121 reviews by:

wrappedupinpages

Filter

🛡️Pretty Vicious: The Order, Book 1: Obey🛡️

By Lexi Davis 

Synopsis:
🛡️Laurel witnesses a murder tied to the powerful Order

🛡️Refusing to let her walk away, the Order pulls her into their world

🛡️Forced into dangerous rules and rituals

🛡️Bound to Carrson Ashford, the Order’s cold, ruthless heir

🛡️Explores power, control, obsession, and survival
One rule: obey

Thoughts: 
I went into Pretty Vicious with low expectations, since dark romances involving captivity often lean heavily on spice with little plot, but this one surprised me! 

Laurel and Carrson have more emotional depth than I expected. I enjoyed hearing about both of their trauma and understanding why they are the way they are from it. Definitely some strong growth for these characters!

 I appreciated that everything physical between them was consensual. In fact, there is way more plot than smut because that relationship was established first before anything else happened physically. Also, the intimate scenes were more tender than I was expecting, which goes to show you can't always judge a character by your first impressions. 

The story pulled me in immediately, and I flew through it because it held my attention the entire time. That said, the pacing occasionally felt a bit rushed, and I found myself wanting more information around the Order—especially its history and structure. 

It was surprising that the son of the organization’s leader knew so little about it, particularly details like where the children come from when the “mothers” were never pregnant. However, the Order is strongly built on  blind obedience so that could be why. I’m hoping book two fills in those gaps. 

And that ending? I finished the book and immediately thought nooooo, I need the next book ASAP!  I have a strong suspicion this series is going to be seriously addictive! 

3🌶️

Thank you so much to @authorlexidavis for sending me this ebook! All thought and opinions are my own.


🏠 ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ revιew🏠

Thank you @macmillan.audio for gifting this audiobook to me! 

sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs:
🏠Elodie is a young single mother whose life seems to be falling into place—new husband, Bren, and a baby on the way.

🏠Bren brings Elodie and her son Jude to his family’s old, crumbling house that he’s renovating.

🏠Jude begins to hear voices in the walls and insists the house is alive and being harmed by the renovations.
Elodie can’t dismiss Jude’s claims, and unease grows as strange and unsettling events unfold in the house.

🏠 Suspense builds around whether the threat is supernatural, psychological, or rooted in deeper secrets Elodie is hiding.

🏠The tension escalates as family dynamics, fear, and doubt blur the line between reality and terror.

ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
You Did Nothing Wrong kept me guessing from start to finish, with twists that constantly made me question what was real and what wasn’t. 

The house itself felt disturbingly alive, with grotesque, almost visceral descriptions that made it feel horrifyingly human. 

I especially loved how the story delved into motherhood—examining the impossible standards placed on mothers and the quiet, crushing blame they carry. 

Elodie’s relationship with Jude was deeply troubling, particularly the way the narrative explores raising a child who is likely autistic and how society so quickly frames his differences as something caused by his mother. 

The ending was absolutely unhinged in the best way: chaotic, shocking, and unforgettable, leaving me reeling long after the final page. Drews has a life long fan in me with her creepy atmospheric style of horror with a bit of supernatural thrown in to capture your imagination. 

I definitely recommend the audiobook! Saskia Maarleveld did a fantastic job of capturing Elodie's internal thoughts and fears about motherhood and abandonment. 

Author: @paperfury 
Publisher: @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio 
Release Date: March 17, 2026
Audiobook Length: 8hr 50min 
Narrated by: @saskiaaudio 

4.5⭐️
2🌶️

❤️ 𝐻𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉'𝓈 𝒢𝒶𝓂𝒷𝒾𝓉 ❤️

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , Author J.D. Myall, and Wednesday Books for giving me the opportunity to listen to this ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

𝒮𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓅𝓈𝑜𝓈:
❤️A high-stakes romance set against long-standing family tension and buried secrets

❤️Centers on Emma and Malcolm, heirs on opposite sides of a deep-rooted conflict

❤️What begins as rivalry and mistrust slowly shifts into cooperation and something more

❤️Both characters are forced to confront the truth behind their families’ feud

❤️A character-driven story where growth and accountability take center stage

𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
A quick-paced story with a unique magic system and a seamless blend of modern day + magic. I loved how it explores legacy, power, choice, and emotional maturity, with a strong focus on communication and breaking harmful family cycles. 

The book thoughtfully highlights present-day struggles African Americans face, as well as the realities endured throughout history, adding real emotional weight. Make sure you check TW. 

 I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Alaska Jackson, Eric Lockley, and Khaya Fraites all did a fantastic job bringing the story to life! Overall, this was a strong, engaging listen with an ending that will have you wishing the sequel was out! 

Author: @jd_myall 
Publisher: @wednesdaybooks @macmillan.audio 
Audiobook Length: 12 hrs 17 min
Audiobook Narrators: @laska_jackson @iamericlockley @khayafraites 
Release Date: February 3, 2026 


I really wanted to love Heartsong, especially since I’m usually a fan of monster and paranormal romance, but this one ended up being a miss for me.

One aspect I genuinely appreciated was the migraine representation — as someone who suffers from severe migraines, it felt validating to see that experience reflected on the page in a way that acknowledged how disruptive and difficult it can be. Unfortunately, beyond that, I struggled to stay connected to the story.

The MMC’s dialogue often felt overly primitive, almost as if he were speaking from the Stone Age, which pulled me out of the narrative. The insta-love from his side made the romance hard to believe, and the pacing was inconsistent, swinging between overwhelming bursts of activity and stretches that dragged.

I also had a difficult time connecting with the main characters, and the world building felt underdeveloped, lacking the detail needed to truly immerse me in the setting.

Overall, while the concept had potential and the representation stood out positively, the execution didn’t quite come together for me.

🌊 Ɋᑌᗴᗴᑎ ᗝᖴ ᖴᗩᑕᗴᔕ 🌊

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and Petra Lord for gifting me this ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

ᔕƳᑎᗝᑭᔕᎥᔕ: 
🌊 In Caimor, the wealthy can buy and swap bodies, while the poor are left to decay

🌊 Ana Gage, a 17-year-old mage, is trapped in a failing body that’s slowly killing her

🌊 Her only hope is Paragon Academy, where a new future — and body — might be earned

🌊 After a desperate mistake, Ana is caught and given an ultimatum: die or serve

🌊 Forced into dangerous covert missions, she’s pulled into a world of rebellion, illusion magic, and moral gray areas

🌊 A story about identity, survival, and choosing who you are in a broken system

丅ᕼᗝᑌǤᕼ丅ᔕ:
This book completely pulled me in! Definitely my favorite book for January! The worldbuilding is stunning, painting a vivid picture of a society threatened by rising water levels and ruled by deeply corrupt systems of power.

I loved the way magic blends with futuristic science, and the exploration of body swapping across genders is handled with so much thought and care. Bodies are treated as homes for the pith — the soul — and the idea that people can inhabit the body that best suits them (if they can afford it) is both fascinating and heartbreaking. I hope maybe this books helps people understand why people don't feel that their bodies fit who they are as a person. 

The side characters shine, and you truly grow attached to them. At its core, this is a gripping story about someone repeatedly minimized by society, yet who refuses to lose her kindness or stop doing what’s right despite it.

The audiobook narration by Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E. A. Castillo, and Nicky Endres is excellent and kept me hooked!

I can’t recommend this dark academic dystopian story enough! Despite being on a book buying ban, I had to sign up as soon as I was notified that the author was coming to my local bookstore. Such a fresh story that I can't wait to continue!

ᗩᑌ丅ᕼᗝᖇ: @petralordauthor 
ᑭᑌᗷᒪᎥᔕᕼᗴᖇ: @macmillan.audio @henryholtbooks 
ᖇᗴᒪᗴᗩᔕᗴ ᗪᗩ丅ᗴ: Today!! February 3, 2026

🌙 𝔸 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝔻𝕒𝕣𝕜 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ❄️

𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤:

❄️ A chilling thriller set in the frozen isolation of Alaska
One woman caught between family loyalty and dangerous truths

🌙 After Covid shuts down Nina's restaurant in NY, she has to return home to Alaska

❄️A town built on oil, silence, and fear of losing everything

🌙 Moral lines blur when survival depends on staying quiet

❄️ Tension simmers beneath every relationship
Atmospheric, slow-burn suspense with emotional weight

𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:

This is a slow-burn, character-driven thriller that really worked for me. The pacing is steady, taking its time to carefully establish the tension—especially the strained relationships between Nina and her family. I loved how much attention was given to these dynamics, which added real emotional weight to the story.

The Alaskan setting is beautifully rendered, with the stark natural beauty standing in sharp contrast to the damage caused by oil drilling. The town’s dependence on the oil company creates an unsettling backdrop, highlighting the fear and moral conflict that comes with choosing between personal beliefs and job security. That underlying tension felt very real and was one of the strongest elements of the book.

There is a touch of romance, but it never overshadows the core themes or the psychological suspense. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, twist-every-chapter thriller, this may not be for you, but if you enjoy atmospheric tension, rich setting, and thoughtful exploration of family, loyalty, and morality, this is well worth the read.

Author: Lilli Sutton 
Publisher: Harlequin Publishing Park Row Books
Release Date: February 24, 2026


🥀 Book of Blood and Roses 🥀

By Annie Summerlee

Synopsis:
🥀Sapphic paranormal romantasy set at a mysterious Scottish university where vampires and humans coexist

🥀Follows Rebecca Charity, a vampire hunter seeking revenge for her parents’ deaths

🥀Rebecca goes undercover to find the legendary Book of Blood and Roses, an ancient tome detailing vampire weaknesses

🥀Her mission is complicated when she’s assigned a roommate: Aliz Astra, a powerful and alluring vampire

🥀Rebecca begins to question her hatred of vampires as forbidden feelings grow

🥀Features academy intrigue, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a slow-burn sapphic romance

Thoughts:
The Book of Blood and Roses completely swept me away. This sapphic paranormal fantasy was so gripping that I read it in one sitting—which almost never happens for me. From the very first pages, the story kept my interest peaked the entire time, blending tension, mystery, and romance in a way that made it impossible to put down.

I loved how thrilling and atmospheric the story felt, with just the right balance of dark fantasy elements and emotional stakes. The sapphic romance adds an extra layer of intensity, making the connections feel both dangerous and irresistible. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, captivating paranormal fantasy with queer representation and high stakes, this one is absolutely worth the hype. I cannot wait for book 2! 

5⭐️
3🌶️

Author: Annie Summerlee
Publisher: @delreybooks 
Release Date: Out Now! 

Thank you so much to @netgalley Annie Summerlee, and @delreybooks for gifting me this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 


By Rachael Davis Featherstone 

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books, Rachael Davis Featherstone, and Macmillan Audiobook for sending me this audiobook! 

"Sometimes the greatest mysteries aren’t just about who did it—they’re about who we are when faced with the truth."

𝙎𝙔𝙉𝙊𝙋𝙎𝙄𝙎:
🩸Eva Dawkins, a 17-year-old biracial teen, dreams of studying English at Oxford.

🩸She attends Interview Week at Beecham College with her best friend George.

🩸George is found dead under suspicious circumstances; police suspect an accident.

🩸Eva becomes a prime suspect and must clear her name.

🩸She races to uncover the killer, navigate elite Oxford culture, and secure her place at college.

🩸The story explores class, privilege, race, and power in a dark academia setting.

𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙂𝙃𝙏𝙎:
Oxford Blood is full of twists—just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story flips in a way that keeps you guessing. Eva’s occasional lack of maturity can be frustrating, though it feels appropriate for a YA protagonist, especially since she displays surprising maturity in other areas. I really appreciated the way the book examines deeper themes like racism and misogyny within academic settings. Overall, it kept my interest from start to finish.

𝘼𝙐𝘿𝙄𝙊𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙆 𝘿𝙀𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙎:
Author: @Rachael Davis-Featherstone 
Publisher: @Wednesday Books @Macmillan Audio 
Time: 8 hrs 19 min 
Narrator:  Dede Davi 



🏹 ⱧɆłⱤ Ø₣ ₮₩ł₴₮ɆĐ ⱠłɆ₴🏹

"Power isn’t given. It’s taken—and sometimes it costs everything you thought you knew about yourself."

By LJ Andrews 
Sequel to Broken Souls and Bones

₴Ɏ₦Ø₱₴ł₴:
🏹Dark fantasy romance set in a politically volatile kingdom

🏹Roark Ashwood, raised on deception to protect the crown 

🏹Court intrigue driven by secrets, manipulation, and power struggles

🏹Lyra possesses ancient magic tied to bloodlines

🏹Dangerous alliances formed out of necessity rather than trust

🏹Slow-burn, forbidden attraction between Roark and Lyra that challenges duty and identity

🏹High emotional stakes with consequences for both the crown and personal freedom

₮ⱧØɄ₲Ⱨ₮₴:
What I can always expect from LJ's books:
🏹Immersive world building 

🏹Found family you love just as much as the main characters 

🏹Slow burn romance developed with thick tension, banter, and earned trust that's 🔥 without monopolizing the plot. (I need plot with my spice!) 

🏹Characters that are complex and experience growth throughout the story

🏹High stakes political intrigue that keeps you saying "just one more chapter"
 
Heir of Twisted Lies delivers! The political machinations, clan rivalries, and bloodline magic add depth to the world, there is a lot going on in this story! That twist in the end shocked me! Overall, it’s an immersive, emotionally resonant installment that leaves you eager for more in this world. 

4⭐️
3🌶️

Author: @authorljandrews 
Publisher: @acebookspub 
Release Date: March 24, 2026

adventurous reflective

🎚️ᴳᴿᴬᶜᴸᴱˢˢ ᴴᴱᴬᴿᵀ ᴬᵁᴰᴵᴼᴮᴼᴼᴷ ᴿᴱᵛᴵᴱᵂ 🎭

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and Isabel Ibanez for hosting my this audiobook! All thoughts are my own.

ˢᵞᴺᴼᴾˢᴵˢ:
🎚️Ravenna Maffei, a gifted sculptress with forbidden magic, enters a dangerous competition to save her brother.

🎭She’s taken to Florence by Saturnino dei Luni, an immortal heir who forces her into a deadly bargain.

🎚️As magic is hunted and war looms, Ravenna must navigate power, betrayal, and forbidden attraction, deciding who to trust and how far she’ll go to survive.

ᵀᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀˢ:
This story completely swept me away. The slow-burn yearning is immaculate, no insta-love here, just a true enemies-to-lovers arc that feels earned and deeply satisfying. 

The writing itself is whimsical and, at times, surprisingly thought-provoking, adding a lyrical quality that lingered with me long after listening.

I loved how real historical events and figures from Florence, Italy were woven seamlessly into the story, grounding the fantasy in a rich, atmospheric setting. The idea that love is what gives Santurnino a heart was beautifully done and deeply tender.

Ravenna is such a compelling heroine—she’ll do anything for her family, yet she also grows into recognizing her own worth and power. 

The magic system feels fresh and unique, and on audio, the narrator truly shines. Her accent and delivery transport you straight to Italy, making the listening experience immersive and unforgettable.

An easy five stars for me.
2🌶️

Author: @isabelibanezbooks 
Publisher: @macmillan.audio @macmillanusa 
Narrator: @beagranno 
Release Date: January 13, 2026