neatens's reviews
37 reviews

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

✨Book Review✨

📖Quicksilver by Callie Hart📖

Quicksilver delivers the perfect mix of fantasy and romance flawlessly! I usually lean toward fantasy with a heavy dose of romance, but this book struck the perfect balance.

The audiobook is an absolute perfection! Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini brought Saeris Fane and Kingfisher to life in a way that exceeded all my expectations. It may not be a full-cast graphic audio like ACOTAR Series, but trust me—these two narrators were magic!

The world-building was seamless, making it easy to dive right into the story. Fantasy books sometimes leave me confused at first, but not this one! Callie Hart crafted a world that was captivating and effortless to immerse in.

And let’s talk romance—swoon-worthy! Though I did side-eye the overuse of “My Mate,” it wasn’t enough to take away from my enjoyment. 

Overall, this was a fantastic read and an even better audiobook. This is an experience I can’t wait to continue with Book 2! 

PS. This is an easy five star read! The spicy scenes were sheer fire and I was cheering for both of them the entire time—the author really knows how to bring the heat! 

PSS. I get why people compare this to ACOTAR—there are definitely some similarities. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing! Every book has its own take, and Quicksilver was still so binge-worthy and fun to read. There are tons of books with similarities, and that’s what makes reading so exciting!

Everyone’s got their own opinion, and that’s okay—let’s celebrate what makes each story unique instead of raining on others’ fun! Don’t let anyone spoil your reading vibe. 

Who’s reading this with me? 🤍

Off Limits by J.A. Low

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

✨Book Review✨

📖Off Limits by JA Low📖

This was exactly the palate cleanser I needed between my fantasy reads! This book had me hooked from start to finish, thanks to Noah Stone and Chloe Jones’ undeniable chemistry. The slow burn was absolutely delicious and the tension between them had me hooked. I devoured every moment of their journey. I loved how their love story unfolded naturally—sprinkled with a little meet-cute magic amidst all the drama.

However, I have to say the big plot twist didn’t quite hit the mark for me. And honestly, Noah and Chloe’s friendship gang kind of took over at times. Their involvement felt so big that I could almost write another story about each of those characters! It made me feel like there were too many stories happening in one. This can somehow overshadow the MCs love story. Each of them has some great stories but it made me conflicted as to why they were given much thought in this story. It made the story so complexed.

But at the heart of it all, it was Noah and Chloe’s friendship and slow-burn romance that had me obsessed! The push and pull, the frustration, the tension—it was all so worth it. Huge thanks to @read_between.the_wines for the recommendation! This book was such a ride, and I absolutely loved it.

My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

📖 My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette 📖

✨Book Review ✨

This story an enchanting standalone romantasy in her series, brimming with excitement, sizzling chemistry, and characters that steal your heart. My Feral Romance is a spellbinding mix of fantasy, shifter romance, and emotional depth, pulling you in with its irresistible tension and heartfelt character growth.

Monty is a self-proclaimed matchmaker wrapped in layers of mystery—his guarded heart and hidden secrets making him all the more irresistible. Beneath his confidence lies a man terrified of vulnerability, one who instinctively runs from the possibility of pain. Yet, his deep sense of care for those he loves makes him a character worth adoring.

Then there’s Daphne, a pine marten shifter who struggles with self-doubt and the fear of rejection. Yet, she proves to be incredibly brave, her personal growth throughout the story making her journey as compelling as it is heartfelt. The slow-burning tension between her and Monty crackles with every interaction, as he stubbornly fights against his feelings—only to fail spectacularly in the best way possible.

I devoured every moment of this book. The emotions were raw, the character struggles deeply relatable, and the romance utterly swoon-worthy. Monty’s quirks, his internal battles, and the way everything shifts when Daphne finally takes a leap of faith—every piece of their journey was mesmerizing. I found myself moved to tears, swept away by the sheer beauty of their story. While I adored Rivalry of Hearts, this book took my love for Odette’s work to another level.

If you love romantasy with a touch of shifter romance, emotional depth, and swoon-worthy characters, then My Feral Romance is definitely worth a try! But be warned—you’ll be left wanting more. 

There are lingering questions, unresolved threads, and so much more I want to explore in their world. I’m desperate for more of Monty and Daphne—because one book just isn’t enough!

A huge thank you to Tessonja for the ARC of this incredible book! It was an absolutely amazing read, and I’m so grateful for the chance to experience this story early.

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

📖Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli📖

✨Book Review✨

Rebel Witch was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, especially after falling in love with The Crimson Moth last year. Kristen Ciccarelli delivers another fast-paced, high-stakes adventure filled with magic, political intrigue, and a romance that had me gripping the pages in frustration and longing.

The tension between Gideon Sharpe and Rune Winters is utterly intoxicating—so much push and pull that I wanted to scream. Their dynamic is laced with longing, conflict, and undeniable chemistry that made every interaction between them feel electric. And while the story follows the classic witch and witch hunter trope, the way they show love despite everything working against them was both heart-wrenching and beautiful. Their sacrifices for each other had me in tears, and Gideon, in particular, proved to be one of the most swoon-worthy love interests I’ve read in a while.

As for the plot, the pacing is fast, and the stakes are undeniably high—so high that I lost sleep just to see what would happen next. However, while the twists were satisfying, they weren’t necessarily shocking. The clues were cleverly placed throughout, making the reveals feel more like gratifying “Aha!” moments rather than jaw-dropping surprises. Even so, the combination of magic, politics, and action kept me thoroughly entertained.

That said, while I loved this book, it didn’t quite hit me as hard as The Crimson Moth. I wanted more—more depth, more impact, more of that gut-wrenching feeling the first book gave me. It was still a fantastic read, but it didn’t completely eclipse its predecessor.

If you loved the first book, Rebel Witch is absolutely worth the read. Just be prepared for tension, romance, and a story that, while predictable at times, is still an utterly enjoyable ride.

PS I love RUNE WINTERS, this time.

Undeniably Married by J. Saman

emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.75

✨ARC Book Review✨

📖Undeniably Married by J.Saman📖

3.75/5 ⭐️

If you’re looking for a romance that delivers emotional tension and unexpected twists, this is a captivating choice. The premise is incredibly engaging: two people are thrust into an unplanned marriage, navigating the complexities of their relationship and the undeniable chemistry that builds between them. The author weaves a tale of opposites attracting, filled with witty dialogue and plenty of heart.

This kept me hooked, though, one disadvantage here was there were too many intimate scenes. Sometimes these moments overpower the emotional development I was so much into. Readers who love an intense mix of passion and romance would surely appreciate this. However, for those who want a slightly more balanced plot and chemistry, this may feel overboard at times.

Overall, Undeniably Married is an entertaining ride with a fascinating premise and a deep emotional core, even if the romance occasionally leans a little too heavily on the physical side. 

Perfect for fans of fiery romance with a strong plot, but be prepared for those sizzling moments to steal the show.

Savage Bonds by J. Bree

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

It was exciting at first but at 60% it feels very anti-climactic. Though at the end of book 2, it became something I did not expect which is good that’s why rated it 3.75/5 ⭐️ Give this series a try and tell me what you think.

Broken Bonds by J. Bree

dark fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

✨Book Review✨

📖 Broken Bonds by JBree 📖

Another series that I am actually starting to get excited about. This book is such a great way to start. I devoured this in a few hours and I had such an amazing time with it. I’ve been in a book slump for weeks and I was busy as well but this put me on a radar once again. And yes, I am reading book two right away! Not to divulge some spoiler so I’ll zip my lips.

An unputdownable reverse harem fantasy romance that I devoured in a few hours. I love the story development and there wasn’t much of a spice but it was entertaining and easy to read.

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-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

3.25

📖Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood📖

⭐️3.25/5
🌶️4/5

The fact that I lovingly devoured her previous book, Bride, I know without a doubt that I will pick this book up. I have high hopes for this one but I didn't love it as much. It took me exactly 40 days to finish this book. The premise was good but I got lost in the middle so I had to stop reading it. I wasn't enjoying the story. It's pacing -- in my opinion -- was slow and monotonous. Though there were a lot of detailed spicy scenes, it didn't excite me at all. I knew that I needed to be in a good mood to continue this but it wasn't the case. The pacing, for me, took up until 75% of the story to be somehow make sense. 

But, in all fairness, the character development of the MCs and the slow burn tension between them was amazing. I love how Ali nicely put things together. 

I enjoyed some parts of it so yes, I will still recommend this book.

Witchbound: Book One by Sable Cross

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.0

If only I can say one about this is that — the worst book I have ever read my entire life. I was so looking forward to this but I was so disappointed that I had to stop

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

📖A Court of Silver Flames by SJM📖

✨Book Review✨

I finally finished this series — unofficially, since SJM announced the next book. This book is a love and hate one. It took 80% of the book to actually love it. It was still Nesta. I hate her guts especially her attitude. The author keeps on giving me ways to love her but I can’t see a way after everything she did to those people who truly cares for her. I have been dragging this for so long because of the FMC. I can’t accept her. But when a scene came along, I somehow forgot it a lil bit. So yeah for that scene, I cried and it was so heartbreaking. 

To be honest, I persist because I love GWYN. She is a ray of sunshine. She is a lovely character and I can’t wait to see her character development on the next series. 

PS I STILL CANNOT FORGIVE THAT THEY ARE MATES. If you know, you know. I can’t. He is too precious for her. I still think he deserves more. 

I don’t want to write the things I hate because there’s so much more and it’s all about NESTA. I STILL HATE NESTA.