crystal_dark's reviews
267 reviews

A Miracle for the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was another great addition to the Treasured by the Alien series and I loved getting to know Lauren and Krestar. This book had a good storyline and I enjoyed getting to see how Lauren and Krestar grew closer as the story continued as well as having some fun side characters. The epilogue was fun as well and I like that we got to see how some characters from other books are doing as well. I look forward to reading Hope for the Alien Warrior and finding out what happened with Lauren's friend Felicity & Luxor.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Wingless Hope: A Thumbelina Retelling by Sydney Winward

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This was my first Retelling of Thumbelina and was a very entertaining story with several great characters, excellent world building, and a few unexpected twists. I really enjoyed getting to know Briar & Quinn and watching their relationship develop. The last chapter was also really sweet and a great way of wrapping up the story. I look forward to reading more fairy tale retellings by Sydney Winward in the future.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Goldie and the Big Bad Werewolf: Sweet & Cozy Romance Fantasy by Candice O'Meara

adventurous lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

This was a fun story with more inspiration from Red Riding Hood than Goldilocks as well as plenty of its own original story. I liked both Goldie and Fenris as well as how well the world around them was built up. The background characters were entertaining as well and the epilogue when Goldie finally gets to her Grandma’s house was amusing.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Turned at Dark by C.C. Hunter

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

This book does a good job of introducing Della Tsang, I have read the Shadow Falls Series before but this book is a nice introduction to the world and I am glad I read it.

This is Shadow Falls Book #0.5
Shadow Falls Book #01 is Born at Midnight

Della Tsang is also the main character in the spin-off series Shadow Falls: After Dark
Shadow Falls: After Dark Book #01 is Reborn

Feathers of Fate by Laura Greenwood

hopeful lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this Retelling of The Goose Girl and while it isn't a fairy tale that I am overly familiar with I have read a few other retellings. I loved getting to see Helena and Wilhelm's story finally come together and really liked the two of them a couple. I look forward to reading more of this series and exploring more fairy tales in this world.

Series Character and Story Connections

Rapunzel and Gavin's story are in Tower Of Thorns: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of Rapunzel (Book 01)

Ella's story is in Pumpkins And Proms: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of Cinderella (Book 03)

Marigold's story is in Lilies Of Loss: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of The Frog Prince (Book 04)

Lamps And Lies: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of Aladdin by Laura Greenwood

lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

I really enjoyed reading this gender-swapped Retelling of Aladdin about Alyeesah and Prince Enver. The Genie was a fun character as well and I enjoyed seeing how everything worked out. The epilogue for their story was really nice and I am looking forward to reading the next book and what happened for Helena.

Series Character and Story Connections

Briar Rose's story is in Spindles And Spells: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of Sleeping Beauty (Book 02)

Princess Snow's story is in Mirrors And Magic: A Fairy Tale Retelling Of Snow White (Book 07)

Fatin & Helena's story will be in Feathers Of Fate : A Fairy Tale Retelling Of The Goose Girl (Book 09)

Lady Guinevere, her friend Lancelot, & her betrothed all appear in The Almost Queen: A Legend Retelling Of Guinevere and Lancelot (Book 10) and The Rightful King: A Legend Retelling Of King Arthur (Book 11)

Rescued by the Mountain Man by Lilah Hart

lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

I enjoyed getting to read Justin & Piper's story in this fun instalove story set in Rosewood Ridge, Tennesse . This was the final book in this set of books but I am looking forward to the next series Rosewood Ridge Rescue.

Rosewood Ridge Riders
Prequel is Taken by the Mountain Man: Cooper & Lynlee
Protected by the Mountain Man: Dylan & Delaney
Challenged by the Mountain Man: Nate & Terra
Saved by the Mountain Man: Colin & Violet
Charmed by the Mountain Man: Topher & Everly
Loved by the the Mountain Man: Brendon & Ashland
⛰️ Rescued by the Mountain Man: Justin & Piper.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Rosewood Ridge Mavericks Complete Collection by Lilah Hart

lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

I read each book in this series individually before the set was released.

Prequel is Feuding with the Mountain Man: An Age Gap Forced Proximity Romance: Zack & Ashlynn
This is the prequel to Lilah Hart's newest series of instalove mountain men books and takes place in Rosewood Ridge. The main couple in this book is Zack & Ashlynn and it sets things up for the rest of the series. I look forward to reading more from this series.

Stuck with the Mountain Man: Travis & Sierra
This was the first official book in the Rosewood Ridge Mavericks series of instalove mountain man books and is centered around Travis & Sierra. I really enjoyed reading their story and look forward to reading more about Montana in the next book Tangling with the Mountain Man.

Tangling with the Mountain Man: Rowe & Montana
This is the second book in the Rosewood Ridge Mavericks series and is about Ashlynn's friend named Montana who is a message therapist and a friend of Zack's named Rowe. Each story in this series can be read on it's own even if they do have ties to previous stories. I look forward to reading more from this series as well as other books from this author.

Bonding with the Mountain Man: Julian & Gwendolyn
This is the third book set at the Rosewood Ridge Retreat Center and is about Julian & Gwendolyn getting together. I liked how after they meet Gwendolyn comes out of her shell and is able to stand up for herself. Each story in this series can be read on it's own even if they do have ties to previous stories. I look forward to reading more from this series as well as other books from this author.

Obsessed with the Mountain Man: Luke & Ally
This is the fourth book in the series of standalone instalove romances that take place in Rosewood Ridge and it focuses on how Luke (Country Singer) & Ally (Journalist) get together. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this series and author.

Escaping with the Mountain Man: Derek & Sadie
This is the fifth book in the series of standalone instalove romances set in Rosewood Ridge and is about Derek and a runaway bride named Sadie. I really enjoyed reading their story and thought that the epilogue was fun as well. I look forward to reading the next book about Makenna.

Reuniting with the Mountain Man: Jesse & Makenna
This is the sixth book in the series of standalone instalove romances set in Rosewood Ridge and is a fun second chance romance involving Jesse & Makenna reuniting after being apart for seven years. I enjoyed getting to know both of them in this story and am looking forward to reading the spin off series Rosewood Ridge Riders that is briefly hinted at in this story.

I received a free advanced reader copy of each book individually and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Wallflower's Midsummer Night's Caper by Alina K. Field

emotional lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was my first book by Alina K. Field and I really enjoyed it. It was full of fun and interesting characters as well as an enjoyable story that drew me into it's world. I liked both Nancy and Simon and seeing her scheme against him with the help of some of her family while he was trying to figure out exactly what he did to anger her. I am also adding a few of this authors other books to my TBR list that are about some of the other members of the Lovelace family since I would like to read more about them.

Convincing the Countess: George & Sophie Halverton's Story
The Impetuous Heiress: Fitz & Mary's Story

The author also mentioned being in the early stages of a story about Lady Chilcombe as well as a possible story Lady Neda Loughton that I look forward to hearing more about in the future.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Naga Scavenger's Precious Mate by Robin O'Connor

adventurous emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was another great addition to this series and I was so glad to finally read it after how the previous book left off with such a dramatic introduction of Zeidon. I loved getting to know Zeidon and how caring he was with Farah and all the injured animals he took care of. Srazz and Buzz were such cute characters as well! I look forward to reading the next book in this series and seeing Min-Ji & Corin finally get a story.

Serpents of Serant Series
The Naga Hunter's Lost Mate: Charlie & Mox
The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate: Vera & Zathar
The Naga Brute's Warrior Mate: Kalani & Iave
The Naga Warlord's Virgin Mate: Naomi & Krashe
The Naga Maverick's Determined Mate: Cosima & Zsekhet
The Naga Scavenger's Precious Mate: Farah & Zeidon
Book 06 will be about Min-Ji & Corin

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.