kayetaz's reviews
449 reviews

The Step Bro Situation by Jesse H Reign

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Format: ebook

How are people not talking about Jessie and Luke more?!

Firstly, without even acknowledging the fact that this is a stepbrother trope which already makes it better than most books—it’s just such a ridiculously amazing couple and story.

I am obsessed with both Jessie, with his doom and gloom attitude, and Luke, with his golden retriever energy and no “fudges” given attitude towards taking life too seriously. The opposites completely attracted here and I was so sat.

And then adding in the fact that it’s stepbrothers, forced proximity, a little bit of dislike to love… Ugh, it was just so good.

Also, THE SPICE?! I mean, Jesse literally never misses but the spice was especially spicing in this book. Jessie’s filthy mouth is literally insane. I highlighted way too much of the dirty things he said to Luke. And then Luke being a virgin and then becoming literally addicted to sex with Jessie. Hot, hot, hot.

No words. This is going towards the top of my stepbrothers romance list and I need more people to read this masterpiece. This deserves way more hype than it’s currently getting.

Another slay for Jesse H Reign. I’ve decided this month I’m finishing up reading all of her books because they’re always a fun time for me.

Just Forever by Briar Prescott

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

Format: ebook

”I found you. Out of the billions of people in the world, I found you, and you found me. How stupidly lucky did we get?”

My sweet, perfect boys!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been foaming at the mouth for another taste of Lake and Ryker since the abrupt ending of their story in book one. And this book completely filled the void I’ve had in my heart since then.

Lake continues to be a big ole self-deprecating grump, who only has smiles and kind words for Ryker. And Ryker is still the sweetest cinnamon roll who will do anything for anyone, but has an especially soft spot for his ex-stepbrother.

“Lake is happy. With me, the two of us together, in this life we keep building for ourselves, he’s happy. I’ll be damned if I let anybody take it away from him or ruin it for him.”

We jump in when Lake and Ryker are living in New York. Ryker playing for the NHL and Lake getting ready to start med school. They’ve agreed to keep their relationship secret for Ryk’s career but it’s a lot harder than either of them anticipated because they find it nearly impossible to keep their hands and eyes off each other in public. So delicious jealousy and possessive claiming behind closed doors ensues.

“I’m faintly aware of them, but most of my attention is on Ryker and only Ryker. It’s ridiculous. Concerning, even. But I’ve mostly stopped worrying about how far in over my head I am with this. There’s no point. It’s not going to make me love him any less.”

As usual, Briar’s banter and chemistry is unmatched, along with wonderful spice. These two truly cannot stop touching each other, which I’m a huge fan of.

”’I missed your ass,’ I say, palming the cheek and kneading it. 

A soft chuckle leaves Lake’s lips. ‘I know you did, baby. So, get in there.’”

This was relatively low-angst, but still lots of cute moments of them taking care of each other when needed. The little found family with friends Rachel, Sawyer and Kelly still persists, which I adored, and we got a few new additions added to the group.

I miss them already. I would read ten more books of them. But I’ll settle for waiting for the next story Briar graces us with (maybe Jordan’s book? Fingers crossed).

“‘I love you,’ I say. ‘Thanks for marrying me all those years ago.’ 

He laughs. ‘I’d do it all over again. Every last second. Testicular cancer and all.’”

*I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Atlas by Eden Finley

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.25

4.4 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

Format: audiobook

Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

This! Was! So! Cute!

Firstly, a stripper/sex worker storyline always calls out to me. I love anything giving Pretty Woman vibes, and this fit the bill.

Atlas and Lemon were amazing. They were both so sweet and genuine. Lemon is my favorite kind of character. Love me a stubborn twink who just wants to help people. And Atlas was this big, beefy ex-Seal who just wanted to settle down.

The plot here was also super interesting. It was almost more prevalent than the romance parts of the story, and it was fun to see it all play out. The spice also took a backseat to the more intimate moments, which I was okay with because it didn’t feel like Lemon was being over-sexualized because of his occupation.

Also the ending? Juicy? So adorable.

And of course, it was nice to see characters from other books and series sprinkled throughout. I’m coming into this series at book one because I’m a chaos demon, but I definitely will have to come back for Iris, Rogue and Zeus.

Mammon by Maddison Devlin

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

4.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Format: ebook

Okay, Leviathan was a fun time but this was a whole rollercoaster ride.

Firstly, our main characters. We have Mammon who needs full control and doesn’t want to have any weaknesses—even though deep down he’s always had two. Bel is this deranged maniac that you can’t help but find endearing. And then we have sweet Gore who is delusional and adorable. I loved them all so much and enjoyed the dynamics their relationship took on as it progressed.

I did like how the plot and the cult aspects were done in this book. I was a bit confused in Leviathan, but Mammon cleared a lot of things up.

The tension, the push and pull, the SPICE in this story were insane. I loved every second. And I really liked how our characters never changed themselves for their partners. They are unapologetically flawed and selfish and crazy, and found love anyway.

Levi, Luc and Asi also added a lot to the story. I continue to adore Levi and Luc together, and their weird little relationship they have going on. Asi just intrigues the hell out of me and I cannot wait for his book, especially after getting his prologue in Mammon.

Also DO NOT skip out on the bonus scene. That was one of the hottest things I’ve ever read. Running a train on Gore? Yes please.

*I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Headstrong by Eden Finley

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.5

3.5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Format: audiobook

Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

I don’t know why I don’t hear more about this series in the Sadenverse, because this was a cute, low-angst read.

Rainn and Whit were adorable together. I love a good strangers to friends to lovers trope, and add on a queer awakening and a “wingman” storyline, and it’s a ton of fun.

I think there were just a few too many tropes trying to be shoved into this book. I’m not sure that the hockey aspects were really necessary, and I think it would’ve been a more cohesive story without them. Rainn also tended to be all over the place with his emotions. And not even with his sexuality, but it all surrounded hockey.

Anyways, I liked this a lot. The relationship progressed in believable way and the spice was done super well. Excited to see what’s next.

Leviathan by Maddison Devlin

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

4.2 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

Format: ebook

This story was dark and disturbing and disgusting and rough, but it was such a vibe. I absolutely devoured this book.

I don’t know how Leviathan with his lack of empathy, people skills and literally any redeeming qualities wormed his way into my heart, but he did. And Aiden was a walking oxymoron of emotions and thoughts and reactions but their dynamic was super interesting.

The spice in this book was insane. A lot of it made me uncomfortable, but again, was totally living for it.

I will say that I don’t really understand the plot of this book. If there was one, it wasn’t fleshed out too well or I just missed it entirely. But the overall concept of Levi falling for his mark was fun. I just wish I understood the cult aspects a bit more.

The side characters were everything. Adored Mammon, Gore and Bel, and there was a nice setup for their book. Super interested in Asi. Cannot wait to see what’s going on with him behind closed doors.

The Day I Found Him by Calliope Rhys

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful sad 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

4.25

4.3 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Format: ebook

Book one made me sob but this book made me sobbbbb.

Gavin and Nick were absolutely precious. I knew I was going to love Gavin based just on his history with Caden, but I was not prepared for the depth in which I’d fall. And Nick was a wonderful addition to the amazing friend group we got in the first book.

The found family aspects of this series are seriously unmatched, and every time they suit up I get so excited.

And Jamie and Caden! I got so much of my babies from book one and I was so happy. I love seeing them still so happy and in love, and achieving all the goals they wanted to in their book. Ugh, I just love all these characters so much.

I still think the writing, mostly the dialogue, can do with a touch of editing. It gets a little wordy and superfluous sometimes. But the overall plot and romance always make up for it in spades. 

Please, please, please give us more. I don’t care who’s next, just keep feeding us!

*I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Barbarian by Onley James

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious 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

5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Format: ebook

I knew since Rogue that Mal and Nico were going to be everything but I wasn’t prepared for exactly how everything they would be.

This book gives Necessary Evils meets Disciplinary Action vibes. Super dark and action-y, but also super kinky.

I think this is the first time I’ve read Onley James do a best friends to lovers trope, and she nailed it. The way that Mal immediately clocked Nico as his husband and silently cock-blocked him for over a year was amazing. While they basically spent the entire time as a married couple anyway.

Loved the background story of this book too, very mysterious and fun. Plus we got so many Mulvaney moments, and lots of Felix and Jericho too.

The spice was insane. I’ve never read anything about domestic discipline before but their dynamic was so fun. And their overall chemistry was off the charts since the last book. Absolutely obsessed with them together.

Okay, bring on Seven and Enzo immediately!

*I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Stranded by Cara Dee

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

Format: audiobook

Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

I continue to have no words for this series.

This book was a tiny bit of reprieve from the absolute desolation I felt while reading book one. There were still some really sad, hopeless moments, but it was overall a lot better on my mental state.

The romance aspects really started to kick in here, along with a bunch of delicious codependency between our mmc’s. I’m just obsessed with them and the way they care for each other.

My poor baby Gray. My heart. But I must keep pushing through because I need to see him have his HEA.

Bit of a spoiler, but this book ends in a cliffhanger, and not a HFN, and it’s rough. But I have hope our boys will get it together in the next installment.

Auctioned by Cara Dee

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

5 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️.5/5

Format: audiobook

Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

I’ve put off writing this review because I didn’t have the words when I finished, but I still don’t have words now.

Firstly, Cara. Dee. Never. Fucking. Misses.

It doesn’t matter what she writes, I always fall in love. The story structure, characterization, plot line, research, etc. is always so well done.

I really wasn’t sure what a dark romance would look like from her, but I wasn’t prepared.

I don’t have triggers, but this was hard to read. So many moments where things were so hopeless that I felt physically ill. I felt every loss so deeply. This was heartbreaking and raw and painful, but also super honest. It’s a topic that’s hard to hear about, but also important to know about.

Anyways, I love Gray and Darius. Both of them are complicated, multi-dimensional characters that I continue to root for. The romance aspects take a backseat to the overall story, but what we do get keeps me hooked.

This ends with a semi-HFN, but if you’re someone who doesn’t like cliffhangers, like me, you’ll want to move onto the next book immediately because there isn’t a lot of resolution in this book at all.

As I write this, I’m like halfway through book 2. This series will utterly destroy me and I’m here for it.