Month: April 2024 (Page 2 of 2)

BOOK REVIEW: Ship of Shadows (Stolen Crowns #2) by Tee Harlowe

April 10, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Ship of Shadows (Stolen Crowns #2)
by Tee Harlowe
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
He broke my heart once. Now working with him might shatter it for good.

I’m chained to my crown. Queen of a court I don’t want. Ever since my brothers and father disappeared, I’ve been forced to rule, to give up the freedom I crave.

It’s all the pirate lord’s fault. Bastian Lore sailed into my life, charmed me completely—then betrayed me. The scoundrel kidnapped my brothers and delivered them straight to the shadow court where they’re trapped, their shadows now under the court’s control.

Worse, Bastian has returned—and his offer to rescue my brothers and find my missing father is too good to be true. All he wants in return? My help finding a cure for his mysterious illness. I don’t trust him, but if anyone can navigate the shadow court and get my family back, it’s him.

He’s as charming as ever. But I can’t fall for him again. If I’m not careful, it won’t just be my heart that I lose—it’ll be my family, my court… and my life.

Ship of Shadows is book two in Stolen Crowns, a series of steamy standalone but interconnected fairytale retellings. This enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance is perfect for fans of banter, (very) snarky heroines, and slow-burn fantasy romance.

Review:

Ship of Shadows was a beautifully, captivating retelling that was Disney meets romantasy! It was Peter Pan, yet with Hook as the love interest, and wrapped around the tale was also The Little Mermaid. I loved this book! The characters came alive, the story was impossible to put down, and I loved how elements of the original tale played out but also found new light. The twists and turns were fabulous, and the ending had me closing the book smiling!

“Do not speak to me like that,” I said, stepping forward. “I am the princess of Apolis, and you will address me as such, or you’ll lose your tongue.”
Bastian chuckled darkly. “You won’t cut out my tongue, not when you know firsthand all the things I can do with it.”

While this can easily be read as a standalone, I can’t recommend reading Mirror of Malice first. There you meet our main heroine, Princess Gabrielle. Her brothers were taken by the pirate lord, Bastian Lore. And then her father and his men disappeared too. She was to become Queen, yet that wasn’t what her heart wanted. With Bastian back and promising to help get her brothers, in exchange for finding a cure for an illness, Gabrielle’s world was going to get turned upside down. The man had already broken her heart once, how could she trust him? Yet what unfolded was the most fantastical journey that had me glued to the pages!

Our entire relationship was stolen moments. Secret trysts. A lie.

From those first few words out of Bastian’s mouth, I was a goner. He was protective, ruthless, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect those he cared for. He was feared, yet underneath that gruff exterior was a heart of gold, or at least I hoped. From the moments he seemed to show he cared, like the fireworks, I fell that much more in love with him. Bastian made me laugh, smile and when he shared little pieces of his past, it made the stars shine brighter!

Second star to the right, he’d said. That’s our star.

Gabrielle tugged at my heart. She was trapped with a future she didn’t want. Her brothers were taken by the man she had fallen in love with. And when she boarded Bastian’s ship, everyone hated her. Her loneliness pierced deep into me. Yet through it all, she was resilient. I loved watching her use her water magic. I loved her finding a way into those hearts around her. And I loved watching her use her cunningness to try and stay one step ahead of others. Yet, Gabrielle also double crossed Bastian. So there were many shades of gray within the pages!

“I’m trying to be so good,” he whispered, “when all I want is to be so very bad.”
I didn’t move, letting his words, his breath, his scent, wash over me.

Bastian and Gabrielle together were explosive. The sexual tension could be seen with every look, touch, and word between them. There was an enemies to lovers vibe there. And the secrets they both kept were numerous. Yet through it all, they both acted like they were trying to protect the other. And while I’m super picky about second chance romance, this one was done fabulously! So when there were moments between them that were more, the steam was perfect too!

There were a million reasons not to do this. Yet with his voice so soft, so vulnerable, I couldn’t make myself care about a single one.

Along for the ride were Bastian’s crew, Driscoll and Leoni. I adored the two women on Bastian’s crew and Driscoll. Driscoll made me laugh numerous times! Yet Leoni and I never clicked. I’m hoping that will change with a future book. Within the story, there were so many moments that had me smiling in joy! I loved how elements from the original tales played out. So many of them twisted in ways that were shocking and unique. I’m not going to say much besides walking the plank part and afterwards, the cabin, and many more were some of my top favorites!

He dipped his head down, a question in his eyes, and I answered, tipping my head up. He brushed his lips against mine.

Ships of Shadows was filled with twists and turns, moments that will make you laugh and fall in love, and the ending was perfect! This second chance, enemies to lovers vibe romance swept me away! With found family and forced proximity laced within the pages, it just made me love this book even more! I’m so excited to see what happens next in this world, and I have a guess about what two fairy tales it will be. I can’t wait!

He placed his hand over mine. “Then who do you need me to be if not your hero?”
A grin spread across my face. “I need you to be what you’re best at. The pirate lord of the Dark Seas.”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: My Dark Beast (Wicked Retellings #1) by Olivia Wildenstein

April 9, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

My Dark Beast (Wicked Retellings #1)
by Olivia Wildenstein
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
SLEEPING BEAUTY x HADES & PERSEPHONE

Tarian Hadez—thirty-three, real estate mogul, mob lord, most eligible bachelor in New England, god. The god-part is an exaggeration. After all, if true deities existed, then the world would be a magical place, and it's really not. At least, my world isn't.

Calanthe Bloom. That's me. Twenty-four, college graduate drowning in debt, true crime addict, florist by default, single by design. Although not living my best life, I'm enthusiastically pursuing it. Especially, in my dreams, which, since a recent flower-delivery snafu, all feature none other than lethally private Tarian.

Oh, the things he does to me when I sleep.

Wickedly surreal.

Except . . . are they?

Enter a world of gods and monsters where dreams are made of flesh. My Dark Beast is a paranormal romance standalone brimming with spice and intrigue.

Review:

My Dark Beast was a Hades x Persephone retelling, with Sleeping Beauty mixed, making this story intoxicating, unique, and impossible to put down. With Alice in Wonderland vibes, from the dreamscape, I was left questioning what was real at times. As the story unfolded, it was dark, mesmerizing, and so easy to love. The characters will capture your heart. And the ending will leave you smiling while you read two beautiful epilogues! I can’t recommend this book enough to romantasy lovers and those that love retellings too!

I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until a deep voice rasps right beside my ear, “The first thing that draws most women’s gazes when they step past my threshold is the expensive art on my walls or the breadth of my entry hall, yet you, Calamity, seem enraptured by my floors.”
“I was expecting the fires of Hell, or the stones to runneth over with blood.”

Calanthe Bloom was helping take care of her mom, while also running her parents business. Not by choice, but by duty since her mom had Alzheimers. It broke my heart to watch her interact with her mom at times, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. Yet through it all, I loved the light and fire that burned within Calanthe. And her thoughts cracked me up at times too. I loved how sarcastic she could be.

“The beast has a conscience. Who would’ve thought?”

From the moment Tarian Hadez appeared on the pages, I was obsessed. He was dark, brooding, and had a way of commanding all of your attention. Yet while he was a mystery, there were so many things to love about him. Like how he called Calanthe, Calamity. To how he could make simple words so seductive. To even getting to see a sweet side of him too, which seemed to contrast with how deadly he was perceived. So when something happened between Tarian and Calathe, I was grasping for breath trying to figure out what was going on.

“Why do I always dream of you?” I murmur.
He watches me, and I watch him. He looks so real. So…tangible.
He stalks closer to the door.

When Calanthe and Tarian were together, the sexual tension that exploded between them was beautiful. And when you add that into a dreamscape, it was intoxicating. With steamy kisses, flirting that will have you sighing out loud, being called a good girl, and more, this book was so seductive. How Tarian could make just a simple lick panty melting was talented. Add that with Tarian messing with Calamity, and this book was so much fun!

“I’m sorry to have dragged you into my hell.”
She snakes her arm around my middle and takes a step forward, slotting her body into mine. And then she twists her head and presses her cheek against my chest.
Against my dark, bestial heart.

This story held me in the palm of its hands. I tried my best to put together the clues, but it was challenging since we were taken on such a wild ride with a million and one questions swirling around. I wasn’t sure who I could trust, but I went with my gut and hoped that would pan out correctly! So while I’m not saying much, because it’s definitely best to learn on your own, just know that I can’t recommend this book enough!

“You’re not some means to an end. You’re my fucking salvation, Calamity.”

My Dark Beast ended with a beautiful happily ever after, yet it was a journey to get there. With death bleeding from the pages, and moments that made me shed tears, this book consumed me. So I was grateful for Tarian’s ability to make me laugh, during moments where I just wanted to cry. And I adored that we learned this world with Calanthe as the story progressed. So I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that some of the side characters will get their own stories down the road! I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters!

“What’ll it be, Calanthe darling?”
“Fuck me,” I breathe out.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Crown of Wings and Thorns by Mary Ting

April 4, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Crown of Wings and Thorns by Mary Ting
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A fight for a throne that will rewrite history

The demon King Asmodeus has taken over the mortal world. The Order of Angel warriors have a mission to take him down, but many have died or joined the enemy. When Evangeline’s team is ensnared in a web of deception, she has no choice but to form an alliance with King Victus, a vampire ruler with a reputation for killing angels. Can the two set aside the past and take down Asmodeus? Or will they turn on each other first?

Michael is a half-breed angel who wants no part of the nonhuman world. However, his immense power makes him a target. King Asmodeus wants him to join his army, and so does Order of Angels, but Michael dreams of settling down, not going to war. He may not have a choice. When his family’s lives are at stake, he’ll have to pick a side or lose everything.

Review:

Crown of Wings and Thorns was a fast paced romantasy, that swirled together angels, demons and vampires. Within the pages there was a lot of mystery, we got introduced to a new world, and the story was told from multiple points of view. With characters that were unique, and an ending that left us at a great stopping point till the next book releases, this story was such a quick read!

“I loathe your kind,” he hissed, baring his teeth.
“And I despise everything about you.” I clenched my jaw.

My favorite character in this story was the demon, King Victus. He was fair, yet could be ruthless. And I loved how multifaceted he was! The secrets he kept were intriguing, and as the story went by I guessed everything correctly about him. I loved seeing how he reacted to things, and the decisions he made. He was someone that was so easy to fall for.

“And I’m debating if I should snap your neck or rip out your heart.”
“What kind of angel are you?”

The story was also told from Evangeline’s view, who was an angel. She seemed like a true warrior that was destined for greatness. She was smart, kind, and fought for what was right. Plus she loved her friends. Yet I could never connect to her. I thought it was because she was with Zander. I never swooned over him, even when they were intimate together. So when King Victus stepped on the pages, I hoped that was a path Evangeline took. Because he intrigued me, and made my heart race!

My job is to either bring in or kill Asmodeus. I prefer the latter … We’re stronger together. Eva’s words filtered through his mind.
Victus might regret his decision, but a deal was a deal. And he needed the feather being to recover fast.
“Take the cuffs off her, now.”

We also got the story in Michael’s POV. He was a fighter who would go to the ends of the world to protect you. I can see readers falling in love with Michael, and wanting to read more about him! I haven’t read it yet, but he was from the Crossroads Saga. I again wasn’t able to connect to him, but I enjoyed listening to his journey to save those he loved!

Bite me harder. Take me. Break me. I was all his, and at this moment, he was mine.
As my pulse drummed faster, my world turned. My present faded and my past came crashing through.

There were more characters we got to hear from, yet these three were who we spent the most time with. And I loved how all of the different stories wove in and out together, it was masterfully done. While there was heartbreak, death, and betrayal, there was also hope, love and watching those work together for the greater good. I definitely don’t want to touch on the story here, because it’s better for you to discover it on your own. If you have fallen for any of Mary Ting’s previous books, I think you’ll fall head over heels in love with this one too!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*