Review - The Sin of Saints by Lauren M. Leasure

Title: The Sin of Saints

Author: Lauren M. Leasure

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Benevolence and Blood (book #1)

Pages: 382

Synopsis:

Growing up in Eserene's slums, Petra's life is marred by unimaginable tragedy. Things finally begin to look up when she meets Calomyr, member of the Royal Guard and keeper of just as much heartache as Petra.

Once again, though, her life is upended when her mother remarries a Lord, forcing Petra to undergo a brutal initiation ceremony in order to ascend to the Royal Court.

As Petra prepares for initiation, news of a drug-fueled fanatical rebel regime reaches the high walls of Eserene. No one seems to panic, so Petra doesn't either.

Until the city is smoldering before her.

Outside the city walls, Petra must untangle a smoke-shrouded web woven long before she was born. She finds her entire life has been orchestrated for one purpose, a purpose kept hidden from her until she unveils the secret that thrums through her veins. As everything she thought she knew unravels, Petra is forced to confront ghosts she didn't know she had - and the monsters and demons that now join them...

Review & thoughts:

Wow, I can’t believe it is the author’s debut book! The Sin of Saints by Lauren M. Leasure is the first book in a new dark fantasy romance series. I actually found this book on Instagram. It sounded interesting so I decided to give it a chance and OMG it did not disappoint. The world building is very unique, I don’t think I have ever read anything like that. 

We follow the story of Petra through two timelines: what happens now and what happened four years ago. I don’t usually enjoy such books because often I’m more interested in the present, but it is really well done here, both timelines have strong stories and everything is connected, I couldn’t stop reading, wanting to know what happens next. 

Petra, our main character, has been through a lot in her life, I don’t want to spoil anything but her story is heartbreaking and I wish she would get more happy moments later in the series. 

There is also a slow burn romance that I really liked and I enjoyed every scene they were in together, I hope we get to see more of our main couple in the next books. 

I really enjoyed this book, it is very well-written and unique, one of the best debuts I have read and now one of my favorite fantasy romance books. And after that plot twists at the very end I really can’t wait to read the sequel! 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - Tricky Magic by L. L. Campbell

Title: Tricky Magic

Author: L. L. Campbell

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Tricky Magic (book #1)

Pages: 458

Synopsis:

Ellea is a Witch, a mix of both the respected Seers and the feared Tricksters. On top of that, she has also spent her whole life in the shadows of her parents' infamous attempted destruction. 

After Ellea’s frequent and feared vision of the future shifts into something darker and more terrifying than before, she runs to a town that used to be a haven for her as a child. 

But things are no longer as they seem. The world of supernaturals is so much more than she thought and after a run in with a mysterious hunter, she finds her and her powers spiraling. 

Will the town of Glenover be the place she finally leaves her fears behind and embraces a new future? Or will her powers become destructive and result in her own destruction by the frustratingly handsome hunter?

Review & thoughts:

I went into this book not knowing much about it (smutty fantasy romance? have to read it) but damn did this book deliver. Trcicky Magic by L. L. Campbell has a really great world building and amazing characters. There are all kinds of supernatural beings including witches, demons, vampires, werewolves and more but the author wrote it in such refreshing way I did not get the feeling that it is just another paranormal book, I think this is a very unique read. When it comes to our main characters I simply adored Ellea, she is really strong, knows what she wants and doesn’t take crap from anyone. She is a powerful witch still coming into her powers and I can’t wait to read more about her in the next books. And well there is also Ros… I’m not going to say much about him because I think it’s better for anyone to meet him themselves, but he is ultimate book boyfriend and I loved his and Ellea’s slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. And when they finally get together… let’s just say the smut in this book is top notch 🔥.  I can’t also forget about the familiars, Billy and Garm, these two were hilarious and their antics made me crack up. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel, Tricky Princess, releasing in September!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Title: The War of Two Queens

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Blood and Ash (book #4)

Pages: 628

Synopsis:

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.

Review & thoughts:

Wow, Jennifer L. Armentrout did it again! 

I can’t describe how amazing The War of Two Queens was. I was going to read this slowly so the wait for the next book wouldn’t be so long, but as soon as I started reading I forgot about everything else and read the whole book in one sitting, I literally could not stop. The non-stop action, many many plot twists and characters, new and old, made this book truly breathtaking and unputdownable. I think this might be my favourite book in the series and I did not think anything could top A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. We got answers to so many questions, I loved how suddenly so many things finally made sense and how A Shadow in the Ember made certain events and mentions mean so much more! Poppy grew a lot in this book and she is a whole different person than in the first book. I loved reading again about her, Cas, Kieran and also Vonetta, Emil, Naill, Delano, and Tawny (also, Reaver was so great!). And I can’t wait to read more about Malik and Millie, their story has got to be so interesting. The ending was absolutely mindblowing, there were some things I certainly did not expect and it seems the next book is going to be a whole new level of epic. 

Thank you Jennifer L. Armentrout for writing this incredible book, I can’t wait for A Light in the Flame in autumn and the next FBAA book can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - Oops, I've Fallen by Max Monroe

 

Title: Oops, I've Fallen

Author: Max Monroe

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Series: Standalone

Pages: 347

Synopsis:

If my time with Ryan Miller were a hit track on the radio, I imagine the lyrics would go something like this…

“We’re so different, but they say opposites attract. Oops, I’ve fallen, and my heart doesn’t want to come back.”

But, holy bingo night, is my attraction to the sexy, broody businessman so much more complicated than the chorus of a song.

His dad lives right next to my mom, and after the two of them suffered an unexplained accident while taking down holiday decorations, both Ryan and I were forced to become the only thirtysomething residents of Sunny Creek Village Independent Senior Living Community.

Temporarily moving in might seem like overkill for a fractured tailbone and a severely pulled groin muscle, but believe me, when your mom is as wild as mine and your dad is as cantankerous as Ryan’s, they need supervision to ensure they stick to doctor’s orders.

Constantly thrown together by the antics of our crazy parents and the tough-as-nails community enforcer, Betty Matthews, Ryan and I formed an alliance for the sole purpose of survival.

But I never expected to be so interested in finding out what he was hiding beneath his grumpy, serious demeanor. More than that, I never dreamed what I found would be the kind of man women sell their souls to the devil for.

Unfortunately, our little one-hit wonder on the airwaves has more to say before it comes to an end.

Although, finishing the outro to this song is a real doozy...

Tell me…what lyric rhymes with Oops, I’ve fallen for my future stepbrother?

Review & thoughts:

I love all Max Monroe books but Oops I’ve Fallen might be my absolute favorite! OMG this book is so hilarious, I can’t count how many times I have laughed out loud while reading it. It is the story of Carly and Ryan whose parents live in senior living community and had… let’s call it an accident, and now Carly and Ryan need to live with their parents and take care of them while they recover. I absolutely loved the shenanigans of the parents, Stella and Sal, they were so funny! Carly and Ryan are total opposites of each other and at first do not get along, but once they come to an agreement they were really great together and I was rooting for them to ignore everyone else and just be together, loved their relationship. This is an amazing romantic comedy, perfect for a quick and fun summer read. I recommend all Max Monroe books, they are queens of rom coms!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - Mad As Hell by Hannah McBride

Title: Mad As Hell

Author: Hannah McBride

Genre: Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance

Series: Mad World (book #2)

Pages: 613

Synopsis:

I USED TO BE MADISON
I was stupid for thinking that I could just step into my twin's world. And I was an idiot for trusting Ryan Cain with my heart. Lesson freaking learned. I won't make that mistake again.

MADELAINE IS DEAD
My sister wasn't a saint, but she didn't deserve the hell she endured before her death. Gary. Beckett. Adam. Even Ryan. They will all pay for their sins, because now?

NOW I'M JUST MAD

Review & thoughts:

Oh my God, what have I just read? I thought what happened in Mad World was crazy but Mad as Hell is absolutely insane. After finishing the first book back in October I couldn’t wait for the sequel so I started reading Mad as Hell as soon as I got it and I was unable to put it down. I thought after the events of the first book nothing could surprise me and I was so wrong. This book starts right where Mad World ended, with both Ryan and Maddie heartbroken but forced to pretend to be a perfect couple. I liked how Maddie did not want to forgive Ryan for what he did and made him work hard for her forgiveness. But beside their relationship there are so many twists and turns in this book, we learn more about Madelaine and her secrets and also we get more backstory about the whole gang. There were so many shocking twists I was constantly on the edge of my seat but that last 10% is where things got out of control. That ending is so freaking insane, I was not expecting it. I honestly don’t know how I am supposed to wait months for the next book, I still can’t believe this is how this one ended and there is no next chapter. Book 3 can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - Glow by Raven Kennedy

 

Title: Glow

Author: Raven Kennedy

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Plated Prisoner (book #4)

Pages: 705

Synopsis:

"I was nothing but a road to Midas. A means to get to where he wanted to go, and I paved that path in gold." 

My life has been made up of gilded lies. But death has been shaped from rot.

Like a phoenix caught fire, I will need to rise from the ashes and learn to wield my own power. Because my wings may have been clipped, but I am not in a cage, and I'm finally free to fly from the frozen kingdoms I've been kept in.

Yet the world doesn't want to let me.

That's the thing when you turn against a king—everyone else turns against you.

Good thing I have a different king in my corner.

But even with the dark threat of Slade Ravinger, the other monarchs are coming for me.

So I will fight for him and he will kill for me, and if we need to become the villains, then so be it.

Because so long as I live in this world, I won't be used again.

Please note: This is an adult fantasy series with dark elements that may be triggering, including past emotional and physical trauma, violence, adult language, and explicit romance. Read at your own discretion. 

Review & thoughts:

Glow is an incredible continuation to an incredible series but WHY do we need to wait an entire year for the next book after THAT ending?! I don’t think I can take it. 

Glow begins right where Gleam ended and I had many theories about what this book may be about but the author took completely different direction so reading Glow was a constant surprise. We learn so much more about Slade which I absolutely loved, he is definitely my favorite character so it was amazing to see him grow into the man he is now. Also he and Auren really grow their relationship in this book and it was beautiful how they support and just love each other. There are many POVs in Glow and when I realized that I wasn’t really happy because I just wanted to know everything about Slade and Auren, but I ended up enjoyiny all the POVs, it was great to see what happens in different parts of Orea and it made understanding some things easier. And there is a lot of Slade POV and I am all for it!

Now about that ending…. it was absolutely mind-blowing, I still can’t believe everything that happened. I guess it’s slightly better than the cliffhanger of Gleam? But I just know now that book 5, Gold, is going to be EPIC, can’t wait for it!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - The Empress of Scarred Secrets by Andrea Corbin

 

Title: The Empress of Scarred Secrets

Author: Andrea Corbin

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: The Truths Within (book #1)

Pages: 530

Synopsis:

Long ago, war ravaged the lands of Estrana, until an agreement was set. A tentative peace is now on the verge of collapse from centuries-old prejudices. Verena never sought to conquer, nor rule, but betrayal forced her hand. To protect the forsaken, she must attend the quarter century meeting. And assume her place at the demon High Lord's table, just as her parents before. 
The blood in Verena's veins determined her path, but other's secrets will decide her fate. A lineage she has always denounced now weighs heavy upon her shoulders. The power of an Empress was never a weapon she wanted to wield, but for her people, she will take what is hers, by battle and blood. High Lady she was born, but an Empress she was destined to become.

Review & thoughts:

Let me start by saying I didn’t know much about this book when I started it, I was drawn to it mainly because of that stunning cover but I just finished it and my. mind. is. blown! The Empress of Scarred Secrets by Andrea Corbin  is such a great new adult fantasy romance I have no idea why I haven’t heard of it before. It is evenly paced with some great battle and action scenes but also fascinating politics that made me constantly want to know what happens next and made me finish this book in one sitting. Also the world described by the author was really unique, I don’t think I have ever read anything even slightly similar, I really liked it. The romance is slow burn but the moment Hadeon was introduced I knew I would love his and Verena’s relationship and I was not disappointed. I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything but I actually screamed at the end of the book, that epilogue was so unexpected and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

 

Title: My Killer Vacation

Author: Tessa Bailey

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Series: Standalone

Pages: 295

Synopsis:

An all-new, spicy murder mystery from Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer...

It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod—just me and my beloved brother—but discovering a corpse in our rental house really throws a wrench into our tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe I can be helpful, despite countless hours of true crime podcast listening. Not to mention a fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders.

A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary schoolteacher: the murder-solving team no one asked for, but thanks to these pesky attempts on my life, we're stuck together, come hell or high tide.

I'm just here to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although…it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have her around. Sure, she's stubborn, distracting and can't stay out of harm's way. She's also brave and beautiful and reminds me of the home I left behind three years ago. In other words, the painful hunger and protectiveness she is waking up in me is a threat to my peace of mind. Before I sink any deeper into this dangerous attraction, I need to solve this murder and get back on the road. But will fate take her from me before I realize the road has been leading to her all along? 

Review & thoughts:

My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey is a sweet, funny romance with some murder investigation, perfect for a summer read!

Taylor is a second grade teacher who, after years of saving money, goes on vacation with her brother. Everything would be perfect if only they didn’t find a dead body in their house on the first day! Taylor decides to try to solve the murder and that’s when she meets Myles, a bounty hunter. Since their first meeting sparks were flying and they make such a cute couple (opposites definitely attract when it comes to them!). I’m not going to say much more because it’s better to go into this book not knowing much and be surprised but it is a really great book, perfect for all romance lovers!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rewiev - So Not Meant To Be by Meghan Quinn

 

Title: So Not Meant To Be

Author: Meghan Quinn

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Series: sequel to Not So Meet Cute; can be read as a standalone

Pages: 512

Synopsis:

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a fresh take on a romantic comedy classic, When Harry Met Sally. This steamy, laugh-out-loud, enemies to lovers romance is about an annoyingly handsome coworker and the woman who refuses to be charmed by him. 

Am I friends with JP Cane?

Ha! That's laughable.

Besides the fact that he’s adopted some far-fetched notion from the movie When Harry Met Sally that says men and women can't be friends and work together, it’s safe to say we're not friends. He's annoyingly loud, obnoxiously handsome, and has made an art out of poking all my hot buttons . . . multiple times a day.

So you can imagine how disgruntled I am when I not only have to fly to San Francisco with him for work, but stay in the same penthouse. Yup, we're sharing the same air, twenty-four-seven. We're talking full-fledged working roommates.

The man doesn't know what it means to wear a shirt, thrives off protein bars, and you guessed it, moans loud enough for people to believe he's Meg Ryan in a restaurant.

Spoiler Alert: I WON'T be having what he's having.

Tack on his continuous flirting and his polished good looks, and I'm caught staring down the barrel of a seductive temptation that makes it hard for me to sleep at night.

But guess who can control herself? This girl.

Because if there is one thing I know for certain, it's that JP Cane and I are so not meant to be.

Review & thoughts:

This series is so good! I read A Not So Meet Cute right after it was released and really liked  Lottie and Huxley’s story but I loved So Not Meant To Be even more! JP and Kelsey, Lottie and Huxley’s siblings, didn’t really like each other when they first met but they were attracted to each other since the beggining.

When they are forced to work closely together in this book at first they really do not get along and bicker a lot (I laughed out loud so many times because of their antics!) but when they finally decide to give each other a chance they are so cute together, I really loved their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship. I also liked that we got to see more Lottie and Huxley in this book, I missed them. This is a really great romantic comedy, can’t wait to see what Meghan Quinn writes next, she is quickly becoming one of my favourite rom-com authors!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review - Snow White by Jeanette Rose and Alice Callisto

Thank you so much Rose & Star Publishing for this ARC!

Title: Snow White

Author: Jeanette Rose and Alice Callisto

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Retelling (Snow White)

Series: Ever After Series (book #1)

Pages: 215

Synopsis:

The Evil Queen in the Making…
From the time she was a child, Azura was consumed with the need to consolidate power. Unlike those born as Vessels for Elemental spirits, Azura is forced to practice Dark Magic, her powers fueled by the remains of supernatural creatures. But the remains are finite, the Mystical woods not replenishing in the speed she requires, in order to fuel the dark spells she needs, she will need to marry into a Royal Bloodline. A Royal bloodline which drips with Elemental Power, which produces not just one Vessel, but two. The crown of Lithelle is hers for the taking, finally about to become the evil queen she was born to be.

Her touch makes you shiver…
Born as the Vessel of the Ice Elemental, Snow White has always been kept apart from those around her. When her father announces he intends to invite all the eligible ladies and princesses from the surrounding kingdoms in the hopes of finding a new wife, Snow’s tender heart races with excitement. A chance to finally make friends, to no longer be alone, to be *warm.*

Dark meets Ice…
Azura is immediately drawn to the dark beauty with the scent of frosted apples, temptation wrapped in a perfect bow. Snow dreams of Azura’s touch and kiss, though feigns to only want friendship at the risk of losing her. Yet, something is lurking in the forest just out of sight, about to tear them apart…forever.

Review & thoughts:

A really good start to, what shapes up to be, a great series! 

Azura is a dark sorceress. She practices black magic and her new goal is to be selected in a competition to become the king’s bride, marry him and gain access to his elemental magic. But all her plans become really complicated when on her first day in the castle she meets the king’s daughter, Snow White, and since this first meeting a bond forms between these two women. 

I really like stories with morally grey main characters and Azura is perfectly written as one. Snow White is naive and innocent, but she and Azura balance each other out very well and their moments together are so cute (and later become quite spicy!).

This is a Snow White retelling with quite a few twists and I loved how the authors wove the original tale’s elements into this story (it is quite dark at moments, more like the original Snow White and not the Disney’s one). I also loved the ending, the last few chapters were full of twists that I didn’t see coming and I think the end of Azura and Snow’s story was really satisfying. 

I really recommend this book and can’t wait for next books in Ever After series. 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - A Queen of Ruin by K. F. Breene

 

Title: A Queen of Ruin

Author: K. F. Breene

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Deliciously Dark Fairytales (book #3)

Pages: 651

Synopsis:

The final book in the Wall Street Journal bestselling series!

I thought once we released the curse, I'd only have one enemy to contend with.

Wrong.

The queen lives. Not only that, but she knowingly hid herself from me and the rest of this kingdom until the moment the curse was broken. Now she is back, and her desires aren't clear. Neither are her motives.

Will she try to take the throne for herself?

We can stop her…unless she had a hand in that curse. In which case, will we need to battle her and the demon king before we can finally live in peace? Or has this all been for naught?

Regardless, we have very little time before the demon king returns to wipe us out.

Review & thoughts:

Amazing ending to an amazing series! While A Ruin of Roses, the first book in Deliciously Dark Fairytales by K. F. Breene, was a Beaty and the Beast retelling with some great twists, this series has turned into an incredible journey with extensive world building, many interesting and well-written characters and so many plot twists I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Finley and Nyfain have come such a long way from a common shifter and a cursed prince to queen and king and I am glad I got to read their hilarious story. Really good fantasy romance series with some great spice, so sad this series has come to the end.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - Vows and Villainy by Darby Cupid

 

Title: Vows and Villainy

Author: Darby Cupid

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Hands of Fate (book #2)

Pages: 442

Synopsis:

Fate is cruel. But so is hope.

Fear and loneliness are Sirain’s only reward for proving her claim to the throne of Helle. Suffering from a broken heart and burdened by guilt, her bleak future worsens when the Fates issue a kill order for her father. If she wants to save him, Sirain must endure opening old wounds and face the consequences of her choices. 

Risking everything for love has sent Pace’s life up in flames. Now, beholden to his older brother and lumbered with a permanent shadow, he’s more determined than ever to uncover the truths he’s confident rest with the mysterious Fates. But when his parents make a world-shattering announcement, Pace must put his trust in the one Cupid who could turn his life to ash. 

Review & thoughts:

Vows and Villainy, the second book in Darby Cupid's Hands of Fate series, just released yesterday and after how much I liked the first book of course I had to read it immediately. I think I might have enjoyed this one even more, we finally got answers to some questions we were asking since the beginning of the series and the revelations were so surprising I am really curious about what will happen next. I was also really happy with how Sirain and Pace’s relationship evolved, they became one of my favorite bookish couples and I can’t wait to read more about them. The next book can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review - The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

Thank you so much Amber Nicole for providing me with this ARC via NetGalley!

Title: The Book of Azrael

Author: Amber Nicole

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Gods & Monsters (book #1)

Pages: 793

Synopsis:

World Ender meets Ender of Worlds...
A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Erioa to save her dying sister. She called upon anyone who would listen, not expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer. Now she does what Kaden asks, even if that means securing an ancient relic from the very creatures that hunt her.

A King thought long dead and long forgotten.
In the old world his name was Samkiel. In the new world it is Liam, but one title remains true throughout time. He is the World Ender, a myth to his enemies, a savior and King to those loyal to him. After the Gods War, he locked himself away, hiding from the world. He denied his crown and responsibilities, leaving the very ones who needed him most to deal with the fallout of the death of their homeworld. Now an attack on those he holds dear sends him back to the one realm he never wished to visit again and into the sights of an enemy he thought imprisoned eons ago.

Now enemies older than time must put aside their differences and work together in hopes of saving both their world and every realm in between.

Review & thoughts:

Wow, what a wild journey! The Book of Azrael is definitely one of the best fantasy romance books I’ve read. 

This book is phenomenal, I can’t believe this is a debut. It follows the story of Dianna, an immortal warrior who sold her soul to a monster and works for him as his weapon, and Liam, a God from another world with a tragic backstory (I love the grumpy, tortured hero trope!). It is a real enemies-to-lovers romance where the characters begin with actually trying to kill each other and with this being a slow burn the transition to friends and to lovers is done perfectly (and when they finally get together it’s so worth the wait). 

The story is very well-paced, there are many plot twists and fighting scenes but also sweet moments between characters and the banter made me laugh many times.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all fantasy romance lovers, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I can’t wait for the the next book, after that heartbreaking cliffhanger it can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review - Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

 I got an ARC of this book from Hodder&Stoughton UK. Thank you!

Title: Our Violent Ends

Author: Chloe Gong

Genre:YA Fantasy, Retelling (Romeo and Juliet)

Series: These Violent Delights (book #2)

Pages: 494

Synopsis:

Shanghai is under siege in this captivating and searingly romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, which New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan calls “deliciously dark.”

The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.

After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.

Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.

Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.

Review & thoughts:

After amazing These Violent Delights I was not sure the sequel could be as good but I was so wrong. This book is even better! All the characters we came to adore in first book are back and they have even bigger problems to solve. Juliette, Roma, Kathleen, Marshall and Benedikt may have defeted the monster, but it was not the only one and with Shanghai politics playing a giant role in everything that happens we get such a complex story it was a real fun to read and try to figure out. 

The real strength of this book are the characters. They all have grown so much since the beginning of the first book, especially Kathleen was a real star in this one. I was really rooting for Juliette and Roma’s relationship and I am happy with how things turned out between them.

There were so many plot twists, betrayals, changing sides and so much action I read it in one sitting, literally could not put it down. Every time I thought I figured something out just around the corner was a plot twist that turned everything upside down and left me wondering (and worrying) how can this story end. 

And that ending… it destroyed me and I am not even mad because it was such a perfect ending for Juliette and Roma’s story. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what else Chloe Gong is going to write because she just became one of my favorite authors.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair

Title: A Game of Retribution

Author: Scarlett St. Clair

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Retelling

Series: Hades Saga (book #2)

Pages: 416

Synopsis:

Hades, God of the Dead, does not take sides or bend the rules. He makes no exceptions to these values—not for god or mortal, even his lover, Persephone, Goddess of Spring. 

Usually, fear prevents retaliation. 

But not this time. 

When Hera, Goddess of Women, approaches Hades with a plan to overthrow Zeus, he declines to offer help. As punishment, Hera sentences Hades to perform a series of labors. Each feat seems more impossible than the last and draws his attention away from Persephone—whose own tragedy has left her questioning whether she can be Queen of the Underworld.

Review & thoughts:

A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair just released this week and it was so good to read about Hades and Persephone again. I really liked how this book is not only A Touch of Ruin from Hades’ POV but there are also so many new events and informations we were not aware of while reading Persephone’s POV. I think I might like it even more than ATOR, recommend to all Hades & Persephone’s fans and if you haven’t read this series yet then what are you waiting for? 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review - The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: The Crown of Gilded Bones

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Blood and Ash (book #3)

Pages: 645

Synopsis:

She's been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen. 

Review & thoughts:

A thousand stars for this incredible third book in „Blood & Ash” series! I can’t believe how with every new book this series just keeps getting better and better. 

After the events of previous book Poppy, Casteel and their friends are finally in Atlantia, but they don’t have a moment to rest. From the first page this book is a real rollercoaster of action and emotions. I had so many theories about this book, but in true Jennifer L. Armentrout’s fashion she managed to once again completely surprise me and turn everything I thought I knew upside down. There are so many revelations and plot twists and I have a feeling this is all building up to something even bigger and the next book is going to blow our minds!

I loved seeing all the characters again. Poppy, Cas, Kieran, Delano, Emil and Vonetta really shine in this book and reading about their relationships and bickering was so much fun. Poppy and Casteel’s marriage is a real relationship goal, they love and support each other so much it is beautiful to watch. And let me just say, Poppy becomes such a badass and epic character I can’t wait to see what more the author has in store for her. 

I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, swooned, cried and then cried some more because that ending was absolutely evil but perfect and the next books can’t come soon enough! 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐