Berry
Thank you to Maggie North, Dell, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
5 / 5 ⭐️
2 / 5 🌶️
I looooved this book. It was such a refreshing take on a STEMinist type of romance! If you enjoy Ali Hazelwood's work, fossils, and/or academic rivals to lovers romance, then I highly recommend this one!
Ripley Adams is our FMC, who is just trying to make a name for herself in the paleontology world! I felt that she was such an intelligent, strong-hearted FMC. She was wronged by another paleontologist (who happens to also be her ex!), and she is very determined to make everything right. I loved her character so much!
And don't even get me started on the MMC.... Holy.
James. Smithson.
World renowned paleontologist. Just comes waltzing up to her dig site. On a horse.
What an entry!
I LOVED James. He was witty, charismatic, and so very swoon-worthy. Dear God. That man was one of the highlights of this book for me!
I also loved the side characters! Cara is a sweetheart and must be protected at all costs.
The tension between them was impeccable. I ate it all up. Left no crumbs.
In all, this book felt like such a breath of fresh air. Highly recommend!
♡ pre-read ♡
y'all. i wanted to be a paleontologist when i was a kid. this book called to me. SOOOO excited to start this one!
Thank you to Maggie North, Dell, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.75 / 5 ⭐️
This book took me for an ABSOLUTELY WILD RIDE.
At first, I was confused. Then, I was mildly intrigued. Then, I was fully immersed. Suddenly, all my thoughts are about Orlaith and Rhordyn.
I honestly had no idea what was going on for the first 40% of the book, but once everything started to go down, I was hooked. Since this is just book one of a series, I gave it some patience.. And boy, am I glad I did.
Orlaith, our FMC, is our Rapunzel , if you will. I do think this is a very LOOSE Rapunzel retelling. I really feel for her. She suffers from intense PTSD and trauma, and our girl just goes through it over and over again with Rhordyn
Thank you to Stephanie Hope, Harlequin, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4 / 5 ⭐
This was SO cute! Such a cozy, comforting, lighthearted read.
Isabella was such a relatable character. Girl is just trying to get by, trying to fit in.. And ever since losing her dad, things have been tough. I really felt for her.
She was truly willing to do anything to keep her dad's restaurant, his legacy, afloat. So, naturally, she goes against her mom's orders, attends a wedding and sees family she hasn't seen in years.. and ends up uncovering a huge family secret along the way. (AND BOY THAT SECRET WAS A BIG ONE OMG.)
The rom-com / telenovela aspect was addictive. I was so excited to see Valentina and Isabella progress from dislike to like to lovers. I do feel that their relationship progression was a bit rushed especially towards the very end? But aside from that, I loved them so much!
If you like sweet, lighthearted sapphic reads, More Like Enemigas is definitely one you should check out!
♡ pre-read ♡
I'm literally drowning in ARCs rn, but I am SO excited to start this one! A sapphic, telenovela-esque romcom? Yes pleaseeee!!
“Cats don't drink cocktails,” I said. “Cats don't shoot lasers from their eyes, either, but here we are, Carl. Mama needs a night off.”
5 / 5 ⭐️ Yet again. This series has brought me so much joy and laughter.
Somehow, Carl's Doomsday Scenario was even wilder than the first book. I didn't think that would be possible, now I'm beyond excited for the rest of this series.
I am amazed by Matt Dinniman's description of each floor. The world is so vivid, so complex, yet easy to picture.
We got much more insight into how these games work, NPCs, and the overall universe-wide governing body in charge of everyone and everything.
Carl and Donut feel exactly the same, yet so much more mature than in the first book already. I love how despite everything, they both stay true to themselves, and to eachother! Carl really starts to develop such a strong sense of self, as well as a more established moral compass compared to the first book. Also, I feel that this is the beginning of Donut's character growth ARC? Yesssss!
This book also touched on some very deep, applicable to the real world topics that are written into the story very well, albeit a bit distasteful at times. But the message was loud and clear. Props to Matt Dinniman for writing about these conflicts in such a way that all of us readers can understand. Because yes, reading IS political.
Also, I'd die for Donut.
♡ pre-read ♡
FLOOR THREE LETS GOOOO BAYBEEEE
Thank you to Kristy Boyce, Random House Children's Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Rolls and Rivalry releases on May 5th!
Overall Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 0 / 5 (It's YA!)
Did I stay up until 3am to finish reading this? Yes. Yes I did.
Rolls and Rivalry was suuuuuch a heartwarming, nerdy, fun read that transported me back to high school.
As a former marching band kid, and a lover of Dungeons and Dragons, I knew this book would be right up my alley! Kristy Boyce truly showcased her knowledge of both worlds in this one!
Hazel, our FMC, is sooo resonant of people pleasing eldest daughters who just want to make their parents proud. I felt like I could relate to her so easily.
And Max, our MMC, starts off acting like... well, a jerk, due to his own issues. But he quickly becomes such a sweetheart once things finally kicked off.
Reading about these two butting heads, competing against eachother, wanting eachother to lose... Then slowly rekindling their friendship, falling in love, and rooting for eachother to win and do their best? That was such amazing progression. It all felt so organic and so heartfelt.
I cannot forget about the friendship and relationships made between the side characters! Hazel's friends and the rest of the colorguard were so sweet. It lowkey made me miss my old section back when I was in marching band too.
Also, the cameos from the other books in this series? I was so happy to see past characters returning.
Overall.. Such a good book. I can't wait to see what else Kristy Boyce has in store for us readers!
♡ pre-read ♡
I was OVERJOYED when I received this ARC. This series is the cutest. Can't wait to dig in!
4.25 / 5 ⭐️
Believe me when I say this woman gave me butterflies in my stomach. Though that might just be internal bleeding. Either way, she had charmed me.
Silas, the man that you are.
The marketing for this book made me curious, and I am so happy I decided to let curiosity take over! The Poisoner was giving The Apothecary Diaries x Victorian Vampires x Dark Romance and I was LIVING for it. I loved the cat and mouse dynamic between Alina and Silas so much! This book did explore a lot of morally questionable, dark themes, so please read the content warnings before reading!!
I was immediately drawn in from the first few chapters. The gothic setting, the minor themes of horror, our badass FMC's fascination with poisons and oddities, and the banter?? I was sold. Didn't stand a chance.
Alina is such a unique, strong willed FMC who creates poisons and uses them on abusive men. I LOVED every aspect of her character, and I felt that I could relate to her quite a bit!
And Silas! Initially I thought he would just be another typical vampire-esque MMC, but there are so many layers! I am beyond intrigued about the Vipera, and the lore behind his species!! I love how quickly he became interested, then fell for Alina. Unhinged only for her.
Interestingly enough, 4.5 / 5 ⭐️ !
where do I even begin? wow.
this was definitely a wild ride. it was fun, raunchy, dirty, smutty, with a relatively intriguing plotline!!
for the entire first 60% of the book, I was DYING to know why the boys were so drawn to Ophelia, and what sort of powers she possessed. once I finally found out, I did think it was a bit predictable, but it was still a fun reveal nonetheless!
and the smut???
4 / 5 ⭐️
Wowie wow wow wow!! First things first, I LOOOOOOOVE me a pirate romantasy hehe. Esmyra and Draven were so addictive, and suuuuch a slow burn couple! The moment they finally kissed I screamed.
Esmyra was such a badass, powerful, strong willed, stubborn, and morally gray FMC. And Draevyn was sooo golden retriever fire wielding daddy coded. He was so easy to fall in love with. I just felt soo connected to these two.
I will say, the POV changes from Draevyn and Esmyra to Jak and Atlas were a bit of a drag, but they were short and sweet so I didn't mind all too much.
ALSO THE ENDING WAS EVIL AND I NEED THE NEXT BOOK ASAP (please) >:(
4.5 / 5 ⭐️
Obsessed. I LOVED Cameron and Emery's story so much.
After reading Your Knife, My Heart.. I was absolutely hooked and captivated by these two! The previous cliffhanger made me so anxious to read this one.
When I tell you I was clutching my pearls, on the edge of my seat, kicking my legs for mister Cameron Mortem, you best believe it! He felt much more loving, much more tender than in the first book, and I ate that upppp.
The pacing was a bit slow during the first half, but once the second half hit I just couldnt stop reading! It felt soooo high stakes. The action, the rifts that build within the group, the yearning between Cam and Em.. I felt it was all so well executed!
In all, I loved this duet so much <3
pre-read
FINALLY hehehe
I NEED to know how things go with Cameron and Emery after that cliffhanger sob
3.5 / 5 ⭐️
Okay, I liked this book much more than Stalked by Seduction and Shadows!
Taken by Touch and Torment was brutal. And beautiful.
The first half of this book is quite dark with themes of SA, trauma, and torture, so please please PLEASE check TWs before reading!!
Poor Scarlett has been through so much. The overall villain of this duet, Durian, is DIABOLICAL and I honestly could not hate a man more.
Once Scarlett found her way back to Rune, her road to recovery and healing is quite cathartic. I loved how she was able to take her power back. Their relationship was so sweet, and the way they both learned to trust in each other again was the most heartwarming part of it all.
Overall, I enjoyed the Eternal Obsession duet, though I definitely think I preferred Everlasting Possession more :D
pre-read
I'm definitely in my vampire era
I really loved this duet!!
4.25 / 5⭐️
Starting off from the diabolical cliffhanger of the previous book, Evie and Kylo slowly become such a strong power couple! Evie really leaned into her growth journey, healing her past trauma and facing it head on. And I love how Kylo supported her all throughout the book despite how much their relationship was tested.
I did really love how this one was more political, almost mimicking things that were happening in real life as well! Reading is definitely political, in my opinion, and I loved how Maggie Sunseri tied it all together.
I also loved how much more witchy this book was compared to the first! And the spice??? The SPICCCEEEE in this duet was definitely right up my alley. Idk what that says about me as an individual, but I own it lol.
Also that Rune cameo at the end? Hilarious!
Overall I loved this series so much! I might just need to revisit the previous duology to reevaluate my thoughts, because I loved Evie and Kylo so much.
4.75 / 5 ⭐️
Ohhhh boy that was SPICY. And that cliffhanger!? Diabolical.
After reading Stalked by Seduction and Shadows, I was very hesitant to read this one bc I thought it'd be the same... but I liked this quite a lot more!
It is still pretty similar, but there's just something about Kylo and Evie that just do it for me.
Evie is such a baby. She's so sweet. Poor thing has been abused and traumatized way too much for her own good.. And Kylo knows exactly how to build her back up again! Their relationship, though not conventional by any standards whatsoever, really works! You can feel the chemistry grow between them with each interaction.
That cliffhanger made me sooo mad HAHAHAHA! I can't wait to start the second part of this duet!
4.5/5 ⭐️
This was such a good book! I loved Sage and Elias so much as individuals, and even more together.
Although the fake dating plot/tropes weren't new to me, this book was so refreshing. I related to Sage SO MUCH. Eldest daughter, people pleaser, determined to prove others wrong??? She was so easy to understand, and so easy to feel for.
AND ELIAS WESTBROOK??? Oh my god. He's such husband material! Protective, understanding, patient, consent king, and a HUGE softie. I'm obsessed. (He reminds me of my fiance HAHAHAHA)
Their chemistry, dialogue, and interactions felt so genuine!
My only qualm with this book? Their “fake dating.”
They were blurring the lines verrrrrry early on in their fake dating arrangement, and acting like a real couple in private on multiple occasions... but it didnt bother me too much!
Overall sooo good. I need to read the other books in this series!
2.5/5 ⭐️
this was such a cozy, endearing read! however, i did feel that it dragged a LOT.
not a bad read by any means, buuuut.. i just wasnt hooked. i felt that both Collins and Brady, as characters, fell flat and were lacking quite a lot of depth. i wasnt really connected to them at all. they were very cute together though!
i wished the paranormal aspect of this book shined a bit brighter on the overall plot. maybe just a bit more involved?
overall, it was a cute small-town-esque romance, but i wish it gave me more ><
5 / 5 ⭐️
I absolutely ate this book up!
I dont typically read military-esque/war college romances, but this one was just the right amount of dark, deadly, heart wrenching, and unhinged.
The tension between Cameron and Emery was soooo good. Their tiptoeing around each other, their banter, their spice was just overall so well done!
I was absolutely hooked and captivated by Cameron within the first few chapters, wanting to learn why he operates the way he does. It all slowly began to make sense the more I read, and I LIVED for it!
AND THAT ENDING? I need the second book right now. Please.
Please check content warnings before reading <3