Anne maria
3..5
I was looking for a snowy, isolated horror/thriller, and that's exactly what I got. I would love to state that the twists and turns came as a surprise, but I had guessed the killer and major twist so early into the story. I guess a lifetime of reading such stories had something to do with that. I wish I got it wrong, though. It's nice to be wrong in such cases. None of that impeded my enjoyment. The pacing was good, the tension was palpable, and I had a decent enough time. The itch was itched.
This was a story of pure abuse, if we're honest. Yeah, The German (I refuse to acknowledge his name) may have been a little bit romantic, but it didn't last long. I think it's clear here that there is a difference between love and obsession.
Look, I love a messed-up mc but The German took things to a whole other level. He was so cruel. There was nothing redeemable about him. He deserved nothing but death, and I wished for it the entire time. This is a very uncomfortable read, but the story was good enough that I didn't want to stop reading. All I wanted for Halie was to escape.
And then the end happened and the messed-up part of me, attracted to fictional troubled men I would call 999 on in a heartbeat in real life, was sad The German died, and I read on hopeful that he might have survived, which of course he did, but let's be real: he may be trying to change, but it's apparent that will never happen. If he had any piece of humanity in him, he would have left Haile and their daughter alone. Now, I judge myself and wish him dead again.
As I type this review, Amazon just delivered a copy of His Dark Mercy, the first book written by Amethyst Moonn which is twice as long. I guess I have signed myself up for more delightful punishments.
I hate most romance books and films. They make me want to vom. In fiction and real life. The only romances I inhale are the messed-up, dark kind of romance, yet for some bizarre reason, when it comes to graphic books, I can happily read smoochy stuff as long as it's written well, and this book was EVERYTHING!
This book is a sapphic, cute, funny and heartwarming romance story about two college girls. Momo is introverted and shy with what would seem to be social anxiety. and PG is a popular lady who appears to leave a trail of broken hearts behind her.
The relationship development between them was so adorable, I didn't vomit once. The backstories of the girls, the college vibes, Eunnie's writing, and the beautiful illustrations had me kicking my feet. I am a grown woman kicking my damn feet because I wanted nothing but the best for Momo and PG.
Momo, whom I instantly loved, reminds me of me: introverted, shy, and with a small circle of friends. From the very start, I felt there was more to PG, she didn't seem very happy with her choices, but she was very charming, and I liked her a lot.
The bipoc representation throughout the entire book was chefs kiss. As a Londoner, that's what I am used to, and I love seeing that in books.
I didn't expect this would be a 5-star read, but it was. I really can't wait to see what other books Eunnie will be putting out. I will definitely be reading this again, and it's such a pretty book to look at, hold, and read.
4.5
Book one in this series was my first five starred book as I kicked off 2024 so I was excited to dive back into this series after reading some palate cleansers in between. I wasn't disappointed when the prologue immediately pulled me back in. Ooh I am so happy to be back with the gang.
We pick up from book one with the lovers separated as Xel and Treb fight to hold off the Spider back in Kurkevy and Jade and Civan seek refuge and possibly a new start in Shahwa where Jade is getting to learn more about her new mage powers as they both wait and hope to be reunited with Xel and Treb.
I loved how beautifully the love development was. Fledgling love from the first book that blossoms over to book 2. I also appreciated the real struggle Civan had with understanding and accepting his sexuality. Like Treb he was raised to believe his attraction towards men was immoral and wrong. That his worth as a man depended on how many women he should be bedding because that's what society falsely demands. He had issues coming to terms with finding two hard, strong men just as desirable as his love for soft, curvaceous Jade and also being confused on how to love a man when he wasn't even sure how to love a woman due to his inexperience. Treb was the perfect person to help Civan talk through his emotions as he found his place amongst the group.
I appreciated that all 4 characters got their own love stories. The relationship development between Treb and Civan was different to Treb and Jade or Xel and Civan for example. This is a true MM, MMF, FMM etc and the centre point wasn't just Jade being the woman as they all had issues to sort through.
Book 2 seemed to have less action and concentrated on the group dynamics which I felt was done so well but that does not mean there is no action. There certainly is and the ending had me on the edge of my seat.
The introduction of Kevik had me side-eyeing the author and storyline, I won't spoil why but my face was scrunched up reading to begin with. You'll have to read for yourselves to find out why.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I can't wait to read the final book.
I listened to this on Audible and really enjoyed this slow-burn romance. I always purchase the paperback if I like a story, and this one comes with delicious illustrations, so next time I will physically read this story. The paperback is the size of an 80's Freeman's catalogue. I felt I needed to let everyone know because I was gagged, but pleasantly so.
You're never “nothing.” You exist. You make people laugh, you are loved, and you are missed. You feel, you breathe, and if you weren't here, people would be sad. You exist. If you read this book, you'll understand.
I adore the illustrations in these books. I am loving the story and can't wait to find out what happens in volume 3.
This is not a reverse harem. At all. It didn't impede my enjoyment. I love how Smauggy writes, but the tags lied, they lie. Maybe the subsequent books are. Yeah, I can see how I would like that to go down amongst some of the characters.
I was having a good old time reading this book and then frustration kicked in. Frustration for and at Gabrielle; frustration that evil people weren't being punished with a bullet to the head; frustration with Chris for some of his inconsiderate actions; frustration as I felt the mystery behind the Richardson family meant none of my frustrations would be resolved in this book as this is part of a series, baby! NONE of that meant I didn't enjoy myself, unfairly curse out characters for betrayals that weren't technically “betrayals,” but in my world, it is damn it! If an author can illicit such strong emotions from me and not make me want to throw my book into the fire, I know I am on to a good thing. It wasn't all eager frustration, I really loved the way the twists kept coming.
I also love, love, love to read black fmc's such as Gabrielle and her friends just being excellent and excelling in their chosen fields. More of this.
My two biggest criticisms were how easily Gabrielle fell for any man that showed her attention. She's so confident in her career but so easily pliable in any man's hands. All he needs to do is be a bit of an arsehole, bite his or her lip, and obnoxiously invade her personal space with his rich man's entitlement for her to start dripping. I just wish she'd stood up for herself a little more, especially with the sexy-arsed Richardson brothers. I don't include her pos fiancé in that; there is no judgement from me there; if you know, then you know.
Gabrielle grinding all over her boss, the slithery Michael (who, in my view, did not respect any boundaries or the power dynamic he had over Gabrielle), betrays how serious and how hard her character had to work as a black woman to excel in the medical field. Michael did nothing but act like another entitled arsehole. I wasn't sure if this was Gabrielle owning her sexual being, reacting to past events, or whether she lacked the ability to think coherently when it came to men. She came across as very needy. Also, who is he? I'm intrigued.
Also, there was so much lip-biting in this book that I am surprised the characters had any lips left. It was repeated throughout the book, to the point where it began to irk me.
I will be completing the entire series and saga. I thirst so hard to read The Unsettling and The Reckoning which will make no sense unless I read previous books, and I am happy to do so. I'm intrigued to find out where this story leads. I loved the ending. I very much enjoyed my second trip into Smauggy's mind.
I am writing this review from the hospital as my hands are being treated for 3rd degree burns inflicted by the heat of this novella. I really enjoyed this short story and translating the spoken Italian, as I just HAD to know what nastiness the two men were saying. That was a nice touch.
The 3 mc's were so delightfully scandalosa! I also wasn't expecting to be shocked, but I was, and that's all I'll reveal.
I'm not going to state a fictional character's dalliances had me in any way, shape, or form jealous, but... This review is OVER! Leave me alone.
You know when you start a new book and the way the author writes immediately grips you? Then, as you read on, you become more sure with each turn of the page that you're about to have an amazing experience in this world. Yeah, this was that.
I loved both Willow and Caz. I didn't expect the humour. Willow's reactions to the insane situations she found herself in had me laughing out loud. I adored the dynamic between them.
This had everything, and I felt the pace was perfect, from taking a breath as the two mc's connected, albeit reluctantly at first, to the faster-paced action scenes.
Oooh, Shanora William's writing gave me butterflies. I laughed and cried. Oh, how I cried, but it was the good kind of cry, you know? Even during the sad moments. I loved the journey I was taken on, and I love the world of Vakeeli. I can't believe I've been blessed with another 5-star experience so soon after my first 5-star read of 2024, yet this definitely deserves 5 stars.
The journey continues.
The very start of this book promised fun and the fun was delivered. Adrian is proof you don't have to be an arsehole to be an alpha even though he admittedly did some dodgy things in his pursuit of Carmen that normal-thinking people would consider..... injunction worthy but lust is lust and we excuse such actions over here thank you.
I appreciated the illustrations. This was a hot read and I don't mean just the erotic scenes but the melding of the minds between Adrain and Carmen was so hot to read. It did get a bit cheesy at the end and I'm anti-smoochy romance by default which I will continue to admit is a me problem however this was a quick and fun read.
4.5
I absolutely loved the realistic portrayal of how it would feel to be trapped with someone as psychotic as the mmc. No stars in the eyes; Diana's too much of an investigative reporter for that. Diana has questions. In fact, it's her natural curiosity that has helped put her at the side of a dangerous man, but what choice did she have once Asher's mind was made up?
Overall, I had a growing sense of unease reading this book. It felt so unsafe for Diana the entire time. I said out loud several times, “Diana, you in danger gurl”. Asher's sanity is so untrustworthy that I began to doubt whether his POV was the actual reality; after all, he is capable of having full conversations and meals with his dead mother. The fact that he knows something is different about him (not that he feels his actions are necessarily wrong) makes reading so much more exciting too. I often found myself thinking he made valid points. I have to admit that as I read on I started to find Diana's natural curiosity annoying, as she put herself in the most ridiculous and dangerous predicaments, and it started to grate on me. Then I have to remember that her mind is broken because who wouldn't be?
I liked book 1 a lot, and I loved book 2 even more. Do not click the spoiler if you're going to read this book I write to my audience of 0.
I like and prefer HEA's, even the morally grey ones will work, but I'm not surprised by the ending. Asher revered his mother, even though he hated her. He loved his mother but still strangled the life out of her. Whatever made Diana so sure her life was safe around Asher towards the end? Maybe she wasn't. Her last desperate act, when she made love to her monster, broke my heart. His madness meant he would eventually find fault in his obsession. I'm just sad for Diana. He came into her world, fucked with her already fragile mind, and then killed her because ghosts can't run. Fuck you, Asher. Your morals about killing innocent people went straight out of the window, you piece of fictional shit.
I've been wanting to read more black-fmc dark romances outside the contemporary genre and this books title and cover came flying at me. The reviews sealed the deal so I picked up the entire series to look pretty on my bookshelves. Did you SEE how pretty Jaeda is?
I love how natural the relationships between the characters built. This story managed to show such tenderness between the lovers without making me want to vomit. I just can't take the slushy romances at ALL and sometimes I forget love can be portrayed beautifully when it's written well.
The world building and magic system are very interesting and easy to understand, it happens so organically without taking you away from the story.
The more I read, the more excited I got as new plots evolved. There was never a dull moment as the story kept building and coming together perfectly.
At page 261 I knew this was a 5 star read when something I hoped would happen took place before my very eyes but in a much better way than I had ever imagined. I was having all the 5 Star reactions. Ahhh! so satisfying.
I am so excited I have two thick beauties on my shelf left to read. I really didn't expect to fall so hard for these characters and this world but I fell happily.
My first 5 Stars in what is only week 2 of the year.
Chapter 38 had me laughing so damn hard. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” -Billy. S
If you loved the first book, you will definitely love this one. We get to expand on New Terrhan too, which I loved. I'm thoroughly enjoying this series; it's written well, and I love the humour. I am so excited to read Book 3.
I enjoyed this, the second book in this series. The two Mc's were damaged by scars that ran so deep. I felt so much for Gutter and Salalia, and it was touching to watch their relationship develop. It is an insta-love type of situation, but it's clear their souls were pulled towards each other. I also loved reading the further development of the fires surrounding the Lost Souls MC and all the delicious potential characters whose stories we may end up reading if Blue Saffire graces us with several more books.
I was going to give this 3.5 stars because it got a little too slushy for me at times, but that is a problem for me, not the author or storyline. The romantic intimacy was fitting given the healing occurring between the two lovers. So 4 stars it is and on to book 3, on to King. Swoon...
This was a beautiful, horrific, and traumatic love story, and if you're here, I reckon you know what to expect with these types of dark books, and you won't be disappointed with this short novella. I was on the side of “wrong” the entire time reading. I am very eager to see what else Lilith DeLuca will produce. I could have done without the incest though, not gonna' lie. My face was like this reading the erotic scenes the entire time...
