roxxyreads's reviews
73 reviews

Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

 🪡 Leather & Lark
🪡 Brynne Weaver
🪡 The Ruinous Love Trilogy (book 2)
🪡 390 pages
🪡 5 stars
🪡 Summary 🪡
After contract killer Lachlan Kane botches a job for his boss's biggest client, he knows he'll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal : hunt down a killer, and she'll secure his freedom. The catch?
He has to marry her. And they can't stand each other.
Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine that burns through the darkness Lachlan Kane tries to hide behind. Lachlan might think Lark is just a privileged princess, but the truth is that she keeps plenty of secrets. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend's happiness on the line, Lark's willing to make a vow to the man she's determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.
As Lachlan and Lark navigate the mission that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.
There's another phantom lurking on their doorstep. And this one has come for blood.
🪡 My Thoughts 🪡
Absolutely loved this sequel to Butcher and Blackbird! I knew this one would be one of my favorites, I adore Lachlan!! Can't wait to get the third and final book in my hands!! Please check all trigger warnings before reading this series, it is a dark romantic comedy that deals with many heavy topics! 

Forever by J.R. Ward

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

4.0

 🐺 Forever
🐺 J.R Ward 
🐺 Lair of the Wolven (book 2)/ Black Dagger Brotherhood (book 35)
🐺 433 pages
🐺 4 stars
🐺 Summary 🐺
For Lydia Susi, there is no sweet sorrow in saying goodbye to the man she loves. As a wolven hiding among humans, she became used to being alone-until destiny gave her the kind of love she didn't dare hope for. But then came a devastating diagnosis that ended all her dreams. Grief is the only thing she sees in her future now. 
As an operative for a clandestine arm of the U.S Government, Daniel Joseph always expected to die an early death. He just assumed it would be out in the field...not in a hospital bed in an underground lab. With his time running out, he refuses a potentially lifesaving treatment to focus on making sure that Lydia finds her wolven clan.
Following an attack on the lab's compound, Daniel fears his former boss is coming after him and Lydia. Marshaling his strength, he must call on all his training to protect the female he loves...even if it means her moving on, without him.
🐺My Thoughts 🐺
As always, the Warden hit it out of the park with this book! I adore the brotherhood, and am really enjoying the Wolven as well. If you haven't dived into the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, do it! The longest series I'm currently reading, and a favorite for sure! 

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 🚔 The Appeal
🚔 Janice Hallett
🚔 416 pages
🚔 4 stars
🚔 Summary 🚔
One murder. Fifteen suspects. Can you uncover the truth?
The Fairway Players, an amateur theater group, are in the middle of rehearsels for their production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife, Helen. Their young granddaughter is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that costs a tremendous sum, so their fellow castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival.
But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment's efficacy-nor of the good intentions of those involved. As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsel. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon an arrest is made. In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the evidence-emails, messages, letters-with a growing suspicion that the killer may be hiding in plain sight. The proof is all there, between the lines, waiting to be uncovered.
🚔 My Thoughts 🚔
Never read a book quite like this, but I was hooked from the start. Told in mixed media, you are reading emails, texts, letters, police reports, news paper articles and voicemails that have been transcribed into writing. Fast paced, I finished in 2 sittings. Quite enjoyed the mystery of it all, and as a true crime junkie, it had me taking notes and trying to figure everything out along with the lawyers. 

There Is No Devil by Sophie Lark

adventurous challenging dark hopeful reflective 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

 🐍 There Is No Devil
🐍 Sophie Lark
🐍 The Sinners Duet-book 2
🐍 250 pages
🐍 4 stars
🐍 Summary 🐍
Just because he couldn't kill her doesn't mean his enemy won't.
Cole and Mara's relationship has grown to consume them both. Cole, sculptor and killer, finds himself adrift in a depth of feeling he's never known, while Mara, unafraid of his darkness, is blossoming into a successful artist, shaking off the trauma of her youth to finally chase success.
For the first time in both their lives, they might actually be...happy.
But the past has a long shadow.
Alastor Shaw is the Beast of the Bay, a frenzy-killer who once hoped to share his hunting ground with Cole. They never chased the same prey...until the night they both laid eyes on Mara Eldritch. And now, when Shaw realizes the cold-hearted Cole has fallen in love with the girl they once targeted, he plans to destroy him, using Mara as his weapon and pawn.
Cole will do anything to protect Mara, including making her strong enough to protect herself. And soon, he finds himself tempting her deeper and deeper into the depths of violence she never thought she'd commit.
Shaw's hunt won't stop. Neither will Cole's love.
When the time comes for Mara to act, will she be ready to do what needs to be done?
🐍 My Thoughts 🐍
Really enjoyed the way this duet wrapped up. I do wish it gave me just a bit more, but flew through it so quick! Check your triggers, but I enjoyed this Dark Romance Duet!! 

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

 🐍 There Are No Saints
🐍 Sophie Lark
🐍 The Sinners Duet-Book 1
🐍 258 pages
🐍 4 stars
🐍 Summary 🐍
She knows he's no saint, but she has no idea she's dancing with the devil.
Cole Blackwell values control. He's the hottest sculptor in San Francisco-wealthy, successful, and respected. His only weakness is the dark impulse he carefully conceals. In truth, he's not just an artist: he's a predator, and the city is his hunting ground.
Mara Eldritch is a nobody. Broke and damaged, she works three jobs while creating paintings no one will ever see. When a chance encounter throws Mara into Cole's path, her escape from certain death fascinates Cole. More than that-it fixates him.
He begins stalking her, discovering there's more to the struggling misfit than he would have guessed. She makes him feel things he never thought he could feel. Want things that he'd never want. He doesn't know if he should protect her at all costs or destroy her before she ruins him. He's losing control, breaking the rules that have kept his true nature hidden from the world.
Mara knows he's dangerous, but Cole is the only person who's ever recognized her talent, and it leads her heart astray, straight into the dark.
Cole can teach her to get what she wants...but what might this viscious killer want in return?
🐍 My Thoughts 🐍
Really good quick read. This is a dark romance, check your trigger warnings! I'm off to start book 2 immediatly!!! I love Cole Blackwell!! 🫶 

Hawke by Jescie Hall

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

This is a dark romance, please check trigger warnings. 
I really enjoyed this book a lot, it was my first from this author and won't be my last! Dark, moody, tattooed, rocker-styled Hawke is one of my new favorite MMC's!! Cannot wait to read more from Mrs. Jescie Hall!!! 

The 24th Hour by James Patterson

adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

 (Given to me via the publisher, all thoughts are my own)
Available May 6, 2024

Another fun read for the Women's Murder Club! Really enjoyed this book, and this series as a whole. If you haven't read these books yet, please give them a chance! As always, a huge thank you to James Patterson, and team, for allowing me the chance to read this one! This series has my heart. 

One More Time by Nik Robbins

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

 ~Given to me via the publisher, all opinions are my own.~

What a cliffhanger! Can't wait to get my hands on book 2 of this duet, I need to know what happens to Thena and Toby. This book pulls at the heartstrings and doesn't let you go, highly recommend! Thank you so much to Nik for allowing me to read this early! 

Easy Tiger by Ali K. Mulford

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense 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? Yes

4.5

~ Recieved a copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own ~
Absolutely loved book 2! Hawk and Hannah are one of my new favorite couples, and watching their story unfold was amazingly fun!!! Super excited to see what happens next with the Lachlan family! As always, thank you Ali for allowing me to read this for you!!

She's a Keeper by Ali K. Mulford

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

 ~ARC for review, Available now~
I adored this! It was charming, witty, funny, and the animal puns made my heart so happy! Lark and Logan are such a fun couple, and I adored getting to know their story, their adventure, and Lark's family! Can't wait to get to book 2! A big thank you, as always, to Ali for allowing me to ARC read this book!