I love reading as much as I love writing. So here are some reviews of books I recentely read.

Late February I saw a post on Threads looking for Indie authors to join an indie book club. I decided that would be fun so I joined. And CJ's book was the first one we read: 

I loved this book, it was a quick read. As in it was one of those books you can easily get lost in. If you love overly protective morally gray fae lords. You will love Reagal. If you love sassy AF FMC's you will love Lily. I might still be #teamRiven though. So I will need to read the rest of the series. Aside from the strong characters, who are all not likable at times (making them real and relatable). 

This book has great open-door smut.. Literal open-door as a punishment smut!! You know I love my smut and this was well written. No weird euphemism and smut that helps the plot. And as overbearing and protective as Reagal is, I loved the clear consent in this book. 

While the book ended on enough of a cliffhanger for me to want the rest of the series. This book can be read as a stand alone. But for me personally I cannot wait to visit the London Fae Court again.

I don't read a lot of Mafia romance books. Simply because a lot of the time it is romanticized. And while I am all for a morally gray MMC, your average run-of-the-mill mobster is not morally gray.

Inked is not overly romanticized, and Nicholas is anything but run-of-the-mill. I loved that Nicholas doesn't love being the ruthless mobster. He isn't a prick to everyone except Skylar. 

He was desperate to get out, and he had good reason to! Skylar isn't weak, she may think she is but she is one strong FMC. Nick sacrifices a lot to save her. But she is saving him too, more than she knows. I loved these characters and so I loved seeing them fall in love despite all the shit that's being thrown at them.

Their love is real and pure, and because of that it's not perfect. They both have demons, and they don't just disappear because they fall in love with each other. But they stand together to face their demons side by side. And in the end that's  what matters most right? To have that one person next to you who is willing to find your demons with you even if they have their own demons. 

After reading, I sat there staring into the void for a few minutes to recover from that ending. The only real cure, is to read part two Engraved soon.

It's been a while since I read a thriller, but the way this book sucked me in. This book was a reminder to why I have a dedicated room to read in. So people around me won't ask me what has me gasping and muttering as I am reading. I could not put this book down and I have lost sleep over it. (The ever present just one more present)

After my reading slump I've kinda drifted to romance books. So thank you Varun for reminding me the joys of reading thrillers.

I never guessed who the mastermind was who had the 12 heroes of the pandemic trapped in a hotel. Because these twelve selfish people were not heroes at all. They used something as devastating as a global pandemic for their own gain.

But calling them selfish would be doing them an injustice, because the author made real characters. Some who you wanted to get out and survive. Other's I personally did not care for. I feel the fact that these characters were so well written and realistic made me so invested in this book. So it's 5 stars from me

This book is a solid 4,5 stars from me, a big thank you to the author for letting me be an ARC reader. All opinions in this book are my own!

I've actually finished this book a few days ago. But life got crazy busy, so here it is: I had the opportunity to ARC read The Cursed Thief, a book that reminded me of my D&D days. Vamd is a thief on the run until one day she is cursed. Dealing with her problems in all the wrong ways. She bumps into a group of strangers on a quest to save the realms. She joins their group and from there on out there is drama, betrayal, confessions, and family. Because that is what they become. This book got a hold of me from the start. It's well written and you can feel how much Natasha poured in bringing this book to life. I cried at the ending, not just because how beautiful bittersweet the ending was. But because I was not ready to say goodbye to my wonderful new family.

If you are looking for an D&D like, epic book, that doesn't evolve around romantic love. But about self-love, flawed love and the infuriating love you feel for family. This is the book for you!

Bully to lovers done right!

Another stellar book by CJ, I have a bit of a crush on Phelan, after reading this book. They way CJ portraits her characters is amazing. They're flawed and relatable and that's why I love Phelan and Calla so much. This is one of those books I could not put away. 

It's funny, well written and I love the story line, it's full of twist and turns. It starts out strong with some *chefs kiss* smut. But as always with CJ there is more to the story, despite his past, his cocky even arrogant nature Phelan is a sweet swoon worthy guy. I actually want him to have the fairy tale he wants to have with strong-willed, stubborn, independed Calla! Unfortunately their path to that fairy tale is full of obstacles. Some of them are their own doings, others because of a power hungry God. Others because of things from their combined past and lineage.  

If you want a book that will make your toes curl, makes you swoon and makes you laugh out loud this is the book for you. And while this book has an ending that is definitive enough to leave it at that, I am sure like me you will not be able to not read the next books in the series. This book will have you craving for more.

This book has it all Phelan, Calla, smut, a whole bunch of good, smut that helps the plot and shows how much Phelan and Calla love each other. 

It has adventure, plot twists and excitement and it has Phelan, did I mention it had Phelan.

Phelan is a nice guy, who in the end wants nothing more than to have the fairy tale with his Aeterna Calla. And who can blame him, Calla is fierce, proud, loyal. But they both made mistakes in the past (See book one!!!) and now the consequences are biting them in the ass. 

More so than they could ever expected when forces beyond comprehension join them in their fight against Janus the god of Chaos and his lovely siblings. But not all is what it seems, and how can they be sure who to put their trust in. 

The only downside to this book is that I read it in just 2 days (whilst on holiday with my kinds mind you) Because it had me on the edge of my seat, it had me blush and swoon. It had my toes curl, and laugh out loud. Nothing is as it supposed to be apart from the love Phelan and Calla share, the true fairy tale amidst the chaos and I was here for it. And will be here for it for the next book!

I had the absolute honor to ARC read this book, and I woke up my partner whilst reading it. Shouting at the characters. I cried, I laughed, I chuckled while crying in short... This book made me look like a lunatic because it's so well written.

This will be my third review where I claim to love Phelan but I just do. Every time this man speaks about the fairytale I swoon a little.  That being said there is so much more to the story, there are plot twists, I didn't see coming. There is a lot going on, personal relationships, crazy gods, issues from the past, political intrigues and never is it too much or too cliché.

And all of CJ's characters are so relatable, I mean all of them even GODS. Usually when a FMC is a badass it's all there is to them. Calla is no doubt a badass, but Avery is too with her frilly girly clothes. 

It is the third and final book in the series so all I can say is go read the entire series. Fall in love with Phelan, get confused by Alban, want to be friends with Liam and Avery. Hate Janus and when that's not enough to convince you, there is the amazing smut!!

I'm not into every genre, there are very few mafia romance books I like. There are very few dark romance books I like.

And then there is Sienna, how she writes in unbelievable, and yet because of it, I believe it.

I believe in Charlotte's feeling towards S. changing, who can blame the woman. My feelings towards him changed too. This book kept me up at night, tugging at my heart strings. Too much is going on and the characters rightfully so feel like everything around them is going to shit. That this can never be, but where so often books where they can't be together get boring and slow. TRTSYN never does.

At this point Sienna could write the manual to a television and I would auto buy it. Because she'll make it a suspenseful, soul crushing read.

This book took me on a wonderful ride. I didn't have much of an idea of what to expect when I started this book. It had queer rep, romance, and Greek gods so I was in. 

And boy, I wasn't disappointed, Raluca's writing takes a hold of you. Her characters are all flawed, and most of them are so very loveable at the same time. It leaves you invested in their lives, especially Amelia. She is an FMC I want my daughter to read about, kind, loving, and fierce. She has self-doubts and needs to find her strength. Let's be honest who wouldn't when you find out you're a demi goddess because your parents are? 

She stepped up, did what was needed and at the same time finding her swoon-worthy romance. Without losing herself in the very much morally grey troubles MMC Adonis. 

Add in a handful of complicated (demi) gods, complicated relationships and a hidden history. Amazing world building, with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat without it become "too much".  And you're left with a book that you won't be able to put down. I know for sure I will read this a second time (maybe a 3rd..)

I am not usually one for novella's, I like thick books you can fully get lost in! But even despite its size. Beautiful Death does just that. A young woman who feels like she has nothing left to live for and an angel of Death who cannot intervene. 

Let alone become friends with a human. But Elizabeth and Azriel's bound is like no other. The latter doesn't want to stay away. And Elizabeth needs him. Even when forces try to drive them apart... the pull remains until someone has to make the final decision! 

I loved this book, and I cannot wait for the next part in the series, because I need to know what made Lucifer how he is now.

I loved this series from beginning to end, and that always scares me a little bit. Because the more I love a series with every new book. The higher the chance that the ending disappoints me. 

But TDSR did no such thing, it made laugh, it made me cry, it made me curse! 

I still want Orison and the entire Riddle family as my friends, mind you the twins scare me a bit ;). And I am still utterly in love with Ashim. What made this series so great, was the characters, people I could relate to, our see myself befriend. L.J Kerry created a wonderful inclusive world, portrayed by the characters and their stories. So I'm happy all the chapters got what they deserved, some endings broke my heart. (The author will know where I cried!!) But the ending was fitting and well-written so I have to give it 5 stars

Let alone become friends with a human. But Elizabeth and Azriel's bound is like no other. The latter doesn't want to stay away. And Elizabeth needs him. Even when forces try to drive them apart... the pull remains until someone has to make the final decision! 

I loved this book, and I cannot wait for the next part in the series, because I need to know what made Lucifer how he is now.

ARC Review. 

I know CJ from her Fae courts series and I knew before this book was a lot darker. I decided to give it a chance and boy am I glad I did. 

First of Henry, he is a menace, a monster, cold calculated but kinda swoon-worthy. This man is my guilty pleasure. Honestly I applaud Ivy for not giving in right away... 

Some scenes were pretty dark, and Henry for sure doesn't always play nice. But what he feels for Ivy is evident in every scene. As always with CJ's books the characters are strong, well-written, and never flawless. (In this book however they are lawless) 

There is a lot going on in this book, it keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more, and at the same time it never feels like it's too much. Two plot twist really surprised me (none were really obvious or predictable) 

And something that matters to me personally I love how the relationship between Matt and Ryan is portrayed. Another 5 star book from CJ Holmes.

Damn!

I once said Sienna could write the manual to TV and I'd read it. Because she writes books I adore in Genre's I don't usually read. So you can imagine how thrilled I was she wrote a book in my favorite genre!

SbF starts a little slower than your average fated mate book. I typically love the all consuming love. And without spoiling too much Eleanor is not! She is however a badass, and I could not help saying "Oh Shit" when I finished reading when I was supposed to do something else... 

Cas is not the perfect fated mate or Alpha but it's his realness and his flaws that made me love him. Some things are worth fighting for and they both did. No matter the curveballs thrown their way. Curveballs that left me as the reader on the edge of my seat. 

Another 5 star read from Sienna for me, and I can only hope she will write more romantasy books. Because boy does her spin on things make it an incredible read!

I was lucky enough I was an ARC reader for this book. I typically read books with a strong romance plot. But when I became a teenager and my love for reading started to dwindle, my father's love for fantasy and sci-fi books rekindled that love for reading. Hoppelsigh reminded me of those books. With the same sense of wonder, books that feel like you're a villager gathered around the bard who tells stories of the adventures of the heroes he just happens to know. The great stories Samwise Gamgee refers to... 

The story about Valentine and her two closest friends, saving the rest of their friends using, their wit, strength, and everyone's unique skills is compelling. A book that very well could have been written by Terry Brooks (remember my Dad's fantasy books...) or J.J.R Tolkien. A book about friendship, being brave and doing what is right no matter how difficult it might be. 

Oh, and a personal pet peeve of mine is when the band of heroes never tires, or gets forlorn. So I loved how well Michael James, portrayed how desperate and exhausted they get.

Thank you to the author to let me ARC read! 

Winter's Winter is a quick and easy read, it's funny and sweet. Winter is really relatable and I want to be here friend. (I had an alt phase in high school too so....)  

Dew is... the love interest you'll crush on, but my favourite character by far is Fork. These 3 ladies make the book. I laughed, blushed and awwwed at this book, as they deal with real life, wicked exes falling in love. And a hefty pinch or magical problems. And I am sure you will do too.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's another one of CJ's books I absolutely love! It is why I jump at the chance of ARC reading her every book. ;) 

She asked me how I liked Enzo to which I replied: Delicious I mean he is brutal but I love it. That about sums Enzo up he is brutal and depraved and he does everything (like how he is….) So when the inevitable feelings come into play. Enzo goes big. What I love about this is that he doesn't go all soft and fluffy and cute. He is still an arrogant ass. Just with a weakness. 

Adrianna is sweet, and naive, and ends up in a world she doesn't know enough about... But she beyond manages in the end. These two need each other in ways they don't even know. Leading to a plot twist and the beauty is there are two plot twist alongside each other. It had me go back and forth between which one was happening. So it was a pleasant surprise to find out it was more than one. Both well written! 

And the second time I can add in this side note, another instance with a same-sex scene ( not trying to spoil too much here) that is well written. And never ever feels like fetishizing it. Which still is very  important to me. 

Can't wait for book 3 in this series!

Solid 3,5 stars, Trust is a fun read. I love Graham and Reuben's relationship for the most part. But where some parts get repetitive and the ending seems a bit rushed. To me, it feels like the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. And about halfway in I got really invested.

Picked this up for free on SYKD and it was okay. A quick breezy read between some darker more emotional books. Like a bit of a palette cleanser, this is not a book that leaves you in a book hangover. 

It has a lot of things going on at once and everything is resolved extremely quickly. Everything is kinda thrown in there but it kinda works. Like Practical Magic and Gremlins had a child, not even a love child just a one nightstand with consequences leaving everyone to make the best of it. 

So in short, if you want a book full of character growth, heavy on the plot, at a slow/somewhat realistic pace this is not the book for you. If you want a quick light-hearted book about a curvy girl being instantly loved by a huge man with 2 different sized war hammers.... Go get it!