Vanessa Gayle

After wanting to pick this series up for ages, I finally decided the time was right!

Juliette Cross is a new-to-me author with this book despite many of her titles gracing my TBR. I found her writing very accessible and easy to read. It had a perfect flow and voice so I felt so comfortable in the story and the pages just kept flying by. The plot was very intriguing and the execution held my attention effortlessly. The world-building felt on the smaller scale for a fantasy but since this is a paranormal romance it didn't really impact the story negatively at all. There was just enough information to satisfy the storyline and not overwhelm the reader.

I'd be lying if I said that Evie's character wasn't an embodiment of myself in a lot of ways. Star Wars geek? -raises hand- Comic book nerd? -raises hand and waves it around- She was just so delightful and I found so much of myself in her that she was enormously relatable. Mateo was the perfect mix of cinnamon roll and alpha. He had such a warm-hearted demeanor and I couldn't help but be drawn to him. And let's talk about "Alpha" because I honestly think he kept this story alive. I loved his cocky alpha attitude. His little quips and thoughts were so amusing. All of the secondary characters were great as well. I loved all of Evie's sisters and their different personalities. Each character's personality shone through distinctly. I really look forward to getting to know them better throughout this series. I really loved the family and found family aspects in this book.

This was a medium-to-slow-burn romance. I truly loved how Evie and Mateo formed a connection and built off of that. Mateo's wolfish side may have been drooling over Evie from the start but Mateo and Evie became friends and then more feelings developed. I loved how Mateo encouraged Evie and made her feel special. The Star Wars date that he planned melted my heart and made me squee just a bit. (Lucky girl!) The sweet moment had me in my feels and the spicy moments had me reaching for a glass of water. Their chemistry was just so natural.

Overall, this wasn't a new G.O.A.T. favorite but I had a really good time reading it. It was engaging, had memorable characters, and a pleasant and relatable writing style. I was waffling between rating this between 3.5 and 4 stars and decided on 4 stars because I am still thinking about all the characters. The author made me feel so invested in the lives of the entire cast of characters so I know I will be picking up the next book at some point. I love it when an author leaves such a positive lasting impression when I finish their book. If you love paranormal romance that reads like a Rom-Com with magic then this book is right for you. This book has that easygoing feel and is such a fun, feel-good story.

I am such a fangirl for Anna B. Doe's sports romances but small town romance may just be her calling!

I am a huge fan of this author's writing style. It is so welcoming and I feel so comfortable in her words. The plot of this book was intriguing and it kept me interested the entire time despite not connecting with the main characters. The world-building was truly incredible. This is small town romance at its finest.

The characters in this book were well-written and had a lot of growth but I didn't feel very connected to the main characters. I honestly think that I cared more about the side characters than I did the main characters. This is totally a "me" thing though. There was absolutely nothing wrong with these characters and I enjoyed them well enough. This book had very distinct characters and they are all woven into the story beautifully. I loved the family and friendships in this book. This small town is a close-knit community and it comes across so organically in the story.

Since I didn't feel a strong pull with the two main characters, I also didn't have strong feelings about the romance. Their second-chance romance uses the miscommunication trope which isn't really my cup of tea. I find it aggravating. That aside, their romance was genuine and there was definitely tension that could be felt acutely. It was clear that the two of them were still hung up on each other all these years later.

Overall, this was an entertaining second-chance romance that I enjoyed but wasn't my favorite from this author. If you love hero athletes, small town charm, and incredible side characters that bring the world to life then this book will probably be a good match for you.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher/author. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This book was truly spectacular. If you are searching for a book that is going to give you all the feels and satisfy every itch then this book should be in your forefront.

Anna B. Doe has such impeccable writing that sweeps you off your feet. Her writing style is one that I really gel with. It's so thrilling to have an author whose writing I feel such a kinship with. The plot of this book was absolutely my kryptonite and it played out magnificently. I was glued to the pages of this book. The story was so addicting and kept me wanting more. The world-building was so charming and I truly felt engulfed by this small town and all its residents.

I was so impressed with these characters. I liked the characters in the first book of this series well enough but there was something about the characters in this book that made them feel so next level. I definitely connected with these characters on such a deep level. They were relatable and interesting so I couldn't get enough of them. The secondary characters played a large role in this book as well. I loved the found family aspect in this book and the friendships were written beautifully.

All of the tropes in this book were written to perfection in such a way as to torture me in the best way possible. This romance was sexy, emotional, entertaining, and so genuine. Blake and Sav were so perfect for each other that you could see it from a mile away. Heck, you could probably see it from space. They were so in sync and complimented each other in all the best ways. Their chemistry was to die for!

Overall, this is a next level surprise pregnancy small-town romance! Anna B. Doe is such a masterful writer and it truly shows in this book. I think that this is her best book yet! The way that this book was crafted with such deep emotion, memorable characters, and a breathtakingly beautiful story is mind-blowing. I can't sing enough praise for this remarkable story!

Rebel Witch was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025. The first book took my heart by storm and this story has been on my mind ever since. I (im)patiently counted down the release of this follow-up and was so glad to be back in this world with characters that captured my heart.

Kristen Ciccarelli is a master storyteller. She writes a mesmeric story that delivers in every way. She has a fluid writing style that is enticing and evokes various emotions. The premise for this story was highly intriguing and I am truly a hot mess for this kind of story. I love the witch/witch hunter vibes. It is totally my kryptonite. I loved the unique way that Ciccarelli wove her story. The plot was so addicting and cleverly crafted and I was totally enchanted. The world-building was detailed and atmospheric. The only thing keeping me from giving this book five stars was the ending. It felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic. Not necessarily how the story ended because I liked it, but the execution of the ending felt too quick with not enough oomph. Everything else was perfection.

These characters were so magnetic. I felt drawn to them instantly because they were so vibrant and memorable. I adored the personalities of Rune and Gideon. Rune was so sassy and self-assured and Gideon was so conflicted and such a damaged hero but with a heart of gold. There was some fantastic character growth from both of the main characters in this book. I loved their personal journeys. I also loved all of the secondary characters and how they balanced things out with their contributions to the story.

Enemies-to-lovers is a top-tier trope for a reason and Ciccarelli slays it. Everything about Rune and Gideon's relationship was perfect. The tension was sizzling, the chemistry was explosive, and their banter was to die for! And the "who did this to you?" vibes? OMG, yes please! I loved the evolution of their relationship.

Overall, this was an exhilarating story with compelling characters and excellent world-building. If you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers romantasy with "kiss me or kill me" vibes then this series is for you. Kristen Ciccarelli is a marvelous storyteller and I can't wait for her next adventure!

I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. The premise for this story has been calling to me and I finally gave in.

Grace Draven has a writing style that is easy to latch on to. I immediately felt comfortable when starting this story. The plot was interesting and intrigued me. While the plot kept my interest, I found myself confused about the world-building on more than one occasion. I enjoyed the feel of the world-building but had a hard time keeping some things straight. Also, the pacing of this story felt too fast which made the plot feel rushed.

The characters are the strongest thing in this book. I truly enjoyed them. The character development was great for both of the main characters. I felt connected to them and eager to learn more about them. Apart from a few of the secondary characters, the rest of them seemed to blend into the background.

The romance in this book was also quite strong. I was rooting for this couple and felt very invested in their romance. I loved how the two of them became friends before lovers despite their arranged marriage. They had an easy rapport from their first meeting that steered their romance effortlessly. They had kindness for and understanding with one another. They joked around with each other and felt comfortable in each other's presence. That soon grew to them wanting to be around the other and then beyond.

Overall, this was an entertaining fantasy romance with lovable characters and a riveting romance. While this isn't a new favorite for me, I still enjoyed this story very much and will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.