GaleMR

Deceit is a key word in the Raines family. Nothing is as it seems at first glance, and everyone is hiding a secret of their own. When you are a daughter of Typhor Raines, your life is complicated from birth. The characters in this fictional Omegaverse world, have built dazzling in their intricacy and beauty sandcastles of hopes and dreams, hoping to hide within them, but secrets and unspoken truths can only stay buried for so long before the facade begins to crumble. Ryn, like her siblings, has pieced together the perfect Escape plan, or so she thought. A plan, that was supposed to be perfect, but when too many variables get involved, the plan turns into a flame. Even more so - when she relies on the assistance of the musicians in Fate's choice, who protect secrets of their own. This story in the Raines' omegaverse is by far my favorite. Here, Deception is front and center in creating a complex plot filled with a lot of emotional angst, pain, misunderstanding, and mistrust. Whether the years of their lives ,spent in fear and hiding in plain sight, were worth it, is at the heart of the story. This is one more beautifully written story, with the usual, careful attention to every detail. I was thrilled to follow Ryn, living on the razor thin edge of the vast greyness between the life she longs to claim as her own, the secrets that hold her back, and the men who have obliterated her determination and careful planning to ashes.

Ahoy! Let's greet the Chaos incarnate and all the adventures that lie ahead! This series starts with a literal, not proverbial bang, setting the expectations of the readers to soar high!
A shining example how kinky erotica can seamlessly co exist with plot driven, action packed story and give you heart melting, soul touching memories. AE Lister is a very interesting author that can effortlessly deliver books with different flavours, wildly varying from historical to modern contemporary, but always with her typical signature - kink and BDSM elements, woven in to spike the spice.
When homeless and desperate Simon begs for a place on Captain Martin's ship, he is completely unaware how much his life will change. I read the whole story in one go, enthralled by the dynamic. The magic twist was unexpected, but welcome addition.
Simon was so easy to fall in love with - sassy, open minded, witty, quick thinker and animal lover. His big heart was big enough to love and care even avout chickens and the goats, that were taken aboard. One more sign how empathetic the boy is. I had a secret suspicion his bright, sweet personality is a spell crafter with the way he charms everyone who has spent time around him.
As per usual the author has given the story a strong hurt/comfort/healing vibe and the crew of the ship is actually one big, tightly knit family, where Simon fits perfectly in.
Dinesh Martin, the kinky captain and the whole crew actually made me laugh so many times. Because as always the secondary characters, AE Lister describes, aren't just a mere filler, but make the story even more lively, rowdy and all around entertaining. Hillier, Mr.Guthrie, Boone, Domingo and let's not forget Esmeralda were as interesting and colorful as presence as the rest of the plot.
Ty for this amazing ARC opportunity, AE Lister!

Set in the same world as Liam's, Bo's story offers another glimpse in the pitch black and violent Lester's pack. In a world, where personal choices and boundaries, mean nothing, Bo goes through the unimaginable horror of experiencing first hand unwanted, life changing transformation. The author has captured masterfully his inner turmoil and conflicting emotions. Pain and pleasure, submission and domination, twisted together, gain a new meaning here, far away from the conventional understanding. The HEA is also not what it traditionally means. But Jay L. North is definitely not what we call a trad author either, because their stories are a heart-stopping, mind-freezing walk into the kind of dark, where the light never comes back on.

Dark, edgy, gritty dystopian world where mankind has finally managed to annihilate their own world and turn it into a barren land. In what's left in the aftermath vampires rule as ruthless, brutal, unstoppable force. What's left of humanity is either corralled in slaughterhouses or in hiding spots in the abandoned cities as the last hope for resistance. If you are looking for romance, this isn't it. The plot is heavily exploring the topics of slavery, cannibalism, mind manipulation, grooming, torture, forced breeding, rape and everything sick and twisted that fantasy can find in the darkest recesses of human mind. If you are looking for world building morally grey of the greyest variety characters, strap in and prepare for a bumpy road. I had the feeling that my heart was bleeding while I was reading. Damn, there aren't many books where nothing bad is spared and left to the imagination. I will refrain of analysing the motives and psychology of the main characters - they are so complex and constantly changing, my head was spinning with everything happening. Definitely impatiently waiting the next books in the series. Bring in the Darkness, close the doors, keep quiet and pray to survive!
Cypress and Haven are good hosts - they are bringing the bloody cookies.
I received a complimentary copy and this is my honest opinion

I love the genuine warmth of Finn's writing style, the way he finds the tiniest bit of hope and positivity, even in the darkest moments of his character's life experience, spinning them into an uplifting tale for “ There is something good in everything bad that happens”. And of course the story has a generous sprinkle of humor, spice, entertaining banter, kinky exploration and two men who are willing to take a risk for a fresh start. I loved Richard and Ben and felt deeply their struggles and doubts before and after the unorthodox beginning of what was supposed to be a single night of fun. Richard never thought he will find someone to love after he lost his husband years ago, Ben was blindsided by his cheating ex. Two hurting men, came up with an interesting solution separately - One night to unwind! But it turned something entirely different. The transition to something deeper and meaningful was natural and flawless and made the HEA for the couple candy sweet without being too much. It was perfect balance between all the feelings and a light plot line.

Welcome to Primhell / errr....the story says Primrose but in this hell on earth there is nothing rosy.
Thorns will more likely rake your brain if you get nosey.../
I thought I am a dark reader when I started reading this story but mental health representation/even in a book and not 100% reality/ is a no joke, not at all. I didn't feel like I was reading, but more like riding on a train to Nowhere with the speed constantly increasing and no brakes in sight, peeking through the eyes of the main characters and watching the madness unfold. It was eerily disturbing and quite unsettling experience but thanks to the author's writing strangely intriguing and so engaging. This isn't a romance and there is no HEA for the characters. In fact, the shocking cliffhanger at the end was like a knock on the door of new flavour of insanity and after reading the book I thought there simply couldn't be more than already is. But oh, was I wrong...
So where do we start? Hmmm - this unravelling city of horror and despair is the only home Killian knows. But his head is not only his - as a carrier of hereditary condition, called HMD/HysophrenicManic Disorder/, his life is anything but ordinary and with the voices plaguing his mind, his life is unravelling faster than the town he lives in. Killian is desperately clinging to the last vestiges of not only his sanity, but the illusionary feeling that he is still in control, that he is still the one taking the decisions and the keeper of secrets. When the cracks in his mind started widening and the black holes in his memory more and more frequent, his panic attacks and severe social anxiety really skyrocketed. Actually all the time when I was reading, the reading itself had the vibe of choking on a wave of all consuming fear. And because this was Killian's everyday life, I was wondering how the voices in his head where only 2 - this feeling of the impending end of his life was suffocating and really terrifying but somehow he was surviving and functioning - standing his grounds against his father's poisonous presence, navigating the landmines of his even more poisonous working place as a journalist and resisting the darker urges and cravings that were slowly but surely eating him alive from the inside out. Complicated life indeed.
What doesn't kill you, make you stronger, right?
So the question is what turns Primrose in an actual Primhell and turns his citizens into delicious meals or appealing targets for butcher's practice!?! The answer is simple but the motives and sinister minds behind the mayhem are anything but. The 3 Terrors are actually ruling the city and leading the show, the police is running helplessly in circles, the curfew issued by the sherif doesn't help much. But what makes the story even darker is the new player who rolls into the city and claims the monster's playground. Will the rules change and who will lead the show, will the new monster put the old ones to rest or something else will happen? While the darkness is falling thicker than ever and monsters are playing their own kind of dominance chess, Killian's life turns into a Halloween never ending when he finds the horrific truth about his own connections to the 3 Terrors and how the darkness inside him resonates to the darkness outside. Depraved, unhinged and mind-bending barely scratch the surface of what his life is turning into especially when his cravings start taking over Killian's conscious mind. And the 3 Terrors are more than happy to indulge him...
Brilliantly bizarre, disturbing eroticism mixed with dark thriller and horror threads in one unforgettable read.

The promise of a gay thriller, not romance was what drew me in. Take care of your mental health and don't ignore the triggers, there are a lot of them! From the first page I felt the unmistakable vibe of this dark, intense read lulling me in. The gritty, fast paced story line quickly unfolds from Liam's POV - a student in his late teens, just shy of finishing high school, who is going through the peculiar metamorphosis of turning into a young adult. The story doesn't gloss over the heavy subjects, especially how important and life altering are the unstable, toxic family environment when a person is navigating the special years of growing up, the lack of a family member, you trust, who can be a pillar of support, understanding and a listening ear. Add to that the heavy weight of responsibilities, no child should shoulder alone on their own like a sibling with special educational needs, neglect, alcohol addicted parents and overwhelming internal and external homophobia, it's no wonder, Liam falls into the unhealthy obsession with his first crush so brutally fast, oblivious for any red flags and complications. And the significance of who does person of interest happens to be, is another layer of complexity - Liam's English teacher - Mr.Hilton. The author has masterfully described the Domino effect of every decision a person makes in their life, the way the decisions connect, forming a web of influence, affecting the present and the future. Considering Liam's youth, inexperience, lack of guidance and real parental presence, the depth, complications and the twists in the maze of events, flowing between the pages, are that more heart touching and chilling to the marrow of the bones. Liam is adrift, unanchored,lost, swimming in the darkness on his own, relying only on himself and his only friend.
The Teacher inside me isn't a story about justifying wrong choices but for living with the gravity and consequences of everything Liam does and did. One seemingly innocent crush shouldn't have condemned his soul to live in the aftermath of life altering, mind shattering situation, where everything that could possibly go wrong, actually goes wrong.
If I have to summarize what I feel and what I think, this is a fascinating, really disturbing and thought provoking story, describing in intricate details how a person's youth could be stripped of their innocence in every possible aspect - emotionally, physically and mentally. A story about the hard choices, the price of every lie and the weight of fear driven decisions; the importance of people,you can rely on and the lack of them, the internal strength to make sacrifices, that hurt and live with painful memories, that will never go way.

Sweet, cosy and fast paced this twincest book is one delicious bite size story. Ryan and Miles have already crossed a line once and alone for Christmas is a recipe... For more, of course. Their dynamic is a little bit competitive and they love bickering and challenging each other. It changes from close to intimate in a blink of an eye. If you are looking for short and sweet, this is an excellent choice.

Five stars aren't enough, not in this case!
A mountain, enveloped in mystery and legends.
Unimaginable evil, trapped inside the rocky formations.
A sacrifice so big to give the humans a chance to live.
One author's imagination - so vast and fascinating - weaving all the fairytale like threads in a story about love, hatred, ambition, valor, loyalty and determination that challenge the usual limits of our understanding how deep, how far, how long a person can go to prove a point and take what one's think for theirs.
The only thing that comes to mind is that I am in absolute, pure awe of the world building. But even that sounds flat and not enough. The incredibly well written descriptions to the tiniest, most delicate detail; the masterfully spread out thinking process of the characters that turns every feeling, every emotion, every decision in breathing, living canvas and all of them are entwined in a complex, multi-layered, rapidly expanding plotline that is a pure pleasure for all senses of the reader.
The story is a very original and intriguing combination between Omegaverse and fantasy! Yes, I kid you not! Something like that can not only exist but be an excellent example that there are no limits for any possibility if the execution is impeccable.
The next thing I really appreciate is the wide cast of characters. Ridan, Brune, Corrick, Jonen and so many more. Nobody was left behind as secondary or undeveloped and every single one of them made the story richer, fuller, brighter and more colorful.
What truly impressed me was the author's belief in the values they described on page - a fist is always stronger than a finger, an armful of twigs harder to break than a single one of them, a clan of people is as strong as the weakest of their members. There were so many thought provoking moments hidden between the pages, so many examples of actions that felt truly lived in before embedded into the story so the reader can also feel their significance and value as corners stones of the world building.
I really hope this isn't the end and we will see more of this interesting world.

This is the heaviest, saddest book in the Raines universe and the conclusion of all interconnected stories. I won't say it's a happy ending more like a lightning, setting a reader on fire. With that heads up firmly in place, please check the trigger warnings before you start the reading journey. It leads down, down, down a really dark road, where light never shines through. All the characters had their own scars, secrets and burdens to carry. The story itself was layers upon layers ot traumatic experiences. Honestly, I was surprised, Kelly got such a short straw in the Fate's “lucky” wheel and I am not talking about Aspyn. And Kelly, himself was a true disappointment as an alpha...If you are looking for dysfunctional pack that is a good example for dichotomy and a found family that doesn't give you cosy, warm vibes, this is the right place for you.
The pack itself consist of 6 alphas and they are separated in two triads. They were supposed to be one cohesive whole but for me, personally, after such a traumatic, forceful start no amount of mending and healing can erase the beginning and the rift from the start.
Surprisingly, I did enjoy reading this unusual plot concept despite the lingering bitter aftertaste. Tea always has an ace up her sleeve to surprise her readers and doesn't shy away from heavy, triggering topics.

One sweet, positive and very light bi awakening. Brad and Brian are completely different as people and life goals. The age gap between them is one of the reasons their ways parted when Brian was very young. But their connection reignited in a time of need and then transformed in something different, new and quite scary. I loved the open communication between the brothers and the unwavering support Brad provided for Brian while he was struggling and grappling with his insecurities and had to redefine his life. It was flawlessly written and showed the gradual shift from brotherhood to something deeper - a relationship, based on all they both needed, but couldn't find before.

This is my favourite piece of the story so far because Skin sessions is like a puzzle that grows, breathes and develops with the lives of the inhabitants of the Unicorn's horn. They might be only fictional characters, but with every next story I love them all more and more. Taz-Rial, despite his typical demonic nature to have plans A, B, C, constantly surprising everyone, turned out to be a reliable contractor and Gavin's family thrives and flourishes under the unexpected support, provided by their hellish addition. Gavin and Grimfang definitely stole the spotlight in the story and were the sweetest, most endearing couple possible. And then there are Corbin and Davinci. My favourite witch boy - so wicked smart, charming and edgy really broke my heart. And Davinci? His irresistible charisma continues to bloom along with the exponential growth of his talents as a siren.
I love how rich and vibrant this last piece of the human world on the brink of extinction is, mixed with incredible variety of supernatural species. The world building is really riveting and the twists are a neverending spiral. And we not only have a mind spinning number of events in the growing community around the Unicorn's horn, but now we are plunged directly into the Hell's politics. I can't wait to see the continuation and what the outcome will be.

Jay L North's imagination has very, very, very deep and dark corners where the light never shines and this story is an excellent example of the dark, depraved and twisted, combined in one. Simon devises a plan to “help” his brother Liam stay in the pack. And his plan is the beginning of Liam's nightmare and the end of everything relatively normal in his life. It's really heavy on the non con and taboo elements story - intense, gritty, pitch black. The HEA is unconventional, more like a dub con to me. Liam's struggles to accept the repercussions of Simon's actions felt so real and heart breaking. The author has once again delivered one dark and captivating variation of “ If you go in the forest, you are on your own”.

Books like this one are the reason Why I love Polyamorous romance so much - layers upon layers of emotions, woven into complex fine-tuned patterns between so many people, united by a plan for revenge and made into a cohesive whole by unbreakable bonds of love, devotion, caring and friendship.
Alone against a world, steeped in corruption and death, Fen is a spark that cannot ignite a fire alone, fire,big enough to bring down a political system, rotten to the core and unconcerned with the price of a single life. People are just little cogs - replaceable and unimportant. But while the system doesn't care, Fen cares. Because one of these people was his brother.
This isn't just a story about revenge, it's a story about being strong enough to stand up and defend certain values - raw, inspirational, cathartic and bringing hope, where there was none. It's a story about finding the right people that not only chose to back him up, but fight alongside him. A story about unexpected bonds - strong and meaningful - that bring light into the darkness and build one unconventional family by choice not blood.
The book is a thrilling combination between suspense and romance, combining high heat, fast pace and many twists. There is an impressively large cast of characters that grow, develop and change in front of the eyes of the readers :
Ollie, whose life gained a whole new meaning,
Saint, who found acceptance and kindness
Seth, who found many hands and loving words to heal
Fen, who found understanding and hearts to share the burden of grief and loneliness
San, who found the meaning of what belonging means
Deke, who felt for the first time what real family truly is.
Loch, whose heart was big enough to be an anchor, a harbour, a shelter in difficult times, but never left alone without support.
What made me turn page after page was the fact that these characters weren't presented as shiny, perfect and infallible, but with all of their vulnerabilities, doubts and insecurities. I was intrigued to see how friendships gradually morphed and deepened while challenges, obstacles and feelings were a never ending rollercoaster.
Be aware of the cliffhanger because there is no doubt, the real storm is closing in. I can't wait to see what choices will be made.

Have you ever been in a chocolate factory? I haven't but this book is exactly how I imagine it will be - every plot twist, every story line tugs you along as an irresistible temptation, and you walk around and wonder which of all the chocolate treats to taste first. Because you can't just choose one - Erik, Xavi, Declan, Patrick, Cas. It's impossible to choose! Every part of this story is a bite to remember- rich on flavour that bursts like confetti on your tongue. The relationships, the feelings, the characters- they have depth, layers complexity. And this isn't everything - the spice might be high, the hints for more sprinkled throughout the pages, but the actual heat is on the down low, simmering under the surface. It's a plot oriented book and I loved every page. I was a little bit wary after House of Omega, but Jasmine's story is every bit the masterful piece I expect from Roxy's books. I also liked the way the characters from the 2 books/Grace's pack and Jasmine's soon to be one/ were interconnected together in one major plot loop at the end. So, come and enjoy this decadent dessert of a story

As we have already seen in the first book of this action-packed, thriling duet, there is no dull moment in the life of the St. James family. They aren't simply toeing the line of the law, but are deeply beyond that trying to save as many lives as possible. As an Omega in hiding herself, Dylan has seen so much of the ugliest side of the life of the working class and the less privileged, she isn't content watching and just rolling with the punches. She is a woman extraordinaire with more gunpowder and gasoline in her veins than blood - smart, observant and capable of handling the dangers and traps thrown her way. After finding her scent matches in the previous book, I was a little bit afraid of the continuation of the story but adding the pack dynamics into the mix, didn't take off the cutting edge of the plot, just added spiciness and made it richer. I loved how the Bryce pack not only embraced the idea of Dylan's uniqueness, but didn't try to chip away of it. This second story is all about choices, challenges and decisions, wrapped in well written, captivating package. I have mentioned in my reviews previously that I am not a fan of “damsel in distress” type of heroine so I greatly appreciate women with firecracker personality, leaving mayhem in their wake and well learned lessons for the ones who dare to cross them. If you have the same preference as me, go for it!

When there is magic, there are miracles. Is there, in fact, anything impossible about this author who has built such a fascinating, intriguing paranormal world with such loving attention to every detail? This was my first encounter with the Sweetwater pack, their friends and foes, and I'm already longing to return for more. While Insta love and fated mates are tropes that are a true challenge to be developed and presented in a way that draws a reader in, the author has done fantastic job with the plot and the story was an interesting page turner, full of bittersweet moments, hard decisions, life changing twists and emotional depth. I really love the strong found family vibe of the series and the big cast of amazing characters in these interconnected books. And if you are wondering why I am saying that this is my first dip in this world if I make such an observation, I already have all the others lined up for reading and started from the beginning. A shifter and an elf? Looks impossible? Will the 2 worlds connect after all and how many hurdles will there be on their way, I can't wait to see. There is something for Axel I want to share but alas no spoilers - so read it for yourself and decide if you like this sweet, selfless man.

Unputdownable! Such a captivating story! I love strong character leads - no matter male or female - driven, cunning, resourceful but empathetic and caring under the tough shell. Combined with smooth, expressive, emotionally charged writing, it turned into irresistible page turner.
The fictional world was dark, but not overly so, edgy, turbulent and unpredictable with a distinctive dystopian feel.
Such a violent, hostile environment where alphas rule brutally, in constant games of dominance, betas are commodities and omegas are rare stock, all hands on deck could mean a significant difference between life and death. So the kids of the St.James family, raised in the poorer part of the town, were trained and given the tools for survival from a very young age. I loved the united front Dylan's family was presenting to outsiders and the way they handled every threat with quiet, ruthless efficency. Family, where everyone was valued as a person, not gender and designation.
The story is heavily plot driven, slow burnish, action packed with many twists and turns. Dylan and the whole St.James family are an important link in a hidden organisation that rescues kidnapped and abused Omegas, helps them safely cross state borders, reach a special Rescue Center where they are given a new identity and a fresh start. Every member of St. James has a role and contributes, no one is left behind and they have learned to work together like a well-oiled machine.
So when, after a particularly daring rescue mission, Dylan's scent matches roll into the family hardware store in the form of investigating but oh-so-tempting and devastatingly oblivious “detectives” searching for the missing Omega on behalf of her pack, they find themselves in an alternate reality and their pink glasses smashed to pieces. How Seth, Austin and Cameron could be described as good in their job being so ignorant to the world they live in, was a total shock and I was glad they caught up fast on the fact that not everything they saw on surface level is actually the shiny truth. Their confusion about being attracted to a beta was a second strike against their investigative skills. Come on, after finding out Omegas are not always happily bonded in their respective packs, should have ring a bell, that may be there is more about Omega identity, that there have to be ways for Omegas to stay hidden. For the short amount of time Seth, Austin and Cam were in Dylan's life, they surely stacked up an impressive amount of poor choices. And that's exactly what made the story interesting - nobody was perfect, they all made mistakes and needed to work together to build a foundation based on open communication and trust. But neither Dylan, nor her scent matches were ready for this giant leap of faith and a drastic change in the way they perceived the world, based on totally different social experience and upbringing. I am impatiently waiting to see the second part and hope for a positive personal growth. Seth, Austin and Cam have a real challenge on their hands to prove themselves worthy. Dylan has another kind of challenge to meet head on - tone down the negativity towards the people who have chosen to live in packs, learning to trust someone out of her immediate tight knitted family and hopefully to start seeing the good not only the bad.
I really enjoyed the story, the ups and downs, the beautiful examples of loyalty, devotion and love as well as the heartbreaking moments of hard truths and difficult choices.

One excellent, spicy and quite quick read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I haven't read the rest of the series but it wasn't a problem. Ezra, Wes and Jett had wonderful chemistry from the start and I loved the way their relationship developed. What drew me in was the balance between them and the open communication.Even though Jett was the 3rd in the triad, added to one established couple, it didn't feel like he was a 3rd wheel.

Dianna is a phenomenon to be experienced, not explained. Once again she creates an unforgettable, heart-warming story in a way that only her writing can combine something serious, something comically absurd with something completely, utterly idiotic while the reader laughs out loud, screams in frustration or stares in disbelief at the screen - Are you for real now? Jesse and Murphy are one of many examples of friends who no one can explain why they're friends at all, but somehow have made it through the years despite their glaring differences and lack of communication. And when their well-oiled routine comes to a screeching halt one sunny day, the question is whether their friendship will survive the crash, or whether they'll finally look at each other and truly see what's always been there but somehow remained invisible. Beautifully written and endearingly charming, the story somehow brings up the question - Do we really listen when someone speaks to us, or do we only hear what we want to be there.

Incredibly strong debut by a brand new to me author. The first part of this wonderfully written duology is an omegaverse story with darker undertones because it starts with the grimmier parts of the world building - slavery, violence and domestic abuse. The Omegas are not always valued and cared for. In cases like Juno - the protagonist here - some go through unimaginable horrors. Barely awakened as a new Omega, Juno was sold to cover her father's gambling debts. And as if that weren't enough, she was forcefully bound to her new owners and her first heat was recorded, like an insurance policy, to keep her docile and submissive. The story is built around Juno's personal growth, her captivity and miraculous escape. But during the time of captivity, there was one ray of sunshine that was giving her warmth and connection to humanity, one scent that embedded itself deeply into her olfactory senses - Julian, a beta, who was tasked to keep an eye on her while her alphas were out and about in their seedy dealings. The flow of the story was excellent, the tension gradually increasing. But what really drew me in were the descriptions of the scents, the careful mapping out of the fine details. It was a masterfully woven illusion like living inside the book - feeling, tasting, touching, listening.
Juno wasn't an ordinary omega - whiny, demanding, spoiled and childish. Her desire to live and her spirit to fight back were admirable. So it wasn't a surprise to see how she flourished and bloomed when she was saved by The National Omega commission and included in the experimental trials for dissolving of forceful bonds. Juno was such a stellar example of internal strength and resilience. After everything she went through - the pain and the trauma of her previous life - she still had enough trust and willingness left to put herself out there and start searching for scent match and a pack to call her own.
This was a really touching, heartfelt story for overcoming trauma, healing and finding coping mechanisms to move on and build a new life

The first two books in this trilogy were one of my favorite paranormal reads in 2023 - the world building, the bonds between dragons and riders, the original interpretation of dragon kin, the intensity and outstanding build up of the plot. I loved the relationship between Kirby, Harlen and Cai. Everything felt perfectly balanced.
So I had huge expectations for the final book. No, I was practically vibrating in my seat when I opened the final installment, anticipating an epic conclusion and a reveal of the puzzle about Cai, Harlen and Kirby's key roles - who is who and why the fate has chosen them; about the tylwyth and how they will fit in and help; about the internal conflict between the dragon riders and the betrayal of the Senedd.
And here comes the But. Unfortunately, this 3rd installment left me feeling like it lacked the intensity I was expecting. The conflict between the different fractions amongst the dragon riders was solved yes, but was somehow rushed and not satisfying. It felt like a temporary solution. The tylwyth were crammed at the end of the story and it felt like with or without them, it was the same result. And Cai's poor choices as a Dragon King ...I have always been on the fence about him as a character. Seeing the story from his POV was really interesting, but he wasn't the leader material the Dragons and the whole realm needed - driven, ruthless, resourceful and unpredictable. After his final decision, the chance for epic, unforgettable Grand finale that leaves you breathless, dizzy and amazed, just fizzled out.
Overall I enjoyed the story but it made me feel like there was a potential for further expansion and development which didn't happen.

Ah, Raquel, you are literally klling me with these beautiful, heart shattering books. I loved, lived, felt every word, every sentence, every moment in Riggs and Rhett's story. Every one of those men came back irrevocably changed, a shell, barely held together, ridden with painful, bittersweet memories, knowing what loss and friendship really mean. And the worst aren't the physical scars and the lost limbs. The most devastating are the gaping wounds in their hearts and lives, where their battle friends used to be. Like every other in the Bitches with stitches group, Riggs comes back, carrying the Surviver's guilt and has to find a way to live and coop with the crippling pain of his injury, the fact that he is just part of the statistics and just a number on the list of other veterans, as well as the loss of his best friend.
Despite Rhett's reservations and disbelief, the Btches with stitches turned into a safety net he never dreamed was a possible outcome, new friendships that helped him through the hardest times.But what is the real emotional anchor for Rhett is Riggs! The blood, the pain, the tears on the battle ground, when Riggs fought to keep Rhett alive through a gruesome injury and the dangerous rescue extraction from the site where everything happened, created a unique bond between the two men, a bond that was the only fragile thread Rhett was holding on while recovering on state's side. While the pull both men felt from the start is undeniably there, they both have a journey of personal growth and development ahead of them in order to built a healthy relationship. But despite its fragility, this thread is all Rhett has to hold on to during surgery, physical therapy and coming to therms with the crippling loss of his friend, the loss of his career and the empty Future that is waiting for him. This story follows exactly the beautiful and delicate moments of healing and dealing with trauma, the ups and downs on the winding path of recovery, the hardships and the challenges of everyday life, where Rhett has to find the strength to go through yet another day without giving up. From the nightmares, the bleakness, the fears and the doubts that plague both of the main characters in different ways, blossoms one amazing, truly,deeply felt and tested love, born in the pit of so much suffering.Because when you think you have lost everything, when there is more Pain than Laugher and Light, the only thing you have left is the ultimate Challenge of Warrior's walk and the Hope - that there will be someone waiting for you at the end to tell you - Well done, soldier! like Rhett have Riggs..... I am so not ready to say Good bye to all the characters in Bitches with stitches group.

Do you know what Primal play means to a reader like me!?!A Must Read!A book that just can't be missed! Simple as that!In a world, where a secret brotherhood like Alpha Fraternarii rules, if you don't read the fine print in the contracts you sign, you can be killed, and in Thurel's case, hunted down, collared and forced to appease your captor. This story is part of Lola's dark academia series about the Saint -Laurent boarding school, and while it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the readers who love darkness and depravity, not to a miss the opportunity to enjoy such an outstanding example of exceptional writing style and captivating world building. What a brother want is What a Brother will get! Just like that! Alpha Fraternarri is the puppeteer behind the life of the boys who attend the boarding school, but not all are allowed the privilege to be part of it. It's a matter of general wealth, power and influence and Thurel is far away from its reach and orbit of interest, until he catches the eye of Mael - descendant of one of the founding families and the game is on. A game of Wicked chase, where only one of the chosen and hunted by the brothers can win and become a member of Alpha Fraternarii. Winning the game, means the curtain, hiding a whole different world, lifts for Thurel. But will he survive being part of its challenges is entirely else matter. This story is dark which means it's thrilling and interesting, but not a traditional romance.

What happens when humans don't learn from previous mistakes in their history and turn Earth in wasteland? What happens when mythology turns out to be more real than fiction? What happens when old Gods awaken and meet curious human minds and human tech? The author has created such a captivating, multilayered fictional world where human survivors, demigods and lab created monsters learn to live together. Which of course leads to the logical question : What is the bigger menace - the humans, stripped of their humanity, under the duress and pressure of the challenge to survive or the so called monsters, created in all kinds of different ways and mixed DNAs? Because sometimes Gods and monsters show more humanity and care even though they are supposed to have none. You definitely don't want to miss such an intriguing concept ? The fictional world, the author describes isn't only black or white. There are a myriad shades of grey in it and it was so interesting to see the world through such an interesting point of view.