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Story Blurb A chance encounter leaves a belle and rogue wondering about the possibilities of love and happily-ever-afters. Slashing through French soldiers at Waterloo was easy compared to engaging a bevy of marriage-hungry debutantes. Finding the perfect bride-to-be isn’t Viscount Linscott’s intention; he only needs a match to satisfy the demands of the man holding his income hostage. Does he choose a wife from his friend’s lengthy list or get ensnared by the demure deb with golden eyes? Following the rules has never been more difficult, especially with an aunt determined to parade Annabelle Greene in front of every unattached septuagenarian. She doubts her ability to attract a single suitor, but as the season progresses, she may have to turn away two. A stolen kiss on a terrace and she is bargaining for more than she can handle. If she listens to her aunt’s advice, she would marry a stodgy old goat, but she pines for the worst sort of rake whose lips make her head swirl. Faced with impossibly high stakes, Annabelle and Jack must abandon entrenched preconceptions to embrace the promise of true love. My Thoughts/Opinion This was my first Stacia Kaywood read. The writing was really good and I cheered for Annabelle to find her way in a social circle she wasn't really a part of. Being totally honest, I struggled to like Jack for most of this book, and it may just have been that I wasn't in the right headspace for a Regency era MMC. I found very little about his actions or manner worthy of redemption so I probably wasn't as invested in their romance as I would have liked to be. I'm excited to read more in this series though because the writing was witty and fun, and there was an interesting cast of side characters (including the hero's father) that are hopefully in line to get a book of their own. Favorite Quote: Not even his first kiss at the age of fourteen had caused his heart to accelerate the way this one did. At once lightheaded and giddy like a virgin, it filled him with a longing he did not know his body possessed. Possession was a word. Who possessed whom, was the question.

Story Blurb It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love. My Thoughts/Opinion I will read absolutely anything Abby Jimenez writes. Rabidly. I was in between series when I saw this little gem pop up and I latched onto it. It was a quick short story read with relatable characters and, in traditional Abby style, some heavy topics handled with compassion and grace. The premise was fun, if a bit unrealistic but I'm telling you I don't even care. I loved Charlotte and Seth and their unlikely romance was just what I needed. Favorite Quote: “It was Sunday. Valentine’s Day. I’d never cared for this holiday. It always seemed like an excuse to spend money. Today it felt like an excuse to make Charlotte smile, which meant I was now a fan.”

Story Blurb  When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne. Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged. Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister. Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more… My Thoughts/Opinion I was riding my high from Au Pair Affair and this follow up book had just come out so I decided to grab it. We met Sig and Chloe in the previous book and there was plenty of chemistry. I did enjoy this book. Their chemistry (however forbidden) leapt off the page and my heart broke for the pressure they were both under to stay away from each other. While it wasn't as good as Au Pair Affair in my opinion, I still really enjoyed it and was so happy they were able to get their HEA! Favorite Quote: “Do you love her?" "I exist for her.”

Story Blurb Book Two, Vows & Ruin Against all odds, Althea Zoltaire emerged from her trials as a champion. Now, she must train even harder and prepare herself to become a true warrior of Thezmarr. But Thea’s world is turned upside down as she struggles to navigate her newfound magic and uncover the secrets of her past. Slowly, she begins to untangle the truth about her family, her powers and the evil that threatens to engulf the kingdom. When Wilder Hawthorne returns to be her official mentor, everything changes. Dark forces are gathering, and he will stop at nothing to prepare her for the challenges to come, even if it means breaking her. As war looms and their quest for answers leads master and apprentice deeper into danger, the undeniable connection between them intensifies – defying all odds, but also threatening to tear them apart. With secrets unravelling and evil closing in, Thea and Wilder fight to save the world, and each other. The fate of the realms rests in their hands – will they emerge victorious, or will the darkness consume them both? Book Three, Fate & Furies With darkness cursing the world around her, Althea Zoltaire is desperate for vengeance. But as she hunts Wilder Hawthorne across the kingdoms, brutal secrets begin to unravel. Not knowing what – or who – to trust, Thea and her companions find themselves entwined with a destiny far greater than one man. Together, they must navigate the haunting revelations that could shatter the very foundations of the midrealms. Yet it’s not only the world at stake, but Thea’s heart too. As everything teeters on the verge of destruction, her fate collides once more with Wilder’s. Will their reunion ignite the fiery passion between them amidst the ashes of betrayal? Or will it end in a heartbreaking, deadly showdown? In a journey fraught with danger, where the lines between enemies and allies blur, Thea must decide where her loyalties lie, and who will stand at her side against the looming evil. Book Four, Shadows & Storms The time has come to make one last stand against the forces of cursed men and monsters. But Thea’s enemies are only getting stronger. With allies divided and an outnumbered army, she must race against her own fate to secure the future of the midrealms – or die trying. A prophecy is looming, and Thea’s life is in the balance. Does she have the power to cheat death itself? Love and loyalty will be tested. Bonds will fracture forever. But all must fight for a better world. In the final war for survival, will Thea and Wilder emerge victorious? Or will the shadows consume them at last? My Thoughts/Opinion When I tell you I devoured this series in a matter of days, that is no exaggeration. Wilder was such a great conflicted Warsword and Thea went through so much growth throughout this series. Their love story was epic and Thea's family drama at the center of the conflict was powerful. I am already anticipating Iron & Embers which focuses on Thea's sister Wren and Torj. Their chemistry as secondary characters in this series (no pun intended) was already really powerful. I'm so glad this was a completed series but I'm also sad to leave the world behind. Until the next Thezmarr books! Favorite Quote: “Because I love you, so deeply, Thea. And if I tell you I love you a thousand times a day for the rest of our lives, it will not have been enough.”

Story Blurb Gwen Jackson is a self-taught professional violinist. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite—a rock star cellist with a bad attitude. They both play in the Manhattan Pops, and their styles couldn’t be more different. When Gwen is offered first chair of the orchestra (a role Xander has coveted for years), she can’t help but notice a hostile sense of competition between them…but also an electric chemistry, as they’re forced to work together. As they compose and play songs together, it’s clear that their powerful connection could make for a performance that will blow everyone’s minds. But can their slowly growing romance survive the pressures of success? My Thoughts/Opinion Read this book. There is so much depth. So much brokenness. So many decisions. Some good, some bad, some terrible. The richness of this story and the the testing of the love between Gwen and Xander. Mwah - chef's kiss! Kudos to Julie Soto on this story. I read it in two sittings, in less than 24 hours. Yes, it was that good! Favorite Quote: “Look, I don’t know what you want from me, but—” “Anything.” Black eyes looked down on her, and he took a shaking breath. “Everything.”

Story Blurb With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend. Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms. The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone. All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms. Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts? My Thoughts/Opinion I think a big lure for this series for me is that it's complete. After my Onyx Storm hangover, I needed to start a series that I could read through to the end and I'm glad I chose this one. Althea starts out singularly focused and I admire her tenacity toward her goal. Wilder is a fantastic hero and this first book was filled with a great balance of world building and relationship building. I love the secondary cast, especially Kipp and Callahan. Really hoping those two make it out of this series alive...tbd...onto the next book! Favorite Quote: “If you seek power in a world of men and monsters, there is nothing more powerful than knowledge and the ability to wield it.”

Story Blurb After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath. My Thoughts/Opinion Well, I have waited for more than a year to jump back into the Empyrean World of dragons and magic and of course, my favorite shadow daddy! I'm happy to say that not only did this book not disappoint, it is probably my favorite of the series so far. If you haven't started this journey yet, start at Fourth Wing and jump in with me. This is (and will probably forever be) my favorite Romantasy series! Favorite Quote: “I’m jealous of the armor that holds you when I can’t, the sheets on your bed that caress your skin every night, and the blades that feel your hands.”

Story Blurb Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate. Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed. The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home. Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details... My Thoughts/Opinion I just finished the audio of this book and let me just say, WHEW!! First of all, the story is fantastic. The plot is rich and unique. The characters Saeris and Kingfisher, are smart and their enemies to lovers banter is some of the best I have ever read. The tension is on point. So much tension on so many levels. I've heard (and I have to agree) the the audio is THE way to go on this one. Great performances. Very glad I was listening with ear buds...lol The ending was epic and I was so sad I couldn't just keep listening to what comes next. Netflix has plans to adapt this story and I can't wait. I can only hope they do it justice. Favorite Quote: "Because she is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm. The smoke that rolls across a battlefield before the killing starts. You have no idea what she is. What she could be. You should call her Majesty ."

Story Blurb Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power. In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside. When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets. But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power―and the devastating love that could be her downfall. My Thoughts/Opinion Note - I would suggest you read the novella Six Scorched Roses before you dive into this one. Oh my goodness, the end of book one in this series left me on the edge of my seat so I was very excited to jump into this book. It continued to build an amazing world and the characters were even richer and more complex than the first book. I don't think it's a huge secret if you read the blurb above that Oraya and Raihn are broken. While I still really enjoyed this book and the duet's resolution, I felt like the first half of the book was a little slower than I would have liked. Totally totally worth sticking with it and I am very definitely excited to read the next duet in this series. Favorite Quote: ...and when he spoke, I could feel his breath on my forehead. "Just want you to know, Oraya," he murmured, "that you were the best part of it. The best part of all of it."

Story Blurb For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart. The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him. But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love. My Thoughts/Opinion The Crowns of Nyaxia series came highly recommended to me and now I understand why. The world building was easy to follow and the plot was fantastic. I loved that no one was who they seemed to be. Oraya and Raihn face deadly trials and grow to trust each other until they shouldn't. The twist at the end of this book gutted me, but fortunately, I was able to jump to book two in the duet. And I did. Immediately. Favorite Quote: “I would beg," he murmured. "For you, I would. You have...destroyed me, Oraya. Do you know that?"

Story Blurb Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries. Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition. As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again. My Thoughts/Opinion This book was on my October TBR and I'm so glad I didn't push it to next year's fall season. The book had fantastic characters, super slow-burn chemistry, and a unique and really fun premise. I loved it so much. The witty banter is so so good, the backstories (especially Hayden's) is so strong, and there is so much to love about these two. Don't sleep on this book. I'm very much looking forward to the next book from this author! Favorite Quote: “When you’re around, it’s impossible to look away. You are the only thing I see. He’s an idiot for not knowing you make everything you touch better. Please don’t believe anything coming out of the mouth of a guy who still has frosted tips.”

Story Blurb Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under. As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath. When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever. My Thoughts/Opinion I genuinely don't think Rebecca Yarros could write a book I don't absolutely love. And every single one is deep in different ways. I think the thing I loved most about Variation was that so many people in this story were doing all the wrong things for sincerely right reasons. But their decisions, including Allie's and Hudson's, almost kept them from a future together. As with all of RY's books, the depth of emotion and the flawed nature of the characters make for such a realistic and emotional read. I could go on and on, but just do yourself a favor and read this one. Chef's Kiss! Favorite Quote: “The second her gaze lifted to lock with mine, I forgot how to fucking breathe, let alone think. I’d never been hit by lightning, but I bet this was what it felt like.”