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kala_b_reviews's reviews
226 reviews
The Moon & His Tides by Giana Darling
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-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
So, you know me and first books we don’t mesh well together and this is technically no different. Definitely an introductory book to a (very complicated) love story. However, I just now realized that there are previous series/books with stories about Sebastian’s sibling prior to this book. And now I’m thinking, I would have been way more interested in this story had I read the previous books. But…of course, I always dive into books head first not really reading blurbs 😭
Now please don’t misconstrue my words, just because I assume I would have loved this book more had I read his sisters’ stories first does in no way mean this book does not deserve its credit.
I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit worried because, knowing Giana’s writing, the love is always gut-wrenchingly hard earned with her characters. The way this book was written, majority of the time, just seemed to look like we meet these 3 characters, we get to know their outward and internal struggles and then we get to see them fall for each other…of course, it just had to be the ending that took me out. And I mean freaking bawling while I’m listening to this at work 🤦🏽♀️
I listened to the audiobook version and everyone did great! As someone who has an ear for the Italian accent, it was a bit awkward here and there but, it did not deter me from the story at all. Kudos to Shane East, CJ Mission and Desiree Ketchum!
Soulless Rivalry by Macy T. Riosa
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The way that I immediately got engrossed in this story and never wanted it to endddd!!! AH! This is the first book I read from this author and I. AM. HOOKED! I want all the books in this series NOW!
What caught my eye in the list of tropes (we know I rarely read the blurb) was the academic rivals, organized crime and of course, my ultimate favorite: touch her and 💀.
What I got from it was so much more! Like honestly, maybe certain tropes were left out of it because it would be spoilers so, I won’t say too much but I will say that the reason I signed up to read this book is because it sounded like the Royal Elite/Rinaverse series and I wanted to read more of the same but just from a different author. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the setting is in college! Not HS the way that RE was but additionally, it had TWO DIFFERENT organized crime families (kinda lol) and the added mystery of what is going on in the school!
Ugh, it was seriously more than I could have ever asked for! I’m so stoked to know that she also has a book for the next generation BUT I’m holding off until I read the rest of the books before I pick up the next gen!
Black Thorns by Rina Kent
adventurous
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
4.5
Second book was so much better than the first. Though I must admit, the reason for the low rating for the first included the narration but for the rating for this book, I am excluding that reason despite the fact that it still stands. (If you’re confused, please read my review in Red Thorns).
But seriously, Rina Kent needs to stop playing these games with me! It’s getting a little out of hand how often I’m wrong on the plot twists and I don’t like it one bit! But, I am loving the fact that these books just keep getting better and better. I was a little hesitant about Naomi and Sebastian’s relationship at the beginning but I am really enjoying the darker themes as we start to get away from the HS bully trope and straight into the more adult themes!
I haven’t read enough of all the couples in this new section of the Rinaverse but so far I would say Sebastian and Naomi are currently my favorite couple!
Playing for the Dark by Tilly Ridge
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
First thing I will say about this book is that I love the why choose aspect to this, and I especially love the representation. Seldom do we see 1 character from an underrepresented community be part of the why choose but in this story, but we get to see a curvy FMC, a fully out bi football player, 1 newbie bi, Mexican quarterback and then the last one is a mystery (for now 😉). I honestly had no idea that there was this much representation in this book. I really just saw that it was a sports, mafia, why choose romance by an amazing human being of an author and picked it up!
Now don’t come for me when I say this, but, I feel like there was a bit too much smut in this book and not enough/not strong enough character development (if you read that sentence and stoped reading my review to pick up the book solely because there’s too much smut, I love you for that!!!). These characters had rich backgrounds but with the amount of pages there was in this book, I wish we would have centered each couple of chapters on developing each character before we got to the goodies. I also wish there was a little more tension or something more to it. I’m surprised that Ellie doesn’t realize who her stalker is just based on the name he calls her…and also, what happened to the ex boyfriend stalker aspect? Not sure if this will be explored in the next book but I was actually really hoping they would do something with the ex…for the drama!! I needed something more from this book and that’s exactly what I was hoping for: drama!
Red Thorns by Rina Kent
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
I’m starting to really like Rina’s writing. I mean, I’ve come to expect the unexpected but I’ve also learned to want that in her books! This story is no different from her others. Bully romance with a side of mystery! And honestly, I’m starting to crave the mystery 😭
Timeline wise, this one picks up right before All the Lies duet. I was really excited to hear more about Naomi’s story and figure out if she really was gonna partner up with Sebastian or, if she had someone else she was going to be with!
Based on her letters, I’m really starting to wonder if this person is good or bad. I’m worried and scared cuz, we haven’t even gotten to scratch the surface of that relationship quite yet. And now, we get to find out some other details due to the ending.
Side note, I did listen to the audiobook version of this story and will be listening to the next one right after this. However, I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t mention just how disappointed I am that a VA of Asian decent did not narrate this book. With the rise of VAs, there’s no reason they could not have chosen one of Asian decent…especially when they had to act out the Japanese accent. Seriously gave me the ick TBH.
Fox (Extended) by DJ Krimmer
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
This is my first official novel I have read from DJ Krimmer. I was first exposed to her work from the Love Sick Anthology. I fell in love with the story she wrote and I was itching to read more of her works. I was SO ecstatic to get this ARC that was offered by Wicked Reads Services.
Y’all. The literal list of tropes and what this book was going to be about, was all I needed to know that I would at the very least, enjoy this book. This book is about Fox and Janie. Janie is the daughter of Hel’s Ink owner Tony and Fox is Tony’s best friend and employee. Unfortunately, Tony’s passing has led to Janie and Fox to have to work closely together to determine Hel’s Ink’s future…or is it fortunately? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
As per usual, I am not a spoilers kinda girly (normally) so I will not be sharing any spoilers here today. BUT, what I can say is, the literal amount of banter these two have is insane. Fox really is the grumpy to Janie’s sunshine. It really makes their banter so enjoyable to read. They had me giggling and kicking my feet so often. And the amount of different emotions that this book has you going through…🤌 ALSO the character building. I really can’t wait to read the rest of the series in this world. Even though this book focuses on Fox and Janie, the author gives just enough info on the background characters to make you care for them. Lastly, because I love fast burns so much, I would definitely consider this a slow burn HOWEVER, I really forgot about that because of the literal banter and emotion of the book. BUT DONT GET ME WRONG the spice was *chefs kiss*.
As always, please be sure to check out the trigger/content warnings before starting this book. It does have some pretty heavy content. Please read responsibly!
Y’all. The literal list of tropes and what this book was going to be about, was all I needed to know that I would at the very least, enjoy this book. This book is about Fox and Janie. Janie is the daughter of Hel’s Ink owner Tony and Fox is Tony’s best friend and employee. Unfortunately, Tony’s passing has led to Janie and Fox to have to work closely together to determine Hel’s Ink’s future…or is it fortunately? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
As per usual, I am not a spoilers kinda girly (normally) so I will not be sharing any spoilers here today. BUT, what I can say is, the literal amount of banter these two have is insane. Fox really is the grumpy to Janie’s sunshine. It really makes their banter so enjoyable to read. They had me giggling and kicking my feet so often. And the amount of different emotions that this book has you going through…🤌 ALSO the character building. I really can’t wait to read the rest of the series in this world. Even though this book focuses on Fox and Janie, the author gives just enough info on the background characters to make you care for them. Lastly, because I love fast burns so much, I would definitely consider this a slow burn HOWEVER, I really forgot about that because of the literal banter and emotion of the book. BUT DONT GET ME WRONG the spice was *chefs kiss*.
As always, please be sure to check out the trigger/content warnings before starting this book. It does have some pretty heavy content. Please read responsibly!
Serpentine Valentine by Giana Darling
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
YES!!! Finally! I have been looking for a good sapphic novel and never really got around to finding a good one. When Giana mentioned that she wrote a sapphic novel I was so excited! Excited for her for writing something different, excited that I would have (what I felt) would be a great book to read knowing how much I LOVE her writing. I’ve said this in previous posts and I will continue saying it in case this is your first time reading my reviews but I adore Giana Darling’s writing. She has such a wonderful way of writing books. It always feels so poetic when she writes. The ways that she sets the scenes or the way that she writes how the character feels…you really feel like you’re there in the setting or you feel how the character feels.
Ok, review time. Unfortunately, this review will contain spoilers. So reader beware. I’m sorry but I really wanna talk about it!
I said it previously but, I genuinely adore this book. I know it’s a weird thing to say about such a book that is a Medusa retelling-iykyk-but really, I adore it so much because of the way that Giana wrote the story and these characters. I’ve read so other books that have graphic SA in them and with this one, I felt like she wrote just enough detail to get the point across but not to much for me that I have to step away and come back to it. Because while the SA is talked about throughout the book, it’s really not the main theme of the book. Giana really puts us through a roller coaster of emotions, a lot of it rage and I really felt that especially because of Mina’s utter betrayal, the endless days with Lex having to live through the rumors about her every day, the way the students talked about her and spread so much gossip about her.
Then it was revenge and this was really the longest running theme of the book I think and it’s mainly revenge on Morgan and Mina. For the majority of the book, I really full heartedly, sided with Lex on getting any and ALL types of revenge she could possible get on these two. UGH oh how I hated these two. On the theme of revenge, my favorite is the Man Eater Crew. Victims forced to become the scary things that go bump in the night for all the awful predators that took what they wanted from them. My least favorite (but also my other favorite bc of the end result) was revenge on Mina by going for her daughter.
Leading me to the last emotion I want to mention, because this is quickly becoming an essay (sorry), love. I just love that Lex really brought out the best in Luna and in return, it brought out the best in Lex without her even noticing til it slapped her in the face. First off..that initial meeting in the library?!?!?!?? HOT!!! They barely did anything but my gosh!!! The fact that Luna’s first step of becoming her better self is first realizing that she was living a lie and that she was bi?! So sweet! And for Lex? She freaking passed out the first time she O’d , as her sister said, she really was so dramatic. But I get it, it was really the panic attack that had her passing out but still, I think this was her first step too in heading toward the light so to speak.
I’ll wrap it up. I was so on Lex’s side the entire time until Luna brought up the fact that fighting violence with violence really wasn’t the answer. And how amazing that with just that, Lex was able to form a support group, train others to take back their power and set up a hotline? I feel like that really just settled the rage that I was feeling for Lex throughout this entire book. Oh, and lastly, I do love a little poetic justice there in the epilogue!
Final note, as always, please be sure to check trigger/content warnings. The book touches on a lot of hard subjects. Please read responsibly!
Ok, review time. Unfortunately, this review will contain spoilers. So reader beware. I’m sorry but I really wanna talk about it!
I said it previously but, I genuinely adore this book. I know it’s a weird thing to say about such a book that is a Medusa retelling-iykyk-but really, I adore it so much because of the way that Giana wrote the story and these characters. I’ve read so other books that have graphic SA in them and with this one, I felt like she wrote just enough detail to get the point across but not to much for me that I have to step away and come back to it. Because while the SA is talked about throughout the book, it’s really not the main theme of the book. Giana really puts us through a roller coaster of emotions, a lot of it rage and I really felt that especially because of Mina’s utter betrayal, the endless days with Lex having to live through the rumors about her every day, the way the students talked about her and spread so much gossip about her.
Then it was revenge and this was really the longest running theme of the book I think and it’s mainly revenge on Morgan and Mina. For the majority of the book, I really full heartedly, sided with Lex on getting any and ALL types of revenge she could possible get on these two. UGH oh how I hated these two. On the theme of revenge, my favorite is the Man Eater Crew. Victims forced to become the scary things that go bump in the night for all the awful predators that took what they wanted from them. My least favorite (but also my other favorite bc of the end result) was revenge on Mina by going for her daughter.
Leading me to the last emotion I want to mention, because this is quickly becoming an essay (sorry), love. I just love that Lex really brought out the best in Luna and in return, it brought out the best in Lex without her even noticing til it slapped her in the face. First off..that initial meeting in the library?!?!?!?? HOT!!! They barely did anything but my gosh!!! The fact that Luna’s first step of becoming her better self is first realizing that she was living a lie and that she was bi?! So sweet! And for Lex? She freaking passed out the first time she O’d , as her sister said, she really was so dramatic. But I get it, it was really the panic attack that had her passing out but still, I think this was her first step too in heading toward the light so to speak.
I’ll wrap it up. I was so on Lex’s side the entire time until Luna brought up the fact that fighting violence with violence really wasn’t the answer. And how amazing that with just that, Lex was able to form a support group, train others to take back their power and set up a hotline? I feel like that really just settled the rage that I was feeling for Lex throughout this entire book. Oh, and lastly, I do love a little poetic justice there in the epilogue!
Final note, as always, please be sure to check trigger/content warnings. The book touches on a lot of hard subjects. Please read responsibly!
Love Sick: A Valentine's Day Charity Anthology by K. Elle Morrison
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I think this is the very first anthology that I actually read front to back and in order without any skipping. I do appreciate anthologies that go to a good cause like the Trevor Project. While I did receive an ARC, I did go ahead and buy the book as well bc I believe in what they are doing! Onto the review: Man I am so happy that I was blessed with this ARC. I LOVED it! Overall, I’ll give it a 4.5/5. This anthology opened the door to books that I would have never picked up for myself and after posting this review, I will be looking into these authors and their other works. I love the different stories, ideas and tropes that these authors gave us. They all did a phenomenal job. If you want further insightful reviews to each book, continue below:
Honor Bound- K Elle Morrison
5/5 ⭐️
My favorite thing about anthologies is discovering new authors and DAMN! Did this book start off with a bang! I will be adding this author’s books to my TBR now. This book checked off all of my fav tropes in 1 short story: age gap, bodyguard, mafia/bratva. I also REALLY love Victoria’s inner monologues. She really had me all giddy with her for Jason.
Dedicated in Ink- KM Ringer
4/5 ⭐️
I’ll be honest, I think this is the firs MM romance I have read and…I really liked it! Well the romance and dedication to each other part. Shi and Drew are just too darn cute. I do love a bodyguard/security type of book. I didn’t really like the last chapter though. I know it’s hard since it’s a short story but…the lack of concern for the dead bodies while they talk about their love life…rubbed me the wrong way.
Finding the DJ- Kat Fallons
4/5 ⭐️
Eeek! This was so hot! I love that Luna is such a tease and not making it easy for Bas and Jav. I haven’t looked into it but I certainly hope there’s a continuation to this story! Or, if there isn’t, I hope the author is planning on a full length novel for this!
Cinema Serendipity - Lauren Greene
5/5 ⭐️
This anthology is shaping up to be the best ever! I have never read a book like this before! Ugh, they got me all giddy and kicking my feet. I love Taylor and Audrey’s story! How cute!
Slap Shot - DJ Krimmer
5/5 ⭐️
Nooooo I knew it was coming bc it’s only 5 chapters but I didn’t want it to be over!!! I know exactly what’s going on my TBR. Ugh I LOVE River’s character so much! I love that she stays in control, caring for the team, never lets anyone see her buck but yet her inner monologue is just so emotional. This is my first hockey romance book in like 10 years and I can’t wait for more of this story!
Scream for Love - Molly Doyle
5/5 ⭐️
Ah, finally. This was the reason I signed up so quick for this anthology. I LOVE Molly Doyle so much! If you haven’t read the Masked Men series, I urge you to read that first before reading this. There is a whole backstory to these characters and it’s so worth reading, I promise you!
Dirtbags - Harper Ashley & Wren Hawthorne
4/5 ⭐️
Damn, I’m so curious now about their backstory. Like…all of them! So far, loving this anthology because it’s introducing me to characters I’ve never read before. There were so many characters for me to keep up with that it was hard to picture the logistics of their…activities, despite the author’s guidance. I do love the after sex banter that they have. They already sound like a family in just the few chapters.
Sinfully Theirs - Nicole Banks
4/5 ⭐️
Oooh this definitely enticed me to read their books. I LOVE Cruz and Ravens banter. I’m interested to see how she met Jax and how they even got into this sort of relationship. This book definitely leaves you wanting more.
On the Power Play - Eden Knox
5/5 ⭐️
CUTE! AHHH, it ended too soon. I wonder if there’s more content for these 3. I’ll have to check it out. IDK what it is about this anthology but this is the second hockey romance in the line up I’m reading and I am INTO IT! I didn’t know I’d find a liking for hockey romances again!
Heart-Shaped Box - L. Renée Richard
4/5 ⭐️
A very wholesome story! I do love how quickly Mari was able to find a distraction from the pain that she experienced in the first chapter. I hate long dragged out woman-crying-over-man betrayal stories. Besides, who doesn’t love a good latte boy story?! Coffee and love go together so well.
Totally Gummied - Zoey Indiana
This is what I was the most worried about when it comes to anthologies because there’s always that’s story with a trope/vibe that I’m just not into. I read the blurb and all so I was prepared for what I was going to read but…really hard to get into for me personally. Totally NOT the author’s fault. However, if you’re into a fast paced, grumpy bear shifter that turns into a cutesy gummy bear, then this book is for you! I love shifter romances and this author has a lot of them so I will definitely be checking out her other works with other shifters that are more my speed.
Forever Valentine - Jennifer J. Williams
5/5 ⭐️
I’m giving it a 5/5 but a very tentative one only because I feel like I am missing out on a lot of backstory! The story reads like a wrap up or a look back on characters of a long series. Despite that, OMG, it was cute, funny, sexy and so many other emotions! I love the difference in couples. I really wish i knew their history because I feel like I would love this even more. And the group texts, let me tell you, I LOVE a good text banter in books!
Honor Bound- K Elle Morrison
5/5 ⭐️
My favorite thing about anthologies is discovering new authors and DAMN! Did this book start off with a bang! I will be adding this author’s books to my TBR now. This book checked off all of my fav tropes in 1 short story: age gap, bodyguard, mafia/bratva. I also REALLY love Victoria’s inner monologues. She really had me all giddy with her for Jason.
Dedicated in Ink- KM Ringer
4/5 ⭐️
I’ll be honest, I think this is the firs MM romance I have read and…I really liked it! Well the romance and dedication to each other part. Shi and Drew are just too darn cute. I do love a bodyguard/security type of book. I didn’t really like the last chapter though. I know it’s hard since it’s a short story but…the lack of concern for the dead bodies while they talk about their love life…rubbed me the wrong way.
Finding the DJ- Kat Fallons
4/5 ⭐️
Eeek! This was so hot! I love that Luna is such a tease and not making it easy for Bas and Jav. I haven’t looked into it but I certainly hope there’s a continuation to this story! Or, if there isn’t, I hope the author is planning on a full length novel for this!
Cinema Serendipity - Lauren Greene
5/5 ⭐️
This anthology is shaping up to be the best ever! I have never read a book like this before! Ugh, they got me all giddy and kicking my feet. I love Taylor and Audrey’s story! How cute!
Slap Shot - DJ Krimmer
5/5 ⭐️
Nooooo I knew it was coming bc it’s only 5 chapters but I didn’t want it to be over!!! I know exactly what’s going on my TBR. Ugh I LOVE River’s character so much! I love that she stays in control, caring for the team, never lets anyone see her buck but yet her inner monologue is just so emotional. This is my first hockey romance book in like 10 years and I can’t wait for more of this story!
Scream for Love - Molly Doyle
5/5 ⭐️
Ah, finally. This was the reason I signed up so quick for this anthology. I LOVE Molly Doyle so much! If you haven’t read the Masked Men series, I urge you to read that first before reading this. There is a whole backstory to these characters and it’s so worth reading, I promise you!
Dirtbags - Harper Ashley & Wren Hawthorne
4/5 ⭐️
Damn, I’m so curious now about their backstory. Like…all of them! So far, loving this anthology because it’s introducing me to characters I’ve never read before. There were so many characters for me to keep up with that it was hard to picture the logistics of their…activities, despite the author’s guidance. I do love the after sex banter that they have. They already sound like a family in just the few chapters.
Sinfully Theirs - Nicole Banks
4/5 ⭐️
Oooh this definitely enticed me to read their books. I LOVE Cruz and Ravens banter. I’m interested to see how she met Jax and how they even got into this sort of relationship. This book definitely leaves you wanting more.
On the Power Play - Eden Knox
5/5 ⭐️
CUTE! AHHH, it ended too soon. I wonder if there’s more content for these 3. I’ll have to check it out. IDK what it is about this anthology but this is the second hockey romance in the line up I’m reading and I am INTO IT! I didn’t know I’d find a liking for hockey romances again!
Heart-Shaped Box - L. Renée Richard
4/5 ⭐️
A very wholesome story! I do love how quickly Mari was able to find a distraction from the pain that she experienced in the first chapter. I hate long dragged out woman-crying-over-man betrayal stories. Besides, who doesn’t love a good latte boy story?! Coffee and love go together so well.
Totally Gummied - Zoey Indiana
This is what I was the most worried about when it comes to anthologies because there’s always that’s story with a trope/vibe that I’m just not into. I read the blurb and all so I was prepared for what I was going to read but…really hard to get into for me personally. Totally NOT the author’s fault. However, if you’re into a fast paced, grumpy bear shifter that turns into a cutesy gummy bear, then this book is for you! I love shifter romances and this author has a lot of them so I will definitely be checking out her other works with other shifters that are more my speed.
Forever Valentine - Jennifer J. Williams
5/5 ⭐️
I’m giving it a 5/5 but a very tentative one only because I feel like I am missing out on a lot of backstory! The story reads like a wrap up or a look back on characters of a long series. Despite that, OMG, it was cute, funny, sexy and so many other emotions! I love the difference in couples. I really wish i knew their history because I feel like I would love this even more. And the group texts, let me tell you, I LOVE a good text banter in books!