Romance

Romance Book Reviews

Review of Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross

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Synopsis:
What’s the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf?

Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he’s cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.

Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven–no werewolves. They’re known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls in the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she’s ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

What Evie doesn’t know is that Mateo’s wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she’s in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

Review:
I had some thoughts towards the beginning that this would turn into a “mates” situation. This story was cute, but it wasn’t overly gripping. It was quite slow burn, but every time there was something that would allegedly keep the pair apart everyone was suddenly saying oh but Mateo’s nice and he makes you happy. Labeled as “slow burn”, it’s more that both characters were too indecisive to actually make a move.

Evie is different, and the one thing that I think makes this actually realistic is that she is conscious and a bit worried that she isn’t enough because of that. The characters seem absolutely oblivious to their feelings both of and towards each other despite both being in the 30s. That being said, 99% of the book is actually about Mateo and Evie and their connection, with the pair minimal going towards magic/the hex that is allegedly the entire reason Mateo reached out to Evie to begin with. The spicy scenes need some language revamp with expression such as “little lady” and “lady parts” used by Evie.

I felt there were far too many pop culture references, with huge chunks of the novel being about Evie’s love of Star Wars. Never did get into any interests of Mateo, and spent minimal amount on magic/spells. Did enjoy the characters and the world set in New Orleans, but not enough to delve back/continue with this series.

Star rating: ✯✯

Review of Elemental Claim by Miranda Grant

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Synopsis:
When Emma wakes up tied to a bed, she believes the mafia has finally caught up to her.

But the truth is so much worse.

She’s been mistaken for her twin sister, her sweet, lovable sister who’s been charged with mass murder and helping a vampire destroy the Seven Planes. If she doesn’t confess all, her kidnapper will pull the water out of her blood and into her lungs. Dragged into a reality where monsters and gods exist and mercy is nowhere to be found, how can she possibly survive long enough to save her sister? Because there’s only one thing she knows for certain anymore: Liz is innocent. And she’ll do everything she can to prove it.

He’ll see her imprisoned for life or dead at his feet.

Tasked with bringing in a forbidden child of the gods, Rogan never expected this job to be easy. But finding out she’s his lifemate, the literal other half of his soul, has just made his mission a hel of a lot harder. For now he has to make a choice:

Use his lifemate as bait.

Or damn the worlds to Niflhel.

Review:
I have never felt so betrayed and lied to by booktok as by this book. This book had an interesting premise, but was full of clichés and insta-affection and love with a token virgin and honestly, I kept reading to see if it ever picked up and got better and it never really did. By chapter 27 Emma decides to “stretch and exercise”, going on about how she’d trained that previously with her mom despite having done nothing to indicate this ever throughout the novel previously. A lot of things seemed to gratuitously disappear or reappear, such as her “nightmares” which were never truly explained and just disappeared off. The use of a lifemate, and one soul being ripped in two and needing to find it’s match was a neat idea but ended up with instant love and weird magic issues that made no sense. As for the spicy scenes, there sure are a lot of them, and for being a virgin she sure seems able to go a multitude of times and never any mention of being sore etc. A very peculiar and weird tale. I did like some of the background characters and would have enjoyed hearing more about them, but overall would like to wipe this from my memory and pretend I never heard of it. This book is not on kindle unlimited, so I did buy a copy, but honestly… just… skip this one.

Star rating: ✯✯

Review of The Book of G by Lily Archer

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Synopsis:
Villains don’t get happily ever afters, do they?

I have a glorious past full of achievement and renown. I mean, I feel like I must, right? The problem is, I can’t remember it. I can’t even remember my own name. I was found in a river, body mangled and face scarred, with nothing to identify me besides a single embroidered letter.

My memory is a murky blur, but I have a quest, one that will give me back everything I’ve lost. The voice in the water told me so. But the voice seemed to miss a few important highlights—namely the woman who challenges me at every twist and turn of my journey. The woman who tells me I’m a villain. The woman who becomes every fervent whisper of my heart, and every last thought in my head.

If I can complete my quest and recover what I’ve lost, she’ll see we’re meant to be. But villains don’t get happily ever afters, do they?

Lily’s Note: Sometimes falling from a great height can lead to a whole new life. This is a full-length standalone fantasy romance. Let your imagination run wild about who G is and just how wide his evil streak can be (hint: massive.)

Review:
Holy. Crap. I knew I liked morally grey, and enemies to lovers can be amazing, but this Beauty and the Beast retelling is one I never expected to find, and a “villain” I never thought I’d love and resonate with. While I did know who G was from the start, I absolutely fell headfirst into this story and was held captive. I didn’t want to put it down! The writing is concise, the world building on point. The spice was incredible and a 5/5 on that alone. There was never a point where I thought I had the ending figured out, and there were still surprises up to the very epilogue. In taking away G’s past, we’re left seeing why he might think of things the way he did: nature vs. nurture, as well as a general lack of education beyond being a manly man. I absolutely love that while he did grow as a person his quirks and flaws remained the same and became understood and almost endearing. The banter and tension in this book is absolutely perfect. All that being said, this book was amazing and I quite loved it, and strongly recommend it if you like: morally grey, enemies to lovers, Beauty and the Beast retellings, and a whole lot of spice.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

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Synopsis:
From bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair comes a dark and enthralling reimagining of the Hades and Persephone Greek myth.

“Let me worship you,” he said.

She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. “You will worship me, and I won’t even have to order you.” His request felt sinful and devious, and she reveled in it.

She answered, “Yes.”

Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can’t resist.

After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—a love that is both captivating and forbidden.

Review:
I’m not quite sure why everyone is enamored with this book. I found it somewhat lackluster in development. While one may argue that the characters grow during the novel, it is almost a secondary thought to how their instant connection and love match can continue. So many parts of this novel hinge on how naive and too trusting Persephone is and instead of organically allowing her to grow it seems as if she chooses to only accept Hades at his word/face value in matters of the flesh and not those of morals. While there are plenty of Greek Mythology based persona within the novel, in many cases it seemed as if the name was used without the connections for which they were so widely revered and known. Hades is the one God who appears to be better in reality than how they are portrayed. While there are plenty of steamy scenes, any sort of true love story is overshadowed by how physicality becomes the main connection between Hades and Persephone, especially when they mention not even knowing anything about what the other likes to do for hobbies, when they had been allegedly spending time together for around 5 months.

All in all, it’s a retelling, sure, but if you’re looking for something that hits more of the classic misunderstood but not just in need of an instant connection stories, I’d recommend Meg Cabot’s Abandon.

Star rating: ✯✯✯

Review of The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

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Synopsis:
Rowan
I’m in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don’t get happy endings.
Not when we’re destined to ruin them.

Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything.
Especially not us.

Review:
This book!! Oh my gosh, the writing was absolutely perfect. There were so many times that I just felt perfectly cocooned and fully immersed in the story. I absolutely love how, despite how bubbly and nice Zahra is, she isn’t perfect and both the main characters are seen to have cracks and issues throughout the story; things that cannot magically heal, but actual trauma that needs to be worked through and is always there behind you. While the novel was very reminiscent of a “Disney Princess” feel, it was truly immersive to see things through the eyes of a layperson and someone very affluent. While booktok may have originally gotten me to look at this book, the book itself took me to entirely new places and I absolutely adored it.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen

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Synopsis:
I’ve always loved fairytales. I never imagined I’d actually be in one.

When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I’ll do anything to save him… Even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I’d end up imprisoned by four sexy fae who turn into beasts at night.

I have to win my freedom, and that means making a bargain with them. They must find their mates in order to break the curse. If I can help them do that, they’ll set me free. Sounds simple, right?

It’s not. Because against my better judgment, I’m starting to fall for these beastly princes. One is smart and sweet, the other mysterious and deadly, another flirty and confident, and the last prince… He’s handsome, strong, has a wicked temper, and is dead-set against breaking the curse. Why does he want to keep me here forever?

But it’s not just my freedom on the line. If I don’t break the princes’ curse soon, all the magic in the Enchanted Vale will be stolen by the evil—and stupidly hot—Prince of Thorns. And I’m not letting my princes stay cursed.

Not after I’ve fallen in love with them.

BONDED BY THORNS is a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling set in a fantasy fae realm. In this version, our beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between the four sexy fae princes. It is a full-length novel that ends on a cliffhanger. It includes MF and MM content. It is intended for mature readers only.

Review:
This book had me enraptured from the beginning. Given how “romance” driven it seemed set up for, there was a lot of lead in and backstory that really had me gripped from the first page. I never once was considering looking to see just how much time I had left chapter to chapter or until the end, unless I was falling asleep while reading and wanted to get to an end point. I loved how Rosalina’s life was shown before and after being with the princes, and how she grows as a character. I cannot wait to be able to read the next book, and oh my gosh, waiting until June is going to be TORTURE!!!

I feel that Rosalina and her previous relationship is very much how many women find themselves dating when they don’t know any better; it’s good enough, okay enough, he’s nice to me etc. I absolutely adored how we saw her relationships with the various characters blossom during the story, so that it’s more than just attraction between her and any of the others. I love she finds herself reevaluating her place in life and in this story, and finding that, just like the real world, sometimes your desires and feelings and future change before you even realize.

There is a hint of spice between Rosalina and one of the princes (not naming names!) however the main spice is MM, and I’d put the dirty talk at about a 5/5 spice and the rest maybe 3/5.

I did absolutely love the subtle nods to the Disney version with “Far off places, daring sword fights, a prince in disguise…” but this could absolutely stand on its own. The flower twist was gorgeous, the thorns and her connection perfect. I have a few suspicions on who some of the main characters so far unseen will turn out to be (fae queen, enchantress) but overall I quite love this book and cannot wait to continue on!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes

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Synopsis:
What do you get when you cross a cursed bookshop, three hot fictional men, and a murder mystery to solve?

After being fired from my dream fashion job, I return home under a cloud of failure to work at the quaint village bookshop. Maybe being surrounded by great literature will help me find a new path.

But my quiet life becomes stranger than fiction – a mysterious curse on Nevermore Bookshop brings fictional characters to life in lust-worthy bodies. Now I’m having poetry duels with Poe’s cheeky, dark-haired raven, rescuing customers from a grumpy, tattooed Heathcliff, and getting life advice from suave villain James Moriarty, all while trying not to fall for the three gorgeous literary villains who should only exist in my imagination.

Sounds great, right?

Well, it is.

Apart from the murders.

That’s right: murders. It turns out that my quaint English village is murder-central.

My ex-best friend shows up dead with a knife in her back, and I’m the chief suspect. I’m going to have to Agatha Christie this shiz if I want to clear my name. Can my fictional boyfriends keep me out of prison?

The Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries are what you get when all your book boyfriends come to life. Join a brooding antihero, a master criminal, a cheeky raven, and a heroine with a big heart (and an even bigger book collection) in this steamy paranormal mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes.

Review:
This book really brings the town to life. I quite enjoyed the stories of our narrator’s time in NY, and her childhood. The steam is strong and well written. The plot, however, I had guessed from very early on. The relationship between the narrator/protagonist and her fictional friends seems too instant, with nothing that spurs a connection other than “girl is talking to me” in most cases. Of the three, the raven friend is the only one who really has time of enlightenment and a deep connection with her beyond instant attraction. The author does do well delving into the protagonist having a very serious issue, and what that may look like as someone comes to terms with the future they’d worked for their entire life becoming unattainable. That being said, I still quite enjoyed this book and it was a quick, simple read.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Plastic Magician By Charlie N. Holmberg

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Synopsis:
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician.

Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.

Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.

Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…

Review:
I read the original Paper Magician series years and years ago, so this book was basically read as a standalone in the same universe, which as far as I can tell, for all intents and purposes, it is. We do see our favourite two folder magicians for a very brief moment, but otherwise, this story is a world of its own. There isn’t as big of an adventure in this story, and the overarching plot/climax is a bit too obvious from the very beginning. Overall it was an alright book, but I did not personally find it as thrilling as the original trilogy; especially the way it was left as if more could happen with these characters but no mention of a follow up book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Infernal Trials for Humans: A Demon Romance by Rebecca F. Kenney

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Synopsis:
Grace is forced to enroll in the Infernal Trials–seven rounds of brutal competition–with the goal of becoming a demon so she can be with Apollyon forever. Fearful of what demonic existence would mean, Grace searches for a way to avoid it, while Apollyon investigates his origins. The two of them experiment with each other’s kinks, using intimacy to survive the horrors of Hell. But the Infernal Trials are filled with vicious contestants who will do anything to win. (Season 2 of Interior Design for Demons)

(TW: sexual threat, violence, gore, demons, monsters, murder, suicide ideation, torture)

Review:
In some ways this book was brilliant. I loved the continued relationship with Apollyon and Grace, but I absolutely hated how everything went down with Rath. Grace was very smart in how she got what she needed for their plan but was very conscious of her humanity, which makes sense being in a competition to give it up entirely. While I absolutely love Apollyon and Grace, I do not really enjoy the idea of things that were predestined and had to happen/were going to happen/were known to be in the future. It takes away a bit of the connection and the magic of two people finding each other if they were always going to be together. That being said, this was still a good book, and a great send off for this duology.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Interior Design for Demons: A Demon Romance by Rebecca F. Kenney

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Synopsis:
For readers of C.N. Crawford, Laura Thalassa, and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Interior design student Grace and twelve other humans are forcibly recruited to participate in a contest, redecorating various rooms in Hell–which haven’t been redone since ancient or medieval times. The winner gets a lucrative contract, a few extra decades of youth, and one soul reclaimed from The Pit. With sexy demons Razenath and Apollyon distracting Grace from her goals, can she avoid being eliminated after each round?

TW: doubtful consent related to kissing, touch; some physical harm/abuse; reference to family murder/suicide; gore, horror, demons, monsters; torture; child neglect; cannibalism

Review:
Wow. I was drawn in from the beginning as we travel with plucky Grace into a contest she didn’t want to be a part of. I quite enjoyed Grace’s relationships with other contestants and Razenath and Apollyon, especially how they grew and developed. There was a lot of hellish description that one really has to be ready for before reading this. I personally didn’t feel that any of the hellish tortures were done in such a manner to trigger me, but that line will be different for everyone. I quite loved the depth of different backgrounds and sins the contestants and their families had. There was clearly a lot of influence from other things in the naming and characterization of some characters, but very fitting. The interior design aspect of the book was not skimmed over but detailed and quite enjoyable to read. I am very much looking forward to seeing what more might happen in Rebecca F. Kenney’s Hell.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯