ARC Review: Capture the Sun by Jessie Mihalik

June 7, 2023June 6, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Capture the Sun
Jessie Mihalik
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: June 20, 2023
Series or Standalone: Starlight’s Shadow #3
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: anxiety; death; war; violence

“Don’t think of me as in danger, think of me as dangerous.”

I’ve been dying for Lexi and Nilo’s story since it was teased in Hunt the Stars, but I’ve also been dreading it as it means the Starlight’s Shadow series is over. Why do good things have to end? But at least this send-off was more than worth it as Jessie Mihalik delivered another stunning sci-fi space romance that perfectly blends the action, intrigue, and romance in one story.

ARC Review: Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

March 6, 2023March 5, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Something Wild & Wonderful
Anita Kelly
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: familial estrangement due to queer identity; harsh homophobic language (used in Chapter 16); religion and strict religious upbringing (Christianity); mentions of Alzheimer’s/dementia care; brief references to past toxic romantic relationships.

How do your review a book that was literal perfection? I don’t throw that word around often, but Something Wild & Wonderful was perfect. This was a beautiful tale of two people finding themselves and finding love while on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I didn’t expect to fall in love with this book so quickly, but the characters and their journey hooked me immediately and swept me away. I was an emotional mess at the end because I was just so happy for Alexei and Ben.

ARC Review: The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

The Duke Gets Even
Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: January 24, 2023
Series or Standalone:The Fifth Avenue Rebels #4
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: domestic violence; domestic abuse; chronic illness

I so desperately wanted to love this one as I adore Joanna Shupe and have been dying for Nellie and Lockwood’s story since I read The Heiress Hunt. Unfortunately, this fell short of my expectations. I felt something was missing from Nellie and Lockwood’s relationship that stopped me from falling head over heels in love.

ARC Review: Lady Meets Earl by Christy Carlyle

February 27, 2023February 26, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Lady Meets Earl
Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
Series or Standalone: Love on Holiday #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: sexual assault; death of parents; anxiety; violence

Lady Meets Earl was a delightful second installment in Christy Carlyle’s Love on Holiday series. Despite being love at first sight, the romance was charming, with fantastic banter between James and Lucy. I enjoyed these characters and loved the journey the book takes you on.

This was also the perfect book to read as I was about to head out on my trip to the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh last November. While I was there, I got to visit some of the exact sites that James and Lucy went to, which made it extra special!

ARC Review: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

A Sinister Revenge
Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Series or Standalone: Veronica Speedwell #8
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: murder; death; violence; infidelity

I was so giddy reading A Sinister Revenge – and I’m still giddy thinking about this book. I read this whole book with a smile as it was everything I wanted and more, especially after everything that happened in An Impossible Impostor. Deanna Raybourn seamlessly blends the humor, wit, and emotions you’ve come to know yet makes it feel new and exciting in the eighth installment of the Veronica Speedwell series.

This book gives over major A Dangerous Collaboration vibes. That book just happens to be one of my favorites in the Veronica Speedwell series, so I knew early on that I would be a fan of A Sinister Revenge, and I was not wrong. I was seriously smitten with this book within the first chapter. What is not to love as we have some delicious tension between Veronica and Stoker, time with my favorite Templeton-Vane brother and DINOSAURS?

ARC Review: How the Wallflower Was Won by Eva Leigh

September 26, 2022September 25, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

How the Wallflower Was Won
Eva Leigh
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Series or Standalone: Last Chance Scoundrels #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Sexism; ableism; misogyny

Oh boy – I struggled with this book. I had such high hopes for this as I adored Finn, but Tabitha ruined the whole thing for me in the end. I’m still angry at how this story played out. If I could, I would rate the beginning of this story 3 stars, but I’d give the ending zero stars.

ARC Review: Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

August 18, 2022August 18, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Ruby Fever
Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Series or Standalone: Hidden Legacy #6
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

CW: Murder; blood; warfare; emotional/financial abuse; reference to the murder of a pregnant woman

I don’t even know where to start or how to summarize my thoughts on this book. I was literally speechless after reading it and feeling so many things. This book destroyed me in the best possible way. I’m just sitting here, days after finishing it, in awe of Ilona Andrews’ talents.

ARC Review: Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean

August 12, 2022August 12, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Heartbreaker
Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Series or Standalone: Hell’s Belles
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Violence; blood; child abuse

This review is a tough one for me to write. I’ve had to sleep on my rating for this book as there were many things I liked, but a few things stopped me from loving it. Weirdly, I think this is a book I’ll enjoy more on reread than on the first read.

ARC Review: A Duchess by Midnight by Charis Michaels

July 24, 2022July 30, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

A Duchess by Midnight
Charis Michaels
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Series or Standalone: Awakened by a Kiss #3
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

A Duchess by Midnight is a smart, fun twist on the Cinderella tale in the final book in Charis Michaels’ Awakened by a Kiss series. While I enjoyed reading this book, it felt like something was missing and I cannot quite put my finger on what it is.

ARC Review: The Return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath

July 21, 2022July 20, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

The Return of the Duke
Lorraine Heath
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Series or Standalone: Once Upon a Dukedom #3
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Infertility; blood; violence

I’ve been putting off writing my review for The Return of the Duke for months now. This book was my most anticipated read in 2022, and boy did it DELIVER. I’ve been waiting for Marcus’s story since Beauty Tempts the Beast and Lorraine Heath wrote the perfect tale for this mysterious lone wolf who has lingered in the shadows.