lj_perez's reviews
274 reviews

Queen of the Night: Halloween Standalone by N. Owens

challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-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? No

5.0

Okayyyy Grandma Betty, you dirty ole girl! 

 

I’m not sure if Gran was waiting to be tagged in or what. Even dropped her current spicy read and all. 

 

It was so great getting the chance to relive this book all over again! Queen Of The Night has been my favorite since I first read it last year. I have fallen into the N. Owens rabbit hole once again! Or maybe the sugar cabin in the woods if you really think about…..🫣

 

A definite 🖤  10/10 🖤 read if you want a great quick spicy Xs 3 Halloween novella! 

XxX- Laura 

Reclaiming You by A.E. Nalle

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-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? No

5.0

You’re Claiming me that’s for sure!! 

 

All I can hear in my head is heavy panting…..or it might just be me. Either way, I am sl^tt for MC books! Tatum and Liam had all the spark. Almost like when someone did that thing with their car. 🫣 

 

The writing style of this story really had my attention. The dialogue and vocabulary had me swooning. Another thing I really loved about Reclaiming You was how the FMC was also in power and she damn well knew it too! She was always ready to spring into action or a certain type of action *wink*. 

 

Then of course there’s always the DEE-Bag in a pollo who thinks he has everything figured out and that he is going to come out on the winning side. Which never happens, sorry to tell you homeboy. 

 

But wait there's more! Because I do not pay attention to detail very well and always go into a book blind. I didn’t realize that in big bold letters it says BOOK ONE! So of course there is going to be more and I am screamingggggg.  That sneak peak just really put me in my place thinking, oof it can go anywhere from here. I am sooo looking forward to it! 

 

Until next time 

 

XxX- Laura 

Red Night: Special Edition by Kitty King

4.25

This book was so unhinged. I think during the majority of reading this my reactions were all audible. 

 

“I’m sorry, do what now??” 

“My dude I think she heard you the first time, yes she’s yours” 

“Remind her of what? I forgot. Oh that’s right, you’re his and he owns you” 

“Milk isn’t a snack?” 

 

My absolute favorite was “Guess my c*ck lives here now.” I am never coming back from that one 💀 

 

This was one of those stories you read standing up. Whenever you start to make your way to sit down, you get distracted and stop. Or you end up all scrunched up in some kind of weird yoga stance in the middle of your living room floor. Just me? Okay then. 😏 

 

Kitty King, I’m not sure I can call you anything besides King for a little while. 

 

Now I  need to see my chiropractor and my shrink.  

 

XxX- Laura 

Royal Flush by Elanore Bailey

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

5.0

OMELGWDIJR!! 

 

WOW!! I don’t know how to feel right now. This story was absolutely amazing. I consumed every single word on every page. I’ll try to write this without spoilers. 

 

Anna’s father reaches out to her, asking her to come to the Irish Rose Casino. Her father, Declan, had deposited a significant "moving expenses" amount into her bank account. So she packed up and headed to West BG Virginia. 

 

When Anna arrived, she first met King, one of four protective and trustworthy men working for Declan, in his "Dec." King took her to his office to talk in private and informed Anna that her father had been murdered, and that she was now an heir of the Casino, along with King and his three brothers: Jack, Joker, and Ace. Anna was now the queen of the Irish Rose and soon to learn the Queen of these four men, who believed that sharing was definitely caring. 

 

These men were a huge green flag. They wouldn’t let anyone hurt Anna; one of them was always by her side, or at least somewhere in that vicinity. They were all respectful and open about everything. Okay, here’s the neon green flag, They always made sure to ask for consent! No matter what was happening, even right there in the elevator a few times. 

 

I didn’t expect to write this much, but I can’t say it enough—this story was the best! I went in blind, not knowing that Declan had passed away. So you can imagine my reaction, full-blown tears. This book joins the very short list of books that have made me cry. Lucky number 5. 

 

Thank you Elanore, you’ve pulled me into every single one of your books. 

 

XxX- Laura 

Wilderness Hair by Jessie Morrison

dark emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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"Wilderness Hair" by Jessie Morrison is a book of poetry about “Love letters to myself.” Within the pages, it contains joy, sadness, hopelessness, and grief. These poems are of someone writing as if it were an escape, to express the pain they’re feeling about themselves or others. All while being from the outside looking in. 

 

I didn’t find myself feeling like I was on the outside. I personally write like this to let go of my thoughts. The use of inanimate objects and saying things out of the ordinary. It’s like a secret message that only you know how to decipher. 

 

“Talk to me about your secrets and your fears, and I’ll talk to you about my nightmarish daydreams and my different brains.” - Midnight Struck 

 

“The clock ticks against her chest, but the hands get stuck. She tastes of time and she smells of space.” - She Tastes 

 

One sentence could have a million meanings. You have to take everything in and see it from your perspective. It’s a lot of reading between the lines, a line that sometimes takes a bit of trauma to understand. 

 

My final thoughts for this somber yet beautiful poem are that expressing yourself in whatever way can be done in sadness or, for others, relief.  I felt like my heart was who could have written on these pages. It’s refreshing seeing how others voice their thoughts in a similar way that I do. 

 

--- 

XxX- Laura 

Exsanguination: A Dark MF PNR by G.R. Loreweaver

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-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? No

5.0

“Bring on the 🍆 parade!” 

 

I did not know what I was getting into with this book. I went in blind and came out staring straight into the sun. This story was such a comical, magikal and spicy read. I loved the wall breaking…. I mean the fourth wall…..or do I ? The whole plot was a crazy paranormal hormonal roller coaster. I had no idea who, what, when, where was cumming next. And why do we have to wait for the next book? I cannot wait! 

 

See you soon, 

 

XxX- Laura 

The Unexpected Match by L. Clara

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

“Building up inside of me, a place so dark, so cold 

I had to set me free.” 

 

Okayyyyy. Wow! First things first, can I have a Connor. 🥺 Second thing, I also agree “forget” Andy! That man really lost his ever loving mind. I know if a man looked at me in the middle of a restaurant, on our anniversary and then said “we need to talk.” Nope *Flips Table.* Plus homegirl out there fully disrespecting girl code and basic human decency for a man with what? The ability to tie a knot? It’s a no from me. But it WAS the ending for me. 🙂 

 

The Unexpected series has put its claws in me and I hope it never lets go. I can’t wait to consume the books that are coming next. 🖤 

L. Clara’s writing always pulls me. Her characters all have huge personalities, reading the little goofy details is the best part. Also this series has snippets from characters from other books. You’ll have to read them all to understand. 😘 

 

Be back soon for Unexpected First 🖤 

XxX- Laura 

Rawest Venom by Kitty King

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

Please check CW also if you have not read the first book of the Compass Series, go do that right now. You do NOT want to miss anything! This is not a standalone. I promise you’ll need to read the first one. You won't have any complaints I can also promise you that. 

 

Kitty King has done it again. I’m not sure how I am going to survive the rest of this series! The CW, we’re definitely a teaser to what was to c^m. The amount of times my neck snapped from the twist.🤯 I kept looking for someone who witnessed what had happened. Nope, just me. I'll keep my dirty little secrets! You’ll just have to find out for yourself 😈 

 

Unit book three, 

XxX- Laura 

Until Then by Emily Klepp

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

Where do I even start!!! WOW. The way I cried, the way I screamed, I was on that roller coaster the whole time! 

Amara is the absolute strongest person imaginable. To go through so much and still be able to take control of her mental health. She was very open and honest about her feelings with Zander, she researched ways for her to cope. She never truly blamed herself. It was such a great story! 

Just a few things. I have never re-read a chapter so fast, like I did with chapter 16. I was hoping my eyes were lying to me. Very cruel. 😞 Also, if I could roll up to a “party” like that and put a few people in their place, I’d be so happy for the rest of my life.

Until next time…or in this case, Until Then

XxX- Laura 

Standing Proud: An Indie Pride Anthology by Phoenix Publishing

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

I either over analyze or not at all. With all these authors they made it very clear that you were born to stay out. 

Every story was so important in its own way! I was so sad once the ending came to each and everyone of these stories. What’s going to happen next, will they be together, did they find their happiness. So many questions! I would love some answers that’s for sure! 

In the words of the Queen herself, Miss Gaga, “You were born this way.” "There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"

XxX- Laura