Review: The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole
The Book of Azrael
Amber Nicole
Publisher: Rose and Star Publishing
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Series or Standalone: Gods & Monsters #1
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 4.5 Stars


MY REVIEW

CW: Violence; torture; murder; death; depression/PTSD; suicide; war

I came to this book for the hero but stayed for the villain. Or villainess, I should say.

Don’t be scared of the length of The Book of Azrael – once you start reading it, you’ll fly through it and not want to put it down! But be warned – there is a killer cliffhanger at the end!

Read More »

ARC Review: Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly
Something Wild & Wonderful
Anita Kelly
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 5 Stars


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. 

Read More »

ARC Review: The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe

The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe
The Duke Gets Even
Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: January 24, 2023
Series or Standalone:The Fifth Avenue Rebels #4
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 3.5 Stars

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. 

Read More »

ARC Review: Lady Meets Earl by Christy Carlyle

Lady Meets Earl by Christy Carlyle
Lady Meets Earl
Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
Series or Standalone: Love on Holiday #2
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 4 Stars

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! 

Read More »

ARC Review: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn
A Sinister Revenge
Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Series or Standalone: Veronica Speedwell #8
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 5 Stars


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?

Read More »

ARC Review: The Counterfeit Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath

The Counterfeit Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath
The Counterfeit Scoundrel
Lorraine Heath
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: February 21, 2023
Series or Standalone: The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction #1
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 3 Stars

MY REVIEW

CW: Domestic abuse; death of a parent; references to child abuse & infidielity; drug use & addiction (off-page)

If you know me, then you know that The Duchess Hunt is my all-time favorite historical romance novel, and Lorraine Heath is one of my favorite authors. So it should come as no surprise that The Counterfeit Scoundrel was my most anticipated read of 2023. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one, and it fell short of my expectations. This book leaned way more into detective fiction than I expected, which meant the romance took a back seat. I wanted more swoon-worthy feelings that I know Heath can deliver.

Read More »

Review: The Astronaut and the Star by Jen Comfort

The Astronaut and the Star by Jen Comfort
The Astronaut and the Star
Jen Comfort
Publisher: Montlake
Publication Date: March 1, 2022
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating: 3.5 Stars

MY REVIEW

CW: Kidnapping; threats of gun violence

Jen Comfort is a true writer of rom-coms. So many books nowadays get slapped with the rom-com label, which is so often misleading. But with Jen Comfort, her books are actually funny and are actually romance. After reading and loving Midnight Duet, I wanted to pick up her first book, The Astronaut and the Star. I enjoyed this one as it’s super cute, but it didn’t capture my heart quite like Midnight Duet did.

Read More »

Review: The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary

The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary
The Worst Guy
Kate Canterbary
Publisher: Vesper Press
Publication Date: December 28, 2021
Series or Standalone: Vital Signs #2
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating:4 Stars

MY REVIEW

CW: Eating disorder; abandonment; strained parental relationship 

If you’re looking for a good hate-to-love, enemies-with-benefits, “good girl” filled romance that delivers on the sexiness and the emotions, look no further than The Worst Guy. I can understand why so many people have been talking about this book. This was my first Kate Canterbary book, but it won’t be my last.

Read More »

Audiobook Review: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Delilah Green Doesn't Care
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care
Ashley Herring Blake
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 22, 2022
Series or Standalone: Bright Falls #1
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Performance Rating: 4 Stars
Story Rating:2.5 Stars

MY REVIEW

CW: death of parents (past); grief; teenage pregnancy (past); strained relationship with stepfamily; abandonment; references to infidelity (past) 

Dani doesn’t really care for this book. I was so excited to finally get to read this as I heard so many people rave about it, but finishing this book proved to be a bit of a struggle. I think this book was returned to the library about five times before I finally finished it.

Read More »

Review: Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert
Merry Inkmas
Talia Hibbert
Publisher: Nixon House
Publication Date: December 1, 2017
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Links: Amazon Barnes & NobleGoodreadsStoryGraph
Rating:3 Stars

MY REVIEW

CW: domestic abuse; homelessness; intrusive thoughts; reference to parental death from cancer

Merry Inkmas is not your traditional holiday romance novella. If you’re looking for a light-hearted holiday romance, this is not the story for you. Now, I don’t think that should put you off the story though.  

However, and I’m being honest, this is a bit of a hard novella for me to review. After reading it almost a month ago, I feel a bit indifferent toward it. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it, but it didn’t leave as much of a lingering impression on me as I thought it would. It was fine? 

Read More »