The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.

2) Marry him.

3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen? 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35702241-the-shadows-between-us

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Let me start off by saying that the first chapter, actually no, the first line of the book had me hooked. But yes that first chapter too. My initial thoughts after reading it were: Holy bananas this girl is vicious. How is anything gonna turn out alright for her? And boy was it a journey. Alessandra has three goals: woo the Shadow King, marry him, and then kill him and take his kingdom for herself. She is clever and devious and at the same time pretty damn honest about who she is. True, she won't admit her real plans to anyone, but she still sticks to being herself. And she does get his attention. What she doesn't realize is that Kallias stays away from people for a reason. If he wants his powers to protect him, he can't let anyone physically touch him. Puts quite a damper on Alessandra's plans to seduce the king. But, as she tries to figure out a way for the king to fall for her, they end up actually becoming friends. And that friendship eventually leads to more. Sort of. Their relationship is definitely complicated but very hopeful. Alessandra eventually finds that her plans will change, especially when the king is constantly trying to be assassinated. She is forced to confront her true feelings toward him. I will say, I was constantly worried about their love story. With her initial intent, the truth would have to come out eventually, right? And I will admit Alessandra was someone I found hard to like for a while. I appreciated her spirit of being a woman and she should be able to do whatever she wants and not be judged, she was just hard to completely sympathize with. But! I will say by the end I really liked her. She proved herself to be so much more. And as for the assassination attempts plot line and Kallias's parents' murders, there were some twists and turns to it that I didn't totally catch. It kept me on my toes, which I always appreciate. No one wants to guess the entire ending! The spark between Alessandra and Kallias was great, their banter hilarious, and their relationship one truly of equals. I've loved all of Tricia's books so far and this one didn't disappoint! 

Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 2: The Dragon’s Need by Jessie Donovan

Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 2

Tired of overprotective dragon-shifters, Gabriela Santos decides she wants to lose her virginity to a human male via the Tahoe area dragon lottery. After years of trying, she's finally selected as one of the participants. Of the hundreds of humans who want to be with her, it's the male staring at the ceiling who catches her eye. And after a bit of honesty and insight into why he's there, she picks him. However, soon one kiss changes her future forever. 

Only to try and forget his cheating ex-wife does Ryan Ford agree to enter the dragon lottery. He has no expectations of the dragonwoman walking the aisles to pick him. However, when his mind wanders and he stares lost in thought, the dragon lady calls him out on it and refreshes him with her straightforward manner and wit. Add in the instant spark between them, and Ryan agrees to sleep with her to try to give her a baby. But then one kiss brings out her inner dragon, and Ryan quickly learns that he's her true mate and has to accept a frenzy or try running away. 

As the pair come to terms with their fate, they soon start falling for one another. But when someone targets Ryan, will he survive and find a way for them to be together? Or will he have to leave both Gabriela and his unborn child to stay alive? 

NOTE: This is a quick, steamy standalone story about fated mates and sexy dragon-shifters near Lake Tahoe in the USA. You don't have to read all my other dragon books to enjoy this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50498827-the-dragon-s-need?from_search=true&qid=RABA7ipQEV&rank=2

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Visiting the American Dragon Clans has been pretty cool so far! After reading book one of the Tahoe Dragon Mates, I was excited to read book 2 and see how Gaby’s story turned out. She was the spark of book one and her brother Jose finding his true mate, so I was eager to see hers. This short story was filled with true mates and the chemistry between Ryan and Gaby. Plus! A little action and conflict as there are still dragon-shifters who are not eager to have humans living with them. It was a short and sweet story to add to this big universe of dragon-shifters. I can’t wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

St. Rosetta’s Academy Book 1: Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

St. Rosetta’s Academy Book 1

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the first novel in a brand-new series set at an elite international boarding school, that’s a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Will the princess save the beast?

For Princess Jaya Rao, nothing is more important than family. When the loathsome Emerson clan steps up their centuries-old feud to target Jaya’s little sister, nothing will keep Jaya from exacting her revenge. Then Jaya finds out she’ll be attending the same elite boarding school as Grey Emerson, and it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. She knows what she must do: Make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But much to Jaya’s annoyance, Grey’s brooding demeanor and lupine blue eyes have drawn her in. There’s simply no way she and her sworn enemy could find their fairy-tale ending…right?

His Lordship Grey Emerson is a misanthrope. Thanks to an ancient curse by a Rao matriarch, Grey knows he’s doomed once he turns eighteen. Sequestered away in the mountains at St. Rosetta’s International Academy, he’s lived an isolated existence—until Jaya Rao bursts into his life, but he can't shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Something that might just have to do with the rose-shaped ruby pendant around her neck…

As the stars conspire to keep them apart, Jaya and Grey grapple with questions of love, loyalty, and whether it’s possible to write your own happy ending. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46227940-of-curses-and-kisses

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Absolutely loved this book! It was an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beast as a young adult contemporary romance. Done absolutely beautifully and I expected nothing less from Sandhya Menon. Brilliant, talented author that she is. Of Curses and Kisses follows Jaya and Grey. Jaya and her sister have come to St. Rosetta’s to escape the scandal that surrounds their family back home. But Isha has other plans, to get revenge on the Emerson family, their family rival for generations. Little does she know and realize that Grey Emerson is the last person who wishes to hurt the Raos. Jaya is convinced she knows the “truth” and she plans to make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But, that proves to be a challenge since Grey is the most antisocial person at the academy. The rivalry between the Raos and Emersons dates back to when the Emersons stole a ruby from them, in retaliation, the Raos curses the ruby and the family. Though it’s been a long time the Emersons took the curse to heart. Especially Grey’s father who knows the prophecy and has passed it to on Grey the moment the kid could understand the words. Grey has shut himself from the world. Convinced he is cursed and that to protect everyone, he has to stay away from them. He thinks he is destined to die on his eighteenth birthday and has just about accepted it...until Jaya walks into his life. Let’s just say things get complicated between them. Jaya can see how unlikely it is Grey was the one who told the press about her sister, yet she can’t let it go. As you can guess nothing goes according to plan. Especially when the two of them begin to fall in love for real. 

So what I loved about this book was that it wasn’t totally predictable. Some parts I’m sure you can guess, like truths are revealed. But getting there? No way to predict it. The Beauty and the Beast parallels were pretty brilliant. I loved them. And seeing Jaya and Grey’s relationship grow was so sweet. It didn’t feel rushed and fake. Despite Jaya’s ulterior motives at first. And the curse was a nice touch. Again, had the parallel but it touched upon the supernatural, especially when it came to Jaya’s rose ruby necklace. Overall, I adored this book. The characters were all great and interesting. And I’m so glad there are two more coming! I cannot wait to find out who the main characters are for the next two books. There were honestly a lot of good side characters whose stories i would love to read. Two books doesn’t sound like enough! Great, great story. If you love her previous books, then you definitely want to read this one. 

Shifters Unbound Series Book 12: Iron Master by Jennifer Ashley

Shifters Unbound Book 12

Stuart Reid is an Iron Master—a Dark Fae with a rare ability to make iron do his bidding. Exiled by the High Fae who fear him, he now lives in a simple house in Shiftertown outside Las Vegas, watching over Peigi, a bear Shifter woman, and the cubs she cares for.

Peigi, rescued from an evil Shifter and welcomed into the Vegas Shiftertown, knows Reid and the cubs have helped her survive and heal.

She also knows Reid is alone and lonely, a strong man coping with his exile. The bond she feels pulling her to him scares the crud out of her—she’s been down this road before.

When Reid’s people send him a desperate call for help, Peigi senses danger to him—too much of it. She finds she’ll do anything, even sacrifice herself and her happiness, to keep him safe.

A Shifters Unbound full-length novel.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51080052-iron-master

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It's been so long it feels like since I've read a Shifters Unbound book. But this book reminded me how much I love the series AND that I really need to do a re-read at some point. There were a lot of characters that were mentioned that I recognized their names but I couldn't remember their story exactly, and I hate that because I'm usually good at remembering. There were definitely characters I knew and remembered more, but it just goes to show you that a re-read is in order soon. But! I still enjoyed this book immensely. It is definitely a favorite of mine. Reid and Peigi's story was sweet and with plenty of action that caught you up in the war brewing with some of the Fae. Reid and Peigi had great chemistry and their adventure brought back a lot of familiar faces. Definitely need more from the series! I can't wait for the next one!

Hard Play Book 3: Love Hard By Nalini Singh

Hard Play Book 3

Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.

As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.

Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50730146-love-hard

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My Review 5/5 Stars

I am obsessed with Nalini Singh's contemporary romance books. Seriously all her books are fantastic, but this series has a special place in my heart. And that is simply because of the Bishop-Esera clan. Obsessed with these rugby boys. It started with Rock Hard with Gabriel and Charlotte's story. Then later we got Sailor Isa. And now finally Jake and Juliet. Rock Hard will probably always be my favorite. I've read it so many times and it is just one book that I can't let go of. But this book!! Love Hard is just a smidge from tying with it. It was that good. It is definitely a favorite of mine. Jake and Juliet's story was just so sweet and raw and emotional. We've seen glimpses of Jake in Gabe and Sailor's stories, but now he has his own. And with what you knew about Jake, losing his first love and having to raise his daughter when he was a teenager, you can't help but love him and want to know how he gets his happily ever after. Then there is Juliet, who is not only friends with Charlotte but was best friends with Jake's first love when they were teenagers. And after years of not seeing one another, fate brings them together in a way they were never ever like before. Their "enemies" to friends to lovers relationship was one that done very nicely. It wasn't rushed, it felt real and made sense. Their banter was witty and just overall hilarious. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Just an overall great story. Plus the fact that we finally got Charlotte and Gabriel's wedding! Amazing and a moment we have been waiting for. Like I said, overall great book. And now we have one more brother to go! Bring on Danny's story!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Goddess Test Series Book 3: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test Book 3

Love or life.

Henry or their child.

The end of her family or the end of the world.

Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10838776-the-goddess-inheritance

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Never read so fast! But I was desperate to find out how this series concluded. I will admit I was a bit leery with this series. I love Greek myth and a chance to read a series inspired about it always has my attention. And though I liked the idea of the premise of the series, there were a lot of things I wished would happened or I expected things to be better. With that said, I will admit the final book was a strong finish to the series. A lot went down! Good and bad. Happy and sad moments. I liked Henry a lot more in this book because he finally was able to show his feelings for Kate. Kate got a bit shaky in the middle, stepped up when she needed to and it was great. And a lot of surprises here and there. It's also interesting to see different takes on the Greek gods. Definitely a solid end to a series. And one I definitely enjoyed. Especially that I read one after another so quickly and even squeezed in two books in one day.

The Goddess Test Series Book 2.5: The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test Book 2.5

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimée Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness....

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal....

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another....

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others - but never knew true loss before....

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope....

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

Contents:

The Goddess Queen

The Lovestruck Goddess

Goddess of the Underworld

God of Thieves

God of Darkness

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13515095-the-goddess-legacy

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My Review: 3.5/5 Stars

This novella collection was actually a really great addition to series. And I think we definitely needed before heading to the final book. It gave us an inside look inside each of these characters' heads. We got to know them a whole lot better and now when I go to read that final book, I will understand where all of them are coming from and what they have been through. They have all loved and lost, been heartbroken and happy. And everything was leading up to the main books of the series. And now I'm looking forward to how the series will come to a close.

The Goddess Test Series Book 2: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Goddess Test Book 2

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry's first wife, Persephone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12637490-goddess-interrupted

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My Review: 3.5/5 Stars

Kate has returned to Eden after a summer away from Henry and she is beyond excited. But things aren't perfect in the Underworld. Cronus is on the verge of escaping thanks to Calliope and it will take all the gods to defeat him. And if that wasn't a big enough problem, Kate and Henry may be reunited but they are far from perfect. Kate wants Henry's love but the shadow of Persephone keeps getting in the way. I will say I enjoyed this book a bit better than the first one, but what killed me was the repetition of Kate begging for Henry's love and Henry failing to show that he does love her. It's a lot of miscommunication between the two. To the point where you want to shake them and tell them to stop being so dumb! Then when things finally may start coming together we get one hell of a cliffhanger. So of course, I have to see this series through!

The Goddess Test Series Book 1.5: The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test Series Book 1.5

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn....

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12999306-the-goddess-hunt

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My Review 3.5/5 Stars

The novella in between book 1 and 2 of this series and I gotta say I really enjoyed it. Castor and Pollux were great characters to see. And I hope that they return in future books. Basically this story is Kate and James running into them in Greece (on purpose thanks to James) and trying to help them escape their fate of Castor being dragged back to the Underworld and Pollux being punished by Zeus. Kate gets a taste of the council not always being the good guys, but though she doesn't totally realize it, Henry is willing to do whatever to make her happy. A great little novella before I start book 2!

The Goddess Test Series Book 1: The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter

The Goddess Test Book 1

Every girl who had taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

If she fails... 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9681214-the-goddess-test

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My Review: 3/5 Stars

Definitely a new take on Greek mythology and I did enjoy the story. I love Greek myth so I am always open for new stories that take it on and make it their own. So this story boils down to Hades looking for a new Queen. With Persephone gone, the role of the Queen of the Underworld needs to be filled. Henry (aka Hades) has had a century to find a new queen and as the century comes to a close he is about to give up. Mostly because every girl that has been tested to be his Queen has failed due to sabotage that left the girls dead. He isn't willing to put anyone else in harm's way. But his sister begs him to try one more time. Fast forward to Kate. She has been chosen and with a deal to keep her dying mother alive a bit longer, she will live with Henry and allow herself to be tested to be his queen. And as the tests come, most she does not even know are happening, she finds herself wanting to pass and falling in love with Henry. But there is someone who has killed the past girls, Kate not only has to pass, but she has to survive. Definitely an interesting story that held my attention and the twists on the Greek myths were a plus! I'm going to give the rest of a series a chance.

Sequel to One of Us is Lying: One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus

The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us Is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules.

Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44654627-one-of-us-is-next

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I've learned when it comes to Karen M. McManus's books that once I pick a book of hers up, I won't put it down until I finished it. And this proves true once again with Once of Us is Next. Great follow up to One of Us is Lying. We get to see familiar faces and new ones. And the story was just as interesting as the first one. New game. New rules. No person trying to cause chaos. And now it is Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe who are trying to figure out who is behind the new Truth or Dare app. Like I said, I couldn't put it down. I needed to have the answers. The amount of plot twists, especially the ending alone!!!! was insane. You think you may have figured something out, but chances are you don't have all the information. And there are so many connections that don't come together until the end. It's written so well this story. You have to love when things aren't obvious until the end where you have all the facts. Just too good. Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe were also great characters to have the story jump from each of their points of view. They are so different and interesting, I genuinely liked getting to see the story in each of their minds. If you haven't read the first book, you definitely want to before you read this one so you can truly appreciate the story and have all the background information. Great story! Can't wait to read more by McManus. 

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

So this book has been on my radar for a couple of months. I kept seeing awesome reviews and people saying that they picked up this book and couldn't put it down. After a while I finally caved and decided to give it a try. And oh my god, was it worth it! I wish I picked it up months ago when it first came out. I can't believe I put it off so long. This book was truly such a great read and the fact that there is a sequel coming out has me beyond ecstatic. Lou and Reid follow the enemies to lovers status, but it was one that was done so beautifully. Lou has been hiding for her coven for years. She forsakes her magic in order to hide herself from her mother. Reid was orphan who was taken in by the Church and taught to kill witches. So of course, Lou and Reid find one another. But it isn't what you think. They find themselves having to marry after a public stunt threatens to cause quite the uproar. We watch them as they treat one another as an enemy, but slowly they warm up to one another. One layer of armor coming off at a time and with each piece they reveal a little bit more about themselves. Though of course Lou struggles to tell him that she is a witch. Because how can you tell the one you are falling in love with that you are the very thing he hates? Their banter is so fun and witty. Lou herself is an uproar. I couldn't wait to see what scandalous thing she would do next. And Reid is just full of honor and protectiveness, you cheer for him despite demanding he open his eyes and be more opened minded when it comes to witches. An epic romance, lots of magic, and so many twists and turns, I couldn't put this book down. Over 500 pages and it went by so fast. I enjoyed every moment of it and I cannot wait for the next book!