karly_rose_reads's reviews
226 reviews

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver

funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Daddy West 😮‍💨 Elsie Silver did NOT disappoint with West and Skylar's story.

What to expect:
🧡 Small town romance
🧡 Horse trainer x country music star
🧡 Single dad
🧡 Friends to lovers
🧡 Cinnamon roll MMC
🧡 Found family
🧡 Forced proximity
🧡 BANTER & spice 

Elsie Silver is the queen of banter & tension—I will be kicking my feet & giggling and the characters haven't even touched. Her character chemistry is a 10/10 every single time, and I adore how she builds their relationships. 

Weston is a fantastic cinnamon roll MMC—from his protectiveness of those he loves to his potty mouth, I love this man. I also love how he supports Skylar. 

Skylar is the epitome of a child star, and Elsie makes that clear. It's what frustrates you about the character but also makes her journey to becoming a "normal" person charming. This character really grew on me, and I love that she had Cherry as her side kick. 

I read this book on KU and Audible, and I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life.

 I will be counting down the days until Wild Side releases in March 2025.

Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Respectfully, you need to ditch your TBR for this addictive fantasy romance. I literally could not put this book down and re-joined the 3 AM readers club.

Metal Slinger is the first book in an incomplete series called Fire & Metal, and I'm BEGGING for book 2 after that cliffhanger. If you enjoy romantasy books with immersive writing, easy world building, delicious tension & banter, and plenty of twists & turns—this is for you. 

What to expect:
🗡️ Fantasy romance series (incomplete)
🗡️ 1st person POV
🗡️ Warring kingdoms & rebellion
🗡️ Secrets, betrayal & plot twists
🗡️ Forced proximity & one horse
🗡️ Elemental magic
🗡️ Touch her & die
🗡️ He falls first

Mark my words, this book is going to blow up as the next viral romantasy. Plenty of Booktokers & Bookstagrammers are already raving about it, and I'm officially adding myself to the list as a fan.

This book is available on Kindle Unlimited, for my fellow subscribers.

Broken by Daylight by Elizabeth Helen

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

This is my favorite book in the series, so far! The last 100 pages had me in an emotional traumatic chokehold, and I can't believe I'll now have to wait for the next book after. that. cliffhanger.

Elizabeth Helen's writing has improved so much from books 1 to 4, and the character development in this book especially was fantastic. I am HIGHLY INVESTED in the lives of these fictional characters.

I especially want to note that I appreciate the villains in this series. If we're going to have a why choose with MANY love interests, I expect that we have just as many villains.

While a lot of this series has been predictable, this book had a lot of moments I wasn't expecting. I found myself trying to crush through the book as quick as possible to get answers. 

I am a sucker for a misunderstood villain, so I am ROOTING for my man Caspian.

Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Woven by Gold is the second book in the Beast 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

This series is fun as hell. I'm so happy I went into this series with the right expectations because I've just been going along with the punches Elizabeth Helen have thrown into these books. That being said, these books are predictable in an entertaining way. I'm here for the vibes.

Like Rosalina/Rosie/Blossom/Petal/Rose, I felt like I was being edged the first half of this book, and I was frustrated for my girl. About 60% in, things picked up and I was back to having a fun time with the beastly princes.

I love a misunderstood villain, so I'm OBVIOUSLY rooting most for my man Caspian. Onto book 3!

Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen

emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen is a spicy, fun, fast-paced, why choose romantasy. This is the first book in the incomplete Beasts of Briar series, a Beauty & the Beast retelling.

What to expect:
🥀 Spicy romantasy series
🥀 1st person, multi POV
🥀 Why choose // RH romance
🥀 Beauty & the Beast retelling
🥀 Fae world
🥀 Magic, danger & curses
🥀 Morally grey men
🥀 Touch her & d!e
🥀 Cliffhanger

I fondly refer to this type of book/series as a "vibe read" because you'll need to be in a certain mood to truly enjoy it. I went into this book wanting something fun and easy to digest—I didn't want a super in-depth world or magic system, I wanted to get easily lost in a good fantasy story with plenty of romance. The combination of the easy world building, banter, charming characters, and fast-paced writing kept me entertained and almost finishing this book in one sitting.

I personally loved how closely they kept this to original storyline because I thought they made fun/witty changes—like the men only turning into beasts at night, the staff becoming tiny forest animals, etc. While I can seeing this putting off some readers, it's one of the reasons I loved this book so much.

Outside of the Beauty & Beast plot line, I found a lot of this to be pretty predictable, but I'm still entertained and planning to continue the series.

I chose to "hybrid" read this book using the physical book and Audible, and I HIGHLY recommend checking out the audiobooks because the narrators do an amazing job at bringing these characters and their personalities to life.

A sincere thank you to the Nerd Fam & Elizabeth Helen for gifting me a physical copy of this book. I purchased the book on Audible for my hybrid read.

This is available on Kindle Unlimited, for my fellow subscribers.

Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe

funny lighthearted fast-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

3.5

Christmas Sweater Weather is a fast-paced holiday rom com by Jaqueline Snowe.

Charlotte and Hayden are in their feels (& each other's pants) this holiday season! Charlotte has been avoiding Hayden for three years since he rejected her—she's been crushing on him since they were kids, but he (supposedly) just sees her as his best friend's little sister. Thrown into a festive ski resort for her brother's bachelor party, Charlotte and Hayden give into their MUTUAL attraction. But will it last through the holidays?

What to expect:
🎄 Holiday rom com
❄️ 1st person, dual POV
🎄 Brother's best friend
❄️ Childhood crush
🎄 Single dad
❄️ Found family
🎄 Friends to lovers

This was a cute storyline and had so many great tropes, but it was too predictable and felt like it scratched the surface. I kept wanting more from important scenes, and that's a lot for me to say because I'm usually forgiving of Christmas books.

Jaqueline Snowe's writing style may just not be for me because she chose certain sayings that pulled me out of the story, especially with our MMC. I love a man written by a woman, but his dialogue wasn't believable to me.

I'd recommend this book to readers who love predictable Hallmark movies and just want a cute, fast read. These characters were charming and lovable, and I giggled at a handful of scenes.

A sincere thank you to the Forever Pub for an ARC! Release date: October 8, 2024.

Snowed In by Catherine Walsh

funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25

If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit with some giggles, fake dating & forced proximity, then you should read Snowed In by Catherine Walsh.

Megan is dreading going home for the holidays. She hasn't returned to her small Ireland village in five years after leaving her golden boy fiance at the altar—"ruining" his life and her reputation. Before she heads home, she bumps into a childhood acquaintance at a pub who is also dreading going home for the holidays (he has daddy issues). To help solve each other's problems and avoid awkward holiday conversations, they agree to fake date and be each other's dates to their families' festivities.

What to expect:
❄️ Holiday rom com
❄️ 1st person, dual POV
❄️ Runaway bride
❄️ Fake dating
❄️ Forced proximity
❄️ Friends to lovers
❄️ Small town romance (in Ireland)

While this book is part of the Fitzpatrick Christmas series, a series of interconnected standalones, I did not read the first book and had no problem following this storyline (book 1 focuses on a different sibling/couple). I'll likely go back and read the first book, since I really liked this one! 

I easily read this book in one sitting because it is fast-paced and too dang cute. The character chemistry was believable and relatable, and I ate up their banter (even if there were some borderline cringy moments).

This is my first book I've read by Catherine Walsh, and I'll be checking out more of her work. 

This book is available on Kindle Unlimited for my fellow subscribers.

Forever acquired the publishing rights to this book, it will be traditionally published and re-released October 1, 2024. A sincere thank you to the Forever team for gifting me a physical ARC.

Illusion of Stars by Sarah Marie Page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

If you love Hermione Granger-type heroines, this book is for you.

Illusion of Stars by Sarah Marie Page is the first book in an incomplete, NA fantasy romance duet. Charming, magical, and captivating are three words I'd used to describe this fun read.

What to expect:
✨ NA fantasy romance
✨ Incomplete duet
✨ 1st person POV (primarily single)
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Slow burn (fade to black)
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Opposing sides of pending war
✨ Dramione coded
✨ Cliffhanger

This book made me feel seen in so many ways. While I LOVE a feisty, chosen-one FMC, Isabel (our FMC) is softer, relatable, and lovable. There is a clear, positive message Sarah wants her readers to take away from this book, and it is that you are seen, you matter, and you are enough.

Sarah's writing is beautiful and poetic in so many ways, and I loved her environment descriptions. Her authentic chemistry between the FMC and MMC as well as her side characters is something I dearly loved about this book, too.

Why some readers may struggle with this book:
👉 Modern dialogue in a historical-styled world
👉 Unique names may be harder for you to remember
👉 Some aspects don't feel 100% believable (really need to play into the fantasy in some moments)

Available on Kindle Unlimited, for my fellow subscribers.

A sincere thank you to Sarah for providing me with a gifted copy. I chose to read this on Kindle Unlimited to further support the author.

Madness by Shantel Tessier

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW. 

 

The L.O.R.D.S. series continues to have me in an absolute chokehold and remains my favorite dark romance series of all time. 

 

You should read this book if you like… 

🖤 Dark revenge romance 

🖤 1st person, dual POV 

🖤 Secret society 

🖤 Jealous/possessive, over the top hero 

🖤 Mystery, secrets & plot twists 

🖤 Touch her & 💀 

⚠️ As always, read content warnings 

 

From the constant secrets to non-stop plot twists, I’m never bored when reading any of the books in this series. Madness is no exception, even though it was a beast at ~800 pages. 

 

I went into this book with extremely high expectations (I adored Haidyn in Carnage), and Shantel delivered. The depth and level of character development for both our MMC and FMC is unmatched. 

 

Shantel Tessier’s writing is phenomenal. I love that I can heavily visualize scenes in her books, almost as if I’m watching a movie. 

 

Also, I LOVE that Shantel continues to develop our “side” characters Kash and Adam—so I’m feral for their books. 

 

I’m leaving this book with a ton of questions, but it makes me excited to continue the series to get some answers (maybe?). 

A Trial of Fate by J.E. Larson

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.25

A Trial of Fate by J.E. Larson is the first book in the Valdor series, a epic fantasy romance. This book should be on your radar as a worthwhile read shifter series.

What to expect:
🏹 Fantasy romance
🏹 Incomplete series (4 books)
🏹 1st person, single POV
🏹 Shifters, fae & other magical creatures
🏹 Plot twists
🏹 Chosen one
🏹 Fated mates
🏹 Found family

Let me start this review with three notes:
👉 I am very impressed that this is the author's debut novel!
👉 There is a lack of content warnings and this book contains torture scenes
👉 I chose to "tandem" read this book using Audible and Kindle Unlimited, and I enjoyed this experience!

A Trial of Fate begins fast and throws your right into the life of our FMC. J.E. Larson chose to begin the story with various scenes that help to add layers of complexity to our FMC ahead of the "meat" of the story—aka the trials (heads up, these don't occur in this book). It took me a bit to understand what she was trying to do since there is some pretty heavy scenes straight out the gate, but I appreciated these moments later on to build up the FMC.

The world and magic system are easy to follow, in my opinion—I felt like I was in the woods with the FMC in multiple instances. If you've read other fae and shifter books, you'll be able to jump right in.

Our FMC and MMC are lovable, and I'd describe their dynamic as charming. It gives slight instalove vibes, but I didn't mind since this is a slow burn for some light spice.

I plan to continue this series once book 2 is out!

A sincere thank you to J.E. Larson for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.