karly_rose_reads's reviews
226 reviews

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

Pucking Sweet is officially my favorite book in the series, so far! Emily Rath had me cracking up the entirety of this book—I was even laughing during the dedication.

This book quickly became an anticipated read for me after reading numerous easter eggs in Pucking Around and Pucking Wild about Poppy's story. And Emily Rath didn't disappoint. Pucking Sweet is a spicy, funny why choose and a great installment to this series.

What to expect from Pucking Sweet:
🏒 Hockey romance
🏒 1st person, multi POV
🏒 Romantic comedy
🏒 Why choose (MMF)
🏒 Tons of banter
🏒 Workplace romance
🏒 Years of pining

I ate up the dynamic, chemistry, and banter between Poppy, Colton and Lukas. And I love the way she developed these characters, especially with each of their backstories.

As I've said in my other reviews, Emily Rath's books are a bit longer than I'd personally like—but she makes no apologies for this so I'm along for the ride and the vibes.

Emily Rath's humor was spot on in this book and fitting for these characters, and I can't wait to see where she takes the rest of this series.

A sincere thank you to Kensington Pub Corp. for an ARC ahead of this book's September 24, 2024 release date.

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

I am a sucker for a beautifully crafted, faerie world and Mary E. Pearson creates one within The Courting of Bristol Keats. This is the author's adult romantic fantasy debut and book one in an incomplete duology.

What to expect:
🗝️ Adult romantic fantasy
🗝️ 3rd person, multi POV
🗝️ Fae, demigods & magical creatures
🗝️ Mystery, secrets & betrayal
🗝️ Reluctant allies
🗝️ Secret identities 
🗝️ Forbidden romance
🗝️ Slow burn with lighter spice (not super detailed/explicit)

I have to admit—two things ultimately convinced me to request this eARC: the gorgeous cover/limited edition stenciled edges and Adalyn Grace's (author of the Belladonna trilogy) glowing review. I'm so glad I was approved for an eARC because I found this book unique, fantastical, and romantic.

Not only does Mary E. Pearson create a beautiful world, but I appreciate the complexity of her characters. Although I found the switching of POVs a bit confusing—the POVs are not clearly stated at the top of each chapter and she sometimes switches perspectives within a chapter—I was able to adjust about 30% in. I hope she takes the time to develop side characters that have had POVs (such as Eris and Melizan) in book 2.

I love that the author chose to pair the forbidden romance with a slow burn so it felt believable. While the anticipated spice scenes weren't overly explicit, I found them tasteful and not distracting from the overall plot. This is a romantic fantasy, so the fantasy is ultimately in the forefront.

This is a long book and I can see it deterring some readers, but I'm the type of reader who regularly reads 500+ page books. I would say three things really lengthen this story, Mary E. Pearson: 
👉 Provides a lot of background for context 
👉 Loves to give thoughtful details
👉 Builds character personalities and relationships through "micro moments" (e.g., dancing in the forest, training lessons, day-to-day life)

While I found the ending to be a bit abrupt—I wouldn't necessarily call it a cliffhanger—I am looking forward to the next book and plan on completing this duology. I can't wait for more readers to get their hands on this book November 12, 2024.

A sincere thank you to Flatiron Books for an eARC through NetGalley.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

adventurous emotional reflective 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

4.5

It felt SO good to be back in this magical world! 

Set three years in the future of These Hollow Vows (THV), Beneath These Cursed Stars follows two POVs: Jas (THV FMC's younger sister) and Felicity (a shapeshifter). While Lexi Ryan states this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the THV first because you'll be better prepared for the world & magic system, and you'll avoid major THV spoilers.

What to expect:
⭐ YA fantasy romance (incomplete duology)
⭐ 1st person, multi POV (primarily dual in this book)
⭐ Revolution, revenge, & secrets
⭐ Reluctant ally
⭐ Star-crossed lovers
⭐ Secret identity 
⭐ One horse 
⭐ "Who did this to you"?

I love the storytelling and flow/pacing of this book. Her character pairings and dynamics were realistic and relatable, and I found myself eagerly turning the page to figure out what was going to happen next. 

While I may have guessed a few of the twists, I was happy to be right rather than feeling it was too overly predictable.

I'll absolutely be finishing this duology once the next book comes out, especially given those cliffhangers!

Pucking Wild by Emily Rath

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

If I had to describe Pucking Wild in three words, they would be: spicy, funny, and sweet. This is the second book in the Jacksonville Rays, a spicy hockey romance series. 

What to expect:
🏒 Hockey romance
🏒 Reverse age gap
🏒 1st person, dual POV
🏒 Cinnamon roll / Golden retriever MMC
🏒 Accidental roommates
🏒 He falls first & harder
🏒 Romantic comedy
🏒 Plus size & bisexual representation 

Overall, I really enjoyed the dynamic between Tess and Ryan and felt that their story was unique and different from Pucking Around. Ryan is the definition of a cinnamon roll, and I adore him.

I continue to feel Emily's books are a bit longer than they need to be, but they ultimately are fun vibe reads. I love her writing style and am looking forward to reading Pucking Sweet.

Pucking Around by Emily Rath

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

Sometimes I'm in the mood for a lot of smut—and Emily Rath delivered with Pucking Around.

What to expect:
🏒 Why choose, hockey romance
🏒 1st person, multi POV
🏒 RH
🏒 Instalove
🏒 Friends to lovers
🏒 MF, MM, MMF, MFM, MMFM
🏒 Romantic comedy

I went into this book fully knowing that the smut is the major plot line. I'm not a sports romance reader, so I didn't know what to expect outside of that. Overall, this is a fun read if you're into books with polyamorous relationships, SPICY scenes, and comedic moments.

Emily Rath's writing style is easy to follow, and I like that all of the main characters felt very different from one another (I have a special place in my heart for Jake). I agree with the overall sentiment across reviews that this book could have been shortened, but this is ultimately a vibe read. The last time I read a book that gave a similar-ish vibe was Den of Vipers.

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

Cruel Dominion by Poppy St. John

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

3.5

I don't believe I'm the target reader for Cruel Dominion by Poppy St. John. I was given an eARC of this book ahead of its August 26, 2024 in exchange for an honest review. Even though this wasn't for me, I want to sincerely thank Poppy St. John for an eARC of this novel.

If you're curious for my review, see below 👇

Cruel Dominion is a fast-paced, standalone dark romance. What to expect:
🖤 Dark romance
🖤 1st person, dual POV
🖤 Obsessive, billionaire MMC
🖤 Second chance
🖤 Touch her & die
🖤 Dual timeline
🖤 Breeding kink

Overall, I enjoyed the second chance romance aspect to this story and that the MMC is a morally black, possessive billionaire.

However, there were some key parts of this book that I struggled with:
👉 The FMC's character is inconsistent (in my opinion). She appears very headstrong and resilient, but the moment she's around the MMC she has no backbone. As a result, I struggled to connect with her.
👉 This is personal preference, but I was disappointed there wasn't more development of side characters. Summer is the only one we're really introduced to and she barely makes any appearances but has a critical role in the storyline.
👉 The scene with the photographer / gallery owner felt misplaced and unnecessary

I want to note that I wasn't aware this book had a breeding kink, and I typically gravitate away from books with that trope. This personal preference was not a factor in my final star rating.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

dark emotional funny fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

THIS 👏 IS 👏 HOW 👏 YOU 👏 END 👏 A 👏 SERIES 👏

Wisteria is a phenomenal conclusion to an enchanting trilogy—I was captivated by this book from start to finish. The pacing, storyline, dialogue, character development, and witty banter were all utter perfection.

It is not often that I feel series get better and better as I read, but that is the case with the Belladonna trilogy. I thought Foxglove was my favorite book of the series, but Wisteria easily stole the show—it left me in literal tears.

Adalyn Grace has such a gift at transporting you into this world she has beautifully crafted. Her attention to specific details made me feel as if I was walking alongside the characters.

I love the way Adalyn developed these characters throughout the three books—I feel as if I knew them and could anticipate the way they would respond to certain situations. They are so near and dear to my heart, and I will miss reading about their lives. That being said, I am extremely satisfied with the ending and epilogue, so I could not wish for another book. A spin off series in this world, though? Yes, PLEASE.

I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I truly hope this review does it justice and makes others want to pick up this trilogy.

A sincere thank you to Adalyn Grace and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an advanced copy of this book ahead of its August 20, 2024 release date.

The Hunted Heir by Holly Renee

adventurous reflective 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 Holly Renee writes it, I am reading it in one 👏 sitting 👏

Holly Renee’s work is highly bingeable, fast-paced, and addictive. The Hunted Heir is everything I’d expect from Holly’s writing, and I could not put it down.

While The Veiled Kingdom was a lot more constant action & spice (once the slow burn started to BURN), The Hunted Heir focuses on our FMC's escape—from the kingdom and now the rebellion—and our MMC's hunt for her.

What did I like most about this book? We got to see a softer, more introspective side to our MMC—he's not just a dirty-mouth, possessive rebel son. While I may have wanted significantly more groveling, this character showed a lot of growth.

This book was absolutely necessary for the plot, but it didn't have as much going on as The Veiled Kingdom....so I struggle to give them the same star rating. 

I can’t wait for the next installment to this amazing series!

The Hunted Heir release date: August 20, 2024

A sincere thank you to Valentine PR & Holly Renee for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Hopeless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny 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

4.75

I cannot believe this series is over—what am I supposed to do with my life now?! In all seriousness, I DEVOURED this series. 

What to expect:
💚 Small town romance
💚 1st person, dual POV
💚 Military hero x bartender
💚 Age gap
💚 Fake fiance
💚 Witty banter
💚 Virgin FMC

Beau and Bailey's chemistry is top notch, and I ADORE how unfiltered Bailey is and Beau's reactions.

Only reason I could not give this a true 5/5 is because Beau constantly jokes about needing therapy...and he desperately needed it given that he has PTSD.

I can't wait to read Wild Love, next!

Reckless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny 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

Hello beautiful character redemption arc!

I didnt expect to like Winter—I went into this story very skeptical that this character could be truly redeemed because I wanted to smack her every time she spoke in the previous books. I also went in even more skeptical I would even like this book because it’s an accidental pregnancy trope book. However, Elsie proved me wrong.

What to expect:
🍼 Small town romance
🐂 1st person, dual POV
🍼 Accidental/secret pregnancy 
🐂 Forced proximity
🍼 Redemption arc
🐂 Witty banter

This story started off a bit slow for me because I was skeptical, but once I got over myself it was a great, fast-paced read. I love this couple and how they compliment one another. Everyone deserves a man like this… they also deserve a Peter.

I was chatting with my friends about Winter, and one said that she is the equivalence of Nesta from ACOTAR and it is a 10000% accurate comparison. 

I can’t say this is my favorite book of the series, but I was absolutely won over by Winter in the end and rooting for her happiness.