(Bride of the Shadow King, #2) Vow of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes review

 

Vow of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

⭐⭐ 2 Stars
🌶️ 1 Spice

Well.... I am sort of unsure where to begin. The book starts where book one left off, and honestly, I was super hopeful. I enjoyed the first book, but book 2 missed the mark for some pretty large reasons. Did I hate the book outright? No. It was OK at points, and there were places that I liked. I read it in a few hours, which is always a good thing, but I could not overlook some of the bigger problems, and let me start with my main one.

There is a lot of back and forth and dragginess at times, not only between characters and the leads, but it also bleeds into the story as well. I found myself on repeat. An event happened in book one, and it happened again in book 2 with little difference, but the event left a bitter taste in my mouth. Our leads' reactions after it honestly felt totally underplayed. Like, if I had been in her shoes, I would have gone crazy, but she had little reaction, which felt wrong and left the whole thing feeling, well... not good.

Then there is something else that happened two times in the same book, and it felt like those quests in World of Warcraft where you get your quest, go do the thing, and come back, but rather than getting a different quest, you end up with the same quest again. It left me totally underwhelmed, and some of the biggest events in the book just did not feel as important or grand, or fill me with fear, because it was lacklustre.

The leads had ZERO growth. In fact, I felt like some lost brain cells and regressed to ignoring logical and rational thinking. Our King had to be one of the worst for this. I wanted to yeet my book out the window and scream, but I held out for him to wake up. Instead, I was stuck on a merry-go-round, and that was not solely on him but other characters as well.

The book gives you information, but it's not really what you need. The stuff you need is guesswork and in the wind, and I was fast approaching putting the book down and not carrying on. Sadly, I hate DNFing a book, so I held out.

The fact is, the book has a great idea for the story. The direction and picture are clear, but it was sorely and poorly done at times. There were points I did really like, but overall, it was hard to see that when you were being drowned by problems.

I don't even want to get started on our FMC. Really, I might well be here for days and pull my own hair out.

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(Bride of the Shadow King, #1) Bride of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes review

 

Bride of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️ 1 Spice

I was not sure what I was getting myself into when I started this book, but I found it pretty easy to get into. I felt no real holdback, apart from finding the wording at first a little jarring, but that might be because before starting this I had read a large series where the writing was very different from this.

Now, to get down to it. This book opened, and within seconds it clearly portrayed the life and care our FMC, Faraine, got. I totally felt for her. How she was looked at and treated made me mad, but it felt well placed and not just thrown in and not backed up by the behaviours of those around her. (I hate her father and a few others in her direct life.) She really does the whole blend in and don't make waves as best she can, and it irked me that she was all but living like a shadow.

I liked the way the author detailed the workings of what was going on and the clear ways of explaining the world and reasoning for things without throwing out so many facts at once that I might get bored.

I found the storyline interesting. I felt like the story had weight, but I felt at times the lust-forward vibe did push me into the Ugh! department. While I sort of wish it had been drawn out more, I get that the book moved fast, and without that pull between our leads, it would have left a weird, loose connection and made the story a little weird.

I am EPICLY confused about an event that happened that led our FMC into the drama. I would have liked more information... If I had been the lead, I would have been hunting for answers and not just following the commands of my father, but I guess it fits with her personality.

It was a fast, fun read with touches of darker plots and more amusing moments. Was it perfect? No. But was it horrible? Also no. I enjoyed it and finished the whole thing in only a few hours.

There were moments I was losing my mind, screaming, wanting Faraine to speak up, to reach out, to just do something, but it's only the first book, so I hope we see some growth.

Sadly, by the end I really felt for our MMC, Vor, and the ending itself left you needing to know what happened next. Overall, a solid book.

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(Beasts of the Briar Book 6) Stolen by Shadows by Elizabeth Helen review

 

Stolen by Shadows by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE 100 PERCENT

Going into this book, I knew right away it was going to be a painful start, given where the last book left off. I knew some of my favourite characters were currently not in their right minds, and I was so right. The first 40 percent of the book was a test of my will, and as always, the book was amazingly written. But it's very clear that this series, which started off lighter with thick storylines and side quests to boot, has slowly grown darker and darker, with more emotional pain and trauma than you could shake a stick at.

This book really covered the feeling of powerlessness, being controlled and used, and having no way out in sight. That really had me screaming. I was being thrown from pillar to post and all but pulling my hair out, but by midway, I started to see the light, and I was skipping and twirling and just totally happy that things were starting to pay off. This brilliant story was giving and not only taking from me emotionally. There was a large part of this story where I was giddily happy, like I was seeing rainbows and happiness, and I was enraptured. Things were going my way... for a moment, I was so happy!! Clearly I missed the signs.

This book felt much darker than the others. It felt more draining on my soul. There were some epic moments where I was screaming and groaning, and other moments where I was so light and happy, and I was overwhelmed by the sheer spectacularness of the book, let alone the series.

The characters at this point feel as real as you and me. We know them, we have watched them change and become stronger and smarter, and they are part of us. They make us laugh and cry, and that is one of the reasons this book got me.

I was taking my time reading this book, knowing I had a little while to wait for the last book in the series, and just taking a slow ride through. At some point, the hard start of this book eased into this... beautiful hopefulness, and I was lured... hoodwinked... into a place where I thought I was safe and loved and it was going to be bright and beautiful...

But I was blind.

The story led me into an inferno of pain and grief and did it in such a way that I felt like my own heart was breaking. I was overwhelmed and struggling to take in what was happening and hoping it was a cruel joke. And I can't even be angry or hate it because it worked so well. It gave everything such weight to the story and, most of all, a level of knowing that this is not just bad, this is... life and death. Everyone is standing on a knife edge.

This book is a masterpiece of emotional storytelling that can either hold your hand or push you off the edge of a cliff. Richly detailed, with the story always being the main focus and goal. The book has a mix of love, family, epic story, emotions, and more, but everything has a reason and value, and nothing feels like fluff.

I want to be mad. I want to moan, but I can't due to how well it was done... how much the book cost me, stayed with me, and held me to it.

Overall, a fantastic read that left me broken and hurting. It gave me the world for but a moment, but showed me the cost of battle and to never forget, if things look good before the end... bad things can follow.

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Pucking Feral: Part Two by Lenore Rosewood review

 

Pucking Feral: Part Two by Lenore Rosewood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Spice

Where do I start but by saying I am a MASSIVE fan of the author's other series, Ghost Alpha Unit Series (the first 3 books that cover Ivy's story). I loved the series from start to end, so when I heard the author was making a new series with the same characters I loved in a different setting and stuff, I was all in. I really did like the first book in the Pucking Feral series, so I could not wait for the next book.

This book is big. It's not a small book. I have never been put off by a large book, but I felt like there was very little in the book other than romance, interaction between each other, and spice. There was only a little bit of underlying story going on here and there. Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing my favourite characters with each other, but I have to remind myself this is not Ghost Alpha and is a new series, even if it uses the same characters. So, keeping that in mind, book two did not hold up.

There were a lot of pages with little going on. It needed more action or something to wow readers. The longer the book went on, the more I felt like it dragged. I have heard a few readers are not happy that it's not pure RH and has MM in the book. I am totally happy and fine with that. I love the MM parts as much as I love Ivy with Wraith and any of the others. I loved the togetherness, but I do think this one missed the mark for me.

The story was too... empty for me, and the spice and romance could not hold the book up. Any time there was a little story to be seen, it was over too fast. It needed more stakes. Spice and romance are great, but for me, they can't be the foundation or purely the story... I needed more.

I am sad that I could not love this one as much as I loved other books by this author, but I did not outright hate it. I read it, it's just overall not as wowing as I had hoped it would be.

Wraith, as always, was one of my favourites in the book, but I enjoyed all of them as always. I just wished I could have seen more of a plot with depth and a solid foundation to add the spice and romance to.

Overall, the book was OK, but not my favourite.

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(Beasts of the Briar, #5) Frozen by Stardust by Elizabeth Helen review

 

Frozen by Stardust by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

The overarching storyline that runs throughout this series, again in this book, is fantastic. Hands down, so deeply thought out, planned out, and put to paper. Each book just gives the story and series a deeper level, with more turns and twists, and for me, it's one of the more intricate and detailed storylines that does not just fizzle out but burns hot throughout each book.

I could not count how many layers this thing has, and each book, while following the story, also feels like a puzzle piece fitting into this huge puzzle, but also feels like a whole part all on its own, and that just really wows me and blows my mind. I really loved the book, as I have with those before this one, and each time I read a book in this series, I am left with overwhelming breathlessness at how much it swooped me up and carried me away. There is nothing I can really fault about the level of work, magic, and wonder put into creating such an overwhelming world that seems boundless and endless with each book.

Now let's move on to nitpicking, lol.

This book does not lack in emotional depth and moments that make you feel like your own heart and soul are being sucked out of your body and stomped on by a herd of angry goats. Well, this book does all that and more, yay lol. There are many moments in this book that made me want to curl up and cry or reach into the book and give someone a hug or, more often than not, throat punch a certain person or two. The book, like the rest of the series I have read so far, really knows how to get your heart going in good and bad ways, and it all makes for a great read.

One of the harder parts of the book was getting through Farron's POV. Don't get me wrong, the authors did a bang-up job showcasing the change in him, but this Farron's mental state, inner monologue, and actions at times gave me the heebie-jeebies and even the ick at times. I struggled because of the change and was holding out and praying he would go back to what I knew of him from before. It did make reading his chapters harder, or parts where he had more of a focal role, because I was just screaming, it's like the invasion of the body snatchers, someone get him back, lol.

Dayton in this book, I mean, I have to say, over the course of this series so far, my heart has really gone out to him. Like, can he not catch a break? I mean, he had happiness for a moment, and then something else happens, and I just want to wrap him in a hug and get him to counselling at this point. It's been a horrible roller coaster, but even with what he's been through, he's trying so hard to hold onto who he is and not lose himself, and I loved that in this book.

Caspian and Keldarion took centre stage in this one, and seeing the two of them and getting a better understanding of their past and what is going on inside of them really gave you a clearer picture of things. I have to say, at times I wanted to headbutt Kel and Cas because they are very much like cat and dog at times, but it also made me sigh and laugh, and poor Rose is stuck as the go-between.

I really loved the ending of the book. While there is still a cliffhanger vibe, it did not leave me broken as much as the last book, but before the end, an event happened that had me screaming and cursing Sira out. She really makes me wild at times. Overall, the book was amazing, but I did struggle now and then with Farron, as I said, and it made me lag more than I should while reading the book.

There is so much to love about this book and the series so far as a whole, and it's really hard to say, "This is why I loved it," because it's everything. It all works in tandem with each other.

The spice did not stand out as much to me in this book. Please don't get me wrong, it's hot, very detailed, and fits with the story, but given this book is massive and the ongoing plot, the story dominated and had me hooked, making the spice feel small compared to it at times.

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(Beasts of the Briar #4) Broken by Daylight by Elizabeth Helen review

 

Broken by Daylight by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Starting book 4 was so exciting. I have not read book 4 before, so I was going in with a high level of excitement, and our characters were like broken bits all here, there, and everywhere. Getting the POV from each of them gave you an understanding of where they are... and their mental frame of mind, and let me tell you, some of them are, like, not in a good place, and that made for a strong and great opening. I pretty much went into this book with my heart in my mouth due to how book 3 ended, and I was so flipping fearful of what was to come and if my poor heart could take it!! I was a total mess, but the book just pulled me right in and would not let go.

I was wowed by the fact that the book has this huge, RICH, and deep story, but in this book it was like having three stories branched off. The different POVs each led me down a different path and had different problems, and it was so, so, so good. I could not get enough. It was a nonstop roller coaster of stuff going on, with no chance to get bored or for the story to drag. I felt like I was free falling and hitting all the plot branches on the way down.

Following Dayton and Rosalina's POVs was by far a test of my own heart... I wanted to reach into the book and throw a person right out of it and hit them with a stick or something. I mean, you know a book is good when you want to go all Hulk smash on an antagonist while your poor heart threatens to break at what is going on. Following Dayton and Rosalina was an emotional test for me, but I loved every moment.

The whole book is not only jam-packed, it's spilling out the seams. With each turn you hit more story... more plot... there was little to none of the filler. It was rich, detailed, and wickedly all woven together, leaving you wild and guessing as more secrets and truths came to light. I could guess about the story all day, but it was not just that, but the magic... the growth and emotions all within the package. It's so hard to get a story that has everything I want, but this book had it to a level I thought unreachable.

As the story moved along, I felt like everything climbed up and up, and I was honestly unsure how it could keep going, and then BANG...

The last 15 percent of this book just DESTROYED me. I was in shock and awe... I cried and pleaded, and it was a whole new level even for me. By the end, I felt blown away but also in fear of what was to come. Hands down, one of the most epic books I have read to date. I have no idea how the rest of the series is going to trump this.

And this only covers the story. I mean, honestly, the characters in this book at this point all but feel as real to me as those walking about in real life due to the level of detail and how, over the last 4 books, they have all but become this living thing. Even the side characters have this amazing level of love put into them, and on top of that, with the spice and so many other things all within the book, it just makes it so much more than you could hope for.

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Forged by Malice by Elizabeth Helen reread and review

 

Forged by Malice by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Again, another amazing book in this series. I will say I did not like this as much as books 1 and 2, but I still VERY much loved it.

OK, so the story carries on from the last book, of course. The series overall seems to have this massive, detailed, woven story that I guess will arc through the whole series, but each book also has a clear story going on that is different, rather than just dragging out the same thing over and over. I love how rich and detailed everything is. Where there is light and happiness, there is also a heap of darkness, mystery, secrets, and just a lot going on. The fantasy side of this book and the last books is so good. I feel like the magic is growing with each passing book, and it makes for a great level of excitement and keeps you excited.

It's not too over the top that you can't keep up, but not so basic that you get bored. There is a great amount of wonder and magic, and it's placed on each page, and I eat it up. The love, friendship, and emotional feels in this book, like the others before it, are top-level stuff. You feel for the characters, and honestly, there were also a lot of characters in this book that made me downright rage and had me screaming at the pages.

There is a lot of spice, but it's sprinkled throughout the book. The spice has a lot of emotion and feeling behind it, and it's detailed to the point of needing a new fan or AC. I love the great mix of overwhelming story, emotion, and spice. The story is never in second place. The characters are detailed and rich and never feel samey or flat.

The ending of this book had me screaming. There is one female in this book who made me understand why having a great villain can age me, lol. I wish maybe the outcome with Ez would have been a little different. Out of everyone, he is normally the one not to trust others, so some of his actions seemed a little out of place, but I get that his regret and inner feelings play a large part in this book. I also guessed something that everyone else is SO not getting, so I'm pretty much screaming at my favorite characters at this point.

I hate cliffhangers, but I am so glad I have the next book ready and waiting to read, so off I pop.

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Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen Reread & Review

 

Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3 spice)

Reread: August 11, 2026
This is my second read of this book, and I have to say, I loved it just as much the second time around! I think there were things I missed during my first read that I totally picked up on this time, which made the reread even better.
Full review below.

Book two picks up right where book one left off and wow. The way we’re drawn straight into Rosalina’s struggle, watching her try to make it through one day at a time, had me feeling everything. I was emotional, invested, and completely hooked from the start.

✨ Oh my stars, the spice in this book?
The heat could set a house ablaze let alone me! 🔥🔥🔥
It’s so well-written, perfectly placed, and utterly addictive, but it never overshadows the story. The balance between plot and passion is chef’s kiss.

The longing and yearning?
Painful… and deliciously satisfying. 💔❤️‍🔥

This book is packed with action, drama, and emotion. I was never bored not for a second. Every scene moves the story forward. There’s zero filler; everything is rich with purpose and meaning.
I loved exploring new places in the realm, especially getting a deeper view of Farron and the Autumn Realm. Returning characters and new faces added so much flavor. Some I adored. Some I loved to hate. All were vivid and unforgettable.

Honestly, I might love this book even more than the first one… and I thought book one was perfection. 😍

The character interactions were seamless. The conversations, reactions, and emotional beats felt real, grounding this magical world in such a believable way. And learning more about the Fae princes? Easily one of my favorite parts. Book one introduced them beautifully, but book two gives them so much more depth and dimension. I was obsessed. ✨

This story had me in a chokehold.

It was rich, beautifully detailed, and deeply enjoyable. I flew through the pages, completely lost in every moment. Book two might even have more going on than book one and I loved every second of it. Fast-paced, full of drama, but never overwhelming. It was brilliant chaos at times, hot slow-burning yearning at others, and then moments of emotional depth that absolutely wrecked me. 😭🔥
The book also shines in its exploration of relationships romance, family, friendship. Every bond felt layered, meaningful, and alive.

And that ending?
Just… WOW.
I was blown away. This wasn’t just a joy to read it was a masterpiece. I feel lucky I got to disappear into this world.

Would I recommend this book?
Absolutely. I can’t even put into words how strongly I recommend it. It’s the perfect second book in this series. 💖

Would I reread it?
Without a doubt. I want to reread it again and again until I know the words by heart. 📖

How I’d sum it up:
A breathtaking masterpiece of fantasy, romance, and action stunning from start to finish.

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Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen review

 

Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3-spice)

(Reread 10th August 2026
Finished reading Bonded by Thorns.
I'm not going to do a full review, as I already have one, but I just wanted to add that even after reading this book again, I love it just as much as I did the first time.
This book feels like it was handmade just for me, and once again, I consumed it as fast as I possibly could. I absolutely love this book! Read on for full review. )

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

There are truly no words that can fully express how much I loved this book. From the very first page to the last, I was completely captivated happily lost in the pages of something that felt like magic. I’ll try my best to put my thoughts together, though I already know I’ll be screaming about this book for a long time to come.

From the very beginning, I was pulled in. The opening is fun, engaging, and instantly relatable especially if, like me, you see reading as your escape from real life. Rosalina immediately felt like me her love for books, the way she disappears into stories, the magic she seeks in the pages. That connection made everything that followed even more impactful.

The writing style? Smooth as butter. Rich, dreamy, and so easy to read that I devoured the book without even realizing I’d reached the end. It had Beauty and the Beast vibes in all the right ways, but don’t be fooled this book is so much more than a retelling. It’s its own kind of fairytale. My magical place.

You can always tell when an author truly loves both writing and reading because that love, that passion, that wonder is woven into every single page. That’s exactly what happened here. You could feel it in the characters, the worldbuilding, and the storytelling. This book made me feel everything every hurt, every joy, every stolen touch and unspoken longing. 💔✨

What truly blew me away was how this book reveals the beauty in the broken. It shows you how much magic lives in the darkness, the cracks, and the imperfect things if only you’re brave enough to look for it. This story made me want to cry and laugh and scream all at once.

The pacing was perfect never too fast to be overwhelming and never too slow to feel draggy. Every chapter pulled you deeper. And the worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. Intricate, vivid, and layered without ever being overwhelming. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, but this one made me feel like I was right there, breathing it in.

The characters were so well-developed. Normally in books like this, one or two characters shine while the others fade into the background but not here. Every single character had depth, voice, and presence. They felt real. The dialogue was brilliant funny, emotional, and yes, sometimes downright hot 🔥. And don’t even get me started on the inner thoughts some had me giggling out loud or swooning on the spot.

The family dynamics were spot on. The mix of love and pain, the way it captured the complexity of caring deeply for people who sometimes hurt you that hit me hard. Even when home life is messy, that love can still be real. That truth was beautifully portrayed.

🌶️ The spice? OOF. Let me fan myself. 🔥🔥🔥
It was hot, charged, electric, and so emotionally loaded. But most importantly it didn’t overpower the story. The spice was woven in with such care that it felt like an extension of the character growth and plot, not just thrown in for shock value. It was steamy and meaningful. The perfect balance.

I usually include a list of things I didn’t love at the end of my reviews, but... I honestly don’t have one. I loved this book. Every single part.

Special shoutout to Marigold, who had me laughing so hard I nearly cried. Comedy queen. 👑😂

Would I recommend this book?

YES! I’d shout it from rooftops. Read it now.

Would I reread it?

Already have. Twice. It’s that good. I finished and immediately flipped back to the beginning.

How would I sum it up?

A magical, dark, emotionally rich fantasy that mixes gritty depth with spark, yearning, and beauty. This isn’t just one of my favorite reads of the year it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. 💖

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Wench Wench by Erynne Rivers review

 

Wench by Erynne Rivers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

Where to start? I had never heard of the book before a month ago, and on a whim I grabbed it. Slipping into this book was easy. The writing style was very simple, from a third-person limited POV rather than first-person POV, but I was totally fine with that. We follow Marian throughout. There was a clear and simple introduction into the book and its world and workings. It felt both familiar and totally new due to it being Robin Hood inspired, but with a whole new spin on the original.

Now, I have to say there is a fine line between a story being easy and simplistic, where it is not overly detailed and you do not need to give it all your focus, and it being so simple that the story has little depth and the characters and world feel too washed down. This book was pretty simple, but not to the point that it felt depthless. I found the story fun with a great spin. I loved that there were some key things I think we today could take away from the book, from us hurting the natural world to some other points, but overall the bones of the book and story were really good. I do have to say that the first 50 percent of the book was not as good as the last half, but it totally picked up after the halfway mark.

I will not lie, during the first half there was something about our FMC and her attitude that really rubbed me up the wrong way. Given that she had lived with and seen what those around her are like, and that they are, well..... not good, you would think she would be less quick to judge, given that most of the people in her life at home are not great and clearly big old liars. Also, she is so set on something (don't want to spoil it), and I was screaming, what are you going back to? Are you CRAZY? Have you lost your mind? Also, at times she came across as selfish, and that shocked me given her past. I would think she would be less like that. I have to say, some of her actions really made me MAD with a capital M. I had to close the book, go outside, and take a long breath before coming back.

At some points I felt like begging her to rub her brain cells together and stop acting silly, but thankfully, I think after the halfway point I saw it... I started to see true growth. Slowly, things that I really did not like about her shifted and changed. She began to become someone stronger and more clear-headed, wanting to follow a path of her choosing and not the life she had been caged in. There was something really empowering about it, and I don't think I have had such a 180 on a lead in a long time.

I do think there were a few characters that were underdeveloped and needed more to really make them pop, but there were other characters that I really started to like, including Allen. He was such a sweetheart. Robin was a good MMC. He stayed pretty true to his core character, and honestly, he did not tick me off, which was great.

The story, while fun to follow, also had a shimmer of romance under the story that bloomed over time. Not a fast, in-your-face thing, but I also would not call it a slow burn due to it being lust-forward at times. There was a sprinkle of spice, but it's not mega overly detailed and there are not pages of it. It was maybe 2 to 3 patches, and I think it added to the story.

I will say, if you're after HOT HOT spice, this will not be for you, but overall, a solid read.

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(Sorrowsong University, #2) Daybreak by Autumn Woods review

 

Daybreak by Autumn Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐½ 3.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️½ 1.5 Spice

I pretty much skipped to book two the moment I finished the first book, and lords above, the emotion levels in this book are just top tier. There is so much pain and grief, having to deal with loss, and nonstop real-life pressure on top of trying to be an adult while dealing with things that were never your job in the first place.

I really loved the family and friendships. They were outstanding and at times really made me cry. Reading about people trying to keep their heads above water and just get through one breath to the next was so well done.

The story was clean and clear, but I had some problems with book two that I did not have with the first book. For one, the first book had a lot more action, mystery, and just more happening, while this book seemed to lean on the back and forth between Ophelia and Alex, more from her side than his, and it got real old fast.

I felt like rather than progressing the story and focusing on the new problems, we were stuck in the same issues that were in book one, and that felt sort of cheap. It was like rather than moving forward, we just threw in another stalker, and that rubbed me up the wrong way more than once.

Our lead had no real growth since the first book, which was also sad because I do not count just jamming that growth right at the end. It made the ending feel rushed.

I felt like the book was good, but also full of a lot of nothing when it could have been packed with more action and more real-life substance instead of relying on the leads' relationship and back and forth as a crutch.

Please do not get me wrong. It was not a horrible book, but it was not at the same level as book one with what was going on. The story was there, but recycling the same problem from book one lowered its impact, and not having enough action hurt it as well.

The romance, the hurt, the longing, and the yearning could fill the sea, but the spice again needed to match it, and for me, it just did not.

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(Sorrowsong University, #1) Nightshade by Autumn Woods review

 

Nightshade by Autumn Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

Holy cow, this book has so much going for it. For starters, it is very much a story-driven book. The story was always the focal point, and I was playing Cluedo, trying to work out who did it and who I could trust the whole time. The author really did the whole red herring thing well, where I was sure it was one person, only to be like... maybe I'm wrong, is it this one instead? It had this high-stakes mystery crime feel that really was the standout of the book.

But it was not a one-trick pony. No, no, no. The emotional range this book had was outstanding. I felt like the author was flipping top tier with the way she wrote emotions. It made the characters stand out and gave them such a rich feel.

Our female lead is a mess and doing her best to put one foot in front of the other, and it shows. The pain and her struggles come through so clearly. She could, at times, be her own worst enemy, but she is drowning in a pain she cannot get out of, and it was put onto the page so well that it made my heart ache.

Then there is Alex. The world is pushing down on him, and he has this great front that he wears so people do not see the physical struggle and weight he is under. There are so many layers and so much going on, even in the background, and it made the book really stand out.

Now, if you're wondering why not 5 stars, I did have a few problems. First, there were some real cringe moments that made me want to hide my own face, but I could mostly overlook those. Our FMC was also very quick to jump to "IT'S YOU!" without really stopping to think, and given she is not a stupid person, I felt like it was a little out of character. So were a few of her actions throughout the book.

But the biggest thing that brought the book down for me was the spice. It was underwhelming and sort of patchy and rushed at times. I mean, the author gave me yearning, longing, and emotional struggle so well that I was sobbing, and then... lukewarm, blurry spice. It sort of let the book down when everything else was so detailed and vivid.

So I could not give it 5 stars, but it more than earned 4. It was a really good book overall.

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The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson review

 

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

OK, this book was a total overachiever. I was not sure what I was expecting when I started it. I had seen a lot of people saying it was good, but I ummed and ahhed over the whole thing before finally picking it up. Honestly, the book sucked you in from the very first chapter.

I totally loved our female lead, Harlow. She was tough and smart, and not someone you could just brush over. Her backstory… lords, it had me holding my poor bleeding heart and wanting nothing more than to give her a big hug and some sort of happily ever after. I mean, seriously.

Where to really start? This plot was in full-time work mode. I mean, there were more parts to this story than a LEGO set for adults. I felt like with each passing chapter there were more twists and turns, and the book was both dark and gritty, with death and a long list of trigger warnings that you totally need to check before going into this book.

I found myself totally stunned by the way the story moved and just how hard the plot was working. There were a lot of characters, a lot to follow, lies, and secrets. I felt like I needed a pad of paper and a full-time detective on my payroll to help me work out who I could and could not trust. It was a journey and a half, to say the least.

There was spice, and the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe in this book was right there, with detailed spice, but the story always remained the focus. There were a few moments where I had some hiccups and was mad at one person or another, or a choice that was made, but I think it all added to the book. The relationships, the push and pull, and the nonstop surprises all made this a great story.

The pain in this book was also so well done. I think I cried maybe two or three times throughout the book, but there were many moments where I was so gripped and wanted everything to be OK, or for something that had happened to be untrue. I was gripped with grief and rage, and it was done so, so well that I ate the book up in what felt like no time at all.

As for what I did not like, I felt there were a few things that needed to be tied up before the ending. I also felt like there was one large thing that was totally not dealt with by the end. Other than that, I loved the book. I would have given it 5 stars, but due to the loose ends, I think 4.5 stars is where I land.

Side note… I needed so much more of KYRIN. Like, for real!!!

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