After seeing several social media posts and videos extolling the virtues of author Callie Hart’s first book in The Fae & AlchemDo you believe in fate?
After seeing several social media posts and videos extolling the virtues of author Callie Hart’s first book in The Fae & Alchemy series I decided to take the day off from my normal ARC reading/reviewing schedule to give it a read. What can I say? I had bad FOMO. I’ve come to realize that while I’ve been spending most of my time doing trad pub ARC reading, I’ve been missing out on a lot of great releases from the indie publishing world. I decided not to miss out on this one.
I’m so happy I took the day off for Quicksilver. I haven’t felt like this about a romantasy in a long time. Have I loved other romantasies as much as this? Yes, but in a different way. Quicksilver is the type of romantasy I love best: quick-witted, fast-paced, action-packed, spicy, funny, rude, two grumpy and traumatized main characters/love interests, no love triangle, tortured hearts, sexual tension and chemistry for days, protective streaks for days, stubborn and self-sacrificing idiots, and a healthy amount of snark.
Have you ever gone into work and ran into someone you didn't expect to? Was it awkward?
Willow Dixon’s sixth book in the Crimson Club series follows JeHave you ever gone into work and ran into someone you didn't expect to? Was it awkward?
Willow Dixon’s sixth book in the Crimson Club series follows Jett, who works part-time at the Crimson Club as a bartender. His day job is construction and carpentry, which he learned from his former father in-law. Jett can only work so many hours, though, and he wants to try and get out and try to start living his life. So he goes out to a club, maybe looking to get a little action. He certainly finds it (in a series of scenes that are scorchingly hot). It just becomes a bit awkward when Monday rolls around and the same couple Jett unexpectedly and impulsively hooked up with over the weekend just happen to be his new coworkers (because this is romance and of course they are).
Willow Dixon’s cast of characters are just so endearing. They feel genuine without feeling cloying or cheesy. Their expectations of one another are realistic, their dialogue has a nice rhythm to it that doesn’t feel too practiced or overwrought, and there aren’t any speaking pieces that feel like a speech or soliloquy, which was a nice break from some books I’ve read recently. I loved the array of sexual preferences that could be found from other characters and how the main characters had tastes that were still developing and evolving.
The relationship between the core three characters in this book was sweet, and the growing pains all three went through were realistic when you consider all the angles. The spice was so, so hot. Some of my hottest hot buttons (exhibition, voyeurism, dirty talk) are included in almost every spice scene and I’m never going to complain about that. It was a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it for any MMM fan.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
The first book in this series, House of Omega, was one of my top indie romance of 2023 and remains one of my favorite omegaverse novels. Roxy Collins The first book in this series, House of Omega, was one of my top indie romance of 2023 and remains one of my favorite omegaverse novels. Roxy Collins is also one of my favorite omegaverse authors. So of course I was going to want to read The Alpha Club. I wasn’t going to miss it.
Thankfully, Roxy delivered a great novel about Jasmine, the omega who was resigned to having to bond to Grace’s psychotic stepbrother Kayden from the first book. In House of Omega, every time Grace tried to help Jasmine escape Kayden, the omega reluctantly told Grace she was staying where she was. Did Jasmine have good reasons for staying with Kayden? Yeah. She also had a plan. But you make plans and the universe laughs. Especially in romance novels.
This book has so many things I consider to be some of my top-tier omegaverse tropes: two omegas who are involved with one another, some serious spice, why choose with LGBTQ content, disability representation, polyamory, and a twist on designation. The choice to write both omegas and one of the alphas as disabled (yes, I am counting mental illness) was something I didn’t know I needed but was very welcome. I like the acknowledgement that it’s not only omegas that can have issues, and I like that it’s not only one character that has issues.
I always love Roxy’s characters, spice, stories, and writing style. There was only one issue with this book, and that was the plotting. The first half was even, but the second half felt very rushed. I actually feel like the book could’ve been longer (I wouldn’t have minded at all) in order to give the characters and relationships more time to interact, integrate, and develop. In the end it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment all that much, but it did affect the overall quality. I love everything Roxy Collins writes and I’ll always read it, though. That hasn’t changed!
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
There’s a huge thrill that comes with being a long-time fan of both Saxon James and Eden Finley and their “Sadenverse”, and that’s when you get blastsThere’s a huge thrill that comes with being a long-time fan of both Saxon James and Eden Finley and their “Sadenverse”, and that’s when you get blasts from the past as your new main characters and get to watch the new generation fall in love. In A Stealthy Situation we’re getting a call from the CU Hockey series in the form of Benny Dalton, one of the Chaos Twins from both Line Mates & Study Dates and Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (don’t worry, Emmett’s in here too).
The Chaos Twins fell out of love with hockey before they could be drafted and fled to California in order to get away from the pressure that had surrounded them all their lives. The pair of them still love to sow a little chaos, which is why they take great pains to make sure no one in San Diego knows the Dalton Twins exist. They each go to a different school, they keep their appearances identical, they dress similarly, and don’t go out in town at the same time. They rely on each other to get through anything and everything, which is why things start to go awry when Emmett is suddenly expelled from his university and takes to crashing on a mattress in Benny’s bedroom at the DIK frat house.
A Stealthy Situation is cute and sweet, with a great sense of humor to it. I love a good cinnamon roll and snark monster dynamic, and that’s exactly what Harrison and Benny have. Benny has a deliciously morbid sense of humor that I adore and insults being used as a love language is something I myself use on an everyday basis, so I can totally be book bffs with him.
I thought the supporting cast really came in clutch here for comic relief and emotional support, and I thought the disability rep was very well done.
I can’t wait for Twincerely Yours (which comes at the end of FU 2) so I can read Emmett’s story!
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
I’m a big fan of Elena Lawson’s (writing as E. J. Lawson) omegaverse novels. I think I’ve read and reviewed every single one. Her Wild Heat series is I’m a big fan of Elena Lawson’s (writing as E. J. Lawson) omegaverse novels. I think I’ve read and reviewed every single one. Her Wild Heat series is no exception. Salvation is no exception to this rule. I mean, come on: hunters versus hunted? Professional alphas being hired to hunt down a runaway omega who no one can seem to track down? Right away I’m thinking feral, I’m thinking primal, I’m thinking down and dirty. I’m catching rut and heat vibes. I’m catching, “Mine!” vibes.
I was totally right.
If you like strong, independent FMC omegas, this is the book for you. If you like books where the pack doesn’t come pre-made, this is the book for you. If you like your why choose with a splash of sword-crossing but not full-on scenes, this is for you. If you like outdoor romances and don’t mind your spice coming with some dirt, then you’ll like this.
I wouldn’t read this if you’re a fan of nesting or bites in your omegaverse. If you like your omegas soft or pampered in any way, this may not be right for you. If you’re the triggering type you will want to check the TW/CWs for this one because there are darker elements.
I do think this could’ve maybe taken one more pass with a beta reader and editor, because there were a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes and I did feel like it was a bit too long, but otherwise it was another great omegaverse romance from Lawson.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Bubblegum Pop is author Abigail Hunter’s (writing as Abby Hunter) debut omegaverse novel in the Suck It Up omegaverse series, set in the town of KnottBubblegum Pop is author Abigail Hunter’s (writing as Abby Hunter) debut omegaverse novel in the Suck It Up omegaverse series, set in the town of Knottinghill. As such, the series itself is labeled “Suck It Up”, while the universe is known as “Knottinghill”. (I’m noting this because at first I was a little confused, so I thought I would un-confuse it for anyone else that might be in the same position).
I’ve recently begun to assess the light to dark scale of omegaverse romances based on a 6-point scale that was inspired by a coffee roasting chart. 1 is a light omegaverse, and 6 is a pitch black omegaverse. Bubblegum Pop falls at about a 4 on the omegaverse roast scale: The story itself isn’t too dark, but the way it’s executed (along with some story elements that could be very triggering to some, so watch your TW/CWs) could be considered dark.
In the teasers and promos for this book, Hunter told us to expect a lot of smut, heats, knots, and nesting. The first thing is true: There is a huge amount of smut in this book. Now, I love a smutty book, and since this book is about a sex worker and her bodyguards working in a huge brothel I don’t think the amount of smut written into this book is invalid or out of character. Also, The way Hunter has chosen to write her omegaverse (sometimes authors write their omegaverses with a little tweak here and there) means that the fast burn and hypersexuality are completely in character for alphas and omegas in this universe.
Are there heats? Yes, but most of them aren’t on page. Are there knots? Yes, so many. Is there nesting? Yes. There’s also a lot of trauma (both on and off page), angst, violence, mental health issues, manipulation, coercion, extortion, and blackmail.
It was interesting, hot, and entertaining. I’m curious about where Hunter’s going with this and what she’s going to do next.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Franklin University is back, and The Hook Up Mix-Up reminded me right away of how much I loved this series and how I wasn’t wrong to look forward to iFranklin University is back, and The Hook Up Mix-Up reminded me right away of how much I loved this series and how I wasn’t wrong to look forward to it returning this summer. The authors behind FU and FU 2 definitely saw the success that came with the first season of these books and understood the assignment: Take all of that, rewind it back, and build on this universe in an interconnected, tangential way.
Riley Hart decided to build The Hook Up Mix-Up on top of the foundation of her FU book from 2023, Playing Games (the story of Brax and Tyson, who feature heavily in this book). In Playing Games we were introduced to Perry, Tyson’s half-brother, who is one of the MMCs in this book. The other MMC is Theo, a student at Franklin U.
This is your pretty standard bi-awakening, friends-to-bed buddies-to-lovers plot, but that simply doesn’t matter one bit, no matter how much I’m almost always down to read those two tropes combined, because the thing that makes this book worth reading is THEO.
Can I just say Theo is so cute and sweet I wanted to reach into the book, drag him out, and adopt him? I was like that gif of Kristin Bell fawning over a sloth while reading this book the entire time. I almost spent the entire book wondering how anyone could possibly not fall in love with him (before I remembered not everyone loves a people pleaser and that being a people pleaser isn’t always the healthiest thing for your mental wellbeing).
It’s not like Perry is a slouch. It was funny watching how oblivious to how in his deep in his feels he was long before he actually realized it. The boy was done for long before he knew it and it was absolutely adorable to read.
This book does have its hot and spicy moments, but not as spicy as some other authors’ books in this series might end up being. I didn’t find that upsetting in this instance because I was too busy loving Theo and Perry and their burgeoning relationship. Definitely a stellar start to FU season.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
There will never be a time in which I don’t look forward to a new Grace McGinty book. She’s one of my favorite writers–an auto-buy author, in fact. I There will never be a time in which I don’t look forward to a new Grace McGinty book. She’s one of my favorite writers–an auto-buy author, in fact. I knew I was done for the first time I read her Dead River Days series. She can even get me to read tropes I usually stay away from with a ten-foot pole, as evident with Make My Heart Race, in which the FMC is pregnant for a large part of the book and has an infant for the rest of it. Not only do I usually stay away from the pregnancy trope, but I don’t tend to enjoy infants in the main part of the story (in epilogues they’re great). Somehow, Grace McGinty will get me to shrug my shoulders and read it anyway.
Was I disappointed this why-choose didn’t have sword-crossing? Yeah, sure, but to tell you the truth, this book had a lot going on. Between the main plot involving Tally (our FMC), her pregnancy, and trying to climb her way back into the world of racing after being driven out by misogynistic buttheads, there’s a few B plots and even C plots running through the story that make this book very fast-paced. It also unfortunately tends to make it feel a little crowded in places and some characters and/or situations didn’t get the time and attention they deserved. I honestly could’ve dealt with this book being longer if it meant certain characters got more page time or relationships got to develop with a little less force or certain plot points weren’t as rushed to resolution.
Does that mean this book wasn’t extremely entertaining? No. As all of Grace’s books, it was entertaining as heck. I love romance novels set in the world of motorsports. I grew up in motorsports, in the pits on Saturday nights with my dad sitting inside of race cars pretending to drive while my dad and uncle talked shop with mechanics and other crew members. My dad would’ve let me drive midgets if we’d had the money. I’ve been on a superbike. I’ve been in the car during a street race. There’s just something about fast cars, and this book reminded me of that.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
We’re almost at the end of this delicious series and we get a call back to book one in the form of Caleb, the first person to make friends with JT wheWe’re almost at the end of this delicious series and we get a call back to book one in the form of Caleb, the first person to make friends with JT when he came to study at Astor. You may recall him warning JT about the Park Avenue Princes, and it turns out that knowledge was direct insider information since he used to be one of them. He’s Travis McKinney’s stepbrother.
I love forbidden romances, especially of the stepbrother variety. Salacious Park Avenue Prince is enemies-to-lovers, with a bi-awakening, forced proximity, a secret romance, and a manwhore who falls fast, first, and hard. (Then there’s pining. So much pining). This installment is spicier than the last one, but not as spicy as Scandalous Park Avenue Prince (book 3, and still my favorite one).
A lot of the animosity in this book is based on miscommunication and what feels like willful misunderstanding, which isn’t a trope I like all that much no matter who’s involved. I did enjoy the chemistry between Travis and Caleb a lot, but that’s probably because I just enjoy Travis as a character a whole lot (I have throughout the whole series). I can’t put my finger on what exactly feels off about the character development in this book, but it feels like the relationship evolved but the characters didn’t evolve with it. I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone else but me, but there it is.
The spice is absolutely excellent, with dirty talk I love, lots of physicality, voyeurism, solo play, and a touch of exhibitionism. The romantic bits were exactly what I wanted to see, which is always nice. There was also no third-act break up, which isn’t an easy feat to accomplish when the miscommunication trope is in play. I was absolutely grateful for that.
As always, a great read from Ella and Brooke, and now we get a handful of months to wait before we finally get East’s story.
I was provided a copy of this title by the authors. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
I thought this book was absolutely fabulous. It was like the largest, most decadent mug of paranormal, supernatural, romantic dark fantasy that was thI thought this book was absolutely fabulous. It was like the largest, most decadent mug of paranormal, supernatural, romantic dark fantasy that was then topped with marshmallow-y emotions. Don’t mistake this book for cozy in any way, though, because this is a wicked read in a variety of ways. The one thing it isn’t, though? It’s not spicy. A little steamy, yes, but these two twisted, star-crossed love birds don’t do more than kiss and maybe dirty talk a little. Heck, there’s not even solo play in this book. Guess what? I didn’t care! For once, lil’ ol’ impatient, fast-burn and extra spicy lovin’ me didn’t mind the slow burn. There’s not only a very valid plot reason for it, but it’s also very consistent for the characters of Marlowe and Minnie. Since it makes sense for the story in every way I found myself more than okay with the lack of spice.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and if the story that Lancet starts here is any indication it’s a doozy. A lot happens in this book–more than enough to justify the page length. Some of it is expected. Some of it is unexpected. A lot of it is absolutely fascinating and some of it is tragic. All along the way we’re surrounded by Lancet’s thorough world building, two absolutely fantastic main characters, and some absolutely delightful dialogue.
The story slows down a bit in the second act, but this book never truly slows down enough to be considered slow. The second act really only slows down a little to let Marlowe and Minnie get to know each other as people better and to develop a more solid dynamic before moving onto the events of the third act. That second act is delightful if only for the delightful banter between Marlowe and Minnie and getting to read Marlowe’s intrusive inner narrative (one-third controlling germaphobe, one-third obsessive stalker, one-third possessive tyrant). The “touch her and die” in this book isn’t just a vibe.
There is more than one twist, a bunch of turns, and unexpected fun in this book. I’m really looking forward to the next installment!
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Romantasy/Fantasy Series/Forbidden Romance/Kindle Unlimited/Paranormal Fantasy/Romance Series/Supernatural Fantasy ...more
C. M. Stunich, my t-shirt does not thank you for the buckets of tears I cried while reading this book. Neither do my eyes, which have been swollen allC. M. Stunich, my t-shirt does not thank you for the buckets of tears I cried while reading this book. Neither do my eyes, which have been swollen all day. However, I’m not mad.
That. Being. Said.
I never want to have that slow of a burn in a nearly 1,000 page book again. Never, ever, again. That wasn’t fun and that’s partially why I couldn’t give this book five stars (the other part was Joules, but I can’t help it).
Let’s set the slow burn apart. Let’s set Joules apart (please). Now let’s talk about the book.
I want to wrap Tam and Lake up in bubble wrap and protect them for all eternity. I want to build them a perfect house on fifty million acres of land and its own boba tea shop, surround it with special forces soldiers, and let them have kids and live their lives out in peace with puppies and children who can grow up to be whatever makes them happy because their parents are just that awesome and know life can be so short.
Is any of this a constructive review? Not really. This book was cute and infectious. It was really freaking sad and vulnerable. I liked it a lot but didn’t adore it. But you should totally go and read it because I feel like Tam and Lake need more people squealing over them.
All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
I could just leave this review at, “It’s Onley James, it’s in the Necessary Evils universe, of course I gave it five stars do you even know me?”, but I could just leave this review at, “It’s Onley James, it’s in the Necessary Evils universe, of course I gave it five stars do you even know me?”, but I made a promise to myself that this year I’d try and post more reviews for ebooks I read and love and not just leave star ratings for them online. This task got away from me for most of February because I had more titles to read than days in the month, but this is the first Onley James title of 2024, so I’m taking the time out to write a review for Rogue because it simultaneously reminded me of why I fell in love with Onley’s work in the first place and why I’ve grown so obsessed with how the Necessary Evils universe has grown and expanded into the wonderful, violent, slutty three-headed creature it is now.
Rogue is about Levi, one of Jericho’s boys, and Shiloh, a seemingly terrified bunny of a boy who was sent by his older brother to kill Levi. But this is the Necessary Evils universe–attempted murder ranks up there with kidnapping as a courting ritual. Poor bunny Shiloh can’t pull the trigger, Levi takes it from him when he pulls him in to kiss him to cover up the attempt from the security cameras, and you just know the two imprinted on one another like duckies.
Levi and Shiloh aren’t as cute as Arsen and Ever (from Paladin), but they’re so sweet to one another. My heart broke for Shiloh time and again because no one had ever had the time or capability to take care of Shiloh beyond basic necessities before. It was so obvious that underneath all of that trauma there’s a huge heart waiting to love everyone. Definitely a plus for the Feelings Faction, and a great bestie for Ever.
One of my favorite parts in the whole book was watching the Feelings Faction take care of Shiloh when Levi didn’t know how to and Levi trusting them to do it. It’s okay to admit that you might not have all the answers for your partner’s problems and letting people you love and trust help you.
I don’t need to talk about the spice, do I? I mean, it’s Onley James.
All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Miles and Bilson, despite their (not significant) age gap, are both just a couple of man children. Miles is a rookie goalie, has youngest child syndroMiles and Bilson, despite their (not significant) age gap, are both just a couple of man children. Miles is a rookie goalie, has youngest child syndrome, and is an overgrown frat boy from the frattiest frat to ever frat (which would, if you can’t guess, the Sigmas from Saxon’s Frat Wars series, which you should definitely read. For science.), except with lots of bromotions and LGBTQ members. Bilson is in a state of arrested development: He was raised by a coterie of nannies, butlers, maids, and other household staff and never had models around to show him what love looked like, or what a healthy relationship might look like. By the time Bilson was an adult all he longed for was affection and attention, which led to a disastrous four marriages (and the subsequent four divorces), and numerous failed relationships. He’s a serial monogamist who’s in love with love.
When Bilson transfers to Nashville from Seattle it’s the same day Miles is starting his rookie year with the same team. It’s the shared excitement of a fresh year, a fresh start, and a sense of camaraderie that leads these two to a fast friendship and a close bromance.
The Puckboys books never fail to entertain in any way. They’re funny, sweet, hot, spicy, and heartwarming. Eden and Saxon have built such an intricate universe of characters that finding the easter eggs hidden in each of their books becomes a fangirl’s treasure hunt and treat with each read. I love how, with each Puckboy book, the worries about coming out lessen more and more thanks to the efforts of the Queer Collective and the worries of each couple shift more to their own personal dynamics. There will never be a day I don’t recommend a Puckboys book.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
The Gunrunner Princess series is connected to Elizabeth Knight’s prior mafia why-choose romance series, Caprioni Queen, by way of the feral, unhinged The Gunrunner Princess series is connected to Elizabeth Knight’s prior mafia why-choose romance series, Caprioni Queen, by way of the feral, unhinged smuggler (that’s the best way I can describe it, really) Von, also known as The Wolf. The Wolf and her mute companion, Bear, helped Astin and her men complete her takedown and takeover of the Five Families. In the process, Von finally gave up her vow of neutrality and swore a blood oath to Astin. At the end of the last book in the Caprioni Queen series, Von was last seen going off on the task she was set to: tracking down and killing the last two remaining Accardi heis, who have been in hiding for years. One for the Money starts with not only seeing the beginnings of the fallout from Von’s vow to Astin, but the story arc also follows Von’s quest to find those heirs and their awful stepmother, Serena Accardi.
I fell in love with Von during the Caprioni Queen series. I have a serious weakness for feral FMCs and the characters who love her, especially when the characters love her because she’s absolutely feral. Von is, unquestionably, unhinged. Personally, I wouldn’t have her any other way. Von is fun to read, as are her paramours. Her paramours in this book are Bear (of course), her longtime bodyguard and companion; and Erik, a veterinarian of dubious providence whom Von and Bear kidnap after an emergency that has them breaking into his vet office in the middle of the night.
This book does a terrific job of setting up the rest of the series without sacrificing character building, spice, relationship blocking (by which I mean building the connections between Von and her paramours as well as teasing about who else Von may be interested in), and letting us have insight into Von’s past. We also get to hear from Astin and Ivy from the Caprioni Queen series, even if Von doesn’t see them in the flesh.
There is no mm action in this installment, but it is suggested that in future installments there will be such a dynamic. This is always a plus for me, but I know it’s a no for some readers. I’m really looking forward to the next book, Two for the Show, because I absolutely need to know where Von’s search for the Accardi heirs is going and how they plan to take Serena Accardi down.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Possessive Park Avenue Prince picks up almost right after Scandalous Park Avenue Prince left off, with cinnamon roll Park Avenue Prince Gavin moving iPossessive Park Avenue Prince picks up almost right after Scandalous Park Avenue Prince left off, with cinnamon roll Park Avenue Prince Gavin moving in with resident bad boy Park Avenue Prince, Daire so he doesn’t have to listen to his brother’s noisy bedroom activities anymore. Could Gavin have asked for his own apartment in the Towers? Well, yes, but he’s neer lived alone before, and Daire has a two bedroom and offered it up so why not?
Then there’s the fact Daire knows things about Gavin none of the other Princes know and Gavin feels safer around Daire than most other people. There’s that.
I’m not going to lie to you: This book wasn’t what I expected and I didn’t dig it as much as I did the previous three installments in this series. It felt uneven in almost every way and I had issues with the chemistry between Gavin and Daire. Does that mean I didn’t enjoy the heck out of it? No, not at all! I always enjoy Ella and Brooke’s books. They’re excellent authors and they craft enjoyable and sexy gay romance novels. This series has been excellent up until now and I believe it’s unrealistic to expect every reader to adore every book in a series as much as the other. We’re only human–we’re going to have our favorites. Right now, I still love Scandalous PAP the most. That could change with the upcoming release of Salacious PAP, but who knows?
Just know, if you love very grumpy boys with very low self-worth, precious cinnamon roll boys who decide to put on some devil horns to get what they want, possessive alphaholes, jealous good boys, and a sumptuous helping of “touch him and die” (where he actually might mean it), then you’ll love this book.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Shattered Omega part three picks up almost literally where the previous book in the series left off, with everyone absolutely devastated by what damagShattered Omega part three picks up almost literally where the previous book in the series left off, with everyone absolutely devastated by what damage the Lincoln Pack has truly wrought–not only to their apartment, but also to their lives.
And even though Umbra is losing it, Dusk is struggling, and Ransom is panicking…Shatter is dressing for revenge. This time it’s not in the form of a dress, though: It’s in the form of knowledge. The Kingsman Pack is hers, and the Lincoln Park hurt them. Shatter is going to arm herself with as much knowledge as she possibly can in as fast a manner as possible to figure out how to save her alphas and get the Lincoln Pack out of their lives for good.
If her alphas can keep their sh*t together. If the weird mercenary dude the Lincoln Pack has following her around doesn’t straight-up kidnap her first. Just another day for Shatter, right?
This being the last book in the series you can really feel the payoff in so many ways. Shatter is such a unique and creatively-written omega that I find myself almost predicting her reactions and when she does something I’ll say, “That’s just so Shatter”. She’s the cutest, most feral little omega I’ve ever read and I love her to bits. (I don’t know if anyone who reads this review has ever seen the anime Toradora!, but in my mind, Shatter looks a little like Taiga). There are scenes in this book that make me love her so much I want to crawl in the book and be her omega bestie (we can rent a rage room).
The alphas are just as bad, with their insanely cute gestures and endless love for Shatter just the way she is. It’s just the right amount of marshmallow-cute to combat the trauma and darkness that permeates this series.
While I think the ending got a little muddled, I’m not mad about it. I was just so happy to finally read this book and see Shatter and the boys get what they always wanted and really deserved.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Fasten your seat belts, hang on to your hats, and watch the steep drop at the end. Just like Shattered Omega part one, this installment of the ShatterFasten your seat belts, hang on to your hats, and watch the steep drop at the end. Just like Shattered Omega part one, this installment of the Shattered Omega trilogy is a bumpy ride that will leave you (and Shatter!) bruised, love sick, and feeling dizzy from being thrown to and fro as Dusk, Umbra, Ransom, and Shatter try to puzzle out their pasts, how it’s tied to their present, and what that might mean for their futures.
This installment of the series is thick with plot and story, with spice taking more of a backseat this time around. That’s not a bad thing at all! We got to see a whole lot of Shatter’s true personality come out, got to meet and spend time with Ransom, got to spend time with Umbra, and got to see some more of Roxy (in her role as Shatter’s nestie bestie).
There are some truly great scenes in this book that not only show off Mackay’s trademark sense of humor but also show us Shatter’s cute and feral omega side. I lived for those scenes in this book. They made me absolutely goofy. There are also scenes that will both break your heart or grow it three times in size regarding how ignorant Shatter still is about how omegas who were raised in “regular” homes behave or what they instinctively know that she doesn’t.
Did I like it as much as I did part one? No, but I honestly didn’t need to. The middle part of a trilogy tends to be the weaker link. There’s a lot of exposition, a lot of character work, a lot of moving pieces, and so the pacing had to suffer some for it. This isn’t a huge deal to me but it does take a little of the shine off.
But then Shatter gets a revenge dress and the world is good.
Please be aware you will really want to read the warnings and triggers for this book before you begin reading it. Take care of yourself.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. No compensation was offered or accepted in exchange for this review. Thank you.
After so, so, so so so long, we finally get Toby and Blaise’s story. Something has been brewing between these two since the end of the Reckless DamnedAfter so, so, so so so long, we finally get Toby and Blaise’s story. Something has been brewing between these two since the end of the Reckless Damned series and through the first two of the books in this Damned Connections series. By the time author Lark Taylor got to the end of the previous book, Justice, I was positively foaming at the mouth for this book and I can’t help but wonder if that’s where I went wrong, because I loved this book but it just wasn’t the story I thought Toby and Blaise deserved.
This has nothing to do with Taylor’s talents as a storyteller: As per usual, Lark wrote a great story that stands up to most criticism. The problem I see is that it’s standing up against her other works and the background story arc between Toby and Blaise and this book just falls a little short of doing either justice. We have waited a long time for this story and that deserved a big payoff, but there was just too much going on in this book to devote it all to Toby and Blaise’s love story.
It has a rough, if sexy, take-off, but an amazing landing. The pacing seems stuttered because this book covers a longer time period than most of Taylor’s books and there’s a lot of things that need to happen and a lot of stuff to work through, as well as many sublime spicy scenes written in (and they’re hot, trust). New characters are introduced and we see newer characters again in preparation for the next book in this series and the new series that’s coming up.
It’s just a lot of material for a book I felt should’ve been dedicated almost entirely to the romance between Toby and Blaise, because if anyone deserves that treatment it’s these two. They have had an epic story behind the scenes and I just wanted more of them. That doesn’t mean this book isn’t fantastic, because I’ve yet to read a Lark Taylor book I didn’t love, but it does mean I couldn’t have loved it more.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
While I was reading this ARC I really wished I could text Lark Taylor and playfully curse her out because my eyes were already red and swollen from crWhile I was reading this ARC I really wished I could text Lark Taylor and playfully curse her out because my eyes were already red and swollen from crying my eyes out over another romance novel today and had I known Red Haze was going to make me sob like a baby then I maybe would’ve waited a couple of more days to read it!
I’m obviously not mad about a book making me cry. In my opinion, art of any kind should make you feel. That’s the point of art: to elicit emotions. I knew from the start that Arlo and Jack’s story was going to be a sucker punch and that’s one of the reasons I was so excited for it. During the first two books in the Caffeine Daydreams series we’ve watched Arlo pine endlessly over Jack (pine like a pine forest, this boy) and watch Jack clueless act like a guard dog who has no clue he’s obsessed with his master (and Jack is such a good guard dog). So this was always going to be a tormented bodyguard romance, with all of that yummy push and pull, drawing lines only to cross them, miscommunications (for once deployed effectively in this book), and a whole lot of emotional detangling between what’s toxic love and what’s a healthy level of obsession with another human being when they’ve been your world for so long?
Of course, we’re pre-programmed to feel deeply for Arlo: Raised in grotty council estates to a neglectful and abusive family with only his talent with drums as a possible way out. Even then, once Caffeine Daydreams hits success, he’s deep in the hole emotionally and creatively. It’s being assigned Jack as a bodyguard when he’s 18 that finally starts to drag Arlo out of the pit. However, this book makes it very clear we should have also been curious about Jack’s state of mind in all of this too. Keep that in mind when you start to read this book, because in the ways that count this book is a slow burn. It’s HEA guaranteed, but it takes a long time for Arlo and Jack to find happiness.
I’m going to end this with lots of winks, nudges, and nods to Lark, for giving me so many giggles and snorts throughout this book for the easter eggs. I was curious if they’d be in here, and they were. I was delighted.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. No compensation was offered or accepted in exchange for this review. Thank you.
File Under: Age Gap Romance/Book Series/Contemporary Romance/Disability Rep/Forbidden Romance/Kindle Unlimited/LGBTQ Romance/MM Romance/Romance Series/Rockstar Romance/Spice Level 2
Even though I’d read a few of Jessign Reign’s books in the past I wasn’t aware of the upcoming release of Rent Paid in Full until about a month beforeEven though I’d read a few of Jessign Reign’s books in the past I wasn’t aware of the upcoming release of Rent Paid in Full until about a month before it happened and when I saw the synopsis I was like, “How in the heck did I miss this? This sounds beyond hot. I love rent boy books!”
And so began the salivating. I counted down the days until the release date, cursing all along that I didn’t have this book on my Kindle yet.
It was torture to wait but now I’ve read it and it was everything Id’ hoped it would be and everything all those bookstagrammers I hounded about it told me it’d be. I don’t know what possessed Jesse Reign while writing this but it needs to keep it coming because this was stupidfilthyhot, omgallthefeelings, and gjshhgjtbshgthjtj all in one and I had to go to bed and sleep it off before writing this review because I didn’t have words or know what to do with myself after I read it. It was an out of body experience and I don’t even believe in that.
From the first sentence of this book I was absolutely hooked on Ryan’s snarky, uptight, contradictory nature. That man would bite off his nose to spite his face and then automatically regret it but then deny that he’s regretful about it. His brain is a washing machine set on vicious cycle and I am here for it because it makes him an absolute wind-up toy for our other MMC, Miller.
If Ryan is snarky, uptight, and contradictory, then Miller is earnest, laid-back (but resigned), and amiable in nature. He’s like water to Ryan’s flame. Miller can go with the flow, become tempestuous waves, or make himself into a whirlpool and summon people to him like a beacon. Miller’s inner narrative about Ryan is some of the most entertaining and amusing writing I’ve read in a long time.
I love how Miller found a way to get Ryan out of his head and accept what they both wanted without Ryan completely sacrificing his pride. I loved watching the two of them develop and grow together as people and lovers. I loved the story and the third act was a thing of romantic beauty. The spice was some of the hottest I’ve read in a long time. I mean, I think I spent a lot of time saying curse words and blaming drugs while reading this. It’s just that brilliant and hot and right.
All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you. ...more
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