Old Dog, New Tricks

Old Dog, New Tricks by Hailey Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book closes out this series with high stakes, deepening lore, and a heroine who finally steps fully into her own.

Following Thierry as she confronts old wounds, dangerous enemies, and the weight of her legacy, this installment leans hard into emotional payoff and dark magic. The tone is intense and often unsettling, but it’s also rich with character growth and long-awaited answers, making it a compelling (if slightly maddening) stopping point for the series.

We learn *A LOT* in this book. Thierry comes into her power in a way that feels earned, gets meaningful time with her father that genuinely landed for me, and pulls off some surprisingly clever maneuvers to contain the big bad. There’s also long-overdue resolution with Rook that adds emotional closure - even if it also highlights how much more story there could be. That said, the body-horror-adjacent moments (there’s a fair amount of flesh flaying) made me cringe, and while Shaw does appear, he’s conveniently kidnapped for most of the book - A+ decision, still don’t like him. My biggest frustration is that this is where the main series stops - Thierry does get her happy ending, but it feels like it’s only just beginning.

This is dark, emotionally dense, and packed with revelations, even if the ending feels more like a handoff than a true goodbye. I’d absolutely recommend continuing on to the connected spinoffs if you want more resolution and time in this world - they help smooth out that abrupt sense of “wait, that’s it?” Perfect for fans of gritty urban fantasy, complicated family dynamics, and heroines who grow into their power the hard way. Definitely worth the read, just don’t stop here.

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Muscles & Monsters

Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book mixes paranormal romance with cozy small‑business vibes in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.

The story centers on an unlikely pairing - a fully shifted shifter hero (yes, very much with a snout) and a vanilla human heroine - whose lives collide through neighboring passions rather than destiny: his gym and her bakery. It’s a playful, steamy romance that leans hard into its monster premise while grounding the story in everyday insecurities, ambition, and community.

What surprised me was the wonderful role reversal. The gym owner may be all muscles, but he’s surprisingly insecure beneath the fur, while the bakery owner is completely at home in her own skin - confident, capable, and unapologetically herself. I’m a total sucker for a bakery romance, and this one delivers: plenty of flirting, great chemistry, and mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods that made me crave pastries while reading. Add in the novelty of shifters who are truly shifted (fair warning if that’s not your thing), and the romance felt fresh without losing that cozy, feel‑good charm.

Overall, this was a fun, flirty, and unexpectedly sweet read that earned a solid four stars from me. Perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal romance with a cozy twist, strong heroines, and a hero who’s more vulnerable than he looks.

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The Everlasting

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a genre-blending historical fantasy that follows Owen, a quiet and deeply devoted historian whose life has long orbited around the legend of Sir Una Everlasting - a possibly mythical figure whose story is entwined with the very place he lives. As Owen digs deeper into Una’s past, the novel weaves together history, folklore, and time travel, creating an emotionally charged narrative that feels both intimate and epic. This story mixes romance, myth, and the strange elasticity of time in a way that feels classic and fresh all at once.

This was a book club pick for me, which is probably why it feels a little out of step with my usual reading habits. I typically lean hard toward contemporary stories, and this one is much heavier on the historical side than I normally go for. And yet - I was completely sucked in. This is, at its heart, a love story for the ages: tragic, tender, and maybe-sort-of fated. Una is a fascinating, almost legendary presence, and Owen’s quiet obsession with her makes perfect sense as the layers of her story unfold. There are evil queens, time travel shenanigans, and plenty of delightful timey‑wimey goodness, all wrapped in writing that feels both thoughtful and emotionally rich. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Overall, I loved this book and am genuinely so glad my book club chose it. The Everlasting is perfect for readers who enjoy historical fantasy with romantic depth, mythic echoes, and a bittersweet edge. Even if, like me, you don’t usually gravitate toward historical fiction, this one is absolutely worth the leap. Atmospheric, tragic, and quietly powerful - definitely a standout read and an easy recommendation.


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Books & Bewitchment

Books & Bewitchment by Isla Jewell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a cozy, witchy romance that kicks off what is hopefully the start of a charming small‑town paranormal series.

When Rhea, arguably the most responsible of three sisters, finds herself broke and suddenly inheriting her estranged grandmother’s “fortune,” she heads to Arcadia Falls to manage the estate, hoping for a much‑needed financial reset. What she finds instead is a town brimming with magic, a surprising inheritance that has nothing to do with money, and the kind of whimsical chaos that only a witchy small-town can deliver.

What really hooked me was how fun this book is. Arcadia Falls is instantly immersive, full of interesting side characters that feel primed for future books, and the romance between a newly awakened witch and a very charming, witchy handyman is sweet and easy to root for. There’s no massive cash windfall here - unless you count witchy powers, a possessed bird, and a video store - but that’s part of the charm. The story balances humor, heart, and romance beautifully, making it a light, comforting read that still feels purposeful. I also loved how Rhea’s reliability and grounded nature contrasted with the magical absurdity unfolding around her.

This book is cute, cozy, and romantic, with just enough magic and mystery to keep things interesting while clearly setting the stage for more to come. Perfect for readers who love small‑town witchy vibes, low‑stress romance, and series starters that leave you excited to revisit the world. Definitely worth the read - and I’ll absolutely be picking up the next book when it comes out.

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Bloodlust Flames

Bloodlust Flames: A totally gripping and heart-pounding urban fantasy adventure by Luanne Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a fast‑paced paranormal urban fantasy that drops readers straight back into Charley’s chaotic world, where supernatural politics, personal loyalties, and escalating danger collide.

The story kicks off with the fallout from Dog’s decision to claim an escaped female from a brutal wolf shifter pack, an act that sparks a full‑blown war and pulls Charley into yet another life‑or‑death situation. With witches, vampires, and shifters all circling the conflict, this installment leans hard into tension, momentum, and expanding lore.

What really hooked me (again) was Charley herself. She continues to be the standout of the series: resourceful, grounded, and somehow still standing as the world keeps throwing one disaster after another at her. These books move at an insane pace, and it feels like only a few days ago she was juggling her dad’s situation, mysterious shifter arrivals, and vampire drama, and now suddenly the stakes have exploded into war. The supporting cast shines too, especially the team of witches who are (mostly) on Charley’s side, along with select vampires whose alliances add some fun and chaotic additional tension. And then there’s the bar, because during all the bloodshed and politics, the budding romance unfolding there adds a surprisingly warm, human-ish counterbalance to the chaos.

Overall, this was an easy 4‑star read for me: intense, immersive, and deeply addictive. The world‑building continues to expand in smart ways, with plenty of hints about what’s coming next without slowing the story down. If you enjoy urban fantasy that refuses to let you breathe, features a capable, compelling heroine, and blends supernatural warfare with emotional undercurrents then this one is for you!

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Bound by the Sleeper’s Harp

Bound by the Sleeper's Harp: A Spicy Urban Romantasy by Melissa Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a little dark, but manages to blend paranormal romance, real stakes danger, sizzling desire, and surprisingly cozy, magical elements.

The story follows Rose, a human heroine trying to move forward after an abusive past, who finds herself “caught” by Bastian, a powerful goblin in a world where magic, artifacts, and paranormals collide. What hooked me right away was how quickly the book leans into romance and sizzle, sidestepping the heaviness I was bracing for and opting instead for momentum and chemistry.
This story mixes fast attraction with a paranormal world that feels both familiar with a unique enough spin to keep it interesting.

I appreciated that while Rose makes some questionable choices along the way (and yes, I definitely wanted to shake her once or twice), she ultimately steps up and plays a key role in saving the day. The paranormal cast and lore were fun, the cat absolutely stole scenes whenever it appeared, and the overall tone stayed more romantic than dark. My one lingering wish was for more time spent on artifact crafting - the concept was fascinating, and I would’ve loved to see that side of the magic explored in greater depth. Hopefully future books will dive into it more.

Overall, I’d give the book a solid 3.5 stars. It’s an enjoyable, romantic paranormal read with strong chemistry, an interesting magical setup, and just enough danger to keep things moving. Perfect for readers who want goblins, spice, and a magical world without sinking into full-on darkness. Definitely worth the read if you’re in the mood for a fun, romantic escape - and I’m curious to see where the series goes next.


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Psycho Fae

Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poor Sadie has been through an awful lot in a short amount of time, and now she’s been betrayed by someone she trusted (along with the rest of her alpha-squad). They are forced to participate in something like the hunger games but for alphas, fae, and all manner of other being. Oh, and even queen’s guard and Sadie’s BFF get to stay main characters in this one!

First, I have to acknowledge that if you don’t want to read about bloody fights, failing at running, descriptions of… everything that is part of anyone’s anatomy, and so much more weird stuff - step away now. There’s nudity, which involves lots of description, there’s sexual frustration, which also involves lots of description, and so many combinations of alphas that… well, you get the hint. For the “larger story” we do make A LOT of progress, especially at the end of this book. We get answers to a lot of the open questions and I’m sure there is even more in the next book, based on how this book teased it. I’m not sure I want Sadie’s reverse harem to grow any more, but I would love to see how this all pans out.



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