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_onemorechapter_'s reviews
580 reviews
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
💭A Slow Burn with Twists That Take Their Sweet Time!
Grady Green is a man on the edge—literally and figuratively. His wife, Abby, vanished without a trace after a phone call that left him hearing the screech of brakes and... silence. A year later, he's still grieving, still blocked (writer problems), and still searching for answers. So, he packs up his faithful dog, Colombo, and heads to a remote Scottish island to escape his personal purgatory. Except the island isn’t quite the escape he hoped for. Weird locals, creepy vibes, and then—bam—he sees her. Or does he?
This one’s got everything you’d expect from an Alice Feeney novel: unreliable narrators, eerie settings, and twisty twists that mess with your head. The island itself feels alive, a locked-room mystery in open air, with no Wi-Fi, a barely-there ferry, and just enough claustrophobic tension to make you question everything (and everyone).
The first half had me HOOKED. Abby’s therapy sessions offered juicy glimpses into her fractured marriage and hinted at a deeper tension beneath Grady’s rose-tinted memories. Feeney is a master at atmosphere, and the Scottish setting absolutely delivers—chilling, foggy, and brimming with foreboding. But the pacing? Woof. The middle dragged, with Grady’s constant spiral into confusion becoming repetitive and a little frustrating. By the time the twists started dropping like plot grenades, I was both relieved and slightly exhausted.
Speaking of twists, they’re a mixed bag. Some hit hard, others felt predictable or stretched too far into the unbelievable. The final twist, while clever, didn’t blow my mind—it felt more like a gentle nudge than a punch to the gut. Also, Abby’s motivations? Confusing. Her character was an enigma, and not always in a good way. I wanted more of her perspective because, honestly, her story seemed more intriguing than Grady’s pity party.
Now, let’s talk vibes. This isn’t a heart-pounding thriller that’ll leave you breathless. Instead, it’s a slow-burn mystery that takes its sweet time building tension. The locked-room (or locked-island) setup is well done, but the lack of urgency makes it feel more atmospheric than nail-biting. Think broody introspection meets Gothic suspense.
Redeeming factors? Colombo, the dog, stays safe throughout (thank you, Alice Feeney). And that prologue? Absolute fire. I also loved the visceral descriptions of the island—it’s like the setting was its own character, haunting and full of secrets.
Overall, it’s a solid *meh-but-entertaining* read. 3.25 stars for the vibes, the twists, and the dog.
Would you cozy up to this small-town island mystery, or is a fast-paced thriller more your vibe? Drop your thoughts below! 🖤📚
𝐏.𝐒 If you’re planning to visit a remote Scottish island anytime soon, maybe don’t bring your emotional baggage — or a typewriter.
Just saying😉
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Thriller, Suspense, Psychological thriller, Domestic Fiction
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: If you love Feeney’s knack for unreliable narrators and twisty endings, go for it. Just don’t expect the pulse-pounding brilliance of *Rock Paper Scissors*. *Beautiful Ugly* is more of a quiet, moody read with a big focus on atmosphere and a slower payoff.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“Sometimes I think we are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.”
“I keep my thoughts to myself because silence cannot be misquoted.”
“Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.”
“Life is beautiful and life is ugly and we have to learn
To live with both sides of the same coin
and see the light in the darkness.
The world is Beautiful ugly,
relationships are Beautiful ugly,
and life is Beautiful ugly.”
“Men still rule this world and as a result the world is broken. Men still hold most positions of power, men control governments, men control the media, and it is always men who start wars. Men have tricked women into thinking they see us as equals, but real equality for all woman everywhere, still feels like little more than a pipe dream. The women on this island have had enough.”
“My books have always been a place to hide myself inside myself when the real world gets too loud.”
“People rarely know what they have until they lose it. They spend their lives searching for a better one, wanting more, needing more, blind to the fact that they already had it all. I think sometimes it’s only when something gets taken from a person that they appreciate what they had.”
“Success is often the result of a series of failures. Try to remember that. You never learn anything from success, but failure can teach you everything about a person. Especially yourself.”
“Sadness can consume a person if it is allowed to linger too long. It takes root and buries itself inside a person's soul, until every thought is too heavy, too painful to think.”
“When life blends itself into a question mark
You start looking for answers
And when you can’t find the right ones
You go looking for the wrong ones instead.”
“Marriage is made of a million beautiful and ugly moments stitched together into a shared tapestry of memories, all of which are viewed and remembered slightly differently, like two people staring at the same painting from opposite ends of a room.”
“It’s strange to think that this spectacular night sky is always above us, wherever we are. We’re all just too busy looking down to remember to look up.”
“Fear can make something beautiful appear ugly.”
“Guilt is such a sticky emotion; you can’t wash the damn thing off.”
“People say time is a great healer, but it only seems to hurt more the longer she is gone.”
Grady Green is a man on the edge—literally and figuratively. His wife, Abby, vanished without a trace after a phone call that left him hearing the screech of brakes and... silence. A year later, he's still grieving, still blocked (writer problems), and still searching for answers. So, he packs up his faithful dog, Colombo, and heads to a remote Scottish island to escape his personal purgatory. Except the island isn’t quite the escape he hoped for. Weird locals, creepy vibes, and then—bam—he sees her. Or does he?
This one’s got everything you’d expect from an Alice Feeney novel: unreliable narrators, eerie settings, and twisty twists that mess with your head. The island itself feels alive, a locked-room mystery in open air, with no Wi-Fi, a barely-there ferry, and just enough claustrophobic tension to make you question everything (and everyone).
The first half had me HOOKED. Abby’s therapy sessions offered juicy glimpses into her fractured marriage and hinted at a deeper tension beneath Grady’s rose-tinted memories. Feeney is a master at atmosphere, and the Scottish setting absolutely delivers—chilling, foggy, and brimming with foreboding. But the pacing? Woof. The middle dragged, with Grady’s constant spiral into confusion becoming repetitive and a little frustrating. By the time the twists started dropping like plot grenades, I was both relieved and slightly exhausted.
Speaking of twists, they’re a mixed bag. Some hit hard, others felt predictable or stretched too far into the unbelievable. The final twist, while clever, didn’t blow my mind—it felt more like a gentle nudge than a punch to the gut. Also, Abby’s motivations? Confusing. Her character was an enigma, and not always in a good way. I wanted more of her perspective because, honestly, her story seemed more intriguing than Grady’s pity party.
Now, let’s talk vibes. This isn’t a heart-pounding thriller that’ll leave you breathless. Instead, it’s a slow-burn mystery that takes its sweet time building tension. The locked-room (or locked-island) setup is well done, but the lack of urgency makes it feel more atmospheric than nail-biting. Think broody introspection meets Gothic suspense.
Redeeming factors? Colombo, the dog, stays safe throughout (thank you, Alice Feeney). And that prologue? Absolute fire. I also loved the visceral descriptions of the island—it’s like the setting was its own character, haunting and full of secrets.
Overall, it’s a solid *meh-but-entertaining* read. 3.25 stars for the vibes, the twists, and the dog.
Would you cozy up to this small-town island mystery, or is a fast-paced thriller more your vibe? Drop your thoughts below! 🖤📚
𝐏.𝐒 If you’re planning to visit a remote Scottish island anytime soon, maybe don’t bring your emotional baggage — or a typewriter.
Just saying😉
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Thriller, Suspense, Psychological thriller, Domestic Fiction
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: If you love Feeney’s knack for unreliable narrators and twisty endings, go for it. Just don’t expect the pulse-pounding brilliance of *Rock Paper Scissors*. *Beautiful Ugly* is more of a quiet, moody read with a big focus on atmosphere and a slower payoff.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“Sometimes I think we are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.”
“I keep my thoughts to myself because silence cannot be misquoted.”
“Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.”
“Life is beautiful and life is ugly and we have to learn
To live with both sides of the same coin
and see the light in the darkness.
The world is Beautiful ugly,
relationships are Beautiful ugly,
and life is Beautiful ugly.”
“Men still rule this world and as a result the world is broken. Men still hold most positions of power, men control governments, men control the media, and it is always men who start wars. Men have tricked women into thinking they see us as equals, but real equality for all woman everywhere, still feels like little more than a pipe dream. The women on this island have had enough.”
“My books have always been a place to hide myself inside myself when the real world gets too loud.”
“People rarely know what they have until they lose it. They spend their lives searching for a better one, wanting more, needing more, blind to the fact that they already had it all. I think sometimes it’s only when something gets taken from a person that they appreciate what they had.”
“Success is often the result of a series of failures. Try to remember that. You never learn anything from success, but failure can teach you everything about a person. Especially yourself.”
“Sadness can consume a person if it is allowed to linger too long. It takes root and buries itself inside a person's soul, until every thought is too heavy, too painful to think.”
“When life blends itself into a question mark
You start looking for answers
And when you can’t find the right ones
You go looking for the wrong ones instead.”
“Marriage is made of a million beautiful and ugly moments stitched together into a shared tapestry of memories, all of which are viewed and remembered slightly differently, like two people staring at the same painting from opposite ends of a room.”
“It’s strange to think that this spectacular night sky is always above us, wherever we are. We’re all just too busy looking down to remember to look up.”
“Fear can make something beautiful appear ugly.”
“Guilt is such a sticky emotion; you can’t wash the damn thing off.”
“People say time is a great healer, but it only seems to hurt more the longer she is gone.”
The Ever King by LJ Andrews
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
💭They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter... and my "heart". Welcome to 'The Ever King' by L.J. Andrews, where Vikings, sirens, pirates, and fae collide in a dark fantasy whirlwind of betrayal, vengeance, and forbidden romance. This dual POV story is an unholy cocktail of angst, tension, and slow-burn perfection—and I gulped it down greedily.
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. Andrews doesn’t just write; she enchants. Picture this: a gritty, dark world laced with magic, just the right sprinkle of heartbreak and enough angst to keep me flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Erik Bloodsinger is the morally gray pirate king of my dreams... or nightmares (depending on how you feel about kidnappers with accents). His father’s murder and the Ever Kingdom’s ruin left Erik with nothing but the chains trapping him beneath the waves and an insatiable thirst for vengeance. But when Livia Ferus—the sheltered, compassionate princess of his enemy—accidentally sets him free, Erik decides to use her as the perfect pawn in his deadly game of revenge.
Let me tell you about Livia: she’s everything you want in a heroine. She’s kind yet fierce, inexperienced yet confident, and her growth throughout the story is nothing short of brilliant. As a child, she showed compassion to a boy declared her enemy by sneaking down to the dungeons and reading to him. That boy grew up to be Erik, and let me tell you—he "remembers". (The Songbird and the Serpent? My heart is *not* okay.)
Livia’s strength isn’t in brute force but in her unshakable spirit and refusal to be cowed, even when her whole world flips upside down. She may have been kidnapped, but she’s no damsel in distress—she’s vocal, assertive, and very much *her own woman*. The way Livia navigates her nightmares, anxieties, and conflicts made her not only relatable but also incredibly easy to root for.
Now, Erik. Oh, Erik. He’s the scarred, venom-blooded pirate king with trust issues and a tormented past. Known for his brutality and unforgiving nature, he’s out of options and time as his kingdom crumbles under a mysterious plague. Yet beneath his ruthless exterior lies a man haunted by insecurities and a past he can’t escape. Enter Livia, the one person who can unravel his darkness and expose his vulnerabilities.
Their chemistry? *Electric.* Every interaction crackles with tension, from the anger-fueled standoffs to the tender moments that sneak up on you (and them). The throne room scene? Someone *please* fetch me a fainting couch. The way Erik calls her *Songbird* and *Love* while battling his own demons? SWOON.
The romance progression is *chef’s kiss*. Their hate is essentially foreplay, and the inevitable connection they forge is so raw, so unbreakable, it left me grinning like an idiot. Erik and Livia don’t just accept each other’s darkness—they *embrace* it, making them one of the most perfectly matched couples I’ve read in a long time.
But it’s not just the main couple that shines. The world of "The Ever King" is richly crafted, filled with vibrant side characters like Sewell (absolute fave!), Alex is the ultimate loyal bestie—brave and supportive, but also not afraid to call people out when needed. Tait? Love that man’s sarcastic humor and unexpected tenderness. He’s the guy who sneaks up on you and steals your heart when you’re busy swooning over Erik. Lady Nazra is the queen of intrigue and sharp wit. She’s the type of character who makes you question if she’s helping or plotting your demise (maybe both?). And then we have Celine and Jonas. Let me just say, I don’t think they’re going to end up as a couple—I know it.
It is a cursed land plagued by secrets, and a plot brimming with danger and intrigue. The stakes feel sky-high, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
And let’s circle back to Erik for a second. Yes, he’s dangerous. Yes, he kidnapped her. Yes, he’s vengeful. But he’s also funny, charming, and unexpectedly tender. When he remembered the story Livia wrote for him as a child, my heart melted into a puddle. How am I supposed to remember red flags when Erik’s over here stealing not just Livia but also the show?
What really sets this book apart is the world-building. It’s dark, vivid, and completely immersive—like stepping into a twisted fairytale with stakes so high they gave me anxiety.
The plot? It’s fast-paced and packed with high-stakes moments, twists I didn’t see coming, and emotional gut punches that left me clinging to my book like a lifeline. The worldbuilding was dark and immersive, and I loved how the themes of loyalty, power, and sacrifice were woven throughout the story.
Now, why not the full 5 stars? A tiny bit of lag in the middle where I felt the plot slowed down just a hair, but the tension and twists totally made up for it by the end. And speaking of the ending—WOW. It left me breathless and desperate for the next installment.
Overall, "The Ever King" delivers everything you want in a dark fantasy romance: a tortured hero, a fierce heroine, a richly layered world, and a love story that grips your soul. Erik Bloodsinger is officially on my morally questionable book boyfriend list (don’t judge me).
Just don’t forget to book therapy after.
Tag me when you read it — I need to fangirl with someone!
𝐏.𝐒 Erik, if you’re reading this (and let’s pretend you are), I’m free for dinner, a battle, or a dark and dangerous mission anytime. Call me.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romantic fantasy, Dark fantasy, Fantasy Fiction
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: The Ever Seas (Book 1)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:If you love dark fantasy with morally complex characters who love to walk the fine line between light and shadow, swoony romance, and an ensemble cast you’ll adore, The Ever King is your next read. Trust me on this one.
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, soul bonds, forbidden longing, and a ruthless king who’s actually a softie for one woman, drop everything and pick this up.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕.”
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆. 𝑹𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆. 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
”I might've been his destruction, but he was my ruin. I would break into a thousand pieces if it meant Erik was the one to piece them back together with his touch.”
“Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night.”
“When I claim that moment of bravery, it will not be sudden. It will be slow. It will be well thought out. I will wait until I have you in my grasp. You may not even realize it has happened. In that moment, I will strike and watch you bleed.” “She was never theirs anyway. Not really. From the moment the songbird tried to appeal to a serpent, she was mine.”
“Scars paint our stories, they give proof to the battles we’ve survived, the trials we’ve overcome.”
“So, who are you, little bird?” A rush of something dangerous hummed in my bones. “Yours, I suppose. For a little while.”
“You are not weak because of fears, but I will do what I can to help you wade between the fears that are plausible and the ones that are the mind trying to paralyze you.”
“I kissed her until she understood I would crush worlds for her. I would cross the skies and seas chasing her light.”
“My mind lived within me, but I gave it too much control.”
“Erik’s mouth turned up in a half grin, but his words were rife in something soft, something vulnerable. “Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.”
“Ah, love. You think your peace was won with gentle morals? We all have a darkness within us, and desperation to survive can reveal the cruelest pieces.”
“I found my mantle, Songbird. It’s you.”
“You, Erik Bloodsinger, are the kind of darkness I would follow across the skies and seas.”
“They ruled together. When one bent under the weight of their crown, the other would take it for them both.”
“Do not sell yourself short and think you are not the most formidable of foes. I’ve no doubt you have the power to destroy me.”
“The trouble was, hate was passionate and walked a fine line beside other passions—desire, lust, obsession.”
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. Andrews doesn’t just write; she enchants. Picture this: a gritty, dark world laced with magic, just the right sprinkle of heartbreak and enough angst to keep me flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Erik Bloodsinger is the morally gray pirate king of my dreams... or nightmares (depending on how you feel about kidnappers with accents). His father’s murder and the Ever Kingdom’s ruin left Erik with nothing but the chains trapping him beneath the waves and an insatiable thirst for vengeance. But when Livia Ferus—the sheltered, compassionate princess of his enemy—accidentally sets him free, Erik decides to use her as the perfect pawn in his deadly game of revenge.
Let me tell you about Livia: she’s everything you want in a heroine. She’s kind yet fierce, inexperienced yet confident, and her growth throughout the story is nothing short of brilliant. As a child, she showed compassion to a boy declared her enemy by sneaking down to the dungeons and reading to him. That boy grew up to be Erik, and let me tell you—he "remembers". (The Songbird and the Serpent? My heart is *not* okay.)
Livia’s strength isn’t in brute force but in her unshakable spirit and refusal to be cowed, even when her whole world flips upside down. She may have been kidnapped, but she’s no damsel in distress—she’s vocal, assertive, and very much *her own woman*. The way Livia navigates her nightmares, anxieties, and conflicts made her not only relatable but also incredibly easy to root for.
Now, Erik. Oh, Erik. He’s the scarred, venom-blooded pirate king with trust issues and a tormented past. Known for his brutality and unforgiving nature, he’s out of options and time as his kingdom crumbles under a mysterious plague. Yet beneath his ruthless exterior lies a man haunted by insecurities and a past he can’t escape. Enter Livia, the one person who can unravel his darkness and expose his vulnerabilities.
Their chemistry? *Electric.* Every interaction crackles with tension, from the anger-fueled standoffs to the tender moments that sneak up on you (and them). The throne room scene? Someone *please* fetch me a fainting couch. The way Erik calls her *Songbird* and *Love* while battling his own demons? SWOON.
The romance progression is *chef’s kiss*. Their hate is essentially foreplay, and the inevitable connection they forge is so raw, so unbreakable, it left me grinning like an idiot. Erik and Livia don’t just accept each other’s darkness—they *embrace* it, making them one of the most perfectly matched couples I’ve read in a long time.
But it’s not just the main couple that shines. The world of "The Ever King" is richly crafted, filled with vibrant side characters like Sewell (absolute fave!), Alex is the ultimate loyal bestie—brave and supportive, but also not afraid to call people out when needed. Tait? Love that man’s sarcastic humor and unexpected tenderness. He’s the guy who sneaks up on you and steals your heart when you’re busy swooning over Erik. Lady Nazra is the queen of intrigue and sharp wit. She’s the type of character who makes you question if she’s helping or plotting your demise (maybe both?). And then we have Celine and Jonas. Let me just say, I don’t think they’re going to end up as a couple—I know it.
It is a cursed land plagued by secrets, and a plot brimming with danger and intrigue. The stakes feel sky-high, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
And let’s circle back to Erik for a second. Yes, he’s dangerous. Yes, he kidnapped her. Yes, he’s vengeful. But he’s also funny, charming, and unexpectedly tender. When he remembered the story Livia wrote for him as a child, my heart melted into a puddle. How am I supposed to remember red flags when Erik’s over here stealing not just Livia but also the show?
What really sets this book apart is the world-building. It’s dark, vivid, and completely immersive—like stepping into a twisted fairytale with stakes so high they gave me anxiety.
The plot? It’s fast-paced and packed with high-stakes moments, twists I didn’t see coming, and emotional gut punches that left me clinging to my book like a lifeline. The worldbuilding was dark and immersive, and I loved how the themes of loyalty, power, and sacrifice were woven throughout the story.
Now, why not the full 5 stars? A tiny bit of lag in the middle where I felt the plot slowed down just a hair, but the tension and twists totally made up for it by the end. And speaking of the ending—WOW. It left me breathless and desperate for the next installment.
Overall, "The Ever King" delivers everything you want in a dark fantasy romance: a tortured hero, a fierce heroine, a richly layered world, and a love story that grips your soul. Erik Bloodsinger is officially on my morally questionable book boyfriend list (don’t judge me).
Just don’t forget to book therapy after.
Tag me when you read it — I need to fangirl with someone!
𝐏.𝐒 Erik, if you’re reading this (and let’s pretend you are), I’m free for dinner, a battle, or a dark and dangerous mission anytime. Call me.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romantic fantasy, Dark fantasy, Fantasy Fiction
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: The Ever Seas (Book 1)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:If you love dark fantasy with morally complex characters who love to walk the fine line between light and shadow, swoony romance, and an ensemble cast you’ll adore, The Ever King is your next read. Trust me on this one.
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, soul bonds, forbidden longing, and a ruthless king who’s actually a softie for one woman, drop everything and pick this up.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕.”
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆. 𝑹𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆. 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒎𝒆. 𝑨𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
”I might've been his destruction, but he was my ruin. I would break into a thousand pieces if it meant Erik was the one to piece them back together with his touch.”
“Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night.”
“When I claim that moment of bravery, it will not be sudden. It will be slow. It will be well thought out. I will wait until I have you in my grasp. You may not even realize it has happened. In that moment, I will strike and watch you bleed.” “She was never theirs anyway. Not really. From the moment the songbird tried to appeal to a serpent, she was mine.”
“Scars paint our stories, they give proof to the battles we’ve survived, the trials we’ve overcome.”
“So, who are you, little bird?” A rush of something dangerous hummed in my bones. “Yours, I suppose. For a little while.”
“You are not weak because of fears, but I will do what I can to help you wade between the fears that are plausible and the ones that are the mind trying to paralyze you.”
“I kissed her until she understood I would crush worlds for her. I would cross the skies and seas chasing her light.”
“My mind lived within me, but I gave it too much control.”
“Erik’s mouth turned up in a half grin, but his words were rife in something soft, something vulnerable. “Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.”
“Ah, love. You think your peace was won with gentle morals? We all have a darkness within us, and desperation to survive can reveal the cruelest pieces.”
“I found my mantle, Songbird. It’s you.”
“You, Erik Bloodsinger, are the kind of darkness I would follow across the skies and seas.”
“They ruled together. When one bent under the weight of their crown, the other would take it for them both.”
“Do not sell yourself short and think you are not the most formidable of foes. I’ve no doubt you have the power to destroy me.”
“The trouble was, hate was passionate and walked a fine line beside other passions—desire, lust, obsession.”
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
💭Okay, so this book. *This book.* Where do I even start? I picked it up because the title was intriguing, the premise sounded juicy, and honestly, I was ready for some dark, twisted, and psychological rollercoaster. But instead, I got... this.
First off, let me just say, this is nothing like anything I’ve read before—and not necessarily in a good way. The protagonist was... well, *unique*, and not in the quirky, lovable way. They were frustratingly hard to connect with, made baffling decisions, and felt more like a plot device than an actual person. I kept waiting for some growth, some depth, some spark that would make me root for them, but nope. Nada.
The premise? A+ on paper. Letters, a serial killer, a dash of psychological mind games? Sounds brilliant. But the execution? Oof. The suspense fell flat faster than my enthusiasm, and the twists? More like gentle bends you can see coming from miles away. Seriously, anyone with half-decent deduction skills could pin the killer. It’s like the author didn’t even try to make it hard.
And the ending? Oh my god, don’t even get me started. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t *that*. It was rushed, unsatisfying, and downright ridiculous. I closed the book feeling more annoyed than shocked, which is not the vibe I was hoping for with a title like this.
I’ll give it credit for being different and daring, but sometimes different doesn’t mean better. This one just didn’t do it for me.
𝐏.𝐒 Have you read it? Did it work better for you? Let me know because I’m still trying to process how this all went so wrong!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Humor, Psychological Fiction
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:If you’re into predictable thrillers and don’t mind frustrating characters, sure, go for it. But if you’re looking for something clever, dark, and thrilling? Maybe skip this one.
First off, let me just say, this is nothing like anything I’ve read before—and not necessarily in a good way. The protagonist was... well, *unique*, and not in the quirky, lovable way. They were frustratingly hard to connect with, made baffling decisions, and felt more like a plot device than an actual person. I kept waiting for some growth, some depth, some spark that would make me root for them, but nope. Nada.
The premise? A+ on paper. Letters, a serial killer, a dash of psychological mind games? Sounds brilliant. But the execution? Oof. The suspense fell flat faster than my enthusiasm, and the twists? More like gentle bends you can see coming from miles away. Seriously, anyone with half-decent deduction skills could pin the killer. It’s like the author didn’t even try to make it hard.
And the ending? Oh my god, don’t even get me started. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t *that*. It was rushed, unsatisfying, and downright ridiculous. I closed the book feeling more annoyed than shocked, which is not the vibe I was hoping for with a title like this.
I’ll give it credit for being different and daring, but sometimes different doesn’t mean better. This one just didn’t do it for me.
𝐏.𝐒 Have you read it? Did it work better for you? Let me know because I’m still trying to process how this all went so wrong!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Humor, Psychological Fiction
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:If you’re into predictable thrillers and don’t mind frustrating characters, sure, go for it. But if you’re looking for something clever, dark, and thrilling? Maybe skip this one.
Fatal Witness by Robert Bryndza
dark
informative
mysterious
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
3.25
💭Okay, I’ll just say it—this series has lost its shine and Erika Foster? She’s not doing it for me anymore. If I could hand her a career break and a one-way ticket to anywhere but London, I would. She’s gone from being an interesting, layered detective to a frustrating, cold, and borderline insufferable lead. Honestly, I stuck with this one because I’m a sucker for closure (and maybe because I’m seven books deep at this point).
The basic setup: Erika’s investigating the murder of Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster who gets tangled in the kind of case she probably should’ve avoided. On paper, it sounds juicy, right? Except it’s not. The twists felt telegraphed, the reveals lacked punch, and the pacing dragged hard in the middle. I kept thinking, “Haven’t we done this before?” It’s a classic case of a series running out of fresh ideas.
Now, let’s talk characters. While Erika’s as prickly and joyless as ever, *thankfully* there’s Igor, her new love interest, to inject some softness into the story. Except...he’s not exactly brimming with personality either. Igor’s nice (I guess?), but there’s zero chemistry between them. It’s like watching two rocks try to spark a fire. Where’s the tension? Where’s the swoon? Heck, I’d settle for *anything* to make me root for them.
The side characters, like Moss and Peterson, are still around, but they feel like set dressing at this point. The camaraderie and banter that once made Erika’s team so compelling? Nowhere to be found. It’s like everyone’s just showing up, clocking in, and calling it a day.
One thing I’ll give this book is the atmosphere. Bryndza still knows how to paint a chilling, gritty London, but even that feels wasted on a plot and lead character that fails to deliver.
✨Have you read this one? Or are you as done with Erika as I am? Let’s chat in the comments!
𝐏.𝐒. The last two or three books have been such a letdown. I’m starting to think I hate reading this series at this point.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Someone, please give Moss her own spin-off. She’s way more interesting than Erika at this point, and I’d actually *love* to see her solve crimes without the shadow of the Ice Queen.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, crime fiction, Police procedural
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Detective Erika Foster (Book 7)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Only if you’re a die-hard Erika fan. Otherwise, maybe skip it and reread 'The Girl in the Ice' to remember why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
The basic setup: Erika’s investigating the murder of Vicky Clarke, a true-crime podcaster who gets tangled in the kind of case she probably should’ve avoided. On paper, it sounds juicy, right? Except it’s not. The twists felt telegraphed, the reveals lacked punch, and the pacing dragged hard in the middle. I kept thinking, “Haven’t we done this before?” It’s a classic case of a series running out of fresh ideas.
Now, let’s talk characters. While Erika’s as prickly and joyless as ever, *thankfully* there’s Igor, her new love interest, to inject some softness into the story. Except...he’s not exactly brimming with personality either. Igor’s nice (I guess?), but there’s zero chemistry between them. It’s like watching two rocks try to spark a fire. Where’s the tension? Where’s the swoon? Heck, I’d settle for *anything* to make me root for them.
The side characters, like Moss and Peterson, are still around, but they feel like set dressing at this point. The camaraderie and banter that once made Erika’s team so compelling? Nowhere to be found. It’s like everyone’s just showing up, clocking in, and calling it a day.
One thing I’ll give this book is the atmosphere. Bryndza still knows how to paint a chilling, gritty London, but even that feels wasted on a plot and lead character that fails to deliver.
✨Have you read this one? Or are you as done with Erika as I am? Let’s chat in the comments!
𝐏.𝐒. The last two or three books have been such a letdown. I’m starting to think I hate reading this series at this point.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Someone, please give Moss her own spin-off. She’s way more interesting than Erika at this point, and I’d actually *love* to see her solve crimes without the shadow of the Ice Queen.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, crime fiction, Police procedural
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Detective Erika Foster (Book 7)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Only if you’re a die-hard Erika fan. Otherwise, maybe skip it and reread 'The Girl in the Ice' to remember why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
"Hope is a dangerous thing in the hands of the lonely."
💭Let’s talk about Eddie Winston—a 90-year-old gentleman with a heart of gold, a wardrobe as quirky as his personality, and, oh yeah, he’s never been kissed. Yep, you read that right. But Eddie’s not just looking for love; he’s looking for stories, for meaning, for connection. And let me tell you, this book is *everything*.
Now, if you know me, you know how much I love "One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot". That book owns my heart, and Marianne Cronin is officially on my “I’ll-read-anything-you-write” list. So, when I got my hands on "Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love", my expectations were sky-high. And Cronin didn’t disappoint.
Eddie is an absolute *gem* of a character. Former lecturer, now charity shop volunteer, he spends his days sorting through donations—little pieces of other people’s lives—and saving the most sentimental treasures on his secret "Eddie Shelf." Enter Bella, a grief-stricken 24-year-old with a Sainsbury’s uniform, a unique fashion sense, and a heart in need of healing. Their friendship is unlikely, beautiful, and so heartwarming it might just restore your faith in humanity.
The story alternates between timelines: Eddie’s academic days in the 1960s and his current quest for love, and it’s seamless. The humor had me giggling (hello, Ham and Cheese and Marjie with her beef drinks), while the emotional moments had my heart in a vice. And Pushkin the guinea pig? ICONIC.
Bella and Eddie’s bond is pure magic—proof that age doesn’t define friendship. Bella’s mission to help Eddie finally experience a first kiss leads to dating app shenanigans, moments of reflection, and an adventure that’s both funny and poignant. It’s a love story, yes, but not just romantic love—it’s about kindness, friendship, and how people can change each other’s lives in the most unexpected ways.
Cronin’s writing is, as always, beautiful and insightful. She has this way of making the ordinary extraordinary, turning small moments into something unforgettable. This book might not have wrecked me like "Lenni and Margot", but it absolutely warmed my soul.
𝐏.𝐒. Now, someone tells Marianne Cronin to write faster—I need more of this magic in my life! 💕
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Have you read it yet? Let’s talk about Eddie, Bella, and guinea pigs in the comments!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romance 🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes!!
If you’re into books with quirky characters, found family vibes, and a good dose of heart, Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love is your next read. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and prepare to fall in love with Eddie.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"He really loved her.
I sit and listen to the tick of the clock.
Oh, how he loved her.
And, I decide, she deserves to know."
"Elsie,
I’m a pirate
A thief
A crustacean collecting pieces of seabed detritus to stick on my shell.
Except what I collect isn’t debris, it is precious."
"Unfortunately, the value of the item exists only as long as the person who values it lives on."
"I’M LINING UP dead men’s shoes on a rack.
How strange that for all their lives, the men who wore these shoes walked a path that would lead to me. At any point, through their childhood or in their teenage years, we were destined to be linked. The intersection of our timelines was always to cross here, with me kneeling on a cushion in front of the men’s shoe shelf, sorting their brown brogues and scuffed trainers, hoping that these shoes, now useless for their dead feet, might be of interest to someone still living."
"In he comes, though she did not invite him in."
"So exciting to be searching for something. It gives us purpose, don’t you think?"
"He would have been twenty-five today,’ she says.
‘He should have been twenty-five today,’ I agree.
‘Yes. He fucking should.’ She begins pouring the water, but her hands are shaking. I take over for her and, once we both have full glasses, I look at her, wishing I could help.
‘We had our first kiss on his fourteenth birthday,’ she says. ‘So it’s the anniversary of that, too."
‘It’s turned to anger,’ she says quietly.
‘What has?’
‘The grief,’ she says. ‘It’s all I feel now.’
‘That’s understandable, dear.’
‘Is it?’
‘Of course. It’s easier to be angry than to be sad. My grandmother used to say that anger is the jacket that fear wears to keep from shaking.’
‘I—’ She stops herself and says, ‘I’m glad I met you, Eddie.’
‘Me too.’
She looks ever so sad.
‘I haven’t cried since Jake died,’ she says.
‘You haven’t?’
‘No.’ She looks as though she has just confessed to a crime. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Bella,’ I say. ‘Nothing wrong at all.’
"It is so fragile, the notion that there might be someone out there for everyone."
"But he comes most days. And each day, she waits for him. Hoping there will be a knock at the door and his smile, often accompanied by some biscuits. And this person who has only ever been nice to her sits opposite Bridie and talks to her as if she is intelligent. Laughs with her like she is funny. Smiles at her like she is pretty. And how could she not look forward to seeing him? Not wonder which bow tie and knitted-vest-over-shirt combination he is wearing today. Not hope that he will come back. And when he does, not hope he will come again tomorrow?"
"It takes a lot of courage to write to a stranger with the implied prospect of love."
"Are you religious, Eddie?’ Bella asks me. ‘Do you believe in anything?’
‘Those are really two different questions,’ I tell her. ‘I have never been particularly religious, but I believe in plenty."
"i don’t know why i hate her
it’s not her fault that she can’t help me
but i think i resent her for trying
for the very suggestion that i might be okay without you."
‘Love is really just two people who can’t keep away from each other.’
"I would give anything to be back there with Bridie. To have my chance again. To sweep her off her feet. I want to claw at the face of time, just to be back there with her."
"Her heart is beating so hard she is quite sure he will be able to hear it. Just this, their foreheads in contact, feels more intimate than any kiss. And then he pulls back. And he smiles at her, this young man she wants so badly, standing in front of all of these beautiful books written in a language she can’t read.
Eddie’s hand finds hers.
‘I won’t,’ he whispers. ‘But gosh, how I want to."
"This is mine , her heart says. I want it , says her greed. And the longing, accompanied with the knowledge that he cannot be hers, is what makes the first tear fall."
"There is no limit on love. I am glad to know she had more than even she knew."
"Marjie places Bridie’s shining golden heart in the centre of my palm. And we are together again, we two things that belonged to Bridie Bennett."
‘If I’m in Bridie Bennett’s heart, that’s enough for me.’
‘Oh, if one doesn’t have etiquette, what does one have?’
"looking would be better than not looking."
"Why do we spend so much money on flowers for the dead but barely ever buy them for the living?"
"And you never forget your first."
"HE IS NOT dead.
They will meet the next morning.
Her hands are shaking so much she pours herself a glass of sherry.
He is not dead.
They will meet the next morning.
Good God.
Bridie feels as though she is filled with helium."
‘You waited,’ she says, and she seems saddened by the thought.
‘I waited,’ I tell her, and it sounds like a song.
The light of the hospital window ignites her hair and everything glowing metal around her.
She smiles again.
Eddie , her smile says. It’s time.
And so
I take her perfect face in my hands
and she leans in close
and I close my eyes
and it begins.'
💭Let’s talk about Eddie Winston—a 90-year-old gentleman with a heart of gold, a wardrobe as quirky as his personality, and, oh yeah, he’s never been kissed. Yep, you read that right. But Eddie’s not just looking for love; he’s looking for stories, for meaning, for connection. And let me tell you, this book is *everything*.
Now, if you know me, you know how much I love "One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot". That book owns my heart, and Marianne Cronin is officially on my “I’ll-read-anything-you-write” list. So, when I got my hands on "Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love", my expectations were sky-high. And Cronin didn’t disappoint.
Eddie is an absolute *gem* of a character. Former lecturer, now charity shop volunteer, he spends his days sorting through donations—little pieces of other people’s lives—and saving the most sentimental treasures on his secret "Eddie Shelf." Enter Bella, a grief-stricken 24-year-old with a Sainsbury’s uniform, a unique fashion sense, and a heart in need of healing. Their friendship is unlikely, beautiful, and so heartwarming it might just restore your faith in humanity.
The story alternates between timelines: Eddie’s academic days in the 1960s and his current quest for love, and it’s seamless. The humor had me giggling (hello, Ham and Cheese and Marjie with her beef drinks), while the emotional moments had my heart in a vice. And Pushkin the guinea pig? ICONIC.
Bella and Eddie’s bond is pure magic—proof that age doesn’t define friendship. Bella’s mission to help Eddie finally experience a first kiss leads to dating app shenanigans, moments of reflection, and an adventure that’s both funny and poignant. It’s a love story, yes, but not just romantic love—it’s about kindness, friendship, and how people can change each other’s lives in the most unexpected ways.
Cronin’s writing is, as always, beautiful and insightful. She has this way of making the ordinary extraordinary, turning small moments into something unforgettable. This book might not have wrecked me like "Lenni and Margot", but it absolutely warmed my soul.
𝐏.𝐒. Now, someone tells Marianne Cronin to write faster—I need more of this magic in my life! 💕
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Have you read it yet? Let’s talk about Eddie, Bella, and guinea pigs in the comments!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romance 🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes!!
If you’re into books with quirky characters, found family vibes, and a good dose of heart, Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love is your next read. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and prepare to fall in love with Eddie.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"He really loved her.
I sit and listen to the tick of the clock.
Oh, how he loved her.
And, I decide, she deserves to know."
"Elsie,
I’m a pirate
A thief
A crustacean collecting pieces of seabed detritus to stick on my shell.
Except what I collect isn’t debris, it is precious."
"Unfortunately, the value of the item exists only as long as the person who values it lives on."
"I’M LINING UP dead men’s shoes on a rack.
How strange that for all their lives, the men who wore these shoes walked a path that would lead to me. At any point, through their childhood or in their teenage years, we were destined to be linked. The intersection of our timelines was always to cross here, with me kneeling on a cushion in front of the men’s shoe shelf, sorting their brown brogues and scuffed trainers, hoping that these shoes, now useless for their dead feet, might be of interest to someone still living."
"In he comes, though she did not invite him in."
"So exciting to be searching for something. It gives us purpose, don’t you think?"
"He would have been twenty-five today,’ she says.
‘He should have been twenty-five today,’ I agree.
‘Yes. He fucking should.’ She begins pouring the water, but her hands are shaking. I take over for her and, once we both have full glasses, I look at her, wishing I could help.
‘We had our first kiss on his fourteenth birthday,’ she says. ‘So it’s the anniversary of that, too."
‘It’s turned to anger,’ she says quietly.
‘What has?’
‘The grief,’ she says. ‘It’s all I feel now.’
‘That’s understandable, dear.’
‘Is it?’
‘Of course. It’s easier to be angry than to be sad. My grandmother used to say that anger is the jacket that fear wears to keep from shaking.’
‘I—’ She stops herself and says, ‘I’m glad I met you, Eddie.’
‘Me too.’
She looks ever so sad.
‘I haven’t cried since Jake died,’ she says.
‘You haven’t?’
‘No.’ She looks as though she has just confessed to a crime. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Bella,’ I say. ‘Nothing wrong at all.’
"It is so fragile, the notion that there might be someone out there for everyone."
"But he comes most days. And each day, she waits for him. Hoping there will be a knock at the door and his smile, often accompanied by some biscuits. And this person who has only ever been nice to her sits opposite Bridie and talks to her as if she is intelligent. Laughs with her like she is funny. Smiles at her like she is pretty. And how could she not look forward to seeing him? Not wonder which bow tie and knitted-vest-over-shirt combination he is wearing today. Not hope that he will come back. And when he does, not hope he will come again tomorrow?"
"It takes a lot of courage to write to a stranger with the implied prospect of love."
"Are you religious, Eddie?’ Bella asks me. ‘Do you believe in anything?’
‘Those are really two different questions,’ I tell her. ‘I have never been particularly religious, but I believe in plenty."
"i don’t know why i hate her
it’s not her fault that she can’t help me
but i think i resent her for trying
for the very suggestion that i might be okay without you."
‘Love is really just two people who can’t keep away from each other.’
"I would give anything to be back there with Bridie. To have my chance again. To sweep her off her feet. I want to claw at the face of time, just to be back there with her."
"Her heart is beating so hard she is quite sure he will be able to hear it. Just this, their foreheads in contact, feels more intimate than any kiss. And then he pulls back. And he smiles at her, this young man she wants so badly, standing in front of all of these beautiful books written in a language she can’t read.
Eddie’s hand finds hers.
‘I won’t,’ he whispers. ‘But gosh, how I want to."
"This is mine , her heart says. I want it , says her greed. And the longing, accompanied with the knowledge that he cannot be hers, is what makes the first tear fall."
"There is no limit on love. I am glad to know she had more than even she knew."
"Marjie places Bridie’s shining golden heart in the centre of my palm. And we are together again, we two things that belonged to Bridie Bennett."
‘If I’m in Bridie Bennett’s heart, that’s enough for me.’
‘Oh, if one doesn’t have etiquette, what does one have?’
"looking would be better than not looking."
"Why do we spend so much money on flowers for the dead but barely ever buy them for the living?"
"And you never forget your first."
"HE IS NOT dead.
They will meet the next morning.
Her hands are shaking so much she pours herself a glass of sherry.
He is not dead.
They will meet the next morning.
Good God.
Bridie feels as though she is filled with helium."
‘You waited,’ she says, and she seems saddened by the thought.
‘I waited,’ I tell her, and it sounds like a song.
The light of the hospital window ignites her hair and everything glowing metal around her.
She smiles again.
Eddie , her smile says. It’s time.
And so
I take her perfect face in my hands
and she leans in close
and I close my eyes
and it begins.'
A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
"My mom always told me that true friendships are hard to find, but they are the most important things to hang on to."
💭Quinn has done it again, delivering a rom-com that’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. A Long Time Coming is the kind of book that feels like a cozy chat with your favorite friends—you just don’t want it to end.
Let’s dive into the magic. Ophelia and Breaker’s friendship-to-lovers journey is EVERYTHING. Ophelia is a ray of sunshine with a touch of sass, and Breaker? This man is walking, talking boyfriend material. He’s so sweet, loyal, and delightfully oblivious to his feelings that you’ll want to shake him…and then hug him. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate the messy, awkward, and heart-fluttering transition from friends to something more? Pure gold.
The Cane brothers—Breaker, JP, and Huxley—are the ultimate sibling trio. Their banter is peak brotherly chaos, and their unwavering support for one another is so wholesome. Huxley is the quiet and steady one, JP is the life of the party, and Breaker is the dependable golden retriever of the group. And the way Ophelia fits into their dynamic? Effortless. It’s like she was born to be part of the Cane family.
Now, let’s not forget the girl squad. Ophelia bonding with Kelsey and Lottie was such a highlight! Their friendship is filled with laughter, real talk, and a little bit of chaos—basically, squad goals. Whether it’s hyping each other up or sharing a bottle of wine and some much-needed advice, these ladies are the epitome of a strong support system.
One thing I absolutely loved was the writing style. Meghan Quinn’s use of a conversational tone made the story so engaging—it felt like the characters were talking directly to us. Their inner monologues and cheeky asides had me laughing out loud and nodding along. It’s the kind of immersive storytelling that pulls you right into the middle of their world.
But don’t be fooled by all the fluff—this book has depth, too. It’s a beautiful exploration of vulnerability, realizing your worth, and taking a leap of faith, even when the landing seems terrifying.
Quinn nailed the balance of humor, heart, and heat in this one.
𝐏.𝐒. Brian’s mom (The Beavs) was an unexpected comedic gem! Her over-the-top, borderline dramatic behavior had me in stitches, and that scene where Lia and Breaker were roped into a disaster while preparing for the wedding? Pure chaos! From awkwardly holding wedding props to being on the receiving end of Brian's mom's ahem "creative suggestions," it was hilarity at its finest. Moments like these are what make Quinn’s books stand out—equal parts heart and humor!
From mishaps to heartfelt moments, it tied everything together perfectly.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 This series has perfect title for the books!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Cane Brothers ( Book 3)
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes
If you love witty banter, friends-to-lovers romance, and laugh-out-loud moments, add this to your TBR ASAP.
Breaker Cane is waiting to steal your heart.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"I scrub my hand down my face just as a light tapping comes from the other side of the wall.
And just like that, a smile spreads across my face.
Reaching up to the wall, I rap my knuckle four times.
Like clockwork, she knocks three.
Four knocks for four letters in love.
Three knocks for three letters in you."
"I could not imagine living a life where you have to prove yourself to your parents day in and day out because their love is conditional at best."
"You know when someone talks like they’re rich—clenched throat, tight lips, disapproving tone in every word? Well, that is Mrs. Beaver, even when she’s happy."
“You could have started without me.”
“You know I never do. If anything, I’m a gentleman and will always wait.”
"but I just feel there needs to be a deeper connection. I want him to be able to guess what I’m going to say next. I want him to be able to understand me without even having to talk, and I don’t think we have that."
"I can’t lose you, Breaker.”
“You’re not losing me, Lia. Never. I would never let that fucking happen.”
“Promise?” I ask, insecurity so heavy in my voice that I can taste it.
“I promise you,” he says with sincerity."
"No matter what happens between us, Lia, I will always be there for you. Always. Okay?”
“If you want to get down to it, yeah. When you kiss someone, someone you think you could date or be with, there should be a spark. Especially that first kiss. The first kiss tells you everything you need to know.”
“Well, when I saw her in her dress . . .” I shake my head. “Dude, I swear to God it was an out-of-body experience. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like it. My mouth went dry, I started to sweat, but I was cold at the same time. I couldn’t breathe, but my heart was beating so hard that I thought my chest would explode. And then . . .” I look away. “When she made eye contact with me, it was like a million butterflies took flight in my stomach, and I swear to you, at that moment, I had this overwhelming need to kiss her. Like, it was pulling me to the point that I almost did it. I’ve never felt that way, ever, besides the first day I ever met her, and now, well, I’m totally fucked in the head, and I don’t know what’s going on.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on.” He looks me in the eyes. “You’re in love with your best friend, and you just finally realized it.”
“Come on, dude,” I say, groaning. “That’s what my brothers would have said.”
“Because they’re right, and I know you don’t want to hear it, but why do you feel like you don’t have a spark when you kiss other women? It’s because deep down, you know they’re not Lia. These weird out-of-body feelings you’re having are because the woman you love is getting married in four weeks, and you’re panicking about it.”
“But . . .”
“No buts, man. Face the facts, you love her, and the sooner you admit that to yourself, the better.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I say as I look up at Banner. “Fuck, I think I like her.”
Banner shakes his head. “Nah, man. You love her. End of discussion.”
“If it were me, I’d spend a great deal of time honeymooning.” His eyes connect with mine. “No way would I let you out of my sight.” My cheeks flame, and he quickly realizes what he said so he adjusts. “I mean, my girl. No way would I let my girl out of my sight.”
And I believe that to the fullest."
“Not sure there is a standard for an appropriate time to tell someone you love them. But the last thing you want to do is not tell her and regret it forever.”
"First and foremost, I love her. I let that sink in. I let myself sit in my feelings and understand them. Lia is the most precious person in my life. She’s my ride or die. She means everything to me.
She’s my girl.
After I let myself accept that, I went on to accept that everyone is right. I need to tell her about my feelings, but I need to ease her into it. It might scare her if I jump out at her with these feelings."
“What do you want?” she asks.
You.
Everything about you.
Your soul.
Your mind.
Your heart.
Your body.
I want all of you, every last fucking inch of you."
“Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, and being my own personal hype man about my hair and my outfit. It truly did make me feel special.”
“Well, you should feel special. Because you are. I’ll hype you all day, every day.”
“And that is why you are my best friend,” she says.
Yeah, if only I was so much more."
"He doesn’t have that in him, that craving, grasping for air-type nature. He doesn’t see me as his and only his. He doesn’t look at me and think . . . mine."
“It’s because Breaker always thinks of you first,” Kelsey says softly. “He truly cherishes you. I’m sure he doesn’t say all the things to you that he says to us, but you are his number one. There’s no question about it.”
“Then he’s not the man for you because, Lia . . . you deserve to be fucked. Just like you deserve to be worshiped. Hard.”
"If anything, Breaker, I love love, and I would never mess with that. I truly believe you and Lia are soulmates. I’m just glad you’re seeing it now.”
“Kelsey is an angel sent from the heavens above,” I say while clutching JP. “And Lottie, well, she’s funny, and I like that she busts your balls all the time, Huxley. I’ve never seen a woman put you in your place like her. God, the way you grovel around her, talk about embarrassing. But that’s what I’d do with Lia, I would worship the ground she walks on.”
"but we make sacrifices for the ones we love, right?"
"It’s hard to be in love with someone when they don’t treat you like they love you. They can say the words, like he did, but he didn’t prove it. He didn’t act on his love. It’s about the little things, you know? The things you don’t even notice until they’re done. Like . . . like stocking my favorite coffee because you know I can’t drink anything else. Brian never did that.”
"His captivating eyes tell me that I should always be put first, and it’s what I always wanted to hear from Brian. It’s the one thing I asked from him, yet Breaker offers it up so easily."
“I would be lost without you, Breaker.”
“I would be lost without you, too.”
“You are so important to me, Breaker.”
“You’re important to me too, Lia.”
“Like . . . what would I do without you?”
“I try not to think about what a day without you in it would look like,” he says."
“Sometimes the best relationship comes from a strong friendship as the foundation,” Kelsey says. “That’s how it was with me and JP. We got really close, and I thought he was a great friend. Crossing that line felt natural to me.”
“It doesn’t feel natural to me,” I answer.
Lottie taps her chin. “I think Breaker is going to help you see just how natural it can be.”
“I realized that seeing you marry another man was my absolute worst-case scenario because I have deep-rooted feelings for you, Lia.”
“I think about you every second of every day, Lia. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
"And I’m so fucking mad at myself for taking this long to realize it. Sure, I was always attracted to her, but it took a goddamn second for me to figure out that I wanted her. And that makes me infuriated. Because I nearly lost her. I would have hated myself forever if I’d lost her."
"I love this girl, and I’ll do everything to make her life as wonderful as she is. She will carry knitted flowers down the aisle, and she will have daisies everywhere she wishes. I’ll make every dream come true. And most of all? I can’t wait to say those two additional words that join us until the end of time."
💭Quinn has done it again, delivering a rom-com that’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. A Long Time Coming is the kind of book that feels like a cozy chat with your favorite friends—you just don’t want it to end.
Let’s dive into the magic. Ophelia and Breaker’s friendship-to-lovers journey is EVERYTHING. Ophelia is a ray of sunshine with a touch of sass, and Breaker? This man is walking, talking boyfriend material. He’s so sweet, loyal, and delightfully oblivious to his feelings that you’ll want to shake him…and then hug him. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate the messy, awkward, and heart-fluttering transition from friends to something more? Pure gold.
The Cane brothers—Breaker, JP, and Huxley—are the ultimate sibling trio. Their banter is peak brotherly chaos, and their unwavering support for one another is so wholesome. Huxley is the quiet and steady one, JP is the life of the party, and Breaker is the dependable golden retriever of the group. And the way Ophelia fits into their dynamic? Effortless. It’s like she was born to be part of the Cane family.
Now, let’s not forget the girl squad. Ophelia bonding with Kelsey and Lottie was such a highlight! Their friendship is filled with laughter, real talk, and a little bit of chaos—basically, squad goals. Whether it’s hyping each other up or sharing a bottle of wine and some much-needed advice, these ladies are the epitome of a strong support system.
One thing I absolutely loved was the writing style. Meghan Quinn’s use of a conversational tone made the story so engaging—it felt like the characters were talking directly to us. Their inner monologues and cheeky asides had me laughing out loud and nodding along. It’s the kind of immersive storytelling that pulls you right into the middle of their world.
But don’t be fooled by all the fluff—this book has depth, too. It’s a beautiful exploration of vulnerability, realizing your worth, and taking a leap of faith, even when the landing seems terrifying.
Quinn nailed the balance of humor, heart, and heat in this one.
𝐏.𝐒. Brian’s mom (The Beavs) was an unexpected comedic gem! Her over-the-top, borderline dramatic behavior had me in stitches, and that scene where Lia and Breaker were roped into a disaster while preparing for the wedding? Pure chaos! From awkwardly holding wedding props to being on the receiving end of Brian's mom's ahem "creative suggestions," it was hilarity at its finest. Moments like these are what make Quinn’s books stand out—equal parts heart and humor!
From mishaps to heartfelt moments, it tied everything together perfectly.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 This series has perfect title for the books!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Cane Brothers ( Book 3)
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes
If you love witty banter, friends-to-lovers romance, and laugh-out-loud moments, add this to your TBR ASAP.
Breaker Cane is waiting to steal your heart.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"I scrub my hand down my face just as a light tapping comes from the other side of the wall.
And just like that, a smile spreads across my face.
Reaching up to the wall, I rap my knuckle four times.
Like clockwork, she knocks three.
Four knocks for four letters in love.
Three knocks for three letters in you."
"I could not imagine living a life where you have to prove yourself to your parents day in and day out because their love is conditional at best."
"You know when someone talks like they’re rich—clenched throat, tight lips, disapproving tone in every word? Well, that is Mrs. Beaver, even when she’s happy."
“You could have started without me.”
“You know I never do. If anything, I’m a gentleman and will always wait.”
"but I just feel there needs to be a deeper connection. I want him to be able to guess what I’m going to say next. I want him to be able to understand me without even having to talk, and I don’t think we have that."
"I can’t lose you, Breaker.”
“You’re not losing me, Lia. Never. I would never let that fucking happen.”
“Promise?” I ask, insecurity so heavy in my voice that I can taste it.
“I promise you,” he says with sincerity."
"No matter what happens between us, Lia, I will always be there for you. Always. Okay?”
“If you want to get down to it, yeah. When you kiss someone, someone you think you could date or be with, there should be a spark. Especially that first kiss. The first kiss tells you everything you need to know.”
“Well, when I saw her in her dress . . .” I shake my head. “Dude, I swear to God it was an out-of-body experience. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like it. My mouth went dry, I started to sweat, but I was cold at the same time. I couldn’t breathe, but my heart was beating so hard that I thought my chest would explode. And then . . .” I look away. “When she made eye contact with me, it was like a million butterflies took flight in my stomach, and I swear to you, at that moment, I had this overwhelming need to kiss her. Like, it was pulling me to the point that I almost did it. I’ve never felt that way, ever, besides the first day I ever met her, and now, well, I’m totally fucked in the head, and I don’t know what’s going on.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on.” He looks me in the eyes. “You’re in love with your best friend, and you just finally realized it.”
“Come on, dude,” I say, groaning. “That’s what my brothers would have said.”
“Because they’re right, and I know you don’t want to hear it, but why do you feel like you don’t have a spark when you kiss other women? It’s because deep down, you know they’re not Lia. These weird out-of-body feelings you’re having are because the woman you love is getting married in four weeks, and you’re panicking about it.”
“But . . .”
“No buts, man. Face the facts, you love her, and the sooner you admit that to yourself, the better.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I say as I look up at Banner. “Fuck, I think I like her.”
Banner shakes his head. “Nah, man. You love her. End of discussion.”
“If it were me, I’d spend a great deal of time honeymooning.” His eyes connect with mine. “No way would I let you out of my sight.” My cheeks flame, and he quickly realizes what he said so he adjusts. “I mean, my girl. No way would I let my girl out of my sight.”
And I believe that to the fullest."
“Not sure there is a standard for an appropriate time to tell someone you love them. But the last thing you want to do is not tell her and regret it forever.”
"First and foremost, I love her. I let that sink in. I let myself sit in my feelings and understand them. Lia is the most precious person in my life. She’s my ride or die. She means everything to me.
She’s my girl.
After I let myself accept that, I went on to accept that everyone is right. I need to tell her about my feelings, but I need to ease her into it. It might scare her if I jump out at her with these feelings."
“What do you want?” she asks.
You.
Everything about you.
Your soul.
Your mind.
Your heart.
Your body.
I want all of you, every last fucking inch of you."
“Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, and being my own personal hype man about my hair and my outfit. It truly did make me feel special.”
“Well, you should feel special. Because you are. I’ll hype you all day, every day.”
“And that is why you are my best friend,” she says.
Yeah, if only I was so much more."
"He doesn’t have that in him, that craving, grasping for air-type nature. He doesn’t see me as his and only his. He doesn’t look at me and think . . . mine."
“It’s because Breaker always thinks of you first,” Kelsey says softly. “He truly cherishes you. I’m sure he doesn’t say all the things to you that he says to us, but you are his number one. There’s no question about it.”
“Then he’s not the man for you because, Lia . . . you deserve to be fucked. Just like you deserve to be worshiped. Hard.”
"If anything, Breaker, I love love, and I would never mess with that. I truly believe you and Lia are soulmates. I’m just glad you’re seeing it now.”
“Kelsey is an angel sent from the heavens above,” I say while clutching JP. “And Lottie, well, she’s funny, and I like that she busts your balls all the time, Huxley. I’ve never seen a woman put you in your place like her. God, the way you grovel around her, talk about embarrassing. But that’s what I’d do with Lia, I would worship the ground she walks on.”
"but we make sacrifices for the ones we love, right?"
"It’s hard to be in love with someone when they don’t treat you like they love you. They can say the words, like he did, but he didn’t prove it. He didn’t act on his love. It’s about the little things, you know? The things you don’t even notice until they’re done. Like . . . like stocking my favorite coffee because you know I can’t drink anything else. Brian never did that.”
"His captivating eyes tell me that I should always be put first, and it’s what I always wanted to hear from Brian. It’s the one thing I asked from him, yet Breaker offers it up so easily."
“I would be lost without you, Breaker.”
“I would be lost without you, too.”
“You are so important to me, Breaker.”
“You’re important to me too, Lia.”
“Like . . . what would I do without you?”
“I try not to think about what a day without you in it would look like,” he says."
“Sometimes the best relationship comes from a strong friendship as the foundation,” Kelsey says. “That’s how it was with me and JP. We got really close, and I thought he was a great friend. Crossing that line felt natural to me.”
“It doesn’t feel natural to me,” I answer.
Lottie taps her chin. “I think Breaker is going to help you see just how natural it can be.”
“I realized that seeing you marry another man was my absolute worst-case scenario because I have deep-rooted feelings for you, Lia.”
“I think about you every second of every day, Lia. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
"And I’m so fucking mad at myself for taking this long to realize it. Sure, I was always attracted to her, but it took a goddamn second for me to figure out that I wanted her. And that makes me infuriated. Because I nearly lost her. I would have hated myself forever if I’d lost her."
"I love this girl, and I’ll do everything to make her life as wonderful as she is. She will carry knitted flowers down the aisle, and she will have daisies everywhere she wishes. I’ll make every dream come true. And most of all? I can’t wait to say those two additional words that join us until the end of time."
So Not Meant To Be by Meghan Quinn
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
💭Imagine being forced on a work trip with your nemesis—aka your brother-in-law's irritatingly handsome, infuriatingly charming younger brother, JP. Chaos, right? Well, *So Not Meant to Be* is exactly that: chaotic, hilarious, and full of heart. Meghan Quinn serves up another enemies-to-lovers masterpiece that had me hooked from the very first page.
Let’s talk about Kelsey. She’s so real it’s almost painful. Watching her sisters live their fairy-tale love stories—the ones where their men breathe just to exist for them, where their men look at them like they hung the moon —is beautiful, but also exhausting. Not because she’s not happy for them, but because she *wants* that. She craves that soul-deep love, the kind that consumes you. And honestly? Same, girl. Because let’s face it, as much as you’re thrilled for your sisters, it’s exhausting being the third wheel in a parade of epic loves when all you want is your own “you’re my entire universe” type of man. Kelsey’s raw honesty about wanting that kind of love? Hit me right in the feels. Her vulnerability and yearning felt like she was speaking directly to my heart.
And then there’s JP. I’m *obsessed*. He’s the human equivalent of sunshine—always teasing, always joking—but underneath all that goofiness is a man who sees Kelsey for exactly who she is. His flirty banter had me giggling, but his heartfelt moments? Swoon city.
His obsession with pigeons (yes, pigeons) to the fact that he made matching T-shirts with one of his feathery friends, I couldn’t stop laughing. Like, who does that? JP, apparently. It’s so ridiculous and so him that you can’t help but adore him for it.
And let’s not forget the bromance between JP and Breaker (his brother, Kelsey’s brother-in-law). Their dynamic is pure gold, full of humor and just enough love to make your heart ache in the best way.
Bonus points for getting more Lottie and Huxley! I loved seeing glimpses of their future—it’s like checking in on old friends. And oh, the *laugh-out-loud* moments in this book are endless. Whether it’s JP’s antics, Kelsey’s inner monologue, or their hilarious (and sometimes disastrous) work trip adventures, you’ll find yourself snorting into your coffee.
Quinn perfectly balances humor and heart, delivering a story that’ll make you laugh, cry, and believe in love all over again.
𝐏.𝐒. That epilogue? Literal perfection. My heart’s so full.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 I love the titles of these books!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Cane Brothers ( Book 2)
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes
If you’re a fan of swoony romances with quirky characters and hilarious moments, this one’s for you!
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"As a true romantic who loves everything about love, I can’t help wondering if there’s a man out there who checks all the boxes of the perfect romcom hero.
Noooo, now we have to deal with catfishing, followed by an unsolicited dick pic, and then finalized by a solid ghosting.
I’m so sick of it."
"I’m a firm believer in love. Therefore, I’m looking for love. Not a fling, not a sexy one-night stand. I’m looking for my soulmate, just like the soulmates on my semi-popular podcast. I want forever.
JP Cane can believe what he wants, but if there’s one thing I know for sure in this romance desert that is my life, he and I are so not meant to be."
"From the first moment I saw her during her pitch meeting with us, I was wowed. But working closely together, I was enamored. Her smile, her positive outlook on life, her fucking gorgeous eyes, she stole my breath, and it was the first time in my goddamn life that I actually thought to myself . . . she could be my forever."
"I know what you hate most in life is being late.”
“That’s true. Being late just means you’re either a ‘time bender’—that’s a real thing—or you don’t care about other people’s time. And time is the one thing in life you can’t get back.”
"There’s a difference between romance and good sex. Good sex lasts a night, while romance lasts a lifetime."
"Lottie is so in love, more in love than I’ve ever seen her. She’s not only infatuated with Huxley, but he’s infatuated with her. Possessive of her. Worships her. And, yes, I’m all about independence and women running the world, but there’s something to be said about breaking the glass ceiling during the day and coming home to a man who’ll do everything in his power to remind you exactly who you belong to.
Lottie has that with Huxley.
Will I ever have that?"
"Lottie was never the romantic, between the two of us. She’s been the one searching out success, looking for validation in her work. I happened to stumble upon my business while seeking out love. I was the one who read all the books about romance, watched all the movies . . . hell, I started a podcast based on love.
And yet, I’m loveless, and my sister is consumed by it.
Where’s the luck there?
Hint—there’s none."
"And my insecurities coupled with my inability to be in a relationship have taken their toll on me."
"JP takes a step closer and says, “Edwin is an idiot because he didn’t appreciate something other than the color of your dress. What he should’ve said the moment he saw you was how fucking breathtaking you look, how the yellow in your dress makes the gold in your eyes sparkle even brighter. He should’ve lifted your hand and pressed the lightest of kisses to your knuckles, just so he could claim you in front of everyone around him. His eyes never should have strayed from yours. And when he lowered your hand, he should’ve taken one more step closer to you, leaned inches from your ear, and said how intoxicatingly beautiful you smelled.”
“Sometimes you have to get to know someone first, Kelsey, before you start trying to put them in a lane in your mind. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Stick around. I’m sure you’ll find out more.”
"He’s not for me. He’s the type of man who can deliver an orgasm that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, but he’ll break your heart in the long run.
Lust is an addiction.
But for me, love wins over lust, and I’m searching for love . . ."
"What once used to be my favorite city to visit is quickly becoming my least favorite. Funny how quickly that can change, how a person can remind you of a place, steal the joy right from your grasp."
“Thank you so much for walking me up here. You really didn’t have to.”
Yeah, you didn’t have to, fucker. She’s more than capable, she’s done it many times already.
“I just felt bad, the way I left you last time.”
Because you’re a moron."
"don’t be worrying about what could go wrong with JP. Focus on what can go right. He likes you. You like him. Start there."
"Yup, I’m falling so hard for this man. Harder than I’ve ever fallen before."
“You’re worth it,” I say before picking up my spoon and dipping it into my soup.
“You spoil me.”
“As you should be.”
"Because for the first time in my life, I can honestly say I’m in love. I’m so hopelessly, and desperately, in love with a man, and I’m afraid that he very well might not love me back."
“I do,” Lottie says, her voice tight with emotion.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man prouder than Huxley at this moment. His chest fills with air, his eyes sparkle with tears, and you can see the relief in his shoulders, knowing the woman standing in front of him will now carry his last name. Absolutely beautiful."
“You look so goddamn beautiful, Kelsey. You take my breath away.”
My battered heart beats wildly as my knees go a little weak.
I love this man. I love him so much, and hearing his voice, feeling his strong body connected to mine, it almost seems like too much."
"Pigeons mate for life. They meet their one and only, and they’re set.” My voice grows scratchy as I think about Kelsey. “They don’t need to second-guess their decision. They just . . . know.”
"He closes the space between us and kisses me. A searing kiss that tears through me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. His kiss claims me, showing me that no matter what happens, no matter what journey we take, I’m his. He’s mine. And together, we’re so meant to be."
Let’s talk about Kelsey. She’s so real it’s almost painful. Watching her sisters live their fairy-tale love stories—the ones where their men breathe just to exist for them, where their men look at them like they hung the moon —is beautiful, but also exhausting. Not because she’s not happy for them, but because she *wants* that. She craves that soul-deep love, the kind that consumes you. And honestly? Same, girl. Because let’s face it, as much as you’re thrilled for your sisters, it’s exhausting being the third wheel in a parade of epic loves when all you want is your own “you’re my entire universe” type of man. Kelsey’s raw honesty about wanting that kind of love? Hit me right in the feels. Her vulnerability and yearning felt like she was speaking directly to my heart.
And then there’s JP. I’m *obsessed*. He’s the human equivalent of sunshine—always teasing, always joking—but underneath all that goofiness is a man who sees Kelsey for exactly who she is. His flirty banter had me giggling, but his heartfelt moments? Swoon city.
His obsession with pigeons (yes, pigeons) to the fact that he made matching T-shirts with one of his feathery friends, I couldn’t stop laughing. Like, who does that? JP, apparently. It’s so ridiculous and so him that you can’t help but adore him for it.
And let’s not forget the bromance between JP and Breaker (his brother, Kelsey’s brother-in-law). Their dynamic is pure gold, full of humor and just enough love to make your heart ache in the best way.
Bonus points for getting more Lottie and Huxley! I loved seeing glimpses of their future—it’s like checking in on old friends. And oh, the *laugh-out-loud* moments in this book are endless. Whether it’s JP’s antics, Kelsey’s inner monologue, or their hilarious (and sometimes disastrous) work trip adventures, you’ll find yourself snorting into your coffee.
Quinn perfectly balances humor and heart, delivering a story that’ll make you laugh, cry, and believe in love all over again.
𝐏.𝐒. That epilogue? Literal perfection. My heart’s so full.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 I love the titles of these books!
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Cane Brothers ( Book 2)
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yes
If you’re a fan of swoony romances with quirky characters and hilarious moments, this one’s for you!
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"As a true romantic who loves everything about love, I can’t help wondering if there’s a man out there who checks all the boxes of the perfect romcom hero.
Noooo, now we have to deal with catfishing, followed by an unsolicited dick pic, and then finalized by a solid ghosting.
I’m so sick of it."
"I’m a firm believer in love. Therefore, I’m looking for love. Not a fling, not a sexy one-night stand. I’m looking for my soulmate, just like the soulmates on my semi-popular podcast. I want forever.
JP Cane can believe what he wants, but if there’s one thing I know for sure in this romance desert that is my life, he and I are so not meant to be."
"From the first moment I saw her during her pitch meeting with us, I was wowed. But working closely together, I was enamored. Her smile, her positive outlook on life, her fucking gorgeous eyes, she stole my breath, and it was the first time in my goddamn life that I actually thought to myself . . . she could be my forever."
"I know what you hate most in life is being late.”
“That’s true. Being late just means you’re either a ‘time bender’—that’s a real thing—or you don’t care about other people’s time. And time is the one thing in life you can’t get back.”
"There’s a difference between romance and good sex. Good sex lasts a night, while romance lasts a lifetime."
"Lottie is so in love, more in love than I’ve ever seen her. She’s not only infatuated with Huxley, but he’s infatuated with her. Possessive of her. Worships her. And, yes, I’m all about independence and women running the world, but there’s something to be said about breaking the glass ceiling during the day and coming home to a man who’ll do everything in his power to remind you exactly who you belong to.
Lottie has that with Huxley.
Will I ever have that?"
"Lottie was never the romantic, between the two of us. She’s been the one searching out success, looking for validation in her work. I happened to stumble upon my business while seeking out love. I was the one who read all the books about romance, watched all the movies . . . hell, I started a podcast based on love.
And yet, I’m loveless, and my sister is consumed by it.
Where’s the luck there?
Hint—there’s none."
"And my insecurities coupled with my inability to be in a relationship have taken their toll on me."
"JP takes a step closer and says, “Edwin is an idiot because he didn’t appreciate something other than the color of your dress. What he should’ve said the moment he saw you was how fucking breathtaking you look, how the yellow in your dress makes the gold in your eyes sparkle even brighter. He should’ve lifted your hand and pressed the lightest of kisses to your knuckles, just so he could claim you in front of everyone around him. His eyes never should have strayed from yours. And when he lowered your hand, he should’ve taken one more step closer to you, leaned inches from your ear, and said how intoxicatingly beautiful you smelled.”
“Sometimes you have to get to know someone first, Kelsey, before you start trying to put them in a lane in your mind. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Stick around. I’m sure you’ll find out more.”
"He’s not for me. He’s the type of man who can deliver an orgasm that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, but he’ll break your heart in the long run.
Lust is an addiction.
But for me, love wins over lust, and I’m searching for love . . ."
"What once used to be my favorite city to visit is quickly becoming my least favorite. Funny how quickly that can change, how a person can remind you of a place, steal the joy right from your grasp."
“Thank you so much for walking me up here. You really didn’t have to.”
Yeah, you didn’t have to, fucker. She’s more than capable, she’s done it many times already.
“I just felt bad, the way I left you last time.”
Because you’re a moron."
"don’t be worrying about what could go wrong with JP. Focus on what can go right. He likes you. You like him. Start there."
"Yup, I’m falling so hard for this man. Harder than I’ve ever fallen before."
“You’re worth it,” I say before picking up my spoon and dipping it into my soup.
“You spoil me.”
“As you should be.”
"Because for the first time in my life, I can honestly say I’m in love. I’m so hopelessly, and desperately, in love with a man, and I’m afraid that he very well might not love me back."
“I do,” Lottie says, her voice tight with emotion.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man prouder than Huxley at this moment. His chest fills with air, his eyes sparkle with tears, and you can see the relief in his shoulders, knowing the woman standing in front of him will now carry his last name. Absolutely beautiful."
“You look so goddamn beautiful, Kelsey. You take my breath away.”
My battered heart beats wildly as my knees go a little weak.
I love this man. I love him so much, and hearing his voice, feeling his strong body connected to mine, it almost seems like too much."
"Pigeons mate for life. They meet their one and only, and they’re set.” My voice grows scratchy as I think about Kelsey. “They don’t need to second-guess their decision. They just . . . know.”
"He closes the space between us and kisses me. A searing kiss that tears through me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. His kiss claims me, showing me that no matter what happens, no matter what journey we take, I’m his. He’s mine. And together, we’re so meant to be."
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
𝑻.𝑾: Graphic violence and discussion of grooming and child abuse.
“This is the tale of how a chosen one falls. She does it screaming, clawing for her old life with broken fingernails. She does it slowly, over the course of decades. And in the end, she takes the whole forsaken world with her.”
💭OH. MY. GOD. This book? Emotional annihilation in the best way possible. I mean, a sun god’s fallen bride and a broody bastard prince of shadows walking into the underworld? Sign me the heck up!
Our girl "Mische" starts out with nothing but pain and betrayal. Turned into a vampire against her will, sentenced to death for killing the vampire prince who ruined her life (fully justified, btw), and completely cut off from her beloved Sun God. But then enters "Asar" —bastard prince of the House of Shadow, a necromancer with more trauma than scars (and trust me, there are *a lot* of scars). These two? Absolute perfection. Their chemistry is the slowest of burns, but OH the payoff.
The plot? A dangerous mission to resurrect a death god in the underworld, packed with trials, monsters, and some seriously vengeful ghosts. There’s betrayal lurking at every corner, but the way Mische and Asar are forced to rely on each other is just... *chef’s kiss*. She’s a literal ray of sunshine (okay, ironic for a vampire), and he’s a shadowy storm cloud of angst. Together? They’re pure magic.
Side character shoutouts!
First up: Luce, the skeletal animal companion. This little guy is all vibes and SO much heart. Protect him at all costs! Then there’s Nyaxia, the dark mother, who is as terrifying as she is fascinating. And let’s not forget 'Atroxus', Sun god—he’s the villain you’ll *love* to hate.
Now let’s talk about that setting: the underworld of *Morthryn* is absolutely chilling (literally and metaphorically). Each trial Mische and Asar faced had me holding my breath, especially with the gods Atroxus and Nyaxia constantly meddling. Broadbent nailed the dark, otherworldly vibes—like, I felt like I was trudging through the shadows alongside them.
The romance? A+ angst and yearning. Asar’s vulnerability and Mische’s unwavering faith in him melted my heart into a puddle. The way they broke down each other’s walls was so raw and healing. And that ending? Let’s just say I screamed, cried, and possibly threw my Kindle. Carissa, WHY must you do this to us?!
Tropes you’ll LOVE:
🌻 Grumpy x sunshine (but darker)
🌻 Enemies to allies to lovers (SO much tension)
🌻 Epic quests + deadly trials
🌻 Found family (seriously, Luce owns my heart)
🌻 Forbidden love that defies gods
What didn’t quite hit: The pacing dragged a bit in the middle—some parts felt unnecessarily long—but honestly, by the time I hit those last two sections (*Soul* and *Death*), I was all in again.
Final verdict? This was a dark, beautiful, and emotionally charged start to a duology that I already know I’ll be obsessing over. 4 stars and counting down the days until the sequel.
𝐏.𝐒 Can we just take a moment to appreciate how PERFECT the title The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is? It’s poetic, haunting, and literally embodies Mische and Asar to a T. Mische, the songbird who’s lost her voice (and light), and Asar, the hardened heart carrying the weight of shadows. Carissa, you nailed it with this one.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Luce deserves his own spin-off novella. I’m just saying. A skeletal animal companion navigating the world? I’d read 300 pages of that in a heartbeat. Someone make this happen! 🖤🐾
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Vampire literature, and Paranormal Fantasy
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Crown of Nyaxia - Shadowborn Duet (Book 1)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Absolutely!!
If you haven’t read this yet, prepare your tissues and your soul. It’s going to hurt but in the *best* way.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: “And then he said, after a moment, “I just played the notes that sounded like you.” I stiffened. He spoke the words so softly, with such tender vulnerability. Like a confession to a priest. So kind it hurt. Danger, Mische. Danger. This is not what you’re supposed to do. But still, I didn’t pull away. I murmured, “It’s beautiful.” And he whispered, “Yes.”
“We all have ghosts in our pasts, Iliae. We can’t give them the power to define our futures, too.”
“I’d burn with you till the end of it all, Dawndrinker.”
“It is an injustice, Mische, that this is what you got when you asked for love,” he murmured. “This isn’t what love should feel like.”
“We crashed together into beautiful damnation.”
“Did I look like he did? So shattered? Like all his defences had broken apart, leaving the tender vulnerability of our want exposed and raw. I’d never known it could feel so good, to let yourself be unmade.”
“What are you doing?” I asked. “Praying with you,” he said. As if it were obvious. “I thought you didn’t believe in prayer.” “I don’t,” he said. “But you do.”
“He could have had any woman. And yet his heart was so hungry for her that he let it devour the world for a fleeting taste.”
“Do you think that I don’t know what darkness is?” I said. “Why? Because I smile too much? Because I talk too much? It’s my choice to be the way that I am. A choice that I make even when it’s hard. That doesn’t make me weak, Asar.”
“It doesn’t make the love worth less,” I said quietly, “just because you can’t help her the way you wish you could.”
“Sometimes they only see you for the first time when you force them to.”
“She looked at him like he was a question answered. He looked at her like she was the only one worth asking.”
“But I never ran away. Not even when I should. Instead, I did what I always did: I gave that bastard the biggest, brightest smile.”
“Some things were fated. Some things were divine. The gods were playing a bigger game than any of us could see.”
“I liked to watch Asar smile. It felt like a victory every time. I traced its path across his face now and wondered when I’d memorized the shape of it.”
“There is no light without darkness. There is no life without suffering.”
“I’ll tell you what you’ll have if you lose the sun, Mische. You’ll have a soul gentler than any vampire I’ve ever known. You’ll have an incredible magic and the skill to wield it better than the bastard who gave it to you. You’ll have a soft heart and a sharp wit and the wisdom to know when to use one or the other. You’ll have countless inane questions and horrible taste in food and a penchant for making lost souls love you. And if you’ll take it, Mische Iliae, you will have me, too.”
“You asked me what love should feel like. It should make you think of nothing else. It should make you see stars.”
“I liked seeing Asar disheveled. I wanted to see how much it would take to see him obliterated.”
“I don’t want to be something you regret, Mische.”
“I’ll never regret you.”
“This is the tale of how a chosen one falls. She does it screaming, clawing for her old life with broken fingernails. She does it slowly, over the course of decades. And in the end, she takes the whole forsaken world with her.”
💭OH. MY. GOD. This book? Emotional annihilation in the best way possible. I mean, a sun god’s fallen bride and a broody bastard prince of shadows walking into the underworld? Sign me the heck up!
Our girl "Mische" starts out with nothing but pain and betrayal. Turned into a vampire against her will, sentenced to death for killing the vampire prince who ruined her life (fully justified, btw), and completely cut off from her beloved Sun God. But then enters "Asar" —bastard prince of the House of Shadow, a necromancer with more trauma than scars (and trust me, there are *a lot* of scars). These two? Absolute perfection. Their chemistry is the slowest of burns, but OH the payoff.
The plot? A dangerous mission to resurrect a death god in the underworld, packed with trials, monsters, and some seriously vengeful ghosts. There’s betrayal lurking at every corner, but the way Mische and Asar are forced to rely on each other is just... *chef’s kiss*. She’s a literal ray of sunshine (okay, ironic for a vampire), and he’s a shadowy storm cloud of angst. Together? They’re pure magic.
Side character shoutouts!
First up: Luce, the skeletal animal companion. This little guy is all vibes and SO much heart. Protect him at all costs! Then there’s Nyaxia, the dark mother, who is as terrifying as she is fascinating. And let’s not forget 'Atroxus', Sun god—he’s the villain you’ll *love* to hate.
Now let’s talk about that setting: the underworld of *Morthryn* is absolutely chilling (literally and metaphorically). Each trial Mische and Asar faced had me holding my breath, especially with the gods Atroxus and Nyaxia constantly meddling. Broadbent nailed the dark, otherworldly vibes—like, I felt like I was trudging through the shadows alongside them.
The romance? A+ angst and yearning. Asar’s vulnerability and Mische’s unwavering faith in him melted my heart into a puddle. The way they broke down each other’s walls was so raw and healing. And that ending? Let’s just say I screamed, cried, and possibly threw my Kindle. Carissa, WHY must you do this to us?!
Tropes you’ll LOVE:
🌻 Grumpy x sunshine (but darker)
🌻 Enemies to allies to lovers (SO much tension)
🌻 Epic quests + deadly trials
🌻 Found family (seriously, Luce owns my heart)
🌻 Forbidden love that defies gods
What didn’t quite hit: The pacing dragged a bit in the middle—some parts felt unnecessarily long—but honestly, by the time I hit those last two sections (*Soul* and *Death*), I was all in again.
Final verdict? This was a dark, beautiful, and emotionally charged start to a duology that I already know I’ll be obsessing over. 4 stars and counting down the days until the sequel.
𝐏.𝐒 Can we just take a moment to appreciate how PERFECT the title The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is? It’s poetic, haunting, and literally embodies Mische and Asar to a T. Mische, the songbird who’s lost her voice (and light), and Asar, the hardened heart carrying the weight of shadows. Carissa, you nailed it with this one.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Luce deserves his own spin-off novella. I’m just saying. A skeletal animal companion navigating the world? I’d read 300 pages of that in a heartbeat. Someone make this happen! 🖤🐾
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Vampire literature, and Paranormal Fantasy
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Crown of Nyaxia - Shadowborn Duet (Book 1)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Absolutely!!
If you haven’t read this yet, prepare your tissues and your soul. It’s going to hurt but in the *best* way.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: “And then he said, after a moment, “I just played the notes that sounded like you.” I stiffened. He spoke the words so softly, with such tender vulnerability. Like a confession to a priest. So kind it hurt. Danger, Mische. Danger. This is not what you’re supposed to do. But still, I didn’t pull away. I murmured, “It’s beautiful.” And he whispered, “Yes.”
“We all have ghosts in our pasts, Iliae. We can’t give them the power to define our futures, too.”
“I’d burn with you till the end of it all, Dawndrinker.”
“It is an injustice, Mische, that this is what you got when you asked for love,” he murmured. “This isn’t what love should feel like.”
“We crashed together into beautiful damnation.”
“Did I look like he did? So shattered? Like all his defences had broken apart, leaving the tender vulnerability of our want exposed and raw. I’d never known it could feel so good, to let yourself be unmade.”
“What are you doing?” I asked. “Praying with you,” he said. As if it were obvious. “I thought you didn’t believe in prayer.” “I don’t,” he said. “But you do.”
“He could have had any woman. And yet his heart was so hungry for her that he let it devour the world for a fleeting taste.”
“Do you think that I don’t know what darkness is?” I said. “Why? Because I smile too much? Because I talk too much? It’s my choice to be the way that I am. A choice that I make even when it’s hard. That doesn’t make me weak, Asar.”
“It doesn’t make the love worth less,” I said quietly, “just because you can’t help her the way you wish you could.”
“Sometimes they only see you for the first time when you force them to.”
“She looked at him like he was a question answered. He looked at her like she was the only one worth asking.”
“But I never ran away. Not even when I should. Instead, I did what I always did: I gave that bastard the biggest, brightest smile.”
“Some things were fated. Some things were divine. The gods were playing a bigger game than any of us could see.”
“I liked to watch Asar smile. It felt like a victory every time. I traced its path across his face now and wondered when I’d memorized the shape of it.”
“There is no light without darkness. There is no life without suffering.”
“I’ll tell you what you’ll have if you lose the sun, Mische. You’ll have a soul gentler than any vampire I’ve ever known. You’ll have an incredible magic and the skill to wield it better than the bastard who gave it to you. You’ll have a soft heart and a sharp wit and the wisdom to know when to use one or the other. You’ll have countless inane questions and horrible taste in food and a penchant for making lost souls love you. And if you’ll take it, Mische Iliae, you will have me, too.”
“You asked me what love should feel like. It should make you think of nothing else. It should make you see stars.”
“I liked seeing Asar disheveled. I wanted to see how much it would take to see him obliterated.”
“I don’t want to be something you regret, Mische.”
“I’ll never regret you.”
Deadly Secrets by Robert Bryndza
informative
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
2.75
💭Okay, fellow thriller enthusiasts, buckle up because this one’s gonna be a bumpy ride. "Deadly Secrets" is the sixth installment in the Erika Foster series, and while Erika is still the tough-as-nails detective we know and love, I think the series has hit a serious snag. Honestly, after how much I hated the fifth book (ugh, still not over it), I wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to dive into this one. It took me 3-4 months to gather the motivation, and now I’m wondering if I should’ve just left it on the shelf.
The story kicks off with a Christmas Eve murder—yup, festive vibes ruined.
A pretty gruesome case: a young woman is found dead on her doorstep in the middle of a snowstorm. Creepy, right? Erika dives headfirst into the investigation, as always, uncovering a tangled web of secrets involving voyeurism, and family drama. The plot itself is twisty, sure, but not in the mind-blowing way I’d hoped. We’ve got secrets, lies, and a masked killer lurking about. It sounds juicy, but somehow, it fell flat for me, and I guessed the twists way too early, which totally killed the suspense.
Now, let’s talk about the side characters. Moss, Erika’s loyal right-hand woman, is always a gem, bringing humor and heart to the team. Peterson, Erika’s on-again-off-again love interest, is back, but their dynamic felt more awkward than swoony this time around. There’s also the victim’s mom and a 92-year-old woman who’s hiding a truckload of secrets—but their development feels rushed.
Then there’s Erika’s personal life, which has always added depth to her character. But here, it felt repetitive. Her internal monologues about grief and isolation are important, sure, but they’ve been done better in previous installments.
What I did appreciate was the dark, atmospheric vibe Bryndza nails so well. He’s got a talent for making you feel like you’re trudging through those cold, wet London streets with Erika. The writing is sharp, and the dialogue feels real. But even with that, the plot’s predictability and lack of emotional depth dulled the overall experience.
Overall, I think the Erika Foster series is running on fumes at this point. The earlier books had tight plots, shocking twists, and a real sense of urgency.
Deadly Secrets? Not so much. It’s like Bryndza is trying to hit the same beats but missing the mark.
𝐏.𝐒. Here’s hoping the seventh book pulls off a miraculous comeback because Erika deserves better than this.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 The phone call Erika got from his father-in-law's mobile phone mystery is still not solved! Why the creepy tone, and who was it if it was not Edward?
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐.75
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Detective Erika Foster (Book 6)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Only if you’re a die-hard Erika fan. Otherwise, maybe skip it and reread 'The Girl in the Ice' to remember why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
The story kicks off with a Christmas Eve murder—yup, festive vibes ruined.
A pretty gruesome case: a young woman is found dead on her doorstep in the middle of a snowstorm. Creepy, right? Erika dives headfirst into the investigation, as always, uncovering a tangled web of secrets involving voyeurism, and family drama. The plot itself is twisty, sure, but not in the mind-blowing way I’d hoped. We’ve got secrets, lies, and a masked killer lurking about. It sounds juicy, but somehow, it fell flat for me, and I guessed the twists way too early, which totally killed the suspense.
Now, let’s talk about the side characters. Moss, Erika’s loyal right-hand woman, is always a gem, bringing humor and heart to the team. Peterson, Erika’s on-again-off-again love interest, is back, but their dynamic felt more awkward than swoony this time around. There’s also the victim’s mom and a 92-year-old woman who’s hiding a truckload of secrets—but their development feels rushed.
Then there’s Erika’s personal life, which has always added depth to her character. But here, it felt repetitive. Her internal monologues about grief and isolation are important, sure, but they’ve been done better in previous installments.
What I did appreciate was the dark, atmospheric vibe Bryndza nails so well. He’s got a talent for making you feel like you’re trudging through those cold, wet London streets with Erika. The writing is sharp, and the dialogue feels real. But even with that, the plot’s predictability and lack of emotional depth dulled the overall experience.
Overall, I think the Erika Foster series is running on fumes at this point. The earlier books had tight plots, shocking twists, and a real sense of urgency.
Deadly Secrets? Not so much. It’s like Bryndza is trying to hit the same beats but missing the mark.
𝐏.𝐒. Here’s hoping the seventh book pulls off a miraculous comeback because Erika deserves better than this.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 The phone call Erika got from his father-in-law's mobile phone mystery is still not solved! Why the creepy tone, and who was it if it was not Edward?
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐.75
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Detective Erika Foster (Book 6)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Only if you’re a die-hard Erika fan. Otherwise, maybe skip it and reread 'The Girl in the Ice' to remember why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.25
“The best place to enjoy a stormy night is in a warm room with a book in your lap.”
💭You know that 'feeling' when a book completely surprises you? That’s exactly what "The Book of Doors" did. What starts off as a seemingly normal tale of a woman inheriting a mysterious book spirals into a globe-trotting, twist-filled adventure filled with magic, danger, and doors (yes, doors!). But not just any doors—doors that can take you anywhere and any time in the world. Imagine the possibilities? ("1900s Paris for coffee? Bali in the ‘70s for a sunset?") I was hooked.
Our main girl, Cassie, is immediately relatable—she’s smart, determined, and honestly just trying to survive the curveballs life throws her way. Inheriting this strange book seems cool… until it isn’t. What I loved about Cassie is her ability to adapt and stay strong even as the stakes get *wildly high*. She’s not just stumbling into a magical world; she’s fighting tooth and nail to survive it.
But the real magic? The side characters.
Drummond—a cinnamon roll in a Scottish coat of charm. He’s loyal, kind, and the perfect ally as Cassie’s world turns upside down. His steady presence balances Cassie’s chaos, and yes, I found myself desperately wishing for a romantic spark between them. You can’t just throw a handsome Scotsman into the mix and not give us something! Their chemistry is subtle but undeniable, and I wanted more moments that hinted at what could be (someone, please write me a sequel with a slow-burn romance!).
Then there’s Izzy, Cassie’s best friend and a grounding force in the story. Izzy brings humor, heart, and some much-needed light when things get intense. And oh, let’s not forget the ominous "collectors" and "The Women"—I won’t spoil anything, but just know they bring the 'creep factor' in the best way possible.
Brown’s pacing is impeccable. Every page moves the story forward, and the way he combines time travel with magic makes it feel fresh and exciting. The worldbuilding is rich, with doors acting as both a plot device and a metaphor for choice, escape, and opportunity. Brown knows how to keep you flipping pages while also making you think, “What would I do with a Book of Doors?”
Overall, A fast-paced, magical adventure with time travel, high stakes, and characters you can’t help but root for.
If you’re a fan of magical realism meets action-adventure, this one’s for you.
The Book of Doors is equal parts mystery, fantasy, and an ode to the *what ifs* of life. It left me wondering… what would I do with a book of doors? (And how fast would I get myself in trouble?)
𝐏.𝐒. Drummond deserves all the love. Scottish, kind, and reliable? Sign me up.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Someone gives me a sequel with Drummond and Cassie exploring doors *and* their feelings, please. I’m begging.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Time Travel
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Absolutely!!
A thrilling, magical page-turner with a cast of unforgettable characters and a unique concept. If you’re into *The Midnight Library* vibes but want way more action, a sprinkle of danger, and just a hint of could-be romance, pick this one up. You won’t regret it.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"I’ve read it before, but as I get older, I find comfort in rereading favorites. It’s like spending time with old friends.”
"He was a man full of stories of a life well lived, a man with more tales than people to tell them to."
“It’s important to be realistic. Life is like a train that just keeps getting faster and faster and the sooner you realize that the better. I am hurtling toward the final stop, I know that. But I’ve lived my life and I’ve got no complaints. But young people like you, Cassie, you must get out and see the world while you can. There is so much to see beyond these four walls. Don’t let the world pass you by.”
"Happiness is not something you sit and wait for. You have to choose it and pursue it in spite of everything else. It’s not going to be given to you. And that stuff you are talking about, missing the house, missing me. That’s just growing older. You think I don’t miss your grandmother? I do. Every day, in every breath, every moment we would have shared together. But you have to let things go or it will eat you up. Let things pass.”
“I don’t want to,” she said through her tears.
“Nobody does. But you have to.”
“Stop trying to think about things,” Mr. Webber said. “I know that sounds crazy. I am firmly of the view that more people in this world could use their brains more often, but my dear, if anyone needs to think less about things it is you. All you do is think and worry. We could heat the apartment with the energy your brain is constantly using. You have to just live, be in the moment. Either you will find the Book of Doors or you won’t. Either way you will get back to where you came from. It doesn’t need to fill up every moment of your life between now and then. You are allowed to just enjoy your life. You are viewing this period of your life as an agony, but you can choose to see it as a gift.”
“I can say the same about life in general.” He smiled a bit sadly. “Take a little advice from me. Don’t waste your life hidden away in your own mind. Make the most of the time you have, otherwise before you know it, you’ll have no time left.”
“Life is full of hard and scary things,” he said. “Sometimes you know you are going to face something hard and scary.” He nodded and Cassie thought he was talking to himself as much as to her. “But you have to get on with it. No point bitching and moaning. Get it done.”
She smiled sadly. “Very pragmatic,” she said.
“What else can you do?” he asked, and he seemed annoyed, with her, with the world. “Because if you stop you admit the bad stuff has won, don’t you? All you can do is keep going. Refuse to be beaten, even when you are beaten. The bad stuff only wins if you let it. I refuse to be beaten, Cassie. I refuse.”
I refuse, and so should you.” He jabbed a finger at her. “Whatever you need to do, you get it done and you move on. Put it behind you and survive.”
💭You know that 'feeling' when a book completely surprises you? That’s exactly what "The Book of Doors" did. What starts off as a seemingly normal tale of a woman inheriting a mysterious book spirals into a globe-trotting, twist-filled adventure filled with magic, danger, and doors (yes, doors!). But not just any doors—doors that can take you anywhere and any time in the world. Imagine the possibilities? ("1900s Paris for coffee? Bali in the ‘70s for a sunset?") I was hooked.
Our main girl, Cassie, is immediately relatable—she’s smart, determined, and honestly just trying to survive the curveballs life throws her way. Inheriting this strange book seems cool… until it isn’t. What I loved about Cassie is her ability to adapt and stay strong even as the stakes get *wildly high*. She’s not just stumbling into a magical world; she’s fighting tooth and nail to survive it.
But the real magic? The side characters.
Drummond—a cinnamon roll in a Scottish coat of charm. He’s loyal, kind, and the perfect ally as Cassie’s world turns upside down. His steady presence balances Cassie’s chaos, and yes, I found myself desperately wishing for a romantic spark between them. You can’t just throw a handsome Scotsman into the mix and not give us something! Their chemistry is subtle but undeniable, and I wanted more moments that hinted at what could be (someone, please write me a sequel with a slow-burn romance!).
Then there’s Izzy, Cassie’s best friend and a grounding force in the story. Izzy brings humor, heart, and some much-needed light when things get intense. And oh, let’s not forget the ominous "collectors" and "The Women"—I won’t spoil anything, but just know they bring the 'creep factor' in the best way possible.
Brown’s pacing is impeccable. Every page moves the story forward, and the way he combines time travel with magic makes it feel fresh and exciting. The worldbuilding is rich, with doors acting as both a plot device and a metaphor for choice, escape, and opportunity. Brown knows how to keep you flipping pages while also making you think, “What would I do with a Book of Doors?”
Overall, A fast-paced, magical adventure with time travel, high stakes, and characters you can’t help but root for.
If you’re a fan of magical realism meets action-adventure, this one’s for you.
The Book of Doors is equal parts mystery, fantasy, and an ode to the *what ifs* of life. It left me wondering… what would I do with a book of doors? (And how fast would I get myself in trouble?)
𝐏.𝐒. Drummond deserves all the love. Scottish, kind, and reliable? Sign me up.
𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 Someone gives me a sequel with Drummond and Cassie exploring doors *and* their feelings, please. I’m begging.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Time Travel
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Absolutely!!
A thrilling, magical page-turner with a cast of unforgettable characters and a unique concept. If you’re into *The Midnight Library* vibes but want way more action, a sprinkle of danger, and just a hint of could-be romance, pick this one up. You won’t regret it.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"I’ve read it before, but as I get older, I find comfort in rereading favorites. It’s like spending time with old friends.”
"He was a man full of stories of a life well lived, a man with more tales than people to tell them to."
“It’s important to be realistic. Life is like a train that just keeps getting faster and faster and the sooner you realize that the better. I am hurtling toward the final stop, I know that. But I’ve lived my life and I’ve got no complaints. But young people like you, Cassie, you must get out and see the world while you can. There is so much to see beyond these four walls. Don’t let the world pass you by.”
"Happiness is not something you sit and wait for. You have to choose it and pursue it in spite of everything else. It’s not going to be given to you. And that stuff you are talking about, missing the house, missing me. That’s just growing older. You think I don’t miss your grandmother? I do. Every day, in every breath, every moment we would have shared together. But you have to let things go or it will eat you up. Let things pass.”
“I don’t want to,” she said through her tears.
“Nobody does. But you have to.”
“Stop trying to think about things,” Mr. Webber said. “I know that sounds crazy. I am firmly of the view that more people in this world could use their brains more often, but my dear, if anyone needs to think less about things it is you. All you do is think and worry. We could heat the apartment with the energy your brain is constantly using. You have to just live, be in the moment. Either you will find the Book of Doors or you won’t. Either way you will get back to where you came from. It doesn’t need to fill up every moment of your life between now and then. You are allowed to just enjoy your life. You are viewing this period of your life as an agony, but you can choose to see it as a gift.”
“I can say the same about life in general.” He smiled a bit sadly. “Take a little advice from me. Don’t waste your life hidden away in your own mind. Make the most of the time you have, otherwise before you know it, you’ll have no time left.”
“Life is full of hard and scary things,” he said. “Sometimes you know you are going to face something hard and scary.” He nodded and Cassie thought he was talking to himself as much as to her. “But you have to get on with it. No point bitching and moaning. Get it done.”
She smiled sadly. “Very pragmatic,” she said.
“What else can you do?” he asked, and he seemed annoyed, with her, with the world. “Because if you stop you admit the bad stuff has won, don’t you? All you can do is keep going. Refuse to be beaten, even when you are beaten. The bad stuff only wins if you let it. I refuse to be beaten, Cassie. I refuse.”
I refuse, and so should you.” He jabbed a finger at her. “Whatever you need to do, you get it done and you move on. Put it behind you and survive.”