Category: Review (Page 53 of 276)

Item: Hook, Line, and Sinker
Rating: 5
Author: Arielle

BOOK REVIEW: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2) by Tessa Bailey

March 3, 2022 / Arielle / 5 Comments

Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2)
by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he's a guaranteed good time--in bed and out--and that's exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She's immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his... personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah's in town for work, crashing in Fox's spare bedroom. She knows he's a notorious ladies' man, but they're definitely just friends. In fact, she's nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport's resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker's eye... yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can't deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she's walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and... and... man overboard! He's fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he's all in, she'll choose him instead?

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man...

Review

Is Tessa Bailey a genius or is she a genius, people?

I am absolutely kicking myself for not having read this sooner but I think I was nervous. I’ve read a few different romances with the trope of the ~playboy whose phone is constantly going off with booty calls he has lined up~ and they typically have at least one moment in the book where things go south between the couple in some, stupid, preventable way.

That was NOT the case in this book. GOOD LORD. For starters, I’m not sure that I have ever read about a character similar to Fox’s that, on the outside, was the stereotypical hot playboy who NEVER is in a relationship for the exact reasons that Fox was. My heart hurt so. Damn. Bad for him. It was one of those age old cases of growing up with a shitty example of a father, thinking certain behaviors were a norm when clearly no young kid should EVER be thinking that way, acting on those said behaviors starting in his teenage years, and then because they lived in such a small town, everyone around him continued to perpetuate that stereotype for him. SO BASICALLY THIS FUCKING MARSHMELLOW OF A HUMAN BEING thought his only worth was in being that hot, wild cat, never-to-be-tamed, kind of man. Sure he still found pleasure in the hookups but was he ever fully satisfied–NO and yet he still didn’t even think he would ever even deserve that kind of normal happiness with a woman. Good fucking lord. Toxic masculinity at its finest right there, folks.

…and Hannah was always comfortable waiting in the wings, anticipating her cue to talk on as best supporting actress, even providing bail money on more than one occasion. That was where she shined. Bolstering the heroine at her lowest point, stepping in to defend the leading lady when necessary, saying the right thing in a pivotal heart-to-heart.

In comes Hannah. The quieter, more reserved Bellinger sister but one that loves with the fierceness of a thousand burning suns. She considers herself to be in a supporting role instead of holding a leading lady title so naturally she’s gotten really good at being a hype woman and solid support system for everyone in her life other than herself. When Hannah and Fox were foisted upon one another so that Piper and Brendan could spend time together in It Happened One Summer these two left a massive impression on one another.

AND I AM SO SOFT FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THAT MANIFESTS. Like I am a sucker for text exchanges in romances so naturally the ones we saw here were so lovely. And the records. And the secret record player. And the moments when they ask each other what kind of song their day was and they both just get what the other is asking.

“Hannah. I can’t answer what I don’t know,” he said through stiff lips. “What do you want me to say? Do I want to fuck you? Yes. Oh my God, I”–his eyes closed briefly, those fisherman’s hands flexing on the steering wheel–“I want you underneath me so bad that I can’t lie in bed without already feeling you there. I’ve never even had you, and your body haunts mine.”

But the main thing I loved? Hannah. Hannah may find it easier to be a supporting actress but damn if those qualities aren’t SO important in a person. The way she was so supportive and loving to Fox when he needed it most–when he needed to believe he was worth something more than just a playboy who would never take life seriously she was there. She did not allow him to sabotage their friendship/relationship when he felt it was treading too close into “real feelings” territory. Like I’m talking multiple times. She was steadfast and just simply loved with every fiber of her being. Good lord I’m literally tearing up thinking about it LOL. I don’t know, something about this was just extra special to me and I loved every second. (Also not like this needs to be said the steam was obviously hot as hell *insert 10 flame emojis*)

“Good night,” Hannah said warmly, going up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “What kind of music day did you have?”
He let out a breath, happy to be back on familiar ground. “Coming home after four days on the water. Mmm. Something about home.”
“‘Home’. By Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes.”

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.♥

BOOK REIVEW: House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J Maas

March 2, 2022 / Arielle / 0 Comments

House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City)
by Sarah J Maas
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sarah J. Maas's sexy, groundbreaking CRESCENT CITY series continues with the second installment.

Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.

The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.

In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

Review

*Spoiler Alert* While I will be putting any straight up spoilers in spoiler bars, please be warned that I may still infer things in my normal review that could still spoil things for you. Proceed with caution!

Hunt’s voice was a thunderclap as he said behind her, “Light it up, Bryce.”

I was just telling Chelsea that I had opened up a document to review this beauty and that it was such a daunting task because for as much as I am A COMPLETE STAN for SJM, I hardly ever, properly review her books. I love them so much but SO much goes on that all that is in my head afterwards are these threads of jumbled flailing that I can hardly untangle so far as to get a coherent thought that isn’t just straight up screaming out.

But I’m here. I have written down very specific points I want to talk about. Wish me luck.

This book….may have topped ACOMAF for me. *Gasps in a huge breath* There I said it. ACOMAF has held my top favorite book spot since it came out and not even ACOSF (Cassian and Nesta are still my OTP) had superseded that. HOEAB is the only book that I have EVER read that consistently makes me cry and gives me physical reactions (goosebumps, aching chest LOL, etc.) in the exact same spots during every re-read, even when I already know exactly what’s coming. While I still didn’t hold it up on as high as a pedestal as I did ACOTAR and ToG, that might honestly just be because I had YEARS to fall in love with those characters over multiple books, whereas until now we had only had one Crescent City book. Besides that, the fact that this is FIRMLY in the adult fantasy/ adult urban fantasy genre has really set it apart. It’s in an entirely different league and Sarah has found. Her. Fucking. Element.

“Boyfriend sounds weird for you. It’s so … young. But what else is there?”
If he had a star on his chest, Hunt knew it’d be glowing as he asked, “Partner?”
“Not sexy enough.”
“Lover?”
“Does that come with a ruff and lute?”
He swept a wing over her bare thigh.“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
“Just ye olde lover.”

Let’s start with the OG stars of the show. Hunt and Bryce. Sarah had been hinting that she was going to be holding these two back from one another since hey, they only have known each other for about five months before going through some super traumatic experiences together to top off all of the other trauma shit that each had previously individually experienced. Fun times. I do love that they wanted to try to explore a “normal” relationship with one another first, even if I myself felt blue balled and let’s be real, these two were NEVER going to have a normal relationship/life.

To keep things simple though, I love their relationship. I love their banter. I love how horny they are for each other’s power. I love how they both stand up for one another only to turn around and roast the hell out of the other person in the next minute. So many one liners in this book that I highlighted and that had me straight CACKLING. Even their sexy time banter=UNPARALLED. Gods so fucking hot I can’t even stand it. These two are so perfect for one another.

And let’s talk about the –FOLLOW ME TO THE SPOILER BAR MY FRIENDS – View Spoiler »

In short. I love them and am obsessed with them and as I told Chelsea, I will eat a fucking cactus if they don’t wind up together for all eternity.

Hunt growled, low and deep.
“I’m going to fuck you senseless.” Her nipples were hard as pebbles, and she squirmed against him. Nothing but those little lace panties separated her sweetness from his bare thighs.
But then Holstrom shouted, “That sounds medically dangerous!”

On to the rest of the cast. GUYS. Guys. GuYs. I love this ragtag group of loveable idiots. I know some people might not like that they added more POVs but I LIVE for that. Loved and both cried getting to know Tharion and what he was dealing with in the Blue Court (spoiler alert a bunch of BS). Ithan– SARAH WERE YOU TRYING TO DESTROY US MORE THAN USUAL?? HUH WERE YOU???? Loved Dec and Flynn AS ALWAYS and even the Cormac bits were interesting/enlightening in certain ways *wink*. The one person I found myself missing the most at first was Hypaxia but she does come into play eventually and I was so glad, especially when she and Bryce had some girl time. Queens need to stick together (and no I am not calling Bryce a queen in the literal aspect….yet anyway). Who is going to come up with a new squad name for me because I really think we need one.

AND NOW, FOR THE BEST BOY OF ALL. RUHN DAAANAAAANNNNNNNNNNN. *the crowd roars* Yallllll. My love for Ruhn in book one pales in comparison for what I feel for him now. We learn more about his past AND just see more of him as a friend and Bryce’s brother and boy was my heart working in overtime. He deserves SO SO much and I am so fucking glad that his TRASH father didn’t suck all of the joy and kindness out of him. Autumn King is #1 on my shit list let me tell you. And after that Pollux and Rigelus tied. ANYWAY we DO get a new ship in this book involving Ruhn that….well, I’ll go ahead and say it. I am fucking obsessed you guys. There are quite a few bad-guys-or-are-they in this book and I was MOST DELIGHTED when both were uncovered as GOOD. I seriously have been internally screaming since I found out about one of them in particular. Anyway not going into detail but just know, this new ship is my everything and I can’t wait for more.

Ithan said slowly, “Hel is our enemy.”
“Is it?” Aidas laughed, ears twitching. “Who wrote the history?”
“The Asteri,” Tharion said darkly.

I feel myself winding down so I had better go out with a bang here. This wouldn’t be a Sarah book or even series if it didn’t have a BILLION twists and turns that you never saw coming. We learned so many more things about Danika (which I honestly hadn’t expected her to STILL be playing such a big role) and I’m not going to lie, I was very pissed off FOR Bryce. I can only hope she had at least PLANNED on telling her best friend someday. Sighhh

One thing that I had expected out of this book was the talk of rebellion and the looming war on the horizon. What I didn’t expect was to learn exactly what we learned. That even though we hate the Asteri and know they are wrong, there are also plenty in the human rebellion that are almost just as awful. The question of WHO might be the best people to rule if the Asteri are dethroned comes into play a lot and it was actually very interesting to think about. I think a LOT of realllly big changes and power plays are going to be made in the final book.

And finally. Yes. I think you all know what’s coming. Dive into that spoiler for some really fun flailing.

View Spoiler »

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to re-read all my favorite parts over again.

Bryce faced her father. The Autumn King said in a voice so low no one else could hear, “You little bitch.”
Bryce smiled broadly. “It’s ‘You little bitch, Your Highness.’”

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

March 1, 2022 / Chelsea / 4 Comments

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Can you find real love when you've always got your head in the clouds?

Maybell Parish has always been a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. But living in her own world has long been preferable to dealing with the disappointments of real life. So when Maybell inherits a charming house in the Smokies from her Great-Aunt Violet, she seizes the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Yet when she arrives, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the house falling apart around her, but she isn't the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who's as grouchy as he is gorgeous--and it turns out he has a very different vision for the property's future.

Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her and compromise is a task more formidable than the other dying wishes Great-Aunt Violet left behind. But when Maybell uncovers something unexpectedly sweet beneath Wesley's scowls, and as the two slowly begin to let their guard down, they might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one's comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.

It’s rough when you have a nature that begs you to avoid heartache at all costs but also makes you wear your heart on your sleeve.

When sifting through my to be read, deciding what to read, I definitely have a type. Call me old fashioned, but I like what I like, and not much else is going to make me happy. I look for the broody heroes-the most tortured, even. I pine for snarky enemies-lovers, tension radiating off every page. I soar through the witty and over-the-top banter, absorbing it into my cranium like some sort of demented sponge, all the while giggling ’Oh they are so into each other’. I am a creature of habit and I rarely deviate from my formulas, especially for romance. So, tension tension tension, thy name is Chelsea. But this-this was…not that.

He tries to silent-treatment me into giving up. It almost works, but my discomfort with long silences prompts me to react strangely and I throw both of us off by giving him a wink.
He stares at me, wide eyed, like I’ve grown another head. “What the hell was that?”
“A wink?”
“Winking is weird.”
“You’re weird.”
“That’s a bizarre thing to do, shutting your eye at someone.”
I shrug. “It can be kinda hot, I think.”

And can I tell you how happy I am that it wasn’t? Look, I am all for that battle of wits and superiority, the sometimes childish neglect of not realizing what’s in front of you (hellooooooo he has not left your side the entire book-boy’s INTO YOU), but there are some [very few] rare [very rare] occurrences where being happy just…makes me happy. And this…this is that book.

Not to be dramatic, but I would rather drink battery acid than be in the throes of a crush.

And I’m mad- SO mad – that we women (or whomever) can’t just enjoy happy go lucky books (I mean, maybe that’s just me that needs some drama?) that show us what a sweet man really can be like. I’ll admit I’m the biggest duck in the puddle here when I say that happiness throughout an entire book can be a snoozefest-I just need SOMETHING to keep me hanging onto their every moment together or word not said-it’s in my DNA to be a HUNDRED perCENT THAT bitch that needs the push and pull and-okay-surely that’s why this book has such a low rating. Because there is no way people are sleeping on Wesley and Maybell that way-no sir- because they are flawless. Literally-

-without a single flaw. Ya know, besides being perfect, naturally. BUT. All joking aside, I truly do not get the disconnect between Sarah Hogle and readers. Yes, YDEO is deemed popular (or so it seems, I don’t know) and yet it has a less than stellar rating on Goodreads (who even ARE you people?) and it’s rarely a book I hear mentioned. Now THIS masterpiece of fluff and marshmallows and rainbows

has an even lower rating. WTF? HOW? I get it-it’s so sweet, its saccharine.

(I literally picture this when I think of this book)

But like…Wesley? Did you even MEET him? And the beginning was fabulous. There was banter. He was broody. She was lonely and quirky and sweet without direction. Literally Grumpy/Sunshine gold. And-yes-it does get into perfect territory where he and she are just adorable together and there really isn’t question they won’t end up together, no real formulaic climax (I suppose) or question of how they can work something out, but there are real life issues expressed.

I’ve only ever wanted to be liked, and I’ve only ever wanted to be liked by absolutely everybody I come in contact with, however temporarily and inconsequentially. It’s my most dominant and simultaneously weakening driving force, which leads to my toning down various wants and needs in order to make myself digestible, easy to get along with. The essence of Maybell Parrish is painfully sensitive, and if you touched it, it would retract and try to surrender. For better or worse (and I’ve certainly tried to be anyone but myself), I am a wobbly white flag.

There are real life issues tackled. And there are real life issues that aren’t resolved (realistic) but acknowledged and led to believe they are an ongoing project. This book, while specially made with a purposefully head-in-the-clouds heroine, is realistic beyond belief and it’s so wonderfully mundane (YES I am making this a positive, get over it) I may call it transcendent for simply being.

From my position on the ground he’s about eight feet up, watching me with Oh, no written all over his face.
“There’s no escaping me,” I tell him. It comes out sounding disturbingly ominous.

Sarah Hogle has undoubtedly reached a level where she has become my favorite contemporary author to date. She is funny. She is always sarcastic-even sweet Maybell had Naomi vibes (thank, Jeebus). And all the characters are all just so…realistic.

Maybell Parrish doesn’t make waves. She doesn’t even make ripples.

They are not sex gods or relationship experts and they make mistakes time and again…but they are all the more relatable for it…and now, opening up one of Hogle’s books gives me inner peace and warmth that cannot be manufactured nor forced. She is my happy place.

My mind is a fanciful storybook that loves symbolism and parallels. It invents romantic notions, where there often aren’t any, in everyday life situations. It has led me to perceive many a man in a nobler light than he deserved, and it’s told me bad situations were meant to be as a coping mechanism to make them bearable.

If her first book was antagonistic and about getting back at a significant other, becoming even, this one was the exact opposite in that it was about doing everything you can to be equal and showing you care. But both, in the end, were about being accepted for who you are-all the good and ALL the bad, guards down-and being loved wholly for it, and isn’t that the most beautiful and amazing thing? Parallels, amirite?

I squint at my painting, straining to view it through someone else’s eyes. It isn’t recommended. I slip back behind my own eyes again and ponder the merits of paint-by-numbers wall hangings. Would that be considered cheating?

Being loved fully, always, teaching us to embrace our flaws and love ourselves for who we are and not who we think we should be. Speaking the truths we didn’t know we needed to hear, but changing us imperceptibly and for the better, life lessons learned masked by witty banter and laughs at the others’ expense. I think this woman may just be a genius. It’s about being seen…and even the most self-actualized of us can probably admit that’s our largest insecurity-not being seen for who we are beneath the surface. And-I’ll say it again-isn’t that the damndest thing…to have some author come out of nowhere and call you out like that. Couldn’t be me.

*PS- I relate so wholeheartedly to her heroines. Whether it’s too shy, too gullible, too snarky, the mean, snarky thoughts about a significant other (YDEO), I just love how I AM THESE GIRLS.

*PPS- THE POP CULTURE REFERENCES SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT. RIP ME.

*****

Y’all are sleeping on this wonderful amazing out – of – this – world chaotic author. I do NOT understand the low ratings.

RTC!!!!

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Gleam (The Plated Prisoner #3) by Raven Kennedy

February 28, 2022 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Gleam (The Plated Prisoner #3)
by Raven Kennedy
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

King Midas made me the woman I am today. Notorious. Unattainable. His.

The thing about being confined is that you believe it’s to keep the bad out... Until you realize it’s about keeping you in.

I’m now in a strange kingdom surrounded by liars, with no allies of my own, but I won’t sit idly by and let myself wither. No, there’s something that’s bloomed from the pit of my repression. Something dark. Something angry.

But the last thing I expected was for my anger to call out to him. King Ravinger.

He’s sinister and powerful and entirely too seductive. I’ve learned my lesson with trusting manipulative kings, so why does my chest constrict every time he’s near? I need to tread carefully, or I’m at risk of losing much more than just my freedom.

Regret and revenge war inside of me, and I need to figure out a plan fast before I get tangled up in the schemes of kings and queens.

Because I won’t be caught in a cage again. No, this time, It’ll be me setting the trap... I just hope my heart comes out of this unscathed.

A bursting scoff escapes him. “Stop with the dramatics, Auren. Stop with this rebellion. It doesn’t suit you.”
“No, the problem is that it doesn’t suit you.”

Some books are just special. Some books just wind themselves into your veins, your heart, your very soul. Some books last, some books fade, and some books withstand the test of time, take up permanent residence in your heart. This is that book. Again, I know everyone is different and that perhaps this book seems vain or vapid…but, to me, it’s a book that touched on each and every one of my favorite tropes, introduced me to one of the most interestingly complex heroes I’ve ever come across, and it delivered in all things perilous and horrifying. In short, it was my perfect book, and this series lead up to it spectacularly.

What are we without our white lies and protective walls?

Auren becomes this amazing girl, this woman who won’t be held down. She finally finds her shine, her power, her unwillingness to be a pawn for everyone and to be a player for herself. Her cunning, her heart, her ferocity-it was so amazing to read about and I enjoyed every moment she blossomed more, her rose tinted glasses finally so foggy that she doesn’t even use them anymore.

But the eyes of liars are tricky things. They can show you what you want to see without ever reflecting the truth. It’s best not to look a liar in the eye. They’re so good at their own compulsions that their gazes hold steady, and then you’re the one who loses sight.

She cut through the bullshit, and now it’s time for those who have wronged her to pay…and I was so there for it.

I’m glad for the anger I see on his face. Misery may love company, but anger thrives on it.

And, naturally, this was my favorite book because of the twisted games, the treachery, the elusiveness, the sneaking around, and that push and pull tension that can only be achieved by a slow burn romance so seductive, so drawn out, so worth the wait that I thought I was going to personally combust. It’s just so rare that all my favorite elements are in the same story-the same series-so satisfyingly. Not once was or is it easy. Nothing just falls in our laps. Nothing ever is cut and dry-and that is one of my least favorite things in books, when a hero and heroine decide they like/love one another, then it’s all ‘we’re together until the end, no one can defeat us’ or whatever. It’s just simply not that easy for Auren and Rip. There are so many obstacles, so many people, so many rules and powerplays. I love that we don’t get that instant gratification. I love that we have to work for it. And, ultimately, I love that Rip earns it, time and again. That he is more than willing to earn it over and over and over. Yes. Just…yes.

Without me realizing it, he slipped into my veins and now swims through my every thought, steeped into every drop.

Oh, yes, didn’t I warn you that this review was going to go full Commander Rip mode? I did. I warned you in my second review and I am no liar-for there is one single thing that makes my heart beat, my pulse race, and my stomach erupt in butterflies when the darkness creeps in, and that is Rip, the man who brought Auren out of her shell, the man who taught her not all men are bad and not everyone is your enemy. She doesn’t always have to hide, she should let her inner strength shine, be proud of who she is and what she can do. Auren’s inner strength is amazing-I know she always had it, but it is Rip who pulled it from her, who drug it out of her piece by piece so that she could cease to be a shell of a human. And it’s Rip who will stand by her side, no matter the fate, no matter the battle, no matter the consequences-and damn the repercussions.

I’m incredibly aware of his arms around me, of the way he doesn’t falter as he holds me up, as if he could hold me for eternity and never let go.
Why does that make me want to cry?

That’s the thing, isn’t it? There are so many games, so many powerplays, so much political shit, and he follows them to a tee…but when it comes to the woman he is obsessed with, the woman he views as the most important thing in the world, the woman he wants to finally be free and happy? He would give it all up, just like that, if she so much as snapped her golden finger. He’d destroy every carefully built wall, he’d burn down the whole world in her name-because he sees her as the queen she is and knows she deserves no less. He is a humble servant at her feet, he worships her so deeply…and she is finally beginning to understand that-and it ultimately is what gives her the strength and the fight for her soul, seeing that someone values her and would even walk away if it was what she wanted. He gives her life. He gives her the confidence she never had. And damn if that’s not refreshing.

Instead of being afraid of the world, I could make the whole damn world afraid of me.

The utter malice behind the actions in this novel sing to my soul-every single moment-but I do wish ONE plot line had gone the way I love it to, but that’s me being a control freak like Midas and it didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all (okay, look, it did a bit BUT) because the other thread, the way the author pulled at it-it sang to my soul just as loudly, I just had to let it digest.

Why is it that a man can make you feel like nothing, when you have given him everything?

I like things to go a certain way with the trio of Hero-Heroine-Villain, and I am very snobbish and picky about it-I have always been truthful and upfront about that. That being said, though, it’s a more repetitive way of ending a book, so the creativeness that went into this end was far superior in that it is unexpected, it is innovative, and you likely won’t have seen it before (I seriously don’t think it’s possible lol). Again, I wish a certain something could have been expanded upon and played into a little longer for book four with our new situation but, like I said, I like the tried and true, so it’s best we aren’t going to drag out one single plot for too long. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have devoured it, though *frowny face*.

That’s the thing about escapism. In whatever form, it always ends, and then we’re forced back into a reality that’s not nearly as satisfying.

And lastly, I have to say this, which is stupidly sad, that I found myself relating to so many passages, so many moments where Auren lifted her veil to see what was truly in front of her. I find it so amazing that these quotes can pack such a punch, can break down our own walls where we can see what is wrong-or had been wrong-or could be wrong-in our own lives. I am awed that so many moments spoke to me…and damn if that isn’t a little unsettling.

I became too blinded by my bright sides to see the truth.
Sometimes, you look at the silver lining so much that you drift into denial about the clouds.

So, there it is. My undying and unconditional love for a random series that totally swept me off my feet seemingly out of nowhere. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t expected. It was not something I planned to spend more of my hard earned money on-but alas, here I am, spending money anyway, because I refuse to not represent Rip on my shelves, okay? And they’re so dang pretty, too (I WISH THEY WERE IN HARDBACK). I wish the fourth was out, but I am also happy I get to look forward to it, get to pine for what could be…and I trust Raven Kennedy implicitly. Now, the wait. I’ll be ready. *smirks*

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COVER REVEAL: The Unmarked Witch by Miranda Lyn

February 24, 2022 / Arielle / 0 Comments

I am so excited to be part of the cover reveal for Miranda Lyn’s upcoming book, The Unmarked Witch! The book will be hitting the shelf on September 20–just in time for witchy season!

Summary

ALL RAVEN WANTS IS PEACE. BUT IN A MAGICAL REALM PLAGUED BY DECEPTION, THE ONLY THING HER WORLD KNOWS IS TURMOIL.

A land where witches wear their spells like tattoos is no place for a woman without a single magical mark—except for Raven, whose unblemished skin contradicts the truth of her power. Surviving under the scowls of her fellow witches has carved indelible scars into her mind over the years—just as the day she watched the Dark King’s men murder her grandmother in cold blood. But the Dark King’s reign of terror is far-reaching, and Raven’s grandmother won’t be the last witch to die under his rule. After the death of a coven leader heralds the start of the infamous Witch Trials, Raven finds herself dodging death to triumph. The journey quickly descends into perils far greater than she’d ever imagined, including a war on her heart from a man she’d only ever known as a villain. Still, trust is always fragile in kingdoms ruled by magic, especially when love enters the fold. Yet, something else is awry in the land of spells and shadows and Raven must decide whether she trusts her gut or her heart. The Unmarked Witch is the first gripping book in the seductive and intriguing duology, Unmarked.

From the author of the heart-pounding fantasy series, Fae Rising comes this new darkly ambitious tale.

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Author

Miranda Lyn is the author of the trending, high fantasy series, Fae Rising, and is soon releasing her new novel, The Unmarked Witch. Miranda has spent the past two decades reading romantic fantasy novels, and the last hand full of years crafting similar worlds steeped in heartache, adventure, love, and loss. Her latest work will take her readers into the heart of a witch. And she owes it all to that one science teacher that made her write a paper on dirt and loved it so much he read it to the class. And then lectured her for missing class that day. But if not for him, because he probably doesn’t deserve the credit since she missed the next day of class as well, then to that little, old English teacher that swept her into a world of creative writing. The only class she never missed.