Kate
I genuinely loved this story and see so much promise in it!!!! The beginning was strong and the ending was wild! My only hesitation is that, at times, the narrative felt like it paused the magic to deliver a lesson. While I deeply believe in and respect the themes of gender equality, the lengthy explanations of a character's views sometimes pulled me out of the immersive world I was trying to get lost in. I found myself wanting to understand the magic system, but instead, I was given a detailed monologue. With a little refinement to weave those themes more naturally into the fabric of the world, I think this story could be absolutely perfect.
Thank you, Kate Dylan, the Publisher, and NetGalley for the early read!
RATING: 4.75⭐️, SPICE: 2🌶, TROPES: Slow Burn, enemies-ish to lovers, Hidden Identity, Magical Bond, Prophecy
ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY!!!
From the very first page, I knew this book was something special. We’ve got witches, dragons, wyverns, kingdoms in chaos, secrets for days, and a romance that simmers like a cauldron on a full moon!
Mal? Certified badass. She's snarky, smart, feminist, and not afraid to set things on fire!
Ash? Broody cinnamon roll wrapped in armour with secret vulnerabilities.
The world-building? CHEF’S. KISS. Rich, vivid level of immersion.
I’m begging you—read it, scream about it, then message me so we can obsess together.
⚔️❤️🔥
J.F. Johns keeps proving she’s a wizard of world‑building, and Mal Blackburn? She’s the kind of FMC who delivers confidence, strength, and brilliance in a single glance—talk about a triple‑threat hero! I’m already counting down the days until the sequel, especially after that gut‑twisting cliffhanger (seriously, who needs coffee when you’ve got this kind of suspense?). I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
It’s crazy how little buzz it gets right now, because it totally deserves the hype. I’ve already added it to my all‑time faves, and I can’t wait for the next book!!
This series should be getting way more buzz!!! It twists, it turns, it delivers!!!
It’s like stumbling onto a secret treasure chest of world‑building magic and raw, relatable feelings that the author nails every. single. time!! I've been binge‑reading it and can’t believe how quickly it’s become one of my all‑time faves.
I just know when she wrote the final chapter...she was laughing maniacally!!!
The final chapter delivers a massive cliffhanger!!! I flipped pages in my e-reader like I missed the ending.
Bash and Violet's evolving love and added tension in their dynamic. Plus Adair's volatile mix of maybe love and maybe loathing toward Violet. Bronwen’s revelations and deep devotion. I couldn't put it down!!
l am desperate for the next book!!!
From discovering the author on TikTok with her debut print copy to receiving an ARC, watching her growth has been thrilling.
I'm in absolute awe of this author's storytelling from the very first page!!! I was hooked immediately and simply could not put it down.
Filled with secrets, grief, steamy moments, and everything in between, this book is a must-read!
My sincere thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the early copy so I could share how wonderful this story is—and urge you to read it before diving into the next installment.
My only critique? The new cover. While I understand it's for the deluxe edition, the original character artwork was simply too gorgeous to minimize.
This book delivers a wholesome, low-spice romance anchored by one surprisingly scorching kiss scene.
While the sweetness is undeniable, the lightning-fast pacing makes it difficult to fully invest in the couple; the male lead could have used more yearning, and the relationship deserved more room to breathe.
On the audio front, the narration is solid, though the female voice initially triggered an "AI TikTok" alarm before a quick search confirmed she's delightfully human.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape, and the author for the early listen!
As someone from a generational family of Cardinals fans, I had to read this! Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the early access opportunity.
To be completely honest, I struggled to connect with this book. While it's based on a true love story, I felt it couldn't quite decide on its direction. It seems caught between two paths:
- Lean harder into fiction romance with more tension and yearning
- Or commit fully to nonfiction and simply tell the true love story of these two individuals
As it stands, the book hovers between both worlds without fully embracing either.
I was one of the lucky few who stumbled onto this book through early TikTok posts—and honestly, I don't understand why it took me so long to finally read it. The hype? Completely deserved.
From page one, I was locked in. The tension is palpable, the found family dynamics hit all the right notes, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. Did I mention the tension?!?!
One thing is certain: I need Book 2. Now!!!
I'll admit, this almost became a DNF—the heavy Southern drawl from both characters nearly lost me. But by chapter 5, I was fully invested in the story and characters, and I couldn't put it down. The ending sets up the next book perfectly, and I'll definitely be continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and J.L. Beck for the early listen!
"Lights Out" remains my favorite in this trilogy, and this sequel ranks a close second.
The author clearly poured care into the story while infusing it with the same personality that made the first book so enjoyable.
A romantic suspense packed with humor, it had me laughing out loud more than once. The surprises kept me guessing, and honestly, the unexpected twists made the story even better.
💙❤️💚
“Maybe I haven’t made it clear, love. You are a risk I’m willing to take.”
This was so enjoyable! At times, it leaned too much on its "Gothikana meets Dexter" theme, but overall it developed into a steamy, nail biting, addictive read.
Thank you, Avina St Graces and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!!