Long Isle Iced Tea

Long Isle Iced Tea by Gina LaManna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These books just keep getting better and better! This book throws on all sorts of new craziness and family drama, yet Lily still somehow manages to not lose it.

Lily is secretly planning a surprise party for her cousin, which is why she is concocting a magical potion that puts folks into the costume they most desire. This, of course, goes way off the rails before it even begins. While her relationship with X is going even better than ever, Lily gets all sorts of curve balls thrown her way. First, wish magic? That’s a thing. Lucky for her, her BFF can give her a crash course in it. The bad part? Wish magic can’t be used right now because the faction has taken over the place that controls it all.

In parallel to that bombshell, there are also the confusing feelings Lily has about her dad still being alive and running the faction. One big good thing in this book? Most of the secrets all come to light and we all survive it. Sure, there are some twists and turns that we go on, mostly with Lily getting kidnapped, again. It wouldn’t be a book in this series if Lily wasn’t taken by some nefarious evil doer. In this case, it comes packaged with some family drama resolution - at least a step in the right direction. I’m not sure I particularly enjoyed where this book ended, but since I’m powering through them at a rapid pace - onwards to the next one!

View all my reviews

Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf

Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf by Isabelle Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute, cozy romance with a paranormal twist. Luna and Oliver are an unexpected couple, to say the least!

Luna is supposed to be enjoying a tropical vacation in advance of her wedding, but finds herself sliding out of control on Alaskan backroads. After crashing into a sign, she takes that as a “sign” and checks into the local monster friendly hotel. In this world paranormals are out and have established this town in particular as a nice monster getaway. Luna, a rich and spoiled woman, is certainly out of place in the rundown lodging and Oliver, who is manning the front desk, is also having a bad day of his own. The two clash instantly, which makes what happens next all the more jarring. Oliver ends up availing himself, accidentally, to the ritual bonding alcohol used in werewolf ceremonies, leaving it on the counter for Luna to them experimentally try. This yields a magically bonded werewolf husband and wife.

These two don’t take it too well - Oliver because he’s got his own relationship baggage and is focused on becoming the next alpha, Luna because she’s already engaged (though in an open relationship). Turns out - they are exactly what each other needs. Luna needs a chance to flex her skills instead of coasting along on her families money and clout, Oliver needs someone who pushes him out of his comfort zone. I admit to not liking either very much at the start of this book, but by the end it was satisfying to see the HEA materialize.

View all my reviews

Cursed Debts

Cursed Debts by Claire Castellan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gosh, this book was filled with unexpected twists and turns, oodles of world building, and chaotic bad luck.

Mads has been cursed with bad luck all her life, protected mostly by some very cursory magic and a charm bracelet from her mother. Said mother is locked away in a mental hospital, leaving her to her own devices early on. This, of course, goes badly, resulting in her owing a debt to the fae that are even scarier than bad humans. In this world, she is in the know about the magical community, though lives on the fringes. She works as a courier, same as her roommate, and agrees to take on one of his assignments which spirals out of control.

The other part I haven’t touched on is the Wild Hunt, and its leader, Dara. As this book was largely world building, action, and chaos, we learn a lot all at once. Dara ends up following Mads on one of her terrible idea journeys, rescuing her from certain death with the promise of partnership - for a little while at least. There’s no smut to be found here, so don’t get your hopes up - it is a slow sizzle at most, with some distracting other boys thrown in for good measure. I can’t even begin to explain the convoluted quest we end up on, but there’s layers of reveal and betrayal stacked one on top of another until I can’t tell what’s real and what’s a lie anymore. As book 1, it definitely sets up another book in rapid succession - here’s hoping for more answers and more sizzle!

View all my reviews

Jinx and Tonic

Jinx and Tonic by Gina LaManna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s book 3 and Lily is really starting to settle in to life on the Isle. She’s mixing up potions, solving mysteries, and even dating officially now!

Lily and X are settling into dating and it’s a huge relief. While they keep some secrets from one another, it was nice to see that tension relieved. All the rest of Lily’s life is a little crazy, though - there’s an escaped villain type who can control folks on the loose, candidates for ranger are actually dying while competing, and somehow Lily is the only person who can stand up to the blood magic at play. It’s a lot of pressure for her, but she makes it through, though missing some bits of herself. There is such a rollercoaster of events in this book, it’s hard to discuss without spoilers. Onwards to the next book!

View all my reviews

Stupid Spellbound Love

Stupid Spellbound Love by Amy Boyles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oops, I definitely read this book without reading book one in this series - so can confidently say it is OK to start here. This was a book filled with secrets and misunderstandings, but also magic and heart.

Coco lives in a town that has just started to thrive again. There are magical creatures all around them, but for some reason the town discriminates against humans with the same magic as the literal soil beneath their feet. Coco is hiding the secret that she can do a little magic and see magic all around them. It’s what makes her exceptionally skilled for her job with the town, which takes her to meet Stone. He is building a big structure designed to lure folks to vacation in the little magical town. Unfortunately for the town, it is disrupting the flow of magic. Coco, with the best of intentions, tries to convince Stone that he needs to rebuild but without him seeing the magic, it’s hard to convince him.

In truth, it would probably be hard to convince him even if he cared, which it appears he doesn’t. Coco shuts his site down and then secretly works on a potion to allow him to see magic. This, unfortunately, does not go as planned, leaving Stone without his memory. The rest of the story turns into a romance, with these two sparking all sorts of chemistry now that Stone is without his memories. I spent most of the book cringing and waiting for the inevitable fallout, which comes catastrophically. Don’t worry, though, because we get a HEA that makes up for all the drama.

View all my reviews

Kiss of Skye

Kiss of Skye by Donna Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel like I’ve been waiting for Mason’s story since the first time he was mentioned. Full disclaimer, if you have somehow started the series here - while I think you can do it, you should probably (at least) start at the first book of this series, if not of the whole world building adventure. I’ve read most if not all of the preceding books, and even I have a hard time keeping all the characters straight.

So, Mason - we have heard about him since his sister showed up on Skye. He has been investigating his parent’s untimely death while playing the part of dedicated member of the organization that may just have killed them. He even needs to act the part to his sister and friends, which obviously causes a rift between them. We meet Rowan in this book when she is taking a bit of a forced tour of the meeting they are having. She immediately knows this group is rotten, but can’t seem to escape fast enough. On her way sneaking out the door, she follows her instincts and ends up saving Mason’s life.

These two obviously end up in Skye, where they are rapidly brought up to speed on the many various evil doers, big battles, other paranormals, and open mysteries they are facing as a group. While this is going on, Rowan and Mason are both on a journey of magical discovery - Mason thinking perhaps he could be the Water pillar they are looking for and Rowan learning the enormity of her role in this world. Of course, there are smutty good romantic elements thrown in for good measure, with your standard misunderstandings, martyrdom and finally HEA. While the group is still facing about a thousand unknowns and bad guys, this was a good step in the right direction overall.

View all my reviews

The Lone Wolf Paradox

The Lone Wolf Paradox by M.J. Etkind
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was super cozy and filled with your typical romance tropes, with a werewolf twist. Throw in talk of abortion, bisexual wolves, wolves born with incorrect human traits, and you’ve got yourself a nice update on the expected alpha wolf stuff.

Bea owns a farm and is a lone werewolf. She was married but made a decision to own her own happiness and struck out on her own. She has been struggling to make the farm profitable and her latest stop-gap measure is renting out the farmhouse while staying in the guest apartment. Lane has been a bit of a vagabond, but has massively stepped up for his niece and nephew while his sister is trying to find herself. His family is far from perfect, and living in the town he grew up in is not helping matters for the two young wolves. When they get kicked out of school, he makes the rather drastic decision to relocate and take a job in Bea’s town. Which means he also decides to rent her property, without even realizing the landlord is a wolf, too.

It was super fun watching these two dance around each other, navigate life with the twins, and generally grow as humans. Both really struggled to ask for help, no matter how hard life got. This romance was very cozy and satisfying. While I mentioned the topics up top, since it’s just part of the everyday life for them, it’s not treated as anything weird or worth fighting about. I enjoyed that element, too. We get a very satisfying HEA for everybody involved.

View all my reviews

Vagabond

Vagabond by Tim Curry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We listened to this audiobook on a long road trip. I’m a big fan of his, so this seemed like a definite win as far as content. While I learned a bit about him, he does make a big point of saying that he wasn’t going to talk about any relationships he had, and I think this ends up making it feel a little bit less in-depth than other autobiographies I’ve read. For someone so very much responsible for a lot of gender questioning/destroying gender norms, it feels like that doesn’t get enough air time. I also acknowledge that he is obviously not in perfect health, so perhaps he chose his focus areas to be less provocative and more of a documentation of his life. Either way, that’s why I would say this did not quite get the max rating from me that I would typically give a good autobiography.

Now, the content is really interesting - his life, how he ended up acting, signing, performing - and his family dynamic, upbringing, adventures. He addresses his health issues and it is very difficult at times to listen to him narrating - the struggle is very apparent. I ended up finishing this one with a bit of a sigh of relief because I struggled along with him at times. If you’re a fan of his work, you should obviously read this, but I don’t think I learned as much as I expected to.

View all my reviews

Witchy Sour

Witchy Sour by Gina LaManna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m starting to sense a theme here - Lily keeps diving straight into trouble and/or kidnapping. This book, however, really raised the stakes and also built out the world of the isle.

So, for her first week on the isle, Lily managed to get herself into quite a bit of trouble. Now that she’s the official Mixologist, she is splitting her time between study and actually serving customers. Gus is still grumpy, but in this book we also get a bit more background on him but not all of it good. We also get introduced to a new secret society or two. One is a small group that is fighting against the Faction (the one that wants to have magical rule humans) and the other is some sort of Hogwarts-like wizard academy where they wear robes and colored ribbons indicating their proficiency in magic. One such robed person starts this book by asking for the Elixir, a potion that kills you, which sets off a number of wibly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff.

As far as the good stuff, Lily and X continue to grow closer, even going on a “non-date.” Her cousins continue to be in various sorts of trouble - Poppy is running out of her vampire potions which require a difficult to find ingredient and Zin is still determined to be the first female ranger. Both things get wrapped up in a nice way with only a little bit of hand waving (it just so happens Lily meets a new person on the isle who can procure hard to find ingredients). All in all, while Lily once again gets battered and bruised, this was a really great second book in this series.

View all my reviews

Hex on the Beach

Hex on the Beach by Gina LaManna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m on a mission to read all of these intertwined stories from this author. While I have gotten a glimpse of this world through the side quests of other series, it is nice to fill in the blanks here.

Lily is a workaholic at a marketing job when magic ends up disrupting her career ladder climbing goals. One truly terrible presentation ends up with her fired and at her local bar, the only place where she gets to be creative in the form of mixology. It’s here that her long lost aunts find her and drag her (mostly) to the isle. It’s a magically hidden oasis filled with all manner of magic user. It turns out that her mom was the previous “mixologist” and now it is Lily’s turn to fill this role.

I really enjoyed getting to know everyone, learn about the magical quirks of this world, and see a budding relationship start between X and Lily. There is a mystery and some pretty high stakes, but overall this was a relaxing paranormal read with a little hint of slow burn romance to come.

View all my reviews

Crown of War and Shadow

Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I usually have a rule about not reading books with the same title structure as ACOTAR, but made an exception here because of the author. I’ve read about a thousand BDB books and have only been let down once on a spinoff. I rolled the dice and though this deviates from my typical focus (contemporary paranormal romance) it had enough mystery, sizzle, and interesting world-building to rope me in for more.

Sorrel is an outcast - she treats women with herbs and her own brand of life-saving magic, but is shunned by the same people who have benefited from said magic. She was taken in by a tavern owner, but it is a tenuous relationship at best. She only has one true friend in town and she is also an outcast of sorts. When the town’s hatred of magic comes to a head one night, it is the most unlikely of companions that ends up partnering up with her to help her escape. Sure, she promises to pay him in a manner of speaking, but they are still on a very treacherous adventure together.

“Merc” as she calls him because he won’t share his real name, has some incorrect assumptions about her from the start but they truly build a relationship through their various trials. It all leads to a rather shocking reveal and then follows up with an even more shocking reveal. I was caught off guard by both, and that says a lot. I won’t spoil anything, but this book ends on a sort-of cliffhanger, in that we are fresh off yet another reveal and who knows where this will take everyone in the next book.

View all my reviews

Dark Alpha’s Lover

Dark Alpha's Lover by Donna Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read a lot of Donna Grant books, but have managed to miss a few along the way. I have read ahead, so I know how a few of the larger storylines end up playing out, but it was still nice to fill in some gaps in my Reaper backstory knowledge.

The stars of this book are Cat & Fintan. Cat is a halfling (half fae, half human) from a very powerful line of magic users. She, however, is the “dud” of the bunch. Her entire life she’s watched her family wield magic like it was nothing while she never presented any signs of being magical at all. When some big fae stuff happened in books previous to this one, her entire family was killed except her and her grandfather. She protects him but has accepted the fact that she may join her family or be ignored due to her lack of skills.

Fintan is a Reaper, and like all of his kind, he has a bit of emotional baggage around betrayal. He is obsessed with Cat upon first seeing her, but obviously ignores his feelings until they grow to unmanageable proportions. He takes up watch at first, curious why fae are so interested in her, but soon discovers she may have caught the big bad’s attention. Things take a few twists and turns, showing that Cat is both stronger and more powerful than anyone imagined (except, annoyingly, the big bad). I liked this one, showing Cat as less a damsel in distress and more of a power to be reckoned with. We still go through the standards misunderstanding, martyr motions, but it gets tied up nicely at the end.

View all my reviews

Stone-Cold Fox

Stone-Cold Fox by Hailey Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was way too short for a character who has been so important in the other books! Mai is someone I’ve always wanted to learn more about and see get her HEA. They hint at her testing mates all the time and trying to date goblins because of Labyrinth (which plays a big role in this book) but never get any answers.

This is hopefully the start of a series that uncovers Mai’s “destiny.” It starts at a convention, focused on Mai’s nerdy side, but quickly turns into a kidnapping gone wrong with Ryuu. She and Ryuu have a past that only he can remember, thanks to her father. There is a lot of betrayal, new character introductions, and a swoon-worthy ending jammed into what is an entirely too short book. I hope we get book #2 at some point to build on this storyline - I want to see where this Romeo & Juliet story ends up!

View all my reviews

The Vampire Lestat

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OK, this is a re-read that we did via audiobook and is, I think the first time that I am circling back to this book. Admittedly, the driver was to “prepare” for the next season of the TV show and refresh my memory. I think I read this book originally in high school, maybe? I’ve got to say, while I remembered the broad strokes of this book, so much happened in the series to the point I read it that I definitely did not recall “this” Lestat at all.

I’m leaving my rating at 4 stars from my original because, yes, this is a good book, but woah I’m not sure current day Carrie would have loved it as much without the film of nostalgia layered on top of it. To start, it takes a while (after the intro) to get to vampires. We spend a lot of time in the past with Lestat as a human. Was this more enjoyable to me the first time because I had only known him from the Interview with the Vampire portrayal? Who can say. I’m very conflicted about not enjoying this bit more.

I won’t do the whole summary of the book thing I usually do, but will say that there is a very short portion at the start in “current day” and then another small portion at the end in the same time period, but the majority of the book takes place before Interview’s events and there is a ton of history. History of all the characters, backstories building out for everyone. The through line here is - Lestat ruins everything. I found it amusing that every single establishment that he stumbles upon he leaves in ruin. Knowing where things meander along the way, it’s astonishing that he “lucks” into so much power and love without even really trying. Are there “Dresden” level of damage taken? Sure, Lestat gets hurt emotionally and physically on his journey, but ultimately he is living up to his spoiled brat image that is how I remember him.

I gotta say that these books feel harder upon re-read. I’m not sure I would have continued without a high schooler’s drive to dive into vampire lore further, or with the TV show making me think back fondly on this series.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.


View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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!

View all my reviews

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.


View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

The Children of the Isle: Bloodlines

The Children of the Isle: Bloodlines by L.H. Davies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that this is clearly book one of what seems like many books. The ending happened very abruptly (for me) so warning those who are incredibly allergic to cliffhangers or unresolved issues.

Connie is a teenager who is set a bit adrift after the loss of her mother and her father remarrying. While her father is off on holiday, he has arranged for Connie to stay with her aunt and family, who just so happen to be witches. It turns out that Connie has some abilities they can work to further grow, made specially easy because her aunt is the leader of the local witches. Her cousin takes her out on her first night in town and Connie somehow attracts the attention of the town recluse/mysterious hottie. Said hottie is called Rhys and hails from a powerful Druid group who can shapeshift. Sounds like too much, right? Folks in this book seem to get annoyed with her reactions/temper-tantrums but I think she is holding it together nicely with all this change.

Connie and Rhys have almost no romance - going from strangers to in love in the blink of an eye because they are destined to be and/or are reincarnated souls of lovers from centuries ago. Either way, I did struggle with this a bit, especially with their age differences. To help this along, they do end up spending a lot of time reliving their shared past and learning about one another that way. Just when we were getting to some dramatic historical events, the book ends, leaving me wishing I got to see the outcome, how Connie and Rhys begin life together, Connie’s shapeshifting maturing - any number of other things, but I guess that’s where future installments will play.

View all my reviews

Garters, Ghosts and Wedding Toasts

Garters, Ghosts and Wedding Toasts by Angie Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely adore this world, the characters, and all the hijinks they get up to. Of course, Verity’s life is not simple or easy, so why should her sister’s wedding be any different?

So, for good or bad, Verity’s sister is in love with someone who used to be Verity’s arch-nemesis. While he may still be skeptical of her ghost business, I believe he’s finally bent enough to fit into Verity’s life. On what seems like a normal day for Verity, her sister surprises her by agreeing to get married in a few days out of town and at a historic location. Historic obviously means haunted, but this crew is used to managing mayhem.

As usual, Verity brings her ghost, her detective skills, her supportive boyfriend, and hopes to give her sister the perfect day. When they arrive, things are not looking so hot. There’s angry ghosts, murder, missing jewels, lots of gangsters, and way too many suspects. I definitely did not guess any of the mysteries, so bravo there! This book somehow manages to blend this genuine feeling of family, romance, and a really engaging murder mystery. After the rollercoaster ride of a wedding, we also get a super fun ending with all the feelings. This book was such a treat to read, and I can’t wait to see more from Verity and crew!

View all my reviews

Enchantra

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I honestly read the previous book under the incorrect assumption that it was a standalone, so imagine my delight when I realized there was a book that had Genevieve, the sister we spent too little time with, had her own book!

While we got a brief intro and look at Genevieve in the previous book, we really get to dive into her own history and personal trauma. We knew she had been more in-the-know about their mother’s secrets than Ophelia was, but in this book we learn that Genevieve had secretly been corresponding with one of her mother’s close friends. While she is on her little adventure, she ends up getting hit with a hex as a result of her not visiting the mysterious estate where she meets Rowin. After he promptly slams the door in her face, he had pretty much guaranteed that the stubborn sibling would dig her heels in.

Genevieve’s first stubborn act ends up putting her on the path to participation in a murderous game of hide and seek, run by a Devil, and ultimately to save Rowin’s mother. As she can’t leave and can’t play on her own, she winds up married to Rowin so she can compete. I’m not really sure how to sum up all that goes on, but there's a lot of sizzle, secrets, murder, and even some relationship building. There was enough of a trauma bond by the end of this that I was rooting for these two to build something real. Everything is tied up neatly at the end, but maybe we get more in the form of books for the other siblings? One can hope!

View all my reviews

Twelve Months

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gah, this book was SO DEPRESSING. It was genuinely tough to get through and I cried a few times during some of the particularly hard parts. That being said, this was a necessary installment in Harry’s world, giving us more than just the beat up wizard. We got to see Harry as protector, father, friend, knight, and, of course, wizard.

So, ya know, there was this big battle where a lot of people, namely Murphy, died. Harry is barely holding it together, essentially giving us all a great example of how you can’t pour from an empty cup. He is really trying, collecting strays for his castle, going on “dates” with Lara, taking on a new apprentice, and so much more. The amount of stories and issues going on made me exhausted, but I know that is part of us experiencing what Harry is going through.

This book, as I said, was tough and I struggled at a bunch of points in the first half of the book. It was really important for us all to go through that because I found myself appreciating the relationships and even the big battle more because we were in the “muck” with Harry earlier in the book. There are so many machinations going on that I couldn't even begin to talk about them all. Tough choices are made, bad guys are maybe not as bad as you think, etc. etc. etc. The end of this book reminded me why I keep coming back to this series, no matter how bad it beats me up.

View all my reviews

Magic Uncorked

Magic Uncorked by Annabel Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book felt so real, even with the witchy elements. The story is built on characters who were unique and believable, not flawless or perfect.

Libbie has a pretty OK life at the start of this book. She’s got two great kids, a standing cocktail club gathering every Friday, a job, a boyfriend, and a very supportive ex-husband. She might not speak up as much as she should, but she gets by. After the organizer of the cocktail club ends up passing away suddenly, the girls all need to accept the fact that they have inherited witch powers. Libbie is the first to “receive” them, I’m the form of some magical cocktail recipes. The first one ends up giving her the confidence to stand up for herself and shaking her life up.

On Libbie’s journey, we get to watch her grow into a confident woman, not afraid to go after what she wants and have greater control over her life. While I am usually only reading smutty paranormal romance books, this one was noticeably absent of smut. I have to admit, though, that I didn’t miss it, especially because Libbie has an opportunity to go down that path and decides instead to focus on herself. I see that there are several more books in this series, so I will add the next one to my to-read pile right now!

View all my reviews

Banshee Power

Banshee Power by Jen Katemi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book landed somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, so I rounded up. Admittedly, I took a very long pause between book 2 and 3, so I had a bunch of catching up to do, but I still enjoyed this world. Are there tons of family issues in this one? You betcha! But do we get to a happy ending? Sure do!

Maewen is only half banshee, but she uses magic to suppress even that smaller part of herself, leaving her essentially human. She works for what amounts to the supernatural cops and is currently focused on trying to track down the big bad who is destroying the human and fae worlds. It’s this mess that prompts Rho, the prince of the winter court, to insert himself into Maewen’s investigation and life.

Maewen’s sisters have all already had their big heroic moment with their magic, but she continues to keep her magic bottled up the same way she is treating the baggage she has around her mom. It takes a very stubborn prince to open her eyes and convince her that her magic, while inconvenient at times, can be a gift. There’s sizzle and pop throughout, though a bit more along the lines of fated mates rather than romance and flowers. I thought this was the end of this story but now it looks like there is a book 4 out there somewhere that I will likely pick up.

View all my reviews

Legacy of Chaos

Legacy of Chaos by Larissa Ione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We spent a little time learning about Stryke in the last book. He’s the next generation and son of Shade and Runa, and he is a jerk. The first book in this series spent a lot of time tiptoeing around what happened to Crux’s twin, Chaos, but what we mostly know going into this one is that it broke Stryke and estranged him from his family.

In the last book, Cyan’s roommate was murdered by an Aegis agent using one of Stryke’s weapons. Cyan is, obviously, very conflicted because she spent a lot of years idolizing him. She’s a technomancer working at DART, put in an even more awkward position when her boss asks her to go on loan to Stryke’s company to oversee/help with a new weapon he’s making for them. She swallows her pride and goes, ending up differentiating herself by being the only one of Stryke’s employee’s who will not bow to him and his greatness. Turns out, that’s exactly what Stryke needs right now. He’s been very close to the edge for a while and he’s been informed that his suppressants are on the road to killing him.

I really liked the vulnerability that we got out of Stryke in this book. I also really enjoyed Cyan, who was not some damsel in distress in any way through the book. She dives in, ready to face any and all challenges, even when they come with years and years of baggage. I think this book was even better than book 1, so I’m super excited for book 3 next! I should probably mention the heaven stuff too, but it still feels pretty minor but will likely come to a head before the end (hopefully).

View all my reviews

Legacy of Temptation

Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to the next generation of the Demonica characters! I was surprised, but happy when I realized that’s what this series would be about. This book shows us what Logan, son of Death, is up to now that he’s grown-up.

Eva works for the Aegis, less as a calling and more to make her parents happy and advance her career in communications. As the spokesperson for the Aegis, she is one of the first volunteered to participate in a sort-of exchange program with DART, their demon-loving counterparts. Logan, of course, works for DART, leveraging his skills and benefits from being bonded to Cujo, the hellhound, to fight evil. Logan and Eva have a love/hate relationship from the start, which morphs into attraction around the time Logan helps Eva get rid of her nightmare demon. This act ends up setting off a cascade of events that leaves a rising body count and forces both of them to face their trust issues.

I really liked Eva and Logan in this one. They weren’t just the “next generation” with parental issues, they were more well-rounded than that. While we lose some characters in this one, I like where this world is headed and hope we get some good resolution to a few loose ends.



View all my reviews

The Book of Blood and Roses

The Book of Blood and Roses by Annie Summerlee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Where to begin with this book? There was so much world building and backstory jammed into it that I’m going to have a hard time doing it justice with any sort of summary review. This is a f/f hunter/vampire romance ultimately, but there is so much more going on than just that.

Rebecca’s family died, leaving her alone in a world where vampires are known and she has a blood type that makes her nearly irresistible to them. This combination made her an easy recruit into a vampire hunting society. Her handler routinely sends her into situations where she must go undercover, but this latest job will test her resolve. She needs to pretend to be a wealthy college student who is interested in vampire studies at a vampire college that only recently began allowing humans in. At this college, she must find the “Book of Blood & Roses.”

Things do not go smoothly from the get go - when she stumbles upon a hookup in the library between the HBIC of the vampire students and a few others. Aliz, the HBIC and daughter of the sort-of vampire ruling class, of course ends up being Rebecca’s roommate. Instant lust/attraction ends up evolving to more when a secret faction of vampires at the college attack her and Aliz saves her with her blood. Now there’s all of Rebecca’s secrets, an accidental bond, a timeline for this bond to dissolve or become permanent, hunting for the book, Aliz & Rebecca’s relationship and family baggage, and so much more that comes to light. It was a wild ride that somehow ended.. OK? I was satisfied but it was certainly a journey.

View all my reviews

A Christmas Cadence

A Christmas Cadence: A Spicy Small Town Paranormal Romance by Cynthia Brubaker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a very quick read that starts at a high school reunion and ends post-holidays. It gave strong Christmas cozy vibes and did include some spice.

Natalie is single at her high school reunion and gets caught staring at her high school crush and fellow band-member. Drake is now a fitness instructor at his parent’s gym, having never left their home town whereas Natalie went her own path, trying to continue pursuing music. The sparks fly and they both have a very memorable reunion evening, made even more so by Drake biting Natalie while in the throes of passion. Natalie obviously gets the appropriate amount of freaked out and leaves Drake stuck in a tough spot.

Natalie soon has to come to grips with the fact that her body is going through some changes - in this case, marked mates are made physically ill being away from their mates. Since she is doing her best to not be around Drake, she needs to compromise her own boundaries to feel better physically. They still have chemistry, passion, and slowly but steadily build a romantic relationship and trust. We get a nice HEA after all their drama, too!

View all my reviews

The Wolves and Their Cipher

The Wolves and Their Cipher by K.E. Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is heating up and if you haven’t read the first book, I recommend you start there. In this story, we get to learn more about the hackers of the pack while progressing the bigger plot line too.

The female love interest, Melinda, is a hacker for good. She grew up in an abusive household, so she channels her skills helping women escape abusive relationships, funneling the money that she gets from less philanthropic endeavors into meaningful work for herself. Her latest client who she assumes is also trying to escape abuse, ends up being the big bad that the wolf pack is trying to track down. During Melinda’s latest identity change for her client, the twins ended up tracing Melinda’s whereabouts and begin to dig into her life.

Melinda, being no fool, knows these two amazingly attractive guys showing up in her apartment building right after she had her incident is suspicious, but she can’t ignore the mystery. She is also attracted to Pierre and Louis. Lucky for them all, the attraction goes both (or all?) ways. The bad guys make a play for Melinda, which forces the brothers to act quickly without doing the right thing and telling Melinda about… any of the bigger picture. This, of course, backfires and we go through a lot more trouble than we need to. We get some good spice, big plot progress, and even a HEA for this trio.

View all my reviews

Lie Down with Dogs

Lie Down with Dogs by Hailey Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Look, I know I’m supposed to root for Shaw and Thierry, I get it, but I am really struggling with the fact that I am firmly Team Rook even though I know he is a bad-ish guy.

This book takes place right after Thierry wins her crown, figures out how to shape shift, ends up married to Rook, and negotiates a year-long reprieve from her return to Faerie. She’s supposed to be using this time to wrap things up in her “normal” life, learn the customs of her court, and generally prepare for this huge change. Instead, she is trying to find a way out. Her time back at work has been largely spent hunting folks that may give her an advantage in future negotiations with the fae. It’s not working out so great and she ends up being suspended for her latest stunt. You know what that means? Road trip book!

Her BFF convinces her to take her new cat protector, her new guards, and head off to Florida for a break. Of course, nothing goes according to plan and somehow Shaw convinces her to help with an off the books case he is working on. This works out nicely for him, because he can only feed from Thierry so he doesn’t need to go hungry while she’s away. Everyone is lying in one way or another in this book, so navigating the turbulent relationship dynamics was tough. I know that Shaw’s reveals about their breakup are supposed to make me feel better about him, but I don’t. A simple conversation would have avoided that mess, the mess with Rook, her really screwed up dad relationship, her time spent protecting her mom, and the whole guard situation. Very frustrating, especially with where I se her needing to go in the next book. I’m going to take a breather and then come back to this series.


View all my reviews

Dragon Revealed

Dragon Revealed by Donna Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These stories in the 1001 Dark Nights sets can always be read as standalone shorts, but are also enhanced by some previous knowledge of the world, set in an established series. I am familiar with the Dragon Kings world, though, admittedly, not caught up. That being said, I was slightly spoiled in the book immediately previous to this one, so if you are looking to avoid spoilers, make sure you catch up before diving in here.

Varek was just going about his holiday with a friend and fellow Dragon King when he found himself a captive. There's some missing time, but the shackles and cell are a dead giveaway. The fact that he can't use any of his typically easily reached powers also indicates some bad things. Jeyra is the one who captured him by breaking some rules, going outside her territory and into the areas of her world where magic works, and dragging Varek through to her realm. Motivated, of course, by revenge for the loss of her family by a dragon, Jeyra starts out very proud of her accomplishments, but things rapidly change.

Varek and Jeyra are clearly drawn to one another, even in these crazy circumstances. This world is not so different from the realm where Varek lived through betrayal by humans once before. Using some lessons learned from history, these two navigate the twists and turns of a world full of secrets and lies. There's a lot of sizzle between them, too, which doesn't hurt! It was nice to see some familiar faces and learn more about the yet another realm. I'm interested to see where this new branch of stories goes in the future.

View all my reviews

Alexiares

Alexiares by N.J. Walters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the series takes us deeper into a world of grim reapers, family loyalty, and dangerous challenges. Alex faces a trial that mirrors the first book’s setup, but the way it unfolds is full of tension and unexpected turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. This installment blends high-stakes action with sizzling romance, all while teasing the bigger game their father is playing. You can probably start here, but I'd recommend going back to book 1.

What really stood out for me was the pairing and the dynamic between Alex and Cilla. Cilla is strong, independent, and unwilling to be sidelined no matter how much her fate is "doomed." She brings her own fire to the story and watching her hold her ground while navigating trust and vulnerability made the romance feel more genuine. The chemistry sizzles between these two, and you can see the emotion truly developing without slowing down the pace. While the situation echoes book one, the execution here feels unique and satisfying.

This series continues to deliver paranormal suspense with heart, and now that their father is set to change the challenge for the last sibling, I can't wait to see what's next. If you love strong heroines, intense family drama, and romance that burns bright against a backdrop of danger, this is a must-read.

View all my reviews

Heir of the Dog

Heir of the Dog by Hailey Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thierry, our half-blood heroine, finds herself navigating the dangerous and enchanting world of Faerie, and she’s not alone - Rook steps in as a partner who brings both charm and grit to the journey. The stakes are high, betrayal is imminent, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish.

What really made this book shine for me was the dynamic between Thierry and Rook. Their partnership adds depth and tension, and the slow-burn romance is just the right amount of tease without overshadowing the plot. The Faerie adventure was immersive and fun, and honestly, I didn’t miss Shaw at all - this story felt stronger without him. Compared to the first book, this one had more excitement, better chemistry, and left me eager to dive straight into the next installment.

If you’re new to the series, I’d actually recommend just starting here. It’s engaging, fast-paced, and perfect for readers who love urban fantasy with a dash of romance and a strong heroine finding her footing in a magical world. Fun, adventurous, and filled with just enough romantic tension to keep you turning pages - definitely worth the read.


View all my reviews

Running with the Werewolf

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This paranormal romance kicks off with a super fun premise: a woman unexpectedly finds herself part of a dating show on an island teeming with supernatural beings, and things only get more interesting from there. The author blends humor, mystery, and sizzling chemistry into a story that feels both adventurous and cozy. It’s a quick, engaging read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it perfect for fans of lighthearted paranormal tales.

What really stood out for me was the playful and warm character interactions, with just enough romantic tension to keep the pages turning. The banter between the leads had me grinning, and their connection felt genuine, leading to a satisfying HEA. While the mystery wrapped up a little quickly at the end, it didn’t detract from the charm of the story. I also loved the humor sprinkled throughout - it gave the book a breezy, feel-good vibe that made it hard to put down.

If you’re looking for a paranormal romance that’s fun, flirty, and full of heart, this one’s worth adding to your TBR. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of humor, romance, and a touch of supernatural intrigue without heavy angst or huge stakes. I’m definitely hoping we see more in this world because I’d happily return to that island for more adventures!

View all my reviews

A Taste of Bliss

A Taste of Bliss by Saoirse Brey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story drops you right into a world that feels filled with layers, following three sisters - two of which are succubus (succubii?). Their lives are filled with musical ambition, the search (or avoidance) or their mates, and a drive for more. There’s a whodunnit mystery and lots of missing time throughout the story that is slowly filled in when the timelines weave together. It’s the kind of premise that promises depth and drama right from the start.

What worked for me was the world-building - it’s vivid and immersive, the kind of setting you can picture clearly and dive into that band scene. The dynamic between the sisters is another highlight - their bond feels authentic and gives the story a good place to ground us. Who knew I was so into heavy metal festivals? It’s electric, full of energy and potential, like the story is about to break into something big.

One thing to note: this book ends on a serious cliffhanger, so if you like tidy resolutions, be prepared to wait for the next installment. Overall, it’s atmospheric, ambitious, and definitely leaving room for more.

View all my reviews

Queen of the Dead

Queen of the Dead by Sarah Broadway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story mixes paranormal vibes with heartfelt character growth. The book follows Lou, a girl who’s convinced she’s destined to live life on the fringes of society until a strange (for someone who sees ghosts) encounter pulls her into a hidden world where ghosts aren’t the only thing lurking in the shadows. Suddenly, Lou finds herself navigating secrets, danger, and a role she never imagined, all while discovering that family can be found in the most unexpected places.

What really hooked me was Lou’s transformation. She starts off guarded and isolated, but as the story unfolds, you see her open up and form bonds that feel so genuine. The relationships are beautifully written, and they add warmth to a story that could have easily been all gloom and doom. The unique lore is another standout , with just spooky enough to keep you intrigued without overwhelming you with details.

This works perfectly as a standalone but could also be the gateway to a much bigger universe. It’s emotional, atmospheric, and full of hope - all with a ghost-centric story. Definitely worth the read - it won't leave you hanging!

View all my reviews