Carla ✨

Massive trigger warning for fully detailed SA on this one.

This is gonna be hard. My hopes for this book were so high, you don't even understand. I was so excited for this Once Upon a Time inspired book.

For starters, I felt like the book had no end goal.

I was hooked at the start by all the science like explanations of the magic and then after that, I felt like I was reading the version of a dating tv show where they dress you up nicely, give you a makeover, and start placing you in random dates with people you don't know. I was entertained at the very least, so I kept reading.

After all of that (which was basically the first 50% of the book), the SA happened. I cannot explain to you how disturbing it was to read that as a woman who fortunately has never been in that situation. I am not one to like when SA is implemented into stories but I feel the amount of detail that was included on this one was distasteful. A fade to black would have done the same job if the SA was really necessary for the story (which I personally think it wasn't).

(It gets spoilery in the next paragraphs, beware if you want to read the book, I won't give names though)

Afterwards, it was just pure chaos. The FMC "ends up" with another character with which she barely talked or knew. Said character came out as gay later on, and the author used a premise I did not like at all. You can not make a gay character say, "it's okay, i'll be in this heterosexual relationship with you, the magic will just make me straight" and be okay with it. I refuse to believe you can be okay with that.

Also... the ace rep was sketchy at best. I know sexuality is fluid but as someone on the ace spectrum it just didn't feel right.

But lo and behold, this wasn't over. I have to say I sped read through the last 25% just to know who the FMC would end up with and I was not surprised it was the first MMC that was introduced into the story.

I actually liked their relationship at the start but then when the other MMCs started appearing, he started disappearing, and therefore I thought he'd just be in the sidelines. But no. The FMC decides she needs him to get her tale finished and so they end up in bed. Yup. It is NOT a happy ending, there is no couple happening in the end, just what seems to be an open ending for the next book.

I am really sad I didn't enjoy this book as I hoped to. And unfortunately I don't see myself picking up the next instalments.

Thank you NetGalley and Auden Llyr for the ARC, even though I ended up reading the book through Kindle Unlimited because it had already released.

3.75⭐

3🌶️

After Venom & Lace all I wanted was answers, answers to the craziness that book 1 was.

Lucky for me book 2 didn't turn down on the craziness but it did turn up the mafia, and I am not even mad about that.

This book felt like a bridge between book 1 and whatever Dani has planned for us in the upcoming books. It felt like Nova was closing a chapter in her life in some unconventional ways (but then again, the mafia will do that to you) and I loved how we got to see a more badass look from her.

I have nothing to say about Cian. I love him, you love him, we all love him. The spice? Chef's kiss 🤌🏻. I'm gonna put this out into the universe but... I need NEED a whole book in his POV. I think it would make for a great action book specially if his siblings are involved. I really enjoyed their dynamics and I hope they make an appearance in the upcoming books, because ... 👀

I need a Thora and Kaviathin book ASAP and AND a Juliet and Eros book. No buts, I need it. Dani, I need them.

Anyway, I want to thank Dani for providing me with an ARC of her second book, even though as always I ended up reading from KU (gotta give back to authors as much as you can). But as always, my opinions are always my own!

3.75⭐️

I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this book. I was really invested at the start, because who wouldn't? As a fan of the Jonas' show, I was dying to read a book just like that. My 16yo self was really happy.

The banter between Ash and Kell was lovely, I was really rooting for them. To be honest I don't even know what she saw about Ryan, he was definitely as manipulative as they get. It was real funny to see the fakeness behind the reality show and I wish we would have seen more about Ash recording on film sets or on his auditions.

Unfortunately the ending of the book kinda feel through for me personally at the third act breakup.

I was expecting a more mature approach to the situation coming from Kell. Her actions felt rushed and nonsensical and then it took her all of two pages to get her life together and to get back to Ash.

I wished the ending would have been a little bit different, but overall this was a book I really enjoyed and a trope I haven't seen much of!

I think I enjoyed Hayes Farrow way too much. Like how can you not? That man is practically a lovesick puppy, turned ravenous beast in bed.

I don't think I need to add anything else to this. The banter at the start was gooood, and I wish it had lasted for a bit longer. But overall another great book by Meghan that got me out of the slump.

I'm giving this 5 stars and no one can stop me.

This book was the vacation to Greece I've yet to book for myself. I've been binging Mamma Mia and Un Cuento Perfecto, both of them (OBVIOUSLY) happening in Greece and I had to start this book afterwards.

I loved Tessa and Myles. Both of them. I saw myself in Tessa way too much and the Myles was just perfect. Like, where can I find myself a Myles in real life?

The way their story developed and the third act breakup? Shall I say this was Meghan's best third act break up from all her books (that I've read)? If not the best, my favourite at the very least.

Family is always one of those complicated topics. We've been taught that family comes before everything but what about when family is costing you your happiness? This book I feel tackled that in such a beautiful way, I feel this is where my need to give it 5 stars comes from.

The tone of this book was quite different from all the other Meghan books I've read but still keeping the funny, laugh out loud moments.

When I tell you she is one of my favourite authors, I'm not joking.

Anyways, anyone wanna come to Greece with me? Looking for a friend :')

I'm not even sorry. I am giving it 5 ⭐️ .

I don't care I sometimes got lost or confused by the politics.

I don't care the third person writing made me lose my goddamned mind half of the time.

I don't care. I really. do. not. care.

It's all worth the 5 stars. You know why?

Because Alex and Henry's story was one of the most beautiful I've ever read.

Because Alex discovering his sexuality was as funny to read as it made me feel stressed and confused right along with him.

Because the way Alex describes feeling everything that happens was as confusing as it was relatable.

And because those emails. THOSE EMAILS. GOD.

I won't be able to forget those emails.

And lastly, I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry if you didn't enjoy this book the way I did.

Because, honestly? This has to be one of the most beautiful experiences I had while reading a book.

And I hope it's one I get to relieve in the future in other books.

This book was hella raw and emotional, not gonna lie.

I've been debating for a while, whether or not to give it 5⭐️, because there was just one thing that made me want to go mad, but I decided it wasn't of enough importance overall.

It's my first time reading Talia Hibbert and I loved how she writes. Specially how she wrote Rahul. WHAT A BOOK BOYFRIEND Y'ALL. I need more writers writing men like that.

That boy lived and breathed for one person, and one person only. And honestly? Who wouldn't wish they were Jas, I definitely did.

The only perk I could find was that I couldn't stand people ignoring the fact that Jas had problems.

It's a pet-peeve of mine I've realised. I like to call people on their bullshit, and I hater, HATED, how all her friends were like, okay, dangerous territory, better not talk about that.

NO. MAKE HER TALK ABOUT IT, GODDAMNIT. Homegirl was drowning in all her unspoken thoughts, and all of them saw it, AND NONE OF THEM DID NOTHING. UGH.

That's it. That was the thing driving me mad. But then I remember Rahul and I just can't, I cannot give the book 5⭐️. So there you have it.

Are you looking for a book that will be full on cozy cottage-core magic vibes? Well, this is your book. Rachel Griffin never disappoints.

Sometimes it's hard to explain what you liked about a book and what are the things you didn't enjoy as much. For me, Bring Me Your Midnight was a love letter to the sea, foraging and crafts. Nature, in general, but more specifically how to be gentle with it while also taking what we need from it.

Rachel's writing on this book was so evocative of stepping barefoot onto a grassy field at dusk. That's the only way i'd be able to describe this book. And the romance felt like spending a cold winter day at the beach and then going home to a blanket and a hot beverage.

I loved every single part of the way this book was written, from the wording to the referencing to past events as little clues being left behind. But when words weren't enough that's when i realised "not everything that shines is gold".

Even though the chemistry between Wolfe and Tana felt instant, it also felt rushed, as if with just one look both of them already knew they'd be it for each-other. Unfortunately, insta-love is not my trope. And another moment where everything felt so rushed, was in the "third-act breakup" if i am allowed of calling it that. It happened so fast I had to reread twice to understand what was going on (because sometimes as a Spaniard, English can be difficult, okay?).

Overall this was a beautiful book and the nostalgia it gave me and the feels and vibes of it all, it was definitely worth it. So if you need a book to feel those cozy witchy vibes? Rachel's books are what you're looking for.

3.75⭐ RTC