Review: Bratva Lullaby by Penny Dee

Bratva Lullaby by Penny Dee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Brooke and Lev had a wild ride in their novel! First off Brooke is too nice of a person. If my ex decided to abandon me multiple times, I never would have saved his sorry ass. I would have told Lev to do what he had to do and leave me out of it. 

But the tension between these two was intense. I get why Brooke was resistant when she discovered Lev's betrayal, but they just connect with each other really well so they were fated to cave into their attraction.

The amount of betrayal that happened in this book is ridiculous and the ending is a cliffhanger, just an FYI. I'm not committed enough to go through more drama to get to the inevitable happily ever after, so i don't care to read the next one. It was a good book and I'm glad I read it.

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Review: Wild Runaway by Sadie King

Wild Runaway by Sadie King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very short and quick read. Trish Amy Joseph's instant connection was refreshing and I love that Joseph was there to help Trish in her desperate time of need. I also love how no nonsense Joseph was about his thoughts towards Trish and Rose and that he was open about his intentions with them. 

Trish is such a strong woman to leave Ian when she did. Women stay through so much worse and Trish was having nothing to do with that lifestyle and I was cheering her on. She was making sure her and Rose were safe and protected and I love that. 

I could have almost had a little bit more to this story because I was really enjoying the characters and the plot. Glad I decided to read it! 

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Review: Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review. 

Only after reading other reviews did I realize this is Dramione fan-fic, which I have not read The Auction. So this was all new to me.

Also this review will contain spoilers. Read at your own risk. 

And because it was all new...I wasn't blown away by this story, sadly. The background story felt too loose and missing pieces. The going back in the past felt clunky. And the magic description wasn't the best. I know there are trigger warnings for this book, but about 70% surrounds the topic of sex one way or another, and not in a pleasant way. We see characters traumatized by what they are forced to do and a main female character is basically mad she's not having sex with her master...

I liked Toven. He seemed like a decent person trying to do the right thing in a terrible sitution without getting killed. Was everything he did great? Absolutely not, but he didn't treat Briony like a piece of trash even though he owned her. Was he close minded and shut tight? Definitely yes, but being around Marrow, I would do the same in his shoes. Should he have told Briony more details when it came to her body? Of course, but he didn't. 

Briony was fine too. She was very naive for her age. I'm not sure what her plan was for her future since she was so worried about her brother achieving his mission in life and she didn't think he could cut it. I don't like that her father made her cheat all the way through school to make her brother look better. 

Basically, when I really think about it, I very much disliked how women were treated in this book. Which you would think since Marrow was victorious in the war, she wouldn't allow women to be used like cattle and trash, but she doesn't care about anyone other than herself. 

I finished this book and the epilogue was intriging, but I doubt I will continue the series. It kinda left a bad taste in my mouth on multiple levels. I'm glad I got the chance to read it, but sadly this book just wasn't for me. 

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Review: Dawn of Flames by Tessa Hale

Dawn of Flames by Tessa Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is probably the fastest I've gone through a book series in a long time. 

I love how much Hayden grew from book one to the end. She had a lot thrown at her and she adjusted quickly and with an ease not many people could have done honestly. So many people were after her for one reason or another and I'm glad she found her mates before so the crazy happened. They were able to help her understand this new world and guide her through so the changes she went through. 

So glad i decided to read this series! I'm very tripped to read about Wren because she is a very intriguing character. 

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Review: Midnight of Ashes by Tessa Hale

Midnight of Ashes by Tessa Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hayden is continually going through one issue after another. She hasn't even finished one semester in school and she's been though countless dangerous scenarios. Honestly if I were her I'd take some time off from classes until things got settled in her life, but Hayden's too stubborn for that. 

I'm a bit bummed she didn't turn into her dragon yet. Just like she is. I'm guessing she's going to be a purple colored one because of her eyes. I wonder what special gift she will get? 

Also? I'm frustrated that everyone around her (besides her five guys) thinks that just because she a fork and she's small that they can do whatever they want to her. Seriously, this world she lives in is stereotypical power hungry jerks.

And that ending? Oh boy, I am invested to see what awful thing is going to happen to her now. 

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Review: Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale

Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read this series for awhile so I finally just dived right in!

Hayden's story with Knox, Easton, Maddox, Cillian and Cael is very intriguing. I can feel the yearning Hayden needs when she arrives to get new college. She's always been an outcast and she's hoping this will be the new start she's been dreaming of. But from the moment she bumped into Knox, so many things have happened to completely changed her world, along with the dangers that come with her truly finding out host who she really is.

Easton and Maddox are frustrating. They both have their own issues from their past and they are making Hayden suffer because of it. Delaney needs to leave the school because her jealousy is going to really get Hayden hurt in the end with her revenge.

I just went and got the rest of the series to binge read because now I'm vested and need to see Hayden shift into her own dragon and see how much of a badass i know she's going to be!

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Review: Sincerely, Your Enemy by Eliah Greenwood

Sincerely, Your Enemy: A Fake Dating Sports Romance by Eliah Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review. 

TJ and Lacey seem completely opposite of one another when we first met these two, but they have so much in common once we really see who they truly are. I love that both of these characters are taking care of their siblings even though they are still a kid themselves. To show that much determination to help them and love then really had an impact on the reader. 

The tension between these two was off the charts. There was a smidgen of hope for Lacey and Aaron, but honestly I was enamored with TJ the moment we met him. He just snagged my attention right away. 

The secrets and mysteries that happened in this book were new and refreshing. I loved how both stories had their own life, but didn't interfere with the other storyline. 

I loved seeing all the past characters from previous books in a pretty big role. It was like a family reunion. 

I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book! I can't wait for more by this author! 

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Review: No Prince by Stevie J. Cole

No Prince by Stevie J. Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Monroe and Zepp's story is one wild ride. Both of these characters have a crappy life but they are finding ways to make the best of it. I'm surprised it took them until senior year to butt heads honestly with how similar they are to each other. And their stubbornness. 

I love Monroe's determination to get out of her awful town that's she willing to do what she had to do until graduation. Her mom? I don't care if she got herself better, she put Monroe in a lot of awful situations at such a young age. 

And Zepp is just living minute to minute until he finally got Monroe in his life. I love that she creeped into his routine and that he fell first. 

Glad I finally read this book on my kindle! 

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Review: Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, Kasie West has entrapped me with her storytelling and has wrote another great novel that I binge read. So is her books are the traditional YA romances that are clean and have such a big message to tell her readers. 

Finley and Theo's story was truly realistic for me. What Jensen did to her, taking her dream spot away when she's been working towards that for years? That was extremely hurtful and disgusting. To be dating someone for a year, hearing about their goal and dream to be one of the lead Podcaster, just to try out for fun basically with no real passion for it? He really didn't care or love Finley as a person let alone as a girlfriend who he was suppose to support.

So her decision to get revenge? Steal his kicker position in the football team since it's the first year he's able to be the main kicker? I am fully 100% in support of this plan. I actually truly love this plan. Give him a taste of his own medicine. 

And the fact she got Theo to train her? Even better. The atmosphere between these two during this novel was intense and sweet all at once. I loved their banter so much. 

But also? I absolutely adored the moments with her grandma and the side mission she created trying to help her with remembering her past. I thought that was the sweetest.

Kasie will always be a must read author for me. I inhale her books and love the characters and story each and every time. They always have a great message in the background and I always find myself smiling by the end of her books. Can't wait for the next novel! 

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Review: Iceberg by Jennifer A Nielsen

Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yet another book i wouldn't have picked up if it weren't for my job and this one was very emotional, having to deal with passengers on the Titanic. Hazel is a force to be reckoned with, and she's only 12 years old. The amount of amazing questions she has and the focus to click things together to come up with answers is astonishing. She never gives up her drive to find the answers. 

I'm sure everyone can relate to ignoring a childs constant line of fire with questions as I'm sure everyone in the Titanic was doing with Hazel. But if she didn't get any answers from one person, she simply moved on to the next person or read about the topic in a book. She definitely has the drive of a journalist and I hope she goes on to be a successful one. 

Charlie was one of my favorites, along with Ruth Abelman. Charlie because no matter how much he knew he was going to get into trouble, he always came back to help Hazel. 

And Ruth? That woman made me tear up more times than I thought possible. I love how sky she is. How she didn't let class stop her from doing what she wanted. How she wanted to be helpful and useful and needed in a way she knew she would never be again. Her love for Hazel was so apparent and I love knowing Hazel was watched out for by so many people aboard the Titanic.

Seeing men and crew sacrifice their lives to help women and children? The musicians playing their music until they no longer couldn't? Gave me chills because those were the ultimate heroes on that horrid day. I couldn't imagine being a passenger of any status or final result on that ship. Makes a person stop and appreciate what we have in our lives now. 

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Review: Firebird by Juliette Cross

Firebird by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from Edelweiss. This is my honest review. 

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now and I am so glad Edelweiss approved my request! 

I loved Malina. She has so much confidence and spunk. She knows she capable of taking care of herself because of her gift. But she also knows what she believes in and doesn't stray them. 

Julianus is intriguing. He knows his uncle is evil and has a long winded plan to overcome his rule. He's brutal and cunning. But the moment he lays eyes on Malina, he knows everything takes a back seat to his devotion to her. 

I love that this didn't end on a completely awful ending, yet more will be coming! It's refreshing to not be in agony when ending a book for once. 

I'm so glad I got to read this and can't wait for all of my special edition copies to get delivered! 

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Review: Dance of Deception by Jagger Cole

Dance of Deception by Jagger Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from the author and Valentine PR. This is my honest review. 

Carmine and Lyra's story was great! I love seeing these two opposites get more and more intertwined with each other. Lyra has had a pretty crappy childhood and she's not having a great adult life either with her awful mom and now people wanting money from her terrible father's life choices that still haunt her. 

And I love Carmine's disconnect from human nature, but his sole focus pinpointing Lyra. Seeing him act out of nature for him with his focus on Lyra should have been disturbing but I loved every minute of it. 

All the twists and turns that dealt with Lyra's father? Brilliant. I loved the suspense and mystery. And i loved the moments that showed Lyra dancing. 

This was another great novel by Jagger Cole and I can't wait for the next installment! 

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Review: Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fionn and Rose are so different from the previous characters in this series. Not in a bad way, but it was definitely a slower pace book and not as intense with the for. I loved Rose's mission and what she was doing, but this woman definitely does not have the strong stomach like Sloane or Lark, that's for sure. 

Fionn is almost...timid... compared to his brothers. I know he had this lifestyle in mind to control his darker urges but it was always triggered when Rose was in danger. And for him to crochet? Loved that bit. So unpredictable! 

I know a ton of readers fell in love with Barbara so I was expecting... more and was a bit let down when she wasn't in the book as much as I thought she would be. 

I loved that the brothers are so tight and that we got to see so much of that in this novel. And seeing Rose bond with Sloane and Lark was awesome. 

Do overall I'm glad I read this book and series! Definitely a different type of story that I wasnt expecting to love so much. Intrigued to see what Brynne Weaver comes up with next! 

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Review: Borrow My Heart by Kasie West

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As always, once I decide to read a Kasie West book, I wonder why i took so long to get around to reading it because I loved it so much. 

Wren and Asher's story is very relatable and can easily be a real story in our society today. I love that shy, rule following Wren went outside her safe space to save Asher from being humiliated by his friend Dale. She didn't like to see him bullied or ghosted and wanted to help by proving Dale wrong. What she didn't expect was to actually like Asher, which then made her plan messy. 

I also love that Wren works with animals at the shelter and truly loves the animals. You can always tell who is at a shelter for the paycheck or to actually help the animals find their forever home. Her connection with Bean was so sweet and I loved that she tried over and over for him to find his new human and didn't give up hope. 

Wren's complicated situation with her mother was heartbreaking to see, but even worse was when her sister Zoey lashed out because she couldn't handle the truth about her mother's lack of love for her daughters. I think that was the truest scenario, that Zoey treating her that way hurt way worse than her mother because Wren didn't see Zoey's anger coming, but already knew her mother would disappoint before the end of their visit. 

The social media bit of this book also made it super relevant in today's society. So many people think they can just post whatever they want without permission from the people in their videos. That's so disrespectful of people privacy and lives. Wren was walking around not knowing people were talking about her and I honestly would have held my grudge and anger way longer than she did. 

I'm so glad I finally read this book and know it's one of my top favorite of Kasie West novels to date! Can't wait to dive into the next one soon! 

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Review: Requiem by Hannah McBride

Requiem by Hannah McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review. 

I loved coming back into this world and getting Dimitri and Lulu's story! Lulu had been through so much emotional turmoil her whole life. Having Dimitri in it has made things bearable but also excruciatingly hard for her after what they both went through as kids.

I love how protective Dimitri is of Lulu. And how he's always there for her, even when she doesn't want him there, but still needs him. 

And Lulu's magic is getting the best of her, but I'm sure in book 2 she will be able to control it with ease because she is capable of so much.

I'm so excited this novel has been released into the world and I can't wait for the next novel to conclude their story and see how things end! 

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