roksyreads's reviews
433 reviews

Dear Rosie, by S.J. Tilly

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

~Synopsis~
At just eight years old, Rosie lost everything: her only friend, her safe space—her hope. When her best friend moved away, her life turned into a living hell. Yet she survived, breaking free and making a life for herself, all whilst trying to forget about Nathan Waller even as his name and face are splashed across the screens as his NFL career takes off. And she almost succeeded. Until the man himself turned up on her client’s doorstep. Her old friend and unwitting confidant. Her Nathan. Except Nate Waller—now a retired football star—doesn’t recognise her. The only thing Nate knows is that he needs to get his hands on the curvy little redhead catering his best friend’s event. But when she moans his full name, it all comes rushing back. Twenty-five years have passed, but in that moment, Nate recognises his childhood friend. His Rosie. And this time, he’s not letting her go.

~Review~
I was lucky enough to have a local public holiday for Dear Rosie,’s release day and I took full advantage. I can count the number of books I’ve read cover to cover in a session (with brief breaks to stretch, et cetera) on one hand, and Dear Rosie, has joined those ranks. Featuring an emotional second chance, friends- to strangers- to-lovers romance, I was hooked from start to finish—from the heartbreaking moment FMC Rosie and MMC Nathan lost touch in their childhood all the way to their HEA. And even though I thought I was prepared for the utter turmoil that S.J. warned us about… reader, I can tell you honestly that I absolutely was not. I haven’t cried that much or that hard whilst reading since I read the last few chapters of The Song of Achilles back in 2019. The emotional punch was so strong, it gave me my first ever book hangover. And it was worth every teary second. 

Steal the Key by Maz Maddox

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

A necromancer, an incubus and a vampire walk into a bar…

Dallas Wilde is starting to think that his life is one bad joke after another. In a race against time to steal a key belonging to a Death Goddess to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, he’s also got to face the possibility that the ruthless family he abandoned are hot on his heels and hunting the same relic he intends to destroy. As if saving the world wasn’t tricky enough, chronically broke Dallas is late on his rent again, trying to get a handle on his shaky necromancy powers, and dealing with complications of the romantic kind thanks to a gorgeous but aloof incubus and an unfairly attractive vampire Thrall. But no matter how much Dallas is juggling in his personal life, the clock is ticking. He’s got to steal the key, avoid his family, and figure out his love life before things go to hell in a handbasket—all whilst staying alive.

The first word that comes to mind is: ouch. Because that was a whole lot of feels. With a focus on hurt/comfort, I spent a lot of time fighting back tears whilst reading this second novel in the Wilde Contracts series, Steal the Key. Especially in the closing chapters. The compelling and emotional plot combines supernatural mystery, romance, action, and a good dose of humour that makes for an addictive read. One of my favourite aspects was the inclusion of plenty of lore for the urban fantasy setting and characters, that was well-woven into the narrative without overbearing exposition. Key side character Barnaby was a highlight in this one, and possibly grew to be my favourite character of the series. As an ancient historian, I totally vibe with him. Another great read from Maz Maddox, I’m looking forward to the finale, Save the Vampire—even though it means I’ll officially have run out of series by Maddox, who has become one of my all time favourite authors this year. 

Find the Jinn by Maz Maddox

adventurous funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

For Dallas Wilde, contract killer and fish trainer, scoring a contract or being tasked with finding a single jinn is usually a piece of cake. Trained and able to fight even the most fierce undead, Dallas has already destroyed the powerful necromancer threatening the city, but soon discovered that killing a necromancer comes with some surprising repercussions: a broody, annoying vampire bodyguard and the ability to resurrect the dead. Now, Dallas must navigate the situation with his new blood-sucking bodyguard, his new powers, feelings for his ultra attractive incubus client, and complete the contract in time to pay his very, very late rent—all whilst hopefully avoiding being super murdered in the process. 

Blending fantasy, adventure, humour, and romance, Find the Jinn is one hell of a ride! MMC Dallas is a sweet little tornado of chaos. Having met him in the prequel, Kill the Messenger, I knew I liked him, but now I love him and his fish Kevin. The entire cast is brimming with the diverse, engaging characters I’ve come to expect from any Maz Maddox story. The banter is especially good in this story, and regularly had me cackling. Perhaps my favourite aspect, though, was the slow burn transition from enemies, to tolerating each other, to almost friends between MMC Dallas and broody Zane through the novel. The underlying romantic and sexual tension is utterly delicious, and I can’t wait to see what book two, Steal the Key, does with it. 

Kill the Messenger by Maz Maddox

adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.5

Preston’s job as a human agent on the Demon Human Alliance and Protection team is challenging enough without the sudden reappearance of vampires. As the once extinct blight threatens the city from the shadows, Preston and his partner and friend, Tabel, must break protocol to investigate the threat—flying under the radar as nightmares nip at their heels and whilst protecting the succubi yoga instructor who almost became a meal. With no one else to turn to, the three men are forced to team up with the mysterious Dallas Wilde, a horny idiot claiming to be an expert on the undead. Together, the rag-tag team of four travel to the darkest, most dangerous parts of the city to hunt the vampire horde. To solve the mystery and protect the city, Preston must keep them alive—and avoid tripping over his feelings for his best friend and partner.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Maz Maddox. I’ve been working my way though her catalogue over the last few months and having an absolute blast. My latest adventure into the mad world of Maz is the Wilde Contracts series. Featuring a diverse cast of characters and a sweet, passionate friends-to-lovers romance, Kill the Messenger is a prequel novella that compliments the main series. Although not necessarily mandatory reading, it is a great introduction to the series’ urban fantasy setting—one that is brimming with magic and where humans and demons live side by side—and also provides a broader foundation for the overarching plot of the series.  

Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

The first letter arrived the day Kayla’s husband was buried, postmarked from the state penitentiary: I’ll wait forever if I have to. Signed by the mysterious Dante, a man Kayle didn’t know, she wrote back out of curiosity asking what he was waiting for. His next letter contained only one word: You. As Kayla and Dante continued to exchange letters, their correspondence grew more intimate—until one day, the letters stopped. Because Dante was at Kayla’s doorstep, and nothing on earth could have prepared her for what was to come. 

An unusual but interesting read, I can safely say that Pen Pal is different to any other romance I’ve read, and there’s an air of mystery surrounding the story that I’ve not truly encountered in the genre before. The blurb is somewhat vague, and didn’t seem to match up to the story I was reading in the beginning. Even the romance.io tropes didn’t give much away, though I was very intrigued by the idea of a non-conventional HEA. The narrative did not go anywhere near where I was expecting, but I wasn’t disappointed by the result! The plot is a slow burn mystery that ramps up through the last quarter, with the last 20% especially being intense and engaging. I’m not sure how I managed to get through without crying! The romance, however, is not a slow burn—the novel is packed with well-written and ultra hot spice, though I did find the nickname given to FMC Kayla was overused and quickly became annoying. If you’re in the mood for a dark and mysterious romance, Pen Pal is definitely one to check out!

Sunsets & Showdowns by Maz Maddox

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

As a Centaur without honour, West Klelbor lives the life of a ghost, keeping to the shadows where his infamous name is less likely to find him trouble. It’s safer for his brother, Cal, to believe him dead. He’s maintained the lie for several years, and intends to do so for the rest of his days—until a mysterious stranger finds West at the far reaches of civilization with a warning: Stallion Ridge is in danger. West must face his ghosts and confront the very real threats to his brother’s life, but West’s past isn't the only thing haunting him. Gin, a deadly dragon beholden to his new master, longs for redemption. Gin is sent into the wild with one mission: claim the head of the infamous Pale Horse of Death. But the sly Centaur won’t make Gin’s hunt easy, nor will he let Gin escape with his heart intact. 

Sunsets & Showdowns is the adventurous, captivating, and emotional finale of the Stallion Ridge series. The seventh novel sees the culmination of the overarching plot points that have carried through from their early foundations in book one, Heartache & Hoofbeats, with the ultimate battle to ensure the thriving community of Stallion Ridge continues to be a safe haven for shifters and humans alike. With a focus on familial duty, shame, and redemption, this is one of the heavier stories of the series, emotionally speaking, but the romance, adventure, and the finale is well worth the tears that might threaten. The pacing may be a little fast for some towards the end, but the resolution felt realistic and I especially appreciated a glimpse at the characters’ ultimate HEAs from a new perspective. This series is definitely going on a list of my all time favourites.

Fate & Fortune by Maz Maddox

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

5.0

Marked as an omen of death by his tribe as a child when his Skinwalker form revealed itself, Sky lives on the fringes of Stallion Ridge—a silent guardian over the town and the lawmen that protect it. But as Sky’s dreams of a dark fate grow ever darker, he dreads the all-consuming feeling that something unstoppable is closing in on the town. As the darkness begins to surround him, a spark of light soars into his life in the form of Victor, illuminating new paths in Sky’s fate that he has never dreamed—but to save the town, Sky must find the balance between his fate and his heart.

Centring on themes of self-discovery and found family, the penultimate book in the Stallion Ridge Series, Fate & Fortune, is an intensely emotional read. Whilst both MMCs Sky and Victor have challenging pasts, Sky especially struggled with complex trauma related to abandonment and feelings of self-worth, and Victor’s interest and, ultimately, love, gives him the strength to reflect deeply on the connections he’s formed; seeing Sky realise how significant—and real—the friendships he’d cultivated in Stallion Ridge were after years of isolation was truly heartwarming. As with the recent previous novels, I also enjoyed getting further insight into the lore for this particular universe. The ending was superb, despite being tinged with sadness, and laid a solid foundation for the final novel of the series, Sunsets & Showdowns. As much as I don’t want to leave Stallion Ridge behind, I am looking forward to the culmination of the overarching plot points for the series and am sure the finale will be another great read. 

A Mage's Guide to Wicky by A.J. Sherwood

adventurous 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

4.0

Wicky has never been magically stalked before, and although he suspects it’ll give his friends heartburn to discover he’s been hiding something that might put him in danger for a month, he has to admit—he kinda likes it. With the help of three close friends—fellow Magical Alliance Division mage Bel and Bel ’ s familiars/boyfriends, Nico and Garen—Wicky decides it’s time to turn the tables and hunt the individual that’s been hunting him. Following the mysterious magic leads the group across state lines and oceans, all the way to Thailand. Although Wicky doesn’t know who he’ll find on the other end of the thin red line of magic, he can’t help but wonder if the person seeking him is truly dangerous or just taking fate—and their future—into their own hands.

A Mage’s Guide to Wicky is a fun, tooth-achingly sweet novella about the weird, wacky, wonderful Wicky, one of the key side characters of the previous novels and Nico’s partner in menace and mayhem, meeting his soulmate. Sun’s calm but vibrant energy compliments Wicky’s ultra enthusiastic golden retriever tendencies beautifully, and he makes a great addition to the much loved cast of the R’iyah Family Archives series. I’m hoping that this series will continue in future, because I’m keen to read about all the future shenanigans Wicky and Sun will get up to as agents of MAD, the Magical Alliance Division, as well as seeing how Sun settles into Wicky’s little found family group of mages and familiars. 

A Mage's Guide to Aussie Terrors by A.J. Sherwood

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

As agents of MAD—the Magical Alliance Division—Bel, Nico, and Garen are often called across the seas for assignments that are as dangerous as they are unusual, and their new mission in Australia proves no different. But they won’t just be facing the two unknown monsters that have been eating people residing near the river the beasts have claimed as their home; they’ll also have to confront a ghost from Bel’s past—together, and with the support of their team, they’ll do everything in their power to ensure that neither problem gets the best of them. 

Adventurous, captivating, and very funny, A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors is a heartfelt, feel-good story that returns to A.J. Sherwood’s urban fantasy version of the world. Following on shortly after the events of the first novel, A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars, I enjoyed the continuation of MMCs Bel’s, Nico’s, and Garen’s journey as they settle into their lives as a throuple, their bond as mage-familiar-familiar, and their broader relationships with their friends and MAD teammates. Nico’s antics were, again, a major highlight, especially with MAD teammate and fellow mischief maker Wicky, but I especially loved the strong found family aspect that was key to the narrative, as well as the focus on Bel’s emotional journey as he works through and comes to peace with past traumas.   

A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars by A.J. Sherwood

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

Bel Adams, Mage, needs a familiar, but after his first summoning resulted in a failed bond, he fears being rejected yet again. Nico di Rossi, Army Ranger, needs a new direction in life, and being summoned as a familiar is exactly the change of pace and sense of purpose he’s been looking for. Garen Delarosa, Secret Service, needs his former lover, Nico, back in his life. Working together just might be the second chance they all need—if they’re brave enough to take it.

This was my first encounter with A.J. Sherwood, and what a delightful encounter it proved to be! A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars is a lighthearted, funny, and adventurous story that features a wonderfully diverse cast of characters and an engaging urban fantasy setting. The resolution at the end felt a little rushed and perhaps a little too easy, but I didn’t mind as the story centres primarily on the characters and their individual journeys. The budding romance between the three MMCs—Bel, Nico, and Garen—is a tantalising slow burn woven into a tale of new love, second chances, and self-discovery. Each is loveable in his own ways, and the banter between them and the secondary characters was a treat to read. For a shorter novel, there’s a great blend of emotional, sweet, sexy, and humorous moments, with MMC Nico—who is best described as a blend of energetic and goofy golden retriever and german shepherd guard dog—featuring especially in the latter category. I can’t wait to see what mischief he, Bel, and Garen get up to in the second novel, A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors.