ARC Review - Until It Was Love by Pippa Grant

 Thank you so much Hambright PR for sending me this ARC!

Title: Until It Was Love

Author: Pippa Grant

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Sport Romance

Series: Standalone

Pages: 380

Synopsis:

There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t date Fletcher Huxley. 

He’s a growly-faced, stubborn-streaked, international rugby legend trying to revive his flailing career in the US after being canned by his team overseas. 

While he might have the good kind of thunder thighs, intriguing tattoos, and a booty of steel, he also holds the top position on my very short nemesis list thanks to what happened the first time we met. 

Plus, his mustache is as terrible as the reason he’s picked me to be the woman he wants to date. 

But he has one big checkmark in the why this date is a good idea he’s my brother’s new teammate. 

They already hate each other. 

And my brother has made an unfortunate habit of interfering with my love life recently. 

So a revenge date with Fletcher to make my brother mad? While letting Fletcher think this date is merely for the good of the team? 

Yep. 

I’m in. 

I’m moving to London for work in a month. And it’s just one date. What could possibly go wrong? 

Review & thoughts:

Until It Was Love is the newest Romantic Comedy from Pippa Grant and she never misses when it comes to rom-coms, I really enjoyed Goldie and Fletcher’s story and already can’t wait for Pippa’s next book! 

After her rugby playing brother ruined all of her dates in the last two years, Goldie can only do one thing: start dating Fletcher, her brother’s teammate and the man he extremely dislikes. Goldie and Fletcher are polar opposites, but the more time they spend together, the more they like and trust each other, and with Goldie leaving in three months, they need to decide whether they are willing to give in to their growing feelings and risk losing their hearts. 

I must admit I’m not really a fan of sport romance books but OMG this one was so freaking cute and I had so much fun reading it. Goldie and Fletcher are everything, I adored these two and their slow burn enemies to friends to lovers romance was absolutely amazing, I laughed, I swooned, I cried and I just loved them together. Their conversations and the way they supported each other was beautiful and their banter made me laugh out loud so many times, they were hilarious. And of course, I can’t forget to mention Fletcher’s mustache! It felt like it was a whole separate character, I was laughing so much at all the jokes and mentions about it and what happened to it was comical. I also really liked Goldie’s 3 elderly friends with the best life advices and funny ideas and of course Sweet Pea, Fletcher’s dog, was so adorable and I would love to have one just like her, I honestly loved all the characters in this book. 

Until It Was Love was an amazing romantic comedy with great characters, beautiful and spicy romance, laugh-out-loud humor and adorable dog that I absolutely loved and definitely recommend to everyone. 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Worthy of Fate by A. N. Caudle

 Thank you so much A. N. Caudle for sending me this ARC!

Title: Worthy of Fate

Author: A. N. Caudle

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Realms in Peril (book #1)

Pages: 586

Synopsis:

The Gem

Marked by the Gods, Kya is forced to partake in a Trial for a chance to be deemed Worthy. If she succeeds, she’ll be gifted great powers. If she fails, she could lose her life or worse. But that’s only the start of her worries. Now, the same plague that took her home is spreading and threatening the fate of the realm. Can Kya survive the Trial of the Gods and gain the needed power to rid the world of the growing threat before it’s too late? Or will she be drawn to what awaits her in the shadows?

The Shadow

Ryker has waited a long time for her—his mate. Now he’s found her. He plans to claim what is rightfully his, but dark forces threaten to destroy his Nation should he embrace the bond he so desperately desires. Unable to escape the drive to be near her, he waits for his precious gem, lingering in her shadow.

Review & thoughts:

Worthy of Fate is the first book in a Fantasy Romance series and I can’t believe it’s a debut book, it’s so well-written and complex and just simply incredible, I couldn’t put it down and I absolutely loved it. 

I’m not going to say much about the plot because I think it’s best to go into this book blind, but believe me when I say it has everything we love in fantasy romance genre and more. There is a fascinating world and magic system, deadly competition, morally grey characters, forbidden fated mates with slow burn romance and so much action with many plot twists and heartbreaking cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more, this book was everything I was hoping for and I already can’t wait for the next one. 

I absolutely adored our main characters, Kya and Ryker. Kya was a really strong, complex and interesting FMC and it was amazing to see her grow in this book and explore her powers, she was a badass and I can’t wait to see her again. When it comes to Ryker… he was definitely a morally grey MMC and quickly joined the list of my favorite shadow daddies, but what I loved most about him was how gone he was for Kya since the first time he saw her (and probably even earlier lol). It was definitely a case of ‘he fell first’ and I loved reading his thoughts about her and how he always wanted to be there for her and support her and how proud of her he always was. These two were absolutely amazing together and I loved their slow burn forbidden romance, they were willing to do anything for each other and once they finally gave in to their attraction they were truly explosive. I loved them and already miss them, after THAT ending I’m desperate to know how their story continues ASAP! 

Worthy of Fate is an amazing fantasy romance book and a perfect debut from an author I already know will became one of my favorites. I absolutely loved it and definitely recommend it to everyone and can’t wait for book 2!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Queens of Mist and Madness by Lisette Marshall

 Thank you so much Lisette Marshall for sending me this ARC!

Title: Queens of Mist and Madness

Author: Lisette Marshall

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Fae Isles (book #4)

Pages: 689

Synopsis:

"Fae wars don't end in surrender."

Emelin has finally found the bindings, the key to her victory. But to use them, she needs one last piece of the puzzle … and the only person who can give her that information is a stubbornly silent Thysandra.

And an uncooperative captive is the least of Em’s problems.

As the Mother prepares to strike, the magical world continues to squabble. Something ominous is plaguing Creon. And Em’s own newfound powers come with a dark side she did not expect, forcing her to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the fate of the world.

To find allies and gather the forces they need, Em and Creon have no choice but to face the shadows of their pasts. But when disastrous secrets are revealed and the Mother finally deals her devastating blow … will they still have a future?

Review & thoughts:

Queens of Mist and Madness is the fourth book in a Fantasy Romance series and the conclusion to Emelin and Creons story. To say I loved all books in this series would be an understatement, I’m obsessed with the books, the characters, the romance and honestly everything about them and I think QOMAM is my new favorite book in this series, I absolutely loved it! 

Queens of Mist and Madness picks up right where the previous book ended and if you’ve read it, you know the thing we’ve all been waiting for finally happened and OMG I loved reading those scenes, I was hooked since the very first page and finished the whole book in a day because I couldn’t put it down. There is so much action, clever politics, preparing for war in this book but also funny and moving moments with the amazing found family and so many beautiful (and spicy) scenes between Emelin and Creon and it was all in a perfect amount. I loved seeing all the characters again and we also got to see some familiar faces that I’ve been waiting to see since book 1 and honestly, this book was everything I’ve been hoping for and more. 

One of this series’s strongest points is the character development and I love it, both Emelin and Creon have come so far from who they were at the beginning of book 1 and it was amazing to see them here, Emelin is even stronger and capable of making difficult decisions and Creon opens up more to her and accepts all of his powers. I love these two as the main characters and when it comes to romance… I can’t even find words how much I love their romance and relationship, I have always loved how much they both support each other and can talk everything out, honestly, one they start communicating, they can figure out everything and it was amazing to see it also here, Creon was, in Em’s words, an idiot at times but their conversations and support of each other made their relationship stronger than ever. Ahh I just love these two so much, they are so perfect for each other and I already miss them, they are definitely one of my favorite bookish couples and I really hope we will get to see them again soon. 

Queens of Mist and Madness is a perfect conclusion to Em and Creon’s story, I loved everything about it and if you enjoy fantasy romance books and haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for? It’s absolutely amazing and I already can’t wait for more books from this author.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Love Notes and Lifelines by Avery Maxwell

 Thank you so much @rick_283 for sending me this ARC!

Title: Love Notes and Lifelines

Author: Avery Maxwell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Single Dad Hotline (book #1)

Pages: 459

Synopsis:

The job was simple. Always answer the phone—no exceptions—then solve the caller’s catastrophe as efficiently as possible.

The rules were simpler. They contact you, not the other way around. Never give them your real name, number, or any personal information not required to help a newly single dad keep his head above water.

And never, ever get involved with a caller.

Simple, right?

Becker Hayes was not who I was expecting to call during my shift with the Single Dad Hotline. He’s my boss’s boss. In the boardroom he’s rich, powerful, detached. In my calendar he’s the enigmatic one-time kiss I was never supposed to see again. But on the other end of the phone, he’s vulnerable and reeling from becoming guardian to his young nieces.

I’m not thinking straight when I offer him a little help off the books. Not when my mother’s illness is winning the battle and I’d give anything for a distraction from the loneliness.

So when the Single Dad Hotline blows up my life, what’s a girl to do but say yes to everything he’s offering?

Review & thoughts:

Love Notes & Lifelines by Avery Maxwell is a beautiful story with single dad x nanny romance and an amazing found family that I absolutely loved! 

Working in an office after unknowingly kissing your boss might be awkward, but Stella doesn’t have a choice since she needs the money to care for her mother. But when Beck becomes a guardian to his young nieces and has no idea how to take care of children, Stella helps him both in the office as his employee and on Single Dad Hotline as Jane, the helper he can always count on. With two small girls, an accident-prone dog, moving to a small town and faking an engagement, Stella and Beck can’t ignore their growing feelings for each other, but with their complicated pasts, they need to find a way to trust and open up to each other first. 

I loved this book so much I don’t even know how to write this review. Stella and Beck had my heart since they first appeared and I absolutely loved reading their story, they were both so strong after everything they went through in the past and my heart was breaking for them at times. Emmy and Ruby, the little girls Beck and Stella suddenly found themselves taking care of, were so adorable and I loved the beautiful family they all made, all their scenes together were amazing to read and made me cry at times. Beck and Stella had a crazy chemistry I could feel since page one but their romance was definitely a slow burn one and I loved how they slowly began to open up, trust and support each other, they were absolutely perfect together and OMG their conversations and sweet moments made me tear up a few times and when they finally got together the spice was everything. I also liked how the book was focused on family, nobody was perfect but the way Stella, Beck, Emmy, Ruby and all their friends made one big found family was beautiful and I loved them all. 

Love Notes & Lifelines was a truly incredible story about family, love, grief and had so many of my favorite tropes, I absolutely loved it and already can’t wait for the next book in this series of standalones.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden

 Thank you so much Penguin Random House International for sending me this ARC!

Title: A Promise of Peridot

Author: Kate Golden

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Sacred Stones Trilogy (book #2)

Pages: 482

Synopsis:

A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love. 

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren's Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood. 

Kane's presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her. 

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

Review & thoughts:

A Promise of Peridot is the second book in a Fantasy Romance series by Kate Golden and OMG, I loved the first book but this one is a whole new level of amazing, I’m obsessed with this series and already can’t wait for book 3!

A Promise of Peridot begins shortly after the ending of book 1 and we see Arwen dealing with everything she learned while she journeys with Kane, her family and friends. I loved coming back to this amazing world and was again captivated since the first page, I read the whole book in one night because I couldn’t put it down. Arwen came a long way from who she was at the beginning of the first book and I loved seeing her character develop even more in this one, she goes through a lot and although she annoyed me a little sometimes, I really like her as the FMC. I loved Kane since the first time he appeared in this series and it was amazing to finally read his POV, it made me love him even more and I often had tears in my eyes when he was thinking about Arwen, his love for her was everything. I adored him and Arwen together, their romance is so beautiful and I was always rooting for them to overcome all the obstacles and just be together, I just love these two and already can’t wait to read about them again. There are also so many side characters I really liked, especially Mari, Griffin, Dagan, Fedrik, Ryder and Leigh, the found family they created was amazing. Now, when it comes to the plot, it was not always what I expected and I loved that we got to discover more of this fascinating world, the plot was perfectly paced and there were some plot twists that made me gasp out loud and don’t even get me started on that cliffhanger, I still can’t believe everything that happened. 

A Promise of Peridot is an incredible fantasy romance book and a great sequel to A Dawn of Onyx with amazing characters, beautiful romance and shocking plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved it and if you think the cliffhanger in the first book was bad, you’re not ready for the one in this book, I’m still thinking about it and I NEED book 3 ASAP!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Avalon Tower by C. N. Crawford and Alex Rivers

 Thank you so much The Nerd Fam for sending me this ARC!

Title: Avalon Tower

Author: C. N. Crawford and Alex Rivers

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Fey Academy for Spies (book #1)

Pages: 524

Synopsis:

Avalon Spy Academy rules: spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process. 

What I’m hoping for on my European vacation is to read books and drink champagne on the beach. Instead, I end up kidnapped by an arrogant, lethally sexy fey named Raphael. 

It turns out, I have a magic power needed to fight an evil fey king. Next thing I know, Raphael has enrolled me in an elite spy academy. There, in the ancient and gothic halls of Avalon Tower, snobbery and brutal competitions are among the oldest traditions.

Making my job harder, the silver-eyed Raphael is my mentor. Romance is forbidden here--a distracted spy is a dead spy. So I need to push his dangerous allure out of my mind as we travel into the Fey realm. If we get captured by the fey king, we’ll die horrific deaths–and humanity won’t stand a chance.

Review & thoughts:

Avalon Tower is the first book in a Fantasy Romance series with enemies to lovers, forbidden love, spy academy and so much action that I really enjoyed!

During her vacation in France, Nia definitely doesn’t expect to get involved with demi-Fey refugees escaping from Fey lands and see Raphael, her teenage crush, again. But when it turns out she has a unique ability to manipulate the veil separating the Fey lands from human ones, Nia is taken into Fey academy where she must learn how to use her powers and become a spy all the while trying not to lose her life and not to fall for Raphael, who is assigned to teach her, again. 

I really liked our main character, Nia. She was really strong and after having her whole life turned upside down, it was amazing to see how well she was dealing with everything in a very realistic and understandable way, she was a really great FMC. When it comes to Raphael, I didn’t really like his character in the beginning, but he quickly grew on me and I ended liking him too, he was the perfect match for Nia. I love a forbidden love trope and the author definitely delivered it here, I loved seeing the attraction and push and pull between Nia and Raphael, they had a slow burn enemies to lovers romance and I can’t wait to see them again in the next book and to see them find a way to be together. Aside from amazing character and romance, I also really liked the plot of Avalon Tower, it was so interesting and full of action, I couldn’t put the book down. 

Avalon Tower is a really great fantasy romance read that I definitely recommend to everyone who enjoys this genre, I can’t wait to read book 2!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Bride or Die by Madison Score

 Thank you so much @rick_283 for sending me this ARC!

Title: Bride or Die

Author: Madison Score

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Romantic Comedy

Series: Claire Hartley Accidental Mystery (book #1)

Pages: 528

Synopsis:

Proposal planner Claire Hartley thought calling off her own wedding would be the most traumatic event of her year. But when her ex-college roommate vanishes without a trace and Claire begins receiving mysterious threats, she realizes she has bigger problems. 

Could she be the next victim of West Haven’s suspected serial killer? 

Her only escape from the imminent danger is her adorably derpy rescue corgi and her job as the city’s most awarded marriage proposal planner. Unfortunately work turns into a war zone when she’s forced to collaborate on the biggest project of her career with a hunky, grumpy filmmaker. In addition to six-pack abs, he’s got one big secret and way too many opinions. 

Claire can’t afford to wait for the police to solve this case. The clock is ticking and the threats against her are escalating. 

Can her meticulous organizational and research skills help her catch a killer before she becomes the next victim? 

Equally important, will she make it through her best friend’s surprise proposal without murdering—or falling for—the annoyingly handsome filmmaker?

Review & thoughts:

Bride or Die is a debut book from Madison Score and a great mix of romantic suspense and romantic comedy that I really enjoyed!

After her ex-fiance cheated on her with her nemesis, Claire has sworn off men and and puts all her attention to her proposal planning business. But when the girls she went to college with are going missing and Claire has a feeling someone is following her, she tries to find out who is behind it, all the while planning the biggest proposal in her career for her best friend and dealing with the handsome filmmaker she needs to work with and who annoys her like no other. 

It took me a bit to get fully into this book but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. This was a perfect mix of romantic suspense with a rom-com and it worked really great, I was invested with finding out who the murderer was and was laughing out loud at times at the situations Claire found herself in. Claire was an interesting main character, she was strong and independent and had a not-so-great of history with men so it was great to see her slowly open up to and trust Luke. The romance was extremely slow burn but there was a lot of tension from their first meeting, I loved their scenes together and they had such an amazing banter, it made me laugh out loud many times. I really liked the idea of Claire’s business, the proposal planning was so interesting and I liked reading about all of her ideas and how they played out and since there are going to be more books in this series, I hope we will get to see more of them. 

Bride or Die was a really interesting and fun read, I recommend it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. 

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5