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chelsealee's reviews
1036 reviews
Pucking Obsessed by Rosemary A. Johns
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Our favorite foursome is back in action, and the obsession is at an all-time high.
In the last book, we are left with a father's sin coming back to haunt our four with the hopes to ruin the Bay Rebels chance at making it into the playoffs. As we enter into this story, someone from one of the men's past is holding on to them and hoping to break apart the group.
This book is heartbreaking and healing at the same time. We have gotten glimpses of D'Angelo and Edens past, but this book opens up more of that darkness and lets you see what happened that helped shaped them to the present, while strengthening the bond between all four.
Of course we have plenty of Shay's golden retriever antics, D'Angelo's dominating, Eden's stoic strength and Robyn's enjoyment of all three while learning what it means to be in a healthy, loving relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect.
Spice: 3.75/5
MFMM
Triggers: blackmail, dubcon with BDSM, assault
In the last book, we are left with a father's sin coming back to haunt our four with the hopes to ruin the Bay Rebels chance at making it into the playoffs. As we enter into this story, someone from one of the men's past is holding on to them and hoping to break apart the group.
This book is heartbreaking and healing at the same time. We have gotten glimpses of D'Angelo and Edens past, but this book opens up more of that darkness and lets you see what happened that helped shaped them to the present, while strengthening the bond between all four.
Of course we have plenty of Shay's golden retriever antics, D'Angelo's dominating, Eden's stoic strength and Robyn's enjoyment of all three while learning what it means to be in a healthy, loving relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect.
Spice: 3.75/5
MFMM
Triggers: blackmail, dubcon with BDSM, assault
How to Fail at Escaping an Alpha Orc by Liz E. Cooper
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Daria- A necromancer omega whose passion lies in baking sweets, and lives with her ghostly best friend. All she wants to do is own a bakery, occasionally helping the local police, and read her romance books. The last thing she wanted was to live her romance novels by being kidnapped by a tall, tattooed, alpha orc who wants her to raise some dead demon...
Marcus- An ex-enforcer of his family's mafia empire, all he wants to do is live a peaceful, quiet life, creating art on others skin. What he wasn't wanting was to be blackmailed into kidnapping a necromancer to save his little brothers life. He definitely didn't expect to fall for his captive or have to work so hard at keeping the little baker from escaping.
Be prepared for laughs, sparks, and a dash of organized crime in this must-read monster romance, as I couldn't put it down.
Spice: 3/5 ....Can we say K N O T T Y ? 😉
Monster/Human Omega
Triggers: There is a trigger warning page, but compared to some other books this is PG/PG-13 as far as they go. But still read the warning page.
Marcus- An ex-enforcer of his family's mafia empire, all he wants to do is live a peaceful, quiet life, creating art on others skin. What he wasn't wanting was to be blackmailed into kidnapping a necromancer to save his little brothers life. He definitely didn't expect to fall for his captive or have to work so hard at keeping the little baker from escaping.
Be prepared for laughs, sparks, and a dash of organized crime in this must-read monster romance, as I couldn't put it down.
Spice: 3/5 ....Can we say K N O T T Y ? 😉
Monster/Human Omega
Triggers: There is a trigger warning page, but compared to some other books this is PG/PG-13 as far as they go. But still read the warning page.
Oath of War by Olena Nikitin
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I loved Broken Oath so much, and the Oath of War is no different.
We experience new love, loss, betrayal and so much more in this final book of the Cursed Bonds duology.
Orm learns to open himself to those closest to him, and in doing so, learns to control the wild magic flowing through his veins.
Alaric finally accepts he is more than his curse and deserves love and forgiveness for the evil of his family.
And Annika has learned that she can have a life after her broken oaths and find the peace she didn't think she deserved.
Oh, and how can we forget about Vahin? He is my favorite dragon, and we get to learn more about him and the sacrifices he has made in his long life.
Of course, there is so much more that happens within the pages, but you need to experience it for yourself.
Spice: 2.5/5
MMF
Triggers: On page violence, attempted kidnapping
We experience new love, loss, betrayal and so much more in this final book of the Cursed Bonds duology.
Orm learns to open himself to those closest to him, and in doing so, learns to control the wild magic flowing through his veins.
Alaric finally accepts he is more than his curse and deserves love and forgiveness for the evil of his family.
And Annika has learned that she can have a life after her broken oaths and find the peace she didn't think she deserved.
Oh, and how can we forget about Vahin? He is my favorite dragon, and we get to learn more about him and the sacrifices he has made in his long life.
Of course, there is so much more that happens within the pages, but you need to experience it for yourself.
Spice: 2.5/5
MMF
Triggers: On page violence, attempted kidnapping
Surge of Storms by Lacey Carter Andersen
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
How can one gush about the ending of a series without GIVING AWAY the end of the series?
Let's see how vague I can be, if you have followed my other reviews on this series, you should be catching on pretty quickly.....
Ok, lets start!
Granger.....We left him on a cliff hanger, did he live? Is he dead? WHAT HAPPENED??? All I can say, is Granger will always be my favorite.
Zander is my second favorite, as how can he not be? His child like wonder in the face of the new world he woke up in, his love of all things fluffy and his complete disregard of what is "manly" has me in stitches.
Evander and Aydan have taken a back seat in this book, and I am honestly ok with it. They still have their moments, but their constant need to one up each other has diminished and they have a solid bromance.
Sam has come into her own and has embraced the dragon harem life with open arms and new found family, which makes me think we might see more of these dragons in the future.
Let's see how vague I can be, if you have followed my other reviews on this series, you should be catching on pretty quickly.....
Ok, lets start!
Granger.....We left him on a cliff hanger, did he live? Is he dead? WHAT HAPPENED??? All I can say, is Granger will always be my favorite.
Zander is my second favorite, as how can he not be? His child like wonder in the face of the new world he woke up in, his love of all things fluffy and his complete disregard of what is "manly" has me in stitches.
Evander and Aydan have taken a back seat in this book, and I am honestly ok with it. They still have their moments, but their constant need to one up each other has diminished and they have a solid bromance.
Sam has come into her own and has embraced the dragon harem life with open arms and new found family, which makes me think we might see more of these dragons in the future.
Captive Queen by May Dawson
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh what a web we weave, with secrets entangled so deep.....
May has taken the plunge in writing her first solo contemporary, with her previous ones co-written with CR Jane. And she did not disappoint in this book.
If you like mafia, touch her and die, and secrets galore, this is the book to pick up. In its pages you are introduced to Celia, a mafia princess who is riddled with guilt, secrets, and a plan for revenge, but what she was not expecting was the brother of her first and only love, to come back into her life as her fiancé.
Gabriel has risen through the ranks and resurrected his family name back to the top of the mafia world. And he has a plan, one that involves Celia and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means working with the enemy.
We are also introduced to Luca and Dante and these two are as different as night and day, but together may be able to give both Celia and Gabriel what they want, but will either survive?
Spice: 1.5/5 but I am 1000% certain we will see the fireworks in book 2.
This is shaping up to be a why choose/RH series
Triggers: Violence, flashbacks of abuse to the FMC, kidnapping. Read the triggers, as this is a dark romance.
May has taken the plunge in writing her first solo contemporary, with her previous ones co-written with CR Jane. And she did not disappoint in this book.
If you like mafia, touch her and die, and secrets galore, this is the book to pick up. In its pages you are introduced to Celia, a mafia princess who is riddled with guilt, secrets, and a plan for revenge, but what she was not expecting was the brother of her first and only love, to come back into her life as her fiancé.
Gabriel has risen through the ranks and resurrected his family name back to the top of the mafia world. And he has a plan, one that involves Celia and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means working with the enemy.
We are also introduced to Luca and Dante and these two are as different as night and day, but together may be able to give both Celia and Gabriel what they want, but will either survive?
Spice: 1.5/5 but I am 1000% certain we will see the fireworks in book 2.
This is shaping up to be a why choose/RH series
Triggers: Violence, flashbacks of abuse to the FMC, kidnapping. Read the triggers, as this is a dark romance.
Heartless Wolf by Skyler Andra
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Are you looking for a rejected mates trope? Maybe some MC action, or family drama? Maybe some angst and groveling? Or how about some light kidnapping by a possessive alpha?
Heartless Wolf has its paws in quite a few tropes and follows through nicely on them all.
We are introduced to Dash and Liv, both Alphas and Heirs to their respective packs, with a history that goes back quite a few years. Though in the present, both are fighting to free themselves from mistakes of the past, and uphold the safety of their packs, even if that means letting go of each other...Or is fate about to interject, resulting in a potential war?
Spice: 2.5/5
MF
Triggers: A few, but the author has given a little blurb at the beginning of each chapter, forewarning you of any potential triggers.
Heartless Wolf has its paws in quite a few tropes and follows through nicely on them all.
We are introduced to Dash and Liv, both Alphas and Heirs to their respective packs, with a history that goes back quite a few years. Though in the present, both are fighting to free themselves from mistakes of the past, and uphold the safety of their packs, even if that means letting go of each other...Or is fate about to interject, resulting in a potential war?
Spice: 2.5/5
MF
Triggers: A few, but the author has given a little blurb at the beginning of each chapter, forewarning you of any potential triggers.
Eat Me by Aspen Winters
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Eat Me is the beginning of a dark romance duet. While we don't experience any of the "romance" in this book, we do get plenty of dark themes, with easter eggs of what to expect in the next book.
Victoria (Tori) has lived a hard life. While we don't get into her past, we do experience some of her hardships in the present. Working multiple jobs to try to stay afloat, she is struggling. As she leaves one of her jobs, she is kidnapped and forced into the ultimate game of survival with 6 other girls. Each test pushes her further into a darkness she has kept hidden, and if she survives what will she turn into?
This book has some very dark themes and the way it is written makes you ask if this is a dark romance or a thriller. It is marketed as a dark romance, so I expect to see the "romance" in the next book. Kidnapping, dubcon-borderline, violence, are some themes we see in this book. Read the triggers.
Spice: 0/5
Four brothers are looking for a wife to join their family....
Triggers: Read the trigger pages.
Victoria (Tori) has lived a hard life. While we don't get into her past, we do experience some of her hardships in the present. Working multiple jobs to try to stay afloat, she is struggling. As she leaves one of her jobs, she is kidnapped and forced into the ultimate game of survival with 6 other girls. Each test pushes her further into a darkness she has kept hidden, and if she survives what will she turn into?
This book has some very dark themes and the way it is written makes you ask if this is a dark romance or a thriller. It is marketed as a dark romance, so I expect to see the "romance" in the next book. Kidnapping, dubcon-borderline, violence, are some themes we see in this book. Read the triggers.
Spice: 0/5
Four brothers are looking for a wife to join their family....
Triggers: Read the trigger pages.
Surge of Ice by Lacey Carter Andersen
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Miss Lacey is not slowing down in this book. In fact, I am pretty sure she hit the gas and broke the brakes, 'cause she ain't stopping.
In this book we are introduced to Zane, who instantly became my new obsession when he showed his obsession over cats. 😂 He is the needed coolness to tame the fire of Evander and Aydan.
Speaking of Aydan and Evander, they seem to have been able to find a common enemy to put their differences aside when it comes to Sam, and we get to experience the heat it brings!
And lest we not forget about Granger....And with the thickening tension along with THAT ENDING, I have full faith we will be seeing more in the final book.
Spice: 3/5
MFMM
Triggers: Rioting and acts of violence due to dragon destruction
In this book we are introduced to Zane, who instantly became my new obsession when he showed his obsession over cats. 😂 He is the needed coolness to tame the fire of Evander and Aydan.
Speaking of Aydan and Evander, they seem to have been able to find a common enemy to put their differences aside when it comes to Sam, and we get to experience the heat it brings!
And lest we not forget about Granger....And with the thickening tension along with THAT ENDING, I have full faith we will be seeing more in the final book.
Spice: 3/5
MFMM
Triggers: Rioting and acts of violence due to dragon destruction
Monsterland Mayhem by Lexi C. Foss
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I went into this book with the only notion that this could possibly be a darker retelling of Alice in Wonderland and I liked the way the cover looked....
This book did not disappoint. It sucked me in within the first couple pages and kept me guessing the entire time. I loved that the MCF was relatable in the sense of her response to what was happening was "W T F" instead of the typical insta-acceptance.
The characters all held traces of our beloved Alice in Wonderland characters with a twist. And the ending was one that I was not expecting.
Spice: 3/5-Slow Burn FYI
Why Choose
Triggers: There are darker themes in this book so make sure you read the introduction
This book did not disappoint. It sucked me in within the first couple pages and kept me guessing the entire time. I loved that the MCF was relatable in the sense of her response to what was happening was "W T F" instead of the typical insta-acceptance.
The characters all held traces of our beloved Alice in Wonderland characters with a twist. And the ending was one that I was not expecting.
Spice: 3/5-Slow Burn FYI
Why Choose
Triggers: There are darker themes in this book so make sure you read the introduction
Reap the Night by Debbie Cassidy
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Debbie left us with quite the cliff hanger in the last book, and this follow up ended on an even BIGGER cliff hanger.
Part of me was hoping this was the final book as I haven't had the emotional span to invest in a series that isn't completed that is more than three books. But after starting and finishing this book, I am glad there is more.
Besides the relationships of Orina, Ordell, Hemlock and Ezekial, we get more page time of Merry, Edwin, and Padma, and I am itching to get more of their story. Especially our dear half fae Merry. What hidden secrets does she have? What is Crush hiding? And what is happening to our sweet Godor???
Get ready for more twists and turns....
Spice: 1.5/5 (Finally some action! Definitely not the focus though)
M/F-Why Choose....Still unsure...Leaning towards the latter
Triggers: We get flashbacks of Ezekial's time with L and there is brief mentions of SA, and torture. Self flogging, attempted kidnapping and SA to MCF.
Part of me was hoping this was the final book as I haven't had the emotional span to invest in a series that isn't completed that is more than three books. But after starting and finishing this book, I am glad there is more.
Besides the relationships of Orina, Ordell, Hemlock and Ezekial, we get more page time of Merry, Edwin, and Padma, and I am itching to get more of their story. Especially our dear half fae Merry. What hidden secrets does she have? What is Crush hiding? And what is happening to our sweet Godor???
Get ready for more twists and turns....
Spice: 1.5/5 (Finally some action! Definitely not the focus though)
M/F-Why Choose....Still unsure...Leaning towards the latter
Triggers: We get flashbacks of Ezekial's time with L and there is brief mentions of SA, and torture. Self flogging, attempted kidnapping and SA to MCF.