A Fire in the Sky Book 2: A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan

Fire in the Sky Book 2

 MAGIC AWAKENS.

DARKNESS SWELLS.

AND A HERO RISES.

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed from the enemy in Fell’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl to Penterra’s best hope to keep magic from disappearing forever.

With Fell torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is alone among the dragon pride. An outsider learning to survive in her new home, she trains until her muscles burn and her blood spills. And slowly, a warrior emerges.

But is Fell truly beyond Tamsyn’s reach? Their bond pulls at her, as does the fierce drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from a relentless enemy determined to destroy her – and all magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save the pride, the kingdom, and a love fated to endure for centuries?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223614679-a-scar-in-the-bone

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My Review: 3.5/5 Stars

I had high hopes for this book after the previous one. We were left off with a pretty interesting cliffhanger and I was excited to see what came next. But I was a little disappointed when I opened the book and to see that a year had passed since the last book. Currently, Tamsyn has been with this dragon pride for a year and in that team Fell apparently is “dead”. However, the bond she feels with him is still there and those around her are telling her it’s an echo and that it will go away. So she has trained and tried to fit in but never feeling quite right about it all. She has an opportunity to see how outside the pride and realizes how much has changed for the worse since she and Fell had left. And eventually, Tamsyn finally listens to her instincts and decides to do what she wants. I started getting more into the story not until the very end where Tamsyn finally heads out to search for Fell. Before that, it just felt like we missed so much and I wanted us to go back. Tamsyn it took a while for her to really start standing up for herself and say what she wanted. I was happy when she finally did. She became a much stronger character because of that. Not sure if this series is quite done yet. That epilogue feels like we have some open-ness to it. So it will be interesting to see if it continues. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy Book 1: Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King by Jen L. Grey

Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy Book 1

Stolen from Earth, Fated to be His Ruin.

Taken from Earth and thrust into a ruthless bridal competition in a fae realm, I’m forced to fight for a crown I don’t want in order to survive.

Vad, the dark, sexy, powerful heir of the Shadow Fae Kingdom, is doing the one thing he never wanted—searching for a bride.

But I don't fit in here, and the top contestants want me dead as soon as I arrive.

Bound by Fated magic and trapped in a deadly game, Vad’s every cold glance and harsh words remind me that he doesn’t want me, and I sure as hell don’t want him.

Yet there’s no denying the sparks between us, and the way his touch ignites something in me I can’t control.

As the contest grows more dangerous, all I can focus on is survival which becomes harder and seems to be slipping through my grasp.

But I won't go out without a fight... even if it kills me sooner.

Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King is a royal fae romantasy that includes betrayal, morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers, villain gets the girl, a bridal competition, political intrigue, who did this to you, and touch her and unalive. One-click this story today.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220314703-bonded-to-the-fallen-shadow-king

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Briar has only recently learned the Fae exists but she never would have imagined a Fae mark appearing on her hand then her being kidnapped in the middle of the night to compete for the prince’s hand. She is just about ready to wake up from this nightmare! The women in this competition vary from ruthless who are determined to win the title as queen to those who never wanted to be there in the first place. It’s clear Briar is the only one from Earth and very much not fully fae. And though she is determined to survive and make it back home to her sister, she can’t also help but be drawn to the Fae prince, Vad. Vad never wanted this competition. He is against having a bride for many reasons, but Fate has given them no choice. The magic connected to this is one that can’t be stopped or undone. Then he sees Briar and this tug to her is undeniable. But he can’t react, he can’t fall for her. But every trial she faces, she surprises everyone around her. Maybe Fate knows what she is doing after all… I really loved this story! Briar is fierce and protective and though she is in a foreign land, she won’t sit back and let those weaker get hurt. The trials we see are deadly and action packed. And then beginning attraction between Briar and Vad have me wanting more! And that cliffhanger of an end! Looks like something more than the competition is going on. And I can’t wait to find out!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seasons of Shadowhunters Book 3: Careful of Books by Cassandra Clare

Seasons of Shadowhunters Book 3

 A novella collection.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231679860-careful-of-books

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A Sea Change

5/5 Stars

I adored this novella that followed Matthew Fairchild! It takes place after the final book in the Last Hours trilogy and we get to see what Matthew has been up to. While on a ship to Constantinople, Matthew comes across vampires, a murder, and an unexpected new friend. I adored meeting Sylvain and the connection he has with Matthew. Matthew has been through a lot and he has been working on finding peace. This adventure with Sylvain makes Matthew realize a few things. And it becomes the beginning of something new. I hope to see more of Matthew and Sylvain in future stories short stories. I know we are passed the point of seeing more of that generation’s future, but I can imagine the adventures these two find as they explore this new relationship between them. 

We Shall Rise: LGBTQIA2+ Rights Anthology

Volume 2

 The ability to overcome adversity is called resilience, which is the capacity to adapt to and recover from challenging life experiences. Each character in these pro-reproductive and LGBTQIA2S+ rights charity volumes will face such a decision and ultimately RISE.

More than 100 authors and book service providers have gathered together to bring you a spicy romance anthology with purpose. ALL proceeds will be split between reproductive and LGTBQIA2S+ charities. No one involved with the project is being compensated.

1. We Shall Rise, Reproductive Rights Anthology

2. We Shall Rise, LGBTQIAS+ Rights Anthology

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221582907-we-shall-rise?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=9p6jtB0CR4&rank=4

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Statement Made by Bree Wiley

4/5 Stars

Following the world of State of Us, this story follows Dev and Christian and Arya. Though in terms of point of view the book really follows Dev and Christian as they navigate this thing building between them and also Arya since she is in a relationship with Christian. These three have been known to hook up a bit together. But there is something changing a bit. Christian is struggling with the fact that he may actually be attracted to Dev. He isn’t against the idea per se, but it really becomes more of a first for him. Dev is bisexual, out and proud, and has no problem whatsoever with saying so. He likes to hook up with Arya and Christian, but the truth of the matter is he is so tired of being used and thrown aside. He wouldn’t mind someone sticking around and wanting him for him. He hopes that Christian would be different, but he isn’t sure that is true. This short story is clearly the beginning of a book for them. There is a lot to unpack with the both of them and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unravels.

Hands Like Ours by River Hale

4/5 Stars

Coming out as bisexual has certainly caused some problems for Jackson. His girlfriend immediately assumed that meant he would cheat on her right away so she dumped him and he had to move back in with his dad. And his college classmates start bullying him to the point where Jackson is the one that gets in trouble with the school rather than them. And what may be the worst part is that his favorite professor has certainly been treating him less than kind as well. Couldn’t get much worse. Until he realizes that maybe his professor, Isaac, was only acting that way because he was hiding some other feelings. A forbidden student/teacher relationship with some unexpected twists! I was surprised by some of the surprises this short story had. It made the story that much more interesting to read!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

Totally Pucked Book 2: The Legend Next Door by Jesse H. Reign

Totally Pucked Book 2

 I didn’t think hockey was the game for me…now I’m obsessed. 

My new neighbor, Ben Stirling, is a beautiful, famous ex-player. A living NHL legend. A single dad with sad eyes and a smile I feel in my knees.

I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s what would you’d get if you squeezed masculinity through a sieve. He’s the grit. The pulp. The hard stuff that leaves a sweet taste in your mouth. On top of that, he’s kind and funny, and did I mention he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on?

Obviously, he’s straight.

And obviously, that’s fine.

It’s not like I’m going to flirt with him. Or fall for him.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230740571-the-legend-next-door

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Ben has been in this state of grief for a while now. He lost his wife and then ended his hockey career because how could he possibly continue with this grief inside him and take care of his six-year-old son? It’s been hard on both of them until the day he meets Jeremiah. In his state of grief, Ben visited his wife’s family and passed a house for sale. Next thing he knew, he bought it and moved him and Luca across the country. Being near his wife’s family would be helpful and a clean slate should be good for him and Luca right? He just never expects the feelings that stir when he meets his new neighbor Jeremiah. The neighbor that Luca adores more and more every day and Ben does as well. He is still grieving but being around Jeremiah allows him to slowly heal. Jeremiah knows that falling for his handsome and straight neighbor is a terrible idea. But how can he not when gets to know Ben and his adorable son? Ben is an all around nice guy who clearly loves his son. And the more they spend time together, the harder he falls. This won’t end well, right? I adored Ben and Jeremiah’s story! I loved that we got to see Ben really start to heal bit by bit. He realized he was holding a lot in when it came to his emotions and just couldn’t seem to find the place and time that was safe for him to feel. And Jeremiah became that safe space for him. He was able to talk and cry and just feel everything and know that Jeremiah was there to hold him through it. Even before he truly realized what these new feelings he was having toward Jeremiah really was. It was just a really beautiful love story with these two. Being exactly what the other needed and were searching for all along. Great story and looking forward to the next one!

Van Doren Book 3.1: Avory & Ellory by Crea Reitan

Van Doren Book 3.1

If you think loving him is wrong—f*ck off!

What’s between us is more than just unconventional. It’s wrong. Taboo. Dirty and bad in every conversation. Quite frankly, the world can burn. I’m going to love him until the end of time. 

Giving Ellory his every whim has been my sole guiding light for as long as I can remember. He’s my world. My absolute life. We’re happy and content in the life we’ve built.

Now he’s talking about marriage and babies and while i want all that too, there are concerns that I simply can’t shake. How do I give the man I love more than the air I breathe these things when it’s a mountain at every turn?

Then again, maybe it won’t come to the point where we need solutions since we’ve just plunged ourselves into the midst of a megachurch cult unarmed and on a remote island with no escape.

Everything will be fine…

This is a LGBTQIA+ TABOO story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223715131-avory-ellory

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

First off, be sure to read the trigger warnings and know that this is a taboo book! Taboo is definitely not something I’ve read or drifted towards before. However, I love this world by Crea Reitan and have come to love all these characters, so there was no way I was going to skip out on this book. Taking place alongside Imry’s story, this book explores Avory and Ellory has they are hitting a point in their relationship where they want to start talking about taking the next step in creating the future they want for themselves. I loved getting to know their relationship outside of what we have seen through the eyes of others. The connection these two have is just one so unique to them and so different than what you may expect. I also loved how hilarious these two were and that we got an equal amount of sweet moments to crazy moments. Then throw in the fact that these two accept a mission that is probably on a whole other scale of insane and crazy. I will say this, any story with a Van Doren is going to be an interesting one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Van Doren Book 3: Imry by Crea Reitan

 

Van Doren Book 3

I’ll paint this moment immortal.

Months of texting silly innuendos leads to the hottest moment of my young life. Instead of dealing with the moment like an adult, I ghost him for nine days. Just when I think I’m ready to face him, he’s on his way out to hook up.

I lose my shit.

Coming clean about past heartbreak isn’t easy. Navigating what I promise is a ‘no expectations’ relationship proves impossible - not just because falling for Haze Prosser is far too easy, but because I’m internally freaking out as two thirds of my brothers are off fighting brutal criminals, leaving me home to take care of my unhinged brother’s perfectly safe husband.

It’s all fine until Voss calls in a panic and needs immediate back up. I don’t have a choice but to drag Oakley and Haze straight into the heart of NYC’s mafia families.

Everything will be fine…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223659209-imry

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

For months, Imry and Haze have been sending flirty texts to one another. Teasing one another in so many ways until Haze finally snaps and is ready to see if Imry is serious. This leads to a very hot hook up between them…followed by Imry slightly freaking out and ghosting Haze for over a week. Not his finest moment, he’ll admit. But he is still scarred from a past relationship. Trusting others? Trusting himself? Not so easy. He hates the awkward tension between them and the loss of what was becoming an easy friendship. Haze meanwhile is missing Imry but he knows it’s not on him to make amends. He tried to reach out but it comes down to Imry. Besides, he doesn’t want a serious relationship or maybe any relationship at this moment. He spent his life unable to be himself and caged in a way that might not have been as bad as his brother’s but still not great. Now he has freedom. And he wants to know who he is now. And you can’t do that while in a relationship. Right? It takes the two of them a hot minute to make things not awkward between them and once they do they fall into an exclusive but no expectations relationship. Emotionally, these two are in a bit of a slow burn as they figure out what they both want but bit by bit you can see how great these two can be together. If they just let themselves. Really loved their story! It’s worth the long wait of them finding their footing to realize the feelings that are building between them. I loved catching up with familiar characters and meeting some new ones! I’m pumped to see who gets a book in the future. And of course, with any Van Doren story there is some crazy side things going on which means a little danger! Overall, really enjoyed yet another book in this series! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.