I think if you are starting to pick this series up in 2024 and have been on the fence, Summer Knight by Jim Butcher will likely put you off. If you’re willing to keep trudging through, I think it will pay off. Summer Knight definitely sets the stage for later
Forbidden Skye by Alex Crane is a fast romance read with enjoyable characters. I think if you have tokens for Amazon Vella, or have Kindle Unlimited, you should definitely give this a read!
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
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.
If you’re someone that is looking to get into monster romance, I definitely think A Kiss From a Demon by Charlotte Swan is a good introduction. Good spice, straight to the point, and doesn’t linger on unnecessary set dressing.
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,
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater is a very sweet and charming regency romance with just a bit of fantasy involved. The ending was satisfying, despite the small bumps it took to get there. I definitely think this would be a great read for young adult, and clean romance readers,
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
Despite the BookTok allure, “No One Has to Know” by Carin Hart left me disappointed. Pacing issues and an unexpected twist at the end undermined the dark romance narrative. The characters lacked depth, and the romantic elements felt uninspiring. Recommend skipping this one and trying Hart’s other works.
Starting my hockey romance journey with “Alex” by Sawyer Bennett was a delight. Despite some dated elements, the story felt fresh with characters Alex and Sutton bonding over genuine issues. It transcended the typical lust-driven narrative, offering a promising introduction to Bennett’s expansive hockey romance universe. Excited to explore more
Brooklyn Cupid by Lexi Ray was a major bait and switch from BookTok hype. Lacking tension and suffering pacing issues, it felt unnecessarily long. Jace and Lu’s romance struggled amid distracting Wattpad story segments. Lu’s influencer backstory and Jace’s bounty hunter role lacked coherence. The sudden action in the last
A new month, a new year, a new set of books to face off against each other to find the best read of January! There is a good collection of books reviewed this month, so it’s going to be super hard to find a favorite. Let’s get to the bracket!
I had seen the cover of The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones around for a while as friends and mutuals added the book to their TBRs. Each time I’d come across it, I’d think wow, I really should pick that up. It’s an absolute shame I didn’t pick
“A Darker Shade of Magic” by VE Schwab, a fantasy masterpiece, captivates with intricate worldbuilding. Schwab crafts four distinct Londons, each with a unique essence. The plot, subtle and compelling, unfolds with well-placed foreshadowing. Pacing improves as the story snowballs, leading to an emotional journey. Memorable characters like Rhy and