Review: Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibanez

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the setting and storyline of this book. This author does a great job with historical details and really making it her own that always impresses me. 

Ravenna is so determined to be the pillar for her family that I feel like she's lost her own identity. I think as crappy as it was being forced away from her home, it was good for her to not have to be fixing everything that her family wouldn't do. I also think she grew into herself when it came to both her sculpting and her magic which she would have never gotten to do if she was at home.

I always love the morally grey character, so Saturnino was a favorite for me. But seeing him become more human with more emotions was everything. Because we all know it was Ravenna bringing so that emotion out of him. And the way he protected her? Loved. I also loved how she stayed with him in the river. 

While I loved the characters, I did find the story a bit slow at times, making it take a bit longer than it needed to finish this book. I definitely enjoyed this novel and it has the same vibes as her other novels, I just thought the pacing could have been a bit more overall. 

So glad I got the chance to read this and looking forward to more by this author! 

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Review: Heart Check by Emily Charlotte

Heart Check by Emily Charlotte
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a pretty cute YA novel! I loved the wintery vibes, the excitement of sport competition, and the enemies to more between Harper and Dawson. I really liked that they were coworkers so they had a relationship more than just a girl who hated hockey falls in love with hockey. She knew Dawson at least more than sitting in the same class together. 

I also really liked that she was managing her own business and found a way (with help) to make it popular and in high demand by the end of the novel. I feel like Harper grew a lot during this book from a stressed teen to someone who actually did a little deeper before judging. I also love that she had a back bone and wasnt afraid to speak her mind.

Dawson also grew in this book. He was living his best, entitled life at first and then reality came knocking. Seeing him bond with his teammates, understanding the game and how it all clicks when you put in more than hard work but trust in teammates, was really inspiring. Reminded me of when I was in sports. 

I'm really glad I decided to read this! I'll be on the lookout for more by this author! 

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Review: Come Here, Kitten by Emilia Rose

Come Here, Kitten by Emilia Rose
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've had a signed copy of this book for awhile and finally got around to reading it. And it was okay. I like Aurora's spunk and determination even though everyone in her life is putting her in a corner and treating her like glass. I like how powerful and possessive Mars/Ares is. 

But other than that the story just kept feeling like it was on a repeating loop and I got bored pretty quickly. Then to have a cliffhanger ending was enough to annoy me even more. So glad I read it but don't think I'll ever read it again. 

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Review: Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton

Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's wild that this book basically starts and finished in 1 week because there is so much that happens in that small amount of time! 

I loved Viola and Roze's story honestly. It's a YA romantasy with just enough uniqueness to make it stand out. Viola is so terrified of her secret, her magic, and she's finding it harder and harder to control it. I loved seeing her discover more about her magic and about herself throughout this book. She's extremely smart and has a quick mind that comes to conclusions. 

And Roze. Roze. Such a typical morally gray bad boy that I fell for because I love those characters. He has had it extremely rough being the son of the Queen who is so jaded and filled with hatred. I'm glad he met and become intrigued by Viola.

I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel and as far as I can tell it's a standalone which is a rare occurrence in Romantasy novels. Very glad I read it and I will be on the lookout for more by this author! 

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Review: Lethal Vows by T L Smith

Lethal Vows by T.L. Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for mafia and decided to try this one on my kindle. And it was good, but I got extremely annoyed with how often everything was repeated throughout the novel. Mind you most of that was because Crue wouldn't take the answer no from Rya, but it was still extremely repetitive.

I don't blame Rya for wanting out of the mafia life. I think she is strong and made of steel choosing her profession. But she is also very capable of being in the mafia so it's no surprise she's being dragged back into this lifestyle. 

Crue has never been told no and can't seem to compute Rya's reluctance. Which is actually a bit comical if you aren't Rya.

Glad i read this even if it was a bit meh for me. 

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Review: Overruled by Lana Ferguson

Overruled by Lana Ferguson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lana is an author that i will devour all her books because I love them so. But I knew going into this one that it will be a bit rough for me. For some reason i just don't handle leather stories well. Maybe it's because they use a whole new language. Maybe it's the arguing over and over, always needing to prove they are right.

Whatever the case may be, I've never been able to find one that I enjoy. And while I thought Lana did a marvelous job finding a way to explain this world and how lawyers do what they do, i just couldn't get into this pace of life for lawyers.

Ezra has a pretty crappy family situation. I don't envy him one bit and I admire his patience and strength to deal with that hostile environment. His attitude around Dani is a little over the top for me. He's cocky, which i usually don't mind but he never turns off the charm and it just felt too forced and awkward at times for me. 

Dani is stressing over her parents situation more than she needs to. Im not saying she doesn't have a right to be upset, but she's not doing anting to make herself understand or feel better. She's ignoring the problem and that's really frustrating since she is fixing everyone else's problems. 

I'm glad i got around to read this! Lana always writes in a way that a newbie into the subject can understand everything perfectly, and this book was no exception. 

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Review: King of Ravens by Clare Sager

King of Ravens by Clare Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm surprised at how much I liked this book! It's a pretty standard fae and human forced proximity love story, but I just really adored Annon and Drystan's characters. Drystan was the typical fae king showing no emotions unless it was just the two of them and always mysterious.

But Annon? She was a gem for me. Her life as a human sucked and she was prepared to die at any moment. But when she went to Drystan's world and started to get better? She thrived and I loved watching that growth in more than one ways.

I 100% called all of the unexpected that happened early on. Especially things from her human life. But Annon is a better person than me and gives people chances they don't deserve.

The ending? I called that too and even know why Drystan is doing what he is doing. I'm very exited to see where the story goes in book 2 and will be waiting for that eventful day!

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Review: Once a Villain by Vanessa Len

Once a Villain by Vanessa Len
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sooo. I liked book 1. Thought book 2 was decent. But by the time I got to book 3, I feel like i should have had a handle on this world a lot more, but was still lost. I still have questions. But if there was a book 4 I'm not sure if I would pick it up to read it. 

There was a lot of the same things happening over and over and over. After awhile it just needed to move on and get answers instead of going in circles. Joan really didn't have time, not sure NEEDED to master her ability. After 3 books and still not knowing how to use her power? Having so many moments where she almost faded out? The time she ignored her Hunt family after book 1 and not learning more about her monster side was a giant mistake on her end. She was acting like a child instead of realizing she has a whole other world she needs to learn about. 

And then the situation with Aaron and Nick. I'm actually not mad about the epilogue ending, but the massive journey to get to that ending? Painful and awkward. I know Joan is only 17, but she knows how she feels and the 3 of these characters can't express their feelings to save their lives so it was like pulling teeth. 

Glad I stuck with the series to the end to see how it was wrapped up but I'm probably not going to reread this again in my future. Once was plenty for me. 

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Review: Never a Hero by Vanessa Len

Never a Hero by Vanessa Len
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book put me through so many emotions. At first it was so bittersweet with Joan feeling lost and confused after the ending of book 1. Then I got a bit lost with a new storyline of jumping through time. Got sad when she saw Aaron. Got hopefully when she saw Nick. Got puzzle when we meet Eleanor. And then so many more emotions when more plot holes were finally revealed and how everything started to click into place on answering the question... why? 

After reading my first review when I first read this book, i didn't know which team I was on. After this book, I know i should pick Nick, but i really do adore Aaron and am leaning on his side. 

I'm so glad I have the 3rd and final book ready because I'm so very curious how this is all going to end for the better. Cause that ending was a lot to compute!

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Review: Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I'm so mad at how much I loved this book. I'm mad cause now I have to wait for the rest of the series to be released!!! I am a binge reader, so this wait for book 2 and 3 is going to end me, I just know it!

I'm honestly surprised (in a good way) at how much I enjoyed this series. I've been reading A LOT of YA fantasy books as of late to get through my older ARCs, and haven't loved them quite as much as I love this one. I think because it's so unique from anything else I've read. To read the book through a villain, a monsters, eyes but have that character not be as monstery as you would imagine. To see the hero, but see them as the villain.

It really makes you step back a second and think, how can one judge who is a villain and a hero? Because depending on your viewpoint, your standing, it makes a huge difference. Sure, the monsters that Joan hasn't met yet COULD be evil. But what we saw Nick to do people he doesn't know? To people Joan loves? That seemed pretty darn evil to me. Though if we had read this book through Nick's point of view, I'm sure we would have felt the complete opposite. It's really fascinating to think about.

Joan. I love her, honestly. She's literally a fish out of water. She's been thrust into this world after watching her family disappear and she has questions. We, the reader, have questions. But to see her perspective, as essentially a human viewpoint, she is very quick with the change and learns very fast. Though she definitely makes mistakes and asks questions to the wrong person at the wrong time.

Aaron. Can I say that I adore him? I really do, even though I'm not sure I'm supposed to. The way he slunked off at the beginning was a bit unsettling, which makes me wonder what will happen in the upcoming novel. But the way he's personality changed the longer he was with Joan was amazing and I'm sad that will be gone.

Nick is just....Ugh. I have feelings. I like him, but then again I don't. And I think that's how I'm probably supposed to feel, but his whole origin story is just sad and makes me feel like I should like him more. Maybe it's because we didn't get a lot of great interaction with him in the novel. I honestly don't know what Team I'm on yet.

The only thing I wish was a bit different was the explanation of the monster world. Especially the monster family. I know they all have gifts, and that it was explained, but I still feel very distant from what family does what and how and what they benefit from it, etc. So maybe when book 2 comes out, I'll reread this one and try to get a better understanding of that first before diving into what I think will be an amazing book 2!

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Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Still loved this series so much! Glad I reread before Onyx Storm!

Original review from Dec 7, 2023:
I've had this book since release day and a month after, I've read this twice now. I haven't been this obsessed over a book series for many years and I honestly am not sure how to move into another book with the emptiness I have when done. I sound dramatic, but it's true lol.

Violet is fantastic. The brain this girl has, she's always figuring things out way before anyone else and it's all thanks to her scribe life she was preparing for. People think reading books is silly, but it's not. Gathering information and learning facts will prepare a person to be equipped with everything they may need to know in a single second.

I love Violet interacting with Tarin and Andarna. The love she has for her dragons, actually everyone in her life, is so strong and pure. She is so selfless and is always trying to save everyone but herself.

Xaden is so swoon-worthy, but also annoying. I get all of the choices he made (except the last one) but it doesn't mean I liked him during those moments. And the moments he was SHOWING Violet he loved her? Oh boy, they were convincing moments!

There is so much that happens in this novel. Yarros has a way of shoving so much info but it doesn't feel like we are bombarded with everything all at once.

I loved all of the returning characters and all of the new characters. I'm very intrigued to see what events will happen with Aaric. I feel like he's going to have a major role soon.

Dain left my "he can be unalived" corner and moved to my "just stay here and be quiet" corner. He can still be moved depending on what he did in the next book. Still up for debate.

As you can see I'm still all over the place when it comes to this book, this series, but I love it so much and know I'll be rereading before book 3 is released to get immersed into this amazing world again.

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Review: Dance of Thorns by Jagger Cole

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

I love every Jagger Cole book, but this one i feel like has the most twists and turns yet! Just when you think you have figured it so or, Jagger come swooping in with more reveals that leave you stunned!

I've been curious about Dove for awhile now, just like everyone else in this series. She comes out of nowhere with insane talent but barely opens up to the other dancers in the ballet group. So it was really great to be able to find out more about her, even though her story is sad and filled with traumatic moments. 

Bane is extremely intense. He holds a lot of his own secrets, some involving Dove that i honestly thought he should have told her. Though to be fair that conversation wouldn't have gone smoothly so I get why he didn't tell her. But his determination in everything makes him a man you don't want to cross with. 

I really liked the surprise reveals in this book and enjoyed being shocked by a few of them. And as much as I was happy to get Doves story, I cannot contain my excitement for Evie's novel next! This sweet innocent girl is going to experience so many things and I'm there with her 100%!

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