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muccia's reviews
45 reviews
Whispers of the Nordic Draugr by Caroline Helenasdotter
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Whispers of the Nordic Draugr - Caroline Helenasdotter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ / 🌶️🌶️/ Kindle / TW: violence
Thank you Caroline for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Official Blurb:
In the misty realms of 16th-century Scandinavia, where myths dance with reality, Katarina finds herself ensnared in a perilous dance between the mortal and the ethereal. Possessed by the elusive mare, her world fractures, and the shadows grow darker. But amidst the chaos, a reluctant guardian emerges - Ulrik, the enigmatic master of her estate, harboring demonic secrets darker than the midnight sea.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Review:
This is hands down one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read - it is so so so easy to picture the world that AUTHOR has imagined.
From the description of the tense and mysterious land, to the sensory ways the seasons and the atmospheres are explained - every line of this book whisks you away to another place.
Even the intimate scenes are painted like a work of art, feeling delicate and warm.
The inclusions of Nordic folklore really help to tie the story together, bringing Katarina’s desire to coexist with and
understand the creatures at full force against Ulrich’s inherent need to protect her against them.
I also love the fact that Katarina is in her thirties and has lived a life. She isn’t defined by the circumstances between her and Ulrich, she is strengthened by them and who she is is what helps guide her through.
All in all, Whispers of the Nordic Draugr is a beautiful book full of folklore, mystery and love and I’m honored to have read it.
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
if you know me IRL you didn’t see this review.
look. this is a vv conflicting book. It IS NOT for everyone. It IS problematic. It IS aggressive and dark and twisted. It IS NOT a fun little fairy tale.
All that being said, I actually really liked it and as much as I can obviously see the issues, it made me feel something. A lot of somethings. It had me questioning a lot of things such as - should I maybe be in therapy? should I be arrested for listening to this in public? should I share my location with everyone that I know in case I’m kidnapped and thrown into the human trafficking underbelly of the world?
look I can see why people have issues with this - is it borderline torture porn? Kind of. Is there an extreme lack of consent? Absolutely at first, without a doubt.
This book has more trigger warnings than any book I’ve ever read, but I think if you go into it knowing what it is, you’re less likely to be appalled and you’ll take it with a grain a salt.
look. this is a vv conflicting book. It IS NOT for everyone. It IS problematic. It IS aggressive and dark and twisted. It IS NOT a fun little fairy tale.
All that being said, I actually really liked it and as much as I can obviously see the issues, it made me feel something. A lot of somethings. It had me questioning a lot of things such as - should I maybe be in therapy? should I be arrested for listening to this in public? should I share my location with everyone that I know in case I’m kidnapped and thrown into the human trafficking underbelly of the world?
look I can see why people have issues with this - is it borderline torture porn? Kind of. Is there an extreme lack of consent? Absolutely at first, without a doubt.
This book has more trigger warnings than any book I’ve ever read, but I think if you go into it knowing what it is, you’re less likely to be appalled and you’ll take it with a grain a salt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Slavery, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Child death, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Murder, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Rape, Sexual content, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Gun violence, and Violence
A Grave So Cold by CM Tillman
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A Grave So Cold - CM Tillman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/ 🌶️🫑 / Kindle / TW: Death, Assault, Cannibalism, Miscarriage
🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦
Official Blurb:
I never asked for this.
I liked my simple life, living with my dad in our modest home, in a cozy little town.
Then everything changed. I take one step over a grave on Halloween, and suddenly he appears. Edgar. A not-living, not-breathing, very-dead ghost.
Apparently, I have a legacy to live up to and he’s been sent to escort me.
My estranged grandmother oversees the Harrowgrove manor, an enchantingly haunted estate where our family is subject to a devastating curse. One that jeopardizes my very safety.
Danger lurks hand in hand with the monsters that hide in the darkest of places, and it’s not my life that they want.
It’s my soul.
🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦
Review:
Calling all paranormal book girlies - this one is for you! I love when I come across a book with an original concept and this one is no exception. I admittedly don’t delve into paranormal books often, but I’m so glad I had the pleasure of reading this one! I feel like so much happens in this book even though it’s fairly short, I don’t want to spoil anything but just know there is a lot packed in.
Shortly before her 21st birthday, Willow finds herself face to face with her family’s curse - one that she will be forced to handle both in life and death.
Willow is incredibly relatable, trying to find herself and who she is amongst learning all this new information that turns her world upside down. Edgar, the MMC is charming and protective, guiding her on her new path as part of her family’s legacy.
A Grave So Cold is a quick read, coming in under 250 pages, but honestly I could’ve kept reading for another 500 pages! I loved this story and the characters and I was so intrigued by the whole concept. I immediately downloaded the second book, A Kiss So Cursed, because I just have to know what happens! Book 3, A Poison So Deadly, comes out in October as well!
A Court of Wings and Ruin [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Rules of Convenience - HL Munn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/🌶️ / Kindle / TW: cheating
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Official Blurb:
Her.
She’s working hard to overcome a life of being overlooked by her boss, the constant pressure of being set up on blind date after blind date by her best friend, and the need to prove to herself that she is capable of succeeding on her own. She doesn't need a man in her life threatening her carefully controlled world. Everything she’s worked for seems to not be amounting to anything…
She’s working hard to overcome a life of being overlooked by her boss, the constant pressure of being set up on blind date after blind date by her best friend, and the need to prove to herself that she is capable of succeeding on her own. She doesn't need a man in her life threatening her carefully controlled world. Everything she’s worked for seems to not be amounting to anything…
Then she meets him.
Him.
He’s trying to continue his grandfather’s legacy even when he feels like he doesn’t belong. He’s worked his whole life to be a part of a family that never wanted him. And he’s dealing with the aftermath of his recent breakup. Everything he’s worked for seems to be crumbling around him…
He’s trying to continue his grandfather’s legacy even when he feels like he doesn’t belong. He’s worked his whole life to be a part of a family that never wanted him. And he’s dealing with the aftermath of his recent breakup. Everything he’s worked for seems to be crumbling around him…
Then he meets her.
Them.
When strangers turn friends, he offers her the perfect arrangement. To their family and friends, they are the ideal couple caught up in a whirlwind romance, but behind closed doors they are free to live the lives they want.
But can they really deny the chemistry they feel for each other and follow their own rules?
When strangers turn friends, he offers her the perfect arrangement. To their family and friends, they are the ideal couple caught up in a whirlwind romance, but behind closed doors they are free to live the lives they want.
But can they really deny the chemistry they feel for each other and follow their own rules?
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Review:
You know those books that just feel like hugs? Like an old friend that you’re so glad to see again because it’s been too long? That’s this book. It’s so sweet and so charming, you can’t help but smile and giggle at it the whole way through.
The main characters, Amelia and Riley, are just too precious for words - truly made for each other and blind to their mutual attraction - I love when a book has a dual POV so we can experience both characters thoughts as they get acquainted with each others.
If you love a cozy, sweet and charming read this one is for you - I’m excited to see what else is in store for the Queen City Romance series. Rules of Convenience is out now, you can grab it on Amazon!
Threads of Fate by C.A. Blooming
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Threads of Fate - CA Blooming
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/ 🫑🌶️ / Kindle / TW: violence, assault
HUGE thank you to @pinkofficeauthor for letting me be part of her ARC team!!
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Official Blurb (shortened for length!):
“All Orah wanted was to discover what lay behind the hidden garden door, but when it inadvertently traps her in the Land of Gods, she finds more than she bargained for. Now stuck in this new world, she must decide if she can unlock the power necessary to get her home.
Roan never expected the intriguing woman who stumbled into his garden. Nor did he expect the Fates to call forth the challenge he’s spent his life running from. While forced to face his birthright, he must also search for a way to return Orah to her own world before her power is detected by the monsters in his. As he strives to get her home, he finds himself questioning whether or not he can and, against his better judgment, if he wants to.”
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Review:
I….loved this book. I loved it. Trust that you’ll love it too. Oh you like mysterious magic? This book has it. You like a slow burn? Check. A sweet, good guy MMC who is also BTW a GOD? Double check. A fierce, strong FMC? Absolutely.
If you’re looking for a book with sprinkles of Outlander and ACOTAR with so much of its own originality, look no further. The world building is phenomenal, I truly could imagine the setting so vividly in my mind. There’s also such an interesting magic dynamic and I can’t wait to learn more about it as the story continues in the next book.
Our FMC Orah is strong-willed and opinionated with walls up for days, but who learns to let people in. The MMC Roan is the God of Nacht and an all around good guy, loved by his people who he loves in return.
This book kept me up at night and at a certain point I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. So much happens that it’s impossible to not be curious as to what happens next. I gasped, I cried, I laughed, I squealed and kicked my legs in joy.
Threads of Fate is out now, go add it to your TBR and order it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble - I am DESPERATE for book 2 to come out, so make sure you read ToF so you’re ready with me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/ 🫑🌶️ / Kindle / TW: violence, assault
HUGE thank you to @pinkofficeauthor for letting me be part of her ARC team!!
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Official Blurb (shortened for length!):
“All Orah wanted was to discover what lay behind the hidden garden door, but when it inadvertently traps her in the Land of Gods, she finds more than she bargained for. Now stuck in this new world, she must decide if she can unlock the power necessary to get her home.
Roan never expected the intriguing woman who stumbled into his garden. Nor did he expect the Fates to call forth the challenge he’s spent his life running from. While forced to face his birthright, he must also search for a way to return Orah to her own world before her power is detected by the monsters in his. As he strives to get her home, he finds himself questioning whether or not he can and, against his better judgment, if he wants to.”
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Review:
I….loved this book. I loved it. Trust that you’ll love it too. Oh you like mysterious magic? This book has it. You like a slow burn? Check. A sweet, good guy MMC who is also BTW a GOD? Double check. A fierce, strong FMC? Absolutely.
If you’re looking for a book with sprinkles of Outlander and ACOTAR with so much of its own originality, look no further. The world building is phenomenal, I truly could imagine the setting so vividly in my mind. There’s also such an interesting magic dynamic and I can’t wait to learn more about it as the story continues in the next book.
Our FMC Orah is strong-willed and opinionated with walls up for days, but who learns to let people in. The MMC Roan is the God of Nacht and an all around good guy, loved by his people who he loves in return.
This book kept me up at night and at a certain point I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. So much happens that it’s impossible to not be curious as to what happens next. I gasped, I cried, I laughed, I squealed and kicked my legs in joy.
Threads of Fate is out now, go add it to your TBR and order it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble - I am DESPERATE for book 2 to come out, so make sure you read ToF so you’re ready with me!
A Cursed Hunt by Rebecca Grey
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
A Cursed Hunt - Rebecca Grey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5) / 🌶️🌶️🫑 (2.5) / Kindle / TW: assault, violence
🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
Summary:
Meira and Remis find themselves bound together by a mysterious mark on their hands, which seemingly appeared out of nowhere. As they are drawn toward eachother, they begin to untangle the mystery of their intertwined fates, and discover that their history is perhaps more connected than they thought.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Review:
I. LOVE. A. POLISHED. ARC. I LOVE it. Please read this book!!
I have read popular, well-regarded, chart topping books with less polish and less originality than this book. I am SO grateful to have been a part of this ARC team!
Meira is a strong, confident black cat of an FMC. She has walls up, she is protective of herself and her feelings but she knows who she is while trying to figure out who she wants to be. She is complicated and such a well-defined character. Her relationship with Mrithun, her dragon mount, is charming and everything you want in a dragon rider scenario.
Remis is *chefs kiss* give me more please. A perfect counterpart to Meira’s black cat energy, he is a bold and strong golden retriever MMC who loves and feels fiercely. His besties Merritt and Percy also gave me Fred/George and Merry/Pippin vibes and I couldn’t help but smile whenever they shared the page. I would also be loyal to friends like them.
And that SCENE. In the TOWNHOUSE. With the CHASING. 🥵🥵🥵 that’s all I’ll say - you’ll have to buy the book to know what happens.
Overall this book is easily one of the best I’ve read this year. Rebecca created such a vibrant world with such an interesting backstory, I can’t wait to read more.
A Cursed Hunt comes out on May 31, 2024 - go preorder/ add to your TBR!!
Second Chance Ex by Shann McPherson
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Second Chance Ex - Shann McPherson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.75) / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🫑(3.5)/ Kindle / TW: cheating, miscarriage, infertility, assault
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
Summary:
Prue and Joey are high school sweethearts..well…were high school sweethearts until they broke up, much to everyone’s surprise. But when their best friends get engaged and they find themselves as Maid of Honor and Best Man, they are thrown back into each others orbit and find it difficult to resist the pull.
💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
Review:
ITS. THE. CHEMISTRY. FOR. ME!!!!!!
I read this book in…idk 16 hours? I could not put it down. It is so unbelievably well written and so personal. The narration feels like a friend texting you, letting you into the characters innermost thoughts that are so real and relatable.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, until this year I’ve never really been a contemporary romance girl let alone a sports romance girl - but THIS BOOK. This book hooked me from the start. A black cat stubborn FMC with a sweet football golden retriever MMC are you joking? I didn’t stand a chance.
And the spice. The SPICE 🥵🥵🥵 my god I had to take breaks and set my kindle down and get some air 🤣 and then quickly returned to see what happened next.
This love story is one you can’t help but root for, full of sweet, saucy, downright dirty moments that I personally couldn’t get enough of.
Second Hand Ex released on 5/15 so seriously go grab your copy. Shann has a fan for life in me now, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Three Drops of Blood by Jessica Julien
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Three Drops of Blood - Jessica Julien
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️/ Kindle / TW: assault, violence, blood
🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
Summary:
Told from the perspective of two women, both cursed by fate. Lily’s mother was enchanted by a spell, making it so any female born by her would face a cursed life, the only solution being a magic mirror long since thought lost.
Born a siren, Lorelei is cursed with eternal youth and beauty, fueled by the taking of men’s souls to survive. But as Lorelei grows weary of her fate, she too must find the fated mirror that will tell her how to escape her endless cycle.
🪞🪞🪞🪞🪞🪞🪞🪞
Review:
I LOVE a good retelling, and this one did not disappoint! It is rich with Germanic lore and has so many elements of a classic fairy tale, but with an edgy twist.
This book is told from multiple points of view, primarily between our FMCs, Lily and Lorelei. I particularly loved the scenes between Lorelei and her maiden, Daria - every scene felt organic and full of love.
The friendship between Lily and Sophie tugged at my heartstrings, and the Huntsman’s devotion to Lily had me begging for more. Really, who doesn’t love an assassin to protector moment?!
The author has such a fantastic ability to describe the scenes and setting as well, especially with the weather magic at play. The Forbidden Forest truly felt terrifying and the scenes within it were filled with well-placed tension.
Overall, a fantastic book if you’re into dark fairytale retellings with a bit of bite!
The Bourbon Bride by Adrian R. Hale
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The Bourbon Bride - Adrian R. Hale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️/ Kindle / TW: sexual assault
🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃
When Georgia debutante and hotel heiress Paige Fairchild finds herself facing a less than desirable arranged marriage, she inadvertently runs to the aid of Hayes Olsen - Atlanta businessman billionaire, many years her senior. As their attraction deepens, she must sort out just how advantageous this relationship is, and for whom.
👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻👰🏻
I INHALED this book. I had to fan myself like a true southern belle as I read this book lest I find myself kicking and screaming at the chemistry between these characters.
Imagine my surprise when after a chapter or so I caught on to the Hades/ Persephone retelling and I was absolutely hooked. I read for two hours straight until 3:00 in the morning because I just couldn’t stop. HOOKED.
The Bourbon Bride is fast paced, sexy and fun. Hayes and Paige are hot as hell and charming to boot. Hayes is everything you want in an MMC - strong, rich, protective, morally grey but with a gentleness only for her. Paige’s journey into confidence and finding herself and knowing what she wants while staying true to herself is inspiring and honestly she is just so dang sweet. We love a southern belle with teeth.
Author Adrian Hale effortlessly weaves the tale of these lovers and while things move fast, it’s easy to believe that these two characters truly care for each other and complement each other. Her writing style is quick and concise, and the characters are fully formed and easy to imagine. And the spice? The SPICE?! There’s so much tension and touching and I was a giddy little girl all the way through.