Brandi

This was a first from this author. The story started a bit slow, but picked up at a satisfying pace. Pacing was consistent and then got better as the book went along. The author’s writing is really on point and it keeps you engaged and informed the whole time. Story is told in dual POV in a past and present format. It can be confusing at first, but you quickly get the hang of it.

The storyline was interesting and engaging. I found the world building unique. It centers around a political war between the magistrates in the city. This book is Romantasy, but I’d say it’s centered around Gods/goddesses, politics, and power. Tensions are high and the characters are fighting for power and their lives. I haven’t read anything like this so it was very refreshing to see something different. The characters were interesting and I loved the main characters dynamic. I was rooting for them the whole time.

This story is a clean YA/NA romance so there are no in-depth spicy scenes or foul language. (What is in there is very toned down.) There is a lovely forbidden romance trope that I absolutely loved.

I am really intrigued and hoping there’s more to this story (book 2). I want to see what the future holds for our main characters. It’s almost like you get to know them and the book ends. With the way it ended, it did lead me to believe there is more to the story. I honestly can’t wait for more! I will be ready when the author puts it out.

I listened to the audiobook and narration was good. Narrators were perfect. This is a dual narration audiobook. Roughly 11 hrs listening time.

This was my first from this author and won’t be the last.

Our main character arrives home for her grandmother’s funeral to find that her body is missing….she then reconnects with a past love.

This story is a gothic enemies to lovers romance. It hails lots of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and secrets.

The two families (Blackthorns and Crofts) have family feud in what almost feels like a slight Romeo and Juliet reference, but not in a huge way. This adds to the storyline in a satisfying way. You have the romance side and then the family secrets and feud.

I love the gothic feel and the forbidden enemies to lovers romance. The book started really strong and then toward the end it almost shifted from gothic to paranormal. It was a bit jarring, but I went with it and it worked. The book is really well written and the story flows well. It is fast paced and keeps the pacing throughout the book.

This book is dual narration although there is a full cast of characters which I loved. Our main characters voice narrators were perfect. Connor Crais is one of my favorite narrators so I was happy to see him in the lineup. Sound quality was good. My only critique is that the speed the narrators talked was just a bit dated than normal. I had to slow down the speed lower than I normally listen at. It’s not a huge deal and didn’t take away from the storyline.

Tropes: betrayal, family secrets, enemies to lovers, magic, forbidden love, mystery

I will definitely be looking into this author’s next books for sure!

A college student finds himself suddenly in a vampiric way and is thrust upon vampire society. He must navigate his new immortal life and his old one, concealing his secret and only coming out of the coffin, so to speak, to those humans he trusts the most. In the midst of his new life, Brennan must also navigate a budding relationship with book enthusiast, Cole. What ensues is a cute queer romcom.

This is a clean romance. Brennan and Cole have some cute flirty moments. I love how they stick up for each other.

The story was slow to start and didn’t really pick up until 55% into the audiobook. At that point it gets better and then it ends. I did wish this book had some faster pacing. Overall, the pacing is slow.

It did have some funny moments especially when one vampire was trying to figure out how to use a phone and text.

This book mentions Twilight saga a lot. Also mentions Vampire Diaries and Vampire Academy. If you are a fan of any of those, this book might be up your alley

(3.5 rounded up)

I love cowboys and Christmas so I was intrigued and excited to read this one. It started okay, but then it began to fall flat and failed to keep my interest. This was my first book by this author and her writing ability is good. The story does flow in a clear and concise manner and it’s easy to follow. I did find some points a bit repetitive though.

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike the book. I did listen to 100% of the audiobook. This book had a redemption theme and second chances trope that I actually like. The characters had to discover themselves first before finding love. It’s very realistic, but was frustrating at times and appreciated at others. However, for whatever reason, I failed to connect to the story or characters the way I wanted… which is a disappointment to me because again…I love cowboys.

I did find that this is a series and maybe I will give the others a try because I want to give the author the chance they deserve. I do commend the author on a long and thought out series of books.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I didn’t dislike it, but didn’t love it either. I did give the author the attention they deserve and listened to 100%. The writing was good. The scenes were descriptive and the story did flow well. Third person POV is not my fave, but this author makes it work. The story did fall flat in a few places, but was cute and interesting in others. I do like how the characters fought to be seen and heard and their relationship was very cute and progressed at a natural and realistic pace. Narrator was good, I had no issues with the audio.

Tropes: Christmas, high school crush, second chance romance, queer romance, sports (hockey) romance, romcom, acceptance

Overall not a bad listen if you like sports romance.

This book is a cute and funny second chance romance told through a past and present format. Paige is a waitress that writes songs on the side. Liam is an ex baseball player who now has a gig as a tour manager. Paige and Liam dated in the past and broke up after Paige thought he had betrayed her. Fate intervenes and they meet again only to rehash the past.

For starters I love that this book had so many places mentioned that I love: Tennessee: Bristol, Nashville, Knoxville, and Gatlinburg. It even mentions Gulf Shores in Alabama and a brief mention of Talledega. I love when books mention places I know and love because it feels like ‘home.’ I love the southern charm because again as a Southerner, it feels right and feels like something I know. It feels “homey”. The book was was authentic and genuine in its representation.

This book is insanely funny. I was laughing out loud so many times. I loved the banter between the main characters and the funny quips which gave it more depth. Seriously, the humor was on par.

The story was well written and flowed well. I don’t think I ever encountered a ‘lull’ in the story or it falling flat. I felt like it had consistent pacing.

The story had real depth in that the issues and anxieties in the main characters were real and handled with care. These were real life things that can happen in families and real insecurities and issues. It was treated delicately and in a way that was realistic and not ‘flowery’. There were times that it was frustrating for the characters to fight about the same things. Ultimately, they get that second chance and they talk about it maturely like adults. Which again is realistic and appreciated. I do like how the characters change and grow. They learn what they want in life, they learn what they don’t want. Ultimately they learn to let go of the past and that that past doesn’t define them. They learn that they aren’t responsible for everyone’s happiness…only their own and they have to make decisions that only further their future.

Personally; I think this book is good for anyone that has had anxieties, losses, or family issues growing up or if they ever had anxiety about taking those next steps in life. Sometimes to get what you want, you have to put yourself out there. There is a great life lesson to be found in this book.

My only critique was that the story started strong and about 80% in, the story started to lack a bit of the luster it had in the beginning. It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t have the same pizazz if that makes sense. Narration was wonderful! I loved the southern accent of the narrator.

Overall, a cute read if you like romcoms with a life lesson.

Tropes: family dynamics, second chances, anxiety, social anxiety, social exposure/celeb status, (possibly imposter syndrome), trust, acceptance, friendship

(4..25)

First, as. southerner myself, I loved that this book was set in the South. I loved that her mom went on.a trip to Orange Beach, which is where we vacation. I really love seeing Southern representation in books.

Secondly, this book was extremely cute and wholesome. Yes, there is some spicy scenes, but the rest of the story is so sweet I got a tooth ache! Like a magical farm filled with pug-like piggies with unicorn horns? CUTE!

From Payne to Rowe, and the multitude of other characters, each and every one was well thought out and well written. The story flowed well and was easy to listen to as an audiobook. Narrators were great. The author’s descriptions and writings was spot-on. I found myself immersed in this magical world and I didn’t want to leave.

This book had some seriously funny moments and I found myself laughing out loud several times. I enjoyed the humor and Payne and Rowe’s banter.

Now, thirdly, where can I get a piggycorn for myself? They sound absolutely adorable!

ONE OF THE TOP THIS YEAR!

This book BLEW ME AWAY! Woman moves to supernatural town with her teen niece. There she meets a group of supernatural beings and has to make choices that will affect her life forever.

This was my first book by this author and it was so well written and plotted that I was hooked by chapter 3 and couldn’t put it down. By chapter 8, I was fully invested and had collected a new book boyfriend (oh Fenris! Swoon!)

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet and squealing! It had me anxious for more and wanting to know what happened next. I didn’t want it to end! I prolonged it out bc I in fact didn’t want this book to end because I knew that was it.

This story was utterly fulfilling in all the best ways. Love, family, found family, friendship, belonging. It was heartbreaking and heart warming all at the same time. I loved the cozy vibes mixed with the supernatural.

The writing was top tier. The story flowed well and was easy to follow. I never found a lull in the story where it was fell flat. Pacing was consistent and only got better. The characters were well written and developed and I found them all interesting. (Especially Fen…did I mention I have a crush? Ha!) I love this mixed heart warning moments with serious and then funny. I loved our main characters and their banter.

I really hope with how this book ended that we will get a book 2! This can’t be it. I need more of those wonderful characters!

Audiobook was amazing! I have nothing but praises for the production and narration.

This book is a great choice if you love supernatural, cozy vibes, small towns and true Blood, Twilight, and vampire Diaries.

Did I mention I love Fenris? Ha! I know, I know! I might have mentioned it a couple times!

GRIPPING STORYLINE!

This book had me invested from the very beginning. I don’t think there was ever a lull in the story. I kept wanting to know more and didn’t want to stop listening. The main character was well developed and had depth and emotion. The story flowed well and was written well. I usually don’t prefer third person POV, but this one worked. Julia was well rounded as well as the side characters.

Audio production was good. I loved the narrator for this story.

Julia inherits a house in Tuscany from an unknown benefactor. While there, she’s researching if this person could be her lost lost family, as she was adopted. But also, strange occurrences are happening and she feels as if she’s in danger. What starts as a possible haunting, turns into a full fledged investigation. I was totally here for it!

Honestly, I am going to look up this author now to see what else she has published. I really did enjoy this book a lot, so I want to see what else she has done.

This is a tribute to reader- especially romance and romantasy readers who books are their life and have cultivated an online community around fictional worlds.

This book is a book within a book. You get Joonie, our heroine, who’s fave novel is A Tale of Saltwater and Secrets. She’s sworn off men in search of one that’s exactly like her fave fictional boyfriend, Ryke. She won’t accept anything less. Then the author of the book announces that Ryke is based on a real person. Joonie, vows to meet the man in person, so she sets out on an adventure with her brother’s best friend. There lots of romance book worthy things happen. It’s honestly so ‘trope laden’ that this is why this is an homage to romance readers.

In between the real life happenings we get excerpts from the book Joonie loves and get to witness what that book entails.

In the end, Joonie has to determine if fiction is better than real life.

The book was well written and interesting. I stayed invested the whole time. Pacing was consistent throughout the book. I absolutely love Samantha Brentmoor as a narrator so as always she was a perfect choice.