_isabel_'s reviews
1025 reviews

Soooooo cute and hot and lovely.

And.... I've officially read all of Alessandra Hazard's backlist. I don't know what to do with myself, I'm so sad. I so hope she's still planning a Masters spinoff series, because I'm not ready to leave Calluvia. Such a fascinating world! I'm really curious to see what other types of telepathy there are, and I'm really curious to get to know the other Masters a bit more.
BUT in the meantime I guess I can do a re-read, or nine (and I might have to start with the Wrong Alpha series where I first met my beloved Ksar <3) 

I never thought Alessandra Hazard could actually write a slow-burn like this one but oh god. I'm both elated and devastated: what a ride. WHAT A RIDE.
Teacher/student relationships aren't my fav because the power imbalance there makes me feel icky, but I knew I could trust this author with this kind of trope because I absolutely fell in love with both Castien and Eridian. Their relationship is still totally unbalanced and toxic and wild and possessive, but it's also soooooooo *squeals, swoons, clutches heart* like, you could totally feel how they were both whipped for one another. Also, their romance develops slowly, it's years in the making, so you actually see and witness and feel how their dynamic changes, how it flourishes and transforms into hateful obsession, into helpless adoration and devotion, and finally into love.

< “This will not work, Eridan,” he said at last. “You can stop batting your eyelashes. I will not change my mind.”
“I’m not ‘batting my eyelashes,’” Eridan said indignantly. “That’s my face.”
Castien’s lips twitched. “Indeed it is.” >

Also it helped that Eridian is a spoiled brat and that Castien, despite his "I don't feel emotions" attitude and his immense telepathy, did not stand a chance with him.


"Prince's Master" feels longer that it actually is, because so much happens: there's romance, there's mouth-watering sexual tension and steam, there's character development, and there's also a fair chunk of plot. I'm so damned curious to read War's story now! I can't believe I'm nearly at the end of this series.

The world-building was absolutely fabulous in this one, and I really hope Alessandra is still planning on writing a new series on the Masters of the Order. There are a few side characters and side-plots that are absolutely begging to be fleshed out properly. 

Inject this book into my veins because oh god, I'm obsessed.
I don't know how Alessandra Hazard does it, her writing is like magic, or a drug: she consistently manages to write romances that are always damned addictive, so delicious, they never, ever, ever fail at making me feel unbelievably giddy.
And "Once Upon a Time" is Alessandra Hazard at her greatest: Rohan and Jamil's romance was absolutely, ridiculously good. I was obsessed with them from the first page: their initial animosity soon transforms into affection, so freaking adoring and devoted it made me want to bang my head against a wall and curl up on the floor with giddiest, craziest smile. I feel like a teenager when I think of them. They were ADORABLE. ADORABLE.

< “It’s the bond, isn’t it?” Jamil said, hating the edge of desperation in his voice. “It’ll pass once it’s broken.”
Rohan’s black brows drew together. For a long moment, he said nothing. “It should,” he said at last, but he didn’t sound very certain. “It will,” he said, firmer, and then he ruined it by kissing Jamil’s nose. “It’s going to be fine, darling.”>

The pet names, the bond, the mind merges, the sheer affection and devotion between them, the sex scenes, the angst, the forbidden aspect of their relationship, the possessiveness, Rohan's irrational jealousy and his "I'm straight but I want to consume you", Jamal's adorable neediness... I ate all of that up. It's got everything I love in my romances. Literally everything: I couldn't be happier with this book.

< Rohan nuzzled his cheek, breathing in deeply. “I’m normally not attracted to males,” he said, sucking a hickey on Jamil’s jawline. His voice sounded a little slow and slurred, as if he were inebriated. “But you—you’re different. The most beautiful”—a kiss on Jamil’s cheek— “the prettiest”—a kiss on Jamil’s nose—“the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.” >

I loved this book, I loved the plot (I can't wait to read the next two books, I'm sooooo curious), I loved all the characters (MY BABIES KSAR AND SEYN <3), I loved the world-building, I loved everything. I can't wait to jump into book four: teacher/student relationship's aren't my fav, but I can already tell this one will have Hazard's usual brand of vaguely-toxic, absolutely delicious, possessive, forbidden dynamic. 

Absolutely delicious! I can't believe it took me so long to start this second book, I loved it to bits.
Harry and Adam's romance wasn't my fav, so maybe that's the reason: this one has got to be AH's most hyped-up book, and I was terrified I wouldn't enjoy it as much.
I shouldn't have worried though: this author's writing is like a drug, and the way she does enemies-to-lovers and hate sex, is *chef's kiss* perfection.

Seyn and Ksar's story was damned fun, utterly delicious, absolutely gripping, and I inhaled their romance from start to finish. I admit I have a weakness for characters like Ksar, grumpy, duty-bound assholes, with secretely hidden vulnerabilties, so of course I loved him to absolute bits. I was as bad as Seyn LOL but god, I'm obsessed with him. I loved Seyn too, but Ksar stole my heart.

Their romance was great though, packed with all of Hazard's usual tropes (neediness and possessiveness? Vaguely toxic, clingy dynamics and "I hate him but I can't stop wanting him"? Check, check, check, check), and I loooooved that we got to see Calluvia's society and world-builing so much more.
I also, strangely enough, loved that ending: this author has a penchat for abrupt endings, but this one wasn't like that at all. We even got a lovely epilogue *heart eyes*
The only thing that could have made this book better was more drama and angst, maybe something more about Ksar's telepathic abilities, some excuse for a little hurt/comfort (YES, I KNOW, but I live for that kind of stuff).
Anyway, I'm super excited for book three now. 

Very cute.
Anna Wineheart is one of my favourites in the mpreg/omegaverse genre, but I love her the most when the books are angsty and tough, instead of fluffy and OTT.  
Nonetheless, "How To Hide Your Dragon Baby" is a quick, steamy, fun read: I was mainly interested in the second book, but since this one is so short, I figured I'd better start here. The world-building was a tad confusing, but all in all, this was bonkers and sweet and damned steamy. I'm curious to get to know Liem and Samsen a bit more!

 < You’re serious about this?”
“I am, yeah. Let’s run away together, Adrien- with- an- e.” The gleam of his smile widened. That smile. It undid me every time.
I grinned back. “You talked me into it. Let’s hitch the reindeer and load up the sleigh.” >

Excuse me while I go and sob my eyes out.
Adrien and Jake have been one of my favourite couples since the very first time I read this series: they've been through A LOT, and seeing them reach this stage in their relationship is... *tears up, clenches fist, heart bursting out of chest* gah, I just love them to bits.
I'd already read a shorter version of this novella at the end of the "Fatal Shadows: The Collector's Edition", but omg, this version is so much sweeter and lovely and funny and heartfelt and romantic.
Jake's in such a better place, and seeing him so secure and in love and devoted in this novella (and to be fair, also before that!) always makes me want to grin, swoon and break down in tears, simultaneously. And Adrien! God, he's probably one of my favourite characters of all time: he's hilarious, he's snarky, he's sweet, he's clever, he's an idiot, he's the best. I love him to death.

Also I highlighted half of the book, so here are some quotes that made me laugh/swoon/break-down-and-start-sobbing-in-a-corner:

< I said darkly, “[...] I never filled out a compatibility quiz in my life. Did you?”
“No.” He threw me an ironic look. “Maybe that was our mistake.”
“Yeah. That was the holdup. We never took the time to see if we agreed on…” I peered looked down at the magazine page and read aloud: “What is your idea of a romantic date?”
“Obviously a crime scene.”
“Right? It doesn’t get more romantic than that.” >


< “What are your views on the reasons for unsuccessful relationships?”
Jake said with surprising promptness, “Not talking. Not listening. Failure to look at the situation from the other person’s view point.”
To give the devil his due, a failure to communicate had not been one of Jake’s weaknesses. Rarely, had I not known Jake’s feelings on any given subject. “I appreciate that you didn’t mention amateur sleuthing.”
“Well, the truth is, you continually poking that… refined nose of yours into trouble kept us close. It accelerated everything between us. So maybe I don’t love your sleuthing, but I can’t completely regret it either.” >


< There are some things you don’t get tired of. Your favorite things. I’m not talking about raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. I mean that first kiss of the day and the last kiss at night, Jake’s quiet laugh— what I think of as his private laugh— the way we know what each other’s thinking without so much as a glance. I don’t think any of this— the feel of his hands moving over my body, the taste of his mouth on mine— the heat and urgency and hunger— that need to be as close to one as two humans can get— I don’t understand how that could ever become stale or routine. I don’t get tired of hearing sweet nothings, because they will never mean nothing to me. I know what it cost us to get here.
Jake muttered roughly, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” >


OKAY, I'll re-read these books. 

I have only one word: FINALLY.

No okay, I do have more but really, finally

FINALLY Quaid's underlying anxiety and eating disorder issues have been addressed. It took six books and a half, and also a hospital trip, but I'm so glad Nicky James has stopped treating this stuff as a personality quirk (mostly at least): I've been saying since I don't know how many books ago, but I'm so glad it's been finally said on page and that Quaid's planning on doing some therapy.

This book would have had a much lower rating otherwise, and I would have probably abandoned this series altogether.

Anyway, the first half of the book was a bit tough for me to get through: mental health issues aside, Quaid's an acquired taste and I think I'm at my last straw with him. He sneers and judges and shames, distrusts everyone (Aslan, his friends, his family; although to be fair, he has gotten better) and is constantly insecure. I know, it's relatable: I'm a bit like him, so I think that's the reason a fair chunk of his thoughts and words were kinda of... triggering? for me? I don't know, but I might have found a trigger/content that doesn't work for me. Especially the food/fat-shaming he does: yes, okay, it's part of his whole "insert mental health issue that needs to be treated" but god, it hit really close to home, it left me feeling bad, and I know he's just a character, but I'm pretty sure this kind of stuff needs to be handled in a much more thoughtful way.
Wedding books/installments should feel light-hearted and sweet, but that first half was anything but; it was frustrating.
Also, did it need to be this long? I skimmed quite a lot.

Thankfully, the second half is so much better. So, so much better: I laughed and swooned, and everything felt so much more joyful and fun. 
Aslan, my precious baby, he's been my fav since book one: I adored him in this one. So patient, so loving, so sexy. He's the reason I keep coming back to this series, and if there are to be more books, I so hope he gets another chance to shine in the spotlight (there's a reason why I love the mysteries that centred around his work more).
I loved the character interactions (Torin and Ruiz, Allison and Amelia, her kids... I loved everything about them all), the banter and the fun, and hilarious, scenes (Torin and Ruiz make an epic team, I adore them), and the wedding was pretty much dreamy. The ending was perfect. 
I'm glad Nicky James is hitting pause of this series for a bit though; it's time to give these two a chance to properly grow (*cough* and for Quaid to become healthier and happier). I'm really curious about the next MCs for the spin-off series! Hopefully I'll end up loving them. 

TWs/CWs: untreated eating disorder and anxiety, food-shaming, homophobia and bullying (referenced, in the past), death of family members (referenced, in the past), alcohol addiction.

Leo and King have always been fan-favourites, but out of them all, I think they're probably on the bottom of my list for this series. 
I did enjoy this novella though! I thought it was lovely. I just wished it were a Mason/Lucky one, or a Red/Laz one, instead. But you can't have everything, and I thought this was fun and cute and wholesome nonetheless.
Leo and King deserve all the happiness, and I adored that ending so much. It made me smile, and I'm so glad Charlie Cochet decided to revisit the Kings for this Christmas series. 
🥰

Marina Vivancos does it again. "Broken Ice" is sheer joy and delight in book form: I inhaled it in a day, I had the giddiest smile on my face for the whole time, and I lost count of how many times it made me swoon. I swear, this author's writing seems to be made for me specifically: everything I've read of hers has been an automatic favourite, and even now I can't stop re-reading them.

Broken Ice is set 10 years after the events of the previous "Alpha Omega Hockey" books, when Omegas are finally starting to come out and hockey seems to be finally becoming an inclusive space for everybody... Key word: seems, because as Beau, our protagonist, knows, discrimination is still rampant in the league.
I was a bit worried about the time jump, honestly, because I felt like the previous characters had so much left to say; I shouldn't have been though, because not only did it make sense from the series standpoint, but it was absolutely fascinanting to see how much (and how little) things have changed for Omegas.

Despite this somewhat bleak(ish) premise, this book is seriously joyful: Beau was put through the wringer by his previous team and coach, his body forced to endure supressants that messed up his heats and his health, but he never loses his smile and his playful attitude.
I loved him so much. He's so different from the previous protagonists: every single one of them has been one of a kind, but both Omegas (and one closeted, subby Alpha) were the same in the sense that they had something to hide, a hidden, scarred and terrified part of them that they thought the world shouldn't know about, or wouldn't want to know about. In other words, they were the grumps in the grumpy/sunshine equation. Here we get the sunniest, most playful, most idiotic and most oblivious Omega (Beau is the himbo), and the grumpiest (and most idiotic) Alpha, i.e. the love of my life, Emilio Torres (I might have a tiny, tiny crush on him okay?)

< They stared at each other. This was probably a good time to say something like, ‘What the hell was that last night?’, or ‘Is this really just sex?’, or ‘Blink twice if you want to keep me forever.’ >

I loved both of them to bits. Their relationship starts off with a bit of one-sided enemies-to-lovers dynamic (because Beau is a bit oblivious, and Emilio is a grump) but soon flourishes in the dirtiest, sexiest, most delicious, I'll-help-you-through-your-heats arrangement.
Of course, both of them are pining, insecure idiots, so it takes a while for them to understand that they're the loves of each others lives, but the bits in between were just as glorious as the ending: I loved their dynamic, their relationship, so damned much. Despite the rocky start, it was packed with playfulness and a smidge of (endearing) misunderstandings, so much care and protectiveness, so much joy and affection, and literally, the dirtiest stuff I've read in an omegaverse in a long time (i.e. since the last Vivancos omegaverse): "Broken Ice" is packed with all the delicious A/B/O tropes you could wish for. Heats (lots), and ruts? Scenting (lots and lots) and pack dynamics? Nesting, claiming, mating and everything in between? This book has it. Needless to say, I was obsessed.

< Beau jolted, a gasp ripped out of him. “Oh, my God.” “You’re gonna be fucking covered in me after I’m done with you,” Emilio promised, voice low and sure. >

I loved both of them individually too. Like I said, I have an enormous crush on Emilio: he's grumpy and respectful (sooooooo respectful), kind and lovely, with some hidden insecurities that were simultaneously heartwrenching and endearing.
And Beau: god, where do I start with him. He's a himbo, he's an idiot and a joker, he's oblivious, he can't shut up to save his life, but he's also damned sweet and affectionate, so desperate for pack and a place to belong it broke my heart, so insecure and afraid, despite all the bravado and smiles. I adored him, and while I did want to jump into the book and shake him a few times, I also wanted to wrap him up in blankets for everything he's had to put up with. This book is joyful and fun, I promise, but it wouldn't be a Marina Vivancos book without a bit of feels and a smidge of trauma.

I also adored the fact that this book has such a found family atmosphere: I loved how the author incorporated omegaverse dynamics into team dynamics, and I loved all the side characters. Now, I'm desperate to know if two other pining idiots will get their HEA soon: I'm desperate to talk about them, but I'll shut up now.

I wholly recommend this book: it can easily standalone (but the other three books are marvellous as well). I already can't wait to re-read this, and I'm so damned excited to see what else Marina has planned for this universe. I hope she never stops writing in it.