BOOK REVIEW: PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

February 17, 2025 / Jen / 1 Comment

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In this splendidly bittersweet romantic comedy, enemies forced together by a mutual loss are led on a cross-country journey toward a second chance.

Maddie Sanderson would be proud to honor her older brother’s dying wish, that she scatters his ashes over eight destinations that the adventurous 29-year-old never got to visit before he died from cancer. But in his will, Josh assigned her an impossible partner to help complete the mission—Dominic Perry. Seriously, if Maddie weren’t already at her brother's funeral, she would have killed him for this.

Sure, Dom was Josh’s life-long best friend. He’s also the infuriating man who broke Maddie’s heart back when she was naïve enough to give it to him. But since Dom insists on following the rules and Josh didn’t leave much room for Maddie to argue the matter, they embark together on a series of farewell trips that span thousands of miles, exploring new places and revisiting their complicated history along the way.

After a snowstorm leads to a shared bed, Maddie starts to wonder if her brother might be matchmaking from the grave. But when grief also reopens old wounds between them, Maddie will need more than Josh’s ghostly guidance to trust Dom again.

Review:

PS: I Hate You was an emotional powerhouse. With forced proximity and a second chance romance swirled together, I loved the journey this book took us on. It dealt with grief, healing, friendships, forgiveness, and trying to figure out how to proceed with a future that you’re uncertain about. This is a must read if you love adult romance, I can’t recommend this book enough!

My brother is gone.
Forever.
Gone.
I stop breathing.

When Maddie found out that she was supposed to scatter her brother’s ashes in the 8 states he hadn’t visited, she was hit by so many emotions. Especially since she was to do it with her brother Josh’s best friend, Dominick. Their past was challenging, to say the least. There was so much hurt and anger there. So Maddie’s sarcasm could be harsh and cutting. Her anger felt like a living entity inside her. I felt everything she did, and kept hoping it would all lead to her healing. She desperately needed it.

Last goodbye. This is the last goodbye.

I didn’t understand why Dom did what he did in the past, but I wanted to hold out hope there was a good reason. Especially since he could be so kind, compassionate, and thoughtful when it came to Maddie. While he seemed to hold a world of secrets, I loved how loudly his actions spoke. I loved that he always seemed to be thinking about Maddie. And I easily fell head over heels in love with him.

Even though my hands shake, I manage to spray the medication into my airways. But recovery is slow and painful. Especially with no one here to distract me or comfort me or simply reassure me that I’m not alone.
But that’s exactly what I am. What I always seem to be.
Alone.

Their on and off again road trip was filled with all of the bumps. And you’ll run through the gamut of emotions. How can you laugh, feel the most beautiful sexual tension, and cry at the same time?! That was this book time and again. I loved watching Dom work through his grief for his best friend, and Maddie for her brother. It wasn’t an easy process at all. And it made me cry all the tears. I don’t think I could go two chapters without bawling my eyes out. But mixed within that was also happiness and some fabulous steamy moments too.

If I have one day left, or thousands, I want you to be in every one of them.

PS: I Hate You had the perfect combination of joy and heartache. This beautiful journey towards healing will make you laugh, cry all the tears, and even fall in love. With a fabulous epilogue that will leave you elated, this story easily became one of my top favorites. If you’re a fan of romance, definitely add this one to your tbr!

BOOK REVIEWS: The Sea Witch (For the Love of the Villain #1) by Rebecca F. Kenney & When Wishes Bleed (When Wishes Bleed #1) by Casey L. Bond

February 14, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Sea Witch by Rebecca F. Kenney
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Averil saves a young man from a shipwreck, she thinks she feels the Soul Echo--the sign that the young human male is her one true mate. And the malevolent Sea Witch is all too happy to offer a deal that could make all her dreams come true. He wants her to win the prince's heart--even coaches her in the art of seduction. But what is the real price of the Sea Witch's help? Why is he more brutally beautiful--and charming--than Averil expected?

Perfect for readers who simp for the villain and who enjoy dark, deliciously spicy retellings of beloved fairytales, reminiscent of the original but unique enough to keep it interesting!

Trigger warnings and content warnings can be found on the author's website or in the front matter of the book.

Review:

With twists to the original tale that were so much fun, The Sea Witch was a steamy, Little Mermaid Retelling! The Sea Witch was someone I loved right away. His backstory was fascinating, but from the moment Averil came to him for help, I couldn’t stop smiling. He wanted her. Even though she was forbidden to him. So as he helped her assimilate to her new legs, and teach her many different things *smirks*, I adored their story. The seductive scenes were scorching hot! And I have officially claimed this as my first monster romance, I learned so much haha. So if you love spicy fairytale retellings, with a dash of monster romance, then definitely add this one to your tbr!

When Wishes Bleed (When Wishes Bleed #1)
by Casey L. Bond
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
One Prince. One Witch. One Fate.

The upheaval in my life began the moment a prince stumbled into my house and asked me to read his fortune. Any other night, I might have made an excuse to get him to leave, but this was no normal visit. My fingers prickled to touch him. So, I granted his request by handing him a single wishbone. When he snapped it, the wish ... bled.

Hearing me suck in a shocked breath, he asked what it meant. Such an ominous omen could only mean one thing: his death was imminent. Fate revealed that he wouldn't die of natural causes. Someone wanted him dead. Stunned by the revelation, the man I now knew as Prince Tauren disappeared into a night I feared he wouldn't survive. The following day, I received an invitation to the castle. While it seemed the prince believed I could intervene and uncover who was plotting his death, his motives didn't stop there. I was being summoned to join twelve other women in vying for the opportunity to be his wife and future queen.

Going could mean jeopardizing my plans to reclaim my heritage and resurrect the House of Fate. But staying would guarantee Tauren's death, and the blood of his wish would be on my hands.

Review:

With an interesting magic system and unique world building, When Wishes Bleed was a fun read! This book took us on an interesting ride with little remnants of The Hunger Games and The Bachelor tucked into the story. The characters were easy to like, and the story was a quick read. Even though I got tears in my eyes towards the end, I still couldn’t fully connect to either of the characters. Even though I liked them a lot! Sable always seemed so calm and collected. And Prince Tauren was kind hearted. While this book started out with insta attraction, it did dive into insta love, yet it was done well! While I won’t be continuing on with this series, I definitely want to try another one of her series since this was my first book by Casey L. Bond.

BOOK REVIEWS: Dark Prince, Wild Thing & Forgotten Heir (Blueblood Vampires #1, #2, #3) by Michelle Hercules

February 13, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Dark Prince (Blueblood Vampires #1)
by Michelle Hercules
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
There are only two ways a human can cross the gates of Bloodstone Institute: as a familiar to one of the Blueblood vampires who attend the elite school or as a snack. I’m neither, but I have to get in at all costs. My brother made a big mistake, and now I have to fix it by stealing from the most powerful and cruel vampire to ever come to Bloodstone, Lucca Della Morte. If that wasn’t almost suicidal, I need to get it done before the spell concealing my human nature wears off. But I forget that I’m only pretending to be a vampire. I’m still human and susceptible to Lucca’s dangerous allure. His darkness calls to my soul. His savagery makes my blood sing. I’m falling for the dark prince, craving him in a visceral way that’s frightening and exciting at the same time. If he discovers my secret, he’ll destroy me. And yet, I can’t help wanting to get closer. I never thought I had a death wish until I met him.

Review:

Dark Prince was an academy, paranormal romance that was so effortless to enjoy. I listened to this series and the voices were phenomenal, plus the smidgen of enemies to lovers was so much fun! Lucca and Vivienne were both drawn to one another, and the tension between them was fabulous! I loved how fearless Vivienne was, and the lengths she went to to help her brother. And I fell for the vampire Lucca right away. With his cocky attitude, I knew there had to be a heart of gold underneath his jerk persona. So with political intrigue, and some wonderful twists, I finished this book and dove right into the next one. Each book is about a different couple. The Blueblood Vampire Series is captivating, sexy, and impossible to put down!

Wild Thing (Blueblood Vampires #2)
by Michelle Hercules
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Savage. Reckless. Wild. These are only some of the words used to describe me. I’m all of those things, and I never wished to be anything else in almost 500 years of existence. Then she came along. Aurora Leal, the daughter of the High Witch and destined for that role. She’s practically royalty in the magical world, but most importantly, she’s forbidden fruit. I was taught never to mess with witches, and I had no intention of breaking that rule until the night she crashed into my life. I couldn’t resist the pull, and like an idiot, I succumbed to her charms. Now I’m screwed. What was supposed to be only a hookup left a permanent mark. I ended up mated to the sassy witch. An eternal commitment wasn’t something I ever wished for, but when your destined mate is promised to someone else, that’s a much bigger problem. I only have two choices. Either I find a way to break the mating bond or Aurora will become a widow before she says I do. That will definitely start a war between vampires and mages. But the more time I spend with her, the less inclined I am to give her up. Damn, I guess I’m killing some mages, then.

Review:

Wild Thing was a forbidden, steamy, paranormal romance that was beautifully intoxicating. The tension and sexual desire between Aurora and Saxon was boiling over. Aurora was the daughter of the High Witch and was fated to be married to another, yet after a seductive night found herself mated to Saxon. Saxon was a vampire, so them being together would flame the war that seemed to be brewing in the background. The angst, the lust, the touches, it was all so fabulously done! I loved how protective and possessive Saxon was. And I loved how smart and cunning Aurora was. This book even made me cry. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance, definitely binge this series like I did! Sacrifice, friendship, and love wove through these pages, and I loved every minute of it!

Forgotten Heir (Blueblood Vampires #3)
by Michelle Hercules
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Have you ever heard of the curse of the middle child? It’s real, and it makes you invisible. Growing up in a house with three headstrong witches, I was usually stuck playing the mediator. When I met Rikkon, I immediately felt a kinship to him. He wasn’t invisible like me, but in a sense, he was forgotten. We bonded over things we couldn’t control. He was struggling with his demons, and I was lost. It was easy to fall in love, but that was when things got complicated. When I thought we could be more than friends, Rikkon’s past came to rip my hopes to shreds. He recovered his memories, and with it, the knowledge that he was never free to be mine. Someone else had staked a claim, a bond so strong, that no mortal human could break. Foolishly, I made a vow to help Rikkon reunite with his true mate, not realizing that by doing so, I might have unleashed the wrath of Ellnesari in our world.

Review:

Forgotten Heir was a fabulous continuation of the Blueblood Vampire Series! Each story dives us deeper into their world, and this one took us on a wild ride! With breathtaking action that kept me on the edge of my seat, hidden powers, angst, and forbidden love, I devoured this story. Rikkon and Miranda were fabulous together, and just when I thought they would get a break, something else was thrown at them. I loved the twists and turns and watching them fight for their happily ever after! I absolutely adore this series!

BOOK REVIEWS: Kiss Now, Lie Later (Rival Love #1) & For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2) by C.W. Farnsworth

February 12, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Kiss Now, Lie Later Not Forever (Rival Love #1)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s from one town…

I've heard a lot of things about Alleghany’s quarterback. Weston Cole is popular, conceited, and arrogant. Most importantly, he’s spent the past three years steadily dismantling my family’s football legacy. I should hate him. And I did. Until I ran into him freshman year and discovered he’s also complicated. Considerate. Captivating. When our paths cross again senior year, that awareness becomes more dangerous than his suggestive smirk. Hating him was easy…before I knew him.

…and he’s from the other.

No girl in Glenmont is more untouchable than Maeve Stevens. She lives across enemy lines. Her father is their head football coach. Her twin brother is their quarterback. But one conversation with Maeve makes me forget about the bitter, decades-long rivalry between our two towns. Makes me forget there’s a team of guys relying on me to lead them to another victory. A few forbidden kisses, and there’s only one thing I want to fight for. Her.

Review:

Kiss Now, Lie Later was a forbidden young adult sports romance that captured my heart. With town rivalry, friendships, first love, and fabulous angst, this book was impossible to put down. Maeve and Weston’s meet cute at the party was adorable, and I loved how they could be themselves around each other. What started off as a very slow, tentative friendship turned into something so much more.

Only one thought crosses my mind as I make the short journey through the rapidly falling drops of water.
That I hope the possibilities between Wes and me always feel this limitless.

Maeve and Weston had so many beautiful moments, and underneath it all was this fabulous tension. So with trust, practicing together, and pushing each other to be better, I fell in love right along with them. Be prepared to have your heart hurt, but the epilogue at the end jumped years into the future and I closed this book so happy!

For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
One boy. One girl. Two feuding towns.

LIAM

At some point, summer became my least favorite season. It begins the build toward the inevitable highs and lows of football. Losing isn’t a trait anyone looks for in a quarterback, and I never won when it mattered. Arlington University was supposed to be a fresh start. But infamy isn’t easily forgotten— especially when everyone knows my twin sister is dating my biggest rival. Constant reminders of their relationship have me just as on edge about Alleghany as I was in high school. Spending a weekend sleeping across the hall from Natalie Jacobs doesn’t help. The popular, pretty blonde didn’t just celebrate each of my defeats—she literally led the cheer against me. Just my luck the last girl who should pique my interest is also the only one who ever has.

NATALIE

Spending the summer back in Alleghany, dealing with my parents’ problems, is the last place I want to be. I jump at the chance to spend a weekend away, visiting a college friend. I’m not expecting to know anyone else visiting her cottage on the Cape, much less come face-to-face with Glenmont’s infamous former quarterback. Not-so affectionately known as Sergeant Stevens on my side of the lake, Liam is still every bit the stoic, serious rule-follower I watched bark orders on the field for four years. Sure, he’s nice to look at—especially shirtless—but that’s where any interest begins and ends. The one thing Liam and I agree on is the rivalry between our hometowns isn’t a surpassable boundary. And if we did allow ourselves to cross it, it would only be for now…not forever.

Review:

For Now, Not Forever was a new adult sports romance that was so easy to get lost in. And you definitely want to read Kiss Now, Lie Later before this one. We get introduced to Liam and Natalie, plus we get to see the couple from that book in this story too! This is my second book by C.W. Farnsworth, and I will definitely be bingeing the rest of her backlist!

Maybe there’s only so long you can be consumed by something before you risk letting it consume you.

Liam had so much resentment and bitterness eating away at his heart. For always playing second fiddle to his twin sister’s boyfriend, Weston Cole. And then there was Natalie, who seemed to be drowning at times from her home life. From an almost meet cute to the most awkward meet cute, I never knew what was going to happen next. These two people definitely kept me on my toes. With banter that had barbs, jealousy that will have you screaming and clapping, hope that shined brightly, and beautiful confessions, I devoured this story. That angst was done so well. The sexual tension had me wanting to push them together. And the happily ever after left me smiling!

“You’re perfect,” he tells me. “Fucking perfect.” He sounds annoyed about it. Angry, almost.
“I’m the furthest thing from perfect.”
“Not to me.”

BOOK REVIEW: Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1) by Callie Hart

January 31, 2025 / Jen / 1 Comment

Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1)
by Callie Hart
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details...

Review:

Quicksilver was a forced proximity, found family, enemies to lovers romantasy that I absolutely devoured! With a fascinating world and characters that had you rooting for them, I easily got lost in these pages. If you like fierce heroines, shadow daddies, and political intrigue, then definitely add this one to your tbr!

It isn’t disease that’s contagious in my ward, Captain. It’s dissent. Anarchy and rebellion spread like a wildfire.

Saeris Fane was smart, brave, cunning and I liked her instantly! Especially since she could be fierce and would fight till her last breath! She lived in a harsh world that constantly pushed her down. But she tried her best to survive. Listening to her thoughts, they made me laugh and had me cheering her on! When she reopened a gateway between realms, I was so excited to see what happened next!

Death had come for me, with wavy black hair and wicked green eyes.

Kingfisher, oh I have so many thoughts on him. He was a shadow daddy, who had absolutely no qualms about letting his a**hole side shine brightly haha. I was constantly searching for clues that he did have a heart. Those tiny moments of kindness he would show us, it proved that his black heart could beat! So while he could be kind…it was when he wanted to. But I loved his sneaky ways, his smartass comments, and most of all his filthy mouth!

Every time I thought I’d reached the limit of how much one living being could detest another, he went and proved to me that I was capable of so much more.

The banter and animosity between Saeris and Fisher was fabulous! They made me laugh out loud. And I loved how much they both would mess with the other. They were so entertaining! And when they crossed the line to more, they were scorching hot! I don’t want to say more, but the further we got in the story, the more and more obsessed I got with the two of them!

Fisher drew his bottom lip into his mouth, eyes the softest I’d ever seen them. Gently, he gathered the flyaway hair that had escaped my braid and carefully swept it behind my ear. “Breathe, Little Osha.”

With swirling secrets, blood oaths, battles, and obstacles that seemed insurmountable, Quicksilver held me in the palm of its hands! I even cried while reading this story. And shockingly Carrion even wiggled into my heart, I adored him! Plus I heart Onyx with my whole heart! Also, the ending left at the perfect stopping point. Yes there was a lot up in the air, but we were left at a point where we could breathe and be so excited for what is to come!

Other favorite quotes…

I was going to shank him in the neck with my very dull butter knife. Then he’d see how proficient I was with a blade.

“You don’t have a clue who I am,” he rumbled.
And maybe he was right about that. But I was beginning to. Beginning to figure him out.

A part of me knew that Fisher himself was the trap, and I was well and truly snared…

He buried his face into the crook of my neck, groaning, and the thought rose to my mind unbidden. Dangerous.
Bite me.

War was at the doorstep. Tomorrow was uncertain. Hell, today was uncertain, but this tiny moment was real.