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tomeaftertome's Reviews (107)
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
OK so boom š this one didnāt just deliver spiceā it was swinging with spicy spice. And not only do we get my favorite flavor of retelling (Beauty and the Beast, aka the book that started my monster-lover era and cemented my lifelong enemies-to-lovers obsession), but this author looked at that blueprint and said: āNahā¦ letās make the Beauty the Beast.ā š And bĆ©bĆ©sā¦ it worked so well!
Our FMC? Strong, intelligent, independent; sheās got bite, sheās got brains, and she doesnāt bend for anyone. But donāt get it twisted, she still has a phenomenal arc, and watching her transform made me feral in the best way.
And the yearningā¦ LORD. The kind of yearning that makes you kick your feet like youāre sixteen again. When the spice finally hits? It doesnāt just smolderā it slaps, it claws, it love-taps you across the forehead and you say thank you. šš„
Now Lā¦ girl, who hurt you? Because the betrayal and the twist in this book topped the last one. My jaw was on the damn floor. Like, DN Hoxa-level GAGGED. I live for an author who can devastate me and have me begging for more, and you nailed it.
So, for my fellow Beauty & the Beast addicts: if you love your heroines fiery and defiant, your MMCs sweet-as-sin but with a mouth filthier than the bottom of your garbage can, and your betrayals so sharp they could slice your soulā¦ highly, highly recommend you dive into this one immediately. š„
Our FMC? Strong, intelligent, independent; sheās got bite, sheās got brains, and she doesnāt bend for anyone. But donāt get it twisted, she still has a phenomenal arc, and watching her transform made me feral in the best way.
And the yearningā¦ LORD. The kind of yearning that makes you kick your feet like youāre sixteen again. When the spice finally hits? It doesnāt just smolderā it slaps, it claws, it love-taps you across the forehead and you say thank you. šš„
Now Lā¦ girl, who hurt you? Because the betrayal and the twist in this book topped the last one. My jaw was on the damn floor. Like, DN Hoxa-level GAGGED. I live for an author who can devastate me and have me begging for more, and you nailed it.
So, for my fellow Beauty & the Beast addicts: if you love your heroines fiery and defiant, your MMCs sweet-as-sin but with a mouth filthier than the bottom of your garbage can, and your betrayals so sharp they could slice your soulā¦ highly, highly recommend you dive into this one immediately. š„
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 āļø
This story came out of nowhere and charmed the absolute hell out of me. A Gothic retelling with a wicked streak of humor that at times breaks the fourth wall, I found Hemlock & Silver to be such an enjoyable ride.
First of all, shoutout to Macmillan Audio because the production was crisp, atmospheric, and cinematic. And Jennifer Pickens? My girl ate. She gave every character their own distinct voice, but I have to admitāher portrayal of Anja was by far my favā¦ this could largely be due to the fact that I just loved Anja as a character. š¤
Now, letās talk about our FMC. This isnāt your classic Snow White taleāoh no, the appleās been tossed (into a bush, but donāt worry itās found during the story) and weāre following Anja: a self-deprecating, overly analytical, science-brained plus size healer who somehow manages to be both brilliant and hilarious. Dry humor drips through the pages, and I was living for it.
Romance-wise, this is an extremely slow burn with a bodyguard twist and one (yes, just one) closed-door moment. No spiceā¦ but honestly, the hilariously awkward moments and tension gave me everything I needed. The romance isnāt the main course, itās the cherry on top of a gorgeously twisted dessert. š
And the worldbuilding? Dark, atmospheric, and full of imagery that at times feels plucked right out of a nightmareā and you know this spooky girlie was eating it up. Itās giving Coraline (world jumping feline included š) meets princess bride style comedy.
So if youāre craving something Gothic, eerie-but-funny, dark-but-not-too-dark, and absolutely original, this audiobook is the perfect pick. Familiar fairy tale bones, a whole new haunted body.
Thank you to the author, T. Kingfisher and MacMillan audio for providing me with a copy of this e-book. I will more than likely be giving it a relisten during spooky season.
This story came out of nowhere and charmed the absolute hell out of me. A Gothic retelling with a wicked streak of humor that at times breaks the fourth wall, I found Hemlock & Silver to be such an enjoyable ride.
First of all, shoutout to Macmillan Audio because the production was crisp, atmospheric, and cinematic. And Jennifer Pickens? My girl ate. She gave every character their own distinct voice, but I have to admitāher portrayal of Anja was by far my favā¦ this could largely be due to the fact that I just loved Anja as a character. š¤
Now, letās talk about our FMC. This isnāt your classic Snow White taleāoh no, the appleās been tossed (into a bush, but donāt worry itās found during the story) and weāre following Anja: a self-deprecating, overly analytical, science-brained plus size healer who somehow manages to be both brilliant and hilarious. Dry humor drips through the pages, and I was living for it.
Romance-wise, this is an extremely slow burn with a bodyguard twist and one (yes, just one) closed-door moment. No spiceā¦ but honestly, the hilariously awkward moments and tension gave me everything I needed. The romance isnāt the main course, itās the cherry on top of a gorgeously twisted dessert. š
And the worldbuilding? Dark, atmospheric, and full of imagery that at times feels plucked right out of a nightmareā and you know this spooky girlie was eating it up. Itās giving Coraline (world jumping feline included š) meets princess bride style comedy.
So if youāre craving something Gothic, eerie-but-funny, dark-but-not-too-dark, and absolutely original, this audiobook is the perfect pick. Familiar fairy tale bones, a whole new haunted body.
Thank you to the author, T. Kingfisher and MacMillan audio for providing me with a copy of this e-book. I will more than likely be giving it a relisten during spooky season.
adventurous
dark
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
Unholy. Bloody. Hell. š©ø I donāt even know where to begin with this oneābecause The OāConnell sisters just walked onto the scene, staked me through the heart, and made me thank them for it.
From the first page, this debut had me by the throat. The worldbuilding? Lush, intricate, dripping with Gothic decadence. The storyline? Addictive in the worst/best wayāIām talking literal book crack. And the characters? Donāt get me started or Iāll be here all night because, babes, theyāre sinful perfection.
These two didnāt just write a debutāthey came in swinging like seasoned dark queens. The prose is lyrical yet sharp, the magic system rich with lore and bloody hierarchies, and the political intrigue? Deliciously messy. And letās talk tropes: enemies to lovers, reluctant heroes, villains so perfectly crafted you almost want to kiss them (almost), secret identities, and more than one monster lurking in the dark. This isnāt just a vampire storyāitās a whole Gothic symphony. š»
Now, yāall know your girl is a vampire fiend. I own every Anne Rice novel in collectorās edition, and I still devoured this like it was my first taste of crimson on the tongue. And let me be crystal clearāthis is no sparkly Twilight knockoff. The OāConnell sisters will drag you willingly into the shadows, lace you up in velvet, and feed you to their world one razor-sharp chapter at a time.
And babes, once I picked it up? Everything else was dead to me. Work? Ignored. Responsibilities? Nonexistent. Dinner? Cold. This book owned me body and soul. And that ending? Iām feral for book two (Treacherous Trickery in the Hargrave Empire seriesāalready pre-ordered, obviously).
Final verdict? KU readers, runādonāt walk. This isnāt just a debut; itās an initiation. The OāConnell sisters are officially my new dark fantasy drug dealers, and I am never quitting this high. š¤š„
Oh, and massive thank you to the sisters for the physical copyāI feel blessed, marked, and willingly enthralled. My thoughts may be unhinged, but they are very much my own.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
āØ Alright bĆ©bĆ©s, this one was a ride. Weāre talking portal jumps, omegaverse antics, shifters prowling
unseen, fae scheming in the shadows, witches stirring their cauldronsā and I was absolutely here for it š
The worldbuilding? Detailed and excellently crafted. Definitely the star of book oneā layered, magical, and full of āwhat the hell is that about?ā energy. But donāt worry, thereās still spice tucked in between the pages, and itās the good kind: fated mates energy with a side of denialā¦ except not really, because the tension is thick enough to cut with a dagger. š„
And letās take a moment for the villainess queen herselfā our FMC, Kaitlinās mother. Hands down one of the highlights. Deliciously wicked, calculating, and the kind of villain you canāt help but love to hate. Honestly? She had me windering what she would be up to next, could she be any more villainous?
Then thereās that ending. That ending. Weāre talking cliffhanger so sharp itāll leave teeth marks. I can already tell book two is where the gloves come off, and Iām feral-level ready to dive headfirst into the carnage, the romance, and the chaos to come.
If you like your fantasy tangled in spice, your lovers fighting fate even as they fall into it, and your villains unforgettableā this one belongs on your nightstand immediately.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tell me why jealousy always breeds the juiciest drama? šāØ
You ever had that one person in your life so blinded by their own envy they start acting like theyāre the main character in a story they didnāt even write? Yeahā¦ welcome to Lunaās world.
Our FMC Luna? DJ goddess on the rise, living her best lifeāuntil her so-called best friend flips the script, snatches her man, ruins her career, and basically throws her off the stage. Bestie-to-villain arc? Iconic. The fall from grace? Brutal. But Luna? Sheās not staying down. Nope. She dusts off the glitter, tightens the headphones, and claws her way back to the top. šæš„
And letās talk about the comebackābecause itās not just a career glow-up. Luna links up with not one but two drop-dead gorgeous DJs. Both men? Obsessed. Both men? In her orbit. And yes, my āwhy chooseā babes, this book feeds us. Light MM (no sword crossingātragic, but hey, I wouldāve been here for it š«£). The chemistry? Off the charts. The heat? Contemporary romance dialed up to eleven.
Oh, and the villain? Self-destructs in the most delicious, karmic, popcorn-worthy way possible. I swear, I cackled.
Final vibe check: contemporary romance with spice, revenge served hot, and a heroine who takes her crown back with bass drops and bedroom eyes. Consider me fed. š¶š
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this e-book. I had a good time, especially at the end, IYKYK. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are given freely.
You ever had that one person in your life so blinded by their own envy they start acting like theyāre the main character in a story they didnāt even write? Yeahā¦ welcome to Lunaās world.
Our FMC Luna? DJ goddess on the rise, living her best lifeāuntil her so-called best friend flips the script, snatches her man, ruins her career, and basically throws her off the stage. Bestie-to-villain arc? Iconic. The fall from grace? Brutal. But Luna? Sheās not staying down. Nope. She dusts off the glitter, tightens the headphones, and claws her way back to the top. šæš„
And letās talk about the comebackābecause itās not just a career glow-up. Luna links up with not one but two drop-dead gorgeous DJs. Both men? Obsessed. Both men? In her orbit. And yes, my āwhy chooseā babes, this book feeds us. Light MM (no sword crossingātragic, but hey, I wouldāve been here for it š«£). The chemistry? Off the charts. The heat? Contemporary romance dialed up to eleven.
Oh, and the villain? Self-destructs in the most delicious, karmic, popcorn-worthy way possible. I swear, I cackled.
Final vibe check: contemporary romance with spice, revenge served hot, and a heroine who takes her crown back with bass drops and bedroom eyes. Consider me fed. š¶š
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this e-book. I had a good time, especially at the end, IYKYK. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are given freely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-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
Oh yesāthis book didnāt just land, it waltzed in wearing a crown of thorns and a knowing smirk, and I was helpless to resist. I expected to be wrecked, but this story? It wove itself into my bones and whispered, āYou werenāt ready.ā And I wasnāt.
First things first: thank you to Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, NetGalley, and the darkly brilliant author behind this magic for the audiobook copy. They gave me the keys to the kingdom, and I ran straight into the stormā every thought below is mine, honest and a little feral.
Now letās talk performance: Ella Lynch? You devoured this narration. Clear, sharp, electric. When the book said Ravenās voice gratedā¦ I was already thinking it, and then you nailed it. You didnāt just read Toven, you became him. That portrayal is going to live rent-free in my head for a long, long time. And the sound quality? As expected from Hachette Audio, top-tier, crystal-clear, and polished to perfection.
ā ļø Trigger warnings front and center. This story pulls no punches. It tackles grief, rage, trauma, identity, and survival without flinching. But hereās the thingā it balances that darkness with snappy banter, dry humor, and just enough light to keep your heart pounding. If youāre craving a real dark romantasy, one that leans in and dares you to look deeper? This one delivers.
On the surface, youāve got an epic, action-packed tale of a heroine whoās fallen hard, but refuses to stay down. Her rage is fierce, her heart unyielding, and the world she moves through? Lush, war-torn, and hauntingly magical. The imagery? Breathtaking. And the forbidden love subplot? Oh, itās the slow-burn, ache-in-your-chest kind that feels like touching a flame just to see if it burns.
But beneath the sword fights and spellwork is something deeper. This book made me pause and ask: How many of my choices were truly mine? And how many were handed to me with a smile and an expectation? Itās not just a storyāitās a mirror held up to everything weāre told to be, and everything we quietly are.
Iām the kind of reader who loves going in blindā no spoilers, no summaries, just vibes and a whisper of tropes. And this book? It rewards that trust. Read the trigger warnings, of course. But if youāre in the right headspace? Let the story take you. Let it crack something open.
Now letās talk spice. Is it steamy? A little. But the real seduction? That delicious, delicious tension. The kind that hums just beneath the surface, tight as a wire stretched between cliff edges. You could walk across it with bare feet and beg to do it again.
And yes, Iāve already pre-ordered the deluxe edition. Because obviously. Book two cannot get here fast enoughā¦ Iām ready, Iām waiting, and Iām bringing emotional armor this time. (Probably not tho.)
In short? This book is stunning. Challenging. Visceral. Thought-provoking. And absolutely unforgettable.
First things first: thank you to Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, NetGalley, and the darkly brilliant author behind this magic for the audiobook copy. They gave me the keys to the kingdom, and I ran straight into the stormā every thought below is mine, honest and a little feral.
Now letās talk performance: Ella Lynch? You devoured this narration. Clear, sharp, electric. When the book said Ravenās voice gratedā¦ I was already thinking it, and then you nailed it. You didnāt just read Toven, you became him. That portrayal is going to live rent-free in my head for a long, long time. And the sound quality? As expected from Hachette Audio, top-tier, crystal-clear, and polished to perfection.
ā ļø Trigger warnings front and center. This story pulls no punches. It tackles grief, rage, trauma, identity, and survival without flinching. But hereās the thingā it balances that darkness with snappy banter, dry humor, and just enough light to keep your heart pounding. If youāre craving a real dark romantasy, one that leans in and dares you to look deeper? This one delivers.
On the surface, youāve got an epic, action-packed tale of a heroine whoās fallen hard, but refuses to stay down. Her rage is fierce, her heart unyielding, and the world she moves through? Lush, war-torn, and hauntingly magical. The imagery? Breathtaking. And the forbidden love subplot? Oh, itās the slow-burn, ache-in-your-chest kind that feels like touching a flame just to see if it burns.
But beneath the sword fights and spellwork is something deeper. This book made me pause and ask: How many of my choices were truly mine? And how many were handed to me with a smile and an expectation? Itās not just a storyāitās a mirror held up to everything weāre told to be, and everything we quietly are.
Iām the kind of reader who loves going in blindā no spoilers, no summaries, just vibes and a whisper of tropes. And this book? It rewards that trust. Read the trigger warnings, of course. But if youāre in the right headspace? Let the story take you. Let it crack something open.
Now letās talk spice. Is it steamy? A little. But the real seduction? That delicious, delicious tension. The kind that hums just beneath the surface, tight as a wire stretched between cliff edges. You could walk across it with bare feet and beg to do it again.
And yes, Iāve already pre-ordered the deluxe edition. Because obviously. Book two cannot get here fast enoughā¦ Iām ready, Iām waiting, and Iām bringing emotional armor this time. (Probably not tho.)
In short? This book is stunning. Challenging. Visceral. Thought-provoking. And absolutely unforgettable.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, but excuse me?!
What kind of emotional ambush was that?! As the final book in this trilogy, I knew chaos was comingā¦ but this wasnāt just chaosā it was a full-on, soul-crushing, spine-snapping storm, and I lived for it. That long-awaited shoe weāve all been holding our breath for? Yeah, it didnāt just drop. It stomped on me, danced on my grave, and somehow Iām still thanking it for the trauma. š„“
This was such a viciously perfect conclusion that I honestly have zero notes. Except for the epilogue, which left me starved, clawing at the pages like, spinoff energy? Absolutely. Or maybe thatās just my delulu heart refusing to let go. š®āšØ
The LGBTQIAP+ rep? Chefās kiss. It was authentic, powerful, and laced through a storyline that already feels like pure magic dipped in blood and passion. If youāre waiting for a sign to dive into this seriesā¦ this is it, babe.
Thank you to the author, orbit, books, Annette galley for a copy of this e-book to devour. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily
What kind of emotional ambush was that?! As the final book in this trilogy, I knew chaos was comingā¦ but this wasnāt just chaosā it was a full-on, soul-crushing, spine-snapping storm, and I lived for it. That long-awaited shoe weāve all been holding our breath for? Yeah, it didnāt just drop. It stomped on me, danced on my grave, and somehow Iām still thanking it for the trauma. š„“
This was such a viciously perfect conclusion that I honestly have zero notes. Except for the epilogue, which left me starved, clawing at the pages like, spinoff energy? Absolutely. Or maybe thatās just my delulu heart refusing to let go. š®āšØ
The LGBTQIAP+ rep? Chefās kiss. It was authentic, powerful, and laced through a storyline that already feels like pure magic dipped in blood and passion. If youāre waiting for a sign to dive into this seriesā¦ this is it, babe.
Thank you to the author, orbit, books, Annette galley for a copy of this e-book to devour. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-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
The Foxglove King gave me everything I crave in a romantasy and then whispered, āBut what if we made it darker?ā Andā¦ I ate it up.
Letās start with Lore, our necromantic queen. Sheās not your typical FMC. Sharp-tongued, emotionally armored, and deeply intriguing, she walks into the palace with secrets in her blood and zero intention of playing nice. I loved her.
We have to talk about the tension because this book delivers a love triangle that actually works. Gabriel: Stoic, celibate, scarred (yes, he only has one eye, and yes, thatās now a new kink), and absolutely not ready for the force that is Lore sharing his space. Their slow-burn tension? Positively feral. The kind that simmers under every glance and gesture. Meanwhile, Bastian: the charming, chaotic prince, meets Lore with the same reckless energy she pretends not to crave. Where Gabriel is restraint, Bastian is temptation with a crown.
Team Gabriel or Team Bastian? Honestly, I switch allegiances every chapter depending on who made Lore blush harder.
But fair warning: this book is not just romance. Court politics, divine conspiracies, and death-magic rituals? Front and center. The plot twists tighter than a noose, and the sense of dread coils through every corridor of the palaceā¦ and especially the catacombs. Between necromantic rites and corpses that should stay dead, thereās a deliciously macabre edge to this world that chilled me in the best way.
If youāre looking for a lush, slow-burn romantasy full of courtly scheming, dark magic, and characters youāll want to dissect and kiss, The Foxglove King belongs at the top of your TBR.
Letās start with Lore, our necromantic queen. Sheās not your typical FMC. Sharp-tongued, emotionally armored, and deeply intriguing, she walks into the palace with secrets in her blood and zero intention of playing nice. I loved her.
We have to talk about the tension because this book delivers a love triangle that actually works. Gabriel: Stoic, celibate, scarred (yes, he only has one eye, and yes, thatās now a new kink), and absolutely not ready for the force that is Lore sharing his space. Their slow-burn tension? Positively feral. The kind that simmers under every glance and gesture. Meanwhile, Bastian: the charming, chaotic prince, meets Lore with the same reckless energy she pretends not to crave. Where Gabriel is restraint, Bastian is temptation with a crown.
Team Gabriel or Team Bastian? Honestly, I switch allegiances every chapter depending on who made Lore blush harder.
But fair warning: this book is not just romance. Court politics, divine conspiracies, and death-magic rituals? Front and center. The plot twists tighter than a noose, and the sense of dread coils through every corridor of the palaceā¦ and especially the catacombs. Between necromantic rites and corpses that should stay dead, thereās a deliciously macabre edge to this world that chilled me in the best way.
If youāre looking for a lush, slow-burn romantasy full of courtly scheming, dark magic, and characters youāll want to dissect and kiss, The Foxglove King belongs at the top of your TBR.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, The Hemlock Queenā¦ you pretty, twisty little sequel.
Let me start by saying: if The Foxglove King was a slow-dripping poison, The Hemlock Queen is the aftermathā the fever dream where youāre not sure if youāre healing or hallucinating. And baby, I was here for itā¦ mostly.
Lore? Still our girl. Death-singing, shadow-wielding chaos magnet is thrust into a court full of liars, plotters, and sanctimonious bastardsāaka, my kind of tea party. But where Book One gave us teethāsharp, jagged, ready to biteāBook Two leans a little more into the brood. Less bloodletting, more political slow-burn. Less chaos-kissed kisses, more longing stares across a battlefield of secrets. I mean, Iām feral for it, but I do miss the sting.
Now letās talk shift. This book pivots hard into the realm of psychological unraveling. Weāre not just playing court games anymoreā¦ Loreās mind is splintering, realityās doing the cha-cha, and everyone has a motive nastier than the last. Bastian: Unhinged, delicious, dangerous. Gabriel: Still making celibacy look sinfully tempting. The triangle gets murkier, the stakes get higher, and trustā¦ Ha. No oneās heard of her. š®āšØ
But hereās the thing: while The Hemlock Queen deepens the lore (pun so intended š¤), and gives us a haunting, character-driven spiral of trauma and ambitionā¦ it doesnāt quite slap the way Foxglove did. The bite, for me, was dulled. The poison, less potent. Itās more of a simmer than a sear. Definitely more melancholy for me than anything elseā¦ Although the elevated spice levels were definitely a plus. š
Still, I recommend this book. Oh š. now your girl is just waiting for the third book to grab me by the throat and remind me why this series owns my soul. Hannah Whitten, consider this my pretty little prayer: bring back the venom, babe. Iām starving for it.
š¤āØ 4 stars. One for each unspoken threat, withheld kiss, and crumbling moral.
Let me start by saying: if The Foxglove King was a slow-dripping poison, The Hemlock Queen is the aftermathā the fever dream where youāre not sure if youāre healing or hallucinating. And baby, I was here for itā¦ mostly.
Lore? Still our girl. Death-singing, shadow-wielding chaos magnet is thrust into a court full of liars, plotters, and sanctimonious bastardsāaka, my kind of tea party. But where Book One gave us teethāsharp, jagged, ready to biteāBook Two leans a little more into the brood. Less bloodletting, more political slow-burn. Less chaos-kissed kisses, more longing stares across a battlefield of secrets. I mean, Iām feral for it, but I do miss the sting.
Now letās talk shift. This book pivots hard into the realm of psychological unraveling. Weāre not just playing court games anymoreā¦ Loreās mind is splintering, realityās doing the cha-cha, and everyone has a motive nastier than the last. Bastian: Unhinged, delicious, dangerous. Gabriel: Still making celibacy look sinfully tempting. The triangle gets murkier, the stakes get higher, and trustā¦ Ha. No oneās heard of her. š®āšØ
But hereās the thing: while The Hemlock Queen deepens the lore (pun so intended š¤), and gives us a haunting, character-driven spiral of trauma and ambitionā¦ it doesnāt quite slap the way Foxglove did. The bite, for me, was dulled. The poison, less potent. Itās more of a simmer than a sear. Definitely more melancholy for me than anything elseā¦ Although the elevated spice levels were definitely a plus. š
Still, I recommend this book. Oh š. now your girl is just waiting for the third book to grab me by the throat and remind me why this series owns my soul. Hannah Whitten, consider this my pretty little prayer: bring back the venom, babe. Iām starving for it.
š¤āØ 4 stars. One for each unspoken threat, withheld kiss, and crumbling moral.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.25āļø
Alright my loves, gather āround because this was my first-ever bear shifter romance andā¦ whew. I have thoughts. Many thoughts. And possibly a new animal kink to unpack. š»š„
First of allā yes! I went in expecting cute, came out fanning myself and grinning like I just got caught sneaking out of the MMCās cave on a walk of shame. Balanced as cozy enough to make you want to curl up under a blanket, but with just enough raised stakes (and, uhā¦ raised other things) to keep me hooked. Normally Iām a high-drama, life-or-death kind of reader, but this sweet-and-spicy combo def hit.
The chemistry? Off the charts cute and hot. Bearne is a bear in every senseā massive, protective, gruff but also a softie. Sirin is sharp as a tack, endlessly curious, and absolutely fearless about asking every damn question you know would get you in trouble in real life. The banter had me cheesing, the tenderness had me swooning, and the spiceā¦ well, letās just say OāShire didnāt just turn up the heatā our girl had me reevaluating my entire to-be-kissed list. That epilogue alone? Someone get me a snow cone. š®āšØ
Also, LGBTQIAP+ rep? Plus-size rep? Yes, yes, and hell yes. Bonus points for the genius little ācitationsā in Sirinās POVā they were such a unique, adorable way to pull readers right into her head.
This is technically a standalone in an interconnected series, but the hints about seeing these two again? Oh, Iāll be there with my claws out.
Final verdict: If you like your shifters hot, your adventures cozy, and your slow burn ending with a BANG (pun absolutely intended š), this is a must read. Monster lovers, youāre welcome. š
Huge, thank you to the author for a copy of her e-book, which I received through a stuff your Kindle event hosted by a third-party. I look forward to diving into the rest of the series, which I am immediately going to Kindle unlimited, unlimited to add after I post this!
Alright my loves, gather āround because this was my first-ever bear shifter romance andā¦ whew. I have thoughts. Many thoughts. And possibly a new animal kink to unpack. š»š„
First of allā yes! I went in expecting cute, came out fanning myself and grinning like I just got caught sneaking out of the MMCās cave on a walk of shame. Balanced as cozy enough to make you want to curl up under a blanket, but with just enough raised stakes (and, uhā¦ raised other things) to keep me hooked. Normally Iām a high-drama, life-or-death kind of reader, but this sweet-and-spicy combo def hit.
The chemistry? Off the charts cute and hot. Bearne is a bear in every senseā massive, protective, gruff but also a softie. Sirin is sharp as a tack, endlessly curious, and absolutely fearless about asking every damn question you know would get you in trouble in real life. The banter had me cheesing, the tenderness had me swooning, and the spiceā¦ well, letās just say OāShire didnāt just turn up the heatā our girl had me reevaluating my entire to-be-kissed list. That epilogue alone? Someone get me a snow cone. š®āšØ
Also, LGBTQIAP+ rep? Plus-size rep? Yes, yes, and hell yes. Bonus points for the genius little ācitationsā in Sirinās POVā they were such a unique, adorable way to pull readers right into her head.
This is technically a standalone in an interconnected series, but the hints about seeing these two again? Oh, Iāll be there with my claws out.
Final verdict: If you like your shifters hot, your adventures cozy, and your slow burn ending with a BANG (pun absolutely intended š), this is a must read. Monster lovers, youāre welcome. š
Huge, thank you to the author for a copy of her e-book, which I received through a stuff your Kindle event hosted by a third-party. I look forward to diving into the rest of the series, which I am immediately going to Kindle unlimited, unlimited to add after I post this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content