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samgroat's reviews
426 reviews
Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn
4.0
4 ⭐️
Talk about a slow burn plot reveal! The way this story unfolds in the most unexpected manner… pair that with the slow burn romances taking place - this book just got better and better as the pages turned.
Queen of Roses is a Camelot retelling with a twist - and it is so fun! The FMC Morgan starts the book repressed and is forced on a journey of self discovery with more than a few hiccups along the way.
Our MMC is the typical grumpy main man, a man of few words, and in Morgan’s words “the definition of handsome”.
Throw in a cast of human, Fae and creatures alike and this fantasy novel will have you continually guessing where this story will end. I promise you, you won’t see that last chapter coming.
Tropes:
- Hate to Friendship
- Fae/Magic
- Insta love (with a twist… you’ll see)
- only one bed
- Grumpy x Grumpy
- forced proximity
- (elements of) Destiny
Thank you NetGalley & Briar Boleyn for the opportunity to receive this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Talk about a slow burn plot reveal! The way this story unfolds in the most unexpected manner… pair that with the slow burn romances taking place - this book just got better and better as the pages turned.
Queen of Roses is a Camelot retelling with a twist - and it is so fun! The FMC Morgan starts the book repressed and is forced on a journey of self discovery with more than a few hiccups along the way.
Our MMC is the typical grumpy main man, a man of few words, and in Morgan’s words “the definition of handsome”.
Throw in a cast of human, Fae and creatures alike and this fantasy novel will have you continually guessing where this story will end. I promise you, you won’t see that last chapter coming.
Tropes:
- Hate to Friendship
- Fae/Magic
- Insta love (with a twist… you’ll see)
- only one bed
- Grumpy x Grumpy
- forced proximity
- (elements of) Destiny
Thank you NetGalley & Briar Boleyn for the opportunity to receive this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Blind Side by Kandi Steiner
5.0
Edited 16 May 2023: I read this book in January and haven’t stopped thinking about it since!
Clay and Giana have taken my heart and completely stolen it!
I have recently been enjoying sports romance, and decided to read this after finishing “The Wrong Game” also by the same author. I don’t know what she puts in these books, but the combo of sports romance and fake dating just DOES something for me.
The story is fun, the characters are relatable and fully fleshed out, the writing is beautiful and the spice is impeccable! The plot twist in this book feels well done and not at all overly dramatic like I find some other books will do.
This book had me hooked from the first page to the last and I definitely want to read the rest of the Red Zone Rivals series now!
Clay and Giana have taken my heart and completely stolen it!
I have recently been enjoying sports romance, and decided to read this after finishing “The Wrong Game” also by the same author. I don’t know what she puts in these books, but the combo of sports romance and fake dating just DOES something for me.
The story is fun, the characters are relatable and fully fleshed out, the writing is beautiful and the spice is impeccable! The plot twist in this book feels well done and not at all overly dramatic like I find some other books will do.
This book had me hooked from the first page to the last and I definitely want to read the rest of the Red Zone Rivals series now!
Die for You by Lauren Jackson
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
If you want a fun, urban fantasy, spicy vampire read that gives you the vibes of CW’s The Vampire Diaries - then this is a story for you!
We follow Raya, our FMC who is searching for answers on the mysterious disappearance of her sister one year prior. She moves towns and enrols in University hoping to find answers. We also follow Hunter, the Stefan-esque MMC - a reluctant vampire who just wants to be better than the stories suggest. His world is changed when the new girl in town sits next to him in class and offers to be his notes buddy.
I won’t spoil anything, but suffice to say there is a situation that results in some forced proximity and a whole bunch of angstiness.
The top praise I have for this book was that it draws you in immediately with the mystery presented for both characters. The characters are all extremely likeable too which makes reading them a pleasure.
I found the pacing of the story to be a little inconsistent at times, with some things happening way faster than I expected or was probably required. I also found some of the dialogue between the two MC’s to feel a little YA at times.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, especially considering it was the authors first dabble into the fantasy realm of writing! Get me a man who looks after me the way Hunter looks after Raya please
If you want a fun, urban fantasy, spicy vampire read that gives you the vibes of CW’s The Vampire Diaries - then this is a story for you!
We follow Raya, our FMC who is searching for answers on the mysterious disappearance of her sister one year prior. She moves towns and enrols in University hoping to find answers. We also follow Hunter, the Stefan-esque MMC - a reluctant vampire who just wants to be better than the stories suggest. His world is changed when the new girl in town sits next to him in class and offers to be his notes buddy.
I won’t spoil anything, but suffice to say there is a situation that results in some forced proximity and a whole bunch of angstiness.
The top praise I have for this book was that it draws you in immediately with the mystery presented for both characters. The characters are all extremely likeable too which makes reading them a pleasure.
I found the pacing of the story to be a little inconsistent at times, with some things happening way faster than I expected or was probably required. I also found some of the dialogue between the two MC’s to feel a little YA at times.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, especially considering it was the authors first dabble into the fantasy realm of writing! Get me a man who looks after me the way Hunter looks after Raya please
More Than Shipmates by Philippa Young
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
This is the first book I’ve ever read set on a cruise ship and holy damn, I think I’ve unlocked a new favourite contemporary romance setting!
I ate this book up basically in one sitting. Could not put it down. I am usually a Romantasy girl but this contemporary romance had me SHOOK.
Firstly, this book sets up a soft love triangle situation which I am normally not a fan of however the way the author has written and portrayed the characters and their interactions around this just totally hooked me and didn’t turn me off it at all. I was gripping my kindle waiting to see how it would turn out… I mean, I had my favourite and I was truely desperate to see if she would choose them in the end!
The writing style was crafted in a way that you just kept digging for more. This book had me laughing out loud, sighing and rolling my eyes in frustration at the FMC and continually messaging my friend who has also read the story.
This is a fantastic debut novel, and I will absolutely be purchasing the physical copy when available and reading whatever else this author comes out with!!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of More Than Shipmates as an E-Arc from the author, but all thoughts above are my own!
This is the first book I’ve ever read set on a cruise ship and holy damn, I think I’ve unlocked a new favourite contemporary romance setting!
I ate this book up basically in one sitting. Could not put it down. I am usually a Romantasy girl but this contemporary romance had me SHOOK.
Firstly, this book sets up a soft love triangle situation which I am normally not a fan of however the way the author has written and portrayed the characters and their interactions around this just totally hooked me and didn’t turn me off it at all. I was gripping my kindle waiting to see how it would turn out… I mean, I had my favourite and I was truely desperate to see if she would choose them in the end!
The writing style was crafted in a way that you just kept digging for more. This book had me laughing out loud, sighing and rolling my eyes in frustration at the FMC and continually messaging my friend who has also read the story.
This is a fantastic debut novel, and I will absolutely be purchasing the physical copy when available and reading whatever else this author comes out with!!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of More Than Shipmates as an E-Arc from the author, but all thoughts above are my own!
Hooked by Emily McIntire
5.0
I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book!
I’m usually a Romantasy girl but this drew me in and didn’t let me go until I finished it in a day
I’m usually a Romantasy girl but this drew me in and didn’t let me go until I finished it in a day
Twisted by Emily McIntire
4.0
The way I went from;
Julian: crawl to me
Me: no way
At the beginning of the book to
Julian: crawl to me
Me: YES SIR
by then end is almost criminal…
Julian: crawl to me
Me: no way
At the beginning of the book to
Julian: crawl to me
Me: YES SIR
by then end is almost criminal…
What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L. Woods, Adelaide Forrest
4.0
If you’re looking for a book where the humans believe the Fae are evil and have been kept seperate for them for a long time until one day they’re not - then this book is for you.
I was equal parts surprised by the endings plot reveal but also saw it coming from about 20% into the book - I can’t explain that without spoiling but
I was equal parts surprised by the endings plot reveal but also saw it coming from about 20% into the book - I can’t explain that without spoiling but
What Hunts Inside the Shadows by Harper L. Woods
4.0
This was an entertaining sequel. Although the plot progression wasn’t as forward moving/fast paced as the first book, the romance story was well developed and honestly… the way Caelum loves Estrella is the stuff of dreams.
He’s loving, possessive, supportive and does everything he can to lift her up even when she’s not receptive to him.
The ending was a classic misdirect throughout the story and it has me intrigued to get into the next book for sure.
He’s loving, possessive, supportive and does everything he can to lift her up even when she’s not receptive to him.
The ending was a classic misdirect throughout the story and it has me intrigued to get into the next book for sure.
What Lurks Between the Fates by Harper L. Woods
4.0
Another fast paced read.
The way Caldris loves Estrella, is the thing dreams are made of.
The story is starting to get a little repetitive, and with this book ending on yet another desperate cliff hanger I’m hopeful that the next book will move the plot forward and bring a satisfying conclusion to their stories!
The way Caldris loves Estrella, is the thing dreams are made of.
The story is starting to get a little repetitive, and with this book ending on yet another desperate cliff hanger I’m hopeful that the next book will move the plot forward and bring a satisfying conclusion to their stories!
Priest by Sierra Simone
4.0
What a spicy spicy spicy read… I listened to the audiobook and hot damn the man who voiced Tyler seriously did him justice.
I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a book so heavily steeped in religion, however it was interesting the way the book forced you to seperate the religion from the acts. The way Tyler constantly battled his guilt and his faith made me a little sad that there are people in every day life who truely battle these feelings,
The only reason I deducted a star was I felt like the ending was a little rushed but for the majority I really enjoyed it!
I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a book so heavily steeped in religion, however it was interesting the way the book forced you to seperate the religion from the acts. The way Tyler constantly battled his guilt and his faith made me a little sad that there are people in every day life who truely battle these feelings,
The only reason I deducted a star was I felt like the ending was a little rushed but for the majority I really enjoyed it!