katvou's reviews
515 reviews

I really wanted to like this book, I enjoy dark mafia romances and the blurb of this one sounded great.

The book started strongly, and the storyline felt promising, but unfortunately the execution wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, and I didn’t enjoy the relationship between the FMC and MMC. The MMC was hot and cold toward her, seeing her one night and then forgetting about her for weeks while the FMC was pining for him. In my opinion, there wasn’t that much character growth and toward the end I was just annoyed with the main characters and more interested in the side characters.

Also, the plot was quite basic and it was easy to guess what was going to happen. Worked as a palate cleanser, but not something I would pick up and read again.

Thank you NetGalley & Kensington Publishing for the ARC. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Second book in the first duology of The Curse of Silver Secrets and Cruel Shadows series. Continues right after A Crown of Tears and Treason ends and completes Evie & Zandyr’s story.

Like the first book, this one was full of action from the beginning to the end. I liked Evie as the FMC in the first book and I continued to like her in this one too. She was grieving and angry, and I liked how she didn’t just immediately forgive Zandyr for what he did.

The main characters were apart for most of the book, but I liked how they were still able to communicate in their dreams. I would have loved to see them working together a bit more.


“As long as a heart kept beating, who cared how broken it was?”
“Why did you make me fall in love with you, only to betray me?”
“I leave for one day and you’re already dancing with death?”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Short and fast-paced dark romance centered around getting revenge.

The main characters, Maximo and Julia, had instant attraction. I enjoyed their chemistry and the spice between them really was spicing. Loved how Julia accepted Maximo for who he was.

There was a lot happening, and I couldn’t put the book down. I would love to read more about these characters in the future.


“Max, can we just kill him already? I have Love Actually to get home to.”
“If I wasn’t in trouble with losing my heart to this man before, I most definitely am now.”
“I’ve never been so free with anyone in all my life.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Second book in the Sorcery and Sacrifice series. This book takes place before book 1 and can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading book 1 first.

The competition aspect was interesting, filled with different types of trials, magical creatures, a unique magic system, secrets, and some mean girl drama between the contestants.

The FMC was strong and fierce, and always ready to do what was right, not caring what others thought.

At times, I was a bit frustrated with the MMC and how easily he listened to his father’s wishes instead of taking matters into his own hands and doing what he wanted.

Can’t wait to read the 3rd book in the series.


“You are my safe place. I never want to leave.”
“I don’t regret my choices. Everything I’ve ever done, every mistake I made, everything I wished wouldn’t happen that happened anyway, led me to you. So I’ll no longer lament my past. I’ll no longer anger at the things that happened beyond my control.”



I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Cinderella inspired fantasy romance with fae, forbidden love and dangerous bargains.

I have mixed feelings about this book. There were some parts I enjoyed, but also some parts that threw me off a little bit.

I liked Raewyn as a main character. She was independent and fierce and clearly had a hard life. Stellon, on the other hand, was unfortunately a bit boring. I liked him at the beginning of the book, but got frustrated with him (and how he didn’t realize who Raewyn was) towards the end. Pharis seemed like an interesting character with more spark and I would love to learn more about him.

The relationship between Raevyn and Stellon is described as enemies to lovers and slow burn, but they never really were enemies and their relationship was more like an insta-love.

Thank you NetGalley & Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC! Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

The chemistry and dynamics between the three main characters were great, and I loved how Dakota and Ronan were like two sides of the same coin in Logan’s eyes. The three of them complemented each other perfectly.

They all had difficult and traumatic pasts, and I liked how they were able to help each other heal.

I loved Buff. His comments and monologues were so funny at times, and I liked how he was there for Ronan when he needed him.


“I have a way of ruining things for myself. Call it a special talent.”
“What can I say? The tortured poets get me every time.”
“Maybe I’m making this whole thing up. Because in what world are two Greek gods sitting on my couch arguing about the dictionary like they didn’t break in, tie me up, and threaten me?”
“In that moment, nothing is okay, and everything is okay all at the same time. Life isn’t fair, but it’s also so, so beautiful.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Short, fast-paced, and spicy dark monster romance featuring a human FMC and twin wolf MMCs (one with a double 🍆) who enjoy sharing.

I loved Eloise as a character, she was fun and sassy, and her inner monologue made me laugh.

Check the TW/CW before reading!


“Maybe it was the years I dedicated to reading monster smut, but I felt prepared for this moment.”
“This was wrong. But, oh, how my dark romance heart swooned.”
“Here I am between two monsters as they fight over me like a piece of meat. All while ignoring me.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Dark college romance with secret societies and murder mystery elements.

The FMC, Sable, is starting her junior year at a new college and runs into some familiar faces from her past. I enjoyed learning more about her and the MMCs’ shared history throughout the book. I liked how the MMCs were different from each other. They all were rich and powerful, but had their own unique interests and characteristics. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters were great and I liked how their relationships developed at a different pace.

The plot itself was interesting and kept me hooked. I couldn’t put the book down and can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens!


“I need to focus. This isn’t me. I’m not that girl who lets herself be defined by lust, or by a moment of weakness in the dark.”
“And it’s always been like that between us—this toxic dance of competition, neither of us willing to let the other win.”
“She’s a reflection of me—beautiful, but hollow. Full of potential, but stuck in place.”
“She’s not just the girl next door. She’s my other half. The shadow and rival that complete me.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

The FMC, Kara, is a librarian who gets taken captive by criminals who are trying to steal a valuable book. I liked how Kara wasn’t just a passive captive. Instead, she was a strong character who fought back.

The MMC, Caden, is a morally grey British billionaire. Loved the chemistry between Kara & Caden, and there was some great spicy scenes between them 🥵

I liked the dual-POV storytelling and thought that it fit the storyline well. I enjoyed the slow burn and tension between the characters and how Kara’s thoughts and feelings about being a captive changed throughout the story.


“You think I want to know the names of the men sitting around a table where a hostage is the guest of honor?”
“If charm is your only weapon, you’ve come to this negotiation horribly under-armed.”
“I seem to be your captive just as much as you’re mine.”
“You’ll find good looks and charm do not equate a gentleman.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.