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originalbooknerd's Reviews (993)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
๐๐
๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ซ๐ค โ๐ณ๐ถ - ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐โ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฐ 1 - โ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐
Author: Brandy Hynes
Couple: Ivanna Kingston & Gavin Wells
Tropes: enemy to lovers, marriage of convenience, instant lust, forced proximity, dark romance, mafia romance, roommate romance, one bed, obsessive alphahole, fierce FMC, forbidden romance
Review: Pulse pounding. Angst ridden. Forbidden and deceitful. Burning Ivy is a great first book for Brandy and I enjoyed the romance between Ivy and Wells. The forced proximity and marriage of convenience tropes were masterfully done and the fiery tension between these two was entertaining to read!
Ivyโs character was rough at first for me but I soon became a huge fan of hers. Brandy was able to create the perfect blend of resilience, innocence and cunning within Ivyโs character and seeing the evolution she went through in this book sucked me in as she grew closer to Wells, Gage, Liam and Ty. The utter disregard she gave to Wellsโ rules also made me fall in love with her more since she never gave in to his whims. The way Brandy was able to unravel the ties they all shared with Ivy and the true identity Ivy had to KORT was a little obvious but still surprised me with the events that led up to it.
Wells was not the dark mafia boss we have come to expect. While his demons and darkness are a huge part of his character, I found the way his world brightened with Ivy in it to be what drew me in to his story. I LOVED the bafflement he had with the growing obsession he had with his wife and enjoyed how Brandy depicted his frustration with Ivy not following his demands. The push and pull Wells has with his goals and plans with KORT kept surprising me since I never predicted what that man was thinking and I wanted to shake him for his choices and actions that led to the third act break up.
Ivy and Wells have an explosive romance that is riddled with tension, angst and desire. I enjoyed seeing the two fight their feelings and desires and Brandy crafted the explosion of their heat perfectly. While HAWT, this book centered around the bonds the five of them had and the found family they found within each other. I loved how the main themes were the bonds between them all and found the way Ivy seamlessly fit into the group to be the cherry on top. This book was a great first dip into the universe and I cannot wait for more to come!
Rating: 4/5, Burning Ivy was a whirlwind of angst, hatred, lust and forbidden desires that lit the KORT universe on fire!
emotional
funny
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
๐๐ซ๐๐ถ๐๐ท๐๐๐ - ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐ถ๐๐น ๐ต๐๐๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ 2 - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Couple: London & Brogan Six
Tropes: fake dating, frenemy to lovers, football romance, reformed player, bad boy x good girl, forced proximity, sports romance, she gets his fan mail, he falls first x harder
Review: Playbook continues the story of the Holland Brothers and this time Brogan is front and center! Rebecca gave us a laugh out loud romcom with the NFLโs newest playboy and oh how hard he fell! Brogan and London may be one of the most heart warming couples I have read by Rebecca outside of her hockey books and both of their stories resonated so much with me that I had to pause at times to regroup.
Broganโs story hit hard. We first meet him in the Campus Wallflower series and then in Burnout and nothing could have prepared me for what his story would actually be. My favorite part of his story was the slow acceptance he had of his found family and realizing that they would never leave him. The way his past is unraveled provided maximum tears and I appreciated how his past was not brushed over but instead given a main part. HIs relationship with London provided just enough of a โsafe feelingโ that it allowed him to slowly open up to someone who would not take advantage of him and it was beautiful to read.
London was my lady in this book. Her getting his fantail had me IN STITCHES. I adored everything about her and enjoyed how irritated and hot-headed she got when finally confronting him for the โgirlfriend mail.โ Her gradual acceptance of who Brogan was provided us with a ton of comedic relief as she asked friends, roommates and siblings if his actions were ok for a fake boyfriend and I found myself wanting her to confront him about what they โwereโ a lot sooner. I loved how London was unapologetically herself and appreciated how Rebecca did not shy away from giving us an independent and bossy FMC! Her friendship with Alex (roommate) also added to who she was since we got to see the sibling-like bond they shared (and I hope his book comes eventually!)
London and Brogan were Fake dating ROYALTY and I canโt wait to see these two cameo in book 3. The romance between them was more heartwarming than intense but was perfect for healing and finding your way. The way these two stand up for one another in this book was the epicenter for me and I liked how Rebecca made a point to include scenes where we see either the Hollands, Broganโs teammates or Londonโs sister come to bat for them! This book was a great continuation of the Hollands and I am excited to get the next book!
Rating: 4/5, Brogan Six is the GOAT! I enjoyed his story of finding himself and opening his heart to love!
Thank you to Rebecca for sending me this ARC!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
โฃ๏ธโญ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ข๐ฉ โญ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฑ๐ฐ - ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ฃ โ๐๐ฑ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฉ๐ข๐ถ โ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ 1 - โ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ดโฃ๏ธ
Author: Becca Steele
Couple: Elena & Knox Ashcroft
Tropes: bully romance, dark romance, mythology themes, Hades x Persephone reimagined, prep school romance, enemy to lovers, Cinderella vibes, forced proximity
Review: Cruel Crypts was a dark and delicious tale of two people who refuse to bend the knee to their other. Becca expands upon the world of the Four and Allscroft. Elena was a more down to earth character on the surface who had some darker secrets and goals in this book compared to her other high school FMCs. Her story was one of vengeance, growth and acceptance that blew the expected social standards of Hatherley Hall apart!
Becca blended the themes from two iconic tales (Hades/Persephone and Cinderella) in this book and I enjoyed seeing the twists and turns Elena and Knox take to get their HEA. Elenaโs past was a huge turning point in this story and I found the ways she pushed against the norm to be the biggest twist to the old tales. The way Knox seemed to suck her into his dark underworld was addicting and I appreciated how Becca put her own spin to the iconic Prince Charming character. That being said Knox and Elena were a volatile pairing and neither of them were ready for the emotions the other triggered in themโฆwhich I found refreshing but also hilarious.
The way they each pushed buttons and boundaries made put me on edge for the final explosion they would have. Becca was able to craft their enemy to lover vibes exceptionally well and I loved how neither let the other get away with secrets and hiding. The suspense surrounding the true reason Elena and her mother came to be employees of the Ashcroftโs was the turn I never expected in this book and my heart hurt when Elena bore the brunt of her motherโs actions. Becca was once again able to dupe me in her storylines and plotting but I appreciated the shocking event that led to Knox chasing Elena across town after she attempted to run and hide.
This book kicks off a deliciously deceitful world within the Allscroft universe and I was ecstatic to see some old faces briefly in this book. I cannot wait to get the last two Gods of Hatherley Hall books and hope we see more of the Four in the remaining books!
Rating: 4.5/5, Elena and Knox put a modern twist to the age-old Hades x Persephone romance with forbidden Cinderella vibes while also fitting in perfectly to Beccaโs dark romance world!
Thank you toWordsmith PR & Becca for sending me this ARC!
challenging
emotional
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
๐ค๐ฒ๐๐๐น ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ - ๐ฏ๐๐พ๐๐๐๐น ๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐ ๐ฆ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ค
Author: Eva Simmons
Couple: Reed Jackson & Mason Zane
Tropes: broken MCs, dark romance, mafia x MC x corrupt billionaires, roommate romance, trauma rep, forced proximity, instant attraction, friends to lovers
Review: Word To The Wise is the culmination of the Twisted Roses series and I loved seeing the final member find his HEA. Mason and Reed have a heart-wrenching romance that is full of personal growth, trauma and found family. I enjoyed the way Eva delivered this last book and will forever have Mason as a grade A book boyfriend!
Reed was a FMC who intrigued me after meeting her in her brotherโs book and her story was not one I could have ever prepared for. It was so heartbreaking and raw that it was almost impossible to put the book down while reading. The way Eva was able to write about the trauma and emotional/physical wounds Reed suffers from made it seem real in the best and worst ways. I appreciated the way she did not shy away from the topics and made them the cornerstone of Reedโs character to allow us to see her growth as the book went on. I also loved how Reedโs journey was one of healing and found love. Seeing her flourish in this book was perhaps my favorite part!
Mason Zane was the MAN. While Jude and Fel will always have a special place as m favorite in this series, Mason was really the good guy of the four. I found that I rooted for him to get the girl from the beginning and it only grew as his past was revealed. I adored the way he was always there to push Reed to take risks but was the first one to hold her when she needed it. The bond and friendship he had with her was so beautiful that I never wanted this book to end. Eva truly outdid herself with Masonโs character and I loved that the sweet-bad boy was the last one to find love!
This book was a mix of darker themes and there are aspects that make it the darkest of the four in the series. Reedโs past in one full of darkness and Masonโs is not super different. The way they were different sides of the same coin made me appreciate their differences but also loved how they could anticipate the others actions. Eva was able to give us just enough push and pull but also pack the romance full of banter and trust which was just as important. I enjoyed seeing the cameos from the other couples and cannot wait to meet Jamison Steel in her next series!
Rating: 5/5, AW-mazing. Hands down the most heartwarming and tragically beautiful story in this series!
Thank you to Eva for sending me this ARC!
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
๐ค๐๐๐ฆ๐ซ๐ฑ - ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐๐ฑ๐๐ซ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ซ๐ข - โ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ค
Author: Eva Simmons
Couple: Violet & Saint
Tropes: dark romance, sta!ker romance, forced proximity, trauma bond, taboo, secret society x cult, college, suspense/thriller
Review: UNHINGED. Twisted. Dark and deceitful. Saint is Eva Simmonโs masterpiece! This book was by FAR my favorite read by Eva so far and I adored Violetโs story and loved her inner fire and resilience. The character arcs in this book were raw and edged with thorns but the end result was everything I wanted.
A huge part in this book was Violetโs acceptance of her inner darkness and the fallout that it havocs on her life. I found that her story was more raw in this book since she experiences the most upheaval, growth and revelations. The way Eva was able to grow her from the shy girl we see at the beginning to the strong young woman at the end who stands next to Saint without regret kept me engrossed in this book! I found the push and pull Violet has with her morals in regards to Saint to add a layer of vulnerability to her POV and it also brought me to tears at times.
Eva mastered Saintโs character. Hands down he is this book. While Violet plays an important role, I found Saintโs character to be the backbone and teeth to this romance. The mystery surrounding his identity was what caught my intrigue first and I loved seeing Saint tug at Violetโs emotions, morals and true self. Once Eva revealed who Saint truly is, his character truly begins to unfold and his personality and experiences showed the true depravity this secret society was all about.
Saint and Violet are not a sweet romance and they are not soft. This book was full of triggers and dark topics but also had a true bond between the MCs. Eva twists an angsty yet forbidden tale of desire and lust in this book that turns into a true love match between Violet and Saint in the best ways. I was never prepared for the surprises Eva threw at us and found that the ending left me with many questions about the secondary characters who I hope we get books about in the future!
Rating: 5/5, Kole is my next book boyfriend obsession and I could not get enough of this HAWT romance!
Thank you to Eva for sending me this ARC!
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
๐๐ข๐๐๐ฃ - ๐ข๐พ๐ถ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฝ๐ผ 3 - ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐
Author: LA Ferro
Couple: Cameron Salt & Everett Callahan
Tropes: Best friendโs daughter, Age gap, Forbidden, Secret romance, Angsty, Pining, Dadโs best friend, Roommates x forced proximity, workplace romance
Review: SALT is a book that stayed with me way after I finished the book. LA Ferro tackled the age-gap x taboo and forbidden tropes in a way that made you forget that Cameron and Everett the epitome of forbidden romance couples! From the beginning I knew this book was going to hit me in ways that would make me think of the bigger story and I cannot express how Cameron and Everett tugged at the heartstrings while bumbling their way to and HEA!
Cameron Salt is a young woman who knows what she wants and has no qualms about going after it. I adored her character and all the strengths, weaknesses, insecurities and turmoil she went through in this book and LA Ferro truly did her story justice in SALT. The stubbornness we see from her is ASTOUNDING and I felt like my heart broke and mended SO. MANY. TIMES. in this book! The obsession she has with Everett was both concerning yet adorable at times and I loved how she did not bend to Everettโs will at all in this book.
The thing I enjoyed most about her character was how she was not just the heiress or gold-digger that one may think of a young woman living in a billionaireโs house. Her desire to become a designer and keep her work hours all the while deciding to pursue starting her own business just added to the layers of her story and made me love her more.
Everett was a man who tore a whole in my heart. I found myself both loving his moral code and hating him for what he put Cameron through. The ups and downs this man had in this book made me want to rip my hair out and then give him a hug. The emotional turmoil that Everett experiences in this book took on a wide range of guilt, lust, desire, hate, remorse and obsession as he battled with his mind to accept his growing attraction to Cameron. LA Ferro was able to shine in Everettโs chapters since she created just amount of taboo and forbidden as his feelings developed. I can say I truly enjoyed the push and pull he had with Cam. The way he couldnโt allow her to be far away but also wanted to hate her infiltrating his mind, work and goals.
SALT is a SLOW BURN and while the romance is a huge part of the emotional journey these two go on, the overall plot was what sucked me in. This book has it all - suspense, romance, family secrets and fierce women. Cameronโs bonds with Stormy and Connor. The way Connor accepted her relationship with his father and was able to be mature enough to ease the strain between them made me curious for his story and I will be adding it to my list! I also found that Parker, Nash, Stormy, Lauren and the other Callahan brothers were strong secondary characters that added a ton to this plot. The sense of found family and strong bonds left me wishing we could have more of these two but also on my toes for the next book within this world of emotional romances!
Rating: 5/5, SALT is a rollercoaster romance full of turmoil, pining, angst and slow burn loving that will destroy you while making you come back for more!
Thank you Hambright PR & LA Ferro for the eARC copy!
challenging
dark
funny
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:
Complicated
๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐-๐ณ๐๐๐ โ ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #1 โ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐
โแดสแด ษดแดษช๊ฑแด แดสแดแด แดแดแดแด๊ฑ แดแดแด แด๊ฐ แดแด แด๊ฑ ษช สแดแด ษขแด ๊ฑแดแดษดแด ๊ฑ แดแดสแด แดษดษชแดแดส แดสแดษด สแดแดแดษด. ษชแด ๊ฑแดแดษดแด ๊ฑ สษชแดแด แด แดแดษด๊ฑแดแดส, สแดแด ษชแด ๊ฐแดแดส๊ฑ สษชแดแด ๊ฐสแดแดแด แดแด.โ - แดแด แดแด
โษชแดโ๊ฑ สแดสแด แดแด สแดแดแด แด ๊ฑแดแดแดแดษดแด แดกสแด สแดแด แด๊ฑ สแดแด, แดแด แดษด แดสแดแดษขส สแดแด แดษดแดแดก สแดแดสษช๊ฑแดษชแดแดสสส ษชแดโ๊ฑ ษดแดแด แดกแดสแดษชษดษข. สแดแด แด ษช๊ฑ ๊ฑแดแดแดษชแด สษชแดแด แดสแดแด. ษชแดโ๊ฑ สษชแดแด แด สษชษดแดษชษดษข แดแดษช๊ฑแดษด สแดแดแดแด๊ฑแด ษชแด แดแด๊ฑแดแด๊ฑ ษขแดแดแด .โ - ๊ฑแดษขแด
Author: Sara Cate
Couple: Sage & Adam
Tropes: goody boy MMC, morally grey FMC, opposites attract, age-gap, taboo romance, dark romance, found family, enemy to lover, cam s3x, fake dating, preacher's son
Review: Be ready to be a sinner in Saraโs new opposites attract romance! Sage and Adam are two souls destined for each other and the storms they weather prove how well matched they are. I fell deep into their forbidden romance and lived to see how Adam would rebel next!
Sage is a young woman who works alongside her boyfriend when she first meets Adam and I enjoyed her unapologetic nature when she accepted to seat with him. I found myself silently laughing at how instant their connection was since she is an employee at a s*x club and Adam is the poster boy for good boys. Sara did a phenomenal job with creating Sage to be a total dichotomy and the way her character evolved in this story was perfect! When she is confronted with Adam and his father again, I was there for all her snark towards Adam and his patronizing ways.
Adam is the preacherโs son and the all-American good boy. His character is so righteous at the beginning that I was happy how Sage came in and knocked him down. The fake dating arrangement they both had also a disaster waiting to happen and I LOVED IT ALL! The main arc for Adam was him accepting Sageโs plan to fake date and anger his father. I enjoyed how Adam began questioning everything about his life and morals once he began to adore Sage. His growth was what made this book into a phenomenal read for me!
What starts out as fake quickly becomes real in this story at the two grow closer together. The insane amount of chemistry they share is intense and full of heat. I loved all the ways Sage broke down his walls and then rebuilt them with steel. Adam shocked me the. Most with how dominant he was for his character. The dirty talk and desire he could not control added so much to his โgood boyโ persona and Sage was there to meet him stroke for stroke! Their HEA was hard won and I cannot wait for the next Goode brother to fall!
Rating: 100+. An intensely dark and taboo romance!
Thank you Hambright PR & Sara for the eARC copy!
โแดสแด ษดแดษช๊ฑแด แดสแดแด แดแดแดแด๊ฑ แดแดแด แด๊ฐ แดแด แด๊ฑ ษช สแดแด ษขแด ๊ฑแดแดษดแด ๊ฑ แดแดสแด แดษดษชแดแดส แดสแดษด สแดแดแดษด. ษชแด ๊ฑแดแดษดแด ๊ฑ สษชแดแด แด แดแดษด๊ฑแดแดส, สแดแด ษชแด ๊ฐแดแดส๊ฑ สษชแดแด ๊ฐสแดแดแด แดแด.โ - แดแด แดแด
โษชแดโ๊ฑ สแดสแด แดแด สแดแดแด แด ๊ฑแดแดแดแดษดแด แดกสแด สแดแด แด๊ฑ สแดแด, แดแด แดษด แดสแดแดษขส สแดแด แดษดแดแดก สแดแดสษช๊ฑแดษชแดแดสสส ษชแดโ๊ฑ ษดแดแด แดกแดสแดษชษดษข. สแดแด แด ษช๊ฑ ๊ฑแดแดแดษชแด สษชแดแด แดสแดแด. ษชแดโ๊ฑ สษชแดแด แด สษชษดแดษชษดษข แดแดษช๊ฑแดษด สแดแดแดแด๊ฑแด ษชแด แดแด๊ฑแดแด๊ฑ ษขแดแดแด .โ - ๊ฑแดษขแด
Author: Sara Cate
Couple: Sage & Adam
Tropes: goody boy MMC, morally grey FMC, opposites attract, age-gap, taboo romance, dark romance, found family, enemy to lover, cam s3x, fake dating, preacher's son
Review: Be ready to be a sinner in Saraโs new opposites attract romance! Sage and Adam are two souls destined for each other and the storms they weather prove how well matched they are. I fell deep into their forbidden romance and lived to see how Adam would rebel next!
Sage is a young woman who works alongside her boyfriend when she first meets Adam and I enjoyed her unapologetic nature when she accepted to seat with him. I found myself silently laughing at how instant their connection was since she is an employee at a s*x club and Adam is the poster boy for good boys. Sara did a phenomenal job with creating Sage to be a total dichotomy and the way her character evolved in this story was perfect! When she is confronted with Adam and his father again, I was there for all her snark towards Adam and his patronizing ways.
Adam is the preacherโs son and the all-American good boy. His character is so righteous at the beginning that I was happy how Sage came in and knocked him down. The fake dating arrangement they both had also a disaster waiting to happen and I LOVED IT ALL! The main arc for Adam was him accepting Sageโs plan to fake date and anger his father. I enjoyed how Adam began questioning everything about his life and morals once he began to adore Sage. His growth was what made this book into a phenomenal read for me!
What starts out as fake quickly becomes real in this story at the two grow closer together. The insane amount of chemistry they share is intense and full of heat. I loved all the ways Sage broke down his walls and then rebuilt them with steel. Adam shocked me the. Most with how dominant he was for his character. The dirty talk and desire he could not control added so much to his โgood boyโ persona and Sage was there to meet him stroke for stroke! Their HEA was hard won and I cannot wait for the next Goode brother to fall!
Rating: 100+. An intensely dark and taboo romance!
Thank you Hambright PR & Sara for the eARC copy!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ถ๐๐ - ๐ฒ๐พ๐ธ๐๐๐น ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ฅ
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Couple: Calanthe Bloom & Tarian Hadez
Tropes: reverse sleeping beauty, dark fairy tale reimagined, enemy to lovers, Atlantis vibes, romantasy, beauty & the beast vibes
Review: My Dark Beast was shocking and pleasantly surprising for a reverse โSleeping Beautyโ tale. Olivia was amazing at creating the world and all the undertones of deceit, betrayal and deadly power and these two MCs fit wonderfully. I found this book to suck me in and keep me guessing at what would happen since the twisted romance she weaves left me on my toes. This book was perfect for a dip into this world and I am curious if we will see more in the future!
My Dark Beast had major VIBES of Atlantis and Atlantians and I enjoyed Oliviaโs take on this iconic tale and found the way she weaved the fairytale themes into the lore to be riveting. Tarian Hadez was NOT what I expected going into this book and his development and backstory blew my mind. I enjoyed how he was multi-dimensional and that he was absolutely thunderstruck by Calanthe. The mystery and enigma that Tarian was added to the plot since he was the one โasleepโ for most of this book. I enjoyed how they grew closer but also became friends as she worked to save him.
Calanthe was also a MC who added layers of angst to the romance. I enjoyed how she was strong-willed and did not bend to the Hadez family. The way Olivia created all the tension and angst made me anxious for the explosion they would be when it boiled over. I also enjoyed how she showed her cunning and wit on her journey to rescue Tarian from his kidnappers.
This book was an interesting read that was not what you expect for a normal fairytale retelling, yet it still captivated me as I got into the plot more. The way Olivia blended all the lore and fairytales was authentic and whimsical int he best of ways. My favorite part though was how this book took place in a modern society! I am excited to hopefully get more in this world and to see what she gives us next!
Rating: 4/5, a dark, twisty and romantic tale of two people who are polar opposites but fit together like fate!
Thank you to Olivia for sending me this ARC!
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐ป๐ฎ๐ฝ๐พ๐ป๐๐พ๐๐๐ฏ๐พ๐น๐๐ - ๐ฆ๐พ๐๐๐น๐๐๐๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Couple: Zandaya & Cathal
Tropes: fated mates, amnesia romance, romantasy, NA romance, witches and shifters, interconnected standalone, friends to lovers, second chance
Review: House of Shifting Tides left me in pieces! This book was a long awaited book after the end of Fallonโs trilogy and Olivia did not disappoint. This book was a whirlwind of emotion and the journey Daya and Cathal take to get to their HEA both broke my heart and healed it. Daya was a hilarious FMC and I enjoyed how intelligent and naive she was in this book as well as how observant.
HoST continued expanding upon the Kingdom of Crows universe and this time it takes us into the witch and blood magic kingdom. Dayaโs story picks up from where we ended book 3 and I enjoyed getting to see her relearn everything and outwit the other characters. The way Olivia handled the โamnesiaโ trope was phenomenal and I adored the innocence and naivety she had while asking questions to Cathal and Priya. I also enjoyed seeing how the serpent shifters began to change the way serpents were seen in this book. Enzo and Agripinna were both side characters that added a ton of levity and layers to Dayaโs story!
This book was a second chance fated mate romance and Cathal was a MMC who destroyed me. His strength to stand by his mate even when she did not remember him and was told that she was no longer his mate was heartbreaking and Olivia really showed what type of male he was in this book. HIs relationship with Fallon was also something I adored and I loved finally seeing them share the father-daughter bond. The way Daya broke down his walls and shocked him with her questions was also a highlight for me in this book and it made me laugh at times with how uncomfortable Cathal was answering some of her questions!
While I loved the slow burn aspect of this book, the found family and bonds were what did me in. The strength both MCs have was demonstrated over and over as their feelings were tested against the deception Priya and her followers put them through. I also loved seeing Fallon, Lore and the other crows in this book. The way Fallon and Daya bonded in this book was heartwarming and I adored their friendship throughout and especially once Daya learned Fallon was her daughter. Olivia was able to craft an emotional romance in this book and I am excited for the next one coming!
Rating: 5/5, Daya and Cathal had a pulse pounding second chance romance that left butterflies and heartwarming feelings through their journey to an HEA!
Thank you to Olivia for sending me this ARC!
emotional
funny
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
โจ๐๐ช๐๐ท ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ต๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ๐ผ - ๐๐ป๐ช๐ฐ๐ธ๐ท๐ผ ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ถ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ธ๐ต๐ต๐ธ๐ 3 - ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐โจ
Author: Tessa Hale
Couple: Hayden with Knox, Easton, Cael, Cillian and Maddox
Tropes: dragon shifter, fantasy romance, golden retriever MMC, age-gap, student/professor, college romance, why choose, reverse harem, enemy to lover, heroine in danger
Review: Dawn of Flames is the ending to end all endings in all of the books I have read from Tessa so far! This series was definitely more fantasy and plot oriented than previous books but also had just enough romance to satisfy both sides of romantasy fans! Tessa was able to grasp my attention from chapter one in this book and we learn what happened to Hayden following the shocking ending in book 2 and WOW is it a doozy!
This book built up EVERYTHING and while I loved seeing Hayden finally get her HEA, I also felt like I wanted more bonding, emotions and intensity between Hayden, Easton and Maddox. I became a huge Easton fan in this book and only wish we had a little bit more of his POV so we could move past all of his emotional baggage. Tessa was able to pull his character out of his a$$ and make him a soft cuddly bear around Hayden but also keep his gruff outside for the most part. Maddox however was one I just wanted more from. He was not super amicable until the last 25% and I felt like it was a little rushed at times but also fit his persona in the group and story well. Tessa had me conflicted about him the most and I could never pick a side of like or dislike for him until the end!
This final book is the most impactful in my opinion and leaves most questions answered but also leaves new ones for us to be curious about. I found that the ups and downs in this book brought out Haydenโs mamma bear side and it was nice to see her backbone come out more and more. The ending of this book is heartwarming and I enjoyed the epilogue we got at the end but cannot wait for Tessaโs next series!
Rating: 4.5/5, the epic, angsty and magical finale to Haydenโs romance with a well earned HEA!
Thank you Tessa for the eARC copy!
**I own this edit but photos are not mine and credit goes to the original owner**
โจ๐๐ช๐๐ท ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ต๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ๐ผ - ๐๐ป๐ช๐ฐ๐ธ๐ท๐ผ ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ถ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ธ๐ต๐ต๐ธ๐ 3 - ๐๐พ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ซ๐ธ๐ธ๐ด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐โจ
Author: Tessa Hale
Couple: Hayden with Knox, Easton, Cael, Cillian and Maddox
Tropes: dragon shifter, fantasy romance, golden retriever MMC, age-gap, student/professor, college romance, why choose, reverse harem, enemy to lover
Narrators: Vanessa Moyen with Joe Arden, Jason Clarke, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais & Jacob Morgan
Review: WOW! Dawn of Flames is the WINNER for this trilogy! This final audiobook was ah-mazing and left nothing out! Tessa and this team of narrators truly put a master piece forward with this last book and Vanessa truly delivered with her narration of this last bit of Haydenโs story! From the beginning I knew this audiobook would be my favorite since the emotion was soul sucking right off the first chapter.
I was lucky enough to be able to read and listen at the same time and the experience of this was truly one I will try to do for all of her books! Being immersed in this final part of the story allowed me to connect to the group on a different level and Teddy and Jason became the two male narrators I wanted more of! While Vanessa was the heart of this book, I felt like those two were able to cast tension off the rest of the group to create interest in different areas of the story!
Rating: 100+, a riveting and emotional final book in the Dragons of Ember Hollow trilogy!
Thank you Tessa for the eALC copy!
Author: Tessa Hale
Couple: Hayden with Knox, Easton, Cael, Cillian and Maddox
Tropes: dragon shifter, fantasy romance, golden retriever MMC, age-gap, student/professor, college romance, why choose, reverse harem, enemy to lover, heroine in danger
Review: Dawn of Flames is the ending to end all endings in all of the books I have read from Tessa so far! This series was definitely more fantasy and plot oriented than previous books but also had just enough romance to satisfy both sides of romantasy fans! Tessa was able to grasp my attention from chapter one in this book and we learn what happened to Hayden following the shocking ending in book 2 and WOW is it a doozy!
This book built up EVERYTHING and while I loved seeing Hayden finally get her HEA, I also felt like I wanted more bonding, emotions and intensity between Hayden, Easton and Maddox. I became a huge Easton fan in this book and only wish we had a little bit more of his POV so we could move past all of his emotional baggage. Tessa was able to pull his character out of his a$$ and make him a soft cuddly bear around Hayden but also keep his gruff outside for the most part. Maddox however was one I just wanted more from. He was not super amicable until the last 25% and I felt like it was a little rushed at times but also fit his persona in the group and story well. Tessa had me conflicted about him the most and I could never pick a side of like or dislike for him until the end!
This final book is the most impactful in my opinion and leaves most questions answered but also leaves new ones for us to be curious about. I found that the ups and downs in this book brought out Haydenโs mamma bear side and it was nice to see her backbone come out more and more. The ending of this book is heartwarming and I enjoyed the epilogue we got at the end but cannot wait for Tessaโs next series!
Rating: 4.5/5, the epic, angsty and magical finale to Haydenโs romance with a well earned HEA!
Thank you Tessa for the eARC copy!
**I own this edit but photos are not mine and credit goes to the original owner**
โจ๐๐ช๐๐ท ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ต๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ๐ผ - ๐๐ป๐ช๐ฐ๐ธ๐ท๐ผ ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ถ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ธ๐ต๐ต๐ธ๐ 3 - ๐๐พ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ซ๐ธ๐ธ๐ด ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐โจ
Author: Tessa Hale
Couple: Hayden with Knox, Easton, Cael, Cillian and Maddox
Tropes: dragon shifter, fantasy romance, golden retriever MMC, age-gap, student/professor, college romance, why choose, reverse harem, enemy to lover
Narrators: Vanessa Moyen with Joe Arden, Jason Clarke, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais & Jacob Morgan
Review: WOW! Dawn of Flames is the WINNER for this trilogy! This final audiobook was ah-mazing and left nothing out! Tessa and this team of narrators truly put a master piece forward with this last book and Vanessa truly delivered with her narration of this last bit of Haydenโs story! From the beginning I knew this audiobook would be my favorite since the emotion was soul sucking right off the first chapter.
I was lucky enough to be able to read and listen at the same time and the experience of this was truly one I will try to do for all of her books! Being immersed in this final part of the story allowed me to connect to the group on a different level and Teddy and Jason became the two male narrators I wanted more of! While Vanessa was the heart of this book, I felt like those two were able to cast tension off the rest of the group to create interest in different areas of the story!
Rating: 100+, a riveting and emotional final book in the Dragons of Ember Hollow trilogy!
Thank you Tessa for the eALC copy!