dani_reads12's reviews
30 reviews

Keys to the Crown by Leah Mara

5.0

Keys To The Crown 

By  Leah Mara

Holy Four, What a way to start the new year.  

This is Leah's debut. 

This read had everything you didn't know you needed and MORE!!  Not only does this contain a map, but a pronunciation guide !!

I was lucky enough to be picked to read this masterpiece as an ARC. 

Kiera, now servant (and undercover spy) was the daughter, princess, of the head of The People's Councilors. 

She is one of my favorite FMC. 

Aiden, steals from the now king to help the less fortunate. this heartthrob, he falls first will have you swooning from start to finish!! And his nickname for Kiera, Little Thief🫠

 

Maz and Ruru, I need more of these two!! We all need a Maz in our life. 

You get sucked into the world with the flow of Leah's writing.  all the plot twist, lies and betrayals this book holds will keep you at the edge of your seat. 

The ONLY flaw this book has is the release date is Jan 9 AND I need book 2 as of NOW. 

Of Withering Dreams by Rowyn Adelaide

5.0

“For those who dare to dream and are a little bit of a beautiful nightmare. Dream Wickedly, you majestic creature”

And I’m hooked at the dedication! 💕

By The Ancients, I was picked to read this ARC!

Rowyn Adelaide has such an ease when writing. The world building in this book comes to life while you read. 

I was truly blown away with the writing style, plot, characters, and pacing of the book. I’m always drawn to names in books, Seryn and Alette were my favorite. 

Instantly you fall in love with the friendship Seryn and Kaden have. 

Gavrel, Kaden’s brother and apart of the Order of Dramur. 

For the last century when it’s Autumn Equinox, everyone goes into Dormancy pods and sleep until the Spring Equinox. 

This isn’t a choice. If reported to the Elders, they’re put to sleep forever, culled. 

Suddenly Seryn wakes from a Dormancy, but in a panic. Something’s not right. 

The PLOT starts to THICKEN (I love saying The plot be plotting) and SECRETS start to be revealed. 

And the tension… has you holding your breath and questioning, will they??  And which one will she choose!! 

But ohhh do they :) 

One of my favorite things about the book is all the twist and turns… yet not predictable… which we all know is a HUGE plus!!! 

I’ll be thinking about this read for the rest of my turns… 😏 iykyk! 

Spectacular by Stephanie Garber

fast-paced

5.0

Stephanie Garber you have done it again

BUT this time with the Christmas spirit.

I will forever follow Legend wherever he goes.

The book art made the story come to life even MORE.

Reserved for Her by Britt Stark

fast-paced

5.0

Reserved For Her

By Britt Stark

This is book two from A Crescent City Kings Football. 

Call me emotional, but from the start of this book, my heart was already breaking for Becca.

Becca, now in her 30s is a strong independent woman who doesn't want to be in a relationship.

Shyloh, He's a quarterback who has fallen in love with Becca at first sight.

The banter these two are giving is just right.

He "playfully" stalks her at the donut shop and grocery store. He reserves a seat for her every game, but she doesn't show up.

I do enjoy a good He Falls First Trope!

When fate wants you to end up with someone, there's no escaping. Like Vegas and the retreat.

Oh Donna, a side character you grow to love bc she notices how Shyloh looks at Becca, shecan smell the tension!!

In the words of wise Donna,

"You know... Life is unexpected. And sometimes the greatest joys in life are things that we didn't plan."

"And don't let a chance at love escape you just because you're scared. Because spoiler alert...Everyone is scared. Don't let the clutches of that fear stop you from being happy."

BOOM Donna, drop that mic and walk away!

(I'm telling you, best side character ever)

If there's one thing I can say I love about 

Shyloh, it's that he's persistent when he knows what he wants. And oh my goodness does he want Becca.

Of course you're wondering about the spice in this book, well let me tell you, it be spicing!!

By 59% of this book, I knew that I was in love with Shyloh.

And OH MY GOD call this a gasping twist I didn't see coming in Chapter 27!! The scream I screamed woke my neighbors up!

Britt Stark took my beating heart and ripped it out, cut it into pieces sewed it back up and placed it back in my chest cavity. This is how I can sum up Reserved For Her.

If there's one book I can recommend to you, this is it!

Will I be waiting for the next book in the series? YES

Someday Not Soon by Amelia Chasen

4.0

Someday Not Soon

By Amelia Chasen

Ella. 

Jude. 

Best friend’s brother kind of romance. Yes please. Sign me up. 

From the awkward moment these two met, you can tell they were meant for each other. Jude came in as a favor to his sister, to save Ella from a bad date. 

The story is told in dual timeline from both POV. Amelia’s writing makes you fall in love with this story and ease into the flashback and present. 

Not a true quote, but the moment I gasped and screamed “I think it’s the exact moment we both realized it’s a foolish uphill battle- one we’re bound to lose, no matter how hard we try.” 

This story touches your heart in so many ways. 

The character growth is always a plus. 

Truly a beautiful read. 

Pucks & Lutz by Kenna Bellrae

fast-paced

4.25

Pucks & Lutz

By Kenna Bellrae 

Navy- Figure Skater 

Jude- Hockey Player

What words can I say so you can understand my thoughts fully on this read. At first you’re like awwww the meet-cute was sweet, Navy was skating and Jude was practicing his hockey. Some drunken fools came and interrupted their night on the ice. Jude was like a hero. 

It was instant, but you can feel the way Jude falls in love at first sight with Navy. 

Now let’s fast forward to the next day, they meet up again, tension is running extremely high, that’s when the spice kicks in.  HELLO! That spice could have melted the ice. lol

This story is the 3 S’s!! Short. Sweet. Spicy. 

Their time spent together is absolutely adorable. He laces her skates. He gives her his jersey to wear. Jude is the book boyfriend you’ll want! 

“I know we haven’t really had the conversation, but I want more. I want the title, the responsibility- everything where you’re concerned, Nevara.” 

“I want to fall for you. Will you let me?”

Would I recommend this read? YES

Will you fall in love with Navy and Jude’s story? YES

Ares-Valentine Academy by S.P. Woods

dark inspiring mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Ares-Valentine Academy

By S.P. Woods

Ares-Valentines Academy is giving me The Magicians (The TV show) & Harry Potter Vibes.. and in my honest opinion it’s making me want to savor every chapter while I’m devouring this book! 

Let’s just start off by saying “Thank You for having my anxiety go from 0-50 real quick before starting this book when I saw ENDS IN CLIFFHANGER!” Lol

I’m officially hooked!

I have been in a reading slump and this book has magically pulled me out!! 

S.P Woods has a way of making you apart of the book with her writing. Automatically I feel this soft spoken energy flowing through the words. Her writing is addictive. It’s informative and fast paced.  Suddenly I became Harper, I felt as though I was trying on my school uniform for the first time. (Get me?)

Harper. 

Magic born living in the unenchanted with her uncle. Her parents died in an unknown fire along with other council members. 

Nickolas. 

Teacher and owner of the academy. 

Good at teaching but doesn’t like the students who are entitled brats & waste his time. 

From the moment you meet Professor Nick, you love his attitude. His life has been consumed with finding the truth about the night his parents died in the fire along with the other council members. 

Everyone has their one true mate. 

Harper and Nick both have the same attitudes towards being mated, it’s not their top priority. BUT Fate had her own plans. 

Another plus about this read is the friends that Harper makes. Blythe and Levi came together and helped Harper with her magic while others in the academy didn’t believe in her. You grow to love each and every character in this book. Talk about growth 🤍

Thanks For Coming Along by Nadine Long

emotional medium-paced

4.25

Thanks For Coming Along

From the start of this book, you fall in love with the friendship that Eden and Ingrid have. 

 Eden is a musician. Lovable. Strong. And feisty. 

Ronan is the opposite. Sweet and Charming. 

If you’re looking for a slow burn healing romance, this is your book. Eden and Ronan’s story is absolutely touching. Nadine has a way with captivating you with her writing. 

I am a sucker for banter, this book has me swooning and kicking my feet. 

Sign me up for book 2, I need more. 

Kingdom of Shadows and Wings by Nina Frost

adventurous dark inspiring 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? N/A

5.0

I was the luckiest girl to get this as an ARC. 

I have not been able to find a read the help me ease my pain, wait and anxiety for Onyx Storm until this book right here. Hello, DRAGONS!! 

This amazing book takes fourth wing and dark academia to the next level. 

Nina better have book 2 done like NOW bc I need more. 

Will I read this again? YES. 

Do I need book 2 now? FU&K YEAAAA!

 

Shaedes of Power by Jenny Grimes

adventurous fast-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

Ladies And Gentlefae welcome to my book review. From the start of this book I was hooked. 

Leyanna, Dru and Opal are faeries from the Shaede Court working at Espresso Yourself in the “human realm” .. you are automatically transported to that cafe with Jenny’s writing. I’m always drawn to names, Leyanna by far is one of my favorites. 

Opal is a strong FMC. You fall in love with her, you want to feel sorry for her not gaining a Shaede. Then the story all ties together with that OH moment 🤯 and your mind gets blown YET AGAIN! Mind you, this is only 50% of the book!! 

Shaede Court, there are no king and queens. They’re species divided by color, which is called Shaede. 

No Shaede: Natural- posses common faerie magic, but limited in their power.

Opal, hasn’t gotten her Shaede. 

 Farris, he has me intrigued since you first meet him. Daily coffee drinker and regular at Opals job. Learning of Farris’ backstory.. tears. 

Opal and Farris’ meet-cute at the library was when I knew I fell in love with this book. You can sense the tension between the two. 

And the plot be plotting in this book. I don’t want to say much to give anything away, but jaw on the floor moment happened at the Shaede Court with the Night Court.  

  

Then we meet Edmyn. Prince of the Night Court. 

“Not everything that is dark is meant to be menacing”

Edmyn is a red flag who you shouldn’t like, but oh lord I think I’m colorblind bc why do I see green? 🥵

Even with his nickname for Opal, Little Prism. I do love an Enemies To Lovers trope. Yeaaaa friends to lovers, cute, great BUT enemies. Yes please.