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all_plot_and_bothered's Reviews (92)

medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Spice: .5-1 🌶️

Tropes:
- Second Generation Spinoff
- Human X Fae
- Stabby, Morally Grey FMC
- Cocky, Cunning Fae MMC
- "Mine"
- Touch Her & 💀 
- Found Family
- Banter
- Hidden Identity
- One Horse / One Bed
- Insta-lust
- Hate to Want You Vibes

If you've read K.F. Breene's Demigods of San Francisco series and were hoping to see more from that world, you are in luck. Obsidian follows Daisy, the morally grey teenager with stabby tendencies and uncanny survival skills, that you first met in DoSF. But now, Daisy is all grown up and fiercer than ever. One of the things I love about Daisy though is that she is not just all sass and viciousness. She is so incredibly resilient and loyal, a total black cat but one who would do anything to protect those who have earned her love and trust. In fact, both main characters are more complex & nuanced than they may initially appear. Tarian is the perfect cunning, ruthless, and cocky fae villain you can’t help but like, but with Daisy, we are able to see another side to him. Maybe he has more of a softer side than he lets on or maybe he is just playing the game. It was interesting trying to figure out what is real and what his true desires and motives are.

In true K.F. Breene fashion, the tension and chemistry between our MCs is off the charts. Their banter and back and forth is superb; it is full of the "I hate that I want you" vibes that I love. And I got a huge kick out of how into Daisy's viciousness Tarian is. It reminded me of Casteel and Poppy in that he enjoys her savage side and finds it adorable, even when it is directed at him. Sprinkle in the "mine" moments and the touch her and d!e (slowly & painfully) vibes that Tarian delivers, and I ate it up with a spoon. There isn't a lot of spice, but what is there brings the heat, and the simmering tension and attraction is just waiting to boil over in the next book.

Obsidian has a little darker tone than its predecessor series, but I wouldn't consider it a particularly dark romance. It is still laced with Breene's signature humor that had me literally laughing out loud at times. If you're a fan of Breene, you know that her side characters can sometimes steal the show, and this book is no different. Their quips and one-liners left me in stitches. While we don't see them often, I enjoyed the peeks into their characters and dynamics, and I am expecting we'll see more from them in the next book.

This book is a fun and intriguing ride from start to finish. The plot twists at the end took what I thought I knew and flipped it on its head. I did not see them coming and am excited to see where they lead. I can't wait for the next book!

I received an advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
dark emotional funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Spice: 3-3.5 🌶️

Tropes:
- Dark Rom-Com
- Friends with Benefits
- Forced Proximity
- Hurt/Comfort
- Touch Her & 💀

This just might be my favorite book of the trilogy. I love Rose and the delightful chaos gremlin that she is. And I adored the softhearted and protective side of Fionn we got to see, even as he learned to embrace his dark side. This book was sweeter and more emotional than I expected, and I think that helped set it apart from the first two books. It was a wonderful blend of humor, romance, wildness, spice, and darkness. I will miss these characters, but I think Scythe & Sparrow was a fun and satisfying ending to the series.

⚠️ This book has comedic elements, but it is still a dark romance. Check the content warning for triggers.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 2.5-3 🌶️

Tropes:
- Arranged Marriage
- Second Chance
- 10 Things I Hate About You coded
- Mutual Pining
- Snark & Banter
- Obsessed Hero
- Consent King
- Fated Mates
- "My Wife"

I have been impatiently anticipating Solarius & Narissa’s story, & it did not disappoint! After a previous failed courtship, they outwardly loathe one another, while inwardly pining for each other. Enter an arranged marriage, & sparks fly, delivering first-rate banter & delicious tension.

One of the great things about the books in this series is how easy it is to connect with the characters, & that continues with Sol & Rissa. I adore Narissa. She is bright, witty, & soft yet fierce. And Solarius! Based on the first 2 books, I was expecting him to be more broody. And he was at times, but he was also romantic, tender, protective, & a man of action. One who is not too proud to beg & worship on his knees 🫠

Their second chance story is everything I hoped it would be. The back & forth is excellent, the angst & pining is just right, & the “my wife” moments are *chef’s kiss* As for the spice, it was definitely spicing. I’ll just give you two words: mirror scene 🥵 And it’s not often that I see a harp, but I will never look at one the same again.

Hillary writes romantasy worlds that are simultaneously well-built & easy to read. Not once have I felt bogged down by information in this series, nor have I felt confused or like that information was lacking. This book, like the first two, kept me rapt, engaged, & continually turning the pages. It’s hard to pick a favorite couple because I have loved them all so far, but Sol & Rissa might just be it.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I encourage you to give it a try. I have been eating it up, & I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This book contains content that may be difficult for some readers, including memories/mention of past S.A., abuse, & death of a family member, so please check the content warnings.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Spice: 2 🌶️

Tropes:
- Dark Academia
- Magic College
- Witches & Warlocks
- Elemental Magic
- Enemies(ish) to Lovers
- Lost/Locked Memories
- "Who hurt you?"
- Slow Burn
- "F*ck it"

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jaymin Eve for the ARC! I was dying to get my hands on this book, and the scream I scrumpt when I got the email saying I was approved for it. Now that I'm salivating to continue this story, I realize that I just set myself up for an even longer wait for book 2. Totally worth it!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Jaymin Eve could write the phonebook, and I would read it. The way she weaves her stories never fails to draw me in, and Spellcaster was no exception. I devoured this book. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but I understand that there was a world that needed building, and things started to pick up within a few chapters.

Spellcaster centers around 22 year old Paisley Hallistar, the youngest in a family of witches and warlocks, as she begins her freshman year at Weatherstone College, an elite magical college. When she arrives, she learns that Logan Kingston, the son of her family's enemy, has transferred to Weatherstone and will be beginning classes as well. But she and Logan weren't always enemies, even if she can't remember her former childhood friend, and it's hard to tell if he just wants her or wants her dead. He is broody and dangerous but oddly obsessive and protective, and the pull she feels toward him is hard to deny. The tension and chemistry between these two is delicious, and the mystery surrounding Logan, their connection, and his true intentions is intriguing. They have that push and pull that I love to see, and I couldn't get enough.

Two of the things that Jaymin excels at are family/found family and strong female friendships, and that was evident again in this book. Paisley's dynamic with her family is so sweet and fun. They are so loving and supportive, while, in true sibling fashion, trading barbs and knowing just what buttons to push. I adore their relationships. And it wouldn't be a Jaymin book without a supporting cast of ride-or-die girlfriends. Their banter and conversations were often times hilarious, other times sweet, but almost always relatable (at least to my former 22 year old self). Given one of the revelations at the end of the book, which I had to admit I saw coming, I'm curious to find out what happens to their friend group in the aftermath.

Add in the interesting magical system, suspense, dark vibes, bizarre monster attacks, scheming & intrigue, and the questions surrounding Paisley's magic, and Spellcaster is as addictive as it is entertaining. The plot-twist at the end left me reeling and counting the days until the next book is out. Another hit by Jaymin Eve, who continues to cast her spell on me.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Tropes:
- Teenage Beauty Queens
- Pageant Drama
- Whodunnit Mystery 
- Drop Dead Gorgeous Vibes
- Young Adult/New Adult
- Lite Romance
- 🚫 Spice

What happens when pageants are life but competing may risk yours? If you’re a contestant in the Miss Friendly Pageant, winning the crown is worth the risk. And if a few contestants get knocked out of the running, you’re just that much closer to the crown. 

In the small town of Friendly, TN, girls grow up training for and dreaming of winning the famous Miss Friendly pageant. It’s the most coveted title in town, and girls will do anything to win it. This year, someone seems to be taking that to heart by sabotaging the pageant and contestants at every turn. June Bell is a pageant legacy, a favorite to win, and the prime suspect. With the town against her, she must find the real culprit, clear her name, and most importantly, win her crown. 

What unfolds delivers all the drama you would expect from teenage beauty queens, pageant moms, and small towns. There’s plenty of banter, southern charm, and humor (some of it dark). Add in a an element of whodunnit mystery and some sweet romance, and I found myself flipping the pages and wishing for some popcorn. Pretty Perfect is quick, fun, and entertaining, and definitely worth the read! 
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Tropes:
- Fated Mates
- Hurt/Comfort
- Lost Heir
- Obsessed Hero
- Touch Her and D!€
- Morally Grey Hero
- Found Family
- Prophecy/Chosen One

Spice: 2-2.5 🌶️

Dacre is forever Daddy. That’s it. That’s my review. 

Ok. So maybe I should keep going since that doesn’t quite do justice to this final installment in The Veiled Kingdom series. But it’s still true. 

If you loved that Verena showed tremendous character growth and started to come into her own in the first two books, and wondered how Dacre’s obsessive, filthy, and swoony self could get any better, then prepare yourself. Because they just took it a whole other level in The Rivaled Crown. 

Dacre is OBSESSED with Verena. He covets and worships her. He believes in her and holds her together until she can find that same strength and faith in herself again. He is her anchor that keeps her from losing herself. And he literally threatens to burn it all down for her. Ask me to show you a man that stands behind his woman no matter the cost, and I will give you Dacre. 

And find her strength she does. Verena finally embraces all that she is and could be. She stops hiding, stops running, and takes back control of her fate from the men who have tried to control it, to control her. Seeing her truly become the bad@ss we caught glimpses of in the first two books was a beautiful thing. 

That doesn’t mean things are at all easy for our MCs, and I didn’t expect them to be. I did, however, think I knew somewhat how this story would go. I was wrong. We got a prophecy I was not expecting, along with some pretty major plot twists and reveals. It is a fast paced and wild ride, and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. There was still a lot to get through in this book, but all of the threads were tied up nicely in a satisfying and exciting way. 

Parts of this book broke me. Parts of it enraged me. And others touched my heart. But all of it engaged me. The Rivaled Crown was a fitting and fulfilling conclusion to this series that I love. 

I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 2.5-3 🌶️
Narration: 5 🎙️

Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Fake Relationship
- Marriage of Convenience
- Hurt/Comfort
- Big Family Dynamics
- "My Wife"
- Dual POV, Duet Narration

Trigger/Content Warning: Potential triggers include grief, loss of parent, cheating (not by MC), and a mother giving up/abandoning baby.

This book hit me in all the feels and threw me into a major book slump. It is such a great ending to the Wilder Family series. It’s emotional, sweet, spicy, and wonderfully angsty. The chemistry and tension between Anya and Parker is off the charts, and their path to healing and love is raw and compelling. The big family dynamics that has been a staple of the series continues in this book, and that unwavering support, love, and connection between the whole cast of characters has made this series one of my favorites. I loved getting to revisit some the Ward family as well. Closing this final chapter in their stories feels like saying goodbye to family, but what a beautiful goodbye it was ❤️

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 3 🌶️
Tropes:
- Fated Mates
- Obsessive/Possessive Alphas
- Why Choose
- Nicknames
- Touch Her and 💀
- A/B/O elements but not omega verse

If you want to know why I am forever a Jaymin Eve fangirl, read this book. Well, read A Curse of Fate first, and then read this book. I. AM. OBSESSED. And I am in love with these characters. Emme is funny, sweet, feisty, and a hot mess in the best way. And Jaymin did not lie when she said the MMCs were a buffet of alpha personalities. She has given us the Hunter, the Cinnamon Roll, the Lumbersnack, and the Stalker, and they are all delicious. Even Finley, who still needs a hug and a face punch. In this book, we learn more about why our grouchy bear is so broken. We also get more from Slade’s POV, and I loved it! It’s no wonder Emme doesn’t stand a chance against these alphas 🫠

I devoured this book, just like I did the first one. Now, I’m stuck hanging on the cliff until book 3 is out in June. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. In Jaymin I trust, and I can’t wait to continue this series!

If you like shifter romances with a dominant/possessive alpha, a cinnamon roll alpha with a praise kink, a scary (to everyone but her) shifter with stalker tendencies, a grouchy lumbersnack, one feisty female that can brings them all to their knees, intrigue, mystery, spice, plot twists, and all the feels, then this series is for you!

I held off on starting Fourth Wing because I was skeptical that it could really live up to all of the hype. I finally gave it a go, and let me tell you, it absolutely did. And I totally get it now - all of the praise, all of the recommendations, all of the book hangovers. It really is that good. It has enemies-to-lovers (one of my favorite tropes), found family, character growth, secrets, betrayal, intrigue, romance, and spice, and wraps some things up while ending with a cliffhanger that makes you eager for Book 2. As soon as I finished, I immediately pre-ordered Iron Flame. Could I wait to get to the end? No. As soon as I did, was I sad that it was over? Yes. If you’re questioning this book like I was, don’t. Just read it. You will be so glad that you did.

3.5 ⭐️. Set in a world where humans are enslaved to dragons, The Flaming Prophecy is a tale of forced proximity and forbidden love with a slow burn and plenty of angst. At times, the book was a little slow and the internal dialogue a bit repetitious, but the story was interesting and the main characters were compelling. There were some grammatical errors and inconsistencies with descriptions (e.g., a few times the FMC’s eyes were referred to as green when the rest of the time they were grey), but nothing that really detracted from the book. There was some spice, which I’d rate at