I was so excited to pick up Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon. One, because I really liked her Ice Planet Barbarian series. Two, because I really enjoy darker and monster romances. Three, because I thought this was going to be vampy. While I did enjoy the book, it
Your Blood My Bones by Kelly Andrew absolutely is one of those books that you buy a physical copy of just so you can highlight and annotate the heck out of. The prose is so beautiful and the emotions so raw, I absolutely recommend this for someone looking for YA
“The Jinn Daughter” by Rania Hanna offers beautiful prose and captivating tales woven by the jinn Nadine. While heavy on exposition, it’s a unique narrative experience. Despite a faltering ending, the exploration of maternal sacrifice resonates deeply. A recommended read for those seeking literary richness and introspection on mother-daughter dynamics.
Dark billionaire romance with a splash of hockey? Yes please and thank you! Shattered Obsession by Tina Spencer ticked so many of my romance boxes, I could not wait to delve in. Be wary, though – this DOES end in a cliffhanger.
Pleasantly surprised by “Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli, I was drawn into a captivating fantasy romance. While light on world-building, the story’s strength lies in its compelling characters, notably Alex and Gideon, whose complex relationships with Rune adds delicious angst. The solid plot, with quick pacing and a slight twist,
I have been on such a dark romance kick, that I jumped at the chance to pick up The Ties That Bind by Piper Rhodes. This was a great, short read that packed enough plot to keep the novella moving forward and just enough spice to keep it tantalizing.
With such a cute title and cover, I could not wait to dive into A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai. The concept was super cute, and it was a breezy read on its own, however I think it could’ve been so much better if it was more
Reading Here and Only Here by Christelle Dabos was a struggle. Despite its short length, the abundance of different points-of-view made it challenging to engage until around 40%. The translated nature felt clunky. As the story darkened, it became more compelling, but the scattered perspectives hindered overall enjoyment. Recommended for
American Midnight is a collection of American gothic horror short stories curated by Laird Hunt. Most of the short stories ranged from interesting to good with only a few falling short.
Absolutely captivated by Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver! An exhilarating blend of romance and darkness, this serial killer romcom breaks the mold with intense spice, a perfectly-paced romance, and well-rounded characters. Rowan and Sloan’s journey unfolds brilliantly, making it one of the healthiest dark romances. Highly recommend for fans
Stumbled upon Winter Bloodlust by Miranda Thorn, a short winter billionaire romance that ticked all my boxes. While entertaining, its short length left me wanting more. The Bloodstone Institute’s world intrigued me, and the characters, Holly and Nick, had a captivating dynamic. Despite the tease, I craved a fuller story.
Desperately needing a break from holiday romance, I dove into Bloody Broken Fate by Hazel Jonas—a dark vampire romance. Initial skepticism aside, the book hooked me fast. Raquel and Zeno’s patient and refreshing dynamic sets it apart from typical dark romances. The worldbuilding, with vampire mafiosos, witches, and Greek gods,
This is one of the first audiobooks I ever picked up and decided to try listening to. Three years later, once I finally got into audiobooks and was able to take time to listen and comprehend what was going on, I picked The Hollow Ones by Guillermo del Toro and
I previously read Watersnakes by Tony Sandoval, and loved the artwork. When I was invited to read 1000 Storms, I was excited! I couldn’t wait to see the new adventures and gorgeous illustrations. The artwork is gorgeous, which is expected. Beautiful and ethereal with a bordering menacing darkness. Its ephemeral
I am honestly pretty disappointed with A Pre-Columbian Bestiary by Ilan Stavans and illustrated by Eko. It feels almost as though this is a book that couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. It includes mythical creatures, but also creatures like grasshoppers. The illustrations are great, but black and white.