kala_b_reviews's reviews
226 reviews

Queen of Hearts by Sarah Blue

adventurous emotional funny 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

Well this was quite the roller coaster. I will say that I love our FMC Elena! She exemplifies courage so well. She’s not just a scared little omega (which she definitely was) but she also did her best to take the trajectory of her life in her own hands! Then we watch her progress into someone that pushes these idiot MMCs (and yes, I use that term lovingly) into shape! 

The character growth for both the twins was wonderful to see and then we have Lorcán who just seems a bit lost while trying to get into Elena’s good side after all the craziness that transpired. Then we have dear ol’ Declan. The beta of the group who is honestly probably the smartest. He gives the most comedic relief in this story and is quite literally the best (in my opinion).

My only critique is that the books was so well paced until that very end where things sort of just pop off and then the good stuff comes 😉 I just wish that when her brother shows up, we drag that a little more, or get a bit more insight. It was so much trouble for such little revenge/payoff. Still a wonderful book that I will be rereading again in the future! 

Vanessa Moyen and Michael Gallagher brought these characters to life! Kudos to Michael for voicing 4+ different characters. I was literally able to discern between three characters and I’m gonna give that to both Michael and Sarah Blue for writing it in a way where we can tell the differences between characters…even if I forgot who’s chapter we were in. It was so easy to discern! 

Spring Semester by Q.B. Tyler

emotional tense fast-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

4.5

Bruh I stayed up til 3A reading this book because the minute I started reading it, it kept my attention from start to finish!!! Now surprisingly enough, this story had the least “QB Tyler tropes” in comparison to all her other books but I still thoroughly enjoyed Leigh and Everett’s story. It’s just slightly below a 5 because I just really felt for Everett in this story. Leigh gets so fiery and unfortunately says some stuff to him that isn’t very nice. And it’s always this constant of him being nice to her and her being mean…I just wanted Everett to experience a little kindness 😭

Carnage Island by Lexi C. Foss

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

NGL this book was one of those that popped up as an ad on my FB…you know the ones! With the alluring story that reels you in just so you can click on the link and download it. Safe to say, I was deeply influenced to pick this one up. However, it didn’t have to twist my arm too much cuz I’ve read Lexi C Foss’ work before and loved Andorra Sector!

This story was very well set up! I was shocked that it was a standalone but part of a series with books by different authors within. I’d be curious to see if any characters cross! But back to the story, I really enjoyed getting to know Clove and her men. It was truly an exciting world to step into from start to finish! The secrets that run between the packs are intriguing and finding out all the pieces of the puzzle was worth the read. My only critique for this book is that I wish there was a little more story before the epilogue. I feel like it all came down to a halt fairly quickly at the end there. And, dare I say…I kinda wanted more spice. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 

Still overall a worthy read! Definitely check it out if you’re into omegaverses with over protective and misunderstood alphas!

Shoutout to Sarah Puckett, Kale Williams, Jack Calihan and Jeffrey Holz y’all did a phenomenal job bringing these characters and their personalities to life!

Petty Cupid by Sarah Blue

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.75

Sarah Blue is literally top 10 fav authors of all time but I am so sad to say that this story did not do it for me. It’s surprising because it had a good majority of the tropes that I like but for some reason, I just couldn’t get into Love and Death’s story. There was actually a really good amount of plot and the spice was more towards the later half of the book. But for some reason, it just didn’t keep my attention 😭 Of course, I will still continue on reading the rest of the series as I read Holly Cupid and just feel like these are great themed quick reads! 

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

challenging emotional tense medium-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

4.25

I am so glad we got to have Soledad’s story next. After that little thing in Before I Let Go, it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to catch her husband in the wrong because I just knew something was amiss. And also, I wanted to hear from the seemingly quiet one in the group. 

This story however, was not what I expected at all! The way that things went down in the first part of the story was just so much more than I could have ever imagined going down! And honestly, f*¢k Edward man! What a trash human being! 

But Judah… 🥰 Honestly, Judah is the perfect man for Soledad. He’s exactly what she needs! He’s smart, he’s kind, he’s thoughtful, he’s super rich and he has a big…well, you know! -and if you’ve read the book already and are just interested in other ppls opinions…that comeback after Soledad visits Edward…SO GOOD!- Anyway, another great story by KR! I’m really loving being in my romance era with her books! 

And as always, kudos to Ines Del Castillo and Jakobi Diem literally bringing these characters alive, it’s amazing what yall do! 

Second Semester by Q.B. Tyler

adventurous emotional fast-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

4.25

Who said smut can’t also have depth and feeling in it?! So, yeah, as always, this is a QB Tyler book so it was very hot and very spicy. What I didn’t expect was the depth of feeling Serena had. Unfortunately, this one totally got to me! As the eldest sibling and how she is treated by her family and her view points…it’s really no wonder I was crying at some parts. I feel so much for Serena! I get exactly where she’s coming from!

And then, we have the steam and spice. The stars of the show! I mean, there’s not a lot more I can say about that. The sneaking around, the forbidden/taboo aspect. Add in the age gap and a bit of size difference and you’ve got yourself the right formula! Well, again, at least in MY opinion! 

I thoroughly enjoyed Serena’s story! There was a few parts here and there that were a bit awkward but, overall, I WOULD buy a hard copy of this book!

First Semester by Q.B. Tyler

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

I mean, come on!!! I have no notes! This hit all the tropes I love to read about and it’s by an author I LOVE! It was hot, it was thrilling, it was emotional and both characters grew as people in such a short span of time! 10 outta 10!! Moving on to the next book!

The Perfect Fit by Sadie Kincaid

adventurous dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

I actually really thoroughly enjoyed this read! The dynamics between West, Xander and Zeke was an interesting one but it really worked so well for this trio! Then add in Lily, with all her secrets and allure, I was enjoying this harem from start to finish! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this! 

The only reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5 was at the end. Unfortunately, I think it was a small detail but I’m literally still stuck on it…

*****SPOILER BELOW*****

It was at the end (chapter 70) where Lily was basically kidnapped. It’s when we are learning about her past and the fact that Carmine isn’t her father but when she’s talking with the man with the skull tattoo, it was a little vague who was  holding her… in the end it IS Carmine, the same person that assaulted her as a kid. But then why is she describing the place almost in third person as if the person’s home they are in is not Carmine and also, if he IS the boss, who’s permission does he need to kill her?

*****END OF SPOILER*****

Anyway, all that I say that I think I’ll end up re-reading this story again not only because it was so good but because I want to double check that maybe I am missing something with the ending. 

When The Steps Run Red by Izzy Ravas

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I feel like this book totally counts as a book out of my comfort zone for the month! As per usual, I just picked the book up without reading what it was about. To be honest though, I chose this book because I wanted to read this author’s work but I also knew I wanted a quick read so, I settled on this one.

*WARNING: LITE SPOILERS*

So, what I found out about this book? It’s a horror. Listen, I know that the title and cover pretty much screamed horror but I was like nah, there’ll be some type of romance and happiness in this, at least at the end of it…no, this book is straight up horror. Yes, there’s some semblance of romance and yes, there’s “spice” in it —and I use that term VERY loosely but also to not get banned (you’ll understand when you read it)— but there will be no happy ending to this…unless you consider the epilogue a happy ending LOL.

*END OF LIGHT SPOILERS*

While I was wholly unprepared for what I was getting myself into, I did find the story to be unique. I don’t think I’ve ever read a horror story to this level so I was pleasantly surprised by that. I mean, geez Damien needed to get a grip! Poor Theo really deserved so much better in this story and Alma, the horrors she had to face all for it to end that way?! I’m disgusted and disappointed for her! As a romance reader, I wanted more for these characters. But as this is a horror and a very short read, unfortunately, some characters don’t get their happy ending.

4 stars because it’s a new genre to me so I’m being gentler but also because I know this story is going to stay with me for a while!!!

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

This is what I get for just blindly diving into the book without reading the blurb. Mind you, I was always going to read the book but, I think if I read the blurb, it would have prepared me for the heaviness of this book.

Yasmen and Josiah’s story was the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful story of a pair of soulmates that lost their way and yet kept finding their way back to each other.  

The way that I was literally in tears already 2 chapters in?!? This story is going to stay with me forever. It was so difficult for me to get through this book. I had to start and stop so many times. I was so team Yasmen from beginning to end but found myself forgiving Josiah as well…as if I was the one in this relationship 😂 But this book just had a way of sucking you in from the beginning and never letting you go (The breaks that I took were to get tissues and calm my heart down). 

The themes that this touches are so heavy but it’s heavy because Kennedy has written these two characters in a way where you feel connected to them, so their pain becomes your pain, even just a little. One thing that stuck with me is Yasmen’s relationship with her daughter Deja. I don’t wanna get TOO personal but, I’ll just say that the mother and daughter dynamic totally resonated with me.

I think this is one of the most amazingly written story by Kennedy Ryan and beautifully narrated story by Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem. I will definitely be continuing on in this series and checking out the rest of Kennedy’s other books but, I’m gonna need to take a day or two to heal my heart a bit. And the way I know that is because I’m reading the discussion questions at the end of the book and I’m tearing up again 😭New favorite author for sure!