :D

Dislikes
-I only really have one problem that the series ended I know I know everything has to end but WHY!! Lol but that’s the only thing I really disliked and that only because I wanted more after reading the darkest power and then moving onto the spin off based in the same world I still wanted more but Oh well :D (hide spoiler)]

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The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong review

 

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🚫No Spice

Reread of 2026, first read in 2010.
I absolutely love this whole series, even after becoming an adult and my tastes changing over the years.

You get a lot more of Derek and Chloe in this book than you did in the first. You also get a better understanding of what is going on, how many shady characters are sneaking about, acting like butter wouldn't melt, and an idea of just the sheer reach of those who are playing god with Derek, Chloe, Simon, and Tori's lives.

I love getting to see the ups and downs, the constant stress of being scared at every turn. Seeing the bickering and bonding, with the darkness so well blended into the story, just works so well.

Book 2 was action-packed, full of drama, and rife with supernatural elements and magic. It deals with surviving and staying off the radar of those wanting to drag them back. It is a blast from start to finish, and I love it now as much as I did the first time I read it.

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The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong review

 

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🚫No Spice

I have lost count of how many times I have reread this series. I originally read it way back in 2010, which seems so long ago now. This book series has remained one of my favourites for so long, so I thought, seeing as the last time I read it was a good few years back, I would read it again and see if my thoughts had changed. I am also shocked that I never really reviewed the series.

I want to start by saying that this book series marks the turning point for me, from someone who read one or maybe two books a year to someone who reads 50 to 100 books a year. This book was the starting point of my love of fantasy, paranormal, magic, and a little bit of romance all wrapped into one.

This series has gotten me out of reading slumps, helped when I am low and needing a break from real life, and was also one of the series I read to my daughter in hopes of getting her into reading, which totally worked.

Even now, as a full-grown adult reading this years later, I still love it. It has an amazing, solid storyline. It is easy to read and follow and understand what is going on, but it is so fun and interesting that you are hooked from the first page.

While it is YA and does not have spice, the book is not lacking. It is not boring at all, but full of mystery and patches of darkness. It is not a fast-paced book. It goes at a steady pace that unfolds and gives the reader the feeling of time passing and a slow discovery of what is going on.

I love Chloe and slowly getting to know those in Lyle House. Honestly, when I first started the book years ago, it had this whole mystery vibe where I was unsure if it was really all just in her head.

Even after so many rereads, I thought I would feel less excited because I know what is coming, but I do not. Reading it makes me happy and makes me feel at home, safe and cozy with a warm drink and a soft blanket. Reading about the characters is like catching up with old friends and hearing old stories. It just warms me in a way that never gets old.

The book is so well written. This is such a great start to the series, and as it gets deeper into the story, you are given more, and the action and events build to an ending that is just fantastic. Derek is a massive favourite, and seeing him in a different light as the book progresses was really great.

I still very much love it years later, even knowing the story front to back. While the series is no longer widely talked about or popular, it is a staple to me. Even though it has been many years since it was first published, it will always have a place on my main bookshelf, sitting with my favorites, and will always hold a dear place in my heart. 

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How (Not) To Raise The Dead by Rachael Chadwick review

 

How (Not) To Raise The Dead by Rachael Chadwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I laughed so hard I was crying at times. I was trying so hard not to pee myself with some of the banter. Malachi's mouth should have come with a warning because I felt like I spent my time rolling about with tears of laughter streaming down my face as he sassed and threw sarcasm around like it was a weapon to wield.

The book's storyline was on the darker side. There was a well thought out story that left you thinking about grief and coping, and then they threw in a total curveball at the end that had me shocked.

The details and the way hell was portrayed were so smart and totally great to see. I really loved the whole working of it. The story was the main focus, but there was hot spice that just made the book all the more fun to read. For me, the main thing I loved most had to be the total hilarity of Malachi. I did really like Eden, but for me Malachi was the win.

I would say that after the halfway mark, the book really picked up speed and started to fill out with much more action and drama, and I really loved it. I would have loved to see more of the aftermath, but that is me being greedy.

Overall, a dark, spicy, and super fun read.

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Lord of the Forsaken by Nora Nightingale review

 

Lord of the Forsaken by Nora Nightingale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 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.

Ok, can I start by saying bravo for the way the author gets you into the book? I, for one, love a strong female lead, and add a little rogue to her and I am on board. Our lead, even within a short time, comes across as someone used to dealing with the darker side of life, dealing with getting by and struggling day to day. This really helped me get to know her and invest in her journey as the book progresses.

I totally loved the alternating POV of Brynn and Dante throughout the book. It gave you a clear insight into the characters and an inside look into their minds as you got deeper into the story.

When I started, I was not really sure what I was going to get, but I found a super rich story. Dark from the start, but honestly, I think the dark and pain only highlighted the best parts and moments. There was mystery, a whodunit sort of feel that had me turning into a detective. A dark setting with lots of political land mines to dance around without falling in. But for me, the standout was how deeply it highlighted that sometimes it is not just the risks of the living you have to worry about.

There was a lot going on and a lot of information about the magic and realms, and for me that was a massive highlight. While there is spice in the book, Open Door, it is never used as a crutch or to overshadow the story, which I was so pleased about.

I would say after the halfway mark the book exploded with action and heart stopping panic and had me death gripping my seat, wide eyed and terrified about who it was all going to come to in the end. I was totally hooked and ready for anything and everything, and I was not disappointed. The ending and the buildup before that were well worth every page I read from start to finish.

Likes:
Leads were well fleshed out and easy to follow.
Interaction between Brynn and Dante.
The dark setting of the book.
Spice.
Strong female lead!!!

Dislikes:
There were times when I got lost in the details of the wards.
A moment in the book, looking back, made me confused and left me with a few questions.

Overall, a fantastic read with so much going on that stays true to putting the story first, yet still gives you a lot of heart and spice, delivering emotion in spades while still having banter and action flowing through it. Dark in ways that will have you grieving, but still reaching for that light that the author teases you with. I was in from the first page and stayed until the end. Wonderful!

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(Ghostverse, #1) Pucking Feral: Part One by Lenore Rosewood review

 

Pucking Feral: Part One by Lenore Rosewood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I will start by saying I am a HUGE, MASSIVE fan of the Ghost Alpha Unit series by the same author. My favorite was Wraith. I loved him. I was super pleased with the three books in that series and was really sad when it ended, so when I saw that the same author had made Pucking Feral, which is a contemporary AU retelling of the Ghost Alpha Unit series, I ran to the Amazon store to hunt the book down, needing it like you would not believe.

While the book is very different from the series I first read, I really liked getting to see Ivy, Wraith, Thane, Plague, Whiskey, and Valek again. I love getting a different story with characters I had already loved from another series, but in a new setting with a new story. Did I love it as much as Feral Omega? No, but I still loved getting a new look at much loved characters.

While I am not a massive contemporary fan at all, I have to say even in this book I love Wraith. He just holds a big old place in my heart, and I do not think I will lose that.

There is a story here, but honestly it sort of leans toward hockey and other dramas, which I know a lot of people love, and of course it is a sports omegaverse and why choose. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I really enjoyed it and found that it was a nice change-up from my last few books I have read this month.

I wished there was more going on in the story, but that might be a me thing. Otherwise, I enjoyed seeing the exchanges and learning about the characters, how they have changed, and what they are now like in Pucking Feral. I loved spotting differences, and I all but read nonstop all day until the book was done.

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(Stars and Shadows, #3) A Kingdom of Venom and Vows by Holly Renee review

 

A Kingdom of Venom and Vows by Holly Renee
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

⭐ 1 Star
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Spice

Please do not hate me. I know a lot of people love the series, and I did give book 1 four stars, and well, book 2 was just a hot mess of back and forth, and here we are with book 3, and I… sigh. Listen, it is hard.

The plot was so far from actually plotting that some events in this book left me totally and utterly confused and screaming, what are you doing? Did everyone just drink the stupid juice? This makes no sense. Ugh. Something happened in this book that pretty much made the end of book two seem totally stupid.

Really, I found myself feeling like I was on a merry-go-round, getting nowhere.

The spice, while I love books with spice, what I do not love is spice in place of actual plot and things that could be happening. I felt a lot of it in this book was dirty filler and not really needed. Also, add the fact that there was no real heat to the spice because the emotional level was low between them. It was not burning hot. It was, at best, more lukewarm.

Anyone can be in lust or like, but I think portraying love is harder, and it was an epic miss here. The words and interactions did not feel like a mature heart-to-heart; more like two people shacking up in a hayloft. There was just zero depth, which, in my opinion, made reading the spice all but boring.

There were parts I had to skim because I feared I would DNF the book, and I really hate doing that. I also have trauma hearing the words “you are mine” and the word mate. Like, seriously.

While I did like the sudden shift from the single POV used in books 1 and 2, I appreciated that book 3 used multiple POVs, even if it was a little jarring. I also liked the action at the end, but for me, it could not save the book overall.

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(Stars and Shadows, #2) A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal by Holly Renee review

 

A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal by Holly Renee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

⭐⭐ 2 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Spice

Wow, this one really gave me ping pong vibes. I was back and forth with the leads, yes, no, yes, no, to the point that I think I got whiplash. I really flipping hate the way mates are portrayed. FREE WILL seems to have thrown itself out the window, AHHHHHHH, and it sort of put a damper on the book.

The first 50 percent of the book was pretty much whine, moan, and want, and I was just really not into it or down for it if I am being honest with you. Nothing inside of this book feels like real love. It felt more like attraction at best.

My heart did not race. I felt sort of uninvested in the romance and spice side of things, really. At some points during the book, I had to stop myself from just breezing over parts of the story because I was that done at times.

I really cannot get my head around how differently this book hit. I felt like there was very little story there, and the actions and exchanges made me cringe. The spice I all but dozed through, but that might be because I felt little beyond lust, really.

The ending did have it pick up a little, but by this point, I had totally checked out.

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(Stars and Shadows, #1) A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee review

 

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️–🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4–5 Spice
Honestly, the book was so spicy I might as well have been eating a chilli pepper. If this were a song, it would be “It’s getting hot in here…”

So… to start with, the beginning of this book was really easy to get into. There was nothing difficult about the writing style, and the storyline was clear and easy to follow.

But sweet heaven, the spice in this book was like spice spice baby… some more spice spice baby… duh duh. I was honestly shocked that there was even a story with how much spice was packed in here. I mean, the book isn’t even that long, how is there this much spice and still a plot? It made zero math sense to me.

The story is there, believe me. But if you like your books heavy on plot and lighter on spice, this might not be your book. If you want enough spice to need your eyes washed with holy water, come on down. If you want the heat turned all the way up? Then yes, absolutely, this is for you.

I’m not always super keen on insta-attraction, and things didn’t really feel like ooo sweet love to me. Like if the Author was trying to make me feel love, then they totally missed the mark. There was also a moment in this book that had me pulling my hair out and groaning. If I had been the FMC? Listen… she showed far more restraint than I ever would have. I would have been slapping people and setting fires with the way they spoke to and about her.

All that being said, it was a FUN ride. The story felt fresh and entertaining. Was I deeply emotionally invested? Not really. But if you’re looking for a quick, dirty read with lots of spice and enough story to keep things moving, then I think you’ll have a great time.

And that ending??
Yeah. I was swearing.

So of course, I’m off to read the next book.

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(Cursed Legacies, #4) Divine Fate by Morgan B. Lee review

 

Divine Fate by Morgan B. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I finally reached the last book in the series, four books in four (maybe five) days, and I have to say, overall, I really enjoyed the ride.

This final book was fun and action-packed right from the start. There was barely a pause between panic and downtime, which made it incredibly easy to stay hooked and keep flying through the pages.

I’ll be honest there was a moment around the eighty-something percent mark that had me weeping, grabbing tissues, and trying not to completely fall apart. That was actually a first for me in this series, and it really hit.

I loved how everything came together in the end. The stakes felt higher in this one, keeping me on the edge of my seat and making the conclusion feel earned. Overall, it was a really good finish.

If I had to rate the full series, I’d probably land at a solid 4 stars overall with around a 3 spice level. The spice is definitely there and clearly written, but it wasn’t the standout element for me.

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(Cursed Legacies, #3) Twisted Soul by Morgan B. Lee review

 

Twisted Soul by Morgan B. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Well, book three starts right where the last book left off and throws you straight into a cluster of crazy action, and I really liked that. It honestly felt like I was walking into a war zone, wide-eyed and waiting to see what would happen next. I have to say, I really enjoyed the stronger focus on action in this one.

The book, as usual, flips between POVs. I feel like you get to know some of the characters a little better here, and you also learn more about our lead from small bits of information sprinkled throughout.

The spice in this book is kind of a staple of the series, but weirdly, while it’s detailed and on page, it didn’t really do much for me this time. Maybe I’m just used to it now, or maybe it felt a bit similar I’m not totally sure. But it was fine, and thankfully the story was still the main focal point that everything revolved around.

Our lead remains consistent, and I appreciate that a lot. Sometimes in series, a strong FMC can start off powerful and then soften or weaken as things go on, but not here. She’s been strong in every book, and that hasn’t been watered down to make her sweeter or gentler. This series is very clear in portraying her as dark and gritty, and I, for one, really like that.

Overall, I think this was a great addition to the series. Were there little things I didn’t love? Yeah. But did they slow me down or make me want to stop reading? No.

There were a couple of moments where I caught myself thinking, hang on… no way would you not question that. She questions everything, and Silas and Everett absolutely would too so why are we acting like it’s not a big deal? But in the end, I let it slide and kept reading because I wanted to see what happened next.

An easy, fun read.

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(Cursed Legacies, #2) Shadow Heart by Morgan B. Lee review

 

Shadow Heart by Morgan B. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Okay, I was more than a little worried about moving on to the second book in this series, as I only gave book one 3.5 stars, but I actually liked book two more than the first.

I really enjoyed that we got to see more of our lead’s true self, her power, and a clearer understanding of why she is who she is. I loved learning more about her secrets, and also getting more depth with Crypt, Everett, Silas, and Bealfire. That helped a lot. In book one, I struggled to tell Everett and Silas apart at times, but not here. Thankfully, my brain knew exactly who everyone was. I still don’t have super clear images fixed in my head, but I knew who I was reading about, which made a big difference.

I also really liked the care and concern between the characters. After reading so many why choose books where the male leads are cold, mean, or stone-faced, this felt refreshing. This book wasn’t like that at all, and I appreciated it. Things finally felt like they were starting to come together.

I enjoyed the action, and I liked that the story felt more front and center instead of being an afterthought to the spice. There was more spice in this book compared to the first one, but thankfully, it wasn’t rammed down my throat nonstop.

Overall, I really felt like this book was a step up from book one. It was easy to read, flowed well, and felt more put together. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No. But it was definitely far from the worst, and I enjoyed it.

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(Cursed Legacies, #1) Blood Oath by Morgan B. Lee review

 

Blood Oath by Morgan B. Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2.5 Spice

Please don’t come for me. I know a lot of people loved this book, but for me it was… alright. Was I blown away? Not really.

At times, I found myself getting confused between Everett and Silas, mostly because some things felt a little more 2D than 3D, if that makes sense. Not fully fleshed out or in full color. That said, there were funny moments and banter between characters that I really enjoyed.

I love why choose, and I love books with strong female leads, and this book has both. Our FMC is focused, gritty, and clearly carrying more secrets than she knows what to do with. I liked her strong outer shell, and I liked that I was left with a lot of questions that will clearly be answered as the series goes on. That part was done well.

The writing style itself was easy to glide through, but some moments felt a bit flat, and I had to be careful not to skim. By the end, I felt like I was left with a bucket of questions and very few answers, which was both fun and really annoying at the same time. I know series always leave unanswered questions to keep readers hooked, but this felt less like a handful and more like an entire lake with very little payoff so far.

One thing I did appreciate was that this book didn’t lean into the super bully-heavy vibes that some why choose books do. I liked the mystery of the storyline, even though at times it felt like it blurred in and out.

I really loved Bealfire's massive golden retriever energy, genuinely nice, and just a comfort character for me. I also found myself leaning toward the mysterious Crypt, who was surprisingly funny.

Overall, when I weigh the good with the not-so-good, I’d say the story was okay. Was it the best book I’ve read? No. But did I hate it? Also no. It’s a shorter book, so I honestly wouldn’t even mind rereading it at some point.

As for the spice, it was fine. Was it setting me on fire? No. But it was there, it was detailed, and it wasn’t dumped all over the book, so it didn’t overshadow the story, which I appreciated.

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Halfling by S.E. Wendel review

 

Halfling by S.E. Wendel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I stumbled upon the ebook while I was randomly browsing for books for my birthday, and I’m super glad I picked it up. The book was really easy to read and get into, and while the start of the story offers a sad, dark look into Orek’s life, it drew me in completely.

There are lots of deep, cosy, and warm parts throughout this book, but there’s also a constant thread of sadness and pain, and a big focus on trying to see your own self-worth, which I really liked. There is a storyline, but it goes hand in hand with the romance and a generous sprinkling of spice. I’d say if you’re a cosy romance reader but still want a proper story, this book is for you.

I really did love it. Was it perfect? Nope, but it was well worth the read.

I also had a little giggle at the use of the word “quim” in the book, as I honestly haven’t heard it used in this day and age.

Overall, I found the book to be a great mix of cosy and cute at times, sad at others, and even action-filled, and that balance really made it a fun and enjoyable read.

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Steal The Sky by Marina Massino review

 

Steal The Sky by Marina Massino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2.5 Spice

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

The moment I started reading and understood how women and dragons interacted in Dyeus, I felt a surge of anger and injustice. The unfairness made me imagine setting the world on fire. I was so furious that my blood felt hot, and the situation gave me chills. In that instant, I realised I was entirely invested in the story and eager to see what would happen next. This was an amazing opening for a book.

Wonderful world-building and creation of how the world works. I loved learning how it worked, how that impacted the people I was reading about, and what that really meant and led to as a whole. I felt rage at the dynamics of the society, but I was excited to see where it all led.

I found Kaisa to be a great lead. She wants to be free, wants a life that is her own, but she also wants to protect what she holds dear without having to give herself away when she does not want to. I felt like she was nonstop being tested in a way. She wants to do the right thing. She wants to make sure the world is better, even at the expense of her own wants and needs, and I found that relatable. It is a heavyweight to carry.

By over halfway into the book, I was conflicted, unsure who the lead should trust and what the lead should do. I would find myself putting myself into her shoes and worrying. I had moments where I wanted to question people more, to end someone for all the evil they had done, and that really had me spinning out. I felt untethered and totally unsure of what direction this story would be heading, which is always great when you truly do not know. I had no idea who was good and who was bad, and it made for an epic rollercoaster ride.

The book was entirely story-driven, with romance and spice sprinkled here and there, but the main event was the story, and it was amazing. I ate up each chapter like it was a favorite dish. I pretty much read the book in a few hours, unwilling to close it, sleep, or do anything, really, needing to know how it would end.

I did have a nitpick. I felt like our lead’s growth throughout the book would lead her to ask more questions and not blindly step into things. Given her life and upbringing, she was always portrayed as strong, even when she had to yield. But why, oh why, did she not look into things more, ask more questions, fact check, and not blindly nod and follow?

The ending… I am a wreck. My heart and head are a total mess, and I need the next book like I need air to breathe. How am I meant to go on without knowing what happens? Sobs. The wait will be painful.

What I liked:
Fantastic story. I had no idea where it was going, and that was great.
The connection I felt to the lead at times.
How the author portrayed the males in this book messes with me.
All the questions I have are rolling about in my mind at top speed.
The pain and grief the book got me feeling.
THAT ENDING!!! OMG

What I did not like:
A few moments in the book were a little confusing, so I had to go back and reread.
That our lead did not ask more questions or think more about the choices she was making.

Would I recommend the book:
Yes. It was a fantastic start to a series.

Sum up:
A phenomenal start to what I think will be an EPIC series. It had me in a tizzy from the get go, had me questioning so much and feeling so much, and DRAGONS!!

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(Coven Crest Academy Book 3) A Witch and Her Orc by Emberly Wyndham review

 

A Witch and Her Orc: A Cozy Fantasy Monster Romance by Emberly Wyndham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️️🌶️ 3 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 want to start off by saying I have read the first two books of the Coven Crest Academy series by Emberly Wyndham, and I totally loved them. The easiest 5-star reads you can bet your life on. The moment I saw the chance to get my hands on book three, I yeeted myself at it at top speed to get my little hands on it.

Where do I even start? Maybe with a warning: reading this book may lead to a dentist appointment, because it was so sweet, I swear I developed cavities and a massive sugar high.

The story follows Poppy, a smart yet super shy witch, and Aric, a large half-orc who is handsome and popular but totally failing some of his classes, which would see him kicked off the runeball team. After his stepsister gives up trying to tutor him, her friend Poppy agrees to help. There’s a lot of academy stuff going on, but the real highlight was the interaction between our leads.

The way the two of them act, and their thoughts, had me grinning like a fool and giddy with laughter. I felt like the two of them, even with all their clear differences, were so well matched and fit together perfectly. The whole thing was warm and cozy and left me with a good ache in my chest, wishing it were me.

I totally loved the friendships and the great exchanges between friends; it felt so real and easy that it completely sucked me in. I felt like the book really captured people trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, fears of not being enough, trying to do things alone, and feeling overwhelmed, and it made everything feel too real. I genuinely felt what was happening on the page. My heart ached and squeezed with pain and disappointment at times, like I was feeling Poppy’s emotions myself, and it was just so immersive.

There was one part in this book that really made me weep for Poppy, but strangely, it just showed me how good this book really is.

I would have loved maybe a little more story, but that’s just me being greedy at this point. I also feel like enough is never enough when you love a book this much, when something gives you exactly what you want and need as a reader. I love many books, but cozy, warm books hold a special place in my heart, and I am so excited for the next one.

Likes:
The cozy vibes
Interactions and exchanges between characters
The leads are totally perfect.
The romance and spice

Dislikes:
…Nothing to add

Would I recommend it?
In a heartbeat. The whole series so far has been amazing.

Would I reread?
Massive yes.

Sum up:
Sweet and cozy, with lots of emotion and warmth.

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(Daughter of the Earth, #2) Journey to the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon review

 

Journey to the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

It genuinely hurts knowing I have to wait until March to get my hands on the final book in this series. I absolutely ate this book up in just a few hours and honestly wish I’d slowed down so it could have lasted longer, but here we are again.

This is book two in the series, and it pretty much picks up right where the first one left off. Our lead is trying to get to grips with this new place and step up into her role, all while dealing with trauma, a huge amount of guilt, and a lot of pain, and I thought this was portrayed really well. I loved watching her actually go through it, struggle, break, and slowly open up. Normally, books gloss over trauma with a quick “oh no, that was awful” before jumping to the next scene, but not here. When she finally breaks, you really feel it.

The slow burn in this book had me groaning and cursing, but also giggling and kicking my feet. There’s much more longing and deep wanting between the leads this time, and I really enjoyed that shift.

While Raine might not be the lead, he easily became one of my favourite characters in this book. He’s so likeable and clearly carrying his own pain, but he just keeps going and doing his best. This book is full of emotion, and while the main story is still very much at the forefront, there’s a stronger focus on romance, longing, and connection. I also loved seeing how this group isn’t just a random collection of people thrown together, but slowly becomes a family. There might not be blood ties, but there’s a lot of care and love there, and I ate that up.

There’s plenty of action again, but we see a lot less of Deidamia and Andras, which honestly made me nervous. I spent half the book on edge, waiting for them to pop up like a jump scare in a horror movie.

The spice is definitely hotter in this book. Where book one barely dipped its toe in, this one leans into it more, but if you’re looking for nonstop, burn-the-pages spice, this still isn’t that kind of book. The spice works because it’s tied to longing, wanting, and slow burn… and it was totally worth it.

Another thing this series continues to do really well is training. Real training. No one goes to the gym once and comes out ripped. No one takes one swimming lesson and suddenly knows how to swim. This book shows regular, logical training, and I loved how realistic that felt. Overall, totally loved the book.

What I Struggled With:

At times, I felt like more could have happened story-wise. I loved the romance, but it occasionally felt like it took up space where more plot could have fit.

Two moments genuinely confused me and had me questioning things. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but I was definitely left scratching my head.

[
⚠️ Spoilers ⚠️

Why were there no guards outside the princess’s room while she was in another kingdom? She’s a princess. Corvus would never have had the chance to attack her if she hadn’t been left so exposed.

And the ball scene, she leaves alone to get some air while surrounded by people from different kingdoms, after spotting someone who already freaked her out twice, and no one follows her? No one checks on the creepy guy? And she doesn’t think, “Maybe I shouldn’t wander alone into the gardens right now”? That all felt wildly unsafe and out of character. (hide spoiler)]⚠️ Spoilers ⚠️

Why were there no guards outside the princess’s room while she was in another kingdom? She’s a princess. Corvus would never have had the chance to attack her if she hadn’t been left so exposed.

And the ball scene, she leaves alone to get some air while surrounded by people from different kingdoms, after spotting someone who already freaked her out twice, and no one follows her? No one checks on the creepy guy? And she doesn’t think, “Maybe I shouldn’t wander alone into the gardens right now”? That all felt wildly unsafe and out of character.

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Whispers of the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon review

 

Whispers of the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️ 1 Spice

Have you ever wished for a book that felt like reading a Dungeons & Dragons campaign? Because I have many times. And honestly, finding books that truly capture that feeling isn’t easy. But wow… this one absolutely delivered.

This book had me in a total chokehold, demanding my full attention, and it played with my head and my heart more than once. One of the biggest shockers for me? The main character is an actual adult. And I mean a real adult, not “just turned 19 or 20.” No. She’s in her 30s. I had to double-check because I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes. That alone made me ridiculously happy and instantly invested.

The first 25% of the book is set in our world, where we follow Ava as she’s dealing with life, stress, and trying to make the best of the hand she’s been dealt. Things start to look up when she reconnects with an old friend, and honestly, I loved this part. Seeing two grown women navigating daily life but also being fun, silly, and free together reminded me so much of my own friendships. At that point, I had no idea where the story was going, but I was enjoying the warm, cosy vibes.

And then… BANG.

The story flips on its head.

I was heartbroken, confused, sobbing, and suddenly thrown into a completely different phase of the book, and I was so here for it. While trying to put my shattered heart back together (and crying for Ava all over again), the story turned into this epic, quest-style adventure filled with wonder, horror, confusion, and danger. Ava is trying to understand what’s happening and why, and I felt completely in her shoes the entire time. It made for such an immersive reading experience.

When the POVs shifted, I’ll admit I hesitated. The book moves from Ava’s single POV to also include Casimir, and at first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But within a few pages? I was fully on board. The dual POV worked so well, especially since we’re now in a world that’s completely unfamiliar to Ava Casimir’s perspective, which was exactly what the story needed to help everything click.

The story is packed with action, pain, beauty, and horror. It had me hooked from start to finish. There were moments where I was wide-eyed with my hand over my mouth, moments where I was so angry I wanted to scream, and all of it made for an absolutely epic read.

Now, being honest, there were a few moments where I struggled a bit. I’m not entirely sure why, but a handful of times (maybe four or five) I had to stop, go back, and reread sections because the information just didn’t stick the first time. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did slow me down a little.

Also, the spice.
At the start? Nope. Hard cringe for me. Not really spicy, and definitely not my thing. That said, I do understand why it was written that way later on, so I won’t hold it against the book overall.

What I Liked:
The story is very D&D-esque for me.
The characters
The shocks and surprises
Dual POV done right
Animal companion (OMG 🥹)

What Didn’t Work for Me:
A few sections where I had to reread to fully grasp what was happening
The early spice (that’s all I’ll say)

Would I Recommend This Book?
Totally. 100%.

Would I Reread?
Yes, and I’ll probably be buying physical copies too.

How I’d Sum It Up:
A Dungeons & Dragons–style fantasy full of action, adventure, joy, pain, and heartache — a fantastic and brilliant start to a series.

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(Halls of Glass) Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood review

 

Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5 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.

There are honestly no words that fully cover how much I gobbled this book up, and it’s not a small book either. From pretty much the first page, I was hooked. The writing is clean, clear, and flows so easily that it felt like I was gliding from word to word rather than actively reading.

The first few chapters do such a good job introducing the world and characters that I was pulled in almost instantly. Getting to know Taera and the other characters gave me a real sense of who they were, and what really stood out to me was how relatable they felt. The family dynamics, the worries, the responsibility of wanting to do your best for the people you love it made me think, yeah… I get this.

As the story progressed and I got a better understanding of the world and its layers, I was genuinely impressed. The worldbuilding is strong without being overwhelming. It never felt overworked or confusing, and I never needed a mental map just to keep up. Everything was explained clearly and naturally, which made me feel like part of the world rather than an outsider looking in and that’s something I really value as a reader.

The book switches between POVs, which adds so much depth and makes the story even more engaging. When we first meet Nikolai, he comes across as a risk-taker, smug, self-assured, and very much someone whose wardrobe must be massive just to hide all his secrets.

Because this is a bigger book, I fully expected filler or draggy sections, but shockingly, there weren’t any. Everything felt intentional, like building blocks stacking together to create something truly special. What surprised me most was that the story always stayed front and center. There is spice, but it never overshadows the plot or characters.

There were moments that completely blindsided me, moments where I wanted to scream, rage, cry, and physically step away to catch my breath. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every second of it from start to finish.

There are two things I personally would have loved to see more of, but that’s very much a me thing rather than an actual flaw. By the time I reached the end, I was genuinely sitting there thinking, but… but I need more… please? Which is wild considering the size of the book.

Without a doubt, this is my first 5-star read of 2026.

What I Liked:
Well-developed, interesting characters
A layered story that always stayed the main focus
Spice that enhanced the book without overpowering it

What Didn’t Work for Me:
I wanted more Omi toward the end.
Forgiveness felt a bit too quick.

Would I Recommend This Book?
Absolutely, it’s a fantastic read.

Would I Reread?
Easy yes.

How I’d Sum It Up.
An impressive, beautifully written book with a strong story, rich worldbuilding, romance, and just the right amount of spice layered with pain, secrets, and heart.

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Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport review

 

Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Well, tickle me impressed I wasn’t sure about this book going into it. I honestly don’t even remember when I bought it or how it ended up on my shelf, but I grabbed it on a whim and gave it a go.

I am a huge fan of strong female leads. I love books where the FMC isn’t some weak, mild-mannered mouse… unless she later learns to roar. And this book gives you a strong lead right from the start. Even with all that power and fire, she’s still stuck in a kingdom where women are treated as little more than wives, baby-makers, or bargaining chips between kingdoms.

What I really loved about her is that she never stops being strong. She doesn’t just roll over and let others decide things for her. She wants to do the right thing for her people, even when it’s hard, and she wants to protect the people she loves and that was a massive plus for me.

I also really enjoyed the general storyline. I liked that the author didn’t just sprinkle in tiny bits of plot between walls of spice. There was a solid story running through the book, and I felt like the balance between story and spice was pretty good.

Now let’s talk about the men… because honestly? I really, really hated a lot of them. Mostly because of how they behaved and how they saw women. Thankfully, the ones I hated the most weren’t shoved in my face nonstop, so I wasn’t raging the entire time and that ending made me pretty happy.

As for the male lead, sometimes I understood him… and other times I just wanted to hit him upside the head. It was kind of a coin toss with him. I did find him interesting as a character he had a solid foundation and really loved his family but, as my gran would say, an eye for an eye makes everyone blind. Still, I liked watching him grow over the course of the book, and by the end, I was pretty satisfied with where he landed.

I also loved that this is a standalone. I got a full story with a proper ending, which always makes me happy.

If you’re looking for something that burns super hot spice-wise, this might not fully hit for you. There is a lot of spice, don’t get me wrong, but because it starts pretty early and keeps going, I think I got a bit desensitized to it. Overall, it just didn’t hit me the same way other spicy books have.

So why not 5 stars?
Honestly, because at times I felt my mind drifting, and I really wished the book leaned just a little more into the story. There were also a few things in the book I didn’t love being there at all.

Still, overall, it was a really enjoyable read.

What I Liked:
Strong female lead
KONGAMATOS — so awesome, I really wish there had been more of them

What Didn’t Work for Me:
Needed more story
The spice felt a bit lackluster for me

Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes, I would.

Would I Reread?
I think so.

How I’d Sum It Up:
A spicy, action-filled fantasy with a strong female lead.

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(Firelight, #2) Vanish by Sophie Jordan

 

Vanish by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

⭐ 1 Star

I did not want to DNF this book but there were so many moments where I was screaming at myself to just quit and move on to something else. I kept telling myself that maybe, maybe, if I held on a little longer there would be a turnaround. Some hope. Anything.

There wasn’t.

This book honestly pained me. The constant whining, the endless back-and-forth in Jacinda’s head, and the wishy-washy behavior between Will and Cassian made it incredibly hard to read without wanting to yeet the book out an open window.

Yes, I know the lead is young but I’ve read plenty of YA books with teenage protagonists who don’t grate on every last nerve. Jacinda really pushed my patience to the limit. I liked book one well enough, but book two felt like a full-on test of my endurance as a reader.

I kept wondering if this was just me maybe I’ve outgrown this kind of story. I have read a lot of books since then, and my tolerance for certain tropes has definitely changed. But honestly? Even taking that into account, nothing here really worked for me.

I’m sitting here trying to figure out what I liked about this book, and that’s hard really hard. It was easy to read, sure, but in a very basic, repetitive, going-in-circles-with-no-progress kind of way.

In book one, I let a lot slide because I expected book two to deepen the story and characters. Instead, I was left disappointed. The characters felt bland and unlikeable, and the story went nowhere meaningful.

I still love the concept behind this series the idea itself is strong but this installment just didn’t deliver for me at all. I do hope to finish the series, but right now I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to push through the final book.

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(Firelight, #1) Firelight by Sophie Jordan review

 

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars

I first read this book back in 2011 which honestly shocked me when I realized that was over ten years ago. I barely remember my first read, just that it was during the time I was devouring YA books. Since it’s now 2026 and I never finished the series, I decided to sit down and reread it with fresh eyes.

The book was a super fast read I finished it in just a few hours. The writing style is simple and easy, and the story itself is interesting but fairly straightforward. That said, reading this as an adult definitely changed my experience. I found myself getting a bit irritated at times with certain characters, choices, or dialogue but I had to remind myself that this book is written for a younger audience. The characters are around 16 to early 20s, and the story reflects that mindset.

There’s a clear plot throughout, with a strong focus on romance and the struggle of fitting in or being accepted for who or what you are. I really enjoyed how the fantasy elements were woven into a more grounded, realistic setting. It made the story easy to follow and approachable.

Overall, it was a solid, simple read. There wasn’t anything I actively disliked about it it just didn’t grip me the same way it might have when I was younger. I think my age and reading tastes have shifted, and I view stories like this very differently now than I did back then.

That said, I’m really glad I reread Firelight, and I’m genuinely excited to finally continue on with the rest of the series.



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Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron review

 

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🚫 No Spice

WOW this book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up for some fun, light reading as my first book of the new year.

The book begins beautifully. I loved the gothic, morbid vibe, wrapped in a surprisingly sweet slice-of-life feel about a teenager trying to get to grips with her world. I genuinely didn’t know what I was getting myself into and at first, I thought I was settling into something cozy and gentle.

And then… about halfway through?
I was sobbing my heart out in the dead of night.

This book lulled me into a false sense of safety sunshine, normalcy, comfort before taking a sharp turn into something deeply emotional and dark. It forces you to confront death, morality, and the right and wrong of impossible choices. I went in expecting light reading and suddenly found myself thinking, “What would I do?” and “How could someone live with that?”

I was completely gripped. The grief, confusion, and emotional weight were handled so well that I couldn’t look away. It made me question things, feel things, and sit with uncomfortable emotions and that made it a genuinely powerful read.

Is the book perfect? No.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me:

The ending left me with a slightly bitter taste (though that may just be personal).

The father’s silence frustrated me long before everything fell apart, communication was clearly needed.

And I felt like two characters were slightly forgotten in the second half of the book.

That said, overall this was a really enjoyable, impactful, and surprisingly emotional quick read one that caught me completely off guard in the best (and most heartbreaking) way.

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