Tag: New Adult (Page 1 of 47)

BOOK REVIEW: Rival (Fall Away #3) by Penelope Douglas

December 19, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Rival (Fall Away #3)
by Penelope Douglas
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Two estranged teenagers play games that push the boundaries between love and war....

For the two years she was away at boarding school, Madoc had no word from Fallon. Back when they lived in the same house, she used to cut him down during the day and then leave her door open for him at night. Now he's ready to beat her at her own game....

Fallon can tell that Madoc still wants her, even if he acts like he's better than her. But she won't be scared away. Or pushed down. She'll call his bluff and fight back. That's what he wants right?

As long as she keeps her guard up, he'll never know how much he affects her....

Review:

Rival was a steamy, new adult, bully romance that I devoured. Madoc and Fallon’s parents were married, yet they didn’t live under the same roof anymore. Something happened in the past, and Madoc and Fallon were supposed to stay away from each other. So, while mystery swirled through the pages, there was a world’s worth of hurt and anger too. Madoc was the ultimate asshole to Fallon. He easily tormented her in front of others without a second thought. I didn’t understand what happened for him to want to treat her that way. It was horrific. And harsh. Yet at the same time, you could see glimmers of light in Madoc. Even if I didn’t want to.

“You’ve always wanted me. You know why? Because I don’t try to kill your demons. I run with them.”

I listened to the audiobook, and the storyline flew by so quickly. There was drama on top of drama, but underneath it all was the most fabulous angst. With sexual tension simmering between them. But Fallon kept secrets from us, the reader. We didn’t know her whole past. So, as she slowly let us in and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, my heart hurt for Fallon. And Madoc too.

“The thing is, Fallon . . . I told you before to lock the door if you wanted me to stay out. Funny thing is . . .” I leaned in. “You. Never. Did.”

With those we loved from previous books having no problem stepping in and forcing certain situations lol, to all the drama, blackmail, karaoke, parties and more, this book was so hard to put down. It was a lot mixed together, but at the same time it was effortless to listen to and had a wonderful ending. It felt like a bag of chips, you can’t stop until you consume the whole thing ha. So, if you’re looking for a series that you won’t be able to put down, definitely check this one out if you love bully romances.

BOOK REVIEW: Anger Bang by Avery Flynn & The Half King by Melissa Landers

November 23, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Anger Bang by Avery Flynn
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sometimes the only answer is to just bang it out.

Like today, for example. I’m in actual hell at my sister’s over-the-top reality TV wedding and up until now, I’ve been able to handle it all. The horrible bridesmaids. My relentless mother. Even the awful eighties fashion to fit the retro theme. But when my sister nonchalantly mentioned that she never even wanted me at the wedding—the producers insisted—ouch doesn’t fully express how much it hurts.

So for the first time I don’t think. I just do. And as a shy paleontologist who plans everything, I probably should have taken a moment.
But here we are.

I’ve just asked the best man, who my sister absolutely loathes and who can’t stand her right back, if he’s up for a little naked revenge with me. The cameras are filming every horrifying second, and the whispers have begun. (Did I mention that the music happened to stop just as I asked him?)

But then his mouth quirks up, and he does the last thing I expect.

Review:

Anger Bang was an adult romcom that was so much fun! With moments that made me laugh out loud and others that had me gasping or smiling so huge, I adored this book. The narrator made this story play out like I was watching a movie! The characters were easy to click with, the storyline was a blast, there were deeper moments I adored, and the steamy scenes were so hot! I loved the dirty talk! Plus, it ended with an epilogue that looked 3 years into the future! If you’re looking for a spicy adult contemporary romance to listen to, definitely add this one to your tbr!

The Half King by Melissa Landers
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A king by day. Shadow by night…

The Great Betrayal changed everything for the Allied Realm. Long ago, the kingdom’s noble houses rose up against the goddess... and for their treachery, the firstborn of each noble family was cursed.

One with perilous beauty.
One with destructive knowledge.
One with insatiable bloodlust.

But the royal house Mortara received the worst affliction of all. For while the king exists during the day, he fades into nothingness at night...until his twenty-first birthday, when he will be lost to the shadows forever.

Now an acolyte has arrived at court. Like all the second-born children of the Allied Realm, she’s destined to serve the goddess and become a Seer...only Cerise Solon has no gift of foretelling. In fact, she has no magical gift at all.

Instead, she’s surrounded by courtiers and priests―smiling sycophants whose hearts are filled with secrets and lies. And at the center of it all sits His Majesty Kian Hannibal Mortara, with his haunting eyes, sharp tongue, and an unerring ability to send her pulse skittering at the worst possible moments.

Falling for him is unthinkable. Because the king is the last of his line, and as the specter of his twenty-first birthday―and the full force of his curse―approaches, the kingdom holds its breath.

But there’s only one way to save a dying king... and it lies with the one person who’s hiding the biggest secret of all. Cerise.

Review:

The Half King was a new adult romantasy set in a fascinating world. With a shadow daddy, a fierce heroine, and lots of adventure, this book was so easy to devour. Each of the characters stood out, and I was interested in learning how their world worked. And trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. There was a twist I didn’t see coming that played so interesting into the story. Especially with what we learned in the epilogue! But unfortunately, I was never able to connect to any of the characters. And that greatly affects my enjoyment of a book. So, if you adore romantasy with some spice, here’s hoping you end up loving this book more than me!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Rise of the Cinder Fae (Dark Hearts Fairytale Retellings #1) by Whitney Dean

February 26, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Rise of the Cinder Fae (Dark Hearts Fairytale Retellings #1)
by Whitney Dean
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Born and raised in the forgotten and broken kingdom of Ashbury, Elora has spent years resenting the royals of Pumpkin Hollow, the kingdom that forced the fall of Ashbury and procured the town as its own.

Separated by a mysterious glass bridge, Ashbury is treated as the orphan kingdom, left to squander and starve with only the promise of protection from King Jasper, preventing anyone outside their realm from searching for the magic that lay within the ashy valleys and red skies.

Because twenty-five years ago, the Cinder Fae arrived. As mysterious as the magic encompassing Ashbury, the Cinder Fae bargained for their lives by promising to keep the entire realm warm with their ability to mine mountainsides into coal.

But Elora and the Cinder Fae hold a secret that could bring the end to Ashbury and the mysterious winged creatures, who, despite Elora's best efforts to pry, refuse to share where they came from or why they can't return.

In her desperation to prevent the downfall of her kingdom and the death of her beloved Fae, Elora drinks from an enchanted spring, convinced she can make the prince of Pumpkin Hollow fall in love with her and guarantee their safety.

But magic takes to give.

And Elora didn't realize her heart would be the sacrifice.

Review:

Rise of the Cinder Fae was an enemies to lovers, fairytale retelling of Cinderella. With a fantasy twist, an arranged marriage, found family, and one horse, this book will take readers on a magical journey!

“A marriage of convenience. How romantic.”
I curse. “Believe me, Irina. The only one this is convenient for is her.” I recall Elora’s glares and venomous insults, my jaw clicking as a fresh wave of annoyance rises and nearly drowns me. “Romance is out of the question.”

My heart was instantly pulled in by Elora. With an evil stepmother and two evil stepsisters, who used her as their personal maid, I couldn’t help but feel for her. She should have been a princess. Yet instead she slept in the attic and didn’t seem to have much freedom. So when Elora was taken in a pumpkin carriage to the ball to meet a dashing prince, I was so excited for her! Yet this Cinderella retelling had so many fascinating elements mixed in. There were the cinder faes, an arranged marriage, a King who was disgustingly horrific, and a future mother-in-law and sister-in-law who I absolutely cherished!

“This is twice you’ve walked away from me,” he snaps, his tone laden with irritation.
“I’m shocked you can count.”
A low growl rumbles in his chest as he wraps a hand around my wrist and tugs me backward.

The kingdom Elora was from, suffered greatly. And as she set her sights on the prince, she hoped that she would be able to save her kingdom. I adored that we not only got this story from Elora, but from Finnian too. He was the dashing prince. I loved their enemy vibes from the start. And I loved how they both saw each other, because I just knew their growth would be fun to watch. From the moment they smashed pumpkins together, I was smitten. Especially during the cleaning up afterwards. Elora and Finnian were at the start of a beautiful relationship! So by the time they were dancing where she grew up, I was in love.

Finnian tsks. “I expected more from you, Elora. Is your only weapon that mouth of yours?”
My lower stomach tightens. “The one you keep staring at?”
I don’t turn to gauge his reaction.

My absolute favorite in this story was Irina! She was Finnian’s sister, and a princess. She was bold, hilarious and just made my heart melt with happiness. Her taking a liking to Elora, and helping her every step of the way just made me love her that much more! I would hope that she gets her own book too, or is super prevalent in the next book.

The second I crossed that bridge, my life was decided.
I fell right into their trap.
What a foolish doe to graze where lions play.

While this story was slow to start, I adored the first half. I didn’t care that it was long, I was fully absorbed and obsessed with every single word. Yet the latter half of this story dragged for me. Even with some interesting twists, I couldn’t help but find myself skimming from time to time to hurry it along. Also, there were some scenes that had me questioning what the characters were thinking, like the river and small room scene. But as the story kept unfolding, I realized that I couldn’t ever find the love I had for this story. Which made me so sad.

“There is only one way this can end.”
I barely feel his hand on my lower back as the stars above us start to spin. “And which way is that, little doe?”
“Ruin,” emerges in a breath as the starry sky envelopes me.

This story ended with a bang, and will leave the reader excited for the next book. While I’m unsure whether I’ll read the next story in this series, I absolutely loved how unique this retelling felt. So if you’re looking for a spicy retelling that also has fae mixed into the story, then definitely give this one a try. Here’s hoping you love it more than me!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Wildfire (Maple Hills #2) by Hannah Grace

February 21, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Wildfire (Maple Hills #2)
by Hannah Grace
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Maple Hills students Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a party celebrating the end of the academic year, where a drinking game results in them having a passionate one-night stand. Never one to overstay her welcome (or expect much from a man), Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask for her full name.

Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counselors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Russ hopes if he gets far enough away from Maple Hills, he can avoid dealing with the repercussions of his father’s gambling addiction, while Aurora is tired of craving attention from everyone around her, and wants to go back to the last place she truly felt at home.

Russ knows breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing” rule will have him heading back to Maple Hills before the summer is over, but unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about the rules. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?

Review:

While I adored Icebreaker, this book and I didn’t mesh as well. One of my favorite things that was missing in this story was the group dynamic. I adored that we got it in the beginning, with the Jenga scene. And that it pushed Russ and Aurora together. But once they left for camp, that component was gone. Yes there were characters at camp I adored, but they didn’t give off that same feeling, or the banter. I missed it.

Russ Callaghan can call me a good girl anytime.

While the camp scene wasn’t really my thing, what I did enjoy about this story was the characters. I adored them and felt their struggles in my heart. These characters were so fleshed out and their issues felt real to me. Russ was the sweet, cinnamon roll guy that was so easy to fall for. And Aurora felt like the girl next door you could easily be besties with. And both of them were hurting because of their family. People had always made both of them feel less than and they tried their best to hide their hurt deep. His dad had a gambling addiction, and her dad just ignored her. I knew that they could find happiness with each other, if they would just take that next big step!

“We could have just had a conversation. This is not the kind of main character moment I’m looking for in my life!” She groans loudly, peeking at me between her fingers.

Watching their friendship form was heartwarming. I loved how they had to work for it. How the camp forced them together, like in the team building activities. And how they realized they were having miscommunication issues. Yet the whole time, it felt like their story was low on the angst and tension. So they were adorable and also had some steam too! Their date in the back of the truck was beyond cute! And the epilogue down the road left me closing this book with a smile. But for me, this book was wayyyyy too long. I would have been happier with a couple hundred less pages. So if you’re looking for a forced proximity, miscommunication, NA romance with a cinnamon roll guy, then this book may just be what you were looking for!

“You are the brightest thing in my life, Aurora,” he says. “And you’re a living reminder of the good things that can happen when I allow myself to be happy.”

PS I adored Fish, Trout, and Salmon!

BOOK REVIEW: Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1) by Hannah Grace

February 7, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1)
by Hannah Grace
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried…because she could never like a hockey player, right?

Review:

Icebreaker was a steamy NA sports romance that had a reverse grumpy sunshine that was done so well. I laughed so much with this story, like tears pouring down my face gasping for air kind of laughter. Mix that in with some found family and I was hooked. While I felt like the book was longer than what I would have preferred, I still had a lot of fun reading this story!

“Ask me nicely. Let me show you how much I like it when you’re nice.”
“Why would I do that when I don’t like you?” Her words are strong, but her delivery is strained and wispy, giving her away.
“You don’t have to like me to scream my name, Anastasia.”

Anastasia was a tough one for me to connect to, until I was almost halfway through the book. I love me a grumpy character, but my gosh she was so challenging to find that connection with, especially when she was being cold to Nathan. But I still enjoyed my time with her till we finally clicked. She made me laugh so much. Like when she told Ryan and Lola what she did, I couldn’t breathe. She was hilarious without meaning to! And she tried her best to be a good friend, and was dedicated to her goal of making it to the Olympics.

Removing his fingers and mouth, he leans back so he can look up at me properly, wearing the smuggest expression I’ve ever seen as he sucks his fingers into his mouth, not once breaking eye contact.
Oh fuck.

Nathan was such a steamy book boyfriend. He played Hockey in college, and had a professional team waiting for him to graduate. When he did the whole putting his hands on either side of her head while leaning in move, yup, I was done for! I loved how he had no problem proving Anastasia wrong, like when he was on his knees. And I loved that he was a good guy who would step up for his team again and again. I was just sitting here tapping my fingers waiting for Anastasai to catch up with the rest of us!

From now on, she’s going to come to me.

The two of them together were like fire and ice. They were forced to co-exist. And while Anastasia seemed to rally with the enemies to lovers vibe, I never got the enemies vibe from Nathan. He liked her. And as they spent more time together, their moments could be scorching hot. The uber scenes?! *fans face* His dirty talk?! Loved! There were so many steamy, descriptive scenes in this book! I love how they both respected each other physically and mentally, and how they talked a lot of things out, it made my heart happy.

I’m addicted to her when she’s like this. When she forgets about this game we’re playing, when her eyes drink me in, and her hands grip the front of my shirt like she’s scared I’m going to slip away.
Our faces are dangerously close; I feel her breath against my lips.

Their friend groups were phenomenal! I loved Nathan’s group chat with his teammates. I knew each time those popped up, I would be laughing. Lola was a true ride or die bestie. She had Anastasia’s back again and again! And I loved that she got her own little side romance story too! And Henry was my favorite of Nathan’s friends. I’m so excited he got his own story too! The one person who I didn’t like was Aaron. The rage I felt towards him was just another level. And just when he made us think we couldn’t hate him more, nope, he ratcheted it up even higher. He was a toxic douchebag who I kept waiting for something horrific to happen to. Like in my fantasy novels where his heart would get ripped out of his chest haha.

“I can’t believe you think I could ever reject you, Anastasia,” he said in shock. “You have no idea, do you? The lengths I’d go to if you’d let me. What I’d do to make you happy.”

This story ended with a fabulous epilogue that jumped years into the future and made my heart so happy! I love when contemporary books end like that! So while I struggled finding that connection in the beginning, and the book went on a little longer than I would have wanted, I still absolutely adored this story. The steam, friendships, personal growth, family, and storyline were so well done! I can’t wait to read her next book!