charleys_bookshelf's Reviews (252)

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

Ashley Herring Blake

5.0

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"I am your happily ever after."

"You're here, I am; sorry it took me so long."

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Blake is the third book in the Bright Falls series and my most anticipated book in the series! I was screaming when I read that Iris Kelly doesn't date was a fake dating scheme! I love fake dating tropes; they are so messy and fun! I knew after reading the first two books I was going to love Iris Kelly as a character, and I was incredibly excited to pick up the third book in this series!

Iris Kelly isn't interested in love or relationships (so she says), and Stevie is looking for a way to get over her ex and their long-term relationship! When an attempt at a one-night stand goes disastrous, Stevie tells a little white lie, and Iris decides to play along! Ashley Blake has a great way of righting these couples who seem like they shouldn't fit together but making you route for them to fall in love!

I wanted more interactions with Iris and her friend group and for them to be more active in what was going on. However, I was obsessed with Iris and Stevie; I loved the spicy scenes and the big romantic gestures! I loved this book and am sad to see this series ending. You can pick this book up without reading the first two books (which I love)! But if you liked the first two books, this book will satisfy everything for you, which may be the new favorite in the series.

His Wicked Ways

Melissa Foster

4.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

His Wicked Ways by Melissa Foster is the fifth book in the The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside series.

I am a fan of Melissa Foster's Romance books already, and this book did not disappoint. I jumped into this series with this book and could follow the story and surroundings without issues, so you can pick up any book and start reading!

I enjoyed this being a softer bicker club read; most motorcycle club reads darker and more triggering regarding relationships and storytelling. While there are still triggers in this book, the romance and interactions of the main characters are softer and more tender. Melissa Foster does a good job building a world and creating an interconnected standalone series that makes you want to learn more about the other characters and their stories! I enjoyed Blaine's (MMC) and Reece's (FMC) relationship and how Blaine, a man who didn't do relationships, immediately released he wanted one with Reece and was ready to do anything to make her life easier and more comfortable.

I enjoyed reading this story with the banter, cute nicknames, and spice; I recommend picking up His Wicked Ways!

*ARC Review

Tortured Beasts

Mandy Muse

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Tortured Beasts by Mandy Muse

“The more I learned about these men, the more I realized they were just tortured beasts, trying to survive in a world that had been against them from the start.”

This is the second book in The Belladona and Her Beasts series. This second book picks up exactly where book one left us on a cliffhanger! Katarina spends this book trying to find ways to break the curse and learn all she can! I loved reading the emotions and feelings of the different characters throughout. However, it did get a little repetitive in the middle.

“As much as I craved her, needed her, felt empty without her, mating with Katarina felt like a cruel joke.”

Watching Aeon and Zev struggle with their feelings for Katarina was so real and raw to read. I loved the fight and passion of the three men, and she made the tension and spice even more fun to read!

This book left on another pretty big cliffhanger, but I’m excited to see how the story will wrap up in the third and final book! Mandy Muse’s writing is always fun and engaging to read! I would highly recommend this series if you are into witchy, wolf shifters, why choose, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers tropes!