BOOK REVIEW: We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood #1) by Stacia Stark

February 12, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood #1)
by Stacia Stark
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

Review:

With gladiator vibes and deadly trials, this book held me in the palm of its hand. The characters were so effortless to love and cheer on! Especially since Arvelle would do anything for her younger brothers. As this story unfolded with a slow burn, second chance romance, not everything was as it seems. With fun twists and turns, We Who Will Die was another huge hit and instant favorite by Stacia Stark! If you love romantasy, you desperately need this book in your life!

A chill slides down my spine. Every move I’ve made was to ensure I’d never have to fight for the emperor again. It’s bitterly ironic that those very steps have led me right back to this exact situation.

I was terrified for Arvelle’s journey. She was so smart and refused to give in, even with her past haunting her at every turn. But she lived in a deadly world. While it was Roman-inspired with magic, I loved that it was filled with vampires, magical creatures, and gods. I found myself screaming, crying, and clapping. And with mystery swirling through the pages, it made this story impossible to put down! One of my favorite things about Stacia Stark’s books is that her characters are always so effortless to connect to. There were so many that you couldn’t help but love, and others that will make you rage.

When he moves toward me, any pretense of civility is gone. This is the man who disemboweled his enemy the first time I saw him.
He was always this man.

With sacrifices, deals made, steamy moments, jealousy, and more, We Who Will Die was so easy to love. And while I guessed a few of the twists correctly, a few of them I definitely didn’t. Now here’s the struggle, I usually talk about the romantic interest in my reviews. But I think you need to discover this on your own. I’ll just say….while my brain is torn, my heart is leading me solidly down one path. And that path makes me nervous! So, with countless shades of gray and not everything is as it seems, this story left us at a fabulous spot. You’ll be able to breathe, somewhat. I can’t wait to start that next book!

Other Favorite Quotes:

The pain of loss never ends. It never gets better. Anyone who says it does is lying.

The stars are blocked by the Primus as he looms over me. He doesn’t offer to help me up. Instead, he crouches down. And when he dips his chin, the movement is suddenly so familiar, my heart stutters in my chest.

“All this time I thought leaving you smashed my heart into pieces, and I’d be picking shards out of my chest until the day I died. But my heart wasn’t smashed. I left it with you, and you’ve held it hostage ever since.”

He tastes like lost dreams and a thousand sleepless nights. He tastes like young love and bitter heartbreak.

“I missed you more than I miss the sun,” he says hoarsely.

“You never should have come here. And I’m a selfish bastard because I’m so fucking glad you did.”

Nothing else exists except this moment. These sensations. Us.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Dirty Hit by Livy Hart

February 5, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

Dirty Hit by Livy Hart
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Gender-bent TED LASSO meets THE DEAL in a new grumpy/sunshine hockey romance from bestselling author Livy Hart.

When a career-ending injury forces hockey superstar Sadie Rivers to hang up her skates, she never expects to be the NHL’s first female coach. The Portland Fury are the league’s worst team—and Sadie has one season to turn the franchise around. Critics of her “soft touch” coaching style make no secret of their skepticism, but Sadie has never bucked a challenge, on or off the ice.

Defenseman Leo McLaren is hockey royalty. Or he was, until a dirty hit last season left him with a shoulder injury and migraines that have destroyed his game. When he’s traded to the Fury, it feels like the end of his hockey dreams. That is, until the new head coach names him captain—and asks for his help getting to know the team, who resist her personal approach.

Secret coach-captain meet-ups lead to a tentative friendship that quickly turns into sizzling chemistry hot enough to melt a hockey rink. But with the season and both their careers on the line, Sadie and Leo will have to decide if love is a risk worth taking when the game they’re playing demands all they have to give.

Review:

Dirty Hit was a grumpy sunshine hockey romance that pulled me in from the beginning. I was excited for the position that Sadie found herself in, but horrified with the team dynamics and how they treated her. She was the first female NHL coach, and the team she was hired to turn around just had 59 losses. Brutal. They also added a new player, Leo who was a hockey god. But saying he had a rough last year was an understatement. With Sadie’s uphill battle, and Leo’s personal body becoming his own worst enemy, I kept my fingers crossed that Leo, Sadie, and this underdog team could defy the odds!

I should use the five or so feet left between us to talk myself out of making a mistake. But maybe the mistake was already made long ago, and now I’m just living the consequences.

As negotiations were made and Sadie and Leo spent more time together, I started to fall for them. They were both attracted to each other, and it led to a forbidden romance filled with tension and longing. But Sadie could be too nice sometimes to the men on the team who treated her like an inconvenience. And while Leo could be sweet, caring, and protective of Sadie, his grumpy closed off persona shined brightly. Along with his internal struggles. With guilt, steamy moments, and the beginnings of a found family starting to form, this book was a quick and easy binge! While the ending wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, I was left with a smile on my face and I’m excited to read the next book!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2) by Callie Hart

January 30, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2)
by Callie Hart
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Duty. Blood. Honor. Power.
Saeris Fane doesn’t want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court’s lips, but now that she’s been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she’s discovering that a queen’s life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders. Her ward—and her brother—need her back in her homeland…but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead...

“Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.”

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

Review:

Spoilers Below….

Brimstone reminded me of the movie Bedtime Stories where the kids kept piling on these ridiculous aspects to the story, and it just builds into an over the top adventure. Like with the ‘book’ (I really struggled with this plot device), to what she is, to who is attacking, to that ending. As someone who can suspend my belief and fall for mythical creatures, I definitely struggled at times. This story felt disjointed, and not cohesive.

But here’s the thing, I love so many of these characters. I loved watching them struggle and work together. Saeris, Fisher, Onyx, and Carrion are my top favorites. So yes I shed a few tears. But I also found myself bored at times and skimming. I missed the pace from the first book. I wanted to be consumed, and I never felt that with Brimstone.

But my biggest struggle were the plot holes or things that didn’t make sense. They were…..

*We were told that he got Quicksilver in his eye because of the first pool he went in without a relic. But then at the end when he tells about how this is the pool he was forced to go in, it’s not even a Quicksilver pool. It’s something else and it states it is not Quicksilver.

*In Quicksilver it was a huge deal she sat on his right. In Brimstone she wrote her to sit on his left. Why??? 😞

*Those creatures were impossible to kill and kept absorbing their power. So then how did they kill and defeat them outside the Satyrs home at the end when nothing has changed?

*A fae’s true name is to be sacred and never used. He then just switched his name to his true name and uses it and nobody even blinks?

The story ended at a great stopping point. One where we can kind of breathe, but want that next book now. And while I usually give the middle book some leniency, I just couldn’t find it here. So, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that the final book in the series pulls me back into this series because Quicksilver is still one of my favorite stories ever.

BOOK REVIEW: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

January 23, 2026 / Jen / 1 Comment

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at a snowbound English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished in a classic locked-room mystery, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue in this cozy holiday mystery will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

Review:

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a mystery that kept me intrigued, and had a tiny bit of Christmas sprinkled throughout. The characters were so easy to like, and the narrators did a fabulous job of bringing this story to life. There were a lot of hints that made almost everyone look guilty, so I had fun putting the clues together. It gave me old school Agatha Christie vibes! And while I guessed the mystery correctly, I still enjoyed listening to this one because I had no clue if I was right or wrong till all was revealed.

I adored Maggie Chase from the beginning with her sass and take no bs attitude! And I couldn’t help but be intrigued by Ethan Wyatt. He seemed to have a lot more going on then he showed us or Maggie. So as we got to know both of them better, and see moments from their past, I was a goner. I wanted to just push them together. They were perfect for each other. And Ethan even made me shed a few tears, I loved him!

Yet, I had to take away a star, because I personally struggle with loose ends. I’m someone who likes to have things wrapped up in a bow, and this ending was not that. I had so many unanswered questions. Yes we were given a HEA, but I desperately needed answers, sigh. So while I’m not sure if I’ll read this author again, this was fun and a nice change up from the Christmas romances I typically read in December!

BOOK REVIEW: The Sleight Before Christmas (Holiday Hijinx Series #2) by Kate Stewart

January 22, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Sleight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
My kids are a**holes.

Yeah, I said it. I said the thing no father is supposed to say about their children, and I’ll say it again because I miss my wife.

Serena’s checked out and now resides in ‘yes dear’ robot mode, complete with a new eye twitch. Reason being, the impish elves we spawned are currently sucking the life out of her—daily. Thanks to Gracie and Peyton, my patience is hanging by the last orange bulb on a very thin green wire. Thank God we’re headed to Triple Falls. A week of Ruby’s eggnog and a little change of scenery could be just what the woman I love needs to find her way back to herself—and to me. But the closer we get to packing up, the shorter my fuse becomes . . . and the more I’m starting to get ideas of taking drastic measures.

And by drastic, I mean our little goblins won’t be the only ones making Rudolph’s naughty list. I’ve had enough. I’m not giving in this time. No amount of alligator tears or fake apologies are going to cut it.

Ironically, the more I man up and take charge, the more Serena and I are starting to reminisce about the good old days, which is quickly adding up to some heated nights.

Come hell or high water, this Christmas, our kids are going to learn to appreciate the parents they’ve got because I’m getting my girl back . . . even if the two little hellions we created have to pay to bring her back to me—little f*ckers.

The Sleight Before Christmas is book #2 in The Holiday Hijinx series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is highly recommended that you read The Plight Before Christmas first.

Review:

The Plight Before Christmas is one of my top favorite holiday romances. So when I saw that Serena and Thatch were getting their own story, I was beyond intrigued. What unfolded was the most entertaining mess ever. Serena was losing it, their kids were a shit show, and Thatch was at his wits end taking away Christmas presents from kids that they spoiled and never disciplined. My only bit of advice is take this book with a grain of salt, because yes it’s fiction but oh wow, I never could have guessed what was going to happen!

“We’ve failed, haven’t we? We’re failing,” she sighs, a thin tear trailing down her cheek.

One of my favorite things about this book was how much Thatch loved his wife! Watching how determined he was to rekindle their romance was sigh worthy. And as we got to see moments from their past, it showed how their whole story was messy and emotional. His dirty mouth and steamy moments made it impossible not to love him!

“We’ve changed probably half a dozen times in our marriage, and I’ve fallen in love with every single version of you, Serena . . .

With unforgettable family members in the mix, I loved having them all back together under one roof. Because this story was laugh out loud hilarious time and again! Girls night was probably one of my top favorite moments, I was laughing so hard I was wheezing and crying at the same time! But there were also deeper, emotional parts too. I definitely cried a few times, especially with the kids involved. And with Christmas sprinkled throughout this story, it made it so entertaining! The Sleight Before Christmas ended with a beautiful happily ever after, even though the road to get there was very rough. And I was left with only one question – what book were they referencing about the grapefruit juice?????? I am so curious, see the quote below lol!

“Hockey books,” I deliver point blank, palming his shoulder. “Look for hockey books on her Kindle. And whatever you do,” I look between them, “do not let them f*ck you with a grapefruit. No matter what they say.”