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karly_rose_reads's reviews
226 reviews
A Certain Slant of Light by C.P. Du Toit
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
A Certain Slant of Light is a strong, beautifully written debut fantasy romance novel.
Set in a reimagined colonial Africa, this book has beloved romantasy tropes like:
🌿 Reluctant hero
🌿 Fish out of water
🌿 Chosen one
🌿 Secret relationship
Upon her 20th birthday, Sahle (FMC) is transported from the human world into a magical realm where she discovers she's their queen. A prophesied peacemaker, she must accept her new reality and learn to be a queen as there are mounting threats against her kingdom.
Overall, this is a great debut and beginning to a series. C.P. Du Toit has written a rich world and a complex, diverse FMC with plenty of room for growth. She also gifts us with two very different love interests (not a love triangle), which had me eagerly turning the page to figure out what happens next.
As expected with any debut, I feel there were some challenges. The biggest being that it took me about 50% to really settle into the book because the world building and pacing were slow, in my opinion. The second half of the book had me bought in, and I'm excited to see where the author takes this story.
A sincere thank you to C.P. Du Toit for gifting me a copy of the book. I chose to read it on KU to further support the author.
Set in a reimagined colonial Africa, this book has beloved romantasy tropes like:
🌿 Reluctant hero
🌿 Fish out of water
🌿 Chosen one
🌿 Secret relationship
Upon her 20th birthday, Sahle (FMC) is transported from the human world into a magical realm where she discovers she's their queen. A prophesied peacemaker, she must accept her new reality and learn to be a queen as there are mounting threats against her kingdom.
Overall, this is a great debut and beginning to a series. C.P. Du Toit has written a rich world and a complex, diverse FMC with plenty of room for growth. She also gifts us with two very different love interests (not a love triangle), which had me eagerly turning the page to figure out what happens next.
As expected with any debut, I feel there were some challenges. The biggest being that it took me about 50% to really settle into the book because the world building and pacing were slow, in my opinion. The second half of the book had me bought in, and I'm excited to see where the author takes this story.
A sincere thank you to C.P. Du Toit for gifting me a copy of the book. I chose to read it on KU to further support the author.
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
- 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
5.0
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith lived up to my high hopes, and I devoured it within 24 hours!
This was sold to me as a spicy, darker, adult version of Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and, as a huge fan of that YA fantasy series, I can confidently say it delivered on those vibes.
What to expect:
🌹 Dark fantasy romance
🌹 3rd person, single POV
🌹 Necromancer x phantom
🌹 9 deadly trials (Dante's Inferno vibes)
🌹 Gothic setting (New Orleans)
🌹 Forbidden, paranormal romance
🌹 Forced proximity
🌹 "Who did this to you?"
From the magnificent gothic vibes to the delectable forbidden romance, Phantasma easily sucked me in from start to finish. I strongly related to the FMC as an older sister, and I loved the mental health/OCD representation tied to this character.
The MMC is to die for (all puns intended), and he is officially one of my new book boyfriends. Some of the billions of quotes from this man that I highlighted:
"I want to taste your sins"
"If there were ever a divine entity I'd worship....it'd be you"
"I told you before that nothing would ever stop me from getting to you if you needed me, and that will remain true forevermore. I would tear the universe apart at its seams if I must."
Absolute must-read. I can't wait for book 2!
This was sold to me as a spicy, darker, adult version of Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and, as a huge fan of that YA fantasy series, I can confidently say it delivered on those vibes.
What to expect:
🌹 Dark fantasy romance
🌹 3rd person, single POV
🌹 Necromancer x phantom
🌹 9 deadly trials (Dante's Inferno vibes)
🌹 Gothic setting (New Orleans)
🌹 Forbidden, paranormal romance
🌹 Forced proximity
🌹 "Who did this to you?"
From the magnificent gothic vibes to the delectable forbidden romance, Phantasma easily sucked me in from start to finish. I strongly related to the FMC as an older sister, and I loved the mental health/OCD representation tied to this character.
The MMC is to die for (all puns intended), and he is officially one of my new book boyfriends. Some of the billions of quotes from this man that I highlighted:
"I want to taste your sins"
"If there were ever a divine entity I'd worship....it'd be you"
"I told you before that nothing would ever stop me from getting to you if you needed me, and that will remain true forevermore. I would tear the universe apart at its seams if I must."
Absolute must-read. I can't wait for book 2!
Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
If your man doesn’t treat you like Jaime treats Ava, then throw him out.
Passenger Princess gave me the feelings of watching a 90s rom com, in the absolute best possible way. The comedic moments are spot on, the spice is SPICIN’, the FMC is fierce and independent, and the MMC is grumpy as hell and down BAD for her.
What to expect:
🎀 Rom com
👑 1st person, dual POV
🎀 Bodyguard x pageant princess
👑 Forced proximity
🎀 Grumpy x sunshine
👑 Roadtrip
🎀 He falls first & HARD
👑 Spice & the best banter
This book began on the highest note featuring cameos of Riggins and Stella—it had me screaming!! They’re my comfort characters, and I was so happy they made an appearance in this story.
Morgan’s character chemistry is authentic and believable that I can’t help but fall in love with her characters as they fall in love with each other. I also love a man obsessed with his woman, so Jaime has made my book boyfriend list (next to Riggins).
This is the perfect book to pick up if you want to escape from the world for a bit and enjoy a good love story.
Passenger Princess gave me the feelings of watching a 90s rom com, in the absolute best possible way. The comedic moments are spot on, the spice is SPICIN’, the FMC is fierce and independent, and the MMC is grumpy as hell and down BAD for her.
What to expect:
🎀 Rom com
👑 1st person, dual POV
🎀 Bodyguard x pageant princess
👑 Forced proximity
🎀 Grumpy x sunshine
👑 Roadtrip
🎀 He falls first & HARD
👑 Spice & the best banter
This book began on the highest note featuring cameos of Riggins and Stella—it had me screaming!! They’re my comfort characters, and I was so happy they made an appearance in this story.
Morgan’s character chemistry is authentic and believable that I can’t help but fall in love with her characters as they fall in love with each other. I also love a man obsessed with his woman, so Jaime has made my book boyfriend list (next to Riggins).
This is the perfect book to pick up if you want to escape from the world for a bit and enjoy a good love story.
Broken by Daylight (Beasts of the Briar, Book 4) by Elizabeth Helen
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
Forged by Malice is the third book in the Beasts of Briar series by Elizabeth Helen, a spicy, fun, fast-paced, why choose romantasy.
What to expect:
🥀 Spicy romantasy series
💗 1st person, multi POV
🌸 1 Beauty, 4 Cursed Fae Beasts
🥀 Why choose // RH romance
💗 Beauty & the Beast retelling
🌸 Fae world
🥀 Magic, danger & curses
💗 Morally grey men
🌸 Touch her & d!e
🥀 Cliffhanger
I enjoyed so much of this book, but the pacing was a bit off. Specifically, the spice felt a bit oddly placed throughout. We went from the most aggressive edging to a feral horny pack of fae 😂
That being said, I’m so sad that Ez began to gave me the ick. Maybe it’s the fact Rose calls him “daddy” or him calling her “baby girl.” I prefer Petal.
I will say this book had some of the darkest themes across the last two books, which I actually liked! It added a new layer of depth to the series.
I’m still having a great time with this series nonetheless and am waiting to see what they do with my man Caspian.
Also that plot twist?! I wasn’t expecting that ending!
What to expect:
🥀 Spicy romantasy series
💗 1st person, multi POV
🌸 1 Beauty, 4 Cursed Fae Beasts
🥀 Why choose // RH romance
💗 Beauty & the Beast retelling
🌸 Fae world
🥀 Magic, danger & curses
💗 Morally grey men
🌸 Touch her & d!e
🥀 Cliffhanger
I enjoyed so much of this book, but the pacing was a bit off. Specifically, the spice felt a bit oddly placed throughout. We went from the most aggressive edging to a feral horny pack of fae 😂
That being said, I’m so sad that Ez began to gave me the ick. Maybe it’s the fact Rose calls him “daddy” or him calling her “baby girl.” I prefer Petal.
I will say this book had some of the darkest themes across the last two books, which I actually liked! It added a new layer of depth to the series.
I’m still having a great time with this series nonetheless and am waiting to see what they do with my man Caspian.
Also that plot twist?! I wasn’t expecting that ending!
Forged by Malice by Elizabeth Helen
fast-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
Forged by Malice is the third book in the Beasts of Briar series by Elizabeth Helen, a spicy, fun, fast-paced, why choose romantasy.
What to expect:
🥀 Spicy romantasy series
💗 1st person, multi POV
🌸 1 Beauty, 4 Cursed Fae Beasts
🥀 Why choose // RH romance
💗 Beauty & the Beast retelling
🌸 Fae world
🥀 Magic, danger & curses
💗 Morally grey men
🌸 Touch her & d!e
🥀 Cliffhanger
I enjoyed so much of this book, but the pacing was a bit off. Specifically, the spice felt a bit oddly placed throughout. We went from the most aggressive edging to a feral horny pack of fae 😂
That being said, I’m so sad that Ez began to gave me the ick. Maybe it’s the fact Rose calls him “daddy” or him calling her “baby girl.” I prefer Petal.
I will say this book had some of the darkest themes across the last two books, which I actually liked! It added a new layer of depth to the series.
I’m still having a great time with this series nonetheless and am waiting to see what they do with my man Caspian.
Also that plot twist?! I wasn’t expecting that ending!
What to expect:
🥀 Spicy romantasy series
💗 1st person, multi POV
🌸 1 Beauty, 4 Cursed Fae Beasts
🥀 Why choose // RH romance
💗 Beauty & the Beast retelling
🌸 Fae world
🥀 Magic, danger & curses
💗 Morally grey men
🌸 Touch her & d!e
🥀 Cliffhanger
I enjoyed so much of this book, but the pacing was a bit off. Specifically, the spice felt a bit oddly placed throughout. We went from the most aggressive edging to a feral horny pack of fae 😂
That being said, I’m so sad that Ez began to gave me the ick. Maybe it’s the fact Rose calls him “daddy” or him calling her “baby girl.” I prefer Petal.
I will say this book had some of the darkest themes across the last two books, which I actually liked! It added a new layer of depth to the series.
I’m still having a great time with this series nonetheless and am waiting to see what they do with my man Caspian.
Also that plot twist?! I wasn’t expecting that ending!
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Carissa Broadbent is my favorite author, so it is no surprise that The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was my most anticipated read of the year. Did it live up to my high expectations? YES.
Let me preface this review with: Mische is my favorite side from The Nightborn Duet—the best friend of Raihn. We saw glimpses of the intricacy of this character in the duet—she was a child bride to the god of the sun who was forcibly Turned into a vampire, yet remains a loyal follower—so I was eager to learn more of her background and continue her story.
This epic fantasy romance begins with Mische being sentenced to death for murdering the vampire who Turned her, Malach. Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow and exiled necromancer, saves her by forcing her into a mission to the underworld to resurrect the god of death (Nyaxia's husband). This story primarily follows her journey through the underworld and the trials and challenges her and Asar face.
Carissa's writing style is beautiful and poetic, and her world building and character development are unmatched. One thing Carissa does especially well is writing beautifully flawed characters. Mische is complex, empathic, compassionate, and introspective. She is also grappling with her (groomed) loyal devotion to the sun god who ultimately failed her when she needed him most. Carissa showcases the damning effects of religious trauma in a respectful way that leaves your heart bleeding for Mische.
Asar's character perfectly compliments Mische's—"perhaps that's why you would be so perfect for each other. A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have." They are kindred spirits in so many ways, and I loved the delicious forbidden romance and slow burn between these two.
If I had to set expectations for other readers, it would be to expect the level of spice from Carissa's War of Lost Hearts trilogy versus her Nightborn Duet (at least in this first book, I'm not sure what to expect from the sequel book). That being said, the romance within this book is delectable tension coupled with forbidden moments (Mische is a bride to the sun god).
I can go on and on for all the reasons I loved this book, but I doubt anyone would want to read it... so I will wrap things up by saying the theme of forgiveness is fantastic within this book. I feel like this book itched a spot in my brain that truly had me thinking of what someone gains from forgiveness—and sometimes if you can't get forgiveness from someone you've wronged, how can you come to terms with the regret so it doesn't eat you alive.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, and I will be (semi) patiently waiting in the meantime. A sincere thank you Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an eARC.
Let me preface this review with: Mische is my favorite side from The Nightborn Duet—the best friend of Raihn. We saw glimpses of the intricacy of this character in the duet—she was a child bride to the god of the sun who was forcibly Turned into a vampire, yet remains a loyal follower—so I was eager to learn more of her background and continue her story.
This epic fantasy romance begins with Mische being sentenced to death for murdering the vampire who Turned her, Malach. Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow and exiled necromancer, saves her by forcing her into a mission to the underworld to resurrect the god of death (Nyaxia's husband). This story primarily follows her journey through the underworld and the trials and challenges her and Asar face.
Carissa's writing style is beautiful and poetic, and her world building and character development are unmatched. One thing Carissa does especially well is writing beautifully flawed characters. Mische is complex, empathic, compassionate, and introspective. She is also grappling with her (groomed) loyal devotion to the sun god who ultimately failed her when she needed him most. Carissa showcases the damning effects of religious trauma in a respectful way that leaves your heart bleeding for Mische.
Asar's character perfectly compliments Mische's—"perhaps that's why you would be so perfect for each other. A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have." They are kindred spirits in so many ways, and I loved the delicious forbidden romance and slow burn between these two.
If I had to set expectations for other readers, it would be to expect the level of spice from Carissa's War of Lost Hearts trilogy versus her Nightborn Duet (at least in this first book, I'm not sure what to expect from the sequel book). That being said, the romance within this book is delectable tension coupled with forbidden moments (Mische is a bride to the sun god).
I can go on and on for all the reasons I loved this book, but I doubt anyone would want to read it... so I will wrap things up by saying the theme of forgiveness is fantastic within this book. I feel like this book itched a spot in my brain that truly had me thinking of what someone gains from forgiveness—and sometimes if you can't get forgiveness from someone you've wronged, how can you come to terms with the regret so it doesn't eat you alive.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, and I will be (semi) patiently waiting in the meantime. A sincere thank you Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an eARC.
A Touch Of Gold And Madness by K.L. DeVore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
A Touch of Gold and Madness is a criminally under-hyped dark fantasy romance. I could not put this book down, and the ending left me looking like this: 🤯
Quick blurb:
Two magic wielding species—the Kinetics and Elementals—and humans are at war in this post-apocalyptic world. Gray, the Kinetic princess is out for revenge against the Elemental prince because he killed her first love. After Grey fails an assassination attempt on the prince, she ends up on the run when her father, the King tries to assassinate her for this failure. Griffin, the Elemental prince wants the Kinetic King dead and Gray in his hands. The problem is, he's losing his sanity Jekyll/Hyde style.
This book has intricate but digestible world building, a unique magic system, a feisty FMC, a tormented MMC, and plot twists galore. It covers a lot of dark themes, so please read the TW ⚠️
What to expect:
⚡ Dark fantasy romance series (incomplete)
🖤 1st person, dual POV
⚡ Post-apocalyptic, dystopian world
🖤 Vengeful princess assassin
⚡ Tortured, villainous prince
🖤 Secrets, twists & betrayal
⚡ Slow burn & open door spice (not a ton)
🖤 Found family, fated mates, touch her & 💀
⚡ Trauma rep
This book is available on KU for my fellow subscribers. It's also on audiobook, which I HIGHLY recommend. The dual narration is fantastic.
An incredible read and even more impressive that this is the author's debut novel. I can't wait for the prequel to come out in November 2024 and book 2 to come out in 2025 (especially after that cliffhanger!!).
Quick blurb:
Two magic wielding species—the Kinetics and Elementals—and humans are at war in this post-apocalyptic world. Gray, the Kinetic princess is out for revenge against the Elemental prince because he killed her first love. After Grey fails an assassination attempt on the prince, she ends up on the run when her father, the King tries to assassinate her for this failure. Griffin, the Elemental prince wants the Kinetic King dead and Gray in his hands. The problem is, he's losing his sanity Jekyll/Hyde style.
This book has intricate but digestible world building, a unique magic system, a feisty FMC, a tormented MMC, and plot twists galore. It covers a lot of dark themes, so please read the TW ⚠️
What to expect:
⚡ Dark fantasy romance series (incomplete)
🖤 1st person, dual POV
⚡ Post-apocalyptic, dystopian world
🖤 Vengeful princess assassin
⚡ Tortured, villainous prince
🖤 Secrets, twists & betrayal
⚡ Slow burn & open door spice (not a ton)
🖤 Found family, fated mates, touch her & 💀
⚡ Trauma rep
This book is available on KU for my fellow subscribers. It's also on audiobook, which I HIGHLY recommend. The dual narration is fantastic.
An incredible read and even more impressive that this is the author's debut novel. I can't wait for the prequel to come out in November 2024 and book 2 to come out in 2025 (especially after that cliffhanger!!).
If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
If I wasn't already married to the man of my dreams (who is also serendipitously named Nate), I'd be putting this man on my Christmas list.
If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth has all the things I love in my favorite 90s/early 2000s holiday movies. If you're looking to snuggle up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, this is the book. Just add a splash of Baileys once you get to those spice scenes.
What to expect:
🎀 Holiday, small town romance
🎄 1st person, dual POV
🎀 Single dad x nanny
🎄 Forced proximity
🎀 Cinnamon roll MMC
🎄 One night stand
🎀 For lovers of these holiday movies: Serendipity, All I Want for Christmas, The Holiday, Love Actually
The Evergreen Park series has my favorite type of men—cinnamon rolls utterly obsessed with their woman. They are down BAD, and I adore them for it. They also give their women space to be their authentic selves, further earning them brownie points in my book.
If you hate the miscommunication trope, you may have mixed feelings on this book, but I promise that the MMC and his daughter (Sophie) are worth the read. Sophie gives Thora Birch vibes from All I Want for Christmas, which is MY favorite Christmas movie.
This book is for the hopeless romantics looking for a cozy, magical read this holiday season. We all have a little Jules in us hoping to find our cinematic love.
A sincere thank you to Morgan Elizabeth for providing me with an eARC of this novel ahead of its October 25, 2024 release.
If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth has all the things I love in my favorite 90s/early 2000s holiday movies. If you're looking to snuggle up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, this is the book. Just add a splash of Baileys once you get to those spice scenes.
What to expect:
🎀 Holiday, small town romance
🎄 1st person, dual POV
🎀 Single dad x nanny
🎄 Forced proximity
🎀 Cinnamon roll MMC
🎄 One night stand
🎀 For lovers of these holiday movies: Serendipity, All I Want for Christmas, The Holiday, Love Actually
The Evergreen Park series has my favorite type of men—cinnamon rolls utterly obsessed with their woman. They are down BAD, and I adore them for it. They also give their women space to be their authentic selves, further earning them brownie points in my book.
If you hate the miscommunication trope, you may have mixed feelings on this book, but I promise that the MMC and his daughter (Sophie) are worth the read. Sophie gives Thora Birch vibes from All I Want for Christmas, which is MY favorite Christmas movie.
This book is for the hopeless romantics looking for a cozy, magical read this holiday season. We all have a little Jules in us hoping to find our cinematic love.
A sincere thank you to Morgan Elizabeth for providing me with an eARC of this novel ahead of its October 25, 2024 release.
A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Tribute of Fire is a great epic romantic fantasy to binge read if you're looking to start reading the genre.
Lia, our FMC, is a princess of a goddess-cursed nation that enters into a deadly ritual in order to save her people and break the curse. This story is packed with lovable romantasy tropes, secrets, and a tension-filled romance subplot.
What to expect:
🗡️ Epic romantasy
🗡️ 1st person, single POV
🗡️ Greek mythology-inspired
🗡️ Deadly trial
🗡️ Stabby FMC
🗡️ Hidden identity
🗡️ Slow burn
🗡️ Found family
🗡️ Dragons & magical creatures
🗡️ Cliffhanger
This is my first book I've read by Sariah, and I love her writing style. Her world building was easy to follow, and I liked her incorporation of Greek-inspired mythology. Sariah does an especially good job at writing the found family trope and a swoony MMC within this book.
Lia has all the elements of a fierce, stabby FMC but she constantly contradicts herself—she's resilient but fragile, cunning but naive, clever but foolish—which was frustrating for me as a reader and made it hard to fully connect with her. This ending suggests Sariah is planning to really grow this character in book 2, and I'm rooting for her.
The dynamic between the FMC and MMC is very insta lust but is coupled with a slow burn, witty banter, and lots of kisses. I will say some of their interactions felt very juvenile at times which I felt semi mixed on since this is such a high-stakes story.
While I guessed the majority of plot twists, they're still enjoyable. The last 100 pages of this book are a definite page-turner. I'm planning to continue the series, especially after that cliffhanger.
A sincere thank you to Sariah Wilson for gifting me a physical ARC ahead of her November 1, 2024 release.
Lia, our FMC, is a princess of a goddess-cursed nation that enters into a deadly ritual in order to save her people and break the curse. This story is packed with lovable romantasy tropes, secrets, and a tension-filled romance subplot.
What to expect:
🗡️ Epic romantasy
🗡️ 1st person, single POV
🗡️ Greek mythology-inspired
🗡️ Deadly trial
🗡️ Stabby FMC
🗡️ Hidden identity
🗡️ Slow burn
🗡️ Found family
🗡️ Dragons & magical creatures
🗡️ Cliffhanger
This is my first book I've read by Sariah, and I love her writing style. Her world building was easy to follow, and I liked her incorporation of Greek-inspired mythology. Sariah does an especially good job at writing the found family trope and a swoony MMC within this book.
Lia has all the elements of a fierce, stabby FMC but she constantly contradicts herself—she's resilient but fragile, cunning but naive, clever but foolish—which was frustrating for me as a reader and made it hard to fully connect with her. This ending suggests Sariah is planning to really grow this character in book 2, and I'm rooting for her.
The dynamic between the FMC and MMC is very insta lust but is coupled with a slow burn, witty banter, and lots of kisses. I will say some of their interactions felt very juvenile at times which I felt semi mixed on since this is such a high-stakes story.
While I guessed the majority of plot twists, they're still enjoyable. The last 100 pages of this book are a definite page-turner. I'm planning to continue the series, especially after that cliffhanger.
A sincere thank you to Sariah Wilson for gifting me a physical ARC ahead of her November 1, 2024 release.
The Memory Puller by Kris K. Haines
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
If you love easy world building, mystery, forbidden romances, plenty of banter, spice, elemental magic, and human vs fae—then you should check out this fantasy romance.
The Memory Puller follows Cassandra, a rebel Shrouded Sister. By day, she works in the temple pulling human memories into a brew for the fae. By night, she's using those same memories to steal treasures to help save poor human families. During one of her robberies, she runs into Tristan Saros, a hot fae guard with a soft spot for humans and a large wing span. Ultimately, this unlikely pair end up partnering to solve the mystery of recent Shrouded Sister disappearances while fighting their forbidden attraction.
What to expect:
💜 New adult fantasy romance
✨ 3rd person, dual POV
💜 Forbidden romance (she’s a nun)
✨ Reluctant allies
💜 Banter, tension & slow burn
✨ Found family
💜 Elemental magic
✨ Mystery & secrets
💜 Cinnamon roll MMC w/ a filthy mouth
✨ Who did this to you?
This is book 1 in an incomplete 4-book series. Books that are currently out:
1️⃣ The Memory Puller
2️⃣ The Exile and the Savior
Both are available on Kindle Unlimited.
I LOVE a multi-dimensional, stabby FMC, so I was immediately sold on Cassandra as our leading lady. Tristan Saros is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC—protective and has a filthy mouth.
While it's a tad insta-love, the forbidden romance has you eating up every bit of tension & banter as Cassandra decides whether or not she'll break her chastity vow.
I love a romantasy (heavy on the romance) coupled with a good mystery, so I had a great time reading this book. I'm very impressed that this is the author's debut novel!
Ultimately, I did not give this a true 5/5 due to personal/subjective reasons. The pacing of this book was a bit off at times—some moments really dragged and others kept rapid firing action. I also felt the dialogue wasn't 100% believable at times.
I'm invested in this story, so I will be continuing this series!
The Memory Puller follows Cassandra, a rebel Shrouded Sister. By day, she works in the temple pulling human memories into a brew for the fae. By night, she's using those same memories to steal treasures to help save poor human families. During one of her robberies, she runs into Tristan Saros, a hot fae guard with a soft spot for humans and a large wing span. Ultimately, this unlikely pair end up partnering to solve the mystery of recent Shrouded Sister disappearances while fighting their forbidden attraction.
What to expect:
💜 New adult fantasy romance
✨ 3rd person, dual POV
💜 Forbidden romance (she’s a nun)
✨ Reluctant allies
💜 Banter, tension & slow burn
✨ Found family
💜 Elemental magic
✨ Mystery & secrets
💜 Cinnamon roll MMC w/ a filthy mouth
✨ Who did this to you?
This is book 1 in an incomplete 4-book series. Books that are currently out:
1️⃣ The Memory Puller
2️⃣ The Exile and the Savior
Both are available on Kindle Unlimited.
I LOVE a multi-dimensional, stabby FMC, so I was immediately sold on Cassandra as our leading lady. Tristan Saros is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC—protective and has a filthy mouth.
While it's a tad insta-love, the forbidden romance has you eating up every bit of tension & banter as Cassandra decides whether or not she'll break her chastity vow.
I love a romantasy (heavy on the romance) coupled with a good mystery, so I had a great time reading this book. I'm very impressed that this is the author's debut novel!
Ultimately, I did not give this a true 5/5 due to personal/subjective reasons. The pacing of this book was a bit off at times—some moments really dragged and others kept rapid firing action. I also felt the dialogue wasn't 100% believable at times.
I'm invested in this story, so I will be continuing this series!