Brooke

4 ✨
2.25 🌶️

❄️ British Hero
🎄 Close Proximity 
⛄ Enemies To Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
❄️ One Bed
🎄 One Night Stand
⛄ Holiday 

Brynn and Pierce were an adorable couple who were given a second chance at love. I enjoyed seeing how their love unfolded the first time with the flash backs as their current story was progressing. Their story was definitely a slow burn that took a little longer than I was expecting, but I still enjoyed seeing them come together. 

Brynn had such a big heart but unfortunately felt as if it had been crushed by Pierce 6 years ago. She hadn't been able to get over him because he was the on that she couldn't resolve why things when awry. Brynn wasn't going to let Pierce get through her armor back to her heart just because of how he made her feel previously. Even if he made her feel AMAZING. 

Pierce is our English MMC who is the one that jilted Brynn those 6 years ago without any explanation. Unfortunately he want able to give that explanation due to his job at the time. He was too afraid of losing his job and didn't want to compromise Brynn's grade as well while she was in the class he was the teacher's assistant. But that doesn't mean he ever stopped thinking of her in the last 6 years. He hasn't been able to stop thinking of the woman that stole his heart and made him think of her every day since then. Pierce is a emotionally complex man who has dealt with strife in his life but doesn't speak about it much because he doesn't want anyone to think of his as weak. But I think that with his honesty he brought Brynn much closer! 

I truly enjoyed this story and loved how much Brynn's family was involved throughout the story. I loved her parents , brother's and their significant other's involvement throughout the story. I feel like we got through all of the countdown to Christmas but we didn't get Christmas Day with the family. Which was a huge letdown for me! I wanted to read about the chaos and the involvement that Pierce was able to feel throughout the day. 

Thank you to Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion. 

♾️🎄
3 🌶️/5

❄️ Age Gap 
🎄 Best Friend's Uncle
⛄ Small Town
❄️ “Just For The Holidays”
🎄 Santa Kink
⛄ No Third Act Break Up

Let me just start by saying this book gave me everything I never knew that I needed from this book. I have swooned 😍, laughed 😂, cried 😭, and panted 🥵 at the scenes between Rora and Henry. 

These two characters have me more than I ever bargained for when I started reading. 

Rora is a certified 🎄 Christmas 🎄 hating woman. She comes by it honestly, because her parents hate it as well. Christmas hating aside, she is an amazing photographer who can't help but have a think for Santa when it comes to her best friends uncle. Who could say no to a hot older man in a Santa suit? Not I! 

Rora had some reservations about her being with Henry so she asked her best friend for permission. Yes you read that right PERMISSION YALL. She got the green 🎄 and she slipped him a little note. I loved the note slipping. It reminded me of when we were kids slipping notes to our crushes of checking yes or no if they liked us or not! 

There were so many things to love about Rora that I honestly lost count. She had all the thoughts every woman has when she is going through the motions of a relationship. Is this going to work? How is this going to work? But she was willing to make it work and I think that is what matters the most! 

Henry, Henry, Henry. Henry is a scientist 🥼 that travels around the globe 🌎 to lecture and teach among various other things. He came home to help his brother for the holidays in his toy store and to play Santa. He just wasn't expecting to be attracted to his nieces best friend who is his junior. He second guessed himself the second he saw his niece and she gave him the go ahead and said she approved just don't talk about 😂. He just didn't have a clue what he was truly getting himself into when he walked into the house where Rora was “sleeping.” 

I truly loved Henry and his whole demeanor throughout this book. He was such a southern gentleman about everything. Everything was done with her permission/consent. Nothing was done without consulting her first. He has been hurt previously in relationships because of the other party involved. So he was apprehensive about anything long distance. He knew that anything past the holidays was a no. What he wasn't expecting was falling head over heels for Rora. 

These two shared so many beautiful moments. Not just beautiful, but they also shared many spicy 🥵 moments! Let's talk about that spice!! Because that spice was spicing y'all 🔥🔥🔥.  I would definitely give them 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5. Because let's be honest we have a Santa Kink in the building. How often do you see that?? Hardly ever!! Add that to our Age Gap 🥵🥵🥵. Baby it just keeps getting hotter. If there was any snow left on poor frosty ⛄ he just left a whole puddle on the floor 💦💧.  These two had the chemistry that your looking for! Age Gap who?? We don't see that anywhere. He performs like he's a young stud! 

Thank you so much to Sophie and Love Notes PR for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion! 

5 ⭐

🔥Spice Level: 2.75 🌶️

🌲 Vacation Romance Set In Aspen 
⛄ British Royalty- 4 Hot Aristocratic Brothers
❄️ Grinch X Christmas Lover
🌲 Spicier Than A PSL
⛄ Runaway Groom
❄️ Stockings Full Of Banter

I was so excited when I started this book because there is nothing I love more than a Christmas themed romance. Especially when it involves some of the biggest Christmas themed activities. It's even better when it is located in a place where snow is everywhere to give it that extra pizazz of Christmas. 

This was the perfect prequel to the Lulu's newest series and had the perfect amount of spice 🔥!

Alex & Haven are the definition of an opposites attract couple! Alex is an Aristocratic Grinch and Haven is a Christmas Tree Farm 🌲 Owner who loves Christmas.  

I loved how these two met over a meet cute look that went from a look to a full stop I can't stop thinking about you vacation Romance. They both not only learned so much about each other in a short amount of time but learned about themselves. 

This book also gave us Alex's twin brothers Hendrix and Miles, and their oldest brother Landon who was jilted at the alter. 

I loved the holiday vibes this book gave me a long with the spice that was sprinkled in towards the latter part of the book.  

🔥Spice Level: 2.75 🌶️

The spicy scenes were spicing just right! They were the perfect amount of spice for the book and didn't disappoint in details! 

Thank you to Lulu Moore and Valentine PR for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest, and voluntary review! 

Immediately after finishing River Of Shadows I ran to Libby to see when I could start this audiobook because nothing else would do. It said 18 WEEKS. WHAT?? THAT WILL NOT DO SIR/MAAM. So I scoured the internet to find a way to listen to it without having to pay $35. Luckily I found it, happy dance commenced. 

Immediately, I was back in the Underworld where I left off but with one more voice to guide me along the way. I couldn't have imagined Deaths voice sounding quite like that, but I'll take what I can get. Because it's not my vision. I'm just here to be in the world that I have come to love as the Underworld! 

Hanna was such a warrior and I couldn't imagine being on the journey that she was on. Going from one place to another, back and forth, back and forth. Like it's not confusing enough. And on top of everything she is being dealt a huge blow of some crazy information!! Like what in the world is going on?? Daddy-O was BUSY!! Hanna learned a lot on her journey but also saw where she knew she belonged. It definitely wasn't where she thought it was. It was where her heart had grown to love someone so quickly. 

I couldn't believe my ears when everything quickly escalated and progressed the way that they did. I can't say anything because it will spill the beans. Literally give EVERYTHING away. 

I love this series with my whole heart and chest. This series has been a favorite front he beginning and it has wrecked me towards the ending of this book. Be prepared to shed some tears 😭. I cried for a good few minutes. I was in shock, awe, and couldn't get out of that headspace. 

The end redeemed itself but still left us on a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to dig into the next book but it will have to be sans audiobook because at this time there isn't one! 

♾️⭐
🔥 🌶️🌶️.5/5

❄️ Fake Dating
🌲Witty Banter 
❄️ Slow Burn ❤️‍🔥 
🌲 Golden Retriever 🐶/ Black Cat 🐈‍⬛ 
❄️ He Falls First
🌲Christmas Romance


Candace and Chase are two of my absolute favorite characters that I have read this year! Besides Miles and Elvis, who I absolutely adore, I could have asked for two better people to be written into this story. 

Candace is definitely a character that I loved from the very beginning. She was witty, pragmatic, and loved Christmas 🌲❄️, even though she lived in Florida. I love that she had a pragmatic side that made sure that she didn't overindulge in the what could be's of dating. Candace being a seasoned dater knew from the beginning not to expect too much when she made the deal with Chace. She has seen the worst of dating but also seen what could be in dating. Candace not only knew her worth but also had boundaries that proved to be solid. She heard from her parents that they wanted her to find happiness, but she wasn't going to be the one to rush into anything. 

What Candace wasn't expecting was Chace to walk into the coffee shop and be the hottie to she couldn't help but want to gaze at him. Then he spoke to her and she was all but a puddle on the floor. Their interactions only grew from their first text. Even though there was a disastrous meet-cute for Candace and Chace, I can't say that I didn't hang on the edge of every text to see what would happen next. 

Chase gave off total golden retriever vibes from the beginning and I couldn't help but love him for him charming self. He had a way about himself that was not only charming but he was persistent in a way that wasn't pushy. He was respectful of Candace's boundaries that she placed from the beginning. Even if he knew how he felt about her, he wasn't going to push her further than she was comfortable. 

I loved for the witty banter throughout this book! I couldn't help but giggle throughout their convos, and swoon in their intimate moments. Not only did I fall for these two but I absolutely loved the 🌲 Christmas ⛄ all throughout the book. I am a huge Christmas lover and this book really just hit all the right Christmas spots for me! 

I absolutely love that Miles is Candace's gay BFF/ partner in crime. He is the sassy best friend who will tell you how it is when you need to hear it but also make you food to eat when you want it. I loved his character so much throughout this whole book and I was so beyond thrilled when Elvis was finally debuted. I loved seeing Elvis and how much fun I think he was, especially paired up with Miles. 

🔥 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

This is a tried and true slow burn ❤️‍🔥! Don't expect to have any kind of hanky panky happen in the first 78% of the book. The build up is totally worth it!! The tension between them is so worth what the scenes bring!! 

I will say that this is a quality not a quantity situation. So don't go into it thinking it's going to be scene after scene. That's not the case here. But it is well worth the read!! 

Thank you to Heather Garvin for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinions. 

5 ✨ 

🎄 Dislike To Lovers
❄️ Fake Dating
🎄 Mental Health Rep
❄️ Meddling Grandma
🎄 Neighbors
❄️ Dual POV

This is the first I have read from Jen and I am disappointed in myself for not reading from her before now 😭! With that said I have to say how much I loved this book! Once I started it I couldn't stop reading and I had to finish it! 

I fell in love with Bonnie and Noel from the very beginning. I mean who couldnt love the four legged fluffy sweet baby who was the best baby girl that ever was? Okay I and to get that out, it was fighting to get out 😜! Bonnie was such a sweet character and I loved her from the very first scene. She had the perfect humor and I couldn't help but laugh along with her when she would have those moments. I also felt for her when she would have those vulnerable moments and shrink into herself. I couldn't help but feel for her and want to help. I was so glad that there was representation for anxiety. So many people don't understand, but with this I hope more people are able to get an insight as to what it's like. 

I was especially glad to see that Jen included a service animal (Noel) in this storyline. So many people don't understand how hard it is to obtain or pay for a service animal but this sheds more light on the process. 

Elliot, Elliot, Elliot. Boy did he have a way of getting under someone's skin before he even met them. All done with some notes left on Bonnie's door. Luckily with the help of his Gran he was able to undo some of his trouble. Elliot really was such a great guy he was just going about it the wrong way. He was just lucky to have a Gran who helped him find the right way to right his wrongs with the 12 Days of Mistletoe. Who knew 12 kisses over 12 Days were going to bring him someone who could possibly be the love of his life? 

I truly loved this book so much. I was so sad at the end because I didn't want it to end. I couldn't let the book ending go. I had to just let it all simmer in my heart for a little bit before I could actually move on. 

Thank you so much to Jen Atkinson for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion.

4.5⭐ 
2.75 🌶️/5

Tropes:
Small Town 
Best Friends Brother
Age Gap
Cowboy 🤠 
Grumpy X Sunshine 🌞
One Bed 🛏️ 
Surprise Pregnancy (Not His) 🤰🏻
Found Family
Taboo Surprise 😉 

Kelsey and Andrew couldn't have been more perfect for each other! They both had a past that came with some heavy baggage that wasn't easy to carry. They both had no clue how to go about being together with Rory being in their lives. They knew that they didn't want to lose each other much less Rory or family in the process. 

Kelsey had no clue what she was going to gain when she lost everything. She thought her life was down in the dumps and she thought that she was really going to have to fight for a place to start over. But what she didn't anticipate is Andrew galloping into her life in such a fantastic grumpy way. She knew Andrew because of Rory but had no clue how it was going to work. 

Kelsey had so much to gain when she moved in with Andrew, she automatically gained a grumpy Cowboy 🤠. Who was one of the most handsome men even if he was older than her. She was also able to find who she really was once she was away from her toxic ex and her toxic mother. I felt for Kelsey in a way that unfortunately so many other daughters can these days. Having a narcissistic mother is tough, and until you able to come to terms with it and find a balance or let them go it will stay hard. Unfortunately for Kelsey she had a much more disturbed mother. 

Even though Kelsey had that unhealthy mother figure she had an amazing mother figure in Marisol! I absolutely loved how Marisol took Kelsey under her wing and loved her in only the way a mother truly can. 

Andrew galloped into Kelsey's heart in such a way that she never expected. He came on grumpy because he was a man who had once been hurt but never truly solved the issue of why. Kelsey was able to help him see that his pain was okay to be felt and to be let go. Once he was able to let it go he was able to see that he truly loved Kelsey in all the ways love can truly matter. 

I think Andrew like to rodeo under his alias Wyatt because he was able to do something he loved without breaking his family's hearts. He knew it would hurt them in a way unlike anything else. When he got hurt he knew that once they knew they were going to fuss over him and at him. What he didn't see truly was that it was because they loved him and he was such an integral part of the family. 

Andrew also hasn't truly accepted Nash as his father even though Nash had long accepted him as his son. I think Andrew always felt as if his dad held that spot in his life and no one could even take it. Until Nash was able to truly speak to Andrews heart, he wasn't able to see the love that Nash held for him all those years. Once he was able to see that he knew that Kelsey and the baby that wasn't his would always be his as long as they were together. 

This book gave me so many feelings. It hit me right in the feels. I cried, I felt anger, I felt the hurt of betrayal and I couldn't help but feel like these two were going to make it forever. 

The things that I wish we could have seen more of was Kelsey's pregnancy, the engagement and the elopement! I think these things would have been a tremendous edition to the book! I think that we spent so much time building up to all of it and we didn't get to see any of it! 


🔥Spice Level: 2.75🌶️/5 🥵

These two definitely had some chemistry that you don't find every day!! I loved that they could share a chemistry that didn't fizzle or take much for them to ignite. 

I love seeing couples when they have a little something that gets them going. And these two definitely have that something that not everyone can have and keep alive. 

Where do I begin? This book took me on a journey that I never expected to go on. First off I love an amazing story. But there is nothing I love more than a narrator that can take you on a journey that is elevated way beyond what you could have had in your head. This narrator took me on a movie level journey and I loved every moment of it. I listened every chance that I got! There wasn't a time when I wasn't thinking OMG what is going to happen next? How did we get here?? 

I absolutely loved this world that Karina took us to! I loved every element, everything that was so different than anything that we had ever known to be like a mythical world. What we had been taught as the underworld wasn't anything like where she took us to. 

Hanna knew very little of the world that she was thrust into but she took it in stride and adapted so well. I loved her as our main character she had spunk, that fight in her that she inherently needed but also had such a caring side. I loved how she cared so much but was also weary of everything around because she was so new to everything. She was so adaptable to everything and curious. 

I especially loved how she was curious of Death and everything about him. She wasn't afraid of asking questions and wanting to know more about him and his ways. She wanted to know more about the man she had pledged her life to. What she wasn't expecting was how she was going to see Death once she was able to actually see him for who he was. 

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Once the spice 🔥 was spicing 🥵 it was spicing all over town y'all. It was some of the best spice in a romantasy that I have read. I was thinking to myself what have I been missing out on all this time?? 


Death was definitely a mercurial being. He was unlike so many men. He was emotional when it came to Hanna. He was invested in her before he was FULLY invested in her. He started by calling her little bird and fairy girl. That is when I knew that he was falling for her. There wasn't a time when I wondered if he had feelings for her. But there were times when I questioned if things were going to escalate even quicker than they did. 

I fell for these two hard and fast and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!! 

5⭐

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This audiobook was an absolute dream to listen to! I am a huge lover of a British accent and being able to hear Evie voice the whole audiobook was an absolute dream!! 

I loved how she made each character their own in her own way. I loved this so much I can't wait to hear more of her audiobooks from her backlog! 

Ella and Leo stole my heart from the very beginning of the story. I am a huge lover of all things Christmas, so they were already at the front of the line in my book. I am not British so learning about a Pantomime was so much fun! I loved being able to see how they pulled everything together for the panto along it everything else going on in their lives.  

Ella truly love that life of Cinderella except with a huge twist that I never really saw coming. I thought okay this is a huge bummer but then it was like WHAM!!! I felt for Ella and all that she had to endure, I kept hoping that she would truly speak up for herself. But I also understand why she felt that she couldn't. She was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. I loved Ella for who she truly was, because she was a true and genuine person. She wasnt the rude, nasty skin deep people that her stepmom and sisters were. She genuinely cared for her stepmom even when she didn't deserve it.

I truly fell for the love that Leo and Ella had for each other. It all starts as a fleeting glance and a I dont think of them like that and it literally snowballs. I love that these two embraced it and took it to that next level with each other, even though they were scared. Love is scary sometimes, but y0u just have to take the leap!

Leo was definitely one of my favorite characters besides Ella within the character heavy story. I love that these books are so character heavy because you get to see all of the  characters from previous books. These characters are definitely the ones that you want to see over and over. Leo wasn't the biggest character that I can remember from the previous books  but I am so glad that this was his book! He was the best friend who was more than willing to kick some behind for the one person who truly made him the happiest. I think it was a bit of a shock to his system when he finally realized that Ella was the one for him and always has been. He just needed the nudge to see it and take that extra step.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Ella and Leo had so much chemistry between them and not just socially but also physically! They had exactly what it took to make it work in the bedroom! I would definitely say that they would make the bedroom an interesting place where there would be plenty of games!

Thank you so much to Evie for the free review copy! All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary.

This story started out as a cute bah humbug girl Grinch take on a Christmas love story. I loved that there was a Knight In Shining Armor of sorts to come in and show her the better side of Christmas. 

But in the midst of it all, I feel as if it took too long for everything to come together. I mostly enjoyed this story but when I become bored from everything taking too long to come together is when I have to just put it down. 

I have loved Ellie Hall books for a long time, but this one just wasn't the one for me! 

4.5⭐
2.5🌶️

We are back in the cozy fantasy world with Kizzi once again and I couldn't be more happy! I loved getting to know Kizzi in the first book, Love Letters & Thirst Tonics and I was beyond excited when she got her own book! 

Kizzi definitely became my favorite character when it was known that she created her own mischief unbeknownst to herself. She always has some help along the way, even if she knew something was to always just right when she did it. 

I loved that she embraced her magic the way that she did, and gave it her all. Even if she knew it may not turn out the way she hoped she put her all into it. And Henry it didn't she made sure that she did everything she could to put everything back to rights!! 

I really loved that Tandor had his feelings for Kizzi all this time and she was just so oblivious to everything. Granted he was subtle about it, but she just had no clue! 

I loved that he was more than willing to take the chance and show her just how much he cared for her! Not only that he cared for her but he wanted to make sure that she was safe along her journey! 

I loved these two together! They couldn't have been more perfect for each other!!! They met each other right in the middle to what they each needed. Their banter was great along with their chemistry! 

I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next in this series!! 

4.5 🔎 STARS 

When I saw that there was going to be another book in the Aunties series I was beyond ecstatic!! I absolutely couldnt wait!  When I was finally able to get my ears on this audiobook I was beyond myself. I told my husband that he was going to have to hush so that I could dive right in. I had some serious catching up to do with my favorite fictional family! 

I have come to love and enjoy Jesse's writing style and how she wraps you up into the family as she takes you along the journey. Each journey is always entertaining with each person coming along and your always learning something new about someone new. 

I loved that we were able to go to Jakarta with her and Nathan on their final destination on their honeymoon! But their is no true family trip without some mischief! I absolutely loved that second Auntie got her some spotlight in this book! She truly deserved some spotlight with all of the shenanigans that they go through in the family! 

I loved being able to see the city through Meddy's eyes and just how opulent everything truly was. Being able to go through each problem that arose along the way and how they solved each problem was always part of my favorite. With each auntie there is always wisdom and character to bring with each answer. I also really loved being able to be immersed into the culture as someone who has never experienced anything like it. 

This book like the other two are always such a joy and I have so much fun while listening to them. I absolutely cannot wait to see what the next installment brings!!!

♾️⚾⚾⚾
3.5 🌶️

You should read this if you like:

⚾ Baseball Romance 
❤️ Best Friends Brother
⚾ Primal Kink
❤️ Fake Dating
⚾ Possessive MMC 
❤️ Tattooed/Pierced FMC
⚾ Forced Proximity


I am a C L Rose STAN from the very beginning. I have read her work from the very beginning. I remember when I saw her first posts on IG and I was hooked from then on. 

She brought the Boston Blizzards to us in a HUGE way!! I loved the Boston Blizzards sooo freaking much and I was sooo sad to see them go! But we got our first glimpse of Riggs and Monroe in the final book. Riggs is a professional baseball player for the Daytona Fury and Monroe is Riggs' little sister Grace's best friend. 

I absolutely loved how much animosity Riggs and Monroe had between them because I knew it would only bring out the best in them!! And boy did it!! It brought out so much in them that they didn't know that they could be the best for each other. What they thought they couldn't find in others they found in each other. 

When she was having a rough day, he could calm her in only the ways that he knew she could cope with. When he needed to chill out she could chill him in her way. It was the perfect yin yang balance. I loved that they could be that for each other when they had been searching for it in others. 

Y'all I loved for these two in every aspect. They had so much going for them individually and together. It began as a mutual I help you, you help me. But it quickly became so much more. I loved that Monroe didn't want anything from Riggs, but to help him boost his reputation. Riggs knew he needed help but he also knew that Monroe needed help as well, why not have the best of both worlds. 

Monroe was the feisty queen FMC that we needed. She was so strong for being through all that she had been through. I give her major props. It takes so much to be the queen she is and will always be. She fought her way to where she wanted to be and refused to take no for an answer. She gave us the best banter with Riggs and I loved and laughed so hard throughout this book. 

Riggs... Oh Man Oh Man. He literally was everything for me. His demeanor when he was with Monroe was EVERYTHING. His possessiveness was the perfect amount. It wasn't overbearing, but the right amount to get the right reaction. From her and me, who are we kidding. This man made so many reactions from the both of us!! He was the perfect kind of primal that you need even when you don't think you would like it. You think really? People are into this? Then you read the scene and you're like, oh I see why now. Especially if you are up close and personal to that hot body, it would be hard not to enjoy that good time. He was also so aware of her needs. He made sure to be anticipating of what she needed. 

Spice Meter: Level 3.5

This book does include:

❤️ Praise 
❣️ PCOS Representation 
🩸 Period Play
❤️ Beach Scene
❣️ Ballfield Dugout Scene
❤️Primal Play
❣️ Possessive MMC



This is one of the hottest set of scenes that C.L. has written. I cannot even begin to describe how well written and tasteful they are. When you see period play it isn't what you think. It is written in such a tasteful way that you never would have thought. I am so appreciative of how well she handled the scene and the representation behind everything. Not everyone would represent PCOS much less tackle how to deal with heavy cramping but she did it. And did it sooo well. I give her a major round of applause 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! 

Thank you to CL Rose for allowing me to read this masterpiece as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review! 

5🌶️ 

⚠️ Kink/Sexual Warnings ⚠️: MFM, Anal, Why Choose, Breath Play

All the spice with no plot needed in this Halloween Novella! It was the perfect additive for the Kildale Academy series! 

If you wanted to see a little bit more about each one of our main characters this is the perfect way to! 

I loved seeing this snippet of each one of our characters together. It was the perfect part of the Halloween party that we didn't get to see in the book! 

Well, here we are at the end of the series. I have loved this series from the very beginning. I was hooked from the very beginning like a fiend needs their next fix. I shirked reading my next ARC coming up because I couldn't stop reading this series. Granted the arc wasn't due for the next two weeks. BUT I'm just saying that this series had a hold on me. 

Before I get into everything let's go over the Trigger Warnings ⚠️: Murder, Witchcraft, Torture, Violence, Gore, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Manipulation, Demonic Possession, Horror Elements

A LOT happened in this book. It carried on directly from the last and kept on chugging along. It definitely surprised me when Greek Mythology was used throughout the remainder of the book. I was so happy to see so many of the myths that I grew up seeing first in Hercules and then later seeing in books I read. 

I really enjoyed being able to see how much each person played such an integral part within the storyline. How each person's story played such a big part but also carried their own storyline alone. 

The main storyline built into such a crescendo and kept going until it fell off. You have this big scene being played out then it's just done. Like WHAT?? No. That isn't how it's supposed to happen. You can't just end it there. It felt too rushed. There wasn't enough retribution shown for everything that had happened over the centuries.

I want to say at least we were given a epilogue? But that was even more lackluster. It gave the most vague of an update. I felt like why even bother putting it in there? It would have been fine not even putting it in there if you weren't going to elaborate any further. 

⚠️Kink/Sexual Warnings⚠️ : Dubcon, Noncon, Breath Play, Primal Play, MMFM, MFM, MM, Bondage, Demonic Sexualization, Blood Play

I will definitely say this is one area of the book that wasn't left undone or vague by any means. I will say that these are some of the hottest 🔥🔥🔥 scenes of all the books. 

If she could have fleshed out the rest of the book like she did these scenes than the rest of the book would have been knocked out of the park. 

With that being said I can't wait to read her other work. 

Annnnddddd WE'RE BAAACCCKKKKK.....

Because I couldn't not read the second book after that cliffhanger 🥺🥺🥺 Let's just jump right into the Trigger warnings 🚧 🚧 

TW: Dubcon, attempted suicide, murder, torture, thoughts of self harm, violence, death of a parent, emotional abuse, physical abuse, body shaming, manipulation, demonic possession, desecration, witchcraft, cliffhanger

I know you look at that list and think Holy Hell that list is long. Well, it kind of is, buuuttttt it also made for a really entertaining book. So as much as I hate to say that those trigger warnings made for a great book it did. 

It made this book stand out compared to so many others. It was filled with murder, conniving people who don't care about anyone but themselves, and plenty of debauchery. 

These characters have been through so much and they have the scars to prove it. I appreciate that they are still willing to do whatever it takes to still fight for their partners and their freedom to be themselves. I love that Dakota wrote them to be strong willed and strong minded and to not just give up. They have a healthy sense of self! 

Salem really took a beating in this book with not only losing her family the way she did but also the calloused way of their treatment of her. It explains so much of how they treated her in the first book and well into this book. I guess you could say that at least they never had their disdain for her, but at the same time it's just cruel. 

I just want to press up on you how much Walker really loves Salem. He has been there when everyone else fell off, even if it was from their own doing or not. I love his love for her. He makes it well know how much he loves her and he shows it no matter what. I gave that man a huge WHOOP when he told her and when he stood up for her and himself. I couldn't help but be gleeful for them! 


Previously speaking of debauchery here are the warnings: 

⚠️ Kink Warnings ⚠️: Breath Play, Primal Play, MMFM, MFM, bondage, belt play 

This book does feature a why choose and Polyamorous couples. Not to mention other risque things that some people wouldn't be into in their normal lives. But can be very into within the pages of a book! If you haven't tried these in a book or in your real life, don't just flip through. GIVE IT A SHOT! ITS WORTH IT!! 

I truly enjoyed every aspect of of these scenes because you were able to see the difference of what it would be like compared to the regular old vanilla gorilla. It's thrilling to see what these scenarios bring to the book when you are in the thick of everything going on. 

These characters have went through souch throughout this book but have perseverance on their side and I cannot wait to see what happens next!! 

This is a slow burn ❤️‍🔥 multi POV book that is full of dark romance and triggers that aren't suited for everyone. But if you are like me and say Bring On All The Darkness then this is the book for you 🖤🖤🖤

TW: Murder, underage drinking, stalking, drug use, murder of a parent. 

This book is written much like a TV show is, which I absolutely loved. It played out much like a movie in my head as I read it. That is always dealers choice 💯. But what I wasn't expecting was for the slow burn to keep me intrigued the whole way through. I usually get bored with slow burns. Usually they are too slow. Throughout this story we got to know all of our characters involved including the sins and the remaining main characters. I really appreciated that their was representation of a non-binary person within this storyline. They didn't have a huge role, but they were still within the story. 

I am a sucker for a dark romance in just about any capacity. Slow burn ❤️‍🔥 has lately been something that I have been loving and this has only made that even more of a choice. You have been able to see the great banter between the characters and what really builds that angst between them! 

🔥 Spice Level: 3.5 🌶️

🥵🥵🥵: Why choose, Enemies to lover's romance, MFMM scene is present, Praise kink, Breath play, Anal

If you aren't into polyamory relationships this ain't for your eyes 👀. But if you're willing to give it a chance then by all means it is an amazing scene to try it out on!! 

When I say this is a slow burn ❤️‍🔥 I mean slow burn. We got a good ways into the book before there was any kind of hanky panky going on! But it was well worth the wait and the burn 🔥🔥🔥

5 🖤 

Trigger ⚠️:  Non/dub con, m/m, f/f, group sex, medical settings, double/triple penetration, branding, violence, kidnapping, torture, and a myriad of other activities that may be inappropriate for some readers. 

🔥 Spice Level 🌶️ : 7/5 🥵🥵🥵

This duo of books was like no others that I have read. It will be very hard to top these in the future. I have been a fan of 🖤 dark romance 🖤 for a while but this definitely took 💀dark💀 to a whole new level. It broached subjects that do many won't touch, much less explore. 

Lark is the first book in the series, definitely broached the darkest of the subjects and explored them in ways that I never thought possible. I never even dreamt things like this happened in real life, maybe they don't. But I don't leave things like trafficking happening to chance. I know there have been auctions for people before but the things to prepare people for those auctions were extreme. I'm not saying some of those things didn't tax those people but it is a different type of darkness. 

I couldn't help but squirm a little while reading this because it was such an alarming difference to what I have read before. There definitely times that it became titillating to the senses because it was something that is rarely spoken of much less explored in books. But it brought so much to the forefront of what can be happening that we don't see every day in the real world. 

Reverse Harem is also something that is explored in romance but I haven't read many with 5 men and 1 woman. It was interesting to see the dynamic between all of them and how they were able to work everything out between them all. Outside and inside the bedroom. 

Nightingale, the second book is definitely the redemption book. Redeeming their lives after what was taken from them once they were able to get out from under the worst of everything. 

Being able to see each member of this group come to terms of their feelings for Lark was such a sweet moment. I loved being able to see how they each shared that moment with her. They were each so different that each other so you were able to see their personality with each declaration. 

When I first saw the title of this book and then the cover I thought that this book would be right up my alley. But I was a bit saddened when I came to the end of it and I really just kind of felt nothing. Usually when I read a book I have some kind of emotion towards it. This book left me with nothing of the sort.  

Harry has lived an unfortunate life partially of her own making. After having religious trauma from her parents, she left home at a young age. Even after getting out of a life of religious trauma she was finally able to branch out and do well for herself. But at every turn she found herself in poverty because of some of her choices she made. I had a really hard time sympathizing with this character at times. She had multiple chances to do better for herself but had chosen not to. She chose to stay to herself instead of building her village of people to help her or seek help from her baby's father. 

I understand what it's like to be in the darkest of times when it comes to not being able to make enough money to survive, but this woman could have done much better with her time. 

Mr. Castillo was the most dynamic character out of all the characters for sure. He was definitely not what I saw in him towards the end. I saw something in him that was odd in the beginning just because of his demeaner. But I never expected him to be the stand out character he ended up being. 

I feel like this book was a slow burn but the ending was rushed with no true ending to show what happened after the big bang. I think this could have been written a bit better to show how things were after everything to tie it up with a pretty little bow. Without it, everything was just left hanging. 

♾️💀   

🌶️🌶️/5

🐈‍⬛Enemies to Lovers
🕷️Slow burn
🦇Grump-on-grump banter
🖤Caretaking
🐈‍⬛Black cat death doula
🦇Doctor MMC
🕷️Type one diabetes rep
🕷️I-hate-everyone-but-you vibes
🖤MCs in their 30s
🐈‍⬛Opposites Attract
🦇Dual POV/3rd person

Ash and Nathaniel couldn't have been more opposite when it comes to their backgrounds, personalities, you name it. 

Ash was a black cat 🐈‍⬛ death doula, who was moody, could cry with the best of them but didn't show her emotions easily. She didn't want her emotions to be used against her. She already had one failed relationship and the words that were spoken stuck to her like smoke on a chimney over the years. Even though they were lied and were just to gaslight her to appease his guilt. I felt such a strong connection to Ash, and I felt all her emotions as I read through this book. Being a death doula, is an honorable profession. Walking the path with someone in their final days is a hard walk to be on, much less to be able to do it repeatedly. I loved Ash all the way to my bones 🩻 and I couldn't get her out of my mind once I finished this book. So many of her emotions and how she processes them, are how I have processed them for so long. It's hard to break the cycle when that is all you have known for so long. 

I absolutely loved who she became when she and Nathaniel were together. Their snarkiness between each other was top notch. I laughed as they had their banter, and even at times when they had mishaps or when she would slightly trip and he would catch her. It wasn't all morbid all the time. 

Nathaniel carried so much weight around with him about who he was supposed to be according to someone else's standards. Not only that but also his failed relationship with his ex fiance. He blamed majority of it on Ash but he knew deep down she wasn't the one to blame. He saw so much more in Ash than he ever thought he would. He became that Golden retriever 🐕‍🦺 energy for her, especially when she needed it the most. Being a doctor you are always taking care of other people so it is second nature to make sure that you are taking care of those you are required to, but not those you don't like. I loved how much he came to love Ash when he didn't even realize how much he came to care for her.

I absolutely loved the Type 1 Diabetes Rep in this book! I am Type 2, but there isn't enough rep for diabetes in books. I appreciate how much research it takes if you aren't around someone who has diabetes.

Thank you to Ava for the complimentary copy! All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.

5 ⭐ for 💀 & 🎃

TW: on page death, talk about SA, talk about human trafficking, one character gets flash backs of SA but he only hears things we don't see SA on page

King & Boogie aren't your normal enforcers of Halloween Town. They definitely are much deeper than they show. It always amazes me how deeply these characters can care even when they make it their mission to not show they care. Even when they can be the most caring and will go to the ends of the earth for those they seem worthy of their love. King and Boogie not only care for each other on the platonic level but on a romantic level and have for years. They operate on a deeper level than most spouses do. They know each other so well and are able to anticipate each other's next move when on a mission. 

It is always thrilling when something doesn't always go as you expect in your mind in a book and this was definitely a change of pace from the normal books I read. I enjoyed the tough as nails men that these two were and how willing they were to risk it all for Ally. Until they learned Ally was so much more than they thought she was. She was a crusader for those girls that couldn't speak up for themselves. She refused to let those girls go out like she had seen so many others. As much as she wanted her happy ending with King & Boogie she couldn't in good conscience let it happen until she made sure that everyone was in good hands. 

These three alone and together was such dynamos! They could achieve so much together but also separately! 

This is the first book I have read by this author and I can't wait to read more! 


Let's Talk About 🥵🥵🥵 Baby: 
                           
                            🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ STEAMY- If it's not for you- Skip This One!! 

kinks include: MMF, primal, degradation, shibari, breeding, forced orgasm

This was definitely a spicy number for such a short book! I was sweating bullets with the spice! It was enjoyable as someone who doesn't have triggers associated with anything above. If you do then this isn't the book for you! 

4.5 ⭐

At first glance this cover gave me all the vibes of rich girl caught up in a world she didn't know enough about and secrets were coming back to get revenge. 

That was all I needed to start digging into this book. A.M. Acosta is a debut author and she came out with a vengeance with this book!! She brought a lot into this book and it definitely packed a punch. This book brought tragedy, betrayal, love, why choose romance, and friendship.

Sienna is someone who has had so much taken away from her but so much given to her in such a small amount of time. She has to quickly learn the ropes of so much and see who she can and cannot trust. Like going through life as an 18 year old isn't hard enough, life hits her right in the stomach. She definitely makes the most of what she has and falls head over heels for 3 guys. Yep, you read that right 3 guys. One being her childhood best friend, and two other men she happens to meet by chance on two separate occasions. She learns quickly that it isn't as easy as it seems living her life and she has to figure out the best way to go about it. 

The three men she falls for Zayn, Anders and Noah are the perfect trio for her. They each bring a different type of calm for her. They can each cater to her needs in a different way and can protect her if the others aren't able to for whatever reason. Once they are able to get past the insecurities then they can make it work. It is definitely a relationship that is unique to certain people and isn't for everyone. 

Let's Talk About 🥵🥵🥵 Baby: 
                           🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This is a spicy one my friends 🥵🥵🥵🥵. We have several spicy scenes some involving polyamory. The author wasn't shy when it came to what these characters liked. I appreciated that she wasn't afraid to mix it up compared to the vanilla of what some authors do. 

🌶️🌶️🌶️ STEAMY- If it's not for you- Skip Through

I think for this book there were soo many moving parts. At times some of the storylines were left behind and weren't carried through. But in the end most everything was worked through. 

Except...
What happened to Anders dad William and the company? It just kind of left us on a cliffhanger when it came to that along with what Sienna was now doing. Did she go back to school?

This is another one of my favorite series that I love picking up when a new one comes out! I was super excited when this one came out because Halloween 🎃 is one of my favorite holidays! Put two of my favorite things together and I have to get my eyes on it! 

I absolutely love that this series is set around a family of sorts. Some are actual family, others are chosen. I loved that the Sanctuary included the little ones around the town in the Halloween 👻 festivities! Not to mention was helpful in finding the way to solving the mysteries that weren't able to be solved otherwise! 

Monsters don't always hide in the dark. Some walk around in broad daylight, happy to be seen by anyone foolish enough to look in their direction.

Alice Feeney has a way of bringing out the emotions in me that are unlike any other author. She invoked so many thoughts and then the emotions were flooding my system. 

I couldn't help but be engaged from the very first page when Daisy brought me into the fold of her life and her family dynamic. I immediately loved her grandmother. Her family was definitely a different take than so many family dynamics that I have read and that is what drew me in from the very beginning. I needed to know all the dirty secrets. 

Sometimes we love monsters without knowing that's what they are. 

Monsters were the least of Daisy's worries in her life and we got to have the first row and have the popcorn and all the snacks a drinks along the way. I loved this book and all the twists and turns. Alice always knows how to write such an entertaining twist filled book that is mind boggling. 

I never thought this book would ever be what it ended up being. It ended up being so much more than I ever thought it would be. 

There came a time in the book where grief came over me and I couldn't help but feel it so deeply. When losing someone you love so deeply it is so hard not to feel it so deeply. I cried and cried and felt some grief all over again not just for these characters but also for someone that I have lost in my life. It's hard not to associate grief when you feel it in a book to someone or people in your life. 

The tap of grief never turns off completely. It allows a person's sorrow to slowly drip inside them until they are so unbearably full of sadness, they have no choice but to let it flow freely and pour out. Drowning every other thought and feeling.

After finishing the previous book I fell straight into this one. There is nothing I love more than being able to binge a series. This series has been a whole experience. I have loved each book more and more with each book as they have progressed within the series. I keep asking myself how is it going to top the last one? Somehow, some way Darcy comes in clutch and tops the last book in spectacular fashion and do it such a big way. 

I love this book so much that I stayed up till 3 AM so that I could finish it. I needed to know where this one ended even though the next book doesn't come out until April of 2025. (Insert shaking fist being raised to the sky ✊🏻☁️) Yes, I know it's September as I write this. It's not that far away. Buuuuuttttt it feels so far away for me to be able keep all these feelings about this book in my chest till then. I have so many feelings about what happened and who happened. 

I can't say who and what because it would be a giveaway to the whole plot. But let's just say big things happened and big people happened in a big way. (yes, I know I said big A LOT.) 

I have been waiting for so many of these things to happen but so many of the things to not happen at the same time. I cried, I was tense, I laughed, and I sighed. I even was like how the heck did that even happen? I even told Keira to explain herself at one point. Eventually she did, but I'm still baffled as to how said thing even works. But I'll take what I can get because she is an enigma that I can't stop loving reading about. 

Her and her circle of people have quickly become my favorite people to read about. They are the group of people that you can only hope to find in your life. The people that stand by you no matter what. They will be by your side in the middle of the storm, and fight by your side. And we can't forget Adage. I love his sweet soul and heart ❤️. He is the sweetest man and has the best of intentions when it comes to his people. I love that he loves this group so much. 

I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book!