Review // Knotted by Pam Godwin

December 27, 2022

Knotted by Pam Godwin

Not everything's meant to be, but Jake and I are inevitable. We're knotted together, and damn if he doesn't know how to tie a knot that withstands the test of time.

────── ♔ ──────


Knotted by Pam Godwin

Knotted by Pam Godwin


Standalone - Trails of Sin #1
Release - April 25, 2018
Genre - Contemporary Romance with dark elements
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 311 pages
Publisher - Indie

I try to forget her.
It’s impossible.

Growing up together, Conor and I shared all our firsts.
First love, first kiss, first…
Not all our firsts.

We were sixteen the night she was violently assaulted while I helplessly watched.
I’ll never forget the sounds of her suffering.
Or my inconsolable agony when she left Oklahoma.

Years later, she returns to honor our teenage pact.
Except the boy she loved is gone, replaced by a ruthless cattle rancher knotted with secrets.
She doesn’t know my dark cravings or the trails of sin that lead to her.

I don’t deserve her, but one truth remains.
She’s mine.

My Two Cents

4.5 "Healing all of her pieces" stars


I went in blind and was completely blown away by everything this book had to offer. I figured it would be a light western read about a cowboy and his girl. It was about so much more than that.

This story was full of lies. So many lies that I'm still not sure if the whole truth has been revealed to my satisfaction. And while the lies and deceit were supposed to be for the greater good, to protect Conor... I'm still feeling hurt.

Ain't that some shit?!


I get why Conor couldn't know the truth. And honestly, I had to repeatedly remind myself that these characters were young because they had to make adult choices and decisions way before they should have. Three men and a woman when they were still babies!!

Their lives just weren't fair. I get all of that.

This is what death feels like. The shattering, unstoppable separation between life and the bleeding remains of the soul. There's no countermeasure. No resuscitation. I've taken my last breath as Jake Holsten's girl.


And yes, it's so cool that Jake found a way to give himself to Conor, even if she was kept in the dark about it for years.

But why did he have to sleep with practically everyone while he was pining for Conor and keeping her away for her own good? And yes, yay for him not kissing any of the numerous people he screwed.


And yes, let's celebrate that he still loved Conor after all that time. Still wore her bracelet while he pounded away through the women in town. Still carried her in his heart while he devastated her.

But was it necessary? Because here at the end, when they've got their happy for now ending, I'm still thinking that he didn't need to do all that. I'm still hurting and he ain't even my man!

However, because this story touched me so deeply, that even now my heart is hurting, I can't help but realize how very much I enjoyed it. Can you imagine reading all of that and feeling nothing? I'm feeling everything and although I don't love these emotions, I'm loving that the author was able to bring them out of me.

It's impossible to describe the bond we share. We're too great for words. Too sacred. We're a feeling that goes beyond starts and stops. We're stronger than hellos and goodbyes and deeper than beginnings and ends.


I believed in Jake's devotion to Conor and her's for him. I believed in their love, their connection, their future, their everything. Them coming together was truly a solace to the excrutiating parts of this story. I can't wait to dive back into their world in the next book, which is Jarret's story—Buckled.

The Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their retired greyhounds, and a foulmouthed parrot.

When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

Review // Where Good Girls Go to Die, In Deep, and Part of Your World

December 25, 2022

Where Good Girls Go to Die by Holly Renee


Standalone - Good Girls #1
Release - April 13, 2017
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat 4 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 340 pages

It was a bad idea from the beginning.

He was my brother's best friend and the definition of unavailable.

But I didn't care.

I had loved him for as long as I could remember.

He was worth the risk. He was worth everything.

But then he broke my heart as easily as I fell for him. He watched me fall, spiraling out of control, and as I reached for him, he wasn't there to catch me.

So I ran.

Four years later, I never expected to see him again.

He was still my brother's best friend, and he was more unavailable than ever.

He looked every bit the bad boy I knew he was, covered in tattoos and a crooked smile.

Guarding my heart from him was top priority because Parker James was where good girls go to die.

Unfortunately for him, I wasn't a good girl anymore.


My Review (3 stars) ~ I still don't know how I feel about this book. If you don't like cheating, stay away from this book. It's messy. Really messy. One girl becomes a stripper because the boy broke her heart. The boy doesn't know how to be a good guy. He constantly cheats on others with this girl. Constantly. Liv was annoying. Parker was a tool. The end.

────── ♔ ──────


In Deep by Callie Harper


Standalone - All In #1
Release - August 5, 2016
Genre - Sports Romance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 256 pages

Chase is an Olympic swimmer going for gold.
Focused.
Driven.
Intense.

Emma is a blogger going for the scoop and she has the perfect in.
She’s gotten herself hired as his physical therapist.
With all that intimate time together -- the secrets
from his past don’t stand a chance --
And neither does she ...


My Review (3 stars) ~ I found it hard to get into this story, which was surprising because I'm a fan of this author and her writing. I just didn't like either Emma or Chase. They kinda felt plastic to me. I know that explains nothing, but I missed the usual sparks that are familiar to me. Emma turned out to be a liar, even if by omission, but the big reveal still didn't touch me. It could be that contemporary feeling romance isn't really my jam anymore.

────── ♔ ──────


Part of Your World by Liz Braswell


Standalone - A Twisted Tale
Release - September 4, 2018
Genre - Young Adult Fantasy
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 0 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 475 pages

What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula?

Five years after the (twisted) events of the film, Ariel is now the queen of Atlantica, and Ursula is running Eric's kingdom on land. But when the sea witch threatens Atlantica once more, Ariel finds herself returning to a world (and a prince) she thought she'd left behind forever.


My Review (3.5 stars) ~ This was such a cute read and I believe that it should be listed as a book for all ages. If you would allow your child to watch the movie, The Little Mermaid, then they would be absolutely fine reading this. It wasn't as dark as the movie.

Ursula has always been one of my favorite Disney villains and the author only made me love her more with the way she was re-imagined. She had Eric and his entire kingdom under her thrall while she waged war with everyone else. She was hilarious!

Obviously the good guys won and the journey was such fun!

Review // Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

December 22, 2022

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

"They said I was a monster. They're about to see just how much of a monster I can truly be." - Cash

────── ♔ ──────


Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #6
Release - May 30, 2017
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted * Shattered * Torn * Taken


SHE LEFT HIM ONCE.

LOST Agent Ana Young was only fourteen when she was abducted by a madman, but unlike many kidnapping victims, she did go home. Now, her mission is to find the missing. But her new case has her on the hunt for the escaped convict who’s obsessed with her. And Ana has an unlikely partner—the sexy, supposedly-by-the-book FBI agent she had one amazing night with and had to forget.

NOW HE HAS TO PROTECT HER 24/7…

FBI Special Agent Cash Knox knows that Ana, the petite, tough-ass former bounty hunter, can get the job done again. But this time, someone else leads them to “Bernie-the-Butcher,” someone who’s been watching Ana. Waiting for her.

FROM A CRAZED KILLER.

Now, catching a deranged murderer means Ana must trust her guarded heart to the gorgeous, complicated G-man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

My Two Cents

4 "No on hurt Ana" stars

It's the last book of the series and it ended things off with an incredible bang. The reader is sure to figure out who the killer is really fast... or will they?

Every time I thought I had figured it out, another twist was thrown my way. And if the thrill of the chase (or the hunt) wasn't enough, what was brewing between Cash and Ana had me excited to keep on reading. I was able to piece together rather quickly that their pasts were linked in a tragic way, but the way it all unfolded had me feeling terrible for them. Such pain, but it was that same pain that bonded them. It's what drew them to each other in the first place. Like recognized like and they had something so special together.

The author did an amazing job with this conclusion and I'm only left with one question in the end that still hasn't been answered... What happened to Murphy?

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com for more information!

Review // Taken by Cynthia Eden

December 21, 2022

Taken by Cynthia Eden

The two of them together—they had a chance for something special. She wasn't going to let that chance escape.
She'd fight for him. He'd better fight for her.

────── ♔ ──────


Taken by Cynthia Eden

Taken by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #5
Release - November 29, 2016
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 400 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted * Shattered * Torn


HE SWORE TO PROTECT HER . . .

Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel. But while her physical scars have healed, she can’t stop wondering about a woman she helped to escape, who simply disappeared. When LOST agent Asher Young is assigned to her case, Bailey instantly feels an attraction to the intense ex-SEAL who seems to be carrying dark secrets of his own.

BUT KEEPING HIS PROMISE . . .

Asher can’t afford to let his growing feelings for Bailey distract him from his job. Only she can soothe his horrific nightmares, but the last thing he wants is for the demons from his past to ever hurt her. Bailey has gotten past his guard, and the emotions he feels for her—they’re as dark and dangerous as the past he doesn’t want to face.

COULD COST BOTH THEIR LIVES

When corpses begin surfacing—all marked with the same tattoo depicting the Death Angel’s calling card—Asher must race to stop a twisted killer who wants nothing more than to claim his next prize: Bailey . . .

My Two Cents

4 "Is it really over?" stars

Bailey had already survived a serial killer's attack. But when she keeps remembering another living victim, she heads to people of LOST for help. What happens when the killer seems to strike again and Bailey is back to being hunted?

Well, lucky for her, she had Asher. He had also survived some shit and was a former Navy SEAL. If there's someone you need to have his back, they don't get better than him. This man was amazing and helped to make this book my favorite of the series. From the moment he met Bailey, he was all in. He hated seeing a woman hurt or in trouble and his protective instincts when it came to her... I loved it. I enjoyed their immediate emotional connection and how understanding and patient he was with her. With both of them having experienced trauma, they just got each other.

The plot was a bit more complicated than I expected and I really liked that I didn't see a lot of it coming. Loved it!

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com for more information!

Review // Torn by Cynthia Eden

December 20, 2022

Torn by Cynthia Eden

She was home ... with Wade.
Exactly where she was supposed to be.

────── ♔ ──────


Torn by Cynthia Eden

Torn by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #4
Release - May 31, 2016
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 387 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted * Shattered


PARTNERS . . . FRIENDS . . .

Forensic anthropologist Victoria Palmer has always been better with the dead than the living. Shutting down her emotions, she lets few people in. But then Victoria’s latest investigation takes her and agent Wade Monroe to Savannah, Georgia. Handsome, dangerous, and more than ready to play dirty on any case, Wade weakens Victoria’s aloofness with just one glance.

. . . LOVERS

Wade knows their recent cases have pushed Victoria beyond her limits. But her skills are crucial to finding a college student who went missing five years ago. Victoria is able to determine she was murdered, and that the killer is still on the loose.

And when the vicious murderer targets Victoria, Wade must do everything in his power to protect her . . . because he refuses to let a woman he loves be torn from him . . . again.

My Two Cents

3 "He's coming for her next" stars

A young woman goes missing and no one believes she's been abducted. Five years later, LOST has been hired to find her and give closure. Then her body turns up and a simple missing person case has now turned into a hunt for a killer. Victoria is the woman who finds answers from the dead. Wade is the man who looks for answers from the living. Working together, can they finally close the case?

Here's the thing...

I enjoyed the plot of the story. I really had no idea what was really going on and I loved that. I had some hunches of who was involved, but the how remained out of reach until the end, so the author did an amazing job with that.

However...

I didn't like the characters. Victoria was hard to take. She's a grown woman and yet her mind was so simple. She knew she had issues, but did nothing to help herself. But she did find it within herself to question and judge those around her. And Wade had way too much testosterone rushing through his veins. The alpha role was completely overdone. It blinded him to just about everything and Victoria playing the damsel who could take care of herself (she really couldn't) wasn't helping.

But that's just me.

If you like a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you'll enjoy this book.

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com for more information!

Review // Shattered by Cynthia Eden

December 18, 2022

Shattered by Cynthia Eden

They'd both been through hell. Both battled their own demons, and they both weren't ever going to completely shake their pasts.

────── ♔ ──────


Shattered by Cynthia Eden

Shattered by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #3
Release - October 27, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted


Criminal psychologist Dr. Sarah Jacobs is all too familiar with the kind of bad boys who belong behind bars. But the dark, dangerous man she meets in the New Orleans underworld is a new kind of ruthless, and all too irresistible.

Jax Fontaine doesn't claim to be a good guy, but he's loyal to his own code and brutally honest about what he wants. He and Sarah may be worlds apart, but when they're skin to skin, nothing matters but the heat between them.

And when a deranged killer targets Sarah, Jax will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

My Two Cents

3.5 "When the past comes to haunt you" stars

Sarah knew evil. Her father was a convicted serial killer and she made it her life's mission to get in the heads of killers. So when she discovered bodies dropping, she refused to be afraid. And why would she be? The most dangerous man she'd ever met, Jax, was determined to keep her safe. What happens when the killer they're hunting is also hunting them?

I will admit, Sarah annoyed me for only one reason. She suffered from silliness, thinking that with multiple attempts on her life, that she could take care of herself. And I'm not saying she couldn't. There are women out there who have no choice but to do it on their own. But she wasn't alone. She had a team of people who did this stuff for a living. Why go it alone when you can have support? Stop your nonsense.

I really liked Jax and discovering the bits and pieces of his past. Finding out what made him the way he was made me a bit sad, but it gave his character such depth and I appreciated it. The author did a great job with his character. I even liked how his life had ties to Sarah's, without them even knowing it. Be it fate, destiny or kismet, these two were meant for each other in the most twisted of ways.

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com for more information!

Review // Twisted by Cynthia Eden

December 17, 2022

Twisted by Cynthia Eden

Beneath that careful control, he was like her.

────── ♔ ──────


Twisted by Cynthia Eden

Twisted by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #2
Release - April 28, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 389 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken


Dean Bannon comes to New Orleans for one reason only: to track down a missing sixteen-year-old girl. That's before he meets the drop-dead gorgeous con artist who makes him want to lose his legendary control.

With her past, Emma Castille doesn't claim to be psychic. She just notices things other people don't. Like the fear in a runaway's eyes—or the pain in an ex-FBI agent's heart. Her chemistry with Dean is blistering, but Emma follows her passion . . . not someone else's orders.

Then a madman breaks into Emma's home and leaves a twisted message: You're next. Now Dean refuses to let her out of his sight until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. And suddenly Emma's aching to give him everything he wants.

My Two Cents

4 "You're Next" stars

A sixteen year old girl is missing and it's up to the LOST team to find her. The cops aren't concerned until everyone realizes that this isn't a simple case of a runaway—a serial killer is on the loose. For Dean, it's an uncomfortable truth that stems from his past. He was once a victim at the hands of a killer and he's determined to end this killer's spree. For Emma, years ago her help was too late and she wants to help any way she can.

Emma was a bit annoying with her unrealistic expectation of partnership. She couldn't understand why she wasn't given the same courtesy as the members of the LOST team. Could it be that her experience as a 'psychic' reader in the town square didn't quite equal that of an ex-cop, ex-FBI agent, ex-Navy SEAL, a profiler, and a forensic pathologist?

Maybe.

Aside from that, this was a wildly entertaining thriller. Although I guessed quickly at the identity of the killer, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of how everything unfolded. There were twists and turns and some oblivious professionals and I liked it.

There's a spark between Jax and Sarah. Both have dark pasts so I'm sure that will play into their connection and since their story is next, I'm off to go read it.

The Author


Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com/ for more information!

Review // Conqueror by Anna Hackett

December 09, 2022

Conqueror by Anna Hackett

As he rocked in and out of her body, she felt taken, dominated...
And protected.

────── ♔ ──────


Conqueror by Anna Hackett

Conqueror by Anna Hackett


Standalone - Galactic Kings #4
Release - November 8, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 242 pages
Publisher - Indie

Overlord * Emperor * Captain of the Guard


After two years of alien captivity, Evie is free, but her captors have changed her. Now struggling to control a terrifying new power, her only hope is one formidable, dangerous alien king.

Logistics manager Evie Mason is no longer a prisoner on an alien space station, but she’s far from Earth, suffering nightmares, and fighting to ignore the growing power inside her. She just wants to be normal, but when she comes face to face with the intoxicating ruler of the planet Taln, normal isn’t an option. He speaks to the power inside her, and ignites a fierce desire she’s never felt before.

Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany is the king of Taln and its people, who can control the geological forces of their planet. He’s dedicated to protecting Talnians from his evil father and uses his immense power to command the rocks, soil, and earthquakes. But Gray must always keep a part of his power leashed. The part that’s too volatile, too enormous, too dangerous. Then one small, tough woman from Earth threatens all his control.

As a final, violent showdown with Graylan’s father draws closer, Gray and Evie are swept into a whirlwind of power and passion, their powers connecting them in ways neither of them understand. With Gray’s brothers, their mates, and allies by their side, they will fight, and Gray will unleash everything he has to protect his planet, his people, and Evie.

My Two Cents

4.5 "Finding Freedom in Love" stars

Conqueror had a distinct instalove sort of vibe... and I loved it!

Evie, the woman rescued in Captain of the Guard, was held as a lab experiment by a vicious sadist for two years. She was having a hard time adjusting to being free. She was angry, frustrated and hurting. Her only real moments of peace came from those stolen with the ruler of Taln.

Graylan and his planet were the last stand in the war against his warlord father. He and his brothers (Rhain and Brodin) were willing to do any and everything to stop him from killing even one more person.

Working together, will they finally put an end to their father's tyranny?

I really liked how the romance developed between Gray and Evie. He was so patient and understanding with her, and she saw the man behind the duty. And for how strong and incredible they were together... I loved watching it all.

The Author


Anna Hackett is a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. She loves writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. Some of her bestselling series include Norcross Security, Team 52, Galactic Gladiators, and Eon Warriors.

Anna lives in Australia with her real-life hero and their two little boys. For more information on Anna and her books visit: www.annahackett.com

Review // Captain of the Guard by Anna Hackett

December 07, 2022

Captain of the Guard by Anna Hackett

They'd never been enemies, but definitely rivals.
Now she was his love.

────── ♔ ──────


Captain of the Guard by Anna Hackett

Captain of the Guard by Anna Hackett


Standalone - Galactic Kings #3
Release - May 17, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 255 pages
Publisher - Indie

Other books in the series:
Overlord * Emperor


An alien warrior and a fierce shapeshifter who drive each other crazy must work together to save an entire planet from a terrifying evil.

First Claw Annora Rahl is tough, fierce, and loyal. She stands at her emperor’s side to protect the wolf shapeshifters of the planet Damar, and she isn’t afraid to use her claws. Stopping an evil king from a neighboring planet, who’s intent on enslaving all the planets in their system, is her top priority. She won’t fail her family, her people, or her emperor. Even if it means joining forces with an infuriating rival warrior…one who she isn’t sure if she wants to kill or kiss.

Captain Thadd Naveri is strong, unyielding, and dedicated. As captain of the guard for the overlord of the planet Zhalto, he lets nothing threaten his king or his people. He’s still recovering from his capture and torture by the enemy, but he readily accepts a top-secret mission into enemy territory. He’s less than pleased to share that mission with Annora—the one woman in the galaxy who fills him with scalding hot anger…and burning desire.

To save their allies on the planet Taln, Thadd and Annora must sneak into the enemy’s most feared science labs. As they fight side by side, they are forced to face their overwhelming attraction. But as the enemy closes in, it is a race against time to save not only Taln but themselves.

My Two Cents

4.5 "Bicker and Banter to Love" stars

This is my favorite book of the series so far!

Thadd was this fierce warrior, a protector of all, who was a bit broken after being taken and experimented on. There's just something so special about a broken hero.

Annora was equally as fierce as Thadd, just as protective, and a force of nature. I loved how strong and loyal she was.

It was like reading an enemies-to-lovers romance, but without the true hate. It was obvious from previous books that something was sparking between these two and I was here for when it imploded. They were hot!!

There is still so much of the underlying plot to be explored. Zavir, the father of the kings, is out there, plotting ways to bring them to their knees. Luckily, I've already got Conqueror downloaded so I can discover what will happen next.

The Author


Anna Hackett is a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. She loves writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. Some of her bestselling series include Norcross Security, Team 52, Galactic Gladiators, and Eon Warriors.

Anna lives in Australia with her real-life hero and their two little boys. For more information on Anna and her books visit: www.annahackett.com

Books That Didn't Make the Cut Pt. 7

December 05, 2022


This week I chose to cover more books than usual. To be honest, there a ton of books to go through for this type of post and I'm trying to keep up. It sucks but it's the truth. So here are FIVE books that I didn't happen to love, FIVE books that were actually well-liked in the reading community, FIVE books that you may enjoy a lot more than I did.



Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy


Genre - Young Adult Thriller

Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.

In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.

The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she's never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.

There's something he isn't telling her. But there's something she's not telling him, either.

Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

2 stars - The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next.

You know I hate you when I hope you are.

Penelope (don't call her Penny) was a mean girl who didn't think she was a mean girl.
And I'm not saying that anyone should have been killed, however...
When the killer was revealed, I was like "Hmmm... you crazy, but I don't really blame you."


Not kidding. I'm just joking.

I just didn't like anyone in this book. The one character I did think I could like, Cass, came off as too soft. I already knew from the beginning that he was gonna get cast in a certain light. And for Penny (bitch, I'll call you what I want) to actually believe rumors and doubt him... spoke more to her lack of character than anything else.

In the end, I was kinda rooting for the killer and wanted Cass to find a new girl.



Imposter by K. Larsen


Genre - Mystery Thriller

The next blockbuster thriller for those who loved The Girl on the Train, Jezebel and The Butterfly Garden...
In idyllic Brunswick, Maine, tragedy strikes, leaving one family struggling to stay together.
Seven-year-old Sophie Anderson vanished from a neighbors' front lawn in 2006 leaving the Anderson family reeling.
Helen, a mother who never gave up hope.
Sam, a father who couldn’t cope.
Cora, the even-keeled sister, and Shane, the angry half-brother fought to maintain their family after losing Sophie.

Just when the Anderson’s thought they had moved past Sophie’s disappearance,
Cora finds Sophie shivering behind a dumpster in Portland, Maine 10 years later.
As Sophie integrates back into her family a series of dark revelations rear their ugly heads.

How well do you know your child, your spouse, your best friend or neighbor?
How far would you go to protect your family?
How many secrets could you keep before your world begins to crumble?
How far would you go to better your life?
Everyone has skeletons. Everyone lies. The question is, which lies are harmless and which skeletons are meant to be bared?

2 stars - Stories about missing children will always break my heart so it was a given that I would be shattered by everything I read. I liked that I continued to be surprised by what happened right up to the end. Little Sophie deserved so much more and her family is forever broken. The mom, Helen, wasn't a wholly sympathetic character, but I did feel for her. Shoot, I felt bad for all of them.

While I enjoyed what was written, I didn't really enjoy the way it was written. It was broken up in a way that didn't work for me, but I'm sure it will be fine for others.



Professed by Nicola Rendell


Genre - Contemporary Romance / forbidden / student-teacher

At a secret masked ball at Yale, Naomi Costa is literally swept off her stiletto-blistered feet by a man with a killer jawline, a perfect body, and an even-better kiss. They bust out of an emergency exit and have axis-shaking sex. He pours whiskey in her belly button and after they run out of condoms, they have to get creative. That kind of sex.

The next day, she learns that he is none other than Dr. Benjamin Beck, a brand new member of the Yale faculty and the hottest thing to happen to academia since… well, ever. She has to take his damned junior seminar to graduate, but it gets worse. He’s also her College Master: her boss, her advisor, her everything. And he’s just moved in, right downstairs.

They can’t stay away from each other. They're either fusion or fission or both. They’re making out in libraries, hiding notes between stones, and sneaking off to nautically themed AirBnbs. Hear that sound? It’s the academic code of ethics going up in flames.

If they're found out, he’ll lose his job and his reputation. She'll lose her scholarship and be forced to return to the life of lobster fishing that she thought she’d escaped.

And they will be found out, yes they will.

So what the hell are they going to do?

1 star - I've loved everything I've read from this author.
Except for this book.

I didn't like ANY of the characters.
I didn't care if things worked out.
The sex (forbidden or not) wasn't hot as much as awkward.

I'll still read from this author.



A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn


Genre - Contemporary Romance / fake relationship

How did you two meet?

The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.

My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.

He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.

And that’s when we bumped into each other.

There were no sparks.

Not even a hint of blossoming love.

But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman--minus the frisky behavior.

We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?

The absolute audacity.

But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.

My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.

2.5 stars - I really wanted to like this one. It had so many things that I look for in a book. And the tropes usually work for me. Who doesn't like a fake relationship slash enemies to lovers romance?

But Lottie was a hard pill to swallow.

Introduced as a desperate doormat, why was she so rude to Huxley? Her attitude sucked and I don't care how beautiful she was to look at.

Huxley was the typical 'love can't touch me' hero and it was lovely to watch him fall. I just don't like who he fell for. Lottie was a bit toxic and I'm not a fan of how everyone would put her in her place and excuse her behavior at the same time. Give her some dang consequences!!



Darkness Awakened by Katie Reus


Genre - Paranormal Romance / second chance / fated mates / secret baby

Years ago he ended things between them to protect her…

As leader of one of the fiercest werewolf packs in the south, Finn Stavros is in full battle mode 24/7. He has no choice—he’s one of the few beings strong enough to fight the Akkadian demons, whose mysterious escape from hell threatens the entire world. With the battle turning bloodier by the second, Finn is ready for anything…until his vampire long lost love shows up on his doorstep in desperate need of his help, sending his heart into a tailspin. He agrees to help her, unaware that she carries a shocking secret that will turn his life upside down.

This time, he’s not letting her go…

Vampire Lyra Marius curses the day she met Finn. The ruthless werewolf promised to love her forever, but he rejected her instead—before she could share her life altering news. Pregnant, kicked out of her coven, and cast aside by the love of her life, Lyra struggled to raise their rare shifter-vampire daughter Vega alone among humans. When the 16-year-old is kidnapped and used to fulfill a frightening prophecy, Lyra swallows her pride and turns to Finn for help. But how long can she fight her feelings for him and keep him from guessing the truth about who Vega really is? As they race against the clock to save their daughter, they must defeat the lethal threat imposed by demons infiltrating the human world and a hell gate that could not only reveal their existence to mankind, but destroy the world in the process.

2.5 stars - I actually enjoyed this one. I love forbidden romance. With Finn being all sexy Alpha and Lyra being a fierce vampire, there were lots of battles to be fought. My only hangup was the 'secret baby who's now on the verge of adulthood' thing.

I'm not sure if I'm interested enough in this one to give the others a try. I guess we'll see some day :)

November 2022 Bookish Recap

December 04, 2022


Hello hello!

Yes, I'm late, as usual. Get used to it 🤣😂

November was actually a very decent reading month for me. I found some to love, some to not love, and some I couldn't finish. Here's what I was up to for the month...

Stats

Total Books Read: 23
Total Pages Read: 4639
DNFs or No Rating: 3
From my TBR: 16
Avg. Rating 3.11

All the Books

My favorite books of the month were:



The other books I still found worthwhile (and would recommend) were:

Brute Force, Machine, and Primal Urges by Lizzy Bequin
The Mermen Trilogy by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
The Kingdom Series by Marie Hall
The Darkest Half by J.A. Redmerski
Set by Alessa Thorn
Good Trouble by Lani Lynn Vale

Added to my tbr

Pretend by R.L. Mathewson
Gift of Dragons by Aja James
Totally Folked by Penny Reid

Book Haul




I hope you find only the best reads!

Talk soon,


xo, Natalie