Review: The Carnage We Keep by Jagger Cole

The Carnage We Keep by Jagger Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be one of the most unhinged books I've read, and I loved it! Heed the warning Jagger gives you about chapter 18. I thought I was ready for it but I definitely was not!

Bella is 100% like Harley Quinn. We definitely never saw her true personality from other books, but it is so chaotic and joyful but also disturbing. I absolutely love her wildness and love how much she clashes with Damiano while also being the exact person he needs in his life. They seriously are made for each other with their extra curricular activities but also their complete opposite personalities.

Damiano is such a neat freak and so precise with every choice. But seeing him react to Bella's messiness is honestly fantastic! I love how ruthless he can be regarding the people he loves.

Seeing both of their parents react to their kids? Priceless! And Cillian? Gah! Hades trying so hard to hate Damiano but secretly loving him? It was amazing!

This book is definitely the wildest one of Jagger Cole's I've read so far but that did not make it any less fantastic to read! Loved the chaotic vigilante moments. So glad i got to read this!

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Review: Midnight Mooring by Samantha Young

Midnight Mooring by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Samantha Young writes incredible novels and Midnight Mooring was one of my favorites! We've been watching the back and forth between Cammie and Forde since book one and it was finally time to see them shine. They both have changed so much since we first met them and I love how much they grown and developed throughout this series. Especially Forde!

Cammie could 100% become a detective because she is very attuned to clues and hints. For her to remember details months later and still be able to connect them is fascinating to me. I think her overall changes were sad because of her circumstances and i hope she can get the lovely, bubbly personality back in her future.

Forde has grown more into the adult we all knew he could be. I love the responsibile and self aware man he's become. Being forced to recognize he can lose the one person he needs the most really put a lot into perspective into life for him. If course he's still the Forde we all love, but more!

I definitely guessed the bad person in this novel when we first met the character but I was also stunned at the end when the full story came out! Definitely didn't see that connection ahead of time.

Loved the extended second epilogue and how all of our favorite characters are doing. So sweet.

And I also guessed that a secondary character was going to get their own series! So excited for that to release and see how that love interest pans out cause there is some tension!

So glad I got another masterpiece by Samantha Young and can't wait for more!

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Review: Right Where I Left You by L. Beckett

Right Where I Left You by L. Beckett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is full of emotional moments from start to finish and I was entrapped the whole time.

I have to give Blaire and Simon an applause for co-parenting as well as they did for 4 years. Theo was loved by both equally and they had his best interests in mind. Nowadays parents can have ulterior motives and the child always becomes collateral damage.

I'm also glad they both fessed up their true feelings towards one another and decided to try again. It took awhile but it was obvious to everyone that they wanted to be together.

Veronica is such a nasty woman. I truly dislike her and her manipulative personality. I seriously hope the big reveal proves that she is lying so they don't have to deal with her anymore.

The ending was so emotional. I'm hoping after a bumpy road a HEA will be waiting for these two because they've been through enough turmoil. I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters and their journey. So glad I got a chance to read this story!


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Review: The Forgotten Lore by Diana Peterfreund

The Forgotten Lore by Diana Peterfreund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I was an english major in college, I'm not sure I ever read anything by Edgard Allen Poe. So to read a YA book about the Poe family and about EAP's life was different, but not bad overall. I liked that I had the same feelings about poetry and english class as Ellen, where we just didn't care.

Ellen is a great character. She's determined, dedicated, and focused when she wants answers. And she definitely wanted answers that were coming up about her ghost friend Eddy (aka Edgar Allen Poe). I really felt for her when the full story came out about her dad and why she was staying with her Aunt.

Gus was a bit strange for me and definitely a mystery. I'm with Ellen in wondering why he never got in trouble about breaking the school dress code...

I liked the history parts and her and Gus exploring places they are not meant to explore. And seeing Eddy become distraught when he codes were cracked within seconds using a computer was quite humorous.

I'm pretty intrigued on this story line and may dive into book 2 later when my reading schedule opens up to see what other adventures await Ellen and Gus.

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Review: Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this compilation of stories! We learn so much about the characters and their dragons that I'm not sure we'd ever get through Violet's point of view. I love all the guest appearances that shouldn't have happened. I loved all of the emotions that were heightened and true thoughts that were revealed.

We learn dragon things and marked one plans and feelings that are brewing between riders. I'm sure I missed so many moments through my quick read that I will definitely be revisiting this soon.

I laughed HYSTERICALLY thrush Ridoc's story, such I'm not surprised about. Though he had a few deep moments that I loved. I teared up through Imogen, Liam and Sloane's stories. Dain surprised me a bit, not gonna lie. He's still on my ban list after his life altering mistakes though. Aaric's was badass.

Seriously, this was phenomenal. I didn't know i needed this until I read it and I'm so glad Rebecca Yarros gifted us with this gem of a book!

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Review: Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finally read this! I've been wanting to for forever and I'm glad I got it completed.

I connected a lot with Sutton because I also am a bit of a control freak and micromanages a lot. Plus having her own routine and set things - that's definitely me. So seeing her start to loosen up and relax was great to see.

Elijah is fun and yet serious at the same time. I love how calm and cool he is when Sutton gets a bit intense. They even each other out and are good for each other.

Sutton's mom is just plain horrible. I really disliked her. I also really disliked Michael too. Tara was okay but I feel like she was a bit judgy toward Sutton.

I definitely liked this more than Kasie West's other adult novel. I liked the slow burn and the getting to know each other moments. Looking forward to more from Kasie West!

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Review: Once Written in Gilded Blood by K.M. Moronova

Once Written in Gilded Blood by K.M. Moronova
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meh. I really enjoyed book one and was excited to read the final installment but it to me forever to get through and now that I'm done, I'm not really impressed with it. I feel like this book was a bit bipolar with how much it jerked us around from one scene to another. 

First Alira essentially became a trapped housewife. The Alira twin book one would never allow that to happen. She's too strong willed and proactive for a life like that. 

The secrets Kalel was keeping were basically brushed aside and not dealt with as much as they should have been. Those were serious secrets and needed a lot more unpacking than the reader got. 

The whole sacrifice and death part? One it's a bit fuzzy because it's how rushed it is but two, it just doesn't make sense one bit. Was the author rushed to finish this book? Because that's the feeling I get. 

I'm a bit disappointed i read this series just to end up feeling this way. I'm glad I finally read it so I know but overall Im definitely underwhelmed with how this got wrapped up. 

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Review: Once Upon a Demon's Heart by K.M. Moronova

Once Upon a Demon's Heart by K.M. Moronova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to reread this since I have book 2 to dive into and I'm glad I did because I forgot a lot of details. I do really enjoy this story and these characters and I hope the communication gets better in book 2, though I doubt it with their history so far. 

Original review from March 1, 2026:

This book has a pretty slow pace but enough to keep me intrigued and find out what happens on the next page. I loved the revealed secrets at the end even though I guessed most of them. Alira has been through a lot in her life so far and the amount of guilt she has is a insane. I don't think her life will get any better, especially since it seems like her husband and everyone she lives with in her new home hates her. Kalel is full of secrets and mixed feelings about everything it seems. I'll be curious to see how these two pan out after his devious secrets are revealed. 

I definitely enjoyed this book and I'm glad I decided to read it!

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Review: Fated to the Frozen Prince by Ciara Hartford

Fated to the Frozen Prince by Ciara Hartford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another new to me author and an entertaining story that I enjoyed! I liked Wrenora and wish we could have gotten more of her backstory because she had been through a lot of insane situations! And Callan is the typical broody, misunderstood prince that I love so much. 

I also connect well with Wrenora that being cold is the worst torture ever and living in a frozen palace made of ice? Yeah that would be my nightmare and I would rather live anywhere else. 

I liked seeing both of them learn more about each other and grow their feelings, and also liked the twists and mystery in the novel. Glad i got the chance to read it! 

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Review: Fated to the Cursed Captain by Dawn Darling

Fated to the Cursed Captain by Dawn Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A pirate themed Beauty and the Beast? I had to investigate further because I love both of those things! I adored Corynne's determination and pure love for her work with the stars. She got denied so many times to study her passion but she NEVER let that stop her from trying over and over again. And good for her for running away from August who would have trapped her in a future that would have tortured her. 

She also fought tooth and nail against Silas when he caged her on his boat. Corynne isn't a girl to mess with because she is a fighter! 

Silas is such a broody, ruthless pirate and I loved every second of it. He was no match against my girl Corynne but it was entertaining to see him try to resist the temptation. 

Loved the reveal of the curse and how it started. I would have enjoyed seeing more about what their lives looked like after but I'll let my imagination run wild with ideas on my own. Glad I took a chance to read this new to me author! 

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Review: Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I reread this for book club and still loved it just as much as the first read! Will definitely be grabbing all the books by Heather Frances!

Review from May 2026:

I can't express how much I LOVED this book!!! And it being a debut novel? Fantastic! Stormchaser romance genre is quickly become one of my favorites and I hope many more will be created so I can obsess over all of them! 

I loved this storyline of photographers racing after storms to get the perfect photo for a nature magazine. There's the risk of being near the storm but an artistic aspect of taking the perfect photo. The blend was amazing and I couldn't get enough of it! 

Sloane is such a lovable character. She's a bit too serious, but that's from years of taking care of her entire family her whole life. But to see and feel her love for storm season was beautiful. I felt her love so much i wanted to join her (and I have no photography talent nor any love for tornados...). 

Wes is such a risk taker, chaotic mess, but anyone can see he loves what he does and really gets in the zone when chasing storms. Wes and Sloane are such opposites, but their attraction is undeniable. Even in the beginning stages when they are bickering at each other, there are definitely under currents of attraction that EVERYONE can see except Sloane. 

I absolutely loved this book and I'm so glad I got to read it! I'll be grabbing a physical copy to own because I'm also obsessed over this cover! Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this debut author!

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Review: The Love That Broke Us by Maya Hughes

The Love That Broke Us by Maya Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've missed Maya Hughes novels! So happy I got to read this early and experience all the angst and emotions that come packed in her stories! 

Lilah and Mason's story is a roller coaster of events, so be ready to go in the ride with them! I feel so much for both characters. Lilah is in this limbo of loneliness that no one can seem to get through to her. She has one year of being through miserableness before she can escape and start her future. Being with stepsisters who don't like her. An absent minded father who just focuses on work and not on any of his daughters. And a boy she thought she liked only for him to target her and make school just as unbearable as it is at home. 

Mason is a jerk, plain and simple. He has a sole tunnel vision and whatever he thinks or is told to think is the only thing he does without thought. He's in a tough spot to protect his little sister Zoe and his mother, he needs to perform perfectly for his mentally and physically abusive dad. Hockey is number one and if Mason strays, he gets punished. So when he decides Lilah is going to be his number one focus, a series of punishments come knocking on his door. 

Ryker, Lilahs friend, it's also a jerk. I really didn't like him. He is living is life and is Lilahs closest friend, but it seems he's only using her to get an advantage on things. Plus he 100% has a crush on Lilah and got so nasty when she was with Mason. A true friend would have her back and not always find ways to talk her away from who she was with. 

Zoe was my favorite person in this series. Such a sweetheart full of love and hours. I hope that doesn't get squashed from her the longer she loves with Mason's dad.

So glad I got to read this! Can't wait for the continuation after that tension filled ending! 

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Review: Total Shutdown by Ruth Stilling

Total Shutdown by Ruth Stilling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not gonna lie, the cover grabbed my attention and made me buy this book. Along with the blurb, but the cover is fantastic. 

And overall I enjoyed this book. It's a very quick read - finished it in one sitting. Collins is a feisty character who knows exactly what she wants and isn't (normally) afraid to tell anyone what's on her mind. Anyone that isn't Sawyer apparently. With him she's more on guard because she can tell things with him could get intense quickly and she's not ready for that. 

I also love her connection with Sawyer's son Ezra. 12 year olds are tricky to connect with and seeing her bond with him so quickly was great. Especially since Collins doesn't think she does well with kids. 

Sawyer stole the show for me. He's extremely intense and he fell first so hardcore for Collins. He knew what he wanted and could tell Collins felt the same even though she was hesitant. He didn't give up and was persistent with his communication with Collins. 

I did think the friend circle and the hockey world was a bit confusing. Im guessing because this is book 2 in a series and most would have met the rest of the characters it would click better, but as a new reader into this series with this book it was all a bit blurry and hard to keep up. 

Overall I thought it was a good story and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. 

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Review: Deathrider by Juliette Cross

Deathrider by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book by far is my favorite in the series! I thought i loved Malina, but Anya has thrown herself into spot #1 and never left. I devoured this book and I'm quite sad it's already done. 

Anya is a fierce gladiator and seeing her use her magic was amazing. She has no fear and wields her magic with ease and familiarity. Her shadows haunt her daily but she's learned to accept the curse that comes with her magic. 

I love that she discovered that her sister was alive and made it her sole mission to find her after 4 years. She is fearless and so incredibly brave. Nothing was going to get in her way until she was reunited with her family. Seeing her develop feelings towards Alaric was so sweet since she had no clue what was happening, having never felt those feelings before. 

Alaric is fantastic. His secrets were pretty easily to figure out but i adored his fascination and commitment to Anya. Honestly the way he reacted at their first meeting, the reader knew he was done for. And Alaric was oh so happy to follow Anya to wherever she may lead him. 

The ending? The justice to Caesar? I legit cried because it was definitely the best choice to make. Actually this book had me crying a few times with all of the emotion that came bottling over with reunions and reliving past memories. 

I can't think of the last time I liked the LAST book the most, but it definitely happened here. I'm so glad I chose to reread book 1 and binge read through all 3 books to have everything fresh in my mind and be fully immersed into this world. I can't wait to add book 3 to the amazing edges on my shelves and see the trilogy in is entirety! 

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Review: Bloodsinger by Juliette Cross

Bloodsinger by Juliette Cross
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Finally got to dive into Lela's story! I really liked that she was paired with Trajan as I liked him a lot of Firebird. And I think Lela is definitely a fighter, once she embraced her magic. 

And for the most part I liked this book. Not nearly as much as book 1 though. This had a lot to do with the revolution and the politics which really bored me and had me start skimming more often than not. The connection between the characters wasnt nearly as strong as book 1 so that was a major part of why I felt blah about it. 

I'm glad I stuck through it to get to the end for the reveal about book 3 because I think I know the pairing and if so I'm really hoping that interaction will go off like fireworks! Very excited to see how this all ends. 

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Review: Firebird by Juliette Cross

Firebird by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very glad I decided to reread this first novel in preparation for diving into books 2 and 3. Still loved it and glad I get to revisit again. 

My review from March 2025:

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: Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte

Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a bit bummed I didn't love this more. Book one was great and I was great and i loved the characters and the tension and the friendimies vibes. 

But in this book Sabrina and Tyler are extremely similar to each other, and they are both people pleasers. Which unfortunately I am not a fan of so seeing them struggle to have normal conversations was hard for me. Plus Sabrina is wat too preppy for my personality. Then add in the secret relationship and I was pretty much realizing this book wasn't for me sadly. 

I still think I'm going to love this author, but this book definitely didn't vibe with my tastes. I'm so glad i read it and can tell this will be loved by most.

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Review: Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan

Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm a bit conflicted by this book. I liked it but also... didn't? Not hated it but im indifferent to it? I'm finding it really hard to explain. The story and the world and the characters were all fine but I wasnt consumed by the book. I wanted to see what happened next but was also okay to dnf it. I'm not sure I've ever felt this way about a book before. 

This had the Fourth Wing vibes with the fighting and training and their crew of characters. But doesn't have the deep connections I get with FW. Leina is definitely a fighter and a likeable character but maybe she's not that relatable? I think she's distanced herself from everything after the incident at the wedding and then watching all of her family members for that she blocks herself from feeling emotions or allowing the reader to feel emotions? I mean, she DOES but in a dulled sort of way? 

And Ryot is just a mess. You can tell he's fighting his attraction for Leina right at the beginning and then the reveal at the end about who his family is? That's a giant betrayal to Leina. Their relationship is pretty much doomed.

So yeah... didn't love this book. Didn't hate it. I'm probably not going to continue reading it if I'm already feeling these sorts of ways with book 1. 

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Review: The Casanova Complex by Maren Moore

The Casanova Complex by Maren Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely devoured this book! I love Merritt and Bennet together. They are so feisty and complete opposites, but they just work for each other. I love how Bennett was literally speechless when he met Merritt and that was the whole vibe throughout the whole book. The guy falling first is one of my top tropes and Maren Moore did it so well. 

Merritt is such a tough chick. But she's so gooey inside too. Once you are in her circle of people she cares about, she will go to any lengths to make sure you feel seen and adored. I did think her overprotectiveness with Elliott was a bit much once i met him and discovered his age. He is definitely at an age where he can do things (some, not all of course) on his own and I think it was more of Merritt not wanting to let go of her control. I also felt like her two girl friends just disappeared in the middle of the story and didn't reappear or were mentioned again which was a bit odd to me. 

Bennett was great, though a bit too cocky to be honest. It was just an act for most of it but still got to be a bit much at times. But I loved that he kept up his grades because he wanted to and not just because of hockey. And him liking things clean and neat and hot annoyed that his roommates didn't feel the same? Loved. 

So glad we got Bennett's story and glad I got to read this novel! 

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Review: The Isle of the Lost: The Graphic Novel by Melissa de la Cruz & Robert Venditti

The Isle of the Lost: The Graphic Novel by Robert Venditti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very quick read and really followed along with the novel. Liked seeing all the depictions come to life after reading the details. I did picture Mal to look a bit tougher than she was in the graphic, but overall the image really showed the characters personalities. A good story with great visualization. 

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