The Reading Diaries

Synopsis

Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and epic dragon-filled fantasy will be swept into Le Fay's Wings of Life, where duty, danger, and forbidden desire collide.

They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.

They don’t care if I come back alive.

Too sharp-tongued and too curious, I am my mother’s greatest lament and my father’s constant frustration. Unwilling to bow to their will, I’ve become expendable, worth sending on a mission doomed to fail.

Armed with nothing but a coded journal, a quill, and my wits, I’m thrust into the kingdom of our oldest enemy—a land of storms and warriors—to wed their high dane’s son. Trapped on their ruthless continent, I am no blushing bride. I’m a spy sent to unlock Rihtlond’s weaknesses… a cuckoo in the robin’s nest.

But my heart still bleeds red when the weaponmaster of these strange people steals it away. Through him, I learn to unlock their secrets. What I uncover is more dangerous than I ever imagined: magic thrumming in the roots of Rihtlond, a dragon hidden in plain sight, and a love I was never meant to feel. Holding this knowledge, I am meant to return home and bind myself to a future I was given long ago.

Now, as war rises and alliances crumble, I must choose between duty and desire, between the family who cast me aside and the bond that awakens who I truly am. To protect what I’ve found—and who I become—I must risk everything. Even if it brands me a traitor. Even if it costs me my life.

Review

I received Wings Of Life in return for an honest review from Page & Vine.

Serae is betrothed to a rival prince to form an alliance between two waring kingdoms. However, her father has other plans and sends her in to discover secrets and he will sweep her away before the wedding. The more time she spends with Wep the more she starts to question everything add in secret dragons that she's formed a connection with. She may not be able to betray the people she's come to care about.

I love Serae as she's been forced into a marriage she didn't want and sent away from the only life she has known. Instead of rolling over she embraced it even forming a connection with a dragon and finding that maybe friendship and even romance. This is an action packed story from start to finish I was on the edge of my seat till the last page.

I was hooked right from the very first page and devoured this book in just one long afternoon of reading. I couldn't put it down and had to know what was going to happen next in Serae's advantures as well as I needed more dragons. I am official obsessed with the authors storytelling it was beautifully written and stole a place in my heart. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend if you are in your romantasy era as it checks all my boxes.

Cover Reveal: To Have & To Stalk

2026-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

TO HAVE AND TO STALK by Mary Catherine Gebhard

Release Date: June 18th

Genre/Tropes: Dark Rom com / Standalone / Stalker / Hidden identity / Failed ONS / Exploring kinks / Anti-hero/good girl / Domestic violence / Knife play / Stalking/Monitoring / CNC / Somno (consensual) / Primal/Prey

CHECK OUT THIS STUNNING COVER! We are honored to share the cover reveal for TO HAVE AND TO STALK by Mary Catherine Gebhard, releasing June 18th! Make sure to preorder this all-new dark rom com TODAY!

PREORDER TODAY! https://geni.us/ZAcYc

BLURB

From USA Today Best Selling author Mary Catherine Gebhard comes a brand new dark romcom about a girl who makes a dating profile to live out all of her spicy, bookish fantasies. He was all my twisted, dark book boyfriend fantasies come to life. Masked. Tattooed. Dirty talking—and totally unhinged. Morally grey? Check. Stalker? Check. A very illegal, very bloody hobby? Check. Possessive, obsessive, and calls me a good girl? Check. Check. Check. I should probably call the police. I definitely shouldn’t take dirty selfies because I know he hacked my phone. But what’s a girl to do? It’s my very own stalker romance.

About the Author:

I started writing the moment I could read. My first characters were Wibbley and Squig and I used MS Word and clipart to bring them to life when I was a kid in elementary school. I started seriously thinking about being a writer in High School and I remember the day exactly, because it was such an epiphany. I was always so uncertain. You know how everyone was always asking what you wanted to be when you were older? Well I NEVER could decide. I wanted to be a marine biologist. An actor. A FIRE FIGHTER (thank you Joaquin Phoenix in Ladder 49 for that phase). One day it hit me—A WRITER. I could do it ALL. Then you couldn’t stop me from writing. I penned my first novel at fifteen (but don’t ask me to show it to you, because it’s like I was in competition to beat the thesaurus). When I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, writing became even more important, because it became my therapy. When I wrote my characters, suddenly I wasn’t so alone. These days you can find me daydreaming about where to travel with my husband, singing in my car, or lost in the newest K drama. And planning my next novel, of course Connect w/Mary Catherine: Website: https://www.marygebhard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marycgebhard/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouOwnMeMCG/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marycgebhard/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marycgebhard Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8441964.Mary_Catherine_Gebhard Amazon: https://amzn.to/32yfz6B Bookbub: https://bookbub.com/profile/mary-catherine-gebhard Newsletter Signup: mcglinkinbio.subscribepage.io

Happy Release & Review: The Final Target

2026-05-26T06:23:58.106-07:00

Title - The Final Target

Author - Nora Roberts

Genre - Thriller

Published - May 26th 2026

Publisher - St.Martin's Press

Format - Paperback Arc

Synopsis

A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire—and rage—in the gripping thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

Review

I received The Final Target in return for an honest review from the publisher St. Martin Press.

Arden is a new author enjoying book signings when a overly excited fan shows up attempting to gain more than her signature. She's not the social type but for her book she's willing to try and joins him for a quick coffee. The unwanted attention quickly turns into an obsession and Arden finds herself forced to start over after brutal attacked. Now starting over across the country she's learning to live again and even meets Gideon. Things are finally look up till the past comes back to haunt her.

I loved Arden she refused to be a victim and learned to protect herself even got a dog. She's such a great characters I was able to connect with her right from the start. I think we all have a bit of introvert in us as I know I do. This is a thriller with romance elements and I think her love interest was perfect for her. Plus he's building her a bookshelves for her library, and we all need custom bookshelves with a ladder one day.

I ended up devouring the story in just one afternoon as I was hooked right from the start. The characters are fantastic and the story kept me captivated from start to finish. I'll admit I've been reading the authors books since I was a kid as my mom was a huge fan so I had some high expectations and they were exceeded. I loved the story and I loved the characters. It's aa perfect balance or romance to thriller and I'm here for it. I love a good mystery that keeps me on my toes till the very end and this one did just that. Highly recommend if you enjoy a thriller with some romance mixed in. I loved it!!! I can't wait to read her next book she's one of my autobuy authors you could say I'm an obsessed fan.

Book Review: Summer With My Cowboy

2026-05-14T22:11:23.953-07:00

Title - Summer With My Cowboy

Author - Linda Lael Miller & Maisey Yates

Publication Date - April 28th 2026

Genre - Cowboy Romance

Format - Paperback Review Copy

Publisher - Kensington

Synopsis

Tough and tender, once a cowboy wins your heart, no one else will do—as two special women discover over the course of one sweet and sultry summer in this duo of romantic novellas from bestselling authors Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates...

COWBOY WANTED by Linda Lael Miller

A painful divorce has brought Kendra Spencer home from Seattle to sunny Copper Ridge, Arizona. Despite a comfortable settlement, Kendra needs to keep busy—and keep herself from stalking her ex on social media. So she starts waitressing at the local diner, finding comfort in the regulars and her thankfully ordinary days. . . . Until far from ordinary newcomer Gage Elder walks in. Not only is he a champion bronc rider, turns out he’s a widower—and maybe the one man understanding enough, kind enough—not to mention charming enough—to inspire Kendra to put the past behind her, and open her heart once

more . . .

ONE MORE SUMMER WITH YOU by Maisey Yates

Between a fiancé with cold feet and a blocked promotion at the law firm where she works, it’s as good a time as any for Jane Cahill to help out at the Oregon camp where she spent her summers as a troubled teen. But the place brings up a mix of memories, mostly about Spencer Quinn, who has also returned to volunteer. Now a ranch owner, Spencer was Jane’s romance of three summers—plus one unforgettable night. In fact, neither has ever forgotten the other. And though fears about the future led Jane to break away, that future has arrived—and maybe this summer will be the one to last a lifetime . . .

Review

I received Summer With My Cowboy in return for an honest review from TLC Book Tours.

Summer With My Cowboy is two short novellas in one single book by two very talented authors. In the first story we have Kendra who's moved back home after a bad divorce. Hoping to make a fresh start. She meets Gage who's new to town and just what she needs to restore her faith in love. Who knew all it took was moving to a small town.

Jane grew up in foster care but her summers were spent at a troubled youth camp. When her perfect life falls apart she returns home to her camp that saved her life and just happens to meet the boy she who let her walk away all those years ago. Only he's no longer the boy. Together they can't deny the attraction is still there and she finds what she's been missing in her life.

. I devoured both of these in just a couple of hours and enjoyed both of the stories. Each story I felt like I was really able to connect with the characters and I feel in love with each of the couples. I've read books before by both authors so I had some high Expectations and they did not disappoint. I loved bother stories and now I need to read all their backlist. This was a perfect balance of story and romance.

Monday Bookmail

2026-05-11T08:43:29.539-07:00

I did a little flatlay for my bookmail the past week and included my new ebook arc's too.

I received from Fairyloot Death's Daughter by S.A. Barnes this is the Romantasy Box.

I received my Smut & Sip box with Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James - I love her books and have read several but have many more to read.

From Amazon Publishing I received Fog and Fury, Mist and Malice by Rachel Howzell Hall. While the Dark Remains and When the Light Returns by Joanna Ruth Meyer.

From Valentine PR I received Stay With Me by Nikki Sloane

My pre-orders this week are Fury Bound by Sable Sorenson - I already devoured this one.

Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn - she's a autobuy

Twisted by Emily McIntire - I love her books and this is one of my favorite series.

Ebook Arc's

Glitchborn Heart by HJ Spence

Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Swipe Bite by Alexandra Vasti

Devour Me by Emily Rath

Saving Soul by Ann Penny

I did have a lot of one clicks but I didn't make a list this week.

It's Monday! My Hopefuls

2026-05-11T08:32:54.539-07:00

Gosh it's already a new week this year is just flying by so fast. I've got a decent stack for the week.

I admit that I have a lot of review books on my list this week.

I'm currently reading Glitchborn Heart by HJ Spence

It releases August 2026

The Cupid Dilemma by April Asher

Releases this week

The Heart You Kept by T.L Swan

Released last week

Saving Soul by Ann Penny

Releases this week

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Released Last month

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Releases this week

A Game of Cat and Witch by Ruby Rune

Released this weekend

The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Releases on the 26th of this month

The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe

Released Last month

You can't Hurry Second Chances by Michelle stimpson

Released last week

The Reaper and the Waiting by January Sun

Released Last week

I have a great list and hope to add some manga, monster romance and MM romance to this list. For now though it's a great start.

Book Review: Just Another Summer Romance

2026-05-06T20:04:12.759-07:00

Title - Just Another Summer Romance

Author - J.S. Cooper

Genre - Romance

Tropes - Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity

Published - April 16th 2026

Format - eArc

Synopsis

“You’re invited to the wedding of the summer. We hope you can join us. Mia, it’s a pity you don’t have a date.”

After receiving that rude invite from my childhood crush Rex, things took a wildly unhinged turn. My best friend, Luke (Rex’s brother), suggested we go to the wedding together and pretend we’d been secretly dating for a year. And I, like a fool, said yes!

The rules were simple:

Pretend we were soulmates, written in the stars.
No crossing physical lines (I was dumb).
Break up immediately after the wedding.

Somewhere between the shared hotel room, lingering practice kisses, and tantalizing touches, our chemistry starts to feel too real. Rule #2 went out the window faster than you could say, “This is a bad idea.”

When Rex decides he wants me after all, our fake relationship becomes even more complicated. Now I have to decide if a summer romance I never saw coming is turning into love or if I’m risking the best friendship of my life.

Just Another Summer Romance is a small town summer romcom between two best friends faking a relationship for a wedding.

Review

I received Just Another Summer Romance in return for an honest review.

Luke and Mia have been best friends since they were little even though they are living in different parts of the country. Luke left to prove to his family he had could make it on his own after his brother took over the company. Now his brother is getting married and it's time to return home but after some snide messages on his and Mia's invites they come up with a plan. To fake date each other as they are after all best friends what could go wrong.

I loved Mia and Luke they are just perfect for each other and after being apart for so long neither can deny the attraction. I feel like they are totally meant to be even if they don't see it. We have a whole supporting cast from friends to family and the grandma's are hands down my favorites. Coconut Beach is totally a town I would love to live in and Mia's job is kind of perfect. I loved the whole cast and really felt like I could connect with both Luke and Mia.

I devoured this one in two quick reading sessions as I was hooked right from the start. It's a sweet romance with just the right amount of spice. I found myself giggling throughout the story and having moments when I wanted to toss my kindle at Rex. This isn't my first book by the author so I had some pretty big expectations and she blew them out of the water. This may be my favorite book by the author. I can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommend if you enjoy friends to lovers romance.

Can't Wait Wednesday!

2026-05-06T05:23:53.537-07:00

Can't Wait Wednesday!

It's a new week with a new book on my list that I can't wait for it to release.

A Game of Cat and Witch

Releases May 10th so just around the corner.

Synopsis

Avery Alarch has always been the worst witch at Caerwyn University. Now she’s got twenty-four hours to conjure a familiar or get kicked out for good—a fate that means losing her magic forever and being stuck on a dreary island with nothing but regrets.

Desperate times call for desperate spells. So when Avery stumbles on a forbidden grimoire, she decides to risk it all. One little summoning later, she’s expecting a cute magical cat. Instead? She gets Felix, a six-foot-six cat shifter with a bad attitude and a knack for trouble. He’s her mortal enemy, magically bound to her by an illegal spell, and very much not purring.

He wants her dead. She wants him gone. Neither of them gets a choice.

The only way out? Solve a string of enchanted riddles before their magical link destroys them both. Of course, that’s easier said than done when Felix keeps tying Avery up in shadows, and their bickering is starting to feel a little less hostile and a lot more heated.

As they unravel puzzles and secrets, Avery and Felix find themselves at the heart of a conspiracy that could upend the supernatural world. And despite every rule and reason, sparks are flying in all the wrong (or right?) ways.

Get ready for claws, curses, and cat-astrophic chemistry in A Game of Cat and Witch, the first laugh-out-loud installment in the Monstrous Shifters series. Perfect for fans of My Funny Demon Valentine and Assistant to the Villain, Ruby Rune’s debut is a magical, banter-filled paranormal rom-com you won’t want to miss.

Happy Release & Teaser Tuesday!

2026-05-05T08:18:16.893-07:00

Happy Release day!!!

I'm diving into this stunning cover!!! Isn't is gorgeous

The Heart You Kept by the very talented T L Swan.

Billionaire suspense romance

Opening Line

“What next?”

Teaser

An hour later I finish serving someone and Edward is nowhere to be seen. Where is he? I walk around the store and check all the alcoves, nope…. He’s not here.

“Where did he go?” I mouth to Jonty.

He shrugs. “He left.”

“Oh.” I frown, odd of him to leave without saying something. I walk to the front door and walk out; I look left and then right and then my eyes land on something inside the café on the opposite side of the street.

Edward is sitting at a table drinking coffee like a king.

Seriously?

“I’m going out for a little bit,” I tell Jonty and Helene.

“Okay.”

I cross the street and make my way in and sit at the table opposite Edward. He raises an eyebrow in question.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Taking a break.”

“You didn’t do any work yet.”

“I sold an armoire.” He dusts his suit jacket off.

“What exactly did you do?”

“I’ve been very busy in my office.”

“Doing what?”

Having a panic attack.

“Paperwork,” I lie.

He nods and casually sips his coffee. “How’d that go?”

“What are you doing, Edward?” I sigh. “We both know you don’t want to be my intern.”

Amusement flashes across his face as he blows on his coffee. “What gave it away?”

“Why did you bid at the auction?”

“To support you.”

My eyes hold his.

“And I was going to donate the internship until your pissy little boyfriend carried on.” He frowns. “I still can’t believe you’re with him.”

Synopsis

From #1 Amazon bestselling author T L Swan, comes the seductive world of forbidden luxury, where nothing is as it seems. Welcome to the addiction that is Kings Of The Riviera

He was never meant to be anything more than a memory.

But now he’s back… and more magnetic than ever.

Three years after a secret weekend in the Swiss Alps, Alora Sorenson thought she’d completely moved on from the mysterious man who turned her world upside down. That is until Edward Prescott walks back into her life: richer, more powerful, and even harder to resist.

As the billionaire owner of the world’s largest casino empire, Edward is the definition of untouchable. He’s a dark, commanding force in a world of high society, luxury yachts, and ruthless enemies.

Alora prefers a serene and simple life, surrounded by antiques and vintage fashion.

She doesn’t belong in his world, and yet… she’s never stopped wanting him.

But behind his intoxicating charm lie hidden dangers, and in the shadows of the Riviera, will the past reemerge and destroy everything?

Secrets brought them together.

But will they also tear them apart?

May the Fourth!!

2026-05-04T08:41:51.458-07:00

In honor of May the Fourth the fantastic Star Wars Day! I have all the Grogu stuff in use.

A tasty vanilla oatmilk latte in my Grogu mug. My ear buds are charged for listening to music while reading my current read. I also made a super cute bookmark and just need to fabric glue the back down.

I'm looking forward to the new The Mandalorian & Grogu that comes out later this month. I may need to binge watch the show again as it's been a while.

I'm currently very much in my omegaverse era and this one has been on my TBR for a while. Plus I'm clearly a crazy cat lady with three black cats.

I'm reading Pack Scratch Fever by Liliana Carlisle

Synopsis

Who needs a pack when you can have cats?

Piper has everything she wants, even if others call her a crazy cat lady.

She doesn't need a pack--she has a cat rescue and enough cuddly felines to keep her company.

She definitely isn't attracted to the handsome Alpha lawyer that smells like catnip and claims he doesn't like cats.

But when a cat colony shows up in the backyard of his packhouse, Piper has no choice but to help Poe and his packmates Avery and Maddox.

One is a photographer with a heart of gold, and the other is a obsessive tech wiz.

She swears they're not scent matches, but fate has other plans.

When she finally lets them close, a betrayal threatens to ruin everything she holds dear, including her cat rescue.

Will the pack be able to win Piper's trust back and make her realize she's the Omega of their dreams?

Or is she doomed to be a cat lady, packless and alone forever?

I'm going to run errands with a friend and visit a plant nursery. So I'm excited for the day.

Manga Monday

2026-05-04T08:33:27.906-07:00

I had bookclub yesterday and I snapped a picture of the most amazing pastry that I had. It's a chocolate croissant bread pudding. We meet at this pasty shop once a month and I always find something amazing to try. This may be my favorite so far.

I'm starting a new manga that has been on my TBR list

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! Vol 1 by Yuu Toyota

LGBT MM Manga Romance Fantasy

15 Volumes so far

Synopsis

It's complicated: A thirty-year-old virgin gets more than he bargained for when his newfound magical power reveals he's the object of his male coworker's affections!

Adachi, a thirty-year-old virgin, discovers he has the magical power to read the minds of people he touches. Unfortunately, the ability just makes him miserable since he doesn't know how to use it well! And to make matters worse, when he accidentally reads the mind of his very competent, handsome colleague, Adachi discovers the guy has a raging crush on none other than Adachi himself! Things are about to get VERY awkward!

I'm hoping to devour the series this week

It's Monday!!! My Hopefuls for the week

2026-05-04T08:25:59.936-07:00

It's a new week with a whole new TBR list. I have a new Bullet journal layout that I kind of like for the month. I still needs to do some designing and I've already started filling it in. I've still got some work to add to it as I'm clearly not ready for the new month.

The bookshelf needs to be designed but I have some ideas and that's the plan for today. Finish designing the bookshelf and getting all my info filled in.

I also have a TBR list started but it's not very filled in as you can see. I have a small list of hopefuls for the month and already I'm reading stuff off my TBR list.

I also created a bingo board challenge for the month but I still need to add a few prompts. My goal is to read 40 this month and I'm already 5 in this month.

My Hopefuls for the week.

Summer with My Cowboy by LInda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates

Releases Tomorrow Pre-order your copy

The Cove by Claire Rose

The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe

The Blind Date Agreement by Jessica Cunsolo

Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

Releases Tomorrow

Puck Them by Jenn Bullard

Just Another Summer Romance by J.S. Cooper

I've got a great stack of books on my TBR list for the week.

Book Tour & Review: The Alias Agenda

2026-05-01T04:42:41.702-07:00

Title - The Alias Agenda

Author - Holly James

Genre - Mystery Romance Contemporary

Series - Standalone

Format - Paperback

Synopsis

In this modern blend of heisty hijinks, romantic tension, and madcap mystery for fans of Ally Carter, Catherine Mack, The White Lotus and , an undercover operative with a rookie handler who’s as hot as he is blundering must infiltrate a suburban mom smuggling ring while dodging a killer from her past…

She’s had dozens of identities—but none of them have ever fallen in love.

When confidential informant Erin Daniels is abruptly pulled off an insider trading investigation and sent across the country with just a few hours’ notice, she’s definitely not expecting her new assignment to involve infiltrating a smuggling ring in a . . . suburban mommy group? She’s also not expecting to meet a clumsy field agent who is hot as hell—or to hear that the man who handled her assignments for the last 10 years is dead.

Erin’s spent the last decade as a secret operative for the intelligence agency that arrested her con artist father—and ostensibly is keeping her safe from retribution. With her former handler the only constant in a life spent on the move, inserting herself into dangerous situations, Erin has to adjust to newcomer Cal Bray, and his sometimes-blundering attempts to protect her—all while trying to deny her growing attraction to him.

But before they can get too far into the mommy ring, a vengeful figure from Erin’s past reappears, bent on killing her—and coming uncomfortably close. Drawing on her years of experience and Cal’s best instincts, Erin is determined to exorcize her ghosts for good, and find out what a real life, on her own, is like—and if Cal is willing to lend a hand .

Review

I received the Alias Agenda in return for an honest review TLC Book Tours.

Erin was a con artist with her dad till the day they ended up cought and she’s forced into doing missions for the intelligence agency. When she’s sent on a mission to watch house wives her new handler is very much unlike her prior one she’s hd for the last 10 years. Bodies start piling up and her past comes back to get her. With the help of her new handler Cal she may just make it out alive and learn the truth along the way.

I really enjoyed Erin's character you can't help cheering her on through the story and I really felt like I was able to connect with her. I think Cal is a perfect partner on the case to team up with as they go after the mom group. I loved the little bit of romance tossed into the whirlwind mystery that has returned from the past to get her. I enjoyed the mom group they reminded me of playdates when my teenager was little.

This is my first book by the author and i'm hooked. I ended up devouring this one ins just one reading session. The author has done a beautiful job creating lovable characters and a story that keep me captivated till the very last page. I enjoyed every moment of the story and loved the sweet sprinkle of romance between our main characters. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the authors books because this one was so much fun.

Book Review: Realm of Shadows

2026-04-29T20:55:13.404-07:00

Title - Realm of Shadows

Author - Rektok Ross

Genre - Dark Romance

Series - Heir of Hades #1

Format - eArc Kindle

Synopsis

In a world where gods and monsters walk hidden among us, falling for the wrong guy might do more than break her heart—it might awaken a war.

College freshman Alysander Smith has never fit in her small beach town of glossy smiles and airbrushed perfection. All she wants is to escape and prove she’s more than just the punchline everyone laughs at. The only bright spot? Hayden Vassilios, her gorgeous childhood best friend turned campus football god—and the guy she’s been secretly in love with for years. But when she uncovers a dark family secret about her long-lost, deadbeat father, everything changes.

Alysander starts to wonder if her mother’s crazed whispers about ancient mythological bloodlines and a secret Underworld might be less delusion and more danger. Something old and powerful is awakening, and Hayden is at the center of it all. When the truth shatters everything she thought she knew, Alysander will have to walk away—or step into the shadows and fight for a love that was never hers to keep.

Realm of Shadows is a romantic fantasy retelling of Hades and Persephone. This is a slow-burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance filled with dark yearning, ancient mythic secrets, and a supernatural reveal that changes everything.

My Review

I received Realm of Shadows in return for an honest review from the author.

I loved Ally she's such a sweet heart you can't help just cheering her on and connecting with her she's totally my kind of character. I have a lot of feelings about her best friend Hayes and her sister Amber that he's been in and on again off relationship. I have hopes for Hayes as the series goes because he needs a little redemption because right the his cousin is looking pretty good.

I devoured this one in just one short reading session I couldn't put it down and I had to know how it would play out. I had some high expectations going into this one as this isn't my first book by the author and she doesn't disappoint she kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and left me dying for more. I didn't catch the gothic elements per say and it feel more YA or New Adult which is refreshing.

Let's address how stunning is that cover it's gorgeous and totally why I signed up to read this one. Well that and i've read and loved all her books plus I'm a huge Persephone and Hades retelling fan. It's a slow burn story that made me want to throw my kindle across the room a few times and all the feels. The author has created another captivating story that has my obsessed with her storytelling. I love a cliffhanger and don't let that keep you from diving in. Highly recommend and can't wait to see how it's going to play out. I loved it and have huge expectations for the next book.

Happy Release Day! Book Review: Trust

2026-04-29T06:24:29.281-07:00

Title - Trust

Author - Kathy Lockheart

Genre - Dark Romance

Series - Sinners and Saints #5

Format - eArc Kindle

Synopsis

He’s a convicted killer.

I’m his nurse.

And he saw my bruises.

Now he keeps getting hurt on purpose,

just to see that I’m safe.

As a prison nurse, I keep my heart locked away tighter than the men I treat.

No gray areas.

No second chances.

Especially not after escaping my abusive ex.

Then Knox Blackwood, the most dangerous man in the prison, winds up in my infirmary.

Whatever he did to get locked up remains the prison’s darkest secret.

He should terrify me.

Instead, he sees what no one else does.

The scars.

The flinch when a door slams.

The fear I can’t bury.

“Who hurt you?” he growls.

When I don’t answer, Knox starts showing up in my infirmary every day.

New wounds.

Suspicious injuries.

Getting hurt on purpose,

just for five minutes with me.

Just to make sure I’m safe.

I tell myself I can’t fall for an inmate.

I won’t.

Especially not one who’s now harboring a violent vendetta against my ex.

But every stolen touch feels like salvation.

And every whispered promise paves the road to our future.

Knox is one parole hearing from freedom.

If we stay careful, maybe he’ll get out.

Reunite with his daughter.

And we’ll have a life beyond these walls.

All I have to do

is keep Knox from killing the man who hurt me.

That’s the plan.

Until my violent ex steps into the prison

as Knox’s new guard…

From an International & Amazon top 25 bestselling author, TRUST is a forbidden romance featuring an obsessive, morally gray prisoner willing to risk his only shot at freedom to protect her.

My Review

I received Trust in return for an honest review from the author.

This is the fifth and final installment in the Sinners and Saints series. Trust is one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 I've been excitedly waiting for this story. Each book in this series is a standalone but all interconnected. This is the story of Knox our last guy in the friend group and Harper who's just moved to town. I've been waiting since the beginning to learn Knox's story and it doesn't disappoint.

I've loved all the couples through the series but Knox and Harper are hands down my new favorite. I feel like I say that every time but I really enjoyed their story so much. Honestly I love them all every character has been easy to connect with and I can't help falling in love with them. This is a whirlwind action packed romance that kept me on the end of my seat till the very last page.

I devoured Trust in just a single reading session I couldn't put it down and was hooked from the very first page. The author has done a beautiful job creating a captivating story that stole a place in my heart. I'm so sad to see the series end as I just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. I've loved all the authors books she's one of my all time favorites. I'm working my way through her back list and have loved every book I've read. I'm having a little book hangover after finishing the final book in my favorite series.

Happy Release Day & Review: Good For Her

2026-04-28T04:57:18.966-07:00

Title - Good For Her

Author - Tylor Paige

Genre - Dark Horror Romance

Series - Standalone

Format - eArc Kindle