kala_b_reviews's reviews
226 reviews

Empire of Sin by Rina Kent

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I was so looking forward to getting to know these two characters! When I first started the Rinaverse I was a little disappointed to find that Knox didn’t have a story with the Royal Elite group. But I’m glad to have found out that his story turned out to be later and to learn that his world is starting to intertwine with other characters from previous reads.

I really loved Knox and Anastasia’s story. Their chemistry was believable because their pasts and how they turned out makes sense to me. However, everything else around them wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked. I don’t like to do spoilers so there will be none here but, I will say, the opposing forces for these two felt a little rushed both in the climax and resolution of the story.

Outside of that, I’m glad I read it and am looking forward to pushing through the next few books in the Empire series.

The Omega Trials Part III by Summer O'Toole

dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

It was so nice to finally get some answers! While everything wrapped up and all questions answered. I feel like this book was a bit rushed. I just wanted a little more from the mom or from the resolution at the end. Honestly, if you just want smut, this book definitely has it in spades! 

What I think was done really well was Titus and Sinclair’s eventual understanding of each other. I’m not gonna get into too much detail but I definitely felt so much for Titus in this book (I know, I’m just as shocked as you)! The pain that Bishop, Ecker and Titus endured throughout this entire trial was heart wrenching to look back on now knowing more info…most especially for Titus. This is definitely an homage to Titus for sure and that’s what I loved the most about this book!

Sweet Heat by Ellie Exton

emotional 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

4.25

Ah! Loved this story. I actually didn’t know there was a term for when someone couldn’t smell so this was an interesting fact. I feel like I could relate to Posie in some way because I also can’t smell! However, I do still have the ability to taste. 

Anyway! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved that Miller was so over-the-top protective of Posie all while allowing her the space to come to him on her own terms. And Posie, while unable to smell, had a feeling in the back of her mind that she belonged to Miller…she just had so much trauma that she needed to work through and Miller of course, was more than happy to help break down those walls.

The Nanny is Off Limits by Q.B. Tyler

adventurous challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

I could not put this book down!! Well, if we’re talking literally, I could not pause this book! First and foremost, I listened to an ALC of this book and OH MY GOD! I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Stephen Dexter or Audrey Obeyn before but I now have new favorite narrators! The way they voiced these characters…I can’t even imagine anyone better to do these characters justice!

Onto the review…yall, if you are looking for a tension filled, sneaking around pair of couple with the most insane chemistry, look no further. And if you’ve never read a QB Tyler book before, please be warned, she writes really good, nasty, spicy smut so if you were hoping for something light and fluffy, this is not the book!

May I just say, I am relieved that this did not have a 3rd act break up! This genuinely was just two people who were forbidden to be together based on their business relationship but grew to love and care for one another…while also having to sneak around and hide from the kids lol! 

Also, I didn’t realize how much I would relate to Elianna’s story. She’s the eldest of 3 with the whole weight on her shoulders and geez Louise, I’ve been feeling so seen in the books that I have picked up lately. I swear I never even knew that much about Elianna’s story before signing up for it but I’m so glad I did and so grateful I was chosen to read this!

It’s seriously such a quick read, it flew by! I hope one day we get an extended epilogue. And, now that I’m at the end of it…I can’t WAIT to read River’s story! I just have a tiny feeling his is coming up next…

Thicker Than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

It took me a while to write a review for this. I felt like I needed to sit with it for a minute and reflect and appreciate the story Kerry Washington put out.

Now, this is not my usual genre. I read solely romance but have been pushing myself to read outside of my comfort zone 1 book a month. As I usually do with books, I just pick and dive in. Didn’t really read what this was about. Just saw that it was a Kerry Washington memoir and dove right in!

I was in for quite the surprise when I started reading/listening to this book! She took me on an adventure from her childhood to her current self. It was an adventure of emotional memories with very vivid retellings of her youth, getting her foot into the door that is drama in her teens, her exploration of the outside world in her new adult years and finally her reflection of it overall and how it has affected her life and her viewpoint thus far. 

I really appreciated a lot of her story and her willingness to be vulnerable. It would be easy to say it’s because she’s an actor that vulnerability may come naturally but so much of the topics she discussed would be so difficult for anyone to put forth I front of a very large audience. I found myself relating a lot to her youth. It’s so odd that a girl from the Bronx and a girl from the islands would have anything in common but she really highlighted how we can all relate in some way and yet grow into such different people. It’s the human experience. 

If you’re a fan of Kerry, I’m sure you’ll love this memoir. But, without giving anything away of what transpired in this book, if you’re someone who’s ever felt lost in their identity, maybe this read is for you! 

Lucky Cupid by Sarah Blue

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Awww this was actually such a cute and quick little story! I love that it had a little lesson in it. I was really looking forward to reading Juliet’s story after meeting her in Petty Cupid. I was interested in seeing where here story would go and this was not where I thought it would go but in the best way ever! Then we’ve got Mors who we also met in Petty Cupid who was so quick witted when it came to ribbing Death. I’m so happy that these two got to have a happily ever after! They deserve it!

Throne of Vengeance by Rina Kent

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.5

Yep…these books are getting better and better! If you’re in a RK slump like I was, my biggest recommendation to you is, take a step back. Read some other books for at least 2 weeks and then come back to this world! It’s actually, truly, a fun world to be in! The books are so worth the time to go through!!! 

RK really did stump me with this one! What a twist to all the secrets and mystery going on in this duet! I am truly such a huge fan of Rai and Kyle’s story! And the fact that I was unable to determine the ending just speaks to the growth of RK! The way that I cried for these two ughhh! I am so invested in reading this entire series!

I seriously cannot wait to get to the next couple of books! RK also JUST re-updated the suggested reading order on her website and while I haven’t read all the books, I would HIGHLY suggest reading it in the suggested order on her website rather than the suggested order on her pinned IG post!

Mile High Heat by Sarah Blue

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Honestly, I haven’t no notes. It was exactly what I want in an Omegaverse. It had insta-lust (well, heat induced but w/e), 3 amazing but very different alphas, secret pasts, family drama, it even had hurt/comfort which is one of my favs and some really crazy ex-packmates. It was even second-gen and I love that! It was quite the adventure from start to finish! I’ll definitely have to read the full heat haven series so that I can connect the two packs!

Throne of Power by Rina Kent

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I took a month off from the Rinaverse to focus on some other books and now I’m diving right into it. I’ll be honest, I did start this book at the end of January, listened to like 8 chapters of it and grew a little tired/bored of the story. So, I paused it took a month off and am so glad I did because now that I’m back in this world! I’ve found my love for it again!

***Light SPOILERS ahead if you’ve not read previous books!***

Rai’s story is such a unique one. The twins’ backstory is so sad! And it’s crazy to see how one person’s life could have gone in so many directions and we definitely see that in the twins. Her strength and her confidence is so admirable especially in the world she is living in. I am rooting for a happy ending for her in terms of her power and career. She deserves it all after all her hard work.

Kyle on the other hand…idk what to make of him. His background is an interesting one. I do love an assassin in my books! But I’m finding it hard to determine why he’s doing what he’s doing. Either Rina’s got me stumped or I’ve been away from her writing for too long!

Anyway, this was a wonderful read but I definitely wouldn’t read this story without at least reading the Lies & Truth duet! 

Lastly, shout out to Shane East and Vanessa Edwin! I wouldn’t be consuming these books without y’all! 

Play the Game by Tilly Ridge

fast-paced

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

4.0

This is a filthy, amazing book! If you’re looking for a quick read with COD themes and characters who love each other—hearts not parts— this one’s for you! Yeah, nothing further I can say, other than I love the dynamic between these 5 characters! You literally get plopped right into the middle of the story and most notable, the spice!