Hunted by the Demon’s Vow by A.N. Caudle

I enjoyed the plot of this book and the premise of the demon hunt as well as the intensity of everything going on.

I think I was expecting a bit more forbidden love based on the summary and was a bit confused when there wasn’t as much romantic tension as I expected. I can understand the forbidden love from Daemon’s side a bit, but not really Vhaena’s side.

The secret that Vhaena keeps from Daemon for so long was very obvious. I didn’t understand why it took so long to be revealed as it wasn’t shocking and didn’t truly add to the plot in being revealed so late.

I enjoyed that the FMC in this book is not secretly amazing with survival skills. Too many times we get an FMC that has been training in secret or somehow knows all these skills that the average villager would never know and thus they are almost completely fine during such a traumatic situation. Instead, Vhaena is truly an average villager with no special skills and honestly completely hopeless in trying to survive and evade the hunters and I actually enjoyed it more because of this.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it, but it was not my favorite.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.

Synopsis: Seven days.

That’s how long the humans selected for the Hunt must survive. On the island, the demons are set loose to hunt them down and indulge in their darkest desires with no rules to stop them.

Vhaena never thought her town would turn on her, but when she’s voted as a sacrifice for the demons’ annual tradition, she’s forced into a nightmare designed to kill her. Alone and betrayed, she’s prepared to do anything to survive. What she isn’t prepared for is him.

Daemon, her brother’s best friend and her forbidden obsession—a demon hiding among them.

Loyal to his vow to protect her but cursed by the darkness clawing at his soul, Daemon walks a blurring line between protector and predator. His vow demands her safety, but his hunger demands her ruin.

On an island meant to unleash the monsters hidden within, Vhaena and Daemon must decide which is stronger—duty or desire.

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A Body at the Irish Book Club (Mercy McCarthy Book 5) by Lucy Connelley

This was my third book of Lucy Connelley’s and I’ve read all of them in just a few weeks as I’m enjoying the lighthearted, cozy mysteries she writes as well as the characters. Connelley is also a very quick writer as she just had another book come out with a different FMC which will be a different series. You can find my review for that one here; “The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor”.

I read the first book in this series,“An Irish Bookshop Murder” focused on the female main character, Mercy McCarthy, who moves to Ireland with her sister to take over their grandfather’s house and bookshop. I then jumped to this fifth installment of the series after receiving an arc close to the publication day. I was a bit nervous that I would have missed too much from not reading three books, but I was surprised that I was only confused with one situation. Other than that, it seems the series is going to be very very slow in the plot development as well as a slow burn romance.

The timeline in Mercy’s life is only about five months or so from the first book to this fifth book. I didn’t mind that so much since I hadn’t missed anything, but I could see this being a bit frustrating to readers going through the whole series. Also, a bit crazy that a small town that never had any issues or murder suddenly has over five murders (at least one per book) in just five months!

Of course, this is definitely a very tall tale type mystery since Mercy is an amateur sleuth and not an actual detective. She writes bestselling mysteries and from her research and stories, she seems to be able to solve the crimes when the true detectives cannot. I’m always a sucker for these stories even if at times I know it is very unlikely but it’s fun to see Mercy trying to snoop in a way that doesn’t truly seem like snooping or hindering the detective’s investigation. In this book, you can see that Kieran, the detective, is definitely starting to embrace Mercy’s help more even though he still warns her to stay away for safety.

Overall, this book kept me entertained and interested and I’m curious to see what else happens with Mercy and this small town.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book.

Synopsis: Mercy McCarthy is delighted to see old neighbors and new friends come to the bookstore to support her sister’s autumn book club. But as Mercy closes the chapter on the evening, she stumbles across local grandmother Eva, lifelessly slumped in a squashy armchair at the back of the store.

She recognizes Eva as one of the festival’s main organizers and though she looks to be at peace, the plot thickens when Mercy notices a suspicious mark on her neck. She knows this was no accident. With so many people in the store that night, any one of them could be the killer.

Just as Mercy reads a suspicious-sounding entry for the festival’s fiction-writing contest, another body turns up on the beach. Is someone in Shamrock Cove dying for a bestseller?

It’s up to Mercy and her crime-solving canine companion Mr. Poe to sniff out the suspects before another victim is taken. Could the murderer be the garden center owner who dabbles in chemistry? Eva’s ne’er-do-well grandson-in-law? Or the local busybody who has an opinion about everybody?

Mercy has to hit the books—and the streets of Shamrock Cove—to solve the mystery before the killer has the last word.

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The Auction by Sadie Kincaid

I’ve read a few of Sadie Kincaid’s books in the past and enjoyed them, so I was excited to read this one after seeing the premise. A Beauty and the Beast inspired mafia dark romance, sign me up! However, after reading it, I was a bit disappointed and it will not be my favorite of this author.

This book is slow in the fact that not much happens between the two characters other than smutty scenes. After the cliffhanger ending, it makes a bit more sense now that I know this is the first of a series. It is very much building the scene and background before the second book comes out which I believe will have more of action and mafia situations thrown in. Without knowing there would be a second book for 99% of reading this, I just found myself bored by the main characters. Although the smut was good in the beginning it got very repetitive and nothing else was really happening outside of it, so I just didn’t find myself invested in these two main characters. They fell a bit flat and were not developed enough in their personalities and mannerisms outside the bedroom.

The Auction itself in the very beginning also went by so quickly. I do appreciate that Kincaid was sensitive to something that could be very triggering and terrifying, but I was a bit surprised how after that short scene the rest of the book didn’t feel “dark” at all.

I did appreciate how the FMC is slowly finding herself, even in something as simple as what food she may enjoy and becoming more comfortable in being somewhat free. I am sure this growth will continue into the second book in promising ways, but I am not sure I am invested enough to continue reading.

I would still recommend giving some of Kincaid’s other books a chance and maybe the second book will redeem this one! It is definitely for someone, just not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my review.

Synopsis: I was trained to be a pawn, but I will rise as a queen.

My life has never been my own. After the death of my parents, I was saved by my grandfather, with the promise that he would turn me over to the Brotherhood on my twenty-first birthday. I was kept away from the outside world so I could one day be sold to the highest bidder—pure and unsullied. Penance for my parents’ alleged crimes.

That’s how I come to be sold at an auction. And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight?

Some say that he’s a monster, more dangerous than any of the evil men from the Brotherhood. That he wears a mask to cover his scars. But I believe he’s hiding more than just his face behind his mask.

My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. I’m trapped. Entirely at his mercy.

I have to escape.

But something here isn’t what it seems.

View my Review on Goodreads

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

When I first saw this book was co-written by Marissa Meyer (I loved The Lunar Chronicles series!) and read the premise I was excited. I was even more excited to be chosen to read an ARC and was quickly sucked into the story.

Reality game show books have always been fun for me to read, especially when the authors spend time on the scenes for the actual game show. Meyer and Moss did a great job in explaining the sets of the escape rooms and explaining the clues and codes that the contestants have to figure out. It was fast-paced, exciting and difficult to put down since I wanted to know everything. I also enjoyed how they delved into how truths are stretched and producers often push certain storylines in reality TV. This made everything more realistic and I think I’d love if this was actually a game show one day. Puzzle geniuses escaping rooms with a team, so fun!

The main characters are well developed and thankfully not the typical annoying YA characters. I’ve been having difficulty reading most YA recently because I find so many of the characters annoying and more like caricatures rather than true people. The extra unsolved puzzle of how Sierra’s sister, Alicia, died in the previous season, adds even more intrigue to the storyline. I enjoyed the majority of this book, even the choice of the murderer, however I do feel like the reveal of the villain was a bit weird because suddenly they just showed up. That part was a bit silly and I felt could have been done better.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it for something different to read. The ending also makes it possible for there to potentially be a sequel which I would definitely read if they chose to write it.

Synopsis: It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of who killed Alicia Angelos?

View my Review on Goodreads

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary

I read “The Flatshare” by Beth O’Leary a few years back and enjoyed the characters and dialogue, so figured I’d give this one a shot. Unfortunately, I did not like this one very much, but I do still see potential in the author’s writing so I’d be happy to read other books by her down the line.

I did feel this book was important in chronicling a process of grief and coming to terms with harder truths about yourself in order to move forward. The author did a good job of showing the struggles and set-backs these characters have at times since you can’t change your mindset overnight.

This book had a situation that made it most difficult for me to enjoy. Both Charlies are going through pretty traumatic things and trying to start fresh. Rather than really helping themselves, they find themselves pulled to each other and it’s almost as if the other person is then “fixing” them. While I believe that you can look towards others for help and support, you should not be fully reliant on them to better yourself. Someone in the very first days of becoming sober should not be starting a new relationship.

My other issue was how this book was written. Each character is journaling and thus it is mostly written as streams of thoughts but then recounting scenes with others. This makes things disjointed at times and a bit haphazard and while I at first was interested in having a different layout, I found it not working so well. There are also flashbacks from the past which interrupts the flow at times.

There is a twist towards the end of the book, that while clever and very unique, made this even messier in my eyes. I think just because of one of the characters more than the twist itself, but unfortunately felt like this was the final reason why I just didn’t really like the book.

Again, I’d overall recommend this author and I do felt the book itself was unique with some of the plots points. I just feel that it could have been done a bit better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.

Synopsis: Charlie Jones has landed on the island to embark on her brand new life. As the manager at Ormer's only farm shop, this job will be her perfect next chapter. Good riddance to the mainland, this is it - fresh air, and a clean slate.

Except there is one small issue ...

Charlie Jones has also just arrived on the Isle of Ormer, to embark on his brand new life. His job at the farm shop feels like fate, and could not have come at a better moment. On Ormer, Charlie has promised himself he'll escape old friends, bad habits and heartbreak.

This second chance is the best thing that could have happened to Charlie . . . and Charlie.

That is, until they are introduced . . .

View my Review on Goodreads

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey

Overall, I enjoyed these characters’ relationship and banter throughout the story. I liked how they helped each other realize things about themselves so that they could grow. However, there were some things that took away from the overall story and made me enjoy it less.

First, I always have a problem with the trope of a notorious play-boy that suddenly falls in love and is disgusted by his past actions. People should be respectful yes, but it shouldn’t be looked down upon if someone wants to enjoy a single life and not date. In this situation, Robbie doesn’t just sleep with a lot of women but he also brags and talks about them in a disrespectful manner. Within the first few pages he seems to have remembered that he was raised better than that, all because Skylar doesn’t immediately fall at his feet. I was quickly able to get past this part because the banter and moments once the couple starts to fake-date overshadow this annoying epiphany.

For the majority of the book, I was really enjoying the characters and scenes until the annoying third act break-up came up. I know a lot of romance books use a third act break-up but I usually don’t like this so it may have bothered me more than others. The bigger problem is what their third act break-up is about. This couple is extremely new to each other and yet a mistake (that honestly seems more warranted) cannot be forgiven or understood? Although some secondary characters do bring that up a bit, the couple still stays apart for a bit too long in my opinion. The very end became suddenly corny as well so I felt it took away from the middle of the story which was funny, fast-paced and entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc. And I am so sorry it took me this long to read it.

Synopsis: Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.

When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?

Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

But it’s all just pretend…right?

View my Review on Goodreads

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

This was a lighthearted, cozy YA book that I read quickly and overall enjoyed. I happened to be reading this book at the same time that I was listening to “The Spellshop” by Sarah Beth Durst, so it was hard not to compare and I found myself liking “The Spellshop” more.

There were a few things I wish had happened in “The Faraway Inn” for me to enjoy this book more. First, I wish that the magic happened a bit earlier in the story and was expanded upon more at times. One of the best parts about this story was the magical elements and yet they don’t start until about a third into the book and certain moments happen very quickly and are glossed over. Second, part of Calisa’s growth is centered around her relationship with Jack which seemed unnecessary and also a bit silly since she is a teenager and just came out of what is described as a horrible break-up.

Overall, I do enjoy Sarah Beth Durst’s magical worlds and cozy reads and will be giving more of her books a try. And I would recommend this book, though not as the best one she has written.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Calisa is desperate for a change of scenery after her lying ex ruins her perfect Brooklyn summer. When her parents suggest she head to rural Vermont to help her great-aunt run her cozy bed and breakfast for a few months, she jumps at the chance.

But when Calisa arrives at the B&B, she's shocked to find a rundown inn with only a handful of guests. And to make matters worse, upon meeting with her great-aunt it quickly becomes clear that Calisa was not invited. Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn…even if it is clear she needs the help.

To earn her keep, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper's (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the more it becomes evident that there is something strange about the B&B—and its residents. Something almost…otherworldly.

View my Review on Goodreads

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt

I decided to pick up this book due to the very fun title and the synopsis. Overall, I felt the book lived up to the expectation of a somewhat silly and dark enemies to lovers romance with a forced marriage trope which I am always a fan of.

I enjoyed the two characters’ personalities and the banter between them. They don’t try to change each other, but rather support each other in growing in their magic and getting rid of the corrupt kingdoms.

The chapter titles were also really fun and entertaining to add to the atmosphere of the plot. For example “Glower, Growl, Repeat (Toxic Romance 101)” or “Meet Your Villain’s Quirky Staff (Before they Collect More Bodily Samples)”.

I was a bit confused at times by some of the world building and magic system, especially towards the end when everything comes to a head. However, I still enjoyed these characters and would be interested in the second book and seeing how everything else unfolds.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

Synopsis: Step One: Kidnap someone cute.

Step Two: Force her into marriage.

Step Three: Try not to get feelings.

When Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose kidnaps Lady Arabella for a forced marriage, he expects an obedient, trembling bride. What he gets is a knife to the throat and a furious woman with her own terms. He may need her heroic bloodline to achieve ultimate dominion, but she's not about to make this easy for him.

Arabella has already survived her father's tower prison and a lifetime of being treated like property. Being abducted by the realm's most notorious villain is just another Tuesday. If she must be married to the infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) Dark Lord, she'll do it on her terms: freedom within his fortress, hands strictly to himself, and complete honesty about his plans.

But when his plans go awry, Kazimir faces his most terrifying challenge yet. He must actually date his own wife. Between magical training sessions, playing golf with the eyeballs of his enemies, and aphrodisiac dinners gone spectacularly wrong, his villainous seduction plans are failing at every turn.

As they navigate magical explosions and jealous exes, they discover a far more terrifying prospect than war or magical catastrophe:

They might actually be falling for each other.

View my Review on Goodreads

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly

I recently listened to “An Irish Bookshop Murder” by Lucy Connelly and enjoyed the cozy murder mystery with a bit of ridiculous thrown in. So when I was given the chance to read this arc, I was happy to be entertained by another quick murder mystery read.

“The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor” was similar to Connelly’s other book I read in that both FMCs recently relocated across the world and are trying to find a new home and life for themselves. Very quickly, a murder happens and they get tangled up in finding out who did it. And maybe they are going a bit too far in how they solve the case, but it’s all for the truth.

I enjoyed the characters of this book and would definitely be interested to read the next installments as all the characters become more developed as their stories continue. It also wasn’t a super obvious or cliche murderer, so although I did figure out who did it, I wasn’t annoyed when I found out because it was still different enough and interesting to see how the clues were put together.

One thing that I didn’t really like in this book though was the fact that Gwen, the FMC, very quickly trusted a near stranger to help her do something illegal. I always find it a bit silly in books or movies like this story where a civilian becomes an amateur detective that is somehow better than the entire police force and yet thinks they can do the job of the police such as interview all the suspects or enter crime scenes, etc. But I will let it go because that is the style of book this is. However, it makes a lot more sense if the main character does something shady with their best friend or a family member who knows what they are like. For a near stranger to be like sure, let me do this illegal thing with you no problem was a bit too much of a stretch for me.

Overall though, I still enjoyed the main character Gwen and am interested to see where her story leads. I’ll also be picking up more of the Mercy McCarthy series from Connelly that I first read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC in exchange for a review.

Synopsis: After crossing the pond, Dr. Gwen Griffith finds herself in the quirky place she fell in love with, Dillynaidd, Wales. A former managing editor for a Texan newspaper, Gwen is ready for the next stage in her life as the head of the journalism department at the local university in town. With her best friend, Carolyn Sparks–who is also the university’s dean–at her side, Dillynaidd feels like a dream, until murder comes knocking at her doorstep.

Gwen had only just met the victim, Dr. Alice Rice, at a faculty party but that doesn't stop police detective Gareth Jones from suspecting her of foul play–after all the victim was found on her doorstep. With her journalism background, Gwen decides that it’s up to her to clear her own name. But she’ll need all the help she can get when her idyllic small town life is turned upside down in order to stay one step ahead of the killer.

View my Review on Goodreads

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent

This was an easy, light romance that I read in a day and a half, though I do have mixed feelings about it and give it a 3 out of 5.

I enjoyed the F1 setting and the fact that the FMC, Chloe, was the first female team principal. What’s that you may ask? Don’t worry, I had to look it up as well. It is basically the CEO/boss of the team and is a public face who talks to the press and runs the day-to-day needs of the team. They also make decisions on who the drivers are, etc. so a pretty big deal to be the first female principal. I wish this part had been expanded upon a bit more with more situations of her showing her girl boss strength but instead we get a timid girl who is not fully confident in herself and her role even though she has lived and breathed the sport all her life.

My second issue was that Chloe was annoyed with Matt due to a misunderstanding from their past and Matt was completely oblivious. And yet, suddenly, Matt realizes she may be upset and why she was upset event though she was acting like everything was fine. I’m not sure if this scene was edited in the final version of the book but my arc version was confusing how suddenly things are resolved without a legitimate conversation. In general, there were not enough discussions between the two main characters to truly develop their relationship well which is why I gave this a lower rating.

I saw some great potential in the setting and the characters but do feel like more depth needed to be added for each character. Maybe it needed to be a bit longer in order to add some more scenes to develop the relationship more as well as their character arcs in general. Overall, not a bad book and it was entertaining enough, but not going to be a favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book.

Synopsis: As one of the first female team principles in Formula 1, Chloe Coleman is determined to prove herself and transform her failing team from underdogs to champions. Nothing can ruin her strategy—except maybe the surprising new addition of a cocky, top-tier driver who’s lost his edge. And he just so happens to be her estranged childhood crush who still sends her heart racing.

Matt Warner needs a comeback. A former champion, he hasn’t won a race since the disastrous crash that landed his best friend and teammate in the hospital. If there’s a silver lining to this scandalous demotion, it’s his fierce and familiar new boss, Chloe. But as the competition heats up, so does an unexpected spark that turns dangerously and passionately hot. With the world watching and pressures of the season mounting, will their chemistry lead them to victory, or spin them out of control?

View my Review on Goodreads

The Salt Bind or A Spell for Drowning by Rebecca Ferrier

This was a DNF book for me at about 50%, so I will only be able to give a few thoughts for this book.

I requested an ARC of this book as the premise seemed like my kind of book. Spirits, gods, sea monsters and ruthlessness? Sign me up.

While the atmosphere was fantastic, the pacing was off and the characters fell flat and one-dimensional. The story spans Kensa’s life so it does have to go through many years, but it seemed to drag for the first half of the book with very little action or substance. Although I first enjoyed that Kensa stole the glory from her sister, Kensa became quite annoying and whiney rather than just ruthless like I thought she’d be. She was also very naive on many situations which was ok at first but as she grew and apprenticed for a wise woman, she should have known better for certain scenes. The fact that I didn’t like any of the characters, even as a villain, made me finally give up on reading the story.

There was certainly promise with the atmosphere and premise, but you can tell this is the author’s debut novel. I’d be interested to read another book by her as she grows into her writing more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Synopsis: The people of Portscatho are bound to traditions and to the sea, living side by side with the spirits, gods, and monsters that inhabit the rollicking waters. When Kensa and her half-sister come across a dying sea beast on the Cornish shore, Kensa is quick to claim credit for the discovery, and in doing so steals the glory and her sister’s position as apprentice to the local wise woman. It seems an appropriate station for Kensa, who has always existed out of step with the others in the village.

Yet to be a wise woman is to be alone—unmarried, childless, relied upon and lusted after yet never truly wanted. Kensa’s only real company is her mentor, the wise woman Isolde.

But Isolde won’t live forever, and when she falls ill, Kensa will do anything to save her and retain her newfound elevation within the community. Even if that means having to seek help from the Bucka, a terrifying and unfathomable sea god who guards the tides around Portscatho. In doing so, she’ll risk her life, her family, and everything she’s sworn to protect.

View my Review on Goodreads

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

This is a retelling of the myth of Medusa and I have always been a bit obsessed with Greek Mythology, so I was excited to read this as it’s from Medusa’s point of view.

Medusa, or Meddy, is introduced to us as a teenager who has been sheltered in many ways even though she has already been introduced to the cruel and vicious gods that surround her life. This makes some of her interactions with others very immature and she is quite naive in certain aspects which causes her some issues throughout the story. Gray did a great job of showing the viciousness and abuse of power from the Gods, and I enjoyed the sisterly bond present throughout the entire book.

The middle part of this story fell a bit flat and seemed to drag as we waited to find out how Medusa becomes what we all know her to be. I can see that this book was more focused on Medusa before she becomes the “monster”, but I did wish that we got a bit more of her afterwards because the ending felt quite rushed. I also felt like there were some inconsistencies with Medusa’s personality and character. At times she is so outspoken and stands up for others but then there are times she is too timid and meek that it feels like two different characters entirely.

Overall, I still enjoyed this story and the author’s new take on Medusa’s background and life. However, it isn’t going to be one I’d recommend immediately and I think one reason behind that is that it does feel very YA at times and I was hoping for it to be a bit darker than it was. That is probably more of a personal preference, so I don’t want to deter others from reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for sending an ARC of this book for my honest review.

Synopsis: Meddy has spent her whole life as a footnote in someone else’s story. Out of place next to her beautiful, immortal sisters and her parents—both gods, albeit minor ones—she dreams of leaving her family’s island for a life of adventure. So when she catches the eye of the goddess Athena, who invites her to train as an esteemed priestess in her temple, Meddy leaps at the chance to see the world beyond her home.

In Athens’ colorful market streets and the clandestine chambers of the temple, Meddy flourishes in her role as Athena’s favored acolyte, getting her first tastes of purpose and power. But when she is noticed by another Olympian, Poseidon, a drunken night between girl and god ends in violence, and the course of Meddy’s promising future is suddenly and irrevocably altered.

Her locs transformed into snakes as punishment for a crime she did not commit, Medusa must embrace a new identity—not as a victim, but as a vigilante—and with it, the chance to write her own story as mortal, martyr, and myth.

View my Review on Goodreads

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

A Beauty and the Beast inspired fantasy where “Beauty” is an art forger and there is a vicious underwater Dragon King? Sign me up! I love that Elizabeth Lim is writing books inspired by Disney Princesses and classic fairytales within such creative magical worlds. A Forgery of Fate did not disappoint, and is definitely a book I’d recommend.

The book started off a bit concerning, as I didn’t really like Truyan “Tru” Saigas, the main female character. She was a bit whiney and entitled even though her family was poor and in a bad situation. She made it seem as someone should help her just because even though she was technically in the wrong, and she was so indignant that they didn’t cave to her request. However, I am a bit glad Tru was so frustrating in the beginning as you then see her growth throughout the book.

I really like the underwater world and all the sea creatures that Tru meets. However, I do wish there had been a bit more world building or explanation of certain scenes, because at times it was hard for me to fully visualize what Lim was describing. There were action-packed scenes and some creative twists that kept me engaged and eager to learn what was going to happen with the fight against the Dragon King.

The romance was also a good slow-burn that was well developed throughout the storyline, which I appreciated. The ending, while heartwarming, did feel a bit rushed. I would have loved even a few more pages with another scene or some descriptions so it didn’t seem quite as vague. However, it was still a good way for the book to end.

Overall, this was a refreshing and engaging romantasy read that I would recommend, especially if someone is looking for a strong standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Synopsis: Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

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The Love Haters by Katherine Center

This was my first book of Katherine Center’s even though I’ve had some of her books on my TBR for years. I enjoyed several aspects of “The Love Haters” and overall found the book entertaining so I would recommend it and will definitely be giving her other books a read soon!

This was a cute story of learning to love yourself and facing your fears and had both funny and heartwarming moments. It also went deep into body image issues but with the comedic moments the entire book still felt mostly lighthearted and entertaining even while still giving some deeper moments.

A few items that lowered the rating slightly for me; 1) Hutch’s brother and his terrible choices. 2) There was a bit too much slapstick humor, which is not my favorite. 3) Katie’s extreme struggles with her body image have been happening for years but she is suddenly cured within a week? It was very unrealistic that she suddenly accepts herself fully, it would have been better if she started to slowly accept herself but still had some struggles at times. 4) Also, the epilogue was a list of updates of different characters but nothing about the main two characters and their relationship, just a quick note that they were still together.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review this ARC.

Synopsis: Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

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Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

I have read other books by Mia Sheridan that I have enjoyed, so I was excited by the premise of her new book. However, the execution was lackluster and unfortunately, I did not like much about this book.

The book started off with some promising commentary on an ex-con’s difficulty in gaining a second chance after being released from prison. You are feeling sympathetic towards the MMC and hoping he will receive his second chance and find a home again.

But then for the first half of the book, I was annoyed by the FMC, which wasn’t a promising start for a romance. Emily was whiney, shallow and naive and although it was understandable that she didn’t fully trust Tuck with his past, some of her vitriol toward him was dramatic and uncalled for. Then, once we hit the apocalyptic portion of the storyline, she is pretty useless and insufferable in every situation. Although she was young and obviously living in the modern world, she did grow up on a farm so I’d assume she be at least a bit more versed in certain things. I tried to appreciate that Sheridan made her slow to accept the new reality as of course it wouldn’t be easy to suddenly be living in the chaos that was happening. However, some of her comments and actions were silly and juvenile and had me rolling my eyes a bit too many times to just brush it off as her being in denial, and really she needed a second chance on her entire character.

The romantic relationship between Emily and Tuck also seemed non-existent until the very end of the book. They started off butting heads but the rekindling passion was just the fact they got in each other’s faces during these fights, is that actually passion? I’m not so sure even if it was meant to be slow burn. Their interactions are mostly negative and although they have inner thoughts of finding each other attractive, there should have been a bit more substance to their conversations or flashbacks to wonderful moments when they were teens to redevelop a true relationship. Instead, even the flashbacks from their past are mostly negative interactions with no chemistry. It is not until very late in the book that they begin having positive interactions and then suddenly everything is rushed to push them together before the end.

I think this book would have benefited from being a bit longer in order to develop the relationship more as well as explain this new world they are navigating. I completely understand the initial slow reveal of everything happening in the world, as they wouldn’t have been able to receive more information in their situation. However, there weren’t enough scenes to truly build everything up and the ones that were added felt out of place, and true chaos comes completely out of nowhere in just a few days. Maybe that is a very accurate portrayal of what would happen in this world if we were cut off from technology and electricity since so much depends on that but again, some of what was described seemed thrown together.

I’m not sure if the annoying mannerisms of the FMC in the beginning made me annoyed by the rest of the book, and although she gets a bit better I never felt she was truly redeemed enough for the esteem Tuck then holds for her. Tuck himself is also not the most interesting character so I constantly felt a bit bored and frustrated by what was going on.

I would still recommend other books by Sheridan such as “Unwanted” and will try another of hers in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Amid the sun-drenched orange groves of California, childhood friends Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson shared a bond that seemed unbreakable—until life ripped them apart.

Thirteen years later, Emily is a rising pop sensation in need of security, and Tuck, a brooding ex-con, is in need of a fresh start. When fate brings them together once again, Emily hires him on as her new bodyguard. They butt heads and bicker, just like the old days—yet neither can deny the heat rekindling between them.

But when a cataclysmic solar flare disrupts the electrical grid, society is suddenly plunged into chaos and darkness. For Emily, the familiar comforts of fame and fortune crumble, but for Tuck, this stark new reality could be the chance he needs to finally prove himself. As they come to terms with all they've lost and the bitterness that's kept them apart, they must find their way back to one another and discover a new place, under the sun.

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Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

I have taken some time before I wrote this review because this book hit me so hard, in all the right ways and I needed to do it justice. I first need to thank the author, Hannah Bonam-Young for writing this incredibly intimate look into some of her inner thoughts about having a disability. Although slightly different, I also was born without my right hand and so many of the thoughts and difficult situations mentioned felt as if it from was my own memories. I found myself crying in relief a few different times because I felt so seen and heard, that someone else had similar thoughts and emotions about growing up without a right hand. Let me share two of my favorite quotes;

"You can’t change anything by hiding it (hand). You’ll just look back on memories and realize you tried to erase yourself. And how sad that would be."

"I didn’t want to achieve despite myself. I didn’t want to defy anything. I just wanted to feel ordinary. To not overcompensate every day. I wanted to be bad at things and have people laugh at me because that’s life. I didn’t want pity.”

Although the FMC, Win, is in her twenties and started to accept herself and her hand in certain ways, she is now navigating becoming a mother and the new challenges that will bring. Not just in the fact that having children is difficult and takes a lot of work, but she has to do many things one-handed. You constantly hear how you'll "have your hands full" or you'll "need an extra set of hands" when it comes to children. As a mom myself with only one hand, hearing those comments was daunting to me and I felt Win's panic through the pages. It took me too long to find baby items that truly had a one-handed/one-button release system where you didn't then need to use both hands to fully maneuver a handle on an infant carrier or tray on a highchair.

Back to the book - I don't usually enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope, but I felt it worked in this book with the way things progressed and how it wasn't thrown in for added stakes to thrust the couple together.

Win and Bo really help each other in the support they show and acceptance of each other, not just with the pregnancy. They were both so wonderful to each other and had such kind hearts towards others that it made for many heartwarming moments. There is no annoying third act break-up or huge miscommunication, and although it takes some time for each of them to accept their feelings they talk throughout the book. It was wonderful and refreshing and definitely necessary given the fact they are looking to co-parent.

I could keep gushing about this book, but I'll leave with the fact I was initially listening to this book and bought a physical copy almost immediately. I was that hooked and in love and wish I could read it again for the first time.

Synopsis: Winnifred "Win" McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she's done just fine. That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything. While Bo is surprisingly elated to step up to the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand. Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.

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