crystal_dark's reviews
276 reviews

Goldie's Grumpy Grizzly by Coco Elliot

emotional reflective

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

5.0

This was a very enjoyable Retelling of Goldilocks set in Fable Forest. I really liked getting to know all the different characters especially Rae Golding & Cole Osborne. The rest of the Osborne family were fun to get to know and seeing how they all interacted with one another was great, especially Mama Osborne. I look forward to seeing what other stories this author comes up with in the future.

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

Dad Bod Gorgon by Kat Baxter, Violet Rae

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

4.25

This was my first romance book with a Gorgon as a main character and it was really interesting. I enjoyed getting to know both Gideon and Verity as well as the mention of Fable Forest from the new Filthy Fairy Tales multi-author series. This was my first book from either of these authors and I plan to look into their other books in the future.

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

Pursued By The Hunter by Lynnea Lee

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

4.5

This book is the prequel to the Xarc'n Warriors Series and does a good job of introducing the world this series takes place in. I backtracked for this book since I have already read a lot of the books that have been released so far and have enjoyed them all so far. It was nice to get to read about Cynthia & Cov’k and I also enjoyed the mentions of other characters whose stories I have already read.

Xarc'n Warriors Series
Prequel is Pursued by the Hunter: Cynthia & Cov’k
Claimed by the Hunter: Alice & Kaj’k
Wanted by the Hunter: Natalie & Rajiv’k
Taken by the Hunter: Connie & Jorg’k
Cherished by the Hunter: Evie & Tarv’k
Rescued by the Hunter: Nikki & Koriv’n
Stolen by the Hunter: Meghan & Mal’k
Captured by the Hunter: Tilly & Rayk’n
Hunter's Quest: Morgan & Rhaz’k
Protected by the Hunter: Siobhan & Zec’k
Desired by the Hunter: Aanya & Haax’l
Coveted by the Hunter: Heather & Nov’k
Craved by the Hunter: Sam & Kan’n

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

An Enduring Hope: A Wild Swans Retelling by

emotional hopeful

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

5.0

This was a fairy tale Retelling of Wild Swans about Nadja, her seven brothers, and her childhood sweetheart Maxmillian. I really enjoyed reading about Nadja and Maxmillian and hearing them reminisce about their childhood when they were reunited at the beginning of the story before Nadja's father married their stepmother. This was an enjoyable retelling of this fairy tale and I look forward to reading more from this series of standalone fairy tale retellings.

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

Alien in Disguise (Forbidden Bonds #05) by Cara Bristol

adventurous emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the fifth and final book in the Forbidden Bonds Series by Cara Bristol and although it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone it is better after reading the previous books. I really enjoyed reading this book and all the characters including the occasional scene involving Jessie's tuxedo cat James Bond. Maxx was a fun character to get to know. This story had a few unexpected twists and I liked how the epilogue tied things together as well as gave us a chance to see characters from previous books. I look forward to seeing what Cara Bristol comes out with next.

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

Forbidden Bonds Series
Alien With Benefits (Forbidden Bonds Book #01): Holly Winters & Prince Aeon
Alien Incognito (Forbidden Bonds Book #02): Giselle Cartier & Joule
Alien Undone (Forbidden Bonds Book #03): Millie Rogers & Nadir
Alien Disgraced (Forbidden Bonds Book #04): Kat Whalen & Prince Lomax
Alien in Disguise (Forbidden Bonds Book #05): Jessie Sayles & Maxx

Saved by the Mountain Man by Lilah Hart

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

This was a fun standalone instalove romance about Colin & Violet set in Rosewood Ridge, Tennessee. I enjoyed meeting both the characters in this story and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series about Topher and his new nanny.

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 & New Nanny?
Loved by the Mountain Man
Rescued by the Mountain Man

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

Molly and the Minotaur by Bea Gallo

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was my first book by Bea Gallo and I really enjoyed the world this story took place in and hope that the author writes more books set in Minos Falls, North Carolina in the future about some of the other characters. Leo and Molly are both strong characters and I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how their story came together.

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

Protected by the Alien Warmachine by Leslie Chase

adventurous emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

This was an interesting story by Leslie Chase as well as a good addition to the series of standalone books in the My Monster, My Protector series by various different authors. I enjoyed getting to know both Talia & Kal’va throughout the book and thought that the epilogue was a fun way of wrapping up the story. I look forward to reading more from this author and series in the future.

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

Eliza's Cursed Dragon by Bella Blair

adventurous emotional lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a really fun Retelling of The Wild Swans full of wonderful characters that I loved getting to know. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Eliza and Edward developed and Elizabeth brothers and their antics were amusing at times as well. The epilogue was a great way of tying the story together and I really enjoyed reading this book. I haven't read a lot of variations for this fairy tale so far but this book was a fun take on it.

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

Written in the Stars by Leslie Chase

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

5.0

This was my first book by Leslie Chase and I really enjoyed it. All the characters were well written and I loved Megan’s alien cat Nebula and her collar that allowed her to be communicate. This was a fast paced story and I enjoyed getting to know Drask & Megan as well as Megan’s neighbors. It would be nice to see more from this world about some of the other characters in the future.

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