I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dutton & audiobook from PRHAudio.
After reading the entire Magnolia Parks Universe series back to back I was so excited to get the opportunity to read Into the Dark. I knew that this would be a heavier book, but I was looking forward to the conclusion of Magnolia + BJ. I loved this book, just as I have loved the previous books. Jessa’s writing is so beautiful and I was often left reeling at my feelings for these characters.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next Daisy books! The little crumbs that Jessa left us were not enough and I need to know what is going on!!!
Loved this entire series and can’t wait to continue. If you’re looking for something unconventional – I’d highly recommend this series.
SYNOPSIS
Book five in the sensational Magnolia Parks Universe series!
How many loves do you actually get in a lifetime? Everyone knows by now that Magnolia and BJ are in the stars, but is that enough?
Magnolia and BJ are reeling from a devastating loss as they try to plan what’s been dubbed “the wedding of the century”. As family tensions mount and their respective pasts begin catching up to them, they finally have to look the truth in the Can they learn to trust and be with one another again, or will they die trying?
REVIEW
From the first moment I started Magnolia Parks I felt the instant connection between BJ and Magnolia. Their relationship was one filled with anger and hurt, but also one with such loving tenderness. Yes, both Magnolia and BJ are deeply flawed and that’s where Into the Dark shined for me. These two had such character growth – both separate and together in this book and witnessing their journey made me so happy (and okay yes also shed some happy tears 🥲).
After reading The Long Way Home I wasn’t sure what to expect with the way that book ended. Bridget has been such a huge part of Magnolia’s life and also for us as the reader. We connected with her no bs attitude and the way she so clearly rooted for BJ and Magnolia. The levels of grief that Magnolia experiences were heartbreakingly beautiful. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion 😭
Magnolia and BJ’s journey to finally be together was a long time coming. Yes, they had to take the long way around to get there – but they got there and I couldn’t have been happier 🥹. I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t always a BJ fan. I hated him and loved him throughout this series, but the way this man is so gone for Magnolia made me definitely love him. Their relationship wasn’t easy, but the fact that they are aware of it and are taking the steps to grow together was so profound 🥰
I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook for Into the Dark. I was looking forward to the audiobook – as these books have been some of my favorite audiobook narrations. BUT! The male narrator was switched from Benjamin Noble to Adam Hugill. And it was hard for me to reconcile Adam Hugill as BJ because in this series he’s been Christian. And I love him as Christian – it’s just hard for me to have him play multiple characters in the same series. I still love Magnolia’s chapters as she is still narrated by Ella-Rae Smith who I think is the perfect Magnolia! Overall I still liked the audiobook, but I was struggling with the BJ chapters.
I’m so so so happy that BJ and Magnolia got the ending they deserved.
As a Daisy Haites girl, I couldn’t help but love the snippets of Christian/Daisy/Julian and cannot wait for the next Daisy Haites book 🌼
Overall a wonderful conclusion to BJ and Magnolia – can’t wait to reread the entire series from beginning to end. Jessa’s writing is so damn beautiful and I can’t get enough.
I received a complimentary copy and audiobook from publisher.
SYNOPSIS
A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.
Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…
Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.
REVIEW
Add Bride to your tbr if you love -were x vampyre -marriage of convenience -mystery & drama -slow burn -lots of “my wife” moments -🌶🌶
Misery is a vampyre that’s been living in the Human world for years now. She feels like she blends in as much as a vamypre can. She has a human best friend, she files down her canines and doesn’t hunt humans to drink their blood – she grabs blood from a blood bank of course.
When extenuating circumstances force Misery into accepting an alliance with the Were’s by marrying their alpha Lowe Moreland she tries to make the best out of a not so ideal situation. Misery’s father may be using Misery as collateral for this makeshift alliance, but Misery has her own agenda. Her best friend Serena went missing weeks ago and the only clue she left behind had to do with the Were alpha. Misery has to try to figure out what if anything Lowe knows about Serena’s disappearance.
The Were pack have each other’s back and they all listen to their Alpha. They don’t have any love for a Vamypre living among them even if she is Lowe’s wife. But soon enough Misery finds that her only friend might be a little girl who just happens to be Lowe’s sister. The more time Misery finds herself spending with the pack, the more she ends up liking them and their fearsome, protective Alpha. Will Lowe and Misery learn to trust each other while they are contracted to stay married for at least a year?
I also had the opportunity to listen the audiobook of Bride and really enjoyed it! The narration was performed primarily by Thérèse Plummer with the chapter introductions done by Will Damron. I enjoyed Thérèse Plummer’s narration as Misery. Her voice was perfect for Misery and I could always feel the depth of emotions from her narration – everything from humor and sarcasm to sadness and longing. If you’re a fan of audiobooks I highly recommend listening to this one.
I loved loved loved Bride. While this book felt completely different from Ali’s previous contemporary novels, I couldn’t stop reading it fast enough. It was darker and yet had all of the same traits I love about Ali’s books – smart heroines with plenty of sass and wit and a hero who loves her unconditionally. I love Misery and Lowe together and didn’t want this book to end. And that ending?! I definitely need more books in this universe.
I picked up Magnolia Parks on a whim. I tried to read it a few months (maybe a year ago?) when it was on Kindle Unlimited, but couldn’t get into it. Then I kept seeing it all over social media and decided to give it another go. And this time I was fully invested. I think it’s because I let myself want to read a messy book. There’s no clear HEA at the end of these books and the characters come across as shallow and often self absorbed. But they know this and that’s what makes me love them. Lots and lots of content warning if you decide to pick up these books so be warned. I’ll list them down below. If you do pick up the Magnolia Parks books let me know what you think! I’m fully invested and am dying to read the next book in the series. Each of these books was five star read for me.
Series Reading Order:
Magnolia Parks
Daisy Haites
Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home
Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing
Magnolia Parks: Into the Dark (releasing February 13, 2024)
This books reads as a true series so it’s really important to read the books in order! I believe there are still two more Daisy Haites books, but I don’t think anything has been announced yet!
p.s. if you’re looking for the og covers I bought them from Blackwell’s. The new updated shoe covers are available at most retailers.
Content Warnings: drug use/abuse, overdose (on page), cheating (on page), death of a loved one, threats/attempted kidnapping.
**thank you to Dutton Books and PRH Audio for the gifted books and audiobooks.
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
I’m going to start off this review by stating that Magnolia Parks is a book/series that is not for everyone. It’s messy in so many ways and the characters are all deeply flawed with a multitude of issues. CW: substance abuse, cheating, overdose, co-dependency. That being said, I absolutely loved it because at the moment I’m loving messy romances and this book was M E S S Y 🫠
BJ Valentine and Magnolia Parks have constantly been in each others orbit. They’ve known each other forever, dated for a bit but are at an impasse. BJ cheated on Magnolia three years ago and both of them cannot move on from that betrayal. This is a book about both of them trying to move on with their lives, but not really because they can’t. They have that kind of love that’s destructive and they can’t function without each other. Yet, all the people they bring in their orbit end up getting hurt 😞.
This was my first book by Jessa Hastings and I love her writing style! It’s eccentric and fun, but then there will be certain scenes or chapter that just gut me and leave my heart crying on behalf of these characters. I have so many highlighted sections of this book 🥲🥹
If you are a fan of audiobooks – I highly highly recommend the audiobook of Magnolia Parks. The narration was done by Benjamin Noble and Ella-Rae Smith and they were amazing. They embodied BJ and Magnolia perfectly.
If you’re looking for an unconventional romance book that’s angsty and swoony and full of heartbreak I would suggest Magnolia Parks. I’m already looking forward to the next book.
What you can expect to find in Daisy Haites: -witty dialogue -a love…square? (messy messy messy) -swoony scenes that leave you with tears in your eyes -angsty scenes that leave you with tears in your eyes -CHRISTIAN HEMMES
After finishing Magnolia Parks I was reeling. I needed to find out what happened with BJ and Magnolia. And so when the book starts off with Daisy…I was internally thinking wtf? Don’t ask why even though the book literally says Daisy Haites I was still expecting Magnolia to narrate 🙈. So yeah, I was kind of like what is going on?
And then…and then I started reading this book and completely fell head over heels in love with Daisy Haites 😍. Because she’s Daisy Haites and I love her inner monologue and dialogue with every single person in this book. But especially Christian Hemmes 🫠. Gah! The scenes between these two always left me feeling something…giddy, happy, heartbroken, excited…you name it.
So basically the gist of this book is that it’s kind of happening at the same time as Magnolia Parks, but we see it from the point of view of Christian, Daisy and her brother Julian. Julian was briefly mentioned in Magnolia Parks, but we learn more about him, his empire and his sister Daisy. A lot of shit goes down and I won’t really say much without giving the book away. I will say that this was one book I literally could not put down. I read it every chance I got.
I also had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Daisy Haites and this audiobook is literally one of my most favorite audiobooks of all time 🥹. I loved the narration done by Adam Hugill, Sabrina Bartlett and Michael Shelford. The audio narration was absolute perfection. I especially loved Sabrina Bartlett and Adam Hugill’s portrayals of Daisy and Christian – so much emotion in their performances! I can’t wait to go back and re-listen to the audiobook.
Daisy Haites is one of my favorite books of the year. I loved every single thing about this book ❤️. Yes, the characters are still messy. Yes, there are a lot of content warnings. And yes, each and every one of these characters is fucked up in some way. But they know that and that’s what makes me keep wanting to come back into this universe and picking up these books.
When this line has you crying 😭 6% into the book you know it’s going to be The Long Way Home for BJ and Magnolia to reunite. But you’re hoping against all hope that they get there some how.
I’ve been obsessed with this series since I started it roughly a week ago. The way Magnolia Parks ended, I wasn’t too keen on BJ and the way Parks and him separated. But I loved BJ’s character growth in Long Way Home. He is trying to be better – not only for Magnolia but also for himself and it made me love him more than I did previously 🥹.
Yes, there were certain parts where I was screaming at BJ and Magnolia 😫 I wanted more than anything for them to get their happy ending, but their pain runs deep and wasn’t easy to fix with a bandaid. Still – I love these two, their history and the way they so obviously love each other.
Other things I loved about Long Way Home: -Julian … also I can’t wait to get his POV in the next book -seeing Daisy and Christian again 🥲 -why December 3rd was so special to Magnolia and BJ 😭 -the funny scenes that had me laughing out loud!
Once again, the audiobook was fantastic and I can’t recommend it enough.
And I should have known that Jessa Hasting’s was setting us up for heartbreak when the ending seemed to be tied up too perfectly…what just happened?!?!?! 😮
I can’t wait to read The Great Undoing, but I’m going to try to pace myself so I can be ready for Into the Dark
I should have known going into Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing that this book would leave my heart in pieces when it ended 💔😭
Like the previous Daisy Haites book, The Great Undoing takes place at the same time as Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home except that it’s told in the POV of Daisy, Julian and Christian. In the end of Daisy Haites we know that:
1. Daisy wants a “normal life” 2. Daisy and Christian break up ☹️ 3. Julian has broken Daisy’s rules and is going down a dark path.
I won’t recall what happens in the book because *spoilers* but I will break down why I love these characters so much.
Daisy: I’ve always been a Daisy girl – her fierceness, her bluntness, her love and loyalty are what make her so amazing in this series. I loved to see the character growth of Daisy in this book. She wants “normal,” but her normal has always been wherever her brother is. Is she truly happy now…living with Tiller? Or is this the life she desperately thinks she wants. And at what cost? The cost of losing her brother, the cost of losing the love of her life? Daisy always breathes so much life into her character and it was hard reading some of these chapters. But also – really funny? lol I love her humor. My favorite moments of Daisy are always those with Christian. These two are just meant to be. I won’t accept anything else. And a Daisy + Magnolia friendship – I was lol’ing A LOT.
Christian: This man and the way he loves Daisy 😮💨 Yes he was an idiot in the first Daisy Haites book but I loved him then and in this book I loved him even more 😍😍😍 I lived for the moments that he had with Daisy. But also his character was so much stronger and emotionally present in this book. I loved to see how far he’s come from the last book.
Julian: Okay first of all I am a Magnolia + BJ girlie – because their love is something unique and special. Yes they hurt each other and do all sorts of messed up things – but they’ve loved each other their whole lives. BUT seeing how untethered and how in love Julian was with Magnolia made my heart break for him. Like full on tears streaming down my face because ugh Julian 🥹 He deserves to be loved and by someone who will love him as fiercely as he does them. But with him being who he is – how is that ever going to be possible….poor Julian.
This ending left me broken 😭. I need more more more books with these three characters. I am SO excited for Magnolia Parks Into the Dark and I just hope for some snippets of these three characters so it can hold me over until we get another book with them.
p.s. as always the audiobook of Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing was fantastic. This series has my favorite audiobook hands down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.
Mackenzie Carter has had some very bad dates lately. Model train experts, mansplainers, guys weirdly obsessed with her tail—she hasn’t had a successful date in months. Only a year out of residency, her grandmother’s obsession with Mackenzie finding the perfect mate to settle down with threatens to drive Mackenzie barking mad. Out of options, it feels like a small thing to tell her grandmother that she’s met someone. That is, until she blurts out the name of the first man she sees and the last man she would ever date: Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General.
Noah Taylor, interventional cardiologist and all around grump, has spent his entire life hiding what he is. With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas that have people wondering if they still howl at the moon, Noah has been careful to keep his designation under wraps. It’s worked for years, until an anonymous tip has everything coming to light. Noah is left with two options: come clean to the board and risk his career—or find himself a mate. The chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asking him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he’s called to meet the board has to be kismet, right?
Mackenzie will keep her grandmother off her back, and Noah will get a chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate—a mutually beneficial business transaction, they both rationalize. But when the fake-mate act turns into a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realize love is a whole different kind of animal.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in The Fake Mate -STEM leads -alpha/omega pairing -🌶🌶🌶 scenes -grumpy/sunshine -fake dating(mating)
Dr. Mackenzie Carter needs her grandma to get off of her back. She’s not quite ready to settle down yet and her recent string of bad dates isn’t helping matters. Dr. Noah Taylor has been working as a cardiologist for a number of years, but he’s hiding a secret. He’s an alpha shifter and an anonymous tip has let the board know about his secret. He needs to nip the stigma in the bud. When a chance opportunity presents itself – Mackenzie and Noah find themselves pretending to be fake mates. Mackenzie gets her grandma off her dating life and Noah is able to put the board at ease. Win-win, right? Except the more time Mackenzie and Noah spend with one another the more they seem to want to turn their fake relationship into something real. Will these two find a way to give their budding relationship a chance?
Did I have to google “what is the omegaverse” while reading The Fake Mate? Yes, yes I did 🤭 And oooohhh does Lana bring the heat in The Fake Mate. My pages were smoking while reading this spicy, shifter romance. If you read Lana’s debut The Nanny you know that Lana can write a spicy scene and she did not disappoint in The Fake Mate.
This shifter romance was so spicy but also very sweet. Noah was always so gentle with Mackenzie. And I loved how badass and fearless Mackenzie was. The third act breakup felt a bit forced and I felt not entirely necessary, but I still ended up binging this shifter romance.
If you’re looking for a sweet, spicy, shifter romance with the fake dating/mating trope – I recommend you pick up The Fake Mate.
I received a complimentary copy of this book/audiobook from the author.
I have loved loved loved this series and I am so sad to see it come to an end! If you’re looking for spicy, swoony and oftentimes hilarious romances I recommend the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver!
SYNOPSIS
Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past.
I’m the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
He’s thirty-five and all man, and I’m twenty-two and all… virgin.
He’s also my fiancé. Correction: my fake fiancé.
We start out as a bet. He doesn’t believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers me his to prove a point.
It’s win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family’s prying, and I get a chance to shed my family’s reputation while I save up to ditch this small town.
He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can’t keep my hands off of him in public.
But it’s what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines.
It’s what transpires behind closed doors that doesn’t feel like pretending at all.
This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date.
He once told me he’d never fall in love.
And yet here I am, head over heels for my fake fiancé.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in Hopeless -fake dating -playful banter -slow burn -age gap (she’s 22 and he’s 35)
Beau is back from deployment and isn’t having the easiest time. His family means well but they are tip-toeing around him. Careful not to say the wrong thing, careful to always include him in the ranching lifestyle. Everyone in Chestnut Springs treats him as a hero and he’s not sure how to feel about it.
Bailey’s life has never been easy. Growing up everyone knew the Jansen’s and what trouble makers they were. Bailey tries to separate herself from her brothers, but they insist on making life a challenge for her.
Beau has always been kind to Bailey and Bailey isn’t afraid to tell him when he’s wrong or overstepped unlike the rest of the community. When Beau proposes a challenge for Bailey she’s not sure what to make of it – Beau proposes (ha!) that Bailey and him pretend to be engaged. That way maybe she’ll get better opportunities in town with his name attached to hers and he gets his family off his back. When the fake engagement starts to feel all too real – there will be some hard decisions for both of them to make, especially since Bailey wants out of the town that seems to make her life miserable.
Okay first of all if there’s a fake dating ploy involved I am going to eat it up! Second of all, this is an Elsie Silver novel so when I think “umm…I’m not sure I’m gonna like an age gap/virgin heroine” she proves me wrong. I loved loved loved Bailey and Beau. They were funny and sweet and I loved the sass that they gave each other. Their slooooooow burn romance was burning up the pages while I was reading Hopeless.
For a book that tackles some sensitive subjects like PTSD, trauma from war, parental abuse and neglect, I feel like Elsie did a good job including them in the book without making the book overtly heavy. I have to admit, I was a bit worried that this would be a heavier book, but it was actually the opposite. Beau was such a golden retriever and I love it!
I also had an opprotunity to listen to the audiobook of Hopeless and it was narrated so well. Jason Clarke is one of my favorite narrators and he did an amazing job portraying Beau! I really liked Angelina Rocca’s portrayal of Bailey. I could always tell when these narrators wanted us to be happy, excited or sad. If you like audiobooks I highly recommend you listen to Hopeless.
I am super sad that the Chestnut Springs series has come to an end – but what a series it was!!
Chestnut Springs ranking (they are all five star reads). 1. Flawless 2. Hopeless 3. Heartless 4. Reckless 5. Powerless
Filled with magic, the bond of sisterhood and a second chance romance – I am so excited to read this witchy romance – perfect for the fall season ahead!
SYNOPSIS
Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.
Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.
What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.
With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
SHE LIVES BY HER INTUITION. HE FEEDS ON HER PLEASURE.
Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian―royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.
Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.
When her intuition leads her to save a traveling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he’ll be her doom.
When the Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.
Calista must follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.
REVIEW
What to expect in Fall of Ruin and Wrath -fast paced word building -🌶🌶🌶🌶 -who did this to you? -found family -political intrigue …and an ending that leaves you begging for more
If Jennifer L Armentrout is writing a romantasy book I am first in line to want to read it. Which was exactly the case with Fall of Ruin and Wrath. Calista has a gift that not many know about – the foresight to see in to the future. The current Baron, Claude, realizes what a precious gift that is and is hiding Calista in his court as his courtesan. When Calista inadvertently ends up saving the life of a prince – Thorne – he takes an interest in her and wants her at his side while he is visiting the Baron. But the prince turns out to be far more intriguing and full of secrets. With an imminent danger approaching is he a person that Calista can trust?
While Fall of Ruin and Wrath started a bit slowly for me (as most fantasy romance novels do), I ended up absolutely tearing through the pages. I couldn’t get enough of Calista and Thorne. Their chemistry and banter left me with a grin on my face!
I genuinely cared about all of the characters in Fall of Ruin and Wrath – not just Thorne and Calista, but also Calista’s best friends Grady and Norma and even Claude.
I’m already hooked and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
The heart is a battlefield.
All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion–one that could save their world…or destroy it.
An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.
REVIEW
What you can expect to find in The Hurricane Wars -romantasy -enemies to lovers -marriage of convenience -slow burn -angst -she’s sassy -he falls hard and fast -diverse characters
Talasyn a lightweaver is fighting as a soldier against the Night Empire in the Hurricane Wars. Prince Alaric is uses his Shadow magic and hasn’t met his equal until he fights Talasyn in the battle field. Soon these two discover that when their magic is combined they create something powerful. With a threat looming in the near distance these two must decide if they are willing to come together to defeat a threat larger than both of their forces.
From the moment I started reading The Hurricane Wars I was intrigued. I will say that it did take me a bit to get into the book as the word building is extensive. But what kept me coming back was the chemistry between Talasyn and Alaric – gah how I love these two! Talasyn is amazing in her own right – she doesn’t take crap from anyone and isn’t afraid to voice her opinions. And Alaric is absolutely gone for her – it was so much fun to watch!
I have to say that the writing by Thea Guanzon is so lyrical and beautiful. I had passages after passage highlighted because of the vivid imagery. And let’s be honest – nothing makes me love a book more than a marriage of convenience trope. The slow burn between Talasyn and Alaric was slooooooow, but the tension and angst was always there which I love in a romantasy.
There were so many twists and turns in this book and I am already dying to read book 2. If you’re looking for a enemies to lovers, fantasy romance with diverse characters I highly highly recommend The Hurricane Wars
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with the next Hell’s Belles novel about a chaotic bluestocking and the buttoned-up detective enlisted to keep her out of trouble (spoiler: She is the trouble).
With her headful of wild curls and wilder ideas and an unabashed love of experiments and explosives, society has labeled Lady Imogen Loveless peculiar…and doesn’t know she’s one of the Hell’s Belles—a group of vigilantes operating outside the notice of most of London.
Thomas Peck is not most of London. The brilliant detective fought his way off the streets and into a promising career through sheer force of will and a keen ability to see things others miss, like the fact that Imogen isn’t peculiar…she’s pandemonium. If you ask him, she requires a keeper. When her powerful family discovers her late-night activities, they couldn’t agree more…and they know just the man for the task.
Thomas wants nothing to do with guarding Imogen. He is a grown man with a proper job and no time for the lady’s incendiary chaos, no matter how lushly it is packaged. But some assignments are too explosive to pass up, and the gruff detective is soon caught up in Imogen’s world, full of her bold smiles and burning secrets…and a fiery passion that threatens to consume them both.
REVIEW
Imogen has been such a fun character and was waiting for her story for quite some time now! Knockout was everything I wanted for Tommy + Imogen. It was fun, funny, sweet and spicy.
If you recall from the previous books in the series Imogen loves to make things go boom and Tommy being a detective inspector doesn’t appreciate the Hell’s Belles always interfering with his crime scenes. So when Tommy feels that Imogen’s life is in danger he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe – he acts as her bodyguard. Can these two try to keep their relationship strictly professional when they’re in such close proximity?
I loved the push and pull of the relationship between Tommy and Imogen. These two were seriously so much fun and their banter was always leaving me with a grin on my face. Not only did I enjoy their relationship but also the relationship that Imogen had with the Belles as well as her relationship with her brother. (I really hope we get a book with him – I loved his character!).
I have been loving this series so much and can’t wait to read about the Duchess next!
My ranking of Hell’s Belles in order of favorite (hint – they’re all amazing) 1. Heartbreaker – 5⭐️ 2. Bombshell – 5⭐️ 3. Knockout – 4⭐️
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?
A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again–until heartbreak and unexpected chemistry bring them together in this clever enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance.
When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly.
A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, and she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, and make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common . . . except that they happen to be sleeping with the same woman.
Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you’re too sad to hate each other–and too sad for hate sex.
As friends-without-benefits, they find comfort in late-night Netflix binges, swiping through each other’s online dating profiles, and bickering across boroughs. It’s better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur. . . .
With sharp observations and sizzling chemistry, You, Again explores the dynamics of co-ed friendship in this sparkling romantic comedy of modern love in all its forms.
REVIEW
I started You, Again without knowing too much about it. A few book friends have been raving about it on social media, so I figured I’d have to move it up on my tbr. Once I started this book I could not stop reading it!
What you can expect to find in You Again -enemies to friends to lovers -he’s grumpy, she’s slightly less grumpy -bi rep -fated mates (they run into each other every few years) -disastrous meet cute -swoony & angsty
When Josh discovers that his grilfriend’s roommate – Ari – is occasionally sometimes a “friend with benefit”- when he comes over to make her dinner he immediately dislikes her. They bicker and fight the entire time Josh is making dinner.
Then starts their unfortunate run-ins with one another every few years. And their run ins eventually become a tentative friendship after both Josh and Ari are coming out of serious relationships. Ari is going through a divorce after her wife dumped her for someone else and Josh feels lost without someone to call his own.
There are so many things I loved about this book. The way Kate Goldbeck can make me laugh while also making my heart race in sweet/sexy/spicy scene. The way I connected with both characters and their group of friends. The fact that I felt the hurt, anger and loneliness in both Ari and Josh and yet I was SCREAMING for them to get together!
I have literal paragraphs highlighted because they resonated with me so profoundly. Obviously I can’t put into words how much I loved this book.
If there’s one book you need to add to your fall tbr, please let it be You, Again! I can’t wait to read whatever Kate Goldbeck writes next.
Readaholic Book Reviews 