booksthrilljessica's reviews
424 reviews

Nora has spent her life under the lock and key of her godfather, Ricky, a ruthless crime boss who took control after her parents’ violent end. Though trapped, she finds a way to slip out at night, sneaking into rival territories for a taste of freedom. But when Ricky assigns August—a dangerously attractive new guard—to keep watch over her, she can’t help but imagine him in her bed. The feeling is mutual, but both know acting on their desires could be deadly, as Ricky wouldn’t hesitate to end August if he ever found out.

When the unimaginable happens and Ricky’s empire is brought down in a police raid, he faces a long prison sentence, leaving August to protect Nora—but from whom? Yet, August harbors secrets that could change Nora’s life forever. Will she finally taste the freedom she’s yearned for, or remain ensnared in this endless cycle of crime and punishment?

As someone new to the mafia romance genre, this book truly exceeded my expectations. The characters were incredibly swoon-worthy, and the chemistry between them was brilliantly written. Nora’s storyline was captivating, giving her character the space to grow and laying a thoughtful foundation for what I hope will evolve further in the next book. I especially loved the morally gray male lead who warns the heroine not to trust him, only to ultimately let down his own walls. I absolutely fell for this book, the writing style, and I’m eager for more of Nora and anything Arlo writes!

*Thank you to Oona Arlo for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Two years after the fall of the Blood Queen, Fey is struggling with her new role. No longer the fierce assassin she once was, she now finds herself entangled in politics, with witches begging her to take the crown. For the first time, the Queen’s Blades can forge their own paths, allowing Fey a glimpse of freedom, but she must decide what to do with it. One thing she knows: she wants Alastair by her side—though there’s always room for one more.

When leaders of each faction start meeting brutal ends, Fey and her sisters set out to uncover the culprit behind these gruesome attacks. But all signs point to one suspect: a blood witch. Can they track her down before the factions do?

I loved the first book so much that I worried the sequel wouldn’t satisfy my need for more Fey and Alastair. Yet, this installment delivered beautifully. I did, however, miss the sisterly bond and the gritty assassin dynamics that were in The Queen’s Blade. This book feels more like an exploration of Fey and Alastair’s evolving love, with hints of a potential addition. I would have enjoyed more insight into Vee’s character and her past leading up to the main events.

*Thank you to Evelyn Ward and Booksirens for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Wrobel takes readers on a dark and twisted journey, by sticking to the Hitchcock quote, “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” At the center is Alfred, a character reminiscent of Norman Bates, who is desperate to connect with his old college friends while struggling to run a Hitchcock-themed hotel. His business is failing, and in a last-ditch effort to save it, he invites his friends for a vacation, hoping to make his hotel famous. However, Alfred has some disturbing plans in store for them. But unbeknownst to him, there sinister forces at play behind the scenes, setting up the ultimate MacGuffin. 

Such a brilliant book that fans of Hitchcock and Christie will love. I loved the twist at the end and how it all ultimately panned out for the characters. 

Ever since Meg left school, she’s been ousted by her friends, and now this weekend is her final chance to win them back. The Wren twins have invited her to their eerie country estate, Wren Hall, but Meg can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right. The estate is infamous for being haunted by a lady of the lake and its history is filled with unsettling disappearances. As Meg faces the tension within the group and the estate’s dark secrets, she must decide whether she can repair their fractured friendship or if the past will tear them apart for good.

A gothic adventure that explores the longing for acceptance and belonging, but not without dire consequences. Perfect for readers who enjoy haunted houses, deception, and mysteries shrouded in lies. The atmospheric setting and well-crafted characters draw you in, making you feel as if you’re shrouded in the sinister mystery right alongside Meg. Loved this from beginning to end!

*Thank you to Amy Goldsmith, Random House Children's and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Two women who will fight for what they believe is right, and for the families they vow to protect. But there are things that they do not know…. Things that will alter everything they believed to be true. 

General Breyla Rozaria is reeling from the loss of her father, the King, who has been suddenly poisoned. Breyla knows that it is up to her to find out who betrayed her father and she will stop at nothing to find the truth. However, this means that she must team up with her uncle, Aurelius who is now betrothed to her mother. 

Lady Ophelia has been overlooked by her father for far too long. Now is her chance to make an impact. She must befriend princess Breyla and relay information back to her father. But what Ophelia discovers with her new found family  just might alter her relationship with him. 

When secrets are discovered both women will have to face their fears and determine who they want to become and who they want to fight for. 

This story had the perfect balance of spice with excellent world-building. The characters, with all their flaws, felt real and relatable, which made me feel a connection with them. However, one thing that stuck with me was the relationship between Breyla and her UNCLE… Without revealing too much, there was a brief explanation that made it slightly understandable, but I still found it a bit hard to relate to. This was a fantastic book and I cannot wait for the next one!

*Thank you to Morgana Black for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

What a mother would not do for her child….and that is exactly what Allienna wants more than anything…to be a mother. However, for immortals this has never been done before, until now. Alliena will find a way to give up everything she holds dear in order to have someone to call her own. But at what cost?

Hadley who lost her mother at a young age has been thrown into a life of turmoil and pure survival. Faced with eviction and starving she must do whatever it takes to live. Hadley will have to make disastrous choices that will inevitably change her life forever. And these decisions will reveal that Hadley is more than merely human…. she is so much more. 

This book completely defied my expectations. I devoured it in one day! The characters were so intricate and well crafted that they brought the story to life. I was so moved by Hadley and the heart breaking choices that were made for her and by her. The ending had me rereading the last paragraph in disbelief! I’m eagerly anticipating Hadley’s revenge in the sequel.

*Thank you to Elle Kaelee for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A bite-sized thrilling adventure that follows Grim Gracie, the top Grim Reaper, as she battles against her newest nemesis. This devilishly handsome masked sinner is out for Gracie’s job and will do whatever it takes to secure it. 

I devoured this in one setting. I loved the purple harried, bubble gum (even though it was licorice flavored) lover Gracie with my whole heart. This novela was such a unique take on a quick, dark romance involving Halloween and the afterlife. 

I cannot wait to read the other Holiday Haters!

*Thank you to Teshelle Combs for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Darryl Hadley and her mother have recently moved into their family mansion after the passing of Darryl’s grandmother, Marjorie. Having no real connection with her grandmother while alive Darryl seeks to find out the truth about her mysterious family and the secrets that her grandmother held until the day she left this earth. 

When Darryl meets the young gardener, Todd, things go from bad to worse finding out that Marjorie and the rest of Darryl’s ancestors are thought to be witches, who have done unspeakable things. Now it is Darryl’s mission to set the record straight and prove that her grandmother was innocent of the crime she was accused of. But what she discovers just might break what little family she has left. What happened all those years ago when Marjorie’s twin sister, Lilith,  went missing and did Marjorie have something to do with it? Or was magic to blame?

If you’re a fan of Practical Magic, this book will have you hooked. It’s filled with family drama, love, magic, witches, and a gripping mystery that kept me wanting more. I was fully invested in uncovering the secrets of the dark, potentially haunted old house and discovering whether Darryl’s family were actually witches. I also enjoyed the dynamic characters that play a pivotal role in developing Darryl’s storyline. 

*Thank you to Belinda Campbell and BookSirens for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Rue Umberwick has the job she has always dreamt of as the personal librarian to Ryker Ashworth. Ryker the devilishly handsome young duke has taken Rue under his wing giving her the opportunity to explore his vast library and quench her thirst for knowledge. 

Rue’s life seems to be perfect, that is until her brother, Jasper, emerges stating that she must steal a book hidden in Ryker’s library. This book is said to bring about the Cataclysm if in the wrong hands. Rue must decide if the stories she was told as a child are true or merely fictional. If they are true she must do something with this book before it finds itself in the hands of evil. But who can she trust- the elusive Ryker, or her newly befriended winged accomplice, Corvus? 

This book is brimming with magic, betrayal, ethereal beings, lust, and vengeance, sure to pull anyone out of their reading slump. Its fast pace, captivating world-building, and characters that draw you in make it hard to put down. Aragon adds the right amount of spice that will make you fall in love with the characters even more. I cannot wait for the next installment. 

*Thank you to C.M. Aragon for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Tess has lived a tortured life, one that she seems to endure with great resilience. But when Tess was at her lowest she met Ivan who has bound her to do whatever he desires. 

Then comes the Devil’s Delirium, a battle to the death in a haunted house. The winner will win not only a great stash of money but will be crowned as “Beast of Blood Moon”, Tess knows that this might be her only chance at freedom. She will either win or die trying, whatever it takes to escape the clutches of Ivan. What Tess did not expect was to meet Maverick and to fall in love at Devil’s Delirium. Will she be able to escape the house and her tether to Ivan? Will Tess finally find love?

Stay with me on this one—it was a rollercoaster of a read. It began with a gritty, trauma-filled intensity that was hard to digest. Then moved into the main premise, as promised in the synopsis: a game set in a haunted house. But instead of a paranormal survival story, it leaned more into splatterpunk territory. If you’re a fan of 13 Ghosts, you’ll likely enjoy this part of the book. However, the final third part of the book took a downward turn for me. It rushed into a traumatic love story with a strange explanation of Tess’s abilities and her connection to Maverick. While I did enjoy parts of the book, I strongly recommend checking the TRIGGER WARNINGS before diving in.

*Thank you to Dahlia T. Drake and BookSirens for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.