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wrappedupinpages
🇮🇪 Morbidly Yours 🇮🇪
By Ivy Fairbanks
Summary:
🇮🇪Widower Lark, an American animator, moves to Ireland for a fresh start
🇮🇪She rents a place right next to Callum, a socially awkward funeral director
🇮🇪After the death of his grandad who raised him, Callum must marry to keep his family’s mortuary out of his father's greedy hands
🇮🇪What begins as a ride to work, slowly turns into a heartfelt friendship
🇮🇪 One problem, Lark has sworn off dating completely and is determined to die single
🇮🇪 Together, they navigate grief, healing, and finding where they truly belong
Thoughts:
I picked this book up because I saw it was set in Ireland and I’m so glad I did! I loved that it didn't follow tropes all the way through, which made the book more unpredictable.
What sounds like a quirky, slightly morbid premise turns into one of the softest, most heartfelt romances I’ve read. Lark and Callum are such beautifully layered characters, both quietly grieving, both feeling like they don’t quite fit, and both so deeply deserving of love.
Callum especially stole my heart. His social awkwardness, vulnerability, and quiet devotion made the slow burn feel incredibly intimate and earned. And Lark’s warmth and boldness balanced him perfectly. Their connection builds through small moments, honest conversations, and emotional safety rather than dramatic theatrics, which made it feel so real!
I loved how the story handled grief, identity, and belonging without losing its humor or charm. The Irish small-town setting added such a cozy atmosphere, even inside a funeral home. Seriously, don't sleep on this one!
By Ivy Fairbanks
Summary:
🇮🇪Widower Lark, an American animator, moves to Ireland for a fresh start
🇮🇪She rents a place right next to Callum, a socially awkward funeral director
🇮🇪After the death of his grandad who raised him, Callum must marry to keep his family’s mortuary out of his father's greedy hands
🇮🇪What begins as a ride to work, slowly turns into a heartfelt friendship
🇮🇪 One problem, Lark has sworn off dating completely and is determined to die single
🇮🇪 Together, they navigate grief, healing, and finding where they truly belong
Thoughts:
I picked this book up because I saw it was set in Ireland and I’m so glad I did! I loved that it didn't follow tropes all the way through, which made the book more unpredictable.
What sounds like a quirky, slightly morbid premise turns into one of the softest, most heartfelt romances I’ve read. Lark and Callum are such beautifully layered characters, both quietly grieving, both feeling like they don’t quite fit, and both so deeply deserving of love.
Callum especially stole my heart. His social awkwardness, vulnerability, and quiet devotion made the slow burn feel incredibly intimate and earned. And Lark’s warmth and boldness balanced him perfectly. Their connection builds through small moments, honest conversations, and emotional safety rather than dramatic theatrics, which made it feel so real!
I loved how the story handled grief, identity, and belonging without losing its humor or charm. The Irish small-town setting added such a cozy atmosphere, even inside a funeral home. Seriously, don't sleep on this one!
🪞𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝐸𝓍𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓈𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔
𝒷𝓎 𝐿𝒶𝓊𝓇𝒶 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃
𝒮𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓅𝓈𝒾𝓈:
🪞Penny Paxton is an aspiring actress determined to make a name for herself at the elite Dorian Drama School.
🪞Desperate for fame and perfection, she agrees to have a mysterious portrait painted that promises eternal beauty.
🪞But when her mentor is murdered and other former students begin dying, Penny realizes the portraits may be cursed.
🪞Now she must uncover the truth before the deadly secret destroys her too.
𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven was a dark and unsettling YA read that blends ambition, beauty, and horror. One of the strongest aspects of the story is how it explores eating disorders and the intense pressure to maintain a certain appearance in order to succeed, which feels especially relevant for a YA audience.
I also really enjoyed the body horror elements—they added a creepy, disturbing atmosphere that I love in this type of story.
The book also includes a diverse cast and a sapphic love interest, which I appreciated. However, at times the world-building felt a little confusing, particularly when it came to the alchemy behind the portraits and how that magic system worked.
Overall, it’s an atmospheric read about beauty, ambition, and the cost of perfection.The audiobook by Felicity Brown is also quite good! She really brought out the emotional depth and anguish of the Penny to life
🌶️🌶️
Author: @laurasteven
Publisher: @wednesdaybooks
Release Date: May26, 2026
Audiobook Narrator: Felicity Brown
Audiobook Length: 9 hrs and 56 min
Thank you so @netgalley , @wednesdaybooks , and Laura Steven for gifting me this eARC and @macmillan.audio for the audiobook!
𝒷𝓎 𝐿𝒶𝓊𝓇𝒶 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃
𝒮𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓅𝓈𝒾𝓈:
🪞Penny Paxton is an aspiring actress determined to make a name for herself at the elite Dorian Drama School.
🪞Desperate for fame and perfection, she agrees to have a mysterious portrait painted that promises eternal beauty.
🪞But when her mentor is murdered and other former students begin dying, Penny realizes the portraits may be cursed.
🪞Now she must uncover the truth before the deadly secret destroys her too.
𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven was a dark and unsettling YA read that blends ambition, beauty, and horror. One of the strongest aspects of the story is how it explores eating disorders and the intense pressure to maintain a certain appearance in order to succeed, which feels especially relevant for a YA audience.
I also really enjoyed the body horror elements—they added a creepy, disturbing atmosphere that I love in this type of story.
The book also includes a diverse cast and a sapphic love interest, which I appreciated. However, at times the world-building felt a little confusing, particularly when it came to the alchemy behind the portraits and how that magic system worked.
Overall, it’s an atmospheric read about beauty, ambition, and the cost of perfection.The audiobook by Felicity Brown is also quite good! She really brought out the emotional depth and anguish of the Penny to life
🌶️🌶️
Author: @laurasteven
Publisher: @wednesdaybooks
Release Date: May26, 2026
Audiobook Narrator: Felicity Brown
Audiobook Length: 9 hrs and 56 min
Thank you so @netgalley , @wednesdaybooks , and Laura Steven for gifting me this eARC and @macmillan.audio for the audiobook!
🌸Across the Vanishing Sky🌸
Synopsis:
🌸Braedyn returns to Starlight Grove to uncover her best friend’s disappearance.
🌸She must protect her son as old secrets resurface.
🌸Her brooding neighbor Dex has a dangerous past—but proves fiercely loyal.
🌸As threats grow, their connection deepens.
🌸Dex will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Thoughts:
I am so thankful to have received an eARC of Across the Vanishing Sky from @catherinecowlesauthor who is a favorite romance author of mine because her books aren't just about the romance, but also mystery and found family. Catherine creates characters that are so human and relatable. They make you want to move to a small town ASAP!
Across the Vanishing Sky is her best work yet in my opinion. I dived right into this story and didn't come up for air until it was done because the suspense is so strong and everytime I thought I had figured out who took Nova, I would be wrong!
I love the Archer family and the better I got to know each one the more excited I got to read each of their stories! I cannot recommend this story enough!
Author: @catherinecowlesauthor
Publisher: @read_bloom
Release date: March 3rd, 2026
Synopsis:
🌸Braedyn returns to Starlight Grove to uncover her best friend’s disappearance.
🌸She must protect her son as old secrets resurface.
🌸Her brooding neighbor Dex has a dangerous past—but proves fiercely loyal.
🌸As threats grow, their connection deepens.
🌸Dex will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Thoughts:
I am so thankful to have received an eARC of Across the Vanishing Sky from @catherinecowlesauthor who is a favorite romance author of mine because her books aren't just about the romance, but also mystery and found family. Catherine creates characters that are so human and relatable. They make you want to move to a small town ASAP!
Across the Vanishing Sky is her best work yet in my opinion. I dived right into this story and didn't come up for air until it was done because the suspense is so strong and everytime I thought I had figured out who took Nova, I would be wrong!
I love the Archer family and the better I got to know each one the more excited I got to read each of their stories! I cannot recommend this story enough!
Author: @catherinecowlesauthor
Publisher: @read_bloom
Release date: March 3rd, 2026
🇮🇪Sασιɾʂҽ: Oυƚ Tσԃαყ🇮🇪
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and Charleen Hurtubise for gifting me this ALc, all opinions are my own.
Sყɳσρʂιʂ:
🇮🇪 Psychological thriller following Saoirse, a woman haunted by buried secrets.
🇮🇪 A shocking event forces long-hidden truths to resurface.
🇮🇪 Explores identity, motherhood, and betrayal.
Trust unravels as tensions rise.
🇮🇪 Twisty revelations lead to a powerful, unsettling conclusion.
Tԋσυɠԋтѕ:
This story contains so much resilience and perseverance despite impossible scenario! This one had me in a chokehold.
Twisty, emotional, and completely addictive — I questioned everything and everyone the entire time. The tension builds so perfectly, and the reveals hit HARD. Not just a thriller, but a story layered with messy relationships, secrets, and raw emotion.
My heart hurt for Sara/Saoirse and everything she endured from such a young age at the hands of the people meant to protect her. The satisfaction when she pulls her self from the mud to unpack her childhood trauma and reveals finally what happened to her had me crying.
And the audiobook? Absolutely phenomenal. The narrator brought so much depth and nuance to the characters, making the emotions feel even more intense. The pacing, the tone shifts, the subtle tension in certain scenes, it elevated the entire experience. This is one of those stories that truly shines in audio format!
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and Charleen Hurtubise for gifting me this ALc, all opinions are my own.
Sყɳσρʂιʂ:
🇮🇪 Psychological thriller following Saoirse, a woman haunted by buried secrets.
🇮🇪 A shocking event forces long-hidden truths to resurface.
🇮🇪 Explores identity, motherhood, and betrayal.
Trust unravels as tensions rise.
🇮🇪 Twisty revelations lead to a powerful, unsettling conclusion.
Tԋσυɠԋтѕ:
This story contains so much resilience and perseverance despite impossible scenario! This one had me in a chokehold.
Twisty, emotional, and completely addictive — I questioned everything and everyone the entire time. The tension builds so perfectly, and the reveals hit HARD. Not just a thriller, but a story layered with messy relationships, secrets, and raw emotion.
My heart hurt for Sara/Saoirse and everything she endured from such a young age at the hands of the people meant to protect her. The satisfaction when she pulls her self from the mud to unpack her childhood trauma and reveals finally what happened to her had me crying.
And the audiobook? Absolutely phenomenal. The narrator brought so much depth and nuance to the characters, making the emotions feel even more intense. The pacing, the tone shifts, the subtle tension in certain scenes, it elevated the entire experience. This is one of those stories that truly shines in audio format!
🔥 Cinders of Yesterday Review 🔥
By Jen Karner
Synopsis:
🔥Paranormal hunter Dani Black is determined to kill the rogue necromancer Spectre, who murdered her partner a year ago.
🔥A rumored weapon in Dawson, Maryland that can kill anything leads her there.
🔥She meets Emilie Lockgrove, whose magical family has been hunted by Spectre for 200 years.
🔥Emilie returns home to face her past, only to discover magic and ghosts are real and her memories have been suppressed.
🔥To defeat Spectre for good, Dani and Emilie must work together, reclaim Emilie’s magic, and confront their shared past.
Thoughts:
I absolutely devoured this story! As a huge fan of Supernatural, this felt like a sapphic romance version of the show and I loved that vibe.
Honestly, this could easily have been a 400+ page novel. Expanding it would’ve allowed for richer world-building, more romantic development between Dani and Emilie, and an even bigger emotional payoff when key secrets are revealed.
The pacing is fast — like cramming an entire season of Supernatural into a single episode. It’s gripping and action-packed (and Dani is a total badass!), but I would’ve happily read a longer, slower version to fully sink into the world and characters.
Even so, I still really enjoyed it and absolutely plan to continue the series the plot is just too intriguing not to! Plus I'm a sucker for bad ass FMCs and a sapphic romance.
3.75 ⭐️
1🌶️
By Jen Karner
Synopsis:
🔥Paranormal hunter Dani Black is determined to kill the rogue necromancer Spectre, who murdered her partner a year ago.
🔥A rumored weapon in Dawson, Maryland that can kill anything leads her there.
🔥She meets Emilie Lockgrove, whose magical family has been hunted by Spectre for 200 years.
🔥Emilie returns home to face her past, only to discover magic and ghosts are real and her memories have been suppressed.
🔥To defeat Spectre for good, Dani and Emilie must work together, reclaim Emilie’s magic, and confront their shared past.
Thoughts:
I absolutely devoured this story! As a huge fan of Supernatural, this felt like a sapphic romance version of the show and I loved that vibe.
Honestly, this could easily have been a 400+ page novel. Expanding it would’ve allowed for richer world-building, more romantic development between Dani and Emilie, and an even bigger emotional payoff when key secrets are revealed.
The pacing is fast — like cramming an entire season of Supernatural into a single episode. It’s gripping and action-packed (and Dani is a total badass!), but I would’ve happily read a longer, slower version to fully sink into the world and characters.
Even so, I still really enjoyed it and absolutely plan to continue the series the plot is just too intriguing not to! Plus I'm a sucker for bad ass FMCs and a sapphic romance.
3.75 ⭐️
1🌶️
🌲Daughter of the Pines 🌲
Synopsis:
🌲There was never meant to be a thirteenth Ledes cousins: a dark pact ensures the Devil claims one as his own.
🌲The fog-covered town of Galloway survives under constant threat from demons hiding in the Barrens.
🌲Harper Ledes, the youngest cousin, feels like an outsider in the powerful family that governs the cursed village.
🌲She secretly possesses mindspeaking magic, an ability she must keep hidden at all costs.
🌲Two militia officers force her into helping investigate a stolen weapons case through blackmail.
🌲Lieutenant Logan Greer is desperate to recover the missing weapons taken under his watch.
🌲As Harper ventures closer to the Barrens and closer to the two officers, she uncovers dangerous, long-buried secrets.
🌲She discovers her fate is deeply tied to forbidden magic hidden among the pines.
🌲To protect the town she once wanted to escape, Harper may have to tear open the veil between realms and face her fate.
Thoughts:
This story pulled me in from the very first page. The pine-covered setting feels alive, adding a quiet intensity to every secret and decision. The tension simmers beautifully throughout and the twists kept me on my toes!
I loved the heroine’s internal struggle between loyalty and freedom. Her growth felt raw and authentic, especially as she began questioning the expectations that shaped her life and questioning her history and circumstances surrounding her mother's death in a fire when she was a baby.
The slow-burn romance is perfectly paced. Full of chemistry and yearning. I appreciated the queer representation as well within Harper's family. I wish this was a duology so I would have another book! I will definitely be recommending this read! Perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig's writing.
Synopsis:
🌲There was never meant to be a thirteenth Ledes cousins: a dark pact ensures the Devil claims one as his own.
🌲The fog-covered town of Galloway survives under constant threat from demons hiding in the Barrens.
🌲Harper Ledes, the youngest cousin, feels like an outsider in the powerful family that governs the cursed village.
🌲She secretly possesses mindspeaking magic, an ability she must keep hidden at all costs.
🌲Two militia officers force her into helping investigate a stolen weapons case through blackmail.
🌲Lieutenant Logan Greer is desperate to recover the missing weapons taken under his watch.
🌲As Harper ventures closer to the Barrens and closer to the two officers, she uncovers dangerous, long-buried secrets.
🌲She discovers her fate is deeply tied to forbidden magic hidden among the pines.
🌲To protect the town she once wanted to escape, Harper may have to tear open the veil between realms and face her fate.
Thoughts:
This story pulled me in from the very first page. The pine-covered setting feels alive, adding a quiet intensity to every secret and decision. The tension simmers beautifully throughout and the twists kept me on my toes!
I loved the heroine’s internal struggle between loyalty and freedom. Her growth felt raw and authentic, especially as she began questioning the expectations that shaped her life and questioning her history and circumstances surrounding her mother's death in a fire when she was a baby.
The slow-burn romance is perfectly paced. Full of chemistry and yearning. I appreciated the queer representation as well within Harper's family. I wish this was a duology so I would have another book! I will definitely be recommending this read! Perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig's writing.
🌲It's Not Her 🌲
By Mary Kubica
Synopsis:
🌲A family vacation turns deadly when Courtney Gray’s brother and sister-in-law are found murdered.
🌲Their teenage daughter, Reese, is missing.
🌲As suspicion grows, buried secrets surface.
🌲A twist-filled psychological thriller about trust and family lies.
Thoughts:
This was suspenseful — not edge-of-your-seat heart-pounding the entire time — but definitely gripping enough to keep me turning the pages. The tension builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve pieced everything together… you realize you are completely wrong.
I loved that it wasn’t predictable. Every time I felt confident in my theory, the story shifted in a way that made me question everything. Those twists were subtle but effective.
The saddest part for me was the family dynamic. The inter-family conflict and underlying tension added an emotional weight to the mystery that made it hit even harder. It wasn’t just about the crime, it was about the fractures that were already there long before it happened.
I did an immersive read for this one and really enjoyed the narration. It added another layer of tension and emotion to the story and made the experience even more engaging.
By Mary Kubica
Synopsis:
🌲A family vacation turns deadly when Courtney Gray’s brother and sister-in-law are found murdered.
🌲Their teenage daughter, Reese, is missing.
🌲As suspicion grows, buried secrets surface.
🌲A twist-filled psychological thriller about trust and family lies.
Thoughts:
This was suspenseful — not edge-of-your-seat heart-pounding the entire time — but definitely gripping enough to keep me turning the pages. The tension builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve pieced everything together… you realize you are completely wrong.
I loved that it wasn’t predictable. Every time I felt confident in my theory, the story shifted in a way that made me question everything. Those twists were subtle but effective.
The saddest part for me was the family dynamic. The inter-family conflict and underlying tension added an emotional weight to the mystery that made it hit even harder. It wasn’t just about the crime, it was about the fractures that were already there long before it happened.
I did an immersive read for this one and really enjoyed the narration. It added another layer of tension and emotion to the story and made the experience even more engaging.
🎶 Stolen Moments Review 🎶
Synopsis:
🎶 First book in The Stolen Romance series — a contemporary male‑male rockstar romance.
🎶 Alexander Morgan, a famous pop star, struggles with fame and hidden secrets.
🎶 Christopher Foster meets Alexander in London, sparking instant chemistry.
🎶 They share intense, private moments while navigating emotional baggage and secrecy.
🎶 Their connection grows, but challenges of fame and hidden truths test their bond.
🎶 Ends on a cliffhanger, leading into the next book in the series.
Thoughts:
This story is a beautiful reminder that fame and financial success don’t guarantee happiness.
I loved that, while the instant chemistry between Alex and Chris was undeniable, it wasn’t an instant love story. Their slow, natural progression and chance encounters made the romance feel real and believable.
The exploration of both Alex and Chris’s trauma is handled with so much care. It’s heartbreaking, because at our core we all just want to be loved and accepted for who we are. The pain of family rejection because of who you love is portrayed so authentically, and it hit me deeply.
That ending! I need book 2 in this years ASAP! Also, I'm impressed that the author created a whole album of music for Alex (I used one song for the music on this post).
This book is out! Grab your copy today! Don't forget to check out the music behind the story wherever you get your music.
Thank you so much to @abjacksonauthor for entrusting your book to me! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
🎶 First book in The Stolen Romance series — a contemporary male‑male rockstar romance.
🎶 Alexander Morgan, a famous pop star, struggles with fame and hidden secrets.
🎶 Christopher Foster meets Alexander in London, sparking instant chemistry.
🎶 They share intense, private moments while navigating emotional baggage and secrecy.
🎶 Their connection grows, but challenges of fame and hidden truths test their bond.
🎶 Ends on a cliffhanger, leading into the next book in the series.
Thoughts:
This story is a beautiful reminder that fame and financial success don’t guarantee happiness.
I loved that, while the instant chemistry between Alex and Chris was undeniable, it wasn’t an instant love story. Their slow, natural progression and chance encounters made the romance feel real and believable.
The exploration of both Alex and Chris’s trauma is handled with so much care. It’s heartbreaking, because at our core we all just want to be loved and accepted for who we are. The pain of family rejection because of who you love is portrayed so authentically, and it hit me deeply.
That ending! I need book 2 in this years ASAP! Also, I'm impressed that the author created a whole album of music for Alex (I used one song for the music on this post).
This book is out! Grab your copy today! Don't forget to check out the music behind the story wherever you get your music.
Thank you so much to @abjacksonauthor for entrusting your book to me! All opinions are my own.
🪰 𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓶 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🪰
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , author T. Kingfisher, and @tornightfire for gifting me this audiobook!
𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
🪰Set in 1899, the story follows Sonia Wilson, a skilled scientific illustrator struggling to find work
🪰Sonia accepts a position with the reclusive Dr. Halder to illustrate his extensive insect collection.
🪰She moves to Halder’s North Carolina manor, isolated near woods where strange events have begun to occur.
🪰Sonia senses something deeply wrong in the environment: animals behave oddly, and locals whisper about ominous “blood thieves.”
🪰Questions arise about her predecessor and Halder’s mysterious research
🪰Sonia must confront the monstrous reality of these discoveries and the threat they pose to her own survival.
𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
This unsettling blend of folklore and the natural world is perfectly suited to its 1800s backwoods North Carolina setting—humid, isolated, and dripping with gothic atmosphere. The environment feels alive in that quiet, wrong way Kingfisher does so well.
Sonia’s internal monologues were a standout for me. A so-called “spinster” teacher who loves painting flowers but must turn her talent toward illustrating insects, she uses science to calm her nerves and rationalize the impossible. That tension between logic and creeping horror made her incredibly compelling.
The side characters added richness and texture to the story, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more world-building around the “blood thieves.” The ambiguity builds suspense, but once the reveal comes, I wanted just a little more depth.
Fair warning: the insect horror, especially the bot fly larvae, is vividly described and not for the faint of heart. Having removed the larvae from Kichi when she was found on the road, can confirm they are gross!
This book further cemented my devotion to both Kingfisher's work and gothic horror as a genre. The audiobook narration by Mary Robinette Kowal was fantastic, the Southern accents and distinct voices truly brought the story to life.
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , author T. Kingfisher, and @tornightfire for gifting me this audiobook!
𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
🪰Set in 1899, the story follows Sonia Wilson, a skilled scientific illustrator struggling to find work
🪰Sonia accepts a position with the reclusive Dr. Halder to illustrate his extensive insect collection.
🪰She moves to Halder’s North Carolina manor, isolated near woods where strange events have begun to occur.
🪰Sonia senses something deeply wrong in the environment: animals behave oddly, and locals whisper about ominous “blood thieves.”
🪰Questions arise about her predecessor and Halder’s mysterious research
🪰Sonia must confront the monstrous reality of these discoveries and the threat they pose to her own survival.
𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
This unsettling blend of folklore and the natural world is perfectly suited to its 1800s backwoods North Carolina setting—humid, isolated, and dripping with gothic atmosphere. The environment feels alive in that quiet, wrong way Kingfisher does so well.
Sonia’s internal monologues were a standout for me. A so-called “spinster” teacher who loves painting flowers but must turn her talent toward illustrating insects, she uses science to calm her nerves and rationalize the impossible. That tension between logic and creeping horror made her incredibly compelling.
The side characters added richness and texture to the story, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more world-building around the “blood thieves.” The ambiguity builds suspense, but once the reveal comes, I wanted just a little more depth.
Fair warning: the insect horror, especially the bot fly larvae, is vividly described and not for the faint of heart. Having removed the larvae from Kichi when she was found on the road, can confirm they are gross!
This book further cemented my devotion to both Kingfisher's work and gothic horror as a genre. The audiobook narration by Mary Robinette Kowal was fantastic, the Southern accents and distinct voices truly brought the story to life.
Synopsis:
Isca hides a rare magic that lets her feel and manipulate emotions
The Assembly of Mages forces her into a dangerous mission
Sent to Darreth to calm the cursed and violent prince, Emery
Secretly ordered to deliver his future heir to be used as a weapon
Emery is feared as a monster, but Isca sees the man beneath the curse
A forbidden bond forms as duty and desire collide
Betrayal, power, and impossible choices threaten both their lives—and the crown
Thoughts:
This book had me hooked from the first chapter. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, and the political tension keeps the stakes high the entire time.
Isca is a compelling, empathetic FMC whose magic adds such a unique emotional layer to the story, and Emery is the perfect broken-but-dangerous love interest: complex, tortured, and impossible not to root for.
The slow-burn romance is chef’s kiss, full of yearning, restraint, and moments that hit you right in the chest. I loved how the story explored power, choice, and what it truly means to be a monster versus a ruler.
The emotional payoff was strong, the twists kept me guessing, and the ending left me desperate for more.
If you love fantasy romance with angst, court intrigue, and a cursed MMC you just want to wrap in a blanket, this one absolutely delivers.
Thank you so much to MTMC Tours and Astoria Hope for having me on this tour!
Isca hides a rare magic that lets her feel and manipulate emotions
The Assembly of Mages forces her into a dangerous mission
Sent to Darreth to calm the cursed and violent prince, Emery
Secretly ordered to deliver his future heir to be used as a weapon
Emery is feared as a monster, but Isca sees the man beneath the curse
A forbidden bond forms as duty and desire collide
Betrayal, power, and impossible choices threaten both their lives—and the crown
Thoughts:
This book had me hooked from the first chapter. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, and the political tension keeps the stakes high the entire time.
Isca is a compelling, empathetic FMC whose magic adds such a unique emotional layer to the story, and Emery is the perfect broken-but-dangerous love interest: complex, tortured, and impossible not to root for.
The slow-burn romance is chef’s kiss, full of yearning, restraint, and moments that hit you right in the chest. I loved how the story explored power, choice, and what it truly means to be a monster versus a ruler.
The emotional payoff was strong, the twists kept me guessing, and the ending left me desperate for more.
If you love fantasy romance with angst, court intrigue, and a cursed MMC you just want to wrap in a blanket, this one absolutely delivers.
Thank you so much to MTMC Tours and Astoria Hope for having me on this tour!