2.5 ⭐️ Definitely not as good as the first. What a shame.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ book 2 ✨ omegaverse (not shifters) ✨ reverse-harem ✨ she's a beta with a traum2.5 ⭐️ Definitely not as good as the first. What a shame.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ book 2 ✨ omegaverse (not shifters) ✨ reverse-harem ✨ she's a beta with a traumatic past ✨ they want her in their pack ✨ billionaire romance ✨ age-gap ✨ 5/5 spice (mm, mf, mmf, mmfm, mmfmm) ✨ mating instincts, pheromones, biting, knotting, bonding marks, anal ✨ emotional healing journey ✨ found family ✨ angst ✨ HEA ✨ TW: physical, psychological, and sexual abuse (flashbacks), emotional trauma, kidnapping, murder
My Thoughts:
If I look at this book objectively, it's really not bad. There's continued emotional healing, sweet moments, spicy scenes, and some laughs. But it was too long and didn't have as much substance as the first. My 2.5-star rating is mostly based on my enjoyment, not the actual quality of the story, which is why I rounded up for the Goodreads star rating.
Honestly, I was bored. A lot of the heavier emotional stuff was dealt with in Part 1 so this was mostly focused on her bonding with the rest of the pack aka having sex with everyone. While I appreciate and like smut, there was just too much sex and I needed more plot. After a while, all of these scenes blended together and I started skimming a bunch. Because of this, I ended up losing interest and stopped caring about the characters. So once the conflict finally happened at the end, I was checked out.
Also, out of all of the guys, her connection with Cyrus was the most forced. I genuinely don't think they should have had a sexual relationship since they seemed better suited as friends. It seemed like Kathryn Moon just wanted her to bond with all of the guys, even if it didn't make much sense. ...more
2 ⭐ If Nero wasn't hot and rich, he'd be labeled a f*cking creep.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ dark/stalker/mafia romance ✨ he's unhinged, possessive, & obsessed ✨ s2 ⭐ If Nero wasn't hot and rich, he'd be labeled a f*cking creep.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ dark/stalker/mafia romance ✨ he's unhinged, possessive, & obsessed ✨ she's shy & gentle with a past that haunts her ✨ insta-lust ✨ age gap (13 years) ✨ virgin FMC ✨ 4/5 ...more
4.75 ⭐️ If you're a fan of The Time Traveler's Wife or Outlander, then read this book!
"You may have ruined my life, June. But first, you gave me one."4.75 ⭐️ If you're a fan of The Time Traveler's Wife or Outlander, then read this book!
"You may have ruined my life, June. But first, you gave me one."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ small town setting ✨ magical realism ✨ family curse ✨ time travel ✨ second-chance romance (unconventional) ✨ murder mystery ✨ psychological mind game ✨ angst ✨ secrets and lies ✨ drama ✨ HEA ✨ TW: child abandonment, death of loved one, murder, suicide
My Thoughts:
The Unmaking of June Farrow was so good! I had no idea what this book was about before I started reading, but I didn't expect this.
The story follows June Farrow, whose family has been 'cursed' with mental illness. All Farrow women end up losing their minds to visions, as if they are stuck between two places at once. June has lived her life awaiting this fate. But when she discovers a photograph of her mother from the early 1900s, June starts to wonder if the Farrow women aren't stuck in their own minds, but in two different times. And when the red door from her vision appears again, she's going to walk through it and discover what lies on the other side.
From the first sentence to the last, I was invested. Adrienne Young is an incredible writer that has a way of pulling you in and making you feel part of the story. I LOVED the premise. As a fan of time-travel stories this 100% scratched that itch. The characters were intriguing and felt so real. The romance was heartbreaking, messy, and beautiful. The rural, small town was perfectly crafted with townsfolk who thrive on secrets and stories.
But what truly made this book unputdownable was the psychological mind game and murder mystery aspects that were intertwined. I loved that we were uncovering truths along with June, which made the twists and turns that much more gut-wrenching. I was constantly on the edge of my seat to find out what happened next. I will say, I was able to predict all the 'reveals', but that really didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story. Because when the truths came out, it still packed an emotional punch.
The time travel bits are explained and I do understand it . . . to a degree. But there's an aspect of it that left me scratching my head. I definitely think the reader is just sort of meant to accept it for what it is instead of trying to scientifically prove exactly how time travel and its effects works.
❗❗**CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT**❗❗
This story is really fascinating because it's a story about a woman who's never really had any agency over her life. The 'curse' has always played a role in it. June decided she wouldn't romantically love someone or have children because it would end in heartbreak for her significant other and a child that would suffer her same fate. So June's never really lived, until she goes to the past. But even then, she is living a different June's life. I know she gets those memories back, which feel as if they are her own, but part of me is saddened by the fact she didn't actually live them herself. And her choice to stay in the past, it's because of a daughter a different version of herself had. I know this life with Eamon and Annie is filled with love and 'feel right' to her, but a small, small part of me is sad that she didn't go back to 2023 and live a life of her own making that was not influenced by the 'curse'....more
4.5 ⭐️ What a heart pounding novella!!!!!!!! 100% recommend!
"I'm whatever you want me to be, Ami."
WHAT TO EXPECT ✨ sci-fi / psychological horror / roma4.5 ⭐️ What a heart pounding novella!!!!!!!! 100% recommend!
"I'm whatever you want me to be, Ami."
WHAT TO EXPECT ✨ sci-fi / psychological horror / romance ✨ deep space setting ✨ unreliable narrator ✨ she wakes up from stasis her crew mates are dead ✨ he's an alien that intercepts her distress signal ✨ anxiety inducing ✨ "Is this real?" ✨ .5/5 spice ...more
3.5 ⭐️ If you like fantasy romance and Ruby Dixon, then definitely pick this book up
He's a polite monk of a Fellian who just happens to be trapped in 3.5 ⭐️ If you like fantasy romance and Ruby Dixon, then definitely pick this book up
He's a polite monk of a Fellian who just happens to be trapped in a tower with a princess of loose morals who really, really wants to ride his c*ck.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ fantasy romance ✨ feuding factions ✨ gods x humans x ‘monsters’ ✨ locked away in a windowless tower with your enemy ✨ she’s a spoiled, chronically ill, lusty human princess ✨ he’s a shy, celibate, bookish non-human prince ✨ virgin, cinnamon roll monster ✨ enemies to friends lovers ✨ forced proximity ✨ opposites attract ✨ nursing back to health ✨ he falls first ✨ 4/5 ...more
3 ⭐️ I love this premise but it didn't live up to my expectations
A) I was in the imaginary town of my favorite romance series. Or... B) I had hydropla3 ⭐️ I love this premise but it didn't live up to my expectations
A) I was in the imaginary town of my favorite romance series. Or... B) I had hydroplaned off the road and was currently dying in some ditch in nowhere New York.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ small town romance ✨ magical realism ✨ falling into your favorite story ✨ she’s an english professor ✨ he’s a bookstore owner with a cat ✨ blond MMC ✨ grumpy x sunshine (who lost her shine) ✨ a not so meet cute ✨ forced proximity ✨ banter ✨ .5/5 ...more
4.5 ⭐️ A heartfelt romance that took me by surprise
"Come on, Ali. I'm pretty sure every guy at Beechwood High thought you were the one." "Not even clos4.5 ⭐️ A heartfelt romance that took me by surprise
"Come on, Ali. I'm pretty sure every guy at Beechwood High thought you were the one." "Not even close." "Maybe it was just me then."
This book had me giggling and smiling like an idiot!!! ...more
3 ⭐️ An interesting dystopian concept but won't continue the series
**This review does contain spoilers**
She stepped inside to meet her own dark captor3 ⭐️ An interesting dystopian concept but won't continue the series
**This review does contain spoilers**
She stepped inside to meet her own dark captor from a fairytale. The warlock who had led her off her path.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ dystopian urban romantasy ✨ NYC setting ✨ loose Beauty and the Beast retelling ✨ she’s a gifted human thief ✨ he’s a dangerous monster ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ heist plot ✨ “you work for me now” ✨ forced proximity ✨ 2/5 ...more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi romance ✨ post apocalyptic earth ✨ human FMC and robot MMC ✨ forbidden romance ✨ evil robot3.5 ⭐️ An pretty enjoyable audioboook
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi romance ✨ post apocalyptic earth ✨ human FMC and robot MMC ✨ forbidden romance ✨ evil robot warlord ✨ intriguing world building ✨ 2.5/5 ...more
5 ⭐️ The best book I’ve read this year! Y’all are sleeping on this series!!!!!!
It was inconvenient, I decided, to be attracted to my husband. Unfortun5 ⭐️ The best book I’ve read this year! Y’all are sleeping on this series!!!!!!
It was inconvenient, I decided, to be attracted to my husband. Unfortunately, I was. Terribly.
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ sci-fi / fantasy romance ✨ he’s a dominating vampire-like alien lord ✨ she’s the eldest human daughter of his enemy ✨ arranged marriage ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ hate to love ✨ slow burn ✨ insane sexual tension ✨ 4/5 ...more
2.5 ⭐️ Cute but this story has absolutely nothing to do with Highland Games lol
"He wanted her smiles to belong to him. He wanted to kiss every freckle2.5 ⭐️ Cute but this story has absolutely nothing to do with Highland Games lol
"He wanted her smiles to belong to him. He wanted to kiss every freckle, name each one like a star."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ rom-com ✨ scottish highland setting ✨ she's a city girl x accountant who inherited a run down cabin on a castle estate ✨ he's the local castle estate on-property manager determined to make her life hell so she leaves ✨ a not so meet cute ✨ insta lust ✨ denial of feelings/attraction ✨ dislike to love ✨ banter ✨ 2.5/5 ...more
4 ⭐️ Burgess is THE definition of 'he falls first and hard'
"You could be wasting your time on me." "Time with you could never be a waste. Only a privil4 ⭐️ Burgess is THE definition of 'he falls first and hard'
"You could be wasting your time on me." "Time with you could never be a waste. Only a privilege."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ hockey romance ✨ Boston setting ✨ he's a hockey legend known as Sir Savage ✨ she's a bubbly but cautious marine biologist student ✨ nanny x boss ✨ roommates ✨ grumpy x sunshine ✨ opposites attract ✨ he falls first and hard ✨ forced proximity ✨ age gap (11 years) ✨ single dad ✨ 3/5 ...more
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ ya romantasy ✨ fairytale with magic and curses ✨ finding happily ever after ✨ love triangle ✨ jealousy (OW/OM drama) ✨ ANGST ✨ pining/longing ✨ denial of feelings ✨ tending to wounds trope ✨ one bed ✨ mystery ✨ shocking cliffhanger
My Thoughts:
A super enjoyable and a quick read. I read this book in 4 hours because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! The tension / angst between Evangeline and Jacks paired with the intriguing plot that slowly unfolded and that heart-stopping ending made this book one of the most enjoyable YA sequels I've ever read. I wouldn't say it's a perfect 5-stars, but it comes close, especially for a YA novel.
What I loved:
The expanded world building and background info we get on the characters. We learn so much more about the magic, curses, and history of the Magnificent North - this world is seriously so cool. Plus, we learn more about Jacks, Chaos, LaLa, and the Valors, which add a lot of depth to this story. And once again, Stephanie Garber introduces these new elements to the story in a simple, yet captivating way that only enhances the reader's understanding of the world and characters.
While book one was predictable, that wasn't the case in book two. In fact, there were plenty of times I was actually shocked by the plot twists and reveals! Especially the ending! I don't want to spoil anything about it, but damn, that was so good! Thank goodness I can start the next book immediately because I am DYING to find out what happens next!
Evangeline. I love her character growth. In book 1one, she's very naive but throughout the events of book two, she learns a lot about love, the kind of love she wants, and what it means to truly love someone. Also, I do admire that she likes to believe the best in people, even if they don't deserve it.
Jacks. Let's be honest, Jacks is a total ass 99% of the time, but that 1% of the time he actually shows feelings for Evangeline, makes me melt into a puddle. We all know it's just because he's afraid of getting his heart broken again, but damn, he's breaking my heart by holding back. ...more
"They say being given the blood of a god is a gift. But it is a curse."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ viking romantasy ✨ 4.5 ⭐️ Officially in my Viking Fantasy Era!
"They say being given the blood of a god is a gift. But it is a curse."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ viking romantasy ✨ norse mythology ✨ meddling gods ✨ prophecies ✨ chosen one ✨ arranged marriage ✨ bodyguard x ‘princess’ trope ✨ forced proximity ✨ insta-lust ✨ friends to lovers ✨ forbidden romance ✨ slow burn ✨ one horse ✨ touch her and die ✨ 2/5 spice ✨ action packed ✨ cliffhanger ✨ single POV ✨ TW: war, violence, loss of family, gaslighting
My Thoughts:
I am a HUGE fan of Danielle L. Jensen's The Bridge Kingdom Series, so when I found out she was writing another fantasy series based on norse mythology, I was so excited. And rightly slow because this first book was fantastic!
PS: If you loved the Netflix show and book series, That Last Kingdom, but wished there was magic and more romance, this story is PERFECT for you!
What I loved:
Freya and Bjorn. Both MCs were likable characters that only got more interesting as we got to know them more. Freya is incredibly selfless, and while sometimes her devotion to others drove me mad (because it was often at her expense), I respect the hell out of her for caring for so many people. I also liked that her thoughts, feelings, and actions seemed realistic for a 'Viking' woman during this 'era'. Bjorn was everything I love in an MMC - charming, funny, strong, loyal, protective, and hellbent on getting revenge. Oh, and he has powers from one of the gods. Because the story is in Freya's POV, it takes time to get his backstory and understand his motives, but even then, there's always a little mystery to him. These characters were well developed and I think we're going to see a lot of growth and change from them in the next book.
The romance and spice. From the moment they meet, Freya and Bjorn have insane chemistry and are clearly meant to be together. However, there is a forbidden aspect to the story that prevents them from making any moves, so there's so much flirty banter, tension, and longing - and I ate it all up! I love how they resisted at first but ultimately, cave to their desires. And those spicy scenes . . . ...more