Author: Jen (Page 15 of 224)

I ♥ Paranormal, Dystopian, Romance, YA, NA & some Fantasy and Science Fiction. I ♥ not being able to knock that darn smirk off my face, crying my eyes out or feeling every emotion under the sun with characters. I ♥ cheesecake, wakeboarding, snowboarding, being a mommy & wife, dancing, singing and being a beach bum addict!
Find me on: Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

BOOK REVIEW: Revelle by Lyssa Mia SmithRevelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

On the island of Charmant, magic flows like bootlegged champagne, and fantasies can be bought for the price of a gemstone.

Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer—everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor—she can’t refuse.

The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can’t shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island’s secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that just might break his heart.

When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.

Review:

Revelle was a magical journey that swept me away.  With a unique intertwining of magic, time travel, and more, this book held me in the palm of its hand.  The characters leapt from the pages, and the storyline had an air of mystery to it that was so much fun.  Set in the 1920s during the Prohibition Era,  the twists were phenomenal, and the romance tugged at my heart.  With tears in my eyes, I fell in love with how family, friendship, and love played such an integral part of this story.  I listened to the audiobook and it completely enraptured me.  Lyssa Mia Smith has made a fan for life, and I can’t wait to see what she releases next!

I was trapped. Completely and utterly trapped. 
My whole life, I’d believed we held the magic, the power. We made dreams come true. 
Just never our own.

BOOK REVIEW: House of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5) by Olivia Wildenstein

BOOK REVIEW: House of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5) by Olivia WildensteinHouse of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5)
by Olivia Wildenstein
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

FAKE AN ENGAGEMENT TO THE ICE KING TO TRAP AN ENEMY.

END THE SHAM BETROTHAL ONCE THE FOE IS CAUGHT.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

If I were mortal, the epitaph on my tombstone would read: 'Here lies Isla Ríhbiadh, cherished daughter of Fallon and Lorcan, crown princess of Luce, and blunderer like no other.' Luckily, I'm an immortal shifter sorceress, so my countless slipups haven't resulted in my untimely demise. Yet. When my latest blunder lands me in the steam chamber of a very naked and very irritable Faerie king, I worry the pointy-eared Glacin will dispose of my body under six feet of solid ice. Instead, he suggests we get married. Our betrothal is purely strategic, meant only to trap King Konstantin's shifter-hating enemies. He's uninterested in finding love, and I'm uninterested in falling for a man who isn't my mate. A fool-proof alliance. Obviously, I'm a fool for thinking this, since nothing I ever do goes right. What starts as a friendly ruse soon turns into a perilous game. One that blurs the line between scheming and desire. Between childhood fantasies and adult realities. Between the Ice King and me. House of Burning Frost is a tale of peril, passion, and the power of love to transcend the confines of fate.

*This spicy standalone romantasy can be read without reading books 1-4, but, for more enjoyment, it's suggested to read the prior books.

Review:

House of Burning Frost was a steamy romantasy that was impossible to put down.  With the most fabulous slow burn, sexual tension that was palpable, and moments that had me laughing out loud, I fell madly in love with this book. Mystery swirled within these pages, so I was always nervous for what would come next.  With bargains, traitors, love, secrets, and friendship laced throughout this story, this book went straight onto my favorites list!

“Define little spell.”
“I could chop the tip off one of your fingers. I’d grow it back immediately.” His lips remain crooked.
“Tempting.”

Isla was someone I absolutely adored.  She could be so brave and fierce, yet she could be uncertain and struggled at times with her blood casting.  So when Isla had the most memorable meet cute with King Konstantin, I was nervous for her.  They started off on the wrong foot, even if they had this beautiful chemistry between them.  Yet with tension thrumming, I was waiting for the fireworks to explode. 

When he lowers his hand, amusement has softened his own expression. “You will end up being the death of me, Miss Ríhbiadh.”

Konstantin had me from the moment he met Isla.  He was charismatic, fair, protective, and logical.  And when we got his point of view a little farther into the story, I was screaming!  His thoughts…..oh you wouldn’t realize what they were underneath his icy facade.  His country was in turmoil, and there was so much unrest, so we got to see how much he struggled with all that was on his plate.  But we also got to see his thoughts towards Isla.  And I absolutely loved them!

“Let the ruse begin,” the Ice King murmurs.

Watching Isla and Konstantin work together and try to find trust was so much fun!  Especially when you throw a marriage of convenience on top of it.  The fact that there was some animosity there, while they were pretending to be engaged, will keep you smiling.  Their banter was fabulous and I loved how they messed with each other!  At times it felt like they were going to explode.  So with rejection, hope, and the kindling of more, I fell right along with them!

He guides my head down toward his and silences me with a kiss that streaks fire down my throat and into my chest.

While this book can definitely be read as a standalone, I can’t recommend reading the previous 4 books enough.  You get to watch Isla’s parents fight for their happily ever after, and there’s so many characters from the past who make an appearance in this story.  So I was cackling with delight each time a new one would appear haha.  Also, the political intrigue kept us on our toes!  With the mingling of fae, shifters, and humans, there was still a lot of tension and discrimination.  The way it played into the storyline definitely kept me surprised!

“I don’t fucking trust anyone, Isla! I don’t even fucking trust my own general!”
Oh. That’s… unexpected. “Well, you should trust me. Or rather, you should have, for I want nothing from you. Nothing. Not your crown. Not your affection. Not your admiration. Not your coin. Nothing.”
“And I want everything!” he exclaims.

House of Burning Frost was a forced proximity, marriage of convenience that will keep you smiling from that first page to the last.  And this steamy romantasy made me cry all the tears!  Along with screaming with laughter too.  I think this is definitely Wildenstein’s funniest books.  So with the most fabulous ending ever, and getting to see so many favorites, I closed this book so happy!  If you love romantasy, definitely add this one to your tbr!

“You, Isla Ríhbiadh, have set fire to my kingdom of ice and torched your way into my frozen heart.”

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

BOOK REVIEW: On the Slopes of Tahoe (Love Along the Way #2) by J.A. Forde

BOOK REVIEW: On the Slopes of Tahoe (Love Along the Way #2) by J.A. FordeOn the Slopes of Tahoe () by J.A. Forde (Love Along the Way #2)
by J.A. Forde
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Wanting each other is easy…
It’s everything else that’s hard.

Breck Kylie’s perfect life unravels in a squall of betrayal, leaving him and his seven-year-old daughter reeling. Choosing to retreat from the sunny shores of Sydney, Australia, they embark on an extended vacation to Lake Tahoe in hopes they’ll find a new ‘normal’ on the snowy slopes.

Rory Anderson had big dreams once, but years of living in a blizzard of impossible expectations has beaten her down. Stuck in a cycle of fear and self-doubt, she’s living a life she’s unsure she truly wants. So, when her brother asks her to help his best friend get settled in Tahoe, she agrees with a renewed sense of purpose.

When Breck’s personal hurricane meets Rory’s frozen fears, they find themselves in the eye of the storm—a quiet place where connection and clarity finally break through. For Rory, it’s a chance to focus on her own dreams. For Breck, it’s a glimpse of the future he thought was shattered.

Finding solace in each other is supposed to be a short-lived thing, but what happens when they find themselves feeling more than they bargained for?

Will they walk away, or will they fight to hold onto the peace they’ve only ever found in each other?

Review:

From that first page, I fell in love with On the Slopes of Tahoe.  With a beautiful location, characters that were so easy to love, and an ending that had me smiling long after I closed the book, I loved this story!  If you’re a fan of romance, older brother’s best friend, single dad, forced proximity, or found family, definitely pick this one up!

Unfortunately, sometimes life gives you something incredible, but it’s only meant for a season. Meant for a space in time.

Rory was someone you’ll instantly like and was so easy to click with.  She was a Tahoe local, who worked at one of the ski resorts and had a passion for photography.  When her brother asked her to help his best friend and daughter get situated for their extended vacation, I loved how she jumped right in.  She fit in so effortlessly with Breck and his daughter Willow.  But Breck had a lot of healing to do.

I jog upstairs to pull on a T- shirt. Rocking black joggers without a shirt doesn’t feel appropriate around my best friend’s little sister.
I keep calling her that in my head, as if it will somehow keep me from recognizing just how beautiful she is.

Breck stole my heart.  With his fierce love for his daughter and a past that haunted him, it was so easy to fall in love with this single dad.  He had a heart of gold, but he was definitely jaded when it came to anything more than friends with a woman.  It didn’t matter that he was attracted to Rory.  She was his best friend’s little sister, there was 8 years between them, and he needed to figure out where to go from here.  Yet, he couldn’t stay away from her.

He lifts me off the counter and I slide against him until my feet find the ground. Too close. We’re too close.

By not even 100 pages in, I already had tears in my eyes.   And oh my heart I cried so many more times reading this story!  Breck and Rory’s journey was an emotional one.  While they both tried to find their footing, I loved how they could talk out their problems.  They could be open and honest with each other.  It was refreshing and warmed my heart!  And while this story was a fade to black, there were so many scenes that had me fanning my face. That tequila shot?!  So hot!  And their kisses were so steamy!  

“Life never leaves us unscathed; it changes and molds us. But, I promise, you will get through this,” she says and presses a light kiss to my lips.

In this story was the most adorable little girl, Willow.  I loved how she warmed up to Rory so quickly. From snowboarding, to making pizza, to everything in between, I loved their time together.  Their bond formed so effortlessly.  And surrounding them was the most beautiful found family.  From Rory’s bestie, Jamie, who needs his own book please!  To Rory’s brother and his significant other.  I loved them all so much!  So while this can easily be read as a standalone, you do get to see and spend time with the couple from the previous book.  Their life updates made me sooooo happy!

Tonight, I don’t want to be Wes’s little sister. Or Jamie’s best friend or my parents’ biggest disappointment. I want to be a woman with a man looking at her like he doesn’t want to look anywhere else.

On the Slopes of Tahoe will make you laugh out loud and fall in love.  This is easily one of my top favorites and I can’t wait to reread it!  Plus since it takes place where I live, I couldn’t stop smiling.  From the magic carpet ride we taught our kids to snowboard on, to the dock we bike to every summer, to even my commute to take my youngest to soccer every week lol, this story takes you to so many stunning places in and surrounding Tahoe!  With blizzards, friendship, snowboarding, love, and sledding, this winter wonderland of a book will whisk you away and capture your heart!

I can’t move my eyes from Breck’s. They’re filled with that same look from this morning. It’s tender. It feels like more.

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

BOOK REVIEW: PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

BOOK REVIEW: PS: I Hate You by Lauren ConnollyPS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
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

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. BondThe 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!

 

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. BondWhen 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.

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