monika_is_booked's reviews
309 reviews

The Cursed Sebastian Storm by Colette Rivera

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

James and Sebastian have successfully freed themselves from being trapped at Storm Manor, but what they don't know is that this will be just the beginning of much greater threats to come for them, their friends and the whole of Moonlight Falls.
Oh. My. Good. Lord. Where to begin? This book was so freaking fantastic!! James and Sebastian's chemistry is top tier!! Both of them fitting together so well, I was melting. The overall plot keeps getting more interesting, more secrets are revealed and the stakes are higher than ever. I can't wait for the finale of this amazing series!!

Read if you like:

Found Family
"You're Mine!!"
Magical riddles
Small town but make it magical and dangerous 
Forced proximity 
Kind and caring characters 
Phenomenal 🌶️ 

Home by Stevie Carter

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

Summer has been returned to Home, but things are not quite like they were before she escaped two years ago. How long will she be able to survive Eric's constant games without completely falling apart?

Wow! Book two in the "Stitch up"- series is even darker than book one. It's a fantastic , wild ride through Bedlam's underworld, learning more about Eric, his need for control and his demons. I can't write too much without spoiling anything, just prepare yourself for a dark masterpiece of a book!!

The series needs to be read in order and each book ends on a cliffhanger. Also: Please check TW before starting this series!! 

If you like unique, dark stories, this series is for you!!

My Pucking Mate by Izzy Elliott

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.5

When Leeras 's life gets turned upside down by the sudden death of her parents, she doesn't know that her future will hold so many more twists and turns for her.
Roman has lost everything. Barely surviving the loss of his true mate years ago, he can hardly believe when he suddenly feels a new mate bond. But is that even possible? And will the human woman accept him after his first reaction to her?
This is a fantastic start to this new series. Hockey playing werewolves? Yes please!! Shy woman with a secret she doesn't even know herself? Hell yes!! 
I really loved the dynamics between Roman and Leera and how she's willing to try but still puts him in his place and makes him work for it. 
Book one ends on a cliffhanger and I can't WAIT for the next book!!!
If you like fated mates, secrets, found family, size difference, virgin FMCs and 🔥 hockey players, put "My Pucking Mate" on your TBR!!

The Songbird & The Forest by Emma Elizabeth

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Short, sweet, hot, and a bit of action, what more could you want and all of that in under 100 pages. Perfect quick read for in-between!!

Scars & Trust by Miley Howard

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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? No

5.0

Ariana DeVille and her best friend/sister Lilith are always up to something. When their shenanigans end up with Ariana being attacked by a stranger their dad Marco rushes to the rescue. In tow: his nephew Luca, who has been sent to work for him. 
As soon as Luca lays his eyes on Ariana, he knows there's something special about her. His first job for Marco is being a glorified babysitter for Ari and Lil, which he doesn't mind as much as he maybe should. 
But when Ariana's past comes crawling back into their lives, will they be able to keep each other safe?

Wowza! This book is so fun!! It's a thick lady, but the time flew by while reading, not a boring moment in sight. I love everything about the DeVille family (except for one person, but you'll need to find that out for yourself 😉), the love and care they show for each other is flowing through the pages and will make you smile and sigh happily over and over. 
If you like mafia-ish dynamics, found family, strong female characters, insta-love, but the head takes some time to catch up to the heart, on page texts, sooooooo much banter and shenanigans for days, put "Scars & Trust" on your TBR!!

Sunset Daydreams by L.B. Benson

dark emotional funny hopeful tense 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? No

5.0

Kaycia has been focused on her career since coming to the city to finally make her dreams come true. 
When she runs into her gorgeous next door neighbour Shane, who she has had a crush on for months, sparks fly, because Shane has been noticing Kaycia as well. 
Things start to feel serious fast but Shane's past is catching up with him and might get them both in danger. How will Kaycia react to the fact, that not only is Shane a wolf shifter, but also has a dark past?
This book checks Aaaaaall my boxes!! Gorgeous fmc who tries to fulfill her dreams? Check! Handsome and kind but lonely biker wolf shifter MMC? Check! Quirky group of friends half of them shifters as well? Check!!! Banter and chemistry? Check!! Plot twists, found family, a fair bit of action and 🌶️? Triple check!! 
Needless to say, I absolutely loved Kaycia's and Shane's story and I need more stories of the "Wolves of Woodbine Hollow" like right now. Please and thank you!!!

Muse by Amelia S. Fletcher

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

When his friend dragged Kit to Foxtail Grove to get away from his previous life as an author, which almost destroyed him, Kit didn't expect to write ever again. Being content in his new, quiet life, he has everything he needs. Or so he thought.
When the shy Isla Jepsen moves into the house across from Kit, he is inspired to start writing again. But with her troubled past and his former experience with his publisher, can anything come out of it? Or will their past overshadowe their chance at being happy?
Oh sweet baby Jesus, this book is soooo sweet and gentle. Both, Kit and Isla are incredibly kind and caring characters who experienced trauma in the past and are trying hard to move forward. To make new friends in the small town of Foxtail Grove with its incredible inhabitants and to heal from everything they had to endure. Kit had me swooning SO hard, always making sure, that Isla felt safe with him and never trying to takr more than she was willing to give. This book is a sloooooow burn, but the wait is absolutely worth it!!
When their past finally catches up to them, I needed to sit up while reading because, the drama?!?! 😮‍💨
Long review short: You absolutely need to visit Foxtail Grove and get to know Kit and Isla. And it would be even better if you started with the first book "Foxtail Inn" right now. Just saying 😉. 

Frozen Over by Ruth Stilling

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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? No

5.0

Zack Evans has had a rough year. The woman he thought he'd marry betrayed him in the worst way possible and she still won't leave him alone. 
To get some distance, Zack goes home to Florida to be close to his family and to renovate the house he bought. 
What he doesn't count on is the cute redhead who throws herself into his arms on his first evening back, stirring up memories and feelings, he doesn't need or want, broken as he feels. 
Will Luna be able to break down the walls around Zach's heart and finally be with the man she only ever let herself admire from a distance?

I love, love, LOVE Zach's and Luna's story. (Childhood) friends to lovers is one of my all-time favourite tropes and "Frozen Over" delivered phenomenally!! 
This book has it all - a fantastic found family - friends group, humour, heartbreak, hope, drama, amazing 🌶️, simply all the feels contained in this fantastic second book of the "Seattle Scorpions-Series" which gives enough hints to make you giddy for book 3!!
I can't recommend this series enough. If you like hockey romance with relatable characters pick up "Boarded Hearts" to be ready for "Frozen Over" when it comes out on July 18th.

Knot Giving Up Part 1 by Jenni Peck, Thea Masen

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

All Meggie ever wanted was to qualify for the Olympics despite Omegas being forbidden to partake. When her dream slips through her fingers, her best friend's brother presents her with an opportunity to go to the Olympics in his water polo team. Will Meggie be able to fulfill her dream and keep her designation a secret while being on a team with the six gorgeous Alphas of Pack Hart?

Oh wow! This book is definitely one of my new favourites. So many feels: it's funny, it's tender, it's sweet, it's hooooot, it ends on a cliffhanger that will make you gasp!! Thankfully the wait for part two won't be too long 😅
I loved the dynamics between the pack members and how Meggie seems to fit in almost seamlessly with the guys. Even though there are some misunderstandings between the MCs, you can feel how much they care for each other. 
Thea and Jenni nailed it with their first co-writing project and I can't WAIT for the second part!!!! 

Aster by Sofia Rose

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Hyacinth is just starting her first job for the new Monster/Human production firm "Fortune Records". 
Starting a new job is challenging enough but when she feels drawn to not only one, but two of her co-workers, things start to get a bit difficult. Both monsters are open to Hyacinth exploring her new found attraction to females, but both feel, that there's something missing in their relationship. Will they be able to work out old grudges for the sake of becoming a happy throuple?
Wow! This was my first female only why choose and it didn't disappoint. Hyacinth and her monster mates are truly perfect for each other. Even though there are some obstacles to overcome for the three of them, they work together to make sure everyone gets their happily ever after. Hyacinth is just the most adorable girl everrrr and I loved how open she was to explore and accept her mates with all their differences. 
Go pick up the "Fortune Records"-Series if you like fates mates, human/monster pairings, phenomenal 🌶️, cosy books with low angst and lovely characters and pet frogs named Albert 🐸.
Book 1 "Snapdragon" is out now, "Aster" will be out on July 26th 💕