Ridley Aris

I received an ARC of The Witch of Wall Street from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Witch of Wall Street is a cute, cozy fantasy with witches and magic woven into the corporate world. Add tropes like he falls first, golden energy, enemies to lovers, etc., and you have a pretty typical fantasy rom. What sets it apart is its world-building and the characters. One character's magic is chaotic while the other is very controlled, and they have to work together for a common purpose while navigating the opposites-attract pitfalls our long-time rivals encounter.

Although this story has a fast-paced plot, the pace of the overall story is enjoyable and engaging.

I received this audiobook as an ALC from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Let's start with the good: I have not listened to anything narrated by Michael Crouch before but I did enjoy his narration of The Prince's Heart. This story was lighthearted and an easy read.

Where this story misses the mark:
First, its marketing. The comparison between the Red Queen and Throne of Glass could not be less accurate. There is nothing high adventure, high stakes in this book. Sure, there is plot and while we have themes like arranged marriages, countries on the proverbial brink, etc...there is nothing really overly dramatic or action packed.

Secondly, the love interest between our two main characters is more of a love at first sight with zero substance arrangement. There is barely any development in the characters or their relationship. For those of you wondering... the relationship from the start of the book through the epilogue is about as spicy as mayo. While I do appreciate the queer representation, the “I love you” “I love you too” “we can't be together” “Ok” “I love you” feels like it could have been much more well thought out.

Third, the romance is not the only slow burn for this book. The plot development and story line are difficult to stick with and while you can pick up on what's happening, it takes way too long to get there. If had read this book vs listened to it, I would have absolutely DNF'd. The three stars is absolutely for the audio narration because it improved the overall experience of this story.

I received this book as an ARC.

The overall premise of the book is good, though there are several things which make it challenging to get through.

First, the story itself has a strange mixture of falling flat while introducing additional confusion since the descriptions leads you to believe it is from a single POV and then you find out there are multiple.

There is world building and a lot of details to set up an epic fantasy; however, it almost seems like the entire book is to lay the foundational world building and to get you to book two. Which I totally understand is how a series builds, but usually the first book gets the basics of the story, characters, world and starts the main plot then ends on a cliff hanger. A lot of this book felt confusing or disjointed, almost like it should have been a prequel novella VS a standalone intro to the series.

There are some great themes throughout and I think there is a great potential for the story in book two. I will be interested to see how the author continues the series.

Thank you to S.W. Kent for being chosen as one of his ARC readers.

I loved everything about this story. Not only is it fantasy, my favorite genre, but there is something and someone here for everyone to enjoy and relate to (more on that in a bit). Unlike most fantasy novels, which have magic systems and world-building that can leave you feeling burnt out from just trying to keep up, The Storyteller from Balincia has an original magic system that lends itself to the story's originality while being easy to follow. The world-building is masterfully done and is captivating, crafting an incredibly detailed world for not only our characters but for us as readers. The attention to detail to create such rich histories, lores, etc., is not something you typically get in book one of a series.

The story's pace was enjoyable and delivered intentionally without filler. The introduction of the characters and their dynamics with each other just made the story that much more seamless. The Storyteller from Balincia must be the most diverse and inclusive read I have experienced in quite a while. The author brought in multiple races, body types, colors, sexual orientations, genders, non-binary, etc., which go beyond typical fantasy archetypes. Despite being so diverse, the acceptance and cooperation between these characters is a breath of fresh air and a much-welcomed change and captures the found family trope well.

If you are looking for your next epic fantasy read, and want a story that has relatable characters, a MM romance, found family, diversity, and tons more...The Storyteller from Balincia is a must-add to your TBR.

I received and ALC of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. The plot, while magically, is still very relatable in how we deal with pain and the pain of love/loss. There is no complicated world building, an easy to follow magic systems and overall the story is very reminiscent of Encanto meets Practical Magic...which are both vibes I enjoy.

The story and its pace were perfect for me. The narrator was also very enjoyable to listen to.

I would highly recommend this book/audiobook to anyone looking for a story about love and family.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Where to start? This story was a huge detour from my normal genres, but as a food lover I thought I would give it a try. The story itself is very unique in that our MC can sense ghosts, but only by way of their favorite food from when they were alive which floods his mouth when they are near. That connection evolves over time and he uses it bring closure to others who have lost loved ones.

While I am a fan of food, I struggled a bit with some of the descriptions. The book is worth the read since it is such an original concept and I am grateful to have been able to obtain a ARC. My only other feedback is that while the story had lots of interesting facets, it did seem to drag a bit in places.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

How best to describe this book? Think The Prince & Me meets Red, White & Royal Blue. This book is on point with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the banter between our MMCs is fantastic. Too often, the banter and/or the angst takes too long to build without a payout, but I didn't feel that way with The Prince and the Player, as the story's pace was quick. My only criticism of the MMCs is that while the banter was good, Farron skipped straight past brooding and was just aggressively angry the entire story, and there was no actual development of a relationship other than going from enemies right to lovers. Most enemies-to-lovers tropes have a period where a relationship starts to form before the eventual realization that feelings are involved.

As an aside, the cover irks me slightly. The characters depicted on the cover are reversed from how they are described in the story...

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It was also my first introduction to Nora Phoenix, and I look forward to reading more from the author.

I received this book as an ARC

This was an unexpected find but I was intrigued by the premise of an ancient Egyptian themed story. The challenges.... As with most books that start a fantasy series, the world building is a lot and makes the progression of the story very slow at points. It was able to keep my interest but I kept asking myself when we were going to really get going especially considering this is a YA book at about 500+ pages.

That said, once the story did get going I really enjoyed the mythology, the magic, etc. You can absolutely tell the author has a deep connection to Egyptian history/culture and tried to create an amazing fantasy world. I was also surprised by some of the gore which was welcomed, just not something you usually find in a YA.

All in all I think this book is a great start to the series and sets up the next book. I'm intrigued to see where the author takes the story and our characters next!

I received an ARC copy of this book

Where to start? This YA fantasy duo is an absolutely fantastic combination. The story itself is incredible, the world building is great and yet not too much, minimal romance (because, it is a YA novel...). If you're a fan of fantasy books and looking for something new, or to get you out of a reading slump, I would highly recommend picking this up and giving it a go. You will not be disappointed.

I received an ALC of Our Infinite Fates from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story but I had much higher expectations for it based on the description. The writing is beautiful, but for a story about fated mates intertwined over a thousand years the only real feelings you get for 70-75% of the book is hatred and longing. It isn't until around 75-80% when you find out what caused our two MCs to be fated to love and kill each other forever. I will say, the twist of the how/why it happened, was really enjoyable for me. Especially with the perspective it gave our MCs after so many lifetimes once it was understood.

Another thing I enjoyed is that the timeline jumped around to different time periods and places in our MCs history, revealing what their lives were like, how they found each other and their loved ones, what they endured through time, etc.

All in all a good story and I would one that I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fated mates/reincarnation tropes.

I received an ARC of Once Upon You and Me from NetGalley and Harlequin; All opinions are my own.

The story behind Once Upon a Time You and Me is cute, fluffy, etc. Kind of your typical age-gap romance (our MMCs are 13 years apart). Nothing sticks out about the story as far as new or groundbreaking, but I did appreciate the representation of Bi, ADHD, Burly MMC, etc. That said, there are a couple of things that fell flat for me:

First, our ex-wife character. audible groan

Secondly, some of the ADHD representation gave me the ick a bit. Points for trying, but some of the scenarios felt like they were used for comedic relief instead of representing the impactfulness they can/do have IRL.

I don't know that I would market this as “spicy.” There is some spicy content, but it is kind of tame, considering other books in spicy genres. Overall, this is a cute story and is a decent cozy read if you're looking for a queer representation book.

I was given Berja as an ARC, and what a way to start 2024.

While this story was outside my normal genre I was intrigued to read it based on the description.

The storytelling behind Berja is like being quietly invited to sit and listen to an ancient retelling passed down between generations. The writing is fantastic and immersive, giving readers the feeling of being in the now and experiencing what the FMC is going through.

The world-building and overall story are easy to follow even upon entering the story, as our FMC is already in a tough spot. I also enjoyed the nods to Norse Gods and lessons of being careful about what you wish for and who you trust, as not everyone's intentions are as pure as yours.

Merged review:

I was given Berja as an ARC, and what a way to start 2024.

While this story was outside my normal genre I was intrigued to read it based on the description.

The storytelling behind Berja is like being quietly invited to sit and listen to an ancient retelling passed down between generations. The writing is fantastic and immersive, giving readers the feeling of being in the now and experiencing what the FMC is going through.

The world-building and overall story are easy to follow even upon entering the story, as our FMC is already in a tough spot. I also enjoyed the nods to Norse Gods and lessons of being careful about what you wish for and who you trust, as not everyone's intentions are as pure as yours.

I was fortunate to be an ARC reader for the second, and now the third, installment in the Solstice Witch series. Lenna is such an exciting character to follow through all three books. Watching her grow into her power (or at least more comfortable with it) is exciting to see where she will end up navigating what seems like the never ending twists and turns of her life (and heritage). If you are a lover of witchy/cozy fantasy, this series is for you. Kate does such an amazing job with the world building, relatable characters, etc. Prepare yourself though, because this one ends on a cliffhanger. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Lenna sooner than any of us anticipate and will hopefully get some more insight into Cole and Liam's agendas because it feels very much as if they don't have the purest intentions for her.

I hadn't heard of the Solstice Witch Novels until I ran across the Author's TikTok account looking for ARCs for Wildflower. The genre and trope were in line with my usual reads, and I was thrilled to volunteer and be given an ARC. I loved this book. So much so that I bought the first in the series (Luminous) just so that I could have the collection (thus far). The story has a great mix of fantasy/magic and modern, making it incredibly easy to follow along and enjoy the characters' journey without tons of world-building, etc. Lenna is a highly relatable MC who continues to grow into her own book after book. Wildflower introduces us to new characters/magical creatures and an ever-expanding world, which opens the series up from its current duology to the potential for a trilogy or more. I highly recommend adding the Solstice Witch novels to your TBR!

Let me first start by saying I was given a copy of this book by the author as an ARC reader and I loved it so much I bought it. First, I was so engrossed in the story I didn't see the cliffhanger coming. Like, literally turned the page and saw the letter from the author and had to swipe back and forth between pages thinking I missed something and now I need part two.

Secondly, one thing I greatly appreciate about this book is the glossary. So many fantasy books have complex world building, multiple character POVs and it can be difficult to keep up. The glossary is amazing for characters and their backgrounds, the races, locations, religions, slang, etc. Amazing touch.

Third, let's talk story. I mean no disrespect when I say this story feels like the Hobbit and the Underworld series had an illegitimate love child who grew up to be a Cursed King. You have so many elements of multiple races, including elves, dwarfs, vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.

The world building and magic systems are enjoyable and easy to follow, and while there is a lot going on from multiple POVs, this story doesn't leave you with the mental burnout some fantasy series do from the sheer weight of the complexities of high stakes/epic fantasy series.

This book was definitely a break from my normal smut, but I greatly enjoyed it and have enjoyed being able to get introduced to a new author and hope to be able to ARC book 2 when it comes out in 2024!

I was given a copy of this book as an ARC and it is the first introduction i have to the author and the series.

I enjoyed the fact that there is a recap to get a reader up to speed to continue with the story, and while I'm sure there is entirely more context by reading the first book in the series, the recap feels sufficient to step right into book two with minimal disconnects.

This story is a psychological thriller, and has a lot of twists and turns as you would expect. While there are many original elements to the story and characters, a thriller with a main character who has amnesia and needs to remember their past is not one of them. I did appreciate that the author took the time to thoroughly research the condition to make her story as factually accurate though. That said, the pace was good, but the writing style was a little different for me and was a little hard to follow at certain points. An example of this would be a character does something like turns a car into a parking lot, then the story jumps to give background that at one time said character was offered employment with the establishment that the parking lot belongs to but they declined the offer, and the immediate next line is unrelated to the blurb. There's a few instances like this where the positioning of information, while potentially valuable knowledge, just seems disjointed or doesn't flow well IMO.

Overall, the story was enjoyable, builds up to a cliffhanger and leaves readers primed for the next book in the series.

The author provided this book to me in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Dragon's Wrath Bounty (Shadow Blades Chronicles, Book 2) picks up where The Ashen Orb Bounty leaves off. Our Shadow Blades, having been successful in their mission, are trying to collect their payment. However, no good deed goes unpunished as our Shadow Blades's previous successes, despite the odds, find them in a precarious situation that looks to exploit their skills and services once again.

Book 2 introduces us to new insights into the Shadow Blades's dynamics and relationships, the potential loss (or replacement) of a character from Book 1, and, to complicate things more, a dragon.

The author once again does a fantastic job of weaving his story and intertwining tons of details into an effortless read. The writing style, pace, etc., feels precisely like a continuation from Book 1 instead of a separate book in the same series as some authors tend to do. The Dragon's Wrath Bounty ends on another quasi-cliffhanger, stirring anticipation for the continuation of the story.

The author provided this book to me in exchange for an unbiased review. First, I was given the ability to choose which books I would like to receive and review. Cowboy Bebop meets the Witcher? Sold.

Secondly, the 5-star reviews weren't wrong. Until the Shadow Blades Chronicles, I hadn't read anything by Patrick Dugan. Now that I have, though, I am a fan. One of the most challenging things about reading fantasy books is trying to keep up with the world-building and magic systems. The Ashen Orb Bounty starts immediately in the story. It builds the world and magic around the reader, making it easy to digest since you learn as you go. Why is this good? Two-fold, really, it prevents you from reading several chapters of background to get the world-building before you understand anything while eliminating the burnout you get from overly complex storylines.

The story feels like Cowboy Bebop, Witcher, and Dungeons and Dragons. I loved learning about the Shadow Blades but also learning about each of the team members, what role they played, and how they all got along (or didn't).

While this story has a fantastic amount of detail and leaves you on a quasi-cliffhanger, it is an effortless read that goes quickly. I look forward to seeing what Book 2 has for our Shadow Blades.

Kate's Solstice Witch series was my first ARC, and I have been privileged to receive an ARC for each book in the series.

The Solstice Witch Series is one of my favorite urban fantasy series, and each book gets better. Alchemy is the 4th in the series and continues to follow Lenna on her magical journey as a witch and fae. Aside from navigating the ever-complex love triangle, she has been involved in; she is also gearing up to face the vampire king, which we have all been waiting for throughout the series.

Alchemy is the perfect close to the Solstice Witch series with the right amount of spice, plot twists, and character development. As with Kate's other books, the world-building is excellent and not complex. You don't end up with high-stakes fantasy burnout, and the magic systems are easy to follow. I highly recommend the entire series, but Alchemy is the perfect ending you want in a well-thought-out series.

I was provided this novella as an ARC and have loved not only the story but also being introduced to a new author. For being a novella there is a lot going on, including

Being a fan of cozy fantasy, this is a great edition to my shelves. I loved this book because in true cozy fantasy, it was an easy read that allowed me to get immersed into the world without having to break my brain on complex world building. The magic system concept was very interesting to me and quite honestly, the limitations of magic being based on proximity and what defines a house/home resonated extremely deep.

The writing is well done, and I am a huge fan of the banter/snark between the characters.

If you are looking for a cozy fantasy that has several books in the series (as well as spin off series), I would highly recommend The House Witch.

After not being impressed, and quite honestly disappointed, by the first book...ACOMAF restored my faith in the series.

I am so glad my bookish friends pushed me to get past ACOTAR and start ACOMAF. This book had better writing, pace, content, etc. A world of difference (like, night and day) from book 1 and turned out to be everything I wanted from the series and longed for when i got through book 1.

I loved the character development in this book as well. Feyre, sorry to say, was a miserable and whiny character in the first book. ACOMAF shows her coming into her own, developing confidence, realizing just how special she came back with the the combination of gifts (no spoilers).

If you are like me and struggled with ACOTAR, please ride that struggle bus all the way to ACOMAF. The destination is absolutely worth it.

Truth be told, I was so disappointed in this book. I was so excited to start this series since it gets hyped up everywhere, which just made my disappointment that much worse. First, the book is entirely too long to literally say nothing. There isn't really anything happening until the last few chapters.Sure, there is content/context throughout, but the pace and writing were awful.

I shared my sentiment on social media and received the best feedback from one of my mutuals. She said “ACOTAR is the entry fee for the rest of the series,” and she could not have been more right. I'm sticking with my rating and review for the first book in the series because it is slow, painful and drags on.... But, it is the entry fee to the rest of the series and you need it for the background.

I'm several chapters into ACOSF (book 5) and can tell you to stick out book 1.They get amazingly better with each progression through the series.

Let me start by saying I have never read fan-fiction before now, and I had no idea this story was out there until I saw it trending on TikTok. Manacled is hands down the best book I have read in all of 2023. This story is so well written and an interesting take on the Potterverse.

SenLinYu has written the most heartwrenching masterpiece of torture, despair, and longing which is the ultimate enemies-to-lovers story.

While there are a lot of strong themes in this story (read and re-read the trigger warnings), the story is unique while also not being completely unrelatable or irrelevant to the main storyline. This story is extremely dark in some parts and may not be for every reader, but the emotional damage is worth it in the end.

I am all for a bridging novella, but this just feels out of place. With ACOTAR being the glacial pace of story building, then jumping right into ACOMAF and ACOWAR with amazing writing, content, pace, etc... this reflective little novel seems like it could have been a preface to ACOSF considering what all of our characters are struggling with for the first 40-50% of that book.

Even the writing in this one seemed off compared to the two before it. I appreciate it was supposed to be more reflective, but you can only take so much of a scenic detour around a point before you need to get back to it...