Defy the Nigh Book 3: Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Defy the Night Book 3

Left for dead, but desperate to survive . . . they have one last chance to save their kingdom.

Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An unlikely but deadly pair, Corrick and Lochlan must plot their next moves carefully.

An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken and angry. Grieving Corrick, and unsure how to find a way back to Kandala, she doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian—the man she trusts least—makes an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane and see what the future holds . . .

Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support—and maybe more—in unexpected places.

Can Harristan be the king his people need? Can Corrick and Tessa find their way back to each other? As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Defy the Night series, Brigid Kemmerer crafts heartrending twists and devastating turns that will keep readers breathless to the very end.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/133939087-destroy-the-day

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A satisfying end to this series! After the cliffhanger of the last book, I could not wait to get my hands on this one. And it did not disappoint. Definitely takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster. And the end almost had me for a second before giving the reader exactly what we wanted. I have adored this series and the last book was probably my favorite. Slight spoilers ahead if you haven’t read the previous two books. So as of last book, Tessa, Corrick, and Harristan are split up. Tessa and Rocco are with Rian, someone they don’t trust. And Tessa believes Corrick is dead. Her only plan now is to try and pull herself together and come up with a plan to get back to Kandala and tell Harristan everything they have learned on this trip. She’ll meet some unlikely allies along the way and it won’t be easy, but Tessa is stronger than she knows. Corrick and Lochlan are in the hands of Oren Crane and they will have to be very smart and strategic to survive. But once Corrick, thanks to Lochlan, is reminded that he still has a lot to live for, Corrick will do whatever he can to make it back to Tessa. Harristan is on the run with Quint and two of his trusted guards. He will have to win over the people of the Wilds as well as the rest of his people in order to get back the crown. But he learns the consuls are spreading lies to turn everyone against Harristan. It will test him in new ways and he’ll have to show his people what kind of King he truly is. Good thing, Quint is by his side. First off, finally something happens with Harristan and Quint. Been dying for those two to get together since day one. I also loved getting to know some of the trusted guards that had big roles in this story. They were awesome. As for our main points of views, I have to say it is hard to say who was my favorite this time around. It might actually have been Harristan which is a surprise to me but I loved what was going on for him this time. I always adored Corrick and Tessa and we finally have them in a good place with one another, at least when Tessa learns he isn’t dead and they are reunited. We get a very satisfying end to the conflicts in this story. The twists and turns in this book were pretty wild too. The end especially. I was really glad how it all worked out by the last chapter though or else this could have been a different review LOL. Loved this series and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

 

A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181350812-bride

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Ali Hazelwood has become a favorite of mine. I’ve loved all her contemporary romance books where our main female characters were women of science. But she tried something new here. A paranormal romance. Vampires and Werewolves and sign me up! She did not disappoint with this new world she created. The story follows vampire, Misery Lark. And she is a hoot. Her personality was just so entertaining to read. So Misery finds herself being married to werewolf Alpha, Lowe. This world of humans, vampires, and werewolves is a constant struggle to keep peace. They have exchanges of each kind stay at another’s territory. Something Misery is familiar with since when she was a child she was sent to live with humans until she reached a certain age. But this time she is being asked to marry. At first, she super against it. Until she learns the name of the alpha werewolf. A name that she finds among the belongings of her missing best friend. So she’ll marry the alpha and then figure out what the wolves know and find her best friend. But things take an interesting turn. The more she stays with Lowe and the werewolves, the more she gets to know them and finds herself actually liking their company. And her feelings for Lowe? Growing more and more complicated every day. And then they find themselves working together when it comes to finding her missing friend and the discord going on with the wolves. Perhaps these things are even connected? This was just a such a fun story and a very different world filled with vampires and werewolves. Really refreshing to find such classic supernaturals and watch as they are given different traits. Also that ending! Uhm, definitely want to see another book in this world. So it’s official. Ali Hazelwood can do paranormal romance too! And I’m definitely looking forward to more!

Blood and Ash Book 5.5: Visions of Flesh and Blood: A Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium By Jennifer L. Armentrout & Ravyn Salvador

 

Blood and Ash Book 5.5

VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD: a Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium is a comprehensive companion guide for background, history, reader-favorite information, art, and reference materials. Combined with original short stories and scenes from some of the world’s most beloved characters, as well as never-before-seen visual enticements, it’s a treat for the senses.

Told from the point of view of Miss Willa herself, the compendium acts like research material but reads like a journal and cache of personal notes, allowing the reader to revisit the characters and history they so love yet view things in a different way.

VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout with Rayvn Salvador is a must-add addition to the series that any Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire fan will enjoy.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63844859-visions-of-flesh-and-blood

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

The ultimate guide! This seriously has everything you need to know about this world and what has been published so far in this series. It covers it all! So if you haven’t read any of the Blood and Ash and the Flesh and Fire series, don’t pick this up! Major spoilers! And for those who have read and need a refresh on this series, this is the perfect book for you. Anything that has been published already, is in here. If you don’t want to reread then this has everything you need. (Not that we don’t love a good reread of this series!) From character bios, to definitions, to new excerpts from Poppy, Cas, Sera, and Ash, and just so much more. Miss Willa tells us everything we need to know. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Miss Willa book without some journal entries from her. Some that definitely took me by surprise on who she has crossed paths with! I loved having what is basically a series bible, told in the voice of Miss Willa. Her opinions are fantastic and she brings new perspective to many things. I also love getting confirmation on a few things I’ve wondered about in the series. But of course, there are still things unknown and Miss Willa is right there with us when it comes to not knowing those specific answers just yet. The book is also filled with fan art of beloved characters and maps. It’s also great to see series we love brought to life in art. I definitely foresee needing this book when more books from this world comes out. You definitely want to get your hands on a copy.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Forgotten Kingdoms Book 5: Of Elves & Embers by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle

 

Forgotten Kingdoms Book 5

A princess bound in flames.

A king living in shadows.

A forgotten vow written in the stars.

When I jetted off to Vegas for a reluctant girls’ weekend, the last thing I expected was to tumble through a portal into an alternate reality.

Now, I'm stuck in a world straight out of a fantasy, collared by a king who can't stand the sight of me, and roped into a deal he insists I struck in a previous life - a life where I was an Elven princess, arch-rival to his court.

I keep telling myself it's all a crazy dream, but the memories that barrage me every night are too real to ignore. And, as much as I hate to admit it, there's this inexplicable pull towards this mysterious elf - my captor, my adversary, and, bizarrely, my protector.

King Hadeon is hiding things about our shared history, and I'm not sure I'm ready to dig into that mystery. Even if I dared, the revelations might be more than I can handle.

With the Moon Court Elves gunning for me and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, I'm racing against time and fate. I need to piece together my past life before it's too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.

*Author Note: This is a standalone fantasy romance that contains a dark romance with slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, forced proximity, and medium spice.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199822194-of-elves-embers

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Another favorite of mine from this series so far! Ember is dragged away from her friends and Vegas and learns she is the Elven princess from the Sun Court who gave her life fifty years ago along with seven other girls to save their world. Like the other girls, Ember’s memories of her past life aren’t back and will slowly come back as time goes on or when she is simply ready. In the meantime, she finds that she is brought to the Moon Court by those who may consider her the enemy. While the Moon and Sun Courts don’t get along, they have one common enemy. The wraiths that threaten to hurt both their people. And who are still doing damage many years after Ember’s sacrifice. She’ll have to work alongside King Hadeon to regain her powers and stop the wraiths once and for all. But things are complicated. Especially when Ember senses her past life caused a lot of damage between her and Hadeon. Something it seems he is not willing to forgive any time soon. Ember feels her pull to him, knows there is more to their story, but will she only find pain? I loved this one for many reasons. We get a whole Hades/Persephone vibe between Hadeon and Ember who in her past life was Phaedra. Lots of action, romance, and magic. This just had so many great elements i love in a romance fantasy book. I’m also very excited for the next book after getting a cameo from the heroes of our next book. This series has been a lot of fun so far, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Shifters Unbound Book 15: Bear Facts by Jennifer Ashley

 

Shifters Unbound Book 15

Shane’s bad day gets worse when his sanctuary on the mountains is invaded by an un-Collared wolf, who thinks attacking him is a great idea. Shane has no intention of getting involved in this lady Lupine’s complicated life, but there’s something about her that raises his protective instincts to the highest they’ve ever been.Freya McHugh is in search of her brother, who disappeared from the city where the two of them had been living as human. The trail leads to a mercenary organization, with whom Freya has managed to land a meeting. That is, until a grizzly bear Shifter derails her plans.Shane not only screws up Freya’s meeting with the woman mercenary leader but he spirits her to Shiftertown and a house full of bears. To make matters worse, he’s stirring Freya’s long-dormant mating frenzy. She has things to do and a brother to find, but now Shane is filling the gaping hole in her life she hadn’t realized was there.The hunt for Freya’s brother takes a sinister turn, which poses grave danger to all Shifters. Shane and Freya must decide where their loyalties lie and face a peril that might destroy them.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202333746-bear-facts

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It is always so much fun diving back into this world. It always takes me a minute to remember certain characters but once it clicks, it’s like I never left this series. So this story follows Shane and Freya. Shane is having a pretty bad start to his morning. Trying to keep the peace when all his bear wants to do is eat some breakfast and go for a run. When he finally makes it for a run, he is attached by a wolf shifter. It takes Freya a hot second to realize that the bear she just attacked isn’t the cause of the feral scent she picked up. And once they both realize the other means no harm, all is almost well. Well except for the fact that this bear just keeps helping her out when all she wants to do is slip away and attend the meeting with this mystery woman who may have key information on her missing brother. And of course, Freya’s plans are further derailed when Shane follows her to the meeting and realizes something bad is going down. He whisks her away to Shiftertown with the promise to protect her and help her find her brother. Little does he know that there are some people in his town she ran away from in the first place. A whole new set of problems and plenty of familiar faces in this story! Somewhere out there are people turning shifters feral in order to create an army and it’s up to these guys to figure out who and stop them. Meanwhile, if that wasn’t enough, Freya and Shane find themselves drawn together and slowly realize they are mates. Great story! Great new characters and plenty of old ones I love getting cameos from. And as usual I can’t wait for the next book!

The Forbidden Mate Trilogy Book 1: Wolf Mate by Jen L. Grey

 

Forbidden Mate Book 1

In the shadows, I found a destiny that was never meant to be mine.My life has always been marked by the unexplainable, making me an outcast and the target of cruel jokes. But fate flings me into a world a world I never dreamed of when I receive a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious university--a place I never applied to.

As the new girl at Evergreen Elite University, I’m lost in a world where secrets are whispered and danger howls in every corner.

Then I meet Raffe Wright, the university's sexy, mysterious quarterback, whose presence stirs something deep within me.

Every instinct warns me away from him, yet I’m helplessly drawn into his world—a world of ancient magic and hidden dangers.

As I unravel the mysteries of the university, I uncover truths about my own past, secrets that could change everything.

But Raffe holds the key to my heart, a bond as perilous as it is profound. In his eyes, there are promises of a love that defies the rules, a love that was never meant to be.

The lines between forbidden and destined blur, and I stand at the crossroads. Each step closer to Raffe, I risk not just my heart, but the very fate that brought me here.

The deeper I delve, the more I realize that Raffe might be both my sanctuary and the greatest danger of all.

Get this steamy and suspenseful touch her and unalive, broody male, forbidden love, fated mates, royal wolf shifter romance today!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202465681-wolf-mate

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A new world of paranormals from Jen L. Grey, and we have a very unique heroine leading us. Skylar has always felt different. She has never fit in no matter where she goes and has never been able to make friends. But she is finally getting a fresh start when she receives a scholarship to a prestigious university. Surely, things can change right? Little does she know, she’s stumbled upon a world of paranormals hiding in plain sight at this university. And while she may not be the only human around, she is the only human who has magic humming in her blood. She was never able to explain the freaky things happening around her until now and she is determined to get her answers. While she tries to figure what she is and who is friend or foe, she can’t help but feeling this pull toward Raffe. The star football player and what she learns later to be the prince of the wolves. And though she feels this tug toward Raffe, being together is anything but simple. Or even possible. But it’s only a matter of time until the need to follow their hearts is stronger than what the world expects of them. This is the start of a fun new world! Sky is something we haven’t seen before and I’m looking forward to learning a lot more about her and her magic. We have some new interesting characters and of course are left with a cliffhanger that has been demanding to have book 2 in my hands now! Definitely looking forward to seeing where this series takes us.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rom-Com Reboot Book 1: Sexless in Seattle by DJ Jamison

 

Rom-Com Reboot Book 1

My life is no rom-com movie...

Ever since my parents died, I've had one priority, and it isn't romance. Raising my younger brother is a full-time job.I don't have time for a personal life, and I've accepted that I'll be the world's oldest virgin by the time Eric no longer needs me. But when my younger brother decides to post on a Seattle social media site and play matchmaker with one of the responders, everything changes. Suddenly, my life is full of sweet text messages, scary choices, and romantic rendezvous--all courtesy of one stubborn little brother determined to see me find love. I don't know whether to hug him or ground him. Maybe I'll do both. Right after I watch Sleepless in Seattle again, and wonder if maybe there could be a leading man for me after all. 

Sexless in Seattle is a Rom-Com Reboot with a few new twists and a LOT more M/M romance!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204179515-sexless-in-seattle

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

This is gonna be such a fun series! Classic rom-coms retold and this one was definitely a fun one! Based on the title, you can probably guess this one is based off of Sleepless in Seattle. We have Zach who has given up any form of social life to care for his brother, Eric, after losing their parents a few years ago. His priority is and will always be Eric. He can’t find it in himself to try and get out there to date. Lucky for him, his brother has other plans. Tristan can’t seem to find the right guy. Everyone he tries to date isn’t looking for a serious relationship. He wants to fall in love. And when he stumbles across Eric’s post about his big brother who deserves love, well that tugs at his heartstrings. He can feel that Zach is probably a good guy and with a bit of courage he reaches out. And thanks to some more meddling for a little brother, Zach and Tristan find themselves getting to meet and get to know one another and slowly fall in love. Such a fun, sweet story! You can’t help but love Tristan and Zach as you cheer for them to get together and find some well deserved happiness. Definitely for fans of all the classic rom-com movies. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.