Sasha Fountain
Quote I Loved
"Bless the type 4 child, scalp massaged with the milk of cruelty, cranium cursed, crushed between adult knees, drenched in pink lotion."
This poetry collection had me tearing up at times. this collection was a rumination on various lived experiences that, as a Black woman, felt familiar to me. The imagery was so vivid, and I'm definitely reading more of her work.
Since I read this ARC last year, it made it to my top books of 2023. I loved that this book highlighted how Dorian and Milo's relationship has grown since Dorian's decision to embrace a future with MIlo at the end of Three Meant to Be. I liked Dorian's expanding power and how his magic linked to Milo's, and we were able to get more insight into what Milo does as an enchanter. Dorian's homeroom coven brings a bit of comedy into the book, which balances out the darkness of the case that Milo is investigating.
This book directly addresses what happened to Finn and delves into how Dorian and Finn met Milo. This book develops the world more, and we learn more about wisps, fiends, demonic energy, and demons. I also liked the showcase competition for the students because I loved the journey of Dorian's students.
I was happy that Dorian took the step to kiss Milo at a large public event to show Milo that he did not want to hide their relationship.
I'm anxiously waiting for book 3 because of the cliffhanger ending. It's an interesting plot twist is all I can say.
Thank you to MN Bennet for the ARC copy, and this is my honest review.
Meet Stone Dooley, a top-notch doc and a super dad to his twin girls, Megan & Madison. After losing his husband, life has been pretty tough for him. But his daughter thinks it's time for a change and she wants a new man in her dad's life. So, she sneakily signs him up on an online dating site and even sets up a date!
Stone, not too thrilled about this surprise date, decides to meet the guy just to clear things up. What was supposed to be a quick drink turns into dinner but Stone isn't ready for anything more than friendship.
Enter Theo Hill, a freelance writer whose life isn't exactly going as planned. His latest story is stuck in limbo and when Stone makes him an offer he can't refuse - becoming the manny to his girls - he jumps at the chance! Plus, Stone gets to be Theo's grandad's doc! Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Their journey is filled with surprises and secrets waiting to be uncovered. From dealing with loss and homophobia to facing rejection from parents and custody threats - it's all handled beautifully by the author! And let's not forget about the well-drawn secondary characters who add so much depth to the story.
There were certain parts I wish were more fleshed out though, like Theo's first meeting with the twins. Would've loved to read that in detail!
The ending had me scratching my head a bit with all those new names. It wrapped up everyone's story nicely!
Big shoutout to GRR for giving me an early look at this gem! Just thought I'd share my thoughts on it!
It's Christmas and the office party is on! Sounds like a blast, right? Well, not for everyone. Some of us get a bit jittery in social situations. That's where our buddies Zach and Alex step in.
Here's the thing that really got me hooked - the whole Omega and Alpha gene thing is pretty much forgotten. It's like they've vanished off the face of the earth. But then bam! Out of nowhere, someone's gene pops up and everything gets flipped on its head. Zach's an Omega, Alex is an Alpha. They're both just going with it, not quite sure what's happening but keen to see where this spark between them goes. Their connection is fiery yet tender - they find exactly what they need in each other.
Man, I wish this was a full-length novel - I'd love to know what went down when Alex first met Zach's mom.
Big shout-out to GRR for letting me get an early look at this gem! Just thought I'd drop my thoughts here for ya'll!
Just finished reading this book and it totally gave me young-adult vibes! The love story between Zu and Kiitan was just too sweet, almost like a spoonful of sugar. But then there were these spicy scenes that felt a bit out of place. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against a little spice, but it seemed a bit extra in this case.
The setting? Oh, it was as cozy as a warm blanket on a chilly night. This book was all about those snuggle-up-and-read vibes.
Big thanks to GRR for the advance copy. Just sharing my honest thoughts here!
Took me a bit to get the hang of it, but boy, did I end up loving it! It's all about the real deal - love and friendship. Jax and Sawyer are just too cute for words, a perfect match. There's something so endearing about Sawyer, our wounded ex-soldier, always looking out for Jax. And as the tale unravels, they fall deeper in love, growing both individually and together. The writers didn't sugarcoat Saw's struggles; he really had it rough with his injuries. But Jax and their pals were always there for him. It's a heartwarming tale of two guys finding their home in each other.
Props to GRR for letting me have an early peek at this! Just putting my two cents out there!
This tale is a steamy one for sure (and not just in the bedroom), but it also has this lovely, homey vibe that I totally adored.
Meet Jeff, the family court judge, and Iggy, the aspiring law student. They've got a couple of decades between them in age, but there's this cute little fella called Wally - Jeff's charming grandson - who creates perfect moments to bring them together. It all starts when Wally takes a tumble from his not-so-well-assembled new bike. Sure, the age difference is something they have to deal with, especially for Jeff, but their chemistry is on fire and these neighbors simply can't resist each other.
There's this character who stirs up trouble big time. He had a significant effect on Iggy when he was just fifteen and continues to be a hostile presence, even causing tension in his own family. His part in their story adds a real-life touch. He's someone hiding his true self, filled with self-loathing, blaming others and spiraling down a path of self-destruction.
Big thanks to GRR for letting me sneak an early peek at this treasure! Just thought I'd share my two cents about it!
Just finished reading this age gap story by Sam E Kraemer. Yeah, there's a gap, but it only seems to bug Miles, the older fella. Monroe (or Taylor as some call him) doesn't bat an eye. Gotta say, I really liked these two guys. But you know what? A bunch of the side characters caught my attention too - they really added something extra to the tale.
The pace of the book was pretty good, although I must admit it slowed down a bit when it delved into legal and corporate matters. Not gonna lie, I didn't quite get all those technicalities even after reading them. Makes me wonder if there could've been a simpler way to present them without losing any crucial details.
What I absolutely loved was how the family drama was depicted - messy and complicated just like in real life. It's never just one person's fault and even older folks can mess up big time. Despite most of the characters living in a higher tax bracket than most of us, their problems felt relatable.
Now let's talk about the chemistry between Miles and Monroe - boy, was that fun to read! Sparks were flying everywhere and it was hot as a boiling pot! What I found cool was that it wasn't always Miles calling the shots just because he's older.
Anyway, grabbed this book through GRR and thought I'd share my two cents here.
4.5 stars
This was a lengthy story, so finishing with a couple of breaks took me a while. This is a story of a life of hardship and desperation told with some graphic details, but the author brings care and compassion to their writing. It is a historical fiction novel with a small romantic subplot that ties the narrative together.
Rafe and Helen meet relatively young and come from two different classes. Rafe has spent several years living in squalor and is a sought-after prostitute. He encounters Helen, the daughter of a wealthy business owner who has snuck off to Five Points to explore. They build a friendship that develops into more right before Helen is forced to marry another wealthy business owner. Shortly after Helen's wedding, Rafe finds himself unable to continue his work as a prostitute, and he escapes to the local healer's house. He apprentices for her until she encourages him to take a new identity and become a doctor.
Through his practice as a gynecologist, he meets Helen again after about 6-7 years after he is brought in to treat her after the birth of her sixth child. By this time, Helen has developed a deep depression, and she is listless, moving through her life in the gilded cage of being a high-society wife.
Meeting Rafe (aka Victor Clark) again causes her to divorce her husband, strike out independently, and go after her dream of being a journalist. After the divorce, the newspapers gossip about Dr. Clark's role in the divorce, and that causes old demons to arise for Rafe because he is recognized by his old landlady, who has become a power player in Five Points. I'll stop the recap here to avoid spoilers.
I enjoyed the book despite some historical inaccuracies. I liked that it weaved through the challenges that both Rafe and Helen faced before getting their HEA.
Hey folks, just finished reading this gem and boy, was it a ride! I get why some might've expected more “high fantasy” from the title, but honestly? I found it super refreshing to dive into a fantasy world that's not too intense or complex. Plus, I'm a total softie for MM reads - throw in dragons, vampires and basilisks in an uncomplicated setting? Count me in!
Our main characters, Damien and Robby totally stole my heart. The romance between them was well-paced, not rushed at all. Damien is this brooding hot dragon shifter who adores both Robby and his family - what's not to love? And watching Robby grow throughout the story and gain confidence with the help of the Blackthorne family and his training was just amazing.
The world-building was subtle but effective - no headaches trying to make sense of everything! And the setup for book 2 focusing on Maddox at the end got me all excited!
Big shoutout to Max for giving me a chance to read this ARC!
What an incredible journey from beginning to end - I totally loved it!
The characters stole my heart, especially the anxious Walter who over-explains everything, and Bez with his sassy confidence. The chemistry between them was just off the charts! Their playful banter and their transition from enemies to lovers is a trope I'll never get enough of.
And let's talk about the world-building - it was mind-blowing! Sure, there were moments when I lost track because there was so much to take in. But hey, this is just book one in a series, so it's more like an introduction to the mages, Mythics and Diabolicals that populate this universe. Even with all the complexities, I never felt lost thanks to our dear Walter. His detailed explanations made everything clear. His character development was spot-on!
The plot had me on edge throughout! It was packed with suspense, high stakes scenarios and unexpected twists at every turn. What can I say? I loved every bit of it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'm not much of a billionaire romance fan but I love the grumpy/sunshine trope so I was excited to read this book. Once I started I realized that there wasn't much of a grumpy/sunshine trope in the book.
The FMC Olivia is an assistant at an art gallery and she is pretty neurotic. She's 28 and has all but given up on her youthful goal of being a working artist. At 18 she went on a school trip to Florence where she met Gianni the love of her life. They spent a few days together and on her last day in Florence he ghosted her and she was heartbroken. Now she is a shell of herself and has become withdrawn and practical.
Our MMC Gianni is an Italian billionaire who had dreams of becoming a famous footballer and his bright future was cut short by a career ending knee injury. His injury caused him to miss his last meetup with Olivia who he knew as Libby which he has regretted ever since. During his recovery he adopted his daughter who is the light of his life. Looking to expand his family's business he decides to buy an art gallery in NYC to sell Italian art.
Gianni ends up buying the gallery that Olivia works at and she shortly discovers that her new boss is the love of her life. I thought it was funny that Olivia saw Gianni as a grump because he didn't seem that grumpy. He was my favorite character in the book closely followed by his daughter.
Overall I liked this book but Olivia's avoidance of Gianni when she realized he was the love of her life was really childish. I'm glad she came to her senses and they got their HEA.
Trick Shot is a sweet and spicy Christmas novella and I really enjoyed it. I bumped it down a star because the mistaken identity lie went on for too long.
Leo and Riley are stranded at the airport on Christmas Eve, and after a couple of drinks, neither can deny their sizzling chemistry. The biggest issue is that Riley believes Leo is his hockey star brother Lucas. Leo is also in a situationship with his best friend and colleague, Jace, that is more like a serious relationship than he wants to admit. Because of the flight situation, Jace comes to pick up Leo from the airport, and he's slightly upset that Leo has roped him into the identity lie.
Throughout the night, things get spicy, and they have a deeper connection than any of them could have ever expected. On Christmas Day, Riley discovers the lie, and her trust is shattered because she genuinely trusted them. I don't want to spoil the end, so I'll end my recap here.
The spice was kinky and tender, and their intimacy was heartwarming. The biggest thing that bothered me was waiting for the other shoe to drop in regards to the mistaken identity lie.
This was my first read by Kayla Grosse, and it will not be my last. Thank you to Kayla for the ARC and this is my honest review.
This book had me a bit puzzled at times - it's one of those that might sound better spoken than written - but man, I was all in for the monsters, the multiverse, and the group dynamics! Not to mention, it made me think. Maybe I should've read No Gods No Monsters first, but I'll definitely do a back-to-back reread someday. This book is layered like a delicious cake, and it gives off the vibes of a brewing storm. Plus, this book is so Boston! Set in places like Somerville, JP, Medford, Watertown, and downtown - it paints a vivid picture of the city's hidden side.
This was a great conclusion to the Voyagers series. I love a good holiday romance, and this one has the sweetest friends-to-lovers trope.
Now, Voyager has become the love boat throughout the Voyagers series, and we end with Charlie and Kiernan getting their HEA. Charlie and Kiernan became part of the Voyagers series' found family in the last few books. This story has a bi-awakening, which is handled with so much care, and we really get to understand Kiernan's POV and how he struggled with depression due to his past. Charlie has come off as a party boy, and we learn about his unrequited crush on a former roommate, which caused him to swear off love and relationships.
Seeing Kiernan open up to Charlie and his offer of being together for two weeks and letting go after was something I knew that they could not stick to. I loved how they found a way to be together, and Kiernan was able to leave his bodyguard job. Overall, I loved the final book in the Voyagers series, and this is one of my favorite series this year.
Thank you to Ava Olsen for the ARC copy; this is my honest review.
Had a blast with Cecelia Storm's book - it was a roller coaster of laughs, intrigue, romance, heartache, and a dash of spice. Toby's character was more than just your typical himbo - he was endearing in all his imperfect glory. And Owen...seeing him through Toby's perspective was something else.
Owen isn't just a sports nerd. Catching him in his private moments of triumph really tugged at my heartstrings. He wasn't the nicest to Toby on his podcast, but instead of holding a grudge, Toby wanted Owen to like him. This led them on an adventure filled with lists.
The side characters weren't left out either. Toby's coach, although a minor character, had me in stitches! I'm hoping Shep and Maddox get their own tales too. There's this mystery about why Maddox distanced himself from the group that I'm dying to solve!
This book kept me up way past my bedtime but every word was worth the sleepless night! At one point, I had to pause reading because I was so anxious about what would happen next during the debate scene.
Thanks to GRR for the ARC - this is just my two cents!
Hey folks! Just finished reading “Get Frosted” and it's packed with all the cozy small-town holiday vibes.
Meet Mik Gilmore, a retired pro hockey player who's traded the ice for his family bar in his hometown, Christmas Falls. He's a lovable goofball, has a soft spot for Bigfoot, and is head over heels in love with his family and hometown. But he's got a problem - his brother's best friend keeps showing up and ruffling his feathers.
Then there's Rudy Snow, another retired hockey pro and best buddy of Mik's brother Josh. He followed Josh back to Christmas Falls when he hung up his skates but didn't plan on staying. Now, after two years managing another local bar, he's itching for something new. He might come across as grumpy but underneath it all, he's got a heart of gold and has been secretly crushing on Mik for years.
I initially thought this would be your classic rivals-to-lovers story but boy was I wrong - turns out Mik thought they were rivals while Rudy was just pining from afar. With them taking over coaching duties from Josh and planning Mik's grandma's surprise party together, their relationship evolves from playful rivalry into something more genuine and real.
Their love story is super sweet and fun to read - they're great together plus it helps that Josh is all in favor of them being together because they're just so perfect for each other.
Thanks to Gay Book Promotions for the ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Hey folks, brace yourselves for something different! This isn't your usual Omegaverse story with a timid girl and many tough guys. Instead, we're diving deep into the lives of characters dealing with real-life trauma, all while trying to find their way in a world that seems to have it in for them. It's beautifully penned and sure to tug at your heartstrings. So, get ready for one heck of an emotional roller coaster with this impressive debut novel in the genre!
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy; this is my honest review.
Vixen is an excellent addition to the Mated at the North Pole series.
Vixen is a workaholic lead reindeer whom Santa forces to take a vacation. Coco is his new elf assistant, and Vixen convinces him to give him daily updates on the work at the office during his staycation. Vixen and Coco's bond develops during his daily update visits to Vixen. There was a bit of instant attraction going on, but their relationship took some time to develop. Santa 25's meddling in Vixen and Coco's relationship was hilarious.
Each book in this series takes similar elements and puts its own twist which makes them highly entertaining. This was a great holiday read.
Thank you to GRR for the ARC copy and this is my honest review.
After reading book 1 of the Sweet Nothings series, The Cupcake Standard, I was excited to dive into book 2. Rhonda and Greg's connection was teased slightly in the first book, and Avery's curiosity about how Rhonda and Greg were awkward around each other piqued my interest.
In Book 1, we see Rhonda as a superficial socialite who constantly overshadows her twin brother, Derek. At the beginning of Book 2, we see that Rhonda has grown and shed the trappings of her shallow life, and she's been in a rut and very reserved. She doesn't wish to return to how things were with her ex-fiancé and former friends, but she's unsure what her next steps should be. She has pined after him for years since he was her chauffeur when she was younger. We learn that she made a play for him a few years ago, and he rebuffed her, and after that, he went to work for her brother.
Greg has been pretty reserved about his life, so they do not know much about him despite being in Rhonda and Derek's life since their teenage years. At the end of Book 1, Greg returns to being Rhonda's driver, and after he drives her home from an event, she asks him about his holiday plans. He mentions his younger sister's New Year's Eve wedding and how he had yet to decide whether he was attending. Rhonda volunteers to be his plus one, secretly hoping to reconnect with him.
Throughout the novel, there are several incidents of Rhonda and Greg judging and misunderstanding each other, which kinda made me want to smack them lol. The romantic tension between them is evident from the beginning of the book. We slowly learn about Greg's insecurities and boundaries that caused him to rebuff Rhonda all those years ago.
Rhonda has kept many parts of herself secret from her friends and family, especially her claustrophobia and the harassment by her ex-fiancé. She did not want to show her weaknesses to the world, so she avoided revealing those things. Greg takes care of her after several of her panic attacks, and he encourages her to get help. Rhonda slowly learns that she has to share her burdens, and with Greg's support, she tells her friends and her brother about what's been going on with her.
We also learn that her parents are incredibly elitist because they refuse to accept that Rhonda is in a relationship with Greg. I don't want to spoil the plot, so I'll stop my recap.
I liked The Jellybean Dilemma better than The Cupcake Standard. Rhonda and Greg's connection is heartwarming. Seeing Rhonda open up about her trauma and learn why she had difficulty relating to her brother and friends helped endear her character.
Thank you to Maren Jenner for the ARC copy; this is my honest review.
Stumbled upon an absolute gem of a story! It's got that irresistible he falls first vibe, with the guy falling head over heels first - always a win! Mix in some forced closeness and pretend dating, and you've got yourself an epic love cocktail. This tale has all the ingredients for a perfect romantic read.
The playful banter between the two main characters is my absolute favorite - it's sweet, sassy and flirty. As for those sizzling moments, they're few but oh-so-hot. More of stolen kisses and flirtatious exchanges than anything else - just the right amount to keep things interesting.
All in all, this one gets a solid 4-star rating from me and a spicy 2.75 pepper rating for those hot moments!
This beautiful collection is steeped in history, tradition, and the heartfelt emotions of generations of Black women. Jasmine Mans has woven together a tapestry of memories, regrets, joy, hopes, and prayers that is nothing short of phenomenal.
In her work, she bravely tackles challenging topics such as homophobia experienced both personally and from strangers. She delves into the harsh reality of rape culture and shares her journey as a survivor with grace and resilience. Her words are beautifully crafted; they lure you in with their lyrical flow while discussing serious issues in a manner that is both jarring yet soothing.
Despite the title's focus on black girls, Mans also thoughtfully examines issues related to being a black boy and being trans. She doesn't shy away from exploring police brutality either.
I had the pleasure of experiencing this collection through an audiobook narrated by the author herself. The emotion she poured into her performance was palpable and deeply moving. This is a collection that truly tugs at your heartstrings.
Just finished reading ‘Not Her Villain', a spicy romance novel that had me hooked! It's the second book in Bahrd's Love At All Cost series, and boy, am I kicking myself for not reading the first one, ‘A Voice Without Reason', sooner.
The story revolves around Layla Thorne, a best-selling author, and Benedict Turner, a big-shot publisher. The twist? He just bought the publishing house that Layla is contracted under. And they don't even know it when they first connect!
Layla is researching for her upcoming billionaire romance novel and reaches out to Ben on a dating app (under pseudonyms of course!). There's something about her that Ben finds intriguing and he agrees to help with her research. They start messaging often and eventually agree to meet face-to-face. But surprise! They meet through mutual friends before their planned rendezvous and discover each other's real identities.
The chemistry between Layla and Ben is off the charts! Their witty banter had me laughing out loud. Ben falls head over heels quickly (not his usual style), while Layla tries to keep him at bay but in the end, she can't resist him.
What I loved about this book was not just the spice (which was definitely fun!), but also how relatable the characters were. It was refreshing to see how they struggled with seeing themselves through each other's eyes. Ben is an alpha male who always gets what he wants. And Layla? She's a strong woman who knows how to hold her own.
Another thing worth mentioning - this book has disability representation which I really appreciate. Love truly is for everyone!
Big thanks to Irene Bahrd for sharing an ARC with me - these thoughts are my own honest opinion!
I'm not much of a horror girlie, so when I got an ALC of this book, I wasn't sure if I would like it. I decided to read it for the fall in the lead-up to Halloween. It's a mix of Lovecraftian-style horror, film, and Mexican history, which is a great starter horror for people who are scaredy cats lol. Moreno-Garcia touches on a magic system that touches on Nazism, racism, and classism and proves that magic is not just for white elites. The concept that Ewers, the main villain, was a thief who stole magic practices from other practitioners is similar to the way that colonizers have appropriated facets of indigenous cultures and twisted them for their own purposes. Montserrat and Tristán's battle against the forces they awaken with Abel is intriguing and kept my attention. I am a horrible audiobook reader, so it took me over a month to finish, but that's because I get distracted easily, so I listened in small chunks until I finished.
The book is slow to start, and the first 25% is very character-driven and focused on Montserrat and Tristán, which is why it took some time to slog through that portion of the book. Once they meet Abel Urueta, the action really picks up. The complexity of the characters got me hooked, and throughout the book, they work together seamlessly. It was refreshing to have Montserrat as a heroine who knew her shit and didn't take shit from anyone. The dynamic between her and Tristán was intriguing and a little codependent on Tristán's side.
If you are looking for a refreshing horror novel that is easy for beginning horror readers, check this out. This isn't a fast, breezy, and gory read, which I appreciated, but if that's your jam, this book is not for you. I have physical copies of Mexican Gothic and Certain Dark Things, and this is leading me to push them up my TBR.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC, and this is my honest review.