piasbookshelf's reviews
358 reviews

Salt by L.A. Ferro

3.0

Wish by Sara Flanagan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.

Couldn’t truly get into it. Didn’t like or dislike the FMC and don’t really like the MMC. Feel like it is one I need to walk away from. 

The Season of Secrets by Q.B. Tyler

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rating: 4✨ 

Spice: 3.75🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author & Good Girls PR for the ALC opportunity. This review is voluntary & honest. 

 

Y’all, this novella was spicy, age-gap romance goodness that made me ascend into the thirsty heavens made for book girlies. Wes and Raegan had a romance that may not be a traditional one, BUT MAN WAS IT ONE THAT HAD YOU FANNING YOURSELF CONSTANTLY. It also had me screaming “when will it be my turn??” into the universe. 

 

Let me just start with with the narration & say that Jason Clarke absolutely NEVER misses. The way him voicing Wes had me shaking & going feral. I feel like he brought amazing range to the character & I must admit he had me blushing at times. This was my first audiobook with Vanessa Moyen as a narrator & I liked her work as well! I feel like she brought truly brought Raegan to life & was a great pair with Jason. 

 

Wes & Raegan are two individuals that were instantly drawn to one another, which made the forbidden aspect of their relationship so DELICIOUS. The chemistry between them was palpable & you could feel the heat between them through the pages. Their story in this novella was one I truly could not put down. Their commitment to one another & care for one another was heart-melting. And the way Wes was so gone for her, how he fell for her & fell hard, had me SWOONING. He may just me my top favorite in this Secrets series. 👀 

 

If you are a lover of age gap romances with a daddy kink sprinkled on top, add a boss/assistant aspect to the story with billionaire silver fox goodness & want no third act break up, this book is DEFINITELY for you! ♥️

When Hearts Surrender by Victoria Lum

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Rating: 4.5✨ 

Spice: 3.75🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. This review is voluntary & honest. 

 

Y’all when I tell you I have fallen in love with The Orchid series & Victoria’s writing & characters, I mean it! It’s like every book in this series turned up the angst more & more on each one & if you know me, then you DEFINITELY know I am an ANGST LOVER. So yes, I did devour all three of them. 

 

Belle is an FMC that feels like she is a true embodiment of sunshine. And it is not in the sense that she would be happy & perfect 24/7 because that is not Belle. She has the kindest of hearts & so much love to give & is also ready to be a light to guide those who may need it. Her caring nature goes hand in hand with her fierce protective side. She is the kind of close friend you want, the partner you hope for & the person you hope to become one day. I adored her! 

 

Maxwell, one of my top favorite tortured heroes. This man has spent his whole life haunted by a curse that has torn his family’s hearts for generations. It has made him become a shadowed version of who he wished to be as he grew up. It made his world different shades of gray when his inner artistic side longed to see the world in color. It was beautiful to see him open up & show the hidden sides to himself. A side that is open to falling in love & fighting to keep it. This man is also possessive in the most delicious of ways. No matter how hard he tried to prevent his feelings, Maxwell became enraptured by Belle’s light & let it fill him with the kind of love he had been waiting for. His journey was not an easy or kind one, but the ending truly filled my heart with happiness. 

 

Maxwell & Belle have a love that transcends time & defeats all odds. What began as another adventure added to Belle’s year of yesses turned into an unforgettable night, where two souls that have yearned for one another for many moons finally reunite. As always, it was also amazing to see the side characters that are pivotal members of their friend group/family. You’ll love this if you’re a lover of cameos of couples from previous books in a series. 

 

If you’re a lover of a contemporary romance with soulmates, an age gap arranged marriage of convenience, a protective tortured hero with a sunshine to his grumpy with spice & angst slathered on top, this one is for you! I loved this one & I have a feeling you will too! 🩵

A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author, Berkley & NetGalley for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest. 

 

WOW, what a ride this series was! The best way I can describe this last book in the trilogy is that it was the perfect conclusion to Arwen & Kane’s story & this chapter for the Onyx Kingdom’s story. I definitely felt all of the bittersweet emotions on the second half of this book because every chapter brought me closer to the end of this trilogy, but what an ending it was. I was truly happy & satisfied with how Kate wrapped up The Sacred Stones trilogy & I am excited to read more of her work that is to come! ♥️ 

 

Arwen’s journey in this book was like one where the character is thrown into a tunnel engulfed in darkness & they give it everything they’ve got to not only make it back to the light but keep the darkness at bay for good. Her journey continued to be one of self discovery & I am beyond proud of the Arwen she became by the end of this book. She definitely is a character you root for from the very beginning & the care for her only grows with each book. I will definitely miss her! 

 

Kane, oh my lord I love this man. This series has been an ongoing journey of meeting & learning all sides of this man & he doesn’t fail to make you love them all. The fearsome & ruthless King of Onyx, the fair & loving leader of his people, the loyal & caring friend & the selfless & devoted lover. We see Kane reach a point where his tunnel vision leads him on a straight path to one goal, his father’s demise & the end to his unjust rule. There is a prophecy that has been foretold & he wishes to be the one to bring it to fruition. This man gave me mini heart attacks but I will forever adore him. 

 

Seeing Mari & Griffin, dear Dagan & adorable Barney & other side characters I’ve grown to adore made my heart full. We were also introduced to some new characters that had me wholly intrigued & wishing to see more of them in the future. I mean it, I AM HOOKED. With that said, I truly enjoyed this book & series as a whole & I truly recommend it all if you haven’t read it already 🥀

Strikeout by Millie Perez

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Rating: 5✨ 

Spice: 2🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest. 

 

This book was one I REALLY NEEDED & DEEPLY ENJOYED. The BIPOC rep, the romantic comedy vibes, the build-up of the romance, the build-up of passion between one another, Matteo that had me going feral & Isabella that had me feeling like I could see so much of myself in her. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a romance book THIS much in a while. And this couple is one that you just feel are meant to be together, with a love story that was written in the stars. 💫 

 

Isabella was such a resilient & loving FMC, who was able to recover from a dark part of her past without losing the beauty of her heart in the process. It was admirable to see her take her time to slowly come back from the pain of the most heartbreaking of betrayals & come out as not only the strongest version of herself, but also a version that loves herself & one that fights for what & who makes her happy. She is one of the FMCs that you just DEEPLY FEEL deserves her HEA. 

 

Matteo, the love of my life. You are the blueprint, you are the reason for the frequent heart palpitations & my non-stop screaming & screeching. The way I would wrap this man up into a bundle & protect him from everything & EVERYONE. He is a dreamy teddy bear of a man who had me twirling my hair & kicking my feet in the air. I was deeply entranced by him & fully invested in his story. He is the most loving & supportive of partners, a devoted & caring father & an overall incredible MMC. His journey of finding his true self & connecting with his culture on a deeper level was so heartwarming to see. I loved his individual story, as well as the love story that came to life between Matteo & Isa. 

 

The passion between these two was palpable & the love that blossomed was the most beautiful. The side characters also had me fully invested in their own journeys & found a place in my heart as well. If you’re a lover of age gap, single dad x nanny, no 3rd act break-up & dual POVs that will have you OBSESSED, this book is definitely one for you 💜

Valley by Stacey McEwan

adventurous emotional inspiring 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✨ 

Spice: 1.5🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author & Angry Robot Books for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest. 

 

This 100% surpassed my expectations of what this series finale was going to be like. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions, from feeling tense throughout the journey within the chasm, happiness & giddiness at the the moments between Dawsyn & Ryon, as well as their found family & also angst & shock in certain moments on the second half of this book. This book made me feel everything, but the epilogue was by far my favorite part of this book & it left me staring at the wall, wanting to experience this series for the first time all over again. 

 

Dawsyn had several challenges within her journey that tested not only her strength & endurance, but also her confidence & belief in herself. It was difficult for her to lead others & have that pressure of being depended on by so many in moments where she felt she needed guidance & reassurance herself. Her overall journey throughout the series is one that I’ve truly loved & it is one that has you feeling proud of the FMC once the story has reached its conclusion. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to her. 

 

Ryon, this man stole my heart from the first book. He is so supportive & protective of those he holds dear & will lay it all down for them no matter what, regardless of what that would mean for him. Ryon overall is such a humble hero with a heart of gold, but the ability to tear you to shreds if needed. In this book, Ryon is once again facing those who wish to destroy all that he has fought so hard for & take away the one who he loves and has become a deeply ingrained part of him. 

 

The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been & the odds are not in their favor. This final installment had some twists I did NOT see coming at all & an ending that leaves your heart feeling all the bittersweet emotions. Dawsyn, Ryon & their found family are characters I will keep with me forevermore. If you’re considering reading this book or series, I definitely recommend it! 💚

Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling

adventurous funny hopeful fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Rating: 4✨ 

Spice: 1.5🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author & Delacorte Press for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest. 

 

If there’s one way to describe this book, it is that it was FUN. This was a fun world to get lost in, filled with fantastical elements & beings like dragons which I ABSOLUTELY ADORE. The found family trope is also one of my favorites & we see it quickly begin to develop in this first installment of the “Fear the Flames” series. And though there were a few elements within this world that had me confused at times, mainly because they seemed more modern, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. 

 

Elowen is a fiery FMC, one with a past that has haunted her & left long-lasting pain within her. But that pain helped her grow into a fierce heroine & one prepared to not only take back what was taken from her, but also take down those who hurt her & those she loved. The Dragon Queen is prepared to make her enemies fall & be engulfed within the flames. 

 

Cayden is the Commander of Vareveth & the next MMC that will have you screeching, screaming & drooling. His fierceness & his unapologetic personality are perfection. His character is one that is morally gray but also one you immediately root for. Just from his words and his loyalty & devotion to Elowen, this man will have you swooning. He is ready to lay it all down for those he loves & for those he leads. I am excited to see more of him & his own story! 

 

This story is one with twists you may not see coming & will have you excited to know more. The relationships between characters were definitely my favorite part. If you want a romantasy with political intrigue, a steamy romance that is forbidden, a man who is wholly obsessed and DRAGONS, Fear the Flames is one for you.

The Bonus by TL Swan

funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The Hunted Heir by Holly Renee

adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Rating: 3.5✨ 

Spice: 1.75🌶️ 

 

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity. This review is voluntary & honest. 

 

So, overall I enjoyed this book. I had fun reading it & enjoyed seeing these characters again. I truly missed Verena & Dacre and this book picks up right where we left off in the end of book 1. We see the aftermath of the decisions made once some big secrets are revealed in the last book. Did this book have action? Yes. Spicy scenes, yes, some. Dirty mouthed Dacre moments mixed with some yummy groveling on top? Absolutely! 

 

This book was definitely a quick read & fast paced. And it was a true second book in the series, in the sense that it served as an in-between for the events in book 1 & everything that will come to a head in book 3. 

 

I enjoyed seeing the progression of Verena & Dacre’s relationship and the events that occurred in this book to help it develop further. With that said, I was left wanting more development as individual characters, as well as both of them as a couple. I also wished some of their moments together, that to me seemed pivotal, lasted a bit longer. But with that said, I ATE THIS UP. 

 

The ending left me feeling like I was in fight or flight mode. I was READY to jump into this book and throw HANDS. It definitely left me looking forward to book 3 & I am sure I will be devouring that one as well.