jess_bythebook's reviews
449 reviews

Madness by Shantel Tessier

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This might be one of Shantel’s spiciest books to date! She is the queen of dark romance and no one can convince me otherwise. This has passion, suspense, steam, and tension galore! 

 

“If I can’t have love, I want power.” 

 

Annabelle has her first assignment and it’s none other than Haidyn, one of the ruthless and cruel Spade brothers. To get ahead, everything with the Lords requires a sacrifice and Annabelle is willing to pay it. Even if it means giving up herself in the process. 

 

“It might require some chains and ropes, but that’s okay. Every woman deserves some accessories.” 

 

Truthfully, Annabelle wasn’t my favorite FMC, but Haidyn made me want to come back for more again and again. And again. If you have no triggers, best to go in blind with this one. If the spice doesn’t shock you, the mystery and plot twists definitely will!

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Vale of Dreams by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I. Am. Obsessed. Like… feet kicking, giddy laughter, clutching my pearls with a gasp of surprise type of obsessed. I thought there was no way this would be as good as the first one. I was wrong. 

 

“Why don’t you tell me what you want? I already know, Nia. But I want to hear you say it.” 

 

Nia is deep undercover for this book, acting as the mistress to the most powerful fae enemy their world has ever seen - the Dream Stalker. After figuring out her power of mind control almost immediately, he blackmails her into doing what he wants. She’s playing him, sending intel to Avalon Tower, trying to uphold her cover, and all while juggling lie upon lie for the sake of the oncoming war. But lines begin to blur when the Dream Stalker’s intentions become clear. Or is that all an act, too? 

 

“You might loathe me, but you are mine now, and if anyone tried to burn you at the stake, I’d make them wish they were never born.” 

 

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. The tension was drool-worthy, the action was nonstop, and the banter?! Seriously, it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. I loved every minute of this book and it quickly shot to my personal favorites list. But beware because that cliffhanger ending will leave you begging for more! 

 

“This was always how it was going to end, wasn’t it? With heartbreak. I knew that from the start.” 

 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Magic Under His Nose by Candice Gilmer

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-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

3.0

Shadows of the Crown by Dakota Monroe

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A really fun read! I feel like this is a cross between The Selection and Hunger Games, but more adult and with spice. And, not gonna lie, I’m here for it. 

 

“The prince and the assassin —caught in a deadly game that has succeeded in blurring the line I created between revenge and desire.” 

 

What do you do when the king summons you to live in his castle and participate in deadly trials? You plot your plan of attack against his family, of course. Especially if you’re Ariella - the extremely lethal Silver Wraith assassin. However, getting close to his son means opening up a side of herself she wasn’t ever prepared to show. Can she let go of her anger for a chance at something greater? Even when she stumbles upon his secrets? 

 

“You took what you thought you were owed.” 

I press the blade to his chest until his eyes focus on mine. 

“So did I.” 

 

Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a dangerous competition all add to this recipe of success for this book. And while I do wish some things were touched on more in order to fully round out the storyline (the necklaces and friendships in particular), I thoroughly enjoyed every single page. The author beautifully wove a fine line between spicy tension and edge of your seat adventure and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. 

 

I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Avalon Tower by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford

adventurous inspiring mysterious 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 finished this 500 page book in less than 24 hours. When I tell you I couldn’t put it down… I read it during dinner, well past 2am, and I opened it as soon as I woke up. This. World. Is. Addicting! 

 

Nia just wants a slice of lavender cake for her birthday. However, not only did the waiter bring her blackberry instead, but she also got semi-kidnapped by her super lethal and furiously charming ex-boyfriend. Now she’s thrown into a spy academy where half the college is determined to get her thrown out. Or killed. 

 

“You look like you hate everyone around you.” 

“Oh, that’s because I do.” 

 

Second chance romance, forced proximity, just one bed, and the magical world of both fae and human alike will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave. The banter is so fun and in a place where romance is forbidden, the spice isn’t bad either. 

 

“I’m desperate for you. Desperate the way a starving man craves fruit. I’ve dreamt of this for years, and I want to taste every inch of your skin.” 

 

I cannot wait for the next book in this series! 

 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review. 

The Bonus by TL Swan

emotional funny inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

Emotionally gripping! I was planning on a fun, spicy, and entertaining read. I was not expecting it to also tear my heart into a million pieces and find myself rooting for these fictional characters. 

 

Grace Porter is in love with her job. However, she is also hopelessly in love with her boss. Gabriel Ferrara, known for his ruthlessness, will do anything to get her to stay. But will her Christmas bonus be enough to get her to stay or can she finally break free of his world to strike out on her own? 

 

“I need to start thinking with my head and do what I know is right for me. Make a future without him.” 

 

I love that this story shows every single person’s view as well as how different people react to things. This was funny, witty, and so incredibly relatable. I do wish some phrases were varied (it felt like they were reused quite a bit), but it really doesn’t take away from the quality of this work. The banter is top notch and Gabriel’s possessiveness will have your feet kicking in glee. 

 

“May the best man win.” Gabriel gives me a slow sexy smile and then he glances at Jack. “Good luck, Jack…you’re going to need it.” 

 

So many good tropes! Second chance, big city to small town, billionaire, and workplace romance. However, it also features one of my favorite mini-tropes: the grovel. And oh, what a spicy grovel it is. You’re not going to want to pass this up! 

 

I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. 

 

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

emotional funny medium-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

4.0

Tessa Bailey has done it again. The perfect amount of wit, humor, tension, and spice! 

 

Tallulah is ready to move to a new city, start a new job, and get reacquainted with people again after living in Antarctica and studying penguins. However, when she comes face to face with her employer, a tall burly hockey player with a heart of gold, she realizes she may not be as ready as she thought. 

 

Feelings run high in this one and you quickly find out that this book is a lot deeper than it looks on the outside. Forced proximity, single dad, and a dash of fake dating also come into play to make it a story that’s both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. A must read for any Tessa Bailey fan! 

The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

5.0

Time travel, second chance romance, and a wonderful feminist twist. We’ve all had those “what if” moments and this book dives straight into the deep end of that rabbit hole. It starts slow, but man did it end strong! 

 

Sam needs to get out of her small town and she’ll do anything to achieve her goal - including turning down her high school crush. But years later when she has to return to her small hometown, she starts to wonder if maybe she made a mistake. What would have happened if she took that leap? What would have happened if she stayed?

This one hit home in so many ways. I loved the magic of seeing the past in a different perspective as well as the fantastic supporting characters. Like 13 Going on 30 (but in reverse), this book is a love letter to our younger selves. 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Bespelled by Laura Thalassa

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Oh. My. Goddess. This book is everything. I hated Memnon in the first book. And I mean HATED. But holy cow… talk about redemption! 

 

“Neither magic nor time can keep us apart. 

We are like the stars. Eternal.” 

 

We pick up right where we left off in Bewitched. I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t read it yet, but I will say that based on the ending to that book, I had no idea where this one was headed. Not only am I pleasantly surprised, but I am in agony at now having to wait a whole year for the next one. Because that cliffhanger, man! 

 

“There’s no one worse than you.” 

“I’m counting on that.” 

 

I am obsessed with this book! 

 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Home Wrecker by Sara Cate

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Talk. About. Hot! This checks almost every box when it comes to poly, dom/sub, and taboo relationships. 

“You might be married to him, but you belong to me.”

Caleb is awful at communicating, especially with his wife, Briar. Their marriage is rocky to say the least, so when Dean comes into their lives, he stirs up feelings that haven’t been present in a while. Two dominant men, one submissive woman, and a whole slew of new emotions they cannot ignore. 

“All right. You’re so sure you know what my wife wants, then prove it.”

This is spicy in the absolute best way. And the amount of tropes was a seriously impressive feat! It does touch on some of the same religious themes as the rest of the series, but I didn’t feel the same sort of resolution I did with the others. The instalust was also a bit much for me, but I do like how they talk about their relationship and feelings every step of the way like adults while still providing plenty of angst and tension. Plus, I felt like I understood their background, why certain things matter to them, and I found myself tearing up at certain points as well. It may be long, but it’s oh so worth it. 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.