BOOK REVIEW: The Witch’s Consorts Series by Eva Chase

October 9, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Witch's Consorts (The Witch's Consorts Series)
by Eva Chase
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Every witch knows the rules: Stick to your own kind. Never reveal your powers to outsiders. Take a consort from the witching families or kiss your magic good-bye forever.

For years I've been quiet, obedient Rose Hallowell. I accepted the man my stepmother chose for me. But I never stopped missing my childhood friends: brilliant Kyler, stoic Seth, passionate Jin, daredevil Damon, and Gabriel, whose self-assured warmth brought us all together.

Now I’m back in town, and the boys I grew up with? Damn if they haven't grown up well.

They've got no magic, no place in my life. Even friendship with them is forbidden, let alone more. But they're charming and sweet and infuriatingly hot, and I can't seem to stay away. The more I try to resist, the more secrets I uncover about my family, my betrothal, and everything I thought was true about the witching world.

I've been lied to. I've been betrayed. So to claim my magic and my happiness, I'll break every rule there is—and then some.

Don't mess with this witch. Every rose has thorns.

*The Witch's Consorts is a spicy paranormal romance series with a dollop of gothic atmosphere and a heaping of romantic angst. This complete series set contains all five books in the Witch’s Consorts series—Consort of Secrets, Consort of Thorns, Consort of Pain, Consort of Fire, and Consort of Light—as well as the follow-up novella, Mark of Damon. Enjoy over 1500 pages of paranormal goodness!*

Review:

I definitely recommend The Witch’s Consorts Series if you’re looking for a witchy paranormal romance that has magic running through the pages! This was my first reverse harem series, and I was hooked! From that first book to the last I came to care for these characters so deeply. Rose was a heroine I could root and cheer for, she was smart, caring and made me feel everything she did. So as we were introduced to the men in her life, it was impossible not to fall for every single one of them. Their friendship spanned years, to when they were younger, and they were such a tight-knit group. I got why everything proceeded the way it did, it magically made sense to me.

What we had here, what we’d made together, it was right. It was good. And I couldn’t imagine ever feeling lost or lonely again, not while I had my consorts by my side.

We slowly got introduced to their world and by that third book it was non-stop action and kept you on the edge of your seat. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. And that fourth book even made me cry, the found family was everything! Also I loved how the series wrapped up, it left me feeling so happy! I listened to the first 5 books, and read the final one, and absolutely loved the narrators. They made the characters come alive! It was so effortless to listen and read these books! And as someone who was nervous that I would only be rooting for just one guy, because that’s what I have always done in the past, I had no problems loving every single one of them. And wanting them all to live happily ever after together. I can’t recommend this series enough!

BOOK REVIEW: Slap Shot Surprise (Cherry Tree Harbor #5) by Melanie Harlow

October 8, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Slap Shot Surprise (Cherry Tree Harbor #5)
by Melanie Harlow
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In my defense, I thought the plane was going to crash.

Otherwise, I never would have blurted out those embarrassing things to a perfect stranger.

Did I mention he turned out to be a scorching hot superstar of professional hockey?

But wait, there’s more.

When the plane lands safely, I rush off, praying I’ll never have to face him again. My luck holds out for less than twenty-four hours, when I realize he’s a groomsman at the wedding I’m attending.

We end up having a drink and a good laugh about my panicked confessions, and when he invites me up to his room for some no-strings-attached fun, I say yes. After all, a headboard rattling one-night stand with a guy who knows how to put the puck in deep isn’t something a bookworm like me ever thought she’d experience.

Neither are those two little pink lines.

Now what’s crashing are all the plans Joe Lupo and I had for our lives–separately.

After all, we’re totally wrong for each other. He’s commitment-phobic and completely focused on his career. And I want to plant roots in my small town–with someone who chooses me.

Love? It’s out of the question.

Until Joe Lupo lines up his shot and aims straight for my heart.

Review:

Slap Shot Surprise was an opposites attract, hockey romance that was heartwarming and swept me away. With an accidental pregnancy, this steamy adult romance kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. I absolutely loved how this series wrapped up and that Mabel got a beautiful ending! This is a must read if you love sports romance, spicy books, and happily ever afters.

I’d never imagined it was possible to feel so close to another human being, let alone a stranger.
If the stars behind my eyes had been real, I might have made a wish.

I had already fallen for Mabel in the previous books about her brothers. She was kindhearted, thoughtful, logical, and so easy to click with. Her meet cute with hockey player Joe Lupo was memorable and hilarious! After confessing her deepest, darkest secrets…. since she thought the plane was going to crash, she hoped to never see him again. But a chance run in at a wedding led to the steamiest one-night stand. And Mabel became pregnant with his baby.

He kissed each inner thigh. “From the moment I saw you by the window, all I could think about was getting your legs over my shoulders and fucking you with my tongue.”

Joe was charming and sensual without even trying. Even though this wasn’t the future he planned, I loved that he was kind, caring, and oh so thoughtful to Mabel. While it took him a while to work through his thoughts and life, I was cheering him on every step of the way. So, when he would show up or do considerate things for Mabel, I was swooning!

He dropped his chin to his chest, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mabel, I know we didn’t ask for this. But I just want to say that if I have to go through this with someone, I’m glad it’s with you—if that makes sense.”

As Joe and Mabel took the adult approach of being friends, so they would have a healthy relationship raising their child, it felt so real and natural. They were both trying so hard to be respectful of each other’s dreams. And as someone who is not a fan of the pregnancy trope, this book completely made me change my tune! I loved how it added an additional layer of emotions. I found myself with tears in my eyes multiple times!

She smiled, and I had that urge again to pull her close. Bury my face in her hair and breathe her in. Lay my cheek on her stomach and listen. Put my lips on her skin.
Reimagine my future.

But as time proceeded, it was hard to not cross lines. And not become deeper emotionally attached to each other. From text conversations to other events that I’m keeping my lips zipped about, I loved every moment they were together. The chemistry between them was intense. And the steam in his book was done beautifully! It was scorching hot!

“What?” I asked, as if she’d accused me of something.
Meow.
“I’m just emotional.”
Meow.
“I don’t really love him. Not like that.”
Meow.
“I’m not allowed to love him like that, Cleo.” I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. “Don’t let me.”

Slap Shot Surprise was an adult romance that was fun, steamy and ended with the most fabulous happily ever after! I loved, loved, loved that we got to catch up with the other siblings and their spouses from the previous books! And that Mabel had her bestie Ari by her side every step of the way. To see little surprises, like who was pregnant eeps. It made me so happy! So, I can’t recommend this series enough. I have loved each book and can’t recommend starting back with Runaway Love enough!

It was time to take the shot.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: All Signs Point to Malibu by Jennifer Snow

October 7, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

All Signs Point to Malibu by Jennifer Snow
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Hailey Harris can’t stop messing with fate. A successful life coach, Hailey uses her ability to glimpse the future to guide her clients down the right path. But her gift has made her own life lonely. After all, having a real friend would mean asking someone to believe the unbelievable.

The one person she might have confided in—her ex, Liam Jensen—is newly engaged to a beautiful, sweet, thoughtful heiress. But when Hailey has a vision predicting a not-so-happy ending for the couple, her mission is clear: help Liam and his fiancée avoid the biggest mistake of their lives.

Stopping the wedding while planning Liam’s engagement party is no easy feat. And Warren Mitchell—Liam’s sexy, irritating best man and Hailey’s nemesis—is suspicious of Hailey’s motivations. Between sleeping with her frenemy and watching her careful plans spiral out of control, Hailey discovers the real cause of Liam’s future heartbreak. But now that she knows the truth, will Hailey keep on fighting fate or trust in the love she never saw coming?

Review:

All Signs Point to Malibu was an enemies to lovers adult romance that was so easy to visualize. With some magic realism laced into this story, everything played out like a movie in my head. Whether it was Hailey walking in her heels and spilling her coffee, or the scene in the restaurant with her lipstick…it was just so easy to visualize and read this story. There were some steamy moments too and it ended with a wonderful happily ever after. My hiccup was that I wasn’t able to connect to a single character, and that greatly influences my enjoyment of a book. So, I’ll definitely give another one of her books a try, and hope that I’m able to connect with it better!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: The Love Lie (The Love Match #2) by Kay Marie

October 6, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Love Lie (The Love Match #2)
by Kay Marie
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A city girl.

A country boy.

A fake engagement in front of 10 million viewers.

What could possibly go wrong?

To some people, a proposal in the Maldives would be an absolute dream. To Samantha Peters, it's a certifiable nightmare. Because she's pretending to be her identical twin sister on the set of a massively popular reality TV show and her potential fiancé is an annoying (and annoyingly sexy) cowboy who refuses to let her win a single argument. When a moment of temporary insanity leaves them accidentally engaged, they have no choice but to figure it out together.

Their plan is simple. Spend a week in paradise sharing the same bungalow so the producers don't catch wind of the truth. Break up as soon as the cameras go down. And live happily never after.

There's only one problem. Between jet skis, yacht tours, romantic dinners, and sunset parasails, these two opposites constantly at one another's throats start to see each other in a new light. Maybe Sam is more than a workaholic with an iron heart. Maybe Cooper isn't just a cocky cowboy with a restless spirit. But no matter how big the attraction between them grows, the rules are set. They absolutely cannot fall in love. Right?

The Unhoneymooners meets Flawless in this standalone second installment of The Love Match series, perfect for fans of fake engagements, enemies to lovers, cowboy romances, forced proximity, opposites attract, only one bungalow, reality television, tropical locations, and dual POV!

Review:

The Love Lie was effortless to love! With a fake engagement, forced proximity, and opposites attract, it was so easy to obsess over this book! If you love adult romance that makes you laugh, keeps you smiling while also tugging on your heartstrings, then make sure you have this one on your tbr!

She freezes. Her heart flips. Just like that, the cameras and the crew all fade. The world around her blurs until the only thing in perfect clarity is the man striding confidently toward her.

I absolutely loved Sam! She was sassy, hilarious without even trying, and so easy to click with. When she agreed to step in to take her twin sister’s place on a reality tv show, I was so excited. The tension between her and Cooper was electric. And when he got down on one knee and proposed, I was screaming with what happened next. Especially since they spent the next 5 days together in paradise!

She’s in nothing but a thong, high heels, and his hat.
Cooper sucks in a sharp breath.
Sam grins.

Cooper was the ultimate book boyfriend. Not only was he a sexy cowboy, but he was also kind, thoughtful, and knew how to take charge. Everything he did just had me enamored. Whether it was his thoughts about taking a swim in the morning or well…. you’ll see…. he easily had me under my spell. Especially when we learned the reason why he signed up for the show. Swoon. Cooper loved his family and his ranch; he was such a good man.

His balls might not survive it.
His heart definitely won’t.
Because he likes it. Likes the fire in her eyes. Likes the silent dare. Likes the confidence. Likes the challenge.

Cooper and Sam were definitely attracted to one another, yet they had an almost enemies to lovers vibe going with the most fabulous banter. And did I mention they weren’t supposed to be engaged??? She was going to go back to the city, he was going to go back to the country. Their futures couldn’t be further apart from one another. But that didn’t stop the chemistry that was between them. Or their desire for each other. As they faked their engagement and showed how much they wanted each other to those around them, I was smiling so much! Especially when lines started to get crossed.

“This is a bad idea,” she whispers, even as she leans the slightest bit closer.
“The best ones always are.”

With snorkeling adventures, the most fabulous texting chapter ever, the helicopter, and so much more, this book was entertaining. I also loved how we got to see the depths of Sam and Cooper. Their pasts shaped them into who they were now, and they were both trying their best to move forward. But at the same time, this story was hilarious! I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much! And with feeling butterflies too, their interactions were just so much fun. This story was emotional, heartwarming, and the tension between them was steamy. Even if their moments together weren’t that steamy.

“Because the first time I kissed you, it was for them. I don’t plan on making that mistake again.”

With other characters that added so much depth to the story like Nina, her sister, Wes and more, I loved this book! I still laugh out loud when I think about that Shania Twain song! And there’s a whole latter part of this book that I won’t even be talking about……but that place and those moments, they were some of my absolute favorites! So, with a fabulous happily ever after, this book ended so beautifully! I can’t recommend it enough.

Winnie to Sam: I left a present on your pillow when you get home.
Sam: Oh my god. Stop hiding romance novels around my room. MY LIFE IS NOT A ROM-COM.
Winnie: Obviously not.
Winnie: It’s a Western.

PS The little bit that we spent with Tyler I’m already obsessed! I can’t wait for his book!

PPS While this book can be read as a standalone, it’ll definitely spoil the previous book and couple for you.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

October 4, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Her beauty hides a deadly purpose.

Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue―convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.

Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods.

Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall―and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.

Review:

A Song to Drown Rivers was not for me. All of the elements were there…a heroine we could root for, a kingdom we wanted to see thrive, a hero we would fall for, political intrigue, and a retelling that would hold us in the palm of its hand. Yet none of it worked for me. I wasn’t able to connect to any of the characters. I didn’t find myself rooting for anyone. The political intrigue didn’t keep me interested. And so many things felt glossed over, since this book spanned a few years yet was a relatively short story. But the ending? That was the final reason why this book didn’t work for me and I closed the story so disappointed. Below are a few more of my thoughts….

This was not a romance. If you believe that romances can end without a HEA or HFN, then we definitely have differing views of how we want a romance novel to end. Yes there was some instalove within the pages. But once you get to the ending, you’ll see why I was left broken hearted. Yes there was something in those last few paragraphs, but that wasn’t near enough.

This was not a fantasy. It read more as a historical fiction. And while there were some paranormal elements towards the end of the book, that’s it.

How was it believable that she was a concubine for two years? I really struggled with this point. The most they did was share a few kisses and slept next to each other, but never did anything. Maybe if this was aged as a younger young adult novel, then it would have seemed feasible? But that’s not the case here.

The story felt like it could have been set anywhere. As someone who was excited to immerse myself into a legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, I felt like the story could have easily been set in countless places across the world. It was missing the richness and depth I was looking for.

And lastly, what was the point of the issues with her heart? As someone with a heart ailment, this didn’t sit well with me. Was it just anxiety? We never got any answers, and then after a while the issue seemed to just fade away from the pages.

So sadly, I don’t recommend this book. I seem to be in the alone category though. Maybe if this was marketed as a historical fiction and not a romantasy I would have gone in with a better mindset? But even still, that ending just left me feeling wrong. I need a HEA or HFN when I close the pages, and if I would have known in advance that it was sorely lacking, I wouldn’t have picked up this book.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*