Fae & Alchemy Book 2: Brimstone by Callie Hart

Fae & Alchemy Book 2

The #1 New York Times bestselling romantasy series continues with more drama, higher stakes, and deadly consequences.

Duty. Blood. Honor. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn’t want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court’s lips, but now that she’s been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she’s discovering that a queen’s life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders. Her ward—and her brother—need her back in her homeland…but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead...

“Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.”

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222348870-brimstone

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Back with Saeris and Kingfisher and this sequel did not disappoint! The series is only getting more interesting and after the end of that book? I can’t wait to see what happens next! So this story takes place shortly after the end of the previous book. Saeris is days away from being officially crowned queen of the Blood Court and it’s the last thing she wants or needs right now. But with her on the throne she can at least put an end to this part of the war. But while the Blood Court could have some answers they seek, it doesn’t mean it is safe. There is also the matter of returning to her homeland to retrieve her brother. But that task is not hers. It will be up to Fisher and Carrion. And we all know how a Fisher and Carrion team up will go. Expect way too much chaos and Fisher moments away from strangling Carrion to keep his mouth shut for once. And if that isn’t enough drama going on, there is also something covering the lands of Yvelia and they have no idea how to stop it. So much is going down in this book! For every answer we get, another question pops up. But I absolutely loved this story. And for once in this high stakes romantasy series, I did not want to throw my book across the room at a mean cliffhanger. Do I have many questions after that last page? Absolutely. But I’m only excited to find out what happens next! This story was great all around. Great action, romance, and a world that just keeps getting more interesting. Plenty of twists and turns and I loved getting to know Saeris and Fisher more as well as their friends. I can’t wait to see where this series takes us and I’m looking forward to book three!

Snowed in With You by Rye Cox

Eli

There was a time when I thought my new stepbrother, Nathan Bailey, and I could be friends. Best friends, even. But then I walked past his room and hear his friends make fun of me. Instead of defending me, he laughs with them. And his clueless act when I give him the cold shoulder? That just seals the deal. I hate Nathan Bailey.

The only thing that can be worse than being forced to drive to our family’s annual Christmas retreat with him is being caught in a snowstorm and trapped in a different cabin. Alone.

Nathan

When my dad married Eli Madison’s mom, I was excited about the possibility of having a brother. We seemed to be on our way to a great friendship when Eli suddenly stopped speaking to me. He’s been a cute, angry kitten for years now, and I don’t know why. It would help if he talked to me, but when he isn’t ignoring me, his words drip with disdain. What I do know is that Eli Madison hates me.

The only good thing about being trapped in this cabin with him is that he can finally tell me what I did wrong all those years ago… and maybe I can figure out why cute is the first word that comes to mind when I think of him. My stepbrother.

Snowed in With You is a standalone MM Christmas story featuring grumpy-only-to-you/sunshine stepbrothers, a bi-awakening, only one fireplace, and a couple of Corio Heights cameos.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243159218-snowed-in-with-you

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When Eli’s mom had remarried, he thought it would be great to have a brother. They were getting along great and he thought he would have a new best friend. Until he overheard Nathan’s friends talking about him and Nathan just laughing alongside them. It’s been years since then but Eli still holds a grudge. Because while Nathan appears like this really sweet and nice guy, Eli can’t help but feel like it’s some sort of lie. But then when they get snowed in together on their way to meet their family for Christmas, well, it may be time to clear the air. Nathan has never understood why Eli hates him. He thought they were getting along great until one day they weren’t. He has tried many times of the years to be nice and connect but Eli wasn’t having it. Who would have thought that being trapped together may finally clue him in to what was a misunderstanding. And being trapped and honest, well turns out there is more feelings both had their either let themselves think about. This was a cute, fun romantic Christmas story! A grumpy and sunshine tale that gave us some pretty great banter. I loved getting to know Eli and Nathan and for them to finally realize that they were always supposed to be way more than just stepsiblings and friends. They were actually quite cute! This is definitely a fun story you don’t want to miss!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
 

Adrenalin Book 5: Shattered by Michele Lenard

 

Adrenalin Book 5

Some people meet cute. Theirs was court-ordered.

Ryder Vorhees was born to ride—until the day he stopped.

A tragic accident stole his brother, his will to compete, and any reason to step back on a snowboard. Now he’s stuck serving community service hours at the last place he wants to the mountain that haunts him. The only thing worse? The man in charge of babysitting him.

Hayden Chaulke lives for helping people rediscover what they’ve lost. Running a fledgling adaptive sports program is supposed to be his dream job—until his newest “instructor” shows up hungover, bitter, and infuriatingly gorgeous. Hayden doesn’t do lost causes… but Ryder isn’t just anyone.

Forced to work together on the slopes, sparks fly between the surly ex–pro and the rule-following manager. What starts as hostility turns into something neither expected—an attraction that feels as dangerous as it is undeniable. But Ryder’s ghosts are never far behind, and learning to let go might mean facing the one thing he’s fought hardest to forgiveness.

Because some mountains aren’t meant to be conquered—they’re meant to heal you.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243338729-shattered

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s been no secret that Ryder has been struggling. The death of his brother months ago shattered him. Unable to stand the idea of getting on the mountain to snowboard and compete and just unable to live with the grief and guilt, he has pulled away from those who love him. And he drinks to numb it away. But his bad decisions has led him to a bad incident and now he has to do community service. But his friends are still there and in their attempt to help him, they push him to do his service at the resort to be an instructor for a new program they are developing. It’s the last place he wants to be. But he never expects Hayden. The icy guy who is now in charge of supervising him who doesn’t take Ryder’s attitude and surprisingly sparks something in Ryder. But is it enough to bring him out his grief and start to heal? Hayden doesn’t understand why Ryder is here. Not when he shows up hungover and looks it. He won’t jeopardize the students for anyone, so why is his boss insistent on helping Ryder? The pieces start to slowly form about exactly what Ryder is going through and there are moments where Hayden can see the good guy underneath the grieving man. And when they get a chance to explore this chemistry between them? It may just be the thing they both need and deserve. I’ve been looking forward to Ryder’s book! The poor guy has just been struggling and he really needed someone to pull him out. His friends give him the chance but it is Hayden who sparks the life back into him when he doesn’t treat him like broken glass. Ryder needs that kick to figure out how to heal and move on. I really loved their enemies to lovers vibes and Ryder’s healing journey. It’s not perfect but you can see when something clicks and he wants to figure himself out more. Another great book to this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Riding Pine by RM Neil

A hockey player and a beaver walk into a bar…

I’m not a real beaver. I just play one for the Bloomburg Aspens.

You’d be surprised how many times I need to clarify that.

It’s not a traditional job, but between my yoga studio and playing the beaver, it pays the bills.

The beaver mascot gig also comes with one Don’t reveal my identity to anyone.

Which wasn’t a big deal until I met this guy at the bar. A hot guy with a shy smile and a huge…wood.

Lukas Pine.

A hockey player for the Bloomburg Aspens.

He was only supposed to be a one-night stand, but we keep finding each other. Usually with our clothes off.

In my defense, I had to tell him. You should know you’re sleeping with the team mascot. Especially when the players aren’t supposed to know who I am.

Lukas is more than happy to keep it a secret, but there’s a new problem.

We’re not very good at hiding it.

And that’s when I learn riding pine isn’t always fun.

Riding Pine is a standalone novel set in the Bloomburg universe of the Sheltered Connections and Broken Horn Ranch series. A smart-mouthed former circus acrobat and a tender-hearted hockey tough guy at the end of his playing days are so hot together they have to bend not just their bodies, but the rules, to stay together. This story is pure ridiculousness with loads of spice and all the feels…oh, and some hockey.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240065903-riding-pine

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

After losing a job he loves, Ben returns to his hometown to figure out what next. Staying with his best friend is temporary and opening a yoga studio has been a great way to keep his acrobatic background going. But when he gets a job offer with the local hockey team to be their mascot, well it’s pretty unexpected. They are looking for someone really bring excitement to the crowd and do something pretty new. And with Ben’s background with the circus, it’s not a bad idea. And the pay isn’t so bad either. They just have one rule: no one can know he is the mascot. There is just one problem with that. A few weeks earlier he met Lukas. The chemistry between them is explosive. They can’t keep their hands off one another and they can’t stop thinking about the other. And it looks like they are heading to a real relationship. Ben thinks he can keep the secret and he does…until he realizes that Lukas is on the hockey team. Lying is the last thing he wants to do when they are just getting started. So it looks like they’ll have to be sneaky… This was such a fun story! I loved getting to know Lukas and Ben. And the whole mascot and hockey player romance is something new and fun and fresh. I really enjoyed the story all around I wouldn’t mind seeing these two again if there are more hockey books coming!

The Games We Play Season 2 Book 3: Hearts on Ice by Denver Shaw

The Games We Play Season 2 Book 3

I’ve stopped pucks my whole career. What I can’t stop… is wanting him.

Drew

Six years ago, I buried my heart with my wife and daughter. Since then, I’ve lived by one rule—keep it professional, keep it safe.

But the kid in the net? He’s wrecking my rules one save at a time.

Miguel plays with heart. Reads the ice like it’s poetry. Sees me in ways no one has in years.

He’s too young. Too alive. Too off-limits.

And every time he smiles, I start to wonder if what I buried wasn’t just love—maybe it was who I am.

Miguel

Drew is discipline in a gray hoodie and heartbreak in human form.

I never thought I’d fall for anyone—especially not a man.

But something about him makes the rules blur and the air between us catch fire.

Every look is a risk. Every touch, a line we shouldn’t cross.

Some loves break the rules.

This one remakes them.

Hearts on Ice is a forbidden MM hockey romance with age gap tension, double bi-awakening, slow burn heat, and enough hurt/comfort to break your heart before putting it back together.

The Games We Play—Season 2 is the second season of this multi-author minor-league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Drew has been holding himself the best he can for the last six years after losing not only his hockey career when he is injured on the ice, but when a plane crash took away his wife and daughter shortly after. So he’s buried himself working as a coach for the minor team ice hockey team. But then there is a shift. One he doesn’t realize is happening until it’s too late. Miguel is changing everything for him. He’s bringing him back to life. He never expected it, never thought he would want it, but every look Miguel gives him, well, Drew finds himself looking back. Miguel has known Drew for five years now and realizes he doesn’t know a lot about him. And there has been this shift inside him when he looks at Drew. He too doesn’t realize what is going on until it’s too late. And it’s something that he can’t stop, nor does he want to. Because the more he gets to know Drew, the harder he falls. Their coach and player, it probably shouldn’t happen. But their hearts say otherwise. A lovely slow burn between Drew and Miguel as they come to realize how they feel about one another. Neither have looked at men before, but really gender is the last thing on their mind. It’s how the two of them are together. How they feel when they lock eyes. I loved watching these two slowly fall in love. To taking steps to know one another better and just becoming closer and closer before they have that aha realization of falling. Great story all around!

The Black Dagger Brotherhood: 20th Anniversary Insider's Guide by JR Ward

 

Vampire warriors in black leather and tattoos.

Passionate love stories that pierce the heart.

Dark nights filled with drama, chaos, and epic battles in the shadows of Caldwell, NY…

And then there are the unicorn pajamas. And the Tootsie Pops.

Welcome back to the world of the iconic, #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. With millions of devoted readers across the globe, these unforgettable books have redefined paranormal romance. Now, to celebrate two decades of the Brothers, author J.R. Ward opens the door to their world once more.

Inside this all-new 20th Anniversary Insider’s Guide, Ward reflects on the journey—sharing behind-the-scenes moments, heartfelt memories, candid writing advice, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of her long and legendary career. She also brings back the original Brothers in a mix of classic content and never-before-seen material, 

• A brand-new novella, Happy Anniversary – Revisit Wrath and Beth as they reclaim the time lost between them. Tender, erotic, and emotional, this story returns to the couple who started it all—and proves that happily ever after doesn’t always come easy.

• Brotherhood updates, as J.R. interviews the Brothers to reveal where they are now.

• Fan-favorite features like Ask a Brother, Vishous’s Agony Aunt Column, Kitchen Corner with Fritz, and Bella’s Books.

• Playlists, monthly horoscopes, and more.

This keepsake collection is more than just an insider’s look—it’s a love letter to the fans, the world, and the unforgettable characters that have made the Black Dagger Brotherhood a genre-defining phenomenon. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or are just now feeling the pull… this book is for you.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238364012-the-black-dagger-brotherhood

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

What a wonderful way to celebrate 20 years of Black Dagger Brotherhood! In this newest insider guides, we have it all. Fun interviews with the Brothers and all the fun kind of things you may find in a newspaper. From advice columns, to playlists, horoscopes, recipes, and book recs, we have it all. But the best part? The new novella surrounding Beth and Wrath called Happy Anniversary. If you are caught up with the series, then you have an inkling what this is about. We jump from past to present as Beth relives the anniversaries she was grieving Wrath. Thirty years is a lot of ground to cover. And while it’s wonderful they are reunited, reality is, it isn’t exactly easy. But we know these two. And there isn’t anything they won’t do for one another and the love between them is stronger than anything. So no matter what happens, they’ll figure it out. The novella was definitely my favorite part. We needed it after everything that has happened so far in the series. We needed to see their struggles and how they reconnect after losing so much. It was really satisfying after such heartbreaking scenes in previous books. We needed this! And it only made more excited for our future books. You definitely don’t want to miss this guide if you love the series. It’s everything you would expect to come from the Brothers and their many shenanigans and of course, JR Ward herself. Loved this! And as always, can’t wait to see what is next in this world.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas at Hall Farm Book 1: Frost and Fire by Ana Ashley

Christmas at Hall Farm Book 1

After decades of sold-out stadiums and never-ending tours, coming home to run my family's Vermont dairy farm was supposed to be peaceful. Instead, I'm being terrorized by my devastatingly attractive neighbor who's apparently declared war on me—one "gift" at a time.

A goat that won't leave my side. A rooster with a Napoleon complex. A hive of bees with serious attitude problems. The boy I remember as my best friend's sweet little brother has grown into a man with a serious grudge and zero intention of making my homecoming easy.

When a crisis threatens our small town's Christmas celebrations, we're forced to work together. Fighting our attraction while saving the holidays should be simple, right?

Too bad Taylen James has always been my greatest weakness.

Frost and Fire is a brother's best friend, enemies-to-lovers Christmas romance with an age gap, small-town charm, and enough sexual tension to melt Vermont snow.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242448859-frost-and-fire

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Bastian and his band, Hall of Fame, have reached the end of their tour and have decided on a much needed hiatus. They’ve been going strong for 25 years and a lot has changed since then. Most are ready to settle down a bit more and while music will always be part of their lives, they can still do other things. For Bastian, it means coming home and helping run his family farm. His dad needs the help and Bastian had always planned to be back. He’s made plans and he is ready. But coming back means facing things he has run from. Like Taylen James. The little brother of his best friend who died twelve years before. When Taylen looks at Bastian he sees the hurt and anger and the unspoken attraction between them. But Bastian is tired of running. He’s here to stay and he’ll prove it to Taylen. Losing his brother broke Taylen in a way that will never be truly mended. But on top of that? Losing his friend and his longtime crush didn’t help either. Because Bastian never stays long enough for Taylen to ask him to stay. And why should this time be any different? So he’ll guard his heart, he’ll keep his walls up. But saying and doing are two different things. And the more Bastian proves his words, the more Taylen’s walls are chipped. But can he fully  put his trust and heart on Bastian who was born to play his music? Loved this book! Taylen and Bastian had great chemistry and banter. Especially when they got into their so called gift giving war. But alongside that was this deep and raw love that has been with them for years. And now there is a chance for them if they are brave enough to take. Great start to this new series! I spied some potential couples and I am hoping to be proven right and get their books one day! I can’t wait for more in this series. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.