ARC Review - Bespelled by Laura Thalassa

Thank you so much Bloom Books for sending me this ARC!

Title: Bespelled

Author: Laura Thalassa

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Bewitched #2

Pages: 544

Synopsis:

“Neither magic, nor time, can keep us apart. We are like the stars. Eternal.”

No one told witch Selene Bowers having a soul mate would be so difficult. Nor did they warn her that he might be a vengeful, ancient sorcerer who would frame her for murder, force her to remember a past life he swears she lived, and then coerce her into an unbreakable marriage pact. But that’s exactly what happens the night of the Samhain Ball, when Selene finds herself in a jail cell.

After waking from enchanted sleep, Memnon swore to discover why Selene betrayed him long ago. But when his soul mate’s memories return, the truth reveals something else entirely. Horrified by his own actions and desperate to make amends, Memnon offers Selene the unthinkable: a magic bond that will give her full control over his will. And Selene is desperate enough to accept it.

But other enemies still haunt Henbane Coven, Selene’s magical academy, and they’ve taken a keen interest in her. If she wants to stop them, she’ll need Memnon’s help. But partnering with the sorcerer is a tricky business, especially when he’s dead set on winning her heart. And that can’t happen…because the bond controlling him will break the moment she falls in love with him.

Review & thoughts:

Bespelled is the second book in a Fantasy Romance series from Laura Thalassa and after Bewitched was one of my favorite reads of last year I had really high expectations and OMG it was even better than I expected, I absolutely loved it!

It’s no secret Laura is one of my favorite fantasy romance authors, I’ve read and loved all of her books and Bewitched and Bespelled are definitely one of my favorites. The world building and magic system are really interesting, the plot is perfectly paced with so many plot twists and action but also beautiful scenes between our main characters, the characters are well written and the romance is everything. Selene is a really great FMC and although she annoyed me a few times, I liked how far she came from who she was at the beginning of book 1 and her character developed so much in this book, I can’t wait to see her in book 3. Memnon is still the morally grey vengeful king we all fell for in the first book, but I loved seeing this new side of him here, there was a lot of groveling and I loved how devoted he was to Selene, she was his everything and it was amazing how he always showed it to her. I absolutely loved Selene and Memnon together, despite their complicated past and present they somehow managed to build a new relationship and I lived for all their moments together, the banter, the confessions, the spicy scenes, I just love them so much, they are definitely one of my favorite bookish couples and I already can’t wait for the next book in this series to see them again. 

Bespelled is the perfect sequel to Bewitched, I love these books and already can’t wait for the next one. I definitely recommend this series to everyone and if you’ve already read and enjoyed Bewitched, I just know you’re going to love Bespelled too, it was amazing!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

ARC Review - Where the light no longer follows by Wendy Heiss

Thank you so much Wendy Heiss for sending me this ARC!

Title: Where the light no longer follows

Author: Wendy Heiss

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Blue Fairytales #3

Pages: 161

Synopsis:

Time no longer exists. At least not to Silene.

Serving under the God of Death as a Reaper, she finds herself stepping between life and death every day, collecting souls and guiding them towards the afterlife. When the brother of Death begins interfering in her duties, she begins to question her existence and purpose.

And the closer she comes to finding her answers, the further her current reality sinks deeper.

Review & thoughts:

Where the Light No Longer Follows is the newest standalone novella in the Blue Fairytales series and I think it might be my new favorite one, I absolutely loved Silene and Gabriel’s story!

I swear, one day these novellas from Wendy are going to be the end of me, they are so well written with the writing style resembling a fairytale and so so heartbreaking it takes me days to stop crying and thinking about them every second. Where the Light No Longer Follows is about Gabriel and Silene, a God of Life and his brother’s Reaper, and their story was so beautiful, I loved their conversations, their banter, the way they slowly fell in love and just everything about them. They were amazing and interesting both as individuals and as a couple and my heart was breaking so many times at everything they went through in the past and I just wanted to hug them and for them to find a way to be happy together, but in a true Wendy fashion, the ending left me in tears but also I can’t imagine a different ending to their story, it was perfect and I choose to believe the fates can be as kind as the tales. 

Where the Light No Longer Follows is an amazing love story with incredible characters and beautiful but heartbreaking romance that I absolutely loved and I definitely recommend to everyone all standalone novellas in this series, they are true masterpieces that will have you smiling through tears and breaking your heart just to put it together again, I love them so much.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Still Mine by Nadia Lee

Thank you so much Nadia Lee for sending me this ARC!

Title: Still Mine

Author: Nadia Lee

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Series: The Lasker Brothers #6

Pages: 324

Synopsis:

How can something so bad for you be so delicious?

A popular baker and cake decorator, Bobbi Bright should know better than anyone that not all sweet things are good for you. Still, she can’t quit her first love, Noah Lasker—a completely unserious billionaire adventurer who makes her feel like the only woman in the universe…when he’s around. He bails on her constantly, and she’s tired of being his second choice.

So she makes a plan to quit Noah and get her life back on track. She’s going to get married and have children like she always wanted. And to help things along, she heads to a famous local jeweler to pick out a dream ring and manifest herself a dream husband.

Noah has been in love with Bobbi since the moment he laid eyes on her, but a huge secret is keeping him from being completely honest. When he sees her at a jewelry store buying a diamond ring to propose to another man, he realizes he can’t let her get married and have babies with anyone else. He embarks on a campaign to win her back, including wooing her cat, who hates everyone.

But when she discovers her late father’s papers, she realizes Noah isn’t who she thought he was. Hell, she’s not even who she thought she was. And the secrets change everything between them…

Review & thoughts:

Still Mine is the newest book in a series of standalone Romantic Comedy books and having enjoyed all of them and getting to know the Lasker brothers, I think Noah and Bobbi’s book might be my new favorite in this series, I absolutely loved their story!

After too many broken promises from her boyfriend, Bobbi decides to cut Noah from her life despite their obvious feelings for each other. When he reappears in her life as if nothing happened, she makes it clear wants nothing to do with him, but Noah refuses to let go the only woman he has ever loved and wants to prove to her he can be the man she deserves. But when secrets from their pasts come to light and it turns out Noah is not who Bobbi believed him to be, Bobbi will have to decide if she’s willing to risk her heart once again to the man who had already broken it once. 

Nadia Lee never misses when it comes to romantic comedies, Still Mine had me hooked from the first page and I read the whole book in one sitting only taking breaks to laugh out loud, there were so many hilarious scenes (especially when it came to Noah’s father and his assistant, these two always crack me up). Noah really surprised me in this book but in the best way possible, he was completely different than I expected after reading about him in his brothers’s books and I loved him here. Bobbi was a really strong FMC and I liked that she knew her worth and made Noah work to earn her forgiveness. Bobbi and Noah had an amazing second chance romance and I loved them together, they went through a lot but once they gave in to their feelings, their spicy scenes were *chief’s kiss*. I also loved seeing the familiar faces from Nadia’s other books and not only from this seres, I missed these characters and hope we will get to see them again.

Still Mine is a really great romantic comedy book with amazing characters, beautiful and spicy romance, many laugh out loud scenes and some twists you won’t see coming. I definitely recommend this book and the whole series to everyone and already can’t wait for Huxley’s book!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti

 Thank you so much Rebecca Zanetti for sending me this ARC!

Title: One Cursed Rose

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Fantasy Romance

Series: Grimm Bargains (book #1)

Pages: 368

Synopsis:

Information is power, and those who control it live like gods. 
In my world,
billionaires play deadly games of insult and influence where magic is the dirtiest weapon of all. Here, even a powerful princess can be swallowed by the darkest of shadows . . .

My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.

There’s nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of plans—even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

Adam may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.

Review & thoughts:

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti is the first book in a series of interconnected standalone retellings of popular fairytales. This one was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and a truly unique mix of fantasy romance and romantic suspense set in a modern world, I was hooked since the first and loved Alana and Thorn’s story!

After the death of her brother, Alana becomes the heir to her family’s business and the new target of her family’s enemies. When her father arranges for her to marry to strengthen their company, Alana is kidnapped by Thorn, a business rival who has been stalking her for a year and who is obsessed with her. Forced together, Alana and Thorn can’t ignore the growing attraction between them, but with Thorne’s curse threatening to take his life soon, they need to find a way to trust and help each other before they both lose their businesses and their loves. 

The setting and the magic system of this book must be one of the most unique I’ve ever read, mixing fantasy elements (the magic based on crystals was so fascinating) with a modern setting and adding a bit of suspense was an excellent idea and Rebecca wrote it all perfectly, I can’t wait to explore even more of this fascinating world in the next book. The plot was perfectly paced and interesting, I was always on the edge of my seat and read the whole book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. Alana and Thorn were amazing as the main characters, she was really smart and strong and I loved her banter with Thorn and how she didn’t just go along with everything quietly. Thorn was the kind of morally grey MMC we all love and OMG I know he is a stalker but it was so amazing to see how obsessed he was with Alana from the very beginning, there was definitely the case of he fell first and I just loved his POV and the twist on the ’beast’s curse’ here definitely made things more interesting. When it comes to romance Alana and Thorn were explosive together, I could feel their attraction from their first meeting and when they finally gave in the spicy scenes were *chief’s kiss*, I love these two and really hope we will see them again in the next books in this series. 

One Cursed Rose is a really amazing read that I definitely recommend to everyone, it’s an interesting mix of different genres with amazing characters, interesting plot and scorching romance that will leave you wanting more, I already can’t wait for more books in this series!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - The Night Ends With Fire by K. X. Song

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

Title: The Night Ends With Fire

Author: K. X. Song

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: The Night Ends With Fire (book #1)

Pages: 432

Synopsis:

Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin's relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

Review & thoughts:

The Night Ends With Fire is a Romantic Fantasy and a Mulan retelling and I can’t believe it’s this author’s only second book, it’s so well written and captivating, I loved it and already can’t wait for the second book!

When the man her father chooses for her to marry turns out to be as abusive as her father, Meilin decides to disguise herself as a man and join the military going to war. Despite being smaller and having less strength than the other soldiers, Meilin quickly improves thanks to her nightly training sessions with Sky, a handsome prince she can’t get out of her head. But when she starts to hear a dragon’s voice inside her head and realizes it comes from the necklace she inherited from her mother which is inhibited with black magic, she needs to decide which is more important to her: duty or gaining power at all costs. 

The Night Ends With Fire shares a lot of similarities with Mulan and having loved the movie I had high expectations of this book and I’m definitely not disappointed, it was amazing. There is so much action, plot twists, shocking betrayals, I literally couldn’t put it down and the world the author created and the magic system were really interesting. I think my favorite part of this book was Meilin’s character development. She went a long way from the afraid woman at the begging to the cunning, strong warrior she became, it was amazing to see the change inside of her and the way she sometimes struggled with what was wrong and right making some questionable choices makes me think she may become a true morally grey character in the end. While I’m not a fan of love triangles, it was written really well and progressed in an organic way, I really liked both love interests and while I have a preference, I will be happy whichever way it goes. But I must say that ending was so shocking and absolutely unexpected, I actually screamed when I read it and OMG I need the next book ASAP!

The Night Ends With Fire is a really great fantasy book with amazing characters, great romance, fascinating world and magic system, a lot of plot twists and a shocking ending that will leave you wanting more, I enjoyed it a lot and definitely recommend it to everyone!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Second Time's the Charm by Stephanie Rose

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

Title: Second Time's the Charm

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Standalone

Pages: ---

Synopsis:

The only woman I’ve ever loved is the one I can’t have.

Going from uncle to father overnight meant me moving back to my hometown after two decades away. Now, I’m trying to pick up the pieces and do right by a little girl who just wants her mom.

When my twentieth high school reunion rolls around, I come face-to-face with Emily, the ex whose heart I broke before she could break mine. Old feelings come rushing back, but I don’t have time to grieve, let alone start a relationship.

Regardless of the palpable temptation to restore what we lost, all I can offer Emily is an apology and friendship.

But the lines I’ve drawn start to blur when she becomes my niece’s soccer coach and I spend the entire season on the sidelines pretending I’m not wondering what might happen if we had a second chance.

Everything changes in one liquor-fueled night of confessions. I have no choice but to fight for Emily, for what we could have together. I’ve already wasted too much of my life without her in my arms, in my bed.

Maybe the second time’s the charm…

Review & thoughts:

Second Time's the Charm is the newest Contemporary Romance from Stephanie Rose and I absolutely adored Emily and Jesse’s story!

When Emily and Jesse see each other again at high school reunion after he broke her heart 20 years ago, they quickly realize they still have feelings for each other, but with Jesse becoming a guardian for his young niece, Maddie, and Emily becoming Maddie’s soccer coach, they need to decide if they can let go of the past and become friends or if they are finally willing to put in the work and fight for their love this time around. 

I have come to expect Stephanie’s books to be emotional, full of healing for the characters and have beautiful familial and romantic relationships and Second Time’s the Charm was exactly that. I loved all the characters, Emily and Jesse were amazing as the MCs, after everything they went through in their lives they definitely deserved a happily ever after and it was incredible to see them fight for it, I loved them both individually and as a couple. Maddie was a wonderful little girl and has already had so much heartbreak in her life, I felt for her and loved her scenes with Jesse and Emily, they made such a beautiful family. And I can’t forget about Sabrina and Caden, they were secondary characters, but I was also rooting for them and loved how well they fit together and the comedic relief they sometimes provided. 

Second Time’s the Charm was a really great book with amazing characters and beautiful romance, I definitely recommend it and already can’t wait for this author’s next book!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - The Last Leviathan by Anacostia Miller

 Thank you so much Anacostia Miller for sending me this ARC via Netgalley!

Title: The Last Leviathan

Author: Anacostia Miller

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: The Guardians of Farlight Islands (book #1)

Pages: 397

Synopsis:

Maeve Cross never felt like a princess. She didn’t belong in a high tower, married off to the highest bidder. She ached for freedom. A longing for the sea that she didn’t understand. After being pushed over the edge, she runs, taking her destiny in her own hands for the first time in her life.

She stows away on a pirate ship because she would rather walk the plank than share her awful husband’s bed.

Captain Leviathan has three goals in keep his crew alive, fill their pockets, and protect them from the Cross family of tyrants. He never accounted for Maeve. Not once.

They can’t help themselves by the bonds of fate that tie them together. Not even as they deny each other their attraction.

After all, a tyrant’s daughter and a scorned captain couldn’t possibly work. Could it?

But fate has other plans as the mysteries surrounding Farlight Isles start to unravel like a loose thread. Every new thread leaves Maeve questioning everything her father taught her as it challenges her own identity.

Despite it all, Maeve saw that the only constant…was Captain Leviathan.

Review & thoughts:

The Last Leviathan is the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series and the debut book from Anacostia Miller and OMG I did not expect it to be so freaking good, I’m obsessed with Mae and Levi’s story! 

When princess Maeve is forced to marry a cruel man she hates, she stows away on a ship in hopes to escape and get the freedom she always wanted. But it quickly turns out that the ship she chose is actually full of pirates and her future lies in the hands of the handsome but aggravating Captain Leviathan. Despite their scorching chemistry, Mae and Levi bicker like no other, but when secrets and hidden identities come to light, they will need to quickly make difficult decisions regarding their lives… and their hearts. 

The Last Leviathan is everything I love in fantasy romance books, we have pirates, mythological creatures, morally grey MMC, strong FMC not afraid to fight for her future and enemies to lovers romance with amazing banter and spicy scenes that had me blushing, I couldn’t put this book down and already can’t wait for the next one. Mae and Levi were amazing MCs, both individually and as a couple and I loved every scenes with these two, they both went through a lot and grew in this book and I adored their slow burn romance and loved seeing them together when they finally gave in to their feelings. All the characters were well fleshed out and I loved all the crew, especially Howler, Gunny, Boats and Wraith and can’t wait to see them again. The author created a truly fascinating world filled with some interesting creatures and there was so much action and some plot twists in this book it was a true page-turner. 

The Last Leviathan is a truly incredible fantasy romance book that I definitely recommend to everyone who enjoys this genre, book 2 can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5