Book Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Title: The Deal

Author: Elle Kennedy

Series/Standalone: Off-Campus Series (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Sports Romance

Pages: 342

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2015

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"She's about to make a deal with the college bad boy...

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she's carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush's attention, she'll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice... even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

...and it's going to be oh so good.

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he's worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure the position on the team, he's all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn't take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn't going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him."

My Rating: 4/5

This was a really fun read. And while it was a little predictable, it was also unexpected in some of the turns. I look forward to continuing the series, especially since the author is a Canadian and reading some books from my fellow Canadians seems like the move to make right now. I will say it is a bit of a product of the time. It felt very 2015 if that makes any sense. Would recommend if you're looking for good banter, steamy scenes and a sports romance that isn't too too sports heavy. Trigger warning for mention of SA.

Thanks for reading.

Sidny

Book Review: Power of Five by Alex Lidell

Title: Power of Five

Author: Alex Lidell

Series/Standalone: Power of Five Series (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult

Pages: 226

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2018

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "'Lera!' Mimi's voice bounces through the stable, turning horses' heads."

"Four elite fae warriors. One mortal female. A magical bond they can't allow- or resist.

Orphaned and sold to a harsh master, Lera's life is about mucking stalls, avoiding her master's advances, and steering clear of the mystical forest separating the mortal and fae worlds. Only fools venture into the immortal realms, and only dark rumors come out... Until four powerful fae warriors appear at Lera's barn.

River, Coal, Tye and Shade have waited a decade for their new fifth to be chosen, the wounds from their quint brother's loss still raw. But the magic has played a cruel trick, bonding the four immortal warriors to... a female. A mortal female.

Distractingly beautiful and dangerously frail, Lera can only be one thing- a mistake. Yet as the males bring Lera back to the fae lands to sever the bond, they discover that she holds more power over their souls than is safe for anyone.... especially for Lera herself."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was such an interesting read. I was looking for a reverse harem and I wasn't picky about genre other than that being a trope. I looked through my Goodreads TBR and started from the first books I had put on my want-to-read list that were available on Kindle Unlimited. This was such a short, fun read. The spice is building, the concept is fun and the characters are unique enough that they're all distinguishable from each other. I would recommend if you're looking for a short reverse harem book, that has a slower burn than some others you might read. I look forward to reading the next one soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Twisted Games by Ana Huang

Title: Twisted Games

Author: Ana Huang

Series/Standalone: Twisted Series (Book #2)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Pages: 456

Publisher: Indie

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"She can never be his... but he's taking her anyway.

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules... until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she's his.

His princess.

His forbidden fruit.

His every depraved fantasy. 

***

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. 

But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies- and treacheries- of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom... and doom them both."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is the second book in the Twisted series and I felt very similar to this one as the first one. The first half of this book was well done, especially the banter between the characters. Seeing how they interacted and the longing from the get-go was amazing. I loved the bodyguard aspect, but about halfway through I figured out how this was going to end (or at least pretty close). Over time, I also find it frustrating that the author does a lot of telling and very little showing. I want to see what's happening to the characters not hear about it later (obviously this can't be done for every scenario but a bit more would help with my personal enjoyment). I don't think I will be continuing with the series at this time but I hope to try her other series in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sabotage by Shantel Tessier

Title: Sabotage

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: L.O.R.D.S (Book #4)
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult, 

Pages: 229

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"COLTON

Raylee Lexington Adams is my stepsister and the one woman in the world who can make my blood boil.

She's vindictive, a lot of crazy and absolutely stunning.

I hate everything about her except for when she's on her knees begging me to use her as my own personal toy. 

We've been playing a game of cat and mouse for far too long. We have used each other for our own sick pleasure.

I've ruined every relationship my little princess has ever had. A sure way that she'll come crawling back to me, begging me for what only I can give her when another man fails her.

But I'm tired of watching others get a piece of what is mine. So, I did what any rational man would do- I staked my claims, showed the world that she belonged to me, and I'm going to do whatever it take to make her believe it too.

RAYLEE

Colton Remington Knox is a man I despise but can't say no to.

He's what any girl would call a walking red flag. But I've never claimed to be a smart woman when it comes to men. Why should he be any different?

I've always managed to hold my own against him. But this time, he's gone too far. Posting a video of me on my knees for him, for what? To brag? Embarrass me? He's acting like he doesn't know me very well.

Colt wants to play a game? I'll do whatever it takes to make sure I win. No matter what it costs me.

People already think I have no dignity, so why let them down?"

My Rating: 2/5

After realising the starting plot points, I wanted the start of this, but there was something about how certain things were handled at the end that just disappointed me. I wanted a little more thoughtfulness towards a certain trigger warning, but that's why trigger warnings exist right? It wasn't my favourite in the series, but I look forward to the next one.

Sidny

Book Review: The Sacrifice by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Sacrifice

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: L.O.R.D.S. (Book #3)

Genre: New Adult, Dark, Romance

Pages: 644

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"HIS LADY

A Lord is to marry after he graduates from Barrington University, an elite college for the rich. A Lady's job is to help him fit into a world unaware of his secret society. The Lord does not get to choose who he spends the rest of his life with. But there is always an exception to the rule. And I just so happen to be his.

I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.

I was to wed a Lord of my parents' choosing. Wealth can't buy you everything or I would have had freedom years ago. Instead, my strict parents made sure I lived a dull life in a mansion resembling a prison.

But on my wedding day, I was handed over to another man- an even more ruthless Lord that my family hated.

Tyson Riley Crawford only wanted me for his revenge. I'm nothing more than a debt to be paid. I didn't have a say in the matter. So when I said my vows before the congregation, I knew I'd break them. Consequences be damned.

Too bad I underestimated my husband and didn't realize he was more determined to punish me than I was to succeed at escaping. He'll make me choke on those words I used to bind myself to him.

Yet even he couldn't have seen what our future held. Ultimately, we're all just pawns in a game that none of us can win unless you're willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice... and even that may not be enough."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Before we get into it, this is a dark romance. It's messed up and has a lot of things that may not be for everyone. I highly recommend reading a trigger warning list before you start any books in this series. This one was my favourite so far in the series. It leaned into our main character's life story and after seeing Tyson in the first two books, it was exciting to see within his world with the Lords. The plot twists in this one were exactly the overtop thing I needed and the smut was insane.

I look forward to continuing the series and learning more about Carnage. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa

Title: The Emperor of Evening Stars

Author: Laura Thalassa

Series/Standalone: The Bargainer Series (Book #2.5)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult

Pages: 219

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2017

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"In the beginning, there was darkness. 

Before he met Callie, before he became the Bargainer, there was Desmond Flynn, the bastard son of a scribe. A boy born to a weak mother, cursed with little magic, and destined to marry a slave.

But fate had something else in mind.

Till darkness dies.

From the barren caves of Arestys the palace of Somnia to the streets of earth, this is how Desmond Flynn, a fairy who began with nothing, became the Emperor of Evening Stars."

My Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this instalment far more than the other ones in the series. I always love a prequel; seeing where a character's traits come from helps understand a side character. I really enjoyed how fast-paced it was but I was hoping for more info about Desmond before the first book in the series had taken place. I will be finishing out the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalass

Title: A Strange Hymn

Author: Laura Thalassa

Series/Standalone: The Bargainer Series (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

Pages: 385

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2017

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Wings."

"She survived the mad king... but the nightmare isn't over.

Siren Callypso Lillis still wears the physical reminders of her time as Karnon's captive, even after reuniting with soulmate Desmond Flynn, the King of Night. Not only that, but mounting evidence suggests the Thief of Souls, the being responsible for the disappearance of countless fae warriors, is still out there.

Invited to an annual Solstice celebration, Callie and Des journey to the Kingdom of Flora to continue their investigation. But under the bright lights and striking blooms of the realm, new complications arise, one that no amount of bargaining can undo. Soldiers begin to go missing from the gathering, and some of the fae begin to suspect Des is the man behind it all. To Callie, one thing is no one is who they appear to be. Not even her soulmate.

Fairies play dangerous games. Some want love, some want vengeance, some want flesh, and some want horrors too unspeakable to name. Something is stirring in the Land of All that Grows, and if Callie isn't careful, it will claim everything she loves- and her along with it. "

My Rating: 3.5/5

I expected something else out of a second book. Once again the plot was fine, but it seemed to move too fast by the end. It started to pick up and just as it did, it was over. The plot twists were good, not great, but good. I will be reading the next book and am excited about it because it's a prequel. I have enjoyed the series, but it hasn't been mind-blowing, as long as the novella goes well I will finish the series. I would recommend it to people who haven't read ACOTAR. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Title: Rhapsodic

Author: Laura Thalassa

Series/Standalone: The Bargainer (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 326

Publisher: Lavabrook Publishing Group

Year Published: 2016

Format: Ebook (Own a Physical Copy)

"Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want... at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I didn't anticipate this book being an urban fantasy when I picked it up so after adapting my expectations about the plot a bit, I really enjoyed it. The characters had clear chemistry and the romance was a slow burn in my mind, but I know that my expectations of that and others are not the same. The ending wrapped up way too fast in my opinion, it felt rushed and didn't read the same as the rest of the book, I will be continuing the series, but I hope that in the following books, the pacing of the plot is laid out a little better. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Title: Twisted Love

Author: Ana Huang

Series/Standalone: Twisted Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult,    

Pages: 360

Publisher: Originally Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "There are worse things than being stranded in the middle of nowhere during a rainstorm."

"He has a heart of ice... but for her, he'd burn the world.

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember.

But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...

including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen- but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both and everything they hold dear."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was one that I was hoping I would love but it was just ok for me. I think that the author did a lot within the story but the mysterious aspects were very obvious to me. I had no questions about who was doing what in the background of the plot. I knew exactly who was doing the behind the scenes evil. I guessed within moments of meeting the villains that they were the villains. The sex scenes we did get were great, but I would have liked more. I also am unsure if the series needed to be a companion series or if they would have done just fine as individual stories that were not interconnected. A princess, a photographer, a law student and a regular student all being friends and being introduced like Bratz dolls just wasn't for me. I liked it, I just didn't love it. I look forward to reading the next one, but mainly for the tropes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Ritual 

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: The L.O.R.D.S Series (Book #1)

Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult, Fiction

Pages: 628

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "A Lord takes his oath seriously."

"THE CHOSEN ONE

I vow. You vow. We vow.

Barrington University is home of the Lords, a secret society that requires their blood in payment. They are above all- the most powerful men in the world. They devote their lives to violence in exchange for power. And during their senior year, they are offered a chosen one.

People think growing up with money is freeing, but I promise you, it's not. My entire life has been planned out for me. I never got the chance to do what I wanted until Ryat Alexander Archer came along and gave me an option for a better life. He offered me what no one else ever had- freedom.

I chose to be his. He made me believe that anyway, but it was just another lie. A way that the Lords manipulate you into doing what they want.

After being sucked into the dark, twisted world of the Lords, I embraced my new role and allowed Ryat to parade me around like the trophy I was to him. But like all things, what started out as a game soon became a fight for survival. And the only way out was death."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book has trigger warnings a mile long so please before you read any dark romance find a trigger warning list and make sure that the content is something you feel safe to consume. That being said this book was really fun for a dark romance, the plot went so many different directions, the spicey scenes were insane, and the world was fascinating. Was it a literary classic, probably not. Would I read it again? Absolutely. I will be continuing on with the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Title: It Ends with Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: It Ends with Us Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Hardhitting, New Adult

Pages: 386

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. 

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up- she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn't hurt. Lily can't get him out of her head. But Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his 'no dating' rule, she can't help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan- her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is somehow still tabbed generally under romance, and I don't think that is the correct genre that I would identify it as. This is a hard-hitting new adult contemporary for me. There is romance, but there is more than that. There are so many important discussions that happen within this story. Triggers for suicide, abuse, sexual assault, etc.  While I think this story was important I did not always enjoy the telling of it and the writing overall, so for me it was 3.5 but I can see why people feel so strongly about the plot line.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 310

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon's last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben's relationship with Fallon- and simultaneously his novel- be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?"

My Rating: 4/5

For what this is, it was fun. The binge-ability of this book was higher than any of the other books I've read by the author. Do I think it's the highest of substance? No. But it sets out to do a thing and it succeeds. I will say that the part I disliked was the way the female main character needed a man to tell her how to feel about herself.  But the plot and intrigue for pure entertainment made up for it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen

Title: Bonded by Thorns

Author: Elizabeth Helen

Series/Standalone: Beasts of the Briar (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fantasy

Pages: 352

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"Four beastly princess. One awkward bookworm. An enchanted world of fae, magic, and danger.

I've always loved fairytales. I never imagined I'd actually be in one.

When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae. I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I'll do anything to save him... Even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I'd end up imprisoned by four sexy fae who turn into beasts at night.

I have to win my freedom, and that means making a bargain with them. They must find their mates in order to break the curse. If I can help them do that, they'll set me free. Sounds simple right?

It's not. Because against my better judgement, I'm starting to fall for these beastly princes. One is smart and sweet, the other mysterious and deadly, another flirty and confident, and the last prince... He's handsome, strong, has a wicked temper, and is dead-set against breaking the curse. Why does he want to keep me here forever?

But it's not just my freedom on the line. If I don't break the princes' curse soon, all the magic in the Enchanted Vale will be stolen by the evil- and stupidly hot- Prince of Thorns. And I'm not letting my princes stay cursed.

Not after I've fallen in love with them."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was not for me. It had so many elements that I thought would work for me and then when it came down to the moment, it just didn't hit right. The way the author pulled so much from the original content often took me out of the story. The princes were interesting and I was glad to hear their P.O.V but there wasn't enough smut to make up for the lack of content for me. The plot was fine, the concept was fun it just didn't land for me. This is definitely for someone and no shame if this is one of your favorites. It just wasn't for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Kingpin's Weakness by Jessa Kane

Title: The Kingpin's Weakness

Author: Jessa Kane

Series/Standalone: MMA Series (Book #2)

Genre: New Adult, Smut

Pages: 53

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2020

Format: Kindle Unlimited

"Easton Brawn, the notorious gangster and self-proclaimed devil, has requested Scout's presence in his luxury box at the MMA fight- after only one glance- and his reputation gives her no choice but to join him there. Anyone who gets too close to Easton becomes a target for his enemies, so although this girl makes his once-dead heart beat out of control, he can only offer her one night of unparalleled passion. Love has no time limits, however. And before Easton knows it, he'll be in a rush to keep the girl of his dreams safe... and his life forever."

My Rating: 2.75/5

This one was far better than the first one, mainly because it had tropes that I enjoyed more than this one. I enjoyed the mafia/gangster aspect way more than I thought I would. I can't wait to see what else she's written, that being said this is pure filth. Just absolute smut. But that's what I expected. It did "inspire" me to read more mafia romances.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Fighter's Prize by Jessa Kane

Title: The Fighter's Prize

Author: Jessa Kane

Series/Standalone: MMA Series (Book #1)

Genre: Smut, New Adult, Sports

Pages: 69

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2020

Format: Kindle Unlimited

"Whitney's father is up to his eyeballs in gambling debts and now he's placing her as the wager on a no-holds-barred MMA fight. But she refuses to have zero say in her own destiny. So she decides to motivate the Russian fighter, Maxim "Madman of MMA" Semenov, with a kiss. A kiss that turns into so much more and has the Russian vowing to win the fight and claim her forever."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I thought this might have some substance but this was pure smut. Filthy, fast and slightly questionably written smut. The characters had no personality (other than being Russian and poor), and the scenes that were written when they were not having sex weren't great. Overall, just a fun time.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Title: Icebreaker

Author: Hannah Grace

Series/Standalone: Maple Hills Series (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Smut

Pages: 435

Publisher: Pig & Bear Publishing

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Again, Anastasia!"

"Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA.

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driver person weep, Stassie comes to win.

No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn't solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey tam on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia's partner gets hurt in the aftermath. Nate finds himself swapping his sticks for tights, and one scary couch for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it's fine, because Anastasia doesn't even like hockey players... right?"

My Rating: 4/5

For whatever reason, this book took me a long time to get through. I don't think that it had anything to do with the book itself but more so with the format I was reading it on. That being said there was a bit of a lull in the middle of the book for me. The last third of the book flew by though. The smut in this book was so well written and I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers format. The concept of them both being athletes helped the story along and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Title: Ugly Love

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fiction

Pages: 337

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"When Tate Collins meets airline Miles Archer, she knows it isn't love at first sight. They wouldn't even go so far as to consider themselves friends. Once their desires are out in the open they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn't want love, she doesn't have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don't expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can't handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered.

Love gets ugly."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I want to note that a 3.5 isn't a bad rating. I liked this. This book is exactly what people on the internet have promised I would get from Colleen Hoover a problematic but hard-to-put-down new adult read. This book didn't bring me to tears but there were moments when it got me up in my emotions. I will say that Tate had next to no defining traits, which brought down my rating. There were also a few lines in regard to the romance that wasn't for me or made me a bit uncomfortable. Overall fast-paced, intriguing and hard to put down. Would recommend if you're looking for something that matches that description, but I doubt that I'm the first person you have heard about Colleen Hoover through.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair

Title: A Touch of Ruin

Author: Scarlett St. Clair

Series/Standalone: Hades x Persephone (Book #2)

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Mythology

Pages: 417

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Persephone's relationship with Hades has gone public and the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her as the Goddess of Spring.

Hades, God of the Dead, is burdened by a hellish past that everyone's eager to expose in an effort to warn Persephone away.

Things only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone's heart in ruin and Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands, striking bargains with severe consequences.

Faced with a side of Hades she never knew and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades' queen."

My Rating:4.5/5

I don't think this one was as good as the first one for me but the sequel was excellent! I think that the momentum continued and that the author really took the plot in an interesting direction. The only thing that I found was a lot was happening in a short period. This meant that some of the things that I wished had had more time for were brushed over, while others seemed to drag on for me. Also, the spice in this is phenomenal! I look forward to continuing the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Title: Confess

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Pages: 320

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"Auburn Reed is determined to rebuild her shattered life and she has no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn't expect to become deeply attracted to the studio's enigmatic artist, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is hiding a huge secret. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything Auburn loves most, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it- but can she do it?"

My Rating: 2.75/5

This book was a fun and quick audiobook. I'd read another work from Colleen Hoover and she is well known in the bookish community so I thought I'd pick this up from my library's Libby app and it was a good time. Was it a literary masterpiece? Maybe not. Was it entertaining? Yes. I think if I had read the author's work at a younger age it might have appealed to me more, but as someone in her late twenties, not her early ones, this felt pretty young to me. If you are in it for the drama, I would recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Tis the Season for Revenge by

Title: Tis the Season for Revenge

Author: Morgan Elizabeth

Series/Standalone: Springbrook Hills (Book #5)

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Smut

Pages: 304

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Publisher: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "The costume is utter perfection."

"Abbie Keller thought that Richard Batholemew Benson the Third would be her forever. In their four years of dating, she never doubted that she wouldn't end up with his grandmother's engagement ring on her finger. Sure, she had to change a few things about herself to fit that mold, like dying her hair, dressing more conservatively, and finding golf enjoyable (honestly the most difficult of the changes), but she was sure that at the end of it all, it would be worth it.

That is until he leaves her crying outside her apartment wearing a Halloween costume, having broken it off with her because she's just not serious enough. She was just fun, he tells her- and now that Richard has becoming a partner at his law firm in his sights, he needs to focus on work.

So she does what every girl does when she's broken with: she calls her friends, gets drunk, dyes her hair, and formulates her plan for revenge. It just so happens that the universe supports her efforts and gives her the perfect match to prove to her ex that he made a huge mistake: his boss.

Abbie starts dating the founding partner of Richard's law firm, Damien Martinez, with one thing in mind: convincing him to invite her to the huge annual Christmas party as his date. 

But when the relationship starts to become something more than casual dating and Abbie sees that the tough New York lawyer has a soft side, will she be able to follow through with her plan of deceit?

Tis the Season for Revenge is a contemporary, grumpy, sunshine, age-gap, Christmas romance."

My Rating: 5/5

This was exactly what I wanted. Spicey as all hell has great characters, a fun plot and is all Christmas-centric without being to cliche around the holiday. This is not a book whose sex scenes are for the slight of heart. They are graphic and some of the steamiest I've read in a while. I plan on reading more by the author as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny