aebennettwrites's reviews
282 reviews

Cairo Malachi and the Adventure of the Silver Whistle by Samantha SoRelle

5.0

SoRelle does it again! This book was such a joy to read; I got through it in one sitting! I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes-esque mysteries, so this was right up my alley. SoRelle does an excellent job of developing the relationship between Cairo and Noah and the pacing of the unfolding mystery is excellent. (The cat, Victoria, is also an especially nice touch.) Add this to your TBR today!

The Roots that Clutch by A.E. Bross

5.0

Couldn't put this one down! Bross is excellent with pacing and creating suspense and had me on the edge of my seat. Main character Tirzah is someone you initially feel sorry for, but soon come to grow with and root for. The heroes in this book are epic and the villains dastardly. Bross's descriptions of scenery and the parched desert are also really well done. A captivating read!

Learning "Human" by N.J. de Natris

4.0

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Sigma is a fantastic character I really empathized with. The world building was great, too. de Natris has a unique perspective and I'm so glad I got to read this story!

Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette

4.0

This was a creative retelling of Beauty and the Beast that I overall enjoyed. Fans of the 1991 Disney cartoon will recognized a lot of elements. This story meandered a bit in places, which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars, but I'd recommend this to anyone interested in fairytale retellings.

A Husband for Hartwell by J.A. Rock, Lisa Henry

5.0

I absolutely adored this book! If you're looking for queer Regency romance, you need to add this one to your TBR. There is instant chemistry between the two main characters, Hartwell and Warry, and enough angst to keep you on the edge of your seat as they struggle to admit their feelings for each other. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the books in this series!

Darling, there are wolves in the woods by L.V. Russell

4.0

This book is beautifully written, but was a bit dark for me. I love fairy stories and fairytales, but I just wasn't in the mood for all of the despair and peril that happens in the first act. (Also, TW broken family and suicide.) That said, Russell is an excellent writer and weaves a fantastic tale. If you're in the mood for fantasy on the darker side, this is for you!

Metanoia by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald

5.0

Dark fantasy is normally not the first genre I gravitate toward, but I enjoyed this book a lot! Ohkai and Velyr are both alluring characters. The design of the world building is fantastic and it's evident Fitzgerald put a huge amount of thought into the lore of this world. Devotees and newcomers to the genre will want to add this to their TBR!

Lucid by L.R. Evans

4.0

This book was a RIDE! It opens with a character - Julian - who has no idea where he is or, for that matter, who he is. Readers soon learn he's in a dream world and the sense of confusion and foreboding is palpable. Evans's excellent prose kept me turning the page, though I will admit that first person present is a hard tense for me personally to get into. This book was spooky at times and I definitely felt as though I was in the dream world myself. Recommend if you're looking for a truly unique perspective and story!

Structural Integrity by Tabitha O’Connell

4.0

This story was so sweet! I grew immediately attached to Kel and his love of that old theater. Yaan is also a well-developed character, though I got SUPER frustrated with this character at times. This was a novella, so I knew it was going to be short, but I would have liked a bit more world-building. Other than that, I really enjoyed curling up with this on a cloudy afternoon.

The Orchid and the Lion by Gabriel Hargrave

5.0

I absolutely adored this book! Dorian and Laith are both well-developed, realistic characters and their relationship was entirely believable. I laughed with them, got angry with them, and feared for them as the story unfolded. The political intrigue woven into this romantic story kept me wanting more and I was truly sad when I reached the end. I'm very happy there's a sequel in the works. Truly looking forward to reading more from this author!