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roksyreads's reviews
433 reviews

dark 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

Parker has done all she can to forget about her past, but with her older sister in need of long-term help after a tragedy, she has no choice but to go home. Whilst she expected her return to bring back the memories of the serial killer who kidnapped her over a decade ago, her trauma is dragged to the surface when she’s greeted by a murder and words painted in red: WELCOME HOME, PARKER. Yet, even as someone hunts Parker, determined to dig up the past she’s tried so hard to forget, her childhood best friend and a new acquaintance in Ashwick combine forces to convince her to stay. Although the two men are doing their level best to keep Parker, she can sense that they aren’t telling the whole truth—and she can’t help but fear that their lies might just be the death of her this time.

The first part in a duology, We Tell Lies lays the foundations for what appears to be a complex, decades long mystery revolving around the small town of Ashwick, Indiana. Dark, suspenseful, and edged with danger, the story has all the best vibes for kicking off spooky season in style. Throw in a spicy, why-choose romance between FMC Parker and MMCs Everett and Kayn, and I was hooked. As I’ve come to expect with AJ Merlin, the MMCs are morally grey-to-black and waving a few strong red flags, yet they’re considerate and compassionate in ways that make me wonder juuuust a little bit about which direction my moral compass would point if I was in Parker’s shoes. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story and the developing romance between the three MCs unfolds in book two, We Keep Secrets.

I'll Be Home... by Tate James, Heather Long

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Rayne never wanted to return to Northland. Abandoned by the three boys who had helped her survive until they aged out before her, she left the second she could escape and never looked back. Yet when her editor asks her to chase a story about disappearing kids that the authorities are sweeping under the rug, Rayne has no choice but to face the darkest parts of her past. As she hunts for the evidence needed to expose the rot at the heart of the picturesque, Christmassy town, she discovers that there’s more to the story than she ever could have expected—the three boys she once loved have also returned, and they’re doing everything they can to convince her to leave and never look back again.

Although intense and even difficult to read at times due to challenging themes,* I’ll Be Home… is utterly enthralling from start to finish, with a suspenseful mystery plot and a sizzling second-chance why-choose MFMM romance. Featuring a great central cast of characters in FMC Rayne and MMCs Nick, Frost, and Alfie, the complexity of and chemistry between the characters was especially enjoyable. The spice is ultra hot—if included somewhat haphazardly on a couple of occasions—and the romance between the FMC and her MMCs is as addictive as it is surprisingly sweet. This was my encounter with both Tate James and Heather Long, and I’m looking forward to checking out some of their other works in future.

*Please check CWs/TWs in the book. The authors kindly include a note on which chapter to skip for those who may need to, and you can do so without it impacting on the narrative. Always put your comfort and safety first.

Content Warnings

Starting Line by Crea Reitan

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

Eager to avoid the spotlight and the judgement that would inevitably follow, ice hockey stars Ethan and Jakub have kept their open marriage a secret for eight years. Playing for different teams in the NHL allowed them to avoid scrutiny, but Ethan and his starting line co-star, Creed, need a player able to match their on-ice chemistry—chemistry that they’re finally exploring off the ice, too. When management decides it’s time to try a new play, Ethan and Jakub find themselves facing the looming threat of exposure; as much as they want to relish finally being together in the same city, they know that one wrong move could put the entire team—and their new relationship with Creed—on ice.

Having been somewhat blindsided by how deeply emotional Shiver was, I came to Starting Line better prepared. Book two in Reitan’s For Puck’s Sake explores themes of trust and communication through MMCs Ethan, Jakub, and Creed as they navigate their developing poly relationship. I appreciated how much thought was put into not only each character’s development, but also the dynamics between them all as their relationship evolved. Creed’s journey was especially poignant, and I felt deeply for him as he navigated his feelings for Ethan and Jakub, as well as his concerns about invading their already established relationship—seeing Creed blossom through the love that Ethan and Jakub shared and the way they opened their hearts to him was utterly heartwarming. Although their steamy romance wasn’t without hurdles, mostly due to external sources, the way they supported each other—especially the way both Ethan and Jakub uplifted a self-conscious and shy Creed—was a true highlight. This is definitely a series I look forward to continuing with in the near future.

The Perfect Fit by Sadie Kincaid

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

2.75

Known as the Unholy Trinity, West Archer, Ezekiel Cavanagh, and Xander King have earned their reputation as ruthless, ambitious, and intimidating men. With dark tastes and even darker desires, they’ve spent more than a decade searching in secret for the perfect woman to fit into their unique lifestyle. None have made it more than three months. After the most recent failed match, they swear to end their search—until they meet Lily Sloane. Yet, captivated as they are with Lily, they can’t help but fear that the penniless girl from Brooklyn is too good to be true.

I have mixed feelings about The Perfect Fit. The premise and character dynamics were intriguing, and there was ample, hot AF spice. However, the character development was superficial across the board, and the characterisation for FMC Lily especially was inconsistent. The inclusion of the mafia plotline, which I can only guess was shoehorned in in an attempt to capture the dark romance genre, seriously detracted from the story. Worst of all, however, was the most unrealistic, entirely avoidable miscommunication plot I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading

, which results in the three MMCs West, Zeke, and Xander—powerful, successful adult men in their late 30s—publicly humiliating the FMC over… rumours from an ex they don’t like and a a shady PR guy

. Although there’s plenty of grovelling after the fact, their actions are so horrific that the rapid resolution feels insincere.

Don't Be Scared by A.J. Merlin

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dark 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

4.0

Halloween and all the excitement it brings—parades, festivals, and parties—are a staple in Hallow Bridge. Although the town’s past is a bit darker than most, murder has never been on the table before, but after rumours about a killer in a Halloween mask surface, the first body soon follows. When Bailey finds herself pinned beneath a serial killer with a knife on her throat, she expects to be the next victim. Instead, he asks her a question: “Who should be the next to die, Bailey?” The masked killer may have let her go, but she knows she’ll never be safe. It’s not just a name he wants—it’s her.

For fans of dark romance, this is a great spooky season read for the lead up to Halloween. I thoroughly enjoyed the thriller aspect of Don’t Be Scared, which is enhanced by elements of suspense and revenge. As I’ve come to expect, AJ Merlin does mental health rep right, with an engaging, relatable FMC in Bailey, who I suspect is Autistic (as well as having ADHD like myself); her character and mannerisms made me feel so seen. I loved the cat and mouse dynamics between Bailey and MMCs Phoenix and Rory, two morally grey men I’d love to get to know better. Although the romance between Bailey and the MMCs was a bit insta-love, it worked well, with Bailey slotting into the already established relationship to form a hot AF throuple.

Shiver by Crea Reitan

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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

4.5

If Egon Wolf doesn’t get his act together academically, he risks losing his ice hockey scholarship. With his future hanging in the balance, Egon’s hunt for a tutor leads him to Rahesh ‘Rake’ Aahnu. A handsome and intelligent dual-major, Rake has a dangerous side when bored—there’s nothing he enjoys more than the challenge of making straight men fall for him and leaving them wanting more, only for him to walk away. But as Rake tutors Egon in his studies and more pleasurable pursuits, it becomes clear that neither of them will be able to walk away unscathed.

Whilst I was expecting Shiver would be a spicy, tantalising read with a solid college/ice hockey setting and can say with certainty it met those expectations, I was not expecting this book to be so emotionally intense and heartbreaking! MMC Rakesh’s initial attitude made me somewhat uncomfortable, but as I gained insight into him, I began to appreciate the complexities of his character and the challenges he was facing connecting to and accepting the deeper, emotional parts of himself. MMC Egon, too, had his own struggles to overcome with crippling self-confidence issues, and his chapters were especially challenging at times, resonating with me as they did. Their romance, which centres themes of self-discovery and was enhanced by an element of forbidden love, left me a little wrecked at times, but it was worth it for their HEA.

Cash by Jessica Peterson

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Although estranged from her father for years, as his sole living relative, Mollie is unsurprised to inherit his massive cattle ranch. However, there is one stipulation: to access her inheritance, she must live on and manage the ranch for a year. Having left the small town of Hartsville aged 6 during her parents’ acrimonious divorce, Mollie’s a city girl, but if living in cowboy country is her only way to secure the money needed to invest in her fledgling company, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes, even if that means she must rely on Cash Rivers—the rude, grumpy, growly, and unfairly attractive ranch foreman—to teach her the ropes. But as Mollie spends more time on the ranch, learning, living, and thriving in a way she never expected, she starts to realise that she may be falling in love with life on the ranch—and with the gruff foreman, too.

Wow, this is an incredible read! The whole cast of characters felt like family by the end of the novel, and the banter was top notch. The enemies-to-lovers vibes between FMC Mollie and MMC Cash at the beginning were delicious, as was seeing their friendship develop naturally as they navigated grief and the challenges of their situations. I loved that Mollie and Cash showed consistent emotional intelligence throughout the story; I’ve read too many romances where MCs who’ve been able to assertively and rationally communicate in difficult situations suddenly lose that ability when it’s convenient to force tension between the FMC/MMC. The fact that Mollie and Cash communicated throughout, even when they didn’t like each other, was a breath of fresh air; it made their romance that much more engaging and rewarding to read, and I was ultimately invested more in the overall story as a result. I adored this story, and I can’t wait to continue the series later this year with the second book, Wyatt.

Home Game by Odette Stone

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emotional sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Whilst Ryan Parker is trying to survive the transition to a new team in the NHL, Zoey is just trying to survive. Homeless and barely scraping by, she lives one day at a time. In a world that doesn’t care about her struggles, Zoey can’t afford to trust anyone—not even Ryan, who shows her generosity and kindness unlike any she’s ever experienced. But when her bad luck takes a turn for the worst, Ryan is there, helping her even though he’s facing his own challenges. His friendship changes Zoey, allowing her to blossom in a way that she never thought possible. Allowing her to trust. Zoey is new to the game of love, and winning is harder than it looks. She doesn’t know the rules or how to win, but she’ll play her heart out for a chance at a future she never dared to hope could be hers.

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Puck Me Secretly, I admit I was expecting more from Home Game, which is part of the same series. Whilst the premise was solid and held promise, the story was let down at times by the writing. Heavy on exposition, the narrative often lacked any real depth or emotion despite the first person narration by FMC Zoey and MMC Ryan. The dialogue was also oddly stilted at times, with characters speaking in an overtly formal manner and without any real personality. The dynamics between Zoey and Ryan shift significantly through the story, with Ryan initially acting as a saviour and Zoey as a reluctant dependent before their romance finally kindles in the closing chapters after significant angst. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t feel much of a connection to the characters or because the tropes as they occurred left much to be desired, but despite the tension between the MCs as their friendship developed, calling this a romance felt like a stretch.

Sleet Princess by S.J. Tilly

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

Natalie’s trip to Mexico for her cousin’s wedding was supposed to be straightforward. She wasn’t expecting to meet Luke, the hot-as-hell ice hockey player with a wicked smirk, nor to enjoy a night under the stars—and underneath him. Before parting ways, they exchange numbers, and when Luke invites Natalie to watch him play in Vegas, she can’t resist attending. One game, a few drinks, and a dance party later, they wake up with a hangover and a wedding certificate—and when footage of Natalie and Luke getting hot and heavy in the hotel elevator leaks, Natalie fears that her father will cut her out of the family business. Forced to come up with a plan to save her reputation and career, she just has to hope Luke will play along.

Maybe it’s just because I’m Australian and it’s not possible to accidentally get married, but the whole premise of the drunk wedding is completely wild to me! A little over the top, and chock full of moments that gave me the worst cases of second hand embarrassment, the whole book was a ride and a half and I loved every minute of it. FMC Natalie’s and MMC Luke’s romance is the sweetest whirlwind, and it was both rewarding and heartbreaking to watch them navigate the unique challenges of their relationship. As I’ve come to expect with any Tilly novel, there’s plenty of banter between characters from across the series, and the interactions between the MCs and their friends are true highlights. Being the last in the Sleet Series, Sleet Princess ends with a set of hilarious and heartwarming prologues that offer glimpses at the whole series’ cast’s ultimate HEAs, leaving me with all sorts of warm fuzzies I’m sure to carry with me for years.

Sleet Banshee by S.J. Tilly

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lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Two of Meghan’s best friends have found their HEAs with a couple of sweet, doting, head-over-heels-in-love ice hockey players. But whilst her friends got endearments like Kitten and Sugar, she can't seem to get away from an alpha-hole of a man who likes to rile her up and calls her Banshee. Sebastian makes Meghan feel hot and bothered with his dreamy voice and his adonis-like looks, and when he presses her buttons, he presses all of them, getting under her skin in a way that no man ever has. But when one of Meghan’s friend’s gets hurt whilst she’s distracted with Sebastian, she can’t stop blaming herself—and him.

I liked FMC Meghan and MMC Sebastian individually. Meghan especially has provided some of the best lines in the three books of the series so far with her sass and attitude, and Sebastian’s playfulness made for some laugh-out-loud fun. The sexual tension between Meghan and Sebastian was delicious, but I admit that the repeated miscommunication/lack of communication killed the chemistry a few too many times. I’m generally okay with and was in fact expecting a third act break-up at some stage, given the structure of the previous novels in the series, but this one did miss the mark for me. The reasoning for it was weak at best, so the emotional force fell flat. However, it was resolved suitably quickly for a sweet and lighthearted HEA.

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roksyreads's reviews 433 reviews

roksyreads's reviews
433 reviews