"For what it's worth, I'm really glad you're here. I didn't think..." She swallowed hard. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again." The pain of the t
"For what it's worth, I'm really glad you're here. I didn't think..." She swallowed hard. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again." The pain of the truth filled her eyes, and the force of it nearly broke my heart. "There isn't a hell in the void that could keep me from you, Milla. I'd suffer for a lifetime to have another moment on your lips." My honesty was rewarded with the tip of her chin, lifting her mouth to mine in a way that felt like an offering. "I think we have a moment to spare.
EXCUSE ME WHILE I FANGIRL LIKE IT'S 2008 BUT THIS WAS JUST TOO BEAUTIFUL!!1!111!!!!!!
I can't believe this duology is already over, like...what do you mean there's only two books? I'd read a thousand novels about Nico and Milla, and I'd probably read a few about the rest of the Attano family, as well, included a prequel about Nonna, if there ever was one! Seriously, I can see myself hyping this series up till the end of my days, because it was just that good. The sequel picks up immediately after the first installment and it doesn't give you the chance to take a breath. I found myself overwhelmed by what was going on because there was literally always something going to shit happening. This book is basically the opposite of boredom and it took a few years off my lifespan, especially towards the end. Those last 6 chapters were pure torture and I'm going to send Alexis Menard my hairdresser bill when I'll have to cover the grays her evil mind procured me.
I unfortunately didn't adore it as much as the first book and I think it's because it was really packed with endless adrenalinic scenes that sometimes were too fast-paced and that gave the fluffiest moments an edge I wasn't expecting. I also didn't really vibe with how the truth about Milla's true nature was handled. I have so many questionssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss???????????????????????????
On the other hand, the romance was just as exquisite as it was in House of Bane and Blood and I can't get enough of these two idiots who are so in love with each other they make me wanna barf rainbows. I love them and their relationship so much T___T Menard's spice is so enjoyable and soooooo hot. The office scene was pure fire and the carriage one also made my stomach clench so many times (except I still don't know how I feel about that whole false hand update business lol - I'm pretty positive Milla enjoyed despite what I think about it). I wished we had more sweet moments and, why not, I wouldn't have minded a couple more smutty ones, either. If only Luther wasn't such an immense cockblocker.
Plotwise speaking, there is very little I didn't like. The first part was so entertaining and interesting, both in terms of character depth and story development. I loved seeing Nico and Milla fight to come back to each other, because there's very little they wouldn't do to be together and it's the thought of spending eternity together that guides their actions, making them unhinged and completely reckless. We love a morally gray FMC just as much (possibly even more, really) as we love a morally questionable MMC, in this household. And Milla is a total badass. Another thing I wanna praise the author for is how she managed to create conflict in and outside the main relationship without throwing unnecessary drama or meaningless break-ups in the readers face. Every time shit hit the fan I kept bracing myself for heartbreak, but it never came, and it made me appreciate the romance even more. Not that this prevented my heart from being broken. Fuck my life, there were moments that really had me worried. Aramis, if you're reading this, I hope every side of your pillow is always warm.
In conclusion, this was the perfect conclusion to a perfect duology that I'll never stop recommending. I can't already wait to re-read it....more
Sometimes you just gotta grab your twin and have your fill of toxicity and anti-romance, just for the fun of it, y'know Sometimes you just gotta grab your twin and have your fill of toxicity and anti-romance, just for the fun of it, y'know ...more
"The difference between you and me, Uncle," I said, gesturing between us with the burning cigarillo, "is that I will play until I lose. I have lost
"The difference between you and me, Uncle," I said, gesturing between us with the burning cigarillo, "is that I will play until I lose. I have lost my parents, my sister, my very flesh and bone, but I haven't lost my fight. The day I have, you will need to carve the letters for my tomb. Because I will either die for what I love, or I will live forever."
I never thought I'd become a "my wife" kind of gal and then nicolai attano happened...
"Taking a life is no small thing, but doing so to save your own does not make you a monster." A tear fell onto her cheek. She let her head fall unti
"Taking a life is no small thing, but doing so to save your own does not make you a monster." A tear fell onto her cheek. She let her head fall until her brow pressed against my chest. "What if I am?" "Then you are the most beautiful monster I've ver seen."
re-read august 2024: who gave this book the right to be so good ...more
"I certainly hope you are not about to apologize for someone hurting you." She smiled, sheepish and a little flattered that he cared. "You're not al
"I certainly hope you are not about to apologize for someone hurting you." She smiled, sheepish and a little flattered that he cared. "You're not all bad, are you?" He looked offended. "How dare you?"
Bully romance is definitely not my favorite subgenre, but I appreciate one when it's well done. I've recently discovered this author and am a little aBully romance is definitely not my favorite subgenre, but I appreciate one when it's well done. I've recently discovered this author and am a little ashamed to admit I blew through three of her books in a questionably short period of time, these past two days. Am I hormonal or in the middle of a genre fixation episode? I guess we'll never know. What we do know, though, is that this book was entertaining enough and averagely focused on a bully romance worthy of the title. However, I had moments where I was bored and others where the characters actions and thoughts made me wanna throw in the towel or take a pause. It never lasted long, the curiosity to know what these two idiots were going to do or say next, was just too strong. I loved the writing; Shen's dialogues are my favorites. They sound natural and realistic, but at the same time, she churned out some pretty memorable quotes and lines.
I probably should take a break from LJ Shen before I end up binge reading all her stuff and feeling so sick afterwards I'd end up not stomaching her books anymore, like it happened with Zodiac Academy. If only these books weren't so hard to resist T____T...more
"It's been so long since I've felt this way about anyone," I murmur the emotions too buoyant to keep submerged any longer. "What way is that?" she
"It's been so long since I've felt this way about anyone," I murmur the emotions too buoyant to keep submerged any longer. "What way is that?" she asks, her voice breathy husky, hopeful. "Like you're the moon and I'm the tides, and every thought, every need, every want, is drawn to you, Maren." I laugh to myself. "You're right, this is madness an I'm drowning and I don't give a damn. Let me drown in you, will ya?"
I need to get close to him and learn his habits, his secrets. He truts me. He doesn't believe I'm his enemy. But I am. I will see him undone.
Rebecc
I need to get close to him and learn his habits, his secrets. He truts me. He doesn't believe I'm his enemy. But I am. I will see him undone.
Rebecca Fenney, the gift that keeps on giving.
Healer to the Ash King is The Selection for naughty girls, sans the love triangle turmoil that came with the America/Maxon/Aspen triad. I mean, the Ash King was a bit of a little bitch, and there was some jealousy drama, but we kind of expect it from someone who belongs to a book series called Dark Rulers.
The best thing about this series is that you can pick up any of the books, in no particular order and simply based on your mood, and would always find something for you. In this, I found everything I needed in that moment. For example, the MMC is basically a grown up Cardan Greenbriar with bad maneers and long white blond hair. Chef's kiss is an understatement. Cailin is a badass and she just doesn't take anyone's shit. We absolutely love a heroine who can stand up for herself. The enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story is well done; it's clear as a tropical sea that these two have the hots for each other, right from the start, but they try to hide it well. I appreciate that they became reluctant allies before they gave in to their carnal desires. I like my smut dirty and filthy, but give me the hint of a deeper bond beneath the sexual surface, and I go all mushy.
Kenney's writing has easily become one of my favorites. She can craft the most quotable lines with the simpler words and manages to make you squirm with a glance between her main characters. If that's not what talent means, I've been reading the wrong books.
There also is some good queer rep in this. I love that one of the contestant is a beautiful trans woman, and that two of the previous rulers were a gay couple who adopted a son, and nobody is making a case out of it. You can tell inclusivity was the goal, and I can't help but praise the fact that it wasn't forced nor there for the sake of plain diversity.
Overall this book wasn't perfect, but it's perfect for me. Many thanks to my Fishy for recommending me this book/author/series. What would I do without you?
"I would like my payment, and I would like different lodgings. I don't care how small and simple the lodgings are - I can't stay in the Rose Room. I want to mantain my dignity where you are concerned." "Which is why you came in here dressed in that. I thought you swore you'd never seduce me." "I'm not seducing you. I'm yelling at you." "By all means, continue. It's working for me."
“Sit, please. I have something I’d like to discuss with you first.” “Ooo… we’re using good manners. Am I in trouble?” “That depends. Do you want me t
“Sit, please. I have something I’d like to discuss with you first.” “Ooo… we’re using good manners. Am I in trouble?” “That depends. Do you want me to punish you, Witchling?” “Am I going to enjoy it?” “Why wouldn’t you?”
wanna know what happens when i let my cat pick up my next read? this happens.
ugggggghhhhhhhhhhh i'm so mad at this book for starting so well, for decwanna know what happens when i let my cat pick up my next read? this happens.
ugggggghhhhhhhhhhh i'm so mad at this book for starting so well, for deceiving me into believing i was going to love it to pieces, for gaslighing my mind into imagining a mixture between henry cavilla and baldur's gate's astarion as darriel, only for the entire book to fall apart and consequently take an unfortunate 180 turn in a shittier direction that left me unsatisfied, frustrated and confused af. damn you, ariana cane. i've already bought book 2. you better fix this mess and give me the problematic vampire boyfriend love i was promised. ...more
"I didn't want a relationship or a future with anyone until I met you, and learned you. Now I can't imagine an existence that doesn't include you a
"I didn't want a relationship or a future with anyone until I met you, and learned you. Now I can't imagine an existence that doesn't include you at my side -you, my thorny darling, my exasperating conscience, my beguiling ruination." "Such lovely names," I murmur. "I have some for you as well. They're not as nice." "I can imagine."
I was gifted this short book by the author and her publisher, and since it's sounded quick and entertaining, I decided to give it a try and finally crI was gifted this short book by the author and her publisher, and since it's sounded quick and entertaining, I decided to give it a try and finally cross it off my tbr.
I was absolutely and pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Think Inej Ghafa and the Dregs without Kaz Brekker, and you'll get a hint of what this might look like. I honestly didn't think this would be as gory as it was but I can't say I disliked it, especially considering I was expecting a more YA friendly setting. And while the writing and the main character maintained the typical YA mark, the situations and overall tone felt a step above that and into a much more grim direction.
My favorite scene so far is the one where Trice meets her new mentor, Miss Tabitha, and I might be biased about this because this lady has a very interesting nickname and her first meeting with Trice happened in a placed filled with tabby cats called The Grey Cat Inn. I love it.
I felt like Trice's character lacked development and would have appreciated a deeper backstory, but I'm sure I'll find some in the next books, that I'm definitely going to read. They're as short as this one, and hopefully equally entertaining.
"I'd like to draw you. Just like this, with your face kissing the stars...I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." "Are you calling me
"I'd like to draw you. Just like this, with your face kissing the stars...I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." "Are you calling me beautiful?" "I'm saying you could drive a man insane. Make him raze the world just to see you smile."
Listen.
No one is more surprised by my own ratings of this book, than me. I'm actually sitting here, wrapped up in my blanket, like a miserable bookish burrito, rethinking my life choices and wondering what went wrong with this book. Is it the book's fault? Is it me? Is it a bird? A plane? Batman with a spandex suit kink? Who knows. I just know this didn't end up well and I'm sad and I crave chocolate and possibly a tooth-rotting spicy rom-com to cheer me up.
I suddenly, desperately want this winter never to end, want spring never to come, want to stay with her here forever. But there is no forever. Not f
I suddenly, desperately want this winter never to end, want spring never to come, want to stay with her here forever. But there is no forever. Not for us.
"You resurrected my heart when I thought it was gone forever, so its fate is yours. Rip it out and burn it to ash if that makes you happy. But know
"You resurrected my heart when I thought it was gone forever, so its fate is yours. Rip it out and burn it to ash if that makes you happy. But know this: no matter how long you allow me to keep it, I will cherish this gift and use it to protect you."
Not gonna lie, I've obsessed over this book since when I found out it existed, and that pretty cover surely did nothing to help tame my obsession. The Wizard of Oz and Return to Oz were two of my favorite movies when I was a kid, the second in particular, and finding out there was a retelling out there that not only featured fae but that was pretty grimy and exceptionally spicy, too...well, it definitely felt like a dream come true. Tin is an incredibly detailed and pretty dark retelling, where both the hot, broody and murderous metallic Rowan Whitethorn version of Tin Man and no other than Miss The Dorothy Gale have a POV (bless!!!) and are on a quest through the devastation and deathly calamity that hit the once golden land that was Oz. I didn't expect it to be so dark and gruesome and creepy, to be honest, and I can't say it's a bad thing because I like these aspects in my fae stories; the Wheelers, for example, are just as freaking creepy as they are in the movie and I remember having nightmares about them when I was little. Yes, I'm praying that they stay out of my dreams, this time around.
Anyway... I loved every single bit of this story - the dynamics between the main characters and the secondary ones was probably the thing I liked the most -, and it only took me almost a week to finish it because I wanted to savor it slowly. There was so much going on, and even if I didn't always like the characters' decisions, I was pretty hooked most of the time. I would have loved to know more about what happened to Oz once Dorothy left, instead of having only hinted bits and short info, but I overall think this is just as great as retellings can be. I also thought that maybe the relationship between Tin and Dorothy could have been explored differently; I'm, in fact, not really a fan of how they went from enemies, to attraction, to real love trademark, and it's got nothing to do with the lenght of the book. It just was too slow at the start and too rushed, all of a sudden. I've got to say, though, that the book in its entirety was an awesome read, with the coolest story and amazingly crafted characters, so I'll go with my mood and overlook some technicalities in favor of rating this based on how this made me feel. And, in case you're wondering, I'm feeling pretty good, right now. ...more
"Wh-what are you?" he stammered, backing away from her toward the door behind him, toward his only means of escape. She graced him with a menacing s
"Wh-what are you?" he stammered, backing away from her toward the door behind him, toward his only means of escape. She graced him with a menacing smile, displaying her full set set of masterful fangs. "Death," she hissed, and then pounced.
From the very first moment I saw this on BookSirens, I knew I needed to have it. A Lust For Blood is a gothic tale so terrifying and bloody you will want to save it for spooky season, but in case you can help yourself (guilty, your honor), I recommend you dive into this armed with courage and willing to let yourself be transported into a magical universe filled with scary monsters, demon hunters and so much violence to last for days. Fast-paced and action-packed, with insanely detailed writing and horrid creatures straight from your darkest nightmares, you won't be able to put it down once you start. The thing I liked the most about the book, was the world-building and the lore, especially the monster's descriptions and the action scenes that were disgusting and made me squirm, but were absolutely gripping nonetheless. I loved that this was told in a double pov, because it gave us the chance to focus on Oriana and Garren's stories independently, and I also appreciated that one of the main characters was my age. Who says you can't live an adventurous life, once you turn 28. It also doesn't hurt that the romance was nice to read about. I was honestly (and surprisingly, if you know me) more interested in the whole legend/curse storyline and overall plot, but I didn't mind the bit the romance and appreciated that it wasn't the focal point of the story. It reminded me a little of a gothic and dorky The Witcher and I can't say I'm complaining. I actually might have let my mind imagine young Henry Cavill as the protagonist, but that's a story for another day.
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ARC received from BookSirens in exchange for a review.