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38 reviews
A Deal with the Shadow King by Anya J Cosgrove
This was my first Anya J Cosgrove novel and after reading it, I know it won't be my last. This book was so good. It's a great way to kick off a brand new series.
Penelope (Nell) is forced to live in the land of Faerie when her father makes a secret deal with the Shadow King Damian. Her time is torn between two worlds in an effort to fulfill the details of their bet. Only she's not allowed to know exactly what that entails. She must learn to use her magic while navigating a drastically different world than where she comes from.
So many secrets and mysteries surround every element of the shadow court and the fae world as a whole. She must work her way up through training, learning about facing nightmares, dreams, and fantasies. Nell is torn between the world of the shadow court and the world where her sister still remains.
She grows closer to the other mortals with magic training in the fae world. That's especially true for the dark knight One and his brothers. But she still struggles with what exactly the king wants with her and when things will take a turn. The action, detail, and chemistry was perfect.
AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was a re-read for me and I fell in love with this world all over again. The narrators did such a good job. Literally the only thing that could have made it even better would be if it was done in duet because that's my favorite way to listen. But they did great with the dual style. Of course the voice of Anthony Palmini for Damian was perfect. And the soft British accent from Lilly Drake was exactly what was needed for Nell. Loved it!
🔥🔥
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a way to kick off a new series…
This was my first Anya J Cosgrove novel and after reading it, I know it won't be my last. This book was so good. It's a great way to kick off a brand new series.
Penelope (Nell) is forced to live in the land of Faerie when her father makes a secret deal with the Shadow King Damian. Her time is torn between two worlds in an effort to fulfill the details of their bet. Only she's not allowed to know exactly what that entails. She must learn to use her magic while navigating a drastically different world than where she comes from.
So many secrets and mysteries surround every element of the shadow court and the fae world as a whole. She must work her way up through training, learning about facing nightmares, dreams, and fantasies. Nell is torn between the world of the shadow court and the world where her sister still remains.
She grows closer to the other mortals with magic training in the fae world. That's especially true for the dark knight One and his brothers. But she still struggles with what exactly the king wants with her and when things will take a turn. The action, detail, and chemistry was perfect.
This book was amazing. I absolutely loved it. The world building was so good with lots of twists and turns and well thought out facets. So much that I did not even see coming. I'm so excited to see where this series goes with the next book. I can't wait.
AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was a re-read for me and I fell in love with this world all over again. The narrators did such a good job. Literally the only thing that could have made it even better would be if it was done in duet because that's my favorite way to listen. But they did great with the dual style. Of course the voice of Anthony Palmini for Damian was perfect. And the soft British accent from Lilly Drake was exactly what was needed for Nell. Loved it!
🔥🔥
A Deal with the Shadow King by Anya J Cosgrove
This was my first Anya J Cosgrove novel and after reading it, I know it won't be my last. This book was so good. It's a great way to kick off a brand new series.
Penelope (Nell) is forced to live in the land of Faerie when her father makes a secret deal with the Shadow King Damian. Her time is torn between two worlds in an effort to fulfill the details of their bet. Only she's not allowed to know exactly what that entails. She must learn to use her magic while navigating a drastically different world than where she comes from.
So many secrets and mysteries surround every element of the shadow court and the fae world as a whole. She must work her way up through training, learning about facing nightmares, dreams, and fantasies. Nell is torn between the world of the shadow court and the world where her sister still remains.
She grows closer to the other mortals with magic training in the fae world. That's especially true for the dark knight One and his brothers. But she still struggles with what exactly the king wants with her and when things will take a turn. The action, detail, and chemistry was perfect.
This book was amazing. I absolutely loved it. The world building was so good with lots of twists and turns and well thought out facets. So much that I did not even see coming. I'm so excited to see where this series goes with the next book. I can't wait.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a way to kick off a new series…
This was my first Anya J Cosgrove novel and after reading it, I know it won't be my last. This book was so good. It's a great way to kick off a brand new series.
Penelope (Nell) is forced to live in the land of Faerie when her father makes a secret deal with the Shadow King Damian. Her time is torn between two worlds in an effort to fulfill the details of their bet. Only she's not allowed to know exactly what that entails. She must learn to use her magic while navigating a drastically different world than where she comes from.
So many secrets and mysteries surround every element of the shadow court and the fae world as a whole. She must work her way up through training, learning about facing nightmares, dreams, and fantasies. Nell is torn between the world of the shadow court and the world where her sister still remains.
She grows closer to the other mortals with magic training in the fae world. That's especially true for the dark knight One and his brothers. But she still struggles with what exactly the king wants with her and when things will take a turn. The action, detail, and chemistry was perfect.
This book was amazing. I absolutely loved it. The world building was so good with lots of twists and turns and well thought out facets. So much that I did not even see coming. I'm so excited to see where this series goes with the next book. I can't wait.
The Venom We Bleed by Lucy Smoke
Some might say Juliet was the princess, or better yet the Queen of her prep school. That was before her boyfriend and best friend betrayed her. And before her father was arrested for pretty much destroying the lives of the people around them with his greed and deceit. Let's not forget this drastic turn of events that flips her life upside-down happens on her 18th birthday. Definitely not what she wished for.
Now she has no family, friends, money, or real place to go. She's left to fend for herself and do whatever it takes to survive. She's fresh out of f***s and won't hesitate to stand up for herself. Juliet now has to make it through her senior year in the public school surrounded by those who were hurt worst by her father's deceit. She's been training in the gym and is not afraid to defend herself from those who want to put her in her new place.
The Scorpion Kings - Nolan, Gio, and Lex - rule the school. They're also part of the darker side of town where drugs, protection money, death, and organized crime is their norm. They're ready to test out Juliet to see what she's made of now that she's on their side of the tracks.
All four are ready to do their time and get out for a better life. They're connected in ways Juliet doesn't even know about yet. They may be enemies but the attraction and intense chemistry between them all can't be denied. I have theories about things going on behind the scenes but I won't spoil it. This is a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see where it goes.
Check those triggers and be prepared for a cliffhanger.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Fallen Prep School Princes turned Fighter…
Some might say Juliet was the princess, or better yet the Queen of her prep school. That was before her boyfriend and best friend betrayed her. And before her father was arrested for pretty much destroying the lives of the people around them with his greed and deceit. Let's not forget this drastic turn of events that flips her life upside-down happens on her 18th birthday. Definitely not what she wished for.
Now she has no family, friends, money, or real place to go. She's left to fend for herself and do whatever it takes to survive. She's fresh out of f***s and won't hesitate to stand up for herself. Juliet now has to make it through her senior year in the public school surrounded by those who were hurt worst by her father's deceit. She's been training in the gym and is not afraid to defend herself from those who want to put her in her new place.
The Scorpion Kings - Nolan, Gio, and Lex - rule the school. They're also part of the darker side of town where drugs, protection money, death, and organized crime is their norm. They're ready to test out Juliet to see what she's made of now that she's on their side of the tracks.
All four are ready to do their time and get out for a better life. They're connected in ways Juliet doesn't even know about yet. They may be enemies but the attraction and intense chemistry between them all can't be denied. I have theories about things going on behind the scenes but I won't spoil it. This is a great start to a new series and I can't wait to see where it goes.
Check those triggers and be prepared for a cliffhanger.
Scattered Glitter by Blake Black
Nova is a woman looking to escape her heartbreaking past. Under the Vegas lights of the strip club she's now known as Glitter. But all that glitter is just a mask for the hurt she's hiding inside.
The sexy bartender (and secret hacker) at her favorite dance club is ready to take his chance and do whatever it takes to break through her sparkly hardened exterior to get to know the girl underneath. But when she meets the renowned Magic Twins of the Vegas strip (the sexy mentalist and fun magician) things take a turn. They give her the opportunity to put her impressive pickpocket skills to work. In exchange they need her help to get close to the hotel heir and grab the evidence they need to take down his mother. There's also the resident ex-con thief of the team who tests her to see if she's really good enough to get the job done.
There are so many fun and unique personalities in this little found family dynamic. All their mismatched pieces fit perfectly together. Everyone has their own loss and trauma to work through but with them all together there's hope for what's next. I loved this story and these characters so much!
Be prepared for quite the cliffhanger that will leave you on the edge of your seat anxiously looking forward to the next book. So good!
🔥🔥🔥
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Trauma & Sparkle Under the Vegas Lights…
Nova is a woman looking to escape her heartbreaking past. Under the Vegas lights of the strip club she's now known as Glitter. But all that glitter is just a mask for the hurt she's hiding inside.
The sexy bartender (and secret hacker) at her favorite dance club is ready to take his chance and do whatever it takes to break through her sparkly hardened exterior to get to know the girl underneath. But when she meets the renowned Magic Twins of the Vegas strip (the sexy mentalist and fun magician) things take a turn. They give her the opportunity to put her impressive pickpocket skills to work. In exchange they need her help to get close to the hotel heir and grab the evidence they need to take down his mother. There's also the resident ex-con thief of the team who tests her to see if she's really good enough to get the job done.
There are so many fun and unique personalities in this little found family dynamic. All their mismatched pieces fit perfectly together. Everyone has their own loss and trauma to work through but with them all together there's hope for what's next. I loved this story and these characters so much!
Be prepared for quite the cliffhanger that will leave you on the edge of your seat anxiously looking forward to the next book. So good!
🔥🔥🔥
Cold Hearted Casanova by L.J. Shen
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Charring Bones by Brandy Hynes
Gage gets a blast from his past when he discovers the most recent woman rescued and protected in their shelter is none other than the woman who betrayed him in his past life. Before he was Gage, the KORT enforcer, he was Josh the mafia soldier. And Ainsley was the mafia princess he fell in love with. She's also the reason he hasn't been able to trust woman with very few exceptions.
Ainsley thought Gage had died while away in the military years ago. So imagine her shock when she see's him again years later. Calling it a tense reunion would be a mild way of putting it. She's been battling her own struggles all alone while trying to find a way out. She's tired of being used and abused.
Both of them are harboring quite a bit of hard feelings, guilt, betrayal, injustice, and a begrudging love for each other even after all this time. They are all trying to get to the bottom of who is out to get her after what she did to get free. Gage and Ainsley have a long way to go to work through all their issues to get to the other side in whatever way that may be.
These two were intense and I loved every minute of it. I loved seeing how it all started with them, how things went so wrong, and how they faced their feelings to find the truth of what really happened. I'm not ready to let this series go because it's just so good. But at the same time is wrapped up in such a great way with looks into where everyone ended up years down the road. I can't wait to see where this world will go with the Noire brothers next. And I can totally see myself reading this series over again.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
What a way to end a series…
Gage gets a blast from his past when he discovers the most recent woman rescued and protected in their shelter is none other than the woman who betrayed him in his past life. Before he was Gage, the KORT enforcer, he was Josh the mafia soldier. And Ainsley was the mafia princess he fell in love with. She's also the reason he hasn't been able to trust woman with very few exceptions.
Ainsley thought Gage had died while away in the military years ago. So imagine her shock when she see's him again years later. Calling it a tense reunion would be a mild way of putting it. She's been battling her own struggles all alone while trying to find a way out. She's tired of being used and abused.
Both of them are harboring quite a bit of hard feelings, guilt, betrayal, injustice, and a begrudging love for each other even after all this time. They are all trying to get to the bottom of who is out to get her after what she did to get free. Gage and Ainsley have a long way to go to work through all their issues to get to the other side in whatever way that may be.
These two were intense and I loved every minute of it. I loved seeing how it all started with them, how things went so wrong, and how they faced their feelings to find the truth of what really happened. I'm not ready to let this series go because it's just so good. But at the same time is wrapped up in such a great way with looks into where everyone ended up years down the road. I can't wait to see where this world will go with the Noire brothers next. And I can totally see myself reading this series over again.
Master by J.L. Quick
Sasha has gone from one bad relationship to another. She's found herself at the hands of poser Dominants using the lifestyle as a way to act out their abuse. When she's pushed into a scene at the club by her worst abuser, it's Liam who steps up as her hero. Even though they're strangers he can't sit back and watch her lose her life in a dangerous situation, especially not in his own club.
Abuse and mistreatment is all Sasha has ever known. She's always been at the mercy of a Dom and now without one she's a bit lost. When she seeks out the man who rescued her, she never imagined she would agree to be taught by him. He wants to show her what the lifestyle and a D/s relationship should really be about. He wants to help her build back her strength and confidence.
They agree on a contracted time as teacher and student. But it's not just Liam who pulls Sasha in. It's also his loud, outspoken, bold, and protective family that she's drawn to. He's not ready for a real relationship and she's not ready to trust anyone with her secrets or her heart. But how long can they really hold themselves back?
I loved Liam and Sasha together. There was an instant connection between them right from the start. The brothers and their beloved women welcomed her immediately and saw how much they effected and healed each other. The whole Evans crew is just fantastic and I can't wait for more.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
From Hero to Master…
Sasha has gone from one bad relationship to another. She's found herself at the hands of poser Dominants using the lifestyle as a way to act out their abuse. When she's pushed into a scene at the club by her worst abuser, it's Liam who steps up as her hero. Even though they're strangers he can't sit back and watch her lose her life in a dangerous situation, especially not in his own club.
Abuse and mistreatment is all Sasha has ever known. She's always been at the mercy of a Dom and now without one she's a bit lost. When she seeks out the man who rescued her, she never imagined she would agree to be taught by him. He wants to show her what the lifestyle and a D/s relationship should really be about. He wants to help her build back her strength and confidence.
They agree on a contracted time as teacher and student. But it's not just Liam who pulls Sasha in. It's also his loud, outspoken, bold, and protective family that she's drawn to. He's not ready for a real relationship and she's not ready to trust anyone with her secrets or her heart. But how long can they really hold themselves back?
I loved Liam and Sasha together. There was an instant connection between them right from the start. The brothers and their beloved women welcomed her immediately and saw how much they effected and healed each other. The whole Evans crew is just fantastic and I can't wait for more.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Fallen Foe by L.J. Shen
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Scorned Obsession by Victoria Paige
Some might say Bianca fell victim to the De Lucci obsession at a young age. She's always felt the pull to Sandro Rossi. From hero worship in adolescence to more as she became an adult. She saved him and he repeatedly saved her. He always saw her as a younger sister to look out for until the pivotal moment in her college days that caused things to change. Their age gap didn't feel the same. But even as her obsession with him continued he was determined to keep her at a distance. They secretly and not secretly stalked each other.
But events take a tragic turn, someone she cares for is in danger and she's put in a position she can't escape. Sandro becomes the enemy and the dynamic shifts. This mafia assassin who's always been her fierce protector is now someone else to her. They have to struggle to figure out their new roles in each other's lives and how it effects both of their families. Sandro will do whatever it takes to protect her, even when Bianca hates him for it.
I love these two together. I've loved the little hints at their interesting relationship building in the background of this series. So I've been waiting for their story. And I was not disappointed. This was so good. These two were definitely meant for each other. It was great to see Bianca grow into the powerful woman she never really realized she could be and to see Sandro step up and take charge.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers…
Some might say Bianca fell victim to the De Lucci obsession at a young age. She's always felt the pull to Sandro Rossi. From hero worship in adolescence to more as she became an adult. She saved him and he repeatedly saved her. He always saw her as a younger sister to look out for until the pivotal moment in her college days that caused things to change. Their age gap didn't feel the same. But even as her obsession with him continued he was determined to keep her at a distance. They secretly and not secretly stalked each other.
But events take a tragic turn, someone she cares for is in danger and she's put in a position she can't escape. Sandro becomes the enemy and the dynamic shifts. This mafia assassin who's always been her fierce protector is now someone else to her. They have to struggle to figure out their new roles in each other's lives and how it effects both of their families. Sandro will do whatever it takes to protect her, even when Bianca hates him for it.
I love these two together. I've loved the little hints at their interesting relationship building in the background of this series. So I've been waiting for their story. And I was not disappointed. This was so good. These two were definitely meant for each other. It was great to see Bianca grow into the powerful woman she never really realized she could be and to see Sandro step up and take charge.
🔥🔥🔥
Ruthless Rival by L.J. Shen
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0