Deviant King by Rina Kent
After reading and enjoying Cruel King, I thought okay, let’s see if Deviant King by Rina Kent can continue building and live up to its predecessor. When I tell you I went absolutely FERAL, you have no idea. Deviant King was on a completely different level to Cruel King. The storytelling, the romance, just literally had me unable to think on anything else.
Cruel King by Rina Kent
Now, I’ve never been into bullymance. I never thought I’d enjoy that subgenre because why do I want to read about a man tearing his love interest down but also say he loves her? Then, I read Cruel King by Rina Kent and my entire opinion changed. She has me OBSESSED with this world she’s created and her twisted love interests.
Shattered Obsession by Tina Spencer
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.
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
For anyone looking to expand their smutty romance reads, and is a fan of fated mates, I would definitely recommend Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. Just keep in mind, this isn’t that serious. If you start thinking deeply about it, you might not find it as enjoyable. Just sit back for the ride and take it for what it is, a silly, erotic alien romance.
Never His Mate by Sarah Spade
Welcome back to another installment of I picked this up because of BookTok. This time, I was sucked into Never His Mate by Sarah Spade. This was an unexpected treat! I think more than the story itself, I loved the worldbuilding, though the romance was certainly a fun time.
Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire
Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire is not Middlegame. It follows a different story and gets to that ending through different means. I need you to understand that when you pick this up because I see so many others disappointed that it isn’t Middlegame. This is a story where you have the pieces and have to put the puzzle together before anyone else does. There’s loyalty and devotion, and what spoke most importantly of all to me, discovering the reality of free will and choice.
Depraved by AJ Merlin
Depraved by AJ Merlin is a phenomenal dark/serial killer romance with intense spice and a fun story. This is absolutely recommended for folks that enjoy darker, kinkier romance with CNC, but also folks that understand this is fiction.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
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, promises an intriguing series conclusion.
Brutal by AJ Merlin
When I say I like dark romance, Brutal by AJ Merlin is what I mean. There’s great spice, an intense relationship, and folks with some messed up ideas of what is wrong/right/sexy. I honestly 100% recommend this read to anyone that is okay with the kinks featured. It was really well written and a joy to read all the way around.
The Ties That Bind by Piper Rhodes
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.
The Devil’s Bargain by Carin Hart
“The Devil’s Bargain” by Carin Hart stands out as a BookTok recommendation that truly delivers. With well-suited characters, a tried-and-true narrative, and a satisfying twist, this dark romance redeems the author after a lackluster experience with “No One Has To Know.” The chemistry between Linc and Ava, along with their clear boundaries, makes for a solid, spicy read.
A Not So Bollywood Meet Cute by Miya Malai
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 focused on building up the characters and their relationship with one another, instead of multiple relationships and outside plots.
The Valentine Inn by Jennifer Peel
Romance is romance, but this February, I wanted to specifically read Valentine themed romance. That’s how I ended up finding The Valentine Inn by Jennifer Peel. This was such a sweet romance and definitely out of the norm from what I usually read. This had me laughing, tearing up, and swooning all at the same time.
Here and Only Here by Christelle Dabos
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 mature middle graders or high schoolers with a knack for navigating disjointed narratives.
January 2024 Wrap-Up
So many books reviewed this January! Most were romances, but I am trying to do better about sprinkling other genres in along with the romances. As always, only the books that had reviews published this month are featured (despite the fact that they were all read back in November and December.)