King of Envy by Ana Huang – ARC Review

King of Envy by Ana Huang

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Kings of Sin #5

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: April 29, 2025

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher .


SYNOPSIS

He had everything he could’ve wanted…except her.

Dangerous. Powerful. Reclusive.

Vuk Markovic is notorious for shunning human interactions. The scarred billionaire rarely talks, and he has no interest in relationships outside his small but trusted circle.

His only exception? Her . The beauty to his beast, the object of his obsession.

He saw her first. He wanted her first. But now, she’s engaged to his oldest friend—and the closer the wedding looms, the more he’s torn between loyalty and desire.

She should be his…and he might just risk it all to have her.

***
Beautiful. Successful. Glamorous.

To the world, supermodel Ayana Kidane leads the perfect life. Her career has skyrocketed, and she’s engaged to one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.

What people don’t know is that the engagement is only a business arrangement. He gets his inheritance when they marry; she gets the money she needs to leave her abusive agency.

Pretending to be in love should be easy—until she finds herself increasingly drawn to her fiancé’s enigmatic best man.

Vuk thrills and terrifies her in equal measure. She knows she should stay away, but when her wedding is thrown into chaos, he’s the only person she finds comfort in…

Until his past catches up with them and threatens everything they love.


REVIEW

What you can expect to find in King of Envy:
-forbidden romance
-slow burn
-angsty/swoony
-he falls first
-forced proximity
-messy/complicated relationships
-broody, morally gray hero

I love love LOVE when Ana Huang writes a broody, morally gray hero. Those books are way up there as favorites from Ana Huang (ahem: King of King of Pride, King of Greed, Twisted Love) and King of Envy has moved way up the rankings as one of my favorite Ana Huang romance book.

I can’t help but really enjoy books that are on the messier side and King of Envy was definitely MESSY but in the best way. Vuk falling for his best friends fiancee?? Only he doesn’t realize it’s a marriage of convenience situation that isn’t out of love. GAH the angst in this book was on another level! I could not stop turning the pages.

Ayana and Vuk had so much chemistry. Right off the bat they were making me laugh with their banter. I loved how sensitive Ayana was towards Vuk. Their shared back stories/trauma made them a stronger couple and I loved that. And Vuk always putting Ayana’s needs first – yes, we love a man who YEARNS and Vuk was definitely yearning 🥹.

The suspense part of the storyline had me hooked. I never had a clue of who the “bad guy” was until I was to that part of the book! I’m not always big into suspenseful romance, but Ana Huang does it so well.

Easily a 5⭐️ read for me! I truly cannot wait for the next book (eek!).

p.s. I love that even though this was one of Ana’s angstier romances – the classic humor was still there and there were moments that literally had me laughing out loud!

Review – Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: October 3, 2023

I picked up this book after seeing it all over my social media. While this was my first book by Kerri Maniscalco, it definitely won’t be my last! Loved the banter and the chemistry between Prince Envy and Camilla!


SYNOPSIS

Sinner. Villain. Wicked.

The Prince of Envy has never claimed to be a saint. But when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows it will take more than a hint of sin to win and save his falling demon court. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin like no other…

Virtuous. Darling. Liar.

The trouble with scoundrels and blackguards is that they haven’t a modicum of honor, a fact Miss Camilla Antonius learns after one desperate mistake allows Waverly Green’s most notorious rake to blackmail her. To avoid a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Envy, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature . . .

Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Underworld—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm and beyond—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.


REVIEW

What you can expect to find in Throne of the Fallen
-Historical Romance x Fantasy Romance
-morally gray hero
-independent heroine
-only one night/I’m not catching feelings
-spicy spicy spicy
-mystery

Camilla Antonius loves her life. She’s an accomplished artist in her small town, she has great friends and she doesn’t need much more. When the Prince of Envy happens to need Camilla’s artistic ability she’s not quite sure what game he’s playing. Soon these two are thrust into the Underworld where they’re playing a deadly game and only one person can be victorious.

Throne of the Fallen was my first book by Kerri Maniscalco and I honestly had no idea what to expect. I love the crossover of Historical Romance x Fantasy Romance and I feel like she did such a good job! I love both genres so it’s fun to see this happen.

The Prince of Envy and Camilla were so much fun together. Their banter had me giggling and kicking my feet! I was always left intrigued as to what was going to happen next between the two. And Kerri Maniscalco knows how to bring the spice. The warring emotions between the two – jealousy, envy, lust – were done so well. I was rooting for these two to get together from the beginning! I loved the twists and turns throughout the book.

I read this book as a complete stand alone and I felt like it read fine – I haven’t read any other books by Kerri Maniscalco.

If you’re looking for an adult fantasy romance with a bit of suspense/mystery I would definitely recommend Throne of the Fallen.

**updating my rating to five stars because I can’t stop thinking about this book and recommending it to friends!

ARC Review – Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Series: Awakening #1

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Publisher: Bramble

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!

Review – Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Knockemout #1

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: September 20, 2022 (reprinted edition)

Publisher: Bloom Books


SYNOPSIS

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way… with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.


REVIEW

Things We Never Got Over is a book that I picked up without really knowing too much about it. I know I’m a little late to the game, because I see this book on all of my social media feeds. But once I started reading it, I could not put it down.

Tropes you can expect to find in Things We Never Got Over
-small town romance
-single parent
-runaway bride
-grumpy/sunshine
-fake dating

Naomi finds herself in the small town of Knockemout, Virginia. As soon as she arrives she’s getting dirty looks and a wide berth – Naomi doesn’t have to think to hard on why. Her evil twin sister Tina has been messing with the folk of Knockemout. Turns out she also messed with Naomi when she stole her car, her cash and left her a present in the form of an 11 year old nice – Waylay – that Naomi had no idea even existed!

Naomi also has the misfortune of running into Knockemout’s bad boy Knox. Knox may look like a Viking God, but he’s rude, obnoxious and wants Naomi out of Knockemout ASAP. She’s the kind of trouble that he doesn’t like in his small town.

I have to start off this review by saying I’m not a huge fan of small town romances or romances that deal with single parents. Having said that, oh how I loved every single character in Knockemout and the relationship that Waylay has with Knox and Naomi. THIS is how small town, single parent romances should be written!

Knox…Knox…Knox…✨dreamy sigh✨. If you love a grumpy, grumbly, alpha-hole character with a heart of gold then Knox fits that description. I loved his character so much. And his relationship with Naomi was so fun, and sweet and sexy! The way he calls her Daisy 😍 These two – gah! I loved their chemistry, their banter and how swoony they were. For a person who wants her gone from Knockemout ASAP, Knox sure is good at taking care of her ❤️.

I also enjoyed the suspense surrounding Naomi’s twin sister Tina in Things We Never Got Over. Sometimes in romances the suspense can tend to go over my head, but it tied in really well in Things We Never Got Over and let us in to Knox’s troubled relationship with his brother Nash – who just so happens to be the chief of police.

Things We Never Got Over was the perfect balance of rom-com, angsty, suspense and small-town charm. I can’t wait for Nash’s book next!

CW: domestic abuse (past/not on page), parental abandonment, drug use (secondary character), kidnapping

Spotlight & Excerpt of Say Goodbye

Say Goodbye by Karen Rose

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Series: Book #3 in the Sacramento Series (part of the Romantic Suspense Series)

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

In this thrilling romantic thriller, FBI agent Tom Hunter must work with his best friend, ex-Army combat medic Liza to bring down the dangerous Eden cult. For years the cult has been wreaking havoc and now the Founding Elders are splintering. Tom is finally getting his chance with Liza, and he will go to all costs to keep her safe.


SYNOPSIS

Eden faces a final reckoning when the cult’s past victims hunt them down in this explosive, high-stakes thriller in the Sacramento series from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.

For decades, Eden has remained hidden in the remote wilds of the Pacific Northwest, “Pastor” keeping his cult’s followers in thrall for his personal profit and sexual pleasures. But the Founding Elders are splintering, and Pastor’s surrogate son DJ is scheming to make it all his own.

When two of Eden’s newest members send out a cry for help, it reaches FBI Special Agent Tom Hunter, whose friend and fellow FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds and his sister, Mercy, are themselves escapees of the Eden cult, targeted by the Founding Elders who want them silenced forever. The three have vowed to find the cult and bring it down, and now, they finally have a solid lead.

Neutralizing Eden’s threat will save captive members and ensure Tom’s new friends can live without fear. But when his best friend, ex-Army combat medic Liza Barkley, joins the case, it puts her life—and their blossoming love—in danger. With everything they hold dear in the balance, Tom and Liza, together with Gideon and Mercy, must end Eden once and for all.


EXCERPT

EDEN, CALIFORNIA

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 10:30 P.M.

ayley Gibbs winced as her belly scraped against the doorjamb lead‑ ing into the clinic. Dammit. She’d underestimated her current—

and increasing—size yet again. Damn pregnancy.

She gave her stomach a soothing pat. Not you, she silently told her unborn child. Her daughter. I’m not mad at you, Jellybean. Never you. She was mad, however, at her mother. She was beyond furious with the woman. And scared of her at the same time. The fury was nothing new. The fear . . . well, that was new. At least this kind of fear. It had always been the fear of not having enough to eat, or of where they’d live the next week, or what her mother would do if she learned that Hayley was having sex with her high school boyfriend Cameron, or

that her little brother Graham was shoplifting electronics.

Then she’d found out what her mother would do if she found out. Move us here. To this hellhole in the middle of fucking nowhere. From which Hayley was going to escape or die trying.

She just needed to get into the clinic’s office.

Drawing a breath, she eased her way through the clinic door and

quietly closed it behind her. She stood statue‑still, listening for the sound of anyone else. But it was silent.

Thank you, she mouthed, not sure whom she was thanking. Prob‑ ably not God, or not her mother’s God, at least. The God Hayley wanted to thank would help her keep her baby safe. The God she wanted to thank definitely wouldn’t approve of these . . . monsters.

Eden was full of monsters and her mother had dragged Hayley and her brother here, kicking and screaming.

Hayley rubbed her fingertips over the thick chain welded around her neck.

Welded. Around. My. Neck.

It wasn’t jewelry, despite the locket that dangled from it. It was a collar. It was ownership.

It was also empty, at the moment. The locket. But after the baby came, her locket would be filled with her wedding photo. She was technically married now—and had been since the day they’d arrived in this awful place. Luckily her “husband” didn’t want to “consum‑ mate” their union with another man’s bastard in her belly, so she hadn’t been forced into sex. Yet.

He didn’t want their wedding photo sullied with the evidence of her sin. He’d have the photo taken after the “bastard” was born. Which gave her a little more than six weeks.

Hayley’s gut churned at the thought of being the fourth wife Brother Joshua would have—at the same time. Polygamy abounded in Eden, and Hayley wanted no part of it.

She hadn’t wanted any of it. She just wanted to be with her boy‑ friend and live their lives the way they’d always planned since their first homecoming dance in the ninth grade.

No, this baby wasn’t what she and Cameron had planned, at least not now. They were only seventeen, after all. But Cam’s parents had stepped up and said that they could live with them once the baby came, that they could still go to college.

But her mother hadn’t agreed. The next thing Hayley had known, she and Graham had been forced into the back of some guy’s truck.

And now I’m here.

Here in Eden. Here in the clinic, closed at the moment. If she got caught . . . She shuddered at the very thought. But she had to try. She was more afraid to stay in Eden than she was of any punishment. And Pastor—the creepy leader of this creepy cult in the mountains—he terrified her. The people here obeyed him like robots.

She rubbed her stomach as it lurched again. Come on now. Don’t worry, Jellybean. I’ll get us out of here before you arrive. I promise.

So now she had to. She’d just promised her daughter.

Her daughter. She was going to have a daughter. She and Cameron had seen the baby on the ultrasound back at the ob‑gyn’s office in San Francisco, had heard her heartbeat. Cam had cried, his hand clutching hers as they’d stared at the small screen.

I love you, Cam, she whispered inside her own mind. I love you both. They hadn’t chosen a name yet, so they called her Jellybean for now. Her daughter didn’t even have a name, but Hayley would have given up everything to protect her. Which meant getting them out of this place, with its clinic that would have been considered medieval

even in Little House on the Prairie days.

She looked around the dark room, shrouded in shadow. There was no ultrasound here. No oxygen if the baby needed it. No painkillers. At all. Just a bed with stirrups and straps.

Hayley didn’t want to know what the straps were used for.

She did know that women died in childbirth here. She’d heard the whispers.

It would be God’s punishment for her sin, one woman had said.

She’s a whore, another had added.

And then one old crone had whispered words that had chilled her to the bone: Sister Rebecca will take the baby and raise it as her own.

Even if she lives? the first woman had asked.

Even if the whore lives, the crone had confirmed. God wouldn’t want any baby to be raised by that Jezebel.

Hayley cradled her stomach with both arms. No fucking way in hell. Even if Sister Rebecca had been a good person, which she was not. She was Brother Joshua’s “first” wife—the highest‑ranking of all the sister‑wives. Brother Joshua had a total of four wives and Hayley was at the bottom of the list, which meant she had to obey the other wives as well as her “husband.”

Hayley wanted to spit the word out of her mouth. He is not my husband.

He was a horrible person, snide and cruel. Unfortunately, Sister Rebecca was also a horrible person as well as being barren. That was the word the other women had used. Barren.

It was like living in a costume drama from the 1800s.

Sister Rebecca had three children, all taken from other women in the compound. Two of the women had apparently died in childbirth. The third had been birthed by an unwed mother. Like me. No one had mentioned what had happened to the unwed mother and Hayley won‑ dered who she was.

Nobody’s taking my daughter from me. Nobody. They’ll have to kill me first.

ARC Review – Isn’t it Bromantic?

Isn’t it Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Bromance Book Club #4

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: July 20, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.


SYNOPSIS

With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt.


REVIEW

Finally, finally we get the Russian’s aka Vlad’s story in Isn’t it Bromantic? 😍 Vlad has been a permanent part of the Bromance Book Club, but his friends don’t know much about his relationship with his wife Elena.

At point in their lives, Elena and Vlad were the best of friends. They grew up together and were literally neighbors. Elena was often at Vlad’s house – especially when her journalist father was off on a lead for a story. So when Vlad asked Elena to marry him so she could come to live with him in America after her father went missing, Elena agreed.

What started off as a marriage of convenience between two friends, slowly turned into the two of them hardly seeing one another. Elena went off to school and Vlad fulfilled his obligation to play professional hockey. But now Vlad wants more of his marriage, he wants a real marriage. Only Elena has had enough and is ready to return to Russia. Will Vlad find a way to woo back his wife like the heroes in the books he’s been reading?

I have been waiting for so long to finally get the Russian’s story and I am so glad that Vlad turned out to be this sweet cinnamon roll hero. I loved everything about Isn’t it Bromantic?. From the bros to the widows in Vlad’s neighborhood who call themselves the Loners to the romantic suspense story that Vlad is writing on the side (seriously sooo good). All of these aspects made up for the perfect romance. But most importantly I loved Vlad and Elena’s relationship.

Vlad and Elena haven’t had the easiest relationship and the longing and angst just had my heart swooning. When a book has be shedding tears within the first few chapters, I know that it’s one I will end up loving and that is so true with Isn’t it Bromantic?.

If you haven’t already picked up your copy – do it now! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

Bombshell ARC Review

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Hell’s Belles

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.


SYNOPSIS

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

After years of living as London’s brightest scandal, Lady Sesily Talbot has embraced the reputation and the freedom that comes with the title. No one looks twice when she lures a gentleman into the dark gardens beyond a Mayfair ballroom…and no one realizes those trysts are not what they seem.

No one, that is, but Caleb Calhoun, who has spent years trying not to notice his best friend’s beautiful, brash, brilliant sister. If you ask him, he’s been a saint about it, considering the way she looks at him…and the way she talks to him…and the way she’d felt in his arms during their one ill-advised kiss.

Except someone has to keep Sesily from tumbling into trouble during her dangerous late-night escapades, and maybe close proximity is exactly what Caleb needs to get this infuriating, outrageous woman out of his system. But now Caleb is the one in trouble, because he’s fast realizing that Sesily isn’t for forgetting…she’s forever. And forever isn’t something he can risk.


REVIEW

I have been waiting for Sesily and Caleb’s story for a very very long time and it did not disappoint! These two were always quarreling with each other and I loved their banter. Their quips and humor did not disappoint in Bombshell – the newest book in a new series by Sarah MacLean.

Sesily Talbot also known as “Sexily” has embraced her reputation. She is one of five sisters and they’ve never had it easy in society. Sesily and her gang of fierce and ruthless girl friends have decided to take on the worst men of London aristocracy. Those who deserve a lashing and worse are the ones that they are after. When one of these escapades almost goes south it’s Caleb Calhoun, the American that comes to Sesily’s rescue.

Caleb can’t seem to stay away from Sesily no matter how hard he tries. He’s hiding his own secrets and it’s best if he doesn’t become entangled with Sesily. But everywhere he turns, she’s there. Taunting him with her warmth and light. Will Caleb be strong enough to stay away from Sesily…or rather will Sesily let him stay away?

Oh, how I loved these two. Already I was anticipating their story and once I started reading Bombshell I could not put it down. It was funny, so swoony and the suspense had me hooked in! I love not only the romance, but also the colorful characters that we are introduced to.

As always, Sarah MacLean had the perfect amount of angst, romance and humor balanced out in Bombshell. While sometimes the first book in a series can have a lot of word building or seem tedious, I never felt that way with Bombshell. I already need every single one of the Hell’s Belles stories – a few who I’ve maybe guessed already!

Definitely add Bombshell to your TBR and grab it when it releases August 24, 2021!

ARC Review – When Stars Collide

When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Rating: 🔥

Series: Chicago Stars #9

Release Date: June 29, 2021

I received a complimentary copy and of this book from the publisher.


SYNOPSIS

Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.

It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But they’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?

This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place.  Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen…when two superstars collide.


REVIEW

What happens when two stars from opposite spectrums collide? Renowned opera singer Olivia and NFL football quarterback Thad are both brand ambassadors for an upscale watch. Immediately they start off on the wrong foot. Olivia doesn’t want anything to do with jock Thad. Thad thinks Olivia is an uptight diva after she repeatedly freezes him out.

But the more time Thad and Olivia spend with one another, the more they realize how much they like each other. But soon enough Olivia’s life is being threatened and protective quarterback Thad will go to any length to keep Olivia safe. How long can these two before their passion ignites. And once that happens, how can they realistically make a relationship work between the two of them? They are both career driven and independent personalities.

I have read each and every single one of the Chicago Stars books and love the world that SEP has created! It was so much fun revisiting with some of the characters that we loved in previous books. I do feel like I had a harder time connecting with Thad and Olivia as a couple in When Stars Collide. There was often so much other stuff happening in the story and I wanted just a little more of their romance.

Audiobook:
Story: 3
Narration: 4
Overall: 3

The audiobook of When Stars Collide was narrated by Nicole Poole and I truly enjoyed the audiobook! I was laughing along Olivia and Thad while listening to Nicole narrate both of their voices. She did a wonderful job expressing each characters feeling and I won’t hesitate to pick up another audiobook narrated by Nicole!

While not my favorite book out of the series, When Stars Collide had a ton of fun and hilarious moments thrown in with some mystery and suspense to round it out!

ARC Review – The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: M/M Historical Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: June 8, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy and audiobook of this book from the publisher and TLC Book Tours


SYNPOSIS

Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.

Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.

In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.

Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.

But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?


REVIEW

Percy, Lord Holland finds himself in an usual predicament. He is being blackmailed and needs an item from his father. Not just any item, but a particular book that his father keeps on his person at all times. Percy and his father do not have a good relationship and Percy needs to find a way to get this book – at all costs!

Reformed highwayman Kit Webb now runs a coffee shop. He’s not exactly the nicest barista, but he makes do with what he has. When aristocrat Percy shows up at his coffee shop with a proposition, Kit’s first instinct is to turn him down. But the more he thinks about it the more it excites him. Maybe he can teach Percy his tips and tricks instead? Is this going to be a complete disaster? And them more time Percy and Kit spend together – their sizzling chemistry seems to only get stronger.

I adored The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. Percy and Kit were just so fun! I loved their banter, their sarcastic quips and their respective backstories. These two had more in common than they initially thought.

Audiobook:

Story: 4.5
Narration: 5
Overall: 4.5

The audiobook for The Queer Principles of Kit Webb was narrated by Joel Leslie and I truly enjoyed this audiobook so much! I loved the way Joel was able to voice both Percy and Kit. The way he was able to convey humor, sadness or excitement was perfect! I hope to be able to listen to more audiobooks from Joel Leslie in the future!

If you’re looking for a M/M historical romance that is funny, romantic and tender I would definitely pick up The Queer Principles of Kit Webb! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Neon Gods ARC Review

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/Mythology

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Dark Olympus #1

Release Date: June 1, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.


SYNOPSIS

He was supposed to be a myth. But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell… he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth… a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.


REVIEW

Persephone wants nothing more than to leave Olympus. With its toxic environment and people always putting on a show, she’s never sure what’s real and what’s fake. She has a few more months left before she can access her trust fund and then it’s see ya later Olympus! Of course nothing is ever that easy and Persephone’s plan get a wrench thrown in it when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus. Zeus is perhaps the worst one of them all. He’s only out for power and of course wants beautiful Persephone at his side as his bride.

Without thinking Persephone runs away from the engagement and straight into the arms of Hades. Hades and Zeus have a tumultuous relationship. Zeus doesn’t venture to the lower city and Hades doesn’t set foot in the upper city. But when Persephone literally falls at his feet, Hades sees so many way to use her to gain an upper hand. What starts off as a mutual agreement to get back at Zeus, slowly turns into something more. Is the charade only that – or is it slowly turning into something more. And when Persephone has access to her funds and leaves Olympus, will Hades be able to let her go?

Neon Gods was my first book by Katee Robert and I was told her books are steamy. Neon Gods was definitely hot Hot HOT HOTTTT! But underneath the sensuality of Persephone and Hades relationship was always an understanding. They were first allies fighting the same fight, then friends and then of course something more than lovers. Although Neon Gods had an insta-love/lust, the storyline was believable and I enjoyed not only the romantic parts, but also Persephone’s relationship with her sisters and Hades relationship with this city. The suspense parts of Neon Gods also had me on my toes and I couldn’t stop reading.

Although this was my first book by Katee Robert, it will definitely not be my last. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series (I wonder which sister will be next??).