Dustwalker Dustwalker by Tiffany Roberts review

 

Dustwalker by Tiffany Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

OK.... wow, I was not expecting that. Where do I start? So, I don't read a load of dystopia/post-apocalyptic books, so I was excited to give this one a read. I kind of felt like I wanted to mix it up, have something different, and boy, did I get what I was asking for.

Honestly, to start off, the story seemed pretty simple. Our lead Lara's life is a hard one, and her only family is Tabitha, but she has gone missing. I sort of thought that was the scope of the story, her mission to find her sister, but nope, that was simply a drop of water in the sea. The book's story was WAY more than that. I found the story to be rich and layered.

There were moments where I was in tears and other times so mad I thought I was going to combust into flames. I loved the dark and gritty nature of the story and the little glimmers and pockets of happiness that seemed even brighter given the state of this horrible world we are given. The details and descriptions of the world really did make everything just pop out. There were a few patches that were a little draggy, but otherwise, I was happy.

The shiny amazingness of this book should have been the amazing storyline, which I LOVED, but it was Ronin. He was such an amazing character, and watching the change in him and the interactions with Lara, I felt moved and warm in such a dark place. He really uplifted the whole book.

Romance in this book was so different from what I expected, but it was amazing. The spice was there but never once overshadowed the story. It never became the focal point, and honestly, a few times I felt like the spice in the book was saying something in that moment, which made it so meaningful.... I'm in pain.... make me forget, or.... no matter what you are, I love you. There was a level to it that I rarely see, which made the spice a hit for me. I felt like the story had a lot of underlying lessons to learn as well, which made it more impactful.

The last 40 percent of the book was outstanding and action-packed as we drew to the end. There was a lot going on, but it was the last 10 percent of the book that had me all but bouncing in my seat, gasping and crossing my fingers, and I loved it....

Then that ending....

I was emotionally destroyed. It was so flipping good, but it really hit me in the feels, and I was all but sobbing. My daughter had to come over to see if I was OK, I was crying so hard. But I think the ending made total sense, and I understood it and, in a way, loved it even as I was crying ugly tears.

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(DreamTogether Breeding Program) Satyrs Ever After: A Bred by the Satyrs Sequel by Lyonne Riley review

 

Satyrs Ever After: A Bred by the Satyrs Sequel by Lyonne Riley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Spice

This is a super short novella, but after rereading the original book again, I went on to read this one to see how it held up to the first book, which I liked, and it's quick, fun, and spicy. It was really easy to fly through in one sitting, and because I had just reread the original, everything was still fresh in my mind, which made jumping back into their lives even more fun.

I would say it was more on the cozy sort of side, giving us a glimpse into the lives of Bree, Arthur, Jack, and Bennett from the original book. So we see what their lives are like a few years later and their family, while also introducing Danny. I really enjoyed getting to see where everyone had ended up and how their relationships and lives had changed since the original book.

I have to say, it was fun and a sweet, light read. I would have loved more, but with it being such a short novella, I knew there was only so much it could give. There was a story here, and it was wrapped up well with all the spice and the lives they are all living. It felt like a nice little extra for people who enjoyed the original book and wanted to spend a bit more time with the characters.

I also liked seeing how Jack had grown since the original book, which was probably the biggest surprise for me. Seeing that change in him and where he is now was something I really enjoyed.

Overall, I really liked the book. It's short, cozy, VERY spicy, and a fun little return to characters I already enjoyed. I just wish it had been a little longer because I would happily have read more.

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(Rose Falls, #1) Our Monstrous Hearts by Delilah Thorne review

 

Our Monstrous Hearts by Delilah Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐ / ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3 or 4 Stars, I'm stumped!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice
⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings!!

If you're looking for cute, cozy monster smut with a super sexy monster lead.... leave now!... No, turn and run, like full speed, because this, my friend, is not for you.

If you're after horrifying, monstrous, and horrible, stomach-turning acts and descriptions, then stay. This book is.... well, not for the faint of heart or the sane, I think (I know it says a lot about me lol). I was not really sure when I started what I was going to get, which was my first mistake, bypassing the page and a half of trigger warnings because BOY did I need to read them.

The book opens right up into just gag-worthy information about what is going on, and I was, well, surprised to say the least. But that then moved into getting an idea of our main female lead, Cassandra, and the horror of what her life is, and I was like, well, I started the book now, might as well sit comfy on the ride.

The book, for starters, is short, so it moves at a quick pace. Do I like that? No, but I understand it due to the limited number of pages, and it was clear the author worked hard to try and make it feel much longer than it was.

The story is DARK. Not like, oooh, look, it's a shadow. NO, I mean I fell into a void of dark and could not find the light switch. There was never a moment where I was like, "Oh, look, so sweet," that didn't have to stop as I realised that due to the dark nature of the book, even a little tenderness or less horror was still dark. But due to the content and story of the book, it made those pockets seem so much brighter, but clearly it was a ploy and a good one.

Also, do not get me started on the spice in this book.... It's there alright.... just hanging around with the gore and darkness lol.

There was a storyline, but I think the shock factor made it really hard to see much else but that at times. But I was not moaning, well.... maybe gagging, but hey, I was reading at lightning speed, so I can't say it was BAD due to the fact I stayed glued to it the moment I picked it up.

I will say, due to it being a short book, it makes the characters feel less fleshed out and flat. Some of the wording at times felt choppy, like picking words out of a dictionary and throwing them in, but otherwise the book was easy reading. There were 2 times I felt confused by a transition within the pages too.

I can honestly say this book was not really built to make you like anyone. It felt like... I do wonder what it would have become if it was 400 or 500 pages and not 140. I do feel that for such a short book, there was a lot in it.

In truth, I don't even know what to rate this at all.

I'm a little stumped.

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Grotesque Grotesque by Allison Paige review

 

Grotesque by Allison Paige
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐½ 3.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Spice

Ate the book up in one sitting; it's not a massive book. It's super easy to read and has a nice trigger warning at the beginning, which let me know what I was in for.

The book started off pretty much with that spooky vibe and a little insight into our lead Sorcha's family history, but not a lot before we are thrown into this spooky manor, where I spent my time trying to work out if the house was the problem or our girl was paranoid.

The storyline was there, but it was woven in with the spice, of which there was A LOT, like enough to start a house fire. I would say the spice totally took up more of the book than anything else. The storyline was pretty simple but still really fun to read.
I would say the book did not have a lot of substance, but honestly, it was amusing and fun. There were darker moments, and the end really took a turn into the dark, gory side of things.I would say this book was a walking red flag, or what not to do in a horror movie lol, but it's just an easy, fun read.

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(Cruel Fates, #2) Once Written in Gilded Blood by K.M. Moronova review

 

Once Written in Gilded Blood by K.M. Moronova
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

⭐⭐ 2 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice
After the first book, pulling up the willpower to read book two was a full workout, but here we are again.
I struggled from the get-go. At points, everything felt draggy, and the characters were whiny and so see-through it was really hard to be invested in the book. I felt like a lot of this could have been dealt with if some characters opened their mouths and talked.
I hated that our FMC, Alira, went from super strong starting this series to meek and stayed that way until it was fitting for the story, and it felt cheap and left a lot to be desired. It was hard to like anyone, really, and the one character I did like was not in the story throughout.
There were questions left unanswered, and the end felt... flat. I was not even pulled in by the spice. In fact, I felt like the spice was thrown in willy-nilly.
I did read it, but at times it was a FIGHT to keep what I was reading in my head. It's sad because the writing style was easy to read, but even the little wins I found could not hold this book up.

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(Cruel Fates, #1) Once Upon a Demon's Heart by K.M. Moronova review

 

Once Upon a Demon's Heart by K.M. Moronova
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

⭐⭐ 2 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Disclaimer to my friends who really liked this: I am so, so, so sorry. I tried so, so hard, I swear lol. Please keep in mind we all have different likes and dislikes, and this one was a little hard for me.

I'm going to start off by saying the book itself is really small, so it should not have taken long to read. The writing is really easy to read, the words all but slip off the page, and the story is so easy to follow that you will not need to really overthink it. That being said, there are a few actiony moments where the smooth, easy writing seems to have a few confusing humps where it could be unclear or confusing, like something needed changing or adding. Still, it was a super easy, quick read...

The level of easy is one of my problems. One of the big twists at the end, I called it within the start of the book. Like, I could see the twist from 100 feet back, blindfolded and wearing earplugs. It was that easy to spot.

The book is classed as enemies to lovers, but honestly, it felt hard to really call this one that. I felt like it was lust-forward. Some behaviours felt more childish or just mean for the sake of being mean, with no real weight to them. This is in no way a slow burn if you're hoping for that either. The lust and spice burned that right out of the water.

While the spice is not bad, it's just not really well placed and felt more like a crutch to keep the book afloat. More travel than story going on. I did not hate the book, but the problems sort of made it a mid read rather than a good read.

The FMC, Alira, is portrayed as all but a strong fighter and powerful, but after the start she felt super watered down, which left a bitter taste in my mouth, honestly.

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The Hunter by Tiffany Roberts review

 

The Hunter by Tiffany Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I can't believe the series is over. I have found so much enjoyment from the Vrix series and the Spider's Mate series. I have been waiting for this book since I finished book two, and I was not disappointed.

I read the book in record time, and Lacey and Telok had to be the two who carried a lot more pain and past trauma than the others in the series, I would say. The banter and jabs between these two at times could be so amusing and funny, and other times sad, but it makes way for a really fun read. There is a storyline in the book, but honestly, I think it plays second to the relationship and spice, which might leave people a little sad if you are after a more story-focused read.

There is a lot of action and drama in the story, and an already fleshed-out world from the past books. I would have loved more story and for it to have gone in a different direction. I felt there were far too many of the same moments of travelling, and it needed more going on, but honestly, I could not be mad or sad about it due to the fact I really loved the book and the series as a whole.

I totally enjoyed the banter and seeing this found family and growth, and most of all, the spice. It's butterfly-worthy sort of spice. I love the world that the book is set in and the characters. I did not like the fact it's over, and the ending left me a little sad as I wanted more.

I think the book at times lacked depth, but overall, a quick, funny read with spice.

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(Bride of the Shadow King, #3) Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes review

 

Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

⭐ 1 Star
🌶️ 2 Spice

Reading this was painful and draggy, and I had to fight tooth and nail to get through it. I fought like a gladiator to avoid DNFing and calling it a day. I pushed through, but this book, much like the second book, felt like wading through quicksand at times.

I spent chapters upon chapters disliking everyone and everything, while desperately wishing that the characters I had grown to like throughout the series would wake up, smell the coffee, grow a spine, and stop acting like sheep. I was practically pulling my hair out and screaming for a redo, or just anything that would make some of their choices make sense.

At times, I genuinely felt like I was losing brain cells trying to follow some of the characters' actions and decisions. Everything just felt lacklustre. There were also things left completely open and unresolved, which made the ending even more frustrating for me.

I normally avoid giving bad reviews if I can help it, and I always try to find redeeming qualities in a book, but I struggled with this one. Whenever I found something I liked, the things I disliked seemed to wash it away.

I'm glad I finished it and completed the series, but I definitely won't be rereading this one. Even the spice couldn't save this ending for me.

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(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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