piasbookshelf's reviews
292 reviews
Burn by Natalia Jaster
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: 5✨ (A million honestly!)
Spice: 3.75🌶
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Wow, I absolutely LOVED this book. It was such a perfect conclusion to Briar & Poet's story & overall just bittersweet. The characters in this series have made their way into my heart & I adore them WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I was fully invested in Briar & Poet getting their well-deserved HEA and they definitely did. It was absolute perfection. Also, can I just say that I LOVE Natalia's writing? It has a way of captivating you from the beginning & keeping you hooked the whole time. I'm obsessed, it's just beautiful.
Briar, my Queen's growth was incredible. There was such a vast difference in Briar from the first book, Trick, to this book in the best way and I loved that we got some parallel moments to show the difference or mentions/flashbacks of them. I was tremendously proud of her growth individually & as a leader, but also as a partner. Her passion for change & fairness, as well as her passion when it comes to love, whether it is loving Poet or loving her family, she will always love fiercely. She became an overall favorite of mine & I cannot wait to still see her in future books!
Poet, my goodness how I adore this man. And the way I screamed when his real name was finally revealed? (Not spoiling it sweetings 🤫). This man's personality was so complex in the best way. His witty personality, his fierce & protective nature when it comes to those he loves, his sharp tongue & the way he just EXUDES confidence & sensuality. Seeing him love fiercely & freely in this book made my heart sob of happiness. Poet as a partner, as an equal, was just perfection. The man is a leader & the way he thinks is honestly so attractive. I just love him with my whole heart.
The banter? Perfection. The spice? Deliciously scorching.
My baby Nicu deserves all the happiness & love in the world. That child will forever hold a place in my heart. Queen Avalea also owns my heart. A fierce mother, a fair Queen & a woman with a heart of gold. I loved seeing her relationship with Briar's little family grow. Aire, I love him so much. I cannot wait to potentially get his book in the future! Elliot, Cadence and the rest of the ladies were sweethearts & such loyal friends. They deserve their own HEA. We are also introduced to new characters that have me so intrigued for their own stories, I'm seriously on the edge of my seat needing to know more of them.
Overall, I loved this book dearly, as well as its characters & its world. I'm so excited to see the series continue & to learn more about the side characters we've grown to love & also be super intrigued by. Natalia truly wrote an ending so perfect for Briar & Poet, I can't say I wanted/needed more than this. It felt so real & it made my heart feel so full. It was truly a story for campfires. It was all, it was everything. 🧡
Spice: 3.75🌶
Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Wow, I absolutely LOVED this book. It was such a perfect conclusion to Briar & Poet's story & overall just bittersweet. The characters in this series have made their way into my heart & I adore them WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I was fully invested in Briar & Poet getting their well-deserved HEA and they definitely did. It was absolute perfection. Also, can I just say that I LOVE Natalia's writing? It has a way of captivating you from the beginning & keeping you hooked the whole time. I'm obsessed, it's just beautiful.
Briar, my Queen's growth was incredible. There was such a vast difference in Briar from the first book, Trick, to this book in the best way and I loved that we got some parallel moments to show the difference or mentions/flashbacks of them. I was tremendously proud of her growth individually & as a leader, but also as a partner. Her passion for change & fairness, as well as her passion when it comes to love, whether it is loving Poet or loving her family, she will always love fiercely. She became an overall favorite of mine & I cannot wait to still see her in future books!
Poet, my goodness how I adore this man. And the way I screamed when his real name was finally revealed? (Not spoiling it sweetings 🤫). This man's personality was so complex in the best way. His witty personality, his fierce & protective nature when it comes to those he loves, his sharp tongue & the way he just EXUDES confidence & sensuality. Seeing him love fiercely & freely in this book made my heart sob of happiness. Poet as a partner, as an equal, was just perfection. The man is a leader & the way he thinks is honestly so attractive. I just love him with my whole heart.
The banter? Perfection. The spice? Deliciously scorching.
My baby Nicu deserves all the happiness & love in the world. That child will forever hold a place in my heart. Queen Avalea also owns my heart. A fierce mother, a fair Queen & a woman with a heart of gold. I loved seeing her relationship with Briar's little family grow. Aire, I love him so much. I cannot wait to potentially get his book in the future! Elliot, Cadence and the rest of the ladies were sweethearts & such loyal friends. They deserve their own HEA. We are also introduced to new characters that have me so intrigued for their own stories, I'm seriously on the edge of my seat needing to know more of them.
Overall, I loved this book dearly, as well as its characters & its world. I'm so excited to see the series continue & to learn more about the side characters we've grown to love & also be super intrigued by. Natalia truly wrote an ending so perfect for Briar & Poet, I can't say I wanted/needed more than this. It felt so real & it made my heart feel so full. It was truly a story for campfires. It was all, it was everything. 🧡
The Worst Kept Secret by Q.B. Tyler
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Rating: 4.25✨
Spice: 3.75🌶
First off, thank you to the author and Good Girls PR for the eARC opportunity! Like always this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, first things first, this book was HOT. You guys know I'm a lover of a good age gap, forbidden romance with ALL the taboo in it & this one was IT and of COURSE it had to be by Queen QB Tyler. Best friend's father? And especially that best friend that has been in love with you since ... forever? Talk about complicated.
What I loved about this read was that we weren't just told their love/relationship was forbidden. We saw the why, we felt the conflict & we suffered through the consequence with these characters. When I tell you I was going back & forth between fanning myself and then putting a hand over my heart while screaming "THE ANGST," I mean it! Now, this doesn't mean this book was super angsty. If you don't like too much angst, this book will be for you.
Avery & Theo had such an electric & passionate dynamic from beginning to end. You could FEEL the sparks & chemistry between them which I adored. These details, the connection between them, it made the pair & the development of the relationship make sense, which is what you want in a forbidden, taboo, age gap romance. And yes, I was rooting for them THE WHOLE TIME.
Theo was such a romantic, caring MMC that you can TELL loves to spoil the ones he loves. Also, his love language for SURE is physical touch. Avery is a sweetheart who, in my opinion, was brave for going for what she wanted & for sure a confident QUEEN. What can I say besides both of them together just WORKED.
The only thing that threw me off a bit was that we didn't really get to experience the moment where it all began. I would have liked to have read about it in a way that we got to experience the whole thing (as a flashback possibly) instead of being told what had occurred.
The side characters were likable & easy to love and root for. The story kept me hooked from beginning to end & it was an amazing read overall! If this sounds like one you'd enjoy, I definitely recommend it! 🤍
Spice: 3.75🌶
First off, thank you to the author and Good Girls PR for the eARC opportunity! Like always this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, first things first, this book was HOT. You guys know I'm a lover of a good age gap, forbidden romance with ALL the taboo in it & this one was IT and of COURSE it had to be by Queen QB Tyler. Best friend's father? And especially that best friend that has been in love with you since ... forever? Talk about complicated.
What I loved about this read was that we weren't just told their love/relationship was forbidden. We saw the why, we felt the conflict & we suffered through the consequence with these characters. When I tell you I was going back & forth between fanning myself and then putting a hand over my heart while screaming "THE ANGST," I mean it! Now, this doesn't mean this book was super angsty. If you don't like too much angst, this book will be for you.
Avery & Theo had such an electric & passionate dynamic from beginning to end. You could FEEL the sparks & chemistry between them which I adored. These details, the connection between them, it made the pair & the development of the relationship make sense, which is what you want in a forbidden, taboo, age gap romance. And yes, I was rooting for them THE WHOLE TIME.
Theo was such a romantic, caring MMC that you can TELL loves to spoil the ones he loves. Also, his love language for SURE is physical touch. Avery is a sweetheart who, in my opinion, was brave for going for what she wanted & for sure a confident QUEEN. What can I say besides both of them together just WORKED.
The only thing that threw me off a bit was that we didn't really get to experience the moment where it all began. I would have liked to have read about it in a way that we got to experience the whole thing (as a flashback possibly) instead of being told what had occurred.
The side characters were likable & easy to love and root for. The story kept me hooked from beginning to end & it was an amazing read overall! If this sounds like one you'd enjoy, I definitely recommend it! 🤍
Off the Hook by Julie Olivia
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Rating: 4.25✨
Spice: 2🌶
Thank you to the author & Good Girls PR for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, wow. What a beautiful love story! This book has got grumpy/sunshine, age gap, SINGLE DAD & NANNY and ... Ex-Fiancé's older brother 👀 and it is a Peter Pan inspired story, focusing on Hook & Wendy. Add all of these up & I can wholeheartedly say this was such a wholesome & incredible read. And I just want to add that the found family trope in this book was absolute perfection & it had my heart feeling full & happy.
Wendy Darling is sunshine personified. She is one of those characters that you want to wrap up in a huge hug & tell her she is perfect the way she is & that she is loved SO MUCH. The way she brightened up any room she walked into, was friends with all the town folk of Never Harbor, she truly has a heart of gold. And that's not to say she was the PERFECT character, she had her insecurities, she had her troubles, but she had such sweet growth that I truly adored.
Jasper, I want one like him, where can I find one? The way he was a grumpy man but smiled only around her, it made me MELT. Also, his love languages? Gift giving and physical touch? I would be a puddle on the floor for him. But also, his growth & his journey while healing and grieving? To believe he was deserving of love & to realize he was more than enough as he was. Gosh, this man made me fall hard for him.
The Davies family stole my heart, some more than others. The town of Never Harbor was perfection & I cannot wait to visit it again with the next book in the series. Definitely give this romance read a shot! 🩵
Spice: 2🌶
Thank you to the author & Good Girls PR for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, wow. What a beautiful love story! This book has got grumpy/sunshine, age gap, SINGLE DAD & NANNY and ... Ex-Fiancé's older brother 👀 and it is a Peter Pan inspired story, focusing on Hook & Wendy. Add all of these up & I can wholeheartedly say this was such a wholesome & incredible read. And I just want to add that the found family trope in this book was absolute perfection & it had my heart feeling full & happy.
Wendy Darling is sunshine personified. She is one of those characters that you want to wrap up in a huge hug & tell her she is perfect the way she is & that she is loved SO MUCH. The way she brightened up any room she walked into, was friends with all the town folk of Never Harbor, she truly has a heart of gold. And that's not to say she was the PERFECT character, she had her insecurities, she had her troubles, but she had such sweet growth that I truly adored.
Jasper, I want one like him, where can I find one? The way he was a grumpy man but smiled only around her, it made me MELT. Also, his love languages? Gift giving and physical touch? I would be a puddle on the floor for him. But also, his growth & his journey while healing and grieving? To believe he was deserving of love & to realize he was more than enough as he was. Gosh, this man made me fall hard for him.
The Davies family stole my heart, some more than others. The town of Never Harbor was perfection & I cannot wait to visit it again with the next book in the series. Definitely give this romance read a shot! 🩵
Watch Your Mouth by Kandi Steiner
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Rating: 4.75✨
Spice: 3🌶
I would first like to thank the author & Valentine PR for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review will be voluntary & honest.
Okay, WOW. Let me just start off with saying this has become my favorite book of this series & one of my top favorites overall from Kandi's books! And yes, Jax has also become a top fave MMC for SURE. Jax & Grace's story was such a swoon-worthy romance that also had you tearing up, or full-on sobbing at times. The spice? IT WAS SPICING FOR SURE. THE ANGST? It made my heart hurt. And you know when the couple has that chemistry, their scenes are just that much more passionate & emotional? This was them, 100%. Jax & Grace are definitely soulmates.
Grace, I don't think there's a better way to describe her than a million rays of sunshine & a breath of fresh air. Grace is a character that definitely pulls you in & you want to protect her from everything & everyone. She is a character that is so strong & because of that, she tries to be strong for everyone else first & foremost. She is definitely a selfless person, but it was a beautiful thing to see her allow herself to be selfish for one & go for the happiness she found & deserves, even if it is "forbidden."
Jaxson stole my heart & kept it once the book was over. This was one of those books where you not only experienced the love story unfolding, but you also fell in the process as well. It was hard not to fall & swoon over Jaxson Brittain. Jaxson is also a person that was so selfless & wholeheartedly loyal to those he loves, he deserved more than what he was given by those closest to him. His growth was one of my favorites. His emotional openness and awareness were so unique and yes, VERY ATTRACTIVE. He has set my expectations for "the one" WAY HIGHER, and I have zero regrets.
It was amazing to see characters from the first book, Like Vince & Maven, as well as other side characters we loved & adored in book one. I feel the next book was set up perfectly & I am BEYOND excited for "Learn Your Lesson". Kandi Steiner truly did it again with this one, and I once again fell in love with her writing & the world she continues to develop beautifully. I definitely recommend this one & be ready to highlight 99.9% of the book & swoon majority of the time as well. 🩵
Spice: 3🌶
I would first like to thank the author & Valentine PR for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review will be voluntary & honest.
Okay, WOW. Let me just start off with saying this has become my favorite book of this series & one of my top favorites overall from Kandi's books! And yes, Jax has also become a top fave MMC for SURE. Jax & Grace's story was such a swoon-worthy romance that also had you tearing up, or full-on sobbing at times. The spice? IT WAS SPICING FOR SURE. THE ANGST? It made my heart hurt. And you know when the couple has that chemistry, their scenes are just that much more passionate & emotional? This was them, 100%. Jax & Grace are definitely soulmates.
Grace, I don't think there's a better way to describe her than a million rays of sunshine & a breath of fresh air. Grace is a character that definitely pulls you in & you want to protect her from everything & everyone. She is a character that is so strong & because of that, she tries to be strong for everyone else first & foremost. She is definitely a selfless person, but it was a beautiful thing to see her allow herself to be selfish for one & go for the happiness she found & deserves, even if it is "forbidden."
Jaxson stole my heart & kept it once the book was over. This was one of those books where you not only experienced the love story unfolding, but you also fell in the process as well. It was hard not to fall & swoon over Jaxson Brittain. Jaxson is also a person that was so selfless & wholeheartedly loyal to those he loves, he deserved more than what he was given by those closest to him. His growth was one of my favorites. His emotional openness and awareness were so unique and yes, VERY ATTRACTIVE. He has set my expectations for "the one" WAY HIGHER, and I have zero regrets.
It was amazing to see characters from the first book, Like Vince & Maven, as well as other side characters we loved & adored in book one. I feel the next book was set up perfectly & I am BEYOND excited for "Learn Your Lesson". Kandi Steiner truly did it again with this one, and I once again fell in love with her writing & the world she continues to develop beautifully. I definitely recommend this one & be ready to highlight 99.9% of the book & swoon majority of the time as well. 🩵
You Beautiful Thing, You by Saffron A. Kent
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5✨
Spice: 3.75🌶
I would first like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, first things first, SAFFRON HAS DONE IT AGAIN. Now listen, this book has all the things we love about Saffron's books, characters & writing. We've got angst, a possessive & obsessed MMC, a lovesick FMC, and the SPICE (oof). If you're wondering if this is similar to her other books, in a way yes, but also completely different. Ledger's character is VERY different from her other previous male characters. Dare I say Ledger's love goes into the dark romance kind of vibes & I was WHOLLY into it. Tempest and Ledger's story was one with longing, passion and DEEP emotions.
Tempest has been in love with Ledger since the first moment she laid eyes on him, and she fell HARD. But she suffered from what she felt was unrequited love, which is the most painful type of love there is. But she didn't let that deter her, she didn't let that stop the deep, you could say obsession, she had with the Angry Thorn. I loved that about her, because I think letting yourself go after what or who you want, and loving wholeheartedly, is something that is so brave because it isn't easy to do. Tempest loved fully & deeply, and she showed that love to those she was most close to. But she also knew when it was time to step back & put herself first. I really wanted to give her a big hug.
Ledger Thorne, the man who has made me a whole new level of feral. I absolutely wanted him to wreck me in half. Ledger has this kind of animalistic side in a way, that I just FELL FOR. Ledger was more than a character who was controlled by his anger & had a "short fuse". The more we got to know him on a deeper level, we saw that he was such a complex character. His short temper & anger went deeper than others saw. Ledger also was one that felt DEEPLY, even if he didn't like showing it. The way he was so loyal to his family, his friends, his firefly, I adored that about him. Now were there things he did that made you go like, "that's a red flag"? Maybe, but honestly red is my favorite color so we LOVE IT.
Ledger and Tempest's story was a wild ride & a passionate one, but that was what kept me hooked the whole time. I also love that we got to see the other Thorne brothers, Reid & Callie as well as our other St. Mary Girls who we love & adore. This book had my attention from beginning to end & I cannot wait for others who read this & are intrigued to read it as well. I am also so excited to read the future book of this series. So, to summarize, I 100% recommend this one. 🩷
Spice: 3.75🌶
I would first like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
Okay, first things first, SAFFRON HAS DONE IT AGAIN. Now listen, this book has all the things we love about Saffron's books, characters & writing. We've got angst, a possessive & obsessed MMC, a lovesick FMC, and the SPICE (oof). If you're wondering if this is similar to her other books, in a way yes, but also completely different. Ledger's character is VERY different from her other previous male characters. Dare I say Ledger's love goes into the dark romance kind of vibes & I was WHOLLY into it. Tempest and Ledger's story was one with longing, passion and DEEP emotions.
Tempest has been in love with Ledger since the first moment she laid eyes on him, and she fell HARD. But she suffered from what she felt was unrequited love, which is the most painful type of love there is. But she didn't let that deter her, she didn't let that stop the deep, you could say obsession, she had with the Angry Thorn. I loved that about her, because I think letting yourself go after what or who you want, and loving wholeheartedly, is something that is so brave because it isn't easy to do. Tempest loved fully & deeply, and she showed that love to those she was most close to. But she also knew when it was time to step back & put herself first. I really wanted to give her a big hug.
Ledger Thorne, the man who has made me a whole new level of feral. I absolutely wanted him to wreck me in half. Ledger has this kind of animalistic side in a way, that I just FELL FOR. Ledger was more than a character who was controlled by his anger & had a "short fuse". The more we got to know him on a deeper level, we saw that he was such a complex character. His short temper & anger went deeper than others saw. Ledger also was one that felt DEEPLY, even if he didn't like showing it. The way he was so loyal to his family, his friends, his firefly, I adored that about him. Now were there things he did that made you go like, "that's a red flag"? Maybe, but honestly red is my favorite color so we LOVE IT.
Ledger and Tempest's story was a wild ride & a passionate one, but that was what kept me hooked the whole time. I also love that we got to see the other Thorne brothers, Reid & Callie as well as our other St. Mary Girls who we love & adore. This book had my attention from beginning to end & I cannot wait for others who read this & are intrigued to read it as well. I am also so excited to read the future book of this series. So, to summarize, I 100% recommend this one. 🩷
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5✨
Spice: 0.75🌶
HOLY WOW. Okay, listen. This book took me a BIT to get into, and by a bit, I mean 10%. And it wasn't because I disliked it, or that it was slow, it was just different from other fantasy books I had read previously, and I LOVED that by the end. It is the perfect book to read in October, with its dark, spooky kind of vibes. The magic system in this book is also different from other books I've read before, and I found that entirely intriguing & had me wanting to learn more about it.
Also, the poetry that was embedded into the development of the world building was FUN to read. What can I say? This author had me hooked the whole time & I did NOT want to put this book down. All characters in this book, main and side, had me wanting to learn more about them. I was hooked in all of their stories & I couldn't get enough of any of them. And every time you think you've got things figured out, no, you really don't.
Elspeth, I would defend her at all costs. Elspeth was a girl who was long overlooked, a girl with her secrets, a girl with darkness inside of her. It was amazing to see her slowly step out from that shell she kept herself in, showing who she really was behind those walls, as well as her strength, forged by her need to survive. Elspeth is a maiden who had never felt what it was like to want something, to feel deeply. But her journey had her experience what it was like to not only survive, but to also live, even if it was not often.
Ravyn, the way I would immediately smile at the mention of a "small tug at his lips." The man was serious & brooding most of the time, so the scarce moments where he was care-free were absolute GOLD. I loved learning more about him as the story progressed, seeing more of his personality. The characteristics that made him "Ravyn." As Captain of the guard in Blunder, he has a role & responsibilities to fulfill, but he is also a man with secrets, a man who understands all too well the struggles Elspeth has faced from a young age. Also, the development between Ravyn & Elspeth unfolded tremendously well. Chef's kiss 🤌🏻
Elm, I absolutely adore him. His witty personality, his snarky comments, everything about him is absolute perfection. Jespyr, adored her as well. Emory, I REALLY want to see more of him. Ione, I'm iffy about her but I enjoy her character. The nightmare? I'm also obsessed with his kind of unhinged personality. So many characters you can't help but be enraptured by.
This Dark Fantasy Romance had me hooked to the point that I devoured the second half in less than a day. I truly recommend it! 🖤
The Way I Hate Him by Meghan Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Rating: 4.5✨
Spice: 3🌶
This was another ebook & audiobook type of read for me and TEDDY HAMILTON DOES IT AGAIN. You guys know I love Teddy's work & this audiobook was another favorite added to the list! And the book itself? The plot? We've got age gap, forced proximity, delicious tension and did I mention the MMC is the FMC's brother's enemy? If that didn't sound complicated, let's add on that they were best friends before they were enemies. Drama? OH YES, the forbidden goodness type.
Hattie was such a fun FMC & incredibly relatable. Her thoughts had me giggling majority of the time, while also thinking "wait, why is she me?" in most of the scenarios. Her wittiness, and also the pettiness I could wholeheartedly relate to. But also, Hattie was a character that felt her feelings DEEPLY, so when she lost her sister, the sister that had practically raised her, her world was knocked off kilter. Hattie was lost, unsure of where her life was heading, and her journey of finding herself & finding happiness was beautiful. Her story of reconnecting with her life back home & her family even more so.
And the way her relationship with Hayes Farrow unfolded? CHEFS KISS. PERFECTION. Currently screaming into my pillow just thinking about it.
Hayes Farrow, one of my favorite contemporary romances MMCs. The things this man SAID, the words that came out of his mouth! I almost lost my voice due to my non-stop screaming (in the best way.) But all of that aside, Hayes was a broken character. One who still had deep wounds from his past, wounds that still haunted him & affected his personal life. I loved that Hayes and Hattie not only had their own independent journeys of healing, but they also helped one another as well. It was so beautiful to see their connection blossom.
Also, the spice? Have merthy, Hayes came for us ALL in this one. Kindle throwing type of spice for sure. I absolutely fell in love with the characters Meghan created, as well as the small town of Almond Bay. This book was the perfect mix of RomCom, while also including heavier topics with angst & heartbreak. I honestly enjoyed this one from beginning to end, so I definitely think you should give it a shot!
A Touch of Poison by Clare Sager
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rating: 5 "what was THAT ENDING" ✨
Spice: 3.25 "good girl" 🌶
I would like to thank @claresager for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
GAH, this book was absolutely INCREDIBLE. And that ending? I will not be over it ANY TIME SOON. It left me at the edge of my seat after having thrown my kindle, wondering how I will survive until book 3 is in my hands.
I mean, this book has got angst, forbidden romance, Fae courts & court intrigue, twists & turns that will have you wondering who can be trusted, and who is the enemy. The way Clare took us from the human lands into Elfhame and built this world so incredibly. The world development was done amazingly, it wasn't too much information at once, it all felt like knowledge we gained effortlessly. I was intrigued by the world; the new characters introduced & it made you fall in love with some while remaining suspicious of others. I enjoyed the WHOLE ride & did not want to put this book down if I could help it.
My Queen Katherine's development was TOP TIER. She went through it in book one & the events in this book weren't any easier on her. But the way she rose above all of it? The strength she found within herself, her road of self-discovery to finding how powerful she truly was & always had been. I was cheering her on, rooting for her throughout her whole journey. And her development with Bastian? The gasps I gusped. The screams I scrumed. The SCREECHES I LET OUT.
Bastian, MR. TOP TIER SHADOW DADDY! I, with no regrets or reservations, fell EVEN HARDER for this man. He is seriously a blueprint for the perfect MMC. We've got an intimidating man, who is soft only for her. A man of loyalty & rules & yet he will break them all for her. A man who is irrevocably a goner who the one he loves & will protect her at all costs. He's such an intriguing character, who at the moment is so conflicted with what he thinks he's always knows & this different reality he is being forced to face. The development he will go through in the next book, the final one in the trilogy, will be incredible, I just KNOW It.
The spice? It was spicing & the screams I let out almost left me with no voice. Regrets? NONE. But this one was definitely for us ✨praise girlies✨🫡 Bastian FED us in this one.
Ella, Rose, Faolan, Lysander, Ariadne, Asher & Perry, this group of friends OWN MY HEART. Other characters were also introduced that now also hold a place in my heart & I will fully root for. I am counting down the days until book 3 excitedly, but also very stressed. With that being said, I 100% recommend this book & trilogy! 💜
To Reforge A Destiny: A New Adult Medieval Fantasy Romance by Claire Butler
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Rating: 4.25✨
Spice: 1.5🌶
I would like to first thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary + honest.
Okay, so WOW. I truly enjoyed this second book & the conclusion to Brielle's story! This book was a quick read + fast paced. My favorite part overall was the buildup to the final battle and the battle itself! It was one of those moments where kind of sit back & think "wow, this is an AMAZING scene!" We got to see all of these characters fight for the land they love, their home & those they love. And each of them had their own badass moment, which I also LOVED.
The character growth that I had wanted to see from both Brielle & Henri in book 1 was definitely delivered in this second book. Brielle in book one was a spoiled & entitled princess who cared of nothing else but being the diamond of her kingdom & becoming the Queen. In this second book, we see a Brielle who realizes the world she used to know was just an illusion from her sheltered life. We see a Brielle who finds who she truly is, without a crown having to define who she is. She is a warrior, she is a strategist, she is a leader but most of all, she is a lover, a protector.
Henri, this definitely is not the last we are seeing of him! Henri in the first book wanted nothing more than to separate himself from life as a royal & its responsibilities. He did not want to step up into the role of a leader & only wanted to help Brielle reclaim her throne. The Henri in this book shows how brave & determined he is to right all of the wrongs his past decisions may have caused. He is a Henri who will step up to also help protect those he cares for. A Henri who is done running from the path he is destined for. I truly loved the resilient Henri we got to see by the end + I cannot wait to see more of him in future books.
Citric, he had me hooked since book 1. I loved being able to learn more about him, about how he stepped into the role of the leader of the people in The Red Wood. His past & the pain he experienced that helped shape him into the fierce, intimidating warrior he is. He also has a playful, teasing side that can also be flirty. The things he says can melt you into a puddle IMMEDIATELY. The tension between him & Brielle was DELICIOUS. And the spice? The spicy scenes were SPICING.
Eve, I don't really know how to feel about her. I don't necessarily dislike her, but I don't really like her either? Her story & development was definitely one I was not expecting but one I wouldn't be opposed to keep reading about in the future since her story was left off in a place where it feels it is far from over. She definitely has tons of room for growth & I'm all for that.
I was really happy with Brielle's ending, I felt truly proud of her & her growth, but I also feel like she deserved so much more. And yet, I feel like that was the magical part of her character growth. That by the end, she was able to see that the life she wanted & the place she called home was way different than what she had first envisioned.
If you're looking for a duet that is a quick, fast paced read with characters whose stories you'll be invested in, this one is one I would recommend! I can't wait to see what Claire has in store for us in future books & to continue to see her growth as an author! 💚
Vows & Ruins by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: 5✨
Spice: 3.75🌶
First, I would like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.
First of all, WOW, that cliffhanger! Seriously, Helen truly outdid herself with this book + I'm beyond happy to have found her books because she has become one of my favorite authors! The pacing & development of the plot was written incredibly well. The development of the characters individually as well as the development of the couples was also written so perfectly, I enjoyed seeing the progression of it all. From beginning to end, this book had me wanting to keep reading it without stopping. And if any interruptions came up, I did the biggest side eye because I did not want to put this read down!
Vows & Ruin is the second installment of The Legends of Thezmarr series & it was so easy to fall in love with this book just like it was with book one.
Althea, my Queen, we start off this book with her officially being a Guardian of Thezmarr, AS SHE SHOULD BE! Thea is a character that was born to be a warrior, a fierce fighter & we also see that whether she believes it or not, she is a born leader as well. Her growth in this book while in her journey of finding herself, where she came from, while also seeing her growth as a guardian of the realm who is well on her way to becoming a Warsword? Unmatched. As the time for War approaches, Althea faces a myriad of challenges. But I know without a doubt that Thea will come out on the other side of it all not only a stronger warrior, but someone worthy to become the next, and possibly the most powerful Warsword of Thezmarr.
Wilder, my stubborn, fierce & yet loving Warsword. Wilder in this book is one who faces a lot of internal conflict. He battles constantly with allowing himself to fight for what/who he wants, the reality of the situation he & Althea are in & also a battle of questioning if as a Warsword of Thezmarr, his loyalty is to the "right" side. We also see more of the Wilder we got a peek of in STSP. Although he is older & has been hardened by the experiences he's had thus far, he is also one who loves & cares wholly & deeply when he allows himself to. And he is one worthy to be loved & care for, worthy to fight for, even if he doesn't believe it.
Now, it's true that things are never black & white, but events are starting to unfold that make the characters & us realize the narrative of the history we were told may not be the full story. We also see the relationship of a mentor & apprentice unfold between Thea & Wilder and BOY was it one heck of a ride! And the spice? The spice was spicing & fully delivered. It is true when they said Warswords are truly INSATIBALE & if possible, I would accept that challenge IMMEDIATELY. Where's my Warsword?!
The side characters we loved in book one become even more lovable in book 2. Cal + Kipp, I love them with my whole heart & will protect them at ALL costs. The love they have for Althea & their loyalty to her is so wholesome + heartwarming. Wren, the love her + Thea have for one another is so relatable when it comes to myself w/ my sisters. I love their bond. Malik is also still my baby & I will create a defense squad just for him to protect him from everything & everyone. My big, lovable Warsword.
Torj came into this book & was like, I’m going to appear more & make you fall harder for me. Mission accomplished sir. Mr. Bear Slayer, respectfully, wreck me in all the disrespectful ways you can think of. Thank you very much ☺️
This was a perfect second installment to the series & I enjoyed it ALL. If you couldn’t tell already, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, series & author! If you were thinking about starting The Legends of Thezmarr series but hadn’t yet, this is your sign to do so! 🖤