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shelfcarewithjess's Reviews (51)
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
Temperance Verus has never been kissed — and now she’s in a competition where kissing is just the beginning. Alongside thirteen other girls, Tem must train with a basilisk and master the art of seduction to win the prince’s hand. Her assigned partner? Caspen, the Serpent King — deadly, intense, and absolutely not what she expected. But as tensions rise between basilisks and humans, and her connections to both Caspen and the prince deepen, Tem uncovers dangerous secrets that force her to question everything: the crown, the rules, and her own future.
🧠My Thoughts:
Let’s be real — I went into this for the smut, and it delivered. It’s not pretending to be a complex romantasy or some grand, sweeping epic. It’s unapologetically about seduction, monster anatomy, and sexual tension — and on that front, it doesn’t hold back for a second.
That said, the book is far too long. Scenes that should have taken a page are dragged out for entire chapters. The pacing is glacial, especially in the middle, and while the chaos ramps up eventually, it takes its time getting there.
Caspen is unhinged in the way only a morally questionable snake king can be. Leo is the most emotionally grounded of the bunch, even if some of his choices made me raise an eyebrow. The dynamic is pure smut-fantasy, and if you go in expecting anything more — like plot, logic, or emotional depth — you’re going to have a rough time.
Also, just so it’s crystal clear: Caspen makes Tem a dildo out of his cum. That’s not a metaphor. That’s literally a plot point.
There’s no horror here, no real tension beyond the romantic/erotic setups, and very little substance — but it never promised more than that. If you want monster smut wrapped in some vague competition plot, you’ll get exactly what you came for.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“Love is complicated. It never goes away, only changes.”
“Daddy issues,” he said knowingly. “Sexy.”
“And why shouldn’t she? She had two hands, did she not? One for each of them.”
“That’s not true love. That’s an unplanned pregnancy waiting to happen.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
The sequel to Phantasma, Enchantra continues the Wicked Games series with another dive into magical trauma, secret histories, and reluctant romance. With a forced marriage at its centre and old emotional wounds lingering beneath the surface, it aims to deepen the worldbuilding and relationships introduced in book one.
The sequel to Phantasma, Enchantra continues the Wicked Games series with another dive into magical trauma, secret histories, and reluctant romance. With a forced marriage at its centre and old emotional wounds lingering beneath the surface, it aims to deepen the worldbuilding and relationships introduced in book one.
🧠My Thoughts:
I feel like I’m missing something compared to all the rave reviews I’ve seen. For me, this just felt like Phantasma 2.0 — not exactly bad, but not especially compelling either. The setup was almost identical, and while some new dynamics were introduced, they didn’t land with the impact I’d hoped for.
I feel like I’m missing something compared to all the rave reviews I’ve seen. For me, this just felt like Phantasma 2.0 — not exactly bad, but not especially compelling either. The setup was almost identical, and while some new dynamics were introduced, they didn’t land with the impact I’d hoped for.
The pacing felt uneven, and once again, the ending seemed rushed — that same “hit the word count, now summarise in a flashback” approach that didn’t work for me in the first book either. The enemies-to-lovers angle felt unnecessary; the story could’ve stood on its own with the fake marriage and forced proximity alone.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible, just forgettable. I didn’t find any particularly standout character moments, and none of the dialogue stuck with me. A decent enough continuation, but it left me underwhelmed.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“Shadows can only be seen in the presence of light,” he told her, the words agonised. “I worry when you leave, there will be no one left to see me.”
“Shadows can only be seen in the presence of light,” he told her, the words agonised. “I worry when you leave, there will be no one left to see me.”
“Then she did the only other thing she could think of: she bit him. In the arse.”
“If you wanted to be choked, all you had to do was ask.”
“She’d long given up the hope that someone with a white horse would ever come to save her. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t be the knight in shining armour for herself.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
A dark romance that delivers on every promise of tension, trauma, and desire, Ruin Me Gently follows Lilith and Silas - two characters whose connection is as dangerous as it is magnetic. This is not your typical love story. It’s brutal, messy, raw, and beautifully unhinged in all the ways a dark romance should be. It leans into the darker elements of obsession and control, with an undercurrent of vulnerability that makes it all the more compelling.
A dark romance that delivers on every promise of tension, trauma, and desire, Ruin Me Gently follows Lilith and Silas - two characters whose connection is as dangerous as it is magnetic. This is not your typical love story. It’s brutal, messy, raw, and beautifully unhinged in all the ways a dark romance should be. It leans into the darker elements of obsession and control, with an undercurrent of vulnerability that makes it all the more compelling.
🧠My Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC, and honestly, I was worried at first that it might follow the same path as Bone Deep - dark, yes, but familiar. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is something else entirely.
I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC, and honestly, I was worried at first that it might follow the same path as Bone Deep - dark, yes, but familiar. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is something else entirely.
Rachael Chadwick’s storytelling is razor-sharp, nothing here is predictable or overdone. It’s pure dark romance, executed with a careful balance of chaos and care. The relationship between Lilith and Silas is intense in every sense, and while it's absolutely not for the faint of heart, it works.
As with Bone Deep, trigger warnings are absolutely essential, but if you’re comfortable with them, you’re in for something genuinely gripping.
Rachael if you read this - I’m also begging for this to be part of a trilogy - Finn and Orion need their stories next.
Rachael if you read this - I’m also begging for this to be part of a trilogy - Finn and Orion need their stories next.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“I've loved you since — fuck, since before I was even allowed to.”
“I’d give you all the stars if I could, sweetheart.”
“It didn’t feel like surviving when you had to piece yourself back together from nothing afterwards.”
“Now crawl.”
“Look at you, so pretty for me.”
“I've loved you since — fuck, since before I was even allowed to.”
“I’d give you all the stars if I could, sweetheart.”
“It didn’t feel like surviving when you had to piece yourself back together from nothing afterwards.”
“Now crawl.”
“Look at you, so pretty for me.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Stalking
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Suicide
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
The first in the Fae & Alchemy series, Quicksilver introduces a world of shadows, secrets, and simmering slow-burn tension. Kingfisher, a brooding alchemist with a fractured past, crosses paths with Saeris Fane, a fae with a sharp tongue and secrets of her own. With danger closing in and old powers awakening, what starts as reluctant alliance quickly turns into something much deeper. Think magical academia meets high-stakes fantasy, wrapped in chaos, chemistry, and razor-sharp banter.
The first in the Fae & Alchemy series, Quicksilver introduces a world of shadows, secrets, and simmering slow-burn tension. Kingfisher, a brooding alchemist with a fractured past, crosses paths with Saeris Fane, a fae with a sharp tongue and secrets of her own. With danger closing in and old powers awakening, what starts as reluctant alliance quickly turns into something much deeper. Think magical academia meets high-stakes fantasy, wrapped in chaos, chemistry, and razor-sharp banter.
🧠My Thoughts:
I loved this book. Kingfisher has my heart — grumpy, brilliant, and emotionally repressed in exactly the right proportions. It gripped me early on and kept me guessing throughout. I thought I had a handle on where things were going, but the plot continually pulled the rug out from under me — in the best way.
I loved this book. Kingfisher has my heart — grumpy, brilliant, and emotionally repressed in exactly the right proportions. It gripped me early on and kept me guessing throughout. I thought I had a handle on where things were going, but the plot continually pulled the rug out from under me — in the best way.
The dynamic between Saeris and Kingfisher is electric. Carrion, meanwhile, is the ultimate comic relief: sharp, hilarious, and still written with genuine depth. The tone is dark without being heavy, romantic without losing the grit, and manages to balance worldbuilding with character development impressively well for a first-in-series.
This is exactly the kind of romantasy I want more of — high tension, actual stakes, and characters that stick with you.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“Because she is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm. The smoke that rolls across a battlefield before the killing starts. You have no idea what she is. What she could be. You should call her Majesty.”
“Because she is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm. The smoke that rolls across a battlefield before the killing starts. You have no idea what she is. What she could be. You should call her Majesty.”
“I’ll be grateful for every second that I can say that I belong to you, Saeris Fane. Eighty years or eighteen hours. It doesn’t matter to me. It’ll still be the highest honour of my life.”
“Sure, why not. I’m too pretty to die old, anyway.”
“You’re incorrigible!” “I don’t know what that means.” “Yes, you fucking do!” “All right. I do. What’s your point?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Confinement
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
When Jake returns to his childhood home he’s forced to confront everything he tried to leave behind — grief, fractured relationships, and the long shadow of his adopted sister Lucy, who vanished without a trace years ago. As the once-grand family estate decays around him, so too does any illusion that the past is truly in the past. Strange visions, rising tension, and long-buried secrets slowly unravel in this psychological thriller where nothing — and no one — is quite what they seem.
🧠My Thoughts:
This was an ARC read and I feel a bit guilty for giving it a low rating, but I had several issues with it. I think fantasy has spoiled me a bit — I’d rather spend more time with a book that fully fleshes out its world and characters, even in a contemporary setting. Here, the setup is strong, but the delivery doesn’t quite land.
The story takes place not far from where I live, and yet something about the worldbuilding felt off. The depiction of the village and the “local bigwigs” didn’t quite capture the tone or nuance you’d expect from a setting like this. There were also inconsistencies in the main character’s family dynamics — especially around Jake’s relationship with his parents — that made it hard to stay engaged.
Plot-wise, I guessed the ending really early on, which made the second half feel a bit flat. The psychological tension never fully built up for me, and as a result, those later twists didn’t have the impact they were aiming for. There’s definitely a compelling concept here — grief, memory, family trauma — but the execution didn’t quite do it justice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Death of parent
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
The fifth instalment in the ACOTAR series shifts focus to Nesta Archeron as she grapples with trauma, identity, and purpose in the aftermath of war. This book takes a deep dive into her mental health, relationships, and the slow, difficult journey of healing. With the training ring, the House of Wind, and a budding found family, Silver Flames is equal parts emotional reckoning and powerful romance, with plenty of smut, banter, and rage-fuelled growth.
The fifth instalment in the ACOTAR series shifts focus to Nesta Archeron as she grapples with trauma, identity, and purpose in the aftermath of war. This book takes a deep dive into her mental health, relationships, and the slow, difficult journey of healing. With the training ring, the House of Wind, and a budding found family, Silver Flames is equal parts emotional reckoning and powerful romance, with plenty of smut, banter, and rage-fuelled growth.
🧠My Thoughts:
Team Nesta all the way. I loved the character progression she went through — messy, sharp, and unfiltered — it felt real and earned. She didn’t just fall into Feyre’s circle but built her own found family on her own terms, and the dynamics between Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn were some of the most emotionally rewarding parts of the book. The sentient house deserves its own spin-off, to be honest.
Team Nesta all the way. I loved the character progression she went through — messy, sharp, and unfiltered — it felt real and earned. She didn’t just fall into Feyre’s circle but built her own found family on her own terms, and the dynamics between Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn were some of the most emotionally rewarding parts of the book. The sentient house deserves its own spin-off, to be honest.
And Cassian? My beloved. Loyal, patient, and absolutely up to the challenge of loving Nesta in all her chaos. Their dynamic worked for me on every level — messy but grounded, soft but never passive. He holds his own emotionally and physically, and any development gaps weren’t failings — they were foundations for what’s still to come.
That said, a few things did feel slightly undercooked. Some lingering questions went unanswered, and the final chapters relied a bit too heavily on people being sneakily surprised, as if everyone suddenly forgot they were highly trained fae warriors. But those minor issues didn’t take away from how much I loved the journey.
Emotional, intense, and unflinchingly honest — this is a proper character study wrapped in fire, fury, and a hefty dose of steam.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“I cannot survive without reading.”
“I cannot survive without reading.”
“I am worthless and I am nothing, Nesta nearly said. She wasn’t sure why the words bubbled up, pressing on her lips to voice them. I hate everything that I am. And I am so, so tired. I am tired of wanting to be anywhere but in my own head.”
“The world was beautiful, and she was so grateful to be in it.”
“That’s the key, isn’t it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it… that’s the important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
Set after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin, this novella acts as a bridge between story arcs — part seasonal interlude, part emotional fallout, part setup for what’s to come. It follows Feyre and the Inner Circle as they prepare for the Winter Solstice, navigating grief, recovery, and the complexities of their shifting relationships. A quieter, more reflective entry in the ACOTAR series, it offers a moment to breathe.
Set after the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin, this novella acts as a bridge between story arcs — part seasonal interlude, part emotional fallout, part setup for what’s to come. It follows Feyre and the Inner Circle as they prepare for the Winter Solstice, navigating grief, recovery, and the complexities of their shifting relationships. A quieter, more reflective entry in the ACOTAR series, it offers a moment to breathe.
🧠My Thoughts:
This was a nice, easy read — light-hearted in tone, which was actually a welcome change after the intensity of ACOWAR. It gave space for some emotional recovery and character reflection, particularly for Feyre and Nesta. The art therapy storyline was genuinely lovely, and I thought it was a good introduction to Nesta’s state of mind before ACOSF.
This was a nice, easy read — light-hearted in tone, which was actually a welcome change after the intensity of ACOWAR. It gave space for some emotional recovery and character reflection, particularly for Feyre and Nesta. The art therapy storyline was genuinely lovely, and I thought it was a good introduction to Nesta’s state of mind before ACOSF.
Of course, as a novella, it’s not supposed to be a full plot-heavy instalment — and it isn’t. It’s more of a breather, a way to reset the tone and gently set things up for what’s next. That said, some sections (like the Band of Exiles house situation) felt a bit odd — amusing, but slightly surreal. I did enjoy seeing the aftermath of Tamlin’s ruin, and while this could have served as a soft farewell to the series, I’m very glad it didn’t end here.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“I think my heart knew you were mine long before I ever realised it.”
“I think my heart knew you were mine long before I ever realised it.”
“You look like an angry snowball.”
“Three Illyrian warriors,” I said. “The greatest Illyrian warriors. Are having a snowball fight.”
“Pick on someone your own size,” Cassian said to Amren, shovelling roast chicken into his mouth.
“I’d feel bad for the mice,” Azriel muttered.
“I’d feel bad for the mice,” Azriel muttered.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
The third book in the ACOTAR series picks up with Feyre returning to the Spring Court, undercover and playing a dangerous game. War is looming, alliances are shifting, and there’s a real sense that everything is about to come to a head. The story leans heavily into political manoeuvring, emotional fallout, and full-scale battle preparation — all wrapped up in the usual mix of magic, romance, and high-stakes drama.
The third book in the ACOTAR series picks up with Feyre returning to the Spring Court, undercover and playing a dangerous game. War is looming, alliances are shifting, and there’s a real sense that everything is about to come to a head. The story leans heavily into political manoeuvring, emotional fallout, and full-scale battle preparation — all wrapped up in the usual mix of magic, romance, and high-stakes drama.
🧠My Thoughts:
I flew through this. The pacing is strong, there are some genuinely emotional moments, and — let’s be honest — the Bat Boys remain one of the series' biggest draws. That said, parts of Mor’s storyline still feel half-baked, and I’m not sure the book ever fully decides what it wants to do with her arc. There are also a few moments near the end that felt a bit too convenient — the kind of last-minute plot saves that slightly take the edge off the tension.
I flew through this. The pacing is strong, there are some genuinely emotional moments, and — let’s be honest — the Bat Boys remain one of the series' biggest draws. That said, parts of Mor’s storyline still feel half-baked, and I’m not sure the book ever fully decides what it wants to do with her arc. There are also a few moments near the end that felt a bit too convenient — the kind of last-minute plot saves that slightly take the edge off the tension.
Something else I noticed while reading — and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing — but there are definite Twilight echoes here. Some of the character relationships and certain plot points feel like subtle nods to the YA series, and if you’ve read it, you’ll probably spot them too. It’s not distracting, but it does give you that sense of déjà vu in places.
All in all, though, I enjoyed it. There’s a lot of payoff for long-running threads, the group dynamic still delivers, and the emotional beats mostly land. Not without its flaws, but still a solid and addictive continuation of the series.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world — the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.”
“I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world — the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.”
“Why should I be scared of an oversized bat who likes to throw temper tantrums?”
“The great joy and honour of my life has been to know you. To call you my family. And I am grateful — more than I can possibly say — that I was given this time with you all.”
“Leave this world... a better place than how you found it.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content, Grief
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
đź“š Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
The first in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, Done and Dusted follows a classic friends-to-lovers romance set against a small-town western backdrop. Clementine, our sunshine cowgirl, returns home to restart her life, only to find things a little more complicated when her best friend’s older brother Brooks is suddenly… very available. With rodeo roots, emotional baggage, and slow-burn chemistry, this is a heartfelt story with just enough grit to balance the sweetness.
The first in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, Done and Dusted follows a classic friends-to-lovers romance set against a small-town western backdrop. Clementine, our sunshine cowgirl, returns home to restart her life, only to find things a little more complicated when her best friend’s older brother Brooks is suddenly… very available. With rodeo roots, emotional baggage, and slow-burn chemistry, this is a heartfelt story with just enough grit to balance the sweetness.
🧠My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book. The spice isn’t constant, but when it hits, it’s perfectly done. What stood out the most for me was how well fleshed-out the characters are — both leads felt real and emotionally grounded. I really appreciated the nods to ADHD in the FMC without it becoming her whole storyline. It’s just a part of who she is, and that casual representation meant a lot.
I absolutely loved this book. The spice isn’t constant, but when it hits, it’s perfectly done. What stood out the most for me was how well fleshed-out the characters are — both leads felt real and emotionally grounded. I really appreciated the nods to ADHD in the FMC without it becoming her whole storyline. It’s just a part of who she is, and that casual representation meant a lot.
Brooks is a standout MMC — he knows what he wants, respects boundaries, and actually thinks about consequences without making a drama out of it. The only area where it lost a few points for me was the worldbuilding. Her career felt really niche and I didn’t have any frame of reference, so parts of that didn’t land. That said, I loved the way future books were set up through side characters, and I’ll 100% be reading on.
🗣️ Favourite Quotes:
“Some love stories burn hot and fast, but you two are more low and slow. It’s a strong and steady kind of love.”
“Some love stories burn hot and fast, but you two are more low and slow. It’s a strong and steady kind of love.”
“You know, if you don’t like the road you’re on, you can always pave a new one.”
“Who said that? Robert Frost?”
“Dolly Parton.”
“Ah, God herself.”
“Thank you,” he continued, “for taking care of my baby girl.”
“She can take care of herself,” I said.
“I know she can, but you made sure she didn’t have to do it alone.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse