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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(The Wolves of Ruin, #1) Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen reread review 2026

 

Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
2025 Review plus 2026 reread review
Holy moly! 😳 What a fantastic read! 👏 Where the hell should I start? I feel totally lost for words. The story in this book is just spectacular!! I love the struggles and the desire to push forward and protect. The view of family life that is not always conventional, family comes in many forms and dynamics. The strong female lead was super enjoyable, but she was by no means perfect and made rash and stupid choices that had me pulling out my hair.

I had feelings for a person in the book, and I felt like I was going mad, wondering if maybe I was being mean because I felt distrust and icky about them, but that’s what good books are about: reading, getting lost in its words and its world, questioning everything you thought was true, and being left speechless and wanting more.

I absolutely 💯 was gripped by this book and its characters for better or worse. The things I didn’t like about this book didn’t make me dislike it; they were told in such a way that they added to the big wow at the end. The spice in this book is sprinkled throughout, but honestly, I was more in love with the story and what was going on than the smut side, which really shocked me.

I absolutely love the direwolves in this world 🐺, and enjoyed learning about the world the author wove and created into such a lush and brilliant fantasy realm. I would have loved to see more use of power and more combat scenes ⚔️. I felt the book had so much to give, and it hit all the right spots for me, even my epic rages and screaming at the lead seemed worth it for such a great start to a series.

Fantastic! I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next book. 😍🔥

2026 Reread Review

As I recently got the second book in this series, I decided to reread this one before starting the next.

I still very much love this book the second time around just as much as I did the first, but I do think I had a few more thoughts after rereading it. One thing I noticed more this time was that while our lead is strong and determined, she is also often her own worst enemy.

I do understand it, given the life she had and how suddenly everything changed for her, but I do think the story would have gone very differently if she had given others more of a chance. She might have seen the truth much earlier.

Overall, though, my first review still very much stands!!

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(Duskwalker Brides, #1) A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne review

 

A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Reread: 2026 I read the book last year and thought I would try the audiobook. LOVED IT, super fun to listen to. Thankfully, it was duo-narrated, which really made the book stand out, and WOLFGANG as the male lead… massive thumbs up. I've never read or listened to the rest of the series, and I'm considering maybe trying book 2.

First read:2025 I was recommended this book by a friend, and I was a little unsure at first but wow, I am so glad I read it.

To start with: what a hell of a story! A world of humans and demons can be hard to make feel fresh after so many books portray it this way and that, and honestly, I thought there were no new ways left to make it unique. But this? This was fantastic. I was sucked in pretty much from the first word.

I really loved learning and getting to grips with everything going on. While the book is on the darker side and pretty open about it… it didn’t feel that dark while reading, which is kind of wild considering what actually goes on in the story.

The SPICE in this book was GIVING inferno I honestly thought I might catch on fire! But weirdly, despite how many spicy parts there were, it didn’t feel like that was all there was. There was a great balance of story and spice.

Call me crazy, but I couldn’t help but feel for the characters seriously, I got butterflies of my own. Orpheus? I couldn’t help but totally love him. It was easy to fall down that rabbit hole… and before you knew it, you were too far gone to turn back.

If you love monster spice books, this is a big must-read. Fantastic read, and I’d totally read it again in a heartbeat.

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(Courts & Kings #1) Court of Nightmares by K.A. Knight review

 

Court of Nightmares by K.A. Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐½ 3.5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5 Spice

PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!! Lol.

I struggled with rating this one, spinning between 3.5 stars or 4 stars. I had read this book once before, but I never reviewed it, and I felt the need to do so this time.

The opening of this book is dark and fantastic. It has a great introduction to the world and our FMC, Althea. I zipped through the first few chapters like I was possessed, and I loved the gritty darkness. I totally felt for our FMC and was invested in what came next.

I am a massive why choose fan. I love these books because I hate love triangles or squares, as sometimes the one you want does not get chosen. Why choose gives me what I need, so I am all for them. But this book had seven, which is a lot of men, and sometimes I did struggle to keep track of who was who. I did enjoy getting their backstories and getting to know them, which made things easier as the book went on.

The storyline of the book was great, like top notch, and I was super excited. Sadly, I quickly realized that the spice was leading the charge in this book. There was instant want and connection followed by hot and heavy spice all the way through, with some moments that honestly had me blinking in stunned silence.

I felt like all that spice made me less interested in it because it was so constant and packed throughout the book. The story ended up feeling more like an afterthought instead of the main focus. That being said, the book has an easy writing style, so I still zoomed through it. It is packed with blood, gore, and spice, and it is hard not to enjoy reading it on some level.

I would have loved some bigger balance changes where the story took the lead, and everything else followed, but it is what it is. I did get a bit tired of certain things, but honestly, by the end, it felt like mindless fun.

A manic bundle of fun with death, blood, and gore. A storyline that was good, but overshadowed by the insane amount of spice. Some key elements needed slower pacing to really unfold instead of being thrown at you at full speed. There was a lot of cute and fun stuff to love and a story screaming to take the lead, but spice won this time.

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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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