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: 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?

Review: Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

November 7, 2022November 6, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Lord of Scoundrels
Loretta Chase
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: January 1995
Series or Standalone: Scoundrels #3
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Bullying; racism; abandonment; gun violence; body shaming

“A monster he may be, but he was her monster.”

I have heard so many people rave about Lord of Scoundrels that I was hesitant to start it. There is no way this book could live up to the hype, I thought. But I was wrong. So so wrong. This book deserves all the hype, love and praise. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact this book published in 1995. It feels so modern in its tone, character and stories – it’s like something you’d find in a Sarah MacLean or Tessa Dare novel publishing today. Loretta Chase was so far ahead of her time.

Review: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

September 13, 2022September 14, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

How the Marquess Was Won
Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Series or Standalone: Pennyroyal Green #6
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: bullying; gun violence; sexual assault

This book. THIS BOOK! Unputdownable. Fan-freaking-tastic. This is my favorite thus far of the Pennyroyal Green series. I had actually read this book way back in 2016, but forgot I had read it before, so I loved rediscovering the story as bits and pieces came back to me as I started reading.

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.

Review: White Hot by Ilona Andrews

August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

White Hot
Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Series or Standalone:Hidden Legacy #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Murder; violence; gun violence; death of a parent; kidnapping; torture; grief; panic attacks/PTSD

Is it cliche to say White Hot is white hot? Because it’s the truth. When I think of the Hidden Legacy series as a whole, this is one book that always standouts in my head as it packs an emotional punch in so many ways.

Review: You, Again by Lauren Layne

August 2, 2022July 31, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

You, Again
Lauren Layne
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: July 19, 2022
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

Lauren Layne can do no wrong in my book. You, Again is the perfect contemporary romance that hits all the right emotional notes. Seriously, nothing makes me happy than a new Lauren Layne book. I downloaded this as soon as it was available and stayed up way too late devouring it – zero regrets.

Review: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

July 29, 2022July 28, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

Burn for Me
Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Series or Standalone: Hidden Legacy #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Murder; violence; fire/fire injury; gun violence; cancer; death of a parent

No one does urban fantasy romance quite like Ilona Andrews. When I first read Burn for Me back in 2019, I was immediately hooked. I’ve since reread the series multiple times, so pardon me if I get a bit gushy.

The Hidden Legacy series is one of my absolute favorites series and does not get talked about enough. The cover of this book does not do the story justice. Not only does this book have a swoon-worthy romance, but you also get fantastic world-building, a unique magic system, an action-packed plot and unforgettable secondary characters all in one book.

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.

ARC Review: The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 Dani @ Overflowing ShelfLeave a comment

The Bride Goes Rogue
Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: May 24, 2022
Series or Standalone: The Fifth Avenue Rebels
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads
Rating:

MY REVIEW

Joanna Shupe hit it out of the park with her third installment in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series. The Bride Goes Rogue is, quite possibly, the hottest book Shupe has ever written. Shupe perfectly balances the steaminess with compelling characters and a charming romance that gave me all the emotions. I already know this book will be one of my top favorites of the year, as I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time while reading it.